I write to commend the Boscombe community for their spirit and resilience shown last week following the very sad events.

Those who helped one injured person prior to the arrival of the emergency services did not hesitate to do whatever they could to try and save his life and are still finding it difficult to accept that he has sadly passed away.

This is not the first emergency situation that Boscombe has had to contend with and I am sure that it will not be the last, as life does throw challenges at us all, but it is how we deal with and learn from them which is significant.

Our relationship with Dorset Police is excellent and it was good to see officers from both the Council and the Police out in the affected areas on the following days, talking to people and reassuring them.

The work that has gone on in Boscombe over the last seven or eight years is beginning to bear fruit in that the physical appearance of some roads has changed hugely for the better and possibly more importantly, residents are so proud to live there and be part of the vibrant creative culture that exists, bringing people together to form a close-knit community that cares for each other.

Bournemouth Council’s Managing Director, Jane Portman has written her weekly blog on this very subject and I would recommend anyone thinking for a moment that the Regeneration aspirations in Boscombe are waning, to read it and understand that we are more determined than ever to continue our work. www.bhblog.co.uk/strength-of-Boscombe-community/

Cllr Jane Kelly

Ward Cllr Boscombe West

Cabinet Member Regeneration and Public Health