The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 308

Issue 308

FREE EVERY FORTNIGHT

19 February, 2024

20,000 copies: Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis

The Purbeck Gazette www.purbeckgazette.co.uk

MUSIC NIGHTS

New Swanage Jazz Club launching Page 6

BACK TO SCHOOL – AT 99!

The last person born and brought up in the deserted village of Tyneham returns at the age of 99 Pages 4 & 5

MUMMERS MONEY

Wassail helps good Page 12 cause

FERRY TICKETS

Prices set to increase Page 17

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

What’s inside this issue...

Antiques and Collectibles 39 Arts & Entertainment 40-43 Business 36-37 Death Announcement 17 Equestrian 45 Farming 30 Food & Drink 35 Free Ads 44 Health & Wellbeing 32-34 Home & Garden 28-29 Letters 24 Local Services 45-47 Motoring 38 National Coastwatch 20 Politics 26-27 Public Notice 17 Puzzles 22-23 Puzzle Solutions 43 Reader’s picture 27 Sport 31 Spotlight Diary 44 Telling It Like It Is 25 Tide table 6 Wanted 44 Wareham Town Council report 14 NEWS New industrial units at Winfrith Newburgh New homes for health workers Swastika painted on fence Police warning on keyless cars School takes over lesiure centre Rugby club plans to move cafe Former council offices up for sale

7 10 13 14 17 19 21

EDITORIAL Paul Jones Editor-in-chief We love hearing your news and views.

Get in touch with us by emailing ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk Lloyd Armishaw Publisher ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk 01963 400186

About the Purbeck Gazette The Purbeck Gazette prints every fortnight and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. All editing, graphic design and lay-up is completed in-house by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury.

The Purbeck Gazette website is managed and edited by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. Blackmore Vale Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide. All rights reserved. All layouts copyright Blackmore Vale Ltd. No reproduction without permission.

OUR TEAM: The Gazette team consists of: Lloyd Armishaw, Debi Thorne, Donna Garner, Jane Toomer and Paul Jones.

n Joan

Barrett, 84, (right) has received her late husband’s Christmas Island medal after a little help from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau Page 10

n Plans to extend a pharmacy in Dorchester include a ‘collection robot’ for dispensing prescriptions.

Page 15

ADVERTISING Debi Thorne

Sales Director

Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409 Donna Garner

Account Manager

Donna.garner@blackmorevale.net 07714 289408 Jane Toomer

Senior Account Manager

Jane.toomer@blackmorevale.net 07714 289411 Rachelle Cooper Classified Adverts

adverts@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186 Lorraine Drake Distributor

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Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm Book Online: purbeckgazette.co.uk The legal stuff...

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this magazine, but the editor is unable to accept responsibility for any omissions or errors that may occur. The inclusion of any article or advertisement does not constitute any form of accreditation or approval by the editor.

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

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 3

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Little Terns need a helping hand PEOPLE are being sought to give their time to help protect a vulnerable bird.

The Little Tern, one of the UK’s smallest and most vulnerable seabirds, weighs no more than a tennis ball.

In the UK, the Little Tern population has been declining since the 1980s, and their numbers have dropped by almost a fifth (18%) since the year 2000.

The birds face multiple pressures in the UK, including coastal flooding exacerbated by climate change, as well as rising sea levels, declining food availability, disturbance from people, dogs and predators.

In Dorset, Chesil Beach is a vital stronghold for the last Little Tern colony in the south west.

Last year, the Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project celebrated more than 45 Little Tern chicks successfully fledging, whereas in 2021 only three surviving Little Tern fledglings were recorded.

However, the colony’s success depends on a team of dedicated volunteers who help protect each year’s chicks, as part of the Chesil Little Tern Recovery project.

This is led by the RSPB, in

Volunteers are needed for the Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project

PHOTO: Morgan Vaughan

partnership with the Chesil & Fleet Nature Reserve, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Crown Estate, Portland Court Leet, Natural England and Dorset Council.

Tara Watson, RSPB Chesil Beach Little Tern project officer, said: “Our volunteer warden team are what makes the Chesil Little Tern Project flourish with their commitment to protecting the birds, their insightful ideas, their vast array of skills and their kindness.

“Everyone is passionate about learning and when I meet with volunteers, I always learn something from them.”

The project is now appealing for volunteers to monitor and protect the Chesil Little Tern colony throughout this year’s breeding season, from April to August.

A full training induction will

TIDE TABLES ON PAGE 6

Entries open for charity run

ENTRIES are open for one of Dorset’s prettiest road runs – the annual charity Bournemouth Bay Run. The event, open to runners of all ages and ability, is on Sunday, March 24, and takes competitors along a seven-mile stretch linking Bournemouth with Poole.

The run raises money for five

local charities, including Dorset Mind, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and the RNLI, and last year more than £20,000 was raised.

Runners can participate in Half-Marathon or 10km events, and a 1km race is staged for children.

More details are available at bournemouthbayrun.co.uk.

be provided, no previous experience in conservation is needed, just bring your passion.

Tasks include: n Protecting the birds from human disturbance by talking to visitors about the project and explaining what they can do to

News help n Deploying predator deterrence and distraction techniques to prevent predators entering the breeding colony n Carrying out surveys to record breeding activity and disturbance n Supporting with practical tasks such as setting up seasonal fencing and bird hides For more information on how to apply, visit bit.ly/ LittleTernVolunteers or email chesil.tern@rspb.org.uk.

Liam Putt Emery, a Chesil Beach Little Tern volunteer, said: “Volunteering with the project at Chesil has been exceptionally rewarding. I have gained a lot of knowledge from spending time watching and recording the Little Terns’ daily activities.

“Practical tasks including fence maintenance and reviewing nest trail camera footage has also been very enjoyable.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them return next year.”

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

Return to the ‘village that died for England’

THE last person to have been born and raised in the nowdeserted village of Tyneham in Purbeck has made a final visit to his family home.

When Peggy Read died before Christmas in Australia aged 94 it left her childhood pal Peter Wellman as the last living connection with the “village that died for England”.

Peter, 99, recently returned to the tiny settlement evacuated just before Christmas in 1943 to enable the Army to extend its ranges.

Around 250 people from Tyneham and the valley farms were forced out, but promised they could return when Hitler had been seen off. But they were never allowed back.

While still on MoD land, the ruins of the village and the walk to the beach at Warbarrow Bay are open to the public for 160 days a year, and remain a moment in time that was frozen.

The school that Peter went to and the church at which attendance was mandatory have been restored, but the rest is decaying with time.

Peter, who was born in Tyneham in 1924, had attended the village’s annual memorial service until last year when he had a fall.

But his daughter Lynne and son Michael drove him back for a look around as the last remaining villager.

Peter said: “I don’t suppose I’ll ever come back, which is a shame. After Peggy died I am the last person to have been born and raised here.

“I do love it here, and people are always very interested in hearing about what life was like.

But we knew no different.

“We had no electricity, no mains gas and no running water – we had to pump that from

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Peggy Read, nee Holland, aged five. Peggy was the second last living resident of the village and died before Christmas aged 94

Peter Wellman (front row, second from left) aged four, outside the school in 1927 and in the school (below) in 2024, aged 99

near the church. There’s a tap there now.

“I remember going to the beach and fishing, and we often had mackerel. We were happy until we got moved out.”

Peter, whose family connections to Tyneham go back many generations and whose grandfather was the shepherd, attended the little single-room school.

He said he “scribbled like anyone else would” and when the school closed in 1933, when he was nine, he spent several years attending another school

by bus.

At 14 he started work on a nearby farm where he stayed for 36 years and then he had a job in the clay industry until retirement.

Many of the villagers enjoyed long lives and Peter put it down to the lifestyle.

“Fresh air is the main thing,” he said. “And hard work with a good heart and a contented mind. That’s how you live.

Now I’m the only one left.

They’ve all gone.”

Peter said he didn’t regret leaving the village because there

was little there for younger people, but would have liked the residents to return.

“They were told they could come back,” he said, “but they were never allowed.”

Peter recalls watching a dogfight in the sky above the fields he was working in during the war, and waving at the Spitfire pilot who downed an enemy plane.

The village was owned by the Bond family who lived in the grand Tyneham House that is now mostly gone.

They were resistant to modernity, meaning life in the village in 1943 was much like it had been a century earlier.

After a campaign led by Rodney Legg to allow the residents back, the MoD in 1975 permitted people to visit what was left, and it has become an increasingly popular place for day-trippers and tourists.

Peter, who now lives in nearby Swanage with his family close by, is also the last person to speak with an authentic Tyneham valley voice, which has a rich, velvety Dorset burr.

The widower, whose family lived in Tyneham for generations, has two children, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mark White, the grandson of Peggy Read who was the second last Tyneham resident

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 5

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Just before the military commandeered the village in 1943

and who has researched the village for years, said: “Peter is the last living link to the village.

“Tyneham was completely unremarkable until December 1943 when the residents were forced to leave.

“They were promised they could move back but the place

was compulsory purchased in the late 40s and the only ones who returned were those who were allowed to be buried in the churchyard.

“People like my nan and Peter have unintentionally become immortalised in history.”

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

Golf club getting down to jazz beat

TOP class music is coming to a local golf club with the launch of Swanage Jazz Club next month.

The jazz club, in association with Hampstead Jazz Club in London – one of the most prestigious jazz venues on the capital– will present a series of monthly concerts.

The first, on Saturday, March 2, will feature award-winning

singer Jo Harrop alongside virtuoso pianist Paul Edis and guitarist Nigel Price.

Nigel Williams, voice of Jazz FM’s breakfast and Saturday morning shows, will host the event.

David Suruki and Kathy Tatar, golf club owners, said: “We are pleased to extend the benefits to our members and also expand

purbeckgazette.co.uk The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is hosting monthly jazz evenings

the offering to visitors both local and further afield, and elevate the club’s appeal by staging quality shows throughout the year.”

The jazz club will present an eclectic range of music from the Great American Songbook through to classic bebop or blues with a dash of soul, and give the best musicians in Dorset an opportunity to play with the elite of the jazz world.

Mayank Patel, local resident and owner of Hampstead Jazz Club, said: “I was extremely excited when we first came up with the idea of launching a dedicated monthly jazz club at the Isle Of Purbeck Golf Club.”

The musicians at the launch event will perform songs taken from Jo Harrop’s critically

acclaimed trio of recent albums – Weathering The Storm, The Heart Wants and When Winter Turns To Spring – and a healthy twist of Great American Songbook classics.

They will also showcase songs taken from Jo Harrop’s forthcoming LP, which she recently recorded in Los Angeles with producer Larry Klein, best known for his work with iconic artists including Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux and Herbie Hancock.

For full details and tickets – tickets offered to golf club members first – visit Swanage Jazz Club’s website, www. swanagejazzclub.com, or on social media @ swanagejazzclub. The club has ample free parking.

Compiled by Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

Solar & Tidal predictions Feb/March 2024 Solar Tidal Predictions Jan'23 '23 Solar &&Tidal Predictions - -Nov Peveril Ledge, Swanage Peveril Ledge, Swanage

Date Date

Life is full of choice.

So is a celebration of life

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01-Jan 01-Nov 02-Jan 02-Nov 03-Jan 03-Nov 04-Jan 04-Nov 05-Jan 05-Nov 06-Jan 06-Nov 07-Jan 07-Nov 08-Jan 08-Nov 09-Jan 09-Nov 10-Jan 10-Nov 11-Jan 11-Nov 12-Jan 12-Nov 13-Jan 13-Nov 14-Jan 14-Nov 15-Jan 15-Nov 16-Jan 16-Nov 17-Jan 17-Nov 18-Jan 18-Nov 19-Jan 19-Nov 20-Jan 20-Nov 21-Jan 21-Nov 22-Jan 22-Nov 23-Jan 23-Nov 24-Jan 24-Nov 25-Jan 25-Nov 26-Nov 26-Jan 27-Nov 27-Jan 28-Nov 28-Jan 29-Nov 29-Jan 30-Nov 30-Jan 31-Jan

Moon / Sunrise Sunset Moon / Tides Sunrise Sunset Tides 04:00 11:16 16:53 23:37 08:09 16:13 05:16 10:43 17:38 23:04 06:58 05:09 12:15 17:54 08:09 16:43 16:14 05:55 11:24 18:17 23:47 07:00 00:33 06:12 13:07 18:48 08:08 16:42 16:15 06:37 12:09 19:01 07:02 01:25 07:06 13:56 19:35 08:08 16:40 16:16 00:37 07:31 13:05 20:05 07:03 02:13 07:54 14:41 20:17 08:08 16:38 16:17 01:35 09:10 14:10 21:41 07:05 16:37 02:59 08:36 15:25 20:55 08:08 16:18 02:42 10:21 15:23 22:47 NP 07:07 16:35 03:42 09:13 16:05 21:32 FM 08:07 16:20 03:56 11:24 16:47 23:44 07:08 16:33 04:22 09:47 16:42 22:05 08:07 16:21 05:11 12:19 17:54 07:10 16:32 04:58 10:19 17:14 22:37 SP 08:06 16:22 00:32 06:06 13:02 18:35 07:12 16:30 05:29 10:49 17:44 23:05 08:06 16:24 01:13 06:45 13:39 19:07 07:13 16:29 05:59 11:16 18:15 23:32 08:05 16:25 01:50 07:18 14:14 19:38 07:15 16:27 06:31 11:45 18:48 08:05 16:26 02:27 07:49 14:48 20:08 07:17 16:26 00:05 07:08 12:20 19:27 08:04 16:24 16:28 03:02 08:20 15:23 20:39 NM 07:19 00:45 07:52 13:04 20:14 08:03 16:23 16:29 03:38 08:53 15:58 21:10 07:20 01:33 08:45 13:59 21:10 08:02 16:22 16:31 04:15 09:27 16:35 21:45 SP 07:22 02:34 09:51 15:11 22:21 NP 08:02 16:20 16:32 04:52 10:03 17:13 22:24 07:24 03:50 11:07 16:39 23:37 08:01 16:19 16:34 05:32 10:44 17:55 23:09 07:25 05:07 12:17 17:49 08:00 16:18 16:35 06:17 11:34 18:43 07:27 00:44 06:12 13:19 18:49 07:59 16:17 16:37 00:05 07:11 12:39 19:14 07:28 01:44 07:12 14:16 19:45 07:58 16:16 16:38 01:17 08:31 14:13 21:21 07:30 02:40 08:08 15:08 20:36 NM 07:57 16:15 16:40 02:43 10:19 15:43 22:45 NP 07:32 03:32 09:00 15:57 21:24 07:56 16:13 16:42 04:05 11:25 16:55 23:44 07:33 04:20 09:49 16:44 22:10 SP 07:55 16:12 16:43 05:12 12:19 17:55 07:35 05:06 10:35 17:29 22:55 07:54 16:11 16:45 00:37 06:09 13:07 18:45 07:36 05:51 11:22 18:14 23:41 07:52 16:11 16:47 01:24 06:58 13:52 19:30 07:38 02:08 07:43 14:35 20:11 07:39 06:37 12:08 18:59 07:51 16:10 16:48 02:52 08:26 15:17 20:50 FM 07:41 00:27 07:25 12:56 19:48 07:50 16:09 16:50 03:34 09:07 15:59 21:29 SP 07:42 01:14 08:18 13:46 20:43 07:49 16:08 16:52 04:17 09:47 16:41 22:07 07:44 02:06 09:21 14:44 21:50 07:47 16:07 16:54 04:58 10:26 17:21 22:48 07:45 03:05 10:33 15:51 23:00 07:46 16:07 16:55 04:18 11:43+ FM 17:08 07:44 16:57 NM = New Moon = Full Moon00:07 + NP = Neap tides + SP NP = Spring Tides HW HW

LW LW

HW HW

LW LW

HW HW

All times are NM local= New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides

All times are local

e&oe

e&oe

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 7

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New industrial units in £4.4m ‘park’ project WORK is underway on a £4.4 million project to build six new industrial units in the heart of Purbeck.

Dorset Council has commissioned the build, at the Dorset Innovation Park, in Winfrith Newburgh.

Spetisbury Construction will build the new structures, ranging from 200 sqm to 600 sqm, funded from the council’s capital budget.

The innovation park is Dorset’s only economic development site with Enterprise Zone status, offering office space, workshop facilities and fully-serviced commercial employment land.

The park is home to a range of businesses, including Qinetiq, Atlas and Norco, plus the Ministry of Defence, which has a presence at the Defence Battlelab.

The new units are set to be completed in December.

Cllr Peter Wharf, Dorset Councillor for West Purbeck, said: “The Dorset Innovation Park is a significant asset for the county.

“Investment is vitally important for our economic growth ambitions, and these new buildings will provide a space for companies seeking to develop.

“This will bring job

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Includes a choice of Chicken, Pork & Beef

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The units are being built at Dorset Innovation Park at Winfrith Newburgh PHOTO: Dorset Council

opportunities for local people, as well as expansion space for those businesses already on site.

I am very much looking forward to seeing these units built and can’t wait to see which new businesses come in and use them.”

Justin Ives, managing director of Spetisbury Construction, added: “Spetisbury Construction have worked alongside Dorset Council on numerous projects over the last 20 years and it has been great to be involved in this most recent and exciting

project.

“Our close work with the project team starting over a year ago has resulted in the development of the initial concept to a fully considered design.

“The project has evolved and changed shape on several occasions to meet the needs of the target market, however it is now great to be on site and into the construction phase. We look forward to delivering this project later in the year and on to future projects with the council’s team.”

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

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Purbeck Gazette February 20, 2023

Blues Festival Swanage Blues Festival was established in 2001 and has grown considerably in both numbers and stature since then. What started as a handful of gigs in several pubs will this time consist of 65 performances by 45 acts in 18 venues.

In 2023 Dorset Council chose Swanage Blues Festival to be one of 10 specially selected entertainments and attractions for its Culture In Dorset initiative, providing a useful boost to the event. This month the UK Blues Federation included Swanage Blues in the top five nominations for the best UK blues-based festival.

Also nominated in their own classes were top performers Jimmy Regal and the Royals, The Milk Men, Mark Harrison, Martin McNeill and Thomas Heppell who will be part of this the 39th festival.

All this is organised by ex-touring musician and now wheelchair user Steve Darrington who is looking forward to meeting up again with famous guitarist / singer Dave Kelly of The Blues Band, when he performs in March. “Dave gave me my first London gig at his club and it’ll be a real treat to return the favour in Swanage

60 years later!” said Steve.

Helping the local economy was always the idea behind bringing the blues to Swanage and optional ‘Blues Wristbands’ are available to show your support for the festival and cost just £15, which helps cover some of the costs involved. Where to buy them and all information can be found at www.swanage-blues.org. There is also a handy interactive schedule with details of artists, venues, times, addresses and a map, and each event is run by a tiny not-for-profit limited company.

Photo by: Paul Dubbelman

07445 261037 * 01929 422338 Photo by: Paul Dubbelman

Photo by: Paul Dubbelman

Photo by: Paul Dubbelman

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 9

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Choirs celebrate Women’s Day

By Lorraine Gibson STIRRING songs such as African Prayer, You Raise Me Up and a medley from Les Miserables feature in a music event at St John’s Church, Wimborne that will celebrate International Women’s Day. Military wives and police officers will stand side by side in Sing Into Spring, a choral concert in which the Bovington Military Wives Choir and Dorset Police Male Voice Choir will perform together for the first time.

Sheila Dursley, conductor of the women’s choir, said: “What a thrill to celebrate all women have achieved in the world.

“We’re delighted that the Police choir will stand with us and hope that the concert inspires the audience, and that many come, perhaps for the first time. They’ll be surprised and

delighted!”

David Marshall, managing director of the men’s choir, added: “Yes, we’re singing to acknowledge women’s importance in our lives, and we’ll take the roof off St John’s, not literally, otherwise those officers among us would have to investigate!”

The concert is at St John’s Church, Wimborne BH21 1AE on Saturday, March 9, at 5pm.

Doors open 6.30pm and there’s good disabled access – £8 on the door or in advance at Eventbright (charges may apply).

The Bovington Military Wives Choir and Dorset Police Male Voice Choir will be joining forces at St John’s Church in Wimborne

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

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Joan ‘proud’ to receive late husband’s medal

A DORSET resident was delighted when she received a posthumous Christmas Island medal for her late husband following a visit to the Citizens Advice Bus. Joan Barrett, 84, visited the Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck bus for general advice.

Tracey Brightman, outreach adviser, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck, said: “Joan initially came to us for general help and we got chatting about her late husband and how he’d served on Christmas Island.

“I had heard how Christmas Island medals have been awarded to veterans and how people can apply posthumously, so helped Joan with the application.”

Joan, of West Moors, said: “I can’t thank Tracey enough for

Joan Barrett, 84, (right) has her late husband Reginald’s Christmas Island medal thanks to the efforts of Tracey Brightman (left), outreach adviser, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck

New homes for health workers

NHS workers have moved into newly-built homes in Dorchester.

Nine apartments have been built on the former parade ground of the town’s historic barracks and the first key workers and their families have moved in.

The £2.4 million development, by Dorcesterbased RTI – part of Redtale Holdings Ltd – is at Barrack House, close to Dorset County Hospital and Vespasian House.

Malcolm Curtis, chief executive of Redtale, said: “It is exciting to see the first key workers and their families from the local NHS move into Barrack House.

“As a Dorset based company, we’re proud to play our part in supporting the local

Some of the new homes at Barrack House in Dorchester

community and economy, with high quality accommodation for such essential employees.

“The development of Barrack House shows perfectly how an infill development on a brownfield site can be seamlessly integrated into a sensitive and historic setting,

whilst providing essential housing.

“This has been achieved despite a lengthy and occasionally frustrating planning journey, which spanned the pandemic and overcame a series of hurdles.

“The result is a carefully considered and attractive development which respects, complements and enhances its setting in a sustainable and cohesive way.”

Barrack House’s nine, self-contained rental apartments comprise four units with one bedroom and five with two bedrooms for key workers and their families, up to a maximum of 23 occupants.

It has 11 parking spaces as well as cycle storage, and is within easy reach of the hospital and Dorchester town centre.

Barrack House was built using air-tight and thermally efficient construction methods along with low and zero carbon

purbeckgazette.co.uk helping me. I’m really proud to now have this medal. I will definitely wear it to the West Moors Armistice Parade this year with pride.”

Joan’s late husband, Reginald Barrett, served with the Royal Engineers as part of his National Service in 1955-57 and was posted to Christmas Island.

This is the first medal to be issued by King Charles. The Nuclear Test Medal was announced by the Prime Minister in November 2022 to recognise the significant contribution of military, civilian and overseas staff and personnel who participated in nuclear testing programmes in the 1950s and 1960s.

The advice bus visits different locations across East Dorset & Purbeck offering free advice and support on a range of issues. No appointment is necessary.

Visit www.edpcitizensadvice. org.uk/get-advice/advice-bus for dates and times. Alternatively, call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848.

(LZC) technologies, including a Joule Modulair All-E exhaust air pump system, where hot water is distributed by insulated pipes and heating via an underfloor system.

It is the latest phase of the Barrack Quarter urban regeneration project at the top of the town in Dorchester.

RTI, based at nearby Vespasian House, has also converted former quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale.

It has also gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used, landmark building with apartments and commercial space.

The military buildings in the area were built in the 19th century and were occupied by the Dorsetshire Regiment.

Following the army’s departure in 1958, they had a number of occupiers.

Your guide to the exciting

EVENTS IN SWANAGE IN 2024!

MARCH

Blues Festival, 29th Feb - 3rd March Swanage Railway - Victorian Weekend, 22nd March - 24th March

APRIL

Carnival Classic Motor Show, 21st April Coastal Barbarians Rowing Regatta, 27th April

MAY

Swanage Railway - Diesel Gala, 10th May - 12th May Pirate Festival, 25th May - 26th May Purbeck Art Weeks, 25th May - 9th June Fairy Festival, 31st May - 1st June

JUNE

Sea Rowing Regatta, 8th June Fish Festival, 15th June - 16th June Swanage Railway - ‘Roads to Rail’, 28th June - 30th June Coastal Rowing Regatta, 29th June

JULY

Jazz Festival, 12th July - 14th July The Wild Swimming Festival, 20th July - 21st July SWANAGE CARNIVAL WEEK! 27th July - 3rd August

AUGUST

Rotary Summer Craft Fair & Fete, 8th August Lifeboat Week, 10th August - 18th August SISATA outdoor theatre - Peter Pan, 11th August - 12th August Music by the Sea, 31st August

SEPTEMBER

Folk Festival, 6th September - 8th September Swanage Railway - Classic Steam & Vehicles, 6th September - 8th September Planet Purbeck Festival, 20th September - 22nd September

OCTOBER

Blues & Roots Festival, 3rd October - 6th October Supervets Rowing Regatta, 5th October Purbeck Film Festival, 18th October - 2nd November

CHRISTMAS IN SWANAGE

Artisans on the Beach, November - December tbc Christmas Lights Switch on, 30th November Swanage Railway - Christmas Events, November - December tbc Rotary Christmas Market, 7th December The Boxing Day Dip! 26th December Swanage Information Centre / 01929 766018 / welcome@swanage.gov.uk.

For more events throughout the year see our website ‘Visit Swanage’

Swanage Market every Friday throughout the year in Main Beach Car Park.

Cut this page out and keep it somewhere safe for reference!

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 11

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

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Wassail helps good cause

THE Purbeck Mummers, Hobo’s Boarder Morris and Purbeck Cider presented a cheque for £900 to the Lexi May Trust at the Horse and Groom, Wareham.

The money was raised from collections by the mummers, including at Corfe Castle, and the Square & Compass on

Boxing Day. Purbeck Cider also made a donation from last month’s wassail (pictured).

The Lexi May Trust supports children in Dorset with terminal illness and life-limiting conditions in Dorset.

PHOTOS: Sue Wheatley

Helping hands needed for local elections

DORSET residents will head to the polls on May 2 - and some could be heading to work.

Administrator of the elections, Dorset Council, is recruiting for poll workers on the day and night.

On May 2, voters will elect 82 councillors for Dorset Council, as well as more than 150 town and parish councillors.

The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election will also take place on the same day.

Each year, Dorset Council employs hundreds of staff at election time to make sure the process is run smoothly, in an open and transparent way.

“We still have a number of roles available and would love

Art & Gifts - Homeware - Furniture Handcrafted by Jason and Esme Cameron

and selected local guest Artists & Makers

Open: Wed to Sat, 10am - 4pm or by appointment

12 South St. Wareham BH20 4LT www.grangegallery.co.uk

to hear from you if you’re interested in working with us, particularly if you have previous experience working in a polling station,” a spokesperson said.

“Not only is it a great way to earn some extra money, but also a great opportunity to meet people and work as part of a team.”

People are sought to help staff more than 300 polling stations, based all over the Dorset Council area.

“As a member of the polling team, you will help to ensure everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, without facing barriers,” the spokesperson added.

“You will need to be over 18 years old and not have worked

on behalf of a candidate during the election campaign.”

Polling station staff are responsible for making sure voting procedures are correctly followed.

On election day, staff must have their polling station set up and ready to open for 7am, working through the day until after polls close, at 10pm.

Some opportunities are also available to work as counting assistants, taking part in counting votes cast at polling stations, together with any postal votes.

People are encouraged to register their interest in taking part now at www.dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/-/working-at-elections.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 13

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A swastika was among symbols painted on fencing in Corfe Mullen.

PHOTOS: Facebook

Swastika sprayed on fence

ww

VILLAGERS have been left shocked after graffiti – including a swastika symbol – was sprayed on a garden fence in Corfe Mullen.

Dorset Police have been notified of the vandalism, on fencing along the alleyway at the end of Towers Way, at the rear of houses on Orchard Close.

It is understood the graffiti appeared some time between Monday and Tuesday, February

6 and 7.

Responding to news of the graffiti, residents said it was “unacceptable”.

One said: “That Swastika is completely offensive.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said the graffiti was reported at around 1.18pm on Wednesday (February 7).

“Enquiries into the matter are ongoing and local officers have been made aware,” they added.

We’re there when it matters Going through a relationship breakdown can be an overwhelming and difficult time. Our specialist lawyers will help you understand your options to make informed decisions.

Divorce Financial Settlements Cohabitation Agreements Child Custody Prenuptial Agreements

hklaw.uk A Swanage T 01929 423301 E swanage@hklaw.uk A Wareham T 01929 552141 E wareham@hklaw.uk

14

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

News from Wareham Town Council – January report

By Julie Bradshaw Compiled from the minutes Budget items THE council approved an increase to the town council precept of 2.9% to £510,270, which avoids use of council reserves.

This is an increase of £6.53 a year on a Band D property, taking it to £231.41.

Apart from the operational and maintenance costs, there is the town criers’ competition, election expenses which have to be covered this year, new equipment for the museum, money reserved for a skate park, the interest on a loan to pay for rebuilding Howards Lane toilets and grants to local organisations.

A new cricket wicket at the

PHOTO: Simon Barnes

Recreation Ground has been requested.

The Museum will be running special events to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The lease of the depot used by the council will not be renewed when it expires this summer.

The streamlining and, in some cases, reduction of charges for using council facilities and the online booking system have been favourably

received by hirers.

Recruitment IF you missed the information session for prospective town councillors on February 6, apply to the town council office on 01929 553006 for details.

A Museum Health Check report collated by the Southwest Museum Development team recommended the recruitment of a paid manager curator.

This will advance the development of the museum, in particular, in using 3 East Street.

The council will be recruiting a fourth member of the grounds team.

Planning THE council objected to the proposed extension of 11A Bestwall Road.

purbeckgazette.co.uk

THE Red Lion Hotel planning applications are P/ LBC/2023/07157 and P/ FUL/2023/07156.

Arne THE 2RN bus from Wareham to Arne will run on Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7.

The public is welcome to attend the next council meetings on Tuesdays, March 5, and St George’s Day, April 23, at 7pm in the council chamber.

The annual town council meeting is on Tuesday, May 14.

For more information, contact the town council office on 01929 553006 or consult the council’s website, www. wareham-tc.gov.uk.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email newsdesk@blackmorevale.net

Keyless cars: Police warning to owners OWNERS of keyless cars are being warned of thieves using technology to steal vehicles.

Dorset Police has released footage of an attempted theft of a keyless car in Poole in order to raise awareness and help protect motorists.

Thieves use a device from outside a property to connect to a car key’s signal and trick the vehicle into thinking the key is nearby, meaning it will unlock automatically and the ignition can be started.

One incident involving an attempt to use this method happened at around 2.30am on Wednesday, January 24 in Poole, but the would-be thieves

failed to gain access to the vehicle.

Two men were reported acting suspiciously outside an address, with one of them carrying a backpack on his front and holding a wire above his head to try and connect to the key’s signal.

PC Harvey Trehane, of Dorset Police, said: “We are issuing CCTV footage from the reported incident to highlight the tactics that offenders are using.

“Keyless vehicles are targeted by criminals using signal equipment and we want to raise awareness of simple steps that can be taken to

The attempted keyless car theft PHOTO: Dorset Policeevery few

protect your car.

“If you see anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles in a similar way to the footage, please contact Dorset Police.”

How to protect your keyless entry car: n When at home keep your car key – and the spare – well away from the car. n Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag, and check if the bag or pouch is still working

months. n Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second-hand car. n Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.

For more crime prevention advice, visit www.dorset.police. uk/cp/crime-prevention/ keeping-vehicles-safe/ preventing-car-vehicle-theft.

To watch the moving CCTV footage, please visit our Dorset Police Facebook or X accounts.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 15

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‘Collection robot’ in pharmacy’s extension plans

A ROBOT could soon be dispensing prescriptions in Dorchester.

Black Circle has applied for permission to extend the chemist facilities at the Victoria Park Pharmacy, in Maud Road, as well as installing a ‘collection robot’ at the front of the store.

“A pharmacy has traded from the premises for over 30 years and has established itself as an integral part of the local NHS as a health care provider,” the plans said.

“The pharmacy business is working to capacity in the current premises. The annual prescription numbers have more than doubled in the last two

years.

“The pharmacy is offering numerous healthcare services from its current small Consultation Room, which isn’t fit for purpose.

“The proposal will allow the existing Consultation Room to increase to accommodate a treatment bed. The proposal also introduces a new treatment room.”

The collection robot would allow people to collect prescriptions 24 hours a day, the plans said, with extra space in the building.

A garage to the rear of the premises would be demolished as part of the plan, with the robot installed at the front of the

The plans would see the Victoria Park Pharmacy in Dorchester extended and the robot installed PHOTO: Black Circle/Dorset Council

shop.

The scheme will now be considered by Dorset Council planners. For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, and search for application reference P/FUL/2023/07198. https://planning. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/plandisp. aspx?recno=402032

Footprints Foster Care

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As we embark on a new chapter beginning the year 2024 at footprints foster care, we reflect on the success of our foster carers and footprints team and get excited for what is to come in the next 12 months. The rewards, the support, the growth and the development; in the last 12 months we have given our readers the chance to see fostering in the words of our carers and social workers. Overall, Footprints has succeeded in providing over 30 children and young people care whether that be long or short term, we were there to help. When carers needed extra out of hours support, we were there to help. When carers needed some respite or childcare, we were there to help.

In times of great difficulty and strain on the Foster Care system, due to a decline of Carers within England at 12% over seven thousand foster families are needed across the UK to combat the rising demand of children in foster care. Without this, the fostering system will find it hard to place children near to their families as they extend reach outside of counties.

Our pledge for 2024 is to continue working for the foster carers and families, providing them the upmost care and support, and hopefully we can publicise the rewards and lifechanging benefits of becoming a carer to recruit and help reduce the national shortage.

Over the next year we will be looking into some interesting topics within foster care - stay tuned for more!

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Join our fabulous team in 2024 and help us to continue providing the best care to children and young people.

16

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

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A QUIZ night, gala lunches and games afternoons were among fundraisers that saw a Poole care home raise more than £1,100 for a Dorset cancer charity.

In recent months, residents and staff at Colten Care’s Bourne View have been raising money for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

And after a recent party in the Sandbanks sitting room of the Langside Avenue home, DCCF representatives were presented with a giant cheque to mark the culmination of a year of activity involving residents, families, team members, friends and community contacts.

The exact amount raised, £1,142.95, was also spelt out in meringue piped icing on a fruit cake specially baked for the occasion by Colten Care chefs and sisters Lorna Parsons and Annabell Bryer.

Party guest Irene Whyment,

party included trustee Di Bird and fundraising manager, Jannine Loveys.

Di said: “We are so grateful to the residents for very kindly choosing us as their main charity to support in the past year.

“Our aim is to raise money in Dorset for people facing often extreme financial hardship because of cancer and we rely on donations.

“Our support helps in a whole range of ways. It goes towards the costs of expenses such as transportation, childcare, home modifications, respite care, general household bills and specialised treatment, always with the endorsement of qualified practitioners.

“We are the only charity of our kind in Dorset in that we focus on financial help for people living with cancer. So far, we have raised more than £700,000, helping around 800 individuals.”

Gemma Parkin, Bourne View home manager, said: “Our residents choose the charities we support and we are proud to have helped DCCF in its vital work this year.”

For more information on DCCF, visit www.dccf.co.uk.

Care home puts the fun into fundraising

Holding the cheque, from left, Bourne View residents Joan Blackshaw, John Broomfield and Irene Whyment. Behind them are, from left, Dorset Cancer Care Foundation fundraising manager Jannine Loveys and trustee Di Bird; and Bourne View home manager Gemma Parkin

who lives at the home, said: “Everyone has got on board with supporting this most worthy cause and helping local families. The money is definitely going somewhere it’s needed.”

Irene’s comments were echoed by fellow Bourne View resident, John Broomfield.

“Our events have been

excellent and very enjoyable, and we’ve had a lot of fun,” he said.

To help the appeal, residents went hands-on at a number of events, making decorations for a gala, making up goodie bags and helping count the number of chocolate eggs in a jar for a guessing game.

DCCF representatives at the

Diabetes charity sets swimming challenge DIABETES UK is calling on people in Dorset to take part in a sponsored swimming challenge this spring to raise funds for the charity.

Swim22, running from March 22 to June 22, involves swimming a total of 22 miles – the same distance as the English Channel.

Participants can take on the challenge at their own pace, in their local pool or the open water, adding up the miles across the course of the 12 weeks.

All funds raised will go towards Diabetes UK’s work, funding lifesaving research and helping people living with diabetes to get the care and

support they need.

Actor and Diabetes UK supporter Annette Badland, whose credits include EastEnders, Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders and Ted Lasso, is encouraging people to take part in the challenge after completing it twice herself.

Annette said: “Diabetes UK’s Swim22 challenge is a fantastic way to find a fitter, more confident you. I know first-hand that swimming 22 miles over 12 weeks is no mean feat – but the sense of accomplishment you get at the end of the challenge is unmatchable.

“You'll feel a boost in your mood after every swim and knowing your fundraising

efforts are going towards supporting people affected by diabetes makes all those more challenging swims so worthwhile.”

Phaedra Perry, Head of Diabetes UK – south west and south central, added: “Whether you haven’t swum in a while or you’re a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice along the way.

“By taking on Swim22, you’ll not only be swimming towards a healthier you. The money you raise will help fund our vital work, including the development of life-changing treatments and supporting people to live well with

diabetes. So, please, sign up to Swim22 and make a splash for Diabetes UK.” Fundraisers can swim in their local pool or the open water, alone or with family, friends or colleagues.

In addition to the standard 22-mile distance, two other challenges are on offer.

Participants can do ‘The Half’, covering 11 miles – half the distance to France or ‘The Double’ – swimming 44 miles, the equivalent of swimming to France and back again.

To register for Swim22, visit swim22.diabetes.org.uk.

Registration is free fee and participants do not need to raise a minimum sponsorship.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 17

News

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Ferry prices set to rise

PRICES for the Sandbanks Ferry are set to rise amid “heavy financial strain”.

The Sandbanks Ferry Company said rising costs and increased corporation tax – combined with “lower than projected income”, had put the firm under pressure.

Now, the ferry company is hoping it will able to align tolls to inflation and “reduce some of the unsustainable discounts currently available while increasing others”.

“At a meeting, which included councillors from both BCP and Dorset Councils, the ferry company agreed with stakeholders that should inflation ever become negative it would mean a reduction in tolls,” a spokesperson for the company said.

“Given this undertaking the

School taking over running of leisure centre QE Leisure Centre in Wimborne will no longer operate as a public leisure centre from the end of March after Dorset Council cut funding and withdrew from running it.

Although the dual-use agreement between the council and Queen Elizabeth’s School – part of Initio Learning Trust – had another 60 years to run, the authority said it could no longer afford to fund the loss-maker.

The school will take over the management, and students will be able to use the facilities including the gym, sports hall,

Flags for Burns Night!

The Sandbanks Ferry

initiative received unilateral support.”

Managing director of the ferry company, Jason du Toit, added: “The costs of running the ferry service have risen exponentially while income has fallen in real terms.

“To ensure the continued operation of the ferry service beyond the next decade we have explored all options open to us.”

Full details of the proposed increases can be found at www. sandbanksferry.co.uk/ application. dance studio, hard court, athletics area and newly re-laid and refurbished Astroturf pitch. The pool will be available after completion of works.

While it will not be run as a public leisure centre, new arrangements are being developed by the school to provide opportunities for clubs and community groups to hire the facilities.

Liz West, chief executive officer of Initio Learning Trust, said: “We’ve explored every possible way of maintaining the leisure centre but without significant capital investment it simply is not viable.

“While the centre won’t be run as a public leisure centre, QE students will still have use of the facilities for lessons as they always have, and will continue to receive a first class education in sport and fitness.”

FUN continued well into the night when Upton Bay care home in Hamworthy prepared a traditional Burns Night Supper to the tune of traditional Scottish music.

Staff and residents helped to mark the Scottish institution by drinking a dram of whisky and giving the time-honoured address to the ‘Great chieftain O’ the

pudding race’ – the haggis.

Mevin Sohorye, general manager, said: “Burns Night is always a fantastic event at Upton Bay – it’s so important to continue these traditions.

“Our residents enjoyed a hearty meal of fish broth, haggis, cheese and biscuits, along with Scottish shortbread, all prepared by our head chef, Alain.”

Death Announcement Sheila Mary Walker passed away peacefully on 5/2/2024 aged 91.

Formerly of Swanage, Dorset and more recently Pinemartin Grange, Sandford.

Wife of Michael, mother to Wendy, Roger and Geoffrey.

Grandmother to seven beloved grandchildren and primary school teacher to many more. Many happy memories.

Funeral service 2pm March 5th Poole Crematorium.

Donations to Save the Children www.justgiving.com/SheilaMWalker

Public Notice Notice of Public Consultation OCEAN ORIGIN Ltd

9th March 2004 at 1100-1200 hrs Emmanuel Church, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2NZ Members of the public are encouraged to provide written comment to the following address in advance to enquiries@oceanorigin.co.uk Ocean Origin Ltd is seeking licence for a seaweed and shellfish cultivation pilot project on the Dorset coast. Native kelp and shellfish species will be grown from suspended long-lines at two artisanal sea farm sites in Ringsted and Swanage bays. For more information see

www.oceanorigin.co.uk ocean.origin_seaweed

18

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

News

Tourist trade in awards spotlight THE best of Dorset tourism was celebrated at an awards night.

The 11th Dorset Tourism Awards were held at Weymouth Pavilion, with hundreds of firms gathering to recognise the work of those making the county a special place to visit.

Legendary journalist Dr Kate Adie, recently announced as the new president of the Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England, was among the speakers as 65 winners were announced.

Among those to receive gongs were the 2024 Winner of Winners award to Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park in Poole; a special Unsung Hero award to the Tank Museum’s Rosanna Dean; and a further special Future of Hospitality award to Marsham Court Hotel.

Amanda Park, of sponsors Visit Dorset, said: “As proud sponsors of the Dorset Tourism Awards, we are delighted to have the opportunity to come together and celebrate the amazing variety and quality of our fantastic tourism industry, which contributes so much to our Dorset economy.

Congratulations to all the finalists.”

Councillor Millie Earl, BCP Council portfolio holder for connected communities, said: “It’s great to see that so many exceptional tourism businesses from the BCP area were represented at last night’s Dorset Tourism Awards, and I add my congratulations to all the winners.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, added: “I want to add my congratulations to businesses that have literally wowed our independent judges.

“To deliver excellence in

purbeckgazette.co.uk sponsored by Tozers. Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport. Silver: Durdle Door Holiday Park, Wareham.

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Guestline. Gold: Holiday Inn, Bournemouth. Silver: Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch. Bronze: The Nici, Bournemouth.

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Baboo Gelato.

Gold: Dorset Museum, Dorchester. Silver: The Tank Museum, Bovington. Bronze: Lighthouse, Poole. Commended: The Oceanarium, Bournemouth Aquarium, Bournemouth NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Visit Dorset. Gold: English Cottage Vacation, Shaftesbury. Silver: The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne. Bronze: Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport.

Commended: Weymouth Land Train, Weymouth PUB OF THE YEAR sponsored by Black Cow Vodka. Gold: The Acorn Inn, Dorchester. Silver: The Old Thatch Pub, Kitchen & Country Store, Wimborne.

Bronze: The Queen’s Arms, Sherborne.

The Dorset Tourism Business Awards at Weymouth Pavilion.

Dr Kate Adie (left) addressed the audience PHOTOS: Nick Williams PHOTOS: Nick Williams

Bournemouth. Gold: Lighthouse, Poole.

Silver: Dorset Museum, Dorchester; The Tank Museum, Bovington. Bronze: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Dorset Tea. Gold: Upwey Wishing Well Tearooms, Weymouth.

Silver: Compton Acres Café Tearooms, Poole. Bronze: Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth; The Story Pig, Sherborne.

these times is a huge testament to their commitment and dedication.”

Successful businesses in the Dorset Awards will now be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March and possibly into the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.

The full list of winners at the 2023/24 Dorset Tourism Awards was: ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School.

Gold: Dorset Museum, Dorchester. Silver: National Trust – Corfe, Purbeck Estate, Swanage. Bronze: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; The Tank Museum, Bovington.

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby. Gold: Alexander Lodge, Bournemouth. Silver: Barton Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Dorchester.

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by NFU Mutual

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking. Gold: Wareham Forest Tourist Park, Wareham. Silver: Norden Farm Campsite, Wareham; South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Lytchett Minster. Bronze: Coppet Hill Camping and Glamping, Bridport.

Commended: Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite, Corfe Castle.

CASUAL DINING AWARD sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink. Gold: MezeBag – Baraca Restaurant, Bournemouth.

Silver: Lolas Restaurant, Bournemouth.

Bronze: Poco Pizza, Lyme Regis.

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Saffery. Gold: Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport. Silver: Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth. Bronze: Warmwell Holiday Park, Weymouth.

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, sponsored

by Sunflower Social Media. Gold: Treetop Adventure Plus – Moors Valley Go Ape, Ringwood. Silver: Durdle Door Cruise – Weymouth Bay RIB Charter, Weymouth. Bronze: Sea Train Adventure – City Cruises, Poole. Commended: Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, Evershot.

FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AWARD sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth.

Gold: Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth.

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hall & Woodhouse. Gold: St Tropez Lounge, Poole. Silver: Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles, Weymouth. Bronze: The Jetty Restaurant, Christchurch; Upper Deck Restaurant in Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch.

Commended: The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis.

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Booking. com. Gold: Bournemouth Beach Lodges, Bournemouth; Silver: Rudge Farm Cottages, Bridport.

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Quality in Tourism. Gold: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Dorchester. Silver: Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch.

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Resort Dorset. Gold: Nothe Fort, Weymouth. Silver: Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne; Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth.

Bronze: Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester.

Commended: Compton Acres, Poole; Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Bournemouth.

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Les Enfants Terribles. Gold: Arts by the Sea Festival 2022, Bournemouth. Silver: Tankfest 2023, Bovington. Bronze: Swanage Regatta and Carnival 2023, Swanage.

Commended: Shire Hall Christmas Market 2022, Dorchester.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism. Gold: Rosanna Dean, The Tank Museum, Bovington.

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Holidaymaker App. Gold: Swanage Information Centre, Swanage. Silver: Upton Park Visitor Welcome Centre, Poole.

WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Touch Stay. Gold: Highcliffe Castle, Highcliffe. Silver: The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Poole. Bronze: Dorset Museum Weddings, Dorchester;Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch.

WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP. Dorset Museum, Dorchester.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 19

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Noisy neighbour?

Rugby club plans to move cafe

WEYMOUTH & Portland Rugby Club has applied for planning permission for the Caddyshack café at the Monmouth Avenue ground – a year after a similar application was refused.

In February last year, Dorset Council refused retrospective planning permission for the café – a converted shipping container and outdoor seating area – on the grounds of excessive noise, smell and a lack of toilet facilities.

Applicant NA Williams Building Consultancy Ltd, on behalf of the rugby club, then appealed the decision.

However, a planning

inspector upheld the refusal, only on the grounds the café would create excessive noise for neighbouring properties.

The new application would see the current Caddyshack container and seating area moved 75 metres, close to the rugby club building, and a new, covered seating area created.

It would sit on a site currently used for car parking.

“Within their appeal dismissal, the planning inspectorate concluded that the current location did not create excessive odours and that there was sufficient WC provision available within the rugby club,” the application said.

The Caddyshack at Weymouth & Portland Rugby Club would be moved if plans are approved PHOTO: NA Williams/Dorset Council

“As the relocated proposal will be more than 100m from any neighbouring property, generation of excessive noise cannot be an issue.”

It added: “The proposal will create no change to the current provision of off-road parking in the proposal site, and will not therefore present any future strain on the local highway.

“When the café facility and associated is relocated to the

proposed location, the area that this currently occupies will revert to car parking, and as such there will be no loss in the current on-site parking provision.”

Dorset Council planners will now consider the scheme.

For more details, and to comment on the application, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2024/00504.

1,000 flowers as hospice charity marks 30 years

A DAZZLING display featuring 1,000 handcrafted stained-glass flowers will mark a Dorset charity’s 30th anniversary.

The Forest Holme Hospice Charity has announced details of the special attraction, which will be installed at Merley House in Wimborne.

As well as viewing the display between April 27 and May 2, members of the public have the opportunity to own a piece of the commemorative art, created by artist Ellie Drake-Lee, from Garden Glass Art. The keepsake flowers are now available to pre-purchase via https://register.enthuse. com/ps/event/GlassFlowers for delivery or collection following the event.

This year marks 30 years since Forest Holme Hospice Charity was set up to raise funds for the then-new specialist palliative care unit

based at Seldown Road, in Poole.

It was the year Four Weddings and a Funeral became the top grossing UK film, the first UK National Lottery draw took place, and Tony Blair won the Labour Party leadership election.

The charity officially launched on April 26 and since then, donations from supporters have helped care for more than 30,000 patients and their families.

Formerly known as the Friends of Forest Holme, Forest Holme Hospice Charity has grown to meet increasing demand for the hospice’s services.

To coincide with its anniversary, the charity has also announced details of a number of other activities and initiatives taking place throughout the year.

They include a £30 For 30 Years appeal, numerous

The handcrafted stained-glass flowers created by artist Ellie Drake-Lee will go on display at Merley House in Wimborne

fundraising and challenge events, as well as the annual Tie A Yellow Ribbon and Light Up a Life remembrance services.

Hannah O Hare, charity chief executive, said: “This year is an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 30 years, remembering all those whose lives have been touched by Forest Holme, and thanking everyone who has been a part of making the hospice what it is today.

“The remarkable unwavering support of our community has enabled us to care for thousands of local people living with life-limiting illnesses, so here’s to the next 30 years of compassion, dignity and quality end-of-life care for all.”

If you would like to help celebrate the hospice’s 30th anniversary and learn more about the work of Forest Holme and its charity, visit www.forestholmehospice.org. uk.

20

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

National Coastwatch

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Storms: What’s in a name?

I

’VE just come back from an afternoon watch and, as I write this month’s article, I’m reminded of that wonderfully descriptive Scots word, dreich. The weather can be described as dreich – grey, overcast, misty, rainy and generally a miserable winter’s day. The Met Office inshore waters forecast for the day talks of a low pressure system moving north and bringing a period of unsettled and stormy weather to the whole of the country.

A storm means different things to different people and while it doesn’t have an official meteorological definition, like a hurricane, it is commonly used to describe a deep and active area of low pressure with associated strong winds and precipitation – rain or snow.

Despite not having a meteorological definition, it’s perhaps not surprising to find that insurers define a storm as having wind with gusts over 55mph!

Since 2015, we’ve become accustomed to having some storms named. In the UK, a storm will be named when it has the potential to cause disruption or damage which could result in an amber or red Met Office weather warning. Storms will usually be named based on the impacts from strong winds, but the impacts of other weather types will also be considered.

For example, rain, if its impact could lead to flooding, or snow.

by Nick Reed Initially the storms were named by the British and Irish Met Offices but, since 2019, these two organisations have joined forces with the Dutch national weather forecasting service (KNMI) to form the western storm naming group.

Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Luxembourg together make up the southwestern storm naming group, and Norway, Sweden and Denmark are the northern group.

The storm season runs from September through to August, rather than a calendar year, as most storms happen during the autumn and winter. Our weather can be notoriously unpredictable and there are years when we have had storms such as Storm Ellen and Francis in August 2020 and Storm Evert in July 2021.

Most years, the forecasting groups draw the names from a shortlist of favourites submitted by the public. However, for the 2023-24 season, the Met Office has modified this, naming several storms after prominent scientists, meteorologists and others “who work to keep people safe in times of severe weather”. The first storm of the 2023/24 season was called Storm Agnes, after Agnes Mary Clerke, an Irish astronomer and science writer. Babet was named after a woman who put her own name forward, “because I was born during a

The weather has been ‘dreich’, as the Scots say. PHOTO: Nick Reed

storm”. The first storm of 2024 was named Henk by KNMI and was submitted by someone who visited an open day at the agency's headquarters in October 2022. At the time of writing, the latest storm was Storm Jocelyn named after Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist who discovered the first pulsating radio stars, or pulsars, in 1967.

D

ESPITE using names of famous scientists, everyone is welcome to suggest names for future consideration via email to nameourstorms@metoffice.gov. uk or through the Met Office’s online form. Any future names for the Met Office component of the list may be compiled from these suggestions. However, if your name is Quentin, Ulysses, Xander, Yasmine or Zara don't expect to be immortalised as a force of nature. Names beginning with Q, U, X, Y and Z do not even make the shortlist. This is because the European Forecasting Agencies follow the US National Hurricane Centre naming conventions, which doesn’t use names which begin with the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z. It has been a particularly stormy autumn and winter so far. Since August 2023, we have had at least one named storm a month affecting the UK. December brought three and there have already been three in January – Henk, Isha and Jocelyn. In a typical UK

autumn/winter, there would be six or seven named storms – getting to the letters F or G. As I write this piece, we are anticipating the arrival of Storm Kathleen, meaning we’ve had the most named storms since 2015/16.

The main driver for the stormy weather seems to be a particularly powerful jet stream – fast moving winds high in the atmosphere – which meanders west to east across the Atlantic. Areas of low pressure and storm systems develop on the movement of the jet stream and are directed to the UK. The jet stream itself is influenced by the temperature contrast between the poles and midlatitudes. This happens on a global scale and our weather can be influenced by phenomena occurring elsewhere across the globe such as the current El Niño event in the tropical Pacific region. El Niño is associated with warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific that can affect weather across the world. It is thought El Niño tends to bring wetter and windier weather in autumn and the start of winter to the UK, before a period of colder than average weather. Interestingly, the last El Niño period was 2014 to 2016, the last time we had so many autumn and winter storms in the UK. This is St Alban’s NCI and Swanage NCI listening on channel 65 and hoping to miss Storm Kathleen, NCI out.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 21

News

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Garden Centres’ charity choice

A DORSET hospice is set to benefit from a year of fundraising at county garden centres.

Stewarts Garden Centres, which has Dorset branches in Christchurch and Broomhill, have announced LewisManning Hospice Care as their charity of the year.

To mark the announcement, hospice staff visited the Christchurch branch and enjoyed a tour.

Managing director at Stewarts, Martin Stewart, said: “Our decision to make LewisManning our charity of the year in Dorset was an easy decision to make because of the affinity and admiration that we have for the amazing work that they provide to the patients and families that they support.

“We’re looking forward to getting our whole team on board

and engaged with fundraising for the charity in as many ways as we can.

“We feel lots of synergy with the hospice, and with sunflowers at the heart of their brand we have plans to launch a sunflower initiative in our Centres to celebrate them and will become a part of their ‘Grow Some Sunshine’ campaign.

“We hope it will inspire and motivate our customers to come on board too.

“Every customer at our till points will have the option to donate 10p to the hospice with their purchase.”

Corporate fundraiser at Lewis-Manning, Nicki Cluley, said: “We are incredibly excited to be working in partnership with Stewarts, they are very well established and highly regarded in the local

Stewarts Garden Centres will back Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

community.

“There is great synergy between Stewarts the charity and the patients and families we support with life-limiting illnesses across East Dorset and Purbeck.

“We’ve agreed on some fantastic ideas on how we’re going to work together throughout our time as their nominated charity, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Former council offices put up for sale THE former home of an east Dorset council has been put up for sale – and could be a site for housing.

Furzehill, near Wimborne, was home to East Dorset District Council (EDDC) until the authority was abolished in 2019, when unitary Dorset Council was created.

Now, Dorset Council has instructed agents to begin marketing the vacant EDDC buildings and site.

Furzehill had been declared surplus to requirements by EDDC and Dorset Council inherited the empty office buildings.

In March 2023, following the new council cabinet’s approval of the capital programme, Furzehill was identified as a priority to sell to generate capital receipts – money councils can spend on funding other capital expenditure – such as land, buildings and equipment – or for paying off debt, but generally

Furzehill, the former home of East Dorset District Council, is up for sale PHOTO: Dorset Council

cannot be used to fund services.

The 2.73-hectare (6.76-acre) site, around 1.5 miles from Wimborne town centre, was allocated for residential development and other alternative uses in the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan in 2014.

It includes several buildings, including the main 19th century house known as Woodleaze, a former 19th century stable building converted into office space, and two semi-detached residential dwellings.

There is garage/storage space

and several modular buildings previously used for office accommodation.

The east of the site contains Woodleaze Copse, an area of ancient woodland. While it is not large enough to be considered on any Ancient Woodland Register, it is not suitable for development, as confirmed in the Local Plan Allocation.

Vehicular access is provided from the main Furzehill road via a long driveway to the east, and there is ample parking on site.

The site is for sale via informal tender, seeking best consideration. This is expected to be in the form of Subject to Planning bids, but unconditional bids will also be considered, the council said.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for assets and property, said: “I am pleased we are finally able to market the Furzehill site.

“At a time when council budgets are stretched, it is vitally

important that we explore all options for our property portfolio and sell what we do not need, to get the best value for money for our residents.

“Coupled with the current demolition of the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices, renting our South Walks House building in Dorchester to NHS colleagues, and continuing discussions around other vacant buildings in Weymouth, Sherborne and Bridport, I hope people can see that we’re working hard to dispose of these old unused assets and help reduce further financial burden on Dorset’s taxpayers.

“I look forward to seeing the tenders made for the Furzehill site over the coming months. It is a fantastic opportunity, and I want to thank officers in the Dorset Council Assets and Property team as well as our colleagues at Avison Young for their hard work thus far.”

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 23

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24

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Letters

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Planning and town councils

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY endorse Cllr Beddow’s pleas in her article – Purbeck Gazette, February 5 – for volunteers to become local councillors, a very rewarding and satisfying role, helping to shape the area where we live.

However, while it is true that town and parish councils are part of the planning process, in reality they are only consultees and have little or no influence on Dorset’s planners’ decisions.

In that sense the reference in the article is, I believe, misleading.

Moreover, I was disappointed, but not surprised, that Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council was not given as an example, despite the fact it is the second largest town in Purbeck, after Swanage.

Unfortunately, because of our geographical location, between Poole and Wareham, we have become used to being given scant attention by Dorset Council, with one or two rare exceptions, for example, Dorset Council Highways Department.

Cllr Ray Griffin Mayor to Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council

together we can make a difference to the future health and prosperity of Dorset Mike Plummer Via email

Ban bonuses, stop the spills

60 years of hockey club SWANAGE and Wareham Hockey Club is proudly celebrating 60 years of hockey.

This May, the club will have been delivering hockey to the communities of Swanage and Wareham for 60 years.

We would like to thank everyone who has had any involvement in the running or support of the club over the last 60 years, and to celebrate we are hosting a weekend of fun, parties and, most importantly, hockey.

Friendly hockey matches will be played across the

weekend and other activities are being planned.

The main event is a formal dinner on the Saturday evening, where guests will be treated to a three-course meal, speeches, dancing and much more.

If you have ever been a part of Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club, or are looking to join a friendly, sociable team, get in touch!

Contact our club secretary Jackie Barker at jacks. barker@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

Eden Crook Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club

The Treasury currently receives 40% tax on all profits made on the sale of Dorset oil and gas, and in May 2022 the Government introduced an additional 25% windfall tax, yet we, the people of Dorset, have yet to see any financial benefits from the sale of Dorset oil and gas.

Whereas the nearest North Sea oil rig is 120 miles away from the Shetland Isles, yet they have received £380 million which has been placed in a Shetland Charitable Trust fund controlled by nine locally elected Islanders who hand out

This is not just about money – it’s about fairness, ensuring that everyone in Dorset has access to the resources they need to live healthy lives.

I recently started a petition on the change.org petition website and am asking everyone to sign it.

If we can get enough signatures the Government must sit up and pay attention, especially in an election year.

The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/fair-fundingfor-dorset.

Please support and sign this petition and tell others about it,

Oil, gas and To date, 515 million barrels grants, subsidies and funds to of oil have been extracted and islanders, local organisations council funding sold for more than £11.2 billion. and groups.

DORSET County Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unitary Authority are two of the least funded councils in the country and this is having a direct effect on the health and wellbeing of local residents.

Poole Food Bank, for instance, saw demand for its services increase by an alarming 77% last year and I believe this is being replicated across the whole county.

For the last 43 years, oil and gas have been extracted from Dorset soil at Wytch Farm, the largest onshore oilfield in western Europe.

Email your letters to ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

IT’S now February. And yet our elected representative, Richard Drax MP, continues to remain silent in the face of disgusting sewage spills.

There have been multiple sewage spills at Swanage Beach already this year. Toxic sewage is being dumped across Purbeck, trashing the environment and putting livelihoods at risk. The big water companies – namely Wessex Water – are responsible for this vandalism.

Underinvestment, crumbling infrastructure and incompetence creates these spills. At the same time, the big water company bosses collect huge bonuses annually. Some bosses take home millions in bonuses despite presiding over routine spills.

Enough is enough. We must ban water company bosses from collecting their bonus if they are found to be responsible for sewage spills. Banning these underserved bonuses would act as a strong deterrent and would make water firms think twice before dumping yet more untreated sewage across Dorset.

This is a quick and practical solution to a big local problem.

To be able to introduce such a ban we need Richard Drax to take the sewage spills scandal seriously. But our MP has failed to lift a finger for months and months.

Richard Drax must listen to local campaigners and finally call for a ban on these absurd bonuses. We are all fed up of waiting for our current MP to do his job. He needs to call for a ban or let local people elect someone who will.

It’s time to stop the spills.

Lloyd Hatton Weymouth

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 25

Telling It Like It Is

purbeckgazette.co.uk

‘I can see a time when the ferry company tells us mugs to stick it!’

T

HE management of the Studland-Sandbanks ferry recently published proposals to increase their charges over and above those already agreed with the Planning Inspectorate three years ago. Giving as their excuse “rising costs”.

We’re all subject to “rising costs” in every aspect of our day-to-day lives and these proposed increases would add about £1 each way for those people obliged to travel to work five days a week – that’s an additional £10 a week.

The chairman of Studland Parish Council calls the increases “scandalous” and I wholeheartedly agree with them.

Clearly, when the rates were agreed three years ago, no-one anticipated war in Europe, damaging inflation brought about by a government with the life expectancy of a lettuce or any similar financial pressures, but I’m afraid that in my book, “additional pressures of corporation tax and lower than projected income” – or indeed, “needing more money”, are no reasons at all to go cap in hand to the Secretary of State to raise fares.

A public meeting or two, and perhaps extended consultations with local councils, might have made the proposals more acceptable; a discussion with – rather than a fait accompli issued to – the mugs who will be expected to stump up with no say in the matter.

But the worst part of all was the claim for “unilateral support” from BCP and Dorset Councils, because as far as I can see, there is no record of such meetings having taken place.

I would be interested to see any such minutes, but what I’m actually seeing here is a “done deal” put forward by a private company which has a hugely

by David Hollister important role in the transport links for Purbeck, with little or no consideration of how this would affect its customers - “The Mugs”.

Dorset Council has already disassociated itself from supporting these proposals.

Thank goodness.

It seems that neither the councillor in charge of transport nor the councillor for South East Purbeck attended any such “meeting”, so we really do need to know which councillors were there supporting the toll rises.

But this goes a lot further than people who can’t get to work, or holidaymakers who can see but can’t reach the golden sands of Purbeck without driving and queuing all the way through Wareham.

I can foresee a time when the Ferry Company, thwarted by public opinion and faced with the need to spend millions on replacing its superannuated vessels, throws up its hands and tells Purbeck to stick its ferry where the sun doesn’t shine.

In other words, cut us off.

Totally.

Ignoring the impractical tunnel-advocates or would-be bridge builders who clearly haven’t considered either the costs or implications of their pie-in-the sky plans, we are stuck with a ferry that no-one can afford to run, far too expensive to be financed by central government, going from nowhere to somewhere else.

Joining two miniscule dots on the map which apart from their huge relevance to those of us who live here, mean little or nothing to anyone else.

So before you force the Ferry Company into scuttling its ferry or its plans, do think very carefully about all the implications!

T

HE road works in Langton Matravers seem to have become part of the furniture.

Surely it must be nearly over?

Wessex Water is still carrying out a rolling road closure in stages through Langton Matravers along the B3069, to install new plastic pipes, with completion expected by Friday, March 8, 2024.

Will we all celebrate?

If so, we’ll have to do it slowly as the villagers have won their campaign to restrict speeds to 20mph.

And that means cyclists too – so on with the luminous jackets, out with the dummy speed guns, and let’s hope that no-one is seriously injured when motorists jam on their brakes when apprehended by one of these well-meaning but possibly suicidal self-appointed traffic monitors, who after all will work out cheaper than speed cameras.

The stretch of Shore Road from The Mowlem to the junction with Victoria Avenue has been closed during the summer for a number of years and since October 2022 it has remained shut all year round on a trial basis.

Now, Dorset Council says it won’t re-open and will stay traffic-free.

We all knew what “trial basis” meant when we watched them removing the parking meters – they never had any intention of opening it to normal motorists again.

But it gets worse.

Plans are afoot to close the northern end of Shore Road from Ocean Bay to the Clock.

Firstly, due to the proposed seafront stabilisation and latterly due to the collapse of the culvert carrying all that surface water to the sea.

It wasn’t built for the sort of

weather we’re having now.

I remember when they put it in and announced it as the universal panacea to all of north Swanage’s flooding problems.

And when the councils have all given it due consideration they will close it on a “trial basis”, using “pedestrian safety” as their raison d’etre.

No consideration of the alternative routes – Northbrook Road, funnelling all incoming and outgoing traffic past a busy housing estate and past a school where “pedestrian safety” clearly doesn’t matter, or down the third-world De Moulham road, already comparable to a cart track in places, both ending up at busy junctions with limited access and visibility.

Let’s hope that by the time all this has passed, some common sense has been elected to Dorset Council.

M

ANY of you heard the interview between my breakfast show colleague Lex McKee on Purbeck Coast and the Police & Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick.

I have not yet had the opportunity to listen to it in its entirety, but I take issue with some of the comments made on Facebook regarding the station’s choice of presenter.

Lex is a popular and highly competent broadcaster – perhaps not as hard-hitting or rude as me – we have our different styles – but he put David Sidwick at his ease and produced an enjoyable hour’s listening, and I hope will not have put Mr Sidwick off revisiting Swanage a little later in the year and answering the community’s questions face to face.

Keep those questions coming in!

26

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Politics

Britain needs safe streets

purbeckgazette.co.uk

I LIVE outside Wareham, in East Stoke. Nearby are water meadows and quiet woods.

Swans gather next to the river which meanders down to Wareham. It is a very peaceful and secluded location. There are snowdrops now in the churchyard next to our garden.

Yet I can still vividly recall the shock we felt when we were burgled. I woke up to find the back door half open. A laptop had been taken. Our emptied wallets were left scattered on the lawn. Even birthday money had been taken from the envelopes in the kitchen.

We were given a crime number by the local police and advice about making our house secure. The laptop was never recovered. It is no surprise to me, therefore, that there is concern nationally and locally about police numbers and the need to make our streets safe.

Full Fact, a fact-finding

charity launched by a crossin excess of 200 square miles, party group, indicates that the including Wareham and Bere recent rise in police officers Regis. since 2019 heralded by the At a public meeting held in Government comes after a Swanage in June 2023, sharp decline in police numbers Swanage councillors and between 2010 and 2018. residents were promised an The Police Federation increased police presence in the confirms Full Fact’s finding that town by Conservative Police the increase is “broadly and Crime Commissioner, equivalent to the David Sidwick. number of officers that Yet campaigning were lost between with Swanage Labour 2010 and 2017”. It members for the May states that, given the local government fact the population elections, it is clear has grown by four that many residents million since 2010 “we still keenly feel the will have less officers on need for what Chris Bradey the streets than we had a Chamber of Trade decade ago.” spokesperson Caroline Finch Locally, in Swanage and said at that meeting: “Local Purbeck, concerns have been police, living and working in raised about the need to ensure the areas with local knowledge communities are kept safe. The and experience”. police station in Swanage is up David Stokes, Labour and for sale. There is a Co-operative party candidate Neighbourhood Policing Team, for Dorset Police and Crime but its members cover an area Commissioner, told me: “Crime

is one of the biggest concerns when we talk to people on the doorstep and in the streets”.

David reminded me of one of Keir Starmer’s five missions – “to take back our streets”. His message to Dorset voters was clear: “Under the 13 years of Conservative misrule we have seen crime increase and police numbers fall”.

Conservative austerity has resulted in bitter fruits. The public realm has been under assault since 2010. Councils starved of funds are going bankrupt. David’s words rang true therefore when he told me: “The work of the Police and Crime Commissioner is going to be difficult without a change of Government”.

David is right – we need a change of Government. We deserve so much better. We need safe streets.

CHRIS BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

THE King has been diagnosed with cancer, which was discovered when he was having treatment for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace has not disclosed what form of cancer he has, except that it is not prostate cancer. Times have changed – in 1951 King George VI had lung cancer. People were told he had an operation due to ‘structural changes’ and the word cancer was not used. If King George had received treatment on his prostate, it would have been unthinkable for anyone in the general population to be told.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, but no-one likes to talk about their prostate. Apparently, it’s one of the reasons why the King went public with his treatment – and when he did, the NHS website on prostate enlargement

saw a 1,000% increase in conditions including sinusitis, visitors. March is Prostate sore throat, earache, infected Cancer Awareness Month, and insect bites, impetigo, shingles the Prostate Cancer UK website, and simple urine infections in www.prostatecanceruk.org, has women, the pharmacist will be lots of helpful resources, able to supply prescription-only including a form to medicines, including complete and take with antibiotics and you to the doctor if antivirals, if they you find talking think appropriate. If about your prostate they feel you need difficult. If you have further support, they symptoms – like will direct you to see having difficulty your doctor, but urinating – it may not going to the pharmacy be cancer, but it’s for these minor always worth getting it Michael Tomlinson ailments will save you checked. time, and free up GP If you have a more minor appointments for more serious medical issue, you can now get concerns. more help from local Of course, it’s right to say pharmacies. Pharmacy First is a that medical decisions and new initiative which enables appointments are made pharmacists to utilise more of independently, and I have no their medical skills and training. influence over them, but if you For several minor medical have a problem with a company,

service provider or Government department, do get in touch. I never promise miracles, but I will do my best to help. In many cases my senior caseworker will start work on your issue straight away, or I might need to speak to you personally in a surgery appointment. I have both phone and in-person surgeries across the constituency every week.

The best way to get in touch is via email at michael.tomlinson. mp@parliament.uk or you can call the constituency office on 01202 624216.

You can also follow what I’ve been doing on Twitter – @ Michael4mdnp, Facebook – www.facebook.com/ michael4MDNP, and on my website – www. michaeltomlinson.org.uk.

MICHAEL TOMLINSON Conservative MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

King helps highlight health issue

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 27

Politics

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Government leaves councils short I AM extremely proud to be standing as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for South Dorset. I want to champion the needs of the community in which I grew up, live, teach and raise my family. I want to provide South Dorset with a listening ear and a loud voice!

I have been working hard to resolve key issues raised by constituents within my current ward and beyond. I gave a speech at Dorset Council (DC) in an attempt to remove the drastic parking charge increases that have blighted many areas of coastal Dorset. I have also petitioned and conversed with the organisations involved in the management of Radipole Lake and the River Wey, in an attempt to reduce flooding and promote a sustained system of maintenance.

Under pressure from the petition I started, DC is creating a list of

constituency. action points to be followed by Despite the efforts of some its teams. A meeting has also hard-working councillors, a been arranged, which will be lack of funding from central attended by DC, Natural government is cited repeatedly England, Environment Agency as the reason for dither and and RSPB. I will, of course, delay by local government voice the opinions and needs of departments. One meeting residents and businesses. I brought this into stark have also won the focus when a DC backing of the town project manager council for zebra stated that only two crossings on Radipole controlled pedestrian Park Drive to improve crossings are installed safety for a wide per year on average in range of park visitors. I the entire DC area. I have campaigned for was swiftly told this was road resurfacing, with my Matt Bell the result of budget dogged persistence cuts over the last 10 years or so. leading to some success.

I enjoy visiting constituents Decisions made in Westminster to discuss their concerns and are directly reducing the quality then following them up with DC of services across the land and and other stakeholders. It has this cannot go on. become a passion of mine and I The current South Dorset look forward to doing the same MP, Richard Drax, has “almost for residents and businesses always voted for reducing across the South Dorset central government funding of

local government” according to theyworkforyou.com. This has an ongoing detrimental effect on the lives of the constituents he is supposed to represent.

I encourage you to look at Mr Drax’s voting history and consider whether his votes represent the needs, morals and ethics that you hold. I for one am fundamentally opposed to a great number of his decisions and I will share more about this on my social media, @ MattBellSDorset on X/Twitter and ‘Cllr Matt Bell for South Dorset’ on Facebook.

I would love to hear from you over the coming weeks and months as we build towards an exciting future for South Dorset full of hope, compassion and understanding.

CLLR MATT BELL Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Dorset

Reader’s Picture

A little sushine on a dull day at Swanage PHOTO: Robin Boultwood

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Home & Garden

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Storing seed for spring

By Sally Gregson IN February, gardeners’ thoughts turn to spring and getting started with all those vegetable and annual flower seeds queuing up to be sown.

Browsing through those tempting brochures, it’s easy to get carried away and maybe order too many packets. But so long as you know where and when you are going to sow and plant the seedlings, it’s more a problem of where to store the seed in the meantime.

In an ideal world all seed should be stored somewhere with a steady temperature and constant humidity. The perfect place would be in paper envelopes in a sealed, plastic box such as an old ice-cream container, in the fridge. It has a steady temperature of 4˚ -5˚ Celsius, and the seal on the box should conserve a constant humidity. Seed stored in this

way can keep for a very long time.

There are stories of lily seed being found inside the relative cool of the pyramids, that germinated after thousands of years. Of course, lily seed is as fine as dust, and its small size aids longevity. Larger seed does not keep as long, but the fridge environment is still the best.

If you have commercial seed left over from a previous season, however, it is perhaps wiser to start again afresh. All seed deteriorates at different rates. But if it’s rare or selfcollected seed, it’s good to know the best way to store the packets for as long as possible.

The domestic fridge is also the best place to store Hormone Rooting Powder (HRP). It is a living substance and will last up to six months if it is stored in the fridge. Older HRP or any

In an ideal world all seed should be stored somewhere with a steady temperature and constant humidity

that has been left in the variable temperature of a garden shed or greenhouse, will deteriorate very quickly. It is advisable to buy a fresh supply each season. Some of the better brands available online are

date-stamped.

And then, when the sun shines and the overnight temperatures warm, you will be ready to sow and propagate your cuttings again. Spring is just around the corner.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Pruning roses for flower

By Sally Gregson ONE of the delights of growing the once-flowering, ‘old’ roses is the technique of making them flower more. If left just to grow without intervention, they produce flowers, or not, and they look good. But to make a bed of ‘old’ roses look spectacular they can be manipulated.

During winter, while roses seem dormant and quiet, their stems can be bent to the horizontal. This compresses the growth underneath each individual stem and causes each one to form flower buds all along the top of the shoot.

Tying in the horizontal stems to a metal or wooden hoop now is quite a prickly job, but it’s

worth donning stout gloves and having a go. Those stems that flowered last summer will not necessarily contribute good flowers this summer. If they are at an awkward angle, the stems could be cut back to an outward-facing bud. If they do produce flower, so much the better. But it’s the majority of the bent stems that will carry most of this year’s flowers.

Having man-handled the roses and tied them into the hoops, they will need to be fed with a good rose-fertiliser and watered if the weather is especially dry. (Although we don’t seem to be getting much dry weather this winter!)

Thereafter, in subsequent winters the flowered wood

A bed of ‘old’ roses can be manipulated to look spectacular

could be cut out and the new growth tied into the hoops.

During winter, the whole contraption looks quite meaningful and not a little decorative. During summer, the effect is dramatic. The quantity of flower is startling.

Japanese gardeners are masters, and mistresses, of tying

in and pruning. They construct a wooden frame like the outline of a table, 60cm wide and high by about 2m in length. In winter the roses are tied tightly in to this frame, and in the summer the whole resembles a ‘bed of roses’. It’s quite an interesting, if quirky, way of managing some especially beautiful roses.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 29

Home & Garden

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Get out in the winter garden – it’s good for your wellbeing!

GETTING out in the garden during the winter improves wellbeing, says a new report from the National Garden Scheme.

And the good news is, gardens across Dorset are opening to visitors.

“Visits to our snowdrop and spring flower gardens are always a popular start to the garden visiting season and this latest research gives us more of an insight into why that is,” says National Garden Scheme chief executive George Plumptre.

“Existing research generally links the health benefits of garden visiting to the summer months when most gardens are at their abundant best.

“But our new research shows how a winter visit helps combat the particular seasonal challenges that we all face at that time of year.”

NGS research found that wellbeing significantly improved after visiting gardens in winter. Visitors felt more relaxed, happy and excited in the gardens, and less stressed, sad and bored.

And their wellbeing increased with the more wildlife they saw.

“Our research suggests that visiting a garden in winter can be just as beneficial as visiting in summer, as long as you wrap up warm,” said report author Dr Emma White.

“Winter gardens can be full of life and interest. So, whatever the season, we should all try to get out into gardens more, observe the plants and nature around us, and feel the benefits.”

“The National Garden Scheme has been championing the health benefits of garden visits since 1927,” added George Plumptre.

“Now opening over 3,500 gardens a year, we continue to

advocate the improvement to wellbeing that a visit to a garden can generate.

“This latest report illustrates what many gardeners and garden visitors know, that being in a garden really is good for you.”

Knitson Old Farmhouse

n Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5JB MATURE cottage garden nestled under chalk downland.

Herbaceous borders, rockeries, climbers and shrubs evolved and designed over 60 years for year-round colour.

Wildlife friendly, sustainable kitchen garden includes 20-plus different fruits for selfsufficiency.

Historical stone artefacts, ancient trees and shrubs are part of the integral design.

Garden is on a slope, main lawn and tea area are level but there are uneven, sloping paths.

Hot and cold drinks, cakes, sweet/savoury pastries, cream teas available.

Opening: March 30 and 31 (noon-5pm). Admission £4, children free. Visits also by arrangement February to November for groups of up to 10.

Manor Farm, Hampreston

n Wimborne BH21 7LX TRADITIONAL farmhouse garden designed and cared for by three generations of the Trehane family through over 100 years of farming and gardening at Hampreston.

Garden is noted for its

Athelhampton House (above) is opening under the National Gardens Scheme in March, as is Manor Farm at Hampreston (below)

herbaceous borders and rose beds within box and yew hedges, mature shrubbery, water and bog garden. There are excellent plants for sale at openings, including hellebores in March.

Open: March 2 (10am-1pm), March 3 (1pm-4pm), £5, children free.

Visits also by arrangement May 16 to July 31 for groups of 15 to 30.

Museum of East Dorset

n 23-29 High Street, Wimborne BH21 1HR IN the first of three lectures at the Museum of East Dorset on behalf of NGS, Paul Stickland of Blackshed Flower Farm will be talking about the business of

growing flowers.

Guests are free to explore the museum’s tranquil walled garden tucked away in the centre of Wimborne. Colourful herbaceous borders and orchard trees line the path stretching 100 metres down to the mill stream.

Open March 1 (6pm8.30pm), £15, children free.

Pre-booking essential, please visit ngs.org.uk for information about this and other events, and booking.

Blackshed Gardens is open for the NGS on July 28 and August 25.

Athelhampton House

n Athelhampton, Dorchester DT2 7LG THE award-winning gardens at Athelhampton surround the Tudor manor house and date from 1891.

This glorious Grade I architectural garden is full of vistas with spectacular planting, ponds with fountains and the River Piddle flowing past. The Great Court, with 12 giant yew topiary pyramids, is overlooked by two terraced pavilions.

Open March 20 (10am-5pm), £12.50 (garden only) children free.

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Farming

What a pair of pants can tell you about your soil...

PEOPLE in the Purbeck area are being urged to plant their pants – yes, pants – this spring, to reveal how healthy their soil is.

The Plant Your Pants campaign, run by education charity The Country Trust, launches on the first day of spring – March 20 – and invites everyone to take part in a journey of soil discovery to find out what really is going on ‘down there’.

Along the way, participants will be encouraged to look, touch, listen to and smell their soil.

Healthy soil will break down or degrade cotton more quickly than soil with low levels of microbial life, so if you’re left with just the elastic of your planted pants, it’s a good sign that your soil is active and healthy.

The Country Trust is an education charity that connects

Agricultural transition ‘drives increase in farmland for sale’ THE supply of farmland in the south of England continued to rise in 2023, a pivotal year for farmland supply across Great Britain, says Savills.

In the south east of England 17,000 acres of farmland were marketed during 2023 compared with 14,900 acres in 2022, an increase of 15%.

In the south west, 21,200 acres of farmland were marketed during 2023, a 13% increase from 18,700 acres in 2022.

Great Britain as a whole saw 157,200 acres marketed, 20% more year-on-year and 15% more than the previous five-year average, but still below the 162,000 acres average recorded during the

happened to them.

Jill Attenborough, the Trust chief executive, said: “We all depend on soil for our existence but as Leonardo Da Vinci said 500 years ago, ‘We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot’.

“The response to Plant Your Pants last year exceeded all our

expectations, and we can’t wait to get the nation planting pants again.

“It’s our mission as a charity to enable tens of thousands of disadvantaged children every year to discover that what we eat and grow affects our own health and the health of our planet, through inspiring, transformative visits and activities.

“Plant Your Pants is a way of sharing that experience with everyone – young and old, gardeners, non-gardeners, whether you have a window box, a flowerbed or a veg patch.

“Gardeners, like farmers, have a big responsibility as stewards of this amazing world beneath our feet, and we hope that through participation in Plant Your Pants, we can all experience the excitement of discovery and find out more about how small changes can make a big difference.”

It is free to register to take part in Plant Your Pants and add yours to the interactive map.

Find out more – and register – at www.countrytrust.org.uk/ plantyourpants.

farmers selling their farm machinery compared to 2015, when new agricultural policies were not on the horizon.

According to Savills analysis there were 71% more machinery sales in 2023 than in 2015 (GB).

Mr Teanby added: “Using the rise in machinery sales as an indicator, we remain confident that more land will come onto the market because the sale of farmland is one potential outcome following a change in farming system/activity, tenancy surrender or retirement.”

The Savills Farmland Value Survey shows that during 2023 the average value of grade 3 arable land in the south east rose by 2.4% to £9,600 an acre.

In the south west average values increased by 7.7% to £9,900 an acre. This compares with an average increase across Great Britain, for grade 3 arable land, of 1.9% – to average

£8,700 an acre – for the same period.

The survey also shows that during 2023 the average value of grade 3 pasture land in the south east rose by 4.6% to £8,000 an acre and in the south west it increased by 9.2% to £8,500 an acre.

Savills value forecasts for the farmland sector during the next five years are influenced by continuing economic challenges, weaker demand from all types of buyers in the marketplace and increased availability of farmland.

By land type across Great Britain, forecasts include 2.5% average annual growth for grade 3 farmland and 2% a year for grade 3 pasture. Prime arable land, where the main purpose is food production, will continue to appeal and average values are forecast to increase by 3% a year over the next five years.

Schools and other groups can take part in Plant Your Pants.

PHOTO: The Countryside Trust

disadvantaged children with the land that sustains us all through hands-on, sensory experiences of food and farming.

The national Plant Your Pants campaign is simple – just plant a pair of (ideally pre-loved) cotton pants in soil on or around the first day of spring in March, and then dig them up eight weeks later to see what has

years between 2003 and 2016.

In its latest rural research publication, Spotlight: The Farmland Market, Savills suggests there is potential for publicly marketed supply to increase further with around 180,000 acres forecast a year by 2028.

Andrew Teanby, associate director Savills rural research, said: “Farmland supply is increasing because of changes largely driven by the agricultural transition – and our research into the number of machinery sales would seem to support this.”

Over the past three years retirement and change in farming policy have become far more common reasons for

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 31

Sport

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Last gasp score sinks Swans

By Ron Butler Walcot 14 Swanage & Wareham 13 SWANS had to travel to Bath to play Walcot and on a drizzly, foggy day succumbed to a late defeat.

After an even start, Swans gave away a penalty on four minutes, and from a long way out Walcot landed the kick to put them three points ahead.

The play was mainly in the centre of midfield for most of the next 20 minutes, but the ball came out to winger Ollie Dillon 50 metres out and he beat his opposite winger, cut inside and

RUGBY went through a gap to score under the posts for a brilliant solo try.

Fly-half Will Slack added the extras putting Swans up by 7pts-3pts.

Ten minutes later Walcot were in Swans’ 22, when Swans gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Walcot converted to give the hosts six points.

Swans had a penalty from the restart out wide and from 35 metres Will Slack slotted the kick.

Nothing much happened in the last eight minutes before half-time and at the break the score was Walcot 6pts Swans 10pts.

The second half was littered with penalties, but the defences were on top.

Walcot tried to keep the game in the forwards, but Swans tried spinning the ball out to the three-quarters.

Swans had a penalty attempt after 65 minutes which Will Slack put over to take them to a 6pts-13pts advantage, but with 10 minutes to go Walcot replied with a penalty kick of their own.

A couple of penalties to each side followed but Walcot put the ball into Swans’ 22, and from the line-out they tried a catch/ drive move, but Swans held them up over the line.

In the last two minutes

Walcot had several penalties on the Swans’ line, which they tapped, but Swans’ defence held them back.

However, Swans eventually conceded a score in the corner with the last move of the game to give the home side victory.

Magpies’ defence.

The hosts took the lead on 36 minutes when Chipangura fired home from close range.

The Magpies doubled their lead a minute before the interval when Waters sidefooted home from close range.

The second half was played out in a similar fashion and apart from near misses by Tornianen and White the

visitors created very few chances.

The hosts secured the points with number three from Sheehy and left the Swans disappointed with their performance and result.

Swans: M Spencer, L Reeves, E Dimecio, C Moag, O Dillon, W Slack, O Peters, S Waterman, C Foskett, A Crouch, G Slack, G Climie, Z Payne-Faulkner, M Roberts, K Jones, Z Wyburgh, G Smith, E Bainy.

n OTHER RESULT: Dorchester 2nd XV 14pts Swanage & Wareham 2nd XV 24pts. n PRIOR to the game against Yeovil on Saturday, February 17, Swans are holding a vice-president luncheon.

To attend this event contact Mike Brett on 01929 480256 or at mjb.goat@btinternet.com

Swanage lose three on the bounce Wimborne Town Reserves 3 Swanage Town & Herston 0 SWANS suffered their third consecutive Dorset Premier League reverse against title contenders and promotion rivals Wimborne Town Reserves.

The game was played on the 4G pitch next to the New Cuthbury ground due to the grass pitch being waterlogged.

FOOTBALL The hosts dominated large periods of the first half and Swans keeper Taylor Hibbs produced vital saves, especially from the dangerous Chipangura.

However, Swans had a great chance to take the lead when Tornianen missed the target following his burst through the

Reserves record first away win Bournemouth Manor 0 Swanage & Herston Reserves 4 SWANS Reserves registered their first away win of the season with a victory against Bournemouth Manor in Dorset League Division 2.

Swans started brightly, taking the game to the hosts, Dyke finding Cavendish with a good ball, but he overran the chance.

Grygiel and Brassington both went close with shots, and Janes, for the hosts, had a good shot saved by keeper Jacques.

Swans deservedly took the lead when, following a Furmage cross, Brassington headed on for Sam Peacock to finish from close range.

Swans doubled their lead when Charlie Brassington fired home from long range following a good ball from Grygiel.

Swans keeper Jacques had to be at his best with a smart save just before the interval.

Jacques again saved his side but Swans were in the ascendancy with Peacock and Dyke going close.

Team: T Hibbs, Olly Smith, B Smith, C Dyke, J Streams, C Brassington, E Steele (Ocean Smith 46), J Hughes (S Peacock 80), M White, J Tornianen, O Davis.

Subs: S Peacock, Ocean Smith. Star man: Taylor Hibbs. Special mention: Brad Smith.

Victory was only soured by injuries to Simon Page and Stephen Pryor

Swans went further ahead when the host’s keeper, Jones, was shown a red card for fouling Dyke in the penalty area and Sam Peacock converted the resulting spot kick.

Charlie Brassington secured the points with number four, running through and slotting it past stand-in keeper Janes.

The victory included a clean sheet and credit must go to the Swans keeper and back four,

especially centre back pairing Roy Lock and Jordan Crosland.

A superb performance was only soured by injuries to Simon Page and Stephen Pryor.

Everyone at the club wishes both players a speedy recovery.

Team: K Jacques, C Furmage (capt), R Lock, J Crosland, S Pryor, C Brassington, C Dyke, S Peacock, B Hughes, D Cavendish, S Grygiel. Subs: R Moss, A Burgess, M Dunster, S Page, M Goldsack. Star man: Charlie Brassington.

Special mention: Blake Hughes, Sam Peacock and Charlie Dyke.

32

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Health & Wellbeing

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Old habits don’t need to die hard but change

By Alice Johnsen

carrying out the same task or going to the same places.

Association.

We go to the same cafe in town because our brain recognises that as the easiest option. We know what to order and where we like to sit.

Much of that thought process will happen almost without us knowing we are considering it.

We put the kettle on at home when we come in from walking the dog because it’s there in our line of sight when we come back into the kitchen.

So that’s what we always do,

I’M reading James Clear’s book, ‘Atomic Habits’, an in-depth look at what promotes and influences the way we live.

One such influence is location. He quotes Kurt Lewin, a psychologist who wrote a simple equation in 1936: Behaviour is a function of the Person in their Environment or, if you’d prefer, B = f (P,E). I know. It’s like I’m dragging us all back to school.

Habits are actions we repeat regularly because we are

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so we keep on doing it.

Not necessarily a bad habit but an example we might all recognise.

Knowing habits can be born out of location and then out of association can help us move away from a habit that no longer serves us well.

Changing a routine and consciously replacing act A with act B can be really challenging, but if you are supporting the change by removing yourself from associations of the past – planning a different thing to do after that walk – it will be easier.

There’s no doubt you are more likely to succeed in changing or breaking a habit if you have a plan.

Let’s use the example of learning a new language.

If you tell yourself you’ll revise the new verbs and

vocabulary in between each lesson while you’re in the car, you probably won’t.

If you say to yourself, I need to spend 15 minutes each day studying German in between each lesson and the best time for me to do that is over my lunchbreak during the week and after breakfast at weekends – then it will probably happen, and you’ll be at one with the lingo before you can say das gelingen.

A successful change of habit or adoption of a new habit is within everyone’s grasp.

Considering previous association, change of location and making a plan will make it easier and more likely to succeed. nAlice Johnsen is a life coach based near Sherborne (07961 080513; alicejohnsen.co.uk)

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 33

Health & Wellbeing

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Meditations in nature: Winter on the water

By Susanna Curtin AFTER a long spell of beautiful calm winter weather, I woke up to the sound of the howling wind and heavy raindrops. My heart sinks, as today is the day of my long-awaited low-tide cruise around Poole Harbour to see the winter birds that make one of the world’s largest natural harbours their home.

Layers of warm clothing, waterproofs and a hot drink are the order of the day, and by the time I board the boat from Poole Quay, I am in the mood to enjoy the day despite the drizzling, colourless sky and the blustering wind that increases as we leave the land behind us.

The cruise I am on is run by the charity Birds of Poole Harbour, a highly enthusiastic team dedicated to boosting the profile of bird conservation and education in this incredible biodiverse waterscape.

Poole Harbour was formed at the end of the last ice age when rising sea levels flooded an unglaciated river valley. It covers an area of 14 square miles and is second in size only to Sydney Harbour in Australia.

Four rivers flow into the estuary, and there are tidal lakes, lagoons and five islands – the largest being Brownsea.

Despite the ugly conurbation that fringes its eastern shores, it is astoundingly beautiful and internationally important for wildlife conservation given the rich patchwork of habitats including salt marsh, reed beds, heathlands, woodlands and wetlands. When I moved to Dorset, my first trip to the harbour utterly lifted my spirits.

It was seeing the low-lying islands and the reflections from the mud flats. There were flocks of birds and a wispy-watery light. It felt ‘otherworldly’ and

The red-breasted merganser (above) and the great northern diver (left) PHOTOS: Birds of Poole Harbour

remote, and reminded me of my travels to exotic places. Since then, I love to spend time along its shores.

Today, sadly, its beauty is somewhat masked by the weather. And yet, it is only a matter of minutes before the harbour provides. This time in the shape of a great northern diver. Our binoculars all move in the same direction to behold this winter visitor that breeds in the Arctic tundra of Iceland, Greenland and Canada. It is a large heavy-billed seabird that seeks the shallow coastal waters around Britain and Ireland. I particularly love its haunting call, a sound often used by filmmakers to create a scary

mood.

It is also lovely to get closer to the red-breasted mergansers – one of my favourite sea ducks. I usually only get to see a peek of them from the shoreline, but up on this deck, I can make out their beady red eyes, comical Mohican-style haircuts and their long, fine serrated bill which helps them to steady their slippery prey.

Averaging less than a metre deep, Poole Harbour is difficult to navigate on a high tide, let alone a low one, but the skipper carefully manoeuvres us around Brownsea Island, and the wider harbour, and then precariously up the Wareham Channel where flocks of curlew, pied avocet, dunlin, wigeon, shelduck, teal, geese, oystercatchers and grebes are feeding on the mudflats. I can also just make out the fine shape of northern pintail ducks and a lone spoonbill in the distance, although the wind is

buffering my binoculars so much, it is impossible to keep them still.

Eventually the boat manoeuvred around into the boisterous waves and began the journey back to shore. I make for the warmth and shelter of the deck below. Paul and Sam, our guides on board, keep a vibrant commentary as I watch Poole Quay get nearer. What a fabulous day. It has brightened up my week to just get a glimpse of some of the 30,000 wetland birds that frequent this protected area. It was too early to see osprey and not the right weather conditions to see the white-tailed eagles, but that’s okay as it gives me an excuse to come aboard again! It also gladdens my heart to see the results of passionate conservation at work and it feels good to be supporting it. nDr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com)

34

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Health & Wellbeing

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Pharmacies could free up 10m doctor appointments SORE throats, earache, impetigo, shingles and more can now be treated by pharmacists – without the need for a GP appointment.

Seven common conditions can be dealt with at pharmacies without needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation brought in at the end of last month in the way the NHS delivers care.

And in the south west, more than 96 per cent of community pharmacies – nearly 1,000 in total – will be offering the service.

The NHS says pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract

infections in women (under the age of 65).

It is hoped the move – part of the NHS and government’s primary care access recovery plan – will free up 10 million GP appointments a year across the country.

And it comes after the expansion of the blood pressure checks and contraceptive pill services at pharmacies last year.

Dr Kheelna Bavalia, medical director for primary care, NHS England South West, said: “This is a great move to increase accessibility to healthcare for patients. We all live increasingly busy lives, and this gives people more options on how and where they access care.

“Community pharmacies

already play a vital role in their communities and work closely with the general practices in their areas.

“In taking on these additional roles, this will offer more options for people with common conditions, and potentially free up thousands of GP appointments for those who need them most.

“In addition, our pharmacies in the south west are aiming to provide in excess of 250,000 blood pressure checks by spring 2025.

“One in three adults in the UK have high blood pressure, with many not even realising they do, so by carrying out these vital health checks, many lives could be saved.”

Catriona Ketiar, chief

pharmacist at NHS England South West, added: “Our pharmacists are already doing excellent work to support their communities’ health and wellbeing and, by expanding this commitment further to include these seven common conditions, it will make it even easier and convenient for people to access the care that they need.

“This expansion of their service offer will make the most of the valuable skills of pharmacists and their teams, who have been making an incredible effort to get their services ready alongside their day-to-day operations. They are excited about this opportunity to help reshape the landscape of primary care.”

NHS England South West covers Swindon, Bath, Wiltshire, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

£100,000 target for walk for hospital PEOPLE are being urged to put their best feet forward for a charity walk along the Jurassic Coast – to raise £100,000 for Dorset County Hospital.

The Dorchester hospital’s charity has launched the DCH100 – seeking more than 100 people to walk, jog, stagger or run one of a number of routes; over 100km, 75km, a Jurassic Marathon run, a 25km quarter or a family-friendly 10km Bridport Former Dorset County Hospital consultant Loop, on May 18 and 19.

Michael Dooley (inset) leads the DCH100 team Starting from Corfe Castle, the route heads past Durdle DCH100 will help fund extra Coast Challenge with our aim to Door, with ups and downs to facilities for the new Critical raise £100,000 for the West Bay’s famous cliffs, before Care Unit, such as relatives’ Emergency and Critical Care the finish line at Bridport. overnight accommodation and Appeal. Funds raised will be The DCH100 team will even patient garden and an innovative used to offer so much to so have information and advice Child and Adolescent Mental many,” he said. from a fitness trainer and a Health Unit in the Emergency “There are a variety of ways nutritionist, and a photographer Department. you can help and get involved. will be on hand to snap those The DCH100 team is led by We can each achieve our own unforgettable moments climbing Michael Dooley DL, former personal goal, come together as Golden Cap. Dorset County Hospital a community and help Dorset The event will raise money consultant, who aims to walk County Hospital to continue to for the charity’s £2.5 million 100km non-stop. provide exceptional care. appeal launched last September, “I am so pleased to be able to “I hope by getting involved running for three years. support the DCH100 Jurassic and enjoying the challenge

together, we can do our bit to create health and harmony in our community.

“Together we can make a lasting impact and let’s lace up our shoes not just for fitness but to help this wonderful cause.”

Simon Pearson, head of charity at DCH, said: “Our Emergency and Critical Care Appeal is our biggest ever fundraising appeal.

“To make this appeal successful we need the valued support of our local community.

“The DCH100 Jurassic Coast Challenge provides a tremendous opportunity to raise significant funds in support of the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit.

“We’re all very excited and thank Michael Dooley for his inspiration and commitment and everyone who steps up to the challenge.”

For more on the DCH100 Challenge, visit dchcharity.org. uk/dch100-challenge or email charity@dchft.nhs.uk.

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 35

Food & Drink

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Knoll House, Historic Haven by Studland Bay Knoll House in Studland Bay is a hidden gem, with a history expanding nearly 90 years it has a charm like no other.

With previous notable guests such as Enid Blyton, Sir Winston Churchill and Vivian Leigh, it’s the perfect location for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner with the most spectacular views over Studland Bay. We’re nestled at the start of the South West Coast Path, the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, providing the ideal base for ramblers and dog walkers alike.

The stunning heathland to the back of the hotel leads up to Aggelstone Rock, which is also one of the most beautiful, yet less known, dog walking routes in Dorset.

Knoll House is also family friendly so you can come and relax knowing that there’s something for everyone.

The infamous pirate ship playground has been enjoyed by many children over the decades and we also have an indoor games room for teens and play room for little ones.

Grandparents can enjoy the relaxing lounges whilst parents might enjoy a dip in the pool on one of our Retreat Days.

In the warmer months, we have various activities such as an outdoor cinema experience and summer BBQs set in our beautiful gardens.

If you are looking to celebrate a special event such as a baby shower, birthday or anniversary then we can also cater for this with the availability of private room hire.

Call the team at Knoll House to book a table 01929 450450 or visit www.knollhouse.co.uk.

www.knollhouse.co.uk

01929 450450

Enjoy afternoon tea or a traditional Sunday roast this Mother’s Day and all adults receive a FREE glass of bubbly with every booking!

36

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Business

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Company start-ups in Dorset hit record high

MORE new businesses were established in Dorset during 2023 than in any previous year to date, according to recently published figures, making the county one of the most successful in the UK. A total of 8,565 new formations were registered in Dorset during the last 12 months, an increase on 2022 when 8,427 were recorded.

This brings the number of registered companies in the county to an all-time high of 63,266.

The statistics are taken from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations, using data from Companies House and the Office for National

John Korchak, managing director at Inform Direct

Statistics.

Across the county’s districts, Bournemouth formed the highest number of new businesses (2,399), followed

by Purbeck (1,896) and Poole (1,458).

John Korchak, managing director at Inform Direct, said: “It is excellent news that Dorset can celebrate a record year for new company formations during 2023.

“The year undoubtedly presented a range of challenges for business including tepid predictions of economic growth, volatility in energy prices and uncertainty from world events.

“However, the formation figures demonstrate very clearly that Dorset entrepreneurs remained undeterred and pursued their ambitions to establish new

Funeral firm’s donation to breast cancer unit By editor@dorsetbiznews. co.uk STAFF from Wimborne-based Douch & Small funeral directors have raised more than £1,000 for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

Every penny of the donation, raised across several events by funeral director Amy Turvey and colleagues, will go to the Ladybird Breast Unit at Poole Hospital.

The business is part of Douch Family Funeral Directors that has seven branches across east Dorset and raises money for many causes.

A cheque for £1,089 was presented to Hayley Harris, corporate fundraiser for the charity.

Amy, whose mother Jan was treated at the clinic after being

Amy Turvey from Douch Family Funeral Directors, her mum Jan and Hayley Harris, from University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity

diagnosed with breast cancer and who is now in remission, led the effort.

Her fiancée Robert Atkins and his friend Andy Forrest

cycled from Wimborne to Bristol and back again to help raise the money. Other events included raffles and skittles evenings.

ventures.

“This positive picture is mirrored in the overall position for the UK which saw the highest ever number of new companies established during 2023.

“The total number of UK formations exceeded 900,000 for the very first time.”

The UK saw 900,006 new companies, compared to 805,141 in 2022, which represents an increase of 11.8%. It brings the total number of UK companies to a record 5,476,772.

Dissolutions of UK companies totalled 662,915, an increase on the 578,679 companies dissolved in 2022.

Amy said: “The Ladybird clinic was brilliant for mum and diagnosed her on the same day she had the test.

“Treatment was excellent and now she is in remission, and we wanted to give something back.

“As a company we do a lot of fundraising for local charities and my colleagues really got behind the effort.

“Every year about 11,500 women and 85 men die from breast cancer, so getting diagnosed early is very important.”

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity’s corporate fundraiser, Hayley Harris, received a cheque for £1,089 and said: “We are extremely grateful to Amy and the staff at Douch & Small who raised such an amazing amount.

“We can work with the team on the Ladybird Unit to use the funds towards items they need that are over and above NHS funding. Most of all, we are thrilled to hear Jan is in remission. Go Jan.”

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 37

Business

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Law firm in national awards running SWANAGE law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors has scooped a hat-trick of national award nominations.

It has been shortlisted for Outstanding Case of the Year in the Modern Law Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in the legal sector.

The firm is also a finalist in both the Wellbeing and Deal of the Year categories at the LexisNexis Legal Awards.

Ellis Jones has offices in High Street in Swanage town centre.

Nigel Smith, managing partner, said: “We’re thrilled

Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones Solicitors, has praised staff after the firm received three award nominations

to make the shortlist of these prestigious national awards.

“They are very welcome recognition and independent endorsement of the impressive

Changing face of landmark bakery

PLANS for new signage on a landmark Swanage bakery have been submitted.

The Hayman store, in Institute Road, has become The Italian Bakery after the landmark business was sold in 2022 to the firm behind The Italian Kitchen, in Wareham.

Work to the shopfront has seen the name disappear from Swanage, with plans now submitted to get official approval for the work.

“The proposals are for replacement of the shopfront and doors with new doubleglazed, thermally broken powder coated aluminium frame unit,” the retrospective

application said.

“While carrying out the works, all structurally deficient elements were repaired and replaced.

“The floor has been made good, to match existing and the new shopfront glazed screen installed on the historic floor edge, at the building façade frontage to the pavement.

“The replacement shopfront retains the central location for double doors, with central post at the meeting stiles, as existing.”

To comment on the plans, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2023/06979.

achievements of our team.

“All those involved deserve great credit, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed as we look forward to the awards nights in March.”

Both the Outstanding Case of the Year and the Deal of the Year nominations were for Ellis Jones’ role in the £12 million sale of motorcycling clothing and accessories distributor and wholesaler TranAm Ltd Neil Cook, partner and head of business services, acted for the New Milton company in the sale to Finland-based Duell

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Its Wellbeing Award nomination was for its focus on its people. This includes Lunch & Learn sessions, a Wellness Wednesday newsletter and the relaunch of its social group.

The Modern Law awards are at the Hurlingham Club in London on March 7 and the LexisNexis Legal Awards are being held on March 14 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London.

Ellis Jones also has offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Swanage, Wimborne and London.

Call Pete on:

01929 421989 or 07900 992110

Email: info@whizzbits.co.uk www.whizzbits.co.uk

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The Italian Bakery is the new name for the shop formerly occupied by Haymans in Swanage. PHOTO: Symmetry/Dorset Council

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38

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Motoring

RAC: Some 80 pothole damage incidents daily

MOTORING recovery firm the RAC attended nearly 30,000 incidents related to damage caused by potholes last year.

The firm revealed patrols assisted 29,377 people in breakdowns in 2023 related to potholes, up by a third (33%) on 2022 and the equivalent of 80 a day.

Faults included broken suspension springs, damaged shock absorbers and distorted wheels.

Between October and December, the RAC was called out to 5,153 breakdowns caused

by potholes, the highest number for the period since 2017.

And, the company warned the problem is only likely to get worse in the colder months of ‘pothole season’ – January to March – when water makes its way into cracks in the road, freezes and expands, causing surfaces to deteriorate even more.

The RAC Pothole Index, which has tracked the condition of Britain’s roads since 2006, now stands at 1.70, up from 1.62 at the end of 2022.

While this is nowhere near

PLANS to change the way MOT checks on vehicles are carried out have been scrapped.

The Government previously announced plans to reduce the frequency of MOT tests to every two years for vehicles under four years old.

Currently, vehicles do not require an MOT until they are three years old, then annually thereafter.

But they have now announced there will be no change to the required MOT tests after a public consultation.

However, the Government said it would continue to work on longer-term reforms for MOTs – including for electric and automated vehicles – as well

as looking at how emissions are measured.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said: “We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.

“By offering clarity on MOT tests, alongside our recent street works consultation and unprecedented £8.3 billion to resurface roads, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.”

The government will work with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on

purbeckgazette.co.uk the all-time high of 3.5 recorded in Q1 2010, at 1.7, the index suggests drivers are more than one-and-a-half times as likely to experience pothole damage as they were 15 years ago.

It comes after an RAC survey in November last year revealed the condition of UK roads was drivers’ biggest concern.

RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “The cracks in Britain’s road maintenance system have once again been embarrassingly exposed as nearly 30,000 RAC members endured pothole problems and potentially very costly repairs in 2023.

“Potholes are so much more than an irritation – they are a very serious danger to all road users which we fear will only get worse as the weather gets colder during these next few months.

“Councils have been cash-

strapped for years due to lower road maintenance budgets, causing roads across the country to fall into disrepair and leaving drivers fighting for compensation when their vehicles are inevitably damaged.

“Fortunately, the Government has committed an extra £8.3 billion of funding to local councils over the next 11 years, which we hope will give squeezed authorities some certainty of cash to help them plan consistent longer-term maintenance.”

In November last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled £8.3 billion to tackle the ‘scourge of potholes’.

The Department for Transport said councils would get an extra £150 million for repairs in 2023, 2024 and 2025, with the rest coming over the next decade.

how to better monitor diesel vehicle emissions to establish if the MOT can do more to ensure diesel vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

Neil Barlow, head of vehicle policy at DVSA, said: “Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe.

“We hope this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) will also monitor technological advancements that could impact MOTs. Jakob Pfaudler, AA CEO, said: “AA polling showed drivers overwhelmingly (83%) supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe. With one in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at three years and annually

thereafter.”

After the announcement, RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said: “It’s great news the madcap idea of changing the MOT from every year to every two has finally been consigned to the bin.

“This would have seriously compromised road safety and ended up costing drivers more money rather than less as it was supposed to do, due to dangerous issues going undetected and getting progressively worse.

This is why the idea was so widely unpopular with the motoring public in our research.

“We look forward to hearing more from the Government on how the MOT will evolve in the future, both to accommodate the rising number of electric cars on our roads and improve the monitoring of dangerous emissions from combustion engines. We would also like to see the test change to help reduce the prospect of glare from headlights, as this is something the DVSA has previously said garages can find difficult to assess.”

Plans for two-yearly MOT scrapped

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 39

Antiques & Collectibles

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Amethyst – Tudor Manor’s a timeless contents gemstone for sale

By Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham THERE is no denying the amethyst is instantly recognisable by its striking purple colour, whether it is a delicate, pale lilac or a deep, vibrant blackcurrant.

It is actually a variety of quartz, but did you know that when it is heated, it loses its purple colour and changes into a dark yellow or orange citrine?

It is believed to bring peace and help meditation, and has been cherished by Buddhist monks to support prayer.

The value of an amethyst is measured by its colour rather than by weight.

The world’s largest amethyst was discovered in Uruguay in 2007 weighing in at a massive 2.5 tons! It’s known as the Empress of Uruguay.

It is said that Saint Valentine had a heart-shaped ring with an image of Cupid carved into it.

Maybe that is why it has been designated the birthstone for February!

The Victorians loved amethysts and it was often used in love tokens or memorial jewellery as it was considered to represent love and fidelity.

The time between 1861-85 is known as the Grand Period when jewellery design became more heavy and opulent, and amethysts and diamonds were very common, as well as sapphires, rubies, opals, pearls and onyx.

These glorious gemstones were set in tiaras, necklaces with large pendants, lockets, hair decorations, brooches and long, rectangular bar pins.

Although Art Deco jewellery is more commonly associated with geometric shape, black onyx and diamonds, you can find some stunning examples of amethysts in jewellery of this time, particularly as designs drew on the Oriental and Eastern symbols of lotus flowers and pagodas.

Bold colours were favoured, too, so amethysts were popular in brooches, bracelets and earrings of the period.

Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is valued by colour, not weight

NESTLED on the divide of Dorset and Somerset, rests the quiet location for Duke’s next major auction: Sandford Orcas Manor – Auction of the Contents.

Duke’s boasts the contents of the Tudor house are an antiquarian’s dream, with every stone of the manor bearing the echoes of hundreds of years of history, intrigue, secrets, love, tragedy and even the undying myths and legends of strange happenings and paranormal activity.

Upon every wall hangs masterful paintings of bygone eras, every shelf adorned with fine jewels and coins and every floor draped in carpets of proud heraldry, beneath

Purbeck

Sandford Orcas Manor – contents of the house are to be sold in Duke’s next major auction on March 6.

the mahogany legs of priceless furniture of the 17th century.

A highlight of the collection is a George II walnut and scagliola gaming table adorned with trailing flowers, scallop shells and groups of playing cards, culminating in the style of Florentine Mosaic work.

This exquisite piece carries a pre-sale estimate of £20,000£40,000.

The Sandford Orcas: Auction of the Contents takes place on Wednesday, March 6.

For more information on the auction and to purchase the catalogue, visit Dukeauctions.com.

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40

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Sophie to headline first Poole Pride POP diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will headline the first ever Poole Pride event this summer.

The Murder on the Dancefloor star – whose signature hit has had a resurgence after being used in Amazon Prime film Saltburn – will top the bill at the Lighthouse on Saturday, June 8.

Following her set, DJs will take over for a late-night after-party.

“We’re thrilled that Sophie will headline Poole’s first ever Pride this summer – she’s the perfect artist to top the bill on a day that is all about inclusivity,” said Tim Colegate, head of programming at Lighthouse.

“We want to create an amazing day, an event that all the people of Poole can be proud of.

“Poole Pride will be a safe space for everyone where

people can be themselves, come as they are, and crucially, enjoy some firstclass entertainment – something that Lighthouse is very used to.”

Planned in consultation with a community steering group that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community, Poole Pride will include performances and activities throughout Lighthouse, including the outdoor theatre.

A Queer film festival will run in the week leading up to Pride as well as a month-long exhibition, presented in partnership with AUB, honouring influential gay activist John Chesterman who was closely involved in the formation of the Gay Liberation Front in 1970 and whose ideas underpin the modern Pride movement.

“We’re also working on a family-friendly daytime

Dial ‘D’ for Murder on the Dancefloor: Sophie Ellis-Bextor

PHOTO: Lighthouse

programme with performances, talks, educational sessions and signposting to LGBTQ+ support charities and groups, and we’re thankful for the support of Bourne Free, Bournemouth’s annual pride festival, to pull this off,” Tim added.

“Poole is a major

conurbation and, as a muchcherished part of life in the town, Lighthouse is perfectly placed to host its first ever Pride event – and we’re going all out to make it a day we’ll never forget.”

Tickets are on sale to members now via www. lighthousepoole.co.uk.

very special to my audiences with this show, I want them to hear Karen’s vocals through my own interpretation, but I also want to tell their story, I want people to go away saying ‘how different’, ‘how fascinating’ and ‘I didn’t know that’.”

Mark Busell will be playing keyboards in the show.

Rainy Days, Mondays & Good Old Dreams is on Wednesday, February 28, at 7.30pm – for tickets visit www. tivoliwimborne.co.uk.

CLIFF Richard tribute act Jimmy Jemain will be performing his show Wired for Sound at The Regent in Christchurch this weekend.

Jimmy has been a Cliff Richard tribute for over 30 years and won Stars In Your Eyes as the music legend.

He was also invited to sing for Sir Cliff both at his celebration for 50 years in showbusiness and at 70th birthday party.

Jimmy also performed in the West End in Cliff – The Musical.

He is at The Regent on Saturday, February 24, at 7.30pm – for tickets visit www. theregent.co.uk.

Easy listening with sounds of the 70s

THE sweet sound of one of the most popular bands of the 1970s and 1980s is coming to the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne with the new show Rainy Days, Mondays & Good Old Dreams.

Carpenters tribute Kerry Le Bern and Mark Busell will be singing all the hits and explore the siblings’ lives from their early attempts to get a musical breakthrough to some of their influences, such as The Beatles, Burt Bacharach and The Beach Boys.

The show will also look at the challenges they faced on their journey to stardom and, ultimately, to tragedy.

Kerry Le Bern, a professional singer who performs across the south of England, said: “I adored the Carpenters from an early age and in the 1970s I often used to pretend I was Karen Carpenter as I sang along to the songs from the Close To You album on my trusty cassette player.

“I want to bring something

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 41

Arts & Entertainment

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Drama in the pub garden

THE Rude Mechanical Theatre Company will be revisiting an old production when it performs The Dressing Book in the pub garden at The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers this summer.

The play is set in the late 18th Century in Tunbridge Wells but plays games with time and social status and has a twist in the tail.

It is a comedy – when two ladies turn up to a ball in identical dresses a fracas follows

– but is equally poetic and tender.

The Dressing Room follows the ‘social round’ of Maybelline who records which dresses she wears for each event in her ‘dressing book’ – and the men she encounters while wearing them.

It opens a window on the way clothes were – and still are – a means by which men could control the separated public and private worlds of women.

Has anything changed?

Through a process of ‘magic realism’ the action switches to the 1960s and Maybelline’s clothes, which had been her prison, now set her free.

The Dressing Book toured briefly in 2012, mainly to arts centres and theatres, and was well received in the press and by audiences, so Pete Talbot, the director, wanted to tour it again so more people can enjoy it.

Originally, it was written for

three actors and six puppets, but it has been rewritten for six actors with lots of music with new songs.

The play is being performed on Friday, June 7, at 7.30pm – audience members are invited to go along from 6pm with low-backed chairs from 6pm for picnics.

Tickets are available on the company’s website, www. therudes.co.uk, or call 01323 501260.

Stand-up is a policeman’s lot

STAR of Radio 4 comedy programme Fair Cop, Alfie Moon, will be presenting his new show at Lighthouse, Poole.

The comedian mines 18 years on the beat as a policeman for material for the radio programme.

His new stage show, A Face for Radio, is the true story of his plan to transition from the radio waves to television star.

Alfie was born and raised on a council estate in Sheffield and was an apprentice in the

steelworks before, when recession hit, joining Humberside Police.

He came slightly later to comedy after finishing runner-up in a national stand-up competition and going on to serve a whole new apprenticeship, honing his craft at comedy clubs all over the country.

Alfie Moore: A Face for Radio is on Saturday, March 30, at 7.45pm.

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

Steelworker turned policeman turned comedian Alfie Moon

10 years of DorsetFest

GREAT music and family fun are in store for visitors to DorsetFest, a not-for-profit festival being held at Warren Farm, near Blandford Forum, this summer.

The volunteer-run event, which raises money to maintain the churches at Hilton, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, this year celebrates it 10th anniversary.

In the past it has featured Ben Waters, who has worked

More than £6,000 was handed to Weldmar Hospicecare last year

with acts like the Rolling Stones, and Neil Cowley, a sideman to Adele.

The line up for 2024 includes bands The Leggomen, Chief

Lazarus and The Phogues.

This year Dorsetfest is introducing an open-mic session to kick off the Saturday entertainment and anyone who would like to be considered should message the Dorsetfest team through Facebook or Instagram.

A wide range of stalls and activities for all ages will be on offer including Jamie Jigsaw, face painting, hula hoops, bouncy castle, five-a-side

football field, Tai Chi, yoga and massages. A great range of food and drink will also be available.

DorsetFest has raised in excess of £130,000 for good causes over the last decade, including more than £6,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare last year.

The festival is being held at Warren Farm (DT11 0HQ) on Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, and tickets are now on sale. Camping is available for tents and campervans.

42

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Big names lined up for Harbour Festival RAZORLIGHT, The Coral and Reef will top the bill at the 2024 Poole Harbour Festival.

They are joined by The South – former members of The Beautiful South – 90s indie legends Toploader, UK garage duo Artful Dodger, folk punk rabble-rousers Ferocious Dog and festival favourites, Dr Meaker.

The festival is set to run in Baiter Park, Poole, from Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28.

“Last year’s festival was the best yet in terms of line up and the feedback we received was really positive – we’re definitely putting Poole Harbour Festival on the map,” said festival organiser, Ben Dyas.

“Last year we had so many last minute ticket buyers we did have some queues, but we’ve learned a lot from that and as well as our best ever

line up, this year we’ll have more and bigger bars, many extra toilets, easier entry and more staff and security across the site and with better signage for things like water points and toilets.

“It’s going to be a brilliant weekend.”

Meanwhile, in the dance tent, a strong DJ bill is topped

by Lisa Lashes, alongside the likes of Ultrabeat, Jaguar Skills and Seb Fontaine, while tributes include shows dedicated to Queen, Madness, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Fleetwood Mac. There are also free circus shows on Saturday and Sunday as well as daily kids’ entertainers, dinosaur shows

and activities.

“We’re so grateful our amazing regulars keep coming back year after year and they’re joined by more and more music fans attracted by

the star names on the bill – it’s the party weekend that Poole is now famous for,” Ben added.

“You can help make the event even better by taking advantage of the much cheaper launch offer tickets – this helps us plan and book the facilities needed.”

Tickets are available now via www.pooleharbourfestival. com.

Harbottle & Jonas are at the village halls at Woodlands at 7.30pm on Friday, March 1; West Stafford at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 2; and

Ibberton at 3.30pm on Sunday, March 3. Full details and tickets are available online at www.artsreach.co. uk.

The Coral (above) and Razorlight (left) are playing Poole Harbour Festival

First class folk at the village hall

PARTNERS in life and music, dynamic Devon-based folk duo Harbottle & Jonas are widely regarded as one of the most exciting acts on the UK folk circuit today.

The duo will play live early next month at three village halls in Dorset with Artsreach, Dorset’s touring arts charity.

Dave Harbottle and Freya Jonas (pictured) combine a love of the richness of traditional folk with their own

original and powerful songwriting.

Together they have built up a great reputation on the folk circuit over the last 10 years and racked up nearly 900 gigs in the process.

The pair have developed a distinct and compelling signature sound, blending concertina, harmonium, cittern, stomp box, acoustic guitar and banjo with their beautiful and closely intertwined vocal harmonies.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 43

Arts & Entertainment

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Godfather of stand-up on ‘the age of idiocy’

THE godfather of modern stand-up, Ben Elton, is stopping off at Lighthouse Poole this autumn on a tour of the UK and Ireland.

Elton returned to stand-up in 2019 after a 15-year break and, inspired by the birth of Artificial Intelligence, has dubbed his new show Authentic Stupidity.

He said: “The verdict’s in!

Humanity is thick! Homo halfwit. The idiot branch of the Ape family!

“We need signs to tell us to step off escalators, we elect

gibbering fools to lead us, and now we’ve invented Artificial Intelligence, which is actually going to replace us!

“I’ve spent 45 years in comedy exploring the outer limits of human idiocy and my mission has never been more timely.

“Forget AI! It’s AS we need to be worrying about!”

Elton’s career pans four decades and includes television shows like The Young Ones and Blackadder, West End plays such as Popcorn and Upstart

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He returned to Channel 4 for a one-off revival of Friday Night Live for which he won the BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Programme 2023.

Ben Elton is in Poole on Saturday, October 19 – for tickets visit www. lighthousepoole.co.uk or phone 01202 280000.

Comedian Ben Elton

(from pages 22-23) (from pages ??)

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44

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Spotlight Diary

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for the March 4 issue is NOON on February 26th.

Call on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.

FEBRUARY 2024

Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

MONDAY

FRIDAY

14:00-16:00 TEA OR COFFEE, CHAT, BOARD GAMES: Carey Hall, Mistover Road,

Wareham BH20 4BY 19:30 WAREHAM CHORAL SOCIETY. Lady

St.Mary Church, Wm. Till 9.30. New singers

always welcome. 01202 632678. warehamchoral@gmail.com

13:30 - 14:30 NEW ADULT BEGINNERS LINE DANCE LEARN MODERN LINE DANCES AND

LATIN LINE DANCES - great fun class!

1.30pm - 2.30pm At The Scout Hut, North Bestwall Road,

Wareham. To reserve a place in the class Contact; Purbeck dance studio 07518 056149 purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

SATURDAY

TUESDAY 10:30 - 11:30 NEW ADULT MODERN LINE DANCE 10.30a.m-11.30a.m (Starting 6th February) At The D’Urberville Centre, Wool To Reserve a place in the class Contact:

Purbeck dance studio 07518 056149 purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com 19:30 WAREHAM CAMERA CLUB: Parish Hall, Wareham Visitors welcome £3 For zoom link contact club website

www.warehamcameraclub.co.uk

05-Mar Speaker - John’s Travels to N. W.

America, S. Spain & The Scilllies

12-Mar League 5 ‘Open’ Print &

Projected Digital Image Competition

19-Mar Zoom Talk - Inaki Hernandez

– Lasa FIPF FRPS ‘Architectural

Photography - In search of the genius loci’

26-Mar Speaker - Tony Worobiec ‘Minimalism’

FRIDAY

SUNDAY 10:00 - 12:00 TABLE TOP SALE Last Sunday of the month: Carey Hall, Mistover Road,

Wareham BH20 4BY, booking preferred at hirecareyhall@gmail.com, 07368 352737

Free Adverts AIR RIFLE HIGH POWERED , VGC £49.99 Call 07970 742471

Wanted BOOKS HARDBACK, FOUNTAIN PENS, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid. Tel Mr Jones 01202 733550.

S

07714 289408

07970 742471

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SOS to all air rifles and pistols, any make or model, any condition.

We collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash.

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11:00 - 12:00 NEW ADULT LATIN AMERICAN &

BALLROOM DANCE

11a.m-12noon (Starting 9th February) At Corfe Castle Village Hall To reserve a place in the class Contact;

Purbeck dance studio 07518 056149 purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

Purbeck

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

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 45

Local Services Find Us Online

Equestrian MERCEDES-BENZ ATEGO 814, 7.5 Ton Box Lorry.

Side Doors, easy conversion to horse box. New MOT, Low milage, 1 Owner from new. £4,500+VAT 07714-289400

Hay Bales For Sale Manufacturers of

Purpose-made Hard 5 String July 24 Good Quality & Softwood Joinery £35.

01202 622441 5 String June 24 Horse Hay info@elegantjoinery.co.uk £55 each. www.elegantjoinery.co.uk Call 07714 289400 for more details

Local Services Purbeck Swanage based Professional Tiling Services & Bathroom Installations

Get a quote adverts@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Vinyl & Laminate Board Flooring For quotes and free advice, please contact Justin on

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46

Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024

Local Services

purbeckgazette.co.uk

A.D.S. PROPERTY SERVICES General Builder

EXTENSIONS, KITCHENS, BRICKWORK, PATIOS, FENCING, PLASTERING, DECORATING, ROOF REPAIRS & CHIMNEYS adspropertysvcs@gmail.com Andy Smith 07743 440 906

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07709 545701 (24/7) www.parrottlocks.co.uk

paul@parrottlocks.co.uk

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info@elegantjoinery.co.uk www.elegantjoinery.co.uk

OVEN & WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS and other appliances

Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Tumble Dryers, Electric Cookers, Fridges, Freezers.

Colin Shailer.

01929 554809 07711 165062 colinshailer@gmail.com

CMS Electrical Repairs

DRAIN UNBLOCKING All drains unblocked Camera Surveys Drain Repairs & Installations Local family business 24/7

01929 666 226 OR 01305 70 55 60 www.dorsetdrainunblocking.co.uk

01929 554692

COUNTRYSIDE TREE SURGEONS Professionals specialising in all aspects of Tree & Hedge Care by Fully Insured NPTC Certified Tree Surgeons.

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All chimneys and flues swept Woodburner Servicing Cowls, bird nets, pots, etc. Grates, fire tools, Kiln dried LOGS, CCTV Surveys, Insured and certificates given.

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Specialist Tree Services, Commercial And Domestic Plumbing and Heating Engineers

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Purbeck Gazette, February 19, 2024 47

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