The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 209

June 2017 Issue no. 209

Magazine archive at:

HMT Arfon Commemoration. Pg 22-23

Stormtroopers Invade The Rex! Pg 31

FEATURE: Here Comes The Sun! Pg 35-53

Have A Plastic-Free June! Pg 60

SWANAGE & PURBECK

TAXI

Local & Long Distance. 4-8 seater.

07969 927424

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the June edition of your Gazette!

We’re still managing to cram full to eighty pages every month, thanks to all of you - the community we are part of, and whom we strive to support. We are proud to be one of the tiny percentage of UK media companies who are not owned by a millionaire - although if anyone finds one lurking locally, please do send them in our direction, obviously!

We receive NO funding whatsoever to enable us to publish your letters, community updates and editorial. Our advertisers provide our only income, and it’s our choice to utilise that income to purchase pages on which to print community editorial - we could just go out for a posh dinner every night instead..... Therefore we ask you to try as hard as possible to support our advertisers, as they are, in turn, supporting our whole community by advertising in our pages, thus paying to print your editorial.... A literal community of mutual support - let’s keep the wheel turning!

This month we feature a host of summer-related activities and advertising to get you in the mood for warmer weather, there’s something for everyone, so have a browse and get out and about this June! We also bring you information from various political parties, each hoping for your vote on June 8th. Please see pages 24-25 for more details, and get out there and vote - yet again!

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

(Residents in blocks of flats, or who live up long driveways or in lesser populated areas will not get a door-to-door delivery. You will not receive a copy if you display a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letterbox) Purbeck has a population of approx. 45,300, we print & distribute 20,000 copies for Purbeck and further afield (Crossways, Broadmayne, Bloxworth etc).

You will not therefore ALL get a paper copy! 1 in 3 properties get a copy. We ensure a good spread of distribution throughout the whole area to get the best response for our advertisers, who are our business customers.

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

See: www.purbeckgazette.com

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

The August 2017 edition has a deadline of 7th July. and will be distributed from 24th July - 28th July 2017.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - June 2017

NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF PRINTING!

For the first time in nearly twenty years we have no meeting schedule to print.

We hope the council website will be updated with the meeting schedule for June 2017 onwards before our next deadline!

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 - June 2017

STILL NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF PRINTING!

We are hoping that Wareham Town Council will update their website soon, so we can continue informing you of their upcoming meetings, as we have done for nearly twenty years. Fingers crossed we can bring you details for next month!

Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - June 2017 Licensing Committee Council Policy Group Planning Committee

Thur 1st Tue 13th Wed 21st Wed 28th

9.15am 7pm 7pm 9.15am

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

About Purbeck Media Ltd The Purbeck Gazette prints 20,000 copies every month and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by Purbeck Media Ltd. All editing, graphic design and layup is completed in-house by Purbeck Media Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed

by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury and delivered by Logiforce GPS-tracked distribution. The Purbeck Gazette website is managed and edited on-site by Purbeck Media Ltd. Purbeck Media Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide. All rights reserved.

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

VOLUNTEERS: A massive thanks to our volunteers, whose help is invaluable each month. Our proof readers are the very professional: Gerry Norris and David Holman, with volunteer Photographer, Tim Crabb, also on-hand.

Telephone Sales

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

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

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Hundreds turned out on 29th April to see the official launch of Swanage’s new lifeboat, pictured. Photo by Tim Crabb

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past Commemoration Of HMT Arfon Commemoration Of Stirling Bomber FEATURE: Election Special - again!

FEATURE: Here Comes The Sun! Gazette Gardening Have A Plastic-Free June!

John Garner writes - Support Your Local Bike Shop Stormtroopers Invade The Rex! Swanage Armed Forces Day Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams

64 32 10 2 73

17b Commercial Road Swanage, Dorset BH19 1DF www.purbeckgazette.co.uk

THE OFFICE IS NOT OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC.

ADVERTISERS ONLY PLEASE!

Editorial Enquiries: Editor, Nico Johnson 01929 424239

ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

26 22-23 28 24-25 35-53 61 60 58 31 29 10 56 67 4 54 58 70 76

Advertising Sales:

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

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See our website shop at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk for rate card, booking & payment Prices from £25.80 (inc VAT) Discounts available The legal stuff...

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this magazine, but the Editor is unable to accept responsibility for any omissions or errors that may occur.

The inclusion of any article or advertisement does not constitute any form of accreditation or approval by the Editor.

No part, written or visual, of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the Editor.

DEADLINE FORJULY JULY IS NOON, FRI JUNEJUNE DEADLINE FOR IS12NOON, FRI9th 10th

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

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

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

JULY edition deadline: noon, 9th JUNE

Our National Treasure!

Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists High Street, Swanage 01929 423533

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

passes on isn’t until 10.25am, and not arriving in Bournemouth until 11.35am!!

For those people who live in Studland, this will not be a problem because the bus doesn’t arrive there until 9.35am or just after.

Living between Swanage Bus station and Ulwell gap, there is just ONE minute to go before 9.30am and it looks like we will be refused and have to pay to the next bus stop.

From the Ulwell area of Swanage we cannot even get the 10am bus into town to catch the Poole bus which goes five minutes later, because it never arrives on time and never connects to make this option possible. So, the people from Swanage Bus Station and Ulwell are really the only ones who are going to have to suffer.

Is that really fair?? Holiday makers can come into town from Bournemouth on the 9.38am and be here by 10.45am and come for free from all over the country with their bus passes.

Yet we cannot leave our area without paying - and we feel we subsidise all the holiday makers already by living in this beautiful area, who use our transport to the full.

Your comments and considerations would be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely, Daphne Saville, Swanage Disabled Club

Taxi Prices - The Facts

To all my friends, the residents and businesses based in the Swanage area.

I just wanted to let you all know that I recently won the Parcelforce ‘Employee of the Year’ for the Poole Depot and two days later, I also won ‘Employee of the Year’ for South West region.

This resulted in me being put forward to the national nominations.

I’m thrilled to let you know that on 27th April, I attended the award ceremony in Daventry, and was one of the eight national finalists.

Amazingly, I won the Parcelforce ‘National Employee of the Year 2016’.

This is a massive achievement for me and I just wanted to thank you as I wouldn’t have won this award without your support, letters, emails and donations to my charity (head shave) event.

Thank you all so very much!

Kind regards, Alfie.

Ed’s note: Yay!! Congratulations Alfie! A spokesperson from our local Royal Mail office said: ‘We are very, very proud of Alfie, and are currently planning works to the Swanage Royal Mail office to widen the doorway, thus allowing Alfie and his slightly-larger-than-usual head to fit through....We are somewhat disappointed that Alfie has not yet donned the golden, bejewelled crown which comes with his new position.....”!!!

Fare Unfair?

Dear Readers, Bus passes We were discussing this subject recently at one of our meetings at Swanage Disabled Club and the general feeling was one of dismay, that many of us will be stranded in Swanage (although this is lovely place to live) and will not be able to leave the town before 10am in the morning unless we pay.

We have always - thanks to Purbeck District Council - been able to use our bus passes on the first bus nearest to 9.30am - usually 9.25am in the winter - going to Bournemouth from the centre of Swanage.

But they are now saying that this will not be allowed after 24th July, which could be a great inconvenience and mean that the first bus we can use our

Dear Editor, I have read your last two issues of this great paper with interest. I thought the letter in the April edition by Mr Wilson regarding Swanage Station Taxi Rank, informing the general public that the rank was not part of S.A.T. (Swanage Associated Taxis), was well received.

As a taxi owner/operator, many people walk towards a taxi on the rank and then continue into the S.A.T. office as a matter of course.

If the office cannot supply a taxi straight away, sometimes they then come over to my (or other companies) taxi and ask why we are sitting there and are apparently ‘not available’!

I obviously inform them that I am available for immediate hire or private hire and they are often pleased and I take them to their destination. During conversations, many people tell me that they thought that the rank was attached to the S.A.T. office and we were all sitting there on a break (I would rather be at home if on a break!). So, I thank Mr Wilson for his astute comments.

My main reason for writing is to refer to the letter from Mrs Bartlett in the May issue responding to Mr Wilson’s letter in April.

Maybe not all, but most of the Swanage taxi companies offer a good service, help people, and can be relied upon, including S.A.T.. However, all the taxi companies face significant costs; buying cars, taxi insurance, plating certificates, telephones, repairs, tax, office costs (irrespective where this office may be), Swanage Council’s (high) rank fees (by the way this rank nearly costs twice as much per annum than an annual rank pass at Wareham railway station where it is a regular main line!). So far I think Mrs Bartlett and I agree.

BUT: She states it is illegal to charge less than the taxi meter. This is totally incorrect. Taxis can charge meter price OR LESS if hailed or used from a rank but cannot charge MORE than the meter price.

However, if it is a private hire then you can charge whatever you agree with the customer when booking. If I picked up on the rank and was asked to go to Heathrow for instance, the meter cost would be well over £400, so if we could not charge less I don’t think any of us would get any fares!

Martin Williams, Swanage and Purbeck Taxi.

New Wheelchair Transport Dear Readers, Swanage Disabled Club are pleased to be able to offer the following new

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Square & Compass Worth Matravers. 01929 439229

LIVE ACTS FOR JUNE Fri 2 Sat 3 Sun 4 Mon 5 Fri 9 Sat 10 15 Thur Sat / Sun 17 / 18 24 Sat 30 Fri

8pm Lewis Clarke & The Essentials 8pm Carrie Elkin 2pm Stuart O’Conner 8pm PAW Poetry Slam 8pm Buffalo Skinners 8pm Nelson & Friends 7pm Rude Mechanical Theatre 8pm / 2pm Chilled Cider Harare 8pm www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk Annie Keating 8pm

facility for local residents!

Transport for Wheelchair Users – call us on: 01929 423729. We are here to help you get around! Advance booking is required for this service. This is not a taxi service – it is run entirely by volunteer drivers, although we very gratefully accept donations!

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

Dogs - The Beach Rules Dear Readers, To ease any further confusion, anger and rudeness regarding owners and dogs walking on the North Beach at Swanage.

Many dog owners are being shouted at, frog marched off the beach and are confused by the ‘No dogs on beach from 1st April’ signs.

I called into Swanage Council offices in the High Street and was told that even on the private beaches i.e. Burlington Chine, dog owners can walk along all of these beaches up to the Mean High Water Mark.

I stressed to the lady I spoke to at Swanage Council whether this includes Burlington Chine private beach. She claimed that dog walkers are allowed to walk on Burlington Chine Beach up to the Mean High Water Mark and along the promenade on a lead.

Any further information would be appreciated.

On behalf of many dog owners.

Patricia Lane and BB, Rabling Road, Swanage

No Deal - The Downside Dear Readers, Since the last edition of the Gazette things have changed! The people in charge of the negotiations on the European side have stipulated that Britain has to guarantee the rights of all European nationals who are domiciled in Britain.

The negotiators have said that there will be ‘No Deal’ unless these guarantees are given. This would apply if the person concerned moved to Britain the day before the deadline for leaving! If this is truly the position being taken by Europe, then our local Eurospouses should have no need for concern. It is sad that we have to rely on the EU leaders to protect people in Britain instead of them being protected by our own government.

We should remember that the vast majority of Eurospouses living in Britain are here because they want to be. They like the British way of life and the friendliness of nearly all the population of this country. This is a massive vote of confidence in Britain and our British values and it is something we British should all be proud of.

However, what happens if these Eurospouses are forced to leave? There is a strong possibility that their husbands/wives might well decide to go with them. This could cause an enormous upheaval as many of these couples are parents and even grandparents; would the wider family go as well?

Who knows, who can tell? All this would remove considerable sums of money and assets from Britain to the Continent.

However, there are reports of a poll, taken just before the time of writing, which indicates a reversal of public opinion regarding leaving/staying. This poll indicates that 48% are for leaving and 52% now wish to stay! If this is the case and, if the trend continues, perhaps we should be holding a second referendum. It would seem that the vast majority of the British

population have been seriously surprised by all the issues now surrounding the Brexit event.

One of the less pleasant surprises has been occurrences of racism, even in Swanage. One lady was given advice as to how to catch a ‘bus back home’; she has lived here for over twenty years and was quite shocked!

The other areas of considerable interest are the posturing and manoeuvrings by the politicians, especially here in Britain. Our present Prime Minister seems to be trying for an “Iron Lady” title without real regard for all the people who are getting drawn into the maelstrom.

There also seems to be a strong undercurrent in Europe of other countries who are not really happy with the present set up and would like to reestablish the EU in a better and, from their point of view, fairer way. They can now see what wasn’t working properly and what needs to be adjusted.

There could be a whole lot more jostling and negotiating amongst them as they use the opportunity Brexit offers to improve their situation. This will result in a different EU emerging just as we leave and we could end up being desperate to get back in!

Bill Wilson, Swanage, by email

Correcting Misconceptions?

Dear Editor, I’m afraid that Mr Wilson has been reading ‘Project Fear’ stories on the internet, circulated by a few diehard opponents of ‘Brexit’ (Letters, May edition). There is absolutely no likelihood of spouses/partners from EU countries (or any other EU citizen who is here legally), being removed from the UK once we leave the EU. All spouses or partners from other countries (whether married or in a civil partnership), are legally entitled to be citizens of the UK. Other EU nationals living here legally under existing EU treaties, are protected by the UN Vienna Convention on The Laws of Treaties (1969), to which Britain and most other European countries (with the notable exception of France), are signatories. Many of these EU nationals make a very positive contribution to our country and they would be a great loss.

To her credit (and to avoid any doubt), Mrs May has put securing the rights of EU nationals to remain in Britain and those of British nationals in EU countries, at the top of her agenda in the forthcoming ‘Brexit’ negotiations. I cannot seriously imagine that any European government will be irresponsible enough to seek to use their citizens, or ours, as ‘bargaining chips’.

Correcting the many misconceptions about ’Brexit’ in David Leadbetter’s letter would take up too much of your valuable column space, so I will focus on just one; trade.

Britain is one of the world’s Top 10 economies; its largest financial services centre and the EU’s biggest export market. We buy far more from the EU than they buy from us. EU countries will want an early trade agreement with the UK to have continued access to our ‘single market’ once we leave. The EU has no logical reason to impose trade barriers against its biggest and best customer.

It’s important to realise that trade between Britain and the EU does not depend on a trade agreement, let alone a political union. Six of the EU’s Top 10 trading countries don’t have a trade agreement with the EU. They trade with EU countries under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, simply by paying a small external tariff (typically 2.5% - 4%).

In this way, China annually sells around £290bn worth of goods to the EU; Russia and the US, over £200bn each. Even without any trade agreement, there is no reason why Britain could not also access the EU’s ‘internal

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Bovington Tailors Dress making Ladies & mens alterations Loose covers, Antique upholstery Boat & caravan upholstery Medal mounting & framing Unit 3, Bovington Shopping Centre, King George V Road, Bovington

01929 462195 www.bovingtontailors. wordpress.com market’ in this way.

He is also wrong to imply that 17.4 million ’Leave’ voters didn’t really know what they were voting for. Almost every piece of information that was put out by the ’Leave’ campaign during the EU referendum had four very clear demands: 1. Restore full control of our borders with the EU, 2. Stop UK taxpayers cash being sent to Brussels, 3. Restore the law-making supremacy of the UK Parliament, 4. Restore the power to make our own trade deals with the rest of the world.

The success or failure of future negotiations will be judged against these criteria. There will be no need for a further referendum. It is an established constitutional principle that no British government has the legal right to bind its successors. Whatever agreement is made with the EU by March 2019, British voters will be able to have their say on it at the next but one General Election (ie. by June 2022 at the latest).

Then they can vote for any political party that considers the agreement to be not in Britain’s best interests and wishes to re-negotiate certain aspects. That is why we have Parliamentary democracy.

Yours sincerely, John Butler, by email

Proposals Cause Concern Dear Editor, Dorset Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). ‘Drop in’ day Studland Natural England (NE) and Marine Management Organisation (MMO) held a ‘Drop-In’ day at Studland Village Hall on Wednesday 29th March. The Representatives were available to answer questions on why they have recommended to Defra that Studland Bay and other possible Dorset sites should be included in the third round of MCZs. Defra are expected to announce the list of these sites in the autumn for public consultation.

The Drop-In session was well attended by local residents, boat owners from the south coast and fishermen. All were anxious to find out why local sites were being proposed for MCZ status and what likely restrictions and regulations might follow designation. Two aspects stood out: The issues concerning Studland centre around the presence of vast areas of Eelgrass beds, which are so important for marine life. NE believe the Eelgrass is in unfavourable condition and needs protection. Anchoring by boats, NE say, is partly responsible. However local knowledge and scientific research carried by The Boat Owners Response Group (BORG) has proved that anchoring causes little, if any damage. Only about 2% of the 100 hectares of Eelgrass is used by anchoring boats and even in these areas, the Eelgrass is healthy and expanding.

Seahorse media hype associated with Studland is now discarded as it is generally accepted that Seahorses breed all around the coast of England and that the few occasional summer visitors to Studland Bay are quite normal. There is no resident colony of Seahorses in the bay.

The gathering of many local fishermen from Dorset coast demonstrated how concerned they are about possible restrictions and regulations being imposed in some of the new MCZs being looked at along the Dorset and particularly the Purbeck coast. Also two new sites in Poole Bay are being considered.

It seems quite wrong for further restrictions to be loaded on fishermen.

Why, and is it really necessary? Are the stocks of certain species of fish such as Black Bream so low that the spawning grounds need protection?

Where is the evidence? What would be the conservation gain? Many questions remain unanswered.

NE’s remit as the Government’s adviser on environmental matters has understandably been researching all the conservation aspects. Little research has been done on the socio-economic implications of MCZs. The economic and recreational impact of some MCZs could be considerable.

Management for management’s sake would be a huge waste of public funds.

There was a strong feeling amongst most of those attending that the Dorset MCZs proposed are unnecessary and if designated, will have a serious effect on the local economies and recreational pursuits of thousands of people.

Nicolas Warner, Studland Bay Preservation Association (Keeping Studland Bay free of unnecessary Regulations).

High Praise For Local Service Dear Gazette, I was very pleased to read your article praising the Poole Hospital Cancer Team delivering cancer services at Wareham Hospital.

I have cancer and need regular injections to keep the symptoms under control. Previously I had to go to Poole Hospital on buses and it took the best part of a day. Now I walk to Wareham Hospital for 9am and am home by 9.30am.

I am immensely grateful to the Services team, ably led by Senior Radiologist Nurse Nicky Haggard, 4th from right in your picture (May edition). She greets each of her patients by name and always with a warm smile. She came on Good Friday so there was no break in the continuity of treatment.

There are no noisy trolleys, endless people and general hustle and bustle as encountered in larger hospitals.

I am immensely grateful for this local service. Thank you Friends of Wareham Hospital and Jean Boer and her volunteer helpers of the Wareham Cancer Charity Shop for the excellent recliner chairs and other equipment, plus the refreshments provided. Everyone I have met at the hospital is kind, caring and friendly.

Yours sincerely, Lyn Plumpton, Wareham.

Hardy Errors Corrected

Dear Editor, Whenever I am in the area, I always try to pick up a copy of The Purbeck Gazette. It is a brilliant read, stacked full of interesting, informative articles (and letters!).

In the May 2017 issue (p.56), Carlotta Barrow wrote an article about Hardy in Swanage. I hope that she won’t mind if I point out a couple of errors in that article.

Hardy did arrive in Swanage in July 1875, but he was with his first wife, Emma Lavinia, whom he married the year before. Florence was his second wife and they married in 1914.

It was Captain Joseph not John, Masters who was their landlord in West End Cottage, Seymer Road, Swanage. And ‘The Hand of Ethelberta’ was completed while Hardy was staying in Swanage: Hardy started writing that novel in March 1875.

Lastly Hardy’s heart was removed at his Dorchester home, Max Gate, and the rest of his mortal remains travelled to Woking Crematorium, his ashes were then sent to Westminster Abbey. So, his heart never left Dorset.

I will be in Swanage in June and I look forward to using Carlotta’s ‘The Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail’ (p. 60, May edition).

Yours sincerely, Tony Daniels, Midsomer Norton, Bath and North East Somerset.

Help Break The Taboo

Dear Nico, Having read the article ‘My Mum’ by Dave Wilson in the May edition, I couldn’t not comment, after being moved to tears.

Mental health is still such a taboo subject for many, yet most of us will have experienced or known someone who has been affected by this in some way at some point in our lives.

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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 Not only do I want to express my condolences to Dave and his family, but to also thank him for his honest and upfront interpretation of his experiences.

I have also had to live with the reality of mental health within my family.

The trauma and pain of mental illness, and the suicide attempts affect everyone, and it can be a truly difficult illness to comprehend.

I especially want to reiterate Dave’s point that despite such illness, people can still be the most amazing parents, siblings, friends, colleagues etc.

For Dave to be so open about the subject is refreshing and welcoming and I hope it gives others the strength to do the same.

Kindest Regards, Sharon Westman, Studland

If You Can Keep Your Job....

IF If you can keep your job when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you If you still trust yourself when all men doubt you And won’t admit you understand their point of view If you can’t work without a three-month summer holiday And then want Friday off because you’re tired And have your photo printed in The Sun each day And actually believe it’s there ‘cos you’re admired If you won’t listen to another person’s point of view And yet pretend you love him like a brother If you can lie barefaced and keep the truth from shining through And saying one thing, promptly go and do another If you can make the laws that you impose on others And twist them so they don’t apply to you; And sympathise with unemployed, disabled, and with starving single mothers Yet claim for every penny ‘cos your ‘laws’ confirm it due If you can cheat the taxman as you switch between your houses And so avoid the taxes that we voters have to pay And claim that you employ your children, and pay salaries to spouses Yet when the truth’s uncovered, “A mistake” is all you’ll say If you can fill a radio or television minute With sixty seconds’ worth of lies dressed up as policy And yet make folks believe there’s something in it My child, you’ll make a blooming good MP Parker Waterman May 8, 2017

Book advertising at: www.purbeckgazette.com or call 01929 424239 ext 1

Clocks Collected, Cleaned, Serviced.

28 High St, Swanage 01929 424697

Call For Public Consultation Dear Editor, Losing Democratic Rights: Wake up Purbeck residents!

The Local Plan for Purbeck is for many residents one of the most important matters that they will face in their lives.

More market houses, greater pressure on roads, more pollution and the urbanisation of Purbeck are not what most residents want. The outcome of the summer 2016 consultation showed that 98% of respondents rejected the excessive housing numbers for Purbeck.

Purbeck District Council plan to use Local Forums in place of public consultation on the options for housing numbers and locations in their draft Local Plan.

Between June and late September, the council plan to hold three forum meetings in five areas, plus three meetings of an infrastructure forum. These Local Forums are for residents and interest groups, including landowners, to discuss matters relating to the Local Plan.

The Local Forums are for all residents. District Councillors or facilitators will chair the meetings. The Local Forum meetings will be in the evening and will last for about two hours. Residents are free to ask questions and raise any matters in the Local Forum meetings. The idea of Local Forums has come from Bath and North East Somerset.

Whilst sounding a good idea, these Local Forums have not been used for planning matters. They have no strategic overview and they do not consider the area beyond Purbeck. It is not clear what status is attached to the outcomes and recommendations of the Local Forums. As such the Local Forums are untested. They are incomplete vehicles for public participation and inadequate means of public consultation.

Residents should have the right to air their views and comments by means of a public consultation after the Local Forums have finished their work.

This is the established and proven means of operating the development of Local Plans.

Why is Purbeck District Council and its elected members restricting democratic processes?

It is not too much to ask Purbeck District Council to include a public consultation on the options for the draft Local Plan. Residents deserve more consultation than Local Forums.

If you care about the Purbeck area, contact your district councillor and ask for a public consultation on the housing numbers and their locations.

Please do this now as Purbeck is threatened by those who will trash the area for ever.

Peter Bowyer, Chairman, Pan Purbeck Action Campaign.

01929 450291 Facebook: PanPurbeckActionCampaign www.panpurbeckaction.org.uk

Pledges Total Rising Dear Editor, Update on Swanage Bandstand Once again thank you Swanage. Our new total of pledges to save the bandstand are currently over £13,600.

We do need more pledges and also letters of support to get the bandstand back – and this is something we will do.

Everyone I have spoken to is really quite cross over the demise of the bandstand, but I remain convinced that we will be able to restore it as it was.

Once again thank you all.

Alan Houghton, 3 Dingle Court, Swanage.

Telephone 01929 426380 or 07814319263

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Back To Where?

Dear Readers, After the calling of the General Election, here’s an early political broadcast!

Taking our Country Back - to Where?

We’re taking our country back, to make it great again.

Just like it was in the past - or so says No 10 Back to Empire days perhaps, of enterprise and bravery Kids up chimneys, workhouses, satanic mills and slavery Or maybe to the First World War, a time of national glory Won by sorry slaughtered souls in trenches deep and gory The 20s when the strikers struck, the 30s’ deep depression The 2nd World War only won with Yankee intercession The post war years of hardship, the 70s’ winter of strikes Millions sacked in the 80s, then just told to get on their bikes.

More recently, recessions, some crashes and austerity So where’s this Britain of the past so full of rich prosperity?

Should we go back to the Tudors? The Dark ages? Stone Age? or when?

I’ve heard Jurassic Britain was nice - why don’t we go back to then?!

No nasty foreign dinosaurs, a land of bliss again No debt, no Nicola Sturgeon - let’s go and tell No 10!!

Many thanks, Martin Hobdell, Swanage, by email.

Art Workshop Welcomes All Dear Editor, We felt very complimented at Art Workshop to be described as “Art Therapy Workshop” (Sunflowers Over Swanage, May edition).

However, we must point out that art therapy is a highly-specialised profession and we do not offer that. What we do offer is a friendly, relaxed introduction to art and craft, available to all at very low cost.

We know that creativity offers people opportunity to improve their health and discover that learning new skills can boost self-confidence. We can be found at 21 Commercial Road (near the Gazette office and Chococo) and at www.artworkshop.org.uk.

Casual callers are always welcome here and at our Friday morning group from 10am - noon at All Saints Hall, Swanage.

Suzanne Dominy, Art Workshop Swanage (part of Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust).

Taking Issue With May Letters Dear Editor I read both of David Leadbetter’s letters (Brexit - Lies & Distortion) and (Unfair & Misleading) in the Gazette May edition, and I take issue with both of them.

David is perfectly entitled to his own opinion, but it seems to me that the real losers in the Brexit Referendum are: democracy, tolerance, and every man being entitled to vote his own way, without being told he is racist, unintelligent and selfish by the losing side. In truth, nobody actually knows what the long term outcome will be. Both sides of the campaign were ‘economical with the truth’. It is time both Mr Leadbetter and the media accepted the result, and adopted ‘a can do attitude’to try and make a success of Brexit instead of constantly ‘talking down’ the outcome.

As a dog owner I also take issue with his remark that problems for ground nesting birds are down to irresponsible dog owners. I walk my two Golden Retrievers off the lead, in the Hartland Moor area twice a day. I and a lot of other dog walkers are the ears and eyes of the National Trust. We let the NT warden know if we see something we feel he should know about.

We are also the people who carry bin liners in our cars and take away

the litter that has been dropped by visitors.

In the area where I walk the ground nesting birds are up against mountain bikers, foxes, badgers, crows, magpies, grazing horses, donkeys and children with kites and drones. Yet it is only the dog owners being blamed, for not keeping their dogs on leads, blamed for disturbing the ground nesting birds.

In David’s letter he states ‘that it is a great pity that some local people do not take the trouble to become better informed, but jump to hasty and ill-judged conclusions.’ Exactly, I couldn’t agree more.

If David knew his dog breeds, he would know that many of the dogs he is blaming for disturbing ground nesting birds, are path or track walking dogs - dogs who like walking along paths and tracks. Also, the same time that the birds are ground nesting is the same time that the Adders are appearing, so the last thing that many dog owners want is their dogs in the very area where the birds are nesting.

David and other bird watchers walking in Purbeck would do well to stop criticizing dog walkers, accept that most dog owners love birds as much as they do, and get on and enjoy the beautiful area in which we live.

There is room for us all.

Yours sincerely, JM Cockrem, Wareham

Patronising Sermon Slammed Dear Editor, Out of touch and out of trust David Leadbetter’s patronising sermon on ‘conservation’ (‘Unfair and misleading’, May edition) vividly illustrates how far today’s environmental movement has strayed from anything the founders of the National Trust, for example, would have recognised.

He entirely misses the point that the average nature-lover does not want to see areas of natural beauty devastated for years in a futile attempt to recreate a mythical ‘former’ ecosystem, arbitrarily chosen from among the several that might have existed at different times in the past. The clue is in the correct use of the English language: ‘to conserve’ does not mean ‘to change into something else’ but to preserve what is there.

Does Mr Leadbetter speak for Dorset Wildlife Trust? If not, perhaps we could hear from an official spokesman rather than Swanage’s only living polymath.

Instead of sneering at anyone who does not share their views (as their volunteers have), the Dorset Wildlife Trust would be well advised to take note of the opinions of ordinary people uninfected by contemporary fashions in eco-zealotry. After all, DWT relies on subscriptions from the general public. Those members who regret their activities can show their disapproval in the time-honoured way: resign.

At the same time, your readers may have noted that none of the natural treasures Mr Leadbetter cites would benefit from the current indiscriminate clearing of trees and shrubs are warm-blooded animals. He says nothing about the birds and other animals that are being displaced.

The Jurassic coast is not short of grazed limestone grassland - it stretches along the coast for miles. A cursory glance around from the Townsend Reserve reveals that what the Isle of Purbeck lacks is woodland, especially near the coast. It is unconscionable that DWT should wish to reduce the stock of trees further in pursuit of an ill-advised attempt to convert a quarrying waste tip into viable grassland.

In light of the numerous open mouths of old quarry mines, and some steep terrain, perhaps they should be considering introducing goats rather than cattle!

Yours sincerely, Richard Cottrell, by email.

Disputing Mr. Leadbetter Dear Editor, Let me first thank the ‘Countryman’ for defending our common.

Once again Mr Leadbetter has the answer to the Countryman’s letter, as it would seem, he has the answer to most letters in the Gazette.

I, like the Countryman, have walked Corfe Common for many years, a

The Purbeck Gazette long time before the National Trust came to power here. It would be interesting to know how long Mr Leadbetter had known the village and surroundings, as he did not mention anything about the Wicken or Miller’s Bay, which you can no longer see since they put fences up along the water meadow to split it into three pots.

For those who are not familiar with Miller’s Bay, it was built to flood the water meadow in spring and bay back the water to run West Mill. The stonework should be looked after and preserved.

He also stated that the common was not overgrazed. This I dispute, as the common is never rested.

Years ago the gorse on the hills and common was burned in March, this ensured that the seed was destroyed, which halted the spread of the bracken and gorse.

This pond business has been going on for many years and I still say they have destroyed it, and have forbad the wildlife to drink there. Let’s face it, they have no answer to this eyesore. I feel the wildlife would have solved this problem.

As I have already stated, some of us have walked the common daily, perhaps for most of our lives. There’s a good chance we knew the common before Mr Leadbetter was born, and I must add, it is no good for him to blame dog owners and insult them by saying they were irresponsible. I only hope he will get his answer on that one.

As for being better informed about their nature reserves, I am afraid we have not all been brainwashed by the National Trust.

I am so pleased they found some chamomile, but no mention of any other plant. This seems rather odd considering the size of the common. My answer would be to put a fence around it, or stand guard by it, in case a horse decides to tread on it.

Next time you go on your walk Mr Leadbetter, take a moment to look into the air and look all around. If your luck is in you might see a deer or a badger, but I doubt you will see anything else.

The volunteers have done the ditch in the West Halves and what a mess they have made of that. As they have left it the tenant would not be able to do anything with it as it is rough for at least ten yards from the ditch.

Next spring it will be back to square one.

Neddy, Corfe Castle.

Wildlife Trust Responds Dear Editor, Townsend Nature Reserve Following a number of letters in response to David Hollister’s comment in the February edition, I’m indeed relieved and grateful to read David Leadbetter’s informed and accurate reply in last month’s paper.

Townsend was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1977 and Dorset Wildlife Trust bought the land, with some support from both the Countryside Commission and Nature Conservancy Council (now Natural England) in 1979, saving it from probable expansion as a caravan site.

The SSSI designation was made primarily for its limestone grassland interest, supporting nationally scarce flowers and insects. The areas of scrub were recognised as being important, as cover and nesting opportunities for migrant and breeding birds.

In addition, in 2001 it was further recognised in a European context as a Special Area for Conservation for its orchid-rich limestone grassland and supporting the rare early gentian. It has never been, or managed as, a heathland as one correspondent suggested.

As another ‘Swanage Resident’ rightly pointed out, past quarrying and other earth movements in the 1970s created opportunities for flowerrich grassland to develop on the thin limestone soils prior to the scrub developing and spreading.

Despite DWT’s efforts to control the spread of scrub on to the grassland areas through grazing and manual clearance, the scrub has expanded from 22% cover to nearly 40% in just the last twenty-five years. In addition to this, much of the scrub is becoming open and ‘leggy’, with significant amounts of sycamore moving in, therefore not providing the dense cover needed by the birds.

The reason therefore for so much scrub clearance is to attempt to get back to where we were twenty-five-years ago, which will mean more flower-rich grassland and better quality scrub habitats for the birds.

We accept that this has meant that on some days through the winter, there was the noise of chainsaws and brush-cutters, and the burning up of cut material. It is the most effective approach for getting to where we want to be and we sincerely apologise to the few people that have been directly affected.

It may take another two winters to meet our target, after which the

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ongoing work will significantly reduce, but DWT hopes that the work on its land can create further opportunities for the community as well as the wildlife to come and enjoy the open space that we are providing on the Townsend Nature Reserve.

Rob Brunt, Head of Land Management, Dorset Wildlife Trust

A Spooky Town?

Dear Editor, Strange little snippets of conversation are sometimes to be heard.

The top deck of a bus is as good as any.

He to she: “There’s a lot of retired people in this town.”

She to him: (almost inaudibly) “It’s a spooky town.”

Your readers can draw any inferences if they so wish.

Thank you.

David Barsley, Swanage.

Pier Head - A Swanage Icon Dear Editor, This may be a tired subject, but I’m referring to the pitiful state of what was once the neon signed Pier Head restaurant in Swanage.

The widening cracks in the walls of this iconic building belie the council’s policy to let it deteriorate beyond health and safety regulations then send in a wrecking ball upon what is a grade two listed building. Built by Canadian pioneer troops awaiting D-day in 1943; men who saved us all at the Leopold Canal (Google).

Families arriving from the ferries would head here for the first available cream tea. Now to see its long- faded fall from grace, despite much vaunted plans for a casino or more flats-sur-mer, on this prime site is very sad.

I worked at the Pier Head as a chef in the 1970s when boil in the bag ‘duck a la orange’ was considered haute cuisine and people queued around the block in the bank holiday rain for a table with an ocean view at a fair price (pie, peas and chips two quid).

Despite some pseudo clever artistry, painting rats on the wall was the ultimate insult to its empathy with Swanage.

History falls to shopping malls – to quote Joni Mitchell. Swanage Town Council should step in and put this poor ghost out of its misery.

Hopefully no re-run on the Bournemouth Winter Gardens, where the Beatles once played circa 1964. Not another fuming car park, please, please.

Has anyone ever considered restoration or is it just too late?

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

The Purbeck Gazette

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Old Places, New Faces...

by David Hollister

W

ell, the Local Council Elections are over; we have some new faces, some familiar faces, and have said goodbye to some long-serving Councillors. I have always maintained that there is no place for party politics in local government and have – as long as I can remember – voted for the person who I felt would serve us best.

I was disappointed to see that Cllr Mike Lovell, the County Councillor for the South Purbeck division, had ‘stood down’ (local elections). Indeed, perhaps I should have written “there was a proper selection process with party members voting on both candidates’ presentations” which led me to believe that Mike’s presentational abilities might not have matched those of his fellow-Conservative, Cherry Brooks, who will no doubt carry our banner at County Hall with the same enthusiasm as did Mike. I wish her luck; looking at some of the other “old guard” re-elected to D.C.C. for the umpteenth time, she will need it.

Mike has been a friend since childhood, and will continue to use his skills on Purbeck D.C. to benefit the area he loves, without the stress of being a County Councillor! My undying memory of Mike was about ten years ago when the road between Harmans Cross and Swanage flooded dangerously after a flash storm. As I drove past, a solitary figure with a spade was standing in the deep puddle clearing the drains. It was Mike Lovell. I felt so guilty afterwards for not stopping to help.

Cherry – the first thing you can try to do is something that Bill Trite has been trying to do for ages. That’s get rid of the ‘cabinet’ style of government which entails half a dozen ‘top bodies’ at D.C.C. making all the decisions with the ‘rump’ of Councillors ratifying them. Then you could always campaign for executive salaries earning well over £100,000 p.a. to be reduced and the funds reallocated to the ordinary workers – roadmen, social workers, etc – who get cold, wet and dirty ‘at the coal face’.

Senior staff salaries were last reviewed and increased in July 2016. Social workers’ salaries are published on ‘Dorset For You’ at £26,140; Service Technicians earn £20,841p.a. Our current CEO is on £149,000. Over to you, Cherry!

Corfe Castle residents are up in arms about the new house recently completed opposite the old Telephone Exchange; Portland stone has been used for detail on the roof. It’s thought to be the only Portland Stone in a village built of Purbeck Stone, and weathers to look totally different; the roof has been tiled with concrete as opposed to the ubiquitous and more pleasant ‘Bradstone’.

I can only assume that the P.D.C. Planning and Building Department were having a bad day, but then if some of the other stuff they have granted recently is anything to go by, every day’s possibly a bad day. Have you noticed how some of the older and character-full buildings in your own town or village were put up before the benefit of a ‘Planning Department’?

One hundred years ago the worthies just got together and said “That’ll be OK, John”, they got on and did it.

Once again, the issue of parking on pavements has reared its ugly head; this time, in Church Knowle. Not only is it illegal, but it’s anti-social and downright dangerous to anyone who’s blind or disabled. So, next time

you park on a pavement, ask yourself how you’d feel if it was your mum or dad in their wheelchair that had to be pushed into the road to avoid your selfishly parked car.

Are you aware that the Wareham level crossing was manned at Easter and the following weekend when no trains ran in or out of the station due to work on the line, so the crossing gates remained permanently open? I’m led to believe that the staff are paid by D.C.C.; they would have been on Bank Holiday and weekend rates of pay, amounting to who knows how much, just to sit there unnecessarily. Someone in authority please write in and correct me if I’m wrong?

Wasn’t it great to see the new Lifeboat Station opened and the new lifeboat formally dedicated in Swanage in April? So many congratulations to the local fund-raisers for finding a massive £465,000 behind our sofas ……!

You must all be very proud. This has got to be one of Swanage’s major achievements in living memory. Well done to all involved.

Now Corfe Castle is fund-raising for a total refurbishment of its tired Village Hall. Having been there in recent years with Harmans Cross, I know the magnitude of the task ahead and wish you – from the bottom of my heart – all the very best. Winners never quit. Quitters never win!

Isn’t it good to be able to drive through Corfe Castle on the smooth new quiet tarmac roads?! I do hope that the nocturnal roadworks didn’t leave too many residents with insomnia, but from all of us who drive through Corfe regularly, thank you so much for your tolerance and understanding of the workmen who were – after all - only doing their jobs!

It’s now clear where the funding for these road improvements is coming from ……. Last month I parked in Swanage’s Station Road, an hour for 80p.

Now it’s up to 70p for half an hour! Tourists are here, so they’re clearly gathering rosebuds whilst they may! Still to come – I’m told – a resurface for Victoria Avenue in Swanage. Wonder if they’ll do “all nighters”?!

Seems to be a spate of accidental damage to cars, not only in car parks but also in residential roads. Accidents for which nobody is sufficiently decent to leave a note “sorry, I damaged your car, here’s my name and address”.

Accidents which fall below the radar of the local police who have neither the time nor the resources to follow them up. Sad times.

Wareham Surgery has 8000 patients and because one GP is off with a broken hip, another has resigned and they have had ‘no response’ to job adverts, they have been reduced to allowing people a four hour window to get an appointment to see a locum doctor on the same morning or same afternoon. They are being urged to tell the receptionist ‘as much information as possible’.

Don’t know if I’d really want to share my medical problems with anyone but a doctor, but these are hard times and likely to get a darn sight harder if the Dorset C.C.G. have their way. Wareham is a rapidly growing town, with further growth envisaged, and the failure of the authorities to provide proper and comprehensive medical facilities is a total disgrace.

Perhaps a concern that should be shared loudly should any of the political party candidates be bothered come door-knocking in Wareham for the upcoming General Election…….

The Purbeck Gazette

Heath-Fire Watch Urban Heath Partnership Continues to Help Protect Heathland he Urban Heath Partnership (UHP) launched ‘Operation Heathlands’ to raise awareness of fire, vandalism, anti-social behaviour and to protect the heathland through a series of educational programmes and prevention activity in schools, the community and on heathlands.

The initiative, in its eighteenth year, runs until 29th September and member organisations will be working together to tackle issues including: • Anti-social unauthorised use of vehicles on land • Damage to fences and gates • Anti-social behaviour • Trampling of rare plants and animals • Erosion of vegetation and sandy heathland soil • Disturbance of ground-nesting birds such as nightjars and woodlarks • Dog fouling • Fly-tipping of rubbish and garden refuse • Predation of rare animals by domestic pets Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Deliberate Fire-setting/Arson Reduction Coordinator, Gaynor Mant, said: “Arson is the biggest threat to the heathland and both deliberate and accidental fires can destroy whole colonies of wildlife. We are advising visitors to the heath to be especially mindful of discarded cigarettes and to NOT use disposable barbecues when visiting.”

Dorset heaths are home to all six native reptiles: smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm – and for some of these, our heaths are the only remaining natural habitat in the UK. If you see a fire or anti-social behaviour being committed on a heathland, get to safety and contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Volunteers are being recruited who regularly visit the heaths and would be willing to give up a small amount of their time to help protect them.

The UHP offer training to Heath Watch groups on Dorset’s open spaces.

Call 01202 642787, email urbanheaths@dorsetcc.gov.uk or visit the Community Heath Watch page on Facebook for more information.

You can also sign up to receive crime prevention and community safety advice through Dorset Alert

T

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The Purbeck Gazette

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

OS Maps, Cards, Calendars, Gift Stationery, Gift Vouchers

NEW BOOKS COMING SOON! Corfe Castle, by Andrew Norman Quick ordering service - no postage charge Use your local shops or lose us!!

Call in and browse at your leisure • OPEN 9.30am - 5.00pm website: www.editionone.co.uk

Wareham Area Forum

O

ur meeting on the 8th May on Planning Permissions and their effect on the local community was very successful and we are now aware of the restrictions that are prevalent when granting such permissions.

The meeting was well attended and many questions were asked and answered. Our new sound system (courtesy of Dorset Early Help/POPP) was tested and proved to be invaluable. We now switch to something completely different!

On the 26th June, your forum is combining with the Dorset Age Partnership and Dorset Early Help for Adults/POPP to bring you a Health Forum.

Tea/coffee and cake will be available whilst you peruse the information that will be available to you and for you to talk to many groups from the caring perspective to funding.

Hopefully, this is the first of many forum meetings that will be carried out with our sister organizations. The next one will be held on the 11th September and will concentrate on falls – otherwise known as the ‘sloppy slipper event’.

email: info@editionone.co.uk

All meetings will be taking place at Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Wareham, from 10am to 12 noon.

We really look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

There is a requested donation of £2 on admission to cover costs at all our meetings.

Out Of The Blue

T

he summer is almost with us and all those outside jobs need doing before we can start to make the most of our gardens during the summer months, but please be vigilant, it is easy to succumb to door step traders promising to make your life a bit easier by doing the work for you.

Rogue traders offer you a service, but overcharge for substandard, often unnecessary and incomplete work. Examples are: power washing driveways, cutting down trees and tending gardens; they also carry out general building work.

They can be very intimidating but remember: • Never accept work from anyone who offers you it over the phone or at your door.

• Never go to the bank with a tradesman.

The nights are getting longer and warmer, the perfect time for a hack out in the countryside and unwind from the stresses of work. So, some friendly advice; when riding on the roads please be mindful that not all road users will necessarily be aware or used to seeing riders. Please remember that courtesy must be exercised by all.

The British Horse Society’s advice in its ‘DEAD? OR DEAD SLOW?’ campaign is worth keeping in mind.

Riders: • Always wear Hi-Visibility clothing and equipment on your horse.

• Try to avoid riding in falling light • Show courtesy to drivers • If your horse is not used to roads make sure you go out with an experience rider and horse • Concentrate at all times • Ensure you have told someone where you are going Drivers: There are four simple steps you can take to reduce the risk to horse and rider: • Slow down to 15mph

• Be patient, don’t sound your horn or rev your engine • Pass wide (at least a car width from the horse) • Drive slowly away 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, as well as community safety messages.

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

Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Purbeck Gazette

Bath Night Down The Years....

How delightful it was at the end of the day Exhausted by gardening or housework, to say “I’m going to switch on the immersion tonight And lie in the bath ‘till I’m smooth, clean and white!”

Submerged under gallons of watery foam I’d murmur contentedly, “No place like home!”

Then finally step from the bath to the floor.

Dry off with warm towels, who’d dare ask for more?

We do take for granted this watery delight.

From my youth I recall a much different bath-night!

Standing up in a tin bath, - it now seems so strangeOn a mat laid in front of our old kitchen range.

The hot water came from the copper nearby.

At least we’d warm towels our bodies to dry.

But the family had to be warned, so you’d shout, “It’s my turn for a bath in the kitchen. Keep out!”

Now the wheel’s turned full circle. I’m aged eighty-eight.

And living alone, not an enviable state.

I have a warm bathroom, all tiled gleaming white.

Such encouraging features should suit one just right.

But a strong, nagging doubt in my mind flits about,Just suppose when I’ve bathed that I cannot get out!

There’s a grab rail and bath mat, but if I should slip There’ll be no one to help me from my foamy dip!

I should shout myself hoarse, but no rescue would come.

In that fast-chilling water I’d swiftly succumb!

So I stand at the wash-bowl, a trifle shamefaced, And sponge myself carefully down to the waist.

In the bath I’ve run water, I perch on the seat And wash myself down from my waist to my feet.

Then I clamber out carefully, safe on the floor:But it’s not quite the bath-night I used to adore!

Eric Gosney, March 2012.

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The Purbeck Gazette

In Memory: Colin John Bown

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A Very Distinctive Gentleman. 02:08:45 - 04:05:17

C

olin was an instantly recognisable Swanage resident, wearing his astrakhan hat on all but the warmest days, and sporting his carefullygroomed ‘Genghis Khan styled beard’. He was very well-known to the librarians, coffee vendors and shop keepers. The beginning of each day followed a predictable pattern: reading the newspapers and sipping strong espresso macchiato.

Those who engaged him in conversation soon realised how very knowledgeable he was in current affairs and events since 1945 throughout the world. They were drawn into erudite company filled with a sense of fun – a true ‘Bon Viveur’.

Much of Colin’s working life was in college management teams, but his real love lay in the classroom. He was a superb history teacher and at Brockenhurst College instituted A Level International Relations. There was no text book – so he and a colleague wrote ‘Cold War to Détente’, which was published successfully by Heinemann and ran two editions.

Many of Colin’s students continued to refer to this book at university, and some entered the Diplomatic Corps.

In 2003, we moved to Swanage, ready to live our retirement dream. During

the following five years, we travelled extensively in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Then in 2008, on a beautiful afternoon in October, Colin’s life was saved by the emergency services of Swanage and Poole. Treatment for lung cancer (stage 4) followed, and we adapted to a slower pace of life. Colin kept doggedly on – he never gave up hope and was inspirational.

He surprised everyone by surviving the cancer and we had wonderful holidays in Spain and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, including Shetland.

We saw our children and grandchildren regularly.

We visited exhibitions all over Britain, and scoured the Dorset and Somerset countryside for sightings of butterflies and orchids, and tracked down old churches.

Sadly, a year ago a new cancer in the pancreas took over. Morning coffee sessions continued but the walks were for warmer days only, and a stroll along Swanage Pier became a precious treat.

Colin wished to die at home and he was enabled to do so with dignity.

He received exemplary care and attention from; the staff at the Harbour Hospital, Poole, the Palliative Care team at Poole, Swanage District Nurse and GP team, Marie Curie night time nurse-carers, four lovely carers from Agincare, and our incredibly kind, thoughtful neighbours and family.

Telling Swanage people the sad news brought a common response; surprise he had been so ill, and great sorrow that he was no longer around for those amazing conversations.

Christine Bown.

Pictured: Top left, Colin on Swanage Pier, 2016. Top right, Colin 18 March 2016.

Help To Fund Two New Macmillan Professionals For Dorset Help raise £108,000 to fund two new Macmillan Professionals - join the BPE Macmillan Way Challenge this summer Fundraisers for Macmillan Cancer Support are asking the people of Dorset to help raise enough money to fund two new Macmillan Professionals.

Every day in Dorset 15 people will hear the devastating news they have cancer and 6 people will die from the illness.

A fundraising party of over two hundred supporters from across the country will be walking the 297 mile Macmillan Way this July in an attempt to raise £108,000 for the charity. The route, starting in Boston in Lincolnshire will take in Sherborne, Evershot and Long Bredy, before ending on the beach at Abbotsbury.

The fundraisers are calling for help from individuals, groups and businesses in the region who would be willing to support the challenge by either taking part in a section of the walk, or by offering corporate or individual sponsorship. Details can be found at www.macmillanwalk.uk.

The challenge is being led by South West law firm, BPE, and spearheaded by lawyer, Rob Bryan. Rob was inspired to launch the campaign after his mother and a close friend were cared for by Macmillan Cancer Support, so he witnessed first hand the incredible support and care they were given.

Macmillan Cancer Support help people living with cancer in Dorset and across the UK, receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

In 2015, the charity reached two million cancer patients through Macmillan Services.

In addition to these patients, Macmillan helped many more carers, family members and friends, reaching 5.8 million people in total. There are currently 30,200 people living with cancer in Dorset and it is predicted that by 2030 that number will double to 57,700 - enough people to fill the AFC Bournemouth football ground five and half times.

Rob Bryan of BPE Solicitors says: “We will be walking through Dorset from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th July, travelling through Sherborne, Evershot and Long Bredy before reaching the finishing line at Abbotsbury beach. It would be fantastic to see as many people as possible from the area come out and join us for a small part of the route.

“We really are rallying support from across the country, it’s very exciting and so great to see how passionate people are about Macmillan Cancer Support. Any level of support would be hugely welcome. We are encouraging individuals, parish councils, small fundraising groups and businesses in a position to offer corporate sponsorship to get in touch and find out how they can help. I am very committed to people being treated with dignity throughout their lives and especially at the end of their lives. Macmillan Cancer Support made a profound difference to my Mum and to our family.”

How to get involved The team, including Rob, members of his family, BPE colleagues and clients, and friends, will set off on the 297 mile challenge from Boston in Lincolnshire on 1st July and walk coast to coast, finishing in Abbotsbury in Dorset on 29th July (29/7). Rob is hoping that everyone walking will raise £297 for the campaign and each sponsor will sponsor at least £29.70. He is inviting everyone to get involved by: • Joining him on the walk, taking in all or some of the route; • Sponsoring him (or friends and family) to do the walk.

For more information about how you can get involved, visit www. macmillanwalk.uk or email macmillanchallenge@bpe.co.uk.

For donations, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ MacmillanWayChallenge Follow the team on twitter @BPE_Rob

The Purbeck Gazette

Heirlooms of Wareham

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A long-standing local business, now under new ownership

H

eirlooms of Wareham, the Jewellers and Silversmiths, was founded

by Michael and Gabrielle Young in 1986 and now after thirty-one years, the couple have decided to retire. However, the business has been bought by Mrs Amy Brenan, who will continue to run Heirlooms in the same traditional way that customers have come to know and appreciate.

Gabrielle says, “We have known Amy for many years in her work as an Auctioneer and professional jewellery valuer. Her passion and knowledge of antique jewellery and silver is impeccable.”

Amy intends to continue with all of the specialised services which Heirlooms is known for, such as repairs and restorations to jewellery, silverwares, clocks and watches, as well as undertaking valuations.

Michael adds, “We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support and good wishes over the years. We have shared wonderful times with them, including advising on gifts for the milestones in their lives, such as weddings, christenings, anniversaries and birthdays. We wish Amy every success for the future.”

Amy has spent the past ten years working as the jewellery specialist at Duke’s Auctioneers in Dorchester, and has built up a good reputation with clients in and around Dorset. Some eagle-eyed television viewers may also have spotted her in David Dickinson’s TV show ‘Real Deal’, where she works behind the scenes as a specialist.

“I am so excited to take on Heirlooms, a shop I have known and loved for many years. I have always wanted to run my own business and I am very fortunate to have been able to realise my dream” says Amy. “Gabrielle and Michael have created a wonderful niche for antique jewellery

St George’s Day In Wareham

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he above image shows the St George’s Day parade in Wareham.

The photograph was taken and sent in by Sue Booth of Wareham.

in Dorset which I plan to build upon, personally selecting only the best items and offering all the traditional services one expects from a town jewellers, including providing professional written valuations for insurance and inheritance tax assessment.”

Amy’s plans for the future include redeveloping the website allowing clients to buy online, in addition to providing home visits for valuations.

Amy will extend the opening hours of the shop, Tues - Fri, from 9.30am - 5pm, and together with her assistant Jo Duke, they are looking forward to meeting the residents of Wareham.

The Gazette would like to wish Michael and Gabrielle a wonderful retirement!

We are thrilled that you’ve been fortunate enough to find Amy to take the business forward into the future. Heirlooms have supported the Gazette for over a decade with regular monthly advertising, in turn supporting the community by helping us to pay to print community editorial.

We are hugely grateful to Mike and Gabrielle, and wish Amy the very best of luck in the future!

Pictured: L-R: Michael, Amy (new owner), Gabrielle.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Banish Those Negative Perceptions Of Ageing!

Older people in the South West missing out due to negative perceptions of ageing - Janet Street Porter backs new positive ageing campaign ew research shows more than half (54%) of older South Westerners are missing out on new experiences which could benefit them as they age. What’s more, nearly 92% of those will never get around to the things on their wish list because they feel too old, scared or lonely to give it a go.

The research has been commissioned by WE100, a global Merck Consumer Health initiative that aims to tackle negative perceptions of ageing and help prepare society to live one-hundred healthy years.

With nearly half (43%) admitting routine stops them trying new things, WE100 hopes to inspire people of all ages to try something new for the first time, and help maintain mental and physical health into old age. TV’s Janet Street Porter, aged 70, is lending her support to the initiative as someone who attributes her own youthful demeanour to a hunger for new experiences.

She says: ‘I noticed myself I was starting to get a bit too comfortable in my daily routine – a sure sign that I was sinking into old age. I’ve realised the key to ageing healthily is to be brave enough to try something new and

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challenge yourself. Use old age as a reason to start saying ‘yes’!’ Further MCH-commissioned research has shown that while 70% of Britons believe that age is just a number, nearly 80% agree we need to tackle our negative attitude to ageing.

Janet continues: ‘The most important thing you can do as you get older is to take control of your life. Old age is a chance to do something positive – make new friends and learn new things.’

To help combat the lack of confidence some older people may feel, WE100 is asking that everyone help spread the word of the campaign, and encouraging younger people to assist their older friends, relatives and neighbours in their new challenges.

The top five unfulfilled new experiences in the UK are: 1 Learning a new language (Spanish most popular) 2 Bungee jumping 3 International travel (cruising most popular) 4 Flying a plane or helicopter 5 Learning to dance.

Most unusual answers included: 1 A shark cage dive 2 Learning falconry 3 Eating Squid Ink Risotto 4 Learning sign language 5 Learning to drive a horse-drawn carriage Special WE100 benches are being installed across the UK, starting in London’s Waterloo train station, as a place for young and old to come together and share their first-time stories.

For more information on the WE100 movement and to find out where the benches will be installed, visit facebook.com/WE100UK. Janet Street Porter, 70, has just tried aerial yoga for the first time (pictured, above) and will be sharing her experiences on behalf of WE100.

The Purbeck Gazette

Tricuro Throws Doors Open In June

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ricuro, which is wholly owned by Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Poole Borough Council, is a leading provider of social care across the county.

This comprises residential and nursing homes, day services, reablement services, shared lives, employment services, catering services as well as newly created care services (domiciliary care).

To celebrate the National Care Home Day as well as National Carers week, Tricuro has decided to extend the celebrations to include all services; wanting to open their doors to anyone in the community who wants to learn more about the company.

There will be parties and information events happening across all services, details of which can be found under the News and Events tab on their website www.tricuro.co.uk Across Purbeck Tricuro offers care, catering and day services in both Swanage and Wareham and runs the residential home Anglebury Court in Wareham.

The Wareham and Swanage Day services will be participating in the Big Lunch Event, with street parties planned. For more information call 01929 554618.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Countdown To Swanage Carnival 2017!

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ith Carnival 2017 less than two months away, our Carnival Court have already started their Carnival duties since being selected in March.

This year we welcome Carnival Queen, Hannah Pound; Senior Princess, Bryanie Bennett; and Junior Princess, Olivia Bowen. The Swanage Carnival Court will represent Swanage Carnival over the coming year and will be attending many of the events during Carnival week.

2017 promises to be an exciting year as we welcome back the Red Arrows, introduce some brand-new events, and look forward to some traditional favourites!

Carnival week starts with a bumper weekend of events including the incredible motorbike display team and the spectacular Carnival Procession that parades around the town, bringing the streets alive with dance, music and entertainment. This year’s theme is ‘Swanage goes Global’ so get planning for your Carnival Procession outfits!

It’s time to start collecting your coins and notes to fill up the carnival buckets in support of our events so that we can raise lots of money for our chosen charities and good causes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Picture Credit – Karen Foster

Swanage Firestation

Hi and welcome to my monthly report from Swanage Fire station! Operationally, we have been kept busy answering fifty-two emergency incidents since my last report, these included the following: • Two fires involving heathland.

• Two fires involving property, one of which involved Parnham house near Beaminster.

• • • •

Six special service calls Two vehicle fire Seven false alarms Seven stand by moves to cover other areas of the county due to large incident taking place.

• Two animal rescues • One Barn fire • Three Chimney fire • One road traffic collision We have also responded to nineteen medical calls in and around the town, backed up by our South West Ambulance colleges in a paramedic car or an Ambulance.

For this month’s safety message, I would like to remind our community: HOW A SPRING CLEAN COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! It may be the last month of spring, but there’s still time to squeeze in a final spring clean. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to clear the clutter that may be blocking escape routes and to make sure their family, guests and loved ones know how to get out, stay out, and call 999 in the event of a fire.

Working smoke alarms are the best way to alert you to the danger of

fire, giving you precious time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of, and simple to install, but blocked exits, locked doors or unfamiliar surroundings can shave vital seconds from escape times.

We all know we need to take time to test our smoke alarms, but this week, also make time to take some simple steps to help keep your loved ones safe: • Think about how you’d all get out in case of a fire. Making an escape plan and practising it will help ensure that everyone can get out.

Remember – Once you get out, stay out and call 999.

• Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. This means smoke will reach the alarms quicker, giving you more warning time.

• Test your smoke alarms regularly. Smoke alarms can save your life, but only if they work.

• Clear your escape routes. Make sure you’re able to escape without tripping over to ensure a speedy exit.

• Keep your door and window keys in a known and accessible place.

Make sure everyone knows where the door and window keys are kept so they can reach them easily and get out quicker in case of a fire.

Last but not least, I would like to say a BIG well done to firefighter Liam Blake (pictured, right) who completed the London Marathon in 7 hours and 19 seconds wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus.

A big thank you to everybody who helped or sponsored Liam, his total to date is £3458:85, which will go to the Firefighters charity. This is a great achievement for Liam but also for his wife Zoe his Family, friends and Employers Swanage Diaries who all played a big part in getting Liam ready to take part in such a great day.

Phil Burridge, Station Commander

The Purbeck Gazette

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1,606 Thank Yous!

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he community’s dream of creating the Tree of Life and Laughter Community Garden, to the rear of Wareham Library, has come one step closer thanks to the generosity of the Wareham Co-op Local Community Fund and its customers.

Over the past six months they have been donating 1% of all that they have spent on Cooperative own-brand products, which has resulted in a total of almost £5,000. This has been divided between three local good causes, of which the community garden project has received £1,606 This now means that the funding target for the project has been reached and work can begin.

‘It is our aim to have the work completed before the launch of Purbeck Art Weeks on 27th May as that is when local school children and Purbeck Centre students will be using the garden to display a wide range of clay creatures, birds, plants and flowers, that they have created to decorate the garden,’ says John Scott, Development Manager, Wareham & District Development Trust, and leading the project in partnership with several local community groups and organisations. ‘The Tree of Life and Laughter Garden is truly a community project and will result in the once neglected space being used as a garden and community exhibition space by one and all for many years to come.’

John Scott, Development Manager, Wareham & District Development Trust, Rempstone Estate Office, Cow Lane, Wareham BH20 4RD Tel: 01929 554236 or 07971 029940 john@wddt.org.uk www.wddt.org.uk www.thewarehambears.co.uk Attached photograph shows, from left to right: Matthew Sibley, Manager, Wareham Cooperative Store, John Scott, Development Manager, WDDT, Heather Scharnhorst, Wareham Cooperative Store.

All Grown Up. Do you remember when you were small And everyone around you seemed so tall Now you have grown, life is just great Looking down on friends and your best mate They used to look big and really scary Now no longer are you feeling wary You used to be overlooked now you look over Living your days in fields of clover Marie Neilson

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Call 07836 369969

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dorset’s Sustainability And Transformation Plan Public Engagement Group (PEG) eople living in and around Dorset are being invited to apply to join a new public engagement group as a key part of the work to improve health and care across the county, as detailed in the county’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).

STP partner organisations are seeking to recruit approximately twenty members of the public to the new Public Engagement Group (PEG) who will have live experience of Dorset’s geography, demography and diversity.

Their key role will be to provide advice, guidance and challenge to inform public engagement.

Partner organisations are keen to emphasise the value of hearing a wide variety of views from across the region and are encouraging people to get involved in projects that affect all of Dorset’s residents. Anyone who is interested is invited to find out more via the NHS Dorset CCG website – www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk- and complete the expression of interest form.

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Anya de Iongh, a national patient leader who led the CCG’s Clinical Services Review patient group said, “I am delighted to see that partner organisations see the importance of a strong and influential group of local people as a key part of their STP work.”

People who are interested but do not have access to the internet can obtain paper copies of the information and form by calling 01202 541946.

Applications for membership and the position of group chair will be considered by officers representing all partner organisations.

STP partner organisations: NHS Dorset CCG, Dorset County Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset HealthCare, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, South West Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole. Further information is available at www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/involve/public-engagement-group.htm

Public Support For Renewable Energy

enewableUK is highlighting new official Government statistics which show that 79% of people support renewable energy.

The poll also shows that levels of public support for other renewable technologies reached their highest ever levels. Onshore wind’s support reached 73%, offshore wind at 80%; wave and tidal at 79%. The Public Attitudes Tracking Survey is published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

RenewableUK’s Executive Director, Emma Pinchbeck, said: “As political parties get ready to launch their manifestos, it must surely be worth their attention that nearly 80% of the general public support renewable energy, and this remains true across all demographics.

The public is well aware that home-grown renewables provide clean and affordable energy for the future, along with huge economic benefits to local communities”.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Commemoration Of HMT Arfon

By Martin, Bryan and Patricia of Swanage Boat Charters

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commemoration ceremony took place at St Aldhem’s Head, near Worth Matravers, to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of a First World War minesweeping trawler with the loss of ten of its thirteen crew. The original plan was for the descendants to visit the site of HMT Arfon by boat and lay wreaths to mark the occasion. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong to allow this.

Twenty descendants, plus Martin and Bryan Jones, Andrew Bailey and Garry Momber visited St Aldhem’s Head. Despite the windy conditions the ceremony took place, the poem ‘For the fallen’ was read, then a prayer was read by Janette Humberstone, a descendant of Edward Youngs, the Second Hand.

The names of all the crew were read out followed by the blowing of the steam whistle using Morse Code for MINE. _ _ . . _ . .

The original steam whistle, beautifully restored, was sounded for the first time since the sinking of HMT Arfon in 1917.

The whole group then assembled at the eastern side of St. Aldhem’s Head NCI station for the unveiling of an information board sponsored by Historic England. The unveiling was performed by Garry Momber, the Director of the Maritime Archaeology Trust.

Martin said: “I was most surprised and delighted by how many people were able to attend the ceremony. It was a real pleasure to meet John Abrams (1V) who was the great grandson of the Skipper, John Abrams of HMT Arfon.”

After the ceremony the group spent the rest of the day at The Pines Hotel in Swanage where Garry Momber was able to show everyone the 3D tour released that day. Martin brought along a number of artefacts for the descendants to see. At a later date, the intention is that all the artefacts will be on display in museums.

The wreck was a rare find by Martin and Bryan Jones of Swanage Boat Charters whilst taking divers out on another wreck in 2013. Bryan was the first person to dive the wreck in 2014. Bryan, with the help of Dave Wendes, a local maritime historian, was able to prove that the wreck was HMT Arfon. The wreck is exceptionally well preserved with the trawler’s key features, such as the mine-sweeping gear, deck gun, portholes and engine room still intact on the sea bed.

The Maritime Archaeology Trust has taken more than 10,000 images as part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Forgotten wrecks project. The images have been used to produce a 3D tour of the Arfon as she lies on the seabed today, using a process called photogrammetry. This enables non-divers to view the wreck via the internet. As the wreck is now protected, diving can only be undertaken under special licence granted by Historic England.

Martin added: “We would like to thank Historic England and the Maritime Archaeology Trust for the enormous amount of work that they have contributed to this project. We hope the Arfon will be left in its pristine condition and respected for its rarity and historical value for many years to come.”

The Purbeck Gazette

Pictures: Top left (facing page), HMT Arfon afloat. Bottom left (facing page), the decendants at the Commemoration in 2017.

This page: Top left: the information board is unveiled. Right: the Arfon Steam Whistle. Below: Commemoration wreaths were laid. Below right: The new information board.

Bottom: Diver with the wreck of the Arfon.

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TIME TO VOTE

The Purbeck Gazette

.....again....!

The most important election in a generation.

This is how the forthcoming general election has been described by both politicians and political commentators alike.

On June 8th people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will decide on the individuals who can become Members of Parliament (MPs). Six hundred and fifty MPs will be elected and the party that has a majority (326 is the magic number) forms the government. The leader of this party then creates his or her cabinet from a selection of top MPs to lead the country.

The outcome of the June 2017 election is likely to determine the future path of the country for generations to come.

Public finances, public services, jobs, wage levels, house prices, interest rates, and of course, levels of immigration, are probably among the most important of the many items which will be affected on the eighth.

Whatever your political allegiance, or even if you think ‘They are all the same!’ just appreciate that here in Great Britain, we have the luxury of free and fair elections.

So - if you are registered to vote this June - please be sure to MAKE YOUR MARK.

INDEPENDENTS

THE GREEN PARTY

Check your local ballot paper!

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

A range of independents may be available to vote for in your area.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

une 2007. A decade ago. Have things changed? Or do they remain the same in general?

Purbeck residents were up-in-arms about tree felling in June 2007, which seemed to be a craze sweeping throughout Purbeck that year. Readers wrote in to our May and June editions, complaining about the number of trees being felled locally.

The National Trust were named as a ‘tree felling’ organisation, having recently cropped an area of forest land near Wareham, to the horror of locals. Chris Cressy of Wareham wrote in to register his anger about the ‘lungs of nature’ being cut down, apparently in favour of recreating long-lost heathland.

Trees in north and south Swanage had also been felled, with Nick Crutchfield and David Bowman being thanked by letter writer, Norma Wheeler, for their previous common sense comments on the subject.

Most seemed to agree that this apparent surge of destruction of trees throughout Purbeck was viewed as totally unacceptable.

Wareham celebrated after the Wareham Walls were ‘highly commended’ in the Dorset Archaeological Awards, presented by HRH The Duke of Gloucester at Sherborne Castle on Friday April 27th 2007.

The Walls were nominated under the category of ‘Preservation of the County’s Archaeological Resources, Monuments and Environment’ and the recognition was given for the Wareham Town Walls Management Plan and Implementation. The Management Plan had been adopted by the District Council in 2002 to enhance and preserve the Walls, which are of both national and international importance. The Walls are now able to be read within the wider landscape, with the true significance of the Walls as Saxon town defences fully exposed.

Protesters gathered at County Hall to lobby councillors as they arrived at Dorset County Council’s quarterly meeting (pictured, below).

Demonstrators gathered from Wool, Corfe Castle, Crossways and Puddletown, among others. The demonstration was organised to support a motion calling on the county council to abandon the process by which it

was trying to persuade thirteen communities to take over the running of their libraries in a bid to save money. Despite enthusastic support from around one hundred demonstrators, the motion in favour of the thirteen libraries was lost. County Councillors agreed to debate the matter again at their next full meeting in July 2007.

Affordable housing continued to be a local issue which showed no signs of going away, or for that matter, of being solved. Baroness Andrews, OBE, Parlamentary Under Secretary of State, wrote to the Gazette on the subject of the supply and affordability of housing. Baroness Andrews explained that during the last thirty years of the twentieth century, the number of households increased by 30%, while the level of new house building fell by 50% - a completely unsustainable gap. Baroness Andrews said that she understood that the (then) current plan to build 30,000 new social rented homes per year would not meet the newly arising need.

Baroness Andrews stated that the government recognised that housing was an important issue for the people of Purbeck, and that they would continue to treat the problem of housing affordability as a top priority over the years to come.

The last remaining ‘Hardy Player’, Norrie Woodhall, was planning to tread the boards once again at the age of 101. Eighty-four years after playing Liza-Lu in Hardy’s ‘Tess’, Norrie was planning to take part in a play about Hardy’s life, staged by the New Hardy Players. ‘A life of three strands’ was shown in various locations around Dorset in 2007, with Norrie having contributed further by penning the last scene of the play, which was cowritten with Devina Symes.

Children of St George’s first school in Langton Matravers celebrated a successful sporting year in our June 2007 edition (pictured, below).

The boys’ football team had won the Humphreys Kirk Tournament and the Old Malthouse Tournament, competing against other Purbeck schools.

The girls’ football team were also victorious in the Swanage Girls’ Football Tournament, held in Swanage. The school had also had success in the recently-held Swimming Gala, where they were overall winners.

The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Town Council Updates

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

News from Wareham Town Council April An estimated 13-14,000 people in Dorset suffer from dementia, although the number diagnosed is just over 8,000. Tim Lench and George Pothecary reported to the Council on progress in making Wareham and District a Dementia Friendly Community. Safe Havens, places where the police can take someone found wandering without a home address, have been established. Information sessions are held in the library and once a month a dementia friendly screening at the Rex has the lighting less dimmed and softer sound. In conjunction with Swanage, funds have been raised for an Admiral Nurse for Purbeck – the first such nurse for a Dorset community.

County Councillor Ezzard reported satisfaction with the road resurfacing in Sandford but lots of complaints about work on the Upton bypass. Worgret Road was closed for road works alongside Westgate. The Youth Centre achieved its crowd funding target and Councillor Ezzard urged people to continue their support.

Purbeck District Council had approved measures to reduce the amount of nitrogen leached into Poole Harbour. Councillor Goodinge also reported on changes to the Housing Allocations Policy affecting people released from prison and the length of the local connection. Lytchett Matravers Neighbourhood Plan was to be subject to a referendum on 4th May. The “Beating of the Sea Bounds” ceremony was to take place on 14th May. The Admiral’s Barge with Poole’s Mayor, Sheriff, Macebearers, Chaplain and Town Crier sails from Poole Quay to the Wareham Channel. There the Mayor of Wareham challenges the Mayor of Poole, a reminder of the disputatious relationship between the two towns in the fourteenth century when Poole’s port grew in importance as Wareham’s declined. In the past when many people could not read, the ceremony demonstrated the boundaries which had been formalised in the Winchelsea Certificate.

The Mayor, Councillor Cleaton, reported with regret the demise of the Hemsbach Society due to lack of a chairman, vice-chair and secretary.

However, the visit to Hemsbach in August will take place.

A Town Clerk and an Administrative Assistant had been appointed.

The next meeting of the Town Council was on 16th May; the public is invited to the following one on Tuesday 27th June in the Town Hall at 7pm. For further information, call 01929 553006 or visit the website at www.wareham-tc.gov.uk.

Court Leet’s ‘Best Bread’ Award

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he Black Bear won ‘The best bread’ competition during Court Leet week in November 2016.

Sapphire, the Manager of the Black Bear, accepted the award on 10th May 2017, pictured above.

Photograph by Sue Booth

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The Purbeck Gazette

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WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

Stirling Bomber Crash Commemoration

Gazette reader, Anne Ellott, has written an account of her emotional visit to Etten, where she discovered her connection to the crew of a British Short Stirling Bomber, which was shot down over the Netherlands on 26 March 1942.

Thanks to the people of Etten, the British bomber crew have never been forgotten........

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n 26 March 1942 at 23:00hrs near Etten in the Netherlands, close to the German border, a British Short Stirling Bomber was brought down by either German ground fire or by one or maybe two German Messerschmidt 110s fighter planes. All the seven crew were killed, one was my cousin Thomas Kenneth Haynes, whom I never knew.

At the end of January 2017, I was contacted by email by a lady ancestry consultant for the RAF. She asked me if I would be interested in learning about a commemoration of the Stirling crash in the Netherlands. As I knew hardly anything about Ken, as he was called by his family, I was very keen to know more. I had been very close to his mother, my aunt, and his sister, my cousin, as I grew up and there is nobody alive in that part of my family now.

I gave the lady my email address and within a couple of days I received emails from a Dutch man who was part of a committee in Etten who were organising a ceremony to commemorate the men who gave their lives on 26 March 1942. My husband and I were invited to attend and were given two nights’ bed and breakfast stay in a lovely hotel in the Dutch countryside.

This was just the beginning of the incredible generosity shown to us and eighteen relatives of other crew members.

Earlier on the night of the crash the Bomber – K for Kitty – was heading to the Dutch border after bombing Essen in Germany when the plane was shot down, broke up and crashed on a farmer’s field near Etten, Netherlands.

The local people were kept away from the site by the German soldiers because nearby was a crashed Messerschmidt fighter plane, which may have shot down the bomber which had previously shot down the fighter.

There is a local mystery about what actually happened that night.

Etten is a small town with an incredible community spirit. The community and many local businesses paid for a cast metal reproduction of the outline of a Stirling bomber and its crew to be made and placed in the field where it had crashed. It was commemorated on Sunday 26 March 2017, the 75th Anniversary.

There were ten of us staying in the hotel, with the others staying in two

bungalows nearby, including seven relatives of the pilot from Australia.

On the Saturday evening, the local committee came to the hotel and gave each family a print of the plane on fire just before it crashed, painted by a local man, which was a very kind gesture, if a little sad. They then outlined the timetable for the next day’s ceremonies.

On the Sunday, we were picked up by a 25-seater bus at 12.45pm and taken to a farmyard attached to the crash site and served teas and coffees and special commemorative cakes. Then we followed the Town Band, a Pipe and Drum Band, Canadian Legion flag bearers, local dignitaries, representatives from the British, Australian and Canadian Embassies to the crash site. Relatives sat in the front row and it seemed like the whole of the town’s residents had come to pay their respects.

The ceremony was very moving and I was very privileged to assist in raising the RAF flag. There was music from the Town Band and the Pipe and Drums Band, speeches, and then the Last Post and two minutes’ silence.

Then a fly past of two Canadian planes of the same type used by the ‘K for Kitty’ crew for training in Canada in 1940. A white rose was placed by the name of each crew member and many wreaths were laid.

We were then taken to Etten church where there was a concert, which was wonderful. The townspeople made us feel so welcome. Afterwards each family was given a framed photograph of ‘K for Kitty’ Stirling Bomber taken in October 1941 at the airbase in Oakington, Cambs. where they flew from.

We next were given a typical ‘Dutch Snack’ of a creamed beef croquette, which was very welcome and tasty. After that we were taken to the cemetery and saw the War Graves of the seven crew, immaculately cared for. Unbelievably we were told that the German Wafen SS formed a guard of honour at the funeral in 1942.

We returned to the hotel, tired and emotionally drained after a truly unforgettable day. The Dutch people are so grateful to the young men who gave their lives for their freedom – and ours.

The Purbeck Gazette

THE SWANAGE ARMY LINK

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SWANAGE ARMED FORCES DAY 2017

Mercury Group Reunion + Memorial Wall Unveiling + Locomotive Naming

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eaders might remember a series of articles that I wrote in 2015 which explained the strong links between the Armed Forces and Swanage, and in particular with the Royal Corps of Signals.

You might also remember that some arrangements in 2014 were rather stopped in their ‘tracks’ as the War Memorial moved slowly seaward!

I am delighted that arrangements are now well in hand for a very special weekend in June. It will commence with a Swanage Railway Mercury Group Reunion on Friday 23rd June to be held in the Royal British Legion, commencing at 1900hrs.

We will be very pleased to welcome any former soldier or civilian who has assisted military exercises at Swanage Railway since 1984, and other genuine supporters. I will formally welcome those attending at 1930hrs, following which there will be a number of presentations. Duo Alto will perform throughout the evening.

The RBL is a private club, and non-members will be requested to sign in on arrival.

On Saturday 24th June (Armed Forces Day) members of the public are encouraged to join the Mayor of Swanage and many military guests at the War Memorial by 1115hrs.

The Ringwood Pipe Band will be present, and following welcoming speeches, a pair of engraved Royal Signals cap badges will be unveiled at the newly installed Memorial Wall. This will formally celebrate over three decades of association between the Royal Signals and Swanage and bring to fruition plans that commenced in 2011.

Serving members of HM Forces will wear medals; all veterans

are encouraged to do the same on AFD. Appropriate head wear is also encouraged.

As with all Remembrance Parades, I strongly encourage family members to honour those who are not now with us by wearing their medals, above where the right breast pocket of a garment would be located.

All guests will then move to Swanage Station where a GB Railfreight locomotive will be named ‘The Royal Corps of Signals’ at 1245hrs.

There will be parking restrictions in Gilbert Road, where a Viewing Area will be established for members of the public.

The unveiling on the modern class 66 locomotive, which will be widely seen across the country, will jointly be undertaken by Mayor General John Crackett R SIGNALS and Mr John Smith the Managing Director of GB Railfreight.

After the ceremony those who have supported military work on the Railway over the past three decades, or any aspect of Swanage Army Link, will gather for refreshments in the Royal British Legion.

For further information, please contact me at: afd@herstoncross. co.uk or see the Mercury Group page on Facebook, or swanagearmylink.org.uk Frank Roberts SPECIAL NOTICE Any of the above arrangements may be amended at short notice due to security, Health & Safety, weather, crowd or vehicle management reasons.

A special Armed Forces Day flag will be raised at the offices of Purbeck District Council on Monday 19 June.

For The Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon

The Council will be delighted if residents and visitors can join the ceremony in Worgret Road, Wareham, when service men and women will be honoured.

The flag will be raised at 10.30am, so spectators are advised to arrive by 10.20am.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.

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The Purbeck Gazette

2017 Cycle Ride to the Somme

ight representatives are cycling to the Somme to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The eight either live locally or have ancestors from the area. Ride to the Somme combines the challenge of three days cycling with the opportunity to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Every rider has been invited to match themselves with one of the original cycling battalions that came together to become the Army Cyclist Corps.

The eight will be part of a 150-strong group that will be setting off from London on Wednesday 30 August and will be covering over 250 miles in three days. They will be commemorating in particular the members of the Army Cyclist Corps that fought and fell not only on The Somme but at The Battles of Arras and Passchendaele. Many of the riders have personal connections to The Great War and some to the charity whilst others were inspired by seeing the 2016 event on BBC Countryfile.

SSAFA has been serving the military community for over 130 years. The money raised from Ride to the Somme will help SSAFA continue providing lifelong support to the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chris Paton said: “I’m once again incredibly honoured to be joining the Ride to the Somme team to commemorate the men that fell during the Great War and to represent the Devonshire Battalion.

“SSAFA is a charity close to my heart as a former Royal Marine, and I fancied a bit of a physical challenge, so I signed up for last year’s ride.

Collectively, the spirit among all the riders was incredible. I regard the Ride to the Somme as one of the highlights of my life. A real bucket list moment ticked off and so couldn’t resist returning again this year.”

Together the eight hope to raise well over £10,000, which will help SSAFA continue its vital work with the Armed Forces family.

Tegan Jones, Director of Fundraising, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: “The Ride to the Somme promises to be a very special event. Not only will all of those taking part be remembering those who lost their lives at the battles at The Somme, Arras and Passchendaele, but the funds raised by those taking part will go towards ensuring SSAFA can continue to provide vital support to members of the Armed Forces community in need.”

Last year the Ride focussed entirely on The Battle of the Somme and for 2017, the Ride will follow the main events from 100 years ago. Participants will have the option of riding fifty or eighty miles daily, with each route designed to mix the challenge of riding such a distance whilst visiting key historical sites.

On the first two days, the ride will concentrate on the Somme area before the final day push towards Passchendaele. On Day two, riders will have

the opportunity to pay their respects at The Devonshire’s Cemetery close to the town of Guillemont. The final cycling destination will be Tyne Cot Cemetery, before attending that evening the daily Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Over one million lives were lost on The Somme in 1916. Many who signed up thought the War would be over after the major Somme offensive.

Those going to the frontline in 1917 would have been well aware of the horror that faced them. The Battles at Arras and Passchendaele saw another 750,000 casualties.

The 7th (Cyclist) Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment was formed in 1908 from the cyclist sections of three Volunteer Battalions. With Headquarters in Exeter, by the outbreak of War in 1914 there were Companies of Cyclists at Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Crediton, Dartmouth and Cullompton with detachments at Topsham, Woodbury, Bradninch and Silverton.

In August 1914, the Battalion was mobilised in Exeter with an initial strength of 463; this had risen to 907 by November 1914. In March 1915, a second Battalion was formed.

By 1915, Devonshire Regiment cyclist units were being sent to France and Flanders. As casualty lists show, many individuals were attached to secondary regiments for a variety of duties but the first real test for the 7th Cyclists came on 18 July 1916, when a number of men were drafted into “A” Company of the 2nd Devons.

To find out more or to sign up to the Ride to the Somme, visit www. ridetothesomme.org.uk The image above shows 2016 cyclists arriving at The Memorial to the Missing, Thiepval

Housing Issues Affect Mental Health A third of adults in the South West suffer mental health problems due to housing pressures. Shelter investigation with Bristol GPs shows housing pressures drive people to need medical help hocking new research has recently revealed that over a million people in the South West have suffered a deterioration in their mental health because of housing problems, and many are seeking help from GPs in the area.

The report from Shelter and ComRes shows 33% people in the South West have experienced issues including long-term stress, anxiety and depression due to a housing problem over their lifetime. In some of the worst cases, people have suicidal thoughts.

The charity is urging anyone overwhelmed by housing problems to get advice from Shelter, after 1 in 12 (8%) people in the region said they had visited their GP due to housing problems. An in-depth investigation by the charity with twenty GPs, including professionals from Bristol, revealed: • GPs say some of their patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression is directly due to housing problems • Bad housing is tipping people with existing mental health issues ‘over the edge’ • Poor housing conditions are having the biggest effect on mental health but unaffordable and unstable rented housing are also having a negative impact • GPs feel they need more help in supporting patients experiencing these problems Showing how linked housing and mental health are, nationally the research

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shows that a vast majority (69%) of people who have experienced housing problems in the last five years such as poor conditions, struggling to pay the rent or being threatened with eviction, have reported a negative impact on their mental health.

Shelter Bristol manager, Penny Walster, said: “Every day at Shelter Bristol we hear from people who are at their wits’ end because they just can’t cope with their unstable, unliveable or unaffordable housing. From families worrying about falling behind on the rent to people struggling with the misery of raising children in a tiny, mouldy flat – people can feel completely overwhelmed. Getting advice and support early can ease the pressure and stop things spiralling out of control. Shelter’s free expert advice is only a click or conversation away – visit shelter.org.uk/advice or contact Shelter Bristol on 0344 515 1430.”

Case study: Claire, 37, rents privately with her family in Poole in Dorset and has found her housing problems have put serious pressure on her mental health. Claire says: “Me and my family have had to struggle through so many serious problems with our home, and it makes it really hard on my mental health. It is really depressing. I used to be a chef and I’ve got a kitchen that is falling apart. The only thing that keeps me going in the day is cooking for my family and that is intolerable here.

“My housing situation has made my bipolar much harder to manage. I’m trying accept that it is part of who I am and what I am but that requires a lot of mental control and that’s hard enough without going through all this.”

Anyone struggling with bad housing and homelessness in the South West can contact Shelter Bristol on 0344 515 1430 or drop into their advice centre at New Bond House, Bond Street, Bristol, BS2 9AG.

The Purbeck Gazette

May The Fourth Be With You At The Rex

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nternational Star Wars Day is often quoted but rarely celebrated in style on May the Fourth.

However, Wareham’s independent Art Deco cinema, The Rex, pulled together an action packed Sci-Fi double bill of timeless Star Wars’ films.

Star Wars fans were escorted into the cinema by the legendary Dorset Troopers, the South of England’s leading imperial costume group, who collected donations on the night for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

The double bill comprised of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’.

Words by Claire Burns, pictures by Jean Dixon

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Diversification

owever much or little money you have, diversification is essential in order to limit risk. At a basic level, there is cash for the most immediate requirements, a current account for week to week or month to month expenses and a savings or Building Society account for long term savings and infrequent expenses.

As well as cash related products, you may also consider collective investments, equities, gilts, property, insurance based products, pension plans and art and antiques.

A professionally managed portfolio may, therefore, incorporate key economic sectors such as food production, energy, pharmaceuticals, mining, telecoms and retailing with proportionately less being invested in less economically important sectors.

The number of holdings will vary, but I would suggest that a minimum of about 15 individual holdings are needed in order to provide a truly diversified portfolio. However, there is a point beyond which added holdings will not technically further reduce risk and trying to keep track of too many holdings is simply not practical.

Diversification in portfolios can also be achieved by the use of collective investments, which act like mini portfolios in themselves.

They also have the added advantage of helping us to invest in geographical areas where it is harder to buy individual shares such as the Far East and emerging markets.

By aiming to keep assets diversified and by constructing a diversified portfolio and not ‘putting all ones eggs in one basket’ an investor should, therefore, even out performance over time and lower their risk profile.

Update on the Dividend Savings Allowance Although it was stated in the March Budget that the Dividend Savings Allowance would be reduced to £2,000 from 6th April 2018, this change has temporarily been put on hold ahead of the General Election.

If your portfolio is professionally managed, then your investment manager should be ensuring that you are taking advantage of the appropriate available allowances.

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.

VAT Flat rate Scheme Change The VAT flat rate scheme (FRS) is used by many small businesses to help simplify their VAT reporting obligations. Businesses could often gain a cash advantage from using the scheme, but this advantage has been significantly curtailed from 1 April 2017, particularly in relation to service-related businesses. Whilst the FRS continues to operate, many businesses will no longer find it economical to use.

Broadly, the FRS is a simplified VAT accounting scheme for small businesses, which allows users to calculate VAT using a flat rate percentage by reference to their particular trade sector.

When using the FRS, the business ignores VAT incurred on purchases when reporting VAT payable, with the exception of capital items which cost £2,000 or more. If the business incurs few expenses, and it operates in a sector with a relatively low FRS percentage, it will pay out less VAT to HMRC under the FRS than it would outside the scheme. Historically, many businesses have registered for VAT voluntarily before their turnover reached the VAT registration threshold, so they could make use of the cash advantage offered under the FRS. Businesses who are trading under the VAT threshold (£85,000 from 1 April 2017) may consider deregistering from VAT. Businesses who are trading over that threshold may wish to withdraw from the FRS.

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Peace of Mind Paperwork

Trading Standards Know your consumer rights!

Too good a price to be true? hen most of us think of counterfeiting we think of DVDs and clothes, not cosmetics and electrical products. So, what is the problem with buying fake products?

Fake goods are not subject to the same stringent safety checks that genuine goods undergo. UK Border officials advise that buying counterfeit goods funds terrorism.

They claim that this illegal trade profits criminals by tens of millions of pounds each year.

A recent safety survey of counterfeit iPhone chargers saw a 99% failure of basic safety checks. Chargers were found to be without fuses and with unsafe labelling, potentially leading to overheating and exploding.

Other counterfeit items recently found have been life jackets stuffed with packaging instead of buoyance aids, sunglasses with no UV protection (causing lasting damage to the eyes) and perfume found to contain cyanide and in some cases, human urine and toxic levels of chemicals.

So how do you spot a fake? The chances are that if it seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is, so always shop from a reputable trader.

If you want to report concerns, or if you would like advice about your consumer rights, then please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.

Buy With Confidence: We check traders so you don’t have to. Look out for the ‘Buy With Confidence’ logo.

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Having an up-to-date Will, Lasting Powers of Attorney and a simple list of your assets will make dealing with your affairs much easier both during your lifetime and when you have passed away.

If you lose ‘mental capacity’ even if only temporarily, leaving you unable to deal with your own finances, then family and friends are faced with a difficult situation. Not even your spouse or civil partner has the authority to operate with anything financial or legal on your behalf.

Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, someone has to make an application to the Court of Protection to become a ‘Deputy’.

This is a lengthy and costly process and to be avoided.

The answer is to have a LPA in place. LPAs can cover property and financial decisions and also health and welfare decisions. It is your opportunity to legally appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf. They are invaluable and mean that the people that you choose are in control.

In your Will you decide whom your executors are and whom should benefit from your estate. Whether you have close family or not you shouldn’t think the Intestacy rules (that apply when someone doesn’t have a Will) will do what you wish.

Close family may not inherit in the shares that you would choose and in the absence of close family, the rules do not look to benefit your friends or favoured charities but instead will leave your estate to be being divided between remote relatives or even the Crown.

Why make a list of my assets? Property, bank accounts and pensions are fairly easy to identify but in this day and age you may also have ‘digital assets’, perhaps an online bank account? Your list of assets and appropriate passwords will be invaluable to those helping you with your affairs, whatever the circumstances.

Take control now and you will have peace of mind.

For more information on this matter or another enquiry, contact Natalie Mason on 01929 502365 or natalie.mason@battens.co.uk.

01305 774666

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Allies Rally Under Business Banner

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orset’s leading business groups have launched a new initiative to represent the views of more than 5,000 members countywide.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) have joined forces to form the Dorset Business Alliance.

The aim is to give a collective voice to members – particularly as a single point of contact between the county’s business community and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Each organisation retains its own identity and independence under the alliance but will meet the LEP quarterly and with other organisations when appropriate.

DCCI chief executive Ian Girling said: “This new business alliance represents the whole business community from micro businesses to large corporates. It will be a useful platform to come together on issues of mutual interest. At its heart is a shared purpose to represent the voice and views of businesses, particularly allowing us to engage directly as a link with the LEP on behalf of the business community.”

DCCI represents its members and its eight affiliated chambers countywide in the alliance. The FSB acts on behalf of micro and small businesses, while

the IoD is the voice of directors from start-up entrepreneurs to blue chip board members.

Neil Eames, FSB development manager for Dorset, said: “Although we are unique business organisations, periodically coming together in this way to ensure a voice for local businesses, particularly aimed at the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, can only be a positive step. It is important to strengthen the collective voice of companies throughout Dorset and we are committed to working together to ensure that businesses have an input into the local economic agenda.”

Angela Piromalli, chair of the Dorset branch of the IoD, added: “This new partnership creates a strong platform to allow us to support the LEP in developing its engagement with the business community in addressing the key economic priorities across the county. There is great interest from our organisations to engage with each other as well as the LEP on behalf of the wider good of the business community.”

The LEP aims to drive economic growth in Dorset. It bids for, implements and invests government funding in different sectors in Dorset, enabling further investment and development from the private sector.

Rob Dunford, interim director at Dorset LEP, said: Rob Dunford, interim director at Dorset LEP, said: ““It is hugely important for the Dorset LEP to be able to engage proactively and productively with the whole business community. We need to be able to share ideas and opportunities quickly and effectively with business and, more importantly, be able to receive their invaluable input.

“The creation of the Dorset Business Alliance brings together three extremely valuable partners representing the broad spectrum of Dorset businesses and we are very much looking forward to working closely with them on delivering economic growth across Dorset.”

Together the Dorset Business Alliance represents more than 5,000 businesses employing nearly 50,000 people. DCCI is acting as the secretariat for the alliance and will arrange quarterly updates with the LEP on behalf of the alliance.

Picture: Alliance – From left: IoD Dorset chairman Angela Piromalli, DCCI chief executive Ian Girling and FSB development manager for Dorset Neil Eames

The Purbeck Gazette

JUNE FEATURE

HERE COMES THE SUN!

Summer is rapidly approaching!

Over the following nineteen pages we bring you a bevy of Purbeckian delights to while away the increasingly warmer days....

From activities, open gardens and the national ‘The Big Get Together’, to new season fashion, hair care and all the best from our local eateries, there’s truly something for everyone this month!

It’s Forever Summer In Purbeck!

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orever Summer is a family run business situated on Swanage High Street opposite the library.

Pete and Helen have been at the shop for the last seventen years, and before that they traded at Ocean Bay in Swanage.

They sell everything you need for the sun, beach, sea and even cruising.

Pete says “Whether you are looking for sunglasses, hats, swimwear or wetsuits, we cater for all ages and sizes. Do come in and view our extensive range of stock - you will be sure of a warm welcome.

Why not support one of the town’s longstanding local businesses?”

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Steam services are operating every day until Sunday 29th October.

Rock and Roll Express Music Train A highlight of June is the Rock and Roll Express Music Train on Saturday 17th June departing Swanage at 7.20pm. We welcome Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords playing the Hits of Yesteryear including favourites “Hound Dog”, “I Hear You Knocking and “No Particular Place To Go”.

Dig out your dancing shoes, raid the trunk in the attic and come dressed rock “n” roll style as we recreate the music and style of the era. We will be awarding a prize for the best dress.

Passengers are invited to Bring Your Own (drinks and picnics). There will be a trolley bar service offering a small range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Tickets £15 Adult £7 Child (5-15) £40 Family (2 Adults 3 Children) MV Balmoral Built in 1949 the MV Balmoral provides a rare and very special experience, operating sightseeing cruises around the spectacular British coastline. MV Balmoral is operating a sightseeing cruise from Swanage to view the Needles Isle of Wight on 15th June 2017. £29 Adult £15.50 Child Steam and Cruise Inclusive Fare. Full details of all our events, dining trains, timetables and fares can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk Volunteers The Swanage Railway is a volunteer led organisation with over 500 volunteers regularly working on the railway in a variety of roles.

Whatever your skill or interest there is a role for you. If you fancy putting your skills to good use or want to learn some new skills and make some new friends then call Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or email: iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you.

Open Farm Sunday

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ome and join us for Open Farm Sunday!

You can get up close and personal with our friendly alpacas and other farm animals, learn about bee keeping from our Longthorns honey farmer.

There’s face painting, and lots of other activities besides. Cream teas and refreshments will be available.

Once a year the public are invited to the farm to learn about what goes on behind the scenes of our farm shop. This year you can expect to see lots of farm machinery, birds of prey, sheep shearing and various farm animals.

We will have lots of farming themed activities to entertain the whole family. This is a great chance to learn where your food comes from and the best part about it is it is FREE! Our restaurant will be serving Sunday roast, but booking in advance is essential! We will also have a selection of snacks, sandwiches and drinks on sale throughout the day.

We look forward to seeing you and your family!

At Longthorns we are so much more than just a camp site. We offer large, well maintained camping fields, giving you the freedom to pitch your tent or park your camper van in your perfect spot. If you wish to enjoy a touch of luxury, we also offer glamping accommodation in either our unique, beautifully furnished TipeeCos or traditional, cosy Shepherd’s Huts.

For us it is all about providing you with a relaxing and peaceful experience, whether it’s toasting marshmallows around your camp fire, taking in the views on our beautiful woodland walk or simply sitting back with a Dorset cider enjoying the antics of our herd of alpacas.

For more information please visit our website at www.longthornsfarm.co.uk or call us on 01929 401539.

JULY EDITION DEADLINE - NOON, FRIDAY 9th JUNE ADVERTISING SALES LINE: 01929 424239, ext. 1 NEXT MONTH’S FEATURE: ‘PURBECK, FOR YOUR GOLDEN YEARS’

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Thousands Joining In This June With

‘The Great Get Together’

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ommunities throughout the region will come together at a host of events in June to mark the first anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP. Thousands of events are now expected to take place across the South West between June 16 and 18 as part of ‘The Great Get Together’, a weekend of community celebrations inspired by Jo Cox’s belief that ‘we have far more in common than that which divides us’.

Brendan Cox said he was “thrilled’ that so many people in the South West had responded to the call to mark the anniversary of his wife’s death by getting together with our neighbours and celebrating what we have in common.

Since the beginning of the year, the Jo Cox Foundation has teamed up with The Big Lunch to make ‘The Great Get Together’ the biggest event of its kind since the Diamond Jubilee. With a month to go,over 100,000 events are expected nationally. All sorts, both big and small, will be happening across the region during the weekend.

Among the many events taking place are a family day at Exeter Quay on Saturday, organised by Refugee Support Devon, and a Big Lunch Share Fair in Bodmin, Cornwall on Sunday, where up to 800 people are expected to attend. Chipping Sodbury is set to see up to 4,000 people attend their sixth Big Lunch, which has grown in popularity as the volume of local groups and businesses contributing to the annual event has increased.

John Lakey of Cultivate Cornwall is organising The Big Lunch Share Fair in Bodmin: “We need to get our community talking again. We need to find ways to work together for progress, but poverty is a barrier to progress - which is why absolutely no money will change hands at the Bodmin Big Lunch and Share Fair.”

John is calling for locals to come together to start conversations, swap skills, and enjoy food cooked by the Thai community of Cornwall.

Paul Selby is organising his first Big Lunch in Southampton, but he has previously held eight in Manchester, where he lived. The community gettogethers had such a positive impact on his local area that he is determined to introduce his new neighbours to the annual event. Paul says: “We’re going to get the bunting up and the BBQ out! Organising The Big Lunch

became incredibly easy in Manchester, and now I’ve relocated I need to build community again. We would go on holiday together, look after each other’s houses – these things were a given after The Big Lunch, they just happened. That’s the benefit of The Big Lunch – it creates and enhances community. It’s a wonderful concept and it really works.”

It’s not too late to join in the fun. You can find out how by visiting the website https://www.greatgettogether.org/ or www.TheBigLunch.com The Great Get Together also has the backing of over one hundred other organisations - from Help for Heroes to Amnesty International, the RNLI to the RSPB, the Scouts, the Guides, The Rotary Club, The Women’s Institute and The Premier League.

Brendan Cox said: “I am humbled that so many people in the South West have said they want to take part in The Great Get Together. I think the huge response is because we’re tapping into the national mood. A desire for unity and togetherness rather than the divisiveness of politics and the public debate in recent years. We are hearing about new events all the time and there will no doubt be many more that just happen spontaneously.

The important thing is that it will be a lot of fun and will hopefully play its part in reminding us all of the values that make this country such a great place to live.”

Peter Stewart said: “The Big Lunch, funded by the National Lottery, has been bringing communities together on an annual basis since 2009. This year promises to be extra special for us as we’re working with the Great Get Together weekend to rally the largest number of simultaneous community events this country has ever seen. We don’t want anyone to miss out on the spirit of community celebration. Sprinkled with a good dose of June sunshine we expect to see people throughout the South West celebrating community and commonality in this special weekend packed with friendship, food and fun.”

The Great Get Together will kick off on Friday, June 16th with events in Jo’s former constituency of Batley and Spen and will continue through the weekend, culminating in Big Lunches across the UK and concluding with a huge party in the Olympic Park on June 18th. www.greatgettogether.org www.TheBigLunch.com

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National Trust

‘The Spice Box’ - Tuesday 30 May to Sunday 4 Jun 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.

Historic Falconry Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 June 2017 Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 June 2017 Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 June 2017 Tudor falconry Join us to find out about this Golden Age of English falconry. Learn about the favourite birds of the most well-known monarchs.

Details see nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle Photo credit Neil Davidson/NT Purbeck images.

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SWANAGE

One Of The Best Beaches In England!

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wanage Town Council is proud to announce the news that the town’s beach has again received the Blue Flag and Seaside Award for 2017.

This is the 16th consecutive year that Swanage Central Beach has received the awards. The awards confirm that the beach meets the high standards, guaranteeing to tourists that they are visiting one of the best and cleanest beaches in the world.

The Town Council is absolutely thrilled that Swanage’s beautiful beach has again been recognised as one of the best and cleanest in England.

Many people enjoy a dip in the sea when they visit Swanage, so this will give them the confidence that their visit will be both safe and enjoyable.

The town’s tourism and beach teams work extremely hard to deliver a great service and high quality environment for visitors to the town, so they should be very proud of these awards.

This year the teams will also be ably assisted by RNLI Lifeguards, who will be providing lifeguarding services on Swanage Beach, and they are looking forward to working together to maintain the high standard of beach services, cleanliness and safety.

To be awarded a Blue Flag, beaches must comply with a number of criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

The Seaside Award recognises and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches such as Swanage, meet guideline water quality.

Congratulations and well done to all of those involved!

Keep Britain Tidy administers the award scheme in England. To be awarded a Blue Flag, beaches must comply with a number of criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

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Sunflowers Are Sprouting!

hirty-seven shops, businesses and organisations have now signed up to be ‘Sunflower Venues’ in Swanage … amazing how the simple sunflower has caught everybody’s attention! The seeds sown back in April, which were lovingly nurtured in little pots, have sprouted and are being planted out everywhere in town.

Pupils from St. Mark’s school joined forces with Durlston Country Park to sow 1000 sunflower seeds in April in readiness for the Sunflower Trail from Herston, over beautiful wildflower meadows all the way to Durlston.

This project is part of a grant which Dorset County Council has given to Durlston, to encourage more people from Swanage to walk through the meadows to enjoy sea views, wildlife walks and picnics in the sunshine.

When Durlston heard about ‘Sunflowers Over Swanage’ run by Emmanuel Baptist Church, they jumped at the chance to be involved.

We are now looking for volunteers – maybe dog walkers - to ‘adopt a pot,’ which they can water on their ‘walkies’ and keep the trail in bloom. If you can help, please contact Cleo Evans by email: cleo@ theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk.

Meanwhile, Commercial Road have taken the sunflowers to heart and there was definitely a party atmosphere in the heart of the town last month when seedlings were planted out into bigger pots and placed outside shops and offices. With a golden ribbon cutting ceremony and coffee and cakes to celebrate, the folk in Commercial Road wondered if they should change its name to ‘Sunflower Street’ for the summer (see page 63 for more)!

Emmanuel Church’s ‘Nutty Knitters’ decided to take the sunflowers a step further and they knitted some! A picture on Facebook caused a flurry of interest and not only are orders coming in for knitted sunflowers from Swanage – there’s a consignment of fifty already on its way to Australia too! The proceeds from these will go towards a third world farming project called Operation Agri.

June will be a busy month with planting out celebrations at Emmanuel Baptist Church on the morning of June 3rd, at the Fun Day at All Saints Chuch in Ulwell on Saturday June 10th and also at St Mary’s Church in the town centre on Saturday June 17th.

There will be ‘spare seedlings’ at each event so if you haven’t already got one named in your honour, come along to one of these events and claim one - then see if yours grows to be the ‘Tallest of the Tall in Town’!

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Summer Fun At Kingston Maurward

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his year’s Kingston Maurward Summer Open Day on Sunday 11th June is set to be the biggest and best yet - with fun for all the family!

The event centres around the stunning 18th Century Mansion House and its 750 acre estate, terrace, lake and gardens. Enjoy the live music showcasing young local talent, dog shows, birds of prey, pony rides and tractor driving; browse trade stands, buy local produce from the Dorset Food and Drink vendors and watch student demonstrations throughout the day.

For school leavers’ it’s the perfect opportunity to find out all about the College too: agriculture, countryside management, equine, animal conservation and welfare, horticulture, outdoor education foundation learning and much more; and there’s still time to apply for full-time courses starting this September – tutors will be on hand to discuss any queries and to help students apply.

Stroll through the beautiful gardens to the Pimms tent on the croquet lawn and through to the Animal Park for circus skills, bouncy castle, soft play area and meet the animals.

For a fantastic fun-filled family day out come along to the Kingston Maurward Open Day - doors are open from 10am til 5pm – and admission is free for everyone! For more information visit kmc.ac.uk/openday/ or call 01305 215000

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Open Gardens

wermoigne Open Gardens and St. Michael’s Church Flower Festival is being held on Saturday 17th June and Sunday 18th June, from 11am to 4pm. Come and enjoy our beautiful village with over fifteen gardens open to view. Refreshments will be available at the Village Hall. Plants and crafts will also be for sale. Proceeds will go to Village Community Projects and St Michael’s Church.

Further information is available from Paul Coxhead 01305 851992 or Jenny Blacknell 01305 852909.

The pretty village of Winfrith Newburgh will once again be opening its gardens during the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June, between 12 noon and 5pm on both days. Fifteen gardens will be open, ranging from small to large, with each showing individuality and unusual planting, not to mention a selection of scarecrows!

Tea and cakes will be available in the Village Hall, when you need to rest your feet in between gardens. Plants, books and a huge raffle/tombola will also be on offer, to make this an event with something for everybody.

St Christopher’s Church in the village will also be holding a Flower Festival,

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so you can pop in and admire the many stunning arrangements. The event is being organised to raise money for Dementia UK, particularly in the Purbeck area where funds are much needed for an additional Admiral Nurse. Entry will be by ticket at £5 per person – so at less than 40p a garden, it’s very good value for an enjoyable afternoon!

Briantspuddle (Celebration) Open Gardens, Sunday 4th June. The small, historic, thatched and picturesque village of Briantspuddle in the heart of Dorset is holding an Open Garden Day to celebrate the end of twenty years of planning and hard work. Briantspuddle Village Hall, an old Dorset barn and the only ancient cob and thatch village hall in the country, has finally completed a programme of renovation and renewal begun in 1997. The work has taken such a long time because of the unusual construction of the building and the fact that it is also Grade 2 listed.

21 Gardens will throw open their gates on Sunday 4th June at 10.30am and admission maps will be available at the free car park for just £6. There will be a beautiful vintage bus to ferry visitors about and the hall will be open for visitors to appreciate whilst they enjoy coffee and cake, lunch or just a cup of tea. Local garden plants will be available at bargain prices, along with top-class preserves from home-grown fruit and veg. Good books and hand-decorated china will add to the interest of a great day out.

Briantspuddle is a hidden gem just off the A35 near Tolpuddle.

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Swanage Pier Gets The Green Light!

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hanks to National Lottery players, the Trustees of Swanage Pier Trust are celebrating after achieving their fundraising target to ‘Save Swanage Pier.’

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which distributes money raised by the National Lottery, has now approved the Trust’s second round application in support of the regeneration project and awarded a National Lottery grant of £1.1m. The Trust has also been awarded major grants from the Coastal Communities Fund and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

Funding has been provided by Dorset County Council, Purbeck District Council, Swanage Town Council, the Fine Family Foundation and a number of Charitable Trusts. The appeal received significant support from the local community and businesses, and a Crowdfunder campaign last summer exceeded its target with 165 backers.

Ben Adeney, Chief Executive said “We are absolutely delighted to be able to make this announcement. We cannot express our gratitude enough to the local community, businesses, partners, National Lottery players and funders who have made this project possible. Swanage Pier is extremely important to the local community and it has been amazing to see how people have supported the appeal.”

In 2013, the Pier was partially closed for several months following storm damage which caused a major section to collapse. This revealed the extent of the decay in the Pier structure and it became evident that major restoration work was needed to protect the Pier for the future.

Since then, the Trust has been working with consultants and specialists to develop the plans and secure the funds needed to deliver the £2.2 million regeneration project.

The project will involve major restoration works to the Victorian listed structure, including replacing forty-one of the Greenheart timber piles, which have been damaged following many years of adverse sea conditions

Swanage Angling Centre have their mascot ready for the upcoming second Purbeck Pirate Festival......

Got your outfit ready? Arrhhhh!

Landlubbers prepare - the pirates are coming and they’re armed!

and waterborne woodworm. The works will be phased so that the Pier can still welcome visitors.

The project will also involve refurbishing Marine Villas, a Grade II listed building on site, to provide new education, exhibition, catering and retail facilities. Architects, Studio Partington, have developed plans for an innovative glass extension to Marine Villas, which will extend the café area and enable visitors to enjoy the spectacular views of Swanage Bay and the surrounding Jurassic Coast.

The expanded facilities will allow the Pier to host events, such as parties and weddings, and the Trust has plans to introduce ‘Cruise & Dine’ events, working with City Cruises.

The new exhibition will feature interactive displays, animations and marine life aquaria, with information about the Pier and its heritage, the history of diving and surrounding historic wreck sites, the marine environment and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site.

Dave Laut, Chair of Swanage Pier Trust said “The Trust was established in 1984 to restore and preserve Swanage Pier. We will now be able to achieve this ambition and save the Pier for future generations, as well as developing the Pier’s role within the community.”

The Pier currently receives over 125,000 visitors each year and over 30,000 people used the Pier for boat trips in 2016. Swanage Pier Trust is supported by a committed team of over sixty volunteers who support the Pier on a daily basis. The project will create new jobs, apprenticeships training and volunteering opportunities.

Ben Adeney, Chief Executive said “We have had a fantastic team working on the project and we are all delighted with this outcome. We look forward to working with our partners and the community as the project progresses.”

THE PURBECK GAZETTE

Owned and run by Purbeck locals NOT A MILLIONAIRE IN SIGHT (although if you find one lurking somewhere, do point them in our direction!)

It’s just us, and you.

A real community paper.

We are one of the TINY PERCENTAGE of UK media still locally-owned and run.

SUPPORT US WITH YOUR ADVERTISING AND WE’LL CONTINUE PRINTING COMMUNITY EDITORIAL

WE RECEIVE NO FUNDING WHATSOEVER

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Points To Ponder

by David Hollister

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here seems to have been a spate of burglaries from cars over the past few months. Seems also that most of the goods stolen were from unlocked cars in people’s drives. Or from locked cars in local beauty spots or car parks. Thieves don’t generally break into a car to see what they can find; they generally look through the window to see if it’s worth the risk breaking in. Please take the point.

What we learned – from experience - many years ago when my son, James, lived in Parkstone was very simple. Empty the glove box and any other visible storage; leave them open for all to see. Take everything out including any sat-nav or kit attached to the windscreen with suckers. Use a cloth to wipe away the trace of the suckers. Take all your CDs, books, maps, anything that moves; ideally take them into the house. If you must lock them in the car, lock them in the boot hidden under the boot carpet.

If you’re really worried about someone smashing a window to get in and search, then leave the damned car unlocked. A door lock should present no problems to a thief who’s after the car rather than its contents. If you really don’t want your car stolen, then also fit a proper Cat 3 alarm with a good loud siren, a proper immobiliser, and ideally park another car across your drive.

There used to be an old saying “statistics show that 25% of accidents are caused by drink-drivers which would seem to suggest that 75% of them aren’t.” Please take the point.

New regulations have been brought in to punish offenders using mobile phones. Clearly it will become as anti-social as drink-driving and those found guilty will be fined until they bleed from the ears, and will be nailed to lamp-posts as an example to others. But again, if statistics show that 25% of car accidents are caused by people using mobile phones, then the same arguments must apply – 75% of accidents are caused by people who aren’t. Please take the point.

Then there’s ‘driving under the influence of drugs’. The Police have all the equipment to do random roadside drug tests and apparently 8000 people were caught last year, so why aren’t the Police shouting it from the rooftops and replacing their annoying camera vans with mobile breath test units? It’s almost like the Offence That Dare Not Speak Its Name.

Ask Martyn Underhill how many drivers they’re now catching who are totally stoned. You’d be shocked!

In 2015, there were 1732 reported road deaths, which is actually the second lowest annual total on record after 2013. There were 45% fewer fatalities in 2015 than in 2006. Fatalities directly related to mobile phone use, both hand-held and hands-free, in 2013 were 26. 244 people were killed in crashes that occurred when a driver was breaking the speed limit.

1488 weren’t. Please take the point.

The point? It’s not the minority who speed, drink, use drugs or mobile phones that cause the most accidents, although clearly they contribute. It’s plain and simple bad driving; careless driving, selfish driving. They used to

say: “It’s not the car that kills, it’s the driver”. Still true. But in many cases, it’s not always the driver; pedestrians and cyclists have just as much of an obligation to take care, to be aware of what’s going on, to stop, look and listen and take that bloody iPod out of their ears. Parents and teachers have an obligation to hammer Road Safety, the Green Cross Code, whatever, into their children again and again and again. Show them accidents, show them gory photos, scare the little darlings into understanding what can and does happen every day of the year to children who aren’t careful.

Whilst on the subject of road safety - how long has the ‘national speed limit’ been 60mph? Since the days when brakes were useless, crumple zones and airbags hadn’t been thought of, seat belts were optional. Cars are safer now than ever before, so why are speed limits constantly reducing?

They designed three-lane motorways and then ruined them with speed limits. Why is the Old Wareham Road dual carriageway now a 50mph limit? Are motorists now perceived to be generally more stupid than they were forty years ago? (Answers on a postcard please...)

And why, when they were doing the three months ‘essential bridge repairs’ on the Upton bypass, did the 30 limit start well over a mile from the roadworks? Aesop wrote a fable about the boy who cried ‘wolf’ so often that when the real wolf turned up, nobody believed him. Which is why nobody sticks to 30mph for that mile.

They have announced major changes to the Driving Test from next year, including how to take directions from a sat-nav “supplied by the examiner”.

The ‘reverse round a corner’ test will be scrapped but replaced by either ‘parallel parking’ by the side of the road, reversing into and driving out of a parking bay, or – God forbid – driving into and reversing out of a parking bay. Have they gone mad? Reversing OUT of a parking bay in a supermarket car park is just plain stupid. Reversing OUT of a parking bay into traffic is probably illegal – or should be. Because you simply can’t see that it’s safe to pull out. Then you will have to answer such difficult and technical questions – whilst driving – as how to use the windscreen washers and wipers….. Hello?

Why is it that no part of the practical driving test is carried out on a motorway when so many of us use motorways regularly?

Under new guidelines, fines for drivers caught doing more than 41mph in a 20mph zone, 51mph in a 30mph zone, or 101mph on a motorway, will start from 150% of weekly income, rather than the previous level of 100%. The Sentencing Council said it wanted a “clear increase in penalty as the seriousness of offending increases”. Whilst applauding the general idea, with my cynical hat on it would seem to me that the wealthier you are, the more serious would appear to be your crime, or perhaps it’s to do with increasing revenues from an already taxed-to-death section of the community, i.e. motorists.

Next month, back to the non-controversial stuff with a review of the delightful new Nissan Micra!

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 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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Food

From The Kitchen Garden...

Spanish Omelette

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ow it’s June and only a short while ago it was February!

How did this happen and what I really want to know is, where did all that time go?! So far, it’s been such a dry spring and early summer and the air temperature in April and in May was shockingly low with that easterly bite.

Anyway, this season’s annual vegetables, herbs and flowers are either sown or planted out and new life is forging its way ahead, even if the weather isn’t ideal. The daylight hours are still increasing and they’re stuffed full with life happening and of course, with plenty of stuff to do.

Weeding, hoeing, earthing up, watering, re-sowing, tying in, covering with netting and hopefully harvesting and eating! My head hasn’t stopped spinning for some weeks now. But I’m not the only busy one here. There are chicks and ducklings hatching, however, I’m still waiting for the goslings to make their way out of the shell as I’m writing this.

Mother goose is getting rather hissy, so let’s hope this is a good sign…. and these are just the domesticated birdies. Bashful and very beautiful Mr. Pheasant comes every evening at feeding time to get ‘his’ ration of mixed corn and leaves me wondering if his ladies are sitting on a clutch of eggs? Mrs. Fox has had her cubs – I’ve seen them running on tiny legs, daringly in broad daylight across the field as fast as they can and rabbits are popping up all over the place…..

So, all this action-packed activity leaves little time to indulge in cooking up lovely and adventurous new things. Good old comfort food is on the menu, where simple and fresh ingredients make a nutritious meal without too much fuss. That’s why this Spanish omelette works a treat - peasant food at its best!!!

This dish works a treat any time of year, as it so easily adjusts to whatever vegetables and herbs are available. This time I’ve used Globe Artichokes as they have come into season and are a real harbinger of good things to come, as are the tiny first Broad Beans.

For the herbs, I grabbed a big bunch of flat-leaved parsley, however any

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden herbs you like will do, even dried ones.

Ingredients: Boiled potatoes in their skins Boiled globe artichoke heads (actually only the ‘choke’-peel away the outer leaves and scoop out the middle gently, so you’re left with the base only) A good helping of fresh herbs Fresh eggs Salt and pepper Grated Cheese for the topping Method: Cut potatoes into chunks and fry in a little oil in a frying pan.

Add the sliced choke.

Scramble the eggs in a bowl and chuck in the herbs and then pour onto potatoes – keep cooking until eggs are firming up.

Top with grated cheese and stick under a hot grill or stick the whole lot (including pan) into a hot oven until lightly browned at the top.

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Purbeck Products - Local Producers

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PURBECK PRODUCE FARMERS’ MARKET MARKETS IN COMMERCIAL ROAD, SWANAGE, ON THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. CURRENTLY ACTIVELY WELCOMING NEW LOCAL PRODUCERS TO OUR GROUP! CONTACT US VIA OUR WEBSITE TO GET INVOLVED

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

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ll my life I’ve remembered an influential book of my youth called ‘Small is Beautiful’.

Wherever I’ve been involved in larger organisations, I’ve encouraged breaking them down into small groups of half a dozen people. Then things start to happen!

In Purbeck Products, we’ve always been small and decisive and I believe we can be proud of what we have achieved. In particular, many young people have joined us for a while, using our monthly markets as a shop window when they couldn’t afford a shop of their own.

Now they are independent and making a living and we have celebrated their success.

However, there comes a point when ‘Small is Beautiful’ becomes ‘Small is Unviable’. We lost a couple of key members at the end of last year and I feared we had come to the end. But when we met in the King’s Arms in January there was a universal desire to keep going at least for one more year. We still have enthusiasts producing local meat, fish, bread and cakes.

We still have loyal customers who come to Commercial Road every second Saturday of the month without fail. That relationship and trust between local producers and the local community is precious.

The trouble is that we need more reasons for our customers to make a special journey to see us.

Could you be another of our stallholders? Who are we looking for? Well in terms of product, we would love a new vegetable

grower. But anyone who prides themselves on their cooking or other artisan skills and would like to try selling to supplement their income is very welcome to contact us.

We are all convinced of the special value of local producers selling to local people, but you will also be learning about what your customers want through face to face contact once a month.

Many of our younger members have learned their business with us and gone on to greater things.

We would love you to join us; look at our website, phone Nick (439121) or Kath (480151) or email nickviney@hotmail.com for more details.

We also need a volunteer to help us update our website rather urgently – please contact us! We’d be delighted to hear from you!

Nick Viney, Director, Purbeck Producers (pictured, below left) Pictured top left, Samway’s piggies

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Support Your Local Bike Shop

by John Garner

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here was a time when bicycles were much more common. A utility vehicle and to some, a means of getting around quickly and cheaply.

If you have a chance do see the brilliant ‘Bicycle Thieves’, Vittorio De Sica’s 1948 film set in post war Rome. Reliant on a bicycle for his new-found job, the main character has his stolen with devastating effects.

There are bikes everywhere in post war Rome as I’m sure there were all over Europe. And there were here as well, although not quite at the level of post war Rome or Amsterdam for that matter, probably the best example of a cycle friendly city. Well, cycling is back and if you like cycling, this is your time.

On one of my recent, regular rides the roads were full of riders either doing their weekly routes or taking part in an organised ride designed to offer rides for all sorts of people, abilities and fitness. Despite the incandescent and often disproportionate anger of a tiny minority of car drivers who seem very cross when anyone on a bike decides it’s not safe to ride in the gutter and tries to find a bit of tarmac only to be run back off the road, the amount of riders has increased dramatically over the last few years.

The bicycle club (The Purbeck Peleton), of which I am a member, has seen a great increase in numbers with all sorts of ability and disciplines. Surely this is a good thing? More cyclists means more fitter and healthier people.

The knock-on effect is less of a demand on an already critically under resourced National Health Service, which the government seems intent on dismantling anyway. Apart from possibly delaying your weekend car journey by a couple of seconds sometimes, it’s difficult to see what the bad points of having more cyclists are.

So why is it that some people get so angry about people riding bikes? Rarely does a topic illicit more anger and vitriol within the driving community, a community within which most cyclists co-exist, than cyclists on the road.

I content myself by rationalising it in this way. On an average ride, you will be passed by hundreds of cars perhaps. Of these, only the odd one will contain a driver intent on acting like an idiot. Acting like an idiot, it has to be said, is not the sole domain of the bloke (they usually are blokes) driving recklessly in a car.

Cyclists need to up their act. As a new club, ours is one that has recently met to establish a set of rules that are common to all and focus on riding responsibly and safely. Granted, the image of certain bulks crushed into too little Lycra may have a detrimental effect on your appetite from

time to time, but I’m not entirely sure this is the source of angry man’s problem. And at least the bulkier chaps are out there actively trying to improve their fitness.

You do, of course, have other cycling options other than playing chicken on the roads. The great beauty of the sport is its variety. You could have a go at track cycling. Mountain biking will take you mostly out of range of busy roads as will riding a cross bike, a sort of drop bar road bike that will run with wider tires for off road activity.

I recently tackled sixty-plus miles on the cross bike and rarely hit anything resembling a main road or indeed a tarmac surface at all. You could pack up your bike and go touring. There are bikes with gears galore and those with no gears at all for those that like their cycling pared down. You can spend whatever you want, depending on the size of your bank account. If you like comfort you could buy a steel framed bike.

If you’re on a budget you could go for aluminium. If money is no object, you could opt for titanium. Most people nowadays go for something carbon, the price of which has come down significantly in the last few years. Cycling, like it or not, is here to stay.

Now, you could buy your bikes and equipment from any number of internet bicycle shops. And you will receive something shiny in the post and away you go. What you won’t easily get is access to a skilled mechanic who can set up the bike specifically for you. You won’t get a free service and check after you’ve ridden it for a while and things have settled in. You won’t get countless hours of experience that will save you countless hours of tweaking and thrutching and swearing as you try to fix it yourself.

You will, however, get all this with a local bike shop. We are lucky enough to have several local bike shops serving Purbeck riders, including a newlyindependent bike shop in Wareham, in addition to mobile two-wheeled support/repair service providers.

If we don’t support local shops there won’t be any around soon. This will reduce choice and allow big business to dominate the way we shop.

Local entrepreneurs should be encouraged. My last three bikes have come from the shop in Wareham and I couldn’t be happier with the support and service.

Support your local independent bike shop. You never know when you’re going to need them.

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Haskayne Tree & Hedge Services Professional Arborist and Tree Surgeon

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rees are the lungs of the planet, unequivocally vital for life as we know it. However, often trees require regular management and attention and it’s important to ensure that they are treated professionally, and with the care and respect required.

Haskayne Tree Services offer a professional, knowledgeable, friendly service. Lead arborist, Warren Haskayne, is a fully-qualified tree surgeon and arborist, with years of domestic and commercial experience since qualifying at Kingston Maurward. Warren was drawn to the profession as a result of his life-long passion and respect for nature, and in particular, trees.

Having studied Arboriculture at Kingston Maurward, and gaining a number of qualifications to British Standards at distinction level, Warren has worked in both the domestic and commercial arenas, including working for local councils, managing ‘town and park’ trees.

Having all required tickets and specific qualifications (bs3998) CS 30,31,38,39 has meant during his career, Warren has developed the skills required to undertake all aspects of tree surgery, including the safe use and operation of large/heavy machinery. Having worked as a vital part of a team for those ‘big’ commercial jobs, Warren understands the importance of ensuring health and safety requirements are met, giving you complete peace of mind when utilising Haskayne Tree Services.

Warren enjoys jobs of all sizes, from large and challenging commercial contracts, to your small back garden hedge trim.

Warren particularly enjoys domestic work as he gets great pleasure from imparting knowledge to customers who are often interested in learning about the trees on their land.

Warren has always held a deep love of nature and the environment, but during his training and career, he has learnt to look at the bigger picture. Tree surgery is so much more than just tidying up trees or pruning; Warren has learnt to look for signs of nesting birds, bats and other environmental factors. Being aware of rodents, reptiles, bees, certain grubs and the dangers that our native trees and shrubs pose to the public is an important part of the service. We have many toxic and poisonous trees and plants that to the untrained eye, can be dangerous.

During Warren’s career, he spent time working with a company who were very environmentally focused, and helped to install a strong respect for the ‘eco’ way of working. Most waste is now recycled, and the team build beneficial relationships with the community by splitting and delivering wood to regular customers. Another aspect is the recycling of woodchip into eco-pellets to be burned in wood burners. The remainder of the woodchip goes to garden centres, horse stables or country parks, to be reused; nothing is wasted in landfill.

Warren says “My apprenticeship and career has meant learning about the anatomy and the make-up of trees, which fascinates me. How trees react to treatment and the environmental factors they face is my challenge, and that’s one of the main perks of my job. When you can help

a living thing elongate its life, then return and see it healthy and flourshing years later, it brings me great enjoyment to be working as a tree ‘surgeon’.

Starting Haskayne Tree and Hedge Services has allowed me to take my experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to ensure I provide a thorough customer-focused service, whilst respecting nature and the trees and hedges I get to work with.”

“I’ve chosen to advertise with the Purbeck Gazette as there is currently so much publicity regarding the fact that most UK media companies are owned by millionaires or huge, multi-national groups. I’m proud to be advertising in one of the few remaining locally-owned community papers, and love the fact that not only is it a great magazine for my business to advertise in, but I also know that I am helping to support the publication of community editorial too. I really look forward to working with the Purbeck community over the coming years.”

Haskayne Tree Services cover the Isle of Purbeck and surrounding areas, and are happy to quote for both domestic and commercial work. Prices are highly competitive. Please call Warren on 07547 509091 to discuss your requirements. He’ll be delighted to hear from you!

Pictured below: Arborist, Warren Haskayne

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Marine Conservation Society Urges You To Get Through June Without Plastic

Plastic Challenge will highlight our reliance on this substance of convenience ith more plastic than fish in our seas a possibility by 2050 according to some predictions, our reliance on plastic in all its forms is clear. To highlight just what a plastic pickle we’re in, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is once again throwing down the gauntlet to the public to take on the Plastic Challenge throughout June.

MCS, the UK’s leading marine charity, supported by water filtration company BRITA UK, is asking people to give up single-use plastics for a whole month. The challenge is to say goodbye to conveniences like prepacked sandwiches, ready meals and plastic-bottled drinks for a day, a week or, if they can manage it, the whole of June.

Simon Reeve, TV presenter and ambassador for the challenge, says “Our planet is becoming poisoned by plastic. The vast amount in our oceans has become an environmental emergency as a direct result of our throwaway society. That’s why I’m supporting thousands of people living without single use plastic this June as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Plastic Challenge. Don’t just get depressed about plastic – stop using it!”

Last year almost 1,000 people took part in the MCS Plastic Challenge, and over 95% said they would continue reducing their plastic use after the challenge was over. The charity hopes even more people will take part in 2017.

“This is a challenge that you can make as easy or as hard for yourself as you like,” says Dr. Sue Kinsey, MCS Technical Specialist. “But however you choose to do it, you can’t fail to realise just how reliant on plastic we’ve become. Some things are really tough to replace, however much you want to give up single-use plastic”.

Among the hardest things people found to replace were milk containers,

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dried goods packaged in single use plastic like pasta, rice and pulses, loo paper and toothpaste.

MCS says that many people who take on the challenge really do get stuck in.“They know why it’s so important to cut down on our plastic use,” says Dr Kinsey. “If these dedicated ditchers found it hard to find non single use plastic alternatives then that just goes to show how plastic dominates our lives even if you actively don’t want it to.”

One person told MCS they only lasted two hours before they realised there were single use plastic bags inside their cardboard cereal packet!

Despite that, in 2016, of 61 Challengers who were surveyed – 3% managed a day, 27% saw out a full week, whilst 34% stuck it out for a month.

However, some things were really easy to replace – they just required a bit of thought: hand wash dispensers and shower gel can be replaced with a bar of soap (many aren’t plastic wrapped), you can make your own lunches rather than buy plastic packed sandwiches and use tap water in reusable bottles. Last year, Challengers also made their own bread, yogurt, cleaning and bathroom products like mouthwash and sugar scrubs so as not to use plastic containers that are used once, then thrown out.

MCS says the amount of plastic litter on our beaches has increased by 180% in the last twenty years and has become a massive threat to marine wildlife. Plastic bags, bottles and tiny plastic pieces are regularly found in the stomachs of turtles and other sea creatures, and in some cases have caused their death from starvation or choking.

“Reducing plastic litter will certainly be an uphill climb – but there are some easy steps to take and if we can all cut down the amount we use, there’s no doubt our marine environment will be a healthier place” says Dr. Kinsey.

“People taking on the Plastic Challenge are often shocked to find out just how much single-use plastic is used every day. Have a go at the Plastic Challenge, even if you can only manage a single day, and you’ll never look at your shopping in the same way again!”

The Plastic Challenge is once again being sponsored by water filtration company, BRITA UK: “It’s fantastic to be supporting the Plastic Challenge alongside MCS once again.

At BRITA UK we believe it is absolutely vital that we step up to protect marine life from the unnecessary damage done by single use plastic bottles and other forms of plastic litter.

One or two small changes, such as carrying a refillable bottle or a reusable bag, could have such an enormous positive impact. Given that 60 per cent of people would be willing to switch from bottled water to more environmentally friendly alternatives, it’s clear this can be done. We hope that this year even more people take on the Plastic Challenge and try to cut down on single use plastics in daily life.” Becky Widdowson, BRITA Marketing Director.

Register to take part in the Plastic Challenge at www.mcsuk.org/ plasticchallenge MCS offers help and advice through an online community in the run up to the challenge and all through the month of June.

Pictures: Top left, by Jacki Clarke. Top right by Natasha Ewins.

Left: by Andy Pearson

The Purbeck Gazette

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

The Sweet Smell of Success oses are such a beautiful and diverse group of flowers with the added bonus that many forms have gorgeous scents. Although they are robust and fast growing, they are susceptible to some pest and disease issues, but with a little bit of thought and care, these can be overcome.

Roses prefer a heavier soil which remains moist throughout the year, so the clay soils of Swanage and much of the Corfe Valley are ideal. However,

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if like me you garden on a light, impoverished soil, the trick to growing roses is to dig in lots of bulky organic matter such as horse manure and then follow this up with a generous annual mulch of the same.

I also use ‘Rootgrow’ (a beneficial fungi) that links on to the root system of the rose and protects it from attack by other soil pathogens and then also harvests nutrients and water to bring to the roots of the rose.

Roses are heavy feeders and more than any other plant they love Magnesium, so use a fertiliser that has higher concentrations of this such as Top Rose.

Keep it clean Roses suffer from a range of diseases including black spot, rust and powdery mildew. To avoid these, prune annually to remove weak, old, dead or diseased wood as these are infection points for the following season.

In winter rake off fallen leaves and add them to the bonfire.

From March apply a fungicide such as Fungus Fighter and or Multirose every ten to fourteen days. Multirose will also see off any aphid attack Apply water to the soil around the rose so that the foliage remains dry.

Avoid using an overhead sprinkler as this will increase humidity in the leaves and encourage disease.

Finally, remove the dying blooms to encourage repeat flowering.

To find out more about growing roses, come to the Holme Rose Day on Sunday June 11th. Talks will be at 11am and 2pm.

View the roses in the extensive gardens, get advice from experts and there is also 20% off rose purchases on the day!

Pictured: Top left: Rose Harlow Carr, below left: Rose Little Rambler, Bottom right: Rose Etoile De Hollande

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Durlston Bus From the 28th May to the 23rd September, we are delighted to announce that we will be running the ‘Durlston Explorer’ Shuttle Bus. This popular service picks up and drops off at locations around Swanage, including the Main Beach Car Park, Pier and Wordsworth House and runs from 10 until 4.30 every day.

Do make use of it if you fancy a car free trip up to or down from the Park!

Seabird Boat Trips If you would like the chance to see some of Purbeck’s amazing variety of seabirds, including Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmars, then our summer season of seabird boat trips starts on Friday 19th May. Guided by the Durlston Rangers, the trips last around 2 hours and will include Old Harry Rocks, Durlston, Blackers Hole and Dancing Ledge, from the comfort of one of the ‘Dorset Belles’.

The trips take place every Friday until the end of June, with a couple of additional Thursday trips this year.

For details, visit durlston.co.uk or book online at Citycruisespoole.com Helen Muspratt Exhibition From the 20th June – 11th July, the Fine Foundation Gallery will host a unique exhibition of the work of ground-breaking female portrait photographer, Helen Muspratt.

Helen’s studio opened in Swanage in 1928 and her

career included photographing Paul Nash and Aileen Agar, as well as working with experimental techniques such as solarisation and taking photos around the world including in the Soviet Union. She was recently recognised by the BBC as one of their ‘Women of the Century’.

The exhibition has been curated by her daughter and author Jessica Sutcliffe, who has selected pieces of her mother’s work, particularly focussing on Purbeck.

Outdoor Theatre with the Rude Mechanicals The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company have been entertaining audiences at Durlston for more than 10 years with their special blend of outdoor music, magical storytelling, melancholy and comedy. This year’s show ‘The Commercial Traveller’ will take place on the 24th June at Durlston (6.30pm for picnics, show starts at 7.30pm).

Tickets are on sale now from the Castle or our website.

Durlston Dog Day Our first ever ‘Dog Day’ takes place on Saturday 1st July, between 11am and 3pm. It will feature lots of fun for dogs and owners, including demonstrations by hearing dogs, dog-training tips, stalls and demonstrations from Margaret Green, PetLuv, Dorset Dogs, Purbeck Agility and many others.

Entry is free and it is just £2 to enter your furry friend into one of the fun dog shows.

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

Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre Can you give April her forever home?

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t Margaret Green Animal Rescue we care for over 1,300 animals a year at our rescue and rehoming centres in Dorset and Devon.

Our pet of the month is April, a rescue cat and she’d like to share her story… Hello, my name is April and I am a five-year-old domestic Long Hair cat. I’m a very sweet and affectionate girl when I want to be but I know my own mind and I will tell you if I have had enough fuss and attention. I have been at the centre at Church Knowle for over 100 days and so would really love to find my forever home soon. I am looking for an adult only home, where I am the only pet as I like being the centre of attention!

As I have been at the centre for a while I have been moved into the Cat Activity Room so have more room to play, explore and move around – I can be a bit lazy at times so the staff hide my food bowls around the room so I have to get up to find it! Although I’m unused to going outside at present I will need a home where I can come and go as I please and not be kept indoors. If you can give me my forever home, please call Church Knowle on 01929 480474 to arrange to find out more and arrange to come and meet me.

Our events… We also hold events throughout the year to raise money for rescue animals, here is a list of events being held in Dorset and Devon over the coming months: Companion Dog Show – 11th June (Devon) Companion Dog Show – 6th August (Dorset) Tri-4 Rescue – 3rd September (Devon) Country Fayre – 24th September (Dorset) Barking Mud – 22nd October (Dorset) For more information please go to www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

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Sunflowers Over Swanage For 2017!

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esidents, churches, schools and shop-keepers of Swanage have been working together since spring to grow thousands of sunflowers to plant out around the town and up through Durlston Country Park.

Hundreds of seeds were supplied

by Emmanuel Baptist Church, and Swanage Town Council have joined in with this wonderful, sunny campaign by agreeing to plant out additional sunflowers around the town centre in some of the council-maintained flower beds, as well as at the Tourist Information Centre and at Prince Albert Gardens.

On Tuesday 16th May, Commercial Road in Swanage held an official ‘Planting Up’ morning, hosted by Suzanne and Alan of the Art Workshop/Link Visiting, with support from Swanage’s Town Crier, Andrew. Free tea, coffee and delicious home-made cakes were provided for the enthusiastic ‘urban gardeners’ who gathered to plant up the young seedlings into planters and troughs to decorate the town.

It is hoped that the sunflowers will flourish over the next few weeks, culminating in a spectacular display this summer.

Everyone is encouraged to take a stroll around Swanage and up to Durlston Country Park this summer to enjoy the cheery display, and for those of you who haven’t joined in this year, next spring will be here soon enough and you’re all encouraged to plant sunflowers in every nook and cranny around Swanage next spring!

When flowering has finished, the seeded sunflower heads will provide food for wild birds throughout the town. The traders based in Commercial Road are already making efforts to create a wildlifefriendly, urban garden environment in the town centre, with a plethora of bee-friendly plants growing, in addition to the sunflowers. Nest boxes have also been placed to encourage the local Grey Wagtails to join the resident nesting Herring Gulls and pigeons who have made their home in Commercial Road over the past few years.

Sunny Swanage - even more so this year, thanks to the sunflowers!

The Purbeck Gazette

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28th Swanage Jazz Festival, 14-16 July

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ifty-plus bands plus our beautiful town and scenery attract a national audience and have made Swanage Jazz Festival one of the leading events in the jazz calendar for the past twenty seven years. The twenty-eighth this year will, sadly, be our last. Age and ill health has finally caught up with the committee.

The Festival gives music lovers in Purbeck and South Dorset the chance to hear the quality of jazz that they would hear in the best clubs throughout the country. Our programme presents a selection of the whole range of jazz from New Orleans revivalism to swing and contemporary jazz-rock, it’s all here! We mix established stars and many of the most exciting young bands on the jazz scene.

There are also lots of free events in pubs - the Red Lion, the White Swan, the Crows Nest and the Black Swan - and open-air concerts by youth bands and busking bands throughout the weekend at the Old Stone Quay, Prince Albert Gardens. Saturday morning sees a brass band parade on the sea front, and there’s a jazz service of gospel music on Sunday morning at the Methodist Church.

The Festival begins on Friday afternoon at Swanage Station, with a steam train trip to Harman’s Cross, followed by a jazz dance at the Village Hall with a leading traditional jazz band.

Information and tickets for the Festival and the steam train/jazz dance, are available from the ticket office (01929 422215) and the web site www.swanage.org

Swanage Town Band To Hit The ‘High Notes’

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he Swanage Town Band are delighted to continue their tradition of playing a series of free summer concerts in the historic bandstand this summer.

With some very jaunty bunting in the band’s colours of blue and gold adorning the pillars, the band will be tuned up and ready to play their first concert of 2017 on Saturday 10th June at 2.30pm (weather permitting).

With a varied programme of music ranging from well-known traditional medleys to the Beatles, Big Band and Movie themes to family favourites and even a sprinkling of jazz and pop, the Band guarantee to get your feet tapping and, hopefully, your hands clapping! There will be tunes for all to enjoy during the hour and a half long concerts.

With plenty of seating around the bandstand and even more space on the grassy surroundings to bring a chair or a rug, there is room for all.

The band will be delighted to see you!

Future bandstand concert dates and times: 21st June 6.45pm, 15th July 2.30pm, 19th July 6.45pm, 2nd August 6.45pm, 9th August 6.45 pm.

Full details on website: www. swanband.org.uk or for more info ring Liz Roberts 01929 481419.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Rise To The Top At The Purbeck Valley Folk Festival!

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o you have what it takes to step out on stage and play in front of thousands of festival-goers? Well now’s your chance to find out, as the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival announces the return of its very own talent contest called Purbeck Rising.

Set to celebrate the flourishing UK folk scene, the annual competition was launched in response to the huge amount of applications received from bands and artists hoping to play the popular festival, held at Purbeck Valley Farm, Harman’s Cross, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke explained: “We have thousands of applications from bands to perform at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival every year.”

Catherine added: “We think we make pretty good choices when it comes to the music but as Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is your festival as well as ours, we thought it might be a good idea to let you do some of the deciding.”

The winning act will win a slot on a main stage at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival next year, a spot at Folk on the Quay festival in Poole in June 2018 and a day of recording in professional recording studios.

Headliners announced for the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2017 so far include Badly Drawn Boy, Turin Brakes, Ben Ottewell (from Gomez), Michele Stodart (from The Magic Numbers), Martha Tilston, Kathryn Williams, 3 Daft Monkeys and Dorset favourites The Ben Waters Band, and there are loads more.

To enter this year’s Purbeck Rising artists should email a link to a live YouTube video to info@purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk before Monday 19th June with the subject Purbeck Rising. The best acts will be put up for public vote between Wednesday 28th June - 5th July with the five most popular acts going through to the live final on the Long Barn at the festival on the afternoon of Saturday 26th August.

Previous Purbeck Rising contestants include a who’s who of upcoming folk talent with many going on to widespread acclaim.

Surrounded by spectacular views of Corfe Castle, accessible camping and some truly delicious food, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the ears.

Running over the August Bank Holiday weekend, revellers will be treated to a host of other favourite attractions including kids entertainers, storytellers, craft workshops, music workshops, theatre workshops, song sessions, poetry, Purbeck Rising and open mics.

Weekend tickets (Thurs-Sun) include free camping and are on sale now at just £110 (youth £55, children age 4-11 £30). Available from www. purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk The family-friendly festival takes place on 24-27 August at Purbeck Valley Farm.

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The Purbeck Gazette

BANG! The Season Starts With Wool Carnival!

WOOL CARNIVAL 17 June 2017 Parade: 11.15am Arena Events: 12 noon Raffle, Bar, Cream Teas, BBQ, Stalls, Skittles, Fun Fair, Fun for all the family!

FREE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT Hardy & The Monuments (band), Bar, Hog Roast www woolcarnival.com

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ool Carnival was started many years ago as ‘Wool Awakes’ to raise funds to build the d’Urberville Hall.

The carnival committee started up with a garden party which led to a fete and then the first carnival called ‘Wake Up Wool’. All the money raised in the early years was used for refurbishments to the hall.

The committee then decided to change the name to Wool Carnival a few years ago.

It has grown over the years - with a parade around the village with floats, cars, walkers and majorettes. We have lots of stalls on the field including a BBQ, donuts, a bar, cream teas and an ice cream van. We also have arena

Facebook: WoolCarnival

displays from 12 noon including school maypole, majorettes, dancers, wellie throwing and more. This year we have ‘Hardy and the Monuments’ performing in the evening, not forgetting the bar and hog roast!

The theme for this year’s carnival is ‘Romans’.

Volunteers and donations would be gratefully received.

This year we are raising money for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Butterflies and the d’Urberville Hall.

We hope to see you there!

Golden Bells And Angel Voices!

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andbells, angel voices and a golden anniversary were celebrated at the Lady St Mary Church, Wareham family service on Sunday May 7th, with the singing and ringing of an Easter Processional.

A presentation was made to Jenny Elmes, who has been training handbell teams for 50 years, 42 of these years being in Wareham!

In 1975, she came as a new teacher to Wareham Middle School, forming both the Wareham Middle School and the Lady St Mary Handbell Ringers. This year also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain (HRGB), a society formed to promote and encourage the art of handbell tune-ringing to the public.

Certificates from HRGB’s ‘Crescendo Achievement Scheme’ were presented to members of the handbell team by the rector, Simon Everett. Luckily the group will continue, but Jenny is now taking a well-earned break from handbell ringing!

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Get Summer Ready!

At The Swanage Therapy Centre, with Mimi Wiggins

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ummer is approaching and so are the beach days. Mimi offers many treatments to make you feel good and give you the confidence you need to hit the beach in your shorts and bikinis.

Luxury pedicures; to give your feet the attention they deserve after being stuck in shoes all winter.

Manicures; to help condition your nails and skin.

Facials; that will make you feel relaxed and re-energised. All about brows will get them looking in shape and an eyelash tint will avoid mascara under your eyes after a nice swim in the bay!

Waxing; eyes, upper lip, chin, leg, under arm and bikini.

Are you spending time in the gym trying to get the summer body you desire?

Thai massage may be the silver bullet to help you reach your milestone and make your gym sessions more enjoyable! It involves a lot of stretching which creates a greater range of motion and results in more muscle fibres being recruited. It is something that gym goers may not prioritise because they may not be aware of the benefits. It is described as a lazy form of yoga and for people who want to gain muscle size, strength, endurance and reach maximum gains.

So why not book a treatment with Mimi who is looking forward to helping you to achieve your goals, be it your skin, body or soul!

Mimi is offering a £5 voucher off any of her treatments for the months of June and July. Please cut out the voucher alongside this article and bring this with you to your appointment.

Pictured: Thai massage with Mimi If you would like any further information or to book an appointment with Mimi, please call Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506

Swanage Therapy Centre

£5 OFF!!

Receive a £5 discount on treatments with Mimi in June and July 2017! (with this voucher ONLY)

We look forward to seeing you

T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

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

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The Purbeck Gazette

Purbeck Admiral Nurse - An Important Update!

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nterviews are being booked-in for the post of Admiral Nurse for Purbeck at the time of writing, and are due to take place towards the end of May. We are very hopeful that some ideal candidates will want to work in this fabulous part of the country, supporting those in Purbeck suffering with dementia.

We’ll update you as soon as we know more!

Of course, no interviews would be taking place if it wasn’t for your amazing support and fundraising efforts to date. We’ve reached the first funding goal post, which is why we have been able to advertise the primary position. We will need to continue fundraising to ensure that the specialist nurses can stay working with us in Purbeck in the long-term.

We have also applied for grants to run some additional services, such as

the dementia-friendly singing sessions, which were really popular and have helped a good number of people enjoy an afternoon singing with others, whatever their ability.

We are also looking into art workshops, and bringing back our ‘buddy’ scheme, with extra training for volunteers so carers can choose to do something free from responsibility if they choose.

In addition to this, we want to set up a new type of information group, where there would be time to talk, to share, to cry, to laugh and to learn from others with similar situations and to access counselling, if appropriate.

We don’t want to get people who’ve donated to stop supporting us when they see the news that we are now interviewing. Yes, this is fabulous news, but we will need to ensure the longevity of the dedicated nurse/s for Purbeck, and this requires continual fundraising.

We really want to ensure that everyone who has supported us knows just how much their efforts mean to the area as whole. Your hard work, generosity, passion and support is second to none.

We have to keep on supporting the community and build on this achievement - whoever is appointed to the primary position of Admiral Nurse will need all the help he/she can get to ensure the work that will be done will prove to the ‘powers that be’ just how essential the post is to all of us here in Purbeck. Then we can look to the future for bigger and better support across Purbeck and by our success, hopefully encourage other parts of Dorset to support similar schemes.

We all hope we won’t be blighted by dementia in the future, but with the community support we’ve seen thus far, at least there’s now real hope that each and every one of us will be able to access specialist support, should the need arise.

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

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

his month I’d like to say a big thank you to the Friends of Swanage Hospital who have purchased a new Leica surgical microscope system for our Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) outpatient clinic.

This new piece of kit replaces our rather ancient microscope with the latest technology that facilitates close examination of the ear for diagnostic purposes. It gives the consultant an enhanced view of the inside of the ear and also allows others in the room to see what’s happening via a wall-mounted monitor.

This is a wonderful tool for training medical students and nurses, as well as helping patients understand what is causing the symptoms they are having.

One of the most common problems helped by this microscope is the buildup of ear wax. This may seem a trivial issue, but can cause earache, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and ear infections.

Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs and usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.

Our new microscope allows precise ear cleaning to be undertaken safely and swiftly, allowing patients’ hearing to improve, hearing aids to work properly and reducing ear infections.

If you think your ears are blocked, don’t try to remove a build-up of earwax yourself with a cotton bud or other object as this can damage your ears and push the wax further down.

Speak to your pharmacist about whether ear drops would help. Contact your GP surgery if you have particularly troublesome symptoms or eardrops haven’t helped after three to five days.

Your GP may refer you to a specialist nurse or to our Consultant ENT Surgeon, Mr Scott, who holds a clinic at Swanage Hospital twice a month.

We are fortunate to have an audiologist present on the same day so patients who need a hearing test don’t have to wait.

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!

The Purbeck Gazette

Hello From Swanage Medical Practice

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emand at the Practice continues to be high, stretching our resources to the limit. With this in mind, we would like to reinforce that technology now plays an important role in the services we provide, making it much easier for you to manage your health and reduces pressure on the surgery ..…..

Online Access Take control and sign up for online access to our services. This enables you to organise appointments, view your online medical record, order repeat prescriptions, update your contact details and submit questionnaires or surveys; all from the comfort of home or while on the go via your smart phone. How convenient! Bring some ID and sign up at the surgery today.

Zero tolerance……

Sadly, we find ourselves having to remind some patients that abuse towards our staff is not tolerated.

Our practice charter states: We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance. Anyone attending the surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk removal from the practice list. In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice premises.

Our staff come to work to care for others and it is important for all members of the public and our staff to be treated with respect, therefore, please carefully consider how you behave towards them. You may not always like what you are told, but they are highly trained and follow carefully considered protocols, put in place by the Doctors and Practice Manager, to ensure the practice runs fairly and smoothly for ALL patients.

Vaccinations for Foreign Travel - Please be aware that from the 1st April, Hep B & the combined Hep A & B jabs will incur a charge, even for children, because they are no longer available free on the NHS. Can we remind potential travellers that if you are travelling to a region that may require you to have jabs; your travel form must be submitted to the surgery AT LEAST 6 weeks before travel or we may not be able to

Ringing In The Ears?

Key to Hearing can help

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lease don’t worry if you’re suffering from tinnitus as while at times it can be difficult to imagine, there are ways of managing your tinnitus.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the ear(s) or the head in the absence of any external sound. The level of noise, pitch and presence can vary and can be described as hissing, buzzing, humming, ringing or drumming.

Who gets tinnitus?

Around 10% of the UK population are affected by persistent tinnitus. It can affect people of all ages but is more common in people who have hearing and ear related problems.

What causes tinnitus?

The exact cause of tinnitus is not fully understood. Tinnitus is not known as a disease or illness and is thought to occur through some type of mental or physical change, not necessarily related to hearing problems.

Take control of your tinnitus with the help of Key to Hearing Keeley Salmon of Key to Hearing will be holding a tinnitus advice morning at Shaylers Vision Centre, Wareham on 14th June between 09:30 and 13:00.

Keeley is an experienced hearing care professional who has received tinnitus adviser training from the British Tinnitus Association. On the day, Keeley will be giving complimentary advice about tinnitus.

Keeley says “Tinnitus can be very distressing but there is help available. I’m hoping to use my experience and knowledge to advise those who need guidance”.

Come and talk to Keeley on the morning of Wednesday 14th June or call 01202 511386 for further information.

provide you with a travel service .

Dementia Safe Haven Scheme The Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community have helped set up a safe haven scheme in Swanage. A Safe Haven is a place where police (not members of the public) can take a person with Dementia found wandering in Swanage. To access this service, please contact the Police on “101” and they will arrange to take the person to a Safe Haven.

Admiral Nurse Update - After considerable fundraising, the Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community have secured funding for an Admiral Nurse for Purbeck, with the recruitment process now underway.

An Admiral Nurse is best described as the dementia equivalent of a cancer care nurse. This is fantastic news for Purbeck! …. Fundraising continues, so for more information about how you can donate or to find out more about the Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community please contact Jean Gibbs on 01929 425521.

Stay informed and pick up a Newsletter from the surgery.

Your opinions are important and can lead to change. Use our ‘Friends and Family’ touch screen to tell us what you think.

For more information view www.swanagemedical.org.uk

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The Purbeck Gazette

Sport

Battling Stormy Seas In The Scillies

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winter of hard training paid off for the Swanage Sea Rowing Club crews when they faced the toughest event of the rowing calendar – the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly.

The event took place at the end of April. It involved some 3,500 rowers and 282 crews from all over the South West, and as far away as the Netherlands, Ireland and the USA. Not only facing stiff competition from top-class rowers, the five Swanage crews were also at the mercy of the infamous Scillies weather!

The Friday evening began with idyllic conditions – blue skies, light wind and a calm sea. But Saturday morning dawned windy and choppy, with gusts of up to 50mph.

During the afternoon it got worse, and the races were under threat of being cancelled. But the rowers battled on – although some of the weaker crews had to be towed back to shore. The gales and Atlantic swell continued into the Sunday.

Despite the conditions, the Swanage crews did the town proud with impressive results: Ladies vets – 12th out of 51

Men’s supervets – 8th out of 27 Ladies A – 23rd out of 142 Ladies B – 69th out of 142 Men’s A – 71 out of 140 Looking for a thrill?

If the idea of perfecting your rowing technique, training hard and competing against crews across the South West appeals to you, why not join the rowing club?

You can start with open rowing, then progress to the women’s and men’s training.

We are particularly looking for younger men to train up for the crews (the men’s crew for the Scillies were all in their 50s).

Whatever your age or experience, you can give rowing a try at our free taster sessions on Tuesday evenings (from 6.30pm) and Saturday mornings (10am-12 noon), weather permitting.

Just come down to the jetty near the pier and boathouse.

To find out more, look on our website: www.ssrc.org.uk Cathy Lewis

The Purbeck Gazette

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Swanage Cricket Club Update

wanage Cricket Club’s 2017 season is very much ‘up and running’, with both the Saturday 1st team playing in the Premier Division and the 2nd team in Division 5.

The club are also playing in the new 25-over format competition on a Sunday morning, as well as a number of friendly matches on Sunday afternoons.

Youth News The Under 9s and 11s are both playing on Saturday mornings. As well as that, the Under 13s play on Monday evenings, whilst the Under 15s play on Tuesday nights. Also, both the Under 10s and 12s play on a Friday night.

This season has also seen the introduction of an Under 8s team, who play their matches on Sunday mornings. Also, the club are pleased to announce that the ‘turn-out’ for the Ladies team practice sessions on Thursday evenings has been brilliant.

Swanage Cricket Club are pleased to announce that the following people have recently represented South Dorset in their respective age groups: James Harding in the Under 9s, Regan Norman and Sid Nash in the Under 10s and Freddie Long in the Under 11s.

The club are also pleased to announce that three of the Club’s fantastic young women - Jasmine and Safia Nadaf and Lily Wood, have all represented Dorset in their respective age groups.

Pictured (right) is Mike Nash receiving a cheque from one of our longeststanding supporters, Nazir Ahmed of Masala India Cuisine in Swanage High Street. Masala have very kindly agreed to sponsor our latest Club Caps, for which we are very grateful.

A huge thanks to all of our supporters – we really appreciate your continued assistance.

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For all the latest news/results, please visit our website:- www. swanagecricketclub.co.uk Kind regards, Mike Nash (Press & Media Officer).

Laura Jones Completes London - Just Six More To Go!

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ovice runner Laura Jones sets sights on world’s highest marathon, and takes on seven marathons on seven continents in one year.

After a long winter of dark runs, painful training sessions and endless miles, Laura Jones is thrilled to have completed her first ever marathon – the first of seven she plans to run on seven continents this year – after successfully crossing the finish line in London.

The 28-year-old, who had never run a marathon previously, now has her sights firmly set on her next endeavour, conquering the Everest Marathon, after completing the London Marathon in just over five hours on 23rd April.

Laura said: “The race in London was an incredible experience. The atmosphere was electric and the scale of it was much bigger than I’d ever imagined. I really felt the buzz of the crowds and it felt magical to be a part of such an iconic race. I was so pleased to have completed the first of the seven marathons and I was incredibly proud of myself when I felt the weight of the medal around my neck.”

But while London was not completely smooth sailing for Laura, it has given her a renewed confidence about tackling the event on Everest.

She said: “I had some real low points on the way around, especially after my legs cramped at sixteen miles, but the hardest part for me was the mental battle of the clock and the pressure I had put on myself to complete it in the time I had set in my mind. Once I saw that time slipping away I found it more and more difficult to keep myself focused on just getting to the finish line.

“But now I’ve learned more about my body and how it feels to cover 26.2 miles, I am feeling confident about the Everest Marathon this month. I know it’s going to be a completely different experience from London and I’m looking forward to facing the challenges that it brings.”

Laura set the ambitious goal to run seven marathons across seven continents – a feat previously completed by only six British women – after innocently agreeing to run the Everest Marathon despite having no former running experience.

Following the London Marathon and Everest Marathon, Laura will also run 26.2 miles in the hostile climates of freezing Antarctica and tropical Mt Kilimanjaro, as well as races in Banff (Canada), Patagonia (Chile), and Rottnest Island (Australia).

Alongside her personal goals, Laura is also using the opportunity to raise money and awareness for two charities close to her heart – The Scouts and The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation.

For more information and to keep up to date with Laura’s journey please visit: www.icanrun7.com

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

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A

Swanage Football Club

s I’m sure you’re aware, we applied to join the Wessex League.

A few weeks ago we had a meeting with the Wessex ground grading officer and I’m disappointed to announce we failed to upgrade the facilities at Day’s Park in time. Although this is a setback, we are trying to take something positive out of the situation and see it as only a temporary hitch.

We are still upgrading our facilities in the hope we finish high enough next season to apply again. In our favour, we now have a full year to do the jobs required to enter the Wessex league.

We were always up against it with a long list of jobs needed which included work to the perimeter fence and path. Our path has been down for many years and needs work on it to bring it up to the standard required. The path needs to be at least a metre in width and be free of all moss and weeds. In some places we will be concreting a new path and putting tarmac down in another areas where the path has all but disappeared.

As you can see, with only a very small team of volunteers, which included the Chairman, 1st team manager and Club Captain and a few committee members, it’s hardly surprising we failed in achieving this work in the time allocated. This situation highlights the fact that any organisation is reliant on its volunteers and like a lot of clubs, we are struggling in encouraging volunteers to Day’s Park.

If you feel that you could spare any time at all to help out it would be greatly appreciated. We are not expecting you to come in and start mixing concrete, although we certainly wouldn’t turn you away if you turned up with a shovel!

We need all sorts of help, from serving tea on match days to a general clean up. Even if you can only spare an hour it would help our cause, it doesn’t have to be a regular thing, we are happy to welcome any help, even on an occasional or one-off basis. To offer to help there are a number of different ways you can do this; you can either contact club Secretary Mari Watson on 07794 116 375 or any club committee member, Also via our website or our Facebook page.

Last week our Youth section was overjoyed to receive a very generous cheque from ‘Modern Jivers in Swanage. They donated a sum of £804 which will go towards a new kit for next season’s U15s. Dawson Russell along with myself and two players from the current Under 14s, Max

The Purbeck Gazette

Russell and Joe Peacock, (see photo above) attended an evening of Jive Alive freestyle at Studland Village Hall. For more information about Jive Alive events contact sue47upton@gmail.com The Youth section would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Jive Alive.

The 1st team have now played both the Dorset Senior Cup semi and the DPL Cup semi and unfortunately lost on both occasions.

The Senior Cup game away to Gillingham was a fairly one sided affair as we went down 5:0 to a stronger side on the night. The DPL semi was a much closer game, away at table topping Holt Utd, and although we lost the game 2:0 we were the better side for long periods of the game.

There is some good news though as in the other semi-final, Holt Utd were kicked out of the Cup because they fielded an ineligible player.

They did appeal but failed to revert the decision, so we are in the DPL Cup Final against Gillingham Town Reserves - due to be played on Saturday May 13th at Weymouth’s Bob Lucas stadium.

“Always look on the bright side of life.”

Come on you Swans!

John Peacock

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

I

Swanage Bowls Club - A Frustrating Start

t has been something of a mixed, slow and frustrating start to the season for Swanage Bowling Club, with five matches being decided by just two shots or less. The unusually dry weather of April and early May ensured that bowling greens were considerably faster than usual for early season fixtures.

The Men kicked off their season with the annual match at Pelhams, winning two and losing two rinks in an even contest with an overall win for Pelhams 80-71. Then came the first league fixtures. In the Bournemouth Saturday League, Broadstone beat Swanage by just two shots 83-81. Skip Mike Barron’s rink held a huge lead 14-1 at one stage but lost their rhythm and allowed the opposition to catch up.

The last end saw the Broadstone rink creep past to win 21-20 and the dejected Mike pointed out that if his rink had won that last end, it would have won the match for Swanage. C’est la vie. There was better news at Boscombe Cliff where Swanage won 83-77 with top rink Mike Keats, Peter Davies, Barrie Tatman and skip Gordon Wallis showing the way.

In the Dorset League opening match, Swanage lost to Poole Park 56-64 with their only point coming from the drawn rink of Derek Hudson, Alan Masters, Graham Smooker and skip Clive Bryceson. Swanage lost again against Broadstone when the only winning rink was the one skipped by Gordon Wallis.

It was good to see the young ex-Swanage player Ollie Thake, who found his old stomping ground to his liking, getting the better of his skipping battle with Terry Buck. David Hogsflesh’s rink were soundly thrashed mainly due to a stunning display of lead bowling by Broadstone’s Frank Wood, whose woods were consistently on the jack at almost every end.

There was not much joy for the Swanage Ladies in their very close early season matches despite a promising drawn first match 32-32 in the Edna Paisley League against Branksome Park Red Squirrels. In their second match, they lost by just one shot 25-26 to Broadstone Tigers. They also lost

their opening games in the Dorset League by the incredibly close margins of 54-55 to West Moors and 53-55 to Branksome Park. Just five more shots in those two games would have put them at the top of the table.

Better fortune was to be found in the Mixed Triples League with a comprehensive win at Southbourne 37-25. In the home match against Ringwood skip Dave Wright’s rink held a commanding lead but blew it with losing an 8 on one end, enabling Ringwood to catch up and win 21-20 on the last end. However, skip Norman Love’s rink won convincingly to secure a second Swanage victory in this league 43-33.

Swanage host a number of touring sides during the season and the first visitors were Troedfyrhlw Bowls Club, who beat the home side 83-69 in an enjoyable encounter despite some of the Swanage players struggling to cope with the Welsh accents. If you fancy having a go at bowls and missed the open days, just come along to the bowls pavilion in Beach Gardens on any Friday evening at 5pm and give it a try.

For information about bowls in Swanage, contact Jean on 426795 or Clive on 422337 or look at the club website swanagebowlingclub. org.uk.

The Purbeck Gazette

Spotlight Event Diary

73

Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for JULY is noon, 9th June 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.

JUNE

Thu 1st * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks 09:30 Kids Holiday Camp At Swanage Tennis Club. Half Day - (9.30-1pm) £20 Bring a friend and pay £15. Per Week £80 Bring a friend and pay £60 Full Day - (9.30-4pm) - £30 Bring a friend and pay £25 Per week £120 Bring a friend and pay £100.

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.

18:00 ‘Moving in Time’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A dance event as part of Purbeck Art Weeks.

Fri 2nd * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks 09:30 Kids Holiday Camp At Swanage Tennis Club. Half Day - (9.30-1pm) £20 Bring a friend and pay £15. Per Week £80 Bring a friend and pay £60 Full Day - (9.30-4pm) - £30 Bring a friend and pay £25 Per week £120 Bring a friend and pay £100.

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.

13:00 Lunchtime Concert At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria Avenue, 1.00pm. Karen Grant sings songs from the musicals and other old favourites. Concert is free. Optional Lunchtime Buffet for a fiver.

18:00 ‘Moving in Time’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A dance event as part of Purbeck Art Weeks.

20:00 Lewis Clarke & The Essentials Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Sat 3rd * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * 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.

18:00 ‘Moving in Time’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A dance event as part of Purbeck Art Weeks.

20:00 Carrie Elkin Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Sun 4th * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * Swanage Purbeck PROBUS Held every month at the Purbeck House Hotel, our 2017 programme continues with a talk from Samreen Ashraf of Bournemouth University “For the love of money”. Visitors welcome.

Contact Andrew Yeandle 421945, Brian Darnton 424211, Roger Livingstone 425002.

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.

10:30 Open Gardens At Briantspuddle. 21 gardens open from 10.30, admission maps available at the free car park for £6.

14:00 Stuart O’Conner Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

14:30 Cream Tea and Plant Sale At St Mary’s Church, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6BS. All monies from the cream teas go towards the repair and upkeep of our lovely historic church, for you and future generations. Come on down! Email: debbiejphipps@btinternet.com.

14:30 ‘Purbeck’s Best Kept Secret’ At The Blue Pool, Furzebrook, Wareham.

John Wareham will be giving a talk, the story of Churchills secret army, The Creech Barrow Seven.

18:00 ‘Moving in Time’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A dance event as part of Purbeck Art Weeks.

Mon 5th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country

* 10:00

Park.

Purbeck Art Weeks 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.

PAW Poetry Slam Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

20:00 Tue 6th * 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.

10:30 Free Beginners Art Workshop At Swanage Youth Hostel.

Wed 7th * 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.

10:00 Exhibition of paintings by the Art Dabblers At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria Avenue. 10-4 each day. Café open for refreshments.

Thu 8th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * Upton House Music Festival at Upton House, Poole.

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 Exhibition of paintings by the Art Dabblers At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria Avenue. 10-4 each day. Café open for refreshments.

Fri 9th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * Upton House Music Festival at Upton House, Poole.

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 Exhibition of paintings by the Art Dabblers At Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria Avenue. 10-4 each day. Café open for refreshments.

20:00 Buffalo Skinners Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Sat 10th * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * Upton House Music Festival at Upton House, Poole. * Swanage Fish Festival Bigger & Better!! At Prince Albert Gardens, Swanage, stalls, entertainment and demonstrations. * Historic Falconry 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 Arts and Crafts Fair At St Edwards Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. 10am to 4pm. Hot drinks and home made cake available. Ffi 07946000025 14:30 Swanage Town Band Playing in the Bandstand. FREE concert from 2.30 - 4.00 pm The Beach Boys Story At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 19:30 Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

20:00 Nelson & Friends Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Sun 11th * ‘A Moment in Time’ Part of Purbeck Arts Weeks at Durlston Country Park. * Purbeck Art Weeks * Swanage Fish Festival Bigger & Better!! At Prince Albert Gardens, Swanage, stalls, entertainment and demonstrations. * Historic Falconry At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre, Kingston rd, Langton Matravers. Wood carving, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics

74 10:00

and spinning. Work for sale, refreshments available.

Summer Open Day At Kingston Maurwood. Food, stalls and fun. Frre admission.

Open Farm Sunday At Longthorns Farm, Wareham.

Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

11:00 19:30 Mon 12th 19:30 Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 13th 14:00 Purbeck Parkinson’s Group At the All Saints Church Hall, Swanage.

Ffi: T. Lander 01929 425970 or D Peters 01929 551962 19:30 Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Wed 14th 19:30 Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Thu 15th 19:30 Summer Rep Season ‘Yes Minister’ at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 ‘The Commercial Traveller’ The Rude Mechanical Theatre. At The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Fri 16th 10:00 Tricuro Open Day Anglebury Court, Wareham.

Sat 17th * Summer Fair At Holme for Gardens. Donkey rides, bouncy castle, local craft and produce stalls, cream teas, music all day. * Historic Falconry At Corfe Castle. * Rock’n’Roll Express On Swanage Railway. Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords. Tickets £15, £40 family, £7 child. Prize for best dressed couple.

11:15 Wool Carnival Raffle, Bar, Cream Teas, BBQ, Stalls, Skittles, Fun Fair.

14:00 Afternoon Tea In the grounds of Swanage Hospital.

20:00 Chilled Cider Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Sun 18th * Historic Falconry At Corfe Castle. * Bere Regis Open Gardens In aid of the Weldmar Hospice. Wellestablished formal gardens to small, neat urban gardens. Village maps will be available, as well as teas and coffees. Ffi: 01929 472029 14:00 Chilled Cider Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

Mon 19th * Armed Forces Day Flag Raising At Purbeck District Council Offices.

10:00 Refreshments and Souvenir Stalls Swanage RNLI Fundraisers event.

10am- 4pm on the forecourt of Swanage Sea Rowing Club boathouse by the pier.

Tue 20th * Helen Muspratt Exhibition At The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston.

10:00 Refreshments and Souvenir Stalls Swanage RNLI Fundraisers event.

10am- 4pm on the forecourt of Swanage Sea Rowing Club boathouse by the pier.

14:00 New Christian Spiritualist Church Come along to our service at 2pm, our guest Medium will be Paul Broadway from East Sussex. we meet in the Community room at Queensmead in Queens Road. Look forward to seeing you.

Wed 21st * Helen Muspratt Exhibition At The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston.

10:00 Refreshments and Souvenir Stalls Swanage RNLI Fundraisers event.

10am- 4pm on the forecourt of Swanage Sea Rowing Club boathouse by the pier.

14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for a talk by Christopher Legrand, “The Treasures Of Dorset”. All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245 18:45 Swanage Town Band In the Bandstand. FREE concert from 6.45 - 8.15 pm.

Thu 22nd * Helen Muspratt Exhibition At The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston.

10:00 Refreshments and Souvenir Stalls Swanage RNLI Fundraisers event.

10am- 4pm on the forecourt of Swanage Sea Rowing Club boathouse by the pier.

Fri 23rd * Helen Muspratt Exhibition At The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston.

10:00 Refreshments and Souvenir Stalls Swanage RNLI Fundraisers event.

10am- 4pm on the forecourt of Swanage Sea Rowing Club boathouse by the pier.

19:30 Variations of Pointe II At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sat 24th 11:00 Puddletown Church Flower Festival At St. Mary’s Church, Puddletown.

Music in the Church with Refreshments, Plants and Crafts for sale in the Church Room. Saturday, 24th June, 11.00am to 5.30pm & Sunday 25th June, 12.30pm to 5.00pm, Festival Songs of Praise at 6.00pm.

Entry is free with all proceeds in aid of historic St. Mary’s Church Funds.

Email: ann.williams@humbugpr.com 11:15 Armed Forces Day At The War Memorial, Swanage, and around town.

12:00 Winfrith Open Gardens. Winfrith will be opening 15 gardens ranging from small to large and all very individual including scarecrows. Funds for Dementia UK particularly in the Purbeck area. Tea and cakes will be available in the Village Hall, plants, books and a huge tombola will also

The Purbeck Gazette

19:30 19:30

be on offer to make this an event with something for everybody. £5 per person and Free Parking. Email: flowergirl.457@btinternet.com The Rude Mechanical Theatre At Durlston Castle. Picnics welcome from 6.30pm. Tickets from the website or on sale at the castle.

Dorset County Orchestra Summer Concert At St Mary’s Church, Swanage. The programme includes Peer Gynt Suite No 1 by Grieg, Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 2. and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5.

Ffi: email: bill.dickinson@live.com Harare Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

20:00 Sun 25th 11:00 Puddletown Church Flower Festival At St. Mary’s Church, Puddletown.

Music in the Church with Refreshments, Plants and Crafts for sale in the Church Room. Saturday, 24th June, 11.00am to 5.30pm & Sunday 25th June, 12.30pm to 5.00pm, Festival Songs of Praise at 6.00pm.

Entry is free with all proceeds in aid of historic St. Mary’s Church Funds.

Email: ann.williams@humbugpr.com 12:00 Winfrith Open Gardens. Winfrith will be opening 15 gardens ranging from small to large and all very individual including scarecrows. Funds for Dementia UK particularly in the Purbeck area. Tea and cakes will be available in the Village Hall, plants, books and a huge tombola will also be on offer to make this an event with something for everybody. £5 per person and Free Parking. Email: flowergirl.457@btinternet.com 15:00 Annual Swanage Civic Service At St Mary’s Parish Church, Swanage.

Everyone welcome.

15:00 The Folkwits & Support Live Music at The Black Swan, Swanage .

Mon 26th 10:00 Wareham Area Forum At Carey Hall, Mistover rd, Carey, Wareham.

Health forum. Entry - a donation of £2 please.

Thu 29th 10:30 Probus 2 of Purbeck Meet at Pines Hotel, Swanage. Talk by Paul Baird - The Swanage and Purbeck Sculpture Trail.

Fri 30th * The Frigate Shtandart Arrives in Swanage! The second Purbeck Pirate Festival begins!

18.30 Kid’s Pirate Disco at Prince Albert Gardens, Swanage, as part of the second annual Purbeck Pirate Festival.

20:00 Annie Keating Live acts at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers.

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 18.00 Lesbian and Gay Friendship Group meets every Monday evening for social events and shared interests, such as meals, walking and outings. Ffi: contact Karen via email: outinpurbeck@gmail.com 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

The Purbeck Gazette EVERY TUESDAY 09.00 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 10.15am. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or sylviag@swanagemethodist.org.uk 09.30 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Painting and sketching. At the Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Till 1pm. Outdoors in summer. Ffi: Gina on 421689.

09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 11.30am.

09.30 Kiddies Corner Mother & Toddler Group (term time only) No fee - donations welcome. Purbeck Gateway Church. 551415 09.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718.

10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Tony on 01929 550190 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 10.00 Sw Tennis Club Club Session. Till 11. 426312 10.00 Sandford Toddlers at Sandford Community Hall, till 11.30am.

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

75

556806 10.00 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, vegetables. Coffee & biscuits available.

10.00 Tea, Coffee, Biscuits at Queensmead Hall, Sw. Til 11am. Adm 50p 10.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Wareham Library till 12pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities.

10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Tony on 01929 550190 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 10.30 Mid-Week Market Morning Service URC, Church St, Wm. Prayer requests to Revd. Simon Franklin 556976 10.30 Woodworking with Bernard and Terry at the Purbeck Workshop in Wool. The Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool. BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907.

Email: richris95@gmail.com 11.00 Sensory Play for 1-4yrs old at Bovington Centre, until 12 noon.

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

13.30 Toddler Group. All Saints’ Church, Sw. 423937. Till 3pm (Term times) 14.00 Life drawing classes at Harmans Cross Village Hall from 2pm till 4pm. For further information, ring 427621.

14.15 Sw Over-60s Meet in the Rectory Classroom, Swanage, Sw. All Welcome.

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

Till 7.30pm 18.00 Five High Singers, United Reformed Church Hall, Swanage. 11 - 18 years.

Till 7pm 18.00 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Weekly evening Art Group. Aimed at beginners, at the Youth Hostel classroom, Cluny Cresent, Swanage, till 9pm.

18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 9pm 18.30 Swanage Sea Rowing Club Circuit Training at Swanage Middle School.

Ffi: 07776 201455 19.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 8pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 19.00 Purbeck Gateway Club meets at Wareham Youth Centre until 9pm.

Purbeck Gateway is a club for adults with learning difficulties. We meet during term time and have fun! All welcome. Ffi: Lew on 552173. Email: Lewisbell1@aol.com 19.15 Wm Town Band Brass & Woodwind players welcome. 551478/01202 242147 19.30 Short Mat Bowls in the Durbeville Hall, Wool. All standards welcome, till 9.30pm. Ffi: 552682 19.30 Purbeck Arts Choir meet for rehersals, with conductor Jay Buckle, at St Mary’s School, Northbrook Road, Swanage. Sept-May. All welcome. For more information please phone Liz Roberts 01929 481419 19.30 Swanage Youth Club Youth Action (year 7 - sixth form). Till 9.30pm 20.00 Herston Hall OAP Committee Bingo Sw EVERY FRIDAY 09.30 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 10.30am. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 09.30 Little Fishes Baby and Toddler Group. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Term time only. Until 11.30am. Ffi: Alex on 07904 412067.

10.00 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

76

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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