MagnaBus: coming to a place near you!

Magna Housing Association is taking to the road in a mobile office to give its residents better access to services.

The MagnaBus hit the streets this month and is set to become a familiar sight around the country lanes and villages in West Dorset and beyond. The idea came from a residents' survey.

Housing manager Stuart Martindale will be behind the wheel as he goes out and about to areas where Magna has residents but doesn't have an office nearby.

He said: "We really think this innovative way of delivering our services will be a great success.

"The fact that the original idea came from residents makes it even more rewarding to be delivering the service."

The mobile office is a converted motor home fitted with satellite technology to provide the same level of service as a static office.

Residents will be able to get advice about their tenancies, pay their rent by cheque or debit card, report repairs and meet their housing officer.

The mobile office began visiting Magna communities from 1 August and will start a scheduled programme of visits from 1 September.

It will also be appearing at event launches and open days. Its location will be widely publicised on Magna's website and through its residents' magazine, Opendoor.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2011

Dorchester

24 August

10.00-12.00

Victory Court, Greenings Court, Dorchester

25 August

11.00 -1500

Elizabeth Place, Dorchester Community Day

Dorchester, Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth

10 August

14.00-16.30

Holbaek Close, Dorchester, Neighbour nuisance afternoon

27 September

09.30-10.30

Magennis Court, Seeley Court, Portland

27 September

11.30-12.30

Sherlock Court, Weymouth

Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Beaminster

3 August

10.00-12.00

Church Close, Court Close, Pageant Close, King William Head, Bradpole

17 August

10.00-12.00

Pilsdon Close, Eggardon Close, Beaminster

7 September

10.00-12.00

Fullers, Broadwindsor

21 September

10.00-12.00

Ellesdon, Bridge Road, Wesley Close, Charmouth

Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Chard

2 August

10.00-16.00

Maltings Car Park, Maltings Estate, Charles Garrett, Laneside, Chapel Mews, Deer Gardens, Old School House, Stickland Mews

9 August

10.00-12.00

Communall Hall, Durrants Close & Newlands T and Chat

Bridport

18 August

10.00-12.00

The Pound, Mill Street, Barr Lane, Burton Bradstock

8 September

10.00-12.00

Clarence House, East Cliff, West Bay

22 September

10.00-12.00

Castle Square, South Walk, Bridport

Yetminster, Cerne Abbas, Yeovil

8 August

14.30-15.30

Wightmans Orchard, Piddletrenthide

8 August

15.45-16.30

South View, Piddletrenthide

1 September

13.00-16.30

Wyndham Park, Lyde Road Community Day, Yeovil

5 September

14.30-15.30

Streetway Lane, Cheselbourne

5 September

15.45-16.30

Robins Gardens, Cheselbourne

* The picture shows MagnaBus driver Stuart Martindale, who will be out and about on the byways of West Dorset.