The Swanage Oracle - December 2016

The Swanage The independent directory of local businesses serving the residents of Swanage, Studland Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers & Ulwell

Delivered FREE to all homes & businesses in the BH19 area

Oracle December 2016

Merry Christmas!

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE ALL THE AVAILABLE SPACE IN YOUR HOME?

BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Custom Creations is a family run business with over 40 years experience

CALL US NOW ON

01202 823231

TO ARRANGE YOUR FREE, NO OBLIGATION DESIGN CONSULTATION

www.customcreations.furniture

Unit 1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor Road, Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS

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To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Upton Farm, Upton, Ringstead, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8NE Heatcare UK LTD are OFTEC and Gas Safe qualified and registered. We are able to cater for all of your oil heating needs including commercial, on top of providing our expert knowledge and services in both mains gas and LPG. • Winter service checks available • No call out charge • Fast response • All work guaranteed • Increased warranties on Worcester products • Heating • Plumbing • Leadwork

We wish all our customers past and present a very Merry Christmas!

To book your service or work contact us on

01305 853970 or 07557 990715 or email us at heatcareukltd@aol.com Visit our website:

www.heatcareukltd.com And don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

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Introduction

The Swanage Edition 97

Oracle

Published by:

Stephen & Debbie Corney at Purbeck Publications

Telephone: 01929 408080 Email: info@swanageoracle.co.uk

Copy deadline for the January 2017 edition: 12th December 2016

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

The Swanage Oracle does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

Proud members of

Dear Swanage, Studland, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers and Ulwell!

Christmas 2016! Unbelievable many of us say. It is a time to reflect over the last year and start to look at what we want to do this coming 2017. Stephen and I with Hayden and good old Nellie have had a really good year.

The summer for me was particularly special, spending much time at the beach with Hayden and his ‘life saving’ friends. We have been busy and also have had time to take time out as a family. Nellie, the Purbeck Publications Campervan continues to take us out, all over the south coast and beyond. Not quite to infinity... Last month she took us to Chessington Theme Park and you can read how a group of ‘ageing adults’ had a blast.

Now is the time to finalize all the preparations for Christmas Day. We also have three Birthdays at this time: on 25th November Hayden became a teenager!

Oh oh... My Birthday is three days before Christmas as I didn’t want to miss out on those all important presents of course, and Stephen’s Birthday is on Boxing Day. It is an expensive time of the year to say the least, but very exciting.

The magazine has continued to help local trades people and we are truly grateful for that. The aim of our local Oracle is to help you the resident find good local businesses that can do all those jobs you just cannot do yourselves.

This in turn keeps our local trades busy and that helps all of us as well as the local economy.

We are very happy to promote local groups and societies for free. Just give one of us a call or send an email. If you have a company and are not featured here, but would like to be, please let us know. We use Royal Mail to distribute the magazines and would love to get your name to the local residents.

Stephen and myself wish you All the Very Best at this festive time. May you and your family and friends have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

Debbie & Stephen Corney Useful Numbers Local Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Swanage Hospital

101 08457 708090 0800 111999 01929 422282

Train Enquires Wilts & Dorset Bus Wessex Water Emerg.

Purbeck Distict Council

08457 484950 01983 827005 0845 600 4600 01929 556561

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Email: info@philiptrimcontractors.com

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Community News

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NCS Rough Sleep Challenge Committed young people taking part in the BCHA-led National Citizen Service (NCS), slept rough for the night raising awareness and money for homeless people in Bournemouth this winter.

On 11th November 2016 a group of young people aged 16-17 years old took part in a 12-hour rough sleep. The challenge was a simulated version of a night on the streets.

They were woken up and moved on every few hours, like many homeless people are each night. They walked many miles throughout the night in all weather conditions.

The young people managed to raise over £500, this money will go towards redecorating James Michael House in Bournemouth. This property provides housing for homeless young people in Bournemouth, the young people were particularly passionate about this cause due to the residents being of a similar age. Any leftover donations will be used to give the residents a well needed activity day out. Donations are still being taken on our JustGiving page: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/BCHA-NCSRoughSleepFundraiser Rachael Cheney, NCS Staff, said: ‘I was overwhelmed by how dedicated the team were in helping homeless young people in their area. When asked why they were so passionate they said it was because it could happen to them at any point and they were still lucky enough to be at home.

We tried to make the experience as realistic as possible by first working through a Homes for Cathy workbook. We got them to think about different scenarios that could lead them to being made homeless and how they could overcome them. They also learnt about what being homeless really meant, to break any

stereotypes they may have had.

On the actual night they spent most of the time in a church car park and the NCS staff played different roles throughout the night, including a police officer moving the group on. They spent some time in the local woods in West Moors, to help them understand the loneliness and separation some homeless people might experience.

They were all fantastic and made the most of the challenge we set for them. They were so pleased when we played the role of a good Samaritan at around 3am and invited them in to the church for a hot drink and a donut.’

Harry Batson, NCS Participant, said: ‘NCS has given me a unique opportunity to take part in awesome activities and also give back to the community. This programme has made good use of my social skills, leadership and helped me further confront the world and its surroundings. I never realised how easy it was to help in the community and have fun whilst doing it!

What we, as NCS graduates, have achieved has truly made a difference to lives and is one of the best things I have ever done. I have definitely changed as a person for the better thanks to this course, and I fully encourage young people to also take part. So worth it!’

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Look after your loved ones this Christmas with WEARABLE LIFE ASSURANCE from Aster Group.

Reassurance for the whole family knowing that help is available at the touch of a button

Call us now on

0333 400 8299 FOR A FREE 8 WEEK TRIAL AND INSTALLATION

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11/11/2016 16:03:11

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Community News

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Free parking in Purbeck This December, shoppers in Purbeck will be able to enjoy some free parking before Christmas.

all the Saturdays in December and Saturday 7 January.

With the support of local chambers of trade and commerce, free parking will be available around the district on a number of days.

Purbeck District Council and Wareham Town Council will be waiving charges in their car parks on Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December.

Free parking will also be available in Corfe Castle West Street car park on Saturdays 10, 17 and 24 December.

Swanage Town Council will be providing free parking in its Broad Road and Main Beach car parks on

Thriving communities in balance with the natural environment

Purbeck District Council Phone 01929 556561 Web www.dorsetforyou.com Visit Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PP Social media Twitter @Purbeck_DC www.facebook.com/Dorsetforyou

Purbeck Sports Centre Phone 01929 500 000 Web www.dorsetforyou.com/ purbecksportscentre Visit Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PH Social media Twitter @Purbecksport www.facebook.com/Purbeck sportscentre

Discover Purbeck Information Centre Phone 01929 552740 Visit The Library, South Street, Wareham BH20 4LR Social media Twitter @DiscoverPurbeck www.facebook.com/discover purbecktic

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Seasonal greetings to all our sponsors, readers & music lovers from the trustees of the Michael James Music Trust.

Supporting musicians through The Michael James Music Trust Established in 1981 in memory of the young organist and conductor Michael James BA, FRCO, to discover, promote, educate and support gifted young musicians. Based in Wimborne Minster, the charity has its local representative as Brian Barker, proprietor of quaint and attractive Georgian Gems in Swanage High Street.

Since the Trust was established in 1981, over 550 students have been helped to reach their goals in the field of music, goals which they may not otherwise achieve.

The Trust is funded by annual concerts, by donations and personal covenants or capital gifts. If you would like to support the Trust or find out more please contact Brian at: Georgian Gems, 28 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NU Tel: 01929 424697 Website: www.georgiangems.co.uk

Verbal valuations £1 • Any item Proceeds to go to The Michael James Music Trust

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Community News

10

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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J Taylor Electrical • • • •

NICEIC approved contractor Established 2002 Friendly Swanage based service From small jobs in the home to rewires and commercial work • Inspection and testing • Replacement fuseboxes • Electrical control systems for central and under floor heating

Call John on

Swanage 422989 or 07966 167978

E: johntaylor294@gmail.com

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Wildlife News

Talking about Wildlife...

Fly away home...

Bird migration is perhaps one of the favourite natural phenomena of wildlife lovers. Summer long gone and the autumn foliage fading, the sky fills with the spectacle of migrating birds, heading to their winter quarters in Africa. The birds’ ability to navigate thousands of miles annually, often to the exact same locations year after year, has mystified people for centuries, and it is believed that they use the Earth’s magnetic fields, the sun, the moon, and the stars to guide their way.

Whilst many species migrate south from here, Britain, due to its temperate climate, plenitude of estuaries and long coastline, is an internationally important destination for millions of migrating birds from the Arctic, Siberia, Canada and Scandinavia. They arrive on our shores throughout the autumn to spend the season in a milder climate than their homelands offer. Winter visitors include redwing and brambling, as well as geese, ducks, swans and wading birds. The migrant birds frequently fly around in flocks of dozens to thousands of individuals, reflecting a fantastic silhouette against the sky. They

Brownsea Island lagoon and hide Photo: Sally Welbourn

Spoonbill flock

Photo: Phyl England

find comfort and safety in numbers; flocking together provides security from predators, and as the chilly nights settle in, huddling together provides the vital body warmth for survival.

Poole Harbour is one of the country’s most renowned bird estuaries, hosting thousands of migrants annually. The Brownsea Island lagoon, an internationally renowned destination for migrants, supports significant numbers of avocet, black-tailed godwit, oystercatcher, and redshank and spoonbill, amongst others. December is an opportune time in coastal areas, wetlands and estuaries, where many of the avian visitors make their winter home, to go bird watching. Should you not wish to venture outdoors, Dorset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with the Birds of Poole Harbour to produce a fantastic live avian reality show via a webcam, available on: http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/ brownsea-webcam.

Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out more about our winter walks, and the best reserves to spot birds all year round.

By Niina Silvennoinen

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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C

M PLUMBING & HEATING Local Gas & Heating Engineers

• • • • •

Boiler/Fire Ser vicing Landlord Gas Safe Inspections New Boiler Replacements Power Flushing Unvented Hot Water Cylinder Installations • Bathrooms, Shower Rooms, Wet Rooms 180993 • Design &installations

Tel: 01929 550160

M: 07790 056396

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 Please mention The Swanage Oracle when responding to adverts

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Money Saving Tips

Martin

LEWIS &KULVWPDV

Don’t hate me, I know it’s early, but it’s time to prepare (not celebrate), as Christmas is coming. I hate tinsel and Jingle Bells before December as much as the next man, but many festive savings are only possible if you do them early.

This isn’t a trivial message. I’m fed up of every January people telling me they’re skint and when I ask why they reply, “Christmas of course.” Well I can tell you exclusively here, Christmas will be on 25 December this year, so it’s not an unexpected event – there is time to plan in advance to prevent problems.

So here are my seven key things you should do now that’ll save you for festivities. I’ve focused on Christmas, but the same techniques work for Chanukah, Eid, and Kwanzaa too.

1. Agree to not give unnecessary presents.

Gifts for kids, grandchildren or your spouse are fine. Yet it’s time to stop the ever growing list of people we buy for even when we’ve no idea what they want, know we’ll end up buying tat that’ll never be used, and add heaps of pressure on ourselves to do so.

I’ve been campaigning to end unnecessary gifts for six years, and more and more people are doing it. Yet it involves agreeing a pact not to buy

each other. Even the joy of giving can be selfish if it obligates someone who can’t afford it to buy back. Julia tweeted me a couple of weeks ago: “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told family I can’t afford Xmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.”

So contact friends and family now and make an agreement not to buy, or to cap the cost, only give homemade or even to give to charity instead. See my full ‘why Christmas presents are bad’ explanation at www.mse.me/ BanChristmas.

2. Book your train tickets 12 weeks in advance.

Wherever you’re planning on spending the festive season, if you need to travel by train, book your tickets 12 weeks in advance. That’s when most cheap advance tickets launch, so you get maximum availability. So this is close to the perfect moment to be buying tickets if you’re away visiting friends and family for Christmas and New Year.

3. Small savings make merry Based on roughly 90 days, 75 working days and 13 weeks left till Christmas.

So, if you buy a £2 coffee every work day, just give it up now, put the cash in a Christmas kitty instead and you’ll have £150 by the big day.@MoneySavingExpert I’m not telling you

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to do this, it’s about deciding priorities.

If that’s cash you need for Christmas, are you willing to make the sacrifice?

4. Earn 5% cashback on your Christmas 2YHUGUDIWV shopping.

If you’re going to be spending for Christmas, you might as well do it on a card that pays you every time you spend on it.

T h e n o a n n u a l - f e e w w w. americanexpress.com Platinum Everyday credit card pays you 5% cashback on your first three months’ spending (maximum £100), so get it now and you get the big cashback during the high spend pre-Christmas period. It then follows with up to 1% after.

The cashback is paid after a year, so you’ll get it in time to help next Christmas, though there’s a minimum £3,000 spend to get it. That sounds a lot, but do all your normal spending on it as it pays you and you’ll be fine. Of course, only do this if you’ve a direct debit to repay it IN FULL each month, or you’ll be charged 22.9% rep APR, which kills the gain.

5. Not saved for it?

Do it now – then you can split the cost by three.

A typical family Christmas costs around £600-£800 - a huge amount from one month’s salary alone. But if you haven’t started saving yet, there is still time. For example, if you put £200 aside from your October and November income, it’ll spread the cost. Save what you can.

Martin

LEWIS

If you’re saying you can’t afford that, then I’m afraid you’ll need to go cold turkey. Christmas is just one day, it’s not worth overspending and ruining your New Year.

6. Set up a Christmas cupboard.

Become a tactical shopper. Work out now what necessary gifts you need to buy, and then if you spot a bargain, you can pounce on it when there’s a code, voucher or discount that makes it cheaper (I put the best in my weekly email at www.mse.me/tips).

Even better, as is part of many Money Savers’ Christmas arsenal, once you buy a present, bag it, wrap it, and pop it in a Christmas cupboard – gradually getting the chores done.

7. Not used it since last Christmas?

Flog it.

Walk around the house and examine everything; it’s time for your annual personal stock clearance. Many old items can be worth serious cash.

And if you’ve not used things for a year, whether toys, prams, old coffee makers, mobile phones, gadgets, or even clothes, why not sell them?

This isn’t just about eBay or car boot sales; Facebook now has a lot of good local sales groups too that can be an easy way to do this. There are also lots of recycling sites that will pay you for old mobiles and gadgets – just make sure you do your research first to find the one that’ll give you the most @MoneySavingExpert

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16

Motoring

Auto Biographies

Abarth 124 Spider

By Tim Barnes-Clay, www.carwriteups.co.uk

The Abarth 124 Spider is cast from the same die as the Fiat 124, and to improve it Abarth has used the same tactic as it did to change the Fiat 500 into the Abarth 595. In other words, it has added lithe looks, noise and, most importantly, muscle. The Abarth 124 Spider uses the same platform as Mazda’s MX-5 and Fiat’s 124. However, while the Fiat has been constructed to be more of a cruising vehicle, the Abarth is more hardcore – and the most performance driven of the three brands.

The Abarth uses the same 1.4-litre, fourcylinder turbo-charged petrol engine as Fiat’s 124 - except in the Abarth it produces 170PS, compared with the Fiat 124’s 140PS. The Abarth’s power unit spins with the proper Italian sports car vigour you’d hope for. It feels wayward and entertaining at high revs - and you’re aware of the turbocharger when you push on. The sports car is quick to respond and the gear change is rapid and exact.

The best thing about the 124 Spider, though, is the noise it makes. Popping burbles emit from the quad tailpipes when doing the 0-62mph gallop, as I found out testing the car at Silverstone Circuit, in Northamptonshire.

The two-seater Abarth will reach the magical

figure in 6.8 seconds, on its way to 143mph.

Fold the roof, via a simple fastener, and the Abarth 124’s sound is even more delectable.

For an added dose of pleasure, the Abarth 124 has a Sport setting. Hit the button and things become louder, tighter and faster.

The throttle feels more insistent, and weight is also added to the steering, making you feel even more united with the road – or race track. The 124 Spider feels most pleased driven hard, with the tail-end hunkered down over the rear wheels. Even when you go too brutally into a bend and lose traction for a jiffy, the Abarth 124 continues to play nicely. Working out what the rump of the car is going to do soon becomes second nature.

On the whole, the Abarth 124 Spider is a grin maker, although your beam might falter for a moment when you see the price-tag - £29,565. Yes, it’s a large lump of cash, but once you’ve heard the melodious tailpipes, felt the performance and experienced the handling for yourself, you’ll appreciate that this car is worth every single bank note.

Pros ‘n’ Cons • Appearance √ • Handling √ • Noise √ • Excitement √ • Licence loser X

Fast Facts • Max speed: 143mph • 0-62 mph: 6.8 secs • Combined mpg: 44.1 • Engine: 1368cc 4cyl turbo petrol • CO2: 148 g/km • Price: £29,565

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

17

Looking for a builder who covers all the bases?  Extensions  Loft conversions  Listed building work  From drawings to completion  All trades handled

Tel: 07973 400 297

19 St Martins Lane, Wareham, BH20 4HF

All successful relationships start with a conversation.

Let’s talk... You deserve to work with a firm that values your long-term success as much as its own.

Many individuals and businesses across Dorset put their trust in us to be their Chartered Accountant or Financial Adviser, so contact us and let’s get the conversation started.

For more information or to discuss your own circumstances

call us on 01929 551 551 or visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk

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Food & Drink

18

Tastes so good...

DƵůůĞĚ tŝŶĞ

An easy mulled wine recipe for the festive season, brimming with Christmassy spice. Don't bother with expensive wine - a cheap red will work beautifully and no one will ever know the difference!

Eat, Drink and be merry!

Ingredients for 4- 6 servings ϭ ďŽƩůĞ ĚƌLJ ƌĞĚ ǁŝŶĞ Ϯ ;ϱĐŵͿ ĐŝŶŶĂŵŽŶ ƐƟĐŬƐ ϭ ĚĞƐƐĞƌƚƐƉŽŽŶ ǁŚŽůĞ ĐůŽǀĞƐ ϭ ĚĞƐƐĞƌƚƐƉŽŽŶ ǁŚŽůĞ ĂůůƐƉŝĐĞ ϭ ůĂƌŐĞ ƉŝĞĐĞ ŽƌĂŶŐĞ ƌŝŶĚ ;ĂǀŽŝĚ ƚŚĞ ƉŝƚŚͿ ϭ ůĂƌŐĞ ƉŝĞĐĞ ůĞŵŽŶ ƌŝŶĚ ;ĂǀŽŝĚ ƚŚĞ ƉŝƚŚͿ 2-ϰ ƚĂďůĞƐƉŽŽŶƐ ĚĞŵĞƌĂƌĂ ƐƵŐĂƌ͕ (Žƌ ƚŽ ƚĂƐƚĞ)

WƌĞƉĂƌĂƚŝŽŶ ƚŝŵĞ: ůĞƐƐ ƚŚĂŶ ϯϬ ŵŝŶƐ ŽŽŬŝŶŐ ƚŝŵĞ: ůĞƐƐ ƚŚĂŶ ϭϬ ŵŝŶƐ ^ĞƌǀĞƐ: 4- 6 ĂĚƵůƚƐ

Method

PŽƵƌ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶĞ ŝŶƚŽ Ă ŚĞĂǀLJ ƐĂƵĐĞƉĂŶ ŽǀĞƌ ŵĞĚŝƵŵ ŚĞĂƚ͕ ĂŶĚ ĂĚĚ ƚŚĞ ĐŝŶŶĂŵŽŶ͕ ĐůŽǀĞƐ͕ ĂůůƐƉŝĐĞ͕ ůĞŵŽŶ ƌŝŶĚ ĂŶĚ ŽƌĂŶŐĞ ƌŝŶĚ͘ ,ĞĂƚ ŐĞŶƚůLJ͕ ďƵƚ ĚŽŶΖƚ ďƌŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ďŽŝů͘ ^Ɵƌ ŝŶ Ϯ ƚĂďůĞƐƉŽŽŶƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƵŐĂƌ͕ ĂŶĚ ŽŶĐĞ ĚŝƐƐŽůǀĞĚ͕ ƚĂƐƚĞ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ŝĨ LJŽƵΖĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶĞ ƐǁĞĞƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ĂĚĚ ŵŽƌĞ ŝĨ ƐŽ ;ƚĂŬĞ ĐĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ ƚŽ ďƵƌŶ LJŽƵƌ ŵŽƵƚŚ ĂƐ ƚŚŝƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŚŽƚ͊Ϳ͘ <ĞĞƉ ŚŽƚ ŽŶ ŵĞĚŝƵŵ ƚŽ ůŽǁ ŚĞĂƚ ĨŽƌ ϮϬ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ƚŽ ůĞƚ ƚŚĞ ŇĂǀŽƵƌƐ ŝŶĨƵƐĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶĞ͘ ^ƚƌĂŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ŵƵůůĞĚ ǁŝŶĞ ŝŶƚŽ ŚĞĂƚƉƌŽŽĨ ŐůĂƐƐĞƐ Žƌ ŵƵŐƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀĞ Ăƚ ŽŶĐĞ͕ ƉĞƌŚĂƉƐ ĂĐĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞĚ ďLJ ŵŝŶĐĞ ƉŝĞƐ Žƌ ũƵƐƚ ĞŶũŽLJ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ĮƌĞƐŝĚĞ͘

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19

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20

Puzzle Corner

Pop the kettle on...

8

5 1

3

7

6

4 9

4

1

9

2

8 9 6

6

4

2 7 5

8

6

5

2

Across

7

Crossword

9 Motion sickness (7) 10 Query (7) 11 Trouble (7) 12 Army squad (7) 13 Winners (9) 15 Also known as (5) 16 Smiled contemptuously (7) 19 Car pilots (7) 20 Italian lawn bowling (5) 21 Categories (9) 25 The joined continents of Europe and Asia (7) 26 Exposes (7) 28 Duo (7) 29 Correction to a printed mistake (7)

Down

1 Micro______ = something very small (6) 2 The circle of colour around a nipple (6) 3 The lowest timber in a structure (4) 4 Elbows pointed outwards (6) 5 Threw away (8) 6 Greenish blue (10)

7 A black ďŹ&#x201A;avoured candy (8) 8 Mesmerism (8) 14 Approval to do something (10) 16 Branches of knowledge (8) 17 Snails (8) 18 Diverged (8)

22 Ship's steering mechanism (6) 23 Inborn (6) 24 Big Bird's street (6) 27 City in Italy (4)

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21

Carpet & Flooring Specialists • Hardwood & Laminate Flooring • Carpet & Carpet Tiles • Wood Sanding & Restoration • Home selection service • Free quotes and advice Come and visit our showroom to see the ranges for yourself 1 Manor Park, 35 Willis Way, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3SZ Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri

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Adventures of Nellie

22

The Adventures of Nellie The Purbeck Publications Camper Van Nellie is very excited about Christmas!

Last year she drove us all the way to Stephen’s parents near Oxford. This year we are staying at home and my parents are coming to visit.

With all that adrenaline rushing she had the great idea last month to take us to Chessington Adventure Park for Halloween. When I say a group of us I mean all adults of a certain age (mostly over 50) who were looking for some good old fun... without the children. Is that possible I hear you say? A group of menopausal women and a few perplexed men to a theme park for Halloween? You would think we would know better by now, but seems the ‘going back to childhood’ has started early for some of us... or maybe we just never grew up!

We set off, all (well most of us) very keen to have a go on the rides and scream and shout to our hearts content. What a great excuse! We only thought later that we could have dressed up too... but maybe that was taking it a bit too far. Nellie can look pretty scary at the best of times with her long black skirts and silver teeth. You do realize that it is the van I am talking about and not some self inflicted invalidation? Not that any of us would ever do that to ourselves of course...

The weather was perfect. Bright and dry. Not at all bad for October 31st.

As soon as we all gathered at the gate we were like whippets at the starting block. We couldn’t wait to get on those thrilling, heart pounding rides. One of the party was not so keen and happily was the ‘bag lady’ for the day. We had in fact been to the same location last year and “Mr Bubbleworks” (the name says it all), which is a cute ride on the water for the younger children, had sent chills through her spine and caused her to hang on for dear life, literally. The rest of us found it highly amusing but poor

Getting a drenching on Rameses Revenge

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23

Julie couldn’t wait to get off. She now makes a very good ‘bag lady’ and is more than happy to watch us screaming, shouting and otherwise making a fool of ourselves.

“Kobra”, the serpent ride, is really quite exhilarating, without turning you upside down and throwing you about uncontrollably. The roller coaster does throw you from one side to the other and neither seat saves you from the other person’s heavy (in some of our cases) body being thrown solidly against you as you also twirl in the air.

Nellie didn’t like the sound of that one and with her rather oversized thighs I don’t blame her!

Then of course there is the good old fashioned Carousel. Two of the party are somewhat more dignified and composed than the rest of us... must be David’s Naval Officer background, though his wry smile at times gives something else away... and they absolutely looked the part as they gave the Royal Wave from the carriage. Escapism, or is it delusion?

Wonderful isn’t it.

The only youngster of the party, a fifteen year old, got totally drenched on “Rameses Revenge”. Nellie loves the names of these rides. People must spend hours, and probably a small fortune, just thinking of what to call them. This was the only ride none of us ‘sane’ adults would go on. Held upside down in the air with water shooting up at you, was not our cup of tea. And at our age tea is very important.

Time for that all important tea!

“Vampire” is the best and since the park was open til 8pm, being a Halloween opening, we went on that in the dark. The ride seemed twice as fast and being at the front added to the sheer elation. Our poor tickers, how did they cope?

It was a truly brilliant day and Nellie was thrilled we enjoyed ourselves so much. It shows that you don’t have to be young to have a good time and that time spent with friends is time well spent!

Nellie wishes you a really good Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Again it is a great excuse to invite friends and family together, relax, eat and be merry. Enjoy!

Where will Nellie be taking us in 2017?

By Debbie Corney

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24

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 

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      

  

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    

    

 

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The Swanage Oracle

V K V K P V B G Y R L Y V B P

T C N V N E R U D O L P H O R

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I R P Z W T Q Q V Q O U E R E

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E X G I R E I N D E E R L O T

K G N B S H Q R T Y R Y U B Q

C H S D Q E P N L E O Y R P W

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R F O Q E U D H E M O P R E T

C N J D M K H D E I A M T U T

Prize Wordsearch

Prize Wordsearch

S S L E I G H V S H S B M P M

I R D J W U K M W C X C P Z N

H Z W F Q X A N C C A S T U A

COAL SNOW CHIMNEY SLEIGH TREE PRESENT SANTA CLAUS CRACKER REINDEER RUDOLPH

This month, the prize is a meal for two at the Bull & Boat in Swanage, so please complete this page by 22nd December 2016 and send to: December Prize Wordsearch Name: ______________________ The Swanage Oracle, Address: ______________________ 1 Moorlands Rise, ______________________ West Moors, ______________________ Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone: ______________________

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Gardening Tips

26

On Your Plot Scarves at the ready

December is perhaps the one month where, in the build up to Christmas with roaring fires and shorter days, even the hardiest of gardeners may struggle to get out there and do the necessary for their plots.

December often means hard frosts and you need to harvest your winter cabbages, celery and cauliflowers this month. Parsnips and swedes are pretty hardy so if you are a bit overrun with your crop you can keep these in the ground until you need them. If bad weather is forecast then keep some straw handy to cover them over and stop the ground from freezing thema in. Make sure that you check your stored crops for any sign of disease and remove any that look problematic.

If the ground isn’t too sticky then this is also a great time to get out your hoe and work between your vegetable crops. Look out for any plants which might have been lifted by frost and press them gently back into the ground.

Keep an eye on your Brussels too - these should be starting now so try cooking them in different ways in your meals before the ‘big day’ (adding a spot of garlic can make all the difference) until you find something suitable to go with the bird. You don’t just have to eat them on Christmas Day you know!

Be mindful of any snowfall this month or in future weeks and help out your plants and shrubs as best you can by brushing off any settled snow. This helps to prevent any damage with branches breaking under the weight. Just make sure you if you have small children they don’t take this as an opportunity to flick snow everywhere otherwise your quiet gardening time could suddenly turn into an impromptu snowball fight!

Birds at this time of the year need all the help they can get too. There are some great plants that you can introduce to help them as well as popping out the traditional feeders. These

include hawthorn, holly, beriberi and indeed your holly can double up as a craft project for indoor decorations over the festive season.

If you are planting these types of shrubs for our feathered friends then do try and put them somewhere quiet in the garden where the birds won’t be frightened off.

Sit back at your window and watch them feed contentedly whilst you enjoy the view. Why not get out a few gardening books, grab a cup of tea and imagine how you’d like your garden to look next summer? More or less vegetables? Bigger shrubs, more colour?

Whatever you choose, pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you’ve done this year and think how green your fingers really could be!

Jobs for December:-

• Continue collecting falling leaves and put them in a leaf mould cage ready for next year.

• Take hardwood cuttings of soft fruit.

• Cover your compost bins • Pop some more manure into your digging efforts.

• Keep an eye on any slugs trying to get at your potatoes • Keep your bird feeders topped up, especially if there is ground frost or snowfall.

• Keep mice away from your harvested produce.

• Cut back any creepers that have become a bit excitable during the year

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27

CAMERAS & BINOCULARS WANTED

By Private Collector ANY Age, Format, Quantity or Quality - Collections Of ANY Size - Lenses Of All Types - Clockwork Cine ALSO Wanted 8mm, 16mm, 35mm - BEST PRICES PAID - WILL COLLECT - ANY DISTANCE CONSIDERED Please Call Keith On

01202 862886

Doors-Windows-Locks Glass repairs & Sealed units replaced uPVC & Timber Windows & Doors supplied & fitted uPVC Fascia - Soffits - Gutters installed Locks Opened - Replaced - Upgraded Window restrictors & Child locks fitted Handles - Hinges - Letter Boxes Seals & Gaskets Replaced Snapped keys extracted

Tel: 01929 481496 Mobile: 07484 186617 Email: dwlocks@outlook.com FENSA - MTC - CRB checked

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Community News

28

Grey seals, golden eagles, weasels and water voles: award-winning country park celebrates the best of British wildlife photography Stunning images of wildlife from across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire feature in the highly-accclaimed British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) exhibition at Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood from 14 January until 26 February 2017.

With 15 categories, including two for young people, the Awards showcase the very best of nature photography chosen from thousands of entries from across the country and raise awareness about biodiversity, British species and their habitats.

Moors Valley is the only location south of London to host the BWPA national touring exhibition which this year features over 100 striking images including grey seals, golden eagles, weasels and water voles. The Park was recently awarded ‘Gold’ for Sustainability in the Dorset Tourism Awards and fifty-

Paul Colley’s ‘Hello Ducky (Brown Trout and Mallard Duck)’. Photographed in GoodworthClatford, Hampshire, it was Highly Commended in the Animal Behaviour category

five percent of the animals featured in the exhibition have been sighted, if not photographed, there. Moors Valley is also is one of ‘ the best places in the UK for dragonflies and home to all six species of British reptile as well as a highly successful water vole reintroduction programme.

This year’s BWPA overall winning shot, ‘Hitchhikers’, was not taken on land but underwater off the Island of Hirta in Scotland and features what awardwinning photographer George Stoyle describes as ‘one of the largest jellyfish I’ve ever encountered’. The amazing folds, frills and kaleidoscopic colours of this giant lion’s mane jellyfish should make ‘Hitchhikers’ a winner, but it is the shoal of shimmering fish finding sanctuary amongst its tangle of stinging tentacles that make this unique picture really stand out.

Nearer to home, highly commended images include Jane Morgan’s closeup of a feathery, tentacled fan worm in Weymouth, Dorset whilst Wiltshire images include Mark Bridger’s Roe deer in a field furrow in Salisbury, and 14-year old Harry King’s image of a short eared owl taken at Wroughton’s Barbury Castle.

Wiltshire is also home to category winner Nick Upton, whose images detailing the monitoring and tracking of harvest mice won the documentary series award.

Hampshire is represented this year with two highly commended images

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29

from Paul Colley featuring the amazing underwater colours of the county’s freshwater fish.

Chris Packham, TV presenter and naturalist said, “The British Wildlife Photography Awards generates an incredible catalogue of splendid, exciting, imaginative and artistic images, proving beyond doubt that we have the richest palette of life to celebrate in our own backyard. Anyone passionate about protecting and preserving wildlife will be inspired by the British Wildlife Photography Awards, which has done more than any other award to raise the profile of British wildlife”.

Moors Valley Communication Ranger, Katie Davies said, “With so many stunning photographs on show this exhibition is proof that you don’t have to travel far from home to capture some

amazing images. Moors Valley is home to so many different animal species that whatever type of photography you are interested in, the park and forest can offer some great opportunities to try out your skills. Even in winter there are plenty of species around including visiting wildfowl like shovellers and teal, early morning species such as roe deer, and the usually shy and retiring water voles.”

The British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition opens daily in the Visitor Centre at Moors Valley Country Park. It is free to view. Parking charges apply. For more information go to www.moorsvalley.co.uk or call the Rangers on 01425 470721.

The 2017 British Wildlife Photography Awards opens for entries in early February. Details can be found at www.bwpawards.org.

Lion’s Mane Jelly Fish

by George Stoyle Coast And Marine Winner plus Overall Winner 2016

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Index of advertisers

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Oracle...

Accountants Ward Goodman.................................................... 17

Jewellers Georgian Gems..................................................... 9

Bars, Pubs & Restaurants Bull & Boat........................................................... 24 The Crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest Inn.............................................. 32

Kitchens Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Dream Doors........................................................ 19

Bathrooms C+C Plumbing & Bathrooms................................. 7

Pest Control Terminator Pest.................................................... 13

Bedrooms Custom Creations................................................. 2

Plumbers C+C Plumbing....................................................... 9 CM Plumbing & Heating....................................... 13 Gasways Heating.................................................. 21 Heatcare............................................................... 3

Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds......................................................... 3 Just Shutters......................................................... 11 Builders Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Purbeck Home Improvements.............................. 1

Property Maintenance Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Total Woodwork - Peter Albin............................... 29

Carpenters Total Woodwork - Peter Albin............................... 29

Puzzles & Competitions Crossword............................................................. 20 Kids Page.............................................................. 10 Prize Wordsearch.................................................. 25 Sudoku.................................................................. 20

Carpets & Flooring Peter Newman Flooring........................................ 21

Removals & Storage Bournemouth Removals....................................... 24

Community News Adventures of Nellie............................................. 22 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Fly away home...................... 12 Free Parking in Purbeck this Christmas................ 8 Martin Lewis: Christmas....................................... 14 Michael James Music Trust................................... 9 Moors Valley hosts wildlife photo exhibition........ 28 Motoring: Abarth 124 Spider................................ 16 NCS Rough Sleep Challenge.................................. 6 On your plot: Scarves at the ready....................... 26 Tastes so good: Mulled Wine................................ 18

Self Storage Purbeck Self Storage............................................. 11

Cameras Rocky Rock Cameras............................................. 27

Electricians Four Electrical....................................................... 5 J Taylor Electrical.................................................. 11

Taxis DMB Cars.............................................................. 27 Telecare Services Aster Group.......................................................... 7 Tool & Plant Hire Sydenhams........................................................... 2 Waste Services Philip Trim............................................................. 5

Financial Services Ward Goodman.................................................... 17

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Doors-Windows-Locks.......................................... 27

Garage Services Trickett Welding.................................................... 13

Worktops Portman Stone...................................................... 31

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31

GRANITE & QUARTZ WORKTOPS Your

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Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greetings!

The Crows Nest, 11 Ulwell Rd, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LE

01929 422651 | www.crowsnestinn.co.uk

The Swanage Oracle

1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR