The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 169

Boxing Day Swim. Pg 16

Purbeck Wedding Feature. Pg 27-41

Dave The Bewildered & Friends. Pg 52

Bacon Jam. Pg 46

Editor’s note...

Welcome to the February edition of YOUR Gazette!

Spring is on its way! Snowdrops are opening their delicate blooms, and the rest of the glory of spring will swiftly follow, along with longer days and hopefully warmer weather.

February brings you our ‘loved-up’ edition, with fifteen glorious pages dedicated to Purbeck Weddings, beautifully illustrated with images from some of the recent RNLI weddings, featuring our local Lifeboat Crew. Congratulations to all six RNLI couples who wed in the past twelve months (as featured in last month’s Gazette). We wish you all a long, healthy and happy life together.

This month we also feature local businesses offering delicious Valentine’s Day meals and treats - find them in our Food section. Don’t forget to get those Valentine cards and pressies in the post in good time to surprise that secret ‘crush’!

Many of us are still drying out after the recent flooding, and with ground water levels remaining high, more rain may bring further flooding. Please keep up to date with news reports and take required action if further floods are forecast - better to be safe rather than sorry. Dorset County Council is still busily filling potholes, but more are being created daily. Please take care whilst driving - it’s not worth the risk. Have a great month!

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this magazine, but the Editor is unable to accept responsibility for any omissions or errors that may occur. The inclusion of any article or advertisement does not constitute any form of accreditation or approval by the Editor. No part, written or visual, of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the Editor.

Please send all letters to ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk with ‘letter to the editor’ in the email subject line. Please do not exceed 350 words. If handwritten, please ensure it is short and legible.

PLEASE DO NOT DUPLICATE LETTERS TO OTHER PUBLICATIONSWE DO NOT PRINT MULTI-PUBLICATION LETTERS.

MARCH 2014 deadline - 12 noon 10th FEB

Say A Little Prayer

Dear Nico,

Here is a poignant and highly relevant message for the New Year. If we do not pray.

If we do not pray, if we do not fight, then all that is good, all that is ancient, all that we have come to love as a Christian people will be no more; no shires, no nation, no Christian land, no truth, no rights, no freedoms, no independence, no democracy, no parliament, no sovereignty, no flag, no Queen, no realm, no sceptred isle, no England – as darkness enfolds us and the light of freedom dies, will there only be the EU and its cruel tyranny – But we will pray and we will fight and all will be right.

Elizabeth Ann Biddulph

Alan W Smith, Swanage Meeting

Fracking - Ecological Problem?

Hi,

I was reading the Purbeck Gazette and noticed the letter about fracking. Well, we have fracking here where I live in Northern Canada, with the same amount of problems; polluted ground water, etc.

Also, in many cases, a road has to be made to get to the well site. Now with a well at California Farm in Swanage, the question is ‘where would the fracking crew get water?’

Well, just in the valley at what used to be the Bowerman’s farm is a water well, which used to be the town water supply I believe, many years ago. As to pollution, as the old well is lower, and as any water/rainfall runs through it, any pollutants will be absorbed by the area’s ground aquafier. As the long term effects of fracking are not yet assessed, it could be an ecological problem. The water course runs though Sunnydale and into the sea at Durlston bay, by the way.

I enjoy the Gazette, my dad sends it over regularly. I always lookout for people I know, rarely do I see anyone though!

Steve the sheep farmer, Canada, by email.

Council Ignores Concerns

Dear Gazette readers,

On November 29th 2013, the application for an exploratory rig to search for gas at California Quarry, adjacent to Durlston Country Park in Swanage, was approved by councillors at Dorset county council.

The rig, which will be fifty metres tall and fully lit during its operation between September 2014 to March 2015, will be located in a purpose-built enclosure requiring major groundworks, hardstandings and will include staff quarters, offices and storage areas. The site could stay in that state for up to three years and if gas is found and proves viable, may never be returned to its natural state.

Some 200 heavy lorries will be required to carry out works, install the equipment, move waste and deliver water whilst the drill is in operation. Further lorries will be required at the end of works. All of them accessing the site via a steep road prone to slippage in wet or frozen weather, through residential areas (including Swanage High Street, Herston end, Steer Road, Priest’s Road, Cow Lane and Panorama Road, all of restricted width with numerous parked cars and limited junctions).

The public consultation regarding this proposal was woefully limited and the failure of Swanage Town Council to discuss the proposal at town council meetings, on the basis that the council owns one of the access roads, I believe, did not allow for many of those that are to be affected by the proposal to be made fully aware of the consequences of the works proposed.

The location of the rig is a recognised and valuable landscape adjoining Durlston Country Park, the Jurassic Coast, conservation areas and is

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designated as a wildlife habitat of protected species. Despite the legal designations and mitigations required, they and the numerous objections from individuals and recognised official organisations meant nothing when it came to its approval. This development will not benefit the local community in any way, will not provide long term employment, will not bring income to the local economy and, I believe, will set a precedent for similar applications in the area.

The application was passed as a result of the casting vote of one of our own local councillors who, as the casting vote, had the ability to refuse the application. Needless to say, I wonder why he didn’t choose to do so. This case was not one of fracking and the current media frenzy concerning that process, there are directives on the approval that it cannot be carried out at this site.

In this instance, it is a matter of a local council ignoring the concerns and opinions of the community that elected them and not giving good enough reason to discuss it fully, take on the full facts, defend their local environment and instead bury their heads from an issue that will impact negatively on a community for no good reason.

If we can’t trust our elected councillors to take certain issues seriously, then a community cannot be expected to have any faith in future decision making by councillors and with it will go any desire to vote.

Yours dissilussioned and disappointed, Karen Delahay, Swanage

Economic Benefits Doubtful

Dear Editor,

We were discussing the Navitus Bay wind farm development at a recent SPHA (Swanage and Purbeck Hospitality Association) meeting and wanted to share some of our observations on the likely economic impact of the wind farm with your readers.

NBDL is quick to claim the economic benefits of the Navitus Bay wind farm, but not so keen to advertise its potential negative impacts. Regional tourism and marine leisure are such huge businesses that a decline of less than 1% in them would more than cancel out any local economic benefits from a wind farm. This makes it very likely the local economy will suffer. NBDL’s own survey suggests we could lose 15-25% of visitors as a result of the wind farm

The losses and gains would not be spread evenly either. One of three ports in the region (Yarmouth, Poole or Portland) may benefit, but the benefits to the rest of the region are much harder to see.

For example, recreational scuba-diving throughout the region will be curtailed for three or four seasons during construction because of underwater noise from pile-driving. With thousands of dives annually from Swanage alone, the net benefit of diving to the community is significant. If this revenue is lost, many local businesses will feel the pinch and Purbeck may not feel any benefits from construction workers who would be concentrated close to the port operations. Furthermore, other tourists may be discouraged because of the visible disruption at sea. Swanage is particularly vulnerable to the wind farm because of its location, and even the developer’s own research showed that Purbeck businesses are seriously worried.

The “economic benefits” of wind farms come at the cost of vast subsidies from us, the taxpayers, and we are paying dearly for each job created. Those subsidies might be much more effectively used in other ways (e.g. in technology to reduce energy consumption). Even if you think that offshore wind farms are a good proposition, the best strategy is to build them where they have the lowest potential negative impact. Britain has such large reserves of wind power that options other than Dorset are available. It will be impossible to guarantee the net effect on our local economy and impossible to prove afterwards exactly what the effect was. It is a gamble, but the risk of a negative overall outcome is real, whatever the developer would like us to think.

Regards, Chris Radford, Committee member SPHA and business owner in Swanage.

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The Answer Is Water

Dear Editor,

I fully agree with Mr Stevens from Langton Matravers ‘Time to think large’ There are talk and trials with electric cars and busses, and good results have been reached. The point I wanted to make is, when both gas and fuel oil are used up, what will take their place? Sure – in Scotland trials have been made to use the tides, and good results have been achieved. That points to rivers etc.

Go to the Elan Valley and you will find mighty dams storing water for distant cities. In winter, due to rain, the feeding rivers supply too much, and a lot of water has to be shed, at a time when more electricity is needed. Why can not the waste-water outlets be used to drive generators?

Take something like the London wheel – the leverage of a big paddle wheel in a river should produce enough electricity to drive a big generator to supply electricity to the local grid. Why are there no trials, as water will flow long after the last bit of coal is used up?

Surely, that is enough reason to make trials. Does it take another ‘Wright Brothers’ to show industry how to do it? Afterwards they come and rake in the profits and the Wright Brothers go back to their fields.

That, in my view, is the hold-up!

Yours truly, H Bittner Wareham.

Brilliant Babes

Dear Editor,

We took our granddaughter to the Mowlem Theatre on Saturday afternoon to see ‘Babes In The Wood’ by The Swanage Drama Company. May we through your newspaper say what a great show it was? When we went on Saturday afternoon it played to, what we are sure, was a full house, with every member of the audience both young and older alike playing their part with great gusto; with Boos and Hisses, to say nothing of ‘Oh, no you won’t’ and ‘It’s behind you’ etc., and all this because the cast were absolutely brilliant, from the youngest member to the oldest. The amount of work that the company must have put in to get this show up and running is beyond belief. The script, back drops, dance routines and costumes together with the company’s acting ability really made the show. While it is really not right to single out any particular person as all were very good, we do think that Asbo (Pat Jones), and Asbeen (Ro Smith) were outstanding. Asbo could make you laugh with just a twitch of the face (brilliant), let alone saying a line whilst with Asbeen. How some of the other cast managed to say their lines with that face looking at them and not laugh I really do not know. As for Nurse Annie Biotic (Brian Travers) all we can really say is that we will never be able to walk into W.H.Smith again and keep a straight face!!

Finally, our very grateful thanks to all the cast and crew who were involved in putting the show on. Fantastic!. David and Pauline Gough, Swanage, by email.

Thinking Large - Correction

Dear Nico,

You kindly published my letter telling readers that although price increases are inevitable, and there is little time left to insulate their home, I finished by saying that they nevertheless could still reduce their gas bills by 10% for every degree Celsius reduction in temperature of their home.

Unfortunately there is a small but important error in the printed letter. In the last sentence it says ‘by a mere 1% reduction in temperature’ instead of ‘by a mere one degree Celsius reduction in temperature’

Readers will be puzzled by what a 1% reduction in temperature meant. So I am hoping that you will publish a correction; because I want people to know that they can very easily protect themselves from the increasing costs of heating their homes by simply making a small adjustment to their room temperature thermostat. I recall that in 1974, when there was a huge increase in the price of crude oil caused by OPEC, the Japanese government advised their public to protect themselves from the sudden price increase of oil by reducing their room temperatures.

Incidentally, when central heating was being introduced in Britain in the 1960’s, most people were comfortable living with room temperatures of about 17 or 18 degrees C. But, as the efficiency of boilers increased, room temperatures have crept up by 3 or 4 degrees C. over a period of two or three years. People can reduce consumption by 30% or 40% without any discomfort, even if they do not invest in insulation.

Yours sincerely, John Davis Swanage.

Editor’s note – Let us hope that we have managed to type this second letter correctly! Our apologies for the confusion that the earlier mistake may have caused.

Dear Nico,

Has it occurred to us that this spate of weather might be down to our addiction to keeping the lights on; which includes global stock exchanges, airports, banking and, well, just about everything.

Politicians talk up flood defences on tap, most of which, being built in the 1970’s, have failed. Could it be that our planet is trying to tell us something… and we’re not listening.

Yours sincerely, M. J. K. Hamilton. Swanage.

Lion’s Funds Support Hospital

Dear Nico,

Charity Auction Funds.

The Swanage Lions Club will be holding a Charity Auction, once again, in March, this time in conjunction with our local RNLI. Half the money raised will go to the RNLI for its boathouse appeal, the other half the Lions Club will donate to the Weldmar and Lewis Manning Hospices.

The last Charity Auction staged by the Swanage Lions was in 2007. The money raised through the Auction lots was to be put towards the purchase of a Lucas Machine for the then Swanage Ambulance and for Swanage Hospital. Some of the money was given to the Hospital, but nothing could be released for the Lucas Machine as these were withdrawn from the ambulances so that further extensive trials could take place.

Since then the Ambulance Service has changed and Swanage is now covered by the South West Ambulance Service. The Lucas trials are now complete and it is hoped a report will be published over the next year or so. If the new, improved Lucas Machines are approved, it is likely that the NHS will fund their installation. This means the money held on deposit by the Lions since 2007 could now be switched to the Hospital, the Club’s other benefactor.

The Lions Club is keen to use the funds raised all that time ago for the benefit of our local Hospital, provided that no one who supported the Auction objects to the use of these funds for that purpose.

If anyone does object to this course of action would you please contact David Dean, Club Secretary, on 424975 by the end of February 2014.

Provided there are no objections, the Lions Club will be pleased to be able to offer this financial aid to our much loved local Hospital to improve its facilities further in the near future.

Yours sincerely, David Dean, Lions Club Secretary.

Transport Of Delight

Dear Readers,

Fancy a holiday at home?

Emmanuel Baptist Church and Centre in Victoria Avenue will be holding a three day ‘HOLIDAY AT HOME EVENT’ early in March. The idea is that those who may not be able to afford a holiday or folk who are lonely, pretty much housebound or semi disabled, can be ‘transported’ away to experience the scenery, sights and sounds on a ‘virtual’ holiday. They will have the opportunity to enjoy good company, good food, crafts, games, quizzes, an outing, DVDs and much more during the three day event … and all for a very minimal cost.

If getting to the centre is a problem, transport can be arranged. So if you fancy jetting off on a ‘little holiday’ next month, call in and get an application form or call 427706 – but be quick! Places are limited! Happy holidays!

Marjorie Edwards, EBC & C

Taking Issue With David

Dear Editor,

Upon the delivery of The Purbeck Gazette each month I am inextricably drawn to David Hollister’s column in the Community Matters section, which I find compulsive reading for the views and opinions put forward by David, which I find generally informative and entertaining, if occasionally a little irritating.

I have resisted responding to his column until now, but as a retired County Councillor I feel I must come to Dorset County Council’s defence regarding David’s attack on them in the January edition for not adequately funding the police. I am surprised that someone who takes such a keen interest in local affairs as David is not aware that the police are funded partly by direct grants from Central Government and partly by Council

Washing

Colin

Tax, for which they precept on the collection authority, none of which has anything to do with the County Council.

Whist on the subject of the County Council I have to admit to being a little irritated by David’s continual bashing of the County Chief Executive regarding the level of her salary. The County Council has a turnover in the region of £500,000,000 and employs about 10,000 staff, I venture to suggest that a Chief Executive of a company of similar size would be paid many times her salary. £150,000 per year is a salary most of us would dream of, but many footballers earn that and more in a week!

I look forward to the February edition of the Gazette and more Community Matters.

Regards, David Budd, Town & District Councillor, Wareham

An Uneccessary Cut Back?

Dear Editor,

Users are being asked to give their views on proposals to reduce the timetable of the route 50 bus from the last Saturday in September to the last Saturday in April. No Sunday Buses to and from Bournemouth. Cutting the following services: from Swanage Mon to Sat 10.25,12 .25,15.25,18.25. From Bournemouth 08.58, 10.38, 12.38, 14.38, 18.38, 19.38, 13.38 Bournemouth to Canford Cliffs Parade only.

If this is a cause for concern to you contact www.boroughofpoole.com/ buses by Friday 14 February 2014. Or write to Corporate Research Strategy Team, FREEPOST SWB21053 Borough of Poole, Civic Centre, Poole BH15 2ZZ

Yours sincerely, Vicky Berriman, by email

Dear Editor,

Date to put in your diaries!

Through our own local paper, may I just remind folk that Sunday 27th April 2014 is the Swanage Charity Day and Classic Car Display from 11am till 4pm, held in the Victoria Avenue Car Park.

I have kept the price especially low for you to book a charity stall, a craft stall, a Trade Stand or a ‘General Public’ Stand through Wilcox & Cook in Swanage, (next door to the Purbeck Gazette Office and opposite Chococo) or ring me, or fill in one of the forms and post it.

You keep all the profit for your own charity, but please bring your own table etc. and a gazebo if you have one, for wet weather covering. This is now my 18th year of organising this, and let us hope that the weather will be kind to us all.

This is a way to make money for your particular charity or organisation, so take advantage of this, people of Swanage, and make some extra cash for your organisation.

Jenny Lazenbury (Organiser) Tel : 01929-288092

Victoria Avenue, Swanage, Dorset.

Charity Mail Thanks To All

Dear Nico,

Thank You! Christmas Charity Mail 2013

It is that time to thank our marvellous local community for helping and supporting the annual ‘Lions Christmas Charity Mail’.

Without our myriad of volunteers none of this could, or would be possible. Where do we start?! So many of you to thank. Around 200 Purbeck residents give up their time to assist us. There are those in our collection point at Tawny’s, franking the post and collecting the money. Our loyal sorters who turn up at allotted times to decipher and sort the mail which frequently throws up challenges and much detective work.

Purbeck Fireplaces

Woodburning & Multi-fuel Stoves

HETAS approved installation service

Flue components & liners

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Tel: 01929 426770 / 07800 843399

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Also the teams of deliverers in Swanage and surrounding villages who collect their post and tramp the streets making sure everyone receives their mail before Christmas.

We need to thank all the businesses who sponsored and helped with the advertising.

A mention must be made of Margaret Warburton and the Salvation Army who donate the use of their Chapel as the sorting office, making sure we are comfortable and have everything we need.

But, lastly, a very big thank you to the community who used this service. With your support we delivered over 6,800 Christmas cards and along with the proceeds of the ‘Grand Raffle’, have raised over £2,500. This will be shared by two charities, ‘About Face’, a support group based at Poole Hospital who help patients suffering from neck and face cancer and ‘Mary’s Meals’, which feeds over ¾ million children worldwide.

Since resurrecting the ‘Christmas Charity Mail’ six years ago the Swanage Lions Club has with your help been able to raise and donate around £14,000 for charities and projects,many local.

The Lions hope you will support and use the 2014 ‘Christmas Charity Mail’ in December.

Happy New Year to you all,

Paddy Rideal (President of Swanage Lions Club)

Fond Memories Of George

Dear Editor,

Re George Willey.

I came to Swanage in 1959 (about the same time as George) and spent thirty odd years as the head waiter/restaurant manager at the Wolfeton Hotel, The Grosvenor Hotel and the Corrie Hotel.

The Wolfeton was where every social event of importance was held and George was usually there either as a guest or a speaker.

Over the years we met many stars, including Gilbert Harding, Wilfred Pickles, Judi Dench, John Le Mesurier, Alan Bates, Anna Massey, Michael Winner, Ann Sidney, Anne Stallibrass, Tom Baker, and Douglas Bader. George was there and a full report was in the following week’s Swanage Times.

George gave much publicity to all kinds of organisations and of course, to Swanage and Purbeck.

We shall all miss him.

G H Hardy. Swanage, by hand.

Dear Editor,

To call someone ‘bird brained’ is not usually meant as a compliment, but it might be seen as such if based on the behaviour of a rook I saw on the pavement at the top of Ilminster Road the other day.

It held in its beak a discarded crisp packet which it was vigorously shaking to dislodge and empty the remnants, which it then quickly devoured before making off.

I mentioned my observations to a lady who was passing and she said she had herself noticed a rook (the same one, perhaps?) behaving in a like fashion.

Whilst other birds, for instance thrushes, are well known to make use of stones as anvils in breaking snail shells; and blue tits to peck holes in the tops of milk bottles to get at the milk – or they used to do so in the days of milk bottles; the rook’s actions seemed to indicate a degree of thought and some knowledge and reasoning process, or at any rate retention in the memory of past successful behaviour.

Can other readers recollect such instances of sagacity in birds or pets, or other animals?

Yours sincerely, D Langford, Swanage.

National Trust To Blame?

Dear Nico,

In the thousand year history of the Priest Way, it has been resurfaced three times since 1986 when the National Trust took over its stewardship. Is it because they were the culprits of its ruination by digging the track up to put a water pipe down; when the said pipe could have been in the fields? As for being impassable in winter; it is if you’re wearing £150 trainers or suede boots – nuff said.

Yours, Xaviour Padgett-Boones, by hand.

No Response From Drax

Dear Nico,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my customers for their loyal support, especially those who took the time and effort to complete a card expressing their concerns about the future of the Post Office network. These cards were all sent off with a covering letter to your elected representative at the House of Commons about eight weeks ago.

It is rather disappointing to report that unfortunately to date he has not bothered to respond. Clearly he is to busy deciding what he is going to spend his 11% pay increase on.

Mr Cameron or Mr Osbourne said of the austerity cuts “We are all in this together.” Well that’s excellent news - I am looking forward to my 11% rise. Thanks once again to all the local people who do give us great support.

Yours sincerely, Mick Searle, Subpostmaster, Swanage Post Office

Dear Gazette,

Further to Martin H’s ‘Anti-Poetry?’ letter about space given in your magazine to poetry, perhaps Martin and others would like to come to L’Artishe Gallery on 26 February for a ‘Poetry Junction’ event, part of the Purbeck LitFest (tickets from the Gallery and TICs in Swanage and Wareham)?

Led by award-winning poet and playwright Peter John Cooper, anyone taking part will get invaluable advice as well as having a thoroughly enjoyable creative evening sharing poetry.

Regards, Julie Musk, Roving Press

Seagull Support

Dear Nico,

Re: ‘SEAGULL WARS?’

December Gazette, from John Barringer, Peveril Heights, Swanage - who is actually unknown at Peveril Heights, confirmed by his comment regarding the RSPB at Sandy in Bedfordshire circa 160 miles from Swanage. If he lived here he would have used the RSPB office at Durlston Country Park, two miles away.

However, in answer to the points he raised:I did not climb onto the garages at any time, I did not build a nest; the seagulls did so in May, I did not erect a shelter. I placed a free standing shelter onto the roof, not over the nest, to give the three chicks shade from the sun and excessive heat. I removed the said shelter and water bowl when the family were able to fly, although they still visited and could be seen pestering the parents for food.

Not only was this appreciated by the Seagull Family, I was complimented and thanked by the owner of the said garage, together with several of the lock-up garage owners who gave me their permission to tend the seagulls via their private garage roofs, should the need arise.

Swanage is a coastal town where seagulls have lived and bred since time began, furthermore one of the Seagull parents hatched two/three years ago on the roof of Number 1 Peveril Heights. So they’ll be back, I hope. Scores of people who overlook their nest site(s) also enjoy their antics and company.

As for ‘Aggressive Seagulls,’ how then was I allowed within a few inches of the three chicks when the parents were just a few feet away? It would seem John Barringer has watched Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘The Birds’ one too many times.

So the title, ‘Seagull Wars’ is totally inappropriate; the only animal which starts wars is the human animal.

Regards, Robert Owen, resident at Peveril Heights, Swanage. Ed’s note: Well done to Robert and his supporting neighbours - one can often tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals, and we like Robert and all that he stands for.

Other ornithology experts have said that the chicks could possibly have died in the heatwave which resulted in Robert taking action, and although this is ‘nature’, I’m sure the seagull parents appreciated having a bit of shade and fresh water for their young family.

We fully expect that the youngster seagulls Robert helped along in the summer of 2012 will be back in future years, looking for their friendly human companion, whilst they rear their own chicks.

Dear Editor,

I agree with RC. Swanage and I too have received incorrect legal advice from Dorset Police civilian employees.

Some time ago my daughter and her two young children came to live with me because she was subject to threats and intimidation from her then partner. He then came to my home demanding to speak to her. He was verbally abusive and threatening to her and to me. Afterwards he used to stand outside my house or stand across the road in an intimidating manner. I was naturally worried so I went to Wareham police station for help. The lady at the enquiry desk told me that there were no police officers available and she was just closing the police station. She directed me to the division HQ at Ferndown.

I drove there and spoke to a man at the enquiry desk. When I explained the problem and the concern I felt for my daughter, my grandchildren and myself, he told me that it was nothing to do with the police and that it was a civil matter and I should consult a solicitor. I reminded him that my daughter and I had been threatened.

We were also being harassed. Again he told me that it was not a police matter, I should go to a solicitor and in any case I was probably imagining it. When I protested and questioned his advice he told me that if I did not leave the police station he would call someone and have me arrested for trying to waste police time!

I shall never go to Dorset police again for help.

Name and address supplied, withheld on request.

Dangerous Dogs - Law Clarified

Dear Editor,

In his article ‘Out of the Blue’ (January 2014), Sgt. Jon McCarthy does not understand the correct interpretation of the law relating to dangerous dogs. I am a retired lawyer and an ex-Crown Prosecution solicitor. I can confirm that the letter from the retired senior police officer (R.C. Swanage December 2013) is correct – police have a legal responsibility to attend and deal with any dog deemed to be out of the owner’s control – and if it seriously harms another dog it is deemed to be out of the owner’s control! The following legislation may help the public (and Sgt. McCarthy) to understand the law regarding classification of what a dangerous dog is: It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control in any public place or in a private place where a dog is not allowed to be (e.g. house or garden without the owner’s permission).

The law applies to all dogs. A dog is considered ‘dangerous’ if it injures someone, or its behaviour makes someone worried that the dog may injure them or someone else. A dog can also be considered to be dangerously out of control if it seriously injures someone’s animal, or the owner of the animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop the dog attacking the animal.

This is a criminal offence which the police must deal with. As an irresponsible dog owner you can be fined up to £5,000 and/or sent to prison for up to six months if your dog is out of control. In addition you may also not be allowed to own a dog in the future if you let your dog injure someone and you can be sent to prison for up to two years and/ or fined. This offence is aggravated if you deliberately use your dog as a weapon to injure someone and you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’. The maximum penalty is five years in prison.

Sgt. McCarthy is confusing and limiting the reference to a dangerous dog to only attacking a person. However the law goes further and also recognises that if a dog seriously attacks another animal it automatically causes fear or a reasonable apprehension to any person that it may also injure them or another person. (Especially a child, who would stand no chance against an attacking dog.) A telephone call to the police after a serious dog attack

Esme

Dave Ball

07968 142134

on another dog is clearly ‘fear or reasonable apprehension’. To kill another animal is a serious dog attack. The fact that a dog seriously attacked another dog or cat means the attacking dog is out of control.

In simple language and by definition: ‘if a dog attacks and seriously injures another dog it then becomes dangerously out of control – there is then a reasonable apprehension that the dog may injure a person, especially a child - then this automatically becomes a police matter. If a dog is capable of killing or injuring another dog, it can do the same to a small child. Minor incidents such as lost and stray dogs and dog fouling are dealt with by the Local Authorities (dog warden).

Serious incidents involving dog attacks and irresponsible dog owners who commit criminal offences must be investigated by the police.

Name and address provided, withheld on request.

Dear Readers,

From my own very precious files, information, letters and images I send for your delectation (and that of your readers) a photo of our George and my late dear wife Marguerite at the AGM and Chamber hand over, He made an unforgettable president of the Chamber of Commerce and contributed his considerable and varied talents to one of the leading representative bodies in the town.

I am honoured to count him as a dear friend and fellow President.

Yours sincerely, Brian Barker, Swanage, by hand.

I have read much, and was able to talk to some of our members of the ‘Auxiliary Units’ (Churchill’s secret army) and I found that after all these years, they were still very reluctant to say much about their exploits as a guerrilla force. They certainly knew how to keep a secret, as no-one knew

With much help from Sir John James and my friends at Corfe Castle British Legion, we were able to put up a memorial stone at East Creech. We also have a plaque in the museum in Dorchester Castle.

Later, Mr Peter White, with much help from George Preston, had a memorial seat laid in Langton, in memory of Langton Patrol.

To us at Corfe Castle Royal British Legion, and I am sure those people at Langton and Stoborough, the news that the British Auxiliary Units had finally been recognised, and were able to march past the Cenotaph was what we had all been waiting for.

There are only a handful of auxiliaries left, and finally they have got what they deserve. Sadly there are none of our men in Purbeck left to hear the news. Come on Stoborough how about a stone?!

Yours sincerely, Ken Williams, Corfe Castle.

Langton. Sgt. F P White, Cpl. O S Coleman, Pte. D Norman, Pte. N H Burt, Pte. H V Lander.

Stoborough. Sgt. W J Randall, Pte. E W Randall, Pte. A D Baskett, Pte. E Samways, Pte. S G Selby, Pte. P Harris.

May they rest in peace in the land they were prepared to defend.

Pictured above: Creech Barrow Patrol. Sgt. F J. Simpson, Pte. H A Hatchard, Cpl. D F Green, Pte. W R Stockley, Pte. L O Green, Pte. J Hatchard, Pte. E Kitcatt.

Of Wind, Water And Wasted Time

David Hollister writes...

If Nico had told me that she’d pay me treble – or even double – if I wrote this column on Christmas Night, it’s very likely that whilst the rest of the family was watching re-runs of Only Fools and Horses, I’d have been seated at the dinner table amidst the wreckage of pulled crackers and half-empty glasses, bashing away at my laptop. Perhaps I should have been a taxi driver; only a very few of whom could be found on Christmas night by those in need!

Reporting on the meeting with Martyn Underhill in the last edition, I questioned exactly what it was that we wanted to bring to his attention, to ask him or to make him aware of, and offered to liaise with him to arrange his next visit to the town at a time when most people were not at work or at school, and asked you to commit to attending such a meeting. My postbag, and indeed the local Facebook groups who were so vociferous at his last mid-morning visit, have been suspiciously quiet. So clearly there’s actually nothing to report or to ask, and therefore no reason for him to waste his evening here. Or indeed mine.

Just before New Year, Church Knowle was ‘cut off’ because the road collapsed, apparently due to tunnelling badgers. Along with the pavement at Harmans Cross, it was probably ‘not in the budget’. I heard a whisper that Dorset County Council had lashed out in the region of £100,000 on ‘rest room facilities’ for the staff at County Hall and had wasted significant further funds on altering their new offices – and then altering them back again. I’ve made a request for full details under the Freedom of Information Act and will bring the result to you next month. Nice to know that as our Council Tax will be rising in April, it’s being well looked after by well-rested executives.

Council Tax now costs me £230 a month, just to live in my own house. I built most of it with my bare hands. I paid for it about three times over thanks to high mortgage rates in the 1990s. And the reward for having done so is the opportunity to finance executive salaries, pensions, and all those other things – such as pavements, education, safe roads, street lighting, etc – from which I don’t benefit. No wonder I feel slightly aggrieved and will continue to do so. I’m sure that from their end they feel that our funds are well looked after (did they ever get back our £28.1 million from Iceland?). But from my end it appears to be mismanagement, incompetence, and legalised ‘theft’ by a bunch of officials seemingly concerned primarily with their own self-interest.

I’m sure that Councillors and potential Councillors are obliged to write ‘risk assessments’, so just in case any of them are thinking of coming round here looking for my vote, they’d better include a bucket of cold water in their personal risk assessment.

It’s time that all this nonsense about ‘Challenge Navitus’ was brought to an end. Only 10% of the people who write in, or who I speak to, think Navitus Bay Windfarm a good idea. I have christened it “the turnstiles at the entry to the Jurassic coast”.

Most people, however, won’t agree with me that its very principles are based on the flawed theory that climate change is man-made; I’ve rubbished ‘man-made climate change’ all along, and if you don’t like my views that’s

entirely up to you. If climate change genuinely was a global man-made issue they’d stop India and China opening a coal-fired power station every week; they make our contribution to CO2 totally insignificant. And when our last coal-fired power station closes because of ‘irrevocable commitments’ that idiot politicians have made to the EEC without actually considering the repercussions, and we’re all sitting shivering in the dark, everyone else will be laughing their heads off. Anyway.

Our Councils are against Navitus Bay. Our MP Richard Drax is against it. He says “Navitus Bay is too big and too close; government guidelines call for a twelve nautical mile exclusion zone; however, under these plans, 82 per cent of the site falls within that limit. And the 8MW turbines are huge. At three times higher than London’s gherkin, they will appear higher to the naked eye than the needles off the Isle of Wight.”

“If built, Navitus Bay will have far reaching repercussions. Tourism will move elsewhere. Fishing, diving and sailing industries will move elsewhere. The impact upon fish spawning beds and bird migration can only be guessed at. The disruption and pollution caused by digging the cables across the New Forest will destroy an environment we have cherished and protected for 1000 years. Navigation lights on the turbines will destroy the beauty of the night sky. Furthermore, the effects on human beings of low frequency sound across water are as yet unknown”. Well said, Richard, keep up the good work!

The wind farm would sit squarely in the middle of some of the most active sailing waters in Britain and on the edge of a busy shipping lane. It would also dominate the view from much of Purbeck, Sandbanks, Studland, Bournemouth and other beauty spots nearby. And all to perpetuate a political myth. If you don’t believe me, Read ‘The Wind Farm Scam’ by John Etherington (Stacey International). David Bellamy says “Wind Power is a swindle…. Please read this book and find out why.”

I am told that the ‘land’ actually belongs to the Queen (Crown Estates). Well, let’s drag Mrs Queen down here and let her see for herself the impact that this development will have. She could stop it in its tracks by simply refusing to have the cabling cross her land, or indeed the New Forestwhich probably belongs to her as well. At least, I hope it does, because if it perchance belonged to the National Trust then we’re all doomed because some of us feel that they’d do anything for money.

Why bring the argument to an end? Because the campaign’s a waste of time and effort. The Wind farm scheme is so ridiculous, so expensive, so illogical, so unpopular, so environmentally damaging and actually so inefficient that the only reason for them to go on with this project has to be that someone, somewhere, has made ‘irrevocable commitments’. But one could also be forgiven for believing that large amounts of money have already ‘irrevocably’ changed hands. So they WILL build it; 250 massive memorials to the death of democracy.

‘One Foot in the Grave’ started in 1990 when I was but a lad of 44. I thought Victor Meldrew was a grumpy old bu**er, a caricature rather than an example of real life. Only now, having reached 67, do I understand that he was just an inoffensive lightweight who didn’t really have a clue as to how to complain properly…….

FINAL CALL FOR YOUR MEMORIES OF GEORGE WILLEY!

A celebration of George’s contributions to our community will be held in March in Swanage, when George will be presented with a book made-up of all your memories and photographs.

Please email your memories and pictures to ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Not on your Nellie...

Nellie and I are celebrating the passing of the winter solstice and enjoying the lengthening days in anticipation of spring, provided we don’t float away on the floods first. Strolling past All Saints Church in Swanage on the twenty-fifth, I’m sure I heard strains of ‘Happy birthday tooo yooou’ wafting musically on the breeze, although I may have been imagining it. But this surreal surfeit of seasonal Christianity inspired Nellie and I to ponder over biblical names because, let’s face it, in any sizeable urban conurbation like say, Nazareth or Arimathea, where everybody was known by only the one name followed by ‘of’, life must have been very confusing. What muddies the waters further is that Mary Magdalene who is credited with - shall we say - a lowly occupation, was blessed with a surname, as was Judas Iscariot who is equally derided and vilified in Christian folklore. Is there a message here, we wonder?

Currently, there are about seventy boys’ given names in common usage and were they all followed by their derivative location, then duplication would ensue in any residential location larger than Worth Matravers, which is just about everywhere really.

However, Nellie’s diligent research uncovered the amazing fact that nearly two thousand biblical names are listed by Wikipedia along with their meanings, although some of these are a trifle strange; for example, the name Lmri means ‘eloquent’. Try pronouncing this and you will appreciate the irony. But reserve your pity for any poor blighter named Troas, for the name means ‘penetrated’.

But let us for a moment set aside these ancient mysteries as more local ones persist, such as why it was deemed necessary to adorn the entrance of the new tip in Swanage (or Household Recycling Centre if you prefer), with a huge and uncompromising speed bump.

Nellie put forward the theory that it was to stop the local youth using the location as a race track during opening hours, but my personal belief is that it is to protect the hundreds of schoolchildren who collect there every day. But are these suppositions correct?

NOT ON YOUR NELLIE!

We all know that the bump is there to upset all those bags of smelly and disgusting refuse carefully stacked on the back seat of your spotless and deodorised car.

And I’m still uncertain about Durlston Castle. I grant you that saving a remarkable building is a great achievement, and we have an eatery where we need one, although one existed before, and seventhwave still appears to be uncertain as to whether it is a café or a restaurant. The gallery is ok except you get wet reaching it, the shop is thin, and the Jurassic exhibition even thinner. Gateway to the Jurassic Coast? I don’t think so.

Now the Square & Compass in Worth Matravers with its great fossil display and museum in a lovely old building, embodies the essence of Purbeck, provides both refreshment and entertainment and dispenses with the pretension.

Do you see my point?

Plan Swanage’s Future

Swanage residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on key issues that affect the town’s future.

Purbeck District Council is seeking views on a number of issues, including preferred locations for new housing, affordable housing for local people and increased shopping facilities.

The Council is running a six-week public consultation on the issues and possible options for Swanage from Monday 3 February to Monday 17 March 2014.

All Swanage residents and businesses will receive a copy of the Swanage Local Plan consultation leaflet setting out options. The Council is also holding ‘drop-in’ events around the town where local people can meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to ask questions and find out more:

Saturday 8 February, 10am-1pm – Co-op supermarket, Swanage

Monday 10 February, 10am-1pm – Citizens’ Advice Bureau Waiting Room, behind Swanage Town Hall

Tuesday 11 February, 5pm-8pm – Emmanuel Church, Herston

Monday 17 February, 10am-1pm – Co-op supermarket, Swanage

Monday 17 February, 2pm-5pm – The Mowlem Community Room

Tuesday 18 February, 10am-1pm - United Reform Church Hall

Tuesday 18 February, 2pm-5pm – All Saints Church Hall

Councillor Mike Lovell, Housing and Development Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council, said:

“We have already worked closely on this Local Plan with many sectors of the Swanage community, including representatives from community, voluntary and local business groups.

“The Plan is now at a stage where we need the views of local people to really make a difference.

“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone in Swanage to have their say on a range of possibilities. Please let us know what you think and help to shape the future of your town.”

Copies of the consultation leaflet are available online at www.dorsetforyou. com/swanage-local-plan; at local libraries; the Swanage Town Council offices; and the District Council’s offices in Worgret Road, Wareham. Alternatively, contact the Planning Policy team at localplan@purbeckdc,gov.uk or telephone 01929 557264 or look out for the posters with details of the drop-in events around Swanage.

Purbeck District Council will use the consultation feedback to inform a draft document known as the pre-submission version of the Swanage Local Plan.

The pre-submission plan will be subject to a six week public consultation in autumn 2014, before it is submitted to the Government for independent examination in early 2015. Purbeck District Council hopes to adopt the plan later in 2015.

One In Eight Struggling With Rent Or Mortgage

According to Shelter, one in eight people in the South West worry they can’t pay the rent or mortgage. Shelter research reveals household budgets ‘at breaking point’. One in eight people in the South West fear they won’t be able to afford to pay the rent or mortgage at the end of this month, according to new research from Shelter released recently.

The research, based on a YouGov survey of over 4,000 British adults, suggests that millions of us across the country will be starting the New Year worried about whether we’ll be able to keep our home.

Shelter is warning that the ‘ostrich effect’ created as a result of feeling overwhelmed by money worries could put homes in the South West at risk this year if overdue rent or mortgage bills are put off until it’s too late.

The shocking findings revealed a worrying trend of people across the region unable to face up to their financial difficulties, with over one in seven (14%) in the South West saying they’ve not opened post if they thought it was a bill or late payment reminder. An alarming one in nine (11%) in the South West even admitted to putting it in the bin without opening it. With more than four in ten people in the South West (43%) expecting to struggle or fall behind with their rent or mortgage in 2014, the charity is urging anyone in the region worried about their housing costs to get help this month by visiting shelter.org.uk/advice.

If you need to Let or want to Rent, contact WPM. We offer a personal service to Landlords & Tenants

23b Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1DF.Tel: 01929 426200

Web: www.wpmlettings.co.uk Email: wpm.tiller@virgin.net

Disappearance Of Billy Bloomer

DMISSING Can You Help?

o you know the whereabouts of Billy Bloomer?

Billy is employed by Wareham in Bloom to deter the deer from eating the newly-planted shrubs at the Saxon Corner. He is usually resident near the Purbeck Park Homes. Billy is normally smartly dressed, but whilst working, he wears a Hi-Viz tabard to comply with Health and Safety regulations.

The Police have been informed of Billy’s disappearance, and will give every assistance.

Billy has been known to wander over to the Saxon Roundabout in the past, but has always returned safe and well. No doubt to the excitement of the arrival of Father Christmas on the 8th of December, he may have been tempted, together with others, to go walkabout. If left on his own, he would have lost his way home.

We are all getting concerned over his wellbeing, so if anyone knows of his whereabouts and could assist his return, we would all be quite relieved. If he does not return and take-up his former duties, he will be declared A.W.O.L. If he does not return we will have no alternative but to terminate his salary and pension.

His post will be declared vacant and an advert be placed in the Purbeck Gazette inviting a suitable candidate to take the position with immediate effect, subject to suitable references, terms and conditions to be discussed. Anyone knowing of his whereabouts should contact Eric L. Osmond, MBE, Chairman of Wareham in Bloom, on 01929 551000.

Friends of Wareham Railway Station

We are a local voluntary group working with The South West Trains Alliance to give a more pleasurable, welcoming and informative experience for all those using Wareham Station.

NOTICE OF AGM; SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 10 AM AT CAREY HALL, Mistover Road, off Carey Road Wareham. Including presentation: History of Wareham Station and its part in the Great War.

All are welcome.

Our first year has achieved:

*Working Agreement with the SWTrains Alliance.

*Planting flowerbeds on the Station Approach.

*Review of the station with ideas for enhancement.

*Request to bring the Waiting Room back into use,

*Funding from Wareham St Martin Parish Council.

*Regular meetings; with plenty of work parties

Anyone wishing to join FoWRS, please contact Beryl (01929) 550138 or Gordon 554765

Swanage Firestation

Monthly Report

So what’s been happening at the station? Well on the training side, on a very wet and windy Tuesday evening just before Christmas we carried out a simulated car accident with live casualties - under the direction of watch manager Keith Bragg. These training sessions allow the

R.N.L.I. Crew Profile Martin Steeden

Full time job: carpenter

Martin is the volunteer Coxswain at Swanage, even though it’s a role he never thought he would have the chance to take on; ‘I joined the crew back in 1978 when I married into an RNLI family. My father-in-law, Vic Marsh, was the 2nd Coxswain and my brother-in-law,

team to be well practiced in up-to-date extrication techniques and trauma care, ensuring that when we have to carry this out for real, we can give the best service that we can. My thanks go to Nick Rowley at Moonfleet Cars, who allows us to use any scrap car that he has, in order for us to make this training as realistic as possible.

Operationally Dorset Fire & Rescue Service have been kept very busy over the festive period, especially with the amount of rescues that we have had to make when people became stranded due to flood water.

Please take care when you are driving in these conditions and please take notice of the warning and road closure signs.

In Swanage, between the 26th Dec to the 4th Jan, we attended four fires involving people’s homes, three of which didn’t have smoke alarms fitted in the area were the fires started. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of working smoke alarms in your home, they not only save lives and property but they also give warning in the early stages of a fire so that you can prevent the fire from growing.

They allow you to get out safely and call 999, giving us time to attend and save as much of your property as possible. You should have a minimum of one smoke alarm per level and ensure what they are tested on a weekly basis.

You can get a free home safety check from us by going to our website and following the link, or by ringing our free phone number 0800 382 323

My safety message this month is to all you home owners out there who have open fires and log burners. Now that winter is with us, please ensure that your chimneys are swept on a regular basis, our advice is to have them swept at least three times a year.

Stay safe! Phil Burridge, Station Commander.

Ian, was a crew member. In those days there were eight crew and four launchers who were always available so I never thought I’d get a chance to work my way up to Coxswain. But today with people having busy working lives and family commitments, it takes many more to run the station and I’ve had the opportunity to take the position.’

A Londoner originally, Martin’s only other link to the sea was time spent in the surf lifesaving world on Brighton Beach; ‘I can’t remember the year but it was when Olivia Newton-John won the Eurovision song contest!’ When Martin first joined the Swanage team they had a Rother class allweather lifeboat, but he’s spent most of his RNLI life with the Mersey class lifeboat Robert Charles Brown, so will he be sad to see her go when the new Shannon class lifeboat arrives? ‘It’s going to be difficult. We’ve been through a lot together. But this new chapter in the life of our station is going to be brilliant.’

‘The RNLI has changed so much in the last twenty years but all for the good. I think it’s magnificent what the charity has achieved in terms of crew training in particular, especially with the purpose built college at Poole. I have two sons on the crew now, I have great confidence in both of them and I know they’ve benefited from the training the RNLI have put in place.’

‘There’s probably been five major call outs in my time and I well remember the experience at sea in 1996 when I was one of the crew and Chris Haw won a Bronze Gallantry Medal following the service to a yacht called Be Happy that had been knocked down in the tail end of a hurricane. It was incredible to be a part of the story. But I have to say Swanage volunteers maintain an enviable tradition of saving lives at sea with every job they attend.’

Swanage Rotary Christmas Breakfast

Every year, Swanage Rotary organise a breakfast on Christmas morning for anyone who might otherwise be alone. This year was no exception and a great time was had by everyone who packed into the URC Hall in Swanage. It really brings the true spirit of Christmas to everyone who attends, guests and helpers alike.

However, the day would not be possible without the support of our community and I wanted to recognise those who make it possible. In particular I want to thank the businesses who give so generously; Corbens for organising the invitations, Costcutter, The Co-op and Cedar Organics for providing the food, and Chococo for providing a gift for every guest. I would also like to thank those who make the day so special. To the United Reform Church for allowing us to use their hall, which was so beautifully decorated. To the Buckle family for providing music throughout the morning and leading us in singing carols. To Inner Wheel for providing the gifts that Santa distributes and to the Mayor, who we were delighted could join us. Also to the many volunteers who helped with transport, serving and cooking and gave so willingly of their time.

Finally, I must thank my fellow Rotarians and their families who give up their time each year to make things happen. In particular I would like to thank Mo Andrews and John Thraves who co-ordinated the guest list with the transport volunteers.

I know from the feedback we get that our guests love the Rotary Christmas Breakfast and look forward to it each year. However, I also appreciate how much those who help everyone enjoy the day as it brings home the importance of fellowship in our community.

Thanks again to all involved and hopefully see you again next Christmas.

Jenny Hynan, Youth and Community Chair, Swanage Rotary Pictures: Top right, Guests sit down to enjoy a hearty breakfast prior to a singalong.

Bottom right: Santa Claus (aka George Willey), surrounded by beautiful ladies!

Swanage Boxing Day Swim 2013

The annual Swanage Boxing Day Swim, organised by Julian Wood, was a huge success once again this year. Hundreds turned up adorned in all manner of fancy dress, ready for the mad dash into the freezing sea in the name of charity.

A huge crowd gathered to watch the brave (and crazed!) take the plunge on what was a chilly, but thankfully sunny day. Friends and spectators were kept warm with coffee and bacon baps served by the organisers.

The money raised totalled over £3000, and will this year be split between Swanage Town & Herston Football Club Youth Section (for new kit) and DCODE (Diabetic Children of Dorset East).

The organisers and the benefiting charities would like to extend their thanks to K’s, Visage, Catalogue Shop, Country Foods, Burt’s Bits, White Swan, Swanage Bay View, Fifi’s, Dave and Dianne Terret, Margaret Diffy, John Gibbons, Eddie Rainsford, Marie Watson, Steve, Lyndsay and Blake Townsend and everyone else who helped, supported or swam!

Photos of the event are available on the Purbeck Gazette Facebook page: www.facebook.com/purbeck.gazette?fref=ts

Organisers are looking at launching an exciting ‘distance kayaking’ event for June this year - watch this space in the next few months!!

National Trust February Events

Sculpture in Corfe Castle - Daily

The National Trust and Purbeck Art Weeks have joined together to produce a sculpture trail in the grounds of Corfe Castle through autumn/ winter 2013/14.

The sculptures will not be conspicuously on view but are there to be discovered by the visitor.

Walk: King’s Farm to Castle

Sunday 2 February, 10.30am

Walk the ancient footpaths trodden by generations of farmers and fishermen from the coast to Corfe Castle and enjoy lunch at our tea rooms.

On our return we pass a 19th century cast iron water wheel. £10 including lunch, £3 for walk only. Booking essential on 01929 477062.

Valentine’s Day at Corfe Castle

Friday 14 February

Explore the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle on Valentine’s Day then enjoy a delicious Valentine’s Day Tea including smoked salmon sandwiches, heart shaped shortbread, chocolate dipped strawberries and a mini Victoria sponge cake.

Half Term at Corfe Castle

Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 February

Back for half term by popular demand, bring along your own brave teddy to have a go at the fearsome Zip Wire Challenge.

There will be activities as part of the Purbeck Literary Festival and our family trail and costume tent to enjoy.

Pics: Above, the gathering crowd, below, the dash to the sea, right, coming back to the beach.

Out Of The Blue

Purbeck is truly out of the blocks and running into 2014. Purbeck Police and our partner agencies have already had our first planning meetings for Swanage Regatta and Bestival, where did the time go?

As I write this we have just had some of the most persistent and violent set of winter storms in decades, our thoughts are with all those affected and we hope things have improved.

New Years Eve was busy and wet! As well as attending many incidents your dedicated officers arrested:

A 42 year old male from Studland, he was charged with drink driving. Two young males from Poole following an allegation of robbery in Swanage town centre, an investigation continues. An 18 year old Swanage male who was later issued with an £80 fine for being drunk and disorderly. A 47 year old male from Wool who was charged with assault following an incident in Wool.

A 38 year old Swanage male who was charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle after being found one and a half times over the legal limit. And a 38 year old Bristol woman, who was arrested and charged with drink driving. She had over three and a half times the legal limit of alcohol in her system.

At the end of 2013 we did hit a few low points. Crime levels were low. In 2013 we recorded our lowest crime level for a month of December in five years. December was also the lowest month for crime in 2013 (114 crimes across Purbeck to be exact).

Offences of violence also remained low all year which is really good; in fact December 2013 was the lowest month in five years for violence against people.

We also hit a few highs. What was really getting in the way of making truly historic statistics in 2013 was the continued theft of valuable items from

cars and sheds. It is one of the most preventable crimes in terms of you removing valuables or installing security (and using it).

Please lock your cars and sheds. It is however one of the most difficult for us to detect or prevent. This type of crime accounts for almost a third of all our reported crime! For those who leave valuable items insecure or in vulnerable places, please don’t, either that or just leave a few hundred pounds nailed to the shed door or under your windscreen wiper, you might save yourselves a lot of hassle.

We have been increasingly concerned about a small but steady rise in dwelling burglaries. We will be keeping a close eye on this and we are doing everything we can to obtain forensic evidence and intelligence in order to identify who may be responsible.

A key aspect to this crime is to call police straight away and don’t be tempted to move anything or try and tidy up. If you see anything suspicious tell us we are more than happy to check things out.

Finally we have also been keeping you up to date via social media. We really do hope you find it interesting. We have been overwhelmed by some of the responses and the amount of people we reach, our record so far is over 34,000 for our post about the sighting of reindeer flying over Wareham by-pass on Christmas Eve.

If you don’t already please follow us on twitter and Facebook at Purbeck Police.

Kind regards and best wishes for the rest of 2014.

Inspector Fiona Gaffney

My War-time Memories.

By Brian Guy

The changing face of Swanage. As time rattles along on ever swifter wings, those of us that can recall the town in its pre-war, and post-war heyday, grow ever fewer.

Gone are all the private hotels that once provided holidays for the visitors. At that time, this little lad, 14 years old, used to deliver to the local hotels on Saturday. Lots of fresh produce; six dozen eggs and loads of fresh vegetables. All delivered in an old fashioned baby’s pram. And for that, I got the magnificent sum of sixpence. Usually that was spent going to the Cinema. If it was an ‘A’ picture, you could get an adult to take you in. Slowly but surely over the years, the hotels vanished, one after another. For the town had a great many hotels, pre and post-war.

Remember, anyone? A small planed force landed in a field north of Herston, many years ago. Pre-war. It was reputed that the Prince of Wales was aboard. Can any of you recall that incident?

Back to the war memoirs.

In the centre of the battleground, north of Caen, stood the Chateau de la Londe. A place that became famous for the pure savagery of the fighting that took place there. Extraordinarily bitter hand to hand fighting, where the two sides were intermingled. At the time, the newspapers branded it ‘The bloodiest square mile in Normandy’. That description was well deserved. This is what happened:

On the night of June 22nd, the South Lancs, with two sections of 3 Platoon, 246 Field Company R.E., attacked the Chateau without a preparatory artillery barrage and walked in and took the Chateau. But something went very wrong after that, for some reason that has never been explained, the anti-tank guns were not brought up to support our troops. At about 4.30am the next morning, the Germans counter attacked with tanks and drove our infantry out, without anti-tank guns there was no defence against armour.

We later found out that the Germans had been hauled over the coals for the disgraceful loss of the Chateau and that they would have to ‘fight to the death’ to regain it. They then set about strengthening their defences, ready for another attack. First they were reinforced by a company of tanks about thirty to forty strong, plus 5 Company of 192 Panzer Grenadiers and a Platoon of Sappers backed up by the H.Q. Company of 22 Panzer Regiment, fighting as infantry, A force of considerable strength! Our intelligence did not know about these enemy reinforcements, the weather had been very bad with thunderstorms, which did not allow for good aerial reconnaissance, at the same time our patrols had not managed to get close enough to check on the enemy strength.

There then followed ‘Operation Mitten’, the retaking of the Chateau. This operation was to help the Canadians who were preparing to make a Pincer movement around Caen. The attack opened with the Divisional artillery laying down a barrage that our troops had to follow up close behind!

On the evening of June the 27th,the South Lancs led the 8th Brigade and attacked first. Not knowing of the superior enemy strength, they were slaughtered. Every avenue was covered with tremendous enemy

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One of the best things that makes Not Just Sundaes Community Cafe in Wareham unique, is its great team of volunteers. “Whether making the cakes, washing up, serving coffees or helping with the youth project, it has been fantastic to see our team of volunteers grow in number over the last 8 months” says Andy Bowerman, Chair of the project. “Our volunteers truly reflect the community in which they serve. From teenagers to the retired, both male and female, the project has drawn together a group which should be proud of the role that they have played in building something special in Wareham”.

fire power. They were beaten back but managed to hold on to the wood at La Londe. The Suffolk and East Yorks, with two Platoon of 246 Field Company R.E. in support, were then thrown in to the battle. Cold food was brought to them between 1am and 2am and they attacked at 4am. The barrage came down and what followed was a terrifying experience. An experience so bad that those who were there will remember it to their graves. It is beyond my feeble attempt at description! The battle was confused and violent.

To give an example, an officer of the Suffolks trying to consolidate his defence was harried by a Spandau. Seeing two tanks in the half light, he asked one of them for fire support on to the Spandau position. A head appeared from the turret and these two looked at each other in silence. The gun began to swing round, the British officer ran for his life and just managed to reach a slit trench before the German tank fired at him. Lieutenant Woodward knocked out one with a PIAT, the other was knocked out by Private Crick, who was killed immediately by shell fire. Assault Division (RE Records). I have discovered further accounts of this battle, the first account is by Captain M H Edwards of 246 Field Company R.E.Chateau de la Londe. June the 23rd 1944.

“The first Battalion of the South Lancs made the attack on the Chateau, with two sections of 3 Platoon 246 Fld Co R.E in support. We went in darkness and soon it was successfully taken. Before the anti-tank guns got themselves into position the enemy counter attacked with guns and mortars just before daylight, and under the cover of smoke their tanks quickly overran our positions. When the positions were first taken, I checked round the captured defences with one of the Battalion officers to see whether there were any engineering tasks, and then, promising to give a report on the overall situation to the Battalion Commander, I started to make my way back to Battalion H.Q. Just as I walked through a gateway in the high wall and towards the cornfield outside, there was heavy firing of automatic weapons and I had to crawl. Then almost immediately a tremendous ‘Stonk’ came down and the whole area was pounded with mortars. I could also hear the sound of high velocity 88mm guns firing. I was stuck in the middle of the cornfield, straddled with mortar bursts, much too close for comfort. I managed to move very slowly by rolling, in between the bursts, from one smoking crater to the next, clinging hopefully to the old saying ‘Lightning never strikes the same place twice.’

It must have taken me an hour to move about 500yds, and when at last I arrived at H.Q., very shaken and rather deaf, they listened to my report with some surprise.

The counter attack, which apparently I had just missed, had been too much for us and the position had been lost. Sappers Bob Chapman, Bill Humphries, Bill Baxter and Jim Pugh were shelled with the South Lancs for over three hours before their advance was ordered. Much to their relief! Luckily, under the circumstances! None were wounded or killed in the action, unfortunately one of the Sappers lost everything but his life when a Tiger tank overran his slit trench.

June 25th and 26th. Preparations started for another attack, the second assault on the Chateau de la Londe. It was a Brigade attack on the Chateau and then on to Le Mesnil wood. 2 Platoon of 246 FId Co R.E. were engaged in support of the Infantry and the Sappers used explosives on two enemy tanks. The South Lancs first went in against strong opposition and the East Yorks and Suffolks attacked at dawn on the 28th of June. The South Lancs were severely mauled in this battle. They had a very bloody time against the Panzer Grenadiers and the 22 Panzer Regiment, whose Tiger tanks were well dug in and protected by mines and booby traps. They kept their dogged pressure against an equally determined enemy.”

To be continued.......

Is Swanage today to be known as ‘The wheelie bin breeding area’? Why? Well it seems to me there are now more bins than people, assuming four bins per house.

Someone has a great deal of money to spend on bins that will, in all probability, never be used.....

Whilst the cafe is closed for the final phase of the building project (to improve the disabled access to the listed building), we are busy planning for our reopening in the Spring and are looking to recruit more volunteers to our team. We seek those with warmth and a positive outlook on life, who genuinely enjoy working directly with people, whether by making cakes, serving in the café or organising one of our new activity groups. Maybe you have a particular passion for working with the younger members of our community and would like to get involved with our youth project? Whatever your skills, we would love to hear from you, if you can spare some time on a regular basis to be a part of our team, e-mail vacancies@ notjustsundaes.com or call 01929 553346.

To find out more information about how we are getting on, contact us via our facebook page (Not just sundaes Community Café), and we look forward to seeing you when we re-open in the Spring!

Dealing With Life’s Little Upsets

After the festive party season the chances are that you find something sticky, greasy, brightly coloured – or a combination of all three, deposited on, or transferred to something it shouldn’t!

So, if you find yourself wondering, “What’s that stain and where did it come from”, head down to Nixons homehardware where we are featuring a range of tried and tested products designed to tackle even the most challenging stains.

Among these is Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover. Not, as the name suggests, an acne treatment for the over 60’s, just a drop from the 50ml bottle will get to work on among other things, oil, make-up, ink, grease, ink, blood, wine, tea and coffee.

For carpets and upholstery, 1001 Troubleshooter is the perfect remedy for party spillages such as red wine and coffee. Packaged as a convenient foam spray of mild detergent and polymer, it has a deep penetrating action that lifts stains without scrubbing.

Remember, it is always best to attend to spillages as soon as they occur by soaking up excess liquid with kitchen roll or micro-fibre cloth. Scrape up any solid residues with a blunt knife. Don’t be tempted to rub the spill as this can spread it or drive it deeper into the fabric and always treat any resulting stain as soon as practicable.

Need to clean an entire carpet but don’t have your own machine? Then

at Nixons homehardware we hire out Rug doctor carpet cleaners for a professional finish with minimum effort. Our staff will happily advise you on their use as well as helping you select compatible products to achieve the finest results.

So, if the party season has left its mark on your home, or you simply want to be better prepared for future stain-related emergencies, Nixons Homehardware, 26 Station Road, Swanage is the place to visit.

News From Wareham Town Council

WAREHAM VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2013 – MYRNA GOMES MARIA

At the Town Council’s Christmas Reception held in the Corn Exchange on 13th December 2013, Mrs Myrna Gomes Maria of Wareham was awarded the Council’s prestigious ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award by the Mayor of Wareham, Councillor Malcolm Russell. In addition to a certificate signed by the Mayor, the accolade includes the permanent addition of her name in gold lettering on the Town Council’s Volunteer of the Year Honours Board, which was duly unveiled on the night.

The Mayor paid tribute to Mrs Gomes Maria’s many years of voluntary service to the Wareham community and highlighted the criteria for the award to the assembled guests, including representatives of local voluntary organisations.

A former Town Councillor 1998 – 2002, Mrs Gomes Maria’s list of achievements in voluntary service is impressive and includes fundraising of £11,200 for the four Golden Jubilee/Year 2000 lights on the South Bridge. Fundraising activities for the League of Friends of Wareham Hospital ‘Welcome to Winter’ gala resulted in £2000 for a special hospital bed, and a St George’s Day Celebration raised funds of over £1,000 to help the Wareham Hemsbach Twinning Association with twinning visits of friends from Hemsbach. She later became Secretary and then Chairman of that organisation, organising the 25th Anniversary visit in 2012 of Hemsbach friends and dignitaries to Wareham and the donation of a commemorative stone bench on the South Bank of the Frome. Other associations with voluntary and other groups in the town over the years include the Carnival Committee, Town Trust Committee, Wareham Air Training Corps, Trustee of the Wareham and District Development Trust, Secretary/Treasurer of the Harbin and Pitt Trust, member of the British Legion 90th Birthday Poppy Appeal committee (helping to raise £2,000 for the Legion), Past Governor of The Purbeck School and

WWI Commemoration

An initial meeting has taken place between various groups in Wareham who are looking to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, to enable a diary of events i.e. concerts, displays, flower festival, memorial services (Remembrance Day) throughout the town over the next four years.

an original committee member of the Wareham University of the Third Age.

In 2010, Mrs Gomes Maria was one of the founder members (and subsequent Chairman until 2012) of the new Wareham Croquet Club which now meets regularly at the Wareham Recreation Ground, using two lawns. In 2012, perhaps her ‘crowning glory’ was to act as ‘Queen for a Day’ (along with a surrogate Prince Philip and an almost real Sir Winston Churchill) at Wareham Town Council’s very popular ‘Coronation Big Lunch Street Party’.

Still soldiering on with voluntary work, she has now encouraged, and participates in, the formation of a handbell ringing group for senior citizens at Lady St Mary Church. On behalf of the people of Wareham, the Town Council congratulates Myrna Gomes Maria on her splendid achievement. Wareham in Bloom Update - Opposite the Saxon Roundabout large amounts of vegetation have been removed and replaced with a variety of plants and trees. The scheme was devised by Simon Goldsack (Holme for Gardens), Andrews Haulage sponsored the clearance works/120 tons of top soil and Eco Compost donated 25 cubic metres of compost. The site, named Saxon Magic Corner following an In Bloom competition at Wareham St Mary Primary School won by Charlie Lovell, will give all year round interest, screen the nearby mobile home park, stimulate wildlife and complement surrounding native trees/shrubs.

Wareham Public Toilets Refurbishment Works - Refurbishment at The Quay and Howards Lane toilets, acquired from Purbeck District Council, is imminent. Phase 1 will commence at Howards Lane and last 6 weeks. The public should note that these toilets will be out of use during this period.

Amenities Committee: BMX Track, Hauses Field – The track, recently closed for urgent repairs, has re-opened. Chairman of the Amenities Committee, Councillor Nicola Wiggins said: “We are indebted to Synergy Housing Neighbourhood Panel (Zone 6) for a grant of £2500. Donations from Wareham Lions (£200) and Wareham and District Development Trust (£447.00) towards the total cost of £4450.00 have also ensured that Wareham’s young people will achieve maximum play value from the facility for a long time to come.”

Rod Curtis, Wareham Town Clerk

If you or your organisations are contemplating commemorating the First World War in any way over the next four years we would welcome your attendance and input at our next meeting to be held on the 20th February 2014 in order that a diary of events may be compiled. This group will meet again on Thursday 20th February 2014. Please contact Merville Gover chairman Royal British legion club: 01929 552903 or email afjoy.merville@tiscali.co.uk

Purbeck Dog Warden

We attempt to get your questions answered

In light of the recent furore following several dog attacks locally, which resulted in the deaths of two pets (Bertie the cat and Toffee the dog) and two traumatised families, we have responded to comments from our readers with regards to the qualifications of the person currently holding the post of Dog Warden for the Purbeck District area.

We contacted Purbeck District Council, issuing a Freedom of Information request for the following information:

Full name and length of service of the current Dog Warden responsible for Purbeck, details of all formal/recognised qualifications which are relevant to the position, and when these qualifications were originally awarded.

The original FOI request was turned down as it was viewed to be for information specific to an identifiable individual, rather than to the post of Dog Warden itself. Disclosure of this information would breach the First Data Protection Principle of the Data Protection Act 1998. In light of the fact that the Dog Warden is already easily identifiable to all residents in Purbeck, due to the use of a clearly sign-written van, we appealed the decision to refuse the FOI request, and asked for an internal review.

The review upheld the decision to refuse the FOI request; a letter from David Fairbairn, Solicitor to the Council, explaining the decision stated: ‘Although the information requested is not sensitive personal data, the nature of the information could lead to individuals being targeted, and the distress this would cause has been accepted by the Information Commissioner in similar circumstances as being a factor in making the disclosure unfair.’

‘While it is wholly unacceptable for a person to be subjected to verbal abuse or threats of violence from another person, it is the nature of the job that dog wardens generally are likely to receive verbal abuse and threats of violence. The disclosure of the information requested would be likely to exacerbate this (it is for this reason too that I agree with the refusal on the basis of section 38).’

The post of Dog Warden is, to our knowledge, publicly-funded. The person holding the post is already easily-identifiable by the provided sign-written van, advice on canine behaviour is given to the public by said warden, and action taken when required. But we are not allowed to know if the person holding the post is qualified to undertake any of these duties, and are not likely to know anytime soon, for the reasons given above.

Whilst we understand the requirement for the protection of the individual under the current Freedom of Information and Data Protection acts, we also believe that in order for the public to trust those holding public positions of authority, paid for by the taxpayer, staff should be adequately qualified for the post held - and the public should be confident in this.

We have no idea what relevant qualifications the person currently holding the post of Dog Warden for this area has - they may well be highly qualified in the field of animal behaviour. One can but hope the qualifications held fit the position and the responsibilities of that position.

We wanted to clarify the situation in light of the recent occurrences, and the resulting enquiries from our readers, but it seems we are sadly unable to!

Pictured: Swanage dog, Toffee, who sadly lost his life after an unprovoked attack by a lone black Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Swanage in autumn 2013

Whatever the weather, take a journey back in time and enjoy a day of excitement and nostalgia at the award winning Swanage Railway.

Sit back and relax in style and enjoy a leisurely 12 mile return trip through the beautiful countryside of the Isle of Purbeck a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age as the era of a Southern branch line in the 1950s reveals itself during the course of your journey.

Enjoy the breathtaking views, the history, the wildlife, links to art and literature as well as our restored locomotives and carriages.

Purbeck Railway Circle

On Friday 14th February Hugh Compton will present a slide show entitled “Waterloo to Wenford Bridge”; Hugh Joined BR (SR) in 1949 and during his career he was involved in a wide variety of railway improvement projects throughout Southern England.

Following his retirement Hugh spent time in the Plan Arches at Waterloo sorting out redundant maps and pictures for transfer to County Records Offices between Truro and Canterbury. Hugh is a former President of the Railway and Canal Historical Society.

The slide show will draw heavily on Hugh’s railway career and his interest in railway history. Geographically the show may cover anywhere on the former Southern Region of British Railways.

The Circle meets in Harman Cross Village Hall, Hayscraft Lane, Harmans Cross at 7:00pm

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

For further information please contact the General Secretary: tele: 01929 554765 or email: gordonjakes21@btinternet.com

Through The Keyhole Swanage Town Council

Our Gazette correspondent details the goings on in recent council meetings.....

Swanage Town Council. 6 January Meeting.

On the epic night that Chesil Beech was flattened by the storm surge battering the south coast and when the danger to residents of Portland was leading national news bulletins, Mayor and Councillors expressed their thanks to Geoff Brookes and all Swanage Council workers for the clearance of substantial storm debris from around the town over the previous several days. (Cllr Brown probably surprised no one when he warned that, with Swanage’s water table now at surface level, exactly the conditions which led to substantial mudslides and rockfalls along Swanage’s coast in December 2012 were present once more and that all those walking the coast north of Ocean Bay should do so with the greatest care). Another group to be thanked (this time by Cllr Bartlett who clearly spoke for the whole Council) was the party of volunteers who, over the New Year Holiday, had completely redecorated the town’s Youth Centre in their own time. Thanks to Lorna Haines, Peter Clark and those other civic-minded amateur decorators. Few would argue that the safety of Swanage’s children should not be the town’s number one priority: how to achieve this with two distinct groups of school children soon to be arriving together at the former Middle School site is proving more problematical. Come Easter, the St Mark’s children (juniors) already entering the site will be joined by the first year intake from Swanage School (secondary), using another entrance on Washpond Lane. The question planners have been faced with is how to get the children safely from the south side of the road to the entrances of the two schools on the other. St Mark’s have long made clear that they do not want their younger children sharing an entrance with older students. As a result, Swanage School submitted a request to Dorchester for a separate puffin crossing (think pelican crossing with an additional ability to register electronically when pedestrians waiting to cross are at the kerbside).

DCC planners have therefore proposed that in addition to the push button zebra crossing used by St Mark’s students, there should be an additional puffin crossing approximately 100 metres closer to the town centre. DCC

had recently written to the Town Council asking for its approval but it was unclear to the Mayor and Councillors whether DCC was asking their opinion of the siting of the puffin crossing or of its design. (It was hoped that as the DCC Council leader was to visit Swanage a few days later this could be clarified then. That being so, the decision as to approval or not was delegated to Mayor, Deputy and Cllr Trite (Swanage’s Councillor on the DCC).)

The Valley Road is, of course, the main entrance and exit to the town with all the problems associated with such an artery, including speeding and illegal parking. Local residents at the meeting described it as a dangerous road and, though subject to a 30mph speed limit, they claimed this was regularly exceeded. (St Marks has asked, probably fruitlessly, for a 20mph speed limit on that section). Residents’ other concern was that there had been no consultation on a second crossing (they saw no necessity for two), which would certainly lead to a substantial loss of already limited parking space (DCC says two spaces will be lost).

In an ideal world one would not have two schools sited on the main road out of town. One can say with certainty that with two school crossings a hundred yards apart, some impatient drivers who are obliged to stop and start, then stop and start again, will react with frustration – and this could endanger children on the second crossing they approach. In addition when, on rainy days particularly, parents choose to deliver their children to one of these schools by car (and then wish to return to town) their presence (added to normal rush hour traffic) will create at least twice the difficulty that existed when only the Middle School stood on the site. Certainly given that groups of children and busy roads are an inherently dangerous mix, we must hope that DCC planners make the best decision possible and that they have listened carefully to those who know this road and its problems very well. In addition it is to be hoped that as was the practice of the last head teacher of the Middle School, an imposing figure representing the school will be present at each crossing - ensuring both the road safety of their students and also able to keep a critical eye (and be visible to) the passing traffic.

With the dreadful weather we are having, if you are finding it difficult to get out to shop give us a call and we can find a Good Neighbour to help you out.

Trip to Houses of Parliament

On a beautiful day in December a group of thirty Purbeck Good Neighbours were treated to a guided tour around the House of Lords and House of Commons by our local MP, Mr Richard Drax, as a thank you for all the good work done so far. It was an early start to get there by 10.30am but well worth it as there was so much to learn and see in our country’s government debating house. We all had a fantastic day which also included some free time in the city before returning home in the late afternoon. We would like to thank Richard Drax for such a treat.

Swanage Area Senior Forum

NEWS FAIR!!

You are invited to a local News Fair organised by the Swanage Area Senior Forum when FOUR speakers will be updating us on the latest news about our community.

Swanage Bay and its coastal protection. What are the problems facing Swanage and what are the possible solutions?

Speaker - Malcolm Turnbull (Chairman of the Swanage Coastal Change Forum).

Hear a progress report from Purbeck’s planners including an update on the latest round in the Swanage Plan consultation process.

Where will the new housing be? What ideas are there for the Town Centre and the sea front? And how you can make a contribution to the planning consultation.

Speakers - Diane Bemand (Purbeck District Council planning officer) and Bob Foster (Chairman of the Swanage Development Trust).

Get an updated report from the Swanage Railway on the progress and exciting plans for the future.

Speaker – Mike Stollery, Swanage Railway Trust.

What is the latest news regarding The Swanage Hospital. Is its future still under threat?

Speaker - Jan Turnbull (Chair of the Friends of the Swanage Hospital). Each speaker will talk for 15 minutes and then take questions from the audience.

Wednesday 12th FEB at 7PM at The Emmanuel Hall, 160 Victoria Avenue. Adjacent car park. Refreshments available.

Featuring images from the ‘six weddings in one year’ from our local RNLI crew!

PURBECK WEDDINGS

Getting married is arguably the most important and personal event in your life. Getting it right is a must - whether it’s an informal gettogether in a woodland glade, or an ‘all out’ bash in exclusive surroundings, it’s YOUR day, and there’s always a lot to organise!

From booking the venue, organising the catering, finding the perfect transport and deciding on the entertainment, to choosing the outfits, the rings and getting the invitations just right.

Purbeck has a wealth of local businesses who specialise in weddings, and who can make your day something special, for all to remember. Purbeck can also offer you a backdrop of some of the most stunning locations in the UK in which to wed. Take a browse through the following pages, and start planning your big day today!

Dave Turnball, Lifeboat Mechanic, married Angela Medland at St Mary’s Church in Swanage. Photographer: Howard Lucas.

We are a Wedding Planning and Events Management company based in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. We specialise in providing independent wedding planning services to our clients and recommending truly unique venues, to find each couple their dream wedding setting.

Our aim is to offer you a completely personal service where attention to detail is paramount, to ensure we are able to help you create an original and memorable event of the highest quality.

Many think the services of an Events Manager are reserved for those with unlimited amounts of money to spend, when in fact anyone, regardless of their budget, can experience the luxury of having their own Event Manager. Working with some of the best local suppliers and venues around we are able to bring together the best local knowledge available.

We are now well established with several prestigious venues across the south coast, as their preferred events organisers.

We specialise in Weddings, Private Parties, Corporate Parties and High-End Hen-Do's, and we are able to work within set budgets and time frames. Please contact us for a non-obligation chat regarding your ideas, and see if we can help you create your dream event.

www.bluebayevents.co.uk

01929 509900 07590 596916

Celebrating the six weddings in a year for our local RNLI team.

Left: James Mack, Design Engineer & RNLI, married Claire Jones at St Nicholas Church.

Above: Dave Turnball wed Angela Medland at St Mary’s Church, Swanage - greeted afterwards by the crew! Photo: Howard Lucas.

It’s the little touches that can make all the difference; table decorations, signs directing guests, wedding favour bags and so on..... Get your friends involved in helping with the ‘small stuff’!

Stick to Purbeck for local suppliers of wedding & engagement rings, event organisers, wedding transport options, florists, bespoke dress makers, caterers, photographers and more.... Make your Purbeck Wedding a day to remember!

Tom Greasty, Fisherman & RNLI, married Charlotte Bartle at Durlston Castle.

Wedding bouquet above by Bloom Florists of Swanage

Celebrating the six weddings in a year for our local RNLI team.

Left: Gavin Steeden (Carpenter & RNLI) married Kim Notley at Swanage Town Hall. Pictured walking to the Sailing Club.

Above: James Mack, Design Engineer & RNLI, married Claire Jones at St Nicholas Church.

The Lulworth Wedding Fair

The Lulworth Wedding Fair takes place on Sunday 23 February. Occupying the Castle, the Courtyard, and grand marquee on the Castle lawn, it is one of Dorset’s most inspirational wedding planning events.

Contemporary, traditional, bespoke, quirky, vintage…the sixty stand holders have been carefully picked to offer a range of services and entertainment for that special day. The Lulworth Wedding Fair has a reputation as a rich source of wedding ideas, a once-a-year opportunity to visit the venues, browse for ideas and meet the suppliers.

Lulworth Castle and its newly refurbished Courtyard specialise in weddings and private functions. Access to the Castle, Courtyard, grounds and woodland walks are all included in the ticket price on the day.

Tickets cost £4.00 (under 16’s free) available on the day. Open 10.30am – 4pm, Sunday 23 February.

Find Lulworth Castle on the B3070. Follow the brown signs from the A352 between Wool and Wareham. For more details visit www.lulworth.com or call 0845 450 1054.

Picture shows bride and bouquet, provided by Bloom Florist, Swanage

Holme Weddings

Our unique location gives you a beautiful countryside setting for your celebration.

The Orchard and the Holme Event Grounds are available to hire throughout the year. These spaces are suitable for weddings, birthday and anniversary celebrations and parties in a relaxed and rural setting.

How about a water side setting for your party or private marquee grounds surrounded by the beautifully planted bridal borders or music and dancing in the Orchard?

There is plenty of room for parking and with beautiful open space for guests camping we cater for many needs.

No two functions are the same and we also assist with sourcing suppliers, services and accommodation.

Holme for Gardens is set in twenty acres of land with a stunning independent garden centre, the Orchard Cafe, Holme Farm Shop, a pick your own farm and glorious grounds within the site.

Our events team will be delighted to discuss your event and help with all your venue requirements and ideas. Please contact us on 01929 554 716 or email us at orchard@holmeforgardens.co.uk

Iced Gems Cakes

Louise Hesketh is well-known for her exquisite cake creations, producing wonderous, mouth watering delights for all occasions. Working under the business name of ‘Iced Gems’, Louise can create

bespoke, original wedding cake designs, and also offers a delightful selection of alternatives to the standard wedding cake, such as the ‘Seashore’ cupcakes pictured above.

All of Louise’s cakes taste as delicious as they look, baked only with the finest ingredients, including fair-trade sugar and cocoa, and free range eggs. If you’re planning your wedding this year, don’t leave the all-important cake to chance- give Louise a call to discuss what edible delights she can create for you!

Tom & Charlotte Greasty’s reception at Kingston Country Courtyard, Kingston, Corfe Castle.

Or Lou on 07968 831028

Condie and Poole Fine Foods have been catering for local weddings for the past seven years. With an accent on classic flavours and food, Lou and Sally can provide everything from canapes to full ‘sit down’ receptions at the venue of your choice.

We provide a personal service from your first enquiry to the ‘big day’,

with help and friendly advice on choices of menu, table arrangements and anything else to suit your needs.

We use local staff and suppliers and will ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch and we look forward to planning it with you.

Dave Turnball wed Angela Medland at St Mary’s Church, Swanage. Photo: Howard Lucas.

Go Bespoke With The Dress.....

Hidden away in Wool, Dressmaker Liz Somerset produces beautiful creations for brides around the country.

A nationally-recognised dressmaker, Liz offers a full, bespoke service for weddings, as well as offering traditional dressmaking services.

If you want a particular style of wedding dress, or fancy designing your own creation, Liz is the lady who can make your dress dreams a reality. Also able to create dresses and outfits from a photograph or picture, Liz can design and deliver the full range of wedding requirements; from wedding favour bags to wedding dresses, so your wedding can be themed just the way you want it.

Liz also offers a full alteration service, so if you’ve found the perfect dress but it needs a little help to make it fit, then Liz is the woman to make it happen!

Liz prefers to meet her clients after closing time initally, so that she can devote her full attention to each client, ensuring that you’re on the same page and that she understands your needs and ideas perfectly.

Liz can create and provide: Table runners, wedding favour bags, wedding dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses, flower girl and page boy outfits, mother-of-thebride outfits, men’s and boy’s cummerbunds, bow ties, waistcoats, boy’s suits (not men’s), prom dresses and more. So, if you fancy a bespoke dress rather than purchasing something ‘off the peg’, do give Liz a call and arrange an appointment to discuss your plans and ideas.

You’ll be surprised at how reasonable the costs are! Go bespoke - you’ll be glad you did!

Gavin Steeden (Carpenter & RNLI) married Kim Notley at Swanage Town Hall.

Honeymoon And Guest Outfits

We can offer you a wide range of outfits for your wedding partyfrom the mother of the bride or groom, to sisters, cousins and good friends. Mary at Golden Girl has a wealth of expertise in dressing for your special occasion.

The choice of sizes, styles and colours are all here for you to select from. We can accessorize your outfit as well, enabling you to complete your whole ensemble under one roof and removing the worry of buying a mismatching colour elsewhere.

We can also help you choose your outfit for the evening celebrations –and for the bride to be -something extra special for those lovely romantic honeymoon evenings – when all the hassle of the ’big day’ is over and you can finally relax.

We can do ‘dressy’ – we can do ‘smart casual’ and we can do simply ‘casual’ – so why not come along and see our extensive range. We are confident that we can offer an excellent service and expert advice, and are sure that we can ‘do you proud’ by ensuring that you look and feel good in an outfit that will complement the bride on her ‘Big Day’ and give her a photographic record to be treasured.

So if you have a wedding planned this year - come and see us at Golden Girl where we look forward to being of help.

And finally – If you’re looking for a REAL bargain, we still have a great range of SALE items in stock - so why not visit us this month?

FPerfect Blooms

lowers play a big part on your wedding day, from something as simple as a posy for the bride, right through to the floral decorations for your venue.

For a truly bespoke service, look no further than Bloom Florists in Tilly Mead, Swanage. Bloom is run by Victoria Benfield, who, having grown up in Purbeck, has a very good knowledge of all of the local churches and wedding venues in the area, and consequently is able to offer all the help and advice you need to make the most special day of your life visually stunning.

Victoria is a passionate and talented florist, whose bouquets and displays can always be relied upon for their artistry and creativity. Where possible, both flowers and foliage are locally sourced, to give the occasion a truly ‘Purbeck’ feel.

Since its opening, Bloom’s reputation has spread and weddings are becoming an increasingly large part of the business. Purbeck is the wedding venue of choice for a large number couples from all over the country, and many of them are making Victoria at Bloom a vital part of their arrangements.

So whether you are planning an intimate wedding for family and a few close friends, or something on a very grand scale at one of the larger historic venues in Purbeck, let Bloom provide the wedding flowers you have always dreamt of.

Bridal bouquet, above, below and page 33, Bloom Florists.

IT’S THE MOST SPECIAL DAY OF YOUR LIFE

Beautiful Wedding Hair

Located in the heart of Wareham, Philip Mills Hair Design Salon provides a warm, relaxing atmosphere for the highest quality hair services.

The Philip Mills Salon has become well-known across the south for superior quality hair design.

Philip excels at wedding hair design, and is available for weddings throughout the year.

If you have a wedding party which needs their hair designed, you can either come to the salon, or Philip will travel to you.

Take one thing off your wedding list today, and book Philip to design your dream wedding hair!

49 North Street, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4AD. Tel: 01929 551855

Innovative Hair

When organizing your special day, come along to Innovation in Swanage and let our experienced team make everything perfect for you!

We offer a professional, friendly wedding service for blushing brides, the mother of the bride, and the bridesmaids, including wedding hair, nails and beauty.

We can provide extras such as hair extensions, if required, and we tailor the service we offer to your specific needs.

All staff are professionally trained to a high standard and are there to make sure you arrive at your wedding looking beautiful.

We use professional products from Wella, Tigi and more.

Call and make an appointment with Nicky to discuss your make-up requirements and ideas about suitable hairstyles to compliment your dress or wedding theme.

Our experienced team can help you with suggestions based on your preferences, thus ensuring you look and feel at your very best for the big occasion.

Of course, we mustn’t forget the groom and his entourage! Male grooming is also very important for the big day, so books the gents and pageboys in with us for a trim and manicure prior to the wedding.

Once you’ve set your date, why not call Innovation to book an appointment with Nicky to discuss your needs.

Looking fabulous is important to most brides, so let us take at least part of the strain for you when it comes to organizing your wedding – by helping you look your very best!

Gavin Steeden (Carpenter & RNLI) married Kim Notley at Swanage Town Hall, being greeted as man and wife by the crew.

Economic Review Of The 4th Quarter Of 2013

During the last three months of 2013 the FTSE 100 index rose by 4.4% and was up by 14.4% over the year. The FTSE ended 2013 at 6749.09 and this is not far off the all-time high of 6950.60 that was reached on 31st December 1999. In 2013 The FTSE All Share reached a record high and the FTSE SmallCap Index reached a 22 year high.

Our analysts generally commented on the global situation as follows :

‘In 2013, many leading equity indices reached record highs driven largely by a re-rating and positive investment flows at a time when corporate earnings disappointed. In 2014, the global economy is likely to expand and a broadening economic recovery in the US and UK would lead to tighter monetary policies though in Europe and Japan more stimulus is possible.

At this stage of the bull market and after strong gains in 2013, we are still positive on the outlook for equities but companies will have to deliver the 2014 consensus earnings per share estimates for equity markets to make progress.’

With specific reference to the UK, selections from our analysts’ comments are as follows :

‘Last year, the UK economic recovery gained momentum and the Bank of England began to retreat from its exceptionally loose monetary policies. The unemployment rate has become an indicator for interest rates and the 7% unemployment threshold could be reached in a matter of months rather than years. Possibly, the Bank of England will rebase its forward guidance otherwise interest rates could rise much earlier than expected. A stronger pound may have already started to discount higher interest rates and both the currency and higher borrowing costs could be potential headwinds for corporate earnings in 2014/15.’

‘On the whole, corporate earnings have disappointed not only this year but also in 2012 so the rise in equity markets represents quite a re-rating. Improved stockmarket sentiment and an economic recovery have revitalised the new listings market and the prospects for 2014 looks encouraging.’

The Halifax House Prices Index showed that house prices over the last three months of 2013 rose by 1.9%. Martin Ellis, their housing economist said :

‘Mounting signs that the economic recovery is becoming firmly established, together with a predicted decline in unemployment, should further boost consumer confidence over the coming months. This will increase the likelihood that more people will consider buying a property in 2014, therefore supporting housing demand.

Nonetheless, continuing pressures on household finances, as earnings again fail to keep pace with consumer price inflation, are expected to constrain demand. The recent strengthening in house prices is increasing the amount of equity that many homeowners have in their home. This will potentially encourage and enable more owners to put their property on the market for sale over the coming year, therefore boosting supply. Indeed, our consumer confidence research shows that there has been a significant improvement in sentiment towards selling in recent months. These factors should help upward pressure on prices’

Base rates have remained unchanged at 0.5% but as mentioned above, are likely to rise in the short to medium term.

I think that the mood is broadly positive at the moment, but with a hint of caution.

Kate Spurling lives in Swanage and is a stockbroker with Charles Stanley stockbrokers, Dorchester office – (01305) 251155 – kate.spurling@charlesstanley.co.uk

Charles Stanley & Co Limited is authorised by the FCA and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Disguised Employment

The government is cracking down on situations in which workers are treated as self-employed for tax purposes, and hence pay low amounts of NICs, but from the outside they appear to act as employees.The following changes in the tax law are proposed to block the use of‘self employed’workers working through LLPs or who are hired-out through employment agencies.

All individual member of LLPs are currently taxed as self- employed persons, even if they receive a regular‘salary’.This is the default position of the law and nothing is being‘fiddled’to put workers in this position. However, HMRC believe this rule is being abused, and the workers involved may not realise that they are technically self-employed. FromApril 6 2014, salaried members of LLPs will be treated as employees of the LLPif all of the following conditions are met:

-The member works for LLPand at least 80% of the pay he receives from the LLPis‘disguised salary’.

LLPsdisguised salary

- where the member has contributed any capital to the LLP, that capital amounts to less than 25% of the member ’s ‘’for the year and; - the member is not involved significantly in the management of the LLP.

EmploymentAgencies -

FromApril 6 2014, if a worker supplied by an employment agency personally carries out the work, or is involved in the provision of the services, the payment from the engager to the worker will have to be taxed under PAYE with class 1 NICs deducted.Any apparent right of substitution in the worker ’s contract will not prevent PAYE and NICs being due at the employed rates.

The MKLPartnership, Chartered CertifiedAccountants Herston Cross House, 230 High St Swanage, BH19 2PQ

Phone: 01929 425552

web: email: www.mklp.co.uk mail@mklp.co.uk

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Question: My energy supplier has announced price rises. I want to find out if I can get a better deal elsewhere, but I don’t know where to start.

Our advice: If your energy prices have shot up, you can find out if you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere by switching supplier. You can use a price comparison site approved by Ofgem, or get help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Energy suppliers must give you at least 30 days notice of any price increases, so act fast to make changes before the increases come in. If you decide to switch suppliers, you need to start the switching process within 20 days of being told about a price increase, that way your existing supplier can’t enforce the price rise.

Under new rules, if you’re on a fixed term contract and it’s coming to an end, your supplier must tell you between 42 and 49 days beforehand so, if you want to, you can switch suppliers during this time without any penalties.

And if you are on a fixed term contract signed on or after 15th July 2013, suppliers can’t increase prices, unless the price increase was agreed in advance - for example with a tracker tariff.

If your supplier breaks these rules you can complain, first to the energy supplier, then to the Energy Ombudsman.

For the most up-to-date advice, please visit the Adviceguide website at www.adviceguide.org.uk

DCC Trading Standards

Valentine’s day is approaching and some might start thinking how wonderful it would be to find a perfect partner and dating websites have become very popular.

Research carried out has revealed that over 200,000 people in Britain may have fallen victim to online romance scams. Criminals set up fake identities using stolen photographs (often of models or army officers) and pretend to develop a romantic relationship with their victim using online dating and social networking sites.

Once a relationship has been established, they pretend to be in urgent need of money and ask for help. For example, they may say they want to visit you but need the money to pay travel costs, or a family member of theirs is ill and they need money for medical treatment.

Investigations have seen financial losses suffered by victims of between £50 and £240,000. Victims also suffer what is effectively a bereavement, from the loss of a relationship they believed to be genuine.

Be aware of how to stay safe. Top tips include:

Never send money to someone you’ve met online, don’t know well and in person, no matter how persuasive. Be particularly suspicious if you are asked to send money via a money transfer agent, such as Western Union or MoneyGram or to buy Ukash vouchers.

Don’t keep things to yourself, even if asked to, speak to a family member or friend.

Don’t give out personal or financial details. Fraudsters may use these to steal your identity or commit other kinds of fraud.

Don’t let your own bank account be used by someone else to deposit or transfer money.

Don’t trust what appears to be a UK address or phone number, they can be diverted to anywhere in the world, typically West Africa.

For more information, or to report a romance fraud visit www. ActionFraud.org.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Signs

Of Puzzlement, Pleasure, Pints.... and Pain

by David Hollister

Inspired by the huge publicity given to the ‘anti-drink’ campaign over Christmas, I thought I’d be socially responsible and buy a breathalyser.

Coincidentally, the ‘Road Angel’ people emailed me with details of the ‘AlcoSense Elite’, a re-usable breathalyser which has been widely praised in the national press as being as accurate as the expensive ones used by the Police. So I sent away my £59.95 and it duly arrived. I carefully opened the package, extracted and read the manual.

I was initially disappointed to discover that I should either wait thirty minutes after a drink before attempting to use it, or use it as a ‘morning after’ breath tester. I’m not really keen on sitting around in the pub for thirty minutes after the party has finished; partly because by that time all the taxis would have gone on to ‘double time’ and partly because I’d be in the way of the cleaners. However, I was even more disappointed to read the manual and set-up instructions, which seem to involve making diluted alcohol solutions and programming the damned thing several times, or alternatively finding a 14-year old with a science degree.

My final disappointment came when I decided to return it – unused – and discovered a sticker on the box which informed me that for ‘Heath and Safety’ reasons I couldn’t return it if the box had been opened …….. other than opening it, how else could I discover that I couldn’t understand the instructions ? Anyone want an unused ‘Alco-Sense Elite’ breathalyser for £50?

And whilst you’re all fumbling in your anorak pockets for your pens to point out that I really shouldn’t drink and drive at all; at the last count, one pint of lager on a Sunday lunchtime accompanied by a meal is not going to put me over any arbitrary limit anywhere other than the Czech Republic, and that’s not on my way home. And the result of a zero limit in the UK would be the final death knell to the pubs and restaurants, twenty-six of which are closing in Britain each week, with their concomitant bankruptcies and job losses. And if I want to drink more than that pint …..then I’ll do it at home because the law says I have to.

Nice trip round Dorset in a Mazda 2 on a sunny Sunday morning. Took four pubs before I could find lunch. First pub – “we don’t do food” (!) Second pub – we only do Sunday Roasts (how unimaginative – but so many pubs do only roasts on Sunday lunchtime, missing out on the fact that those of us who have our Sunday roast at a civilised time might still want a quick bar snack). Third pub – actually queuing to get in, let alone for a seat in their restaurant. If we’d stayed we’d still be there now! Fourth pub – The Crown at Blandford - no ‘snacks’ but help yourselves from the ‘starters’ menu! Thanks – it was actually pretty good!

Ah, the Mazda 2 1.3 84ps “Venture” edition from Magna at Canford Cliffs. What a pleasant little car! Five doors, five speeds, excellent computer/ satnav/radio/music player. All the acronyms. Easy to drive. Finished in brilliant white with sporty little spoilers, all for less than £13,500 on the

Wanted

road. Published mpg 56.5 combined. Achieved mpg over 425 miles – 40.1. A disappointing 71%. OK, maybe I’ll give it another tankful and try to do better…… This little car does what it says on the tin; it’s cheap to tax (£30), cheap to run (95-octane fuel), cheap to insure, pleasantly quiet, well equipped, will cruise nicely at all legal limits. 0-62 in 13.6 and that’s really the only point where it doesn’t match up to the Corsa (0-62 in 8.0). And the absence of Cruise Control – a sad omission. But I’ve got the MX5 (0-62 in 7.9 but I’m working on that) for ‘fun’, so maybe it’s time?

Ring Tim at Magna on 01202 701222 and ask for a brochure or a test drive; might have to be in another one because actually I’m quite reluctant to give this one back…….

Whilst on the subject of Mazda; I was privileged to attend the unveiling and official launch of the fabulous new Mazda 3 (pictured, above) at Magna in Canford Cliffs earlier this month. It really is an amazing car with incredible ‘vital statistics’. I’ll be road testing one in the very near future and am really looking forward to it. But if you really can’t wait – there are two in Magna’s showrooms right now.

And finally. A very sad day in our household. She was bought new on 31st May 2003 and has been a faithful servant, a superb plaything, a useful tool and a good friend through thick and thin. Never let us down. And now she’s gone on to a new owner who has promised to care for her as much as we did. We wish her well and thank her for ten brilliant years of fun. Our Corsa is someone else’s baby now (

2010 (10) PEUGEOT 207 1.4 VERVE 5 DR HATCH

Met grey, Abs,Air Bags,Air Con, Electric Windows & mirrors, Radio/CD, Alloys, Service history, 30k miles.

2007 (07) BMW 335 3.0AUTO TIPTRONIC M SPORT, 4 DR SALOON,

2009 (09) DODGE NITRO 2.8CDR 5 DRAUTOMATIC SUV.

Met Blue,Abs,Air bags, Climate control, Esp, Electric windows & mirrors, Cruise Control, Remote locking,Alloys, Alcantar sports black trim, Zenon headlights, fsh, 84 miles. Met red,ABS,Air Bags,Air Con, Electric windows & mirrors, Cruise control, Leather seats, Sat Nav, ParkAssist, Radio/CD, SH, 21k m.

2002 (52) VAUXHALLOMEGA2.6 V6AUTOMATIC 4 DR SALOON,

2005 (05) KIAPICANTO 1.1 5DR HATCH.

Silver,Abs,Air bags,Air con, Electric windows & mirrors, Radio/CD,Alloys, service history, only 29k miles. Silver,Abs,Air bags, Electric windows & mirrors, Powers steering Remote central locking, Radio/CD, Service history, only 22k miles

The Gourmet Peddler Bacon Jam. Yes. Bacon Jam!

Yes you heard me (read it) correctly. Right now you are probably going to go through the many stages of “New Recipe Evaluation”:

What the hell?

Oh hold on that might not be as crazy as it sounds. Yeah I can see that working with XXXX.

Brain weeviling (see below)

Research,

Trying it,

Being utterly won over, Bacon Jam Evangelist, where you force it on anyone who can’t outrun you. I’m constantly amazed at what weird combinations of food work really well. Dave, the mechanic in the bikeshop is a former French pastry chef (chefs make good mechanics by the way) and he recently came out of our little kitchen having made something from what we had hanging around. He presented... brace yourself... griddled banana wrapped in bacon, served in a croissant, with chilli sauce. And it was amazing.

I first came across Bacon Jam on facebook, when an American bicycle associate had made a batch. Once the idea of Bacon Jam is in your head, it works away on you like a crazy savoury brain weevil, slowly invading your thoughts, making you look at food and think “I bet Bacon jam will go well with this.” Once tried, you will never look at toast, crumpets, cold meat or roast chicken in the same way ever again.

It’s also a balanced diet (well, sort of). Have a look at the ingredients; it’s got everything you need to start the day, including caffeine. Next time I make this I might add whiskey and tobacco, and then it’s got everything you could ever want going on.

Ingredients

400g smoked streaky bacon, cut into narrow 5mm pieces (about two packets)

2 medium onions, really finely sliced

4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

A slosh of olive oil

45g dark brown sugar

1 deseeded chilli pepper, or some chilli flakes

125ml of real coffee – DO NOT USE INSTANT

65ml apple cider vinegar

85g maple syrup - real maple syrup, not maple flavoured syrup.

What to do

Fry the bacon in a pan until browned and beginning to crisp. Remove and place on kitchen roll to remove the fat.

In a saucepan, very gently fry the onion in olive oil until it’s softened, but not browned.

Throw in the garlic for a few minutes.

Then all the other ingredients, including the bacon.

Cook on a low simmer for at least one hour. Keep it moving, and add a dash of water if it dries out.

The bacon jam is done when you can’t tell the bacon from the onions. Now, you are meant to pulse it in a blender, but I don’t have a blender, so I cunningly used a potato masher to break it down. I think this gives a better result.

Cool for about 15-20 minutes.

Pop in to sterilised jars (I poured boiling water over my jars to ensure they are clean).

Refrigerate up to two weeks.

Either force it on everyone, or don’t tell anyone about and keep it all for yourself.

Purbeck Products

By Hester Viney’s Dad, Nick Viney!

Hello everyone. And for those who turn to this column because they like reading what Hester has to say, I have to tell you that

I’m her Dad, Nick! She apologizes to you for her absence but life in France with two small children and a large husband is keeping her quite busy. She will be back next month.

I am actually one of the group’s four directors, the others being Kath (The Lamb), Phil (The Pig) and Karen (The Welsh). It’s incredible to think that we have been going for 8 years now and if it wasn’t for your support we would have disappeared long ago.

For me there are three particular pleasures in being involved with this group of people.

First, in these difficult times it’s great to work with folk who are so determined, resourceful and cheerful. Many of them are one-man bands, passionate about what they produce, with very high standards and they are our people.

They live in Swanage and the next door villages. They went to our schools. They’ve known each other all their lives. Their parents come and shop at their stalls. But equally important are the incomers. They can be very young, love the area but can’t find work so are trying to plough their own furrow. Or (and I have to be careful here), they are older, and need to supplement the meagre income they are trying to survive on.

Whoever they are, they believe that local food and locally created goods can be the best and can be affordable.

Secondly, it’s very satisfying when some of our members find that they are doing so well that they cannot justify the time standing at a market stall any longer.

They will tell us that they could not have built their businesses without Purbeck Produce Days. These were their shop window, where you met them for the first time, advised them on what you really liked and what was not so good. We miss them when they leave us but we rejoice in their success and in the part we have played in it.

Finally, you need to understand this by walking along the quiet dark road through Worth Matravers on an evening when a PP “business meeting” is being held at our house. You would be forgiven for thinking that there was a party going on and quite a raucous one at that.

I look forward to these meetings! We do get through the business but the crack is excellent, helped down with a glass of wine or three.

Do give us a try on the second Saturday morning of the month in Commercial Road outside Chococo. You will be made very welcome. Nick Viney pp Hester

Chococo - For Lovers Everywhere...

If you are looking to delight someone special this Valentine’s Day and entertain the little people over half term, head for Chococo, the chocolate shop, café & kitchen in the Commercial Road lanes in Swanage.

For Valentine’s Day this year, the Chococo team will be bringing back the Romantic Rose chocolate infused with rose oil, created by Tanya, one of their chocolatiers, and also a winner of a Gold Great Taste Award in 2012. The team has also created a new range of chocolate hearts and heart lollies to melt a heart!

Over half term, they will be running their ever-popular chocolate making workshops for children at their chocolate kitchen, opposite the shop. These workshops last one hour and are suitable for children age 7-12ish. There are only limited spaces per session so don’t leave it too late to book.

The Chococo chocolate café next door to the shop offers cakes and bakes, freshly baked on-site, plus soups and savoury scones for a light lunch. Their drinks range includes a unique range of hot chocolates, freshly ground coffee, Clipper teas, milkshakes and their exciting new DIY hot chocolates – choose origin milk, dark or even white chocolate to melt and whisk in the milk!

If you cannot make it to Chococo’s shop in Swanage, you can also buy their chocolates at ChocoCake on East St in Wimborne and also at their new shop in Winchester, which opened in early December. Their Winchester shop is on the High Street, near the Guildhall. Their chocolates are also available to order online or by phone for nationwide delivery.

CHOCOCO

VALENTINE’S DAY MENU

Valentine’s Menu Fri 14th & Sat 15th Feb 3 courses for £24.95

Starters

Seafood Sharing Platter

Homemade Crab Bisque

Sweet Cherry Tomato Parfait

Thai Style Mussels

Salad of Pan Roasted Pigeon Breast

Duck Galantine

Mains

Fillet of Seabass

Pork Fillet Medallions

Roasted Rack of Lamb

Find us at: Cocoa Central, Commercial Road, Swanage Workshop bookings: 01929 422748 www.chococo.co.uk

Venison Wellington ()

£3 suppl.

Sirloin Steak

Goat’s Cheese, Asparagus & Wild Mushroom En-croute (

All meat dishes served with our own farm meat, Dauphinoise potato & seasonal vegetables)

Desserts

Fig Fritters with Port Ice Cream

Lemon Cured Syllabub

Vanilla & Black Cow Vodka Panna Cotta

Rich, Dark Chocolate Truffle Torte

Raspberry & Nougart Semifreddo

Sharing Platter for Two

Cheese & Biscuits (£2 supplement)

Learning Centre Refurbishment

The final part of the Durlston Project is now underway!

Over the next month or so, the former Visitor Centre will be refurbished to provide an activity room for schools, colleges, clubs, societies or other visitors to use, a Studio where artists or scientists can work on-site, a Nature Nursery and a flat where volunteers can stay.

The work is funded through the same Heritage Lottery bid which funded the Castle redevelopment, with additional funding from BP, the Arts Council and many others.

We expect work to finish well before Easter, and as most of the work is inside, there should be very little disruption – we will signpost any temporary path diversions when necessary.

Durlston Nature Nursery

Our new Children’s Nature Nursery, run by ‘Kids Love Nature’ will open on the 22nd April 2014 and is taking bookings now. Spaces are going fast, so if you are looking for a brilliant nursery school for your child visit their website at www. kidslovenature.co.uk or phone 01929 505018.

Folk Nights at Durlston Castle

Those of you who enjoyed the Folk Nights at the Lookout some years ago, or who have been along to the great folk evenings at Holme Nursery, will be pleased to hear that the Durlston Folk Evenings are back, the first being Wednesday,

12th February, 7.30pm to 10pm, £4 or £3 for Friends – no need to book, just come along.

As always, the evenings are organised and hosted by Robin Plowman and will feature guest musicians.

A bar will be available in the Fine Foundation Gallery and seventhwave will be open from 6pm on that evening for those who’d like to eat before hand. A number of the old faces have promised to come along and perform as well as a few new ones, so it should be a good evening.

Durlston Past Exhibition

One of the most popular exhibitions last year was ‘Durlston Past’, which uses photographs, recollections and objects contributed by visitors and locals, to tell the story of Durlston and the Castle through the 20th Century. If you missed it last time, or would like to see it again (featuring some new material), it is open every day between 11 and 4 until the 23rd February.

Highlights include the menagerie at the Aviaries, a Christmas programme from the top secret WW2 radar base, and 1950’s Durlston merchandise, to name just a few.

We are always on the lookout for new material, so do have a rummage through your old photos – we would love to get copies.

Why Not Give The Gift Of Love To A Rescue Animal This February?

With more and more animals in need of care at our Centres, there has never been a better time to give the best gift of all by sharing your heart and your home with an animal that needs love.

From dogs and cats through to rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and donkeys, Margaret Green Animal Rescue work tirelessly to provide care and new, loving homes to animals that have been abused, neglected or were unwanted.

If you are thinking of adopting an animal, please visit www. margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk to find out more about our rehoming process and to see some of the animals currently looking for love.

If you are not in a position to adopt, why not consider a Valentine’s Day gift with a difference and sponsor an animal that lives with us?

We have cheeky donkeys, loveable cats, comical goats and lots more available for sponsorship. Your loved one will receive a personalised certificate, a plaque at your chosen Centre, a car sticker, pen, magnet and regular updates on the animal you choose.

To find see all the animals available for sponsorship, please visit the website or call 01929 480 474 for more information.

Gazette Gardening - with Simon Goldsack

The snowdrops are up, with crocus and cheery daffodils hot on their heels. Plants are waking from their dreary slumbers and this is an exciting time in the garden and now is the time to plan and prepare for the spring.

Inject some colour

Volas ( ) provide instant colour and scent and are hardy enough to plant out now

Winter can often have left your borders drab and brown. This is easily rectified – there is plenty of colour available at the Garden Centre. Choose from pansies, primroses and violas. These will readily flower from now until the summer bedding plants are available for planting in May and June. You can also use bulbs ready grown in pots. Tete-a-Tete daffodils (below) are particularly good for instant cheer forming dense clumps of bright yellow.

Over one hundred different forms to choose from including traditional favourites such as delphiniums and lupins to the more contemporary popular varieties such as Verbena bonariensis and Helenium.

Herbaeous borders – Quintessentially English (pictured, above)

Cherry Trees flower early in the spring and look beautiful, particularly against an azure blue sky (pictured, below). There are many varieties to choose from with pink, white or cream flowers. It is also worth considering their autumn foliage as well before you decide which one is for you, as many colour up beautifully before the leaves fall.

February tasks –

• Buy and sow seeds indoors according to information on the packet

• Pressure wash your patio

• Purchase and chit seed potatoes by placing them in a cool but not cold dry place so the sprouts start to develop ahead of

• Dig over the veg patch incorporating horse manure or compost, but don’t be in a hurry to plant until the soil temperatures rise.

Plant now for Spring and Summer colour

Herbaceous borders are one of the great joys of the English garden and Holme has a fantastic range of young plants that will flower this year.

What It’s Really Like To Be Scandinavian

By John Garner

Whilst watching the popular Danish political drama Borgen the other evening, I was struck by a meaningful thought. Rarely am I struck by anything meaningful, so this thought was both a bolt from the blue and a cause for some celebration. And what of this thought? Well. The thought was ‘I wonder what it’s actually like to be Scandinavian?’ I appreciate it’s probably something you’re always asking yourselves and therefore you’ll have come to your own conclusions, but this particular thought was a new one to me and as such, required some pondering. And then someone said that I probably was. Not pondering. I definitely was pondering, but Scandinavian. And then I said don’t be a fool and then they said check your history. So I did and this is what a casual search gleaned about my past, and probably yours too.

Back in 1015, King Canute sacked Wareham. And there it is. A Scandinavian chap taking over our local town. Not what you’d determine as rigorous research, but it seems to be a fact all the same. Canute is probably most famous for trying to command the tide to stop coming in and getting his feet wet as a result.

Whether or not this actually happened is subject to some debate, but to a strong and by all accounts pretty successful ruler, I’m sure if he was around today he’d be a bit cheesed off that the most enduring memory of his life was his inability to deter the relentless action of the incoming tide. Never mind that he ruled England for twenty years and offered the Brits much needed protection from the Vikings, amongst others. No. Damp shoes is the bit that is most recorded in the history books.

It’s difficult to really know what the sacking of Wareham looked like as we don’t have a great deal of information about this. What we do have some information about are the names of some of the people around in that particular era. The Scandinavian’s certainly knew how to name a chap. Canute was the son of Swedish King, Sweyn Forkbeard, presumably named because his beard forked.

Possibly, when he wasn’t really thinking, he married Sigrid the Haughty, unless she was just drop dead gorgeous, in which case history tells us it doesn’t really matter what she was called. Canute’s son was called Gorm the Old which has a slightly oxymoronic feel to it, but it might have referred to him having wisdom beyond his years, or it might not. He might have got the name after a long and illustrious life. Records are scarce. King Harald Bluetooth was also in there somewhere and you have to suspect his nickname owed more to a rotten molar than that he had invented an electronic means of communication a thousand years before the advent of the smartphone. Eric the Victorious and Richard the Fearless would seem reasonable geezers to hang around with when the going got tough and Thorkell the Tall could also be a useful ally at the footy if you had a restricted view.

This could have been handy had this tradition carried on. It could have

solved innumerable problems and saved hours of time and money. For example: you could avoid doing business with Bob the Charlatan. Not send your car to Ivan the Incompetent when the MOT’s due. Turn round and walk out of the pub if you see Terry the Twat and Matthew the Moron propping up the bar. Don’t ask directions from Dave the Bewildered. Avoid arguments with Gary the Criminally Insane Hatchet Killer of People That Make Him a Bit Cross. Quite a specific one that one, but you get the idea. Actually the more I read, the more I realised that the Danes captured Wareham as early as 876 AD. I wonder why? Pretty it certainly is. Strategic? I suppose so, it being on a river and all that. Maybe it was just because they were Danes and at the time, capturing settlements was what Danes did best. Like taking over countries, drinking tea and playing cricket were particular strengths for the British for a number of years.

Once Wareham was captured, I wonder what they did? Perhaps scratched their heads and wondered whether or not to have a go at Swanage before supper as I can’t imagine the fair folk of Wareham put up much of a scrap. Or maybe begin working on a saga based on events leading up to the overthrow of the town. They would have undoubtedly travelled for many years and suffered great hardship to get there. There would have been lots of slaying and overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds and lots of other heroic acts. Usually involving huge monsters. And, bless them, after all of this and with all due respect to the town of my residence, they would probably have wondered if it was all really worth it.

All that for what probably amounted to a dirt crossroad, a few huts and a boat or two. Equivalent Eastern conquerors had just claimed Sicily. I’d imagine had the Danes known this they may have questioned their leadership and its geographical competence. That said, Wareham is a lot further south than Denmark and the change in climate may well have been a revelation. Something to bear in mind next time we moan about the weather.

Still Nug the Disappointed and Arg the Frankly Miffed would probably have needed a bit of a rallying call to carry on. They didn’t have to stay long however, as shortly afterwards Alfred the Great turned up, struck a deal with them and they all left, probably with scarcely a glance over their collective shoulders.

So. Wareham. Good enough for the Danes. Good enough for us descendants of the Danes.

Hav en god dag. John the Historically Unreliable.

Purbeck Literary Festival

The First Purbeck Literary Festival will take place between 17th February and 2nd March 2014. Events take place right across the area, from Bere Regis to Swanage, Wareham and the villages, in venues from village halls, schools, libraries, pubs and cafes to luxury hotels.

There is something for everyone in the varied programme, which is designed to appeal to both readers and writers.

Included are talks and workshops on the craft of writing short stories, erotica, sagas and blogging and a session for those who fancy the popular route of self-publishing ebooks. There are opportunities to meet writers from crime to comedy, poetry to the paranormal and story telling for children for all ages.

The creator of Young Sherlock, Andrew Lane, will visit Swanage Library, while best-selling authors Katie Fforde, Minette Walters and Janet Gleeson will join their readers for afternoon tea.

Tricia Walker, based in Bournemouth and author of Benedict’s Brother, which is about to be made into a film, will speak at a dinner in Corfe Castle. Successful author of more than forty sagas and historical novels, Freda Lightfoot, is coming to Corfe Library and the Arts Club in Swanage to tell her story and share her expertise.

Award winning author, Julie Cohen, will lead an evening workshop on how to write sex scenes – with a glass of wine to help free the creative juices.

Isle of Purbeck Arts Club

The Isle of Purbeck Arts Club has been supporting the Arts here in this part of Dorset for 67 years. Originally founded as a platform not just for artists and musicians needing, after the war, to find new outlets for their creativity – including many famous names – but also, for those living in this beautiful part of England, to encourage, share and promote all aspects of the Arts.

The Club has naturally evolved over such a long period, with sections having to adjust to an increasingly busy world, but throughout it has been the generosity of the founders’ altruism that has meant that we are still able to administer and award bursaries to young people pursuing their dreams within the Arts through the Educational Strickland Bursary, the Neate Fund, and the Tunnell Fund.

The Purbeck Instrument Loan Scheme (PILS) currently provides over 100 local children with musical instruments. Some of these players recently performed with the Town Band in a memorable Christmas Concert in the Methodist Church.

Anybody lucky enough to squeeze into the packed St. Mary’s Church for the Christmas Concert by the Arts Club Choir and Orchestra, with a school’s Choir on December 7th, would realise the strength and high standard of this section of the Arts Club. Those who have visited the Summer Exhibitions of the Studio Workshop artists will have been very impressed by the standard achieved by members who enjoy painting for pleasure.

The Poetry group, whose interests cover a huge variety of subjects and occupations, are a cheeky and talented bunch, and one only has to read their published works to realise how able and creative they are.

To inspire and energise, the Visual Arts section goes travelling!

Sadly, the Arts Centre in Commercial Road, Swanage, acquired in 2000, is proving too costly for the Club to keep and the lease will not be renewed in September 2014. Giving up the Arts Centre will not mean the demise of the Arts Club. The Club will carry on giving pleasure to its members as it did in the years before 2000.

New members are always welcome. Contact Dou glas Addison, Chairman, on 01929 480119.

The Mowlem is joining in with Jane Austen telling her own story in ‘What Would Jane Say’ and the New Hardy Players will perform at Kingston Country Courtyard on 23rd February (details in advert above).

In all, there are thirty events over the two weeks, so this corner of Dorset will be alive with creative endeavour of interest to everyone with a passion for words.

Visit www.purbeckliteraryfestival.info or call into the Tourist Information Centre in Swanage or Wareham for the full programme, details of all events, tickets, accommodation and more.

John Flower Bursary Scheme Exhibition

FOR DEVELOPING ARTISTS IN PURBECK EXHIBITION AT L’ARTISHE GALLERY, SWANAGE

An Exhibition of work donated by some 40 local artists, kindly arranged by Sharon James, will be held at L’Artishe Gallery, High Street, Swanage from Saturday 1 February to Thursday 13 February 2014. All proceeds to go to the John Flower Bursary Fund.

The Bursary was established early in 2012 by the Trustees of Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) who decided to look to the future by setting up an exciting bursary scheme to support Purbeck’s up-and-coming artistic talent. So far artists aged from 15 upwards and ranging from painting and life drawing to photography and music have received awards. Four awards were made during 2013.

The financial commitment made by the PAW Trustees will encourage artists, of any discipline, to develop artistic skills and progress their careers. The funds have been raised from the Festival and from the continuing kind contributions from talented local artist, John Flower, through sales of his evocative paintings, which are greatly influenced by the Purbeck landscape.

The bursary awards, which will be in the range of £50 to £500 each, are particularly aimed at those artists who live and/or work/study in Purbeck and who would use the award to take the next step in their career.

Requests for further information and applications, which can be made at any time, should be made to the Secretary who can be contacted at secretary@purbeckartsweek.co.uk.

Applications can be quite informal but must show how the award will assist the development of their artistic career.

The PAW Festival has grown substantially since it first started in 2002. This year’s event celebrated an impressive cultural programme, encompassing visual art, music, creative workshops and talks.

Drawing on the success of previous years, a major part of the Festival is the active involvement of Purbeck’s Artist community.

‘Ripping Yarns’ Come To Wareham

The beautiful town of Wareham is well known for its literary heritage with links to T. E. Lawrence, Thomas Hardy and Enid Blyton, but this February will see Wareham celebrating their very own literary icon Percy F. Westerman, who lived and wrote his exciting tales of derring-do for generations of young readers from his floating houseboat home ‘The Barge’ moored alongside the River Frome, just a few minutes walk from South Bridge. During the 1930s, Percy F. Westerman was voted Britain’s most popular children’s author in a national poll conducted through public libraries.

The fourth annual Westerman Seminar has moved from its established base in Portsmouth to Wareham for this year, and bought with it the touring exhibition ‘Ripping Yarns’ and the Tale of the Forgotten Author which outlines the life and works of this prolific author of children’s adventure stories.

The seminar organiser, Nigel Gossop of The Westerman Yarns said “We are really excited to bring the seminar to Wareham this year. Wareham is a lovely town with such a rich literary heritage, it is easy to see why Percy; a keen yachtsman, chose to settle here.

We are thankful to Wareham Town Council and the Redclyffe Yacht Club which was founded by Percy F. Westerman for their kindness and support, enabling us to arrange the 2014 Westerman Seminar, here in Wareham”.

The ‘Ripping Yarns’ exhibition will be shown in the Corn Exchange on Friday 14th February from 12pm to 5pm and admission is free. Members of the Friends of the Westerman Yarns will be on-hand to greet and talk to visitors.

The Westerman Seminar, a day of talks, discussions and material relating to the life and works of both Percy F. Westerman and his son John F. C. Westerman, is on Saturday 15th February, 10am to 5pm, in the Council Chamber.

Places at the seminar are £15.00 including refreshments and a light buffet lunch. Advance booking is essential. For further information and programme details, please contact Nigel Gossop, telephone 023 92 37 55 94 or email westermanyarns@gmail.com

Double Value Concert!

Canzonetta and Ball & Socket Perform!

Ball & Socket (pictured, below) and Canzonetta will provide an evening of sparkling musical entertainment on Saturday March 1st at 7.30 pm at the new Emmanuel Church in Swanage, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight in Purbeck, supported by Purbeck District Council. Canzonetta is well-known locally as a group of high quality lady singers, with a wide repertoire, always guaranteed to please their audience. Ball & Socket also have an enthusiastic local following for their mix of Flanders and Swann songs and other material in similar vein.

As a special treat the two groups will combine on several items, giving the evening not only a ladies’ choir and a gentlemen’s duo, but also a mixed singing group.

As well as the excellent and entertaining music, there will be soft drinks and nibbles, some prizes to be won, information about Fair Trade locally and internationally and a Traidcraft stall.

Tickets (£10, £7 for under 18s) are available from Swanage TIC (01929 422885), Farwell’s in Wareham (01929 552044), and 01929 480007.

Book Review

The Two Daughters

The Two Daughters - by

Michael Hambling

Following on from Dark Pathway which I reviewed last month, this is second in the trilogy of crime novels featuring DCI Sophie Allen, and I should point out that each is a full-length novel in itself. Once again set generally in the Purbeck area, this deals with the illegal import of duped Romanian girls who are stashed in remote locations around Poole harbour and broken in as crack-cocaine whores destined for the lucrative big city market.

Don’t worry; they’re unlikely to proposition you outside Boots! Once again, the plot is superbly crafted and having begun this e-book I found myself compelled to keep on turning the pages.

Hambling has stretched himself with this story and it encompasses a broader canvas then the previous book, so does he carry it off? The twist near the end, set in an S&M club in Bournemouth, is ambiguous and a little tenuous, but it remains fascinating and definitely adds some spice to the story. And would a cold-hearted villain really say “One thing about the places Charlie finds for us, they’re always pretty?”

Buy the e-book for a mere £2.58 online at the UK Kindle store and judge for yourself. I think he does carry it off and I am very much looking forward to reading the third in the series and, hopefully, much more after that. Right, that’s all you get, I’m off to find that S&M club in Bournemouth now… Review by

David Bishop

Why not treat yourself to some pampering?

Hot Stone Massage and Aromatherapy Massage.

In Hot Stone Massage, we use smooth basalt stones to massage the body. There is evidence of black stones being used in many cultures, with the warmth of the stones being used to heal, relieve muscle pain or simply to create warmth.

Basalt stones are said to provide strength and stability, clarity of mind and promote calmness. Warm stones placed on the body will cause a heating of the area directly underneath. The heat will cause the blood to flow more quickly to the surface.

Circulation increases and, when this occurs, a number of other changes take place including a widening of the blood vessels; increased metabolism, liver, kidney and bowel function, improvement of the lymphatic system and stimulation of the autonomic nervous system.

The aim of the treatment is to create a deep sense of relaxation and well being as well as easing muscle tension and improving circulation.

Aromatherapy Massage is massage with essential oils. The oils contain properties that, when absorbed into the body, can help to produce a physical, spiritual, emotional and mental sense of well being.

Stress produces a state of muscular tension so that the heart is made to work harder and valuable energy is burned up unnecessarily, so that we become tired and sometimes depressed and our resistance to infection and disease is drastically reduced.

The oils in their concentrated state are blended with a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or almond oil and up to three essential oils are used in a blend to accommodate a person’s needs.

A consultation is carried out prior to the initial treatment to establish the most appropriate oils to use.

If you are interested in a treatment, please contact Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506, call in at Swanage Therapy Centre, 5 Court Road or see our website www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

The New Year is upon us – a time for reflection and also a time when, traditionally, many of us resolve to become healthier and fitter during the coming year, even if we don’t quite manage to follow through!

One less energetic way to look after ourselves through the winter is to take a little time to ensure we keep a supply of useful medicines at home and to make sure we have information to hand so we know where to find help when we need it.

Pain is an issue that most people have from time to time, be it from a headache, injury, or post surgery. It is always worth keeping simple but effective pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen in your medicine cupboard.

Not only are these extremely effective pain-killers, they are useful to relieve cold and ‘flu symptoms - along with plenty of fluids and rest. If you are unsure how, when or whether to use these drugs, it is well worth having a chat with your pharmacist when you purchase; they are there to help and advise you and will be happy to give you the benefit of their expertise.

These basic medicines can be bought from a supermarket or pharmacy for pennies. If pain persists, additional pain relief may need to be obtained by prescription or underlying causes investigated, so consult your GP or, out of hours, telephone 111.

Knowledge of where to go for help is available from a variety of sources. For those with internet, www.nhs.uk has a huge amount of information to offer you. Once again, your local pharmacist is a mine of information during the day, or you can phone 111 or contact your local GP surgery. To deal with emergency symptoms such as chest pain, extreme shortness of breath or serious injury, do not hesitate to call 999.

The Minor Injuries Unit at Swanage Hospital is an important local service to support your continued good health.

Open seven days a week between 8.00am and 10.00pm, staff will be delighted to help you or, if necessary, make sure you are pointed in the right direction.

You can telephone them on 01929 475009 or just turn up. On most occasions a trip to A&E can be avoided and the wait for consultations is normally relatively short. Until next time, take care!

Matron Jane

Massage Stress Away

Massage is a great way to relax and unwind. I massage in an individual way; I assess every client individually and then modify my routine to suit each case, to untie those stubborn knots. Massage has been used for hundreds of years to relieve stress, aches, pains and assist in general well being. For the same reasons that a massage is relaxing, it can also soothe anxiety and alleviate depression. Massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in lifted spirits. It can often lower blood pressure. It can also boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which make you feel happier. Massage has specific effects on the different organ systems of the body.

It helps by keeping the organ tissues healthy and enhances healing to improve the function of the system as a whole. Effects of massage occur in the body, mind, and emotions of anyone receiving massage therapy. The outcomes of massage include: increased alertness, reduced anxiety, and muscle relaxation. It's amazing the complexity of positive effects produced by something seemingly simple like massage.

Everyone can benefit from the general health promoting benefits of massage. I also have trained in a range of beauty treatments.

So treat yourself and come and be pampered!

Kate Smith, ITEC.

Sport Swanage Sea Rowing Club - Preparing For The New Season

December brought about several activities for the Club including an ‘end of year’ supper held in the Sailing Club, prepared by Janice Thomson and others, and plans for ‘Carpenters Cup’ interclub races on New Years day to test the resolution and hangovers of those who overindulged the night before.

However, the atrocious weather with high tides, heavy rain and strong swells have limited the opportunities to launch the gigs and caused the cancellation of Open Rowing on Saturdays and the Carpenters Cup – possibly much to the relief of some! The additional space of the boathouse is helping with the preparation of the gigs, with Old Harry being painstakingly prepared, having many years of paint scraped off before a repaint.

The first race of the season is the 6 mile 3 Rivers race at Saltash on the 9th March, which is a gruelling tough haul in sometimes really rough weather. The rowing machines in the boathouse are allowing a more scientific approach to training for the first time and it will be interesting to see what difference they make to our crews and results.

With Christmas and New Year safely behind us, the Club is looking forward to the forthcoming season from our new boathouse facilities. The new building provides both additional opportunities and responsibilities – for the first time we have an alternative to being on the water as we can train on the rowing machines inside if the weather is too extreme.

Equally, the new boathouse brings extra costs which will have to be met by an increase in the membership fees (which will always remain extremely good value when compared to most other Clubs) and by welcoming in new members, as we can now offer a wonderful environment to participate

Swanage Bowlers

We go into 2014 with optimism and steadily increasing club membership. Both indoor and outdoor players meet up and enjoy each other’s company at our regular mid-monthly Saturday events at the Pavilion, Northbrook Road, which are enjoyed by all. Our pre-Christmas Murder/Mystery evening was extremely successful and we are already taking bookings and making plans for the mid-January ‘Definition’ – our version of ‘Call My Bluff’, with jacket potatoes and dessert on the menu.

Whilst enjoying indoor bowling, the summers beckon and hopefully we’ll have weather like last year and play our glorious game outside.

As always, any enquiries to join us contact Jean Thomas on 01929 426795.

Swanage & Wareham Rugby Football Club

Swans only had two first team fixtures in December, but before the first one, against Wells on the 7th December, the club put on one of its now legendary Vice-President’s luncheons at the clubhouse. Over one hundred VP’s and their guests turned out for the occasion, so that former players could renew old acquaintances from this club, and other clubs, and meet sponsors and other guests. Fortunately the weather was good so most of the VP’s turned out to support the Swans on the touchline, and they were able to see a splendid game against the league leaders. The game was a close run thing in the first twenty minutes, with both sides coming close to scoring. However after this Swans were penalised and lost a player to a yellow card, so were reduced to fourteen players for ten minutes. This was their undoing because whilst the player was off the field, Wells managed to score three tries giving them an 0pts – 19pts advantage. When Swans were back to a full fifteen they put tremendous pressure on the Wells defence, but could not score in the first half.

in the Clubs activities. If you have never considered rowing for pleasure or sport or both, come and look around the new boathouse and have a chat with some of the members to find out more.

As a part of the continual development of the Club, a Special General Meeting is being held in January to approve changing the Club’s charitable status to that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which is a more up-to-date status for charities such as Swanage Sea Rowing Club. There will more on this subject next month.

Find out more at www.ssrc.org.uk.

Report by Barnaby Quaddy.

Two minutes into the second half, a catch/drive move by Swans had second row Dan Collins going in for Swans first try. Wells replied with a penalty goal but winger Alex Parry scored his debut try for Swans. Charlie Parish landed the extras (12pts – 22pts to Wells). The visitors scored another try with 15 minutes to go, taking them to 29pts. Swans were doing all the pressing, which was rewarded with a second try by Alex Parry to take Swans to 17pts. Swans relentless pressure was maintained and with five minutes to go Swans No.8 Joe Desmond was on hand to score Swans fourth try. The league leaders held on until the final whistle, winning by 22pts – 29pts, but Swans managed two bonus points for this close encounter. The following week Swans travelled as far as Wimborne for the local derby at Leigh Park, a contest for the bragging rights in this neck of the woods. In a very close contest, Swans took the game to the hosts, and it was only five minutes into the match that winger Charlie Rowberry opened the score for Swans. Although both sides had their chances, this was the only score in the first half. 0pts – 5pts at half time.

Within two minutes of the restart, Swans managed a second try, this time by wing forward Daffyd Wright, who followed up a break by scrum half Jake Warren. (0pts – 10pts.) Wimborne were not finished and they reduced the arrears after 52minutes. However once again Charlie Rowberry put Swans ahead with his second try. Wimborne managed a second try close to the end, but Swans held on for a valuable10pts- 15pts victory.

As mentioned above Swans are hosting their third Vice President’s Luncheon on 8th February prior to the home game against Frome. As the previous one was over subscribed VP’s and their guests should contact Rob Parry on 01929 553357 or on 07973400297 to make sure of your place at the luncheon.

Main fixtures for February

8th Swans 1st XVv Frome, league SC(S), Home 2.30p.m.

15th Swans v 1st XV Ivel Barbarians league SC(S) Away 2.30 p.m.

Swans 2nd XV v. Westbury league D/W1(S) Home 2.30p.m.

Swans 3rd XV v. Bournemouth 3rd D/W3(S) Home 2.30 p.m.

22nd No fixtures scheduled but this is a reserve date, so if any games are called off in the meantime, they will be played on this date.

Ron Butler (Publicity Secretary)

Purbeck’s Neale Completes 50 Miles!

Recently, former Purbeck School pupil, Neale Oliver (pictured - now living in Gloucester with his family), was selected by a national magazine (Men’s Running) to be specially coached along with two other runners to compete in the Wye one-way fifty mile ‘Ultra Marathon’. The route started near the source of the River Wye in South Wales, then on through the Wye Valley, into the Elan Valley via the mountains and around the region’s dams.

Neale, whose parents Bob and Pearl Oliver live in Swanage, has competed in many half marathons including the Swanage Carnival run just for fun (which sadly was stopped this year). But he had only completed one full marathon while on holiday in Majorca.

Starting at 7.30am, Neale completed the fifty miles in 12 hours 26 minutes. By completing the course, Neale managed to raise over £1500 for Prostate Cancer Research. Well done Neale!

Neale, pictured below, after completing the Swanage Run in 2012.

IPurbeck Marathon Rated BEST In UK!

n only its second year, the Purbeck Marathon has been rated as not only the best Marathon in Dorset or in the south, but the best in the UK according to the leading running magazine Runner’s World. This is an incredible achievement for an event that is as challenging as it is scenic.

The Purbeck Marathon attracts runners from across the UK as well as a few from further afield. Raced over the classic Marathon distance of 26.2 miles (and a bit extra) the race starts and finishes in the beautiful Victorian resort of Swanage, passes historic sites such as Corfe Castle and Tyneham village, takes in breathtaking views of the Isle of Wight and Isle of Portland, crosses a busy steam railway, a tank firing range and passes through picturesque villages.

A further element that makes the race totally unique is the opportunity to cool tired legs with a dip in the sea just yards from the finish line! Alongside the wonderful scenery, runners have a taste of Purbeck with Isle of Purbeck Beer and Purbeck ice cream given to all finishers as they cross the line. The male and female winners were also presented with a unique Purbeck print by Swanage artist Cathy Veale.

Alongside its objectives of establishing a challenging Marathon across Purbeck to showcase the beautiful countryside and to highlight wonderful local producers, The Purbeck Marathon aims to raise funds for local charities as well as a designated Chairman’s Charity. The final amount given to charity as a result of the 2013 Purbeck Marathon will be known soon and it will certainly be a substantial increase on the sizeable donation achieved in 2012.

The Runner’s World rating of Best Marathon in the UK (up from third best in its inaugural year of 2012) was derived from the ratings of runners who had taken part in the gruelling event and their comments on the Runner’s World Web site. The event rated 99% for 2013 with 96% of

Swanage Croquet Club

The Swanage Croquet Club has now got a new Chairman in Steve Reading, who replaced Stan Gee after four very happy years in office. Also joining the committee this year are Sandy Garner and Robin Tiller,

In 2013 it was good to be able to report that everyone enjoyed the good weather that prevailed. The Club took part in its second season of the South West Federation Competition and accredited themselves very well, played some good croquet, finishing in third place in their league. Croquet is still a game that people want to play and we were able to take in some new members bringing our membership to 102 with some 15 people on a waiting list. It is hoped that those on this list will be able to join in 2014. We ran the annual RNLI Croquet Tournament again, for clubs and groups not connected with the Club, and this year the Cricketers won. This popular activity on Wednesday evenings is good to see and a way to introduce newcomers to the game. It also enables the Club to donate nearly £1000 to the RNLI funds.

As in all organisations, the work that goes on behind the scenes helps to keep the club running in good order, making sure the lawns improve year by year, helping maintain equipment, providing much needed refreshments and generally helping with setting up on play-days.

runners saying they would do it again.

The organisers have announced that entries for the 2014 Purbeck Marathon on 14 September are already open with details available at www.purbeckmarathon.co.uk.

This marathon is a community event, put on by (extremely tired!) volunteers in order to share our favourite runs with you and to raise much needed funds for local charities and good causes.

In 2012, we were able to donate £1,500 to Swanage Carnival charities. In 2013, we continued to support the Swanage Carnival charities as well as Help for Heroes, a national charity that has strong local connections.

The Swanage Croquet Club has a reputation for its warm welcome to visitors and new members and this ambience has kept it in good shape for many years. Should anyone want to know more, please contact Roy Smith 421086 who will be willing to enlighten you on how it all takes place!

Swanage Cricket Club

This is just a short note to announce that Swanage Cricket Club will be holding their AGM at Days Park on Friday the 28th of February at 19:30.

Due to the tireless work of the Committee and Chairman - Peter Constable in particular, the Saturday 1stXI will be looking forward to another season in the Premier Division having attained the Club Mark Accreditation and defended their Fair-Play Award. The Saturday 2ndXI will be playing in Division 4 following their Promotion last season. As well as that, the club will continue to have two sides on Sunday; one in Division 1 and the other in Division 3.

The club will continue to run three youth teams (Under 11’s, U13’s and U15’s), supported by fully-qualified coaches.

Anyo ne interested in playing for or getting involved with the club in anyway, please follow the links on our website:- www. swanagecricketclub.co.uk Mike Nash (Press Secretary)

Well since the last article there hasn’t been one game of football played by any senior or youth team,due to the wet period from the middle of December to the present day. This is where as a club we are incredibly lucky to have the indoor facility enabling us to train whatever the weather.

Saying that, the Club is looking to resurface the hall in the foreseeable future, as the surface down at the moment is looking very tired and worn and, in wet and damp conditions, has a tendency to hold the moisture and become very slippery. So a new surface would benefit all members of the Football Club and the many outside clubs that come and use our facilities.

Chairman Mark Watson & Graham Sprigg have been busy and have repainted the bar and clubhouse in the Club’s colours, white and black; with new chairs and a new enlarged dance floor. This whole area is a real asset to the Club and is now looking the business!

The hall has also been spruced up (pictured, above)! Committee members Andy Dunster & Eddie Rainford, with help from the Community Payback Team, have repainted the walls and repaired the kick boards. It looks great and is a vast improvement.

To book the bar/clubhouse for functions, and the hall for sporting

The Purbeck Gazette -

Swanage Football Club Years Of Service To Dorset Tennis

activities, please call Club Secretary Mari Watson on 07794 116375. This is a real example of how a club is so reliant on volunteers; just to stage a Dorset Premier League game at Days Park we need at least six volunteers for The Bar, Tea Hut, The Gate, Tannoy/announcer; prepare and serve the food and escort the match officials on and off the pitch. Chairman Mark Watson likes to keep the continuity, so when the Reserves are at home in Dorset League One we have the same facilities on offer.

Although there has been no football at the club since early December, we are still looking to improve the Senior squads and its great to see that five U17 players have been promoted to Lee James’s Reserve side, Michael Hernandez, Ben Lock, Ben Sayers, George Lovell & Jake Maytum.

The Football Club has been around since 1898 and some of the current committee members are trying to fill in some holes from our past. Ideally we would like to have a record of every game the club has taken part in and where we finished in the league in any particular season. It’s a tall order to ask but with the help from the local community I’m sure we will be able to achieve our goals.

If anyone has any old programmes or information from our past please get in contact with johnpeacock@swanagefc.com. With regards to the current playing staff, we are now properly archiving all relevant information, appearances, goals, red and yellow cards (not too many of those) etc, so in the future you can look up and see how many appearances/goals any player achieved in his time at the Club.

Regarding our past, the club is planning (on our last home game of the season) to invite all players who have ever played for the Swans to come up to Days Park for this special day.

Specific details closer to the time, will be published in this article and on our new website www.swanagefc.com

COME ON YOU SWANS! John Peacock, Press & Publicity Officer

Swanage Tennis

AEfter playing and being Captain of three veteran teams from the ), who lives in Langton Matravers, has decided to hang up her county tennis racquet. The ladies who have played with Mary over the years are truly sad that she has made this decision, but are extremely grateful for the years of time and effort she has given.

Running a county team is much more involved than just a club league team. It involves making hotel reservations and travel arrangements for matches that are sometimes hundreds of miles away; to the far north of England, and even Scotland. Paying bills, applying for funding, and of course, selecting the team.

Mary has been doing this for the best part of fourteen years, so she well and truly deserves her retirement! She has not hung up her racquet entirely however, as the squad who come from various parts of the county have all become such good friends, they will meet up and play together a few times a year.

From all your squad Mary - thank you so much for all the years of friendship, fun, and enjoyable tennis.

arly December saw Swanage Men’s first team take on the mighty Corfe Mullen in the Dorset 2nd Division. The first pairing of Michael Muir and Jeff Veale outclassed their Corfe Mullen first pairing opponents with some stunning returns of serve and outstanding volleys, eventually winning 6:4, 7:5.

The Swanage second pairing of Mike Angell and Paul Lowry had an even closer encounter against Corfe Mullen’s first pairing. They dug in deep with their defensive play, claiming a well deserved win, 2:6, 6:0, 7:6. Michael and Jeff had a much easier game against Corfe Mullen’s second pairing, outplaying their opponents. Veale was in stunning form, pulling off the shot of the year with a running backhand drive volley and Muir using his trademark drop volleys to great effect to achieve a 6:2, 6:1 score line.

Mike Angell and Paul Lowry encountered another unbelievably close match against the second pairing who had regained their confidence. Angell using the serve and volley tactic with great success and Paul using the dropshot –lob – dropshot to massive delight from the crowd. Stunning performances from both players but unfortunately losing 7:5, 5:7, 6:7. Swanage had done more than enough to reign victorious over Corfe Mullen – 3-1 rubbers. New club member, Carolyn Gorton is keen to thank her fellow members for warmly welcoming her to the club.

Carolyn moved to Swanage from Australia last year and hadn’t played tennis for 33 years. In an effort to meet friends and socialise in her new town, she started to attend the daytime sessions at the club on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10. Despite being understandably out of practise she found that the club members always encouraged and supported her and, as a result, Carolyn never felt that she wasn’t good enough to play.

The social events organised by the club enable new members like Carolyn to meet new people and set up opportunities to play at other times during the week. She is keen to encourage others who want to return to tennis after some time or who are new to the sport to give Swanage Tennis Club a go.

The club run daytime sessions as mentioned above as well as Monday and Friday evening sessions at 6pm. To encourage more new members, Nathan Fowler, club coach has also started adults beginners coaching sessions on a Weds evening at 6pm. Please come along – all ages and abilities welcome.

Spotlight Event Diary

Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for March is noon 10th Feb

KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.

FEBRUARY 2014

Sat 1st

11:00 Durlston Past Exhibition At Durlston Castle. Photographs, recollections and objects contributed by visitors and locals telling the story of Durlston and the Castle through the 20th century

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Worth Matravers car park for a coastal walk to Winspit, Seacombe and Dancing Ledge, returning via Priests Way. Ffi  01929 421039.

10:00 Friends of Wareham Railway Station AGM At Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Wareham. Including presentation: History of Wareham Station and it’s part in the Great War.

14:30 Bingo At the D’Urberville Hall, Wool raising funds for Wool Carnival on 21st June 2014 all proceeds to charity. Email: undysj@hotmail.com

19:00 Wareham-Hemsbach Society Dinner and dance at Dorset Golf Club, Bere Regis, BH20 7NT. Ffi: Contact Robin Brasher 427015.

20:00 ‘Bot Le Monti’ Live music at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Sun 2nd

10:30 National Trust Walk King’s Farm to Corfe Castle. £10 including lunch at our tea rooms, £3 for walk only. Booking essential on 01929 477062.

Mon 3rd

10:00 Purbeck Citizen’s Advice Bureau Session at Swanage Town Hall. Ffi: 01929 551 257 bureau@purbeckcab.cabnet.org,uk

Tue 4th

10:00 Cottees Antiques and Collectables & General Sale Antiques, Collectables and General Auction. Viewing on Saturday prior to sale 10am - 12 midday and Monday prior to sale 9.30am - 5pm or Morning of Sale from 9am. Catalogue online www.cottees.co.uk For further information contact 01929 552 826

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Composition” with Tony Worobiec Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822

Wed 5th

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet on approach road to Recycling Centre at Prospect Farm for a circular walk via Godlingston Manor, Langton and Herston. Ffi  01929 426926.

11:00 Durlston Past Exhibition At Durlston Castle. Photographs, recollections and objects contributed by visitors and locals telling the story of Durlston and the Castle through the 20th century

Fri 7th

11:00 Durlston Past Exhibition At Durlston Castle. Photographs, recollections and objects contributed by visitors and locals telling the story of Durlston and the Castle through the 20th century

18:30 Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Group Meets at Furzebrook Village Hall, Furzebrook Road, Wareham, BH20 5AR. Entrance £2, children 50p. For further information contact Terry Jenkins -07960 691479.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage. Members Travels - South Africa, with Derek Harris. Visitors Welcome. Ffi: Colin Brixton - 423841.

Sat 8th

09:00 Purbeck Produce Farmers’ Market At Commercial Road, Swanage. Local produce, from local producers. Ffi: www.purbeckproducts.co.uk

09:30 Coffee, Cakes, Gifts & Crafts At Harman’s Cross Village Hall. Admission Free, all welcome.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Studland ferry road at entrance to Greenlands Farm track for a circular walk via Ower Quay. Ffi  01929 425165.

10:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At Co-op supermarket, Swanage. A chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

20:00 ‘2 Manting’ Live music at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Sun 9th

* ‘Freebay’ Tabletop Sale At URC Church, Swanage. Free table, free entry. Refreshments available. To book a table and ffi: Elizabeth on 01929 422406.

Mon 10th

10:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At Citizen’s Advice Bureau Waiting Room, behind Swanage Town Hall. A chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

Tue 11th

17:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At The Emmanuel Church, Herston. A

chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Alison MacAlister Competitions” Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822

Wed 12th

10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet outside Castle Inn Corfe Castle for a linear walk to Swanage via Challow Hill, Nine Barrow Down and Herston Yards caravan park. Ffi  01929 424218.

12:30 NSPCC Charity Lunch At The Quayside Restaurant , Swamage, in aid of NSPCC.  Tickets £10 from Sally 07920436420 or Pat 421864.

14:00 Stoborough WI At Stoborough Village Hall. A Purbeck Countrywoman’s Life - Karen Harmer.

19:00 Swanage Senior Forum At The Emmanuel Community Hall, Victoria Avenue, Swanage. “News Fair”. Speakers from the following: The Swanage Bay and Coastal Protection; The Swanage Plan Consultation Process, The Swanage Railway and Swanage Hospital. Time for questions. Car parking and refreshments.

19:30 Swanage Evening WI Meets at the Mowlem Community Room on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, at 7.30pm. Trisha Lewis, ‘What Would Jane Do?’ Guests welcome.

19:30 Durlston Folk Evening At Durlson Castle. Entry £4, or £3 for friends, no need to book. Bar and restaurant open.

19:30 Studland WI Meets at Studland Village Hall. Hotter Shoes “Foot health and Footwear”. Competition: Favourite Shoe.

Fri 14th

* Valentine’s Day at Corfe Castle At Corfe Castle. Explore the ruins then enjoy a delicious Valentine’s Day Tea, smoked salmon sandwiches, shortbread, chocolate dipped strawberries and mini Victoria sponge.

10:00 Purbeck Citizen’s Advice Bureau Session at Purbeck CAB, Mill Lane, Wareham. Ffi: 01929 551 257 bureau@purbeckcab.cabnet.org,uk

14:00 The Purbeck Society ‘The Valentine Card Collection of the Priest’s House Museum, Wimborne’, A curator from the Priest’s House Museum. Held at the Community Room, The Mowlem, Swanage.

19:30 Purbeck Railway Circle Meets at Harman’s Cross Village Hall for a slide show entitled ‘Waterloo to Wenford Bridge’ by Hugh Compton. Doors open 7pm. EVERYONE WELCOME. No admission charge; donations welcome. Ffi 554765.

20.00 Live Music - ‘The Last Grasshopper’ At The Greryhound Inn, Corfe Castle. Four course Valentines dinner. Ffi: 01929 480205 www.greyhoundcorfe. co.uk

Sat 15th

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at car park on road from A350 to Child Okeford for a walk around the two exposed hill top forts at Hod Hill and Hambledon Hill. Ffi 01929 422554.

14:30 Bingo At the D’Urberville Hall, Wool raising funds for Wool Carnival on 21st June 2014 all proceeds to charity. Email: undysj@hotmail.com

Sun 16th

14:00 ‘Hip Hatchet’ Live music at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Mon 17th

10:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At the Co-op Supermarket, Swanage. A chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

10:00 Purbeck Citizen’s Advice Bureau Session at Swanage Town Hall. Ffi: 01929 551 257 bureau@purbeckcab.cabnet.org,uk

14:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At The Mowlem Community Room. A chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

Tue 18th

10:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At The United Reform Church Hall, Swanage. A chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.uk

10:00 Cottees Antiques and Collectables & General Sale Antiques, Collectables and General Auction. Viewing on Saturday prior to sale 10am - 12 midday and Monday prior to sale 9.30am - 5pm or Morning of Sale from 9am. Catalogue online www.cottees.co.uk For further information contact 01929 552 826

14:00 Purbeck District Council ‘Drop-in’ At the All Saints Church, Swanage. A

chance for local people to meet informally with District Council Officers and other representatives to find out more about the six-week public consultation issues. Ffi: 01929 557264 or localplan@purbeckdc.gov.ukPu

14:30 The Purbeck Assoc of the National Trust At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Illustrated talk - ‘The Welsh Highland Railway’ – Charles Clark talks about the restoration of this scenic route; Until 4.00pm. All welcome. £3.00 incl refreshments Ffi 01929 427300.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Landscapes” with Anthony Blake Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822

Wed 19th

10:15 Swanage Walking Group Meet at exit of Sandbanks CP opposite North Haven yacht club for walk to Bournemouth Pier via seafront and through several chines. Ffi  01929 480224.

14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall when the speaker will be David Haysom, “Swanage Weather, Past and Present”. Visitors welcome. Ffi the Secretary 439245.

19:30 Wareham & District Archaeology & Local History Soc Meets at Wareham Town Hall. Talk by Commander John Bithell, RN Rtrd. WWII, Battle of the Atlantic. Visitors welcome, £2.

19:30 Purbeck Open Lecture At The Black Bear Hotel, Wareham. “Immigrants” by James Davies.

Thu 20th

* Half Term at Corfe Castle At Corfe Castle. Activities as part of the Purbeck Literary Festival, costume tent, family trail and teddy Zip Wire Challenge.

* ‘The 1940’s Experience’ At The Tank Museum. Talksand Tours, Family Activities, Vehical Rides. Ffi: 01929 405096 www.tankmuseum.org

* WW1 Commemoration Meeting A chance for local organisations in Wareham to meet and discuss any planned events for the next four years.

Ffi: Merville Gover - Chairman Royal British Legion Club: 01929 552903 or email afjoy.merville@tiscali.co.uk

19:30 Langton Matravers Preservation Society Meets in Langton Matravers village hall . Dr Mary Sparks will give an illustrated talk on ‘Sarajevo’ where  World War 1 began in 1914.  All Welcome  -- members £2.50 ; non members £3.50

Fri 21st

* The Churchfitters Wareham Music Festival at The Corn Exchange. Ffi: www.wareham-music.org.uk

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage. Anders 3rd round   - ‘Open’, Browne 3rd round  - ‘Elderly’. Judge: Brian Tarling Visitors Welcome. Ffi: Colin Brixton - 423841.

20:00 ‘Fran McGillivray & Mike Burke’ Live music at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Sat 22nd

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Steeple CP for walk via Grange Arch to East Creech and Norden Woods. Return via Knowle Hill and Ridgeway Hill.  Ffi  01929 421039.

Sun 23rd

* Half Term at Corfe Castle At Corfe Castle. Activities as part of the Purbeck Literary Festival, costume tent, family trail and teddy Zip Wire Challenge.

* ‘The 1940’s Experience’ At The Tank Museum. Talksand Tours, Family Activities, Vehical Rides. Ffi: 01929 405096 www.tankmuseum.org

* Scrumpy Pie Festival At The Greryhound Inn, Corfe Castle. Ffi: 01929 480205 www.greyhoundcorfe.co.uk

10:30 Lulworth Wedding Fair At Lulworth Castle & Courtyard. Admission £4 (under 16’s free). Ffi: 0845 4501054 www.lulworth.com

11:00 Durlston Past Exhibition At Durlston Castle. Photographs, recollections and objects contributed by visitors and locals telling the story of Durlston and the Castle through the 20th century

14:00 ‘Blythe Lassies’ Live music at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

14:30 The New Hardy Players Perform at Kingston Country Courtyard, Wareham, Dorset.With lunch, cream teas/coffes served from 1pm. Tickets £10, booking advised on 01929 481066 or by email relax@kingstoncountrycourtyard.com

Mon 24th

* Scrumpy Pie Festival At The Greryhound Inn, Corfe Castle. Ffi: 01929 480205 www.greyhoundcorfe.co.uk

Tue 25th

19:30 Dorset Industrial Archaeology Society Meets in The Dorset Room, Colliton House, Colliton Park, Dorchester (opposite County Hall). “Recent Work at the Hemerdon Tungsten Mine, Dartmoor” is the subject of Dr. Peter Stanier’s lecture to the Society. Non-members welcome (small donation suggested). Further details from: 01305 7859668 or 871863.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “League Competition No 4” Around” with Tracey Rich Visitors welcome.  Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822

Wed 26th

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet in Bloxworth Village Hall CP on right before church for walk via Woodlake, East Bloxworth, to Whitefield. Return via Ernle. Ffi 01929 450443.

Thu 27th

10:00 Purbeck U3A Meeting Points At Harman’s Cross Village Hall. Film maker,

John Hale, with presenters John England and Dr Bob Dukes, have recently made a documentary DVD about the well known RNCF establishment near Wareham. They will be giving a presentation of an edited version of their DVD and explaining interesting facts about the buildings and equipment used there during and between the wars for the production of Cordite. For further details please see our Meeting Points website www.meetingpoints. purbecku3a.org.uk

Fri 28th

10:00 Purbeck Citizen’s Advice Bureau Session at Purbeck CAB, Mill Lane, Wareham. Ffi: 01929 551 257 bureau@purbeckcab.cabnet.org,uk

14:00 Alexander Technique - Free Introductory Class At Wareham Library. For more information and to book a place at one of these classes, contact Kate 07798 791985

16:00 Alexander Technique - Free Introductory Class At Wareham Library. For more information and to book a place at one of these classes, contact Kate 07798 791985

19:30 Swanage Cricket Club AGM At Days Park, Sw

WEEKLY EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY

09.00 U3A Table Tennis Group meet at Harmans Cross VH.

09.30 Notelets Music Group for under 5s at Parish Hall, Wm.

09.45 Toddler Club URC, Sw. Till 11.15

10.00 Mowlem Indoor Market at the Mowlem. Home grown/made produce – cakes, pies, veg plants etc. Quality clothing, jewellery, per products and lots more. Open until 16.00

10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 425175

10.30 Extend Exercise Class to improve strength, balance & flexibility. At Furzebrook VH. Donations welcome. Ffi: 471490

13.30 First Steps Group for early walkers up to 2 years old at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 3pm Ffi: 552864

14.00 Pins and Needles at Harmans Cross VH.

14.00 Swanage Disabled Club meet until 4pm. Meeting place alternates between Catholic Hall & Queensmead Hall, Sw. Transport available. Call Mrs Daphne Saville on 01929 425241 ffi.

16.45 Soccer Skills Sw FC First Sch chldn £1 Till 5.45. 425175

18.00 Sw Tennis Club Snr Club Session. 426312

19.00 Wareham Choral Society meet URC Meeting House, Chch St, Wm. Till 9. New singers always welcome. 554229/553460

19.00 Swanage Youth Club. School year 10 and upwards. Till 9.30pm

19.00 Whist. Come & join us at the Reading Room, Church Hill, Swanage. Ffi, call 07984 968733

19.00 Purbeck Chess Club Mortons House Hotel, Corfe Castle. Ffi, call Brian Beard 425988

19.30 Purbeck Quire rehearse at Wm Methodist Church. New/visiting singers (no audition necessary). String & wind players also welcome. Ffi: 423505 or 480737.

19.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718.

19:30 Badminton & Table Tennis Club, Adults, Swanage Methodist Church Hall. Small friendly club. All levels welcome. Til 10pm. 07917 473390

19.30 Wm Folk Dance Club Stoboro’ VH. All welcome. 553519/422730

20.00 DARTS at the RBL Club, Sw.

20.00 Sw Conservative Club WHIST & DARTS. Sw. All welcome

20.00 Herston Hall Management C’ttee Bingo

EVERY TUESDAY

09.00 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 10.15am. Ffi: Tom Bullock on 421767, office hours, or tom@swanagemethodist.org.uk

09.30 Kiddies Corner Mother & Toddler Group (term time only) No fee - donations welcome. Purbeck Gateway Church. 551415

09.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718.

10.00 Sw Tennis Club Associate Club Session. Till 11. 426312

10.00 Short Tennis at Sw FC All ages & abilities £1.50 Till noon. 425175

10.30 Swanage Walking for Health Group starter walks (15-30mins). Start from the Mowlem Shelter on Swanage Seafront. Get back into the swing of things gently! Ffi: 475692

10.30 Twins Group - for Mums with Twins run by mums with twins at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 12 noon. Ante-natal mums expecting twins welcome. Ffi: 552864

11.00 Guided Church Tour at Bere Regis Parish Church. Volunteer-lead tour of this wonderful medieval church. No charge, but donations gratefully received.

13.00 Baby and Toddler Group at Harmans Cross VH.

14.00 Swanage Walking for Health Group. Walks of 60-90mins, various locations. Walks are very social, for a range of abilities. Walks start from car parks at Studland, Corfe, Arne, Durlston, Langton, Acton, Worth and Kingston. Ffi: 475692.

14.00 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Art Group Till 5

14.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Furzebrook VH. Roll-up session, all standards welcome. Ffi 401799

17.00 Sw Tennis Club Junior Session till 6pm. 426312

18.00 Sw Youth Centre Girls’ Night (Yr 8+) Till 10

18.00 Yoga - gentle at Swanage Arts Centre, Commercial Rd, Sw. £6 for 70 mins or £20 per month. Private lessons also available. Ffi call Johanna (certified Yoga teacher): 07892 680360

18.15 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Comm’ty Room. 423497

18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 8.30pm

18.15 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 423497

19.00 The Mayday Singers rehearse at The Old Malthouse, Langton. New members very welcome, contact Paul Baird 07802431012

19.30 Swanage Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Swanage Day Centre, High Street, Swanage. If you want help to stop drinking, you are welcome. Or call 01202 296000 for more details.

19.30 Sw & Langton Folk Dance Club Langton VH. Ffi: 424252

19.30 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at All Saints Ch, Ulwell, Sw. All singers welcome! 423350

20.00 Sw Regatta & Carnival Assoc Bingo Herston Leisure, Herston Yards Farm, Sw.

20.00 Sw Conservative Club Bingo, Pool & Snooker

20.00 Carey Hall, Wm Bingo

20.00 LEAGUE POOL at the RBL Club, Sw.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

09.00 St Mark’s Toddlers Group, St Mark’s Church, Swanage. Herston, Sw Till 11am

09.45 Corfe Wool Workshop Corfe VH, East St. Members £1.50; non-members £2.50. Till12.00. 427067

10.00 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till noon.

10.00 Little Fishes Baby and Toddler Group. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Term time only. Until 11.30am. Ffi: Alex on 07904 412067.

10.00 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864

11.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Swanage Library till 1pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities

12.30 Young Parent’s Group at Wareham Children’s Centre, Streche Road, Wm. Ffi: 552864. Till 2pm. Transport Available.

13.15 EBC TOTS meet Emmanuel Baptist Ch, Victoria Ave, Sw. Til 2.45. £1 per child.

14.00 Herston Senior Citizens meet Herston Hall, Jubilee Rd, Sw. All welcome

14.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 3pm. With Penny at the Mowlem Community Room, Sw. Ffi 07969925502

16.15 Swanage Football Club U-7s Training til 5.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346

17.15 Swanage Football Club U-9s Training til 6.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346

18.00 Swanage Youth Club. School years 7&8. Till 8.30pm

18.45 Sw Hockey Club Training Wm Sports Centre. Till 8. 424442

19.00 Sw Town Band rehearsals. Town Hall Council Chamber. Till 8.30. 426926

19.00 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552257

19.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls Club Roll-up evening Furzebrook VH. 401799

19.30 Swanage Musical Theatre meet Swanage Bay View Complex Rehearsal Room. All welcome. Ffi: 426161

19.45 Badminton Group meet at the Purbeck Sports Centre until 9.15pm for games of mixed doubles. Ffi, please call Kate on 01929 421806 or email katespurling@ btinternet.com

20.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 10

20.00 Sw Royal British Legion BINGO. High St, Sw

20.15 Dorset Buttons Morris Practice URC Hall, Wm. 423234/421130

20.30 The Ship Inn Quiz Night at The Ship Inn, Langton Matravers.

20.30 Wm Swimming Club Adults. All standards + stroke improvement. Till 10

22.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (16+) Till 11.59

EVERY THURSDAY

08.30 Wm Home Producers Veg, cakes, plants, flowers, handicrafts. URC. New producers/helpers welcome. Till 11. 553798

09.00 Swanage Painting Club. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Friendly group. New members including beginners welcome. Till 1pm. Ffi: Jan on 01929 480471

09.30 Pottery Classes held in Wareham. Till 11.30am. For details contact Rachel 01929 480455 to book 15pw.

10.00 PEEP for 2 year olds at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. A six week course in early childhood learning. Please call to book a place on 552864. Till 11.30am

10.00 Wm Parent & Toddler Group During term Parish Hall, Quay Till 11.45. 556806

10.30 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club Drop In Coffee Morning. Arts Centre, Commercial Rd, Sw. Til 12 noon. Come see find out what the Arts Club does.

10.00 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, vegetables. Coffee & biscuits available.

10.00 Sw Tennis Club Associate Club Session. Til 11am. 426312

10.00 Tea, Coffee, Biscuits at Queensmead Hall, Sw. Til 11am. Adm 50p

10.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Wareham Library till 12pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities.

10.30 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Chinese Art Group

10.30 Mid-Week Market Morning Service URC, Church St, Wm. Prayer requests to Revd. Simon Franklin 556976

13.30 Under 1 year olds at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Anti-natal mums welcome. Till 3pm. Ffi: 552864.

13.30 Sw Badminton & Table Tennis Club Afternoon Club at Swanage Methodist’s Church. Till 3. 423429.

13.30 Toddler Group All Saints’ Church, Sw. 423937. Till 3pm (Term times)

14.00 Life drawing classes at Harmans Cross Village Hall from 2pm till 4pm. For further information, ring 427621.

14.15 Sw Over-60s Meet in the URC Hall, High Street, Sw. All Welcome.

15.00 Guided Church Tour at Bere Regis Parish Church. Volunteer-lead tour of this wonderful medieval church. No charge, but donations gratefully received.

17.45 Swanage Youth Club Learning Difficulties and disability (age 11-25) night. Till 7.30pm

18.00 Five High Singers, United Reformed Church Hall, Swanage. 11 - 18 years. Till 7pm

18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 9pm

18.30 Swanage Sea Rowing Club Circuit Training at Swanage Middle School. Ffi: 07776 201455

19.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 8pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502

19.00 Purbeck Gateway Club meets at Wareham Youth Centre until 9pm. Purbeck Gateway is a club for adults with learning difficulties. We meet during term time and have fun! All welcome. Ffi: Lew on 552173. Email: Lewisbell1@aol.com

19.15 Wm Town Band Brass & Woodwind players welcome. 551478/01202 242147

19.30 Short Mat Bowls in the Durbeville Hall, Wool. All standards welcome, till 9.30pm. Ffi: 552682

19.30 Sw Conservative Club Line Dancing

19.30 IoP Arts Club Choir meets till 9.30pm at Swanage First School (NOT Dec 14, 21, 28, Jan 4, Feb 22, Apr 5,12) till May 10

19.30 Swanage Youth Club Youth Action (year 7 - sixth form). Till 9.30pm

20.00 Swanage Conservative Club Shove Ha’penny

20.00 Herston Hall OAP Committee Bingo Sw

EVERY FRIDAY

09.00 Stay & Play at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 10.30am. Ffi 552864.

09.30 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 10.30pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502

10.00 Sw Country Market at Community Room, The Mowlem, Sw. Till 11.30 Free. New producers / growers always welcome.

10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 425175

11.00 Toddler Time For Under 5s And Carers. Wareham Library. Stories, songs and crafts. Every Friday, including school holidays. Ffi: 01929 556146

14.00 Pottery Classes held in Corfe Castle. 2 - 5pm. Call Rachel 01929 480455 to book.

£10pw

14.30 Short Mat Bowls at Durbeville Hall, Wool. Till 4.30pm. All standards welcome. Ffi: 552682.

18.00 Purbeck War-Game & Model Club Lower Salvation Army Hall, Kings Rd East, Sw 426096 (shop hours)

18.00 Sw Youth Centre Club 12-13 (Yr 7-9) Till 8

18.00 Sw Tennis Club Senior Club Session. 426312

18.15 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 423497

19.00 Sw Youth Centre Seniors Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 9.30pm.

19.00 Swanage Scouts meet during term time at the URC Church Hall, Sw. Open to boys & girls aged 10-14 years. Ffi: swanagescouts4th@hotmal.co.uk

19.30 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till 9.30pm. £3.

20.00 BINGO & TEXAS Hold’em Poker at R.B.L. Club, Swanage.

20.00 Sw Youth Centre Live Bands (as advertised) Till 10pm.

22.00 Sw Youth Centre Late Session (Yr 9+) till 11.59pm (members free)

EVERY SATURDAY

09.00 Sw CC U11 - U15 Practice till 10.30

09.30 Sw CC U9 & U10 Practice & Kwik Cricket till 10.30

10.00 Men Behaving Dadly - Group for Dads/Grandads/Male Carers & their children at both Wareham and Swanage Children’s Centres till noon. Bacon sandwiches available! Call 552864 to find out what’s happening where this week and to book a space.

10.00 Tea, coffee and home-made cakes in the Parish Hall on Wareham Quay during the Community Market. Til 2pm. Bric-a-Brac stall weekly. Christian bookstall .most weeks. All welcome for a warm-up and a friendly chat.

20.00 Herston OAP Committee Bingo at Herston Hall, Sw

EVERY SUNDAY

* Gay Women’s Walking Group meet most Sundays for a walk around Swanage and beyond. We’re a friendly, supportive group for gay or bisexual women. Ffi: 07964 659100 or email outandabout.purbeck@gmail.com

09.45 Skyscrapers Children’s Group at Swanage Methodist Church Hall. Including a cooked breakfast, games and fun bible stories, ages 0-11. Ffi: Tom Bullock on 421767, office hours, or tom@swanagemethodist.org.uk

10.00 Arts and Crafts Market at the Mowlem in Swanage. A wide range of local art for sale, including pottery, glass, cards, fabric and much more! To book your table, or for more information, call Tony on 01929 421321.

10.30 Stoborough Emmanuel Baptist Church meet at Stoborough First School, Stoborough. All very welcome.

13.00 Sw Royal British Legion BINGO. High St, Sw.

13.15 Sw Conservative Club Members Draw