The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 239

November December 2019 Issue no. 238 239

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Purbeck Challenge!

Pg- 23 2019Christmas Election Special.

Pg 18 19 - 37

Festive Vegetable Wellington. Pg 24

Christmas Shopping Challenge. Pg 28 - 48

Rescue Of Danny The Dolphin. Pg 50 - 51

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the December edition of your Purbeck Gazette!

It’s nearly Christmas!! It’s getting colder, the winter is creeping in, but we have Christmas festivities and then the New Year to celebrate, so despite the cold, it’s all looking a lot like Christmas!

Swanage’s fantasic Christmas Market takes over Swanage town centre on Saturday 7th December, so make sure you pop down for the day and browse the wonderful array of gift and craft stalls - this event gets bigger and better every year, so we look forward to seeing you there - rain or shine!

Santa will also be taking to the streets of Swanage, Langton and Corfe with Swanage & Purbeck Rotary - check the schedule in our hallowed pages this month and make sure you have a handful of change to give Santa to support local good causes this year!

If you’re surrounded by family and friends, be sure to let them all know how much they mean to you as that is an important and often forgotten part of the festive season. If you’ve lost loved ones recently, spend some time remembering why you miss them and keep in mind that they’d want you to be happy in life - even without them here. Try and live each day for those no longer here.

If you’re flying solo, then enjoy the peace! If you’d prefer to have company, then book yourself in for a FREE Christmas breakfast at the URC in Swanage (see the Rotary page in this edition as you’ll need to book a place) and enjoy some great company on Christmas morning. Whatever you do - enjoy, be thankful and be happy!

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 January 2020 edition has a deadline of 6th December and will be distributed from 23rd Dec 2019 - 3rd Jan 2020.

The February 2020 edition has a deadline of 9th January, and will be distributed from 24th - 31st January 2020.

Public Notices & Information Swanage Town Council Meetings - December 2019 Planning & Consultation Committee Policy, Finance & Performance Man. Council

Mon 2nd Wed 11th Mon 16th

6.30pm 9.30am 7pm

Wareham Town Council Meetings - December 2019 Policy, Resources & Finance Planning & Transport Council Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Policy, Resources & Finance

Mon 2nd Mon 9th Tues 10th Thurs 12th Mon 23rd

9.30am 6.30pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

Dorset Council - replacing/incorporating PDC & DCC For details of council meetings, councillors and decisions please use the web address: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/committees Alternatively, if you use the old 'Dorsetforyou' address: www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/committees - you will be redirected to the same link called 'committee meetings and papers'.

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. Purbeck Designs (some graphics), Kim Steeden, Spotlight Diary Editor.

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Sir Keith Park pulling last train into Corfe on Sunday October 27th, by Richard Murgatroyd

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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.

JANUARY edition deadline: noon, 6th DEC

An Election To Face Dear Editor, We are facing yet another election. We are in danger of having more frequent changes of government than Italy! Surely our democracy is broken, or at least in serious need of a refit.

Politicians need to make aspirations, not promises and targets, which may be outside of their control. Secondly, they need to recognise that when someone votes for them, it doesn’t mean they agree with every item in the manifesto, which might be halfway down page 83. We vote for the “Least Worst Option”!

The voting system of “first past the post” was fine when there were just two major political parties, but now there are five major parties and a whole lot of smaller parties. This means that we cannot vote for the person/party we want, in case we get someone we really don’t want. So, some of us are forced to vote tactically and vote for the person most likely to defeat the worst option. Then we get devilish alliances, where party A agrees with party B, that they won’t stand in constituencies where B might defeat C, provided B doesn’t stand where A might defeat C. Then there are the demographics, where a few constituencies determine the outcome of the election, and the vast amount of votes have no effect, not to mention the gerrymandering that goes on moving constituency boundaries to try and keep the constituencies the same size.

There is a solution, used for GLC elections: “Single Transferable Vote” in “single member constituencies”, with top up seats allocated to parties that scored more votes proportionately than the seats they got.

The opponents of this, say that “first past the post” gives strong government. I think our experience since 2010, shows that this is not true.

Then there is the House of Lords. Since Tony Blair’s botched reorganisation, it has become a retirement home for party hacks and party donors. It is also far too large (as is the House of Commons) and is selected by the worst form of political patronage. It needs reforming root and branch. There needs to be a large element of election. We need to get rid of the Bishops and the remaining hereditary peers. Somehow, we need to get in outstanding people from all walks of life, who probably don’t fancy standing on doorsteps electioneering. Perhaps there should be a maximum length of service (good idea for Prime Ministers as well - eight years works well for the USA).

To do this, we need two things: first, a series of TV programmes, lectures, newspaper series, meetings, etc. examining the alternative systems used all over the world. This was lamentably absent when we had the referendum on proportional representation and then we were given only one choice.

Secondly, a Constitutional Conference to consider all the ideas and evidence and to make a recommendation.

Yours sincerely, Michael Oldman, Battlemead, by email.

Swanage Traders Hit Ed’s note: Publication of a letter, as sent to Richard Drax on Weds 30th October, by one of the traders in Swanage town centre. This is longer than our usual word allowance, however, we have decided to publish it as we’re sure Karen speaks for many neighbouring businesses who may have the same concerns.

Dear Mr Drax, I am aware that you have taken an interest in the lack of a ferry service between Sandbanks and Studland since July 12th this year; fortunately, the service is due to resume tomorrow. I believe that you have been concerned by the effects on local businesses, residents, commuters and tourists across Sandbanks, Studland, and Purbeck. I am writing to you today to request that you turn your focus specifically to Swanage, which

Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists Food served 12 noon - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm High Street, Swanage. 01929 423533 has been as badly affected as elsewhere. The ferry has been out of service for two long periods since 29/10/2018 and we have had numerous power failures in the town centre during the past two years, resulting in several investigative foot path works to find and repair the problems. With the ongoing Brexit uncertainty business has been affected, we and our suppliers cannot adequately plan and finances have been hit by the demise of the pound. Our customers are lacking confidence to spend as they do not know what the future holds for them economically.

If you currently look at Swanage there are very few empty town centre properties compared to Bournemouth and Poole, however I am not sure how long this will continue to be the case. As bricks and mortar businesses we are pressured on all sides from changes in shopping habits, squeezed margins and punitive business rates. I am greatly concerned for the trading prospects for Swanage for 2020.

Dorset Council Highways Department are preparing to make many changes to the centre of Swanage, which comprise a road enhancement scheme to move loading bays, remove and re-construct a traffic island and to adjust traffic flow. A section of station Road and all of Institute Rd will be affected.At the time of writing the planned works are due to commence on the 14th January 2020 and to continue for up to the end of May. In order to carry out the work they wish to do Institute Road will be closed to all vehicles for the duration of the project. The aim is to narrow Institute Rd to make it a single file thoroughfare. This will be achieved by widening the two pavements and removing the existing long loading bay and they will be creating two loading bays at the end of Station Rd and its junction with Institute Rd. Basically, we will be trying to trade within a construction zone for a period of four and half months.

Some businesses rely on daily deliveries and I rely on all my stock (ordered six months ago) to be delivered to shop between mid -February and the beginning of April, ready for the season. I wrote to the Community Highways Officer about my concerns and attach his reply, in which he says pedestrians will be able to access all businesses during the work, however, on Friday 25th, one of the employees sent by the engineering department indicated that as the area would be under construction they would only be able to do their best to maintain access and concurred that the public don’t generally enjoy spending time in areas undergoing road works.

The plans for the street enhancement work seem to have progressed but without taking full account of business needs. We have been told that the results from the work should be great for pedestrian safety, traffic calming and visual appearance of the streets but the disruption will undoubtedly give access problems to the various businesses for customers, delivery personnel and our own staff. We are genuinely concerned about our ability to still be trading by the time the work is completed.

Over the past two years there have been some meetings to talk about the work and to view plans, at each meeting the plans have changed substantially. We were originally advised that the loading bay, in Institute Rd would be reduced in size and that it would take two weeks for the pavement work and now a fortnight has become four and a half months!

We have requested another public consultation on a number of occasions, and I was assured at the meeting of Swanage Town Council, on Monday 28th, that there will be a meeting but neither the Highways Dept nor the local authority are able to provide a date.

As we are unable to find out any definite information and justification for a street closure of over four months I am asking for you to look into this matter for us, with a view to getting the relevant departments and authorities to issue a date, as soon as possible, for a meeting to fully consult with Swanage businesses and residents.

Yours sincerely, Karen Hobbs,

Latest On Buddy Scheme Dear Readers, Here’s the latest update on our Buddy Scheme. We have had a wonderful concert at which everyone gave their services free and the venue was also free of charge.

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Square & Compass Worth Matravers. 01929 439229

LIVE ACTS FOR DECEMBER Sat

7th

Fri Sat Fri NYE

13th 14th 27th 31st

ALL DAY Beard, Bottled Beer & Cheese Festival A wide variety of bottled beers, beards WILL be worn. Fixed plates of cheese selections will be available. Music with Ben Baddoo Dance Company Pet www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk Yeti 8pm Snazzback 8pm Eva Abraham 8pm New Year’s Eve! Celebrate with 8pm Sheelanagig as we wave goodbye to 2019!

The Con Men gave us an evening of old favourites and their lady singer sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Summer Time’. Along with a fantastic raffle arranged by Cheryle and her Naughty Knitters, the magnificent sum of £750 was raised to maintain our Buddy Service to Swanage families who are caring for loved ones with dementia.

This service is free of charge and we provide trained volunteers to sit with a person while the carer can go out without worry. The service might include taking someone for a walk, drive out for coffee or to join one of our specialised activities.

We run a memory and reminiscence group at the library, a singing group at Emmanuel and we have just started an art group at Herston Hall called ‘Colours’. If need be, we can also arrange transport and an escort.

We would welcome more volunteers for this amazing scheme - each one can have specialist training, insurance, DBS check, First Aid and back-up from the lead, as well as regular meetings with others who are already volunteering Thank you everyone for all the good work that already makes Swanage a special place for understanding and caring about those with dementia.

Jean Gibbs, Swanage Buddy Scheme, by emai

understand it, the whole area was originally a forest (before the intrusion of humans), so why the fixation with heathland, which was created only after humans had chopped all the trees down?!

However, bearing in mind the recent furore regarding our carbon footprint and the huge amount of pollution that is emitted from the subsequent burning of removed vegetation, would it not be possible to mulch/shred the ensuing waste vegetation on-site and use the residue to improve the paths running through the golf course?

The shredding is then not wasted, is environmentally friendly and would both save the golf club some money and improve the appearance, as well as the enjoyment of the people who use the area on which to walk!

I believe that this scenario has already been suggested to the National Trust whose immediate response was that they could not afford the money to buy a shredder! Pardon?

A brief surf on the internet reveals that the National Trust is, and I quote, ‘Sitting on reserves of more than ONE BILLION POUNDS according to its latest accounts’, so, perhaps, it isn’t quite as destitute as they would have us believe.

So, maybe the National Trust would like to readdress this situation and instead of just ignoring the wishes of the entire population of the UK regarding environmental responsibility, could acknowledge how much more considerate an alternative approach would be!

Don’t hold your breath, though.

RA Beuscher, by email.

Calling All Book Lovers!

Climate Change Protests

Dear Readers, A popular home library service, run by Royal Voluntary Service, the national volunteering organisation, is looking to grow its service for housebound readers in the Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage area.

The Home Library Service brings books to people who can no longer get to a library. It operates from most libraries in Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth.

Volunteers deliver books and share their love of reading with the people they visit. They are a friendly face and a regular visitor to those whose mobility and social interactions are limited, and they provide a useful check on the safety and well-being of their readers, too.

One of our readers commented: “It is an excellent service; it’s a real delight when it is hard to get to the library oneself. The volunteer is so friendly, they may be the only person I shall see all day.”

Maria Jacobson, service manager for Dorset Home Library Service, says, “For people who enjoy reading or listening to an audio recording but find getting out of the house challenging, this service offers a vital link to the local library. The service enables them to carry on doing something they’ve always enjoyed and helps alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.”

The Home Library Service is delivered free of charge; it is not only for older people, but for anybody who finds getting to the library difficult, including carers.

To find out more or to request the service please contact the Royal Voluntary Service office on 01305 236666, or e-mail Maria on maria. jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk. Alternatively, you can speak to staff at your local library.

Dear Editor, The stated aim is to raise awareness of approaching climate disaster.

However, there can be very few people who are not aware of climate change, most of whom would agree that human activity is one of, if not the major cause of it. So, whose awareness needs to be raised?

We have a target of 2050 for a zero carbon UK. The protesters are demanding 2025. Neither of these “targets” are of any value, being merely numbers plucked out of the air. What we need is a detailed timed realistic “route map” (if you like, a ‘critical path’) of the activities needed to get us from where we are now to where we want to be. Adding up all the activities gives the end date. Inevitably, it will be unacceptable!

It is then a question of what activities can be shortened by giving them more resources or have their dependencies on other activities altered. This is a complex problem which is unlikely to be solved with a simplistic solution.

Providing more resources, means taking them away from something else. Providing more carbon free power, may in the short-term mean releasing more carbon to the atmosphere to build solar and wind farms and batteries to even out the supply. Stopping the destruction of forests may mean shortages of food or space to live.

Part of the solution may involve other changes of lifestyle, like reducing air travel, having fewer children, possessions and pets or eating less meat. Such changes would require acceptance by a substantial majority of the public.

Does causing disruption, preventing people from going about their normal

Mystified By Gorse Removal Dear Readers, For some months I have observed the removal of gorse, amongst other species, from the areas surrounding the Isle of Purbeck Golf Course and the subsequent burning of the vegetation, on site!

I am somewhat mystified by this particular strategy, because, as I

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JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

lives, make them more or less likely to be willing to accept these changes?

It is a common trait of protesters: They always seem to be demanding action by others rather than themselves. How much better to lead by example; to study science and technology, so they can contribute to the solution: to pledge to have no more than two children and to reduce their carbon footprint.

Best wishes, Michael Oldman, Battlemead, Swanage

Man’s Destructive Activities Dear Editor, Richard Ingall (Letters, November edition) suggests that current global warming has been caused mainly by natural factors, as was the case in the past, but this view is very much at odds with the evidence produced by scientists (including in IPCC reports) and the consensus reached by the vast majority of experts and prestigious organisations. Up to 97% of climate scientists accept that the recent warming trend is largely the result of man’s activities, such as CO2 emissions.

Climate change is a complex issue and a number of factors led to fluctuations in global climate in the past, some of which are still not clearly understood. However, one factor that is well-known is the effect of the Milankovitch cycles (named after the Serbian mathematician) on climate change. The Milankovitch cycles relate to the eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit (100,000-year cycle), the variation in the tilt of the Earth’s axis (41,000-year cycle) and precession when the Earth wobbles slightly as it spins (23,000-year cycle).

These three cycles lead to a variation in the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth and have been a major factor in causing ice ages and inter-glacial periods in the last one million years.

Greenhouse gases are also an important driver of climate change and have been responsible for major events in the distant past. Around 750 million years ago the Earth underwent a period of exceptional cold known as ‘Snowball Earth’ (perhaps caused by a lack of greenhouse gases due to an explosion of oxygen-producing plants), which was probably only ended by the effect of volcanic activity resulting in CO2 and methane re-entering the atmosphere.

The point about modern climate change is that man’s activities are leading to what may become a tipping point, where rapid warming could be unstoppable. CO2 levels as measured by Antarctic ice core samples are now higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years. It is now known that rapid rises and falls in temperature can occur in just a few years (the Younger Dryas cold period which began 13,000 years ago led to temperatures dropping by as much as 15 celsius in Britain in just a decade, and there was a corresponding dramatic rise when it ended 1,500 years later).

While this was a ‘natural’ event, the modern accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere, the destruction of forests and the warming of oceans, all due to man’s activities, could lead to an equally serious, non-natural disaster.

How many of us are prepared to take that risk?

Yours sincerely, David Leadbetter, Prospect Crescent, Swanage

A351 Dangerous Condition

Dear Editor I write with reference to David Hollister’s column in the November issue of the Gazette, in which he voiced his concerns over the “dangerous condition” of the A351 between Harman’s Cross and Three Acre Lane.

He also expressed his belief that Dorset Council will be able to remedy this situation if they only put their mind to it - “Come on Dorset.....you can do better than this.”

I’m sorry to say that in my experience, Dorset Council only know how to make things worse. In early April, within days of this new council coming

A huge thank you to the people of Swanage for their kindness

Georgian Gems 28 High St, Swanage 01929 424697

into being, they applied what they described as a “top dressing” to mine and neighbouring roads.

Within a few weeks, this new surface began to fail. Now, there are deep potholes to de-seat cyclists and damage car tyres, and loose chippings that get stuck into the soles of shoes and transferred to car interiors.

There was nothing wrong with the road before this so-called improvement.

It feels as though Dorset Council were just trying to show themselves as being an improvement on what we had before, by doing something, so matter what, even if it was unnecessary. Well, they’ve failed there.

Back in July, myself and several neighbours took our concerns to a town councillor, who passed these on to the relevant member of Dorset Council, with a request that remedial action be taken. Nothing has been done.

I hope Mr Hollister isn’t too disappointed when he discovers how useless this council is.

Yours faithfully, Mrs J Wellstead

Plans For VE Day 75 2020 Dear Readers, One of the planned events for VE Day 75 2020 will be a community street party to be held in the Lower High Street and Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage, in which we are hoping for the support of all organisations, clubs and groups to help and support.

This will happen on Friday, 8th May 2020, which has been made a National Bank Holiday.

We have lots planned for the day, for children and adults alike, and look forward to updating you over the next four months.

We would welcome any suggestions and ideas that you would like to put forward, offers of help, etc, and you can contact me on: linda.welsh152@ gmail.com Please look out for all the other exciting events that will be taking in place and will be publicised, along with the street party, nearer the date.

Linda Welsh, by email.

Support Decembeard!

Dear Readers, I’m calling on dads, brothers, sons, nephews, grandads and uncles to grow a beard this December and raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. Taking part in Decembeard is simple.

All you need to do is clean shave on 30th November and let your facial fuzz grow throughout the month.

Already bearded? No problem. Dye, ditch or decorate your beard and join the campaign.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. However, it shouldn’t be. It’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Grow a beard this December and raise funds to support vital services and lifesaving research.

Sign up at bowelcanceruk.org.uk/decembeard2019 Kevin Sheedy (pictured, above), Former Everton FC legend, C/o Bowel Cancer UK, Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane, London. SE11 5DP

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Brian & Penny Armstrong

MATT HILLAN

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Lewis-Manning Support

Enable Kids To Save Lives

Dear Editor, The Swanage and Studland Fund Raising Committee for Lewis Manning Hospice held a charity meal at the Trattoria recently, the evening raising an amazing £823 for the Hospice funds.

The Hospice CEO, Clare Gallie, attended the event and was able to bring all those present up to date with Lewis Manning’s plans for services, not only at the hospice itself, but in Swanage too.

So, watch out for further information over the next few months. Thanks from the committee goes to all those who came to support the evening, to Karen who gave us some Italian songs and to Bruno and his team for all their hard work to help make the event such a success.

We hope to see you at our ‘Made in Swanage’ stall at the Christmas market in December in Swanage and later in April at the concert in the Mowlem.

Yours sincerely, David Dean, on behalf of the Lewis Manning Fund Raisers, by email.

Dear Editor, It was very welcome and encouraging to learn from Marina Fogle (Your Letters - November) that, through the endless efforts of the British Red Cross, it will be compulsory for first aid skills to be to be taught in all State schools in England from 2020.

I would add that such essential procedures be taught throughout the UK and, ideally, worldwide. I trust that basic lifesaving procedures are to be included in first aid training, these being Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR), more commonly known as ‘the kiss of life. Both procedures are explained comprehensively on websites accessible through Google and should be investigated as a matter of common sense and practicability.

I was taught both procedures as part of my training as prescribed by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) to become a qualified sports diver and I can personally confirm their effectiveness as I was able to resuscitate a young boy who had been found unconscious at the bottom of a swimming pool who was not breathing, whose pupils were fully dilated and whose lips were blue.

After removing vomit from his airway, I administered EAR only, as he had a pulse, and after a short time he was breathing normally and regained consciousness. It was an emotional but rewarding experience not least that his father, the Japanese Ambassador to the State of Qatar, sent me a case of beer the next day.

Richard Ingall, Shore Road, Swanage

A Tour To Osborne House

Wareham Scouts Christmas Dear Readers, Following the letters in the November Gazette about leaving engines running, I noticed that the U1 buses that run between Southampton Station and the Red Funnel terminal switch their engines off every time they stop.

With the return of the Sandbanks Ferry on 31st October, I used the service to travel from Swanage to Osborne House by public transport. As with travelling by car there, the journeys via the ferry take about the same time as travelling via Wareham. I left Swanage on the no 50 bus at 07:45 and got back at 18:40 with two hours at Osborne House.

After sampling some slow gin at the entrance I entered the house.

Highlights were the beautiful paintings of Queen Victoria and her family, a landscape of a castle by the Rhein, the conservatory on the top floor, the nursery with the cots and Noah’s ark, Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s study and the Indian room. From the windows I could see the terrace with its fountain and a view of the park extending to the sea.

Finishing the tour at 13:05 I thought there would be enough time to go to the beach. With many other visitors I waited for the minibus which went past without stopping. We realised we were at the wrong bus shelter and the minibus that arrived at 13:15 went to the Swiss Cottage. The walk from there to the beach was longer than expected but I saw Queen Victoria’s bathing machine, the tea shop and the seaside shelter. Looking at my watch it was now 13:40 and if I walked back, I was going to miss the 15:00 ferry. Panic set in as I tried to find the bus stop. When I saw the bus, I had to run to catch it.

I helped myself to a glass of mead at the entrance and then enjoyed having a curry and a pint of cider aboard the Red Osprey. The return trip went well and the driver of the no 50 bus said that a lot of people had used the Sandbanks Ferry.

Yours sincerely, Robin Brasher, by email

Dear Readers, The Wareham Scouts and Guides will again deliver local Christmas cards in the Wareham, Northmoor and Stoborough /Ridge area. Stamps are 25p and available from Horsey’s in North St and at the Tourist Information South St and at Carey Home and Garden.

Our special postboxes will be in these locations and at the Scout and Guide Hall. The last day for posting will be Sat 14th December and the cards will be delivered by Christmas. Thank you for supporting us in this venture which helps raise useful funds and helps local people deliver cards in the local area.

Wareham Christian Aid Lunches - Come and have lunch at a church during Advent and help raise funds for Christian Aid. Suggested minimum donation £5. A Traidcraft Fairtrade Stall will also be available.

Wednesday 4th December from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the United Reformed Church, Church St, Wareham, or on Wednesday 11th December from 12.30pm -1.30pm at the Parish Hall, The Quay, Wareham.

All welcome.

Angela Salter, by email.

White House Chimney Fail

Dear Editor, Is it possible to discover the whys and wherefores of the disappearance of the White House Chimneys? They were the most unusual architectural feature of that building and gave it great character; tall, circular and seemingly made of large pebbles.

The replacements of beige concrete are out of proportion and totally hideous.

It is indeed a wonder that the outhouse has not collapsed under the weight of its chimney. Vandalism seems not to strong a word to use in this case.

Judith Walther, by email.

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A View On War...

Home Coming Heroes When Johnny comes marching home again From some futile, far-flung war He’ll marching one-legged on crutches As the people clap and roar He’ll salute the Duke and the Duchess The symbols of what he fought for The ones left to drink and to dance and to dine On the night when he stepped out and trod on a mine When Johnny comes marching home again He’ll be taking a wheelchair ride And the politicians will shake his hand And disguise the fact that they lied That the war wasn’t fought for a foreign land But to turn the political tide Lives lost for votes gained on polling day While this lad was having his spine blown away When Johnny comes marching home again He won’t be marching at all He’ll be dead in a coffin with a flag on top And his name carved in stone on the wall And the priest will preach as the soldiers drop “Thou shalt not kill” he should call But he doesn’t, he just prays for peace evermore As he waves Johnny off to a new holy war Many thanks, Martin Hobdell, by email

Strategic Plan Consultation

Dear Readers Dorset Council www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk are holding a consultation on their strategic plan 2020 to 2024. The consultation is an opportunity for residents and organisations to supply by 20.12.19 feedback and recommendations on the draft plan.

The plan is based on economic growth, a unique environment, sustainable housing and strong, healthy communities. These approaches hardly represent new thinking. In fact, they are short of the themes of sustainability and climate change. There is no clear vision in the draft plan and no evidence of new thinking on the issues of access to affordable housing, jobs, education, lifelong training and the pressures from visitors and external developments.

Whilst no one claims to be able to accurately predict the future, we could at least begin the think about how Dorset would look if there were to be a 25% increase in its population. Such an approach would enable long term thinking and planning so as to consider what life in Dorset would be like after such growth.

Our world is clearly at a crossroads. Can we really continue to rely on ever increasing growth without adequately mitigating the costs of such growth?

Are commitments to the environment in tension with pressures to access limited resources? Have we adopted an approach that prices so much yet values so little? Where is the inspiration for young people in Dorset?

Should we give to others a licence to trash the area due to development driven by self-interest and sustained lobbying for more and more? Maybe it is time to use this consultation as a stock take of where we are and where we want to be?

Pan Purbeck Action Campaign urge residents to press for Dorset to remain predominantly a rural and sustainable area where local solutions are used for issues such as appropriate affordable housing, access for residents to good jobs, high quality education and lifelong learning plus management of visitor and external pressures.

In addition, Pan Purbeck Action Campaign argue for people and the environment to be placed before profits and for the National Planning Policy Framework to be reformed. These aims can be achieved with

The Purbeck Gazette increased democracy and the localism agenda.

Let Dorset Council know that fresh thinking and creative approaches are needed if we are to begin to even start addressing the challenges of tomorrow.

All residents have an opportunity to create in Dorset a sense of stewardship for the area and its population by thinking differently and placing “enlightened self-interest” much higher up the agenda for decision makers. Pan Purbeck Action Campaign urges all readers to respond so as to shape the future of Dorset.

Yours sincerely, Peter Bowyer, Chair, Pan Purbeck Action Campaign

£14K For Tea And Biscuits?!

Dear Gazette, Can anybody explain how Dorset Council racked up a bill for £14K last year for ‘Tea and Biscuits’? This comes from a FOI report which make Dorset third in the table; there are even more profligate councils than Dorset it seems!

That represents £280 per week, which is a lot of meetings! Anyone care to comment?

Regards, Peter Wakefield, by email

Shopping A Danger...

Dear Editor, Some thoughts on the flooded state of the car park at Sainsbury’s, Rain is a necessity, but must it always collect in Sainsbury’s car park, that we really don’t expect.

Aged four in your wellies; then a flooded car park’s fun, But, if you’re getting on in years and the shopping must be done, it then becomes a hardship and a hazard to us all.

No one wants to slip and have a nasty fall.

Wareham soon may be deserted, as shoppers go to Poole.

To browse in comfort, where wet feet are not the rule.

So, to those in charge, please do something quick.

Before we all succumb and end up very sick!

Yours sincerely, E.B. Smith, Stoborough

Kindness Of Strangers Dear Gazette, My husband collapsed in town two weeks ago and I was unable to hold him up. I called for help from people on the pavement who duly helped me ease him to the ground and some kind person called 999.

A pharmacist came out from Day Lewis and took his BP and suggested calling 999, which had already been done. Taxi drivers came across with blankets and cushion for his head and within about ten – fifteen minutes, a young woman paramedic came in an ambulance car and took charge.

She was very worried about him and took us with a wheelchair to the surgery where she did some ECGs and other tests and then decided to drive us to Poole A&E. We were looked after well in there as it was 6pm and more people were arriving hoping to be seen.

After nearly four hours in their care, my husband had multiple tests and at 10pm, was given the ‘all clear’ and to get a taxi home as a senior doctor/ registrar was concerned it was heart problem but it was a big BP drop and we were asked to see our GP in few days.

We are so grateful to people passing by who came to help and called 999 as my mobile was in my bag! The young paramedic was brilliant and took so much care of us both and looked after us until we arrived in A&E and were checked in by nurses.

It could have been a horrendous situation if people had not stopped to help and I dare not even think about the consequence if he had fallen and hit his head. One doesn’t realise that when people collapse, they become a ‘ dead weight’ and one needs help ASAP. What a wonderful, caring community we live in, with so many kind people about who do care for others. Many thanks to all.

A Swanage carer (full name and details supplied, withheld on request), by email.

The Purbeck Gazette

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TELLING IT LIKE IT IS...

Warm Homes And Warm Hearts?

by David Hollister

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s I write this, mid-November with the sun streaming through my office window, it seems odd to be writing about the winter. But the first frost finished off my bedding plants this morning and outside there’s a distinct chill in the air!

It may be that you’re fortunate enough not to have to apply for Pension Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, free school meals or Income related Employment and Support Allowance. But if you are in receipt of one of these benefits, did you know that your electricity provider might have a ‘warm home discount’ for you? You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2019 to 2020 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money isn’t paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity or gas bill, between September and March. Contact your supplier to find out about it. The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter. You can apply online; look at https://www.gov.uk/the-warmhome-discount-scheme or perhaps talk to your local library if you don’t have a computer.

There is a rumour afoot – helped along by a letter from the DWP – that the pensions contract with the Post Office is about to cease, recommending that claimants open a mainstream bank account to receive their pension.

There has got to be an ulterior motive for this proposed change. But first and foremost, you need to know that the contract with the Post Office is due to end in November 2021, not tomorrow! So, you have plenty of time to look around for alternatives. A government spokesman says: “for those claimants and pensioners who are unable to open a mainstream account ahead of this date, the DWP will implement an alternative payment service that allows users to obtain cash payments in their local area, including suburban and rural locations, before the end of the contract”. He goes on to say: “it will be our priority to ensure that elderly vulnerable people are protected and catered for so there should be minimal effect on elderly people in rural areas.”

Now I don’t know if you have ever tried to open a ‘mainstream bank account’ recently. In much of Purbeck, the first difficulty is actually finding one. We have lost Natwest, lost Barclays, lost HSBC, all of which have a ‘nearest branch’ in either Poole or Dorchester.

We are fortunate at present to have Nationwide and Lloyds Bank branches in both Swanage and Wareham and we should all keep our fingers crossed that they remain for the foreseeable future. So, first advice is – if you want to open a bank account and don’t fancy a trip or trips to the big towns, pop along to Lloyds or Nationwide and enquire how you go about opening one.

The staff will be happy to help you but they will all require a great deal of personal information and ‘security’ stuff that perhaps some of us older customers find ‘over the top’. Utility bills. A ‘photo ID’, which is a bit more difficult if you haven’t got a passport or a ‘photocard’ driving licence.

So, my advice has to be – don’t panic before Christmas but make a New Year’s resolution to get the process started with one of our in-town banks, so that it’s all done and dusted before the changes in 2021. And if

JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE

NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

you have a neighbour or friend that falls into this category, why not be a ‘good neighbour’ and help them through a process which to you might be simple, but which to them might look like a mountain to climb.

On the subject of Winter Fuel Allowances; a couple of years ago we ran a campaign asking the more fortunate amongst our readers to pledge to donate their £100 ‘Winter Fuel Allowances” to the local foodbank. We achieved a total of £1000, which was gratefully received.

The need for foodbanks hasn’t diminished, in fact over the last couple of years it has increased. I was fortunate recently to speak to Pauline Werba, the chairman of Swanage Foodbank, and was shocked to learn that more people than ever before are being referred to the foodbank at Swanage Salvation Army Hall, Kings Road East, as families struggle with the switch to Universal Credit, zero hour contracts and the lack of seasonal work locally.

In 2017 the food bank helped 355 adults, 20 children and eleven pets. So far this year, these numbers have more than doubled.

The conversation with Pauline has stimulated me to suggest to you, dear reader, that it’s time you did it again. This year I’m not going to harangue you, or hassle you like we did in 2017, I’m just going to ask you nicely – just this once – whether perhaps you agree that the Winter Fuel allowance which you receive by right, along with your state pension, is really necessary to keep your tummy full over Christmas? Because there are a lot of people much worse off than you and donating the allowance to those worse off at this time of year really is a painless way of helping.

If you can help, please take a cheque (or cash) to either Swanage or Wareham Foodbank this month. That’s it.

Finally. Isn’t it good to see the work that has been done and is still being done by the Litter-Free Purbeck group? Regular beach-cleans, regular litter-picks, and people caring about their community who are prepared to turn out in all weathers! Check out their Facebook page!

Then there’s ‘sustainable Swanage’, a steering group made up of town councillors, business representatives, members of the community and Litter Free Coast and Sea. Their mission is to positively support the community in reducing its waste, with an emphasis on plastic.

They will work together to find solutions to issues and challenges around waste and its management and would like to provide a central point of information for the community on this matter and provide a means of sharing good tips and connecting people. This is a positive group looking to the future and how we can all live more sustainably in our community. I’m sure – well, hoping anyway – that similar groups will appear in Wareham, Wool, and many of our beautiful villages. Talk to your Parish Councillors!

We are now in the run-up to a General Election. Legal guidelines preclude my commenting on anything political in this column or talking about any particular party or candidate. But all I can say is - staying at home is not an option; it is a smack in the face to the many people over the years who campaigned and gave up their freedom or indeed their lives in order that YOU could be entitled to a vote.

So – if you are fortunate to have a vote – then USE IT!

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The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage TIC Wins Gold At Dorset Tourism Awards

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wanage Town Council is proud to announce the news that the Swanage Information Centre has beaten stiff competition to win this prestigious award once again. At an award ceremony, held at the Tank Museum on 17th October, we were highly praised with the mystery judge describing us as “Wow, what a brilliant place, I loved everything about it”.

The team at Swanage Information Centre, which is operated by Swanage Town Council, work very hard to provide a ‘world class customer service in a world class area’. We love Swanage and have a passion to show our customers, be they visitors or residents, just how amazing our town is.

Culvin Milmer, the Town Councils ‘Visitor Services Manager’, said. “I am so proud of my team and this award shows the continuing dedication and commitment they have to showcasing Swanage as a high-quality visitor destination. Well done team”. It was also a great night for the Purbeck area as Discover Purbeck Information Centre received the Bronze award.

Swanage Town Councillor Caroline Finch said, “we are delighted that the Swanage Information Centre won Gold this year, proving how committed the town’s tourism service is to providing the best service to visitors to our area. This adds to the silver in 2018 and gold in 2017 for these awards.

The Swanage Information Centre plays such an important role in the local visitor economy and helps to keep Swanage on the map as a nationally important coastal visitor destination.”

Councillor Finch continued: “We are also thrilled that some of the areas many fantastic attractions and businesses have been awarded and we look

forward to even more participating in this highly-respected ceremony in the future.”

Award winners from the local area in other categories were Durlston Country Park (Gold), Cumulus Outdoors (Gold), The Tank Museum (who won three Golds!), Lulworth Outdoors (Silver) and Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham and the Swanage Railway, who both achieved bronze. Burnbake Forest Lodges also received a highly commended award.

Both information centres went through a rigorous three-stage judging process which involved initial scoring of an entry form, a programme of mystery visits and finally decisions by an independent panel.

Swanage Information Centre, situated on Shore Road by the beach, is the first point of contact for many visitors. The Centre provides a range of services such as beach hut bookings, accommodation searches, local products for sale, charity Christmas cards and information for a wide range of attractions and things to do across Swanage and Purbeck.

Holly Lagden, who supports the Town Council as the Tourism Manager, said “The Dorset Tourism Awards are a free to enter scheme that provides valuable mystery shopper feedback which we find useful to help us keep our Information Centres running well and our teams motivated, we recommend that tourism businesses across the area apply for 2020”.

Visit https://www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk/ for details of all the award winners

Swanage Features In New Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book For 2019!

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ctober 17 saw The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain, the follow up to last year’s best-selling The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book, hit the bookshelves.

Crammed full of puzzles, mind-boggling brainteasers, navigational tests, word games, code-crackers, anagrams and mathematical conundrums, The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain challenges you to map your way around Great Britain. With four levels of difficulty, the book has been specially designed to provide fun for all the family. Every page celebrates

the nation’s diversity, history and landscapes through maps, folklore and historical events. It even contains recommendations for a perfect day out courtesy of OS’s GetOutside Champions. The OS Puzzle Book invites you take a tour of Great Britain as you crack more than 300 fiendish puzzles.

Starting in the South West with questions about the Isles of Scilly, it lands in Swanage with some interesting facts and history - such as “The Romans prized the hardest Purbeck stone as it could be worked and polished like their Mediterranean marbles.” One of the questions it asks about the Swanage map is: Which street has a name that translates to ‘good agreement’?

Nick Giles, Ordnance Survey Leisure Managing Director, says: “The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain takes readers on an epic journey around England, Scotland and Wales. The success of the first puzzle book was overwhelming and showed us that we are a nation of people that love maps and love puzzles and quizzes.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to do another book that brings these two things together. The puzzles are more varied and require different skills to solve them. I think people will love this book more than they did the first. It is the ideal stocking filler for those who love Great Britain.”

In 2018, The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book sold more than 165,000 copies, reaching No.1 in the paperback charts in Christmas-week, and was nominated for Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.

The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain is published by Trapeze and is on sale now. You can order your copy at New & Secondhand Books in Station Rd, Swanage. See advert on page:

The Purbeck Gazette

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

Residents And Businesses To Have Say On Draft Council Plan

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orset Council wants to know what residents and business owners think of its proposed four-year plan for Dorset. The draft plan sets out where the council thinks it needs to focus to make Dorset a great place to live and work. It incorporates the political vision of the elected councillors.

The proposed priorities are: • economic growth - we will deliver sustainable economic growth, increasing productivity and the number of jobs in Dorset, creating great places to live, work and visit • unique environment - we will help to deliver sustainable development whilst protecting and enhancing Dorset’s environment • suitable housing - we will facilitate the availability of more affordable, suitable and decent housing • strong, healthy communities - we will work with residents and partners to build and maintain strong communities where people get the best start and live fulfilling lives • staying safe and well - we will work with all our residents to have a good quality of life Cllr. Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council said: “We are ambitious for the people of Dorset and this plan sets out our proposals for what we believe Dorset Council should deliver over the next four years. Everyone will be affected by the plan.

“That’s why it’s really important for the people of Dorset to have their say and tell us if they agree with our proposed priorities. Their views will help us shape the final Council Plan 2020-2024 which will be put before a meeting of the Full Council for approval in February 2020.”

Find out more about our draft Council Plan, proposed priorities and to have your say in our simple survey https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov. uk/your-council/about-your-council/dorset-council-draft-plan/dorsetcouncil-plan.aspx. The consultation runs until 20 December 2019.

PURBECK GOOD NEIGHBOURS Purbeck Good Neighbours is a volunteer group who can help older people over 50 with small or difficult one-off tasks in their home.

We are here to help you! why call us!

For Example Read a letter, Reach a high cupboard, Change a light bulb, Move some furniture, Take some rubbish away, Change some batteries

Helpline - 01929 424 363 All we ask of you is you give the volunteer a minimum donation of £2 to cover expenses

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The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Town Council Update

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

News from Wareham Town Council October xtinction Rebellion members cheered when Wareham Town Council followed Dorset Council’s (DC’s) lead in declaring a climate emergency.

Youngsters from Purbeck School and other interested parties will be invited to send representatives to a working group to consider, for example, the Council’s use of resources and energy suppliers, the public transport network and raising awareness.

The Town Clerk will include environmental impact in any report that she produces. Steps have already been taken to reduce the use of single use plastic in the town.

Dorset Councillor Holloway was pleased to report that from April 2020 care leavers under the age of 25 in DC’s area will be exempt from paying Council Tax. DC is keen to proceed with the Health Hub development on the Middle School site. An Extraordinary Town Council meeting was to be held on 6th November to discuss the Wareham Gateway in particular 10 questions sent to DC and their response. Look for a report of the meeting on the Council’s website.

A working group is drafting specifications for the content and structure of a new website for the Council, which will be part of the Council’s publicity policy. It is hoped to make more thorough and more timely information available to the public. The Town Clerk is providing Councillors with a new quarterly report detailing the progress on resolutions that the Council has made.

Councillors will be considering the nominations for Volunteer of the Year, who will be presented at the Christmas Reception on 5th December.

Councillors will confer with Royal British Legion, Wareham’s clergy and members of the Armed Forces about commemorating Armed Forces Day and VE day during 2020 in Wareham.

The Town Clerk will write to Dorset Waste Partnership to pass on residents’ complaints about their waste collection and to request figures of the number of complaints received by DWP. Councillor Budd suggested that contributory factors could be non-replacement of older vehicles and low pay levels.

Such was the response to the Mayor’s invitation to children to come to a Halloween Party at the Youth Centre that posters had to be taken down before the event.

The next meetings of the Town Council will be on Tuesdays 10th December and 21st January at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. The public is invited to attend Council meetings and further information is available on 01929 553006 or at the website, www.wareham-tc.gov.uk.

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New Guides To Help Sort Housing Problems

orset Council has just launched two new guides to help homeowners, tenants and landlords. The first guide advises on how to tackle damp, condensation and mould issues which can appear, or get worse, when it gets colder. The other new guide explains how to resolve on-going safety or repair issues with rented homes.

As the temperature drops, problems with damp, condensation or mould can appear in the home. The new guide provides advice on how to identify and control these common problems. It’s a practical step-by-step guide to recognising what’s causing the problem and what to do to prevent and control damp, condensation or mould.

The guide explains the importance of keeping a home well maintained, properly heated, ventilated and insulated to help prevent problems.

The guide explains what tenants need to do if they feel their home is in disrepair or their heating or ventilation isn’t adequate. If, after they’ve

taken the steps outlined in the leaflet and the landlord still hasn’t acted, the Council can provide further advice and help.

The guide on controlling damp, condensation and mould can be downloaded at: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/damp.

Any tenant struggling to get their landlord to make their home safe or do necessary repairs can get advice from the new Housing Standards guide.

Keeping a rented home up to a good standard is a joint effort between tenant and landlord. Landlords are required to make sure that the homes they rent are in good repair, safe and in good condition. The new Housing Standards guide explains how to report a problem and what tenants need to do. The guide gives useful information and advice on how to resolve on-going problems if a landlord is not taking action.

The Housing Standards guide is available at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ report-housing-conditions

JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER FEATURE - BANISH THOSE JANUARY BLUES!

The Purbeck Gazette

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A

s we move towards the shortest day and Christmas, our watch hours shorten as the daylight hours decrease.

By mid-December the afternoon watch often leaves the Lookout in darkness and looking east, we see the winking light of the Peveril Ledge Buoy. If it’s clear enough, we might even catch the flash of the Needles light. These buoys and lights are the road signs of the sea, directing water users along the safest course, around the threats of rocks, shoals and wrecks Surprisingly, a standard worldwide system of buoyage only came about in 1973. This followed a major incident in the Straits of Dover when two cargo vessels, the Brandenburg and the Niki, hit the wreck of the Texaco Caribbean, sadly with the loss of fifty-one lives.

The system is now governed by an organisation with a mouthful of a name; the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, more commonly called IALA. IALA replaced some thirty dissimilar buoyage systems in use throughout the world with just two. These are referred to as “Region A” and “Region B”.

We are in “Region A”.

The system consists of lateral, cardinal and other buoys, such as isolated danger and safe water marks. They can be distinguished from each other by; • the colour of their light and flashing sequence • the colour and combination of colours on the buoy • the shape of the top mark.

Lateral buoys mark the edges of channels and indicate port and starboard hand sides of the route to be followed. The port buoy and light are coloured red, the starboard buoy and light are green. Generally, in the UK, they are arranged with the red buoy on the left as a vessel enters a port and the green buoy is on the right.

Cardinal buoys indicate areas of danger in the water and use the points of the compass to show safe passage. There are four types of Cardinal buoys, each using an arrangement of two black triangles to represent a different point of the compass and, hence, the direction of safe passage.

If the buoy arrow points westward, then the safe route is west, and the danger is eastward. They are coloured yellow and black and have white flashing lights.

For most ports the harbour authority (in our case, Poole Harbour Commissioners) look after the ones under their jurisdiction. During the summer it’s common to hear most commercial vessels calling the Port to tell them “five minutes to the Bar Buoy”. Once they reach this buoy they are come under the control of the Commissioners.

Buoys not under the control of a harbour authority are managed by Trinity House and they maintain around 450 buoys around the coast of England and Wales. In their supervisory role, they inspect all the local aids to navigation maintained by port and harbour authorities, utility companies and oil/gas rig and wind farm operators. This totals a staggering 11,000 aids to navigation around the coastline.

There’s always a bit of excitement in the Lookout when the Trinity House vessel comes along the Peveril Ledge Buoy to check the light, solar panel and condition of the chain. It’s only when it gets pulled out of the water that you realise quite how big it is.

It’s fascinating that, even with satellite positioning systems that are accurate to a matter of metres, sailors still like to rely on coloured, floating lumps of metal with lights on! It’s as if they prefer the reassurance of something they can see, rather than simply a dot on a computer screen.

In many ways this echoes the reason NCI was set up twenty-five years ago – to provide a human, rather than electronic, presence to keep a watch along the coast. We’re proud to be part of the network of organisations that help keep our coasts safe. With fifty-six stations countrywide and over 2600 watchkeepers, so far this year we have been involved in nearly 600 incidents and have kept watch for a total of 182047 hours. Not bad for a bunch of volunteers!

This is Swanage NCI listening on channel 65, out.

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

he December 2010 edition began with an Editor’s note stating that after a difficult year financially, the page usually published each month exclusively for local groups and organisations had been cut from the magazine due to a lack of sponsors coming forwards to cover the cost.

This meant that many small, local groups who had been able to publish a few lines each month suddenly had to either self-fund or lose the ability to communicate through their local paper on a regular basis. Here we are, a full decade later, and the ‘local groups and organisations’ page still has not returned, although we do our best to fit as much information in each month as our revenue allows. The Editor’s note back in December 2010 finished with the old adage: ‘For those of you who say: ‘we can’t afford to advertise!’, let me tell you that you can’t afford not to! If no one knows what you’re selling (or offering), then no one will come and buy it!’

Reader, Mik Hamilton, wrote in to our letters page, raising concerns about the possibility of the government’s intention to look at storing carbon emissions underground (carbon capture program - the underground storing of carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations). Mik had discovered that virtually all of Dorset and indeed the Isle of Purbeck had been selected as a possible site for such storage.

Mik pointed out that Dr Nick Riley, then-Head of Science Policy at the British Geological Survey said that there is a risk that carbon injected into the ground under very high pressure could result in leaks through bore holes and old mine shafts - something which Purbeck has in abundance.

Mik’s letter finished off with his belief that carbon capture allows us to ‘carry on in the same blithe belief that in the end, all will be well. The illusion is the ultimate insult to our planet, upon whom we depend....’ True ten years ago and now acknowledged as even more true today.

In his monthly column, ‘Telling it like it is’, writer David Hollister informed readers about Dorset County Council’s plans for a new recycling centre at Victoria Avenue in Swanage, with plans being displayed in Swanage Town Hall for residents to see. The site was due to open in spring 2011, replacing the old site above Panorama Road in Swanage. David also announced that Mike Boyd of Westover Motors had agreed to sponsor the ‘Telling it like it is’ column, thus allowing David to continue researching and proffering his opinion on local matters to start debate for many months to come.

We still have very fond memories of Mike and his family, who, through their ever-growing family business at Westover Motors, had very generously agreed to sponsor not only David’s column and the motoring pages, but later, the Purbeck Good Neighbours’ marketing within the Gazette for many years. They also advertised regularly - thus ensuring the sale of enough new cars to make sure they could afford the sponsorship!! Mike retired some time ago now and with Westover passing into new hands, the current owners made the decision to withdraw their advertising and sponsorship support for this wonderful, community-run, independent magazine. We hope Mike is enjoying his well-earned retirement and we continue to remember him fondly at Gazette Towers.

Terry (Teresa) Dancy (left), worked at the Physiotherapy department at Swanage Hospital for several years and had recently completed a skydive in aid of Swanage Hospital and the Colostomy Association.

Terry wrote in to let readers know that she had raised over £600 for the Colostomy Association and £100 for the hospital.

Laurence Cade of Swanage also wrote in to let readers know that he had completed a sponsored walk in late August 2010 in aid of the Medway Queen Preservation Society. Laurence had walked from Swanage Pier to Seacombe and back, taking around four hours to complete the walk. Laurence had raised £350 towards saving the Medway Queen.

Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Club reported back on their recent street collections in aid of earthquake victims in the Far East. Locals had donated a grand total of £1,750, which was used to provide three shelter boxes, each one providing shelter and humanitarian aid for six months, to ten people.

The Watchkeepers from National Coastwatch down at Peveril Point wrote to tell readers of an interesting visitor they had recently welcomed to the Lookout. Then-Coastwatch column writer, Peter J Stevens, wrote: “One

The Purbeck Gazette

dark, stormy, rainy evening recently, I was on watch when a windswept figure appeared out of the gloom.

“She strode purposefully up the steps and into the Lookout, her long, greying hair standing on end, her waterproofs forming puddles wherever she stood. Her weather-beaten face indicated many hours spent out of doors in all weather. She explained that she had left her car at Norden and had come for a ‘stroll’ across the ridge, through Swanage and along Anvil Point. As she frequently sailed past Peveril Point, she thought that she would drop in to see what happened in the Lookout.

“Having satisfied her curiosity, she declined my offer of refreshment, thrust a five pound note into my hand, slapped me heartily across the back, and with a ‘Good man, keep up the good work”, she left the Lookout and strolled quickly into the gathering darkness on her way back to Norden, leaving me to wonder: ‘how on Earth did we ever lose an empire with women like that?!”

Finally, we give our beloved and dearly missed ex-columnist, the Chug, the last, insightful word from December 2010, below......

The Purbeck Gazette

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Swanage Disabled Club Is Ten Years Old!

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here has been a Disabled Club in Swanage for about forty years, which used to be a Branch of The Dorset Association for the Disabled (known as D.A.D.) who had at least sixteen branches throughout Dorset at that time and up until 2011/12 when it was closed down.

Sadly, things at Dorchester HQ took a turn for the worst in 2008 so the, then, Swanage Branch Chairman Stan Grimsley and his committee decided it was time to break away from this Association. Another group from Poole had already left that year and were very helpful to us – showing us the best way to handle this delicate situation.

Eventually in October 2009 we left D.A.D. and were given our own charity number and became a Ltd company ‘by Guarantee’ to protect our Trustees.

Since then we have gone from strength to strength with the support of Swanage people – so that all monies accrued now stay in Swanage for the benefit of local residents.

On the 26th October we celebrated this milestone with a wonderful afternoon tea - provided by the ladies of the Emmanuel Church, incl. entertainment from Karen Grant and Kevin Burke, and a beautiful cake

by Cheryl Marks.

Thank you to all those who attended and helped make this a truly celebratory afternoon.

Thank you all for supporting us during these past years and with all your continued support we know we can provide Swanage with a caring Club together with local transport from our specially adapted vehicles. We do need extra volunteer mini-bus drivers and escorts urgently, so if any of you think you can help, please do contact us a.s.a.p.

Telephone Robert Payne on 01929 423729 or Daphne Saville on 01929 425241 for club information for new members.

With our heartfelt thanks to Swanage residents and visitors alike.

From all the Committee and volunteer helpers within Swanage Disabled Club - thank you.

PURBECK GOOD NEIGHBOURS Purbeck Good Neighbours is a volunteer group who can help older people over 50 with small or difficult one-off tasks in their home.

We are here to help you! why call us!

For Example Read a letter, Reach a high cupboard, Change a light bulb, Move some furniture, Take some rubbish away, Change some batteries

Helpline - 01929 424 363 All we ask of you is you give the volunteer a minimum donation of £2 to cover expenses

The Purbeck Gazette

16

Out Of The Blue

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elcome to December! It looks like this December will be busy for everyone, not just thinking about what presents to bye and what party to vote for, and I don’t mean Christmas party. Of course, we will also be very busy, and have been in the run up to the festive month.

So, what have we been up to? Well, during the period 07 October – 07 November 19, we dealt with a total of 633 occurrences in Purbeck, of which 205 were recorded crimes resulting in 77 arrests.

You may have also noticed an increase in police numbers during November. With increased foot and vehicle patrols, this was in response to issues raised by the community concerning Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and drug related offences at King George’s field and Skate Park. The result was a number of vehicle and person stop/ searches being conducted and offences appropriately dealt with. This was a successful day, in part down to you caring about what happens in your community. Please keep your thoughts and concerns coming in, thank you.

On a less positive note there were 113 occurrences of Road Traffic collisions. Please take extra care on the roads at this time of the year. Off to work in the dark and back home in the dark and this time of year the temperatures are low, so please reduce your speed and spacing between other vehicles. Ensure all your lights are working correctly and they are clean.

As Christmas is fast approaching, we like to reiterate our crime reduction advice around burglaries both residential and shed/beach huts. Burglaries traditionally rise around Christmas with crooks on the lookout for those expensive items bought as presents or festive treats, TVs, tablets, phones, bikes, etc.

We would also strongly recommend that those with heating oil tanks review their security as we tend to see this type of theft rise at this time of year, as people fill their tanks ready for winter.

As we draw nearer to the winter/festive period we will be and pushing this campaign on social media and during other events we hold.

We always encourage people to join Home Watch/Neighbourhood Watch or even consider becoming a co-ordinator. Home Watch isn’t just about crime, it’s about looking after vulnerable neighbours, being involved in the community and perhaps being aware of those who are more likely to become a victim of crime than others. https://www.dorset.police.uk/media/1477/security_advice_pack.pdf https://www.dorset.police.uk/media/1484/sheducation_2012.pdf https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/homeproperty-belongings/protect-your-home/ Dorset Police wish you all a Merry and Safe Christmas!

Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team Editor’s note – no mention of the burglary at Georgian Gems in Swanage (presuming there are already enough witnesses?) and no update on the County Lines investigations most of us are aware have been continuing……

We do keep plainly asking local police to utilise this column (sponsored and paid for by the Purbeck Gazette) to update us, in as much detail as possible, on actual crime every month - yet many of the more well-known and talked about incidents locally often don’t get a mention.....

As far as we’re aware, updating the community and requesting witnesses come forward does not usually hamper investigations and does, in fact, help to integrate the local police into the community – something which it has NOT happened in recent years, despite numerous press releases and statements insisting that police are embedded within the community.

Here’s hoping next month we get slightly more detail about recent crimes, of which most of us are aware and wish to be updated on or see witness appeals for - at the very least.

This column costs us, Purbeck Media Ltd, just over £200 to print, each and every month, to support our local police force in communicating clearly and openly with the public they serve. So, dear readers, is it worth it? Do you want more detailed information from our local police? More updates? More witness appeals? More information on cases making it to court?

If you have an opinion, please do write or email in and let us know your thoughts by the 6th December.......email: ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Fire Safety reminder To People Living In Thatched Homes

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service s winter closes in, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people living in thatched properties to take every precaution against fire.

While there is no increased risk of fire within a thatched property, the impact of a fire is far greater. The National Society of Master Thatchers estimates that the average cost of a thatch fire is in excess of £45,000.

Extinguishing fires in thatched properties is difficult, as thatch is designed to repel water; as such, firefighters have to physically remove the roofing material to get to the source of the blaze.

Ian Hopkins, Prevention Delivery Manager, said: “More often than not, once fire is discovered in a thatched roof, it has already taken hold and the chances of firefighters being able to control it are minimal. It’s therefore

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vital that you do all you can to prevent fire from starting in the first place, and make sure your insurance is up-to-date, remembering to check both your contents and buildings policies.”

He added: “Most insurers will have requirements before they agree to provide cover, so it’s imperative that you do all they ask. For example, some make it part of your policy to have a garden hose on standby, or state how often spark arrestors need to be cleaned, or determine what size the flue outlet should be. If the worst does happen, firefighters will salvage as many of your possessions as they can, so be clear on where particularly valuable or sentimental items are so you can help crews to help you.”

Other top tips include: • Ensure that any alterations, construction, electrical or gas work to your property is carried out by a registered engineer.

• Sweep your chimney at least twice a year – in autumn and early spring.

• Keep your chimney in good working order, for example by fitting a bird guard to prevent birds from nesting and blocking the flue.

• If you have an open fire or wood burner, only burn seasoned or kilndried wood which has been stored in a dry, airy place. The moisture content of the wood should be below 20%, and this can be checked by using a moisture sensing probe.

• Don’t burn any other waste material, as stoves aren’t designed for this and it can lead to blocked chimneys or flues.

People living in thatched properties can request a free Safe and Well visit from the fire and rescue service, to help identify potential risks.

To make a request, or for further safety advice, visit www.dwfire. org.uk/safety

The Purbeck Gazette

17

‘Opinions’ Won’t Change Habits On Flying And Meat

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majority of British people think we should fly less and eat less meat in response to climate change, polling reveals - but an environmental expert will warn tomorrow that those opinions alone will not necessarily translate into action.

Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh of Cardiff University recently told ministers and MPs they will need to develop new messages and challenge voters’ ingrained habits if public concern about the climate is to deliver real change in the way people live.

Professor Whitmarsh is director of the Centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations (CAST), a hub of expertise supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), a part of UK Research and Innovation. She spoke at the Social Market Foundation think-tank in Westminster on Tuesday 5th November and explained how academics’ latest work can help politicians and other leaders deliver the change in public behaviour needed to cut British carbon emissions.

Polling for CAST shows that 67% of people believe we should limit our air travel in response to climate change. 53% agreed that we should reduce the amount of meat in our diets. The polling, by YouGov, also showed that 71% feel some level of worry about the climate. 61% supported a motion passed in Parliament in May declaring a “climate emergency” Despite those figures, CAST’s analysis suggests that politicians cannot take it for granted that voters will also make changes in their own behaviour to support environmental goals. Some environmentalists argue that people should stop flying for leisure and reduce or eliminate red meat.

But because people have developed ingrained habits of flying abroad for holidays or eating beef and lamb, conventional information campaigns are unlikely to persuade them to change their behaviour.

“Habits are one of the biggest barriers to behaviour change,” Prof Whitmarsh will say. She will set out research showing that habits lead to “tunnel vision” and make people less likely to even consider alternatives.

In particular, “information campaigns” aimed at simply informing people

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about the consequences of their actions are likely to be ineffective at challenging habits. “We need to move beyond ‘nudge’ and focus on behaviours that matter,” she will say.

Instead of just informing voters, policymakers should be targeting audiences’ “values and identities” and creating “positive narratives” about how their actions can make a difference.

Prof Whitmarsh will also highlight research showing that voters respond differently to different environmental messages, depending on their political leanings.

Left-leaning people prefer ‘justice’ narratives of climate change, while people who are inclined towards right-wing views are more susceptible to arguments that environmental action will reduce waste. Right-wingers also prefer “patriotic” messages that depict Britain as leading the world on environmental issues.

In general, Prof Whitmarsh says, voters are more swayed by messages about the localised benefits of action to reduce carbon emissions - for example gains to the community, better health, and financial savings - than broader global environmental rationales.

Prof Whitmarsh concludes: “Our new polling results are encouraging that the public broadly supports action to tackle climate change. But we need positive messaging and habit-breaking policies that make it easier and more attractive to take low-carbon action”.

James Kirkup, SMF Director said: “Most people say they are worried about the climate and a majority say they think we should fly less and change our diets in response. But the research suggests that those views alone will not enough to deliver widespread social change.

“Any politician who wants to lead a British response to the changing climate should pay close attention to this research, which will help them understand what can really help voters turn their good intentions into meaningful action.”

Dorset Council Climate Emergency Workshop

n October, members of Dorset Council’s Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel and Technical Officers Group came together to offer new ideas and approaches in the fight against climate change.

On Thursday morning, over forty officers and councillors from various services and electoral wards gathered at South Walks House in Dorchester to provide information on what Dorset Council is doing now to mitigate climate change, as well as discuss what else they could be doing and how they can influence others to “go green”.

Broken into five groups, each with a different focus - Transport, Waste and Energy, Buildings and Assets, Leadership and Influence, Natural Environment – each group discussed and wrote their ideas down, which were gathered together and prioritised by everyone at the end of the session.

Some of the emerging themes and ideas included: • Smarter council officer working – using technology to encourage less staff travel • Support for zero carbon new-build/retro-fitted properties • Development of planning policy for green infrastructure • Sustainable procurement (i.e. “buying green”) across all DC services • Investment in a sustainable transport network, including electric vehicle infrastructure Initial findings from the workshop were presented to the Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel (EAP) the following day, who agreed that focus groups would include members of the EAP and take forward the results of the workshop, looking at practical ways they can be implemented by the council. These plans will be presented back to the panel and help form

the council’s climate change strategy and action plan.

Rob Hattersley, Chief Executive of SafeWise, was also invited to present to the panel. Building on SafeWise’s highly successful full-size ‘learning villages’ in Bournemouth and Weymouth where children are taught how to keep safe both outside and indoors, Rob took the panel through his ideas for teaching primary school pupils and their families about the climate emergency in a positive and practical way. The presentation was warmly received, with cross-party members unanimously agreeing to support SafeWise’s proposal.

The panel also briefly discussed upcoming public engagement events, including a Town and Parish Council Climate Change workshop and an Inquiry Day when members of the public and community groups will be invited to present their ideas for how the council can help tackle climate change and its impacts.

Cllr Ray Bryan, chair of Dorset Council’s Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel, commented: “I’m extremely pleased with the progress we’re making right now. By drawing on the expertise of officers across all of Dorset Council’s services, as well as the views of elected members and the residents they represent, we’re starting to build an ambitious action plan for fighting climate change.

“We’re very much looking forward to working with Town and Parish Councils in the coming weeks, as well as inviting Dorset residents and organisations to present their ideas on how we can work together.

“There is much to be done, but I’m proud of the enthusiasm and motivation of everyone involved and have absolute confidence in our ability to change the way we deliver services and take action decisively and with real impact.”

The Purbeck Gazette (Purbeck Media Ltd) is delighted to be recognised as a ‘Plastic Free’ business operating in Swanage - we’ve been added to the growing list of local businesses who have signed-up to the SAS Plastic-Free status campaign. Have you applied yet? If not, do so soon and let’s work together as an environmentally friendly town!

18

ELECTION SPECIAL!

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his autumn, the House of Commons approved legislation for the first December election since 1923 by a margin of 438 votes to 20.

The date for the General Election is set for 12th December.

We hope that after two world wars and various members of society fighting (and dying) over generations for the right to vote, you will have at least made the small effort to register yourself to vote this year……

You should have registered before 11:59pm on 26th November to vote in the upcoming General Election on 12 December. If you haven’t registered (or at least checked that you’re still registered and eligible to vote), then you’ve lost your voice, your right to complain about what happens next and all those who fought so hard for these rights can rightfully hang their heads in the face of your apparent apathy.

Politics is everything – from how much your weekly shop costs to your rights as an employee. Politics decide on our standing on the world stage.

Politics decide how our children are taught. Politics decide when we retire – if ever!

Politics set the rules with regards to freedom of movement, freedom of thought, of expression, of belief. Politics affect every single one of us – interested or not – and therefore every single one of us should make the effort to have our say, to have our voice heard, for our opinion to count, to matter.

We invited Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, the Green Party and the Brexit Party to take part in our usual Election Special.

At the time of writing, the list of those standing as candidates had not been released - it was issued as we went to print, so we can inform you that there is also an independent candidate standing in this election - Joseph Green. We were unable to find any contact details for Mr Green so were unable to contact him. We’re hopeful he may issue leaflets or similar to give you a chance to read over his politics prior to voting....

We offered advertising space in our election feature, giving parties the

The Brexit Party, UKIP and the Green Party were invited to take part in our Election 2019 Special, but declined.

As we were sending the paper to print, the final list of candidates was released. Joseph Green (Independent) was included on the list, but we were unable to find any contact details for Joseph in order to contact him and invite him to take part before printing....

PLEASE read the manifestos of those standing prior to voting, rather than reading spurious newspaper reports or social media posts. Actual FACTS are required before voting and these facts can be found by taking the time to read the manifestos! #FactCheck

The Purbeck Gazette

ability to connect with over 60,000 readers locally and impart their main message to prospective voters. In the past our readers have told us that whilst they have immediately binned the leaflets which often appear through the letterbox come election time, they did take the time to read the notices published in their Purbeck Gazette.

Please do take the time once again to read through the information on these pages, coming to you directly from the parties who decided to join in with our election special for the upcoming General Election. Then – make sure you vote. There ARE enough hours in the day – you CAN make the effort and yes, every, single vote does indeed count – including yours!!!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Business

The Purbeck Gazette

Trading Standards Christmas shopper? Remember your online safety checks hoppers could be putting themselves at risk of online fraud this Christmas. Past research has shown that more than two thirds of those surveyed don’t bother with key checks when shopping online.

Simple online shopping safety checks include: look for signs that the website is using a secure encrypted connection, the little padlock sign should be showing to the left of the website address; read the seller’s returns policy; search for reviews about both the seller and the product you’re buying; bad spelling or grammar on a website can be a sign of a scam; look for a land line number and a head office address.

When people were asked for the reasons why they had not safety checked websites when shopping their responses varied but included ‘being in a rush’ or ‘looking for the cheapest offer’. Fraudsters like people to rush into buying something without first taking reasonable checks, they also promote goods cheaply to draw shoppers in.

Purchasing products via social media is notoriously risky as it’s hard to police and it’s awash with misleading advertising, counterfeit and unsafe products, subscription traps and other scams. As we approach the festive season take time when buying online and do take some simple steps before pressing the ‘purchase’ button.

If you have a concern regarding something you buy, then you can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06. As well as giving you advice, the consumer helpline can pass information about complaints on to Trading Standards to investigate.

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Brit’s Gift Buying Secrets!

Revealed! The gifts Brits are pretending to like (and the giftgiving occasions that are causing us the most stress) • One in four Brits in a relationship can’t remember their partners’ birthday • 55% find Christmas the most stressful occasion to buy for • Over 29% of people admit to pretending to like clothing they have received as a gift • 13% of women are guilty of regifting an item • 74% of people say that giving a gift makes them happy hile for many people, giving gifts fills us with excitement and joy, for others, it can be a far more stressful experience. Interflora has surveyed 2,000 people from across the UK, to find out more about our attitudes towards gift-giving.

74% of people surveyed said that giving a gift makes them happy. The study also found we’re starting to think about what to buy an average of thirty days before the occasion.

It was concluded that baby showers came out as the least stressful occasion to buy for, with only 23% of Brits saying they’ve felt stressed buying a baby shower gift. Meanwhile, Christmas was named as the occasion causing the most stress, with 55% of Brits saying festive shopping made them stressed out!

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Tax Return Deadline HMRC has published a news release to remind you that there is now less than 100 days to file your 2018-19 tax return. Last year over 11.5 million taxpayers were required to complete a Self-Assessment tax return but over 700,000 taxpayers missed the deadline.

The deadline for submitting your 2018-19 Self-Assessment tax returns online is 31 January 2020. You should also be aware that payment of any tax due should also be made by this date. This includes both the payment of any balance of Self-Assessment liability for the 2018-19, plus any payment on account due for the current 2019-20 tax year.

If you are filing online for the first time, you should ensure you register to use HMRC’s Self-Assessment online service as soon as possible.

Once registered it can take up to seven working days for an activation code to be sent by mail. All Self-Assessment returns should now be made online as the deadline for submitting paper returns expired on 31 October 2019. There are penalties for late Self-Assessment returns including an automatic £100 penalty for submitting a late return even if there was no tax to pay or the tax due was paid on time.

HMRC is encouraging taxpayers to complete their tax return as early as possible to avoid working during the upcoming holiday period or getting more stressed as the filing date looms. In fact, last year over 2,000 taxpayers submitted their tax returns on Christmas Day. If you are struggling to deal with the filing of your Self-Assessment tax return then this is a chore we can handle for you. Please call to discuss your options.

According to the research, people in the UK are spending more on their significant others than anyone else. However, one in four people in the study admitted to not knowing their partner’s birthday by memory!

Newcastle has the most generous partners, spending an average of £184 per gift, whereas Brighton’s partners only part with £91.

When it comes to unwanted gifts, 29% of Brits admit to pretending to like an item of clothing, while houseware came out as the present most likely to be regifted. 13% of women are guilty of regifting an item, but only 8% of men would.

Finally, the study pits men against women, looking at who’s planning the furthest in advance and who are leaving it till last minute. Men came out as preparing twenty-six days in advance while women are preparing thirty-four days in advance. Good luck if you know someone from Bristol, however, as they put the least amount of time in, only start preparing twenty-two days in advance.

For more information and to view the full data sets, plus further analyse of the UK’s attitudes towards gifting visit: https://www.interflora.co.uk/ content/gifting-debate/

The Purbeck Gazette

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Why Cohabitees Should Make A Will

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ccording to the Office of National Statistics the number of cohabiting families has grown by 25.8% in the last decade.

In 2018 they made up nearly a fifth of the 19.1 million families in the UK. Solicitors act for many clients who are cohabitees and there is still misconception that the phrase “common law” husband or wife has legal relevance and provides your partner with automatic rights.

As a Solicitor that acts in the preparation of Wills and Administration of Estates I can quite unequivocally state, no it does not.

If you cohabit with someone and you want them to benefit on your death the only way you can do this with any certainty is to make a Will. Even if you hold assets together in your joint names it is still important to make a Will as you can never assume the law will apply to your situation in the way you think it does.

A common example is that a client and their partner have lived together for a number of years in a property that my client owns in their sole name as they bought it before they met their partner. Everything has been fine all these years who wants to spoil it by talking about what happens if my client should die?

But what does happen when they die? They might want their partner to have the house, they might want them to be able to live there as long as they want but ultimately they want their children to have it, they might want to allow their partner to live there for a while but not indefinitely; all of these may be reasonable but none of those outcomes are guaranteed without a Will.

If they died without a Will the house will pass to their family under the intestacy rules; it could mean that the children inherit it or their parents or siblings inherit and they may be happy to arrange for the partner to stay but maybe they won’t.

The only way to have any certainty is to grasp the nettle and make a Will!

For more information please contact Natalie Mason on 01929 500323 or natalie.mason@battens.co.uk

JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

Offices in Wareham, Dorchester, Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Bath and London

01929 768720

The Purbeck Gazette

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Thousands Could Be Reclaimed In Inheritance Tax Following Falling House Prices In Dorset

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amilies in Dorset could reclaim thousands of pounds in inheritance tax following the latest slump in house prices. Data released in October by HM Land Registry revealed the average house price in Surrey fell 1.8% in the year leading up to August 2019 from £292,630 to £297,867.

Prices fell even sharper in certain regions. They were down 4.3% in East Dorset from an average of £359,378 to £343,885, fell 4.1% in North Dorset from £270,178 to £259,196, and slumped 2.4% in Poole from £316,486 to £308,911.

Inheritance tax is charged on the value of assets at death and must be paid before the estate can be handed over to the family. But if executors sell a property for a lower value within four years of the death, they can reclaim the tax paid on the loss through an IHT38 form.

Sean McCann, Chartered Financial Planner at financial advice firm NFU Mutual, who have agencies in Dorchester, Yeovil, Wareham, Sherborne and Sturminster Newton, said: “Families in Dorset may have paid more inheritance tax than they need to.

“When property prices and share values fall, rebates are not given automatically and need to be proactively claimed. Those that opt for do-ityourself probate are not always aware that inheritance tax can be reclaimed in this way.

“With such a dramatic fall in house prices in Dorset, families should take advice to ensure they don’t miss out on any potential rebates.”

Reclaiming inheritance tax on sell of shares It’s not just falling house prices that could lead to a tax rebate. If an executor sells shares and some other investments within twelve months of death, they can also reclaim inheritance tax paid on any loss through an IHT35 form.

Be warned, if some shares or unit trusts have risen and others have fallen, all the sales are aggregated.

To maximise the reclaim value, as an alternative you could assign the ones that have gone up in value direct to beneficiaries and only sell those that have fallen in value.

The Purbeck Gazette

23

Ellis Jones Successfully Reclaims Gambler’s £100,000

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Swanage law firm has scooped a major win against the bookies – reclaiming more than £100,000 of a problem gambler’s losses.

Ellis Jones Solicitors reclaimed 89 per cent of their client’s net losses from a high street bookmaker.

Experts from its specialist betting disputes team successfully argued that the betting operator breached the Gambling Commission’s social responsibility code because it failed to protect their client as a vulnerable customer The man, aged 32, lost just over £134,000 playing casino games such as roulette, blackjack and a slot machine style game. Ellis Jones Solicitors won the case without having to go to court. The firm recovered just over £100,000 for its client – its highest amount to date in a gambling case.

Solicitor Henrietta Dunkley, who acted in the case, said: “This was an outstanding result in a high value dispute with a major betting operator.

Our client had shown very obvious signs of problem gambling for a considerable amount of time and was spending far beyond his means.

“He had lost well in excess of £100,000. We were able to persuasively argue that there had been clear failings by the betting operator. We were able to show that the firm had failed to protect him as a vulnerable customer and therefore breached a number of obligations set out within the Gambling Commission’s Social Responsibility Code.

“Ultimately we were able to negotiate and recover 89% of our client’s net losses without having to pursue any court proceedings.”

Although a landmark case for the firm itself in the amount reclaimed, it has also achieved various other settlements for clients in similar positions.

Paul Kanolik, a partner in the firm’s betting disputes team, said: “This fantastic result is reflective of a much wider recognition by the Gambling Commission and other organisations that more protection is needed for gambling customers, particularly those that display obvious signs of problem gambling.

“There has recently been a serious push by the Gambling Commission to make gambling operators more socially responsible, and so gambling operators are waking up to the fact that these claims are being made and do have merit.”

Ellis Jones’ specialist betting disputes team is part of its dispute resolution

department. It assists clients who believe they have lost money after being treated unfairly by gambling firms. This includes lodging complaints with betting companies and working with adjudication services such as the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) or e-Commerce and Online Gaming and Regulation Assurance (eCOGRA). It also pursues court proceedings where appropriate.

According to latest figures from the Gambling Commission, 24 million adults gambled in 2018-2019 with about 10.5m gambling online.

Ellis Jones Solicitors has six offices, with its Swanage office in the town centre at 55 High Street. www.ellisjones.co.uk Picture: Solicitor Henrietta Dunkley and Partner Paul Kanolik of Ellis Jones Solicitors who have recovered over £100,000 of a gambler’s losses.

JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE

NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

The Purbeck Gazette

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From The Kitchen Garden...

Festive Winter Vegetable Wellington

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big thank you to my readers and customers - some I’ve never met, some I see once or twice a year and some truly dedicated souls I meet every week.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been spending time getting my poultry houses ready for the colder and wetter days ahead. As my birds spend a substantial amount of time indoors in the darker months, I make sure they’ve got it as dry, warm and cosy in there as possible.

During the daylight hours they’re now free to roam wherever they want and hopefully gorge themselves on protein rich grubs and plenty of greens.

My flock also get GM free layers pelleted complete feed; wheat, maize, oyster shell and as a treat, sunflower seed hearts.

The ducks are very busy dibbling about all over the place having a great time pond dipping. However, as soon as they see me with the mealworm bucket standing at the edge, out they come and waddle into their safe enclosure at great speed!

The geese also should be getting newer and better houses this winter, so when they start laying in mid-February next year, each goose will have her very own hut - no more fighting over laying rights! I’m hoping for some goslings....

Slowly, harvested beds and plots are getting a bit of a tidy before being covered with a thick layer of mulch. As always, I never have enough of one sort, so rotted horse manure, seaweed, rotted down garden compost and barley straw are used on different spaces every autumn.

This year overwintering brassicas, Jerusalem artichokes, the last beetroots and celeriac and a late crop of spuds are the only standing / in the ground veg left. The celeriac has done particularly well this year and would have done even better, had I planted out the seedlings with just a bit more space around them... so this is what I’ll make the festive vegetarian wellington with - it always tastes and looks amazing straight out the oven, served piping hot or stick it ready prepared in the freezer - just in case.

I’ll try not to get into trouble by using metric measurements for the Christmas recipe this year. Last year I received numerous phone calls, emails and was even stopped in the street by confused readers - and you were all absolutely brilliant!

Honestly, I had no idea my articles got read and my recipes were tried out by such a variety of ages.

With this in mind, I’d like to say a BIG thank you to you, my adventurous readers and lovely customers! Your appreciation makes my efforts worthwhile! (Even if they’re metric sometimes...)

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden

Festive Winter Vegetable Wellington Ingredients (serves 4-5) : 1 onion 1 carrot 1 small celeriac 2 beetroots 2 garlic cloves 100g mushrooms, finely sliced 180 g (1packet) pre-cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped 100 g breadcrumbs (any bread will do) 3 tbsp vegetable oil 2 eggs, beaten 1 handful freshly chopped herbs (parsley, thyme, sage, oregano) or dry equivalent but lesser amount 150 g cheese, grated or crumbed (any will do or even a mix) 350 g ready rolled short crust or puff pastry Sesame seeds to sprinkle on top Method: Preheat oven to 180C /400F/ gas mark 6 Chop fresh vegetables into small chunks Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the chopped veg and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and chestnuts and carry on cooking for another 8 minutes until all the juices have cooked off and you get a fairly dry mix. Leave to cool.

Add the breadcrumbs, most of the 2 eggs, the fresh herbs and the grated cheese.

Unroll the pastry, leaving it on the greaseproof paper and cut slits about 2 cm wide and 4 cm long along each of the long edges.

Place your filling in the centre of the pastry and mould to resemble a long sausage.

Start the plating process by folding up each end of the pastry over the filling, and tucking in the flaps of pastry alternating one side the another, over the top of the filling so they overlap, creating a ‘plait’ (pictured, right).

Move the wellington onto a baking tray, brush all over with the leftover egg, and then sprinkle liberally with the sesame seeds.

Put in the oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

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The Vegetable Wellington prior to cooking....

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Motoring

A Seasonal Diversion - Or Two

by David Hollister

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orset Council made an Order preventing vehicles from “proceeding” along a large number of minor roads in the southern part of Swanage. It states “it is anticipated that the works take place on weekdays, between 08.00hrs and 16.00hrs, and will be completed

by Friday 08 November 2019”. Roads will need to be closed during the treatment and vehicles moved off the road beforehand.

Dorset Councillor Gary Suttle was quoted in the Echo as saying: “I appreciate that many roads in the town are in dire need of work and welcome this activity as a step towards repairing some of this damage.”

Cllr Bill Trite was reported as saying: “I’m very keen to see this work underway. Please look out for signs advising of exact dates your road is being treated, and bear with us while this work is carried out.”

I hoped that by the end of the fourteen-day period the affected residents would have shiny new roads with surfaces like billiard tables.

At the end of the second week, fascinated to see these resurfaced billiard tables for myself, I took a drive around them all. The only resemblance to billiard tables was the number of holes around the edges. No new tarmac could be seen. None of the large equipment and vehicles necessary to carry out the work was in evidence. None of the promised resurfacing and improvement had been done whatsoever.

I suppose I should have known that notices from Dorset Council should be treated as warnings of an oncoming wolf, and by the time they want to close the roads and do the works, then residents will simply assume that the wolf is non-existent and not bother to move their cars. But what a shame to wind up all those householders into believing that their Council Tax was actually going to be spent on their roads, and apologies on my part for wrongly warning my listener of what was in store.

What a good job that Dorset Council didn’t take the attitude of Greater Manchester Council who said: “I regret that we are not able to support your request. The council has stringent health and safety guidelines it has to comply with, including stress and push testing of lamp columns. This is a service we would need to procure and we do not have the budget for it.” Why, I wonder, do lampposts need to be “stress and push tested” when the plastic poppies in question are so light?

So, wasn’t it good to see so many large poppies on our lamp-posts in Sandford, Wareham, Corfe Castle and parts of Swanage leading up to Remembrance Day? Thanks and congratulations to whoever was responsible for this lovely gesture. I can only imagine that the formal application for this is still lost in Dorset Council’s in-tray ……………

Numerous readers have contacted us regarding the amazing ‘smash and grab’ robbery which took place in Swanage at 7.50pm on a recent Saturday night (at Georgian Gems, pictured above right). The villains apparently looked well tooled-up with sledgehammers and crowbars and allegedly threatened passers-by with violence.

I know I wouldn’t have got stuck in; no amount of jewellery and cash is worth losing one’s good looks for! The crooks got away in a white VW Golf and raced off towards Wareham; the car has now been found.

I cannot help but wonder why it was that the Police did not immediately set up roadblocks at the foot of Castle Hill at Corfe and stop the ferry, running thus sealing both exits to Swanage.

This really isn’t rocket science. Maybe it was, because by the time that the officers got to the scene, having responded to several 999 calls, the raiders had long gone. Probably racing out of town at the same time that the Police cars were racing in! The raiders were lucky it wasn’t earlier in the year, where the council traffic lights at Corfe succeeded in stopping almost everybody for up to half an hour………

Or perhaps lucky that their raid didn’t coincide with one of the many accidents which we’ve had on the ‘halfway straight’ between the Norden Roundabout and the Blue Pool roundabout, where traffic is diverted seemingly at random either through Church Knowle or via the road to Ridge, causing frustration and unnecessary jam-ups.

As soon as the road is blocked, Police should establish an irreversible one-way system, sending Swanage-bound traffic via the Ridge to Corfe

road over the heath, and outgoing traffic via Church Knowle. Immediately putting ‘no entry’ signs on the other end of these roads. Again, not rocket science. The current non-system doesn’t work and can only lead to accidents and damage.

As you’re possibly aware, the surface of the A351 Valley Road, between St.Michael’s Garage in Harmans Cross and the bottom of Three-Acre lane, keeps on failing. No amount of temporary and patchwork repairs stop the dangerous bumps popping up in the tarmac.

Dorset Council has been investigating the structural causes for this increase and looking for the best solutions. During this time, they have installed “temporary road surface” signs and an “advisory” extension of the 30mph limit from Harmans Cross towards Swanage.

Their construction team have now come up with a plan to minimise disruption and intend to repair this section; they hope to carry out these works from 4th December, taking four nights to complete.

This will probably require a full road closure (night time only – traffic figures are currently being monitored to identify appropriate closure timing) with access to Swanage via the B3069. Incidentally, contrary to their own by-law which states that roads closed must be diverted on to roads of equal status? We have no other A roads into or out of Swanage!

The road has been dangerous since the summer when the traffic was heavier and many of the motorists were unfamiliar with the area. What has taken so long? Were they waiting for someone to be killed?

Will they rebuild the bit at the foot of St Michaels Hill properly to prevent the puddles which occur every time it rains, and which are sometimes up to a foot deep and are hugely dangerous to motorcyclists after dark?

Can we rely upon Dorset Council to do anything properly? Answers on a postcard please!

Happy New Year!

I’d like to wish all of my readers a very merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

I hope you all enjoy the festive season, whatever you get up to!

I look forward to seeing you all in 2020!

The Purbeck Gazette

2019/19 Ford EcoSport Titanuim 1.0125Ps Our Demonstrator Low Mileage, 2400 Miles, 5-dr, Petrol, Manual, 1.0 Litre, Hatchback, Blue Lightning, Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Alloy Wheels, Remote Central Locking, Cruise control & Speed Limiter, Front & Rear Electric Windows, Electrically Folding & Heated Door Mirrors, Media Nav with 7” Touch Screen, Hill Start Assist, Automatic Headlights & Automatic Windscreen Wipers, front & rear Parking Sensors with camera................................................................................................................ £18,995 Ford Fiesta Titanium X 1.0 Ecoboost Automatic, Low Mileage Automatic, 3000 Miles, Petrol, Automatic, 1.0 Litre, 5-Dr, Hatchback, Moondust Silver, One Owner, Service History, Climate Control, B & O Premium Audio Sound, Lane Keeping Aid , Advance Park Assist, Part Leather Upholstery, Heated Seats & Steering Wheel, PAS, Anti-lock Brake System with Brake Assist, Alloy Wheels, Keyless Entry & Start System, Cruise control & Speed Limiter, Front & Rear Electric Windows,, Electrically Foldable & Heated Door Mirrors.......................................................................................... £14,995 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 EcoBoost 100Ps, Our Demo, Sat Nav, 1500 Miles, Petrol, Manual, 1.0 Litre, 5-Dr, 2019/19, Hatchback, Chrome Blue, City Pack, Sync3 Navigation, Ford Pass Connect with Embedded Modem & WiFi, Air Conditioning, Anti-lock Brake System with Brake Assist, Alloy Wheels, Remote Central Locking, Speed Limiter, Front Electric Windows, Electrically Folding & Heated Door Mirrors, Bluetooth, Hill Start Assist, Automatic Headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, Rear Parking Sensors....................................................................................... £14,995 Ford Fiesta Zetec EcoBoost 1.0 100Ps, Zero Tax, 32000 Miles, Petrol, Manual, 1.0 Litre, 5-Dr, 2016/66, Hatchback, Shadow Black, Air Conditioning, PAS, ABS, Remote Central Locking, Electric Windows, Service History, One Owner, CD Player, Bluetooth, Hill Start Assist................................................................................. £7,495 Ford Fiesta Titanium, Full Service History, 80000 Miles, Petrol, Manual, 1.4 Litre, 5-Dr, 2009/58, Hatchback, Blue, Air Conditioning, ABS, Passenger Air Bag, Alloy Wheels, Remote Central Locking, Cruise Control, Front Electric Windows, Service History, Alarm, CD Player, Rear Parking Sensors................................................. £3,495

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2015 (65) Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra S-Line Black edition, Auto in Met Grey, 28,000 miles, Light Grey Leather Interior, Sat Nav, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Bose Sound System, 2 Year Audi extended Warranty, Full Audi Service History, £30 year Tax..£19,495 2014 (64) Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.6L Elite. In Met Light Blue, Leather Interior, Electric Folding Mirrors, Electric Windows, Climate Control, Cruise Control, Only 42,500 miles with FSH. REDUCED................................................................................................£6,495 2016 (16) Vauxhall Corsa SE 1.4 5Dr in Met Blue, Air Cond, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Heated Screen/Seats, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Only 20050 miles, FSH....................................................................................£7995 2016 (16) Vauxhall Mokka 1.4 Tech-Line in Met Silver, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Parking Sensors Front & Rear, Cruise Control, Electric Powerfold Mirrors, Start/Stop, Only 9300 miles, FSH.......................£10750 2013 (63) Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 EcoBoost 5 Dr in Red with FSH, Air Cond, Power Fold Mirrors, Rear Parking Sensors, Radio/CD Player Bluetooth, Only 8800 miles and £0 Road Fund Licence.....................£7595

We would like to wish all our customers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Look out for our new Car Finder page on our website We now have Trade access to 1000s of cars of all makes & models.

‘Click’ on the Car Finder link page at: www.foleysgarage.co.uk

JANUARY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

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THE PURBECK

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

Can YOU purchase everything you need for Christmas right here in Purbeck?

That’s our challenge to you this festive season, we want you to make a real effort to shop locally for everything from food and drink, to gifts for friends, workmates and loved ones.......

The following pages contain advertising booked specifically to try and tempt you into local businesses this Christmas.

Support our local economy, keep it local!

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Santa Specials and Christmas Festivities The festive season commences on Saturday 30th November with the first of our Santa Specials.

Santa Specials run Saturday and Sunday 30th November, 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, December and then daily 20th to 24th December. Children will receive a wrapped, age appropriate present whilst everyone will receive refreshments from Santa’s helpers. £20 per person (age three upwards), £5 one-two year olds and free of charge infants.

Join us during the festive season for a trip on the ‘Christmas Belle’ in our luxurious Pullman Observation Car. During your one-hour return journey, you will travel through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside while enjoying champagne and canapes, served at your seat. Christmas Belles run Saturday and Sunday 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st , 22nd December and then Tuesday 24th December. Individual Seat (One Passenger) £40, Seat for two persons (two passengers) £80.

Advance booking for both Santa Specials and Christmas Belles is essential, and seats are selling fast so don’t delay book today!

The ever-popular Christmas Luncheon Dining Trains are almost sold out!

Check online or call reservations to check availability. After Christmas steam trains run daily Thursday 26th December to Wednesday 1st January 2020.

On Saturday 28th December make your Great Escape from the television and enjoy a day of steam and diesel locos at our Winter Warm Up. A day of intensive operation with both passenger and demonstration freight trains. Day Rover Fares £21 Adult £13 Child with a £1 discount if booked in advance. Full details of all our Christmas Festivities can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events To Book go online or Telephone 01929 475207.

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The Naughty Knitters

Purbeck Mummers

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urbeck’s very own ‘Naughty Knitters’ 2020 calendar is now out and makes the perfect gift! Local ladies stripped off for a very tasteful set of ‘Calendar Girls’ style photos and the calender is sold in aid of the Swanage Area Dementia Buddies scheme.

Available at the New & Secondhand Bookshop in Swanage and from @61 in the High Street, grab your copy now before stocks run out and support this wonderful local cause. The group also have Christmas cards available at the same stockists - perfecto!

urbeck Mummers will again be out and about in Purbeck and Wareham performing their 200-year-old traditional Christmas time play. This depicts the battle of good over evil or looking at it another way the is depicts the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

Look out for us: Wareham 8th December – we’re performing in most pubs, starting with the Quay Inn about 12.45pm and finishing in the Kings Arms about 4pm.

On Boxing day: 12 midday - Corfe Castle Square 12.30pm - The Fox Inn 1.00pm - Bankes Arms 1.30pm - Castle Inn 2.15pm - Square and Compass Worth Matravers Times are very approximate, apart the first time.

During our play we will be collecting for a local charity For more dates please check our website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk/mummers/mummers_pages/schedule.htm

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The Boxing Day Dash

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wanage’s Boxing Day Dash has run into a few problems for 2019.

Having always been an impromptu event with no real organisers (it began many years ago with a few friends meeting to run into the sea on Boxing Day morning and steadily grew from there), this year, one local family who usually come along and try to raise a little money for charity have been asked by Swanage Town Council to provide insurance cover for the ‘event’.

As the family have never organised this long-running local tradition, they were rather surprised to be asked to seemingly take this local tradition over and pay for insurance cover for the many locals and visitors who take part each year. Quite obviously, they declined.

The message to all is - the beach and sea are yours - you have every right to walk, run, play, dash into the sea and swim on Boxing Day - just like the other 364 days of the year. This is NOT an organised event.

This event is a local tradition, one in which you may all take part, should you choose - at your own risk. Please do stick a fiver in any collection buckets you may see on the day - word has it money collected this year will go towards providing a peddle bike to take those less able out for a trip to enjoy our wonderful surroundings. Terrible idea, eh?!

We suggest all of you hit the beach for, say, 10.45am on Boxing Day, clutching your donation and ready to dash and we’ll see you there!

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ith the everc h a n g i n g weather slowing beginning to become more delightfully cooler and the nights lengthen the place of ultimate calm and warmth is the home. Festive nights at home with the family gathered around to spend some all-important quality time together is made so much better with the addition of a fireplace.

Festive Nights Fire by design have a vast range of stoves available from the best of British manufacturers along with Europe’s finest to include Rais, Contura, Charnwood and Stovax.

Choosing an appliance for your home is just the beginning of the journey and allows you to unleash your inner designer and choose between a variety of options and even design your own personal one-of-a-kind stove.

We have seen some ground-breaking new design concepts in the past few months, with new models such as the New Contura 800 Style range, Charnwood Aire, Stovax Chesterfield, Rais 600 to name a few and all are available from our team, which is situated in Wimborne and has been for over fifteen years in our modern showroom with approximately eighty display models.

Shopping locally not only supports smaller businesses but also gives you peace of mind, so you have somewhere to go back to if ever there are any problems.

Our friendly team are on hand to help you choose your new fire going over the details involved from the selection through to the first time you light your new fire.

Choose Local, Choose Fire By Design.

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The Wareham Scouts and Guides will again deliver local Christmas cards in the Wareham ,Northmoor and Stoborough /Ridge area. Stamps are 25p and available from Horsey's in North St and at the Tourist Information South Steet and at Carey Home and Garden.

Our special postboxes will be in these locations and at the Scout and Guide Hall.

The last day for posting will be Sat 14th December and the cards will be delivered by Christmas.

Thank you for supporting us in this venture which helps raise useful funds and helps local people deliver cards in the local area.

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More On Walking...

by John Garner

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ast month I attempted to encourage you to walk more and outlined some of the benefits of doing so. Not everyone is as lucky as the woman I bumped into a few years ago whose job it was to walk the footpaths of the countryside and report back to whichever organisation employed her if the footpaths were unfit for walking on. She must have noted my silent reaction because she said: ‘I know. I try not to tell too many people because it seems to make them angry.’ I confessed not to anger but to sheer, unadulterated jealousy.

Now these were back in the halcyon days of flagrant council spending. If you had a good idea and it seemed to benefit the citizens of the community in which you resided, you were in. Those days are sadly gone and along with any spending on local services have gone the way of the pretend austerity measures that we are now reliably informed have come to an end.

The brainless logic of spending the best part of ten years running down the police forces, NHS and education sectors, only to now be told they will be reinstated to previous levels is baffling to say the least. To be so self-congratulatory about it as well. The media will still be in the grip of election fever when you read this and whilst this column offers no respite from the insane ramblings of out of touch politicians as such, the simple message could well be to get out for a walk just to avoid all the nonsense.

Other jobs that strike a similar chord of jealousy when I hear about them are as follows. Apparently, there’s a similar job in the Lake District and one for a lucky mountain biker, who rides the trails checking for any problems.

Now I confess to not knowing anything about the chap that does this latter job or who employs him, but I can state right now that I don’t like him. How do people get such jobs? Where are they advertised? Who employs these people? And most importantly, why are they not asking me to do them?

You’re probably thinking that there must be down sides to these sorts of jobs. What about heading out in howling gales and biblical storms? You know, the sort of things we’ve been experiencing of late. Well, I imagine they just don’t go out on those days. Although some of my favourite walks have been when the evidence surrounding me does indeed suggest that the world is coming to an end. And if they did head out, I imagine that it would make for an interesting conversation on their return.

‘Where have you been?’

Me: ‘Out for a walk?

‘Well that’s just typical. You do realise we’ve been battling with the apocalypse here, don’t you? While you’ve been swanning around the countryside.’

‘Well no. I didn’t. I’ve been out walking. Why are you so cross? I’m just doing my job. It’s not the end of the world.’

‘Well, technically…’

You can definitely use a good walk to distance yourselves from what’s

happening in the ‘real’ world. Anyway, to summarise this ideal job. It would be to go out walking on a daily basis unless it’s a bit unpleasant, in which case you can stay at home and read a book or whatever you like. Let’s be clear. If that job still exists, I’ll go to almost any extremes to get it.

Some people almost have the decision to walk forced upon them. Well almost forced upon them. In the case of the couple in an amazing book I recently read called ‘The Salt Path’, it was a decision based on a combination of factors. If you haven’t read ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn, I advise you to do so. In an age of blame and finger pointing, it is the epitome of the opposite.

It talks in great depth about the effect that walking the south west coast path had on the two concerned. Mind you they were tough. Wild camping with pretty basic equipment, both in their late middle ages and one of them in pretty poor health.

If you feel a bit weary or your joints are a bit stiff and you don’t think you can manage a walk, think again. It’s a fantastic book of the power of the human spirit to overcome whatever gets in the way. You could read it whilst you’re waiting for the weather to improve.

Another favourite on walking is Eric Newby’s brilliantly chaotic adventure ‘A short walk in the Hindu Kush.’ Previous readers of this column will be well aware of my admiration for Newby’s writing. He had a wonderful turn of phrase and his writing was full of humour and understatement.

But it belied a toughness and determination presumably forged during his wartime experiences as a captured prisoner in Italy, itself documented in ‘Love and War in the Apennines.’ Both deal with extreme outdoor conditions. We don’t really have such extremes of weather here in Dorset. Nor do most of us ‘need’ to go out for a walk. But I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

Walking then.

Gather inspiration where you can in your reading material, but mainly get out and do it.

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The Rescue Of Danny The Dolphin

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any locals have become fans of a solitary dolphin who has been frequently seen along our stretch of the south coast, named most often as ‘Danny’, although occasionally known as ‘Dave’ to others….!

During the last few days of October, various members of local social media groups, including those in the group specifically dedicated to ‘Danny the Dolphin’, posted footage online of Danny seemingly resting alongside mooring buoys to the north of Swanage Pier.

On October 29th, it was realised that Danny was not simply resting and was instead in some sort of trouble – thought to be most likely tangled in a net or rope. Strong tidal and wind conditions on the 29th October meant worried watchers were forced to try and watch Danny’s situation unfold from the shore as it was deemed too dangerous to attempt to take to the seas to try and ascertain what the issue was and attempt to help.

Danny’s social media page on Facebook was filled with worried folk watching the situation unfold in real-time, desperately begging for someone to take to the seas and save Danny. Members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue attended the scene and local members stayed shore-side to watch and report on Danny’s condition. HM Coastguard and Swanage RNLI were aware, and although both agencies are tasked to respond to danger to ‘human’ life, we understand both would have done whatever they could have to assist, had the prevailing sea and wind conditions allowed.

Various experienced jet skiers and seafarers volunteered to gather equipment and meet on the shoreline at around 7pm on the 29th to attempt a launch and rescue whilst Danny was still alive and moving, calling out for assistance from the public to provide waterproof torches and so on.

As dusk was closing in and the numbers of frantically worried online watchers grew, local fisherman, Will Chellingworth (33), quietly took to a nine-foot rowboat, with an outboard engine, and managed to get through the swell and head out to Danny’s location in the bay. Will single-handedly successfully released Danny. Those watching from the shore reported that Danny did a slow lap of Will’s boat after being released, before heading off – hopefully to attempt to feed successfully and recover from his nearfatal ordeal in pretty terrible weather conditions. Will removed the buoy in which Danny had become entangled to ensure no further incidents of a similar nature occurred.

Swanage Coastguard released a statement saying: “This afternoon the team attended the pier after numerous reports of people going into the water to get to the dolphin. The dolphin had been reported caught on a mooring line some distance from the pier.

“The British Divers Marine Life Rescue team had been monitoring the dolphin since this morning but due to the conditions had been unable to reach the dolphin. The team provided safety cover and advice to the public due to the rough conditions. A local fisherman has managed to get to the mooring and free the dolphin, which has been seen to swim off.

The BDMLR will monitor the area but our request is not to put yourself or others in danger in these conditions.”

Will Chellingworth (now known as our very own ‘Dolphin Superhero’), commented online himself after the dramatic and heart-warming rescue: “To make all people aware of this afternoon’s incident involving “Dave, Danny or whoever you like to call him. He was entangled in a mooring.

I went out in a small rowing boat with an outboard to try and free him.

Luckily, I was successful and managed to free him. He was entangled in the pick-up buoy rope that was around his tail. There were no nets caught on him like people have read. The buoy has been removed from the mooring in case he decides to get caught in it again! Hopefully he’ll stay away from mooring buoys from now on!!”

Lisa Skelsey, administrator of the Facebook group ‘Danny the Dolphin’, later posted the following: “So much happened behind the scenes, it was really hard answering messages, adding people to the group that might be able to help and chasing people to ask for help and answering comments, messages, texts and phone calls.

“Big congrats to Will for cutting him free, but I would really like to also do a big shout out to these guys as well: Maria Munn from Plastic Free Purbeck, Hazel Pittwood from ORCA, both Marine Mammal Medics for BDMLR - these two ladies stood by Danny’s side from 9am on the 29th

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until he was released. I only found out about Danny just after 1pm. I hopped straight in the car and went down to see if there was anything I could do.

Thanks to Dan from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). Thanks to Swanage Pier for keeping us warm with teas and coffees.

“To Simon Dennis from BDMLR, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Swanage Coastguard, Swanage Lifeboat Station, Jurassic Jetski Tours Ltd (Dan and the guys, if informed earlier, would have been in Swanage straight away, they are extremely experienced with Jet skis and are absolutely phenomenal in the water).

“To Max Webb and Cameron Shields – a huge thank you! Both were coming after work from Christchurch. Again, experts on the Jet ski and ready to get out there to save him. What stars you two are! Thanks guys.

“Then we had some boats and another Jet Ski coming over, however they were stuck in Wareham due to a road accident. I would have gone out on our boat, but unfortunately someone felt the need to steal it!

“Thanks also to everyone who spotted Danny from the pier. I’m sorry I can’t remember all of your names, but a huge thank you to all who came down to support Danny on the pier. While all this was happening behind the scenes, events were going on………Will whipped out and saved our

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Danny boy!! So, a huge shout-out to everyone above, along with Will, who just went and rescued him!

“Last but by no means least, thanks to George Sharpe for his post, as that is what Will saw on the BBC Dorset website which alerted him to the fact that Danny was in trouble in the first place.

“To all of Danny’s followers, thank you for caring and sharing the posts.

He is very lucky boy who has so many people watching out for him. He may be a solitary dolphin, but jeez - he has the biggest pod with all of us following him! He is one very lucky dolphin! 🐬 “So sorry if I have missed anyone by name, but so much happened in a short amount of time.”

Photographs: Danny as pictured in and around Swanage bay this summer, prior to the incident - Danny is often spotted near buoys. All images by Tim Crabb.

DO YOU HAVE A MOORING BUOY OR SIMILAR IN THE BAY? IF SO, PLEASE UNDERTAKE REGULAR CHECKS TO ENSURE IT IS SAFE TO BOTH PEOPLE AND MARINE LIFE, THUS HOPEFULLY ENSURING THIS SITUATION NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN - TO EITHER ANIMAL OR HUMAN! #AllLifeMatters

Margaret Green Animal Rescue

Create some Christmas Cheer! ather your colleagues, friends and families together this festive season to decorate a Christmas Tree and enter it into the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Tree Walk to spread some festive cheer and help raise money for rescue animals.

The MGAR Tree Walk display starts on 8th December at Church Knowle Rehoming and Visitor Centre, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5NQ and will run throughout December. For just £15, your tree will be displayed for everyone to marvel at and you’ll be helping the rescue animals too!

If you are business owner, are in charge of team building or have colleagues who just love to be creative, this is a great opportunity to show your support, get that festive vibe as well as that warm fuzzy feeling knowing you have helped rescue animals. Please note power is not supplied. The tree will be outdoors so please keep this in mind when choosing your decorative materials A ‘sign’ can be attached with name or business name, please let MGAR know before the 8th if you would like this. Trees should be real (not fake).

If you would like to know more please get in touch by emailing comms@ mgar.org.uk All money raised from trees entered will go towards helping to care for our rescue animals. www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

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Durlston’s December Delights!

With decreasing leaf cover it can be easier to see some birds, such as Redwings and Fieldfares. Sparrowhawks may weave through branches whilst hunting.

Guillemots and Razorbills may visit the cliffs or pass by at sea. Those with good optics might observe offshore Red Throated Divers, Scoter, Brent Geese, Kittiwakes and perhaps even Great Skuas.

True UK hibernators are Bats, Dormice and Hedgehogs, fortunately for Kestrels, there are plenty of small mammals still to hunt. Grey Squirrels along with many other creatures do not hibernate but choose to stay inside holes or cover.

Dolphins have been recorded on a December day in both 2016 and 2018 so there is a chance of seeing them this year. Both Little Egrets and Herons have been known to pass by whilst Guillemots and Razorbills continue to “pop in”.

Dorset Tourism Awards Success!

We are delighted to have been awarded Gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards “Accessible and Inclusive Tourism” category - the judges said Durlston “Puts accessibility and inclusion at the heart of everything they do”. This is a great tribute to the hard work by staff and volunteers to make sure everyone can enjoy this fantastic place. For more information

on Access for All, please visit www.durlston.co.uk/visitaccess-for-all.aspx Crikey its nearly Christmas!

On the first of the month we aim to pack in a December Bird Walk, David Ewers “Natural Woodcraft” and an evening of Stargazing (weather permitting of course). Perhaps, with David’s help you might make a Green Woodwork gift which in turn could generate a smile on Christmas Day. Perhaps you could join the Glass Engraving Workshop to create an engraved glass Christmas card. Either product could be brought along to Wrapping Up for Christmas wherein you create your own customised wrapping paper and gift tags.

The years seasonal Christmas Wreath Trail is a first in that it offers the option to seek out adult or children’s clues! Hunt down the Wreaths to work towards your reward! However, for those whom already want to burn off some calories then you would be welcome on the Christmas Pudding Plod.

Proceeds from this charity Fun Run will be shared between Dementia Friendly Swanage and the Durlston Pleasure Grounds Project. Of course, there will be plenty of nonseasonal activities for you to enjoy as well! For more details, visit the Durlston Events webpage: www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx

Annual Wareham In Bloom Awards 2019

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elebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wareham in Bloom initiative, it was a night of glittering prizes at the annual Wareham in Bloom Awards in the Town Hall’s Corn Exchange. Committee Chairman Cllr Carol Turner and Deputy Mayor Lucia Kirk presented cups, plaques and certificates to the following happy prize winners: Best Front Garden: Winner: Mr F Farwell 7 Church Lane. Highly Commended: Mr/Mrs McCartney, 1 Bestwall Crescent. Best Front of House: Winner: Mr J Bispham 13 Wyatts Lane. Highly Commended: Mr T Duflos 5 Cow Lane. Best Traditional Garden: Winner: Mrs M Holman, Causeway House, Causeway Close. Highly Commended: Mrs Ann Smith, 48 Bestwall Road. Best Contemporary Garden: Winner: Roger and Maria Lockey 43 Carey Rd. Highly Commended: Mr & Mrs Stretch 6 St Michaels Rd Best Pub (Frontage): The Quay Inn. Best Pub (Garden) The Horse & Groom. Best Business: Winner: Five & Dime Café. Highly Commended: The Goods Yard. Best Residential Courtyard: Mrs Jaeger 56-70 Moreton’s Court. Best Community Garden: Geoff Boulton - Northmoor Wildlife Haven. Best Street: Causeway Close, accepted by Mr and Mrs Chittenden. Outstanding Services to Wareham In Bloom: Ross Hooper, Moretons Lane. Eric Osmond Memorial Trophy: First winner: Mrs M Holman, Causeway House, Causeway Close.

Note: Full set of photos may be seen on the Wareham in Bloom Facebook page and the Wareham in Bloom Website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk/wib Rod Curtis, Publicity Officer, Wareham in Bloom

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Scentsational plants make excellent Christmas Presents lants that flower in winter work hard to attract insects as there are very few around at this time of year. One tactic is to have beautifully scented flowers to guide the insects toward the flowers. This makes the flowers attractive for us too, so here are a few that could bring you much joy in the depths of winter.

Consider planting these where you can appreciate them every day, for example, near your front door, en-route to where you park the car or on the way to the woodshed. Then you can have a sniff as you go past and clear away any winter blues.

Christmas Box Sarcococca The flowers are not especially showy, but the perfume is knockout.

One plant will fill the air with scent in a small sheltered garden.

They are small evergreen shrubs up to about 4ft.

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Hamamelis - Wych Hazel The flowers can be yellow, or orange and the narrow petals remind me of orange or lemon zest.

Just check when you buy one, as not all forms have much smell but when they do the scent is rich and spicy.

Mahonia japonica (below) The long stalked bright lemon-yellow flowers have a scent like Lilly of the valley. Easy to grow even in dry shade. It forms a large bush but be prepared as the foliage is very prickly.

Viburnum x bodnantense There are several forms of this plant ranging from white to mid pink and all of them are sweetly scented.

They are a great plant near a gate where you may want some height for privacy but won’t spread too much.

Lonicera x purpusii This forms a large spreading bush but can easily be kept smaller with regular pruning.

The fragrance from this will cut through a cold crisp January day.

I like to cut a sprig of this to have at my desk where I can enjoy it’s intoxicating aroma.

December to March is a great time to plant trees and shrubs so long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. The earlier you plant them in the winter the higher the soil temperature and therefore the more roots it can grow before next spring.

For more information, pop in and see the extensive range of trees and shrubs on offer at Holme and discuss your requirements with one of the Holme experts.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Celebrate The Joy Of Christmas With Swanage Town Band!

Celebrate Christmas with

SWANAGE TOWN BAND at Swanage High St Methodist Church Wednesday 11th December at 7.30pm FREE ADMISSION Refreshments available

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For more info tel: 01929 422421

he Swanage Town Band is once again looking forward to spreading some Christmas joy with their annual performance at the Swanage High Street Methodist Church on Wednesday 11th December at 7.30pm.

This FREE event has become a very popular fixture in Swanage’s Christmas Calendar, with the band playing a selection of seasonal music and plenty of carols, where audience participation is positively encouraged!

The Town Band have gone from strength to strength with now over forty registered players and the evening will also feature music showcasing the band’s varied repertoire.

Proceeds from a retiring collection will be shared between Julia’s House

Children’s Hospice and the Friends of Swanage Hospital.

With FREE admission and mince pies, tea and coffee available in the interval, this is an evening not to be missed!

The ‘Choral Greats’ Bach And Mozart In Swanage Saturday 7th December, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Swanage he Purbeck Arts Choir and Purbeck Chamber Orchestra will be joined by the Purbeck Youth Choir for an evening featuring the works of the “Choral Greats”, J S Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

‘Sleepers, Wake’ (also known as Watchet, Auf) by JS Bach and Mozart’s Piccolomini Mass and Alma Dei Creatoris are the choir highlights and Simon Lole will be playing Chorale settings and organ preludes on ‘Nun komm der Heiden Heiland’ by JS Bach. The Purbeck Chamber Orchestra will be playing two church sonatas for string orchestra by Mozart.

Musical Director, David Fawcett, has chosen to feature Bach and Mozart for his first concert with the choir, reflecting his intention that the choral greats of the last four centuries should form the backbone of the choir’s repertoire.

The concert is in support of the local Swanage Coastwatch and will be £12 on the door with students and accompanied children free of charge.

Advance tickets for only £10 will be available from Corbens or by calling Liz Roberts 01929 481419/07843289483 to book. Please also call in advance if you have any accessibility issues for seating.

Full details of the programme and information about the choir are available on the website -purbeckartschoir.org.uk and keep in touch via Facebook.

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The Naughty Knitters!

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urbeck’s very own ‘Naughty Knitters’ 2020 calendar is now out and makes the perfect gift! Local ladies stripped off for a very tasteful set of ‘Calendar Girls’ style photos and the calender is sold in aid of the Swanage Area Dementia Buddies scheme.

Images were taken by Julian from Purbeck Footprints, who put the ladies at ease for the photoshoot by turning up to take the pictures with the backside of his shorts cut out!!

Available at the New & Secondhand Bookshop in Swanage and from @61 in the High Street, grab your copy now before stocks run out and support this wonderful local cause. The group also have Christmas cards available at the same stockists - perfecto!

The Purbeck Gazette

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A Wonderful Christmas Time....!

hat better way to enjoy this festive season than with the Belvedere Singers at their annual Christmas concert?

The retiring collection will be in support of the Swanage Disabled Club, who provide activities and outings for the less able people of our town.

This year our special guest organist is David Warwick. We are also pleased to welcome talented young local musicians, Miro Vosper (soprano) and Reuben Bennett (pianist).

Our repertoire covers all aspects of the Christmas celebration with traditional carols and music, including The Lamb by Taverner, There is no Rose, an arrangement by our Musical Director Clive Watkiss, and carols by Rutter. We are also singing light-hearted festive pieces and ever-popular carols for audience participation.

The Belvedere’s Christmas concert is on Saturday, 14th December, at 7:30pm at St. Mary’s Church, Swanage.

Tickets are charged at £10 adults; under 18s free.; available from Albury & Hall in Station Road, Swanage, from choir members or on the door.

Purbeck Mummers At Christmas

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urbeck Mummers will again be out and about in Purbeck and Wareham performing their 200-year-old traditional Christmas time play. This depicts the battle of good over evil or looking at it another way the is depicts the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.

Look out for us: Wareham 8th December – we’re performing in most pubs, starting with the Quay Inn about 12.45pm and finishing in the Kings Arms about 4pm.

On Boxing day: 12 midday - Corfe Castle Square 12.30pm - The Fox Inn 1.00pm - Bankes Arms 1.30pm - Castle Inn 2.15pm - Square and Compass Worth Matravers Times are very approximate, apart the first time.

During our play we will be collecting for a local charity For more dates please check our website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk/mummers/mummers_pages/schedule.htm

JANUARY 2020 DEADLINE NOON, WED 6th DECEMBER

The Purbeck Gazette

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

orset HealthCare is holding a bank staff recruitment day at Swanage Hospital on Tuesday 3rd December 2019 between 9.00 am and 17.00 pm.

This is aimed at RGN qualified nursing staff, especially those with ward and district nursing experience.

Typically, we need bank staff to cover for sickness, absence, and periods of fluctuation. If you feel that you can commit to helping Dorset HealthCare on an ad hoc basis we look forward to meeting you.

If you are of an artistic nature and think that you can offer a couple of hours per week as a flower arranging volunteer at Swanage Hospital, please contact Swanage Hospital on 01929 475006 for an informal chat.

Full training will be given.

Last month, at Wareham Hospital, the first Purbeck Forget Me Not Meeting Centre opened its doors!

Dementia Meeting Centres bring together people living with dementia, their family members and carers, volunteers and professionals in a warm and social space. Members can access help and support to match their individual needs.

There is a flexible programme for everyone to enjoy, including a whole range of activities to help people adapt to the challenges that living with dementia can bring.

We already have a community of people committed to supporting people living with dementia and their families/carers here in Purbeck.

This is truly collaborative service supported

by The Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Social Services, Dorset Healthcare Admiral Nurse, Dementia UK and Swanage and Purbeck Dementia Friendly Communities.

A special thank you to The Friends of Wareham Hospital for their support, also to George Smith and The Monday Club at The Duke of Wellington for their kind donations to help get our meeting centre kick started!

Meetings will take place every Monday. Time: 10.30am – 13.30pm. Location - Wareham Hospital. Cost - £2 per person per session: £4 per person for lunch.

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!

Pathways Added To Dorset Care Record Better Informed means Better Care for Dorset residents eople living in Dorset can look forward to enhanced coordinated care as further records are joined up within the Dorset Care Record (DCR).

The next tranche of health and social care records came on-stream in the last week of October, which will mean that a quarter of the proposed data feeds within the Dorset Care Record have been successfully integrated.

For the first time, allergy information from Dorset County Hospital will come on-stream, which, for example, will be useful for hospital teams who will be able to prescribe more safely.

It will also be useful for hospital pharmacy prescription teams who will be able to check what has been prescribed with regards to medicine reconciliation.

Emergency Department encounter information from Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch (RBCH) and Poole Hospitals is also going live. It means that ED encounter information will be available county wide.

Peter Gill, DCR chairman and Director of Informatics at RBCH and Poole Hospital, said the additional records would help health and social care professionals make clearer decisions about people’s care.

“It will mean that practitioners will be able to have easier access to results and reports across the county.”

At present, nearly nine hundred trained health and social care professionals are using the DCR across the partnership, which includes the county’s three acute hospitals, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and the two local authorities.

All the county’s GP practices are now either connected or in the process of being connected to the DCR. The ambition is to grow to around 7,000 as the phased rollout progresses.

Around 2,000 health and social care records are accessed every month.

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

The Purbeck Gazette

Hello From Swanage Medical Practice

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Merry Christmas and a healthy 2020 to our friends and patients from the team at Swanage Medical Practice!

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ll of us at the practice would like to offer you our sincere thanks for your patience and continued support during the past year.

The positive feedback we continue to receive from so many of you is an immense boost that motivates us to provide the best possible service to the community despite the challenging GP recruitment crisis that we are facing. Please continue to bear with us.

GP Recruitment Remains a challenge but having said a fond farewell to Dr David Haines on his retirement we have been very fortunate that Dr Kiran Qureshi has joined us as a partner and taken on his patients, and Dr Beth Law has joined us as a salaried GP. As more of our GPs retire in the coming year, we continue to advertise for replacements but are privileged in the meantime to be supported by some fantastic locums and our nurse prescribers.

We are now a multi-disciplinary practice What does that mean you’re wondering? Our nurses Jane Haysom & Alison Page have achieved further qualifications and are now prescribing nurses. They can now both serve as a patient’s primary healthcare provider to diagnose disease via history taking, physical examination, make onward referrals and provide appropriate treatment, including prescribing medication.

With the Medically Urgent Sit & Wait (MUS&W) surgery busier than ever you may find you are called by one of them. This is not second best, you are seeing a highly trained individual who has been asked by a GP to call you in. Patients will need to get used to seeing our nurses for minor self-limiting illnesses; enabling the GPs to take care of the very seriously ill people registered with us.

Healthcare is changing Our local pharmacy teams are integral to the provision of local healthcare.

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

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can be consulted on ways to improve health and well-being.

Swanage is well served by three local pharmacies who can offer blood pressure checks, stop smoking, weight loss advice and over the counter medications for minor illnesses. If you have a minor ailment or need advice, why not drop into your local pharmacist first instead of the MUS&W. This could save you and us time.

E-Consult – Convenient Access to Healthcare E-Consult is an online service using digital technology to bring choice to patients who want to consult online. It is a convenient and responsive service.

Patients submit their symptoms online which is then received into the Practice, passed to one of our GPs and you will get a response from us within forty-eight hours when submitted Monday-Friday.

This could be advice, directed to other support such as the pharmacy or booked in for a GP appointment if necessary. The service also offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker.

Online access Is the way forward. It’s gives you the ability to book appointments, see your medical record and order repeat prescriptions. No more hanging on the telephone for ages to book an appointment. All you need do is come to the surgery with some ID and the receptionist will generate a unique password for you to access this fantastic system.

Pop in-today! More information about our services can be found on our website www.swanagemedical.org.uk and don’t forget we issue a quarterly newsletter on paper and on the website, that is packed full of useful information and advice.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Sport Swanage Walking Football Club Swans flying high at top of the league in two divisions hat a great start to the new Dorset FA walking football leagues. Both the Swans over 50’s and over 60’s teams opened their Dorset walking football League campaigns with double wins to go top of their respective leagues.

The over 60s kicked off the season and league opener at home against Weymouth over 60s in front of a good home crowd. After going two behind in the first ten minutes they regrouped and came back fighting to win a well-deserved 5-3 victory to the obvious pleasure of home fans. Goals were scored by Ivor Hughes, Roger Lockey (2), Derek Montague and Brian Hunt.

The over 60s had little time to rest on their laurels as the following week they had to play Weymouth away on the return leg. On a very poorly lit pitch Weymouth got off to very aggressive start and pinned The Swans into their own half for pretty much the entire 1st half with an amazing seventeen shots on goal compared to only two for The Swans. (HT 0-0). After the break the Swans came out fighting and their performance was unrecognisable to the first. This time Weymouth struggled to get out of their half. With ten minutes to go Mark Kilby scored a well-earned goal from an almost impossible acute angle. Swans then put up a solid wall of defence with an additional superb save from Swans keeper Ricky Scott to secure a 1-0 away win.

The over 60s now sit at the top of their league with maximum points from their first two games. Next was the turn of the over 50s. The over 50s season opener was against the current league champions Dexter’s from Hamworthy. Again, there was a good home crowd to support the team The Swans surprised the champions by quickly getting into a groove and went 2-0 up in the first fifteen mins. Dexter’s were a constant threat

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and kept the Swans defence very busy and managed to pull back a goal just before half time (HT 2-1). After the break the game remained as tight. Swans missed a penalty and with fifteen to go, Dexter’s levelled the score to 3-3.

Swans dug deep and with an excellent passage of play managed to pull out a 5-3 lead before Dexter’s had a man sin binned for five minutes.

Swans took full advantage of the extra man to score a sixth goal.

With minutes to go, Swans claimed a seventh via an own goal to win a well-deserved victory. Goals were scored by Mark Helmsley, Andrew leader, Steve Finney (2), Nick Surman (2).

The second leg was played a week later at a very wet and windy Hamworthy stadium. Swans got off to a very nervous start and were pinned into their own half for the first ten minutes. Once swans got used to the larger pitch and lighter ball, they started to move the ball around and put the champions under more pressure. Just before half time Swans caught Dexter’s on the break and a nice through ball to Steve Finney was perfectly put into the top corner. (HT 1-0). After the break Dexter’s came out with increased determination but excellent defending enabled Swans to keep a clean slate and run the game out to a 1-0 victory to the Swans.

With double wins for both, the over 60 and the over 50s teams both sit at the top of their respective leagues. “It has been a dream start to the season for both teams” said Nick Surman (club manager). In November the over 60s takes on Bournemouth AFC. The club welcomes supporters to come and watch the league games.

It really does help to have a good crowd cheering on the team. Please come along and show you support at our next game. Three sessions a week are run for players: Tuesday morning 10am-11:30am (mixed), Tuesday 7:30pm (women) and Thursday 7pm (men). Michael Binns

Dorset Chess Blitz Championship 2019 Results

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he 3rd Dorset Chess Blitz Championship was held on Sunday 22nd September at Furzebrook Village Hall. In blitz chess, each player has only ten minutes on the clock for the entire game so things can get pretty frantic towards the end of a game and if I had a pound for every time I’ve heard: “I was winning but blundered in time trouble”, I could retire!

Thirty-six players entered from across Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Wiltshire including Purbeck chess club members Derek Mount, Richard Quin, George Holden and ten-year-old Florence Spirling. The players were split into three groups of twelve based on their grades with the winner of group A becoming the champion. It was very pleasing to see seven juniors enter and they certainly gave the more mature participants a run for their money, winning both group A and group C. Group C included six of the juniors and they took the top two places with Jamie Doyle from Poole taking first place and Ted Paul (Dorchester) coming second. Winner of group B was Richard Smith from Poole and runner up was Steve Dean (Seaton).

Runaway winner of group A with a fantastic 10 / 11 was Declan Lovelock from Southbourne. Declan is only fifteen-years-old and the way he dispensed with some of the top players in Dorset makes me think he will develop into a very strong player. Runner up was Jamie MacDonald who was the only player to beat Declan.

The Purbeck chess club players had mixed fortunes. Let’s just say Derek

and Richard have had better tournaments and leave it at that. George, who has only recently started playing chess seriously, started well but faded in the afternoon to finish on a creditable 6 / 11. Florence, who was playing in her first adult tournament, had a great result – she scored 5 / 11 and won the second junior prize.

Lunch was again provided by Southbourne’s Martin Simons who offered a choice of chicken korma, sweet and sour chicken, chilli con carne, Spanish chicken and a bean and vegetable casserole – I’m convinced a lot of the players only come for the lunch!

Once again, Furzebrook Village Hall proved to be a magnificent venue which all the players seemed to appreciate and we will be returning there for next year’s tournament.

Chess in Swanage As Caffe Tratt will be closing over the winter months, the regular Thursday morning chess café will be moving to Chococo from 14th November until early February.

You can call in for a friendly game and a chat over a coffee from 10.15am until lunchtime.

Steve Peirson, Tournament Organiser

The Purbeck Gazette

October ‘Driving Day’ With The Dorset Land Rover Club

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he Dorset Land Rover Club held another very successful Driving Day at one of the sites that the Club uses regularly just outside Crossways (near Dorchester). Entry to the event wasn’t restricted to DLRC members, as the Club opens up these events to non-members as part of its policy of attracting new members!

After a spell of particularly heavy rain, there was plenty of mud at the site for those so inclined to go mud-plugging, whilst there were also plenty of woodland trails and more open, non-damaging areas to keep the nearly thirty drivers who turned up on the day very much entertained. Vehicles being driven ranged from a very original Series 2 right through to an immaculate Range Rover P38 (well, it was immaculate at the start of the day…), with various Defenders and Discoveries making up the numbers.

All the drivers who came along had a good time and lots of them commented on how hard the Club members who prepared all the signage and direction boards had worked to make the site navigable and safe. A special event within the event was the opportunity to chauffeur round two representatives of Mosaic, the charity that has been supported this year by The Dorset land Rover Club.

Each year, the Club picks a local charity to support, and Mosaic – a charity that offers a pathway of support and guidance, supporting bereaved children, young people and their families. After their thrill-packed rides, Laura Stanley and Sian Haynes (respectively a fund-raiser and a trainer for Mosaic) were presented with a cheque for a little over £1,000 by the Club Chairman, Jon Riddle.

Jon Riddle said: “This sort of Driving Day gives you an idea of how much we enjoy being part of the Club, and it’s great to be able to support other people by doing what we enjoy.” Lara Stanley replied by thanking all the Club members who had helped to raise such a magnificent amount and added: “This is a wonderful boost for our fund-raising and will help us to pay for a residential experience in Spring 2020.”

Both Sian and Laura also said that they’d had a great time being driven around off-road and would love to come again to one of the Club’s Driving Days!

Pictured: top - Club Chairman, Jon Riddle, along with a few club members, presents a cheque to Laura Stanley and Sian Haynes from Mosaic.

Pictured: above - Driving Day at Crossways, which attracts a wide range of LR types, Below - A V8 Defender goes for a paddle during the Driving Day at Crossways

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The Purbeck Gazette

Dorset Funeral Plan Cricket League Presentation Evening

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orchester Cricket Club collected the trophy for winning the 2019 Dorset Cricket Board Premier Division after a thrilling season.

Skipper James Ryall was presented with the cup by Nick Douch from sponsors The Dorset Funeral Plan. The presentation evening was held at The Leaze, home of Wimborne and Colehill Cricket Club. Dorchester last won the title in 2008 and have finished in the top four places for the last three seasons. Winning six of their last seven games saw them pip Poole Town CC to the title. Jack Owens with the bat and the retiring Dan Belt with the ball were the stand-out performers.

In Division 1 it was Cattistock CC who took the crown and will be playing in the Premier League next season. Their batting line-up was just too good for opponents this year with Jon Legg, Liam Toohill and Steven Tucker all scoring heavily. Having been relegated from the Premier League in the 2018 season, Swanage I regrouped and were runners-up in Division 1.

Captain Ryan Norman led from the front with 38 wickets.

Witchampton will finally leave Division 2 after having been in it almost permanently since 2006. They leave it in the best way – as champions. Adam Croker’s runs and a solid bowling attack led them to the title. Beaminster came runners-up in Division 2 but had the outstanding cricketer in the league in Daniel Swift. He scored 613 runs and took 30 wickets. In Division 3 Corfe Mullen took the title having battling back from their annus horribilis of 2015 when they lost a team and dropped three divisions. Michael Jordan was the stand-out player with 536 runs and 24 wickets.

Coming runners-up in Division 3 were Dorchester IIs. It was an incredibly tight finish with five teams contesting the two promotion spots. And chalking up a fine set of results in Division 4 that led them to the title was Chalke Valley. Star of their season was Joe Weld who scored 2,209 runs and took 28 wickets. Martinstown IIs were runners-up in Division 4 with Steve Gerety scoring 650 runs and taking 19 wickets.

In Division 5 it was Poole Town IIIs who prevailed following some lean seasons. It was a team effort with the bat and Dan Winwood and Kev Wrigley did plenty of damage with the ball. Coming runners-up in Division 5 were Symene, a fine effort having just come up from the lower division.

The Division 6 the eventual champions led from start to finish and Weymouth IIs only lost one game in the whole campaign – bouncing straight back up following relegation last year. Coming runners-up in Division 6 were Puddletown IIs in the first ever season.

A number of special awards were also presented with Hamworthy Rec retaining the groundsman trophy – it has now been theirs for three years in a row. The DACO Fair Play awards went to Wimborne and Colehill in the Premier League and Shillingstone in Division 1. Club of the season were Chalke Valley who lost only one game and player of the season was Jon Legg who made 871 runs and took 27 wickets for Cattistock.

Nick Douch from sponsors The Dorset Funeral Plan said: “My family’s connection with cricket in the county go back a century and it is wonderful to still be involved. I’d like to congratulate all the winners, particularly Dorchester for taking the Premier League title.

“Another real positive this year is the improvement of the playing surfaces, which makes the games more enjoyable for everyone. As we all know, leagues and clubs simply don’t exist without the volunteers who sacrifice much of their own time – they all deserve our thanks.”

John Ridout, Chairman of the League who took the fourth hat-trick of his career during the season, said: “It’s been a great year with some close exciting matches, leagues that went down to the wire and some super individual performances. I’d like to thank the sponsors, The Dorset Funeral Plan, for their continued support and to all involved in Dorset cricket.

“Well done to all the winners who collected their trophies - we now start to look ahead to the 2020 season.”

Photo: Premier League winners Dorchester (l-r) Dan Belt, Nick Douch from sponsors, The Dorset Funeral Plan, Jim Ryall, James Dunham, Nick Roe, Simon Mitchem, Josh Foot

The Purbeck Gazette

Spotlight Event Diary

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Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for JAN is noon, 6th DEC 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.

DECEMBER 2019

Sun 1st * Putlake Christmas Market Ffi: 01929 422917 10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

Mon 2nd * Poole Grammar Sixth Form Taster Day Please contact Claire Collins, Sixth Form administrator to book a place: collins@poolegrammar.com 10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

14:30 Downtown Abbey (12A) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Victoria Ave, Prospect Crescent, Rabling Rd, Walrond rd, Gannetts Park, De Moulham rd (part) and Northbrook Rd. 19:30 Downtown Abbey (12A) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 3rd 10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh York House Care Home, Dolphin Court, Cauldron Barn Rd, Cauldron Crescent, Cauldron Meadows, D’Uberville Drive, Anglebury Ave, Wessex Way. 19:30 Downtown Abbey (12A) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Wed 4th 10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Ulwell Rd (North), Whitecliff Rd, Moor Rd, Parson’s Close, Hill Road, Redcliff Rd, Ballard Way, Bay Crescent, Bay Close, Ballard Rd, Streche Rd. 19:30 Downtown Abbey (12A) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Thu 5th * Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Burlington Rd, Clifftop Care Home, Victoria Rd, Seaward Rd, Vivian Park, Bonfields Ave, Battlemead, Cauldron Ave, Beachgardens, Northbrook Rd, De Moulham Rd (Part).

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

19:30 Downtown Abbey (12A) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Fri 6th 11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh High St (West end), Days Rd, Holmes Rd, Sydenham Rd, Bay View, Casterbridge Close, Higher Days Rd, Shaston Close, Shottsford Close, Sandbourne Close, Kingswood Close, Benlease Way,(down to Kingswood Cl).

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory classroom, Church Hill for: Two competitions:- Harris Cup (prints) – ‘Open’and Bichard Trophy – ‘Monochrome’ Judge: Mike Weeks Visitors welcome, ffi: www. swanagephotographicsociety.com or 01929 426268 19:30 Jethro At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sat 7th * Alto Duo At The Con Club, Swanage. * Christmas Carolling At The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.

09:00 King George’s 5K A free informal 5k walk, jog or run, Victoria Ave, Swanage. All welcome. Ffi: Pete Smith 07876 567584.

10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

10:00 Swanage Rotary Christmas Fair Commercial and Station Rd. To book a stall, call Deirdre on 07971 764 823 or email secretary on secretary.swanagerotary@ gmail.com 11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

19:30 Purbeck Arts Choir At St Mary’s Church, Swanage. An evening featuring the works of the “Choral Greats”, Bach and Mozart. Tickets £12 on the door, in support of National Coastwatch. Advance tickets £10 available from Corbens or on 01929 481419/07843289483.

19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sun 8th 10:00 Shop Dorset Makers At Creech, Wareham, BH20 5DG. Over 30 makers and artists, gifts, art and design, coffee and cake.

11:00 Purbeck Artists & Stallholders At Worth Matravers Village Hall. Homemade local arts & crafts, refreshments.

12:45 Purbeck Mummers Starting in the Quay Inn, Wareham, finishing in the Kings Arms around 4pm.

19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mon 9th 14:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Locarno Road, Argyle Road, Hanbury Rd, Court Rd, Howard Rd, Princess Rd, Kings Rd West, Linden Rd, High St (Part), Cecil Rd, Morrison Rd, Hendry Close, Findlay Place, Aigburth Rd, Ancaster Rd, Victoria Ave (Kings rd West to High St).

19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 10th 14:00 Purbeck Parkinson’s Meetings All Saints Church Hall Swanage 2pm till 4pm FFI – T. Lander 01929 425970 or D. Peters 01929 551962 18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Benlease Way (Kingswood Close to High St), Alderbury Close, Anvil Close, Leeson Close, High St, Jubilee Rd, Shirley Close, Bell St (up from Jubilee Rd), Marsh Way, Ash Close, Priests Rd (Bell St to Panorama Rd), Quarry Close, Panorama Rd. 19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Wed 11th 18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh LANGTON MATRAVERS - Capston Field, High St (Capston Field to Three Acre Lane), Toms Field Rd, Durnford Drove, Gypshayes, The Hyde, Steppes/Lower Steppes, Steppes Hill, Serrells Mead, Three Acre Lane.

19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Christmas with the Swanage Town Band At The Methodist Church, Swanage High St. Free admission, refreshments.

Thu 12th 18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh High St (Part), Townsend Rd, Richmond Rd, Manwell Rd, Manwell Drive, Osborne Rd, Mount Scar, Queens Mead, Queens Rd (Part), Gordon Rd, Hill View Rd, Priests Rd (Part), Holburne Rd, Holburne Park (if time), Foxhill Close, Mariners Drive, Cow Lease.

19:30 The Good Liar (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Fri 13th 18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Bell St (Jubilee Rd to High St), Globe Close, High St (Part), Newton Manor Close, Hillsea Rd, South Rd, Newton Rise, West Drive, Newton Grange Close, Steer Rd, Wills Rd. 19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sat 14th * Belvedere Singers At St Mary’s Church, Swanage. Tickets £10, under 18s free, from Albury & Hall or on the door. * Stu Walker At The Con Club, Swanage. * Party Night & Tribute Act ‘Tina’ At The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle. 3 Course party night menu £29.95 pp. Book on: 01929 480205.

09:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Co-Op Supermarket Car Park, Swanage.

10:00 Dorset Countryside Volunteers At Creech Heath (Purbeck) where we will be cutting pine to help maintain this heathland. We welcome new people and should have a bonfire to brew up at break times. For details see www.dcv.org.uk, email DCVpublicity@gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

17:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh Worth Matravers Carols on the Green.

19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Christmas Concert Bournemouth Concert Brass, at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sun 15th 10:00 Dorset Countryside Volunteers At Creech Heath (Purbeck) where we will be cutting pine to help maintain this heathland. We welcome new people and should have a bonfire to brew up at break times. For details see www.dcv.org.uk, email DCVpublicity@gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mon 16th 14:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh CORFE CASTLE - with CrazyforCorfe Starts at end of West St, through the square along East St, finishing at Battlemead

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(including all accessible side roads.

19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 17th 18:00 Swanage Rotary Santa’s Sleigh CORFE CASTLE - with CrazyforCorfe Starts at Townsend Mead, down East St to Mead Rd (including all accessible side roads).

19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Wed 18th 19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Thu 19th 19:30 The Aeronauts (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Fri 20th 19:00 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory classroom, Church Hill for: Two competitions:- Anders round 2 – ‘Open’and Browne round 2 – ‘Summer’ Judge: Paul Thackeray LRPS Visitors welcome, ffi: www. swanagephotographicsociety.com or 01929 426268 Sat 21st * Party Night & Tribute Act ‘Bruno’ At The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle. 3 Course party night menu £29.95 pp. Book on: 01929 480205.

14:30 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Sun 22nd 10:00 Dorset Countryside Volunteers At Great Ovens (Purbeck) where we will be cutting pine to help maintain this heathland. We welcome new people and should have a bonfire to brew up at break times. For details see www.dcv.org.uk, email DCVpublicity@gmail.com, or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you.

14:30 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mon 23rd 14:30 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Tue 24th 10:00 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Wed 25th 09:00 Christmas Breakfast At The URC, Swanage. If you’d like some good company on Christmas morning, pop along, it’s free. Ffi and to book a place call 01929 439107 or email: christmasbreakfast@swanagerotary.org by 17th December.

Thu 26th 10:45 The Boxing Day Dash - Swanage tradition - THIS IS NOT AN ORGANISED EVENT. Should you choose to take part, you do so at your own risk.

12:00 Purbeck Mummers 12pm - Corfe Castle Square, 12.30pm - The Fox Inn, 1pm The Bankes Arms, 1.30pm - Catle Inn, 2.15pm - The Square and Compass Inn. Fri 27th 14:30 Frozen II (PG) At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. * 80s Disco At The Con Club, Swanage. * Party Night & Tribute Act ‘Madonna’ At The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle. 3 Course party night menu £29.95 pp. Book on: 01929 480205. * Winter Warmup At Swanage Railway. Ffi: swanagerailway.co.uk Tue 31st 19:00 New Years Eve Party At The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Three Course Dinner, disco and dancing. £70 pp.

20:00 New Year’s Eve Party at The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers. The best local NYE party! All welcome, amazing music, great company – open till late.

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 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Meet at Furzebrook Village Hall. New members welcome to come along and meet us!

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

The Purbeck Gazette 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, Church St, Wm. Till 9. New singers always welcome.

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 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.

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.

09.30 First Steps Parent & Toddlers’ Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 11.30am during term time. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours.

10.00 Men & Women’s Mixed Walking Football Club at Swanage Football Club. Come and try! All levels welcome, even if you’ve never played before. Come and join in or just come along to watch a very friendly group of people playing football. Until 11.30am. Call Nick on: 07745 907509 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 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 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Meet at Furzebrook Village Hall. New members welcome to come along and meet us!

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 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

The Purbeck Gazette Centre, High Street, Swanage. If you want help to stop drinking, you are welcome. Or call 01202 296000 for more details.

19.30 Women’s Walking Football Club at Swanage Football Club. Come and try! All levels welcome, even if you’ve never played before. Come and join in or just come along to watch a very friendly group of people playing football. Until 9pm. Call Nick on: 07745 907509 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.

19.00 Give Rugby A Try! FREE! at Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club, Bestwall Rd, Wm. We’re looking for new players, so come and have a go!

Until 9pm. Over 18s only. Call John C. on: 07970 500357 Ffi. 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; nonmembers £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.

Coaching given. Till 8pm or later. Ffi: 424591 18.30 Sw & Wm Hockey Club Junior (6-14yrs) Training, Wm Sports Centre.

Until 7.30pm. Email: swanagewarehamhockey@outlook.com 19.00 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552046 19.00 Swanage Depression Support group. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month at the Lower Hall, Salvation Army, Kings Rd East, Sw. BH19 1ES, until 9pm. Ffi: Nick on: 07766352062 or email: nickviney@hotmail.com or call Mary on: 01929426896.

19.00 Wareham Depression Support group. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at Not Just Sundaes, South Street, Wareham.

BH20, until 9pm. Ffi: John: 01929556315 or 07871 727278 or email: johnoneil905@yahoo.co.uk 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.

19.00 Give Rugby A Try! FREE! at Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club, Bestwall Rd, Wm. We’re looking for new players, so come and have a go!

Until 9pm. Under 16s-18s only. Call John P. on: 07725 567541 Ffi. 19.00 Purbeck Runners meet at Beach Gardens Pavillion, Sw. 19.30 Swanage Musical Theatre meet Swanage Bay View Complex Rehearsal Room. All welcome. Ffi: 426161 19.30 Sw & Wm Hockey Club (13+ years) Training, Wm Sports Centre. Till 9pm. Email: swanagewarehamhockey@outlook.com 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 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster.

Till 9.30am.

09.00 Carey Crafters meet every Thursday at Carey Hall, Mistover Road, until 12.30pm (come anytime between). No age or gender restriction. All crafts welcome we have a wide variety!. Come along and share your craft or learn a new one! Conntact Donna on 07870 993311 or Helen on 07368

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352737 ffi.

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 Wyvern Savings & Loan Credit Union opens until 12 noon at Not Just Sundaes, South Street, Wareham, opposite the Library. A secure place to save and loans available at fair rates. Call in for a cuppa and a chat, or call 01305 268444.

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 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. Anti-natal mums welcome. Till 3pm. Ffi: 552864.

13.00 Wareham Area Men’s Shed meets at Purbeck Connect, Sandford Lane, Wm. Ffi: call Chris on 554758, Harold on 792591 or Mike on 288045 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.

17.45 Swanage Youth Club. Learning Difficulties and disability (age 11-25) night. Till 7.30pm 18.00 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Weekly evening Art Group. Aimed at beginners, at Purbeck New Wave Gallery, 25 Commercial Rd, Sw. BH19 1DF. 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 Over 40s Men’s Walking Football Club at Swanage Football Club.

Come and try! All levels welcome, even if you’ve never played before.

Come and join in or just come along to watch a very friendly group of people playing football. Until 8.30pm. Call Nick on: 07745 907509 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 David Fawcett, 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

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EVERY FRIDAY 08.45 Coffee @ 112 - Drop In For Coffee! Catch up with friends at 112 High Street (United Reformed Church) in Sw. Cake and bacon butties. Fair trade stall. Donations for ‘Besom in Purbeck’ and church funds.

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 Wareham Area Men’s Shed meets at Purbeck Connect, Sandford Lane, Wm. Ffi: call Chris on 554758, Harold on 792591 or Mike on 288045 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.

10.30 Do you want to volunteer in Swanage? Meet the team at the Volunteer Bureau in Swanage Library! Until 12.30pm.

11.00 Swanage Library Rhyme Time, ages 0-4, until 11.30am.

11.00 Toddler Time For Under 5s And Carers. Wareham Library. Stories, songs and crafts. Every Friday, including school holidays. Ffi: 01929 556146 14.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Meet at Furzebrook Village Hall. New members welcome to come along and meet us!

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

The Purbeck Gazette 18.00 Purbeck Youth Choir at the United Reformed Church Hall, Sw. 8-18 years old. Till 7pm. Ffi: Jay Buckle on: 07947 866945 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 Lego and Megablok Mayhem at Swanage Library, until 12 noon.

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.

10.00 Give Rugby A Try! FREE! at Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club, Bestwall Rd, Wm. We’re looking for new players, so come and have a go!

Until noon. Under 6s-16s only. Call Claire on: 07799 842225 Ffi. 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.

J.A. Construction (Dorset) Ltd.

Specialist in Purbeck Stone Walling General Building, Extensions, Renovations, Roofing, New Builds and all types of Ground Work.

Also available for Plumbing, Electrics & Carpentry.

Tel: 01929 554249 Fax: 01929 552294 Mobile: 07973 388190

www.jaconstructiondorset.co.uk Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Highest standards guaranteed Fully certified & insured No hidden charges & no VAT Call Steve at Pile-Up on 01929 553861 or 07974 529017

JIM BAGGLEY BUILDING SERVICES Ltd Renovations, Alterations, Extensions, Kitchen Fitting, New Cut Roofs, Loft Conversions, Upvc Windows & Doors, Carpentry & Joinery

Tel: 01305 852311 or 07469 793452 Email: jessjimbaggleyltd@gmail.com

The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

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IDEAL SKIP HIRE Skips from 2 - 40yds SAND GRAVEL HARDCORE SHINGLE & TOP SOIL Available loose or in 25kg & 1 ton bags Delivery or Collection

Trade & DIY customers welcome A Fast, Friendly & Efficient Service

TEL: 01929 422980 BRIAN MOORE

Michael B. Alberry

INDEPENDENT TELECOM ENGINEER

DECORATOR

(Ex-BT)

Repair of phone lines & broadband HALF BT PRICES!!

07858 458997 - 01929 554886

Property Decoration & Renovation

07796 640538 01929 424882

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The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

SANDIE’S BARBERSHOP 191 HIGH STREET, SWANAGE Open Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm, Sat 8.30am - 3pm We are closed on Sunday.

Late night Thursday till 7pm

01929 426364

Brickcraft Construction

Extensions Artificial Lawns

Building Contractors Patio/Paving Garden Walls

Insurance & General Building Work Undertaken

Call Charlie on 07973 834175 or 01929 405075 www.brickcraftconstruction.com

Roy Osmond Ltd Traditional Forge Works Light Fabrication, Security Grills, Hand & Balcony Rails, Fire Escapes & Bespoke Work Stainless Steel and Glass Balconys

Telephone on: 01929 400520 or mobile: 0779 6044859

NJA Specialist Tree Care All aspects of Tree Surgery & Hedgework undertaken Fully insured and NPTC Qualified Free Quotations and advice 07703 210647 or 01929 481600

ROOFING SPECIALIST SPARROW’S Over 30 years Membership Federation of Master Builders

NO JOB TOO SMALL 01929 421156 07974 077885 The Premier Trade Organisation High Performance Flat Roofing Specialists Re-Roofing - Slating & Tiling Roof Repairs - UPVC Facias & Gutters Chimneys Removed or Repointed sparrowroof@gmail.com

SWANAGE & DORSET

SCAFFOLDING All aspects of Residential & Commercial Scaffolding Emergency Call Outs - Free Quotations & Estimates Temporary Roof Coverings - Fully Insured

OUR PRICE WON’T BE BEATEN

01929 424553 01258 858214 07813 346993

The Purbeck Gazette

67

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING SWANAGE & DORSET

ROOFING

ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING WORK

Flat roofing Re-roofs, Slate or Tile All repair works Free Quotations

01929 424553 07813 346993 WAREHAM GAS SERVICES For all your plumbing & heating requirements Servicing of appliances available Contact Steve: 07714 386457 or 01929 288521

Lic: 3452941 Reg: 542421

Join our trusted Trade advertising section and let locals know what services YOU offer!

Six month block (single trade advert) £158.76 (inc. VAT)

USE OUR LOCAL TRADES PEOPLE OR LOSE THEM!

Man & Van available to hire

Rubbish Clearance Half the price of a skip and we do all the work!

07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured