The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 191

December 2015 Issue no. 191

Magazine archive at:

Remembrance Parade 2015. Pg 12

Purbeck Christmas Challenge. Pg 27

I Didn’t Choose To Be A Refugee. Pg 16

Turtles In Dorset. Pg 61

SWANAGE & PURBECK

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The Purbeck Gazette

Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the December edition of your Gazette!

It’s nearly Christmas!! Time to snuggle-up in front of a roaring log fire and get cosy as winter decends on Purbeck.

We’ve the second part of the ‘Purbeck Christmas Challenge’ this month, with tons of advertising aimed at YOU, our locals - please, please do support our local shops and services.

‘Use them or lose them’ is a truer statement than you know, and winter is always a long, hard slog in tourist areas for shop keepers trying to keep going until the season starts again. Give them your support and you’ll be amazed at the range available right on your doorstep, and the price-matching with larger stores. We think you can get everything you need locally - and so do our advertisers, so give it a go!

As the weather worsens and the nights draw in, please do keep an eye on those elderly, vulnerable people near you - especially those living alone. Taking a couple of minutes to stop for a chat or to check everything is ok once a week can make all the difference to someone alone, or less capable than you. We are all one community, so please do keep an eye out for those less able than you.

We’d like to wish all advertisers, contributors and readers a magnificent Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year!

The Purbeck Gazette is delivered by: We distribute 20,000 copies of the Purbeck Gazette every month to households in Purbeck utilising Logiforce GPS-tracked delivery teams.

(Some residents in blocks of flats, or who live up long, individual driveways may not get a door-to-door delivery. You will not receive a copy if you display a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letterbox)

We also publish in-full online for those households who do not receive a paper copy through the door.

See: www.purbeckgazette.com The next edition is the JANUARY edition, which has a deadline of 8th December.

The January 2016 edition will be distributed between 29th Dec - 4th January 2016.

The February 2016 edition has a deadline of 8th January and will be distributed from 25th Jan - 29th Jan 2016.

Public Notices & Information

TIDE TIMES DEC‘15 Peveril Ledge, Swanage

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Low 06.51 -----00.15 01.00 01.42 02.22 03.02 03.41 04.19 04.57 05.37 06.20 -----00.17 01.11 02.02 02.50 03.37 04.21 05.04 05.46 16.26 --

High 12.21 00.45 01.38 02.37 03.42 04.51 05.49 06.35 07.13 07.48 08.23 08.58 09.33 10.11 10.51 11.37 00.05 01.02 02.09 03.26 04.43 05.49 06.47 07.39 08.27 09.11 09.53 10.34 11.14 11.55 00.16

Low 19.14 07.45 08.53 10.02 11.05 12.00 12.47 13.28 14.07 14.46 15.24 16.02 16.39 17.18 17.58 18.43 07.09 08.07 09.23 10.48 11.55 12.51 13.42 14.30 15.17 16.02 16.44 17.26 18.06 19.45 07.06

High -13.11 14.11 15.17 16.27 17.31 18.20 19.00 19.36 20.10 20.44 21.18 21.53 22.33 23.16 -12.30 13.35 14.55 16.19 17.27 18.26 19.19 20.07 20.51 21.32 22.13 22.54 23.35 -12.39

Low -20.11 21.21 22.26 23.23 NP ------ - NM -- - ST ---19.34 20.36 22.59 23.16 NP ----- - FM -- - SP ---19.23

ST=Spring Tide NP = Neap Tide NM=New Moon FM=Full Moon

Swanage Town Council Meetings - December 2015

Planning & Consultation Committee Policy, Finance & Management Council

Mon 7th Wed 9th Mon 21st

4.30pm 4.30pm 7pm

Please check the Town Council’s website www.swanage.gov.uk or call the Town Hall on 01929 423636 for the latest information.

Wareham Town Council Meetings - December 2015 Policy, Resources & Finance Council Planning & Transport

Mon 7th Tue 15th Mon 21st

7pm 7pm 7pm

Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - December 2015 Council Policy Group Planning Committee

Tue 10th Wed 18th Wed 25th

7pm 7pm 9.15am

Meetings are subject to change. To double check, see: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/ meetings/purbeck and see ‘dates of council and other meetings’

About The Purbeck Gazette & Purbeck Media Ltd The Purbeck Gazette prints 20,000 copies every month and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by Purbeck Media Ltd. All editing, graphic design and lay-up is completed in-house by Purbeck Media Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury and distributed by Tudor Distribution Ltd of Poole.

The Purbeck Gazette Daily News and Gazette online website is managed and edited on-site by Purbeck Media Ltd. Purbeck Media Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide.

All rights reserved.

OUR TEAM: The Gazette team consists of: Nico Johnson, Editor, Joy Lamb, Sales & Accounts Executive, David Hollister, Columnist, John Garner, Columnist, Charlie Hobbs, Columnist. Paul Notley, Graphics, Kim Steeden, Spotlight Diary Editor.

VOLUNTEERS: A massive thanks to our volunteers, whose help is invaluable each month with proof reading. They are the very professional: Gerry Norris and David Holman. Thank you both so very much!

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We reserve the right to maintain contact with our advertising clients, past and present, through the use of telephone calls.

If you do not wish to hear from us to be reminded of upcoming deadlines, please do let us know!

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He’s looking for those who’ve been good this year......!! Father Christmas sent us this picture of himself - he’ll visiting us in Purbeck this month, see page 29

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS/IT COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Continuing decline in Hedgehogs Gazette Gardening, with Simon Goldsack I didn’t choose to be a refugee John Garner writes - Tyneham.....

Loggerhead Turtles In Dorset Purbeck Christmas Challenge pt.2 Remembrance Sunday Parade Riding the waves in Newquay Swanage Carnival Presentation Night Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Wareham 41 Club donate FOOD The Gourmet Peddler HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams

65 25 10 2 73 63 64 17 60 61 28-55 12 70 20 10 18 56 67 4 58 60 70 76

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ADVERTISERS ONLY PLEASE!

Editorial Enquiries: Editor, Nico Johnson 01929 424239

ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Advertising Sales:

at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk Joy Lamb 01929 424293 or email: Joy@purbeckgazette.co.uk

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The legal stuff...

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.

DEADLINE FOR JAN IS NOON, TUE 8th DEC

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Bovington Tailors Made To Measure The clue is in the heading above - these are our readers’ letters. They are NOT articles, they are letters. By you. Our readers. They are not our letters, they are yours - your letters. Simple!

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 PUBLICATIONS WE DO NOT PRINT MULTI-PUBLICATION LETTERS.

JANUARY edition deadline: noon on Dec 8th

SAR - Gaining Local Support Dear Nico, As readers of the November issue will know local groups, churches and individuals have come together under the name Swanage Action for Refugees (SAR) to offer refuge here for Syrian families fleeing their war torn country. We are aware that there are individuals locally who would prefer that nothing whatsoever was done for these refugees, and that if they choose to drown alongside their children, it need not concern anyone here. They then sneeringly characterise anyone who puts out a hand as a do-gooder. (An insult which tells you more about the speaker than the one supposedly insulted). What we should do, they imply, is to ‘pass by on the other side.’ It’s a point of view, I suppose.

There is also the implication that helping our fellow man/woman/child will rob a locality of what should go only to locals. Let me make it clear once more that SAR is making no call on Council services or accommodation which we know are in short supply. Luckily SAR has received a number of offers of accommodation and food etc from private individuals who are willing to fund this effort out of their own pockets - as people locally have done for refugees since the Hitler time. There is only problem with these generous offers – the Government wants, for its own reasons, to turn them down. It doesn’t want refugees housed with hosting families or individuals.

The Government plan (to bring 4000 Syrians a year for five years) proceeds at a funereal pace and so far, and perhaps unsurprisingly, we have had no response from Westminster. We understand that large local councils near us have been approached as to whether they would take refugees but, perhaps because of the massive cuts in local government finance coming down the track the response has been hesitant and in some case negative.

Meanwhile SAR is making links with other refugee support groups both near us and more widely in an effort to move forward. We hope to have something positive to report soon. In the meantime we are wholeheartedly encouraging everyone to support with as much finance as possible the organisation championed by Mya, the Gazette correspondent on Lesbos.

(For details see page 19).

We know too that there are many Purbeck supporters of the marvellous Save the Children Fund. Their workers are stationed all over the med and in eastern and central Europe providing succour to the thousands of children on the road or on shorelines.

Save the Children is desperately in need of funds for this life saving work and this special fund is called. Migrants on the Move. It is contactable on free-phone 0800 8148 148. (For debit or credit card donations) or go to the website www. savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/emergencies/syria-appeal David Holman (for SAR)

Immigration - E.U. To Blame Dear Editor, David Leadbetter’s letter on immigration was both misleading and incorrect.

In the year to March 2015, 636,000 long term migrants entered the UK, the majority of whom were from outside the EU. So David’s Leadbetter’s assertion “when it comes to current immigration… there are two sources; those arriving from the European Union and refugees from outside the EU” his statement is incorrect.

The scale of the annual influx is concealed somewhat by referring to the net migration statistics.

In the year to March 2015 307,000 people emigrated. The majority of these were foreign nationals, i.e. recent immigrants, which shows that a significant number of those who come here do not remain here for the

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long term to provide a “lasting benefit” to the UK. Many of these emigrants will be foreign workers who have come here to make money for a few years and then to take the proceeds back home with them. Hence their work ultimately benefits a foreign economy rather than ours, which it depletes because the money is taken out of the UK. The net migration picture is that last year 379,000 foreign nationals - the vast majority being adults - came to live in the UK, while 49,000 British citizens emigrated. This pattern has remained the same since at least 1991, with British citizens leaving to go to places like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. So the demographics of our population are changing faster than at any time in recent history except due to war.

Does it surprise anyone that there is a housing shortage with us having to accommodate an influx roughly the size of Weymouth - along with providing the extra public services, water supply, power generation and other infrastructure that entails - every two months? That is what we need to build just to keep pace with immigration - it does nothing to satisfy newly arising households from within our own population. It is not surprising that today’s young generation can no longer afford housing - there is so much demand for it that prices have inflated beyond their reach. It isn’t because we are not building enough houses, it is because we are inflating our population at an unsustainable rate through immigration.

None of this has anything to do with the refugee crisis, which can only add to the pressures we are already under. We should certainly help those who are fleeing war and persecution, but we must not let that issue distract us from the unsustainable level of immigration into this country, which needs to be corrected.

While we are EU members we cannot restrict immigration from the EU. So any efforts to bring down net migration can only be achieved by restricting the immigration of non-EU nationals. That means that skilled workers from Commonwealth countries and non-EU spouses of British citizens are being denied entry, simply to try and offset the influx from the EU. This is neither sensible nor fair.

The only way we can deal effectively with this situation is for us to leave the EU, and to put in place a properly regulated immigration policy that allows in a manageable number of people.

Yours sincerely, Dr Gavin Rider, Swanage

Think Again ‘Do Gooders’ Dear Nico, After reading Mr David Holman’s letter in the November issue ‘A Great Need Please Help’, may I ask if Mr Holman and his group are going to pay for their hospital and doctors’ needs when he brings them here?

I wonder how many of his followers are Swanage born and bred. (Very few I should think) If Mr Holman had read Hugh Elms’ letter in the same issue referring to DOMVS and the housing situation, I would have thought it would make him think again.

I think he should take time out and find out how many of our young people are in desperate need for a house and seem to have very little chance of getting one. My granddaughter is in a small flat with two so called bedrooms.

The main room is like a box room and the other is just big enough to house a baby’s cot. She has a boy and a girl, her husband works for a minimum wage, pays all his dues and all born in Swanage.

Are these Syrian families going to the bottom of the housing list, and once they are here are they going to send for their Grannies and Grandads to join them?

Swanage, Worth and Corfe Castle are full of second homes. Our youngsters are unable to be housed and we have a handful of do-gooders trying to bring in more.

I may pop in to Wareham to see Hugh Elms and join P.I.S.S. then we may be able to out vote them.

A Corfe Castle Resident. (Name and address supplied but withheld)

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Evacuee Reunion

Dear Editor, Recently I held a reunion in Southampton for any evacuees who live in the area.

A gentleman called John Virgo produced an article from the Purbeck Independence published on 4.7.1990 of an evacuee reunion that he attended in Lytchett Matravers of children that had been evacuated there during WW1.

Apparently another reunion was held in 2000. A group photo was published and on his behalf I would love to try and trace some of the others. Are you able to help please?

With good wishes, from Dianne Partridge

Remembering Jaroslav Dear Editor, I would like to thank you for the article you published in the Purbeck Gazette “Remember Jaroslav Hlaváč the Young Czechoslovak Pilot Who Gave His Life Defending The Skies Over Purbeck”.In bringing this to our attention Purbeck District Council were able to take part in the event, and lay a wreath in remembrance.

Our Chairman very much wished to be at this remembrance as he feels very strongly about this kind of thing but unfortunately due to an important commitment was unable to attend.

I have also written a letter to Dr and Mrs Major thanking them for their hard work in making the route more accessible and allowing parking in their garden.

Councillor Wendy Meaden, Vice Chairman Purbeck District Council.

Rescue Helicopter In Action

Belvedere Supports Hospital Dear Editor, Christmas Joy with the Belvedere Singers.

The Belvedere Singers’ annual Christmas Concert will be held on Saturday 12 December, 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Swanage. Many residents in our local community will need no prompting for this marvellous festive event, but for those of you who have yet to experience the sheer uplifting joy of this concert – don’t miss out this year!

The Belvedere Singers are very much part of our community, regularly contributing funds to charities and local organisations. We, in the Friends of Swanage Hospital, have been the recipients of many generous donations over the years, for which we are very grateful.

So, for an unforgettable evening and to support our Swanage Community Hospital – come along. Tickets are £10 to include refreshments, children under 12 free, and are available now from Corbens in Station Road, from choir members, or at the door.

Bring your family and friends and get in the mood for Christmas. We of the Friends look forward to greeting you on this festive occasion.

Jan Turnbull, Chair, Friends of Swanage Hospital

It’s Cif, Not Jif! Dear Editor, I must congratulate David Hollister on his article in November’s Gazette.

I fully agree with him.

But although he has brought himself bang up to date by using Facebook it seems he is still rather behind the times in other respects - “Jif” has been called “Cif” for the last fifteen years, David!

Best regards, Gavin Rider, Swanage Hi Nico, On Sunday 18th October, a call was received by the NCI from kayakers in Durlston Bay to say that one of their party, a 53 year old man, had been taken ill and urgently needed medical assistance.

Following our relay to the powers that be, the man was transported to the RNLI slipway by the Inshore Lifeboat and then off to Poole General Hospital on board Helo 106 from the Peveril Helicopter pad.

There were a lot of people in the vicinity watching the events so I thought it may be of interest to you Regards, Bob NCI.

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Are You One Of These?!

Dear Editor, Dorset Brigades We moved into the area eight years ago having spent happy holidays here and thinking the countryside and coast are wonderful and the people friendly and welcoming.

The coast and countryside remain wonderful and a source of huge pleasures. However, the local people, as I have observed them for eight years belong to various brigades.

The MOF brigade (miserable old farts) The BOF brigade (boring old fogeys) The ‘All Men are Wonderful’ brigade The ‘If I make lots of cakes for the church I will go to heaven’ brigade The ‘Have you come far’ brigade The ‘You’re brave!’ brigade The ‘Committee member seekers’ brigade who suddenly become friendly when there is a vacancy. All this makes me chuckle. Anyone out there with a sense of humour?

Yours sincerely, A New Resident (retired)

Another Sell-Out Evening Dear Nico, Rock ‘n’ Roll helps local charity!

The second Rock ‘n’ Roll dance featuring the live band ‘Rock of Ages’ at Studland Village Hall was rated another big success by everyone involved.

Once again, the evening was a sell-out and a Charity Raffle in aid of Wareham and Purbeck Multiple Sclerosis Society raised nearly £400 on the night.

The host and M.C. for the evening was Dave Arnold (now living in Swanage) and he ‘hit the spot’ again with his ‘Studland Skiffle Band’ presentation, to much amusement.

The next local appearance of the Band will be for the Swanage Conservative Club on Friday 22nd April 2016, and a date will be announced shortly for the next ‘Autumn Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance’ (info: 01929-421401) – watch this space !

Many thanks! Andrew Cannon

Hospital Friends Thank Carnival Dear Nico, I am wondering if your readers can help me trace either the sender or recipient of a long lost Airmail letter (photographed above) which was picked up in Wareham in the first week of June this year.

The letter is dated 7th May 1943 and was sent by A Boult, Beech Lodge, Park Avenue, Leeds 8, to Surgeon Lieut Thomas Haw RNVR, HMS Chaser c/o GPO London.

The contents of the letter are legible, but obviously private so it would not be correct for these to be made public.

However as the letter is clearly someone’s treasured possession I would dearly love it to be returned to the families of either party.

Many thanks, Malcolm Russell If anyone can help Malcolm please contact us as the Gazette Office!

Dear Editor I would like to record my sincere thanks to the Swanage Regatta & Carnival Committee for inviting me to their presentation evening on 30 October last. I was very honoured to receive a cheque for £2,000 on behalf of Friends of Swanage Hospital. This money will be ring-fenced and used to support the Chemotherapy Unit which will be available at Swanage Hospital in the near future, being rolled out from Poole Hospital to community hospitals. At the moment, Wareham Hospital has begun to host the service, enabling patients to have their treatment close to home in a relaxing and calm atmosphere.

A suitable area in Swanage Hospital has been identified for installation of this Chemotherapy Unit, and the Friends of Swanage Hospital are looking forward to giving financial support as soon as it is needed.

Thank you to the wonderful team of volunteers who arrange Swanage Regatta & Carnival every year and give so much money to worthy causes.

And thank you all, on behalf of Swanage Hospital staff, the Friends of the hospital and most importantly, the patients who will use the service in the future.

Sue Whitton, Committee member, Friends of Swanage Hospital

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MATT HILLAN Building Alterations & Maintenance

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Crocheted Poppies Raise £150 Hi Nico, I am writing to say thank you to everyone that bought my crocheted poppies. They took off more than I expected and £150 has been given to The Poppy Appeal.

I have now ordered next year’s materials for three types and promise to at least double the amount raised.

Thank you kindly, Carolyn Hooper

Kindness And Compassion Dear Nico, On Saturday November 7th we were walking past Boots the Chemist when we noticed a nervous labrador tied to a post with a gentleman calmly stroking him and a couple of other concerned people all wondering if the dog had been left.

Suddenly another gentleman came back after buying a couple of chews for the dog and suggested taking the dog to the pet shop if nobody had claimed him. At that moment the lady owner returned with her shopping and all was well.

However we sincerely wish to say to the kind gentleman that it is people like you with kindness and compassion that help change the world to a better place.

Laura Greenwood, Swanage.

Editor’s note: Dogs are stolen from lamposts and cars everyday in the UK. We strongly advise everyone in Purbeck to NEVER leave their dog tied to a lampost - dogs don’t shop, so if you’re going out shopping leave the dog at home!

Wareham RNLI Collections Dear Editor, Wareham and District R.N.L.I. Branch would like to thank all who supported their Street Collections during 2015. The proceeds £832.70 will go towards the building of the new Swanage Life Boat Station. Many thanks to all concerned.

Yours sincerely, Margaret Jeskins.

Visit To Plague Village

Dear Readers, One of the highlights of the Purbeck Association of the National Trust’s holiday in Buxton was a visit to the plague village of Eyam. The Black Death arrived in England in 1348 at Melcombe Regis, which became part of Weymouth in 1571. The plague spread throughout the country and remained a problem for 402 years until 1750 when it died out in Europe in both the human and rat populations. The great plague of London in

1665 was the last major outbreak and was on a much smaller scale than the original Black Death of 1348. The great plague had already subsided before the Great Fire of London broke out from Pudding Lane in 1666.

During the Great Plague a tailor in Eyam received a damp piece of cloth from London. He hung the cloth against his fire to dry and some plague infected flees flew out and brought the disease to the tailor and the rest of the village. For the next fourteen months the village went under quarantine and 260 out of the 350 residents died. People from neighbouring villages left food by a well and villagers washed their coins in vinegar before leaving them to pay for the food. Rector Mompresson held the church services outside. Due to these measures the plague did not spread.

We went in the church where there was a stained glass window showing the story of the plague. Outside a cottage was a sign showing how nine members of the Thorpe family who lived there died between September 1665 and May 1666. We had tea in the National Trust tea room before going round Eyam Hall which looks like an early Jacobean mansion although it was not built until 1676.

In the museum were a life sized plague doctor and a picture of some ships at Melcombe Regis in 1348 with some rats on the quay. A video told the plague story, showed a woman dying of the disease and some children singing “Ring a ring of roses”. The visit showed us how lucky we are without the plague.

Yours sincerely, Robin Brasher

Thanks To N.H.S. Nurses

Dear Readers, Not often I write a letter to my own paper, but having received excellent care from our local District Nurse team and the out-of-hours team recently, I felt I must write and thank them publicly for their most kind, understanding and professional help.

Due to their organisation and assistance, I was able to avoid another lengthy stay in Poole Hospital (I would rather cut my own arm off than go through that again, thanks!) and was cared for in my own home - not only making me far more comfortable, but also saving the NHS a fortune in the process.

Thanks to all involved - hugely appreciated!

Kind regards, Nico Johnson

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Purbeck Workshop Evening Dear Nico We’d like to help your readers complete the Purbeck Christmas Challenge by offering an opportunity to shop at the Purbeck Workshop’s gift shop in Wool.

The Purbeck Workshop is a charity offering creative distractions for those touched by cancer, at any stage of their journey, and their friends and family too.

Christmas can be an especially hard time for those on a cancer journey – the heartbreak of a diagnosis, struggling along with treatment in the cold weather, or remembering loved ones we’ve lost. But there’s always lots of laughter to be heard from the Purbeck Workshop and for me the sessions have been great therapy and wonderful company too.

We’re hoping to raise some funds by opening for one special evening on Friday 4 December from 7pm to 9pm, with a free cup of mulled wine for everyone who comes along. We have a beautiful selection of handmade gifts with items from £1 upwards – cards, decorations, candles, wooden gifts, woollen gifts.

As well as shopping in Purbeck you’ll be supporting a local charity too and everyone is welcome. The community has been a constant source of kindness and generosity over the year since we opened so we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you too. All our events are listed on our website at www.purbeckworkshop.org so come along and join in!

With warm wishes, Sinead Feeney, Trustee, Purbeck Workshop

Town’s Twin Comes To Visit Dear Editor, Did you know that Swanage is twinned with Rudesheim am Rhein, a picturesque town in the Rhine Valley, surrounded by vineyards and magnificent views?

Our friends from our twin town came to visit us this September for six days. They were welcomed by Councillor Gary Suttle, past President of Swanage Town Twinning Association, at a buffet in All Saints Church Hall, where we hold our monthly meetings.

Their stay was planned so that our guests could have free time with their hosts to sample the many activities of the Swanage Folk Festival weekend, which many did to the full, with some very enthusiastic feedback.

We held a party on the Sunday evening at the Wareham Masonic Hall, with music provided by Andrew Cannon and an impromptu skiffle band formed by a mix of guests and hosts. On Monday an all day trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard made us realise that one day is not enough to see all the sights!

Next July we will visit our host families in Rudesheim for the spectacular fireworks and celebrations of The Rhine in Flames. Meanwhile we now start fundraising all over again for their visit to Swanage in two years’ time.

We have a packed programme for 2016 including talks about local places, the work of the Margaret Green Trust, the Bankes family plus the further adventures of Howard Nicolls. In April, by popular demand, we will hold another Murder Mystery & Meal, plus a Summer Tea Dance in June and an Oktoberfest – in October!

Annual membership is still only £10 per person and is due on 1st January 2016. If you would like more details about membership and our programme please contact our Membership Secretary, Jean, on 423657.

Many thanks, Ruth Newton, Publicity & Fund-raising, Swanage Town Twinning Association

A Rather Pointless Letter...

Dear Editor, I love reading the letters to the Editor in every Gazette which reflect nearly every view possible. And they are usually based on reasonably strong fact and I will, therefore, try and understand all views.

But then I see a rather pointless letter in the October Gazette from Simon

Goldsack from Holme complaining at the result of the decision to not allow Navitus erecting those massive turbines.

So my answer to Simon is that if you are living miles away from the sea as he is he would never see the turbines if they had been erected so why would he care if they were installed.

Unlike those living next to or close to the sea or the tens of thousands of holidaymakers. Let alone the hundreds of sea birds who would perish.

I assume that Simon has a turbine in his garden though?

Gerry Edwards, Swanage

Say No To ‘Cheap & Cheerful’ Dear Nico, I would like to register my disapproval with both Dorset County Council and the utility companies who seem to find it acceptable to dig up the flagstones (mainly along the High Street) and then replace them with unsightly tarmac. Apparently a representative of the council informed me ‘it was cheap and cheerful to do so’. Eventually we are going to lose the character of the town if this trend continues. I wonder if our town councillors are aware or if they even care judging by the state of some of our streets!

Considering what we pay in council tax i feel we get a very raw deal regarding these issues.

R. Nunn. Priests Road,.Swanage

Clumsy Use Of Strimmers Dear Gazette, You recently published an article on the sorry state of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones at Swanage graveyard.

The “lashing” on the gravestones looks very much like the Council groundsmen have clumsily used strimmers that have damaged the new headstones, although the Council deny this.

The CWGC representative for the South West (Mr Steve Stewart) has been in contact with me and is extremely concerned about the damage; this week Mr Stewart has visited the graveyard to assess the damage and also met my father in law Mr John Fraser (a resident of Swanage; I live in the Midlands) to discuss the issue.

The local M.P Mr Drax has written to the CWGC expressing his concern and one of the CWGC Directors has been involved in looking into the issue.

Options are currently being reviewed as to what could be done concerning the British slate headstones.

Yours sincerely, Richard Pursehouse

The Purbeck Gazette

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SELF STORAGE UNITS From 15ft x 6ft up to 15ft x 15ft For furniture, classic cars, documents Insured & Alarmed At East Stoke, Wareham

Call 07836 369969 Thanks To Local Newspapers

The Lament Of The Village Maiden

Dear Editor, Reuniting Royal Navy Shipmates.

This is a big thank you to this newspaper, who, along with other local newspapers across the UK, printed a letter of mine recently, explaining that the best way for those who have served in the Royal Navy to find their old shipmates, was to get in touch with their old Ship’s Association and attend one of the reunions; this would almost certainly lead to reliving the camaraderie they once knew. Well, thanks to you, the response has been terrific, at the moment I have over sixty Royal Navy Ships’ Association Reunions listed, complete with the first point of contact. (This alone could be an old shipmate!!)

I have to say ‘a big thank you’ to all local newspapers. If any ex Royal Navy reader missed the first letter, drop me an email mike.crowe1@ btinternet.com or royalnavyreunions@gmail.com with brief details of your service and who you are looking for and from which ship, and I will send the latest list through, along with the latest monthly news sheet full of messages. This goes to over 400 Ships’ Associations and Royal Naval Association Branches. All done by email so no printing, stationery, or postage and subs. etc.

And if you served on one of the Twelve Blackwood Class Frigates, it looks as if a new Association is starting for those. Get your name on the list. (Again no subs).

Thank you local newspapers. If you want attention and action, write to “Letters to the Editor” I wonder if you know just how much you are read!!

Mike Crowe, Isle of Wight

The Lament of the Village Maiden Will you I will I did He did We said We’d wed For ever And never Would part..

At the start We had fun In the sun Got a house With a mouse.

Life was bliss With kiss after kiss Until I said maybe We are having a baby.

Then it all changed And went very strange He didn’t want kids They just put the skids Under his having fun.

He wanted no son.

He gave me a smack I gave him one back.

I did all the work He started to shirk.

Then baby was born And he was forlorn He’d stay out all night And get into a fight.

Then he was ill After taking a pill But as you may guess I could not care less.

He’d shout and he’d curse Which made him feel worse.

One day he lay still After taking a pill.

So that was the end.

He’d once been a friend But now the young clod Had gone to his God But me and the baby Were happy so maybe It was all for the best He went to his rest.

Chris Cressey

120,000 Suffer PPS In Uk

Dear Editor, As new research conducted by YouGov reveals only seven per cent of Brits are aware of the neurological condition Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), as CEO of The British Polio Fellowship, this highlights for me what is now an urgent need for more support for those living with PPS from public and the medical community alike.

Out of 2,034 people polled nationally, PPS achieved the lowest awareness rating by some distance when compared with other neurological conditions. Tellingly, in contrast to only seven per cent saying they had heard of PPS, eighty six per cent had heard of Parkinson’s disease.

The results are shocking but confirm what we have suspected for some time and show how much work our charity still needs to do to ensure the community of Polio survivors in the UK do not become Polio’s forgotten footnote.

My frustration stems from the fact that PPS affects an estimated 120,000 people in the UK, a figure believed to be similar to the number of people suffering from Parkinson’s and other serious neurological conditions so surely it is not too much to ask that PPS receives the same attention from the medical profession and the public? We aim to help those who live with the later effects of Polio and PPS by providing information, welfare resources and support.

We don’t receive any government funding and we desperately need funds to conduct medical research into PPS, which would help our members better manage the condition in later life. If you are interested in getting involved or need our support please call us on 0800 043 1935, email at info@britishpolio.org.uk or visit the website at www.britishpolio.org.uk Yours faithfully, Ted Hill MBE CEO, The British Polio Fellowship

The Purbeck Gazette

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Well? Where Are You? David Hollister writes...

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attended a very useful exhibition where the Swanage Town Centre Plan was on display. It helped me to understand what was proposed, but not actually why. The plan provides for “the majority of the district’s food and non-food requirements with around 1130 sq.m of food floor space and around 950 sq.m non-food floor space”. By which I take it to mean building a double-sized supermarket on the site.

Which no doubt will be operated by the same Company that operates the present supermarket which currently seems to be subject of local criticism.

Indeed, if our current supermarkets both kept their shelves fully stocked summer and winter, we wouldn’t need a bigger one. Well, on behalf of the small food- and non-food tradespeople of Swanage, thank you very much.

When the current supermarket was built in 1992, I was comprehensively lied to by the then Mayor of Swanage, in my opinion a slimy little man, who asserted that there would be no non-food, no pharmacy, and no flowers.

Tell that to the grocers, florists, butchers, chemists, small electrical goods retailers, etc who went out of business when the supermarket opened and expanded its activities.

The plan will “provide a replacement health centre and new car park”.

So what’s wrong with the old one? Could it be that it’s now choc-full of clinics which could just as easily be located at the Hospital? One can’t help wondering whether there’s a deliberate move afoot to strip the Hospital of many of its services before closing it down on the grounds of insufficient use? How many of the Hospital’s A&E and MIU facilities have been transferred to Poole? If a new health centre is to be built, who’s going to pay for it?

If the new health centre is going to be located where the Fire Station is, where are they going to re-locate the Fire Station? Surely the rumour that they’re hoping to re-locate the Fire Station to the old Council Yard at the bottom of Court Hill can’t be true? Fire engines would have to negotiate a busy 4-way road crossing when entering or leaving, and probably squeeze their way up Kings Road West where the cars are parked on both sides making two-way traffic impossible. At present the fire engines leave the station on to an easily accessible 2-way road. Which part of this don’t I understand? A new car park? Most of the year, the existing town centre car parks are not full to capacity. Is this another ‘revenue raiser’?

It will ‘explore the delivery of a new Town Square’. Huh? What’s all that about? We’ve got one. It will ‘provide new walking and cycling links’. We already have these. They’re cunningly called ‘pavements’ and ‘roads’. I thought that the Councils, like the country, were broke. So why the hell spend money when what we have works perfectly well? Sorry, but my motto is ‘if it works don’t fix it’ and ‘if you can’t afford it then don’t buy it’.

And of course, the plan “could also explore the inclusion of a small element of development”. Ah, so that’s it! More ‘homes’ for the ‘homeless’ or more market-housing for the wealthy and second-home brigade, with a couple of token housing association rental properties round the back?

As a ratepayer of Purbeck and Dorset, may I ask that you fix what’s broken first – like the roads, police ‘farce’, housing list, signage, etc, before you start meddling around town squares and ‘walking and cycling links’. That £600,000 cycleway could have financed five ‘council houses’. Osborne

is cutting local government spending by 30% over the next three years.

Clearly we’re exempt from these cuts? Heads out of the sand, guys! Sorry.

There are more deserving causes in the world, in the country, in the county and in the town itself which need attention before any of these changes are made. But looking on the positive side, similar ‘local plans’ have been published on many occasions over the years and very few have ended up anywhere except the waste-paper basket of time so why should this one be any different?

And talking of fund-raising for good causes, isn’t it sad that so many local organisations seem to be dying on their feet? Almost every one that I have spoken to seems to be losing members simply due to advancing age, and more important failing to find new people to ‘stand for committee’.

Existing committee members and event organisers are getting older and fewer young people seem to want to step forward and help their community organisations. Why did Swanage Lions club have to reduce the size of their annual fund-raising fete, and cancel their superb Charity Christmas Mail? Why is it that every Rotary event seems to be run by the Same Old Faces? How come that when 35-40 people attend a function, not one of them will step forward and help to organise it? Do they think these events organise themselves?

To paraphrase the words of the late JFK – “ask not what your community can do for you, ask what you can do for your community”. For every five houses that are sold in Harmans Cross, probably only one family shows any interest whatsoever in getting involved in Community affairs. And I’d bet that the same applies in Swanage, Wareham, and every other village in Purbeck. So where are the other four families? “Keeping their heads beneath the parapet”? So I ask you – what’s the point of ‘escaping to the country’ and not joining in with the community that you have come to live in? May as well stay in the city where no-one speaks to anyone, let alone their neighbours. Dale Carnegie said “you make more friends by becoming interested in other people than by trying to interest other people in yourself”.

Whilst on the subject of feeling disillusioned (hadn’t you noticed?), in October’s Gazette I wrote on the subject of food banks (page 10, available online). I challenged local retired couples to donate ONE of their winter fuel payments to the local foodbanks, through me. I asked you to email me at davidhollister@hotmail.co.uk with your offers. I was going to split the donations that came in between Swanage and Wareham foodbanks including my winter fuel payment to start it off.

Purbeck was voted No 4 in the Guardian ‘ten top places to retire’ and I refuse to believe that there’s not one single retired couple - other than Tina and I - living here, who receive the Winter Fuel Allowance. I can therefore only assume that the pensioners of Purbeck (pop 45,200, of which 17.4% are of pension age) either don’t read my column or are all so poverty-stricken that the idea of actually giving £100 to someone else – which they themselves have been given rather than earned – is an anathema. I promised to publish the number of people who emailed me volunteering to donate to our local food banks. So I will.

At the time of writing, none. Merry Christmas.

Swanage Fire Station Update

The Purbeck Gazette

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i and welcome to this month’s look at what’s been happening at Swanage Fire station. Operationally it’s been quiet, we have responded to only eight incidents. These have included: Three false alarms, one heath fire, one barn fire, one vehicle fire and two property fires. The property fires were caused by electrical faults; one was in a dishwasher and the other was on the mains electrical intake to the house.

As you may have read in the last month’s edition of the Gazette, the Station has now started co-responding for our ambulance colleagues at South Western Ambulance Service.

Since 12th October we have responded to thirty two incidents in and around the town. On each occasion we are backed up by either a paramedic car or an Ambulance. This is seen by Station personnel as a great way of helping to make our town a safer place.

My safety message this month links back to the two property fires that we attended.

When did you last check the condition and safety of your plugs, sockets and flexible cables?

Damaged plugs, sockets and flexible cables can cause electric shocks, burns and fires. For you and your family’s safety: Check the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping or if it feels hot.

Remove plugs from sockets carefully. Pulling out a plug by the cable puts a strain on it, and could damage the contact between the plug and the socket. This could result in the plug overheating, its wires becoming loose or an electric shock (if the earth wire is disconnected).

Use plugs with the British Standard safety mark - they have live and neutral pins with insulating sleeves that allow you to put them in and pull them out of sockets safely Always replace damaged cables immediately. Touching exposed live wires may give you an electric shock or you could even be killed.

And remember, all of this applies to Christmas decorations that you may be just starting to think about putting up.

Stay safe everyone, and don’t forget to test your smoke alarms.

Phil Burridge, Station Commander

Did You Serve?

Did or do you, your spouse, partner or parents serve in any of our Armed Forces? Could you benefit from some practical support from the country’s oldest military charity? he Purbeck branch of SSAFA is one of seven SSAFA branches covering Dorset. Staffed exclusively by professionally trained volunteer caseworkers, the branches provide help and support to any who have served for even just one day in any of our Armed Forces, together with their families. Members and former members of the Reserve Forces are eligible for SSAFA’s help, as are any Merchant Seamen who have served in a designated War Zone and National Servicemen.

Founded in 1885, the help SSAFA provides varies enormously, from financial assistance, paying a heating bill for a widow, helping with household appliances, to supporting children with additional needs, emotional support for the lonely, sick or bereaved. The extensive list of support available via SSAFA also includes:- care homes, respite care, befriending, mentoring, welfare advice, domestic violence support, fostering social care and housing issues.

In all cases the criterion for SSAFA’s assistance is need and our support and advice is completely confidential.

Fullest details about the extensive support available from SSAFA may be found at www.sssfa.org.uk SSAFA in Dorset may also be found on Facebook at SSAFA Dorset and Twitter at @SSAFADorset If you think you could be eligible for SSAFA’s help please get in touch with the Purbeck branch office on Mobile 07555368483 or Email ssafadorset@ gmail.com We look forward to meeting you.

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Purbeck Fireplaces Woodburning & Multi-fuel Stoves HETAS approved installation service Flue components & liners Twin wall Flue Systems 21a Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset Tel: 01929 426770 / 07800 843399 www.purbeckfireplaces.co.uk

For Martin...

What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

For my best friend Martin Webb, a man I am proud to have known and prouder to call my friend. We miss you already.

Our heart-felt love to Yvonne, we are thinking of you xxxx Steve and Jan West

The Purbeck Gazette

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2015 Remembrance Sunday Parade

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ast year’s events were rather special as, following the move of the War Memorial further away from the sea, a re-dedication ceremony took place. This year we were blessed with better weather for Remembrance-tide.

There are usually three or more events, involving many people from the wider Swanage community; these tend to start with crosses being placed at the memorial on the Friday. Bob Alexander would like to thank all of the children from local schools who assisted this year.

Once again the Poppy sellers have been out and about, supported by those who are prepared to make up the boxes and pave the way for our friends and businesses who are able to accept a box.

A massive thanks to all of the men, women, Air Cadets and others who have assisted in this year’s venture, based at Swanage Station, where the remnants of this year’s Poppy display were to be seen in the Booking Hall.

The Remembrance Sunday Parade was attended by many who had been a part of other Parades in the local area earlier in the day, especially at Bovington, which is reported to have been twice the size of normal years.

We welcomed many new faces including Army Cadet Rob Woolley and

Lt John and Marie Moody RM who joined Richard Drax MP, all of whom had focused on other events previously in the day. The weather was fair, the St Mary’s Choir were fantastic and 3 (Harrogate) Squadron and the Ringwood Pipe Band were impeccable as we marched into Horsecliffe Lane - to the sight of another 100 or so who had gathered at The War Memorial.

I would like to thank everyone who stopped for a moment, who bought a poppy or who remembered ‘The Fallen or those who have gone before’.

Thank you to Eddie Chinchin who brought his cornet on Parade and the three standard bearers too.

Many of you will know that Cannon John Woods will shortly retire and so the Remembrance events of the last week, will be his last (in a formal capacity), and so I am sure that you would all join me in recognising his support for the Royal British Legion over the years.

Thank you Cannon John.

Frank Roberts, Swanage RBL, Parade Marshal Pictures by Tim Crabb - thanks Tim!

The Purbeck Gazette

Crossways Travel Celebrates 5th Birthday

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1st Swanage Guide Unit is 100 years old The oldest Guide unit in Dorset that has never been in abeyance!

We invite you to attend our official one hundred year celebration on

Saturday 12th December

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n October 14th 2015 Crossways Travel, a local Tour Operator based near Dorchester hosted a special event in Dorchester South Street to mark their 5th Birthday.

They brought a coach and set up a marquee in the town centre and invited all their regular customers to partake in a free buffet lunch and a glass of wine to celebrate this great occasion.

The event was very well supported and during the day hundreds of people flocked to the event to wish Crossways Travel Happy Birthday!

A raffle was also held in aid of Air Ambulance, the company’s charity of the year.

Pictured from left to right: Gill Davies (office worker), Ron Lewis (driver), Kadi Crocker and Matt Crocker (owner and founders of Crossways Travel)

10am – 4pm at Bell Street HQ Swanage to reminisce, look at archive displays and photos Enjoy some festive refreshments and see our new tile mural which we feel depicts guiding old and new.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Flying the Flag common question aimed at me, has been why do yachts, coastal and sea-going vessels sometimes fly flags of more than one country.

The short answer is to stop being fired upon by the local shore battery. Under International Law, all vessels must fly the flag of the country of their port of registry.

This is not always followed up with lawsuits if a UK registered yacht sails around Poole Harbour without flying her ensign, however, if a trip outside of UK waters is made, then the ensign must be flown between sunrise and sunset and the correct national flag or ensign of the country visited must also be displayed. This generally referred to as a courtesy flag. To enter a foreign port without a courtesy flag flying was traditionally classed as an act of war and could (and has) produced a rather warmer welcome than was perhaps anticipated.

Although the national ensign traditionally flies from the ensign staff on the vessel’s stern, it is acceptable for it to fly from a gaff at the rear of the mainmast when under way. Care must then be taken, that the courtesy flag is both higher and further forward than the vessel’s ensign is.

As flags are read from starboard to port, top to bottom and forward to aft, having a courtesy flag to port of, lower than or astern of the vessel’s ensign means that it is to be read after the vessel’s ensign and is therefore inferior to it. Some countries in the world still take this as an insult and although they are unlikely to fire on you, some quite hefty fines can follow! Hence having the ensign at your stern and the courtesy flag from the mainmast will generally keep you out of bother and the local port authorities looking for other methods of augmenting their personal income.

The history of flags can throw some light on some nationalities’ attitude to their flag. Many nations, especially ones that do not have some form of monarchy or similar, have their armed forces swear allegiance to the flag, if not the entire population. In the USA, the stars and stripes is never allowed to touch the ground, the offender was on a charge if he or she let

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it, and it is burned when no longer fit for use, presumably to stop it ending up in the rag bag. Flags, as we know them, are a relatively recent invention.

Originally, they were just poles, sometimes coloured, and then the Romans, Egyptians, Persians, and Greeks topped them with standards.

These quite often depicted the relevant deity of that country, religion, or sect, and if it fell, men would automatically surrender even though they knew that execution would follow.

As the loss meant that their god had deserted them, they were as good as dead anyway. Later, these standards had strips of cloth attached to facilitate long-range identification. The archers and spear throwers also used these cloth strips to better judge their aim in the wind. Eventually the standards all but disappeared as the variations needed for both signalling and identification increased. They may be all made of cloth nowadays but the strong emotive force behind them remains in many parts of the world.

Nowadays, the use of flags to communicate is diminishing with the advent of smaller and cheaper radios. Morse code and Semaphore are not in use anymore, so the transmission of humorous and often sarcastic signals across the waters has ended. The last humorous signal that I saw was just before Thanksgiving in 2009 on the USS Midway, a floating museum in San Diego, CA. There were four identical strings of flags flying from her yardarms and I suspect that I was probably the only person on the waterfront to understand them. They said simply “Gobble, Gobble, Gobble, Gobble”.

On that note may I, on behalf of us all at the NCI, thank you for yet another year of amazing support, and wish you and yours all the best for the festive season and for 2016.

Stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life and leisure take you.

The Swanage NCI can be contacted at the Lookout at Peveril Point, on 01929 422596, at nci.org.uk, or call us on VHF 65.

Bob Clark, Swanagenci@btinternet.com, NCI Swanage.

St Alban’s Head Coastwatch Update

he National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) station at St Alban’s Head has received a sudden influx of four new volunteers. Their backgrounds vary from the military, through PR and marketing, to electronic engineering, and they range from an experienced sailor to a complete novice.

All are currently working through the carefully designed NCI training course to become fully qualified watchkeepers.

With three other recruits who qualified earlier this year, the number of watchkeepers at the station has increased by some fifteen per cent. A spokesman for St Alban’s Head NCI said, ‘We always welcome new blood to the team, to help with our task of ensuring the safety of mariners and users of the coast path – and to enjoy the stunning position of our lookout with its views from the Isle of Wight to Portland Bill.’

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Coastguard Update

ctober seemed as busy as the summer with the team attending eleven incidents. One large multiagency search saw two coastguard teams, Dorset Police and Dorsar search overnight and into the next day which resulted in the person being found safe and well.

Two medical incidents, one at Studland the other in Durlston bay had the Portland based helicopter, Rescue 106 airlift the casualty to Poole.

The slightly unusual incident of the month saw the team work on behalf of the Environment Agency removing a piece of boat from the Swan Brook by the Conservative Club! With the risk of the brook getting blocked the team deployed in their water rescue equipment and successfully removed the old dinghy.

So as the year draws to a close I think is time to reflect on a difficult year and say a few thank yous. The Coastguard is still under huge change and the volunteers and families with their day to day lives have been put under huge pressure to make it all work.

National systems and policies have to be converted to local ways of

working, partnership working with fellow Blue light services, RNLI , NCI , Town Council and local groups have to be maintained on top of a working day for many.

Training and local knowledge has to be maintained with the assistance of local landowners - farmers and the National Trust. Education talks and safety advisory group meetings are attended to promote safety and prevent the incidents we so often attend.

But at the heart of every Coastguard team is of course the local community and without the support of the community the team cannot function.

HM Coastguard is a Government Agency so as volunteers we don’t get the charity benefits other volunteer groups receive. This of course doesn’t stop the community looking after their teams and behind the scenes those cups of tea, bacon sandwiches that suddenly appear on or after incidents mean so much.

On behalf of HM Coastguard thank you to the local communities and thank you all for the support you give to your local teams. Please have a safe and Merry Christmas and remember the teams will be on call even on Christmas Day.

We at Gazette Towers would like to offer our most sincere thanks to the entire Purbeck Coastguard team.

You’ve been there for us (and our canine companions!) come rain or shine, day or night, 365 days a year. Despite having your own families and lives, you drop everything immediately to help when needed, and risk your own lives to save ours. We are a grateful community to be so well served.

WE HOPE EVERYONE PLAYS IT SAFE AND YOU ALL GET A DESERVED BREAK OVER CHRISTMAS!!

The Purbeck Gazette

The Society Of Dorset Men

Founded 1904 “Be vigilant and watch out for Dorset” warns Lord Fellowes at the County Dinner of 111 Year old Society of Dorset Men. message from the Queen was read by Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL, at the County Dinner of The Society of Dorset Men. “Her Majesty much values your continued support and is pleased to receive your message of loyal greetings.” wrote the Private Secretary at Buckingham Palace. “Her Majesty sends her best wishes for a most enjoyable gathering at The Society of Dorset Men’s County Dinner at the George Albert Hotel.”

“I love these County Dinners, we all of us belong to Dorset.” declared the Society’s President Lord Fellowes, whose popular drama Downton Abbey has just concluded on ITV. “This is a marvellous county and slow to change. I urge you all to be vigilant and watch out for Dorset. We must ensure our descendants find the Dorset we love still in existence- we must protect Thomas Hardy’s environment.”

Guest speaker Venerable Ian Wheatley QHC, Chaplain to the Royal Navy, spoke of the importance of tradition to the Navy. He led a group of sixty chaplains in the senior service and revealed that naval chaplains had no rank- explaining they share the rank of the person to whom they are talking. “These are exciting times in the Royal Navy, with the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth II and a new class of frigate being delivered. We lead the world in many aspects of military technology- but without our sailors, the ships and submarines are useless. Our role as naval chaplains is to provide pastoral care to the crews all round the world, without doubt our most important resource.”

Before dinner, the Society’s Chaplain Rev. Dr. John Travell asked members to remember the late Roy Adam MBE of Blandford and Gordon Hine FRICS of Shaftesbury, for many years Chairman and Secretary of the Society, who had passed away since the last County Dinner. Members welcomed Hazel Adam, Roy’s widow, attending her first County Dinner since 2008.

Chairman Stuart Adam thanked members for remembering his late father, who had played such a pivotal role as Master of Ceremonies at County Dinners over many years. “I want to thank Lord and Lady Fellowes for the support they give so readily to The Society of Dorset Men and thank Secretary Hayne Russell for all his hard work.” The Chairman went on to praise Public Relations Officer Michel Hooper-Immins- “the Society wouldn’t be the same without Michel’s most interesting newsletters.”

Jennifer Coombs DL, HM High Sheriff of Dorset, proposed the toast to The Queen. Lord Fellowes presented the Hambro Golf Cup to Mike Smeaton of Owermoigne. Colin Fry was the toastmaster. It is the fifth County Dinner to be held at the George Albert Hotel, Wardon Hill, near Evershot.

Founded one hundred and eleven years ago on 7 July 1904, The Society of Dorset Men has a long and rich history, beginning as the Society of Dorset

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Julia’s House Looking For Purbeck Friends

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ulia’s House has a new Friends’ Group in Purbeck. The children’s hospice charity has already found a chairman, secretary and treasurer for the new group and is now appealing for members.

It is hoped to rally enough interest to hold a Christmas event for the charity. The Purbeck Friends have already had their first fundraising outing – hosting a stall at the Wareham fireworks.

Friends’ Groups play an important role in raising funds for, and building awareness of, Julia’s House. They are ambassadors for the charity, made up of local people who work alongside their community, supporting or hosting events or giving talks.

Julia’s House has a growing number of Friends across Dorset and Wiltshire.

It has Dorset groups in Blandford, Dorchester, Bridport, Weymouth and Portland, Wimborne, Ferndown, Christchurch and Bransgore and fledgling Friends in Devizes, Marlborough, Salisbury, Calne and Tidworth in Wiltshire.

Community fundraiser Amy Kidd said: “We are lucky to have some great Julia’s House support across Purbeck. Forming a Friends’ Group is a brilliant way of bringing everyone together for a common cause. It will be a chance for supporters to enjoy the social side of fundraising too.”

To find out more, please call Amy on 01202 644220.

Men in London and aiming to bring together fellow Dorsets in the capital city. However, since the 1950s, the main activities of the organisation have been centred on Dorset. Today, there are around 1,200 members throughout the UK and all over the world. The President is Oscar winner and ITV Downton Abbey screenwriter Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL. He succeeded Sir Anthony Jolliffe GBE DSc DMus DL in 2011, the only Lord Mayor of London to be born in Weymouth, who still lives in Wyke Regis.

The four objects of The Society of Dorset Men are: “to make and to renew personal friendships and associations, to promote good fellowship among Dorset men wherever they may reside, to foster love of the county and pride in its history and traditions and to assist, by every means in its power, natives of Dorset who may stand in need of the influence and help of the Society.”

Membership of The Society of Dorset Men costs £10 a year. For further information, consult www.societyofdorsetmen.co.uk/page8.html or telephone Membership Secretary Peter Lush at 01305 260039

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The Purbeck Gazette

WE ARE ALL HUMAN - SHARING ONE PLANET

‘I didn’t choose to be a refugee’

Covering the refugee crisis, Marienna PopeWeidemann (pictured, left) updates us on the continuing humanitarian nightmare…….. eading Nico’s editorial in the last issue of the Gazette made me homesick for Swanage for the first time. I’ll be back in time for Christmas, but for the 250,000 refugees that have passed through Greece this year, home is no longer a place; it’s a memory.

Their houses are gone, their communities torn apart, their families dead or scattered.

The stories they tell me are the stuff of nightmares – but they still have dreams. Kader, a bright young man from Iraq, told me his: “I just need somewhere safe to live so I can go back to school and make something of myself. I want to help people, be an active member of society, but I can’t do that if I am not free.”

Kader fled for Europe when Islamic State targeted him for working with local Christians. “I ask only for my human rights. At home, you are mute, you cannot have an opinion about anything… I want to know what it feels like to be free.”

When refugees cross the border into Greece, they expect that dream of freedom to become reality; but it doesn’t. They come over the border and into detention, which can last up to six months. Today, I visited Fylakio, a detention centre in the Evros region in northern Greece, where last year human rights groups condemned the ‘inhumane and degrading’ conditions.

When I interviewed Paschalis Syritoudis, Head of the Police Directorate, he described the allegations as ‘exaggerated’ and told me the facilities were much improved; but since journalists are not allowed to enter, verification is impossible. As I stood outside the fence, detainees congregated on the opposite side to the sound of barking guard dogs.

“This is prison!” one man shouted to me today through six inches of razor wire. I could see women and children inside as well. “Police, bad!

It is like I am back in Iraq!”

For years, most refugees chose this route across the land border into Evros. That changed when the door was slammed shut by the construction of a 12km fence. Now, they risk crossing the Evros river or, like Kader and sometimes 2,000 others in a single day, the Aegean Sea. The Evros fence cost $3.3 million, and with winter coming many more will pay for it with their lives. Thousands of people have drowned already.

Kader, who dreams of coming to the UK because he speaks fluent English,

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will never forget the crossing. “I didn’t choose to be a refugee, I never wanted to leave my country. I was forced to put my own life in danger in the middle of the sea. I was looking in my niece’s eyes and she was frightened every moment. No one puts their children in danger if they don’t have to.”

Citizens’ Protection Minister, Nikos Toskas, has announced that Greece may be willing to open the Evros border to allow controlled, safe passage but only as part of a broader deal with the EU, Turkey and Bulgaria, which is even now building fences of its own. “We can’t just open everything when there is a danger that everything else will close in Europe,” Toskas said.

If you’d like to help the efforts of those volunteers on the ground in Greece who ensure every penny goes to help those desperately in need, donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/VolunteerAidLesvos Mya will continue to cover the crisis until late December, when she will hopefully be returning home safely. She has published articles on the desperate journeys people are being forced to take for Al Jazeera, The Leap, Red Pepper and The Reader, amongst others, in recent weeks.

You can follow Mya online at: http://mariennapw.com where you’ll find links to her published articles, blog and photo gallery.

Pictures - MPW: Above: Detainees at the Fylakio Detention Centre, where journalists are not granted access to confirm suspected conditions.

Below: Volunteers wave lifejackets to attract the attention of an incoming boat crammed with refugees on the island of Lesvos.

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Local Specialist Personal Injury and Workplace Disease Team

By Hannah Brown, Michelle Green and Lorraine Brown

Suffering an injury that is not your fault can have a significant effect on your life both emotionally and financially.

Pursuing a personal injury claim is not just about obtaining compensation for the immediate effects of the accident.

Follow us on twitter @BattensSol

www.battens.co.uk

It is also about assessing the injuries and ensuring that any longer term rehabilitation and treatment needs are met. You will also want to be able to return to the quality of life that you had before the accident as far and as soon as possible.

We are specialist personal injury and workplace disease lawyers located in Dorset and Somerset. We have specialists experienced in dealing with injuries lasting a few months to accidents which lead to catastrophic injury from which a full recovery is not expected.

We aim to resolve claims as swiftly as possible, whilst ensuring that the proper compensation is paid.

We would be pleased to meet with you at any of our offices and outreach locations

in Dorset or Somerset or to deal with your claim by telephone.

If you have a significant injury or find it difficult to leave home, we will arrange to see you at home or in hospital. We will be as accessible as possible in order to support you through your claim.

In most cases we are able to offer clients a 'no-win, no-fee' agreement. When we win we will claim legal fees from the insurer of the company or individual responsible for the injuries. If the claim is not successful, we do not charge for our legal fees.

Unlike most lawyers we do not make a deduction from our client's compensation for our own fees.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 652 8411 or call into any one of our offices to make an appointment.

Local Personal Injury Specialist Free claim assessment No cost to you, win or lose

Yeovil, Sherborne, Dorchester & Weymouth. Appointments available in Wareham

0800 6528411

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Dorset Funeral Plan Is A National Award Winner

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ouch Family Funeral Directors have won a prestigious national award for customer service in relation to its Dorset Funeral Plan.

The family business, which has eight branches across the county, launched the plan in 1999 and it has gone from strength to strength.

The awards were organised by Funeral Planning Services, which provides administrative and investment services

associated with pre-paid funeral plans.

Nick Douch, managing director of the Dorset company was presented with the trophy at a glittering ceremony held at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

Award organisers quizzed customers of various products and the Dorset Funeral Plan came out clear winners in the Customer Service category.

Respondents said they were given a helpful and informative service by staff at Douch Family Funeral Directors.

They said that this made making arrangements easy and provided peace of mind that final wishes were set out clearly - and paid for.

Pre-paid plans allow funeral arrangements to be made many years ahead of the time they are required – and they are also paid for at today’s prices.

Nick Douch said: “Our funeral plan is incredibly flexible and allows people to organise and pay for their own funerals. It is localised to Dorset and is one of very few that can include woodland burials, a major area of growth within the industry. We introduced this plan in 1999 although we had

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been supplying similar arrangements for a number of years before that.

“Funeral plans are a great way to achieve peace of mind, but that can only happen if the customer is happy. We put a great deal of emphasis on customer service and it is a tribute to all our staff that their efforts have been recognised” One person who completed their questionnaire said of The Dorset Funeral Plan: “Very comprehensive good value and provides peace of mind.”

Nick, together with his wife Donna-Marie, received the award from Funeral Planning Services’ Chief Executive, David Taylor. www.funeraldirector.co.uk/the-dorset-funeral-plan Pictured -Funeral Planning Services’ Chief Executive, David Taylor, left, with Nick and Donna-Marie Douch

Wareham 41 Club Donate To Local Charities

he members of Wareham 41 Club have been busy recently distributing the record proceeds of this year’s beer festival.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and publicans, businesses, local people and, of course, the real ale and cider enthusiasts, the well-attended annual event held every Easter raised more funds for a variety of charities, local clubs and organisations.

The focus this time was on The Youth of Wareham including Swanage and Wareham RFC (Mini section), Wareham Rangers FC (Juniors), The Sandford Guides troop and the Cologne Social Club at Bovington. The Rex cinema, Dorset Recue Centre, Wareham in Bloom and other groups were also beneficiaries.

The Wareham Beerex for 2016 will again be held over Easter. Tickets will be available on line or on the door so make an early diary note to enjoy some wonderful real ales and ciders and once again raise money for worthy causes.

Pictured: 1: The Swans Mini rugby section with their new banners which they now use at every home and away and are the envy of the opposition.

These are the under 7s at Bridport recently.

2: The members of Sandford Guides celebrating the arrival of their smart new marquee.

3: MP Richard Drax at the Cologne Club to performing the official opening of the newly renovated Club building.

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Out Of The Blue Message from Purbeck Police

Christmas is coming The thief is getting fat Please don’t be a victim To his bag of swag.

Lock your doors and windows Never reveal your PIN Hide the Christmas presents Don’t let strangers in.

Keep your wallets safe Shop online with care Don’t drink and drive When partying, be aware.

Enjoy your festive time Spend it with your friends We want you to have fun ‘Til the season ends.

But if the ghoul of Christmas Should come and plague your door Never fear, every day we’re here Throughout Christmas and the year.

Original poem by Sgt Jane Mooney - Purbeck Police

Hello Purbeckians.

Today’s pondering is the tenuous connection between two jobs that don’t always serve the tax-payers best interest; parking outside schools and children arguing on Facebook. The connection, whilst not obvious, is there. Contrary to popular belief, parking is NOT a police issue but we try to help where we can. When I ask parents why drive your children to school they nearly always say for fear of child abduction by strangers.

This is interesting because children are at greater risk from someone they know. On those very rare occasions when it is a stranger, they have almost certainly “met” them on a social network site first. So, when speaking to parents of children under 13, I ask why they have allowed their child to have a Facebook account when it clearly states you must be over 13 years old.

I fear parents are oblivious to where the real danger lies and are unaware that that danger is sitting on their child’s desk, on their phones or even their games console. Time spent monitoring internet usage and educating both yourself and your child on internet safety is time well spent.

The moral of the story: make your children walk to school and check their browser history when they’ve left the house.

Carry on.

Lulworth Country House Fair Makes £10,000 Donation To British Red Cross

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he Dorset Branch of the British Red Cross will be £10,000 better off following the one-day Country House Fair organised and hosted

by Wilfrid and Sally Weld and held at Lulworth Castle. This year’s donation takes the total raised by this annual event to £74,000.

‘We are absolutely delighted to see this event go from strength to strength, with thousands of visitors from across Dorset and even bigger donations to the Red Cross’, said Sally Weld of the Lulworth Estate and Patron of the Dorset Branch of the Red Cross.

‘Our thanks also go to sponsors DOMVS and Groves Nurseries who cosponsored this event alongside Lulworth Leisure. This enables every single penny raised to go direct to the Red Cross in Dorset. With an additional contribution from the Lulworth Charity this year’s donation breaks our own record at £10,000’.

The event has become a regular in the charity fair calendar since 2005 and has continued to grow in popularity and size. It now occupies both Lulworth Castle and its Courtyard Rooms.

Pictured: Mr & Mrs Weld with the donation.

Wareham Hemsbach Update

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n Monday 2nd November we went piggy racing at the Carey Hall in Wareham.

The society provided nibbles, tea and coffee and some members brought their own alcoholic and soft drinks. We also had a raffle.

Robin Brasher

Book advertising at: www.purbeckgazette.com or call 01929 424293

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Wareham Area Senior Forum

areham Senior Forum will be holding its ninth AGM on Monday, 12th December and we are hoping to see lots of old and new members.

There will be entertainment and Christmas Goodies for a small donation of £2 which will take place after the AGM. The Committee Members have worked hard to ensure there have been a variety of topics covered over the past year and have ideas for the coming year, but we need some new Committee members to join us for 2016.

We meet approximately five times a year and all contribute as little or as much as we can. For more information please contact Sue on 07825264353.

We would like to ‘Thank’ all our Members for their support over the last year and wish everybody ‘A Merry Christmas’.

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Wareham Area Seniors’ Forum

CHRISTMAS GOODIES & RAFFLE Come along and be entertained by Wareham’s dynamic duo, ‘Anne & Sandra’, followed by our AGM.

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Wareham Parish Hall (on Wareham Quay) 10am to 12 noon Monday 14th December

For information, or for transport to attend, call Sue on 07825 264353.

Age 50+ All welcome

Swanage Carnival Presentation Night

Swanage Carnival 2015 gives away over £20,000 to charities and good causes t the end of October the Swanage Regatta and Carnival held their annual presentation night and donated over £20,000 to their twenty five chosen charities.

Carnival Chairperson Becky Mack said “The presentation night is one of most special nights for myself and the Carnival Committee as we get to give away the money we have worked all year to raise.

“To put on the Swanage Carnival would not be possible without the help of many people including Swanage Town Council, Purbeck District Council, the emergency services, local organisations, businesses and the community.

“However the Carnival would not happen at all if it were not for the Committee who work all year to organise every aspect of the many events. So a big thank you to all the red shirts who make carnival happen.”

Each year different challenges arise and this year was no different, most memorably the weather. Mid-summer could have been mistaken for midwinter as wet and windy conditions battered Swanage, however the sun shone on the opening day, although this was not the start of things to come and Carnival procession day started with torrential rain. For the first time that we can remember the decision was taken to post-pone the start of the procession to 4pm.

As if to order the skies cleared at 3pm allowing an hour for those in the procession to don their outfits and set off around the town at 4pm. Having seen barely a soul throughout the morning all of a sudden the streets filled to cheer along the procession and the town was filled with fun, music and laughter. Every float turned up. This was a remarkable show of commitment and the wonderful Swanage Community spirit!

It costs over £120,000 to put Swanage Carnival week on, therefore enough money must be raised to cover these costs before considering what can be given away.

Everyone has felt the pinch with the economic down turn in recent years and it is therefore with great pleasure that despite this the Carnival Committee was able to give away £20,600 to this year’s chosen charities and good causes. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

Any charity or good cause can be nominated to Swanage Carnival for consideration. The Carnival Committee then votes for their chosen charities. Twenty two good causes were selected in 2015. The three most popular organisations receive the highest donations.

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The amount of money given to each of the other chosen organisations is based on the number of volunteers that they provide to help during the week, be this with bucket collections, cleaning, helping in the information tent or working behind the carnival bar.

In addition to nominated organisations there is a chairperson’s charity and we have two annual charities, The Dorset Air Ambulance and the Swanage Stroke Club.

In 2015 Swanage Carnival donated to 25 organisations.

Swanage Pier Trust £250, Autism Wessex £350, Corfe Castle Pre School £350, Corfe Castle Youth Club £350, NSPCC Swanage £350, Swanage Over 60s £350, The Wave Youth & Children’s Ministry £350, 4th Swanage Scouts Group £550, Friends of St Mark’s Church of England (Voluntary Aided) Primary School £550, Langton Matravers Scout Group £550, Dorset M E Group £550, Mount Scar Cygnets Group £550, Swanage and District Angling Club £550, Swanage Disabled Club £550, The Besom in Purbeck £550, 2185 (Swanage) Detached Flight Air Training Corp £800, Dorset Action on Abuse £800, Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club £800, Swanage Tennis Club £800.

CARNIVAL ANNUAL CHARITY – Swanage Stroke Club £550 CARNIVAL ANNUAL CHARITY – Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance £1000, Mosaic £2000, The National Coastwatch Institution £2000, Swanage Hospital £2000.

CHAIRPERSON’S CHARITY –The Movember Foundation £2500

Be Flood Aware This Winter!

ith winter approaching, the Environment Agency is urging communities across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire to be ‘Flood Aware’. One of the first things you can do is check whether your home or business is at risk. If you are in an area prone to flooding the Agency strongly recommends you sign up to its free Flood Warning Direct service. All you need to register is provide the Agency with a telephone number it can contact you on.

Homeowners and businesses in areas at risk of flooding are also urged to prepare flood plans. Help is available from local flood resilience teams who can provide advice and help you prepare a plan for your community.

Salisbury now has a team of ten flood wardens following a recruitment campaign earlier this year. The wardens will join a successful flood warden

and community volunteer scheme that has been running across Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset for a number of years. Wardens’ duties include monitoring watercourses, helping vulnerable people prepare for flooding, co-ordinating community response and providing feedback to the Agency and other authorities during a flood.

Dorset’s coastal defences are now fully repaired and ready for the winter following major works at Preston Beach, Weymouth where rock from the nearby Isle of Portland has been used to reinforce a 450m stretch of the shingle beach.

Further information about the flood risk in your area is available from the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warnings Direct (FWD) on 0845 988 1188.

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A Christmas Poem Christmas is coming, it will be here soon The children can’t wait, they’re over the moon Their letters to Santa have all been sent They’ve bought lots of presents, money all spent.

Remember to be good, charitable and kind Because Santa keeps caring children in mind Have a happy holiday peace to you all Merry Christmas, holly in the hall I hope everyone has lots of cheer Health and happiness in the coming year Marie Neilson.

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Area Senior Forum

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD s the festive season approaches and most of us look forward to precious time with friends and family, we should reflect on those in Swanage for whom Christmas is an unwelcome reminder of their solitude.

AGE UK is so concerned it has launched a new initiative to persuade government to take action. More than a million older people say they haven’t spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member in over a month.

Contrary to what many people think, loneliness is NOT a normal part of ageing, it not only makes life miserable, it can be as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. New technology can help.

All agencies heartily recommend the new “Tablets” and I-pads” as they are known, as serious tools to remove isolation. For many of us in the over-fifties bracket, it’s a lot about overcoming fear: “Don’t have a computer; I’m too long in the tooth for any of that stuff, it’s for the younger generation.” Overcoming that fear we CAN gain great things from being able to use new technology. We are NEVER too old to learn, as many who have already gained from the Forum’s lessons will happily testify. It’s changed their minds – and their lives.

A small “Tablet” computer can help you to get in touch with remote loved ones and much more So, if you would like training, then Swanage Forum can assist you. We can show you Tablet computers and offer advice on buying a one. Swanage Forum also requests the help of people who can use Tablets and I-Pads, and are willing to share their knowledge with those who can’t.

So, if you are someone who needs our help with training, or if you want to join our band of volunteers to share your knowledge with others who need help, please call us on 01929 427706 or 426127.

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A Brief Overview Of Capital Gains Tax

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apital Gains Tax may be payable if you dispose of an asset or receive money in respect of an asset. The term ‘asset’ covers a wide range of things including the following – shares, unit trust style investments and land and buildings.

However, it is important to note that there is currently no liability to Capital Gains Tax on the disposal of your home (principal private residence) provided that certain conditions are met. Individuals can only technically have one ‘home’ so the disposal of a second home for instance is normally liable to Capital Gains Tax. Other exemptions which are usually applicable include private cars, gilts, holdings in ISAs and gifts to your spouse or charity.

Each individual has an annual allowance for Capital Gains Tax and this currently stands at £11,100 for the 2015/16 tax year. This is normally increased a little each tax year. Assuming that your capital gains are less than £11,100 no Capital Gains Tax is normally payable. Where Capital Gains exceed the annual allowance/exemption, Capital Gains Tax is paid at 18% for gains up to the basic rate limit and at 28% above that limit.

The capital gain is basically calculated by deducting the cost(s) of the asset from the disposal proceeds to come up with a gain figure.

Once you have computed all your gains and losses, you should come up with an overall loss or gain figure. If the gain is less than the exemption, no Capital Gains Tax is normally payable.

If a loss is created overall, this can be registered with the Inland Revenue via your tax return and can potentially be used to offset future gains. If your gain is in excess of the Capital Gains Tax allowance, this is again registered on your tax return and the tax is paid to the Inland Revenue at the same time as any Income Tax. This is very much a simplified overview of a very complicated and wide area and I have not for instance touched on allowances for trusts or the fact that March 1982 values can be used for holdings that have been held prior to that date.

For more information on Capital Gains Tax, the Inland Revenue produce a lengthy (free) guide via their website and your accountant will have expert knowledge on the subject.

Kate Spurling lives in Swanage and is an investment manager with Charles Stanley, Dorchester office – (01305) 217404 – kate.spurling@charlesstanley.co.uk Charles Stanley & Co Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

VAT Flat Rate Accounting This scheme is designed to help small businesses with a turnover of no more than £150,000 a year, excluding VAT, by taking some of the work out of recording VAT sales and purchases. If you use the scheme, you pay HMRC a single percentage of your turnover in a VAT period.

The percentages applicable to this scheme currently vary from 4% for food and children's clothing retailers up to 14.5% for builders and contractors who supply labour-only services.

In your first year of VAT registration you get a 1% reduction in flat rate, which means that you can take 1% off the flat rate you apply to your turnover, until the day before your first anniversary of becoming VAT registered.

The scheme works well for some but not others. On the positive side, the scheme may save you some admin because you don't have to work out every item of input and output tax, but if your customers are VAT registered, you do have to calculate the VAT and issue VAT invoices in the normal way.

Financially, the flat rates averages may work out cheaper for you than normal accounting or you may find this scheme more expensive - use HMRC's ready reckoner to check.

Under the scheme, you pay the VAT quarterly and you can swap back to the normal VAT scheme at any time if your inputs rise. You can also claim VAT on any capital expenditure of more than £2,000 excluding VAT.

SWANAGE INSURANCE BROKERS Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Paying your lender too much for

HOME INSURANCE? Call us for a quote - you may be pleasantly surprised!

Tel: 01929 424228 Email: office@swanageinsurance.co.uk MOTOR - COMMERCIAL - LIABILITY - EVENT - TRAVEL

DECEMBER DEADLINE NOON 10TH NOVEMBER

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Resolve your legal matters with Battens Solicitors

Tips and Traps for Commercial Tenants

Acquiring new business premises can be an expensive process but getting the right legal advice from the outset can save significant expenditure in the future, says Anna Austin, Consultant Solicitor in Battens Solicitors' Commercial Property Team.

It is an exciting time in the commercial property sector and we are seeing an increase in new instructions for leases of business premises, including units on trading estates and the high street.

Tenants often look carefully at opportunities to save on costs, but not instructing a solicitor when taking a new lease can be a false economy.

When acting for a tenant on a new lease, our role typically extends beyond reviewing the lease to check that all of the terms agreed with the landlord have been incorporated.

We will ask key questions, such as: Are there covenants on the landlord's title that would potentially prevent the proposed use of the property?

Has the landlord obtained the consent of its mortgage lender to the grant of the lease? Are you aware of the consequences of not obtaining this consent?

Do you know when the lease must be registered or, in some cases, noted on the Landlord's title at the Land Registry?

Even some relatively short leases will be affected by the Land Registry's requirements. This needs to be considered before completing the lease and making the application for registration at the Land Registry.

Another common aspect overlooked by tenants is stamp duty land tax as there is a common misconception that it only applies to purchases of property. Stamp duty land tax may also be payable on the grant of a lease. Failure to comply can result in heavy financial penalties as well as preventing successful registration at the Land Registry.

The detail of leases can also be a minefield for tenants without expert legal representation. It would not be unusual for a tenant to believe that the lease limits their responsibility to maintaining the current condition of the property but actually find later that their liability runs into thousands of pounds as they are actually required to put the property into a better condition that it was when the lease was granted.

At Battens, we endeavour to provide a realistic fee quote based on a tenant's specific requirements whether the tenant just requires a summary of the lease in plain English or the full package including due diligence, lease negotiation, stamp duty land tax advice and addressing Land Registry requirements.

For more information, please contact me at Battens Solicitors on 01935 846214 or email anna.austin@battens.co.uk.

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Trading Standards Know your consumer rights!

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he run up to Christmas is a busy time for shopping, but did you know that from 1 October 2015, consumers’ rights were changed under the new Consumer Rights Act 2015?

So, how have your rights been affected?

Well, as before, anything you buy must be: • of satisfactory quality • fit for its intended purpose • as described Perhaps the biggest change is that your right to ask for a refund if the goods are faulty is now limited initially to the first 30 days after you bought them.

So make sure any presents you buy are examined within 30 days if you can.

Once 30 days has passed you are entitled in the first instance to ask for the goods to be repaired or replaced. This must be done at no cost to you, within a reasonable time and without causing you significant inconvenience.

After just one attempt at repair or replacement, if the goods are still not satisfactory, then you are entitled to a refund.

You do not have to give the trader more than one opportunity to repair or replace (although you can if you want to).

If repair or replacement is not available, or is unsuccessful, then you can choose whether to keep the goods or return them. If you keep the goods, you can claim a reduction in price. If you return them you are normally entitled to a full refund, although it may be reduced to take account of any use you’ve had if it’s more than six months since you bought it.

For the first time, consumers’ rights relating to ‘digital content’ are also set out. This will include for example, smartphone apps, e-books computer programs, CDs, DVDs, etc.

It will also include digital content included with goods such as cars or washing machines, as well as that provided by direct download or streaming

via the internet to your own equipment.

For digital content your rights are roughly the same as for ordinary goods, except that you do not get the initial 30 days to reject faulty digital content alone, and get a refund, unless the digital content is supplied as an inherent part of physical goods, such as computer systems, smartphones and washing machines.

For pre-shopping advice, advice about a consumer problem, or to report something to trading standards call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service check and approve businesses so you don’t have to.

The Purbeck Gazette

THE PURBECK

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

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Can YOU purchase everything you need for Christmas right here in Purbeck? That’s our challenge to you this festive season, we want you to make a real effort to shop locally for everything from food and drink to gifts for loved ones.......

Christmas Market Sat 5th - Sun 13th December 2015 11am - 4.30pm - open every day Purbeck Arts & Crafts, Jellies, Jams & Chutneys, Unusual gifts

Worth Matravers Village Hall Tea, Coffee, Cakes and Mince Pies

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Boxing Day Charity Auction Pete & Carol are once again running this event at the Royal Oak, Herston (with many thanks to Rachel) starting at 1pm for 1:30pm.

The charities this year are Alzheimers Cafe in Swanage & Jamie Lee Bonfield, a young local girl who sadly lost her life recently to cancer.

If you have anything you wish to donate, please bring along on the day (ready wrapped if possible), or give us a ring on 426061 and we will gladly collect.

No electrical items please unless in original box / package.

If you have never been to this event before, please come along and enjoy yourselves with great beer and christmas cheer while raising money for very worthwhile causes.

Many thanks and we hope to see you there!

Pete and Carol Burgess

Free parking in Purbeck this December Shoppers in Purbeck can enjoy some free parking in the lead-up to Christmas.

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

On Saturday 5 December, Purbeck District Council and Wareham Town Council will be supporting Small Business Saturday, a UK-wide celebration of small businesses.

‘Shop local’ and enjoy free parking in the Councils’ Wareham car parks at Bonnets Lane; Connegar Lane; Howards Lane; and Streche Road.

Purbeck District Council and Wareham Town Councils will also be waiving parking charges in their car parks on Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 December and Thursday 24 December.

Free parking will be available in the Corfe Castle car parks on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5, 12 and 19 December.

Swanage Town Council will also be offering free parking in its Broad Road and Main Beach car parks on all the Saturdays in December and the first Saturday in January.

Norden car park and Dorset County Council-owned car parks at the Quay and St Johns Hill, Wareham are not included in the free parking offer

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Father Christmas In Purbeck!

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s we all know, due to the magic of Christmas, Father Christmas is able to visit certain special towns and villages all around the world just before Christmas time, to meet and talk to the children who hope he will be bringing them gifts on Christmas Eve. Although he keeps a close eye on everyone all year, he really enjoys seeing the little children in person, to spread the Christmas spirit and keep them believing.

This year, Father Christmas has arranged to spend quite a bit of time in Purbeck - he has set-up a special grotto with Mrs Claus in Daisy May’s Arcade in Swanage, bringing all their favourite decorations from the North Pole to make them both feel at home.

Mr and Mrs Claus will be at the magical Christmas grotto throughout December (booking details on advert above) and families can take their children along to meet Father Christmas, receive a gift and have a wonderful photograph taken with Father Christmas, to take home and keep forever.

Not to be missed - a really magical experience and Father Christmas’s helpers have gone to a lot of effort to help him make the grotto look fabulous. The elves would be proud!

Father Christmas will also be touring Swanage on his sleigh - details of where he’ll be and when can be found on page 32. Make sure you go outside with the little ones and say hello when you hear the sleigh coming!

Father Christmas will be in residence at the amazing Swanage Christmas Market, held on Saturday 5th December, so plenty of opportunity to prove you’ve been good this year!

Father Christmas will then be arriving in Wareham in style (gosh, he’s super-busy this year!) for the traditional Wareham Christmas Parade on December 13th - see details from Wareham Chamber of Trade on page 31.

DECEMBER

WRAP-UP WARM! WATCH YOUR STEP!

Commercial Road Traders & Friends and Swanage Rotary Club Invite you to our

Christmas Fair Sat 5 Dec

10am - 4pm KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ELDERLY NEIGHBOURS!

Featuring a wide range of stalls offering: Christmas gifts, wreaths, local produce, Christmas foodie delights, local crafts, Purbeck-inspired gifts and much more!

Father Christmas will also be in town!

Commercial Road & Station Rd, Swanage

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Awards For Tourist Information Centres In Purbeck

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he Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham, and Swanage Tourist Information Centre have won Silver and Bronze, respectively, at the 2015 Dorset Tourism Awards.

The Discover Purbeck Information Centre, which is based in Wareham Library, won the Silver award in the Dorset Tourist Information Service of the Year category.

The Information Centre is the first point of contact for many of Purbeck’s visitors.

The Centre’s team, which offers a first class professional service and a wealth of local knowledge, welcomes almost 100,000 visitors every year, including local residents and those who choose to enjoy their holidays in the district of Purbeck.

The Centre also provides a range of information on events via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Pinterest and YouTube The Centre relocated to the Wareham Library premises in 2012, enabling it to provide an enhanced service, including six-days-a-week opening, at a reduced cost due to partnership working.

For the second year running, Swanage Tourist Information Centre won bronze in the same category for its excellent tourist information provision.

Councillor Cherry Brooks, Economy and Infrastructure Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council, said: “A huge congratulations to both of the district’s tourist information centres for their achievements.

“Visitors to the area have two teams of enthusiastic staff who are able to help them make the most of their visit.

“These awards are well-deserved and are testament to all the hard work put in by the dedicated teams which provide first-class information services for the district’s residents and visitors.”

Councillor Brooks continued: “Tourism is such an important part of Purbeck’s economy, so it’s good to know that these services are recognised.”

Both information centres went through a rigorous three-stage judging process which involved initial scoring of an entry form, a programme of mystery visits and finally decisions by an independent panel.

The awards ceremony took place at the Tank Museum, Bovington on Thursday 15 October 2015. As award winners, both information centres will receive a range of PR benefits.

Visit www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk for details of all the award winners.

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Perfect Gifts For Him And Her

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ur thoughts this time of year turn to winter and activities to keep us busy when the nights are dark and the days grey. We in Wareham have been busy selecting the best gifts for Christmas.

A pair of binoculars to fit in your pocket, are ideal for the younger generation with smaller hands, and there’s so much to see out there!

The Opticron Vega are big on value and quality.

We are now stocking ‘Leatherman’ multi tool knives from £39, plus ‘Buck’ hand-made American knives and lastly ‘Whitby Gentleman’s Knives’. All priced to sell.

On the ladies side, Joan has been busy buying beautiful hand-made silver jewellery with natural stone settings.

We have earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets. all with exciting settings.

And lastly new this year - The ‘New STAR WARS’ release - gifts for the young (and old) ones in mind!

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Little Green Gallery Original artwork and prints by local artists, plus contemporary gifts with a difference; hand-blown glass, jewellery, ceramics and much, much more!

Little Green Gallery, 38 High Street, Swanage. BH19 2NX Telephone: 01929 421758 Email: Barbara@littlegreengallery.co.uk www.littlegreengallery.co.uk

Emporium Of Wonder!

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he word ‘emporium’ is often used, but rarely is it totally relevant to that which it describes. In the case of Skinmates in Swanage High Street, you’d be hard pressed to describe the amazing selection of quality goods for sale in this long-standing Swanage shop.

Owner, Ray, has been serving the town of Swanage for decades, stocking a mid-boggling array of superior sheepskin products and leatherware. From genuine sheepskin rugs, to moccasins, slippers, mitts, gloves, suede bush hats, belts, bags, wallets, and much much more, there’s no ‘collection’ of

sheepskin or leatherware goods within a driveable distance that can hope to compete with Ray’s selection.

Now that the winter winds have started blowing, why not pop into Skinmates and check out the array of sheepskin items which will help you keep warm? And if you are looking for a perfect Christmas Gift – who wouldn’t be delighted with a lovely pair of sheepskin slippers or mitts?!

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NEW & SECONDHAND BOOKS 35 Station Road, Swanage. 01929 424088

The Unfortunate Captain Pierce & The Wreck of the Halsewell, East Indiaman by Philip Browne Old Harry & Tales of the Jurassic Coast by Barbara Townsend Fabulous Flying Boats: History of the world’s passenger Flying Boats by Leslie Dawson £20 Purbeck Arcadia by Ilay Cooper NEW BOOK! South West Stone Quarries £18 OS Maps, Cards, Calendars, Gift Stationery, Gift Vouchers Use your local shops or lose us!!

Find us on Facebook: The Swanage Bookshop

Call in and browse at your leisure • OPEN 9.30am - 5.00pm

website: www.editionone.co.uk

email: info@editionone.co.uk

Book Reviews - Book Reviews - Book Reviews - Book Reviews Dorset Smugglers’ Pubs, by Terry Townsend. Priced at £9.99. s a long standing resident of Purbeck and having spent many happy hours visiting its numerous hostelries, I am ashamed to admit how little I knew about the history of the very pubs I had frequented.

Terry Townsend’s latest volume ‘Dorset Smugglers’ Pubs’ provides a fascinating insight into what was, during the eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth centuries, a huge local industry.

Apparently at certain times up to five ships at a time were recorded unloading at selected points along the Dorset coast. Drawing on jail records, customs reports, contemporary newspaper articles and eye witness accounts, Terry tells the story of smuggling in Dorset through the history of the pubs and inns at the heart of this enterprise.

There are twenty-four Dorset pubs featured, each having at least four pages documenting the history and giving quite detailed accounts of those involved and their battles with Customs Officers.

The numerous colour illustrations show the pubs and surrounding areas as you will find them today, and in addition to this Terry has included a number of black and white photos from earlier eras.

With six of the featured pubs situated right here in Purbeck, I’m sure that there are many locals, who, like me, will find this book thoroughly engaging.

Available at New & Secondhand Books of Swanage. Joy Lamb

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Old Harry Rock and Tales of the Jurassic Coast, by Barbara Townsend art of a magical series of books, ‘Old Harry Rock and tales of the Jurassic Coast’ by Barbara Townsend is a wonderful tale for children of all ages, stunningly illustrated throughout by artist, Chantal Bourgonje.

It tells the story of Old Harry Rock, who, having sat watching over our coastline for a very long time, has stored up many memories of times gone past, as well as vast stores of energy.

In the book, Old Harry lends his much-needed assistance to a lost seal pup, who becomes separated from his mother during a bad storm. Old Harry steps in and manages to guide the seal pup to shore, keeping him amused with a story before assisting the mother to find her lost cub.

Next, Old Harry helps an injured kayaker (Thomas) and ensures that the Watchkeepers at Peveril Point know there is a human in trouble at the base of the cliffs by using his energy to create a beam of light. To help Thomas whilst they wait for rescue, Old Harry projects a Jurassic scene of dinosaurs on the chalk cliff to keep Thomas awake and alert whilst they wait.

A totally different, original storybook, enveloped in magic, with beautiful pictures and with a wonderful local theme. Great for teaching kids new vocabulary, and it may well make them look rather differently at Old Harry Rock in the future!

This is part of a set, the other books in the series are also available at New & Secondhand Books in Station Rd, Swanage.

Priced at £7.99. Nico Johnson Wareham and The Isle of Purbeck Through Time, by Anthony Beeson.

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areham and the Isle of Purbeck Through Time takes the reader on a marvellous pictorial journey which traces some of the many ways that the area has changed and developed over the last century.

The book has been arranged geographically, beginning at the North Bridge of Wareham and ending at Swanage’s Tilly Whim Caves, visiting almost all of the villages and hamlets in between.

The 96 page softback volume has been printed on high quality glossy paper, which perfectly enhances the beautiful colour and black and white illustrations, which make up over two thirds of the book.

In the accompanying text the author gives us many new and previously unpublished pieces of local information which are probably unlikely to be found in many of the other local history volumes on offer.

An entertaining read for both locals and visitors alike, and a sure favourite for any local coffee table. A wonderful book to pick up and flick through, beautifully laid out and sensibly ordered throughout. Part of the ‘No.1 Best Selling Colour Local History Series’, published by Amberley Publishing.

Priced at £14.99, available at New & Secondhand Books of Swanage (Station Road). Joy Lamb

Scout and Guide HQ Christmas Post, Wareham We hope that you will support us by letting the Scout and Guide groups deliver your local Wareham and Stoborough Christmas Cards. Our special red post boxes will be as the following locations; Horsey’s, Farwells, Tourist Information Centre, Carey Post Office. There will also be a box at the Scout and Guide HQ. Special stamps priced 25p will be available at all these locations and also on Saturday mornings on The Quay. The last date for posting will be Saturday 12th December to give time to sort and deliver during the week before Christmas.

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SUNDAY 3rd JANUARY at 3pm Mayday Singers ‘Songs for Christmastide’ at St. George’s Church, Langton Matravers.

Retiring collection in aid of charity

From Sewing Machines to Haberdashery, Books, Wool and more.... Stewarts Have It ALL!!

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tewart’s House of Fabric are delighted to continue taking part in the ‘The Purbeck Christmas Challenge’ with its aim to help you buy locally in the few short weeks left to Christmas and we want to make things easy for you!

Our large shop is packed full of cotton fabrics, quilting supplies, patterns, haberdashery, books and wool.

We’ve got new workshops and lessons planned for the New Year too!

If you’re thinking of buying a sewing machine come and see the latest sewing, quilting, embroidery and overlocking machines first hand.

From sewing machines suitable for beginners, through to high-specification semi-professional embroidery machines. Customers who buy a machine from us receive an hour of FREE expert tuition.

Don’t forget our alteration and repair department if your party outfit needs adjusting or repairing, Jean or Alice will be pleased to advise you

on how they can help to make your outfit look a million dollars! See you at the shop!

GET SHOPPING!

Christmas At Knoll Beach

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scape the hustle and bustle of Christmas beside the sea at Studland Beach this December. There is a family activity trail through the nature reserve and a mince pie calorie trail to help you burn off that seasonal treat.

The National Trust has plenty of other walks available for download on their website to help you get out and explore the Purbeck countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studlandbeach On Tuesday 22nd December, 7.15am to 9.15am, you can watch the sunrise on the shortest day of the year with a guided walk to Old Harry Rocks followed by a full English breakfast at the Knoll Beach Café. Transport is available for the less able. £15 per person and booking essential. Call 01929 450500 for more information or to book.

The Knoll Beach Café will have festive specials on the menu throughout December as well as their new outdoor wood-fired oven on the patio.

Try one of our special festive wood fired pizzas and toasted marshmallows on the fire pit. You can warm up beside our log burner in the cafe or sip a festive-flavoured hot chocolate outside in the fresh sea air.

The Knoll Beach Shop is full of gifts and treats for your loved ones of all ages as well as great variety of Christmas decorations.

The Knoll Beach Café and Shop are open every day throughout December, 10am to 4pm, except Christmas Day.

SWANAGE BOXING DAY SWIM 2015

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rganiser, Julian Woods, is expecting to see you all in your Boxing Day finest on Swanage Seafront for the 2015 Boxing Day Swim!

Make sure you’ve got yourself sponsored, or that you pay an entry fee on the day (all cash goes to local good causes), then get your fancy dress/bikini/mankinis out of the closet and get ready to dash into the freezing waters - you’ll be in good company!

When? Be at the Blue Shelter (Mowlem end), Swanage Seafront, for 11am on Boxing Day with your towel. Swim takes place around 11.15am. Raise sponsorship yourself (the more the better!) or pay an entry fee on the day. See you there!!

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Santa Specials and Christmas Festivities he Festive Season commences on Friday 4th December with a Victorian-Themed Carol Train hauled by a steam locomotive. With music and carols by the Swanage Town Band and Harmony Rocks Choir, ably introduced by the Swanage Town Crier.

Santa Specials run Saturday and Sunday 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and then daily 19th to 24th December. Children will receive a wrapped age-appropriate gift whilst everyone will receive refreshments from Santa’s helpers.

The ever popular Christmas Luncheon Dining Trains have sold out! In response to demand we are running New Year Luncheon Dining Trains on the 2nd and 3rd January 2016.

On Monday 28th December make your Great Escape from the television and enjoy a day of steam and diesel locos at our Winter Warm Up. Full details of all our Christmas Festivities can be found at www. swanagerailway.co.uk/events Purbeck Railway Circle The Purbeck Railway Circle wishes its members, supporters and friends “A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year”.

The 2016 Programme will commence on the 15th of January 2016 with a digital presentation entitled “East Dorset Railway Curios” by Andrew P.M. Wright. The presentation will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting.

The Circle meets in Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross at 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Tea/coffee/biscuits and railway-orientated raffle as usual. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. For other information please contact the PRC General Secretary, e-mail:gensec@purbeckrailwaycircle.org.uk

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A Packed Programme

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he Mowlem Theatre has a very strong programme of contrasts for December and the Christmas Season.

The theatre has been closed for slightly longer than normal in November to allow time for the installation of new boilers that hopefully will do a better job than their fifty year old predecessors and will be more energy efficient.

The film season opens on 27th November with Spectre, the new James Bond followed by Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter in Suffragette and then the incomparable Maggie Smith, star of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Downton Abbey and currently starring in “The Lady

in the Van”.

The theatre also hosts Christmas shows from St. Marys and Swanage Primary. The real Christmas season starts on Thursday 3rd December when Vienna Festival Ballet return with The Nutcracker. On Friday 18th December the Swanage Conceptual Art Drama Group perform Alice - A Mystery in Wonderland.

In the new year Swanage Drama Company is back with their annual family pantomime. Jack and the Beanstalk. As always this is of a high standard and appeals to all ages.

New year films include Bridge of Spies and Star Wars 7 - The Force Awakens Among the many live theatre bookings up to twelve months ahead we have The Alexander Illusion show, Swanage Musical Theatre Company in Annie Get your Gun, Five Star Swing returning with “Swing ‘n’ Sinatra”, “Hats Off To Led Zeppelin” an Irish Folk Group All Folk’d Up, the ballet Swan Lake, Midsummer Night’s Dream and two established acts Richard Digance and Joe Pasquale each doing a night at The Mowlem.

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CORFE BEAUTY Corfe Castle Tel: 07885 589581

Christmas Gift Vouchers Available

Waxing * Electrolysis * EyeBrow Shape Eyelash/Brow Tint * Eyelash Extensions * Gel Nails Manicure * Pedicure * Indian Head Massage * Massage Aromatherapy * Dermalogica Facials & Products Hartland Stud, Soldiers Road, Norden, Wareham, Dorset. BH20 5DU

www.corfebeauty.com

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Gifts For Perfect Hair

or lots of ideas for Christmas presents, why not pop into INNOVATION Unisex Hair and Beauty Salon? With ideas from TIGI, WELLA, TANGLE TEEZER and FUDGE, and a wide variety of gift packs to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s a wide range of beautifully presented gift boxes available from Orifluido, with their luxurious hair oil and a beautiful free gift in every gift box – from a free hairspray to a free mascara or a beautiful free body cream with the luxury of Orifluido oil within each of these products. We have a range of hairdryers – both GHD and DIVA and a good range of GHD hair styling irons, including the new GHD styling wands and tongs.

For the men there are lots of ideas too and for every two TIGI hair products you buy, you get a toiletry bag free, so you can make your present to suit your man! If none of these ideas are for you, then why not buy a GIFT VOUCHER, which can be redeemed on hair or beauty services or products. Don’t forget to make that hair appointment to look extra special for those Christmas celebrations! We look forward to seeing you very soon. Merry Christmas from the Team at INNOVATION.

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Some Christmas Gifts From Purbeck Sports Centre A Christmas gift of fitness ive the gift of fitness this Christmas with a fantastic Gold Card membership start-up. You can purchase a special package for just £80, which includes joining fee, two months’ membership and two personal training sessions.

Gift package must be purchased before 23 December 2015 and recipients must be 16 years plus.

Other vouchers, specially tailored for the activity of your choice, are also available.

Just contact the Sports Centre to discuss your requirements.

HO HO HO … start that fitness resolution now! It won’t cost you a penny!

There’s no need to wait for the New Year to start your resolution to get fit and lose a few pounds!

The Sports Centre is offering 12 free* gym sessions to take in December. And, if you take out Gold Card membership before 31 December 2015, you‘ll also receive a free induction (saving you £36.50). *New customers only. £10 wellness key and safety induction required.

The future’s bright in the pool – £12.50 festive family swim offer The pool’s new uplifting and crisp lighting is giving a brand new swimming experience.

Why not come and see for yourselves with a family swim during the Christmas holidays? From 19 December to 3 January, two adults and two children can swim for just £12.50. See the Sports Centre website for the holiday swimming timetable.

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Free tennis weekend The Sports Centre’s got some fantastic new tennis courts and lighting!

As a little gift to you, come and try them for free on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December. Booking is from 9am on the day and subject to availability. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own equipment, you can borrow the Sports Centre’s!

Visit www.dorsetforyou.com/purbecksportscentre Telephone 01929 500 000

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Margaret Green Animal Rescue

Christmas at Church Knowle - Sunday 6th December, 2pm - 4pm A very Merry Christmas from all of the animals and staff at Margaret Green Animal Rescue! hat a year it has been! 2015 marked our 50th anniversary and all year we have been marking the milestone with special events and fundraising drives throughout the year.

We’d like to thank each and every one of you that continues to support our work. Without you, we could not be there for animals in need.

Now that the festive season is well under way, we have just one more request for all of you. Our shoe box appeal is back and we hope to make it bigger and better than ever before. All you have to do is fill a shoe box or small container with tasty treats and toys for the pets that are in our rescue centres this Christmas.

When you are shopping for goodies for your own pet in the run up to Christmas, please put that little something extra in your basket and bring some joy to another pet that isn’t so lucky.

You can drop off your shoe boxes at the Church Knowle Animal Sanctuary and Visitor Centre or Lincoln Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre for Dogs in Winterborne Kingston. For more information and address details please visit www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk If you are stuck for ideas for your shoebox, why not include some of these suggestions. For dogs: tennis balls, nylabones, squeaky toys, treat balls, dog biscuit treats or liver treats.

For cats: catnip mice, ping-pong balls, cat biscuit treats, liver treats, play tunnel, bag of catnip or catnip spray, scrunchie ball, toy on a string. If you don’t want to make a shoebox for a cat or dog and would like a different challenge who not make one for one of the rabbits, horses, chickens, goats or sheep!

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Pound Puppy Animal Rescue Pound Puppy Animal Rescue is a voluntary animal rescue organisation that has no kennels, offices or paid staff. Their supporters take animals into foster care until they can re-home them. PPAR founder, Jayne Gooderson, lives in Lytchett Matravers.

They hold regular fund raising activities and many of their supporters live in the Purbeck Gazette distribution areas. ound Puppy Animal Rescue are holding a Bazaar at The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lytchett Minster, on Saturday 12th December, 10am – 2pm. Go along and meet the team and, between 11am – 1pm, some of the dogs looking for homes. They look forward to meeting new friends.

Jog-a-Dog! If you’re a jogger, would you like company when you are exercising? Pound Puppy Animal Rescue can “loan” a dog to run with you.

They will match the dog to your physical needs, you don’t have to feed it or take it home, you just have to bring it back! It would enjoy the exercise and you would have great company! If jogging is not your thing they also welcome dog walkers.

Call Jayne on 0773 6176613 for details.

Pound Puppy Animal Rescue desperately need jam jars to fill with delicious home-made jams marmalades & chutneys, which they sell to raise funds to continue their work.

Bring them along to the fund raising events – you can find information on their website: www.poundpuppy.org or ring Jayne on 0773 6176613 to Pictured is Sadie, one of PPAR’s longer term fosters that would dearly love to find a forever home. arrange collection.

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Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival Programme

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his year’s Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival, held at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Victoria Avenue will be spectacular and bigger than ever!

The Festival has grown in popularity and now in its third year, there is a varied programme of events and activities taking place over the three day event, as well as the magical atmosphere of beautifully illuminated trees and fabulous food in the Crossroads café too.

Opening to the public on Thursday 10th December at 10am, the Wareham Bell Ringers playing kick off the musical events at 11am.

Then …

12 noon Toddlers singing time 2.30pm Singing for Pleasure a capella group 4.00pm Kids’ craft activities 5.00pm ‘Get In the Picture’ – a chance to have a family photo taken in the 3D Nativity Scene!

Friday 11th - 2.30pm Local Vocals singing group 3.30pm Nativiti Tea Time!

The Christmas story acted out for youngsters followed by Teatime for kids 4.30pm Kids’ Craft Activities 5.00pm Rosie sings carols and ‘Get in the Picture’ Saturday 12th - 10.00am Kids Christmas Crafts throughout the day as well as ‘Get in the Picture’ 11.00am Annie and Sarah Guitar Duo 3.00pm Concert – St George’s Singers from Bournemouth Sunday 13th - 4.00pm Candlelit Lights of Love Remembrance Service For full programme of events, call in for a Festival Programme or visit www.emmanuelbac.org.uk

Locally-made Edible Gifts

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f you want to buy unique locally-made edible gifts this Christmas, look no further than Chococo.

Their chocolate shop & café on the Commercial Road lanes in Swanage is open 7 days a week right up until Christmas Eve. Their fine chocolates, handmade daily with many local fresh ingredients, have now won an incredible 54 national fine food awards since 2003, including six Great Taste Awards this year.

They also won Best Food Producer of the Year at the Dorset Food, Drink and Farming awards in September.

New for Christmas this year the Chococo team have created new gingerbread caramel chocolates and a new Tawny Fig chocolate made with figs steeped in Noval ten-year-old Port. They have also launched new look boxes, tins and clusters, chocolate biscuit cake wreaths and lots more gorgeous treats to delight.

By the way, if you have to cater for specific dietary needs, they offer many items in both milk and (non-dairy) dark chocolate and some chocolates are also soya-free.

Their café will be offering freshly baked festive cakes & more alongside their extensive range of new origin hot chocolates, with six different chocolates to choose from, coffee from local coffee roasters Bird & Wild and tea from Comins Tea House.

If you cannot make it to Chococo in Swanage, you can also buy their chocolates at their shop on Winchester High Street and at ChocoCake on East St in Wimborne.

Their chocolates are also available to order online or by phone for nationwide delivery.

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Prepare A Feast B.CURTIS LTD

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he Curtis family have been butchers for three generations. In the past sixty one years we have provided quality meat to the people of Wareham & beyond.

When Basil Reginald Curtis started the business back in 1951, he insisted on selling only the finest quality produce he could buy.

This still holds true today, where our policy is to only sell the best. This is why we source Mathers Black Gold Beef direct from Aberdeenshire, Purbeck Lamb and Purbeck Pork from a local farm.

Likewise, our poultry is the best money can buy. Farm Turkeys, Geese, Ducks and Chickens.

The rest is free from any antibiotic growth promoters.

We also produce many homemade products. Sausages (only using the finest natural skins), dry home-cured bacon (all cured on the premises), pies, pates, faggots, black pudding and our famous Christmas puddings.

Our high quality meats and attention to detail have formed the key to our success everywhere, from local trade to nationwide accolades.

Get your Christmas orders in soon!

Let the team help you arrange the best Christmas feast ever, with a selection of high-quality Curtis goodies!

Traditional High Class Family Butchers

CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE VERY BEST IN: LOCAL DRUG-FREE FARM POULTRY (TURKEYS, CHICKENS, DUCKS & GEESE) SPECIALLY SELECTED ABERDEENSHIRE & PURBECK BEEF

FINEST LOCAL PURBECK PORK & DORSET LAMB HOME CURED GAMMONS (RAW OR COOKED) LOCAL VENISON & PHEASANTS HOMEMADE PORK SAUSAGES CHIPOLATAS & SAUSAGEMEAT PORK PIES, GALA PIES & GAME PIES OX TONGUES, SALT BEEF & PICNIC HAMS WIDE SELECTION OF LOCAL & CONTINENTAL CHEESE & HOMEMADE PATES

Wishing all of our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

B Curtis Ltd, 19 West Street, Wareham 01929 552478 C Hallett, 25 North Street, Wareham 01929 552022 www.bcurtis.co.uk

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J.J.Moore 34 High Street, Swanage 01929 424891

Family & Catering Butcher For all your Christmas needs...

WE VOTE

NO Fresh Dorset Turkeys, Fresh Ducks & Geese, Dorset Lamb, Scotch Beef, English Gammon, Hand-Raised Pork Pie, and much more....

Wishing all of our customers a very merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Give Something Worthwhile To Your Community This Christmas

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Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership (SCDP) ith more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, the overall survival rate is less than one in ten. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%.

In Swanage there are currently three public access defibrillators accredited to the Ambulance service that are available twenty four hours a day. One is located on the Masonic Lodge in Marshall Row. The second is located on the outside of Swanage Coastguard Station, North Beach Car Park. The third is at Ulwell Village Inn near reception. Ring 999 and ask for the Ambulance who will pass the code to open the storage boxes.

The Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership (SCDP) has been set up by a group of representatives from various local organisations.

The aim is to raise funds to initially purchase three further public access defibrillators for the town and further funds to purchase devices for the wider community.

Each device with its weatherproof storage box costs approximately £2000. With Christmas just around the corner, consider making this your very local charity of choice. No matter how big or small a donation, your money will go a long way towards purchasing these community devices for Swanage and it could be your life it saves.

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Give your donation towards gaining this life-saving equipment for our community at the Purbeck Gazette office, or at Corben’s Estate Agents, Swanage

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he Purbeck Mummers will be in Swanage on 18th December in the British Legion at 7.20pm, The Black Swan at 8pm and The Globe in Herston at 8.45pm.

On Boxing Day we will be in Corfe Castle Square at 12 midday followed

by The Greyhound, The Bankes Arms, Castle Inn and will finish off at the Square and Compass 2.15pm.

All times are approximate as Mummers are awkward time keepers!

Please come and cheer us on and support our collection for local charities.

Purbeck Producers’ Markets

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e were asked to join the Purbeck producers some years ago as there was a distinct ‘hole in the net’...

Fish and shellfish are a fantastic, sometimes abundant organic produce available throughout the whole year here in the Purbeck Isles, thanks to our hard working local fishermen.

Unfortunately much of our county’s fish and shellfish is exported abroad aimed for the Spanish markets or up to the expensive London restaurants, but thanks to my family, at Swanage Bay fish we are now able to access this local produce easily and abundantly throughout the year.

We decided to set up ‘All Things Fishy’ at the Purbeck Producers to complement our fish shop and to encourage you all to eat more fish.....

All Things Fishy makes it easy for you as we prepare and make lovely fish dishes ready for you to simply cook.

At present we make a wide variety of fishcakes, derived from family recipes. My grandmother’s fishcakes are awesome and contain as much fish as potato, so they are not only tasty but also a healthy option ready meal.

My own take on Thai fish cakes are very popular, as are my mother’s smoked haddock and leek. We try to tempt you with something different each month. Our very own fish-fingers are proving to be popular, made only from the best quality fish.

Our newest venture is our smoker; we are currently perfecting the smoking technique and hope soon to offer you a wide variety of smoked fish and shellfish, (not just the ordinary

PURBECK PRODUCE FARMERS’ MARKET Our next markets are on

SATURDAY 5th December 9am - 1pm (Swanage Christmas Market) SATURDAY 12th December 9am - 1pm SATURDAY 19th December 9am - 1pm COMMERCIAL ROAD, SWANAGE Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

LOCAL PRODUCE FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS www.purbeckproducts.co.uk

haddock and salmon.). This will be an excellent way of using the abundance of herring and mackerel that we catch seasonally.

The smoked fish pates have become one of my best sellers so we will soon be able to say that they are made with our own smoked fish, this is so exciting.

Throughout 2016 we hope to be able to offer you a far wider range of fish products to tantalise and treat your tastebuds, opening up your minds to the wonderful world of fish.

We try to make use of our locally caught fish in our products whenever possible, which is what we really try to be about.

Please come along to the Purbeck Producers Markets and make the most of locally produced products, thus supporting out local producers, farmers, growers and fisherfolk.

Keep the Purbeck economy alive and buy local.......

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Christmas Treats From Your Deli

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eep it local and buy foodie gifts which are sure to delight those you love this year.... make up a gift bag of Dorset deliciousness.... teas, biscuits, marmalade, ales, ciders etc.

We will tailor make hampers just perfect for you. We have gorgeous homemade Christmas puddings and mince pies, as well as fudge, jams, honey and chutneys etc.

We also offer vouchers, which are fabulous for those you know who love good food.

Catering at Christmas time and for New Year couldn’t be easier either... delightful West Country cheese boards, to full deli banquets with a full array of lovely treats.

Pop in and experience the loveliness of a very deli Christmas!!!

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Food

The Gourmet Peddler

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Hell Dog Cauliflower with Satay Dip

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his is a recipe I found in the States; it takes the concept of spicy chicken wings and satay dip and makes it healthy. You get a sticky and crunchy batter on the outside that is not oozing in oil, and is not lining you up for a heart attack.

However, like all vegetarian recipes it is always better served with fish or meat. Sorry veggie folk, your food can be great…. But it’s always better with steak. I hope I don’t get chased by an angry mob of veggies, but hey, how far can they run on a meat free diet? I’m joking.

My friend Markus is cycling round the world on a bike with one gear right now, he does not eat meat, and is doing 150 miles a day, loaded down with his camping kit. And you know what? I am so fed up with low grade meat that I have given up on the mass produced meat rubbish, and now find myself eating local good quality meat and fish, on a less frequent basis.

Is this the slippery slope to becoming full-on vegan?

What you need: 2 cauliflowers, broken down into chunks, discarding the really trunky bits and green bits Batter: ½ cup plain flour. ½ cup water.

Coating Sauce: Chilli sauce, I used Nando’s “hot” sauce. The amount you use depends on your taste, however 50ml worked for me. Feel free to use a mild chilli sauce.

100ml rice vinegar, substituting with white wine vinegar can work.

A good slosh of soy sauce.

A small slosh of olive oil, about 3 teaspoons.

The satay dipping sauce: ¼ cup of water.

2 heaped teaspoons of finely chopped or minced ginger. ¼ cup of organic peanut butter, I used smooth, but crunchy would be nice too.

2 tablespoon of rice vinegar.

2 table spoons of lime juice.

1 teaspoon of soy sauce.

1 teaspoon of maple syrup, honey might work.

Bikemonger Cooks....

And then a carefully cut cucumber, which is easier said than done, so take your time.

What to do.

Get the oven heated up to around 180c Whisk up the batter until it is smooth and has no lumps.

Toss the cauliflower heads in the batter, so they are evenly coated.

This goes on to a lightly oiled baking tray and gets 15 minutes in the oven.

Turn them over a few times to get them even.

Meanwhile, whisk up all the coating sauce ingredients.

After 15 minutes in the oven take the crispy cauliflowers out of the oven and gently toss them in the bowl of coating sauce. Then back in the oven for about 7 minutes. You are aiming for the kind of sticky you get with Kung Po chicken from the Chinese takeaway.

Before the cauli’ is cooked whisk up the satay sauce ingredients, and pop that in a bowl for dipping.

Cucumber: chop and stick it on the side.

That lot will serve 3 or 4 as a hearty side dish. Don’t let your dog eat it.

Cauliflower and chilli in a 40kg Basset Hound is like being on death row for the owner: you know it’s going to happen, you just don’t know when, but when it does happen, boy do you know!

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The Purbeck Gazette

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A Mini Review!

by David Hollister

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eaders often ask me why it is that I review so many Japanese cars – Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, etc. The simple answer is that those are the cars which the dealers – notably Westover and Magna – give me to road test. A full road test usually takes 2-3 days, and 300 – 400 miles.

The car’s returned full of fuel but usually a lot dirtier than when I pick it up! Now I would gladly review any new model, so here’s a message to all you dealers out there; it doesn’t cost you anything (though we’d appreciate you taking an advertisement on the facing page!) so give us a call!

In early December I’m reviewing a Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI 90 SE Hatchback for Westover Skoda, on our annual trip to visit the relatives in Derby; I’m really looking forward to seeing how it compares with similar-sized models in the Nissan, Toyota and Mazda range.

However, there are some cars that are so new that the only way to get my hands on one is to attend the launch; I was looking forward to trying out the new Mini Clubman but wasn’t able to get there, so I asked my good friend Jo Edmonds if she’d have a look at one for me. Jo has had Minis for many years and managed to wangle an invite. Here’s what she told me!

“I’ve owned 4 Minis – well, 5 if you include my one in the 60s! I thought I’d go to a secret launch of the new Mini 6 door Clubman some months ago in an aircraft hanger at Alton Aerodrome.

“Love at first sight – so I ordered one. (Jo – you really didn’t have to!) A petrol Mini Cooper Clubman. We go to Ridgeway in Salisbury for all our cars because we’ve been really well looked after over the last 20 years, not only with the purchase of our cars but also with the after sales bits and bobs. I went to see the new Mini on 30 October; it was hiding under a silken sheet in the showroom!

Yes I know “how sweet” but you must remember this car was not launched to the public at large ‘world-wide’ until 31st October. I sat in it and wriggled with excitement and sorted out all the paperwork and paid up. Now you must remember that I’d not driven this wonder on wheels yet so was I excited or what? Well I was back in at my allotted time of 9.00am the next day: World Wide Launch Day.I was first out of the starting gate…

My word, what a car!

“It has sat nav, run-flat tyres, heads-up screen display so my sat nav is just in front of me, coloured lights everywhere (you can dim these if you must), a special light that comes on at night by the driver’s door (must be seen, it’s superb), and much more. Mine’s automatic (so I can wave to friends!) and is the smoothest thing in the world. Of course it has cruise control, no ignition key to put in the dash – just on your person, a special hand brake and no CD player!

You use your iPod, memory stick or phone for music, the tone of which is fab or do they say ‘cool’ now.(no, Jo, I think it’s ‘wicked’) I have the most superb pale blue leather heated seats (colour taken from Rolls Royce I understand); my car is burgundy with a melting silver roof (panoramic fitted of course!).

“What more can I say or gush over? I’ve had it nearly two weeks; it was sunny on the day I got it and drove home and although it’s not stopped raining since, I still think it’s wonderful and the wipers are great! I think I’ve got the best car on the road and it’s made in England (Oxford). If you didn’t see the recent programme on how they were made it’s a shame you missed it; it made you very proud of our marvellous car industry.

Signing off – a very happy Mini owner………

Something tells me she likes it! I’ve had a ‘blast round the block’ in it – as a passenger of course – and it seems to be easily as good as she describes it. And that’s the first Mini we’ve reviewed in the Gazette.

Interesting to compare the level of ‘bells and whistles’ with the new Mazda 2. All in all, about the same! The Mini is listed at £19,995 as opposed to the Mazda at £17,200; you’d assume that the Mini Cooper has more ‘whoomph’

as it’s powered by a 134bhp 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, getting from 0-62mph in 9.1sec, topping 127mph, returning 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 118g/km; but actually the 1.5 litre Mazda 2 offers124bhp from 4 cylinders, 0-62 in 8.7 secs, tops 124 mph, 56.5 mpg, CO2 117g/km. So actually it’s ‘much of a muchness’ and down to personal taste and budget.

But the Mini is a classic, with equally excellent build quality, and will probably retain its value longer and turn more heads than the Mazda.

Have you just bought a new car? What do you think of it? I’m happy to include reader reviews (300 – 400 words max) and photos occasionally, so get scribbling!

Some time ago, I highlighted the fact that part of the pavement on West Street, Wareham, has been closed due to encroaching building works, forcing pedestrians on to the opposite pavement which is only two centimetres wider than a standard wheelchair.

Struck me as being downright dangerous and an accident waiting to happen.

Fortunately one hasn’t. But I’m surprised that no-one in Wareham has taken this up with the appropriate authorities and that nothing has been done to make it safer for parents and disabled people alike.

Not so Swanage; we highlighted the dangers of the ‘loading bays’ in Institute Road where lorries are regularly obliged to mount the pavements to get past other lorries delivering, and in several cases have damaged overhanging balconies! I’m pleased to say that elected Swanage Town Council have taken this up and are making strenuous representations to the unelected County Highways department. Watch this space!

And finally. As regular readers will know, we usually go somewhere for a light lunch on Sundays, if it’s not tipping it down. One of our favourite places is the Kings Arms in Wareham’s North Street; excellent food and a log fire with a welcome as warm as the landlord’s.

But the clincher is this – we’ve been there perhaps fifteen times this year and on every occasion, there’s a parking space for us right outside the pub.

To the point where it’s not just a happy coincidence but downright spooky!

The Purbeck Gazette

Wanted Cash Buyer Seeks Motor Vehicles. £100 - £10,000 prompt collection & settlement. Mature polite buyer.

No pressure or obligation. Often better than part exchange offer.

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Classic & left hand drive motors especially wanted. Best prices paid.

07967 245172 www.blue-moon-cars.co.uk

Land Rover Apprentice Of The Year

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hris Lockyer from Westover Land Rover in Christchurch has been named Jaguar Land Rover’s Parts Apprentice of the Year at a glittering national awards ceremony held at the Williams F1 Conference Centre in Grove, Oxfordshire. Attending the awards with Chris was Pete Walker, Head of Service, Quality and Parts at the Westover Group.

Chris completed a two year Parts Apprenticeship, which saw him train on the job under the guidance of Westover Land Rover’s factory-trained technicians, as well as in the classroom at the Jaguar Land Rover Academy in Leamington Spa. Judged on both his performance at college and in the workplace, as well as his attitude and behaviour (including problemsolving abilities and enthusiasm for the industry), the final assessments also considered Chris’ performance in an assessed skills day.

Jaguar Land Rover operates an annual award scheme for its apprentices, nominating a winner from each of its apprenticeship disciplines (parts, technical and service advisor). Around 37 candidates were shortlisted for the Parts Apprentice of the Year award, with six finalists from each category attending on the night.

Before joining Westover Land Rover, Chris attended Highcliffe Sixth Form College. It was on the school’s website that he first spotted the Land Rover apprenticeship opportunity.

Chris says: “I was so ecstatic when my name was called out. It was just brilliant and a great relief. I feel the apprenticeship has given me a great grounding, consolidated on a day to day basis by the experience I’ve gained on the job. I deal with customers who want to order their own original Land Rover parts, as well as the workshop teams, so I need to know my stuff and sometimes be able to interpret and apply customer requests. It was a steep learning curve initially but a great way to learn and I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had and I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career.”

For more information about Westover Jaguar or Westover Land Rover or to find out about career opportunities with the Westover Group, please go to westovergroup.co.uk.

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Tyneham, Worbarrow & Smuggling

by John Garner

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yneham village is fairly unique. For anyone who has visited (and let’s be honest just about all of you will have) it is still a remarkable place in terms of both its history and its setting.

Whilst it has unsurprisingly fallen into a degree of dilapidation in certain areas since 1943 when all 225 residents were evacuated, it still represents a fascinating historical representation of rural Dorset life in the 1940s.

At this time there was no electricity or running water, although this can still be the case in some areas of rural Dorset. In recent years the phone box and school room have been renovated to a semblance of their past glories.

The post office has fallen into disrepair, but no more than the rest of the post office services in most areas of the country, although I did notice that the post box has now been returned to the post office in Wareham so the last comment may be a trifle harsh. And bearing in mind that Dorset is known for being a little behind the times generally (they still point at planes in some of the remotest areas) it is actually a real window into another era.

After the Great War and with the era of the motor car, the population of Tyneham had begun to diminish and the school had closed its doors in the 1930’s. People had started to move out and the school could no longer support a full class. Even in the 1930’s the government of the time had a progressive approach to education. If it’s not cost effective, shut it.

However, Tyneham was recognised as a place of beauty and tourists used to visit regularly. There was even a café at Worbarrow Bay just down the lane. Motorists would park in the village and walk down the lane to the sea, much as they do now, but without the parking facilities now on offer.

As mentioned, the school is as it was back in the 1930s. Those in the know will have recognised that this was great forward thinking on behalf of the good folk of the Tyneham restoration group as the current bunch of clowns inhabiting Downing Street have decided that this should now be at the forefront of their current education policy.

Look at the current education policy and place it next to the equivalent 1930s document and I bet you can’t notice the difference. Well, with the exception of the obvious cruelty that seemed to be part and parcel of a teacher’s remit in those days.

There’s nothing new under the sun as they say.

When moved out in ‘the national interest’ to allow the troops to prepare for the D-Day landings, all the inhabitants were promised a return after the war. No-one ever came back to live and as most are not around anymore it would seem unlikely that the land will be given back to the public.

A look at the census prior to the evacuation will show a small number of families that lived and worked in and around Tyneham and the big house owned by the Bond family. Many worked in and around this house.

Inevitably, with its proximity to the rugged coastline, some of the residents were smugglers.

That is to say, they smuggled as a means of obtaining

things illicitly. They didn’t note down their occupation as ‘smuggler’. The authorities were under-manned and often ineffective, but that didn’t mean the smugglers would help them out by listing their occupation as being a law breaker.

A couple of chaps from local families were detained at his majesty’s pleasure even though hundreds carried on doing their thing and evaded any form of censure their whole lives. Smuggling really is one of those activities that always carries with it a certain cache.

Worbarrow must have been a natural place to smuggle into, being as it is a refuge from the open seas with abundant tracks heading inland. Worbarrow was certainly mentioned a great deal as an area in which smuggling was rife and was regularly patrolled by customs officials, so I suppose if you were a smuggler in Worbarrow Bay there was a decent chance that you would eventually get caught.

Between Worbarrow and Mupe Bay there is still a genuine smuggler’s cave dating back centuries. Although not many were caught and whilst we romanticise smuggling and the film and TV industry do nothing to dispel this glamour, it must have been a pretty treacherous business if you were interrupted by the upholders of law and order in the area. In Lilliput on 24 March 1765 for example there was a pitched battle between smugglers and the naval authorities in which a local smuggler called Robert Trotman was killed whilst he and others were transporting illicit goods inland from the mouth of the Bourne. They were carrying 411 cases of illicit liquor and one bag of tea. Dangerous stuff the old Darjeeling.

I am in no way suggesting that smuggling was rife in Tyneham. I just like both Tyneham and the idea of smuggling so I’ve included them in the same article. It all adds to the aura of the place I think. You may well like to disengage the two.

Anyway, Tyneham must have been a brilliant place to live, but then we always look at these places through the rose-tinted spectacles of the past and it being a simpler time with fewer complications. The reality is that the residents would have been normal families just trying to make their way in the world. Getting up each morning and tackling the good and bad of the day. It’s just that because of its situation it remains a constant and ever-present fascination to many in Dorset and from further afield. I doubt people would visit quite so often if it was in the middle of a run-down city.

If you decide to visit soon and I urge you to do so, it’s still quite difficult to get a tot of rum or a cup of char so you’ll have to take your own.

Blame the naval authorities if you will, but smuggling may well have gone the same way as the rest of the world. It’s all high tech and modern and there’s still part of most people that yearn for a time when this wasn’t the case. Tyneham gives you a snapshot of what it might have been like.

Below: Worbarrow Bay.

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Live Loggerhead Turtles Spotted Off Dorset Headland

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he public is urged to be vigilant when out walking as this endangered species will struggle to survive as UK sea temperatures drop.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says marine turtles spotted near Swanage, and thought to be endangered loggerheads, may well be at risk of stranding on local beaches in the coming days as the sea temperature in the south west drops.

The UK’s leading marine charity was contacted by Sarah Fargher from Fuzzacker Guided Walks, based in the New Forest, after the group of walkers she was with spotted the turtles whilst walking along the coast path at Durlston Head on Sunday 18th October.

“When one of our group said “it looks like a turtle”, I resorted to some pretty unsubtle persuasion in order to borrow the highest strength binoculars on the cliff. As it swam towards us its ochre skin and brown shell became unmistakable; I was so excited when I realised it must be a loggerhead. I just hope it makes its way back to warmer waters,” said Sarah.

The group were amazed to see a second turtle at the same time. Sarah estimated the turtles to be about 50 metres from the shore, and could have been between two and three feet in length.

MCS Head of Biodiversity and Fisheries, Dr Peter Richardson, says that, of the seven species of marine turtle, loggerheads breed at the most northerly latitudes, with the nearest breeding populations to the UK found in the Mediterranean, the Cape Verde Islands and the south eastern USA. “This is a fantastic record because live loggerhead turtles are rarely spotted in UK seas, but to see two together is incredibly lucky.” said Dr Richardson.

Juvenile loggerheads spend their first few years swimming at the surface of the open ocean feeding on jellyfish and other creatures at the surface, before settling in inshore waters where they use their powerful beaks to eat crabs and other shellfish.

Usually, young loggerheads thrive in warmer waters, but will stop feeding when sea temperatures drop below about 15C. “South West inshore surface temperatures waters are about 15C at the moment. As the seas cool down these turtles will stop feeding, lose condition and suffer from acute hypothermia. If they are lucky, they may strand alive on a beach, and if found in time they can be rescued and rehabilitated back to health with specialist treatment”.

“Sometimes walkers will find a stranded turtle and put it back in the sea,”

said Dr Richardson, “But this absolutely the wrong thing to do because hypothermic, stranded turtles will certainly perish if they are left in the water.

“We urge anyone who finds a turtle on UK shores to report it immediately, and try and make sure the tides don’t wash them back to sea”.

Live stranded turtles in the UK should be reported immediately to Marine Environmental Monitoring on 01239 683033 or the regional numbers listed on the UK Turtle Code at http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/ wildlife/turtlecode.pdf

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Wildlife Some wonderful wildlife highlights in November included, on 6th & 7th November, Bottlenose Dolphins, with up to 20 seen surfing on the rough seas, some great photos were taken – see our Facebook page.

Some interesting birds – probably the rarest of the year – was a Hume’s Warbler on 1/11 just around the Castle, a Pallas’ Warbler on 18/10 and Lapland Bunting plus thousands of birds on migration including 750 Redwing, 4500 Goldfinches, 2790 Chaffinches, 1140 Linnets, 468 Brambling, 2 Hawfinch, 1 Snow Bunting and 10 Swallows, a Short-Eared Owl, Merlin and 2 Snipe.

Seventhwave café Why not come up to Durlston for a Christmas lunch, every day from 29 November – 29 December (except 25th & 26th Dec), they are also open for groups in the evenings. 2 courses £19.95, 3 courses £22.95. Give Emily a call on 01929 421111, or seventhwaverestaurant@gmail.com Winter Work Programme If you are out walking up at Durlston you will see that the winter cutting has begun on the downs, this is to reduce the amount of scrub scattered across the limestone downland, and the herd of Hereford Cattle are slowly munching their way across the fields providing little pockets of habitat. We will also be doing some gate work and water trough work. If you would like to help out do give us a call, or pop up for our weekly work parties on Wednesday mornings, 10am -1pm meeting at the Learning Centre.

Reindeer at Durlston?! – Xmas Trail After getting prepared for the Christmas events, Father Christmas’ reindeer have snuck off around Durlston with some of the Christmas presents! Why not come and help Santa find them in our Festive Reindeer Trail, walk through the woods and around the park to seek out which presents the cheeky reindeer have pinched and you might win a Christmas prize!

Every day from Saturday 5th December until Sunday 3rd

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January (except 25th or 26th Dec). £2 Peter Rush Workshops On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December, ‘Jackanory’ artist Peter Rush whose exhibition of puppets and models was so popular earlier in the year, will be returning to Durlston to run 2 creative workshops for adults, kids and families. On the 5th create dinosaurs from plastic cutlery, while on the 6th have a go at making seabirds from wire and paper. The workshops last from 10am- 4pm and cost £15 children (or £25 for both days) or £25 adults – booking essential.

Tim Peake Launch-Day Event On Tuesday 15th December, Tim Peake, European Space Agency astronaut (born in Chichester) will launch from Kazakhstan aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket to become the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station.

Join Artist in Residence (and former Durlston staff member) Rolf Williams, at the Learning Centre at 10.30am to watch the launch live on our screen. Rolf will then talk about the mission, the Space Station, getting into space. There will be a small exhibit of space-related models and parts of the NASA Space Shuttle that actually flew in space! Launch is currently scheduled for 11:05GMT so arrive early for the countdown! There is no charge for the event, but donations to support Rolf’s art project are very welcome! Check for any changes to the launch time closer to the event or online at www.spaceflightnow.com BSO Resonate Strings – Winter Serenade, Sunday 10th January 7.30pm Musician from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra perform music from Vivaldi to Piazzolla and Mozart to Warlock. £10 / £6.

Booking recommended. See our events page on the website or events leaflet for more details of this and other events.

Victorian Durlston In the gallery discover the fascinating Victorian story of the Durlston estate, Swanage and George Burt and John Mowlem, with this free exhibition in the Fine Foundation Gallery.

Nature Summit: West County’s Future

ites affected could include Dartmoor, Exmoor, Somerset Levels and Moors, Exe Estuary, Tamar Estuary, Salisbury Plain, Dorset heaths, the Severn Estuary, stretches of the Cornwall Coast and the Isles of Scilly. Campaigners from across Europe, including the UK, are arriving in Brussels to tell the European Commission to drop the attack on vital nature laws and focus on their enforcement instead.

Today’s discussions have particular relevance for the West Country as the future of special sites, such as the South West uplands and key species such as avocet, nightjar, bittern, common crane, Dartford warbler, woodlark, peregrine and little egret are protected under Nature Directives.

Conservationists, including the RSPB’s Chief Executive, politicians and representatives of the EU institutions attended in late November the “Conference on the Fitness Check on EU Nature Legislation” organised by the European Commission in Brussels as part of the review of the Birds and Habitats Directives: collectively known as the Nature Directives.

EU Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, outlined the Commission’s first findings from the biggest ever detailed evaluation of nature conservation legislation in Europe. The results, which included over half a million responses from citizens across the European Union concerned about threats to the Nature Directives, were discussed by panels composed of officials from Member States, industry and farmers’ representatives, conservation organisations and MEPs. It’s feared the Fitness Check, which is part of the Commission ‘REFIT’ agenda, of the laws could be used as an excuse to re-open and potentially weaken these laws under the guise of ‘better regulation’. But since the review began, the people of Europe have demonstrated an unprecedented

show of support to protect nature. A record number of people took part in a public consultation on this issue in the summer, with the overwhelming majority of the more than a half a million who responded backing the directives and asking for stronger implementation. Last month, environment ministers from nine EU countries, including Germany, France and Spain – but not the UK - signed a letter to the Commission calling for the laws to be better implemented, not weakened. In the same week, an equally supportive letter followed from MEPs representing the seven biggest political groupings in the European Parliament.

A European Parliament draft report on the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, presented earlier this month, also highlighted the importance of protecting the Nature Directives.

Mike Clarke is the RSPB’s Chief Executive. He said: “At a time when nature is facing an extreme crisis, the Fitness Check evidence has shown, unequivocally, that the Nature Directives not only work but they are the strongest tool Europe has to prevent further erosion of nature. The evidence proves it makes no sense to undermine the Nature Directives.

It is also clear that problems, such as poor and uneven enforcement, lack of funding and the impact of measures like the Common Agricultural Policy are responsible for driving down populations of threatened wildlife.”

Campaigners from the conservation organisations behind the Nature Alert campaign to protect the directives (BirdLife Europe, EEB, Friends of the Earth and WWF) will be raising awareness outside the event and will also be represented amongst the speakers.

The European Commission’s decisions on the future of Nature Directives is expected by June 2016.

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Continuing Decline Of Hedgehogs

new report published on 21 November 2015 by People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) shows a continuing decline in hedgehog numbers, in both rural and urban landscapes.

The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2015 follows the first comprehensive review of the status of hedgehogs nationally in 2011. Since this first report, several ongoing surveys, by PTES and others, have shown a continuing population decline.

The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2015, publicised at a special UK summit on hedgehogs, paints a stark picture: since 2000, records of the species have declined by half in rural areas and by a third in urban ones.

The loss of hedgerows and intensive farming in rural areas, along with tidy fenced-in gardens in urban and suburban locations, are just some of the threats contributing to the demise of hedgehogs.

PTES and BHPS are working to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic native animal and are also launching today a joint, 10-year conservation strategy for the hedgehog in Britain. This report has been developed in consultation with leading experts, NGOs and statutory bodies and is designed help plan conservation action up to 2025.

“Hedgehogs are important because their presence indicates a healthy environment. To see a generalist animal like this decline is very ominous because they are in many ways so tolerant of human activity,” explains Henry Johnson, Hedgehog Officer. “On the flip side, it’s encouraging to know that whatever we do to help hedgehogs will also benefit other wildlife.”

The two wildlife charities are also appealing for more volunteers to join Hedgehog Street, which encourages people to connect their gardens and other green spaces to improve hedgehogs’ access to food, shelter and mates.

Since its launch in 2011, Hedgehog Street has inspired over 36,000 volunteers to create hedgehog-friendly neighbourhoods, by linking up their gardens and green spaces.

How to help hedgehogs Picture: Credit Ali Taylor Log on to www.hedgehogstreet.org and: Become a Hedgehog Champion and find simple advice on making your garden and neighbourhood more hedgehog-friendly Pledge to make a small hole – no bigger than a CD case – in your garden fence, wall and other barriers so that hedgehogs can access different gardens in their search for food, shelter and mates Log your ‘hog sightings – dead or alive – on The BIG Hedgehog Map

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Trees are Amazing. ne of the greatest things you can do in life is plant a tree. Have you planted one yet and if not ask yourself why not?

Trees are fantastic for: The environment, where they remove pollutants, reduce carbon emissions from buildings, reduce urban heating and they tie up carbon in their wood.

Your pleasure by bringing colour through flowers and leaves, some are scented or have interesting bark, some have attractive ornamental and edible fruit, they can be used to hide ugly buildings and to give privacy.

Wildlife. Trees are an eco-system in themselves providing shelter, nesting sites and food for insects and birds.

Your self- esteem. By planting a tree in your garden you are improving the environment for yourself, wildlife, your community and future generations

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and it may well be one of your lasting legacies.

There are so many beautiful trees to choose from and selecting the right variety for your situation is critical for the long term well- being of you, your neighbours and ultimately the tree itself. Get it wrong and it may cause problems of shading in the wrong place, damage to foundations, unwanted overhanging branches etc.

So consider carefully shape, soil type, overhead cables, views, exposure, shelter, shade, fruit, wildlife benefits, proximity to neighbours, flower and autumn colour before making your selection.

December to March is a great time to plant trees so long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. The earlier you plant them in the winter the higher the soil temperature and therefore the more roots it can grow before next spring.

For more information, pop in and see the extensive range of trees on offer at Holme and discuss your requirements with one of the Holme experts.

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The Purbeck Christmas Concert Christmas Concert with the Purbeck Arts Choir, Youth Choir and Orchestra. resh from “treading the boards” at the Mowlem Theatre at the recent Heroes Haven Prom, the Purbeck Arts Choir are back on familiar territory with their Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Church, Swanage on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm.

This year’s concert will be supporting Julia’s House and the choir are delighted that the young singers and musicians of Purbeck will also be taking part in a varied programme, central to which is the first ever performance of “Rosa Mystica”, by Swanage composer David Fawcett. David’s new work is an inspirational piece interweaving the voices of children and adults with the orchestra in a spine-tingling performance!

There is no shortage of seasonal music and song in a full programme including Haydn’s “Missa Cellensis” with soloists Lauren Fowler, Hazel Kennett, David Fawcett and Andrew Painter.

Reuben Bennett will delight with the Largo from Trumpet Concerto in Eb by Neruda and after songs and carols from both choirs they will join

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once more with the orchestra for Vaughan Williams’ “The First Nowell”. £10 advance tickets from Corbens, choir members or Liz Roberts 01929 481419. £12 on the door – accompanied children free.

A Christmas Tapestry

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he Belvedere Singers have woven together a colourful medley of Christmas music, old and new, to entertain the audience at their concert this year.

In addition to favourite carols there will be a saxophone solo by their musical director, Rebecca Bunney, and renditions of Karl Jenkins’ classic piece, Adiemus and Vaughan Williams’ beautiful Fantasia on Christmas Carols.

There will, of course, be opportunities for audience participation. As in the past, this concert is in aid of Friends of Swanage Hospital who have done so much to ensure that our hospital remains open.

This concert is on Saturday, 12 December at 7:30p.m. St. Mary’s Church in Swanage; tickets are available from choir members, Corbens or at the door, £10 (Children under 12 free) to include interval refreshment.

Further information: 01929 423729

Book advertising at: www.purbeckgazette.com or call 01929 424293

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Wareham St Mary Primary Visits The Rex

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hildren from Wareham St Mary Primary school packed out their local cinema, The Rex in Wareham, as part of the annual UK Wide “Into Film Festival”. The Into Film Festival is a free and annual celebration of film and education for 5-19 year olds across the UK. This year’s Into Film Festival programme is made up of six strands, shaped by themes of Identity, Wellbeing and Achievement. Each strand is supported by an education resource that has been mapped against curricula from across the four nations and regions.

These resources are designed to support educators in using film as a valuable cross-curricula learning tool and offer an array of teachers’ notes, activity outlines and pupil worksheets.

“This is a valuable way of engaging students in the curriculum and a stimulus for a child’s imagination and writing.” said Key Stage 2 Teacher, Louise Kellaway.

Over 450,000 children across the UK will be joining Wareham St Mary Primary School in watching a free film throughout the two week long festival.

Celebrate Christmas With Swanage Town Band Celebrate Christmas with

SWANAGE TOWN BAND at Swanage, High St Methodist Church Wednesday 16 December at 7.30pm FREE ADMISSION Refreshments available

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wanage Town Band is delighted to be playing again this year at Swanage High Street Methodist Church at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 16th December.

Admission to the evening is free and there will be a selection of well- known carols and songs for everyone to join in. The band will also be playing some of their recent repertoire, which will include Gabriel’s Oboe and music from the film ‘Frozen’ featuring some of the talented younger players.

There will be something for all tastes – they may even sing a barbershop

Purbeck Strings Fine Instrument Awards

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his year’s Purbeck Strings Fine Instrument Awards took place at the Quartet Course on Saturday the 17th of October.

This year the instruments have been awarded to some talented young players and this was shown at the end of course play-through when they played not one but three extracts; from a Haydn quartet, Dvorak’s American quartet and Leroy Anderson’s 1952 hit, Blue Tango.

Pictured from left to right, Chris Berry violin, Alice Cook viola, Sam Greenwood violin, and Lauren Hardyman cello.

For more info tel: 01929 422421 number. Mince pies and drinks will be available and there will be a retiring collection in aid of the Swanage and District Churches “Wave Kids and Wave Youth” and the Town Band’s nominated charity “Save the Children” Bring all your family and friends to this popular Christmas celebration event.

FREE ENTRY – so no advanced booking or tickets necessary.

For further information telephone 01929 422421

Kingston Country Fair

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he organisers of “The Kingston Country Fair” travelled to the headquarters of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance at Henstridge on October 27th to present a cheque for £5100 being the proceeds of the event held during June this year. The Country Fair was well supported and a big thank you goes out to everyone who attended, be it exhibitors or members of the public.

Following the success of this year’s event and after a meeting of the interested parties there will be a similar event for 2016.The date chosen is Sunday 3rd July and plans are already well underway even at this early stage.

It is hoped that the event will be bigger and better next time and with the knowledge gained from this year it’s sure to be the case. Although considerable support already exists the organisers are actively looking for more participants be it stalls or attractions.

The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance is a vital resource particularly for this area in Purbeck due to its isolation. The service need all the funds that can be raised to ensure that it is always available and with a new helicopter arriving next year it is thought night time flying will be possible therefore fundraising is even more important. The location of the event will be the same as before the field next to Kingston Country Courtyard just outside the village - offering magnificent views across the Purbecks from this elevated position.

Space is not an issue. We can accommodate as many attractions and parking as required.

If you are interested in attending or participating please contact our organisers: Mr and Mrs Alan Fry by email on: ann@fryfarm.net or telephone on 01929 481663.

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Mindfulness and Yoga Swanage Therapy Centre Mindfulness & Yoga Courses H New at the Swanage Therapy Centre are mindfulness and yoga courses. ow can mindfulness help me? Life is uncertain, and as humans, we often struggle with uncertainty. So, if you, as many of us do, spend much of your time worrying about the future (what if thinking), or thinking about the past (if only thinking) then mindfulness can help you.

The what if thinking often leads to stress, fear and anxiety about imagined future problems; and the if only thinking often leads to regret, guilt, rumination and even depression. This is where mindfulness practice has proven to be extremely beneficial.

Mindfulness practice is now being used as a psychological tool for managing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and recovery, anger management and many other psychological disorders and difficulties. Mindfulness means cultivating a practice of paying attention to the here and now, identifying your thoughts, acknowledging them, but not allowing them to rule your life.

Tell me more: Mindfulness practice is generally associated with Buddhism, but, just like you don’t need to be a practicing Christian to enjoy Easter eggs, you don’t need to become a Buddhist to practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is for everyone and has gained popularity in the West as an effective tool for learning to manage the mind and all of our difficult emotions.

During this eight week course you will be introduced to mindfulness practice, some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and some simple meditation techniques that you can easily incorporate into your daily life.

Learning to identify unhelpful thought patterns, and understanding more about how the mind works, you can learn to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and general life struggles.

About Jane: Jane is a practicing psychologist and psychotherapist. She is fully insured and a member of the British Psychological Society and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

A two hour taster session to mindfulness is being held on Tuesday 8th December at 6.30 pm, the cost is £10.00.

The next eight week course will start on Tuesday 5th January at 6.30pm.

The cost will be £120.00 per person. Yoga courses focusing on breath and mindfulness are also being held at The Swanage Therapy Centre.

For more information contact Jane direct on 07778-515599, or jane@ janezoega.co.uk.

The Swanage Therapy Centre can be contacted on 01929-426506.

with Jane Zoega

We look forward to seeing you!

T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar Edith Mason-Hubacher I.T.E.C. M.I.P.T.I B.A.U.K.

Qualified Bowen Practitioner Indian Head & Neck Massage

Home Visits & Clinic Appointments Comprehensive foot care - Diabetic Patient’s Care Biomechanics & Orthotics Registered with Society of Podiatrist & Chiropodists, HPC Registered

Gift vouchers available

Contact 07979 840542

Telephone: 01929 424956 or 07967 978 695 for details

NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT

SHIATSU Japanese Acupressure Therapy by

Nichola Morgan B.A. Dip. Seitai Shiatsu (Japan)

Christmas Greetings Gift Vouchers Available SWANAGE (01929) 427289

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The Purbeck Gazette

Hello From Swanage Medical Practice

Latest Edition of the Practice Newsletter on’t forget to pick up a copy of our latest newsletter at the surgery or on our website www.swanagemedical.org.uk. Our December edition will focus on health promotion, in particular Diabetes and lead Practice Nurse, Jane Haysom, highlights the role of the Practices Nurses and Healthcare Assistants who form part of her team.

Text Messaging An increasing problem for us is the number of appointments with clinicians that are missed by patients without them cancelling. In recent newsletters we have produced “Did Not Attend (DNAs)” statistics which made for grim reading. In an attempt to reduce DNAs we have started to send text booking confirmation and text appointment reminders.

Therefore, it’s really important that we have up to date contact details for you. If you need to change your details you can download a form from our website or pick up a copy from main reception.

Please Please Please ensure you cancel your appointment if it is no longer necessary or you are unable to attend, ours is a very busy surgery, with high patient demand; Even if an appointment is cancelled on the day, it is likely to be filled within minutes.

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New GP Partner We would very much like to welcome Dr Ciara Murphy who joined the Practice as a Partner on the 9th November and replaces Dr Dennison.

Dr Murphy will be working here five sessions a week on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Dr Evans Maternity Leave Dr Evans started her maternity leave on the 7th November. During her absence from the Practice Dr Blick will be helping to look after her patients. We wish her all the very best and look forward to meeting the new addition to her family.

Thank you to the Friends of Swanage Medical Practice A big thank you to the Friends of Swanage Medical Practice who organised a tombola stall at the Rotary summer fete. They raised a fabulous £173 which has purchased a large blood pressure cuff and an ampoule case for the Practice emergency bag.

The Friends of the Practice has been set up to establish and maintain a regular exchange of information between the patients and staff at the Practice via newsletters, meetings & drop-in sessions. They welcome new members, so if you would like to find out more about joining please speak to Reception.

Flu Vaccination Don’t forget if you haven’t had your flu vaccination it’s not too late. You can arrange an appointment by telephoning the surgery on 01929 422231.

And finally……

The Doctors and Staff would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy, prosperous 2016! During the past year we have striven to offer excellent medical care to all our patients, and we have continually reviewed the access and delivery of this.

We have seen a number of talented colleagues come and go, and we are very grateful for the patience and support you have shown us.

Advertise your Health or Beauty Service HERE! See www.purbeckgazette.co.uk for rates

Give Something Worthwhile To Your Community This Christmas Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership (SCDP) ith more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, the overall survival rate is less than one in ten. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%.

In Swanage there are currently three public access defibrillators accredited to the Ambulance service that are available twenty four hours a day. One is located on the Masonic Lodge in Marshall Row. The second is located on the outside of Swanage Coastguard Station, North Beach Car Park. The third is at Ulwell Village Inn near reception. Ring 999 and ask for the Ambulance who will pass the code to open the storage boxes.

The Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership (SCDP) has been set up by a group of representatives from various local organisations. The aim is to raise funds to initially purchase three further public access defibrillators for the town and further funds to purchase devices for the wider community.

Each device with its weatherproof storage box is approximately £2000. With Christmas just around the corner, consider making this your very local charity of choice. No matter how big or small a donation, your money will go a long way towards purchasing these community devices for Swanage and it could be your life it saves.

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Give your donation towards gaining this life-saving equipment for our community at the Gazette office or at Corben’s Estate Agents, Swanage

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Virginia Claridge M.Inst. ChP, D.Ch.M Chiropodist Registered with the Health Professions Council

Kate Smith, ITEC

www.swanagebeautyandmassage.com

HOLISTIC MASSAGE & BEAUTY TREATMENTS EYELASH PERMING & TINTING, FACIALS, MANICURE, PEDICURE, SHELLAC, WAXING, EYEBROW TREATMENTS, HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPY

Swanage Beauty & Massage at RubyTuesdays

Home visits in Swanage and surrounding areas

Kate is available at: Ruby Tuesdays, Tilly Mews, Swanage

Telephone - 01929 423056

Now selling ‘Duncan’s Unctions’!

Call Kate for details on 07505 313179

Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

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s the year draws to a close, I thought I would update you on some of the non-clinical things that have been happening in our hospitals.

On 16 September Dorset HealthCare held its annual staff award ceremony. Staff who regularly go that extra mile can be nominated for an award by their colleagues or members of the public and the winner is decided by a panel of judges.

Award categories include Compassion and Kindness, Improving Lives and Respect and Dignity. Swanage Hospital was well represented with the following staff getting through to the final three in their category; Valerie

Johnson and Mary Bruce (Bank Worker award), Sister Judy Ford (Leadership) and the housekeeping team (Working Together for Patients). Hospital staff who attended the glittering event at the Tank Museum were thrilled when the housekeeping team won.

The Friends of both hospitals have held their AGMs. As well as bringing the public up to date on the work of the Friends, there were interesting speakers who gave us an insight into the Clinical Services Review and how the future of healthcare in Dorset will be decided.

There has been some successful fundraising lately with the Wareham Hospital Christmas raffle held throughout November and Swanage Hospital’s Autumn Fayre on 14 November. All funds raised are used to help our patients and we are always very grateful for your support at these events.

You will be very welcome to join staff and patients at the annual Tree of Light ceremony at Wareham Hospital on 11th December at 7pm.

Each year the Rotary Club erects a commemorative Christmas tree and people sponsor a light in memory of their loved ones. Part of the money raised from this event will go to the hospital.

Finally, on behalf of all the staff at Swanage and Wareham Hospitals, I would like to wish you the very best for the Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

Until next time, take care!

Matron Donna

Swanage Hospital Minor Injuries Unit - Open 7 days a week from 8am - 8pm If you have an injury, we’re here to treat it! Call us on 01929 421329.

We’re here for YOU, so use our services!

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Wareham Hospital Expands Its Services

areham Hospital is increasing its services with the introduction of Chemotherapy to take place every Friday for Purbeck Residents. The Team of medical specialists providing the service at Wareham Hospital is from the Oncology Department from Poole Hospital.

Over thirty services are now offered in Wareham Hospital with the desire to keep increasing the services in both Community Hospitals to improve the quality of life for their Purbeck Residents.

A new addition to the Wareham Hospital, funded by the Friends of Wareham Hospital, is the much needed Wifi.

A patient at Wareham Hospital, Mary, commented “I have been in Wareham Hospital for three months, unable to do anything for myself.

Prior to Wifi being installed I had the company of the brilliant staff and the television. Now we have Wifi here, I can FaceTime my family and friends and watch all my favorite programmes on Sky. Thank you Friends of Wareham Hospital for funding this, it has given me a link to the outside world.”

Craniosacral Therapy

Alexandra Troy CTET Developed by an osteopath for gentle, deep effective release and realignment in the body for all kinds of pain and discomfort For further information please call: 01929 424911 or 07970 595103

www.cranial-swanage.co.uk

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Sport

The Purbeck Gazette

Riding The Waves In Newquay T

he racing season came to a grand finale in September at the Cornish County Gig Championships. Male and female crews from Swanage rode the famous Newquay waves – but it has to be said that the women had a rougher ride than the men!

The men’s and women’s events took place on different weekends, each attracting around one hundred crews from all over the country and abroad. The crews row in randomly selected gigs – one of which was Old Harry from Swanage.

The ladies’ event took place on the first weekend, including three crews from Swanage. On the Saturday, the A and B crews competed first, battling against a strong breeze and large swell, and managing to qualify for Round 2.

But by the time the C crew raced, the sea conditions had deteriorated and, for safety reasons, it was announced that theirs would be the last race of the day. The C crew made a valiant effort, but didn’t quite make it to Round 2. On Sunday, the Swanage A and B crews rowed hard, resulting in the B crew taking 29th place overall, and the A crew 12th place.

The men’s event was two weeks later, and Swanage fielded two crews. They were blessed with much calmer conditions than the women. The B crew faced tough competition in the first heat, and didn’t manage to qualify for the next round. The A crew won their first heat and qualified for Round 2. On Sunday, the 24 qualifying crews (out of 96 starters) competed in increasingly fast heats. The Swanage A crew clinched 15th overall, one place behind Bridport A which was the highest scoring Dorset club.

New website launches!

Find out more about the rowing club, forthcoming Christmas and New Year events, and how you can join, on our new website www.ssrc.org.uk Don’t forget that you can give rowing a try at one of our open sessions which, weather permitting, take place on Saturday mornings (10.30am to 12.30pm), starting from the stone quay.

It costs £2 for a short row (about 20 minutes), and there’s no need to book.

Swanage Bowls Update

The Purbeck Gazette

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he lease on the Swanage indoor bowls club at the Bay View Holiday Complex expires in fifteen months, which means the Isle of Purbeck Bowls Club will be homeless in mid-February 2017.

The outdoor club has the unfortunate reputation of having one of the worst greens in Dorset - so bad that one club playing a league match last May Bank Holiday Monday threatened to report Swanage to the organising body Bowls Dorset for a sub-standard green.

Putting these problems together and factoring in the council’s desire to keep running costs down, it has been suggested that the green is replaced with an artificial synthetic surface. This would provide a truer green for bowling, playable all year round and would need only minimal maintenance.

In order for Swanage bowlers to find out what such drastic measures would entail and to see what such a green would be like to bowl on, a coach load of Swanage bowlers went off last month to Cowplain (just the other side of Portsmouth) for a game against Cowplain Bowls Club which had a new artificial green installed earlier this year.

It was decided to make a day of it and the morning was spent at Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth for shopaholics to browse the retail outlets and others to venture up the Spinaker Tower or stroll around the dockyard area. After an early lunch the coach moved on to Cowplain for a warm welcome from the home club, a most enjoyable game and tea afterwards.

Then followed an informative presentation about the way the club went about replacing the old grass green with the new carpet, companies approached to carry out the work, quotes, costs, funding, maintenance, the actual work involved (photos were passed round) and the views of Cowplain members on the overall result.

There was then an opportunity for Swanage bowlers to fire questions. It appeared that the new surface is a resounding success and the club lost only one member who wanted to continue bowling on grass. The Cowplain

Wareham Croquet Club W

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club was most accommodating and helpful, giving Swanage members much food for thought for the vote as to whether or not to recommend Swanage Council to convert to an artificial green.

In the meantime Swanage outdoor bowlers continue with their winter social events and have recently enjoyed a pig race night and a cabaret evening at the pavilion and the Annual Luncheon and Trophy Presentation at the Pines Hotel. Indoor bowlers are making the most of their last full season with leagues in full swing.

Pictured - Swanage secretary Clive Bryceson trying out the playing surface at Cowplain.

areham Croquet Club held its club competition finals on 22nd September. The weather was warm and dry, in fact perfect conditions for croquet.

The eventual winners were Jess Leonard paired with Steve Leonard, Michelle Leonard paired with Steve Leonard, and Steve Leonard solo.

As you can deduce, Steve Leonard won all three competitions. Runners up were Peter Wood with Tricia Thorpe, and Judy Leach with Margaret Connor.

The new season starts in April 2016 at the Recreation Ground, Worgret Road, Wareham. New members and visitors will be sure of a welcome.

Inquiries to: Lesley on 01929 553927 L Day, Publicity Officer

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Wareham & District Swimming Club

he next Assessment date for Wareham & District Swimming Club will be on Sunday 17th January 2015 at 6pm at The Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham. This is for children aged 7+ (school year 2) who will need the following requirements to join: Be able to swim 25m of front crawl, backstroke or breaststroke or have achieved up to STA Angelfish 1 or ASA Level 7.

For more details or to book a place call Nadine Honeybun on 01929 55 41 92, email: membership@swim4wareham.co.uk or visit our website www.swim4wareham.co.uk

All involved with the Purbeck Gazette wish our readers, contributors and advertisers a very, merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year!

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Swanage Football Club

t the time of writing the 1st team are still unbeaten in the Dorset Premier league since Tim Brown and Tony Parrott have taken over the role as manager and coach.

We have moved up to seventh in the DPL. Last week we played in the Dorset Senior Cup against a team from two leagues above us, Hamworthy United. We didn’t let ourselves down in any way and narrowly lost the game 1:2.

Although we have had a recent run of bad weather, the pitch is holding up really well with no matches being postponed. We hope the new drainage system we installed in the close season will continue to remove any excess rainwater from the problematic North end.

Frank Moles continues his hard work keeping the pitch in tip top shape. He has recently purchased a mower (which he uses in his day to day gardening business) and now also uses it to get a really good cut at Day’s Park.

The Reserve team, although having recently lost a couple of games, are still holding a good position in Dorset League 1. Jossie has a good team spirit and is looking to be challenging for promotion at the end of the season.

Recently on BBC1 there was a program called “ Class of 92” it was a documentary that tells the story of five ex Manchester United players and how they bought their local football club , Salford City. It was a great insight into the running of a grass roots Club and no matter what level of football you are in it just goes to show money is needed to progress to a higher level.

So if there is anyone with a spare few quid willing to invest in the Club

The Purbeck Gazette

we would be only too willing to talk terms.

We are currently in talks with Swanage Town Council in relation to taking on a lease for Day’s Park. This has proved to be a difficult position to resolve over a number of years and both parties are working hard on trying to resolve this matter.

As a Club we really need the lease in order to approach different organisations like the Lottery and Football Foundation for the funding they offer to Clubs.

Apart from the obvious new clubhouse and sports hall as one of the reasons we need funding, a very high priority for us is a new set of floodlights.

Over the years the lights have progressively deteriorated and on evening games it can be a lottery as to what lights work. So to be able to obtain some funding for these lights will be on the top of our list as and when we obtain the lease.

All of our youth teams are well into their seasons now and by the time you read this we will have had our Youth Quiz at the Club in order to earn much needed funds for the eleven teams that we run.

If there are any young players between the ages of 8 & 16 wanting to join a youth team please contact our Youth Secretary Alison Newell on 07545 762401.

We also have a mini kickers session on Saturday mornings in the hall between 10-11. Feel free to just turn up or contact Alison for more information.

Come on you Swans! John Peacock.

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club

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wanage & Wareham rugby club continued their unfortunate start to the season when they played host to Trowbridge on the 10th October.

After a slow start Trowbridge managed a try in the corner early on, but Swans were awarded a penalty which fly half Phil Graves converted. In a good open game Swans were next on the scoreboard as flank forward Will Corsie added a try which Graves converted. (10pts – 5pts).

However another Trowbridge try gave them a two point advantage. In the last move of the first half Swans produced a catch/drive move for Swans’ hooker Robert Elford to claim the try. So at half time it looked good for Swans with a 17pts – 12pts lead. From there on the home side made a few mistakes, Trowbridge scored another try to level the scores, and in the middle of the half the visitors scored two more converted tries to put the game beyond Swans at 17pts – 31pts.

So after a good start Swans suffered another defeat. There was no game on the 17th October as most rugby fans were watching the quarter-finals of the Rugby world cup, but on the 24th Swans had an away game at High Wycombe.

It was a game that Swans ought to have won, as both sides were at the bottom of the Southwest One league, but it did not turn out as expected.

Wycombe scored a try early on in the game, followed by a couple of penalty goals giving the home side a 13pts lead. Although Swans were in

the game, putting pressure on the hosts, just before the interval Wycombe added a converted try giving them a 20pts lead at half time.

From Swans point of view the game gradually got worse as High Wycombe piled on the points in the second half, adding four more tries to give them a 44pts – nil lead with ten minutes to go.

Swans then put some pressure on the home team’s defence, and centre for Swans, Matt Roberts forced his way over for a try.

With the last play of the game Swans captain and prop forward John Sheldrake powered his way over the try line, and with the last kick of the game Will Slack converted to give Swans some consolation with the final score High Wycombe 44pts Swans 12pts.

On a lighter note it was pleasing to welcome Wareham Wednesdays to Bestwall for their annual bonfire and fireworks night there on the 30th October. On a clear night over a thousand people turned out for the occasion and it was a spectacular fireworks display with some new rockets amongst the attractions.

Main games for December (all 2.15pm start) 5th December Swans 1st XV v Witney league SW1 Away Swans 2nd XV v. Wimborne 2nd league D/W1 Away Swans 3rd XV v. Bournemouth 4th league D/W3 Home 12th December Swans 1st XV v Reading league SW1 Home Swans 2nd XV v Bournemouth 2nd league D/W1 Home 19th December Swans 1st XV v Oxford Harlequins league SW1 Away Swans 2nd XV v Salisbury 2nd league D/W1 Away Swans 4th XV v. East Dorset 2nd league D/W4 Home Ron Butler (Publicity Secretary)

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Spotlight Event Diary

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Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for DEC is noon, 8th Dec 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.

DECEMBER

JOIN THE PURBECK GAZETTE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!!

Tue 1st 19:30 ‘Spectre’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham Jane Tearle – “Jane Tearle Travels” Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822 Wed 2nd 10:30 Swanage Probus Meets at Purbeck House Hotel. For ‘National Trust’ by Laurie Clark Visitors welcome. Contact Andrew Yeandle 01929 421945 19:30 ‘Spectre’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Thu 3rd 19:15 Swanage Trefoil Guild Meets at The Guide HQ Bell Street. Carols & Christmas Crafts. New Members and Visitors Welcome. Ffi: 01929 556374.

19:30 Nutcracker At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Fri 4th * Lee Burton Live Music at The Quay Inn, Wareham. * Carol Train At Swanage Railway. Ffi 01929 425800.

18:00 Purbeck Model Railway Group Running session at The Stables, Godlingston Manor, Washpond Lane, Swanage, BH19 3DJ. Ffi: Robin Brasher 427015.

19:00 The Purbeck Workshop At Unit 6 Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Road, Wool, BH20 6HG Enjoy a Christmas shopping evening with some mulled wine 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill at 7.30pm. For: Harris Cup – (prints) ‘open’’ and Bichard Trophy – ‘Open’ Judge: Tony Scott-Morley Visitors welcome. ffi Colin Brixton – 423841 19:30 ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

20:00 Pronghorn Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 5th * FREE Parking At Broad rd and Main Beach, Swanage. * FREE Parking In Wareham Town Centre. * FREE Parking In Corfe Castle. * Dale Fender Band At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 * Holme Christmas Fayre At Holme Nursery. Local suppliers, music, craft stalls, taster tables. * Vintage Christmas At The Tank Museum, Bovington. See Father Christmas arrive by tank! Vintage market, carvery lunch and live entertainment.

09:00 Purbeck Produce Farmers Market At Commercial road, Swanage. Local produce from local producers. www.purbeckproducts.co.uk 10:00 Peter Rush Workshops At Durlston Castle. Pre booking essential, £15 children, £25 adults 10:00 Swanage Christmas Fair Commercial and Station Road. Stalls offering gifts, wreaths, local produce, food crafts, and more. Father Christmas will also be in town! To book a pitch call Doug Quayle on 01929 421944 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

14:00 Exhibition and meet the artist A new exhibition at Sansom Gallery, 62 High Street, Swanage by Gina Marshall. There will be a chance to meet Gina and look at her sketchbooks, materials and see her working. Mince pies and wine

19:30 19:30 20.00 Sun 6th * 10:00 11:00

available. Email: magnolia_gina@hotmail.com ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Christmas Concert Purbeck Arts Choir & Orchestra, Purbeck Youth Choir. Aty St Mary’s Church, Swanage.

Bottled Beer & Beard Festival With Medicine Creek. Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Vintage Christmas At The Tank Museum, Bovington. See Father Christmas arrive by tank! Vintage market, carvery lunch and live entertainment.

Peter Rush Workshops At Durlston Castle. Pre booking essential, £15 children, £25 adults PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

Festive Fun At Margaret Green Carols, festive crafts, mince pies.

‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

14:00 19:30 Mon 7th 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

13:30 The Purbeck Workshop At Unit 6 Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Road, Wool, BH20 6HG. Bears, buttons and decorations with Pat 14:00 Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 14:30 ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 Wareham-Hemsbach Society Christmas Party. Ffi: 427015.

19:30 ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 8th 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

13:30 The Purbeck Workshop At Unit 6 Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Road, Wool, BH20 6HG. Weave your own picture with fabric and wool with Linda.

19:30 ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Nature & Wildlife Competitions: The Woodhouse Trophy (prints) and Bert’s Bole (PDI)”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822.

Wed 9th 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

13:00 Stoborough WI Meeting At Stoborough Village Hall. Buffet Lunch followed by a WI pantomime. Presentation of the Competition Cup. 19:30 ‘Suffragette’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Studland WI Meeting At Studland Village Hall. Seasonal Social Event, followed by refreshments. Competition: Favourite Tree Ornament.

19:30 Swanage Garden Society Christmas Buffet & Bites at Herston Hall, Swanage.

Membership £5 per year, meetings charges normally £1 (£2 where food is served). th Thu 10 10:00 Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival At The Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage.

74 11:00

Closes at 5pm on the Saturday. Ffi: 01929 427706 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

Fri 11th * Lionel Richie Tribute At The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle. * Late Night Opening At Holme Nurseries. Free mince pie & mulled wine. * Carol Train At Swanage Railway. Ffi 01929 425800.

10:00 Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival At The Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage.

Closes at 5pm on the Saturday. Ffi: 01929 427706 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sat 12th * Free Tennis Weekend At Purbeck Sports Centre. * Enticed Duo At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 * FREE Parking In Corfe Castle. * FREE Parking At Broad rd and Main Beach.

09:00 Purbeck Produce Farmers Market At Commercial road, Swanage. Local produce from local producers. www.purbeckproducts.co.uk 10:00 Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival At The Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage.

Closes at 5pm on the Saturday. Ffi: 01929 427706 10:00 Craft Fair for Pancreatic Cancer At Pamphill Parish hall near Wimborne BH21 7ED. Various stalls, jewellery, cards, wood and lots of Christmas gifts. Entry £1, accompanied children free. Free parking.

10:00 Pound Puppy Animal Rescue Bazaar At The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lytchett Minster, some of the dogs looking for homes. We look forward to meeting new friends.

11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

12:00 Christmas Arty Bazaar At The Boilerhouse Gallery, Corfe Castle.

19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Belvedere Singers Christmas Tapestry at St. Mary’s Church, Swanage. Tickets from choir members, Corbens or at the door £10. (under 12 years free) to include interval refreshment. More info: 423729 20:00 The Wiyos Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 13th * Free Tennis Weekend At Purbeck Sports Centre. * Fun Charity Quiz At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 11:00 PASH Christmas Market At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Tea, coffe, cakes and mince pies.

15:30 Santa Comes to Town At Wareham Town Centre.

19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mon 14th 10:00 Wareham Area Senior Forum At Wareham Parish Hall (on Wareham Quay).

Christmas Goodies and Raffle. Be entertained by ‘Anne & Sandra’, follwed by our AGM. 13:30 The Purbeck Workshop At Unit 6 Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Road, Wool, BH20 6HG. Bears, buttons and decorations with Pat 14:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:45 Swanage French Circle Jeux de Noel. At Studland. Ffi: 01929 450386 or 01929 481074.

Tue 15th 10:30 Tim Peake Launch-Day Event Join Rolf Williams at the Learning Centre at Durlston to watch the rocket launch live.

14:00 Parkinson’s Self Help Group At The All Saints Church Hall, Swanage.

19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Members’ Presentation Evening”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822.

Wed 16th 19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Christmas Music with Swanage Town Band At Swanage High Street Methodist Church. Free Admission. Refreshments available, retiring collection in aid of “The Wave and Save the Children”. Ffi: 01929 422421. th Thu 17 * Xmas with the Conmen At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 19:30 ‘The Lady In The Van’ 12A At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Langton Matravers History & Preservation Society Meets in the Village Hall where the Saville brothers will read some of the Dorset dialect Poems of William Barnes . The usual seasonal convivial meeting! All welcome Members £2.50 non members £3.50 th Fri 18 19:20 The Purbeck Mummers Performing at The Legion at 7.20pm, The Black Swan at 8pm and The Globe at 8.45pm.

19:30 A Mystery in Wonderland At the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A play written by Swanage resident Martin Szalla, this is a twist on Lewis Carroll’s books. Alice enters Wonderland to find that she has to solve a mystery. All the favourite characters, poems and songs will be there. Email: magnolia_gina@hotmail.com 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill at 7.30pm. Anders 2 – ‘open’ and Browne 2 - ’On the level’ Judge: Colin Gogerty Visitors welcome. ffi Colin Brixton – 423841 20:00 Jefferson Hammer Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 19th * FREE Parking At Broad rd and Main Beach, Swanage. * John De Barra At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 * FREE Parking In Corfe Castle.

The Purbeck Gazette 09:00

Purbeck Produce Farmers Market At Commercial road, Swanage. Local produce from local producers. www.purbeckproducts.co.uk ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Carol Singing & Hot Dogs In the Square at Corfe Castle.

‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. (Not Sun 20th).

14:30 17:00 19:00 Sun 20th * Grand Xmas Prize Draw At The Conservative Club, Swanage. Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

15:00 Stoborough Sunday Afternoon Tea Club At Stoborough village Hall. Afternoon tea on the third Sunday of every month, between 3-5pm, Telephone 01929 553503 for further information 19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. (Not Sun 20th).

Mon 21st 14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

15:00 Tea with Santa At Holme Nursery. Children’s gift from Santa, under 12’s £5.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. (Not Sun 20th). nd Tue 22 * FREE Parking In Wareham Town Centre.

07:15 Guided Walk to Old Harry From Knoll Beach, followed by a full English Breakfast at the Knoll beach Cafe. £15 per person, booking essential.

14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. (Not Sun 20th).

Wed 23rd * FREE Parking In Wareham Town Centre.

14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. (Not Sun 20th).

Thu 24th * FREE Parking In Wareham Town Centre.

10:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sat 26th * FREE Parking At Broad Rd and Main Beach, Swanage.

11:00 Boxing Day Swim At The Blue Shelter by the Mowlem, Swanage.

12:00 The Purbeck Mummers At Corfe Castle Square at 12 midday, followed by the Greyhound, The Bankes Arms, Castle Inn and The Square and Compass at 2.15pm.

13:00 Boxing Day Charity Auction At The Royal Oak, Swanage.

Sun 27th 19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mon 28th * Winter Warm Up At Swanage Railway. Ffi 01929 425800.

14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 29th 14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

20:00 Mother Ukers Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 th Wed 30 14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:00 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Thu 31st 14:30 ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

20.00 NYE Party with Paul Antony & £1000 Draw At The Conservative Club, Swanage.

Ffi: 01929 422310/423600 20:00 Sheelanagig Live acts at the Square & Compass celebrating New Year’s Eve till late, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

WEEKLY EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY 09.00 U3A Table Tennis Group meet at Harmans Cross VH. 09.30 Under 2.5 years old group. Till 11am. at Parish Hall, Wm. 09.45 Toddler Club URC, Sw. Till 11.15 10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 13.00 Play and Learn at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 2.45pm 13.00 Under 1s and Tums at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 3pm 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 19.30 Swanage Badminton Club at the Swanage School, till 9.30pm. Ffi: 07966

The Purbeck Gazette

136641.

19.30 Swanage Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, Court Road, Sw. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email: oc.2185@aircadets.mod.

20.00 DARTS at the RBL Club, Sw. 20.00 Herston Hall Management C’ttee Bingo EVERY TUESDAY 09.00 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 10.15am. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or sylviag@swanagemethodist.org.uk 09.30 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Painting and sketching. At the Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Till 1pm. Outdoors in summer. Ffi: Gina on 421689.

09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 11.30am.

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 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Bridgit on 01929 552816 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 10.00 Sw Tennis Club Club Session. Till 11. 426312 10.00 Sandford Toddlers at Sandford Community Hall, till 11.30am.

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: 481000 10.30 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 11.45am. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or sylviag@swanagemethodist.org.uk 11.00 Guided Tours of St John The Baptist Church, Bere Regis. Come and find out why there’s a chap with a headache on one of the south aisle pillars! Visiting groups are always very welcome on other days/times, by contacting either Richard on 471339 or John on 471469. Light refreshments can be organised with advance notice. All welcome.

12.00 Nature Tots (0-4yrs) at Bovington Memorial Hall Garden. Until 2pm 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: 481000.

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 18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 8.30pm 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Wareham Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, St Martin’s Lane, Wm. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email: oc.2185@aircadets.mod.

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: 421913 19.30 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at their NEW venue, St Mark’s CE VA Primary School, High St, Sw. Parking on-site. All singers welcome! 423729 20.00 Sw Regatta & Carnival Assoc Bingo Herston Leisure, Herston Yards Farm, Sw. 20.00 Carey Hall, Wm Bingo 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 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864 10.30 Play and Learn at Kids of Wool (BH20 6DY) until 12 noon.

11.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Swanage Library till 1pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities 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 15.00 Extend Exercise Class, now at Morton Village Hall. To improve strength, balance and flexibility. All welcome. Donations welcome. Ffi: 471490.

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 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552257 19.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls Club Roll-up evening Furzebrook VH. 401799 19.15 Purbeck Runners meet at the Crows Nest, Sw. 4/5 mile run.

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

75

group. New members including beginners welcome. Till 1pm. Ffi: Jane on 01929 427078 09.30 Play and Learn at Chapel Lane, Swanage, till 11am.

09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Streche Road, Wareham, until 12 noon.

09.30 Sensory Play for under ones, at Bovington Centre until 10.30am 10.00 Wm Parent & Toddler Group During term Parish Hall, Quay Till 11.45. 556806 10.00 First Dorset Credit Union is in Wareham at ‘Not Just Sundaes’ community cafe, South Street, Wm. Until 12 noon.

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

10.00 Sw Tennis 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.

10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Bridgit on 01929 552816 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 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 11.00 Sensory Play for 1-4yrs old at Bovington Centre, until 12 noon.

13.00 Studland Toddler Group at Studland Village Hall until 2.30pm.

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

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 Rectory Classroom, Swanage, Sw. All Welcome.

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 Purbeck Arts Choir meet for rehersals, with conductor Jay Buckle, at Swanage First School from September - May. All welcome. For more information please phone Liz Roberts 01929 481419 19.30 Swanage Youth Club Youth Action (year 7 - sixth form). Till 9.30pm 20.00 Herston Hall OAP Committee Bingo Sw EVERY FRIDAY 09.30 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 10.30pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 09.30 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 Swanage Library Rhyme Time, until 11.30am.

10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 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. Royal British Legion, Sw. 426096.

18.00 Sw Youth Centre Club 12-13 (Yr 7-9) Till 8 18.00 Sw Tennis Club Senior Club Session. 426312 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 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 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 08.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 4/5 mile run.

09.00 Sw CC U11 - U15 Practice till 10.30 09.30 Sw CC U9 & U10 Practice & Kwik Cricket till 10.30 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 09.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 8+ mile run.

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.

The Purbeck Gazette

76

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Man & Van available to hire

Rubbish Clearance Half the price of a skip and we do all the work!

07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured