The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 248

September November 2019 2020 Issue no. 248 238

You can also read online or download the entire magazine in book format at: FREE WHERE DELIVERED. Magazine Archive POSTAL at: SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk/catalogue.aspx www.purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Christmas Challenge!

Pg 12 23 - 37 Barn Owl Pg 34 Help Save RexSuccess!

The Brave.

Pg

Swanage Hospital Newsletter.

Pg16 22-23 Our Flag Is Now Official! Pg

Thinking.

PgPg 1824 - 35 BanishCathedral Those Winter Blues!

AOtter Message From Crier.Pg Pg37 15 Deaths OnOur TheTown Increase.

SWANAGE & PURBECK space is now available!

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the September edition of your Purbeck Gazette! As you can see, we’re back up and rolling - in print once again!

Volunteers were instrumental in putting this edition together until we have the revenue coming in to cover the costs of having the staff back, so a HUGE thank you to those who helped! You’re amazing!

This edition has ONE primary focus. Please make a concerted effort to take note of each and every advert within this publication. Everyone advertising this month is doing so in order to ask that you support them regularly, from now onwards.

So many local businesses are small, often ‘one-man bands’ (microbusinesses) and having lost the majority of their main seasonal revenue, most will struggle to see out the winter and remain open for next year. If you don’t want to see our amazing selection of independent shops and services cease to exist, then it is now literally on your shoulders to keep them open and in business - continuing to employ local staff. That means actually shopping locally - not just once, but consistantly.

To our advertisers - thank you for your amazing support. We know there’re two times when businesses should advertise - when you’re doing well and when you’re on your knees! At the moment, we’re aware many of you are spending money you don’t really have in an effort to encourage local shoppers in as a result of seeing your advert. We’re totally behind your efforts and will continue to support our community as much as possible throughout the coming months. Readers - take note! Shop locally for the benefit of the whole community. Please!

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 October 2020 edition has a deadline of 9th September.

The November 2020 edition has a deadline of 9th October.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - September 2020 ALL MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUSPENDED - PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL DIRECTLY FOR INFORMATION

Wareham Town Council Meetings - September 2020 ALL MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUSPENDED - PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL DIRECTLY FOR INFORMATION

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.

Telephone Sales & Client Contact

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

The Purbeck Gazette

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Clavell Tower at Kimmeridge from the sea. By NJ.

CONTACT US

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - will return soon!

BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS FEATURES £11.8m Building Fund Secured A Message From Swanage’s Town Crier Barn Owl Success!

Blast From The Past Cathedral Thinking Friends of Swanage Hospital Newsletter Gazette Gardening John Garner writes - The Sea, The Sea...

National Coastwatch Support Our Microbusinesses!

Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes The Cost Of Rural Crime FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING NATURAL MATTERS TRADE ADVERTS DIARY SPOTLIGHT

28 6 2 10 15 34 16 18 22-23 39 31 12 16 6 35 25 36 4 24 31 41 39

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

THE OFFICE IS NOT OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC.

ADVERTISERS ONLY PLEASE!

Editorial Enquiries: Editor, Nico Johnson 01929 424239

ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Advertising Sales:

at: www.purbeckgazette.co.uk Kay Jenkinsor01929 email:424239 ext.1 kay@purbeckgazette.co.uk

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

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

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

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

DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER IS 12 NOON,FRI 9th SEPTEMBER DEADLINE FOR JULY IS NOON, 10th JUNE

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

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

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

OCTOBER edition deadline: noon, 9th SEPT

Flooding: Defend Our Homes!

Dear Readers, We are local Swanage residents confronted by a protracted and inappropriate planning application which threatens to flood neighbouring existing homes from the watercourse running through the site. Despite more than 130 letters of objection to resist this development of two bungalows in woodlands off Durlston’s Sunnydale Road, we have had, and still have, to take extraordinary steps, first forming the Sunnydale Action Group (SAG) and now launching a digital campaign.

We know there is a need for housing. We appreciate the planners are under pressure to consent to development. But no development should take place on land under half-a-metre of flood water! Five floods this year alone… just in February and March!

The campaign includes a new website www.sunnydaleactiongroup.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sunnydaleactiongroup/, and a Twitter feed https://twitter.com/sunnydaleaction. Do please follow us!

To date, SAG and the site’s many neighbours have made numerous detailed objections on the planning portal, and have dealt with a number of dubious flood risk assessments put forward by the developer. The latest, by the large consultancy JBA, is similarly flawed with the input information (a wrong three-hour storm scenario – when the same quantum of rain falls in just 30 minutes in flood conditions) producing results that simply bear no resemblance to the flooding seen on the ground.

Apart from the residents, no-one from the Council, be that Planning, Drainage or other, has seen our flooding in action. And that’s the problem, we think. We have submitted so much photographic and video imagery, but still it seems reliance is on corrupted theoretical projections which bear no relation to actuality. And it’s why we don’t seem to have got quite the traction we need or deserve.

So, we are ramping things up. A shocking video presentation showing just what flood conditions are really like has been sent to the Chief Executive of Dorset Council and the planning officer concerned. See it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-0lz4GkYX8 . And we are not stopping there. Not by a long chalk. Further news will follow #defendingourhomesagainstflooding The leading national flood-risk campaigner Mary Dhonau OBE Hon DSc Hon RICS Hon says: “The Sunnydale Action Group are most anxious that flood risk from all sources (not just river flood zones 2 and 3) should be taken into consideration when making such important planning decisions. I wholeheartedly support them on this matter! Please can I ask you to listen to, and act on their wishes to undertake a robust and thorough site-specific flood risk assessment? I look forward to hearing that flood risk is given the due consideration it deserves, especially in the light of the challenge that climate change will undoubtedly bring with it.”

Local councillors Gary Suttle and Caroline Finch who know the site have also lodged objections. They know how ridiculous it is to develop here

MATT HILLAN Building Alterations & Maintenance

All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise

Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists Food served 12 noon - 3pm, 6pm - 9pm High Street, Swanage. 01929 423533 and deflect flood water onto neighbouring property. Both have contacted the planning officer concerned and have objected to this development and SAG thanks them for their continued support.

But why write to the Gazette? Many of the site’s neighbours have lodged objections to the planning application (6/2019/0320) on this site https:// planningsearch.purbeck-dc.gov.uk/Disclaimer?returnUrl=%2F. More than 130 letters to date, and we thank everyone. But there are many more people who walk and enjoy Sunnydale Road and the leafy Durlston lanes, and all objections, however short, help enormously.

We are continuing our campaign with renewed vigour. We won’t shirk from calling out misleading reports, or poor decisions. Homes are at stake.

Two have flooded in the past. We don’t want it to happen again, and we will likely need more objections in the future.

So, if interested readers have a moment, do email us at the address below and confirm that we may email you if there is an important change, which would benefit from wider support. Also, do let us know if interested simply in receiving our newsletters. Such opt in email addresses will be kept confidential and secure and will be deleted from our list on request.

Thank you for your support!

Sunnydale Action Group sunnydaleactiongroup@gmail.com #defendingourhomesagainstflooding

Think Globally - Act Small Dear Nico So much is spoken of Covid19, but nothing by way of explanation. Possibly the key lies in chapter 1 of the King James Bible, where we are given the crown of creation in dominion over the kingdom, of the beasts of the field, birds of the air, and great oceans so that whales may swim in them.

Genesis places us as custodians, but we have ignored our creation mythology at our peril. Thus, we have been economically forced into a perilous co-existence with a virus that may well have morphed out of a lack of hygiene in wet markets.

Abuse via the illegal bushmeat trade in Thailand, particularly Pangolins, and Tiger bones used as some kind of medical placebo. Spanish flu c.1918 was vectored into Europe from poor conditions at a Michigan chicken farm during WW1.

After WW11 hardening of nationalism, it has seen us in a globally fragmented pursuit rather than cohesion, where we treat our oasis as a five star space hotel! Jane Goddard said: “Think globally but act small.” – so that the future’s not stolen from our children.

Through wise and governmental dominion, conservation and empathy where we treat each other with respect along the streets of our beautiful coastal town, and with integrity, the crown of creation could be regained.

It’s up to all of us. M.J.K. Hamilton.

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Square & Compass www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Worth Matravers 01929 439229

WE’RE OPEN - COME SEE US! We are open from 11am every day in August.

Everything is outside in our amazing gardens, hopefully under sunny skies!

Pints, Pies, Pasties and Sausage Rolls as usual!

NO BOOKING REQUIRED Come up and enjoy the ‘Square’ atmosphere and support your local, independent establishments!

Offensive Exhibitions Dear Gazette, I was recently down in Studland on a short break from London with my partner. Whilst walking along the shoreline of the stunning Studland beach towards the ferry, we experienced a couple of disturbing incidents in the nudist section of the beach.

I know the beach well and would like to preface this letter with the fact that I am completely accepting and supportive of nudism, particularly at Studland. However, what we witnessed were blatant and offensive displays of exhibitionism that violated all sense of common decency and probably broke the law.

Our first encounter involved a middle-aged man standing below the dunes looking out to sea, hands on hips, proudly displaying his manhood for all to see. The fact that he was in a state of semi-arousal would most likely have been sufficient grounds for his arrest on grounds of indecent exposure and lewd behaviour.

Our second encounter was with another middle-aged man covered in tattoos, who was parading down the beach wearing a fake penis hanging down to his knees, obviously trying to shock passers-by. He was still there on our return from the ferry four hours later. We observed him in his spot in the dunes, scanning the beach for potential victims with binoculars, hurriedly strapping on his appendage and strolling down towards his hapless victims, ourselves included.

I shouted at the man, telling him to leave the beach. I was met with a barrage of insults. My partner felt angry and disgusted and we called Dorset police to report the incident.

We are open-minded adults, but these incidents were deeply offensive.

For families with children walking along the beach I imagine they could be deeply traumatic.

National Trust wardens, the local council and police need to be more vigilant in tackling such behaviour which, if left unchecked, will inevitably darken the reputation of the beach and possibly threaten this haven for genuine nudists.

If action isn’t taken to apprehend and prosecute such offenders, Studland beach risks becoming a playground for perverts.

Patrick Fuller, by email

Bikes Blot On Landscape Sir / Madam, It is time the police or Council took steps to prevent the mass parking of motorcycles anywhere on Swanage promenade.

At weekends it is particularly noticeable that there are lines of bikes parked on the pavement near the pier when there is a perfectly good car park close by.

Not only are these bikes an obstruction to pedestrians but they are a blot on the landscape which discourages genuine visitors to the town.

(Please withold my name and address for good reasons)

Our Community Voice!

Dear Editor, I undertand you’re back in print from September, which is really great news, especially in light of the fact I found out recently that the Blackmore Vale magazine has recently shut down - thank goodness we have our Purbeck Gazette still going strong! Independent papers are now very few and far between and I know how many people here really value the excellent work you do in allowing our community a ‘voice’ in print every month.

I just wanted to write and say I had managed very successfully to read your recent online editions on my computer and I was very impressed that the paper was still professionally put together, even whilst your business was not running in a ‘financial’ way. Thank you so much to every person who helped our Gazette during lockdown - long may our paper continue!

Kindly, Mr H. Smith, by email.

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TELLING IT LIKE IT IS...

Lost The Plot

by David Hollister

B

y the time you read this, Langton Matravers High Street will boast a raised table and build-outs on the highway to enable children to cross safely between the school and the playing fields. The road closure order on the Dorset County website offered a locally signed diversion……..about six miles via Corfe Castle and Kingston. Thank goodness they didn’t include Haycrafts Lane in the diversion; not even County would be that stupid…. Would they?

Yes, we needed this. But as per usual, County have totally disregarded a group of people who will be seriously inconvenienced and who would have benefited from at least knowing in advance; that’s the residents of Worth Matravers and their Parish Council, who tell me that no official advance notice was given and that their representative at County, when questioned, gave the distinct impression that the village of Worth Matravers was so small that it ‘didn’t matter’. A bit like the village of Church Knowle who ‘didn’t matter’ last year when unnecessary traffic lights jammed all the roads at Corfe Castle.

Listen, C, you’re either going to represent ALL your constituents at ALL Levels or pack your briefcase and go and find someone else to represent.

Personally, I still miss the huge knowledge and caring attitude of the late Cllr.Mike Lovell who despite his ‘local yokel’ appearance was as sharp as a tack and who served us well for so many years until his ‘party’ – so I am reliably informed - de-selected him.

Langton Matravers Parish Council are sorry to say that, following a RoSPA safety report which identified several “low to medium level risk elements”, they have taken the decision that the play area should remain closed until further notice They’re exploring the possibility of making ‘running repairs’ to keep it going while planning for replacement equipment, and hope shortly to make an agreement on a supplier for the new equipment under the tendering process, and then apply for funding. So children can safely cross the road to the Play Area but cannot now use the equipment.

Seems strange to me; I bet it seems even stranger to a six-year old.

Dorset Highways has removed some car parking spaces along Shore Road in an attempt to widen the pavement along Swanage seafront to facilitate ‘social distancing’. It’s suggested that the narrow pavement makes it difficult for people to pass each other, especially those with prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs, whilst keeping a good distance from other people. If pushchairs get any wider they’ll have to have ‘pushchair lanes’ lanes dedicated to them……..

Sorry, but why does the Range Rover principle apply to pushchairs? My son James was brought up using a standard, small collapsible pushchair which was only about two feet wide and which when collapsed, took up as much space in the car as a shooting stick. Did he suffer? Did he miss out on rugged pneumatic tyres, detachable hardtop, cable brakes, etc? Don’t think so. And, by the time you lot have collapsed your ‘4x4’ buggies and jammed them into your cars, we’ll have been halfway home…….

Of course, the other option would be to close Shore Road – all of it – for the whole year so that pedestrians would have a safe and uninterrupted seaside experience – when it wasn’t raining. Stop the Blue Badge people from parking their cars along the seafront to enjoy views of their seaside and take in the fresh sea air. After all, they’re only disabled and mostly

elderly locals, many of whom have lived here most of their lives, but as they’re ‘inconvenient’ let’s get rid of them; let’s put a dedicated Disabled Parking Area out of town so they won’t get in people’s way…….! And especially don’t let them park free of charge…….. Unbelievable. Look, County won’t close Shore Road, they make too much money out of it.

With their recent ‘successes’, I sincerely hope that the Council planners will leave Swanage alone and go and mess up someone else’s town…..

In June, Dorset Council asked for ideas on how to improve cycling and walking routes in the light of the coronavirus panic. Naturally they took no notice of anything that was said about the bridge over the railway in Wareham. About which I have been going on for a year and will continue to go on until I get a proper response from the elected County Member for North and South Wareham (B – is that you?)What do I have to do to get a response from Dorset Council on this one? Paint rude words on the road? Or cut the grass and clear the broken glass myself?

I’d like to point out to any County Councillor who reads my rubbish, that the absent piece of footway in Harmans Cross is now not only a hazard for pedestrians, but also prevents proper social distancing. Meaning that anyone going to the Village Hall from the south part of the village is obliged either to cross the dangerous road several times or use a car. Personally I do the latter, but for those residents who (quaintly) still prefer to WALK (God forbid) they’re actually placed in considerable danger. Sorry, C, is that you? Or is Harmans Cross another of your tiny constituent villages that ‘doesn’t matter’?

Finally – returning to the subject matter of my recent column in Purbeck Gazette online entitled ‘Bands Of Marauding Orcs’, I see that nothing’s changed. They’re still pouring in to Lulworth and Studland on sunny days.

Totally disregarding, and at times moving the ‘road closed’ signage because “that’s where I WANT to go and that’s WHERE I AM GOING”.

People are parking anywhere. Peeing (and much worse) anywhere. Leaving huge sackfuls of litter. One resident of Durdle Door described it as akin to litter picking on an open landfill site. I know that we have to accept tourism to keep our Purbeck economy alive, but really? These aren’t tourists; they’re locusts, they’re vandals, spoilers, and in my own words – Bands Of Marauding Orcs.

Time the police took proper firm action with the limited resources they have available. Closed roads and turned visitors back. Issued meaningful fines for obstruction rather than poxy little tickets for parking. Witness the Ferry Road that weekend; thank goodness no ambulances, fire engines, or emergency vehicles needed to get through. Put single yellow lines on one side, with but double yellows with huge fines on the other. Send Dorset Parking services down there with books of tickets that start at £250. Find a few tow-trucks - like they did in Sandbanks, just over the water.

When it’s cheaper and easier for a family of four to park anywhere and be fined than it is to find a car park and pay a day’s fee, then something’s wrong. And if there are no car park spaces left – not only a sign “Studland Full”, but a military vehicle and a few soldiers to emphasise the point.....

But right now – and it’s not the officers’ fault – the law has LOST IT and we residents are taking the brunt of it.

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Take A Virtual Walk!

his year our annual Walk for Hope event is coming to you virtually!

Join us on Sunday 6th September 2020 as Team Wessex walkers in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight Walk for Hope Your Way! Choose your distance from our 5, 10 or 20 mile challenges and enjoy walking your chosen route whether that be along the coast, winding through woodland or trekking across fields. You can complete your walk with friends or family, at your own pace and in your own local area.

Even though we won’t be together physically this year, this is the perfect way to come together as a community and give hope to friends and family undergoing cancer treatment, celebrate those who have survived, remember loved ones and support everyone affected by cancer.

This year we have created a website just for Walk for Hope - Your Way! You can register at https://www.walkforhope.co.uk/online and set up your fundraising page. You can also link your Strava or FitBit account to track your miles. There’s a fundraising leaderboard to help you monitor your progress and compete with friends and family.

Registration is £10 per person, with a fundraising goal of £100 per person.

Entrants receive an official ‘Walk for Hope’ t-shirt, a fundraising pack, a training and event guide, and membership to a Facebook group where you can meet other participants and share fundraising and training tips.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the team!

To book a place and for further information visit our website: https:// www.walkforhope.co.uk/online

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ell here we are, September, the only month with the same number of letters in its name as the number of the month. As we are all aware, the lockdown restrictions are now greatly relaxed and people are taking advantage of familiar freedoms. Despite this we would still urge you to follow the government’s guidelines in order to ‘Stay Safe’: • Help control the virus • To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must: • wash hands - keep washing your hands regularly • cover face - wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces • make space - stay at least a metre away from people not in your household • If you are feeling unwell, get a test and do not leave home for at least 10 days.

A fuller list is set out in the regulations. Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent away from the home and ensuring that you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

You can find out more visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Information can also be found at https://www.dorset.police.uk/ covid-19-coronavirus/ We ask you all to continue to keep yourselves updated by visiting the websites shown above and observe Government guidelines and stay safe.

So what else have we been up to; well, we have been very busy; the period 09 July – 12 August 2020 we dealt with a total of 871 occurrences in Purbeck, of which 300 were recorded crimes resulting in 76 arrests.

There were 96 occurrences of Road Traffic collisions, With the relaxation of the lockdown there is a noticeable increase in traffic and people about, and given the time of year a lot of this traffic will be tourists, so please be patient and respectful on the roads.

As you will be aware visitor numbers to our region have increased dramatically with some areas becoming overwhelmed. To that end we have been heavily involved with patrols and enforcement in and around Lulworth, Studland and Durdle Door.

We have also been working hard as part of a multi-agency team to support the local authorities and highways, providing advice and reassurance to the local communities in these and surrounding areas. We still require and urge you to keep reporting any ASB or other issues in your areas so that we can maximise our resources and target our patrols to any potential hotspots.

Finally, if you need to contact Dorset Police please call our Police Enquiry Centre by calling 101. Always call 999 in an EMERGENCY when there is a risk of HARM or a CRIME in progress. Alternatively, call the free CRIMESTOPPERS line on 0800 555 111.

You can also use our website to report a number of issues, from full crime reports to lost property; just use the following link https://www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/ Purbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team

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‘Donation Station’ Success For Lewis-Manning! £30,000 drop off as Lewis-Manning Hospice Care ‘Donation Stations’ hailed a huge success! ewis-Manning Hospice Care is reflecting on the success of their ‘Drive Through Donation Stations’, an initiative which was set up last week at different locations in Poole.

The hospice had made an urgent appeal to the public to donate their good quality, preloved clothes and furniture to help raise money for local people in the community with life-limiting illnesses.

Area Fundraiser Vicki Gray said: “We are blown away by the response that we had from the public and the generosity shown by so many. A bag of donated items is worth approximately £30 and we received the equivalent of 1,000 bags, making the donation total an incredible £30,000!

We offer our sincere thanks to everyone who was involved, from David Lloyd Clubs and Tower Park Entertainment who allowed us to use their car parks, to Store and Secure and Lok ‘n’ Store, to volunteers who helped us throughout the week and most importantly our generous donors.

“Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is preparing to reopen its charity shops in Christchurch, Wimborne, Westbourne and Ashley Cross. The donations received in the last week will mean that we have so many excellent items to sell and entice shoppers into our shops.

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back!”

About Lewis- Manning Hospice Care Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity helping people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Poole, Purbeck, East Dorset. Their free hospice care services include: - Day hospice - Creative arts & wellbeing support - Lymphoedema clinic

L

- Better breathing clinic They promote acceptance, hope and peace of mind, helping people live well through their illness. Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is also developing new services all the time and this includes education, and support groups for families and carers.

From its new base, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care will be able to help even more people in Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset with life limiting illnesses.

Its aim is to increase people’s physical and social well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness, support people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviate the huge pressures on family and carers.

Charity Registration No. 1120193 https://lewis-manning.co.uk/

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£11.8m ‘Getting Building Fund’ Secured

R

egional Growth and Local Government Minister Simon Clarke MP has confirmed Dorset is set to receive £11.8m through the Getting Building Fund to help stimulate local economic recovery and create new jobs. The Getting Building Fund will enable a Dorset-wide uplift to skills and healthcare provision as well as enhanced physical and digital infrastructure, building on existing specialisms and strengths in the county.

Jim Stewart, Chair of Dorset LEP said: “This is a fantastic investment in Dorset from Government at a much-needed time. This funding will enable capital projects linked to Dorset’s Local Industrial Strategy to be delivered quickly, bringing essential jobs and resources to our community which will accelerate growth in Dorset and help mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.”

Investment will be made in trailblazing community rehabilitation initiatives as well as a brand-new University Centre and Rural Business Development Hub. This funding will also facilitate tackling poor social mobility in some of Dorset’s most deprived areas through a cutting-edge Higher Education Centre and will provide state-of-the-art digital infrastructure to deliver online training for skills required in the workplace.

There has never been a more important time to focus on the innovation that can be catalysed by the region’s hospitals, universities and the Clinical Commissioning Group working together. This funding will accelerate the Institute of Biomedical Materials & Tissue Engineering Research, and support training for future generations as well as enable digital interventions in the remote management of long-term conditions and expand clinical trials capacity to fast-track innovation in medical science.

Recognising the need to maintain and enhance Dorset’s high streets in this period of complex change, investment has also been prioritised for live workspaces in Poole to put culture and community at the front and centre of Dorset LEP’s plans for placed-based recovery and resilience while driving Dorset’s local productivity during this exceptional time. This investment will also enhance export and import potential via the Port of Poole, which is essential to aid our recovery.

Luke Rake, Principal of Kingston Maurward College commented: “Kingston Maurward is extremely pleased to be prioritised for funding for our planned University Centre and Rural Business Hub. “It has long been recognised that progression to Higher Education is less good from the rural part of the county, and this ambitious intervention, driven by the college, aims to help improve social mobility, opportunities for knowledge transfer both at a high level and sit at the centre of gravity of the new rural authority.

“Combining this with a dedicated rural business centre will both support businesses across the rural area and also increase opportunities with our new Rural Business, Tourism and Heritage Land Management programmes for Sixth Formers and University students from 2021-22. It is extremely exciting and a game-changer for both the college, Dorchester and the rural county.”

The selected projects are outlined on the Dorset LEP website at: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/pre-contract-projects.

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The Purbeck Gazette

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View from the Lookout - September 2020 itting here on one of the hottest days of the year it seems strange to be looking back over the summer, almost before its started! With the return of the print version of the Gazette, I’m writing this in early August to meet the deadline! It’s great to see the magazine back in hard copy. A big thanks must go to Nico and her team for keeping the magazine running over the last few months and allowing us to tell our story.

We’re still operating solo watches, with a virtual backup, and as the weather has warmed up and water users have increased, we’ve certainly been kept on our toes. Whether it’s weather or a reaction to the lock down there seems to be change in the change in the balance of water users, at least on the watches I have been covering. While most of the vessels we log still go down as BS (Bermuda sloop – the “normal” sailing vessel) we are seeing PWC (personal watercraft), KC (kayaks) or SUP (stand-up paddle boards) appearing in the logbook much more frequently.

PWC is the coverall title we give to the various types of jet skis. Easy to launch and transport, and relatively cheap, they have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Part of their attraction is their speed and manoeuvrability, but these very same attributes sometimes bring jet ski users into conflict with other users. At the beginning of August our weekend watchkeepers observed a team from Dorset Police’s Marine Division giving advice about speed and behaviour to a number of jet skiers in Swanage Bay, following a number of complaints from other water users.

The bay has a 5-knot limit clearly delimited by a series of yellow buoys.

The limit is there to ensure that people keep to a safe speed in the area where there are swimmers, moorings, and non-powered watercraft. As a quick rule of thumb, I always work on the principle that if I am creating a wash, I’m doing more than 5 knots! The Swanage Town Council website has a map showing the 5-knot area, the swimming area, and the launching sites around the Bay (pictured, right).

As with all communities there are those who act responsibly and those who don’t, and a recent incident highlighted this. At the end of July, a person spearfishing near to Durlston Head was nearly hit, by a jet ski, as they surfaced. The jet skier had come dangerously close to the marker buoy the snorkeller was carrying. Whether this was through ignorance of what the marker meant or just lack of care we’ll never know. What was positive about the incident was that one of the local jet ski companies, who offer training in all powered craft, put out a series of social media posts promoting what the marker buoys look like and how to behave near them.

Boats with divers down will display a blue and white flag known as the “A” flag. While underwater, divers will signal their location by displaying a surface marker buoy. Scuba divers use long orange or bright yellow buoys which can be deployed from underwater while snorkellers and people spearfishing tend to use a small orange or red buoy with a small flag attached to it. The flag will often be red with a white diagonal line across it. This is known as the DAN flag and is an alternative to the “A”

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flag. The float often doubles as a keep net.

If you see buoys like this, the advice is to give them a wide berth (one hundred metres) and slow down to four knots while passing them. If the divers have a dive boat with them, you will often see the boat manoeuvring to place themselves between the approaching craft and the marker buoy.

The ledges below the Lookout, at Peveril Point, have become very popular with snorkellers. At times, the water can be beautifully clear, and the marine life can be stunning. Unfortunately, not everyone uses a marker buoy. A small black rubber covered head can be difficult to see, even on the calmest day.

Being out on the “oggin” can be one of the most exhilarating and pleasurable experiences, but it’s not without its risks. The sea can be unforgiving, and we all need to take simple precautions to stay safe and be aware of other water users. If something goes wrong, the consequences can often be fatal.

This is Swanage NCI listening on channel 65, out....

The Purbeck Gazette

Do Your Bit! HELP BAN THE BBQS! Shops urged to do their bit to promote responsible BBQ use itter Free Dorset have been asking shops, supermarkets and petrol stations across Dorset to support the ‘BBQs Burn More Than Bangers’ campaign. An important message which reminds people to use BBQs responsibly and always take rubbish home afterwards. Over one hundred letters have been sent to shops by the community campaign Litter Free Dorset (hosted by Dorset Council) to seek support and spread the message.

With the expected heatwave at the weekend the risk of wildfire is high.

On average, Dorset is subject to over one hundred heathland wildfires a year, a high proportion of these can be attributed to a heathland barbecue gone wrong. This summer, 550 acres (550 football pitches) of Wareham Forest was destroyed due to an abandoned disposable BBQ. Litter Free Dorset have been raising awareness that it is illegal to barbecue on heathland and instead wishes to promote the use of alternative, safe barbecuing destinations.

All businesses that sell or promote the use of disposable BBQs are being asked to get behind the campaign.

Sophie Colley from Litter Free Dorset said “A huge Thank you goes to the businesses that have supported the campaign so far as well as those who have stopped selling BBQs altogether. It’s vital we promote safe BBQ use to customers to reduce the impacts of littering therefore we need all shops and supermarkets to help.”

How can businesses help?

• Simply head over to Litter Free Dorset’s website and print off a poster to place by BBQs, tills or shop windows.

• Download a poster from the Litter Free Dorset Resource Hub • If you would like more information on the campaign go to the LFD website.

• If you’re planning a BBQ this weekend, have it at home.

• If you’re out and about, pack a picnic or support a local café. And of course, Be cool and take your litter home.

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Blast From The Past!

This month, A Decade Ago...

The Purbeck Gazette

he front cover of our September 2010 edition displayed the proclamation that we had published fifty-two pages - at that time, the biggest ever edition of the Purbeck Gazette. Since then, we have traditionally run between sixty-eight and eighty pages per issue. This edition is somewhat smaller as we climb our way back out of the coronavirus lockdown, along with many of our advertisers.

Our letters pages were overflowing in September 2010 - the infernal Swanage Hum was referenced yet again by those infuriated by the constant noise. Reader, Frances Barton, penned a letter to state that the hum affected her so badly that her concentration was affected, she was unable to read, her music sounded distorted and she was having difficulty sleeping.

Upsettingly, at the end of Frances’s letter, she added that after suffering a stroke some four years previously and having made significant progress in recovering, the hum was setting her back and she had not left her house since the previous November. We penned an editor’s note after Frances’s letter, asking if any readers were able to pick her up and get her out of the four walls for a nice cuppa somewhere.... we hope someone did!

We reported that we had officially presented our first ever Gazette Community Award - to Angela Sturch (previously of Purbeck Electrical, now the proud owner of The Town House in Corfe Castle - pictured, receiving her award from Nico Johnson).

Angela and her family had offered to putup Bill Smith from the ‘Court of Swale’ in their own house as he was taking part in the carnival procession. Their kind offer allowed Bill and his family to spend a few days in Swanage after the carnival, enjoying all that the town has to offer.

Bill himself wrote in to the Gazette saying: “I’d like to extend our thanks to the Carnival Committee, Counsellor Trite, the Sturch family and the people of Swnaage for affording us so much kindness, hospitality and friendship. I’ve been in the business of carnivals for twenty-one years and have never been afforded such hospitality as we received at the weekend.”

On 30th July 2010, a petition signed by 1439 people was handed in to Councillor Martyn Colvey, Councillor for the Built Environment, at the offices of Purbeck District Council (pictured below). The petition, presented by Stephen Foote and a group of Herston residents (the hall boasted a sprung dance floor, full air conditioning, fully-glazed doors opening out onto the patio and a whole raft of environmental building measures. It just shows what a small, hard-working and like minded group

‘Save Herston Fields’ group), was in opposition to plans to build on the fields to the north of Swanage High Street at Herston. They requested that instead of being used for development, the fields be retained as a green space to be preserved for generations to come. Today, the green fields are still undisturbed and unbuilt on....

The team behind Harmans Cross Village Hall were delighted to announce that at long last, the completely rebuilt hall (pictured, right) had officially reopened on Saturday 21st August 2010.

Residents of Harmans Cross had raised a staggering £100,000 of the £600,000 building and fitting-out costs. The remaining £500,000 was obtained through funding groups such as The Big Lottery Fund, The Rural Development Programme for England, Dorset County Council, Purbeck District Council, Talbot Village Trust and many others. The new

of indivduals from a small hamlet can do when they work together! The hall is still going strong today, offering a wide range of activities, as well as a splendid venue available to hire.

Children in West Lulworth were delighted to finally have their patience rewarded on 20th August 2010, when a new children’s play area was completed and opened. The play area had been requested by the children in 2005 and was added to the Parish Plan in 2007. The finalised play area was made possible thanks to the efforts of the villagers, along with the help of many local organisations. £26,000 was raised and finally the village’s younger generation had somewhere safe to play and let off steam.

The local Dorset Police PACT team involved themselves with the community on a whole different level, making an interesting attempt at ‘community integration’. They, with the assistance of various local organisations, including the Purbeck Gazette, created the first ‘Swanage Has Talent’ show, which was put on at the Mowlem Theatre. A whole host of various acts from locals aged between eight and eighteen competed, displaying remarkable talent. All those who took part had a fabulous time and the community were heartened to be shown that not all ‘young folk’ wore hoodies and caused trouble!! Something to start up again? Possibly....!

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Purbeck Gazette

Support Our Microbusinesses!

Commercial Road Traders Reach Out For Your Ongoing Support

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idden away in the ‘lanes’ area of Swanage town centre is a wonderful selection of microbusinesses, all local and all offering a fantastic, personal service to shoppers.

From ‘Dapper’ Dennis (pictured, right) with his charity shop emporium of wonderments to Lucy’s Farm shop and her amazing array of animal-inspired artwork and gifts, this little area of Swanage is truly a special community of extremely hardworking local people.

Feeling stressed or aching? Pop along and see Karen at Purbeck Holistic Therapy and settle back whilst she treats you and helps get you back to your usual sunny self! Feel like a little treat? Go see Marita and choose a handcrafted item of speciality silver jewellery - she really has a talent with crafting silver and you’ll find professional, then ‘Shampooches’ is there for you; totally unique and original items in ‘Studio by the Sea’. bathing, grooming, nail clipping - they have it all covered.

Hungry whilst browsing? The wonderful Alyson is ready Best of all, they’ve created a delightful outside seating to serve you up a feast at the Old Stables - sit outside area so you can sit back and relax whilst your dog is and watch the passing shoppers whilst you fill up on pampered in the doggie salon! glorious ‘turf and surf’ options!

Support our microbusinesses - they rely on your custom, Should your pooch need some loving care from a so be a part of helping to keep them open this winter!

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he Swanage Railway has re-opened, enabling the public to take a safe steam or diesel heritage train through the beautiful Purbeck countryside – from Swanage to Corfe Castle or Norden as well as from Norden to the seaside at Swanage.

But the operation of the five and a half mile award-winning heritage line is different in the wake of Covid-19 and the need to keep passengers and staff safe as well as ensuring social distancing in the fight against the Coronavirus.

That means that seating has to be pre-booked and assigned – up to 6pm before the day of travel via the Swanage Railway’s website at swanagerailway.co.uk or at least 30 minutes before the train departs if purchased on the day at Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden station ticket offices.

Passengers wishing to get off the train at Corfe Castle should start their journey at Swanage – because of a one-way system at Corfe Castle station to keep the public safe – and passengers wishing to visit the castle ruins should pre-book via the National Trust website.

Corfe Castle station is a pretty 15-minute footpath walk from the Dorset Council ‘Purbeck Park’ car park next to Norden station.

Face coverings should be worn on stations and trains. Swanage station shop is open, subject to volunteer availability and social distancing, but there is no catering at Swanage or Norden stations.

Keep an eye out for updates by visiting swanagerailway.co.uk where you can register to receive our free email newsletter and automatically receive updates about operating days, train services and train times.

The Purbeck Gazette

Witness Appeal Robbery of 12-Year-Old CCTV appeal following robbery of 12-year-old boy in Swanage fficers investigating a report of a robbery involving a 12-year-old boy in Swanage are issuing a CCTV image of two suspects.

At around 10pm on Sunday 2 August 2020 the victim and his older brother were riding along the seafront on their hoverboards when they were approached by two unknown men who asked to have a go.

They said no and left. Around three to five minutes later the victim saw the same men on Institute Road.

It is reported that one of the suspects wearing a grey hooded top picked the victim up around his waist and stole the hoverboard.

Police Constable Charlotte Curry, of Poole police, said: “This was a distressing and upsetting incident for the victim and his brother. As part of our investigations I have obtained a CCTV image of the two suspects and I would urge anyone who recognises them to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www. dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn. police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200114185.

Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppersuk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.

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Cathedral Thinking 18

The Purbeck Gazette

By Amelia Hunt

Standfirst: Healthcare professionals in Dorset have started a project with mental health patients during lockdown, to explore ‘Cathedral Thinking.’ he name stems from when cathedrals were first built, often taking several lifetimes to finish. The people who designed and worked to build them never got to see or use the finished result, but they built them for the generations to come. Working continuously throughout their lifetime, they strived to create something for their children’s children to enjoy.

Notre Dame took 150 years to build and that was considered speedy at the time! The name has been coined as a way of thinking forward a generation.

Today’s ‘Cathedral Thinking’ is focused towards having a positive impact on the environment and working to reverse the effects of climate change.

This is to benefit the future generations to come, as well as giving elderly mental health patients a clear focus and sense of community connection.

The key message is one of positivity for all generations.

Even those who live alone or have no family left can still feel connected by helping to improve the lives of others in the future. One Mental Health Practitioner in Poole, who began this project with a group of her patients said: “This is especially important during such an anxious time for lots of people with the Covid-19 pandemic. Having a clear focus or project to work on can really help stimulate people’s minds and sense of community responsibility, it allows them to feel valued and connected in their community by making a difference.” Given current limitations during the pandemic, the project consisted mostly of creating a collage full of themes associated with positive change, as well as garden planting.

The aim is to increase our connection with each other and with nature.

Materials and contributions had to be sent via post, making collaboration tricky but the finished collage shows that you can achieve anything using resourcefulness and determination.

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The collage (above) spans mental health and wellbeing, mindfulness, connecting with nature and societal and environmental change. The

purpose is to encourage patients to think forward a generation and to consider how they can generate a positive impact. Other than the collage, patients were also sent seed packages to plant and measure the growth of sunflowers in their gardens or flower boxes.

The Mental Health Practitioner I spoke with went on to say: ‘This enables a greater connection with nature as well as wildlife. Many of them call me to say they have seen butterflies and bumble bees which is really positive.

It shows that even just planting a few flowers here and there can make such a difference to improving your surrounding environment.’

Projects like this should inspire us all, young and old to think ahead to the future and consider what we can do now to improve the lives of those to come. Like our ancestors building Cathedrals to bring religion to their children’s children, we can build towards restoring the health of our planet.

Through using renewable energy sources, recycling, purchasing sustainably sourced products and generally changing attitudes, we can all have a positive impact on the future.

Pictures: Top right, by Leonardo Yip. Left: the collage created, below, photo by Nicoline Arns.

The Purbeck Gazette

New Deputy Chief Constable For Dorset

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orset Police Chief Constable James Vaughan is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Chief Constable to the Force.

Scott Chilton was successfully selected on Tuesday 28 July 2020 following an appointment process chaired by Chief Constable James Vaughan, supported by the Chief Executive of Dorset Council Matthew Prosser and Gloucestershire Constabulary HR lead Caroline Hollister.

There was also a separate Stakeholder Panel, chaired by the Dorset OPCC Chief Executive Simon Bullock, who was supported by various representatives from the Staff Support Network.

Scott joined the Hampshire force in 1992, working his way through uniformed policing before joining CID in 1996 and spending the next sixteen years as a detective progressing through the ranks to Chief Superintendent.

Scott holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Criminology from the University of Cambridge and has a strong background in intelligence, counter terrorism and leading investigations in serious and complex crime.

In 2008 he was seconded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Afghanistan where he led development of policing reform and counter corruption.

He was later appointed the Head of Special Branch before taking over the role of Crime and Operations Commander in Western Hampshire in 2012. Since then he has been appointed as Head of the Joint Operations Unit across both Thames Valley and Hampshire areas with responsibility for Firearms, Operations and Roads Policing for five counties. Having successfully completed the Strategic Command Course in 2017 he was appointed Assistant Chief Constable in Hampshire where he has led both the Local Policing and Public Protection and the Crime, Criminal Justice and Intelligence portfolios.

He said: “I am looking forward enormously to getting to know people and communities across Dorset. I have always been a strong advocate of evidence-based policing and have a strong desire to ensure policing focuses its efforts on protecting the most vulnerable and targeting those criminals who cause harm and misery to our communities.”

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

A New Special School For Dorset

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new special school will be built in Dorset so more children can be educated closer to their homes.

The Government gave the go-ahead on July 19th after Dorset Council successfully bid for funding for the new special free school.

The school will provide much-needed places for Dorset children who would otherwise have to travel out of the county for specialist provision.

It is expected that the new school will welcome up to seventy-five young people aged 14-19 with autism and complex learning difficulties.

Councillor Andrew Parry said: “This is brilliant news. I am proud that after several years of hard work we have managed to secure funding for this new school.

“We want to provide more specialist education provision in Dorset, so our children do not have to travel as far.

“This new school will mean that we can provide excellence in education for more of our young people closer to their homes, their families and their local community. It will improve our children’s lives and help them achieve brilliant futures.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed yesterday that plans for 37 new schools across the country have been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education.

Local authorities were invited to bid for funds and Dorset Council was one of six successful councils in the south west region.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said: “This is good news for Dorset.

I am pleased that more children will be able to attend school closer to their homes. It is very welcome news.”

Dorset Council will work closely with the Department for Education to bring forward plans for the new school. It has not yet been decided when the school will open, where it will be built or which academy trust will run it. Families who could benefit will be asked for their views on the plans. Work to find out which children could attend the new provision has already begun.

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The Purbeck Gazette

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Friends of Swanage Hospital Supporting the health needs of patients in and around Swanage

Chairman’s News

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am delighted to report that the first two phases of our major project at the hospital have been completed. Under the ward we now have an attractive and comfortable en suite bedsitting room for the relatives of palliative care patients, plus a meeting room and staff room. It is a wonderful use of the unused space and will prove to be a major asset for the hospital. Storage areas have also been created, old ones refurbished and the lift is in place.

The car park is also finished but won’t open until the end of September because it is being used for the machinery creating the hard landscaping for the patient garden. The planting will be done in the autumn and spring and we are simply thrilled that money donated for the garden will at last be spent.

As a result of the pandemic a lot of the services at the hospital had

Membership Report

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e are hugely grateful for all the support from the Friends of Swanage Hospital. Over the last few difficult months, the Friends have supported the hospital by donating monies to our Treasurer’s 1,000 mile sponsored walk and by making button bands, which ensure that PPE can be more comfortably worn for long periods of time.

We put out an appeal to members and so far, a massive total of 862 button bands have been made and received. Thank you so much to everyone who has made these and sent these to Pat Cooper at the hospital. It is a fantastic response and we are very grateful for all the love and care which has gone into making these.

Our existing members continue to be incredibly supportive of the hospital, but we have been surprised (and rather disappointed) that during the pandemic, with the work of the NHS and hospitals being highlighted, that we have not seen an upturn in membership. The Friends of Swanage Hospital use all the donations and monies that we receive to help support the hospital and staff so that we can try and offer the best facilities, up-to-date equipment and a wide range of services at the hospital for the whole community.

We also try and support our wonderful staff at the hospital. If you are

Our Relative Room

to close: no outpatient clinics until very recently, no physio on site, no day surgery and MIU was by appointment only. But this did give us the opportunity to fit in a small project centered around the day room and kitchen. The area has had a complete make-over by taking down the kitchen wall and creating a coffee-bar style area. Before they return home patients are assessed by an occupational therapist and making a cup of tea in the kitchen is an important part of the process. However, it won’t just be an assessment area but will also be used for dining and social activities to encourage patient mobility.

Next will be the redecoration of the ward and the upgrading of the lighting and fitments in that area plus the purchase of new televisions for each bed.

We were unable to hold our Autumn Fayre last year because of the building work and the June Afternoon Tea was also cancelled. Fortunately our Treasurer, Terry Buck decided to see if he could walk 1,000 miles (the equivalent of Lands End to John O’Groats) from January to May and lots of you were kind enough to sponsor him. He raised the wonderful total of £3,513, achieving his target with days to spare.

On 26th September we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the opening of our cherished hospital. We were hoping to make this a major event with a grand, formal opening of the new facilities but we will have to wait and see whether such gatherings will be possible. If not we will have to find other ways to mark the occasion, perhaps by video broadcasting with media and press coverage.

Our AGM is due to be held on October 14th and again we don’t know if such a public meeting will be allowed by then but are planning it, more in hope than expectation.

The Friends are very mindful of the enormous strain put on staff and have offered support throughout this dreadful time.

Jan Turnbull - Pictured, left: Our new kitchen area. reading this and are not a member, please think about becoming one. The suggested minimum annual subscription is £5 and the numbers of members are as important to us as the monies which come in. Please support your local hospital by becoming a Friend and ask your friends and family to join too. It would be lovely to be able to increase our membership and also to see more younger people join. By becoming a member, you are showing your support for the hospital and its future, you are not committing yourself to physically doing anything.

If you would like to become a member, the ‘How You Can Help’ page on our website – www.friendsofswanagehospital.org.uk – shows you how to do so. You can download a form or donate securely online. Using the secure online donation is our preferred method, as any Gift Aid is automatically claimed and it makes the administration easier for Pete and I as the volunteer Membership Secretaries.

During the pandemic, we have sent several emails to members sending them Covid-19 Updates, appeals for button bands and details and updates on Terry’s sponsored walk. Emails like this are an easy and fantastic way of ensuring we keep our members up-to-date and saves us a lot of printing and postage costs for the AGM invitations. If you are a member, have an email address and do not currently receive information by email from us, please consider providing your email address so that we can send all correspondence to you by email. Our email address is membership@ friendsofswanagehospital.org.uk Thank you so much for your continued support of Swanage Hospital.

Kate Spurling and Pete Smith

Our Staff Room

The Purbeck Gazette

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Annual Newsletter 2020 Message from Matron

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s I am sure everyone is aware we have been very busy during the pandemic and are working to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff alike.

During the initial phase of the pandemic I cannot emphasise enough how proud I am of how everyone stepped up to the challenge in what was a very scary time. We are all adapting well to the new ways of working which I am sure any visitor to the hospital is aware of.

Stanley Purser Ward was hit particularly hard by the virus and I am pleased to say that we have all recovered well. It must be acknowledged the contribution made by the nursing staff from other departments that have worked on the ward whilst their departments were closed. We had to stop patients’ families from visiting at the beginning but I am pleased to say that we have now reintroduced vising to the ward albeit within COVID guidelines. We are also working very closely with our therapy colleagues to ensure that patients are discharged from hospital as quickly as possible thereby reducing the risk.

Our housekeeping team have done a fantastic job at ensuring the cleanliness of our hospital is of the highest standard.

MIU has continued to provide the service it is renowned for albeit the changes have meant a new way of working, telephone triaging before being offered an appointment has enabled the staff to see patients without long

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Treasurer’s Report

am delighted to report a huge loss on the year as it means we spent well over half a million pounds on the hospital in this financial year.

The even better news is that we will spend even more in the coming financial year. The Chairman has told you about our major building works which account for the bulk of our spending (over a million pounds on those alone) but we have also committed another £200,000 in upgrading work for the ward and surrounding areas which includes new communication set up for every bed which will give every patient free access to television, radio and broadband (which will allow virtual visits to take place).

Each bed area will cost thousands of pounds to rewire and the new televisions, radio equipment and i-pads will cost at least one thousand pounds per bed. I am sometimes asked if there is a small project that a group of people can adopt and that is one you could put your name to. When the work is finished it will upgrade the facilities for the next 15 years and ensure that the hospital is up-to-date with all the current regulations.

Thank you all for your continuing financial support at such a difficult time.

waits and with appropriate conditions, numbers are increasing with the easing of lockdown.

In our Outpatient department, as I’m sure everyone will appreciate we have a large backlog of patients and with all the adaptations in place the number of patients we can see in one clinic is drastically reduced.

The team have worked tirelessly to look at different ways to get our patients through to see the relevant consultant, this may mean two visits to the department but these are different times.

Our Day Surgery and Endoscopy service is currently suspended and we are in close contact with the relevant professional bodies for guidance as to when these services can resume.

As I’ve said we have been very busy looking at how we can resume services within Swanage and ensure safety of patients and staff. This has involved visits from our Infection prevention and control lead, Deputy Director of nursing and Health and Safety (four visits in all).

They have all commented on the fact that our hospital is the best prepared that they have been to. This is a direct reflection on how hard everyone has been working on both sites; we can now display our certificates verifying that we have made all necessary COVID adaptations.

Even with the changes in place we must ensure we stay vigilant and I need to remind everyone that if you are displaying any symptoms of the virus please do not come to the hospital but contact 111 for guidance.

Lastly, I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for all the support offered to us at Swanage Hospital from the Friends of the Hospital and to the wider community for the treats and offers of help.

Best wishes, Donna Kiss We have had diverse fundraising from Karen G, who gave us the proceeds of a CD she recorded during lockdown, and Susan Bond, who made masks and donated the proceeds and not forgetting all of you who sponsored my walk for the hospital. I have continued walking, if not so far each day, and have now walked 1625 miles this year and a few brave souls have offered a bit more sponsorship if I make it to 2000 miles.

As we can’t have our Autumn fete this year if anyone has any other bright ideas for fundraising then please let us know c/o the hospital.

We are still in a sound financial position and will continue to spend the money you give us carefully but we are aware that the Covid-19 pandemic is draining the country’s resources and we need to be in a strong position to help out if our hospital needs urgent help. So please continue to give your support.

We are planning to hold our normal AGM at The Emmanuel Church Centre on 14th October, but at this time of uncertainty and in case Covid-19 restrictions do not allow us to, full accounts will be posted on the Friends’ website and once agreed our financial statement can always be found on the Charity Commission website by searching for charity number 273058.

Stay well. Terry Buck

For your diary... Come and hear

all the latest news at our

AGM

Emmanuel Church, Victoria Avenue Wednesday 14th October at 7pm Terry Buck finishes 1,000 miles!

Plenty of room for social distancing!

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Motoring

The Purbeck Gazette

Swanage Road Fun...!

An experimental traffic order in Swanage town centre is being suspended. ings Road East was reversed, with the flow of traffic heading into town, as part of the traffic management arrangements during work on Institute Road – which saw the town centre route closed to vehicles for five months. Following the completion of the improvement works, Swanage Town Council asked for the reversal to remain in place as an experimental order to see if it could help the flow of traffic around the town with Institute Road reopened. For many years there has been a desire for a second route into the southern part of the town, with Kings Road East being the only viable route to fulfil this.

Following representations made by local residents and Swanage Town Council, the experimental order is being suspended, with Kings Road East reverting to an out of town flow as of Friday 14 August. The weight restriction on High Street will also be reinstated.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We’re always happy to work with town and parish councils to investigate what can be done to help improve highway conditions in their area. Working with Swanage Town Council there was an opportunity to put into practice a long sought-after additional route into the town and gain feedback from residents. It’s clear from the representations made that this route does not work for local residents.”

Around ninety objections were received as part of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) consultation which was due to run until 7th August. Plans are now in place to return the road back to its original flow from the High Street towards Kings Road West.

ETROs can only be modified or suspended, rather than revoked. On paper the Kings Road East ETRO will continue to run for its full eighteen months but the suspension overrides this, allowing the road to revert to its original flow earlier than anticipated.

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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……...................................................................................................….£8,995 2014 (14) Mercedes-Benz B200 Sport CDi in Silver, Alloy Wheels, Bluetooth, Reverse camera, Electric Windows, Auto Lights & Wipers, FSH, only 29800 miles.......................................................................................................£9,995 2016 (16) Audi A3 S-line 1.4TFSi S-Tronic 5-dr in Met. Blue, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, DAB Radio, Cruise Control, Climate Control, only 18750 miles with FSH and £30 per year Road Fund License................................£16,995 2013 (13) Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDSi 5dr in white, Black leather Interior, Sat Nav, Switchable 4x4, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, 69900 miles with FSH ............................................................................................................... £6,995 2015 (15) Vauxhall Corsa Ltd Edition 1.4T 3-dr in grey, Black Alloys, Air Cond, Electric Windows, Bluetooth, Apply Car Pay, Electric Windows, 42,000 miles, FSH..................................................................................£6,795 2014 (64) Audi A1 Sport 1.4 TFSi 5Dr in Met Blue, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, 17” Bi-Colour Alloys, 1 Owner, FSH, Only 16500 mi les................................................................................................................. £9,995 2008 (58) Vauxhall Agila Design 1.2 Automatic in Met Dark Blue, Air Cond, Electric Front Windows, Electric Mirrors, Radio/CD Player, Alloys, Only 48200 miles, FSH.................................................................................................. £2,995 2008 (58) Vauxhall Agila Club 1.2 in Met Light Blue, Air Con, Electric Front Windows, Electric Windows, Radio/CD Player, Only 30650 miles, FSH.....£2695 2010 (60) VW Golf GT 1.4TSi 5 Dr in Met Blue,6 Speed, 18” Alloys, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Radio/CD Player, Climate Control, FSH, 80900 miles. £4,995

Look out for our new Car Finder page on our website

We now have Trade access to 1000s of cars of all makes & models.

Ford EcoSport Titanuim 1.0125Ps. 2019(69) 3500 Miles, Petrol, Manual, 1.0 Litre, Hatchback, Magnetic colour, 5-door......... £15,995 Ford Fiesta Titanium X 1.0 125Ps, Zero Tax, 30,468 miles, Petrol, Manual gearbox, 1.0 litre, 2016(66), hatchback, Deep Impact Blue, 5-door.........................................................................................£9,795 Ford Focus 2.0 EcoBlue Tdci Vignale Est, Many Extras, 11,200 miles, Diesel, Automatic gearbox, 2.0 litre, 2019(10), Estate, Dark Mulberry colour, 5-door...........................................................£18,995 Ford Focus Titanium 1.0 EcoBoost, Low Tax, 27,820 miles, Petrol, Manual gearbox, 1.0 litre, 2017(17), hatchback, Moondust Silver, 5-door......................................................................................... £9,995 Ford Mondeo Titanuim Edn 1.5T 165Ps, Low Mileage, 12,860 miles, Petrol, Manual gearbox, 1.5 litre, 2018, Estate, Ruby Red colour, 5door......................................................................................... £17,495 Ford Puma ST-Line X First Edition Plus, Our Demonstrator Hybrid Panoramic Roof, 500 miles, Hybrid, Manual gearbox, 1.0 litre, 2020(20), hatchback, Lucid Red colour, 5-door...................... £23,495 Ford EcoSport Titanium S, Low Mileage, 25,000 miles, Petrol, Manual gearbox, 1.0 litre, 2017(17), SUV, Smoke Grey colour, 5-door…...................................................................................£10,995

The Purbeck Gazette

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From The Kitchen Garden...

Mixed Fruit Cobbler

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eptember is the month when a lot of the hard work in the Kitchen Garden really comes good. There are some fast-growing crops which have germinated, grown and been picked by now, others like maincrop onions and carrots which I’ve sown in early spring are now ready to harvest. All the soil preparation, sowing, transplanting, weeding, watering, thinning, covering with fine mesh netting and regular checking finally produces a healthy and tasty crop I’m proud of. Looking at the patchwork of beds, strips and plots at this time of the growing year is pure magic. There, laid out in front of me is the whole growing process from start to finish present.

As the beds empty and the produce is harvested I usually either mulch the area with a good thick layer of well-rotted manure, homemade compost or seaweed. Another option is to sow a green manure which then grows, crowds out weeds and fixes nutrients in the soil and then gets cut and decomposes in situ- the worms love it!

All this means I’ve got to have the following year’s planting plan thought about and ready. Of course, there always needs to be a certain flexibility the following spring, but the main structure has to be in place while the Kitchen Garden is still in full swing, brimming with produce and buzzing with insects.

The garlic plots are an area that needs to be ready and waiting for the planting of the overwintering cloves in October. Deeply aerated and a nice layer of rotted down manure gives them generally a good start. Some overwintering onions can also be sown now, they will be ready in June, way before the maincrop ones.

The leeks, brassicas, overwintering chard and spinach beds still need to be thoroughly weeded before the soil gets too wet and winter salad leaves can still be sown into the warm soil. At the other side of the circle there’s still a lot to be picked. Courgettes and squashes, tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers and beans are still going strong. All these are the ‘fruit’ of the plant, with the seeds for the next generation in them – and delicious they are too…!

Of course, many of the top fruit and some bush fruit is ripening now as well. Apples and plums are just about to start to come into their own and we are blessed with lots of blackberries here in Purbeck. So, I reckon an early autumn fruit cobbler is perfect. I’m using plums and figs for this recipe, but any combination could be used according to availability and taste.

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden Mixed fruit cobbler 1kg of fresh fruit, washed, cut up put into a saucepan with as little sugar as possible. Cook over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, then leave to simmer until you have a chunky fruit compote For the cobbler mix: 1 egg 100 ml milk 150 g cold butter, cut into cubes 280 g plain flour 150 g sugar ½ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp. baking powder 1 pinch of salt 2 more tbsp sugar for sprinkling over at the end Method: Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark6 Mix the egg and milk together Rub the cold butter and flour together until it looks like chunky breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar, cinnamon and baking powder and salt. Pour in the milk/egg mix and bring together to make a gloopy dough.

Tip the fruit compote into a baking dish, then spoon over large dollops of cobbler dough. Leave gaps between the dough for the fruit to bubble through.

Sprinkle the whole thing with a little more sugar, then stick it in the oven for about 40 minutes until golden and cooked.

Careful, this gorgeous pudding is like molten lava, so it needs a little cooling and a lot of cold cream to pour over!

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

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Business

The Purbeck Gazette

Covid 19 Support for businesses and tax payers The One Certainty “Nothing is certain but death and taxes” is a saying from Benjamin Franklin which is often quoted. Although it is possible to minimise tax, death is something which eventually comes to us all. Planning for the inevitable is not morbid, it just means that you don’t need to worry about it, and it makes things easier for those left to sort things out.

Over the years, I have seen numerous situations where doing nothing has led to all sorts of difficulties and made someone’s passing even more difficult and upsetting (and can add to the costs of administering an estate). One of the simplest ways to keep things easier is to maintain proper records and to keep on top of your paperwork and ensure that it and any digital records are potentially accessible if something happens to you.

Step back and look at your current situation – if you were run over by the proverbial bus, how straightforward would it be for anyone to understand what you have and what you would want done with it?

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

Inheritance Tax is payable on death and can also be charged on certain lifetime gifts and other events. The current nil rate band for Inheritance Tax is £325,000 with an additional allowance of £175,000 potentially available on residential property (Residence Nil Rate Band). These allowances are transferable so that the unused proportion can potentially be transferred to the surviving spouse or civil partner.

Trusts can be a useful way for individuals to control how their assets are held and transferred to others. A trust is simply a way of someone holding property for the benefit of others. The operation of Wills, trusts and Inheritance Tax is very complicated and changes are frequent and I would strongly advise that you use the services of a professional to help with this type of planning.

DIY wills and those prepared by non-qualified practitioners are definitely best avoided – why risk it all going wrong for the sake of a few pounds?

Until next month, take care and stay safe.

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 government have announced a raft of measures and in brief summary the key points are: Business Grants: Coronavirus business grant fund – check with Dorset Council whether you qualify for this. If so the guidance now states you must actually claim this and not wait to be contacted.

Job Retention Scheme: Support from HMRC available to employers. You continue to pay your staff and claim this back from HMRC. At time of writing it was stated that you will need to do so via your HMRC PAYE online portal although not accepting any applications yet.

Deferral: VAT Payment – payments due between 20th March 2020 and 30th June 2020 can be deferred until March 2021. If you pay by direct debit cancel this at your bank or the payment will be taken as normal. You are still required to file the return as usual Personal tax: the payment on account, if due, for July 2020 will not be collected until January 2021 together with any balancing payment. These are both deferments to early 2021 at the time of writing, that is likely to cause cashflow issues at the point so consider if this is actually beneficial.

Loan: CBILS – Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

This has just been updated and we are seeing applications granted.

These are available from your own bank and other lenders. They are repayable over a period of up to six years. The bank’s lending is guaranteed to 80% but your business is liable for the full amount.

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Lasting Powers Of Attorney & Wills Planning

Microbusinesses Going Bust

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icrobusiness owners including retailers, hairdressers and builders fear they have just weeks left before being forced to stop trading - despite lockdown being eased.

A study of 1,000 microbusiness owners - those with less than ten employees - revealed the pandemic has had a crippling effect on their finances. Three quarters of those polled are unsure how they will continue to keep their business afloat in the coming weeks and months. A lack of customers, cashflow issues and a constant worry that consumer confidence won’t return quickly enough are the main fears held.

Worryingly, 46% of respondents admitted they have already considered permanently closing their doors because of the pandemic’s impact. Michelle Owens MBE, founder of Small Business Britain who has partnered with Smart Energy GB to provide microbusiness owners with a series of moneysaving tips, said: “Covid-19 has been hugely challenging for microbusinesses across Great Britain.

“As lockdown eases and firms get back to business, many are weighing up their financial situation and focusing on how to recover and move on.

Now is therefore a good time to evaluate your business expenditure and identify new ways to save money. Everything from negotiating deals with suppliers, through to reviewing business models and shopping around for deals, should be on the table. Embracing new technologies such as smart meters, which help you identify ways to reduce your energy consumption and therefore save money, is another particularly valuable thing to do at this time.”

The research also revealed more than a third of owners have not paid themselves at all in a bid to cut costs over the last few months - with a further 28% claiming they’ve reduced their pay.

One in five have also kept the lights off where possible and one in six have ensured unused tech is turned off at the socket, improving energy use and having the added bonus of reducing bills.

To find out if your microbusiness is eligible for a smart meter, contact your energy supplier.

The times that we are currently living in have shown that life can change completely overnight and the future can look uncertain. The best way of dealing with this uncertainty is to ensure that all your personal planning is in place.

There are two pillars to this planning – the first is executing a Lasting Power of Attorney so that your family can help you if you become ill or mentally incapacitated and the second is making your Will to ensure your estate passes to those who you wish to benefit on your death.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you (the donor) to make a choice now, when you are fit and healthy, about who you would trust (the attorney) to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf if, in the future, you lose the mental capacity to make them for yourself.

There are two types of LPA. One type is a Property and Financial Affairs LPA which allows the attorney, to make decisions about your finances and property. A Property and Finance LPA is very flexible in that it can be used whilst someone is incapacitated, but as soon as they have returned to health the attorney will step aside – it is not a permanent arrangement unless it needs to be. The other type is a Health and Welfare LPA which gives the attorney authority to make decisions for you in respect of giving or refusing consent to healthcare, staying at home and receiving support, or moving into care. A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used when a person has lost capacity.

All LPAs have to be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), before they can be used. If it appears that the attorney is abusing their position, then anyone can raise a concern with the OPG or Social Services, who will investigate.

If you have an accident or become ill, it may be too late to make an LPA and then an application will have to be made to court to appoint somebody, called a Deputy, to look after you affairs. This person may not be your choice, and appointing a deputy through the court it is also a longer and more expensive process. This can take at least three months and there are costs which include application fees, medical assessments, solicitor’s fees, deputy appointment, annual management fee and a security bond.

Your will is used to appoint a person (your executor) who will deal with the administration of your estate after you have died. The Executor is responsible for valuing your estate, closing bank accounts, dealing with your house, paying any tax that is due as well any debts and making sure that the balance of the estate passes to your chosen beneficiaries.

If there is no will, the Law of Intestacy sets out who can inherit your estate and how much they can inherit. This may not be what you want.

Making sure your will is up to date will provide you with the comfort of knowing that your family is provided for how you want them to be even if times are uncertain.

Your solicitor will help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney and Will that gives effect to your wishes. You can then rest assured knowing that your family will benefit from your planning.

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

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

01929 768720

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Sea, The Sea...

by John Garner

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or me the best thing about living where we do is the sea. It’s such a constant influence on everything. We cannot escape it even if we want to. For most it is a place for leisure. Most walks and cycle rides around here will take in views of the sea, from the calm of Swanage and Studland to the occasional wildness of the cliffs round to the west. It seems inconceivable to me not to live by the sea. It is never taken for granted but is a changing landscape and playground. September is when it begins to come into its own again. It can be nice when it’s millpond flat, but as autumn starts to get a grip, so the wilder seas start to arrive. I have a friend who will regularly take a hot flask and picnic and goes and sits and watches the crunching swells for hours. I can understand why. It can be hypnotic and also awe inspiring.

Today the sea is as still as it can be and the colour of the sky. A greying mist sits on the water and blends with the sea making it really hard to see where the sea ends and the sky starts.. There’s no wind and it doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. Swimming seems fraught with danger as if you’ll be swallowed up by the demons of the deep as soon as you get out of sight of the safety of the shoreline. Just occasionally you can barely notice a small swell is running which does help momentarily to differentiate the sea and sky.

Yesterday, dancing ledge was living up to its name. Small choppy wavelets were catching the bright light and the sea was dazzling with reflections.

It is three days later. Waves are hammering at the coastline. Pounding the rocks and shoreline of the bays and coves. Onshore winds are generating masses of white water that, coupled with the underlying swell, have created mounds of ominous looking and sounding waves.

Waves and swell are different. Waves form as the wind moves over water.

Generally, the more wind the bigger the wave, but other things come into force to determine wave size as well. Swell is also created by wind on water, but their origin is way outside the area that the swell forms.

A storm of sufficient power could form into a swell over hundreds and thousands of miles to appear as a smooth series of walls of water when the swell hits the coast.

You can read a more detailed and no doubt more accurate series of explanations about waves, swell and all other aspects of water in Tristan Gooley’s excellent book ‘How to read water’. A basic summary of wave formation goes like this. A small breeze blowing across the water will create some ripples, but as soon as the wind dies, so do the ripples. If ripples are to form into waves you need a constant wind blowing in more or less one direction. Smooth water doesn’t give the wind anything to grip, but a rippled surface does, so the waves increase as long as the wind keeps blowing. Waves are a different proposition to ripples and whilst a ripple will quickly dissipate without wind a wave can stick around for much longer after the wind has died down. A prolonged period of strong wind will create swell. The constant wind creates energy and if sufficient will create a long-range swell. It’s probably best summed up by saying that if the energy is great enough, the effects will move away from the origin of the wind.

Swell can be steep and angular close to the source of the swell, but as it spreads it become flatter and the faces of the waves become less steep.

A swell can travel thousands of miles like this. Until it reaches land. The swells will move through the deep oceans in large humps of energy, but when they hit shallower water, things change. As the swell begins to reach this shallow water the wave slows down and gets steeper. All the energy of the wave is now being compressed into a smaller space. Coupled with this the wave at the bottom slows down and moves slower than the top of the wave, meaning it steepens further and eventually as it overtakes the bottom of the wave, it breaks.

Other things can affect this breaking wave, such as the topography of the ocean floor and the power of the swell, but in essence if the depth of the water is 1.3 times the height of the waves, they will break.

These are the waves beloved of surfers and Kayakers. Add a moderate offshore wind to clean up the face of the wave and delay the breaking of the wave further and you have perfect surf conditions. For a perfect wave such as this, a lot has to happen so these conditions are relatively rare. There are all sorts of conditions in between this perfection and the mirror flat greyness of today, but all make for fascinating conditions in an ever-changing landscape.

And each set of conditions have their own merits. Today is a great day for taking out a paddle board and just pottering about and exploring. As a novice Kayaker I wouldn’t venture out in anything above a force 3 or 4 wind. As a surfer I wouldn’t think twice about much stronger winds, although I’ll have an eye on those perfect days. Sailors, windsurfers and kites-surfers will all pick their conditions accordingly.

If you love the sea, you’re in the right place. I’m still amazed by the amount of people I speak to who don’t pay much attention to it, even though it’s just over the hill or round the next bend. I try to get a glimpse every day.

It’s good for your perspective I find. When a swell arrives and breaks on the shores around us, it’s pretty amazing to think that the source of those waves could have been created by a wind blowing thousands of miles away.

Something to contemplate as you enjoy the myriad options available to you. You could, of course, just enjoy it for itself.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack

Late autumn sunlight highlights the variety of colours and textures (pictured, left).

Graceful Grasses hen other plants start fading away flowering grasses really begin to show off. As autumn progresses they just get better and better and continue to display well into winter when the foliage and seed heads look stunning, especially on a bright frosty morning.

During spring and summer most grasses are understated but if used correctly they are a great foil for the exuberant flowers of shrubs and perennials. Their soft vertical leaves contrast well with the bold foliage of plants like Sedum and Bergenia and with dense leaved shrubs such as box and Choisya. For a more ethereal look try mixing them with tall Salvias, Michaelmas daisies and Verbena x bonariensis.

Dense low growing mounds of heather are also good planting companions for the narrow bladed upright growing grasses, an attractive combination in the garden but one that also occurs on our local heaths. In the gardens at Holme we use grasses not just with heathers but also in combination with flowers, shrubs and conifers for grace and contrast.

There are exceptions but most grasses want a well drained soil and full sun and many are drought tolerant when established which is very useful in a summer like the one we have just had.

For tall grasses consider Miscanthus, Panicum and Calamagrostis which will give interest right through to February with feathery plumes, good colours and interesting textures. Pampas grass is much maligned as it is rather large and difficult to tame but few plants can compete with the showiness of the flower spikes. Look out for the form C. ‘Pointe du Raz’ which has lovely variegated leaves and the smaller Pampas grass C. pumila which only reaches 6ft.

For smaller grasses look at Stipa tenuissima, Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ and the brightly coloured blood grass Imperata ‘Red Baron’.

The grasses in the gardens at Holme will be showing off throughout Autumn and a great selection will be available to buy from the plant section, so come and be inspired.

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Grasses work well with dense foliaged plants such as box (above).

For a soft look plant grasses with Verbena (below).

Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ (below right) and Miscanthus (below left) are tall grasses with lovely soft flowers.

The Purbeck Gazette

Some of the hottest temperatures at Durlston were unsurprisingly recorded in August, where we have been keeping records since 1988. The 9th August temperature of 31.3C has only been beaten once on 23 June 2017 and even then, by just 0.6 C. It has also been one of the longest dry spells with just 124mm rain since it stopped constantly raining in March (to mid aug) – we would usually expect more than double that – approx. 274mm.

Despite the hot summer, there are still a few of our last orchids of the year, the white flowered Autumn Ladies Tresses, to be found along with the Autumn Gentian, which has tubular purple blooms, but as it only flowers in its second year we may have to be contented to find only its leaves!

Butterflies still on the wing include the migrant Clouded Yellows and Painted Ladies joining the resident Wall Browns, Red Admirals and Meadow Browns.

Bird migration is now well underway with the Summer arrivals now leaving to return to their wintering grounds, so look out for Redstarts, flycatchers, and many species of warbler such as Grasshopper, Sedge, Garden, Reed and Willow. House Martins and Swallows are to be seen in the air feeding.

They twist, turn and dive catching and devouring aerial insects whilst still flying!

With the meadows having been cut and baled there is less ground cover for small mammals. Thus mice, voles and shrews can become easier prey for Kestrels and possibly even Short-eared Owls.

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To find out more about the wildlife at Durlston, why not look at our Daily Dairy blog on our website Durlston.co.uk The Great British Beach Clean is set for 18th to 25th September. This year there are to be no public events, however, family group or bubbles can consider booking a slot of their own directly through https://www.mcsuk. org/beachwatch/organisers. However, you will need to dispose of any waste collected yourselves.

Durlston is Open The Castle and Park are open for a visit, and the new system (to take account of covid requirements) seems to be running relatively smoothly.

We have our welcome stall outside the front (10.30am -5pm), where we are also doing the required track and trace (name and phone number), and of course people should wear face covering when inside the building (except when you are eating). This is also the route in to go to the shop, for more information, read the daily diary and to visit the gallery. Do follow the one-way system around the Castle (which really wasn’t designed with this in mind!)

The café is open every day from 10am – 4pm, for breakfast, lunch and teas and coffees. If you are coming up to eat it may be worth booking your table just to be sure (01929 421111) seventhwaverestaurant@gmail.com.

For further information visit: https://www.durlston.co.uk/

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Barn Owl Boxes Are A Breeding Success!

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ver the last two years, eleven barn owl boxes have been installed in trees and barns on Dorset Council farms. Now 25% of Dorset Council farms have an owl box. When the boxes were checked last month A total number of six chicks were found in four boxes.

Barn Owls have additional protection against disturbance while nesting.

It is an offence to disturb a barn owl whilst it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young or to disturb a barn owl’s dependent young.

These barn owl boxes were checked and ringed by volunteers under a British Trust for Ornithology ringing and disturbance license. The information gathered from putting these specially designed rings on birds’ legs means we can understand more about them including their survival and the condition of the birds.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe volunteers have made trough floats which have now been installed on the farms, to prevent owls from drowning when using the troughs to bathe or drink.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Our tenant farmers are delighted to have breeding barn owls on their farms. It is important that we look after the natural

environment and encourage biodiversity where we can.”

Barn owls have a distinctive heart-shaped face, buff back and wings and pure white underparts. They are nocturnal and eat mice, voles, shrews and some larger mammals and small birds.

To encourage barn owls onto farms, tenants and landowners can manage the land with barn owls in mind. By keeping areas of grass uncut and rough edges this creates good habitats for voles which are their main food source.

Pictured: Top, Barn Owl. Bottom left: Barn Owl chick, Below: trough float to prevent drowning when owls drink from water troughs.

The Purbeck Gazette

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The Cost Of Rural Crime •

Cost of rural crime in Dorset rises to £900,000 as criminal gangs target farm machinery and livestock • Rural crime cost the county £900,000 last year, up by 28.7% from 2018 • Rural crime across the UK is at its highest level for eight years, totalling £54.3m • Concern rural crime expected to escalate as economic impact of Coronavirus crisis hits • Farmers’ fears over crime contribute to rising anxiety and rural isolation n its 2020 Rural Crime Report, published on Tuesday August 4, leading rural insurer NFU Mutual reveals that rural crime cost Dorset £900,000 last year, a rise of 28.7% from 2018. Across the UK, rural crime cost £54m in 2019, an increase of almost 9% on the previous year. The rise is being driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock. While there have been some reductions in crime under lockdown, there are concerns that rural theft is set to escalate as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic bites.

In 2019, rural crime rose in every region and nation within the UK. The biggest percentage increase was seen in Scotland (44.1%), although its rural crime cost remains below the UK average. The second-highest regional rise was 18% in Northern Ireland followed by the East of England (16.9%) and the South West (14%). The lowest regional increase was in North East England, up 0.4%.

For the second year running, the sharp rises are being driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high-value tractors, quad bikes and other farm vehicles – accounting for an increase of nearly 25% to £9.3m on agricultural vehicles in the UK. Within that total, quad bike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) theft rose by 21% to £3.1m. In addition, Land Rover Defender thefts reported to NFU Mutual rose by 34% to £2.1m. Demand from overseas for expensive farm kit is fuelling the rise and in one joint operation between NFU Mutual and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, five vehicles totalling more than £100,000 were recovered from Poland earlier this year.

Livestock theft also increased in 2019 with the UK cost going up 9% to £3m.

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Well-organised gangs taking large numbers of sheep, which are thought to enter the food chain illegally, are driving the increase.

A spate of sheep being slaughtered and butchered in farmers’ fields also contributed to the rise, and farmers continued to be affected by rustling during the pandemic – with initial figures suggesting an increase of nearly 15% year on year in April 2020.

Theft of tractor global positioning systems (GPS) is a major concern as farms move to using precision technology to run field operations. Typically costing £8,000 to £10,000, GPS equipment has become a highly-prized item on the shopping lists of rural thieves, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown where smaller, high-value items appear to have been targeted to meet demand overseas.

A survey of NFU Mutual Agents last year found that a quarter knew someone who had been forced to change the way they lived or farmed as a result of crime and the biggest fear in rural communities was repeat attacks. NFU Mutual’s rural theft figures are used by police forces to help them understand rural crime on their patch and plan rural police responses.

It also provides support and expert advice to many local farm and rural watch schemes across the UK. To help farmers and rural businesses protect themselves from the new wave of organised crime, NFU Mutual has also joined forces with Security Exchange to fund a free-of-charge security service for its existing Directors and Officers insurance policyholders with AIG PrivateEdge.

The service includes a telephone advice service, which can include onthe-ground support, from experienced security consultants, advice on cost-effective and innovative security measures; and rapid response in the event of a security incident.

For more information on rural crime trends and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime.

To hear NFU Mutual’s Rural Crime podcast, click here (live from August 4th).

Join in the conversation using #ruralcrime Twitter - @nfum, Facebook – NFU Mutual.

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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

any of you will have seen lots of activity around Swanage Hospital over the past weeks and months, with different teams of builders coming and going and the hospital shrouded with scaffolding at times, so we thought it time to bring you up to date and share our excitement about what’s going on.

For many years we have had an unused space under a large part of our ward and, of course, we have the space where Everest used to sit. At last we are coming to the completion of works to these areas and will soon have use of a patient and visitor car park, upgraded stores, new relatives’ suite, staff room and conference facilities.

But this is not all. Other current projects include building a therapeutic garden for patients, visitors and staff, refurbishment of our day room area and upgrading of our outpatients’ department.

Our thanks go to you all who, by supporting the Friends of Swanage Hospital, have funded these works.

We are also grateful to Dorset HealthCare for managing these projects and for funding other essential works which will future proof the hospital for the next twenty-five years – they are currently replacing our electrical distribution boards, replacing our boilers, upgrading our nurse call system and redecorating the exterior of the building.

My thanks as well to the teams who, in addition to working within new constraints to ensure the safety of our patients and colleagues working within the hospital are also having to cope with quite a lot of inconvenience to enable these works to be completed. We know it will be worth it!

We had hoped to link opening of all these facilities with the 125th anniversary of Swanage Hospital towards the end of September but, due to circumstances which we are all aware of, completion has been delayed and we are unclear at this point what restrictions around social gathering may be in place.

However, do look out for news on how we will be celebrating these two momentous occasions – because you may be sure we will.

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

Don’t Suffer Unnecessarily! Osteopathy Can Help You...

N

ow your hair’s been styled, it’s time to address those aches and pains that have built up during lockdown.

After months of restricted movement, it’s time to mobilise your joints and muscles.

Most people suffer from some kind of ache, pain, or stiff back at some point in their life. The current Covid-19 pandemic has in some cases highlighted

37

some stresses and strains of not being fully active and there has not been as much support in place to assist in resolving these issues. Do you want to do something about it?

As an osteopath I may be able to help you.

Osteopaths have been treating patients for many years and are able to offer a range of treatments tailored to the individual to alleviate your symptoms and also resolve some of those annoying aches and pains.

Osteopathic treatment will be aimed at increasing joint mobility, relieving muscle tension, and enhancing blood and nerve supply. All of which help your body’s own healing mechanism.

Advice will also be given on posture & exercise to help aid recovery, promote health and reduce the risk of symptoms returning.

All treatments are undertaken with all the necessary Covid-19 protective protocols as recommended under guidance by the Institute of Osteopathy.

If you would like to discuss a problem then please feel free to give me a call on 01929 766008 or email me at guy@guyryder.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette

38

Hello From Swanage Medical Practice News from Swanage Medical Practice

A letter from Swanage Medical Practice ver the last few months you are likely to have noticed a difference in the way things are being done in our Practice as we manage coronavirus (Covid-19).

We want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for adapting so quickly to these new ways of working – it has been the drastic, yet fundamental, change needed to ensure the safety of you and our staff. To slow down the spread of coronavirus we have worked to reduce the number of people coming into the Practice by using online consultation systems like eConsult (via our website), telephone appointments and video consultations.

We continue to work hard providing services, and our priority is to keep you and our staff safe while ensuring you get the care you need.

We are finding there is a significant increase in demand as we start to come out of lockdown and we find that all our routine and on the day capacity is being over-booked already.

During the week of the 27th July (five working days), these are just some of the things the team have dealt with for you: 600 tasks – internal messages that are queries from patients/prescription changes etc 1102 direct patient contacts such as telephone calls, home visits, face to face appointments, eConsults.

1952 Prescriptions were issued 1431 Pathology results were received/checked and actioned by our GPs 1076 Letters, reports, general clinical correspondence were processed and actioned We are still advising patients not to attend the surgery without an appointment. Instead call the practice, go to our website or use NHS Choices https://www.nhs.uk/ You can speak to a clinician over the phone, eConsult or video consultation. This will often mean you get to see the right person to help you, much quicker. If a doctor or nurse does need to see you in person then you will be given an appointment to attend the Practice. All of our appointments are taking longer due to ensuring the premises are clean between patients and the clinicals have to “don and doff” Personal Protective Equipment.

Only coming to the surgery with an appointment means: • You will be seen promptly • You are reducing your risk of catching/spreading coronavirus by avoiding a waiting room.

• You are helping to keep staff healthy and safe • The practice is able to maintain a clean environment and protect

O

you from the virus.

Please remember that if you are offered an appointment then you might see a clinician you are not familiar with such as our Advanced Nurse Practitioners or our Primary Care Paramedic. A home visiting service for patients who are unable to leave their home will be provided if the clinician feels it is clinically appropriate. Our GPs are already doing fewer home visits but work with our Paramedic and Advanced Nurses that are now available and skilled at this role. We would like to apologise to those that feel doctors have been shirking the risk of doing home visits, doctors are still visiting when that is the most appropriate response.

Dr Munday has now retired, and another three partners will be retiring / leaving in the next twelve months. The National recruitment crisis is having a big impact on us and despite our best efforts advertising locally, nationally, attending recruitment events far and wide, we have been unable to recruit. This all means the way we provide care will need to continue to change, with our doctors only being available for the most skilled work and supervision of our new clinical support team.

At the surgery we will also direct you to the care of our Clinical Pharmacists, Health Coaches, routine appointments will be offered with an advanced Nurse at Swanage MIU and routine GP appointments at Wareham and Poole Hospital. You can now also self-refer to Physiotherapy at Swanage Hospital – please see: https://www.mskdorset. nhs.uk/patient-self-referral-form/ Please also make use of all the following suggestions before phoning for an appointment. If this effectively saves an appointment there will be more available for you and others if needed later on: • Ones own family and friends for support and guidance • NHS 111 • NHS Choices • eConsult which includes links to self help and guidance.

• Online access to your medical records for ordering your prescriptions and looking up results • Electronic batch prescribing via chemists so up to a year’s prescriptions are pre prepared and don’t need requesting • Local Pharmacists support • Phoning Swanage MIU to be seen there if a minor injury problem By all of us engaging these new ways of working we aim to continue to provide the high level of care that we always endeavour to do and attract new staff and patients to Swanage Medical Practice which is essential for the future.

Thanks again for your support and understanding as we all adapt to a new way of working.

Dr Jason Clark – Senior Partner

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 OCT is noon, 9th SEPT 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.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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 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

Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on! 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; non-members £2.50.

Till12.00. 427067 10.00 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till noon.

10.00 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864 10.30 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.

40

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.

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. Antinatal 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

The Purbeck Gazette

(United Reformed Church) in Sw. Cake and bacon butties. Fair trade stall.

Donations for ‘Besom in Purbeck’ and church funds.

09.00 Swanage Tennis Club at Beach Gardens, Sw. Free Cardio Tennis taster. Till 10am 09.30 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 10.30am. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 09.30 Wareham Area Men’s Shed meets at Purbeck Connect, Sandford Lane, Wm. Ffi: call Chris on 554758, Harold on 792591 or Mike on 288045 09.30 Little Fishes Baby and Toddler Group. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Term time only. Until 11.30am. Ffi: Alex on 07904 412067.

10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 10.00 A Place Of Welcome at 21 Commercial Road, Sw. Friendly drop-in for everyone, providing a free cup of tea or coffee, a listening ear, conversation and basic information. Everyone welcome, whatever the circumstances.

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

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

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

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

Ffi: 552682.

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

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

18.00 Sw Youth Centre Club 12-13 (Yr 7-9) Till 8 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 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!

The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

41

LOCAL TRADERS

USE THEM OR LOSE THEM FOLKS!

KEEP IT LOCAL

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

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The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

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

Late night Thursday till 7pm

01929 426364 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

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

BRIAN MOORE

Michael B. Alberry

INDEPENDENT TELECOM ENGINEER

DECORATOR

(Ex-BT)

Repair of phone lines & broadband HALF BT PRICES!!

07858 458997 - 01929 554886

Property Decoration & Renovation

07796 640538 01929 424882

The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

ROOFING SPECIALIST SPARROW’S

SWANAGE & DORSET

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

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LOCAL TRADERS

USE THEM OR LOSE THEM FOLKS!

KEEP IT LOCAL

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Man & Van available to hire

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

07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured