The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 344

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Hospice boss’s 20/20 challenge

THE Wareham-based chief executive of Julia’s House children’s hospice is hoping to help raise £100,000 by the end of the year by completing a series of challenges.

Martin Edwards is marking 20 years with the charity by joining 20 fundraisers each aiming to coin in £5,000 in their individual challenges in Martin’s 20/20 Challenge.

Martin said: “I’m extremely nervous about these challenges, especially the army-style physical training test, and the 34-mile run in the Lake District. Aged 57, these will be hard.

“You may well see me in training over the coming weeks, running around Wareham and up and down the Jurassic Coast by Church Knowle and Kimmeridge. I will need all your encouragement!”

Martin has already completed a ‘Battle PT’ army-style fitness challenge at Branksome with Greendale Construction managing director, Chris Kane, and is about to embark on a hospice to hospice walk between Devizes and Corfe Mullen with local businessman, Warren Munson.

Other challenges include a

skydive near Salisbury with Julia’s House chair of trustees, Brian Parker, and a team challenge with Poole-based Salad creative agency, to cover 2,020 miles.

There’s also an abseil down Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth with Luci Lloyd, of Jane James Associates, and Diana Lawrence, who inspired Martin’s 20/20 Challenge after the loss of her sister, who was supported by Julia’s House.

Other challenges include a Lake District ultra run with Jon Fish of Lexus Swindon, a fundraising event with James May near Shaftesbury and 20 early morning sea dips during December with Darren Mooney, of Studio Global.

Mid-Dorset & North Poole MP, Vikki Slade, is doing a triathlon challenge – kayak from Hamworthy via Arne to Wareham, cycle to Wimborne and run to Cranborne, covering the length of her constituency.

Martin added: “I’m happy to give community talks about the challenges and the care Julia’s House provides in the local community, if organisations and community groups would like to get in touch.”

Town elections date

ELECTIONS will be held in Swanage later this month to fill seats on Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council. The Swanage ward seat on Dorset Council is vacant following the passing of Councillor Bill Trite. The vacancies on the town council have come about following the death of Cllr Trite (Swanage North) and the resignation of Debby Monkhouse (Swanage South).

MAN ON A MISSION

Martin Edwards, of Julia’s House children’s hospice, will be taking part in 20 challenges alongside fundraisers

To contact Martin about a community talk, email info@ juliashouse.org.

To sponsor Martin’s 20/20

Poll cards providing details of polling stations were set to be issued to registered electors on Friday, July 4.

Voting will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, July 24.

Residents not yet registered to vote, or who have recently moved to the area, must ensure their registration is completed by tomorrow (Tuesday, July 8) to vote in this election.

Wareham

Monday 8:00am - 6:30pm Tuesday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Wednesday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Thursday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Friday 8:00am - 6:30pm

Saturday 8:00am - 12:30pm

Challenge, visit justgiving.com and search for Team Fundraising for Julia’s House 20 20 Challenge.

- 6:30pm Wednesday 8:15am - 6:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 1.00pm Friday

Town hoping for ‘in bloom’ success

by Rod Curtis Vice-chair, competitions/ PR officer, Wareham Community Growers

ANYONE visiting Wareham cannot fail to notice its superb town centre floral displays which line the route from North Street all the way to end of South Street and at St Johns Hill in colourful planters, hayracks, baskets and tubs.

Jointly with Wareham Town Council, they have been created and planted by Wareham Community Growers, a local group dedicated to enhancing the town for residents and visitors alike.

Several businesses have also supplied their own displays.

Once again, the group has entered Wareham for the South and South East in Bloom competition, having achieved

Gold and Best Small Town in 2022 and 2023, plus a superb Silver Gilt at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom Awards in 2023 and a further prestigious Gold in 2024.

& Tidal Predictions - June '25

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Judging this year took place on June 24 and involved a walking tour of the town centre and a driving tour taking in sites in and around the town, including the hospital garden, the Town Pound, the rail station, recycling centre and Northmoor Wildlife Haven.

Chair, Sue Dean, said: “We are a volunteer group and depend on public support.

“Let’s see your well-kept beautiful gardens and containers, tidy streets and plenty of recycling.

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It is not all about flowers. Far from it – the judging theme of Horticultural Excellence sits alongside Community Involvement and Environmental Responsibility. Community groups managing their own projects and the ways in which we nurture and sustain the natural environment are also highlighted.

“If you wish to help us in any way, at any time of the year, please contact our secretary, Jacquie, on 07890 139038, find us on Facebook ‘Wareham Community Growers’ or email warehamcommunitygrowers@ gmail.com.”

The results will be announced in September.

Wareham Community Growers, the town council and local businesses have created and planted superb floral displays

Edna takes a step back in time

A RESIDENT of Upton Bay care home who was an accomplished dancer as a child has visited the Steppin’ Out Academy of Performance in Hamworthy.

Angela Taylor, principal of Steppin’ Out 6 Dancers, treated Edna, 91, niece Paula, and Karen, the home’s activities lead, to a private dance show.

Edna also met Evie Roadnight, 18, who will be dancing at the prestigious performing arts institution the Italia Conti Academy in Woking from September.

Edna danced from the age of three and for the troops during the Second World War with The Versatile Kids.

She was an accomplished ballet, tap, modern dancer and singer, and at the age of 15 gained a place at Italia Conti.

She also danced at the Royal Albert Hall and appeared in two films.

Paula said: “I was on the verge of tears.

“It is such an amazing feeling to know that such a loving

group of people care so much about Edna that they helped her to live out a dream – and I didn’t even ask.”

Mevin Sohorye, general manager at the home, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing.

“We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here at Upton Bay care home.

“It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in making our residents’ dreams come true.

“It was wonderful to see how happy Edna was – and the staff loved being a part of this as well.”

Hospital appeal reaches

DORSET County Hospital Charity has now raised £1.1 million for its Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

Donations will fund equipment and facilities for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at DCH, currently under construction.

The total target for the appeal is £2.5m which will provide funding above and beyond the NHS budget to provide elements such as a new child and adolescent mental health suite, dedicated relatives’ rooms, paediatric critical care bed space and equipment.

Construction for the new units started this spring and will provide a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit that will link to the existing hospital.

This will increase Critical Care Unit bed capacity from 11 to 24. Construction of the £100m project is funded by the Government’s New Hospital programme (NHP).

Chair of DCH Charity, Dave Underwood, said: “We can only raise these funds with the help of our generous supporters from across the local community.

“The appeal will raise essential funds for additional, but very important extras, to enhance patient care and improve staff wellbeing.

“This includes enhancing areas for staff to get muchneeded rest, overnight accommodation for families and supporting artistic elements to make the new building the best it can be, for patients, staff and visitors.”

Edna, 91, at the Steppin’

Edna as a youngster (above) and with The Versatile Kids (below)

Waste: Council steps back on online booking system

USERS of the Household Recycling Centres in Swanage and Wareham will not now have to book a slot to dispose of their rubbish from later this year, as had been planned.

Dorset Council has rowed back on a scheme to roll out an online booking system at all 10 of its HRCs, following extensive public feedback.

It will now introduce the system in Dorchester, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

The Swanage, Wareham, Weymouth, Portland, Bridport and Blandford centres will continue to operate as usual,

without slot bookings.

Councillor Jon Andrews, cabinet member for Place Services, said: “We’ve listened to residents and understand their concerns.

“We still believe a booking system is the best way to protect our recycling centres from future service cuts, but this new approach allows us to prioritise the areas with the most pressing issues.”

The council says the booking system should help ease congestion and queuing at Dorchester and Wimborne.

Both sites are prone to queues at busy times due to

The system will run at the Household Recycling Centres in Dorchester and Wimborne but not Swanage and

their location and the local road network.

The council will assess the impact of the booking system on the four towns where it will run before a decision on a wider roll-out.

It will also look at booking slot availability, customer satisfaction, recycling rates and any changes in fly-tipping.

Cllr Andrews added: “We’ve heard from many residents who say, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ And we get that.

“But the reality is, the current

service is costing more than it should and some areas do need ‘fixing’, to a certain extent.

“A booking system will save hundreds of thousands of pounds – money that helps us keep all our HRCs open and avoid reducing hours or closing locations.”

All 10 recycling centres will remain available and free of charge for all Dorset Council residents.

More information on how to book slots at the four sites will be shared closer to the launch.

Corfe Castle Club once again won East Dorset Campaign for Real Ale Club of the Year competition for last year PHOTOS:Robin Boultwood

Wareham

£500k Unimog ready to fight heath fires

DORSET & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s new Unimog vehicle has quickly proved its worth, helping to stop several heath fires across Purbeck.

The multi-functional off-road vehicle, which replaces a Unimog in service for the past 16 years at Wareham fire station, cost nearly £500,000.

It has a capacity of 4,500 litres of water and 162 litres of foam, together with front, rear and roof-mounted monitors that can direct large quantities of water or foam at a fire.

It was mobilised to five incidents within 24 hours of

coming into service last month.

Assistant chief fire officer,

Darren Langdown, said: “As part of our commitment to the ongoing development of our

vehicles and equipment, I am really pleased to confirm we now have our new Unimog in service and able to respond to incidents, which can include flooding and thatch fires as well as large fires in the open.”

He added: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of wildfires across our service area over the past five years, and the Unimog has been an invaluable asset to tackling these.

“The new vehicle has some new features, which will enhance our firefighting capabilities not just on our heaths but in other hard-toreach rural locations.”

The off-road capability of the new machine has been enhanced with upgraded tyres – pressures can be set according to the type of terrain at the touch of a button – and a low-ratio gear box.

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The off-road, multi-functional Unimog vehicle will be valuable fighting fires on heaths and other hard-to-reach rural locations

News from Wareham Town Council – June report

by Julie Bradshaw

THE Purbeck 200 Shuttle bus goes to Blue Pool and Arne on Wednesdays, and on Saturdays to Norden as well. Find the timetable at the bus stop or via a link on the town council website’s home page.

Riding on the success of its hobby horse, Wareham Men’s Shed created a replica Stephenson’s Rocket which stands at Wareham Station.

Results will be published in September of the South and South East In Bloom judging, which took place on June 24.

A petition has been launched on the 38 degrees website in response to the Government’s announcement that Neighbourhood Plan funding will be stopped.

Dorset Council’s consultation on the allocation of social housing units has some interesting and desperate figures. Dorset has nearly 24,000 units of social housing,

PHOTO: Simon Barnes

of which 5% are available to let, and the number of people on the housing register, including those who want a transfer, is 22% of the number of units. Priority is given to people wanting to downsize.

Councillor Critchley explained that what appeared to be a large reserve in the burial committee’s name was, in fact, earmarked for rebuilding a cemetery wall, which, being lime mortar and entailing a road closure, would be expensive. The burial committee will be on the agenda for the next council meeting.

The mayor reiterated that the best way to combat illegal parking is to report it with

£50,000 raised to restore ‘Arnie’s tank’

THE Tank Museum at Bovington has reached its fundraising target to restore its M47 Patton tank.

Supporters helped raise the £50,000 required to get the M47 running following a public appeal launched in June 2024. The US-built M47 is an important part of the Cold War story.

It also has a famous fan in Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served in an M47 in the Austrian military, later purchasing the tank he crewed.

Museum director, Chris Price, said: “This remarkable

location, date, time and a photograph. Poorly painted yellow lines have been reported.

The museum coordinator is making links with Wessex Archaeology and Bournemouth University and wants the museum to reflect the historical importance of the area.

A deposit has been paid for the former National Westminster bank building. A consultation is on the town council’s website under the heading ‘2 North Street project’. For anyone who would like to answer the questions without going online, they are:

“Do you support the town council purchasing 2 North Street to create a purposerenovated museum and tourist information centre?

“Would you support the purchase if it required a one-off town council tax precept increase of around £50 per household to cover loan

repayments?

“Any other comments?” Respondents can deliver their answers and get more information from the town council office (see below).

The town hall will get a new flagpole, and CCTV cameras facing down East Street, up West Street and down South Street.

Wareham Carnival is at the Recreation Ground on July 18-20.

The next council meetings are on Tuesdays July 22 and August 26 at 7.30pm in the council chamber.

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

achievement is a testament to the passion and commitment of our supporters.

“We are deeply grateful – your generosity ensures that future generations can witness history in motion.”

Membership and fundraising officer, Kevin Hygate, said:

The

“Acquired from the Italian Army in 1987, this Cold War-era tank has never been on public display before.

“Its restoration will involve a full system overhaul, a new engine and cosmetic enhancements, ensuring it becomes a standout addition to our running collection.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed.

“Your valuable support helps us keep history alive.”

The restoration work is being undertaken by Matthew Pyle, an engineer experienced in tank restoration, including his own M47.

M47 Patton tank is loaded up to go to Matt Pyle’s workshop and (inset) Matt Pyle with the stripped M47, painted in red undercoat

Bright sparks shine in Big Bang competition

SIX students from The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester have scooped awards in The Big Bang Competition, a nationwide competition for young engineers, scientists and technologists.

Year 12 students Sophie Cradock and Harry Hannam won the Senior Technology category with their project How Predictive AI Can Save the Oceans.

They aim to harness AI to fight illegal fishing as they want to help protect the ocean for future generations and to preserve Earth’s biodiversity.

By combining AI with satellite imagery and data, the idea is to predict and catch illegal fishing before it happens.

Their AI model looks at ship data like speed, fishing spot and distance from shore to establish if its activity is illegal.

They also looked into using drones and underwater tech to allow more data and accuracy.

Year 12 team Chloe Clarke, Gwendolen McLeod, Sofia Neilenko and Grace Ward won the ECITB Teamwork Award for their project Tree Generator.

The Tree Generator harnesses the kinetic energy of swaying tree branches to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction.

The team developed a prototype using 3D-printed components and eco-friendly

materials, aiming to provide clean energy in off-grid areas.

Mat Parker, head of Careers and Inclusion at the ECITB, said: “The ECITB is thrilled to present this Special Award to Tree Generator!

“Their achievement in this widely heralded competition not only showcases their remarkable talent but also highlights the importance of events such as this in shaping the next generation of engineers and innovators.

“The Big Bang Competition has once again sparked curiosity, fostered collaboration and challenged young minds to solve real-world problems with creativity and determination.

“It was a true joy for the judges to engage with such passionate and inventive

Flower festival fundraiser

A FUNDRAISER towards the cost of flowers for the flower festival at the Minster Church in Wimborne later this year will be held next weekend.

Anthony and Christine Oliver are hosting a tea and cake afternoon in their garden at Wits End Corner, 34 Park Lane, Wimborne, on Saturday (July 12), from 3pm-5pm. If wet, the event will be

held indoors. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The flower festival, The Delights of Dorset, runs from Friday to Monday, September 26-29.

More than 60 arrangements will be on display, with flower clubs from across Dorset taking part, along with the Minster’s own arrangers.

The winners of the competition, which recognises and rewards talented young innovators, were announced at The Big Bang Fair, the UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people, held at Birmingham’s NEC.

finalists.

“Their ingenuity, teamwork and vision give us great hope for the future.”

The awards were part of The Big Bang Competition, a nationwide competition for young engineers, scientists and technologists.

Run by EngineeringUK, the fair is supported by organisations across the education and STEM sector including major supporter Rolls-Royce, BBC, EasyJet, Pixelia, Playground Games, National Highways and V&A museum.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice is given that The Barn Farm Shop (Dorset) Ltd has applied to Dorset Council for a new premises licence in respect of Unit 4, Bere Farm, Wareham Road, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6ER for the sale of alcohol on the premises generally between the hours of 09:00hrs and 20:00hrs, Monday to Sunday.

Any interested party or responsible authority may make representations by e-mailing: licensing@dorsetcouncil.gov. uk or writing to, Licensing, Dorset Council, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ within 28 days from the date of this notice.

The licensing register and details of this application may be inspected by contacting the licensing Section during normal office hours via email or phone on 01305 838028. It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with an application, the maximum fine on summary conviction is unlimited.

DATE: 25.6.25

Harry Hannam and Sophie Cradock won the Senior Technology category

Chloe Clarke, Gwendolen McLeod, Sofia Neilenko and Grace Ward, from The Thomas Hardye School, won the ECITB Teamwork Award

HERE at Durlston Country Park we’re so pleased to welcome July and with that, the sunshine! Summer is in full swing and it’s a beautiful time to visit to see the remarkable wildlife this National Nature Reserve has to offer.

Looking out the front of the Castle window, you can see beautiful small and large white butterflies enjoying the sun or venturing into the meadows could show flashes of blue from the common blues. Great green and dark bush-crickets can be heard from the grass and bumble bees can be seen feeding on the purple spikes of Tufted Vetch.

Unfortunately, July brings an end to our seabird boat trips

as young guillemots and razorbills have left the nest, meaning the cliffs feel a bit emptier now on the ranger walks. However, shags, herring gulls and great black-backed gulls remain with their young, while fulmars are also still feeding their late-hatching chicks. It’s also a great time to spot newly fledged peregrine falcons and kestrels trying out their hunting skills.

The rangers are enjoying the sunshine as it makes our outdoor work much more enjoyable, with all of us hoping that office work can wait until the winter – or the rainy days!

In the Fine Foundation Gallery from Thursday, July

Jim steps up for

SWANAGE will be the end point of a marathon walk Jim Jones is undertaking along the South West Coast Path in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society later this month.

Jim – pictured – wants to raise £5,000 for the charity in memory of his father and the father of his partner, Mel Cartwright, who both died last year, and to raise awareness of the disease.

10, to Thursday, July 24, we have an exhibition that brings together four local artists exploring the concept of waves in their own ways. Making Waves will showcase works from Jo Pethybridge, Pat Hewitt-Marvell, Margaret Thompson and Diana Stoker. The exhibition will be open daily from 10.30am-4.30pm and is free to enter.

After that, artists Cathy Veale, Cliff Towler, Ian Hargreaves and Rob Adams will present their exhibition A Purbeck Perspective, a collection of personal retrospective journeys made in a variety of media. This exhibition will run from Monday, July 28, to Sunday,

August 10.

This July we also have a fantastic selection of events on offer including drawing workshops, glass engraving, meet a moth events, wildlife guided walks and the return of our glow worm walks. With the beginning of the summer holidays, we have a good schedule of kids’ activities as well as daily activity trails. Make sure to have a look at the events on the Durlston website, www.durlston.co.uk/events.

For more information on events and more visit our Durlston website, www. durlston.co.uk. Visit the Seventhwave café website at www. seventhwaverestaurant. co.uk.

Alzheimer’s charity

The pair say £5,000 is the minimum amount of money required to keep one person in dementia care for a month.

Jim will walk 140 miles over seven days, from Broadsands Beach in Brixham to Swanage – 10 miles for each of the 14 years his father lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

Jim, who works with the Duke of Edinburgh Award

programme as a freelance instructor and assessor in schools across the country, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

He is self-organising and self-funding the walk, which will end in the Purbeck Gazette area when he walks from Weymouth to Kimmeridge on Sunday, July

27, and from Kimmeridge to Swanage the next day.

Mel and his mother, Joyce, will be support crew, and a few instructor colleagues will join him over various sections.

His sister, Helen, and her family will join them for two days.

To sponsor Jim’s walk, visit www.JustGiving.com and search for ‘jim’s fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society’.

Take a harbour cruise and help good cause

DORSET disability charity

Diverse Abilities will be holding a fundraising firework cruise night around Poole Harbour later this summer. The event offers the chance to enjoy panoramic views of Studland Bay, Sandbanks Peninsula and Poole Harbour’s islands, including

Brownsea Island, before returning to Poole Quay for the fireworks.

Mariana Swain, events executive at Diverse Abilities, said: “Our firework cruise nights are always popular and sell out quickly.

“We’re really looking forward to greeting our

supporters and setting sail for a relaxing evening in Poole Harbour with a fantastic firework finale, all in aid of Diverse Abilities.”

The money raised will help Diverse Abilities support 2,000 adults and children with disabilities with more than 300,000 hours of care

delivered across Dorset.

Tickets for the three-hour cruise on Thursday, August 21, which sets sail at 7.30pm, are available at diverseabilities. org.uk/fireworks priced £25 adults and £15 children, with an option to add on a fish and chip supper – or another option – from £8.

Everything’s rosy in hospital garden

A NEW sensory garden has been opened at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) in Dorchester to turn a disused courtyard opposite Special Care Dentistry into a space for patients, staff and visitors.

Students from Kingston Maurward College designed the garden with the planting plan aimed at stimulating users’ senses with a mixture of fragrant flowers, shrubs and plants.

Wooden benches have been installed and the ground levelled for disabled access.

More plants will be added to the garden over the coming weeks and months, and additional planters will be installed, including a wheelchair-accessible planter.

Bev Lagden, sustainability manager at the hospital, said: “We are delighted with this new space and hope that people will be able to spend some time in a peaceful garden that stimulates their senses.

“A big thank you to Kingston Maurward College, Dorset Build, Dorchester Men’s Shed,

Dobbies

Garden Centre and patients and staff for their support in creating the garden.”

Michelle Brown, garden design lecturer at Kingston Maurward College, said: “This has been such a great project for our students.

“It gave them the chance to design, plan and create a garden outside of college within a real work environment.

“They have considered those that would be using the space to make sure it caters to their needs.

“We are really pleased with the result and look forward to adding more to the space in the future.”

Jo Howarth, director of nursing at DCH, added: “I’m thrilled that we have been able

to turn a disused outdoor space into a beautiful sensory garden.

“Whether you’re a patient, staff member or visiting a loved one, it’s important to be able to step away from the busy and sometimes overwhelming hospital environment and take a moment.

“We want to use our outdoor spaces to support people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and I hope the new sensory garden provides a moment of calm for those who use it.”

And Jon Goodwin, head of grants at NHS Charities Together, said: “There’s a strong link between spending time outdoors and improved health and wellbeing.

“That’s why we are improving access to quality

green spaces in healthcare settings and beyond.

“These projects play an important role in our wider commitment to help improve the health of NHS patients, staff and communities, and in turn reduce the pressure on overstretched NHS services.

“We very much look forward to hearing how Dorset County Hospital visitors benefit from this vibrant and accessible new garden and are grateful to everyone who made it possible.”

The project has been paid for thanks to £50,000 of funding to the Dorset County Hospital Charity from the Greener Communities Fund – a partnership between NHS Charities Together and the environmental charity Hubbub, supported by Starbucks.

Recycling – it’s in the (flag) bag!

HOUSEBUILDER Wyatt Homes has partnered with an environmental charity in Wimborne to transform disused flags from nearby developments into tote bags for the community.

Wimborne War on Waste with Saxondale Gardens sales advisor, Melody Laitinen, recycled the Wyatt Homes flags.

The charity received the flags from the builder’s Rivers Edge and Saxondale Gardens developments in the town as part of its efforts to reduce single-use plastic and encourage the switch to reusable tote bags.

Wimborne War on Waste was founded in 2017 and aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastic through events, talks and workshops.

The charity specialises in delivering creative alternatives to single-use plastics, such as upcycled cable ties, flags, bunting and bags.

A spokesperson for Wimborne War on Waste said: “We want to inspire all to make simple, positive changes, to choose alternatives to single-use plastic and promote a more sustainable, ethical culture of

consumption.

“All of our projects bring people together to work collaboratively, and aim to

inspire everybody to rethink, reform new habits and do more to look after our precious planet.”

Members of Wimborne War on Waste with Melody Laitinen (third left) from Wyatt Homes

The garden is open to patients, staff and visitors

‘Sally Ann’ band plays for Christine

THE Bournemouth and Poole Fellowship Band of the Salvation Army visited Upton Bay care home to play some of resident Christine Webb’s favourite tunes.

The home arranged the special wish after finding out that Christine –pictured –used to visit her local branch of the Salvation Army with her husband and two daughters.

Wonderful World for Chrisine and fellow care home residents.

Band leader, Peter Guntrip, said: “We are thrilled to perform for such a lovely lady who is dealing with the challenges of dementia.

“It was a pleasure to see her face light up and enjoy all her favourite songs.”

Christine’s daughter, Kate, said: “This is the best we

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Minimise Inheritance Tax Liability. A Living Trust can be a valuable tool in inheritance tax planning. By legally transferring ownership of your home and selected assets into the trust, they may fall outside of your taxable estate.

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Your Health Matters

Dorset HealthCare’s monthly round-up

You are not alone – support available for the local armed forces community

THE recent Armed Forces Day – June 28 – allowed us all to remember and appreciate the dedication and sacrifices made by those who served, and continue to serve, in the military.

As we have just celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe – VE Day – and with the anniversary of Victory Over Japan – VJ Day – coming up, this year’s Armed Forces Day was especially poignant – as well as offering an important opportunity to showcase the support available to veterans through the local NHS.

As an accredited Veteran Aware Trust, Dorset HealthCare offers support to

‘Yellow

past and present military personnel – and their families – throughout Dorset, including those based at Bovington and Lulworth. It can provide specialist help for anyone struggling with physical or mental health issues.

Expert mental health support is available from Op COURAGE, the veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service, which can help those finding life difficult after leaving the military.

Help with issues such as physical health problems, welfare, housing and employment is also available through the trust’s armed forces community health and

In the picture (from left): Dave Way, information governance manager and data protection officer; David Clayton-Smith, trust chair; John Cullen, lead applications specialist; and Steve Harper, associate director of health and safety and emergency planning

wellbeing team. Visit www. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ armedforces for more information.

Dorset HealthCare itself employs a number of veterans, and several came together to host a ‘meet-and-greet’ event to mark Armed Forces Day, inviting colleagues from around the trust to share memories and learn more about the military and the local support available.

Trust chair, David ClaytonSmith, from Swanage, was among those who attended.

Army veteran Dave Way, from Bovington, the trust’s information governance manager and data protection officer, who helped organise the event, said: “It was in part due to the need and desire for a Britain fit for heroes that the NHS was formed in 1948.

“And the veterans who work for the trust all recognise the similarities between the armed forces and the NHS in the sense of duty, thinking of others before themselves and assisting those who need our help.”

ribbon’ event remembers loved ones

THE mayor and mayoress of Poole were among hundreds of people who gathered in Poole Park to honour the memory of loved ones at Forest Holme Hospice’s annual Tie a Yellow Ribbon event.

The free community event invited individuals and families to write a dedication on a yellow ribbon with the ribbons now placed in the hospice garden, remaining there as a tribute throughout the summer.

The Tie a Yellow Ribbon event, sponsored by MSP Capital, included a host of local craft stalls, refreshments, free children’s activities and special choir performances.

Hannah O’ Hare, chief executive of Forest Holme Hospice charity, said: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and to all those who helped make this a truly meaningful occasion.

“Creating a space for remembrance within our community is so important.

“Every yellow ribbon tied honours a cherished life – a symbol of love and a reminder that they are never forgotten.

“I hope that by coming together in this way, it brings comfort and a sense of connection, helping each of us feel a little less alone.”

The mayor and mayoress of Poole with members of Forest Holme Hospice charity at the Tie a Yellow Ribbon event

M argaret Green Animal Rescue

WE are very excited to be hosting our incredibly popular Country Dog Show at our Church Knowle centre, near Wareham, in Dorset (BH20 5NQ) on Sunday, August 10.

The event is set to be a fun-filled day for all the family, including your four-legged friends!

From archery, axe throwing and welly wanging to traditional games, dog parkour and a fantastic, not-to-bemissed performance by the incredible Rock Choir, there will be something for everyone to get involved with and help us raise vital funds for our rescue animals.

You’ll also be able to take part in our dog agility course, explore a wonderful range of stalls from local traders and

artisans, and enjoy a delicious selection of hot food and refreshments.

If you think your pooch has the Most Appealing Eyes, is The Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home or looks Most Like Their Owner, then be sure to enter the dog show for £3 per class – with

many rosettes and prizes up for grabs!

All funds raised on the day will go towards our rescue animals and help us to provide the vital care, medical treatment and rehabilitation they may need.

Gates open at 11am and entry is priced at £6 adults and £2.50 children under 12.

For further details, please visit our website at www.mgar. org.uk/country-dog-show-2025 and stay tuned for more information.

110 years of craft trophies

DORSET Arts & Crafts Association (DACA) is holding its 110th event, Showcase 2025, at The Purbeck School in Wareham next month.

The first exhibition was held at Blandford Corn Exchange in 1907 and, since then, the number of trophies to be won has grown steadily.

In 2024, 31 trophies were awarded, covering all categories of art, craft and photography.

Anyone can enter these trophy competitions, irrespective of age or ability, as encouraging participation is one of DACA’s main charitable objectives.

Jenny Gurden, chair of DACA, said: “While winning is nice and ensures a place in Dorset’s Arts & Crafts history, it is taking part which is most

important. There is immense satisfaction from seeing your own work on display and knowing that you are helping to encourage and to motivate others.”

While other county arts and crafts associations have faded away, DACA has gone from strength to strength by modernising and expanding the format of its event.

Showcase 2025, which will run from Friday to Tuesday, August 1-5, will feature the core trophy competitions plus children’s workshops, a guest display/demonstration of calligraphy and lettering, a large variety of craft stalls and a DACA members’ sales gallery.

Membership is open to all and full details can be found at dorsetartsandcrafts.org.

DACA president, Sally Weld (right) presents the Open Art Trophy to 2024 winner, Caroline Binder

Swanage Folk Festival Returns: Music,

Dance, Fun – and You’re Invited!

T

he Swanage Folk Festival runs from 6–8 September 2025. Come and enjoy a weekend packed with unforgettable music, dance, and family fun. Set in the heart of a spectacular seaside town, the festival is a celebration of tradition, talent, and community spirit.

This year’s lineup features big names in folk music, including Mike, Dezi & Tim Eady Trio, Bonfire Radicals, Kate Griffin & Matchume Zango, The Haar, Narthen, FolkLaw, The Crows, Nick Parker, Murphys Lore Trio, Waterfolk Choir, TRADarrr, The Savage Underdogs, BierFass Oompah Band, and The Rigmarollers.

Whether you’re into powerful harmonies, fiery fiddle tunes or contemporary folk sounds, there’s something here for everyone.

The streets of Swanage come alive with vibrant dance sides from across the UK, showcasing styles from Morris to Appalachian, clog to border. Performances take place all weekend at multiple spots around town, filling the streets with colour and rhythm.

There’s also free children’s entertainment, a packed workshop programme, and free music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to soak up – while enjoying the festival bar. Don’t miss the fabulous fringe, filling pubs with spontaneous sessions and local talent – the music really doesn’t stop!

Tickets are selling fast and at just £30 for an evening concert, it’s amazing value for a full night of top folk acts.

Book tickets and find out more, visit www.swanagefolkfestival.com – come and be part of something special! All proceeds go to local good causes.

Photos by Alan Courtney ©DorsetMorri’arty

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Soak up the atmosphere at community events, enjoy live music in the open air, and dance the day away with family and friends. Fire up the BBQ, take a refreshing dip in the sea, or simply unwind while exploring the stunning natural beauty right on our doorstep, from coastal walks to peaceful woodlands.

Looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the holidays? You’re in luck! There’s a fantastic range of clubs and activities in the area that offer fun, friendship, and the chance to learn something new. Whether it’s sports, arts, crafts or outdoor adventures, there’s something for every young explorer.

Whatever your perfect summer looks like, you’ll find plenty of activities to enjoy in the area. So, step outside, join the fun, and make this summer one to remember!

Summer Living

UK’S most electrifying and authentic Robbie WIlliams tribute act PLUS one of the UK’s premier Abba

SAT 9TH AUGUST SAT 9TH AUGUST

TICKETS FROM EVENTBRITE

The Purbeck Rally

51years

ago, a group of Purbeck men decided to hold a get together of vintage cars, lorries, buses, and tractors behind the New Inn at Church Knowle.

Out of this was born The Purbeck Rally and Auto Jumble ably led by Ken Ford, Fred Simson, Fred Fancy and others. The rally grew in size and moved about the Purbecks, Corfe castle, East Holme and Ridge before setting at Manor Farm Worgret courtesy of The Baggs Family.

So please come along on the 8th-9th -10th of August and help in celebrating 51 years of the show.

Our Patron Pete Lovell one of the original group has been a great help over the years.

We have a great selection of arena events this year. This year a first for us we are having the dodgems bumper Cars on site. Dorset horse logging. Displays from Extreme falconry. Urban displays. Something for all the family to enjoy.

Not forgetting all of our trade stalls, fantastic displays in our craft tent. Some fantastic food vendors and to wash it all down a fantastic beet tent.

We have evening entertainment Friday and Saturday, tickets for Saturday evening will need to be purchased separately.

Don’t forget our car boot sale held on Sunday 10th starting at 9am. So come on everybody dig out all your old bits and pieces and turn them into cash!

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

25, 26 July at 19:00 | 24 July at 14:00

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

Summer Living

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

Sport

Ladies score first hard-ball victory

SWANAGE Women’s cricketers looked set for another near miss when Winton needed just 11 to win with four wickets in hand.

But that was before a remarkable four wickets in 10 balls, which saw Swanage snatch victory.

Hannah Attride took the final two wickets after Lily Wood (4-28) had taken two in the previous over.

Batting first, Swanage got off to a positive start with opening pair Jo Roberts-Miller (11) and Attride (8).

The third wicket partnership of 77 was crucial with Safia Nadaf scoring 24, including a huge six, and Wood piling on the runs, scoring her maiden 50 and ending on 73 not out with 14 fours.

A flurry of wickets as Swanage chased late runs, saw them finish on 154-6 after their 20 overs.

Bowling, Wood got Swans off to the perfect start with two wickets in her first over before Mamta Kothiyal (75) swung the match the visitor’s way.

Faye Stacey (1-26) and Nadaf bowled well, and the game turned once Eden Crook bowled Kothiyal with the score at 122.

Winton edged towards victory but the game ended dramatically when Niamh McKeown took the vital catch to remove Winton’s final batter, giving Swanage a maiden, hard-ball victory by four runs.

n THE 2ndXI played host to unbeaten league leaders, Winton, in their latest Division 4 clash.

For once, the captain won a crucial toss and elected to bat on a beautiful ‘deck’ at Day’s Park. The hosts recovered from the

loss of two early wickets thanks to a 77-run partnership between two of their most in-form players, Steve Ramsay – who has been a revelation at the top of the order, and Sam Wells –for whom a half-century is surely just around the corner.

When Wells was dismissed for an enterprising 36, Craig Wells joined Ramsay in another quick-fire half-century stand, keeping up the innings’ momentum.

But when they departed in quick succession – Ramsay for 69, with 12 boundaries, mainly through the covers, and Wells with an excellent cameo for 26, the hosts stuttered against excellent seam bowling to 162-7, after being 151-3 at one stage.

However, thanks to exquisite batting by Michael Barry – 27 not out – the hosts reached 191 all out.

In reply, the visitors were soon under pressure due to Ryan Stearn’s excellent swing bowling, losing three early wickets, but despite this they rebuilt and at 96-3 were well-placed to reach their target. However, the game changed dramatically with the introduction of the host’s in-form off-spinner, Andrew

competitive division.

n THE 3rdXI travelled to play a powerful Chalke Valley side in Division 5. Despite the best efforts of Mike Gould and Bradley Bulpitt, in particular, the hosts amassed a huge 274-5 from their 39 overs.

In reply, the visitor’s top order batted beautifully against hostile seam bowling with George Taylor making 35 and Geoff Willcocks finishing undefeated on 49, but the stand-out performer was Josh Gould who remained unbeaten on 70, with 10 boundaries, to ensure the visitors reached a respectable 198-2 to secure maximum batting points against a very good side.

n THE 1stXI travelled to Blandford in their latest Premier Division 2 clash.

Hancock, who claimed two crucial wickets – including the visitor’s ‘star’ batsman.

The host’s debutant, Ed Howes, provided able support, as did the Barry Brothers –Jernimain and Michael – who took three and two wickets respectively, and the visitors were dismissed for just 138.

This was the host’s fourth consecutive maximum 20-point victory and saw them leapfrog the visitors at the top of a tough,

Despite the best efforts of Mike Salmon – three, both Charlie Dyke and Freddie Long – two, Harry Long and Ethan Stacey – one each – all taking wickets, the hosts posted 321 from their 58 overs.

In response, the visitor’s innings never got going in the face of ferocious bowling from the host’s opening pair and were shot out for just 91 with the only real resistance coming from Sam Marks and Stacey.

Last speaker in has mixed with greats

THE last speaker of Dorset Cricket Society’s season was renowned cricket journalist and writer, David Frith.

Born in London in 1937, he went to Australia in 1949 where he played cricket for Paddington, Sydney.

Back in the UK, he became editor of The Cricketer, later setting up Wisden Cricket Monthly.

David moved in the circles of the cricketing greats and became a friend of Ian Botham.

He was indebted to John Arlott for helping his career.

In a lively question and answer session, David was asked about the difference between English and Australian cricketers.

In his opinion, Australian players progress purely on ability, whereas in England the class system and public schools have a much greater influence on whether a player is successful.

The society will be back for their 23rd season of weekly meetings on Thursday, October 9, at 1.45pm, at Hurn Bridge Sports & Social Club in Christchurch.

Swanage Women had their first hard-ball victory against Winton

Big weights as youngsters feel the heat

by Graham Howard

DDAS junior secretary

10 juniors from Dorchester and District Angling Society fished on Hillview Lake at the prestigious Todber Manor in the sixth round of the points championship.

Even though the temperature was a blistering 28 degrees, they all managed to catch plenty of carp.

In an event where silverfish

did not count, a few guest catfish ‘kittens’ made an appearance to add a bit of variety to the day.

Shelter and ice-cold water were on hand should anyone need it, but the youngsters all fished through until the end at 3pm.

Third on the day was Kenzie Toulson with a personal best

weight of 124lb 9oz. A little way ahead came Alfie Ellis in second with 140lb 5oz, also a personal best.

But runaway winner was Austin Scott-Kennedy with 166lb 6oz.

Josh Roe still leads the championship with 113 points from Scott-Kennedy, now on 93 points, while Ellis slipped to third on 91 points.

The next event is a coaching session at Luckfield Lake on Saturday, July 5.

For more information about DDAS Juniors, go to www. ddasjuniors.co.uk, or contact the junior secretary at juniors. sec@d-das.com.

For club and membership information go to www.d-das. com.

Two out of three for Power Gym

THREE boxers from the Purbeck Power Gym were in action in a tournament in Portsmouth.

Ashley Cannon, 21, from Wareham, kept his guard high against a taller opponent and moved well to work his opponent’s body.

He seemed to be the clear winner but did not get the decision.

Lloyd Crisp, 18, from

BOXING

Swanage is improving with every fight and was a comfortable winner on points over three rounds.

Jack Buchanan, 19, from Swanage, came up against an opponent seemingly intent on wrestling him to the canvas before the referee intervened to declare Jack the winner by a disqualification.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

Gill Burns final win

THE Twin Counties (Dorset and Wiltshire) beat Sussex at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in the final of the Gill Burns County Championship.

Dorset & Wilts held a 15-10 advantage with just seconds left in their first final appearance but their opponents scored an unconverted try to tie the scores.

But Dorset & Wilts stole the win in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out 2-0.

Lesson in using lifesaving device

DORSET County FA welcomed volunteers from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DASAA) to share CPR and defibrillator training with staff, teaching that ‘bystanders can be lifesavers’.

John Bizzell and Sue Galden gave some staff a refresher and for others the confidence to be able to help someone when they need it.

FOOTBALL

Dorset FA finance officer, Anne-Marie Clark, said: “The training was great, well communicated and we highly recommend it to other clubs, organisations, schools and groups.”

Anne-Marie added: “In our rural county, the demand for DASSA is growing.

“It is an important charity,

relying heavily on fundraising from the public to ensure that it can continue providing critical care.

“It is something that really hit home for us at the DCFA as we recently had an air ambulance attend the County Ground.

“Sadly, the outcome was not as we had hoped, however, it highlighted to us again how essential the

service that this charity provides is.”

Dorset FA is now encouraging others to book a session or attend another session held at the County Ground in Poole.

For further information, head to www.dsairambulance. org.uk/cpr-and-defibrillatorawareness-sessions-lifesupport or contact; AnneMarie.Clark@dorsetfa.com

Ashley Cannon seemed a clear winner but didn’t get the decision

Austin Scott-Kennedy came 1st with 166lb 6oz

ANGLING

Telling It Like It Is

Counting the cost of a holiday at home

LAST autumn, we went to Spain for a fortnight’s holiday. Well, actually, I had a month in the sun while Tina spent two weeks in intensive care enjoying Spain’s excellent health service. Thanks indeed to the EHIC card, which saw us through with no arguments! Fortunately, Tina recovered, and we all lived happily ever after. Until we started to consider our 2025 holiday. It was clear that once again, there would be three of us on the plane. Tina, me and the insurance company. And guess who wanted the best seats?

Once we’d picked ourselves up off the floor, we decided that this year we’d try a UK holiday for a change. And the insurance company could fend for itself. So, we thought we’d revisit our favourite west country haunts, North Devon and the surrounding areas. Four nights in Lynton and four nights in King Arthur’s country at Tintagel. Two weeks in sunny Spain would have worked out cheaper, even with the insurance company tagging along. Gosh. Now we understand why people say they can’t afford to holiday in the UK. Because if they’re normal elderly people like us, they can’t.

Two four-night hotel stays in medium-rate hotels. Nothing flash. 14 meals out. £100 worth of diesel. Plus drinks, snacks,

visits and entrance fees. More than £2,000 in total. Plus, the cat-sitters to look after Luka and Skye and keep the garden watered. Thank goodness we don’t have young children to entertain.

I think we’d have enjoyed our holiday more if the skies had been blue rather than grey. And if we’d sunbathed rather than worn our warm outdoor clothing. But at least we enjoyed each other’s company most of the time and saw some beautiful Devon and Cornwall countryside. I learned a lot about how it feels to be a ‘grockle’.

Hotel restaurants seem to close much earlier than they did. Meaning no evening meal in some cases and fish ’n’ chips in

of all levels should be in place this autumn.

The organisers have chosen King Ramps, a top name in skatepark construction, which has been picked to deliver phase one of the new facility, with a design including most of the features requested in the recent public user consultation.

A further Community Design consultation day is being held at the skatepark in King George playing field on Saturday (July 12) between noon-3pm, where users and potential users can view the design and share their thoughts with Kings Ramps, to help them design the layout of the new equipment.

others. Unfriendly bar staff in some pubs, outright hostility in others. Cleanliness in some pubs, the opposite in many more. Cornwall, in particular, seems to have an attitude all its own. If we hadn’t paid for accommodation upfront through Booking.com, I may have called it a day and come back to Purbeck.

But as we discovered on a UK holiday weekend earlier in the year, Booking.com appears to be a one-way trip – if you can find someone at the end of a phone to take a late cancellation and find a better hotel, then give me the number! Once you have checked into a hotel and found it well below expectations, there’s no way to recover the money and book somewhere cleaner.

So, here we are, back home in beautiful Purbeck. Appreciating our lovely home and garden. And cats. And friends. And looking forward to getting back to my afternoon show on Purbeck Sounds.

FUNDRAISERS for the Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) have raised their initial target of £75,000 – the necessary equipment for riders

This is a great opportunity to get involved, to help with the design and make sure the new park reflects the needs of those who will use it. Once started, there can be no ‘second thoughts’ so please – if you or your children use the park – do your very best to attend. You can stay in and wash your hair another day…

Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) came up with plans for a multi-party redevelopment of the park – ageing equipment had to be removed in 2022, leaving the skatepark site only partially usable and less interesting for riders. And leaving the more sceptical among us wondering if it would ever come back. But thanks to a great crowdfunding effort from Swanage, plus contributions from our impoverished town council, from the Talbot Village Trust and the Valentine Trust, it is all set to go ahead.

SSCP is already working on raising funds for the second phase, with £12,000 raised so far and more grant applications ongoing. Its aim is to continue installing new and exciting equipment and thus get more people to use the ramps, and that this in turn will result in more new members and bring a positive effect on the mental and physical health of the town‘s youngsters. This is why Saturday, July 12, is so important.

David Hollister spent four nights in Lynton and Lynmouth in north Devon – above – and four nights in Tintagel in Cornwall but reckons two weeks in Spain would have been cheaper by David Hollister

Child poverty – time to act

AS the headteacher of a secondary school in Bournemouth, working with inspirational colleagues, I was only too aware that many of our students were coming to school hungry. Setting up a breakfast club – and catering in-house –made a real difference. Attendance and attainment improved. Hungry children are unable to learn and thrive.

I retired in 2011. My former colleagues tell me there are still hungry children in their classrooms. The National Education Union’s No Child Left Behind Campaign is fighting to break down the barriers poverty puts up around education. According to figures released by the DWP in 2024, 4.5 million children in the UK are growing up in poverty. This equates to nine pupils in an average class of 30, or 31% of all children nationally.

A 2025 NEU survey showed that 69% of school support staff

and 59% of teachers had seen students showing signs of hunger in their schools. The Trusell Trust in 2024 calculated that nearly three million children in the UK were ‘facing hunger and hardship’. Polling carried out by YouGov for Barnardos revealed nearly one million children in 2025 try to sleep at night with no bed of their own. In Dorset, one in six children were living in poverty in 2023. The House of Commons Constituency Dashboard pinpoints areas in South Dorset where levels of absolute and relative child poverty exceeded 30% in 2023/24.

showed that 92% of those polled felt that reducing levels of poverty should be a priority for the Labour Government. Polling carried out for the Office of Gordon Brown in May 2025 found that 75% of people believe child poverty to be ‘morally wrong’.

In July 2024, Keir Starmer announced the creation of the Child Poverty Taskforce. Its aim, according to Gov.UK, is ‘to improve children’s lives now and address the root causes of child poverty in the long term’. To date, the Taskforce has met more than 160 organisations.

indeed what the Taskforce will recommend. Sure Start Centres, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, had a ‘remarkably long-lasting impact’ on the children who had access to them. They were – in Lloyd’s words – ‘hugely effective’ in what they did to improve the health and educational attainment of those children.

Polling indicates strong support for action to be taken to tackle poverty in the UK, especially child poverty. Polling carried out for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2025

South Dorset Labour MP Lloyd Hatton told me he is pushing ‘behind the scenes’ for the Taskforce to recommend the return of Sure Start. The Guardian recently reported that it ‘understands’ that this is

Driving value for Dorset

IT is no secret that local government finances are under immense strain, and there is no pot of gold in sight. Local authorities are generally funded through taxes – for Dorset, that’s 99% council tax and business rates, limited income raising powers – for example, car parks, leisure facilities, rent from council assets – and some limited central government funding.

Therefore, with rising costs, especially in the adults’ and children’s care sectors – which now accounts for more than 60% of Dorset Council’s budget – we need to find a way to make money go further to continue to deliver statutory services; fund ambitious plans for critical areas – for example, affordable housing – and continue to support the residents

of Dorset most in need, including ongoing cost of living support, with which, in the last year, Dorset Council has supported hundreds of people through its £2 million initiatives – for example, homelessness prevention, energysaving home adaptions and foodbank grants.

In my Cabinet role at Dorset Council, I lead the council’s internal drive for efficiency and to deliver value for money to the residents of Dorset. We are undertaking an internal programme of work focused in some key areas: Consolidating and streamlining the internal processes required to deliver Dorset Council’s 400-plus

services.

Better use of existing technology and harnessing new technologies including AI, which will free up officer time to continue to support residents who need it most.

Ensuring we manage properly our third party commercial relationships. Alongside this programme, each of the council’s departments will continue to run their own service improvement initiatives with a focus on delivering the best value for Dorset’s residents and maintaining levels of service.

Delivering this change can be hard, often requires tradeoffs and is rarely universally

The coming of austerity after 2010 went hand in hand with the closure of 3,600 centres by 2018. One of the centres closed was in Swanage. As Gordon Brown wrote recently in The Guardian, David Cameron and George Osbourne’s decisions ‘are still casting a dark shadow’. The last Labour Government lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. Now, surely, is the time to do so again.

CHRIS BRADEY Swanage and Purbeck Labour

popular! There is no DOGE quick fix – proper transformation takes time and effort.

The fact that the US government failed at its objective within the first four months is testament to the fact that just stripping away at services that the latest political elite don’t value does not deliver sustainable financial security. UK councils which wish to attempt this will likely fall to the same fate, which is why Dorset has deliberately avoided this path.

We will continue to work hard to make the changes necessary to continue to deliver value for money for Dorset’s residents.

BEN WILSON Lib Dem councillor for South East Purbeck Ward

Ben Wilson

Chris Bradey

Across

8 Lacking advanced coaching for cooking Italian food (7)

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

9 Learner with lack of difficulty getting contract for term (5)

10 Sound of calm in musical work (5)

11 Western Republican taking in Arab port, martial type (7)

12 Film about fashionable circle with drawing of images? (12)

16 Polite matron mistaken about a big city? (12)

Killer Sudoku Pro

20 A number with line penned by guitarist, abnormal phenomenon (7)

23 Head working with charge (5)

Down

1 Opening in Austria and Spain for feast (5)

2 Home was altered over time to a degree

3 Treat favourably expert point about Cuba

4 Inspection that is taking place in Volkswagen (4)

5 Hymn about love a girl arranged (6)

6 Revolutionary religion rejecting society in African country (4)

7 Withdraw extremists from rule over region

13 Blunder largely showing sentimentality (3)

14 Most burdensome struggles in warm condition (8)

24 Small shoot to appear with no end of rain (5)

25 Unusual prude’s detaining soprano in masquerade (5,2)

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 Declaration by dinosaur, maybe, in stalemate (7)

17 Ohio with set of mountains producing fruit

18 Island more attuned for chemical substance (6)

19 Foolish writer held up during appeal (5)

1 Opening in Austria and Spain for feast (5) 2 Home was altered over time to a degree (8)

21 Brutish type restrained by progressives

22 Odd day about old Star Wars character

Treat favourably expert point about Cuba (6) 4 Inspection that is taking place in Volkswagen (4) 5 Hymn about love a girl arranged (6)

6 Revolutionary religion rejecting society in African country (4)

7 Withdraw extremists from rule over region (7) 13 Blunder largely showing sentimentality (3)

14 Most burdensome struggles in warm condition (8)

15 Declaration by dinosaur, maybe, in stalemate (7)

17 Ohio with set of mountains producing fruit (6)

18 Island more attuned for chemical substance (6)

19 Foolish writer held up during appeal (5)

21 Brutish type restrained by progressives (4)

22 Odd day about old Star Wars character (4)

2

PHOTO: Robin Boultwood

Meditations in nature: From the mountains of Morocco

by Susanna Curtin

I AM sat at 2,500 metres above sea level in the High Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco. Above me is the clearest blue sky you can imagine, and below me, fine layers of cloud that hang between the mountain folds, shrouding the valleys and hillsides strewn with Aleppo pines and Atlas cedar. In the distance, the tall summits of this colourful mountain range grace the skyline in misty blue-grey layers – the last remains of the winter snow nestling in their crevices. It would be totally silent were it not for the songs of the alpine birds and the winds that speed through the mountain passes.

It is 30 years since I last visited Morocco. A lifetime for me, but just a moment for these ancient peaks that separate the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean Sea. Although I have been into the Rif mountains of northern Morocco, I have always wanted to visit the High Atlas, as these are the most enigmatic and captivating range and a haven for biodiversity given their lush valleys, alpine meadows, rugged cliffs and unique geology. And now, after all these years, here I am, slightly older but even more passionate about the natural world.

There are three ranges of the Atlas Mountains in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The Mid, High and Anti-Atlas. Together they form a backbone from the north to the south of

Morocco, and from their most northerly point stretch for 1,600 miles into neighbouring Algeria. The High Atlas range begins close to the Atlantic coast in Agadir, forming a barrier between a milder coastal climate and the harsh, arid conditions of the Sahara. The purpose of my trip is not to scale their lofty summits but to record the butterflies, birds and flowers of the alpine meadows that lie in the shadow of Jbel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest mountain at 4,167 metres. I will also be visiting the ski region of Oukaimeden, the eastern edge of the Toklan massif, the hiking centre of Imlil and the Nfis river valley.

What strikes me most about these mountains is not just their imposing size but the different colours of rocks and shales, which are a combination of russet red, ochres, pale greens and granites. It reminds me of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight, where, as children, we took home objects filled with different coloured layers of sand collected from the colourful cliffs. Similarly, the High Atlas are mostly comprised of sedimentary rocks including

Health & Wellbeing

sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates from the Triassic and Jurassic periods. But during the Cambrian rift, when the tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust split apart to form the continents we have today, volcanic activity forced up swathes of intrusive volcanic igneous rocks such as granite and quartz, as well as metamorphic rocks, such as schist, that have been altered from their original form by the intense heat and pressure within the Earth’s crust.

The Earth is made up of several layers – the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core. The rigid outer layer of our planet is known as the lithosphere and is composed of both the crust and the uppermost part of the Earth’s mantle. The lithosphere is not a solid shell. Instead, it contains seven major tectonic plates. A collision between the African and Eurasian plates was how the Atlas Mountains were originally born, and their continued convergence means that Morocco is a country sadly prone to earthquakes.

In fact, the area in which I am travelling was at the epicentre of the 2023 earthquake that devastated the remote mountain communities in this part of Morocco. 3,000 people lost their lives and a further 5,500 were injured in

the magnitude 6.8 tremor and subsequent aftershocks in September 2023. Old buildings crumbled and the devastation it caused is still strewn in these rugged, hard to reach hillsides and valleys. Driving along the mountain roads, the red and green scree and sandstones of the hillside are so ‘crumbly’, it is no wonder the damage the earthquake caused.

Despite this violent geological history and harsh environment, people and nature seem to thrive here. Compact mountain villages are linked with roads and power, yet despite the modernity around them, life has remained largely unchanged for centuries in these traditional Berber or Amazigh communities who still maintain ancient practices, such as the communal management of pastures and plants, the traditional methods of irrigation, and the seasonal movements of people and their animals between geographical or climatic regions. Perhaps it is this subsistence farming and grazing that have helped to maintain the colourful alpine meadows that are rich with orchids, poppies and alpine flowers. Gathering my rucksack and camera, I leave this lofty viewpoint to continue my Moroccan adventure.

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

The clearest blue sky in the High Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco PHOTOS: Susanna Curtin

Health & Wellbeing

The inner critic isn’t the truth-teller

by Kay Parkinson

MOST of us know the voice well. It’s the one that pipes up after a difficult conversation or a long day, pointing out what we should have said, how we came across or what we failed to do. It doesn’t shout all the time. Sometimes it whispers. Often, it chatters on in the background like an unwelcome radio.

For a long time, I mistook that voice for the truth. I thought it was the part of me that kept me grounded, that pushed me to do better and try harder. However, what I’ve come to realise, both personally and professionally, is that this inner critic isn’t a reliable narrator. It’s not necessarily bad, but it is stuck.

The critic is a part of us that formed to protect and defend, often in response to shame, fear or rejection. It learned to keep us in line so we wouldn’t feel that pain again. It believes that if we just get it right, if we’re quiet enough, nice enough, capable enough, then we’ll finally be safe. So, it uses the only tools it knows – like judgement, control and perfectionism.

It’s important to know, though, that this kind of protection isn’t the same as care. The critic’s voice may be loud, but it’s not necessarily wise. Its tone is often harsh and urgent because it has forgotten how to speak kindly. The problem is, criticism rarely creates lasting change. It chips

DORSET FOOT CLINIC

The inner critic’s voice may be loud but not necessarily wise

away at our confidence and disconnects us from our deeper sense of worth. That’s where a different approach is needed, one rooted in encouragement, not fear.

As the days become longer and dare I say warmer, it’s a good moment to ask what kind of community we’re building, not just the one around us, but the one within. Are we nurturing a mindset that punishes and pressures, or one that uplifts and honours? We can shift our mindset and move from an inner critic to an inner coach. Where the critic says, ‘you’re not good enough’, the coach asks, ‘what support do you need?’. Where the critic points out what went wrong, the coach helps you reflect, learn and move forward.

n Notice when your inner critic shows up. What does it say? How does it make you feel?

n Thank it – yes, really. It’s trying to protect you.

n Invite the coach in. Ask: ‘What would an encouraging voice say right now?’ or ‘how can I honour what I need instead of punish myself?’. We build inner community the same way we build outer community, with kindness, trust and practice. Over time, your critic will become your coach, cheering you on.

Try this simple practice:

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.

Stuck in the past: How Honeysuckle could help

by Fiona Chapman

THE scent of honeysuckle is in the air wherever I walk. It is the smell of summer and warm days, and just so evocative of happy memories. I am trying to grow lots in my garden, with middling success. This year one of the plants has been overrun by aphids and is struggling to survive. I refuse to use any pesticides or weedkiller in the garden – much to my husband’s annoyance – so I just have to hope it will overcome the attack. It is not looking promising, sadly.

Honeysuckle is one of the

Bach Flower remedies, and not surprisingly, given that it reminds me of summer, it is for those who are stuck in the past and cannot move forward. It is for people who cannot or do not want to accept change and always hark back to the past and so-called ‘happier’ times. These people need to be able to come to the present and to move on. Life is continually changing and presenting new challenges, sadnesses and delights, and those in the negative honeysuckle state cannot live in the moment, let alone look to the future. If in a positive

honeysuckle state, it means you can live and learn from the past while enjoying life as it is.

Honeysuckle is good for those who are grieving and cannot get over the loss, for the homesick or those with regrets. It can also be taken if people glorify the past and think the world was so much better then. A couple of drops under the tongue or in water will gently bring you back to the present.

I was recently glancing at an article about end-of-life regrets

and one of the main ones was holding onto grudges, which I thought was very powerful. So often, holding onto grudges only hurts the person holding onto it, the other person may be unaware or just not care. So, for our own sakes, it is much better to let go and forgive or understand, and a little bit of honeysuckle might just help the whole process.

n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com).

Insurer donates to hospital charity

THE Dorset County Hospital Charity has received a donation of £7,899 from NFU Mutual after being nominated by the rural insurer’s Dorchester branch for a share of its Agency Giving Fund.

NFU Mutual launched the national £2.33 million fund –now in its sixth year – to help local frontline charities.

More than 280 offices nationwide can nominate good causes.

The donation via the Dorchester office will contribute to Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

The appeal will help fund facilities and equipment for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, currently under construction.

The Agency Giving Fund is

part of NFU Mutual’s £4m funding pledge for local and national charities in 2025.

Matt Uren, partner at NFU Mutual’s Dorchester Agency, said: “This is the fourth year of our partnership with Dorset County Hospital Charity.

“It’s a charity that’s close to all of us in the business – and to our customers and members – and it’s a charity we feel very proud to be able to support.”

“Agency Giving Fund is to support local frontline charities who are providing essential services to people in our community, and our agency felt that Dorset County Hospital Charity was a very deserving cause to champion.”

Head of Dorset County Hospital Charity, Simon Pearson, said: “We are so pleased to receive this latest

In the picture (from left) Matt Uren and Peter Galloway, from NFU Mutual, and Simon Pearson of the DCH Charity, at the cheque presentation outside NFU Mutual headquarters in Dorchester

donation from NFU Mutual.

“In total they have donated £20,851 to the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.

“Support from local businesses is so important to enable us to fundraise for this

essential service at Dorset County Hospital, which will benefit everyone in our local community.

“We are very thankful for their ongoing generous support.”

Honeysuckle is the smell of summer and warm days

Food & Drink

Feast of food and drink at castle

THE National Trust team at Corfe Castle is looking forward to hosting this year’s Love It Local Food and Drink Festival this weekend.

The castle grounds will become home to a celebration of local produce, showcasing food and drink sourced from across the Isle of Purbeck, along with live music and Purbeck Sounds Radio broadcasting across the weekend.

Stalls can be explored within the outer bailey of the castle with the aim of catering to every taste while providing a scenic backdrop.

Visitors can also explore the ruins and take part in the family quest, Flight of the Castle, to discover the birds that call Corfe Castle home.

A selection of artisan foods and homemade snacks will be on offer, including cheeses, chutneys, sauces, jams, honey and savoury bites.

There will also be small batch botanical liqueurs, cider, rum and coffee, as well as paella, Thai dishes, curries, burgers and a fishmonger.

Those with a sweet tooth can treat themselves to ice cream, jams, brownies, shortbread and

Campaigners give thumbs up to free school meals move

MORE than half a million more children will become eligible for free school meals after the Government announced it will extend access to all children in households in receipt of Universal Credit from the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

At present, the threshold for pupils in England is £7,400 after tax and before benefits, a level that has not changed since its introduction in April 2018.

The move is expected to help lift about 100,000 children out of poverty.

The move has been welcomed by the Children’s Food Campaign, led by Sustain, the UK alliance for better food and farming.

Dog friendly cafe Tues-Sun 10-5

We have a varied menu from pasties, an all day breakfast bap with our own homemade sausages or our ever popular quiches. A good selection of coffees and Dorset teas with a generous offering of homemade cakes. Soft serve or Marshfields ice cream.

Campaign manager, Barbara Crowther, said: “Children who eat a healthy hot lunch are better set up to learn well.

“Children who learn well are better equipped to earn well.

“This is actually a very sound investment in our future workforce, the nation’s health and our economy.

“We are thrilled that the Government is listening to the growing calls of parents, pupils, teachers, health professionals to say yes to healthy school food for all.

“This move takes England a huge step forward to our long-term vision of a universal

LENCTENBURY FARM

SOLDIER’S RD NORDEN. BH20 5DU

(Opposite the Halfway pub)

We will be opening for pick your own blackcurrants and blueberries from early July on Sunday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 5pm. Card punnets available or bring your own container Hartland Stud, Soldiers Road, Wareham BH20 5DU thekitchen.hartland@outlook.com

much more.

An arts and crafts marquee will house gifts made from wood, driftwood and sea glass, and art prints, greeting cards, homewares, garden textiles, parasols and locally made jewellery.

Local authors and knifesharpening services complete the line-up.

Eoin McDowell, experience and visitor programming manager, said: “Purbeck has some of the best artisan businesses around, and we can’t wait for the vibrant, fun atmosphere the food and drink

festival brings.”

Malcolm Lewis-Fry, at Love It Local, said: “Corfe Castle is the perfect place to host incredible food and drink produce from across the Isle of Purbeck.

“Come along to enjoy a great atmosphere, fantastic food, lively music and brilliant views.”

The Love It Local Food and Drink Festival runs on Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, 10am-5pm.

Normal admission charges apply, with free entry for National Trust members.

healthy school meals programme which ends the lunchtime means-testing of our children altogether, and which works so brilliantly in many other countries.

“We would also love to see this expansion of school meal access accompanied by a solid commitment to ensure adequate funding to support sustainable, healthy procurement – from farmers’ fields to pupils’ plates.

“We hope the new crossgovernment food strategy will be able to build on this huge opportunity to create a win-win for pupils, producers and the planet.”

Children’s food parent ambassador Mandy Mazliah, a mum to three children who also teaches cookery and healthy eating, said: “As a parent, I’m thrilled the Government is

extending free school meals to families on Universal Credit.

“This is such a huge step forward - every child deserves a proper, nutritious meal to help them focus and learn, play and enjoy their school day.

“I’d love to see the Government go even further to improve the quality of food offered to children, especially in secondary schools where the options can be really hit or miss.

“Our children deserve meals that are also nutritious and appealing.

“We also need a comprehensive food education programme within schools, helping pupils of all ages learn where food comes from and how it grows, how to prepare and cook food, and how to make good choices that support their health now and in the future.”

All children in households in receipt of Universal Credit will soon be entitled to free school meals PHOTO: Sustain

543,464 shades of grey: Brits’ favourite car colour

IN what could be interpreted as a reflection of the current climate, the most popular colour for new cars bought in the UK is grey.

The colour was the most popular in 2024, for the seventh year running, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Grey accounted for 27.8% of all new car registrations last year – its highest ever share – with 543,464 grey cars hitting British roads, a 6.7% increase from 2023.

And in an equally dour result, black was the second most popular colour, followed by blue, which rose to third place – its first appearance in the top three since 2010.

The top three colour choices made up 64.5% of all new cars registered in the UK in 2024.

White dropped to fourth place, falling by 7.2%, while red held steady in fifth place but

saw a 4.1% decline, reaching its lowest market share since 2003.

The results are not through a lack of choice, the data showed, with 93 colours available across different models.

For the more adventurous, green and yellow both saw increases, rising by 27.7% and 0.5% respectively.

At the other end of the spectrum, pink, maroon and turquoise vehicles together accounted for just 747 registrations.

Grey was also the most popular choice among electric car drivers, while black topped the poll for executive cars and white was the most popular choice in the multi-purpose vehicle sector.

Across the UK, the preference for grey cars was consistent in every region and county, with black being the second most popular colour in most areas, except for the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands,

Black and blue followed in second and third places

where white claimed the second spot.

Top 10 car colours in the UK in 2024 and the number of vehicles registered: Grey, 543,464; Black, 423,397; Blue, 291,928; White, 291,629; Red, 136,371; Silver, 122,473; Green, 68,230; Yellow, 11,944; Orange, 10,754; Bronze, 5,526.

A guide on therapy firm Better Help’s website suggests some meanings associated with colours which could influence our vehicle choices.

Grey is often perceived as chic, modern and stylish. Grey can indicate a balanced, intelligent personality who is a good problem solver. In some cases, grey is associated with technology, social media and modern solutions.

Black can indicate power, creativity, elegance and sexuality.

White often signals purity,

birth and innocence. Preferring white can also mean that you are organised, independent and logical.

Red often symbolises intense desire, passion and aggression. If your favourite is red, you may be someone who is driven, adventurous and active.

Blue symbolises peace and tranquillity. If your preference is the colour blue, you could be perceived as a calm, trustworthy, loyal, reliable person and a great friend. Blue is also thought to promote unity and safety.

Green can represent nature, signal good luck, fertility and rebirth, as well as embody physical fulfilment. If you prefer green, others may view you as loyal, composed and independent, with a strong connection to personal wellbeing and a balanced lifestyle.

Drivers’ high speeds on local roads

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

drivers travelling in excess of 140mph.

While most of these contraventions were on 70mph motorway stretches, this wasn’t always the case.

More than half of police forces (23, or 58%) recorded

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.

Home & Garden

by Sally Gregson LAVENDERS

have been part of our domestic lives in this country since we started gardening. They are native of the Mediterranean region with silver-grey leaves and aromatic flowers that relish the hot, dry climate.

Their very name is associated with ‘laundry’ and washing clothes – the words have the same Latin root. For centuries we have tied bunches of lavender flowers, or put lavender bags between the washed sheets, not only to scent the linen, but to preserve the sheets from the attentions of moths and mould.

Over the years, gardeners have selected the best forms, with the largest, most highly

Lavender for the laundry and the garden Making more plants

by Sally Gregson

MANY of our best-loved herbs are not native to our cold, damp climate – they come from the hot, dry areas around the Mediterranean. And they particularly dislike our wet winters, so wise gardeners take cuttings or collect seed as an insurance policy.

Lavenders were introduced centuries ago by the Romans and must have been reproduced by seed or cuttings. Usually, it is advised to take these cuttings in September, but they are just as easily, and often more successful, taken in midsummer. The snag this year especially is that the current hot, dry weather is not ideal for taking cuttings. If our heatwave

scented flowers. Lavenders such as Lavandula angustifolia ‘Seal’ were selected by a commercial laundry in the eponymous Kentish village for its long stems and big ears of flower. Lavender heads were picked in the morning before the flowers were fully open and bunched and tied just below the heads with thread. The stems were bent back down to enclose the flowers in a cage of stems and tied together. The ‘bag’ was then tied up with ribbon and placed among the linen.

In traditional gardens, English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, was preferred to the alternative French Lavender, L. stoechas, which is less tolerant of our wet English winters. In the days before

glasshouses were more commonplace, a wet winter would decimate a collection of lavenders growing in the open ground.

French lavender, Lavandula stoechas, is well worth taking the extra trouble to grow. It has big ears and is perfumed of eau de cologne rather than traditional lavender. And it has a wider colour range than English lavenders. Not only are they available in every shade of lavender possible, but there are also white, pink and regal

purple forms to delight a sunny garden. Lavandula stoechas ‘Rosea Kew Red’, is especially striking, for example. It has bright white petals like hovering butterflies, over dark magenta flowers.

Lavandula stoechas is happy grown in a large pot all summer. It could be moved into the shelter of a cold greenhouse for the winter, just to keep it from drowning. Cut it back in spring and move it outside to a sunny place for another summer.

should fade away noisily in flashes of thunder, as soon as possible before the next one, take some lavender cuttings. They should root quickly and the resulting young plants will have grown sufficiently to be potted up before October. Choose non-flowering shoots if possible. Flowering plants always prefer to reproduce by seed at the expense of roots. Take cuttings of the current year’s growth that are about 10-15cm long. Nip out the tips that would contain flower buds if they could. Plant hormones that make flower rather than root will be contained in the shoot tips.

Remove the leaves at the base of the cutting where they

would contact the compost and dip the prepared cutting in hormone rooting powder. Tap off the excess and insert the cuttings into a pot filled with a 50:50 mixture of grit and potting compost. Water the cuttings in to settle the soil around the stems. Label the pot with the name, number of cuttings and date taken, and place somewhere cool out of the sun. Beneath the greenhouse bench is ideal.

Check daily to see if the cuttings have rooted and remove any that are clearly dead. After a week or so, once they have started to root, gradually take the pot out and slowly give the cuttings more light and air. If they have rooted well by

It is often advised to take lavender cuttings in September, but they are just as easily, and often more successfully, taken in mid-summer

September they can be potted up into small, 9cm pots of gritty compost, and put somewhere light and airy, and frost-free. They should have made good plants by next spring ready to plant out.

A lavender field in Provence. French lavender is less tolerant than its English counterpart of our wet winters

How cuttings can help a garden grow

NOW is the perfect time to grow your garden with new plants, and it is easy to create more plants free of charge by taking cuttings.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your garden, propagating from cuttings is a straightforward way to fill your beds, borders and containers with favourites such as salvias, penstemons, fuchsias, pelargoniums and a host of other seasonal stars.

The team at British Garden Centres share how you can grow from cuttings to increase the number of plants in your garden.

Always use clean, sharp tools to take your cuttings, and try to do this in the morning when the plants are full of moisture.

Salvias are a brilliant plant to start taking cuttings from. Salvias are known and loved for their colourful, nectar-rich flowers that are a magnet for bees and butterflies, and they root readily from softwood cuttings at this time of year. Look for healthy, non-flowering shoots and snip off a piece about 10cm long. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting powder if you have some, and pop it into a pot of moist, gritty compost. Keep the pot in a warm, bright spot out of direct sun and you’ll soon see roots forming, creating a new young salvia plant for you.

Penstemons are another excellent candidate for taking

cuttings from. These cottage garden favourites are renowned for their long flowering period and come in a range of colours to suit any garden setting. Like salvias, they’re easy to propagate from softwood cuttings in early summer. Take a shoot just below a leaf joint, trim away the lower leaves and place the cutting in compost. Keep the compost damp and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity while the roots develop for your new plants.

Fuchsias are popular for their pendant blooms and are a staple for summer containers and hanging baskets, coming in both upright and trailing plants. They are very simple to propagate by choosing a healthy shoot, cutting just below a leaf and planting in a mix of compost and perlite or sand. Place them somewhere warm and sheltered, and in a few weeks, you should see new growth—a sure sign that roots have formed.

Pelargoniums and geraniums are another favourite for summer colour, which can also be grown from cuttings. They thrive in pots and borders, and taking cuttings is a great way to keep your plants going from year to year. Unlike some other plants, pelargonium cuttings prefer a slightly drier environment, so pop the cuttings into compost, water sparingly and place them in a bright spot indoors or in a greenhouse.

EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195

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Field & Stream

Lazy days of summer: Butterflies and downland

by AJ Selby

“July is hollyhocks and hammocks, fireworks and holidays, hot and steamy weather, cool and refreshing swims, beach picnics and vegetables all out of the garden.” – Anon

I ALWAYS think of July as a lazy month, the time of year when the buzz and excitement of spring and early summer has passed, and before the rush to bring the harvest home in August and September. It’s a dreamy month of hot days, flowers hanging their heads almost in shame in the midday heat, and those all too rare warm evenings when you can sit outside until darkness in a balmy temperature at the end of a day that you never want to end.

I enjoy the cool of the woods, dappled shade and sunlit glades, where butterflies patrol the rides alternately basking and feeding at their peak time of year. Perch yourself on a stump or grassy hummock and watch as they flit, searching for open flowers, and try and identify some of the 59 species that call Britain home. A small pocketbook will help you to spot speckled wood, silverwashed fritillary and, my favourite, the scalloped-winged comma. Most people know the original yellow butter-coloured fly, the butterfly, which is the brimstone. They can also spot a red admiral with its orange, black and white body, and the peacock with its two ringlet ‘eyes’.

A number of brown species include the meadow brown, the brown argus, the ringlet and the gatekeeper. And then add in the blues like the common blue, small blue, chalkhill blue, the adonis blue and the reintroduced large blue. So, a walk will be rewarded with the identification of half a dozen or more species. The chalkhill blue takes me to my other favourite habitat of summer – downland.

True downland is one of the oldest man-made habitats, formed when trees and scrub were cleared thousands of years ago for grazing and early types of sheep and goats prevented regeneration. This resulted in a close-cropped sward which developed a variety of plants that sheep would keep tidy but not eat out. It is estimated that large acreages of traditional chalk downland were lost after the Second World War due to the intensification of agriculture, and ploughing to grow cereal crops for the nation did irreparable damage to this now rarest of habitats.

Generations of farmers had tended the downland with love and care, controlling the grass with the sheep but allowing wildflowers to thrive. It is thought that up to 45 plant species per square yard can be found on ancient downland, with the attendant insects, butterflies and birds that make up the ecosystem. What happens if the sheep are removed? The area grows longer grass, tougher plants like dock and bramble take hold and then small shrubs

like thorn and gorse get a foothold. In the long-term it will revert to scrub and then forest.

Some of the chalkland wildflowers are delightful and to lie on the soft sward on a summer’s day with the scents of wild marjoram, wild thyme and perhaps fragrant orchid is a delight. Some of the other downland plants have enchanting names – eyebright with its flowers of a curtseying lady, the delicate pink of the common centaury, the bluebellcoloured clustered bellflower, the lovely white stars of the fairy flax, the wonderfully named squinancywort, the bright yellow birds-foot trefoil, the bastard toadflax, the horseshoe vetch, ladies bedstraw and various orchids.

Lie on the downy grasses and look skywards to spot that bird of open lands – the skylark. Last month I wrote of the supreme songster, the nightingale, but the skylark is more common, albeit on the danger list and with much reduced populations in the last 50 years. The song is known by most people, and many poets and wordsmiths have tried to pen the lilting song for their readers to understand. George Meredith wrote The Lark Ascending which Ralph Vaughan Williams turned into music with the violin imitating the song. Other writers include

Richard Jeffries, that man of the north Wiltshire downland, who described it as ‘a waterfall in the sky’ and the bird also inspired Wordsworth and Shelley. The skylark isn’t the only bird of the skies with swallows and housemartins endlessly swooping and diving to feed on insects. The old saw is ‘when the swallows fly high, the weather will be dry’ indicating that the insects too exist at higher altitudes in dry spells. Higher still will fly the buzzard, effortlessly cruising on the thermals – should he drop low then a gang of corvids are likely to pester him and chase him away.

And, of course, you can’t look skyward in summer without hoping to hear the scream of swifts as they cut through the air with their scimitar wings and open mouths. Sadly, these beautiful birds are still declining and a campaign to install one ‘swift brick’ – a brick with a nesting hole – into each new build house seems to have stumbled into government red tape. There is a campaign to ensure that this happens, and if you love these birds, please look it up and support it.

And the last word – don’t forget to put water out in your garden for the birds during this hot weather.

59 species of butterfly call Britain home, including the peacock (above) with its two ringlet ‘eyes’.

by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers,

21 South Street, Wareham I’VE had a number of enquiries recently where people have inherited a beloved antique family ring but as it is either too big or too small for them to wear, the person has just kept it in a jewellery box thinking nothing could be done and that any alterations may damage the item.

largely depends on the ring’s design, materials and condition. Rings with ornate engraving, enamel work or full eternity bands – where stones encircle the entire ring – may not resize well without disrupting the design or damaging the setting.

That said, many antique rings can be resized safely – especially if the adjustment needed is minor –typically within one or two sizes.

Can you resize an antique ring? Striking Greek craftsmanship

They have been surprised when I’ve told them it may be possible to resize it so they can love wearing it.

Resizing antique rings can be done, but it requires careful consideration and the expertise of a skilled jeweller.

Antique rings – especially those from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras – often feature delicate settings, hand-crafted details and old-fashioned construction techniques that differ significantly from modern jewellery.

These factors make resizing more complex and, in some cases, risky.

The possibility of resizing

A professional jeweller experienced with antique jewellery will assess the ring carefully and use specialised techniques to preserve the integrity of the structure and design.

In some cases, a ring may be ‘sized up’ using a bridge or insert to avoid cutting the original band.

If you’re considering resizing an antique ring, always seek advice from a jeweller who specialises in antiques.

Ultimately, while resizing is possible, preserving the ring’s historical and sentimental value should always come first.

DUKE’S has been a beacon for discerning collectors for over two centuries, offering items that blend history, artistry and craftsmanship.

The upcoming Summer Interiors Auction on Thursday, July 21, features a curated selection of fine art, period furniture and decorative arts.

A highlight of the auction is an Attic BlackFigured Terracotta Amphora – pictured.

When resizing an antique ring, always go to a jeweller who specialises in antiques

Dating from the sixth to the third century BC, this exceptional amphora is a striking example of ancient Greek craftsmanship. Decorated on both sides, the vessel depicts Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, vegetation and ecstasy, accompanied by his satyr companion and tutor, Silenus, and two maenads.

Estimated at £2,000-£3,000, the piece stands in magnificent distinction.

FREE ANTIQUES VALUATION DAY

Thursday 17th July, 10am - 4pm

No appointment necessary

Swanage Railway, Railway Station Approach, BH19 1HB

Our team of expert valuers will be on hand to appraise your treasured possessions or clear-out finds, including:

Silver, Jewellery, Asian Art, Objets d’art, etc.

For convenience, we can also appraise from a photograph, scan, tablet or mobile phone image. With prices currently at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to sell any unwanted gold or silver items. We can advise on the selling process and items may be left with us on the day for future auction entry. Please note that this event has a 5 items per person limit - if you have a larger quantity of items it is much better to make an appointment to come and see us at our auction rooms near Winchester on a different day.

Business

ONE of Dorset’s top heritage tourism attractions has begun its 140th anniversary year with community support from a regional law firm.

Ellis Jones Solicitors has announced a continued partnership with the Swanage Railway Trust, a volunteer-led charity the firm has supported since 2018.

The trust runs a 10-mile steam railway line that connects Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage and generates more than £15 million in annual tourism-related income for the Purbeck economy.

Ellis Jones’s announcement comes after railway staff and volunteers held an event to celebrate the anniversary of the first passenger train to depart

from Swanage station on the route in May 1885.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers, the line was reopened a few years after it was shut by British Rail in 1972, emerging once again as a much-loved Purbeck amenity.

Ellis Jones’s support for the railway includes a range of legal advice, business services and discounts for trust team members.

The firm’s High Street, Swanage, office is just a five-minute walk from Swanage station, ideally situated for keeping close ties with the charity.

Solicitor Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ managing partner, said: “We believe in the importance

LIGHTHOUSE

Poole

received the High Street Impact Award at the annual Poole Business Awards.

“Any award is special, but this award is a particular honour because it was voted for anonymously by fellow businesses,” said Lucy Funnell, Lighthouse corporate development and events manager.

She received the award from Poole BID communications & operations manager, Wendy King, and Nigel Reeve, founder of Marketing West and organiser of the Poole Business Awards.

The award is designed to appreciate businesses, teams and individuals driving

of giving back to the community and therefore take an active role in supporting local charities and volunteer organisations.

“Swanage Railway is a cherished part of the Purbeck community, and we are especially proud to be able to help preserve it so that people can enjoy it now and in the future. Full steam ahead!”

The recent anniversary celebration was held at Swanage station and attended by dozens of dignitaries and other invited

guests.

It featured the blowing of a Victorian brass horn reputed to have been sounded at the departure of the first train on the line in 1885.

Swanage Railway Trust chair, Frank Roberts, said: “It was a wonderful occasion to herald the start of our anniversary year.

“And to complement that success, we are thrilled to continue having Ellis Jones on board as a sponsor, partner and community supporter.”

Arts venue wins ‘impact’ award Law firm on board with heritage line

positive change in Poole, recognising those fostering innovation, pride and community strength.

“Lighthouse is immensely proud to have hosted this

year’s Poole Business Award, but to win the Impact Award is especially meaningful,” Lucy added.

Lighthouse also sponsored the Outstanding Community Support Award, awarded to the Forest Holme Bereavement Café that meets bi-weekly at Lighthouse in the Beacon Café.

Poole Business Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in the Poole area by rewarding businesses that have made significant contributions to the local economy, innovation and community spirit.

Poole Business Awards will return to Lighthouse next May.

Lucy Funnell, Lighthouse corporate development and events manager (centre), with the High Street Impact Award at Poole Business Awards

Ellis Jones managing partner, Nigel Smith, at Swanage Railway with Dispute Resolution partners Victoria Riddleston (left) and Lauren Day

Artsreach collects a ‘Muddy Stiletto’

THE executive director of Artsreach has collected a Muddy Stilettos award after the Dorset-based charity won Best Arts, Culture & Theatre in Dorset, Somerset and Bristol.

Kerry Bartlett was accompanied by community volunteer, Francesca Hurrell, at a celebration event at North Cadbury Court, home to the High Sheriff of Somerset, when she picked up the award.

Muddy Stilettos is a lifestyle website aimed especially at women, and the awards, voted for by members of the public, celebrate independent businesses across 35 counties around the UK.

Artsreach, founded 35 years ago, works with community

volunteers to present a programme of more than 150 live performances, workshops and events in 40 villages and towns across Dorset every year.

Kerry said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Muddy Stilettos award for Best Arts, Culture & Theatre in Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, having been shortlisted alongside some fantastic organisations.

“This award is truly deserved by our dedicated team of community volunteers, without whom Artsreach events simply wouldn’t happen, plus our loyal audiences who support our programme and, of course, the incredible touring artists and performers who keep

us all entertained and inspired creatively.

“We are so very proud that what this incredible network achieves, and which so often goes under the radar, has been recognised in this way, and would like to thank everyone who voted.

“Keep your fingers crossed for us at the National Awards – we hope to do Dorset proud!”

Artsreach is supported by Arts Council England and Dorset Council and in 2024-25

it invested more than £94,500 in artistic fees.

Its programme reached 11,000-plus audience members and participants, and more than £32,000 was raised and retained by communities in Dorset through Artsreach events.

Almost half of audiences travelled less than four miles to attend performances and more than 90% of those surveyed said Artsreach helped to reduce loneliness and isolation in rural communities.

Regional winners from every category will go through to the national finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards, where editors will judge who is the ‘best of the best’, announcing the national winners on Wednesday (July 9).

Artsreach executive director, Kerry Bartlett, with the award PHOTO: Saskia Isla Rosa Photography

Arts & Entertainment

Mum’s the word on teens to Tinder!

THE Scummy Mummies –Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn – will be tackling everything from the menopause to mansplaining and teenagers to Tinder in their comedy show at Lighthouse Poole next week.

New songs, sketches, stand-up and seriously sparkly new catsuits all feature in their show, Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess.

Ellie and Helen joined forces to become The Scummy Mummies in 2013 and have gone on to produce an awardwinning podcast, a sell-out touring comedy show, a popular book and recently achieved a Guinness World Record for the highest ever stand-up comedy gig on land.

They have an ever-growing social media presence, with more than 172,000 Instagram followers.

The Scummy Mummies Podcast now runs to 300-plus episodes, which have been downloaded more than seven million times in 150 countries.

The show has featured in Best Podcast lists in The Guardian, the Sunday Times and The Telegraph.

It has been nominated for a British Podcasts Award plus Mixcloud and Lovies awards,

and in 2020 won the Glomama UK Best Podcast trophy.

Guests have included comedians such as Dara Ó Briain, Jenny Eclair and Thanyia Moore; influencers like Giovanna Fletcher, Mother Pukka, Rosie Ramsey and Louise Pentland; plus a range of experts on everything from mental health, politics and entrepreneurship to parenting, wine and sex.

In 2019, The Scummy Mummies made their Edinburgh Festival debut, selling out the entire 25-night run and earning a five-star review.

Ellie and Helen continue to perform to festival crowds and theatre audiences around the country, regularly selling out 500-800 seater venues, usually wearing their trademark gold catsuits.

In March 2023, the double act trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, raising more than £15,000 for the Borne Premature Baby Charity, and performed a 32-minute stand-up show to an audience of Sherpas, Everest specialist workers and three of their mates.

It was minus 15 degrees, but they still managed to wear their

gold catsuits, much to the surprise of onlookers! It is there they broke the Guinness World Record.

Their first book, Scummy Mummies, was released in March 2017 and reached the top 20 on the Amazon chart. It went to number one in the Child Discipline category, weirdly.

Ellie and Helen have also written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Metro, Glamour, Red and more.

The Scummy Mummies

Traditional panto promises a

PANTO is coming to The Mowlem in Swanage early next year when Swanage Drama Company presents Aladdin. Widow Twankey runs the local washeteria with her two sons, Aladdin and Wishey Washee.

They are poor and need some luck and money.

The mysterious Abanazar arrives with a plan to find a lamp with magical powers and a genie!

Will all this help Aladdin, who unwittingly has fallen in

love with the Sultan’s daughter, or will Abanazar use the lamp for his own evil ends?

Swanage Drama Company, which last year staged Jack and the Beanstalk, has a big cast made up of all ages.

Aladdin will be performed on

have featured on ITV’s Lorraine, Steph’s Packed Lunch, Good Morning Britain, Victoria Derbyshire, The Wright Stuff, Sky News, and in Australia, The Morning Show and Sunrise.

Radio appearances include BBC Radio 4 –Woman’s Hour, Broadcasting House, Today, Radio 2, Radio 5 Live, Radio 1 and Radio 6 Music.

The Scummy Mummies are at Lighthouse Poole on Friday, July 11, at 7.45pm.

January 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7.30pm and January 10 and 17 at 2pm.

Tickets, priced £15 adults, £14 concessions, £10 children, £45 family, are available from the box office and www. themowlem.com/event/aladdin.

The Scummy Mummies are Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn

Arts & Entertainment

Glamour, romance and rhythm

BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night is stepping back in time for an evening of glamour, romance and rhythm at Lighthouse Poole later this year.

The BBC Concert Orchestra, four West End singers and conductor Michael England promise a musical celebration of the roaring 20s and fabulous 30s in a night where music, elegance and timeless charm collide.

‘Passionate painters’ shows

WIMBORNE Art Club is holding two pop-up exhibitions showcasing members’ work at the Church House in Wimborne town centre this summer.

The exhibitions will feature a varied selection of subject matter and styles, and something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket.

Weather permitting, ‘plein air’ demonstrations will be held outside.

Wimborne Art Club is celebrating 50 years of being ‘passionate about art’.

The idea when it was

founded was to provide a forum for members to share their enthusiasm for painting and this still holds true today.

The club, which meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall in Wimborne every second Thursday, has served as a hub for artists of all ages and levels, fostering creativity and camaraderie.

Members are offered a variety of activities, including painting demonstrations and workshops in various mediums and subject matter, as well as more craft-based

Louise is telling women’s stories

SINGER-SONGWRITER

and storyteller Louise Jordan will celebrate the inspirational lives and histories of lesserknown women at Lighthouse Poole.

Louise became focussed on telling hidden women’s stories in 2015 with her one-person touring production No Petticoats Here: Extraordinary Women of the First World War. This was followed by The Hard Way: The True Story of Working Class Suffragette Hannah Mitchell in 2018, and Florence: The Lesser Known

Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale in 2020.

A former history teacher and youth worker, Louise has written songs for the UK Parliament and the V&A Museum, appeared in UK Vogue, and given talks for the National Trust, University of Oxford and Hampshire Police.

Louise lives in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and is a former secondary school teacher with an MA in Human Rights.

She has released six recordings gaining national radio play on the BBC Radio 2

activities such as pop-up cards and gel plate printing.

The club organises events, including exhibitions displaying members’ work and engaging with the wider community.

To find out more, or pop in for a taster session, visit the group’s website, www. wimborneartclub.org.uk.

The exhibitions are on Saturday, July 19, and Saturday, August 23, and are open from 10am-4.30pm.

Entry is free and refreshments will be available.

Songs such as Irving Berlin’s Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Puttin’ On the Ritz and The Way You Look Tonight are likely to be in store.

The concert is on Friday, September 19, at 7.30pm and tickets and information are available from 01202 280000 and www.lighthousepoole.co. uk.

TV’s ‘Gwen’ in panto

THE omeletteobsessed mother in television’s Gavin & Stacey will be playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Bournemouth Pavilion this year.

Melanie Walters – pictured – who played Gwen West, Stacey’s endearing mum in the BBC sitcom, says she is ‘thrilled’ to be joining the cast. Cinderella runs from Saturday, December 6, to Sunday, January 4, 2026.

HerStories to Lighthouse Poole

Folk Show and BBC Radio 4.

Louise brings her latest show, HerStories, to the Sherling Studio at Lighthouse Poole on Thursday, July 10, at 8pm.

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

Louise Jordan is bringing

PHOTO: Neil King

Arts & Entertainment

Spanish ‘king of acoustic guitar’

IAGO Banet, billed as the ‘Galician king of acoustic guitar’ is set to perform at Dorchester Arts.

The UK-based Spanish guitarist has appeared at festivals including Brecon Jazz, Hellys International Guitar Festival and Aberjazz.

He has also performed with artists including Josh Smith (Joe Bonamassa), Mark Flanagan (Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra), Jack Broadbent and Clive Carroll.

Banet, who is currently touring his third album, Tres, has featured on BBC Radio 2’s The Blues Show with Cerys

Iago Banet is touring his third album, Tres

Matthews and BBC Radio 3’s In Tune twice.

The one-man-band on acoustic guitar fuses styles, ranging from gypsy jazz, blues, Americana, country and Dixieland, to swing, pop and folk.

Iago Banet is at Dorchester Arts on Thursday, July 24, at 7.30pm.

Top headliners and rising stars at festival

JAZZ returns to Swanage with the 34th Swanage Jazz Festival featuring an array of top quality talent.

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 they include pianist Sultan Stevenson and singers Emily Masser and Maddie Martin.

A full New Orleans programme is on offer as well as the best contemporary jazz.

The free Festival Fringe will be running in local bars and hotels, and the Sandpit Field Jazz Village will have free live music from local big bands, interactive jazz for five to 10-year-olds and jazz yoga.

Single concert tickets are available priced £20, or music fans can buy day or weekend stroller tickets.

The festival runs from Friday to Sunday, July 11-13, and full details are available at www. swanagejazzfestival.co.uk.

Toe-tapping Country

THE Tulsa Time Band will be performing the music of Don Williams at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne this week.

The Country artist released 25 studio albums from Don Williams Volume 1 in 1973 to Reflections in 2014. He began touring extensively throughout the UK in the late 1970s after the release of the single I Recall a

Gypsy Woman. He officially retired in 2016.

The Tulsa Time Band perform songs from Williams’ extensive back catalogue, including live favourites such as You’re My Best Friend, I Recall a Gypsy Woman and Tulsa Time.

A toe-tapping evening is promised on Thursday (July 10) at 7.30pm.

Spotlight Diary

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry. The deadline for the July 21 issue is NOON on Thursday, July 10. Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net. Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

JULY 2025

MONDAY

13:00 NEW BEGINNERS LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM LINE DANCE CLASS (you dance solo) 1pm-2pm at Langton Matravers Village Hall

Contact: Purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D : 07518 056149

18:00 NEW BEGINNERS MODERN LINE DANCE CLASS 6pm-7pm at St Edward’s Church hall, Rempstone Rd, Swanage

Contact: purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

Donna 07518 056149

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

14:00 NEW ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM DANCE CLASS (you dance with a partner) 2pm-3pm at Langton Matravers Village hall

Contact: purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

Donna: 07518 056149

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

CORBIN FENCING

CLIVE R. CRABB REMOVALS / MAN & VAN

Services

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• Garage and garden rubbish cleared

Competitive rates with a free no obligation quote.

Clivecrabb12@gmail.com 07974 383159 or 01929 427922