Purbeck Gazette - September 15

What’s inside this issue...

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Oscar winner in conversation with...

OSCAR winner Mark Rylance and environmental writer George Monbiot will be in Purbeck for a public forum on how the Dorset community can influence national and global progress.

Topics up for discussion at the event – hosted by community group Planet Purbeck at the Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle – will include thorny issues such as rewilding, tourist taxes and, in a wider context, efforts to solve the convergent economic and ecological crises.

Rylance, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in the Steven Spielberg film Bridge of Spies, and Monbiot, a leading critic of mainstream politics and passionate environmentalist, will conduct a Q&A session with each other and take questions from the audience.

The actor, a patron of Planet Purbeck, will also auction a signed photographic portrait of

Family’s tribute to car crash victim

THE family of a man who died in a crash near Wareham have released paid tribute to him.

Stuart Howes, 44, from Weymouth, died when a blue SEAT Leon he was driving on the A352 at East Stoke crashed just after 10.30pm on Thursday, August 21.

His family issued a statement following his death.

“Stuart Howes was a wonderful son, brother and father who cared about family very much,” they said.

“Stuart was a talented paint sprayer who built a business in the local Wareham area.

himself as Henry VIII’s scheming chief minister Thomas Cromwell – a prop used in the acclaimed BBC series Wolf Hall.

And he will help launch a Friends of Planet Purbeck scheme aimed at expanding the group.

“I hope the chat with George will be full of ideas I haven’t imagined and good humour,” he said. “I will depend on the audience for the really smart

“Everyone knew him for his passion for cars and the commitment he showed towards his business.

“Stuart will be missed by his friends and family.”

Police are still appealing for information about the crash.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 101 using reference number 55250125068 or to send an email to scit@dorset.pnn.police. uk.

“I believe in thinking internationally but acting locally. If you change a small or local thing well enough it will affect the rest, which is true in biology and the environments we live in. We can lift the whole system into a better place of harmony and equilibrium.”

Guardian columnist and author Monbiot added: “I’m greatly looking forward to it. We’ll be navigating the great political and ecological crises in which we find ourselves, and hoping to chart a path through.”

questions.

“There is a desire to build up a group of people interested in similar things such as nature conservation and climate change, so there is a place they can come with concerns – and make a difference with ideas and action.

The forum, on Saturday, October 11, is the third in a series of Planet Purbeck Presents events scheduled for the autumn. It follows a ‘marine ecology evening’, co-hosted by Greenpeace in Swanage on Friday, September 19. and a theatrical and musical performance of Stravinsky’s short masterpiece The Soldier’s Tale in Langton Matravers on Friday, September 26.

Wareham

Monday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Tuesday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Wednesday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Thursday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Friday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Saturday 8:00am - 12:30pm

Thursday 8:30am - 1.00pm Friday CLOSED Saturday CLOSED Opening Times

Swanage Monday CLOSED Tuesday 8:15am - 6:30pm Wednesday 8:15am - 6:30pm

Details of all Planet Purbeck events can be found at www. planetpurbeck.org.

Stuart Howes built a business in the Wareham area

Bridge of Spies star Mark Rylance with the portrait from Wolf Hall that will be auctioned PHOTO: Planet Purbeck

Tiger gives up another piece of its history

THE Tank Museum at Bovington says a piece of shrapnel concealed inside one of its most popular exhibits for over 80 years provides an insight into the bloody history of tank action during the Second World War.

Tiger 131 was the first of the German Tiger tanks to be captured intact by the Western Allies – making it a significant prize.

To this day it remains one of the most famous tanks in the world, with thousands of fans flocking to see the only running Tiger I at The Tank Museum’s ‘Tiger Day’.

Keeping a tank that is over 80 years old in running order requires regular servicing, meaning the ins and outs of Tiger 131 are well known to the Workshop team.

Therefore, engineers

performing a routine inspection were surprised to discover a chunk of shrapnel inside one of its wheels.

Nick Booth, head of Curatorial Services, said: “Tiger 131 has been extensively restored and overhauled in recent years, so to find a remnant from the battle in which it was captured is both remarkable and sobering.

“It’s a stark reminder of the history of this tank – and of the desperate conditions in which British soldiers fought it to a standstill on a Tunisian hillside in 1943.”

On April 24, 1943, British forces advanced towards Tunis, gaining an important position in the hills at Medjez-al-Bab.

They held against a strong enemy counter-attack supported by tanks – including Tiger 131.

British tanks arrived just in

time to prevent the infantry being overrun.

Their fire was enough to disable the Tiger and cause its crew to flee – a fortunate decision for the Allies as Tiger crews were under strict orders to destroy disabled tanks to prevent them falling into enemy hands.

Under heavy German shelling, the British held the hill for several days – with the abandoned tank halted among their positions.

During this time Tiger 131 took further damage – which is still visible on its rear tinwork.

Historian, James Donaldson, said: “We’re not certain if this shrapnel was a result of British

tank shots or the German artillery fire that British troops were subjected to.

“It’s a heavy lump of metal, typical of the sort that would have been flying around the battlefield. You can only imagine what this would have done had it hit someone.”

When Tiger 131 was recovered it was found to be relatively undamaged – apart from the shot that had wedged itself in the turret mechanism and disabled the gun.

This Second World War veteran has undergone several restorations over the years to keep it in running order, but its battle scars are preserved for all to see.

Kayak challenge for disability charity

THE son of a woman who worked in the NHS is set take part in an endurance challenge in her memory and for a Dorset disability charity at Poole Harbour.

Jon Gilbert will kayak around the harbour for 12 hours in one day to raise money for Diverse Abilities.

He will start his challenge in Lake Pier and rack up around 50 miles in his kayak to support children and adults with physical and learning disabilities in Dorset.

The date of his challenge has not yet been confirmed.

He said: “One of the reasons I’m supporting the amazing folk at Diverse Abilities is in memory of my lovely mum.

“She was an NHS nurse and

carer well into her 70s, who is much loved and greatly missed. Caring runs in my family.

“My wonderful sister, Poppy, was a Macmillan nurse; her daughter, Lucy, is a GP; my nephew, Tom, is training as a physio; and his wife, Emma, is a district nurse. We were brought up to understand caring matters.

“I’ve supported Diverse Abilities events over the years and always wanted to do something more to help this incredible team who provide vital care and support to more than 2,000 children, adults and their families in Dorset.

“I had the pleasure recently to meet the team of wonderful carers at The Beehive and see first-hand the incredible caring work they all carry out and understand more about the breadth of services they provide

in a very challenging financial climate.

“Meeting the team will be a huge motivator for me during my challenge.”

Jon aimed to raise £875, which would fund a nurse for one week – but he has already beaten that amount with more than £1,000 donated so far.

Diverse Abilities’ specialist nurses support children and adults who live with profound physical and learning disabilities and complex medical needs.

To sponsor Jon, visit justgiving.com/page/jongilbert-10.

To find out more about the support Diverse Abilities provides, go to diverseabilities. org.uk.

The Tiger 131 and the shrapnel (inset) found inside one of its wheels

Jon Gilbert has raised more than £1,000 so far for Diverse Abilities PHOTO: Diverse Abilities

Tips set to close for maintenance work

THE household recycling centres at Dorchester and Weymouth will each be closed for four days for essential maintenance this month.

Dorchester HRC – Louds Mill – will be closed from Tuesday to Friday, September 16-19, reopening on Saturday, September 20.

Weymouth HRC – Preston Beach Road – will be closed from Tuesday to Friday, September 23-26, reopening on Saturday, September 27.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth event will also affect access to the recycling centres.

Weymouth HRC will be closed all day on Sunday, September 14, due to road closures.

Residents are encouraged to use Portland HRC or wait until the site reopens on Monday, September 15.

Dorchester HRC will remain open on Sunday, September 14, but access may be disrupted until early afternoon.

Residents are advised to either delay their visit until later in the day, use an alternative site or wait until Monday, September 15.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “We thank residents for their understanding and encourage planning ahead for any waste disposal needs during these periods.”

For further updates and alternative site information, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ recycling-centres.

WELL-KNOWN retired businessman, Brian Dryden, has taken over as president of Wimborne Rotary Club following the annual handover meeting, when Sue Young stepped down from the role. Brian, with his wife Pat, ran a popular electrical and white goods shop for many years in Wimborne Square.

Brian thanked Sue for her service during the Rotary year at the picnic meeting at Pamphill Green.

He said: “I hope the coming year will see Wimborne Rotary continue to be a part of the Wimborne community which not only supports us but, in turn, enables us to support local charities in the area.”

In the picture (from left): Wimborne Rotary Club secretary, David Meaden; past-president, Sue Young; president, Brian Dryden; and president-elect and treasurer, Derek Radley

Family’s tribute to ‘a giant of a man and the gentlest of souls’

THE family of a man who died in a crash near Dorchester say they are ‘absolutely broken’.

Jet Thomas-Day, 22, from Weymouth, sadly died in a crash between a red Benelli motorbike and a white Vauxhall Corsa in Warmwell Road in Crossways at 11.10am on Saturday, August 23.

Jet, who was riding the motorbike, died at the scene.

The family of Jet, known to them as Boo, have released a heart-breaking tribute.

“It goes without saying we as a family are absolutely broken, but Jet’s passing has also completely devastated the wider community, extending around the world,” they said.

“As an incredible 22-yearold Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a Brown belt in Judo, Jet is well known throughout the country, having trained at Ippon in Bournemouth, coached at Weymouth BJJ and competed nationally for eight years, and he still had so much he wanted to achieve.

“He was an exceptional and dedicated athlete excelling at any sport he chose during his short life – water polo, rugby, sailing, climbing, Muay Thai and snowboarding, but in stark contrast he also loved reading, anime, photography, chess and crocheting.

“His passion for learning new skills knew no bounds.

“Jet had a gift with people that was truly magnetising to watch and it is so very difficult to describe unless you’d been lucky enough to experience it – but he was humble, kind, full of empathy.

“This coupled with his bubbly/smiley, genuine nature just made everybody feel seen and special.

“He had managed to perfectly balance a wisdom that was way beyond his years, with a childlike sense of fun,

St George’s flags: Taxpayers will have to pay for clean-up

DORSET Council says it is working with the police after several mini-roundabouts were painted with the St George’s Cross across the county.

Leader of the council, Councillor Nick Ireland, said the paint would be removed –and once the work was complete, the council would assess the cost of doing so.

He described it as a ‘regrettable expense that ultimately falls to local taxpayers’.

Roundabouts were seen painted with the St George’s Cross across Weymouth and

Portland.

Social media accounts have fuelled a movement which has seen the St George’s Cross and Union flag displayed in prominent public locations as an act of patriotism.

Cllr Ireland said: “Just to explain – defacing road markings is not only illegal under the Highways Act – it’s dangerous.

“It can distract drivers, reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents for everyone using our roads.

“We’re working closely with Dorset Police, and public safety

and all the while completely oblivious of the impact he made on those around him.

“He was a giant of a man with the absolute gentlest soul.

“What was paramount for Boo was family, and as a close-knit family of five, he was not just our baby boy but our best friend, too.

“To have lost his life at such a young age, with the kindness and love he had to offer and his passion for living, is just a terrible loss.

“It has been an honour to be his mum, his dad, his brother and his sister.

“We are proud to call him ours. We will never recover from the hole he’s left behind and cannot imagine a world without him.

“Ohana – family and that means nobody gets left behind.”

Police are still appealing for information regarding the crash.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to contact Dorset Police online via email at scit@dorset.pnn. police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250125765.

remains our top priority.

“We know how important national identity is to many people across Dorset.

“Symbols like the St George’s Cross and the Union Flag can be a powerful way to show pride and community spirit – and as a council we’re proud to fly them at County Hall in Dorchester.

“We encourage residents who want to fly our national flags to do so in ways that are safe and respectful – at home, at community events and on designated flagpoles.

“These are the spaces where

Flags have been painted on miniroundabouts across Dorset

pride can bring people together.

“Here in Dorset, we’re proud of our heritage and the values that define us – fairness, respect and inclusion.

“Dorset is home to people from many backgrounds, and the strength of our communities lies in how we treat one another – with dignity and compassion.

“Let’s keep Dorset a place where pride is shown positively, and where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.”

Jet Thomas-Day, 22, was a capable all-round sportsman

400 cards for former Wren’s 100th birthday

A FORMER Wren living in a Poole care home was surprised by more than 400 cards sent from around the world to mark her 100th birthday.

Kathleen, who lives at Elizabeth House, in Dolbery Road, received 420 cards from residents, businesses, nurseries, holiday clubs and military organisations from across the UK and wider Europe, with post travelling from as far away as Canada, Hong Kong and Australia.

The cards were sent in response to the care home team’s special request for Kathleen to be surprised with 100 birthday cards in honour of

her past military service.

Kathleen joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (Wrens) at the age of 18 in June 1944, where she was given the role of a bomb range marker, which involved monitoring targets and charting parachutes from a plane.

on her special birthday.

“She has always had a positive attitude and would never throw anything away, which I guess was in the spirit of wartime.

On her special birthday, Kathleen was joined by her son, Tim, and their extended family, her friends from Bournemouth Wrens Association, Deputy Mayor of Poole, Cllr Pete Miles, and the care home team, who all helped Kathleen to open her many cards.

Kathleen’s son, Tim, said: “It was wonderful to be with Mum

“She only spoke about the being in the Wrens in her later years, when she told me about the huge part it had played in her life and the many lifelong friendships that had come from it.”

Kathleen was also visited by WO2 John Morrish RM, Regional Engagement Officer SW & CI for Royal Navy,

enq@ulwellholidaypark.co.uk

Kathleen with her Wren friends, Deputy Mayor Cllr Pete Miles and John Morrish –and in her younger days as a Wren

dressed in full military uniform, who presented her with a letter on behalf of the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff in recognition of Kathleen’s service in the Wrens.

Afterwards, Kathleen blew out the candles on her birthday cake, made by the care home’s chefs, and then watched a special performance by the Bovington Military Wives Choir, which rounded off the day of celebrations in style.

Elizabeth House, which is part of the not-for-profit charity Care South, provides residential, respite, and dementia care.

‘Sea of smiling faces’ at fun day

THE unwelcome August rain was not enough to deter 100 local children from schools, charities and community groups enjoying a day of shooting, archery, bushcraft, teambuilding – and even human table football – all paid for and supported by Dorset Freemasons, at Max Events, near Bere Regis.

Now in its fourth year, the event, known as ASHLARS and initially conceived as a one-off to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the late Queen, has seen nearly 400 children take part in the games and challenges.

Dorset Freemasons are asked to support the cost of providing places for children, and the event organisers, who are also Dorset Freemasons, manage and run it with the help of a small army of volunteers.

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

Solar and tidal predictions – September/October

A large contingent of local Army Cadets attended –encouraged to wear their uniform – along with groups from local charities Mosaic, a charity for children who have suffered a bereavement; and MyTime, a charity for young carers.

Together with other children from the area, the teams battled it out for several awards.

Steve James, head of Dorset Freemasonry, said: “This event is a wonderful way that we can give back to the local community.

“It highlights the outstanding generosity of our members through, not only their financial support, but the time that so many give by turning up, even in the rain, to support and

encourage these young people.

“I can tell by the sea of smiling faces at the end of day how successful it has been.”

The event aims to give young people a day of experiences and to mix with people they would normally be able to.

It seeks to encourage youngsters to do their best and to draw out leadership and other qualities from the participants, with the primary aim that everyone should have a good time.

One of the volunteers, Amelia Ward, said: “One of the girls who was up for the ‘most improved’ award said to me: ‘I’d love to win, but to be honest I have made three new friends today, so even if I don’t win, it’s still been great!’ and that really sums up what ASHLARS is all about.

“I love coming to help out and seeing the children go from shy and nervous and not really wanting to get involved, to getting stuck in – and muddy! – and making friends, it is so rewarding.”

Peveril Ledge, Swanage

100 children attended the ASHLARS event at Max Events, near Bere Regis

Mobile police station visits for Wareham and Swanage

TWO new mobile police stations are touring Dorset to provide a more visible police presence in the county.

The new mobile stations will offer a chance for members of the public to raise any concerns about anti-social behaviour as well as providing a place to chat to officers about any other crime-related concerns.

The force’s western vehicle will come to the Cornhill Market area in Dorchester on the first Tuesday of each month, followed by Sherborne Co-op at Westbridge Park on the first Thursday of the month.

Bridport Morrisons will also be visited on the second Tuesday of the month, followed by Marine Parade in Lyme Regis on the second Thursday, the main beach car park in Swanage on the third Tuesday and finally Streche Road car park in Wareham every third Thursday of the month.

Meanwhile the eastern vehicle will visit Sainsbury’s Ferndown on the first Tuesday of the month, followed by Verwood Memorial Hall on the first Thursday, the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne on the second Tuesday, Shaftesbury Lidl on the second Thursday, Christchurch retail park on the third Thursday and finally Highcliffe Cliff Top car park on the third Thursday of the month. Each vehicles will attend each location from 11am to 1pm each day, but this could change. People are asked to check the Dorset Police website to stay updated with the times.

World-class classical music in the heart of Weymouth

2025/26 Season Now Open

Monthly lunchtime concerts at St Mary’s Church, Weymouth

Popular classics, lesser-known music & world premieres Friendly, welcoming atmosphere Pre-concert refreshments

Tickets just £5 in advance or on the door weymouthchamberconcerts.com

DUNCAN HONEYBOURNE Artistic Director FRANCES WILSON Concerts Manager

Nature Hub created in heart of town

THE Old Spa area of Weymouth has been transformed by a new community planting scheme – a ‘Nature Hub’ – designed to connect people with nature and promote biodiversity.

The project, funded by Hubbub’s Nature Hubs Fund, is part of a national initiative to create accessible green spaces that inspire environmental stewardship and community wellbeing.

The Radipole Nature Hub provides pockets of planting, creating a more appealing area for locals and visitors alike, and is supported by local business people.

Neighbourhood businesses London Lounge, The Famous Old Spa, Brewers and Nice & Spicy have all taken ownership of their planting areas, with staff carrying out daily watering and keeping an eye on the plants.

Dale Turner, of London Lounge, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Radipole

Postbag

Parking difficulties for the disabled

HAS anyone noticed that the disabled parking bays in Wareham are in the most awkward places?

For instance, the only free parking spaces – two – are in Howard’s Lane car park, a long way from the main supermarket and have been moved to the most awkward spot.

This is obviously to accommodate the electric charging points and the council vans.

In the Sainsbury’s car park, we have two spots for disabled. You now have to pay 70p.

Nature Hub, which has really brightened up the shopping area and gives our staff and customers an opportunity to get close to nature.

“It was fantastic to see local students from Wey Valley School getting involved in the planting, too!”

Students from nearby Wey Valley Academy took the opportunity to do some volunteering and spent a morning planting up geraniums, rudbeckia and trailing plants from the Island Garden Nursery

in Upwey, which provided plants and expert advice.

As well as providing a floral display, the Nature Hub scheme aims to support mental health, reduce littering and foster pride in the local environment.

Radipole councillor, Matt Bell, said: “I highlighted the need to improve the street scene in this busy area of Weymouth.

“Litter Free Dorset took the reins and did an amazing job sourcing a grant from the Nature Hubs Fund for this project.

“It will help to bring nature even closer to people in this urban area while improving the street scene, and I am

particularly pleased that local school children have been involved in making the improvements happen.

“This will help to give young people pride in this area and hopefully encourage them to get involved in further projects to improve their community.”

Litter Free Dorset has plans for further planting and invites local residents and businesses to get involved in the project –contact litterfreedorset@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

For more information about Litter Free Dorset’s campaigns and projects, or to download campaign posters, visit www. litterfreedorset.co.uk.

The pay machine is right next to the charging point.

This means that to shop, you park in the bay then hobble past the shop entrance to the pay machine, get your ticket, hobble back to your car to display said ticket, and then hobble back to the shop, by which time you have lost the will to shop.

It would seem sensible to have the disabled bays next to the pay machines and the charging points where the disabled bays are.

Do the planners not test this out or do they now only use AI?

John Wareham (alias BODGE of Sandford)

Flower festival valuation day

AN antiques valuation day will be the final fundraising event in aid of the Wimborne Minster Flower Festival.

It will be held on Tuesday, September 16, from 10am-1pm in Church House - next to the Minster.

Visitors can bring antiques, collectibles and other cherished items to receive a professional valuation for a £5 an item cash donation.

Larger pieces, like furniture, can be assessed using clear photographs.

Proceeds will go to the

much-loved flower festival being held from September 26-29.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Anyone with any queries should phone 01202 888703 or email witsend@familyoliver. org.uk.

Anthony Oliver Wimborne

SOMETHING TO SAY? Then email

Artistic touch makes station a more welcoming place...

A LOCAL artist has helped bring colour to Wool Station, providing a welcoming entrance for visitors.

Artist and graphic designer Maria Burns was commissioned by The Purbeck Community Rail Partnership (PCRP), in collaboration with the Friends of Wool Station, to create a new mural on the west elevation of the Wool Station building.

Maria was also chosen to create a new information board at the station, to help promote active travel in the surrounding area and signpost places of interest.

Wool itself features in the new board, as the PCRP aimed to highlight the village’s rich heritage and its local attractions in a bid to increase footfall for local businesses.

The board was funded by

South Western Railway’s Social Development Fund with match funding from the PCRP.

Speaking about the mural, a PCRP spokesperson said:

“Station art is widely popular to facilitate local community

involvement and make stations more welcoming and attractive.”

They added: “We hope to have made a difference to the landscape and station approaches for a better outlook for customers and improved the

environment in this location.”

Wool Station is the gateway to several key man-made and natural attractions including Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World.

It is also close to Dorset Innovation Park, which receives business visitors all year round, many coming by train.

Wool also receives yearround international visitors heading for the Jurassic coast and other attractions and is a starting point for the Lawrence of Arabia trail.

The station forecourt lies on National Cycle path NCN2, and several walking and cycling paths radiate from the station.

The Community Rail Network funded the project on behalf of the Department of Transport.

The new mural and information board at Wool train station PHOTOS: PRCP

Blues and Legacy: The 41st Swanage Blues Festival

Carries On in

Steve Darrington’s Honour

T his October will be the 41st Swanage Blues Festival, which was started and single-handedly run by the legend that was Steve Darrington, who sadly passed away last year.

In honour of their father, Toni and Simon Darrington have now taken on the mantle of continuing this amazing festival long into the future.

Swanage Blues has a brilliant programme of entertainment for you this October with some of your regular favourites, such as Hugh Budden, Zoe Schwarz, Geoff Garbow, Fabulous Fez Heads, Back Porch, Blue Touch, Chicago 9, Pete Harris, Fabulous Duck Brothers, Robin Bibi and his Jam Sessions, the ever popular Open Mic with Andy Bradshaw, and many more.

With considerable representation of artists nominated in various categories of the UK Blues awards:

• Thomas Heppell (Top 5 - Contemporary Artist of the Year, Acoustic Blues Act of the Year, Emerging Act of the Year, and Top 20 Blues Band of the Year)!

• Neil Sadler (Top 5 - Blues Album of the Year, and Number 1, most played album in the IBBA charts, and Top 20 – UK Blues Traditional Artist of the Year)!

• The Milk Men (Top 20 - UK Blues Band, UK Blues Album of the Year)

• Robin Bibi (Top 20 - UK Blues Traditional Artist of the Year)

• Guy Tortora (Top 20 – UK Blues Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year)

• The Terraplanes (Top 20 UK Blues Band of the Year)

In addition to the above, there are some exciting new acts for you, such as the Adam Sweet Band, and Kirris Riviere and The Delta du Bruit – both nominated in the UK Blues Awards Emerging Act of the Year category.

With over 70 acts in 18 venues over 4 days, the Swanage Blues Festival has so much incredible live music to offer. Please purchase a £15 support wristband to ensure this amazing festival can continue. Wristbands will be available from the following venues and outlets from early September and throughout the festival

• Conservative Club 27 Kings Rd West, Swanage BH19 1HE

• FiFi’s 18 Institute Rd, Swanage BH19 1BX

• Grand Hotel Burlington Road, Swanage BH19 1LU

• Jenkins 21 High St, Swanage BH19 2LP

• Royal British Legion 150 High St, Swanage BH19 2PA

• Purbeck Plaza, 19 High Street, Swanage BH19 2PA

• Rainbow’s End 10 The Square, Swanage BH19 2LJ

• Red Lion 63 High St, Swanage BH19 2LY

• Showbar at The Mowlem Theatre, Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1DD

• Swanage Information Centre The White House, Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1LB

• White Swan 31 The Sq, High St, Swanage BH19 2LJ

Swanage Blues Festival appreciates these businesses giving up their space and time to help support the festival.

2nd - 5th October 2025

76 Great Gigs, 18 Venues, 4 Days of Fun!

Adam Sweet Band * Back Porch * Back at Nick’s * Ben White & Thomas Lucas * Big Joe Bone

Blue Touch * Blues Cruise * Blues Dharma Featuring Geoff Garbow * Chicago 9 Blues Band

Devil’s Avocado * Fabulous Duck Brothers * The Fabulous Fez Heads * Fat Finger

Geoff Garbow’s Blues Band * George Hall Trio * Guy Totora Duo

Hugh Budden and the Blue Chords * Jimmy Regal & the Royals * Joff Watkins Duo

Jon Amor Trio * Jono + The Alley Cats * Jon Walsh Blues Dogs * Keith Kenny

Kirris Riviere & The Delta du Bruit * The Mighty Howlers * The Milk Men * Mojo Mules

The Mustangs * Neil Sadler Band * Open Mic Sessions with Andy Bradshaw

Paul Cook Blues Band and Guests * Pete Harris & John Vaughan * Pete Harris Blues Band

Ray Drury & Jon Walsh * Rich Miller * Robin Bibi Band * Robin Bibi Jam Sessions

The Rolling Drunks * The Scoundrels * Southern Blues Collective * Staffell & Stewart

Stompin’ Dave Electric Duo * Stringfellas * The Terraplanes * The McClean Gang & Friends

The Spikedrivers * Thomas Heppell Band * Will Killeen * Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party

Zoe Schwarz & Rob Koral Duo

Special Thanks to all Musicians, Venues, Hospitality Workers, MKL, Mark Bauer Photography, Octopress, RwCreate, Swanage Information Centre, and the Good People of Swanage

Please purchase a wristband to help support this amazing festival!

weekend:

Families charity reaches out to business

FAMILIES charity Home-Start Wessex, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, is reaching out to businesses to raise funds.

It is asking for donations of £960 from 30 firms for its 30 for 30 campaign to help support 30 struggling families.

£960 is the amount it costs the charity to help a family for six months to get back on their feet.

Home-Start Wessex offers friendship, practical support and emotional advice to parents in Dorset with at least one child under five when they are in crisis, providing specialist groups and one-to-one home visits.

Families can experience problems such as poor mental health, disability, domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation, multiple births or family breakdown.

Darren Lewis, community fundraising and events officer at Home-Start Wessex, said: “We believe that parents are key to a happy and secure childhood.

“We know our support makes a life-changing difference. But our support is more in demand than ever, and we need companies to help us continue our work to give children the best start in life.

“Businesses can donate £960 or quarterly donations of £240. You can fundraise throughout the year with dress-down days, cake sales and other fundraising challenges.

“We are happy to help with ideas and support – let your imagination run free! We will never be able to thank you enough for the difference you will make.”

Companies that contribute will be invited to a special

end-of-year 30 for 30 campaign event where they will be introduced to other socially aware businesses and have the chance to promote their positive contributions to the local community.

Family feedback highlights the difference Home-Start Wessex volunteers can make.

One client said: “Without the help of the volunteer I don’t think I would have coped. My life has turned right around and now I feel like part of the community.”

Another added: “Being stuck at home with twins, one severely disabled, made me feel guilty, like I was letting them down by limiting the experiences they could have.

“At times the stress drove me to self-harm. We will never forget our Home-Start volunteer, she genuinely cared

for us.”

30 businesses are being asked to contribute £960 – enough to support a struggling family for six months – as HomeStart Wessex celebrates its 30th anniversary

Over the last year, Home-Start Wessex says it has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families. It covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton – an area with a population of more than 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.

To support the 30 for 30 campaign, email darren@ homestartwessex.org.uk or visit https://www.justgiving.com/ campaign/hsw30for30.

Sewing Bee star at ‘green’ festival

STAR of hit BBC television show The Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant, is coming to Dorset for the Planet Wimborne Green Festival.

He will be appearing at When Less is More, the finale event of the festival, at Queen Elizabeth School on Saturday, October 18.

Patrick has 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry and has strong views on clothes – how many consumers buy, how they value them, what they are made from, and who made them and where.

His campaigning clothes brand, Community Clothing,

supports local clothing and textile manufacturers across the UK.

At When Less is More, he will be sharing his passion for radical change in the fashion and clothing industry, and encouraging people to buy fewer, better things and be happier in the process.

Doors open for When Less is More at 4.15pm, with Patrick’s talk at 5pm. There will be refreshments, stalls to browse and the opportunity to buy a signed copy of Patrick’s latest book, Less.

Tickets are £12 adults and £2 18s and under – 13s and under must be accompanied by

an adult – and are available online via Planet Wimborne’s website, www.planetwimborne. org, or by cash payment at Wimborne’s Fair Ground shop in the Corn Market.

As in previous years, festival week features a host of green-themed events and activities for all ages.

The official opening is on the Minster Green on Saturday, October 11, at 10.30am, with local green groups exhibiting and the ever-popular apple pressing in full swing.

For details of all events, see the Planet Wimborne website, www.planetwimborne.org, or Facebook page.

Patrick Grant from The Great British Sewing Bee is appearing at the Planet Wimborne Green Festival

A Happy Place to Learn, Love & Laugh in Wareham

ADVERTISING FEATURE

At our school in Wareham, Dorset we have built a friendly and welcoming place for learning. We take pride in our positive atmosphere, believing that happy children make good learners. We believe in valuing children for who they are, in addition to what they achieve. Our fantastic staff, buildings and grounds help us to stand out. We welcome enquiries from families into all Year groups and are happy to help with the admissions process. We also book individual tours of our wonderful school so you can appreciate the many opportunities our children enjoy - we can’t wait to meet you!

Contact us on 01929 552949 or office@sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk

News from Wareham Town Council – August report

by Julie Bradshaw

THE £90,000 which Wareham Town Council paid as a deposit for the National Westminster Bank building will not be forfeited.

The public consultation resulted in a big majority in favour of the project and a smaller majority for paying an extra £50 on the town council part of householders’ council tax.

Councillors voted unanimously to apply for a public works loan sufficient to cover the remaining cost of the building and refurbishment of 3 East Street.

The National Lottery is giving a grant for the conversion of the North Street premises into a museum and

tourist information centre.

The loan will be taken out in stages as needed.

It is expected that the result will be better facilities for local people, a more attractive town centre and more money spent in the town.

Meanwhile, funding for facilities at Hauses Field, which could have been supplemented by grants and residents’ fundraising, must wait to be considered for the 2026-27 budget.

The children who lost skate park facilities – for their own safety – will be adults before an alternative is provided.

The proposed 24mx12m Multi Use Games Area, which might be located just south of the children’s play area, would

probably need planning permission.

Repairs to the war memorial by St Martin’s Church should be complete before the Remembrance Day parade.

Consultation is now open on the Dorset Local Plan and Dorset Local Transport Plan.

In line with central government’s prescription, Dorset Council has had to increase the number of housing units to be built.

It proposes a development on either side of the A352 at Worgret and another off Carey Road to the west of Westminster Road.

Visitor facilities have been improved.

On Radio 4’s Last Word programme Vikki Slade paid tribute to Dame Annette Brooke, the MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole from 2001-15.

The Object Handling and Meet an Archaeologist event at the library was very successful. Collections in the museum have been augmented by loans and donations.

The public is welcome to attend council meetings, held next on Tuesdays September 23 and November 25 at 7.30pm in the council chamber.

Further information is available on the council’s website, www.wareham-tc.gov. uk, by phoning the town council office on 01929 553006 or calling at the office 10am-1pm, Monday-Friday.

Trophy remembers hockey club umpire

THE wife of a Swanage & Wareham Hockey Club member who sadly died last year has presented a trophy in his memory.

Rosemary Khanna gave the Roger Khanna Umpiring Trophy to Dylan Crook, who was voted umpire of the season.

Abigail Khanna, and niece, Natalie McClain, herself an

accomplished hockey player, accompanied Rosemary.

Speaking at the presentation,

club chair, Maria Foot, said: “Roger was a treasured member of the club who had umpired for all teams over many years.

“This perpetual trophy ensures that his legacy will continue.”

n SWANAGE & Wareham Hockey Club’s upcoming home fixtures: Saturday, September

20: 11.45am Men’s 1st team v Isle of Wight; 2.45pm Ladies 2nd team v Trojans. Saturday, September 27, 11.45am Men’s 2nd team v New Forest; 1.30pm Ladies 2nd team v Ladies 3rd team; 3pm Ladies 1st team v Romsey. Jackie Barker, from the club, said: “All spectators and support welcome.”

Warning on winter fuel payment scam

RESIDENTS of Swanage and Wareham are being warned about a Winter Fuel Payment scam doing the rounds.

Individuals receive a text or email claiming to be from the Department for Work and Pensions with a link that, if clicked on, asks them to provide personal details and pay a small sum, usually £1, to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

“The Department for

Work and Pensions will NOT contact you via email or text message with a link to a form,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“Therefore, if you do receive an SMS or email pertaining to the Winter Heating Payment, please do not click the link or provide any personal or financial information.”

Anyone who receives the scam text should forward it to 7726 or, in the case of an

email, to report@phishing. gov.uk.

The Winter Fuel Payment is available to individuals born before September 22, 1959, and provides between £100 and £300 to help people pay their heating bills for winter 2025/26.

Anyone eligible will receive a letter in October or November clarifying how much they will get, with most payments made in November or December.

How shipwreck sparked 150 years of lifeboat service

‘WHEN this casualty was handed over to paramedics, the volunteers stood down to continue Swanage Lifeboat Week’s fundraising efforts.’

‘The ALB was able to return to Swanage having attended four incidents during a very busy day for the volunteer crew members. Rather than rehousing immediately, it headed to support the Build-A-Boat Competition – an integral part of Swanage RNLI Lifeboat Week – which was underway next to Swanage Pier.’

These two quotes from the Swanage Lifeboat Launch News sum up how dedicated our local RNLI volunteers are. On behalf of everyone, thank you for all your efforts. They are hugely appreciated – and congratulations on your 150th anniversary.

It was a privilege to help them celebrate their anniversary at the Lifeboat Fayre, on the Saturday of Lifeboat Week. We had a steady stream of people come to our stall to see what we were about and to meet our latest recruit, Spot the Watchkeeper. Spot proved popular with younger members of the audience and can be expected to make more appearances at events over the coming year. The strong easterly breeze made the testing of the ‘Build a Boat’ craft quite a challenge, and the race was modified to suit the conditions. Keeping to the same basic design that has served us well over the last few years – with one top secret modification! –the Swanage NCI boat behaved admirably and, in fact, won the time trial.

BOTH the RNLI and NCI, in Swanage, can trace their origin back to

by NickReed

the early days of the local Coastguard station. On January 23, 1875, a gale was blowing with a heavy sea running down the Channel. The brigantine, Wild Wave, was heading for Poole Harbour from Sunderland, with a cargo of coal. Struggling to round Peveril Point and make headway through the treacherous race, she hit the ledges in the early hours of the morning. The Coastguard Lookout at Peveril Point –where the NCI Lookout is now – saw she was in difficulties and telegraphed to the nearest lifeboat station, in Poole, to request assistance. The coastguards fired rocket lines to the boat but, with the stormy weather and rough seas, they broke.

sodden bundles, rather than living creatures, were seen, all clustered together clinging to a mass of tangled rigging at the highest part of the ship’s hull…

As conditions worsened, the chief Coastguard officer, John Lose, realised the situation was desperate and the lifeboat might not reach the Point in time. He ordered the launch of the station’s two boats – like the pilot gigs we see in the Bay now – ‘with difficulty, and by incurring much risk’. His prompt actions meant that all the crew were saved and, for his part in the rescue, Lose was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal, and his men were rewarded.

The rescue was seen from the shore by the distinguished Swanage resident John Charles Robinson. Robinson lived at Newton Manor and was an influential person in the Victorian art world. After witnessing the wreck, he wrote in The Times: “Five dark,

Soon we see a coil of rope thrown from the largest boat and caught by one of the living ‘bundles’…and in a few minutes (thanks be to Heaven!) all five – one a very small one, were safely stowed in the boat.” The ‘very small one’ was the ship’s cabin boy and it’s believed he was adopted by one of the Poole lifeboat crew. Throughout 1875, support for a lifeboat station grew, helped by Robinson and other prominent locals, such as George Burt and Lord Eldon. In March 1875, Robinson again wrote to The Times saying: “The wreck of the Wild Wave has, thanks to the publicity given to it in The Times, resulted in unmixed gain to the seafaring interest. The Swanage lifeboat will, in a few weeks, be an established institution…” and on September 16, 1875, the station finally opened. The first lifeboat stationed at Swanage was the Charlotte Mary. The vessel cost £389 and was named after the late sisters of one of the station’s first benefactors, Miss

Margaret Ryder-Wilde. The current lifeboat station is still sited on the original 1875 site and was rebuilt in 2015/16 to accommodate the station’s new Shannon class lifeboat. To commemorate the opening of the station, our colleagues at the RNLI were set to have a Celebration Open Day at the boathouse on Saturday (September 13) and a Thanksgiving Service at St Mary’s on Sunday (September 14).

IALWAYS try and make these articles positive, but I’m sad to say that I’ve just been told that the St Alban’s Head collection box, at the car park at Renscombe Farm, was broken in to. Not being content with just cutting off the padlock, the thieves cut the whole hasp section in such a way that it cannot be mended. What’s even more galling is that this happened just before a busy Bank Holiday weekend when the car park would have been be full. With all NCI stations having to raise money to run their station, the team at St Alban’s have lost a valuable source of income and are faced with the problem of using valuable funds to replace it.

This is St Alban’s Head NCI and Swanage NCI feeling grumpy and angry but still listening on Channel 16. NCI out.

Spot the Watchkeeper was a hit with youngsters

The Wild Wave was stricken in 1875. IMAGE:Swanage Museum

A nim ls Needing HOMES

CELEBRATING

YEARS

At Margaret Green Animal Rescue, we are here to take in animals that become homeless due to a change in circumstances, or that have been mistreated, neglected or abandoned.

Regardless of their circumstance, each animal will find a warm bed, a kind team and all the love and respect they deserve awaiting them at our three centres across Dorset & Devon.

We pride ourselves on the standard of care each rescue animal receives. As well as veterinary care, our animals are prepared and rehabilitated in readiness for their new home.

Finding forever homes is at the very heart of what we do and there is no better feeling than knowing we have found the perfect match. Our rehoming process is designed specifically to help potential owners rehome an animal that fits in with their lives and loved ones.

Animal welfare remains our priority, and you can be assured that you will always have our support, advice and guidance after you have rehomed from us.

A nim ls Needing HOMES

Sponsored by

If you are looking to welcome a new animal companion into your life, then please visit our website: www.mgar.org.uk to get to know our rescue animals who are searching for their forever homes.

For all enquiries, please contact our centres, where the teams will be delighted to tell you all about our rescue residents and rehoming process.

This year marks an important milestone for us, as we are celebrating 60 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need. Our incredible founder, Margaret Green, established the charity in 1965, and it is a privilege to be continuing her Legacy to this day.

To celebrate this special occasion, we’re inviting you to take on your own 60-themed fundraising challenge — and why not get your friends, family or colleagues involved too?

It’s a fantastic way to have fun, share some laughs and make a real difference to rescue animals. Whether you fancy walking 60,000 steps in a day, swimming 60 lengths, reading 60 books or undertaking a 60-minute silence, there are lots of ways that you can take part.

No matter how big or small your challenge is, every donation we receive has a significant impact and will help us to continue for another 60 years.

Please check out our website for more details and email us at: comms@mgar.org.uk to let us know your plans, as we’d love to cheer you on!

Registered Charity Number: 1167990

THE PURBECK MAGAZINE

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Secure Your Home. Safeguard Your Legacy. Discover the

Safeguard Your Hard-Earned Assets from 40% Inheritance Tax, Looming Care Fees, & Potential Family Disputes.

Power of a Living Trust

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Police appeal on cold callers

POLICE have issued a warning after an elderly woman was defrauded of £40 in Dorchester for just 15 minutes of gardening work.

The woman in the St Georges Road area answered the door to a man who said he was in the area cutting grass and offered gardening services for £60.

The woman offered to pay that amount, which he accepted, and the man began to weed the pebbles in her garden, before two other males turned up and took £40 from the woman.

They left without completing the work.

website – https://orlo.uk/go62H.

“If you would like an ‘Uninvited Traders’ poster, you can request for one to be sent out or print one off from the Dorset County website, https:// orlo.uk/4ylvW.”

The sticker is designed to give residents the confidence to deal with cold callers.

“All traders should respect your wishes, but if they don’t, they may be liable to prosecution for ignoring your request to leave and not return,” the spokesperson added.

“If you feel you are being pressured into having work done, or buy goods you don’t want, ask the trader to leave.

Maintain Full Control of Your Assets. When you set up a living trust, you remain as one of the trustees — often alongside trusted family members. This allows you to manage and use your assets as normal, with surviving trustees stepping in only if you lose capacity or pass away, ensuring a smooth transition with no court delays. Personalised, In-Home Consultation – Free of Charge Oakwood Wills offers complimentary consultations in the comfort of your own home or via online meetings.

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Wills: Don’t leave your loved ones squabbling over vague wills! Oakwood Wills specializes in drafting crystal-clear documents that leave no room for ambiguity. No more family feuds. Just smooth, conflictfree asset distribution that honours your final wishes. Lasting Power Of Attorneys: Statistics don’t lie – the chances of incapacity rise with age. With our Lasting Power of Attorneys services, you can appoint trusted individuals to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. No more court approvals, no more uncertainty in times of crises – just peace of mind knowing your interests are in safe hands. For a complimentary consultation, reach out to Oakwood Wills.

Police who are investigating the incident advise members of the public not to accept work from doorstep traders.

“If you think a job needs doing, you should obtain multiple quotes from reputable traders and take time to think it over,” a force spokesperson said.

“A list of Trading Standards approved traders can be found on the Buy with Confidence

“It’s an offence for the trader to stay at your home once you have asked them to leave.

“If you feel threatened by the trader, call 999.

“If anyone has concerns about vulnerable neighbours or relatives potentially being targeted by rogue traders in this manner, please contact us online at the Dorset Police website or by phoning 101.”

Hospice’s Christmas party

Email: info@oakwoodwills.co.uk

Tel: 07832 331594 or Email: info@oakwoodwills.co.uk

FOREST Holme Hospice will be holding its charity Christmas Party a the Italian Villa –pictured – at Compton Acres, Poole.

Tickets for the event on

Thursday, December 11, are priced £60 with the option to book a table 10. For full details and to book visit www.forestholme hospice.org.uk/ events/christmasparty.

Salmon top scorer in T20 competition

SWANAGE finished runnersup in the South Group roundrobin set of T20 matches to a powerful Poole side from Premier Division One, but in Mike Salmon they had the leading run-scorer in the competition with an astonishing century and a powerful half-century.

The 1stXI embarked on their Premier Division Two campaign, winning five of their 13 games to finish fifth. The highlight of their batting was an unbeaten matchwinning century from Ben Hodder (166) with both Dan and Mike Salmon also registering centuries.

Sam Marks, Pete Richards, Mike Salmon, Mark Stacey and Tom Wells – two – all scored half-centuries.

Matt Beard, Freddie Long and Sid Nash also added valuable runs.

Bowling highlights were

Charlie Dyke and Sid Nash’s four-wicket hauls, while James Harding, Freddie and Harry Long, Pete Richards and Mike Salmon all played their part with the ball.

The 2ndXI won nine of their 15 matches in a competitive Division 4 to finish a respectable fifth.

Their batting highlight was an unbeaten 84 by Steve Ramsay.

Half-centuries also came from Ben Allatt, Jernimain Barry

(two), Michael Barry, Simon Goldsack, James Harding, John Lewis (two), Mike Nash (two), Sid Nash (two) and Steve Ramsay (two more).

Beard, Harry Long and Sam Wells provided further support with the bat.

Bowling highlights were Andrew Hancock and Harry Long’s five-wicket hauls, with Dylan Church, Sid Nash, Steve Ramsay, Ryan Stearn and Sam Wells also chipping in

usefully.

The 3rdXI won just three of their 12 games to be relegated from Division 5 but they did encounter some powerful sides. The highlight of their batting was a brilliant innings of 77 by George Taylor.

Half-centuries came from David Alcock, Josh Gould, Jon Gregory, Tim Ives, Geoff Willcocks and Chris Wood. There were further solid knocks from Dylan Church, Ed Cross, Matt Dunster, Tony Fowle, Jon Maidman, Gary Marsh and Seb Wright.

The bowling highlight was Bradley Bulpitt’s five-wicket haul, while Josh and Mike Gould, Jon Gregory, Tim Ives, Paul Knight, Alan and Luke Marks, Mark Savage, Sam Willcocks and Seb Wright all contributed with the ball.

The Women & Girls Section have continued to thrive and now boasts two teams – one of which made it to the T20 final. All of the junior teams –Under-9s/11s, 13s and 15s – all had successful seasons with some brilliant performances by Danny Norman, Jernimain and Michael Barry, Josh Gould and Josh Van Staden, who have all been rewarded with their 2ndXI debuts this season.

Tough conditions for final warm-up

by Ron Butler

Swanage & Wareham 17 New Milton 0

IN their final warm up game before the start of the season, Swans welcomed Hampshire side New Milton to Bestwall.

The game was played in atrocious conditions with pouring rain and a strong breeze blowing across the field.

Both teams tried their best, but the conditions made the ball slippery, causing handling errors.

New Milton started well, putting Swans under early pressure, but made mistakes

RUGBY

allowing Swans to clear.

A penalty to Swans after 10 minutes took them into the New Milton 22, and from a catch-drive move Swans number 8 Danny Seales went over for the opening try.

From out wide, George Crouch landed the conversion, making the score 7-0.

New Milton put Swans under pressure from the restart, but the hosts cleared their lines.

Both sides made changes after 20 minutes and New Milton changed their game

with a series of drives putting Swans on the back foot.

A mistake enabled Swans to clear their lines, and a penalty took them into the New Milton 22, before a three-quarters move saw Luke Tokatokuvavua go over out wide for Swans’ second try, taking the score to 12-0 after 26 minutes.

Both sides had chances but too many handling errors meant most of the play was outside the 22s. Neither side scored again before half-time.

Swans were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half after a high tackle, and a tap and a grub kick took

them into the New Milton 22, where George Crouch nearly added to the score before the ball went into touch by the corner flag.

The visitors cleared and kept the ball among the forwards, making substantial ground, but Swans’ defence was efficient.

Both teams had penalties but the conditions thwarted much of the play.

However, 10 minutes from the end, two penalties to Swans took them into the New Milton 22 and a backs move saw Sowane Waquanidrola go over in the corner, making the score 17-0.

Swanage 1stXI in their ‘coloured’ clothing, used for T20 matches

Alfie and Austin score pairs win

DORCHESTER Juniors endured wet and windy weather at Todber Manor for the annual Junior Pairs match.

The conditions, along with the very low water level, made the match a challenge for all the juniors.

The event incorporated a special ‘two methods match’ and a championship points match all rolled into one.

For the first half of the event, the juniors could only fish with a bomb or feeder.

For the second half, they were only allowed to use a

Team Dorset shine at

TEAM Dorset athletes made their mark on the national stage at the prestigious National Relays in Birmingham, competing with three teams across the Under-15 categories.

The composite club, built from Dorchester AC, Poole AC, Poole Runners and Wimborne AC, have a growing reputation for relay success, delivering strong performances against the country’s best.

The Under-15 Girls’ 4x100m squad – Grace, Kayla, Sophie and Ava – stormed to fifth place in their heat with a personal best time of 50.62s.

Meanwhile, the Under-15 Boys’ 4x100m team – Thomas, Elliott, Adam and Harley – also claimed fifth place in their heat,

smashing their own personal best in the process with 47.87s.

The highlight of the day came from the Under-15 Boys’ 4x300m team – Theo, Elliott, Thomas and Harley – who produced a powerful run to secure third place overall and take home a well-deserved bronze medal.

Their achievement adds to Team Dorset’s proud record at the championships, following last year’s silver medal from the Boys’ 4x300m squad –Rufus, Will, Elliott and Verna – and the Girls’ 4x100m relay team, Grace, Kayla, Ruby and Ava, getting through to the final.

ANGLING

float, forcing them to use all their skills in difficult conditions.

Winner of the points match and collecting a new Daiwa Feeder rod given by Nigel Kemp, was Jack Copp.

In the pairs, third place went to Jack Copp and Josh Roe with 10 points.

Freddie Campbell and Jayce Hardware claimed second place with 8 points.

But the winners of this year’s pairs match were Alfie Ellis and Austin ScottKennedy with 6 points.

For more information, go to ddasjuniors.co.uk or contact the junior secretary, Graham Howard, for more details.

For more fishery information, go to todbermanor.co.uk.

Pairs match winners Austin Scott-Kennedy and Alfie Ellis (inset)

Telling It Like It Is I ask, what would Jesus have done?

IT’S all too easy to say ‘stop the boats’ for political gain.

But we cannot forget the fact that so many of these sad sailors have paid their life’s savings to scramble aboard this trip to the promised land.

Try to put yourself in their position just for a moment. Not pleasant, is it. Wife and children left behind, who knows where, to await a message from you assuring them that all is well and safe.

Whereas the reality is that it isn’t safe and not all is well.

A few of the ‘boat people’ may form a part of this sad government’s ‘one for one’ policy, which actually has little or no effect upon the actual numbers of immigrants.

Nigel Farage’s inhuman plan for mass deportations of asylum seekers is neither a sensible nor compassionate response. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell –in the absence of anyone higher up the CofE food chain – says returning refugees to war zones is ‘beneath us as a nation’. And though not a practising Christian, I ask myself, ‘What would Jesus have done?’.

Certainly not what Donald is doing in the USA. He might be slowing the immigrant numbers down but what he and Farage have forgotten is that each and every asylum seeker or potential migrant is a human being, started life as a little baby, someone’s pride and joy, someone’s son, daughter, brother or sister, who - given the

opportunity - will work hard to keep his head above water and to feed and house his family. That’s all they want.

St Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said: “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trump is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”

Let’s hope Donald is the Last Trump because whatever he claims as the basis for his beliefs, Christianity sure isn’t part of it.

AS a grumpy and impatient old bloke, I find it harder and harder to cope with restaurant staff’s attitudes. We are customers. We help your boss to keep his business afloat. And to keep paying your wages.

But here’s what I want from a restaurant. I walk in and stand there looking lost. Introduce yourself. Show me to a table or if you haven’t got one, tell me when you expect to have one and in the meantime, show me to the bar and take my drinks order. By doing so, you have secured my business.

When you have sat me down and brought the drinks, hand me the menu and point out the specials board. At which point, tell me what the delay between order and the meal arriving is likely to be. You can’t change that delay but letting me have

an idea of how long it’s going to be is really reassuring for a hungry diner and might even help you sell me some more drinks!

Take my order within five minutes of sitting me down. Offer me a small starter or a few olives; in doing so you are cementing our relationship and making it less likely that I will walk out if the delay is unacceptable.

Remember that I am here with my family and friends to enjoy an evening out in which your restaurant plays a small but important part. Please treat me as you would like to be treated yourself.

If there’s likely to be a delay or more than say, 20 minutes, come back to the table and let me know. When the food arrives, don’t just dump it in front of me and mutter ‘enjoy’. Mean it.

Ask me if there is anything else I need then let me get on with it. And – this is most important – work the room. Keep your eyes open all the time. If a diner is lagging behind his friends or listlessly moving his food around the plate, this is a strong indicator that he’s not enjoying his meal. Find out why.

When you clear the plates – which should be done simultaneously – “Was everything okay? Can I get you anything else? Maybe another drink?” If one person accepts, it’s likely the rest of his party will, too. And if one of the party requests the bill, that’s a clear indication that they want to go.

At which point I will probably now get banned from every restaurant in Purbeck!

HAVE you realised the Post Office is quietly trying to do away with the postal service? Have you taken in the most recent rate increase? I suggest you sit down. Postal prices for letters and parcels: Letters: 1st Class from £1.70. 1st Class Signed For from £3.60. 2nd Class from 87p. 2nd Class Signed For from £2.77. No wonder so many

people now use email or Messenger or What’s App! From sad recent experience, the only difference between first- and second-class postage is the charge. Certainly not the speed of delivery.

THIS made me laugh in a rueful sort of way! A Dorset council planning meeting had to be abandoned after councillors stopped for lunch and not enough came back! The meeting at Wimborne was halted by committee chair Cllr David Tooke after the lunch break. He said with only five councillors present and six needed for the meeting to form a quorum, he had no option but to defer the items to the next available meeting in October. They had spent the morning discussing plans for a new Aldi supermarket at Canford Bottom which was approved – against officers’ recommendations. So the committee was awake before lunch.

The afternoon was to have included a proposal for 95 homes on a site in Lytchett Matravers and 48 new homes and a village hall at Binnegar, Wareham, as well as plans for a sustainable, natural green space. Certainly nothing as important as the councillors’ lunch.

I trust these councillors were not drawing full allowances, and that by the time the next elections come around they will have learned that their important decisions should take precedence over a plate of roast beef and a glass of red wine?

AND finally. Derek and Steve of Swanage Dairy have, after many years of serving their customers, made the difficult decision to retire. The business has been transferred to Craigs Farm Dairy who Derek and Steve unreservedly recommend.

As two long-serving customers, Tina and I thank you for years of brilliant service and for turning out down our long and bumpy drive, without complaint. We wish you all the very best for your retirement.

Beware Farage’s fracking agenda

OVER the summer, Nigel Farage set out his plans for much of our beautiful countryside – he wants to start fracking all over it. This is completely unacceptable. Many readers of the Purbeck Gazette will know that fracking is a highly controversial method of drilling and extracting shale gas from beneath the ground. And our part of the world has been identified as a likely site for fracking, if ever given the green light. Let me be crystal clear, fracking is dangerous and disruptive. We know that fracking projects have reportedly caused minor earthquakes in the recent past. Even exploratory drilling for shale gas has allegedly caused tremors and damage to buildings. This is the very last

thing we need across Purbeck. I also have serious concerns that our riverways could be damaged – or poisoned – by rogue fracking methods.

To make matters worse, fracking in Purbeck would likely mean noisy drilling methods and more pollution on our doorstep. Beautiful villages – such as Corfe Castle or Studland – could be in the firing line if Nigel Farage begins his fracking spree in the near future. Does anyone really want this disruption at the end of their road?

Purbeck is special – I am reminded of this every time I go on a long walk at Kimmeridge or pay a visit to Chapman’s Pool –and we need to keep it that way. But left unchecked, Nigel Farage’s fracking plans could destroy much of our unique

countryside and farmland, and could put our fragile Jurassic Coast at risk, too.

Nigel Farage doesn’t care about any of this. His party has already told us that it wants to ‘drill, baby, drill’ and he is seemingly satisfied with ignoring our community and our concerns. It would appear Mr Farage is only interested in environmental vandalism!

On the other hand, this Labour Government has pledged to ban fracking for good. With my full support, Labour will ban fracking both here in Dorset and nationwide.

And this new Labour Government is rightly committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower. Instead of chasing after fracking, I am working alongside the

Local Plan: Have your say

HOPEFULLY you’ll have seen that Dorset Council is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to take part in the consultation towards the production of a draft Local Plan next year – a vital document that will shape the future of development across the county for years to come.

The Local Plan will set out where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities should be located. It will also outline policies to protect Dorset’s environment, heritage and character. Once adopted, it will become the legal framework used to determine planning applications and guide sustainable growth. The Local Plan affects everyone!

This consultation is a key opportunity for residents to influence how their towns, villages and countryside evolve. Whether you’re concerned about housing, transport, green spaces or climate resilience, your feedback matters. I urge

everyone to read the proposals and submit their views before the deadline. By responding to the consultation, you can help shape policies that reflect local priorities. The council is especially keen to hear from residents about how proposed developments might impact their communities and what improvements or safeguards should be considered.

One of the most common concerns raised during previous consultations is the number of new homes proposed. It’s important to understand that these figures are not decided by Dorset Council. They are calculated using a national formula set by central government, which considers population growth, housing need and affordability.

While the council can influence where and how homes are built, it cannot simply reduce the overall number. If the Local Plan does not meet the Government’s housing targets, it

risks being rejected by the Planning Inspectorate. This could leave Dorset vulnerable to speculative development, where decisions are made without a robust local framework. Basically, the sites in the consultation could have planning applications submitted without the policies and protection a Local Plan will provide. And other sites outside the consultation potentially become ‘fair game’.

The Local Plan is a statutory requirement, not a political initiative. It is developed by planning officers in line with national policy and legal obligations. Elected members will review and approve the future draft for consultation, but the process is guided by planning law, not party politics.

The aim is to create a fair, evidence-based plan that balances growth with sustainability and reflects the needs of Dorset’s diverse communities.

Government and key businesses to secure green investment and clean energy opportunities in south Dorset. With new green investment we can create well-paid jobs for local people and protect our environment, too. It is clear to me we should be backing clean energy and rejecting dirty fracking.

We must protect Purbeck from Nigel Farage’s fracking nightmare. Over the coming weeks, I will be robustly making the case against fracking and I will do everything I can to stand up for our community and protect our cherished environment. With your support, we can stop Nigel Farage in his tracks.

LLOYD HATTON Labour MP for South Dorset

The consultation is open now and runs until October 13. You can view the consultation and submit your comments online via the Dorset Council website – Dorset is changing – Dorset Council. Printed copies are also available at libraries and council offices for those who prefer to respond offline.

This is your chance to help shape Dorset’s future. Whether you support the proposals or have concerns, your voice is essential. Dorset Council’s Liberal Democrat administration has four key priorities of providing affordable and high-quality housing, growing our economy, responding to the climate and nature crisis, and Communities for All. The Local Plan is key to all of these, and your feedback will help ensure the final plan is as strong, inclusive and locally focused as possible.

NICK IRELAND Liberal Democrat Leader of Dorset Council

Moving house: It pays to be prepared

IF you’re moving home soon, these top tips from Armishaws Removals can make planning your relocation easier and help reduce moving day stress.

n Book your removal team early

CERTAIN dates/days of the week are more popular and the closer you get to your moving day, the more likely your dates will already be booked.

n Read the terms and conditions

HOW many times have you clicked ‘I have read the terms and conditions box’ without giving it a glance?

We’re all guilty of it. You might be required to unplug electricals, cover floors etc. Not being prepared could slow things down and create extra charges.

n Check for access issues

DO a quick recce with large vehicles in mind, tight bends, low hanging trees etc, to ensure

RETIRED LADY WITH 2 SMALL DOGS wishes to rent a property in the Swanage area. Tel: 07900-851945

things go smoothly on the day.

n Protect your carpets

AT Armishaws, our crews carry carpet protectors but these may not cover against everything if access is muddy. Add extra coverings before your removers arrive.

furniture, get repairs done before it’s moved.

The stresses of moving house can exacerbate existing structural weaknesses.

n Disconnect electrical equipment

MAKE arrangements to disconnect white goods. Curtains, shelves and anything fixed to the walls should also be taken down ready to move.

n Declutter to save taking unwanted items with you

MOVING home is the perfect time for that long promised clear out.

You don’t want to pay to take clutter with you only to have to find somewhere else to hide it!

n Check and clear loft spaces

MOST removal companies are not insured to work in lofts unless boarded and lit.

n Check those droopy drawers

IF you have any ‘wobbly’

n Disassemble system furniture SYSTEM or self-assembly furniture is not designed to be moved whole and often does not go back together well if dismantled.

Take furniture apart carefully in advance of your move.

Place screws/fixings in a bag and tape it to the furniture so it doesn’t get lost.

n Ensure everything outdoors is ready to go ANYTHING to be transported from the outbuildings or garages should be prepared in advance.

Plants should either be potted or their roots contained in a plastic bin liner.

Garden tools should be tied in bundles and swings, climbing frames, dismantled ready to go.

n Prepare to unpack over several days

IT’S usually not possible to unpack everything at your new home in a single day. Decide what’s most important and focus on those key items.

n Don’t forget to eat! ‘OH, we’ll get something on the day…’.There might be delays. The last thing you need are ‘hangry’ kids and rumbling stomachs, so pack provisions to keep everyone fed and watered.

n Get insurance cover IT’S essential you ensure your goods are adequately protected throughout your relocation.

n Book a shopping delivery WHEN you get to your new home, the last thing you want to worry about is ‘a big shop’. Plan ahead and book a food and essentials delivery to arrive at your new address the day after your move.

n For more moving advice visit www.Armishaws.com/ blog.

Armishaws’ checklist will help your move go smoothly

‘Let’s Dance’ date for Bridge Choir

THE Dorset Bridge Choir will be celebrating dance in a concert at Lytchett Minster Church.

The Let’s Dance concert includes a setting of the mass, written in tango style, by the Argentinian composer Martin Palmeri. and performed in Rome for Pope Francis who, according to the people of his native Buenos Aires, was ‘a theologian of the tango’. In 2014, thousands gathered

Autumn is bold, brilliant and beautiful at Kingston Lacy, the National Trust property near Wimborne. Where to start? Maybe with a walk through the garden, where the acers in the seven-acre Japanese Garden will be turning every shade of red, orange and yellow. Stroll down to the Kitchen Garden, where the orchards are laden with fruit (there are apple discovery days on 24 and 31 October, and you can join the harvest on 24 September and 4 October) and the cutting gardens filled with dahlias.

in St Peter’s Square to honour the Pope’s December 17 birthday with his homeland’s famous dance.

Other music in the concert embraces Scottish country dance, the slow stately dance of the Pavane, the Dance of Nature and the Bossa Nova.

Inside the house, there’s a special exhibition inviting you to discover one of the National Trust’s greatest treasures. A Rembrandt ‘selfie’, normally on display at Buckland Abbey in Devon, will be at Kingston Lacy from 12 September. Settle into comfortable seating, tune into an audio guide, and explore gentle prompts designed to inspire mindful looking and deeper reflection. What will you see when you slow the pace?

CORFE Castle will see a temporary giant art installation unveiled this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21).

Consequences, a 40m x 30m artwork, was created by Radical Ritual artist Becca Gill for the Inside Out Dorset festival, a biennial feast of international

The concert is on Sunday, September 21, at 7pm, and tickets priced £15 are available from 01258 857528 and liz.

york@btinternet.com.

outdoor arts.

This October, there’s a digital adventure for adventurous 7-11 year olds and their grown ups. Download the Stranger Folk app when you arrive to start your folklore magic adventure. Your guide, the Crone, will direct you and yours to the cracks where the stranger folk are sneaking in, so you can help us close the gaps between their world and ours.

It is part of Nature Calling, a project encouraging audiences to connect with their natural landscapes.

Community groups played a part in making the artwork, during a mammoth game of Consequences, in which artists took turns to add to the picture.

Look out for three days of free entry as well – between 18-20 September we’re throwing open the doors as part of Heritage Open Days. There’s no charge for entry, and a free bus service to boot. Discover all the details on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy.

Autumn is bold, brilliant and beautiful at Kingston Lacy, the National Trust property near Wimborne.

Where

to start? Maybe with a walk through the garden, where the acers in the seven-acre Japanese Garden will be turning every shade of red, orange and yellow. Stroll down to the Kitchen Garden, where the orchards are laden with fruit (there are apple discovery days on 24 and 31 October, and you can join the harvest on 24 September and 4 October) and the cutting gardens filled with dahlias.

Inside the house, there’s a special exhibition inviting you to discover one of the National Trust’s greatest treasures. A Rembrandt ‘selfie’, normally on display at Buckland Abbey in Devon, will be at Kingston Lacy from 12 September. Settle into comfortable seating, tune into an audio guide, and explore gentle prompts designed to inspire mindful looking and deeper reflection. What will you see when you slow the pace?

This October, there’s a digital adventure for adventurous 7-11 year olds and their grown ups. Download the Stranger Folk app when you arrive to start your folklore magic adventure. Your guide, the Crone, will direct you and yours to the cracks where the stranger folk are sneaking in, so you can help us close the gaps between their world and ours.

Look out for three days of free entry as well – between 18-20 September we’re throwing open the doors as part of Heritage Open Days. There’s no charge for entry, and a free bus service to boot. Discover all the details on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy.

Spend time with one of the National Trust's

treasures. From 12 September, Rembrandt's self-portrait comes to Kingston Lacy. What will you see when you slow the pace?

Health & Wellbeing

Mindfulness or meditation?

by Nicole Asghar MINDFULNESS

and meditation are often spoken about as if they are the same thing. While there are similarities, there are clear differences between them. Understanding those distinctions can help you decide what feels most supportive for you.

Mindfulness is a way of being. It is the art of meeting each moment as it unfolds, with curiosity, openness and without judgment. It is noticing the breath as it rises and falls, the sound of footsteps on the pavement, the taste of tea on the tongue. Mindfulness is about being present with

whatever arises. It offers us a moment to surrender to what we cannot change and connect to what we can. It is a gift to ourselves in the here and now. Meditation is a more deliberate turning inward. The intention of your meditation practice can vary from mastering the breath, to offering loving-kindness or experiencing a ‘sense of oneness with all’. It can also be a powerful way to calm the mind, which in turn can bring insight and clarity into daily life. Many philosophies use meditation –there is no right or wrong way. Mindfulness and meditation can be practised separately, but they are often woven together,

Retired teacher thanks ambulance crew which saved his life

A RETIRED teacher from Wimborne who suffered a cardiac arrest last year has met the ambulance crew that helped save his life.

The wife of 60-year-old Jason Pizzey, Sarah, was woken by snoring noises in the early hours of August 31, 2024, and quickly realised Jason was unconscious after he became unresponsive.

She immediately dialled 999 and began performing CPR under the guidance of the ambulance service call handler.

Emergency crews from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) promptly arrived and provided further life-saving medical care.

Jason received two defibrillator shocks and once he was in a stable condition, he was taken to Bournemouth Royal Hospital by land ambulance.

He spent 36 hours in the intensive care unit and was put into an induced coma.

Once awake, Jason stayed a further week in hospital, where he had a pacemaker and defibrillator fitted before returning home.

Jason had the opportunity to visit Poole Ambulance Station this summer and meet some of the crew, including Zac Anderson, operations officer; Martin Summers, emergency care assistant; Dion Tantrum, emergency care assistant; Deborah White, emergency care assistant; and Bethany Anderson, paramedic; who attended to him on the night of his cardiac arrest.

Jason said: “I am so thankful I had the opportunity to meet the professionals who helped save my life.

“The team worked so

benefiting each other. Meditation often brings relief to those carrying stress or anxiety, offering calm to restless minds, softening emotional hurt. It can restore inner reserves and be a pathway to deeper self-understanding or spiritual connection. We call them ‘practices’ because we do just that – practise, learn, revisit. It takes patience to cultivate a calm mind, body and breath, but for some, it is not always the right time and can present as too dysregulating.

I recommend working with a trained teacher or professional if you have experienced trauma, low mood or struggle with intrusive thoughts. Neurodivergent individuals can also find meditation challenging – however, there are ways to make it accessible, and it may take a different form than the traditional practice we are

perfectly together, and they recognised the first response of my wife to start CPR. They showed her care and compassion.

“To say thank you in person was something really special. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.

“Since the event, I have been slowly rehabilitating and by all accounts I have made a remarkable recovery.

“My heart function is on an upward curve and I no longer have heart failure. I am just so thankful for all they have done for me.”

Martin Summers, emergency care assistant at SWASFT, said:

familiar with. This is always okay. Meditation and mindfulness are not about striving for perfection or pushing through – they are about cultivating a deeper understanding of oneself and finding a more compassionate way of being.

As a neurodivergent person myself, it has not been easy to create a meditation practice, but it has been a wonderful gift to myself and to those around me. Connect with someone if you are struggling yourself – there is always a way.

n Nicole Asghar is an integrative therapist supporting clients online and in Bournemouth. She specialises in neurodivergence and trauma, incorporating yoga and movement to support reconnection with self and others (www.ourluminousminds. com; nicole@ ourluminousminds.com).

“It was incredibly uplifting to see Jason again and to see him doing so well and living his life to the full since his incident.

“It’s a really special moment being reunited with patients and I am just so pleased we were able to help Jason when he needed it most. We wish him all the best for the future.”

More than 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the home, and without early intervention, the chances of survival decrease rapidly – with every passing minute without CPR reducing the likelihood of survival by 10%.

This means individuals are more likely to perform CPR on a family member or friend than on a stranger.

Learning CPR takes just a few minutes and could one day help save someone save a life. Since Jason’s recovery he has returned to his love of cycling and creating artwork in his home studio.

He is also planning a trip to Japan later this year.

To find out how to learn CPR and locate your nearest defibrillator, visit the SWASFT website.

Jason Pizzey and the ambulance crew PHOTO: SWASFT

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: A ‘spidery’ September

by Susanna Curtin SEPTEMBER

is upon us. There are warm days and cool, dewy nights. It is a month of transition and symbolically a harvest of all that we have sown, and a time of reflection and gratitude for the summer we have had. 2025 has been the hottest summer on record, and as I sit in my garden taking in the early morning light, my lawn is yellow and thin and the shrubs and flowers are looking tired, almost willing the cooler and damper days of winter to come, so they can enjoy a period of rest.

Yet even in my weary garden, new shoots are betraying the drought and preparing for the next season. There are hummingbird hawkmoths, dragonflies and an abundance of late butterflies – commas, peacocks, large whites and red admirals. But as I watch the sunlight intensify, it is the fine gossamer orbs of the garden spiders and the airborne threads of money spiders that are creating the most magic this morning. The artistry of each web and the long silk strands that create pathways across the ‘gardenscape’ are extraordinary.

When I was young, even as a wildlife enthusiast, I found that spiders were the hardest to admire. There was something quite alien about their multiple legs and eyes, and their fast, unpredictable movements. I knew they couldn’t really hurt me but the evolutionary predisposition to fear them was stronger than my desire to know more about them. The only ones I vaguely liked were the cute little jumping zebra spiders. My fascination with other arachnids only began when I was at a conference, and a spider expert gave a talk about how they can

fly through the air by releasing silk threads to catch the wind, a behaviour known as ‘ballooning’. You will be pleased to know it is mostly small money spiders that tend to do this to disperse from their siblings and improve their chance of survival. Spiderlings may travel hundreds of miles and at high altitudes attached to their parachutes, many providing food for our swallows and swifts. I also learned that spiders can sail across the oceans by adopting postures that allow them to use the wind direction to control their sea-crossings, using their legs or their abdomens as sails. Suddenly these rather disturbing

They do this by trapping a layer of air on their body and legs using their hairy surfaces, thus creating a ‘diving bell’ that allows them to breathe and remain submerged for minutes at a time. Raft spiders can be quite difficult to spot, particularly as their bodies have a pale yellow stripe running down each side which resembles plant stems. The females are very devoted mothers, carrying their young in an egg sack which they hold up to the sun to keep warm or in the water to keep cool. When the babies are ready, she releases them into a nursery web where she will guard them until they disperse.

little creatures took on a whole new perspective.

We have more than 600 species of spider in the UK, and there are two that I particularly admire. The first is the mediumsized, colourful wasp spider that is a recent arrival from the continent and has slowly spread over the south of England. It is stripy, black and yellow, like a wasp, and creates an orb web in heathlands and grasslands. The web has a wide zig-zag strip running down the middle of it. What this is for, no-one really knows, but it reminds me of Harry Potter’s lightning bolt scar on his forehead, and it makes them easier to find.

The second is my all-time favourite, the raft spider, ‘Dolomedes fimbriatus’, which is a large chocolate-brown, velvety-looking species that lives around the edges of ponds on heathlands and bogs. They sit perfectly still for hours on floating pond vegetation with their front feet resting on the surface tension of the water. On sensing vibrations, they step out onto the pond to ambush their prey – usually invertebrates, but sometimes small fish and amphibians. They can even dive underwater to avoid predation.

My appreciation of spiders eventually extended to having them as house guests. This began when a small female common house spider moved in one late October. She spun her neat, tidy web in the corner of my bathroom window – female spiders tend to stay put waiting for roaming males to find them – and would run to hide in the window vent whenever I came into the bathroom. I grew quite fond of her over the winter and watched as she protected her eggs and even tried to camouflage them. It was fascinating. I named her Ida the spider and was quite sad when one day, in early March, she disappeared, leaving me with a ball of tiny spiderlings.

Now with each passing September day, I am noticing the number of spiders that are appearing in almost every corner of my house. I am doing my best to welcome most of them as they are good at pest control. However, I must confess there is one species that even I struggle to live with, due to their enormous, loose, untidy webs, the piles of debris they leave, and the way they hang precariously from their webs, and that is the cellar spider. They simply have to go! n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com).

The medium-sized, colourful wasp spider is a recent arrival from the continent and has slowly spread over the south of England

The raft spider is a large chocolate-brown, velvety-looking species that lives around the edges of ponds on heathlands and bogs

& Wellbeing

Herb effective remedy for

by Fiona Chapman

THE weather has truly broken. Last night as I lay in bed, not sleeping, listening to the rain, I did try and tell myself that the sound of it is supposed to be very soothing and sends some people to sleep. Unfortunately, not me, as I wasn’t sure I wasn’t also being rained on, as I like to sleep in a very airy room and all the windows were wide open. I couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed and close them, so tried to ignore the definite spray landing on my head! This got me thinking about sleeping herbs and Passiflora incarnata came to mind.

I have planted lots of Passiflora to grow up the house and the amazing flowers look

like colourful spaceships. It loves to grow on a sunny wall, and I am thrilled it seems so happy. It is not, however,

Passiflora incarnata – which is difficult to find – so I cannot pick the flowers and use them to help with sleep, as not all Passifloras – and there are a lot of varieties – are safe to use.

Passiflora incarnata – native to parts of the US – has a purple flower and edible sausage-like, golden fruit when ripe.

The flowers and leaves are used in herbal medicine as a nervine herb, meaning they calm the nervous system. It is believed to act on the cerebral cortex, particularly the medulla oblongata, which is part of the brain stem that governs stress-

DORSET FOOT CLINIC

related blood pressure fluctuations, the Vagus nerve and sleep. It is a very effective remedy for insomnia if you are prone to being a thinker, headstrong and chronic worrier. It will help to cut out the ‘internal chatter’ that so often keeps one awake at night. It gently calms the system without you really realising what it is doing, and once asleep, it is a normal sleep with no nasty, drowsy after-effects.

As it acts on the nerve centres, it will also help to

normalise stress blood pressure and insomnia when the heart is racing due to tension and when you have a little too much alcohol! It will also help calm an upset digestive system because of tension or nervous stimulation. It comes in a tincture or tea. Drink the tea throughout the day and then pop a few drops of the tincture under your tongue before bed or on waking during the night. n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

Wedding jewellery tradition

by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms

Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham WHEN it comes to wedding jewellery, few choices are as meaningful and romantic as antique pieces.

These treasures carry more than just beauty – they hold history, craftsmanship and a story that makes them truly unique.

I’m seeing growing numbers of couples coming in to Heirlooms and specifically asking for antique wedding rings.

The tradition of gifting and wearing antique wedding jewellery dates back centuries, with each era leaving its own signature style.

Georgian jewellery (17141837) introduced intricate handwork and natural motifs, while the Victorian era (1837-1901) brought sentimental pieces decorated with hearts, flowers and gemstones symbolising love and fidelity.

Edwardian designs, with their delicate filigree and platinum details, reflected elegance and refinement, while Art Deco rings from the 1920s embraced bold geometric patterns and vibrant colour contrasts.

Choosing antique jewellery for a wedding isn’t just about celebrating vintage style – it’s an investment in heritage.

Many couples love the idea of wearing a piece that has witnessed generations of love stories.

It offers a sustainable

Pre-owned 18ct tri-colour gold Russian wedding band

alternative to modern mass produced designs and brings the charm of individuality –no two antique rings are ever quite the same.

Diamonds remain a classic choice of gemstone, symbolising eternal love and strength.

Sapphires, a favourite in Victorian and Edwardian rings, represent loyalty and truth.

Emeralds, cherished for their vivid green, are associated with hope and renewal, while rubies, the fiery red gems, embody passion and devotion.

Many antique rings also feature seed pearls, once believed to bring harmony and purity to a marriage.

Wearing an antique engagement ring or wedding band is not just symbol of marriage – it’s about carrying a little piece of history into a new chapter of life and love.

Antiques & Collectibles

Festival picture may sell for £10k

DUKE’S Auctioneers is gearing up for two spectacular sales – the Autumn Auction and the Art & Design Post1880 Auction.

The Autumn Auction is on Wednesday, October 15, and features an array of distinctive period examples including paintings, furniture, textiles, silver and a magnificent array of Baroque oils from an esteemed private collection.

commonplace in the age of its conception (1631-90).

The vibrancy and quality of this 400-year-old work is striking.

The Flower Festival is estimated to sell for £5,000 to £10,000 in Duke’s Autumn Auction

A standout example is The Flower Festival by a follower of Abraham Brueghel, estimated at £5,000-£10,000.

The piece vividly portrays a wild village revelry, complete with music, dancing and flower crowns – no doubt

Art & Design Post-1880 is the following day, on Thursday, October 16, and includes a host of wonderful contemporary paintings, such as Strangford Lough by Frank McKelvey RHA, depicting a tranquil boat scene, estimated at £8,000£15,000.

Printed catalogues will be available alongside fully illustrated online versions. Find more information on all upcoming auctions at www. dukes-auctions.com or by phoning 01305 265080.

Home & Garden

Taking stock and looking forwards

by Sally Gregson SEPTEMBER

always seems

more like the beginning of a new year than the end of summer, but this year, after months of drought and intense sunshine, it is good to remember that the cool, and it is hoped damp, winter is still to come. We gardeners are ever optimistic and any excuse to indulge in a little forward planning is welcome.

This year, more than ever, the prospect of rain, and lots of it, is well anticipated. This summer has proven whether we have done enough mulching and planted the right plants in the right place, in all, been modern, 21st century gardeners able to

deal with weather extremes.

In the meantime, we can plan ahead – console ourselves with bulbs fresh from the specialists, fat and ready to plant from October to November, and order a delivery of mulch – fibrous and moisture retentive to redeem our sun-dried, parched soils as soon as the rain arrives. We perhaps should take stock of which plants we have lost, and whether it is right to replace them, or perhaps consider ordering more of those that survived this summer, always bearing in mind, however, that the next one could be as wet and cold as this one has been dry and hot.

Among those herbaceous

perennials that do seem to have managed well in our Somerset clay soils are hardy geraniums and Alchemilla mollis – always a good combination; alliums, bearded irises and agapanthus that love to perch on top of the border soil in the sun; and the peonies that gave a good show, albeit with buckets of water thrown on them from time to time.

Every gardener could list those that suffered – from drooping Phlox paniculata; tired, dusty thalictrum; and unhappy dahlias that needed gallons of water, all bravely trying to grow in heavy

Somerset clay that had baked hard.

Those with light, dry sands are in a far worse situation. For those gardens it might be time to consider growing quantities of self-sowing ‘volunteers’ to provide colour. Even in clay soils, the seedlings of Oenothera stricta Sulphurea, Nigella damascena Love in the Mist or that bright magenta little geranium G. Bill Wallis seem to power through hot adversity. All these could be sown in spring after the winter mulch has been spread in autumn. They will guarantee a flowery summer whatever the weather.

Foolproof bulb for post-Christmas colour

by Sally Gregson

AS the spring bulb catalogues drop through the letterbox, it’s a very pleasant summer task to look through and choose bulbs for planting in the autumn. Checking out the details online often throws up new ‘musthaves’. It’s easy to get carried away.

Pots of spring bulbs make very acceptable Christmas presents for gardening friends and relatives. Or perhaps a more exotic plant. Potted hippeastrum, that we used to call amaryllis, have been developed over the years and some of the new forms are especially lovely. These will flower in glorious Technicolor after Christmas, long before the spring bulbs are up and about. A good-sized hippeastrum bulb should produce more than one flower spike, and are so easy to grow, they are foolproof. The

old favourites, H. Red Lion and H. Apple Blossom deserve their reputation, but there are many new varieties to choose from.

For example, try H. Apricot Parfait with large soft apricotpink flowers with amber flares from a central green throat. It would certainly make a very

welcome present at Christmastime.

Plant the bulb in a pot just slightly larger than the bulb itself, that is adequately drained. Position the bulb so its top third remains exposed above the compost. Then water it in well initially, but be sparing

thereafter while the bulbs start to grow.

Put it somewhere warm to start it off – a sunny, spare bedroom windowsill, for example. But once the flowerbuds start to arrive you can prolong the flowering by keeping it a bit cooler – about 18 centigrade is ideal, if possible.

Once the flower is over, cut back the head, leaving the green stalk, and feed it every 10 days with a liquid fertiliser. If the plant is still in leaf by next September, stop the watering and feeding and allow it to die down and go dormant for a time.

Once the top starts to show a little green again, repot it, water and feed it again, and it will soon produce another dramatic flowerhead or three to cheer the coldest months of next year. Or the year after.

Agapanthus and alliums have coped well in a hot summer

Hippeastrum Red Lion ‘deserves its reputation’

Autumn colour in an instant

WHEN you think of autumn gardens, do you imagine dull leaves and fading flowers? You couldn’t be more wrong. British Garden Centres has put together a guide to instant impact plants that can make a garden burst into vibrant life, delivering both colour and joy.

Whether you have a sprawling garden, a small patio or just a windowsill, autumn is an exciting time to plant for a late season transformation. No need to wait weeks or months, these plants bring immediate beauty and a feast of colours to brighten even the crispest and dullest of autumn days.

Some of the instant autumn stars:

n Pansies and violas: Among the most recognisable seasonal plants, pansies and violas are cherished for their cheerful resilience and instant colour during autumn months. Their petals range from deep purple to vibrant yellow and delicate blue, providing reliable bursts when other plants start to fade. They continue to flower well into winter, even through frosty mornings, making them the gardener’s choice for pots, borders or window boxes.

n Primroses: For gardeners seeking something instant and a kaleidoscope of colour, primroses bring a bold autumn display that enlivens any container or planting scheme. Their dense foliage and vivid blooms are particularly effective as ground cover or as a way to refresh tired pots that have faded over summer.

n Cyclamen: A true autumn classic, cyclamen appears in garden centres from September onwards. Its elegant, wing-like flowers rise above heart-shaped, dark green foliage, turning even the shadiest corners into late-season beauty. Thriving without direct sunlight, cyclamen is ideal for north-

facing gardens, steps or porches.

n Chrysanthemums: Few plants signal autumn as clearly as chrysanthemums. With large, colourful flowers in glowing yellows, rich reds and fiery oranges, they make an immediate seasonal statement. Just one or two pots can transform a space into a celebration of autumn colour.

n Wallflowers: Wallflowers offer both fragrance and form in autumn months. Their tall, upright clusters of blooms in pink, purple and orange add reliable height and structure to mixed containers or borders, while their sweet scent is an extra reward as we head into the last quarter of the year.

n Dianthus: Compact and neat, dianthus forms rounded mounds of foliage with fragrant blooms in shades of red, pink and white. Its close relative, Sweet William, has an oldfashioned charm and brings a nostalgic quality to autumn planting schemes, whether it be in flower borders, containers or window boxes.

n Heuchera: Renowned for their colourful foliage, heucheras contribute instant colour and wow factor in autumn through leaves rather than flowers. Tones vary from soft lime greens to rich burgundies, ensuring year-round contrast and texture in containers or borders.

n Heathers: Though modest at first glance, calluna and erica varieties of heather provide subtle autumn and winter beauty. Their evergreen foliage grants structure throughout the seasons, while their small blooms in pink, purple and white add fine detail to beds and pots. They also provide excellent evergreen groundcover and provide an invaluable food source for wildlife throughout the year, with bees attracted to their nectar and smaller

creatures taking refuge in the foliage over winter.

n Acers: Acers, or Japanese maples, are an instant autumn win with leaves that transform into spectacular shades of red,

orange and yellow as the season progresses. This makes them a beautiful focal point in borders or larger containers. Acers prefer sheltered spots and well-drained soil, and their seasonal colour change provides an elegant transition into cooler months.

n Dogwood: Also known as cornus, these provide vivid autumn foliage, often displaying brilliant reds and deep burgundies. Certain varieties also produce striking-coloured stems, such as bright red or orange, which add architectural interest to winter gardens once the leaves have fallen.

Dogwoods are versatile shrubs that can be integrated into mixed borders or planted as standalone specimens to provide colour and structure throughout the autumn and winter seasons.

Cyclamen are an autumn classic, thriving without direct sunlight

Motoring

Summer heat fuels pothole problem

HOT weather this summer has contributed to an increase in the number of pothole incidents the AA has been called out to.

The AA Pothole Index for July showed a spike in incidents compared to the same period last year.

Earlier this year, callouts for pothole damage to members’ cars had reduced, thanks to more extensive road repairs and increased government financial support.

Yet hotter weather this summer contributed to a surge in pothole incidents, reversing positive trends.

Summer heat may have worsened already weakened road surfaces and increased the risk of tyre damage. It may have also made worn

or damaged tyres more susceptible to failure.

Increased road trips on unfamiliar rural roads, often a lower priority for repairs, may have also contributed.

The Pothole Partnership, an alliance made up of the AA, JCB, British Cycling and the National Motorcyclists Council, plus other supporting organisations, has voiced concern over the issue.

The partnership says the combined impact of extreme weather and neglected infrastructure places all road users at heightened risk – from drivers and cyclists to motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “This summer’s heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility

of Britain’s roads.

“While investment and repair campaigns have made a difference, the recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone.

“We urge the Government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors.”

Caroline Julian, brand and engagement director at British Cycling said: “The state of the UK’s roads continues to be a huge barrier which prevents many people from getting on a bike and these latest figures are a big concern.

be done to create a safe and reliable road network to protect all road users.”

Craig Carey-Clinch, the National Motorcycle Council’s executive director, said: “Although the NMC has welcomed recent investment announcements, the July Pothole Index underlines that the urgency of the problem remains.

“Potholes, damaged surfaces and other related road conditions remain a serious hazard for motorcyclists and other two-wheel users, with riders often citing this as a major road safety issue for them.

“Local authorities must act on recent investment announcements, including undertaking the requirement for road maintenance reporting which will unlock additional funding.”

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“The increasing number of incidents highlights the growing danger to people who are already choosing to ride bikes, as well as acting as a deterrent to people who might be interested in taking cycling up for fun or fitness.

“We strongly advocate cycling as a critical part of the solution to the nation’s economic, social and health inequalities, but the increasingly poor condition of our roads continues to jeopardise this.

“We echo the call for more to

Ben Rawding, general manager at JCB, said: “The latest AA Pothole Index highlights how vulnerable our road network remains, especially under the strain of extreme weather.

“While funding plays a vital role, it’s innovation that enables us to do more with the resources already available.

“At JCB, we’re focused on permanent repair methods, such as the JCB Pothole Pro, that extend the life of the road surface.

“Moving away from shortterm fixes is essential if we’re to make meaningful and lasting progress.”

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The summer heat may have made already weakened road surfaces worse and increased the risk of tyre damage

The county show: Old traditions meet the new

by AJ Selby

Warm September brings the fruit, sportsmen then begin to shoot

MANY local fairs and county shows take place in late summer – a tradition that goes back centuries. We have several in this area to enjoy such as the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, the Sturminster Cheese Show, Melplash Show, the Dorset County Show and the Frome Cheese Show, to name but a handful. Shows were held at this stage of the year close to the quarter day of Michaelmas – in late September – as in times past it was when the farm rents were due and labour was hired.

In those far off days labourers would sometimes offer themselves for hire for a full 12 months, the farming ‘year’ starting as it does in September. This was the season when ground was ploughed and readied for the sowing of winter corn, rams and bulls were prepared for fathering duties and all harvests were gathered in to ensure that man and beast could survive winter.

Today, our shows have a different feel with a mix of the old – steam engines, flower and vegetable showing competitions, sheepdog demonstrations – as well as the new with the latest cars and tractors alongside stalls for solar panels, water filters and broadband deals. Much of the core of the old events remain, with the main showring home to carriage driving, livestock classes – these are now in side-rings at the smaller shows – and parades.

The beer tent, of course, is always popular and this, along with music and dancing, was where local lads used to meet local lasses to pair up – and still

Few

weather and the temperatures look like holding up for the time being. What is noticeable, however, is the darker mornings and evenings which are often accompanied by dewy grass and a slight chill in the air once the sun has gone.

do – just what the aforementioned bulls and rams were being readied for! Few people in the past ventured much beyond the parish boundaries, so it was a great place for that popular pastime of the chattering classes – gossip and story swapping.

Many would have travelled on horse-back or on foot to the fairs – wouldn’t it be fascinating to travel back in time to, say, 1875 and see how different things were 150 years ago? –as well as carts bringing cheese, fruits and vegetables to sell. What food would have been sold to show-goers back then to keep them going on their annual day out? Bread, sausages, cheese, pickled onions and autumn fruits perhaps. Many would bring their own picnics, of course, as some still do today.

years. Today, we see curries and nachos, falafels and noodles, pitta breads and Caribbean cooking. I am sure back then it was bangers, burgers, chips and roast pork rolls. We also have local micro-brewery beers as a novelty and yet 150 years ago most counties had a number of small breweries servicing local pubs. Plus ça change.

You can see when walking the lanes and woods at the end of August that there is a listlessness in beast and flower as swallows and martins gather for their journey south, the leaves on our native trees look dull as they prepare to turn colour, and many a plant in hedgerow and wayside is just a stalk with a seed-head or dying flower to enable identification. Apart from a few spots, I have been disappointed with the blackberries this year –unsurprising that they are small and lacking taste with little rainfall in many months. Sloes, however, promise well and crops of wild plums, damsons and crab apples are decent. Pheasants, partridge and pigeons have summered well and some plump birds are around ready for the pot. However, the same cannot be said for many of our native amphibians and fish, with lakes at very low levels, rivers running at half speed and some streams completely dry. We know that nature will balance itself out in time but most of us would rather have a mix of sunshine and showers, not a feast and famine of drought and flood.

Walking around the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show recently I was struck by the range of vittles’ compared to even 30 years ago, when the show was shared with the Shaftesbury site in alternate

The Gill show is always a bit of a marker point for me as it’s usually around the time of my eldest son’s birthday, and I feel that this is the time we turn the corner towards a slow descent to autumn. This year has been an exceptional summer for those of us who enjoy hot

As the years go by, one is acutely aware at the passing of each summer that there are a finite number left to enjoy and I, for one, welcome the sunshine, the warm evenings and sizzling hot days. The weather will change soon enough, and it will be hats, coats and gloves, and a yearning for the better weather next year. Final word again –don’t forget to leave water out for the birds while this drought continues.

people in the past ventured much beyond the parish boundaries, so local fairs and county shows were a great place for gossip and story swapping

Business

Key appointments for Enterprise Zone

THE company Dorset Council set up to manage and develop the county’s only Enterprise Zone, near Wool, has announced several key appointments.

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd has been established to bring capacity, commerciality and private sector delivery experience to manage the park and ensure it becomes a catalyst for growth across south Dorset.

Kevin Forshaw will take up the role of managing director from October 6.

He is a former chair of Maritime UK South West and the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport Innovation Board.

Kevin, who has previous positions at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton, has driven innovation by linking industry with leading thinking in the UK research base.

This secured many millions of pounds of UK and EC research and development funding for collaborative research in areas including maritime cyber-security, offshore renewable energy, clean maritime and marine autonomous system development.

Kevin coordinated industry support for the University of Plymouth’s Cyber-SHIP Lab and set up the UK’s Marine Robotic Innovation Centre at UK National Oceanographic Centre, which was described as an example of best practice of an innovation ecosystem by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s Ocean Economy team.

Chairing the company board will be David Happy MBE.

David is a senior board-level telecoms professional with 38 years’ experience in the tech sector and former vice-president of Samsung EU R&D Labs. He has family ties with

Dorset and holds several non-executive director positions, including pro bono chair of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network Security Expert Working Group and independent non-executive director of Jet Connectivity.

The company board also welcomes several non-executive directors bringing a range of commercial and other experience to Dorset Innovation Park.

Alice McAlpine is qualified solicitor specialising in governance and planning, who has spent her career advising public and private sector organisations on the delivery of urban regeneration, development supporting innovation in technology and business and large-scale infrastructure including advising on Hereford Enterprise Zone – Skylon Park.

She also brings to the board extensive experience of local government corporate governance structures.

Claire Pearce is a strategic director with over 30 years’ experience in senior public and private sector leadership roles.

Claire has been recognised nationally by professional institutes for her track record in advancing complex projects including Hinkley Point C and

solutions including fibre and spectrum.

Dorset Innovation Park, near Wool, is home to about 800 jobs and looking to build on its strengths in advanced engineering, marine, defence, energy and security.

The council is seeking to generate an additional 300 jobs from the site by 2029 and views the Enterprise Zone as a catalyst for economic growth across south Dorset.

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd will be tasked with moving forward opportunities in clean energy, defence innovation and AI technology as part of the council’s wider Growth Strategy.

The new management company will give the councilowned park dedicated resources and extra expertise to bring more businesses onto the site.

the Gravity enterprise zone, and currently leads the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster.

Mark Ovens has 30 years operational and board level experience in UK commercial property.

Recent work relevant to Dorset Innovation Park includes data centres, vertical farm RD, bioprocessing engineering and AI chemical synthesis.

Dr Greig Paul is an experienced technical advisor and senior leader with a track record in working with innovative businesses, developing new technologies and in delivering major programmes.

Greig brings a broad depth of domain knowledge in the energy sector, telecoms, security, IT, defence and national security, combined with a background in advising both the public and private sector.

Ian Smith is a telecoms veteran with over three decades’ experience that began in Portland.

Ian has director-level experience within government, delivering complex innovation programmes and shaping policy.

He served as chief technology officer at a leading alternative network provider and brings experience of advanced network

New managing director, Kevin Forshaw, said: “Dorset and the wider south west have been leading technological solutions for both clean energy and UK defence and security for many years, and Dorset Innovation Park will be a key catalyst in driving further developments for net zero and UK energy security.

“I can’t wait to get started in October to drive further growth on the park, creating high-value jobs for the regional economy, while positioning Dorset at the cutting edge of technological development in crucially important areas nationally and internationally.”

Dorset Council Leader, Cllr Nick Ireland, chair of the shareholder committee for Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, said: “Dorset Innovation Park is a strategically important site for our economy, not least because of its Enterprise Zone status.

“But its future success is dependent on us doing things differently to attract the investment needed for it to meet its full potential.

“These initial appointments bring the skills, commercial experience and sector knowledge to attract the inward investment and jobs our area needs.”

New chair of the Dorset Innovation Park company board, Dave Happy (left) with Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Nick Ireland

Ellis Jones backs business awards in Swanage

REGIONAL law firm Ellis

Jones Solicitors has thrown its support behind the Swanage Business Awards.

It is sponsoring the Best Place to Work category in the annual celebration of success to recognise those businesses which put their people first.

Ellis Jones, with 183 staff including 24 Partners, is a strong supporter of the community and businesses in Swanage where it has a well-established office in the High Street.

The Swanage Business Awards ceremony is being held at lunchtime on Thursday, October 9, at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage.

Associate solicitor, DanielleElyse Fordham-Parsons, and partner, Carla Brown, head of Wills, Trusts & Probate (WTP), said the Best Place to Work is the perfect category for Ellis Jones.

Carla said: “As a company with a strong culture that prioritises its people, we wanted

“AI isn’t coming – it’s already here,” said David Mutton, business advisor at Evolve.

“But too many business owners are either overwhelmed by the hype or unsure where to begin.

to support those businesses that recognise the value of a positive and supportive workplace.”

Danielle-Elyse, who is based in Swanage and manager of its WTP department there, said: “We all spend much of our lives at work, so it is important it is somewhere where we feel valued, supported, accepted and encouraged to do the very best we can.”

Best Place to Work is one of 12 categories at the Swanage Business Awards.

Nigel Reeve, of organisers Marketing West, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Ellis Jones as one of our sponsors who, like all our other sponsors, share our belief in recognising the achievements of these businesses and their employees.”

DORSET small and medium enterprises are invited to attend The AI Exchange – a new series of hands-on workshops designed to help business owners and leaders explore the real-world applications of AI.

The events, hosted by business advisory firm Evolve and funded by Business Growth Dorset, will take place in Poole, Ferndown, Bridport and Sherborne this month, with spaces limited to 20 participants a session.

“These interactive events are about cutting through the noise and figuring it out together – in a relaxed, collaborative space with others in the same boat, facing the same AI challenges and opportunities.”

The AI Exchange dates and

September 30, 3pm-6pm.

The sessions will be co-hosted by Evolve’s David Mutton and Dan Griffiths from Interpin Solutions, who will guide discussion and provide technical know-how.

The events are free to attend and open to SMEs based in the Dorset Council and BCP Council areas.

To book a place, visit https://evolveadvisory.co.uk/ events.

Associate solicitor

DanielleElyse FordhamParsons (left) and partner

Carla Brown

Town’s bard launches her poetry collection

TWO major literary events have shared the stage at the Corn Exchange Café and Bar in Dorchester.

The evening saw the launch of Blood on the Bramble, the debut poetry collection by Molly Dunne, Bard of Dorchester, followed by the first edition of The Heard, a new open-mic night.

Blood on the Bramble, published by local arts organisation The Jawbone Collective, is a collection steeped in folklore, feminine resilience and the wild edge of nature.

Drawing on Dorset landscapes and mythic imagery, Molly’s work mixes lyricism with bite, weaving stories of witches, girlhood, longing and resistance.

The launch, supported by Dorchester Arts, included readings, guest performers, activities and whimsical decor that transformed the cafe into something between a fairy forest and a literary salon.

“I wanted the launch to feel like stepping inside the pages,” said Molly.

“These poems were written for firesides, fields, kitchens

– the places where real stories grow.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who came to listen and support the book.”

More Great Escapes from Second World War author

FORMER war correspondent and bestselling author Damien Lewis will discuss his latest book, SAS Great Escapes Four, at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage later this month. He has worked with veterans of the Second World War and their families to tell five true stories, from escaping Italian prisoner-of-war camps to perilous journeys across the Netherlands, Belgium and France aided by Resistance networks.

Lewis has established himself as one of the most

popular Second World War historians after decades working as a war reporter for the world’s major broadcasters and winning numerous awards.

His books include the Second World War classics The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Hunting the Nazi Bomb, SAS Nazi Hunters, SAS Ghost Patrol, SAS Italian Job, SAS Band of Brothers, SAS Brothers in Arms and SAS Great Escapes.

Many of his books have been made into movies or television drama series or adapted as plays for the stage.

He is at the Mowlem on Thursday, September 18, at 7.30pm.

The second half of the evening introduced The Heard, a new open-mic night that will run regularly in Dorchester.

It will celebrate spoken word in all its forms and offer a platform for poets, storytellers, musicians and performers of all backgrounds.

Alongside featured poets and a headliner, open slots brought new and unexpected voices to the fore – from first-time performers to long-established local favourites.

“It was great to see such a variety of performers and styles,” said one audience member.

“There was a strong sense of community, and people really listened to each other.”

Both events were produced by The Jawbone Collective, a Dorset-based arts group dedicated to grassroots creativity.

Its work spans live events, publishing, workshops and mentoring, with a focus on amplifying unheard voices and building opportunities for artistic expression across the region.

The Heard is set to return in November 2025.

NATIONAL Theatre Live is coming to the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage with a screening of Inter Alia.

Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl, Saltburn – is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie.

Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career.

Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent.

When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright?

The screening is on Thursday, September 25, at 7pm.

The cafe at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester was transformed into something between a fairy forest and a literary salon

Big names aplenty at literary festival

by Helen Mockridge

BOOKS open doors to worlds that may be new or familiar, offering enlightenment, escape, adventure and much more besides.

This year’s Dorchester Literary Festival has invited some incredible speakers, and whether you’re interested in fiction, crime, science, history, railways, politics, the natural world, health, music, walking, biography or crime, there’s something to tempt you in a week’s worth of live events.

Glittering local authors include Martin Clunes, who celebrates the ways animals enrich people’s lives in

Evening of shanties

and stand-up

SEA shanties and stand-up comedy are on the menu in an evening of entertainment at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage.

Kelp!, from Swanage, sing sailors’ shanties, their songs painting pictures of wild nights in port and tough days at sea, with plenty of good cheer along the way.

Niamh Moroney has been a funny person since 2015, when she started touring with her one-woman comedy-theatre show Yer Wan.

Her Edinburgh Fringe debut, Pulled, a theatrical comedy spectacular, resulted in a sell-out run and several four-star reviews.

Tom Zachary is a co-founder and showrunner of the one true alternative open-mic in Brussels, The Chorus of Horus. Quinten Quartz Cabrio Leon is a Belgian alternative

Meetings with Remarkable Animals; Professor Geoffrey Guy, who gives us a glimpse into the future of medicine with Quantum Biology; while Natasha Solomon retells the unmissable story of legendary Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.

comedian, who plays mostly in English and Dutch, and a couple of times a season in French.

He was in the final of the biggest stand-up competition in Flanders, The Humo’s Comedy Cup.

Will Hugo will be MC for The Motley Crew – Sea Shanties and Stand-up Comedy, on Saturday, September 27, at 8pm.

MEMBERS of the audience are invited to bring their flags and whistles – and vocal chords – when Bournemouth Concert Brass presents its annual Last Night of The Proms concert at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage.

The band, one of the South’s most premier brass bands, will present a wideranging selection of music to suit all tastes, along with British Sea Songs, Jerusalem and, of course, Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory.

The concert is on Saturday, September 27, at 2.30pm.

Chris Chibnall, creator of Broadchurch, sets his crimes in Dorset’s most picturesque spots including the local boozer in Death at the White Hart. There’s plenty to get stuck into on the political and history front, from Sarah Vine’s explosive memoir How Not to be a Political Wife to BBC News’ Gordon Corera’s The Spy in the Archive about an introverted Russian archivist who exposed the KGB, or Jonathan Sumption’s The Challenges of Democracy. Max Hasting is also back with his latest bestseller, Sword: D-Day Trial by Battle. Health and wellbeing are

high on the agenda with Dr Julie Smith’s instant Sunday Times number one bestseller Open When, on how to reframe life’s complex problems when feeling overwhelmed, and pioneering scientist Tim Spector’s introduction to the life-changing benefits of fermentation.

Extraordinary real life stories are brought to life – Anne Sebba’s exclusive first-hand accounts of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, and the astounding memoir of West African Monica Macias, who describes her upbringing in North Korea under the guardianship of President Kim II Sung.

Not forgetting Somewhere a Boy and A Bear, Gyles Brandreth’s charming account of AA Milne, Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh.

Dorchester Literary Festival runs from Saturday, October 18, to Saturday, October 25.

What’s on! What’s on!

Last Night of The Proms –Bournemouth Concer t Brass 27 September 2:30pm

Bournemouth Concert Brass are one of the South’s most premier brass bands. Bring your flags and whistles, and your vocal chords! to join in this most patriotic event. The band will present a selection of wide range of music, including 'British Sea Songs', 'Jerusalem' and, of course, Elgar’s 'Land of Hope and Glory’

The 39 Steps 9 & 10 October 7:30pm

Murder, espionage, disguises, and endless comedy! The 39 Steps packs physical humour, quick changes, and thrilling chaos as four actors bring 100 characters to life.

SoundCellar & Swanage Jazz Festival present The Henrik Jensen Trio 11 October 7:30pm

The Henrik Jensen Trio delivers melodic, expressive jazz rooted in rich interplay and storytelling.

Actor and author Martin Clunes

PHOTO: Nicky Johnston

Arts & Entertainment

Feelgood comedy with the ‘worst singer in the world’

GLORIOUS!, the critically acclaimed West End hit comedy, will open its UK tour with a week’s run at Lighthouse Poole with Coronation Street and Doctors star Wendi Peters in the lead role.

First performed in 2005, Glorious! became an Oliviernominated hit in the West End, where it starred Maureen Lipman.

It was later made into a successful film with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant and has gone on to be translated into 25 languages and performed in 36 countries.

Wendi Peters starred in this production during a limited run at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in February, which received rave reviews.

“I’m so thrilled to be visiting Florence again,” said Wendi.

“And to bring Glorious! to all the beautiful theatres around the UK in 2026.

“It’s fun, heartbreaking but, above all, glorious!!”

Glorious! is the true story of American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins – dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world’ –who was known for her

flamboyant costumes, enigmatic performances and decidedly off-key voice.

Stage and screen star Wendi Peters is best known for her long-running role as Cilla

Film classic on stage

MADCAP adventure is coming to Swanage and Wimborne with The 39 Steps.

The production is billed as a high-octane blend of Hitchcockian suspense and Monty Python-style absurdity with just four actors playing more than 100 roles.

The audience will follow the dashing yet bewildered Richard Hannay as he is unwittingly drawn into a whirlwind of murder, mystery

and international intrigue.

On the run from both the police and a secret spy organisation, Hannay must race across the country to clear his name and stop a sinister plot that threatens national security, all while surviving train chases, plane crashes and the occasional sheep!

Revive Theatre’s production of The 39 Steps is adapted by Patrick Barlow

Battersby in ITV soap Coronation Street and most recently has been a regular on the BBC show Doctors as Nina Bulsara.

Her other television credits include Midsomer Murders (ITV), Hetty Feather, Hacker Time and Sadie J (CBBC).

Wendi has also competed on various shows including Soapstar Superstar (ITV), Celebrity Mastermind (BBC), Celebrity Masterchef (BBC) and Celebrity Sewing Bee for Children in Need (BBC), which she won.

Wendi was most recently seen as Mother Superior in the UK tour of Sister Act.

Her other theatre credits include: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (UK Tour), You Are Here (Southwark Playhouse), BIG The Musical (West End), The Game (Northern Broadsides) and White Christmas (West End; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh & Lowry, Salford).

Glorious! is written by Peter Quilter – End of the Rainbow and the movie, Judy; and directed by Kirk Jameson –Song From Far Away, Madagascar the Musical.

Glorious! runs from Tuesday to Saturday, February 10-14, 7.45pm (2.30pm Thursday matinee).

For tickets and information phone 01202 280000 or visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk.

CHRISTCHURCH

from John Buchan’s 1915 novel and the Alfred Hitchcock film, and directed by Richard Batt.

It is at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne from Thursday, September 25, to Saturday, September 27, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. It is at the Mowlem Theatre on Friday and Saturday, October 10-11, at 7.30pm.

Gilbert and Sullivan Society will stage The Yeomen of the Guard at The Regent in Christchurch later this month.

Yeomen, set in the Tower of London during King Henry VIII’s reign, premiered in October 1888 and ran for 423 performances. The Yeomen of the Guard runs from Thursday, September 25, to Saturday, September 27, including a Saturday matinee. The society’s production of The Pirates of Penzance last year was NODA award nominated.

Wendi Peters, from television’s Coronation Street, stars in Glorious!

Icons of animal kingdom up close and personal

ACCLAIMED wildlife filmmaker and photographer Gordon Buchanan is bringing his Lions and Tigers and Bears tour to Weymouth next year.

He will be recounting tales of his encounters with animals including pandas, polar bears, grizzly bears, lions, tigers and jaguars.

Gordon said: “I had a wonderful time touring Lions and Tigers and Bears earlier this year – and I had to say ‘yes’ when the chance came up to go back out on the road to a load of new venues.

“We joked that it sounded like a line from The Wizard of Oz – but the show is all about these amazing creatures, the undisputed icons of the animal kingdom, who I have been incredibly privileged to spend a lifetime observing.

“From pandas in China to orphaned grizzlies in Russia, from high-altitude tigers in the Himalayas to jaguars in the depths of the Amazon, I have

been fortunate enough to meet many of these incredible creatures in their natural habitats – and I love being able to share their secrets with audiences.”

Gordon has dedicated his life to exploring the beauty of the natural world, from forests to snowy landscapes and from

Festival’s films celebrate the sea

THE Ocean Film Festival World Tour, a collection of short films celebrating the wonder and power of the sea, is stopping off in Dorset this autumn.

The year’s films from around the world include freediving with marine life and extreme bodyboarding.

“The Ocean Film Festival is more than just a film event – it’s a celebration of our planet’s blue heart,” said tour director Nell Teasdale.

“With stunning cinematography and compelling stories, the festival aims to

inspire a deeper connection with the sea, offering a deep dive into the heart of our oceans and the lives of those who cherish them.”

The 2025 film line-up includes We the Surfers, about how surfing can change lives, as one of the documentaries.

The films are introduced by a compère, and each screening sees a free prize giveaway to win ocean-related goodies.

“Whether you’re a seasoned ocean enthusiast, a weekend surfer or someone who marvels at the mysteries of the deep, this

towering mountains to the depths of the great rainforests.

His mission was to capture the majestic bears and big cats on film and reveal their secrets to a global audience.

Gordon grew up on the Isle of Mull and began his career in filmmaking in 1989 as assistant to the acclaimed

survival cameraman Nick Gordon, traveling to Sierra Leone to document animals in the Gola Rainforest.

He went on to work on the Big Cat Diary series as well as the long-running expedition series Lost Land Of The… for the BBC.

Gordon’s Family & Me documentaries began in 2010 when he featured alongside Minnesota black bears.

He was also on the team for Our Changing Planet, a seven-year diary charting the fight to save the planet’s ecosystems.

Most recently, he has been seen tracking lions, leopards and cheetahs in Botswana for the BBC series Big Cats 24/7 – with series two reaching screens later this year.

Gordon Buchanan is at Weymouth Pavilion on Wednesday, February 4.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. gordon-buchanan.co.uk.

festival promises an unforgettable cinematic journey,” Nell added.

The Ocean Film Festival was created in Australia and this is the 12th year it has toured in the UK.

It visits the Regent Centre, Christchurch, on Wednesday, October 1, and Wednesday, November 12; and Lighthouse Poole on Thursday, October 23.

For tickets, go to www. oceanfilmfestival.co.uk.

Filmmaker and photographer Gordon Buchanan

We the Surfers

PHOTO: Hand Studio, Frechou & Bourbon

Arts & Entertainment

Bond of blood with tragic consequences

BILL Kenwright’s awardwinning production of the hit musical Blood Brothers is set to return to Lighthouse Poole.

The production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End and achieved global success with sell-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

It has won four awards for Best Musical in London and received seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

Blood Brothers, written by Willy Russell, started as a play performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.

In March this year, Kenwright’s production returned to the city of its birthplace for a two-week run marking the 100th anniversary of the Liverpool Empire Theatre.

The score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Blood Brothers tells the moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.

Willy Russell is one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.

Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters.

Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in a popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Blood Brothers runs from Tuesday to Saturday, October 7-11, at 7.45pm – with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

For tickets and information, phone 01202 280000 or visit www. lighthousepoole.co.uk.

Spotlight Diary

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry. The deadline for the September 29 issue is NOON on Thursday, September 19. Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net. Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY

10:00 WAREHAM CROQUET CLUB

Holme Garden Centre, West Holme Tuesdays & Thursdays – 10 am start Come and meet members of our sociable club. You’ll be amazed how much you enjoy yourself Guidance given. Equipment provided. All you need are flat shoes and enthusiasm! Enquiries: 01929 550190

SATURDAY

18.30 WHIST DRIVE at St Mary’s Church, Rectory Classroom, Swanage. Every Saturday. Tea and coffee provided. Very friendly group. Contact Richard: 01929 553516

Recruitment

PART TIME GARDENER WANTED

PERMANENT POSITION TO START IMMEDIATELY

An excellent and exciting opportunity has become available for a dedicated, experienced and skilled gardener to focus on the gardening and general maintenance aspects of a 5 acre property which comprises of a one and a half acre formal garden, circa one an acre less formal and 2 and a half acre meadow with stream.

All equipment is on sight from a new lawn mower to battery operated machinery. Hedge cutting is an essential part of this role. We are undergoing an extensive development of our grounds but a leading landscape designer so this offers a unique opportunity to be involved from the onset.

The position is offered to self employment on a hourly rate TBC with holiday pay to be agreed - this is a sole position - three days per week throughout the year. There will be additional support from the housekeeper.

We are located six miles east of Dorchester, Dorset - there is a principle house with a separate guest cottage sitting within the five acres. This position is available immediately - references required.

All enquiries - 07767471409 - or eggberesford@me.com

Blood Brothers is being staged at Lighthouse Poole

01202 763324

info@branksomeantiques.co.uk

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Specialist in Purbeck Stone Walling Construction General Building, Extensions, Renovations, Roofing, New Builds and all types of Ground Work. Also available for Plumbing, Electrics & Carpentry.

Specialist in Purbeck Stone Walling Construction General Building, Extensions, Renovations, Roofing, New Builds and all types of Ground Work. Also available for Plumbing, Electrics & Carpentry.

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

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Fax: 01929 552294

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Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

Fax: 01929 552294

Mobile: 07973 388190

Mobile: 07973 388190

Mobile: 07973 388190

www.jaconstructiondorset.co.uk

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Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

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MALLWOOD ROOFING LTD

COUNTRY COUNTRY ROOTS ROOTS

An evening of all things country, raising funds for Diverse Abilities Live music Line dancing

Custom cowboy hats & so much more... at The Treehouse, BH23 6DT

6pm til 10pm

Tickets from £17.50

Scan the QR code or book at diverseabilities.org.uk/countryroots

The Purbeck School Open Evening: Thursday 18th September from 5.30pm

Open Evening Thursday 18th September from 5.30pm - 8pm Ofsted 2025

‘Kindness underpins the work of the school’ ‘Pupils make exceptional progress’

The Purbeck School: kindness, aspiration, perseverance