The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 342

Friendly faces of mining museum call it a day

TWO long-serving friendly faces at the Purbeck Mining Museum were set to retire at the end of last month after welcoming thousands of visitors to the heritage attraction.

Sue and Derek Double, of Poole, were stepping down after many years greeting and advising visitors at the museum near Norden, which is part of Swanage Railway.

Sue joined the museum’s team of volunteers in 2014, when the attraction was in its infancy, and received a 10-year long service award at a special meeting of volunteers last November.

Her husband, Derek, began working as a volunteer ticket inspector on Swanage Railway in 2001 and moved over to join his wife as part of the front of house team at the mining museum seven years ago.

He will be receiving a 25-year long service award from Swanage Railway later this year.

“Both Sue and Derek deserve wholesome praise for providing such a warm welcome to visitors over many years,” said Peter Sills, chair of Purbeck Mining Museum.

“Their passion and commitment has been infectious for visitors and fellow volunteers alike, and we are indebted to the huge contribution they have made in helping to drive footfall and ensure every visitor – both

young and old – enjoys their visit to the museum.

“On behalf of all of the museum’s volunteers, I wish them a long, healthy and happy retirement.”

In recent years the couple have taken the bus from Parkstone to Poole and then on to Norden to carry out their duties, opening the gates to the museum and greeting visitors.

For many years, they were joined by Alfie, their muchloved and popular dog, who they sadly lost last year.

“Being so actively involved in such an interesting attraction has been really rewarding,” said Derek, who was previously an insurance officer with both Hampshire and Dorset Police.

“We’ve loved every minute! I originally moved over to the museum on a temporary basis following an operation on my leg, but it suited us both – and Alfie! – and I enjoyed it so much I decided to stay.”

Sue said: “I’ve really loved meeting so many people from all over the world during my time at the museum.

continue to watch the museum’s continued development with interest and, health permitting, I do hope we can help out the team from time to time.”

More information about the museum and further details on roles and opportunities for volunteers are available at www. purbeckminingmuseum.org.

Purbeck Mining Museum is housed in an authentic and recreated mine building at Purbeck Park near Norden station on the Swanage Railway and is open most days from 11am to 4pm.

Full details of opening times are available on the museum’s website.

“It really has been a joy to be part of such a friendly and committed team, and to provide both local people and those from much further afield with insight and experiences that really shine the light on Purbeck’s industrial heritage.

“Although we’re now stepping back from frontline duties, I am sure we will

Sue and Derek Double at Purbeck Mining Museum

New memorial to schoolboys killed in beach landmine tragedy

FIVE schoolboys killed 70 years ago by an unexploded Second World War landmine on Swanage Beach are remembered on a new plaque installed at Purbeck View.

Robin Ardagh, Richard Birch, Jeremy Dennis, Davis North-Lewis and Jason Oliver were between 12 and 13 years old when they died on May 13, 1955, after the landmine they found buried in the sand, which they thought could be a can of Spam, detonated.

Mines were placed on beaches in Britain during the war in case of a possible Nazi invasion.

They were disarmed and disposed of after the war, but not all were accounted for, and Swanage Beach had been given the all-clear.

The boys went to Forres School, and although a plaque at the site commemorates the boys, it was feared their story could be lost as the site was put up for sale last year.

Ex-Forres School pupil Seb Warner set about ensuring the boys’ legacy lived on in a prominent place, once he heard the memorial was at risk, by launching an online crowdfunder.

The new plaque has been installed next to the existing war memorial, with support from Swanage Town Council.

60 of the boys’ family members, former Forressians, including schoolboys now in their 80s, attended the unveiling on May 13, the anniversary of when the boys died.

Seb said the project snowballed after he first came up with the idea for a memorial.

“I started speaking to more and more of the old boys that were there at the time, and the more I spoke to them, the more they spoke to each other and started to reconnect, which was lovely to be a part of.

“We had 60-plus old Forressians and family members in attendance on the day, and it

was great to see it being supported as well as it was.

“It was an emotional day, but what made it even more special was that the sister of Richard Birch and the two sisters of David North-Lewis – who are all in their 80s – came for the unveiling, with one of them flying from South Africa.

“A cousin of Jason Oliver was there, which was lovely, but sadly we weren’t able to track down any relative of Robin Ardagh or Jeremy Dennis.

“We’re still working on that, and it would be fantastic if they could be told of the memorial.

“The families were very grateful that a more prominent memorial has been created, and

I hope it gave them further closure.

“It was a different era at the time – and there is no criticism of the school, as that’s how things were at the time – but a lot of these boys literally never spoke about the tragedy.

“Thanks must go to Swanage Town Council for allowing us to put the memorial in such a good location and to Haysoms Purbeck Stone which produced the memorial tablet.”

The new plaque reads: “In memory of the Forres School boys who were tragically killed on Swanage Beach by a World War II land mine 13th May 1955. Robin Ardagh, Richard Birch, Jeremy Dennis, David North-Lewis, Jason Oliver.”

Tough going for youngsters in lake contest

by Graham Howard DDAS junior secretary

THE fourth round of the Dorchester & District Angling Society Junior Points championship took place at a very out of sorts Canal Lake at Whitemoor fishery.

The carp were finishing off doing what comes naturally

to them at this time of year, making the fishing very difficult on an already challenging venue. Difficult fishing coupled with wind-blown pollen spores made conditions extremely hard to deal with. Every bite counts when they are hard to find and sadly one or two went home

without catching anything.

But championship leader Josiah Wells-Parkes showed patience and determination to land four fish weighing 12lb 2oz to claim yet another 25 championship points.

Kenzie Toulson, on the end peg, caught only five smaller fish to weigh 5lb 13oz for second place.

Third, with just a single fish weighing 3lb 14oz, went to Mia Evans, claiming her second junior podium.

For more information on the club, visit www. ddasjuniors.co.uk, or email the junior secretary at juniors.sec@d-das.com.

For fishery information go to whitemoorlakes.com.

Seb Warner thanked those who contributed to the cost of the memorial plaque (inset) PHOTOS: Seb Warner

Forres School rugby team in 1954 with David North-Lewis back row second from left

Daisy qualifies for ‘nationals’

YOUNG Swanage swimmer

Daisy Kirkpatrick has qualified for the English National Summer Competition, Swim England’s biggest domestic swimming competition of the year.

Daisy, 13 –pictured – will be swimming in the 200 metres butterfly at the event held at the Pond Forge international Sports

Centre in Sheffield from July 29 to August 3.

Swim Bournemouth head coach, Jeff Sandley, said fewer than one in 200 competitive swimmers reach this level.

He added: “The focus now should be on having the best block of training possible to ensure Daisy is ready to bring her absolute best to Sheffield.”

Hooray for Bollywood!

MEMBERS of the Bollywood Beatz Dance Company entertained residents at Upton Bay care home in Hamworthy with a spectacular dance extravaganza.

It was their first care home performance, and the home said it was good to see how the children interacted with

Picnic in the Park date

FAMILY entertainment will be on offer when the annual Picnic in the Park is held at Upton Recreation Ground this weekend.

Visitors can enjoy a bouncy castle, children’s entertainer, a variety of music, static vehicle display, petting ponies, a falconry display, a VE/VJ Day exhibition, face painting and children’s crafts.

An exciting extra this year is a children’s fancy dress parade

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residents, especially those who live with dementia.

Upton Bay general manager, Mevin Sohorye, said: “What a fantastic show, we will definitely be asking the troop to return again.

“The level of skill and movement was exceptional and we all had a wonderful time.”

– any outfit – through Upton, from the Community Centre in Poole Road, departing at 12.30pm, to the Recreation Ground, off Dorchester Road.

Spectators are asked to stand on the north side of Dorchester Road so as not to impede the children and accompanying adults.

Picnic in the Park is on Saturday, June 14, from 1pm-5pm, and entrance, activities and entertainment for all ages is free, with the exception of the merry-goround. No on-site parking will be available.

News from Wareham Town Council – May report

by Julie Bradshaw

WAREHAM’S mayor for 2025/26 is Councillor Zoe Gover, who was deputy mayor last year, and Cllr Keith Critchley is now deputy mayor.

Proposals for 2 North Street, the Westminster Bank building, are expected soon. The public must be consulted if the council is to secure a Public Works Loan. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has also been approached.

Wareham Wednesdays is holding its bonfire and fireworks event at the Recreation Ground on Friday, November 7. St Mary’s House in North Street is the subject of a planning application to become residential. Three extra CCTV cameras will be installed in the town.

Wareham Neighbourhood Plan group will be reviewing the Wareham Plan while Dorset Council will be creating a plan for its area. Dorset Council leader, Cllr Nick Ireland, has been visiting all the Dorset town councils and was in Wareham to talk to the council and members of the public after the council’s meeting at the end of May.

One of Dorset Council’s priorities is ‘communities for all’ and Cllr Ireland was pleased that the Ofsted inspection in March 2025 assessed children’s services to be outstanding in four categories and good in the remaining one.

Another priority is to grow the economy and thereby provide quality jobs. With the emphasis on defence, new

New bus service makes attractions more accessible

THREE Dorset organisations have come together with Dorset Community Transport to provide a new bus route for the summer.

Purbeck Community Rail Partnership, The Blue Pool and RSPB Arne have teamed up with Dorset Community Transport to create the Purbeck Shuttle – Service 200.

The route, also supported by Dorset Council, connects Wareham Station to The Blue Pool and Arne on Wednesdays and Purbeck Park – for Norden Station – with The Blue Pool and Arne on Saturdays.

The service builds on the experience of a successful pilot project, Service 2RN, which has connected Wareham Station with RSPB Arne over the

summer for the past few years.

“We’re delighted that these Dorset organisations have chosen to partner with us so we can provide access to places otherwise impossible to reach on public transport,” said Tim Christian, general manager at Dorset Community Transport.

“When we work together, everyone benefits, local venues, tourists, residents – and the environment.

“We learned from our experience with Service 2RN that passengers really value being able to make their journeys to these venues by bus – not simply because parking can be a challenge in high season, but people want to do their bit for the environment as well.

technology and green energy, the focal points are Dorset Innovation Park and Portland/ Weymouth.

A third priority is responding to the climate and nature crisis. As well as reducing carbon emissions, Dorset Council will deliver a Local Nature Recovery Strategy with partners as part of the national and international 30by30 target, that is to protect and manage 30% of land and rivers for nature by 2030. Dorset Council’s website has a consultation.

The fourth priority is quality affordable housing. Dorset Council is leasing properties for temporary accommodation so that people who have lost their home will not have to go into a bed and breakfast properties. Dorset Council will be looking

“For some residents, this is the only way they can access these locations. We’ve also been taking feedback from residents living along the route who tell us that they’ve found it useful – and have even helped name the service, the Purbeck Shuttle.”

Matthew Elliott Jones, managing director of the Furzebrook Estate, said: “We are delighted at the introduction of this new shuttle bus from Wareham to The Blue Pool.

“This wonderful service isn’t just a journey – it is a step towards greener travel, supporting local discovery, opening the doors to adventure,

at the land it owns and, if it is suitable for housing, sourcing a housing association to build on it, or, if unsuitable, selling the land.

Asked about the lack of any progress on the Middle School site and Westport House, Cllr Ireland agreed it was partly due to Dorset Healthcare’s change of mind about a hub but also because Dorset Council took a long time to achieve anything.

Asked whether the solution to the retention of the level crossing was final, Cllr Ireland replied that there were good financial grounds – it is far less expensive for Dorset Council to pay crossing keepers than to build a bridge.

The next council meetings are on Tuesdays, June 24 and July 22, at 7.30pm in the council chamber. Further information is available on the council’s website, www. wareham-tc.gov.uk, or by phoning the town council office on 01929 553006.

connection and the beauty right on our doorstep.”

Steven Booth, Purbeck Community Rail officer, said: “We are so pleased to be involved in this project working with our partners as it supports our aims and objectives to promote sustainable integrated transport by linking the railway and bus to Purbeck’s most picturesque attractions.”

Peter Robertson, senior sites manager, Dorset Reserves at the RSPB, said: “We’re really excited for the new Purbeck Shuttle – Service 200, which will help more people enjoy the outstanding places in our part of Dorset – including RSPB Arne.

“This is what can be achieved when local organisations come together in partnership to get things done.”

The Purbeck Shuttle –Service 200 began operation at the end of May and runs until Saturday, August 30. Full service details, including tickets and timetables, can be found at dorset-ct.co.uk.

The bus service at The Blue Pool

St Mark’s girls win cup final

THE girls’ football team at St Mark’s Primary School, Swanage, have won the final of the Purbeck League Cup.

They qualified for the final, hosted at St Mary’s, Swanage, after winning the round robin stage of the event, beating Stoborough, Swanage Primary and Sandford, and drawing 2-2 against St Mary’s.

The team have enjoyed a successful season, also winning the Purbeck Tournament in October.

They also qualified for the Dorset Schools County finals, where they reached the semifinals, losing out on a place in the final on penalties.

Mrs Davies, PE Lead from St Marks, said: “The girls were determined to make up for the disappointment of missing out on a final place at the county event and this showed on the pitch.”

The event was hosted at St Mary’s as they organised the league again this year.

The first half ended 0-0 with both teams having scoring opportunities and St Mark’s hitting the post three times.

In the second half, St Mark’s took an early 1-0 lead and quickly turned this to 2-0.

St Mary’s did not give up and scored from a long range shot which bounced over the St

Mark’s goalkeeper’s head.

St Mary’s pressed for an equaliser, but St Mark’s continued to defend well and kept clearing their lines.

The final whistle came with the score still 2-1 to St Mark’s.

St Mark’s headteacher, Mrs Martin, said: “At St Mark’s we have always prioritised sport and our dedicated staff members go above and beyond to provide a wide range of opportunities for our children.

“I could not be prouder of our girls and their skill and determination shone through on the day.”

It has been a long season, and the school is grateful to Mr Norman, their year 2 teacher, who has coached the team at lunchtimes and after school.

Mr Norman added: “The girls were superb yesterday. Before we started, we discussed our game plan and the children executed it perfectly.

“They attacked quickly, played the ball well through the middle and showed great determination to get back and defend.

“This was definitely one of the best games of junior football I have watched.”

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St Mark’s beat St Mary’s to win the Purbeck League Cup

Marian’s skydive for Air Training Corps

THE mayor of Wareham braved a 10,000ft skydive in aid of local youngsters to end her year in office.

Councillor Marian Cotton raised more than £2,000 from the tandem skydive at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury in aid of 2185 Isle of Purbeck Squadron Air Training Corps.

Cllr Cotton experienced a 30-second freefall followed by a five-minute parachute descent, offering breathtaking views of the Wiltshire countryside.

The money she raised will pay for a portable flight simulator for cadet training with enough left over to pay for other equipment.

Cllr Cotton hosted other charity events throughout her mayoral year which, along with the skydive, raised £4,110 for charity.

Cllr Cotton thanked everyone who supported her fundraising efforts.

“I would like to thank everyone for their generous sponsorship,” she said.

“The skydive was an amazing experience and so worth doing to raise funds. I am thrilled!”.

Your Health Matters Dorset HealthCare’s monthly round-up

New drop-in spaces offer mental health and wellbeing support to Purbeck residents

NEW Access Wellbeing drop-in spaces are opening in Lytchett Matravers, Wareham and Swanage, offering mental health and wellbeing support to anyone aged 18 and over.

The new services provide a welcoming space to find support on the issues that matter to each individual. That might be mental health and emotional wellbeing, or practical help on topics such as finances, work, housing or support for carers.

No appointment is necessary – residents can drop in at any time during opening hours and the friendly team

will be on hand to listen, then help people to access the right support. The new Purbeck

Access Wellbeing drop-in spaces will initially be located in:

n Swanage – open every Monday

n The Focus Centre, Chapel Lane, BH19 2PW

n Wareham – open every Tuesday

n Family Hub, Worgret Road, BH20 4PH

n Lytchett Matravers – open every other Wednesday

n Youth Hall, High Street, BH16 6BJ

Venues and dates/times may

change based on the needs of each community, and more spaces are planned for coming months – up-to-date information is available at www.dorsetaccesswellbeing. co.uk

Andy Rammell, senior wellbeing coordinator for Access Wellbeing in Purbeck, said: “We know that sometimes the challenges we face in our day-to-day life can impact on our mental health – but it can be hard to know where to turn. We’re delighted to be opening new drop-in services in the

heart of Purbeck’s communities, giving people a welcoming space to go if they need to talk.

“We offer person-centred support, so whatever’s on your mind, we’re here to help. You might be worried about money, struggling with a housing situation, feeling stressed about work, having a tough time in a relationship – or simply need a listening ear. Whatever’s on your mind, we can take the time to listen, then connect you to further specialist support and advice if you need it.”

The new Purbeck drop-in spaces are part of the Access Wellbeing community mental health programme, which provides hubs and drop-in spaces across Dorset.

More details on the full programme and the support available across Dorset is available at www. dorsetaccesswellbeing.co.uk.

Former mayor of Wareham, Cllr Marian Cotton, presents a cheque to 2185 Isle of Purbeck Squadron Air Training Corps, and (right) after the tandem skydive at Old Sarum Airfield, Salisbury

Cocktails, bingo, bras and knickers!

MS GREAT Britain Classic Kent finalist Caroline Derrick Gray hosted a ‘bingo cocktail charity’ evening at The Bear in Wareham for three charities –Cancer Research UK, asisterhood and Smalls for All.

The theme for the evening was ‘women supporting women’ and the event raised £784.10 – and saw 80 bras and five new pairs of knickers donated!

30 women enjoyed cocktails, two rounds of bingo, a quiz round and a raffle, with generous prizes given by local businesses.

Local, Dwain Musselwhite was the cheeky bingo caller. Cancer Research UK and asisterhood are the Miss Great Britain event’s chosen charities

and last year the finalists raised £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Caroline, who was born in Kent but lives in Swanage, also wanted to help Smalls for All, which collects new and gently worn bras, and new knickers, to

give to women in the UK and around the world who cannot afford them.

Caroline’s husband, Nick, died suddenly last year and five of her friends who were at the time or are still fighting cancer supported her. She said raising funds for Cancer Research UK was her way of saying thank you.

AFTER a wet May half-term, we’re very pleased June is here and with it, it is hoped, drier weather, feeling a bit more like summer! June is a beautiful time to take in the views of the park, as on most days the water is a beautiful blue and the waves reflect the rays of the sun, creating some picturesque photo opportunities.

Wildflowers abound in the meadows, including bee orchids and grass vetchling, and on a sunny day, butterflies like adonis blues, meadow browns and small heaths visit the flowers for nectar. Birdlife also comes alive, with yellowhammers and whitethroat and skylarks pouring out their vocal extravagances from high above. Cliff-nesting birds, like shags, guillemots and razorbills have hungry chicks to feed and may be seen flying in with

beaks full of fish. Further offshore, gannets are often spotted, while Manx shearwaters and tiny storm petrels may also be seen, especially in the evenings. If you choose to visit, please look out for the newly-fledged young of local peregrines and ravens.

Woodland birds are still in good voice with the lovely fluty warble of the blackcap and the monotonous notes of the aptly-named chiffchaff particularly noticeable. Speckled woods may share sunny woodland glades with colourful hoverflies.

In the Fine Foundation Gallery from Tuesday, June 17, until Monday, July 7, is a fantastic exhibition, The Wonderful World of Plants, showcasing works by members of the South West Society of Botanical Artists. The collection aims to convey the beauty, intricacy and diversity of the botanical world. The exhibition is free to enter and open daily from 10.30am4.30pm.

The events guide is packed in June. Our seabirds boat trips continue every Friday night until Friday, July 4, taking visitors on a trip along the coast to see some of Durlston’s fantastic seabird colonies nesting on the cliffs. On Sunday, June 15, why not join ex-ranger ‘Ali Tuckey’ for a guided walk around the park to look for ‘Bee Orchids and other June Flowers’? Or on Saturday,

June 21, join us to open the moth trap and have a look at what’s been found flying around the night before. If butterflies and insects are more your thing, why not join us on Tuesday, June 24, for a guided walk to see which ones we can spot! To top things off, we also have another fantastic ‘Glass Engraving Workshop’ taking place on Sunday, June 22. There’s plenty for everyone this June!

Whether you come up for a coffee, an hour-long walk or an all-day explore, Durlston is a beautiful location for everyone to enjoy, so we hope you enjoy June here as much as we do. For more information on events and more, visit the Durlston website, www. durlston.co.uk. Visit the Seventhwave café website at www.seventhwaverestaurant. co.uk.

Durlston Country Park has a lot going on this month

PHOTOS : Fable and Flare Photography

Tank returns to ‘birthplace’ for VE Day event

A CHURCHILL Mark III tank, produced in the Vauxhall factory in Luton, was taken on a visit to its ‘birthplace’ by The Tank Museum to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

The 38-ton Mark III Churchill tank, owned by The Churchill Trust, was transported from The Tank Museum in Bovington to Luton for the

In May 1940, Vauxhall Motors stopped making cars and dedicated its production line to the Churchill tank, with more than 5,500 Churchill tanks built in total.

Vehicle technician, Aaron

remembered seeing the tanks drive out the factory when they were young, and many people we spoke to recalled dads and grandads that tested, built and drove Churchill tanks during

“Everyone who was involved with the event and visited over the weekend appreciated the vehicle being there.

“An important reminder of the contribution to the war effort made by British factories, and a poignant way to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.”

The Churchill Mark III has now returned to its home at The

Staff from The Tank Museum in Bovington in Luton (above) and visitors to the event PHOTOS: Luton Council/June Essex

Motor show raises £37,000 for charity

DORSET Blind Association’s ninth annual Motor Show, held at Lulworth Castle last month, raised a record £37,000-plus

More than 6,000 visitors came through the gates to enjoy a display of vehicles, entertainment, local food and drink and 50-plus retail and charity stalls.

The show welcomed a record-breaking 280 vehicles, from vintage and classic models to luxury supercars, drawing motoring enthusiasts from across the south of England.

The charity would like to thank this year’s Platinum sponsors, Blue Sky Financial Planning, and Supercar sponsors, Daizun.

It would also like to thank Porsche Centre Bournemouth, which partnered with Blue Sky

to bring a line-up of Porsches to the display field.

“We are absolutely blown away by the response to this year’s Motor Show,” said Sam Baker, event organiser and

Hardy’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ celebrates ‘normal people’

A CAVALCADE of camaraderie is travelling through Dorset this summer, bringing some of Thomas Hardy’s lesser known stories to life in four of the county’s most breathtaking outdoor settings.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the New Hardy Players are touring A Few Crusted Characters, a series of short stories that have been described as Hardy’s Canterbury Tales.

A cart with a full complement of passengers is travelling from a prosperous market town to the village of Longpuddle.

En route they meet a stranger – the audience – and stop to relate a series of tales about local characters, their good luck and misfortunes.

The 90-minute play has been adapted from the original texts by Victoria Bowles and is

directed by Penny Levick and Alastair Braidwood.

A cast of 30 aged between seven and over 70 play everything from drunk farmers, lusty youths, canny lasses and a vicar to bees, cattle, a hedge and trees.

Alastair said:

“Performing in beautiful settings with live music is a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary.

“The New Hardy Players are known for their faithful adaptations of Hardy’s works, and this will be an authentic retelling of his tales that everyone can enjoy.”

community relations officer at Dorset Blind Association.

“The atmosphere was electric, and the support we’ve had from volunteers, car owners, sponsors and the local

beforehand.

Penny added: “We are putting together a very ambitious show in a short space of time, and it’s been amazing seeing it come to life.

“We are a diverse cast of players, about half of them have never worked with the New Hardy Players before, but were in the community play or local drama groups.

community has been overwhelming.

“These funds will help us continue providing vital services to blind and partially sighted people across Dorset.”

Entertainment included performances by Jitterbug Jive, the Just Sing Choir, The Land Girls, Miss Lisa Locarno, and the Bournemouth Carnival Band, alongside circus fun and children’s activities provided by Jamie Jigsaw.

For more information about the Dorset Blind Association and how to support its work, visit www.dorsetblind.org.uk.

original band of players who formed in 1908, with his blessing, to stage adaptations of his works.

Alastair said: “I think Hardy would be absolutely thrilled if he could see what we are doing here and that his work was still being performed.

As well as evening performances, two afternoon shows will be staged for families, which will include children’s games and activities

“It is an ensemble piece with no ‘main star’ –every part is important and our players love feeling a part of this group.

“They are people who love Dorset and the local community and its heritage and are having a great time putting this together!”

The New Hardy Players formed in 2005, at the request of Norrie Woodhall on her 100th birthday.

Norrie was the last surviving member of Thomas Hardy’s

“He championed ‘normal’ people who were often looked down upon and he would be delighted that we are still celebrating them today.”

A Few Crusted Characters is being staged at Abbotsbury Swannery on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7 (7.30pm performances), Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, on Sunday, June 8 (4pm family show), Holme Gardens, Wareham on Friday, June 13 (7.30pm) and Minterne House, near Dorchester, on Saturday, June 14 (7.30pm) and Sunday, June 15 (4pm).

Tickets are £15 plus concessions from Dorchester Arts on 01305 266926 and dorchesterarts.org.uk.

The show attracted more than 6,000 visitors PHOTO: Yuugen Visuals

Corfe Castle stars as a ‘Hidden Treasure’

CORFE Castle features in the new series of BBC’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, available on iPlayer.

The castle, built following the Norman conquest in 1066, was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War and resisted a siege in 1643 but fell to Parliamentarian forces in a second siege in 1646 and was subsequently destroyed.

Hidden Treasures… shines a light on the experts and volunteers who look after the properties and collections in the National Trust’s care.

The episode featuring Corfe Castle focuses on the role of women ‘holding the fort’ while men were away fighting. It looks at the legacy of Lady Mary Bankes and her defence of the castle against parliamentarian troops during the Civil War.

In 1643 she had been left with her 11 children, servants and five soldiers while her husband, Lord John Bankes, Attorney General to Charles I, was fighting for the Royalist cause.

Lady Bankes and a separate small group of defenders held the castle against the odds.

A National Trust spokesperson said: “Though we believe she was not present at the castle during the siege of 1646, when the castle was betrayed, her reputation for bravery and leadership has endured and her story continues to inspire and shape how the castle is remembered today.”

The episode also follows a recent excavation by archaeologists looking to find the long-lost sallyport – a gateway in the external wall which traitors opened to let Parliamentary forces enter and take control of the castle.

A small archway in the east wall of the Inner Ward had been previously uncovered and matched the position and form of a potential sallyport.

Martin Papworth, National Trust archaeologist for almost 40 years, began his National Trust career at Corfe Castle and wanted to uncover the mysterious arch on his last dig before retiring.

Martin said: “The sallyport is fundamental to the history of Corfe Castle. The capture of Corfe by the enemy troops tricking their way through this entrance, enabled Parliament to

order its demolition – today’s much-loved ruin is the direct result of this action.

“Letters from the time describe Parliamentarians quickly getting control of the Inner Ward, which made us suspect there was a sallyport high in the castle.

“The arch within the Inner Ward seemed an obvious place to explore.”

During the dig, a number of finds were made – fragments of lead frames and glass remnants from a Tudor window –probably from the Gloriette/ Queen’s Tower and 16th century pottery shards including fragments from a bright green glazed earthenware bowl 55cm (22in) in diameter.

Painted plaster on the walls was also found.

The excavation was granted by Historic England as part of a £2 million, three-year conservation project to ensure the castle is protected for future generations.

Climate change is causing warmer and wetter winters encouraging more vegetation growth, some of which can penetrate deep into the wall, loosening stones.

But in the summer droughts and dry weather dries out the lime mortar which, along with the vegetation dying off, loosens the stones of the castle walls.

A fundraising appeal is underway to complete the work and as part of this, rare permission has been granted by Historic England to build a platform high within the Keep.

Called the King’s View, the platform sits where the royal living quarters once were, providing exceptional views of the landscape and close ups of rare historic features.

Until recently, this part of the castle had been inaccessible to everyone except conservation teams on ropes. The King’s View will be open throughout 2025 only and can be accessed in two ways:

Guided tour and Kings’ View experience Lasting 90 minutes, a guided tour of the castle culminating with the King’s view experience (booking advised via website). Cost: £15.

The Kings’ View experience Lasting 30 minutes, visitors can access the viewing platform while on a usual visit to the castle (book on arrival). Cost £5.

All donations and funds raised from the Kings’ View will go directly towards conservation works.

Corfe Castle is open daily from 10am. For further information, visit: nationaltrust. org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle

Filming in the Gloriette at Corfe Castle for Hidden Treasures of the National Trust PHOTO: National Trust/Sophie Bolesworth

Corfe Castle sitting high in the landscape PHOTO: National Trust/ Richard Gregory

Ladies of the WI celebrate five years

A GROUP in Swanage that was set up just five years ago has gone from strength to strength, with its membership growing each year. Swanage Women’s Institute

(WI) has just celebrated its fifth anniversary – and members gathered to celebrate in ‘true WI style’ with homemade cakes, tea and, of course, some fizz.

The group looked back at ‘five years of fun and friendship’, and cast their eyes on the year ahead.

Set up just over five years ago when a group of women met at Herston Village Hall and decided to form Swanage WI, the group is now ‘thriving’ a spokesperson said.

when the pandemic resulted in closed doors at Herston Village Hall, but, undaunted, we took to meeting by Zoom until we could meet in person again,” they said.

“Since then, we have increased our membership and moved to The Centre in Chapel Lane as we soon outgrew the hall in Herston.

“Many friendships have formed, members have tried their hand at many activities and we have been fortunate to be able to listen to some fascinating speakers.

“Many groups have been formed to reflect the interests of members, and our social team has ensured that there are many and varied events for members to enjoy.”

The WI logo is ‘Inspiring Women’ and members have reportedly been inspired to try new things, make new friendships, get involved in the community and have also inspired others to do the same through their involvement with the group.

Solar & Tidal Predictions - June '25

for Peveril Ledge, Swanage Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

01-Jun 01:13 08:08 13:35 20:38 04:59 21:12

02-Jun 02:08 09:06 14:28 21:40 04:58 21:12

03-Jun 03:06 10:09 15:26 17:28 04:58 21:13

04-Jun 04:13 11:10 16:31 23:45 04:57 21:14

05-Jun 05:26 12:09 17:41 00:44 04:57 21:15

06-Jun 00:44 06:29 13:03 18:44 FM 04:56 21:16

07-Jun 01:37 07:19 13:51 19:35 04:56 21:17

08-Jun 02:22 08:02 14:35 20:18 SP 04:56 21:18

09-Jun 02:59 08:41 15:17 20:57 04:55 21:18

10-Jun 03:41 09:18 15:57 21:32 04:55 21:19

11-Jun 04:18 09:53 16:36 22:05 04:55 21:20

12-Jun 04:55 10:26 17:14 22:38 04:55 21:20

13-Jun 05:33 10:58 17:52 23:12 04:54 21:21

14-Jun 06:10 11:32 18:30 23:48 04:54 21:21

15-Jun 06:49 12:10 19:11 00:28 04:54 21:22

16-Jun 00:28 07:31 12:54 19:56 NP 04:54 21:22

17-Jun 01:15 08:18 13:43 20:47 04:54 21:23

18-Jun 02:10 09:12 14:40 21:47 04:54 21:23 19-Jun 03:14 10:15 15:42 22:56 04:55 21:23

22:56 04:26 11:25 16:51 04:55 21:23

00:05 05:37 12:32 17:58 04:55 21:24

01:08 06:40 13:32 19:02 NM

The group has grown from about 20 members before Covid to boasting more than 80 in 2025.

“We had only just opened

“We don’t know what the next few years will bring, but we will do all we can to keep Swanage WI relevant, fun and friendly,” a spokesperson added.

Purbeck Plod challenge

THE East Dorset Ramblers are once again set to host their Purbeck Plod challenge walk from Swanage.

Entrants have three distances to choose from: 25 miles – walk or run, or 17 miles and 12 miles for walkers only.

The event on Sunday, June 22, is fully supported with

drinks and snacks en route and a hot food option at the end in Swanage.

To enter, visit the website, www.eastdorsetramblers.org. uk, for an application form or e-mail purbeckplod@uwclub. net for details.

The fee is £7 for entry by June 8 or £10 if entering on the day.

Grant aid for foodbank

WEYMOUTH Foodbank has received a helping hand after members of the public nominated it in the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

The foodbank, which provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food plus support

for local people, has received a grant of £1,000.

The Benefact Group is giving away more than £1 million to charities through its awards for the seventh year running.

To nominate a charity for an award, visit www.movement forgood.com.

The group is now thriving after it was set up five years ago PHOTO: Swanage WI

Military charity in volunteer appeal

AN RAF veteran is calling on people across Purbeck to provide vital support to men and women who have served their country.

Veterans’ charity Help for Heroes is seeking to expand its reach in local communities and wants more volunteers to come on board.

The charity provides support for veterans across the country, and with five people on average medically discharged from the UK military each day, the need for support grows.

Clare Keating, 44, lives in Poole and served seven years in the RAF, servicing helicopters.

In 2008 she was medically discharged after developing an eye condition, which left her partially sighted.

She has received support from the Help for Heroes mental health service and has taken part

in sports and social activities organised by the charity, including singing with a choir.

She said the charity was there when she most needed support.

“It’s been a lifeline for me and thousands of other veterans, but it needs to recruit more volunteers so it can support more men and women who have served,” she said.

“As well as providing clinical, mental health and welfare support services through a team of dedicated advisors, the charity works with groups to support veterans and their families to connect with each other and their communities through sports and social activities.

“These activities can be an important part of recovery, and the charity wants to expand this activity in Dorset, but to do this, it’s going to need volunteers.”

Help for Heroes is currently supporting 101 veterans across Dorset.

The charity aims to work with volunteers, national and local organisations to offer sports for veterans and their families such as wheelchair basketball, archery and rowing, as well as activities such as photography and creative writing.

It is also hoping to expand its regular drop-in cafe social sessions.

Clare added: “I know personally what a valuable job Help for Heroes does.

Professional with Personality

“About 22,884 veterans live in Dorset and if we can recruit people who are able to give a couple of hours a week, the charity can do more for local people.

“We also need people who are happy to help us with fundraising events. Last year our volunteer fundraisers helped us out with bucket collections at supermarkets and other locations.”

For more information about volunteering with Help for Heroes, visit www. helpforheroes.org.uk/givesupport/volunteer.

Clare Keating, from Poole, was medically discharged from the RAF

Sport

League leaders prove tough test

SWANAGE’S 1st XI travelled to unbeaten league leaders Chalke Valley in their latest Premier Division 2 clash.

The hosts batted first and despite an excellent spell of seam bowling by Freddie Long, who claimed a brace of wickets, Chalke Valley’s powerhouse batting line-up excelled, with their overseas ‘star’ smashing 26 boundaries, including six maximums, in a sensational innings of 170 not out.

He was well supported by the middle order, with two other batters hitting quick-fire half centuries. This enabled the hosts to declare on 352-5 off just 46 overs.

In reply, the visitors recovered from the loss of an early wicket with a half-century partnership between Tom Wells and Sid Nash.

But when they were

dismissed, for 40 and 30 respectively, the middle/lower order was blown away by a combination of hostile seam and mesmerising spin bowling, as the visitors collapsed from 90-2 to 112 all out.

The 2nd XI entertained their Christchurch counterparts in Division 4. After electing to bat first, the hosts were in a precarious position at 33-3, but the innings was rescued by a 77-run partnership between Matt Beard and Mike Nash. They mixed solid defence with some crunching drives to give the score a more respectable look, until they were out in successive overs for 38 and 37 respectively. With the momentum now with the hosts, Harry Long played the perfect innings,

Swanage all-rounder, Harry Long

showing his increased maturity to remain 44 not out, including two huge sixes.

Michael Barry and Phil Eades provided able support to enable the hosts to post a more respectable total of 198-6, after being 113-5 at 28 overs, from their 40 overs.

In response, the visitors were subjected to a combination of ferocious seam bowling by the in-form Long and subtle variations in swing from Beard – who both finished with three

wickets apiece to leave the visitors reeling at 66-6.

The visitors never recovered from this and with the host’s young guns – Barry, Dylan Church, Josh Gould and Andrew Hancock – all taking a wicket, the visitors were finally dismissed for 131.

The hosts remain second in a very competitive league before their trip to third-placed Weymouth.

The 3rd XI travelled to Portland in Division 5. The visitors batted first and an excellent innings of 44 from Tony Fowle – supported by useful contributions from Jon Gregory, Archie and Ed Cross, and Alan and Luke Marks, enabled the visitors to reach a competitive total of 185.

In reply, the hosts were under early pressure due to exceptional bowling by Alan and Ed but when the visitor’s change bowlers came on, the host’s powerful middle order made hay and reached their target for the loss of three wickets.

New season off to busy and successful start

by Trevor Bingham

THE greens at Swanage Bowling Club have been buzzing with activity as the club conclude a busy start to the 2025 season.

Nearly 40 matches had been played by the men’s, women’s and mixed teams by the end of May.

BOWLS

“It’s been a fantastic start to the season,” said club president, Ken Morgan. Key highlights include performances by the club’s mixed teams, the Dolphins and the Puffins, in the competitive Saturday Triples

League.

The men’s and ladies’ teams have also made their mark, particularly in the prestigious Percy Baker and Edna Paisley leagues, where they have delivered a series of strong results.

Swanage Bowling Club, based in Beach Gardens in

Swanage, are a vibrant and friendly community club who offer competitive and social bowling for all ages and abilities.

Anyone interested in learning more about bowling or joining the club should visit www.swanagebowlingclub. org.uk.

Club trio qualify for regional championships

by Paula Davies WAREHAM & District

Swimming Club are celebrating their three swimmers who qualified for the Swim England South West Region Championship.

The championships are part of a larger network of Swim England regional competitions held over three weekends at Millfield, Hengrove and Plymouth.

Swimmers need to achieve

challenging qualification times to participate in the competition.

Wareham’s swimmers were Joe, who qualified in the 14-year-old age group for the 50m breaststroke at Hengrove in Bristol; Aris, who qualified for the 16-year-old 50m backstroke; and Harley, who qualified in the 18 and over age group, also in the 50m

backstroke in Plymouth.

Aris swam a long course personal best, finishing in 16th place. Joe swam a personal best and improved his entry placing by 15 places. Harley swam a strong heat and qualified for the final as the third quickest swimmer.

Due to a technical issue with the start, swimmers were given the opportunity to re-swim. Harley decided to keep his heat time and, after a

nervous wait, this decision paid off and he went through to the finals.

In the final, Harley swam a personal best time of 27.79 and took a bronze medal.

The swimming club will be taking part in four weekends of galas as part of the Jurassic League, which started in May, and they also have a team of 18 of their younger swimmers competing in Dorchester at the Dorset Graded Meet.

REMAP charity in volunteer appeal

THE Bournemouth and District Panel of the charity, REMAP, which operates throughout south and east Dorset, as well as the BCP area, is urgently seeking volunteers.

The local branch of the 60-year-old charity is seeking local people with DIY, engineering and administrative skills to help it improve the quality of life for disabled people.

REMAP is a national charity which provides custom-made equipment, free of charge, for disabled people.

It can help clients with anything from eating and drinking and getting around, to accessing sports, hobbies and employment.

Volunteer ‘makers’ design

and build bespoke equipment for people who have disabilities.

Many volunteers are engineers or have specialist skills such as carpentry or metalwork, but the charity would also welcome retired medical professionals and administrative personnel.

The panel urgently needs volunteers with skills such as IT, administration, fundraising and marketing, to help run the group.

The work volunteers do varies from the fairly simple to extremely complex, but it all improves the quality of life for clients of all ages.

Anyone who would like to get in touch with REMAP, can do so at remap.org.uk or phone 01202 604294.

Comedy at The Mowlem

COMEDIAN Jessica Fostekew is bringing her new show to The Mowlem in Swanage next year.

Wareham, is well known for her television appearances and podcasts.

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Letters

Parkinson’s in the spotlight

WORLD Parkinson’s Day on Friday, April 11, provided a chance to raise awareness and create a greater understanding of the daily challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure – two people are diagnosed every hour.

It affects everyone in different ways due to the combination of symptoms that it may cause, including stiffness, slowness and difficulty moving, tremor, problems with sleep, writing and speech changes, plus problems with anxiety and mental health.

Medication can help control symptoms by providing dopamine, the chemical neurotransmitter deficient in people with Parkinson’s.

Exercise and staying active is vital in helping to keep strong, flexible and maintain good posture and movement.

Fundraising is needed to help better understand the condition and to pay for research towards finding a cure.

The Mowlem Theatre and Corfe Castle were both lit up blue for World Parkinson’s Day – along with shop windows decorated blue.

James Parkinson’s ‘Essay on the Shaking Palsy’, published in 1817, recognised Parkinson’s as a medical condition for the first time.

We mark his birthday every April 11 with World Parkinson’s Day – a day to shine a light on Parkinson’s and bring the community together.

Purbeck Parkinsons’s Group meets every third Wednesday of the month – 2.30pm-4.30pm at Swanage Cricket Club.

If you are newly diagnosed or care for someone with Parkinson’s, we would love to see you at one of our Cafè meet ups.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us at upcoming events – if anyone is interested in kindly lending a hand, please contact David Gynes.

Purbeck Parkinson’s Group is fundraising this summer with the Purbeck Puzzle.

Use your knowledge of this lovely area for your chance to win £50.

It will keep the family busy and they can learn more about Purbeck by finding out the answers.

And you’ll be supporting Parkinson’s UK.

Question sheets – which only cost £1 – are for sale in Swanage at Leonard’s Gifts in Institute Road and Swanage News in Station Road, and in Wareham at AF Joy, 35 North Street, and Walx, 7a West Street. Contact David Gynes: david. gynes@parkinsons-uk. goassemble.com. Facebook: Purbeck Parkys. Kirsty Wilcox

manor house.

Greg Hoar gregh@greghoarheritage. co.uk

Coach driver’s signpost stories

I NOTE with interest the Purbeck Gazette’s article in the March 31 issue, ‘Iconic Dorset fingerposts being made as good as new’.

Regarding the red signposts in Dorset.

social

media officer

Purbeck Parkinson’s Group

Who remembers Tinkleford?

SWANAGE’S model village started pre-war in Burlington Road before moving to Rabling Road, nearby.

Tinkleford moved again in the 1950s to its final position in the garden of the Virginia Cottage Tea Rooms, which were then adjacent to Swanage Town Hall.

The 1:24 buildings made from local stone seemed to have remained there until the mid-1960s.

Model villages were prominent in many seaside resorts in the mid-20th century.

For part of a current research project, it would be interesting to hear from Purbeck residents and visitors alike with long held memories and possibly pictures of this miniature establishment with its houses, church, pub and

My father, George Bendall, was a coach driver during the 1940s and early 50s, who worked for Shamrock & Rambler, Silver Queen, and Excelsior Coaches.

He would stop while passing Lady Wimborne’s wrought iron gates on the Magna Road and tell passengers the history.

He also stopped on the road between the Worlds End and Bere Regis – on the left-hand side was a red signpost.

My father used to say the signpost was red as it was the site of a ‘hanging tree’.

George was also the first person in UK to drive a motor coach while using an intercom – I still have the Daily Echo cutting.

MP Bendall via email

Town ‘In Bloom’ meeting date

WIMBORNE in Bloom’s annual meeting will take place on Monday, June 16, at 7pm in Wimborne Town Hall.

A report will be given on 2024 and the accounts will be presented.

Plans for 2025 will be discussed.

Perhaps you could help with some of the behind the scenes activities – why not come along and find out?

All are welcome and coffee and biscuits will be on offer on conclusion.

Anthony Oliver MBE Wimborne

Tinkleford Swanage – pre-move (Miniature British Building Archive)

Purbeck Parkinson’s Group members on Shore Road on World Parkinson’s Day

Planners should show some steel

SOME years ago, a planning application for 30 dwellings was submitted for the site of the former St Mary’s school in Manor Road. It was granted with the condition that 11 of the 30 homes were allocated as affordable housing and the rest were not allowed to be sold as second homes.

But the housebuilder then successfully argued to remove the condition that the properties could only be sold as a first or principal home. The council caved in to that one.

The developers then went on to try and remove the ‘affordable homes’ clause. Because they were not ‘viable’. For ‘viable’ read “we would not be able to squeeze the last cent out of this development”.

I am sure most of us supported the development of this disused site for muchneeded housing and were then appalled to discover that the developer was applying to evade providing affordable housing at all on the grounds it would result in his making a smaller profit.

The passed plan came very close to being overturned. But at the 59th minute, as the District Valuation Service had apparently agreed that the development wasn’t financially viable to support the provision of affordable housing, the planning department – unelected officers – recommended councillors to remove the condition for affordable housing. So now we know whose side the ‘officers’ are on – and it isn’t the poor and homeless.

Both of the councillors who represent Swanage on Dorset Council spoke passionately of the need to retain affordable housing in the town in this location. Councillor Gary Suttle said: “We cannot maintain a vibrant community with second homeowners and high-end value properties. Community is about

by David Hollister

diversity and we must support affordable housing to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live here.” Spot on, Gary. Nothing has changed, except the confidence of the developers in their ability to wind the ‘planning department’ around their little fingers.

So now councils seem afraid to withhold planning applications or to stand up for the homeless and instead allow developers to change criteria relating to affordable home because it might be ‘unviable’. Look at Harrow House. 93 homes proposed, including 52 apartments across four blocks up to 4.5 storeys high, and 41 other varied shapes and sizes – with affordable homes provided ‘subject to viability’. Their words not mine. Move forward and what’s happened?

But let me remind you that the law is open to all – like the Ritz. And actually, it is the ‘officers’ who make the decisions and ‘recommend’ them to the councillors, all of whom – except two, and regrettably now just one – don’t really appear to give a damn about the poor and homeless of Swanage. Influenced no doubt by a ‘district valuer’ who probably doesn’t know where Swanage is! So let us – as the town – speak by campaigning to stop the whole development until this is resolved. All opposed to what’s happening should write as individuals to make sure we get what was originally proposed.

Frankly, I find this disgraceful. How are local people and their representatives ever to be able to protect themselves and secure housing for all under these conditions? Where a planning application can be rendered basically unrecognisable from a social impact perspective and yet still

stand, in the name of profit. Well done to those who stood up against this.

IN our last issue, we picked up on the fact that efforts to ensure that a planned housing development in Swanage has more affordable housing have been quashed – by the developer! Harrow House International College (Swanage) Ltd submitted plans in July of last year to create 93 homes at the site of Harrow House International School. The plans detailed the ambition to convert a school building into 14 flats and build 41 houses and 38 apartments elsewhere on the school grounds and a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace relating to an area of land on the northern side of Prospect Way.

The applicant has now resubmitted plans following feedback by Swanage Town Council and other stakeholders, which saw the number of houses reduced from 93 to 85.

The new plans have seen the overall layout redesigned to ‘promote connectivity and permeability’ at the site and would see the creation of 46 apartments and 39 two-, threeand four-bed houses – with just nine affordable units proposed. This is so much smoke and mirrors.

The town council has raised concerns about the minimal affordable housing offered at the site, with councillors saying they were ‘disappointed’ that the affordable housing element included in the plans was below what was previously discussed at the community engagement and below that set out in the Purbeck Local Plan. Don’t be

‘disappointed’. Do something. Dorset Council requires at least 30% affordable housing provision for developments consisting of 10 homes or more. If that’s the case, come on Dorset Council, where are you when we need you? Under the current plan, the developer is required to deliver at least 26 affordable homes at the proposed site, rather than the nine (7.6%) offered. Don’t be ‘disappointed’. Do something.

I drive a very acceptable MX5. I actually want a Ferrari and feel I should register my interest with the Ferrari dealer. But if I did so, and then realised that the Ferrari was ‘unviable’ and cancelled my order while my car was being built in Modena, I would imagine I would be sued for ‘breach of contract’ and lose my deposit, let alone my credibility and credit rating. This is just the same as the developer ‘welching out’ on the plan that went before – and was accepted by – Dorset Council.

There really are only two solutions here. Dorset Council must take a stand and either enforce the plan as was passed by them originally or withdraw the permission as granted and oblige the developer to start all over again. How hard can it be?

The developers round here – and I include the Manor Road development – know full well that Dorset planners are just pussycats who will not stand up to the developers on behalf of the electors in case they end up in ‘court’ and cost the ratepayers money if they lose.

Time for the Dorset planners to show us what they are made of.

Sudoku 3D puzzle

Across

7 Line in good article mostly showing development (6)

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Killer Sudoku Pro

8 Outlandish old, old movement based on instinct (6)

9 Learner in bay swimming in skilful fashion (4)

10 Bear deal for breakdown – with the ability to be understood? (8)

11 Fib? It easily changed what’s possible (11)

14 Take out on a current basis? (11)

18 Six in this way featuring in a formal statement offering guidance (8)

Killer Sudoku Pro

19 Wise man beginning to savour maturity (4)

Down

1 Anger I expressed in concert producing difficulty (7)

2 A Western railway is amiss (4)

3 US singer, posh bass, angelic-looking figure (6)

4 Put about sale of goods (6)

5 Frolic largely and another of a sentimental kind? (8)

6 Set of contestants in playing area (5)

12 Most foolish inventions found in random list (8)

13 Experienced type taking in good reel (7)

20 Follow second unionist in Peru after revolution (6)

21 Article’s top feature in football? (6)

Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

15 Cold inept person gets nearer (6)

16 Regular pattern, something followed by metrical experts? (6)

17 Element first off showing hatred (5)

19 South-western sailor gets mop for cleaning

A Western railway is amiss (4)

US singer, posh bass, angelic-looking figure (6) 4 Put about sale of goods (6)

Frolic largely and another of a sentimental kind? (8)

6 Set of contestants in playing area (5) 12 Most foolish inventions found in random list (8) 13 Experienced type taking in good reel (7)

(6)

(5)

South-western sailor gets mop for cleaning (4)

Summer Living

July 26th to August 2nd 2025

Excitement Builds for 2025 Swanage Carnival

The countdown is on for one of Dorset’s biggest summer events, as the 2025 Swanage Carnival returns from Saturday 26th July to Saturday 2nd August. With over 100 events planned across eight days, this year’s celebration promises entertainment for all ages.

Highlights include jaw-dropping displays from the RAF Red Arrows and the Global Stars Airshow, guaranteed to thrill the crowds. The popular Steamship Circus also returns, bringing interactive fun, acrobatic performances, and edge-of-your-seat stunts.

Other attractions include a high-flying BMX stunt show, talented acrobats, engaging live entertainers, and the ever-popular Titan the Robot. Visitors can also enjoy live music, fireworks, and a wide range of sporting competitions throughout the week.

The centrepiece of the carnival, the spectacular Carnival Procession, will take to the streets in full colour and energy. This year’s theme, “Cirque Du Swanage,” promises to fill the town with a festival atmosphere while raising money for local charities and good causes. Organisers are encouraging everyone to get involved, whether by attending, volunteering, or taking part in one of the many events.

Full details, including event listings, entry details, and useful information, are available in the Carnival Programme, which can now be pre-ordered online. Visitors can also download the Swanage Carnival App from the App Store for easy access to all thing’s carnival.

Don’t miss Swanage’s biggest celebration of the year—fun, spectacle, and community spirit await!

Now open for the season, full use of facilities including our heated outdoor pool from £38 per adult, £19 per child (under 5s free) includes lunch. Book now.

Photos by Andy Lyons

DAY RETREAT

Celebrating Opera

Three of the world’s greatest operas, featuring starry international soloists, a full chorus and orchestra, will be live on stage here in Dorset...

The Dorset Opera Festival takes place annually at the end of July. It involves more than 240 professional musicians and volunteers from all over the world.

In 2024, it celebrated its 50th anniversary. This year marks yet another anniversary – 20 years at its current host venue, Bryanston, the renowned school set amid 400 picturesque acres on the outskirts of Blandford Forum, from where the River Stour meanders towards the sea at Christchurch.

The operas chosen for this anniversary year are all firm favourites: Rigoletto by Verdi featuring Pavarotti’s favourite aria – La Donna è Mobile (All Women are Fickle); and Mascagni’s famous Cavalleria rusticana. If you don’t already know them, listen to the Easter Hymn and the Intermezzo on social media. Lastly, it’s a sad but glorious opera by Puccini: Suor Angelica a poignant story about a young woman who is sent to a monastery having given birth to a child out of wedlock.

Over its five decade history, Dorset Opera has achieved remarkable musical milestones, including one world stage première (of a Donizetti opera no less); eight British stage premières, a world première recording, and, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, a full-scale opera commission. The festival has also staged several rare works, including the British stage première of Puccini’s Turandot in 2007, featuring the new ending by Luciano Berio, (Puccini having died in 1924 before completing his opera).

In 2023, Dorset Opera was nominated in the Rediscovered Opera category at the International Opera Awards in Warsaw for its acclaimed production of Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore. Esteemed critics have recognised the festival as a Massenet specialist, with past productions including Hérodiade, the British stage première of Le Cid, and Le Roi de Lahore – all exemplary works in the French grand opera tradition.

In 2024, the festival received a prestigious honour, becoming one of the few professional opera companies in the UK to be awarded funding from the Laidlaw Opera Trust – an acknowledgment of its excellence and the outstanding quality of its work.

home of Country House opera in South West England featuring reowned soloists, a full ochestra and a large chorus if emerging young artists

Felix Kemp, Jamie Groote, Aled Hall, Matthew Bawden, Ossian Huskinson, Frances Gregory and Thomas Humprheys © Julian Guidera

Bryanston, home of Dorset Opera Festival

Picnic cabana Dorset Opera Festival

Dorset Opera Festival 2023 Le nozze di Figaro - Jamie Groote © Julian Guidera 2023

Under the Greenwood Tree Dorset Opera Festival 2024

Eddie Wade, Aled Hall, Frances Gregory, Matthew Bawden, Tim Bagley, Felix Kemp © Julian Guidera ADVERTISING

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival - 14th-17th August 2025

PVFF is a festival that’s loved by everyone because there’s loads for kids to do, loads for parents and loads for the old folkies!

As well as four evenings and three full days of outstanding, original young folk, roots and world music across five stages, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival brings music workshops, sessions, comedy, a massive craft area, a healing area, fire shows and loads for kids - it’s so much more than just great music!

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival has an amazing line-up again this year: This year’s highlights include top folk award winning acts Dervish, Elephant Sessions and Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening This year’s line up also features huge amounts of music from around the world in the shape of Zawose Queens (Tanzania), Madalitso (Malawi), Taff Rapids (Welsh language bluegrass), Gonora Sounds (Zimbabwe), Theo Mizu & Banda (Brazil), Kate Griffin & Matchume Zango (Mozambique), Mishra with Deepa Shakti (India)

There is absolutely loads for kids (all included in the ticket price!): storytelling, rock-climbing, archery, dinosaurs, crafts, circus skills, bouncy castles, fancy dress, maypole dancing and much more! The craft area is fantastic with workshops in cyanotype printing, tie-dye, blacksmithing, pottery, origami, and more.

A brilliant musical line-up, loads of stuff for kids, a huge craft area for adults, perfect location, and a great selection of real ales and ciders…

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is so much more than just a great music festival.

Tickets have been selling fast already with record numbers of festival-goers buying tickets for this year’s festival before they even left the site last year!

Great value at £140 (£70/£30) for 4 nights, including camping. For more information - www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

Summer Fun Living on the Isle of Purbeck

There’s nothing quite like summer on the Isle of Purbeck. As the days grow longer and the sun casts its golden glow over rolling hills, sandy shores, and charming villages, this special corner of Dorset truly comes alive with opportunities for fun, relaxation, and adventure.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a leisurely lunch with sea views, explore local markets brimming with artisan produce and crafts, or dive into outdoor activities surrounded by stunning scenery, there’s something for everyone to discover. Families can enjoy unforgettable days out, from wildlife encounters and woodland walks to beachside picnics and splash-filled fun.

The area also hosts a vibrant array of seasonal events, from live music and food festivals to craft fairs and community celebrations. And when it’s time to refuel, you’ll find a warm welcome at local cafés, pubs, and restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood to cool, summery treats.

Shopping takes on a charming twist too, with independent boutiques, farm shops, and pop-up stalls offering unique finds and holiday souvenirs. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, the spirit of summer is alive and thriving across the Isle of Purbeck, waiting to be enjoyed.

So, gather your loved ones, embrace the sunshine, and make the most of everything this beautiful part of Dorset has to offer.

Swanage Jazz Festival returns!

Jazz returns to Swanage with the 34th Swanage Jazz Festival featuring an array of top quality talent, young and old.

Headline acts in the 37 band ticketed programme include international tenor saxist Andy Sheppard, the grand dame singer Elaine Delmar, Afro-beat groovers Soothsayers and Ian Bateman’s Tribute to Louis Armstrong.

The Festival also prides itself on bringing in new rising stars and this year those include pianist Sultan Stevenson and singers Emily Masser and Maddie Martin. As well as the best contemporary Jazz there is a full New Orleans programme as well.

In addition there is a free Festival Fringe in local bars and hotels and the Sandpit Field Jazz Village with free live music from local big bands, interactive jazz for 5 – 10 year olds and Jazz Yoga.

Single Concert tickets can be had for £20 or you can buy day or weekend stroller tickets. Full details are available at www. swanagejazzfestival.co.uk

Ulwell Holiday Park & The Village Inn: A Summer

Favourite for Locals & Holidaymakers

Ulwell Holiday Park is buzzing with summer spirit, offering both locals and holidaymakers a welcoming mix of leisure, entertainment, and great food in a scenic setting just minutes from central Swanage.

The indoor heated swimming pool is a firm favourite, with public sessions, toddler splash areas, and adult-only swims running throughout the week. Every Friday evening during the summer, the pool hosts dedicated children’s inflatable sessions— always a highlight for families looking to end the week with some energetic fun. The outdoor play area also offers plenty of space for children to explore and enjoy.

The Village Inn, located at the park entrance, comes to life in the summer months. Its spacious beer garden and BBQ terrace provide the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun. This year’s calendar includes live music nights featuring Devils Avocado (20th June) and Lois Lonsdale (28th June), alongside a mouthwatering line-up of themed food evenings.

Highlights include sizzling summer BBQs, the ever-popular Pantastic Paella nights—with giant open-pan Spanish cooking and bold flavours—and the Caribbean Cookout, bringing tropical vibes and spicy favourites to Swanage. These community-friendly events are free to attend and create a brilliant social atmosphere. The pub serves generous portions of roasts, pub classics, and family favourites, with dogs welcome in both the garden and bar. Whether you’re after a splash, a song, or something sizzling off the grill, Ulwell Holiday Park and The Village Inn offer the perfect local escape for summer days and nights.

Summer at the Village Inn

Alongside our ever popular range of quality food & drink we welcome a packed summer of special events

Or join us in our beer garden for outdoor screening

Defending the NHS family in Dorset

WE all know someone whose life was saved by the care the NHS provides. My life was saved by the work of an NHS surgeon. My children were helped into the world by NHS staff, my parents cared for by their GP and district nurses. The NHS is part of our lives. On July 5 it celebrated its 77th birthday. Steered through Parliament by Nye Bevan –against Conservative opposition – it was, he said, ‘the most civilised step any country has taken’.

We are all too aware, however, of the pressures the NHS is under. Our everyday experiences of the NHS bring home to us the results of underfunding and understaffing. The BMA highlighted in a recent analysis a real-terms cumulative underspend of £168 billion since 2009-10.

The Kings Fund reports that since the 1950s, Health Service

spending increased every year on average by 3.7% in real terms, but by 2.3% from 2015/16 to 2023/24. The 2024 Autumn Budget, it notes, indicates that spending is expected to rise in 2025/26 at pre-2016 levels – but this increase by itself will not address the adverse consequences of years of underfunding. The Fund says that NHS leaders are having to make ‘tough decisions’ to balance their books yet protect patient care.

This April, Jim Mackey, transitional chief executive of NHS England, told all NHS trusts they should transfer their support services and staff to what are called ‘Subcos’ –subsidiary private companies – to cut costs. In Dorset, this means up to 1,300 housekeeping staff, porters and estate workers will lose the security that working for the NHS guarantees

them. Working for a private company they will be at risk of facing future pay cuts and of changes to their entitlement to pensions and sick pay.

‘Subcos’, moreover, will introduce one more element of privatisation into the NHS. They will go against the spirit of the NHS Constitution, which evokes the spirit of one NHS family, embracing ‘everyone from porters…to consultants’.

South Dorset’s Labour MP, Lloyd Hatton, together with new Labour MPs Jessica Toale (Bournemouth West), Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) and Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East) have shared the serious concerns raised by UNISON, the recognised trade union for Dorset NHS staff across the three Health Trusts in Dorset, in a letter to chief executives of the trusts. The MPs say that trust between senior management and staff has broken down due

to poor communication and lack of transparency.

Dorset health workers and activists have held well attended protests outside Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset County Hospitals. Labour

Dorset councillor Paul Kimber is determined to bring the issue to the Health Scrutiny Committee. Lloyd tells me he intends to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss the problem at a national level.

UNISON organiser Laurie Hackney has told campaigners that the decision on transferring 1,300 Dorset health workers to a Subco will be taken in June.

Nye Bevan spoke truly when he said the NHS ‘will last as long as there are folk left to defend it’. Its defenders in Dorset deserve our full thanks and support.

CHRIS BRADEY Swanage and Purbeck Labour

Life on the health service’s front line

THE family doctor remains a much-loved part of our NHS. Since being elected – and even before – residents have raised concerns about delays in getting appointments, difficulties accessing services and the need for more GPs to serve our growing – and ageing –community.

To better understand these issues, I’ve spent recent months meeting doctors, practice managers and the organisations that support them. I recently shadowed a GP at Walford Mill Surgery in Wimborne to see the reality first hand.

I want to thank Dr Wright and all the patients who kindly allowed me to observe what were often deeply personal and distressing consultations. What I witnessed was high quality, compassionate care. Despite a busy schedule, the GP took time to liaise with hospitals, arrange tests, write referrals and fully support his patients.

Some residents contact me suggesting GPs should see more patients per day. But my experience shows that fewer, longer appointments often lead to better outcomes. Many patients presented with multiple or unrelated conditions, and early intervention can prevent more serious – and more costly – treatment later.

While the British Medical Association recommends 15-minute appointments, most surgeries only allow 10, trying to manage demand. I saw staff skilfully triage cases by phone and email, resolving many without appointments and helping patients avoid unnecessary hospital visits –even though they aren’t fully funded for that extra work.

I’ve raised concerns with NHS Dorset about underfunding. For example, GP surgeries are reimbursed for blood tests at just 25% of the actual cost.

Technology is used well in surgeries – prescriptions are sent directly to pharmacies – but GPs are still burdened by hospitals using paper systems, requiring them to re-prescribe postdischarge.

In Parliament, I’ve raised the outdated list of conditions eligible for free prescriptions –unchanged for 50 years – and the severe shortages in neurologists for patients with Parkinson’s, MS, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. These delays worsen outcomes and push more work onto GPs.

Long waiting lists mean patients often return several times as conditions deteriorate – time that could be used to help others if earlier treatment were available.

I have also visited surgeries in Bere Regis and Wareham, about their plans to build more capacity at their surgeries and recruit more GPs. But the current funding model is complex, risky for GP partners

and riddled with arbitrary rules. I’ve raised this with NHS Dorset and written to the Minister asking when the next round of surgery funding will be allocated.

As a parent of four and regular NHS user, I understand public frustration. But I have confidence in our frontline medical professionals – GPs, dentists, pharmacists – who are doing all they can under immense pressure.

We must support them to stay in the NHS and help rebuild it.

As a Liberal Democrat, I want everyone to have a named GP, support the training of more GPs using experts in our communities, ensure proper community infrastructure comes first when new housing is built and shift to prevention wherever possible. That can only happen if we invest in General Practice. VIKKI SLADE

Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole

History

Stranded in the Sahara

Colonel John Nicholas Blashford-Snell CBE is a distinguished British explorer, former British Army officer and author

by John Blashford-Snell

FOLLOWING an expedition deep in the Libyan Sahara, I asked our leader if I could drive ahead of the convoy. It was 400 miles to Benghazi and I set out with my driver, Sapper Smart, and a navigator. We had a radio, and the route was well marked, so the journey in a single vehicle did not worry me.

Speeding over the firm sand, we were 120 miles from the coast when a tyre punctured. Unbuckling the spare wheel I glanced at the dejected driver. “I lent my box spanner to Higgins last night,” he muttered. It took several seconds for the meaning of this to become clear. The desert Land Rovers were fitted with a special hub to which a rope could be attached and thus provide a simple capstan. However, it required a long box spanner to undo the wheel nuts. “There must be another way”, I protested. We searched our kit, but there was no way to unscrew even one nut. We were stranded with only four gallons of water.

Silently, avoiding unnecessary activity, we laid out the fluorescent air identification panels in the form of the emergency signal, prepared flares, made a shelter along the side of the Land Rover and crawled beneath. Our radio could not make contact with anyone. After the day’s scorching heat, the blissful cool of the night was a welcome relief.

When the first flush of panic passed, I had wanted to call Smart every name under the sun. However, eight hours later my anger had subsided as I tried to evolve a plan that would save

us.

We were on the edge of the milewide track and it was possible the convoy would find us. But they only had to be 500 yards east and they would pass behind a low ridge, missing us completely.

The Eastern Libyan desert

That night, lying in the sand, I awoke to hear a rattling metallic noise nearby. There was no wind, yet when I peered out across the moonlit desert, I saw nothing. That’s strange, I thought, and instinctively drew out my pistol. As I scanned the desert, from behind a low hillock one of our discarded food cans rolled into view. It was rotating over and over as if propelled by a strong wind, but the night was still. The can stopped and then rolled back the way it had come. I’m going mad, I thought. Then it changed direction and came towards me. My God, a haunted tin can! The shining object was 10ft away now, rolling this way and that, when I raised my pistol. My bullet threw up sand an inch from the can, which instantly accelerated away. I fired again. The can stopped and, to my amazement, a desert rat hopped out, clearly annoyed at having his supper disturbed.

kept saying: “There must be a way out”. Rather like shipwrecked sailors on a raft, I mused. It’s the waiting that is the worst.

At daylight, the radio was still silent. However, just in case others could hear us, I sent an SOS signal giving our position. Lying under the shelter, I checked our emergency actions. Flares ready, ears alert for noise of aircraft or vehicles, air identification panels out. Remaining water, now down to two-and-ahalf gallons, carefully stowed in the shade. All other sources of liquid checked, we lay in silence, the beads of sweat growing on our filthy skin and turning into rivulets, which ran into the sand. God, how we smelt. On the move we had not noticed it, but now it was becoming unpleasant to be near anyone else. Sleep was impossible. A voice in my head

At noon the sun was overhead – it was 48°C. The nearest water was 75 miles away. Walking out was hopeless. Stay with your vehicle, was the great cry.

Smart was looking very sorry for himself, but then I had asked if we could go on ahead and alone. We delayed lunch until mid-afternoon to avoid working in the full heat and boiled sweets helped to lessen the thirst. Then we all heard a distant rumble. “It’s the convoy,” yelled Smart. Our flares streaked upward, but I couldn’t see the trucks. Oh God! They must be just the other side of the ridge. The navigator was already tearing towards it when I heard another engine and, spinning round, saw a Land Rover bearing down on us. “Having a spot of bother?” our rescuers enquired. We had all learned a lesson.

John Blashford-Snell will be speaking at the Chalke Valley history festival on Wednesday, June 25.

Signed copies of his recent book, From Utmost East to Utmost West, are available for £20 including UK postage. Contact jenny@ ses-explore.org for further details.

The author in his desert-equipped Land Rover (above) and the jerboa, desert rat (left)

Field & Stream

King of the Singers – and the success of the stork

by AJ Selby

“That certain night, the night we met

There was magic abroad in the air

There were angels dining at the Ritz

And a nightingale sang in Berkley Square.”

– Maschwitz & Manning AH! The nightingale. An elusive, drab looking bird with a song to enchant the Gods. What poetry he has inspired and what music he makes. High in the deep cover of early summer shrubbery he hides himself but allows all around to know he is King of the Singers.

In all probability, they didn’t actually inhabit Berkley Square, or Hampstead, where John Keats wrote Ode to a Nightingale – although Keats’ friend and housemate Charles Brown claims one built a nest in their garden.

It’s a poem about nature and mortality, appropriate too, as Keats died aged just 25. During a stop-off in Chichester, on the way home, I noticed a statue and memorial to Keats at the bottom of the high street.

Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!

No hungry generations tread thee down;

The voice I hear this passing night was heard

In ancient days by emperor and clown.

Why am I writing about the nightingale – Luscinia megarhynchos? Another visit to

Knepp last week offered a chance to listen to these enchanting birds that sing at night across the estate, but also, fortuitously, in the scrub that borders the campsite. You lie in your tent, maybe with the flap open on warm evenings, and wait for the show to begin.

Curtain up starts with a single bird, clearing his throat and letting out a few tentative notes. Then another joins in maybe 30 yards away, and then another and maybe a fourth or fifth. The birds sing and break for a few seconds and sing again, sometimes with a different sequence of notes.

The effect is of a continuous melody of liquid gold emanating from the scrub while the listener is totally absorbed in the performance – it can go on for hours through the night.

The birds arrive here in April and start singing towards the end of that month. By early May they begin to pair and then busy themselves with nesting and raising chicks, so that the males singing by the end of May and into early June are the singles still hoping their mellifluous notes will attract an available female. Laying back in the tent and hearing these wonderful birds is a fabulous experience, and with very little light pollution at Knepp, the drifting songs across a starlit sky in near total darkness stirs that primaeval connection with nature.

There are some great walks

there with varying habitat from forest to scrub, open fields to lakeside and boggy meadows to parkland oaks.

Readers will recall my wildlife watching mantra of ‘stand still and let nature come to you’ and so it was an hour from twilight when pausing on a path to watch red deer scuttle through the thorn there came a long-lost sound high up in an ash tree. The gentle murmuring was a memory of days past, but the soft notes of the turtle dove were unmistakeable.

I think it is probably nearly half a century since I heard these beautiful birds, which are still on the red list of endangered species in the UK.

How devastating then to read that the European shooting ban implemented in 2021 has been lifted and a ‘quota’ of 132,000 birds can be shot and killed on their migratory routes this year. There are no words…

A bird that has been reintroduced to the UK and is one of the stars of the estate is the white stork, or crane, as it is sometimes known. Knepp has been a flag-bearer since the release and resettling of birds from Warsaw nearly 10 years

ago, and in 2024 some 53 young birds were hatched.

Walking across an old meadow, I saw a moving shadow in front of me, and as I looked up, there not 30 feet above my head carrying a bundle of dead grasses in its beak, was a stork, looking for all the world like a pterodactyl. It gave a lazy clap of its wings and soared up into an ancient oak 100 yards off to the nest where the heads and bills of a couple of chicks could be seen through binoculars – the fresh bedding it was carrying would be used to keep the nest clean.

There are several huge nests, mostly in the old oaks, and the success story of the storks – after their extinction in the UK 600 years ago – shows what can be done with determination, cooperation and the right habitat. There are now other nesting pairs in Sussex, notably at Wadhurst, and nearby Storrington has been named as Europe’s 16th stork village, and the first one in the UK. In Saxon times it was known as Estorchestone – abode of the storks – and it is most apposite that these magnificent birds have come ‘home’.

Storks became extinct in the UK 600 years ago but are now thriving at the Knepp Estate in west Sussex after being introduced from Poland

Silence is not always golden

by Kay Parkinson

‘SILENCE is golden,’ they say, and sometimes, it is.

The hush of early morning before the world wakes or the pause in conversation where understanding lingers, perhaps the stillness of a quiet walk beside someone you trust. Silence can be sacred, soothing, even healing.

Yet, not all silence is golden, and not all silence is chosen. Sometimes silence is shaped by discomfort, fear or the aching uncertainty of what to say. Nowhere is this more evident than around the grief of losing a baby. In that space, silence can feel less like peace and more like abandonment. June is SANDS Awareness Month, created to gently break that silence. It exists for families who have lost a baby through stillbirth or in the first days of life, whose heartbreak is too often met with quiet sidesteps and unintentional erasure.

Stillbirth and neonatal death are not rare. Thousands of families are affected each year. Yet so many grieve in silence, unsure if their sorrow will be met with compassion or discomfort. In my work, I often talk about shame, the kind that creeps in when grief is met with avoidance. When people don’t ask, don’t mention the baby’s name, when it feels that the world quietly moves on, and you’re left standing in the rubble.

But grief like this doesn’t need fixing, it needs honouring and that can begin with the smallest of gestures – lighting a candle, saying, ‘I remember’, acknowledging anniversaries, making space for stories. Letting someone know their loss matters and that their baby is not forgotten. If you’re unsure what to say, it’s okay, you don’t need eloquence and you don’t need to understand it to honour it. ‘I’m so sorry’ or ‘I’m here’ are enough, your

CHIROPODY

presence speaks louder than platitudes ever could.

For grieving parents, this month might bring up a swirl of emotions. It’s okay to retreat and it’s okay to take part. Writing your baby’s name in a memory journal, creating a ritual, planting something in their honour or connecting with others who understand can offer moments of stillness and recognition. None of this takes the weight of grief away but it can create a gentle thread of connection, something to hold onto as you learn to carry love and loss side by side.

SANDS Awareness Month offers a place to be seen. A

reminder that their babies, though no longer here, lived and were deeply loved. Let’s break the silence not with noise, but with tenderness, truth and the kind of honour that tells a grieving parent their story and their baby matters. SANDS has a free national helpline on 0808 164 3332 or visit www.sands.org.uk. n Kay Parkinson is a therapist specialising in trauma, emotional neglect and the impact of shame on identity and self-worth. Kay’s work focuses on transforming shame through the lens of authentic honour. Visit www. placetotalktherapies.co.uk.

June is SANDS Awareness Month, which exists for families who have lost a baby through stillbirth or in the first days of life

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: The booming bitterns of Avalon

by Susannah Curtin

WIDE open skies and bright sunshine greet me as I arrive on the Somerset Levels. I have come here to experience the deep, resonating, echoing sounds of male bitterns that occasionally issue forth an extraordinary booming noise to mark their territory and attract a mate.

Bitterns are one of the most charismatic birds of our wetlands. They are incredibly difficult to see. Not only are they rare, but they are very shy, skulking around in the dense reedbeds. As well as this secretive, reclusive behaviour, they are perfectly camouflaged to replicate the buff-coloured, streaky lines of their reedy habitat.

I remember the first time I saw one. It was sitting inside the edge of some reeds, where it had stood perfectly still for hours. It was only when it moved very slightly that I could see the tawny brown stripes I had been watching all afternoon was, in fact, a bittern. Up until then, this enigmatic creature was more of an idea than a reality, having read a lot about them but never actually seeing one.

Bitterns – Botaurus stellaris – are part of the heron family. They are thickset birds with slightly short necks that can elongate and then retract. They move with incredible stealth, silently slipping, like a snake, through the reeds. When cornered, a bittern will flatten itself and stretch its wings up and out so that it resembles the top of an open umbrella, or it will thrust its head and neck vertically upwards so its bill is pointing towards the sky. It is quite capable of holding these

Bitterns are a conservation success story but are still on the Amber List of conservation concern and are legally protected

positions, or standing completely motionless, for long periods of time.

I find it rather ironic, given the difficulty we have in spotting them, that they are the loudest and deepest sounding of all our British birds. Their call is a low frequency ‘boom’ that resembles a foghorn and can be heard up to three miles away. They make it by expelling air through their oesophagus. They expand their gullet to create a large echo chamber and then forcefully exhale the air in small bursts to create the distinctive call that reverberates through the surrounding countryside.

Conservation volunteers listen out for these calls each year to determine the number of calling males that are marking their territories, and given how difficult they are to see, this is how they record the UK’s population of them. Each call is plotted on a map and then triangulated to determine who

lives where. Fortunately, each booming male sounds slightly different, which makes the task somewhat easier.

Bitterns are another success story that can gladden the heart of a conservationist. Although once a common bird across the whole of the UK, numbers began to fall in the Middle Ages when it was eaten at banquets, favoured by taxidermists, and its wetland habitats were drained for agriculture, causing bitterns to almost vanish from the UK by the 1870s. However, by the turn of the 20th century, a few had returned to Norfolk to breed, but after that the population severely declined again to only 11 booming males due to further degradation of their habitat.

The RSPB, in particular, has been fundamental in their comeback by creating and restoring more wetlands and the reedbeds that bitterns depend upon for feeding and breeding.

In 2024, 283 booming males were recorded, which was a 20% increase on 2023, and it is hoped this year will return a similar increase. They are doing well but are still on the Amber List of conservation concern and are a Schedule 1 species giving them legal protection. By the time I reach my favourite hide, the hollow calls of several bitterns have graced my ears. It is such a magical, unearthly sound to reverberate over these watery levels. Sometimes you can see them as they fly from place to place, but alas, not for me today. But it is no matter as there are other joys to behold here. There are several pairs of marsh harriers quartering the reed beds looking for snakes, lizards, frogs or rodents, and high above them, there are hobbies that are soaring in pursuit of dragonfly. These sleek, swift-like birds are perfectly silhouetted against the dark thunder clouds gathering in the distance, adding drama to the landscape and threatening rain.

There are also blackcaps, reed and Cetti’s warblers calling, and fish are jumping as the increasing breeze creates small capillary waves that sweep across the lake. All this life living in the shadow of an ancient Glastonbury Tor. It is such a timeless and tranquil scene. As I gather my belongings and make for home, one last bittern booms his farewell. He will be the last one I hear until next year. But what an extraordinary day this has been. It won’t be long before I return but sadly the bitterns will, by then, have finished their booming.

n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com).

Food & Drink

Helping hand with food for little ones

A BABY and toddler weaning programme which has had ‘100%’ success in BCP is now looking to expand across Dorset.

Healthy cooking charity The Friendly Food Club has delivered the free, four-week Mush and Munch, Crunch and Munch, and Fun with Food courses at BCP’s network of Family Hubs, to support young families and encourage healthy eating in the formative early years.

Nutritionist-designed and following NHS guidelines, Mush and Munch is aimed at families with babies aged six-12 months and offers the chance to see and try healthy mashed and soft finger foods.

Crunch and Munch and Fun with Food courses support families with older toddlers who are fussy eaters and use play techniques to enable children to interact with foods without the pressure of eating.

129 babies and young children and their parents/carers have already taken part in the courses, with 100% of attendees saying they have boosted their confidence and increased their skills.

Retired dietician and Friendly Food Club tutor, Liz Cornish, has helped design and deliver the courses.

She said: “We all know that supporting good nutrition in the

early years can set our younger generations up for lifelong learning and good health, but in practical terms parents can feel anxious about their child’s food intake or how to introduce solid foods safely.

“Our courses are friendly, supportive and practical environments where parents, grandparents and guardians can ask questions, share their experiences and encourage their children to try freshly prepared foods.

“Many participants have told us they have allayed their fears and given them confidence to experiment with a wide range of simple healthy foods, as alternatives to the expensive processed baby food pouches and jars.

“Others say they have benefited from techniques to introduce a wider variety of nutritious foods to their children’s diets.

“22 of our scheduled 24 courses in BCP have already taken place and we would now like to offer them to a wider audience at health centres, parent and toddler groups and community hubs across Dorset, so more families and children can benefit from good nutrition when it matters most.”

Parent, Katherine, attended a Crunch and Munch course with her son.

She said: “I feel more relaxed around all aspects of food

knowing now that if I practice getting him involved more, then he might have a good relationship with food.

“Following the course we have had lots of fun in the kitchen and at mealtimes.”

Shannon agreed: “I have benefited hugely from attending this group.

“I had massive anxiety about giving my baby solid foods but since attending this group she is now on solids, and we’ve never bought another puree.

“If I hadn’t attended this group, I would never have been able to do this.”

Mush and Munch tutor, Andria Glasgow, said: “There is so much information out there about weaning and it can be daunting knowing which advice to listen to.

“One of the most common concerns I hear from new parents is that their babies will choke when they try solid foods.

“Reassuring them about the difference between gagging and choking is very important.

“Allergens are also a big concern for many parents, so we provide them with a safe and relaxed environment in which to try foods such as egg, fish and peanut butter.”

Sharen Stevens, team manager at BCP’s Rossmore Family Hub in Poole, said: “The Friendly Food Club has provided a much-needed programme to families.

“We have had a range of families attend, and all have gained so much knowledge and hands-on experience through the face-to-face groups.

“Parents have had a safe space where their babies can try a range of healthy foods, knowing they have the support of knowledgeable tutors on hand for encouragement.”

Community groups, church groups, health centres, parent and toddler groups and community hubs interested in hosting Mush and Munch, Crunch and Munch or Fun with Food courses are asked to contact hello@thefriendly foodclub.org.

Babies and young children, and their parents/carers, have taken part in Friendly Food Club weaning courses. All the parents/carers said their confidence and skills have increased

Sheer pearl perfection

by Amy Brenan,

director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham PEARLS, the birthstone for June, have long been associated with purity, wisdom and elegance.

Unlike other gemstones, pearls are organic, formed within marine oysters and freshwater mussels, making them uniquely delicate and lustrous.

Their natural beauty and soft iridescence have captivated jewellery lovers for centuries.

In Georgian jewellery (1714–1837), pearls were highly prized and often set alongside gemstones in elaborate, romantic designs. They were frequently used in sentimental pieces like lockets and brooches, symbolising love and loyalty.

During the Victorian era (1837-1901), pearls became even more popular.

Queen Victoria herself often wore pearl jewellery, setting trends across the empire.

Small seed pearls were commonly used in mourning jewellery, chosen for their association with tears and loss.

During this time, if you had a pearl and diamond of the same

Bridehead manor auction highlights

MANY of the historic contents of Bridehead, a Regency manor in West Dorset, will be auctioned next week ahead of the estate’s sale.

Bridehead, set in the village of Littlebredy and first recorded in the Domesday Book, evolved from a 17th century farmhouse into a Gothic Revival home surrounded by landscaped grounds.

It has been home to the Williams family for over 220 years.

The auction, conducted by Duke’s of Dorchester on Thursday and Friday, June 12-13, features a remarkable collection of art, furniture and antiques.

size next to each other, the pearl is likely to have been the more valuable of the two.

This was due to their rarity and the risks involved in diving for them.

By the Edwardian period (1901–10), pearls had become the epitome of refined taste.

Jewellery from this era featured delicate, lacy settings of platinum and diamonds, with pearls adding a soft, feminine touch.

Wedding tradition

PEARLS have long been a traditional choice for bridal jewellery, said to symbolise purity and new beginnings.

In antique wedding pieces, pearls were often set in elegant necklaces, earrings or hair ornaments, and their understated beauty made them the perfect complement to lace gowns and veils.

Today, the simple sophistication of pearls can accentuate any design of bridal outfit, from classic to contemporary.

Pearl jewellery, whether antique or modern, remains highly collectible and wearable – timeless treasures that never go out of style.

Highlights include oil paintings by Richard Ramsay Reinagle and Adriaen Van De Velde, a rare 1636 floral still-life by Jacob Marrel, Regency furniture, including a 4.5 metre oak dining table, and exquisite Chinese Famille Rose ceramics.

A vast family library of more

than 1,000 books, including John Hill’s The Vegetable System and a full set of political sketches by John Doyle, is also for sale.

Public viewing will take place at Bridehead the week before the auction.

For more information, visit bridehead@ dukes-auctions.com or phone 01305 265080.

Baroque pearls offer different shapes and colours to a classic pearl

BRIDEHEAD

Bridehead dining room, featuring paintings and furniture coming up for auction with Duke’s in Dorchester this week

Home & Garden

The thorny problem of weeds and how to tackle them

by Sally Gregson

THE good side of dry spring days is that half an hour’s hoeing in the vegetable garden when rain is not forecast saves hours of hard work later on. Weeds take up precious moisture in the vegetable garden, better used to keep the vegetable plants happy.

It’s important, however, not to hoe perennial weeds such as docks and dandelions, but to insert a prong, or in the case of large weeds, a small fork, deep down alongside the weed and extract the entire root system. Otherwise docks and dandelions and their kith and kin seem to

be encouraged to make a return bigger and stronger than before. The roots should definitely not be put on the compost heap. Very few compost heaps reach the heat required to kill roots. In fact, the margins of a compost heap are a notoriously good place to make more of them. If you have a council-collected garden waste bin, that should be the first destination for such persistent weeds. Or the bonfire. Pernicious weeds such as Ground Elder present quite a problem in a new garden. Not only do their roots make a downward trajectory for Australia, but the flowers’ seeds

are flung far and wide. Trying to pull them out only causes their roots to break and branch and come up round the corner. Without recourse to translocated weedkillers, the gardener’s only remedy is to dig out anything especially precious in the path of the Ground Elder, clean the roots meticulously and repot the plant for at least a year. If you leave a fraction of root, the whole thing will re-grow and

the problem will be worse. Cover the whole area with a permeable membrane to prevent light from encouraging the weeds to re-grow. It will take at least 12 months. And be vigilant for shoots coming out of the sides, making a bid for freedom. With luck the problem will be resolved by the following year, and the area can be replanted with flowers and vegetables.

Enjoying a summer of dahlias

by Sally Gregson

AT last summer is upon the garden. The bulbs – the daffodils, tulips and the wallflowers are beginning to fade, and the return of strong colours and brilliant sunshine is a seasonal treat. Dahlias, in particular, are making a welcome return to our containers, and to the borders. And the colours are vibrant –velvet red ‘Arabian Night’; orange D. ‘Totally Tangerine’; and shocking-pink D. ‘Magenta Star’ for example. They make a strong statement, celebrating hot sunny days. They are the highlight of the summer garden.

Dahlias are edible, too. Scatter the brilliant petals on salads for flavour, texture and, of course, colour. Just a few will really cheer up a tired lettuce at the bottom of the fridge. And thereby it will earn dahlias a place in the vegetable garden.

There are two, quite different methods of keeping dahlias year on year, undamaged by frost, here in the south of England. The one is that dahlia crowns, if prepared well for frosts by covering them with piles of straw or even garden compost, need not be lifted and stored over the winter in the

greenhouse. They can be left to take their chances in the ground. And in this benign part of the world, it mostly works.

The more cautious approach is to cut back the top-growth in autumn, lift the tubers and store them in the greenhouse, lightly sprinkled with soil or spent compost and kept just on the

damp side of bone-dry. These tubers should all be potted up in commercial compost enriched with slow-release fertiliser in May.

However, those crowns left in the ground, especially after a wet winter, tend to start growing much later than those that have been lifted and given protection. But it is at the expense of a few weeks of flower later in the summer.

It’s important, especially in this dry spring, to keep the tubers well-watered, whether in pots and containers, or in the ground. They are fleshy plants that need plenty of water, so the compost or soil does need to be kept moist. And remember to stake them, especially those in the ground. Dahlia heads are heavy. They need support to keep their faces clean and beautiful, the better to look their gardeners in the eye.

Dahlias are the highlight of the summer garden

Half an hour’s hoeing in the vegetable garden when rain is not forecast saves hours of hard work later on

Understanding plant feeds

AS the gardening season gets into full swing, knowing how to feed plants can make all the difference between a lacklustre container and a blooming border.

With a range of plant feeds available, choosing the right one can be daunting, but as part of its #StepintoSpring campaign, British Garden Centres has put together a guide to help gardeners understand the main types of plant feed and how to use them for bigger, healthier and happier plants.

Liquid feeds

LIQUID plant food is a gardener’s go-to for quick results. These are diluted in water normally and then applied in the garden with a watering can or sprayer. Liquid feed is quickly absorbed by the roots, delivering an immediate burst of nutrients to the plant. This fast-acting formula encourages robust growth, green foliage and long periods of flowering. We recommend applying liquid feeds weekly throughout the plant’s growing season. Liquid feeds can be used for container plants, bedding and borders, containers and window boxes and vegetables.

Granular feed

FOR those seeking a lowmaintenance approach to the garden, granular feeds are the ideal solution as they are sprinkled onto the soil and slowly break down over time, providing a controlled and steady release of nutrients. This slow-release action means fewer applications, often just once a month, making the granules perfect for busy gardeners or larger garden beds.

Ericaceous feed

CERTAIN plants, like rhododendron, camellias and azaleas, thrive in acidic soils and therefore require a different

feed than common plants. Ericaceous feed is formulated specifically for these acidloving beauties, supplying the right balance of nutrients and maintaining soil pH so these plants thrive. It is advised using this feed fortnightly to promote healthier growth, stronger roots and more vibrant blooms in acidic soil. Regular feeding helps prevent common issues like yellowing leaves and poor flowering, ensuring ericaceous plants remain beautiful all summer long.

Tomato feed

TOMATOES and other fruiting crops need a feed that is high in nitrogen to support their growth and produce a good harvest. Tomato feed is packed with nitrogen and a balanced mix of essential nutrients to encourage healthy leaf development, strong stems and abundant fruit. It is advised to give crops a tomato feed regularly, typically every one to two weeks during the growing season, for the best harvests.

Natural feeds

NATURAL feeds, such as seaweed, blood, fish and bone meal, offer an organic approach to plant nutrition. These types of feed improve soil health –seaweed feed boosts frost tolerance and germination rates, while blood, fish and bone meal provide slow-release nitrogen, phosphorus and trace minerals for plants. All are easy to apply to the garden and support sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices

Feeding tip

WHEN choosing plant food, it’s important to look for feeds that offer a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, commonly abbreviated to NPK. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth, phosphorus supports strong root development and potassium encourages flowers and fruit.

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and friendly service. Many years of experience, all types of landscaping. Including fencing, trimming, pruning, felling and topping. All overgrown jungle gardens cleared. Gravel and shingle. Rubbish removed. OAP discount. Emergency call-out. Fully

Motoring

Drivers count the cost of motorway service stops

THREE-QUARTERS (77%) of respondents to a new AA survey say the price of fuel at motorway service areas (MSAs) is unacceptable.

MSAs have such a bad reputation for high pump prices that most drivers avoid them for fuel, unless desperate, according to the survey.

Fuel at an MSA can be up to 25p a litre more expensive than a fuel station a few miles away from the motorway.

However, better fuel price transparency, with the Government’s Fuel Finder scheme going live next year, is starting to reveal the more competitive sites.

The poll of 13,700 respondents claimed that prices in general were inflated at MSAs.

Just 8% said the prices in shops at MSAs are reasonable while 9% believe the price of food and drink are fair.

Despite having a captive audience, MSAs may put off future visits if drivers feel they are being ripped off.

For those driving an electric vehicle, just 15% said sufficient charging points were available.

With the Government’s

ambition of 6,000 high-power chargers on England’s motorway and A-road network by 2035, more needs to be done to help convince drivers to make the switch.

It is not all bad news for MSAs, in most circumstances customers are stopping for a toilet break.

Three-fifths say there are good facilities which are generally clean and tidy.

Similarly, half of customers say MSAs have improved in recent years.

Some of the extra cost of items such as food and fuel can be put down to the additional running costs of MSAs.

MSAs are open 24 hours to provide facilities – including free toilets – to drivers at all times, therefore they incur higher staffing costs than facilities which are not 24 hours.

While some drivers see an MSA as a convenient stop to break a journey up, they are very important for HGV drivers.

Offering those drivers a decent and secure place to stop, sometimes overnight, is important, especially as most freight in the UK travels by road.

Currently 96 MSAs are in operation on the UK motorway

network of 2,300 miles.

The first opened in 1959 on the M1 at Newport Pagnell and Watford Gap.

It is generally recommended to take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours when driving long distances.

This helps to prevent fatigue and maintain concentration.

Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: “Motorway Service Areas can play an important role in reducing drowsy driving, but many are inclined to ‘drive on’ when they consider the cost of stopping at one.

“Drivers could be forgiven for feeling held to ransom over the cost of fuel and food when they are readily available at a fraction of the cost a short distance away from the motorway.

“Installing playgrounds, dog walking areas and refurbishing their overall appearance have been good investments to cater for the wide range of visitors.

“But more could be done to enhance the experience such as installing more charge points for EV drivers.”

When it comes to buying fuel or recharging an EV, The AA recommends drivers plan their journey using the AA Routeplanner on the AA App.

The app now has a feature enabling drivers to find fuel or chargepoints along their route.

Statistics reveal high speeds on 30mph roads

ALMOST half of UK police forces (48%) have caught motorists driving over 90mph on 30mph roads – more than three times the speed limit, new data analysed by the RAC reveals.

A Freedom of Information request to the UK’s 45 police forces also found that, of the 40 with data, almost all (90%) had clocked people driving at 60mph – more than twice the limit – on these roads.

With the highest recorded speed on any road being 167mph on a 70mph stretch of

the M1 by Leicestershire Police, the new RAC study paints an alarming picture of the speeds some motorists have been caught driving at.

Looking at the largest difference between the speed recorded and the posted limit, the highest logged speed was 161mph on a 50mph eastbound stretch of the A303 in Somerset.

More than half of police forces (23, or 58%) recorded drivers travelling in excess of 140mph.

While most of these contraventions were on 70mph

motorway stretches, this was not always the case.

South Yorkshire Police clocked a driver at 146mph on a 50mph southbound stretch of the M1, while Police Scotland detected someone driving at 148mph on a 60mph section of the A68 in the Scottish Borders.

But perhaps most disturbing of all are the speeds some people are prepared to drive at on 20mph and 30mph roads – those that are far more likely to have high numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users using them.

South Yorkshire Police recorded a speed of 122mph on a 30mph road, while North Wales Police logged a vehicle being driven at 88mph on a 20mph road. Both speeds are more than four times faster than the speed limits.

In total, six in 10 police forces (24) have caught motorists driving over twice the speed limit on 20mph roads, with seven recording speeds of more than 60mph.

Government data shows speed is the biggest factor reported in fatal road collisions.

Fuel prices were unacceptable to 77% of respondents in an AA survey

Eco highlights record year for green energy

A DORSET organic recycling and renewable energy company produced more green energy than ever in 2024, according to a new report.

Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions described its energy assets as ‘the true stars’ of the last calendar year, producing enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 6,600 homes in 2024.

In what managing director, Justin Dampney, described as a year of record-breaking achievements, Eco recycled 61,191 tonnes of green waste, 36,960 tonnes of food waste, 51,462 tonnes of wood waste, 57,930 tonnes of excavated soils and 28,903 tonnes of sweet sweepings.

The company’s recycling and recovery operations prevented a total of 116,434 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere by diverting waste from landfill.

Other highlights featured in Eco’s annual Sustainability Report include:

n Starting work on a new Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility at its Parley Eco Park.

On track for commissioning this October, the plant will generate enough energy to heat more than 7,000 homes.

n Reducing the company’s environmental impact of processing waste by exceeding a 5% carbon efficiency target, including trialling an alternative to traditional diesel.

n Continuing work on biodiversity projects on its sites including wildflower bunds, reptile shelters, bird boxers and feeders and general land restoration.

Justin said: “Wow, what a year 2024 has been for all of us at Eco.

“Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedicated teams managing our operations 24/7, 365 days a year.

“I’m incredibly proud of the initiatives, innovations and achievements we’ve accomplished – especially as so many of them were conceived, driven and delivered by our exceptional team.

WINNING FORMULA

Eco Sustainable Solutions’ Eco Park at Parley and managing director, Justin Dampney

boundaries and driving progress through our sustainability values – People, Planet, Progress.”

Founded in 1995, Eco has an

annual turnover of £17 million and employs 52 people.

As well Parley and Piddlehinton, the company also has a site in Weymouth.

“As we look to this year, and beyond, we remain dedicated to pushing

Arts & Entertainment

Georgie’s mission to find the dad she never had...

AUTHOR Georgie Codd will tell the real-life story of her search for a father figure at The Mowlem in Swanage in the run up to Father’s Day.

Georgie, who grew up in Poole with her mother and grandmother, will share what happened when, aged 31, she decided to ‘dadvertise’ for a father, placing classified adverts in newspapers and magazines on a mission to replace the dad she never had.

The resulting book, Never Had a Dad: Adventures in Fatherlessness, was published last year.

The story was described by The Times as ‘a dating quest with a difference’ and the BBC World Service as ‘a tale of fathers, daughters and missing pieces’.

Speaking about the event, Georgie said: “This will be my first time hosting a live night out in Dorset about Never Had

a Dad, and I’m thrilled to be doing it in aid of Dorset Mind, a charity whose mission to improve the support and understanding of mental health matters is close to my heart.

“As a Purbeck resident myself, it will be great to see both new and familiar faces in the crowd – and to hear real-time responses to some of the seriously bizarre twists and turns that my dad-seeking project involved.

“The Mowlem Studio is a fantastic venue, and I can’t wait to connect with the audience there.”

Nick Rowe, corporate and major donor for Dorset Mind, said: “We’re delighted that Georgie has chosen to support Dorset Mind through such a fascinating evening in this oneoff talk about her wonderful book.

“Georgie’s story is

heartrending, gripping, uplifting and well worth hearing.

“Plus, every penny raised from ticket donations will go to support the mental health of families and individuals in the county.”

The Daily Mail described Never Had a Dad as “a strange, touching but often very funny account of one woman’s search for a father figure”.

BBC Radio presenter Jo Good said: “I’ve been sitting behind a microphone interviewing people for almost

Town band performances

SWANAGE Town Band has started a run of concerts on Swanage Bandstand this summer.

If the weather is wet, performances indicated with a star will be held in the Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Remaining concerts are on:

Wednesday, June 18, 7pm*; Saturday, July 5, 2.30pm; Wednesday, July 16, 7pm*; Wednesday, July 30, 7pm; Wednesday, August 20, 7pm. In addition, the band is playing a concert on Saturday, September 13, at 2.30pm.

30 years, and you think every book has been written...You think every idea has come out. And then you pick up a book like this... What a wonderful idea and what a wonderful project.”

The talk is on Friday, June 13, at 7.30pm and for tickets and further details, visit tinyurl.com/ftxbdemz.

Ticket donations of £10 per person will go directly to Dorset Mind, with advance booking recommended due to limited seating.

The event is not recommended for children under 12.

Mozart opera at the village hall

TOURING company Opera in a Box is set to perform Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Lytchett Matravers Village Hall.

The company, launched in 2016, aims to take opera to as wide an audience as possible, and features a young and talented ensemble of 11 singers and musicians.

This production includes singers who have performed with companies such as Bath Opera, Bristol Opera and Welsh National Youth Opera, and in venues from The Theatre Royal, Bath,

to Glyndebourne.

Mozart’s timeless fairytale, The Magic Flute, follows Prince Tamino’s quest to rescue Pamina with the help of a magic flute and his comical sidekick, Papageno. It is an iconic opera filled with humour and love.

The Magic Flute, presented with Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach, is being performed on Sunday, June 22, at 7pm. For tickets, visit www. artsreach.co.uk or phone 07795 467666.

Author Georgie Codd with Nick Rowe from Dorset Mind

Soul survivor keeps on keeping on

PP Arnold, who plays Lighthouse Poole this week, is not a new kid on the block – she has been wowing audiences since she first came to the UK as an Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner back in the 1960s.

Her unique talent did not go unnoticed, and Mick Jagger and Andrew Oldham convinced her to stay in the UK and sign to the Immediate record label. The rest is history.

She want on to perform, write or record with the likes of The Small Faces, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Eric

n TO start at the beginning, what were you thinking when you joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue? Did you ever think that 60 years later you’d still be performing –and in the UK?

TO be honest, when you’re 17 years old you’re not thinking 60 years ahead, and when I joined the Ike & Tina Turner Revue it was not a planned ambition. I had never even thought that I would end up living in the UK and becoming a solo artist.

n YOU’VE explored a wide range of music from gritty R&B and sweet soul to beautifully crafted pop music and musical theatre, what is it that connects all of those songs? What do you need to hear to find your voice in a song?

THE story and the melody.

n SOME big personalities

Clapton, with her own band

The Nice and many others.

She appeared on the West End stage in Catch My Soul and Starlight Express, and on television in shows including Fame, Knot’s Landing and CHiPs.

In more recent times she has toured and recorded with, among others, Paul Weller and Ocean Colour Scene, whose guitarist Steve Cradock produced her most recent album, New Adventures.

Pat, thank you for taking time to answer a few questions...

have played a part in your story – Ike and Tina, Mick Jagger, Steve Marriott, Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, Barry Gibb and Eric Clapton in the 60s, Roger Waters and Steel Pulse in the 90s and more recently Steve Cradock from Paul Weller’s band – have you ever been starstruck and how do you keep your feet on the ground?

WORKING with all of the personalities you mention has been such an honour. [It has been] a privilege to have been in the same place in time that allowed me the opportunity to work with them. I was definitely starstruck meeting Ike and Tina as a very young girl and having the opportunity to be with the Revue when they came to the UK to tour with the Rolling Stones, and meeting and working with Mick Jagger was very special. The artists you mention above all respected me as

much as I respected them. Steve Cradock, Paul Weller and I are still doing great work together. I can be myself better than I can be anybody else, so I always stay true to myself and give God the glory.

n IF you could work with anyone ever, who would it be and why? And is there a song you would just love to record?

I WOULD love to have worked with Quincy Jones and Prince, but they’re no longer with us. I am so blessed to still be working with the Metrophonic team – Brian Rawling, Mark Taylor, Patrick Mascall – as well as Steve Cradock and Paul Weller.

n WHICH songs do you most enjoy performing and why?

NOW, after more than 50 years, I still enjoy singing First Cut Is the Deepest and Angel Of The Morning. I have a great catalogue and pretty much like singing all of my songs – I’m A Dreamer, Medicated Goo, I Believe, Baby Blue, Though It Hurts Badly, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, To Love Somebody, they’re all favourites.

n YOUR box set and book Soul Survivor have been so well received, it must feel like back pay! What’s next for PP Arnold – will there be new material, a new album? YES, the box set and my autobiography Soul Survivor are all being received well, but it’s still a struggle getting work which would make a big difference to actually getting paid. :) Which is surprising as I really do have a lot going on creatively.

I have a great touring band and I’m in the process of recording a very special album with some very special guest artists who are duetting with me to celebrate my 60-year anniversary. I’m hoping it will be released in time for me to tour this Fall and create more enthusiasm for me as a credible artist who has survived all the ups and downs I’ve been through in this industry and in my life in general.

I guess you can say I am a true Soul Survivor who would love to be able to receive my just rewards and recognition while I’m still here.

n PP Arnold plays Lighthouse Poole on Friday, June 13.

PP Arnold first came to the UK with Ike and Tina Turner in the 1960s

PHOTO: Gered Mankowitz

Arts & Entertainment

Top tributes and top food at festival

GREAT tunes and top tastes are in store at the Upton House Food & Music Festival – a three-day bonanza of live music and mouthwatering food at prices that won’t break the bank.

The event runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, June 20-22.

Friday’s music bill features tributes to Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian with local rocker Chris Payn and his new band opening.

They are followed on Saturday by tributes to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon and U2, with ace rockers Saints Of Sin, powerhouse vocalist Jordan Watts, cover masters Wonky Donkey and red hot All Funked Up.

Sunday’s line up is topped by Police Academy’s tribute to The Police with banjowielding good-time merchants Sixteen String Jack, Chris Payn and the Mother Ukers earlier in the day.

Festival organiser, Serena Wren, said: “Brilliant music,

fantastic family company and great food, it’s all the fun of the ‘fare’ – both gastronomic and musical!

“Upton House Food & Music Festival has its own special atmosphere, laid back but never quiet, lively but not hectic.

“The whole idea is to bring the flavour of much bigger events to what we see as Poole’s communal back garden – so it feels like you’re joining some mates for a nicely chilled party.”

Tastebuds will be tempted with flavours from around the world that range from fresh local seafood to The Bao Bao Beast’s traditional Asian cuisine with a western twist and regular festival favourites, Bournemouth Ice Cream.

To drink, a variety of local craft beers and ciders will be on offer, alongside the distinctive flavours of Shanty, Poole’s very own seaside vodka distilled using five types of hand-foraged organic seaweed.

BAFTA-NOMINATED entertainer and recipient of The Gold Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, Richard Digance, is set to perform at The Mowlem in Swanage.

Digance is also one of a handful of folksinger/ songwriters listed in The Virgin Anthology of Songwriters.

His television career spanned 17 years, culminating with his own ITV show for London Weekend Television, on

which he played a guitar duet with Queen’s Brian May, as well as playing with Status Quo and The Moody Blues.

He has also appeared on Channel 4’s Countdown nearly 200 times.

He supported movie legend Steve Martin in the US and the legendary Robin Williams at The London Palladium, where he also supported Roy Orbison and even tuned the legend’s sacred red guitar. Richard Digance is in Swanage on Friday, June 20, at 7.30pm.

Music and comedy to support good cause

COMEDY, live music, community spirit and fun are promised when Chesil Rocks 2025 is staged later this month at Weymouth Pavilion.

The festival, founded to support The Samaritans of Dorset, has grown from a small charity event into a standout occasion on the music calendar, while retaining its grassroots

charm and commitment to mental health awareness.

This year’s comedy offering is compèred by Tom Glover and features Nina Gilligan – voted the UK’s best comedian by comedians in 2023; and Jake Lambert – well known from his appearances on Live at the Apollo.

Live music includes the

London Gay Men’s Chorus, Upton, McIntosh, Wilson and Friends, Balance of Power, the Pete Brown Blues Band, Dorset Rock Choir, Chris Davies, ELECTRONIQUE and the Fabulous Portesham Ukulele Band with Sam Brown. Festival founders and organisers, Hilary and Tim Warren, said: “Every year,

Chesil Rocks brings people together, not just to enjoy music, but to support a cause that saves lives.

“2025 will raise the bar with even better comedy and music.”

Tickets for the festival on Saturday, June 21, are available at www.chesilrocks.com and from the Pavilion website, www.weymouthpavilion.com.

The Upton House Food & Music Festival

Musical comedy echoes of a distant time

THE Rude Mechanical Theatre Company is set to present its hit musical comedy, Gentle Harry’s Farm, at Worth Matravers.

Agnes Church and her very special friend and neighbour, Minnie Heartfelt, just love their boarding school, The Gables School for Jolly Nice Girls!

But domestic science college calls – and husbands after that, steady sorts with prospects – like the Hon Ernest Dartford, and children – one of each, of course, then, after that,

the WI – to be useful.

But first under the blissful summer blue of Gentle Harry’s Farm, among the cows and sheep and the sweet hay with magpies chattering their rhymes above – One for sorrow! Two for joy! – they were going to have such a ‘twiffic’ summer!

Then of all things they find some bounders have burst into the bank in Eastbury and nicked the cash! And the place is swarming with coppers! Bliss! Bliss in abundance! What a cackle! It would be

such a summer! Meanwhile, the brown-eyed cows and the other animals chew – and listen. And the magpies chatter.

Gentle Harry’s Farm, tucked under the Downs in the breathless July of 1957, buzzes with hilarity, sighs with tenderness and chirrups with gentle satire. Bursting with live music

60 years on: Stage version of classic film musical

WIMBORNE Musical Theatre

Society (WMTS) is set to stage Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved classic The Sound of Music at the the Tivoli Theatre in the town.

The musical, set against the backdrop of 1930s Nazioccupied Austria, tells the story of Maria Rainer, a free-spirited young woman whose aspiration to become a nun is derailed when she takes the job of governess to the seven von Trapp children.

It is a well-known tale which captures the spirit of hope against an ever changing political landscape.

Inspired by the book, The Trapp Family Singers, by Maria Augusta Trapp, the stage musical features all the timeless songs an audience would expect from the much-loved 1965 film soundtrack, including Do Re Mi, Edelweiss, My

Favourite Things and, of course, the eponymous The Sound of Music.

Director, Duncan Trew, said: “We are delighted to be bringing this iconic musical to life in Wimborne, in what is the film’s 60th anniversary year.

“It is a privilege to have such a talented cast and crew on board with us.

“This includes our two junior cast teams, local children who

and original songs, this new version of The Rudes’ hit musical comedy, first performed in 2011, is sure to raise a smile.

Gentle Harry’s Farm is at The Square & Compass, Worth Matravers on Friday, June 13. Tickets and further information are available at www.therudes.co.uk.

are excelling in their roles and are who guaranteed to be the show stealers!”

Alastair Hume is musical director and Jenny Jalie the choreographer.

The adult cast includes Lauren Ferger-Andrews, David Cooper, Selina Rumbold, Alan Colclough, Julie Gower, Rosie Nye and James Bourner.

The Sound of Music runs from Thursday to Saturday, June 12-14, and includes a Saturday matinee.

Tickets are £18 for adults and £14 for under-16s.

Book through the box office on 01202 885566 or online at www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/ events.

Cabbie caught in a comedy hellhole

FARCE is coming to The Mowlem in Swanage this week with Caught in The Net, by Ray Cooney.

Swanage Drama Company is following up its production of another farce, Cash On Delivery, and Jack and the Beanstalk last year.

Caught In The Net is the

sequel to Run For Your Wife, which finds the bigamist taxi driver John Smith still keeping his two families in different parts of London, both happy and blissfully unaware of each other.

But his teenage children, a girl from one family and a boy from the other, have met on the

internet and are anxious to meet in person since they have so much in common – age, surname and a taxi-driving dad!

Keeping them apart plunges John into a hellhole of his own making.

His lodger, Stanley, could be a saviour, but he is about to go

on holiday with his father, who turns up thinking he is already at the guest house.

The situation spirals out of control as John juggles outrageously with the truth.

Caught in The Net, directed by Brian Travers, runs from Thursday to Saturday, June 12-14, at 7.30pm.

Gentle Harry’s Farm chirrups with gentle satire

Ready, steady, stomp!

ONE of Dorset’s best-loved music festivals, Rustic Stomp, is coming to Knoll Farm, near Wareham, next month.

The site, with two barns and great views, has also been used to host Alice’s Wicked Tea Party and the Giant Killers festival.

Rustic Stomp is also becoming part of the Muddy Roots family of festivals, which has events in Europe, Argentina and Tennessee.

Rustic Stomp, being held from Friday to Sunday, July 11-13, promises local, national and international Rootscentred music.

A spokesperson for the event said: “Come explore our heady collection of Roots music as we jostle from Bluegrass to Western Swing, from Cajun to Hoedown, to heartfelt ballad to shinkicking, full-on stompin’.”

Opposites attract in town and country

DOCTOR turned author Susie Tate, from Poole, has a new novel coming out this summer – an opposites attract contemporary romance.

Outlier explores deep, personal themes drawn from her experiences as a doctor in the NHS for 20 years.

She worked across various hospital specialties, including in a women’s refuge for victims of domestic violence and as a child safeguarding lead, before eventually becoming a GP.

Susie’s husband has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, so she wants to incorporate difficult conversations into her books.

Outlier, set between the English countryside and the city

of London, follows the story of Victoria and Mike, who are complete opposites.

Victoria has always felt like an outsider and Mike is everything she is not – rough, rugged and unapologetically unrefined.

When a confrontation leaves her shaken, Mike realises he is not as unaffected by her as he thought.

For the first time, he is determined to uncover the woman beneath the carefully constructed exterior – the one who might just change his life forever.

Susie Tate has sold more than one million books across all formats. Outlier is published by Arndell Books on August 12.

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry. The deadline for the June 23 issue is NOON on Thursday, June 12. Call on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net. Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

2025 Spotlight Diary

JUNE

TUESDAY

10:00 WAREHAM CROQUET CLUB

Wareham Recreation Ground

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

SATURDAY

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

Events

OPEN GARDENS WINFRITH NEWBURGH

A variety of beautiful village gardens will be open on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. 12:00 - 4:00pm. Admission £5. Free parking. Tea, coffee and cakes will be served in either the village hall or the church.

Event supporting Julia”s House children hospice.

The Rustic Stomp Festival is at Knoll Farm, near Wareham

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