As January 2026 signs out with storms, floods and general chaos, what will February and the following months offer?
Firstly, three key dates:
#The next BPCCRA open meeting will be on:
Wednesday 11th February 2026; 7-30pm, Committee Room, St Aldhelm’s Church Hall
# The BPCCRA AGM will be on Saturday 11th April 2026, 10-30am Canford Cliffs Village Hall,17 Ravine Rd, Poole BH13 7HT
# New Poole Town Council Elections will be on Thursday 7th May 2026
Our membership secretary, Pamel Cavell has stood down, having done sterling work in helping us to sort out and modernise the complex and vital task of organising and maintaining of our membership records. We are fortunate that John Pearce (a former Olympian!) has agreed to take on this critical role.
Our excellent “Pines and Chines” Editor ed.pinesandchines@icloud.co.uk is currently assembling the next issue (due out in April). Closing date for any possible contributions is mid-February. I am sure she will welcome pieces of interest!
Now for another serious issue; Our association Subscription has been at £5 for a long time; actually, though it is hard to believe, for more than 25years! Even at this modest level it has allowed the Association to build up reserves as a “Fighting Fund” Why do we need this? Planning issues are getting ever more complex and development pressures ever greater; the Council’s planners struggle to cope, leading to decisions which may have to be contested. To do this, for example through a Judicial Review or just seeking advice from a specialist barrister or planning expert will cost money; our reserves will allow us to do this when necessary. Not surprisingly, inflation, and our increasing level of activity (for example the publication and distribution of our much appreciated ”Pines and Chines”) means we are currently not even breaking even.
Your Executive Committee is currently considering proposing at this year’s AGM, raising individual membership subs to £10 per annum, asking members to adjust their standing orders or other methods of payment when they become due.
Block memberships would move to £7 per residence, with the blocks being invoiced from 2027. Comments on these proposals will be very welcome. Email them to me at the address below. Hopefully we can maintain this new level, if agreed, for a long time (maybe not 25years!),
Many of you may have seen the beautifully restored shelters at Pinecliff gardens. I am pleased to say that we have found a local artist, Stuart Roberts, a member of the Poole Artists Circle who will paint the murals for us. He will start work in April.
We are still ( always!) looking for members who can help us in any way. There are always tasks which need a helping hand. Contact me if you would like to explore any possibilities.
Peter Schroeder
Chairman
BPCCRA
February 2026
Email; p.r.schroeder39@gmail.com
Mobile; 07767633718 Home; 01202701430
