A FERNDOWN estate transformed by a decade of hard work by its community has been praised by Dorset’s chief constable.

Debbie Simpson visited Heatherlands estate to meet some of the people behind the changes.

Among them were PC Julian Humphries, the community beat officer who has turned down promotions to stay at Heatherlands, martial arts expert John Hanrahan, manager of the community centre and Sue Sutherland, who runs a voluntary club dedicated to helping families.

Chief Constable Simpson hailed the “discipline and commitment” of those who have turned the estate around, adding: “I will leave a bit dumbfounded about how things can change through the will of people in society.”

The estate was known as Tricketts Cross until recent years, but has now been renamed.

Maureen Godfrey, a former Ferndown mayor and chairman of the Heatherlands PACT panel, said the old moniker had caused problems, adding: “It has changed beyond recognition.

“When you look at the estate now, it is like a completely different place.”

John, who started the Ferndown Ju-Jitsu Club more than 12 years ago, said: “I’m a great believer in the power of the community to change things.

“Everyone harps on about doom and gloom, but we should be focusing on all the positives.

“That’s how things happen.”

 

‘Disparate’

Official 2010 statistics show Ferndown is marred by disparity. Dorset is broken down into 247 population centres, with one at the bottom and 247 at the top.

Tricketts Cross East scored 10 in the ‘income’ category – up from six in 2007 – and three in ‘education and skills’, down from eight. Ferndown Pinewood, less than two miles away, scored 238 and 204 in the same categories.