The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 243

November April 2020 2019 Issue no. 238 243

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Purbeck Challenge!

Pg 12 23Pg- 37 The Official Purbeck FlagBrave.

Is Raised!

16 HelpChristmas Save Rex The Pg

The Our Swanage Defence Wall Pg 14 Flag IsSea Now Official!

Pg 16

VenFest 2020.

Pg 34Pg 24 - 35 Banish Those Winter Blues!

Home Improvement Pg 36-41 Otter Deaths On The Time!

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Pg 37

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the April edition of your Purbeck Gazette!

At the time of going to print, we are very aware that the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) is all over the news.

Whilst we very much hope that all events advertised within this edition do go ahead, just as a word of caution - we advise you to consider contacting event organisers prior to attending advertised events, just to check the event is still going on as scheduled before you head out.....

If things have moved on from where we currently are (self-isolating if any symptoms shown, no tests being offered to those who think they may have Coronavirus), then please, please keep an eye on each other. Be thoughtful rather than selfish. If you’ve got loads of loo roll stashed somewhere, please share it with neighbours, friends and family. Please. You don’t have to risk infection by checking on neighbours and so on, so if things have worsened, please be aware that no man is an island..... we are all part of the whole. Let’s act like it, keep each other safe and be alert to those who may need help!

If things have not progressed, then whoop! Life should be continuing as usual... please still support local shops and services as a priority - this year has been tough enough as it is and many of us small business owners are struggling to stay afloat. A pound spent locally stays locally, so please spend your money wisely in the coming months - keep it as local as possible folks! Stay safe all.

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 May 2020 edition has a deadline of 10th April, and will be distributed from 27th April - 1st May 2020.

The June 2020 edition has a deadline of 8th May and will be distributed from 25th May - 29th May 2020.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - April 2020

PLEASE CHECK WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL DIRECTLY WITH REGARDS TO ANY APRIL MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Wareham Town Council Meetings - April 2020 PLEASE CHECK WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL DIRECTLY WITH REGARDS TO ANY APRIL MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Dorset Council 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.

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

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

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Swanage Blues Festival March 2020 - photo by Dubbel Xposure Photography

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Swanage Blues Festival Write-up Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes VenFest 2020 Vienna Festival Ballet ‘Swan Lake’ We Are ALL People FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS

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The

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

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

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Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists Food served 12 noon - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm High Street, Swanage . 01929 423533

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

MAY edition deadline: noon, 10th APRIL

Hollister Dislikes Dogs?

Dear Gazette, I am writing to express my disgust at David Hollister’s comment in March’s Gazette where he states dogs should be banned from the beach. This ill thoughtout and ignorant remark could only come from someone that dislikes dogs. To start with, is he not aware that Swanage beach already carries seasonal restrictions on all but North Beach, which is fair and understandable in the holiday season?

Mr Hollister, however, seems to want a total ban, thus spoiling every dogs and their owners enjoyment the rest of the year too. He appears to be woefully ill informed on dogs and the beach so I would just like to enlighten him on a few points.

Firstly, the vast majority of dog owners are responsible people and clear up after their pets. It is wrong to tar everyone with the same brush. It is Dear Readers, true that there are several vile, dirty dog owners who allow their pets to Brexit Democracy Hypocrisy foul footpaths all around the area and do not clean up after them. I very How strange it is that Tory types rarely see dog muck on the actual beach, probably helped by the high tides clearing the odd fouling, however, I see little evidence of this when Now say they have the win That lets them seal their Brexit deal I walk my dog on the beach.

The real problem lies on the public footpaths. Very often De Moulham Although their votes were thin Road, for example, is a minefield of dog mess and this is the type of place Only 46 %, no clear majority where one may pick this up on their shoe and into their car or carpet at And actually “Remainer” votes went up to 53 home, not from the beach as David Hollister is all too quick to suggest.

So clearly now the referendum Secondly, it is all thanks to so many good people in Swanage who pick up litter and other rubbish from the beach as they walk along. It is not dogs Would not be the same but ignorant humans who leave rubbish on the beach.

And it’s only our cock-eyed voting system It is not dogs but careless humans who leave discarded fishing lines, That means we won’t Remain! sometimes with large barbed hooks still attached, and it is not dogs but Many thanks, Martin Hobdell, by email loutish disgusting humans who have late night beach parties at weekends in the summer on North Beach, then leave their disposable bar-b-ques, leftover food, cans and empty beer bottles - which they smash to leave shards of broken glass for people and their dogs to step on.

Finally, one of the greatest pleasures I have found since moving to Swanage four years ago is that it is such a dog friendly place in general. Most shops in Dear Sirs, town are really welcoming and the area does have fantastic walks, including Animal Aid has recently exposed some horrific experiments which involved the beach. The proper answer to the problem is for the council to hit intelligent and inquisitive rats being anaesthetised and shot in both eyes with the area hard with dog wardens issuing heavy fines to people who allow a plastic pellet fired at almost 45mph. They were given injections directly their dogs to mess and not clear up. into their eyeballs immediately afterwards and seven days later. Fourteen The fines would pay for their wages and perhaps hit home that it is totally days after being shot, they were killed and their eyes removed for analysis. unacceptable behaviour. If measures are needed by way of blanket bans We are extremely concerned that the published paper, from 2019, does on beaches to keep them nice, then perhaps we should start with humans not mention the animals being given painkillers. who cause far more problems.

The researchers explain that this type of injury ‘can cause visual loss Yours sincerely, Gordon Usher, in military and civilian populations’. However, the results from animal experiments cannot be reliably translated to humans. Also, rats’ eyes differ from those of humans in many ways.

To read more about these cruel experiments: bit.ly/3at7PHe Find out more about Animal Aid’s campaign calling for a ban on warfare Dear Nico experiments on animals: www.animalaid.org.uk/warfare/ Several people who have read my novel ‘Hearts on Fire’ have been asking Yours, Jessamy Korotoga, Campaign Manager,Animal Aid, The Old about the previous book, ‘Hearts of Stone’.

Chapel, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW. By email.

May I use your letters page to let my readers know that a new paperback edition of Hearts of Stone is now available, priced at £8?

They can contact me on 01929 424810 or email: audrey.pembroke@ btinternet.com or through Mrs Blanchard at Swanage New and Secondhand Dear Editor, Books.

Caring World Thanking you, Audrey Pembroke, by email.

My husband has Parkinson’s disease, hence I’m his carer. On 25th February, our phone suddenly went dead, so we used a borrowed phone to report

Brexit Hyprocrisy

Hearts On Fire

Help For Carers?

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the fault, explaining my husband’s situation to TalkTalk, assuming they would be understanding and see to it right away.

No problem, they said, as we reminded them of their promise to correct faults within 72 hours max.

Meantime we attempted to make urgent calls on a mobile. Either we have a “duff” phone or are not sufficiently conversant with modern technology, because not once did we manage to get through. During every call requiring us to “press 1 for this, 2 for that, 3...” etc the screen would go black, so we were unable to continue. We repeated the sequence - same result.

Our daughter called TalkTalk last Friday and was told they were unable to find the record of our fault. No problem, they added, the investigations would begin again on Monday and we’d be restored within three working days.

At time of writing it is March 5th - and we still have no phone. Just one of many such problems I’ve experienced as a carer. Could this strike a familiar note with others in the same situation?

Yours sincerely, Gillian Taylor, by email

An Excellent Letter Dear Editor RE: ‘Lost Nuclear Salvation’ by J.A.Simpson in your March issue.

I also worked for many years in the nuclear industry, but when I retired in 1998, it was with great sadness that we, as a nation, had squandered our opportunities to secure our energy requirements in an environmentally friendly way. I congratulate J.A. Simpson on his excellent letter, which is worthy of much wider distribution.

Yours sincerely, Mike Halsall, by email.

Help Us To Collect!

Dear Readers, Christian Aid Week 10-16 May We will hold the usual United Christian Aid service at Lady St Mary Church on Sunday 10th May, but this year we will not be organising the house to house collection.

Over the last few years the number of able collectors has dwindled and people have less cash in their houses, so unfortunately the house-to-house collection has had its day. Very many thanks to all who have helped so much over many, many years.

The amount we sent to Christian Aid for 2019 was £5042. For many years

Wareham had done really well with this, with most houses being visited by someone from one of the churches.

We will organise a street collection for Thurs 14th May and Sat 16th May. Many thanks, Angela Salter (Wareham Christian Aid Organiser), by email

Bandstand Update Dear Readers, Latest news on the progress of the Bandstand Project.

The bandstand itself is now fully restored and the seating will be fitted in April by local tradesmen, the Clark Brothers, ready for the V.E. Day evening celebration at the Bandstand, which is good news.

We are pleased to confirm that our contribution for the bandstand has been paid to the council and that we have enough funds to pay our contribution for the seating. We also have a plan to erect an events board, and if any surplus is available, then we will, with council approval, replace some of the damaged coping stones that needed doing, but when we first started it was not thought we could raise enough funds, but now we have, that would complete the project.

The fundraising is now finished, and we the Friends of Swanage Bandstand would like to thank the town and all the other supporters, many of whom are not residents but just have a love for our wonderful town and who felt the necessity to help save its heritage.

Well done everyone.

Alan Houghton, DeMoulham Rd, Swanage, by email

Celebrating A Centenary Dear Readers, This year the Royal Corps of Signals, which has formed a close association with Swanage and its Railway over the past thirty-six years, will celebrate its centenary year.

To help mark this occasion, members of Swanage Army Link and 3 (Harrogate) Squadron based in Blandford, supported by the Veteran’s Hub in Weymouth will be walking the Jurassic Coast from 26 March onwards.

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MATT HILLAN Building Alterations & Maintenance

All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise Starting from at Orcombe Point (Exmouth), we will walk to Old Harry Rocks (Swanage) to raise funds for the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund, the Patriot ‘Unknown Warrior’ Project and other charities supported by Swanage Army Link.

Donations can be made via the Swanage Army Link Facebook page, directly to the charities concerned, or to Frank Roberts.

Please do support these worthy charities in this centenary year for the Royal Corps of Signals and also the burial of The Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, soon after 1100hrs on 11th November 1920.

Thank you!

Regards, Frank Roberts, Swanage Army Link.

slower than a jet plane. They were quieter from the outside and had more thrust than a jet for take-off.

My memories include viewing the Pilgrims Way from Canterbury to Winchester, the Sussex Coast, the Isle of Wight and the Rhine from my aircraft seat. On one trip there was an almighty thunderstorm at Frankfurt Airport with incoming planes being struck by lightning.

The airport was closed to let the worst of the storm pass through. Then our plane took off like a rocket. Outside it was black as we flew through the thunder clouds and the plane vibrated and sometimes seemed to fall like a lift until we were above the clouds. Then it seemed very peaceful as we were flying in a clear blue sky with the thunderstorm a long way below.

Flybe pulled out of that route about eight years ago and now the airline has collapsed. Now it takes a full day to visit our German friends by air and a lot longer by train or coach.

Yours sincerely, Robin Brasher, by email.

Dear Gazette Readers Thank you to Purbeck Good Neighbours volunteers!

For over six years Purbeck Good Neighbours have been helping people over the age of fifty with small tasks that they find difficult to do on their own.

We cover the whole of Purbeck and have over one-hundred volunteers available to jump up and assist as soon as the call is received. We aim to make contact within forty-eight hours of receiving the request.

We have helped out with a wide variety of tasks – re-hanging curtains – sorting paperwork – taking rubbish to recycling or stuff to charity shops - changing lightbulbs – retuning televisions and sorting out mobile phones.

Too many things to mention. If you want something done, just ask and we will help if we can or if we can’t, we usually can tell you where to go – in a nice way!!

We don’t do continuing care or regular gardening or cleaning jobs but are willing to do small difficult one-off tasks in the home and garden. All we ask is a small donation of £2 to cover our expenses.

Please give us a call if you think we can help you. Our call centre is Medvivo Careline and the contact number is 01929 424363 Regards Mo Andrews, by email.

Thank You To Rex

Here If You Need Us!

Memories Of Flybe Dear Readers, For the Wareham Hemsbach Society and the Swanage Town Twinning Association, Flybe’s route from Southampton Airport was by far the best way to travel to Frankfurt Airport to see our German friends. There were no huge queues for passport control, checking in or baggage collection at Southampton. You could have lunch in the Isle of Purbeck and, in the evening, you could be in a wine tavern in Germany eating a light snack, drinking some half dry white wine and listening to some cheerful music.

The airline used Dash 400 twin turboprop planes that flew at a maximum height of 25,000 feet and a top speed of 360mph which are lower and

Brian & Penny Armstrong

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Dear Readers, I would like to say a huge thank you to the lovely Rex Hawkins who has now closed his electrical shop in Wareham, after serving the community for over twenty years. Rex is an incredibly articulate and knowledgeable man who provided an old-fashioned service with a smile and honest advice, sometimes to his detriment!

Rex is amazing, reliable, sensible and much loved by his customers. What will we do without you and your Aladdin’s cave of spare parts, old and new and of course, your Dyson graveyard?!

Thank you, Rex, for all your help over the years and I know you will be missed by many folks. Wishing you lots of happiness for your future.

Yours gratefully, Debby Walker, Stoborough.

Our Amazing Hospital!

Dear Readers, First of all, many congratulations for the excellent publication of the Purbeck Gazette. I write of the delightful news of the upgrading of our local Swanage Hospital - this means less journeys to Poole or Bournemouth.

Swanage Hospital is run by cheerful, dedicated staff, including Matron and the staff of X-Ray, physio and all the other departments and clinics, some of which are also being upgraded. Awards (I believe) are held by several of the staff at our hospital.

We now are lucky enough to have a hospital which is the envy of many others.

This is despite previous efforts in the past to close our hospital down.

Well done to all of you!

Kind regards, Hubert Beavis, by hand - written by Hubert’s wife as his eye sight is failing.

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TELLING IT LIKE IT IS...

Ever Is A Long Time.....

by David Hollister

T

he current virus scare won’t last for ever. The ramifications of Brexit won’t last for ever. The road works in Swanage won’t last for ever, although sometimes it seems that they will. All things must pass. But what won’t pass is the climate change emergency which has been pushed off the front pages by flooding, by the financial crash, and by the virus.

Unless we all play our parts in doing something, the climate will get warmer and we’ll all end up under warm salty water or fighting our neighbours for food – or toilet rolls. So, with this in mind it’s good to know that we have Sustainable Swanage and the Corfe Castle Environmental Group doing something practical.

I Googled similar groups in Wareham and Wool; sorry couldn’t find any and my apologies for the omission; if you’d like to email me, I will be happy to tell Purbeck about your activities in a subsequent edition.

Sustainable Swanage is a steering group made up of Swanage town councillors, Swanage Chamber of Trade, business representatives, members of the community and the Litter Free Coast and Sea organisations. Their mission is to positively support the community in reducing its waste, with an emphasis on plastic. They are working together to find solutions to issues and challenges around waste and management, but that’s not all.

In March they held three events in Swanage at which they gave away seventy-five tree saplings to residents who will plant them in their gardens.

There were a lot more to give away and I was perhaps disappointed that only seventy-five went, but it’s a start.

They collected donations and raised enough to buy another bunch of bare rooted whips to do the same thing again, so it’s self-funding. Initial assistance was provided by the charity ‘Trees For Dorset’, who assisted with the cost of plants and labour to plant new lime trees down Victoria Avenue – and aren’t they flourishing!

A positive contribution to the generations following on from ours. Corfe Castle Environmental Group also held three sessions at which they gave away tree saplings. Watch the local Facebook groups for details of future such events.

But top of the lot must be the National Trust who gave away 3000 tiny trees to individuals and community groups this spring. All native British species such as hawthorn and field maple, and all with instructions on how and where to plant them. The Trust has committed to planting 18000 hectares of new woodland – that’s twenty million trees – by 2030. So impressed, I might even rejoin…… !!

Dorset Council chief executive Matt Prosser is paid seven times more than the average council employee; of course, this is basic and doesn’t include other duties such as running elections, which attract additional payments, but the Council claim that this pay policy is fair and in line with other councils. So that’s all right then.

Dorset also says that over a hundred senior manager posts have disappeared in the past year, saving us £7 million year on year. My council tax went up to £2800 this year. Somehow I was hoping that the suggested savings due to the council realignment on April 1st 2019 might have found their way down this far. Apparently not. Dorset’s council tax is amongst the five highest in the UK; due to differences in central government funding levels, inner London offers the cheapest council tax in the UK. Now why doesn’t that surprise me?

I know that I will be unpopular for suggesting that the costs of adult social care should not be borne by council taxpayers but by central government.

I know I will be unpopular for suggesting that even thirty years ago, families looked after their elders and treated them as privileged house guests not as a nuisance. How times have changed!

But someone tell me why it should be that there is such an outcry when it is suggested that old people should sell their houses to pay for residential care in later life? We borrowed, scrimped and saved to keep our late mother in a pleasant local care home for two years; then we had to sell her house to pay it off. Well, she didn’t need it, did she?

The subject of building a wind farm as a source of renewable energy in the sea has gone quiet since the Navitus Bay project was scrapped in 2015.

Obviously, the current climate emergency has once again highlighted the need to do away with fossil fuels and take another look at renewables.

BCP Council members have decided to acknowledge a responsibility in tackling climate change, with the aim being carbon neutral by 2030. So, let’s all watch out for this ugly scheme to rear its head once more.

There is clearly a substantial body of people who don’t understand that there’s more than one way to skin this particular cat; neither solar nor wave power are as obtrusive as turnstiles at the entrance to the Jurassic coast.

Windmills last between twenty and twenty-five years before either falling down or having to be taken down. Each blade can be longer than a Boeing 747 wing, so they have to be chopped up with a diamond blade to create pieces small enough to be hauled away to landfill on a huge lorry. Not particularly environmental! They will be in landfill for ever.

However, our idiot “government” decided to scrap subsidies for renewables, including the solar panels which were fitted to so many rooftops before the subsidy was scrapped. I was disappointed when the latest budget failed to restore or even mention this subsidy.

I think I have suggested before that a quick and easy way to solve the energy problem would be to make it a planning condition that all new houses should incorporate rooftop solar panels sufficient to provide all necessary power to run themselves, or that in cases of flats, a charge was made specifically dedicated towards a panel in a wind farm to generate the same. We are an island surrounded by sea; surely it can’t be beyond the wit of man to design a way to safely harness this power and turn it into electricity?

Finally. There’s no better place to find out what’s going on than the excellent ‘events diary’ in your Purbeck Gazette. But that’s monthly and can’t deal with last-minute event cancellations. That’s where my show on Purbeck Coast 101.2 FM comes in!

So, I’ll ask you – if you are cancelling an event for any reason, please drop me an email on ‘hello@purbeckcoast.com’ or phone 01929 424 424 and I’ll let the listener know the same day.

Now wash your hands…………………..

The Purbeck Gazette

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View from the Lookout – April 2020 “Good morning Portland Coastguard, this is the NCI Station at Peveril Point, Swanage. We will be on watch until 1700 this evening. Do you want our weather observations?” n Saturday 15th April 1995, those words were spoken for the first time and the National Coastwatch Institute station at Peveril Point came into being. It is with tremendous pride that this year sees us celebrating 25 years of being part of the NCI “eyes along the coast”.

During that time, we have kept a daylight watch for 364 days a year (as we are all volunteers, we allow ourselves Christmas Day off!). An even more impressive way of thinking about it is when you consider this equates to keeping watch for over 64,000 hours. Over the past twenty-five years we have logged somewhere in the region of 400,00 vessels; assisted with and instigated responses to numerous incidents; been instrumental in saving lives and, sadly, been involved in one situation where the outcome wasn’t so positive.

As I said in the January “View from the Lookout”, we can trace our history back to at least the 1870s when lookout became manned by the H.M. Coastguard. The Coastguard maintained its presence at Peveril until budget cutbacks, and operational changes, in the early 1990’s led to the closure of the lookout stations around the coast. Perhaps as a measure of its importance, Peveril Point was the last station to be closed, finally ceasing operations in September 1994.

Luckily for us, the fledging Coastwatch organisation was just about to be formed. It grew out of the formation of the Sea Safety Group by a marine pilot, Captain Tony Starling Lark. It’s said that the idea for Coastwatch came to him during a particularly dangerous transfer to a vessel off the Devon coast. When he remarked, “Well if the worst happens and I fall into the rough stuff, at least the lookout at Berry Head will see me,” he was chastened by the reply, “Oh no they won’t, the lookout’s closed, There’s no one up there!”. Further impetus came after a fishing vessel sank underneath the unmanned coastguard station at Bass Point, on the Lizard, sadly with the loss of two lives.

In October 1994 Captain Starling Lark and a colleague in the Sea Safety Group, Peter Rayment organised a public meeting on the Lizard to address the issue. Things moved quickly and in early December 1994, the first Coastwatch station opened at Bass Point.

Shortly after the Cornish meeting, Tony Starling-Lark and a colleague visited Swanage, meeting with local interested parties. Together they proposed and then got agreement to try re-opening the recently closed lookout. The Town Council, which owned the land, was approached and agreed to allow the new organisation to operate at a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum. (Pictured, top right, the Lookout being rebuilt) Volunteers were sought, including members of the local auxiliary coastguards and Ian Surface was invited to take charge. The late Ian Surface, who was also the officer in charge of the Auxiliary Coastguard team in Swanage, became the first station manager and was instrumental in moving the station forward during its formative years. From

O

those early beginnings we now have over fifty watchkeepers and have expanded the watch hours to cover evenings during the peak summer and holiday periods.

The first watchkeeper was David Figg, also one of the auxiliary coastguards.

David became the station’s president and continued a weekly watch until his sad death last year.

We inherited the lookout that had been built in the early 1960’s. By the millennium year it was showing serious signs of wear and tear. Ian Surface was a professional builder, in his day job and under his supervision the new improved lookout was built. The fact that the designer, himself a watchkeeper, had spent time in the RAF may have something to do with the fact that the current lookout is reminiscent of an airfield control tower! The new lookout was completed in June 2001 and is the one we currently use.

Another notable event in our twenty-five-year history came in 2012 when we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).

The QAVS is awarded to voluntary groups for their contribution to the communities in which they are based. It’s often referred to as the MBE for groups!

So, what of the future? Well, we have a healthy number of watchkeepers and with a steady stream of new volunteers, we have every reason to believe we will be able celebrate our ruby and golden anniversaries in fifteen- and twenty-five-years’ time. Despite modern technology (or perhaps because of modern technology!) our role is just as relevant today as it was when the station opened in 1994.

We will be celebrating the year with several events, including exhibitions, attendance at local events and of course our popular “tea and cakes” events at the Lookout. Our anniversary falls just after Easter and so in addition to having “teas and cakes on the Easter Weekend (11th -13th April) we will be having “birthday tea and cakes” on 14th and 15th April, in the afternoon. The station relies on the support of donations to keep running so every coin (or preferably paper!) that goes into the tin for a piece of cake and a cup of tea keeps us operating. Please come along and support us on those days, you might be lucky and get a piece of cake with a candle on!

As part of the celebration, we’re hoping to build an archive about the history of the Lookout and Peveril Point, in general. If anyone has any photos of the point, or any thoughts, recollections or anecdotes about the point, please get in touch with us.

This is Swanage NCI, at Peveril Point, listening on Channel 65, out.

The Purbeck Gazette

Welcome Point At Wool Station

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he finishing touch to an information point at Wool Station has just been fitted into place.

Several years ago, the Friends of Wool Station commissioned a village map for the front wall of the station building. An outdoor leaflet dispenser was later installed alongside the map so that station users could pick up a timetable or the Wool Village leaflet at times when the booking office was closed.

The finishing touch this year was the addition of a local information sign above the map.

Tony Smale, who set up the station adoption group in 2010, says: “We felt the map was being mistaken for just another advertising poster. Our new enamelled sign is clearly visible from the main road, so now anyone passing the station will clearly see that the station forecourt is a good place to seek out information about the local area.”

The sign was produced at Dorset Highway’s workshop and the cost was largely met by a grant from Dorset AONB’s 60th Anniversary Fund. South Western Railway staff helped fit the sign in place on the station wall.

In awarding the grant, Dorset AONB acknowledged the station’s importance as an ideal setting-off point for exploring the glorious countryside around Wool.

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pring is upon us and with that comes the usual inclination to start clearing out the garden shed and dusting off the camping gear.

However, have you ever stopped to consider exactly what’s in your shed, especially its worth? No? Well, you can bet some individuals have. Sheds and outbuildings remain vulnerable to thieves looking for garden tools, machinery, bikes and sporting equipment. So, it’s the perfect time to check on your garden security and to ensure that you are doing everything you can to keep your property safe.

So let’s weed out the thieves by bearing in mind the following crime prevention points: https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crimeprevention/home-property-belongings/protect-your-home/ So, what have we been up to? Well, we have been very busy. During the period 01 February - 05 March 2020, we dealt with a total of 545 occurrences in Purbeck, of which 170 were recorded crimes resulting in 46 arrests.

On a less positive note there were 103 occurrences of Road Traffic

collisions. Please don’t become a statistic. Please take extra care on the roads at this time of the year.

Purbeck units defiantly earnt their pay in February, when Storm Ciara visited town causing chaos on the roads, there was also ordnance found at Arne, in the shape of two WW2 shells and sadly a serious road traffic collision on the A35 Upton bypass involving a bus and two emergency service vehicles were two people sustained minor injuries.

The No Excuse team were also in Swanage and caught a number of speeding drivers, this was an excellent result in the crackdown on speeding and other driving related offences in Purbeck.

As always, we rely on intelligence provided by members of the public, remember if you are suspicious or suspect someone may be speeding, drink or drug driving please contact us on 999/101 or contact the No Excuse team http://www.dorsetroadsafe.org.uk/enforcementoperations/no-excuse/ Why not join a Community Speed Watch https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/ The Easter Holidays are now upon us, can you please remind your children that we plan to clampdown on youth ASB over the Easter holidays, please be aware of where your children are and what they are doing.

We will be increasing our patrols, actively seeking out ASB offenders and returning them to parents and dealing with any offences.

Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team

Wareham Town Council Update

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

News from Wareham Town Council March ouncillor Holloway reported that Dorset Council (DC) voted against amendments to its budget which would have allocated funds for youth centres and climate change initiatives. Councillor Ezzard takes the Adults and Health portfolio in the Liberal Democrats’ DC Shadow Cabinet.

The Mayor’s Valentine Supper raised £1,634 for her charities. She attended a ceremony marking the completion of a Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Brigade course by eleven young people who were able to demonstrate their new skills. The Campaign for Real Ale East Dorset Branch named the Horse and Groom as their Pub of the Year and Rural Pub of the Year and the Kings Arms as the Winter Pub. The community cafe at Purbeck Connect, Purbeck Centre, Sandford Lane, will serve hot drinks on Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30-2.30 to people in the community with a social need. The seat outside the Post Office had been removed as it was being used inappropriately but was to be reinstalled soon. Plans are being made for VE Day celebrations in Wareham on 8th May. Network Rail has invited a few representatives from Wareham to see how safety issues at the level crossing arise from the signalling system.

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Subsequently, a restricted meeting with only one representative from each interested group will work on a solution. This year’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Kirk, is the Mayor Elect for 2020/21.

The consultation on the Wareham Neighbourhood Plan finishes on 14th April. The Steering Group awaits your views either c/o Wareham Town Council, the Town Hall, East Street, Wareham BH20 4NS or on www. warehamplan.co.uk.

The Manager of Parking Services at Dorset Council is one of the invited speakers at the Annual Town Meeting following concerns raised by Councillor Schofield at a Planning and Transport Committee meeting. Only the Mayor is to report at the Town Meeting: the Committee Chairpersons’ reports will be on the Town Council’s website, www.wareham-tc.gov.uk.

This is where you can find information about the Annual Town Meeting on Thursday 2nd April at 7pm in the Corn Exchange and the next meetings of the Town Council on Tuesdays 14th April and 26th May at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall.

Alternatively, ‘phone 01929 553006. The Annual Town Meeting is for local people to learn about what their Council has been doing, to ask questions and to put their points of view. The public is also welcome to attend Town Council meetings.

Pancake Day At Prime Time Kids Club!

hildren and staff at Prime-Time Kids Club in Wareham were thrilled to have Wareham Mayor, Hilary Goodinge, visit them on Pancake Day. The Mayor came to see the work of the childcare setting, who run a before and after school club for children at Wareham St Mary Primary School and a holiday club for children from all areas in Purbeck.

The setting is one of the Mayor’s chosen charities this year. Helen Pugh, Manager, said: “It was very exciting to be chosen as one of the Mayor’s charities and we are even more pleased that Hilary is showing a hands-on interest in the work we do. It was a fantastic opportunity for the children to meet her and talk to her whilst they were at play.”

The Mayor quoted: “ I very much enjoyed my visit to the Prime-Time Kids club on Tuesday 25th February. Being Pancake Day, the children were excited to be absorbed in making and flipping pancakes as well as other activities.

“I could sense they were all fully engaged, and the atmosphere was very friendly and calm. I had a chat with the kids who were delightful and I could see Helen and her team were doing a fantastic job. I am sure the parents are grateful to have such a reliable service which cares for and entertains their children”.

Prime Time is Ofsted registered with highly qualified staff in childcare and education and offers a varied programme of activities for children to do out of school hours. Parents of the setting are often working parents so

knowing their children are happy, enriched and cared for is vital. However, it’s also just a fun place to be.

For more information on the club including either childcare or becoming a part of its voluntary committee of Trustees email them at primetimekidsclub@tiscali.co.uk

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

ur April 2010 edition led with a front cover proclaiming the exciting news that the Radon Bat had been sighted at Durlston Country Park, near Swanage. Scientists of the Zoological Society of London had solved the question posed by numerous reports from walkers regarding sightings of glowing insects, glow-worms or objects seen in the vicinity of the country park. Fireflies had been dismissed as the cause of the reports as they are not native to the UK and finally, the thought-to-be-extinct Radon Bat was found to be the culprit.

The Radon Bat is so named due to the bioluminescence absorbed from the radioactive gases produced by the below-ground habitat of the bat (locally, in the complex system of old quarry tunnels and caves below the headland) which is then produced during flight, giving it a\ similar glow to that seen from female glow-worms.

Dr Olaf Proil, a Bat specialist from the University of Gothenbourg was called in by the Zoological Society to confirm their findings. He stated: ‘The discovery of this Bat is of great significance – it is almost unbelievable to have found a colony of this species.”

Our letters page in April 2010 included a letter from regular letter writer, Robin Brasher, congratulating local Mark Pembroke (pictured left) for reaching his seventy-fifth birthday. Mark was continuing to deliver a large number of local papers on foot, despite his age.

We can happily announce today, ten years later, Mark is still up and about, continuing to deliver local papers to his local area. Long may you continue Mark!

Columnist, David Hollister, in his April 2010 ‘Telling it like it is’ column, was banned from discussing specific political topics due to the upcoming election.

David said: ‘Come to my door asking for support and unless you can guarantee me that you’ll pull the flower of our youth out of Afghanistan, remove all rule from Brussels, disband the Human Rights and Health & Safety mafia and remove child sex offenders from society for good and all with a bullet, you won’t get my vote, ok?’ A case of careful what you wish for, David? Quite possibly…..

Campaigners took to the streets of Wareham to gather support for the proposed wind farm at East Stoke. The response was reported as being ‘overwhelmingly positive’, with two hundred letters of support collected in just over two hours. The Purbeck Environment Action Team (PEAT) had adopted the ‘Yes to Wind’ campaign and were asking residents, businesses and councillors to give their full backing to what could be the first wind farm in Dorset. At the time, a total of four hundred letters of support had been received by Purbeck District Council, with only one hundred received from those against the proposed wind farm.

One of our featured businesses of the month in April 2010 was The Ship

Inn in the village of Langton Matravers. Sue and her team had taken the pub over in 2009 and had worked with local residents to try and create a real, thriving, local establishment. They got involved with local fundraising campaigns and worked hard to produce a good menu to offer the option of eating out to local residents in Langton.

They announced that new signage had been purchased and a new website had gone online, advertising all the pub’s events and regular evenings. Plans were afoot for summer BBQs and hog roasts and Sue and her team were

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looking at extending the dining room with a new conservatory to enable them to cater for larger groups. The pub ran pretty well for a few years, with online reviews suddenly going from positive and encouraging to the following comments, posted from early 2014 onwards... “Now up for sale, what’s going to happen could be anyone’s guess.” “Closed”. “Rumour has it that the pub has been bought by a developer. Future looks bleak.”

The Ship Inn in Langton Matravers no longer exists in 2020. Luckily for Langton residents and visitors to the area, local chap, Ricky Lucas, took on the King’s Arms pub (also in the village), which is now the only remaining pub there. The King’s Arms continues to offer an excellent service to the very thankful villagers who are making conscious efforts on a day-to-day basis to support their last remaining public house. Long may the King’s continue to remain open under the innovative and young team currently at the helm.

The team at Durlston Castle announced that after months of tenders and planning, a start date for the building contract at the castle itself had been decided upon - Monday 12th April 2010. The country park would remain open during the building works, although sections of the coastal path would have to be closed in-part due to the need to underin the corner of the building and rebuild the retaining wall. The public were invited up to the castle on 6th April 2010 to meet the contractors and discuss the plans at the then-visitor centre. The team also announced the introduction of a cafe on-site, serving drinks, cakes and light meals, with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Swanage Blues Festival organiser, Steve Darrington, thanked everyone who had helped make the tenth Swanage Blues Festival such a success - held during the first weekend in March. The festival is still going strong today - another decade on - thanks to Steve’s tireless work and the support of so many local venues!

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Wareham Rotary Daffodil Party

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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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areham Rotary held their annual Daffodil Party on Saturday 7th March at the Parish Hall in Wareham. It was attended by nearly one hundred elderly people who were treated to a wonderful afternoon tea provided by Wareham Rotary.

Many prizes were won playing bingo and entertainment was enjoyed with the Land Girls singing their Abba repertoire. Transport was provided by the Disabled Club, the Lions and MS. The daffodils for the table decorations and a spray for each person to take home were donated by Sainsburys and the Co-op.

A great afternoon was had by all those attending. If you would like to know more about Wareham Rotary and other events that take place during the year, please take a look at the website. www.warehamrotary.co.uk

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Finally - A Flood Defence Wall For Swanage

Above - official visualisation of the new sea wall to protect Swanage from future sea level rises. Building is due to start soon.

Invitation to Tender - Sea Defence Wall, Swanage, Dorset, United Kingdom Tenders are being sought for a large project to build a sea wall on the South Coast of England. The successful candidate will have a track record of completing large projects on time and in budget.

The wall will be three metres high and approx. 1.75 kilometres long.

The wall will be constructed with high quality steel and concrete, the inland face to be finished in local (Purbeck) stone.

Steel watertight doors will be incorporated in the wall at predetermined intervals. For more details please phone +447981 357465 or email dcplanning@dorsetc.gov.uk Translated from the original French.

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hile on a trip to France, one of the Gazette’s intrepid reporters discovered the above advert in a French newspaper.

Being puzzled over the location of this project - and wondering why it was being advertised in France - our reporter decided to investigate further. Posing as a representative of a major international builder, we sent an email to the published address. We received a fairly quick response with an attachment running to several pages of technical information and the following introduction: “Due to climate change and rising sea-levels, coastal communities have to decide what to do to protect towns and cities at risk – sooner, rather than later. Dorset Council has already assisted in protecting Lyme Regis, West Bay and other settlements along the Jurassic Coast. It is now time to do the same for Swanage.”

The document went on to offer further, in-depth information, including graphs and tables predicting the inundation of Swanage over the next thirty to fifty years due to rising sea levels. Much of the main town area (reclaimed from the sea originally) is expected to return to its original state within the next few decades – as a conservative estimate.

In order to protect the town, main shopping streets and facilities, Dorset Council has decided that the best solution is to build a three-metre-high wall from the Pier right round to Ocean Bay at North Beach. As the beach and cliff north of Ocean Bay is privately owned, the owners will be served with a legally binding Repair Order to make sure the coastline is protected as far as Shep’s Hollow.

Each property owner on the cliff along North Beach will have to maintain the ground beneath their properties and any cliff falls which spew debris onto the publicly owned beaches and walkways must be fully and safely cleared within forty-eight hours of reporting by the landowners. Work is

due to start on the planned sea defence wall soon. There will be doors set into the wall, corresponding to the existing steps and ramps onto the beach to retain access. There will also be double gates for the slipways and stone quays, as well as a separate gate for the boat hire.

Several questions still remained, so we sent our reporter, undercover, to Dorchester, (DCHQ) to ferret out some answers. Having accessed the pertinent email account, we found that some twenty-five building companies across Dorset were asked to provide a quote.

Out of the ten replies, eight were automated emails saying the company was no longer trading and two were ‘shoddy’ proposals which were binned immediately. It was then the decision was made to advertise UK and Europe wide to find a suitable contractor actually capable of taking the project from concept to completion.

Digging deeper into the council papers, the question of how to pay for it came up. The Environment Agency would provide a grant, with the rest coming from Swanage and Dorset Councils. North of Ocean Bay will be funded by the landowners in the immediate area.

Due to a significant shortfall in available finance due to other government projects and the complete loss of EU funding for coastal flood protection due to Brexit, it is expected that money will have to be recouped by charging admission to the beach, with no other viable option available.

Several ideas are being explored to ensure this vital engineering project can be covered financially before Swanage descends below the waves once more and the beach is a ‘thing of the past’.

These suggestions include: • A “Grockle tax” which would be £1 per night per person, collected from the accommodation owners in the BH19 postal district. That £1 charge will entitle the user to a code which would enable them to unlock one of the sea wall gates, thus providing them with access to the beach.

• Machines in the car parks and on the sea front could also be deployed to vend a code in exchange for a pound.

• Second homeowners could be charged extra Council Tax, which would go towards the maintenance of the sea wall.

• Third generation locals would, of course, be allowed on the beach for no extra cost. Locals can apply to Swanage Town Council for the gate codes, which are expected to change on a monthly basis to ensure revenue from non-locals continues to come in.

‘Progress in the face of Climate Change’ would appear to be our council’s new motto.

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Raising The Flag For Purbeck!

e welcomed the sunshine back to Swanage on Friday March 6th after a few days of heavy rain and floods to the area.

The weather was perfect for the official raising of the Purbeck Flag and many people turned out for the occasion. Representatives from the local Parish Councils of Swanage, Studland, Corfe Castle and Arne were present for this momentous occasion.

Swanage Town Crier, Andrew Fleming, began the project of declaring independence for the Isle of Purbeck in March 2019, after Purbeck District Council was dissolved and Purbeck became part of the new Dorset Council.

After Andrew’s circumnavigation of the Isle of Purbeck (following the ancient tradition of ‘beating the bounds’), an anthem was written by Pete Sedgewick of local shanty group Kelp, followed by a competition to design a flag by the pupils of the Swanage School.

In January of this year, the flag was registered by the Communities Vexillogist for British County Flags and is now officially recognised as the

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official flag for the Isle of Purbeck. Andrew Fleming presented awards to organisations who had helped him with the project, including the Royal Oak Public House, Swanage Tourist Information Centre, Culvin Milmer of Swanage Town Council and the Purbeck Gazette.

One award missing was for Andrew’s wife, Anya, who has supported him wholeheartedly from the first spark of an idea through to the completion of the project. Why not pop in to the Tourist Information Centre in Swanage and buy a car sticker, flag or bag for yourself or as a gift for a fellow Purbeckian?!

The following people attended and helped to raise the flag: Richard Bessant of Arne Parish Council, Peter Bowyer of Studland Parish Council, Tina of Swanage Parish Council and Josie of Corfe Castle Parish Council.

Photographs by Kay Jenkins - top, the excited gathering celebrating ‘raising the flag’ outside Swanage’s Tourist Information Centre. Below left, Andrew Fleming hosting the ceremony. Below right, Andrew giving Simon Hobbs of Swanage Tourist Information Centre an award in recognition of the support given by the centre for the flag campaign.

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We’re ALL In This Together.....

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We very rarely reprint anything in the Gazette, however, occasionally someone writes something which remains relevant some years later. In July 2015, fifteen-year-old work experience student, Alicja Nowicka from the Bishop of Winchester Academy in Bournemouth, spent a fortnight with us at Gazette Towers. Alicija was an outstanding student in every way and we were hugely impressed with her abililties.

More so, as we set her the challenge of writing about immigration as the brexit debate was just starting..... This was a very personal subject for Alicja to research, interview local people on the subject openly and then write about as she had moved to the UK from Poland at the tender age of nine-years-old herself. Today we are printing the original article as published in 2015, written and researched by Alicja, with the help of numerous local people who opened up about the subject of immigration, explained their viewpoints and discussed their concerns, the possibilties of brexit and more in an open and honest manner. Today, Alicja is an adult, hopefully making her way successfully in the wider world.

We hope that Alicja and her family, who have striven so hard to fit into our society, have been granted the right to remain in the UK for the long term as it’s students like Alicja who will make our economy strong and viable in the future - no matter their country of birth.

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Have Your Say On Our Draft Housing Allocation Policy

orset Council is drafting a new policy looking at how people access social housing in the area.

The new policy will come into effect on 1 April 2021 and aims to: offer people seeking accommodation a choice about where they

• live • be fair and easy to use • offer solutions to those most in need while making the best use of the housing stock available It will replace the Christchurch and East Dorset Joint Housing Allocation Policy and the Dorset Homechoice Common Allocation Policy.

The policy proposes some changes that might affect people currently on the housing register in Dorset.

Much of the content of the policy is set by law, but there are some key areas which the council can decide, such as: • who can apply to be on the register • how to prioritise applications • how many bedrooms to allocate to a household • how to support homelessness applications In completing this first draft the council created a cross party elected member panel from all the former district council areas. The panel looked

at all the current policies as well as best practice from across the country to create this draft version.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety at Dorset Council said: “We’re asking people what they think about our new housing allocation policy. We’d like to hear from as many people as possible, so we get a wide range of views. If you are currently on the housing register this policy affects you, so please do take a bit of time to have a look and think about what this might mean for you.

“Your feedback will help shape the final version of the new Homechoice Dorset policy.”

Find out more and complete our survey. The consultation is now live and runs until Monday 25 May. Paper copies of the survey are available from your local council office or library. Why are we introducing a new policy? Applications for social housing in Dorset are currently being decided under the old council geographical boundaries that were present before 1 April 2019.

As part of local government reorganisation (LGR) central Government agreed a period of two years to put in place new housing allocation policies for Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council and Dorset Council.

These policies must come into effect on 1 April 2021.

No changes to how applicants apply for social housing or the criteria to decide a local connection will come into effect before 1 April 2021.

Accujet - Local Company Becomes ‘Go-To’ For Sculpture And Art Installations

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small engineering company that specialises in profiling and fabrication is becoming the go-to business for artists, sculptors and designers.

Accujet Ltd, based in Upton, near Poole in Dorset, has created art installations and sculptures that are on prominent display around the country.

Well-known artists including Luke Jerram, Tom Hiscocks and Stuart Semple take their concepts to the team at Accujet which turns them into reality.

The company was set up ten years ago by Ken Battrick who had no idea that within a decade a third of his growing business would be in the art and design sector.

Ken said: “I sold my house and bought a Waterjet cutting machine, it was 2009 and the country was in recession.

“I envisaged working as a subcontractor for other engineering firms and that’s how we started.

“Then we got our first art commission from Dorset-based maze maker Adrian Fisher and from then on our reputation grew and we started to take on other commissions – often at very short notice.

“We bought a second waterjet machine and hired another engineer who has experience in graphic design and 3D modelling. Later we invested in our own laser-cutting machine and fabrication department.

“Accujet is now a team of seven and we have taken over three units on the Upton Industrial Estate.

“The art side of things is something we really want to develop further. In engineering you never really see the end product.

“But with art I can go and see a piece of work that we have made for an artist and be proud of it.

“Artists choose to work with us because we are able to understand their concepts and designs and show enthusiasm for their work.

“Projects we have been involved with include The Edinburgh Gates for 1 Hyde Park, a 30-metre-long CorTen steel replica of the old walls in Southampton for the Bow Square development and a seven metre high mosaic for Oundle School, near Peterborough.

“British installation artist Luke Jerram asked us to work on his pixelated statue Maya, that was on display at Temple Meads railway station and we recently made a wonderful 8ft copper horse’s head for Tom Hiscocks that has been displayed at Newbury and Ascot racecourses.

“Increasingly we are working with very contemporary design agencies – something I could never have believed when I started Accujet.”

MAY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, FRI 10th APRIL Call KAY to book on 01929 424239 extension 1.

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Enjoy Easter At Purbeck Sports Centre!

here are some cracking activities for the whole family at Purbeck Sports centre over the Easter Holidays.

We have our usual favourites including Football fun days, AFC Bournemouth, Trampolining and Tennis camp, plus the swimming pool inflatable is back with sessions running almost every single day, perfect come rain or shine.

Why not use the Easter Holidays to gain a new skill. We are running a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification for those age 16 years and over wishing to become a lifeguard and to open up new earning potential.

The course is run over 5 days from Monday 6th to Friday 10th April and costs just £245.

Over the Easter Holidays we are also hosting a Family First Aid course on Wednesday 8 April open to adults and children to learn together, gaining invaluable lifesaving skills as a family, suitable for those age six and over, just £25 for adults and £5 for children, babies in arms are welcome to come along free of charge.

As a family friendly centre, we want to offer as many opportunities for our customers to keep active as possible, so in April we are launching our new parent and baby Spinning and Pilates classes.

There is no longer a need to find childcare to get along to a class, simply bring your baby in their buggy, car seat or on a mat (if not crawling) Look out for free tasters over the Easter holidays.

For more information and a full timetable of activities and swimming pool opening hours please visit our website: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ purbecksportscentre or check out our Facebook page.

Activities book up fast so booking in advance is highly recommended!

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Business

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Are you trading?

Some things to consider when investing Below I have detailed some of the things it is worth considering both before investing and also on an ongoing basis when you are invested.

This is not an exhaustive list, but the things which immediately struck me as being important.

• Only deal with FCA-registered firms as they alone offer you proper protection against unscrupulous operators. Make sure you feel comfortable with and trust anyone who helps you with your finances.

• Have realistic expectations and remember that long-term investing is generally considered to give more secure returns than shortterm buying and selling • Ensure that you split your assets according to your needs and that you maintain a good level of readily available cash or cash equivalents (such as Premium Bonds) for unexpected expenses and events. Remember, your needs may change over time.

• Make sure you understand what you are buying and keep asking questions until you do understand – no financial product needs to be that complicated; you wouldn’t buy a car you didn’t know how to drive.

• Keep records of your investments and details of correspondence plus notes on any telephone conversations – protect yourself.

Also, keep simple records so it is easy to find information and remember to dispose of unnecessary paperwork or electronic communications.

• Ensure that your investments are well diversified and meet your risk profile and investment objectives.

• Make sure that you are paying any tax due and if you are not sure about your tax position, check with a professional.

• Try to ensure that your investments are as tax-efficient as possible and seek advice if you need any help with this.

• Review your investments from time to time and consider having them managed by a professional – the costs of doing so should pay off over time and you always have someone on hand for help and advice who knows you and your investments and will ensure that your investments meet your objectives and risk profile on a continuing basis.

Finally, always remember - if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!

Kate Spurling, Investment Manager, Redmayne Bentley, Tel: 01202 714 450 Redmayne Bentley is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Members of the London Stock Exchange. The Redmayne Bentley Bournemouth and Poole office is located at 139 Commercial Road, Ashley Cross, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0JD. Follow us on Twitter @redmaynebentley and visit us on the web at www.redmayne.co.uk/ bournemouth

The ‘badges of trade’ tests, whilst not conclusive, are used by HMRC to help determine whether an activity is a proper economic / business activity or merely a money-making side-line to a hobby. Eventually, taxpayers may have to decide if their hobby has morphed into a trade and therefore subject to tax. The badges of trade can be used at this time to help resolve this dilemma.

Both HMRC and the courts are clear that it is important to look at the whole picture rather than looking at each ‘badge’ in isolation when considering options.

HMRC will consider the following nine badges of trade as part of their overall investigation as to whether a hobby is actually a trade: • Profit-seeking motive • The number of transactions • The nature of the asset • Existence of similar trading transactions or interests • Changes to the asset • The way the sale was carried out • The source of finance • Interval of time between purchase and sale • Method of acquisition The introduction of the trading allowance in April 2017 allows taxpayers to make small amounts of money from their hobby without concerns about any tax complications. Even if HMRC considers that the activities in question are a trade, taxpayers can make up to £1,000 per year from their hobby tax-free.

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Digital Champions Bright Idea Helps Barbara Switch And Save!

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lady from Dorchester has benefitted from free digital sessions on how to change suppliers online and has managed to save over £450 a year on energy bills with the first switch.

Barbara Scanlon went online at Dorchester library under the guidance of her local volunteer Digital Champion Mike Watson. She visited a price comparison website and worked out that with just a few digital moves she would be over £40 a month better off.

Mike has been helping her master a range of digital skills to do household bills and chores online such as paying Council Tax, setting up insurance, joining a loyalty discount scheme, using email, printing and using price comparison sites.

Mike said: “All Digital Champions are able to help you master the skills to do these essential households tasks online and a whole lot more. Don’t waste time and money, just book a slot to see your local Digital Champion and we will help you every step of the way. It won’t cost you a penny.”

Digital Champions work in communities, usually in libraries, one-to-one with people to help improve their digital skills. They are volunteers who enjoy using computers and have the patience and enthusiasm to show others how to benefit from being online, in this case how to save money.

To get help from your own Digital Champion and find out how much you

could save, please call us and we will put you in touch with your nearest Digital Champion.

Call now 01305 221048.

New Freephone Number For Citizens Advice Consumer Service Citizens Advice Consumer Service: 0808 223 1133 his is who to contact with consumer problems, where consumer advice is needed or if you want to report something to Trading Standards?

There is a new freephone number for residents to use to call the national Citizens Advice Consumer Service – this service is funded by central Government and is the first point of contact for any consumers needing advice on unfair trading, or unsatisfactory goods and services they have bought, or to report a matter to local Trading Standards, at Dorset Council.

This replaces the normal rate 03454 04 05 06 number, which will still work and carry an introductory message to invite callers to make use of the freephone number.

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An adviser will answer your call as soon as possible, usually within a few minutes. Once you are speaking to an adviser your call should take an average of eight to ten minutes.

Calls are free from mobiles and landlines using the new number: 0808 223 1133.

More details on the Dorset Council website, Trading Standards pages: https:// www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/business-consumers-licences/trading-standards/tradingstandards-consumer-advice/trading-standards-consumer-advice.aspx .

To enable Trading Standards to investigate offences and intervene in appropriate cases, referrals from Citizens Advice are made electronically overnight or by instant call contact where required.

The Purbeck Gazette

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From The Kitchen Garden...

Purbeck Rhubarb Cake

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’ve seen and heard the skylarks, spotted some bumble bees out and about and the Great Tit is singing like crazy, but spring seems a long time coming this year! I long for the soil to dry, warm up and to sow seeds and I also can’t wait for that wind to drop...

Light levels are still quite low but when the sun is out, the ducks, chickens and the geese really enjoy a snooze, sometimes on one leg, with their beaks tightly tucked under a wing – their contentment is palpable!

I have been doing some early sowings in seed trays and plug trays are under way, but it’s a slow start this time of year. My fingers are itching to sow a lot of all sorts, however being a wise old bird, I know now to hold back and not to make myself a lot more work. There will be enough time to sow, germination will be quicker and plants are usually looking healthier anyway.

Also, there are quite a few hungry rodents very happy to uproot new shoots, have a quick nibble or to just scamper off with the whole seeds.

I’ve been getting quite hacked off at the mousy visitors when in fact it was the thieving squirrels! Coming on nicely are the chard, beetroot, onions, leeks, celeriac, lettuce, peas for pods and coriander. Indoors on a lovely warm heat mat, the peppers, aubergines and first tomato seedlings are showing promise.

The tricky bit comes when most of the diddy plants need pricking out and potting on. Space in the polytunnels becomes quite cramped at times until the juvenile plants can slowly be hardened off outdoors and eventually planted out, hopefully around May-June. From now on, I’ll be sowing batches continuously.

Of course, I really need to get cracking with soil preparation. At the time of writing, the soil is still waterlogged and it’s an absolute ‘no-no’ to get on it or do anything with it. In the meantime, I shall make sure the tractor, the plough and the cultivator are in good working order.

I’m also still waiting for the new poultry housing to arrive. The plan is new housing for the chickens, ducks and geese and also new separate runs.

Exciting times ahead!

For now though, I’ve still got some perennials to divide, the lovage especially has become massive. The rhubarb crowns also are quite sizeable, but I’ll leave them for another year as I’ve been blanching some for those lovely tender stems. A black bucket sitting upside down on the crown with a weighty stone on top is doing an alright job - not as good or attractive as a proper clay rhubarb forcer, but it’ll do. With all this going on, I can’t stress enough how important it is to eat proper cake!

This Rhubarb Cake works well as the different textures go well together and it has a lovely fruity tanginess to it. I’ve made it with other fruit and it works just as well.

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden Purbeck Rhubarb Cake (Baked in a 20cm diameter springform tin) Ingredients and Method: 125 g butter 125 g sugar 3 eggs Salt vanilla essence 200 g self-raising flour Milk (to adjust consistency) 2 good handfuls of washed & trimmed rhubarb cubes Sugar to sprinkle on top 3 egg whites, whisked with 150 g sugar Some desiccated coconut Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix to a slightly sloppy consistency, then put mix into the non-stick spring form.

Place cubed rhubarb on top and lightly sprinkle with the sugar.

Stick it in the 175C oven for about 30-35 minutes.

Take out of the oven.

Add the meringue mix and a shake of desiccated coconut, smooth the top of cake and sprinkle some more coconut on top. Stick it in the oven for another 20 minutes, but keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get to brown.

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The Purbeck Gazette

VenFest 2020 - A Whole Day Of Foodie Delights!

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ormally known as Dorset Food & Venison Festival, VenFest20 is a charitable volunteer run event raising funds for LUBCA Lytchett Minster and Upton Beacon Association projects.

VenFest is a great family day out with so much to keep you interested, such as our main ring entertainment, Tree Pirates, Chainsaw Carving Team and Xtreme Falconry.

Chef demos run by Mat Follas (BBC’s MasterChef Winner 2009), children’s area with Adventure Pirate and many varied types of stalls.

Hot and cold drinks and food will be available, including many stalls selling Venison and Dorset produce.

If you wish to find out more, are interested in becoming a volunteer, would possibly like to be a sponsor, or if you fancy advertising with us, popping along or would just like to contact us, then please go to: www.venfest.org

The Purbeck Gazette

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MAY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, Fri 10th April Feature: PURBECK ARTS & CRAFTS

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The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

Man & Van available to hire

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

07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured

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The Purbeck Gazette

Motoring Really?

by David Hollister

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n old Chinese proverb reads “may you live in interesting times”.

Well, what with Brexit and now Covid-19, the times are interesting all right. But he said nothing about confusion and that’s where the residents of Swanage are right now. Readers in Wool, Wareham and the villages are so lucky inasmuch as nobody has started tinkering with their roads …. Well, not yet, anyway.

All started with SGN. Yes, I know gas mains are important and gas leaks even more so. But a month to re-lay 200 yards of new gas main? Really?

The authorities in China managed to build and commission a new hospital in ten days yet Victoria Avenue was closed to through traffic for three times that long. During which time all traffic entering or leaving Swanage to the west was sent down High Street, or – no HGVs – down Kings Road West. But did the ‘authorities’ think to put temporary waiting restrictions in the main bottlenecks? No. Cars still parked opposite Jewsons and on the existing and apparently invisible yellow lines between Herston Cross and Costcutters, making it almost impossible for delivery vehicles and the enormous Co-Op artics to get through.

I went to see the SGN people – both of them – down their hole, in midFebruary. When I asked whether they were likely to be finished by the end of February, as shown on the County Council Public Notice, merriment ensued. Nice guys doing a thankless job, but I would have thought that twice as many guys would have completed the same thankless job in half the time.

Which brings us neatly on to the Institute Road debacle. None of the parts of the project actually started on the dates set out in the Public Notice.

Suggesting that it is unlikely that the newly narrowed Institute Road will be finished and open within the scheduled sixteen weeks. Sixteen weeks from the February 10th start date is 27th May. And from the actual start date February 17th is 3rd June. Shore Road is scheduled to close for the season at the beginning of May. It doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that there is an overlap period during which – in theory – all traffic going down Station Road will be able to turn neither right nor left, so will be destined to drive into the sea. Perhaps some official Council explanation would be in order?

I went to have a look at the Institute Road works after three weeks and have to say that I was very impressed with the progress that the two men on site at the time had made, and once again found myself wondering how much more progress might have been made with twice the workforce. It was suggested to me that more men would simply get under each others’ feet but that theory doesn’t seem to hold good in China, does it?

So, while all this is going on, they have temporarily reversed traffic flow in Kings Road East, controlling it with traffic lights which seem to work intermittently and the sequence of which is apparently disrupted when frustrated motorists jump the lights. Which resets them all to red. Which leads to even more delays and frustration, and more light-jumping. It’s all very well the Highways Engineers blaming the motorists but perhaps they should consider a type of light not so easily confused.

Yes, I know that it’s the law. But so is parking on yellow lines. Time the

authorities got real and stopped hoping that all motorists were saints.

On the afternoon of ‘red light Friday’ the whole town was gridlocked. I had to park in Cranborne Road and walk half a mile to get to the studios on the pier. Which did me no harm – probably the opposite – but as I walked I couldn’t help but notice the anger and frustration building up in the queuing cars!

To their credit, both the Mayor and Cllr. Gary Suttle had this is hand and were incandescent at the Highways people’s inability to do even this properly. This is the only way - as there are no rat-runs - to get from North to South Swanage. Everyone living in the South has to do that manoeuvre to get home. If they were to reverse Church Hill (no HGVs) and change road priorities at the top, much of the problem would be alleviated.

Yet I was told that the emergency services didn’t like this idea as they would have had to negotiate roads narrowed by parked cars from the Black Swan down to Court Hill. Really? No narrower than Church Hill! And half the time for fire, police and ambulance – and the lifeboat crew – to get to the southern part of town. Or the lifeboat station. The five minutes spent by the lifeboat crew waiting at the stupid traffic lights might mean life and death to someone adrift in the Peveril Race. Come on, someone, join up some thinking here!

And more important, the suggestion that the Kings Road reversal would be ‘trialled’ for a further year to see if it worked……………. Doesn’t work now. How’s another year going to help?

Anyway, an advertisement appeared in this very magazine inviting everyone to turn up at the Town Hall to meet “members of Dorset Council’s Highways Team” which actually turned out to be Mr Stephen Mepham – a pleasant but woefully small “team”. The advert invited us to ask questions regarding “anything concerning local highways e.g. parking restrictions and road defects”.

Fortunately, I contacted Mr Mepham prior to the event and was able to ascertain that he wasn’t the “team” dealing with Institute Road, traffic lights, one-way reversals etc and was thus able to advise people through Facebook and on radio, not to waste their time if they wanted to discuss those subjects.

However, we had a productive discussion regarding puddles (he took notes) and the ongoing road “resurfacing” which he confirmed would be fully inspected by his team before Eurovia left the scene, and hopefully before they were paid – with our money – for what at the time of writing appears to be a temporary ‘cheap fix’ which in places is already deteriorating.

Finally – the town council are considering closing Shore Road between the Mowlem and the Clock, all year round. Really? Sending all southbound traffic dangerously down Station Road (two pedestrian crossings) and the newly-narrowed Institute Road? The Mayor tells me that they’ve had huge response on this subject but couldn’t tell me the outcome.

So, hold your breath, reader, and let’s see if common sense prevails or find out whether Swanage’s winter streets will be available to people going home, or a haven of safety-obsessed jaywalkers.

Let’s see what next month brings. If we’re still here.

In the meantime – wash your hands.

The Purbeck Gazette

2019 (19) Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 EcoBoost 100Ps, 1.0 litre, manual, petrol, chrome blue, hatchback, our demonstrator, city pack, sync3 navigation, Ford pass connect with embedded modern & WiFi, air conditioning, anti-lock brake system with brake assist, alloy wheels, remote central locking, speed limiter, Bluetooth, hill start assist, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, 2500k miles.................................................................................£14,495 2012 (61) Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 TDCI, 5dr, estate, manual, diesel, moondust silver, alloy wheels, remote central locking, front electric windows, high adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth, automatic headlights and automatic windscreen wipers, CD Player, 125k mil es.....................................................................................................£3,495 2019 (19) Ford Focus 2.0 Ecoblue TDCi Vignale Estate, 2.0 litre, diesel, automatic, dark mulberry, all usual Vignale extras plus hands free tailgate, adaptive LED headlamps, heads up display, panoramic roof, wireless charging pad, blind spot information system, drivers assistance pack, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam, 6k miles……….........................................................£19,995 2016 (66) Ford Fiesta Titanium X 1.0 125ps, petrol, hatchback, manual, deep impact blue, air conditioning, satellite navigation, PAS, ABS, remote central locking, electric windows, service history, one owner, CD player, Bluetooth, hill start assist, city pack, rear parking camera and sensors, heated partial leather seats, 30k miles…................…£9,995

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2017 (17) Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 Ecoboost 5dr in white, Air Cond, Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Sync 2, Alloys, Radio/CD, 20000 mil es……...................................................................................................….£9395 2014 (63) Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 SE 5dr, in white, Air Cond, Alloys, Heated Front Seats, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Only 48000 miles with FSH ..…….................................................................................................……£4895 2018 (67) Vauxhall Mokka X Active 5dr, in black, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity with Apple Car play, DAB radio, electric windows, electric heated and folding mirrors, climate control, 28000 miles with FSH and balance of manufacturer’s warranty................................................................................................£11,495 2004 (54) Audi TT 3.2 Quattro auto in black, 64500 miles, red leather interior, Bose sound system, radio/CD multi play, alloys, climate control ....£4,250 2015 (65) Nissan Note 1.2 DiG-S Tekna 5dr in Met Grey, Sat Nav, Around View Monitor, Alloys, Cruise Control, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Reverse Camera, Auto Headlights, Climate Control, Only 15500 miles with FSH, £0 Road Fund License.................................................................£7,995 2014 (14) Mercedes Benz B200 Blueefficiency Sport CDi in Silver, Alloy wheels, Bluetooth, Reversing C+amera, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Auto Lights and Wipers, Bi-Xenon Headlights, 6 speed Manual, Full Service History, 29800 miles……………………………£9995

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

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aily operation for the Summer season commenced on Saturday 28th March and will run until mid-October 2020. Steam locomotives operate daily during the season except during the Diesel Gala.

This year’s Diesel Gala and Beer Festival – Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April - promises to be an entertaining and exciting diesel gala including services between Swanage and Bridge 4 near Worgret Junction and a heritage rail replacement bus service featuring a former Hants and Dorset Bristol FLF Double Decker between Wareham Station and Norden Station.

Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April an intensive timetable from 0900 to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday and from 09:00 to 19:00 on Sunday giving great opportunities to ride behind and photograph all the diesel locos attending. Class 50s 50021 “Rodney” and 50026 “Indomitable among our guest locos. See website for up to date guest loco list.

Class 55 Deltic Driving Experience on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April (advance booking essential).

“Beerex” Evening Trains Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April.

Dorset Beer Festival on the Cattle Dock at Corfe Castle Station operated by Steam Town Brew Co of Eastleigh.

The Tea Truck at Corfe Castle Station selling tea, coffee and delicious cake.

LJ Smiths BBQ at Swanage Station.

Trade and Enthusiast Stands at Swanage Station.

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

The Purbeck Gazette

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Don’t Cross The Picket Line

by John Garner

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his month, in this magazine, there is a focus on home improvements.

I feel very lucky to have recently moved to a place that needs little improvement. Indeed, the recently renovated house was pretty much good to go from the moment I moved in. Over the years I have moved into various properties, the last three being in or around Purbeck.

The last two needed lots of work done to them, both structurally and cosmetically. Walls needed to be removed or put in. Bathrooms retiled and fitted. The gardens needed taming and remodelling. Trees needed to be cut. Bushes pruned back. Grass laid.

Just the thought of all this makes me weary. As a young, energetic fellow, with a family history in the decorating trade, I often attempted to take on as many of these tasks as possible. This was very unwise. Many such ‘projects’ were taken on with gusto and rejected with equal gusto once it became clear that it was either beyond my capabilities or…well actually just beyond my capabilities. Oh, and patience.

I never really considered myself to be a very good swearer. It’s not something that comes naturally to me. I have friends who are brilliant swearers. They can summon the right expletive, give it the correct inflection and let rip with a string of profanity that always seems to hit the mood right on the button. My swearing is mediocre at best. My DIY is below mediocre at best. But when I attempt DIY my ability to curse and swear soars to new heights. I am the King of foul-mouthed rhetoric when faced with a poorly threaded screw. Or a drill bit that sheers off at an angle creating a monster chasm where a small, neat hole was called for. At this point I can swear for my college.

My most accomplished swearing has been reserved for bathroom DIY and particularly tiling and grouting. Tiling and grouting should be left to the professionals. Tiling and grouting are for skilled men and women with limitless patience and self-control. A skilled tiler and grouter will never need to resort to swearing. They will calmly go about their neat and tidy business and before long will have tiled and grouted a room that you could eat your dinner off. I no longer tile or grout.

It’s true that in the garden I have had more success. In fact, there was a time when I used to make something of a living designing, building and planting up gardens. And I seem to be able to reign myself in on the profanity front in the garden when things do go wrong. A ranting, sweary, angry person in a garden, where there are no walls to deaden the wailing, is not an acceptable spectacle in any suburban environment. But even here

I have lost count of the amount of incidents that have gone wrong, mainly as a result of my wanting to get whatever it is done as quickly as possible so that I can go and do something more enjoyable elsewhere. There are now three repairs on the electric cable of the hedge trimmer for instance.

I chopped through it twice on the same day. I still have the scar on my hand from the time I was pruning bushes right back and nearly pruned the base of my thumb right back. I’ve a small hole in my foot which is nail related. The list goes on.

I still think I can do some of these things, but I’ve also learnt that there are a whole team of people out there that don’t just think they can do these things. They can. They have proof. They have endorsements and recommendations and qualifications gained at great expense to prove they can do these things. It makes no bloody sense ( you see even thinking about DIY brings out a bit of mild cussing) that they should be out there, ready to go, whilst I, or indeed you, a person with no endorsements and recommendations or qualifications, decides it’s time to botch something up one more time. You’re only delaying the inevitable. In a few weeks or months, you’ll be ringing them anyway to make good the mess you’ve made and do a proper job.

I don’t want to be known for my ability to swear. This is not an accolade I wish to hold. I would much prefer to be remembered for my finesse with a fret saw. Or to be able to make my descendants proud with an ability to mix paint by hand to match any colour specified. But I’ve finally realised that this is not going to be the case. I don’t fill my own teeth so I’m not going to build my own garage. I’m unlikely to operate on my own creaky knee, so I’m not going to climb up a tree in my garden and remove any of the dead branches. I’m not going to cut my own hair and I’m definitely not going to grout and tile my own bathroom.

The late and very great Jeremy Hardy once said something along the lines of this. He said that DIY was tantamount to scabbing. By DIYing you were putting good trades men and women out of work. In all conscience, can you really do that to all those families!

If you’re wondering how this fits into the nature section of the Gazette, well imagine how much time you’ll free up, now that spring is upon us, to get out and enjoy Purbeck at what is in my opinion, the best part of the year.

You know what to do. All that you need can be found within these pages.

Dorchester Churches Ecology group to host half day conference oncerns about the increasing degradation of our soils has led the Dorchester Churches Ecology group to organise a half day conference later this spring.

“Celebrating the Living Soil” will bring together soil experts from across the county at the event at the United Church, Dorchester, on 25 April, to talk about the importance of looking after our soils.

Soils help combat climate change by storing twice as much carbon as all the plant life and the atmosphere on our planet combined. Healthy soil also stores and filters water, helps reduce flooding by absorbing rain like a sponge and in Dorset provides much of our drinking water. The event will include three local speakers and a panel discussion as well as stalls.

Organiser Jeanie Averill said how we cared for the soils globally was crucial: “Like many, I have taken the soil beneath my feet for granted - something to walk on, to grow plants in or simply wipe off my shoes if they get muddy.

“As a member of the Churches Together Ecology Group organising this event, I have come to appreciate soil far more. Soil benefits us and the environment in so many ways besides food production – the diversity of living things that live unseen in the soil is amazing. I expect, like me, some people who attend may find they never think about soil quite the same way again.

The speakers are Mark Kibblewhite, Emeritus Professor of Soil Science at Cranfield University, who will speak about the living soil and how it benefits us.

Wessex Water groundwater catchment manager Tim Stephens will talk about his work and the role of soil in providing clean, plentiful water.

And Tim Bowden, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West adviser, will discuss moves in farming towards methods that protect and replenish soil.

Later in the morning there will be a range of activities and displays in the church hall. Demonstrations of composting and of plants (green manure) that improve the soil will be on show. There will be fun activities for all ages including making a paper pot and planting a sunflower to take home as well as the chance to inspect living creatures with a lens. There will be a soil map of Dorset and people can bring a handful of their own soil to be examined and discussed with the experts.

The free event starts at 10.30am and will run until 1pm.

Celebrating The Living Soil C

The Purbeck Gazette

Success for Durlston in the Southwest Tourism Awards!

April sees the emergence of many flowers which provide nectar for insects. During dry, sunny periods, Bee Fly, Bufftailed Bumble Bee and Wall Brown butterfly will be upon the wing. Bloody-nose Beetles, a familiar sight, contrast with the less common Oil Beetle.

Whilst both emit fluids as a predator deterrent (by suggesting poor health), the later has large bustle-like abdomen. In the ponds Dragonfly larvae will be feeding upon any creature smaller than themselves in the water!

The first of our orchids - Early Purple Orchid and Early Spider Orchid are in bloom. Also flowering; Early Forget-Me-Not, Scarlet Pimpernel, Shepherds Purse, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Garlic Mustard. Along the cliff tops look out for Sea Aster, Sea Campion and Thrift in flower. The tiny, curious Adderstongue Fern can also be found amongst the shorter grass.

Will you hear a Cuckoo at Durlston? If you do let us know!

Similarly, a Grasshopper Warbler will be most easily recognised by its call. More obviously observed are the Martins and Swallows flying overhead.

On Saturday 18th, between 1pm and 5pm come along and

Margaret Green Animal Rescue

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ith spring around the corner, we have many events taking place for you to get involved with and there’s a great one taking place on 15th April.

How about a good old-fashioned game of bingo to raise money for our rescue animals? We are hosting a fun evening for the whole family to enjoy at the Trinity Club, Dorchester DT1 1TT with lots of great prizes to be won.

Doors open at 6.30pm and its eyes down at 7pm, so don’t be late.

In addition to the bingo, there will be a fantastic raffle, cake sale and a chance to play the ‘heads and tails’ game too! Come along and join us in raising money for our rescue animals – we’d love you to see you.

Also, make a note in your diary for 24th May, when GroundDog Day takes place at Lincoln Farm, Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Bere Road, Winterborne Kingston, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 9BP. Keep an eye on the website for more details. www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

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enjoy ‘Dorset Wanderland’ – a live art trail. It will showcase work (inspired by Durlston) from a variety of artists in a range of different art forms, including performance, sounds, drawing, photography, textiles, sculpture, spoken word, film and many more, curated by students from Arts University Bournemouth.

The gallery welcomes the return of the South-west Guild of Glass Engravers with their 2020 Contemporary Engraved Glass Exhibition.

Bookable creative workshops include: Making Seaside Dream Catchers, Make a Bird Nestbox, Paint Your Own Rock Monsters & Rock Bugs. Or drop into the shed and ‘Sow a Sunflower!’

Throughout the Easter Break the Truly Treemendous Tree Trail can be bought with its prize being an incentive for youngers to walk and complete a tree related creative challenge. A physical challenge is offered thanks to the Easter Chase for 7-11-year olds. Could you beat the Easter Bunny?

From April 1st the castle will remain open until 5pm. For more details, visit the Durlston Events webpage: www.durlston.co.uk/events.aspx

The Purbeck Gazette

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Keep Calm and Carry On Gardening pril is one of the most colourful months in the garden with masses of trees and shrubs in full blossom, leaves emerging in all sorts of colours, birds busy nesting and a deep rich green colour returning to your lawn. However, April 2020 may well not be normal.

At the time of writing we are facing an uncertain few months and no-one is quite sure how it will pan out. The news is pretty depressing and we may have to face a period where human interaction is severely reduced and at such a time your garden could well become your salvation.

The garden offers an opportunity to get outside, away from feeling ‘cooped up’, somewhere to feel the sun on your face, to feel calm with the sounds of insects and birds going about their daily activities. We can also indulge a hobby in the garden such as photography, reading, being creative, drawing and painting and of course the hobby of gardening itself.

Most people have nothing to fear from getting the virus but if we are required to self-isolate to help others then it could be a good opportunity to get stuck into an improvement project in your garden. Physical work and being creative can be totally absorbing and using the enforced time off effectively you could create a feature that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

If you get stuck because you can’t lay your hands on all the materials you need, then complete all the other tasks required, so that when you can acquire what you are missing, it is just a small step to completion. Another thing to remember is that ‘Necessity is the Mother of Invention’, so if you get stuck use your creative thinking to come up with an alternative solution.

In a few months when all the current difficulties have passed, will you be admiring your new feature and be thinking ‘I really did put that potentially depressing time in spring 2020 to good use?’

Pictures: top - Build a New Patio, ideal for relaxing! Left: Renovate your borders.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Vienna Festival Ballet Presents: Swan Lake

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lassical ballet takes centre stage soon when the highly acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet returns to town.

Join Vienna Festival Ballet as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary with their glorious revival of one of the best known and loved classical ballets of all time, Swan Lake. Lavish costumes, stunning scenery, international stars, and the magnificent music from Tchaikovsky make this a night not to be missed.

The company, whose previous performances include The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, aims to provide the great classical ballets to theatres nationwide, for audiences of all ages. And now the talented company will perform of one of the world’s best loved classical ballets, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

The story centres round Prince Siegfried. While out hunting, the Prince meets with a flock of swans led by a Queen Swan who is under the evil spell of a magician Baron Rothbart. He falls in love with the Queen of the Swans and tries to free them all. However, the magician has a few tricks up his sleeve. Will everything turn out well for the Prince and the Queen of the Swans?

Swan Lake is probably the greatest and most popular of all ballets and this production offers specially designed glamorous costumes and beautiful sets which project colour and vitality to enhance the workings of the dancers, choreographer and the composer. So whether you are a ballet buff or an interested observer, make a point of booking tickets to experience the vitality of Vienna Festival Ballet’s Swan Lake.

The Company - Celebrated Austrian dancer Peter Mallek founded the company after his illustrious career as a dancer of international renown, in 1980. Now in their 40th year of producing quality ballet productions, the company continues to experience remarkable success and perform the most famous classical ballets nationwide.

Vienna Festival Ballet are known for their beautiful and lavish hand-made costumes as well as their commitment to bringing the greatest classical ballets to the widest possible audience. Their productions have all the elegance and extravagance associated with the best of ballet.

Notable for the continued freshness and strength of their dancing casts, VFB attract highly talented dancers from all over the world.

Website: www.viennafestivalballet.com

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The Purbeck Gazette

Wareham Carnival Royalty 2020

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he Carnival Royalty competition took place at the Corn Exchange at the Town Hall in Wareham on Saturday 22nd February 2020 The new Royalty for 2020 are Carnival Queen Maddison Glynn and her two princesses are Natalie and Cherry, the two Princes are James and Bobby.

Sue Kemp, Wareham Town Councillor

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Rudes Are Back!

he Rudes are back at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers, on Friday 12th June. They have a brand-new outdoor show called ‘Little Lily Harley’, about the childhood of Charlie Chaplin in Lambeth and it is an extraordinary story. Both his parents were music hall artistes.

His father died of cirrhosis of the liver in his 30s, his mother – Little Lily Harley was her stage name - contracted syphilis and went mad and was in and out of Lambeth Workhouse.

Charlie and his older brother Sydney were put into a school for destitute children and passed from pillar to post and were even for a while living on the streets, yet Charlie overcame it all to become arguably the greatest film actor in history. How was it possible? How did he survive? What does make us what we become?

Well, this play tells that story, in particular of Sydney’s support and the strength and courage of his mother and her lessons about the joyful world of the imagination. It will make you cry, but it will make you howl with laughter too. It’s all about hope and triumph over adversity – something we all need at the moment! It is shaped a bit like a piece of music hall, with lots of songs, poems, dancing, playground clapping rhymes and silent movie style slapstick.

Tickets are on sale now from the pub and our website – https://www. therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk/book-tickets/

The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Mummers Support ‘Steps For Stan’

he Purbeck Mummers collect money during their tour of Wareham, Corfe Castle, and the Square and Compass during December (including their Boxing Day tour), all for charity.

This year they collected for ‘Steps for Stan’, a young boy struggling with a disability which has been affecting him from birth. The Mummers Cheque presentation on 21st February 2020 will help Stan with daily activities.

The cheque presentation took place at the Bankes Arms Corfe Castle.

Photograph by Sue Kemp.

The Russians Are Coming To Swanage!

Professional Quartet Due To Perform.... offer superb individual performances of Classical pieces from across the ages. Of course they want to share their enthusiasm for Russian music – religious, folk and classical, but this a real cultural exchange, so they also want to meet you in a friendly encounter over refreshments at the concert.

Further excitement – they will join the choir for Sunday worship at 10:30 am on Sunday 3rd May and sing an anthem, and on Sunday evening give a second concert in Holy Trinity church, Warmwell.

LYRA embodies the spirit of St Petersburg, and invites you to join them on their vibrant musical journey. Contact Paul Baird (Pauldbaird@aol.com) for more information.

More information on their Websites: https://lyra2020.com www.lyra-singers.com

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YRA is a professional vocal quartet from St Petersburg and, as part of their 2020 national tour, they will be coming to Swanage.

We are delighted to be able to host them at St Mary’s church, where they will perform on Saturday 2nd May – do put the date in your diaries!

Each of the four singers is rooted in the work of the St Petersburg Orthodox Church Choir, and all have gone on to advanced studies, three in opera and one as a conductor, and two have significant success in international competitions.

Singing together as LYRA, they have performed at numerous venues and events in Russia and the United Kingdom.

They are much loved for their emotive renderings of Orthodox Church music and entertaining Russian folk songs. In this tour, each will also

FREE Arts Activities For People Living With Dementia Or Mental Health Conditions

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ree creative activities are on offer to vulnerable people in Dorset as part of a pilot scheme. My Creative Life is an innovative new programme set up by The Arts Development Company to bring free arts experiences to those living with dementia or mental health conditions.

The programme gives a choice of different creative activities for people to take part in outside of usual day care settings. The events and creative workshop courses aim to combat isolation and loneliness, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

Find out more and to see if you’re eligible for these free workshops and arts experiences (link http://theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk/ my-creative-life/ ).

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: “I’m delighted Dorset Council is part of this innovative project.

“We want people to have more choice and control over the support they receive from us. Part of that is offering new and exciting opportunities

and activities that promote independence and wellbeing.

“Many of the activities are based in libraries and community centres and all are aimed at helping people feel part of their community.”

By 2025, 10,100 people aged 65+ will be living with dementia in Dorset.

During the course of a year, almost one in four of us in the county will suffer from some form of mental health condition in the county. My Creative Life is a partnership project brought together by The Arts Development Company, Dorset Council’s Adult Commissioning Team, Artsreach, the Dorset History Centre, Dorset Libraries and Dorset County Museum.

The Purbeck Gazette

Watkins Family House At Purbeck Valley Folk Festival

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reat news for Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is that Watkins Family Hour are coming over from America to appear at the festival.

Sister and brother Sara and Sean Watkins rose to international bluegrass fame with the band Nickel Creek.

Watkins Family Hour is their bluegrass musical collaborative which began in 2002 as a monthly, informal musical variety show with the Watkins siblings and their friends in the Los Angeles nightclub Largo.

This was to be their outlet to try out some original songs and a few covers that wouldn’t work in Nickel Creek. That club, Largo, has since become the home base for Watkins Family Hour, whose shows frequently pair musicians who seem to have little in common, yet find a shared language in their music.

Having moved on from Nickel Creek, Sean and Sara and released multiple solo albums and pursued other collaborations, most recently with Sara’s involvement in supergroup ‘I’m With Her’. However, the siblings gravitated toward the idea of another Watkins Family Hour album after realising that their calendars afforded them a rare opportunity to write, record, and tour together.

Their new album ‘Brother Sister’ is released in April in advance of their European tour in August. They appear with full band and featured guest musicians.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival takes place on the weekend of 20-23 August on Purbeck Valley Farm in Harmans Cross. Tickets are available via the festival website.

More information on Facebook and on the festival website: www. purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

Stanford Quartet Concert

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n Saturday the 6th of June, Purbeck Strings welcome the Stanford Quartet’s return to Swanage for a Coffee Concert in the fine acoustic of the Methodist Church. (Tickets £10 on the door).

The Stanford’s will be performing music by the two best known French impressionist composers Debussy and Ravel. First the much-loved Ravel quartet with its famous pizzicato movement (used as title music for the TV drama, The Chamomile Lawn). This will be followed by Debussy’s soulful impression of moonlight, Claire de lune.

Their programme also includes an early gem from Haydn’s quartets opus 1 number 6. This charming quartet opens with a folk-song type theme that became a regular feature of many of his later compositions.

After the concert the audience are invited to meet the Stanford quartet players and enjoy complementary coffee and cake. Please note, the Purbeck Strings 2020 Prom Concert will be on Tuesday July 28 at 3.30pm in the Mowlem Community Room.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Blues Festival March 2020

Organiser Steve Darrington writes.

Photos by Dubbel Xposure Photography

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he 33rd Swanage Blues Festival took place over the weekend of 5th to 8th March. Blues fans travelled from far and wide to see familiar acts and numerous new faces to the festival. The festival opened on Thursday night at the Royal British Legion, the stylish duo of Hugh Budden and Andrew Stone laying down some hot blues, followed by a debut performance by Marky Dawson, raucous, rambunctious keyboards by a man that simply cannot sit still. Meanwhile Ray Drury and Jon Walsh were entertaining the crowd in the Red Lion with some very smooth blues.

From there it was gigs, gigs, gigs all weekend as the 18 venues hosted 40 acts over 70 shows.

Some of the newer venues joined in again. The Centre put on a full programme of shows over the weekend, curated excellently by MC Mark Stasiuk, featuring mainly acoustic acts such as Blues Dharma, a fusion of Blues and Indian classical music featuring Veena and table alongside western guitars and percussion, The effervescent blues of the Spikedrivers, African-influenced rhythms from Ramon Goose and the sweet slide of Garry “Slide guy” Smith. The Waterfront, hosted Jams, the return to the festival of Steve Brookes and a Sunday afternoon acoustic set by Dawg N Bones. As well as hosting a jam session on Friday. The Beach Hut Seafood café opened its doors to the Blues providing a very intimate stage for the welcome return of Will Killeen.

The Royal British Legion was a focal point for the festival once again, and was busy all weekend, the comfy chairs and the new Soul Food café menu welcome attractions alongside a full programme of acts. Eric Ranzoni, the highly entertaining Pianist played his tribute to Memphis Slim along

with blues classis from the 50s and 60s and then Blue Touch had the venue rocking on Friday night. Saturday featured Stan’s Blues Jamboree, a marathon Blues jam session along with 3 showcase acts, each hoping to break into the festival proper and the ever-popular Robin Bibi Band in the evening. Robin Bibi was back on Sunday afternoon to host his Jam session and Tommy Allen’s Trafficker closed out the weekend there.

Town centre pubs also played their part, The White Swan, the Red Lion, East Bar and the White Horse all attracting large crowds to see festival favourites The Milkmen, the Mustangs, Riverside Blues Band and the Voodoo Sheiks to name but a few. The White Horse was very busy on Sunday evening for the return of the mighty Northsyde, an event that many people were looking forward to throughout the weekend.

Swanage Blues Festival is a highly inclusive event. In addition to the established bands and artists playing throughout the weekend, there are Jams and open Mic sessions running every day, giving amateur and professional players the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd.

In addition to Stan’s and Robin’s jams the Red Lion Open mic events and Geoff’s jam at the Waterfront were well attended and the Buskers performing at Harry Ramsden’s brought a community feel to the occasion.

The Festival Finale, at the Grand Hotel, wrapped things up nicely with a host of performers from over the weekend coming together to treat the audience to a two and a half hour review of all that is good about the Blues.

In all, another successful Swanage Blues Festival where hundreds of blues fans came down to enjoy the best Blues Party on the south coast!

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column Lewis-Manning outreach brings Hospice Care to Swanage e are pleased to announce that Lewis-Manning Hospice Care launched its Swanage day hospice at Swanage Hospital this February. The service is there to help people living in and around Purbeck and is offered free of charge.

The charity exists to help people diagnosed with life limiting illnesses and has provided support across East Dorset for twenty-seven years.

Its aim is to increase physical and social wellbeing, reduce isolation and loneliness, support people to stay in their homes longer and alleviate the huge pressures on family and carers. Sessions are held in a friendly, relaxed environment giving patients and carers an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences.

Services at the day hospice are provided by a team of nurses, health care professionals and volunteers. As well as nursing care, the hospice offers creative arts and wellbeing which is a fantastic way for people to express themselves and communicate issues which may be hard to talk about. Physiotherapy and complementary therapy are being planned for the future.

Lewis-Manning welcomes referrals to its new day hospice from healthcare professionals who can fill in a referral form on the charity’s website

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or call 01202 708470. Members of the public are welcome to make enquiries by phoning, visiting the website or emailing enquiries@lewis-manning.co.uk.

Local volunteers who are inspired to help provide extraordinary hospice care are also encouraged to contact the charity.

The charity’s next plan is to open a day hospice service in Wareham Hospital every Thursday, starting in early April. Please contact Lewis-Manning to find out more.

Clare Gallie, Chief Executive of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said, “Launching in Swanage is an exciting step which endorses our commitment to local people and the community that we serve, support and care for.”

Director of Clinical Services at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Ruth Burnhill, added, “Meeting and chatting to others who have similar conditions allows people to recognise that they are not alone in the community, even if relatives live further away.”

Until next time, take care! Matron Donna.

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

Call us on 01929 421329.

We’re here for YOU, so use our services!

CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar

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

Contact 07979 840542 NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT

The Purbeck Gazette

Hello From Swanage Medical Practice

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News from Swanage Medical Practice

Change to the Sit and Wait Surgery. rom 1st April this service will now be known as the Urgent Surgery.

Patients attending this service will see one of our Advanced Nurses (AN) or the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP).

There will be one GP on Duty for the Nurse or Paramedic you are seeing to consult with, or refer a patient to, should that be clinically prudent.

So, your expectation when coming to this service is that you will NOT be called in by a Doctor.

We have made this significant change in order to make the practice more resilient, use our resources more efficiently, and provide our patients with a successful and accessible service for the future.

We have recognised that this service is often filled with clinical conditions that can be treated by other clinicians. This change will allow GPs to see the most complex of patient needs in a timelier way.

In most cases the ANs or PCP can diagnose, treat and prescribe in addition to referring to most external specialists. Our ANs and PCP have many years of training and experience.

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Call For Students To Get Mumps Vaccination

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atest figures show that 227 cases of mumps were confirmed in the South West between April and June 2019 with 2,028 cases of mumps confirmed across England within the same timeframe. This compares to 795 cases confirmed in England last quarter, continuing the increase seen during the first quarter of 2019.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), giving a person with mumps a distinctive “hamster face” appearance. The increase in mumps has been mostly driven by outbreaks in university students. Cases were reported across England, predominantly in young adults aged 15 to 34 years.

It is therefore important that all students contact their GP to check that they have had the MenACWY vaccine if they have recently started university or college. Students going to university or college for the first time, including overseas and mature students, who have not yet had the MenACWY vaccine remain eligible up to their 25th birthday.

The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against four different kinds of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia: A, C, W and Y. The MenACWY vaccine is the best form of protection against these deadly diseases.

For more information about vaccinations, please visit: https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/

MAY 2020 EDITION DEADLINE NOON, FRI 10TH APRIL

IMPORTANTLY, please note, these surgeries are for ‘acute’ on the day problems only - this means a new, on the day ailment.

It is not for ongoing problems for which you have been seen by a GP previously, or something which has been troubling you for some time. When we are at full capacity you will be referred to the services mentioned below.

REMEMBER we have access to additional appointments at Swanage Cottage Hospital or Poole Hospital where you can see a prescribing practitioner. It is now possible via our website (https://www. swanagemedical.org.uk/pages/eConsult) to consult with one our GPs using our new E-CONSULT service, and self-refer yourself to the local Physiotherapy service.

Last, but definitely not least, seeing one of the community’s local pharmacists for timely support with minor ailments or medication queries, really should be your first port of call. The times of the Urgent Surgery are 9-10.30am and 2-3.00pm Monday - Friday.

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The Purbeck Gazette

Sport A

Swanage Walking Football Club Mediocre To Brilliance In Three Days!

fter what seemed an eternity, the Dorset FA league resumed on Monday 24th February for both the over 50s and over 60s divisions. The over 60s were away to title contenders Dorchester, whilst the Over 5s were away to Weymouth.

Dorchester over 60s started strongly on the pristine 3G facilities at Dorchester Town FC and Swanage keeper Ricky Scott was forced into a save within the first thirty seconds. Early pressure from Dorchester continued but the Swanage defence which has yet to concede a goal away from home held firm.

As the match progressed Swanage began to gain a foothold as they grew used to the conditions and a number of efforts on goal followed.

The second half saw Swanage generally have the better of the play and only a fine save by the Dorchester keeper kept Pete Arrowsmith’s shot at bay.

What was billed to be a crunch game turned out to be a mediocre performance from both teams and finished 0-0 and brought an end to the Swan’s winning streak. The single point was accepted as an ok result.

Swanage over 50s were also in action away on the same evening, but to Weymouth. Swanage has failed to score against Weymouth in all previous meetings, so this was always going to be a tough game. Swanage struggled to get used to the poorly lit larger pitch and lighter ball which seemed to constantly go out of play. Neither team performed very well in the first half.

In the 2nd half, Swanage had the main possession and pretty much camped in the Weymouth end forcing some great saves from the Weymouth keeper. With ten minutes to go, Swanage thought they had broken the deadlock when Swanage’s Steve Finney put the ball past the Weymouth keeper, only to be disallowed by the referee for Finney apparently being inside the keeper’s area.

Despite firm protests from the Swans, the free-kick was awarded from outside the area instead of awarding a goal kick which ultimately led to further protests and frustration. Swanage could rightly feel aggrieved at some poor refereeing decisions that went against them and ultimately cost them all three points. The game also finished 0-0.

A frustrating evening for both Swanage teams finished on a happy note

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Swanage Cricket Club Update

wanage Cricket Club are looking forward to the NEW season especially with the introduction of a third team on a Saturday to help ‘bridge’ the transition between the Under-15s and adult cricket.

Just like the youth section - which now boasts a membership of over 100 between the ages of 8 and 15, the women and girl’s section is continuing to thrive. With regards to the extension to the pavilion to accommodate the new teams, etc., the grant applications have been submitted and the

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when both teams met at a pub on the route home to compare notes and jokes. Things often look better after a few good beers.

Three days after their mediocre performance away to Dorchester it was time for the Swans over 60s to host Dorchester for the return leg. Swanage took full advantage of the noisy home crowd that had turned up to cheer by stamping their dominance within the first few minutes with some sublime attacking moves. Swanage put Dorchester under sustained pressure with the Dorchester keeper making a succession of good saves to keep his side level. To the delight of the home fans, Swanage soon took the lead through a firm drive from Pete Arrowsmith, but this was followed by a short spell from Dorchester forcing Swanage’s Ricky Scott into a couple of saves. However, that was the end of any Dorchester’s threat.

Swanage regained dominance and a goal from Ivor Hughes just before half time gave the home side breathing space at the interval.

Early in the second half a goal from an acute angle by Brian Hunt made it 3-0 and with Swanage now in total control and keeping possession, further late goals from Montague, Pearce, and Hughes sealed a convincing 6-0 win.

This was by far the best performance of the season and they made an excellent team like Dorchester look completely out classed. What a difference some beers and three days can make.

Swans over 60s now sits twelve points clear at the top of the league albeit having played two games more than their closest challengers Weymouth and Bournemouth.

Just before going to press, news has come through that Bournemouth did Swanage Over 60s a huge favour by beating Dorchester 5-2 thus resulting in Swanage over 60s only needing 1 point from their two remaining games to take the title.

If you are interested in playing Walking Football or just want to come and support the team, please call Nick Surman on 07745 907509 or Facebook: Swanage Walking Football.

club are awaiting the results. #ExcitingTimes The winter training for all age groups and adults alike will continue until it moves outside in the middle of April.

If anyone would like to sponsor/play for the club, please visit our website:www.swanagecricketclub.co.uk and follow the relevant links.

Mike Nash (Press & Media Officer)

Swanage & Wareham Hockey Club Update

wanage & Wareham Hockey Club is in the latter stages of the current season which finishes at the end of March. So far, all teams have had one of the best all round seasons ever.

The ladies section moved across to the Hampshire league for the first time in their history this year and both teams have performed well. At the time of writing the Ladies 1st team sits six points clear at the top of Hampshire Division 4 with just three games to play. A promotion is hopefully on the cards! The Ladies 2nd team looks like they will maintain their position in their Division 6 which is a great achievement for this team.

The Men’s first team have found their level in Division 3 and sit mid table, as do the 2nds in Division 9 after having a hugely successful season with their very young side.

The club’s success owes a lot to the Junior coaching programme that has taken place over the last few years. These juniors are now joining the senior teams and are proving their worth.

All youngsters aged 6-13 are welcome to attend the hockey club’s very

active Junior Section. Coaching takes place on Wednesdays at the Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham during term time between 6pm and 7.30pm.

This will start again in September.

Although the season soon comes to an end, we play summer league from May to July and welcome all new players. This is a great opportunity to come along and join in. Whether you’d like to start, come back or merely join our friendly club, based at the Purbeck sports centre. Whether you loved or hated hockey at school, it’s never too late to start again, or be converted! Everyone is welcome not matter what sex, age or standard.

Feel free to pick up that stick again after a few (or many) years away from this fantastic sport. This club is very supportive and friendly and gets you out on cold winter evenings and bleak Saturdays when most people are sat inside waiting for the summer to arrive!

Hockey is fun, sociable and most importantly keeps you fit and healthy within a great team environment. If you’d like any information on any of the above please email Jacks.barker@hotmail.co.uk or call 07725 562607.

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 MAY is noon, 10th APRIL 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.

APRIL 2020

Wed 1st 10.00 Official Isle of Purbeck Independence Day. Join us standing along the banks of the River Frome (at a suitable distance from each other) as the depth charges are set off (bang!) and the Isle of Purbeck becomes fully independent from mainland Britain. Wave cheerfully at mainlanders as we declare ourselves a separate nation......

Thu 2nd 19:00 Wareham Town Council Meeting Annual Meeting. Held in the Town Hall, East st, Wareham. Doors open at 6.30.

19:30 Blitz - Swanage Musical Theatre Company At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Fri 3rd 19:30 Blitz - Swanage Musical Theatre Company At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory classroom, Church Hill for: Theme Boards (prints) – ‘Open’ and The Ken Moore trophy – outing images ‘open’ Judges – Members Visitors welcome, ffi: www. swanagephotographicsociety.com or 01929 426268 Sat 4th 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 Tea on the Green Open Day At Beachgardens, Swanage. Play the 18 hole putting green free of charge! Free tennis all day, adult and junior coaching, games.

10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 10:00 Adult Stone Engraving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £50 per adult. Ffi: 01929 439405.

19:30 Blitz - Swanage Musical Theatre Company At The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

20:00 Porchlight Smokers Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 5th 10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 14:00 Stillhouse Junkies Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 6th 14:00 Swanage Poets Meet at the art workshop in Commercial Road (just past Chococo). Everyone who writes poems, or just loves poetry, is welcome. We meet monthly. Ffi: sdm.early@gmail.com 20:00 Slow Americana Jam At The Drax Arms, Bere Regis - Slow Jam for acoustic Instruments, aimed at beginners to advance players, typically playing Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, etc. - banjo, guitar, fiddle, etc.

Tue 7th * Food and Art At The Italian Kitchen, Wareham. Ffi: 01929 550990.

10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Wed 8th * Food and Art At The Italian Kitchen, Wareham. Ffi: 01929 550990.

10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Thu 9th * Food and Art At The Italian Kitchen, Wareham. Ffi: 01929 550990.

10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Fri 10th 10:00 Easter Makers Market At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Sat 11th 10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete

the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 10:00 Easter Makers Market At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Ffi: 01929 439405.

20:00 Crazy Pony Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 21:00 Rapport Live band At The Drax Arms, Bere Regis - covering Queen, Dire Straits, Rolling Stones and many more foot tapping tunes.

Sun 12th * Easter Sunday Carvery At The Grand Hotel, Swanage. Book a table on 01929 423353.

10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 10:00 Easter Makers Market At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Ffi: 01929 439405.

12:00 Easter Three Course Lunches At Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Booking essential.

Ffi: 01929 450361.

Mon 13th 10:00 Swanage Pier Easter Trail We have two amazing Easter trails on the Pier this year depending on your age. The Easter Bunny has hidden twelve Easter posters for you to find or follow the trail, solving the clues on the Pier. Complete the trail and claim your prize! £1.00 per child Adult admission to the Pier applies Email: activities@swanagepiertrust.com 10:00 Easter Makers Market At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Tue 14th 10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

14:00 Purbeck Parkinson’s Meetings All Saints Church Hall Swanage 2pm till 4pm FFI – T. Lander 01929 425970 or D. Peters 01929 551962 19:00 Wareham Town Council Meeting In the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. FFi: 01929 553006 or www.wareham-tc.gov.uk Wed 15th 10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

18:30 Charity Bingo Night At The Trinity Club, Dorchester.

Thu 16th 10:00 Family Have a go at Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £30 per adult, £17.50 per child. Ffi: 01929 439405.

Fri 17th 14:00 Dr. Phil Judkins Purbeck’s Navy A talk at Corfe Castle Community Library.

19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory classroom, Church Hill for: Members essays and pictures. Pus critique Visitors welcome, ffi: www. swanagephotographicsociety.com or 01929 426268 20:00 Iduma Quartet Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 18th 10:00 Terrarium Workshop At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. ‘Open Succulent & Cacti Terrarium’, £40 pp, all included. Ffi: www.terrafic.co.uk 13:00 ‘Dorset Wanderland’ A Live art trail at Durlston Country Park.

Mon 20th * Bluebird Coach Tour Holland: Tulip train. Ffi: 01305 782353 19:00 Swanage Annual Parish Meeting At The Centre, Chapel Lane, Swanage.

Tue 21st 20:00 Folk Night At The Drax Arms, Bere Regis - Featuring: Purbeck Storm, McFlute, Andrew Helson and Alan Winter.

Wed 22nd 19:00 Public Meeting At The Emmanuel Baptist Church. The Community Housing Project would like people top get involved in driving the project forward in Swanage. All welcome.

Thu 23rd 21:00 Open Mic Night At The Drax Arms, Bere Regis.

Fri 24th * Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Swanage Railway.

19:30 Quiz Night At The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. £1 entry.

20:00 Julu & Heg Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 25th * Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Swanage Railway.

10:00 Adult Stone Carving At Burngate Stonecarving Centre. £80 per adult. Ffi: 01929 439405.

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10:30 “Celebrating the Living Soil” Half Day Conference at the United Church, Dorchester.

10:30 Woodwork & Metalwork Exhibition At Shop Dorset Makers, Creech, Wareham.

20:00 Cabarats Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 26th Diesel Gala & Beer Festival At Swanage Railway. * 10:00 Kingston Maurwood College Open Morning Dorchester DT2 8PY. Ffi: 01305 215215 10:30 Woodwork & Metalwork Exhibition At Shop Dorset Makers, Creech, Wareham.

14:00 Manos Puestos Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 27th 10:30 Woodwork & Metalwork Exhibition At Shop Dorset Makers, Creech, Wareham.

Wed 29th 20:00 Josh Harty Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229

WEEKLY EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY 09.00 U3A Table Tennis Group meet at Harmans Cross VH. 09.30 Under 2.5 years old group. Till 11am. at Parish Hall, Wm. 09.45 Toddler Club URC, Sw. Till 11.15 10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 10.30 Flowers with Liz at the Purbeck Workshop in Wool. The Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool. BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907. Email: richris95@gmail.com 13.00 Play and Learn at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 2.45pm 13.00 Under 1s and Tums at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 3pm 14.00 Pins and Needles at Harmans Cross VH. 14.00 Swanage Digital Champions. Support people in the community to use the internet and gain basic online skills. Booking essential on 01929 423485.

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.

16.00 Colour Me Happy. Adult colouring session at Swanage Library. Drop in.

16.45 Soccer Skills Sw FC First Sch chldn £1 Till 5.45. 425175 18.00 Lesbian and Gay Friendship Group meets every Monday evening for social events and shared interests, such as meals, walking and outings.

Ffi: contact Karen via email: outinpurbeck@gmail.com 18.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster.

Till 7pm 18.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 8.30pm.

19.00 Wareham Choral Society meet URC Meeting House, 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 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

The Purbeck Gazette 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.

10.20 Adult Dance Classes. Modern Line dance. Until 11.20am. At The D’Urberville Centre, Wool. Ffi: 01202 243803 or see: www. purbeckdancestudio.co.uk 10.30 Employment Hub at Swanage Library. Until 12.30pm. Book via Skilla dn Learning on 01202 262300.

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 Swanage Town Walk. Local historian takes walks lasting 90 minutes.

Meet outside the Museum in the ‘Square’. No charge but voluntary contributions welcome.

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 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.

The Purbeck Gazette Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon.

Ffi: 552864 10.30 Adult Dance Classes. Modern Line dance. Until 11.30am. At St Edward’s Church hall, Swanage. Ffi: 01202 243803 or see: www. purbeckdancestudio.co.uk 10.30 Play and Learn at Kids of Wool (BH20 6DY) until 12 noon.

10.30 Books and More - at Swanage Library. Reading & discussion group.

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 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 09.30 Adult Dance Classes. Latin American & Ballroom dance. Until 10.30am.

At the Wareham Scout & Guide Hut, N. Bestwall Rd, Wareham. BH20 4HX. Ffi: 01202 243803 or see: www.purbeckdancestudio.co.uk 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.

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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 Swanage Town Walk. Local historian takes walks lasting 90 minutes.

Meet outside the Museum in the ‘Square’. No charge but voluntary contributions welcome.

14.00 Wareham Happy Cafe. Friendly conversation, talks, activities and some fun to put a spring in your step! Everyone welcome. Held at the Not Just Sundaes Cafe in South Street, Wareham. BH20 4LU. From 5th March 2020 onwards. FREE. Until 3.30pm.

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 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

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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 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.

19.45 Alcoholics Anonymous Wareham. Talk and tea from 19.15, meeting from 19.45 until 21.00. At Wareham Day Centre, 21 Bonnets Lane, Wareham. BH20 4HB. If you think you may have a problem

The Purbeck Gazette with alcohol, you are welcome. You can learn about living sober frmo people who do. The first friday of each month is also open to professionals and friends/family of problem drinkers. Ffi: 01202 296000.

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.

19.00 Quiz Night with cash prizes at the Red Lion, High Street, Swanage. All welcome - come along and see if you can win the prize pot!

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

61

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

Lic: 3452941 Reg: 542421

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

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Repair of phone lines & broadband HALF BT PRICES!!

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Property Decoration & Renovation

07796 640538 01929 424882

62

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

LOCAL TRADERS USE THEM OR LOSE THEM FOLKS!

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SWANAGE & DORSET SCAFFOLDING & ROOFING All aspects of Residential & Commercial Scaffolding Flat Roofing - Re-roofs, Slate or Tile, All repair works

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The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

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!

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Man & Van available to hire

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