About Mid Dorset and North Poole Constituency
Mid Dorset and North Poole Constituency
By Annette Brooke MP
I have lived in the constituency for over 30 years and it is an area which I love. The Boundary Commission created the Mid Dorset and North Poole Constituency in 1995, almost solely on mathematical grounds, which is why it is rather a strange shape! However, this also means that it is very varied and includes almost all of the features which I consider quintessentially Dorset, even though it is only the gateway to the world heritage coast.
The Mid Dorset and North Poole Constituency covers Wimborne, Colehill, Bere Regis, Bloxworth, Broadstone, Corfe Mullen, Canford Heath, Merley, Bearwood, Lytchett Minster, Lytchett Matravers, Morden, Sandford, Upton and Wareham.
Bere Regis is the most westerly point. An old established, individual, and very attractive village, it has some wonderful old buildings and a beautiful church.
Bloxworth and Morden are delightful, friendly rural villages in glorious countryside.
The lovely walled Saxon town of Wareham is our most southerly point. Built on the banks of the River Frome upstream from where it enters Poole Harbour, Wareham was originally a smuggler's haven! Wareham has lovely old buildings, many wonderful traditions and local events, a real community where there are also good facilities. Barely 15 miles from Poole, it could be a world away; Wareham is a place I love to walk and wine and dine!
Wareham has grown recently and many houses have been built adjacent to the parish of Wareham St Martin. Within this parish are the communities of Sandford, Holton Heath and Trigon.
Lytchett Matravers is another well established large village with a great variety of housing and a real community spirit. I always enjoy the views of Poole Harbour from almost every point in the village.
Lytchett Minster and Upton provide a blend of rural and urban areas, both with some very attractive features.
This part of the Constituency is served by Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council. It includes the Parish Councils for Bere Regis, Lytchett Matravers, Morden and Wareham St Martin and the Town Councils for Wareham and Lytchett Minster and Upton.
Corfe Mullen lies between the 'Lytchetts' and Broadstone, and at one time lavender farming was one of the most important occupations! Large numbers of homes were built there in the 60's and 70's.
Corfe Mullen is served by its own Parish Council, East Dorset District Council, and Dorset County Council.
The centre of gravity for the constituency's population is clearly in Broadstone. A well established district within Poole but with its own distinct identity. It has a variety of shops and other excellent facilities. The Constituency Office is here, within the Liberal Hall, York Road. Broadstone developed at the turn of the century around the railway line which connected Poole and Wimborne, closed many years ago. Although quite built up, Broadstone has some lovely parks, open spaces and heathland.
Canford Heath has grown enormously in recent years and has over 6000 homes now. It is a very popular residential area for all age groups. A large area of the important and beautiful heathland has now been saved for all time from future development with the assistance of a heritage lottery grant.
Towards the north of the constituency are the two different developed centres of Bearwood and Merley, as well as the attractive Canford Magna Village.
Broadstone, Canford Heath, Merley, Bearwood and Canford Magna are served by Poole Council, a unitary authority.
The boundaries for the constituency changed at the last election, with Wimborne and Colehill becoming part of Mid Dorset and North Poole Constituency. I have very long term connections with the new additions as my husband Mike was Head of Humanities at Queen Elizabeth School in the 1970s. I taught A level Economics at the school for several years. When we moved down here in 1975, Wimborne quickly became our daughters' favourite place to visit, particularly the Minster and the model town.
I find the constituency fascinating and I am very proud to be its representative in Parliament. Variety is certainly a defining characteristic reflected in farmland, forest, woodland, heathland , rural villages, well established urban areas and a number of important industrial estates.
Recent Constituency News
Brooke invites young people to contribute to national debate
Brooke backs Bill to support local shops and services
Council tax can't be reformed, it must be scrapped - Brooke
Brooke Hails Success of Fairtrade Forum
Annette Brooke MP Petitions Parliament on Post Offices
Liberal Democrats - Making Poole a fairer town
Brooke backs community grants for young people
Poole Grammar School students spend day visiting Parliament
Brooke stands up for local parents in CSA fiasco
Legal aid reform could hit the most vulnerable - Brooke
Local MP gets Co-op commitment to Upton Post office and local residents
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