The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 196

May 2016 Issue no. 196

Magazine archive at:

Community Steps Up. Pg 24

New Shannon Lifeboat Arrives. Pg 30

Purbeck Arts And Crafts. Pg 53-58

Local Star Volunteers. Pg 20

SWANAGE & PURBECK

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the May edition of your Gazette!

We’re now heading into the summer season, days are longer and we’re beginning to remember what the sun is!

This month we feature some of the wonderful arts and crafts created in Purbeck - towards the end of May, both Purbeck and Dorset Art Weeks are in full swing, offering a wealth of open studios and artistic events.

We’re also getting VERY excited that the Purbeck Pirate Festival is getting closer; the 29th - 31st July will see Swanage town ‘flying the black’ and offering the Freedom of the Town to official Pirate Crews from across the UK.... Sword fights, skirmishes, canon and musket fire promise to make this an unforgettable event. Townsfolk and traders have confirmed they will ALL be going pirate for the festival, and with the Frigate Shtandart sailing in for the event with guns blazing, we’re pretty sure you’ll soon be counting down the days too!! Watch this space.....

As usual, we have a completely packed edition with tons of information from you - our wonderful community. The EU is discussed at some length in the letters pages, perhaps a writer will help you make your mind up this month? We can but hope!

Have a great month, enjoy the warming weather and get arty!

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.

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

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The June 2016 edition has a deadline of 9th May and will be distributed from 23rd - 27th May 2016.

The July 2016 edition has a deadline of 10th June and will be distributed from 27th June - 1st July 2016.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - May 2016

Planning & Consultation Committee Council - Annual Meeting Council - Final Accounts

Mon 9th Mon 23rd Wed 25th

6.30pm 7pm 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 - May 2016 Planning & Transport Council Planning & Transport

Tue 3rd Tue 17th Wed 25th

7pm 7pm 7pm

Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - May 2016 Council (annual) Policy Group Planning Committee

Tue 10th Weds 18th Weds 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 delivered by Logiforce GPS-tracked distribution.

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, Regula Wright, 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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Swanage’s new Shannon-class lifeboat arrived on April 8th, to cheering crowds lining the pier. Picture: Tim Crabb

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS/IT COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past Community Steps Up FEATURE: Purbeck Arts and Crafts Foster for Dorset Gazette Gardening, with Simon Goldsack I Zaw Thic Funeral - T.E.Lawrence John Garner writes - Grey Sky Thinking Purbeck’s Volunteers Swanage Welcomes New Lifeboat Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams Your Pictures

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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 JUNE IS NOON, MON 9th MAY

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THE SEWING BOX 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.

JUNE edition deadline: noon, MON 9th MAY

‘Home Safely’ Bracelet Dear Editor, My sister likes to walk every day - my sister has dementia.

To stop everyone from worrying where she is, I have arranged for a Home Safely bracelet, which she wears all the time.

The phone number goes to Medvivo and her code number gives access to her details. That means I or York House are immediately contacted to collect her.

The bracelet is free and is very well made - it cannot be removed by the wearer. If you’ve got someone you’re worrying about, then I urge you to get one.

Sincerely Jean Gibbs - chair SADFC Details: www.mylifemycare.com/Memory-loss-and-dementia or tel 01305755800

Link Visitors Needed Dear Friends, Here is another update on the progress with ‘Link Visiting’ of Swanage.

You will remember that we were experiencing horrendous delays over DBS (police) checks for volunteers. We have since changed our contact and the process is much quicker.

We began introducing visitors to clients towards the end of January and so far have six successfully made with two others in the pipeline.

We are now experiencing a steady trickle of referrals (about one a week) but our supply of volunteers has dried up. Sadly, several withdrew during the wait to get started.

We are therefore launching a recruitment campaign. Please make the need known. We are planning some team-building and sharing occasions during the summer.

We are now getting referrals from Social Services including some less straightforward ones. Typically people live alone and find it difficult to get out for mobility reasons. We encourage our visitors to look for other ways their Link Friends can get out so as not to become dependent. We have a couple of Link Friends with dementia and expect to get more referrals through the Alzheimer’s Society.

We have been very fortunate with funding recently with generous donations from Dorset Community Foundation and Dorset Partnership for Older People’s Programmes (POPP) along with other promises. So we are set to cover our first year’s budget.

We are trying to network with other organisations in the town that serve older people. A recent networking lunch recently was appreciated. We are working with others to produce a directory for the use of our visitors and others. If you run an appropriate organisation and we haven’t contacted you, please get in touch.

So overall we are very encouraged, though sometimes daunted by the time everything takes. Some admin assistance would go down well!

Thank you for your interest.

Alan Dominy, Scheme Co-ordinator. 07495 534171 www.linkvisiting.org/swanage

Charity Table Top Sale Dear Gazette, Swanage Rotary, in conjunction with Inner Wheel, will be hosting a TableTop Fund Raising Event at All Saints Church Hall in Swanage on Saturday

Garment Alterations and Repairs Daisy May’s Arcade 2 Kings Road East Swanage

Tel: Sarah 07922 738335 morning May 7th in aid of two charities: Mosaic, Dorset Child Bereavement charity, and Hamlin Fistula, a charity to help Women overseas who experience problems during child birth.

We shall be offering teas, coffees and cakes during the morning and soup and sandwich betwen 12 noon and 1pm.

There will be a number of table tops offering a variety of items for sale including cakes, jams, chutneys etc.

A very kind sponsor has offered to pay for the cost of hiring the All Saints Church Hall for the morning and we are deeply indebted to them as this will mean that all proceeds can go to our chosen charities.

Please would it be possible to print this letter in your May Purbeck Gazette as an open invitation to the good people of Swanage to join us and support our efforts?

Yours sincerely, David Chalcraft - Swanage Rotary International & Foundation Chairman

Epilepsy Bereavement Support Dear Readers, An Amazing Weekend!

This Mothering Sunday, I had the most meaningful experience of being with seventy other bereaved parents, whose child or young adult had died suddenly from Epilepsy.

The two day conference was run by the SUDEP charity, (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), formerly known as “ Epilepsy Bereaved”, to bring together those who had coped with this terrible trauma, for support and sharing, but also to promote awareness of the risks in this condition, and to encourage research and action into prevention of sudden death in others. (There are 1,000 deaths from Epilepsy each year in the UK.) SUDEP has enabled many health professionals and others, to have extra training and information on this prevention, and various technical gadgets have been invented to assist in this to help families.

How good to read of Our Lord Jesus ‘s loving concern and practical action for the boy with Epilepsy and his troubled parents. (St. Luke ‘s Gospel chapter 9 v 37 ) .

We can try and continue this today.

Jane Eastgate, by email

Praise The New ‘JC’ Dear Readers, It occurred to me recently that Jeremy Corbyn’s principles of caring, sharing and peace ought to appeal to our Christian community and country.

So I thought I’d have some fun with the idea like this (with due respect to Monty Python!):Jeremy Corbyn is a very naughty boy!

It’s come to my attention that the Second Coming’s here There’s a new JC amongst us whose principles are clear No, not Jeremy Clarkson, the worshipper of vroom, This one’s Jeremy Corbyn to save us from our doom.

Alas, just like the first JC, he’s not a snappy dresser He looks about as trendy as Edward the Confessor.

A pacifist with moral thoughts, a beard, light clothes and sandals No wonder he’s been stoned alive by Murdoch’s heathen vandals.

Those who say the rich should share are sinners to be villified Don’t be shocked to see him on a donkey soon ... then crucified!

Regards, Martin Hobdell, by email

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8pm Gren Bartley 8pm Laura Cortesse & The Dance Cards 2pm Laura Contesse & The Dance Cards 8pm Sky Smeed 8pm Mikey Kelley 2pm Garance & The Mitochondries 8pm Corinne West 8pm Landermason 2pm Rory Mcleod & The Familiar Strangers 8pm Bartoune www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Your Future Depends On It

Letter From A Litter Lout

Dear Readers, It was interesting to see the item in the last edition about Vince Cable’s speech at the Annual Dinner of South Dorset Liberal Democrats. His example, along with others in the coalition government, showed how possible it is for people of differing persuasions to work together for a common purpose.

Many people have said to me in recent weeks that they can now see the difference in government policies now that one party calls all the shots.

The referendum is in a few weeks. This too is a matter when people can have differing views without becoming enemies. It is also a rare opportunity for younger people to become involved in a campaign without being partisan.

“They should act as if their future depends on it, because it does” (The Observer).

I for one would be pleased to hear from people of any age who would wish to be involved. Anyone can register to vote until 7th. June.

John Wootton, Chair of Swanage & Isle of Purbeck Lib Dems. 01929 421433. Email: johnhwootton@gmail.com

Dear Editor, I am sending you a copy of a letter which I sent to Councillor Gail Green at the beginning of April.

Dear Gail, Meeting you quite by chance on the seafront doing my usual activity as a member of the ‘Litter Louts’ group, whose many members are mostly unknown and un-thanked – usually preferring not to be! Just doing a quite natural tidy up and keeping Swanage up to its most delightful self.

Your point taken - insignificant provision for litter. It’s a problematic nuisance with many arguments: Take it home please is the optimum, or find a bin. Lack of funds – three different councils having an interest.

In my day, as a lad and a young man there was relatively little in the 1950s to 1980s. But more relative wealth has seemingly created a small bottled drink, crisp packet and takeaway carton. Not bad in themselves just creating litter. We had little of this, money being tighter and parents generally much stricter; one would not think of eating in the street anyway.

I’m afraid like many of my generation if I’m a prisoner of my times so be it. I’m proud to be a ‘Lout’. As a resident and still after many eons in my tiny shop, I’m concerned, very concerned. I have made representation to Dorset County Council, Purbeck District Council and your good selves.

It’s problematic and I have no easy solutions or special ideas. However as President of the Chamber of Trade & Commerce we assisted in times past by sponsoring bins - these now of course, like me, past it or nearly so.

I’m happy to contribute to a similar scheme if it would be acceptable- up to £50 or £100 or an average if other businesses wished to contribute.

May I thank you and all councillors for their uncounted hours of work.

The Town Council staff are splendid and their work so cheerfully done.

Hearty thanks. Brian Barker, Swanage.

Giant Eggs Raise £1500

HEIRLOOMS OF WAREHAM

Jewellers & Silversmiths For all of your Jewellery & Silverware needs

Dear Readers, Yet again the people of Swanage and Purbeck have shown their full support for the Giant Easter Egg Raffle. All the profits from this event are sent to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who provide such a vital service.

This year we hope to send them a cheque for £1500.

The Swanage Lions would like to send a huge thank you to the local pubs, Travis Perkins and the stores at Ballard and Studland, for without their help none of this would have been possible. We are especially grateful to the White Swan who managed to raffle eight eggs and the Conservative Club who completed five.

Many thanks, Vicki Church from the Swanage Lions.

(Above: a photo of Simon Molloy from the White Swan with one of the many eggs that he helped to raffle)

Antique Sapphire Half Hoop Ring set in 18c Gold

21 South Street, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4LR, 01929 554207 www.heirloomsofwareham.co.uk

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EU - Children’s Future - Out Dear Readers, I would remind you that at any time there are people who do not act for the benefit of the country - for instance at the last world war, in France, there were people who actively supported the German occupiers, notably Petain and Vichy France. There were other countries who supplied troops for the war machine etc. The name for this is treason, in my view.

I would draw comparison with what has happened to this great country of ours - Great Britain - because in 1975 there was a referendum to join the Common Market - a trading agreement - or that is what we were told - I know because I was there and voted yes.

The P.M. was Ted Heath - he later allegedly stated that the English were too stupid to govern themselves, and that he knew and admitted, that the intention was to part of a United States of Europe - without the people’s permission - that is treason in my view. He died a very wealthy man, draw your own conclusions.

Subsequently other politicians have taken our country deeper into that U.S.E. - also without the people’s permission and we have lost control of our borders, even many of our assets, and the business control - all

by E.U. dictates.

I name those politicians who would, and still benefit, from being in the E.U. - Neil Kinnock and his wife for instance, the Welsh Windbag, and Mandelson, Haseltine, and others, who are paid pensions or remunerations for being part of the “machine”.

But history proves that there are always people to come to the rescue Churchill for instance, in living memory, who put real back bone into the people to fight back against repression. Now there is Nigel Farage, whether you like him or not, he has been the inspiration to do just that, and now other politicians of all parties are joining in, to overcome the cacophony of others who try to stop the resulting referendum Out Campaign.

Draw your own conclusions Readers, do you want our Great Country back, or do you want to be “governed” by the faceless, unelected by you, who have no regard for the fact that Great Britain was responsible for freedom in Europe on two occasions?

Make no mistake at the Ballot Box - you will control the future of your children and grandchildren.

Mike Hobson, by email.

EU - Children’s Future - IN Dear Editor, EU referendum on 23 June: Vote for our children’s future The first moves to create a multinational Europe began in the year I was born (1950) as the previous fifty years had seen terrible World Wars after centuries of wars. Those of us who have been alive since then have been the most fortunate people ever to live on this planet. There has been conflict in the world and terrorism but no wars between the great European countries.

This is no accident. The European Union was created and extended to prevent conflict and promote democracy. Countries, which are intertwined, don’t and can’t fight each other.

It is a condition of membership that countries are democratic. Britain encouraged the growth of the European Union to Eastern Europe so that never again would there be a Cold War involving Eastern Europe.

The EU is far from perfect and the Euro zone is creating problems. As a world we struggle with issues of immigration and refugees.

However isolating ourselves from our neighbours is the opposite of common sense. We all share the same planet.

Economically Britain was in a poor state in the years before we joined the EU with regular financial crises. We had lost our Empire trading advantages

and needed an alternative. It took years to gain entry.

Now we are part of the largest free trade area in the world and Britain has one of the highest standards of living in the world. We have done well from EU membership. There is no alternative free trade group on offer. It is fantasy to think we would do better with China or India than Europe.

If we secure a free trade deal with the EU after we leave it is bound to be on worse terms than now, as we need them more than they need us.

For once a vote really does matter. Apparently a majority of older people favour leaving than staying although as a group we have done so well in the last 43 years. But we are voting for the interests of our children and grandchildren as well. They will not thank us for isolating Britain when they see the world as interconnected and not bound by national boundaries.

But most of all everyone has to vote on 23 June as we will all have to live with the consequences of OUR decision.

Yours faithfully, Steve Clarke, by email

EU - Worth What We Pay Dear Editor, The EU Membership of the EU is worth what we pay (and more). Like the UN, it works altruistically to ensure that in areas such as trade and finance, agriculture, security, climate change and migration it helps overcome poverty in developing countries (incidentally reducing migration from them).

The EU reflects the conscience of its member states. It does not waste money on fantasy projects (Trident, HS2, Hinkley Point…).

Remember these benefits which the EU has given us: Gender and racial equality directives protect us all from discrimination on grounds of sex or race.

Reduced roaming mobile phone charges. Without the EU there would never have been any reduction.

The EU Habitats Directive and the EU Wild Birds Directive enable us to protect birds, plants and other wildlife throughout Europe and enjoy more birds in our gardens.

Blue flags: they derive from the Bathing Water Directive, protecting our health as we bathe.

Drinking water and air pollution directives pursue parallel aims.

On 16 April 2013, the European imposed a cap on bankers’ bonuses.

Bravo!

The EU Court of Justice: when France decided to ban UK beef imports, the Court found it had infringed European law and imposed a heavy fine.

Shortly afterwards, France started importing British beef.

Sovereignty: between 1973 and the announcement of the referendum, nobody worried about sovereignty and the EU. The pooling of a sliver of sovereignty is a sign of civilisation, of comity of nations. The greatest sovereignty is found in absolute dictatorships that reject international cooperation. Do you really desire an absolute dictatorship, possibly led

by Kim Barking-Boris Jong-un?

Brexiteers naïvely consider that you can roll back history – peeling off a few layers – and return to an earlier situation: if that were true, the Iraqis and Libyans would now be basking on sunlit uplands.

Agreements with EU states: the French, and others, are rubbing their hands at the thought of negotiating new agreements containing conditions and clauses favourable to themselves and detrimental to the UK. Migration: many (including me) say there is no EU migration problem. The number of EU citizens working in the UK is matched by the number of UK citizens working in the EU. Indeed, more migrants to the UK come from outside the European Union than from inside. So stopping EU migration would have only a limited effect.

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Clock, Watch Repairs

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All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

Georgian Gems

High St, Swanage 01929 424697 Mrs Thatcher revealingly said: Britain does not dream of some cosy, isolated existence on the fringes of the European Community. Our destiny is in Europe, as part of the Community (Bruges speech, 1988). She – like the In-Crowd today – knew that the way to improve the EU is to stay in and improve it from within.

Yours, Ian Frame, by email.

EU - Dispelling Myths Dear Editor, Like many people, Roger Thompson appears to have little idea of how the European Union is governed. In common with each member state there is a parliament with a paid staff, the European Commission, which is similar to our civil service but considerably smaller - about the same number of employees as Birmingham City Council.

Basically the commission drafts legislation which is then debated by the parliament in much the same way as in our House of Commons, but it requires the approval of the relevant minister from each member state before it becomes a law which each country then enshrines in its own legislation; hardly an unaccountable monolith as claimed.

Mr Thompson then repeats the myth peddled by the anti-European national press that the accounts have not been signed off for years. With 80% of the EU funds being under the control of member states it was not surprising that there were some overpayments, but the auditors have been able to signed off the accounts as reliable every year since 2007; of course the UK government would never overspend!

Whilst we are one of the major contributors to the EU budget, it costs each household less than a pound a day for which independent experts estimate the benefits are worth £3,000 a year to the average household in lower prices and more jobs, trade and investment; which rather puts the cost in context.

In conclusion I agree with Mr Thompson that we should not forget Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and D-day, for over 70 years there has not been a pan-European war and that is in no small part due to previous warring nations coming together as members of the EU. David Budd

EU - Historical Facts

Dear Editor, I very much enjoyed reading your April edition and letters page but was rather horrified to read the letter from Roger Thompson. His view on the forthcoming EU referendum seemed to suggest that our nation’s history should be defined by the glories of its military exploits.

My grandfather died prematurely of wounds suffered during WW1 and three years as a POW – he died before my mother was one year old and she never knew him.

By contrast the chaos and misery of war have been replaced over the last seventy five years by a peaceful and productive era of European cooperation Mr Robinson highlights five battles as glorious for our nation but strip away the propaganda and I suggest the following facts; D-Day– Britain providing 12 of the 39 divisions of troops – a great military achievement of cooperation between allied nations, with America providing most troops and surrering the worst casualties – thank you America.

Battle of Britain –a close run thing. Would Britain have survived without the 574 (out of 2352 foreign pilots who served); 303 squadron had the highest number of ‘kills’ and the lowest of losses and was entirely manned

by Polish pilots - thank you Poland.

Dunkirk – a necessary retreat leaving behind all tanks and vehicles. The troops on the beaches were saved by an armada of boats and the French Army, who held the perimeter and provided a buffer to protect the beach.

Building Alterations & Maintenance

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise Many French died and 30,000 were taken prisoner and were used as slave labour for the duration of the war – thank you France.

Waterloo – the Duke of Wellington commanded a continental army consisting of 25,000 British, 44,000 Dutch, Belgian and Germans. At the point of defeat they were reinforced by 48,000 Prussians under their commander, Blutcher to win the battle by cooperation with our European allies – thank you Prussia.

Agincourt – English and Welsh troops maraud around northern France (financed by taxing the common people) seeking to establish sovereignty over a French-speaking land and luckily win – just the sort of thing Brexit supporters are complaining about – sorry about that France.

The propaganda comes from War departments, Shakespeare and Hollywood but we should be basing our political future on the facts. Mr Robinson quotes ‘Richard 11’ – ‘this blessed plot, this England’.

Our nation which will be voting on the EU is called the United Kingdom.

Andrew Fleming, Swanage

Development Concerns Dear Editor, RE: Government gives go-ahead to Swanage development, April edition Personally I think this is a great idea but having had privileged access to the Panama Papers, I have some concerns.

1. The wind turbines will not be on the gable ends but placed on Ballard Down.

2. The shop seems to depict a shop run by someone called Mrs Summers.

3. The community centre will be staffed by those who have been expelled from The Verne in Portland.

4. The place of worship (and I’ve seen the design) is multi-faith and will have a minaret with many loud-hailers fitted and may be hired out for things like Abba tribute concerts.

5. The vegetables will be exported to Syria, and rightly so.

6. The outside contractors are famous for building Scottish schools.

7. And finally, without prejudice, the Right Honorable Jeremy Corbyn, the Panama Papers revealed, has owned the land since 1976, and says he has not profited from the deal of selling it to the council, and will publish details shortly.

I trust this will put things in perspective and, apart from the above, I wholeheartedly support the scheme.

Yours sincerely, Roif Poall, MSc (failed), Editor of The Panama Gazette (aka Nick Collis Bird, Swanage)

The Purbeck Gazette

8 It should be obvious to most, but just in case....

Letters published on these pages are the opinions of our readers and do not reflect the opinions or viewpoints of the Purbeck Gazette!

This is YOUR space...

Emmanuel Sunflowers

Dear Readers, Remember the sunflowers at Emmanuel Church last year?

This year, the church is giving out seeds to everyone in their neighbourhood to plant and grow and take back to the church on June 4th, which will be planting day.

If you’d like some to grow a sunflower, pop in to the church office in Victoria Avenue and collect a couple of seeds and get planting!

If you don’t see this notice until it’s too late, go along on planting day and claim a ‘Sunflower that was made earlier!’ Then you can plant it in their garden and visit it regularly to check its progress in readiness for the Sunflower Harvest in September.

For more information, call 427706 or email rainbows5534@hotmail.co.uk Kind regards, Marjorie Edwards, Emmanuel Church

Help Wave Ministry Dear Nico, Re: Thank you from The Wave Youth and Children’s Ministry The Wave Youth and Children’s Ministry project has now been operating for over six months bringing together both Wave Youth and Wave Kids into one charity, supporting the youngsters aged 0-19 within Swanage.

We would like to thank all those within the community who have supported this important work so far either by volunteering or providing funds to support the team of Rich, Matt and Tom and their four interns, Jo, Liam, Jordan and Guven who are doing a fantastic job.

We were particularly grateful to receive an amazing donation of £785, following a successful Quiz night and Ploughman’s supper organised by a team at Swanage Hospital in memory of a much love colleague Semra Sharpe. Proceeds were shared between Cancare and Wave Kids.

If anyone would like to help with our ever growing Toddler groups or other Youth groups, please contact us, you would be very welcome and you would be helping to make a difference to our young people within the town.

Please look at our website or contact me by email maggie@waveministry. org.uk or check us out on Facebook.

With very many thanks, Maggie Hardy (Wave Chair)

Local Democracy Victory Dear Readers, Time To Move On – At 30mph My good friend David Hollister writes in April’s Gazette about the ‘imposition’ of the 30mph speed limit in Harmans Cross. One dictionary definition of this word is ‘a thing that is imposed, in particular an unfair or unwelcome demand or burden’. This is not the case here as it was requested by the vast majority of residents.

It would be more productive if David put his considerable energy into something else rather than keeping on and on about the now not-so-new speed limit. It is not going to be changed back – his influence does not stretch that far!

All the residents I have spoken to (and all residents are entitled to their views regardless of the amount of time they have lived here, despite his suggestion to the contrary) feel that the A351 through the village is now much safer. Pulling out of any drive and side-road is now much safer and less of a lottery due to the fact that most drivers are more or less keeping to the limit.

I know that David is not one of the world’s great walkers, but I can assure him that walking along Valley Road is now much more pleasant and feels much safer, except when vehicles, especially lorries and coaches, pass at speeds exceeding the speed limit. As time goes on you will see more people walking along in the village for this reason.

The introduction of this limit some months ago was a victory for local democracy. In my submission to Dorset Highways, I appealed to them to support the views of those who live in the village and not to attach too much importance to those who live outside Harmans Cross.

There will always be idiots such as the one I saw recently overtaking a line of 30mph cars over the double white lines close to the crossroads – no one should condone this sort of law-breaking. The use of unmarked police cars is quite acceptable to most law-abiding citizens – they might even catch some of those who still use their mobile phones while driving (an instant seven-day ban might actually put a stop to that, not just a fine and points on your licence, but that’s another question.)

We have not been helped by having this speed limit change being introduced by Dorset Highways on the cheap. Had we had ‘New Speed Limit’ signs at each end of the village and larger, more frequent ‘30’ signs throughout, I believe the number of drivers ignoring the limit would have been reduced. However, we are grateful for the change, and you now need to let it go.

You lost the argument – live with it!

Yours sincerely, Nigel Edmonds

Here Comes The Summer!

Here Comes Summer The clocks have changed summer is here Filling our lives up with lots of cheer I’m looking out all my scanty attire Bits and pieces I know I’ll require I’ll walk downtown via the beach Ten minutes from home, not out of reach Meet up with friends and have a blether Catching up on news and a get together So all of you get out and enjoy it all For before you know it it’ll soon be fall ‘Happy Holidays’, enjoyment to everyone Hope you have lots of gaiety and fun.

Marie Neilson.

The Purbeck Gazette

9

The Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists

Hypocrisy Mr Hollister?

Dear Editor/David Hollister, Re: David’s column in the November issue regarding the usage of social media as a valuable tool for communication....

I’m a District Councillor at Purbeck District Council (for the Wool Ward), and I read with interest David’s column on social media.

He’s right - it IS a great (and free!) way to communicate with people. I tag the Council, local businesses, charities, events, etc. frequently and it’s an excellent way to pass on information quickly and effectively. It’s also a bit addictive! I totally agree that more local councillors ought to use it (I’m working on them!).

The problem is - I’ve also said hi to Mr Hollister quite a few times on Twitter, after reading his article, which advised that more local councillors ought to be using it. He hasn’t replied...but that isn’t really surprising, given that his last tweet was a year ago, and that a previous tweet from him was ‘Just unfollowed about 30 subscribers. Who I have followed for a month to get zero. This really is a waste of time.’

This Councillor uses Facebook and Twitter- and I’ve got my own website too. Don’t tar us all with the same brush.

Which is it, David? ‘...a valuable facility to keep in touch.’ or ‘...a waste of time.’?

Councillor Laura Miller, @lorsyloo if you ARE on Twitter 😜

PCC Or Ventriloquist Dummy?

Dear Editor, A White Elephant.

I was sceptical when the government announced the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) five years ago. After all, The Police Authority (combination of local magistrates and councillors) cost the local tax payer nothing.

The new PCC was to cost us £85,000 annually. However the PCC was supposed to represent the opinions of the local people whilst also holding the Chief Constable, senior police officers and the force to account on behalf of the public.

I was encouraged in 2012 to see independent candidate Martyn Underhill standing for election. After all, like me, he was a retired front line police officer and he would know where the ‘skeletons’ were buried, the misinformation issued by senior officers and where front line policing needed to be improved and addressed.

In Swanage his first mistake was to hold his first consultative meeting in the Swanage Conservative Club. There is nothing wrong with this prestigious venue, but he must have known that the police service must always be ‘non-political’.

Martyn Underhill and Inspector Fiona Gaffney should have used a neutral venue such as a community centre or the St Edward’s church hall, which Swanage police have always meticulously used in the past.

Over the past four years I have noted that this £85,000 a year office has now become a PCC empire and he runs a multi staffed department goodness knows the cost.

The office of the PCC is to be independent, also to consult and to report the opinions, concerns and wishes of the local community and to hold the Chief Constable and the senior officers (both police and civilian) to account.

Sadly Mr Underhill appears to have been brainwashed by the Dorset Police hierarchy and he seems to have become their ventriloquist dummy, making excuses as to why our police station has been closed and our local policing patrols have become virtually non- existent. As an ex-federated police officer, Martyn Underhill should know better.

I certainly shall not be voting for this ‘white elephant’, costly, wasteful office. It is not fit for purpose and is a total waste of tax payers’ money.

Name and address supplied, but withheld on request.

High Street, Swanage 01929 423533

DMB Cars Dave Ball 07968 142134 Private Hire Airports Docks Local & Long Distance Competitive Rates

Fairtrade At Durlston

Dear Gazette, We enjoyed a Fairtrade Fortnight event at Durlston Country Park.

Volunteers at Durlston Country Park took a well-earned break, with Fairtrade coffee, tea, cakes, biscuits and bananas, provided by the Swanage Fairtrade Group as part of Fairtrade Fortnight (29 Febuary-13 March).

The Work Party meets every Wednesday from 10am-1pm. For more information contact Durlston Country Park on 01929 424443 or e-mail info@durlston.co.uk For more information on Fairtrade or the Swanage Fairtrade Group, contact Frances Ward on 01929 421968 or e-mail frances.ward@fsmail.net Kind regards, Frances Ward

Best Wishes To Jenkins Dear Editor, We print the Purbeck Gazette off the website as we like to keep up with the news of our holiday town. We have been holidaying in Swanage for over twenty five years and we know Jenkins Newsagents very well. We often pop in for a few bits and bobs when we are in town.

Every night we pass by on our way to the ‘Chip & Tea’ night at Mike’s Café.

We love Swanage dearly, we use it as a base to go to the New Forest, etc.

On hearing the plight of Betty and Martin we felt so sorry for them, so could you please pass on the enclosed £10.00.

I know it’s not much, as we live on benefits, but we as a family wanted to help in any way we can. So please pass on our best wishes to Betty and Martin. Let’s hope they can get back on their feet again.

Yours, Derek, Yvonne & Joy Robinson, by post.

Ed’s note - at the time of writing, Betty and Martin report that just over £400 has been put in the ‘Jenkins Jar’ on their counter, including the £10 donated by Derek, Yvonne and Joy. Thank you all so much!

The Purbeck Gazette

10

LEARN WITH EASE

PASS WITH

CONFIDENCE Andy Temple School of Motoring

Domestic & Commercial Work Undertaken

Expert Driving Tui on

01929 792513 07813 957636

Running Festival Meeting Dear Editor, As you and your readers may know, The Purbeck Marathon expanded in 2015 when we added ‘The Purbeck 16’ to the day’s events. The proceeds from having two events meant that we were able to invest in some equipment and still donate over £6,000 to charities and good causes.

Well, we’re at it again! From this year the running events will collectively be known as ‘The Purbeck Running Festival’ and we plan to add a small fun run and a ‘dog plod’ to the festival in 2017.

For 2016 we are pleased to announce that there will be two further events taking place over the same weekend, ‘The Purbeck Nordic Walking Festival’ in partnership with Nordic Walking UK and ‘The Purbeck Bikemonger Bimble’ in partnership with, yes you’ve guessed it, Charlie the Bikemonger.

Both events will be organized on a ‘for charity basis’ just like The Purbeck Running Festival.

By expanding to include other events we are hoping to showcase Purbeck to a wider range of people, raise even more funds for local charities and organizations and enable further investment.

This of course will require even more help from the local communities of Purbeck including from Swanage, Studland and those along the Corfe Valley.

We are also in the process of setting up a formal charity called ‘The Purbeck Outdoor Weekend’ or T-POW (no, it is nothing to do with the eighties pop group) in order to manage all the activities under one umbrella.

With so much going on we thought that it would be good to hold a meeting for all those interested and for all volunteers and groups that have helped us in the past and would like to do so again this year. The meeting will be held in the Mowlem Community room on Monday the 16th May 2016 at 7pm.

We will provide a short update of our structure and plans for the future and most importantly how you and your charity or organization can raise funds by getting involved.

You can contact us through our charity website www.t-pow.co.uk or through www.thepurbeckmarathon.co.uk for more information.

We hope to see you on the 16th May. Regards, Jason Haiselden The Purbeck Marathon and The Purbeck Outdoor Weekend.

Host ‘Paws For You’ Event Dear Gazette, I am writing to ask your animal-loving readers to Paws for Tea and host a tea party on Friday 13th May in aid of a pet charity very close to my heart, Blue Cross.

Their Paws for Tea tea parties are a really fun and simple way to help the thousands of sick, injured and homeless pets that need Blue Cross every year.

Whether it’s at home, in the office or at school, Paws for Tea is a good excuse to enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake whilst helping raise money for a good cause.

My two dogs, Stan and Elsie, are very dear to me and they get so much love and attention – I wouldn’t be without them. But sadly not all pets are as lucky. Blue Cross works tirelessly to care for hundreds of vulnerable pets and to help find them happy new homes.

So go on, put the kettle on and sign up now at www.bluecross.org.uk/ teaparty or phone 0300 790 9903.

With my best wishes, Pam Ferris.

Blue Cross Ambassador

APPROVED CONTRACTOR

01929 425528/07976 691128

Wareham Beerex Success

Dear Readers, The railway-themed real ale festival organized by Wareham 41 Club was voted another great success and should result in another bumper year of donations to local charities and worthy causes.

Without the generous support of our sponsors, local businesses and donations of time, love and labour from a great many people, our town would be without its popular Easter weekend Beerex - and much poorer as a result - so thank you all who participated.

As a prelude and reflecting the achievements of the Swanage Railway, a party of 41 club members, assisted by the many decibels of Dorchester Town Crier Alistair Chisholm, brought a consignment of ale by Rail from Dorchester to Wareham.

Donated by Brewhouse and Kitchen, the two firkins of Stationmasters Ale brought back memories of malt and hops arriving and wagons of beer departing from the Eldridge Pope Brewery sidings.

David Tharby, Wareham Beerex.

Pictured above - 41 Club, Town Crier Alistair and the staff at The Brewhouse and Kitchen send off the Ale by Rail.

Pictured below - The Ale is by Rail. Draymen Andy Orridge, Martin Cypher and Ken Fletcher.

The Purbeck Gazette

11

Why Not Charge By Size?

Hi Nico, In your Purbeck Gazette April issue on page 44 are pictures of two cars.

One, the MASSIVE new Land Rover Discovery, and then an article below showing a picture of one of the TINY original Fiat 500s. However, when it comes to space on the Swanage / Sandbanks Ferry they are both charged the same price.

How come?

My daughter has a tiny Smart Car, how about a discount for it from the Ferry Company?

Regards, Mike Ford

Most Dangerous Street?

Dear Readers, Re: Closure of North Street Wareham to pedestrians I am waiting for the imminent announcement of the closure of North Street Wareham to pedestrians. Scrutiny of CCTV video has amassed a huge database of near misses and the authorities have calculated that someone will be injured or killed in the next 100 years.

Therefore it seems the street is the most dangerous in the UK. People have been caught on camera crossing against a red light when there are no vehicles moving on the road and crossing the road at unauthorised points when traffic is non-existent or stationary.

They have shown a flagrant disregard for their own safety or the trauma they may cause other road users waiting for a red light to change at the town crossing.

It has been decided that people can no longer be expected to take responsibility for their own safety and hugely expensive measures must be put in place to protect them from themselves.

As a preliminary measure, black railings will line both sides of North Street and men will be stationed at both crossing points to ensure no-one crosses the road when the lights are red and klaxons are sounding.

Later pedestrian walkways will be built over the road to enable the fit and healthy to cross the road at will. Sadly any disabled or infirm will have to use the by-pass to get from one side of the street to the other.

However it is felt that this may help to keep them fit and give them plenty of fresh air.

Protests are expected because it will cut the town in half but the authorities say this will be impossible as NotWork Rail has already achieved that with the closure of the station level crossing and all they have done is isolate one quarter of the town from the other.

As there hasn’t been a single injury or death on the Wareham rail crossing in living memory, and as the community is losing a public right of way on what was once a main road going north from the town, and as the current actions by the authorities have a total disregard for the elderly and disabled, I do not think what is written above is fanciful.

Yours Sincerely, Mr J A Simpson, Wareham, by email

Challenge Crossing Closure Dear Gazette, Save Wareham’s Railway Crossing Dorset County Council want to close Wareham’s surface level railway crossing on the grounds that it is unsafe. This is untrue – there has been no accident at this crossing in living memory, let alone a fatality. It is perfectly safe. There are hundreds of crossings across the country and in Dorset, both for vehicles and pedestrians, which are far less safe; for instance the one on the pedestrianised part of Poole High Street used by thousands of people every day, or the local vehicular crossings at East Holme, East Stoke, Wool and East Burton.

Closing the existing surface level crossing will cut the town in half.

Hundreds of people use the crossing every day in order to visit friends and family and access the town’s facilities - the shops, schools, play groups, nurseries, doctor’s surgery, dentists and other facilities. These include elderly and disabled people and parents with young children in prams and pushchairs who absolutely rely on this safe and convenient surface level crossing.

The County Council’s plan to close it and replace it with a narrow pavement right next to the main Poole-Swanage road on the fly-over would add half a mile onto a return journey between the north and south sides

of the town up a steep gradient, which would be unpleasant, inconvenient and impractical for an able-bodied person and impossible for anyone with a disability or who is elderly. This unacceptable route would be the only means of getting from one station platform to another for an ambulant disabled person, contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

A pavement next to the flyover, because it would be impractical and dangerous for elderly people and children, would simply not be used. All the people who live in Northmoor and Carey and use the existing crossing to access Wareham town centre would be forced in practical terms to drive there in their cars. Having got in their cars, many people would then inevitably decide to drive to Poole where there are more and bigger shops and so this short-sighted proposal would also have a huge knock-on effect on the town centre in terms of loss of trade.

Wareham town centre needs all the help it can get, not a body blow like this.

This proposal is completely unacceptable for all the above reasons.

Wareham Town Trust urges people to write into the County Council to voice their objection to this proposal before it is too late (address your letters to Mike Harries or Kelly Rand at County Hall, Dorchester) or e-mail mailto:k.a.rand@dorsetcc.gov.uk The Town Trust has also set up an on-line petition: https://www.change.org/p/dorset-county-council-save-wareham-s-railwaycrossing?recruiter=523583993&utm_source=share_petition&utm_ medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive There are hard copies to sign in local businesses such as Farwells, Horseys and Carey Post Office. The County’s Cabinet deferred a report recommending this proposal in late February and this issue will be reconsidered at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 25th May at 10am at County Hall. The Town Trust would urge as many people as possible to make the effort to attend this meeting and voice their opposition to this crazy proposal.

The existing crossing can be made permanently safe by linking it electronically to the signalling so that the gates close automatically when a train approaches (commonly known as a POGO crossing), as at the crossings mentioned above. Safety can be enhanced by adding an annunciator which voices an audible warning immediately before the gates shut. This would be much cheaper than closing the crossing and building a footway next to the flyover at a cost of £2.4 million and would obviously retain a vital crossing. This is the common sense thing to do.

The County Council should be challenging Network Rail and the Office of Road and Rail to do this and supporting the community of Wareham.

But if no one makes a fuss about this the County will take the easy route and close this vital crossing. It’s no use complaining when the decision’s already been made. It’s now or never. If you want to save this crossing you need to register your opposition now.

Nick Fagan, Chairman Wareham Town Trust.

Pick-Up, Not Car Dear Editor, Regarding the letter sent in to the last edition by Roger Aldworth, complaining about being moved on by the Parking Warden when he was in his Mitsubishi L200 4x4 and explaining that this vehicle was a private car.

In fact when described by a salesman advertising these vehicles they are called pick- ups, so the warden was correct to move him on.

Having said that, I do tend to think that some areas in Swanage are tough on small commercial vans who are not able to park without fear of a ticket.

Alan Houghton, A local.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Recreation, Royalty And Rubbish

A

few people are ‘up in arms’ about the apparent desecration of the peaceful ‘Arfleet Fishing Lakes’ near Corfe Castle. The recent Planning Application was an ‘Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness’ – use of the land, lakes and stone shed for outdoor sports and recreation falling within Class D2 (Assembly and Leisure) of the Town & Country Use Classes Order. Certificate of Approved Lawful Development Existing. The applicant states “the lakes….have been used for the purpose of outdoor sports and recreation, in particular coarse fishing, for a period of longer that ten years”.

Any Councillor seeing this could be forgiven for imagining that the applicants simply wanted to regularise what they have been doing all along .. but not so! All of a sudden it’s “Dorset Waterpark” – shown on their website as a “Huge Inflatable Woodland Waterpark overlooking (!) Corfe Castle, including slides, a trampoline, gladiator rings, jumps, monkey bars, and much more”. So it would seem that Class D2 stretches from peaceful coarse fishing to a ‘huge inflatable waterpark’. Perhaps more appropriate to Swanage or Studland Bay than a muddy puddle in Corfe Castle.

This application was ‘delegated’ to a Planning Officer for a decision rather than discussed by the whole Planning Committee. Corfe Castle Parish Council had commented “This Council confirms the use for fishing only and totally refutes past use for anything else on the land”. But the PDC planners don’t actually give a flying fish about the opinions of Parish Councils, so it’s done and dug. It’s all right for members of the public to get het up – but where were you when the application was advertised? Under the section headed “neighbours comments” – there were none. A shame perhaps that newts, fish, birds, frogs and toads can neither write nor read.

So let’s look at the suggestions about Swanage and Studland. In the sea, this thing requires access across the beach, including the siting of changing rooms and cabins and a briefing room. It needs about eighty mooring cables, each attached to an anchor – probably a tractor tyre filled with concrete. Each cable has to be semi-elastic to allow for the flow of the tides; this would result in a spider-web of undersea cables just waiting to trap inquisitive children swimming too close to see what this garish inflatable thing was all about. In the bay, it would need constant supervision day and night from lifeguards – or would they be security officers? People employed to turn away the children who have swum too close, who may well have exhausted themselves in doing so, and who will be upset when told to go away.

And on a warm night, when the pubs turn out, or after a ‘stag party’, what a great ‘laugh’ to strip off and swim out to the ‘water park’ and climb in to ‘have a go’ whilst actually too drunk to be safe. So we have a potential altercation between the revellers and the ‘lifeguards’. A recipe for disaster.

Swanage Bay is free – all you need’s a towel and a bucket and spade! This multi-coloured attraction in the middle of the bay would run at a charge of around £15 per hour. Imagine your family with three children “daddy, daddy, I want to go on the waterpark” and the constant “I want to do it again” after you’ve given in once. All of a sudden a cheap beachside family holiday has become an expensive nightmare.

So full marks to Swanage Town Council for realising that there was nowhere it could be safely located in the bay, and turning it down – despite the potential revenue.

So we’re back to realising that to everyone except the wildlife, Arfleet Lake is probably the best place for it; out of sight, out of mind, for the beach-going holiday families. Did we locals really want or need it? Is it really suitable in an AONB? When my son James was a little one, a beach holiday (usually Torquay) was a towel, a bucket and spade, a safe bay to swim in, clean sands to play on, perhaps an ice-cream, then back to the B&B for a hot bath and bed.

That’s all we could afford. And such simplicity doesn’t appear to have left him mentally scarred.

What is it about parents these days that they feel the need to keep their children constantly entertained, constantly treated, fattened up on ice cream and sweets? That they can never say ‘no’ or chastise bad behaviour?

That kids are allowed to run riot whether in the home, in a restaurant, or on the streets? They’ll never learn to entertain themselves, never understand the beauty of a countryside car journey without a DVD player or gameboy, never even grasp the concept of listening without interrupting, and that “I want Never Gets’ is something only their grannies used to say?

Anyway. On behalf of the illiterate and soon-to-be-homeless wildlife, had I seen the application for Arfleet I would have sent a letter of objection.

Which would, of course, have been totally ignored.

So the Queen’s 90! And apparently the Palace felt that a chain of beacons around the coast on 21st April was a suitable way to celebrate it. I stopped having candles on my 30th birthday, but I guess the country is the Queen’s cake so she can have what she wants. Despite initial reluctance on the part of the Council, they were eventually obliged to cave-in under pressure from above, so it’s a ‘fait accompli’. Yes Ma’am.

The celebration took place at Durlston Castle. Around 120 invited guests enjoyed the most modest refreshments that the Council could get away with. Of course the guests included the Great and Good from across Dorset, Lords Lieutenant and High Sheriffs and the like. Swanage was ‘allocated’ forty guests and it’s really good to see that some of the Councillors decided that they could do without it, and arranged for the local places to be taken up by the ‘volunteer of the year’ and other volunteers who entered but didn’t win the competition. Full marks to STC! In 2014 and 2015, street refuse was collected in 110 litre containers, in compactor trucks, and taken away to .. wherever they took it to. This year, Dorset Waste Of Space Partnership decided that this service would stop. It took a strongly-worded but politically unpalatable letter from Cllr.Caroline Finch of Swanage Town Council to achieve a partial result inasmuch as we now have a lot of 240-litre bins which will be collected reluctantly by DWP. Bins which have ‘postbox’ tops suitable for litter and chip paper, but not suitable for the domestic or trade refuse which has in past years formed such a large part of the waste in the ‘public’ bins. We have a fortnightly bin collection, recycling centres in Swanage and Wareham, and traders are required to arrange – and pay for – the removal of their trade refuse.

So shame on each and every householder who puts his black bag into a street waste bin, on each and every trader who puts his cardboard there, and then has the nerve to complain that the streets are awash with litter.

I would suggest to the Council – right now – that if ‘domestic rubbish’ continues to be put into street bins, the bags should be opened, the source identified from the contents, and penalty notices issued. It’s illegal and it’s called ‘fly tipping’.

The Purbeck Gazette

Coastguard Update

T

he Maritime and Coastguard Agency recently announced that Nick Field (pictured, below) is the new Deputy Station Officer for the Swanage team.

Nick takes over the role from Gareth Kitching who stepped down from the team in December.

Nick joined the team in July 2010 and has already been involved in two major multi-agency incidents this year, one of which he coordinated alongside the Coastal Operations Area Commander.

Nick brings a wealth of skills to the team from his full time occupation of a business advisor and has already forged links with partners by attending several safety advisory meetings.

An interesting discussion happened recently between a member of the public and team member who claimed the Coastguard isn’t an emergency service. Sadly a lot of our work goes unnoticed although through our website and blog we have tried to raise profile of the work we do, along with our colleagues along the coast.

The Government of the United Kingdom assumes responsibility for civilian Search and Rescue (SAR) within the UK and its aviation and maritime Search and Rescue Regions. The maritime responsibility arises from the UK Government’s acceptance of the Convention of the High Seas 1958, of the International Conventions of safety of life at Sea 1960 and 1974, and the of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (as amended). The lead Government Department for UKSAR is the department of Transport (DfT) which delegates the authority for responding to maritime incidents to HM Coastguard by the authority of the Coastguard Act 1925.

HM Coastguard is an on call emergency organisation responsible for the initiation and coordination of all civilian maritime SAR within the UK Maritime Search and Rescue Region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or person at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the United Kingdom.

HM Coastguard is a Category One Responder along with colleagues from the Police, Fire and Ambulance. Just because we are volunteers does not change the committment and level of service that are provided by those on call to serve out communities.

This month’s incident was when the Swanage and St Albans Coastguard teams were tasked to South Beach to four dogs that were stuck on the cliff.

Oddly the dogs had run UP the cliff on the very low tide, one had fallen, one got stuck and two safely made it back to the bottom of the cliff.

The team were joined by the Dorset Police RIB which provided water side cover along with the Neighbourhood Policing team who kindly used their special 4x4 vehicles to move kit and people about.

Whilst the Coastguard had tried to get the dog down, other team members from both rescue teams set up on top of the cliff to lower a technician down. This side of the incident was slowed down by having to cut through several bushes to reach the cliff edge.

The local National Trust wardens also assisted and finally the trapped dog was safely reached before the team above deployed the technician.

Once down the injured dog was taken by its owner to a local vets to be treated.

Normally we would ask owners to keep dogs on leads near cliff edges however as stated the dogs were on the beach and ran up a track.

The owners called 999 instead of trying to rescue the dogs and putting themselves at risk.

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The Purbeck Gazette

From A Heart-Broken Mother...

A mother who has lost her son to suicide writes to us all There were 6,708 suicides in the UK and ROI in 2013. The male suicide rate is the highest since 2001.

In 2013, 22% of contacts with Samaritans (more than 600,000) involved indivduals expressing suicidal feelings.

My son leaves behind him a son, two daughters, a mum, a dad, a brother, a sister, a brother-in-law, three nieces and many more people. We live in a daze, wondering if we will be able to move on. I would walk to the ends of the earth to have my son back.

His dad speaks to his ashes every day, saying good morning son, before telling him what we have planned for the day and evening ahead. At night he says good night, sleep tight, love you son. If only he could hear his dad, he would say “Don’t be silly dad, what a lot of rubbish you’re talking…” just like the banter they had every day about something or other.

So, I beg you, please, don’t put your loved ones through this – there is help out there, if only you can find the courage to ask – even if it then takes months to feel like life is worth living again.

I want to say to anyone who makes allegations to please think twice, unless the allegations are true and correct. Once you have made an allegation, the person’s life will be changed forever.

My grandchildren have lost their dad, how do you think they feel? They now have the rest of their lives without him.

Matthew Paul Norman. 1969 – 2015. Matt took his own life after being informed that allegations had been made against him. By the time the call was made to say no action would be taken with reference to the allegations, Matt had taken his own life. He never knew what the allegations were.

Are you feeling suicidal? If so, please call the Samaritans on FREEPHONE 116 123. This number will not show up on your phone bills.

Alternatively, call Maytree – A Sanctuary for the suicidal, on 020 3820 7670.

For survivors of bereavement by suicide, support can be found online at: uk-sobs.org.uk or by calling 0300 111 5065, open 9am – 9pm every day.

I

feel I have to write this letter to anyone who is thinking about taking their own life. Please think very hard; the devastation you will leave behind for your loved ones and friends to cope with for the rest of their lives is unbearable.

My son took his own life, aged only forty-five, on 4th October 2015. It was after allegations were made against him, which we now know were nothing for him to worry about.

My son had five days to sit and think about what the allegations could possibly be (he was not told), and he was going out of his mind – he thought he was going to be arrested. No one would tell him what the allegations were actually about. He was supposed to be taking his children on holiday, but then was told that he could not spend time with them unless supervised. Imagine what he felt like.

A mother’s love is unconditional and when you lose your child (no matter what age they are), your world falls apart. You don’t think you can carry on.

My son came back to live with us at home for two and a half years, so I ‘see’ him in my head every day. I wait for him to come in the door and shout ‘Where are you Mum?” or “Where are you, you little Weeble?”

(Which is what he used to call me as I can’t get around very well).

I can see him sat on the sofa (which was his seat), whilst we listened to his jokes, his moans and his funny comments, which would have us in fits of laughter. I remember his tears, shed because he missed his children so much.

I am very proud of my son, he worked very hard. He was a part-time Firefighter, a Crew Manager, and he was the Community Officer for our town. He lived for his job and his children. The thought of losing all of that scared him enormously. My son was about to start with the Fast Response Team and he was really looking forward to that.

The Purbeck Gazette

Body Worn Cameras For Dorset Police

D

orset Police are issuing officers with audio and video recording devices in an effort to make police more accountable. Body worn video (aka BWV/body cams) is a joint project between Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police to equip officers with an audio and video recording device.

The aim is to eventually provide cameras to all operational front line officers. This is in response to public expectations to make police more accountable for their actions. The motivation for the implementation of these cameras has always been evidential. They will provide an unbiased record of what an officer has experienced.

The cameras will be used to record the majority of incidents and encounters, making the police more transparent and officers’ actions more accountable Dorset Police operational lead, Superintendent Richard Bell, said: “All officers will receive training on the use of cameras and our legal responsibilities. The cameras will be docked and downloaded every shift, and files will be tagged for evidence.

“A large scale trial, involving 100 plus cameras at Bridport, Weymouth and Bournemouth is due to commence in summer 2016.”

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner said, “Body worn videos increase the evidence gathering ability of the police, especially in domestic abuse and public order scenarios. Cameras can help diffuse difficult situations as people behave differently when told they are being filmed.

“The cameras also prove extremely useful for officers facing extreme violence and can be used to assist a court when an officer is assaulted. They can also be useful in the case of a complaint against police. Public surveys undertaken by me over 3 years have shown consistent support from the public in introducing this tactic to the policing of Dorset.

“Body worn videos are a win-win scenario for the police, the victim and the courts.”

Carpets Select is a local company which employs skilled, local labour, and is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

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P.E. Teacher Of The Year Is From Wareham!

The Purbeck Gazette

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heryl Rawlings, from Wareham St Mary Primary School (pictured, opposite), has won the prestigious award of PE Teacher of the Year 2016 at the inaugural Daily Echo School Awards held at a packed ceremony at The Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth recently. The pupils, teachers and parents have been celebrating ever since she was selected to be one of the three finalist PE Teachers from 700 nominations.

Since Sheryl arrived at our school, she has given up her lunchtimes and her time after school to host or organise sport clubs every day for the children to enjoy. She has encouraged the children to actively be part of teams which has improved the health, academic achievement and confidence of pupils, giving some of the boys a real team spirit outside and inside the classroom. Not only has it improved fitness of the pupils but has also improved their concentration.

Our school now enters sporting tournaments in Purbeck, sometimes qualifying for the next stage. We are now proud to have school football and netball teams and enter cricket, rugby, hockey, swimming and cross country tournaments (the latter we had first, second and third winning places in 2014). In one water sports competition, we were the only nonindependent school to take part.

“To be nominated by the parents and children makes this award extra special. I truly believe that sport has a crucial role to play in a child’s

development.” said Sheryl. Headteacher Nigel Beckett said “Sheryl is a real star, someone who always gives her best and has changed the life of so many children in all areas not just PE. Well done Sheryl, you have made us proud.”

Wareham St Mary Primary school is also very proud to have two teachers reach the finals: Simon Hobbs, Year 5 Teacher (also pictured above), was also nominated in the category of Primary School Teacher of the Year.

Purbeck District Council Welcomes ‘Homes4Let’

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urbeck District Council is now working with Homes4Let, a local social letting agency which offers a professional service to private landlords that is both cost-effective and socially ethical.

Homes4Let manage properties throughout Dorset, providing more homes for local families.

Unlike most letting agencies, Homes4Let does not charge for services that are often costly addons for private landlords. By keeping commission rates low whilst providing help for tenants, the agency offers a balance between what is affordable for tenants and what is attractive to landlords.

Homes4Let has been working closely with Poole and Bournemouth Councils since 2002 and was recently acquired by East Borough Housing

Trust who are well-known and highly regarded for their work across Dorset, delivering housing, care and support services to vulnerable adults.

Homes4Let has already secured two properties to rent in Purbeck as landlords take advantage of this new way to let their properties. Dominic Amans, Business Manager at Homes4Let said: “We are really excited to be bringing the Homes4Let concept to landlords in Purbeck. I am looking forward to meeting landlords who want a service which is open and honest, providing local properties for local people.”

Councillor Mike Lovell, Housing and Development Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council, said: “Meeting the housing needs of local people is one of the key priorities of Purbeck District Council. Working with Homes4Let will help the Council provide more accommodation for those in housing need and also provide a good quality management service for tenants and landlords”.

If you are a local landlord and would like more information, please visit www.homes4let.org.uk

COMPARING THE CHARGES TO TENANTS...

If you’re a prospective tenant (Homes4Let only take referrals from the local Council’s Housing Team), then we’ve had a look online at the ‘Homes4Let’ website and found the below information on ‘Tenant fees’ for you to peruse.

We asked local letting agents, WPM Lettings, and Estate Agents, Miles & Son in Swanage, to compare the fees charged by Homes4Let with their current tenant fees to see if Homes4Let are actually a better prospect for tenants – or not!

Homes4Let Tenant Fees (inclusive of VAT) Standard Administration fee. Payable for each new letting of a property.

Fee is per property not per person. Moves within Homes4Let stock incur same fee. Viewing costs, preparing tenancy paperwork, inventory and Deposit Bond paperwork at start and end of the tenancy. Check in – Check out. Move in and move out. £140.00 Lodging Deposit with Deposit Protection Service (DPS) £30.00 Non-Council Referral Administration Fee, Plus DPS fee and credit check fees £170.00 Additional charges Credit / Reference check (per tenant) if required £30.00 Bounced Cheque £10.00 Emergency callout Monday – Friday during office hours £25.00 Emergency Callout Evenings / Weekends / Bank Holidays £40.00 Missed Property Inspection where no access given £25.00 Sample charges from contractors in addition to above Locksmith (minimum) £85.00 Keys cut (per key) £10.00 Missed Gas Service (either no access or no gas / electric credit) £60.00

WPM Lettings Tenant Fees (Swanage).

Standard Administration fee (covers same list as Homes4Let administration fee). £75.00 per applicant Lodging deposit with Deposit Protection Service (DPS) – Landlord pays (not tenant). £12.00 NO additional charges in line with those listed above for Homes4Let. Miles & Son Estate Agents Tenant Fees (Swanage) Standard Administration fee (per person) £75.00 plus VAT Lodging Deposit with Deposit Protection Service - included in Admin fee.

NO additional charges in line with those listed above for Homes4Let. Our concerns? Homes4Let seem to be charging tenants a significantly larger amount than some other letting agents, for what is basically the same service.

According to the Homes4Let extensive list of charges, if, for instance, something goes wrong, it reads as though the tenant will be charged £25 - £40 for a ‘call-out’.

It is also clearly noted that if a gas check cannot take place due to the tenant not having enough credit on the meter, they will be charged a fee of £60.

That’s £60 being charged to a tenant in a property, who cannot (at the time) afford gas or electricity.

WPM Lettings state that if there is not an adequate supply to conduct a check, their engineer goes out and puts £5 credit on for the tenant to enable him to complete the check, which seems rather more acceptable to us.

So - socially ethical?

You decide!

The Purbeck Gazette

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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

Remember The Battle Of The Somme

Legion Calls on Communities to Remember egion’s Remembrance programme includes free community toolkit, a free-to-download app with Dan Snow, daily vigils at the Thiepval Memorial in France and a full programme of Legion activity at The National Memorial Arboretum, the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion has launched an ambitious programme calling on communities across the UK to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme from 1st July to 18th November 2016.

Communities are being encouraged to host local commemorative events to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice one hundred years ago in the Somme, one of the darkest chapters in our military history.

The impact of the Battle of the Somme was felt most heavily on a local level because of the introduction of the ‘Pals battalions’, where groups of friends, colleagues, neighbours and sports teams signed up to fight together.

When these battalions suffered losses it was the communities where the young men had come from that lost a generation.

To help people hold commemorative events the Legion has created a free toolkit, Remember the Battle of the Somme 1916-2016, in hardcopy and digital download. The kit features a range of items to support people to host public events or take a personal moment of reflection.

Complementing the toolkit, the Legion has partnered with Ballista Media and historian Dan Snow to create a free mobile and tablet app featuring over 250 pieces of multimedia content which bring to life key moments from the battle.

The Royal British Legion’s Head of Remembrance, The Right Reverend

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Nigel McCulloch KCVO, said: “This year we are asking communities to host or take part in events to commemorate those who fell at the Battle of the Somme, which has come to symbolise the tragic scale and futility of modern industrialised warfare.

“Our toolkit, the app and indeed every other part of the Legion’s Somme Remembrance activity has been designed to appeal as widely as possible, reflecting the losses that were felt by communities across the UK and Commonwealth. Their collective sacrifice is as relevant today as ever but in this centenary year we pay special tribute to their Service.”

The Legion’s Somme branch will lead daily acts of Remembrance at the Thiepval Memorial in northern France, which commemorates all those missing British servicemen from the battle, from 2nd July to 18th November. Daily services will also take place at the National Memorial Arboretum (Staffs), the Legion’s year round centre of Remembrance.

A programme of Legion activity will be hosted at the Arboretum including an above ground replica trench to help visitors to imagine what it would have been like at the front line, guided tours to the memorial relevant to the Battle of the Somme, and a mass participation art installation for visitors to contribute to.

The Legion and the Arboretum will run a competition for one hundred schools to be gifted a Hornbeam tree sapling from the arboretum, where Hornbeam trees have been propagated from the Somme region. It was recorded at the time that a single Hornbeam was the only tree left standing of the Delville Wood, a site which saw particularly fierce fighting during the battle.

A major outdoor photographic exhibition, sponsored by the Legion, will be installed at London’s Guildhall from 1st June to 18th July. Entitled Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace, the exhibition displays imagery captured by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil of the modern day fields of Picardy which still show signs of the battle waged there a century ago.

On 18th November, on what was the last day of the battle in 1916, sunset services at both Thiepval and the Arboretum will bring commemorations to a close.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Family Flies Across World To Witness WWII Veterans Made Knights Of Honour

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he family of former Dorset soldier Harry Carter flew in from New Zealand to see him receive France’s highest military honour alongside fellow veteran Greg Hayward. Greg served in the RAF and lives in Corfe Mullen. The French Consul Madame Josette Lebrat presented the two men with their awards at a ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Harry’s home town of Swanage.

Harry Carter was 18 when he embarked for Normandy. He was engaged in carrying signals’ equipment and ammunition up to the Battalion and, on occasion, returning with wounded soldiers. He was closely involved in the action at Eterville, Maltot and Hill 112.

On the way back from one of these sorties he stopped to pick up a wounded soldier when his carrier was heavily mortared. Harry was concussed and completely disorientated. He was evacuated from the scene and repatriated. In late September 1944 he returned to the Battalion, serving to the end of hostilities.

Harry and his wife lived in Corfe Castle before retiring to Swanage.

Harry worked at Winfrith as a computer operator and served in Local Government as a Councillor for many years - becoming vice-Chairman of the District Council. On retirement he drove the Community Bus, thus continuing his record of public service. He and his wife Audrey are due to celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary later this year.

Harry said: “I’m very pleased and proud. I’d like to think that the award embraces the whole of the Regiment. I think of those chaps who went and never came back. I’m so lucky. I am really. My home was in Oxfordshire.

I enlisted there and I’ve never been back since. It’s always been Dorset for me. I love it.”

Harry’s Grandson Simon Murray flew in from New Zealand with his family.

He said he was immensely proud of Harry and in awe of both men. “I’m choked, incredibly proud. I think the thing you realize is we’re not all here together for very long, life is short. The thing I just can’t believe is my Grandad over there, he went to war at 16 and a half. I mean, bloody hell. It just really makes you realize that they lived in a different world.

It’s very, very humbling. If I can live my life and be half that man, then I’ll

have done well. It’s bloody amazing. It could bring a tear to your eye really easily. It’s very rare that as a man you stand in a room and you’re in awe of all the men around you and that’s how I feel today. It’s just amazing.”

Greg Hayward was a leading Aircraftsman in the RAF, joining in Bournemouth as an Engineering apprentice in 1942 at the age of 16. At 18 he joined 146 Typhoon Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force which moved to the Advanced Landing Ground at St Croix-sur-Mer soon after D Day, in late June 1944. He was engaged in servicing Hawker Typhoon Aircraft.

There were about 100 such aircraft supporting the British and Canadian Armies. Greg stayed with the same unit through France, Belgium and Holland, finishing the war near Bremen in Northern Germany. Greg lives with his wife in Corfe Mullen.

Greg said: “It’s all very fresh in my mind. I can remember all the details as if it were yesterday. It makes me think back to that time and my colleagues who didn’t come back. They’re still in Belgium and I do think of them.”

Organiser Major Nick Speakman from the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester said: “The Legion d’honneur is the highest French award. For these veterans, in their old age, it’s wonderful to see that their time in Normandy was recognised. It’s very special to them and it’s special to us.

Certainly I got a lot of pleasure just seeing the joy in their faces and the appreciation of their family members that this occasion has taken place.”

Pic above right: Greg Hayward (left) Madame Josette Lebrat and Harry Carter (right). Above left: Harry and Audrey Carter and family. PHOTO CREDIT Claire Vera.

Purbeck Celebrates Ten Years Of Fairtrade

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he Purbeck Fairtrade group are proud to announce that their Fairtrade zone status was renewed recently by the Fairtrade Foundation, which means they celebrate 10 years as a Fairtrade zone.

Fairtrade products (look for the mark) ensure that the farmers and workers receive a fair price for their work plus a premium for the community. This is only made possible by the many shops and cafes, B and Bs and hotels which supply Fairtrade products.

Also, locally, many schools, churches, and community groups support Fairtrade too.

The group would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support from Purbeck District Council, which is crucial in gaining Fairtrade status.

Pick up a free copy of the Purbeck Fairtrade Directory from libraries.

For more information on Fairtrade locally contact Brian Wilkins on 01929 459440 or visit www.fairtrade.org .

The Purbeck Gazette

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aily operation for the summer season commenced on Friday 25th March and will run until Sunday 30th October. This year’s Diesel Gala and Beer Festival - Friday 6th – Sunday 8th May - (with a themed preview day on Thursday 5th May) promises to be the most exciting diesel gala to date.

Preview Day (Thursday 5th May) includes a Cream Tea Special “over the road” from Norden to the limit of our operations at the River Frome Bridge. On Friday 6th – Sunday 8th May, an intensive timetable from 0800 to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 08:00 to 19:00 on Sunday giving great opportunities to ride behind and photograph all the diesel locos attending.

Up to 12 diesel locos in action over the Gala including Class 40 40013 ‘Andania’, Class 42 - D832 ‘Onslaught’, Class 46 – 46045 and Class 50 - 50049 ‘Defiance’. Bistro Dining and “Beerex” Trains Friday 6th May and Saturday 7th May. Brake Van Rides from Norden to River Frome Boundary Sunday 8th May. Dorset Beer Festival at Corfe Castle Station in association with Glastonbury Ales. Trade and Enthusiast Stands at Swanage Station.

Full details of our events, dining trains, timetables and fares can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk Purbeck Railway Circle On Friday 20th May, Frank Roberts will make a return visit to the PRC to deliver his presentation “Update on Project Wareham”. Frank’s two part presentation will comprise firstly an update on key aspects of Project Wareham – Swanage Railways project to re-establish services between Swanage and Wareham - and secondly a personal commentary on the SWT Franchise. There will also be a Q&A opportunity at the end of the meeting. The Circle meets in Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross at 7pm for 7.30pm.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Volunteers Honoured At Annual Ceremony

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urbeck’s ‘Volunteers of the Year’ have been thanked at a Council ceremony which has become an annual fixture in the District.

The volunteers, who do exceptional work for their local communities, received recognition and praise from Purbeck District Council Chairman, Councillor Bill Trite.

This year’s event was the eighth annual gathering to be hosted by the District Council. Following the tradition of previous years, Councillor Trite and guests heard about the dedication, energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers who give so much to their communities.

After presenting each volunteer with a scroll as a mark of their achievement, Councillor Trite said: “I am humbled by the sheer volume of work done by the volunteers here this evening. We don’t make enough of the work carried out voluntarily in our communities so it is fitting that we take this opportunity to say thank you for your efforts.”

Councillor Trite continued: “The volunteers here this evening are just the tip of the iceberg. They make a positive difference from which everyone benefits, often working unseen and unsung behind the scenes.

The District’s volunteers are crucial to our towns and villages and, with ever-decreasing government funding, it is inevitable that we will be looking more to volunteers to plug the gaps.

“We owe you a debt of gratitude for all that you do.”

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Fourteen parishes and towns across the District nominated Volunteers of the Year who were congratulated in front of more than 50 guests.

The volunteers of the year were: Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle and Bere Regis parishes (joint nomination) – Bob Holman Arne - Cllr Vivienne Ward East Lulworth - Annie Lovelass East Stoke - Rebecca Cady Langton Matravers - Bridget Mayes Lytchett Matravers – The late Bob Miller Lytchett Minster and Upton - Mabel and Mike Fraser Morden - Lynne Amey St Martin - Cliff and Sheila Watters Swanage - Jean Gibbs Wareham - Nigel Spiller Wool - Dawn and George Crewe Worth Matravers – Dr Andrew Langley and Ms Hilarie Lewis

First Timetabled Train On Restored Line

istory has been made during the Swanage Railway’s Spring Steam Gala when the first timetabled passenger train ran over four miles of newly restored line towards Wareham – for the first time in forty four years.

And a Cornish centenarian steam locomotive played a starring role on all three days of the popular event as it helped to haul the special fourtrains-a-day service between Norden, Furzebrook, Creech Bottom, East Holme and the River Frome.

Starting from Swanage, four passenger trains each day ran beyond Norden station, over the newly-installed Norden Gates level crossing and on past Motala, Furzebrook, Creech Bottom and East Holme before stopping at the River Frome – within sight of the town of Wareham.

Passengers were not able to board or alight the steam trains running over the four-mile extension beyond Norden station and the trains operating between Norden and the River Frome had a steam locomotive at each end.

The first train between Norden and the Frome River departed Swanage at 9.45am on Friday, 8 April, 2016, with Southern Railway late 1920s ‘U’ class locomotive No. 31806 on the front – a locomotive that used to visit Swanage in the 1950s.

Train at Holme Lane, by Andrew P.M.Wright

The Purbeck Gazette

Memories Wanted!

Swanage Youth Club, The end of an era (and the start of another) veryone will now be aware that after many years Swanage Youth Club organised and run by Dorset County Council will close at the end of July as part of DCC cost cutting.

Enormous numbers of Swanage residents have used the club at one time or another and many will have fond memories of their time attending, for example the youth club might have provided: Your first experience of being away from home and parents on a residential The first time you met a future partner You made a best friend by getting to know them at the centre You learnt something that has had an ongoing impact on your life A member of staff helped and supported you through a difficult time You achieved something that you are proud of (such as a D of E award) You just have a delightful or fond memory.

As part of the process of ending this current era the club is going to create a memory wall to celebrate all the happy activity that has taken place at the centre. The intended date for the celebration is Friday 29th of July from 7pm and anyone who has attended the club is welcome.

Celebrating those memories and providing a tangible recognition of those experiences will act as a bridge between the current situation and the exciting future still to come. As a result of a partnership between Swanage Development Trust and Swanage Town Council the centre is likely to return like a phoenix as a locally controlled youth and community centre for both young people and the wider community to use. Look out for further information and how you can be involved in the near future.

If you have any memorabilia, photos, recordings or are able to write a few words of memories of your experience of the club please drop them off at the centre before the end of May so the memory wall can be developed.

Please ensure you put your name and address on anything so that you can be invited to the celebration and future events.

Many thanks, Pete Marsh (Chair, Swanage Youth Club Advisory Committee)

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

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x-Submariner, Grahan Baynes, 72, from Wareham, was getting ready to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to support villagers in Darfur, Sudan.

Graham was riding for ‘Kids for Kids’, a charity providing direct help to 90,000 people in remote areas around the world.

Graham is pictured (left), outside the Mobility Centre in Wareham, with then-Manager, Hugh O’Kerwin.

District Highways Engineer, Jon Munslow, had completed a further inspection of the requirement for additional drop kerbs in Swanage in February following Steve Darrington’s campaign for better access for the disabled.

Many locations were indentified in town, and work was due to start adding drop kerbs where there was a need in 2006.

A dead body was discovered in Swanage Library - well, almost! An outline of a body was indeed found , but this was an illustration for a talk on the history of Crime Fiction, by Chris Pullen from Dorset Library Service. The attentive audience had plenty of questions, and enjoyed the buffet laid-on by the Friends of Swanage Library.

Purbeckians celebrated their winnings from Purbeck District Council’s recent ‘Recycling Lottery’. Weekly prizes had been offered to residents who stuck their contact details inside empty bottles, glasses and jars. Prizes included National Trust memberships, day tips out, Zorbing sessions, CD/ DVD vouchers and horseriding vouchers. Dorset boasted having ‘one of the highest recycling rates in the country’ in 2006.

Wareham Town Council welcomed in Mayor-elect Councillor Les Burns and the Deputy Town Mayor for 2006 was Mrs Sue Elmes. Wareham’s first listed Mayor (from the Town Hall boards) was Mayor Schipman in 1336. 271 names of past Wareham Mayors were listed on the boards in the Town Hall at the time of writing.

Following-up from his comments in the April 2006 edition, John Scott of the Rural Business Support Group wrote: ‘Those of you who read my ‘Apathy Unlimited’ article in the April edition will not be surprised to hear that I received just four phone calls, and one of those was from a journalist who wants to write a ‘follow-up’ article on the response, or lack of it...’

John also reported on the highly successful move of Wareham Market to the Quay on Saturday 8th April 2006, stating that nineteen stalls were in attendance and that customer feedback was very positive.

Members of Wareham Camera Club were celebrating after landing a grant for £3250 from the National Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ programme.

The club were able to purchase a digital projector, laptop computer and software. Pictured above is Nigel Spiller, Club Chairman, receiving the award certificate from Bert Wason FRPS, Club President.

In the Motoring column, David Hollister was urging readers to join the ‘Pipeline Card’ scheme, which enabled users to buy fuel at a discount. At the time, over 300,000 people had joined the scheme in the UK. New guidelines came into force regarding child car seats, with nationwide advertising to ensure the public knew about the new regulations coming into force. Children from 3-11 (and under 4’5”) would no longer be allowed to use just the seat belt in the front seat - a correct child restraint would have to be used instead.

Food columnist, Martin Pook, investigated the virtues of hempseed oil as an alternative to Olive Oil. Having a profound hatred of Olive Oil himself, Martin was interested in the possibilities offered by a hemp alternative.

Growing hemp requires a licence - you cannot grow it alongside public highways as the ‘Man from the Ministry’ doesn’t like it, apparently. Martin suggested that problems arose as licensed growers of hemp found their crops had been cleared from the middle of the field and another, similar plant had been grown in its place....

Worth Cafe and Craft Centre was still in operation, offering daily breakfasts and ‘Evenings in Worth’ - delicious dinners served on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights all year round. Diners had to book in advance due to the popularity of the centre.

The bumper ‘Arts Section’ in May 2006 celebrated Dorset Art Weeks, and included a review of Wareham Town Band’s concert at Wool, which included various Alpine and Austrian pieces. Swanage Town Band invited readers to a ‘Listen and Play’ evening, where they could join in with the band. Advertising for an upcoming ‘Lakeside Magic’ concert at Kingston Maurward and Abbotsbury Music’s Open-Air Opera were also included.

The Boilerhouse Gallery was holding an exhibition during April, and a gathering of Purbeck artists were exhibiting together for a week at Rollington Barn, Corfe Castle, as part of Dorset Art Weeks.

At the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, the ‘Purbeck Players’ performed ‘Blue Remembered Hills’, Dennis Potter’s play relating the activities of seven West Country seven-year-olds on a summer holiday afternoon in 1942.

Tickets were £7 for adults. And that was May 2006!

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Problem With Litter, And The Locals Tackling The Issue Head-On

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s many of us are aware, there have been a few issues with the Dorset Waste Partnership since its inception, including significant overspends and vehicles allegedly driving around without insurance.

In a perfect world, everything would work smoothly, but this world of ours isn’t perfect. We Purbeckians are proud of our outstanding natural environment, and there has been much comment on social media recently (from both locals and visitors) about the amount of litter on our streets and scattered throughout our countryside.

Last month we published letters from Frank Roberts and Lara ManninghamBuller, reporting on their ‘Clean for the Queen’ litter picks in Purbeck in early March. Small teams of volunteers worked tirelessly for hours, filling purple bags with roadside litter, with most of the bags being collected (eventually, in some cases!) by Dorset Waste Partnership.

Lara’s team collected thirty bags on 5th March in Wareham and the surrounding areas, and the small team lead by Frank gathered an impressive forty-nine bags in the days prior to, and including, the 5th March.

Frank (pictured, below left) decided not to stop there however, and after purchasing purple collection bags and official signage (with his own money - as photographed above), he continued to clean Purbeck for our benefit – sometimes starting at 3am, when the traffic was at its quietest.

At our last catch-up, Frank (with his small team of helpers) had collected a total of eighty-three full-to-bursting bags of rubbish in March.

Areas they cleaned included Afflington to Corfe, Harmans Cross, both sides of the A351 from Victoria Avenue to St Michael’s Garage, Godlingston Hill to Ulwell, the Viewpoint and the A351 Norden roundabout (another 3am start for safety reasons!).

With volunteer litter-pick groups now operating in Wareham, Langton and Swanage, Purbeck stands a chance of retaining its unspoilt beauty.

Those volunteering to help collect the litter are not only benefiting us all, they are also enjoying a social activity, keeping their fitness levels up and hopefully they get that warm glow associated with doing something worthwhile after a successful litter pick.

We would like to offer our most sincere thanks to the teams led by Frank and Lara, as well as to the Langton Crew, led by Bridget, for working so hard to Keep Purbeck Tidy for all of us. You’ve done us proud, and we all appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Next step is to stop people chucking rubbish out of car windows, as well as encouraging everyone to take their rubbish home if they can’t find a bin nearby (particularly in the case of Swanage – where most of the street waste bins keep vanishing at a rate of knots, to the detriment of the town as a whole).

This is OUR isle, and whilst we do pay substantial sums in tax for our rubbish to be taken care of by DWP, the system is quite obviously not working as litter is everywhere and bins are a vanishing commodity.

Our choice is to sit and moan, or take care of our island ourselves.

The Purbeck Gazette

Could You Foster A Child For Dorset?

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ne in every 159 children in Dorset is in local authority care.

That’s 486 children – and this is likely to increase to 500 later this month.

Dorset County Council’s fostering service currently has 181 households who are approved foster carers across the county, providing caring, safe and nurturing homes to many of these children.

However, we need more foster carers to ensure all of these children are placed with county council foster carers and can continue to live within their own communities.

The rewards of being a foster carer can be enormous but it is often the small things that make it all worthwhile.

One foster carer described caring for children who have suffered neglect and witnessed violence in their lives by saying, “The greatest moments are when a child begins to gain in confidence and flower as an individual.

Also, as a foster carer I now have infinite patience.”

Children who are in foster care tell us that what they most need and value in their foster carers is “someone who is kind and caring, someone who will listen to us. Someone who is non-judgemental and will welcome us into their family.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, please Dorset County Council’s fostering team on 0800 195 9654 or go to www.dorsetforyou. com/fostering You can also come along and talk to us at one of our fostering drop-ins: Monday 16 May – 10am to 4pm, Pippins, Hanham Rd, Wimborne, BH21 1AS (Please use public car park).

Monday 23 May – 4pm to 8pm, The Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RR. You can also find us at Tesco, Dorchester – 18 May, 10am to 4pm.

The Naturalife Shop, South Street, Bridport – 25 May, 10am to 4pm.

Asda, Weymouth – 27 May, 10am to 4pm.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Town Council Update

Julie, our Gazette correspondent, details the goings on in recent council meetings.....

News from Wareham Town Council March 2016 ayflower Care has received planning permission for a care home on the site of Sandford First School. The local community has set up a foundation to keep the youth group going. Purbeck District Council (PDC) agreed an increase of £5 for Council Tax, an increase of 20p for the Norden car park and a 5% rise for other car parks.

Two students from Purbeck School gave a confident presentation to the Council about E-safety, emphasizing the importance of parents (and grandparents) being involved in children’s on-line activity as well as an awareness of what they themselves divulged to the web.

The Council voted to top up the grant from Viridor Landfill Tax Credits to buy fitness equipment for the Recreation Ground. Pedal hard enough and you will be able to top up your mobile ‘phone!

In February the Council welcomed Mrs Angela Reed as Finance

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Administrator. The Planning and Transport Committee raised objections to proposed extensions to a house in Stowell Crescent, asked Dorset County Highways for a white Access Protection Marking line in Sandford Road and heard that PDC had requested a painted sign for “The Happy Hour”. A request for residents’ parking in St Martin’s Lane or any other roads will be considered only if all residents sign a petition.

Wareham has been entered in the South and South East ‘In Bloom’ competition. The area adjacent to St Martin’s Church has been cleared and snowdrops planted and the fence will be painted. Repairs to the road surface halted by the church in case the retaining wall fell down.

The cracks are being regularly inspected while investigations continue to discover who is responsible.

Councillor Mrs Doreen Cleaton has been confirmed as Town Mayor-Elect and Councillor Mr Malcolm Russell as Deputy Town Mayor-Elect. The Town Council sent a celebration scroll to the Queen for her 90th birthday.

The exciting BluPoint demonstration of a free virtual museum was scheduled for Thursday 24th March.

The next Council meeting is on Tuesday 17th May at 7pm in the Town Hall, Wareham. The public is welcome to attend.

Call 01929 553006 for further information or visit the website at www.wareham-tc.gov.uk.

Expanding Suttles Group Takes On Additional Staff

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he growing Suttles group, local employer to sixty-eight staff, has recently added two staff, as well as promoting two staff to director level.

Within the Projects division, Andy Birtwistle has joined as a Plant Operative, whilst Simon Stacey has been taken on as Contracts Manager.

In addition, John Suttle has been promoted to Operations Director of

Suttle Stone Quarries division; Liam Tucker has been promoted to Operations Director at Suttle Projects.

John Suttle, Director of Suttle Stone Quarries, said: “Within the last few months, we’ve seen staff joining at every level of the business, from apprentices, up to director level.

“The Projects division, in particular, has seen a great increase in demand as they are able to come up with innovative solutions to complex or challenging civil engineering and piling projects that other companies may not be able to provide.”

The Suttles group is home to three divisions based across the Isle of Purbeck & Poole; Suttle Stone Quarries for its landscape supplies and aggregates; award-winning Suttle Projects for its civil engineering and piling solutions; and Suttle Purbeck Stone, used for building, paving and flooring stone.

For further information about Suttles, go to: www.suttles.co.uk Pictured from l-r: Liam Tucker, Operations Director and Simon Stacey, Contracts Manager of Suttle Projects; John Suttle, Operations Director of Suttle Stone Quarries.

The Purbeck Gazette

Open House At Smedmore

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medmore House is nestled within the Purbeck Hills with an unrivalled view of the sea, Clavell’s Tower, views across the Tyneham range and over to Weymouth and Portland Bill.

This hidden jewel on the Dorset Coast is only open for four days a year, so why not take the chance to visit the stunning 18th Century privately owned house on the Jurassic Coast?

On Saturday 7th May, the house and gardens will be open to the public from 2pm until 5pm.

In addition to guided tours around the historic house, in the garden there will be various stalls, Dorset cream teas, live music from saxophonist Wendy Allen, plus classic cars from Weymouth Vehicle Preservation Society.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, an independent charity providing high quality care, love and support throughout Dorset, will benefit from the open day on 7th May. For more information about the event and weldmar Hospice Care Trust please visit www.weld-hospice.org.uk or phone 01305 261800

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust Caring for Dorset

OPEN HOUSE & GARDEN Smedmore House & Garden Kimmeridge, BH20 5PG

Saturday 7th May, 2-5pm Entrance £6 or £10 per couple, accompanied children under 16 free

Enjoy guided tours, live music, stalls, Classic Cars, Saxophonist, Wendy Allen, and Dorset Cream Teas!

Have You Microchipped?

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s of Wednesday 6th April 2016, all dogs aged eight weeks and over in the UK are legally required to have a microchip.

Statistics show approximately 1.8 million dogs still do not have a microchip in the UK, but 80% of the pet dog population does currently comply with the new law.

To help dog owners check if their dog has a microchip, vets are increasing awareness of the new law and helping owners understand more about the legal requirements.

The new legislation is designed to prevent illegal breeding of dogs, bring owners to account for a dog’s aggressive behaviour and reunite lost pets with their rightful owners quickly.

But microchipping is also carried out on other pets, including cats and rabbits.

Contact your local vet for information on microchipping NOW if your dog is NOT yet microchipped - you are running the very real risk of a £500 fine as you are now breaking the law....

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Swanage Lions PopUp Fete

The Purbeck Gazette

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fter the highly successful Pop Up Fete of last year, Swanage Lions Club will be repeating the event over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

There will be the usual selection of stalls and side shows for adults and children to enjoy.

These include books and toys, Swanage Seafront produce and plants as well as the ‘Made in Swanage’ stall. Also there will be games for children.

Come and enjoy fun on Swanage Seafront on Sunday May 29th 11 am to 3pm. All money raised is for local charities and good causes.

We hope to see you there!

In other news, Swanage Lions President Tim Mersey presented a cheque for £500 to Suzanne Dominy at the Art Workshop, 21 Commercial Road, Swanage (pictured, right).

This money was raised from the annual Fun Swim at Wareham last October.

The Art Workshop provides a variety of Arts and Crafts facilities at low cost for people in the community of all artistic abilities.

The Workshop is particularly helpful to anyone who is new to the town, suffering with long-term illness or social issues, recently bereaved or lonely, by providing social interaction and connections with local artists either in groups or one to one sessions.

Suzanne thanked the Lions, the swimmers, and everyone in the community who gave financial support to the Fun Swim saying “the money is such a huge help”.

SWANAGE LIONS

POP-UP FETE

Sun 29th May 11am - 3pm

Out Of The Blue

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his month we are looking at the role of a Police Officer on the Neighbourhood Policing Team at Wareham.

Today part of my morning was dedicated to attending a professionals meeting regarding concerns for a group of young people who may have been involved with child sexual exploitation (CSE) both from a possible offending and victim perspective.

CSE is the exploitation of children and young people under the age of 18 for the purpose of sexual activity. When concerns like these are raised by professionals, a meeting is sometimes called in order to discuss the matter in detail and to implement a plan of action.

These meetings are normally attended by our partner agencies such as social services, the local schools, the youth service and other organisations that work with young people. Information sharing between agencies is crucial to gain a proper understanding as to what is going on and to discuss the risk, harm and threat being considered as well as other matters.

The meeting was approximately two hours long. Professionals were able to discuss the young people involved and recognise where gaps in information needed to be filled.

What always amazes me is how much information there is to discuss.

Invariably with these situations, there are a whole host of interlinking names and areas and sometimes it is actually quite a complicated discussion. With this meeting, it was decided that further work needed to be carried out

and a second meeting was organised.

This is just one part of the work of a Neighbourhood Police Officer. Our role is hugely varied and each day is rarely exactly the same. However working with other organisations and partner agencies is a regular occurrence and the work they do is also vital to assist police with our continuing assessment of risk, harm and threat.

To contact Dorset Police 101 - Police Enquiry Centre 999 - EMERGENCY where there is a risk of harm or a crime is in progress.

0800 555 111 – Crimestoppers (anonymous) Remember if you See Anything Suspicious (SAS) call 999.

For the latest information on what Purbeck police are doing follow our social media, Twitter - @PurbeckPolice and Facebook – facebook.com/ Purbeck-Police, we value your support and comments.

Purbeck Safer Neighbourhood Team

Editor’s note: To TARA FERRARI, PS SO 5393. The entire Purbeck community thanks you for your ten years of service.

We wish you the very, very best in your new career - please know you will be dearly missed by the traders, retailers, cyclists, victims of theft and just about everyone else! You have been instrumental in bonding local policing with the community, and your loss will be felt. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us. Good luck!!

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The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage’s New Lifeboat Arrives!

Pictures by Tim Crabb

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he volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew at Swanage welcomed their new Shannon Class lifeboat, ‘George Thomas Lacy’, on Friday 8 April, to the delight of hundreds and hundreds of spectators from near and far, who lined the length of Swanage Pier and the ajoining coast.

The lifeboat, which is the first of its class to be put on service in Dorset, arrived in Swanage at 12 noon with a flotilla of accompanying sea craft and the Coastguard Helicopter. The volunteer crew then demonstrated her capabilities in the bay, before mooring up alongside the pier so the public could get a closer look.

The Shannon is named George Thomas Lacy, following a generous legacy left by Mr George Lacy for use by the RNLI on the Dorset coast. Mr Lacy, who passed away in 2006, spent part of his life in the Navy and was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. The Shannon was brought into the bay with RNLI mechanic Dave Turnbull at the helm, led by the current Swanage RNLI lifeboats - the Mersey class lifeboat ‘Robert Charles Brown’ and the D-class lifeboat ‘Phyl & Jack’.

Dave will be taking over as coxswain from Martin Steeden, who officially stood down when the Shannon was declared operational in late April.

The volunteer crew have been busy training in preperation for the new Shannon’s arrival. Dave Turnbull says the training went well; ‘We’ve really got to know the new lifeboat and there is a vast difference. Our Mersey class, which has served us so well, is based on designs which are around

thirty years old, so you can just imagine how much the technology and design have moved on.

“That said, despite the amount of technology involved, in many respects the new lifeboat is simpler to work with, as well as being quicker, more comfortable and above all safer.’

Once the lifeboat is based permenantly in Swanage, the remainder of the crew will take part in ten days of intensive station-based training. The current Mersey class lifeboat will remain on service throughout, until the Shannon is declared an operational lifesaving asset.

The Shannon class lifeboat will be operational from a mooring in the bay until the station build is complete, around the end of the summer.

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An Historical Gem....

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here is a hidden treasure in Purbeck that is known to all too few of the people who live here. In fact most of the visitors it receives from April to September each year are holidaymakers, and they are all full of praise for what they discover.

The Purbeck Stone Museum is situated right in the centre of Langton Matravers and can be found immediately behind the Church in an old coach house which was once the stable used by local clergy for their pony and trap when The Old Rectory really was a rectory and not the valued care home which it is now.

The museum is run by the Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society and is staffed by volunteers.

It is dedicated to the heritage of Purbeck stone and provides an explanation of the unique geology of Purbeck with fascinating examples of the various beds of stone.

The topmost layer, known as Purbeck Marble, has been quarried near Langton since Roman times and may be seen in many English cathedrals as well as most of our local churches.

There are displays of apprentice pieces made from the cliff stone, or ‘beds’; a large collection of stonemasons’ tools; samples of masons’ craftsmanship; and many photos and documents from the past, as well as an authentic

The Purbeck Gazette

reconstruction of a section of underground quarry workings.

All of these are put into context by a much praised audio-visual introduction to the history of the local stone industry which lasts for twenty minutes and was written and presented by the curator of the museum, Reginald Saville, the well-known and highly-regarded local historian.

There are also some thirty books for sale on such diverse subjects as local villages, the old town of Swanwick, and families and characters from the past including the smuggling churchwarden!

Our local area was built with and on local stone, the history of which is the history of Swanage and Purbeck, and anyone who is interested to discover more about our local heritage should be sure to visit the small museum that is a historical gem behind the Church in Langton Matravers.

It is open from now until the end of September between 10am and noon and from 2pm until 4pm every day of the week except Sunday, and is well worth a visit.

David Selman

Swanage Fire & Rescue Station Update

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i and welcome to my first report from Swanage Fire Station as part of a new Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Operationally we have been kept busy responding to twenty four emergency calls and these include the following: Two property fires. One of which was on the 23rd March when, at about 7pm, both Swanage appliances were alerted to attend a thatch roof fire at Lytchett Matravers where, along with fourteen other fire appliances from across the county, they tackled the fire that took over three hours to bring under control (pictured, below right).

Two Chimney fires.

Three heath fires. One of which was at Northport Heath, Wareham which required four appliances, one Landrover and the special Unimog off-road appliance to extinguish the fire.

Four false alarms.

Two special rescues. On the 27th March, we were called to someone locked in the cells at the old Police station. On our arrival we found the new owner of the building had been accidentally locked in one of the cells by his five year old son. The crew got to work using our hydraulic rescue equipment and after thirty minutes we had released a rather embarrassed, but happy to be out, gentleman from the cells.

We have also responded to twenty four medical calls in and around the town, backed up by our South West Ambulance colleagues in either a paramedic car or an ambulance.

I am pleased to report that on the training side, Firefighter Jones has

completed his breathing apparatus training and Firefighters Curtis, Berry and Jones have attended our training centre and completed their road traffic collision training.

This month’s safety message: I would like to remind our community about fire risks on farms; there are many fire risks present in our rural community and here are a few that need to be considered.

Arson has been a risk in some areas of the county, so making sure that basic security is in place and remaining vigilant is really important.

Additionally, cylinders and fertilisers are significant hazards to firefighters during incidents, so knowing where they are and letting us know when we arrive is key safety information.

For more information on these types of incidents and many more fire safety tips please see our brand new web site at www.dwfire.org.uk Stay safe and don’t forget to test your smoke alarms.

Phil Burridge - Station Commander

The Purbeck Gazette

May: Saxons And Vikings!

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axons and Vikings: Siege of Wareham - Saturday 30 April – Monday 2 May. We invite you to come and witness re-enactments and battles, visit the Saxon village and talk to the craftspeople. King Alfred’s Court and Young Warrior Training both return for 2016. Beware the cries of ‘Odin’ across the Isle of Purbeck.

Saxon and Viking Essential Skills and Storytelling. Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 May & Saturday 21- Sunday 22 May Come along and try your hand at some Viking and Saxon skills. Learn how to use a flint and steel for lighting fire, weaving braids and listen to ninth century sagas of heroes, monsters and demons from our itinerant storyteller.

Saxon and Viking Academy - Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 May Come along and get involved at our Saxon and Viking Academy where you will have the chance to become a brave warrior. You can learn the skills, see the weapons and hear the stories including the Hrothgar saga.

Don’t miss the interactive sessions for young warriors.

Photo by Martin Franks/NT images Purbeck

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On Top Of The World!

The Purbeck Gazette

YOUR Pictures.....

Send us your pictures to ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk Original files ONLY please, as they come straight off the camera with NO alterations. Some mobile phones may not produce useable pictures due to low resolution. Remember to include your name in the email!

Moody skies and misty water at Seacombe, by Gareth James

Alphie Moon munching spring grass in Swanage, by Holly Johnson

Tipper truck makes a splash in Swanage, by Jeff Soulsby

Last night of ‘Dorset Fire & Rescue Service’ at Swanage Fire Station, before joining with Wiltshire Fire & Rescue. We love you guys!!

Spring at Arne, by Denise Exon

The Purbeck Gazette

Myths and Superstitions itting on the coast with tales of maritime heroics and derring-do surrounding the gentlemen of the sea, it is inevitable that a multitude of words, phrases and stories abound, some based on historic fact and many far from it. To lightly skim the surface: Abandoned to sail the oceans forever, the Flying Dutchman, is fantasy. Supposedly spotted by the lookout on HMS Inconstant on the 11th July 1881, another seaman sent to join him never saw anything.

There was no entry in the ship’s log, the original lookout died as he fell from the rigging a few day later and the Captain’s sanity was later challenged!

The Marie Celeste however, is fact and she was seen heading towards Gibraltar in 1872, under full sail, with nobody on board and 6 months rations still un-broached. The last Log Book entry? 11 days previously!

Davey Jones Locker, (the bottom of the sea), is shrouded in mystery.

Some sources maintain that Davey Jones was a corruption of the Devil and Jonah (of biblical fame). Some say that he was a Caribbean based pirate of the 1630’s and others say a publican who got men drunk and then sold them onto whichever ship was available, so really you can take your pick.

Sailors were renowned to thrive on superstition. Bananas on board were bad luck, probably because of the toxic gas they can give off and the spiders living in the hands.

Women on board were a strong no-no, (especially red heads) but the use of a bare-breasted figurehead was almost mandatory, the bare breasts calmed the stormy seas and the open eyes saw the ship to safety. Another contradiction is whistling on-board.

It is said to whistle up the wind which, when becalmed was a good thing but on a windy day, it was not good to whistle up a storm.

Sailors wouldn’t willingly sail on:- Fridays, Crucifixion Day, Thursdays (Thor’s day, the god of Thunder and Storms), the first Monday in April, when Cain slew Abel and the second Monday in August, the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sundays were OK, probably to miss church, but it is amazing they ever went to sea.

Despite the aversion to bananas, monkeys appear all over ships.

Forgetting the pets, a monkey’s face referred to a triangular wooden block with three holes, (part of the rigging), the monkey island (deck above the bridge) and a monkey’s fist is a knot forming a weighted ball on the end of a throwing line.

A Monkey was also the triangular brass frame upon which cannonballs were stacked, forming a pyramid. In cold weather, since brass shrinks faster than iron, the monkey shrank and the balls rolled off.

Therefore, to say that it is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey is a nautical saying and has nothing to do with the freezing emasculation of a Simian Bronze!

Please use the email below for any more questions that we may be able to answer for you and stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life or leisure takes you.

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

Bob Clark swanagenci@btinternet.com, NCI Swanage.

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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

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I Zaw Thic Funeral...

The Purbeck Gazette

The funeral of T.E.Lawrence, as seen through the eyes of a local Dorset boy...

R.I.P. T.E.Lawrence - ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, 16 August 1888 - May 19th 1935

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eaders be warned - this is written in Dorzet-speak!

I want to tell you a zad story about me nevvy who never came back from the 2nd World War. It was spring 1944 and I was helping his mother to clean out his bedroom. As we pulled the old chest of draws away from the wall, I found these notes written on an old Sunny Jim cereal box. In my mind I think it could be a little bit of a story about Morton.

Me name be Bert and I ain’t very good at telling stories. Well be thee ready! He called it: I ZAW THIC FUNERAL.....

So let I give it a try. I wus there, peering out behind an old oak tree. I should have bin working but I ‘ad never seen so many people in Moreton before. Let I tell thee a little about me self. Me father was employed as a dairyman for Mr Henry Frampton, who owned the Estate at Moreton.

Me dad’s name was Walter Brinson. I used to go to the Moreton Church of England School where our headmistress was a Miss Gillet. She gave me the cane once, let I tell you how that came about! Her first name was Amy. Well, after school sometimes, we boys would go and see Bill Bishop who was a wheelwright in the village. I always wanted to learn to be a wheelwright but me father could not afford to pay for me to be apprenticed.

Still, as I wus saying, we lads would call in his workshop on the way whome from school as he was the only man in the village to have a wireless set.

He would put they headphones into a large china basin and that made the sound louder so we could all yer it.

One day we went in and a man was zinging a zong about a woman called Amy Johnson who flew zingle handed all the way to Australia. Part of the zong that I can remember twas “Amy, oh Amy who can blame me, for falling in love with you.” I ran around the school playground pretending that I was an aeroplane, with my arms stretched out like wings and when I saw Miss Gillet, I started to zing the zong. She said that I had no respect for her and that I must call her Miss. I thought it was funny, but she zaid that she would take the smile off me face. She caned my left hand. I didn’t dare tell me dad or he would have given me a clout too.

On Saturday nights me father would harness up our pony to the little cart and take Mother into Bovington to Holland’s Butchers Shop. Father knew the manager very well, his name was Mr Stratton. On Zaturday nights Mr Stratton would auction off the meat at about 7o’clock because they did not have refrigerators in the Bovington shop like they did in Dorchester, and the meat would not keep until Monday.

Father would also take the accumulator into the garage at Bovington and exchange it for a fully charged one and take it back to Bill Bishop so that he could run his wireless for another wick. People in the village could have their meat delivered by an errand boy on his trade bike if they had one of them new-fangled telephones to order the meat. I knew the errand boy, his name was Bert Hargreaves. E played football for the school at Bovy.

By March 1935, I had left school and wus working on the estate as a labourer. Me father didn’t want I to go into the dairy as that wus seven days a week work. I was cleaning out some drains on the side of the road when Miss Cox, one of my old school teachers, making her way whome to Winfrith on her bike, stopped to ask if I had heard about an accident at Clouds Hill.

She said that Bert Hargreaves was on his bike, delivering meat with a friend on another bike, when the man who lived at the cottage at Clouds Hill, the one they called Lawrence of Arabia, who was on his big motor bike, swerved to miss the boys. He lost control of his bike and fell off and hit a tree. Arthur Whiting with the coal lorry from Wool was just coming along and the driver Lionel Chapman and his mate Bill Conners jumped out to see what they could do. Seeing the state of Lawrence they got him onto the back of the truck and took him to Bovington Army Ospital, both boys zeemed alright.

I went back to the village and went and saw Billy Bishop to see if he add eard anything. Charlie Hawkins was there. He was the Carter on the Estate.

Charlie was saying that this Lawrence was a mad man on that large bike, and on many occasions, he had almost caused accidents as E roared past Charlie as he was taken a cart load of hay back to the barn. The noise of the bike nearly made they hosses bolt.

On one occasion the hosses pulled the cart into a ditch, breaking the back axle. When Charlie reported the accident to Mr Henry Frampton, he said that it must have been Charlie’s fault. As far as Mr Frampton was concerned, the sun shone out of that man Lawrence’s backside. I have heard it told, that they were related in some way. They kind stick together.

A pencil sketch of Lawrence drawn by Augustus John in 1919. Augustus John was a regular patron of the Square and Compass in Worth. They have a painting by him of Charlie Newman (Snr). By kind permission of Hugh Elmes.

A few days later we heard that T.E.Shaw, that Lawrence of Arabia bloke, had died and that people would be coming from all over the country to the funeral.

Charlie Hawkins was told to take a large cart with some bales of hay for the mourners to zit on and to meet the trains as they came into Moreton Station to take them to St Nicholas Church. They also moved the cows out of the small field by the church so that people could park their vehicles.

On the big day everyone was busy, so I went on to work and made me way near the graveyard, pretending that I was clearing out ditches. I must be honest I had never seen so many people in the village, and there were automobiles parked every where.

Later, I was told that the man smoking the big cigar was a Mr Winston Churchill and a lot of men smartly dressed in Army clothes and wearing medals, were men who had fought with Lawrence in the First World War. All the ladies were dressed in black. I will remember it for the rest of me life. After the funeral and all the people had left our village, I thought how lucky I was. I remembered Miss Gillet telling us when I was at school, that the First World War was the war to End all Wars!!

I carried on working for Mr Frampton on the estate until 1939. Guess what? Miss Gillet did not know everything.

Please note. The names and historical references are completely authentic, but the story is fictional.

By Hugh Elmes, local historian and author of several books on T.E.Lawrence.

STILL AVAILABLE: Copies of ‘Local Tales of T.E.L., by Hugh and Sue Elmes (pictured, right) is available to purchase for the price of £6.95 from Farwells in Wareham and the New & Secondhand Bookshop in Swanage.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Helpline No – 01929 424363 Volunteer Co-ordinator Wanted We are currently looking for another coordinator to help us run Purbeck Good Neighbours. Our coordinators take requests for help and then allocate the task to one of our volunteers in the Purbeck area.

All the coordinators work on a rota system usually manning the phone and email at their convenience for a fortnight at a time at approximately two month intervals.

The task is not too onerous as we usually only receive around 3 requests a week. Full training and support is available.

So if you think you would like to help us please ring our helpline and we will arrange to meet you.

Dementia Awareness Sessions - Whether you are a volunteer or not we would like to invite you to one of our free sessions run by our Dementia Friends Champions.

We are currently running one hour Dementia Awareness Sessions to the local community. They give an insight into the problems that people with short term memory loss encounter within the community and how everyone can help.

If you would like to do something positive for your community by either volunteering or joining a Dementia Awareness session do give Sue 07825 264353 or Mo 07971 338486 a call and we can give you more information.

We can visit clubs and groups as well as local businesses for the free sessions.

Swanage Area Senior Forum DEMYSTIFYING LEGAL MATTERS FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND f you’ve any doubts about decisions you’ve made in respect of your future legal affairs – Swanage Area Senior Forum’s next meeting on Wednesday 11th May is perfect for you.

Two Dorset solicitors will present, explain and demystify changes in the law, and changes in the pipeline, on Wills, LPAs and Inheritance Tax and how they might affect you.

Why should you make a Will? Do you need to update it? If you are in a second marriage or cohabiting with a long-term partner, can a Will be made that protects all your loved ones’ interests?

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? Why should you need one?

How does an LPA differ from an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)?

If you suffer life-changing health issues, at any age, would you need to name people you trust to look after and protect your best interests on health and welfare, or property and finance issues?

What could changes in the law on Inheritance Tax mean to your beneficiaries?

“I’m too young to worry about such things, plenty of time yet”, you might say. But the years pass and life changes ... so if you have any questions, or simply want to find out more, do join us on Wednesday 11th May, at The Emmanuel Church Centre, Victoria Avenue, Swanage.

There’s ample parking, doors open at 6.30pm when refreshments are served and the meeting starts at 7pm.

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PUBLIC MEETING - WED 11 MAY DEMYSTIFYING LEGAL MATTERS FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND Two Dorset solicitors present and explain changes in the law and those in the pipeline on Wills, LPAs and Inheritance Tax Emmanuel Baptist Church Centre Victoria Avenue, Swanage.

6.30pm for a 7pm start Refreshments & ample parking.

The Purbeck Gazette

NIGHTINGALES HOME CARE SERVICE

We have provided personal care to the people of Purbeck for more than 14 years.

We offer assistance in your own homes, tailored to your individual needs.

If you feel we can help in any way, please ring Nanette on: 01929 485285 (office) or 07415 242933 Registered office: 2 The Sidings, Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1AU

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Economic Review Of Q1 2016

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uring the first three months of 2016 the FTSE 100 index fell by 1.1% and was down by 8.8% over twelve months.

Our analysts generally commented on the global situation as follows: ‘Global equities had the worst ever start to the year with a 10% fall in the first two weeks which took the World Index 17% below its 2015 peak. Equities recovered as fears of a US recession receded and the Chinese equity market stabilised.

In the 2nd Quarter, we believe that volatility may continue as economic growth remains below trend, the commodity price recovery looks shaky and a worrying development is NIRP (negative interest rate policy) in Europe and Japan. World equities do not look cheap on a forward P/E of 15.5x, especially when corporate earnings are struggling to grow.

However, with low or negative bond yields, higher yielding equities still look relatively attractive’.

With specific reference to the UK, selections from our analysts’ comments are as follows: ‘Trade weighted sterling has fallen about 9% (since November) on weaker economic data, a more dovish Bank of England and Brexit fears.

In Q2, volatility in financial markets could intensify around the 23rd June referendum on EU membership.

Although equity valuations look demanding on a P/E of 15.2x this is slightly distorted by high multiples in the oil and mining sectors which have performed well this year. There is still dividend risk in resource companies, but outside these sectors there are some high and growing dividend yields. We maintain an ‘Overweight’ position on UK equities.’

‘In Q1, the FTSE 100 Index declined by 1.1%. There were strong performances from mining and oil but banks and financials declined sharply. Official GDP forecasts have been lowered and could still be too optimistic. In Q2, the Sterling exchange rate may dominate sentiment especially around the timing of the Brexit vote.

A decision to exit would be an event risk for both the UK and the Eurozone. Although UK dividends have been under pressure, the UK equity market still provides an attractive dividend yield and we remain Overweight’.

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.

The Purbeck Gazette

Can I transfer my personal allowance?

Q. I work part time and don't earn enough to pay tax, but my wife earns £25,000 a year from her full time job. I have been told that I can transfer some of my personal allowances to her so she can save some income tax.

Is this true?

A. Claiming the marriage allowance can save married couples or civil partners up to £220 in 2016/17, but many couples have not claimed it yet.

The allowance was introduced from 6 April 2015, and enables married couples or civil partners to transfer £1,100 of personal allowance (2016/17 rate; £1060 for 2015/16) from one spouse or partner to the other, provided that the recipient does not pay tax at a rate higher than basic rate.

To process a claim, HMRC will need the national insurance numbers for each spouse/civil partner. In addition, if the claim is made online or by phone, HMRC will have to check the identity of the person making the claim and will ask for information from the claimant such as the last four digits from bank accounts that any state benefits (such as pension or child benefit) are paid into or from bank accounts that pay interest.

Alternatively HMRC may ask for information from employment such as information contained on a P60 (the form given to all employees at the end of a tax year).

The claim should not be made if one spouse was born before 6 April 1935. Instead, the couple may be entitled to claim married couple's allowance which is more favourable.

JUNE DEADLINE NOON 9TH APRIL

The Purbeck Gazette

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Resolve your legal matters with Battens Solicitors

South West Surge In House Sales South West enjoys a surge in sales outstripping all other regions ICS UK Residential Market Survey, February 2016. South West continues to see sharpest growth in agreed sales.

According to the RICS UK Residential Market Survey, February 2016, the South West has seen the highest rise in sales across the UK for the last three months – 49% of respondents experienced a rise in sales rather than a fall and further increases are expected over the year ahead.

New instructions to sell also increased more sharply in the South West than anywhere else in the UK as 34% of surveyors saw an increase in new listings rather than a decrease. New buyer enquiries in the South West rose for the twelfth month in succession with 49% more respondents seeing an increase in demand rather than a fall. Again this is the most significant increase across the UK. The rush to acquire buy-to-let property continues to contribute to the upward pressure on prices with 74% more surveyors in the South West reporting prices to have risen in February.

Across the UK the rate of house price inflation is predicted to slow as April’s stamp duty changes are introduced. Only 21 per cent of UK respondents expected prices to increase over the coming three months and in London 38% expected prices to decrease. But 42% of South West surveyors still expected prices to increase rather than decrease.

However, the survey showed that South West respondents are expecting a slower rate of sales growth post the buy-to-let rush, with only 22% expecting to see an increase in sales rather than a fall over the coming three months.

RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn, said, “Since the Chancellor made his Autumn Statement announcement last November, investors have rushed to purchase homes before the stamp duty surcharge comes into effect. It is inevitable that over the coming months April’s stamp duty changes will take a little of the heat out of the investor market.

“While there remain significant doubts as to whether the Government’s plans to encourage a more robust development and construction pipeline will be sufficient to address the housing crisis, long-term price indications for the housing market remain strong with respondents still expecting them to rise by a further 25% over the next five years.”

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Charities Inheritance Shows Early Negotiations Vital

by Peter Livingstone, Director at Battens Solicitors 3 charities have been given leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in a case called Ilott against an award in favour of a daughter after her mother Mrs Jackson cut her out of her will and gave almost all her estate to the charities. The Supreme Court will now consider the case.

The charities are hopeful that it will reduce the daughter’s award.

Winning the bet The real reason for the charities’ appeal probably lies not in the facts, the evidence and the law, but in the offers which the parties have made during the case. When one party makes a formal offer to the other, then if that offer is accepted, that is the end of the case. If though the offer is turned down, it becomes like a bet.

The party which made the offer is saying “I bet you don’t do any better than this”. The party which turns down the offer is saying “I bet that I will”.

At the end of the case, after the court has made its determination, the parties can then tell the judge about any formal offers. If one of the parties has lost the bet, they can be ordered to pay all of the legal costs which have been incurred since the time when they could and perhaps should have accepted the offer, on the basis that they have been wasting everyone’s time and money since then.

In the Ilott case, it is highly likely that the award by the Court of Appeal is better for the daughter than an offer which the charities made to her. The charities may have had to pay her not only the settlement, but also all of her costs.

They will also have had to pay their own costs. What they are probably trying to do by this latest appeal is to reduce the award so that Mrs Ilott then receives less than an offer which they made to her. That may save them from having to pay all of her costs. It may also enable them to grab a contribution towards their costs out of her award.

Mrs Jackson died in 2004. The case has already been going for more than 11 years.

This latest appeal (the fifth in the case) is likely to add a year or so to that. In the end, the outcome is likely to result in severe financial pain for one or other or both of the parties and it is a shame that the case was not concluded by some form of settlement a long time ago.

For further information please contact Peter on 01305 774666 or email peter.livingstone@battens.co.uk

01305 774666

The Purbeck Gazette

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Trust and Tax Specialist Joins Ellis Jones

RUST and tax specialist Andy Kirby has joined expanding law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors as a consultant.

A former student at Poole Grammar School, Andy previously worked for HM Revenue & Customs, Lloyds Private Banking and two law firms in Hampshire.

His areas of expertise include trusts and estates, lifetime inheritance tax planning, income and capital gains tax and deeds of variation.

He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (Distinction).

Nigel Smith, Managing Partner, said: “Andy’s main expertise is tax planning and I have no doubt that his services will be in great demand from both existing and new clients of Ellis Jones.”

Pictured - Trust and tax specialist Andy Kirby (right) with Nigel Smith, Managing Partner, Ellis Jones Solicitors.

Hiding Mental Health Problems From Employers

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lmost three-fifths of mental health sufferers in the South West did not admit the problem to their employer Only 42% of workers in the South West who have suffered from mental health problems have talked to their manager about these issues, new research has revealed.

The study of 1,388 workers commissioned by Willis PMI Group, part of Willis Towers Watson, found the biggest reason for this is that they believe it might impact upon job prospects.

This was cited by 38% of respondents in the South West as the main concern, followed by the worry they would not receive appropriate support (33%). Further reasons included a fear it might make management think less of them (27%) and a belief their manager wouldn’t understand (21%).

“Mental illness remains an incredibly delicate subject and one that requires urgent attention from employers in order to better manage staff wellbeing and sickness absence,” said Mike Blake, Director at Willis PMI Group.

“It is unlikely we would ever see a situation with physical illness where most people are unwilling to report it to management, so companies must ensure employees with mental health issues do not suffer in silence.

The proper recording of sickness and absence related to mental health is a crucial first step in tackling the problem, but this can only happen if staff are given the assurance they can report issues in confidentiality and without judgement.”

The Willis PMI Group study further revealed that 31% of workers in the South West believe mental illness is a private issue that should be dealt with by the individual.

However, workers were found to be more open about mental health issues outside of work. More than four-fifths (81%) of workers in the South West said they would talk to their family and friends if they were suffering from mental health issues.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Trading Standards Know your consumer rights!

Trading standards test Rabies plans orset County Council Trading Standards service is responsible for responding to a wide range of animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth, Avian Influenza and Rabies.

We don’t take the potential threat of animal disease lightly. The cost to the UK economy, the livelihood of farmers and the welfare of animals are all adversely affected by animal disease. There are contingency plans which we test periodically to ensure that if disease strikes we are ready.

We recently organised a multi-agency exercise to test the Rabies plans.

Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system and can affect all mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, wildlife and farmed animals.

Humans can contract rabies if they are bitten, scratched or licked on mucus membranes or broken skin by an infected animal. Once clinical signs develop, rabies is invariably fatal and there is no known cure. Signs of the disease include paralysis and aggression.

Rabies was eradicated in the UK in 1922 and there are strict control measures in place to ensure it is not reintroduced into the country.

Formal arrangements allow people to move their pets across certain borders without being quarantined, but they have to be vaccinated, have a pet passport and only come into the country via approved transporters and routes.

Facilitated by officers from the County Council’s Emergency Planning team, the exercise simulated a scenario where a boat arrived in Weymouth harbour from Morocco with a dog on board showing symptoms of rabies.

This was intercepted by Border Agency staff who alerted vets from the Government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency and officers from Trading Standards. Subsequently vets placed restrictions on the harbour and these restrictions, along with any illegal landings of animals, are a responsibility of trading standards in a Rabies control incident.

The Harbour Master was actively involved and the Police role included

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assisting local authorities to enforce imposed restrictions.

In a suspected outbreak, there would be a need for close coordination across a range of services and experts, testing communications in this way is therefore vital.

If you ever suspect an animal is being illegally landed or has been, or would like more information on the pet passport scheme, contact Trading Standards Animal Health line on 01305 224474.

To learn more about the role of Trading Standards in animal health and welfare see https://www.dorsetforyou.com/trading-standards/animalhealth-and-welfare-advice

The Purbeck Gazette

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I LOVE My Job!

by David Hollister

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egular readers of this column will both remember that at least once a year I take a car for a few days in Torquay to review for you. I’ve taken some good ones, some not-so-good ones, some really, really good ones but – honestly – nothing as good as this one. Hand on heart.

Monday morning, it was pouring with rain, I was only just awake when I arrived at Westover Lexus in Poole, and they really expected me to jump into what at first glance looked like a huge opportunity to make an expensive mistake.

Compared with my little Mazda, the size was daunting; I just knew it would be full of gismos and technology I would never understand even if I spent the whole weekend reading the handbook; I just knew that the Devon country lanes just weren’t big enough for it and that my £500 insurance excess was gone almost before I left the forecourt!

Just goes to show how wrong once can be! Yes, it was full of innovative new technology but most of it was so intuitive that I didn’t even need the manual. Yes, it was much larger than my MX5 but actually much more comfortable and much easier to drive; turning in well over 40mpg on the 350-odd mile journey. Almost silent when the engine was running; totally silent in ‘EV’ mode. And to cap it all, it was drop dead gorgeous. It turned heads. Literally. Mine included.

Here’s where I would normally give you a list of all the hi-tech stuff it has as standard; but I just can’t think of anything it didn’t have that I could possibly have wanted. The seat and steering wheel adjustments were all-electric; literally hundreds of different positions including the right one for me! The suspension is adaptive to your chosen driving mode. You build the car around you; you configure the seats, the driving position, the suspension settings, you can even configure the way the on-board computers display the driving information, of which there is masses.

There are five driving modes – Normal, EV, Eco, Sport and Sport +. Didn’t do a lot of ECO, to be honest. You don’t spend £37,495 on this beautifully engineered piece of kit and then witter about how much fuel it’s using.

In ‘Normal’ mode, the EV (silent electric motors) kicks in when it thinks it needs to; the electric motors also give a useful boost to the 2.5-litre petrol engine when accelerating, producing a total of 220 bhp. And on that subject – 0-62 comes up in around 8.6 seconds; this car won’t pull down any trees but who cares! Yet it feels just as quick as a normal 2.5 litre sports car when it’s up to speed. Bold design coupled with tuned handling.

There’s no handbrake; no embarrassing hill-starts. Two pedals – go and stop. Just like that. The car’s short wheelbase gives an amazingly small turning circle for what seems such a large vehicle; combined with the front and rear ‘bleepers’ and the useful rear-view colour camera, you’d be hard pressed to hit something whilst parking!

I’ve always preferred ‘using the gears’ to slow down than dab-dab-dab at the brakes and in some automatics this isn’t possible; in the Lexus in ‘S’ mode, you can actually change up and down in an instant with the ‘flappy paddle’ gear change set on the steering wheel. ‘S’ mode actually provides a crisper acceleration too but …….. normal CVT mode is so much easier, quieter, lets the car do the thinking and leaves you to enjoy the sheer pleasure of whispering through the countryside. It would be really hard to be angry in this car; even if you were really cross when you got in, about half a mile and you’d be chilled and relaxed, even in the worst traffic, because the car just does it all for you. You want warm seats – you have them at the push of a button. You want chilled air blowing round your backside – it’s there for you.

The interior – like the exterior – shouts ‘luxury’ at you. The beautifullycrafted leather sports seats make you feel as if you belong, embracing you from hip to shoulder. Yes, the leg-room in the back isn’t class-leading, and there’s a 60-40 split rear seat if you really must put your golf clubs in it. The leather-clad steering wheel has virtually all the buttons and switches you

could need and you don’t need a degree to operate them; just spend an hour quietly playing with them and learning – preferably in your driveway not on the A35…….

Keyless entry is standard, along with automatic lights and wipers, and a really easy cruise control. There are eight airbags and lots of useful storage. I think I achieved 43 mpg as opposed to the published 56.5 mpg; that’s a credible 76%. I would have known exactly what I’d achieved had I remembered to set the ‘trip’ at the beginning of the drive but as far as I’m concerned, a three-day country break in a luxurious and smart car was worth every penny of the £48.50 it cost to refill. For the technically minded, the BIK tax is 20% based on 116 CO2s combined. And yes, there was a proper spare wheel.

OK, I hear you say, there must be something that you don’t rave about!

Well, even though I’m left-handed I still – after three days – found the central ‘touch pad’ control difficult to be precise with. I’m pretty sure that it has a ‘sensitivity control’ but just like I’d rather use a mouse than a touch pad on my Apple-Mac, I think I’d have preferred the ‘knurled knob’ that you get on BMWs and indeed on my Mazda 2.

But then again, if I spent longer than a week with the Lexus, it would become ‘second nature’, so really it’s all about patience and persistence.

Neither of which I’m particularly blessed with. And perhaps an additional half-hour with the sat-nav and a wet towel around my head might have helped me to learn it better.

But – patience, persistence, manuals, dammit, no thanks. I just wanted to drive it. And learn about it later! They say that this is up against the Audi A5, the Jaguar sports coupes, the Mercedes C-class and maybe the BMW 4-series. It offers comfort and unhurried refinement rather than seat of the pants thrills; big Mercs and BMWs show you have money; the Lexus RC 300H F-sport simply says you have class.

There was one other really negative factor and that was – I had to hand it back to Westover Lexus. £37,495 would have been achievable when I was younger and before I semi-retired, but with my sensible head on, would I come out of semi-retirement to afford it……. only time will tell! But if I were the Managing Director of the Westover Group with all those different cars at my disposal and had to choose just one …… this would be it.

For further information, brochures, and to arrange a no-obligation test drive contact Gary Tranter at Westover Lexus on 01202 974044. And yes, we topped off a brilliant weekend with a superb stay at the Maltsters Arms near Totnes, some super lunches in the sunshine at some gorgeous country pubs……. I love this job!

The Purbeck Gazette

Lighter Days Issue In Darker Times For Child Safety

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he recent clock change has brought us another step closer to the most dangerous time of the year for children on the roads.

Historical data shows that the monthly total of child road casualties rises to a peak in July when (based on a five-year average) 57% more children aged 15 are killed or hurt compared to December which has the lowest monthly average.

There are also big variations in casualty rates between local authority areas.

The table below shows all child road casualties, and those killed and seriously injured, by month (five-year average, 2010-14) in Great Britain.

Looked at across the year the peak hour for child road casualties is between 3pm and 4pm with many also hurt in the following couple of hours. There is also a spike in the morning between 8am and 9am. The spikes coincide with the school ‘rush hours’.

The summer peak in total child casualty numbers is likely to be down to children’s increased exposure to risk with the better weather and longer days meaning more young people playing outside with their friends; and cycling and walking to and from school.

For example the number of child cyclists hurt in July (the peak month) is some 400% higher than it is in December, while overall traffic volume in July is only about 13% higher than in December.

However the number of children in cars who are hurt on the roads also increases during the summer suggesting that by whatever means of travel, children are out and about more than during the winter months.

The RAC Foundation also analysed child casualty rates by local authority.

Blackpool has the highest casualty rate which is six times higher than Shetland which has the lowest rate.

Analysis of child road safety by the RAC Foundation also found that: The number of child road casualties who are boys is 33% higher than girls 40% of all child road casualties are pedestrians 13% of all child road casualties are cyclists 17% of all child road casualties occur on a Friday Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Instinctively we think of the dark, cold months as taking the biggest toll on our children.

But the opposite is true.

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With the longer, warmer days children are more likely to be out and about. And with that comes a rise in casualties. Over the past decade or so there has been a steady decline in the overall number of child casualties but worryingly in 2014 there was a noticeable increase.

“Identifying why one area has a higher rate of casualties than another is not an exact science, but some key factors include the level of deprivation, the availability of gardens and parks to play in, proximity to schools and amenities, traffic volumes and road layout.

“The recent increase in child casualty numbers should concern us all.

We don’t want to wrap our children in cotton wool, and walking and cycling are good for our health, so as adults and parents we need to lead by example whether we are driving a car, crossing the road or on two wheels. The more we act responsibly, the faster young children will learn how to make the right decisions and stay safe.”

Pete Williams, a trustee of the RAC’s Road Safety Awareness Charity, said: “It is the responsibility of all drivers to be mindful of the risks of young road users and children playing around and near roads and to reduce their speed and increase their vigilance. But more needs to be done to address road safety education in schools and across the board to ensure our young people are alert to the potential dangers.

“That is why the RAC has teamed up with The Scout Association to improve the awareness and skills of their half a million members to help them keep safe and to grow up as responsible road users.”

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Food

From The Kitchen Garden...

Seasonal Grub - Rhubarb Crumble

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ow the soil is warming up, there are definite signs of life happening and one of the first outdoor treats to appear in the kitchen garden is the perennial rhubarb.

It’s a cool weather vegetable crop, originating in China where it used to be cultivated for its medicinal uses as a laxative. It grows well in humus rich and moisture retentive ground and the season to use the stalks is roughly from the end of April till the end of June.

Afterwards the stalks can become rather fibrous and the rhubarb crown needs to recover for next year’s growth. Our rhubarb is a relative to the sorrel, hence the ‘furry’ teeth after eating it. The stalks are best pulled off the rhizome rather than cut, as this encourages growth, cutting makes rot more likely.

A fond childhood memory of mine is sitting on the garden wall, rhubarb stalk in one hand and a bowl of sugar in the other and dipping the stalk deeply into the crunchy sugar before biting the whole lot off- the burst of sherbet sourness is quite something!

Now just thinking about raw rhubarb makes my teeth ache…..However, a simple crumble, still piping hot from the oven with lots of custard is hard to beat as a real good pudding. In this easy recipe I’ve also used a cooking apple just to mellow the tartness of the rhubarb.

Rhubarb and Apple Crumble for 2 people Preheat oven to 180C 3 stalks rhubarb, washed and if necessary slightly peeled, cut into chunks 1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks Stick all the fruit into a bowl, sprinkle with sugar and leave to marinate while making the topping: 100 gr. plain flour Pinch of cinnamon if desired 50 gr. Demerara sugar (for crunch) 50 gr. Butter (cold and cut into smallish pieces) 50 gr. Roughly ground almonds Put all dry ingredients into a bowl and work with your fingers into a

crumbly mix. Put fruit into baking dish and sprinkle crumbly crumble over the top.

Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.

Eat with plenty of hot custard, cream or yoghurt.

Now we eat rhubarb mostly in pies, cakes and crumbles as a dessert.

Someone told me though, they used to eat stewed rhubarb before their main midday meal.

Do I just have weird friends or is this common knowledge…?

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Products

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pring has now well and truly arrived, a busy time in the farming calendar. Our herd of suckler cows have started calving and it’s lovely to see the calves running about in the sunshine.

It has been a long wet winter so now is the time to start working the land ready to prepare for hay and silage making.

Pigs have their babies at any time of the year so are not governed by the seasons, so we have regular ‘farrowings’ thereby a constant supply of piglets to grow on for pork and bacon.

We are now beginning to see the seasonal increase in demand in the run up to the busy summer season when the camp sites open and our ‘Sammy Sizzlers’ sausages and home cured bacon fly off the shelves, as well as pork and apple burgers ready for the barbecue season, providing we don’t get a wash out summer,again!!

We look forward to seeing you at the monthly Purbeck Produce Farmers Market, held on the second Saturday of every month in Commercial Road, if you want quality local produce at affordable prices, come and see us all.

Phil and Pauline Samways

PURBECK PRODUCE FARMERS’ MARKET MARKETS IN COMMERCIAL ROAD, SWANAGE, ON THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. ALSO FIND US AT PUTLAKE FARM, LANGTON MATRAVERS. LOCAL PRODUCE FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS www.purbeckproducts.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

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Grey Sky Thinking

by John Garner

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s I sit here pondering the outside world, the two predominant colours I can see are green and blue. Whilst the green is often there, regrettably the blue is not. Desperate for some sunshine I have just got back from an island in the Mediterranean where the green wasn’t as predominant, but the blue was more than abundant.

As we know, green landscapes and rain go together like emerald and isle. We live with a great deal of grey. More often than not if you look at a weather forecast it will give you a period of greyness. Looking outside it is often grey, today excluded. I spent some time in Manchester as a youth and the predominant colour of the world there is grey for large

parts of the year.

Grey clouds predominate. Buildings seemed to have taken on the greyness of the clouds. People hunched themselves down looking like they were carrying the leaden weather on their shoulders. Dorset’s grey skies don’t carry that same feeling, but the colour is the same.

So, it’s time to embrace the grey. Grey can go two ways. It can lighten and give way to whiter and whiter clouds followed by blue skies. It can darken and become more menacing and turn darker still and even more forbidding, a situation often followed by periods of rain. We all hope when we look out of the window that the grey will go blue, but it often doesn’t.

Sometimes it goes the other way. More often than not it just stays grey.

Being on the coast there are times when I have watched a grey line of clouds coming in from the sea, bringing a whole new weather system with it. It can be a thing of great beauty.

On average it rains on about ten days of the month here, depending on which spurious statistics you choose to believe. If you take this on face value, that’s twenty plus days when it doesn’t rain at all. And if you take out half the time for darkness, that’s even more daylight time without rain. I think.

It’s possible if you really cook the books to suggest that only five days are lost on average to rain each month. Twenty-five plus days without rain. Of course the problem with these averages is that they are just that. Averages.

It could be that there is a little rain each day for a whole month. But there

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is still a great deal of no- rain time to be out in the countryside. That’s if rain puts you off in the first place. For some it doesn’t. This means going out into the grey a great deal. Statistics on greyness are hard to find. It’s not an easy thing to judge. Grey is what people associate with a state before or after a different state. In this case either before or after rain or blue skies. We just need to adopt a different approach.

If you are on holiday and it’s cloudy you don’t decide to stay indoors as a rule. There were cloudy days on the island in the Mediterranean, but I was on holiday, so went out anyway. Imagine. And it was fine. Grey can be good.

Some of my favourite buildings are grey. The Barbican and National Theatre in London to name but two. And here’s the thing. Some will see these as hideous characterless sprawls. I think I did initially as well, but my opinion of these places has changed over the years. And your opinion of grey days could change too.

Let’s look at the positives. In summer, whilst cloud cover doesn’t mean you can’t burn, it may mean you don’t have to slather yourself quite as liberally with sun cream and you won’t need to spend quite as long trying to get it off in the evening. This will also save you money and as sun cream is changing hands on the black market for similar prices to truffles in secret Italian market squares, this could be a real financial bonus.

Grey days will also stop you squinting quite so much, eradicate the pesky glare you get in the mornings when the sun is low and in your eyes when you’re driving. More Googling of statistics tells me that 3000 car accidents a year are attributed to sun glare. People! Grey could save your life.

Admittedly you’ll also be saving the insurance industries money and no-one wants that, but for your own health and safety, you can’t go wrong. On that note I used to know a chap who was a multi-millionaire and founder of a hugely successful insurance company. He sold his company to a larger company and was reputed to have been awarded £78 million for his share in the proceedings. This was when the financial sectors were unregulated and you could get away with anything. Oh wait. That’s still the case.

Anyway, he used to get quite miserable when it was sunny as he said there would be more insurance claims due to accidents on those days. My heart bled as you can imagine. He used to content himself by taking long sunny holidays in exotic places. Although he presumably didn’t drive when he was there. Maybe he should have moved to Dorset. Or Manchester.

I digress as ever. The grey is not going anywhere. Make sure it doesn’t stop you going anywhere. Could be the Visit England slogan couldn’t it?

Trichomoniasis In Rempstone Area

richomoniasis has been confirmed in Rempstone and is killing wild birds.

Trichomoniasis is a parasite which causes lesions in the throat of the infected bird, making it progressively harder for the bird to swallow its food, and eventually breathe. There is no treatment and infected birds will die within weeks.

Birds will also show signs of lethargy and fluffed up plumage, drooling saliva and regurgitated food. Affected birds frequently have matted wet plumage around the face and beak and uneaten food in and around the beak.

If you see birds with these symptoms, or birds who do not react to danger (do not fly away when you approach as they usually would), you MUST remove ALL feeders and dispose of the food within immediately.

ALL FEEDERS should be thoroughly cleaned with a 10% bleach solution, and rinsed.

BIRD BATHS should be cleaned, up-turned and not refilled.

You must then CEASE feeding the birds altogether for a minimum of

three weeks to allow the infected birds to die.

If you see no signs of infected birds after three weeks, you can begin feeding again. Remove all feeders, clean and stop feeding again for a further three weeks if any signs of sickness return.

Failure to follow the above steps where Trichomoniasis is present will result in mass infection, and the death of many of the birds you are trying to help by feeding!

Pictures: Top, Siskin.

Below: Dead Siskin and dead Greenfinch among birds infected and lost in Rempstone, April 2016.

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May Wildlife The sound of spring can be heard across Durlston with Skylarks in full voice, the scratchy song of Common Whitethroats, who have returned from their winter in Africa, and Yellowhammers, Stonechats and Chiffchaffs in the scrub.

A super show of Cowslips across the meadows, with Orchids, including the Purbeck speciality the Early Spider Orchid also in bloom. A fine array of downland flowers include the bright blue Chalk Milkwort and the yellow Horseshoe Vetch. The rare Early English Gentian may also be found growing in the short turf.

The early butterflies include Green Hairstreak, Grizzled and Dingy Skipper, Small Heath and Wall Brown, while Adonis Blues should also appear before the end of the month.

Keep an eye out to sea for Bottlenose Dolphins who may appear at any time.

Please let us know of any Durlston wildlife sightings Dorset Art Weeks A flagship exhibition for Dorset Art Weeks opens in the Fine Foundation Gallery at Durlston on Wednesday 11th May. The exhibition showcases the work of a wide range of artists, including painters, illustrators, sculptors and digital artists, who have been working together to explore landscapes, materials and the human form.

Throughout the exhibition, artists will be on hand to demonstrate techniques and chat about their work.

The exhibition is open every day until the 16th June and includes

work for sale.

Seabird Boat Trips Our summer season of seabird-watching trips kicks off on the 13th May at 7pm. Join the Rangers for a relaxing evening cruise along the Jurassic Coast, looking for Guillemots, Razorbills, Peregrine Falcons and more.

Tickets are just £15.75 for adults or £7.88 in advance or £17.50 or £8.75 from the Pier. The boat departs from Swanage Pier. Booking recommended with citycruisespoole.com Mindfulness Walk If you fancy trying a relaxing way to enjoy the wonderful spring atmosphere at Durlston, then why not join a mindfulness walk on Sunday 15th May at 2pm.

Led by ‘Mindful Nurse’ Nikki Harman, the walk will give you the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the spring meadows, while learning some simple relaxation techniques.

The walk costs £5 and booking is required.

Purbeck Footprints Wildlife Photography Walk On Sunday 22nd May, join wildlife photographer Julian Sawyer for a gentle stroll to look for wildlife and ’develop’ your photographic skills along the way.

Julian will help you find some of his favourite spots around the Park and offer some tips and advice on how to get great shots of wildlife.

The walk starts at 2.30pm, costs £5 and booking is required.

Thanks For All Your Support This Spring!

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e’d like to extend our thanks to all those who came to visit our Church Knowle centre in March and April. We had a fantastic Easter trail and it was great to see so many of you enjoying it (despite the weather that weekend!).

On Tuesday 5th April, we saw record numbers attend our Family Animal Activity Day. Whilst those that came early enjoyed the day, we are aware that we had to turn away many visitors after our parking filled up very quickly. Our sincere apologies to everyone who was affected by this.

As we move forward into May, our centres are busy rescuing and caring for animals and as such, we are busy planning even more events to raise much needed funds.

Our fundraising day ‘Margaret Green Day’ is on Friday 20th May and we are inviting you all to ‘Wear Green for Margaret Green’ on this day. To find out more, or to request a free fundraising pack, please call 01929 477074 and ask for Jazmin or Kate.

Just two days later, we’ll be celebrating your achievements at our delightful ‘Strawberries and Cream at Margaret Green’ event on Sunday 22nd May. For just £5 a ticket, you’ll not only get your strawberries and cream, but you’ll also be entertained by Purbeck’s own Flanders & Swann, fabulous tribute duo, Ball and Socket. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, please call 01929 477074.

Finally, a reminder that our visitor centre at Church Knowle is open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm. Come and meet some of our newest arrivals, such as Spike the goat, who looks remarkably like a unicorn as he only has one horn!

As well as meeting the animals, take part in our fun quiz and follow the visitor trail. We can also offer hot drinks, cakes and snacks in our tea room and gift shop. Free entry.

Above: Spike.

The Purbeck Gazette

Big Garden Birdwatch Results South West

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he results below are from this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in South West England.

The columns show: Species of bird recorded, Mean - the mean number of birds seen per garden, Rank (top 10 species recorded by county, etc), Percentage of gardens where people saw the species.

RSPB South West England Region Species Mean Rank % gardens House Sparrow 4.55 1 64.5 Blue Tit 2.81 2 77.6 Starling 2.27 3 29.9 Blackbird 2.16 4 86.0 Goldfinch 2.06 5 36.2 Woodpigeon 2.03 6 74.8 Chaffinch 2.03 7 51.4 Great Tit 1.70 8 62.0 Long Tailed Tit 1.57 9 34.3 Robin 1.38 10 83.2 Dorset County House Sparrow 4.52 1 64.2 Blue Tit 2.43 2 75.9 Starling 2.37 3 33.1 Woodpigeon 2.28 4 81.3 Blackbird 2.23 5 87.7 Goldfinch 2.00 6 36.1 Chaffinch 1.91 7 51.3 Long Tailed Tit 1.73 8 37.0 Great Tit 1.61 9 61.1 Robin 1.48 10 86.3

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Delectable Dogwoods ost gardeners are familiar with brightly coloured red and yellow winter stems of certain dogwoods but are less familiar with their American and Japanese cousins which provide dazzling displays of flowers in late spring and summer.

Most form large shrubs or small trees and not only are the flowers beautiful but most varieties also produce spectacular autumn leaf colours too. As if this wasn’t enough, the strawberry like fruits produced in autumn are attractive to wildlife. Best grown in full sun to part shade and in neutral to acid soil. Avoid chalk or limestone soils.

They make ideal small trees for the smaller garden. Look out for the following varieties Cornus florida var. rubra (pictured, left) A large shrub or small tree flowering in May with burgundy to scarlet autumn leaf colour.

Cornus kousa var. chinensis (pictured, above right) A truly spectacular form with spreading branches laden under the weight of flower.

Cornus ‘Cherokee Chief’ (pictured, below right).

A beautiful pink American form flowering in May. Cornus ‘Milky Way’ A large Chinese shrub form with a myriad of white flowers Cornus ‘Norman Hadden’.

A spreading shrub up to 4m tall with white flower bracts ageing to pink A visit to Holme is a must this month with the ponds and gardens looking fabulous and the garden centre packed with unusual trees and shrubs, herbaceous perennials and of course now is the time to plant up your patio pots and baskets!

As usual, we have lots of special offers at Holme all year round, but our special May Offer is six Patio plants for just £10.

Don’t miss out - come and visit us, Carol Elliott, MI Hort., have a browse in the extended garden RHS Cert. 2 centre and gift shops, have a delicious 10 years experience bite to eat in the Orchard Tea Rooms Weeding, pruning, planting, and get your garden spruced up for mentoring, wildlife gardening spring!

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FEMALE GARDENER

01929 463326 - 07792 701539 carol.fen.elliott@googlemail.com

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PURBECK Arts & CRAFTS Art - inspirational, evocative, imaginative... art has been a major part of human culture for thousands of years. Art has survived war, famine and suffering. Art is a deep, interconnected part of who we are as a species, something which connects us all, something which provokes discussion, which allows imagination to thrive and run free. Art is expression, art is freedom.

This month we take a wander through the myriad of artistic realms found on the Isle of Purbeck and we visit some of our local galleries and artists, who will be offering you a warm welcome this month, should you wish to pop in.

May in Purbeck is all about arts and crafts - with Purbeck and Dorset Art Weeks events taking place throughout the region at the end of this month, it’s time to dip your toe in the reflective, absorbing world of artistic creation.

From painters to ceramicists, from sculpturists to photographers, Purbeck holds a wealth of highly talented craftspeople, offering a wide range of professional works for sale.

Pictures, right: ‘Towards the Haystack’ and ‘Low tide, old groynes’ by Tony Kerins, work available at the Little Green Gallery, Swanage.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Six Years Of Invention And Imagination...

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’Artishe Gallery is now in its sixth year of trading which is no mean feat given the current ‘austerity’ climate. We have been inventive and imaginative in order to keep on supporting artists from all over Dorset as well as locally.

A major part of the solution has been to provide increased opportunities to artists to exhibit at the gallery. This has bought a whole new audience to the gallery.

Helping to spread the word that there is a gallery space in the traditional sense available with a contemporary feel.

That is there to encourage and enable amateurs and professionals alike.

The other thing we have focused on is establishing Sharon James properly as the Artist in Residence at the gallery.

This has meant an ever-changing display of work that is produced on site, behind the gallery in the studio. This has proved to be very popular and visitors often want to see a work in progress or catch a glimpse of some objects being worked from.

The artist’s varied collection of skulls, bees and butterflies amongst other things is often very interesting to visitors. The studio is now also open to the public with plenty of work displayed.

Please feel free to pop in and ask questions about the work you can see.

The upside of having the artist on site.

There are some great exhibitions coming up, in May/June we have Discover, featuring four Dorset artists, Michael Hemming, Oya Allen,

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earn to carve from professional sculptors and stone masons using local stone. Burngate centre has a varied programme of courses and activities to enable you to try your hand at this ancient art, exploring your creativity right in the heart of the Purbeck stone industry.

We offer lettering, stone masonry and three-dimensional stone sculpture courses, as well as full day or two-hour sessions of havea-go carving for adults, families and children. Group bookings from schools and colleges welcome.

The Centre is open to visitors and there is a permanent gallery with stone works for sale and a tearoom displaying local arts and crafts also for sale.

Maxine Walter and Lauren Bissell. In July there’s Boundaries 2 featuring twelve different artists.

For a real insight into the art being produced locally, you should definitely pop into L’Artishe Gallery. With prices ranging from £5 to £500 we are sure we have something for everyone at the gallery.

REMEMBER IT’S FREE TO BROWSE AND WE WELCOME EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE A LOOK! We look forward to seeing you.

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Purbeck Art Weeks Festival

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AW runs from May 28th – June 12th and is on its way! This vibrant community Arts Festival involves artists, community groups and schools working together to share and celebrate all forms of art and performance across Purbeck.

The theme for this year is ‘Midsummer Dreams’ – so plenty of scope for the imagination!

PAW artists are central to this Festival and enthusiastically open their studios in beautiful and often unusual locations. Local Galleries are also involved, and Rollington Barn near Corfe Castle once again hosts PAW’s collective exhibition. Here you can see work from all 100 PAW artists and local schools workshops - it’s also a good place to see the work of new artists.

Alongside the visual arts the Festival proudly presents a full events programme of over 15 performances, concerts and talks held within churches, community venues and some of Purbeck’s finest country houses.

A range of illustrated talks and other events is being offered by local

Above: ‘Sitting Pretty’, by Moira Purver

experts, including the colourful history of Dunshay Manor, Purbeck, and folk songs and readings by Dorset Words takes Wing.

To ensure you are not disappointed please book your tickets in advance.

For further information and tickets see www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk.

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Dorset Art Weeks 28 May - 12 June 2016 ark the dates in your diary for this summer! 28 May - 12 June 2016. One of the largest Open Studio Events in the country, DAW is about engagement between people and art. Join us in making this year’s event the best yet and meet the artists, designers and makers who are keen to talk to you about the extraordinary range of materials, skills and traditions that inform their work.

This year’s Dorset Art Weeks features special exhibitions from Dorset Visual Arts, the organisation behind the biennial event. Since launching their Interrogating Project Groups in autumn 2013 sixty plus artists have been involved, creating work both independently and collaboratively. The culmination of these projects to date with be shown at The Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre 23 April - 4 June and The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston, Swanage 11 May - 16 June.

Brochures are now available at Art Centres, Independent Eateries & Retailers, Tourist Information Centres and Hall & Woodhouse Pubs across the South-West, pick yours up today! Humphries Kirk and Hall & Woodhouse are the proud sponsors of Dorset Art Weeks 2016.

Go to www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk to find out who is taking part or find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

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The Purbeck Gazette

Gallery At 41

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urbeck Art Weeks is the highlight of The Gallery at 41’s annual exhibition programme.

Every year more and more people are putting the festival in their diary as they know they can see wonderful new work by the artists in this area.

This year Corfe Castle village is hosting six PAW venues all within metres of each other and visitors can see a variety of great art in one stop.

The Gallery at 41 was established with the aim of promoting Dorset artists. The beautiful Isle of Purbeck is increasingly on the national map as not only being the finest area to visit but one to treasure for its art.

This year we are delighted to showcase a new collection of paintings by Corfe Castle painter Judy Tate and sculptures by Langton Matravers artists Sue Lansbury and Moira Purver SWA. As part of Dorset Art Weeks which runs at the same time we have some wonderful work by Dorset painters David Atkins, Felicity House PS, Richard Price ROI, John Bowen and Edward Vine and sculptor Brendon Murless.

New to the gallery this year are animal sculptures by Laura Pentreath, Swanage painter Heather Gibbons and sculptor in wood Peter BoyceTompkins. We will also carry a range of beautifully crafted ceramics, glass and jewellery.

A warm welcome to everyone who just wants to enjoy some great art but beware you may be tempted…..

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Your Craft Destination

tewart’s House of Fabric is a great destination for your craft projects.

We have fabrics, wool, felt, wonderful trimmings and all the tools you’ll need. We also have hundreds of craft patterns to choose from and during April and May all our Simplicity patterns are half price!

We’ve got lots of new classes starting and they are all listed on our website or to keep right up to date why not join our active Facebook page!

Our guest teacher Miranda Cookson runs a series of master classes on how to make the amazing soft sculptures and needle felting that she is so well known for and she has kindly lent us some for a display in the shop and customers are amazed at the quality of her work We also currently have a range of Rose-Marie’s Tilda dolls on display in the shop.

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.

See you at the shop!

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A Real Contender For Wildlife Artist Of The Year

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ill a Dorset artist be named Wildlife Artist of the Year 2016?

It’s certainly a possibility for L Paul Matthews from Puddletown after his Hunting Dogs painting made the final selection at The Mall Galleries, London for this prestigious exhibition.

“Unfortunately it coincides with me visiting Denmark,” says Paul. “So I won’t be able to personally deliver it.”

The 85 × 72 × 2 cm framed canvas oil painting shows African hunting dogs on the move for potential prey in Botswana’s Savute region.

“I wanted to paint a fairly loose style painting to convey movement.”

In pursuit of his subject L Paul Matthews needs to produce preliminary sketches.

“Sketching wild dogs in Botswana has been an exciting experience, as they are so elusive. On one sitting, whilst sketching a pack going through Chobe I was being constantly bitten by sting-less bees and biting flies. It was a real challenge. On another occasion, at first I could only see two pairs of ears, until a leopard came into view, when twelve dogs suddenly appeared.

Needless to say, the leopard made its escape back up the ridge once it noticed the pack.”

Surely after enduring all this, L Paul Matthews deserves to clinch victory…

Judging was underway at the time of writing.....

10 Steps To Improving Your Photography... with the Swanage Photographic Society hether you have used a camera for many years or you’ve just bought a shiny new digital camera, producing interesting and creative photographs can be difficult and often quite daunting. Simply putting your camera onto ‘Auto’ mode will not always produce colourful and creative images, but fortunately there are some simple steps to help you to steadily learn how to turn your photographs into those you see in glossy magazines.

Gaining confidence in using your camera is vital to great photography because it will motivate and help you to get the best results at each stage of your development. To help you improve and to get the best from your camera, the Swanage Photographic Society have identified ten steps you can use to gain confidence with your camera and excel in your photography.

Step 1. Master Your Camera Settings If you want great results from your camera it’s best to know how it works inside out. Learn how the functions on your camera such as Manual mode, Aperture priority or Shutter priority can help you to make creative images. Before using your camera think about the subject, the lighting conditions and how you want the final image to appear. A combination of ISO, shutter speed and aperture, often called the ‘exposure triangle’,

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will make a correct exposure.

What ISO do I set?

The ISO is the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor (or film) to the light that has passed through the lens. Digital sensors can typically operate from 50 to 6400 ISO or even higher. ISO 100 might be used for a strong, brightly lit scene and 6400 ISO for dark or dimly lit scenes. Choosing the correct ISO comes with practice and knowledge of your camera. It’s worth knowing that digital camera sensors have a base ISO and that increasing the ISO does not increase the sensor’s sensitivity to light, it merely amplifies the signal from the sensor. An unfortunate part of a digital sensor is the ‘noise’ often seen on images as speckles or dots. At ISO 100 the noise is low and rarely visible but when you increase the ISO the signal is amplified and so too is the noise.

Always keep your ISO set as low as possible and manipulate the aperture and shutter speed for a correct exposure. If, for example, you want to keeps your aperture setting but need a faster shutter speed you can adjust the ISO but generally the ISO remains at a set value because each time you increase the ISO you’re actually doubling the signal.

Homework Set your DSLR onto Manual mode with a shutter speed of 1/125 of a second and your camera’s widest aperture typically f3.5. Now take images and adjust the ISO each time to see how the ISO affects the image.

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Speed To The West: A Nostalgic Journey

The Major Exhibition at Dorset County Museum 19 March 2016 – 7 January 2017 othing is more evocative of the golden age of travel than the railway poster, and Dorset County Museum is thrilled to be staging an exhibition featuring over fifty famous examples.

These beautiful works of art were created between 1916 and the 1970s with one aim in mind: to encourage holiday makers to escape the humdrum of everyday life and travel by train to the resorts, towns, countryside and special places of Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

The posters conjure up a bygone age of steam engines and old-fashioned bathing suits, sunny beaches and the gentle clinking of boats in harbours.

There are stunning and iconic landscapes too, immediately recognisable, painted in wonderful colours and promising days out filled with sunshine and relaxation.

Town and city views are populated with elegant people, a streamlined locomotive heads a Pullman train – these images bring together the excitement, spectacle and nostalgia of the age.

On display alongside the wide range of posters are some 21st century items that use classic poster design principles, locomotive nameplates, old station totem signs and diverse railway publicity materials and ephemera celebrating the great holiday routes in the West of England. Together they will, without doubt, provoke many nostalgic travel memories.

Speed to the West has been curated by Antiques Roadshow expert and writer Paul Atterbury and Richard Furness, collector, writer and publisher of the Poster to Poster series that have become the definitive books on the subject, supported by the staff of Dorset County Museum.

Paul Atterbury said “During the interwar years the ‘Big Four’ railway companies found that art sold tickets, and between them commissioned an astonishing range of posters from the leading artists and designers of the day. This tradition was maintained, even expanded, in the 1950s and 1960s by the newly nationalised British Railways, whose legacy is a second golden age of posters. This is a wonderful collection that is well worth coming to see, and I’m very pleased to be involved with this exhibition.”

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All At Sea...

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside! his spring, the Belvedere Singers will be ‘All at Sea’, paying tribute to Britain’s long affinity with the sea and sea-faring. Music varies from Folk to Classical and includes the patriotic favourite Rule Britannia as well as the rollicking ‘What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor’ and much, much more, all under the baton of their musical director, Rebecca Bunney.

The concert is in aid of the NSPCC. Anchors aweigh at 7:30pm on Saturday, May 21st at St. Mary’s Church in Swanage.

Tickets available from Corbens, choir members or at the door, £10 to include interval refreshment (children under 12 free).

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Richard Furness said “Dorset is a beautiful county whose coastline is the subject for some wonderful artwork. Having been studying, collecting and writing about railway art for many years, I am delighted to be playing a part in bringing this unique collection to Dorchester. This exhibition brings together posters spanning a century, and is rounded off with the latest GWR poster which demonstrates that the slogan ‘Speed to the West’ is still actively in use today. Visitors should have a lot to see and reminisce over. Do come and see us!”

Dr Jon Murden, Director of Dorset County Museum said “I’m really excited about this exhibition. The posters and railway memorabilia we’re exhibiting are within living memory for many people, forming a direct link to the past. Added to that, the posters are, of course, things of beauty in their own right and it’s great that they will be here in Dorset for people to see all year.”

A book, illustrating in colour the posters in the exhibition plus others that enrich the story, will be on sale throughout the exhibition priced at £9.95.

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The Fabulous Fezheads! Celebrating their 25th anniversary with us on 21st May. Playing in the garden from 1pm - 3pm (ish!)

High Street, Swanage. 01929 423533

Purbeck LitFest 3

A Triumph, but help needed to take it forward...

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he Purbeck Literary Festival drew to a successful close at a sold-out evening with Sunny Ormonde, Lilian Bellamy of the Archers, at Durlston Castle.

The Festival, now in its third year, featured twenty plus events at more than fifteen different venues, and drew hundreds of locals and visitors.

News travelled fast via social media with more than 2,500 followers chatting daily and sharing anecdotes and photographs on Twitter and Facebook. There were creative workshops, family activities, walks, music, film and author chats, with events all run in unique venues from attractions, pubs, cafes, libraries and schools.

The Festival is well-established and has the strength to grow year on year, but experience has shown that the format can be improved.

Festival organizer Emma Fernandez says: “2016, was an amazing event, as once again we brought a diverse programme with award-winning authors, for both adults and children. It was fantastic to see Swanage Library filled to the roof for adventurer Jason Lewis, and the fabulous Bubbly Brunch with Sunday Times best-selling novelist, Jill Mansell. The feedback has been tremendous, so we know it works, but things now have to change to secure the Festival’s future.”

A two-week programme is complicated to administer and the format makes it difficult for visitors to attend events if they are several days apart and the organisers therefore feel that it would be better to concentrate the events into a shorter time and fewer venues.

It is hoped that Purbeck Literary Festival 2017 will therefore be a weeklong event wrapped around the weekend of 18th and 19th February with the whole Festival running from 16th to 23rd February.

However, for the Festival to continue, help is needed to build on this successful start. Volunteers are needed, whether to take full responsibility for an aspect of the Festival or simply to steward and sell books or help with refreshments at an event. The Festival cannot go ahead without a bigger Committee.

An open evening is planned for anyone who would like to get involved on May 5 at the Limes Hotel, Park Road, Swanage, at 7pm.

You are invited to come along and hear all about the festival, past and present, and plans for its future. Refreshments will be provided. Please let Emma know if you are interested in getting involved, even if you can’t make that evening.

Emma says: “I hope we can encourage people to drop in if they would like

Dunshay Manor: An Illustrated Talk

by Ilay Cooper Friday 3rd June Harmans Cross Village Hall at 7.30pm Tickets: £10 Discover the fascinating history of Dunshay Manor with Ilay Cooper.

Ilay will show illustrations not included in ‘Purbeck Arcadia’ during the talk.

to volunteer, even in a small way, as we try and establish a new Committee.

It’s a way of making new friends, and being part of something that has the potential to have a long life, putting Purbeck properly on the map for authors, readers and writers alike for years to come” Contact Emma on 07849748434 email emma@violetprdorset.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

Purbeck Valley Folk!

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hart toppers Nizlopi are among the latest headline acts revealed for the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival this summer. The band had a memorable number one hit with The JCB Song in 2005 and will be returning for the Saturday night of the family friendly festival that runs from 25-28 August.

The talented Nizlopi duo of Luke Concannon and John Parker have opened for the likes of Christina Aguilera, Jamie Cullum and Damien Dempsey and their former roadie Ed Sheeran cites them as a major influence.

They last played the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival in 2014 and their back catalogue of two albums and four EPs, contain riches far beyond their one mainstream hit song.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke says: “Nizlopi performed for our festival in 2014 and went down a storm. We are very excited to welcome Nizlopi back for a rare performance!”

Catherine added: “Their songs are great and their performance charismatic and theatrical. Nizlopi will be perfect entertainment for the fun-loving audience at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.”

Another recent addition to the festival bill is Recreations (Sam Duckworth, formerly Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.) who will headline the Friday night.

Recreations may be a new moniker for Sam, but fans will recognise his distinct lyrical nouse and experimental sound.

In his own words Recreations is “more heart on sleeve, bolder and more direct.” Last month saw Recreations release the EP Digital Ghettos on new record label Xtra Mile Recordings with a forthcoming album due in April.

Tickets are selling fast for this summer’s festival, with tier 1 and 2 tickets already sold-out and major acts now being announced regularly over the coming months.

Other acts revealed so far include The Proclaimers, Eliza Carthy, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman. Also recently added to the festival line-up are folk talents The Lucy Ward Band and Rory McLeod and The Familiar Strangers.

The Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2016 takes place on 25-28 August.

Weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) include free camping and are on sale now at just £110 (youth £55, children over three £30).

Residents in the BH19/20 postcodes will receive a 20% discount on tickets.

For further information visit purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

Blues, Funk AND Soul!

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wanage Legion is a progressive local club offering a wide range of social activities to the local community and visitors to the area.

“Come along and join in the fun!” says Steve Darrington, who uses The Legion as one of his main venues for festivals and also co-

hosts some of The Legion’s other events.

“It’s the ideal place,” says Steve. “There’s a friendly atmosphere, comfy chairs, club price drinks, hot food, a dance floor, a stage with lights and a PA system you can hear clearly all the way to the back without being deafened at the front.

“It’s a great venue for music and private parties accommodating up to one hundred and fifty people. There’s a restaurant and a ‘quiet room’ for meetings and small events too.

“Everybody is welcome, non-members may sign in temporarily. If you’re here for a while, you may like to enquire about membership - it’s cheaper than you might think.”

A spokesman for The Legion said: “We are continually seeking to increase our membership by inviting guests to our exciting events and offering holiday membership.

“Families on holiday in Swanage can benefit from temporary membership and enjoy our various activities and family friendly atmosphere.

“We offer great value for money through our competitive prices including excellent Sunday lunches, which are so popular that booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.

Phone 01929 422722 for more information or see the website rblswanage. co.uk.”

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Combined Massage Swanage Therapy Centre And Reflexology SPECIAL OFFER! £30 for 1 hour Treatment Massage/Reflexology

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wanage Therapy Centre is delighted to be able to offer a combined treatment of massage and reflexology at a special rate of £30 for 60 minutes for the month of May with our therapist Karen Richards.

You can choose between deep tissue, relaxation, aromatherapy or hot stone massage along with a half-hour reflexology treatment.

Deep Tissue massage focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as stiff neck, back pain, leg muscle tightness and sore shoulders and is very beneficial in effecting change in large muscles such as hamstrings and gluteals.

Aromatherapy Massage uses essential oils, which contain properties that, when absorbed into the body, can help to produce a physical, spiritual, emotional and mental sense of well- being. The oils in their concentrated state are blended with a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or almond oil, to accommodate a person’s individual needs.

Hot Stone Massage is a holistic treatment using warm basalt stones to massage the body. The heat from the stones brings the blood to the surface, which in turn makes for a truly relaxing way of treating the various muscle groups. It is beneficial in increasing circulation and the lymphatic system as well as easing muscle tension and increasing metabolism, liver, kidney and bowel function.

Reflexology is a form of massage based on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet that correspond to each organ and structure of the body. It can help relieve the pain or discomfort of a range of disorders such as migraines and sinus problems to backache and poor circulation by applying pressure to a reflex point corresponding to a particular part of the body.

As well as relieving symptoms you may be experiencing from a particular malady, it also benefits healthy people by working as a preventative as well as reducing muscle tension and relieving anxiety and stress.

If you would like to take the opportunity of this special offer, please contact Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506 to make an appointment or call in.

Combination Treatment with Karen Richards We look forward to seeing you!

T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

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

Call Kate for details on 07505 313179 Now selling ‘Duncan’s Unctions’!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

Ultra Sound at Swanage Hospital

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he Radiology department at Swanage hospital has recently taken delivery of a new ultrasound machine. This was kindly purchased by the Friends of Swanage Hospital to whom we are very grateful. It replaces our old machine which has provided ten years of reliable service.

The new machine has many advantages including increased ergonomics and due to advancements in technology, provides improved image quality which will in turn improve the diagnosis of pathology.

The ultrasound service is provided by two sonographers, Karyn Hunt and Angela Holmes, who carry out abdominal and gynaecological scans, plus our visiting Consultant Radiologist who carries out a variety

of specialised ultrasound scans ranging from vascular to musculoskeletal. Ultrasound sessions are currently carried out twice weekly with the Consultant Radiologist attending on alternate weeks.

The role of the sonographer is to diagnose disease/ pathology of the major abdominal and pelvic organs by the use of ultrasound, reporting our findings to clinicians in order to assist them in the ongoing treatment of the patient. We aim to do this in a friendly, caring and relaxed environment.

We understand how stressful it can be to attend a diagnostic examination and make every effort to ensure that each patient leaves the department either reassured that they have nothing to worry about or, in some cases, have a good understanding of any pathology that we may find.

Looking forward, it is our aim to reduce waiting times for ultrasound scans to the Purbeck population as we understand how prompt diagnosis can impact upon a successful treatment plan and patient outcome, not to mention the mental stress caused to patients due to waiting times for diagnostic procedures.

The department also provides an X-ray service Monday to Friday 9am-1pm for patients referred from their GP, Consultant or from our Minor Injuries Unit.

Finally, if you have visited either of our hospitals recently we would welcome your review on the NHS choices website.

Until next time, take care, Donna Kiss, Matron

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!

The Purbeck Gazette

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CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar

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

Contact 07979 840542 NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT

Healthwatch - your independent health & care watchdog o you need information about a local health or care service (doctor, dentist, hospital, care home etc)?

Want to know how to raise a concern or a complaint?

Want to tell someone what you think about the services you use - good or bad? Healthwatch Dorset can help!

Healthwatch Dorset works with local people to discover what’s really going on in health and care services across the county. They offer free independent information to help you find your way through the system.

Joyce Guest, chair of Healthwatch Dorset, explains: “I got involved because Healthwatch Dorset is a real opportunity to make a difference. We can be honest with the NHS & local councils and tell them exactly what people think – both good and bad. Then we work with them to make the improvements local people would like to see.”

“Over the last year Healthwatch has had many successes, including making improvements to GP surgery patient information & access to dentistry, our latest project gathered feedback about homecare from over 700 people across Dorset and we’ll be visiting care homes this year. We’re always keen to hear local peoples experience, good or bad, of health and care services.

To tell us your story and maybe get involved yourself, please get in touch.”

You can contact Healthwatch Dorset by calling 0300 111 0102 (calls cost the same as 01 or 02 numbers). Write to us free at Freepost RTJR-RHUJXBLH Healthwatch Dorset, 896 Christchurch Road BH7 6DL www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk Twitter @HwatchDorset & Facebook or by visiting your local Citizen Advice Bureau

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Dorset Action On Abuse

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he first three months of year have been extremely successful for Dorset Action on Abuse.

At the beginning of the year it learnt that one of its Trustees, Mrs Liz Spreadbury, was awarded the MBE in the Queens New Year’s Honours List. Liz has worked tirelessly for DAA together with other local charities and it is an award truly deserved.

Earlier this month the charity learnt that it had been awarded a BIG Lottery “Reaching Communities” grant which partially covers its funding requirements until 2021.

DAA is also in the process of increasing the number of volunteer counsellors and experienced group facilitators it has so that it can achieve its goal of increasing the number of people it helps and supports.

Through counselling and creative therapy adult survivors of childhood abuse are better able to cope with the debilitating challenges their abuse has left them with.

If you would like to know more about the work of the charity, please visit our website www. dorsetactiononabuse.org.uk.

If you would like to volunteer and help the charity please give us a call on 01202 732424 to discuss the various volunteering opportunities available.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Sport

Major Rowing Event Comes To Swanage Saturday 4 June

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wanage Bay will be crowded with colourful gigs on Saturday 4 June, when a major rowing event comes to the town.

Up to thirty clubs from all over the South West are expected to compete in the Tribute annual rowing regatta. The popular event, which features races for men’s, women’s and under-16s crews, is usually held in Cornwall or Devon.

Martin Steeden, chairman of Swanage Sea Rowing Club, said: “We are delighted that the Tribute is coming to Swanage for the first time. It’s a key event in the rowing calendar, and it will really put us on the map as a serious venue for gig rowing.”

While the crews take to the water, spectators should head for the race HQ on Sandpit Field for a grandstand view.

Martin added: “This event isn’t just about the competitors. We’d like local people to come along and enjoy the spectacle. There will be refreshments,

and the opportunity for anyone to chat to rowing club members about how they can become involved.”

The regatta is run by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and sponsored

by Tribute Cornish Ale. Try a sunset row!

Tuesday evening open rowing is now underway again (from 6pm, weather permitting). Why not come down and give it a try – the water is the best place to enjoy beautiful sunset views of the town.

Open rowing also takes place on Saturday mornings from 10.30am to12.30pm. The cost is £2 and there’s no need to book – just come down to the boathouse near the pier.

Find out more about the club and its activities – including a forthcoming open rowing day – on the website www.ssrc.org.uk

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The Purbeck Gazette

Cycle Ride To The Somme...

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his year marks the centenary of The Battle of the Somme, recognised as one of the bloodiest battles in human conflict with over 1 million casualties over a 4 month period.

At the beginning of the War the British Army was a relatively small force and was increased rapidly by volunteers with often whole streets and villages seeing every available man enlist. 100 years on people today are the last that will have spoken directly to those that fought on the Somme.

Today cycling is a wide ranging leisure activity but in 1914 times were very different. Throughout the UK there were 15 designated cycling battalions who were absorbed into the Army Cycling Corps. Many stayed in the UK as part of home defence while others, and their bikes, headed to France and the frontline. Less expensive than motorbikes and used by most people in ordinary day life, the cycle was an everyday reconnaissance and communication weapon in the fight against the enemy.

Of the 15 battalions one was The Devonshire Regiment: The 7th (Cyclist) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment was formed in 1908 from the cyclist sections of three Volunteer Battalions.

With Headquarters in Exeter, by the outbreak of War in 1914 there were Companies of Cyclists at Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Crediton, Dartmouth and Cullompton with detachments at Topsham, Woodbury, Bradninch and Silverton. In August 1914, the Battalion was mobilised in Exeter with an initial strength of 463; this had risen to 907 by November 1914. In March 1915 a second Battalion was formed.

By 1915, Devonshire Regiment cyclist units were being sent to France and Flanders. As casualty lists show, many individuals were attached to secondary regiments for a variety of duties but the first real test for the 7th Cyclists came on 18 July 1916 when a number of men were drafted into “A” Company of the 2nd Devons. The Devonshire Regiment Cemetery will be a designated stop off point on the final day.

The Hampshire Regiment had 32 battalions in the Great War. In 1916 it fought at Albert and Le Transloy, which was part of the larger Somme offensive. By the end of the First World War the Hampshire Regiment had lost 7,580 officers and men killed in action. Although Gloucestershire did not have a designated cycling battalion recruitment was significant in the area.

The South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company recruited specifically in Gloucester with the poster specifically referring to “Bad Teeth No Bar”. Private John Lamont, of the Army Cycle Corps, wrote home on 15th October 1915 from France about some terrible scenes that he had witnessed.

He began politely with thanks: “Your welcome parcel received today … The cakes were in excellent condition, and you can depend they were enjoyed, more so as we just returned from the trenches this morning about one o’clock, where we have had some hard times.

“Since last Saturday we have been continually on the go, biking here, marching there, back to the bikes, then off again to some other part of the line, a few hours there, then off again to some other part, and so the time has gone in, with hardly a warm meal, very little sleep, until today we have been left to ourselves.

“Indeed, it has not been much of a rest, as we have all our clothing, equipment, rifle and bicycle to clean, but we don’t take that into account, and just smile through it all. By the time this reaches you I suppose you will be reading some details of the titanic battle which is raging here. We have taken our share in it, and now, as I have time to think, I am actually surprised to find myself with a whole skin.

“However great the British losses are, the German losses are bound to be twice the amount, not to say anything about prisoners of which I have seen hundreds in these last three days. The scenes were awful, too ghastly for description, but they will remain forever stamped on the mind.”

Ride to the Somme is a three day cycle over 200 miles which will culminate by paying respects at The Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval which lists the 72,195 missing British and African soldiers that

have no known grave.

We will also pay specific respects to members of the Army Cycling Corps who are commemorated at the nearby cemetery in Pozieres.

When riders enlist they will be asked to report on the 31st August to the “recruiting centre” which will be the Imperial War Museum and from there will cycle in Northern France and in particular, on the last day, visit locations where their ancestors will have fought.

Such an event is an ideal opportunity to raise money for an appropriate charity and we will be working with SSAFA who played a crucial role in World War I supporting families and soldiers upon their return home.

SSAFA are the longest serving national tri-service military charity. For 130 years, they have provided lifelong support to those who are serving or have ever served in our Armed Forces.

Today nearly five million people living in the United Kingdom are estimated to have served in the Armed Forces at some point in their lives. Every year, around 20,000 servicemen and women leave the services and return to civilian life.

Their support covers both Regulars and Reserves in the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service. They are all entitled to lifelong support from SSAFA, no matter how long they have served. Every year they support 50,000 people.

We are liaising closely with the Imperial War Museum London and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Further details can be seen at www.ridetothesomme.org.uk Contact Andrew Jones 07882 562405 Email info@ridetothesomme.org.uk We are still seeking riders to enlist. Entries will close at the end of May. The following cyclist battalions existed on mobilisation in August 1914: The Norfolk Regiment; The Suffolk Regiment; The Royal Sussex Regiment; The Essex Regiment; The Kent Cyclist Battalion; The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion; The County of London Cyclist Battalion; The East Yorkshire Regiment; The Northern Cyclist Battalion; The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment); The Highland Cyclist Battalion; The Devonshire Regiment; Isle of Wight Rifles – “Princess Beatrice’s” Battalion; The Hampshire Regiment; The Welsh Regiment

The Purbeck Gazette

Isle Of Purbeck Indoor Bowls Club

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he Isle of Purbeck Indoor Bowls Club’s season drew to a close last month with the finals of the club competitions, with Terry Buck featuring in no less than five finals. Terry has had a magnificent winter season of bowls with great success skipping rinks in club matches and in county matches for the Dorset Bowling Association. Without doubt he takes the IOP ‘Player of the Year Award’.

Despite losing both the Men’s Singles and Mixed Singles to Les Bentinck (Congratulations Les), Terry won the Mixed Pairs with partner Dov Seacombe, the Men’s Pairs with Mike Keats and the Drawn Pairs with Claude Muscat. Pat Andrews was the winner of the Singles competition for new indoor bowlers.

The IOP club’s Men’s Over 60’s team got through to the final of the County Triples against Poole Dolphin at Moonfleet. Despite Terry Buck’s rink having a slender one-point win, the other rink went down disastrously against a strong Dolphin team.

Swanage Bowling Club’s bowlers dusted off their bowling shoes and polished up their woods in readiness for the opening of the 2016 season which began with a coffee morning and a friendly mixed game, followed by a fish & chip lunch.

Early season bowling is rarely of a very high standard with those who have been bowling indoors in the winter having to adjust to giving their delivery on grass a lot more ‘welly’ than on an indoor carpet and those who have not bowled since last September having to use muscles which have been idle in the winter.

So the season is now well and truly under way. The Men hope to improve on last year’s very commendable 4th place finish in Division 1 of the Dorset League and have already played their first match at Poole Park and face some challenging fixtures in May against Broadstone, Gillingham and Shaftesbury.

The first fixture in the Bournemouth and District League was at Southbourne for Swanage’s newly promoted team who are keen to ensure they can hold their own in Division 3. Three of their May fixtures are at home against Richmond Park, Electric and Highcliffe, so it is hoped home advantage can give the team a good start to their 2016 season.

Swanage Town Council have approved in principle to make funds available for converting the green to an artificial surface with the help of some “outside financial assistance” and have indicated that the conversion will take place in the winter of 2017-18.

Anyone of any age in the Purbeck area who fancies having a go at bowls is welcome to come along at one or both of the OPEN MORNINGS to be held at the outdoor green in Beach Gardens at 10.30am on Saturdays 7th and 14th May. Just come along wearing flat-soled shoes and there will be friendly club members there to teach you the basic rudiments of bowls.

There will be no charge and no pressure to join the club if you find it is not for you (unlikely!).

So, all you would-be bowlers out there, give it a try and see what you’re missing!

For further information about bowls in Swanage, give Jean a ring on 426795 or David on 450405.

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Swanage Football Club

fter winning Dorset Club of the Year last month we have some more great news. We have been asked to stage the Dorset Premier League Cup Final at Day’s Park. The game will be on Saturday 12 May at 14:00 and is between Merley Cobham and Shaftesbury.

This should be a good game as both teams have had a good campaign in the league with Shaftesbury looking the more likely to lift the league title, but Merley have run them close This is another feather in our cap to stage this game, the Cup final is usually staged at Dorchester or Weymouth, two much larger clubs than ourselves, so this is a big achievement. The Final is normally attended by a crowd of between 200 and 300. So why not come down and experience a Cup Final on your doorstep and make the most of our facilities.

On the playing front the 1st team have just been beaten in their last two outings to Hamworthy Rec. 1:0 and a heavy defeat to likely champions Shaftesbury 6:1. Although in the Shaftesbury game we had to field a weaker team due to a lot of injuries in the squad and had a man sent off just prior to half time. Saying all that, we are still currently sixth place in the Dorset Premier League and this would be a great achievement for us to finish sixth.

The Reserve side look to have secured their place in Dorset League One for next season with a few good results in the last few weeks. This is equally a brilliant achievement for the Reserves to hold their own in what is a very tough league, especially as a good number of the team are 18 and under.

Mini Kickers, for 5-8 year olds, run on a Saturday Morning by our FA qualified coaches is a really great place for the younger keen followers of our national game to get a feel of what it’s like to be part of a team.

The session starts at 10:00 for an hour and at only £2:50 is great value.

If you so wish, you can watch your son or daughter from the viewing area which looks down over the playing area.

The Purbeck Gazette

If your child shows a keenness for the game, going on from the mini kickers we have junior teams right from U9 up the age of U16.

To keep the Club afloat financially we are constantly trying to think of new and interesting fundraising ideas. The latest is an event to be staged in the bar area on Saturday 25 June. ‘SUMMER SOULSTICE’ is a musical extravaganza of soul, jazz, northern soul & Motown all played by the fantastic ‘Soul Cellar’ DJ. This is a ticket only event and as none of the one hundred tickets will be sold on the night, make sure you purchase them early. They can be purchased for £10 from Macrow’s the jewellers in Station Road.

Walking Football is still going strong and new members are arriving all the time. The session is indoors in the hall on a Tuesday morning from 10:00 for an hour. This is proving a real hit with the older members of the Town who still like to be able to play and miss the social side of playing. The players always get together after the game for light refreshments and a chat. Ideal for anyone who maybe feeling lonely or just want to meet new people.

COME ON YOU SWANS. John Peacock

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

Swans Win South West U17 Shield

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wans U17s travelled to Trowbridge for the final of the South West Division U17 Shield after an outstanding performance when they overcame a good Exmouth side to win the Semi Final. Next they were up against a well-supported St Austell squad who’d made the long journey from Cornwall with high expectations.

However, Swans proved yet again what a talented side they are, producing a gutsy and committed performance to secure victory and qualify for the National Semi Final against the London and South East Division Shield winners. One more victory and the side could compete for the National U17s shield in the Final at the A J Bell stadium, which is the home of the premiership side Sale Sharks.

Swans started the stronger and played some excellent rugby in the opening exchanges and were quickly rewarded with a penalty which Stephen Woolley converted to go 3 points up.

St Austell were quick to level the score with their own penalty. Swans again upped the tempo and after some good surges from the forwards Steve Woolley was quick to spot a gap around the side of a ruck and went over from around 15 metres out for a well taken try. The conversion was narrowly missed. St Austell pressed Swans line for most of the remainder of the first half and despite good defence from Swans eventually scored through a well organised driving maul. The scores were level at eight points each at half time and whilst St Austell were beginning to look more dangerous the wind would now be at Swans back and this proved to be a big factor as St Austell could not exert any sustained pressure on the Swans line.

As they did in the first half, Swans started the second half looking the stronger side and Steve Woolley slotted another penalty to take an 11 - 8 lead. About midway through the second half Finn Watkins ran a superb line outside Swans fly half Barnaby Knibb to go over untouched. Woolley added the conversion to extend the lead to 18 points to 8. St Austell threw everything at Swans, but the Purbeck boys showed how resilient they are with some fantastic defence, and managed to keep a clean sheet in the second half.

This was an outstanding effort from every one of the fifteen man squad of Swans who had been depleted by some late call offs. The commitment from all was impressive and in particular the work rate of the Swans

back row trio of Finn Watkins, Arthur Cordwell and George Parr, who generated numerous turnovers. Special mention also to all the U16s who stepped up an age group and put in performances they can be proud of.

Swans: Miles Ferguson, Lewis Allen, Will Aspinal, Charlie Joynt, Finn Hall, Arthur Cordwell, George Parr, Stephen Woolley, Barnaby Knibb, Callum Smith, Tom Berry, Charlie Lush, Conrad Phhillips, Jacob Cumming.

Tries: Stephen Woolley, Finn Watkins. Penalties: Stephen Woolley 2.

Conversions: Stephen Woolley Mark Woolley

The Purbeck Gazette

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 June is noon, Mon 9th May 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.

MAY

Sun 1st * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre. * Siege of Wareham At Corfe Castle. * Wedding Open Day At Holme for Gardens, Come and see this unique, Licenced Wedding Venue for your celebrations. Holme for Gardens, West Holme Farm, Wareham BH20 6AQ. T 01929 554716 www. holmeforgardens.co.uk 20:00 Pronghorn Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 2nd * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre. * Siege of Wareham At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Craft Fair At The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lychett Minster. Free parking and free entry.

14:30 Highwood Open Gardens Charborough Park, Wareham, Dorset BH20 7EN. Free entrance and parking at the estate of Richard Drax MP. Entrance to Highwood Gardens £2.50 children (under 6s free) and £5 adults. Refreshments, bric a brac, plant stall. All proceeds from this day will go to our local group. Sorry no dogs allowed.

Tue 3rd * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. Exchange Evening with Dorchester Camera Club. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822.

Wed 4th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at cross-roads of East Stoke and Highwood for circular walk via Woodstreet to Wool. Return via Cole Wood and East Stoke. Ffi 01202 623230.

10:30 Swanage Probus Meet at The Purbeck House Hotel, Swanage.

Guest speaker - Dr Martin Ayres, Town Clerk, Swanage Town Council.

Visitors welcome. Ffi: Andrew Yeandle: 01225 461087 or 421945, Brian Darnton 424211 or Roger Livingston 425002.

Thu 5th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

Fri 6th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre. * Diesel Gala and Beer Festival At Swanage Railway.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill at 7.30pm. For: AGM and presentation of Trophies. Bring & Buy during tea break. Followed by: A short presentation by Julian Sawyer Visitors welcome. ffi Colin Brixton on 423841 (Next meeting 16th September) 20:00 Gren Bartley Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 20:00 Isle of Woman - Three Women & a Piano At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Box Office 01929 422239.

Sat 7th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre. * Diesel Gala and Beer Festival At Swanage Railway. * Saxon & Viking Essential Skills & Storytelling At Corfe Castle.

09:30 Freebay Table Top Sale at The URC Swanage. Free table & free entry.

Ffi: 01929 422406 10:00 Craft Fair At Wareham Town Hall in aid of the Mayors Charities.

10:30 14:00 14:30 20:00

Email: dinakins60@yahoo.co.uk Swanage Walking Group Meet at Fontmell Down NT Car Park for a downland walk with fine views over Cranborne Chase and Blackmoor Vale. Ffi 07747 832055.

Smedmore Open House & Garden Kimmeridge, BH20 5PG. Entry £6 or £10 per couple.

Tea Dance At Wareham Town Hall raising funds for the Mayors Charities £5 for dancing, tea and cake. Email: dinakins60@yahoo.co.uk Laura Cortesse & The Dance Cards Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

Sun 8th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre. * Diesel Gala and Beer Festival At Swanage Railway. * Saxon & Viking Essential Skills & Storytelling At Corfe Castle.

14:00 Laura Cortesse & The Dance Cards Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 14:00 Open House & Gardens At Smedmore House, Kimmeridge. Entrance £5. Ffi: www.mndadorsetandnforest.org.uk 15:30 Mama Feelgood At The Legion, Swanage.

Mon 9th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

10:00 Wareham Area Seniors’ Forum At Wareham Parish Hall. Age 50+ all welcome. £2 donation.

Tue 10th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

14:00 Parkinson’s Self Help Group At The All Saints Church Hall, Swanage.

19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. AGM & Trophy Presentations. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822.

Wed 11th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

10:15 Swanage Walking Group Meet at entrance to Swanage Bay Holiday Park in Panorama Road for a circular walk around the Durlston National Nature reserve. Ffi 01929 425165.

18:30 Swanage Area Senior Forum Public Meeting at The Emmanuel Baptist Church Centre. ‘Demystifying Legal Matters for your peace of mind’ 19:30 Studland WI At Studland Village Hall. Resolutions for the AGM. Followed by Kathy McNally “The Golden ge of Piracy”. Competition: Jewellery Box 19:30 Swanage Garden Society At Herston Hall, Swanage. Brian Madders will talk on some unusual perrenials.

Thu 12th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

Fri 13th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

19:00 Seabird Boat Trip Departs Swanage Pier. Tickets available from The Pier. Booking recommended with citycruisespoole.com 19:30 Sensation - a Tribute Show At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Box Office - 01929 422239.

20:00 Sky Smeed Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 14th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Fringes of Land Exhibition Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons at The Cafe & Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre.

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Saxon & Viking Academy At Corfe Castle.

Craft & Vintage Fair At The Catholic Church Hall, Swanage. Free entry.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Steeple car park for all day walk via Povington Hill and Tyneham Village to Gad Cliff. Return via Whiteways Farm. Ffi 01929 421039.

19:00 Dorset Police Male Voice Choir Concert At St Mary’s Middle School in Puddletown, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets: £8 in advance, £10 on the door, includes a drink and nibbles. Children under 16 £4. Tel: 01305 848510, 849048 and 848646.

20:00 Mikey Kelley Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 15th * Saxon & Viking Academy At Corfe Castle.

14:00 Garance & The Mitiochondries Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 14:00 Mindfulness Walk At Durlston Country Park. £5 and booking required.

Wed 18th 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at National Trust South Down Car Park above Ringstead Bay for all day walk via Ringstead, Osmington Mills, and Osmington. Ffi 01929 426926.

Thu 19th 10:30 Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community Celebrate our first birthday at Swanage Library.

14:00 Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community Dorset Cream Tea Party at Purbeck House Hotel. Tickets £6.50 from Corbens estate agents or on 01929 425521.

Fri 20th 19:30 Purbeck Railway Circle Meets at Harmans Cross Village Hall for a presentation entitled Update on Project Wareham. A review of progress on this important local project by Swanage Railway Project Manager, Frank Roberts followed by a personal commentary on the SWT Franchise. Doors open 7pm. Ffi 554765. EVERYONE IS WELCOME 20:00 Corinne West Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 21st * Saxon & Viking Essential Skills & Storytelling At Corfe Castle.

09:45 Swanage Walking Group Meet at St. Mary’s church in Lytchett Matravers for a walk across open country and woodland around Lytchett Matravers and East Morden. Ffi 01202 623230.

10:00 Books, Coffee, Cake and Home Made Produce At Moreton Village Hall DT2 8RE. FREE Entry. All books 25p. Maeve 01929 463221 www. moretonvillagehall.btck.co.uk 19:30 ‘All at Sea’ with the Belvedere Singers At St. Marys Church, Swanage.

19:30 Variations of Pointe At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Box Office 01929 422239.

20:00 Landermason Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 22nd * Saxon & Viking Essential Skills & Storytelling At Corfe Castle.

11:00 Dorset Wildlife Trust Guided Walks A morning butterfly walk on Ballard down. Meet at 11am in the Ulwell lay-by on the Swanage to Studland road.

14:00 Rory Mcleod & The Familiar Strangers Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 14:30 Purbeck Footprints Wildlife Photography Walk With Julian Sawyer at Durlston Country Park. £5, booking required.

15:30 The Sidekicks At The Legion, Swanage.

Tue 24th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum.

Wed 25th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum.

10:45 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Lulworth Castle car park for an interesting level walk out through the park, past Park Cottage and North Lodge, then through Haremere Wood and past The Lake and Fort. Ffi: 01929 424462.

Thu 26th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum.

10:00 Probus 2 of Purbeck At the Pines Hotel, Swanage. Talk by Dr Vincent Smith MBE on the Higgs Boson Particle. isitors welcome to attend meeting.

Fri 27th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Beer & Music Festival At The Kings Arms, Stoborough.

20:00 Bartoune Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 28th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Beer & Music Festival At The Kings Arms, Stoborough. * Launch Party for Wilkswood Reggae Festival At The Scott Arms, Kingston. * 10:00

The Purbeck Gazette Purbeck Art Weeks Festival Swanage Walking Group Meet at Corfe Castle NT Castle View car park for linear walk to Swanage following railway line via Scotland Farm and Norden Heath. Ffi 01929 421039.

19:30 Derek Acorah - Soul Reunion Tour At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Box Office - 01929 422239.

Sun 29th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Beer & Music Festival At The Kings Arms, Stoborough. * Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 10:00 Purbeck Antiques & Collectors’ Fairs At Furzebrook Hall, Furzebrook, Wareham. £1 entry. www.purbeckantiquesfairs.co.uk 11:00 Swanage Lions Pop-Up Fete On Swanage Seafront.

Mon 30th * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Beer & Music Festival At The Kings Arms, Stoborough. * Purbeck Art Weeks Festival Tue 31st * ‘Speed to the West’ An Exhibition of 20th Century Railway Posters at The Dorset County Museum. * Purbeck Art Weeks Festival * 09:40

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 10.30 Flowers with Liz at the Purbecvk Workshop in Wool. The Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool.

BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907. Email: richris95@ gmail.com 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 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:

The Purbeck Gazette

Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or sylviag@swanagemethodist.org.uk 11.00 Guided Tour of Bere Regis famous Mediaeval Church. Tour lasts around 3/4 hour, no fixed charge, donations very welcome towards vital work on the Church’s fabric. Families and larger groups welcome at other times, by arrangement. Contact Richard on 01929 471889 or email bereheath@ btinternet.com or John England on 01929 471469 or email st_george@ stanbarrow.f9.co.uk. Light refreshments can be made available for booked tours.

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 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 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 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 10.30 Woodworking with Bernard and Terry at the Purbecvk Workshop in Wool. The

71

Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool. BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907.

Email: richris95@gmail.com 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.

15.00 Guided Tour of Bere Regis famous Mediaeval Church. Tour lasts around 3/4 hour, no fixed charge, donations very welcome towards vital work on the Church’s fabric. Families and larger groups welcome at other times, by arrangement. Contact Richard on 01929 471889 or email bereheath@ btinternet.com or John England on 01929 471469 or email st_george@ stanbarrow.f9.co.uk. Light refreshments can be made available for booked tours.

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

72

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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