The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 255

April 2021 November 2019 238 Issue no. 255 Published by Purbeck Media Ltd

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 Purbeck Festival IS ON! Pg- 37 HelpValley Save Folk Rex The Brave.

Pg

Our Flag Is Now Official! Pg 16

Cows Come To Winter Studland Bay! Pg Pg 24 38 -- 35 39 Banish Those Blues!

Heartbreak As Henry Loses Battle.PgPg3719 Otter Deaths On The Increase.

SWANAGE & now PURBECK TAXI This space is available!

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Editor’s note...

W

elcome to the April 2021 edition of your Purbeck Gazette!

For the first time in our history we have not included one of our famous April Fools in this edition. Why? Our various correspondents had a Zoom meeting and couldn’t come up with anything humourous - not because they are incapable or unimaginative, but simply because this past year has not been a laughable matter, to be frank! Various ideas were mulled over before the decision was made that we’d give this year a miss and would save the local population from having to get ‘up in arms’ about something which in this case, would not have even been real!

Another packed edition for you this month - we’ve seen impressive figures of online readers over the past few months, which is great news for those who have continued to publish in the Purbeck Gazette whilst we’ve been online. Thanks for your support and continued encouragment. We are looking at getting back into print as soon as all of advertisers are open again. Get in touch (email: ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk) and book your space for next month now - let your customers know what you’re doing and what you’re offering! Communication is key when it comes to building your business back up again, so let’s all work together to keep the community informed - you’ll also be supporting us by enabling us to publish community editorial, so it’s a wheel of support which needs to keep spinning for the good of all!

We’re moving forwards now towards getting back to some sort of normality. Please continue to be kind to those around you, support our local businesses as they reopen and carry on being safe !

The Purbeck Gazette is delivered by: We distribute 20,000 copies of the Purbeck Gazette every month to properties in Purbeck utilising Logiforce GPS-tracked delivery teams.

(Residents in blocks of flats, or who live up long driveways or in lesser populated areas will not get a door-to-door delivery. You will not receive a copy if you display a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letterbox) Purbeck has a population of approx. 45,300, we print & distribute 20,000 copies for Purbeck and further afield (Crossways, Broadmayne, Bloxworth etc).

You will not therefore ALL get a paper copy! 1 in 3 properties get a copy. We ensure a good spread of distribution throughout the whole area to get the best response for our advertisers, who are our business customers.

We publish in-full online for those households who do not receive a paper copy through the door.

See: www.purbeckgazette.com

The MAY 2021 edition has a deadline of 20th April.

The JUNE 2021 edition has a deadline of 10th May.

Public Notices & Information

Swanage Town Council Meetings - April 2021

ALL ‘IN-PERSON’ MEETINGS PREVIOUSLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS - PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL DIRECTLY FOR INFORMATION

Wareham Town Council Meetings - April 2021 ALL ‘IN-PERSON’ MEETINGS PREVIOUSLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS - 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.

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

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Woodhenge at Worth, by Fenja Squirrell

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MATTERS COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS FEATURES Affordable Home Consultation For Langton Blast From The Past - returns next month Cannabis Factory Find Cows Come To Studland Bay Heartbreak As Henry Loses Battle John Garner writes - Spring Time National Coastwatch Picnic In The Park 2021 Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2021 IS ON! Secret Stories For Families Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Wareham Town Council News FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING NATURAL MATTERS TRADE ADVERTS DIARY SPOTLIGHT SPORT

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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.

MAY deadline: noon, 20th APRIL

Too Many Killed On Roads Dear Gazette readers, We wanted to drop you an email to highlight the recent Uswitch Roadkill Report. Sadly it shows that there are hundreds of thousands of animals killed on UK roads every year and is an issue many Brits are completely unaware of. Uswitch wanted to raise awareness to help prevent so many unnecessary deaths, much the same as what we are aiming for with our campaign.

Here’s the report: https://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/guides/roadkillreport/ We are, of course, concerned with all animal deaths on our roads, hence why we created our very own awareness day: https://www.awarenessdays. com/awareness-days-calendar/animal-road-accident-awareness-day-2021/ However, our campaign centres around cats due to our own personal experiences of pet loss to the road. There are so many concerning aspects to this Uswitch study, but one in particular is regarding the misunderstood laws section. The poll found that a massive 73% of drivers thought that they would be liable to pay the vet bill if they took an animal to them that had been injured by the roadside.

A survey we did a couple of years ago also found this to be in the top three reasons people did not stop when they hit a cat. We hope you can help dispel this myth for us as it may well save any lives. Vets must not unreasonably refuse to facilitate the provision of first aid and pain relief for all species.

The primary consideration of UK vets should be to relieve the animal’s pain and suffering in line with section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act, to not leave an animal to unnecessarily suffer.

Drivers taking in any injured animal are not liable to pay any cost, it is an obligation veterinary practices have. However, although vets do an amazing job and have been known to go above and beyond in cases, they are not obliged to treat the animal beyond pain relief, so owners must make sure their pets are chipped and details are kept up to date to ensure they are given the very best chance.

We are confident that the upcoming mandatory microchipping legislation due in this year will go a long way to solving that particular issue, but we hope owners would microchip their pets regardless as part of responsible pet ownership. www.catsmatter.org/microchipping Best wishes, Carlie – CatsMatter, by email

Thanks From Guide Dogs Dear Gazette, A huge ‘Guide Dogs’ thank you.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to those of you who have popped coins into our large Guide Dog collecting box that is located in the Co-op in Swanage as well as the many Purbeck businesses who have supported us by having a collecting box in their shop or pub.

In a year of such financial hardship for many, it is really humbling to find that people continue to be so generous.

We already have over thirty guide dog partnerships in Dorset and we still have local people who are currently waiting for a Guide or Buddy dog, so if you have a spare penny, pop it in, as every penny counts.

The charity also offers a wide range of services to support blind and partially sighted people of all ages so thank you for your generosity.

Jayne – local volunteer fundraiser, by email

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

Questions For Aster Housing Dear Gazette, No 1: Please could someone explain why Aster Housing is allowed to sell quite a lot of rental housing stock in Swanage without the local covenant on (restrictions on selling to local people) when there are quite a few people on the rental housing waiting list and previous ex-council houses still have the covenant on?

No 2: How is Aster Housing allowed to sell the housing stock? When the local government sold the housing stock to Synergy (Aster’s predecessor) in approx 2005, they were sold for a peppercorn amount as the housing stock was supposed to be held in perpetual rental?

No 3: Why is everyone being quiet about this? I feel a major injustice is being dealt to local people by reducing local housing being available to rent.

No 4: Who has made money from this matter?

Please refrain from making my name and address public as I feel that a few heads could roll if it ever becomes public.

Many thanks, M, Swanage, by email (full name and address supplied)

Dorset Is Trending!

Dear Purbeck Gazette, I’m reaching out to share that Dorset is one of the top trending UK destinations for summer 2021, according to HomeToGo’s 2021 Summer Travel Forecast, released recently.

As people look to satisfy their wanderlust and enjoy the warmer months ahead, HomeToGo – the world’s largest holiday rental search engine – tapped into its extensive internal data to explore what’s driving travellers planning their summer holidays.

A few additional highlights include: Summer of the “Great British Staycation”: Searches for stays in the UK this summer are up by 188%; Cornwall is especially popular with a 301% increase in searches year-on-year (YoY) Longer Road Trips: Travellers are willing to go the extra distance this summer by searching for holiday rentals within 166 miles (+27% YoY) from home.

Travellers want more private and spacious accommodations: The share of bookings for holiday houses, cottages, and detached homes are up by 58% YoY. Talk soon, Mike

A Lord Speaks Of Swanage Dearest Editor, As newcomers to this beautiful isle of Purbeck I would like to congratulate you on your most laudable publication. On the whole first rate, apart if I may say, from your David Hollister who I consider never fails to lower the tone of the otherwise high level of journalism. It is so difficult to be a good critic and commentator don’t you think? One has to have intelligence, erudition and wit. All somewhat lacking in dear old D.H, I fear. That aside, may I venture to say well done indeed.

I have, of late, become quite used to the quiet environs of Purbeck and I am not at all looking forward to the coming invasion. Covid has its beneficial aspects, does it not? Could we not put up metaphorical tank traps and declare U.D.I? We could issue entrance permits and have strict conditions of entry.

I suggest entry only on foot or sailing boat. Entry fee of £100 pp and exit

The Purbeck Gazette

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Square & Compass www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk

Worth Matravers 01929 439229

APRIL 2021 We have ceased deliveries as pubs are opening....

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Support your local, independent establishments - long may we remain! fee the same. Proof of civility and good manners. Lady Allcock believes as I do that the prevailing decline in politeness is very regrettable and worrying.

I mean, how many are taught Latin or Greek these days, or have any in depth knowledge of the classics? Poor show. But I ramble.

Whilst on the subject of culture, could not the Mowlem Theatre be managed by professionals?

This marvellous isle is singularly lacking in first rate restaurants. If Lady Allcock and I were not serviced by a very talented French chef, I do not know how we would fare.

The good lady and I have travelled extensively and experienced many diverse cultures and I must say, the local populace in Purbeck are most civil and kindly and not in the least uncouth, this side of the Wareham causeway that is. Not to cast aspersions on the other side as we have no experience of such.

A better stocked library for the use of the commons would raise standards, I believe. This doesn’t bother us, however, as we have our own, of course.

A high-class vintner would be rather nice, I think. At least there are acceptable butchers available. A great pity concerning the loss of Parkers Stores, I’ve been told.

We could complain of the lack of grouse moors and salmon fishing, but then that is what Scotland is for, is it not?

We have a sailing club, a golf club, a sea rowing establishment and tennis is available, not to mention bowls and sea swimming, so I don’t suppose we should complain too much.

The greatest asset though is the walking, Studland, etc. If only we could do away with joggers, really though, what on earth is that all about? Where are they running to or from? Most unseemly and half naked too.

It’s very bad on the joints and most seem like they are trying to kill themselves, poor dears, and who wants to see those bodies?! No, walking is by far better and at least civilised. On the whole though, a very pleasant retreat, first rate.

Please do forgive any spelling errors or poor grammar as our wonderful secretary Hermione is somewhat indisposed for the foreseeable next few months. A sabbatical, I think they whimsically call it.

Well, I look forward to further little chats but for, now bon ton.

Lord Allcock of Denton, by carrier pigeon.

Diabetes Support Dear Editor Diabetes UK is urging people with diabetes across the South West to take up the coronavirus vaccine when offered it.

People with diabetes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they develop coronavirus.

If you have diabetes, the best way to protect yourself against coronavirus is to avoid contact with the virus and get vaccinated.

With all adults with diabetes now being offered the vaccine, it’s incredibly important to take up your invitation – to help keep yourself, your family, and your community safe.

The vaccines being offered are safe and will save lives, but if you have any concerns or would like more information, call Diabetes UK’s Helpline on 0345 123 2399 or visit diabetes.org.uk.

Phaedra Perry, Regional Head, Diabetes UK South West, by email

Identify The 1956 Locals!

Dear Gazette, Wonder if this picture might be an interesting inclusion in your lovely paper? Mount Scar school in 1956! The World Premier of 4 and 20 Blackbirds. I wonder how many locals can be identified? My mother made the “beaky hoods”, so I was allowed to stand at the front of the line-up!

Best wishes, Robin, by email

Impact To Mental Health Dear Readers, Due to it being a full year since the announcement of the UK’s first lockdown, we have compiled research on how the pandemic has impacted issues relating to mental health and addiction amongst individuals.

As a CQC regulated provider of addiction and mental health treatment, we have seen a 96% rise in calls since the start of the pandemic and have struggled to keep up with the demand for treatment.

We have included our figures as well as other interesting figures in this infographic we have produced on the topic: https://oceanrecoverycentre. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVID-19-One-Year-Later-Impacton-mental-health.jpg As well as showing the negative impact lockdowns have on mental health in our research, we have also included information on the potential dangers associated with lifting lockdown, as social anxiety is likely to be an increasing issue when people start to mix with each other again.

Can you please help us bring awareness to these findings by sharing them?

Thanks, Mark Ainsworth, Community Outreach Manager, Ocean Recovery Centre.

Website: https://oceanrecoverycentre.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OceanRecoveryCentre/ Twitter: @OceanRecoveryNW

Remembering Sheila Dear Readers, In loving memory of Sheila West, who passed away peacefully in her sleep at Dorset House, Poole, recently. She is together with dad again.

She is loved and will be missed by Steve, Jan and Sara West.

A huge thank you to the awesome staff at Dorset House for their care of mum over the last two years.

Thank you, Steve, by email.

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The Purbeck Gazette

MATT HILLAN Building Alterations & Maintenance

All Trade Aspects Undertaken Free Estimates Fully Insured

01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise

Dog Theft On The Rise

Dear Editor I understand completely why people are becoming so concerned about pet theft. The other morning I was contacted by a resident who is really worried about this issue and worried for their own safety while walking their dog.

One of our daughters lives in Yorkshire and has a cockapoo called Baxter – he is the star of the show when they come to stay (when allowed). We would be absolutely gutted if we lost him.

As such, I am determined that pet theft should be deterred and stronger penalties introduced. Currently pet theft is not treated with the seriousness it deserves and reform is urgently needed.

During the pandemic, we know dog ownership and prices have risen significantly. Pet theft is now the worst it has ever been, rising in some areas by 250%. Tragically, just one in five pets are ever returned to their owners and only about 1% of pet thefts lead to charges.

Because punishments are often related to the monetary value of a pet, they usually result in trivial fines rather than imprisonment. Although the Theft Act of 1968 allows a maximum penalty of up to seven years, this never seems to happen. The majority of prison sentences awarded are less than six months. This Act is over fifty years old and may need amendment. Pet theft is low-risk and high-reward, attracting organised crime.

People can help by: The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) has also taken up the cause and you can take their online survey at: www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft Let’s really make our voices heard. Pets are part of our families. Let’s do it for Baxter and his mates.

David Sidwick, by email.

Parish Councillor Speaks Out

Dear Gazette, Thank you for forwarding to me copies of David Hollister’s correspondence with Dorset Council and Councillor Brooks.

When the Parish Council are once again able to hold meetings, I will pass this on to them but in the meantime, please feel free to consider this for your ‘letters’ page.

The following are my own personal thoughts and are not those of the Parish Council.

Dangerous footpath at Harmans Cross – Discussion on this has been ongoing for at least ten years.

I would certainly question the cost of £470K as this seems to have risen by £100K since I last spoke with DC officers. The question of third-party land is a new excuse I have not heard before and I would suggest you try to ascertain who this third party is. As for the Local Transport Fund, it is government policy to get people out of cars and either walking or cycling.

Despite having one of the busiest village halls in Dorset running numerous classes and activities and clubs, with a play area and outdoor fitness equipment, people using these facilities decline to walk the relatively short distance to the hall because they consider the route too dangerous – all for the lack of a small section of footpath. Couple this with the railway station, two local shops/garages and the fact that the population of Harmans Cross more than doubles in the summer season when at least five campsites are open and even Haycrafts Lane can turn into a main road, a small section of footpath would make an enormous difference to both visitors and the residents of Harmans Cross.

In my opinion, if you want to see where all the council money is spent, take a trip to Weymouth or Dorchester. You could walk on a footpath all the way from Weymouth seafront to the County Hall in Dorchester, but I am sure that can have nothing to do with all the council staff who live in Weymouth and travel to Dorchester to work. There have been huge changes in government policy since 2014, with the sole aim of reducing car journeys and there are several budgets/grants provided by the government which the council could draw from.

Water problem at Bank Hill, Worth Matravers – This problem was not just to do with the BT box and the Parish Council has been pursuing a solution to this for over a year. There were several locations which needed looking at but I can report that the problem now seems to have been resolved. It remains to be seen whether a new road surface will be laid. I am told this will be done, but I understand the Parish Council are frequently told many things which never actually happen.

Footway Railway Bridge, Wareham – My personal thoughts on this are, why waste thousands of pounds on a cycle way on the Wareham Bypass but not include the section from the bus-stop outside the railway station, up over the bridge and down to the roundabout? The budget for this would come from the government.

Langton Hill Junction A351 – Even I struggle in my small van to turn right at this junction. Luckily, with practice, I have got used to it and have come to expect to find lorries and buses on the wrong side of the main road.

However, for visitors, this can only be disconcerting.

Puddle at St. Michael’s Hill – I have had many, many meetings with Dorset Council Highways Officers, the last one we met with on site, the Parish Clerk and I spent over three hours going around Worth and Harmans Cross documenting and agreeing all sorts of problems, the outcome of which has been absolutely nothing. Apparently, the officer in question was moved to Bridport. One highways officer I spoke with told me that he would schedule one man a whole day’s work to insert two posts, which were not even on the highway. The inefficiency of this has to be one of the reasons our council tax is the second highest in the country.

It seems to me that Purbeck is an outpost which Dorset Council does not want. They do the absolute minimum possible and get out as quickly as they can. Just look at the state of their road repairs. Having spoken with several other local Parish Councils, one of which nearly committed political suicide by going for a vote of no confidence in Dorset Council, I and they are extremely frustrated with this new Council.

When it came about, I was told by Councillor Brooks that this new council would be more cost effective, more efficient, they would be more responsive and it would be much easier to get things done.

My reply to that today would be – PLEASE BRING BACK PURBECK DISTRICT COUNCIL AND THE OLD DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL. Yours faithfully, R. J. Woolford, by email

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TELLING IT LIKE IT IS... ...And Hoping For Answers!

by David Hollister

W

ell, here we still are! If you are reading this then you have survived Covid-19 so far, either by staying at home or by sheer good fortune. If you’ve stayed at home you haven’t really missed much because so far this year, everything worth doing seems to have been cancelled.

Of course, all the small shops have been closed by the state, forcing everyone to get anything they want from the larger stores which have managed to trade as ‘essential suppliers’ (the likes of B & Q, etc) or online – because Amazon’s so quick, so cheap, and whatever you want is only a click away.

And while anything you want is being delivered by White Van Man in all sorts of guises, what we are doing with each and every ‘click’ is making the noise of the death watch beetle for local traders. Yet for the life of me I can’t see local traders offering such a huge range of instant and Covidsecure services as Asda, Amazon, AO and the like.

Sorry, guys, but the ‘stay at home’ culture has appealed to the ‘want it now’ generation and the “can’t be bothered to get off my backside” generation.

And it’s going to be a long and hard road back.

Some way, somehow, we’re going to have to make ‘personal service’ attractive again. Reintroduce the pleasure of actual ‘shopping’ which actually won’t happen until the plethora of shop door notices (two at a time in this shop, and follow the arrow please) have been taken down and until we can talk to each other without masks or plastic screens. And have our blues festivals, our jazz festivals, our village fetes, carnivals and our coffee mornings.

Yes, Covid-19 is hugely dangerous but so is isolation and mental illness.

How much longer are we going to be ordered to stay out of cinemas, live shows, restaurants and so on ‘for the good of the community’ and to ‘save the NHS’? (I can hear my critics sharpening their claws even now, but if you don’t like the stuff I write – which is my own opinion and protected by the principles of ‘freedom of speech’, then why are you already halfway through this article; move on!)

The responsibility for ‘saving the NHS’ is not ours; it’s been the responsibility of successive governments over the past 50 years; not solely failure to fund the NHS properly but also failure to control the excesses of an NHS which is paying some GPs half a million a year, which will fork out £50 to have a light bulb changed because ‘if they caught me changing the bulb, it would be more than my job’s worth’.

The Government, who in the dash to ‘get Brexit done’ has managed to alienate great swathes of Eastern European nurses and hospital workers who now won’t come to work here because they feel unwelcome. Who – like so many of us in 2016 – didn’t properly think out the ramifications of how the decision they made would affect the NHS, and who were going to recruit 40,000 nurses and 7,000 doctors out of some mythical rabbit-hole and still have got nowhere near the target. So, don’t ask me to ‘save the NHS’; physician, heal thyself.

Anyway, good news on the Dorset Council front. I have been in further communication with Cherry Brooks (Lead Member for Highways and South East Purbeck Member, on whose desk the buck stops). As a result

of her intervention I had a productive meeting with Ian Styring (Community Highways Officer) and showed him where the dangerous puddle happens at the foot of the Railway Bridge Hill on the A351. We agreed that at present the drainage needed re-examination so he’s going to get a team to inspect the drains with a rod and a camera, and let me know the results.

In turn, I have agreed to photograph any puddles that materialise and send him the photos for further action.

Not such good news on the Wareham Rail Crossing, I’m afraid. Dorset Council are ‘continuing to work with Network Rail about the crossing but Covid-19 had meant that the discussions are temporarily on hold…… watch this space…..

The Council say that “the Harmans Cross footway proposal has been requested by local residents and the Parish Council several times over the years. The proposal was looked at by the Highways Improvements Team in 2014 and it was costed at £470K and would require third party land purchase” (this I dispute – I understand that the land belongs to the Council).

“The scheme was ranked against all the other scheme requests across Purbeck which are prioritised on an annual basis for Local Transport Plan funding. Due to the high cost and low value for money this scheme has never been built. Whilst we do deliver a range of Local Transport Plan funded schemes every year across Dorset aimed specifically at encouraging walking and cycling, we do have a limited annual budget and the number of requests by far outnumbers the amount of money available, so we have to prioritise all schemes.”

So, how much is the human life of a Harmans Cross resident worth? And clearly the ‘cycling’ thing takes precedence (even if most cyclists don’t use the cycleways provided for them at such huge expense).

Then – to close – the Unacceptable Road junction at the foot of Langton Hill where it meets the A351. They say “The Langton junction alterations were designed to slow down vehicles heading towards Langton Matravers, with the improvement having to stay within highway land.

The feedback we’ve had from the parish council is positive about the improvements and the new pedestrian island is well used, especially by schoolchildren and their parents. Our Highways officers are currently considering a reduction in the speed limit, which has been a long-standing request from the parish council.

Sorry, this is rubbish. I posted a piece on Facebook asking for public comments on this one, and three quarters of the comments suggest that the current junction is difficult and dangerous. The comments are still coming in.

At the end of March I intend to print out every one, from critics to supporters – and submit them as a file to Cllr.Brooks and to the Community Highways Officer and try to arrange a site meeting – which I will publicise on Facebook.

Various HGV and coach drivers have volunteered to come along with their vehicles and illustrate the problems to the officers. And to Cllr.

Brooks, who has reacted positively to all our comments so far and who, I am sure, will attend, listen to the residents and take their comments back to County Hall…….

Watch this space!

The Purbeck Gazette

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A

Man Jailed For Possession Of Drugs In Swanage

man has been jailed for two years and nine months after he was caught in possession of drugs by officers in Swanage.

Matthew Kenneth Timothy Bates, 32 and of Higher Days Road in Swanage, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 24 September 2020 and pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply, possession of a controlled drug of class B with intent to supply and resisting or wilfully obstructing a constable in the performance of their duties.

He was sentenced at the same court on Monday 8 March 2021. At around 11pm on Thursday 1 August 2019, Dorset Police received information that there was a Seat car parked on Exeter Road in Swanage and the driver was believed to have wraps of white powder on his lap.

Officers attended and located the vehicle. As they approached the driver’s side where Bates was sat, he was seen to place a substance into the pocket of his hooded top. Bates then exited the vehicle and began to make off, but was stopped by officers.

As officers tried to detain Bates he began to fight with them.

Bates was found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected illegal drugs and a small quantity of cash.

He was arrested and taken into custody. A search of Bates’ home address was carried out and a sock containing £990 in cash was located.

The drugs that were seized were analysed and found to be cocaine, ketamine and MDMA with the total value estimated to be between £540 and £1,150.

Detective Constable Kelly Wood, of Weymouth CID, said: “I am pleased that we were able to bring Bates before the court. Drug-related crime can have a real detrimental impact on our communities and we are determined to do all we can to catch offenders.

“I would urge anyone with information about suspected drug-related activity to contact us at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset. pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”

The Purbeck Gazette

Dorset Council Consults On Homeslessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy

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orset Council is asking for feedback on its draft strategy to tackle the pressures of homelessness and rough sleeping.

A consultation launched on 22nd March 2021 and runs for six weeks until 30 April 2021 to give residents and local organisations the chance to review and submit comments on the approach the council wants to take.

The strategy has been developed following a review of homelessness in Dorset taking insight from local agencies, organisations and individuals with direct experience of homelessness. It aims to provide a single plan for agencies working together to tackle and prevent homelessness in the area.

By focusing our efforts we hope to: • Provide better support for vulnerable families and communities where homelessness exists • Improve the help available for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness • Work to address the causes of homelessness • Work collaboratively throughout the council so that we can demonstrate need and ensure we fund the right activities • Benefit from the essential contribution of national and local public bodies, housing associations, voluntary organisations and community groups Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio for Housing and Community Safety said: “This five-year strategy seeks to tackle all forms of homelessness in Dorset and has been developed through extensive research conducted with many of the organisations we work with, people who have been or currently are homeless, and our own council services and councillors. Following these conversations, it’s clear there are specific areas of focus if we are to truly tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Dorset.

“We think we have set out the right approach to help all people at risk of homelessness in Dorset but we need your feedback to make sure. If this is an issue of importance to you, please read our strategy and take part in the consultation.”

The consultation is open for comments until 30 April 2021.

To view the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and take part in the consultation go to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ homelessness-strategy If you need help to access the draft strategy and take part in the consultation, please contact Dorset Council on 01305 221000.

MGAR Run For Rescue!

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re you looking for a new challenge? Do you enjoy supporting rescue animals?

We are asking people to pledge a fitness activity to raise money for rescue animals. It could be a walk across beautiful Purbeck or get creative tasking yourself to jog the distance of your pets age in miles?

Whatever you decide to do, we are here to support your journey!

We would love to help you reach your fundraising and fitness goal, let us know what you have planned by emailing christine.rolfe@mgar.org.uk Running or walking is a great way to help support wellbeing and you will also be helping the animals in our care. www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk

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Domestic Abuse Support Still Available

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ith the continued pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorset residents experiencing domestic abuse are reminded they can get confidential advice and support.

For some people, home is not a safe place right now. Lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have left them feeling trapped and at greater risk of harm.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety said: “If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please reach out. Specialist advisers have been available throughout lockdown, and continue to be there. They will listen to you, and together you can talk about different options and work out what is right for you. Whether it’s talking through worries or making a safety plan, these support services can be contacted 24 hours a day to help you.”

Where to get support In an emergency, always dial 999. Speak to You First advisers anytime day or night on 0800 032 5204. Alternatively, you can see a range of other support options at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dvahelp.

Or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

More funding for support Dorset Council is also set to receive an additional £650,000 from the government to fund a new duty providing support for victims and their children, including safe accommodation. This is part of the government’s forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Andrew Kerby, Chairman of the council’s People and Health Overview Committee, said: “Domestic abuse is unacceptable, and we are committed to preventing it, supporting victims and prosecuting offenders. This money, and the Domestic Abuse Bill, will strengthen our response, providing adults and children with the right support.”

Codeword scheme Dorset Council is also supporting the national AskforANI campaign which enables victims of domestic abuse to get support at their local pharmacy.

Cllr Molly Rennie, Dorset Councillor who leads on domestic abuse work, said: “The situation around the pandemic makes it more difficult for people to seek discreet help. By asking for Ani at their local pharmacy, they can get confidential support in a safe place.

Cllr Rennie continued: “Look out for a poster in the window of your local pharmacy and ask for Ani (pronounced Annie). You’ll be taken by a staff member to a private room where you will be put in touch with support services which can help you. Please reach out, you are not alone.”

Picnic In The Park? Yes Please!

Picnic in the Parks launches with ideas to live well and love nature e’re excited to announce that Picnic in the Parks, a popular event in Dorset, has moved online and is full of fresh ideas to find inspiration, discover new experiences and enjoy fun health and naturerelated activities.

Spending time engaging with nature, indoors or out, boosts your mood, self-esteem and motivation to be active.

By moving the events online, people can find fun new ways to enjoy nature and look after their health from home. Created by Stepping into Nature, Natural Choices and Active Dorset, along with local organisations and community groups, there is a range of activities to suit. To explore the park, visit www.picnicintheparks.org Steph Aburrow, Stepping into Nature Project Officer said: “There is a fantastic mix of activities and is all available for free. You could choose to

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go on a virtual walk-through Dorset’s countryside and beaches, take part in Park Yoga and creative writing and even learn about Dorset’s history and wildlife.

“As the seasons and Covid restrictions change, so will the mix of activities available so you can keep returning for new inspiration. It is just a really positive place to explore and is great used when you are stuck for ideas of things to do!”

At the start of 2020, there were ten Picnic in the Park events planned across Dorset, however as Covid-19 came along all the events had to be cancelled. The events were growing in popularity and were a fun way for people to find out what was available in their local community so creating the website will keep this going.

Maria Clarke, Dorset Local Nature Partnership Manager and Natural Choices lead said: “We would love to know what people think of Picnic in the Parks and what else they might like to see on the pages to keep improving it. As a thank you for taking part in a short survey we are offering a Dorset Food and Drink hamper prize worth £50”.

If you would like more information, please email stepin2nature@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 224788.

Picnic in the Parks is funded by National Lottery Community Fund and Sports England through the Stepping into Nature and Active Ageing projects.

The Purbeck Gazette

People’s Assembly Zooming Is Booming!

STRONG VIEWS ABOUT DORSET LOCAL PLAN n the 2nd March 2021, Corfe Castle Parish Council had a wellattended and highly successful People’s Assembly on the Dorset Local Plan.

Meeting over Zoom, over sixty Dorset residents expressed strong views on the Local Plan. The meeting set its own agenda and the headlines are: The 30,000 Housing Target: The target needs to be challenged, it needs to have a more even balance between private and social housing/mixed equity and second homes need to be discouraged.

Jobs: The Plan does not set out how Dorset is going to get the extra jobs needed for the extra people. Dorset needs world class broadband if it is to succeed.

Climate: There is no sense that Dorset Council has integrated the Climate Emergency, which it has declared, into its plans. We should focus on green tourism, which protects the environment. It is our environment, which makes Dorset so special. We must do more to reduce energy use and generate green energy.

The Parish Council is the only local Dorset Council to sponsor a People’s Assembly on the Local Plan. Those attending decide on the issues they wish to raise, there are breakout rooms with everyone having the chance to discuss issues in depth and every comment is captured and recorded.

Cllr Steve Clarke, Chairman of the Parish Council said: “The Dorset Plan is important to our futures but Dorset haven’t tried to involve people in local meetings through video.

“The plan itself is unreadable - over two thousand pages! The People Assembly’s brilliant format does allow everyone to get to grips with the issues and express a view.

“All the views captured in our Assembly have been sent to Dorset Council”

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Wareham Town Council Update Julie, our Gazette correspondent, details the goings on in recent council meetings.....

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efore the meeting, Councillors observed one minute’s silence in memory of Mrs Renate Osmond.

“The Pedestrianisation of Wareham Quay” is a paper, prepared with the support of Planet Purbeck and presented to the Council by a group of Wareham residents. It was received without comment or questions, giving no clue as to Councillors’ thoughts on the scheme.

Although the decision would be made by Dorset Council (DC) which would lose parking revenue, the eighteen residents hope to get the backing of Wareham Town Council.

DC will continue to provide tourist information through the visit-dorset website but will not fund Wareham Tourist Information Centre which will need to move from the library shortly. Councillor Ezzard is investigating other possible sites and Councillor Goodinge suggested the Post Office.

The Planning and Transport Committee had raised an objection to the application to change the use of Harry’s Bar to residential without first exploring all the possibilities of commercial use.

Councillors accepted a Grant Application Policy which lays down the conditions under which the Town Council will award a grant and includes an amended application form. The Officer / Member Protocol defines how Councillors and Council Officers will interact and how Councillors will present themselves when dealing with the public and Press.

The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group had prepared a response to the Dorset Local Plan Consultation which was agreed by the Town Council.

It supported the amendment in the Local Plan which stated that there were no exceptional circumstances to justify the change of use of Green Belt at Wareham.

The housing requirement for Wareham has been met in the Wareham Neighbourhood Plan. Wareham Town Council would like key employment status removed from the south side of Johns Road so that it could be used in the future for housing.

The Council would like the Local Plan to stress that any out of town development will not be supported if it will have an adverse effect on Wareham town centre or Carey local centre.

The Mayor Elect for 2021 / 22 is Councillor K. Green and the Deputy Mayor Elect is Councillor M. Russell.

The next meeting of the Council will be on Tuesday 13th April at 7pm.

Details are on the Council’s website, www.wareham-tc.gov.uk, or ‘phone 01929 553006.

Questions and comments must be submitted to the Town Clerk beforehand.

SELF STORAGE UNITS From 10ft x 6ft up to 15ft x 16ft For furniture, classic cars, documents Insured & Alarmed At East Stoke, Wareham www.purbeckselfstorage.co.uk

Call 07836 369969

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Three Jailed Following Cannabis Factory Find

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hree men have been jailed in connection with the discovery of a large scale cannabis factory at an industrial estate in Wareham.

Kastriot Aliaj, aged 31 and of no fixed abode, Arber Aliaj, aged 23 and of no fixed abode, and Leonard Bruci, aged 27 and also of no fixed abode, were all sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Kastriot Aliaj was found guilty following a trial at the same court of offences of being concerned in the production of a class B drug and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. He was sentenced on Monday 29 March 2021 to five years in prison.

Arber Aliaj and Bruci both admitted an offence of being concerned in the production of a class B drug at an earlier hearing on Friday 26 June 2020.

They were sentenced on Friday 29 January 2021 to two years and three months in prison.

A fourth man, aged 47 and of no fixed abode, was also charged with being concerned in the production of a class B drug but the jury did not reach a verdict in his case following a trial and he will face no further action.

At around 11.45pm on Friday 27 December 2019 officers executed a warrant at a number of industrial units on the Sandford Lane Industrial Estate following reports of suspicious activity involving a white van.

Officers discovered that the units had been knocked through to form a single large cannabis growing facility, with the building separated into different growing zones using plastic sheeting. They discovered a number of plants at various stages of growth.

Bruci, Arber Aliaj and another man were located inside the premises and arrested. All three stated that they were Albanian nationals.

Kastriot Aliaj had been stopped in the white van seen acting suspiciously and he was further arrested in connection with the discovery of the cannabis factory.

The total number of plants, including cuttings and seedlings, that were found in the building was 2,122. A drugs expert estimated that the total value of the crop was between £594,160 and £1.78 million, with a potential annual value from plants grown at the facility of between £2.376 million and £7.129 million.

The fingerprints of Arber Aliaj and Leonard Bruci were found on various items of growing equipment in the factory.

Analysis of phones seized from the defendants showed that Kastriot Aliaj had been in repeated contact with the others and appeared to be travelling between Birmingham and Wareham on a regular basis.

Detective Constable Declan Cummings, of Dorset Police, said: “These men were clearly involved in a major operation to produce illegal drugs and thanks to information received from a member of the public, we were able to uncover their factory and seize a significant quantity of cannabis.

“We are fully aware of the detrimental impact the supply of illegal drugs and related activity has on our communities and we will do all we can to disrupt the efforts of those involved in the supply chain.

“Anyone with information about drug related activity in their area is urged to contact us at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police. uk or by calling 101.”

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Deer, by Dave Hill

‘Floating’ Cruise Liner in Swanage Bay, by Sandy Edwards

Goldfinch, by Denise Exon

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Radar Memorial from The Lookout, photo: Keith Darbyshire – St Albans

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The Purbeck Gazette

The Radar Memorial, photo: Keith Darbyshire – St Albans Head NCI

e can sum up our work by the simple phrase, ‘Eyes along the Coast’ and for ninety-nine percent of the time we rely on what is often referred to, in naval circles, as the Mk1 eyeball.

However, on some occasions, the poor visibility means that we have to supplement our watchkeeping with our radar.

Visitors to the stations may well be familiar with the sight of the radar scanner spinning around and we are all familiar with the radar screen from countless television programmes.

What’s fascinating is both St Albans Head and Peveril Point were involved in the development of radar in the 1940’s. The contribution is recognised by the iconic radar memorial close to the St Alban’s lookout. This was put there in 2001, in conjunction with Worth Parish Council and the Purbeck Radar Museum Trust, and was unveiled by Sir Bernard Lovell.

Work on radar began during the late 1920s and early 1930s and some of the early research focussed on using radio waves as a weapon. Death rays featured heavily in the science fiction of the time and it was not uncommon for inventors to propose their “black box” as the next great weapon. The late radar historian, Dr Bill Penley, talks of a prize of £1000 being offered to someone who could kill a sheep at one hundred yards with their device. He sums the success of these ideas up in an amusing comment, “the mortality of the sheep was unaffected”!

However, it was quickly realised that the reflection of radio waves could be used to detect objects at a distance and throughout the mid 1930’s work on radio direction finding (RDF) continued at a pace. RDF was the term used until the Second World War, when radar (Radio

Detection and Ranging) become the more common term. By the start of the Second World War Britain had a ring of coastal Early Warning radar stations and these were given the codename Chain Home or CH for short. At this time radar stations and systems were nothing like the ones we are familiar with today. Each station consisted of series of large aerials, some up to three hundred feet high.

Early radar development work was carried out in Suffolk but, with the outbreak of war, activities moved initially to Dundee and then to Purbeck. Worth was chosen because it had a flat cliff top site, good for testing radar and already had a Chain Home radar.

From May 1940 to May 1942, the scientists worked on developing the radar, improving both it’s accuracy and power. One of the key breakthroughs came from the work done on what was called a cavity magnetron. This device not only increased the power of the radar but also played an important part in moving away from the need for an aerial assembly. The magnetron also played a part in the development of modern microwave ovens!

Initially two hundred staff moved to the area but by the time the unit moved away in 1942 there were over two thousand people involved. The base at Worth Matravers expanded and soon took over places such as Leeson House and local private schools like Forres School in Swanage and Durnford School in Langton Matravers. The work was top secret and security must have been a nightmare as many of the staff were housed in local bed and breakfasts.

Although much of the testing took place at Worth Matravers there were

Memorial Plaque, photo: Keith Darbyshire – St Albans Head NCI

Radar Plaque, photo: Keith Darbyshire – St Albans Head NCI

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Bill Penley plaque, photo: Keith Darbyshire – St Albans Head NCI

other radar sites along the Purbeck coast. A report from 1940 shows that Peveril Point was used regularly for testing.

The Germans were also developing radar and, in early 1942, staff from the Worth Matravers base assisted British commandos in a raid on Bruneval, on the French coast. The commandos successfully captured the radar station and removed key parts of the German radar to examine.

Rumours built up that the Germans were planning a counter raid and the base was moved to Malvern, where it remained for the rest of the war.

The RAF continued to operate radars at Worth until well after the war, and the 360 foot (110 metre) tower was only taken down in the early 1970s. Now all that remains are a few concrete bases and one of the buildings, which has become an outdoor hostel.

Our link with radar doesn’t just stop with the location of our lookouts.

We also have a personal connection. The grandfather of one of our watchkeepers was stationed at Worth as a military policeman. He began courting a local girl and they married before moving away to Hull.

Sixty years later, his grandson moved back to Purbeck and became a watchkeeper at Peveril Point. As Ricky said to us at one of our regular Zoom meetings, if it wasn’t for the radar station, we’d have another spot on the rota to fill!

The memorial to the work was designed by local artist Tony Viney and is a striking stainless steel sculpture close to the cliff edge. It’s well worth a visit if you venture out to St Aldhelm’s Head. If you want to know more about the development of radar in Purbeck, I’d recommend visiting the Purbeck Radar Trust website (www.purbeckradar.org.uk) .

The radar scanner at Peveril Point, Swanage, Nick Reed

The radar scanner at Peveril Point, Swanage (close-up), Nick Reed

This is St Alban’s Head and Swanage NCI, listening on channel 65 ( and watching you on our radar!) out.

Photo below: Purbeck Radar - Worth Matravers base, thanks to Swanage Museum & Heritage Centre.

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Dorset Sets Out Robust Plans For Summer

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n order to tackle some of the more anti-social behaviours seen across the county last summer, Dorset Council has announced robust plans to help manage visitors this coming summer season.

Dorset attracts around 3.6 million overnight visits and 26.4 million dayvisitors annually. In June last year travel restrictions had been relaxed but hotels, campsites and public toilets remained closed due to Covid-19.

Dorset’s most popular destinations became overcrowded and experienced problems with littering, illegal parking and outdoor toileting. Spring and summer 2021 are likely to be very busy again, with ‘stay-cationers’ looking for a coastal retreat but possibly unable to travel abroad until later in the season.

Hotspots last summer included West Bay, West Bexington, Weymouth, Lulworth and Swanage.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Tourism is a very important part of the Dorset economy and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors back after what’s been a very tough year for our business community. However, the impact of so many people on our beaches and at beauty spots, towns and villages was disappointing last year when littering, illegal campers, forest

fires and illegal parking and other anti-social behaviours became commonplace.

“We know how frustrating this was for some of our communities, and we share those feelings. That’s why we’re investing in an ambitious plan to help combat some of those behaviours.

“Using Government funding provided for this purpose, we will employ more parking wardens, put in place more waste bins and collections, improved signage to warn of dangers of disposable BBQs and a possible ban on beach camping.”

Last year, the county also saw a significant increase in motorhome use and illegal camping, with people pitching up in laybys, on beaches and on private land, having campfires and leaving litter behind, often in highly protected areas of Dorset.

Dorset Council is part of a multi-agency group of partners including Dorset Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset health partners and BCP Council, working together to tackle some of the more undesirable experiences from last year.

Cllr Bryan continued: “Dorset is a very special place and we want to protect it. Our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Coastline being just two internationally important designations.

“We have an opportunity this year to create a lasting legacy for Dorset to help strengthen our place in the UK as one of the most desirable places to visit.

“We can only do so much though, to influence individuals’ behaviour.

We hope the measures we put in place will have a positive effect, but the responsibility is on the visitors themselves to behave with respect for the area they are visiting.”

Funding to put these additional measures in place has been given to all councils to help with these very issues. Funding is not coming out of Dorset Council’s budget.

The council is also looking at innovative ideas like electric hot plate installations at key locations to deter the use of disposable BBQs known to cause devastating fires, and new tow-away areas in places where irresponsible parking is a problem. The council is also working closely with landowners to open up properly managed additional camping / parking areas.

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Hospice Launch Bravery Testing Challenge Events

ewis-Manning Hospice Care has launched three new challenges to take place in 2021 and is appealing to businesses, individuals and groups to join in. Challenges include a ‘Fire Walk’, ‘Jurassic Coast Trek’ and ‘Wing Walking’.

Director of Fundraising Tom Goodinge said: “We’ve had lots of people asking how they can show their support for us this year. We decided that we wanted to introduce some fundraising opportunities with a difference.

The past year has been tough for everyone and we aim for our events to bring some much-needed fun, excitement and socialising to peoples’ lives, as well as creating some memorable experiences., “Everyone can get involved with our challenge events from businesses who are looking to develop team building activities, which is needed now more than ever, or friends and family simply wanting to enjoy an adventure together.

“The Fire Walk is challenging individuals to ‘face their fears’ and walk barefoot over a bed of red-hot embers. Training will be given from experts and with an enthusiastic crowd willing everyone on, it’s perfectly safe and is open to all ages (minimum age 12) and abilities. Taking place on Bournemouth beach on the 17th September at 6.30pm, we suggest

bringing your friends and family along to cheer you along and watch you put your bravery to the test.

“The opportunity to take to the skies and wing walk on a biplane takes place on selected dates throughout the year, from Compton Abbas in Dorset. You could be soaring over Dorset and Wiltshire and able to see the stunning scenery from a very unique view! If you don’t want to take to the skies alone you can always get a team or group together to enjoy a fun day out and share the amazing experience together.”

“The Jurassic Coast Trek will take place on 8th – 10th October. It’s a two-day trek along the Jurassic Coast, with the opportunity to potentially spot wildlife such as dolphins, sea birds and butterflies, whilst enjoying the spectacular cliff top scenery.”

“If you would like to learn more, and to register, please visit our website https://lewis-manning.org.uk/challenges/ We are here to help you every step of the way, whether you need help setting up your JustGiving fundraising page, or if you have any questions about any of the challenges, please call our fundraising team on 01202 708470 or email us at fundraisingteam@lewis-manning.org.uk

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donate half of the money to Lewis-Manning, £500 would pay for over 24 hours of care for our patients, reducing isolation and loneliness.”

Harry Presents ‘Supermarket Sweep’ Cheque

ewis-Manning Hospice Care Patron Harry Redknapp took part in ITV’s Supermarket Sweep game show programme and won £500 to donate to the local charity hospice based on Longfleet Road, Poole.

Harry visited the new premises, along with his wife Sandra, to present the cheque to CEO, Clare Gallie.

Commenting on his involvement in the programme, Harry said: “My teammate Paul Merson and I didn’t do as well as we might have hoped but we’re thrilled to have won £1,000, to be shared between Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Paul’s nominated charity, the NSPCC. We also had so much fun taking part in the show, which is hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal.”

CEO Clare Gallie said: “We were delighted that Harry chose to take part in the programme to raise funds for patients in our community and it was brilliant to hear him say the charity’s name on television, all of our staff were rather excited! It was very generous of Harry and Paul to decide to

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A Community Is Heartbroken - Remembering Henry Henry’s family share with you their thanks for supporting their son and share their heartache at losing him to cancer after a long-fought battle.

professionals and strangers worldwide, Henry was given more precious years of quality life. With his treatments he travelled worldwide, mainly to India, where he made new friends and classed them as family.

From the day of his diagnosis, Henry faced his challenges with positivity and bravery. He approached his illness as a minor inconvenience, that allowed him to continue to lead his life to the full, until shortly before his demise, Henry’s passing was brief and with little pain and he was surrounded by his close family. Thanks go out to all the staff at Dorchester County Hospital, who treated him with respect and dignity, and allowed his passing to be peaceful and for our family to have closure.

The family would like to thank everyone for their fantastic support for Henry over the years, which allowed these years to be enjoyed and packed full of life. It is hoped that Henry will be remembered in a positive and loving way, and for those of you that crossed his path, we would love to hear your memories.

As his parents, siblings, family and friends we loved him so much. He was the most courageous person we have ever known, and if you saw him during his illness or bumped into him and asked him how he was, he would always say: “I’m good thanks.” He was a true inspiration to us all and he was such a kind, generous and peaceful person.

We must ensure that we move forward with his positivity to make sure that his memory lives on. This can be done by supporting local charities that helped Henry, (Cancare) and a charity of one of his friends who also suffered a heart-breaking loss (#WillDoes).

So, on this heart-breaking note we know Henry is at peace and with us always. We ask that any funds left from the Gofundme page are used to help others fighting any battles in their lives, and we will continue to support those charities.

Due to Covid restrictions there will be a small funeral service as per the government guidelines. Once the full restrictions are lifted the family and friends will be arranging an event to celebrate Henry’s life and love of music. We will keep you updated.

With love and thanks, the Searle Family Over recent years, the Purbeck community has pulled together to support the Searle family of Swanage.

Henry Searle was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer aged just nineteen and his family have battled since that diagnosis to ensure Henry had the opportunity to undertake any treatment which may have offered him the chance of life.

Our community supported them in this battle by fundraising in a wide variety of ways, doing their best to support the Searle family and Henry, and trying to find ways of offering hope for the future.

This page was laid up only a few days ago, ready to publish, with a heart-warming and searingly honest piece written by Henry’s mum, Vicki. Vicki wrote to bring everyone up-to-date with Henry’s progress and to request one last push for Henry’s fundraising page, hoping to enable him to undertake more treatment which was not available on the NHS. Then the very worst possible news spread through the town of Swanage. Henry had suffered a seizure and he tragically passed away on Sunday 4th April 2021.

Continually putting others before themselves, Henry’s family made the extraordinary effort to ensure the supporting community were aware of what had happened. Henry had suffered a prior seizure in the days leading up to his death and his family were also fighting to keep the Ambulance Car in Swanage for the good of the community (poster on previous page - please print and display).

Below, we share with you the Searle family’s words following the loss of their son: ur dear beautiful son Henry, aged 25, died peacefully at Dorchester County Hospital on Easter Sunday (04/04/2021), twelve days before his twenty-sixth birthday and poignant as he was born on an Easter weekend.

The local ambulance car and the assisting paramedic teams were fantastic and arrived on both days within minutes to try and save Henry, and as a local community we need to pull together, sign the petitions and keep our services here in Swanage.

Henry, at the age of nineteen, was given twelve - fourteen months to live after being diagnosed with the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

With the support, generosity and kindness of family, friends, local community charities, far reaching communities of fundraisers, medical

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Durlston To Receive £35,400 From Culture Recovery Fund

Durlston is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

This award will support the protection of Durlston’s natural heritage and help people benefit from it. orset Council’s Durlston Country Park in Swanage has received a grant of £35,400 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen. Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Durlston Country Park in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced recently.

Durlston is one of the UK’s most important sites for heritage, with an exceptional range of wildlife, geology and historic features including the Great Globe and Durlston Castle. It is much loved by both local residents and visitors, and the rangers offer a huge range of events and exhibitions to help people discover, enjoy and benefit from this very special place.

The Culture Recovery Fund will help the Park recover from the impacts of Covid and support the rangers to manage the expected increase in visitor numbers this summer and make sure that new visitors to Durlston have a great experience, which benefits wildlife and protects the heritage.

It will also support delivery of an exciting programme of events and activities, from art exhibitions, kids events, live music and performances and the creation of a new job to help welcome visitors, manage and promote events and provide new ways to get involved.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. This brings the Government’s total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery.

After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

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Cllr. Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder Highways, Travel and Environment said: “Throughout the pandemic, Durlston has been of huge importance to the wellbeing of local residents. This funding will offer a brilliant boost, to make sure that this unique place can continue to offer fantastic experiences to visitors, while protecting the important heritage which Durlston has to offer.”

Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and hope for the future. We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’s heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “The value of our heritage sites and the people who run them has been amply demonstrated, as they have provided an anchor for so many of us through the dark days of the last year. Vital grants from the Culture Recovery Fund have helped them survive and will now help them recover, as the places we all cherish start to reopen in the months ahead.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England as well as the British Film Institute and Arts Council England.

Images: Top of page, credit Visit Dorset Harbour Media. Below: NJ.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dorset Council Proposes Reducing Office Space

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orset Council’s Scrutiny committee will meet on 25 March to discuss recommendations to reduce the number of council-owned offices in Dorchester by using buildings more efficiently, offering annual savings of over half a million pounds.

The proposals are the culmination of extensive work that began shortly after Dorset Council was formed, reviewing the council’s office estate to identify opportunities to save money and generate income, enabling employees to work in a more flexible way, reducing the council’s environmental impact, and ensuring good facilities and access for customers.

The COVID pandemic has accelerated changes in working arrangements, with employees making greater use of technology and able to work remotely (for example, from home) rather than always from an office.

This means fewer desks and less office space will be needed in the future: it is estimated between 800-1000 desks will be required in Dorchester, a reduction of between 50-60% on current requirements.

Following a recent review of the council’s office estate in Dorchester, a report proposes consolidating all office space requirements for council employees into County Hall, Colliton Park. It also recommends offering any surplus space within County Hall and Colliton Park for use by third sector and other public sector partners.

This would free up other council-owned and occupied offices in Dorchester to be sold or leased. The report recommends seeking planning permission to repurpose South Walks House and South Annexe, Colliton Park for residential use.

It is proposed that the library in South Walks House should remain, with a new customer access point within it.

Dorset Council currently owns and occupies twelve buildings in Dorchester. Some of these buildings are rented to public sector and voluntary sector partners. Dorset Council employs around 4,500 people (excluding schools-based staff) of which 3,000 work from office environments either for all or part of their time. Many of these staff (approx. 1,900) are in Dorchester and this is where the bulk of the desk capacity is currently located and required.

Dorset Council has already served notice on its lease of Princes House in Dorchester. This building will be vacated by the end of March 2021 and all council employees relocated to County Hall. Combined with council staff vacating the South Walks House building, this will save £612k a year.

Dorset Council plans to invest up to £2.1m into a range of energy saving measures at County Hall from the £18.7m grant awarded by Salix for its work to become carbon neutral by 2040. This will save over 103 tonnes of carbon and £25k of utility costs annually.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, said: “These proposals offer a much more efficient use of council-owned and leased buildings in Dorchester and will save money. It’s something we have wanted to do since Local Government Reorganisation took place: Dorset Council inherited a large portfolio of property and assets from predecessor councils that we knew could be managed more efficiently. If approved, these recommendations would enable the council to significantly reduce the running costs of buildings, as well as generate capital receipts or income by using some buildings differently.”

Theft Of Catalytic Converters In Dorchester - Appeal

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fficers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following a series of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in the Dorchester area. The incidents occurred between around 9.45pm and 11pm on Wednesday 31 March 2021.

Vehicles were targeted in Knighton Lane in Broadmayne, Rectory Road and Paynes Close in Piddlehinton and Broken Cross in Charminster.

Officers also believe an earlier incident in Wareham may also be linked to these offences. Police Constable Dave Ash, of Dorchester Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into these thefts, which I appreciate have caused considerable inconvenience to the owners of the vehicles involved.

I would urge residents with home CCTV systems, or anyone who was driving in any of the relevant areas on the night of Wednesday 31 March 2021, to check their footage for anything that might assist our investigation.

“We will do all we can to investigate reports of this nature but we would also urge members of the public to take some simple security steps where possible to help stop these offences from happening. Park the rear of your vehicle close to fences, walls or a kerb or keep your vehicle in a garage where possible. Alternatively, aim to park in a well-lit and well-populated area.

“If you’ve been a victim or witness any suspicious activity in the area, please report this to us.”

The Purbeck Gazette

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Ordnance Survey Unearths Secret Stories For Familes

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ant to know about the fiery friar whose temper led to his abbey getting burnt down? Where the widowed wife of an Elizabethan superstar kept his decapitated head?

With gatherings of up to six and two households now permitted to meet up outside, Ordnance Survey is launching the Secret Stories app to banish those lockdown blues and turn family walks into mini adventures.

The Secret Stories app is free to download and brings Dorset’s towns and cities to life, with each self-guided tour revealing a diverse and interesting mixture of folklore, celebrity, history and myth as you follow the route around.

Each Secret Stories tour varies, but can contain a mixture of audio clips, images, challenges, puzzles, teasers and directions to help you immerse yourself in each location as you move from story to story.

On Sherborne’s Monks and Megastars Tour, families will uncover the hidden history of Sherborne’s Abbey and castles. They will cross paths with the legend of explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, discovering his life, his glory and his unfortunate end.

The first Dorset locations to feature walks include Sherborne, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Abbotsbury, Wimborne Minster, Dorchester, Mudeford, Hengistbury Head, Blandford Forum, Portland and Milton Abbas.

Further Secret Stories tours are planned across the rest of Great Britain throughout 2021.

Nick Giles, Managing Director for OS Leisure, said: “We know it can be difficult to find something for everyone to enjoy together outdoors

which is why OS has created Secret Stories, to make a walk more fun and interesting for the whole family.

“Simply download the Secret Stories app, make your way to the location of your choice, and pick a ‘tour leader’ for the group. Then set off on a guided tour and learn about unique stories together, everything from mysterious deaths to scandalous romances, rogue kings and much more.”

Nick added: “We’re hoping that as we all emerge from lockdown, particularly with the restrictions we still have in place here in Dorset, Secret Stories will be the perfect way to get outside and have some fun while improving your local knowledge.”

Secret Stories is user-friendly for all ages with simple maps to follow and allows for complete flexibility as it does not require you to book onto a guided tour. The app allows users to save tours and enjoy them as many times as they like.

Users can also add their own secret stories by using the app’s Community Stories option.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Save Our Ambulance Car!

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n 15 March, Swanage Town Council unanimously voted for the following resolution: “Swanage Town Council recognises that the retention of the Paramedic Car is vital for Swanage, and that its removal would be a threat to the lives of local people. This Council resolves to make every effort to prevent the withdrawal of the Paramedic Car and to urgently contact the MP for South Dorset, Dorset Council’s People and Health Scrutiny Committee, South West Ambulance Services Trust and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group to secure its retention.”

The Town Clerk has since written to Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, the Ambulance Trust, and local GPs, requesting a meeting to discuss the costs of the service, to look at funding, and to find a constructive way forward.

A joint reply from the Clinical Commissioning Group and the Ambulance Trust suggests a meeting with the Town Council after the local elections, on 6 May. The Town Clerk has also contacted Richard Drax MP seeking a meeting. In October 2018 Dorset Council were given a minuted assurance that our Swanage based emergency ambulance resources would be maintained.

This recognised that we will be particularly badly affected by the closure of emergency and maternity care at Poole, located as we are at the end of the Purbeck peninsula, ten miles from Wareham, and almost thirty miles from emergency hospital care at Bournemouth or Dorset County hospitals.

A Freedom of Information Act response from the Ambulance Trust shows 996 call outs of the Paramedic Car, just to BH19 postcodes (Swanage and immediate villages) in 2019. More than half of these call outs were to category 1-3 emergencies, and there was an average of 35 call outs per month to category 1-2 emergencies, where there is risk to life.

Almost 7,000 people have now signed the petition started by the Chair of the Swanage Area Forum, Mel Norris, and there are garden stakes, posters and banners widely displayed across Swanage and Isle of Purbeck villages.

Our informative website includes the petition, (QR code too) people’s experiences of how the Paramedic Car has supported their family and friends, interviews and media reports: saveswanageambulancecar.org HELP US! Show your support - Put an A4 poster in your window (you can print this directly from page 18 of this edition), and/or an A3 stake in your garden.

Are you in a prominent location? Could you display a banner? Email swanageambulancecar@gmail.com with your order.

Share your experiences of using the service: email the Chair of Swanage Area Forum, Mel Norris: melvyn.norris@icloud.com Sign the petition: Google (search): ‘Save Swanage Ambulance Car’

Santa Supports Schools

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wanage & Purbeck Rotary CIO has recently agreed a generous support package to help young people in the Isle of Purbeck.

Its Youth Committee recently contacted all schools and associated pre-schools in Swanage, Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle to see what help Rotary could offer in this unprecedented year in which schools and pre-schools have been unable to hold their usual fundraising activities.

By Christmas, Rotary was able to hold several successful fundraising events and financial support has therefore been agreed for each school and preschool to support a variety of projects, such as: • Financial help towards the construction of an electric car at The Swanage School, under the Greenpower/IET Formula 24 initiative, and the purchase of equipment for its Band Club.

• Financial and practical help towards the construction of ponds and development of wildlife areas in primary schools, and a therapeutic Year 6 legacy art project with The Koru Project.

• Provision of an outdoor shelter/reading room and play facilities, a bench for outdoor use and support to purchase IT equipment and consumables for pre-school children.

The local community gave generously to Santa’s Sleigh, so it seems fitting that Santa helps its children move out of lockdown and back into life at school. Thank you, Santa, and the generous people of Swanage, Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle!

losed c y l t n urre 2th April! c s i p o 1 !

Our shll reopen ono seeing you t i but w k forward o We lo

The Purbeck Gazette

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Force Responds To Rise In Stalking Cases

n recent months Dorset Police has seen a rise in reported stalking offences reflecting a national increase in domestic related incidents.

The increase in offences is likely partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2020 there have also been changes to the way these offences were recorded, with harassment offences that are domestic related now recorded as stalking offences. The Force recorded 565 stalking offences between April and September 2020. In the previous year during the same time period 184 such offences were reported. However, figures for harassment dropped comparing the same time periods from 1155 in 2019 to 961 in 2020.

Detective Superintendent Jim Beashel, of Dorset Police, said: “The impact this type of crime can have on a victim can be devastating and long-lasting.

“We treat all reports of stalking seriously and it is a priority for the Force to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Dorset Police works closely with partners and other agencies to encourage reporting and to support victims. The Dorset Stalking Clinic sees core agencies working together with the aim of sharing detailed information to ensure the best possible practice is followed in relation to safeguarding and crime prevention.

“We are continuing to raise awareness of stalking offences with our staff and officers to ensure that victims are listened to, supported, and investigations are conducted as effectively as possible. All new recruits are trained in dealing with stalking and harassment offences.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of stalking to have the confidence to come forward and contact Dorset Police. We are here to help and have officers trained to support you. If you’re experiencing persistent and unwanted attention, and the behaviour is making you feel fearful, harassed or anxious, then please contact Dorset Police online at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.Always dial 999 in an emergency.”

How Has A Year Of Lockdown Affected Our Children?

Children in the South West Are Spending an Additional Three Hours Per Day in Their Bedrooms Due to the Pandemic - Research has revealed the impact that spending more time indoors has had on children in the South West. ore than half (53%) of parents in the region claim their children are spending more time in their bedroom than they did pre-Covid. On average, these children are spending an additional three hours in their rooms per day. More than one in ten (16%) parents whose children are spending more time in their rooms say they are spending four or more additional hours in there every day, suggesting that many children are spending almost the entire day in the same room.

The study, conducted amongst parents in the UK by leading name label and wall sticker manufacturer My Nametags (https://www.mynametags. com/), assessed how children are spending the additional time indoors and the impact it is having on the next generation.

The impact is significant. More than a third (37%) of parents in the South West whose children have been spending additional time in their rooms are concerned that their children have been negatively affected by this.

Only a tiny minority (five percent) said the impact has been positive. This reflects the feelings of parents across the nation, with nearly half (44%) of UK parents expressing concern about the additional time their children are spending in their rooms.

Boredom is the most common by-product of spending more time confined to their rooms, according to parents in the South West, with more than

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half (53 percent) saying their children are often at a loose end. However, parents referenced a wide range of negative side effects, demonstrating the true extent of the impact lockdown is having on children’s wellbeing.

These include being less motivated (47%), having a shorter temper (47%), and being more frustrated (26%). Many parents also cited that their children are more easily distracted, have experienced loneliness, and have less confidence than they did pre-pandemic.

The impact on children comes as no surprise, given that they are now using their bedrooms for all aspects of their lives. The study found that children are regularly using their rooms for playing (47%), socialising (42%), schoolwork (32%), and even eating meals (11%).

Commenting on the findings, Parenting Expert Bea Marshall says: “It is evident from this research, and other research that has been published over the last year, that the impact of the disruption to our children’s lives due to Covid-19 has been significant. Lockdowns and other restrictions have meant that whole families have had to completely rethink life together and that has meant a dramatic increase in time spent together in one place, largely indoors.

“The impact of Covid-19 on our children’s mental health is significant and is showing up in their behaviour and engagement. As we move towards fewer restrictions, our children will have the opportunity to restore balance as they spend time with friends again, go back to their classrooms, and hopefully longer days and warmer weather will lead to more time outdoors.”

The Purbeck Gazette

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Solar Streets Come To Swanage!

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espite lockdown, a lot has been happening on the environmental front in Purbeck. After declaring a Climate Crisis in September 2019, Swanage Town Council recently published their Environmental Action Plan and it was very well received at a Zoom meeting attended by more than seventy people.

Now Sustainable Swanage, which is supported by Swanage Town Council, Dorset Litter Free Coast and Sea and other local organisations, is launching an initiative called Solar Streets, promoting the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels by households and businesses in Swanage and the surrounding villages. Even though many people are keen to install solar panels, the cost is often a barrier. Sustainable Swanage looked for a way of making it more affordable, and came across the Solar Streets initiative in Frome, where lots of houses had had panels installed at a discounted price.

The company that did the installation was IDDEA. It was able to offer a reduced price because it can bulk buy panels when it does a lot of installations in one area. Sustainable Swanage felt that it would be good to offer this in Swanage and the local area. They launched ‘Solar Streets’ at an on-line Zoom event held on Wednesday 17th March. The project was explained and questions answered.

So how much might solar panels cost? Prices will vary according to the size and aspect of the property, and what add-ons are chosen, but the starting price is about £4,000 for a 3-4 bedroom house. It may be possible to get a loan to fund the investment. One provider is Lendology CIC, which works with Dorset and other councils in the South to fund home improvements for their residents.

Another nice thing about Solar Streets is that for every installation done, IDDEA contributes to a Swanage Sustainable Community Fund – £50 for residential and £100 for commercial – that will be used to fund environmental projects in Swanage. Anyone in Purbeck is welcome to contact us and hear how Solar Streets works, but for the moment only residents and businesses in South East Purbeck – that’s Swanage to Corfe, Studland to Worth – are eligible to apply to the Solar Streets scheme.

If it goes well at this end of Purbeck, then Wareham and its surrounding villages may ask to be the next in line!

Lucinda Neall, Purbeck Energy Group, Sustainable Swanage Steering Group

URING D N E P O E R WE A !

LOCKDOWN

The Purbeck Gazette

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Consultation On New Affordable Homes In Langton

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onstruction has started at a housing development in Langton Matravers which will provide the local community with 28 new affordable homes.

Housing association Aster Group is building the 15,133 square foot scheme, called Spyway Orchard, comprising of one-bedroom flats alongside two, three and four-bedroom houses. Eight of the homes will be available to purchase through the shared ownership scheme, with the remaining homes available for social rent. The majority of the homes on the scheme will be available for local residents or those with a strong connection to the area.

Shared ownership is an affordable way onto the housing ladder, buyers purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share. This reduces the size of the initial deposit required and if they want to, buyers can buy more shares in their property (called staircasing), eventually leading to outright home ownership.

Working with developer Drew Smith Ltd, the properties have been designed to reflect the local Purbeck character. Using locally sourced stone, the properties will be traditional in style and in keeping with the rural nature of the village.

The site will also have an Ecological Enhancement Area and features including bat boxes, bird boxes, the installation of bee bricks and a

‘hedgehog highway’ providing gaps in the fencing between gardens to allow hedgehogs to move freely.

Commenting on the much-needed affordable local housing, Mary Sparks, Clerk to Langton Matravers Parish Council, said: “Though the Council has in the past had reservations about development at Spyway Orchard, we are very pleased to see Aster building new affordable homes which will contribute in so many ways to the well-being and sustainability of the village community.”

Amanda Williams, Group development director at Aster, said: “We’re pleased to work in partnership with Drew Smith Ltd to bring more affordable homes to Langton Matravers, enabling local residents the opportunity to live near the people and places they love.

“The local community has been at the heart of every decision we’ve made from architectural designs, which reflect the famous Purbeck character, to working closely with the parish council to ensure the construction of the homes will be sympathetic to day-to-day life in the village.”

The homes should be ready for the first residents to move in to in winter 2021, with all homes completed and available by late spring 2022.

For more information about Aster Group visit www.aster.co.uk

New Support For Lewis Manning Volunteers

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icola Garsden has joined Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in the role of Volunteers Manager. She has vast charity and healthcare knowledge and experience, having previously worked in the hospice sector for thirteen years.

Nicola said, “I am really looking forward to getting to know all of our amazing volunteers and have ambitions to really support and grow the team. At Lewis-Manning Hospice Care we are always looking for new recruits and have a huge variety of different roles to fill: retail, day hospice, drivers, administration and complementary therapy.

“Not only would you be helping the charity and people in your local community, there are many personal benefits from volunteering, ranging from confidence building, to socialising, meeting new friends, gaining new

skills and experience, which can be transferable to the workplace.

“We would also love to achieve the ‘Investing in volunteers’ accreditation, which is a UK quality standard for good practise in volunteer management.

We really want to make every volunteer that comes to us feel truly valued and part of a brilliant team that’s achieving great things for our local patients. “I would urge anyone interested in becoming a volunteer to get in contact, you can reach me by email: Nicola.Garsden@lewis-manning. org.uk or call 01202 708470.

CEO Clare Gallie advised, “We are delighted to welcome Nicola. She joins at a pivotal time in our growth and will be an invaluable member of the team.

“We have a number of fantastic volunteers who help us to deliver our care and support our office and fundraising initiatives without them we simply would not be able to help the local people that we are here to care for, and with Nicola’s experience and drive I am sure she will bring many more fantastic people on board to help.”

The Purbeck Gazette

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£37.5m Plan To Provide Education For SEND Children

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mbitious plans to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND (special educational needs and or a disability) and reduce future costs have been unveiled.

A total of £37.5m has been secured for the next five years to help deliver the council’s aim, set out in its Children’s Plan, of providing the best education for Dorset children and young people with SEND. These bold plans, detailed in the new SEND Capital Strategy, include the creation of new special schools with fantastic facilities and the expansion of high quality provision at Dorset’s existing excellent special schools. Dorset Council also wants to develop new facilities at many mainstream schools, such as special bases, to support children and young people with SEND. These plans, which were recently approved by councillors will be examined again at Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting on 6 April when the Capital Programme for 2021-22 is considered. The ambitious SEND strategy will also help reduce some costs in the longer term. Currently some children

and young people with SEND have to be sent away, sometimes far from home, for independent educational provision, because there is not enough specialist provision available within Dorset.

Independent provision costs around £60,000 a year per child, compared to around £22,000 for high quality provision at one of Dorset’s own special schools. Currently more than 250 Dorset children and young people have to attend independent provision at a cost of around £14 million a year.

Dorset Council has developed these ambitious plans because the need for more special educational provision is growing fast. There were 1,000 children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans in Dorset in 2015, but by 2020 it had almost doubled to nearly 3,000.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said: “We have to be bold if we are to secure the best education for all children in Dorset. I am proud of these ambitious plans, which I believe will improve the lives of Dorset children and young people with SEND. I know people will ask ‘why are we spending money at this difficult time’ but we have to, firstly because we want to make Dorset the best place to grow-up for all children and young people, but also because creating our own high quality provision will save money in the longer term.”

Last month, Dorset Council unveiled ambitious ideas to transform the former St Mary’s School, Shaftesbury, into a special school. This idea, which remains the council’s preferred option for the site, has now been considered by local people and groups – thank you to nearly 1,500 people who contributed their views.

The consultation has now ended and the results will be published shortly.

Councillors will now carefully consider all views before deciding whether St Mary’s will become a special school and part of the ongoing project to increase SEND provision in Dorset.

Plans for a new school specifically for children with autism and complex learning difficulties are also underway and form part of the strategy to create more SEND provision. Dorset Council will shortly be inviting families whose children have special educational needs and or a disabilities to a special briefing about the wider SEND strategy.

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Business

The Purbeck Gazette

Beware tax deadline scammers

There was a lot of build-up and expectation surrounding Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget on 3rd March 2021 in which he announced his three-point plan to achieve the following: • Continue doing what it takes to support British people and businesses • Fix public finances • Begin the work of building the future economy Since March 2020, 700,000 jobs have been lost, the UK economy has shrunk by 10% and borrowing is at its highest level since World War II. However, the OFBR (Office for Business Responsibility) did have some good news in that the recovery had been swifter and more sustained than it had predicted in November 2020. It is now expecting our economy to return to pre-COVID levels by the middle of 2023, six months earlier than it had previously thought.

There were big announcements, such as the extensions of the Furlough Scheme and the Stamp Duty holiday and rises in Corporation Tax for larger businesses, but I wanted to have a quick look at how the Budget announcements affect those with investments.

The Personal Tax Thresholds for 2021/22 have already been set at £12,570 for Basic Rate Tax and £50,270 for Higher Rate Tax. These will be frozen at these levels until April 2026.

Similarly, the current Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax thresholds will be frozen at their 2020/21 rates until April 2026. In respect of Capital Gains Tax, this means that the annual allowance is frozen at £12,300 until April 2026.

The ISA allowance for 2021/22 remains the same as for 2020/21 at £20,000 as does the Junior ISA allowance at £9,000.

The Personal Savings Allowance remains unchanged for 2021/22 and means that interest income of up to £1,000 is tax-free for basic rate taxpayers, with higher rate taxpayers having a £500 allowance.

The Dividend Allowance remains similarly unchanged for 2021/22 and is £2,000 regardless of the rate of tax an individual pays.

The freezing of the various thresholds and allowances is likely to result in some more money coming into the Treasury coffers in order to help pay towards the cost of all the COVID-related measures and debt, but whether there are further changes to the ISA allowances, Personal Savings Allowance and the Dividend Allowance from 2022 remains to be seen.

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

Fraudsters are continuing to target taxpayers with scam emails in advance of the 31 January deadline for submission of Self-Assessment returns. In fact, over the last year, HMRC received more than 846,000 reports about suspicious HMRC contact.

A number of these scams purport to tell taxpayers they are due a tax rebate or tax refund from HMRC and ask for bank or credit card details in order to send the refund. The fraudsters use various means to try and scam people including making contact by phone calls, texts or emails. In fact, fraudsters have been known to threaten victims with arrest or imprisonment if a bogus tax bill is not paid immediately.

HMRC’s dedicated Customer Protection team to identify and close down scams but is advising customers to recognise the signs to avoid becoming victims themselves. For example, genuine organisations like HMRC and banks will never contact customers asking for their PIN, password or bank details.

If you think you have received a suspicious call or email claiming to be from HMRC you are asked to forward the details to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. If you have suffered financial loss you should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Stamp Duty Holiday Extended

New President For Dorset Chamber

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ew Dorset Chamber president Caron Khan hailed the county’s ‘bold and brave businesses’ during a historic AGM. She took the chain of office when the chamber – Dorset’s leading business support organisation – held its annual meeting virtually for the first time.

Nearly seventy members attended via Zoom, including business partners, ambassadors and board members.

Caron said: “The chamber’s place in the Dorset business community is more important than ever and its reputation has never been stronger. There will be further challenges for businesses but there is now a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel as the Covid lockdown eases and vaccination programme rolls out.”

Caron, who runs the Caron Khan Consultancy, added: “I look forward to working alongside the Chamber team to ensure that we don’t just survive as a business community but once again thrive. Then, when we are all finally back together we can celebrate the amazing tenacity of Dorset’s bold and brave businesses.”

Caron succeeded Liz Lean PR managing director Liz Willingham, who was the first person to hold the presidency for two consecutive years. Other appointments included Tony Brown of Y-Not Finance as vice-president and Stephen Mills of Mazars as honorary treasurer.

Members heard how face to face networking will resume in July. They will be mixed in a programme with virtual networking following the success of these event over the past year. Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling also told how demand for international trade services continued to grow. He also announced the launch of a new project called Student Connect to work with students in the Business Society at Bournemouth University, connecting students with the business community.

Mr Girling also praised all involved with the chamber for helping it through ‘possibly the most challenging time’ its seventy-two-year history.

He added: “I know our new president Caron Khan know will take on her role with great commitment and focus and no doubt bring a very creative edge.

“We have come through this past year in extremely good shape financially, our standing in the business community is high and I don’t believe Dorset Chamber has ever been in better shape.”

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday was set to expire on 31 March 2021 but to the relief of many, in the recent budget the Chancellor announced an extension to the scheme in its current format until 30 June 2021.

In addition, from 01 July 2021 to 30 September 2021 those that are purchasing for £250,000.00 and less will still benefit from the SDLT holiday, with normal rates not resuming until 01 October 2021. So what does it mean for current and ongoing transactions?

Any client wishing to take full advantage of the extension has to now complete on or before 30 June 2021. From 01 July 2021 the first £250,000.00 of a purchase price will be free of SDLT, with a rate of 5% being imposed on the portion of the purchase price from £250,001.00 to £925,000.00. Normal, pre-holiday, rates will be imposed from 01 October 2021.

A full breakdown of the rates can be found here - https://www. gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/residential-property-rates For many it is still a race against the clock to ensure their transaction completes prior to the end of the extended SDLT holiday, but regrettably there are many factors which are outside of our control which may mean that completion before the end of the holiday is not going to be possible.

For example, delays within the chain relating to mortgage paperwork, valuations, search results and COVID related illness could all delay an agreed completion date.

If you are a first time buyer, you may still benefit from not having to pay SDLT even after the SDLT holiday deadline has passed, as the relief for first time buyers introduced prior to the current SDLT holiday will remain in place post 30 September.

This relief means that first time buyers will continue not to pay SDLT on the first £300,000.00 of their purchase price, 5% SDLT is then payable on the portion from £300,001.00 to £500,000.00 and for those first time buyers purchasing over £500,001.00 the rates are the same as those that have purchased before.

Whilst many hundreds of thousands of buyers have benefitted from the SDLT holiday since its introduction in July 2020 and more still are now set to benefit from its extension, the timescale for its removal and reintroduction of pre-holiday SDLT rates has now been set out.

For further information and should you have any questions about completing before the end of the SDLT holiday please speak with your Conveyancer.

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

01929 768720

The Purbeck Gazette

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Dorset One Of First Areas To Benefit From £5bn Broadband Fund

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olitical and business leaders have welcomed news that rural Dorset will be among the first areas in the country to benefit from the government’s new £5bn gigabit broadband fund. It follows months of behind-the-scenes lobbying for better broadband in Dorset, led by West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Dorset Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wharf.

The funding will be directed at the county’s hardest to reach and most poorly served areas.

Cllr Wharf said: “This is fantastic news for Dorset. To be one of the first areas in the country to benefit from this funding is testament to the groundwork we put in place and our talks with ministers. Improving connectivity is essential for ensuring the county can prosper and that’s why it is one of our top priorities in both the Dorset Council Plan and our Economic Growth Strategy.

“We now look forward to working with the government in identifying the areas that will most benefit from this next generation of gigabit-capable broadband.”

Thousands of Dorset’s homes and businesses are set to benefit from the funding, receiving next generation connectivity. Identifying the areas is underway, with contracts for the work expected to go to tender in late summer/autumn. Building the gigabit-capable infrastructure could start by the end of this year.

Projects will prioritise those areas in Dorset that currently have slow connections and would otherwise have been left behind in broadband companies’ rollout plans. When connected, these premises will have available speeds that could rocket to more than 1,000 megabits or one gigabit per second. It will mean families no longer having to battle over bandwidth and will give people in rural areas the freedom to live and work more flexibly. It will also provide a boost to businesses and the economy.

West Dorset MP, Chris Loder, said: “Relentless effort to improve our broadband is paying off. Almost on a weekly basis, I have pressed the government in the House of Commons to put Dorset at the top of the list of broadband priorities and, last Friday, the government confirmed that we are at the top of the list for the £5 billion Project Gigabit programme to sort out our poor broadband connectivity. This will be a gamechanger for local people and businesses and all the more important post-coronavirus.”

Dorset has almost 96% Superfast coverage thanks to the council’s partnership with Openreach, which began nine years ago. The county is also one of the top performing areas in the country for issuing government voucher funding for rural areas to receive ultra-fast broadband – with 2,085 vouchers, worth £3.9m issued. Dorset Council also invested £1m in the last voucher scheme to top-up the money available to local communities.

However, when it comes to the next generation of gigabit capable broadband, Dorset only has 7% coverage, compared with 38% nationally.

This news from the government will increase the county’s coverage of full-fibre and gigabit capable connections.

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive, said: “This is incredibly welcome news and I am very pleased that Dorset businesses will be among the first to benefit from Project Gigabit. It is essential for our thousands of SMEs in rural areas to have the fastest broadband connections possible to allow them to compete on a level playing field with businesses in urban areas both in Dorset and nationwide.

“As more businesses switch to remote working from home or relocate into more rural areas away from the larger cities in the wake of the Covid pandemic, it will be more important than ever to ensure that the digital infrastructure can cope. This is a great opportunity to not only boost the productivity of businesses in Dorset but also put the county on the map nationally.”

Advice Team Offers FREE Wills With Lasting Powers Of Attorney

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he Advice Team at Dorset’s disability charity, Diverse Abilities, has launched a new offer of free will writing with its partner, Rutters Solicitors, when taking out a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with the Advice Team.

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to give authority to someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity to make them yourself. LPA clients will be referred to Rutters Solicitors for will drafting, including wills with trusts, all free of charge.

Elaine Ewing, Advice Team manager at Diverse Abilities, commented: “We’re pleased to continue our work with Rutters Solicitors, enabling the people we support to receive the legal support they require.

“You do not need to have a disability to be supported by our Advice Team, we’re here to provide advice and guidance to anyone that needs us.”

The Advice Team has recently extended its phoneline hours from 9am until 1.30pm to 9am until 5pm, and provides services including applications for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carers Allowance (CA), Child Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Blue Badges, and Personal Independence Payments (PIP), as well as benefit appeals and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Call 0300 330 5514 on weekdays between 9am and 5pm for more details, or email advice@diverseabilities.org.uk for further information. The Advice Team supports those in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and beyond through telephone appointments.

The Purbeck Gazette

Motoring

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£6.3m To Be Invested In Highways Maintenance

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orset Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve a further £6.3million to help repair and maintain the county’s roads, footways, and cycleways.When approving the 2021/22 budget on 16 February 2021, Dorset Council allocated £15m of new capital funding for specific projects that had not been prioritised at that stage. In a paper being brought to Cabinet on Tuesday 6 April, recommendations from officers for projects to be funded from that total are being put forward for approval.

One of those projects increases investment into highway infrastructure assets by £6.3million, in line with recommendations made by Dorset Council’s Highways Executive Advisory Panel last year. Last year Dorset Council’s Highways Executive Advisory Panel, made up of elected members from across the political divide and chaired by Cllr Cherry Brooks, Lead Member for Highways, worked alongside officers to determine the financial challenges the Council faced in maintaining the road network and how much additional funding would be needed in the coming year and beyond.

Investment in highway infrastructure directly supports corporate priorities, such as public safety and promoting the economy. Highway assets allow for the movement of vehicles for the purpose of business, employment, emergency services, health, education, tourism, and recreational activities.

The additional funding would also cover additional investment in footways/ cycleway assets, that encourage people to make healthier travel choices, in the interests of their health and wellbeing.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, said: “We have a legal responsibility to ensure motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can get to where they need to go safely, and this project recognises that additional funding is needed to address the challenges we face in repairing and maintaining our road network,”

2019 (10), Ford Focus 2.0 EcoBlue Tdci Vignale Est, 5dr, Diesel, Automatic, in Dark Mulberry, Panoramic Roof, Blind Spot Information System, Drivers Assistance Pack (Adaptive Cruise Control Traffic Sign Recognition; Auto High Beam; Adaptive Cruise Control (with Lane Centring Assist & Stop & Go on, Many Extras, 11,200 miles, ......£18,495 2020 (20) Ford EcoSport Titanium 1.0 EcoBoost 125Ps, 5dr, in blue lightning, petrol, manual, Sync3 Navigation with 8-inch Touch Screen, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Rear Parking Sensors, Electrically Adjustable and Heated Door Mirrors, Alloy Wheels.....................£16,995 2018 (68) Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 100Ps EcoBoost, 5dr Hatchback in Race Red, Drivers Assistance Pack, Hill Start Assist, LED Daytime Running Lights, Rear Parking Camera & Sensors, Air Conditioning, Anti-lock Brake System with Brake Assist, Adaptive Cruise control and Speed Limiter, 19000 miles....................................................................….£10,495 2017 (66) Ford KA+ Zetec 1.2 85Ps, 5dr Hatchback in Oxford White, Air Conditioning, PAS, ABS, Remote Central Locking, Electric Windows, Service History, One Owner, CD Player, Bluetooth, Hill Start Assist, City Pack, Electrically Adjustable Folding and Heated Door Mirrors, Rear Parking Sensors, 30468 miles….................................................£6,995 2018 (67) Ford Fiesta Titanium 1.0 EcoBoost 100Ps, 5dr Hatchback in Moondust Silver, Petrol, Manual, Climate Control, Remote Central Locking, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Service History, Front Electric Windows, Blind Spot Information, Reverse Sensors, Electrically Folding and Heated Door Mirrors, 30268 miles…...........................£9,995

2017 (17) Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 Ecoboost 5dr in white, Air Cond, Bluetooth, Electric Windows & Mirrors, Sync 2, Alloys, Radio/CD, 20000 miles..................................................£8,995 2016 (16) Vauxhall Viva SL 10, 5dr, in Light Blue, Leather Interior, Cruise Control, Climate Control, Electric Front Windows, Electric Mirrors, FSH, 15000 miles and only £20 a year Tax ........................................................................£6595 2016 (66) Honda Civic 1.8i-VTEC SR, 5dr, Auto, in white, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Rear Parking Camera, DAB Radio, Panoramic Roof, Electric Windows, Only 24000 miles, FSH….............£12,595 2015 (65) Renault Kadjar Signature NAV DCI Auto in Met Red, Touch Screen Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Panoramic Roof, Cruise Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Bose Premium Audio, Electric Windows, Electric Heated and Foldable Mirrors, Climate Control, Alloys, Reversing Camera, 44200 miles with FSH, Only £30 a Year Road Fund Licence.............................................................................£9995 2017 (17) Nissan Note Black Edition 1.2 in White/Black, Black Alloys, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Air Cond, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, FSH, 21900 miles, Only £20 Year Road Fund Licence.........................................................£6995

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The Purbeck Gazette

From The Kitchen Garden...

Seedy Flapjack

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h , what a relief it was when after the icy and windy spell in February the wind direction changed from the east to the west,the temperature rose and I could actually smell the soil. I recognised the deeply fresh,clean scent of spring…. I was surprised at my own reaction,how excited it made me feel and how uplifted I was. That easterly wind dried up the soil extra quick and as the ground was frozen too ,it made the Kitchen Garden look like a wasteland with nothing going on- just a bleak and windswept patch,looking rather tatty.

However,I know that’s not true. However lifeless things look on top, in the underground new life is stirring and just waiting for the first rays of pale spring sunshine to give just a little fleeting warmth to kick new life into action - then, there’s no turning back and the growing will get seriously underway. Buds are still tightly wrapped, but all ready, waiting to burst open and unfurl at the slightest hint of lenghtening daylight.

The chickens,ducks and the geese are laying well and I’m always in awe, how early they get going after their winter break. Their new runs are still in construction but hopefully soon they’ll be able to move into their new lodgings on fresh ground.

Some of my customers were wondering what I was doing during the quieter winter months,when growing and picking slows down, then stops completely. In those weeks,I spend a lot of effort either fixing damaged structures or putting up new ones...and this always takes a long time- a lot longer than I plan,as these chores are interrupted by bad weather and natural light is just a lot shorter too- before I know it, another day comes to an end and I’m still not done. Luckily, tomorrow is another day...

During a mild spell, I can spot bees busily collecting pollen from the flowering hedges and trees. However, annual veg take a little longer to really get going. The first sown seeds show promise but especially at the beginning of this month germination is slow. Coming to the end of March it’s a totally different story, the difference in growth is remarkable, visible especially on the unheated polytunnel crops. Just being out the wind and gentle watering are beginning to show real results- exciting times ahead!

Every spring I have good intentions to sit down and really take in the wonder of the start of the growing season,before I get sucked in to the race to get everything done on time.

With this in mind and a hot cup of tea in hand, I thought an easy and adjustable flapjack recipe would be just the ticket.

By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden SEEDY FLAPJACK: Ingredients: 200 gr oats 1 pinch salt 100 gr butter 50 gr sugar 1 tbl sp golden syrup/maple syrup/honey 50 gr seeds ( sunflower,pumpkin,linseed or a mix) Method: - put all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix well - melt the butter over a gentle heat - stir the golden syrup into the butter and pour onto the dry mix - combine the wet and dry ingredients thoroughly, then pile into a lined baking tin and flatten with the back of a spoon - stick it into the oven and bake until golden brown- careful not to burn the seeds at 180C for about 20-25 minutes

The Purbeck Gazette

35

The Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists JOIN US IN OUR FABULOUS REAR GARDEN FROM APRIL 12th!

THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A LONG, HARD SLOG FOR MOST OF US, SO YOU DESERVE A PINT IN THE GARDEN WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY! WE WILL BE RUNNING OUR EXCELLENT GARDEN BBQ DURING THE COMING WEEKS OUR GARDEN WILL BE OPERATING ON A ‘FIRST COME’ BASIS PLEASE RESPECT OUR STAFF AS THEY ENSURE COVID-19 REGULATIONS ARE ADHERED TO WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU ONCE AGAIN - SUPPORT LOCAL FOLKS!

High Street, Swanage.

01929 423533

you g n i e to se Local! d r a orw Support f k o ! lo We ain soon ag

all

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Natural Matters

The Purbeck Gazette

Spring Time....

By John Garner

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t was more or less a year ago that I moved in to my current house which is in close proximity to fields and the accompanying agricultural activity.

For the first time this calendar year a walk through the fields was made significantly more pleasant by the inclusion of new lambs.

On warmer days with the windows open or out in the garden you can hear them bleating, one setting off another and the repercussions rolling across the flocks until a pause before another lamb or anxious mother sets the whole flock off again. It’s a very encouraging sound and one that reminded me of how last spring started. It was, by any measure, the start of a very strange year.

This year promises to be different with the usual optimism that accompanies spring being echoed by the positive mood of the people. The vaccines appear to be working and as more and more people get jabbed, we assume the world will begin to find a new normality.

I am not going to even begin to try to predict how that might look. And I think the virus has had enough exposure of late so I’m happy to move on to more positive things.

So, what to discuss this month. I could write about the green recovery, but unfortunately I have little hope that it will actually happen. Perhaps I could write about rural economies getting a much needed input from stay at home vacationers (I cannot bring myself to use the word staycation… oh). But, this is a double edged sword as here in the Purbecks we shall shortly, no doubt be blitzed by holiday-makers (I confess to really liking the tourist influx…mostly).

Now, I know this is not as controversial as say, deciding as a public figure that you no longer want to be in the limelight so you move to Hollywood and put yourself on Oprah Winfrey’s prime time television show with a world-wide audience of hundreds of millions, but it has its pros and cons none the less.

So if not, spring, the economy or tourism, what is this month’s column all about?

Cheese. And a bit about beer.

I’m focussing on cheese this month and here’s why. I got a book about cheese for Christmas and have been happily dipping into it for the last few months. It’s not only a book about cheese, but a social history of British cheese-making to boot. It’s called ‘The Cheese Mongers History of the British Isles’ by Ned Palmer and it’s great. There may well be a beer style follow up column in the offing.

As I write I have just ordered a copy of Pete Brown’s ‘Man Walks into a Pub’: A sociable history of beer, so get a couple of pints in and be ready.

Beer and cheese. Does it get any better? I can’t think how.

I’ll let you make up your own mind about Ned Palmer’s cheese monger book. You should read it. It will enlighten you about cheese-making, whilst also improving your knowledge of the ancient influences on our society, the Roman occupation and the monastic influence on cheese-making to name but a few.

Here in Dorset, a pretty rural county, there are a number of local cheeses as you would probably expect. Probably the most famous is the Dorset Blue Vinney cheese, made from cow’s milk, rejuvenated in the 1980s by Woodbridge farm in Dorset after production had ceased in1960. It’s a blue cheese, hard and crumbly and as tasty as anything made by man. I know. I’ve eaten a lot of it. There are two possible explanations for the name. Vinney derived from an old Dorset word ‘vinew’ which means to become mouldy. It could also be a derivation of vieny in reference to the blue veins running through the cheese. I hope it’s the first as I’m a big fan of language and dialects.

Other local cheeses I am not so familiar with, but my new hobby is to try as many as I can. I shall be ordering some Denhay Dorset Drum cheese which is another cow’s milk cheese wrapped in cloth and wax and is apparently a mellow cheese.

Then there’s Smoked Wolsery Cheese made from goat’s milk and obviously smoked although there is also an unsmoked version. I’m sure there are others all over the county and although not a cheese maker as such, I have a friend who is smoking his own cheddar and I can vouch for the fact that it’s delicious. I’ve had some, outside a pub, with a pint. My own version of the holy trinity.

Well we got there eventually this month didn’t we? It was a bit about beer, a lot about cheese and something about some other things that you can have almost no influence upon. If there’s anything to take from this column this month it’s not just eat more cheese and drink more beer, although it very well could be, it’s about exploring your local food and cuisine.

A friend of mine cycled from Lands’ End to John ‘O’Groats a few years ago.

He had the idea to try a cheese and a pint made in each county he cycled through. That’s a lot of beer and cheese, but what a fantastic premise for a long-distance cycle ride. Ride all day and then spend the evening replacing some of your calories with two of the greatest inventions in the known universe. Perfect.

The Purbeck Gazette

Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary

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Rescue Dog Roo the Radar oo, a Sprocker was brought in at the age of eleven months to the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre in Devon (pictured, above).

The staff could see he had a strong working drive, with his busy little character but environmentally, he was very nervous of new situations.

The Devon & Cornwall Police Dog Section came and assessed Roo at the Wingletang Rescue and Rehoming Centre just outside Tavistock and agreed that whilst he had a strong working ethic, he had a long way to go environmentally, but felt that with the right handler he would make the grade.

Roo was introduced to his new potential handler, who was looking for a specialist search dog. Roo went on trial with his new handler for three months, visiting Exeter city centre regularly and going into different shops/ buildings which helped build his confidence and enabled him to experience

new environments safely. Roo then started to work different areas with real confidence. The charity is thrilled that Roo has now been rehomed to Devon and Cornwall Police and his handler, who he now lives with. The staff are all incredibly proud of Roo, for all that he has achieved so far and they are keeping their fingers crossed for his future training.

They recently received a video from his handler showing Roo, who had only just started searching rooms. He is being taught to indicate through clicker training and toys! Ultimately, Roo is having a great time, is so much more confident and more importantly, using that amazing nose of his!

The team are hoping Roo will follow in Jeff’s pawprints, who was also in their care and rehomed by Dorset Police and is now enjoying life with his official Police dog title! You can read all about Jeff’s story on the Margaret Green Animal Rescue website under ‘news’.

Great news – Boarding is open!

Margaret Green Animal Rescue are pleased to announce that with effect from 12th April 2021 onwards they will be able to offer boarding again for your pets’. Bookings can be made now! If you are planning a staycation for later this year, make sure you book sooner rather than later as spaces are likely to fill up fast.

What an exciting time of emerging flowers, vivid leaf growth, insect reawakening and the sound of competitive bird song. Our first flowering orchid appears upon thin, stony downland soil and reclaimed quarry workings. It is the Early Spider Orchid with furry red / brown arachnid mimicking flowers. Fellow downland blooms include the blue and white of Chalk Milkwort, the lemon yellows of Crosswort and the egg-like white and yellow of Eyebright.

The more widespread Early Purple Orchid also colonises the meadows where Cowslips, Pale Flax and the more localised Sainfoin are discovered. The latter, with large spikes of pink flowers, was introduced in the 1600s as a crop for animal feed. Near Anvil Point Lighthouse the white flowers upon the cliff tops are those of Sea Campion, whilst the yellow of Kidney Vetch and the pinks of Thrift appear nearby. In many locations Bracken and Harts Tongue Fern fronds start to uncurl, unlike the distinctive Adders Tongue Fern.

In Saxon Field it appears as tiny green, upright capes or cobra hoods which each shield a spear like tongue. This “tongue” or stalk is where its spores are released for wind dispersal. Under the pleasure ground’s tree canopy, we welcome the show of Bluebells and Ramsons. The latter’s garlic scent may be noticed before its white flowers.

As the flowers emerge so do nectar seeking butterflies including Holly Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Wall Brown. Watch where you tread, as a Bloody-nosed Beetle, or even an Oil Beetle (with a pronounced rear that resembles a Victorian bustle), may be crossing a path! Bumble Bees emerge from burrows

whilst other insects begin excavating.

Some of us will be hoping to find where this year’s Yellow Hammer territory is, by listening out for the song of ‘little-bit-o-bread-no cheeeeese’. Common Whitethroat are key performers in the bird song cacophony which is essential for the defending of territories and attracting a mate. Upon the sea cliffs it is crowded at times as Guillemots compete for space in the cave ledge.

Under the Governments Road Map to recovery we expect Seventhwave’s takeaway offer to expand, to include outdoors seated dining part way through the month. The Fine Foundation Gallery will not reopen until May at the earliest. We plan to at least have a free Children’s trail for families to use to encourage young ones to venture forth.

When we can reopen our retail and visitor services offering, we hope to provide for purchase another seasonal family trail with prize. Whilst no Ranger-led events can return yet to visit our website to see what information and resources can help you to enjoy your visit. Kindly consult the latest Government guidance before visiting us and do, as always, follow the countryside code.

Visit the Durlston website: https://www.durlston.co.uk/ V i s i t t h e S e v e n t h w a v e d i n n i n g & t a ke a w ay w e b s i t e : https://7eventhwave.com/ View the Countryside Code at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/ the-countryside-code

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The Purbeck Gazette

Discover Your Family’s Wild Side This Summer!

Photo Credit: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com) he RSPB encourages families to get closer to Dorset’s nature this month by taking part in their summer Wild Challenge Activities.

By completing a range of challenges families can earn free Wild Challenge Awards and help give nature a home along the way, whilst having fun outdoors.

Summer is the perfect time of year for families to have fun getting to know the nature on their Dorset doorsteps. Our gardens, window-boxes, parks, and even washing-up bowl ponds, are teeming with wildlife. They are alive with hundreds of weird and wonderful creepy crawlies, bugs and beasties, secretive moths, showy butterflies, and underwater critters.

The RSPB’s summer Wild Challenges will inspire families to get closer to nature, discover ways to help it, and earn awards at the same time. Enjoy a big wild summer together this year, whether that be from your garden, local greenspace or an RSPB reserve.

To find out more about the RSPB reserves near you in Dorset, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves Rosalind Allen, RSPB Education and Families Development Officer, describes: “Wild Challenge is a fantastic way for families to do a whole range of activities to experience and help nature together. It’s really flexible and you can do many of the activities in your local area or your

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garden. Great ideas and simple instructions enable families to have fun outside, get closer to nature and make a difference where they live.”

Find out more about Wild Challenge Here are just four of our Wild Challenges for this summer, discover more for all year round on our website.

Get Dipping Pond dipping is great fun and reveals all sorts of interesting creatures that live in even the smallest of ponds. What’s lurking in the depths of a pond near you? Maybe a mysterious alienlike dragonfly nymph, or a great diving beetle.

Set off on an expedition to your garden pond or visit one of our reserves and take part in an organised pond dip.

Pack a towel Rockpools are home to fascinating and bizarre creatures and getting up close to them is a real treat. As the tide goes out, it leaves behind a world of amazing sea life.

You may spot sea anemones, fast-moving shrimp, or feel the prickly texture of barnacles or the slimy squelch of seaweed under your feet and hands.

Bug Safari Can you spot a wolf (spider), dragon (fly) or tiger (moth) in your green patch? You can find invertebrates everywhere - under logs and rocks, beneath pots, on leaves, in the grass and on walls. Just remember, to them you’re a GIANT, so be very gentle to avoid hurting these tiny creatures.

If you build it…

Now you’ve discovered these amazing bugs and beasties in your own patch – help them out by making them a special home. Create a hotel full of different natural materials, to provide hidey-holes for creatures galore.

The size and construction of your bug hotel is only limited by the materials you have available and your imagination. Just make sure to include some nice rotting bark for your tenants to munch on.

Rosalind continues: “By completing three Wild Challenge activities to ‘Experience Nature’ and three to ‘Help Nature’ you can progress through a Wild Challenge Award level. Whether you achieve bronze, silver or gold, the most important thing is to have fun together as a family discovering and helping the incredible nature living around you.”

As a charity, we can only continue this work if people support us. RSPB memberships enable us to carry out this work, securing the future of turtle doves in the future. More than a million people already support our work as RSPB members – will you join them today? www.rspb.org.uk

Dorset Council Granted £19m Carbon-Reducing Funding Dorset Council celebrates as it receives £19 million of government funding to reduce its carbon footprint ouncillors and officers are working hard on how they intend to update and upgrade Dorset Council’s properties using £19 million of grant funding, awarded by the government to help to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency. This programme of work will be a major step in the Council’s ambition to become zero carbon by 2040 and accelerate several actions in the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Action Plan, helping to meet our 2040 carbon targets without total reliance on capital funds.

The money will go toward switching heating systems away from fossil fuels to heat pumps, improving energy efficiency through measures like insulation, LED lighting and the installation of solar panels on building roofs.

Last year, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launched the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Delivered

by Salix Finance, the national scheme offers £1bn of grant funding for capital energy saving projects such as making public buildings more energy efficient and installing low carbon heating measures.

Dorset Council’s Sustainability team, supported by the Assets and Property team, applied for grant funding to deliver low carbon projects across its estate, as this has been identified through its Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy work as one of the best opportunities for the council to reduce its carbon footprint. It was the Council’s early

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focus on the development of a draft strategy before setting target dates for carbon neutrality that put officers on the front foot when applying for the funding, especially as these grants are being awarded on a “first come first served” basis.

By examining schemes and having several projects ready to help deliver the proposed climate change action plan, the Sustainability and Assets and Property teams were able to put the applications together quickly and make a robust case for why the money is needed.

Dorset Council will now develop a works programme for its properties in the coming months. This will include surveys for lighting, fabric, roof structure and solar, as well as systems design for heat pumps, solar panels, LED lighting, building energy management systems and fabric improvements. The grant will also cover costs for contractors, consultants and work to deliver a retrofit programme of low carbon projects on selected Dorset Council properties.

The programme will lead to significant carbon and revenue savings for Dorset Council, estimated to be in the region of 3-3,500 tonnes of carbon per year (approx. 10% DC footprint) with revenue savings from reduced energy use in the region of £400k per year.

There are also wider economic and social value benefits through strengthening low carbon supply chains and the potential for growth in low carbon sector jobs within Dorset and beyond. All works under this grant must be completed and commissioned by September 2021.

The Purbeck Gazette

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Cows Are Coming To Studland Bay!

By Julia Galbenu (Dynamic Dunescapes Engagement Officer) ave you spotted any new faces at Studland Bay? From April, ten arty cows will be unveiled on the dunes. Our young artists have taken the lead on this, and the cows have been painted by Swanage School, Sandford Primary, Purbeck Youth Club, Stoborough Primary, Dorset Wellbeing and students from Arts University Bournemouth.

There are ten arty cows to find and they have been dotted from Shell Bay into the dunes behind. So, as well as doing our Easter trail at Knoll Beach, attempt our arty cow challenge at Shell Bay! Our ten arty cows represent the actual cows that are coming to Studland

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The Purbeck Gazette

this summer. The real thing may be a little less colourful, but certainly no less exciting. Red Devon cattle will begin grazing Studland’s dunes this year and will help restore this magical place by providing habitats for rare and special life.

They are all part of Dynamic Dunescapes, a nationwide project ambitiously working to restore sand dunes across England and Wales.

Sand dunes are now recognised as the habitat most at risk in Europe. At Studland, rapid vegetation growth has smothered the dunes, open sandy habitats are vanishing, and rare wildlife is declining. Our sand dunes need some help to get them back to their healthy and dynamic ways. Over the

The Purbeck Gazette past year, everyone has been hard at work – volunteers have been clearing invasive species, removing litter, recording data, engaging visitors, while contractors have been clearing some of the dense vegetation and creating areas of sandy habitats.

In the 1930s, Studland Bay was more than 15% bare sand and that number is now less than 2%. Our aim is to raise that number to 10%, and this summer the Red Devon cattle will add to our efforts.

The cows will graze the densely vegetated areas of the dunes, well away from the beach and the busiest paths, at the centre of Studland Bay. They will feed mainly on purple moor grass and willow in the wet areas, but they will also trample through the heather and gorse and help keep our new sandy spaces open.

We have chosen Red Devon cattle, which have previously grazed National Trust sites in Purbeck, because we know that they are calm and docile creatures. You may spot a distant cow if you are walking through the dunes or along Northern Boundary. If you do see the cattle, please do not approach or disturb them and keep your dogs at a safe distance. Taking all your litter home also keeps our cows safe and our dunes beautiful.

Something unusual about our cows is that they will not be enclosed using physical fences. Instead we will be using a new technology known as virtual fencing, where boundaries are drawn up using a smartphone. The cows will be wearing collars, which detect and react to these virtual boundaries.

Our cattle will be checked daily by the grazier, and because the collars have GPS, we can also track the animals and always know where they are.

To ensure the safety of people and cattle, we have also installed a back-up fence with access gates along Ferry Road.

There are many benefits to virtual fencing: people and wildlife can move freely and there’s no intrusive fencing, so enjoy the view. The system also allows us to monitor cattle behaviour and we can easily adjust the fence line to exclude sensitive habitats or busy areas.

Fancy getting involved? Our cattle need ambassadors, people that are passionate about Studland’s dunes, the wildlife and the role cattle have in dune restoration.

Volunteer with us and help look after our cattle, showcase custodianship and engage with members of the public. Email julia.galbenu@nationaltrust. org.uk for details and keep an eye on our website and social media for updates!

Photographs: top of previous page: Our Red Devon cattle wearing their ‘NoFence’ collars. Bottom previous page: Join our volunteer team! Right: Sand Lizards are just one of the species which rely on bare, sandy habitats to survive.

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Sending Out Seeds Of Hope

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orset’s disability charity, Diverse Abilities, has relaunched its #GrowTogether fundraising campaign encouraging everyone to send seeds of hope to friends, family, neighbours, and the community, ahead of the social distancing guidelines coming to an end.

The campaign was created in the first twelveweek lockdown to spread positivity and boost morale among those in isolation and raised more than £600.

For a £5 donation (and 75p postage and packaging charge), the charity will distribute sweet pea and dwarf sunflower seeds for recipients to plant, nourish and grow at home during the government’s lockdown period.

Sunflowers and sweet peas are both known to symbolise joy and happiness, and gardening is proven to help us keep fit, connect with others, and enjoy being a part of nature.1 People can also decide to send flowers to someone they do not know, and fundraisers and volunteers will distribute them to local care homes and community groups, as well as to the people supported by Diverse Abilities.

Naomi Richards, fundraising officer at Diverse Abilities, said: “Our #GrowTogether campaign was so much fun last year and it was lovely to see everyone sharing pictures of their flowers growing into the summer months.

“Last year people commented on how lovely it was to be able to send the seeds of hope to someone they didn’t know, and it was great to drop them off in the community as a little surprise for people.

We hope that by the time they start growing again this year, we’ll all be able to enjoy them together through a summer of reconnecting with loved ones.”

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/growtogether for more details and to place an order.

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Arts & Entertainment

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The Purbeck Gazette

A Year At The Boilerhouse Gallery

s with so many other local businesses, it’s been quite a year for the Boilerhouse Gallery. Thrown into lockdown restrictions just as we were preparing to open up for the season, we had to close the gallery doors. It coincided with the most glorious spring, so there was a large number of walkers enjoying the landscape and none of them able to visit us!

Whilst we were closed, most of the artists were able to carry on working, but some were restricted by home schooling and others had to shield, either for themselves or their families. As summer approached, both Purbeck and Dorst Artweeks were cancelled, but the government eased restrictions, and we were pleased to be able to welcome back visitors into the Gallery.

After months of screen-only communication, it seemed the public were glad to see something tangible again. They enjoyed our quirky space and had a renewed appetite for art. Those pieces that were handmade and original, were especially popular.

With a number of our artists still shielding, we were disappointed that we couldn’t open longer hours. Then, as Christmas approached, the November lockdown was announced. We decided it was an opportunity to set up an on-line shop. So check it out! www.boilerhouse.co.uk A year on, and unable to open once again, work has continued behind closed doors and preparations are being made for Art Weeks. We hope that they will be able to go ahead – the Gallery is always a popular destination to visit. Located next to the railway station in Corfe Castle, it has the added attraction of the extensive Sandy Hill site to wander round during Open Studios. And hopefully there will be live music, if permitted.

The Boilerhouse Gallery is more than the building that houses it. We’re a community of artists who support each other. We miss our customers, not only the sales but also the response and feedback to our artwork.

Making art can be a lonely experience, especially during a lockdown, so we’re keen to welcome visitors back. We will only open when it’s safe to

do so, and whilst we all wait for the rules to relax, do take a look at the online shop, and support artists in these difficult times. And we hope to see you in person, soon!

Burngate Is Changing - Will You Join Us? Dorset Art Weeks.

May 22 - June 6.

Once more with Feeling

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e are excited to be reopening at the end of May - we’re just working through a long ‘to do’ list to make the Centre one of the best places to visit in Purbeck for stone carving and other traditional crafts.

Fancy giving us a hand?

We’re recruiting a new volunteer team to help run the centre, with roles from welcoming visitors and taking course bookings, updating our new website and social media to selling local crafts and running a smarter tea room. We’ll have as much of your time as you want to offer - and no more.

You don’t need to know anything about stone carving, and of course the

" Heather Gibbons - Painting Purbeck in the Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park. bonus of working at Burngate is that it’s just such a fabulous place to be, up on the hill amidst the fields overlooking Swanage Bay. It won’t be long before the swifts are back too. if you’re interested or just intrigued, and regardless of your experience, we would love you to get in touch for an informal chat with one of our new trustees.

Please email us at: info@burngatestonecentre.co.uk and we will get back to you!

The Purbeck Gazette

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Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 2021 IS A GO! (Fingers crossed!) reat news! The festival will go ahead from 19-22 August 2021 in line with the Government road map which aims to remove all legal social distancing restrictions by 21st June 2021.

There will almost certainly be some changes to this small festival and the organisers say that they will continue to liaise with the licensing and Public Health authorities to understand and implement the measures required for the festival to take place safely, and for the wider community to feel totally comfortable. Festival plans are in development and will continue to be updated as those decisions are made.

Capacity of the festival is under constant review. Being a small festival, PVFF is more likely to be able to go ahead than some of the big festivals. And with security and stewards, it will likely be safer than going to the beach!

Festival Director, Catherine Burke says, “We have a very good feeling about this year and are resolute that our little festival can go ahead - not only for our festival goers to enjoy great music, food and crafts, but for everyone who is responsible for putting the festival together.

“From the people who provide the stages and toilets, to the artists/ musicians, to the local brewers who make the beer that we sell, all of these people, and many more, have had a very tough past year and would love to get back to work. But we’ll only go ahead with the festival if it is safe to do so. We are quietly optimistic!”

This is great news and we can’t wait to get back to our local family friendly festival!

We’re looking forward to a great event celebrating folk music from around the world, enjoying music, food, storytelling, culture and crafts.

PVFF have put a deposit system in place where you can reserve your ticket for only £10 and pay the balance closer to the time. If the festival can’t go ahead everyone will receive a full refund.

Weekend tickets: Adult £135 - Youth £70 - Child £30 Locals can use the promo code BH19 or BH20 to get a 20% discount on all tickets.

For tickets and more info: www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

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Pictured: PVFF 2019, by Trev Rich

The Purbeck Gazette

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M

Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column

any of you know that Swanage Hospital has been caring for covid-detected patients for nearly a year now.

Initially it was challenging for some staff to overcome their anxieties about putting themselves and their families at risk, but we all came through by putting our patients first and remembering that we are here to care for them in the way we would want our own families to be cared for.

The appreciation of our patients and encouragement and support of colleagues and our community has been amazing and a huge help.

In addition to the clinical care we deliver, the housekeeping team at Swanage Hospital have played a vital role in keeping patients and staff well and preventing the spread of infection, so this month I want to pay special tribute to the housekeeping team’s positive attitude and resilience.

Every day, they enter and leave the hospital by a specific route, change into scrubs for their shifts and maintain a separate stock room of mops, cloths and equipment to use exclusively on the ward.

As they work, there is a specific procedure for putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, aprons, goggles and face

shields as well as managing all the kit they need to clean a patient room, bathroom, corridor or office to the highest standard.

As they leave a patient area, there is another procedure for disposing of PPE, mops and cloths, for managing waste and cleaning their equipment ready to enter the next area and start all over again.

It’s hot, tiring, repetitive and time consuming. But it works.

So, a huge thank you to every member of the housekeeping team from me, your colleagues at work, our patients and our community.

Until next time, stay safe – hands, face, space!

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 422282. We’re here for YOU, so use our services!

CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar Registered with The College Podiatry & HPCP

Home Visits & Clinic Appointments Comprehensive foot care Diabetic Patient Care

2 Daisy May Arcade, King’s Road East, Swanage

Contact 07979 840542

The Purbeck Gazette

45

MAY EDITION DEADLINE NOON, 20th April

EMAIL your copy to: ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

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

Sport Swanage Bowls Club Update

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wanage Bowls Club new green is ready for its second year and the Club is keen to enter the league competitions run by both Bowls Dorset and Bournemouth & District once we have the formal go ahead in line with the Government’s roadmap for recovery.

The Club will continue with the “Covid safe” procedures implemented last season. We hope to hold our open day on either the 17th or 23rd April, dependent on the weather being kind to the final preparations of the green.

The Club has a triples league, knock out competitions, practice sessions, Friday Club Nights and twice weekly roll-ups as well as the competitions against other Clubs. These are always great fun and of course will be even more so as we move out of restrictions.

Club members are urged to contact Barrie Tatman to express their interest for these competitions. Another important milestone is the stocking up of the Bowlers Arms; a particular highlight for some of our Committee

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members! We are so fortunate to be able to bowl in such a beautiful town and inevitably Club’s from other towns have always asked to play against us as part of their touring holidays.

2021 is no exception and we hope that the summer sees us in a situation where it will be safe to welcome Clubs from other parts of the country.

We hope that the Mixed, Ladies and Men’s leagues across the County will start early into the season and as we were unable to visit other Clubs last year we look forward to resuming the light-hearted rivalries of old!

If you are interested in joining our Club or finding out more about bowls, please contact our President and Secretary, Barrie Tatman on 01929 421162 or email: btatman@hotmail.com You can also find us on Facebook or visit our website: www.

Swanagebowlingclub.org.uk

Swanage Cricket Club Update

ith no winter training this year, all the Swanage Cricket teams are raring to go as soon as we are able to start training outdoors in early April. If everything goes to plan there will be a packed programme for all our teams this summer, with a few warmup matches in April before the various league seasons begin in May. The coming season sees Swanage putting in teams across the age groups from U8s to U15s and we will also be starting a new group for younger children in the near future.

Our older juniors will be getting more opportunities to make the transition to adult cricket as we are once again entering a Saturday 3rd XI hoping they get a full season. Our Women cricketers are joining a softball league with matches around the county.

Our recent A.G.M. was one of change with a number of younger players joining the committee and taking on captaincy roles. This included Ben Hodder taking over as first team captain. Club Chairman Ron Barker also stepped down after his second stint in the role. New Chairman Craig Wells paid tribute to all the work Ron has done for the club before the meeting made him an Honorary Life Member. Luckily for the club he is continuing in his role of Head Groundsman.

Swanage Cricket Club have had a fantastic start to the Season - welcoming back both old members and integrating new ones into the Club.

The Adult Training Sessions are on Tuesday Evenings from 6pm. As well

as that, due to its success last summer, there is also an additional training session on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm.

The Junior Training Times are as follows:Under 7s:- 4.30-5.15 on Tuesdays Under 12s:- 5.00-6.00 on Wednesdays Under 9s:- 4.30-5.30 on Thursdays Under 10s:- 5.00-6.00 on Thursdays Under 13s/14s/15s:- 6.15pm - 7.15pm on Thursdays...

Also, the thriving and ever-expanding women and girls section have training sessions from 5.45pm - 6.45pm on Thursday evenings.

All training sessions are taken by the Club’s fully-qualified coaches.

All matches for the four adult sides (three on Saturday and one on Sunday) and the various youth teams have already started.

For further details/information, please either contact the Club’s Youth Co-Ordinator, Tim Ives, at: timswanagecricket@gmail.com or visit our website: www.swanagecricketclub.co.uk Kind regards, Mike Nash (Press & Media Officer) For all the latest news please visit our website: - www.swanagecricketclub. co.uk or contact timswanagecricket@gmail.com

The Purbeck Gazette

46

Swanage Sea Rowing Club Over 400 Years Of History

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or the last twenty years it has been possible to see a historic sight in Swanage Bay: Cornish pilot gigs being launched and rowed from the Old Stone Quay. You may have wondered what they were and how they came to be here in Swanage. They are owned and operated by Swanage Sea Rowing Club, which has its boathouse in Encombe Road, opposite the new Pier Head building. But what are Cornish boats doing in Dorset?

The pilot gigs are based on the boats which were kept in harbours along the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from the 17th century onwards to take pilots out to incoming sailing ships to help them to navigate into port on the dangerous ‘lee shore’, where many ships foundered in bad weather.

Anyone who has visited Charlestown in Cornwall, location for many port scenes in the TV series Poldark, will know how difficult entry to the harbour could be. Pilot dues were high so there was often competition to see which crew could get their pilot to a ship first, so they raced each other furiously in order to claim the prize.

The boats were sturdy, seaworthy and fast to cope with the often rough conditions, and the crews were strong and fit. It was also not unusual for the gigs to be used for smuggling, with one allegedly making the monumental trip to France on at least twenty-two occasions, bringing brandy and lace back under the noses of the authorities, especially during the Napoleonic Wars, when all imports from France were banned. The gigs were so speedy that a law was introduced to limit them to six oars, as the larger boats could easily outrun the Excise men.

Contrary to popular belief in ‘wreckers’ the gigs were also used as lifeboats, to rescue crew, passengers and cargo from ships which had not successfully navigated the tricky waters. Eventually, however, steamships and modern navigation rendered the gigs redundant, and only a few remained in use.

From the 1920s the last few gigs were still being used mainly for leisure purposes and local races. As the sport of gig racing began to develop, Rowing Clubs were founded in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and new gigs began to be built. In 1986 the Cornish Pilot Gig Association was founded and a specification was drawn up for new boats.

All are based on the gig ‘Treffry’, built in 1838 and still used by Newquay Rowing Club. The CPGA monitors all new builds closely to certify that they meet the exact specifications, without which they cannot be raced in CPGA events, although a few still older boats, the oldest being ‘Dove’ built in 1820, are still permitted.

Gradually the sport spread around the West coast into Devon, Somerset and Dorset, finally reaching Swanage in 2001, when six men sat down in a local pub and agreed to start a club here, each putting a fiver into a pot to start the process, and so Swanage Sea Rowing Club was born. For a long time SSRC was the Easternmost gig club, but now there are thriving clubs at Poole, Langstone, and even In London.

Thanks to the amazing fund-raising efforts of the local community, it did not take long to purchase the club’s first gig ‘Old Harry’, a beautiful fast boat.

It was followed shortly afterwards by ‘Pinnacle’, on loan from Brenscombe Activity Centre. When ‘Pinnacle’ was sold, a charitable donation from The

Valentine Trust enabled the building of “Peveril’. The Storer family very generously allowed the fledgling club to erect a polytunnel on the side of their Pierhead site to store the boats rent-free, and SSRC was on its way to being a major feature of the local scene.

Then came the huge effort of getting a proper boat house. Swanage Council offered a site at the end of Prince Albert Gardens and a small group of members worked tirelessly to obtain grants from a number of charities and to raise funds from events and auctions, with the total being met by a matched grant from Dorset Chalk and Cheese Local Action Group, an EU funded rural development project.

The boat house was built in 2013, from Purbeck stone and is a handsome addition to the Swanage seafront. In the meantime two further training boats were purchased, which are made from glass reinforced plastic (GRP), which cannot be raced in official events, but are much more robust than the wooden racing boats and can stand up to launching and regular use with less maintenance.

In keeping with our tradition of naming boats after local geological features they are called ‘Dancing Ledge’ and ‘Tilly Whim”. Thanks to the generosity of Canford Environmental, we also have another, very fine and fast, wooden gig, ‘Winspit’.

Swanage Sea Rowing Club has been able to access all of these grants for facilities and equipment because it is a registered charity, with the aim of bringing sea rowing to the local community.

The club is open all year round to all and provides a range of activities, from gentle social rows in the bay, to racing in the annual World Championships in the Isles of Scilly each May Bank Holiday. Crews also participate in events such as the Great River Race in London and entered four Boats in the Queen’s Royal Jubilee Pageant in 2012 (more than any other club!) and two in the Magna Carta River Relay in 2015.

Twice a year the club holds a regatta in the bay, in June and October, when we host rowers from throughout the gig-rowing community. There are also onshore training sessions in the boathouse. Members range in age from 11 to over 80, and crews of all genders, ages and abilities can row together in a safe and friendly way.

The club has high standards of training in coxing, first aid, safeguarding and, of course, rowing. Every Saturday morning, and on Tuesday evenings in summer, we hold ‘Open Rowing’ sessions when anyone can come along and give gig rowing a try.

At least we did until Covid -19 reared its ugly head. While we have tried very hard to keep our activities going in a Covid-secure way whenever the rules permitted we have been unable to extend our activities to nonmembers during this time because of the complicated protocols we have had to adopt.

For much of the last twelve months we have been beached, but we hope that by the time you read this we will be back on the water and that by 19 April we will be able to welcome the whole community back to join us.

For further details look at our web site swanagesearowingclub.org. uk or Facebook Swanage Sea Rowing Club

The Purbeck Gazette

Spotlight Event Diary

47

Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for MAY is noon, 20th APR KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.

APRIL 2021

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! 425074.

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.

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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

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

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

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

TEL: 01929 422980

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

Emergency Call Outs - Free Quotations & Estimates Temporary Roof Coverings - Fully Insured

OUR PRICE WON’T BE BEATEN

01929 424553 01258 858214 07813 346993

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The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING

ROOFING SPECIALIST SPARROW’S

SANDIE’S BARBERSHOP 191 HIGH STREET, SWANAGE Open Mon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm, Fri 9am - 2pm, Sat 8.30am - 3pm

Over 30 years

We are closed on Sunday.

Late night Thursday till 7pm

Membership Federation of Master Builders

01929 426364

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

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 INDEPENDENT TELECOM ENGINEER (Ex-BT)

Repair of phone lines & broadband HALF BT PRICES!!

07858 458997 - 01929 554886

The Purbeck Gazette

LOCAL TRADE ADVERTISING Michael B. Alberry

DECORATOR Property Decoration & Renovation

07796 640538 01929 424882

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

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

USE OUR LOCAL TRADES PEOPLE OR LOSE THEM!

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Man & Van available to hire

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

07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured

VIP stockists of YOUR Purbeck Gazette!

Lytchett & Upton Council, Lytchett Minster The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lytchett Minster The Baker’s Arm Pub, Dorchester Road The Clay Pipe Inn, Organford Rd Crossways Post Office, Crossways The Spar Shop, Puddletown The Post Office, Winfrith Mace Stores, Bere Regis Bartletts Store, Bere Regis Holme Nurseries, East Holme Co-op Food & Petrol Station, Sandford Horsey’s Newsagents, Wareham Premier Stores, Carey, Wareham Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Wareham Purbeck Mobility, Wareham The Hidden Deli, Wool Gillett’s Spar Shop, Wool The Lookout Stores, Stoborough Stoborough Garage, Stoborough Foleys Garage, Harmans Cross St Michael’s Garage, Harmans Cross Swanage Tourist Information Centre Swanage News Newsagents, Swanage MColls Newsagents, Swanage Jenkins Newsagents, Swanage Arkwrights Stores, Swange Ballard Stores, North Swanage Costcutters, Herston, Swanage Richardson’s Budgens, Swanage Triangle Garage, Swanage Durlston Castle/Seventhwave Restaurant, Durlston, Swanage The Scott Arms pub, Kingston Corfe Castle Village Stores, Corfe Castle Langton Village Stores & Post Office, Langton Studland Stores, Studland

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING STOCKISTS - SUPPORT LOCAL!