Issue 377
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October 12, 2026
The Purbeck Gazette www.purbeckgazette.co.uk
£41,000 handed out to groups
CARNIVAL CASH HI-FLIER Lyn’s wing walk for 70th birthday Page 5
FULL STORY: PAGE 3 CHICKS AWAY! Britain’s largest birds of prey breeds in Dorset and Sussex Page 10
REFIT Wvv PROJECT Sandbanks Ferry out of action for seven weeks Page 7
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What’s inside this issue... Announcement 14 Antiques & Collectibles 32 Arts & Entertainment 35-36 Business 34 Christmas feature 22-23 Dorset HealthCare monthly round-up 16 Events 36 Field & Stream 25 Health & Wellbeing 24 Home & Garden 30-31 Letter 4 Local Services 37-39 Motoring 33 National Coastwatch 20 Politics 28-29 Puzzles 26-27 Puzzle solutions 28 Sport 19 Spotlight Diary 36 Telling It Like It Is 21 Tides 8 Wanted 37 Wareham Town Council – September report 14 NEWS New clay trail around mining museum Another big win for Swanage Croquet Club Charity worker’s skydive Open house at Purbeck’s ‘green’ homes Wareham chemotherapy clinic to reopen
EDITORIAL Paul Jones Editor-in-chief We love hearing your news and views. Get in touch with us by emailing ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk Lloyd Armishaw Publisher ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk 01963 400186
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n Alan May, with Mandy Woods and Polly Morris, is hosting a concert at Newton Manor Hall in Swanage Page 35 n Young cricketers Coby Perry and Ethan Stacey had good seasons for Swanage CC Page 19
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Carnival hands out £41k SWANAGE Carnival handed over a fantastic £41,100 to more than 23 local charities and organisations at its annual presentation evening. The event, at The Mowlem in Swanage, brought together carnival volunteers, sponsors, advertisers, supporters, local organisations and representatives of the charities and good causes that benefited from this year’s fundraising. Swanage Carnival took place over eight days, from Saturday, July 25, to Saturday, August 1, and attracted thousands of visitors to the town for a packed programme of entertainment, activities and events. Welcoming everyone to the presentation evening, Swanage Carnival chair Neal Diffey thanked the 130 volunteers who worked hard to make carnival week possible. He also paid tribute to the volunteers from all the charities and organisations who attended the evening to receive their donations. Neal said: “2026 was an exceptional year for us in many ways. A new event was yoga on the beach at 8am each morning. On some days over 100 people were taking part, no charge, just donations into a bucket, so people could just pay what they could afford. We raised more than £2,000 with that event. “The weather played a huge part in our success. I don’t ever remember so many people sitting on Sandpit Field relaxing
Recipients of awards at the Swanage Carnival presentation evening PHOTOS: Andy Lyons
and socialising after 11pm when all had finished for the day. “The procession was the largest we’ve seen in many years, and to see articles in the national press about an amazing carnival week in sleepy Swanage was very humbling.” Swanage Mayor Chris Tomes, a former chair of Swanage Carnival and current carnival committee member, spoke passionately about what carnival means to the community. “One of the things I love most about Carnival is that it belongs
to everyone,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether you’ve lived in Swanage all your life or you’re visiting for the first time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re eight years old or 80. “For one week, everyone gets to be part of something together. And in a world where communities can sometimes feel less connected, that sense of togetherness is something we should never take for granted. “It would be easy to look at the carnival and see the floats, fireworks, music, competitions and crowds. But behind all of
DONATIONS 2026 n Swanage coastguard and Swanage RNLI: donation n Friends of Dorset Young Carers: £1,000 n Friends of Wareham Hospital Purbeck Community Services: £1,000 n Herston Village Hall: £1,000 n Swanage Pier Trust: £1,000 n Swanage Disabled Club: £1,500 n 4th Swanage Scout Group: £1,500 n Explorers Childcare Group: £1,500 n Purbeck Gateway Club: £1,500 n Swanage Railway Sygnets: £1,500 n The Mowlem: £1,500 n The Swanage School: £1,500 n Swanage Skatepark Community Project: £2,000 n National Coastwatch Institution: £2,000
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n Swanage and Wareham Hockey Club: £2,000 n Swanage Musical Theatre Company: £2,000 n Child bereavement charity Mosaic: £2,000 n Swanage Sea Rowing Club: £2,000 n Swanage Town and Herston Football Club: £2,000 n Dorset Deaf Children Society: £2,000 n Purbeck Parky’s: £2,000 Annual charities n Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership: £1,500 n Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance: £2,000 n Chair’s charity – Dementia Friendly Purbeck: £4,000
that are people who have given their time to make it happen. “And tonight, we are celebrating not just what carnival has achieved, but the people who make it possible – and the charities and organisations who will use the money raised to continue helping others throughout the year. “I can’t think of a better example of what Swanage is all about!” In total, £41,100 was donated to more than 23 charities and organisations. These donations will help support a wide range of projects, activities and services throughout Swanage, Purbeck and the surrounding area. A spokesperson for the carnival committee said: “A huge thank you to everyone who attended our presentation evening and helped make it such a fantastic success! “It was brilliant to see so many people coming together, celebrating, having a fantastic night and supporting what we do. “We are incredibly proud to have been able to give over £40,000 to 23 local charities and organisations this year. “That wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support we receive from our community. “A special thank you to everyone who donated, our amazing sponsors and advertisers, and all those who
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IT has taken several years of planning and hard work by volunteers and local carpenters, tree surgeons, civil engineers and construction firms, but the effort to create a new Clay Trail through 20 acres of woodland around Purbeck Mining Museum has been given a firm thumbs up by the public. “The response has been fantastic,” said museum lead Peter Sills, following the official opening of the new trail. “It really has made all of the hard work worthwhile, and we’re delighted the new interpretation boards and viewpoints overlooking Blackwater, Corfe River and Corfe Castle have proved to be so popular.” The new Clay Trail opens up a previously inaccessible area
for Wareham Ward, alongside Jade North, Dorset Council’s heathland mitigation officer, who joined volunteers and local residents on the inaugural walk. The new trail is ideal for day visitors and dog walkers, and is the latest initiative by the Purbeck Mining Museum to preserve and share all aspects of Purbeck’s industrial clay mining heritage. The trail is open to the public all year round and follows many of the trackbeds of the former narrow gauge railway that once criss-crossed the area around the museum. And, during the summer months, visitors can complete the walk by visiting the museum. This is housed in the area’s last mine building and provides a fascinating insight into the history of Purbeck’s clay mining industry. Full details of the museum’s opening times can be seen at www.purbeckminingmuseum. org
‘Fantastic response’ to woodland Clay Trail
Cllr Beryl Ezzard officially opens the new Clay Trail in the woodland around Purbeck Mining Museum at Norden
PHOTO: Andrew PM Wright
shaped entirely by Purbeck’s industrial heritage and is now rich with wildlife. The project has been supported in part through
Swanage popular. The Salt Pig generously Carnival gave a great deal of their time, first demonstrating how to presentation prepare and cook local venison
Letter Food festival goes down a storm
THE villagers of Kingston would like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who supported the inaugural Kingston Food Festival. Not only for your financial support, but for the many kind words and messages of encouragement we received throughout the day. Quite simply, it was successful beyond our wildest dreams. We are still counting the final numbers, but we believe getting on for 1,000 people joined us during the afternoon, together with a considerable number of dogs and, of course, a few well-coiffured sheep! What began as an idea for a village event grew into a wonderful showcase for just how much food, produce, talent and enthusiasm we have here in Purbeck.
heathland mitigation funding provided by Dorset Council. The official opening of the trail was confirmed by Cllr Beryl Ezzard, Dorset councillor
Hollyhock’s Kitchen at the Kingston Food Festival
PHOTO: Charlie Goodwin
The stalls brought together some well-known local names alongside smaller producers and individuals who surprised many visitors with what is being grown, made and marketed on our doorstep. Outside was the fire pit, where venison and lamb were slowly cooked over the flames and served alongside salads. The demonstrations proved
and later preparing and cooking fish. Sacha Dorey, The Truffle Huntress, and her dogs gave a live demonstration of truffle hunting, while The Aloe Bar followed its demonstration by promptly selling all of its stock – orders still being taken! At the end of the day, some of the rather exhausted volunteers collapsed around a few tables at The Scott Arms, raised a glass and started talking about Kingston Food Festival 2027. Thank you to everyone who came, whether by bus, car or on foot. You turned up in numbers we could never have imagined, and enjoyed live music, food, drink and, most importantly, a village full of people. John Beauchamp Via email
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support us throughout the year. Your generosity and continued support mean so much to us. “Please remember to support the businesses that support us – we couldn’t do what we do without them! “And, of course, a huge thank you to everyone who works behind the scenes to make our events happen. There’s a lot of hard work that goes on that often goes unseen, and we’re incredibly grateful to every single person who gives their time to help.” Swanage Carnival is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff and is funded mainly by sponsorship and donations. Once all the costs are covered, any additional money raised is distributed to local charities and good causes
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BRAVE Swanage pensioner Lyn Fegan wanted to do something different to mark turning 70 – and standing on the wing of a plane in flight felt like a suitable challenge! And that’s exactly what she did at Compton Abbas airfield when she raised £2,700 for The Brain Tumour Charity at the start of the month. Lyn, a family, wedding and funeral celebrant, had seen wing walkers at Swanage Carnival and thought she would like to give it a go one day. She said: “I’ve been wittering on for years about doing a wing walk, after seeing a display over Swanage Bay some years ago. I said then that I thought it looked fun. “My family gave me one of those looks that meant ‘here she goes again’. I thought my 70th birthday might be the time to get on and do it!”
Lyn – who is married to Declan, and mum to daughter Kate – had personal reasons for raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity. She said: “I wanted to celebrate my birthday by doing some good instead of people spending money on presents. “My parents both died of brain tumours and a good friend is currently living with the devastating consequences of the condition. “Research into brain tumours is very underfunded compared with many other cancers, so choosing this cause to raise money for was a ‘no-brainer’ for me – see what I did there!.” Lyn, whose actual birthday was in June this year, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has donated.” To add to Lyn’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/page/ lyn-fegan-1
On a wing and a prayer
Swanage woman Lyn Fegan raised money for The Brain Tumour Charity
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Swanage at the double by Mike Wells SWANAGE Croquet Club’s wonderful season continued when their High Handicap team beat Bristol Croquet Club to win the South West Federation of Croquet Clubs’ regional shield competition. This completes a remarkable double for the club which, as reported previously in the Purbeck Gazette, won a prestigious national croquet title at Henley this summer. High Handicap team captain Tony Green explained that to reach the final the team had to first win a series of league matches against neighbouring clubs before playing knockout rounds against clubs from leagues in the wider region. Tony highlighted the tense matches that Swanage had played against teams from Devon and Cornwall in the quarter- and semi-finals, both of which were won by a single
Charity worker takes leap of faith
DIVERSE Abilities staff member Ali Hargreaves raised more than £600 to support children and adults with disabilities when she did a 15,000ft skydive. Ali started work a year ago as a lead support worker in the charity’s Shapes and Transitions service, which provides specialist care and support for children and young people with profound disabilities up to the age of 30, both at home and in the community. One parent the service supports said: “Having the carers visit us has taken the stress out of bedtimes. “My husband and I love hearing him laugh and have fun
Swanage’s High Handicap team with trophy (from left) Nancy King, Andy Temple, Vicki Church, Dave Morton, Tony Green (non-playing captain with trophy), Simeon Rudin, Jackie Temple, Ian Swanson and Ian Webster. Pearl Oliver and Margaret Pratt also played in earlier rounds but could not make the final
game. However, this experience was to stand the team in good stead against a Bristol side who were unbeaten in their own run to the final. With the first side to win 11 games being declared champions, the first round of games ended even at 2-2, suggesting another hard-fought match was on the cards. However, in the second round,
the Swanage team adapted better to the superb lawns at the Camerton & Peasetown ground and won the whole round to leave the score 6-2 in Swanage’s favour. This advantage helped steady any nerves and with the pressure falling onto the Bristol players, the Swanage team held on to win by the relatively comfortable margin of 11 games to seven.
Chair Simon Parvin was delighted with the double success, which he said was a great result for a club with limited resources and built on Swanage winning South West regional competitions in 2022, 2024 and 2025. In praising the members, he said it had not been easy to play or practise recently as the long drought had reduced the club’s lawns to something resembling the surface of the moon. Happily, the lawns were now recovering, and the season continues for friendly play daily at the playing fields in Bon Accord Road. Simon was keen for nonmembers to visit and try the game, saying that it helped people’s wellbeing by providing gentle exercise and mental stimulation in the open air. To find out more, visit swanagecroquetclub.com
Food for thought
Ali Hargreaves raised more than £600 for Diverse Abilities
while we take a breath and enjoy a much-needed sit down at the end of a busy day.” Ali said she has enjoyed building relationships with the children and young adults she supports – especially celebrating their achievements and milestones. Ali added: “What a surreal but amazing experience! I jumped from 15,000ft, freefalling at 125mph for 60 seconds before my parachute opened.
“Then it was a peaceful seven-minute descent before landing. My challenge only lasted 60 seconds, but for the children and young people we support, and their families, their challenges are lifelong.” Ali raised £638 for Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity. Diverse Abilities is taking sign-ups for its next Skydive Day on May 1, 2027 – to find out more visit diverseabilities. org.uk/daevents/skydivers
THE Wareham Responds group, which aims to promote food grown locally and sustainably, is looking to launch a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project. Members of CSA schemes subscribe to support a farmer or grower and in return are supplied with produce. Members may visit or volunteer, helping to foster a direct relationship between the community and the grower. Wareham Responds members have visited CSA schemes and are now looking for two or three acres of suitable land to rent in the Wareham area and an interested grower or farmer. For more information, attend the Wareham Responds meeting at Not Just Sundaes in South Street, Wareham, on Wednesday, October 14, at 6.45pm, or email andrew@ riverbank.org.uk
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 7
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THE Sandbanks Ferry will be the subjea scheduled major refit next month as part of a routine maintenance programme the vessel undergoes every two years. The ferry’s last day of service before the refit will be Sunday, November 1, with normal hours of operation on that date. The last service of the day leaves Shell Bay at 11.10pm. Refit works will take place in Poole Quay and Falmouth, with the ferry travelling to Poole Quay on Monday, November 2. The ferry will be out of service over a total planned period of seven weeks for the refit works, subject to weather and sea conditions. Wayne Row, general
“Parts for the refit are also ordered at least a year in advance, with sections and systems prefabricated, helping reduce the overall time the ferry needs to be out of service. “We appreciate the ferry is part of the critical transport network for so many people across Dorset and understand that service disruptions can be difficult to plan around. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure works are both thorough and efficient, so we can be back on the chains quickly. I’d like to thank our passengers in advance for their understanding.” The Sandbanks Ferry alternates minor and major refit works every two years, with its last major refit taking place in 2022. The exact date for the Sandbanks Ferry’s return to service after this year’s refit works will be announced in December.
Sandbanks Ferry announces refit date
The Sandbanks Ferry PHOTO: Sandbanks Ferry
manager at The Sandbanks Ferry, said: “Our refits are essential to ensure the ferry continues operating safely and reliably for all our passengers and staff. “Our team works exceptionally hard to prepare for refit years. “On-board maintenance is
ongoing throughout the year, ensuring the ferry is in excellent working condition, day-to-day. “The team makes any repairs that are possible to do while the ferry is on the water, while out-of-water refit works tackle more complex processes around long-term structural integrity and regulatory compliance.
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Open house at ‘greener’ homes THE Dorset Greener Homes event, which showcases ‘greener’ and sustainable energy in real homes, is set to run for a fifth year over the last two weekends of October. The event, involving nearly 50 properties, sees homeowners offer advice to visitors on making changes to their own homes, including installation processes, costs and payback times on investment. Visitors can find out about how much noise heat pumps make, improving insulation in wildlife and to reduce flooding. listed buildings, whether solar q 8 Ancaster Road – Sunday, panels are a good idea and how October 18: Solar panels and to find a reputable installer, and batteries – almost off grid. much more. Extensive insulation. Tinted The list belowSwanage shows theTidal & Solar windows to reduce heat from Predictions homes which are open locally sun. Rain water storage. October '26 and when. q Farndreg, Southcliffe Road n SWANAGE – Saturday, October 24: Air q California Meadows, source heat pump, solar panels, by the National Coastwatch Swanage Priests Complied Way – Saturday, battery,Institution, water butts. tidal data provided by theq Channel Coast Observatory Octoberfrom 17: Ground-mounted Knapp, Southcliffe Road Predictions solar array, largeSwanage pond for Tidal & Solar – Sunday, October 25: Solar Date HW LW HWTidal LW Tide/Moon Sunrise Sunset April '26HWPredictions Swanage & Solar Solar Predictions Swanage Tidal & 07:08 18:48 01-Oct 07:03 11:40 19:30 23:55 June '26 June 07:10 18:46 02-Oct 07:50 11:54 20:21 '26 Tidal21:27 & Solar Predictions 07:11 18:44 03-Oct 00:22 Swanage 08:47 12:28 07:13 18:42 04-Oct 06:56 10:06 19:00 22:55 '26 October/November 2026 April Neaps 07:15 18:39 05-Oct 08:10 18:01 Complied by11:44 the National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage 07:16 18:37 06-Oct 00:19 09:16 12:58 18:35 from tidal data provided by the Channel Coast Observatory Complied by by the National National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage Swanage 07:18 18:35 07-OctComplied 01:21 10:16 13:50 19:16 Institution, the Coastwatch 07:19 18:33 08-Octfrom tidal data 02:10 provided 07:50 14:34 19:57 by the Channel Channel Coast Observatory Observatory from tidal data provided by the Coast 07:21 18:31 09-Oct 02:54 08:25 15:16 20:37 Date Complied HW LW HW LW HW Institution, Tide/Moon Swanage Sunrise Sunset by the National Coastwatch 07:23 18:29 10-Oct 03:35 09:01 15:55 21:16 NM / Springs 01-Apr 03:40 09:02 15:58 21:23 06:45 19:40 DatefromHW HW LW provided HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise Sunset tidal data by the Channel Coast Observatory 07:24 Sunset 18:26 11-Oct 04:14 09:37 16:34 21:52 Date LW HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise 02-Apr 04:18 09:38 16:36 21:58 Full Moon 06:43 19:41 05:02 21:11 01-Jun 04:43 10:03 16:57 22:02 Springs 07:26 18:24 12-Oct 04:52 10:11 17:12 22:26 05:02 21:11 01-Jun 04:43 10:03 16:57 22:02 Springs 03-Apr 04:55 10:13 17:11 22:29 Springs 06:41 19:43 05:01 21:12 02-Jun 05:18 10:37 17:32 22:33 07:27 18:22 13-Oct 05:28 10:42 17:48 22:57 05:01 21:12 02-Jun 05:18 10:37 17:32 22:33 04-Apr 05:30 10:44 17:45 22:58 06:39 19:44 Date HW LW HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise 05:00 21:13 03-Jun 05:52 11:12 18:09 23:06 07:29 Sunset 18:20 14-Oct 06:03 11:09 18:23 23:23 05:00 21:13 03-Jun 05:52 11:12 18:09 23:06 05-Apr 06:04 11:11 18:17 23:23 06:36 19:46 01-Apr 03:40 09:02 15:58 21:23 06:45 05:00 21:14 04-Jun 06:29 11:50 18:50 23:39 07:31 19:40 18:18 15-Oct 06:36 11:32 18:56 23:48 05:00 21:14 04-Jun 06:29 11:50 18:50 23:39 06-Apr 06:35 11:35 18:47 23:46 06:34 19:48 02-Apr 04:18 09:38 16:36 21:58 Full Moon 06:43 04:59 21:15 05-Jun 07:10 16:48 19:35 07:32 19:41 18:16 16-Oct 07:07 11:57 19:28 04:59 21:15 05-Jun 07:10 16:48 19:35 07-Apr 07:06 12:00 19:17 06:32 19:49 03-Apr 04:55 10:13 17:11 22:29 Springs 06:41 04:59 21:16 06-Jun 00:13 07:55 17:36 20:26 07:34 19:43 18:14 17-Oct 0.2125 07:40 12:27 20:02 04:59 21:16 06-Jun 00:13 07:55 17:36 20:26 08-Apr 00:10 07:38 17:20 19:50 06:30 19:51 04-Apr 05:30 10:44 17:45 22:58 06:39 04:58 21:17 07-Jun 05:28 08:45 18:27 21:23 07:36 19:44 18:12 18-Oct 05:48 08:18 17:36 20:45 04:58 21:17 07-Jun 05:28 08:45 18:27 21:23 09-Apr 00:33 08:14 18:05 20:31 06:28 19:52 05-Apr 06:04 11:11 18:17 23:23 Neaps 06:36 04:58 21:18 08-Jun 06:25 09:41 19:20 22:27 07:37 19:46 18:10 19-Oct 06:39 12:55 18:16 00:52 04:58 21:18 08-Jun 06:25 09:41 19:20 22:27 10-Apr 05:58 09:00 19:00 06:26 19:54 06-Apr 06:35 11:35 18:47 23:46 06:34 19:48 04:57 21:19 09-Jun 02:51 10:43 20:14 23:36 Neaps 07:39 18:08 20-Oct 07:36 13:28 18:55 01:00 04:57 21:19 09-Jun 02:51 10:43 20:14 23:36 Neaps 11-Apr 01:42 06:41 13:20 20:03 Neaps 06:23 19:56 07-Apr 07:06 12:00 19:17 06:32 19:49 04:57 21:19 10-Jun 04:21 11:51 21:09 00:40 07:41 18:06 21-Oct 01:23 08:28 13:51 19:10 04:57 21:19 10-Jun 04:21 11:51 21:09 00:40 12-Apr 01:53 07:18 13:38 20:56 06:21 19:57 08-Apr 00:10 07:38 17:20 19:50 06:30 19:51 04:57 21:20 11-Jun 05:39 12:54 18:39 01:00 07:42 18:04 22-Oct 01:47 08:51 14:11 19:19 04:57 21:20 11-Jun 05:39 12:54 18:39 01:00 13-Apr 02:05 07:05 13:59 20:19 06:19 19:59 09-Apr 00:33 08:14 18:05 20:31 06:28 19:52 04:56 21:21 12-Jun 01:34 06:42 13:50 19:18 07:44 18:02 23-Oct 02:13 08:02 14:35 19:45 04:56 21:21 12-Jun 01:34 06:42 13:50 19:18 14-Apr 02:24 07:26 14:29 20:06 06:17 20:00 10-Apr 05:58 09:00 19:00 06:26 19:54 04:56 21:21 13-Jun 02:24 07:36 14:41 20:01 07:46 18:00 24-Oct 02:44 08:16 15:06 20:18 04:56 21:21 13-Jun 02:24 07:36 14:41 20:01 15-Apr 02:52 08:01 15:03 20:31 06:15 20:02 11-Apr 01:42 06:41 13:20 20:03 Neaps 06:23 19:56 04:56 21:22 14-Jun 03:12 08:29 15:31 20:47 06:47 16:58 *25-Oct 02:19 07:43 14:41 19:54 04:56 21:22 14-Jun 03:12 08:29 15:31 20:47 16-Apr 03:25 08:39 15:40 21:03 06:13 20:04 12-Apr 01:53 07:18 13:38 20:56 06:21 04:56 21:22 15-Jun 04:00 09:20 16:20 21:35 New Moon Moon 06:49 19:57 16:56 26-Oct 02:56 08:16 15:19 20:32 Full 04:56 21:22 15-Jun 04:00 09:20 16:20 21:35 New Moon 17-Apr 04:02 09:17 16:18 21:39 New Moon 06:11 20:05 13-Apr 02:05 07:05 13:59 20:19 06:19 04:56 21:23 16-JunComplied by 04:47 10:12 17:09 22:24 Springs the National Coastwatch Swanage Springs 06:51 19:59 16:54 27-Oct 03:35 08:51 15:58 21:11 Institution, 04:56 21:23 16-Jun 04:47 10:12 17:09 22:24 Springs 18-Apr 04:40 09:56 16:58 22:15 06:09 20:07 14-Apr 02:24 07:26 14:29 20:06 06:17 04:56 21:23 17-Junfrom tidal data 05:36 11:03 17:58 23:12 06:52 20:00 16:52 28-Oct 04:16 provided 09:26 16:40 21:50 04:56 21:23 17-Jun 05:36 11:03 17:58 23:12 by the Channel Coast Observatory 19-Apr 05:21 10:34 17:39 22:50 Springs 06:07 20:09 15-Apr 02:52 08:01 15:03 20:31 06:15 04:56 21:24 18-Jun 06:24 11:54 18:48 23:59 06:54 20:02 16:50 29-Oct 04:59 10:00 17:25 22:29 04:56 21:24 18-Jun 06:24 11:54 18:48 23:59 20-Apr 06:03 11:13 18:22 23:22 06:05 20:10 16-Apr 03:25 08:39 15:40 21:03 06:13 04:56 21:24 19-Jun 07:14 12:46 19:40 06:56 20:04 16:49 30-Oct 05:45 10:27 18:13 23:09 04:56 21:24 19-Jun 07:14 12:46 19:40 21-Apr 06:48 11:50 19:08 23:46 06:03 20:12 17-Apr 04:02 09:17 16:18 21:39 New Moon 06:11 20:05 04:56 21:24 20-Jun 00:42 08:05 17:28 20:34 Date HW LW HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise 06:58 Sunset 16:47 31-Oct 06:37 10:49 19:09 04:56 21:24 20-Jun 00:42 08:05 17:28 20:34 22-Apr 07:37 12:26 20:02 06:01 20:13 18-Apr 04:40 09:56 16:58 22:15 06:09 04:56 21:25 21-Jun 01:10 09:00 18:21 21:33 06:59 20:07 16:45 01-Nov 04:36 07:40 16:37 20:17 Time *British Summer Ends 04:56 21:25 21-Jun 01:10 09:00 18:21 21:33 Compiled from CCO data for Swanage Pier - E&O excepted - not for navigation 23-Apr 00:07 08:36 18:00 21:12 05:59 20:15 19-Apr 05:21 10:34 17:39 22:50 Springs 06:07 20:09 04:56 21:25 22-Jun 06:28 09:59 19:18 22:41 07:01 16:43 02-Nov 05:40 08:59 17:42 21:36 Neaps 04:56 21:25 22-Jun 06:28 09:59 19:18 22:41 NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP =23:22 Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides 24-Apr 05:56 09:53 19:14 22:43 05:57 20:17 20-Apr 06:03 11:13 18:22 06:05 20:10 04:57 21:25 23-Jun 07:33 11:05 20:19 23:53 07:03 16:42 03-Nov 06:50 10:21 19:00 22:50 04:57 21:25 23-Jun 07:33 11:05 20:19 23:53 All times are local23:46 time 25-Apr 07:16 11:17 20:29 Neaps 05:55 20:18 21-Apr 06:48 11:50 19:08 06:03 20:12 04:57 21:25 24-Jun 08:50 12:12 21:22 00:57 Neaps 07:04 16:40 04-Nov 07:55 11:29 17:07 23:51 04:57 21:25 24-Jun 08:50 12:12 21:22 00:57 Neaps 26-Apr 00:04 05:49 12:27 21:33 05:53 20:20 22-Apr 07:37 12:26 20:02 06:01 20:13 04:57 21:25 25-Jun 10:04 13:11 22:17 07:06 16:38 05-Nov 08:55 12:23 17:49 04:57 21:25 25-Jun 10:04 13:11 22:17 27-Apr 01:04 06:30 13:23 22:32 05:51 20:21 23-Apr 00:07 08:36 18:00 21:12 05:59 04:58 21:25 26-Jun 01:50 11:03 14:03 19:38 07:08 20:15 16:37 06-Nov 00:42 09:53 13:09 18:32 04:58 21:25 26-Jun 01:50 11:03 14:03 19:38 28-Apr 01:52 07:12 14:10 19:45 05:49 20:23 24-Apr 05:56 09:53 19:14 22:43 05:57 04:58 21:25 27-Jun 02:36 08:09 14:50 20:11 07:10 20:17 16:35 07-Nov 01:27 07:00 13:51 19:13 04:58 21:25 27-Jun 02:36 08:09 14:50 20:11 29-Apr 02:34 07:54 14:52 20:19 05:47 20:25 25-Apr 07:16 11:17 20:29 Neaps 05:55 04:59 21:25 28-Jun 03:18 08:49 15:32 20:44 07:11 20:18 16:34 08-Nov 02:09 07:35 14:32 19:52 04:59 21:25 28-Jun 03:18 08:49 15:32 20:44 30-Apr 03:14 08:33 15:31 20:53 05:45 20:26 26-Apr 00:04 05:49 12:27 21:33 05:53 04:59 21:25 29-Jun 03:56 09:26 16:10 21:18 Full Moon 07:13 20:20 16:32 09-Nov 02:49 08:10 15:11 20:30 NM Springs 04:59 21:25 29-Jun 03:56 09:26 16:10 21:18 Full/ Moon 27-Apr 01:04 06:30 13:23 22:32 05:51 05:00 21:25 30-Jun 04:31 10:01 16:47 21:53 07:15 20:21 16:30 10-Nov 03:27 08:44 15:49 21:06 05:00 21:25 30-Jun 04:31 10:01 16:47 21:53 28-Apr 01:52 07:12 14:10 19:45 05:49 07:16 20:23 16:29 11-Nov 04:04 09:15 16:25 21:40 Compiled from CCO data for Swanage excepted - not for navigation 29-Apr 02:34 07:54 14:52 20:19 05:47 07:18 20:25 16:28 12-Nov 04:40 09:44 17:00Pier - E&O 22:11 NM = New Moon FM =for Full Moon +Pier NP =- Neap tides + SP- not = Spring Tides 30-Apr 03:14 08:33 15:31 20:53 05:45 Compiled from CCO+data Swanage E&O excepted for navigation 07:20 20:26 16:26 13-Nov 05:15 10:11 17:34 22:42 Compiled from CCO data forAllSwanage Pier E&O excepted not for navigation are local timetides + SP = Spring Tides NM = New Moon + FM = Fulltimes Moon + NP = Neap 16:25 14-Nov 05:50 10:40 18:10 NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides 07:21 All times are local Time 07:23 16:23 15-Nov 03:46 06:30 11:13All 18:50 times are local Time Compiled from CCO data for Swanage Pier E&O excepted not for navigation 07:25 16:22 16-Nov 04:33 07:19 11:52 19:39 NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides07:26 16:21 17-Nov 05:25 08:27 13:03 20:42
Swanage Tidal & Solar Predictions November '26
Cliff Cottage has taken a variety of energysaving measures
panels, battery, living roofs, bee-friendly friendly garden. q Cliff Cottage, Shore Road – Sunday, October 25: Singlestorey home with wooden structure and wood fibre insulation. Heat pump, air-tight, mechanical ventilation, solar panels and battery. n WAREHAM q 14 West Walls – Saturday, October 24: Mid-terrace with good insulation, solar panels, battery, heat pump, and permaculture productive garden. q 108 Northmoor – Saturday, October 24: 8.5 kW solar panels, Tesla Powerwall, electric vehicles, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, air source heat pump. Irrigation hoses from water butt to automatically water the garden. Vegetables and chickens. q 33 Bestwall Road – contact via website for an appointment: Hanse Haus near passive house; mechanical ventilation with heat recovery; rain water harvesting; in-roof PV panels and Tesla Powerwall, electric vehicle with bi-directional charging.
n LANGTON MATRAVERS q South View, The Hyde – Saturday, October 24: Solar thermal tubes, air-to-air heat pump; solar PV with diverter to heat water and charge electric vehicle; wild-life friendly organic garden with pond. q 5 Capstan Field – Sunday, October 25: Low-cost measures & very low energy use. Organic garden and greenhouse. 25 water butts. n WORTH MATRAVERS q Windsong – Saturday, October 17: Air-to-air heat pumps, solar panels, electric vehicle, waste and rainwater collection. n BERE REGIS q 19 Southbrook – Sunday, October 25: Bungalow with low-budget energy saving measures: solar panels, battery, electric vehicle. Rainwater harvesting, composting and a ‘hugelkultur’ bed for growing vegetables. Details and opening times of these and other homes can be found at www. dorsetgreenerhomes.org. The website also features mini-films of some of the homes. Many homes are also open all the year round by appointment. This event is one of Dorset Climate Action Network’s (DorsetCAN’s) main projects as it continues to offer residents of Dorset an opportunity to promote more efficient, low carbon, cosy homes. Learn more about their work at www.dorsetcan.org
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Chemotherapy clinic Over 100 years of reliable service and innovation. to reopen in new year
ADVERTISING FEATURE THE chemotherapy clinic at thanks Debby Monkhouse luebird Coaches (Weymouth) Ltd is a to family owned and Wareham Community Hospital and Maggie Hardy, well as operated company that was founded in 1924 right atasthe is advent set to reopen in early 2027. countless local health of motorised passenger transport.
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The clinic closed in August campaigners, for their tireless To stay ahead at over 100 years old Bluebird have stayed true to their 2023, leaving cancer patients campaigning to restore this founder Cecil Hoare’s ethos and principles – always offering a high across Purbeck having to travel clinic.” quality and reliable service and embracing innovation. Whether that further to Poole for treatment. He added: “Patients living innovation be swapping a horse for an internal combustion engine, It was estimated thattoilet about across Purbeckstaff willtraining now no– installing an on-board or investing in enhanced 60new local cancer patients were longer to travelforwards. further and technologies and ideas will always drivehave the company affected by the closure. further up the road whenever And yet, their old-fashioned belief of putting customer service first Lloyd Hatton, Labour MP for they need to access cancer care. and foremost is the overriding principle why they have such a loyal South Dorset, “After more to remain “Bringing chemotherapy customer basesaid: and thus managed at the forefront of coach than twoinyears campaigning, services back toa fleet Wareham travel Dorsetoffor over a century. Bluebird operates of overwill 20 I am delighted make a real difference to highabsolutely quality vehicles from that premises in Weymouth. the chemotherapy clinic will be patients and their families, Unlike some tour restored. allowing more people to receive operators they own “I want to put on record my vital care closer to home.” their coaches and employ their own drivers and couriers – meaning they retain strict control of quality and service.isBacked TUESDAY games day at the Kings Arms in Wareham after by experience and way last week (October 6). sessions got under reputation of over 100Scrabble, cribbage, black queen or any other Visitors can enjoy yearsthey you fancy, are assured game froma 2pm. rewarding with email mike@redhotbelgian.com or phone For moreholiday information, many happy memories.
Games day at pub
01929 553681.
Bluebird Coaches past and present.
Over 100 years of reliable service and innovation. ADVERTISING FEATURE luebird Coaches (Weymouth) Ltd is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1924 right at the advent of motorised passenger transport.
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To stay ahead at over 100 years old Bluebird have stayed true to their founder Cecil Hoare’s ethos and principles – always offering a high quality and reliable service and embracing innovation. Whether that innovation be swapping a horse for an internal combustion engine, installing an on-board toilet or investing in enhanced staff training – new technologies and ideas will always drive the company forwards. And yet, their old-fashioned belief of putting customer service first and foremost is the overriding principle why they have such a loyal customer base and thus managed to remain at the forefront of coach travel in Dorset for over a century. Bluebird operates a fleet of over 20 high quality vehicles from premises in Weymouth. Unlike some tour operators they own their coaches and employ their own drivers and couriers – meaning they retain strict control of quality and service. Backed by experience and reputation of over 100 years you are assured a rewarding holiday with many happy memories.
Bluebird Coaches past and present.
FREE LOCAL PICK-UP POINTS THROUGHOUT THE FREE LOCAL PICK-UP POINTS THROUGHOUT THE PURBECK AREA
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
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White-tailed eagles raise new wild chicks
BRITAIN’S largest bird of prey has successfully bred in Dorset this summer thanks to a conservation project to return the whitetailed eagle to England. It was the second time the parents – the male has only one leg – have successfully bred, this time raising one male chick. Another pair in Sussex raised two male eaglets, helping to make it the fourth consecutive year chicks have fledged from wild nests in England. The parents are among five pairs of eagles released by the joint Forestry England and Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation project to have become established pairs. This year’s successful breeding brings the number of white-tailed eagles born in the wild through the project to nine. All of the chicks, which were mostly fed a diet of fish, have been fitted with satellite tags so the project team can track their progress, with previous fledglings found to have explored widely across the UK. White-tailed eagles, which can have a wingspan of 2.5 metres, were once widespread across England but became
A white-tailed eagle nest PHOTO: Forestry England
White-tailed eagles can have a wingspan of 2.5 metres PHOTO: Birds of Poole Harbour
extinct thanks to human persecution, with the last pair breeding in southern England in 1780. In 2019, Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing the birds in England with 56 young white-tailed eagles so far released. That includes five birds released this summer from the team’s base on the Isle of Wight and, for the first time this year, releases of six birds at Exmoor National Park, in partnership with Exmoor National Park Authority.
Roy Dennis, from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: “This year’s breeding success is another important milestone in the return of this lost species to England – it shows what can be achieved by very skilled wildlife managers. “This is now the fourth year where these released eagles have raised and fledged chicks. “With a further three pairs of eagles also well established, we should see this progress continue in the next few years. “Restoring a species takes many years and requires the support of a wide range of
Shine a light on a loved one
SWANAGE Pier will Light Up Lives for a sixth time this year with people sponsoring lights to light up the pier and honour and celebrate a loved one or someone special. Lights are available for a suggested donation of £12, with the pier illuminated from December 5 to January 4. Donors can compose their tribute online in the Lighting Up Lives page on the pier’s website and will receive an electronic certificate to commemorate their
Swanage Pier will Light Up Lives over the festive season
dedication. Donations help to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of the pier. The big Light Up is on
Saturday, December 5, from 5.30pm, with music from Kelp and Allsort’d, and seasonal characters, and at 6pm Swanage RNLI will deliver Father
communities and organisations, in particular landowners and farmers. “I would like to thank everyone who is supporting the project and supporting essential nature recovery in this way.” Steve Egerton-Read, whitetailed eagle project officer for Forestry England, said: “It’s been another long summer of watching and hoping that the eagles would be successful in breeding and raising young. “There is nothing quite like that moment of seeing the chicks hatch and first appear in the nest. It is then a waiting game while we watch their progress. “We are delighted that these three chicks made it through and will be closely watching their progress as they begin to explore the landscape. “The breeding season is a challenging time for the parent birds. It’s also a busy time for our team as we closely monitor the nests. “This year we were able to monitor every item of food coming into the nests and can see that fish is by far the favoured item for these wetlandloving birds.” The reintroduction of white-tailed eagles is conducted under licence from Natural England, the Government’s wildlife licensing authority. Birds for release are collected by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation team from wild nests in Scotland under licence from NatureScot.
Christmas by lifeboat for the official switch-on. It is expected to be a fun evening with Christmas photo opportunities in the winter wonderland marquee, 1859 cafe barbecue and festive drinks, and the illuminated pier. A Christmas market will also be running in town on December 5. Tickets will be available from the pier gatehouse on the night or online from the pier’s website – swanagepiertrust.com
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10% OFF Men working in Bere Regis’s watercress beds in 1930
Village history book and exhibition
THE village hall in Bere Regis will be the venue for the launch of a new book about the village and an exhibition of old photos. Bere Regis, Somewhere Only We Know by Alison Bennett is told primarily through the author’s personal experiences from birth to adulthood. It explores many aspects of village life and features photographs and memories of local people – some still alive and others fondly remembered. The book also includes stories contributed by members of the community. Bere Regis, Somewhere Only We Know – printed in large, easy-to-read text to make it
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Betty Brown tells of her memories as a Land Girl in the book
accessible to everyone – will be available at the event on Saturday, October 24, 10am3pm, priced £15 (cash only). All profits from sales will go to the children’s play park in Bere Regis. Alison said: “We hope you will come along, enjoy the exhibition, share some memories and support this worthwhile local cause.”
Military clothing on show
DORSET Museum and Art Gallery in Dorchester is set to host an exhibition showcasing over 200 years of military clothing. Dressed For Duty: Fashion, Function and the British Army, 1800-2026 looks at how military uniform has changed and how it has influenced high fashion and everyday clothing, from red coats to camouflage jackets and cotton to Kevlar. The exhibition is curated by the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester and runs from Saturday, October 17, to Sunday, December 13.
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‘Big quiz’ date at beer festival
ONE of the highlights of real ale fans’ Weymouth Octoberfest at Weymouth Pavilion will be the ‘Big Octoberfest Pub Quiz’. The quiz, based on beer, pubs and general knowledge, and hosted by West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chair Bruce Mead, will benefit the People First Dorset charity. Bruce said: “We are hoping this could be potentially the biggest pub-style quiz ever in Weymouth, with about 300 participants.” People First Dorset aims to get individuals with specific needs to engage and be accepted into society. Weymouth Octoberfest, organised by West Dorset CAMRA, is on Friday and Saturday, October 16-17, and
held over four sessions, with the quiz on Friday evening. The festival, which has Dorchester brewery Copper St as guest brewery sponsor, will be serving up more than 65 cask ales and traditional ciders. Octoberfest committee chair Adrian Carey said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s event – it’s one of the highlights of my CAMRA year. “It’s always good to see familiar faces and always welcome new people that have never experienced a beer festival. “It’s all about having a good time, relaxing at the end of the week and, hopefully, trying some ales or ciders you have never tried before, alongside banter and band.” Local jazz collective Dr Jazz will be providing the
West Dorset CAMRA chair Bruce Mead (left) and Octoberfest committee chair Adrian Carey PHOTOS: Rich Gabe
entertainment at the Saturday evening session. Bar manager Rich Gabe said: “With it being West Dorset CAMRA’s 50th golden year it was only right we return to the origins of Weymouth Octoberfest and feature breweries and cider makers from the south west, like we did in 2005. “I plan to bring a mix of Cornish, Devonian and Dorset breweries to customers this
year, and next year Bristol, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire – it’s vital we give support to local brewers and cider producers.” Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room has seating for more than 300 people and will be providing hot snacks over the weekend. Sessions run from 11am4pm and 6.30pm-11pm on Friday, and 11am-4pm and 6.30pm-11pm on Saturday.
Kids a Qu for Octo i d ber H 26 al Enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween at Monkey World. Free Entry for every child under 16 years in FULL fancy dress on 31st October.
f Te th O 1st N ctober rm ovem ber
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Peveril Heights central location in new thriller AUTHOR Alex Stone is turning some of Dorset’s best-known landscapes into the backdrop for jealousy, obsession and revenge in her latest psychological thriller, The Jealous Girl. Set around Swanage, Corfe Castle and the surrounding Purbeck countryside, the novel follows Kirsty, who has been left by the man she loves for another woman. Alex said: “Dorset is hugely important to my writing. There’s something about the contrast between this incredibly beautiful landscape and the darker stories I write that works perfectly for psychological thrillers. “One of my favourite parts of writing a new novel is finding the places where my characters are going to live, work, hide, spy and, occasionally, do things they really shouldn’t. “With The Jealous Girl, I had the perfect excuse to spend rather a lot of time exploring the Purbecks. “It’s that mixture I enjoy, of taking places I’ve walked through and views I’ve stopped to admire, then wondering what might happen there if I handed them over to one of my characters. “And, this being a psychological thriller, the answer isn’t always particularly pleasant.” Swanage is a key part of the character Kirsty’s fictional world, with her apartment on Peveril Heights, the block of flats in Seymer Road. “While I was exploring the town I started looking at it through her eyes,” Alex said. “Where would she live? Where would she work? What would she see when she looked out of her window? The view across Swanage Pier from this
Alex Stone in Swanage with her new book, The Jealous Girl
location is what I imagined.” Corfe Castle provided the setting for another pivotal moment, with Alex exploring the ruins to work out where Kirsty could move, what she could see and where she could hide. “I hope that when you read The Jealous Girl, you’ll recognise some of these places and perhaps see them just a little differently afterwards,” Alex added. THE Dorchester Literary Festival Walk will explore writers including Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, the Powys brothers and Sylvia Townsend Warner. Mark Chutter, chair and academic director of the Thomas Hardy Society, will lead the walk from the Thomas Hardy statue at Top o’ Town Dorchester on Sunday, October 18, 11am-2pm. The walk will be followed by cream tea at the Old Tea House at 1pm – payable separately, phone Deborah Dalley on 01305 263719. Dogs welcome, walking boots recommended, tickets £14.
Watching Their Friend Lose Her Savings Changed Everything By Chris Tennant Legacy Planning Consultant, Oakwood Wills Peter and Anne enjoyed a comfortable retirement in Dorset. Their mortgage was paid, they had savings and hoped their home would eventually provide an inheritance for their children and grandchildren. Then a close friend, Margaret, developed dementia and required residential care. They watched as substantial care fees began eating into savings she had spent a lifetime building. As costs continued, difficult decisions also had to be made about her home. Driving home after visiting Margaret, Anne asked Peter: “We’ve worked all our lives for our home. Could the same thing happen to us?” That question changed their approach to estate planning. They wanted to understand whether steps taken well in advance of needing care, as part of genuine estate planning, could provide greater protection for their home and family wealth. Following professional advice, Peter and Anne reviewed their Wills, arranged Lasting Powers of Attorney and considered placing their home into a properly structured Living Trust.
A Living Trust can provide valuable asset protection and, depending upon the circumstances, can help protect the family home where future care costs become an issue. Care-fee planning must, however, be undertaken correctly. Local authorities can challenge arrangements where avoiding care charges was a significant reason for transferring assets, particularly where care needs were already foreseeable. Their planning also provided greater protection against probate delays, divorce, bankruptcy or creditors affecting their children’s inheritance. Their experience taught them one important lesson: The time to consider protecting your home is while you’re fit, healthy and planning for the future — not when a care crisis has already arrived.
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News from Wareham Town Council – September report by Julie Bradshaw AT five years old Wareham’s Neighbourhood Plan needs a review to keep it valid and for it to take precedence over Dorset’s Local Plan. The town clerk will be preparing a specification for the demolition, design and construction of the Howards Lane toilets. The council’s budget includes an allowance for a Multi Use Games Area at Hauses Field. To accelerate the transfer of the former Middle School site, Wareham Town Council will instruct a solicitor to draw up a lease. The ward boundary changes planned for Dorset, mainly aimed at splitting large, rural wards, do not affect Wareham. Before the proposed 20mph speed limit within the walls
PHOTO: Simon Barnes
can go ahead, the community must be consulted, which will not happen before the new deputy clerk has joined the council. It is hoped to start work on the cemetery wall in Conniger Lane in January or when a road closure has been
Celebrating 45 years of Henry
set up. Outline plans for the museum, tourist information centre and town hall development will go to the National Lottery in November. If the bid is declared successful in March 2027, the National
Lottery will pay for the same or different professionals to produce a detailed plan, which will take a minimum of 12 months. The crux of the current plan is a lift which will provide access to the council offices and council chamber, as well as to the upper floor of the museum. The planners think the easiest way to overcome the different floor heights is to remove the floors and ceilings of 2 North Street. The frontage, which has been publicised, will stay, but full height glazing at the back with a large and exciting exhibit inside would attract visitors. The next town council meetings are in the council chamber on Tuesdays October 27, November 24 and, the last one before Christmas, December 15, at 7pm or 7.30 pm. Further information is available on the website, www. wareham-tc.gov.uk or by phoning the town council office on 01929 553006.
Coffee, cake and stalls
THE Dorchester Committee of the Children’s Society is getting ready to hold its popular coffee, cake and stalls fundraiser. The event is at the United Church Hall, at the lower end of South Street, on Saturday, October 17, from 10am-noon. Entry is free of charge, with coffee and homemade cake priced £3.
Announcement
WIN Your Purbeck Gazette has teamed up with Numatic International to offer our readers the chance to win one of only 1000 limited edition versions of the iconic Henry Vacuum Cleaner, built to celebrate National Manufacturing Day
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Meets each week for duplicate bridge. We are a small friendly gathering with a variety of expertise, and we would welcome new members. Those interested should call either Neville at 01929 421840 or Robin at 07840 920823
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
News
Last call to visit Brownsea Island
VISITORS to Brownsea Island can enjoy a range of activities before it closes for winter. Guided walks and events include free daily red squirrel walks until October 23, fungi walks on Saturdays October 10 and 17, and the season’s final wild wetland bird walk on Saturday, October 24. Families can combine wildlife spotting with adventure on the new Forest of Secrets trail during October half-term. This hands-on trail, inspired by Enid Blyton’s stories and based on The New Famous Five books by Chris Smith, challenges young detectives to follow clues, uncover hidden secrets and crack the case. Visitors can also red squirrels in Brownsea’s woodlands, home to one of southern England’s most important populations.
Large flocks of avocet can often be seen on Brownsea Island at this time of year
The squirrels are particularly active now as they gather and store food for winter. The island’s internationally important lagoon also sees increasing numbers of overwintering birds arrive to
purbeckgazette.co.uk feed and rest on the island’s wetlands. Large flocks of dunlin, avocet and black-tailed godwit can often be seen from the windows of The Lookout, or from the hides on the Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve. Away from the shoreline, a variety of fungi is emerging, including delicate earthstars, impressive parasol mushrooms and colourful bracket fungi growing on the tree trunks. General manager Paddy Stennings said: “Autumn is one of the most magical times to visit Brownsea Island. “The summer crowds have gone, the leaves on the trees are changing colour and the wildlife is at its most active. “This is the perfect time to experience everything that makes Brownsea so special before the island closes for the winter.” Brownsea Island, which is cared for by the National Trust, closes to visitors on Sunday, November 1.
Slade is reselected to fight seat
THE Liberal Democrats have reselected Vikki Slade to fight the Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency at the next general election. She has represented Mid Dorset and North Poole since 2024 when she was elected with a majority of 1,352. She secured the backing of local party members at a selection meeting at the end of last month. Vikki Slade said: “Cost of living, equality and pride in our community are my absolute priorities and I look forward to continuing to fight for Dorset.” She added: “It can feel like the fight is a long way off, but the truth is, a general election could be called any day now and we need to be prepared to defend our community from the likes of Reform.”
Your Health Matters
Dorset HealthCare’s monthly round-up
Speech and language therapists raise awareness of developmental language disorder
RACHEL Harrison, one of Dorset HealthCare’s children’s speech and language therapists, has taken on an incredible fundraising challenge to raise awareness of developmental language disorder (DLD). Over 10 days she climbed the UK’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales – but with a twist.
Rather than travelling between the mountains by car, she cycled 400 miles between each climb. Her DLD mouse mascot was with her all the way. Rachel raised more than £700 for the charity Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) as part of her climb. But the challenge didn’t stop there. When Rachel returned, she
Rachel Harrison on her three peaks challenge – with a twist
and six other speech and language therapists, plus two enthusiastic spaniels, completed a 14-mile walk along the Dorset coast to raise awareness of DLD even further. The team chose to walk 14 miles because one in 14 people are affected by DLD, yet many people have never heard of the condition. DLD is a type of
neurodiversity that causes significant, lifelong difficulties understanding and/or using spoken language. People with DLD may need longer to process information, find it difficult to recall words or sometimes muddle words when speaking. Starting at Durdle Door, the group followed the coastal path to Osmington before looping back via the ridge. Despite the challenging climbs and descents along the cliffs, the team enjoyed beautiful weather and were delighted to complete the challenge. To support Rachel and help raise further funds for Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) please visit https://gvwhl.com/ JOSIQ
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 17
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Study shows eco-moorings helping seagrass meadows
SEAGRASS meadows, one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems, are recovering in Studland Bay thanks to the use of eco-moorings, according to a new scientific study. Scars caused by traditional anchoring had shrunk by more than 90% in some cases since eco-moorings were introduced, a University of Southampton researcher found. Kira Dunn, who completed an MSc in Marine Biology with Oceanography this year, analysed annual monitoring data collected since the Studland Bay Marine Partnership first installed eco-moorings in 2021. The study tracked recovery across 39 damaged areas of seabed and found every anchor chain scar examined showed signs of recovery once ongoing disturbance had ceased. In the area where 10 trial eco-moorings were installed in 2021, the size of bare patches in the seagrass decreased by an average of 93.6% between 2021-25, shrinking by about 57sq m each year. In a second study area, where traditional chain moorings remained until 2023, the scars reduced by 65.4%, equating to about 15.9sq m a year. The research found no significant change between 2021-23, suggesting recovery only began once alternatives to
News
Eco-moorings in Studland Bay PHOTO: National Trust/ Brad Wakefield
Researchers Kira Dunn and Dr Ken Collinso, of the University of Southampton PHOTO: Valerie Mather
traditional anchoring became available. Studland Bay was designated a Marine Conservation Zone in 2019 and is home to one of the UK’s largest seagrass meadows, supporting marine species including the protected spiny seahorse and the occasionally recorded short-snouted seahorse. The bay also became a Voluntary No Anchor Zone in 2021, helping reduce disturbance to the sensitive habitat. Seagrass habitats store carbon, support biodiversity and help protect coastlines from erosion, but are declining globally due to pressures including pollution, coastal development, physical
disturbance and climate change. Kira Dunn said: “This was a really rewarding and positive project to work on. The results clearly show that seagrass is recovering in areas where physical disturbance has been removed. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see how quickly this important habitat can regenerate when given the opportunity.” Dr Ken Collins, emeritus research fellow and diving officer at the University of Southampton and study supervisor, added: “This research provides robust scientific evidence that ecomoorings are an effective tool for seagrass conservation and restoration. “The findings support the
continued use and expansion of eco-mooring schemes, not only in Studland but in other sensitive marine environments where seagrass habitats are under pressure. “Studland Bay is becoming a powerful example of how practical conservation measures can reverse habitat damage and deliver measurable environmental improvements.” David Brown, chair of the Studland Bay Marine Partnership steering group, and lead ecologist for the National Trust, said: “These results are incredibly exciting, and a huge encouragement to all the organisations and individuals who have given so much time and support to the partnership. “We had previously mapped all the anchor scars in the seagrass, and this research shows that every one of them is healing, with new seagrass growing back. “The impact has been beyond our expectations, and thanks to robust monitoring and research, we have the science to prove how the eco-moorings benefit seagrass and all the species that rely on it.”
Therapy dogs raise the ‘woof’ at care home RESIDENTS at a Wareham care home had a ‘paw-sitively’ uplifting experience when their much-loved Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog returned with her cute offspring. Accompanied by her owners, Liz and Rupert, Puzzle the golden retriever and her young pups were welcomed for cuddles, conversation and plenty of smiles at the Pine Martin Grange Care Community.
Puzzle is a regular PAT visitor whose calm and friendly nature has made her a firm favourite at the home. Liz and Rupert have bred six generations of dogs and have volunteered with Pets As Therapy for 26 years. Helen Mutton, activities coordinator at Pine Martin Grange, said: “Puzzle is always a welcome visitor, but meeting her six puppies made this
occasion especially memorable. “Residents and staff loved being able to hold them, watch them explore and share stories about the animals they have known over the years.” Helen added: “Visits like this bring warmth and variety to everyday life at the home. “Special experiences such as this are very therapeutic and help strengthen the sense of community we value so highly.”
Pine Martin Grange residents enjoyed meeting the puppies
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
News
DIY publishers cook up a storm in the Zine Cuisine
DIY publishing, showcased at the recent Zine Cuisine art fair at Lighthouse Poole, is experiencing something of a boom. ‘Zines’ are home-made, self-published, non-mainstream, non-commercial publications, and they cover a wide range of subjects from political activism to personal experience via music, poetry, fiction, visual art – anything goes. The term ‘zine’ comes from ‘fanzine’ – itself a blend of ‘fan’ and ‘magazine’ – and zines’ roots go back hundreds of years to the pamphlets of 15th century religious agitators. But contemporary zines are linked to 1960s counterculture and the DIY punk fanzines of the 1970s. Amy Tilsed, an illustrator and co-founder of Zine Cuisine, said: “The one thing that has remained consistent throughout zine culture over the years though is that DIY attitude – I’ve got something to say, I’m going to say it. “I find that so exciting – the fact that it’s been evolving and changing, so that everyone has their own kind of interpretation of what a zine is.” Like their counterparts from the 1970s and 80s, some zines are nothing more than eight pages made from a twice folded
sheet of A4 then photocopied. Others are more polished and may even be professionally printed. A basic zine could cost as little as 50p or £1, whereas a bigger production might cost as much as £15. Amy added: “They come in so many different forms and you can find zines about any topic, really. “Traditionally, zines have been about outsiders, supporting environmental causes, trying to push the little guy up and, in today’s climate, a lot of people are trying to stand up for what they believe in and share messages around that.
“With most zines, it’s really less about the profit and more about spreading awareness. “I think it’s just really nice to see people making zines and at Lighthouse we had people taking part in workshops making zines as young as 10 and 14 – incredible. “Some of them already knew what zines were.” Encouraged by her friend Robin Gage M Smith, Amy started Zine Cuisine in 2024 after studying Illustration at Arts University Plymouth. She said: “There’s a really vibrant arts scene in Plymouth and a massive zine culture that I was really into, so to come
SOME 95 members and guests of the Fleet Air Arm Association’s Weymouth and Portland branch raised thousands of pounds for Weldmar Hospicecare at their annual Black Tot Night, held at Weymouth Workingmen’s Club. The event marks Black Tot Day – July 31, 1970 – when the Royal Navy issued its last daily
rum ration after over three centuries. Black Tot Night is now the branch’s main fundraiser, with this year’s auction and raffle of donated prizes coining in more than £5,000, which standard bearer Jeff ‘Ted’ Edwards handed over to a delighted Weldmar team a few days later.
The top lot was a one-of-akind Fleet Air Arm Association watch given by Dorset firm Elliot Brown Watches which sold for £1,200. The branch welcomes new members – for more information, contact branch secretary Ian Tate at faaa. wpsecretary@outlook.com, or go along to a meeting on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm at Weymouth Workingmen’s Club.
The Zine Cuisine art fair at Lighthouse Poole saw 30 stallers and more than 200 visitors gather in celebration of zine culture
purbeckgazette.co.uk home and find there was nothing like it was a bit jarring. “I decided if I wanted there to be one, I had to be the one to do it, and, with a big push from Robin, we planned it together and here we are. “It’s really fun to meet people and get to know what they’re about through their zines and then bring that community here. “I think people are nostalgic for that analogue feel, folded publications that don’t exist in any digital form. “Some artists have online stores and there are zines on Etsy, but the great thing about a fair like Zine Cuisine is that you kind of have to get it while it’s there as you might not be able to get a copy anywhere else.” Amy is interested in the contrast between the physical world of zine culture and 21st century digital media. “There’s been times when I’ve wanted to just chuck my phone in the ocean and be like – I’m just going to live life analogue from now on,” she said. “But then it’s amazing what you do discover while being online and, you know, I don’t think our event would have been as successful if we didn’t put a lot of our budget into online advertising. “So, for me, it’s more about learning to live with the machine, rather than working against it. I have to say, Instagram works pretty well for zines.”
Black Tot Night raises £5,000-plus
Jeff Edwards presented the proceeds from the event to Weldmar Hospicecare PHOTOS: FAAA Weymouth and Portland
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 19
Sport
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Swanage shine across board by Mike Nash SWANAGE Cricket Club are celebrating another successful season, highlighted by strong performances across all Senior, Women’s and Youth teams, and the landmark arrival of the club’s first overseas player, Australian allrounder Coby Perry. His impact has been transformative and a major step forward for the club. The 1stXI have won five of their 12 completed matches in Premier Two so far this season with five abandonments due to inclement weather. Their batting highlight was Mike Salmon’s 84 against Wimborne at Days Park. The other players to reach a half-century have been Tom Wells (three), Coby Perry (two), Dan Salmon (two), Mike Salmon (two), Sam Wells (two), Ben Allatt, Ethan Stacey and Mark Stacey. The other main contributions have come from Matt Beard, Harry Long and Sid Nash. Ethan Stacey secured the Batsman of the Year Award due to his consistency throughout the season. The bowling highlights were when Freddie Long, Coby Perry – who finished the second highest wicket taker in the Division, helping him secure Bowler of the Year Award – and Mike Salmon all claimed six-wicket hauls against Marnhull, Poole and Christchurch respectively. The other main contributors were Beard, Charlie Dyke, Ben Hodder, Harry Long and Steve Ramsay. Dan Salmon won the Fielder of the Year Award thanks to his incredible ground fielding and sensational catching ability. The 2ndXI won eight of their 12 completed games in Division 3, but also had five matches abandoned to finish in 4th position, just outside the promotion places. However, it
CRICKET would appear the leagues are going to be restructured – again – anyway! Their batting highlight was the sensational 175-run partnership between Sid Nash and Chris Backhouse at Christchurch, where they both made a century – 122 not out and 102 not out respectively. Sid also made another century (138) in a 152-run stand with his dad, Mike. This helped secure Sid the Batsman of the Year Award. Sam Marks also made a century with 13 other halfcenturies by Ben Allatt (three), Backhouse (two), Max Nicholson (two), Jernimain (B), John Lewis, Harry Long, Mike Nash, Steve Ramsay and George Taylor. The other main contributions came from Michael (B) and James Harding. The bowling highlights were Andrew Hancock and Ramsay’s five-wicket hauls against Christchurch and Abbotsbury respectively. They were ably supported by Jernimain and Michael (B), Andrew Hancock, James Harding, Josh (G), Harry Long, Sam Marks and Sid Nash. Harry Long won the Bowler of the Year Award for his consistent performances over the whole season. Backhouse won the Fielder of the Year Award thanks to some incredible catches during his first season at the club. The 3rdXI had a very productive summer – even though they played against some very ‘strong’, far moreexperienced 1stXI sides in Division 5 and had four abandonments. Their batting highlights have been the centuries by Josh (G) – his maiden one – and Paul Norman, with half-centuries from Norman (three), Tim Ives (three), David Alcock (two),
Swanage CC 1stXI award winners Coby Perry and Ethan Stacey
Josh (G), John Lewis and Gary Marsh. Useful contributions have also come from Paul Knight, Danny (N), Don Van Staden and Geoff Willcocks. Norman’s very welcome return to the club saw him pick up the Batsman of the Year Award. The leading wicket taker was Alan Marks, ably supported by Bradley and Liam (B), George (E), Josh (G), Danny (N), Paul Knight, Alfred (R), Josh (V-S) and Lewis (W). Alfred (R) received the Bowler of the Year Award thanks to consistently strong performances over the year, and another one of Swanage’s young guns, Josh (V-S), won the Fielder of the Year Award. OTHER AWARDS: Sunday XI Batsman of the Year, Ethan Stacey; Sunday XI Bowler of the Year, Lewis (W); Sunday XI Fielder of the Year, Josh (G). Most Improved Club Player (Men), Danny (N); Most Improved Club Player (Women), Natalie Sherlock; Young Achievement Award, Bradley (B). The club’s expanding Women & Girls Section continued to flourish, with contributions across the squad throughout the season. Top run scorers included Eden Crook, Hannah Attride and Nala (L), while the leading wicket takers were Sophie (C), Nala (L), Pam Sealey and Faye (S). The team reached their second consecutive final, narrowly losing to opponents featuring two county level players. Optimism remains high for a
breakthrough next season. 1stXI Batsman of the Year, Jo Roberts-Miller; 2ndXI Batsman of the Year, Nala Lee; 1stXI Bowler of the Year, Nala Lee; 2ndXI Bowler of the Year, Pam Sealey; 1stXI Fielder of the Year, Suku Van Staden; 2ndXI Fielder of the Year, Suku Van Staden. The club’s thriving youth programme produced another strong year, with the Under15s winning their division and all other junior sides performing admirably across their respective leagues. The club paid warm tribute to the volunteers who underpin their success. Thanks were extended to the groundstaff Craig, John, Sam and Tom; scorers Nigel and Pete; umpires Tatty and Ron; maintenance team Alan and Tim; the many dedicated coaches; and Beryl and Sharon, widely celebrated for serving ‘the best teas in Dorset’!
RUGBY
Losing start
SWANAGE & Wareham went down 48-5 in their opening match of the season away to Salisbury. Salisbury were much quicker to the ball in play showing up the Swans’ lack of match fitness. Jacob Marshall scored Swans’ only try. Swanage & Wareham 2nd XV lost 19-31 at home to Wimborne 3rd XV. Ron Butler
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
National Coastwatch
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Storms: What’s in a name… T HE beginning of September never fails to bring out the ‘weather geek’ in me – it’s when the new list of storm names is revealed. Last month’s article went right to the wire as I patiently waited for the announcement. Now the suspense is over. The first storm serious enough to earn a name will be Austen, followed by Boelo and Chloe – the opening names on a list agreed by the Met Office, Met Éireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands for September 2026 to August 2027. There is more to the scheme, now in its 12th year, than a little meteorological theatre. Giving severe weather a name turns a complicated forecast into one clear, memorable warning that broadcasters, councils, emergency services and the public can all use. In the UK, a storm is usually named when it threatens enough disruption or damage to trigger an amber or red warning. Powerful winds are the most common reason, but exceptional rain or snow can earn a name, too. The full 2026/27 list is – Austen, Boelo, Chloe, Dano, Evelyn, Finn, Gwendolyn, Heather, Ivy, Jade, Kilian, Laoise, Miriam, Nicola, Olaf, Phelim, Ruban, Shaun, Theo, Vesna and Wende. In line with international naming conventions, the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are omitted. The UK’s choices mix public nominations with a touch of humour. More than 40,000 suggestions were submitted to the Met Office. Chloe was nominated more than 130 times – one came from the mother of a five-year-old weather
by Nick Reed
enthusiast who, she joked, can create a storm of her own when tired. Finn was proposed for a two-year-old described as ‘wild and a force to be reckoned with’, Ivy for a nine-month-old Labrador nicknamed ‘the absolute destructor’, and Nicola for a mother who has ‘weathered many a storm and only came out stronger’. Theo recalls a cat that hid before thunderstorms, while Shaun the Sheep was chosen in a public vote as part of Aardman Animations’ 50th anniversary celebrations. The playful choice still serves a serious purpose – memorable names help warnings travel further and faster. Ireland’s contributions reflect Met Éireann’s 90th anniversary and the history of Irish meteorology. Austen honours Austen Nagle, the first director of the Irish Meteorological Service in 1936, and Evelyn recognises Evelyn Murphy, Ireland’s first female television weather presenter. Kilian commemorates a former Met Éireann director, while Miriam remembers the service’s first female meteorologist. The Netherlands’ selections combine family history, personal promises and tributes. Boelo is a traditional East Groningen name carried through one nominator’s family for generations. Gwendolyn fulfils a childhood promise that a storm would be named after her if she kept her room tidy.
A stormy sea at Kimmeridge PHOTO: NCI
Jade was nominated by 549 people in memory of 19-yearold childhood cancer activist Jade Kops, while Olaf honours a man who loved storms and embraced life despite living with a progressive muscle disease.
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Named storm is not a prediction of disaster, but a signal to pay attention – particularly this season, when El Niño may tip the odds towards wetter, windier weather across north-west Europe. It will not create Storm Austen or determine its path – instead, it may encourage the wider atmospheric conditions in which disruptive Atlantic systems develop and, if warning thresholds are reached, earn a name. El Niño begins thousands of miles away as a natural warming of the tropical Pacific, yet its influence can reshape weather patterns around the world. In August, the Met Office said the developing 2026 event could become the strongest in living memory, perhaps even the largest since the 19th century. The effect on Britain is less certain, but the Met Office expects El Niño to raise the chance of wetter, stormier conditions across north-west
Europe in autumn and early winter. Its September outlook put a warm, wet autumn at roughly one-and-a-half to two times more likely than normal, with the signal for strong winds increasing later in the season. Should one of those systems become severe enough for an amber or red warning, a name from the new list could quickly enter the forecast. For Purbeck, this calls for readiness rather than alarm. Seasonal outlooks cannot predict individual storms, but Atlantic conditions will determine whether Dorset faces strong winds, heavy rain, poor visibility and hazardous inshore seas. Onshore winds can quickly build rough seas, spray and poor visibility, making small craft and people near the shore harder to spot. NCI watchkeepers’ observations can provide valuable local awareness, while residents and visitors should follow forecasts and avoid exposed coasts during warnings. So, whether the season stops at Austen or works further through the alphabet, El Niño is best understood as a possible influence on the weather pattern, not the cause of any single named storm. For Purbeck, the name is the signal to pay attention to the forecast and prepare for the local effects. This is St Alban’s Head NCI and Swanage NCI watching the forecasts and listening on channel 65, NCI out.
GOT A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 21
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I’m not a celebrity – get me out of here! I RECEIVED a very welcome birthday card – sent recorded delivery to ensure it arrived on the right day. Cost? £9.95. Probably five times the cost of the card. Leading me to wonder whether the Post Office is really interested in providing a service to the public or simply trying to recover the millions it is paying out in compensation to Mr Jones and his fellow postmasters. Clearly not the former. The time is coming – mark my words – when the Post Office will just stop pretending it’s a service to us ordinary citizens and understands that we can’t afford to keep it afloat. Which will be a dreadful shame for all the valiant post-persons who get up at the crack of dawn to deliver our letters. And, of course, just leave us with the obligatory junk mail which goes straight from letterbox to recycle bin. Every day I do this, I feel guilty about the environmental damage I am contributing to, but there seems no way to stop it. I have taken it up with our postman, who explains that his contract obliges him to deliver this garbage, even though he is fully aware of its eventual destination! I don’t know about you, but I have a real aversion to the way in which television programmes are marketed using the word ‘celebrity’. Programmes I probably would not waste time watching but for which the prefix ‘celebrity’ turns me off before the programme has started. Today’s offerings – The Chase Celebrity Special, Celebrity Bake-Off, Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Pottery Throwdown, Celebrity Gogglebox, Celebrity Traitors… So, who are these people? B-list nobodies who, had they going to be stars at all, would have been so by now and not be
by David Hollister
clawing their way up the greasy pole to nowhere. I see that the sign has gone up in Harmans Cross protesting about the forthcoming housing development, along with the volumes of Facebook comments. I’ve lived long enough to realise that no man is an island and that we have to make way for the younger generation if our village is not to end up as an old folks’ ghetto. I have been incredibly lucky to live in Harmans Cross for over 40 years – enjoyed the peace and quiet for most of those years and watched the value of my home increase steadily. But that increase is only on paper and no guarantee of future worth. If it all gets taken away from me, no-one can take away my memories. I came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing. And when the Grim Reaper comes to call – as no doubt he will – I hope I can remember the Jackson Browne lyric ‘For A Dancer’ – “in the end there is one dance you’ll do alone”.
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Reat news that the chemotherapy clinic is being restored to Wareham Community Hospital. Thank you to Lloyd Hatton, Debby Monkhouse and the Friends groups of both Swanage and Wareham hospitals, who understood that the decision to move these clinics to Poole left some of the area’s most vulnerable patients facing exhausting journeys. But I wonder whether this is all part of a fiendish long-term plan by Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust to get rid of Swanage Hospital. One has to ask whether the hospitals in Swanage and Wareham would be better
Telling It Like It Is
served by an interim layer of locally-based ‘trustees’ – people with a personal knowledge of the area who could defend us against the NHS Foundation Trust, which clearly doesn’t understand the importance of our two local hospitals. Especially when the chain ferry taking ambulances from Swanage to Poole is out of service for its bi-annual major refit for seven whole weeks from November 2. Do you recall the last ‘major refit’ which kept it out of action for 17 weeks after someone crashed it in Falmouth?
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Re you aware that there is a local infestation of Japanese Knotweed? Raynoutria Japonica! It’s a species of aggressive and invasive herbaceous perennial plant and can destroy property infrastructure and harm local ecosystems. It has to be reported and can cost several thousand pounds to be removed professionally. You do not legally have to remove it from your land, but you can be prosecuted for causing or allowing it to spread into the wild. I think its existence should be a notifiable part of every property sale agreement, just like the bit about having neighbour disputes! If you have it, never put knotweed clippings or soil into your normal household or garden waste bin, as a piece as small a one gram can re-sprout. El Nino is on its way – so
they say – and coming on top of decades of alleged humancaused warming. 2027 may be the hottest year on record leading to disruption of food supplies and even economies.
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Y very sincere thanks to the many people who take the time to stop me in the street or supermarket and express their approval of this column in the Purbeck Gazette. It really makes the whole thing worthwhile – I always respond by reminding them that there’s more of the same in my radio show, but somehow it seems that most of you rely upon pressing FM buttons to listen to the wireless, which is perpetually tuned to Radio 2. ‘Alexa – play Purbeck Sounds’ is usually greeted with ‘Alexa? Who’s Alexa?’ But in the meantime, please keep up the nice comments, each one makes my day! The Government is once again getting flak from the retired community as the ‘triple lock’ is threatened. But you need to get your heads around the fact that you have not been ‘paying on for 40 years for my pension’. Our pensions and benefits are being paid for by those still in work today and for which I – as a pensioner – am truly thankful. We need to stop looking at what we paid in as being our own little personal savings plan. It isn’t. This is what is called ‘socialism’, where we all look after those who by reason or age or disability are no longer able to fund their own retirement. So, thank you to everyone reading this who’s still able to earn enough to pay lots of National Insurance contributions. I only wish I was.
Tune in and enjoy your local community radio station. Broadcast for the community, by the community. Listen to David Hollister ‘Telling It Like It Is’ Monday-Thursday 5-6pm.
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The Purbeck Gazette,October 12, 2026
Countdown to Christmas
Bring your party to The Castle Inn this Christmas ADVERTISING FEATURE
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 23
Countdown to Christmas
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Health & Wellbeing
purbeckgazette.co.uk
Meditations in nature: Last jewels of summer by Susanna Curtin MY day off begins with a hot cup of tea as I watch the sun rise over my autumn garden, bringing with it a glowing warmth and intense morning light. It is not long before my family of house sparrows arrive at my feeders, closely followed by blue tits, great tits and an energetic flock of their longtailed cousins who have a quick feed and swiftly move on. Looking skywards into the blue, I see only a few house martins. Most have left by now, it is only the late broods that linger until early October, and then, sadly, they too will be gone. A flock of goldfinch gathers in my ash tree, and my regular pair of wood pigeons belly flop into my garden in their gauche, messy way. My neighbours have named them Mork and Mindy, as they certainly bring some romance and humour to our gardens, and are often seen kissing on our rooftops. Although they are not my favourite garden birds, there is a lot to admire about them, not least that they pair for life and, despite their appearance, are highly intelligent. I have watched pigeons love, grieve and suffer from loneliness, and although they have small ‘bird brains’, scientific research shows that these are packed with a staggering number of brain cells. Pigeons also possess specialised mechanisms that help them detect magnetic fields, contributing to their remarkable navigational abilities. This helps
A clouded yellow butterfly in Susie Curtin’s garden
explain the historical use of homing pigeons during the First World War when they carried messages to the front line. But for now, this pair are simply sitting in my birdbath, creating a bit of a mess. Suddenly, without any warning call, a sparrowhawk torpedoes through my garden and crash-lands into the elder. All goes still and silent as this amazing ‘bird of death’ bursts in. I hold my breath. What has he or she caught? Then, in a flash of feathers, it is off, this time with empty talons. With the peace broken, my daily chores propel me into action, but I am soon back in the garden in the late morning for another vigil. This time it is the butterflies that catch my attention. By now it is surprisingly clear and hot for late September, bringing a plethora of pollinators to my garden flowers which have come into bloom again since the rains that followed the long, hot drought. Three clouded yellows, a
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speckled wood whose wings have just shimmered with a tiny hint of green in the low autumn sunlight, a single holly blue, a comma, a small white, a red admiral and a hovering hummingbird hawk-moth. They feel like the last jewels of the summer sun coming to say cheerio. Feeling restless looking at all the jobs to do in my garden, I take myself for a walk along the river and find myself sitting on the old cobbles that run up towards the mill. I listen to the water that has run over the weir for hundreds of years, for there has been a mill here since the 18th century. I don’t really like this time of year in the countryside, I never have. I used to think it was because of my work commitments, but on reflection, it is more because summertime has slipped away, and everyone and everything is preparing for the winter ahead. It is a time of transition, a time of change, and I don’t really like change very much, especially
when it feels like a decline. The trees have lost their translucence, and the leaves of the willows and elders have gone pale. The oaks and ash, too, have lost their splendour as the parent trees slowly draw back nutrients from their leaves, preparing for their fall. My melancholy thoughts, however, are broken by the sight of four fine, delicate, olive-green birds. They are either willow warblers or chiffchaffs, but it is really hard to distinguish them without hearing their song. They flit busily between the willows, alders and blackthorn in search of insects to fuel their tiny bodies for their long journey south to Africa, although some may now overwinter here. As some birds depart our shores, our winter migrants will soon arrive, and the rich golden hues of late autumn will bring us joy and cheer. With an uplifted heart, I return home for the last vigil of my garden, for I love to watch the diminishing light at the end of the day. The sun has set, the sky is pink and a waxing moon is rising, its bright light partially visible behind my apple tree. The dunnocks and robins have gone to roost in the shrubbery, and all has gone still. I watch and wait until my bats appear, circling my house. They seem bigger than pipistrelles, but they are really difficult to identify without a bat detector. I am always glad to be here at the right moment to see them leave. The last song of the blackbird hails the end of this sultry autumn day. All that is left to behold are the rising moon, the distant tawny owls and my foraging hedgehog. All is well. n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com)
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 25
Field & Stream
purbeckgazette.co.uk The beautiful hummingbird hawk moth is a favourite visitor to AJ Selby’s garden
Battle of Hastings, Aberfan and an early education in the natural world
by AJ Selby “I’ll tell of the Battle of Hastings / As happened in days long gone by / When Duke William became King of England / And ‘Arold got shot in the eye.” – Marriott Edgar THE arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum brought back many memories of my junior school 60 years ago when around October 14, 1966, the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings – which actually took place at Senlac Hill – our teacher got us to reenact, in the loosest sense of the word, the battle on the school playing field. Having attended a small village school with a maximum of 30 pupils from aged five to 11, we were blessed with caring and knowledgeable teachers who would involve us in what was going on in the world. Our small playing field was on a slope up into young woodland, so it was the perfect place to reenact the battle where in 1066 the Saxons charged down the hill to the Normans thinking the battle won, leaving gaps in their defence and
allowing the Normans to take charge and win the war. With our cardboard swords and papier mache helmets we had a great time skipping a lesson or two and playing outside. I can still remember that there was much in the news at the time of this historic event, and this contrasted just one week later with the tragedy at Aberfan where 144 children and teachers lost their lives in a landslip of coal waste. We, along with most primary schools in the country, went into fundraising mode, and, although I can’t remember the exact details, I do remember the teacher telling us that a sum of money had been sent to the rescue fund. I recall this because my current train of thought followed the battle reenactment and how lucky we were to be able to play in a small woodland during our lunch break and from there we started to learn about wildlife – birds, trees, flowers and, of course, insects. Our teachers were keen to interest us in the natural world and we were encouraged to identify birds in particular
– ones that could be seen from either the classroom windows or just out in the playing field, where we would often take lessons on the grass in the summer. There was scrubland next to the playing field and sometimes a football or a cricket ball would fly over the fence and we would slip through a small gap in the hedge to retrieve it, but at the same time be aware, in summer in particular, of the vast number of butterflies and grasshoppers present in the rough grassland. I can also remember seeing lizards there, and this scrubland was where I saw, for the first and only time in my life, a red-backed shrike. Many wildlife surveys use 1970 as a reference point for the decline of this species or that, and, of course, my early years of being interested in the natural world preceded that. I’m sure it’s not through rose-tinted spectacles that I recall hedgerows with numerous birds’ nests and an abundance in wildflowers in the continually declining natural wildflower meadows that are almost extinct today. Only 20 or 30 years ago, car windscreens would be covered in insects after a moderately long journey, but today that hardly ever happens. I have been encouraged, however, in the number of insects I have observed this summer. It’s possibly due to the heat or maybe just an awareness from more people of how precarious and fragile the natural world is,
but I have certainly seen an increase of bees, hoverflies and various beetles. In my garden, my favourite visitor is the beautiful hummingbird hawk moth, which spends ages in the flower patches, mainly on my verbena bonariensis plants, and this year for the first time I have seen three in the garden together. I was fascinated to recently watch the work of a fairly large spider who had spun its web between two verbena stalks about a foot apart. As I was watching something else, I noticed a wasp fly into the web and within seconds the spider came out from underneath a flower head and cautiously make its way towards the struggling insect. After some careful parrying the spider suddenly shot a web of fine strands over the top of the wasp and spun it into a cocoon in a matter of seconds. It seemed to wind this tighter and tighter until the still living wasp was unable to move. Then, satisfied its prey was completely secure, it moved itself back under the flower head probably to wait until the wasp was dead before feeding on it. I have never seen this capture from start to finish before and I only wish I’d had my phone on me to film the moment. I am pleased that as we hit the second half of September, as I write this, that while the swifts have long departed, the swallows and house martins are still prevalent, albeit in smaller numbers. They will prepare with millions of other birds to head south for warmer climes. Very soon we should be thinking of winter visitors – fieldfares, redwings and hundreds of thousands of waders. Then our nature watching will be of a different kind with salt marsh and coastal harbours the place for me to go. Further inland, we will be readying ourselves for the spectacular change of leaf colour in our woodlands and hedgerows as once again another autumn will then be upon us.
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The Purbeck Gazette,October 12, 2026
THE
PURBECK MAGAZINE
P3
Z 10
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Arrow words Bodily structure science
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Crazes
Spread thickly
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Brain cell
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 27
ISSUE377 309 ISSUE
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PURBECK MAGAZINE
Cryptic crossword 2
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Brain chain (hard version) 138
RESULT
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28
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Politics
purbeckgazette.co.uk
Labour doesn’t ‘get’ rural England BEFORE the general election Labour insisted it had changed. It now has a new leader, new slogans and new promises. But the same old ideology fixation keeps slipping out. Recently, a Labour minister managed to suggest that Black Labradors and English pubs in the countryside were somehow ‘inherently racist’, or words very close to it. It was a moment that reminded me of Emily Thornberry’s famous sneer at a white van in a driveway that had English flags. Different people, different years, but the same attitude. Labour still doesn’t understand rural England, and it still doesn’t understand the people who live here. Dorset is a wonderful rural part of England to live in. It’s a county full of farmers, veterans,
tradespeople, small businesses and families who work hard to keep this county going. It’s not a stereotype, and it’s certainly not a cultural problem that needs correcting. Yet Labour continues to talk as though England is basically London and a handful of big cities, with everywhere else an afterthought. Rural communities across the country aren’t asking for special treatment. Rural challenges are longstanding – poor transport links, limited access to services, overstretched infrastructure, high council taxes and a cost of living crisis that hits harder when wages are lower and travel costs are higher. These issues are well known, yet Labour’s national conversation rarely touches them. Instead, rural England is spoken about
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as if it’s a museum piece rather than an important part of the country. Meanwhile, life for working people has become tougher than it has been in years. Energy bills have shot up. Mortgages are harder to manage. The weekly shop costs more every month. Rural wages haven’t kept pace with inflation, and the gap between what people earn and what life costs keeps widening. Despite all this, the welfare bill keeps rising. Millions are out of work, and instead of focusing on helping people back into employment, Labour has chosen to squeeze the very people who generate the wealth that pays for public services and their welfare bill. That became painfully clear when the Prime Minister was challenged on increasing
defence spending. His response was that we ‘can’t risk welfare’. It might sound compassionate on the surface, but for the millions who get up every day, pay their taxes and still struggle to keep the lights on, it feels like a dismissal of their reality. The truth is simple – rural England deserves better. Dorset deserves better. We need a government that respects rural life, values work, funds defence properly and understands communities beyond the big cities. Labour says it has changed, but its attitudes tell a different story. Right now, Labour still doesn’t get us. Until it does, it will keep neglecting the very country it wants to govern. BYRON QUAYLE Dorset Council Conservative councillor
(from pages 26-27)
Edition 377
Sudoku 3D puzzle
Cryptic crossword
2 7 6 8 1 3 9 3 4 9 5 3 7 5 4 5 7 3 8 1 9 7 6 1 5 6 6 2 2 2 1 5 2 6 9 4 2 8 4 3 9 2 8 1 8 7 9 1 9 8 8 5 1 7 8 6 4 9 4 1 5 6 3 4 6 7 4 5 1 8 7 5 8 9 49 2 3 2 8 42 7 3 9 3 6 3 6 7 6 5 5 9 8 2 3 1 7 1 7 2 1 3 5 9 7 6 4 4 2 1 3 1 6 5 3 8 9 3 6 8 7 8 2 5 9 2 2 6 4 1 7 5 4 3 5 4 6 7 1 7 1 2 8 6 3 1 9 2 8 5 7 7 9 4 6 9 5 8 6 8 3 3 4 9 4 3 4 1 6 8 5 2 4 7 1 2 7 1 8 5 9 6 2 9 2 4 4 1 3 8 9 6 5 9 5 6 7 6 7 3 8 5 8 9 2 1 75 1 3 3 4 32 4 5 2 5 1 8 6 2 1 8 3 9 4 5 6 9 7 9 7 7 6 3 8 2 1 4
H S V F T F A I R Y I T A L I C I T N N S E C T R I L O G Y H A R S H T T D L I R H O O D O T O M A T O E F B R O W N D N B E F O R E O S E M I I E S J Q C L A R V A U N U S U A L L E K P I A E D E M I S E C A T E R K N R E E
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Arrow words
Wordsearch
S E G Z L P M M I X T U R E A M I G O E T I R C N U A G E N T O C T A G O N R R A I T U N P R O D U C T I V E C A R N D H A L F W A Y H O U S E E O D T R RESULT A S S E R T S D R A M A P O D I I N I L A R G E D E T E C T S RESULT Y E D E Y E E
A N F A T O A M Y
T C A N A E T H N P S N M A L A H H I Y S M N I I N S L L H A E G M S I N C N T E S S L N U O B A P R L A E N A S I N A
D A U B
A C E R T P O S
D I S T R I B U T E S
A T G A L E
R W A N O N J E W U U C R O P I O U S A N T G I N L Y H I P S S E S
A I A N N T S Y R I I N S N I
D N S N E E A A S A L N I H D
I E I S N N L H N I B S H A N
A N N J E I S F F A A E A H N E E P C D A S A I A E N K R I S T T A E N S K R N I C P F T R S A I I H A E U I I N S C I E T R T T I I N N I T P P N B S H E N Y R I T I S H S G C G E R M A N E C N E R F P E E R R W E L S H N I I S R L G I E
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 29
Politics
purbeckgazette.co.uk
Adult Social Care reform can’t wait ANDY Burnham’s announcement of reform to adult social care is certainly welcome, as is his willingness to work cross-party, but its delayed implementation to after the next general election is hugely problematic for Dorset. With one of the oldest populations in England, rising costs, thousands of unpaid carers carrying an increasing burden and persistent challenges around care worker pay, the current system is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Dorset’s demographic profile makes it uniquely vulnerable to the pressures facing adult social care. About 29.5% of Dorset residents are aged 65 or over, the highest proportion of any unitary authority in England. By comparison, the national average is about 19%. Dorset Council projects that the number of residents aged 65 and over will increase by 22% between 2025 and 2035, while the population aged 80 and above is expected to grow by 36% during the same period. An ageing population is something to celebrate, but it inevitably brings greater demand for care services, and significantly more
people are likely to need support with mobility, dementia, long-term health conditions and everyday living. The financial implications are enormous. Adult social care already represents almost 40% of Dorset Council’s entire budget for 2026/27, making it by far the council’s largest area of expenditure. At a time when councils are under pressure to maintain highways, libraries, waste services and other local priorities, social care costs continue to rise faster than available funding – not helped by the Labour Government’s current local government funding arrangements. Add to this, the fact that for many, residential care facilities can often only be afforded through the expense of life-savings, this creates an impossible situation. However, much of Dorset’s care system depends not on paid services but on family members and friends. 2021 census data shows Dorset has about 35,500 unpaid carers, and 32% of them are themselves aged 65 or over. Many older carers are looking after spouses, relatives or friends while dealing with their own health challenges. Without
their contribution, the formal care system would simply be unable to cope. However, unpaid carers often receive limited financial support or practical assistance. Social care reform must do more to recognise and support this hidden workforce, including the introduction of paid leave for carers to make it more feasible for unpaid carers to remain in full-time employment. The pressures are equally evident within the professional care workforce. Dorset’s adult social care sector employs about 25,000 people, yet there were still about 1,300 vacancies in 2024/25. Recruitment and retention remain difficult because care workers often receive relatively low pay despite undertaking highly skilled and emotionally demanding work. Furthermore, the muddying of waters by the Labour Home Secretary regarding the entitlement for overseas carers to qualify for ‘permanent leave to remain’ status is proving a deterrent to a stream of the workforce on which this sector relies. Without better pay, conditions and security, the
sector will continue to struggle to attract and retain staff. In rural counties such as Dorset, where travel distances are often greater and public transport can be limited, these workforce challenges are particularly acute. Adult social care reform is therefore not simply about increasing budgets. It is about creating a system that is fair, sustainable and fit for the future. It means providing councils with long-term funding certainty, supporting unpaid carers, investing in prevention and independence, and ensuring care workers receive the recognition and reward they deserve. For Dorset, this is not a future challenge – it is a present reality. The county’s ageing population, growing financial pressures and reliance on both unpaid carers and a fragile workforce demonstrate why adult social care reform must be treated as an immediate national priority. The cost of inaction will ultimately be paid by the very people who rely on care the most. BEN WILSON Lib Dem councillor for South East Purbeck Ward
AFTER more than two years of campaigning, I am delighted that the chemotherapy clinic at Wareham Community Hospital is set to be back in action from early 2027. This is fantastic news for cancer patients and their loved ones across Purbeck. Patients across Purbeck have faced difficulties accessing local healthcare for far too long. Decisions taken under the previous Conservative Government saw clinics and key services withdrawn from our community hospitals, leaving too many people having to travel long distances for care
that should be available locally. Having sat down with a number of cancer patients living right across Purbeck, I know just how strongly people have felt about restoring the chemotherapy clinic in Wareham. That’s why I repeatedly urged NHS bosses to restore this much-needed clinic. I firmly believe that restoring this clinic will make a real difference, allowing more patients to receive care closer to their family and friends at what can be an incredibly difficult time. This good news is also a
testament to the hard work of countless health campaigners – including Debby Monkhouse and Maggie Hardy – who have relentlessly campaigned for the restoration of the clinic since its closure several years ago. Working together, we have successfully made the case for backing our community hospitals. This is an important step forward, but there is still more to do to champion our community hospitals and ensure they are firing on all cylinders once again. Next up, I will continue working alongside
local health campaigners to push for more services and clinics to be delivered at both Swanage Community Hospital and Wareham Community Hospital. I have never understood why the chemotherapy clinic was closed in the first place, but I am incredibly pleased that patients will once again be able to access this vital service in Wareham. This is a victory for patients, campaigners and our community. LLOYD HATTON Labour MP for South Dorset
Great news on chemotherapy clinic
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Home & Garden
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by Sally Gregson AT the end of a long-hot summer, it is refreshing to meet a rare flowering tree that seems to relish these conditions. Such a rarity in British gardens is Heptacodium miconiodes, more easily known as the seven-son-flower tree. In its native habitat, the huge mountain range of Tian Shan in China, Heptacodium miconiodes is a treasured rarity. It is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature website as a ‘Red Plant’, indicating its endangered status in the wild. It makes a small tree that reaches to about 4.5m at maturity after about 10-15 years. It likes a draining soil in full sun to encourage its heavily perfumed white flowers in late summer/early autumn. The flowers are very attractive to every passing bee and butterfly, and if we gardened in its native habitat, to the hummingbirds, all of which
the petals have dropped, the deep, bright pink calyxes continue the show throughout the autumn into late November. In summer it is an elegant little tree with its large, paired, glossy green leaves hanging down from every branch, their tips just touching. They turn golden yellow before dropping in autumn, carpeting the ground beneath. Then the peeling bark comes into its own in winter, contrasting well with the dark, monochromatic landscape all around. It is resistant to most pests and diseases if grown in the correct environment. And it endures pollution, which would make it a natural choice for our towns and cities. And yet it is so rarely seen growing in British gardens. Perhaps that is down to its lack of familiarity among British gardeners. Perhaps, also, it is time to give this beauty a chance to shine, to show us its beautiful faces, and become much better known.
The seven-son-flower tree
The seven-son-flower tree reaches about 4.5m at maturity after about 10-15 years PHOTO: Sally Gregson
pollinate the flowers in the wild. Each flower-head comprises a ring of three to six
Autumn jobs in the garden by Sally Greson AFTER a summer like no other, it has become even more important to look after the soil that grows our gardens. And if we want to continue to grow as wide a selection of plants as usual, it is important, also, to take a cool, hard look at what has survived and what has perished in the drought. Perhaps we have learned a few lessons the hard way, by bitter experience. After a wet winter, the heavier soils have more or less retained that moisture, but lower down, and deep-rooted plants such as roses have survived by seeking out that moisture. Whereas, those with shallower root systems,
such as hydrangeas, sadly have not. Undaunted, we gardeners must look more closely at replacing, but not replanting, those lost and fill the gaps with plants that can cope with both heat, drought and, possibly, very cold winter weather. First prepare the area for planting. If it is at all possible, fork over the ground and remove the perennial weeds, however small and innocent they seem. They are just waiting their chance to take over. Then put down a layer of garden compost, at least 15cm deep, to condition the soil over the winter. In bigger areas or where the
flowers around a central bud which opens new petals as the old flowers fade. And after all
A layer of compost helps condition the soil over winter
vegetables will grow, place a layer of brown cardboard to suppress any weed growth, and cover it with 15cm of garden compost. By the beginning of March the cardboard will have broken down, the garden compost will have started to meld into the soil beneath, and the weeds will have weakened and be ready to come out completely. It should all be ready to plant.
If you plan a display of bulbs in areas that are not yet cleared, or that won’t be ready for another few months, pot them up and put them somewhere cool and light, where you can keep an eye on them. (Rabbits, squirrels, and friends will have their eyes on them too). The bulbs will come up in their own time in the pots and will be ready for planting out at a later time to suit you, the gardener.
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 31
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like thatch, builds up at the base of your turf, blocking water and fertiliser from reaching the roots. Give the lawn a thorough raking, known as scarifying, which will lift out this dead material and keep grass and clover runners under control. Doing this now ensures that air and moisture can get right down to where they are needed most, while preparing a clean bed for overseeding. Aerate and repair worn patches AFTER the drought and lack of rain this summer, heavy foot traffic and garden furniture can severely compact soil over the summer, leading to poor drainage and weak grass. Push a garden fork into the soil at regular intervals to perforate the surface, letting air, water and nutrients penetrate deeply to the roots. For uneven ground, lumps or bumps, use an edging iron or spade to slice beneath the turf carefully, roll it back and level the soil underneath before pressing it back down. Where the lawn has worn thin or patchy, autumn’s warm and hopefully wetter soil and frequent rain make it the ideal time for overseeding. Sowing fresh seed thickens the turf, crowds out weeds and restores a uniform, healthy green finish. Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, said: “By putting in a little groundwork now, you will enjoy a strong, healthy and vibrant lawn the moment spring arrives. Creating a new or improved lawn in your garden needn’t be time-consuming. With our expert advice, you can create a lush green lawn that every gardener would be proud of.”
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AS the nights draw in and the garden takes a breather, autumn is the most important season on the calendar if you want a show-stopping lawn next spring. Summer’s heat and heavy footfall from the school holidays can leave turf looking a little worse for wear, but a little seasonal TLC now will pay dividends when the weather warms up again. British Garden Centres knows a lush, green carpet doesn’t happen by accident, so the team has put together a guide to get your lawn primed, protected and ready for the colder months ahead. Adjust your mowing routine GRASS growth naturally slows as temperatures drop and days shorten, meaning you can finally give the mower a bit of a rest. Raise your cutting height to at least an inch, so the blades can retain more moisture and withstand the chill. Aim to mow no more than once a fortnight unless we experience an unusually mild spell. Always clear away fallen autumn leaves before you mow. If left to sit on the turf, damp leaves quickly rot down, smother the grass, block out precious light and invite lawn diseases. Tackle moss and weeds now IF moss and weeds have started encroaching over summer, they need to be brought under control before you start any intensive maintenance. Unwanted weeds and moss do more than just ruin the look of your lawn as they aggressively steal vital light, water, space and nutrients from your grass roots. If you can remove them by hand, that’s great. If not, once
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Antiques & Collectibles
‘Soldier’ vases a sale highlight
DUKE’S Auctioneers has a compelling pairing of sister sales coming up – The Autumn Auction and Modern Art, each presenting works spanning markedly different periods, styles and traditions. The Autumn Auction, on Wednesday, October 21, brings together paintings, furniture, sculptures and cultural objects of historical significance. Among the highlights is a superb pair of Chinese porcelain blue and white ‘Soldier’ vases and covers from the Kangxi period, standing an impressive 106cm high overall and formerly at Breamore House. Decorated with narrative scenes of warriors, court officials, ladies and children, the pair has long occupied a guard-like role at Breamore House. The term ‘Soldier’ vase refers to their imposing
A superb pair of Chinese porcelain blue and white ‘Soldier’ vases and covers
form, while their alternative name, ‘Dragoon’ vases, recalls Augustus the Strong of Saxony’s celebrated exchange of 600 cavalrymen and horses for 151 Chinese vases, including 18 examples of this type. Similar Kangxi-period pairs can be found at Windsor Castle and Petworth House, with comparable examples having appeared at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Modern Art follows with works by Elisabeth Frink, Abraham Mintchine, Pablo Picasso, Lucy Elizabeth Kemp-Welch and others. A particular highlight is Mintchine’s vibrant Bunch of Flowers, estimated at £10,000–£20,000. The catalogue is now available to order.
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The 1990s: Minimalism to mood rings by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham CONTINUING our celebration of Heirlooms Jewellers being in business in Wareham for 40 years, I thought we could look at jewellery from the 1990s. Can you believe it was 36 years ago?! After the bold excess of the 1980s, jewellery in the 1990s took a varied turn. Minimalism sat alongside grunge-inspired pieces, playful accessories and a renewed fascination with styles from the past. Simple silver jewellery became fashionable, with delicate chains, hoop earrings, bangles and rings complementing the decade’s pared-back clothing. Chokers were another look, ranging from velvet ribbons and stretchy ‘tattoo’ designs to more luxurious versions set with pearls or gemstones. The decade also embraced fun. Mood rings, charm bracelets, friendship jewellery and plastic accessories became sights, while body jewellery grew mainstream. At the other end of the spectrum, celebrities and supermodels brought diamonds, tennis bracelets and designer pieces into the A Bulgari 18ct yellow gold sliding heart necklace, circa mid1990s’
spotlight. Although 1990s jewellery is vintage rather than antique, like the designs from the 1980s, many designs looked back to earlier eras. Velvet chokers recalled fashionable adornments of the Victorian period, while cameos, lockets, crosses and celestial motifs all enjoyed revivals. The popularity of charms echoed sentimental jewellery traditions in which symbols marked relationships, interests or moments in a person’s life. Today, 1990s pieces are attracting a new generation of collectors. Jewellery by recognised designers, well-made silver pieces and distinctive items that capture the decade’s character can be especially desirable. Condition, craftsmanship, rarity and provenance remain important, just as they do when assessing antique jewellery. For me, each piece reflects the fashions, attitudes and memories of its time, making 1990s jewellery both nostalgic and very wearable today. Don’t be quick to get rid of your modern jewellery today – it could be the antique of the future!
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 33
Motoring
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The poor state of the UK’s roads – especially local ones – is drivers’ top motoring-related concern, according to the RAC Report on Motoring 2026
Summer heat set to worsen pothole problems THIS summer’s heatwaves and record temperatures are likely to cause already poor road surfaces to break down further, creating even more potholes, warns the RAC. Intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun chemically ages the bitumen used to bind aggregates together to create roads. This – combined with roads absorbing even greater heat from the sun – speeds up the oxidation process causing asphalt to become brittle and crack as it cools. The RAC likens this to the way sunlight dries and cracks old paint or rubber. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “As UV and heat oxidise the bitumen binder in asphalt, it becomes harder and less flexible, which leads to cracking. Then water penetrates cracks and, as vehicles drive over them, the surface breaks and potholes start to appear. This is the last thing our already fragile roads needed.” The poor state of the UK’s roads – and in particular local ones – is by far drivers’ top motoring-related concern as highlighted in the RAC Report
on Motoring 2026, with half of drivers (51%) saying it is their biggest worry, up from 47% in 2025. The RAC has also seen a sharp increase in the percentage of drivers who say the condition of the roads in their local area has deteriorated over the past 12 months. The figure has risen to 66% from 59% in 2025 and represents the sixth annual increase in the past seven years. The majority of drivers (83%) say they encounter potholes on most trips they make by car, and more than half (54%) come across potholes on every trip. But the research also found it’s very common for drivers to be forced to take some form of evasive action when they encounter a pothole. Among drivers who frequently encounter potholes, 58% say they have to make an effort to avoid them on every trip, while a further 37% have to do so on most trips. And, even prior to this summer’s incredibly hot weather, a third of drivers (34%) surveyed for the report said they had experienced vehicle damage caused by poor road surfaces, up from 29% in
2025. RAC data shows that anything more serious than a puncture is likely to cost drivers up to £590. Simon Williams added: “Potholes are often associated with cold or wet winters, but prolonged periods of hot, sunny weather also takes its toll on the roads. Intense UV exposure and heat gradually oxidise the bitumen that binds asphalt together, making surfaces more brittle and prone to cracking. Once cracks develop, traffic and later rainfall can quickly turn them into serious defects. “There’s nothing that irritates drivers more than potholes, something that research for the RAC Report on Motoring has once again found. Drivers’ strong feelings about the poor quality of the UK’s roads are a reflection both of a long-term lack of investment in road maintenance and repair by local authorities, and of the road surface issues exacerbated by a particularly wet winter, and now an extremely hot summer.
“Fortunately, the Government has increased its efforts to address the problem. Council highway budgets in England have been increased to a record £1.6bn for 2025-26 and in November’s Budget, £7.3bn was allocated for road improvement works between now and the end of the decade which will allow councils to make long-term maintenance plans. “After the exceptional heat of this summer it’s even more important that we maintain our roads properly. We need to be surface dressing roads still in reasonable condition to keep them that way. This involves spreading chippings on to fresh bitumen binder and sealing them against the ingress of water, which is the enemy as it leads to cracking and potholes. “Hopefully, more of this vital preventative maintenance work will have been carried out from April to September as it’s badly needed to improve our roads for the long term.”
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Business
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Pub reopens after £300,000 ‘refurb’ THE Angel in Wareham has reopened following an extensive refurbishment, with new landlord Malcolm Bain at the helm. Hall & Woodhouse has spent more than £300,000 on a full internal refurbishment and significant improvements outdoors. The Angel now has a refreshed interior with a new central main entrance leading into redesigned bar and dining areas, with wooden flooring throughout, and improved toilet facilities. Outside, the pub now boasts a raised terrace with Portland Stone walls leading to an enhanced courtyard and grass beer garden, providing seating for up to 125 guests. A new children’s playground is planned for completion in April 2027.
Malcolm brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to The Angel, having spent the last two decades running the successful family-owned Hunter’s Lodge in Somerset. He already has strong ties to Dorset having previously lived in Bournemouth. Malcolm said: “The Angel is a fantastic opportunity because we can focus entirely on delivering a great experience for our guests from day one. “Hall & Woodhouse has created a beautiful pub with traditional character, and we’re excited to build a welcoming space that becomes part of the local community. “Our aim is to create somewhere that appeals to everyone, whether you’re a local resident, a visitor exploring the area or someone staying at one of the nearby
The Angel in Wareham has a new look inside and out
campsites. “We want The Angel to be a place where everyone feels at home.” The Angel serves pub favourites including classic burgers, fish and chips and a Sunday carvery, and it reopened with a new weekend breakfast buffet served from 9am. Malcolm also has plans to introduce themed evenings such as pie nights and curry nights. Mark James, business partnerships and property director at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We’re delighted to
welcome Malcolm as a Hall & Woodhouse business partner. His extensive hospitality experience and proven track record of operating a successful, food-led pub make him an excellent fit for The Angel. “The refurbishment has transformed the venue into a fantastic destination for locals and visitors, and we’re looking forward to seeing Malcolm grow The Angel as a thriving community pub.” The Angel is open seven days a week, serving food from 9am to 9pm daily.
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Partner and head of office Richard Tombs, partner Nicola TrustScore 4.4 Hall and trainee solicitor Tom Eyles also welcomed VIPs to the stand including Mayor Councillor Jeff Hart and the Mayor’s Serjant and Town Crier of Wimborne Chris Brown. Richard said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout VISITORS enjoyed a taste of the town centre. Wimborne when the town “As a local firm of solicitors, hosted a bumper food festival it was an absolute pleasure to with stalls from producers, local show our support as the main groups and main sponsor Ellis sponsor and join in the fun on Jones Solicitors. the day. Foodies flocked to the “Many thanks to everyone market town for a delicious day who came to our stand and out with tastings, cookery congratulations to Wimborne demonstrations, talks, BID for organising such a competitions and entertainment successful festival.” at the Wimborne BID organised Visitors tucked into a packed event. programme in Willow Walk, Lawyers from Ellis Jones Minster Green, East Street, gave away hampers packed Church Street and the Allendale Blandford Dorchester Shaftesbury Dorche with tasty treats every hour in a Community Centre. Blandford 01258 453898 Swanage 01929 500249 01305 231267 01747 440426 01305 5 01258 447005 free prize draw from the firm’s The Dacombes of23 Wimborne stall in East Street, with Food Theatre played host to Sherborne Warminster Wincanton Warmin 01305 783795 01305 783795 Dorchester Wareham winners including Caroline chefs, producers and food 01925 984459 01963 34065 1 01935 316221 01925 98 Wehlau, from Lytchett experts for live demonstrations www.armishaws.com www.armish Matravers. throughout the day.
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Arts & Entertainment
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Mandy makes her point...
SINGER-SONGWRITER Mandy Woods is putting female performers in the spotlight in a concert she is hosting at Newton Manor Hall, Swanage. Mandy has lived and performed on both sides of the Atlantic and is now a regular performer at Purbeck Folk Club and Wimborne’s Allendale Community Centre Café. Her series of ‘Women & Song’ concerts – the previous one took place in Glastonbury’s Assembly Rooms in May – aim to encourage more venues to book equal numbers of male and female artists.
Although she stresses that Purbeck Folk Club – which meets in Langton Matravers village hall on the first Thursday of every month – and the Allendale Community Café have a healthy mix of performers, Mandy has experienced some venues where relatively few female artists are booked as the headline act. “One club actually included no female artists at all among the headline acts for 2026 that it sent out on its mailing list, not even as members of a band,” said Mandy, who finds the lack of opportunities for women musicians frustrating.
Alan May, with Mandy Woods (left) and Polly Morris, is hosting a concert at Newton Manor Hall
For the concert on Thursday, October 15, she has invited Christchurch-based singer-songwriter Polly Morris and Majorcan composer-pianist Esther Rivas-Adrover – who lived in Swanage until very recently – to join her for an evening of original music, laced with comedy and sparkling piano
instrumentals, at Alan May’s Elizabethan manor house in Swanage’s High Street. Tickets are £10 on the door, with half the proceeds being donated to Swanage’s Focus Centre to help boost its campaign to raise funds for a community cafe and garden. Doors open at 6.30pm, the evening starts at 7pm.
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Tall tales after a 10-year break
COMEDIAN, writer and broadcaster Susan Calman will be playing dates in Weymouth and Poole when she tours again for the first time in 10 years. Her Tall Tales show dives into highlights including cruising the world, driving tanks, her enduring love of cats and the trials and triumphs of getting older. Susan began her professional life as a corporate lawyer, working everywhere from Death Row in the United States to the United Nations in Geneva. However, she left her legal career to pursue comedy full-time and quickly made her mark, reaching the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards and So You Think You’re Funny, as well as becoming a finalist in the Funny Women competition the same year.
Comedian Susan Calman PHOTO: Steve Ullathorne
A Scottish BAFTA for her Channel 4 pilot Blowout followed, along with appearances on Radio 4 on The News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth, Now Show, Dilemma, So Wrong it’s Right, Woman’s Hour and two series of her own sitcom, including the recent Susan Calman Makes Me
Happy. She has also had a successful podcast exploring mental health with humour and honesty, Mrs Brightside. There have been numerous television appearances on the likes of QI, Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week – and she has acted in shows such as Home from Home and Fresh Meat. She has hosted programmes including The Boss, Armchair Detectives – for which she won her second Scottish BAFTA – and the CBBC quiz show Top Class. In 2017, she reached week 10 of Strictly Come Dancing and later won the 2018 Strictly Live Tour with partner Kevin Clifton. Her travel and adventure series have become audience favourites, with three series of Secret Scotland (2018-20), followed by Grand Day Out and
Cruising With Susan Calman on Channel 5. She is the author of two books – Cheer Up Love and Sunny Side Up – and contributed to the Penguin Doctor Who anthology The Day She Saved the Doctor. Susan said: “It’s been 10 whole years since I last headed out on tour, and I couldn’t be more excited to get back on the road. “I’ve collected so many ridiculous and unbelievable stories over the last decade that it feels only right to share them in person – preferably while dancing badly. “I can’t wait to see everyone across the UK again and have a joyful, hilarious time together.” Susan Calman is at Weymouth Pavilion on Wednesday, October 28, and Lighthouse Poole on Friday, October 30.
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Arts & Entertainment
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Model railway show Fun night of ‘folky’ blues and is double the fun ‘bluesy’ folk by Bod Harris ON the eve of Swanage Blues Festival, local musicians Malcolm Lageu (guitar and harmonica), Owen Tuckett (guitar), Buzz Burrell (guitar and cajon), Tony Gilmore (guitar) and Jigger (bodhran) gave Purbeck Folk Club a really enjoyable evening of ‘folky’ blues/’bluesy’ folk and a lot of laughter. Their musical talent and irrepressible humour kept us all relaxed and entertained and, despite the threat of chaos, both sets were delivered without major mishap! A different, and very special, evening. We are back to the usual format for our next gig on Thursday, November 5, when we will be competing with any local fireworks with some musical sparklers of our own! Greg Harper, accompanied by Nigel Ratcliffe on keyboard, will open the evening, followed by a long overdue return of Milton Hide, a delightful wife and husband duo who sing
Milton Hide are playing Purbeck Folk Club’s next event
gorgeous harmonies and play multiple instruments. The club is open to all and meets at Langton Matravers village hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. We usually finish about 10.30pm. Admission is just £8 (cash only) on the door or by ticket bought online. Collete and Richard’s pop-up cafe will be selling tea, coffee and delicious home-made cakes. Glasses are provided for those who wish to being their own drinks. Do brave the cold – you can be assured of a warm welcome and an evening of great live music.
Events
The event will also include demonstrations of modelling techniques and trade stands selling new and secondhand trains, accessories and tools, and society information stands. Poole Model Railway Exhibition is on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, 10am-4.30pm. Entry is £8 adults, accompanied children under 16 free (cash or card taken on door). Wheelchair friendly, light refreshments, free car park.
Spotlight Diary Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry. The deadline for the October 26 issue is NOON on Thursday, October 15. Call us on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net.
Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.
OCTOBER 2026 WEDNESDAY 18:45 WAREHAM RESPONDS TO CLIMATE CHANGE Wednesday 14 October at Not Just Sundaes, South Street, Wareham. Info@sustainablewareham.org.
THURSDAY
GAMES AT THE KINGS ARMS, North Street, Wareham. Come and play scrabble, cribbage, black queen, or any other game you fancy. Starting on 6th October 2026, and every Tuesday from 2pm onwards. Contact Mike Pollard for further information: mike@redhotbelgian.com or Tel: 01929 553681
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simple
POOLE Model Railway Exhibition this autumn is being extended to two days. The event is at Corfe Hills School, the venue it used for the first time last year. Poole and District Model Railway Society has already booked layouts in a variety of sizes, eras, scales and gauges. The emphasis is on quality ‘finescale’ layouts, some of which have featured in the model railway press and collected trophies at major national and regional shows.
01963 400186 adverts@purbeckgazette.co.uk
14.00
LIFE DRAWING - Harmans Cross Village Hall every Thursday 2-4pm. October 15th, 22nd. November 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th. Easy parking. All abilities welcome. Bring your own materials. No need to book. £12 cash. Tea/coffee break.
FRIDAY 14.00
BINGO AT CAREY HALL, Mistover Road, Wareham BH20 4BY, 14.00-15.40. Info. Marian 07748 316512
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
The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026 37
Wanted BOOKS HARDBACK, FOUNTAIN PENS, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid. Tel Mr Jones 01202-733550.
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The Purbeck Gazette, October 12, 2026
Local Services
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