The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 213

October 2017 Issue no. 213

Magazine archive at:

Locating The Albert Memorial. Pg 10

Halloween & Pumpkins! Pg 24-25

What’s Cooking In Purbeck? Pg 33-45

The Wonders Of Black Cats! Pg 47

SWANAGE & PURBECK

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the October edition of your Gazette!

Bright skies are above us as we’re compiling this edition, although we’ve had a few incidences of extreme winds in the past few weeks - including the impressive gusts which destroyed the marquee on Sandpit Field in Swanage in mid-September!

Whatever the weather in October, Purbeck still has a wealth of activities to offer to both locals and visitors alike. The Swanage Blues Festival is back this month, with a wide range of blues and roots available throughout the town, in a number of venues. All you need is a £10 support wristband and a programme and a weekend of fabulous music is yours! A massive well done to Steve Darrington, who almost single-handedly arranges the Blues festivals each year - thanks Steve, your community supports you!

Our feature this month is ‘What’s Cooking in Purbeck?’, showcasing local advertisers who want to tempt you out to taste their new autumn menus, special deals and exciting dishes..... gather friends and family, make a booking and experience some of the best foodies delights that Purbeck has to offer!

The magazine is, as usual, crammed with your community news, views and events, so plenty to keep you reading for the entire month at least! A huge thanks to all of our advertisers, and to all of those in the community who write the editorial each month this is YOUR voice, so thank you for continuing to work with us!

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 November 2017 edition has a deadline of 10th Oct and will be distributed from 30th Oct - 3rd Nov 2017.

The December 2017 edition has a deadline of 8th November, and will be distributed from 27th Nov - 1st Dec 2017.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - October 2017

Planning & Consultation Committee Transport Committee Council

Mon 2nd Wed 11th Mon 30th

6.30pm 2.15pm 7pm

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

Wareham Town Council Meetings - October 2017 Amenities Policy, Resources and Finance Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Planning & Transport Human Resources Wareham in Bloom Museum Council

Wed 4th Mon 9th Thur 12th Mon 16th Tue 17th Wed 18th Tue 24th Tue 31st

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 10.30am 7pm 7.15pm 7pm

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

Tue 10th Wed 18th Wed 25th

7pm 7pm 9.15am

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

About 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, Kay Jenkins, Sales & Accounts Executive, David Hollister, Columnist, John Garner, Columnist, Regula Wright, Columnist. Paul Notley, Graphics, Kim Steeden, Spotlight Diary Editor.

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Swanage Fire Station Crew gather to say goodbye to Matt Hillan after nineteen years service. See page 15 for more details.

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past FEATURE: What’s Cooking In Purbeck?

Gazette Gardening Halloween In Purbeck John Garner writes - Leaves Everywhere!

Swanage & Albert’s Missing Memorial Swanage BLues Festival Swanage Sunflowers - The Winners!

Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Wareham Wednesday 2017 Round-Up FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams Your Pictures

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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.

NOVEMBER edition deadline: noon, 8th OCT

Duel Fuel Trains Dear Editor, May I correct a point made by MJK Hamilton in ‘A vision for clean air’? It was stated that the Japanese are currently building fully electric locomotives for the HS2 line from London to Birmingham. This is not the case.

The Department for Transport launched the hunt for a manufacturer of trains for HS2 in January 2017. Hitachi Rail Europe - the Japanese company MJK Hamilton may have been thinking of, will be one of the companies bidding to manufacture trains for HS2. The winner of the contract will be announced in late 2019, with the trains coming into service in 2026.

Hitachi Rail Europe are, however, assembling trains in the north of England and Italy that are expected to come into service in October 2017, with Great Western Railway and in spring 2018 for Virgin Trains East Coast.

The trains assembled in Italy have diesel engines,a along with a pantograph to pick up electric current.

So, who knows, one day we might see one of these sleek trains chugging on the Swanage branch line - unless, of course, Swanage Railway volunteers erect overhead electric wires!

Richard Hordle, Wareham.

Community Land Trusts Dear Readers, A Local Solution Building vast numbers of unwanted market houses close to and in designated areas in order to leverage affordable housing is nonsense. It is a recipe for the destruction of Purbeck and the urbanisation of Dorset.

Who wants to see Purbeck congested with even more second homes, more cars, damaged tourism and polluted environments? There must be local solutions that can be developed to address the real need for local housing for local persons.

One way forward may be with Community Land Trusts. The success of the Worth Community Land Trust and the recent formation of Community Land Trusts in Langton and Corfe Castle indicates that communities can support other ways forward. Community Land Trust can own land, build houses, set rents, and work with housing providers. Homes for rent can be built. Agreements can be made to ensure that the homes are to be for rent in perpetuity. Homes can be built in line with local needs using local housing registers and explicit nomination rights.

Community Land Trusts deserve a higher profile in Purbeck. They can contribute to the supply of needed accommodation without necessarily having to build market houses to subsidise affordable housing.

Pan Purbeck Action Campaign supports community led housing and in particular Community Land Trusts. Empowering local villages and towns to control their development according to their local needs is very important. Pan Purbeck Action Campaign urges others to consider creating Community Land Trusts, take control and address needs rather than allow the market to erode the very attractions of the area.

Lobby your district councillor in order to develop policies to use the £910,000 received by Purbeck District Council. These government funds are designed for local solutions and to serve the needs of local persons.

Please consider making this important initiative happen as needed in your area.

Yours sincerely, Peter Bowyer, Chairman Pan Purbeck Action Campaign 01929 450291, www.panpurbeckaction.org.uk, Facebook: Pan Purbeck Action Campaign

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

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

Plans Prove Provenance

Dear Editor, Pier Head Café, the real history The story has been around for some years that the Pier Head Cafe was designed by a Canadian architect and built by Canadian troops stationed here during the Second World War. On the building, an information panel states it was ‘constructed as a temporary mess hall in the late 1940s’, although by that time the war was over anyway.

I knew this was incorrect and that it was built just before the war, but as the Canadian story has been repeated again in several recent editions of the Gazette, I have now researched the exact details of the real history.

Plans for a ‘Putting Green and Pavilion’ were submitted to Swanage Urban District Council by the Royal Victoria Hotel Co. Ltd. in March 1939. The building was designed by architects Geoffrey Clark and partners based at The Quay in Wareham. Their first plan is dated 1st March 1939, with a revised plan dated 9th March. There is also a separate plan of the proposed internal layout of the ‘pavilion’ by the firm W. B. Budden of Parkstone.

The plans reveal it as a stylish Art Deco inspired building in a colour scheme of cream with some features highlighted in green. The above photograph shows the original clean lines, and even today something of this styling can still be appreciated. Access to the putting green was through the main building, with nine holes costing 6d (2½p) to play and 9d (4p) to play eighteen holes.

On the planning application, the local building firm George Hardy is given as the contractor for the job. However, I recall Jack Hixson (who worked for Hardy’s firm) telling me that although Hardy’s expected to get the job, it went instead to another local building firm, which was run by Ernie Burt.

An aerial photo published in the Swanage Times on 25th May 1939 shows the new building well on the way to completion. It is listed in the 1940 District Rate Book as a ‘restaurant, pavilion and putting green’, but only until June 1940.

It was subsequently taken over by the military authorities and used first

by British troops and later by the Americans and Canadians.

Yours sincerely, David Haysom, Hon. Curator, Swanage Museum

Fact Or Myth?

Dear Editor Ref: Pierhead – A Correction.

Many thanks to D.S.Wood. I am a Swanage original (only a few years younger). We have never knowingly met. The myth of American/Canadian involvement follows the adage that ‘if you say something often enough it must be authentic and repeated’.

There must be a few surviving local veterans who would agree.

At last D.S.Wood’s statement verifies my own childhood memory.

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Square & Compass Worth Matravers. 01929 439229

LIVE ACTS FOR OCTOBER Sun Fri Sat Sat Sun Fri Sat Sun Sat Sun Fri Sat

1 6 7 7 8 13 14 15 21 22 27 28

2pm 8pm All day 8pm 2pm 8pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 2pm 8pm 8pm

Elvis McGonagall & The Ressurectors Front Country Pumpkin & Beer Festival Laura Cortese Laura Cortese Sheelanagig Guns of Navarone John Breezes Bluegrass Band Eva Abraham Sarah Jane Scouton Rory McLeod www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk Josh Hardy

I will stop there. The risks of other WW2 embellishments increase with the passage of time.

Yours sincerely, William (Bill) Squibb, Swanage

Look After Mini Beasts!

Dear Editor, The Zoological Society of London concluded after much research that many insect populations worldwide are in severe decline in 2012, but no action has been taken because politicians and the public are being denied the truth of the seriousness of the problem.

It appears the people in the media responsible for reporting the news outside of Big Brother and TV celebrities refuse to accept the number of invertebrates (animals without backbones) that have declined by a staggering, unsustainable 45% over thirty-five years as being newsworthy.

These invertebrates such as insects, spiders, crustaceans, snails and worms form part of a hidden world of small creatures on which other plants and animals are dependent.

Their importance far exceeds most of what affects us on the news, so how about explaining matters that are far more intellectually stimulating and educational, that can only be beneficial?

75% of our food is dependent on pollination and another little-known fact is that flies pollinate far more crops than bees. But, because the broadcast media refuses to give adequate time for conservation, the government can avoid accountability.

Facts like any further decline in invertebrates will have a severe impact on ecosystems dependant on pollination of crops, water treatment and waste recycling will eventually affect us all.

In 2013 the EU enforced a partial ban on pesticides called neonicotinoids because of their dreadful effects on non-target species of insect. That was only achievable by having a responsible broadcast media and an informed public.

It’s time for Britain to crawl out of the dark ages full of superstition and myths by using the broadcast media responsibly to educate the public to a level worthy of the twenty first century.

I remain Editor, yours faithfully, Mike Fry, by email.

Warm Welcome To ALL To the Editor, As readers of previous issues of the Gazette will know, the Cameron Government pledged in 2015 that 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years would be allowed into the UK from refugee camps along devastated Syria’s border. Regretfully only a handful of this very small number have thus far found refuge in the UK. Following the Government’s initial announcement, a local group (Swanage Action for Refugees) was established to offer refuge in Swanage and organise practically for any arrival. (SAR is a group involving people of many faiths and none). The day it had organised for has arrived. By the time you read this, three very young Syrian children and their mum and dad, until recently displaced in a camp in Iraq, will have been warmly welcomed to Swanage by supporters of SAR. The task of these local befrienders from now on is the obvious one - and that is to make sure this family’s transition to a life in the UK – for however long that is to be - is made as welcoming and productive as possible.

There are many ways in which you may be able to help. We are particularly

keen to reach any Kurdish and/or Arabic speakers in the local area. Those with some time and a car with enough space to take two adults and three car seats for the three children would be most useful in occasional ferrying of this young family. We would love to be in touch with families with children of a similar age (the Syrian children are five, four and two) and who would be prepared to befriend our guests.

Like other refugee families with small children, our family will have fallen foul of ‘the benefit cap’, a government measure which significantly reduces the benefits available to a family of this size. We are hoping that approximately a hundred locals will feel able to pledge £5 a month to temporarily make up the shortfall – this will be for a limited period as, when a family member finds paid work (which he or she is entitled to do) the benefit cap will no longer apply.

For those who are able to help befriend our family or be willing to pledge a fiver or require more information, please contact jameswdavies@ talktalk.net Members of SAR did not just fall off a Christmas tree – they are aware that there are people locally who don’t believe the UK should be taking in refugees from hell holes like Syria and that charity should begin (and end) at home. We hope to find that there are many more of our townspeople who have an available welcome mat for this young family.

Yours, David Holman, by email

Jurassic Theme Park Dear Readers, We are now coming to the end of September and into autumn, which has been a mixture of hot sun, with quite a lot of rain – unbelievable rain during late July and August.

I have seen holiday makers walking around Swanage town with their children wearing macs, looking very depressed with the weather, obviously thinking what they can do next for the children to keep them entertained, instead of returning to the campsite, etc. Ok! Let’s eat! It’s fine, there are many places to eat, but it’s not entertaining for the family.

Whenever you drive into ‘Dorset Central’ areas, you are always reminded of this being the Jurassic Coast. So, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a ‘Jurassic Theme Park’ somewhere in Dorset?

It could be open for the whole year. Building this theme park would involve a large area, with 55% covered buildings and 45% outside attractions, including car and coach parking, so you would probably need new road planning. It would take at least five-six years to plan before construction could commence.

Think of the staff the theme park could employ within Dorset, that’s without the companies and staff who would be supplying a service outside the theme park; there would be no end of work generated in Dorset. It would also provide hoteliers and B&B owners year-round business.

Ok! ‘Where is the money coming from?’ I hear you ask! Good question.

There are many UK companies and overseas organisations would could invest in this Jurassic Theme Park. I can name many companies who would, I believe, invest.

The biggest problem would be Dorset County Council and Purbeck District Council, who may disapprove of the whole idea of a theme park.

In the whole of Dorset, there is not one theme park which can entertain a family for a whole day. Think of all the theme rides which could be constructed either inside, or outside, based on Jurassic history, as well as a mix of eateries.

Kind regards, Ken Harvey, by email.

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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 done a fantastic job. The carnival parade was brilliant, bright and colourful. Fantastic bands, ‘Rampage’ were stunning, the Rugby Club’s Thank You Swanage Bay Fish again, ‘Bouncing Tractor and Trailer’ was brilliant fun, so thank-you one and all Dear Gazette, Please may I say a big thank you to Julia and Terry, from Swanage Bay Fish for the magnificent lobster which I won in their Lifeboat week lobster raffle.

It was my first taste of lobster, and it was delicious.

It was a most generous prize, and I believe that the raffle raised around £130 for lifeboat week.

Many thanks, Jim Dobson, Swanage, by email.

Memorial Evening Dear Editor Remembering Eric Gosney There will be a very special evening of poetry, music and song in St Mary’s Church, Swanage (where Eric had sung in the choir since 1932) on Saturday 28th October at 7.30pm.

Eric was very well known for his involvement and participation in nearly all the musical/theatrical/ artistic groups in Swanage at some point (not forgetting his poetry) and was even

responsible for starting some of them!

This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Eric’s memory and we hope to finish the evening with everyone joining in a rousing chorus of “Old Lad of Swanage Town”, written to celebrate Eric’s 90th birthday.

There is no admission charge, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of St Mary’s Church Music Fund and the Purbeck Arts Club Bursary Fund.

Liz Roberts, by email.

Carnival Congratulations!

Dear Gazette, We have just come back from our annual holiday in Swanage, during carnival week. We wish to say a massive thank-you to all the volunteers who put this event on, I know from personal experience how hard it is to organise these sorts of events, and your carnival team have, once

for the week’s events – topped off by the Red Arrows display; brilliant.

We heard one person grumbling about the parade, but if she had brought a programme like everyone else, she would have known about the carnival.

Keep up the good work – the carnival is brilliant!

I would like to mention a worrying trend that we witnessed – I walk with crutches and there were several times when people walked into me, or even in one case (in Swanage News), pushed me out of the way before I could pick up my papers, so I had to stand back whilst this young woman was served.

We did find a new ‘gem’ (new to us) in Swanage – Dino’s. Brilliant service, jovial staff, a great cup of tea, courteous service plus great banter! We loved the quote ‘Do you want your tea hot or cold?’, so thanks Dino’s for showing us the ‘true spirit’ of Swanage with your kindness and courtesy.

First rate service.

Yours faithfully, D.Robinson, Northampton, by post.

Swanage Town Band

Dear Editor Swanage Town Band at the Bandstand The Swanage Town Band would like to thank everyone who came to our bandstand concerts this summer. It was heartening to have such support for both our music and the bandstand itself.

We had a great time, regularly playing to over 250 people, enjoying some great music in the sunshine with a “Making Music Sing-a-Long” and “All That Jazz” during the final Swanage Jazz Festival.

Thanks to the generosity of our audiences we were able to donate £500 to the Rotary’s Grenfell Tower appeal and are delighted to be able to donate £600 to the restoration of our historic bandstand, for which we have planned a fundraising concert early in 2018. We make a pretty good noise with nearly forty players and will sound even better once the roof is restored!

Yours sincerely, Angela John, Chair Swanage Town Band

Arne Parking Charges Rise

Dear Readers, RSPB Arne’s Aggressive Birds As Walks Leader for Wareham Walkers (Tuesday morning walks for older people), I have just returned from RSPB Arne and an enjoyable hour long walk for eighteen of us, followed by coffee in the RSPB Café, only to be told that in the not too distant future, the current car park charge for two hours of £2.50 is to be abolished and that only a £5 ticket for all day parking will be available.

The reason given for this is to make more people take up membership of the RSPB, currently costing a minimum of £48 per year per person.

Surely this cannot be right?

As people who love walking, many of whom live in villages and towns nearby (we live in Ridge, just down the road), the Arne peninsular is a local amenity to which we should all have easy access.

When we first moved here some fifteen years ago, the car park at Arne was free to all but, after a few years, a small parking charge was introduced which some two years ago increased to £2 for two hours.

Currently this has risen again to £2.50, but the meter is no longer in use while the ‘hut’ is manned. The reason becomes obvious: aggressive selling by the RSPB staff of RSPB membership pushed at car owners who apply for parking tickets.

As a local resident, I can’t justify RSPB membership nor a full-day charge

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MATT HILLAN Building Alterations & Maintenance

All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise of £5 for simply walking for an hour at Arne on perhaps three or four occasions a year. Most of the Wareham Walkers voiced the same view this morning and it is unlikely they will return, unless the current lower fee for two hours remains.

A case of the RSPB shooting themselves in the foot and losing local visitors, don’t you think?

John Hale, Ridge, Wareham.

Swanage Bandstand Update

Dear Editor, The Friends of Swanage Bandstand would like to thank everyone who has, and continues to, support us in our aim to restore the town Bandstand.

Major progress has been made by the decision of Swanage Town councillors to join us in our endeavours, by agreeing to contribute £50,000 towards the restoration and giving FOSB twelve months to raise the balance, which could be as much as £160,000.

This is good news for us as we have more people who want to support us with various ideas and more pledges of money, and we are also currently applying for charity status. The bank account is in place, ready to call pledges once the charity is set up, as as we can then get gift aid on some donations.

To keep you all informed we now have a website set up: www. friendsofswanagebandstand.co.uk Any person wanting to pledge, please contact Alan Houghton, 3 Dingle Court, De Moulham Rd Swanage. 01929 426380. Email: al2lyho@talktalk. net mobile 07814319263.

Kind regards, Alan, by email.

Disabled Club Thanks Dear Readers, Swanage Disabled Club would like to thank residents and visitors alike for supporting our recent Craft Fair and three seafront stalls.

We are delighted to say that we were able to bank over £1,000 - which makes it worthwhile for our members and helpers who spend the year producing all our craft items. The money raised from these sales helps towards our Club activities and outings during the year. Thank you all so much.

We also had a great surprise during August.......we won a donation of £500 from Cosyfeet, who were delighted to hear that we were going to spend two weeks at a beach hut, enabling our members to enjoy the Carnival ‘from the front line’.

Our charity was chosen for this donation from their Annual Community Funds, and given to us to enjoy the same again next year for two weeks.

Grateful thanks to them and well done to the Carnival Committee for another great week - we will look forward to the same again next year.

We are always pleased to receive new members and are especially looking for anyone who is able to volunteer their driving skills, to help our friendly group.

Thank you. Mrs. Daphne Saville - Hon. Sec. 01929 425241 f.f.i.

Rotary Fete Success!

Dear Editor, Rotary fete success I am delighted to let readers know that this year’s Swanage & Purbeck Fete and Craft Fair made a profit of over £6,000, £1,000 more than last year!

Thanks to all those who gave their time to help, lent equipment, made cakes, donated fabulous raffle prizes and to our Business Partners who sponsored the entertainments programme - not forgetting those who came along and spent their money!

We hope you all enjoyed yourselves.

The proceeds will give much needed support to a range of local community organisations.

John Thraves, Chair, Fete Committee Picture by Rotarian, Tim Crabb

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A Catalogue Of Shame

by David Hollister

I

went to the monthly meeting of Swanage Town Council, interested to see their reaction to the pressure brought about by the ‘Save Swanage Bandstand’ group. As I’d anticipated, the Council came to the decision to back the Bandstand Group up to £50,000, provided that they came up with the rest of the money to restore the bandstand within twelve months. Well, the Bandstand group have achieved pledges of over £30,000 so far, so that just leaves a further £80,000 to find to cover the £160,000 restoration cost. I’m sure that the public and Council support will open enough doors for them to obtain some of the many grants and subsidies which are available if you know where to look.

I also anticipated a huge crowd of supporters; regrettably there were still a number of seats available in the public gallery. Most of the 228 supporters of the “restore Swanage Bandstand” Facebook group were clearly washing their hair that night; joining a group, ticking a box, and making a pledge is all very well but it’s easy; coming out and supporting the cause in person is easy too, if you have a mind for it. And it wasn’t even raining.

However, the subject that the absent masses missed – and which shook me to the core – was the next item on the agenda; consideration and reaction to a letter received from local Funeral Directors, James Smith, on the subject of the cutbacks to the Dorset Registration Service. In short, the DRS is provided and funded by the DCC. By law, a death must be registered within five days. Until registration has taken place, funerals and cremations cannot be organised. Registration of a death is a legal requirement and DCC must provide this service; it is something that must be done in person by a very limited number of persons related to, or known to, the deceased.

Due to budgetary cutbacks, it is now proving almost impossible for the bereaved to make a local appointment within the specified time, requiring them to make a trip to Dorchester or Weymouth. In the past, the DRS has applied a degree of common sense to accommodate the fact that we are a rural community with limited access to their services. They would allow registration outside of the five-day limit as long as the family had informed the service by phone and made an appointment. It would appear that now, this flexibility is being removed because it is ‘affecting their targets’.

There is a proposal to further reduce the service in Swanage to “one half day per week”; this will have a devastating effect on families and will lead to much distress for the newly bereaved. It will also oblige them to break the law of the land.

I know that I’ve spent most of the past ten years criticising DCC, but this one really takes the biscuit. I cannot remember ever having been so disgusted with their actions. Yes, I know that money is tight and yes, they will wring their hands and blame Central Government, but this is one cut too far. Either this is an Executive Decision – in which case I want to know the name, position and salary of the officer responsible, or it has been voted through ‘on the nod’ by the full Council, in which case I want to know what steps our local Councillors took to stop the decision being made.

I have made an FOI request to DCC recently and will publish names in

full if they are supplied. Someone needs to take responsibility and answer to the families. I cannot believe that keeping a Registration Office open for – say – two half days week will make a significant dent in the salary enjoyed by Chief Executive Debbie Ward, currently £150,000 p.a..

A recent study found that 2314 council employees in the UK were paid £100,000 p.a. or more. I bet these weren’t the ordinary workers at the ‘coal face’; the bin men, the social workers, the gardeners, primary school teachers and so on. Since local authorities are supposed to be doing more for less, the only conclusion that I can come to is that the executives are looking after themselves at the expense of local people and the real workers.

We are told that St. Edwards Church Hall in Swanage will be closing at the end of December as the church intend to sell it off for building. This pleasant and centrally-situated community hall has been used by groups and exhibitions and so many others for so long that even I can’t remember it not being there.

I understand that several groups have already been given notice. If it’s being sold for building – and it’s a prime position overlooking the bay – I cannot imagine that it will be for affordable homes! Which I would imagine will give the Church a better financial return than the odd group or exhibition could hope to produce. Some of us feel that the church – which seems to have chosen capital gain over community spirit – probably has enough money already.

Some of us Christians seem to remember the bit about the rich man and the eye of the needle, and Christ’s exhortation to the rich young man “if you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions – and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven”. Again, I say – if this is true - shame upon whoever made the decision which may affect so many ordinary little people.

Street rubbish collection is the responsibility of the Dorset Waste Partnership, made-up of seven Dorset councils working together to deliver waste, recycling and cleansing services across our county. An organisation which started with a catastrophic, uncoordinated and costly roll-out, over-spending its 2014 budget by £2.8 million, leading to the dismissal of its Chief Executive.

An organisation which has not only lost the plot but buried it in rubbish as well; started by allegedly using un-budgeted and un-tendered vehicles; brought in charging for various types of rubbish, leading to a significant increase in fly-tipping; told its own staff that they should repair their own protective overalls and “learn to sew”; reduced hours at the recycling centres, but whose current Director recently received a shameful pay increase of £16,000.

Finally – a public meeting is being held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria Avenue, Swanage, on Thursday 28th September 2017 at 6pm to discuss ideas for the future of the former St Mark’s school playing field, Jubilee road, Swanage. It’s currently owned by DCC. Draw your own conclusion as to its fate. Please come along and have your say.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Town Council Backs Bandstand Restoration

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t its monthly meeting on Monday 21st August, Swanage Town Council voted unanimously to support a project to restore the town’s bandstand.

Councillors allocated £50,000 towards the total estimated cost of £160,000, setting the Friends of Swanage Bandstand the task of raising the balance within the next twelve months.

The Council also made funding available for the professional fees required to take the project forward.

In February of this year the Council set a six-month deadline for interested parties to come forward with proposals for the site. During that time Mr Alan Houghton spearheaded a campaign to secure pledges from the public of donations towards a restoration project.

The sum now pledged stands at £31,500, and a folder of sixty-three letters of support for the restoration project has been submitted to the Town Council.

The Council held a public meeting in May this year, which was attended by approximately two hundred local residents, who supported the restoration of the bandstand by an overwhelming majority. A presentation by bandstand enthusiast, Mr Paul Rabbitts, gave many examples of successful restoration projects from around the country.

Mr Houghton and others have since formed the Friends of Swanage Bandstand as an organisation to take the restoration project forward.

The Council’s working party met with their committee members in July, together with a representative from the Town Band, and were impressed with the expertise that the group had assembled to make the project a success.

The Friends were the only organisation to put forward a formal submission for the Council to consider, although the alternative options of removing the bandstand and potentially filling in the sunken surrounds were also debated. However, it was noted that the Council would incur substantial costs, whichever option was pursued.

Also important in underpinning the Council’s decision were the pledges to use a newly refurbished structure that the Friends had received from more than a dozen local performers, including musicians, dancers, and a local secondary school.

Councillor Caroline Finch, chairman of the Tourism Committee, stated: “I have been so pleased to see such a great public response about the future of the bandstand. The Council is working with all parties concerned to support its restoration”. She continued: “It has been heart-warming to see the community working together.”

Alan Houghton, of the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, remarked: “This is excellent news and represents a giant step forward towards getting our bandstand back”. He continued: “local people have been enormously generous in pledging £31,500 towards the project, but we do need that to continue, either by pledging more funds or organising a fundraising activity.”

To help support the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, Alan can be contacted by email, al2lyho@talktalk.net, telephone 07814 319263 or post to 3 Dingle Court, De Moulham Road, BH19 1NT. Issued by Swanage Town Council: 25th August 2017

The Purbeck Gazette

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Albert - Prince Of Culture, Art - And Science Swanage And The Missing Memorial

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he Albert Memorial immediately brings to mind the magnificent structure in Hyde Park in London; but Swanage had its own memorial to Prince Albert. This was erected ten years before the London one was opened in 1872.

Few people in Swanage will be unaware of the museums in South Kensington and many will have visited at least one of them - the V & A, the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum. The Albert Hall, or to give it it’s proper title, the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, is also familiar and well known. All are due to the far-sightedness of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, in using the profit made from the extremely successful Great Exhibition of 1851 to purchase the land in South Kensington and fulfil his dream of a collection of first class museums and colleges for the training of the arts and sciences.

When the immensely popular Prince Albert died at the age of 42 on the 14th of December 1861, George Burt wrote a letter from London to the Rector of Swanage. He had read the account of the Lord Mayor of London’s call for a national monument and wrote, “Swanage should share in handing down to posterity the life of that great and virtuous Prince”. At that time, the Mowlem firm was repaving Fleet Street and in Ludgate Circus there were two obelisks commemorating former Mayors of London. He offered the design of the obelisk, a form of memorial used since ancient times to honour the dead, and proposed that the cost should be covered by public subscription.

The site chosen was at the highest point on Court Hill where Victoria had paused in 1833 on the way down to the Manor House Hotel (later renamed, with Royal Consent, The Royal Victoria Hotel). John Mowlem gave the land on which it was to be erected; George Burt the railings held up by short stone pillars; John and James Haysom cut the inscription; Mr Farwell and Mr C. Burt erected the obelisk at the cost of £56.19s.0d. The monument was completed by December 1862 and was to become parish property. This makes the Swanage memorial particularly special, as it was the first to be erected to Albert’s memory in the country.

Nearly twenty years after it was sited, the great blizzard of January 17th 1881 damaged the upper courses of the obelisk. After some wrangling by the Local Board, reported in Tribbett’s Wareham and Isle of Purbeck Advertiser and Swanage Visitor List in March 1881, in the issue of April 22nd they reported that the Surveyor was ordered to repair the Albert Memorial under the direction of the Committee of Works.

It was damaged again on the 19th of January 1901 when the top section was dislodged during a heavy gale. There is a photograph of around 1925 (left), however, showing the top part of the obelisk being complete and in good shape. At some time between then and the outbreak of the Second World War, the top courses were again out of alignment and on the 11th of October 1968, J. Bernard Calkin wrote to the Swanage UDC informing them that the dislodged top courses of the monument had been taken away by agents of the Mowlem Estate and placed in the yard near the Northbrook Cemetery.

The monument continued in this truncated state until 1971. The minutes of the Vacation Committee of the Council, of a meeting on the 9th of August 1971, concerned a development at 160 High Street that involved moving the Albert Memorial. Letters of objection had been received from J. Bernard Calkin, David Lewer, W. J. Hardy and John Haysom. The Minutes state: (9) The existing monument shall be retained or moved to a new site to be agreed to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

The Developers demolished the Memorial in 1971 causing a local outcry - a Mrs Haysom even sat on the top until the police arrived. The wrangling between

Council and Developer continues through the Council minutes of 1972, 1973 and 1974, but the requirement to re-erect the memorial was never enforced and the stones, minus the top courses (pictured, right), which had been removed, lay in the Council yard. They were moved to a local quarry and are now housed in Haysom’s Quarry near St Aldhelm’s Head.

Despite many efforts to get the Albert Memorial re-erected during the 1970s (especially for the Silver Jubilee of 1977), the 1980s and 1990s (particularly for the making of Prince Albert Gardens in 1996) this was never achieved.

The Albert Memorial was taken down in 1971, a time when all things Victorian were out of favour. Even the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park was under threat, Manchester nearly lost its clock tower and the statue of Prince Albert, in his robes as Chancellor of Cambridge University, was removed from the Fitzwilliam Museum and put in the grounds of Madingley Hall (in 2004 it returned to Cambridge and is housed at Wolfson College). The Clock Tower in Hastings was demolished and only the quick action of a resident saved the statue and there are current moves there to get the statue re-instated near the Town Hall. The wheel of fashion has now gone full circle and it is the buildings of the 1960s and 1970s that are under threat and all things Victorian are prized.

Surely, now is the time to get the Albert Memorial re-erected in Prince Albert Gardens (a site suggestion is pictured, below, at Prince Albert Gardens).

The Prince was born on the 26th August 1819 - although the Swanage masons have the date as a week earlier, the 19th - so in two years’ time the bi-centenary of his birth will fall; an extremely opportune time.

A working group of members of the Research Team of Swanage Museum has approached the Town Council with the purpose of getting the memorial re-erected in time for the bi-centenary. The matter should have been discussed at the Council Meeting on the 25th of September. Being a member of the Victorian Society, I sought their support in this matter and they have replied giving their support and saying: ‘Of course, as with all cases we deal with we would hope that the memorial would be restored in a way which most fully reflects its original design and appearance, for example in the use of historically correct mortar and the recreation of any pieces of masonry which are found to be lacking. I do not doubt that this would be the case and the Victorian Society would be delighted to show its support in this project.’

The fact that this memorial was the first to be raised in his memory in the country makes it absolutely special. Even more so, when the fact is taken into account, that the population of Swanage was just over 2,000 in 1861.

The other memorials that followed in Aberdeen, Hastings, Oxford, Perth, Salford, Tenby, Belfast, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Cambridge, Exeter, and Birmingham and, later, Edinburgh and Dublin were all towns and cities with far larger populations than Swanage.

This makes our memorial even more special - and unique.

Robert Field

The Purbeck Gazette

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Opinion Poll On Seafront Plans

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pinion is divided when it comes to the management of Shore Road in Swanage. The current closure includes about half of the seafront promenade, an area on which beach huts, restaurants and many local businesses operate.

This creates a safe place for all to enjoy the Blue Flag beach and amenities.

For the busy summer months, the road is closed 24/7. But this may be about to change. A recent online poll, run by local company Dorset Cottage Holidays, received over 250 responses in the first twenty-four hours.

The results show that the respondants of Swanage are torn between leaving the current closure as is and expanding the closure to incorporate the entire stretch of the seafront road. The vast majority of votes (over 80%) supported road closure in some form.

Swanage residents clearly have a concern for beachgoers’ safety, with only a handful of votes to diverge from the current situation and leave the road open for traffic. Most heated comments were made with reference to parking along Shore Road. One online pollster commented: “The road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass when the parking is at its fullest.

Have you seen the bus trying to get along whilst vans, etc, want to pass?

Sadly, it is dangerous... an accident waiting to happen.”

Suggestions for improvement included widening the pavements along the road, allowing only disabled parking, and introducing a 10-20mph speed limit.

The online debate was lively with a lot of interest in the council’s decision.

Concern was however raised that plans for Shore Road were not available for the public. “Are the council’s proposals for Shore Road available anywhere for the public to see? All I’ve heard are rumours and it would be nice to see some detail”. We contacted the council for comment but did not receive a response by the time of printing.

Whatever the local council decide, the poll clearly illustrates that local opinion supports road closure and tighter control over parking. The residents and regular visitors of Swanage await further information.

Dorset Cottage Holidays

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

Call 07836 369969

The Purbeck Gazette

12

An Evening Watch at the Lookout uesday evening, normal shift from 1800 - 2100. The afternoon watch, in their jocular manner, wished us a happy evening/snoozing – as nothing much had happened all afternoon. Having scanned the horizon and made the coffee, we settled down for a quiet evening watch.

“Hey, look at this!” was the cry. Leaping out of the ‘mastermind chair’ to the powerful optics, there on the horizon was a whopper of a ship.

‘Hold on, that’s the Queen!’ was the exclamation. ‘Mary or Elizabeth?’ was the retort. ‘No, you idiot, it’s ‘HMS Queen Elizabeth’ - the new carrier.’ There she was; eight miles off shore, a grey silhouette, about the size of a Tesco supermarket. A forbidding shadow with a couple of helicopters tucked neatly under her superstructure. We scanned the screens, only to find that electronically, she did not exist. Warships, for obvious reasons, have the technology to disappear, but there she was heading around the Isle of Wight for her historic arrival at Portsmouth docks the following morning.

Another coffee later and then a pod of five dolphins were clearly seen leaping and bounding their way through the swell right in front of us going towards Durlston. A quick call to Dolphin Watch at Durlston but no luck, it was 19:30 and they had gone home. We watched them for

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over ten minutes - wonderful! Another brew was in order as we settled down after all the excitement.

At 20.45 it was dusk and we decided to prepare to close the shop when it all started to happen again.

“PAN, PAN, PAN this is yacht Glow Worm. We are off Peveril Ledge and have total power failure”. They were in front of us, one yacht who had her navigation lights on and the other without - obviously the Glow Worm.

After a few minutes, Solent Coast Guard replied to the Urgency Message and after just a few words, they were told to stand-by. The Watchkeepers then established landline contact with Fareham and acted as their eyes on scene. A call for “all boats in the vicinity” soon followed.

Despite other craft being in the vicinity, and the almost total darkness, it was fortunate that nobody collided with the blacked-out yacht and eventually the local fishing charter vessel, San Gina, came on scene, effected a tow and put the yacht onto a safe mooring.

The watch was finally closed at 22:15 and the Watchkeepers finally arrived home with wives wondering why they had been peering into darkness for the last ninety minutes!

Stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life or leisure takes you – you are always welcome to visit us when you are passing.

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

We look forward to hearing your comments and/or questions.

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

Coastguard Update

ith the summer coming to an end, August saw a good reduction in incidents compared to last year. One factor in many of our incidents is the weather and despite a promising start in June, the weather wasn’t great.

Our colleagues to the west in Lulworth and Kimmeridge have seen a busy season, with three serious incidents in one afternoon. A collapse, someone hit by falling rocks and then someone taking a selfie stepped back and fell fifty feet.

The evening of the 12th August saw the team go out at 7pm and finally return at 3am, dealing with seven incidents. The primary role of the Coastguard is maritime or coastal search and rescue, but sometimes, we have to step out of that role and deal with other emergencies.

The team were on patrol when they were made aware of a cyclist who had come off their bike just past the turning to Knoll Beach. On arrival, immediate first aid was provided with the request for urgent assistance from the other emergency services. An off-duty ambulance member of staff stopped and gave assistance until the arrival of Police and Ambulance.

Due to the possible seriousness of the injuries, the paramedics requested

the female to be airlifted.

The rescue helicopter from Lee on Solent was scrambled and landed in the field opposite the Knoll House Hotel and working together, the casualty was airlifted to Southampton Hospital.

The 16th August saw a walker stuck on the cliff at Durlston Bay. Despite the best efforts of both Coastguard teams, they were unable to get above the victim to set up the equipment.

The helicopter from Lee on Solent was requested and lifted the man to the safety of Durlston Country Park.

Two days later, the team were revisiting the scene to review the incident when the air ambulance appeared to look for a site to land. The aircraft landed in the Mount Scar sports field and the team assisted the crew to the local hospital. With some remodelling of the gates, the crew returned in an ambulance and transferred the patient to the helicopter.

With the autumn upon us, just a reminder that if you are heading out on the water or on the coast to ensure you are prepared and wear the right clothing.

In an emergency call 999 - Coastguard

Hall Of Heroes!

The Passport includes a number of important challenges to complete such as being responsible for their own school bag, coat and lunch box and to put them away tidily as part of their independence skills’ challenge.

There will be an Open Event for new children for 2018 on Tuesday 10th October 2017 when new and potential parents can view the school.

For more information on Wareham St Mary or the Open Event, please call 01929 552517.

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he children at Wareham St Mary Primary School have begun the new school term as heroes, powering their way through the corridors to create a hall of super heroes.

The Super Hero day was organised to launch the school’s new vision and values statement INSPIRE – EXCITE – IGNITE. Each child has been given a ‘Passport to Success’ guiding them to develop skills, such as; independence, team work, creativity and simply having fun!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Harmans Cross Field Day - Fete Accompli!

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ugust Bank Holiday Monday – and it didn’t rain all day! What a huge relief for us organisers and for the huge crowds that visited Harmans Cross Fete and Gymkhana.

A good time was had by most.

The gymkhana started at 9am as usual and was well attended. The Fete opened at noon, by which time there were large queues up Haycrafts Lane, something that we are definitely going to address for next year.

The queues were entertained by Jamie Jigsaw, who also performed Magic Shows in the arena. The Wessex Military Band was on great form, as was the Purbeck Dog Agility team, who always provide great entertainment for dog-lovers.

Entries for the annual flower, fruit, vegetable and craft show were well up, and to a very high standard again this year.

Visitors were able to eat at the popular burger stall, or sit in the main hall or on the terrace with tea, cakes, and an assortment of sandwiches prepared by our local team of ladies. Doris the Ice-Cream van did a roaring trade all afternoon. There were numerous ‘trade stands’ but all were local crafts people or local charities; the ‘professional marketeers’ stay away because we like to ‘keep it in the family’!

Children were entertained on the swings and roundabouts, a selection of bouncy castles supplied by the Scooby Crew of Swanage and by Perry O’Connell. And, of course, the ever popular ‘trolley ride’ operated by the Swanage Rotary Club. ‘Gourmet Goats’ were also there, bringing animals to delight the children.

The raffle was held in aid of Village Hall funds, with a percentage going to Dementia UK, this year’s chosen charity. I was also pleasantly surprised at the end of the day when the ‘Litter Free Purbeck’ team cleaned the field from top to bottom; you can come again any time!

The only ‘damper’ on the proceedings for me – as organiser – was the fact that a number of our team are – like me – approaching “upper middle age” and the realisation that unless new blood can be found to join the organising team, next year’s event may well be much smaller, and possibly our last.

Anyone keen to get involved – it’s really good fun – please contact me!

David Hollister. Photo by Tim Crabb

Swanage Rotary Club with Commercial Road Traders invite you to our

Christmas Fair

Sat 9 Dec - 10am to 4pm DO YOU WANT A STALL? If so, call Deirdre on: 07971 764823 or email: secretary.swanagerotary@gmail.com Commercial Road & Station Rd, Swanage

The Purbeck Gazette

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Out Of The Blue

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ctober already, ‘scary’ the year is ‘flying’ by!

Once again, we have been busy listening and acting upon what you have had to say.

You said: theft from motor vehicles is an issue.

There have been a number of reports of cars being damaged or broken in to and contents stolen across Purbeck. Items stolen have been tablet computers, mobile phones, hand bags, satnavs and cash.

The public are reminded to not leave any valuable items in their car when they leave it unattended. A car boot is not a safe place to leave items as ‘someone’ may be watching and could subsequently take the item. Please be on the lookout for our crime prevention roadshows being held at various rural car parks across the area.

What we did: Your local police teams have been very busy conducting crime prevention engagement events across the area to make the public aware of the need to secure their vehicles and not to leave valuables inside.

I am sure you will have seen the marked police vehicle around the area, with the crime prevention message on to raise awareness.

Our teams have been using this vehicle to patrol all our rural car parks every day to reassure the public, disrupt the criminals and ensure that our rural car parks are a safe place for visitors. Neighbourhood Policing Team patrolling and advice to members of the public has also been increased in order to reinforce this message. We will continue to monitor these areas to ensure we maintain focus on reducing vehicle crime in Purbeck. As a direct result of our increased vigilance, there has been a 33% reduction in thefts from motor vehicles since April 2017. We will continue this priority.

You said: Drug use/Dealing to children on the field at Victoria Avenue Car Park in Swanage.

What we did: Targeted patrols of the area and worked with the council, who identified the area which was being used to take drugs. Since targeting the area, there have been no further reported issues.

And on a different note: “Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.” William Shakespeare Yes, it’s that time of year; Halloween is only a few weeks away. With that in mind, we hope you will all enjoy the festivities in a fun and safe manner.

For those of you who would rather not have any trick or treat visitors at your door, we would recommend that you display a polite notice in your window. The notices are nice and clear, for all those little devils and witches to see. Purbeck Police do have notices available, should you wish to request one. Happy Halloween everyone, we hope you have a Spooktacular night!

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

Please come along to our ‘meet the team’ events at Swanage, Wareham and Upton. Dates can be found on the website, we’d love to see you there.

Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Firestation

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i, and welcome to my report from Swanage Fire station! Operationally since my last report, the station has answered a total of fifty-five emergency calls in and around the Swanage area.

These have included residential property fires, commercial property fires, flooding in properties, animal rescues, vehicle fires, the emergency landing of an aircraft in a field in the Studland area, the rescue of persons after a road traffic accident, outdoor fires and we also attended twentytwo Co-response medical calls.

Now that summer is coming to an end, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, (DWFRS) are working in collaboration with the National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE), advising homeowners to take this opportunity to make sure their chimneys are ready for the colder months, and more importantly, a clean chimney can help prevent fires and structural damage to your property. Regular cleaning of your chimney or flue will eliminate the build-up of soot and clear obstructions such as bird or animal nests, leaves and debris. It is not enough to use a vacuum cleaner and you should make sure that your chimney or flue is inspected regularly by a qualified chimney sweep.

Sweeping your chimney twice a year and using a quality-assured fuel is important. Not only does this remove soot and tar deposits, but also gives your chimney sweep the opportunity to check for any problems with the chimney or liner.

To keep you and your family safe from fire you should make sure you have your chimney swept regularly, depending on what fuel you burn, before the colder months set in and you begin to use your fire again. If the worst should happen, working smoke alarms can give you the all-important early warning, and a fire-plan can help you ensure your family’s escape in a fire.

Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test them monthly.

Please don’t keep this advice to yourself – pass it on. Is there anyone you know who may need your help in organising a chimney sweep or testing their alarms? For more information on maintaining your chimney and how can help with fire prevention, please visit: www.dwfire.org.uk/chimneysafety or call 0800 038 2323.

Lastly on a sad note, in July, after over nineteen years’ service, Firefighter Matt Hillan (pictured above, right) hung up his boots for the last time and retired from the Fire service. Matt has served us here in Swanage since September 1998, has attended many of the fires across the county. He will be missed by all here at Swanage Fire station.

On Matt’s last night, the Chief Fire Officer for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service, Ben Ansell (pictured, above left), presented Matt with a certificate and plaque in recognition for all the hard work and long service that Matt has given, protecting the people of Swanage and the surrounding areas.

We all wish Matt a long and happy retirement and I’m sure we will still see him on the golf course!

That’s all for this month, stay safe and remember - test your smoke alarm!

Phil Burridge, Station Commander

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

iz Bowden, of Swanage Carnival and Regatta Committee, reported back on a very successful carnival in the October 2007 edition. Liz stated that the fireworks had had to be postphoned due to heavy rain (as this year). Prior to the procession on Carnival Sunday, hundreds of balloons were released for the ‘Great Balloon Race’. Joe Asbury of Austrey was the winner, with his balloon being returned from Markeiningen, Germany, by Tobias Fleckhammer. Both men received a prize.

Nico Johnson was invited to step aboard the paddlesteamer, the Waverley, to take a trip down the coast to Lulworth Cove and back. The ship was unable to travel directly from Swanage Pier in 2007 due to an unfortunate ‘incident’ between the pier and the Balmoral, so passengers had to first take the Bournemouth Belle to join up with the Waverley.

Due to firing at Lulworth Ranges, the ship had to keep to a five mile exclusion zone whilst heading down the coast to Lulworth. Nico reported enjoying overhearing on-board conversations between tourists, including ‘confirmed’ sightings of Tilly Whim caves down near Weymouth and one lady telling another categorically that the quarries and ‘priest’ hermitages along the cliffs were made of concrete rather than natural stone......

The R.S.P.B. reported that sand lizards from Marwell Zoo were released on Coombe Heath, near Wool. As one of the most threatened of Britain’s six reptile species, the sand lizard had suffered from a massive loss of habitat due to urban development and changes in land use.

The Herpetological Conservation Trust and Natural England had been working with Marwell Zoo to breed the rare lizards in outdoor enclosures, ready for release into the wild. This was part on an on-going programme, with the intention to release around fifty lizards a year.

Friends from Swanage’s twin town of Rudesheim in Germany arrived slightly late for their scheduled visit to Swanage due to a bomb scare at Frankfurt Airport, which delayed their flight (BE 1278). During their visit, they enjoyed a cream tea in Corfe at the model village, a Civic Reception at the Vista Bar in Swanage, a tree planting ceremony, a service at St Mary’s Church and an evening meal at Kingston Barn.

As well as the officially organised events, the group also made the best of the weather and joined in with several spontanious events, such as trips to the beach and being lucky enough to spot four dolphins from Durlston.

Swanage Town Twinning group member, Robin Brasher, reported that during the visit, he had managed to learn the German words for sea, sheep, cows and dolphins......

Gazette reporter, Claire Tazer, visited the Dorchester Show, along with local photographer, Chris Caruana. They enjoyed the whole experience, including ‘Big Pete’s Monster Truck’ display, a range of tanks from Bovington Tank Museum, farm machinery and so much more. Having been established in 1841, the show had been awarded County status in

2006, and was then run by the Dorchester Agricultural Society. As well as live music, vegetable displays, gymnastic displays, gun dog and falconry exhibitions, Claire really enjoyed watching the Adams Axemen get to work (pictured, above) and was impressed that despite poor summer weather effecting crops negatively, the produce tent was bursting with an impressive array of barley, wheat and hay, as well as eggs, jumbo pumpkins and much more!

Our featured ‘Business of the Month’ for October 2007 was Putlake Adventure Farm in Langton Matravers, then under the relatively new ownership of Alfie O’Connell (pictured) and his family. The O’Connell family had recently added a pet and garden centre area to the already-popular adventure farm in Langton, and were looking forward to expanding their business in the future.

The Purbeck Gazette

Train Services - Steam services are operating daily until Sunday 29th October. Autumn Steam Gala: “Class of 67” Friday 13th – Sunday 15th October. Continuing the theme of commemorating 50 years since the end of steam on the Southern.

We welcome Ivatt Tank Engine 41312 from the Mid Hants Railway to our Autumn Steam Gala. U Class 31806, Standard Class 4MT 80146 and M7 30053 will be operating an intense timetable of passenger and demonstration goods trains. We hope 34072 “257 Squadron” will have completed its post restoration trials and be able to join in the action.

Santa Specials and Christmas Festivities 2nd – 24th December Our renowned Santa Special Trains and Christmas Luncheons are selling fast. Santa will be on his special trains 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th – 24th December. Our Christmas Luncheon trains operate 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 22nd and 23rd December. See our Santa Special leaflet or www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events for full details of all our Christmas Festivities.

Purbeck Railway Circle - On Friday 13th October, the PRC joins with the Purbeck Film Festival in presenting a selection of British Transport Films. The playlist comprises: “Elizabethan Express”, “Train Time”, “Rail 150”, “Signal Engineer”, “Mishap” and subject to permission being granted “London to Brighton in 4 Minutes”. The overall film running time is about 2 hours – there will be a short interval for refreshments.

For advance ticket sales please visit www.purbeckfilm.com. Tickets may also be purchased on the door. Ticket prices for the evening are £5 for SRT members (only available at the door) or £6 for non-members.

The Circle meets in Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross at 7pm for 7.30pm. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. For further information regarding this event and/or the PRC please contact the PRC Chairman at e-mail: gensec@purbeckrailwaycircle.org.uk

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The Purbeck Gazette

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South West Access For Everyone!

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he South West is full of wonderful heritage places to explore, from caves to historic houses and sweeping landscapes. According to the Papworth Trust, disabled adults in the North and South West report the highest number of life areas (education and leisure) where participation is restricted.

Despite the efforts of museums, galleries and other leisure attractions, feedback from disabled and deaf people suggest there is more that can be done to make these places more accessible.

The Heritage Ability project, delivered by charity Living Options Devon and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has a clear vision - to break down barriers at these heritage places, unlocking the South West for everybody to enjoy. From the West tip of Cornwall all the way to Gloucestershire, the team will work with at least twenty sites to deliver accessible interpretation, from BSL (British Sign Language) clips, to visual stories and easy read documents. Many sites will also benefit from an all-terrain scooter or ‘Tramper’, which will enable people with limited mobility to access the countryside like never before. Four heritage places are taking part in Dorset. These are Moors Valley Country Park, Lulworth Cove, Durlston Country Park and RSPB Arne.

As part of the project, Heritage Ability are looking for disabled and Deaf volunteers with a passion for heritage to become advocates for the project and help a site or a cluster of sites flourish on their ongoing journey. They also need your help to conduct some mystery visits at the sites and provide feedback which the team can use to help the sites improve. If you’d like to be involved, take a look at the website at www.heritageability.org. You can email the team at heritageability@livingoptions.org or call 01392 459222. You can also send a SMS to 07958 517919.

The Purbeck Gazette

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What do we do, and why?

Although we live in a small, close-knit community, there are occasions when residents find themselves unsupported - they may have no family, and no close neighbours to call on, they may have gone through a crisis, become ill or had an injury.

Sometimes, in these situations, the smallest thing can become a massive issue - such as the inability to change a simple lightbulb following a fall or accident, or loss of mobility. If you have no one to pop round and do it for you, are you really supposed to sit in the dark, night after night, alone?

NO! That’s where we come in! Our truly wonderful team of local volunteers (spead throughout the whole Purbeck area) are on-call, every day, to come and lend a hand. From changing that lightbulb to sewing on a button, changing your bedroom around if you’re suffering mobility issues, to reading your post to you if your eyesight is failing - they are here to help with those small, one-off tasks that may make a huge difference to your daily life.

We don’t do regular work, or care work - there are organisations for these requirements. We’re just your friendly neighbours, doing the right thing and lending a hand when it’s needed.

All we ask is a £2 donation per visit to help cover basic costs.

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Apply For School Places For 2018

rom Friday the 1st of September, Dorset residents have been able to apply for school places in 2018, whether their children are starting school for the first time or progressing through the education system.

For children who are due to start secondary or upper school in September 2018, parents have until the 31st of October to apply for a place.

For children who are due to start school for the first time, or are moving from infant to junior school or first to middle school in September 2018,

parents have until the 15th of January 2018 to apply.

Applications made online will receive notification on the morning of the National Offer Days: Secondary offer day – 1st of March 2018.

Primary offer day – 16th of April All this information, including an online application form, is available at https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/school-admissions or families can call 01305 221060 for an application pack to be sent by post.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Friends Of Wareham Railway Station We will be at the Station on Sundays 8th October and 5th November.

We have helped to promote and support the Swanage Railway Trust with the reconnection of the Swanage Trial Diesel Service this year and for the coming years.

Our collection of heritage photographs of the Wareham to Swanage line throughout its 130 year history is now on show in the Waiting Room on platform 1.

The new Wareham Visitor Guide, with FoWRS featured, has been funded by the Dorset County Council and Purbeck District Council. We look forward to working with the new franchisee, First/MTR South Western Railways (SWR).

As an affiliated group to ACoRP, we have attended various Stakeholder Meetings held by SWT and TravelWatch SouthWest Seminars.

Contact the Chair; Beryl Ezzard 01929 550138 beryl.ez@btinternet.com Pictures, top left and below, by kind permission of Andrew P.M.Wright.

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e are celebrating our Group and Swanage Railway!

The Friends of Wareham Railway Station (FoWRS), now established as a voluntary team looking after the Station and Car Park since December 2012.

We were included in the Wareham in Bloom Awards in November, receiving the “Green and Clean for the Queen” Award in the South-East England Competition. A surprise and delight for us.

Efforts by the fifteen members are being noticed and appreciated. We welcome anyone interested in joining our group; our membership fee is only £10 per year.

South West Trains (SWT) have given us funding to help our efforts to develop the gardening with planting evergreen shrubs and to progress with a Public Notice/Information Board in the Car Park.

We are an enthusiastic group, growing in expertise. We meet on the second Sunday, from 10am –12 noon, each month, to help improve the station surrounds for the local community and passengers using the Station.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Lions £1k For Air Ambulance

he photograph on the right relates to the presentation of a cheque for £1k from Wareham Lions to Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

The money came from the sale of Easter Eggs earlier this year in premises in and around Swanage and is testament to the community’s support for the Air Ambulance.

A big thank you to the community and the businesses who sold the tickets!

The cheque was received by Lorraine Ottewell, area representative for the SDAA and was presented by Lion Mike Bartlett and Lion Vice President John Goodchild.

Wareham Explorer Scouts Update

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areham Explorer Scouts were pleased to join in with the twinning visit to Hemsbach Germany recently. We went sightseeing in Mannheim and on a superb ropes course near Hemsbach, as well as having plenty of time to get to know our friends in Hemsbach.

We continue to meet regularly on Tuesday evenings at Wareham Scout and Guide HQ North Bestwall Rd and would be pleased to welcome young people aged 14-17 who are keen to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, whether or not they have been scouts or guides.

During the last year, five members have completed Bronze, six have completed Silver and one has completed Gold. Many more are on the way to completing these awards.

Angela Salter, Explorer scout Leader

The Purbeck Gazette

Were You A ‘Happy Carey Camper’?

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or seventy years, school children have been visiting ‘Carey Camp’ in Wareham Forest for their first taste of camping and outdoor life.

Carey Outdoor Education Centre, run by Dorset County Council, opened in 1947. Since then, it’s thought to have welcomed over 150,000 children, mostly from Dorset schools, either as residential or day visitors.

The site is based in wildlife-rich heath and woodland on the banks of the River Piddle, making it ideal for activities such as orienteering, archery, den building, low ropes, mountain biking and tree climbing. Students also take part in environment and river studies.

Deborah Croney, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Learning and Skills, said: “The Centre provides a fantastic venue for learning throughout the year. For many children, their stay is a first taste of independence, and the chance to learn about the environment in an exciting and memorable way. We are proud to have been offering this wonderful opportunity to groups of all ages for so many years.”

Centre Manager, Paul Burrows, added: “As well as the fun activities, children are encouraged to embrace campsite life, joining in with tasks such as washing-up, collecting firewood and keeping the site tidy. Even small things like remembering to zip-up their tents to keep out the elements is a lesson in self-sufficiency.”

Paul also pointed out that the Centre has an impressive archive of documents, letters and photographs spanning the decades. They show that initially only girls stayed there because it was thought ‘wise to avoid the difficulties of organizing a mixed camp for the first year’.

Paul continued: “But it seems these girls weren’t too lucky as they were involved in rather unappealing tasks such as ‘digging grease traps and latrine pits in heavy clay’! “It’s fascinating to go through the archive, especially reading people’s memories of their stay at Carey Camp. We’d love to hear from anyone who remembers visiting – particularly if other generations of their family also stayed there. We’re hoping to find families whose connection with us spans three generations or more.”

If you have any memories to share, please contact Carey Outdoor Education Centre on careyoec@dorsetcc.gov.uk or call 01929 552265.

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Halloween, Square & Compass Style...

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ou would expect a pub as renowned as the Square & Compass to know all there is to know about beer (which they do) but did you realise that they also know all about pumpkins – very big pumpkins indeed?!

In the first weekend in October each year, they hold a festival in celebration of these orange beasts (as well as beer, naturally!).

Rumour has it that the contest for the largest pumpkin is often a two-horse race between two locals, and that in the run-up to competition day, each contestant’s progress is shrouded in secrecy.

The resulting monster pumpkins are so huge that in order to winch them onto the scales, it is not unknown for a JCB to be required.

There is also the annual vegetable monster competition (below and right), inviting adults and children alike to bring along their vegetable creations to share with one and all - get creative and see what you can create!

But best of all - for the drinkers among you, while you watch the struggles of the great pumpkin grow–off, you can relax and enjoy a famous Square Pasty and sample some of the numerous real ales and ciders from small breweries, which will be available.

There will be up forty different brews to try, plus ciders, so you might want to book your taxi home well in advance!

As usual, some truly fantastic, world-class live music will be on too – with bands and musicians from all over the world still travelling down to our fair isle to share their talents with us in the hallowed surroundings of the Square and Compass.

We’ll see you there!

The Purbeck Gazette

National Trust at Halloween

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Guided walk: Bats at dusk Fri 6 Oct, 5.30-7.30pm An introductory talk on bats and their ecology, followed by rare chance to access the castle grounds at dusk in pursuit of these fascinating night-time aerobatic artists.

Booking essential Tel: 0344 249 1895.

Guided walk: Deer at dawn Sat 14 Oct, 7-9am Rise and shine with the dawn chorus for this guided walk to spot Purbeck’s largest mammals in the wild. Learn how they influence our landscape and about our work to monitor their numbers. Booking essential Tel: 0344 249 1895.

Hallowe’en at Corfe Castle Sat 21 - Sun 29 Oct Explore the castle this Hallowe’en and say boo to our pumpkins as they welcome you. Take part in our spooky trail and enjoy the other Hallowe’en activities on offer. See our website for more details.

Ghostly stories Sun 22 – Sun 29 Oct Find yourself beside the keep or looking upwards as the castle looms above. Granny Cousins will lead you as we uncover ghostly stories oozing from the very fabric of the ruins.

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The One Certainty

Making Tax Digital - Update

‘Nothing is certain but death and taxes’ is a saying from Benjamin Franklin which is often quoted.

Although it is possible to minimise tax, death is something which comes to us all at some point. Planning for the inevitable is not morbid, it just means that you don’t need to worry about it and it makes things easier for those left to sort things out.

Over the years I have seen a number of situations where a lack of forethought has led to all sorts of difficulties and made someone’s passing even more difficult and upsetting (and can add to the costs of administering an estate).

One of the simplest ways to keep things easier is to maintain proper records and to keep on top of your paperwork and ensure that it and any digital records are potentially accessible if something happens to you. Step back and look at your current situation – if you were run over by the proverbial bus, how straightforward would it be for anyone to understand what you have and what you would want done with it?

Sorting your affairs out is important, regardless of age and one of the main priorities is to ensure you have an up to date Will. This should be drawn up by a professional such as a solicitor and it is usually a relatively inexpensive exercise. If you die intestate i.e., without making a valid Will, your estate will not necessarily be divided according to your wishes.

Many people are of the mistaken belief that if you are married/in a civil partnership, all your assets with automatically pass to your surviving partner. This is not necessarily the case.

In addition, in the case of co-habitees, they are entitled to nothing under the intestacy rules (although property which is held in joint names may pass to the survivor entirely depending how it is held e.g., shareholdings in joint names will automatically pass to the survivor as ‘sole survivor in joint account’).

Inheritance Tax is payable on death, but can also be charged on certain lifetime gifts and other events. The current nil rate band for Inheritance Tax is £325,000 with an additional allowance of £100,000 potentially available on residential property. These allowances are now transferable so that the unused proportion can potentially be transferred to the surviving spouse or civil partner.

Trusts can be a useful way for individuals to control how their assets are held and transferred to others. A trust is simply a way of someone holding property for the benefit of others. The operation of Wills, trusts and Inheritance Tax is very complicated and changes are frequent and I would strongly advise that you use the services of a professional to help with this type of planning. DIY wills and those prepared by non-qualified practitioners are definitely best avoided – why risk it all going wrong for the sake of a few pounds?

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.

The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not receive back the amount you originally invested. This information does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of individuals.

Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each person and may be subject to change in the future.

In July, the Government confirmed that the Summer Finance Bill would be published in September, with the measures dropped from the pre-election Finance Bill being reintroduced in more or less the same form, from the initially planned commencement dates.

Clauses dropped from the pre-election bill and expected to be brought back include those on Making Tax Digital (MTD), although the implementation date for income tax is being postponed.

There is widespread agreement that Making Tax Digital for Business is the right approach for the future. However a number of concerns about the pace and scale of change have been raised.

As a result the government has announced that the roll out for Making Tax Digital for Business has been amended to ensure businesses have plenty of time to adapt to the changes.

Businesses will not now be mandated to use the Making Tax Digital for Business system until April 2019 and then only to meet their VAT obligations.

This will apply to businesses who have a turnover above the VAT threshold - the smallest businesses will not be required to use the system, although they can choose to do so voluntarily.

From April 2019, businesses above the VAT threshold will be mandated to keep their records digitally and provide quarterly updates to HMRC for their VAT.

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Beach Hut Rate Rise

The price of modesty, tea and shelter on the beach climbs ating adviser Altus Group reports a consistent rise in the rateable values of beach huts across England and questions the use of Small Business Rate Relief to subsidise owners. A national rise in rateable values has hit around 89% of England’s beach huts, reflecting rising rents.

Although Small Business Rate Relief applies to properties or portfolios with rateable values up to £12,000, beach hut owners might still have to pay business rates if they own more than one hut or pay business rates on other properties.

Beach huts in Swanage (Dorset), Sidmouth (Devon), Southsea (Hampshire), Fleetwood (Lancashire), Seaton (Devon), Wells-Next-The–Sea (Norfolk), Weston-Super-Mare (Somerset) and Hayling Island (Hampshire) have all seen increases in their rateable values of over 300% with the 2017 revaluation. The highest rises of 678% are applied to huts at Ulwell Beach in Swanage.

Some beach huts on the Isle of Wight, on the other hand, have seen falling rateable values, as have those at Frinton On Sea (Essex), Shoreham By Sea (West Sussex), St Leonards By Sea (East Sussex), Southwold (Suffok) and Lancing (West Sussex). Annual rises in business rate bills are capped, with the result that the maximum increase for a small property, such as a beach hut, would be 64% over 5 years.

Altus Group executive vice president, Robert Hayton, comments, “Long waiting lists for beach huts mean that sale prices can be high – reportedly as much as £275,000 for a cabin in Mudeford, Dorset, this year. At the same time, local authorities are looking for increased incomes and are charging higher rents for the cabins they own. That’s the price of preserving your modesty, having a shelter from the English rain or just brewing yourself a cup of tea when you want one. The result is that what looks like a cramped and draughty little house can attract a business rate bill larger than a Band A Council Tax bill.”

Hayton questions the use of Small Business Rate Relief for beach huts: “A beach hut is unquestionably a luxury purchase. Anyone who can afford the sale price of one of these, whether for their own use or as an investment, can afford to contribute to the costs of local services. Government subsidies, designed to support small businesses, can be better targeted.”

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Trading Standards

The Purbeck Gazette

Know your consumer rights!

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rogue trader in the south west who defrauded twenty-one people out of £108,000 has been jailed for three years and two months.

The rogue trader targeted older and vulnerable people by cold calling and advertising in local publications giving the impression of being genuine and respectable, using local telephone numbers which then actually diverted to his mobile phone.

In all twenty-one cases the victims were given a quote, the work then started and as it progressed the trader would find ‘extra’ work needed.

Expert witnesses that looked at the work on behalf of Trading Standards Services reported that the real value of the work was often a fraction of the sum charged, while in some cases the work was never carried out at all. In one case, a victim was charged £7,500 for work worth just £170.

No cancellation rights were given to the victims, the sparse paperwork given did not include an address and the telephone number was unobtainable, so the victims had no means of contacting the trader.

If you pay or agree to pay over £42 for any services or goods that are sold to you in your home, then you have fourteen days to cancel the agreement.

If you cancel, any monies that you have paid should be returned to you.

The trader must give you a written notice of your cancellation rights when you agree the contract. If the trader doesn’t provide you with this

information, they commit a criminal offence.

Throughout the county of Dorset, forty-four incidents of rogue trading were reported in July 2017.

You can show you do not want to receive visits from cold calling doorstep traders by displaying a ‘We do not deal with uninvited doorstep traders’ door sticker, available from libraries across Dorset or by calling the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.

This is also the number to call if you would like consumer advice, or to report something to Trading Standards.

Councils Rewarded For Small Business Help

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overnment support for local businesses is vital, and Councillors and officers, involved in economic development, from Dorset were brought together for the tenth annual Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Friendly Awards.

These Awards identified the best small business friendly initiatives undertaken by the region’s local authorities, which have benefited the county’s small businesses.

The winners were: Most Innovative ‘Small Business Friendly’ Programme, Project or Campaign Dorset County Council and Purbeck District Council – for the Councils joint initiative, the ‘Dorset Innovation Park – Enterprise Zone’ which is providing a vast range of benefits for businesses. Working together, the Councils have shown a commitment to providing a range of initiatives that are designed to help small businesses realise their full potential.

Best All Round Small Business Friendliness Poole Borough Council – the Council was presented this award for its continuing commitment and support to a wide range of initiatives designed

to help local SMEs. Various excellent business support initiatives including a successful ‘Small Business Saturday’ campaign, ongoing support of the Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster and new cyber alliance website, and a successful business profile as part of the European Maritime Day. The awards were introduced by the FSB Wessex Lead Member, Ken Moon who praised the councils for their commitment to small businesses within their respective areas.

Ken said: “These Awards aim to recognise, and publicly acknowledge, the significant work undertaken by Local Authorities, in supporting the micro and small business community. FSB sets out to lobby local and national government, but we also realise that we must recognise the work that councils undertake, which in essence, helps our members.”

“Similar to pressures on many businesses, we are aware of financial pressures on councils as well, and will try to acknowledge any organisations that go ‘above and beyond’ what may normally be expected in order to ensure that the small business voice is not only heard but acted upon.”

Neil Eames, Development Manager for Wessex, further added: “We hope that the Awards provide a platform for councils to share their successes in promoting and championing local economic development. It provides us with an excellent opportunity to promote the best examples of good work to all councils across the county, and further afield. This will go some way to help to drive the improvement of local Government delivery and performance to support our local business community. We were delighted that all Councils within Dorset were represented at the presentation this year, showing their commitment to small businesses. The nominations also show that a great deal of effort is being made, and we look forward to working alongside the councils to keep this momentum going.”

The FSB exists to promote an environment in which small businesses can survive and thrive, and our 3,800 members within Dorset look to local government to help create such an environment.

It is clear that many Local Authorities are trying to help stimulate, and provide an impetus to, the British economy through championing the needs of the small business community.

www.purbeckgazette.com

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Unregistered Land or Property How and Why Should You Register it.

Award For Winfrith

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urbeck District Council and Dorset County Council have won an award for the new Dorset Innovation Park Enterprise Zone at Winfrith. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) award for “Most Innovative ‘Small Business Friendly’ Programme or Project” was presented to Leader of Purbeck District Council, Gary Suttle.

The Dorset Innovation Park is the county’s second largest employment site.

It received the enterprise zone status officially in April 2017. Enterprise Zones are geographically defined areas, hosted by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), in which commercial and industrial businesses can receive incentives to set up or expand.

There has been significant investment in the whole site by Purbeck District Council, Dorset County Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, and Dorset LEP which also led on securing enterprise zone status.

The park is already home to world leaders in marine, defence and advanced engineering, including Atlas Elektronik, QinetiQ and Optasense.

The commercial proposition is to create a sector focus in an advanced engineering cluster of excellence building on strengths in marine, defence and energy. The site is strategically important for Dorset and is recognised by the Department for International Trade as a strategic employment site marketed for inward investment activity.

The construction of twenty new employment units on the site is nearing completion as part of a £2.5m workspace project by Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council, made possible by funding secured

by Dorset LEP via the Government’s Local Growth Fund. These are due for completion in October 2017 and will be fully serviced and let to businesses on ‘easy in, easy out’ terms. Contact agents Sibbett Gregory on 01202 661177 or visit www.sibbettgregory.com The Dorset Innovation Park is expected to facilitate 2,000 jobs, fifty-five new businesses, 58,000m² of new workspace and some £30 million of new business rates to be re-invested by Dorset LEP in improving the site and local infrastructure. Small businesses will benefit from new and existing workspace, business rate holidays, simplified planning process, the ability to collaborate with similar size and large companies from innovation through to supply chains, easy access to support services provided by the Dorset Growth Hub, and ultrafast broadband.

There is still a surprising amount of land and property in England and Wales which remains unregistered and this means that the Land Registry has no record of the ownership.

When land becomes registered the important information including ownership, a plan to show the extent, rights benefiting it and burdens upon it are kept in a central electronic register which is easily accessible and most importantly, unlike paper deeds, cannot be lost or accidently destroyed.

You do not need to purchase land to make sure your ownership becomes registered. Whether you have a large farm, a semidetached house or a small piece of verge, Voluntary registration offers proof of land ownership and protection against fraud; it gives a clear record of the benefits and burdens on a property and can assist with boundary disputes which may arise.

This will also make the process easier if you come to sell the land, since a buyer and their advisor can quickly get a picture of the legal implications of the title without having to pick through vast amounts of documents to decide what is pertinent.

Even if you have lost your title deeds you may still be able to register your ownership and we can guide you through the Land Registry requirements. Whilst it is not always possible to get what is known as a Title Absolute, i.e. definitive evidence of ownership against any other claim; the Land Registry can provide you with what is known as Possessory Title which after 12 years can be upgraded to Absolute Title – this helps protect against erroneous claims by other people until ownership can be proven without doubt.

It is of the utmost importance, if you have lost your title deeds, to begin the process of registration sooner rather than later to protect your ownership and start accruing those 12 years.

The Land Registry offers a reduced registration fee to voluntarily register your ownership of your property.

If you think your property may be unregistered and you would like to discuss voluntary first registration then please contact Sarah Ford on 01929 500321 or sarah.ford@battens.co.uk in our Residential Property team and she will be happy to discuss this with you further.

01929 768720

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Summer’s Over!

by David Hollister

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k, summer’s over, the tourists have gone home, which to me is sad because it means that winter’s on its way and I have to accept that it’s going to be six months before I can drive the MX5 with the top down …… but to some people it’s a huge sigh of relief as the roads won’t be as crowded and the standards of driving will be less appalling……. we locals, of course, are all perfect drivers, aren’t we?!

Watching the antics of people hovering in Corfe Castle square because they think a parking space may be about to be vacated, obliging following drivers to be marooned in the busy traffic. Now that’s entertainment in itself. Watching the ‘grockles’ trying to cross the road outside the Bankes Arms on a dangerous blind corner, when there’s a perfectly good pelican crossing not twenty yards away. That’s not entertainment, that’s downright scary. Of course, none of the locals would attempt such a stupid move….. would they….?!

Driving at 15mph through Swanage trying to avoid people who cross the road when they want to, regardless of the proximity of pedestrian crossings, is only really fun when the top’s down and I can hurl abuse at them for their stupidity. Naturally, we locals in Swanage and in Wareham would not dream of straying out into the road, would we?!

Clearly the visitors have no realisation that the quickest way to cross a road is at ninety degrees; walking across diagonally means a longer crossing and consequently a longer time exposed to horrible speeding drivers. And we patient locals are more than happy to pause every few seconds when we’re walking down a pavement, because the holidaymakers in front of us have chosen to stand stock still whilst they get their bearings, or look in a shop window. Or indeed to wait until a Monster Baby Buggy charges along at us, heedless of the fact that some people are not wearing steel toe-capped boots…….

So anyway, summer’s gone. Next month I hope to bring you another car review, but as I’m off on holiday for two weeks as I write this, not a lot of time to do another trip, I’m afraid. The hire cars in Cyprus are really not suitable for constructive reviews!

A few tips in the meantime. When looking for car insurance, don’t automatically assume that the minimum ‘third party’ is cheapest. It used to be – but nowadays Comprehensive Cover can be cheaper for some; it’s perceived that people opting for ‘fully comp’ are probably a lower risk profile.

More than two million people in the UK have an out-of-date photocard driving licence. The law says that photos must be replaced every ten years, even though you still look as young as you did ten years ago! You can be fined up to £1000 for driving when your photocard’s expired. It’s £14 to renew online or £17 by post, so check yours now!

Although the tax disc is a thing of the past, you still have to tax your car.

But only renew on the proper DVLA website; don’t be conned by a ‘third party’ website into parting with fees, or indeed parting with your bank details. Wait till your reminder arrives, follow the instructions, and it’s a two minute way of spending £240.

Always haggle on insurance renewals and also on your breakdown service renewal. 87% of AA customers managed substantial reductions by haggling. First move is to phone your insurer and simply say that you’re thinking of leaving unless they can do something about the ridiculous increase they are suggesting. They won’t admit to having a ‘customer retention department’ but believe me, most of them have. With breakdown service, if you’re with AA, say you’re going with Green Flag.

Play them off against each other. If you have a mendacious mind – like me – it can actually be fun!

The AA suggests that ‘High Performance’ fuels are too expensive for everyday use and that there’s little or no performance difference for most standard cars. So, unless you have a high-performance car, you’re just wasting your money on ‘super fuel’.

If you hit a pothole and damage your car, you need to know that you can only claim if the local authority didn’t carry out the proper checks and repairs that it should have done. If you see a pothole then REPORT IT because your report might result in someone else’s damage being claimable.

Go to www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk, find the appropriate page, and it will take two minutes. Could even save someone’s life.

Do a pre-MOT check yourself to avoid a silly ‘fail’. Check your lights; have someone sit in the car while you walk round checking that everything’s working. Make sure the lenses are clean and undamaged. Check that your handbrake will hold the car on a slope; if it won’t, it probably needs professional adjustment. Check your shock absorbers with the ‘bounce’ test. If it doesn’t settle back quickly, they’re probably well worn. Check your washer bottle levels, the condition of your wiper rubbers, check your tyres for tread depth, and for cuts and damage. Not forgetting the inside as well, even though you might have to lie under the car.

Finally. I was going to print pictures of the filthy road sign in Harmans Cross in 2015 and again today. But actually, there was no difference.

Last month I mentioned the lonely ‘AA Box’ and so many people said: “Never seen one”, that I’ve asked the Editor to print this picture!

Have a pleasant autumn! Right, Tina. Pack the cases; we’re out of here!

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Dorset-Based Bikers Needed!

Search for Britain’s best hand-built motorcycles he organisers of the UK’s biggest bike show, Motorcycle Live, is looking for bikers to represent Dorset in its search for the best hand-built and customised motorcycles in Britain. The four finalists – shortlisted by an expert panel, then voted for by the public – will be displayed at the 2017 show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from the 18th to the 26th November.

Motorcycle Live Ace Builds is open to all exhibiting manufacturer brands and models – the only criteria being: that the bike is road legal, has been built in the UK, is owned by the entrant and that the machine is a one-off creation that stands out from the crowd. To submit an Ace Build, bike owners must upload a selection of high-res images of their machine to the relevant manufacturer category at acebuilds.motorcyclelive.co.uk, with up to 200 words describing the build/customisation.

The closing date for entries is 29th of September 2017, after which an expert panel – consisting of Motorcycle News deputy editor Richard Newland, Built magazine and Classic Bike editor Gary Pinchin and Bike Shed founder Anthony “Dutch” van Someren – will select a shortlist of semi-finalists.

Voting will then open to the public, with the four most popular machines going on display on the Black Horse Stage at the heart of Motorcycle Live 2017. The four finalists will be announced on the 1st of November 2017, with the owners each receiving four tickets to Motorcycle Live and £200 of Motolegends vouchers.

The ‘Ultimate Ace Build’ will be decided by Motorcycle Live visitors, who will be able to vote for their favourite of the four finalists throughout the show. The owner of the winning machine will be awarded a special trophy, £1000 of vouchers and the chance for their bike to feature in a Motolegends catalogue.

“We’re seeking bikers from all over the UK in our quest find the best hand built motorcycles out there so that we can give them the spotlight they deserve,” said Motorcycle Live’s managing director Finlay McAllan.

“It could be a biker from Dorset who’s awarded the accolade of owning Motorcycle Live’s Ultimate Ace Build!”

For more information on how to submit your Ace Build and full terms and conditions visit: acebuilds.motorcyclelive.co.uk Motorcycle Live 2017 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 18-26 November. Advance tickets are on sale now, priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16-year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under (accompanied by a paying adult). There is also a £25 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a Spada Gonzo bag worth £29.99**.

To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk. *Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets midnight on 17 November 2017. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Limited offer while stocks last

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Drivers - BACK OFF!

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50 motorists were penalised by Dorset Police last year for bad driving habits, including tailgating. “The figures highlight the need for drivers to keep bad habits in check,” said Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, a not-for-profit organisation which holds an Injury Prevention Day in August. “On Injury Prevention Day, we step-up our campaign encouraging drivers to ‘back off’ from the car in front. Driving too close, or ‘tailgating’, is a bad habit of which many drivers are guilty. It is incredibly dangerous, as well as anti-social, and can be really intimidating for other drivers.”

“When in traffic drivers are advised to leave enough space so that they can see the tarmac between their car and the car in front,” said Mr Dixon.

“In the UK we have 50% more traffic per kilometre than the European average - this, coupled with bad driving habits could cause needless collisions, injuries which should have been avoided and claims on your insurance. Some injuries could easily be avoided if drivers backed off and left a bit more room,” said Mr Dixon.

Martin Milliner, director of claims at LV added: “On a regular basis we see claims coming through that could have easily been avoided if only drivers had adopted a safer approach. With tailgating in particular, many of us have probably found ourselves in a situation where we might perhaps have been driving too close to the car in front or the car behind has been too close to your boot. Encouraging drivers to stop doing this and getting them to “back off” is something we believe is very important and we welcome APIL’s campaign to tackle this.”

SOLD

2015(15) HONDA JAZZ ES 1.4 CVT auto 5 door hatch. Silver, ABS, PAS, climate control, airbags, rear PDC, privacy glass, alloys etc, FSH, 10K miles £9,995 2015(15) VAUXHALL CORSA 1.4 SRi 5 door hatch. Met. Grey, ABS, PAS, alloys, 17k miles £7,995 2014(14) VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER 1.4 T petrol, 7 seat MPV. Red, ABS, PAS, TC, aircon, FSH, 28k miles £7,995 2014(14) VAUXHALL AGILA 1.2SE manual, 5dr hatch. Met. Silver, ABS, PAS, aircon, rear PDC, privacy glass, alloys etc., FSH, 10k mi les £6,495 2005(05) VW TOURAN 2.0TDi SE, 7 seat MPV. Black, PAS, ABS, roof bars, alloys, new clutch fitted, FSH, 134k miles £2,295

SOLD

SOLD

17(17) FORD Kuga 2.0 “ST-Line” TDCi 4 x 4. Our own vehicle, very low mileage, premium Sony navigation, alloy wheels………........................…………£28995 17(66) FORD Ecosport 1.0 “Titanium” 5dr SUV. Our own vehicle, very low mileage, remote central locking, park assist………............................…£14995 17(17) FORD Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost “Zetec” 5dr. Our own vehicle, zero road tax, fantastic economy, Ford warranty until July 19………......................…. £12495 16(66) FORD Fiesta ST16,180ps. Supplied by us new, FSH, all extras, 13km iles…………........................................................................................…£13495 15(15) FORD Tourneo Custom 300 LTD E-9 MPV 2.2. Manual diesel, alloy wheels, slide doors, 8 seater, parking sensors, 40k miles…£15000 + VAT 14(14) FORD B-Max 1.6 Tdci “Titanium” MPV. One owner, full service history, fantastic economy, rear park assist, 21k miles….....................…………...£8995 08(09) FORD Kuga 2.0 TDCi “Zetec” AWD. Locally owned, 81000 miles, full service history, part leather trim, park assist……….............................…£7995 08(08) FORD C-Max 1.6 “Zetec”. Diesel, 97,000 miles, alloy wheels, airbags, alarm immobiliser, locally owned…..................................................………£3495 14(64) Ecosport White, parking sensors, Titanium Xpack, 13000 mil es…………………..........................................................................……£10995 13(13) Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec. Auto. 21378 miles…………………………..£7995 13(13) Ford B-Max 1.6 Tdci “Titanium” MPV One owner FSH, rear park assist, fantastic economy, 17k miles…………............................................……£8495 11(11) CMAX Titanium.Low mileage 21,000………….....……..…………£8995

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YOUR Pictures.....

The Purbeck Gazette

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

Slow Worm in my garden, by Christine Bridson-Jones

Sunset over Swanage, by Felicity Greenfield

Watching a powerboat off St Aldhelms, by Felicity Greenfield

The Red Arrows Over Moonfleet of Swanage, by Liz Griffiths

The Purbeck Gazette

Food Feature

What’s Cooking In Purbeck?

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ur little isle has so many things going for it; wonderous, unbeatable countryside, a magnificent coastline, a fantastic annual calendar of events, a vibrant community and to top it all off, a fantastic selection of food and local produce on offer throughout the year.

Surrounded by the natural bounty of the sea, it’s no wonder that many local eateries excel with the seafood delights they offer, and it’s no different for local produce available from the field, or for that matter, for foraged produce, such as mushrooms, wild garlic, Samphire and so on.

This month, our feature ‘What’s cooking in Purbeck’ invited our local eateries and food producers to reach out to you, the local population, and encourage you through the doors to try something delicious!

We feature a selection of advertisers, all trying to tempt you out in the autumnal weather, so take the time to have a browse and see if there’s anything that appeals - from a delicious local breakfast at the Salt Pig or the Salt Pig Too, to ordering-in some fabulous Samways meat, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Remember that if you spend your money locally, it stays local - keeping our community strong, our businesses open and staff in employment....

Have a great October, get out and sample some of the wonderful food Purbeck has to offer!

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The Purbeck Gazette

From The Kitchen Garden...

Seedcake

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utumn is definitely in the air, with nippy mornings and the colour change in our landscape. The green chlorophyll is breaking down in the deciduous trees to reveal the lovely oranges and yellows of autumn leaves. I love the fact we have four seasons and I look forward to every one with its ups and its downs - everything has its time, I keep thinking how true this is...for plants, animals and for us.

Many of my edible and ornamental plants have done their thing by now, germinated from seeds into seedlings, grown into adults, been pollinated and now set seed, ready for the next generation. This amazing fact I find still astonishing, especially knowing that all the genetics and start-up nutrients are packed into tiny seeds. Truly awesome!

In the kitchen garden so many crops have been harvested over the last few months, it is now time to make sowing and planting plans for the coming season. It’s important for me to write down possible improving techniques and timings now, while I still remember my shortcomings from this growing season. However, sticking to my own advice is another matter, especially when tempted with new seed catalogues, renewed energy levels and the folly of armchair gardening musings!

So, now is the season for clearing up and putting to bed certain areas, sowing more green manures, mulching with seaweed and my own compost and not forgetting to celebrate all this abundance! This brings me neatly to Harvest Festival.

Seed cakes were once baked to celebrate the coming harvest. Cake of course is always a good idea, but this one makes even more sense, given the theme of celebrating. In this recipe, for easiness, I’m using fennel and caraway seeds, but I have, in the past, used a mix of angelica, wild carrot, nigella and poppy seeds. This cake is not too sweet and goes very well with a little sherry or a cup of tea.

Caraway and fennel seed cake Ingredients (serves 8): 250g/8 oz butter, softened 250 g/8 oz sugar 5 eggs, separated 250 g/8oz plain flour ¼ tsp grated nutmeg ¼ ground cloves 2 tsp caraway seeds

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden 1tsp fennel seeds 2 tbsp ale, white wine or brandy 6 sugar lumps, crushed Extra caraway seeds for sprinkling Lightly grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm/8-inch round cake tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon until soft. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

Add the egg yolks, one at a time, each with 1 tbsp of the flour, beating well after each addition. Sift the rest of the flour, the nutmeg and cloves into the bowl and add the caraway and fennel seeds.

Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff and add half of them to the cake mix. Using a plastic-bladed spatula, fold the egg whites into the mix until all the flour has been incorporated. Fold in the remaining egg whites and the ale, wine or brandy Place the cake mix into the tin and level the top. Sprinkle with the crushed sugar lumps and a few caraway seeds.

Place in a pre-heated oven at 170C/325F/Gas 3 and bake for one hour until well risen, golden brown and ‘springy’.

The Purbeck Gazette

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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ell another summer has been and gone. It has been a busy season for us, keeping the campsites, pubs, shops and restaurants supplied with our pork products but everyone seemed happy. We even took a few orders from holidaymakers wanting to take our sausages back home with them as they were so good, not a bad recommendation!

Now we are into autumn, it is time to catch up on routine maintenance; there are always gates to mend, barriers to weld and concreting to be done, jobs that can be done in the warm and dry of the barn!

It will soon be time to start feeding the out-wintered cattle with hay and silage that we made in the summer months. In the spring, we bought a new Simmental bull ‘Geoffrey’ and early pregnancy scanning of the cows show he is doing his job well. Now we have to wait till next year to see how well his offspring fair.

Autumn lambing gets under-way in September, so we have brought the ewes closer to home to keep an eye on them. A farmer’s life is never dull!

We look forward to seeing you at the October Purbeck Products farmers market in Commercial Road, when we can also start taking your Christmas orders for gammons etc.

Phil and Pauline Samways

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The Purbeck Gazette

Celebrate Chocolate Week In Purbeck!

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rtisan chocolatiers Chococo, in the Commercial Road lanes in the heart of Swanage, are gearing up for Chocolate Week, the annual celebration of the world of fine chocolate from 9th-15th October.

This year, they will be launching their latest exciting new fresh chocolate creation, “Purely Pistachio”, which has already won a 2017 Silver International Chocolate Award! Also, as well as free tastings of their fine chocolates and other special offers, you can try their unique range of single origin hot chocolates.

You choose the origin and percentage of cocoa that you fancy. So, you can discover a world of flavour from, for example; 31% white hot chocolate from the Dominican Republic, 70% from Madagascar, 80% from Uganda

and even 100% sugar-free from Colombia.

All of the 70-100% hot chocolates can be vegan as they also offer a selection of plantbased milks.

So, if you fancy tickling your taste buds with new taste sensations and discovering the delicious world of fine chocolate, we suggest you make a beeline for Chococo this Chocolate Week!

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Seasonal Surprises!

Buying from local producers means we can be assured of the quality - which can be easily traced back to source – and know we are helping the planet by reducing our carbon footprint.

For those of us looking to eat out, wow, are we spoilt for choice or what?!

If it’s a lovely lunch you’re after, why not try Elizabeth’s Tea and Coffee Shop in Swanage? They have created an amazing Purbeck Pie, (available from late October). Those of us looking for an evening out to celebrate something special – or just a night off from cooking – here in Purbeck we have plenty of choice to suit every palate and pocket.

All day sweet treats are aplenty; bubble waffles at Deja Brew, yummy Chococo chocolates, fresh, local produce from our produce markets and the Salt Pig and so much more.... Ahhhh back to the evening in front of the fire!

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

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e now head out of the summer and look forward to the positives of the autumn; evenings spent in front of log fires with a mug of something warming, along with thoughts of the wonderful comfort food which we can enjoy.

It’s an ideal time to visit our local markets, stock up on vegetables and make huge saucepans of chunky soup, some for the freezer and some for today.

We have an abundance of wonderfully fresh fish and meat, sourced locally and all on our doorsteps.

The Purbeck Producers have their markets in Commercial Road, Swanage, where you can buy pork products from the Samways and freshly-picked fruit, vegetables and more from the Godlingston Manor Kitchen garden.

Swanage Bay Fish provide an array of fish, shellfish and crustaceans to suit all and can even provide recipes to make your mouth water.

Now we have a Salt Pig in Swanage as well as Wareham (Salt Pig Too) giving us the chance to try many different local rare breed meats, as well as offering us additional options for dining-out.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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GameToEat’s Duck Of The Month...

Roast Duck with Fennel and Orange Difficulty: Easy Serves: 4 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients: 2 oven-ready duck 10g Fennel seeds 2 Oranges Cornish sea salt Milled black pepper Method: This is a cracking game cookery recipe. Simply season and sear the duck in a hot pan.

Crush the fennel seeds and sprinkle them over the duck.

Zest the oranges over the duck and place the oranges inside the cavity.

Roast the duck in an oven at 180°C for 25 minutes then set aside to rest.

Allow at least 25 minutes resting before serving.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

An Artisan ‘Pie For Purbeck’ At Elizabeths!

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lizabeth’s in Swanage, has created a truly artisan Purbeck Pie. The Purbeck Pie’s ingredients are local Venison, marinated overnight in Dorset Sloe Fruit Wine, Juniper Berries, spices and herbs.

In the mix are locally foraged (by ourselves) wild blackberries from Hartland Moor, self-foraged Elderberries from Swanage and Rowanberries from Studland, which are made into delicious homemade sweet jellies to flavour the gravy. Pumpkin and Parsnip, seasoned with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, then roasted in Virgin Olive Oil and local Honey, add to this scrumptious medley. This is topped with a deliciously rich homemade Shortcrust pastry, infused with herbs and Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese.

This magical artisan creation is a truly unique and wonderfully rich, autumnal dish. This seasonal treat will only be available each late October/ early November at Elizabeth’s, while these wild local ingredients are freshly available to forage and harvest.

Pumpkin Mini-Cakes

Recipe: 200g pumpkin or butternut squash, de-seeded, peeled and cubed 60g unsalted butter 175g light brown sugar 140g self-raising flour 30g cornflour

The Purbeck Pie will be served with creamy n’ buttery mash and seasonal ‘Veg of the Day’.

(Secret, undercover trials of the “Venison Pie” with guests have proven it - a winner!)

Behind this hearty dish are Chef wife and husband team, Julie and Mark.

Both previously served in the ranks of the National Trust for many years, providing scrumptious food for visitors to Corfe Castle and Arlington Court, Devon.

So, first come, first served! This seasonal treat won’t be around for long!

What next for Elizabeth’s? “I have my eye on some future seasonal foraging of Purbeck’s rich year-round harvest to create some more innovative dishes.” said Julie.

So, expect a few more delicious and surprising delights from Elizabeth’s!

½ tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg 2 medium eggs For the icing 200g soft cream cheese 20g icing sugar Grated zest of ½ an orange Method Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3 and line a 12-hole deep muffin tin tray with muffin cases.

Add the peeled pumpkin to a saucepan pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes until soft. Drain and puree till smooth and leave to cool.

Cream the sugar, butter and eggs until light and fluffy, with an electric mixer, then add the spices and mix again. Add the cooled, pureed pumpkin and mix well. Sieve the flours together and fold into the mix with a metal spoon.

Gently fill the muffin cases 2/3 full each and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

To make the icing.

Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and beat for about five minutes with an electric mixer.

Spread on top of the cooled mini-cakes. Eat!

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Leaves Everywhere!

by John Garner

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here are leaves everywhere; on the roads, in the gutters, on the pavements and all over the garden. You could spend idle hours blowing them around with a needlessly expensive electrical device, or you could let the wind do it for you. Personally, I have started composting.

Now, I seem to have written that with a deal of smugness unbefitting of such a revelation, but it is amazing how centred a bloke becomes on the garden chores when he knows that the fruits of his labours could result in just that. Fruit and possibly vegetables. Grass cuttings are also being stashed for future growth, and here’s the clincher, it won’t cost you a penny.

I appreciate that this is scarcely a revelation to just about all of you, but there is nothing as tedious as the recently converted. I even have some organic matter to dig into the raised beds that have been created to produce my fruit and veg, which has broken down through sheer neglect rather than as a result of any organised garden husbandry.

The garden generally was in a state of neglect when we moved in. A large, gnarly apple tree sits in the back of the garden, but such was the overgrown nature of that area the tree itself was in a state of decline.

Having removed all the competition, it has literally blossomed this year and there are apples galore.

Unfortunately, they are all at the top of the tree as everything below fifteen feet had been squeezed out. In August and September, you take your life in your hands walking underneath it. A Granny Smith the size of a small melon dropping on your head from ten feet or so can put gardening into the extreme sports category.

As I may have mentioned before, if I think I’m going to be under there for a while, I often do my gardening with an old cycle helmet on for protection.

It might look a bit strange, but better than a booming headache and the whiff of crushed apples accompanying me for the rest of the day. I’ve had that feeling before in my youth, but it was usually as a result of overdoing it at a festival in the West Country!

You must be patient when you decide to grow your own fruit and vegetables. Especially if you get the planning done at the end of the summer. Whilst there are many things I could be getting on with over the winter, not many of them will end up in the pot. But you must be ready for spring, I’m told.

The soil needs ‘conditioning’, and I read that it’s more complicated than you may think. You can leave the soil as it is, just make sure it’s well draining and hasn’t got weeds or stones in it and take your chances. You can bung a load organic matter on the top and let the worms do the job of dragging all the goodness down into the soil or you can dig it in. You can double dig it in and presumably, if you have the inclination, you can triple or quadruple dig it in. I think I’ll just dig it in the once for now as the soil looks pretty good.

Then what to plant? The areas set aside are deliberately small. I’m aiming for decent yields from a small area. I’m going to concentrate on vegetables that taste significantly better when grown and harvested by yourself. That said, I’m pretty sure everything tastes better when you grow it yourself, possibly because you eat it whilst it’s still fresh, but carrots, potatoes, various types of beans, onions, garlic, tomatoes and as many herbs as I can squeeze in.

Being both idle and impatient, I’ll no doubt forget about the planning stage until the last minute. In the meantime, I think I’ll fulfil the male stereotype by buying up tools. I have a wooden handled stainless-steel shovel that makes the job of digging a joy. I’ll ‘need’ something similar in the fork department!

I used to have some Felco secateurs, but these have gone missing; they’ll need replacing but are expensive. Hoes, rakes, trowels, a whole range of stuff that it will be essential to have, hang up and admire.

So, green fingers crossed for wall-to-wall vegetables!

Outside as I write, it’s currently absolutely tipping down, which is all good for the garden. The weather is doing most of the preparation for me and that’s the real beauty. A little prior action, a vigilant approach during the growing season and the elements do the rest.

It all sounds too easy and therefore clearly won’t be. If it was, everybody would be doing it, because all you need is a small outlay, a bit of space and the time to manage it.

For that, you get a bounty of food for next to nothing that tastes like it should.

At least I hope so!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre

Did you know that Black cats are the hardest to rehome? e just love the personalities of all our cats, and cannot understand why, even with some of our kittens, they stay with us for longer just because they have a black coat.

Could it be superstition? Are black cats unlucky? Well, not according to the Scots, who believe that a black cats arrival signifies prosperity. In both Britain and Japan, black cats are considered good luck, here in the UK, a black cat crossing your path is a good omen.

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One for those single ladies, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors! Ancient Egyptians believed black cats meant they gained favour with the Cat Goddess, Bastet.

So, it can’t be superstition, not when they have such a positive way about them over the years. We’ve come up with five super daft reasons why having a black cat in your life is a great idea, because we know it to be true whatever their colour…

Black is really slimming, so whenever you are with your cat, you know you will look your best.

Visitors will always be impressed, dirt is camouflaged, and they will go with any décor You can give them really fabulous names, like Midnight or Jet or maybe even Raven.

They always look regal and sophisticated, they just can’t help it, and you can bask in their greatness.

They will never clash with anything you are wearing, black coats will never go out of style.

The best reason to have a black cat, is because they are just like any other cat.

Fun, playful, precocious, lovable, basically unique in their own special way, and what is not to love about that?

To see all our cats looking for forever homes go to https://www. margaretgreenanimalrescue.org. uk/cat_rehoming.html Looking for a home: Left ‘Fox’ and right: ‘Barbara’.

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Tips for Selecting the Best Trees for Your Garden Planting a tree in your garden is a big decision because it will take up a fair amount of space and many are also large enough to change the nature of your garden, so making the right decision is essential.

A tree can provide privacy, shelter from wind and rain, shade, pretty blossom, attractive berries, food, shelter and nesting sites for birds, interesting bark, autumn colour, and of course lend shape, form and structure to your garden. Consider which of these are important to you.

You should also consider your site for soil in terms of pH, soil type and drainage and other factors such as wind and how much direct sun it will receive. Don’t worry if you don’t know all of this ... one of the experts at Holme will be able to help fill in the important gaps!

The trees featured here are just a few that have not just one attribute but multiple points of interest Pyrus ‘Chanticleer’ – pictured, far left. A brilliant, fairly tall but slender branched tree that is great for hiding neighbouring windows and buildings without taking up too much of your garden. It also has white flowers and stunning Autumn colour.

Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’ pictured, left – For those of you who have a windy site, this form of Whitebeam is extremely tough but it also has attractive silvery foliage.

Malus ‘Neville Copeman’ pictured, bottom left – Primary interest is the spectacular crop of bright pink red fruit that is attractive to both us and birds but also has beautiful deep pink blossom in spring.

Crataegus ‘Paul’s Scarlett’ pictured above right – This member of the hawthorn family has a dense network of thorny branches which is great for protecting small birds from predators such as sparrow hawks and magpies.

It also has gorgeous pink blossom in May. Holme stocks a huge range of over 120 types of garden trees and Autumn is the best time to plant as your new tree will benefit from the warm moist soil and put on lots of root growth before next spring.

Special Offer! Any tree bought from Holme in October will get a free pack of beneficial Rootgrow

The Purbeck Gazette

Holme Sawmill

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o, the summer has come to an end, and the evenings will soon be drawing in.

Now is the perfect time to get the home and garden up together before winter sets in. Stock up on logs and kindling ready for the winter months, make those repairs to gates, fences and outbuildings or even put up a new one to store things in through the winter months.

Even if you’re not sure where to start, Holme Sawmill can help. A family run business on the Isle of Purbeck, they don’t just supply quality English timber; they help many customers with a wide range of projects. From building oak frame garages and roof trusses, to bespoke garden sheds, summerhouses and log stores.

They supply fencing materials and cladding, posts and gates and even wooden stepping stones. Everything you need to get the garden ready for the onslaught of winter. Their customers are not just tradesmen, carpenters and builders, they also include farmers, ‘diy-ers’, artists and craftsmen, charities and local groups and even brides-to-be looking for

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rustic log slices for table centrepieces.

Many of their customers come to them with an idea or a piece of paper and the team help to turn these ideas and dreams into reality. If you have a project in mind, why not give them a call to chat about it and their small friendly team can help you make it happen!

To keep you warm and cosy through the winter, Holme Sawmill also supply logs and kindling, with free delivery to Swanage, Wareham and the surrounding areas.

They’ve been supplying quality, seasoned hardwood logs to customers for nearly ten years and can now offer a cheaper alternative selling mixed hardwood and softwood offcuts from the Sawmill.

Call Jenny on 01929 552480 to organise a delivery.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Successful, Sunny, Sunflower Season In Swanage!

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aturday 9th September was Prize Giving Day at Emmanuel for the winners of all the sunflower prizes.

Six prizes were awarded for tallest flowers, ranging from 9ft 10 to 12’ 6” with Kev from the Buffmongers in Commercial Road growing the tallest flower (pictured above, with Caroline Finch).

Caroline Finch from the Chamber of Commerce presented Kev with a cup for his efforts.

Other prizes were won for the best display - Coastwatch, and the best communtiy effort in Commercial Road.

Congratulations to everyone who received a prize (group pictured, top right) and huge thanks to the whole town from Emmanuel Church for taking the whole sunflower project to heart.

A DVD of the whole ‘Sunflower Summer’, including the exhibition and the awards ceremony will soon be available from Emmanuel - please contact the church if you are interested in a copy for yourself.

The Purbeck Gazette

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he hedgerows and scrub provide a rich banquet of fruit and berries for resident birds as they prepare for the winter. Overhead, southward migration continues, with new arrivals from further north starting to appear. Rough weather can bring passing seabirds, such as Gannets, close to the cliffs. Clusters of butterflies might be found including Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Common Blue and Speckled Wood.

However, it is possible to have good numbers of Clouded Yellows arrive from continental Europe.

On warmer days, an Adder might make an appearance to feed-up before settling in its hibernaculum. In the moth trap such delights such as Large Yellow Underwings, Lunar Underwings, Beaded Chestnut, Black Rustic and Green Brindled Crescent may be seen. Those interested in the ongoing southward bird migration may benefit from joining our October Bird Walk at 10am on Sunday 22nd. Flocks of thousands of migrating finches can include Crossbills, Goldfinches, Linnets, Siskin and Chaffinches. Those with a photographic interest could pick up tips on how to photograph some of the wildlife residing in, or passing through, Durlston by joining a Purbeck Footprints walk. Julian Sawyer will share his knowledge and enthusiasm on Sunday 23rd at 10:30am starting from the castle!

Reading University are due for their annual field trip, during which students will have practical sessions collecting meteorological data in the field. This may see the launch of weather balloons, so do not be alarmed if you see a silver object in the sky over Durlston!

With the sky in mind, two stargazing events are scheduled for October: one at 7pm on Saturday 7th and another during half term another at 7:30pm on Friday 27th. Wessex Astronomy hopes to show you the Moon, galaxies, star clusters, autumn constellations! No booking, but be prepared to pay by cash at the Learning Centre on the night. Remember to check the Durlston Facebook page, our answerphone message or the weather forecast before you or visitors make a long journey!

Most of the Durlston Purbeck Film Festival screenings will commence at 7:30pm in the Fine Foundation Gallery and includes: “Sharkwater” on Sunday 15th; “The Theatre of the Wandering West” by The Cabinet of the Living Cinema on Thursday 19th; “The Good Lie” on Sunday 22nd; “Mindhorn” on Tuesday 24th and “Like Father Like Son” on Thursday 26th. However,

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“Mullholland” on Tuesday 19th will start at 7 pm. The Fine Foundation Gallery will also host a free exhibition celebrating the history of the Purbeck Film Festival and the Rex Cinema.

For those seeking some healthy physical exercise, why not either take advantage of either a Nordic Walking Taster on Saturday 21st or travel further by participating in The South West Coast path Challenge which takes place on Sunday 29th? The former will involve a short walk within Durlston whilst the latter will take in the ten miles to South Haven Point. So, if you appreciate the Coast Path perhaps you could raise sponsorship to support access works on this superb scenic route. Book for these directly with Purbeck Nordic Walking (http://www.purbecknordicwalking.co.uk/) and the South West Coast Path Association (https://www.southwestcoastpath. org.uk/events/challenge-2017/) respectively.

October Half term fun: As part of the Purbeck Film Festival we have two exciting workshop topics for those of eight years plus! It is recommended that you book as soon as you are able as these are likely to be popular. We welcome master puppet creator Andy Gent on Monday 23rd, when he will run one morning then a separate afternoon workshop on Puppet Making and Animation. Andy has been the supervising puppet maker in several films including Coraline, Fantastic Mr Fox, Frankenweenie and Corpse Bride. Booking details will be published on the Durlston website. On Saturday 28th we host a Stop Frame Animation Workshop Led by Richard Haynes of the Arts University Bournemouth and whose work includes Roary the Racing Car, Postman Pat, Shaun the Sheep, and Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Booking Essential. Ages 8+.

Tuesday 24th sees a Ranger-led Wild Bush craft session for youngsters.

After having a go at den building, we hope to celebrate by toasting marsh mallows on a campfire! However, there will be to opportunity to get creative indoors with our popular Wild Wednesday Session in the Learning Centre.

Pop in for some crafty activities throughout the day. Young explorers keen on dinosaurs may enjoy our “Delinquent Dinosaurs and Fantastic Fossils” Ranger led session on Thursday 26th at 2:30pm.

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

Jurassic Coast Trust Becomes Guardian Of W.H.S.

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he Jurassic Coast Trust has just started on a new and exciting stage in its development, having recently taken on the responsibility for looking after the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site.

Known to one and all as the Jurassic Coast, the site stretches from Studland Bay in Dorset to Orcombe Point in Exmouth, East Devon and is England’s only natural World Heritage Site.

Since being given this accolade by the UN’s Scientific, Cultural and Educational body UNESCO in 2001, leadership and management of the site has been by Dorset and Devon County Councils, coordinated through a small team, hosted in County Hall in Dorchester.

This sicteen-year period has seen the site maintained in great condition, the growth of a national and international brand, the redevelopment of

existing and creation of new visitor centres and museums, and the delivery of a huge range of educational activities, all relating to the Jurassic Coast.

The Trust is an independent charity that aims to make the Jurassic Coast an even more meaningful and inspiring part of people’s lives and it is already supported by a range of local businesses and local Ambassadors, who get behind its passionate commitment to the Coast.

Alex O’Dwyer, Vice Chair of the Jurassic Coast Trust, says: “The Jurassic Coast Trust is thrilled to be taking on responsibility for the management of this extraordinary World Heritage Site. Our work over the last few years, alongside the County Councils, has been to build understanding of the coast and engage people in it, so that they will care for it and cherish it.”

Hilary Cox, Chairman of Dorset County Council, said: “The Jurassic Coast has done great things for the communities, and visitors, of Dorset and East Devon for many years and we look forward to supporting the Trust to grow and expand on our achievements.”

Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management at Devon County Council, added: “We value the benefits that cross-border working has brought to both Devon and Dorset, and we are excited about taking the Jurassic Coast to the next stage under the Trust’s leadership.”

The Trust will be working coast-wide from its new base in Bridport.

One of its early highlights is the collaboration with the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester to bring ‘Dippy’, the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus skeleton, to the Jurassic Coast.

You can find out more about this and the work of the Trust at www. jurassiccoast.org.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Film Festival 2017

The longest running rural film festival in the UK - 21 years of the Purbeck Film Festival

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he Purbeck Film Festival brings the best of cinematic art to the people of Dorset. The 21st Purbeck Film Festival features eightyfive different film events in its two-week programme. Twenty-four different countries are represented; thirteen films with women film directors, twelve events for children and one film on early release. In addition, there will be nine special guest events, seventeen opportunities to enjoy a film with delicious food and thirty-four unique venues.

The Rex opens the festival with ‘Frantz’, Francoise Ozon’s exquisitely drawn love story and meditation on forgiveness and renewal after WWI. It closes with an outstanding event as we welcome the UK’s leading and most important producer, Stephen Woolley, who will discuss one of his latest films, the romantic drama ‘Their Finest’, followed by its screening.

Children have a gripping range of films and workshops to enjoy over the half term and can meet some of the world’s most prominent puppet makers, including Andy Gent, who is completing work on Wes Anderson’s latest animation, the ‘Isle of Dogs’. Dorset filmmaker, Tim Clague, will also be at The Rex, in person, to discuss his locally shot film, ‘WHO KILLED NELSON NUTMEG?’ starring Harry Potter actress, Bonnie Wright.

Alongside charismatic and quirky venues, film fans have a rare chance to enjoy the stylish and moody crime dramas of Film Noir. The Rex will be hosting two highly acclaimed French films of this genre on Wednesday 18th October, ‘Le Quai des Brumes’ and ‘Le Samourai’. This night is set to be a festival favourite.

“Yet again we are proud to be able to bring a rich and diverse range of British and international films to rural locations in Purbeck and other parts of Dorset, giving residents and visitors the chance to see films that are usually only screened in London”, commented Andrea Etherington, Chair of the Festival.

Perfectly timed with the Purbeck Gazette’s feature this month on ‘What’s Cooking in Purbeck?’, food with film has become increasingly popular with the festival audience. Amongst the seventeen film events with food is a second night at Purbeck’s renowned Nepalese restaurant, the 29029 in Sandford, two chances to enjoy the award-winning Koh Thai Tapas in Bournemouth, a warming Salt Pig bowl of chilli for the surfers amongst us at Kimmeridge and a delicious slice of cake with your cup of tea from Love Cake during The Rex Silver Screenings.

The ever-popular meal and movie nights are also back at the Black Swan and Grand Hotel in Swanage, the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth, the Bankes Arms Hotel in Corfe and Worth Matravers Tea & Supper Rooms, plus two nights at Holme for Gardens in East Holme.

Some events are not just food with film but film about food – ‘The Lunchbox’, ‘Dough’ and the subtle ‘Sweet Bean’, which is this year’s festival collaboration with Screen Bites.

For more information on the Festival programme and how to book tickets visit www.purbeckfilm.com. The Purbeck Film Festival will take place from 13th to 29th October 2017 in venues throughout Purbeck, Bournemouth and Poole.

Pictured: top left: Sweet Bean, bottom left: The Lunchbox, below: Dough.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Fabulous October Concerts At Swanage Methodist Church!

MUSIC AT SWANAGE HIGH STREET METHODIST CHURCH FREE ADMISSION - Refreshments available at both concerts For more information, telephone: 01929 422421

BOSCOMBE SALVATION ARMY SONGSTERS & DORSET POLICE BRASS ENSEMBLE

CANZONETTA LADIES’ CLOSE HARMONY CLASSICAL SINGERS

Saturday 7th October at 7pm

Sunday 22nd October at 3pm

Concert by Boscombe Salvation Army Songsters & Dorset Police Brass Ensemble s part of their harvest celebrations, Swanage High Street Methodist Church will welcome two groups for free concerts this month.

Boscombe Songsters Brigade has sung every week since its formation in 1906, performing a repertoire spanning a large range of

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Hot Jazz Is Alive And Well In Swanage!

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wanage Jazz Club is proud to present Spats Langham’s “Hot Fingers” Trio at the first of our new regular Swanage Jazz gigs at Harmans Cross Village Hall on November 4th (see advert, above).

Hot Fingers is an immensely talented and enjoyable trio. Their wide range of styles and rhythms - from the Hot Jazz of the 1920s to the swing of the 1930s and 1940s - has made them enormously popular on the jazz scene. Spats has played all over the world and with famous names in jazz, including Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and many leading Americans. His virtuoso guitar and banjo playing, singing and humour help to make the trio’s gigs great entertainment.

There will be a licensed bar, tickets are priced at £10 each and are available from Swanage Jazz Club Treasurer, or on the door (if available).

For more details call 01929 422215.

styles including contemporary Christian music, gospel, classical, choral and traditional hymns. The group has around fifty members from many different occupations and ages from teens to ninety plus, and love volunteering and performing together. Those who were present at the performance of the Dorset Police Brass Ensemble last September will welcome the return visit of these twelve musicians playing a very popular selection of music including swing, classics and pop that was so greatly enjoyed on that occasion. Admission to the evening (Sat 7th October) will be free!

Refreshments will be available and proceeds of a retiring collection will go to Tear Fund’s “Hunger Steals” campaign, developing agricultural practices in the third world. A very warm welcome is extended to all, to join us on this evening of music and celebration.

Concert by Canzonetta Ladies’ Close Harmony Singers Canzonetta renowned ladies’ close harmony classical singing group makes a return to Swanage High Street Methodist Church on Sunday the 22nd of October at 3pm, with an hour of song from five centuries of fabulous music.

Admission will be free and tea and cake will be served at 4pm, following the concert. Proceeds of the retiring collection will go to “Wave Kids”, a joint organisation of Swanage Churches working with young people.

All are assured of a warm welcome to this Sunday afternoon of music.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Swanage Blues Festival - Best In The South!

The 28th Swanage Blues Festival. ans will soon be arriving for a weekend of jams, open mics and headline performances at the 28th Swanage Blues Festival, which runs from Thursday the 5th to Sunday the 8th of October.

Sole organiser, Steve Darrington, says, although Swanage itself is the star of the show, he has been working with Robert Hokum, artistic director of the Ealing Blues Festival, to introduce some rather interesting surprises for this event.

We have Andy Twyman, the one-man blues and comedy band often seen in the national dailies, who blends blues with humour and rock and roll to titillate your ears, mind and toes! Geoff Garbow Blues Band with their dirty southern rock, funk, and even some dark moody reggae, and a very special guest indeed in Terry Marshall.

Terry is an exceptionally talented saxophonist who, through his father’s legendary Marshall Shop in London, was at the birth of British Rock Music in the early 1960s. Terry knew them all, from The Who to Screaming Lord Sutch, and even jammed with Jimi Hendrix. He will be appearing on several occasions with Robert Hokum’s Great West Groove over the weekend. A living legend indeed.

Watch out for Tiny Tina Turner, appearing with her band, and as a guest of Hugh Budden and the Blue Chords for the festival finale.

Returning artists include recent British Blues Award Winners Catfish,

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The Live music throughout the Blues Festival!

Here to welcome you seven days a week High Street, Swanage. 01929 423533

J.J.Moore

Family & Catering Butcher

Proud to support Swanage Blues Festival 2017!

34 High Street, Swanage. Tel: 01929 424891

featuring twenty-two-year-old Matthew Long, a phenomenal singer/ guitarist tipped for stardom. There are over forty bands and sixty-five performances in sixteen indoor venues, full details at www.swanageblues.org.

It’s still only £10 for a Support Wristband to help towards the festival’s expenses. You can buy support wristbands and programmes at most venues, they are also available from: The Tourist Information Centre, Replayed Records, Jenkins, Pursenalities, Fifi’s, Rainbow’s End and other retailers.

If you can’t make it this October, don’t miss 1st to the 4th of March or 4th to the 7th of October 2018. Don’t forget the wide range of quality live bands that Steve books for The Legion, Swanage all year round!

Pictures: above: Open mic night at the Red Lion, by Paul Dubbelman. Below: Kent and Hugh, by Jon Wasey

The Purbeck Gazette

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Our selection from the Blues programme

Please purchase an official programme for the full list of gigs Black Swan 8 Sunday 3pm Steamer Crow’s Nest 6 Friday 9pm Teed Up (with Ray Drury etc) Crow’s Nest 7 Saturday 4.30pm Woodley Gentlemen’s Club Crow’s Nest 7 Saturday 9pm Wang Dang Doodle Crow’s Nest 8 Sunday 4pm Back Porch East Bar 6 Friday 5pm Robin Bibi Band East Bar 7 Saturday 12.30pm Pete Harris Blues Band with Ray Drury & Jon Vaughan East Bar 7 Saturday 8pm Blue Touch East Bar 8 Sunday 1pm Catfish Grand Hotel 6 Friday 8.30pm Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion Grand Hotel 7 Saturday 2pm Hugh Budden & the Blue Chords with Steve Darrington Grand Hotel 7 Saturday 8.30pm Back Porch Grand Hotel 8 Sunday 2pm The Great West Groove with Hugh Budden and Steve Darrington Grand Hotel 8 Sunday 8.30pm Hugh Budden & the Blue Chords with Tiny Tina Turner IoP Golf Club 7 Saturday 2pm Blue Touch Red Lion 5 Thursday 8pm Pete Harris & Jon Vaughan Red Lion 6 Friday 2pm Open Mic with Anita Jardine Red Lion 6 Friday 9pm Tommy Allen and Jon Vaughan Red Lion 7 Saturday 2pm Open Mic with Anita Jardine Red Lion 7 Saturday 9pm Fabulous Fezheads Red Lion 8 Sunday 1pm Open Mic with Anita Jardine Red Lion 8 Sunday 8pm Pete Harris & Jon Vaughan Swanage Bay View 6 Friday 8pm Andy Twyman One Man Band Swanage Bay View 6 Friday 9.30pm The Great West Groove - Spirit of ‘62 session featuring Terry Marshall 9.30pm to 10.30pm and Andy Twyman from 10.30pm to 11pm Swanage Bay View 7 Saturday 5pm Dinner Blues - 5pm The Baroness & the Bear, 5.45pm Garry ‘the Slideguy’ Smith, 6.45pm Robert Hokum Swanage Bay View 7 Saturday 7.45pm Geoff Garbow Blues Band to 9.15pm Swanage Bay View 7 Saturday 9pm The Great West Groove - Blues Dance Session with Terry Marshall 9.45pm to 11pm Swanage Bay View 7 Saturday 12.30pm Robin Bibi Jam Session Swanage Bay View 8 Sunday 2pm Tiny Tina Turner Swanage Bay View 8 Sunday 5.00pm Blues Business The Legion 5 Thursday 8.30pm The Great West Groove with Hugh Budden and Steve Darrington The Legion 6 Friday 2pm Back Porch The Legion 6 Friday 9pm Saiichi Sugiyama Band The Legion 7 Saturday 1pm Stan’s Blues Jamboree The Legion 7 Saturday 9pm Robin Bibi Band The Legion 8 Sunday 5.30pm Storm Warning The Legion 8 Sunday 9pm The Great West Groove The Legion 8 Sunday 12.30pm Robin Bibi Jam Session White Horse 6 Friday 9.45pm The Milk Men White Horse 7 Saturday 9.45pm The Mustangs White Horse 8 Sunday 6pm Northsyde

HIGH STREET CAFÉ 3 High Street, Swanage. BH19 2LN

Tel: 01929 427542

Join us for a superb full breakfast, or lunch during Swanage Blues Festival!

Opening hours: from 7.00am

Great Local Food, Just How You Like It!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Wareham Wednesdays 2017!

WHAT A SUMMER!

Greg Edgings

Tim Crabb

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hairman of Wareham Wednesdays, David Burgess, would like to thank everyone involved in making summer 2017 one of the best yet in Wareham!

The Wareham Wednesdays crew would like to offer their sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered or ran stalls and events, as well as thanking the thousands of people who came along to enjoy the evenings.

Well over 2000 people attended several of the weekday events, with performer, Navi, achieving record-breaking crowds, as thousands of spectators sung along to Michael Jackson’s best-known hits.

Once again, thousands of pounds was raised for local charities, as well as giving the people of Purbeck a series of truly remarkable Wednesday nights throughout this summer!

The last WW event is the Monster Bonfire and Fireworks Night at Bestwall on November 3rd - not to be missed - we’ll see you there!

Images as credited.

Tim Crabb

Greg Edgings

Tim Crabb

The Purbeck Gazette

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Tim Crabb

Tim Crabb

Tim Crabb

Tim Crabb

Tim Crabb

Greg Edgings

The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Pirates Hold Up Traffic In Support Of The Rex

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he Rex cinema in Wareham gave movie-goers another chance to see ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge’ on the big screen on Tuesday 15th August at 6pm. However, it was the ‘real life version’ in 4D, with an invasion from the Purbeck Pirates!

Ten members of the Purbeck Pirates (including the famous ‘Jax Sparrow’) took to the red carpet (rather than the plank!) and took over Wareham’s historic Rex Cinema – after literally holding up traffic for an hour beforehand, demanding cash from the unlucky drivers!

A total of £95 was raised, which will go towards the Rex’s projector fund.

Dr David Evans, Chair of the Purbeck Film Charitable Trust and Rex Cinema commented: “In recent years we have welcomed famous actors and actresses of screen and stage, film directors and producers, even storm troopers. We were delighted to greet the Purbeck Pirates in full swashbuckling kit to The Rex.” For more information on the Rex, visit www.therex.co.uk The Rex Cinema can also be contacted on 01929 552778.

Picture: Greg Edgings

Standford Quartet Coffee Concert J

oin us for the Stanford Quartet Coffee Concert on Saturday 7th October 10am Swanage United Reformed Church, 112 High Street.

The quartet will be performing a beautiful quartet by Mozart K. 575, Jonathan Dove’s fascinating piece Out of Time and Tango by Astor Piazzolla.

This may then be followed by a surprise encore.

Following the concert, complementary coffee and biscuits will be served in the hall.

Coffee Concert tickets are £10 adults - accompanied children free and are available on the door: or phone Purbeck Strings: 07964 410 443. purbeckstrings@hotmail.co.uk www.purbeckstrings.com

Swanage Rep. Celebrates Inaugural Season At Mowlem

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aughter and energy filled the Mowlem Theatre on the opening night of the Swanage Rep. Season on Thursday 10th August. Locals, holiday makers and theatre enthusiasts filled the Mowlem Theatre to watch the first showing of the trio of plays - ‘Yes, Prime Minister’.

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Written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, the original writers of the classic BBC TV series, ‘Yes, Prime Minister’, brings yet more hilarious satire and farcical performances from the corridors of power.

As several theatre goers said, “Many incidents mentioned in the play were very appropriate right now.”

‘Yes, Prime Minister’ ran until 15th August and was followed by ‘The Secret Garden’, which was a stunning adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel which had been modified for the stage by Dave Simpson. It was a beautiful portrayal of the well-loved children’s classic, last performed in Bournemouth three decades ago. A touching escape to the country for all the family to enjoy.

Bringing the season to a close at the end of August was ‘The Games Afoot’ - a Sherlock Holmes-style comedy thriller by Ken Ludwig. A good old traditional ‘whodunnit’ with a generous dose of hilarity. It was also the winner of the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Play from the Mystery Writers of America.

Katherine Mount from Horden Ciani says, “The opening night was absolutely brilliant, there was a real buzz in the air and an energetic atmosphere! It is great to be embraced by the community and the locals.”

Pictured: Swanage’s Mayor and Mayoress, with members of the Swanage Rep. cast.

Swanage Painting Club Display

ome of Swanage’s most talented artists put their work on display throughout Carnival week.

More than 500 people visited Swanage Painting Club’s annual art exhibition at the Catholic Church Hall in Rempstone Road during the week of the 29th of July to the 6th of August and sales of original art work,

prints and cards was high. Local artist Tony Kerins agreed to judge the Derek Charters Award themed ‘Seaside’ pictures, and we are delighted to announce the winner as David Wright.

Carol Hicks was commended and the public vote for their favourite painting went to Ann Beesley.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Swanage Therapy Centre Swanage Therapy Centre

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What is Psychotherapy/Counselling?

ounselling and Psychotherapy, although two different terms, are both essentially the same thing. Both counsellors and psychotherapists offer a confidential service for people who are looking for support and treatment for a wide range of mental health and emotional issues.

Some people differentiate between the two by suggesting that counselling tackles problems at the time of the crises, whereas psychotherapy focuses on more long-term, deeply embedded psychological problems.

Therapy offers you a safe, confidential place to talk about your life and anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It allows you to talk with someone who is trained to listen attentively in a non-judgemental way and to help you to work through issues of concern.

You can get the best results from therapy by being open and honest with your therapist, to tell your therapist how you are really feeling and to give honest feedback on how you feel the therapy is going and how you experience the therapeutic relationship.

Therapy is a process, and often a number of sessions will be needed before a difference is noticed. Sometimes when talking about painful feelings or difficult decisions, you may go through a period of feeling worse than when you started. However, therapy should enable you to feel better in the long-run.

We live in a troubled world, and life can sometimes seem like a real struggle. Often it can feel like we are facing these struggles alone.

Counselling or psychotherapy can be helpful in gaining awareness about the way we feel and behave. This in turn can lead to a healthier way of relating to ourselves, and others.

We have two counsellors at Swanage Therapy Centre, Jane Zoega who is a member of The British Psychological Society (BPS), and The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and Mary Zuckerman who has been a counsellor over eighteen years and is also a member of the BACP and as such, both are bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

For more information or to book an appointment please contact Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506 or see or website www. swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

www.purbeckgazette.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPIST We are looking for an experienced Physiotherapist to join our multi-disciplinary clinic in Swanage for self-employed work.

For hours, times, terms & conditions, please ring: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column Locality Working in Purbeck his month I thought that readers might like to meet Alison Tallant, Locality Manager, to familiarise with others involved in managing and providing healthcare within Purbeck: As Locality Manager in Purbeck, for Dorset Healthcare, it is my role to oversee both Community Hospitals, at Swanage and Wareham, and the various Community Teams, including District Nursing, Integrated Community Rehabilitation Team and Community Matrons.

I work very closely with the Hospital Matron, Donna.

A big part of my role is to promote closer joint working, linking with all the local GP practices, the Acute Hospitals and colleagues in the Local Authority (Social Services). We give a lot of focus to how we can provide high quality care closer to home. It’s part of my role to identify where we could work more effectively to support patients, and support staff to change things when we need to work in a way that is better for patients and their families.

I am a trained District Nurse and I am really passionate that providing excellent health care in the community is vital, and believe that Community Hospitals give a great opportunity to do this, in the variety of services that they deliver which can be of benefit to so many people.

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There has been lots of discussion about how we can provide more local services, and work in a more integrated way, in the Clinical Services Review, which I believe brings some really exciting opportunities.

Recently we have employed our Admiral Nurse for the locality, a Specialist Nurse for people living with dementia and their families. This is the first community post of its kind in Dorset, and a great asset for people living in Purbeck. She will be working with all the other services in the local area, to ensure that people living with dementia and their families get the very best support. This position would not have been possible without the amazing fundraising by the local Community, and support from Dementia UK. I really enjoy my job, with all its opportunities and challenges, and I am immensely proud of all the fantastic staff in Dorset Healthcare who work so hard to provide excellent, compassionate and expert care to the people of Purbeck.

Alison Tallant (pictured top left), Locality Manager Until next time, take care, Matron Donna!

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

Call us on 01929 421329. We’re here for YOU, so use our services!

CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar

Home Visits & Clinic Appointments Comprehensive foot care - Diabetic Patient’s Care Biomechanics & Orthotics

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High Score For Dorset Cancer Services

orset Cancer services have been rated exceptionally well by patients in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for 2016.

The report shows that services in the county are rated highly by patients, with Dorset being scored at the highest expected result in sixteen of the fifty-nine questions.

Respondents to the survey were asked to rate their care on a scaled of zero (very poor) to ten (very good). In Dorset, an average rating of 8.9 was given.

Of those who responded to the survey: 91% of patients thought the length of time they waited for a test to be done was ‘about right’ against a national average of 87%; 86% of patients felt they had been told they had cancer in a sensitive manner against a national average of 84%; 93% of patients felt they got understandable answers to important questions all or most of the time against a national average of 88%; 96% of respondents said that hospital staff told them who to contact if they were worried about their condition or treatment after they left hospital against a national average of 94%; 65% of respondents felt the Hospital and community staff always worked well together, higher than the national average of 61%.

The results are based on nearly 1300 responses from NHS patients with a confirmed primary diagnosis of cancer who had been discharged from an NHS Trust after an inpatients episode or day case attendance for cancer related treatment between April – June 2016.

All respondents were aged 16 upwards.

Tom Geldart, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Clinical Lead Dorset Cancer Partnership said “The results of the patient survey are a fantastic result for Dorset and we could not be more pleased that our local services are rated so highly. These results are a testament to the hard work and co-ordinated effort of all staff involved in cancer services and demonstrates what can be achieved when all our care services work together for the benefit of patients.”

The full national results are available via the NHS England website.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Keep On Your Toes!

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ge UK Dorchester is advising older people living in Dorset about the importance of caring for their feet. Due to health and mobility problems, older people can sometimes struggle to reach their own feet, and they will develop some foot problems as they age, simply as a result of daily wear and tear.

Foot pain can be extremely debilitating, and over time it can become a significant health issue. If it becomes uncomfortable to walk for an older person, they are less likely to get out and about and take part in social activities or daily exercise which is vital for health and wellbeing.

It is also important for older people to get their feet checked regularly, especially if they have a long-term condition such as diabetes or arthritis, as their feet are particularly vulnerable. Any problems should be reported to the GP as soon as possible.

The right footwear is also essential, and wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes, is important.

Good nail care can also help to keep feet feeling comfortable; however, many older people find it hard to clip their toenails properly, partly as they can be hard to reach, but also because they become tougher with age.

Nails that become too long can press against the end of the shoe and the constant pressure can cause soreness, infection or ulceration. Toenails that have been poorly cut can also become ingrown.

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NIGHTINGALES HOME CARE SERVICE Nightingales provides personal care in your own home, tailored to suit your specific requirements This includes assistance with washing and dressing, meal preparation, shopping, medication and cleaning.

In addition, we can now offer a ‘sitting’ service to both private and funded clients.

If you feel we can help in any way, please ring Nanette on: 01929 425285 (office) or 07415 242933 Registered office: 2 The Sidings, Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1AU

Age UK Dorchester operates footcare clinics throughout Dorset – Dorchester, Yetminster, Bridport, Sherborne, Maiden Newton, Weymouth, Littlemoor, Wyke Regis, Chickerell, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Wareham, Swanage, Bere Regis and Wool.

For further information: please contact Lisa Holmes at Age UK Dorchester on 01305 269444 email: lholmes@ageukdorchester.org.uk

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Sport

The Purbeck Gazette

R&R - Rowing And Relaxation!

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owing isn’t just about the grunt and grind!

Many members of Swanage Sea Rowing Club row for gentle exercise and relaxation, and to make the most of our stunning coastal scenery.

Early morning rows to Studland Bay via Old Harry Rocks are popular – especially when breakfast at a beach café is included. Trips to Dancing Ledge allow rowers to enjoy the fascinating geology and birdlife of our coastline.

There are also picnic trips, ‘pub and a pint’ outings, as well as mulled wine and mince pie rows at Christmas!

So why not come on down and have a go? We welcome people of all ages

and abilities. Non-members can take part in free rowing sessions in the bay on Saturday mornings,10am-12 noon, throughout the winter (weather permitting). There’s no limit to the amount of sessions you can do. Just pop along to the boathouse near the pier.

Then if you enjoy it, and want to take part in the longer leisure rows – or start training with the racing teams – you can join the club.

It’s £10 a month for adults, or less for concessions.

To find out more, look on our website www.ssrc.org.uk Cathy Lewis

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Cricket Update

Swanage 1stXI secure runners-up spot in the Premier Division and the 2ndXI clinch the Division 5 title. wanage Cricket Club enjoyed a truly memorable summer, with the 1stXI missing out on the Premier Division title by just six points - a remarkable achievement, especially as they were one of the favourites for relegation in May! As well as the 1stXI’s phenomenal season, the 2ndXI won the Division 5 championship. This was also a fantastic performance with an excellent blend of youth and experience.

This was exactly the same with the Sunday team, who enjoyed a number of memorable victories in not only the NEW T25 tournament, but also their prestigious friendly matches.

The youth section continues to flourish with currently over one hundred members in the various age-groups, starting at age seven and going all the way through to fifteen. The club has expanded still further with the introduction of both a girls and women’s team.

At the recent annual Family Youth Fun Day, the club took great pleasure in recognising ALL of the youngsters - especially the following players who have been nominated to represent South Dorset at their respective age-groups:Under 9s:- Alex Alcock, Thomas Senior, Harry Spurling & Eric Wadley.

Under 10s:- James Harding, Regan Norman & Josh Titley.

Under 11s:- Sid Nash.

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Under 12s:- Freddie Long.

Under 13s:- Jacob Pope.

Under 14s:- Harry Long.

Also, Safia Nadaf (Under 14s) and Lily Wood (Under 15s) will continue to play for the county.

The club are looking forward to starting winter coaching at the Swanage School later this month and also the End of Season Dinner on the 21st of October.

Please visit our website:- www.swanagecricketclub.co.uk for all the latest news.

Swanage Bowls Update

t turned out to be a dramatic nail-biting cliffhanger for the Swanage Men towards the end of their campaign in the B&D League. Desperate for points to avoid relegation at Poole Park, Swanage went down by just 4 shots 78-82.

There were winning rinks for Owen Norman, Alan Masters, John Brudenell and skip Terry Buck and also for Ken Morgan, Tony Bell, Mark Crompton and skip Graham Smooker, but the other two rinks lost to leave Swanage in a perilous relegation spot. Then came a crucial home match against Milford-on-Sea. Thanks to two fine wins for the rinks skipped by Gordon Wallis and Mark Sheppard (making a welcome return to league bowling after several weeks of absence), the deficit of the other two losing rinks was covered for a welcome 78-67 win and 10 urgently needed points, which lifted Swanage out of the drop zone above Branksome Park.

So, on a fine sunny morning it all hinged on the final fixture of the season at home to high-flying Kings Park, who were already assured of promotion.

Despite there being just one shot difference between the scores midway through the game and Swanage holding the visitors for most of the morning, Kings Park came up with a storming finish to clinch victory 71-81.

Swanage came out of the match with 2 points curtesy of a 29-16 rink win for Mike Keats, Mark Crompton, Mike Barron and skip Gordon Wallis.

There was then an anxious few hours waiting for the result of the Branksome Park v Iford Bridge match, with Branksome seeking a win to go above Swanage. The denouement was that Iford Bridge came up with the goods in Swanage’s favour, consigning Branksome to relegation. Captain Barrie Tatman was over the moon with the news and thus for the second consecutive season by the skin of their teeth, Swanage were the stars of the Great Escape 2. What a roller-coaster ride once again!

In the Dorset League, Swanage lost their final two games of the season, by 10 shots at Branksome Park despite a fine rink win for John Brudenell, Dave Farley, Terry Buck and skip David Hogsflesh 26-11 and by 5 shots at home to West Moors, with one winning rink of Brian Beeston, Dave Farley, Graham Smooker and skip David Hogsflesh. It was not the best of

seasons for Swanage in this league, finishing 7th after doing so well last year.

The Saturday Mixed Triples, in which Swanage were competing for the first time, was most successful with celebrations all round for clinching promotion along with Southbourne to Section 1 after a final match walkover against Richmond Park. Swanage just pipped Highcliffe on shot difference. So well done to all those who played in this league in 2017.

The Men reached the semi-final of the PB Over-60sTriples League play-off against Poole Park.

The Swanage home rink of Brian Beeston, Barrie Tatman and skip Graham Smooker won 19-14, but Poole Park got the better of Mike Keats, Dave Farley and skip Gordon Wallis 11-21 to give overall victory to Poole Park 30-35. Congratulations chaps for getting to the semis!

In the Ladies EP Triples League, Verwood gave Swanage a hiding for the second time this season 28-42, but there were wins for Swanage at Shaftesbury 39-25 and at home to Poole Park 43-26. This meant a fine finish to the season only just behind the leaders.

Swanage Ladies did not fare so well in the Dorset League. Their win against Poole Park 71-55 lifted their spirits, but heavy losses at Wimborne 33-73 and at home to Bridport 49-69 ensured a lowly league table spot.

September saw the finals of the club competitions and several friendly fixtures against touring sides and results of these matches will be in next month’s Gazette.

Members now await news of the proposed conversion of the green from grass to an artificial surface and negotiations are continuing with Swanage Council to try to iron out the finer details, so that the conversion can take place this winter.

A group of bowlers from the club went to warmer climes in Spain last month for a bowling holiday at Calpe.

Take a look at the website www.swanagebowlingclub.uk.org for information about bowling in Swanage or phone Barrie on 421162 or Graham on 551194. D.H.

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Swanage Football Club

n September, we welcomed Ash United from the Combined Counties league in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase. By the time you read this article, we might have progressed into the next round.

Ash are currently 14th in the combined counties division 1, having only won one of the six games they’ve played. This tie is by no means a foregone conclusion as Ash play at a level one above ourselves. If we were to beat Ash, we will have been drawn at home again on 23rd September against either Laverstock and Ford, or Fawley. This game will also be played before you are able to read this.

We are hoping the 1st team can carry their current league form into this FA Vase game. We are second in the Dorset Premier League, having only lost once in the first six league games. The only defeat was in a thrilling game against title rivals from Weymouth, Balti Sports. We ended up losing the game 5:6 and this was after finishing the game with only nine men on the pitch.

We are hoping for a big crowd at the Vase game. It seems the town really gets behind the Club on these games. It would be so nice to see more support at our league games. Just recently it seems our crowds have taken a slight downturn, so if you are interested in football, why not come along to support your local team?

Just think what you could be missing, eleven goals in that game against Balti, for example! In the seven league games as we’ve played so far, we’ve scored twenty-seven goals and conceded twelve, that’s over five per game. Not bad for a £3 entrance fee!

The FA have announced that thirty-two grassroots leagues will trial ‘ temporary dismissals ‘ more commonly known as ‘sin bins’.

As you might be aware, we play our football in step seven of the football league pyramid, step one being the highest at non-league. The national

The Purbeck Gazette

league is step one and that is the gateway into the professional game in league two.

So, from step seven of the national league system and below, 130 grassroots leagues registered an interest in the pilot scheme and a mixture of male female, adult, youth Saturday and Sunday leagues across the country have been chosen to take part.

We feel honoured to be one of the chosen thirty-two leagues taking part in this FA trial, which hopefully will improve the game in the long run.

It’s hoped that the pilot scheme will deal with misconduct on the day, result in fewer cautions for dissent overall and improve match day experiences, not only for referees but for all involved in the game.

How many times do you hear people say ‘why can’t footballers give the referee the respect that rugby players do?’ Well, let’s hope this is the first step in that process.

Our Reserve team has just started their season under the managership of Jossie, helped out by our U18 manager, Andy Dunster. The Reserves is a great place for our up-and-coming youngsters to get acclimatised into adult football and Andy being the U18 manager is best placed to see who is ready to progress up into senior football.

Andy also runs our U15 girls and they will be looking to have another good season. If you remember last season the girls did fantastically well in winning the Dorset Plate. This season they will be wearing a brand new kit sponsored by local construction machinery business, D & P Lovell Ltd. We would like to thank Alan, Tanya and the team at D & P Lovell for yet another kind donation to our football club.

COME ON YOU SWANS! John Peacock

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

Swans Rugby Update

T

here is little to report in this issue, because the league season does start until September, but Swans did have a few friendlies, pre -season against Wimborne, Andover, and Westbury.

The purpose was to see how the team had summered and to see if they were fit after the layoff. It was also a chance to see some new recruits, particularly the Colts, and those who had matured from the Colts as they were now Seniors due to their age. All of these came through with added reputations so they could be in for an extended run in both the 1st and 2nd XV. On a related topic, Swanage & Wareham have started a Ladies Team and are looking for some new recruits. At the moment, they have some twenty-three players, so they have a full team with some reserves, and they also are running teams for U18 and U15 girls teams and if there is sufficient support, are hoping to run an U13 girls team as well.

Girls training is on Tuesdays evening between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, and the lady in charge is Jade Kerslake, who can be contacted on 07710 236254.

The Ladies Team meet on Wednesdays, again between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, at the club ground at Bestwall. The person in charge is Lily Carr, phone number 07939 123201. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome, so if you know anybody interested, call those numbers.

Most notable dates in October: 7th 1st XV v. Walcot (SCS) Away 3pm.

7th 2nd XV v. Dorset Dockers(DW1) Home 3pm.

14th 1st XV Cup game (Away) 2.45pm.

21st 1st XV v Corsham(SCS) Home 3pm.

28th 1st XV v.Yeovil (SCS) Away 3pm.

28th 2nd XV v. New Milton 2 (DW1) Home 3pm.

Ron Butler, Publicity Secretary

SWANAGE SEA ROWING CLUB - ROWING TIMES Juniors - Mondays, 6pm to 7pm, 10 to 16yrs.

Open Rowing - Tuesdays from 6pm and Saturdays from 10am.

These sessions are perfect if you want a FREE taster session and are open to non-members.

Ladies Training - Wednesdays & Sundays. Members only Mens Training - Thursdays & Sundays . Members only Please note: Sessions are weather dependent. Check facebook for latest information.

The Purbeck Gazette

Spotlight Event Diary

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Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for NOV is noon, 8th Oct 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.

OCTOBER

Sun 1st * Storytelling: ‘Land’ At Corfe Castle. A fun filled forty minutes, with puppets too. * Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Wood carving, Silver Smithing, Stone Carving, Ceramics and Spinning. Refreshments available. * Dorset Countryside Volunteers At Upton Wood (in the care of Purbeck District Council). We we will be cutting scrub to maintain this wood and welcome new people interested in caring for our countryside. For details see www.dcv.org. uk, email DCVpublicity@gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

10:00 Purbeck Makers Market At Burngate Stone Carving Centre. Have-a-go classes, woodworking, silver smithing, stonecarving, ceramics, spinning and more. Ffi: 01929 439405.

14:00 Elvis McGonagall & The Ressurectors Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Mon 2nd * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

Tue 3rd * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

19:30 Wareham Rotary Club At The Springfield Hotel, Wareham. 7.30 p.m. Jake Moore, the Dorset Police cyber crime prevention officer will be giving advice on how to avoid becoming a victim. Everyone welcome. For more information please contact Ann on 01929 553727 or visit www.warehamrotary.co.uk.

Wed 4th 10:15 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Anchor Pub in Shapwick for mostly level, circular walk in the Stour Valley and Spetisbury. Ffi 01929 480224.

Thu 5th * Swanage Blues Festival Forty bands in 16 venues. Ffi: www.swanage-blues. org * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

Fri 6th * Swanage Blues Festival Forty bands in 16 venues. Ffi: www.swanage-blues. org * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

17:30 Bats at Dusk Guided walk at Corfe Castle. Booking essential on 03442491895.

18:00 Wareham Rotary Club At the Springfield Hotel, Wareham. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. “Antiques Roadshow” Amy Brenan MRICS CERT GA from Heirlooms Jewellers and Silversmiths and formerly a valuer Dukes Auctioneers, will be offering free valuations to the members of the public. For more information please contact Ann on 01929 553727 or visit www.warehamrotary.co.uk.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom Church Hill for: An illustrated talk - ‘Gardens near and far, from Atlanta to Niagara.’ With Mike Webber 20:00 Front Country Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

21:00 Teed Up with Ray Drury At The Crows Nest Inn. 21:45 The Milk Men At The White Horse Inn. Sat 7th * Swanage Blues Festival Forty bands in 16 venues. Ffi: www.swanage-blues. org * Feeling Fruity – Fruit Tree Day At Holme for Gardens. Lots of information and advice available with our Holme Experts. Enjoy special offers on the day. * Beer & Pumpkin Festival At The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers. * Storytelling: ‘Land’ At Corfe Castle. A fun filled forty minutes, with puppets too. * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

09:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet in Kingston (bus from Swanage at 09:00) for linear walk back to Swanage via Hill Bottom, Worth Matravers and Priests Way. Ffi 01929 426926.

10:00 Stanford Quartet Coffee Concert At The URC Church, Swanage. Tickets £10 adults, accompanied children free, available on the door. Ffi: 07964 410443.

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 16:30 Woodley Gentlemen’s Club At The Crows Nest Inn. 19:00 Concert By Boscome Salvation Army and Dorset Police Brass Ensemble at Swanage Methodist Church. Free admission and refreshments available.

19:00 Stargazing with Wessex Astronomy At Durlston Country Park, no booking necessary but pay by cash on the night at the KLearning Centre.

20:00 Laura Cortese Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

21:00 Wang Dang Doodle At The Crows Nest Inn. 21:45 The Mustangs At The White Horse Inn. Sun 8th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Swanage Blues Festival Forty bands in 16 venues. Ffi: www.swanage-blues. org * Beer & Pumpkin Festival At The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers. * Storytelling: ‘Land’ At Corfe Castle. A fun filled forty minutes, with puppets too. * Friends of Swanage Railway at Swanage Railway Station.

13:30 Swanage Area Senior Forum “Funday Sundays Monthly Filmshow Club” at Swanage Day Centre, High st Swanage. Film starts at 2.30pm. Admission £3.50 includes refreshments and nibbles. Raffle.

14:00 Laura Cortese Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

16:00 Back Porch At The Crows Nest Inn. 18:00 Northsyde At The White Horse Inn. Tue 10th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Open Event At Wareham St Mary Primary School.

Wed 11th 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Village Hall car park in Corfe Mullen for circular heritage walk around Corfe Mullen. Ffi 01202 623230.

19:30 Studland WI At Studland Village Hall. James Fradgley, “The Universe”.

Competition: Any item on the Universe.

Fri 13th * Autumn Steam Gala ‘Class of ‘67’ at Swanage Railway.

19:30 Purbeck Railway Circle Meets at Harman’s Cross Village Hall for “A Further Selection of British Transport Films” (in association with the Purbeck Film Festival). Refreshments and railway raffle. Doors open 7pm. Ffi 421 913.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME 20:00 Sheelanagig Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Sat 14th * Autumn Steam Gala ‘Class of ‘67’ at Swanage Railway.

07:00 Deer at Dawn Guided walk at Corfe Castle. Booking essential on 03442491895.

10:00 Meeting of Local Microscopists in the Village Hall, Langton Matravers.

Showing a wide variety of subjects from biological (eg pond & marine life), geological (micro fossils etc) to artistic. Visitors including children welcome. Tea and coffee with biscuit available Entrance free.

Enquiries phone 01929 – 422218 or 424211 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at main Badbury Rings car park off B3082, for circular walk via Target Wood, Tarrant Rushton Airfield and Little Coppice. Ffi 01202 570670.

20:00 Guns Of Navarone Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Sun 15th Autumn Steam Gala ‘Class of ‘67’ at Swanage Railway. * 11:00 Wedding Showcase Day At The Springfield Hotel, Wareham.

14:00 John Breezes Bluegrass Band Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

19:30 ‘Sharkwater’ Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

Mon 16th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

14:00 ‘Restart a Heart Day’ Swanage Community Defirillator Partnership sessions at Swanage Methodist Church. 2pm and 7pm. All our welcome.

Wed 18th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum.

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Kimmeridge Quarry for circular walk via Kimmeridge Bay, Rope Lake Head. Return via Swyre Head and the chalk ridge.

Ffi 01929 422554.

14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for a talk by Jessica Sutcliffe, “ Helen Muspratt: Renowned Swanage Photographer”. All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245.

Thu 19th * Studland WI At The Lighthouse Theatre, Poole. Autumn Council Meeting.

14:30 Purbeck Assoc. of the National Trust Illustrated talk ‘I Know Who I Am – I Think’. Family history expert David Gynes talks about the fun and frustrations of finding out who our ancestors were. At Carey Hall, Mistover Rd, Wm Till 4pm. All

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welcome. £3 incl refreshments. Ffi 01929 427300.

‘Mullholland’ Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

The Theatre of the Wandering West Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

Fri 20th * Charity Quiz At Holme for Gardens. Enjoy supper and test your brain cells at this entertaining event. £9 per person to include a Ploughman’s supper. Please book on 01929 554716 (3) Holme Nurseries Ltd, Wareham BH20 6AQ. 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom Church Hill for: competitions - Anders 1 ‘Open’ and 1 ‘Pipe(s)’ Judge: Sid Jones LRPS Visitors welcome, ffi: 01929 423841 Sat 21st * Nordic Walking Taster At Durlston Country Park. * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle 10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Worth Matravers Car Park for circular walk around the Worth Matravers area. Ffi 01929 426994.

20:00 Eva Abraham Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Sun 22nd * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle. * Dorset Countryside Volunteers At Tyneham helping maintain this historic abandoned village. We always have a wide range of tasks here and welcome new people to help us. For details see www.dcv.org.uk, email DCVpublicity@ gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

10:00 October Bird Walk At Durlston Country Park.

11:00 Barking Mud A fun packed experience for you and your dog! From Lincoln Farm site nr Blandford, registration at 10am. BBQ to follow, entry starts from £10. Ffi: www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/Barking_Mud.html 14:00 Sarah Jane Scouton Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

15:00 Canzonetta Concert - Autumn Song At Swanage Methodist Church, 105 High Street, BH19 2LZ Free admission- retiring collection for Wave Kids.

Contact www.canzonettadorset.com 19:30 ‘The Good Lie’ Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

Mon 23rd * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle. * Kids Puppet Workshop At Durlston Country Park. Booking essential. One morning and one afternoon session, with Andy Gent.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

10:30 Purbeck Footprints Walk With Julian Sawyer at Durlston Country Park, from the castle.

15:30 Buffo’s Wake At The Legion, Swanage.

Tue 24th * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle. * Ranger Led Wild Bushcraft Session At Durlston Country Park.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

19:30 ‘Mindhorn’ Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

Wed 25th * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

16:30 Halloween Disco At Putlake Farm. Ticket only, £5 per child, includes refreshments.

Thu 26th * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

10:30 Probus 2 of Purbeck Meet at Pines Hotel, Swanage. Talk by David Watson Nimrod Aircraft.

14:30 Delinquent Dinosaurs & Fantastic Fossils At Durlston Country Park.

19:30 ‘Like Father Like Son’ Purbeck Film Festival at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park.

19:30 Wareham Rotary Club At Springfield Hotel, Wareham. 7.30. Speaker Mark Lapper. Youth club. Everyone welcome. For more information please contact Ann on 01929 553727 or visit www.warehamrotary.co.uk.

Fri 27th * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle.

10:00 19:00 19:30

The Purbeck Gazette

Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

Swanage Regatta & Carnival Presentation Evening At Swanage Conservative Club. Public are welcome.

Stargazing with Wessex Astronomy At Durlston Country Park, no booking necessary but pay by cash on the night at the Learning Centre.

Rory McLeod Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

20:00 Sat 28th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle. * Stop Animation Workshop With Richard Haynes. At Durlston Country Park.

Booking essential. Ages 8+.

10:00 Halloween Hunts At The Blue Pool. Family event, kids go free!

10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Kimmeridge Quarry car park for a scenic walk to Tyneham Cap and return via Coast path and Kimmeridge Village. Ffi 01929 421039.

18:00 Halloween Party At Swanage Bay View. Children’s disco, Charlie Bear, children’s meal, competitions and prizes. (book children’s meal in advance on 01929 422130).

20:00 Josh Hardy Live acts at The Square & Compass Inn, Worth Matravers.

Sun 29th * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Halloween at Corfe Castle Family events to explore. Ffi: nationaltrust.org.uk/ corfecastle * Ghostly Stories At Corfe Castle.

Tue 31st * ‘Under the Surface’ Paintings and Carvings, by David West at The Dorset County Museum. * Deadline for Secondary or Upper School application Ffi:www.dorsetforyou. gov.uk/school-admissions

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 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.

The Purbeck Gazette

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 10.30 Wareham Walkers. Convivial health walks for mainly older people, of up to two hours in and around Wareham, ending with coffee at a local tea room or pub. Ffi: www.wareham-walkers.org.uk or call 552933.

12.00 Nature Tots (0-4yrs) at Bovington Memorial Hall Garden. Until 2pm 14.00 Swanage Walking for Health Group. Walks of 60-90mins, various locations.

Walks are very social, for a range of abilities. Walks start from car parks at Studland, Corfe, Arne, Durlston, Langton, Acton, Worth and Kingston. Ffi: 481000.

14.00 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Art Group Till 5 14.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Furzebrook VH. Roll-up session, all standards welcome. Ffi 401799 17.00 Sw Tennis Club Junior Session till 6pm. 426312 18.00 Sw Youth Centre Girls’ Night (Yr 8+) Till 10 18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 8.30pm 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Wareham Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, St Martin’s Lane, Wm. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email: oc.2185@aircadets.mod.

19.30 Swanage Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Swanage Day Centre, High Street, Swanage. If you want help to stop drinking, you are welcome. Or call 01202 296000 for more details.

19.30 Sw & Langton Folk Dance Club Langton VH. Ffi: 421913 19.00 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at St Mark’s CE VA Primary School, High St, Sw. Parking on-site. Till 9pm. All singers welcome! 423350.

20.00 Sw Regatta & Carnival Assoc Bingo Herston Leisure, Herston Yards Farm, Sw. 20.00 Carey Hall, Wm Bingo EVERY WEDNESDAY 09.00 St Mark’s Toddlers Group, St Mark’s Church, Swanage. Herston, Sw Till 11am 09.45 Corfe Wool Workshop Corfe VH, East St. Members £1.50; non-members £2.50. Till12.00. 427067 10.00 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till noon.

10.00 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864 10.30 Play and Learn at Kids of Wool (BH20 6DY) until 12 noon.

13.00 Studland Toddler Group at Studland Village Hall until 2.30pm.

14.00 Herston Senior Citizens meet Herston Hall, Jubilee Rd, Sw. All welcome 14.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 3pm. With Penny at the Mowlem Community Room, Sw. Ffi 07969925502 15.00 Extend Exercise Class, now at Morton Village Hall. To improve strength, balance and flexibility. All welcome. Donations welcome. Ffi: 471490.

16.15 Swanage Football Club U-7s Training til 5.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346 17.15 Swanage Football Club U-9s Training til 6.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346 18.00 Swanage Youth Club. School years 7&8. Till 8.30pm 18.45 Sw Hockey Club Training Wm Sports Centre. Till 8. 424442 19.00 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552257 19.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls Club Roll-up evening Furzebrook VH. 401799 19.15 Purbeck Runners meet at the Crows Nest, Sw. 4/5 mile run.

19.30 Swanage Musical Theatre meet Swanage Bay View Complex Rehearsal Room. All welcome. Ffi: 426161 20.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 10 20.15 Dorset Buttons Morris Practice. URC Hall, Wm. 423234/421130 20.30 Wm Swimming Club Adults. All standards + stroke improvement. Till 10 22.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (16+) Till 11.59 EVERY THURSDAY 08.30 Wm Home Producers Veg, cakes, plants, flowers, handicrafts. URC. New producers/helpers welcome. Till 11. 553798 09.00 Swanage Painting Club. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Friendly group. New members including beginners welcome. Till 1pm. Ffi: Jane on 01929 427078 09.30 Play and Learn at Chapel Lane, Swanage, till 11am.

09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Streche Road, Wareham, until 12 noon.

09.30 Sensory Play for under ones, at Bovington Centre until 10.30am 10.00 Wm Parent & Toddler Group During term Parish Hall, Quay Till 11.45.

556806 10.00 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts,

67

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 14.30 Short Mat Bowls at Durbeville Hall, Wool. Till 4.30pm. All standards welcome. Ffi: 552682.

18.00 Purbeck War-Game & Model Club. Royal British Legion, Sw. 426096.

18.00 Sw Youth Centre Club 12-13 (Yr 7-9) Till 8 18.00 Sw Tennis Club Senior Club Session. 426312 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Sw Youth Centre Seniors Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 9.30pm.

19.30 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till 9.30pm. £3.

20.00 Sw Youth Centre Live Bands (as advertised) Till 10pm.

22.00 Sw Youth Centre Late Session (Yr 9+) till 11.59pm (members free) EVERY SATURDAY 08.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 4/5 mile run.

09.00 Sw CC U11 - U15 Practice till 10.30 09.30 Sw CC U9 & U10 Practice & Kwik Cricket till 10.30 10.00 Tea, coffee and home-made cakes in the Parish Hall on Wareham Quay during the Community Market. Til 2pm. Bric-a-Brac stall weekly. Christian bookstall most weeks. All welcome for a warm-up and a friendly chat.

11.00 Fantastic Family Fun at Swanage Library, ages 3-8. Free story and craft session until 11.30am.

20.00 Herston OAP Committee Bingo at Herston Hall, Sw EVERY SUNDAY 09.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 8+ mile run.

10.00 Arts and Crafts Market at the Mowlem in Swanage. A wide range of local art for sale, including pottery, glass, cards, fabric and much more! To book your table, or for more information, call Tony on 01929 421321.

10.30 Stoborough Emmanuel Baptist Church meet at Stoborough First School, Stoborough. All very welcome.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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