The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 208

May 2017 Issue no. 208

Magazine archive at:

A Pirate Flag For Purbeck. Pg 28

The Haleswell, by Ilay Cooper. Pg 32-34

Purbeck Arts & Crafts. Pg 53-61

Garden Bird Survey Results. Pg 48

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the May edition of your Gazette!

Another bumper edition is awaiting your attention - let’s hope you have lots of time as there’s tons to read once again this month!

Our special feature for May is ‘Purbeck Arts and Crafts’ - celebrating all that the Isle of Purbeck has to offer by way of artisic endeavour.

Our feature runs up to the start of Purbeck Art Weeks, where numerous local artists will be opening their studios to the general public. Grab yourself a programme and get out and about at the end of this month to see what wonderful, unique creations are being brought into being in studios scattered throughout the region!

We also bring you a hugely emotional piece of editorial this month, written by Dave Wilson. Dave’s mother was sadly involved in a tragic incident at Peveril Point in early 2016, and Dave’s words should be read by you all - in the hope that they may shed light on problems that are likely to affect so many of us in some way or another during our livetimes.

The rest of this edition is, always, bursting with your editorial, letters, news views and event notices. Summer is fast approaching and the Purbeck schedule is getting busier day by day!

Have a great month everyone!

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The June 2017 edition has a deadline of 9th May. and will be distributed from 29th May - 2nd June 2017.

The July 2017 edition has a deadline of 9th June and will be distributed from 26th June - 30th June 2017.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - May 2017

Planning & Consultation Parish Assembly Council (annual meeting) Council (annual accounts)

Mon 8th Mon 15th Mon 22nd Wed 24th

6.30pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

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

Wareham Town Council Meetings - May 2017

NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF PRINTING Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - May 2017 Council Policy Group Purbeck Local Plan Review Group Planning Committee

Tue 9th Wed 17th Tue 30th Wed 31st

7pm 7pm TBC 9.15am

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

About 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

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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.

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Sunset at Studland, by Richard Murgatroyd

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past FEATURE: Election Special FEATURE: Purbeck Arts & Crafts Gazette Gardening John Garner writes - Wild Wood My Mum, by Dave Wilson Purbeck Pirate Flag - The Winner!

RSPB Big Garden Bird Survey Results Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes The Haleswell, by Ilay Cooper Wildlife Friendly Gardening FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams

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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.

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Brexit - Lies & Distortion Dear Editor, Now that Theresa May has triggered Article 50, the Brexit fantasy world appears to have come closer, yet as an optimist I still believe that common sense may prevail in the long term because the lies, distortion and brainwashing on the part of UKIP, certain elements in the Conservative Party, the Daily Mail and the Daily Express are becoming increasingly evident as the weeks and months unfold.

Lie number one was the extra £350 million a week that would be saved to give to the NHS as a result of Brexit and which featured on the campaign battle bus, yet was quickly denied once the referendum was over. Lie number two was the scaremongering story that Turkey would be imminently joining the EU (UKIP devoted a whole party political broadcast to the subject in a particularly xenophobic outburst).

The reality is that Turkey will not be joining for many years, if it ever does.

Lie number three was that immigration would be cut by leaving the EU, despite the fact that immigration to Britain from outside the EU is higher than from within. The reality is that a thriving economy needs relatively high levels of immigration. Lie number four was that Britain would ‘take back control’ by leaving the EU, but the reality is the opposite as Britain will lose control of its trade because any future agreement with the EU will largely be determined by the remaining twenty-seven countries.

It is extremely unlikely that a better trading deal with the EU can be achieved by leaving it, particularly when the three principal brexiteers (Davis, Fox and Johnson) are barely on speaking terms with one another, let alone agreed on a common strategy. If part of our largest trading market is lost, how is it to be offset? No one knows! There is nothing sadder that seeing Theresa May bending over backwards to try and get trade agreements with totalitarian regimes, probably involving sales of armaments, or more nauseating than watching the likes of Michael Gove toadying up to Donald Trump.

Has anything positive resulted from the Brexit vote? I think it has helped (and more importantly will help) to focus minds on the value of the EU and what we will lose. As time goes on and the weak pound continues to lead to price rises and more businesses relocate from Britain, minds will become even more focused.

It is interesting that already some who voted for Brexit are admitting that they will probably not be any better off. The whole idea of Brexit was based on a selfish appeal - putting oneself first and putting Britain first - , but this will backfire when it becomes apparent we shall all be worse off.

The negativity, divisions and lack of a coherent plan have also focused minds on the continent, with many determined they will not follow Britain on the same path.

The truth is that no one who voted for Brexit knew what they were voting for and they will not know for at least another two years. When the outcome of the negotiations is clear, then the people must be consulted again, this time on the basis of informed opinion, not political prejudice.

In the meantime the huge expenditure that Theresa’s May government is devoting to Brexit should be deeply regretted at a time of crisis in our public services.

Yours sincerely, David Leadbetter, Swanage.

HS2 - The Gravy Train Dear Editor, It’s with good reason that HS2 is being called the gravy train with more than twenty-six executives paid in excess of £100,000 to work on the proposed high-speed rail links in the midlands, with its Chief Executive

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being paid £750,000 a year for working a three day week.

Under the freedom of information law, it also showed that 176 staff members are paid more than £50,000 a year. Its managing director of infrastructure gets between £350,000 and £400,000. The program and strategy director gets £250,000 to £300,000.

These levels of pay are absolutely disgusting and it’s everyday taxpayers who have to pick up the tab. This week (30 March) we are told that NHS patients have to fore-go certain operations and medications indefinitely.

So how come a venture like HS2, costing in excess of £50 billion, which has not laid a single mile of rail track and is unpopular because of the problems associated with conventional rolling stock and passengers, is being promoted as a priority above the NHS that saves lives and alleviates pain?

A closer insight to that question shows that HS2 has seventeen different PR companies, with a further twelve other consultancy and production firms at tremendous expense to us, fighting their corner.

We, the public, who have a vote shortly, must show our established political parties we want more support for our NHS in terms of priority spending. Even if it means changing your political persuasion occasionally?

I remain Editor, yours faithfully, Mike Fry.

‘Eurospouses’ At Risk

Dear Editor, As you know I am married to a German lady and I am one of many in Swanage in a similar situation. I have read online that European spouses are having to submit up to thirty years of records to prove their entitlement to remain in the United Kingdom. This is probably just scaremongering, but there could some truth underlying this.

When I was a teenager, long, long ago, Swanage was blessed with an annual influx of au-pairs, mostly girls who came to learn English, work in hotels, guest houses etc. and possibly meet eligible young Englishmen. A large number became wives of Swanage boys and have been here for around fifty years. I can name at least five without any research! Are all these people at risk of having to ‘go home’?

I am certain in my own mind that nobody understood the referendum to include deportation of long established people, or any people at all. The main reason for a brexit vote was to do with Britain’s decisions being made in Brussels by un-elected bureaucrats.

All of this nonsense concerns me and possibly many others in Purbeck.

Racism seems to be increasing and the politicians are vying with each other to seem tougher than the next one, probably some spin off from Trump.

I thought this could perhaps be the basis for an editorial article which might reveal just how many ‘Eurospouses’ are in the Purbeck area and perhaps lay some of the rumours to rest.

I leave the thought with you.....

Yours, Bill Wilson, Swanage, by email

SAT - Highly Ranked!

Dear Editor, I would like to respond to the letter in last month’s issue regarding Taxi Ranks.

As a very regular customer of Swanage Associated Taxis, I would like to make a couple of observations.

I use SAT because when I need a cab I can phone up and obtain a taxi at the time required, with a driver I can rely on and who will help me as needed.

All the drivers belonging to SAT pay a weekly fee to cover the cost of the office and the controller’s wages. They have six operators working for the firm providing much needed employment in the town.

Fares are set and meters regulated by Purbeck District Council so anyone

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Square & Compass Worth Matravers. 01929 439229

LIVE ACTS FOR MAY Fri Sat Sat Sun Sat Sun Fri Sat

5 6 13 14 20 21 26 27

8pm Manos Puestas Trio 8pm Jez Hellard 8pm The Lowest Pair 2pm The Lowest Pair 8pm Bartoune 2pm Anna and Elisabeth Kris and the Bluesmachine 8pm www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk 8pm African Ngwasuma

picking up a taxi from the rank will be able to know exactly how much it will cost. Mr Wilson states that independent drivers may charge less. This is illegal and would mean immediate loss of licence.

We all use the service which suits us best. A little competition in business never hurt anybody.

Yours sincerely, Cherry Bartlett, Panorama Rd, Swanage.

Stroke Victim At 14 Dear Editor, In January 2015, I collapsed at school. I’d had a stroke. I was 14 years old. I was left with a brain injury and could no longer move my right side, talk or walk.

After time in hospital, I moved to The Children’s Trust, a specialist rehabilitation centre in Surrey, where I relearnt some of the skills I had lost through intensive therapy.

It took a lot of willpower. I had to be brave and work hard. My biggest achievement was learning to walk again.

I’m sharing my story because the charity that helped me, The Children’s Trust, is asking us all to go outside of our comfort zone and help raise money for children with brain injury. Every year more than 40,000 children are left with a brain injury as a result of an accident or illness.

As I have found, specialist rehabilitation is their best chance of recovery.

But it’s not possible without your help. #MyBrave was learning to walk again for the second time in my life.

What’s yours? Visit www.mybrave.co.uk for inspiration.

Thank you, Harrison, by email.

Home Library Service Dear Readers, Keep reading in 2017 with the Home Library Service If you, or somebody you know or care for, cannot get to your local library, the Home Library Service (HLS) can provide a regular supply of books for you to enjoy at home. The HLS in Dorset is a countywide partnership between the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and the County Council and is provided free of charge to you from local libraries.

Readers wishing to join the HLS in the Wareham Library area (includes Corfe Castle, Church Knowle, Bere Regis, Wareham and Sandford) and the Swanage area including Harman’s Cross, will be visited at home by a local RVS volunteer coordinator to discuss and agree the number and types of books or talking books you would like. You can change your preferences at any time.

HLS volunteers will choose books for you, including talking books, according to your stated preferences and borrow them on your behalf using your library card. (A new library card can be issued for you if necessary).

The books or CDs are delivered to and collected from your home by HLS volunteers, every three weeks.

All HLS volunteers carry an official identity card with photograph, and all have been properly security checked through the Royal Voluntary Service.

The HLS is open to anybody, of any age, who needs it, temporarily or

permanently. If you are interested for yourself, or for somebody you know who loves books but cannot access the library, there are several ways you can join the Home Library Service today.

Contact: Dorset HLS Service Manager, Maria Jacobson: Tel: 01305 236666 Email: maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk HLS Wareham Coordinator, Shirley Danvers McCabe: Email: danversmccabe@gmail.com HLS Swanage Coordinator, Ann Emery. Email: ann.emery@sentryfields. com Leave your address and telephone number at Wareham or Swanage Library for the HLS Local Coordinator to contact you and your message will be passed on to the HLS. Tel: 01929 556146 Wareham or 01929 423485 Swanage.

Egg Hatching Warning Dear Editor, Egg-hatching projects are becoming increasingly popular with teachers and primary school pupils as a classroom activity. Unfortunately, little consideration is usually given to the chicks or ducklings once they are hatched.

It is very difficult to provide optimal conditions in a classroom incubator and, as a result, chicks may be sickly, dehydrated and poorly developed when they hatch. Chick organs often stick to the sides of the shell as a result of the eggs not being turned properly.

Animal Aid is repeatedly being contacted by parents and teachers concerned about the fate of the birds once the school has finished with them. Some teachers have reported that birds have been born with deformities and needed veterinary attention.

Animal Aid has worked alongside a number of sanctuaries in the UK and consulted with the RSPCA and the British Hen Welfare Trust to produce a factsheet highlighting certain issues that schools should be aware of before embarking on these projects.

To download or order a factsheet visit: www.animalaid.org.uk/ HatchingProjects Karin Reynolds, Education Service Coordinator, Animal Aid. The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW

Heroes Haven Open Day Dear Readers, After five years in ‘business’, we are pleased to announce a significant addition to our facilities at Heroes Haven Swanage.

Continued support from both local people and others involved with The Military Family, have helped to make it possible to provide a BBQ hut for our guests at the Haven.

On Sunday 14th May we will be holding an Open Day with cream teas, from 12 noon to 16:00, to enable members of the public to view this lovely addition, and to see how The Lodge and its gardens have matured to provide the, now very popular, holiday home for our injured service personnel.

Please come along and see for yourselves!

Kind Regards, The Trustees of Heroes Haven Swanage

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Disabled Club Needs Drivers

‘Swan Party’ Tomfoolery

Dear Editor, Swanage Disabled Club are urgently seeking more volunteer drivers and escorts for their twin fleet of Care Buses, due to a recent sudden drop in numbers, due mainly to illness and other commitments.

We are seeking at least three new drivers if possible to join a very friendly and happy group of people, who provide a vital service to the local community with their specially adapted buses for disabled residents.

All initial necessary training will be given. Please contact Robert Payne our Transport Manager on 01929 423729 or email rdp@swanlodge.me.uk for further information. Thank you.

Kind regards, Daphne Saville, Hon. Sec. Swanage Disabled Club

Putting Our Son To Rest Dear Readers, We would like to thank our true friends for supporting us over the last eighteen months.

We have now had confirmation from Dorset County Council. After many meetings and heartache, we know the truth which we have been seeking, and that’s all.

We can now put our son to rest knowing the truth, we can also hold our heads up high again. We can hopefully move on now.

Thank you all for your kind support.

Margaret and Dave, Swanage, by email

A Local Yokel’s View Dir Knee Coe, Stans treason woi needs Darzet Nashnoel Park coz ice pecked counts lors can’t keep Purr beck special whan they don’t exist no more with oonitary arthoritee.

Ohhh…An I likes them swaanz up Ballard.

Name and address illegible!

Tribute To Eric’s Long Service Dear Readers, On Sunday 4th November 2012, Eric Gosney, a well-known personality in Swanage, celebrated his 80th anniversary as a member of St Mary’s Swanage Parish Church Choir.

Eric joined the choir at the age of 9. When his voice broke he moved to tenor, maintained his membership during WW2 when home from the RAF and again while at college undertaking teacher training. He taught in a number of village schools in Dorset, eventually retiring as head of the local St Mark’s, Swanage, Primary School.

Eric maintained a good voice, was a key member of the choir and rarely missed singing each Sunday morning at Eucharist and Evensong.

I thought readers might like to enjoy hearing of his long service, perhaps this is, some sort of record, especially as Eric sadly passed away earlier this year. Those who listen to Radio 4’s Sunday programme may have heard Eric interviewed on that Sunday morning in 2012.

We would welcome new members of any age to come and join us at St Mary’s, although unless they are a junior they may not manage to surpass Eric’s record!

Yours sincerely, Richard Davies

Dear Nico, Chalk Swans to Adorn Hill Above Town I was indeed there at 11.30pm and what a wonderful party we had. There was no need to bring wheelbarrows as there were nine left on the Down opposite us which were kindly given to us by the owners of Knitson Farm. Apparently they were dumped there in 1808 by the discoverers of the bones of the Osmington Hill White Horse, which for many years were dutifully bleached and preserved. Later some wag added King George III on top of the bones and the interest dwindled. Now it should be renamed The Osmington Grey/Green Horse, but I digress.

There were many of us in the party. We set off for the site and when we arrived Mr David Hollister was already there, scrubbing away at the marked plot, saying the authorities should do more to clean the signage. I’m sure he meant silage, but it was windy and I may have misheard. Entertainment was provided by a Ballardeer who continually sang “Down, down, down Ballard Down”, well he was a Ballardeer after all.

The water company came up trumps. Just for the day, they decided to add 40 gallons of the finest Scotch whisky to the water. It was well appreciated, but not in some parts of the area. The local police were very puzzled as to why the accident rate in Swanage went up by 100%, and the RNLI had not had so many call-outs in a whole century. So many people in the sea, some naked and some fully clothed, having a whale of a time. Mr M. Storer of Gee White’s (who refused to give his name for planning reasons) was utterly perplexed as to why so many people were asleep at his tables when he wasn’t even open. He said, “I’m here to provide decent food to the populace, not to receive it, especially second-hand. It will take me hours to get this sorted.”

Then came the first administrative blunder. The chalk duly arrived and was indeed from Portland Quarry, but it was from Portland Quarry First School and was blackboard chalk in many, many boxes. We duly carried it up to the site and placed it over the design. There wasn’t quite enough but one of our gang had the forethought to bring some Blanco and we managed to fill it all in.

After a very tiring day, we all retired to The Black Swan where a very

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MATT HILLAN Georgian Gems Building Alterations & Maintenance

All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise amiable landlord entertained us admirably, saying he had never had so many requests for pints of water. We all piled out into the street to admire our handiwork. There was nothing to be seen! Oh dear, what had happened? It appears, according to Professor Ralph Ooli, agronomist, retired, that the soil on Ballard Down has been infected by a land-based form of Japanese seaweed which can grow up to 12 feet a night. So while we were drinking our pints of water in The Black Swan all our work had completely disappeared. However, I’m sure we will be back.

Thank you so much dear Gazette for giving us this chance to “make a difference”. One last point, I think those holiday maker charges are fantastic. Nowhere in the country could you find such value, self-catering residence for just £20 and just £1 for bed-and-breakfast. Where in the world can you get that value?

Please arrange another Swan party, and please make sure the water company does its stuff again.

Yours sincerely, Nick Collis Bird, Manwell Drive, Swanage

Friends’ Fundraising Success Dear Editor, The Friends’ committee of Wareham Hospital is delighted to say that after many months of fundraising, we have been able to purchase a new scalp cooler for the Poole Chemotherapy clinic which is run every Friday at Wareham Hospital for patients from across the whole of Purbeck.

We would like to thank all those who have helped with our fundraising for this important piece of kit which was so gratefully received by the Chemotherapy team and Matron Donna at the end of March.

More information and a photo can be seen in Matron’s monthly column.

The Chemotherapy clinic is an important service for Purbeck patients, saving the need to travel to Poole Hospital for treatments so we are very pleased that the Friends, with many supporters, have been able to help.

Maggie Hardy, Chair, Wareham Friends

Age UK Seeks Volunteers Dear Readers, Age UK Dorchester would welcome your advice!

Age UK Dorchester has need of volunteers to join its Information and Advice team to provide information and advice to older people and their carers. Vacant slots are available on Mondays 9am to 12.30pm, and Wednesdays and Thursdays 12.30pm to 4pm.

Information and Advice volunteers interview clients, identify and research information, act on clients’ behalf, and help with letter writing; undertaking diagnosis, providing information with options and identifying action.

If you: Like to identify problems and solutions in meeting the needs of older people Have some spare time to give Enjoy volunteering Basic computer skills Please contact Peter Lindsley on 01305 269444 peter@ageukdorchester. org.uk Rowan Cottage, 4 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester DT1 1PW

Praising Paramedics Dear Readers, Headlining our news this morning was the plight of our Ambulance Services.

After a near fatal heart attack four years ago, I cannot thank the Emergency Services enough. During these past four years, when I have had to call for

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an Ambulance, the Paramedics have been absolutely marvellous - giving me the treatment and reassurance needed.

This is my own personal gratitude. With all the hurdles they are now facing trying to find room at the hospitals, it must be so frustrating for these dedicated people whose service is much needed!

How can we help? Without these vital hospital and medical services, where would we be?

Regards, Janet Leathum, by email

Watch Out For The Ducks Dear Editor, Swanage Rotary Beware….the Ducks are back!

On Monday 29th May 2017, up to 1,000 ducks will be released into the storm drain outside the Conservative Club! But….fear not for the safety of these “creatures”…they are the plastic ducks taking place in a fundraising duck race for Swanage & Purbeck Rotary’s two international charities: School in a Bag and Medecin sans Frontieres.

Ducks will be on sale in the town on the day. Could your duck be the first over the winning line as they exit the stormdrain into the sea by the Mowlem theatre and win you a cash prize of £100?

Do buy a duck, have fun watching the race and help us to raise money for these two worthwhile international charities.

Deirdre Selwyn, Secretary, Swanage & Purbeck Rotary

‘Ancient’ Superfast Broadband Dear Editor, I have just received a card through our letter box from Dorset Council proudly acclaiming the arrival of superfast broadband in our village.

What the ignorant purveyors of this propaganda don't say is that the fibre optic cable terminates at a cabinet in the street and that the remaining part of the connection is via an ancient fault prone wire.

Garretts, by email

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Unfair And Misleading Dear Editor, Recent criticism of the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s management of Townsend Reserve (Dr Cottrell, April edition) and the National Trust’s management of Corfe Common (‘Countryman of Corfe Castle’, April edition) is not only unfair, but completely misleading.

Dr Cottrell’s attack on the hard-working volunteers at Townsend in which he describes them as ‘self-righteous’ is insulting and shows his fundamental ignorance of nature conservation. His accusation that the DWT is trying to create ‘open heathland’ at Townsend is nonsense and he clearly has no understanding of soil composition or biodiversity.

Townsend Reserve consists mainly of open limestone grassland and it would be an incredibly difficult task to create open heathland, which requires acidic soil, even if there was a desire to do so. The management at Townsend is aimed at removing invasive non-native species such as Sycamore, Buddleia and Cotoneaster species in order to maintain some open habitat for calcareous-loving species as well as leaving areas of scrub, dominated by native Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Elder, Ivy and Bramble for birds and small mammals.

Townsend is home to one nationally rare plant, the Hairy-fruited Cornsalad, as well as three nationally scarce species (Early Gentian, Early Spider Orchid and Dwarf Mouse-ear), all of which require the limestone grassland to be maintained. Some of the other plants at Townsend in turn provide food for rare butterflies, such as the Adonis Blue, Small Blue and Dingy Skipper. All of the above species will only thrive with the correct management, including grazing.

Similarly, the ‘Countryman of Corfe Castle’ with no name fails to understand that without grazing (which almost certainly has been taking place on Corfe Common for hundreds of years), the habitat soon becomes impenetrable scrub. Corfe Common has a wide range of plant species that are doing well thanks to the grazing (providing it is not over-grazed in the summer), including many scarce species, such as Chamomile, which has one of the best populations in Dorset.

If this correspondent had taken the trouble to enquire, he would have been informed that the black plastic sheeting had been placed over the pond to try and eradicate the very invasive and non-native Parrot’s-feather and New Zealand Pigmyweed, which have led to the probable demise of some native species there.

The problem for ground-nesting birds, as elsewhere in Purbeck, is nothing to do with traditional grazing, but irresponsible dog owners, who allow their pets to cause disturbance.

I think it is a great pity that some local people do not take the trouble to become better informed about their local nature reserves, but jump to hasty and ill-judged conclusions.

If any of them doubt what I have written, I would challenge them to come on a guided walk with me so as to be shown the rich treasures we have locally.

Yours sincerely, David Leadbetter, Swanage.

Ridiculous And Futile Dear Editor, Dorset Wildlife’s activities in Townsend reserve are ridiculous and futile.

They have been awarded a large grant to return the scrubland to rare limestone grassland. The scrub covers an area that was heavily quarried for stone in the past.

After the quarrying had finished, the area was left derelict and became an unofficial “playground” for many of the children of Swanage. I have been told by several people that as children they used to go down one mine and come up in another. The area was an ideal place for dumping old bedsteads, car tyres and all sorts of town rubbish. In the 1970s, Hoburne Park for mobile homes was created. This involved a great deal of earth (and rubbish) movement. The obvious thing to do was to push some of it up the hill.

Over time, scrub has covered the “waste” land to provide a wonderful

wildlife habitat. Dorset Wildlife has now exposed the “rubbish” area and destroyed the habitat. Last year there were squirrels, woodpeckers, crows, pheasants – this year none. Our tit boxes are empty because of the chain saw noise still going on at the beginning of the nesting season. During the winter the amount of seed taken from our feeders reduced by about 30% when the chain saws were active.

Dorset Wildlife has used this exercise to train people to use chain saws. I would question their qualifications to train – they no doubt have certificates to use a chainsaw themselves. One example was to see a person being trained to squat on a steep slope and to use a chain saw to cut the tree at the base. If things had gone wrong there was a high risk of that person being injured by the falling tree. What was wrong with felling in the standing up position and then completing the task with a second cut after the tree had fallen?

Bonfires have been left to burn unattended for a couple of days. Ash has rained down on mobile homes and gardens. These are not acceptable safe procedures. Despite being asked to let local residents know when burning will take place, that has only happened on a couple of occasions. When they do turn up depending on the weather and other work commitments, they start work halfway through the morning when the washing is already on the line.

The Dorset Wildlife staff and volunteers carrying out this work are not Purbeck residents and come from areas around Dorchester. They have no idea how that scrub is enjoyed not only by wildlife, but also residents.

Another source of blackberries has gone and what have we been promised in return – more orchids! I doubt that, given the state of the land they have uncovered and a large sum of public money will have been wasted.

It is time to tighten the requirements for awarding grants. Independent reviews of projects by appropriate experts should be required.

A Swanage resident (Name and address supplied but withheld on request)

A Vegetarian Laments Wish of the Day - A Veggie Special As a six-foot vegetarian male who’s fond of eating out I find most pubs and restaurants are carnivore throughout The veggie meal’s an afterthought, some pasta or risotto Thank God the wine is veggie so at least we can get blotto!

It helps the meal go down as well and distracts us from the price Who’d have thought a steak would cost the same as soggy rice?!

And then there’s further anguish when it comes to portion size A microscopic bowl containing only two French fries!

A salad made of nothing much, an olive cut ten ways Not so much a main course, more the latest diet craze.

I’m a man with a paunch and a double chin, not a woman much slimmer and sexier I’m a human with a healthy appetite, not a rabbit ... with anorexia!

So come on you landlords and restauranteurs and give Veggies good food to eat If not we’ll stay home and eat on our own ... and then you can stuff all your meat!!

For more poetry come to 3 Pees at the Square & Compass (Purbeck Poets Performing - mostly comedy) 8.30pm Monday 5th June 2017 - part of the PAW Festival.

Many thanks, Martin Hobdell, by email

The Purbeck Gazette

A Date For Your Diary

Dear Editor, Kingston Country Fair A date for your diary, the Kingston Country Fair will take place on Sunday 9th July 2017. This annual fundraising event for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, which last year raised over £9,500, will be even bigger and better this year, with events running over the whole weekend.

Starting with live music on Friday 7th, on Sat 8th a car boot sale and the spectacular Steam Engine rally from Kingston to Swanage followed by live music in the evening. A great weekend with something of interest for the whole family. More detail can be found on our website/ Facebook page.

Deirdre Selwyn. Secretary, Kingston Country Fair.

Band Seeks Drummer Dear Editor, Is there anyone in Purbeck that can help the Swanage Town Band in their search for a percussionist? We are looking for an enthusiastic player to “beat the drum for the Swanage Town Band”!

The Band has a packed programme of performances lined up this year, playing at local events as well as our regular bandstand performances. We are looking for a percussionist to join our friendly group of over forty musicians who will be available to play with us throughout the summer months and hopefully beyond.

We play a wide variety of music and rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings in the Town Hall from 7 – 8.30pm. If you have some experience of playing and would like to join us – pick up your sticks (music and kit provided), come and try us out, and you will be given a very warm welcome.

Please give Dave Cook (conductor) a call for more information about what, where and when we play etc. 01929 422909.

Many thanks on behalf of the Swanage Town Band, Liz Roberts (alto sax, horn section) by email.

Selfish ‘Thrill-Seekers’ Dear Editor, Recently I was preparing for a nice morning’s bird watching at Peveril Point, photographers were also present at our famous beauty spot! Then the blue-helmets of a crowd of coast steerers arrived.

There had been a recent dangerous rock fall. The coast watch personnel warned them about the unstable conditions, others pointed out that tragedy had occurred to others engaged in their so-called sport in that area. The tides there are treacherous!

They ignored advice and clambered everywhere. This is also a marine conservation area and no doubt small sea-anemones and rare sea weeds were crushed. The birds were disturbed and left their important feeding area. A drone was also being flown.

The whole morning was spoiled. Also these characters expect rescue services to risk their lives when called out to help them.

The fact is that these ‘thrill-seekers’ just don’t care about anyone but themselves.

David Roberts, Swanage.

Beach Hut Location Concerns Dear Editor, With reference to plans to construct forty five beach huts on the seafront below the Pines Hotel along the northern apex of Swanage bay, where the unstable geology of the receding coastline below Burlington Road has caused concern in the past.

Not least when the croquet lawn section of the front garden of the hotel vanished down the cliff face at Christmas four years ago.

Beach huts with their pretty doors might appear lucrative on screen although Bournemouth Council might not agree after the collapse of their million dollar (AUS) surf reef.

Considerable work, at no doubt great expense, has been done to ensure the safety of the proposed four storey structure and hopefully the people who buy into them.

However, the land behind remains prone to liquefaction, in future times of our empowerment of rainfall where the cohesion of topsoil is compromised and forms a landslide of unstoppable force.

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As a geologist I consider this project inappropriately located, something Swanage Council will hopefully consider at submission of the building plans for it.

Yours sincerely, M K Hamilton, Swanage.

Sympathetic Landlords Sought Dear Sirs, Appeal for philanthropic landlords to house vulnerable refugees in Swanage We are a group of Swanage residents desperate to provide a safe haven for Syrian refugee families as part of the government’s Syrian Vulnerable People’s Scheme. Our group is called Swanage Action for Refugees (SAR) and is a registered charity.

Our group contains professionals in all the areas needed to support these refugee families: health, education, language teaching, trauma counselling etc. However, as yet, we have been unable to find accommodation in Swanage which fits the government guidelines.

A brief outline of this is: • provided by sympathetic private landlords • having own front door (flats are acceptable) • available for at least 12 months • close to public transport, schools, shops, health services • rents will be set at the Local Housing Authority rates These rates may seem low to you BUT these refugee tenants will have full refugee status from day one. This will entitle them to all the benefits that an equivalent British family would be entitled to.

They will have the backing of the UK government, Dorset County Council (who are running the scheme in Dorset) and a Purbeck District Council housing officer.

We members of SAR are able to make up at least some of the difference between the LHA rent provided by the scheme and the current commercial rent.

The tenant is likely to be long-term and is guaranteed funding for five years.

Yours sincerely, Nick Viney, Chair, SAR nickviney@hotmail.com

Swanage Bandstand Appeal

Dear Editor, Save our Swanage Heritage (S.O.S.H) - The Bandstand.

I have set up a group to raise funds for the restoration of our bandstand to its original state.

I need like-minded people to help me do it by pledging money that will be asked for ‘When, NOT IF’ we need it.

Lots of people want it fully restored and to do it we must raise a large pot of cash in order to get help from others i.e. Heritage Lottery etc.

So far I have raised £1270 myself and if others join us, then we will do the job.

There is a public meeting on 10th May at the Emmanuel Baptist church in Herston, and I would like to have raised a lot more money by then, so please, please pledge, no matter how small the amount!

Thank you.

Alan Houghton, 3 Dingle Court, Swanage, BH19 1NT. Telephone 01929 426380 – Mobile 07814319263 Email AL2LYHO@talktalk.net

The Purbeck Gazette

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Time To Take A Stand!

by David Hollister

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onsternation amongst the residents of Swanage following the suggestion that the remains of the Bandstand should be demolished and the ‘circles’ filled in … I don’t think it was a serious suggestion, just one alternative to the problem which seems to have reared its ugly head. It’s one of the last four remaining MacFarlane 224 bandstands in the country, which for reasons we can’t and won’t go into, has been allowed to fall into disrepair over the last twenty five years. The problem isn’t the absence of a roof, or indeed the fact that much of the remaining structure is badly damaged and potentially unsafe, it’s the fact that the Health & Safety Mafia have got hold of it and pronounced the kerbing round the circles to be a ‘trip hazard’.

Even when the bandstand was in its glory, it was still a ‘trip hazard’ and after a lifetime living here I haven’t heard of anyone falling in and breaking anything. Anyway, now it’s been officially notified, then the Council are obliged to do something with it. Because if someone falls in and hurts themselves – whether a genuine accident or a deliberately clumsy ‘vexatious litigant’, the Council or their insurers could be held liable to a newly-increased maximum of £5m.

So what would you do? Filling it in is an option - unpalatable, yes, but it would solve the Health & Safety issue. Many people want it rebuilt but the costs have been put at over £100,000 and it’s your money and mine that the Council would have to spend. Just to put railings round the outside to stop people falling in would be the thick end of £20,000, and that would be railings round a hole in the ground! Local citizen Alan Houghton is in touch with a MacFarlane expert and has started a ‘pledge fund’ so that if and when STC decide to rebuild, the pledges can be called in to help. So far’ he’s raised over £1000 in two weeks! If you’d like to contribute then please call Alan on 01929 426380.

In order that all interested parties can be informed, and also have their say, Swanage Town Council have organised a public meeting on 16th May at the Emmanuel Church at Herston, at 7pm. The meeting will start with a presentation by the country’s leading expert on bandstands, Mr Paul Rabbitts, so I really hope that the hall will be packed with people who are there to listen, not just to have their two penn’orth of input. It could be a really constructive meeting!

Any restoration work is going to depend on local people making proper commitments to use the bandstand; no point in rebuilding it just to look nice and be part of our heritage. So come on, bandspeople, youth groups, arts organisations, and make a commitment.

On the subject of heritage, isn’t it brilliant to learn that Swanage Pier has obtained a £500,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund? That’s a huge contribution towards the £2.2m cost of the restoration of the forty one timber piles. Many congratulations to Pier Manager Ben Adeney and his team, and we’ll continue to keep our fingers tightly crossed that perhaps the National Lottery will come through with an equally generous sum…watch this space.

Seems that the Government are getting in on the act when it comes to litter. Apparently they will not only fine litter-louts but also require them to do community service to pick litter up. That’s assuming that they can

catch the culprits with the current woefully underfunded police force, that the magistrates will in turn seek ways to impose the maximum penalties instead of seeking excuses to let them off with a slap on the wrist, and that someone will be there to supervise this ‘community service’. But as the government are getting involved, then I’ll make a bet that between here and the end of the year not one litter-lout is apprehended, fined, and given community service in Purbeck. That’s £50 of my own hard-earned money to the Air Ambulance the first time the conviction and sentence appear in the local press!

The DCC Highways people seem at last to have to have adopted the continental way of resurfacing roads. That’s ‘close the road from 9pm to 6am and work flat out overnight, regardless of who is inconvenienced’.

Sandford has had it – twice – and now Corfe Castle has it. Yes, it’s inconvenient for those who want or need to travel between those hours.

But the alternative – daytime work with traffic lights, one side at a time, would take for ever and cause queues even longer than normal. But the main reason must be that a week’s night work is cheaper than three weeks’ daytime work; if it weren’t, then they wouldn’t do it, would they? It seems to be proper surface that they’re putting down, not useless ‘top-dressing’.

Full marks to DCC. I understand that damage was caused to the Swanage Youth and Community centre in Chapel Lane, when thieves removed about half the lead from the roof. Thankfully it was possible to achieve temporary repairs before it rained. The Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust have poured months of effort into obtaining and renovating this building which now houses an excellent toddlers’ facility including a nursery school breakfast club, a day nursery, a teatime club, somewhere for the children to go during holiday times, as well as the Youth Club and a base for the Purbeck Runners. And more to come!

I simply cannot believe that the damage and robbery was done by locals.

Yes, we have some troublesome kids hanging round our streets at times doing odd bits of damage and graffiti but this looked to me like a professional job. Rumours of a ‘white van’ hanging round late that evening; could this be the same ‘white van’ seen hanging about at the time of the spate of robberies in North Swanage? Police have apparently been informed, so let’s everyone keep our eyes wide open and dial 101 at the first sign of anything suspicious. Or maybe go out (not alone – please) and challenge the ‘white van’ drivers and confront them with cameras.

And don’t bleat on about taking the law into our own hands – not enough official hands available!

And finally. As many regular readers know, we generally enjoy a beer and a bite of Sunday Lunch at the Kings Arms in Wareham’s North Street. Always a warm welcome; a log fire in winter, a sunny garden in the summer, and usually a parking space right outside! Earlier this month, our MP Michael Tomlinson visited to congratulate Julia and her staff on the huge clutch of awards which they have won, including Camra Spring and Winter Pub of the year, the Enterprise ‘pubs in bloom’, and regular winners of ‘Wareham In Bloom’. I would add my congratulations, recommend the food and the ambience, and the car park at the rear… meaning, if you go on Sunday lunchtime, please don’t park right outside!

The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Area Forum

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he Wareham Area Forum had its first meeting at the new premises at Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Carey, in January. It was a successful meeting where we learned about how water cress is grown (not as easy as first thought) and the Friends of Wareham Hospital urged one and all to let their feelings be known about the proposed Clinical Commissioning Group changes within Purbeck to avoid unhappy outcomes in the future.

At our next meeting on the 8th May we are pleased to be joined by Alan Davies of the Purbeck District Council and a member of the Highways Department of Dorset County Council to discuss our concerns over planning permissions and how they affect our lives. Also, how assumptions are made about areas about which those in a position of power make decisions without truly knowing the situation.

This is to be an open meeting and all are welcome to come and express your views. However, we will be requesting a donation of £2/person.

I look forward to seeing you there and for a lively discussion!

Anne Laugharne, Chair, Wareham Area Forum.

Wareham Area Forum Carey Hall, Mistover Rd, Carey 10am to 12 noon, Monday 8th May 2017

Open meeting to discuss your concerns over planning permission and how it affects your lives with Purbeck District Council and Highways Dept., DCC, etc Please come and have your say! Donation of £2 please For information, or for transport to attend, call Anne on 07896 793858.

Age 50+ All welcome. £2 donation required.

The Best Toilet Award Goes To.....!!

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areham’s Court Leet judged ‘The Best Toilet of Year 2016’ last December.

The Duke of Wellington had a ‘Get me out of here’ theme and won! Congratulations!

Photo by Sue Booth

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Daily operation for the summer season commenced on Saturday 25th March and will run until Sunday 29th October. This year’s Diesel Gala and Beer Festival - Friday 5th – Sunday 7th May - (with a themed preview day on Thursday 4th May) promises to be an entertaining and exciting diesel gala.

Preview Day Thursday 4th May “Dawn of the Diesels” featuring both diesel and steam traction.

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th May an intensive timetable from 08:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 08:00 to 19:00 on Sunday giving great opportunities to ride behind and photograph all the diesel locos attending. At least 8 diesel locos in action over the Gala including Class 20, 33, 45,47 and 73 diesel locomotives. See website for up-to-date guest loco list.

Class 33 Driving Experience on Thursday 4th May (advance booking essential).

Bistro Dining and “Beerex” Trains Friday 5th May and Saturday 6th May. Dorset Beer Festival at Corfe Castle Station in association with Glastonbury Ales. Trade and Enthusiast Stands at both Swanage and Corfe Castle Stations.

Full details of all our events, dining trains, timetables and fares can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk Purbeck Railway Circle - On Friday 12th May John Berry will present “The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway”. Putting the L&B back together again was never going to be easy. No other railway was dismantled in such a complete fashion with its track bed sold off in lots, making it nigh impossible to restore.

However, supporters of the L&B have shown time and again that they don’t give up! It has taken several years of hard work and some very difficult negotiations to rebuild the short railway that exists today.

The talk will tell the story of the line, and the efforts currently underway to extend todays line. The PRC will be visiting the L&B as part of their summer outing on June 11th.

The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

NEW! The Town House Opens In Corfe Castle

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he Sturch, Grinsted and Johnson families welcome you to their new venture in Corfe Castle! The Town House is a late 18th Century building, set in the heart of Corfe Castle, formerly The Post Office.

It now is a wonderful shop selling a large selection of vintage lighting (our previous shop was Purbeck Electrical), lampshades and LED lightbulbs.

We have ceramics by Emma-Louise Grinsted and ceramics, pictures and cards by Angela Sturch. Ben Sturch’s beautiful photographs will be added soon. Many small antiques and modern lovely things such as cushions and bags. A selection of the items are Nameste Free Trade.

A wonderful range of Hansa luxury; lifelike soft toys are there, dogs, chickens, ponies - a varying and enticing collection. We will soon be having unique, bespoke Wentworth Wooden jigsaw puzzles. Items for locals and visitors alike, gifts and treasures to enhance your home.

Re-wiring of lamps and fluorescent tubes and down lighter conversions are still undertaken. A unique shop in a unique setting - a warm welcome awaits you. We try to open by 11am – it is Purbeck, after all! We look forward to seeing you – do drop in, say hello and enjoy browsing the selection of goodies at our fabulous new venture!

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

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Domestic & Commercial Work Undertaken APPROVED CONTRACTOR

01929 425528/07976 691128

“Silly Season?”

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he sun is starting to warm us and the extremes of winter weather are fast receding from the memory as we stumble towards the start of yet another season, summer this time.

A season of plenty as far as the traders are concerned as the tourists and holidaymakers, blithely unaware of the lack of motorways in Dorset (long may it continue so), flock towards to our sandy shores and glorious countryside intent on pleasure seeking.

A season of opportunity for the section of society who prey on the weak, the unprepared, the naïve and often the inebriated intent on enjoyment at any cost.

For us at the Lookout, it is the start of what is often referred to as the silly season. The time when the uninitiated, the ill-prepared, the ill-educated and the blinkered, will flock onto our coasts and into our waters. It is the time when the ethos of ultimate unbridled enjoyment seems to invade our brains with minimal consideration of the effects on ourselves or others or the consequences that often tragically ensue.

We have seen four adults in an eight feet long rubber dinghy heading towards Durlston Head. Not a disaster you may think, but when one of their number was severely disabled and strapped into a wheelchair inside that dinghy (there were no lifejackets in sight), it came perilously close.

We often see adults religiously encasing their offspring in lifejackets but not themselves. If the child falls overboard the adult almost always has a chance of getting them back. If the adult falls over …………!!!

Lifejackets are for all, they make them in all sizes and they can even be colour co-ordinated!

Along the coastline, we looked on as a young man, arms outstretched, leaned backwards over the edge of the cliff, relying on the wind to stop him falling just so that his father could take the photograph. A gust or a lull could easily have provided the father with a final memory in a book of remembrance.

We see people sitting on the cliff edge, totally unaware of the huge amount of undercutting only inches below them and the solid rock much further below them.

We are not against enjoyment, contrary to public opinion, most of us are still young enough to take part in it from time to time but please, please, please, if you see someone heading towards stupidity on the water or on its boundaries, don’t stand and watch an emergency evolve.

You could even give us a call, if we can’t help, we may know someone who can!

Please stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life or leisure takes you. As ever, 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 always look forward to hearing your comments and questions.

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

The Purbeck Gazette

Coastguard Update

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long came March and a flurry of incidents for the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers to deal with.

A strong smell of fuel was reported at the north end of the bay which triggered the team and a local PCSO to investigate. It was soon discovered the fuel was being discharged into the sea at Shep’s Hollow, so this was handed over to the local Councils and the Environment Agency to investigate further. The team continued to monitor the beach but thankfully the fuel broke up after about forty-eight hours.

The weekend of the 11th and 12th saw two incidents involving people slipping over and breaking ankles. The first on the 11th saw both Swanage and St Albans teams head to Dancing Ledge to extract a male from the coastal path.

Ground conditions were very wet so it was a little walk in, and by using a specialist six wheel buggy from the National Trust, the male was soon back at the ambulance.

Our colleagues from the National Coastwatch at Peveril reported a couple of incidents to the Coastguard which included a report of a sunken vessel and clothing on the side of the Downs. Both were attended and confirmed all was in order, the clothing was removed to stop further reports but no one was missing.

A climber fell at Headbury quarry and the team were sent to back up the St Albans team. Rescue 106 from Portland airlifted the female to hospital suffering from leg injuries.

During that incident, the crew of the helicopter reported some further climbers waving for assistance so team members were deployed to investigate. Several groups were checked but all confirmed safe so it was believed perhaps some over keen waving to a passing helicopter was to blame.

Finally for March, the team were tasked to Anvil Point to a climber who had fallen. He had managed to get to the top where the team treated him for a fractured cheek and neck injuries until the ambulance arrived.

Meanwhile training continues at a pace with a couple of new team members joining us. We will be saying goodbye to the helicopter from Portland during the early part of the summer with cover coming from Lee on Solent, Cardiff or Newquay. A new helicopter has just gone into service at Lee on Solent, an AW189 which is slightly longer than the aircraft we have been used to.

Finally as ever, if you are preparing your craft for the summer, check your safety equipment and the craft itself. Do you have a way to contact the Coastguard in an emergency? Do you have a Lifejackets? We are always happy to offer advice on what you should have on board.

In an emergency or if you are concerned about someone on the coast - 999 Coastguard.

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Swanage Volunteer Bureau

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hat a difference two years make. The trust became a charity in July 2015, (initially starting in 2013), to benefit the community of Swanage and surrounding areas. In the beginning we had one project, Fresh Prospects, a therapeutic gardening project. This project continues to grow! We now have nine projects that are doing incredibly well working under their own leadership teams, but sharing resources and expertise across the Trust: Link Visiting – a befriending scheme for those who require some extra friendship and support. They also offer a drop in Place of Welcome every Tuesday and Friday morning.

Art Workshop - that offers affordable art and craft sessions for all.

The Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership has just installed their 17th Defibrillator (originally plans were for four!).They are now looking for “guardians” for each device.

Two projects: The Swanage Area and The Wareham and District Dementia Friendly Communities have joined forces to fund a specialist dementia Admiral Nurse post, for which recruitment is currently taking place.

Swanage Action for Refugees is preparing to welcome one or more families of Syrian refugees to our community under the government’s Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme.

“The Centre” – previously the Youth & Community Centre building in Chapel Lane Swanage - has opened its doors to Explorers wraparound Child Care after a successful Open Day on 1st April. Purbeck Runners and Swanage Individual Needs Club are already at home there, with two youth sessions also to begin shortly. Look out for the offer of weekend bookings coming soon.

Finally, the launch of a Swanage Volunteer Bureau – offering a friendly weekly service for all interested volunteers (please see advert). We welcome local organisations, whose aims and activities are compatible with the charitable objectives of the Trust, to become Members and take part in its democratic processes. Find out more and contact us at www.sandpdt.org.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

National Trust

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Feudal life - Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th May 2017 Join the Feudals as they explore medieval history and archery portraying life in Britain from the Feudal period of 1135 to 1216, spanning the reign of four kings - Stephen, Henry II, Richard I and John.

Medieval mayhem - Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May 2017 Celebrate a little May madness at Corfe and participate in our May mummers play, discover a dance or two and maybe make your very own mirliton flute.

Medieval living history - Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st May 2017 The walls of the castle will echo to the sound of swords and shields as Historia Normannis bring the history of 900 years ago to life with combat displays, humorous historical presentations, demonstrations and talks.

Medieval falconry - Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th May 2017 Explore an exciting period when falconry developed into a stylish, sophisticated and noble sport with new skills brought back from the Crusades. Presented by Albion Falconry.

‘The Spice Box’ - Tuesday 30th May to Sunday 4th June 2017 A captivating, humorous story, a mysterious spice box has been washed up and captured on the shores of Purbeck. What is its story? Michele O’Brien’s performance is full of eastern promise with tales of spices, pillaging, pirate ships and kidnappings. nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle Picture credit to Neil Davidson/NT Purbeck images

Raising Funds For Purbeck’s Admiral Nurse

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aren G has been entertaining folk in Swanage for the last couple of years with her sensational voice.

On Saturday 25th March, she organised a fund raising evening of entertainment to support the efforts of Jean Gibbs (who is fundraising for a dedicated Admiral Nurse for Purbeck).

The evening held at the Conservative Club was well attended, Karen began singing a Marilyn Monroe classic - I wanna be loved by you with the Swanage Jazz Machine, then a Karen Carpenter medley and following the intermission, New Seeker Style pieces with a Bath based trio called Now and Then.

The event raised £500 and all congratulate Karen on a very enjoyable occasion.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Paul McDonald Reunites With Locomotive!

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veteran engineman and stalwart Swanage Railway volunteer has been reunited with the express steam locomotive that he worked on as a young cleaner and fireman at Bournemouth station during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Paul McDonald had the privilege of driving the gleaming 1946-built West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ for the last nine-mile leg of its journey to Swanage where it is one of the stars of a major event marking the 50th anniversary of the end of main line steam trains in southern England.

Running from Friday, 31 March, to Sunday, 2 April, 2017, inclusive, the ‘Strictly Bulleid’ event was the largest gathering of working classic 1940s Bulleid Pacific class express steam locomotives since the summer of 1967.

A delighted Paul said: “It was absolutely fantastic to drive ‘Braunton’ on the last leg of its rail journey from London to Swanage. As soon as the locomotive crossed on to the Swanage Railway, I took over the controls and it was marvellous. I was over the moon and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

“I was back in the 1950s and the 1960s when the Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives hauled express trains from London to Southampton, Bournemouth, Dorchester and Weymouth. It was very sad when the Bulleid Pacifics left Bournemouth shed for the last time in the summer of 1967.

‘Braunton’ is a magnificent machine and it is amazing to think that ‘Braunton’ has been restored from a rusting scrapyard hulk to the gleaming stallion of speed seen today. I’m very impressed with the quality of the locomotive’s restoration and it’s a real tribute to the dedicated team behind all that work.

“The Bulleid Pacifics – including ‘Braunton’ – hauled trains from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage as well as on the Somerset and Dorset line from Poole to Bath via Blandford Forum and Templecombe which was controversially closed in 1966,” added the 75-year old former Swanage Railway operations manager who grew up in Parkstone, Poole.

Five restored massive Bulleid Pacific class steam locomotives hauled trains through the Isle of Purbeck during the three-day ‘Strictly Bulleid’ event.

And for one of the visiting Bulleid Pacifics – Battle of Britain class No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ – it was be the first time that the classic locomotive has been seen at Swanage since the summer of 1964, when it hauled a long train from the Purbeck seaside resort up to London’s Waterloo station.

A bonanza of brilliant Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives, the special trains ran along the whole nine and a half mile length of the Swanage Railway – including the newly completed four-mile extension between Norden and the River Frome, within sight of Wareham.

It was on Sunday, 9 July, 1967, that the last Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives hauled long express trains, at speeds of up to 100 mph, between London, Basingstoke, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester and Weymouth. The end of steam trains on British Rail’s Southern Region on Monday, 10 July, 1967, saw electric trains brought in between London and Bournemouth with diesel trains operating between Bournemouth and Weymouth. The four Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives visited the Swanage Railway for the three days of sheer Bulleid brilliance were be

West Country classes No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ and No. 34092 ‘City of Wells’ as well as Battle of Britain classes No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ and No. 34081 ‘92 Squadron’.

The fifth Bulleid Pacific which appeared at the ‘Strictly Bulleid’ commemorative event was be Swanage Railway-based Battle of Britain class No. 34070 ‘Manston’ which sports its original 1940s air-smoothed casing over the boiler.

Visiting Bulleid Pacific No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ appeared in the guise of fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34052 ‘Lord Dowding’, which was scrapped.

Swanage Railway train times – and special event details – are available online at www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by telephone on 01929 425800.

Pictured: Top: Brauton at Harman’s Cross. Top & below: Paul McDonald of Swanage driving Braunton at Harman's Cross a few days before the Swanage Railway's 'Strictly Bulleid' three-day steam gala, which was the most successful steam gala in the heritage line's history, with 5,700 people being carried over two days. Both by kind permission of Andrew P.M.Wright.

The Purbeck Gazette

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St Mark’s Celebrate!

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upils from St Mark’s Primary School in Swanage celebrated recently as they found out their medal design was chosen as the winner of a Bournemouth Marathon Festival competition.

Local school children were asked to get their creative juices flowing and come up with some designs for the Bournemouth Marathon Festival junior race medals, for the event taking place this October 7th.

The organisers managed to single out three designs, which were then uploaded to their Facebook page and the public were then asked to ‘like’ the design which they deemed best.

St Mark’s Teaching Assistant and Running Coach, Paula Lawton-Archer, said: “We are delighted that our design won and will be transformed into a medal for this year’s event! The children were so pleased when they found out they had won. There are a group of us taking part this year and we can’t wait to wear the medals with pride.”

There are four junior races on offer as part of a packed weekend of running which also includes the Supernova 5k, Supersonic 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon. Over 500 kids took part in last October’s event, which was the biggest yet.

The winning team from St Mark’s Primary School will see their design transformed into a medal to be used across all of the junior races. They have also been awarded ten free places to the event for the school children to use.

Annette Drummond, Marketing Director said: “Congratulations to St Marks Primary School on winning the Medal Design Competition. We were inundated with lots of fantastic designs from all over Bournemouth & Poole, but St Mark’s were the deserved winner and we can’t wait to take their design forward and create an ever-lasting medal which all of our junior runners can be proud of for years to come.”

“The Bournemouth Marathon Festival is now into its fifth year and is already established as one of the UK’s top autumn running festivals. It’s

great to see children getting fully involved in the junior races. Better still when they get to watch mum and dad taking part in the other events. It really is a fantastic weekend for all the family.” Annette added.

The junior races kick-start the weekend on Saturday 7th October and are a great way for children to be active, have fun and get involved over the weekend.

Each finisher receives a medal, wicking technical finishers t-shirt, race recovery pack, chip-timed result and a fantastic running experience.

For more information, including entry details see www.bournemouthmarathon. com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BournemouthMarathonFestival or follow us on www.twitter.com/RunBournemouth

Swanage Defibrillator Partnership Update

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he Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership continues to grow thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors. During March we installed new devices at National Coastwatch lookout at Peveril Point and at the Bowl Club Pavillion at Beach Gardens.

A further device has been put up at the learning centre at Durlston and we are waiting for it to be registered by South Western Ambulance. Thank you to Simon, Dan and David (our installation team) who give up their time to install the cabinets.

A special mention this month for our guardian team, the cabinets and devices have to be checked every two weeks and in cases due to their locations every week. A clean and check of each location has to be carried out to ensure they are ready for use 24 hours a day and with 17 devices plus training equipment the small team works hard to ensure standards are met.

We would like to thank the staff at Chococo who allowed us to hold two workshops and held their Easter raffle for the partnership. Any funds raised from the workshops go towards the continued maintenance of the device.

A set of pads which last two years (unless used) is £40 and batteries are £150 every five years, so the partnership have to continue to fund raise for the future. If you would like to contribute to the partnership, there are collecting tins at Boots, Gee Whites (Seagull Cafe) Chococo and Corbens.

We continue to hold the workshops which last about an hour, so far nearly 200 have attended them. Our aim is to give the community the confidence in using these devices in an emergency, so please if you have an hour it could save a life.

We have two mobile ‘event’ defibrillators for use by community event organisers, if you would like to borrow them please contact us via Corbens Estate Agents in Station Road.

Pictured - the Swanage Defib. team in 2016, including Kyle Hickman who is continuing to assist, all the way from his new home in Australia!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Sunflowers Over Swanage For 2017

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ow! Those little brown Sunflower Seeds are all out there now. During the first week of April, all the churches, businesses and organisations that wanted to be a part of SUNFLOWERS OVER SWANAGE received their seeds and by the time you read this, little green shoots and leaves will be sprouting on window sills and greenhouses all over town!

By the end of April, our town’s schools will have received their share as well and Swanage pupils will be talking nicely to them and watering their very own sunflowers, ready to take back to their schools in early June for their gardens and front walls.

April 15th saw the Launch Day of the Herston to Durlston Sunflower Trail.

Dorset County Council’s Arts Development Company, in partnership with Emmanuel, are sponsoring a new trail through Bell St, beside Bellview and California Farms and along the footpaths through the quarries to Durlston Nature Reserve, and to mark the way a little more clearly, 1000 sunflowers will soon be appearing along the route.

Make sure you go and follow them in June and July, then you won’t get lost on the way to Durlston! In fact, there may even be a ‘Treasure Hunt’ along the trail too – watch this space!

As you read this issue, The Greengage Project based at the allotments, are providing a home for the little growing plants and other little seedlings are sprouting and being cared for by pupils at St Mark’s School, until June when they will all be planted out along the Sunflower Trail. The Arts Development Company may well be looking for some volunteers to help plant out the trail so get in touch if you can help!

In Commercial Road, The Art Therapy Workshop are tending their seedlings, as are some of the other businesses there, in readiness for their own ‘Celebration Planting Out Day’ in June. More details in our next issue so don’t miss it – it will be a great event!

On Good Friday, people from all our town’s churches visited the care homes to distribute delicious Hot Cross Buns as well as - yes, you’ve guessed - Sunflower Seeds!

Much of the seed distribution, including the first seeds planted, some children’s activities and the background to the Sunflower Story has already been filmed and as the tale unfolds through the late spring and summer, much more filming will take place. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself being caught on camera, especially if you happen to be standing near a Sunflower!

Find out more about Sunflowers Over Swanage on the Facebook page (same name), or on Emmanuel Baptist Church’s website – www. emmanuelbc.org.uk If you have a sunflower story to tell or a sunflower photo to share, send it to events@emmanuelbc.org.uk and look out for more details of things happening this Sunflower Summer everywhere in Swanage!

The Purbeck Gazette

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TIME TO VOTE 22

The Purbeck Gazette

Dorset County Council is elected every four years – and currently consists of 45 councillors, of which five represent the district of Purbeck.

Dorset County Council’s responsibilities include schools, social care for the elderly and vulnerable, road maintenance, libraries and trading standards.

There can be very few residents who are not affected by one or more of these areas, quite possibly on a daily basis.

It is strange to note therefore that in the last election for Dorset County Councillors, turnout was below 40% Compare this to local turnout at last year’s Referendum, which was almost 80%The decisions of your County Council are important , so here’s a thought - if you can’t be bothered to vote, do you have a right to moan about the state of our roads or other local issues in the control of DCC?

THE GREEN PARTY

INDEPENDENTS

WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART, BUT DECLINED. THEY MAY HAVE SOMEONE STANDING IN YOUR AREA

Check your local ballot paper!

A range of independents are available to vote for in most areas.

The Purbeck Gazette

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THE LABOUR PARTY WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART, BUT DECLINED. THEY MAY HAVE SOMEONE STANDING IN YOUR AREA

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART, BUT DECLINED. THEY MAY HAVE SOMEONE STANDING IN YOUR AREA

Election Time - Who Will YOU Vote For?

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or the past decade or so, we have invited those standing for election to take space in the Purbeck Gazette to reach out to you, our readers, in an attempt to share their policies, ideas and plans.

Some decline, as is their right, intending to go out door-knocking instead, or planning to publish their own leaflets which may well be dropping through your letterbox as you’re reading this.

Either way, our intention is to help you get as much information as possible on who’s standing in your area, what they’re standing for, and what they intend to bring to the party - on your behalf, of course!

Those who have declined to take part in our offer are still given a box, thus ensuring that they are still part of our ‘election special’, but obviously those who do decide to publish with us are able to utilise the space they book to reach out directly to you.

Please do take a few minutes to read through the information on these pages and hopefully, it may help you to reach a decision.

In a democracy we ALL share responsibilty for the actions of those in charge of our nation - we get to choose our leaders, so it is of great importance that you make the trip to your election station this year and put your cross next to your chosen candidate.

In the tumultuous world we inhabit today, our choices have long lasting consequences in a global community which is growing closer and more entangled by the day.

Your vote counts, so please let’s get the voting figures for Purbeck UP this year, especially in light of the upcoming council reorganisation - let’s make sure that those in power are those we have chosen, by some margin, by a high turnout of voters.

We only have ourselves to blame if the wrong choice is made!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Out Of The Blue

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elcome all to the summer, about time too. The team have been busy of late, with increased patrols around notable areas reported for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). In particular, car park patrols have been increased with officers providing advice on vehicle crime prevention; please take note of the advice given in the March edition.

Whilst on the subject of theft, theft from sheds is still prevalent, please take precautions using the mnemonic SHEDUCATE mentioned in the April edition.

Lambing season is now in full flow so here’s a gentle reminder to all dog owners. A person who owns, or is in charge of a dog/s which worries livestock on any agricultural land (fields, pig and poultry farms, allotments, nurseries and orchards) commits the offence of livestock worrying • attacking livestock; • chasing livestock in such a way as may be reasonably expected to cause injury or suffering; in the case of ewes, this includes abortion or loss or reduction in the number of offspring; • not having a dog on a lead or under close control when close by , or in a field or enclosure with livestock.

In the worst case the owner of the livestock or the land or any other authorised person may kill or injure a dog in order to protect the livestock (the dog must be worrying or about to worry the livestock) It is your responsibility to ensure your dog/s is on a lead or under strict control. Remember livestock worrying is a crime and therefore should be reported. If you see a dog/s worrying livestock it should be reported using 999 or if livestock has been attacked and the dog/g have left the location, report it using 101.

And finally, if you need to contact Dorset Police please call our Police

Enquiry Centre by calling 101. Always call 999 in an EMERGENCY when there is a risk of HARM or a CRIME in progress. Alternatively, call the free CRIMESTOPPERS line on 0800 555 111.

Don’t forget to visit us on our Facebook page Facebook.com/Purbeckpolice and Twitter - @PurbeckPolice – we really value your support and comments. You can also see our latest priorities and up and coming events at https://www.dorset.police.uk/neighbourhood-policing/purbeck/ Why not register on Dorset Alert? By registering for the free Dorset Police community messaging alerts you will receive information on, local crime and incidents where we believe that sharing information with you will help to prevent further offences occurring, crimes and incidents where you may be able to help by providing vital information, current crime trends, crime prevention advice and Safer Neighbourhood activity and opportunities to meet the team. You can also receive news from our partner agencies such as Dorset Fire and Rescue Service or Trading Standards and community safety messages.

Please come along to our meet the team events at SWANAGE, WAREHAM and UPTON. Dates can be found on the website, we’d love to see you there!

Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team

‘Can You Hear Me?’ Telephone Scan Dorset residents warned to hang up on new phone scam eople in Dorset are being warned of a new telephone scam which is currently sweeping the United States and is set to hit the UK. CPR Call Blocker, makers of the best-selling call blocking device in the US and UK, is urging the public in Dorset to hang up if their phone rings and someone asks “Can you hear me?” as their answer to this simple question from an unknown caller could make them a victim of a scam.

It works by the scammer recording you saying “yes” which is then edited to make it sound like you authorised a major purchase. It’s effectively a verbal contract, just like clicking ‘I agree’ on a computer. It’s called a voice signature and is used legitimately by companies to show that you’ve agreed to some sort of a change, usually an upgrade in some sort of plan. CPR Call Blocker has seen this scam rise in frequency in the United States and say it’s just a matter of time before fraudsters start using it in the UK. In one variation of the scam documented in the US, the criminals may pretend to be from a holiday or home security company and will later bill you for products or services you never asked for. If you try to deny the charges, the scammers will play back your verbal confirmation “yes” and threaten to take legal action if you don’t pay. In another variation, scammers may use the recording to authorise charges on a stolen credit

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card or with a utility company by tricking an automated system. The con artists may have already stolen other personal information through a data breach that would allow them to pass the security checks.

Kris Hicks of CPR Call Blocker is urging the public in Dorset to simply put the phone down to unsolicited callers who pose that question: “Victims in the US have received a phone call from a familiar local area code and the other person on the other end of the line introduces themselves and their business. After the introduction, the person asks ‘Can you hear me?’ if the victim replies with ‘yes’, their response will be recorded for criminals to use. I know that people think it’s impolite to hang up, but it’s a good strategy. If you don’t recognise the number, don’t answer. And if you do pick up, and they instantly start asking ‘Can you hear me? Are you there?’ as if they are trying to get you to say ‘yes’ to something, don’t say anything and hang up. It’s fishy, don’t fall into the trap.

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to register on the Telephone Preference Service and purchase a call blocker device such as a CPR Call Blocker which simply plugs into any landline and features a ‘Block Now’ button which ends an unwanted call and permanently blocks the number.

They come pre-programmed with up to two thousand known nuisance callers and have the ability to store up to an additional one thousand five hundred numbers.”

The Purbeck Gazette

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

ay 2007 saw the Purbeck Association of the National Trust headout on a canal boat trip (pictured below), enjoying a fantasic day out with members of all ages. The group wrote in to praise the offerings of Dorset and Purbeck when it comes to National Trust properties. A few short journeys and you’ll have saved the cost of membership!

The group were encouraging new members to join, and explained how they support the work of the National Trust as volunteers. Past ventures the group had been involved with included the purchase of a Red Devon bull for Hartland Moor.

Alan Stephenson attended St Mary’s school in Swanage (pictured, below) to give the children a lecture on the ‘dangers at sea’, following the recent drowning of several young people in Purbeck.

Alan gave a presentation to the school which included a video on saving lives at sea, a poster quiz to ‘spot the dangers’ and some runing races getting kitted-up in full lifeboat gear.

Renate’s son, Essan, accompanied her to Nicaragua. Renate (pictured below, with son Essan) planned to spend six months (April - October) working on a voluntary basis at the school. Prior to Renate’s visit, the school had been operating in very basic conditions, literally under a tree with little more than a few tables and chairs. A permenant classroom had been built in 2007, and Renate planned to raise £1500 to cover basic costs during the six month visit.

May 2007 saw us publish an in-house editorial entitled ‘The Mysterious Someone’. The piece had been written in response to the numerous letters and communications received bemoaning that ‘someone should do something!’ about a wide variety of subjects.

In the piece, we discovered that there was actually no ‘mysterious someone’ - that person was, in fact, each and every one of us. It was our responsibility to get up out of our chairs and take action if required - saying ‘Someone should do something’ is akin to saying ‘I can’t be bothered myself’ and is therefore a complete waste of time. Still true today, sadly.

There is no ‘someone’. Only you. Want to keep the streets clean? Join Litter-Free Purbeck and get clearing yourself. Can’t read the street signs because they’re too dirty? Be like David Hollister and get out there and clean them yourself. Want better security for your street? Stop complaining and go and purchase CCTV yourself. There is no ‘someone’ to do it for you - now even more so than in 2007. Rely on yourself, your neighbours and your community. Get the work done yourself. Or don’t complain.

Purbeck Montessori teacher, Renate Diallo, travelled to Northern Nicaragua to help set up a Montessori school in the rural village of Tonala.

The local housing crisis continued to be discussed in some length in our letters pages, and a column run by ‘Purbeck Housing Action’ discussed working with communities in Wales and across the UK to try and find a solution to the growing problem blighting so many communities.

Ten years later, and the housing crisis has worsened.

The Purbeck Gazette

IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE READ THIS

My Mum

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by Dave Wilson

On February 6th 2016, our Emergency Services were called to Peveril Point, Swanage, to respond to reports that a lady had jumped from the cliff. Attending service personnel climbed down the cliff and dealt with the casualty - they assessed her injuries (which were serious), they held and comforted her, talking to her whilst they awaited the air ambulance.

Sadly, the lady in question died at 2am on February 7th 2016.

Her son, Dave, has written a heartrendingly honest account of his mum’s personal history, and what led-up to the events of February 6th. Mental health is something which concerns all of us, in some way.

Thank you Dave, for your honesty, bravery and understanding. Our deepest sympthies are with you and your family.

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n 6th February 2016, my Mum took her own life.

She had experienced mental health problems since I was born in 1989, and was initially diagnosed with post-natal depression.

The pills didn’t work and the therapy wasn’t enough. Her GP was dismissive of her problems and over the years her mental health deteriorated.

After years of struggling and ill health, numerous suicide attempts and being sectioned, she was finally diagnosed with bi-polar, anxiety and OCD. This diagnosis brought with it the right medication and the right support. In spite of her illness, she was the most amazing Mum. She was always there to help me and my sister, or anyone in need. She would make us cry with laughter and always found the humour in any situation.

She taught us to look out for other people, to be compassionate, to care and to act. She loved singing (badly) and French cinema. She liked sausages but hated broccoli (although this didn’t stop her from feeding it to us every day!). She enjoyed dancing and playing the saxophone.

She treated us as equals and respected our choices even at a young age.

She taught us to win and she taught us to lose. She made life brighter, louder and much more fun, but then her illness would take over...

In the depths of her bi-polar, Mum experienced psychosis - She would receive messages from the radio, music, internet articles and even see them in the light and shadows. She believed she was God reincarnate and that she was here to save humanity.

Her OCD would also rouse itself during her low or anxious periods and she would be crippled by the thought that she would somehow cause someone harm. She would be compelled to constantly clean and organise, wash her hands (and ours when we were little!) and would have to check on all her tenants to ensure they were still alive, that they hadn’t been electrocuted in the shower or suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in their sleep.

Need to talk?

We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.

You don’t have to be suicidal.

CALL THE SAMARITANS: (UK) 116 123 (FREEPHONE) Alternatively, you can call MAYTREE, who offer services and support for those feeling suicidal.

020 7262 7070

Although she was able to live a full and exciting life while stable, these episodes took their toll and the side effects of the medication she was taking, as well as the effects of the radiation she had for breast cancer during all this, didn’t help. She was left with failing kidneys, oral mucositis, IBS, painful swelling of her feet and hands and would at times find it impossible to leave the house.

Her final episode started in December 2015 and escalated through to January 2016. Tragically as the messages she received increased in frequency and became ever more conflicting, her condition worsened until on 6th February 2016, she was led to believe that she was the Devil.

At this point, in a rushed frenzy, she wrote a note, that read: “I’m sorry.

I thought I was God.” She signed it “The Devil”. After jumping from the cliffs at Peveril Point that afternoon, she eventually died from the injuries at 2am on 7th February at Southampton General Hospital, with me, my sister (Lora) and our Dad (Mark) at her side.

Losing your Mum is awful. There’s nothing quite like it and to lose her to suicide is incredibly lonely. People don’t want to talk about suicide and get uncomfortable if it comes up in conversation but unless we start talking about it, more people are going to take this path and more families will experience the horrendous loss that we’ve experienced this past year.

Mum is now at peace and that brings me comfort, but it won’t change that her life was unfairly cut short. Had she been given the right diagnosis sooner and received the right help and support, she could still be with us.

It’s too late for her, but it’s not too late for the millions of other people who are struggling, so I took part in the London Marathon this April to raise money for Mind (The Mental Health Charity) who support and campaign for people experiencing mental health problems.

I hope that by doing this, I’ll also be a part of a wider conversation around mental health and suicide that will see more people accessing the support they so desperately need. With the help of my sister, we are aiming to raise £10,000 for Mind in memory of our lovely Mum. We have set up a Virgin Money Giving page at www.virginmoneygiving. com/daveslondonmarathon and would appreciate any donations to this worthwhile cause.

I was wondering if we could feature this in your paper, so as to increase awareness of suicide and the repercussions, as well as helping us to raise more funds for those fighting mental health problems.

Dave Wilson, by email

The Purbeck Gazette

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Our Winner!

The Dedicated Pirate Flag For Purbeck

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arlier this year, we launched a competition to find the perfect pirate flag for Purbeck - to be used by the Purbeck Pirates and also for the annual Purbeck Pirate Festival.

We had some truly great entries from all ages, but only one could be chosen as the winner!

Quartermaster Constable (pictured, left) offered the prize fund of £200 for the winner, and dutifully came ashore to Gazette Towers to judge the entries.

The winner was Ali Burnett of Bell Street, Swanage, pictured right with her winning flag design and an envelope stuffed with cash! A massive well done Ali - we will now get your design turned into our official flag for the festival this July, and the Purbeck Pirates group will also adopt the flag as their emblem.

Pirates are a’coming!

This year’s annual Purbeck Pirate Festival will be held from 30th June to 2nd July, with the hugely popular kid’s pirate disco taking place early evening on Friday 30th, and the Shtandart will be also be sailing in on the 30th, ready to welcome landlubbers a’board once again over the weekend. If you haven’t ever set foot on an 18th century frigate, this is your chance to do so!

The weekend will be packed with events for the whole family, with the Beach School returning and a number of local specialists offering sessions for everyone to get involved. Just don’t forget the ONLY rule - you MUST come dressed as your pirate self!

Swanage Pier and Swanage & Purbeck Rotary Club are running the event

together this year, with the help of the community and town.

Funds raised at the Pier will be going towards the Save the Pier Appeal, and funds raised in the town and at Sandpit Field going directly to the dedicated fund for an Admiral Nurse for Purbeck (dementia specialist nurse).

Anyone wishing to offer activities or have a stall at either location (Sandpit or the Pier) are asked to contact: ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk with ‘Pirate Festival’ in the subject line and we will forward on to the right person!

The Purbeck Gazette

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YOUR Pictures.....

The Purbeck Gazette

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

April sunset at Old Harry, by Gareth James

River Frome at Wareham, by Philip Wellstead

Robin’s bad hair day! By Gill Richards

Smiley Sheep, by Gill Richards

BR Standard 4 - 80146 - crossing Sandy Hill Lane bridge, by MIke Streeter

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Inshore Lifeboat Rescues Paraglider

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ith both of Swanage’s lifeboats now fully operational from the brand new lifeboat station, the crew are settling in well to their new facilities. As we enter what is typically the busiest time of year for the volunteers of Swanage lifeboat, a sunny Saturday saw the crew tasked to an unusual rescue.

Solent Coastguard requested the assistance of Swanage Coastguard, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 106 and Swanage inshore lifeboat (ILB) when they were informed of a paraglider losing altitude and appearing to land in the water very close to Ballard Point.

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The helicopter, first to the scene, was able to confirm that the paraglider had indeed landed in the water. Fortunately, the paraglider was uninjured and had made his way to a small cave just to the north of Ballard point.

With no way of getting back to shore, the safest option was to recover the paraglider to the inshore lifeboat. The Swanage lifeboat volunteers helped the paraglider collect his equipment and then returned him to the boathouse to dry out and get warm. Despite being chilly from his dunk in the sea, the casualty was recovered safe and well.

PDC To Set Out Position On Council Reorganisation

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urbeck District Council is to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, setting out its position on local government reorganisation in Dorset.

The letter will include a copy of the minutes of the Council’s Extraordinary Meeting of 31 January 2017.

This course of action was agreed on 21 February 2017, when Purbeck District Councillors formally approved the minutes of the January meeting and agreed communication be sent to the Secretary of State.

At the January meeting, Councillors voted against a recommendation to make a submission to the Secretary of State requesting that Dorset’s nine councils should be replaced by two new unitary councils.

Councillor Gary Suttle, Leader of Purbeck District Council, told Purbeck District Councillors at their February meeting: “We had an open and

honest debate at our January meeting and you chose not to support a submission to the Secretary of State that Dorset’s nine councils should be replaced by two.

“If the Secretary of State is minded to accept the submission by the six councils which agreed the proposals for two unitary councils, Purbeck District Council will be asked again to give consideration to supporting this proposal.”

Councillor Suttle concluded: “It will be for Councillors to decide what steps to take next. In the meantime, we will write to the Secretary of State setting out our position.”

Following council meetings throughout Dorset in January, a request to change the structure of local government across Dorset was submitted by six local authorities.

Swanage Carnival Prepares For Red Arrows’ Return!

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aving requested the Red Arrows for the last few years without success, it was a wonderful surprise to receive confirmation of the Red Arrows availability to attend Swanage Carnival in 2017.

The Red Arrows are a great spectacle for all and are known to enjoy flying over Swanage Bay with the Purbeck hills defining a natural perimeter for their display, creating awe inspiring views as the jets sweep over the brows of the hills.

In recent years people have been feeling the pinch of the economic downfall and as a result we have struggled to increase the sponsorship received for carnival events. Knowing this, the committee have worked really hard to try and inspire existing and new sponsors to get involved with Swanage Carnival for 2017.

Carnival Chairperson Becky Mack said: “It is fantastic to have the Red Arrows performing one of their iconic displays at Swanage Carnival again. This headline event is sure to be one of the many highlights of this year’s carnival. We hope that the attendance of the Red Arrows will be an additional boast to what is already the busiest week of the year in Swanage. We are determined to ensure that we don’t see a drop in funds given to our chosen charities and good causes, therefore we are working

hard to secure sponsors and come up with new fundraising ideas. We are lucky to have such fantastic local support.”

Over the coming months the volunteers of Swanage Carnival are finalising what is going to be another jam-packed carnival. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in sponsoring an event, donating your time, equipment or expertise, please get in touch - secretary@swanagecarnival. com

The Red Arrows over Swanage, 2011, by reader Gerald Holloway

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The Halsewell:

The Purbeck Gazette

Reviewing The Wreckage Words and images by Ilay Cooper

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oon after it came out, I read Philip Browne’s ‘The Unfortunate Captain Peirce and the Wreck of the Halsewell, East Indiaman, 1786’; for anyone interested in The Halsewell it is essential reading.

Browne sets an 18th century scene of flourishing trade, of great Indiamen, ships under curved or slack canvas, manned by resilient, uneasy crews.

They glide and toss between an England disturbed by French wars, a disordered India, the Mughals a fading shadow, and a still-powerful Imperial China. Drawing heavily on ship’s logs from the East India Company archives, and contemporary history, he portrays an India of French, Muslim and Maratha armies fighting each other and the rising English power. The ports of Calcutta and Madras, Chinese Canton, and points between, formed the background of Richard Peirce’s progress until, towards the close of his career, he attained the captaincy of a doomed ship.

It is this research, away from the Dorset tragedy, which is the strongest part of the book. Peirce emerges from a misty background into the Taunton area: he has no clear antecedents. There are too many options, quite apart from ‘Pierces’ and ‘Pearces’, to pin down the right branch of the family.

One possibility, a Calcutta Captain Peirce, seems a likely ancestor. His son, Richard, is too old but a second, John, was born, like Halsewell’s captain, in 1739. I wonder if that John, on Richard’s infant death, acquired the family ‘Richard’? Browne provides Captain Peirce with one sure sibling, a sister, Ann Paul, in Somerset.

It required money or influence to enter East India Company service; in Richard’s case which or how is uncertain. Solid history begins in 1759 when, at twenty, he became 5th Mate on the East Indiaman, Houghton, bound for Madras and Calcutta. The round trip took 29 months. His foot firmly in the Company door, Peirce rose steadily. As 3rd mate on The Horsenden his next voyage was to China. On each ship he rose in rank, until he was captain of ‘Earl of Ashburnham’. He had bought a smart house in Kingston-upon-Thames.

The book is mainly devoted to the voyages, to the men that made them, to cargoes. Browne speculates on the merchandise Peirce carried in

Part of Tom Anderson’s map of the coast, with names supplied by William Bower, “Billy Winspit”, includes Halsewell Quarry (as ‘Cliff’) and Rock.

Watch Rock in a storm: no fit shelter for survivors.

his permitted share of the hold, a portion which increased with rank.

Sometimes war with France required the ships to travel in convoy. When passing through the Straits of Malacca, Peirce’s ability to draw, accurately recording the landmarks of the channel, proved useful to future navigators.

Inevitably, there were accidents, fights, adventures and deaths on every voyage. Scurvy was still a hazard on Company ships despite its cause being already known. In time of war, the Navy proved a hazard, always ready to press merchant seamen. There was boredom, too, weeks of eventless routine, of windlessness. Naughty nooky amongst the men brought lashes.

The food and water (initially drawn from the busy Thames) became increasingly revolting between ports.

The whole story ought to ascend gradually to Captain Peirce’s retirement at the height of his wealth and profession. Instead, it leads to death beside two daughters and two nieces in a wreck on his final voyage, which shook late 18th century Britain. The disaster, and its results, takes up the third section of Browne’s story, proportional for a book about Peirce but not for Purbeck readers for whom the worst of local wrecks is the whole story.

Here, details needed more care. Two photographs are captioned ‘Cliffs at Winspit’, one showing the slight height from shore to Winspit quarry, the other Seacombe with Watch Rock. Speaking at the County Museum, Browne took Watch Rock to be the one which sheltered survivors: it would have failed them. The Halsewell struck neither at Winspit nor Seacombe but under a small quarry equidistant between the two.

Look westish from Seacombe: East Winspit quarry narrows to its end past two dark, dug caverns to cease abruptly in a short, sheer stretch of cliff.

Beyond this cliff runs another isolated, grassy quarried ledge. The only descent leads too easily to a fatal plunge onto rocks far below. As boys we came here, calling it … well, in my 1957 diary, Hounswell; in 1958, Hauswell before settling, correctly, on Halsewell Quarry. It derived from a fourth version - Halswell House, in Somerset.

It was here, in the first hours of Sunday January 6th 1786, that The Halsewell, bound for Bengal, struck rocks in darkness and a blizzard (it was probably raining, but ‘blizzard’ further dramatizes the account). The vicar of Worth was breakfasting at Eastington that morning when the first survivors interrupted. His account of the wreck survives in the church register.

On spring days we went to Halsewell to look at birds, climbing down unknowingly beside the cave where the disintegrating ship briefly lay. To us the wreck was incidental. All three auks, now long gone, bred nearby.

Climbing gave us good views of the razorbills.

Accounts placed the dying ship, beaten by great swells, close southwest of us. The cave’s remnants and Halsewell Rock tilting beyond it, where freezing men cowered (only men survived), are still there. The rock was a trap: above it the cliff rose its full height in darkness. Near the cave the

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3) Seen from Seacombe, Winspit (left) and, after sheer cliff, Halsewell (right) quarries. Leaning Halsewell Rock is visible beneath that stretch of cliff.

Halsewell Quarry. Left of centre, a surviving wall of the cavern faces us. The fall of its roof results in the right angle turn in the grassy ledge of the quarry above.

climb to the quarry ledge was much less. Of those who made the rocks, many were washed away; others, climbing with numb, frozen hands, fell and were smashed.

In summer, a buoy and the occasional boat-load of treasure-seeking divers mark the wreck site. It has yielded all manner of goods, some of it cherished in museums at Dorchester, Langton and the Square and Compass. Trev Haysom inherited a salvaged fowling piece from it. In the 1950s two cannon, perhaps from that wreck, remained along the cliffs.

One, now raised on a plinth and familiar to walkers, was then half-buried among scars at Hedbury; the other stood in wartime barbed wire at the mouth of Pier Bottom. Was that the gun shown in an 1829 sketch of the battery once guarding Chapmans Pool against Napoleon?

For us boys, Halsewell quarry ledge was precariously narrow at one point but there was no obvious cave beneath. In 1852, however, ‘Purbeck Papers’ reported that the quarry ‘… floor has much fallen in, but…’ then ‘… overhung the sea, and… formed an arched roof to the cavern, athwart which the vessel lay, broadside on.’ The survivors could ‘…creep along the side of the cavern, and turning its corner…clamber up the nearly perpendicular precipice.’

The quarry face itself is interesting, incised with outlines of sailing vessels such as carried stone up the Channel to Ramsgate. There are other, faster craft, too, perhaps made to pursue smugglers. One stands out, carved above the vanished cave, its masts bearing tiers of rectangular sails, two rows of gunports guarding its flanks. Was this intended for the Halsewell?

Sixty years ago, I photographed it. Faint then, it is fainter now.

In 1852 the wreck was ‘… yet remembered by some few aged people…’ and at Seacombe were ‘… four long graves…’ (gone now) of the many unnamed dead. One victim is remembered: Black Man’s Stile marks where a sailor, probably a lascar, having escaped, collapsed and died.

Inevitably, there are writings Browne overlooked. The Poole-based Newfoundland trader, Benjamin Lester’s diary always recorded weather: 2nd January (1786): Wind in the Morning East and hazy…evening heavy

Snow and Hail with a flash of Lightning and heavy Slap of Thunder at Midnight.’

3rd January: Wind NE clear day the Snow this Morning was a foot deep.’

4th January: Wind SSE blow & Snow very hard shocking Weather.

5th January: All Night Wind South. Morning Rain and thaw…

6th January: Wind SSE. Thaw and Rain all night.

7th January: …Shocking News an East Indn Ship outward bound lost ye 4th or 5th near St Albins upwards 200 lives lost, about 40 got up the Clifts and shelter’d in a Barn of Mr J Garlands – the Ship all in pieces the Wreck floating into Studland Bay. The wreck, with its high mortality and the dreadful scene, described by the last to abandon it, of the Captain comforting his doomed teenaged daughters and nieces, shocked the nation. Bodies, including that of one daughter, turned up near Christchurch. The tragedy gave rise to varyinglyaccurate depictions and poetic accounts.

Turner painted a Halsewell watercolour, showing only the crowded deck sinking below a rough, well-lit sea. Travelling through Purbeck in September 1811, his flirtation with verse was less accomplished: Where mossy fragments seem disjoined to play With sportive sea nymphs in the face of day While the bold headlands of the seagirt shore Received engulpht old ocean deepest store Embayed the unhappy Halswell toiled And all their efforts Neptune [?herewith] foild The deep rent ledges caught the trembling keel But memory draws the veil where pity soft does kneel…

Browne suggests George III stood at Seacombe overlooking the wreck site: in fact, on Bastille Day 1789, the king glimpsed it from the frigate ‘Southampton’. He names some of the writers, including Charles Dickens,

Halsewell Quarry towards Seacombe in 1975. The ledge narrows and takes a sharp turn (centre) where the cave roof fell.

5a) Halsewell Quarry towards Winspit in 2016. In the foreground is the scoop in the cliff line where the roof of the cave fell in.

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6a) A 1975 photograph of an incised sailing vessel, probably intended to be The Halsewell. It was cut into the face of Halsewell Quarry just above the cave.

who wrote of The Halsewell. No one forgot the disaster. The playwright, John O’Keeffe, in his ‘Recollections…’, mentions a visit to Lulworth in June-July 1791: ‘As the tide was approaching, the loss of the crew of the Halsewell rushed to my mind’ and later, at ‘Worthborough’, ‘I never think of St Albin’s Head but the Halsewell strike upon my mind.’

Wandering through Calcutta’s Park Street Cemetery, researching some Boileaus who slept there, I was confronted by a memorial to ‘Richard, eldest son of Captain Peirce of The Halsewell East Indiaman’. He was 27.

Working in the old, ugly India Office Library in Blackfriars Road, I strayed into Halsewell files only to find the young Nelson pressing her miserable crew fresh returned from an earlier trip and not yet home. Browne records both of these.

A fair review is an overall impression. For anyone interested in that period, that trade or that local tragedy, Browne’s book makes interesting reading.

If you merely wish to reflect, glance into an unbroken mirror from The Halsewell which, from above the doorway, still reverses the interior of Worth Church.

‘The Unfortunate Captain Peirce and the Wreck of the Halsewell, East Indiaman, 1786’ by Philip Browne, published in 2015 by Hobnob Press, Warminster price £14.95.

Oil painting on front cover - by kind permisson of Mr H. Beavis.

Halsewell Rock slopes behind spray at the bottom of the vertical stretch of cliff beside Halsewell Quarry.

The site of Black Man’s Stile, where an Indian sailor died. He may have been aiming for the lights of Eastington Farm on the skyline.

Review and photographs by Ilay Cooper (Ilay is pictured, page 24.).

Ilay is a Purbeckian author, having dedicated his life to studies of both the Isle of Purbeck, and India, where Ilay has spent decades mapping ancient monuments, paintings and regions of India.

Ilay is known for penning many publications, amongst them: ‘Purbeck Revealed’, ‘Rajathan, Exploring Painted Shekhawati’, ‘Arts and Crafts of India’, ‘The Square and Compass’, ‘Purbeck Arcadia, Dunshay Manor and the Spencer Watsons’ and ‘The Painted Towns of Shekhawati’.

A big ship, but which...? At extreme low tide, Charlie Newman found this fragment of a large vessel, eleven metres of timbers bonded with wooden dowels, long buried in slipped mud.

The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Museum Reopens For Season!

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eader, Sue Booth, captured the moment that Wareham’s Lady Mayor officially opened Wareham’s museum on April 8th 2017.

Don’t forget to visit this year!

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Economic Review of the 1st Quarter of 2017 During the first three months of 2017 the FTSE 100 index rose by 2.5% and was up by 14.7% over the 12 month period. The FTSE All-World Sterling Index was up by 5.1% and 29.7% respectively over the same periods.

Our analysts commented generally on the global situation as follows: ‘Q1 saw good equity gains helped by improved global growth.

The US and UK equity markets reached a succession of record highs and European equities touched a 15 month high. In some countries, inflation has rebounded close to some central banks’ targets but there is a divergence between the US where it is accelerating and the Eurozone and Japan where core inflation remains subdued. We remain overweight in equities.’

With specific reference to the UK, selections from our analysts’ comments are as follows: ‘In Q1, corporate developments including takeovers, rights issues and profit warnings shaped equity performance. In particular, merger & acquisition activity has increased in the first quarter.

On 29th March, the UK Government filed Article 50 beginning the formal process of leaving the EU by March 2019. The immediate impact from Brexit has been a lower exchange rate which is a positive development for the manufacturing sector.’

‘The UK equity market made progress across all indices in the first quarter. The FTSE 100 index rose by 2.5%, the FTSE 250 moved up by 4.9% and the TechMark 100 rose by 2.2%. Although trade weighted Sterling remained weak, it has rallied as inflation has spiked above the 2% target and the Bank of England became less dovish.’

‘Will the Bank of England follow the Federal Reserve and increase interest rates? Since last August, the MPC has held interest rates at 0.25% and maintained its bond purchases at £435bn. At the last meeting there was an 8:1 vote to keep the Bank Rate at 0.25% and the minutes indicated that some other members were close to considering a reduction in monetary support. The decision was taken before it was known that inflation had surged to 2.3% in February.’

Kate Spurling lives in Swanage and is an investment manager with Charles Stanley, Dorchester office – (01305) 217404 – kate.spurling@charles-stanley. 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.

JUNE EDITION DEADLINE NOON, 9th MAY BOOK ADVERTISING ON 01929 424239, EXT 1

Tax-Free Childcare Scheme The long-awaited tax-free childcare scheme launches on 28 April 2017 and will be rolled out during the course of the year. In conjunction with this, the government's new Childcare Choices website is now operative, allowing parents to find out about available support.

The website includes a childcare calculator for parents to compare all the government's childcare offers and check what works best for their families, including the new 30-hour free childcare offer, tax-free childcare or universal credit.

Through the website, parents can also pre-register for email alerts that will notify them when they can apply, as well as providing details of existing government childcare offers.

It is currently estimated that some two million working families will be eligible for tax-free childcare. It will be gradually rolled out, with parents of children under two invited to enter the scheme first.

By the end of the year, all eligible parents will be able to receive government top-ups of £2 for every £8 that a parent pays into their tax-free childcare account, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child (or £4,000 for disabled children).

This will be open to all working parents across the UK with children under 12, or under 17 if disabled.

The Purbeck Gazette

Small Businesses Absorb National Living Wage Shock

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ommenting on the recent increase in the National Living Wage (NLW) to £7.50, Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “The average FSB employer will pay an extra £2,600 this year as a direct result of Government decisions.

This is due to the combined impact of today’s increase in the National Living Wage, consequential National Insurance costs, and pensions autoenrolment contributions.

“We know that the majority of small businesses were paying all their staff above the NLW rate before it was introduced. Our research also shows that most small business owners absorb the cost of wage increases by taking lower profits. We’re seeing increasing numbers of small business owners not paying themselves or stopping their own pension contributions to meet these new employment costs. Many already report that they are struggling to meet their growing payroll obligations. This is particularly visible among those operating in sectors with tight margins, such as hospitality, retail and social care.

“The Low Pay Commission should now be given flexibility in how to meet the Government’s NLW target. It’s a target that must be adjusted if it becomes clear that the economy cannot bear the pace of NLW increases.”

Councils must support firms hit by business rates hike. As the controversial business rates revaluation comes into effect, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warns that many firms could suffer if there are delays in helping those worst affected.

The Government recognised in the recent Budget that the system was unfairly hitting some small businesses, with a number facing astronomical increases. FSB welcomed a £300m fund to help those facing the biggest hikes. We now call on councils across England to distribute that money as speedily and fairly as possible, to end the uncertainty and anguish being felt by thousands of smaller businesses.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Major Boost For Dorset As Enterprise Zone Opens For Business

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orset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is pleased to announce Dorset’s new Enterprise Zone as open and ready for business.

Dorset Innovation Park in Winfrith is the second largest employment site in the Dorset LEP area. The site already hosts two world leaders in defence technology – QinetiQ and Atlas Elektronik UK – and will now become a major focus for the economic regeneration of South Dorset and a vital stimulus for employment.

Dorset Innovation Park is a single site, accommodating fifty-six hectares of employment land. It follows major public sector redevelopment of the former Dorset Green Technology Park by Purbeck District Council, Dorset County Council and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Having undertaken enabling investment, the HCA is now transferring the site to the local Councils who, working with Dorset LEP will take forward

the delivery of the Enterprise Zone. Dorset Innovation Park is being marketed internationally, nationally and locally as an advanced engineering cluster of excellence for the South West, building on strengths in marine, defence and energy. It is expected to facilitate 2,000 new jobs and attract dozens of new businesses to the area.

Enterprise Zones are part of the Government’s strategy to help businesses grow. Hosted by Local Enterprise Partnerships, they provide commercial and industrial businesses with incentives to set up or expand.

Having Enterprise Zone status means that businesses who locate to Dorset Innovation Park will be able to benefit from up to five years of business rate reductions and access to new ultrafast broadband within twelve months.

Any business rates collected on the new development will be reinvested in the site over a twenty-five year period. It is envisioned there will be in the region of £30m of retained business rates to be invested in improving the site and local infrastructure.

The construction of twenty new employment units on the site is already underway as part of a £2.8m project by Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council, including £600,000 secured by Dorset LEP via the Government’s Local Growth Fund. These are due for completion in October 2017 and will be fully serviced and let to businesses on ‘easy in, easy out’ terms.

Steve Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Purbeck District Council, said: “Securing the future of Dorset Innovation Park is our number one economic development priority, so I am delighted that Enterprise Zone status has been secured for the site, which will help realise its significant potential.”

For further information please contact Charlotte Knight, Dorset LEP Communications Manager at cknight@bournemouth.ac.uk or call 01202 962719. Businesses looking to invest in the site should contact: Jonathan Sibbett, jonathan@sibbettgregory.com Jayne Sharman, jayne@sibbettgregory.com Tel: 01202 661177

£15 Million Cash Boost For South West

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oastal communities in the South West are set to benefit from a £15 million cash boost, Minister Andrew Percy announced recently.

Piers, promenades and coastal paths are among over a dozen exciting new projects set to create new jobs, attract tourists and boost economic growth for their local areas.

This latest investment is part of a wider £40 million fund, supporting over thirty projects up and down the coast. It delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to support fishing and coastal communities, and create an economy that works for everyone.

The funding is helping coastal tourism regain its position as England’s largest holiday sector. With one third of all domestic overnight trips made to the coast, coastal tourism is now worth £8 billion to the economy each year.

Coastal Communities Minister Andrew Percy said: “We’re putting the wind in the sails of over dozen major projects along the South West coast line. From a new watersports centre in Ilfracombe to a new enterprise hub in St Ives, this funding will help make sure seaside towns in the South West flourish.”

A tide of investment Since 2012, the Government has invested £120 million in projects through the Coastal Communities Fund across the UK. The funding aims to encourage economic growth and jobs in coastal towns and communities. In 2015 Summer Budget, the fund was extended by a further four years until 2021 with at least £90 million of funding available UK-wide.

This latest investment comes as a new report reveals that more than 200 projects have benefitted from this funding since 2012. They are predicted to safeguard or create up to 18,000 new jobs and attract over £200 million in match funding.

The report also highlights how the fund has helped increase the popularity of coastal areas as places to work, live and visit. It has led to a rise of over two million more visitors, increasing spending by £171 million in coastal communities.

All of the projects awarded funding in this latest round were submitted or

supported by Coastal Community Teams. Set up by the Government in 2015, each team receives £10,000 towards the development of a blueprint for economic growth.

There are now 146 teams – made up of volunteers, councils and local businesses – up and down the country. They are tasked with producing economic plans to create jobs along the shore.

Some of the projects in the South West receiving funding include: Museum of Barnstable and North Devon – the museum will be expanded to improve the cultural offer in Barnstable and attract more visitors.

West Bay Discovery Centre at Bridport – renovations will be made to a Grade II listed former church to provide an information hub, including exhibitions on West Bay’s heritage and the local areas attractions.

Portland Quarries Nature Park, Dorset – access in and around the park will be improved to create a high-quality visitor attraction on the Isle of Portland.

Minehead Seafront, Somerset – this project aims to redevelop the seafront at Minehead, including restoration of the Edwardian sea side shelters.

Ilfracombe Watersports Centre – a new all-year round tourism attraction will be established with a modern centre for combined watersports that will include a community café.

St Ives Enterprise Hub – an unused building will be transformed into an enterprise hub offering commercial workspace, training activities and facility hire to support the development of small, local businesses.

Swanage Pier – major repair works will be carried out to the pier to rebuild this heritage and tourism asset. Nearby, Marine Villas will be also refurbished as a visitor and education centre.

Plymouth – a series of projects will create new cultural and heritage venues to promote Plymouth as an internationally significant visitor attraction ahead of the Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020.

The Purbeck Gazette

The Only Thing That’s Certain Is Change

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Trading Standards Friends Against Scams

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ould you, your family, your community, or workplace like to understand more about scams and why people can become scam victims?

If so then join others to become one of a growing number of ‘Friends Against Scams’.

Championed in Dorset by Dorset County Council Trading Standards Service, ‘Friends Against Scams’ is a national initiative that aims to • Highlight the scale of the problem by getting communities talking about scams • Change the perceptions of why people become scam victims • Prevent people from becoming or continuing to be a scam victim • Recruit people to join the fight against scams, turning knowledge into action Financial abuse through scams affects the lives of millions of people across the UK. More than £5 billion is lost to scams in the UK each year. Victims of scammers will lose money and may also suffer a loss of independence, of good health and of wellbeing. Many people do not report being a victim, but silence is a scammer’s best friend.

For more information on how to become a ‘Friend Against Scams’ visit www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk Anyone can become a scam victim, if it has happened to you contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 who will take this situation seriously.

This helpline is the first point of contact for consumers seeking advice or wishing to report a problem to trading standards.

In these times of uncertainty, we can always be sure of further changes in employment law and below are a few updates on upcoming employment law and recent legal decisions.

In 2017, gender pay gap reporting obligations come into force, requiring employers with 250 or more employees to publish information on gender pay gaps, including male:female worker ratios and bonus & salary information. Companies will need to provide information on: • The difference between the mean and median hourly rate of pay of male and female employees.

• The difference between the mean and median bonus pay paid to male and female employees.

• The proportions of male and female employees who were paid bonus pay.

• The proportions of male and female employees in the quartile pay bands.

Although this directly affects the larger employers, those with fewer than 250 staff may still be required to provide information in other circumstances such as tendering for work or where a customer needs to report on their suppliers’ policy in this area The news has been full of reports on the so-called “gig economy” with the case of UBER being prominent. Uber insisted its drivers were selfemployed. The Employment Tribunal concluded otherwise, holding that they were in fact workers and therefore entitled to National Minimum Wage and paid holiday. The Uber has now launched an appeal whilst other groups are looking to assert rights such as those working for Deliveroo, Amazon and Hermes. Cases brought by two cycle couriers against Citysprint and Excel Group have also been successful in establishing worker status..

In addition, the case against Pimlico Plumbers highlights the fact that those who provide services on a self-employed basis can also be considered workers. In this case, due to the obligation to provide services personally, the Court of Appeal held the individual had rights to holiday pay and protection against discrimination.

All cases are fact specific but give guidance on what factors will dictate employment, worker or self-employed status. These cases reemphasise the need to classify workers correctly and ensure the written contract reflects the reality on the ground.

We’re no doubt a little tired of the “B” word, but the effect of Brexit is not currently clear. However, with the UK leaving the EU, this will have an effect on legislation concerning business and employment - to what extent remains to be seen but with the level of European law integrated deep into UK legislation, changes could have a wide impact.

For more information on any of these matters or if you have any other questions please contact Dawn Gallie, Head of Employment on 01935 846233 or dawn.gallie@battens.co.uk

01305 774666

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Right Course - Right Horse

by David Hollister

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ver the past twelve months I have been privileged to drive quite a number of ‘large’ cars and SUVs. Mind you, when you’re only five foot eight, most cars appear ‘large’ and quite daunting from the outside. But whilst the Nissan X-Trail looked huge in the showroom, it felt less huge as I drove it away from Westover Nissan, and by the time I’d driven a mile it felt totally manoeuvrable and ever so comfortable. So how would it manage a 100-mile journey to my beloved Torquay?

In most of the cars I drive for the Gazette, there are one or two ‘don’t like this’ points or a few ‘wouldn’t it be nice if it had…’ features. Well, although I didn’t actually use all the X-Trail’s many features, I found nothing lacking and nothing to dislike, and plenty to enthuse about.

It’s softly sprung and soaks up potholes and irregular surfaces well; a very useful feature on Dorset’s roads. The double-stitched heated leather seats are very comfortable, especially the driver’s seat with its ‘zero gravity’ inspired features allowing an almost endless range of positions, heights, and lumbar supports. Fiddled with the buttons for a few minutes and suddenly my back said ‘that’s perfect’ and even after one hundred miles I felt as if I’d been in my favourite armchair!

One feature I haven’t come across before is the power opening panoramic roof; not just a ‘sunroof’ but glass panels that stretch the length of the vehicle. Makes it feel light and airy, even when it’s actually too cold outside to have it open en route.

This is a true seven-seater, with a truly superb flexible seating system; two in the very back that fold flat to form the luggage compartment floor; three in the conventional 60/40 ‘rear seat’ position but with easy forward sliding movement to give you whatever space you need. With all the seats in use, luggage capacity is 550 litres; with all seats folded flat, it’s 1982 litres; that’s not just Waitrose bags, it’s probably a whole fridge-freezer and its contents, with some golf clubs thrown in for good measure. The ‘luggage board’ system enables an almost infinite combination of shelf and floor; no, I didn’t try them all as we were set fair for Torquay on a beautiful sunny Monday morning!

We’d decided to deliberately avoid the weekend so that we would miss the worst of the traffic… that’s a joke! Those of us living in out-of-the way Purbeck really have no concept of the amount of traffic that’s on the UK’s main roads, at all times of day. Driving these days mostly comprises going from tailback to tailback, usually at about ten miles an hour below the prevailing speed limit. One day I’ll write a book about this country’s lousy road system…But the 6-speed wide-ratio X-Tronic CVT gearbox makes that sort of driving easy and hassle-free, from ‘pootling along’ to ‘foot-down’ acceleration. Yet if you prefer a greater level of control, you can opt to use the 7-speed semi-automatic system which not only allows you to change gear when you want to, but also to use ‘active engine braking’ down hills. So saying, with such a superb CVT system, why would you want to?

The X-Trail is a diesel offering 177ps and 380 nm of torque, 0-62 mph in 9.4 seconds, and a theoretical top speed of 125 mph (that’s a joke – see above!). It’s quieter than the average diesel; the rattling and smoky days of Uncle Bill’s Tractor are long gone. Manufacturers are now making sterling efforts to reduce diesel emissions; put a clean hankie across the exhaust of the X-Trail and you’ll be as surprised as I was as to how little particulate matter came out. The official CO2 reading is 139 gm/km.

This car has a long list of exciting and innovative features including an advanced drive-assist display with cameras and squeakers front and rear.

All of which came in really really useful on the tight back lanes of Devon.

OK, I admit that when we were planning our trip I thought we were going in a Micra…but hell, why not? What’s the worst that can happen…

And it didn’t! At times, in the back streets of Teignmouth, the squeakers set up a cacophony of warnings, but thanks to them and the cameras we returned the X-Trail to Westover totally unscathed……. Those of you familiar with the narrow 1 in 2 zigzag road down to Oddicombe Beach, with blind corners and oncoming traffic, might say “idiot”. Combine that with a semi-automatic car weighing around two tons and it’s a daunting proposition. But I can honestly say that the X-Trail was easier to drive than the MX5 which I took down there last year.

The information and entertainment system was as good as any I have tested recently, and indeed, better than some. The displays were easily accessible, easily-read, and we didn’t have to swear at the sat-nav, not even once (that’s a first). Bluetooth was easily connected, and all the hands-free phone and audio features were on the steering wheel enabling me to dump the phone in one of the many useful storage compartments.

Nissan call their technology “safety shield” and the X-Trail felt just that; safe and easy to drive.

Published MPG for the X-Trail Tekna DCi is 48.7 mpg. In 231 miles we used 32 litres giving us 32.8 mpg, that’s 67%; not the best but by no means the worst. The volume of traffic and the steep hills probably didn’t help.

My MX5 returns 29 mpg, and I know that if we’d done this trip in it, we wouldn’t have enjoyed ourselves half as much as we did in the X-Trail.

Because the X-Trail is a car for going places smoothly and safely, not a car for tearing round the countryside in. Horses, they say, for courses. And this is the right horse for this particular course (and if you want to tow a horsebox, the CVT model will tow 1650kg, that’s over a ton and a half!).

On the road, the top-of-the-range X-Trail Tekna comes out at around £32,500 and you gets an awful lot of car for your money!

All in all, a really enjoyable weekend in a superb car, for a very acceptable cost.

Thank you Westover Nissan for giving me the opportunity to drive it. If you want to know more and to find out about its many features, then contact Ben Cross at Westover Nissan on 01202 532100 and arrange a test-drive.

The Purbeck Gazette

13(13)FORD Fiesta 1.0 Zetec 5dr One Local Owner Excellent Condition 13000 Guaranteed Miles Air Conditioning Alloy Wheels......................£8795 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 17(66) FORD Ecosport 1.0 TITANIUM 5dr SUV. Our own vehicle, very low mileage. Remote Central Locking, Park assist...................................£15995 17(66) FORD Ka+ 1.2 Zetec 5dr. First of the new generation KAs SYNC Aircon, electric windows, park assist, cruise control............................£9995 14(64) FORD Focus 1.0 Zetec Navigator 5dr, sold new and maintained by us. 17,800 miles, excellent condition, twin airbags.............................£10495 14(63) FORD B-Max 1.0 Zetec MPV. Sold new by us, one owner, FSH, fantasic economy, rear park assist.........................................................£9495 17(66) FORD Ecosport 1.0 Titanium 5dr SUV. Our own vehicle, very low mileage, remote central locking, park assist........................................£15995 16(16) FORD Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec 5dr. Our own vehicle, zero road tax, fantastic economy, Ford warranty until Jun 19..................................£11995 13(63) FORD Ka 1.2 Studio 3dr. Locally owned and maintained. Very economical. Low insurance group. Ideal first car................................£3995 13(13) FORD Ka 1.2 Edge 3dr. Sold and maintained from new by us. One owner. 28000 guarenteed miles. FSH....................................................£4995

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Food

From The Kitchen Garden...

Lemon Balm & Mint Cordial

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pring is most definitely here and everything in the Kitchen Garden is putting on a lot of growth this time of year. The soil is warming up nicely, the air is mild and the bees and other pollinators are buzzing around doing their stuff very efficiently!

I’m truly grateful to all the pollinating insects and I try to have a good choice of blossoms/flowers going for the best part of the year. This is actually not particularly tricky as apart from all the different vegetables I grow, I love single flowers, the more colourful the better and most are also rather useful for cutting. Herbs also flower and at this time of the year rosemary and thyme are finishing flowering and setting seed, sage and lemon balm are starting to flower and the bees adore them.

In fact lemon balm is just about to flower and as a fresh herb, it is at its most potent at that stage. Melissa officinalis makes a gentle, lemony herb tisane when left to infuse with hot water for a few minutes and is said to be calming to our nervous system and aid digestion, helping to reduce the feeling of fullness and flatulence. Lemon Balm used to be a very important perennial herb to be planted in a monastery’s herb garden; however, instead of making just tea, the citrusy green leaves were distilled with other herbs, bottled, labelled and sold for all sorts of ailments taken on a sugar lump drizzled with a couple of drops.

Mint is another perennial herb belonging to the same aromatic plant family as Lemon Balm, Nettles, Lavender, Majoram, Basil and many others; the lamiaceae plants.

Again mint is used to help digestion, apart from tasting delicious too. This Lemon Balm & Mint Cordial is easy to make and versatile in the botanical kitchen. It makes a refreshing drink with mineral water, or with your G&T, use it in cocktails; Pimm’s, flavouring your baking or poured over ice cream.

Ingredients: 2 cups (or more according to taste) Lemon Balm and Mint leaves (no stalks) 2 litres (4 pints) just boiled water 2 kg (4 lbs) sugar 40 gr citric acid or tartaric acid 1 unwaxed lemon cut into quarters 1 orange also quartered Method: Put leaves into stainless steel or china bowl/pan Mix together sugar, citric acid and water then pour over leaves

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden

Add cut up lemon and orange Leave to steep for 24-36 hours, stir now and again Filter the concoction, then heat up to just before boiling, then bottle while still hot into clean glass bottles and label.

This should keep for at least six months while unopened if kept somewhere cool. Keep it in the fridge once opened and use within three weeks.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

Purbeck Products - Local Producers

25 YEARS!!

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orfe Castle Village Bakery is celebrating twentyfive years in business in the centre of Corfe Castle village.

The business started twenty-five years ago when the National Trust offered the lease of a property in Corfe Castle village square to Nigel and Joan Dragon, with the condition that they would convert the premises into a working bakery.

After converting the premises, the business, called Dragons Village Bakery, opened twenty-five years ago on the day before Good Friday 1992.

The bakery produces fresh bread and cakes daily, seven days a week in the summer, and often has a queue out of the door for its hot savouries and filled rolls.

The bakery changed direction and name in June 2009 when Joan took over the business, renaming it to Corfe Castle Village Bakery to allow Nigel to spend time on his council activities. Nigel is still employed as a consultant baker, working alongside Sarah and Eve in the bakery.

Nigel himself attends the Purbeck Products markets with fresh bread and is often slightly late as all the products are baked fresh on the day!

Summer is fast approaching and the bakery is getting busier every day, our opening times being from 8.30am till 5pm, with a slightly later start of 9am on Sunday.

During the twenty-five years that we have been in business, we have noticed peoples’ eating habits change.

We don’t sell anywhere near the amount of bread that we did when we first opened, but we do sell a bigger range of speciality breads. The newest addition being gluten-free bread, which has to be produced after all other production has finished and the bakery cleaned to prevent any cross contamination.

We also stock a good range of Gluten free cakes.

SWANAGE FISH FESTIVAL - 10/11 JUNE

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Wild Wood

by John Garner

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hen Paul Weller wrote the above mentioned song, I doubt he was looking through my kitchen window at the rear of my house.

Nothing within the lyrics suggest that this scene was the source of his inspiration. Indeed, at present it’s quite easy to find your way out of the wild, wild wood at the bottom of my plot.

However, partly through neglect and partly through inspiration, I am beginning to create a wild area at the back of my garden. And whilst it probably needs more than half a dozen trees to qualify as a wood, let alone a wild one, I predict wilder things in the future. I am, in fact, throwing a great deal of energy at this project. And in this case, a great deal of energy means no energy at all. These no energy projects are amongst my favourites.

That said, to begin with there was a clearing process, which was quite strenuous and required the use of a great deal of energy. I’m assured, by those who did the clearing, this was necessary. You see the previous wild area was just too wild. And wild with the wrong wild things. Wild Rhododendrons abounded unchecked as they can do in these parts and I wanted it all to be a bit more indigenous. I like to think that the previous incumbent had a similar vision of wildness to myself. It’s just that in my opinion he or she went about it all wrong. One could argue that he or she was perhaps attempting to be too inclusive in their notion of wildness.

As a result of much pondering I felt it was necessary to begin again, with a new vision of neglect. To this end the land was cleared and ground up and replanted with wild woodland grasses. I am eagerly anticipating a swaying prairie of subtle flowers and grasses, abundant with animals of all shapes and sizes. There’s even a buddleia, a plant that, in the right environment, was used by tigers to camouflage themselves prior to an attack. This has yet to happen.

I’m hopeful of butterflies and one is called the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, so it would be good to see one of them. Indeed it would be good to see many of them. As long as they don’t attack me. Being ‘attacked’ by a butterfly can be a traumatic experience as my daughter will verify.

She claims to never have been the same since I took her to the Butterfly House in Sion Park, West London and a great big beasty landed on her head. She ran out screaming and has always viewed the unpredictably flappy genus as the equivalent of a modern plague ever since. Lepidopterophobia was not a gift I wished to bestow on my children as a by-product of

attempting to educate them, but ironically you live and learn. You try to do your best by your children. If successful with the wild plot I don’t envisage her pottering around the far reaches of the garden with any degree of contentment.

It was the Victorians that were the great plant hunters. Marauding through India, China and anywhere else that didn’t really want them to maraud, collecting species to bring back to the British Isles. Rhododendrons are indigenous to South East Asia and are now pretty much rampant in Sandford and most other places they have been introduced to. They have a value like any other plant I suppose, but they tend to take root and dominate and whilst I’m certainly not an ‘If it isn’t native it shouldn’t be there’ exponent, I do feel we have a massively impressive local flora and fauna and am doing my tiny little bit to try to encourage it.

Someone once said weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Presumably this was another very lazy person, but all the same a fellow after my own heart. So the nettles have morphed in my mind from nasty, stingy, annoying things into havens for butterflies and insects. Piles of abandoned twigs have become hedgehog houses. Leaves and grass cuttings a home for all sorts of useful bacteria.

It’s incredibly encouraging to know that all this gazing through windows is having a dramatic and long lasting ecological effect. In fact the less I do the better as far as I can make out. This gardening thing is as easy.

My one concession is to have mown a pathway through the grasses and even by doing this I am making a contribution. Less mowing means less polluting engine deposits clogging up the atmosphere. As I look up I swear I can see the ozone layer regrouping over my house. I have used no harmful chemicals. Nothing toxic has entered the garden other than the thoughts of my neighbours.

So. I sit and I wait. I sit and I watch. Fresh green moss has been trafficked into the bird boxes by small, eager animals. The garden sounds like an aviary. It is fizzing with bugs, especially at dusk when the bats come out to have their supper. Frogs ping about. Hedgehogs grub around for…grubs.

At least I think they do. I assume they do. I can’t say I’ve seen all that many, but I know I’ve created an environment in which they could do all this.

Maybe it’s the butterflies that are scaring them off.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Perfect Pelargoniums ew plants offer such a wide variety of colours, scents, and leaf patterns as these popular garden plants. They are one of the most commonly grown plants in the UK and are grown inside as house plants or outside as bedding plants and in favoured coastal locations such as Swanage, Studland and Lulworth, they will survive most winters outside and become a low growing shrub.

The most ubiquitous form of Pelargonium is P. hortensis, which everybody calls Geranium. They are native to South Africa and were first introduced to northern Europe by Dutch traders who brought them to Amsterdam and from there to England as seeds via the gardener John Tradescant in 1631. By the early 1700s several of the species we recognise today were being grown in the UK. In the last fifty years much breeding work has resulted in forms that produce consistent plants from seed. Formerly, all Geraniums were raised from cuttings to ensure the attractive features of the parent plant were carried on into the new plants. This has made them much cheaper to produce, furthering their rise in popularity.

Cultivation Geraniums require full sun and a well- drained soil. In fact they are one of the best drought tolerant plants for the garden. In inland areas the plants can be lifted from the garden in autumn and overwintered in a well-lit, frost free environment.

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Which ones to grow?

Zonal Geraniums (pictured, top) will flower all year given enough light and a minimum temperature of 12 deg. C. making them fantastic plants for a sunny windowsill or conservatory. In the summer they are very happy

outside in the garden.

Ivy Leaf Geraniums (pictured bottom left) are trailing in nature which makes them very popular for wall troughs and hanging baskets.

Geraniums as bedding plants. (Pictured, top right) The advancement in breeding has led to cheaper production of plants from seed so large numbers of plants can be planted ‘en masse’.

Regal Pelargoniums (pictured left) have stunning flowers and can be grown in the same way as Zonal Geraniums.

A visit to Holme is a must this month with the ponds and gardens looking fabulous and the garden centre packed with unusual trees and shrubs, herbaceous perennials and of course now is the time to plant up your patio pots and baskets.

May Offer at Holme Zonal Geraniums in 13cm pots £3.99 each or 3 for just £10.00

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RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Dorset Results

UK gardens have seen a boom in the number of visits from unusual migrant birds such as waxwings.

Number of robins seen visiting gardens at its highest level for more than 20 years.

In excess of 497,000 people took part in the 2017 Birdwatch counting over 8 million birds. lose to half-a-million people joined in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey counting more than eight million birds during the 38th RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, witnessing some exciting and unusual visitors.

The event held over the last weekend in January revealed an explosion in the number of recorded sightings of waxwings. These attractive looking birds flock to UK gardens in winter once every 7-8 years when the berry crop fails in their native Scandinavia. Known as an ‘irruption’, results showed that waxwings were seen in around 11 times more gardens in 2017 compared to previous years, with sightings as far west as Wales and Northern Ireland.

Weather conditions leading up to the Birdwatch meant that this year UK gardens were treated to a range of different visitors. Along with waxwings, there was also a large jump in the number of visits from other migrant birds, such as redwing, fieldfare and brambling, as the sub-zero temperatures on the continent forced them to go in search of milder conditions.

Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientists, said: “The sight of a robin or blackbird perched on the garden fence is often one of the first experiences we have with nature. So to have over half-a-million people taking part and counting a bumper eight million birds across one weekend is amazing. Using the information from the weekend we’ll be able to create a snapshot of how our garden birds are doing.

“In the lead up to the Birdwatch there was some speculation as to whether we could see a ‘waxwing winter’ and the results prove that to be the case.

Flocks of these striking looking birds arrived in the UK along the North Sea coast and will have moved across the country in search of food, favouring gardens where they can feast on berries. With it only happening once every 7-8 years, it will have been a treat for the lucky people who managed to catch a glimpse of one.”

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB Dorset said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Dorset who took part in our 2017 Big Garden Birdwatch. By donating an hour for nature, you have provided invaluable data about the health of the feathered friends that make living in Dorset so wonderful.

“And your results didn’t disappoint across the top five birds recorded this year, compared to the 2016. In fifth place, colourful garden favourite the blue tit - a decrease in the average number of this species was recorded in Dorset’s gardens, but an increase in the number of gardens that it was sighted in. The wood pigeon nabbed fourth position, however, a Dorset wide decrease has been recorded in both the average number of this species spotted and the number of gardens it was recorded in.

The cheeky starling stole third position – it was seen in a greater number of Dorset gardens this year, but in fewer than average species numbers.

The melodious blackbird just missed out on first place - boasting a double increase in both the number of birds recorded on average and the number of gardens they were recorded in, across the county.

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The Purbeck Gazette

And finally, the top of the pops number one hit goes once again to the house sparrow – although there has been a dip in the average number of them spotted in Dorset across the 2017 Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend, there was an increase in the amount of Dorset gardens that reported seeing them, compared to last year.

With such fantastic results it just goes to show that all of the incredible effort people in Dorset are doing to give nature a home in their own gardens, is paying off. Hopefully these results will encourage even more people to do their bit for Dorset’s wildlife.

There was also good news for robins, with the average number seen visiting gardens at its highest level since 1986, helping it climb two places to number seven, its joint highest-ever position in the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings. Blackbird was another climber, moving to number three and becoming the UK’s most widespread garden bird after being spotted in more than 93% of UK gardens.

The survey also highlighted a downturn in the recorded sightings of blue tits (-11%), great tits (-10%) and coal tits (-14%) on last year’s figures. Dr Hayhow explained: “Numbers of small bodied birds such as blue tits and great tits are susceptible to changes in weather throughout the year, and scientists believe that the prolonged wet weather during the 2016 breeding season led to fewer younger birds surviving than usual, meaning there are fewer to be seen in gardens.”

This year’s results also pointed to the positive effects that wildlife friendly gardens are having on bird behaviours. Recorded sightings increased for sixteen of the top 20 Big Garden Birdwatch birds between 2016 and 2017 showing how gardens are becoming an invaluable resource for our most common British garden birds.

Claire Thomas, RSPB Wildlife Advisor, said: “This year was another incredible year for the Big Garden Birdwatch, with our favourite garden birds like starlings, robins and goldfinches, joined in the gardens up and down the country by more unusual visitors. Our gardens can become an invaluable resource for birds – throughout the year birds need food, water and a safe place to shelter. If we all provide these things in our outdoor spaces it will be a huge help to our garden birds, perhaps even playing a role in reversing some declines.”

The nation’s school children noticed a similar pattern when taking part in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch. The UK-wide survey of birds in schools saw over 73,000 school children spend an hour in nature counting birds.

Blackbird remained the most common playground visitor for the ninth year in succession with over 88% schools spotting at least one. The top three was rounded off by starling and woodpigeon.

Big Garden Birdwatch and Big Schools’ Birdwatch are a part of the RSPB Giving Nature a Home campaign, aimed at tackling the house crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife.

The charity is asking people to provide a place for wildlife in their gardens or outdoor spaces – whether it’s putting up a nest box for birds, creating a pond for frogs or building a home for hedgehogs.

For more information about the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch results – www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Pictures: top left: Yellow Hammer, by Sue Jarvis.

Top right: Chaffinch, by Sue Jarvis.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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2017 Wildlife Friendly Gardening Competition Launches

orset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is inviting Dorset residents who garden with wildlife in mind to enter the 2017 Wildlife Friendly Gardening Competition, sponsored by the Gardens Group.

Now in its eighth year, the popular competition is free to enter and is suitable for private gardeners, schools, housing associations, formal and informal community groups. A new category has also been added to allow those in rented properties to take part.

Applications can be submitted online, where entrants can submit photos to show how much effort has gone into creating wildlife friendly habitats in their garden. Features include bug hotels, bird boxes, ponds, or simply a space left ‘wild’ for wildlife to make their homes in.

DWT’s Community Conservation Officer, Briony Baxter said, “One of the highlights of the year is visiting the gardens that have entered the competition as it’s very heartening to see so many people including wildlife friendly features of all shapes and sizes. More than ever, our wildlife is depending on gardens for food and shelter, so what you do in your garden really matters.

This fun competition is for anyone who has an interest in gardening or wildlife and you definitely don’t have to be an expert gardener with a tidy garden to enter.

If you’ve recently become interested in encouraging wildlife and you would like to know more, you can pick the brains of the experts who come to see your garden! Everyone who enters will also receive a free DWT wildlife friendly garden plaque to display proudly.”

The Gardens Group, who have sponsored the competition for the last eight years is celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year and is still delighted to be involved.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, said, “Each year the bar is raised, as previous entrants use the judges’ feedback to make improvements that mean their gardens are even more wildlife friendly.

We also see many new entrants each year, as more people continue to become inspired by how much they can do to help protect our wildlife.

The competition is all about encouraging everyone to do their best to nurture wildlife in their gardens, no matter how large or small, and I take great pleasure in seeing how much impact our wildlife friendly gardeners are having.”

All the entrants will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony at the Gardens Groups’ Castle Gardens in Sherborne in July. Prizes include wildlife garden products, gardening books, vouchers and a winners’ plaque.

Refreshments will be provided and a guest speaker will give a talk on an aspect of wildlife gardening.

The closing date for applications is the 26th May 2017.

Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wfgc to enter.

Photos: Top: Previous Wildlife Friendly Gardening competition winner © Briony Baxter Bottom: Previous Wildlife Friendly Gardening competition winner 2 © Katie Wilkinson

The Purbeck Gazette

Funding For Portland And Kimmeridge

DWT receives over £180k of funding for Portland and Kimmeridge projects t has been announced that Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) will receive over £180k of funding for the Portland Quarries Nature Park and the development of the Fine Foundation Marine Centre in Kimmeridge, thanks to the Coastal Communities Fund, part of the Big Lottery.

The Portland Quarries Nature Park is a network of important coastal sites, including the DWT Tout and Kingbarrow nature reserves. This funding will help establish the nature park as a year-round, high quality visitor attraction, benefitting local business and helping to create new jobs, as well as maintaining high quality habitat for wildlife and for local people to enjoy on their doorstop.

The Kimmeridge ‘Welcome Hub’ will see the transformation of the Marine Centre in Kimmeridge into a gateway to the Marine Protected Area (MPAs) in Purbeck and East Dorset. New innovative displays will update the current interpretation, including a 3D seabed, mapping data from the Dorset Integrated Seabed Mapping Survey (DORIS) to provide virtual access and enabling visitors to explore the seabed in a new and exciting way. A new seasonal engagement officer will also be employed to spend time with visitors and the local community to spread the marine conservation message.

To find out how to get involved with these projects, phone DWT on 01305 264620 for more information.

Photos: Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge © Nicky Hoar (top left).

Tout Quarry Nature Reserve on Portland © Paul Howell (top right).

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‘Durlston Pleasure Grounds Project’ Keep an eye out for our touring displays about the new ‘Durlston Pleasure Grounds’ project which will be appearing at various locations around the town over the next couple of months.

The displays, which can also be seen at the Castle, explore our proposals to restore and enhance the Grade II Listed Victorian landscape of the woodland and clifftop for the benefit of local people.

The project will include new opportunities for volunteering, training, play, socialising and improve access so that as many people as possible can enjoy what Durlston offers, while securing the future of a historic, wildlife-rich landscape.

Purbeck Art Weeks at Durlston From the 27th May to the 11th June, Durlston will be hosting not one but two amazing exhibitions as part of this year’s PAW. ‘A Moment in Time’, a flagship Paw exhibition in the Fine Foundation Gallery, showcases some of the talented artists throughout the Isle of Purbeck. With a wide range of artwork, there will be something for everyone from landscapes to abstract pieces, including painting, sculpture, textiles and printmaking, curated by the PAW team.

Meanwhile, at the Learning Centre, ‘On the Edge’ is the new exhibition by artist Heather Gibbons, showing her wonderful works in oils that capture the essence of Purbeck geology and landscape in her own style.

‘In Celebration Of Wildness’: Belinda Rush-Jansen From the 9th-23rd May, an exhibition by Belinda Rush-Jansen of bronze casts and stone carvings of animals captures their wild essence and uses nature’s more ephemeral materials. She creates with nature to celebrate and remind us of the importance of connecting to wild beauty and peace. Belinda will be living and working on-site throughout and making new work during the show.

Durlston Pramble: Buggy-Friendly Walk On Wednesday 17th May at 10.30, why not come along and join our first ever ‘Pramble’ and enjoy fresh air, sea views and meet new friends. An hour’s walk on buggy-friendly paths which finishes at the café! Donations welcome.

Seabird Boat Trips Our season of seabird boat trips starts on Friday 19th May at 7pm and continues every Friday until the first week of July. Join us for an evening cruise from Swanage Pier, along Purbeck’s World Heritage coast, guided by the Durlston Rangers to enjoy puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, peregrines and more. Booking essential with citycruisespoole.com Fossil Art with John House On Tuesday 30th May at 11am kids can have a go at creating their own fossil dragonfly using natural items found in the countryside and look at some real life fossils! £5. Booking Essential.

For more events, visit www.durlston.co.uk

Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre

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argaret Green Week marks the lead up to what would have been Margaret Green’s birthday on the 20th May and so a week of celebrations is planned.

The week will culminate in a very special event – GroundDog Day - at our Lincoln Farm Centre, Blandford to celebrate rehoming, promising a fun day out for all the family, including all four legged friends.

So, if you like the sound of having some fun whilst raising money, get involved, get your friends, teachers and colleagues involved and let’s paint the town Green!

To receive a fundraising pack or to find out more about GroundDog Day contact us on 01929 480474 or email commercial@mgar.org.uk If you’d like us to visit your school to share stories about our rescue animals, we love to hear from you too! margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

Margaret Green Week

15th – 20th May 2017 #AllTogetherForAnimals All you need to do is wear Green or an Animal onesie and to make a suggested donation of £1 to take part and help raise money!

The Purbeck Gazette

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PURBECK Arts & CRAFTS I

t’s May in Purbeck - the month we dedicate to delighting in the vast array of artistic endevours taking place all around our fair isle.

The end of May/beginning of June sees the Purbeck Art Weeks festival swing into action, allowing the public rare access to a large number of artists’ studios, scattered around the Purbeck countryside.

Rollington Barn at Rempstone will also once again host a gathering of a number of PAW exhibitors over the two week festival, allowing the public to take in a wide variety of different mediums, all in one place, with all work for sale.

Art in Purbeck is, of course, not constrained to a few weeks in May - our local artists are beavering away all year round, dedicating their lives to producing unique, individual quality pieces.

With everything from ceramics to mixed media available, there is literally something to suit every possible taste in Purbeck as far as artistic flair goes!

Please do get out there this month and support our local arts and crafts people!

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Under The Surface...

The Purbeck Gazette

A new exhibition at Dorset County Museum

‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings by David West 8 April 2017 — 6 January 2018

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or the very first time, Under the Surface brings together seventy of David West’s most important works from both private and public collections.

Spanning sixty years, it reflects the different strands of his development as a painter, sculptor and craftsman, deftly illustrating the progression and interaction between his use of paint and wood, in what is a landmark exhibition for this Dorset artist.

Born in 1939, David West went to Sutton and Cheam School of Art (1956 – 1958) and Camberwell School of Art (1958 – 1960) where he studied painting and printmaking. However, West found the emphasis on accuracy which was a feature of his student days too restrictive, and on leaving Camberwell he began to explore his love of decoration and strong pattern.

In the 1960s his work took an unexpected direction as he began to explore flexible ways to construct paintings within a three dimensional framework, which led naturally on to painting on wood. Initially, wood was a substitute for canvas, but he soon became interested in its possibilities, and gradually there was more constructing and carving and less painting.

His carved wooden models are full of acute observation and humour, and reflect the strong interest West has in architecture, and the self-contained world within buildings. His dolls houses were inspired by watching his daughter’s imaginative play, and the idea that within the basic structure of a house is a place where imagination can be released.

Some pieces portray actual houses, such as Parnham House and Forde Abbey, others are pure inventions. Later models include a shop and theatre, and Dorset County Museum is lucky enough to have The Spode Set, a miniature theatre carved in wood based on the ‘Spode Italian’ ceramic design.

West’s woodcut prints became a natural extension of his carving.

West’s move from London to Lyme Regis in 1981 inspired in him a love of the Dorset landscape and coast, and a fascination with the ebb and flow of tides and water.This influence can be clearly seen in his work as he began to carve sculptures based on walks along the beach at Lyme Regis. He has taken an active part in life in Lyme Regis, and in the 1990s had a significant role in the restoration of the Town Mill, where there is a room named after him.

In fact, it was the commission to carve and gild a set of organ pipe shades for St Michael’s Church in Lyme Regis which led to using gold leaf to develop the two hundred drawings inspired by his trip to Japan in 2008.

Variations of footpaths, waterfalls, fishponds and mountain streams are among the many gilded carvings and woodcut prints in the exhibition.

These were followed by works related to the Dorset landscape and coast, a series of gilded carvings, ‘Night Waves’ and ‘Moon’, combining influences from both Japan and Dorset.

Dorset County Museum is pleased to be welcoming David West back following a successful exhibition at the Museum almost thirty years ago.

This exhibition is supported by the Mansel-Playdell & Cecil Trust and PGP

NATURAL WONDERS Come and visit our extraordinary shop filled with a massive range of semi-precious stones, exquisite jewellery collections, fascinating fossils and so much more!

FOSSILS - MINERALS - CRYSTALS LOCAL JURASSIC FOSSILS JEWELLERY - BOOKS - CDS STONE CARVINGS - GIFTWARE Telephone: 01929 423860 22 Institute Road, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1BX

The Purbeck Gazette

A Heritage Proposal For Swanage Pier

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homas Hardy, the famous novelist, spent a year in Swanage arriving by steamer at the newly built Pier in 1875. He wrote ‘The Hand of Ethelberta’, as well as many other poems when he stayed in West End Cottage off Seymer Road. I feel we should celebrate his links with Swanage and I propose we have an information board on the newly refurbished pier.

Having researched and written this piece about Thomas Hardy and also being the creator of The Swanage Seen Art Trail (www.swanageseen. co.uk), I know how important our heritage is. Augustus John, who painted a portrait of Hardy, spent time in Swanage too and is featured on the art trail board on the pier.

Stone is our Heritage, and I have created The Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail (www.purbecksculpture.com) to celebrate this and to introduce people to the diverse and fascinating pieces in Swanage and Purbeck. Thomas Hardy was the son of a stone mason and he sketched the stone being loaded on ships in Swanage Bay. To commemorate this I have commissioned a stone carving of a sailing ship and the perfect place would be on the newly furbished pier. It would be the focus of opening of The Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail and tie in with Thomas Hardy.

Above left: The train tracks that carried the stone lead to the pier.

Right: A good site would be on the concrete before the pier boards Top: The Augustus John Art Trail Board on the pier Carlotta Barrow

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Thomas Hardy In Swanage T homas Hardy, the famous novelist and poet, came to Swanage in July 1875.

Just married to his second wife, Florence, they left Bournemouth, arriving by steamer at the newly built pier.

They soon found lodgings with the sea captain, John Masters and his wife and it is

here he wrote ‘The Hand of Ethelberta’.

When Hardy lived in Swanage, it was still a village, which Hardy called Knollsea: ‘Knollsea was a seaside village lying snug within two headlands as between a finger and thumb. Everybody in the parish who was not a boatman was a quarrier, unless he were the gentleman who owned half the property and had been a quarryman, or the other gentleman who owned the other half, and had been to sea.’

The Swanage pier, constructed in 1860, was primarily built for the shipping of stone and Thomas Hardy (the son of a stonemason) understood the stone trade.

He made the sketch shown (bottom right) in Swanage, showing the loading of stone.

He was also very aware of the turbulent and perilous nature of Dorset’s coastal waters from Purbeck to Portland Bill, writing: ‘Unexpected breezes broomed and rasped the smooth bay in evanescent patches of stippled shade, and besides the small boats, the ponderous lighters used in shipping stone were hauled up the beach in anticipation of the equinoctial attack.’

He walked daily with Florence on the cliffs and along the shore. The headlands of Purbeck with the tempestuous seas beating against them, filling the air with spray, had a strong effect on him. Sitting together on a stone wall just after sunset, he wrote in his notebook ‘The sounds are two, and only two. On the left Durlstone Head roaring high and low, like

a giant asleep. On the right a thrush. Above the bird hangs the new moon, and a steady planet.’

Thomas Hardy trained as an architect and worked for many years in London. However, he was drawn back to his native land and re-created Wessex. He designed Max Gate, his house in Dorchester which is not far from the cottage where he was born in Higher Bockhampton. Although he wanted to be remembered as a poet, it is for his novels that he is best known today.

Drawing on the local area, Tess of the D’Urbevilles, Far from the Madding Crowd and The Mayor of Casterbridge (among others), are still popular and have been made into films and television series. His desire was to be buried with his first wife, Emma, in Stinsford Church but as a renowned author and poet he was interred in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.

A compromise was reached and his heart was returned to Dorset to be with Emma.

The renowned artist, Augustus John, visited Swanage in 1900 to paint with the painter Charles Conder, staying at Peveril Tower, a property at Peveril Point owned by the mother of John Everett, fellow student at the Slade School of Art. John later painted a portrait of T.E.Laurence (Laurence of Arabia), who introduced him to Thomas Hardy in 1923. It resulted in a portrait of Thomas Hardy in his study at Max Gate.

Carlotta Barrow

Coastal Creations C

The Purbeck Gazette

athy Veale is a well-known artist who specialises in large seascapes with an unmistakable style rich in luminosity and colour. Her paintings are immensely evocative, and have often been described as looking ‘wet’ like the sea itself.

Brought up in the Isle of Purbeck and its thriving art community, Cathy is drawn to the coast and fringes of land. The Jurassic coastline with its stunning natural beauty, has been the theme of her work for many years both on land and from the sea.

Her fascination with the sea is fuelled by its changing moods and patterns that are formed by the sky’s reflection and tidal states. Cathy’s paintings depict a unique sense of texture, concentrating on the effects of light and colour on water.

Cathy regularly shows her paintings with Britain’s leading watercolour artists in London with the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour and the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

For many years she organised art exhibitions promoting the work of Dorset based painters and sculptors and aspiring young artists. She now paints full time as a professional artist and is gaining increasing acclaim for her stunning coastal scenes.

You can see Cathy’s work during Purbeck Art Weeks Festival from 27th May to 3rd June at the Catholic Hall, Rempstone Road in Swanage and also at Durlston Castle, Swanage from 27th May to 11th June.

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Follow The Trail!

t’s almost summer! The weather is clearing up, so take the opportunity to grab a FREE copy of the ‘Swanage & Purbeck Sculpture Trail’ leaflet and get out and about, exploring the stunning Purbeck countryside!

Available at Tourist Information Centres and various other locations, this fabulous leaflet contains a ton of information on purbeck sculpture, along with a trail you can follow to take in some of the best examples of this ancient Purbeckian art form.

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The Purbeck Gazette

500 Artists In Seven Years At L’Artishe

rilliant to still be here on the High Street, seven years later! It is hard to believe that it has been that long already. We have shown 500 different artists at the gallery, which is something we are really proud of!

It is important to us that the local community can access art on their doorstep and we are working really hard to make the gallery as accessible to everyone as possible.

We have some very exciting events planned for the year ahead; we started

with Art Cubes and Artist in Residence, and we have so much more to follow throughout 2017.

Sharon James is opening up her studio for the first time during Purbeck Art Weeks this year. Lots of work which has never been shown before, will on display for all to see.

This will be followed by a group exhibition ‘Take 5’, which will feature five artists who are inspired by the Jurassic coastline. In the autumn there’s the ‘It’s A Concept’ Abstract Open.

IT’S FREE TO LOOK SO PLEASE DO POP IN AND HAVE A BROWSE.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Art Weeks Festival An Overview

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urbeck Art Weeks Festival 2017 (PAW) offers a fortnight of opportunity to see and hear amazing art, concerts and talks in wonderful places: expect the unexpected – and come home with a unique artwork of your own.

You’ll be able to meet artists in their studios. Feast your eyes on a huge range of artistic riches, from painting, photography and sculpture to ceramics, glass and mosaics, digital art and much more.

Hear world-class music on your doorstep and enjoy dance and talks inspired by our locality.

There is a rich array of Open Studios - visiting these is the ideal way to enjoy both the eclectic range of art created in the Isle of Purbeck and meet the creators.

PAW’s artists are looking forward to welcoming you into their studios and giving you some insights into how they work. The collective exhibition at Rollington Barn will give you a taste of what’s on offer, and the selected exhibition at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston will provide some visual highlights.

‘A Moment in Time’ is the theme for this year’s PAW – which moment, when? Come and find out!

An exciting and full events programme includes I Fagiolini with their unmissable production of Monteverdi’s opera Orfeo in Wareham (June 3), the welcome return of the Fieri and Gabrieli Consorts (May 27 and June 11), music From Bizet to Gershwin with the brilliant Atéa Wind Quintet (June 2) and so much more!

Fascinating talks will be given on a range of topics by local experts such as renowned photographers of Dorset’s landscape, Julian Sawyer and Paul Barton, and Purbeck’s artistic history.

For more information and tickets visit www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk or pick up a free Brochure or Events Programme (£2) in Swanage and Wareham TIC and elsewhere.

Pictured: Heather Gibbons - ‘My space’

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A Proposal For A ‘Wessex Water Garden’ A proposal for the Seaside Garden in Swanage belonging to Wessex Water. n 2015, the theme for Purbeck Art Weeks was ‘Out of the Depths’, so I conceived the idea of young people creating a plinth and carving the history of this area. From Jurassic life to Dinosaurs through to Vikings, Romans, shipping and the stone trade.

Using the facilities of The Burngate Stone Carving Centre and with funding from the PYA (Purbeck Young Artists) and The Isle of Purbeck Arts Club, pupils of The Swanage School and the Purbeck Scouts completed the project, with a successful opening at the Burngate Stone Centre with the Mayor of Swanage in attendance.

Completed in 2016, The Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail leaflet with map and guide is now freely available to everyone. With thanks to Tony Kerins who provided the map and with initial funding from the Valentine Trust and further funding raised from advertisers, as well as a contribution from the Swanage Town Council: www.purbecksculpture.com We are now on to Stage 3. To commission new work for The Swanage

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and Purbeck Sculpture Trail. We have pieces and sites to be developed.

For this we need funding - so we need your help!

We also have a project for young people carrying on the heritage of stone and carving in this beautiful area of Purbeck. Swanage now has a Fish Festival coinciding with the last weekend of The Purbeck Art Weeks Festival.

The proposal is - using The Burngate Stone Centre facilities and tutors to involve local schools, scouts and guides on a project to carve fish and sea creatures that could be placed along the wall of The Wessex Water Garden to celebrate our close association with the sea and to enhance the garden.

As the garden is so close to the Prince Albert Gardens where the Fish Festival is held, it will be a wonderful site for a grand opening with the Mayor of Swanage. It would also raise the profile of Wessex Water to be the sponsor of the local young people’s involvement with art and their heritage.

We are seeking permission to use the site and funding to complete this project.

Carlotta Barrow

‘Crown the Castle’ parade for PAW 2012 What’s on this year? Check out the 2017 brochure and get involved!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Roaring high and roaring low was the sea The spray sprang up across the cusps of the moon, Behind the headland shores: It symbolled the slamming of doors, And all around its light loomed green Or a regiment hurrying over hollow floors. ....

As a witch-flame’s weirdsome sheen And there we two stood, hands clasped; I and she!

At the minute of an incantation scene; And it greened our gaze – that night at demi-lune. By Thomas Hardy, provided by Carlotta Barrow ‘Once at Swanage’:

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Studland Flower Festival 2017 Studland Flower Festival Sat 27th, Sun 28th and Mon 29th May. ur theme is ‘Hope and Inspiration’. A wide range of people in Studland are busy preparing for the village Flower Festival at St Nicholas Church.

Our thousand-year-old Church is a wonderful place to visit, even more so when decorated with flowers.

This year we are raising funds for Lewis- Manning Hospice which is in urgent need of funds to ensure that more beds are available for people in Purbeck and Poole.

There will be parking at Manor Farm for £2. There will be free disabled parking at the church. We are hoping that as many people as possible will enjoy a visit to the church where there will also be activities for children to enjoy and a garden stall. Admission is FREE. All donations will go to the Hospice.

There will be a preview on Friday 26th May with a short service at 6.30pm, followed by a buffet in the Church Hall.

Saturday opening times are 10am-

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5pm, Sunday there will be a service from 10am-11am and the church will be open to view the flowers after this from 11am-5pm. On Monday 10am-5pm.

Refreshments will be served all day in the Church Hall and there will be intervals of live music in the church. We look forward to seeing you.

For any additional information, please contact: Rev. Tony Higgins, Tel. 01929 450691 Email: revtonyhiggins@btinternet.com Or Mrs Barbara Matthews, Tel. 01929 450218 Email: barmat18@btinternet.com

Purbeck Artist In Major Exhibition

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urbeck artist, Brian Graham (pictured, left), has been selected for inclusion in ‘British Art: Ancient Landscapes’ at Salisbury Museum from April 8 - September 13, 2017.

He will be showing with William Blake, Turner, Constable, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Nash, John Piper and other leading artists who have used early human interactions with the land as inspiration for their work.

Graham, whose paintings are in many leading collections including The Natural History Museum, London and the National Museum of Wales, will also be having a large solo exhibition at Salisbury Museum from January to May 2018 called “Towards Music”.

Image: left, Brian Graham, by Hattie Miles. Below: ‘Winter Menhirs. Imbolc.

Held as part of the Bournemouth University Art Collection.

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Swanage Folk Festival - 8th - 10th September 2017

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his year is a special one for the Swanage Folk Festival. Somehow we have reached our 25th birthday. We started off with a day of dance back in 1992, organised by the local dance side ‘Old Harry Morris’ and since then the festival has grown into one of the busiest weekends in the Swanage calendar.

So, a special festival needs an exciting concert line-up and we have been working hard to bring together what promises to be one of the most diverse and exciting music programmes so far. We’ve asked back some of the artists who have played at earlier festivals but have also pushed the boat out with some new and exciting acts.

This year’s festival starts off with a bang. The opening concert features Le Vent du Nord, a Canadian band that has been making huge waves at festivals throughout the UK and Europe. They will be supported by two award winning acts, Flats and Sharps with their bluegrass energy and Hattie Briggs with a quieter English sensibility. Three very different acts all coming together for one great night.

Saturday night is no less varied. We are pleased to host as our headline act the multi-award winning Nancy Kerr and the Sweet Visitor Band. Nancy is one of the most celebrated folk musicians of her generation and has won 6 BBC Radio Folk Awards with her unique interpretation of traditional songs. She will be aided and abetted on Saturday night by the lively and vibrant Celtic influenced Jamie Smith’s Mabon and the ever-popular local folk trio Kadia.

Saturday night will once again be dance night. The festival dance will be held at The Swanage School and features the excellent Dorset band, The Hambledon Hopstep Band. Featuring Angela Laycock as caller the band offers lively spirited music that everyone of all ages and abilities can enjoy.

For something a bit quieter you can try one of our three afternoon folk concerts. The Saturday concert features a return by two of the founding members of the Swanage Folk Festival. Sarah Deere-Jones is one of the foremost harpists in the UK today and her concerts are a revelation on the variety and music possible on traditional harp, at times profoundly

moving, surprising and exhilarating. She will be accompanied on guitar by her husband Phil Williams. On Sunday our concert in the Conservative Club features Anthony John Clarke, a proper guitarist with an instantly recognisable voice. The final afternoon concert is on Sunday in the parish church and features the virtuoso guitar and fiddle players from Sheelanagig, Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow. Drawing on their many musical influences they create unique arrangements of traditional music and will lead you on a musical journey through Europe, America and beyond.

The festival curtain will be brought down at the Sunday night concert in the parish church. We welcome back the irrepressible musical duo of Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin otherwise known as Belshazzar’s Feast. Their amazing musicianship, coupled with a wry sense of humour, will provide the perfect finish to our 25th festival.

Over the festival weekend the town will come alive with over 50 colourful dance teams performing traditional dance from England and beyond. The highlight of the dance programme will be the procession by the dance teams through the town on Saturday afternoon.

Once again, the heart of the festival will be the craft fair and music marquee on Sandpit Field. The colourful craft fair will provide a wonderful opportunity for some early Christmas shopping with a wide selection of quirky wares, whilst on the Saturday and Sunday afternoon you can just chill on the grass with a pint, good food and listen to the fine free music.

Tickets for the festival concerts are now available through the ticket booking form that can be found on the festival website www. swanagefolkfestival.com together with information on all the bands.

The festival is organised each year by a small, dedicated group of volunteers who are always on the look-out for more helpers, either as stewards over the festival weekend or as members of the organising committee.

If you are interested and would like to help please contact the festival organisers on swanagefolkfestival@hotmail.co.uk

Poole Maritime Festival - Volunteer Performers Needed!

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olunteer performers sought for Poole Maritime Festival event.

Volunteer performers are being sought by local theatre company Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre to be part of Cargo, a live contemporary performance which forms part of the Poole Maritime Festival in May. Starting on Poole Quay a beautiful old sailing boat ‘The Queen Galadriel’ sails into port and a crew disembark, unloading their unusual interactive ‘cargo’ as they dance, sing, and move in procession, sharing stories from above and below the flowing waters and revealing the wisdom and heritage of maritime life along the way.

“We are looking for 35 enthusiastic, friendly and committed people who love to dance, act, move and sing - or anyone who

would simply like to walk with us and share the heritage of Cargo with audiences.” explained Hazel Evans from Valise Noire. “We’re hoping to find people with a range of abilities to join us who can bring their own creativity into the making of this fabulous show.”

Free workshops to create the show and recruit volunteer performers will take place in April, with those chosen returning for a series of rehearsals ahead of the performances on Poole Quay on 18 and 20 May. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to take part in an exhibition launch performance at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on 25 May. A specially constructed exhibition space will enable visitors to find out how the Cargo project was brought to life and discover the maritime heritage that inspired it. The free exhibition will run from 25 May to 25 June.

Stephen Wrentmore, Artistic Producer for Lighthouse said: “Cargo provides a great opportunity for the whole community to get involved.

We’re delighted to be hosting the exhibition here and celebrating such an important project highlighting Poole’s maritime heritage.”

For more information and to register your interest in being a volunteer performer visit www.valisenore.com/events

The Purbeck Gazette Dear Editor, We at the Arts Club poetry group wondered if you would like to use one of these poems in memory of Eric Gosney.

He was a keen poet and an advocate of local poetry and we’re sure that he would have been very grateful.

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Dawn To Dusk - Seize The Day!

A Hope of Paradise.

It’s spring time, and all nature thrills!

No more the wintry winds oppress.

And Flora clothes the fields and hills With loveliness.

The sun shines warmly from blue skies From trees and hedges song-birds sound Their mating cries; but my love lies In cold, cold ground.

Life now seems meaningless to me.

My wife, so gentle, sweet and kind Was snatched by Death’s hand cruelly.

I’m left behind.

Her earthly body will decay.

But faith tells me her spirit lives, And that we’ll meet again one day Faint hope it gives So I shall to that poet turn; A poet, wiser far than I; And in George Herbert’s verses learn If all must die.

“Only a sweet and virtuous soul Like seasoned timber, never gives, But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives!”

Then lives my sweet and virtuous wife, That poet’s message seems to be; She’s merited eternal life!

But what of me?

I’m not a sinner black, I know But ‘sweet and virtuous’, that’s not me.

I dare not claim her virtues so Immodestly.

Then how can I achieve that state To meet her in eternity.

My hope must be my true soul-mate Will plead for me She is so gentle, sweet and kind Those please no God could me deny In Paradise a place they’ll find Me, when I die.

So through her grace shall I win grace; Her pleadings made successfully.

In heaven we shall once more embrace Angelically!

Eric Gosney (and George Herbert) 2010

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he theme for the Belvedere Singers’ spring concert is a celebration of each day, from sunrise to sunset. Beginning with ‘Morning has Broken’, through the midday high point of Rutter’s magnificent ‘Gloria’ to the haunting ‘The Long Day Closes’, the choir brings the whole day into musical focus.

The choir will be joined by the renowned local organist, Christopher Dowie, together with a brass ensemble, all under the baton of their talented Musical Director, Rebecca Bunney.

The concert takes place on Saturday, 13th May at 7:30pm at St. Mary’s Church, Swanage.

Tickets in advance £10 from Albury & Hall, choir members, or by calling 01929 289209. Alternatively, it’s £12 on the door, with under 18s free.

Interval refreshments will be available.

There will be a retiring collection for the Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community/Admiral Nurse fund.

More information from our website www.belvederesingers.org.uk

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The Purbeck Gazette

Return Of The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company!

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he Rude Mechanical Theatre will be on the road again this summer for their outdoor tour across Southern England, performing mainly in small rural communities and a few towns from Kent to Devon.

We have a brand new play entitled...‘The Commercial Traveller’ Our first performance is on Sunday 4th June and the final one on Sunday 13th August, 2017.

We are at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers, on Thursday 15th June and are at Durlston Country Park, Swanage, on Saturday 24th June. Both shows start at 7.30pm. Open for picnics from 6.00pm.

The play It is London, 1924, and rich and powerful tycoon and former East End barrow boy, Sir Arthur Cattermole, is not happy. His son, Gerald, whom he has spent his hard earned brass on to go to Eton, is in love with the girl next door, the beautiful Isabelle and daughter of hard-up doctor, Cornelius Truss. Love is a bunch of roses! Money is the thing!

So he sends Gerald to Africa to look after his cocoa business. The young lovers, of course, are heartbroken. The days pass like falling leaves and after a year no letters have come from Gerald. Isabelle is convinced he doesn’t love her anymore, or has found someone else, so decides she will become a nun and live in Bexhill-on-Sea. But the widowed doctor’s housekeeper, Elsie, who has virtually mothered Isabelle, has a plan. She knows a kind, good, gentle man, a commercial traveller, who will marry Isabelle and once married, Sir Arthur will have no reason to keep Gerald away. Of course, Isabelle will have none of it at first, but Elsie persuades her mistress to trust her – that this complex knot of impossibilities will be unravelled. She will eventually be happy.

Then, shockingly, Elsie disappears into the London fog and is apparently found dead. Her devoted husband, Albert, Sir Arthur’s butler, is devastated.

A month passes and the commercial traveller, Cecil Cornford, does indeed turn up and marries Isabelle - and then, apparently too late to marry her himself, Gerald returns from Africa incognito. His letters had been intercepted and he does still love her. Albert sets about unpicking the knot and bit by bit, it is unravelled.

Funny, romantic and moving, the play demonstrates the gritty determination to overcome an apparently unassailable problem through absolute love.

Venues, tickets and prices: Tickets and the full list of venues is on our website – therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk Adults will be £16 with a range of concessions. See the website for details. For more information ring 01323-501260.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Sports Injuries

arathon season is upon us and trying to avoid injury can be tough.

There are many ways to staying injury free.

Know Your Limits Unfortunately it’s easy to get injured. As athletes we can get carried away and just end up running too much. Or we do too much too soon and our bodies just aren’t ready for it. It is important for the body to have time to adapt from training changes and jumps in mileage or intensity.

Muscles and joints need recovery time so they can recover and handle more training demands.

Listen to Your Body Those little niggles you keep running through or persistent aches and pains – don’t ignore them. These are often warning signs that something isn’t right. Come for a full sports injury consultation before the injury becomes full blown and you need to take considerable time off.

Recognise that races take a heavy toll on your body. Give yourself plenty of time to recover. The ideal is one day for each mile raced.

If the worst happens and you do become injured remember the PRICE principal.

When you’ve got muscle aches or joint pains, there’s nothing better than protection from further damage, rest, ice, compression, and elevation for immediate treatment. These measures can relieve pain, reduce swelling and protect damaged tissues, all of which speed up the healing process.

Stretching Athletes tend to have tight muscles in predictable areas and they get injured in and around these areas. Therefore increasing flexibility in these areas is important. Trying to fit them into your daily routine is a good way of remembering to do them. I often tell my clients to carry out their stretches whilst brushing their teeth as this is something most people do twice a day.

Cross-Training Provides Active Rest and Recovery Running is hard on the body; forces can reach two to three times our body weight with each stride and even more on downhills. It’s no surprise that our muscles and joints get tired from all this shock-absorbing. Most runners benefit from at least one non running day and injury-prone runners should avoid consecutive days of running. Cross-training offers a great alternative. Try swimming, cycling or a rowing machine.

When injured try another sport Cross-training can help you stay fit when you can’t run but choose carefully as some activities may exacerbate an injury.

Runner’s Knee: Normally ok: Swimming Sometimes ok - let pain guide you: Stationary Bike, Elliptical NO: Rowing Machine Iliotibial-Band Syndrome: Yes, normally ok: Swimming Sometimes ok let pain guide you: Stationary Bike, Elliptical, Rowing Machine Calf Strain, Achilles Pain: Yes, normally ok: Swimming, Stationary Bike, Elliptical, Rowing Machine Plantar Fasciitis: Yes, normally ok: Swimming, Stationary Bike, Elliptical, Rowing Machine Shin Splints: Yes, normally ok: Swimming Sometimes ok - let pain guide you: Stationary Bike NO: Elliptical, Rowing Machine If you would like more information about Sports Therapy or would like to book an appointment with Alison, please contact Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506

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Swanage Therapy Centre

Sports Therapy with Alison Milmer We look forward to seeing you

T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar

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

Contact 07979 840542 NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT

The Purbeck Gazette

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

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t’s now nearly eighteen months since we started working with Poole Hospital Cancer Services team so they could deliver chemotherapy at Wareham Hospital and work with the ward team to enhance cancer services and palliative care for our inpatients.

One of the reasons Wareham Hospital managed to secure these services was its capacity to offer a relaxed and easily accessible environment which the Cancer Services Team felt was really important for patients.

At present, they see up to 14 patients each Friday, and feedback is that patients appreciate the more relaxed and personalised approach they get at Wareham – no worries about traffic, parking or parking charges, and a familiar and caring team of professional staff to look after them.

Of all the services we have introduced locally, these have captured the imagination of our local community and staff. This has led to a huge increase in donations to support cancer services for inpatients, as well

as for the chemotherapy service in particular.

We continue to improve facilities on the ward with better furniture, a fold-out bed and a private bedroom for relatives/carers to stay overnight.

Going forward, we have funds to redecorate our palliative care suites and introduce adjustable lighting to provide a more homely and comforting environment.

For the chemotherapy service, we have purchased a music centre, electric fans and are looking at ipads to provide personalised entertainment for patients during treatment.

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the individuals and organisations who have contributed, particularly Wareham and Purbeck Cancer Charity Shop which has supported all of the services we deliver to cancer patients, and the Friends of Wareham Hospital who helped us set up the chemotherapy service by purchasing reclining treatment chairs and continue to support the development of this service.

One piece of kit the chemotherapy team really wanted us to save for was a ‘scalp cooler’ which can prevent hair loss caused by the use of certain chemotherapy drugs.

We did have a model on loan, but thanks to amazing fundraising efforts, led by the Friends, we have just taken delivery of a brand new scalp cooler of our own.

At £8500 it is an expensive piece of equipment, and a great fundraising success.

Thank you so much to everyone – patients, fundraisers and staff. What a successful service this continues to be!

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!

Unite With Us! Dementia Awareness Week 14-20 May 2017 his year’s Dementia Awareness Week will be part of Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest ever awareness-raising campaign in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ‘United Against Dementia’ campaign will run for four weeks from 24 April and conclude in Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May).

Unite with us now at alzheimers.org.uk and show your support for Dementia Awareness Week on social media with #DAW2017 #UnitedAgainstDementia.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Dorset Cancer Appeal The Cancer Appeal at Dorset County Hospital has smashed a major fundraising target – the £1,000,000 mark. taff and key supporters gathered at the Appeal thermometer in Dorchester to celebrate this milestone. Following recent donations including £100,000 from the Dorset Health Trust, the appeal total edged over the million pound mark last week, leaving £750,000 to raise.

The Appeal is funding a Cancer Outpatients Department which is being built on top of the new Robert White Radiotherapy Unit under construction at the Hospital. The building site, opposite Sainsbury’s on Bridport Road, has information panels explaining all about the project.

Other major donors include the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, the Lawrence Werth Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust and the Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund.

The Cancer Appeal is part of a major project bringing radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time. The £9.15 million partnership with Poole Hospital became possible largely thanks to a generous donation from Poole businessman Robert White.

Fundraising for the Appeal continues as hospital staff, local people and community groups organise a wide variety of events, challenges and activities. The Friends of Dorset County Hospital and the Go Girls are actively fundraising for the Appeal as are a number of local companies including Jordan’s Jewellers and Mayfair Properties.

An easy way to support the appeal is to join the Charity’s Walk for Wards event which is taking placed along Weymouth Seafront on Sunday 2 July this year. The charity is encouraging individuals or those who would like to walk in a group to contact them and take part in this easy walking event. An even easier way to help is to support the Charity’s Buy a Brick campaign - just text DCHC44 £2 (or more) to 70070.

The Charity wishes to extend its thanks to all those organisations and individuals who have helped get the Appeal to the million pound mark – every pound and every penny brings the goal of helping all cancer patients and their families at Dorset County Hospital one step closer.

For more information about the Cancer Appeal, please contact Rachel on 01305 253215, email charity@dchft.nhs.uk or visit www. dchft.nhs.uk/charity

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The Purbeck Gazette

Local Sixth Former Runs For Shelter

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ocal sixth former, Scarlett Goldsack from Wareham (pictured, above centre), decided to set a challenge for 2017 that would both test her to the limit, and raise money for young homeless people.

Scarlett set out to run 12 half marathons in 12 months. So far Scarlett has run three, and the fourth was run on Easter Saturday. The runs, all of which are around the Purbeck area, have so far been a mixture of off-road and on-road adventures, starting from Winfrith, Studland and Weymouth.

The run on Easter Saturday was started at Durlston in Swanage.

Scarlett who is in her final year of ‘A’ levels at Parkstone Grammar in Poole stated: “Whenever I go into Swanage, Bournemouth, Poole or Dorchester I am struck by how many young people seem to be sleeping

rough. I then discovered that the number of young people needing help to find somewhere to live was growing.

“I am very fortunate to have a home, and somewhere safe to sleep. I feel that this is something that everyone my age should also have access to, and so decided to do something about it.”

Scarlett is hoping to raise £3,000 to support the work done by the charity “Shelter” who has offices in Bournemouth from where they are able to offer specialist advice and support on a wide range of housing issues.

Recent surveys have shown that nearly half of homelessness services and councils have seen an increase in young people seeking help because they are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. As well as being extremely scary, sleeping on the streets can be very dangerous and damaging to someone’s health.

BCHA (Bournemouth Churches Housing Association) have found that homeless people are: three times more likely to go to hospital, three times more likely to be a victim of violence, 47 times more likely to be a victim of theft and perhaps most shocking of all – the life expectancy of a homeless person will have been reduced from a healthy 77 years to just 47.

Scarlett continued “These runs are difficult for me, but are nothing compared to being homeless. In talking about my challenge, it has have given me an opportunity to talk to my friends about, and so increase the awareness of, the plight of young homeless people in Dorset.”

If you would like to help Scarlett reach her fundraising target of £3,000 please go to her Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Runforshelter17 The photo shows Liz Goldsack, Scarlett Goldsack and Jane Robson (left to right) after the Weymouth half marathon. This was Scarlett’s third half marathon.

If you would like to find out more about Scarlett’s challenge please contact Jane Robson or Liz Goldsack on 07792 730003.

Kids Race To The Finish At The Durlston Dash Fun-Run!

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n Saturday 18th March, the first ever ‘Durlston Dash’, hosted by Durlston Country Park, took place.

The free 2.5k run for eight to thirteen year olds was attended by thirty energetic children who all smiled their way to the finish line, despite the challenging hills! The event was delivered as a pilot project for a new Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ grant that Dorset County Council is applying for at the Swanage Country Park.

Children from around Swanage showed the Ranger team what they were made of, all completing the hilly 2.5k run in under 24 minutes!

The sun came out in time for the runners to receive their hard-earned medals and refuel on cake and biscuits. The new event proved so popular with children and parents alike that the organisers are already thinking about a summer edition.

The runners particularly enjoyed the race because “it was a really fun challenge”, they “enjoyed getting exercise with other people” and they loved “being able to run the race through the countryside and look at the views!”

Families attending were equally as pleased with the event: “The smiles on the children’s faces were lovely and showed how much they enjoyed it, even after running up the hills. I wish I could smile during a race like they did! A great turnout of happy, healthy children was so brilliant to see.”

The Durlston Dash was the vision of Dave Pratten, Purbeck Runners coach, who helped the Rangers organise the event, which couldn’t have gone ahead without a team of volunteers ensuring the children were kept safe and on the right path!

The run was designed to test out ideas for a new Heritage Lottery Fund

application, which will help make Durlston Country Park a more exciting place to take a walk on the wild side, with natural play features, discovery trails and sensory paths.

The funding will also help to set up new health and wellbeing activities to encourage people, both young and old, to get outdoors into the fresh air more often and have fun.

If you would like to find out more about the new ‘Durlston Pleasure Grounds’ HLF project, visit the castle at Durlston Country Park during the Easter school holidays, where a display detailing the plans will be available for comment.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dorset Girls’ County Cup Finals Day

he Dorset Girls’ County Cup Finals took place at the fabulous grounds of the Blandford School on a dry, overcast day.

Poole Town FC Wessex won the Girls under 14 County Cup, beating Broadstone by four goals to nil, Poppy Laidlaw scoring a brace for the winners.

The Under 12 Final produced an exciting game, with the scores level at 60 minutes. Myer Burnie scored the only goal of the game to secure the Cup for the villagers.

Swanage Town and Herston won the Under 14 Plate Competition, beating Longfleet Youth Lionesses by four goals to nil, Amie Savage scoring two goals for the Swans.

The largest score of the day was recorded by Redlands Rebels who won sixteen goals to one against a spirited Verwood Girls’, both Cerys Murphy and Sophie Bonfield scored five goals for the Rebels.

Saturday 18 March 2017: The Blandford School, DT11 7SQ. Dorset Girls (Under 14) County Cup Final Poole Town FC Wessex: 4 Broadstone: 0 P Laidlaw 2

E Knill 1 C Turner 1 Dorset Girls (Under 12) County Cup Final Wool and Winfrith: 1 Poole Town FC Wessex: 0 M Burnie 1 Dorset Girls (Under 14) Plate Final Swanage Town and Herston 4 Longfleet Youth Lionesses 0 A Savage 2 M Steams 1 E Lovell 1 Dorset Girls (Under 12) Plate Final Verwood Girls: 1 Redlands Rebels: 16 A Figg 1 S Bonfield 5 C Murphy 5 O Conning 3 L Sheward 2 K Kemmett 1

Swanage Cricket Club Stormin’ Norman elected as NEW 1stXI Captain ast month, Swanage ‘stalwart’, Ryan Norman, was elected Saturday 1stXI Captain at Swanage Cricket Club’s recent AGM. He said he was “looking forward to embracing the challenge of leading the 1stXI into its 5th successive season in Dorset’s Premier Division.”

With regards to the other main Officials at the club, the principle change was the introduction of Michelle Nash as the Club’s Welfare Officer - this is one of the most important roles at the club, particularly as it is fundamental for the club to function online with maintaining our Club-Mark Status from the English Cricket Board (ECB).

The other changes to the Officials Positions are as follows: Ron Barker and Mike Wells both return to roles they have held previously, Chairman and Secretary respectively. Also, Pete Constable is the new Treasurer.

As well as the Saturday 1stXI in the Premier Division, the club also have a 2ndXI in Division 4, which will be captained by Tim Ives and also play both a ‘mixture’ of League and Friendly matches on Sundays.

Due to the incredible level of success in the club’s flourishing youth section, there is now provision for both boys and girls to play in a warm and friendly environment from all ages between 8 and 15.

These sides are all ‘run’ by fully qualified ECB Accredited coaches. Please contact Tim Ives on 07779-274415 or visit our website:www.swanagecricketclub.co.uk for all the coaching session times etc.

The club are also pleased to announce the much appreciated, continued support of the following businesses/companies within the local community:Gee Whites Seafood Restaurant, the Globe pub, Harrow House International, Link Rider Coaches, Masala Indian Restaurant, Neaves Rowing, PJC Accounting Services, PTN Systems, Purbeck Kitchens, Suttles Quarries and Woodlands Landscaping & Building Services.

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Anyone interested in playing for/sponsoring the club, please contact Pete Constable on 07973-410453 or follow the links on our website:www.swanagecricketclub.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dip Your Toes Into Sea Rowing This May!

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ver been tempted to try sea rowing – but not been sure what it involves? Well, now’s your chance to find out.

Swanage Sea Rowing Club (SSRC) is holding an open day on Saturday 13 May, 10am-4pm. Bring the family down to the boathouse by the pier to have a go at rowing for free (on the sea or on indoor machines) and learn about technique and sea safety. You can meet club members, chat about opportunities, and join us for refreshments.

As a charity, the aim of SSRC is to promote the sport of gig rowing to the local community. We are a lively club, catering for rowers of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to racing crews, both children (10-16s) and adults.

We provide all equipment and training, and whilst on the water,

you’re in the hands of our trained and skilled coxswains.

We have sessions during the week and at weekends.

The club also holds regular social events throughout the year, including fun races, quiz nights and social evenings, as well as supporting community events such as the Purbeck Marathon, Folk Festival and Swanage Carnival.

You can also give rowing a try at our free taster sessions on Tuesday evenings (from 6pm) and Saturday mornings (from 9.30am), weather permitting. Just come down to the boathouse. You can have three trial rows before deciding whether you’d like to become a member.

To find out more, pop down to the boathouse for a chat – you can find out the rowing times on our website www.ssrc.org.uk.

For information about joining, contact the Membership Secretary on ssrc.membership@outlook.com or call 07828 013056.

he Grand Opening Event to celebrate the official opening of two new artificial grass courts went ahead in beautiful sunshine despite ominous forecasts just days before.

Festivities began with an opening ceremony. Deputy Mayor Mike Bonfield cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the fantastic new facilities, which are joint funded and shared by the club and Swanage Town Council.

Welcomes were made by Helen Knight to John Paish, an ex-Davis Cup and Wimbledon competitor and Ryan Trickey, our new coach.

This was followed with a sincere thank you and farewell to current coach, Nathan Fowler, who is moving on to new horizons.

With the formalities over, Court 1 was transformed into an exhibition court for an hour or so as spectators were treated to a very tight match featuring John Paish with Nathan Fowler against Ryan Trickey and exSwanage Tennis Club Chairperson, Tony Saunders. Ball boys (Callum Nattriss, Edward-Murphy Jameson and Isaac Christmas) scurried efficiently to retrieve and deliver balls to the high calibre players.

The match offered great entertainment for the watching crowd with tight games, enthralling rallies and great tennis all round!

The open afternoon attracted lots of interest from families and potential new members. Every court was full and all were entertained with coaching sessions and rallying with members.

The refreshments flowed, the sun continued to shine and Beach Gardens was buzzing with energy all afternoon.

The photo shows (left to right) – Ryan Trickey (new coach at STC), Tony Saunders, John Paish (ex-Davis Cup player), Graham Ward (Umpire), Nathan Fowler (coach) Bottom row – Callum Nattriss, Isaac Christmas, Edward Murphy- Jameson.

April 1st - A Big Day For Swanage Tennis Club!

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Swanage Bowls Club Update

ast year’s Swanage Bowling Club President Barrie Tatman has been appointed Junior Vice President of the Dorset County Indoor Bowling Association and was recently given the great honour of being presented with the trophy for ‘Personality of the Year’.

This award is presented annually not just for the winner’s indoor bowling achievements but also for his general high standards, bonhomie, passion for the game and enthusiasm to promote the sport, or as one member put it ‘for being an all-round jolly good chap’! This is very apt for Barrie who is a great ambassador for both indoor and outdoor bowls.

The first event of the 2017 season was the President’s Coffee Morning which proved a great success with several stall holders selling a range of items from plants and cakes to books and bowling accessories. It was also a chance for members to renew friendships from last season and relate tales about their winter hibernation over a cup of coffee and to put forward their names for the early season games.

The first game of the season was played in beautiful, unseasonably warm conditions for early April in the form of a morning mixed game amongst club members followed by a fish & chips lunch.

After some practice games, late April saw the Men kick off with a match at Pelhams and the first B&D League fixture at Broadstone, while the Ladies

began at home to West Moors in the Dorset League and Branksome Park Red Squirrels in the Edna Paisley League.

There has been enormous interest in the superb new website for the Bowls Club. If you have not yet checked it out, have a look at swanagebowlingclub. org.uk The plan is to update it regularly with club news and match results.

Credit is due not only to Ian Thomas of IT Services but also to Nadine Evans, Clive Bryceson and Mike Barron for their local input.

The month of May sees the season really get into full swing with a full programme of league matches, early rounds of county competitions and some friendly fixtures including a 7-rink mixed game against West Sussex.

The club looks forward to welcoming would-be bowlers to two ‘Havea-Go’ sessions to be held on Saturdays 6th and 13th May at 10am, so if you fancy trying the fascinating game of bowls combining gentle exercise, camaraderie and friendly games, tinged with a competitive edge, just turn up wearing flat-soled shoes. You may well get hooked!

Bowls and tuition will be provided. It is suitable for people of any age; in fact the membership age range at Swanage spans almost 80 years, with the oldest member at 92 and the youngest who is 13.

Information about bowls in Swanage can be found on the website or phone Clive on 422337 or Jean on 426795.

The Purbeck Gazette

Spotlight Event Diary

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

MAY

Mon 1st * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Saxons & Vikings Siege of Wareham At CorfeCastle.

10:30 ‘Purbeck & Beyond’ Paintings & photographs by Hamish Murray, at Durlston Country Park.

10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury by bus stop on B3157 (Market Square) for 6 mile scenic walk with fine views over Chesil Beach, downland & Abbotsbury. Ffi 01929 288427.

11:00 Swanage Record and CD Fair At Mowlem Theatre Seafront Swanage Open 11:00-16:00 Admission £1:00. Buy,sell and exchange Records and Cd’s.

Tue 2nd * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury by bus stop on B3157 (Market Square) for 6 mile scenic walk with fine views over Chesil Beach, downland & Abbotsbury. Ffi 01929 288427.

Wed 3rd * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Corfe Castle NT car park for an all-day 9.5 mile linear walk across Nine Barrow Down to Ulwell then up to Ballard Down and on to Old Harry Rocks. Return to Swanage via the coast path. Ffi 01929 421689.

Fri 5th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Corfe Castle & Swanage Railway.

10:30 Swanage & Purbeck Probus At the Purbeck House Hotel, a talk from Paul Grover, Swanage Insurance “Call the Broker”. Part of the talk will be given over for an insurance surgery. Because this subject is of such general interest, this will be an Open Meeting so visitors welcome. Contact Andrew Yeandle 01929 421945 / 01380 730451 or Brian Darnton 01929 424211.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom Church Hill for: The Annual AGM; and prizegiving by Andy Lyons, who will also give a presentation. There will be a ‘bring & buy’ during the interval. The next meeting of the Society will be on 22nd September. Visitors welcome, ffi: 01929 423841 20:00 Manos Puestas Trio At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 6th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Corfe Castle & Swanage Railway. * Fuedal Life At Corfe Castle.

09:00 Free Blood Pressure Testing Session By Wareham Rotary Club, at Wareham Town Hall. This is in support of the Stroke Associations “Know Your Blood Pressure” campaign.

10:00 Arts and Crafts Fair At St Edwards Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. 10am to 4pm.

Hot drinks and home made cake available. Ffi 07946000025 10:15 Swanage Walking Group Meet outside ‘The Fox’ pub, Lower Ansty for 6.5 mile easy low level walk through Bingham Melcombe and Milton Abbas. Ffi 01929 422554.

20:00 Jez Hellard At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 7th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Corfe Castle & Swanage Railway. * Fuedal Life At Corfe Castle.

15:00 Spring song for Studland, with Canzonetta At St Nicholas Church, Studland.

Tickets £8.00, including cream tea and cake. Proceeds to Lewis-Manning Hospice. Email: hilaryaj@icloud.com Mon 8th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

10:00 Wareham Area Forum At carey Hall, Mistover rd, Carey. Open meeting to discuss your concerns over planning permission & how it affects your lives with PDC. Tue 9th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda

* 14:00

Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

Purbeck Parkinson’s Group At The All Saints Church Hall, Swanage Purbeck Parkinson’s Group At the All Saints Church Hall, Swanage. Ffi: T. Lander 01929 425970 or D Peters 01929 551962

Wed 10th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Studland WI At Studland Village Hall. Resolutions for the AGM. Followed by Max Beaumont, Cottees auctions. Competition: An item for valuation.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Acton CP for 5 mile walk via Castle View, Quarr Farm and New Barn to Windmill Knap. Return via Piggy Lane, & Langton.

Ffi 01929 426926.

19:00 Swanage Area Forum Open Meeting at Emmanuel Church Centre. ‘Swanage History Goes to Sea’ with David Haysom.

Thu 11th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

10:00 Swanage Volunteer Bureau Launch At Swanage Library.

Fri 12th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

19:30 Purbeck Railway Circle Meets at Harman’s Cross Village Hall for a presentation on “The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway” by John Berry of LBR, to set the scene for our outing there on 11 June. Refreshments and railway raffle.

Doors open 7pm. Ffi 421 913. EVERYONE IS WELCOME Sat 13th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Medieval Mayhem At Corfe Castle.

10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Strangways Hall, Abbotsbury by bus stop on B3157 (Market Square) for 6 mile scenic walk with fine views over Chesil Beach, downland & Abbotsbury. Ffi 01929 288427.

19:30 Dawn to Dusk Belvedere Singers Concert at St Mary’s Church, Swanage.

Tickets £10 in advance from Albury & Hall, choir members or 01929 289209. £12 on the door, under 18’s free.

20:00 The Lowest Pair At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 14th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Medieval Mayhem At Corfe Castle.

10:30 Christian Aid Week United Service At URC Wareham Preacher Angela Salter. Please come and support the start to Christian Aid Week. We need collectors in various areas in Wareham . If you could help or would like more information please contact the Parish Office 550905.

14:00 The Lowest Pair At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 15th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money!

19:00 Swanage Annual Parish Meeting At ‘The Centre’ Chapel Lane, Swanage.

Tue 16th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda

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Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money!

Public Meeting At Emmanuel Baptist Church. Discussion regarding all ideas for future of the Swanage Bandstand. Everyone welcome.

Wed 17th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money!

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Worth Matravers car park for 5 mile circular walk via Hill Bottom, West Hill and Weston Farm. Ffi 01929 424462.

10:30 Durlston Pramble - A Buggy Friendly Walk At Durlston Country Park, an hours walk finishing at the cafe!

14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for an illustrated talk by Islay Cooper, “Three Artists. The Spencer Watsons at Studland and Dunshay 19132006” . All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245.

Thu 18th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money!

Fri 19th * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money!

19:00 Seabird Boat Trip From Swanage Pier, along the heritage coast. Booking essential with citycruisespoole.com Sat 20th * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Margaret Green Week At Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle. Wear green or an animal onesie and make a donation of £1 to take part and raise money! * Medieval Living History At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at the church in Winfrith for 7 mile circular walk via Newburgh Diary, Coombe Keynes, Burngate Wood and Winfrith Drove. Ffi 01929 424462.

10:00 Swanage Garden Society Plant Fayre At The Catholic Church Hall, Swanage.

All welcome!

20:00 Bartoune At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 21st * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park. * Medieval Living History At Corfe Castle.

14:00 Anna & Elisabeth At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 22nd * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

Tue 23rd * ‘In Celebration of Wilderness’ Bronze casts and stone carvings by Belinda Rush-Jansen at Durlston Country Park.

Wed 24th 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet/park in field next to St Nicholas Church at Winterborne Clenston for 6 mile countryside walk along footpaths and little-used lanes to Winterborne Stickland, returning along the hill on the West side of the valley. Ffi 01202 570670.

19:30 Friends of Swanage Pier Talk in Community Room in the Mowlem. All welcome.

Thu 25th 10:30 Probus 2 of Purbeck Meet at Pines Hotel, Swanage. Talk by Dr. David Haines - NHS Developments in Swanage.

Fri 26th 20:00 Kris & The Bluesmachine At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 27th * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Medieval Falconry At Corfe Castle. * Purbeck Art Weeks 10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics and

The Purbeck Gazette

10:00 20:00

spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

Swanage Walking Group Meet at Steeple CP for 4.5 mile circular walk via Ridgeway, Whiteway farm, Kimmeridge quarry and Steeple Lease farm. Ffi 01929 421039.

African Ngwasuma At The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

Sun 28th * Medieval Falconry At Corfe Castle. * Purbeck Art Weeks 10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics and spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

14:00 Open House & Garden At Smedmore House, Kimmeridge. Entrance £5, accompanied children under 16 , free. Guided tours of the house, £3.

Mon 29th * Purbeck Art Weeks 10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics and spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

Tue 30th * Purbeck Art Weeks * ‘The Spice Box’ At Corfe Castle.

Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, 10:00 Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics and spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

11:00 Fossil Art with John House At Durlston Country Park. Kids can make their own fossil dragonfly. Booking essential, £5.

Wed 31st * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * ‘The Spice Box’ At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics and spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Corfe Castle N/T car park for 5.5 circular walk via Norden Common, New Mills Heath and Norden Plantation. Woods. Ffi 01202 623230.

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.

14.30 Get Online FREE at Swanage Library. one-to-one half hour I.T. sessions, bookable in the Library in advance. Until 4pm.

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 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

The Purbeck Gazette 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 10.00 A Place Of Welcome at 21 Commercial Road, Sw. Friendly drop-in for everyone, providing a free cup of tea or coffee, a listening ear, conversation and basic information. Everyone welcome, whatever the circumstances.

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 19.00 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at St Mark’s CE VA Primary School, High St, Sw. Parking on-site. Till 9pm. All singers welcome! 423350.

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.

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.

75

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 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 10.00 A Place Of Welcome at 21 Commercial Road, Sw. Friendly drop-in for everyone, providing a free cup of tea or coffee, a listening ear, conversation and basic information. Everyone welcome, whatever the circumstances.

11.00 Swanage Library Rhyme Time, ages 0-4, until 11.30am.

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.

11.00 Fantastic Family Fun at Swanage Library, ages 3-8. Free story and craft session until 11.30am.

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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