The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 205 by The Blackmore Vale Limited

February 2017 Issue no. 205

Magazine archive at:

History Repeating. Pg 18-21

Purbeck Weddings. Pg 28-41

The Boxing Day Swim. Pg 12-13

Can YOU Give Rosie A Home? Pg 52

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Editor’s note...

elcome to the February edition of your Gazette! The days are lightening-up, the Snowdrops are popping up everywhere, and spring is springing! Love should also be in the air as this month brings us Valentine’s Day..... single? This is your perfect opportunity to send a card to that special person in the hope they feel the same..... good luck! The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers has recently started-up a ‘Square Singles’ night, so if you can’t find anyone, keep an eye out for upcoming Singles Nights at the Square - you never know who you might meet! This month we bring you one of our most popular annual features - the Purbeck Wedding feature. If you pop that all important question to your other half this Valentine’s Day, then have a browse through the wedding feature and see what the venues, caterers, dress-makers and service providers of Purbeck can offer you. We can’t think of a more beautiful place to get married than Purbeck! A HUGE congratulations to all of the recently-married couples featured in the article. We wish you ALL a long, happy and fulfilled married life together. The rest of the magazine, is, as usual, rammed with your news, views, events and opinions. The days are brightening up and everything’s looking good for 2017! Enjoy February!

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. (Residents in blocks of flats, or who live up long driveways or in lesser populated areas will not get a door-to-door delivery. You will not receive a copy if you display a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letterbox) Purbeck has a population of approx. 45,300, we print & distribute 20,000 copies for Purbeck and further afield (Crossways, Broadmayne, Bloxworth etc). You will not therefore ALL get a paper copy! 1 in 3 properties get a copy. We ensure a good spread of distribution throughout the whole area to get the best response for our advertisers, who are our business customers.

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

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The March 2017 edition has a deadline of 9th Feb. and will be distributed from 27th Feb - 3rd Mar 2017. The April 2017 edition has a deadline of 9th Mar and will be distributed from 27th Mar - 31st Mar 2017.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - February 2017

Planning & Consultation Transport Committee Policy, Finance & Performance Personnel Committee Council

Mon 6th Wed 8th Wed 15th Wed 22nd Mon 27th

6.30pm 2.15pm 4.30pm 9.30am 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 - February 2017 Policy, Finance & Resources Museum Wareham In Bloom Planning & Transport

Mon 6th Tue 7th Wed 8th Mon 20th

7pm 7.15pm 7pm 7pm

Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - February 2017 Planning & Consultation Committee Transport Committee Policy, Finance & Peformance Personnel Committee Council

Mon 6th Wed 8th Wed 15th Wed 22nd Mon 27th

9.15am 2.15pm 4.30pm 9.30am 7pm

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

About 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 layup 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 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. Our proof readers are the very professional: Gerry Norris and David Holman, with volunteer Photographer, Tim Crabb, also on-hand.

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‘Origins’ by Simon Gudgeon at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset. Photo by Vikki Taylor

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES A Home For Rosie Blast From The Past Boxing Day Swim FEATURE: Purbeck Weddings! Gazette Gardening, with Simon Goldsack Future of Swanage Town Centre? John Garner writes - Isle of Wight Purbeck Literary Festival Swanage Blues Festival Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Valentine’s Day Offers FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams

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DEADLINE FORFOR MARCH IS 12 THURS FEBRUARY DEADLINE JULY ISNOON, NOON, FRI9TH 10th JUNE

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The 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.

MAR edition deadline: noon, 9th FEB

Change Subsidy System! Dear Editor, It’s an unarguable fact that the population of the UK and the rest of the world is rising and the only way we can possibly feed that population is to increase the productivity of food in our countryside. The Common Agricultural payments that give farmers thirty percent of their total payment for supposedly safe-guarding pasture land and to diversify crops that would leave seven percent of farmland for wildlife, has failed dismally. What I am witnessing locally is not the least bit wildlife friendly. Set-aside pastureland has been overgrazed too early to benefit pollinating insects, small mammals and seed eating birds, with most of our hedgerows resembling rows of broken wicker baskets devoid of food, cut for the convenience of farm labour availability rather than that of the birds and mammals dependant on the seeds and berries during the harsh winter months. The system of subsidies is an abuse of tax payer’s money that urgently needs to change. Brexit provides the opportunity to reset the entire £3 billion cost of subsidising the wealthy landowning farming community. Sixty percent of species in decline are partly due to intensive farming methods. What would benefit wildlife immensely is if farmers had to prove they were managing land in the nature-friendly way they have been paid to do so, instead of simply ploughing on regardless. Farmers are key to finding a solution, but this is too important to leave to governments which lack the presence of local conservation groups monitoring agreements. It must be made illegal to harm our dwindling wildlife species by poor land management. Currently only one third of the basic payment is conditional on meeting conservation-friendly farming. I would like to see the farmers and land managers who get the most public money are those who deliver the best outcome for wildlife. I remain Editor, yours faithfully, Mike Fry.

Litter-Free Purbeck News Dear Editor, Keep Britain Tidy is holding its annual litter initiative - the Great British Spring Clean - from 3rd-5th March. This will see community litter picks taking place up and down the country to rid our towns, villages and countryside of unsightly, unhygienic and hazardous litter. It’s worth pointing out that the government’s new litter strategy is also about to be announced with possible tougher penalties for litterers so between them and us, something might change for the better. Let’s see what exactly is announced but Litter-free Purbeck prefers the carrot approach to the stick. To tie in with the Great British Spring Clean, Litter-Free Purbeck (formerly Let’s Make Purbeck Litter-free) will be holding litter picks in our towns and villages at the end of this month and early March. Details are being finalised for these events so anyone interested in joining one of our litter-picks can email us at litterfreepurbeck@gmail.com, or check out our Facebook page or look out for posters later on in the month. If you can’t join the pick where you live, feel free to help another group on different date. Since our volunteers came together in July, forty-one of them have taken part in six large group litter-picks and some smaller ones. They’ve removed over 400 kgs of rubbish (approx. 100 bags) - we hope people have noticed a difference! You can find out more about why litter is such a hazard from our Facebook page but also see: Keep Britain Tidy, Litter Free Coast and Sea, Surfers Against Sewage and 2 Minute Beach Clean’s websites for an

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insight into litter initiatives elsewhere in Dorset and around the country. We hope to have our own website soon. If you can’t litter-pick with us this time, but would like to help some other time or get involved by fundraising, event organising or coordinating a new team – please email us or get in touch via our Facebook page (you can email us from there too). We look forward to seeing some of you at these spring litter picks. Be part of the change you want to see! Best wishes, Simon Goldsack, Lara Manningham-Buller, Bridget Mayes, Frank Roberts Litter-free Purbeck

Aquarius Helps Hospital

Dear Editor, The Aquarius Group in Corfe Castle are delighted that after a year of fundraising, they have been able to present a cheque for £1500 to Maggie Hardy, Chair of the Friends of Wareham Hospital, on 3rd January 2017. Maggie thanked the ladies present at the monthly group meeting and said that the money will be used to support the staff and patient services at Wareham Hospital. The photograph shows Patricia Sandham (l) and Patricia White (r) (joint chairs of Aquarius) handing over the cheque to Maggie Hardy. With kind regards, Gill Sellen, Secretary/Aquarius/Corfe Castle

1955 Article Sought Dear Editor, I served with the Royal Dragoons. Whilst awaiting demobilisation I assisted the late Lt Col A.M.Barne in the organisation of the annual camp of the South Dorset Pony Club. The venue was Encombe House Estate and the camp took place in August 1955. The press, including the Western Gazette, published an article on the event on 26th August. I am looking for a photograph of myself, in uniform, raising the Union Flag in ceremony. The photograph I am looking for was only printed in the Swanage and Purbeck edition of the paper. Would any of your readers have a copy of the article? No other organisations possess a copy. Kind regards and thank you, Edmund White, via email.

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This Is British Democracy Dear Editor. David Leadbetter, who clearly thinks we should remain in the EU, is trying to make a case for staying in based on selective statistics. Instead of referring to an overall concept of democracy, which has many forms, he should stick to British democracy which has been described as not perfect but the best in the world. It is true that the leavers won with a higher proportion of the votes cast and that their votes were 37% of the total number of people registered to vote. That however is irrelevant because that is not the way British democracy works. If you look at the results of the last four General Elections, you will see that in 2015 the Conservatives won with 36.9% of the votes cast; in 2010 they won with 36.1%; in 2005 Labour won with 35.2% and in 2001 they won with 40.7%. The 2015 figure was 24.42 of the electorate, much less than the referendum’s 37%. Similar low percentages apply in the other elections. Mr.Leadbetter wants the referendum result to be ignored; does he think that the General Election results should similarly be ignored? If he can’t accept the 37% result, would he accept it if it had been cast for the remainers? If he would, he would be guilty of double standards and his opinions would not be worthy of consideration. With regard to democracy he is very keen on tampering with British democracy but seems to be happy to obey laws set by unelected foreigners. Strange that! Already inward investment and trade deals are showing that leaving the EU will be beneficial in the long run. It is possible to highlight a few people and companies who, initially, are worse off but eventually the whole country will be better off. Regards, Kenneth Mason, via email.

Another Year, Another Poem Another year has just begun It’s going to be a memorable one Time to get your life back on track Always look forward, never look back Do the things that make you glad Not anything that makes you sad Get out there and do your thing It’s amazing what life can bring. Marie Neilson.

Wareham Rotary Thanks Dear Editor, The Rotary Club of Wareham would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Wareham, Wool, Bere Regis and surrounding areas for their fantastic support throughout the year. Our recent carol collections around Wareham and Wool raised over £2,500. Every penny raised from public donations goes into our charity account and is distributed to worthy causes throughout the year.

Our Tree of Light at Wareham Hospital raised over £1,500 for Macmillan Cancer and the Friends of Wareham Hospital. The final total for our annual Rotary Dorset bike ride in aid of Cancer Research UK in September raised a total of £54,000. £48,000 of that is going to CRUK and the other £6,000 is going to other charities in individual sponsorship. Thanks once again. Les Bassett, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Wareham

Brexit Regret Brexit Regret In letters to your paper The brexiteers have said Remainers aren’t remainers They’re remoaners now instead But I’ve observed another group Not mentioned in those letters Many brexiteers, so called Are really now ‘bregretters’! Martin Hobdell, Swanage.

A Charter For Purbeck Dear Editor Pan Purbeck Campaign, having had successes with its public meeting on 18.11.16 and in generating the largest ever consultation response in Purbeck, now urges residents to take action by supporting a Charter for Purbeck. This charter aims to be a serious contribution to strategic thinking and action in Purbeck and Dorset. Purbeck suffers from a lack of strategic thinking. Planning, infrastructure, housing, employment, heritage and managing change are not being developed in ways that suit the aspirations and needs of the residents of the parishes and towns in Purbeck. The Purbeck area, with its international and national designations, requires new thoughts, innovative approaches and a shared sense of direction. To assist with strategic thinking, Pan Purbeck Action Campaign has a Charter for Purbeck. The Charter has seven pillars, each of which emphasises a critical matter now and in the future. The pillars of the charter are; keep Purbeck rural; keep Purbeck as a sustainable area; develop local solutions; address community-led housing; place people and the environment before profits; reform the National Planning Policy Framework; and create more democracy. The Charter for Purbeck will be developed further with others in the next few months. It is intended to use the Charter for Purbeck to create a proper legacy for the area, rather than drifting towards becoming another urban area. Purbeck needs persons to speak up for the area now and to act in the best interests of the area. Find out more about Pan Purbeck Action Campaign and the Charter for Purbeck by emailing: Panpurbeckactioncampaign@ gmail.com and on the Pan Purbeck Action Campaign Facebook page. Please support Pan Purbeck Action Campaign and the Charter for Purbeck . Yours sincerely, Peter Bowyer, Chairman Pan Purbeck Action Campaign. 01929 450 291.

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Manor House Demolished Dear Editor, I write with considerable sadness that Organford Manor, a four hundred year old house, together with a similarly aged barn and two Victorian buildings (consisting of stables and a cottage), have been demolished to make way for mobile homes. The house did not have a great deal of architectural merit but included an attractive walled garden incorporating an opening to the field to the north side with Purbeck stone steps over (known fondly, in its day, as a “Romeo and Juliet”). The Manor does have historical interest as William Pitt’s cousin lived there and it was the last house still inhabited by a family who, for generations, had been involved in the Newfoundland fishing trade. The area lies in the green belt and, prior to 2006 had, in part, been used as a holiday camping site. This was permitted as there was and, I think still is, a high demand for tourism. It was well screened and, except for the sign at the entrance, was not visible to the public. There will be about one hundred and twenty mobile homes, eventually, a windfall to planning which is not included in the proposed plans for East Dorset. The development taking place has caused considerable disquiet to the residents of Organford as it is clearly visible for all to see and at night is well lit. Yours sincerely, Paul Harrison, Organford

£5,500 Raised In December Dear Readers, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary would like to thank our local community for the support given to us during December for all of our fundraising events, enabling us to raise a staggering £5,500 for local charities. We started the month with our annual Christmas Market, which attracted a record number of stalls, raising over £1,200. Once again we were lucky with the weather and the streets were filled with both young and old enjoying the seasonal festivities and finding the elusive gift for the ‘person who has everything’! Santa’s Sleigh proved as popular as ever and – with our brand new ‘Reindeer’ - we were able to visit roads which have previously been inaccessible to the sleigh. This year we handed out numbered leaflets – sponsored by our Business Partners – detailing how the community had helped us with our fundraising during 2016. A winning number was drawn and the winner - Katie Harris - received a superb hamper which was kindly donated by Hays Travel. The Sleigh (together with Santa’s Grotto at the Market) collected a record amount of over £3,100. We decided to take up the challenge to organise the Charity Christmas Mail and with the help of more than one hundred community volunteers – both young and not so young – cards were stamped, sorted and delivered, raising – together with the Raffle - £1,230 despite the number of cards “posted” being fewer than the last year that Swanage Lions organised this

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event. We will be running it again this year so put a note in your diary to write your cards early! Our thanks to Corbens for finding us the premises from which to operate and to Williams (Dorothy) Bakery for keeping us supplied with tea and coffee. The Christmas Breakfast completed our activities for 2016. Our thanks to Corbens for assisting with the organization, and to Costcutters, Budgens and the Co-op for supplying all of the delicious breakfast items for our Christmas morning breakfast. The breakfast was attended by twenty-eight guests who may otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone. Breakfast was followed by carol singing - led by two members of Swanage Town Band- and of course Santa was distributing gifts (kindly donated by Chococo and Inner Wheel). So a HUGE thank you to all of our community for enabling us – as a small Club – to undertake these projects. We look forward to working with you on even more community projects this coming year…watch this space. Deirdre Selwyn, Secretary, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary

2017 Classic Car Display Dear Editor, On Sunday 23 April the Swanage Charity Day and Classic Car Display will be celebrating its 21st anniversary. One again this year there will be one hundred classic cars and vehicles on display in the Victoria Avenue Car Park between 11am and 4pm. As always there will be refreshments, charity stalls and craft stalls and all monies raised will go to local Swanage and Dorset based charities. For more information contact me on 01929 426644 and don’t forget to make a note of the date for this year in your diary. Kind regards, Jenny Lazenbury, Swanage

Foodbank Supports 300+ Dear Editor, A happy New Year and many, many thanks to everyone who has supported us in the last few years. A special thanks to those stores who support us by allowing us to place a bin in-store, and also to Geoff and Polly for their help with printing services. In 2014 we were able to provide emergency food for two hundred local residents, and we helped a similar number in 2015. In 2016 we assisted two hundred and twenty adults and ninety-seven children locally. We also provided thirty-five special Christmas hampers for people who may not have found too much to celebrate during the festive season. It is because of the goodwill and kindness of people who donate that we are able to provide food to cover short periods of time when people find themselves with nothing. We are often asked ‘What sort of people use a foodbank?’ to which my answer is ‘Human beings just like you and me.’ Anyone can fall on hard times at any time.

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A partner leaves without warning, the main earner has an accident and can no longer work, assessment for benefits can take weeks. People on low incomes who are working long hours simply cannot afford to pay high energy bills, petrol to work and provide food for the family. These are just a few examples. There are of course many more. So we hope that with your continued kindness and generosity, we may carry on supporting those in need locally. Thank you. Beryl Hopkins, on behalf of the Foodbank Team, Swanage

Harry Webb & Colleagues

Bobbing Corks, Old & Young Dear Editor, As usual the ‘Bobbing Corks’ participated in a swim on Boxing Day at 8.30am. This year’s swim was verified as usual. Wonderful swimming conditions, calm and mild with some enchanting winter sunshine - typical of Swanage, the Madeira of Great Britain. Once again a good swim raised £150 and the ‘corks’ wish to thank all who generously donated time, effort and hard cash. This will be presented in conjunction with Lloyds Bank Swanage fundraising efforts. The corks are a small group, some swimming all year round. Old and young, they are dedicated to good health. Happy New Year and good swims in 2017. Brian Barker, Swanage.

Eddie Loveless At Work

Dear Editor, My name is Ann Guppy, I am writing about the photos of my Dad in the January Gazette. His name was Eddie Loveless and he worked for the Hayters for a number of years as a foreman bricklayer. I often heard the names of Sir and Lady Tasker. Eddie is pictured above right, and was also in the other photos. Yours, Ann Guppy, Studland.

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Dear Editor, While reading through the January issue of the Gazette, (issue 204), I had a lovely surprise seeing a picture from the 1960s of my Dad, Harry Webb, that I’ve never seen before. He is the workman right at the back, looking to the right, rather than at the camera (pictured, above). The picture shows him at work, with other builders, working on a house being built by Hayter & Sons in Durlston in 1963 for Sir Theodore Tasker. We had only been living here since 1960 as we had moved from London and Hayters were the first firm my Dad worked for in this area. We understood from him at the time that this was a big project, but obviously we didn’t realise how big. Do you know if any of the other workmen have been identified? Regards, Rosemary Miller

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The Good, The Bad, The Controversial... by David Hollister

urbeck has a many reasons to rejoice and be proud. Not least, the amazing success of The Swanage School, voted ‘Best School In Dorset’ and in the top 6% nationally. Before and during construction, this school received numerous criticisms; it was suggested that its very existence would be detrimental to the Purbeck School at Wareham. I haven’t exactly noticed the Purbeck School crumbling, indeed it received a grade 4 for quality in the recent Advanced Level Performance System survey, which means “very good” and is a credit to staff and pupils alike. I haven’t heard any parents of the Swanage School say anything detrimental at all – so congratulations to the staff and pupils for doing so well at such an early stage of the school’s existence. Dorset Waste Of Space Partnership decided to impose various charges at their recycling centres; I wondered how long it would be before ‘fly tipping’ started again and there for all to see was a huge pile of builders’ rubbish dumped in the pretty surroundings of Holme Lane just before Christmas. Whoever did this should be totally ashamed of themselves – but they won’t be because the sort of scumbag who does this has no conscience and no civic pride whatsoever. I’d also urge the DWOSP to reconsider their charging policies. Because any savings they’re making are going to be wiped out by the cost of clearing up this sort of thing. And on the subject of being totally ashamed. Purbeck has only built 109 affordable homes since 2012. Five local families, including seven children, spent this Christmas in B&B accommodation. Yet the proposed planning application for twenty-two affordable and six open market homes in Langton Matravers has now gone to formal appeal. Suffice it to say that the PDC planners not only encouraged the developer to put in these plans, but also their officers considered that “the negative visual impact the proposed development would have on the AONB would be outweighed by the number of affordable homes being provided.” I wasn’t at the planning committee meeting but I’m told that the vote went 6-2 against. Allegedly, some Councillors appeared to change their minds following strong representations by the Chairman, Cllr Peter Wharf. This has resulted in the developer taking an appeal to the Secretary Of State, which action will no doubt involve the Council in the expenditure of significant sums of our money. If the end result is the appeal being turned down, this finally puts paid to the possibility of twenty-two local homeless families being housed. Don’t give me all this ‘heart-on-sleeve’ stuff about caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. I have the names of all members of the Council who were involved in making this shameful decision and can’t help noticing that they all have one thing in common. They all have homes. Central Government has announced grant aid to assist with the provision of affordable housing; the South West is going to receive a pathetic £4 million per annum. Now work that out in terms of Purbeck’s share. Clllr Laura Miller, PDC’s Housing Portfolio Manager, said “This can make an impact but won’t solve the whole problem; we need to use every way possible to do that.” She also went on to intimate that in many places,

local residents appear not to want affordable homes in ‘their back yard’ and this in turn suggests to me that they’d prefer empty second homes to first homes occupied by local families who actually need a home to live in. I’ve been contacted by a few residents of Lulworth regarding the proposals being made by Bestival organisers to “apply for a licence” to stage the fourday event from September 7 to September 10, with plans submitted to PDC and a 28-day consultation period underway. Let’s get this straight, though. They already hold the necessary licences to hold the family orientated and excellently organised Camp Bestival which is held at the end of July. What they’re applying for is an extension of this licence to give us a second ‘Bestival’ festival in September, with the capacity of the site being expanded to around 40,000, compared to the 30,000 currently catered for in July. It’s the Isle of Wight event being transferred to the Isle of Purbeck for numerous very sensible logistical reasons. At the Isle of Wight the festival had a capacity of around 50,000, with headline acts in recent years including Stevie Wonder and Elton John. My first reaction was ‘Oh Please No’ but let’s be positive, shall we?! A huge number of people will be here contributing to the local economy, and also perhaps seeing our delightful island for the first time. Hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, food shops, garages, they all stand to benefit. Yes, traffic will be appalling, OK? That’s the down side. If you live within ten miles, best not to even try to go out whilst Bestival is on. But it’s what they have to cope with at Glastonbury, the Steam Rally, and even the Dorchester Show. Looking at the huge expressions of disappointment from the Isle Of Wight residents and businesses as they suddenly realise that they’re going to lose this huge source of income is a real eye-opener! I’ve always considered Local Authority “Licensing” as the official approval of something that the applicant’s going to do anyway, regardless of the opinions of neighbours or even councillors. An approval which can, of course, be obtained by paying large amounts of ‘fees’ to the Council. Go on, someone, write in and prove me wrong? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but weren’t there collecting boxes at various points in Corfe Castle collecting for the “New Year’s Eve Fireworks”? Did anyone see a single firework? I see that Dorset Wildlife Trust have been at it again destroying the habitat for the wildlife at the Townsend Nature Reserve, in the name of ‘managing the environment’. I am sure that this work has been thought out and planned down to the last acorn, but on behalf of the wildlife whose homes have been destroyed and those of us who like a bit of wilderness, please go and ‘actively manage to conserve’ somewhere else. Finally. My thanks and congratulations to the organisers and all those who contributed to the Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival held at the Emmanuel Church in Swanage. Over forty brilliantly decorated trees, all with their own specific message, plus a warm welcome. The highlight of my Christmas season. Cheers!

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After a successful meeting on the latest Health Review for Dorset on January 11th, attended by nearly 200 people, our March meeting will be a ‘Community News Fair’. We will be inviting guest speakers from a number of local organisations to give us a news update from their respective organisations. Groups invited include: The Swanage Railway, Durlston Country Park, Swanage & Wareham Dementia Friendly, Link Visiting, the Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust (with their latest initatives), Swanage Football Club and Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre. Watch this space for meeting date, time and details next month!

Wareham Town Council Updates

Julie, our Gazette correspondent, details the goings on in recent council meetings..... News from Wareham Town Council December 2016 ounty Councillor Ezzard reported that 17,000 people had responded to the survey on the future of Dorset Councils and two thirds agreed that nine Councils be reduced to two. The more popular option was to combine Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch under one Council. The County Council (DCC) also discussed the shortfall in social workers who had to manage an increasing number of children in care and unaccompanied Syrian refugee children. The County Councillor highlighted two ongoing consultations on Dorset’s Healthcare and Adult Social Care and DCC’s proposal to build a 1:12 ramped bridge to replace the railway level crossing. District Councillor M. Wiggins reported that the Partial Review of the Local Plan was to be reconsidered with due regard to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Green Belt and the underlying figures. The District Council had considered ways to preserve and enhance Purbeck’s twenty-five conservation areas, approved measures to try to help homeless people take up housing in the private sector, and agreed the refurbishment of the Westminster Road depot currently used by Dorset Waste Partnership. Through the Community Infrastructure Levy, Wareham Council had received almost £13,000 which had to be spent within five years. The Planning and Transport Committee had passed without comment a number of planning applications including work at the Antelope Inn and change of use from shop to house at 53 North Street, but objected to an extension in Hardy Road. The Amenities Committee had considered projects to come out of next year’s budget, such as new waste bins, refurbishment of the pavilion and tree planting at the Recreation Ground. The Committee would be looking into the introduction of 20mph speed limits in residential areas. The Dorset Towns and Larger Parishes Committee had heard how localities had responded to the withdrawal of funding from youth centres and were informed of a county fund for youth services. The sea boundary between Poole and Wareham which was laid down in the Winchelsea Certificate of 1364 will be marked by a beating of the bounds ceremony on Sunday 14 May 2017. The public is invited to the next meetings of the Town Council on Tuesdays 7th March and 18th April in the Town Hall at 7pm. The Annual Town Meeting is on Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm. Call 01929 553006 for further information or visit the website at www.wareham-tc.gov.uk.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Fire & Rescue Station Update

i and welcome to my first report from Swanage Fire station in 2017, I hope you all had a safe and happy festive season! Operationally in the last month we answered twelve emergency fire calls, these incidents included the following: • One fire involving a mattress and undergrowth on the beach below Durlston castle. • Two fires involving property. • Two special service calls. • One large tractor and surrounding heathland fire. • Five false alarms. • One chimney fire. We have also responded to eighteen medical calls in and around the town, backed up by our South West Ambulance colleagues in a paramedic car or Ambulance. For this month’s safety message, I would like to remind all of you who have open fires or wood burning stoves about the need to ensure that you have a clean chimney. This can help prevent fires and structural damage to your property. Regular cleaning of your chimney or flue will eliminate the build-up of soot and clear obstructions such as bird or animal nests, leaves and debris. It is not enough to use a vacuum cleaner and you should make sure that your chimney or flue is inspected regularly. Chimneys should be swept: At least once a year when using smokeless fuels At least once a year when using bituminous coal Every three months when burning wood Once a year when using oil Once a year when using gas

The following safety advice should always be followed when lighting an open fire or wood burning stove: Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire. Don’t burn excessive amounts of paper or rubbish. Don’t overload the fire with fuel. When the fire is alight, check the loft space occasionally to make sure there is no smoke leaking from cracks, defective brickwork or mortar joints. See also: Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps: www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps. co.uk or the National Association of Chimney Sweeps: www.nacs.org.uk You may remember me telling you about Firefighter Liam Blake who is running in this year’s London Marathon in aid of the Firefighters Charity. I’m pleased to say that Liam’s donations have now passed £2500. This is the level that Liam pledged that he would run wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus. So, if you see a strange man running around Swanage in firefighting kit, please don’t be alarmed just give him a cheer and some encouragement, as all the donations will go towards helping injured firefighters during their rehabilitation back to health. If anyone wishes to sponsor Liam individually, you can visit his Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/liam-blake1 or you can use his text code which will donate £5 directly to his Just Giving page by texting FFBA99 £5 to 70070. Alternatively, contact the station with any goodwill messages or ideas on how we can support Liam. You can also email me at: sm16@ dwfire.org.uk A big thanks to all of you who have already donated to this tremendous effort by Liam, but please don’t let it stop there. Stay safe and don’t forget to test your smoke alarms! Phil Burridge Station Commander

The Purbeck Gazette

uring February a winter Steam service will be operating between Swanage and Norden via Herston Halt, Harmans Cross and Corfe Castle. The service will run Saturday 4th, Saturday 11th through to Sunday 19th (school half term week), Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February. Saturday 4th, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th February - Services depart Swanage at 10:40, 12:00, 14:00, 15:20. Services depart Norden at 11:20, 12:40, 14:40 16:00. Saturday 11th – Sunday 19th February - Services depart Swanage at 10:00, 11:20, 12:40, 14:00 15:20 16:40. Services depart Norden at 10:40, 12:00, 13:20, 14:40, 16:00, 17:20. Our Dining Train season commences on Sunday 12th March with “The Dorsetman” Luncheon Train. Bookings for our ever popular dining trains are now on sale. Daily steam services commence Saturday 25th March and run until Sunday 29th October. Our first event of the year is our Spring Steam Gala “Strictly Bulleid” Friday 31st March – Sunday 2nd April celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the final operation of steam hauled services on British Railways Southern Region. “Strictly Bulleid” will be a bonanza of Bulleids with a number of guest Bulleid locomotives joining forces with the home Bulleid fleet to provide an extravaganza of steam power. Full details of our timetables, fares and events can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk Purbeck Railway Circle - On Friday 10th February, Brian Jackson will deliver his presentation entitled “60 Years of Railway Photography”. Brian is a well-known transport author and historian who lives in Weymouth and has given us many enjoyable evenings over the years. His latest presentation reflects sixty years of interest in railways. The Circle meets in Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross at 7.00 for 7.30pm. Tea/coffee/biscuits as usual. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Boxing Day Swim 2016

undreds gathered on Swanage seafront on Boxing Day morning for what has become a popular annual event, supporting deserving small, local charities - the Swanage Boxing Day Swim. Organised by Julian Wood of Country Foods in Swanage, the event has grown over the past few years, and now we welcome several coaches from near-by towns, bringing hundreds of spectators to enjoy the event before taking a wander around the town, often staying for a couple of hours and partaking in a spot of breakfast or lunch whilst here. Boxing Day is no longer a quiet affair in Swanage town centre! Last year we were sad to report that a number of those taking part in the swim refused to pay the entrance fee, or to raise sponsorship - which is the whole point of the event. The words “It’s a public beach, I can take part if I want without paying” were uttered more than once by those turning up, complete in fancy dress, to take the plunge alongside those who had spent weeks raising sponsorship for small, local charities. In 2015, £2500 was raised and donated to local charities. In 2016, with an increased number of entrants, the expectation was obviously that the funds would be higher. Sadly, only 160 swimmers registered on the day, and only THREE sponsorship forms were handed-in. The total raised at the time of writing is £1,610. More people swam in 2016, but far less money was raised. The 2016 benefitting charities were the Purbeck Gateway Club, a hugely-important resource in our community, run by Lewis Bell and his lovely wife, and the Purbeck Admiral Nurse fund - something many of us will need in the coming years. Both charities sent representatives down on Boxing Day to help the volunteer team with registration and refreshment stalls. To those of you who dutifully raised money through sponsorship, or by paying a registration fee on the day - well done, and thank you so much! What stars you are! We’re all proud of your mad-cap dash into the sea. To those of you who decided to come along, join in the fun and yet refused to support these two vital charities, shame on you. Yes - of course you can access the public beach at any time of the year, but to deliberately turn up and take part in an organised charity event and refuse to pay your dues? Honestly. Takings from the charity refreshment stall were also down this year, by a whopping £200. This seems to have been due to issues accessing an electrical point once again. Dave Elliot has offered to sponsor a HUGE generator for the 2017 swim to ensure this problem does not happen again! Julian, his family and the organising team offer a huge thank you to: our wonderful Coastguard, Burt’s Bits, Corbens Estate Agents, Melody, Safari, Purbeck Plum, Fi Fi’s, The White Swan, The Cornish Bakery, Dave and Dianne Terret for all the support you’ve given to the event. See you next Boxing Day - with your SPONSORSHIP FORMS!!!

The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Area Senior Forum Update

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Wareham Area Seniors’ Forum

Carey Hall, Mistover Rd, Carey 10am to 12 noon, Monday 6th February 2017

A new concept in living for older people, with MHA Doreen will be talking to us about the watercress beds in Bere Regis

For information, or for transport to attend, call Sue on 07825 264353. Age 50+ All welcome. £2 donation required.

e invite you to our meeting on Monday, 6th February, at our new venue at Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Carey. Please note this will be the venue for future meetings from now on. The Lions have kindly agreed for us to use their bus and we have places for seven people. I already have four on the list, so do have room for three more if you are unable to get to Carey HaIl without difficulty. If you would like your name added, please call me on 07896 793858. The number 40 bus does stop at Carey and it is only a short walk to the Hall. As discussed at our AGM, I need to put out a plea as we are in dire need of a new secretary. The position is not onerous and involves taking notes at out committee meetings (approximately four-five times a year) and helping to write this insertion and poster for the Purbeck Gazette. This year, two of our meetings will be run in conjunction with the Dorset Age Partnership and the Partnership of Older Peoples’ Projects. One will be an information divulging forum and the other has become known as the Sloppy Slipper Event, properly termed Falls Prevention and, no, we do not want your old slippers thank you very much! It only leaves me to wish all our members a very happy and healthy, 2017. Anne Laugharne

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Q&A A couple of marine related questions which have been thrown at me in recent weeks: On a cruise ship, we do not seem to have many/enough lifeboats – what happens if…? True, there are not enough lifeboats for all the passengers and the crew – however there is more than enough capacity when you add the lifeboats and the inflatable life rafts together. A lot of companies prefer to put the passengers in the boats and the crew in the life rafts, purely for simplicity of boarding and launching the lifeboats. Don’t complain about this idea, hanging on to your breakfast is a lot easier in a lifeboat – even the

most seasoned sailor can get severe “mal-de-mer” in an inflatable life raft and it doesn’t even need to be rough!! I have seen some freighters that don’t seem to have normal lifeboats…..? Modern merchant vessels often carry a single boat mounted on a slide at the stern which is not in davits as you see on a liner. These boats are called free-fall boats and the clue is in the name. One boat is big enough for the entire crew and is launched from a great height at the pull of a lever. These are known as real white knuckle rides but if the ship is sinking then probably the lesser of two evils! What is the difference between knots, bends and hitches? Very simply, knots are originally used for joining two strands of a rope or two ropes of the same size (e.g. Reef or Square knot), bends join ropes of two differing sizes (e.g. Sheet Bend) and hitches are used to tie a rope on to a pole, spar or ring (e.g. Clove Hitch). Everybody learnt the reef knot at cubs or brownies – left over right then right over left – but this is a very weak knot and shouldn’t be used under any stress as it can be pulled out very easily. If you go left over right twice and then right over left, you have a surgeon’s knot. This is handy tying a parcel and you are alone as there is no need of the finger after the first bit to keep it tight, it stays tight all by itself! Please stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life or leisure takes you. As always, you are always welcome to visit us when you are passing. The Swanage NCI can be contacted at the Lookout on 01929 422596, at nci.org.uk or on VHF 65 or the email address below. We look forward to hearing your comments and questions. Bob Clark, swanagenci@btinternet.com NCI Swanage.

The Purbeck Gazette

Just A Little Bit Of History Repeating.....

Nico Johnson investigates the future of Swanage town centre, with just a little help from a veritable team of experts!

Above: William Masters Hardy’s hand-marked 1902 map of Swanage, showing the boundaries of the ‘old lake’, old waterways and ancient trackways, according to Hardy’s research. By permission of Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre

decade ago, debate was still raging within the Gazette as to whether climate change was real or not, and if so, whether it was down to man, or a natural occurrence. Now it is generally accepted that climate change IS happening, although there is still some argument as to how much man’s influence is speeding up what is still seen by many to be a natural, cyclical process of climatic upheaval and change. Many of you will have heard of Doggerland – once connecting us and eastern Britain with Europe. Doggerland now resides deep under the waves, and we find ourselves an island, undeniably separate from Europe. This is undisputable fact. Where once there was land – now there isn’t. Sea levels changed. With the most recent ‘Local Plan’ now being finalised by our Councils, scarce funding is going to be spent redeveloping floodplain areas which will, within one hundred years, once again be under water. With lifespans increased, and with many living to see their eighties and nineties, a time period of one hundred years is suddenly not such a longterm prospect – it’s literally the lives of your children and grandchildren that will be affected. Parts of the Isle of Purbeck have changed greatly since the late 1500s, when several maps of the area (by Saxton, Treswell and others) clearly showed a sea inlet reaching approximately two miles westwards inland from Swanage Bay, with an open mouth clearly mapped where the brook outlet is currently situated, under the County Bridge next to the Mowlem Theatre. The tidal sea inlet, or estuary, was also fed by inland water systems from Godlingston, Langton and Ailwood, amongst other smaller streams and brooks which ran down the sides of the valley. Outlines of the relevant part of the coastline from both Saxton’s and Treswell’s maps are shown on the right, detailing the course of the Swanage sea inlet. Both maps, individually cartographed, show more or less the same coastline, including the clearly-defined, open sea inlet. Over the decades following Saxton and Treswell’s mapping, the mouth of the inlet silted up, possibly with help from debris brought ashore by the tsunami caused by the Dover Straits 5.8 magnitude earthquake in 1580. Damage from waves following the earthquake was reported in Dover, with part of Dover Castle reported as falling as a result of the impact. The eventual silting-up of the Swanage inlet mouth allowed the community to more easily access both north and south sides of what we now refer to collectively as ‘Swanage’ via a causeway over the inlet mouth. For hundreds of years prior to the inlet mouth silting-up, the primary settlement was on the north side of the southern hill line (High Street and southwards up the valley towards Durlston, where an early settlement (possibly a Celtic settlement and burial ground, and Roman hill fort)) were discovered in the region of what is now the upper part of Bon Accord Road/Newton Road. Eventually the new ‘causeway’ became a solid and much-used access route to Ulwell, and the once-open sea inlet became a tidal-fed inland lake, sometimes referred to locally as ‘Mimi Lake’, although where the name ‘Mimi’ came from is lost to time as far as we can asertain. Continual quarrying of stone from the southern sides of the Swanage settlement allowed dislodged sediment to run down to the valley below and over time, this further silted-up the inlet-turned-lake. The lake eventually

PART OF THE EASTERN SHORE LINE OF THE ISLE OF PURBECK

Above: The coastline outline as drawn by Saxton and Treswell on their maps of Purbeck during the late 1500s, showing the clear inlet at Swanage.

became a series of water meadows, known as ‘meads’, with the brook and a few ponds and pools remaining scattered along the valley base. The Gazette office occupies an area of Tilly Mead, right over the mouth of the original estuary. The old waterways which fed into the lake were slowly hemmed in and redirected as the modern town centre was gradually built on the newly reclaimed land. County Bridge and the seafront were built, Station Road was constructed with the brook (now referred to as ‘Swan Brook’) boxed in beneath the road and shops to follow its existing path beneath the current town centre, releasing into the sea under the County Bridge at the Mowlem. None of the above is ‘news’. Most locals are aware of the history of the valley, and many know of anecdotal tales of the original lake from family archives, old photographs and paintings of the period by well-known artists such as Job Hardy, and others. Swanage builder and local historian, William Masters Hardy, researched the original lake/inlet in some depth whilst working in the construction industry in Swanage in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In his 1908 book ‘Old Swanage and Purbeck’, William relates his detailed findings over several chapters, including: ‘The Old Lake’ and ‘Traces of

The Purbeck Gazette

William Masters Hardy’s hand-marked 1902 map of Swanage, marking the boundaries of the ‘old lake’ according to Hardy’s research, overlaid on a modern map of Swanage town centre. By permission of Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre. License: (c) OpenStreetMap and contributors, CC-BY-SA

Submergence’. William attempted to tie together local historical and anecdotal references with evidence he personally unearthed whilst laying the then-new sewerage system and gas mains in Swanage. William detailed his findings on a copy of the 1902 OS map, including marking the original inlet/lake outline according to his research, as well as the old waterways (marked in blue) and the most ancient tracks and lanes (which often followed the old waterways – such as Spring Hill, Springfield, Washpond Lane, Northbrook Road, etc marked in red on the map). Modern-day local historian and Curator of Swanage Museum, David Haysom, holds the original pieces of Hardy’s 1902 hand-detailed map in the museum’s collection, which he has very kindly allowed us to copy. We then asked Brian Dorey of Virtual Swanage to overlay Hardy’s 1902 map showing the inlet/lake outline onto a modern-day map, to show the exact area of modern Swanage which would originally have been under water. Hardy’s original (top facing page) and the modern overlay (top this page) detail the extent of the known inlet/lake area. Historically, prior to the recent addition of the Swanage flood alleviation system, many of the basements of the shops along Station and Institute Roads flooded on a regular basis, affected both by tidal flows forcing their way up the brook (and therefore under the town), and by water flowing down from the valley sides (and the old waterways) into the brook. If the brook was fed with rainfall rushing down towards the sea and met a high tide pushing back against the shore, the water was unable to escape and therefore came up over the sea wall (from storm surges and over-topping waves), as well as coming up from beneath the town where the brook was overflowing underneath. On Thursday 29 December 1848, John Mowlem noted in his journal: “Last night the wind veered to SE to E to NE, the rain fell in torrents…… It was high water about 11pm. The sea was very heavy on the shore and this keep (sic) back all the water inland and after 3 hours ebb-tide such was the rush of water by the brook that it undermined the foundation of a house in the occupation of Mr John Soper, master of the cutter Gertrude, that the front fell into the brook and Mrs Soper fell with it. She was found on the shore nearly opposite our house. She fell out of bed and fell into the river and was washed and carried into the sea. Such was the force that the brook was made from about 6ft wide to 30ft and upwards, but the foundations was (sic) very defective and this caused the death of the poor woman. Two daughters was (sic) in the same house and two lodgers, females, and with great difficulty all were rescued by James Pushman and others.”

John Soper’s house was situated roughly where Brook Tea Rooms/ The Parade are situated today. One single high tide, with a less than advantageous wind direction, forced the incoming tide to meet the brook flowing out into the sea and with nowhere for the excess surge to go, the force of the water took a building down, thus causing the death of poor Mrs Soper. So, what’s the relevance of all this historical stuff today? In 1998, a presentation was made by Bill Fry, Civil Engineer (Ernest Ireland) to Paul Croft, then-Chief Executive of Purbeck District Council. Bill specialised in Maritime structures and had a wealth of knowledge and worldwide experience in the problems generated in a maritime environment. Assisted by the then-Pier Master, Derek Boorn, Bill compiled a comprehensive report of the main commercial district of Swanage, built over the one-time tidal estuary area, during the period when the Co-op was being built, the Health Centre extended and the Wessex Water works were underway. The original report referenced Swanage Conservative Club, which is recorded as sitting on a raft of loose stone, resting on approximately 26 feet of loose fibrous material and silt (Hardy also noted this fact in his research ninety years before, having seen the ‘foundations’ himself.). The building was monitored by qualified structural engineers in the 1990s, and small metal studs were fitted to various external parts of the building, allowing highly accurate measurements to be recorded. These recordings showed that the building actually rises and falls with the Spring Tide. Bill Fry’s report also made certain recommendations with regards to the piling being performed during the erection of the Co-op supermarket. He advised site engineers not to pile or bore on, or either side of, a Spring Tide. His advice was originally ignored, the result of which was the area becoming awash with mud and salt water. Bill’s 1998 report originally gave Swanage three stark choices for the future: 1 - Build a sea wall from the Banjo Jetty in a gentle arch, coming ashore at Prince Albert Gardens, with a tidal gate entrance at a point in the sea wall facing north-west. 2 - Knock down all property built over the brook and the original inlet zone, opening it back up to allow free flow of water and a natural floodplain to redevelop. Compensate all building owners. 3 - Do nothing and pray.

Above: Painting by Job Hardy 1880. Brook Farm and Old Cottages. Now Station Road, Swanage. By kind permission of Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre.

Bill Fry advocated option one. Rather obviously. On the approach of extreme weather, the tidal gate could be closed at low tide, thus preventing the brook from becoming blocked, and allowing rain/ground water to flow down the brook and out into the area protected by the sea wall, eventually being released when the tidal gates are reopened on the next low tide. It appears that Purbeck District Council no longer have Bill’s report – Derek Boorn has attempted to obtain a copy recently. Although Bill is sadly no longer with us, exPier Master Derek Boorn is, and his memory is fully intact, allowing us to access much of the information originally gathered by Bill for the report and presented to PDC. Modern geological mapping clearly shows a distinct, thick band of alluvium (silt) directly under the original tidal inlet area (map pictured, right, alluvium shown as a white band), extending from the Bay up to New Barn and beyond. I personally witnessed John Watkins (Watkins Plant Hire), uncover a beach, complete with several feet of sand and seashells, several metres below the current valley floor next to the railway track beneath Quarr Farm in Harmans Cross in the mid-1990s, whilst laying sewage pipes. This was in an area several hundred metres further inland from New Barn – shown on Hardy’s map as the western known edge of the inlet/lake. It is highly likely therefore that the original glacial inlet was much deeper, and extended much further inland in the more distant past, slowly edging eastwards down towards Swanage Bay over time due to silt deposits slowly filling the valley floor. The recently-built industrial estate off Victoria Avenue in Swanage sits squarely in an area due to be full-on waterfront property in the not-sodistant future. The flood alleviation scheme allows for protection (thus far!) from much of the ground and rain water, but it offers little protection from a tidal surge under the right conditions, meeting a flooded brook trying to discharge into the sea under County Bridge. There is nowhere for the water to go other than up and into the town centre. Swanage Railway has had to lift track and lay a waterproof membrane underneath to deter the water which rises up beneath the track some way inland, washing ballast away. The current Local Plan intends to build

The Purbeck Gazette

Above: Reproduced Courtesy of the Bristish Geological Survey. EA17/006. Original geological survey on the one-inch scale by H.W. Bristow, F.R.S. Published on Sheets 16, Old Series, 1855. Resurveyed on the six-inch scale by C. Reid and A. Strahan M.A. Published with Drift, April 1895. Sir Archibald Geikie, D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S., Director General. Published statement. Published with Drift April 1895. Republished with minor amendments 1954. Reprinted (4th impression) 1970.

upon areas which were originally under water, areas which, according to predicted sea level rises, will once again be under water within the lifetimes of children currently at our local primary schools. Current forecast mapping, utilising land contouring and predictive models of expected sea level rises, puts a larger area than that outlined by Hardy back under water, by an expected depth of between 0.6 - 1 metres, by 2116. This doesn’t mean that a ‘sudden high tide’ will wash over Swanage town centre in 2116 – it will be a gradual process between now and then, with

Above: Map taken from the current ‘Local Plan’ for Swanage town centre. The red boundry shows the area proposed for major redevelopment - the lake/estuary basin area.

The Purbeck Gazette

Above: Map of Swanage town centre, compiled by historical researcher, Chris Kay. The map shows various finds in the town centre area, including old boats and anchors. The outline of the old tidal lake is shown, including ‘Eel Pool’, where locals would catch eels for supper......

flooding becoming more and more regular over time. Should any of this bother us in the ‘right now’? Yes, very much so. A team of dedicated locals have been keeping a keen eye on atmospheric conditions and barometric readings over recent years, and we’ve had some very near misses already. In November 2016, Swanage hit the national news due to tidal damage caused to the old tram lines and walkway next to Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre. Storm Angus was a close call indeed. To explain as simply as possible, all tides are calculated on a Barometric Pressure of 1013mb, that being considered the average. The higher the Barometric Pressure, the more weight on the sea and the water will therefore decrease in height. Conversely the opposite happens with a Depression, which means a lower atmospheric pressure equals less weight, so the sea level will rise at the rate of 1cm for every reduction of 1mb air pressure. So a depression of 960mb will increase the height by 0.530 metres (53mb x 10mm). What must also be taken into account is sea levels are rising according to IPCC by 3mm pa and the Isostatic Rebound (south coast of England sinking) by 1mm pa. The Hydrographical Officer (Tidal Department) confirms that tidal projections for these increases were last adjusted about 1970. So to any current calculations, add 0.184 meters (46 years x (3+1)mm) to the height of sea levels. Please note that Admiralty charts and tidal data refer to Chart Datum (CD) which is 1.400 metres below Ordnance Survey Map Datum (OS) and note the five metre contour around the centre of Swanage - our area of potential flooding. A Depression to the south of Swanage presents the greatest danger by driving a storm surge directly towards the weakest point in the Bay, which is Swanage town centre. Add to this ‘over-topping’ by waves, which would block rainwater attempting to exit from the Swan Brook and the Banjo Jetty. We will leave you to do the calculations, which you may find very interesting indeed. The above calculations, however, take no account of the sea water from the subterranean ‘Mimi Lake’ seeping up and adding to the problem. Consideration should also be given to the shore line between Swanage Pier and Seymer Road, which already experiences regular tidal floods. A scenario similar to that detailed above would result in major flooding to property from Seymer Road up the High Street to the Library, along Kings Road East and possibly throughout the town centre. As sea levels gradually rise over the coming years, we will be more and more susceptible to serious flooding of the main town area. Each approaching storm now sees Swanage on a knife edge, as a culmination of the ‘right’ conditions will involve a serious flood event hitting the town. Our local Councils seem intent on redeveloping the original floodplain area (the main ‘Swanage Town Centre Redevelopment Site’ shown on the current

Local Plan is the actual basin of the original inlet/estuary, as detailed on the map shown on the bottom of the opposite page). The Mowlems and the Burts are credited with building much of Swanage town centre as we know it today. Will we be the generation credited with utilising our impressive modern technology, ingenuity, creativity and hindsight to evolve our building methods in time to face a rapidly approaching climatic change and thus ensure the future of the town? We can but hope planners insist on utilising forward-thinking, modern building methods, and look at far more innovative solutions than simply requesting higher floor levels and larger flood tanks for new builds. We ask that they take into full consideration the accepted reality of a greatly increased water level in future, when looking at new development plans. As modern geological mapping clearly shows the alluvium (silt) band snaking its way up the valley from Swanage Bay out towards the west, distinctly marking the path of the old inlet, there is alternatively more than enough sand beneath the town for us all to stick our heads in, together, and select Bill Fry’s ‘Option 3’…… (People of Wareham and Stoborough ‘What about US!!!.....’ We hear you! Both Wareham and Stoborough are also liable to extreme changes in the next few decades, as water levels rise and the causeway is likely to require lifting by some considerable height to escape the damp....! Got any old maps showing old waterways, past floods and so on? Contact us!) A HUGE thank you to: Derek Boorn, Lawrence, David Haysom, Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre, Martin Ayres, Swanage Historical Society, Chris Kay, Dr Ian West and Mike Goater for your time, research, assistance and advice! Pictured below: Job Hardy 1870. The ‘Meads’, with Swanage Brewery and church. Brook Farm and Old Cottages front right (now Station Road). By kind permission of Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre.

Blast From The Past! This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

ebruary 2007 saw the Gazette’s front page ask ‘Where have all the locals gone?’, with an in-depth article detailing the desperate housing crisis which was sweeping the land - yet again. Our article referenced a piece published in the national press by George Monbiot (Guardian, May 2006), in which George had written: “If you travel to Worth Matravers - the chocolate-box village in Dorset in which 60% of the houses are owned by ghosts - you will not find hordes of homeless people camping on the pavements in cardboard boxes. The market does not work like that. Young people from the village, unable to buy locally, have moved away, and contributed to the housing pressure somewhere else. The impacts of the ghost market might be invisible to the purchasers, but this does not mean they aren’t real. Second home owners are perhaps the most selfish people in the United Kingdom.” Today the percentage of second homes in Worth Matravers is closer to 75% second or investment properties. Whilst five affordable eco-friendly dwellings have since been built in the village (2012) at the Roman Barn Affordable Housing Development, this tiny number of new homes hardly addresses the issue, nor the numbers of people still desperately in need of that most basic of requirements - a home. What to do? There seems to be no answer to date - developments are mooted, residents write in against the new plans, plans are thrown out. The homeless remain homeless - most often as a result of the complaints of those sitting comfortably, already in a home...... You couldn’t make it up, but here we still are, desperately in need of housing, and yet seemingly unable to actually get on and build for our own - our postmen, binmen, nurses, teachers, supermarket workers and civil servants. A case of those ‘with’ determining the case for those ‘without’. Again.

Frank Roberts of Swanage Army Link wrote a piece back in 2007, updating readers on the lasting link between Swanage and the Royal Corps of Signals. The Liberty of Swanage was granted in July 2004, and the Royal Corps undertook a great deal of work in the area, including repainting at Herston Bank. Some of the soldiers also took part in the Swanage half-marathon. Former columnist, John Barclay, had recently given a talk to members of the Purbeck Association of National Trust Members about his emergence as a writer, having successfully had his work published. John recited several of his poems to a delighted audience at the Dorset Golf and Country Club. The picture shows (L-R) Roger Starling, PANTM Chairman, John Barclay, and Margaret Tyrer, Social Secretary. David Hollister brought-up the issue of the Harmans Cross speed limit as a group of Harmans Cross residents had formed to campaign for a reduced limit of 30mph through the village. David urged readers from both sides of the argument to contact

Dorset County Council and make their feelings known. David also wrote about the ramping-up of the ‘Big Brother’ society, with cameras, radar traps and so on becoming an everyday sight on our roads. In the same column, David complained of the bad state of our roads, in particular, the large dips where deep puddles form in the more rural roads of Purbeck, forcing drivers onto the wrong side of the highway in an attempt to avoid them. He asked that all readers report road defects as soon as possible to DCC, and suggested people cut out the column and keep it - ‘In ten years time, see how much has come true’......! The Lookout at Peveril Point reported seeing a grey seal searching for fish off the ledges, and a number of seabirds which were caught up in local fishing nets, and needed to be released as soon as possible. Swanage Town Twinning reported on a successful market stall (pictured below), held as part of the Christmas market at Rüdesheim-am-Rhein. Volunteers manned the stall, and a range of goods was offered, including a hot cider-based drink, which was very popular, and local marmalade.

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Wareham Guides ‘Help Other People’

areham Guides put their promise to ‘help other people’ into action just before Christmas. Instead of bringing in Christmas party food for their end of term meeting, they managed to fill a Co-op Reverse Advent box full to the brim with food items for their local food bank, organised by Wareham churches. They didn’t miss out altogether on Christmas goodies as they all went home with a chocolate Santa! Well done Wareham Guides! Anne Chamberlayne, Wareham.

Out Of The Blue Doorstep Crime Engagement Week runs from the 13th - 17th February 2017. uring this week (13-17 Feb), Dorset Police will be working alongside other organisations such as Trading Standards and Age Concern to raise awareness of doorstep crime. Spring is often the time when people’s thoughts turn to home or garden maintenance and improvements and as such, we often see a rise in distraction burglaries and cold-calling rogue traders. A distraction burglary is when burglars knock on your door and make up a story to get into the house for example ‘ I have lost a ball in the garden.’ Rogue traders knock on your door and offer you a service, but overcharge you for poor, unnecessary or incomplete work. Police guidance is to NEVER accept work from anyone who offers it over the phone or at the door and NEVER go to the bank with a tradesperson. Remember to never let anyone in unless you have made arrangements for someone to attend or you know who they are. The victims are usually our most vulnerable members of the community, so we will be striving to raise awareness by holding a series of events across the county where members of the public can chat with the police and other agencies and learn how to protect themselves and others. If you would like to meet your local Purbeck officers then please feel free to visit us at anyone of the below events: • Wareham library on the 14th February from 1400hrs to 1600hrs • Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage on the 15th February 1000hrs to 1200hrs • Lytchett Matravers library on the 16th February from 1000hrs to 1200hrs • NatWest Bank, Wareham on 17th February from 1100hrs to 1300hrs We look forward to seeing you there!

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Economic Review of 4th Quarter of 2016

uring the last three months of 2016 the FTSE 100 index rose by 3.5% and was up by 14.4% during the year. Our analysts generally commented on the global situation as follows : ‘In 2017, we expect a revival in global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) driven by stronger US activity and a recovery in some developing countries helped by higher commodity prices. In equity markets there has been a rotation towards cyclical sectors away from defensives. The fundamental shift could have further to go if the world economy gathers speed towards 2018’. With specific reference to the UK, selections from our analysts’ comments are as follows: ‘The economy enters 2017 on a good footing with about 2.2% GDP growth last year. This outcome was much better than expected at the time of the Brexit vote and for 2017 we are more optimistic than official forecasts of 1.4% GDP growth. The economy could benefit from sterling’s depreciation and low interest rates for most of 2017. Based on market consensus, corporate earnings are expected to grow by 12% in 2017 and the UK equity market is on a PE (Price/Earnings) ratio of 15.5 and a dividend yield of 3.2%.’ ‘In Q4, rising inflation expectations led to a sell-off in Gilts though equities were more resilient. The official UK economic outlook was downgraded in the Autumn Statement but the performance of the economy continues to surprise positively. We expect this to be a feature in 2017 and for equities to continue to make progress with more outperformance in cyclical sectors. In the last quarter of 2016, the FTSE 100 Index rose by 3.5%. the FTSE 250 moved up by 1.2% and the techMark 100 declined by 0.9%. The value of Sterling fell to a 31 year low of $1.21 in October having been $1.48 before the Brexit vote in June. A weaker exchange rate has boosted inflation expectations and the 10 year Gilt yield reached 1.4% compared with a 0.5% yield after the Brexit vote in June.’ ‘Certainly there are challenges ahead for the UK economy especially after the UK triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty but 2016 finished on a strong note. The economy is expected to have expanded by 2.2% last year which is better than expectations immediately following the Brexit vote. Nonetheless, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) reduced its UK GDP forecast to 1.4% for 2017 (from 2.2%) and cumulatively it expects the economy will be 2.4% smaller by 2020 compared to earlier projections. Lower trade flows, weaker consumption, reduced investment and less immigration are expected to cool economic activity. Over the period 2016-2020, the OBR now forecasts 7.4% growth instead of 8.8% which results in £122bn of extra public borrowing. This weaker economic outlook, lower tax receipts together with revised spending commitments means that the budget is no longer forecast to be in surplus by 2020 but a deficit of £21bn is now expected. The Charles Stanley Investment Committee is not as pessimistic on the economy as the OBR’s forecasts and we believe that growth could continue to surprise on the upside’ 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. FCA register ID 1903304. This information does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of individuals. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not receive back the amount you originally invested.

VAT Flat Rate Scheme changes In a surprise announcement in the 2016 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that changes are to be made to the existing flat rate scheme for VAT (FRS) in order to tackle perceived 'aggressive abuse'. The changes, which will take effect from 1 April 2017, are designed to 'reduce the incentive for firms and agencies to move employees to self-employment to exploit VAT simplification aimed at small businesses'. The subsequent HMRC policy paper published on 5 December sets out the details of the changes, which will affect any users, or prospective users, of the FRS. The FRS is a simplified VAT accounting scheme for small businesses, which currently allows users to calculate VAT using a flat rate percentage by reference to their particular trade sector. From 1 April 2017 a new 16.5% FRS rate will be introduced for businesses with limited costs. Interestingly, HMRC's policy paper on this change comments that 'many labour only businesses' may be affected. Although not yet clarified, this may mean the adjustments will not apply to service-related businesses such as journalists, architects or engineers. Between now and 1 April 2017, anyone currently using the FRS for VAT, or thinking of joining the scheme, will need to decide whether they are a 'limited cost' business. For some businesses - for example, those who purchase no goods, or who make significant purchases of goods - this will be obvious. Other businesses will need to complete a simple test, using information they already hold, to work out whether they should use the new 16.5% rate.

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Trading Standards Know your consumer rights!

The truth about dates: Use by date and best before, safety and quality n general food law requires pre-packed food to have a date mark. Depending on the food type, this is either a ‘use by’ date or a ‘best before’ date. The use by date is about safety and the most important date to remember! Foods can be eaten (and most can be frozen) up until the use by date, but not after. You will see use by dates on food that goes off quickly, such as meat products or ready-prepared salads. For the use by to be a valid guide, you must follow the storage instructions. The best before date is about quality and not safety. The food will be safe to eat after this date but may not be at its best. Its flavour and texture might not be as good. The best before dates appear on a wide range of frozen, dried, tinned and other foods. The best before date will only be accurate if the food is stored according to the instructions on the label. After the use by date, don’t eat it, cook it or freeze it. The food could be unsafe to eat or drink, even if it is stored correctly and looks and smells fine. For quick tips to save money, make time and reduce waste by eating, cooking or freezing food by its use by date visit https://www.food.gov.uk/ science/microbiology/use-by-and-best-before-dates Shops can sell food once the ‘best before’ date has passed, however selling food past its ‘use by’ date is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution. A supermarket in the Midlands was recently prosecuted and fined £75,000 for selling, which was past its ‘use by’ date. If you would like advice about your consumer rights then please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.

10 Tips On Buying A House

There are many hurdles to jump when you’re purchasing a new home. Sarah Ford from Battens Solicitors shares her top 10 tips on buying a house. 1. Know the true costs and set a budget. Don’t just save for a deposit; budget for the whole buying process including surveys, searches, land registry, mortgage arrangement and legal fees, stamp duty, removal and furnishing costs and any potential repairs. And, if you’re buying a leasehold property, remember to factor in service charges and ground rent. 2. Get an ‘Agreement in Principle’ before making an offer. Talk to a mortgage adviser about mortgage deals, then get an ‘agreement in principle’ from a mortgage lender – it could give you the edge on buyers without one. 3. Consider your options - if you are a first time buyer, it’s well worth exploring the government’s first time buyer initiatives. 4. Appoint an experienced lawyer - a good lawyer will manage the legal side of house buying and ensure everything goes smoothly. 5. Get first dibs – ask local estate agents to call when suitable properties are about to come onto the market, that way you can book one of the first viewings. 6. Ask questions – find out as much as you can about the area and the property, including how many viewings and offers it’s had - it helps when it comes to negotiating. 7. Be realistic about timings – local searches can take up to 18 weeks and if you’re in a chain, not everyone will be ready when you are. 8. Commission a full property survey – it’s different to a valuation survey and will flag up any problems that could cost you later down the line. Your lender may require you to use a specific surveyor. 9. Get insured – find a comprehensive building insurance policy with no onerous restrictions they can impose if, for example, you’re purchasing in a flood risk area. 10. Draw up a Will – if you die, you’ll want your assets (including your home) to be distributed to your loved one. Ask a lawyer to help you draw up a legally binding will. Sarah Ford of the Battens Residential Property Team offers a bespoke house buying service for buyers. Call 01305 216216 to speak to Sarah or email sarah.ford@battens.co.uk

01305 774666

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Purbeck Weddings It’s February - the month of love! Here at Gazette Towers, we celebrate this each year with our February Purbeck Wedding feature. Featuring an array of wedding services, from venues to dressmakers, this is the month to celebrate that special someone in your life and to make some big plans for a long-term future together..... Each wedding photographer who takes part in the feature is invited to provide images of recent Purbeck weddings to illustrate the feature, thus allowing the wider community a glimpse into that special day, enjoyed by a local couple. We’d like to thank the couples who have agreed to share their wedding pictures with you and we wish them all a long, happy, healthy future together! Congratulations to you all! If you’re planning on getting married in Purbeck in 2017, don’t forget to let your wedding photographer know if you’d like your pictures to be featured next February in the Purbeck Gazette!

Main image: Jasmine Griffin married Will Thomson at St James’s, Kingston, with their reception at the Grand Hotel, Swanage. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Jim Wright married Christina Bourne at St Marys in Swanage, with their reception at the Italian Villa, Compton Acres. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Kelsey Summer married Sev Clark at Swanage Town Hall, with their reception at Knoll Beach, Studland. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Wedding Bus: Jasmine Griffin married Will Thomson at St James, Kingston, Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

Donna Haden married Nigel Bower, both ceremony & reception were held at Purbeck House Hotel. Trev Rich Photography.

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Donna Haden married Nigel Bower, both ceremony and reception were held at Purbeck House Hotel, Swanage. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Sarah Jane Leach married Oliver Lansley at St Ann’s Church, Bagshot, with their reception at Hollycombe Working Steam Museum. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Flowers by Bloom Florist

Jasmine Griffin married Will Thomson at St James, Kingston

Flowers by Buds of Mave Flo

rist

Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Georgina Stewart married Andrew Downey, spending the entire day at Smedmore House. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Jim Wright married Christina Bourne at St Marys in Swanage, with their reception at the Italian Villa, Compton Acres. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Sally-Ann Smith married Kevin Bird, with their ceremony and reception at Kingston Country Courtyard in Kingston village. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Sarah Jane Leach married Oliver Lansley at St Ann’s Church, Bagshot, with their reception at Hollycombe Working Steam Museum. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Claire Blondel married Paul Yerby at the Springhead Trust, Fontmell Magna. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography.

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Jasmine Griffin married Will Thomson at St James’s, Kingston, with their reception at the Grand Hotel, Swanage. Photographer: Trev Rich Photography. Pictured here with her bridesmaid at Corfe Castle,

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Hoping To Make Sparks FLY! by David Hollister

ver the last few months I have been singing the praises of ‘Hybrid’ cars such as the Toyota Rav 4 and Yaris models, and the Lexus hybrids. I remain convinced that this is the way to go, but that all-electric vehicles are just around the corner. I’d been hoping to test-drive the super little all-electric Renault Zoe over Christmas, and was just finalising the details when I realised that I live twenty-four miles from Westover and that the nearest ‘fast-charge’ point was in Poole! This meant that in between collecting it and taking it back, there just wouldn’t be enough power to go about my normal business, let alone a proper test-drive to evaluate it. Yes, there is a ‘home charge kit’ available but unfortunately this particular demonstrator didn’t come with one. The good news is that in early 2017, a new Zoe is being launched, this one apparently with a much greater range and hopefully even with a 13-amp plug! So watch this space. It was the apparent absence of public fast-charge points here in Purbeck that led me to a website called www.zap-map.com/live. This confirmed my suspicion that there’s nothing practical this side of Poole. There are four main electric vehicle charging types: Slow (up to 3kW) which is best suited for 6-8 hours overnight; Fast (7-22kW) which can fully recharge some models in 3-4 hours; and Rapid AC and DC (43-50kW) which are able to provide an 80% charge in around thirty minutes. It’s the latter that we need in this green and pleasant area if we are to offer our visitors the facilities they need for their green and pleasant cars! I was heartened to learn that Swanage Town Council are actively researching the possibility of installing a couple of fast-charge points this year; unfortunately I can find nothing as yet in the minutes of Wareham Town Council meetings. I was also heartened by the responses I received from Graham Lambert (St Michaels Garage) and Tim Pyne (Wool & Bovington Motors and Purbeck Ford); both said that they had the matter ‘under consideration’ and this would provide a much-needed facility not only now, but in years to come. Ford chiefs have said that the company is to invest £3bn in a new range of electric and hybrid vehicles, with an aim to offering a total of thirteen new electric models by 2020. Top of their list will be a new electric version of the Ford Focus, which will be redesigned to charge its batteries much quicker than before and also offer a longer range compared with the current model. We already have all-electric cars on sale in the UK from BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan, Kia and Renault. Imagine the benefit to a dealer able to offer somewhere warm and comfortable for the driver to wait whilst the car was charging, to sit and have a coffee and go through that dealer’s brochures, or wander round their on-site shop! Unfortunately, hydrogen power is still a long way off, but to encourage the environmentally-aware drivers to go for all-electric cars, the Government set up a ‘plug in car grant’ in 2011. Initially very generous, this grant was reduced in 2016; vehicles with a ‘zero emission’ range of 70 miles and with a CO2 emission lower than 50g/km now qualify for a maximum grant of £4500, with a £60,000 “on the road” price cap meaning that cars which are more expensive will not be eligible for the grant at all. Nevertheless, full-electric cars like the Zoe and the Leaf would be significantly more expensive than equivalent petrol or diesel family hatchbacks and superminis were it not for the reduction in price provided by this car grant. I am told that they also suffer from heavy depreciation, so total running costs could become prohibitively expensive were it not for the grant. I see that in the interest of elf’n’safety, and probably due to an EU regulation, the County Council are carrying out unnecessary repairs to

the A350 and A35, Upton bypass, from 16th January until 5th May 2017. This work – costing £1m - is being undertaken to “protect the piers to the three bridges crossing the A35.” It entails widening and moving both carriageways towards the central reservation to be able to construct a series of permanent high vertical concrete barriers adjacent to the bridge piers. Presumably just in case a heavy lorry leaves the road and smashes into the pier and brings down the whole bridge. Wonder why that wasn’t thought of when the road was built in the first place……. All I hope is that whilst we are dawdling through the jams and wasting time and petrol queuing, the ‘workforce’ have the decency to be seen ‘working’ and not standing around chatting or – even worse – conspicuously absent. The affected roads are: Eastbound from Bakers Arms Roundabout to a point approximately 100 metres past the Upton Footbridge. Westbound from the Holes Bay North Roundabout to a point approximately 100 metres past the Slip Road from the A350. The A350 elevated roundabout and all lead-ins and slip-roads to/from the A35, Upton By-Pass to/from the A350 elevated roundabout. And the good news is ….. they’re doing stage 2 in January 2018! During January, I was due to have my three driving lessons with local instructor Andy Temple, DVSAADI (car), who has an awful lot more driving qualifications than do I. I hope that I don’t have too many 50-year long-standing bad habits and hope that he’s able not only to point them out but to help modify them. Good luck, Andy! Read all about it here soon! I really hope that it will bring home to every single over-70 reader who has a car, the importance of ‘brushing up your skills’; who knows, the life it saves might be yours. Fares on the Sandbanks-Shell Bay ferry are going up again on 31st March. The car fare will rise from £4.10 to £4.50. But discounts are available, so from 1st April 2017, a £4.50 ticket bought in advance in a book of ten will cost £3.60. I just bought thirty tickets for £99, saving £24.00, and will do it again on 31st March. A great idea for regular users – but it’s cash only! Before complaints start arriving on my desk regarding the ‘outrage’ of a price hike, I’d just like to remind you once again that the Ferry is a private company, not a public service. Well, 2016 is gone – many of us are saying “and good riddance” – but during the year I was able to drive and write reviews of some excellent cars, by courtesy of our friends at Westover and Purbeck MG. The surprising Skoda Fabia, the stunning Lexus RC 300H and NH300 F-sport models, the car-for-all-reasons Toyota RAV4, the economical Yaris hybrid, the practical Jeep Renegade, and the rapid MG GS (by courtesy of Purbeck MG). Each had their own characteristics, and it’s been hard to make a choice but re-reading my articles from 2016, I’ve settled on the Toyota RAV4 as my ‘Car of the Year 2016’. So thank you, Westover, and to any dealer reading this for whom we haven’t reviewed a new model – you know where we are!

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16(16)FORD Focus 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium 5dr Auto Our Demonstrator Good Fuel Economy Sat Nav Door Guards......................................... £18995 16(16)FORD Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec 5dr Our Own Vehicle Zero Road Tax Fantastic Economy Ford Warranty until Jul 18............................ £12995 15(65)FORD Fiesta 1.6 ST2 16000 Miles. Sold New & Maintained by Us One Owner Excellent Condition Spirit Blue..........................................£13495 13(13)FORD Fiesta 1.0 Zetec 5dr One Local Owner Excellent Condition 13000 Guaranteed Miles Air Conditioning Alloy Wheels......................£8795 10(10)BMW 320iSE 4dr Automatic Saloon One Local Owner from New SatNav Full Leather Trim Full History Long MOT.................................£9995 09(09)FORD Kuga 2.0TDCi Zetec AWD 47000 Miles Cruise Control Airbags Alloy Wheels.............................................................................................£8995 09(59)FORD Focus 1.6TDCi Titanium 5dr One Local Owner 45000 Guaranteed Miles Rear Park Assist Excellent Economy......................£5995 08(09)FORD Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium AWD Locally Owned 81000 Miles Full Service History Part Leather Trim Park Assist.....................................£7995 15(15) FORD Ecosport 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec. 6,600 miles. Sold new & maintained by us. Bluetooth parking sensors.....................................£11995 13(13) FORD Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium Auto Powershift. 37,000 miles, locally-owned, full history, leather interior, alloy wheels....................£8995 13(63) FORD B-Max 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec. Supplied & maintained by us. 23,000 miles, brilliant fuel economy, very roomy..................................£8595

Swanage’s Shannon Lifeboat In New Boathouse

wanage RNLI’s Shannon all-weather lifeboat is now housed in her new boat hall on a permanent basis, as the building project for the town’s new lifeboat station nears completion. It’ll be a busy start to 2017 for the crew at Swanage as they prepare to move into their new boathouse. Swanage RNLI’s new lifeboat station is currently the charity’s only station where a Shannon class lifeboat is launched down a slipway. The lifeboat George Thomas Lacy has been moved into the boathouse several times over the last few months to protect her from the rough winter weather conditions, and recently she was moved into the boat hall permanently. Video footage shows her launching down the slipway for the first time during trials. Building work on the new station began in spring 2015 and since then, the crew have been housed in temporary accommodation near the site. The new station includes a crew changing room, a fully-equipped crew training room, mechanics workshop, office space and two separate boat halls for the inshore and allweather lifeboats. The volunteer lifeboat crew plan are now moving their equipment into the new building. Captain Neil Hardy MBE, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, says all the crew are very much looking forward to moving into their new home: “Anybody who has seen the building recently will know that it is getting close to completion, and now the scaffolding has come down, people can get a real feel for the new building. There are still many tasks to do before the building becomes an operational lifeboat station, and these will be carried out shortly. We will, of course, keep the local community updated on progress as I’m sure many people are looking forward to getting a closer look”’ Last month, the Shannon class lifeboat George Thomas Lacy launched down her new slipway for a shout for the first time ever. The first launch

happened on Tuesday 29 November at 2.30pm when both Swanage RNLI lifeboats were tasked to assist the Coastguard and police in the search for a missing person. The lifeboats carried out a shoreline search from Ballard Down to the southern end of Studland beach. Four crew members were also put ashore at Old Harry Rocks to search the base of the cliff. After an extensive search and no further information, the lifeboats were stood down, returning to station at 4.50pm. Pictured: The Shannon lifeboat in the new boathouse, by RNLI.

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Food

From The Kitchen Garden...

Flammkuchen

t’s pretty quiet in the kitchen garden this time of year, the days are short and the ground is frozen or full of water. Most crops have been harvested and the land is taking a break under a cover of slow growing green manure. However, some crops stand through the winter to provide us with vitality and fresh flavours. Leeks are some of the hardy type vegetables, happy to take really quite low temperatures without getting spoilt. This member of the allium family is wonderfully versatile, delicious eaten raw, finely sliced in a salad, stir fried, steamed or baked. Because of its mild oniony flavour leeks go well together with cream, cheese and smoky bacon. A ‘Flammkuchen’ (flaming tart) is exactly that combination. Originating from the Alsace region in France near to the German border, it’s very similar to a pizza and was the rustic way to test the baker’s oven for the right temperature. If the bread base topped with leeks and other goodies baked in a jiffy, then the wood-fired oven was ready for the baking of loaves, and the baker got some breakfast….. In this recipe I’ve used some Gruyere cheese instead of strips of bacon but it’s a really good way to use up all sorts of bits, so be inventive! In any case, all this saltiness is particularly well partnered with a glass of chilled fruity, white wine…. Ingredients for 2 people Preheat the oven to 220C For the dough 350 gr strong white flour ½ tsp salt 1 sachet easy-blend dried yeast 200 ml warm water For the topping 200 ml crème fraiche 2 leeks, 1onion, 1 fat garlic clove Gruyere cheese to taste Nutmeg, a little salt and pepper

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden Method After making the bread base, roll out and spread with crème fraiche leaving just a little bare border. There’s no need to prove or part bake. Chop and scatter veg, top with grated cheese and season Bake until tart starts to take on colour. Enjoy!

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Romantic Purbeckian Chocolate Delights

f you are looking to delight someone special this Valentine’s Day and entertain the little people over half term, head for Chococo, the place to eat, drink and delight in the Commercial Road lanes in Swanage. For Valentine’s Day this year, the Chococo team will be launching salted caramel hearts and their award-winning Romantic Rose and Sakura Tea chocolates. The team has also created an exciting new range of romantic gifts, perfect for someone you love. Over half term, they will be running their ever-popular chocolate making workshop for children at their chocolate kitchen opposite the shop. These workshops last one hour and are suitable for children age 7-12ish. There are only limited spaces per session so don’t leave it too late to book. Enjoy cakes and bakes, freshly baked on-site, plus soups and savoury scones for a light lunch, whilst you wait.

Their drinks range includes a unique range of origin hot chocolates, freshly ground locally-roasted Beanpress coffee, Dorset teas, milkshakes and DIY hot chocolates. Choose origin milk, dark or even white chocolate to melt and whisk in the milk! If you cannot make it to Chococo’s Chocolate House in Swanage, you can also buy their chocolates at their second Chocolate House on Winchester High Street or at their third Chocolate House in Exeter, online at www. chococo.co.uk or by phone 01929 421777 for nationwide delivery. Visit their Facebook page for updates on half term events.

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Purbeck Products

Claudia’s Cakes at Purbeck Producers laudia’s Cakes (Kaffee und Kuchen) is a regular attendee at the Purbeck Producers monthly markets. These markets take place in Commercial Road, right outside the Purbeck Gazette office, every second Saturday of the month. We always have a selection of German cakes for sale, either as whole cakes or as slices, and we take orders for delivery or collection. Come and see us on the 11th of February between 9am and 1pm. We are always delighted to see both new and former customers and catch up on all the local news! Bill & Claudia Wilson.

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You Can’t See The Isle Of Wight For Plankton... by John Garner

andering around the cliffs that dissolve into Old Harry Rocks, it’s very easy to draw an imaginary line out to sea and contemplate the continuation of the chalk ridge that once joined the Isle of Purbeck to the Isle of Wight. Chalk, as I have no doubt you are aware, is formed from lime mud. Lime mud, as I am also sure you know, is formed from the accumulation of microscopic plankton skeletons, which through a series of geological processes such as heat and pressure, eventually forms chalk. A further increase in heat and pressure would result in marble. Fascinating stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree. Especially as it would have formed somewhere between 100 million and 60 million years ago. Little did those little plankton know what they were contributing towards. In actual fact, little did the plankton know about anything, would be my guess. If they did think at all, I’d hazard a guess that their collective ruminations were not along the lines of ‘Don’t worry chaps. Our deaths are not in vain. In somewhere between 60 million and 100 million years’ time, people will be cycling knobbly tyred mountain bikes across our compacted skeletons. You are not dying without cause. Beats being eaten by a giant fish, doesn’t it?’ (One feels one has to talk collectively about plankton, just as one finds it peculiar to talk in anything other than a singular sense about hermits - the isolated folk, not the crustaceans.) Well, whatever their thought processes or the lack of therein, what we see now is a spectacular ridge that at some point up until the end of the last ice age joined the Purbeck hills to…well to what? It certainly wasn’t the Isle of Wight. But then as mentioned in previous columns, it isn’t the Isle of Purbeck either in the strictest sense. As a friend of mine, who has lived here in Dorset for many years, had never seen the Isle of Wight, we decided on a trip to remedy this anomaly. On mountain bikes to take in as many of the sights as we could. So a date was booked and a time arranged and three of us met up at the ferry in Lymington. There are a great many claims made about the expense of travelling on the Isle of Wight ferry. ‘The most expensive stretch of water, mile for mile, in the world’ being one. I have no idea if this is true, but at just over £14 return for my bike and me, it seemed a reasonable amount of money to spend in order to explore the island.

It was a cold, still, misty day. The sort of day that film makers use to highlight the passage of a stricken vessel into a lost world. Although I’ve yet to see any of them doing it on Wightlink. Often the stricken vessel emerges from the fog into a completely different environment. We didn’t. That is, we didn’t emerge from the mist and fog and neither was it a completely different environment. But it was different enough and new to a couple of us on our bikes at least. After toast and tea on the way (again very reasonably priced I thought) we rolled off the ferry at Yarmouth and were soon on dirt tracks leading off into the hills that were once joined to the Purbs. There were a few long and lung-draining climbs and a few white knuckle descents, made even more exciting by the lack of visibility. At approximately 11.30am, we arrived at our lunchtime destination, but were too early and didn’t want to wait in the cold, so we set off again. More climbs - unsurprisingly the Isle of Wight is very hilly, and more exhilarating downhill skittering. We also paused to marvel at some of the most robust sheep any of us had ever seen. It’s clearly a fertile landscape, the Isle of Wight. Sheep fed on grass grown in plankton seem to make for very big sheep. Back in Yarmouth it was time for a well-earned lunch at a converted railway station. ‘Off the Rails’ I think it was called from memory. The proprietors were delighted, I’m sure, to see three muck-splattered, sweaty, planktoncrushing ‘foreigners’ falling through the door eager for Sunday lunch. Whatever their real feelings, they were extremely accommodating and a beer and a massive meal later and everyone was happy. A dash to the ferry and a gentle shunt back to Lymington followed. Gloomy would be too strong a word, suggesting as it does something somewhat morose. The day was anything but. However, at times it was difficult to see the difference between the sky, the land and the sea, the mist sapping all colour out of the landscape. The Isle of Wight may well be beautiful place with abundant scenery and a variety of interesting destinations. Indeed, having been there before, I can vouch for the fact that it is. My friend on the other hand has still not seen the Isle of Wight. For now it will have to remain in his imagination.

Coastguard Update

hilst officially there is a team of twelve Coastguard Rescue Officers, the whole team just doesn’t operate without the support of families and friends of those volunteers. You cannot sum up in words the support that goes on in the background when those pagers go off. The dinners that go cold or yet again, that shopping trip gets postponed. As volunteers, we have to thank our employers who release us from work and in today’s financial climate, that’s hard. Our colleagues from St Albans, Kimmeridge, Poole and Southbourne who support us on larger type incidents. The coxswain and crew of the Swanage Lifeboat along with the crew of Poole Lifeboat. Colleagues from the other emergency services, especially the Neighbourhood Policing Team from Swanage, who seem to be there as the kettle goes on. But as with our families, if it wasn’t for our community of Swanage, we couldn’t do what we do. Like on the night of a large search with the team - the staff of the local Co-

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op provided us with milk to make hot drinks for all the searchers - that’s our community and a massive thank you to you all who have helped us provide a search and rescue capability in the area in 2016. The team attended 120 incidents during the year, 26 of those incidents were of a serious nature due to the injuries or with the number of emergency services involved. The incidents were at times very demanding and needed those involved to draw on all their training and skills to save lives. Sadly we saw an increase in the number or people who lost their lives along our coastal area and our thoughts are with those who they left behind. We assisted with:5 incidents involving unexploded ordnance. 3 Incidents involving animals over the cliff. 7 Rope rescues. 30 incidents involving medical assistance or assisting the ambulance service. 20 searches for missing people including lost children on the shoreline. The remainder were maritime related, investigations and minor incidents. 2016 was the fourth busiest year in the last sixteen years.

Discover The History Of Weymouth’s RSPB Nature Reserves

he RSPB in Weymouth invite the public to attend their Winter Talk and Slideshow evenings, to find out more about the interesting history of their Weymouth reserves. Dan Bartlett, RSPB Senior Visitor Centre Assistant at RSPB Radipole Lake, said: “The RSPB has managed Radipole and Lodmoor nature reserves for forty years, but a lot has happened on these sites prior to our involvement. Take a trip back in time with our 2017 Winter Talk and Slide Show evenings and discover more about the fascinating history of our Weymouth reserves.” “Did you know that the last recorded skirmish between smugglers and revenue men took place on RSPB Lodmoor? Weymouth was one of the first places conquered by the Romans, who navigated their galleons up the river Wey. Though it may seem hard to believe today, horse racing once took place on RSPB Lodmoor, and the site was also used as an airfield at the turn of the century. These places certainly have a colourful back-story,

which we’d love to share with you.” Event Details - Dates: Monday 27 February 2017 Monday 20 March 2017 Time: 7.00pm - 9.30pm Price: RSPB Members £2.50, Non-Members £4.00, Under 16s £2. Booking essential on: weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk or call: 01305 778313 Dan added: “Join us for tales about the deadly arrival of the Black Death, damaging floods, how mad King George helped start Weymouth’s tourism industry and examine how man has changed these sites over the years too. We guarantee that after attending this event you’ll see our Weymouth reserves in a whole new light.” For more information, visit: http://bit. ly/2iTBf7g

Dorset Men Sentenced Following Poaching Incident

ne man has been convicted of affray and two men fined following a poaching incident in Dorset. Mark Mabey, 52 and of Wareham Road in Lytchett Matravers, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 5 January 2017 after being found guilty of affray. He also pleaded guilty to night poaching. He was handed a ten month prison sentence suspended for two years, a twenty day rehabilitation order, eighty hours of unpaid work and a one-year exclusion from the estate where he committed the offences. Lewis Longstaffe, 22 and of no fixed abode, and Edward Turner, 51 and of Lockyers Drive in Ferndown, pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on 12 December 2016 to night poaching. Longstaffe was fined £337 and ordered to pay £150 costs. Turner received a £202 fine and £150 costs. The pair were also handed a two-year restraining order that prevents them from contacting the victim or entering their land. The court heard that at around 12.35am on Wednesday 6 January 2016, the victim was alerted by an acquaintance to possible poaching activity taking place on the private land he manages to the north of Wimborne and alerted police. The victim located the offenders inside a Mitsubishi 4x4.

Time To Save Some Toads! Ringwood & Poulner Toad Patrol start gearing up for coming toad migration season t is almost that time of year where motorists on Hampshire’s roads are urged to take extra care whilst driving over country roads at night; hibernating toads and frogs will soon wake up and start their annual migration to their spawning ponds and lakes. The Ringwood & Poulner patrol concentrates on helping toads cross Gorley Road in Poulner, to and from the Blashford Lakes. The aim is to have a team of volunteer patrollers on the ground every night from dusk. If anyone has a couple of hours per week to spare and could help out that would be wonderful! Please ring Teresa Baker on 01425 478891.

The Mitsubishi reversed at speed toward the victim’s vehicle and crashed into it. The offenders also fired steel shot at the victim and his car, the court was told. The victim managed to reverse away from the offenders and lost sight of them. The police helicopter tracked the men to Tarrant Monkton where they were arrested. The Mitsubishi was recovered and examined. The boot contained over 100 pheasants that were either dead, or alive but maimed. Police Constable Claire Dinsdale, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “We are committed to tackling rural crime and I hope these convictions sends out a very clear message that we will not tolerate poaching and related activity in Dorset. “We will continue to work with partner agencies and landowners to prosecute offenders accordingly. “We regularly patrol rural areas and we would ask the public remain vigilant to such crimes and come forward with any information.” If you encounter poachers on your property, call 999 immediately. If you discover what you believe may be evidence of poaching on your land or elsewhere, report it to the police via the ‘Do it Online’ function on the Dorset Police website. You can also email 101@dorset.pnn.police. uk or call 101.

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

The Key to a Beautiful Summer is to Act Now!

ature is waking from her winter slumbers and pockets of bright colour are appearing as crocus and daffodils ‘strut their stuff’ and early flowering cherries break bud to bring some cheer. Bulbs, shrubs and a few perennials will provide a great display from now until May, but by June, the spring spectacular will be over. To keep colour and interest coming throughout summer and autumn, we need to rely on cottage garden flowers. Cottage garden flowers are a mix of annuals and herbaceous perennials (HPs). Annuals grow, flower, set seed and die all in one year, whereas HPs die down in winter but grow back and flower the following year. In both cases, the next few weeks is a good time to make a start if you want a good show this year. With annuals such as Cosmos, cornflowers and marigolds, you can either sow seeds between now and April or buy the plants ready-grown from the Garden Centre in April/May to plant out then. If you are growing your own from seed, now is the time to choose and buy the seed. Some can be sown directly into their flowering positions and others will need to be sown indoors to plant out later when the fear of frost has gone. Holme staff will be able to advise you and good instructions are on the packets. With perennials such as Delphiniums and Lupins, you can sow them from seed this spring but they may not flower until next year. Alternatively, you can buy young plants from February to May and plant them into your garden, where they will flower this summer.

Holme Nurseries grow and supply a spectacular range of both annuals and perennials. Pop in this month and start getting ideas and help for your garden. Holme Special Offer young perennial plants £2.49 each or 5 for just £10 Finally, Holme is a keen supporter of ‘Litter Free Purbeck’. Please help them to raise money to help clean up Purbeck. Visit https://www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/simon-goldsack to make a donation or follow them on Facebook at litter Free Purbeck. Pictures: Top left - Mexican Sunflower Top right - Cosmos Below - Mixed Cottage garden plants

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For those keen to take up a healthy activity for body and mind, why not sign up for......: Orienteering Taster - Saturday 11th February 14:00 -15:30 Complete a course in the fastest time, learn to read orienteering maps, with a British Orienteering trained instructor. Booking essential. £5. Durlston is hosting plenty for you to enjoy during this year’s Purbeck Literary Festival. For the duration we have an Exhibition as well as plenty of workshops for youngsters as well as stimulating events for adults! Unless otherwise stated book via: www.purbeckliteraryfestival.info or www.durlston.co.uk/events-event-booking-form.aspx Celebrating Picture Book Art February 16th – 24th 2017, 11:00 – 16:00 As part of the Purbeck Literary Festival children’s program, find out how a picture book is a made with a display from some of the UK’s best contemporary authors and illustrators. For children and families: Wild Bug Party Thursday 16th February, 11:00 -12:30 or 13:30 -15:00 Drop into best-selling illustrator Paul Stickland’s Pop-up Bug Store and make wild and wonderful pop-up paper bugs. Children 4+ (must be accompanied by an adult) £4. Wild Picture Book Party: Love You, Hoo! Friday 17th February, 11:00 - 12:00

Join best-selling children’s picture book creator, Rachel Bright, for a story and craft session based on her newest book, Love You, Hoo! Children 3+ (accompanied by an adult) £3.50 Booking essential. Wild Picture Book Party: Hello, Mr Dodo. Friday 17th February, 14:30 - 15:30 Join prize-winning children’s picture book author/illustrator Nicholas Frith for a story and craft session based on his book, Hello, Mr Dodo. Children 3+ (accompanied by an adult) £3.50. Booking essential. Wild Big Draw - Saturday 18th February, 11:30 - 15:00 Drop in and Draw! Meet five best-selling contemporary children’s illustrators: Sarah Warburton, Mark Sperring, Lauren Tobia, Paula Bowles and Rachel Bright as they draw live and create a giant Big Wild Scene. Join in, or make your own picture. Family event (children accompanied by an adult) £2. For bigger folk! An Old House for the Future Saturday 18th February, 17:30-19:00 Meet Marianne Suhr, historic building specialist, co-presenter of BBC’s Restoration and C4’s Restoration of the Year and author, as she tells of her adventures in old buildings and gives tips for how to make them fit for the 21st Century. £8.50 to include a glass of wine. Booking essential.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre Can you give Rosie a forever home?

I wouldn’t want to be in a home with other pets, or young children.’ ‘My perfect home would give me access to the outdoors and still be able to pop in for cuddles. I don’t want to be a house cat I’m independent, and I like it that way. It’s going to be important that you understand me. When I make a bond it is heartfelt, and I have made a couple of those here at Church Knowle. However, I desperately want a Forever Home of my own.’ If you can give Rosie the home she needs, please contact our Church Knowle Centre in Dorset on 01929 480474 / churchknowle@mgar.org. uk If you can’t rehome, then you can still help rescue cats like Rosie by donating on our website: www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

osie has been challenging, but equally, she has been full of love. She can be a different cat when you are on her wavelength. She is a real Cat Person’s Cat, but don’t underestimate her, she needs someone who understands what it is to be Rosie, and is experienced in the ways of cat bonding. We’ll let her tell you her story, she does it so well........ ‘My name is Rosie and I’m a cat, and I do mean a Cat! I can be prickly and spiky, and cuddly and loving all in the same space. I am beautiful to look at, but not one to be rushed into a relationship. I love to sit on your lap and have a fuss and cuddles, but when I want it. I’m not going to lie, I can be difficult and

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Local Ambassador Inspires Young Coastal Visitors

umulus Outdoors and the Jurassic Coast Trust have teamed up to inspire young visitors to learn about the coast, whilst raising vital funds to help look after it. Julian Sawyer of Purbeck Footprints, one of the Trust’s volunteer Ambassadors, delivered a series of Jurassic Coast talks for young people undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential in Dorset, with Cumulus Outdoors. Cumulus Outdoors donated £1 from each person in attendance to the Jurassic Coast Trust, helping to preserve the coastline for future generations to enjoy. Julian is an accomplished photographer, walk leader and keen fossil enthusiast, and inspired young people from all across the country with his personal take on Dorset’s famous World Heritage Coastline. Julian said of his experiences: “I have been very impressed by the calibre of the young people I have met, they really have been a pleasure to be involved with. I have booked in for several more Duke of Edinburgh talks for the Jurassic Coast Trust and Cumulus Outdoors in 2017 and am really looking forward to working with them again.” Cumulus Outdoors’ customers are also able to give an optional £1 donation to the Jurassic Coast Trust when booking coasteering, climbing and abseiling activities. Through a combination of these donations and contributions from Duke of Edinburgh attendees, Cumulus have raised over £300 for the Trust this year, and plan to raise even more in 2017. Cumulus’ Steve Thompson sees it as part of the company’s commitment to looking after the local environment: “Cumulus Outdoors is proud to be a Jurassic Coast Business Partner. It’s great to be able to do our bit to raise money to help towards conservation and education projects all along the World Heritage Site, helping to spread learning and understanding about this globally unique coastline, and, crucially, to safeguard it so that future generations can enjoy it as much as we do today.” The money raised supports essential conservation of the World Heritage Site as well as funding other education activities along the Jurassic Coast. Guy Kerr from the Trust said, “We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors to the Jurassic Coast an insight into its treasures through Julian, whilst

raising vital funds to help us look after it for everyone to enjoy. “We look forward to inspiring more young people about our incredible World Heritage Site through our partnership with Cumulus Outdoors.” Photograph: Cheque presentation from Steve Thompson of Cumulus Outdoors to Katie Thomson of the Jurassic Coast Trust with Julian Sawyer of Purbeck Footprints.

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Stanford Quartet Coffee Concert Stanford Quartet coffee Concert Saturday 11th of February at 10am. Swanage URC. £10 Adults - Children free. he Quartet will be playing two great classical quartets by Mozart and Beethoven, followed by a Beatles arrangement of ‘Here Comes the Sun.’ For this concert, Laura and Eleanor Stanford will be the 1st and 2nd violinists and Becky Jones will take Amy Stanford’s place on viola. Becky was recently appointed as principal viola for the BBC Welsh Orchestra, so no mean understudy! Jess Cox will also be replaced on cello by a London freelance player, Bryony James, who has previously played with both the Stanford Quartet and Festival Strings Orchestra. Complementary coffee and cake will be served after the concert. Tickets/programmes will be available on the door only. Please remember

unaccompanied children are always free at Purbeck Strings concerts. Contact Purbeck Strings at purbeckstrings@hotmail.co.uk Telephone: 07964 410443. Pictured left - Rebecca Jones (Becky), Principal Voila BBC Wesh Orchestra.

Wareham Carnival Queen, Princesses, Princes & Granny

his year Wareham Carnival will take place on Sunday 23rd July. An important part of the Procession will be the chance to see our Carnival Queen and Princesses. In addition, this year we are also looking to include two Carnival Princes and a Carnival Granny. What a great way for local people and families to get involved in being a part of Carnival! The ceremony for the choosing of our Queen, Princesses, Princes and Granny will take place on Saturday 25th February at Wareham Town

Hall. The event from 6:00pm – 9.00pm will include a disco with DJ Blake. Judging will take place from approximately 7pm. On the night our judges will choose the Queen (aged 13 – 16), two Princesses (aged 7 – 12), two Princes (aged 7 – 12), and our fabulous Granny. Please remember that all entrants and spectators 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Organisers Val, Sheriden and Abbie from Kaffs Café in Wareham are sure that there will be a lot of support and are looking forward to seeing you on 25th February. Carnival Chairman Sue Dean said, “Our winners will be attending both our Carnival and other local events throughout the spring and summer. As well as being ambassadors for Carnival you will be representing Wareham, it’s a great opportunity!” All contestants must be registered – fee £2.50. Registration and Granny nomination forms for the special night can be downloaded from the Wareham Carnival website, www.wareham-carnival.org.uk, or can be picked up from Kaffs Café (in the arcade adjacent Sainsbury’s Wareham). Why not visit the Carnival website www.wareham-carnival.org.uk or Wareham Carnival Facebook to get updated on the 2017 arrangements for event dates and procession details, and to see what fun activities will be taking place on carnival day?

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Purbeck Literary Festival 2017

A Wildly packed Festival for Purbeck 2017 lans are all set for the 4th Purbeck Literary Festival, which takes place between February 16th and 24th. This year’s theme is ‘Wild’. Founder Emma Fernandez says: “Britain has been captivated by the outdoors and adventure, so it seemed a perfect choice for this year’s theme. Purbeck is at the heart of some of the most beautiful and rare coast and countryside in the UK so we are incorporating adventure, romance, travel and the outdoors in our programme.” In a change to its usual format, 2017 also brings a Festival Hub, with a home base at Durlston Castle for many of its events. Emma says: “We still have some other venues on board, as well as schools, libraries, and our usual headline high tea at The Grand Hotel, with best-selling novelist Rowan Coleman, but we felt it important to find somewhere we could base ourselves.” With authors covering adventure, cricket, fossils, film, poetry, environmental issues and music, plus a novel about drag queens and a full children’s programme, there really is something for everyone. So as a perfect pick-me-up to the February blues, book a seat, take up a pen, listen, laugh, and lose yourself in eight days of wildly inspired literary magic.

For full programme details and to book online, visit: www. purbeckliteraryfestival.info. Tickets can be obtained directly from Durlston Castle for Durlston events: call 01929 424443 as well as from: Discover Purbeck Tourist Info Centre, Wareham - 01929 552740, or from Edition One Bookshop, Station Road, Swanage and participating venues.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2017!

Countdown to summer: The Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is back and better than ever! he wait is over! The first wave of headliners have been announced for this summer’s family friendly Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2017. Tickets have already been selling fast for the popular four-day event which takes place on 24-27 August at Purbeck Valley Farm. Artists confirmed so far include singer-songwriter Ben Ottewell from Mercury Music Award winners Gomez, energetic Cornish band 3 Daft Monkeys and Dorset favourites, The Ben Waters Band. Then there’s highly-rated new talent from Blue Rose Code and a top bill of sizzling American music from bands such as Flats and Sharps, Curtis Eller’s American Circus and Screamin Miss Jackson & the Slap Ya Mama Big Band, who bring that irresistible New Orleans sound. Purbeck Valley Folk Festival organiser, Catherine Burke says: “We’re really excited about the line-up we’re putting together for this year. It’s a really good eclectic mix with something for everyone. We’re keeping to the same mix of lively bands, great songwriters and attractions that will make your jaw drop.” If that wasn’t enough, more major headline acts are to be announced over the coming months. The festival champions local music, traditional song-writing and originality and is a big draw for music lovers of all ages. Other acts revealed will see raw talent and inspired folk music from Gadarene, Jess Morgan Trio and the triumphant return to the festival for Moscow Drug Club. There’s also music from Delphis, the winners of last year’s annual Purbeck Rising talent showcase and hypnotic world music from Tashkezar. The organisers strive to carefully choose artists for an exciting festival that reflects the diversity of the current folk scene, with plenty to keep music lovers and families entertained.

Surrounded by spectacular views of Corfe Castle, accessible camping and some truly delicious food, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the ears. Running over the August Bank Holiday weekend, revellers will be treated a host of other favourite attractions including kid’s entertainers, storytellers, craft workshops, music workshops, song sessions, cinema, poetry, Purbeck Rising and open mics. Weekend tickets (Thurs-Sun) include free camping and are on sale now at just £100 (youth £50, children over three £20). For more information please visit www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk Catherine Burke

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The 27th Swanage Blues Festival Is Coming!

he 27th Swanage Blues Festival will be on 2, 3, 4, 5 March 2017. I’m hoping to include some extra venues this time: the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, Seventhwave Restaurant at Durlston Castle and The Globe Inn. There’ll be lots of your favourite bands, including the longawaited return of BACK PORCH, and some new bands too. It’s going to be great! Sad to report that following a long and mutually beneficial association, Ringwood Brewery recently declined to renew their sponsorship due to budgetary constraints. Well, it can’t be because you fans haven’t been drinking enough, that’s for sure! Joking aside, this means a shortfall in the Swanage Blues Festival’s 2017 budget – and one we urgently need to plug. So, we need to maximize sales of Support Wristbands and Programmes more than ever. You can buy them now through the website at www. swanage-blues.org and have them delivered by post. Or you can buy in person at the Tourist Information Centre (temporarily located at the rear of the Town Hall) from the beginning of February. Other stalwart supporters such as Jenkins Newsagents in the High Street, Rainbow’s End in the Square and of course, the venues themselves will have them on sale nearer the festival. If you can’t make it in March, don’t miss the autumn blues festival on 5, 6, 7, 8 October 2017. Meanwhile, ‘Live at the Legion’ is going really well with quality live bands (and club price drinks) on two Sunday afternoons and one Saturday evening a month. For details or to reserve a table in the restaurant, call The Legion on 01929 422722. Organiser, Steve Darrington Pictures: top: Red Butler by Paul Dubbelman.

AONB New Year Photographic Celebration

captured the most beautiful and often hidden elements of the county’s landscape. Over three hundred photos were entered in total by over one hundred photographers across a broad range of ages and abilities, so the team had a difficult job to choose the winners and runners up. Assisted by a professional photographer, the curated images on display were split into categories covering the South Dorset Ridgeway as well as the general Dorset AONB area. Sue Dampney, Communications Manager for the AONB team said: It was pleasure to run this competition and the standard was incredibly high. It’s lovely to be able to showcase these entries to the public, in such a wonderful and inspiring space. Today has also been a great opportunity to bring together the winners, highly commended and commended entries and say thank you for their efforts.” To view the winning entries, visit the webpage: www.dorsetaonb.org.uk

AONB draws together for a New Year celebration of the Dorset Landscape, with photo competition winners. ver fifty invited guests, including competition winners, their friends and family gathered together on Sunday January 8th, to launch the start of an Iconic photographic exhibition titled ‘Inspiring Landscapes’ at Durlston Country Park, Fine Foundation Gallery. The Dorset AONB ‘Site Seeing Competition’, in partnership with the South Dorset Ridgeway which ran during the summer months, drew a high calibre of entrants of both professional and amateur photographers. Images

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Traditional Acupuncture In Purbeck

lan Hext practices at the Swanage Therapy Centre, drawing upon over thirty-five years of clinical experience. He was trained by Professor JR Worsley, a key 20th century British pioneer of acupuncture. Alan has also taught internationally and is currently a visiting lecturer at the acupuncture College in York. Alan is a member of the largest professional acupuncture organisation in the UK, the British Acupuncture Council. Their website www.acupuncture. org.uk has details of acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating many different conditions. Originally acupuncture was used not only when we became ill but to maintain our health as a preventative medicine. Strengthening our underlying vitality improves our ability to handle stresses so that we adapt more easily to traumatic changes in life.This significantly lessens any destabilising influences thereby decreasing the tendency to become ill. Many people are naturally cautious about needling. Acupuncture needles are very fine, almost like thick hairs. The sensation is often likened to a mild toothache and is acceptable to nearly everybody. Needles are inserted quite superficially then removed once they have activated an acupuncture point. The strength of traditional acupuncture is its insights into the underlying roots of what may have led to a decline in health. These may never be fully appreciated in therapies where the focus is on the palliation of symptoms. At your first appointment you will have the opportunity to talk about what you are suffering with along with the context in which you have become ill. This provides essential information for a fuller understanding. Traditional acupuncture treats you as a whole person in ways which are truly holistic. If you are interested in finding out whether acupuncture might help you or would like to discuss your needs, please call Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506 for an appointment. This is free of charge and with no obligation upon either of us. If you then decide to come for treatment, your first session will include taking a full case history with treatment, usually followed by a series of weekly sessions. Visit our website at www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk and follow us on Facebook to keep updated on all our latest offers and information.

Swanage Therapy Centre

Acupuncture with Alan Hext We look forward to seeing you

T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column So how are those New Year’s resolutions going? re they a repeat of your usual ones? Did you promise yourself to get fitter, eat better and drink less? Did you sigh at the prospect of failure even as you contemplated them, did you decide making resolutions is not for you or did you embrace the idea of ‘New Year, New You’? January and February are such dark months it can seem the most difficult time of all to introduce changes to the way we behave or find extra energy to achieve new goals. Hibernation feels a natural choice! All of our staff, both nursing and support staff, in Swanage and in Wareham, are aware of how much more difficult it can be for patients to be in hospital during these dark winter months, and for their families and carers too. It’s dark, it’s cold, travelling is more difficult and energy levels go down. One of the more cheering aspects of being a patient is mealtimes. Cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients, mealtimes punctuate the day and are something most of our patients are able to look forward to. As well as being sociable and bringing enjoyment, colour and taste to patients’ days, food is a really important part of patients’ care. Eating the right food isn’t just about the calories needed to fuel our bodies - it helps us to absorb our medicines and improves the quality of our skin, it supports our mental faculties and keeps us warm.

Nursing, admin and catering teams are currently working together in Swanage and Wareham to produce new menus that are easier to read and offer patients a wider range of choices. We are looking at how we can make the whole mealtime experience better for every patient, including those with swallowing difficulties or those who have forgotten how to eat. This is something we all recognise we need to do – to stop everything else that could be happening and focus on having a good lunchtime which includes time to chat, to laugh, to have second helpings! Our new menus will be introduced in the spring. We will be asking for help from patients and their carers to review them, to improve them and for good ideas to help make mealtimes great. That’s a resolution. Until next time take care, Matron Donna

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

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Sport

Swanage Rowers In Sunny Bermuda

s the weather turned colder and the nights drew in, Swanage rowers snapped up the chance to take part in Bermuda’s first international gig rowing regatta. Putting rivalries aside, Swanage Sea Rowing Club (SSRC) joined forces with other clubs on the Jurassic Coast to form ‘Team Jurassic’. It comprised two male and two female crews, with members from Swanage, Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Weymouth and Portland. The event took place in late October, with the crews travelling across the Atlantic to compete against teams from Bermuda, the Netherlands and USA. There was also a team made up of rowers from Rame in Cornwall and Appledore in Devon. A series of regattas took place at three locations on the island, with the Jurassic Coast teams particularly excelling on the choppy waters of Mangrove Bay and the Americas Cup arena at Spanish Point. The final regatta, held in the sheltered harbour of Lyme’s twin town, St George’s, was a sprint race of 1,000 metres. Overall ‘Team Jurassic’ men’s crews were placed first and third out of eight teams, while the ladies’ crews were placed third and sixth out of eleven teams. It was a really great result for Swanage and Dorset. Ali Phillips, from SSRC, appeared on Bermudian Television news and said: “Everyone has been so hospitable and so friendly. It’s just an absolutely amazing experience.” Apart from racing, the visiting rowers enjoyed several social events, including barbecues, beach parties and 10-mile row around the island. They

also sampled the Bermudian national drink - Dark ‘n’ Stormy! Remember, you don’t need to travel quite so far to get a taste of gig rowing. The Saturday morning open sessions continue right through winter, weather permitting, from 9am. There’s no need to book – just come down to the boathouse near the pier. Find out more details on the website www.ssrc.org.uk or follow us on Facebook. Cathy Lewis

Riders & Striders Raise Over £80,000!

orset Historic Churches Trust is celebrating after raising a wonderful £80,000 during its annual fundraising Ride+Stride event in September. Ride+Stride is the main source of income for Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT) and involves some 170 parish and church communities across the County. Money raised during the event helps fund vital repairs, maintenance and restoration work at Dorset’s churches. Both Ride+Stride novices and experienced fundraisers took part in this year’s event, helping to raise the impressive sum. One 73-year-old participant, Alan Neades from Piddlehinton, took part in his sixth R+S and commented; “My ‘breathable’ waterproof cycling jacket did its job, my shoes had become waterlogged before I reached my first church and everywhere I came across standing water which meant passing cars provided me with an impromptu shower. Nevertheless a great event, I visited forty churches and covered a fantastic seventy miles. I am sure the hills get steeper every year!” Simon Pomeroy, Chairman of DHCT, commented: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Ride+Stride

event. We are thrilled with the amount raised, which will allow us to continue helping to preserve beautiful churches across Dorset for future generations to enjoy.”

Swanage Football Club

Swans 2017 Diary of what happened in January 2017..... n Jan 2nd, Press Officer, Gareth Davies departed for Mevagissey, Cornwall. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Gareth for all his help over the many years he has been associated with the Club. On Jan 5th (lunchtime), Club captain Paul Best and Chairman Mark Watson met a member from Dorset County F.A. to discuss options on improving the pitch. On Jan 5th at our Committee meeting: Top of the agenda was the redevelopment of the West side of Day’s Park. Bob Foster (Swanage Development Trust) showed plans of potential redevelopment. Other notable points, looking for new members and a much-needed treasurer. On Jan 7th Local respected referee Oliver Mcafee inspected the Day’s Park pitch ahead of the Reserve game against local rivals Corfe and deemed it unplayable. On Jan 7th the1st team travelled to Blandford Utd in the Dorset Prem Lge. We suffered our first defeat (1-3) since Sep 24th (11 games) Jan 8th Youth Results: Corfe Mullen Girls 0:11 Swans U16 Swans U14 0:10 Lytchett On Jan 9th 1st team boss, Tim Brown, went on holiday for two weeks leaving assistant Tony Parrott at the helm, assisted by Club Coach, Brian Churchill. On Jan 11th there was the draw for the semi-final of the Dorset Senior Cup. Teams left: Swans, Weymouth, Wimborne and Gillingham. On Jan 11th we had the Day’s Park site meeting. Swanage Town Mayor, Town Clerk and Councillors attended with our Club committee

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members to discuss the latest redevelopment. On Jan 14th 1st Team - Merely Cobham (DPL) Reserves - no game Jan 21st 1st team - Balti Sports (A) Reserves Blandford (H) Jan 25th 1st Team Sherborne (A) Jan 28th 1st Team Hamworthy Rec (A) Reserves Portland (A)

John Peacock.

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

Swanage Indoor Bowls Update

wanage bowlers are enjoying a winter programme of social events at their clubhouse in Beach Gardens. Pictured (right) are members Dave Thomas, Barrie Tatman and President Graham Smooker enjoying rum punches at the recent Bowls Club Caribbean Night. Members were treated to Jerk chicken, rum banana mousse and Caribbean rum punch and entertained by talented Ralph Cree and his magic drums. Ralph brought along loads of tomtoms for everyone to have a go. This is an historic time for the Isle of Purbeck Indoor Bowling Club as later this month they wind up their long life at Bay View holiday complex when their lease expires. In their final season the club is forging ahead with the final rounds of club competitions. Internal leagues are drawing to a close, with the last game ever on 17th February. The men are going out in a blaze of glory and are currently top of their division in the county 60+ League, having won all their matches so far and they sit at the summit with Poole Dolphin breathing down their necks. Home victories over Dorchester 36-23, a trouncing for Wellworthy 60-23 and a tight win over Poole Dolphin 36-34 have been matched by their away form, beating Moonfleet 39-20, Dorchester 38-31 and just edging past Bridport 25-24. The ladies are at the halfway point in the table in their Indoor League having won three of their eight matches. The finale for the club’s last season takes place on 20th February with a game and dinner at the East Dorset Resort club. Negotiations with Swanage Town Council for the outdoor green conversion to an all-weather artificial surface are ongoing and the Council’s budget for the coming year includes funding for the project.

By this time next year, work should be well under way. Indoor bowlers will have to bide their time next winter but will be able to play outdoors in Beach Gardens in the 2018-9 winter season, albeit with plenty of warm clothes. It is now just a few weeks before the new outdoor season begins in midApril on what is now likely to be the last season of bowling on grass in Swanage. Bowls enquiries to Clive on 422337 or Jean on 426795.

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Spotlight Event Diary

Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for MAR is noon, 9th Feb KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.

FEBRUARY

Morning sunrise at Swanage Beach, by Gareth James Wed 1st * Dignity in Care Day at Gainsborough Care Home, Swanage. Fri 3rd 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society meets in the Rectory Classroom Church Hill for a : ‘Wildlife Safari’ with Simon Parvin and members. Visitors welcome, ffi: 01929 423841 19:30 Robinson Crusoe by Crossways Pantomimers at Crossways Village Hall, 7.30pm performance on both days, plus 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets £6 adult, £3 children, £12 family. For more details see www.facebook.com/ CrosswaysPantomimers or phone 01305 848448. Email: tricia.dare@tiscali.co.uk Sat 4th * Swanage Steam Train Departure Times Services depart Swanage - 10.40, 12.00, 14.00, 15.20. Services depart Norden - 11.20, 12.40, 14.40, 16.00. 19:30 Robinson Crusoe by Crossways Pantomimers At Crossways Village Hall, 7.30pm performance on both days, plus 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets £6 adult, £3 children, £12 family. For more details see www.facebook.com/ Crossways Pantomimers or phone 01305 848448. Email: tricia.dare@tiscali. co.uk 20:00 Ben Hunter, Joe Seamons & Phil Wiffins at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 5th 09:30 Brownsea Island Work Party Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432. 14:00 Ben Hunter, Joe Seamons & Phil Wiffins at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 15:00 Winter Cream Tea with Live Music All Saint’s Church Hall, Swanage. Tickets £5 each. Ffi: Tel Pat 421864 Mon 6th 10:00 Wareham Area Senior Forum At Carey Hall, Mistover Rd, Carey. A new concept in living for older people, with MHA. Tue 7th * Rotary Club of Wareham at the Springfield Hotel, Wareham. Chris Matthews, the Dementia Action Alliance Coordinator for Alzheimers Society is running an awareness session for us, which takes an hour and at the end the people who attend will become a Dementia Friend. Visitors are welcome. Ffi: Ann on 553727 or see our website www.warehamrotary.co.uk 19:30 Wareham Camera Club meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “SAPA Competition v Parkstone”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. Wed 8th 10:00 The Great Heath Volunteer Work Party Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. 19:30 Studland WI in Studland Village Hall. Sustainable Woodland Management in

Purbeck with Toby Hoad. Competition: A wooden item NB. Subscriptions due Email: Pknollys@gmail.com

Fri 10th 19:30 Purbeck Railway Circle meets at Harman’s Cross Village Hall for a presentation entitled “60 Years of Railway Photography” by Brian Jackson local transport author and historian. Refreshments and railway raffle. Doors open 7pm. Ffi 554765. EVERYONE IS WELCOME Sat 11th * Swanage Steam Train Departure Times Services depart Swanage - 10.00, 11.20, 12.40, 14.00, 15.20, 16.40. Services depart Norden - 10.40, 12.00, 13.20, 14.40, 16.00, 17.20. 09:00 Purbeck Produce Farmers’ Market Commercial Rd, Swanage. www. purbeckproducts.co.uk 10:00 Stanford Quartet Coffee Concert At Swanage URC Church. Tickets on the door £10 adults, children free. Complimentary coffee and cake. 14:00 Fabric Sale at Harmans Cross Village Hall. 14:00 Orienteering Taster at Durlston Country Park. £5, booking essential. 20:00 Connla at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 12th * Swanage Steam Train Departure Times Services depart Swanage - 10.00, 11.20, 12.40, 14.00, 15.20, 16.40. Services depart Norden - 10.40, 12.00, 13.20, 14.40, 16.00, 17.20. 09:00 Poole Harbour Bird Boats run by National Trust in partnership with DWT & RSPB, depart Poole Quay at 9am. Join our expert guides on a 2½ hour harbour cruise (no landing) for a unique opportunity to see one of the best winter bird spectacles in the UK. Adults £15, under 17’s £7.50. To book please phone 01202 707744 option 8, or email:brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk 14:00 Connla at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 13th 14:30 Member’s Slides at Langton Matravers Village Hall. Visitors welcome. Isle of Purbeck Group Tue 14th South Dorset Mid-week Volunteers Habitat management on a DWT nature * reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book a place. * Purbeck Parkinson’s Group At The All Saints Church Hall, Swanage 14:00 Dorset Police Crime Engagement Week At Wareham Library. 14:00 Purbeck Parkinson’s Group At the All Saints Church Hall, Swanage. Ffi: T. Lander 01929 425970 or D Peters 01929 551962 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Members’ Presentations Evening”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. Wed 15th 10:00 Dorset Police Crime Engagement Week At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Swanage. 10:00 Poole Harbour Bird Boats Depart Poole Quay at 10am. Join our expert guides on a 4 hour harbour cruise (incl. landing) for a unique opportunity to see one of

the best winter bird spectacles in the UK & gain exclusive access to the famous Brownsea Island. Adults £20, under 17s £10. To book please phone 01202 707744 option 8, or email: brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk 13:30 Kimmeridge Seal Rescue at The Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Turtle the Kimmeridge seal is in trouble. Join our rescue squad & learn how to save her from danger in the sea. £2.50 per child. Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF. 14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for a talk by Carlton Hobbs, “More Tales From The Vestry”. All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245. 19:30 Beetle Drive at the Mowlem Community Room, Swanage. £4 each. Thu 16th * Purbeck Literary Festival Ffi: www.PurbeckLiteraryFestival.info 10:00 Dorset Police Crime Engagement Week At Lychett Matravers Library. 10:15 Swanage Painting Club ‘Have a Go’ and Coffee Morning, with a Mini-Exhibition, Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. All materials provided, chat to artists. Admission FREE. 11:00 Celebrating Picture Book Art at Durlston Castle. A display from some of the UK’s best contemorary illustrators and authors. 11:00 Wild Bug Party At Durlston Country Park. Children 4+ (must be accompanied by an adult). £4. 13:30 Wild Bug Party At Durlston Country Park. Children 4+ (must be accompanied by an adult). £4. 14:30 Purbeck Assoc. of the National Trust at Carey Hall, Mistover Rd, Wm. Illustrated talk ‘Oddities of the Solar System’. Well-known author and astronomer Bob Mizon MBE FRAS gives an illustrated tour of the strangest places in our corner of the universe. All welcome. £3 incl refreshments. Ffi 01929 427300. Fri 17th Purbeck Literary Festival Ffi: www.PurbeckLiteraryFestival.info * 11:00 Dorset Police Crime Engagement Week at Natwest Bank, Wareham. 11:00 Wild Picture Book Party: Love You Hoo! At Durlson Country Park. Story and craft session. Children 3+ (accompanied by an adult). £3.50, booking essential. 14:30 Wild Picture Book Party: Hello, Mr Dodo At Durlston Country Park. Story and craft session. Children 3+ (accompanied by an adult). 3.50, booking essential. 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom Church Hill For the : Anders Round 3 – ‘Open’ and Browne round 3 – ‘Square(s) competitions. Judge : Dave Warhurst Visitors welcome, ffi: 01929 423841 20:00 Emily Maguire at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 18th * Purbeck Literary Festival Ffi: www.PurbeckLiteraryFestival.info 11:00 Celebrating Picture Book Art At Durlston Castle. A display from some of the UK’s best contemorary illustrators and authors. 11:30 Wild Big Draw At Durlston Country Park. Family event (children accompanied by an adult). £2. 17:30 An Old House for the Future at Durlston Country Park. A talk by Marianne Suhr from BBC’s Restoration, adventures in old buildings and tips for how to make them fit for the 21st century. £8.50 to include a glass of wine. Booking essential. Sun 19th * Purbeck Literary Festival Ffi: www.PurbeckLiteraryFestival.info 09:30 Brownsea Island Work Party Join the regular volunteering group on Brownsea island on alternate Sundays throughout the year. Tasks include pine thinning, opening out the alder carr & rhododendron cutting. For details of boat timings etc contact Richard Proctor on 01202 693039 or 07718 511432. Tue 21st 19:30 “The Four Seasons” The Rex Players production. A fun evening of music, drama and comedy at the Rex Cinema, Wareham. Tickets from Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham at £10. 01929 552740. All proceeds to Rex Cinema refurbishment. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Geoff Pyle Out & About Print & PDI Competitions”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. Wed 22nd Purbeck Literary Festival Ffi: www.PurbeckLiteraryFestival.info * 10:00 The Great Heath Volunteer Work Party Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along every Wednesday throughout the year & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. 18:00 Adults Have a go Stonecarving Taster Session at Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Booking essential - 01929 439405. 19:30 “The Four Seasons” The Rex Players production. A fun evening of music, drama and comedy at the Rex Cinema, Wareham. Tickets from Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham at £10.00 01929 552740. All proceeds to Rex Cinema refurbishment. Thu 23rd Probus 2 of Purbeck At the Pines Hotel Swanage. Talk by Tim Medhurst * ‘Antiques Road Show’. Non members welcome but please contact Laurence on 425982 a few days before the talk. 19:30 “The Four Seasons” The Rex Players production. A fun evening of music, drama and comedy at the Rex Cinema, Wareham. Tickets from Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham at £10.00 01929 552740. All proceeds to

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Rex Cinema refurbishment. 19:30 Langton Matravers History & Preservation Society meets in the Village Hall when Phil Judkins will talk on ‘How Langton and Worth Won the War’ . Dr Judkins is Chairman of the Purbeck Radar Museum Trust. The talk will be non technical. All welcome. Members £2.50, non members £3.50 19:30 A Butterfly Odyssey At The Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham. An illustrated talk by Harold Gillen. A tour around Britain to see & photograph 58 butterfly species. Visitors welcome. Isle of Purbeck Group Fri 24th 20:00 Philip Clouts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 25th * Swanage Steam Train Departure Times Services depart Swanage - 10.40, 12.00, 14.00, 15.20. Services depart Norden - 11.20, 12.40, 14.40, 16.00. 18:00 Wareham Carnival Royalty Event at Wareham Town Hall. On the night judges will choose one queen, aged 13-16, two pricesses, aged 7-12, two princes, aged 7-12 and a fabulaous Wareham granny! 19:30 “The Four Seasons” The Rex Players production. A fun evening of music, drama and comedy at the Rex Cinema, Wareham. Tickets from Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham at £10.00 01929 552740. All proceeds to Rex Cinema refurbishment. 20:00 Watkins & Swarbrick Band At the village hall in Langton Matravers (BH19 3HB), no charge, instead, the audience is asked to give what they think the performance was worth at the end of the show. They will be selling their new CD, “Different Routes” which will be on sale at the venue.” Listen to some samples here: https://soundcloud.com/watkinswarbrickband It is essential to book seats in advance by email or by ringing the Box Office on 01305 837299. Email: songsfromthehalls234@gmail.com Sun 26th * Swanage Steam Train Departure Times Services depart Swanage - 10.40, 12.00, 14.00, 15.20. Services depart Norden - 11.20, 12.40, 14.40, 16.00. Mon 27th 19:00 RSPB Winter Talk & Slideshow Evening at RSPB Visitor Centre, Weymouth. RSPB members £2.50, non members £4, under 16’s £2. Booking essential on weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk or 01305 778313. Tue 28th South Dorset Mid-week Volunteers Habitat management on a DWT nature * reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for further details or to book your place. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. Greg & Val Duncan – “Double Vision”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. 19:30 Dorset Industrial Archaeology Society In the Dorset Room, Colliton House, Colliton Park, Dorchester (opposite County Hall). “New Forest Airfields” is the subject of Henry Goodall’s lecture to the Society. Non-members welcome (small donation suggested). Further details from 01305 785968 or 871863.

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 Purbeck 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 Wm Folk Dance Club Stoboro’ VH. All welcome. 552763/551029 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

The Purbeck Gazette

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 Tony on 01929 550190 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 10.00 Sw Tennis Club Club Session. Till 11. 426312 10.00 Sandford Toddlers at Sandford Community Hall, till 11.30am. 10.00 Short Tennis at Sw FC All ages & abilities £1.50 Till noon. 425175 10.30 Swanage Walking for Health Group starter walks (15-30mins). Start from the Mowlem Shelter on Swanage Seafront. Get back into the swing of things gently! Ffi: 481000 10.30 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 11.45am. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or sylviag@swanagemethodist.org.uk 12.00 Nature Tots (0-4yrs) at Bovington Memorial Hall Garden. Until 2pm 14.00 Swanage Walking for Health Group. Walks of 60-90mins, various locations. Walks are very social, for a range of abilities. Walks start from car parks at Studland, Corfe, Arne, Durlston, Langton, Acton, Worth and Kingston. Ffi: 481000. 14.00 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Art Group Till 5 14.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Furzebrook VH. Roll-up session, all standards welcome. Ffi 401799 17.00 Sw Tennis Club Junior Session till 6pm. 426312 18.00 Sw Youth Centre Girls’ Night (Yr 8+) Till 10 18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 8.30pm 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Wareham Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, St Martin’s Lane, Wm. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email: oc.2185@aircadets.mod. 19.30 Swanage Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Swanage Day Centre, High Street, Swanage. If you want help to stop drinking, you are welcome. Or call 01202 296000 for more details. 19.30 Sw & Langton Folk Dance Club Langton VH. Ffi: 421913 19.30 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at their NEW venue, St Mark’s CE VA Primary School, High St, Sw. Parking on-site. All singers welcome! 423729 20.00 Sw Regatta & Carnival Assoc Bingo Herston Leisure, Herston Yards Farm, Sw. 20.00 Carey Hall, Wm Bingo EVERY WEDNESDAY 09.00 St Mark’s Toddlers Group, St Mark’s Church, Swanage. Herston, Sw Till 11am 09.45 Corfe Wool Workshop Corfe VH, East St. Members £1.50; non-members £2.50. Till12.00. 427067 10.00 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till noon. 10.00 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864 10.30 Play and Learn at Kids of Wool (BH20 6DY) until 12 noon. 11.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Swanage Library till 1pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities 13.00 Studland Toddler Group at Studland Village Hall until 2.30pm. 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 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, vegetables. Coffee & biscuits available. 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 Tony on 01929 550190 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 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 Purbeck 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 11.00 Sensory Play for 1-4yrs old at Bovington Centre, until 12 noon. 13.30 Under 1 year olds at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Antinatal mums welcome. Till 3pm. Ffi: 552864. 13.30 Toddler Group. All Saints’ Church, Sw. 423937. Till 3pm (Term times) 14.00 Life drawing classes at Harmans Cross Village Hall from 2pm till 4pm. For further information, ring 427621. 14.15 Sw Over-60s Meet in the Rectory Classroom, Swanage, Sw. All Welcome. 17.45 Swanage Youth Club. Learning Difficulties and disability (age 11-25) night. Till 7.30pm 18.00 Five High Singers, United Reformed Church Hall, Swanage. 11 - 18 years. Till 7pm 18.00 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Weekly evening Art Group. Aimed at beginners, at the Youth Hostel classroom, Cluny Cresent, Swanage, till 9pm. 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 St Mary’s School, Northbrook Road, Swanage. Sept-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 10.30am. 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. 19.30 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. 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

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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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