The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 223

August 2018 Issue no. 223

Magazine Archive at:

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Pg 50-51

Swanage Lifeboat Week Pg 16-17

WISH YOU WERE HERE! FEATURE: Wish You Were Here! Pg 23-33

SWANAGE & PURBECK

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Wareham In Bloom Pg 44

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the August edition of your Gazette! The weather has been fabulous for the past few weeks and our fingers are crossed it remains so for the next few weeks at least.... Purbeck is geared-up for tourist season (welcome if you’re on holiday!) and we’re all set for an amazing mid-summer spectacular!

Wareham Carnival has just taken place and Purbeckians are now getting ready to go all ‘safari’ for Swanage’s eight-day carnival this month. With a plethora of activities for the whole family to enjoy, there’s plenty to join in with and ensure the kids fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow this month!

Wareham Wednesdays events get into full swing this month, with fantastic Wednesday night entertainments on the Quay for the whole family to enjoy every week (for free!), run by a dedicated team of Wareham locals who definitely have ‘fun’ as their starting point! We’ll be attending every Wednesday night from 7pm along with the Purbeck Pirates, so we’ll see you there!

Swanage Lifeboat Week also takes place this month, with tons of sea-based activities to enjoy and get involved with. Details of all events can be found in our hallowed pages....

August may be mid-summer and filled with sunshine, but it also brings busy roads and increased footfall - be mindful when driving as accidents are not what any of us wish to experience, so please take care when out and about this month - someone’s life is worth taking a little extra care on the roads, so eye’s open people!

The Purbeck Gazette is delivered by: We distribute 20,000 copies of the Purbeck Gazette every month to properties 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 August 2018 edition has a deadline of 9th July, and will be distributed from 30 July - 3 August.

The September 2018 edition has a deadline of 9th August and will be distributed from 27 - 31 August.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - August 2018

General Operations Committee Planning & Consultation Committee

Wed 1st Mon 6th

4.30pm 6.30pm

Wareham Town Council Meetings - August 2018 Planning & Transport Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Planning & Transport

Mon 6th Thurs 9th Mon 27th

7pm 7pm 7pm

Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - August 2018 Council Policy Group Planning Committee

Tues 7th Wed 15th Wed 29th

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 lay-up is completed in-house by Purbeck Media Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury and delivered by Logiforce GPStracked 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.

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

Telephone Sales & Client Contact

We reserve the right to maintain contact with our advertising clients, past and present, through the use of telephone calls and emails. We retain customer’s names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers on file. If you do not wish to hear from us to be reminded of upcoming deadlines, please do let us know!

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Sunset on the longest day at St Aldhelm’s Head, by Mike Streeter

CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past FEATURE: Purbeck - Wish You Were Here!

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Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Swanage Lifeboat Week Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Wareham In Bloom Wareham Wednesdays Worth Fete Raises £4,500 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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DEADLINE FORFOR SEPTEMBER 12 NOON,FRI Thur10th 9th AUGUST DEADLINE JULY ISIS NOON, JUNE

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

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

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

SEPT edition deadline: noon, Thur 9th AUG

Auxiliary Units Correction Dear Editor, Please may I apologise for the stupid mistake that I made in my letter in the June edition re: ‘Auxiliary Units Recognised’.

I think I can claim to be the first one to know about the Creech Barrow Operational Base, so the only excuse I can offer is that I was in such a hurry to get my letter in the office before the deadline as I wanted it to be published for D-Day (in the June edition).

Like a fool I didn’t take the time to read through it and it seems I stated that Creech barrow O.B. was behind Squirrel Cottage, I can’t understand why I would have done this, but I would like to correct it.

Langton Matravers Operational Base was in the Wilderness at Harmans Cross. This O.B. is still complete, but in very bad condition.

The Creech Barrow O.B. is now in ruins, blown-up after the war under military orders, as were many others in the country. The remains can still be seen in Norden woods; also the memorial stone at East Creech.

The Stoborough Unit was in an area behind Squirrel Cottage. This O.B. was complete until a few years ago. Unfortunately, the Clay Company expanded their workings and that was the end of the cottage and the O.B..

Yours sincerely, Ken Williams, by hand.

Auxilliary Units Invitation Dear Readers, I would like to ask if you would put a reply to the letter from Mike Streeter in the Gazette July issue regarding the information surrounding the Operational bases of the Auxiliary units in the Purbeck area.

The gentleman is quite correct in saying that the Creech Barrow Seven were based in the wooded area between east Creech and Norden Farm - not as stated by Ken Williams in the previous letter in the June Gazette.

Ken was most upset to have made that mistake and I believe he tried to correct this in the July month’s issue.

If the gentleman would like to contact me or have a chat at Harmans Cross fun day or at Church Knowle fete, where I shall have my display about the Aux units, I will be glad to meet and talk about the men.

I would love to hear any stories from him or others regarding any of these brave, selfless and determined men who kept this secret for so long.

John Wareham, Sandford. thecreechseven@gmail.com

An Ongoing Brexit

Dear Editor, Mrs J. Jones (July edition) refers to ‘whining by one or two people who simply resent having lost the Brexit election’. Clearly, she must have missed the news on the 23rd June when an estimated 100,000 people marched in London, demanding a referendum on any Brexit deal. A pro-Brexit march on the same day attracted far fewer supporters.

There are a number of very good reasons to have a referendum on any final deal. One is that people would, after several years of reflection, be voting on a factual basis: either accepting a new arrangement or remaining a member of the EU. Secondly, since June 2016 1.2 million electors have died and there are 1.4 million new voters.

Presumably, the opinions of the young living electorate are more important

Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists Food served 12 noon - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm High Street, Swanage. 01929 423533 than those of the recently deceased, who will not have to live with the consequences. Thirdly, EU citizens living in Britain and British ex-pats in the EU should have the opportunity to express their views as they will be directly affected. In June 2016 they were disenfranchised.

The only reason the country had a referendum in 2016 was that Cameron wanted to placate the anti-EU faction in his own party, plus the fact he was running scared of UKIP and the editors of populist newspapers. It was nothing to do with exercising democracy and a real statesman would have faced them down.

In the two years since the Cameron referendum, not a single cogent argument has been put forward by the Brextremists to explain how Britain would do better outside the EU. All the evidence from business leaders, trade unionists and the government’s own impact assessment point to the damage that Brexit, if it goes ahead, will do to the British economy. As a result of all the uncertainty, Britain’s economic growth is now almost stagnant compared with the rest of Europe and the pound has lost 10% of its value compared with two years ago, making the cost of goods more expensive.

The EU-hating elements in the Conservative Party, elected to government on a 24% vote and only kept in power by religious extremists in Northern Ireland, seem hell-bent on taking our country down the path of destruction.

Most of our so-called representatives have long given up the pretence that Brexit will be of any benefit, only that somehow it is the ‘will of the people’(whatever that means), regardless of the cost in terms of jobs, prestige and influence that Britain once had. The Prime Minister is a prisoner of her own party, apparently too weak to sack her incompetent and foul-mouthed Foreign Secretary, or the other Brexit dimwits in her cabinet, though decision time is fast approaching. Is it any wonder that more and more Conservatives are saying they do not recognise the party they once supported?

Mrs Jones and others like her should rouse themselves from the disused mineshaft they appear to be inhabiting and face the reality of the mess they voted for. June 2016 was a snapshot in time and we live in a dynamic democracy where people have the right to re-evaluate a choice that was ill-thought out. The biggest moaners have always been those opposed to the EU - they have been whinging for at least forty years, living proof of the truth in the proverb about empty vessels.

Yours sincerely, David Leadbetter, Prospect Crescent, Swanage

The ‘Will Of The People’ Dear Gazette, I felt I must answer Mr Haworth on behalf of Brexit. Most Brexit voters are survivors of the war. I worked and lived in London, struggling to get to work every day, after a sleepless night of heavy bombing – I lost my home and countless friends and relations.

It was done to safeguard any future children; their right to live under British laws, tried and tested since Magna Carta – and not have these laws overruled by a bunch of unknown, unelected idiots at Brussels.

Sadly, our post-war generation do not understand or even care about the sacrifices made by their parents. They have yet to live in the real world, where they will discover there is no such thing as a free lunch.

E.Dorset, by hand

Brexit ‘War Survivors’ Dear Editor, Mrs Jones says that there can be no referendum with the option to remain in the EU. There certainly can be a referendum on the Brexit deal. Far from being a betrayal that no political party could condone, as Mrs Jones suggests, the Liberal Democrats advocate it. The proportion who want this has increased from 18% to 46% in the past year, which suggests that the

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general public are increasingly coming around to our view. This is said to be against ‘the will of the people.’ Since, the cabinet struggles to agree its own will and the negotiations are yet to start, how can the people have a will until they see the terms of the final deal?

Contrary to Mrs Jones views, the EU have every incentive to work with us, since leaving the EU will not only make us significantly poorer (Treasury predictions) but also make the EU poorer. However, President Trump is now following in the steps of Vladimir Putin (he recently advised France’s Macron to leave the EU) in trying to break the whole thing up. With that and immigration from Africa for starters, the EU has several bigger things on its mind than Brexit, important though that is.

After international institutions had crumbled in the 1930s, there was an attempt to appease Hitler by abandoning Czechoslovakia – ‘the far away country of which we know nothing’. Could it be Estonia this time?

‘The will of the people’ is an attractive term to those with dictatorial tendencies. It gives them a free hand to do what they want. Wake up Britons! First let’s look at the terms of the final deal. Then argue, discuss.

Finally make our mind up.

Yours sincerely, Peter Clark, Secretary Swanage and Isle of Purbeck Liberal Democrats.

Profits Above Congestion Dear Readers, As a regular passenger on the No.40 Poole bus (or perhaps the two-storey sardine can), I wonder why the Breezer company during June, July and August could not relay a 4.30pm service and a 5.30pm service. Answer?

Always the same – maximizing profits above congestion.

I have been on buses all over in Turkey, where we nearly went over a cliff due to ‘absent’ brakes and in Alexandria, where due to overload, I climbed out of a broken window. Thankfully, we do not have such perils in Purbeck. I have been on some amazing journeys; the four o’clock to Poole is not one.

However, statistically, 1500 students were injured between 3pm and 5pm in 2017. Five students from Herston School were waiting and the bus driver, through no fault of his own, could only take three girls, leaving two young boys to make their own way home beside a perilous road.

More services in the summer months would lessen what has become an accepted ordeal and while we are thankful for bus passes, let’s see an end to corporation lip service to environmental concerns in the realm of public transport for us all.

One smaller investment might be a simple sign reading: ‘Queue this side’, which might lessen skirmishes in the waiting lines, after all – we’ve had two world wars to practice – it’s not bus science.

Yours sincerely, Magic Bus….. by hand

PIP Climbdown Dear Editor, PIP climbdown is not a perfect ten, but it’s a start After pressure from charities, The British Polio Fellowship welcomes news the government has changed the rules, so ten years between PIP assessments will apply to more people with disabilities, together with a promise that reassessment will be a ‘light touch’ review.

PIP applications are stressful enough, without having them every two years.

If you live with Post Polio Syndrome, a neurological condition affecting 120,000 nationally, with no cure, it will not improve in two years. Is it effective use of taxpayer’s money to fund regular re-assessments to see if Polio paralysed limbs have miraculously regained movement?

This change will only apply to those on the highest levels of PIP anyway, which leaves many of our members no better off. With assessors reportedly ignorant of even very well-known conditions like Parkinson’s, imagine how much harder it is for those with PPS to get a fair hearing.

Fundamental change is required to a system not serving those who rely on it, or taxpayers who fund it. Government should work with disabled groups and charities and not against us; with a bit of common sense, perhaps we can all see a brighter tomorrow. The British Polio Fellowship continues to help those with PPS live independent lives for longer.

If you need our support or advice, call us now on 0800 043 1935 or visit www.britishpolio.org.uk Yours faithfully, David Mitchell, National Chairman, The British Polio Fellowship

A Poet’s Alternative Dear Editor, A simpler alternative about suicide and the catharsis of writing: Sometimes Sometimes dying to die, To not be remembered Except in existing memories.

Mistakes all made And tears in final tally.

To not blemish or decay further In eyes that loved.

Not crumble from hands that held, It is tempting to write a poem like this.

Martin Hobdell, by hand

Friends Of Swanage Bandstand Dear Gazette, We would like to thank Swanage Town Band, and the Southern Union Chorus (a group,of men who sing Barbershop style) for a wonderful evening of entertainment at the Methodist Church on 30th June.

This concert was free but donations could be given to F.O.S.B. This collection raised £895.50 plus another donation of £100, how generous was that?

Thank you all. Alan Houghton, 3 Dingle Court, De Moulham Rd. 01929 426380.

SEPTEMBER EDITION DEADLINE: 12 noon on 8th August FEATURE: Purbeck Pastimes & Pleasures

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07805 411158 Unfantastic Plastic Dear Editor, A quick comparison of our coastline prior to the 1960s when there was hardly any discarded waste plastic to be found in the sea leaves one feeling rather outraged at the mess that is currently there now. 91% of all plastic produced in the last three decades isn’t recycled.

This translate to billions of tons of the material being left to pollute our oceans and filling our landfill sites, the effect of slowly suffocating our environment and killing other species we share our overcrowded planet with could soon affect our own wellbeing!

In January 2017, a report by Greenpeace International said that every single piece of plastic ever made and dumped onto our environment will continue to exist for another five-hundred years.

Researchers from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum say the ocean is filled with over a 160 million tons of plastic, by 2050 the weight of plastic in the ocean will be greater than that of all the fish.

If further evidence was needed for an international ban on plastic bags, the statistics of five trillion plastic bags being used across the globe every year, which translates into a staggering 160,000 used every second.

Plastic bottles are another big problem and the government needs to get some green credentials in place. Drinks can be sold in cartons, cans or glass bottles. Meat can be wrapped in grease proof paper, bread, cakes and sweets will be just as good in paper bags. Kick the plastic habit and use shopping bags made from cotton, hemp or paper, just as previous generations did.

In the North Pacific Ocean there is something nicknamed the Great Pacific garbage patch. Found in the 1980s, its estimated to cover an area of nearly 620,000 square miles and contains 79,000 tons of plastic.

Old habits are hard to break, but the only way to get retailers and manufacturers to respond to customer’s demands are to go plastic free and making your opinion known when out shopping.

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

Town Twinning Trip

I stayed with Ingrid at the nearby town of Oestrich-Winkel. In the evenings we went out with friends. On one evening Franz played his guitar and sang some songs at a pub. Another time we walked to her sister’s wine tavern where we had a light meal and lots of local wine. We also visited Nicole’s house and played boules. Our German hosts each prepared some food for a picnic there. We saw a purple emperor butterfly in her garden.

The organised events included a Rhine cruise to the old town of Bacharach, an official reception at the bandstand by the Germania monument, an evening meal and a firework display at Assmanshausen.

On the Rhine cruise we sailed past several castles including the Mouse Tower, Ehrenfels and Reichenstein castles before landing at Bacharach.

Here an attractive young lady guided us around the town in perfect English.

We walked around the town wall (built in 1344) and viewed the tower surrounded by vineyards. After the tour we adjourned for lunch at the Old House, dating from 1368.

At the bandstand some young ladies served us with wine and we all gathered together to listen to speeches by the deputy mayor, Ute the Rudesheim twinning chairman and our committee, who spoke a few words in German.

Then we went to Assmanshausen, another town by the Rhine, where we had a three-course meal while there was a carnival outside. After the sun set there was a huge firework display from a barge on the Rhine. The following day we met at the car park and had some hugs before the coach took us back to Frankfurt airport.

Yours sincerely, Robin Brasher, by email

Mumbo Jumbo Of Signage

Dear Readers, Regarding the unsightly ‘mumbo jumbo’ of signs and notices of all sizes and shapes. Who can forget this unnecessary and increasing iron-mongery that ravages our highways and byways?

Countless departments (goodness knows who and where!) hatch them, spawning like seed so that only the citizens of Babel Towers would or could acknowledge them!

Alas, the ‘Scoop the poop’ has now largely disappeared – possibly now in renewed disguise, in tidy and much-used bins…..

Dear authorities - do please consider using your fretsaw to do a muchneeded pruning job – a massive clean-up, and set a fine example, not only to Dorset but to the rest of the country!

David Barsley, Swanage, by post.

Facing Unacceptable Stress

Dear Readers, I would like to thank the Swanage Town Twinning Association and our friends in Rudesheim for a lovely holiday there. We had a lovely flight from Heathrow to Frankfurt and back. On the return flight the Airbus flew at 38,000 feet and then descended like a gigantic glider past the English Channel before coming in to land.

Dear Readers, Older people in Swanage are being subjected to unacceptable stress and dangerous conditions due to disregard of the corporations which own their homes. As a community carer, I’ve seen many such cases and one of them has asked me to share her story.

This wonderful and generous 70-year-old lady lives with multiple sclerosis and has recently been diagnosed with myeloma. She is very popular with the residents of the flats as well as being well known in Swanage, which she visits regularly on her mobility scooter. Her name is Mrs. Pat Ben Cheikh.

Pat uses a stair lift to safely access the world outside. This was a major consideration for Pat and her partner Peter when they chose their flat ten years ago. Recently, it was removed by Aster, the property company, with no discussion and just a week’s notice.

Pat and Peter like where they live at Regents Court in Victoria Road.

Over the years they have made it, and Swanage, their home. They were recently asked to view different accommodation at Queens Mead, having expressed no desire at all to move.

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01929 422453 07884 452284 They refused because they don’t want to leave their home or their friends.

We all know that older people have contributed an enormous amount to our society and continue to contribute in many ways. They have more than earned the right to remain in their own homes, safely. Pat herself has worked at the Norden Railway in the food shop, at Swanage Railway in the buffet car, as an auxiliary nurse at Swanage Hospital and as a carer at James Day. The rights of older people matter. The quality of their lives - and of Pat’s life - matter. Companies like Aster should be supporting the needs of their tenants, especially the older generation who deserve security and respect.

If companies like Aster think they can push people out of their homes one by one, it will fall to us, their community, to rally around them and speak out against this.

Talia Pope, Swanage, by email.

A Memorable Journey Dear Editor, On Thursday 14th June, I waited in the waiting room on Wareham Station.

The 09.28 was exactly on time and on I went. Within two minutes I realised I had left my handbag in the waiting room. It contained my passport, sterling, Euros, phone, diary, etc.

The guard on the train assured me that if it was still where I had left it, it would be on the next train. At Poole, I was introduced to ‘Danny’, the Passenger’s Assistant. He rang ‘Dan’ in Wareham, who went to the waiting room – my bag was still there! It duly arrived on the next train and it was handed to me.

I cannot commend the courtesy and reassurance of the staff highly enough.

Then, there was a tree on the line beyond Bournemouth…. A wait of over an hour ensued! (The taxi driver from Waterloo to St Pancreas gave me more change than the fare – because we talked football!).

I missed my Eurostar connection, but was able to catch one an hour later.

The staff at Eurostar St Pancreas were helpful and cheerful.

Thus to Paris and a wonderful five days. The start of my trip was made memorable by the service received from the local staff and the Eurostar staff and I remain so very grateful.

Yours sincerely, Betty Ashdown (Mrs), by post.

Langton Housing Survey Dear Editor, Please could you ask your readers to get involved in the latest Langton Matravers Housing Needs Survey?

Instigated by the Langton Matravers Community Land Trust (LMCLT), this survey, carried out by Purbeck District Council during July and August, is so important in understanding the type of housing needed locally.

With the Aster Group about to start work on twenty-eight affordable homes at Spyway Orchard and the LMCLT getting closer to their aim of

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building a further ten affordable homes within the village, completing this survey can make a real difference.

If you or someone you know needs somewhere to live, especially those with a local connection, it’s vital you complete this survey.

Should you not receive your copy, please pick one up from the Langton Matravers Parish Council office or contact Chris McDermott at PDC. Hopefully between us we can make a difference where we live.

Howard Tizard, Langton Matravers, by email

Moors Project ‘Causing Fear’ Dear all, The BBC gave my uncle, David Edwards, a three-minute interview about the Berlin Airlift.

They were at Horseguards Parade standing in front of a Douglas Dakota.

I don’t know how they got the aeroplane there.

My uncle had a desk job at Berlin during the airlift. Since then he has visited Berlin many times with the Berlin Air Lift Association.

A couple of years ago he gave a talk about the Berlin Air Lift to the Swanage Town Twinning Association.

My cousin is very proud of him.

Yours sincerely, Robin, by email.

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Questioning Speed Limit Dear Nico, I originally sent this email to Richard Drax who replied saying that he was not the person to talk to, but that I should contact the local parish council.

I did do this but surprisingly, or not, have heard nothing since!

My original contact was with regard to a speed limit which has been introduced on the Valley Road, in Harmans Cross just outside Swanage.

Just in case you are not familiar with Harmans Cross (hardly surprising), it is a small hamlet of approximately 200 houses on the main road which connects Swanage with Corfe Castle and the outside world. Harmans Cross has no zebra crossings, no pedestrian crossings whatsoever. No school, no pubs, no church, no traffic lights, no shops with the exception of two petrol stations, and almost nothing else to distinguish it.

For many years it had a 40mph speed limit which was perfectly acceptable and adequate, given the low number of inhabitants. It is relevant to point out that when the speed limit was set at 40mph, motorists could occasionally be observed doing considerably more than that. Strangely, police presence at that time, was almost non-existent (the speed limit either side of the hamlet remains at 50mph). Recently, for reasons which seem hard to justify, the speed limit was reduced to 30mph. Bearing in mind that further along the same road, not fifty yards away from two very busy schools, the speed limit remains at 40mph.

It begs the question, WHY has 30mph been introduced on this stretch of road which has almost no need of it? Since the introduction of the 30mph, the police presence has coincidentally increased! We have noticed regular unmarked police cars patrolling this stretch and on several occasions, speed cameras sneakily positioned to catch the unwary. It seems to me that this is simply an exercise by the local authority to extract even more money from the public in a manner which is both underhand and unpleasant.

Unfortunately, a set of circumstances we have come to expect from most of our politicians.

Any method of extracting money from the unsuspecting public will do.

After all, local politicians have their life styles and pensions to consider!

You will gather from this email that I am not happy about this and you would be absolutely right. I have lived in Harmans Cross for ten years and recently received a ticket for speeding on this road when for most of that time, I would have been perfectly legal.

So, for one small lapse in concentration I have now received a ticket which is going to cost me £100 plus the attendant penalty points. If I were a young, aggressive driver who regularly exceeded the limit, it would be hard to argue with this, but I am seventy years old and it is not my habit to break the law. This was simply a lapse in memory on a road that has no reason or justification to have a 30mph applied to it. Obviously, I accept that I broke an, albeit, spurious restriction, and will have to accept the consequences, and I’m sure that the authorities will no doubt pontificate about the need to have speed limits everywhere.

May I suggest that you stick a few more spurious speed limits on the major roads and with luck, you will boost your already bloated local authority pension funds even more. I would like you to print this but for obvious reasons, can you NOT print my name or address. Thank you.

Kind regards, a Harmans Cross resident, full name supplied and withheld upon request.

Scorchio Days!

This weather is Scorchio!

I’m going burnt and blotchio Can’t sit in the sun anymore My skin and eyes are very sore I’ve tried sunglasses and a hat Which have made me look like a prat But all of you enjoy sunny days Remember to keep covered from the rays!

By Marie Neilson, Swanage, by post.

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TELLING IT LIKE IT IS...

Don’t Hold Your Breath....

G

by David Hollister

eorge Orwell wrote: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” This is now being proven by the initial work of the new Dorset Unitary Council, who held their inaugural meeting in June in Dorchester.

I am told that many Councillors and members of the public were critical of the way in which this change is being implemented, with accusations that the public and indeed many councillors were not involved and that the new Shadow Council was being run for the ‘select few’.

Some councillors were critical of the way in which proposed meetings are being held almost exclusively in the daytime and mainly in Dorchester, and commented that councillors who worked, or who had family or caring responsibilities, were being excluded from these meetings. Surely, single parents and people with jobs or businesses should be represented on the Council and surely, evening meetings might encourage younger people to stand for election?

Or is this just what they want? They don’t want new faces, new young people, they want to keep the ‘jobs for the boys’ and no breaths of fresh air.

Under the new legislation, the new Unitary Authority will have eightytwo councillors, replacing 210 seats across six district councils, including our own. They say that this is still a ‘consultation’ but you know and I know that these ‘consultations’ are specious, fancy fronts for ‘done deals’.

The actual effect will be that we, the public, will have sixty percent less councillors to lobby, sixty percent less representation, and sixty percent less chances to get things done.

All in the name of cost saving. At present, Google cannot provide me with details of the proposed remuneration for councillors and executives in the new Authority, but I can well imagine that they will be no less than the current rates. “In the interests of cost saving”, consultants for the Dorset County Council have suggested that the Chief Executive should be paid over £160,000 plus thirty-three days holiday, plus a pension. We already have over twenty-five officers in Dorset earning over £100,000, the highest in the South West. Will we, I wonder, have a sixty percent reduction in this figure? And will those staff who remain at the ‘coal face’ (and I don’t mean pen-pushers) get job security or a meaningful pay rise?

Don’t hold your breath.

So here we are. Stuck with it thanks to the approval of a Home Secretary who probably doesn’t know where Dorset is, thanks to a Dorset County Council “cabinet” who clearly don’t care where Purbeck is, and who have already approved astonishing levels of remuneration and allowances for senior staff and quite possibly themselves.

One Weymouth Councillor is quoted as suggesting that they were already unable to engage with the public, that they don’t know what’s going on and that they now felt ‘out of the loop’ and not involved. I too am disappointed that the idea of having local area boards, where people can have their say on community issues, seems to have disappeared from the agenda completely.

So, we are being taken over by a ‘shadow Dorset Council’ in more ways than one; the Unitary Authority is supposed to start on April 1st 2019,

but whose members will not be elected until 2nd May 2019. Guess who will be in charge in the interim? The phrase “same old suspects” comes to mind. About the only saving grace is that I understand that Gary Suttle is being put forward as Deputy Leader (behind the omni-absent Rebecca Knox) and at least Gary knows and cares about Purbeck. Good luck, Gary, 44,416 people are depending on you! No pressure!

This is a council whose Highways Department has consistently failed to maintain roads, fill potholes, cut hedges and clean filthy road signs in Purbeck. “Welcome to Purbeck”, the signs say. I feel like appending “the district that County forgot”.

At a recent meeting of Worth Matravers Parish Council, I was astonished to learn that some PC decisions on crucial road safety issues had been put to the DCC eleven years ago, and only recently turned down by a Committee - consisting of one man! That safety signage and equipment orders to DCC by the PC had been ignored, even though the PC had expressed willingness to pay for them. That when the PC volunteered to carry out hedging and verge maintenance themselves, to fund necessary yellow lines, to fund new signage, the Highways Authority had refused permission due to ‘insufficient resources’. White lining needs restoring on the Kingston to Langton road but the DCC have quoted £652.78 for the establishment of a ‘gang’, and £800 per mile for the centre lines.

It is now suggested that ‘Health and Safety’ regulations require single carriageway roads to be totally closed before white lines can be painted.

Huh? How did they manage in the past? How many centre-line-painters were killed or injured in the days when stuff got done properly rather than just discussed? Officers visited one particular area of overhanging vegetation in Harmans Cross seven times and still nothing was done.

Shame they didn’t bring pruners!

DCC say that routine road maintenance expenditure is now restricted to ‘safety considerations only’ but the Highways Act 1980 specifies that highways must be maintained for the safe and free flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Travel down any overgrown and potholed lane in Purbeck and tell me that these clowns are doing their jobs properly. And don’t talk to me about ‘resources’ – just re-read my opening paragraphs re executive salaries…….

We did indeed get two very useful public drop-in meetings in Swanage on the subject of the Institute Road traffic schemes. They showed us various plans, listened to what we had to say, and left us feedback forms. The general idea is to restrict loading all the way down Institute Road, and to increase the width of the pavements by making the road single-track. But the loading facilities they proposed were ridiculously impractical.

There is an answer. Remove the four disabled bays from outside the Mowlem and make it ‘loading only’ from 6am to 6pm. Remove the ‘police’ areas opposite and create two short-term disabled bays for disabled drop-off and collection only. If the police are on duty, let them park on the yellows with their blue lights flashing. If they’re just going to Greggs, let them park on meters, the same as the rest of us.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Memories Of Swanage Hospital And Everest Excerpts from “THE HISTORY OF SWANAGE HOSPITAL 1890 –1990” by M. Emms.

1948 – A YEAR TO REMEMBER “Swanage Cottage Hospital, together with the newly-opened Everest Maternity Home and the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, was integrated into the NHS and became part of the Bournemouth and East Dorset Hospital Management Committee. There were seventeen hospitals altogether in the group.

CHRISTMAS CHEER “…During the second world war, the big fire in the hall would be lit on Christmas Day … and for many years after this time Christmas dinner for all mobile patients and for staff would be served on a long table in the hall. Matron carved the turkey …”

EVEREST MATERNITY HOME “The first Maternity Home in Swanage was situated in Ulwell Road and was a private establishment run by a Nurse Howe. “Seychelles” was opened in 1945 and was also privately owned. It closed in 1948…

“Everest” was erected in 1926 by and for local builder, Mr F Pond … in 1940 it was purchased by Mr Branton-Williams who sold it to Swanage Hospital in 1948 …”

In 1976 “An average of 100 babies are born in the unit each year. The mothers coming from as far afield as Lytchett Matravers and Bovington Camp…” “…For several years previous to 1895 there was a convalescent hospital in Swanage – in a number of converted cottages in the High Street … accommodating six patients…” “…By the early 20th century, Swanage had a permanent ‘Sanitary Hospital’ at Rothelstone House, Herston for those suffering from infectious diseases, the responsibility of the local authority …”

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL “In 1919 the Red Cross Children’s Hospital was opened in Peveril Road as a War Memorial intended for the children of Dorset men who had served or were serving their country. Most of the children came from Swanage

and East Dorset. By 1927 there was accommodation for 30 children … surgical, medical and convalescent cases were admitted…On the 5th July 1948 this was taken over and became the children’s hospital for the area…

It was closed in 1954…

“In the original bye-laws the duties of matron were spelt out in detail including … “The Matron shall reside in the hospital and devote her whole time and attention exclusively to the affairs of the Hospital … and shall not be absent for a night, or for any lengthened time during the day, without arrangement with the honorary secretary” and “…Should the matron or nurse desire occasionally to ask female relatives for a short visit, the previous consent of the committee must be obtained …but on no account are the ward beds to be occupied by such a friend. The charge for washing is extra…”

NURSES HOME “…urgent space for nursing staff was a necessity and In June 1952, a house known as “The Cottage” in Newton Road was converted to serve as a nurses’ home….This was in use until 1965 when it was sold, most of the nursing staff then living out. A few years later, however, in 1971 the lack of residential accommodation for staff was considered to be a contributory factor to the difficulty of filling posts …”

PATIENT CHARGES AT SWANAGE HOSPITAL IN 1942 Women from Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck 4/6d per day Men from Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck 4/6d per day Children 8-18 3/-d per day Men and women beyond the Isle of Purbeck £2/2/0d per week Children 8-16 beyond the Isle of Purbeck £1/10/0d per week Separate rooms if available £5/5/0d per week …After 5th July 1948 when the hospital was handed over to the NHS, fees were no longer charged in the general wards”…. “During the 1940s, despite incredible fund-raising events, donations and subscriptions, during the expenditure exceeded income each year by amounts between £20 and £170. In 1947 the year before the advent of the NHS the deficit rose to £530. Swanage Cottage Hospital was not alone among the nation’s hospitals finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.”

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dorchester Author Wins Writing Prize

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he 2018 Hall & Woodhouse DLF Writing Prize has been won by Philip Browne, author of ‘The Unfortunate Captain Peirce and the Wreck of the Halsewell.’

The winning book, a historical biography, was selected from a shortlist of three at an award ceremony on Thursday 12th July at the Duchess of Cornwall, Poundbury, Dorchester.

The competition, organized by the Dorchester Literary Festival is open to writers from Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall of published works of fiction, non-fiction, or short stories based in or closely related to those counties. In this first year, there were more than fifty entries.

‘The Unfortunate Captain Peirce and the Wreck of the Halsewell’ deals with the life of an 18th century mariner whose East India Company ship, was wrecked in tragic circumstances on the Purbeck coast in 1786.

After receiving the prize of £1,000 from Kate Adie, Philip Browne of Dorchester said, ‘I am delighted and honoured to have won this prize, particularly against such strong competition. The story of the Halsewell is a dramatic one and, I hope, this award will bring it to a wider readership.’

The book is published by Hobnob Press and is also available from Amazon in Kindle format.

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

Call 07836 369969

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Steam Service between Swanage and Norden Tuesday 24th July to Sunday 2nd September steam trains will operate every 40 minutes 10:00 – 18:00 between Norden and Swanage calling at Corfe Castle, Harmans Cross and Herston Halt. Adult £13 Return, Child (5-15) £8 Return, Family (2A + 3C) £37 Return.

Diesel Service between Wareham and Corfe Castle (operated by South Western Railway) Diesel services between Wareham and Corfe Castle operating Saturdays only until 8th September three times a day.

Depart Wareham 11:17, 12:40, 14:40. Depart Corfe Castle 12:10, 14:10, 15:45.

Arrive Corfe Castle 11:35, 12:57, 14:57. Arrive Wareham 12:36, 14:36 16:06. Adult £5 Return, Child (5-15) £2.50 Return. Tickets available online from South Western Railway, on the train or from the booking office at Wareham Station.

Swanage Carnival and Regatta Sat 28th July – Sat 4th August Steam trains will operate every 40 minutes between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage 10:00 - 18:00. Fireworks specials will operate on Saturday 28th July, Wednesday 1st and Saturday 4th August. Please see website for times.

Classic Transport Rally at Harmans Cross Friday 7th – Sunday 9th September Travel by train to enjoy a superb array of classic road transport from yesteryear with displays of vintage vehicles and motorcycles, classic cars, commercials, tractors and stationary engines. Stalls and Refreshments.

Full details of all our events, dining trains, timetables and fares can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Town Council Update

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

News from Wareham Town Council – June he application by Dorset County Council (DCC) to build a multi ramp over the level crossing at Wareham Station had been made to the DCCs Regulatory Committee and at the public meeting on June 14th at the Springfield Hotel, Stoborough, the Committee refused planning permission unanimously.

An excellent result for the town. The favoured solution is to use the existing gates connected to the existing signalling system, thus negating the need for a man in a hut. However, vigilance is advised as Network Rail might try and find another solution.

NHS Dorset has agreed that the Wareham Middle School site should be used for a new surgery. The Wareham Youth Centre has now got a lease for twenty-five years.

The Saxon Sword was welcomed back to Wareham Museum at a recent special meeting.

The Wareham in Bloom committee is very grateful to all its sponsors and most recently to those who have worked on the station and flyover roundabouts, setting a clay truck in the original eighty-year-old track in the centre of the latter and planting it up. Further enhancements will come in the autumn.

The Rotary Club has sponsored a bench outside the Alms Houses. The base has now been set.

The consultation period for the Neighbourhood Plan ended on July 30th.

It now goes on to the next stage. There had been well attended drop in meetings at Carey and the Corn Exchange.

The end of year financial report has been audited and accepted by the Town Councillors.

Purbeck District Council (PDC) approved a supplementary payment from reserves of an estimated £134,000 as its additional share of early set-up costs of the new Dorset Council, needed before its final implementation in the next financial year (2019/20).

The public is invited to attend the next meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday August 14th at 7pm in the Town Hall (not the 8th as previously advertised).

Further information is available on 01929 553006 or at the website, www.wareham-tc.gov.uk

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SEPTEMBER EDITION DEADLINE: 12 noon on 9th AUGUST FEATURE: ‘Purbeck Pastimes & Pleasures’

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

Lifeboat Charity Celebrates Five Years Since Newest Lifeboat

n July, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated five years since the first Shannon class lifeboat was introduced to the RNLI fleet.

Designed by the charity’s own team of engineers, the £2.2M Shannon class lifeboat is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by water jets rather than propellers.

Swanage Lifeboat Station received their Shannon class lifeboat just over two years ago. Waterjets allow the Shannon to operate in shallow waters in area covered by Swanage lifeboat and when precision really matters, such as operating alongside a stricken vessel or navigating around hazards, they come into their own.

Swanage Lifeboat Coxswain, Dave Turnbull said ‘The manoeuvrability of the Shannon is amazing. For most of our rescues we are required to work close to the cliffs or come alongside other vessels, the waterjets let us do this with ease, even in challenging conditions’.

The process of creating a new all-weather lifeboat began back in 2005. An early ‘off-the-shelf’ boat design from an outside company underwent sea trials but it was found that the crews were subject to too much impact in rough weather.

The RNLI went back to the drawing board and used in-house engineers to create a design that would minimise this. RNLI Naval Architect Peter Eyre, only twenty-four years old at the time, came up with a hull shape that that was carefully optimised to reduce the risk of both vertical and sideways slamming forces.

The resulting hull features a narrow bow designed to cut through the water which is counteracted by very wide aft sections that help keep the boat steady and upright. It cuts through the waves while remaining stable in rough conditions.

The RNLI aims for its lifeboats to reach at least 90% of all casualties within ten nautical miles of the coast within thirty minutes of launch in all weathers. In the vast majority of cases, this is achieved. The Shannon class at Swanage helps the volunteer crew meet this target as it is capable of operating at twenty-five knots.

Although each Shannon class lifeboat is expected to have an operational lifetime of twenty-five years, the life expectancy of the Shannon’s hull and wheelhouse is fifty years.

So, after twenty-five years of service, the Swanage Shannon lifeboat will undergo a total refit where the machinery, systems and equipment will be renewed or replaced, and the hull and wheelhouse reused – creating a new Shannon class lifeboat ready to save lives at sea for a further twenty-five years.

2018 has been a busy year for Swanage Lifeboat Station, having launched to more rescues than the same time last year. Therefore, with the summer holidays still to come the volunteer expect to busier than ever.

The volunteers at Swanage RNLI are also preparing for their lifeboat week (10th to 19th of August) and for the first time ever will have an outdoor cinema evening in addition to the popular outdoor theatre night.

On Friday 10th August we will be showing ‘The Greatest Showman’ at Prince Albert Gardens. On Monday 13th August the Rain or Shine Theatre Company will be putting on a production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Pictures: Top: The official launch of the new Shannon class Lifeboat, five years ago.

Following page: left, bottom of page: The crew having some fun during Swanage Lifeboat Week 2017. Above: The Reptiles perform during Swanage Lifeboat Week 2017. All pictures by Tim Crabb.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Out Of The Blue

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ummer is well and truly underway, the schools have shut down for the holidays and the visitor numbers are growing, this means lots of children in fun mode and lots of people in holiday mode. The weather is also very hot which can make tempers short, so even more reason to ensure we are extra vigilant and patient whilst driving.

We all like to think we are safe road users and that we rarely make mistakes, but 98% of all incidents are caused by human error; two of the Fatal Five reasons for this human error are speed and careless, inconsiderate driving.

So, here are a few gentle reminders to all road users about how they can be even safer on the roads: Speed: Check your speedometer regularly Know the limits – check for signs, especially at junctions Street lighting means 30mph until signs say otherwise Remember speed limits are a maximum, not a target Recognise what makes you speed – keeping up with traffic, overtaking or being tailgated Concentrate – distracted drivers speed The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Careless and Inconsiderate Driving: Examples include driving too close, inappropriate speed, eating and drinking at the wheel, poor overtaking, operating a Sat Nav while driving.

There is no standard list, but the Highway code does state that ‘you must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times’.

Concentrate on your driving at all times Observe all around you Anticipate what might happen next Space give space at all times – it gives you time to plan your driving.

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

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Support Wareham’s ‘Life & Laughter’ Garden Book and Craft Fair in aid of Tree of Life & Laughter Community Garden n Saturday 11th August, between 11am and 3pm, the Wareham & District Development Trust will be holding a Book and Craft Fair in the Tree of Life & Laughter Community Garden, to the rear of Wareham Library.

The good people of Purbeck have donated ‘nearly new’ books and locally produced crafts which will all be on sale in the garden, with all proceeds going towards the upkeep of the garden.

The books will be available at 80% off their published price, and the crafts will be at ‘not to be missed’ prices.

‘Now that the redevelopment of the garden is complete we are beginning to put this new community space to more use with events such as this Book and Craft Fair, with all proceeds to be put back into the garden.

More and more events are planned and the community and local business are being encouraged to make use of this unique town centre facility as well,’ says John Scott, Development Manager, WDDT. John Scott, Development Manager, Wareham & District Development Trust, 01929 554236 john@wddt.org.uk www.wddt.org.uk

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ON HOLIDAY? WELCOME TO PURBECK!

WE LOVE OUR ISLAND, SO PLEASE DON’T DROP LITTER DURING YOUR STAY; WE REALLY DON’T LIKE IT! THANK YOU! :)

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

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n August 2008, Richard Simpson and Collette Drayson were inviting everyone to join in with ‘Transition Purbeck’.

The idea was to help us ordinary folk to reconnect with their local communities, re-energise their local economies and change their lives for the better. Part of this was to encourage everyone to become less dependent on oil and other un-sustainable fuels and go back to our grandparent’s way of life, growing our own vegetables and be mindful of reusing and recycling.

At the time there were fifty official Transition Initiatives, including the Isle of Wight, Bristol, Exeter and Bath, with a further 700 communities looking into it.

It was hoped local community groups such as the scouts and guides, art groups, churches and W. I.s would work together and make this change in lifestyle not only educational, but a way of encouraging activities such as storytelling, music and crafts and overall making it fun!

Down to Earth were supporting Transition Purbeck and were to be found at festivals and fetes, in an easy-to-find pie shaped yurt, raising awareness and supporting local groups.

Young journalist, Mya Pope-Weidemann (working under a mentor programme at the Gazette at the time), investigated the problems of sailing around our beautiful coastline and wanting to spend some time and money – on shore in Swanage.

The problems arose when you tried to land and come ashore to access the town. The public slipway – at the square – although free to land, must be kept clear at all times and has no spaces available to park one’s dinghy.

More importantly, it is completely inaccessible at low tide, meaning it is useless for approximately 50% of the time! Then there is the stone pier, although not dependent on the tide and offering stone steps for reasonably easy access, it does have its own issues. The pleasure boats pay the council for the privilege to park there, making it impossible for other crafts to pull up alongside.

Surely as a seaside town there should have been be an easier way a decade ago of encouraging the tourists here to enjoy the delights we have to offer, spend their money (bringing in much needed revenue to line the pockets of our local businesses)? Encouraging people and their wallets into the area is a necessary requirement that never changes - and sadly, access to and from the sea is something which has still not been addressed in Swanage whatsoever - leaving us in the ridiculous position of remaining one of the least accessible seaside tourist destinations to sea-based visitors. You literally couldn’t make it up.....

If boats weren’t your thing, you may have enjoyed the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala in August 2008 (picture, above).

You could travel back and forth from Swanage to Norden without having the nightmare of parking in Swanage at the height of the season. Whether you used it as a way to commute for work, an exciting way for the whole family to start a holiday, as a fan of steam or diesel trains or just a way to arrive in style, directly in to the centre of Swanage. The Gala included beautiful floral displays at all the stations and the chance to win £1,000 in the Gala raffle.

Another topic which was (and still is) being debated and disputed was TB in cattle and the suggested badger cull. It raised all kinds of emotions in our readers; anger, upset and relief. With scientists, farmers, animal lovers, badger groups and ministers to name a few, taking sides and fighting from all angles. Would it help? Were the badgers at fault? Should we give it a try, or should we leave nature to sort itself?

The arguments for or against culling badgers to lessen the risk of TB to cattle remain to this day, despite recent scientific evidence suggesting that badgers were never to blame for the spread of TB to cattle in the first place..... maybe in the 2028 ‘Blast from the Past’ there may be a solution (and hopefully one which does not involve slaughtering the wildlife willynilly) - watch this space!

Dorset Wildlife Trust reported repeated sightings of pregnant Seahorses in Studland Bay, with both Spiny and Short Snouted Seahorses in residence.

The eelgrass habitat was only two metres below the surface and the Trust had serious concerns with regards to the danger posed by boat anchors dragging the eelgrass up and destroying the habitat. It had recently been made an offence to cause damage to the habitat of these protected species...

The Purbeck Gazette

Tanks To The Princess Royal

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n Friday May 18th, The Princess Royal opened the new workshop at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset. She also viewed a restored World War Two Matilda II tank that has been named in her honour.

The workshop is the fourth phase of the museum’s redevelopment which has received £14m in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund over the last twelve years. It is named the ‘Gilchrist Conservation Workshop’ after Peter Gilchrist CB – the outgoing chairman of trustees who have overseen the project. Situated next to the Vehicle Conservation Centre, the workshop will enable far more work to be carried out on the museum’s world-beating collection.

As she opened the state-of-the-art facility, The Princess Royal expressed how pleased she was that there was a large educational element to it. She mentioned how it would benefit apprentices and those taking internships.

She congratulations all those involved; volunteers, staff, and those who contributed to making a success of the museum and raising its profile not just in Dorset but worldwide.

Outgoing chairman of trustees, Peter Gilchrist CB, said the day had been planned twenty years ago when it was decided to make Bovington home to the ‘best tank museum in the world.’ Museum director Richard Smith also addressed the guests and thanked all those who had been part of the project. He revealed that the first restoration project in the new workshop would be a Churchill tank.

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Worth Fete Raises £4,500 For Local Charities

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t was another successful Fête in Worth on a glorious May Bank Holiday. The stalls, the games, the food and drink, chatting with friends old and new all added up to a splendid day, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and in the process netted £4,500 for local charities.

The focus of the Fête group was to raise funds for local charities that benefitted the young, the old and those in need in addition to the residents of Worth. The five charities selected all attended the presentation of the cheques, they were: MyTIME Outdoor Centre in Worth supporting young carers. Beverley Chiddle said that they are a young and vibrant charity whose vision is to ensure that every young carer in the UK has access to our life changing support and that young carers of the past will support the young carers of the future. She went on to say that from their Outdoor Centre in Worth Matravers MyTIME works to help heroic young carers across Dorset and the UK to take a welldeserved break and have some fun whilst learning and growing amongst others in a similar position, so that they feel less alone and not forgotten. For more information about this very worthwhile charity visit www.mytimecharity.co.uk The Link Visiting Scheme in Swanage to counteract loneliness and isolation of people in our community. Alan Dominey said, “It is encouraging that the ill effects of loneliness and isolation are now more widely recognised with a Minister for Loneliness being appointed. And on the ground, as our work becomes better known we are getting regular requests for visitors.” So his appeal is for more volunteers to visit and befriend people. In their recent Newsletter, Debbie Durnford of Purbeck Social Services, said, “It is a great relief to have this service. Befriending makes a huge difference in people’s lives giving both the visited and the visitor something to look forward to; something to raise their mood.” For more information about becoming a visitor or about being visited email swanage@linkinglives.uk Swanage Foodbank is a place where donated food is distributed to those in need or in an emergency. It offers a confidential and friendly service for the less fortunate members of our community and especially those in food poverty. At the presentation Pauline Werba said that many people in Purbeck have been hit by the economic downturn and are experiencing a crisis not of their making such as changes in benefit and a myriad of debt problems through divorce, sickness, bereavement, redundancy, rising food and fuel prices and low wages all leading to a rise in people turning to the Foodbank. She went on to say that the Foodbank has helped over 500 families already this year. For donations look for the large blue donation bins in the three main supermarkets in Swanage and food collection boxes at the back of Worth and Langton Churches.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a registered charity, established to provide fast relief from sickness and injury for the people of Dorset and Somerset, by the provision of an air ambulance. We bring the hospital to the patient … quickly, wherever you are. In a competition a couple of years ago to name our mascot the winning name was DASHER. Dorset and Somerset Helicopter Emergency Rescue. That pretty much sums up what we do. At the meeting Lorraine Ottewill added some facts, “We receive no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and rely on the generosity of the public for support. Our operational costs are over £2.5 million a year and the approximate cost per mission is £3,000. Since our launch in 2000 we have flown more than 12,500 missions”.

Isolated as we are in Purbeck and with many visitors seeking to enjoy

our wonderful coast we are very much aware of the benefits of this very special service. In Worth they were called out twice in the last year to local residents, one of whom was with us on the night, John Strange the volunteer photographer for the presentations. He explained that even though in the end after his very traumatic accident he was taken overland to hospital, the help given on the ground by the paramedics from the Air Ambulance was amazing. To learn more about this life saving operation visit www.dsairambulance.org.uk Worth Matravers Village Hall for the installation of a new audio-visual facility to allow the residents and users of our splendid old Village Hall the opportunity to experience high quality projection onto a large dropdown screen to show complete films or make presentations or create any picture show they desire. It will be easy to operate, we are assured, using the latest technology so that if a weekend booking of walkers or Brownies want to show the pictures they have taken during their day out in the countryside, they will be able to present a really professional job.

Nick Viney, the Village Hall Chair said, “Our mission is to create the best possible facility we can for the village, for our residents and our hirers and this will go a long way towards meeting the expectations of today’s hi-tech users”. For more information about the Village Hall go to www. worthmatraversvillagehall.org The presentation evening began with a glass of wine whilst everybody got to learn a little more about one another and what they are trying to accomplish and they left feeling that whilst they may still have much to do in the pursuit of their goals something very worthwhile has been contributed to their journey.

From left to right – at the back Nick Viney, Chair - Worth Village Hall, Peter Handy, Chair - Worth Fête Committee, Jack Ross Fête Organiser. At the front Alan Dominey Link Visiting Scheme, Lorraine Ottewill, Air Ambulance, Pauline Werba, Swanage Food Bank, Katie Francis & Beverley Chiddle, MyTIME Worth for Young Carers.

Book advertising at: www.purbeckgazette.com or call 01929 424239 extension 1 and speak to Kay. SEPTEMBER deadline: noon on 9th August FEATURE: ‘Purbeck Pastimes & Pleasures’

The Purbeck Gazette

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WISH YOU WERE HERE! Wish You Were Here In Sunny Purbeck!

This month’s feature showcases some of the best that Purbeck has to offer to locals and tourists alike.

We proudly supply you with an abundance of services, businesses and loads of different activities to keep you busy and entertained throughout the summer months, regardless of what the British weather has in store for us!

Whatever you find yourself doing just make sure you have a wonderful time, happy holidays all!

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Harmans Cross Field Day 2018

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e are very pleased to confirm our annual Fete will be taking place on August 27th, Bank Holiday Monday. Doors open at noon so don’t be late – you’ll miss the best bargains!

We are happy to announce that the Swanage Town Band will be playing for us. This year we aim to ‘keep it local’.

We have a flower, fruit and vegetable show which opens at 1.30 p.m.

Purbeck Agility are bringing us their ever-popular Dog Agility display, there’s a barbecue, licensed bar, ice-cream sales, along with delicious refreshments in the Village Hall provided by our team of Harmans Cross Ladies ably assisted by Bliss of Swanage.

There’s a cocktail bar, a Grand Raffle with £100 top prize, Tombola, bric-abrac, a book stall, a good selection of children’s rides and inflatables, bouncy castles, trolley ride, darts, wheel-of-fortune, coconut shy, and the usual large range of craft stalls, ending up with an entertaining produce auction.

Still great value family entertainment at only £2, with children under 16 admitted free of charge, representing a great afternoon’s pleasure for the family in this day and age. Parking is free, but why not come on the train to make your day out complete!

Harmans Cross Village Hall is a Registered Charity, and the proceeds of

this annual event go straight to the Village Hall funds, helping to keep the beautiful hall and equipment properly maintained throughout the year.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Motoring

An Economical And Sporting Weekend

by David Hollister

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t’s some time since I drove a Ford and so when Graham Lambert of St Michaels Garage offered me the use of one for a weekend away, I jumped at the chance and we decided to use this as an opportunity to visit James in Bourne End, a round trip of about 220 miles. We’ve done it many times in a wide variety of cars; we even took our own on one occasion!

The Ford EcoSport is a small 5-door SUV with big-car looks and attitude, with very agile handling yet room for four adults to travel in comfort. It sits pleasantly high off the ground, meaning that we could ease our way into it rather than lowering ourselves into it; a real benefit for those of us who are – shall we say – less flexible than we used to be. And the roof height doesn’t interfere with your hairdo, either! The driver’s seat has full lumbar adjustment, but I have to ask – why doesn’t the passenger enjoy the same facilities?

Although the EcoSport was first launched in 2013, this is a comprehensive update and a significant improvement. The model we drove was the 1.0 EcoBoost ST-Line 125ps Petrol 6-speed with 0-60 in 12.7 seconds and a theoretical maximum speed of 111 mph. We tested the first claim and ignored the second…. with two people on board, the 3-cylinder engine performed adequately and what more could you wish for? This isn’t a car for ‘whoomph’, it’s a small car for practical and economic motoring and as such does it very well. We achieved just under 45mpg as against the claimed 54.3 mpg, pretty good considering I kept forgetting to use 6th gear because the engine was so quiet. It’s also just become available in 4-wheel drive but really? Do you need 4wd in a small-town car?

The appearance is enhanced by the front grille with chrome trim surround, and the body coloured door mirrors. The ST-Line also offers unique sporty-looking bumpers and side skirts.

It corners really well without too much body roll, which taking into account its height (1.65 metres, or 5 feet 4 in old money) was an unexpected bonus. I like height. Being small (5 foot 9 in old money and built-up shoes), I normally have to pump the driving seat up to the maximum and on this occasion, the forward vision was so good that I didn’t have to! The ground clearance is comparable with a real 4x4, a really good feature for high kerbs and bumpy off-road driving.

The interior is well laid out and a pleasure to sit in. I liked the partial-leather seat trim with red stitching which design feature, continued on the heated steering wheel and the floor mats, lent a touch of class. The 8-inch touch

Summer Drink Driving Campaign - Update

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total of sixty-four people have been charged with drink driving offences during Dorset Police’s summer drink driving campaign (at the time of writing).

They were due to appear at courts in Poole and Weymouth in July and August. The police campaign ran from Friday 1 June 2018 to Monday 16 July 2018 to coincide with the World Cup. Throughout the operation officers requested breath tests from all drivers involved in road traffic collisions, irrespective of whether or not they suspect a drink driving offence. Motorists were also tested during routine stop checks and if they were stopped for any other driving offence.

As in previous campaigns, anyone charged with a drink driving related offence during the campaign will have had their name and court appearance details released to the media.

If you suspect someone of drink driving, please call police immediately on 999 with the vehicle registration number and direction of travel.

To pass information about someone who regularly drives under the influence of alcohol, please visit www.dorsetroadsafe.org.uk and click on ‘know a dangerous driver?’

Members of the public can also email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101.

screen brought us a rear-view camera and plenty of trip information from the computer, as well as a simple and usable Sat-Nav. The B & O entertainment system offers DAB and FM radio, Bluetooth for your music and hands-free phone calls, and handy USB points in clear view rather than hidden away as you find in all too many cars. Or don’t find, as the case may be. It will sync with your phone, managing your texts, apps, etc with voice control. So, I am told. I still have trouble understanding not how, but why? I particularly liked the front and rear parking sensors, which probably save my no-claim bonus a few times.

The optional HID xenon headlights are more than twice as powerful as conventional headlights, using only two thirds of the energy. In the countryside, these are a ‘must’.

The EcoTec has keyless power start with auto-stop to save you fuel at those annoying traffic lights, and the usual electric locks and windows.

Although it’s a compact car – based loosely on a Ford Fiesta – the tumblefold rear seats provide a really usable 1238 litres load space big enough to fit a bike with just one wheel removed.

The only real negative I found about the EcoSport was the rear door, opening sideways rather than up-and-down, which is a real pain when you get back from the shops to discover that someone has parked tight up to you. Sorry, Ford, but I think this is a ‘howler’!

The car I drove was Frozen White with the optional 18-inch shadow black machined alloy wheels. Looks good in the photo and in reality, too!

And my verdict? Would I buy one? Well, it’s ideal for our bumpy road, for us being short people, for the 119 gm CO2 emissions, for the fuel economy, the style and practicality.

If we were in the market right now with £21,745 to spend, including about £1000 for the optional extras like the 18-inch wheels, front parking sensors, and the fully openable sunroof, then quite possibly.

Would you buy one? It you’re in the market right now then why not pop along to St Michaels Garage in Harmans Cross and take a test-drive before this super little car is snapped up by somebody else!

Don’t decide on your next new car till you’ve driven this one. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Call Graham Lambert on 01929 480 221 for further details and to arrange a test drive.

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2018 (18) Ford Eco Sport ST Line 1.0 125 platinum white, our demonstrator vehicle, sunroof, ungraded alloys, sat nav, cruise control, lots of features, lovely example.................................................£19,995 2018 (18) Ford NEW Fiesta 1.0 Active Ecoboost B+O, 3k miles petrol, manual, frozen white, remote central locking, electric windows, electric mirrors, air conditioning, climate control, power steering, driver’s airbag, passenger airbag, alarm, immobilser, alloy wheels, B&O play premium sound system with Ford SYNC 3 navigation, door edge protectors, full LED headlamps, rear view camera, our demonstrator...........................................................................£17,995 2016 (66) Ford Ka + Zetec 13k miles, white, 5-door, petrol, remote central locking, electric windows, electric mirrors, ABS, Air conditioning, power steering, driver’s airbag, passenger’s airbag, side airbags, cruise control, immobiliser, alloys..............................................£8,495 2015 (15) Suzuki Swift 1.2 S23. 3-dr, white, sat nav, air con, electric windows, 27k miles...................................................................£6,295 2015 (15) Ford KA Zetec 3-dr, red, Air con, electric windows, alloys, remote central locking, 25k miles.............................................£5,975 2013 (63) Ford B-Max Titanium 1.0 Ecoboost 1.25 Ps Manual, frozen white, parking sensors, folding mirrors, 32k miles....................£8,695

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Business Economic Review Of The 2nd Quarter Of 2018

During the three months to end of June 2018, the FTSE 100 index rose by 8.22% and by 4.43% over the 12-month period. The FTSE All-World Sterling Index rose by 7.80% and by 6.90% respectively over the same periods.

Charles Stanley has summarised its views on the global position as follows: ‘Volatility returned to markets in 2018 amid concerns that the bull run which has been in place since 2008 was starting to lose steam. However, inflation in developed markets remains relatively subdued, global growth is accelerating, and corporate earnings growth remain robust.’

The US continues to cause some concern over their trade war, as Donald Trump feels that the US has been treated unfairly by other countries including China and Germany, however, things do seem to be calming down a little, which is probably helped by the prospect of the mid-term elections in November. The US economy is still viewed as strong.

In Europe, Italy caused a few shockwaves following the election which saw parties who were anti-immigration and anti-austerity elected, although a summit in Brussels has resolved some of the immigration issues.

In the UK, the issue of Brexit continues to dominate the political agenda some two years after the actual vote took place, but the stock market seems to be taking it all in its stride. UK base rates remain at 0.5% partly due to subdued growth rates and are expected to be kept on hold at the August meeting too.

The FTSE 100 Index has been performing strongly and reached an all-time closing high of 7903.5 in May, helped by the rising oil price and subdued sterling, as many UK companies have substantial earnings from overseas.

Charles Stanley’s outlook is generally positive: ‘The global corporate earnings season has been strong, and growth is expected to accelerate in the second quarter.

The outlook for equities remains positive, particularly in the US, Asia and emerging markets, although a sustained period of dollar strength could hit valuations in the latter and any escalation of a trade war would be negative.’

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 is a trading name of Charles Stanley & Co. Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and investors may not receive back the amount originally invested.

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Marriage Allowance HMRC is urging eligible married couples and civil partners to claim a free tax break worth up to £238 per year, as official data suggests that more than a million couples are ‘missing out’.

According to the data, nearly three million couples have claimed the Marriage Allowance to date. The allowance enables spouses to transfer a fixed amount of their personal allowance (PA) to their partner.

The Marriage Allowance is available to married couples and civil partners where one partner pays tax at the basic rate and the lower earner has an income of £11,850 or less. Where a couple is eligible, one partner is permitted to transfer 10% of their PA to the other (£1,190 for the 2018/19 tax year). Where one partner does not use all of their PA, the benefit will be up to £238 – equating to 20% of £1,190.

HMRC stated that a new online application process has made applying for the Marriage Allowance easier, and that eligible couples could receive backdated claims of up to £662, given as a lump sum.

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Happy With Your Healthcare?

Don’t Be Afraid To Compain

Dorset Chamber Update

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irms across Dorset will be able to tap into vital business support following a high-profile contract win by Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry. With 700-plus members across urban and rural areas, DCCI has been awarded the contract for the Dorset Gateway business support brokerage service by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership in a competitive tender.

News of the contract was given to 120 attendees at the DCCI’s Annual President’s Lunch at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel. In his opening address, DCCI chief executive Ian Girling said the Dorset Gateway one-stop shop, providing a single point of contact for business support, will be open to non-members as well as members.

Afterwards, Ian said: “The Chamber is well placed to deliver vital business support to firms which would benefit from a range of services to help them expand and generate jobs and inward investment. This is very much a gateway to growth.”

In his presidential address, Paul Tansey, who leads Poole-based businessto-business marketing agency Intergage, paid tribute to the DCCI’s tangible energy. “Almost every Chamber event is sold out and members say they love being part of this community. The Chamber is buzzing and it feels like it’s in a great place.”

On a sombre note, Paul warned that Dorset’s “young people are struggling to understand the employment opportunities open to them here”. He urged educators, the young and local businesses to get together as stakeholders in the same economic future. To help make that a reality, DCCI is working in partnership with the Careers & Enterprise Company.

On September 26th, at Bournemouth’s BIC, 100 employers will be promoting career opportunities – between 2,000 to 3,000 youngsters will be bussed in from around Dorset. Called the Careers and Apprenticeship Show, it will be the single largest employment event of its type ever held in Dorset, with colleges and universities taking part too. Collaborators for the show include SUN (NCOP), the Careers and Enterprise Company, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DCCI Young Chamber, Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole, Christchurch Borough Council, East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council.

The President’s Lunch, sponsored by regional law firm Trethowans LLP, also heard Paul speak of the fourth industrial revolution – and the opportunities and challenges this poses. “This is an era where sensory and aware objects and machines can listen and speak and connect to a super intelligence in the cloud – and automate away work we do.”

Summing up, Paul said: “Our Chamber is a warm and supportive community for the business leaders of Dorset and we stand for business excellence, business growth and promoting business and its agenda to the wider community.

Hospitals and healthcare providers are central in our society and we rely on them to enable us to enjoy life to the full.

Whilst recognising that much good work is done by individuals working in healthcare, sometimes there are errors with care and treatment.

Sometimes those errors give rise to questions and concerns.

When concerns arise about past or current healthcare, complaining is a worthwhile and important thing to do. For past treatment, it can bring answers to questions and healthcare concerns. It can also mean that systemic failures are identified and rectified.

For concerns with current treatment, it can provide the trigger to correct immediate problems and ensure care stays on the right track How Do I complain?

If you have concerns and are thinking of making a complaint, if you are able, try to review the provider’s complaints system.

Most healthcare providers will have their own complaints policy.

Almost all hospital trusts have a PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) which you can access direct. PALS staff can discuss your concerns with the relevant staff and thereafter answer your questions. As PALS officers are employees of the hospital, the complaint process will be managed internally.

You can alternatively address your complaint to the lead manager of the healthcare provider. For hospitals and companies, you should address your complaint to the Chief Executive; for GPs it’s the Practice Manager.

If you would prefer your complaint to involve help and advice from an outside party, there are a few options.

Manned by staff including volunteers, there are various charitable organisations which may be able to help.

Local Advocacy Charities. There are a number of advocacy charities who specialise in preparing complaints with health and social care. If you live in Dorset, you can access Dorset Advocacy. If you live in Somerset, you can access Swan Advocacy.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is another charity that can help with making complaints. The CAB has close links to Healthwatch (another option) and may refer you to them for help.

Alternatively, you can seek the help of a Solicitor who specialises in healthcare law and is experienced in raising concerns about healthcare. Fees may be charged depending on the service offered.

Which option is best really depending on the type of concern you have. For concerns about waiting times or cancelled procedures, Healthwatch is probably best suited. If your concern relates to illness or injury you have suffered, we would advise seeking help from a solicitor or an advocacy charity.

Further Help If you are not satisfied with the response you receive to your complaint and want to take things further, seek some initial advice from a solicitor. They can consider your case and advise on all your options going forward.

If you have any questions please contact Victoria Knight, a solicitor practising in clinical negligence and healthcare litigation at Battens Solicitors. Tel 01935 846131 Email - Victoria.knight@ battens.co.uk

01935 846456

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From The Kitchen Garden...

Blackcurrant Jam / Creme de Cassis

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alking through the Kitchen Garden this August is just so very different from any August since I’ve been growing food...I can’t quite believe how dry the ground is! Not so many weeks ago I was trudging through soggy ground-there was mud everywhere...

Of course I’m watering a lot- however, even a very good irrigation system can’t beat a healthy shower or a good night’s rain. For many seeds the temperature is too high to germinate, seedlings appear but shrivel in the heat or the plantlets stress and go to seed. On the upside all things Mediterranean is soaking up the blazing sunshine and growing at a speed of knots.

The gooseberry and blackcurrant picking has finished and as always the race was on between me and the birds. I don’t like to use netting so much as songbirds get caught up in it. It’s been a good harvest and my customers appreciate both seasonal crops as they can’t buy them in the shops and many haven’t got a garden. The rhubarb harvest has been good and the crowns are looking strong and healthy. However, the stalks are getting a bit fibrous, so I stop pulling them now and leave the plant to build reserves for next spring.

The spuds are looking in fine fettle although I’ve planted the seed potatoes late this year, as the ground was cold and wet. By the time I got them in, I had to start watering! I’m hoping that maybe this season we might be getting away with no blight-now THAT would be truly unusual!

Of course, the same goes for the tomato crop too.... I can’t wait for them to ripen and bite into a truly vine ripened sun warm tomato- total heaven!

The courgettes have finally settled in their deeply mulched plot, and so to have the winter squashes and pumpkins. I had real trouble this spring to germinate both sorts, as the mice always found the seeds. Anyway, my motto ‘never give up’ seems to have worked and I will have a crop.

The next generation of chickens are doing their pecking best to follow all of mother hen’s instructions. The 1st batch of ducklings has grown into beautiful adults, the 2nd lot is looking tuffty and the 3rd group are still fluffy and bobbing about in their pool.

I know what a lucky girl I am, once I remember to sit still long enough to appreciate all this.

To celebrate I shall pour my-self a lovely cool glass of white wine with a generous splash of homemade Creme de Cassis and here is the recipe:

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden

Ingredients 1 lb/450 g blackcurrants 10 fl oz/250 ml red wine 1 lb 4 oz/560 g sugar Vodka Method Soak the blackcurrants in the red wine for 48 hours. Then put them into a wide pan and heat gently. When the fruit is hot, mash with a potatomasher until pulpy.

Put a jelly bag over a bowl and pour in the pulp. Hang up and let all the liquid pour out, then squeeze out the rest of the juice, which will be quite thick.

Pour back into the saucepan and add the sugar. Heat very gently, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, then keep on the lowest heat possible until the liquid has reduced by about a third. Measure the quantity of syrup you have created and add one part vodka to three of syrup. Pour into clean, sterilized bottles and leave for about a week before opening. SANTE!

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Two Splendid Things In One Place

by John Garner

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s lots of you will no doubt already be aware, a Saxon sword was discovered in Wareham in 1927, although those in the know report it as having been discovered in 1926.

This was a remarkable find for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was discovered purely by chance as excavations for the building of South Bridge proceeded. The sword was found in the bed of the River Frome. Whilst there has been a reproduction of the sword at Wareham museum for a while, the original sword was sent to Dorset County Museum as Wareham didn’t have the facilities at the time to look after it.

Back in my late teens I went to see the Rolling Stones at Roundhay Park in Leeds. I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, but I reasoned that they were getting on a bit in years and it would probably be the last chance to see them live. How little I knew. I digress. Ninety-one years later and it’s the turn of the Wareham Sword to go back on tour. It’s back and you should go and see it, because either it or you might not be around when it tours again. After next year it will return to Dorchester, which might as well be on the dark side of the moon, to tangle rock and roll analogies.

The other evening, I crammed into the town hall in Wareham with lots of other interested folk and listened to a talk by Southampton University’s Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, David Hinton. If nothing else, writing that caused me to look up what the word ‘emeritus’ meant. Now I know, and I’d imagine you already did. An illuminating and informative talk it was.

Not just about the sword, but also about the presence of ‘Viking’ raiding parties and their legacies.

I learnt a great deal. The Vikings were not really known as that at the time. They were raiders from the northern areas but didn’t really have a collective name or nationality. Whatever they were known as, they were very good at raiding. Their ships were quick and sat high in the water.

This enabled them to get into shallow areas and with rowers and sails, they could do this with great speed.

On seeing such fearsome warriors hurtling up the river, I imagine that Wareham emptied more quickly than a crowded room when Piers Morgan gets up to speak. And that’s quick. I learnt that they were pretty fierce, but the horns sticking outside the helmets during battle are an affectation.

They may have adorned their helmets for other reasons, but horned helmets aren’t really very practical or indeed useful when you were out and about pillaging.

The sword was one of a number of artefacts found in river beds. Its country of origin is unclear and it has the mystical ‘Aethel… owns me’ on the horn grip. All of this adds to the aura and whilst lots of supposition may exist as to the provenance of the sword, the fact remains that in around 900

AD, it found itself into the bed of the river. Pretty cool eh?

Whilst at the talk I had a chance to look around the rest of Wareham Museum. For those of you wishing to know a bit more about the history of Wareham there is no finer place. There are areas devoted to the Sword and Saxon Wareham. There is a section on T. E. Lawrence who lived out his last years at Clouds Hill, near Bovington.

There’s a dinosaur section (as there should be in any self-respecting museum within the vicinity of the Jurassic coast). Areas are given over to discovered pottery, archaeology and the great fire of Wareham. There’s also a fascinating section on Wareham during World War 1. It’s amazing what they’ve done. It’s small, but perfectly formed!

I confess to often finding museums very tiring places. I try to take in as much as I can, knowing that there is so much more to see and overstretch my diminutive brain. Visits to the Natural History Museum now have to be split into manageable sections.

As someone with a very short attention span, Wareham Museum allows for someone such as myself to get my historical fix, whilst still leaving plenty to investigate on another visit. In short, it’s the perfect museum.

From now on I am going to measure my attention spans in Wareham Museums. 1 Wareham Museum being the optimum amount of information I can take in on a single trip.

Not only is it a brilliant museum, but it’s now a unit of measuring time and concentration. This article is a prime example. It has taken me three or four ‘Wareham Museums’ to write and has taken me three or four attempts to complete.

The other day someone told me they’d been to see The Rolling Stones the night before in London. Thirty-six years after I went to see them on what I thought was their farewell tour. They’re still going strong by all accounts, which is remarkable in itself as some of the band members are older than some of the exhibits in the museum. Some members are also showing more signs of age and decay. Let’s hope the Wareham sword is a regular visitor over the years and that it will be inspiring people to go to the museum for years to come.

I urge you to visit the museum in Wareham. I came out of the talk and museum the other night already thinking about what words I could use to describe it. As I left someone turned to the person next to them and said: ‘Well. Wasn’t that just splendid?’

‘Splendid’ sums it up very well indeed.

Picture supplied by Ben Buxton to accompany last month’s article ‘Return of the Sword’.

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Cat Carers Needed!

Caring cat carers desperately needed for local feline charity he Weymouth & District Branch of Cats Protection are on the prowl for people who are passionate about cats to help volunteer for them. The branch, which is run entirely by volunteers, needs people who can offer a temporary home to one or more cats whilst they get back on their paws.

Covering the Weymouth, Portland, Swanage, Wareham, Corfe, Dorchester, Bridport and surrounding areas, in 2017 the branch cared for and found new homes for 154 cats and kittens and, so far this year, that figure is seventy-four.

“Cat fosterers play a vital role in our charity by caring for cats in their own home until a new owner can be found,” said Nicola Parry, Cats Protection’s Area Branch Development Manager. “No special equipment is needed but cat fosterers do need to have either a spare room or an area in their garden where a cat pen can be housed and, of course, a love of cats is a must. The charity will provide plenty of assistance and support materials for all fosterers. Offering a temporary home to a cat in need can be an incredibly rewarding experience and becoming a volunteer for Cats Protection is a great way to meet new friends – both human and feline!”

Other volunteers are also required at the Cats Protection branch, including a Fundraising Team Leader, general fundraisers, a Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator and a Publicity Officer. Nicola Parry says: “All these roles are vital to the successful running of the branch. Between them they provide a welcoming and stimulating space for cats when they arrive in our care while they are awaiting their forever homes; they help us reach a wider audience and to raise vital funds. By sparing just a couple of hours a week it can make a huge difference to needy cats. We work hard to match people’s skills, interests and time availability to the roles on offer so if you have something to contribute, please do get in touch.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity. The Weymouth & District Branch is part of the charity’s nationwide network of over 250 volunteer-run branches, 36 centres and over 100 charity shops that together help around 200,000 cats and kittens each year. Anyone interested in the roles can visit https://www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/ find-an-opportunity, email bsuwewni@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741 995 for more information.

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

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his month, not only am I encouraging you out into your own garden but also suggesting you might like to go out and visit someone else’s garden to relax in and get some ideas. One of the most inspirational gardens in Dorset is evolving right here in Purbeck.

The Holme gardens are a mix of both formal and informal areas with features such as the Palm Garden, Butterfly meadow, Pear Tunnel and Cutting Garden.

The informal areas are designed to entice not only gardeners but also to attract wildlife. Bees, butterflies, birds and even badgers are all regular visitors. There is a young arboretum, a butterfly meadow, Lavender Avenue and Holme Henge but if it’s wild flowers you like then the two-acre flower field is a must see, with millions of annual blooms accompanied by the humming of bees.

Despite the hot, dry weather, the gardens are blooming well, albeit with the help of overnight watering, and there are areas of shade with benches for you to sit and admire the sights.

There is interest in the gardens throughout the year, although summer is the best time to visit with dazzling Dahlias, colourful Crocosmia, Red Hot Pokers and sensational Sunflowers, all vying for your attention.

The garden centre has many rare and unusual plants and the farm shop is full of fantastic local foods. Dogs are welcome, parking is easy and with a day visit just £3 for an adult, (children go free if visiting with an adult,) and a season ticket only £10, if you visit just one garden this summer make sure it’s Holme!

Pictures: Top left: The Al Fresco seating around the ponds at the Orchard Cafe.

Beneath: Floral Firework show at Holme this summer.

Top this column: Two acres of mixed annuals in the Flower Field.

Left: Holme grow over twenty varieties of Red Hot Poker at their best in early August. Below: Holme Henge is constructed of two-ton Purbeck stone monoliths

The Purbeck Gazette

At the time of writing I can reveal that whilst Guillemots’ eggs appeared to evade Raven predation a few fledglings on the sea were observed being consumed by Great Black Back Gulls.

Such is the cycle of life.

Our Fairy and Elf Trail continues through the woodland, where you may be lucky to see Holly Blues, Speckled Woods and the rare Purple Hairstreak butterflies. Long Tailed Tits and Treecreepers will be joined by their migratory friends the Spotted and Pied Flycatchers to feast on the abundance of insects.

Our meadows still full of colour and butterflies will continue to thrive through August, with Adonis, Chalkhill Blues, Lulworth Skippers and Silver Y moths being particularly abundant.

With the school holidays already well underway, Squashbox Theatre present Tales from the Trees on 17th August, a fantastic show of puppetry, storytelling, live music and comedy from Kneehigh’s Craig Johnson. If you are feeling creative join them after the show to take part in a puppet making workshop.

The Guild of Glass Engravers are in the Fine Foundation Gallery, exhibiting Contemporary Engraved Glass until 16th August. You can have a go yourself if you are inspired by their beautiful work. We will also soon see the incredible work

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of Robin Mackenzie when he opens his exhibition on 20th August ‘Jurassic Coast.’

If you fancy having a go with your kids, we have two Art Workshops with Peter Rush (artist and Jackanory illustrator) coming up so you can get sculpting with recycled and repurposed materials, wire and paper on 25th and 26th August.

If sculpting isn’t your thing, why not join Madelaine Devenay on 19th August for a Mixed Media Workshop? With colourful flowers such as Autumn Lady’s Tresses, Purple Felwort, the strange Carline Thistle and butterfly migrants like the Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow, you’ll surely be inspired.

As Glow-Worms gradually disappear, why not come to see the starry night sky at one of our Stargazing events with Wessex Astronomical Society.

The Durlston Explorer (Purbeck Breezer Route 5) continues to run daily between 10am and 5pm until 23rd September.

Do visit our website or read our events leaflet for further details!

For more details of the above and booking, please visit: www. durlston.co.uk/events/aspx

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Wareham In Bloom - News Update

udging day in the regional South and South East in Bloom Competition took place on 17th July. By the time you read this, Wareham in Bloom will be preparing for the national Britain in Bloom judges in early August.

It has been a very hot summer and strenuous efforts have been made to keep the flower displays watered, dead-headed and looking their best for the judges. The theme this year is red, white and blue in commemoration of the ending of the First World War. Sponsorship has been excellent, topped off with an offer from Wareham Rotary to sponsor a bench with WIB and the Almshouse Trust, in memory of one of their late members. The bench will be placed on the front lawn of the Alms houses in West Street and dedicated this summer.

Phase 4 of the A351 Wareham Roundabout project is now completed.

The clay industry handcart has been planted up with summer flowers and a large piece of Portland stone encasing a fossilised tree has been installed.

There will be some grass seeding on the perimeter and low-level planting in the autumn. Wareham in Bloom has worked with Dorset County Council on this scheme with all funding provided by Andrews Plant Hire Ltd, a very generous gesture for the community, in addition to their cleaning of the South Bridge.

We look forward to our national and regional judging results in September plus our own judging for the local Wareham in Bloom and Allotments competition for the awards ceremony in October. Floreat Wareham!

Rod Curtis, Wareham in Bloom Publicity Officer.

Pics: Wareham Roundabout project showing clay industry handcart and fossilised tree (right), plus Wareham in Bloom in the town centre 2018.

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Coast Set For Conservation Boost If all six sites get better protection we’ll all feel the benefit too, says Marine Conservation Society ix marine sites around Dorset, from ones right on the coast to others miles offshore, could get a special protected status by 2019, but only if the public gets behind them now, says the UK’s leading marine charity.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) says the third and final round of proposed Marine Conservation Zone designations, until recently the subject of a public consultation, could result in 40% of English seas being protected.

At the time of publication, the public consultation (sadly barely promoted or advertised locally as far as we were aware) had closed.

The importance of protecting our seas has been made clear in recent high-profile TV shows and news stories which have highlighted the poor state of health of our oceans.

But while we can all reduce our reliance on plastic and feel like we’re doing something to help, it’s much harder to see how we can have any influence on damage being done to the seabed in locations we may never visit.

Forty-one proposed Marine Conservation Zones in English waters were put forward for public consultation by the Government on June 8th. If the Government didn’t hear that there is strong public support they may not designate all of the sites.

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The charity originally called on people in Dorset to get behind the six proposed sites around the county’s coastline to ensure they become a reality. Hopefully in the next edition we will be able to update you on the results of the public ‘consultation’ and the success (or lack of) of protecting these suggested zones.

The six suggested sites in Dorset are: Albert Fields. About 20km south of Poole, it includes a mosaic of varied seabed habitat types including muds, sands, gravels, cobbles and boulders.

Purbeck Coast. The seabed here is rocky reef, gravel, cobbles and sand and is home to a number of rare marine wildlife and plants.

South of Portland. The Portland Race – a raging tidal flow that runs south and north past Portland Bill - has gouged out the 100m Portland Deep Southbourne Rough. About 3km south of Bournemouth is this patchy, rocky reef seabed – a seasonal spawning habitat for black sea bream.

Studland Bay. A shallow, sheltered bay not far from Poole Harbour.

Popular with day trip sailors and home to lush seagrass beds which provide excellent habitats for both species of seahorse found in the UK and the only known breeding habitat for the spiny seahorse.

West of Wight-Barfleur. Situated in the English Channel, this site is a mix of habitats including sand, gravel, shingle and cobbles.

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Open Air Cinema At Corfe Castle

Outdoor Summer Cinema in Two of Purbeck’s Most Beautiful Settings orset’s much-loved community-run Purbeck Film Festival has set the dates for their popular summer screenings again this year. The two events, both held on National Trust grounds, have become a favourite with Dorset residents and holidaymakers alike and moviegoers can enjoy well-loved films from the comfort of their deckchair or picnic blanket whilst under the stars.

“The loyal audiences of our outdoor screenings have ensured these events are a fixed date in the Purbeck calendar” says Festival Chair, Andrea Etherington. “Each year has to match up to the high standards of the last and 2017 was a combination of hot sunny days, top box office films and iconic Dorset locations.”

Stars at the beach, the first of the outdoor screenings, takes place at Knoll Beach in Studland, on Saturday 11th August from 7pm. Tickets cost £18 each and include a tasty fish and chips supper (or vegetarian alternative) in the café before the film. The bar will be open for hot drinks and cocktails.

There are limited tickets available in advance, please call National Trust Studland on 01929 450500, email studlandbeach@nationaltrust.org.uk or visit their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay.

Further tickets will be available on the night, weather dependant.

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August Bank Holiday weekend brings three days of Stars under the Stars at the National Trust’s Corfe Castle: Friday 24th August, Paddington 2 (PG), Saturday 25th will be a Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks (U), featuring Corfe Castle itself in some of the scenes and on Sunday 26th the award-winning Dunkirk (12A) will be screened, featuring scenes with Harry Styles filmed at Harmans Cross Railway Station and Weymouth.

Throughout all three days, there will be a bar, hot and cold drinks, ice cream and of course some tasteful Purbeck Film Festival merchandise available.

Tickets are available in advance from the National Trust (www. nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle) or at the gate on the night of each event, (cash only), and all events are weather dependent. Please check our website www.purbeckfilm.com for more details or call 07443 468850 to hear the recorded message if weather looks changeable. Don’t forget your own seating, picnic blanket, warm clothes and you can even bring a picnic.

The Purbeck Film Festival main fortnight will take place from 12th to 27th October 2017 in venues throughout Purbeck, Bournemouth and Poole. “Bergman, Political intrigue, women’s fight for justice and a great introduction to French cinema lead the themes in this year’s programme.

The Purbeck Film Festival aims to expand audience choice by screening arthouse, classic, independent and foreign language films alongside mainstream releases in a wide and often quirky range of venues. All our events are run by a small group of volunteers for the community of Purbeck and visitors to the area, keeping the costs and prices low.” adds Andrea.

The Purbeck Film Festival would like to thank all our funders, sponsors and advertisers for their unstinting support and they are key to our success.

If you would like to sponsor or advertise in this year’s prestigious festival brochure or even become a Friend or Patron of the festival, please email info@purbeckfilm.com.

For more information on the Festival programme and to book tickets visit www.purbeckfilm.com

Book advertising at: www.purbeckgazette.com or call 01929 424239 extension 1 and speak to Kay. SEPTEMBER deadline: noon on 9th August FEATURE: ‘Purbeck Pastimes & Pleasures’

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Morris Or Rapper?! Three Parishes Fete!

Which Will YOU Be?

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orset Button Morris comprises a ladies North West Morris side and a men’s Rapper sword dance side.

The ladies practice every Wednesday in Wareham from September onwards and the men practice in Sandford every Sunday from September onward.

All dances are taught by very patient dancers and are a great way of keeping fit, making new friends and having fun.

We can be seen dancing out most Wednesdays during the summer and will be at Swanage Folk Festival 8/9th September. Check our website for performance dates.

If you are not into dancing but would like to play for us we need you too. http://www.brmm.org.uk/DorsetButtonsMorris/ If you are interested in joining us e mail anthony613@btinternet. com

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family affair in the best traditions of a village fete - there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy, young and old alike. Relax and listen to the band in the lovely grounds of The Old Rectory in the beautiful, tranquil village of Church Knowle.

All the fun of the fair will be provided, with cream teas, Pimms, Children’s sports, donkey rides, traditional stalls and much more.

If you have not been to this very special family event which has been held every year since the 1930s, please come and join us - we’re sure you’ll have a great time, it seems the sun will be shining down upon us, so a good day is in store for all!

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AUGUST IS FINALLY HERE!

Wareham Wednesdays Rule The Summer!!

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elcome to our 8th year of Wareham Wednesdays!

Once again, I am very excited to be Chairman of Wareham Wednesdays and to be part of the fantastic team that brings you these fabulous events on Wednesday evenings. I am particularly excited to tell you about our 2018 summer entertainments.

Over the previous years we’ve learnt a lot about how to provide the people of Wareham with great entertainment whilst always making the events safe and family friendly. However, we are always striving to come up with new ideas and progress the WW events to become bigger and better and not the same old thing year after year……. Therefore – please be ready for this year’s exciting, bigger and better summer events!

Our own Purbeck Pirate crew will be on-hand to lead the good folk of Wareham against the Poole Pirates!

We are always looking for additional volunteers to assist us with the events. So, if you are a local with a few hours to spare on a Wednesday evening, we would very much appreciate your help and you too could become one of the legendary ‘Yellow Coats’!

Please give us your support this summer and please don’t be shy to chuck a couple of quid into the buckets because without your support and money, our events just wouldn’t be possible!

Thanks again for all your support - we look forward to seeing you all for another fantastic summer of fun.

Dave Burgess (Chairman)

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Last Chance For Tickets To THE Folk Festival Of The Year!

Music and family fun for all at the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2018! t’s been one the hottest summers on record and temperatures are set to rocket even further with a sizzling line-up of headline acts and family fun galore at the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival (16-19 August). The event is set to be one of the biggest events in Dorset’s calendar and hundreds are set to flock to the area.

Legendary acts rub shoulders with upcoming talent amidst the beautiful hillside surroundings of the Purbeck Valley Farm. The impressive line-up announced so far includes Richard Thompson, Beth Orton, King Creosote, Trad.Attack!, and this year’s BBC Folk Award winner Siobhan Miller and nominees Elephant Sessions, O’Hooley & Tidow, Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys and many more.

But there’s so much more than great music to discover at the Purbeck Valley Folk festival. Festival-goers can get involved in lots of unexpected activities including kids workshops, poetry, storytelling, music and craft workshops, singing/tune sessions, Wessex Circus, a space-hopper obstacle course and the ever-popular beard competition.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is great for families and this year they have more kids stuff than ever. The site has enough room and grassy areas for them to run around and explore new fun experiences and skills.

Festival organiser Catherine Burke says: “Kids’ activities are going to be

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bigger and better than ever this year with kids crafts running throughout each day. Wessex Circus will be joining us again giving our folky kids a chance to learn and practise all sorts of circus skills, juggling, stilt walking, unicycling, diablos, devils sticks, poy, and acrobatics with an inflatable tumble mat, and low-level practice trapeze! Kids can have a go at all these circus skills themselves under the guidance of Wessex Circus, and the Wessex Circus guys will be putting on a few displays and shows over the weekend too.”

Of course, festival-goers can expect the very best folk, roots and world music. The organisers have carefully chosen an exciting line-up that reflects the diversity of the current folk scene, with plenty to keep music lovers and families entertained.

Organiser Catherine Burke is extremely excited to be bringing so many well-loved artists together: “We have a broad definition of folk music at Purbeck Valley. As promoters we listen to the feedback our audience gives us. We always ask festival-goers to tell us who they’d like to see at the festival and, as well as introducing them to new music that we think they’ll like.”

Tier 3 tickets are now available from £116 for the weekend (youth £61, children age 4–12 £36). Day tickets from £56 are also on sale.

For more details, please visit purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

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The Purbeck Gazette

A Country Day Out At Creech Grange & Wareham Flower Festival

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ugust is a busy month in the events diary for the Parish church of Lady St. Mary Church in Wareham, as they are holding two of their major fund-raising events this month.

The Annual Flower Festival, which is now in its 32nd year, begins with a ticket Preview Evening on Wednesday 8th August, running through to 13th August. On the Saturday evening there will be a special concert held in Lady St. Mary by the Worle Wind Band, starting at 7pm. This year’s

theme is The Cross and The Sacrifice.

Pat and Clive are delighted that the National Chairman of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), Mrs Jan Law, will be attending the Preview Evening. Also running alongside the Flower Festival there will be an Exhibition of Arts and Crafts in the Parish Hall, just across Church Green from the Church or the Hall can also be accessed from Wareham Quay. The stands include jewellery, sugar craft, Fairtrade and U3A. Refreshments are also available.

Later in the month, the Church will also be holding their Country Day Out at Creech Grange on Sunday 19th August, in aid of Church Funds.

This has become something of an annual event due to the generosity of Mr. Norman Hayward, the owner of the historic Creech Grange estate.

The beautiful Tudor Grade I house dates from 1539 and nestles at the foot of the Purbeck Hills and is set in Grade II listed parkland.

This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to walk or just sit and take in the peace and tranquillity of the immaculate gardens, grounds and lakes. Information and details are available from the Parish office in the Parish Hall on the Quay, telephone 01929 550905. Tickets for the Flower Festival Concert can also be obtained from A.F. Joy, Outfitters, North Street, Wareham.

Oberon’s Cure - The Rudes Do It Again

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n 2005, relatively newish to working at the Gazette, I went off to review ‘The Fairy Queen’, performed by the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company.

I’ve enjoyed their unique performances over the intervening years and was delighted to attend ‘Oberon’s Cure’ in July at the Square and Compass in Worth - a rewrite of the original ‘Fairy Queen’ I reviewed all those years ago.

The Rudes, as always, did not disappoint. Performing a boscareccia (a play set in woodland, often with nymphs, satyrs and fairies; a sub-genre of the commedia dell’arte, a Medieval and Renaissance Italian style of theatre), this highly talented troupe brought

to life a magical wonderland where Oberon attempts to seduce Hippolyta, herself on the run from Prince Theseus and his men.

Having eaten an aphrodisiac-laced apple meant for Mr Cloudberry (the faries’ pig), Hippolyta falls in love with everything and everyone - including foolish old men - such as the grouchy Oberon, husband of Titania...

A web of entanglement ensures, with Titania (Queen of the Faires) seemingly delighting in the mayhem and confusion experienced by the humans lost in the magical woodland. As the sun slowly sank, the painted faces of the actors took on a magical hue and the atmosphere was tangible - comedy, slapstick, magically-inspired love and inspiration flowed; the audience was entranced.

The Rudes never fail to impress with their utterly unique and highly professional, time-tested style. The scripting is excellent, the acting superb and every play weaves magic, laughter and often poignancy into the atmosphere felt by those attending. Not to be missed. Nico Johnson

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YOUR Pictures.....

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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!

2017 Raft Race as part of Swanage Lifeboat Week 2017, by Mike Streeter

Studland Bay, by Richard Pursehouse

Rainbow over Swanage Bay, by Jeff Soulsby

Strawberry moon over Corfe 27/06/18, by Gareth James

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

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he National Health Service turned seventy on Thursday 5th July 2018, making this year the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions.

Whilst considering what to write about in this article I have found out some amazing achievements of the NHS; From its launch in Manchester in 1948 to today the NHS has been the driving force for ensuring that healthcare is available to all regardless of income.

The NHS has seen changes in healthcare that involved the discovery of DNA in the 50s which has enabled us to treat and screen for many genetic conditions to widespread vaccinations almost eradicating some diseases for example polio, measles and diphtheria.

A brief timeline of the developments of the NHS shows how exceptionally lucky we are from the late 50s with the Mental health Act bringing the provision of mental health services within the NHS, the 60s saw the introduction of the measles vaccine and the first kidney transplant to the first heart transplant. The 70s saw the first ‘test tube baby, and in 2016, 68,000 IVF treatments resulted in 20,000 births.

The first CT scan was used in 1972 followed by the MRI in the 80s; the year I qualified was the year of the first heart, lung and liver transplant.

When I qualified, I had little idea of how young the NHS was, the achievements in that short space of time and the changes I have seen since then still make me go “wow!”

Looking to the future, the NHS is becoming more integrated and is

investing in new medicines, genetic research and digital technologies like apps and artificial intelligence, which will ensure we continue to live longer and healthier lives; the average life expectancy is now twelve years longer than in 1948.

Innovation sits at the heart of the next seventy years of evolution, and embracing it is critical in enabling the NHS in England to deliver better outcomes for patients and help it continue to be the healthcare envy of the world This is a future where healthcare is based around early detection and preventative care, where the NHS works collaboratively with local communities to help people live healthily, with individuals and carers, to spot and treat signs of illness at their earliest stages.

This is very much where our local healthcare providers will be playing a key role.

As a small celebration of the 70th anniversary all our patients at Swanage and Wareham Community hospitals enjoyed a ‘7T tea party’ on Thursday 5th July and I invited all my staff to display why they are proud to work for the NHS, so here’s to a further seventy years of this amazing service.

Until next time, take care, Matron Donna

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

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

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Blood In Pee?

lood in pee is a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancer, yet only 16% of those most at risk in South West – aged 50 or over – check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet. In the South West, an average of 2275 new cases of bladder and kidney cancer were diagnosed each year between 2012-2016 with 924 deaths per year.

‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign launches in South West to encourage people to ‘look before they flush’ and tell their doctor if they notice blood in their pee, even if it’s just once.

A new survey reveals that only 16% of adults aged 50 and over (those most at risk of these cancers) in South West say they check the colour of their pee every time they go to the toilet. If people don’t look before they flush, they may not notice blood in their pee.

A new short film featuring TV doctor, Dr Dawn Harper, is being released as part of the campaign. The film shows what to look out for as the colour of blood in your pee can vary – from very diluted, to bright red or even dark brown, like the colour of weak black tea. Blood in pee is a symptom in almost two thirds (64%) of all bladder cancers and around a fifth (18%)

of kidney cancers.

Blood might not appear every time, so it is important that people seek medical help even if they notice it just once.

Worryingly, around 44% of those surveyed in the South West said they would not seek medical advice if they saw blood in their pee just once. However, 43% of those surveyed said they would wait and see if it happened again, potentially putting off a vital diagnosis.1 When asked why they would not go to the GP straight away if they noticed blood in their pee, some concerning delays for seeking help were uncovered; 21% in the South West say they would be worried about wasting the GP’s time and 23% would only book an appointment sooner if they had other symptoms.

Latest figures show that every year in England around 19,100 people are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer and sadly, around 8,000 people die from these diseases. Early diagnosis is critical; 84% of those diagnosed with kidney cancer and 77% of those diagnosed with bladder cancer at the earliest stage (stage 1) will live for at least five years. At a late stage (stage 4), this drops to 10% and 9% respectively.

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CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar

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

Contact 07979 840542 NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT

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Sport

Swanage & Wareham Hockey Club

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nspired by the Women’s Hockey World Cup taking place in London this summer? Then why not come along and play hockey with Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club?

If you are new to the game or haven’t played for years we are running ‘Back to Hockey’ every Friday evening 7pm -8pm from the start of September – these are fun and friendly sessions - Do not worry if you are nervous or cannot remember any rules; our Back to Hockey coaches will gently guide you through this series of fun and friendly sessions. We promise it is nothing like the old school days of muddy pitches and standing around waiting for a touch of the ball so put it in your diary now.

If you would like to come and play regularly then we train on Wednesday

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evenings 7.30pm – 9pm again from the start of September. We run two ladies and two men’s teams playing most Saturdays (Sept – March) plus junior teams and training for 6 to 13 years. So if you are over 6 years old come along and join in this fantastic game.

However, if you feel the running may be too much come and join the Walking Hockey gang instead!!

So, to recap, Swanage & Wareham Hockey Club caters for everyone to play hockey locally at Wareham Sports Centre.

Interested? Then call Jackie 07725 562607 or email jacks.barker@ hotmail.co.uk or Rob on 07525 796289.

Swanage Schools Tennis Competition

ver 200 children from Swanage primary schools took part in a fantastic tennis competition held at Swanage Tennis Club over the week ending 22nd June.

The children played with great effort and enthusiasm, supported by parents, teachers and club members. The whole event was masterminded and run by the club’s LTA level 4 coach, Ryan Trickey.

Ryan said “This was a great introduction to the fun and fitness that young people can get from tennis. We saw different schools taking medals each day and everyone was fighting for every point. Well done to you all!”

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Swanage Bowls Club Update

wanage Bowls Club celebrated its ninetieth birthday recently, with a match involving the Mayor and others from Swanage Town Council, just as happened in the very first match back in 1928. Back then the Club was located on the seafront, near to the Bandstand. The cost to join was fifteen shillings and you had to be a man! Not only have we moved location, we’ve moved a long way in terms of equality, with the ladies’ teams doing rather better than the men’s teams so far this year.

We were delighted to be able to present the Swanage Area Dementia

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After a great week of competitive play St Mary’s was announced as the 2018 Swanage Tennis Club Competition 2018 winners. Here are the final scores: St Mary’s - 692, Swanage Primary School - 568, Corfe Castle - 388, St Marks - 246, St George’s - 82.

The club looks forward to hosting it again next year. Meanwhile Ryan is running summer camps during the school holidays, and a full coaching program for children of different ages, including the Tennis for Kids initiative organised by the Lawn Tennis Association http://tennisforkids. uk/SwanageTennisClub

Friendly Community with a cheque for £660, raised at our recent Captains’ Day. We were also delighted to welcome the Dorset Youth Academy for a “friendly” match in which they trounced us 69 to 57. It is lovely to see youngsters enjoying the game and if anyone under sixteen wants to try out bowls, then please contact us. Please take a look at our Facebook page; Swanage Bowls Club or visit our website www.swanagebowlingclub.org.uk . You can also contact our Club Secretary, Barrie Tatman, on 01929 421162 or our President Brian Beeston on 01929 289084 for more information.

Swanage Football Club

e have just recently had our senior presentation night. The night was a great success!

First team: 1st team manager’s player - Dan Godwin Players’ player - Dan Godwin Supporters’ player - Cameron Beard Golden boot - Cameron Beard (41 goals) Reserve team: Manager’s player - Ben Tattersall Players’ player - Sam Peacock Supporters’ player - Billy Russell Clubman - Ryan Moss Most improved player - Billy Russell Under 18s: Manager’s player - Marcus Smith Players’ player - Henry Councell Most improved player - George Taylor Clubman - Billy Russell 1st team striker Graeme Rose is hanging up his boots after four great seasons with the Swans. Signed in 2014 by then-manager Alan Lay from Dorset Premier league side Merley Cobham Sports, Graeme has gone on to have four superb seasons.

One of the many highlights would be scoring both goals in last season’s 2-1 Dorset Premier League cup final win against Gillingham Town Reserves.

Graeme has achieved a brilliant goal scoring record of 86 goals in 134 appearances in his four seasons. He created mass publicity when he very nearly broke a world record of scoring consecutive hat-tricks last season.

All at Day’s Park would like to place on record their appreciation of Graeme’s superb efforts and we wish him well in the future.

Graeme’s striking partner of last season Cameron Beard is also departing Day, having signed for Wessex Premier outfit, Bashley. Cameron has had a lot of interest from a number of local clubs and Bashley can think themselves very lucky to have a real talent of a player. We would like to wish Cameron all the best as he takes his football onto the next level.

So, next season we are without our two top goal scorers, with Cameron’s forty-one goals and Graeme’s thirteen goals in twenty games, we have our work cut out to replace them.

The Jimmy Hollywood day is now on Saturday 4 August. This will be a fun-filled day with lots going on, so please come along to Day’s Park from 10am.

Pre-season friendlies: August 01 - Allendale - Home 7.45pm 04 - Corfe Castle - Home 3.00pm 04 – Jimmy Hollywood Day – join us from 10am!

The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans

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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 SEPT is noon, 9th AUGUST 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.

AUGUST 2018

Wed 1st * Mama Mia: Here We Go Again At The Rex Cinema, Wareham. * Swanage Carnival Week * Stone Carving Festival At the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 * Special Firework Steam Train Service Please see website for times.

10:00 Swanage Painting Club Annual exhibition of paintings and cards for sale.

Coffee and Cakes available on both Saturdays. Free Entry. For more information Contact Jane Wilby email: jwilby1111@gmail.com or tel: 01929 427078 10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

11:00 ‘Infinite Variety’ Painting & Sculpture Exhibition at The Gallery at 41, Corfe Castle.

18:30 Circus Night Wareham Wednesdays, at Wareham Quay.

19:00 Fish & Chip Cruise to Poole Leaves from Swanage Pier, returns in time for the Carnival fireworks. Price £17 per person, includes fish and chips at Poole, booking essential on 01929 425806.

20:00 Eli West Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Thu 2nd * The Netherlands National Circus At Wareham Recreational Ground. Book tickets now on 08444 155228 or www.thenetherlandscircus.com 20:00 Maurice Dickson Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Fri 3rd 10:00 Dorset Arts & Crafts Summer Exhibition At The Purbeck School, Wareham.

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

20:00 Count Bobo Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 4th 13:00 Square Fair Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 14:00 Church Knowle Fete In the lovely grounds of The Old Rectory Church Knowle BH20 5NG. Fun for all the family with lots of childrens games and sports.

Pimms tent. Cream teas. BBQ. Brass band. Many stalls. In aid of the 3 parishes churches and other local charities. Email: fwakewalker@gmail.com 19:00 Miracle Theatre: Cherry Orchard At Kimmeridge Bay, tickets £10, £8 under 18’s. Ffi: 01929 270000 or www.artsreach.co.uk Sun 5th 11:00 Family Fun & Novelty Dog Show At Church Knowle. Adults £4, Children £2.50 up to 12. Dog show classes: £2 per class, or £10 for 6 classes.

14:00 Velvet Doonicans Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 6th 20:00 Eva Abraham Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Tue 7th 10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Waiting for God’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Laura Courtese Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Wed 8th * Tricuro Care & Support Open Day Ffi: www.tricuro.co.uk * Flower Festival At Lady St Mary Church, Wareham.

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

19.00 Raft Race Wareham Wednesdays, at Wareham Quay.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Waiting for God’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Laura Courtese Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Thu 9th * Flower Festival At Lady St Mary Church, Wareham.

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

10:30 Fete & Craft Fair On Sandpit Field. Novelty Dog Show, Children’s Games, Stalls, Pimms & Prosecco Bar, BBQ and food all day.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Waiting for God’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

19:30 Organ Recital - Simon Lole An evening of popular organ music in St Mary’s Parish Church in Swanage, played by Simon Lole, formerly Director of Music and Organist at Salisbury Cathedral Email: simon@simonlole.com

20:00 Tantz Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Fri 10th 08:00 Open Golf Competition At Dorset Golf & Country Club. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

10:00 Purbeck Rally Steam & Vintage show in Wareham. Entry £5 Friday, £6 Saturday, £6 Sunday. Under 16’s free!

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Waiting for God’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Harare Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 20:45 Open Air Cinema - ‘The Greatest Showman’ At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Sat 11th 10:00 Purbeck Rally Steam & Vintage show in Wareham. Entry £5 Friday, £6 Saturday, £6 Sunday. Under 16’s free!

10:00 Ducks on Sale for Tomorrow’s Duck Race £2 each At various points in town.

Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

10:00 Souvenir Stall on Swanage Seafront Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

10:00 Engraving Skills At Burngate Stonecarving Centre, Langton Matravers.

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

10:30 Hand made Art and Crafts By the Makers at St Edwards Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Free Entry. Hot drinks and Cake available. Facebook “Art and Crafts Fairs at St Edwards Hall, Swanage .” Ffi karen@karenboniface.plus.com or patsypeanut@gmail.com “ 11:00 Book & Craft Fair In the Tree of Life & Laughter Community Garden, at the rear of Wareham Library.

19:00 Open Air Cinema At Knoll Beach, Studland. (see website for film). Entry £18 to include fish & chip supper (vegetarian option available). Food at 7.30pm, film at 8.30pm. For tickets call 01929 450500 or email studlandbay@nationjaltrust. org.uk 19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Waiting for God’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Hot Seats Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 12th 09:00 Charity Duck Race Starts at The Conservative Club. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

10:00 Purbeck Rally Steam & Vintage show in Wareham. Entry £5 Friday, £6 Saturday, £6 Sunday. Under 16’s free!

10:00 Souvenir Stall on Swanage Seafront Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

14:00 I See Hawks in L.A. Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 13th 19:00 ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ - Outdoor Theatre At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Tue 14th 18:30 Fun Sailing Race At Swanage Sailing Club. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

19:00 VIP Boathouse Tours At Swanage Lifeboat Station, £10. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

19:00 Town Council Meeting In Wareham Town Hall.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘The Railway Children’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions, £11 Children.

Wed 15th 14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for an illustrated talk by Carlton Hobbs, “Medical Care for the Poor and the Delamotte Dynasty”. All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245 18:30 Wareham Wednesdays live acts and entertainment, at Wareham Quay.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘The Railway Children’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions, £11 Children.

20:00 Fun Quiz At The Conservative Club. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Thu 16th * Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Ffi: purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk. Tier 3 Tickets now onsale from £116 for the weekend (youth £61, children 4-12 £36). Day tickets from £56 also on sale.

18:00 Gig Race Main Beach. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

18:15 Lifeboat Launch Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

18:30 Swanage Sailing Club Senior Race Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘The Railway Children’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions, £11 Children.

Fri 17th * ‘Tales from the Trees’ At Durlston Country Park. Squashbox Theatre presents

58 09:00 18:00 19:30 20:00

this puppet, storytelling and live music show, puppet making workshop afterwards.

Flag Day Street Collection Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Live Music, Bar & BBQ At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Swanage Rep: ‘The Railway Children’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions, £11 Children.

Lost Revellers Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

Sat 18th 10:00 Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre, Langton Matravers. Booking Essential.

10:00 Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Show The exhibition is next to Harmans Cross Station on the Swanage Railway, so why not combine a visit to the railway and the show? Please note the exhibition is being held over the third weekend of August. Email: info@dakotadibben.co.uk 11:00 Lifeboat Festival & Fair At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

12:00 Build A Boat Competition At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

13:00 Swanage Bay Fish, Lobster Raffle Draw At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

14:00 Spiritual Health Workshop At Bella Vista, 14 Burlington rd, Swanage. £15 per person. Ffi: 0704 898113 or naomi.h.duffield@gmail.com Build A Boat Race From The Stone Quay. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

16:00 18:00 Live Music, Bar & BBQ At Prince Albert Gardens. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘The Railway Children’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions, £11 Children.

20:00 Peanut Shuffle Club Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 19th 09:00 Lifeboat Fun Run 8am sign in from The Lifeboat Station. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

10:00 Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Show The exhibition is next to Harmans Cross Station on the Swanage Railway, so why not combine a visit to the railway and the show? Please note the exhibition is being held over the third weekend of August. Email: info@dakotadibben.co.uk 11:00 Boathouse Open Day Live launches & demonstrations, part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

11:00 Country Day At Creech Grange, nr Wareham. Open air service 11am.

Evensong at 4pm (in the chapel). Admission £2, children FREE. 11:30 Vegetable Flower & Plant Sale At The Lifeboat Station. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

14:00 Tori Reed Band Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 18:00 Lifeboat Service At The Lifeboat Station, new venue. Part of Swanage Lifeboat Week.

Tue 21st 19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Communicating Doors’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

Wed 22nd 18:30 Pirate Invasion Wareham Wednesdays, at Wareham Quay.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Communicating Doors’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

Thu 23rd 19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Communicating Doors’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

Fri 24th 19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Communicating Doors’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Diabell Cissoko Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 25th * Art Workshop with Peter Rush At Durlston Country Park. Get sculpting with recycled materials, wire and paper. * Open Air Cinema: ‘Bedknobs & Broomsticks’ (U) At Corfe Castle. Tickets on the gate.

14:00 Holme Flower and Produce Show At Holme for Gardens, there will be Cream Teas, Tombola, Children’s Games, Raffle and lots more through out the day.

Schedules available from Holme for Gardens, Ponds and Amber Hardware.

Gates open to the public at 2.00pm.

19:30 Swanage Rep: ‘Communicating Doors’ At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tickets £15, £13 Concessions.

20:00 Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 26th * Kids Art Workshop with Peter Rush At Durlston Country Park. Get sculpting with recycled materials, wire and paper. * Open Air Cinema: ‘Dunkirk’ (12A) At Corfe Castle. Tickets on the gate.

10:30 Hume Swaine Summer Exhibition At Swanage Museum Heritage Centre.

14:00

The Purbeck Gazette

Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

WEEKLY EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY 09.00 U3A Table Tennis Group meet at Harmans Cross VH. 09.30 Under 2.5 years old group. Till 11am. at Parish Hall, Wm. 09.45 Toddler Club URC, Sw. Till 11.15 10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 10.30 Flowers with Liz at the Purbeck Workshop in Wool. The Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool.

BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907. Email: richris95@ gmail.com 13.00 Play and Learn at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 2.45pm 13.00 Under 1s and Tums at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 3pm 14.00 Pins and Needles at Harmans Cross VH. 14.00 Swanage Disabled Club meet until 4pm. Meeting place alternates between Catholic Hall & Queensmead Hall, Sw. Transport available. Call Mrs Daphne Saville on 01929 425241 ffi.

16.45 Soccer Skills Sw FC First Sch chldn £1 Till 5.45. 425175 18.00 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 18.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 7pm 18.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 8.30pm.

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 Steve Peirson on 01929 552504.

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 09.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 10am 09.30 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Painting and sketching. At the Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Till 1pm. Outdoors in summer. Ffi: Gina on 421689.

09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 11.30am.

09.30 Kiddies Corner Mother & Toddler Group (term time only) No fee donations welcome. Purbeck Gateway Church. 551415 09.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718.

10.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 11.30am.

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 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

The Purbeck Gazette

welcome. Ffi 401799 14.30 Local Historian takes you on a town walk around Swanage, lasting 1 1/2 hours. No need to book, just turn up in the Swanage Museum in the Square, voluntary contributions welcome.

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.

19.30 Swanage Carnival Bingo at Swanage Bay View Holiday Park.

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 14.30 Local Historian takes you on a town walk around Swanage, lasting 1 1/2 hours. No need to book, just turn up in the Swanage Museum in the Square, voluntary contributions welcome.

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 Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 7pm 18.00 Swanage Youth Club. School years 7&8. Till 8.30pm 18.00 Table Tennis at Harmans Cross Village Hall. All ages & abilities welcome. £2.50 per session. Ffi: 424591 18.45 Sw Hockey Club Training Wm Sports Centre. Till 8. 424442 19.00 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552046 19.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls Club Roll-up evening Furzebrook VH. 401799 19.00 Swanage Town Band meet for our weekly practice in the Council Chamber, Swanage Town Hall. New musicians warmly welcomed. Please call David Cook (musical Director) for further informaiton on: 01929 422909.

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 08.30 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 9.30am.

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 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 11am.

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

556806 10.00 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, vegetables. Coffee & biscuits available.

10.00 Tea, Coffee, Biscuits at Queensmead Hall, Sw. Til 11am. Adm 50p 10.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Wareham Library till 12pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities.

10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Tony on 01929 550190 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email warehamgolfcroquetclub@hotmail.com 10.15 Chess at the Cafe Tratt, Lower High Street, Swanage (from 8th February 2018). Call in for a friendly game of chess and a chat. All welcome.

10.30 Mid-Week Market Morning Service URC, Church St, Wm. Prayer requests to Revd. Simon Franklin 556976

59

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 Studland Chair-based Exercise in the Village Hall, Studland. Ffi: Julie on 558139 or email: jbrad@uwclub.net 14.15 Sw Over-60s Meet in the Rectory Classroom, Swanage, Sw. All Welcome.

16.00 Studland Chair-based Exercise in the Village Hall, Studland. Ffi: Julie on 01929 558139 or email: jbrad@uwclub.net 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 09.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 10am 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 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 8.30pm.

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 18.30 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.

13.30 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 2.30pm 14.30 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 4.30pm.

The Purbeck Gazette

60

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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