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Issue 378

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October 26, 2026

The Purbeck Gazette 18 AND RUNNING... www.purbeckgazette.co.uk

Purbeck Runners set to celebrate big birthday Wvv

FULL STORY: PAGE 6 ICONIC LOCO The Flying Scotsman is visiting heritage railway line Page 3

STAR TURN Rowan Atkinson attends Purbeck Film Festival Page 7

LADIES FIRST Swanage’s female cricketers enjoy another good year Page 16

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What’s inside this issue... Antiques & Collectibles 32 Arts & Entertainment 35-37 Business 34 Christmas feature 21-24 Consumer News 20 Durlston Country Park monthly events 10 Events 37 Health & Wellbeing 28-29 History 33 Home & Garden 30-31 Letter 11 Local Services 37-39 Politics 26-27 Puzzles 18-19 Puzzle solutions 27 Reader’s Picture 20 Sport 16-17 Spotlight Diary 36 Telling It Like It Is 25 Tides 12 Wanted 37 NEWS Poppy display at Wareham church Harmans Cross homes plans Swanage Literary Festival East Burton and Wool events Kayakers’ Double Chalk-to-Chalk challenge

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 Wareham’s Men’s Shed has had a £1,000 boost in its fundraising efforts to build new premises Page 4

n The Churchfitters, billed as a ‘folk band like no other’ are set to play Harmans Cross village hall Page 36

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Flying Scotsman pulling in at heritage line THE Flying Scotsman – the world’s most famous steam locomotive – is visiting Swanage Railway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the heritage line, rebuilt since 1976. The loco was set to arrive on the Isle of Purbeck heritage railway for 10 days on Friday (October 23) and will be here to Sunday, November 1. Flying Scotsman will be on static display at Swanage station on October 26, 27, 30 and 31, and hauling seven-carriage trains between Swanage, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden on October 28 and 29, and November 1. The iconic 97-tonne A3 class loco, completed in 1923 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), is owned by the National Railway Museum in York. During a test run in 1934, the Flying Scotsman was the first steam loco in the UK to haul a train at 100 miles an hour. In 1924, Flying Scotsman appeared at the British Empire Exhibition in London and in 1963 British Railways withdrew the loco from service. Running with Flying Scotsman will be the newly overhauled and upgraded late 1940s Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage that Swanage Railway volunteers

rescued from San Francisco in 2007 where it was being used as a company boardroom. Between 1969 and 1972, Flying Scotsman ran with the Devon Belle carriage in the USA during a tour of the country to promote British exports. Flying Scotsman will be hauling trains of seven carriages on its visit – each named after a Scottish loch – between Swanage, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden. When it is on static display at Swanage station, visitors will enter via the Devon Belle Pullman observation carriage before walking through the historic loco’s corridor tender and on to the footplate. Swanage Railway chief executive Abbie King said: “It is a tremendous privilege to welcome Flying Scotsman to the Isle of Purbeck during Swanage Railway’s very special 50th anniversary year. We are incredibly excited and absolutely delighted. “It feels especially meaningful to be able to share such a world famous and iconic steam loco with our local community and visitors alike as we celebrate five decades of rebuilding, preserving and operating such a wonderful heritage railway in the Isle of Purbeck.”

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The iconic Flying Scotsman is visiting the Isle of Purbeck as Swanage Railway celebrates its 50th anniversary PHOTO: Andrew PM Wright

Flying Scotsman, which cost £7,944 to build, was named after the prestigious London to Edinburgh express train service it helped to operate – the journey time being eight hours. Purchased by the National

Railway Museum in 2004, Flying Scotsman was restored thanks to a £4.2 million, 10-year project funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund and public donations.

for decades. Loss of ferry connection She highlighted the facing international route raised challenges ferry operators, including red tape, restrictions in Commons post-Brexit on food exports and the impact THE Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade, has urged the Government to do all it can to support the return of cross-Channel ferry services from Poole. She was speaking after the final sailing of the Barfleur ferry marked the end of a 34-year link between Poole and its twin town of Cherbourg. Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Slade described the loss of the route as ‘a very sad day’ for residents and businesses across Dorset who have relied on the ferry

of the 90-in-180-day travel rule for UK citizens travelling in Europe. Ms Slade asked the Prime Minister to ensure that discussions between the UK and the European Union consider the important role regional ports play in supporting trade, tourism and international connectivity. The Prime Minister agreed that it was a “really important point...and a real shame with that level of history” and stated that the Minister for Europe will arrange a meeting with Ms Slade to discuss further.

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THREE of Wareham’s prized institutions came together for the handover of a £1,000 cheque. Beerex, the real ale and cider festival backed by a raft of the town’s businesses, made a donation from the proceeds of its recent autumn function to Wareham Area Men’s Shed. It was aimed at boosting funds needed by the Shed to build a proposed new community workshop on the grounds of Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club. And it was at the club that the cheque was handed by Beerex chair Chrisy Mcbride to the Shed’s leader, Harold Forbes. Mrs Mcbride said: “We pride ourselves in giving something back to the community. We chose the Men’s Shed for our latest donation because we

Rex Cinema, Wareham Hospital and Dorset’s Search and Rescue team. And it let the Men’s Shed – currently in rented premises at Lenctenbury Farm outside Wareham – run a raffle at the recent festival, which netted another £400. Mr Forbes called the Beerex donation “a very generous sum for which we are extremely grateful”. It took the total raised so far towards the new workshop to just over £40,000 – an impressive amount in just three months since the fund was launched. It is still well short of the £200,000 needed for the project to succeed. But Mr Forbes said: “Getting the support of the community like this is particularly pleasing and significant. “The more we can demonstrate that the Shed is an integrated and valued part of the community the better our chances of convincing the big foundations and funds that have larger sums to part with.”

Beerex event boost for Men’s Shed project

Community comes together for tower of poppies by Chrisy McBride and Steve Leaton, chair and vice-chair of Wareham Carnival THE Wareham Carnival Poppy Project 2026 was a little idea that turned into a big display for our local community and visitors to enjoy. A year ago the Wareham Carnival poppy project committee sat down and began planning a fabulous cascading net of poppies on St Martin’s Church in North

Beerex chair Chrisy Mcbride hands the cheque to Wareham Men’s Shed’s leader Harold Forbes, watched by members of Beerex, the Men’s Shed and Wareham Rugby Club

believe in their ethos of providing a haven for retired and less advantaged people who need some company. “The Shed does a massive amount for Wareham and surrounds by making all sorts of useful and impressive things for all sorts of people and organisations, including schools Street, Wareham. Posters, flyers and social media posts went out far and wide and before we knew it bags and bags of crocheted, knitted and felt poppies started to arrive at our drop-off points – along with a suitcase of more than 500 poppies all the way from the USA. The net was sourced and before we knew it, we were opening the doors to Wareham Town Hall ready for the volunteers to help us attach the poppies. Four Sundays, more than 5,000 poppies and plenty of tea and coffee and our poppy net was ready to go up. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made poppies and contributed to the display, to Wareham Town Council for allowing us to use the town

and other charities. “We also agree that they badly need a new workshop because they are clearly growing fast and must find more space to enable more people to join them.” Over the last four years Beerex has donated £15,000 to local good causes including the

Poppy project volunteers (left) and the poppies in place at St Martin’s Church in Wareham

hall, to St Martin’s Church for the use of the church, to all the volunteers and to Wareham Carnival for funding this project. We hope you all enjoy our

beautiful poppy cascade which shows our commitment to remembering the fallen and our heartfelt gratitude for their sacrifice.

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Military man set to highlight climate risks

BRITAIN’S former top military adviser on climate change and national security will warn about the threats facing the country when he addresses Dorset’s leading climate and environmental organisations. Retired General Richard Nugee will be the keynote speaker at the fourth Dorset COP at Coastland College’s Kingston Maurward campus, near Dorchester. General Nugee will reveal the latest developments in the Government’s response to the national security implications of climate change, including updates from the new ministerial Task Force for Climate, Nature and Security set to have met by then. He will also update delegates on developments since last November’s National Emergency briefing at Westminster, where he was among leading climate experts warning politicians and national leaders about the security threats posed by climate change. This year’s Dorset COP on Saturday, November 14, held

£90,000 grant for hospice

THE Forest Holme Hospice Charity has been awarded a £90,000 grant from the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation to support its Hospice at Home service. Hospice at Home provides specialist end-of-life care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, giving patients greater choice to spend their final days at home, surrounded by the people, pets and familiar surroundings that matter most to them.

during the same week as the international COP in Turkey, is focusing on leadership and how ordinary people can help communities adapt to the changes climate change and nature loss will bring in the years ahead. Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) chair Giles Watts said: “The Dorset COP is Dorset’s premier networking event for climate and environmental organisations across Dorset. “Organised this year by DCAN in collaboration with Sustainable Dorset and Coastland College, it’s a unique opportunity for community-led groups to share experiences, build networks and promote a common vision for tackling the environmental and climate crises. “The theme, ‘Making an Impact on Climate and the Environment’, will run through a packed programme covering rivers and beaches, nature recovery, community energy, climate-ready communities, sustainable agriculture, food The service supports patients across the Isle of Purbeck, Poole and Wimborne, helping to avoid hospital admissions and enabling people to receive the same high level of specialist care at home they would receive within the hospice. The dedicated Hospice at Home team provides a range of care, including medication administration, syringe driver reviews, emergency medication collection, psychosocial support and coordination with community services. For more details on the service, visit the Forest Holme Hospice website at forestholmehospice.org.uk

Event organisers (from left) DCAN chair Giles Watts, Coastland College’s Martin Oliver, DCAN energy specialist Sam Wilberforce, Kingston Maurward principal Kate Wills and Sustainable Dorset chair Jenny Morisetti. Inset, climate and security expert General Richard Nugee

resilience and Dorset’s ‘greenways’.” The day will feature more than 20 workshops, talks and sessions, including energy planning, resilient gardens, ‘flowscapes’ and the introduction of beavers into Dorset’s rivers. A ‘Young Voices’ session will follow the first Dorset Youth COP, taking place at Kingston Maurward the previous day. The event will culminate in a BBC-style ‘Question Time’,

with the public able to put questions directly to three Dorset MPs, the leaders of Dorset and BCP councils and three independent climate experts, including General Nugee. Dorset COP 2026 is open to everyone but pre-registration essential. Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you like’ basis, with a suggested contribution of £10. For tickets and information, visit https://dorsetcop.info

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The Purbeck Runners in 2026 – this year the group turns 18

Purbeck Runners’ big birthday run

RUNNING group Purbeck Runners celebrates its birthday each year with a run – but this year, as the group turns 18 – it is aiming to make it a little more special. All past members are being invited to join in celebrations at Studland village hall on Sunday, November 8, at 9am. A spokesperson for Purbeck Runners said: “If you have been a member anytime between 2008 and 2026 we would love you to join us for the 18th Birthday Run Party. “We will be offering a six-mile social run or a three-mile walk from the hall

Members of the Purbeck Runners when it was founded in 2018

and returning to celebrate with a ‘cuppa’ and slice of birthday cake. “If you don’t fancy the run or the walk, please feel free to pop into the hall between 9am-11am for a catch-up.” Zodwa Chasokela, Ross Wayne, Christine Hart Burke

and the late Johnny Burke had the idea of forming a running club at a race in Weymouth in September 2008. They had seen so many people running along Swanage seafront and up and down the local hills they felt there was an unmet need for a running

Villages’ history on display UPWEY & Broadwey Memorial Hall is the venue for an exhibition focusing on the villages’ history next month. Upwey and Broadwey have seen many changes over the last 100 years, from being two separate villages with their own schools, shops, businesses and communities, to the largely urban area of today. School days are remembered with photos from both village schools and Broadwey Secondary Modern – now Wey Valley – which opened in 1949. The Memorial Hall is officially a war memorial and was built with funds raised by

Grays Corner, where Upwey meets Broadwey, in the 1920s

the villages over a 10-year period as a lasting and useful memorial to those from Upwey and Broadwey who died in the

First and Second World Wars. The story of that fundraising from 1945-56 will be on display to mark 70 years since the hall

club within the Isle of Purbeck. They contacted Roger Brewster and held an open meeting in November 2008 which was very well attended, and the following Sunday Purbeck Runners’ inaugural run took place with 50 runners taking part. The spokesperson added: “The last 18 years have seen Purbeck Runners go from strength to strength. “People getting fitter, running further than they ever thought possible and, maybe more importantly, creating wonderful friendships along the way. “Our members participate in road races, trail races, 5k’s and marathons, but equally many of our members just enjoy the social running element of our club meets on a Wednesday evening and Sunday morning – there is something to suit every runner.” For more information on the birthday celebration contact Christine at chb12335@gmail. com or Jenny at dickensonjen@yahoo.co.uk For further information about joining – or rejoining – Purbeck Runners, email info@purbeckrunners.co.uk or visit www.purbeckrunners. co.uk was opened. Organiser Sue Virgin said: “Thanks to the generosity of so many people, in sharing their photos, memories and information, the exhibition has a wide variety of displays – there’ll be something for everyone. “Come along and enjoy a trip down memory lane or find out about life in the villages in days gone by.” The exhibition is at Upwey & Broadwey Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey DT3 5NG, on Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22, from 10am4pm. Admission is free of charge and refreshments will be available.

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PLANS for up to 25 homes for social rent at Harmans Cross have been criticised as the wrong development in the wrong place. The Corfe Castle Community Land Trust (CCCLT) wants to build the homes at Tabbits Hill Lane, just outside the village. But the informal Harmans Cross Residents (HCR) group says building homes close to Swanage, Wareham or Corfe Castle, where most housing need lies, would be much less damaging and more sustainable. It says the infrastructure does not exist to warrant a 15% increase in the size of Harmans Cross and that the greenfield site is within the Dorset National Landscape. HCR says the Corfe Valley between Swanage and Corfe

Castle is already under pressure from developments, and a sizeable housing estate next to Harmans Cross would only add to it. The residents’ group says CCCT and the Aster Group put forward a planning application for affordable housing in Corfe

Castle in 2021. HCR says a trustee of the Corfe Castle Charity (CCC) wrote at the time: “We support the application because we want to ensure local people can stay in the village to send their children to school here and work in local businesses.

“This will keep the village vibrant. We do not want the village to become a ghost village of second homes and holiday lets.” HCR says this application matched local needs and objectives with local infrastructure but was withdrawn before a planning decision. It says the landowner is still willing to revisit this proposal, but CCCLT has so far rejected the option. HCR spokesperson Sue Hine said: “Good planning means the right development in the right place, and CCCLT’s new proposal is not. “We call on CCCLT and the Corfe Castle Charity to reconsider the aims and consequences of their plans and to find a sustainable solution to Corfe Castle’s needs.” The group said the only justification for Tabbits Hill Lane site seemed to be CCC’s ‘fortuitous’ ownership of the land.

COMEDIAN Rowan Atkinson was the toast of Purbeck when he delighted a packed audience in Swanage with stories about how he created his character Mr Bean. Atkinson was guest speaker at Purbeck Film Festival’s screening of Mr Hulot’s Holiday, written, directed by and starring legendary French filmmaker Jacques Tati. In an onstage interview at the Mowlem Theatre after the film, conducted by cultural historian and author Matthew Sweet, Atkinson spoke warmly of his love for Tati’s brand of comedy and how it had influenced his own career, especially the creation of Mr Bean. He described Mr Hulot as warm, funny, gangling and fundamentally decent, and admitted that Mr Bean was a

much less charming character. Atkinson told the audience that he first saw Mr Hulot’s Holiday at the age of 17, projected onto the wall of his room at school, and said it was a joy to watch it on the big screen at the Mowlem. “Seeing the film again tonight, I can see where I got my inspiration from. It was more consistently funny than I remembered,” he told Sweet, recalling some of the many stunts, accidents, trips, bumps and hilarious encounters in the 1953 black-and-white film. He admitted to doing some research on Tati ahead of his appearance and served up many interesting anecdotes about Mr Hulot’s Holiday and his own 2007 film Mr Bean’s Holiday, including the importance of sound in silent movies. Atkinson has made two films

Rowan Atkinson – inset – was guest speaker at a Purbeck Film Festival screening in Swanage of Mr Hulot’s Holiday

Residents’ group against plans for new homes

The proposed site for new homes on the edge of Harmans Cross

Atkinson delights festival audience

based on Mr Bean, as well as 14 television episodes and 186 cartoon shows. He returns to the London stage next year with a new show, Rowan Live, which brings together some of his most famous sketches. Alongside Mr Bean, he will conjure up Blackadder, as well as favourites from Not the Nine

O’Clock News and new material created with long-term collaborators Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Howard Goodall. The Purbeck Film Festival continues until the end of October, followed by an awards ceremony at the Mowlem on 1 November, showing a shortlist of short films chosen from hundreds of entries.

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Talking books at literary festival

THE upcoming Swanage Literary Festival promises an excellent mix of authors who will be presenting their work and discussing their approach to writing and that of others. The annual festival includes actor Larry Lamb sharing anecdotes about his life and an insight into his own poems, Mark Chutter speaking about the novels and life of Thomas Hardy, and Sophie Hannah talking on ‘Agatha Christie,

Poirot and Me’. The event will also feature a presentation by The Swanage School, tales of fairies and magical beasts with Nick Jubber, and Alison Kelly telling stories for pre-school children. No literary festival would be complete without a poetry workshop as well as an appearance from local poet Martin Hobdell! For more details and tickets visit www.

DORSET Morris Dancers are looking for individuals to step forward and become members of the group, so it has a future beyond 2027. Anthony Kemp, from Dorset Morris, says members have danced for over 30 years and collected more than £50,000 for local charities, and it would be shame for it to disband.

The ladies side practices every Wednesday during autumn and winter and the men’s side most Sundays over the same period. For more information on the ladies side contact jacky.noyce@sky.com, and geoffmetcalf960@ yahoo.co.uk for details of the men’s side.

swanageliteraryfestival.co.uk and follow on Facebook and Instagram. Swanage Literary Festival takes place in The Studio at The Mowlem from Thursday to Saturday, November 5-7. ULTRAVOX, who had seven top 10 albums and 17 top 40 singles in the UK between 1980-86, the most successful of which was the 1981 hit Vienna,

are the subject of a talk at The Mowlem in Swanage. Richard Evans is author of Looking Backwards Towards The Future: The Story of Ultravox, the first authorised biography of the post-punk mavericks turned commercial superstars. He will be talking about one of Britain’s most eccentric, unusual and uncompromising groups on Thursday, October 29, at 7.30pm.

Morris dancers seek new recruits

Celebrating 45 years of Henry

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 Closing date: 30th October TO ENTER VISIT:

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Community stalwart awarded trophy

LYTCHETT Minster and Upton Town Council, in addition to its Volunteer of the Year awards, commissioned a special trophy which the Mayor has presented to Upton resident Mabel Fraser for her lifetime commitment to the community. Mabel led on the Beacon Community Art Garden, the decorated hoardings next to the Co-Op and on the art garden produced in collaboration with local schools, the craft tables at Picnic in the Park and the council’s Christmas events, and the scarecrow competition. The council is hosting a Christmas Disco and Bubble Show at the local community centre – St Dunstan’s Church – Poole Road, Upton, on Saturday, December 12, from

2-4pm. It will be an afternoon of FREE family entertainment, with festive bubble magic from The Lovely Bubbly Show and a chance to dance. Father Christmas will drop in for a quick visit at the end of the disco. This event is suitable for children up to 11. Parents, carers and guardians are required to stay on site for the event. Free tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite by searching ‘Christmas Disco Upton’. Some free spaces also available on the door. The new, free youth club with the YMCA is running every Friday evening during term time at The Grove – Upton Recreation Ground BH16 5NF. Year 7-9 sessions run from 5pm-7pm and Year 10-13 sessions from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council meets on Tuesdays from 6.30pm at the council offices in Moorland Parade.

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DESPITE the weather beginning to get colder and damper, November is a great time to visit the country park for those autumnal walks through the crispy leaves in the woodland or a blustery jaunt along the clifftop. As the seasons change from autumn to winter, so do the sounds, sights and atmosphere of the park. This autumn hosted an array of wildlife sightings, and we look forward to what we might see in the winter. The wildflowers at Durlston are mostly over but fungi now bedeck the downland slopes, including the parasol mushroom. Some species are poisonous, so if in any doubt, leave well alone! Bottlenose dolphins are often seen from the clifftop path at this time of year. Please report any sightings to the Rangers. Guillemots, razorbills and

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Durlston Country Park has a lot going on this month

shags frequent Durlston Bay while fulmars may be spotted, prospecting the cliffs. Look out for peregrines and ravens occasionally engaging in spectacular dogfights. As we come into November, in the Fine Foundation Gallery we will begin our in-house exhibitions focusing on the vast wildlife and fascinating history of the park, kicking off with the Miracle of Migration exhibition running until Thursday, November 5; then, from Monday, November 9, the Durlston Past exhibition will explore the 20th century history of the park. The gallery is still

home to our ‘Rock Room’ as well as our cinema screens that show Durlston Through the Year, inviting visitors to discover more about Durlston’s nature, geology and history while remaining dry and warm inside. November is also a fantastic month for events here at Durlston. On Thursday, November 5, we have a free, one-hour Castle Tour for visitors to learn more about Durlston’s Victorian past, then throughout the month we have a great collection of workshops to try your hand at. On Thursday, November 12, join artist Shelley Perry to discover a brush-free way of painting with a Hand Painting Landscapes workshop. On Saturday, November 14, book onto Make a Wood Engraving Christmas Card with artist and printmaker Robin Mackenzie,

who will help you design, engrave and handprint your own Christmas cards. On Sunday, November 22, we have another Glass Engraving Workshop which will teach you the basics of the intricate art of glass engraving in an hour and a half! We also have plenty more, including a Stargazing Evening, a Wellies and Wildlife guided walk, a Park to Pier guided walk and an evening talk from Ross Packman from Dorset Dogs about the Dorset Heaths Partnership’s work to strive towards a balance between dogs and wildlife. Visit www.durlston.co.uk/ events for more information on all events. Whatever your reason for visiting Durlston, we look forward to seeing you at the park this November. All the best from the Durlston Rangers.

Bosses walk for dementia cause

SENIOR leaders from Travis Perkins Hire swapped the boardroom for the coastal path to raise money for charity when they took on a section of the Jurassic Coast. The managing director, Ian Sharman-Jones, along with other members of the business’s senior leadership team (SLT), walked more than 13 miles to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society, the company’s chosen charity. Starting at Corfe Castle, the route saw the SLT climb onto Purbeck Ridge before making their way into Kimmeridge Bay. They then headed back onto the coastal path before completing a loop and ending the journey where they started.

Travis Perkins Hire’s SLT walked 13 miles from Corfe Castle

The walk included 1,500 feet of climbing and took more than four hours for the nine-strong team to complete, with a fundraising target of £3,000. Carly Ford, head of National

Sales, said: “Everyone at Travis Perkins does a wonderful job raising money for Alzheimer’s Society, and as a leadership team we wanted to do our bit and that is why we set ourselves

this ambitious challenge. “Dementia has such devastating impacts on people’s lives, so we wanted to do our very best to make some kind of difference. “We are incredibly grateful for all those who donated and sent us messages of support and encouragement. “I was delighted to be joined by fellow members of the Travis Perkins Hire SLT for the challenge.” Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and one in three people born today will develop the condition in their lifetime. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, providing help and hope to everyone affected.

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Homeless charity’s firewalk event

HOMELESSNESS charity Hope Housing is appealing for volunteers to take part in a fire walk challenge to raise funds. The charity would like to hear from individuals, businesses, and friends and families who would dare to walk barefoot across hot embers to raise funds for its work helping people get off the streets and back into independent living. Chief executive Julie Berti said: “A fire walk is a big ask for many people, a huge challenge demanding you overcome your fears and put trust in others. “And this is very fitting when you consider the mammoth challenges our residents make in leaving homelessness behind, rebuilding their shattered confidence and overcoming trauma, before eventually moving on to safe and independent living.” Hope, in Bournemouth, has helped more than 2,700 formerly homeless people off the streets and into safe, supported accommodation. The charity provides supported housing to 95 people, all of whom can also access counselling, health and wellbeing support, training and education, and assistance into work. Julie added: “Whether you are someone looking for a personal challenge, a group looking for a thrilling teambuilding activity, or family members or friends who would

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01305 360751 Hope Housing is appealing for volunteers to take part in the event in Bournemouth

enjoy a memorable experience, please come together and take part in the Fire Walk Challenge. “Every ticket sold and every pound raised will help Hope Housing continue to provide accommodation, support, counselling, rehabilitation programmes and opportunities that enable people experiencing homelessness to regain independence and build brighter futures.” The Hope Fire Walk Challenge is on Friday, November 6, at Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth, from 7pm. Entry costs £30 per person, participants must be 12 years or over and everyone must be pre-registered. To sign up, email Lucy at lucy@hopehts.com

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Letter Dancers support #Willdoes charity

DORSET Button Morris dancers have now finished their summer dancing and during Wednesday dances collected £850 for the #Willdoes charity.

We thank everyone who came to watch us and help us to collect this amount. Please come and watch us next year – or, better than that, come and join us! Anthony Kemp Dorset Button Morris

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

News

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East Burton and Wool events – November by Patricia Hook Wool Community Theatre, at I HAVE been given details the D’Urberville Centre, on about a craft fair, being run Friday, November 20, is by Winfrith Crafters, on Ladies in Lavender. Set in a Sunday, November 8, quiet Cornish fishing village 11am-3pm. It will feature in the 1930s, this gentle unique, local, handmade items drama tells of two sisters, and profits will go to Winfrith Ursula and Janet, whose village hall, Dorset County peaceful lives are changed Hospital and Dorset when they discover a young Hedgehog Rescue. The fair is Polish man washed ashore Swanage Tidal & Solar Predictions at Winfrith Newburgh village after a October '26 storm. Starring Dames hall – DT2 8LR – admission Judi Dench and Maggie is free, refreshments will be Smith, it is a moving story of available and payment can be love, loneliness, music and by cash or card. isCoastwatch unfulfilled dreams. Doors Complied by Everyone the National Institution, Swanage from tidal data provided by the Channel Observatory welcome. open at Coast 6.30pm and film The afternoon tea held by starts at 7pm. As usual, Date Community HW LW Library HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise to Sunset Wool visitors are welcome bring 07:08 18:48 01-Oct 07:03 11:40 19:30 23:55 trustees on October 3 was food and drink. Coffee, tea 07:10 18:46 02-Oct 07:50 11:54 20:21 18:44 03-Octwell 00:22 08:47 and 12:28 21:27 and soft drinks are07:11 very attended available 07:13 18:42 04-Oct 06:56 10:06 19:00 22:55 everyone enjoyed an to purchase, as well as Neaps 07:15 18:39 05-Oct 08:10 11:44 18:01 informative interview and 12:58 marvellous Purbeck Ice 18:37 07:16 06-Oct 00:19 09:16 18:35 07:18 18:35 07-Oct 01:21 Joanna 10:16 13:50 Cream. 19:16 question time with 07:19 18:33 08-Oct 02:10 07:50 14:34 19:57 Quinn, author of The Coffee and Cake, at East 07:21 18:31 09-Oct 02:54 08:25 15:16 20:37 / Springs hall, 07:23 10-Oct 03:35 21:16 NM Whalebone Theatre, in09:01 15:55 Burton village is on 18:29 11-Oct 04:14 21:52 conversation about her09:37 book.16:34 Friday, November 07:24 13, 18:26 07:26 18:24 12-Oct 04:52 10:11 17:12 22:26 Swanage Tidal & Solar Predictions The November at 17:48 10am-noon. As usual of 07:27lots18:22 13-Oct 05:28film 10:42 22:57 14-Oct 06:03 11:09 18:23 April '2623:23Predictions Swanage Tidal & Solar Solar Predictions 07:29 18:20 Swanage Tidal & 07:31 18:18 15-Oct 06:36 11:32 18:56 23:48 June '26 June 07:32 18:16 16-Oct 07:07 11:57 19:28 '26 Tidal20:02 & Solar Predictions 07:34 18:14 17-Oct 0.2125 Swanage 07:40 12:27 07:36 18:12 18-Oct 05:48 08:18 17:36 20:45 '26 October/November 2026 April Neaps 07:37 18:10 19-Oct 06:39 18:16 00:52 Complied by12:55 the National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage 07:39 18:08 20-Oct 07:36 13:28 18:55 01:00 from tidal data provided by the Channel Coast Observatory Complied by by the National National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage Swanage 07:41 18:06 21-OctComplied 01:23 08:28 13:51 19:10 Institution, the Coastwatch 07:42 18:04 22-Octfrom tidal data 01:47 provided 08:51 14:11 19:19 by the Channel Channel Coast Observatory Observatory from tidal data provided by the Coast 07:44 18:02 23-Oct 02:13 08:02 14:35 19:45 Date Complied HW LW HW LW HW Institution, Tide/Moon Swanage Sunrise Sunset by the National Coastwatch 07:46 18:00 24-Oct 02:44 08:16 15:06 20:18 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 06:47 Sunset 16:58 *25-Oct 02:19 07:43 14:41 19:54 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 Moon 06:49 16:56 26-Oct 02:56 08:16 15:19 20:32 Full Springs 05:02 21:11 01-Jun 04:43 10:03 16:57 22:02 03-Apr 04:55 10:13 17:11 22:29 Springs 06:41 19:43 05:01 21:12 02-JunComplied by 05:18 10:37 17:32 22:33 the National Coastwatch Swanage Springs 06:51 16:54 27-Oct 03:35 08:51 15:58 21:11 Institution, 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 Sunset 05:00 21:13 03-Jun 05:52 11:12 18:09 23:06 06:52 16:52 28-Oct 04:16 provided 09:26 16:40 21:50 05:00 21:13 03-Jun 05:52 11:12 18:09 23:06 from tidal data by the Channel Coast Observatory 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 19:40 05:00 21:14 04-Jun 06:29 11:50 18:50 23:39 06:54 16:50 29-Oct 04:59 10:00 17:25 22:29 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 06:56 19:41 16:49 30-Oct 05:45 10:27 18:13 23:09 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 19:43 04:59 21:16 06-Jun 00:13 07:55 17:36 20:26 Date HW LW HW LW HW Tide/Moon Sunrise 06:58 Sunset 16:47 31-Oct 06:37 10:49 19:09 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 06:59 19:44 16:45 01-Nov 04:36 07:40 16:37 20:17 Time *British Summer Ends 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 Compiled from CCO data for Swanage Pier - E&O excepted - not for navigation 05-Apr 06:04 11:11 18:17 23:23 06:36 19:46 04:58 21:18 08-Jun 06:25 09:41 19:20 22:27 07:01 16:43 02-Nov 05:40 08:59 17:42 21:36 Neaps 04:58 21:18 08-Jun 06:25 09:41 19:20 22:27 NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP =23:46 Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides 10-Apr 05:58 09:00 19:00 06:26 19:54 06-Apr 06:35 11:35 18:47 06:34 19:48 04:57 21:19 09-Jun 02:51 10:43 20:14 23:36 Neaps 07:03 16:42 03-Nov 06:50 10:21 19:00 22:50 04:57 21:19 09-Jun 02:51 10:43 20:14 23:36 Neaps All times are local20:03 time 11-Apr 01:42 06:41 13:20 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 07:04 16:40 04-Nov 07:55 11:29 17:07 23:51 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 07:06 16:38 05-Nov 08:55 12:23 17:49 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 07:08 16:37 06-Nov 00:42 09:53 13:09 18:32 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 07:10 16:35 07-Nov 01:27 07:00 13:51 19:13 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 07:11 16:34 08-Nov 02:09 07:35 14:32 19:52 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 07:13 19:57 16:32 09-Nov 02:49 08:10 15:11 20:30 NM / Springs 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-Jun 04:47 10:12 17:09 22:24 Springs 07:15 19:59 16:30 10-Nov 03:27 08:44 15:49 21:06 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-Jun 05:36 11:03 17:58 23:12 07:16 20:00 16:29 11-Nov 04:04 09:15 16:25 21:40 04:56 21:23 17-Jun 05:36 11:03 17:58 23:12 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 07:18 20:02 16:28 12-Nov 04:40 09:44 17:00 22:11 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 07:20 20:04 16:26 13-Nov 05:15 10:11 17:34 22:42 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 04:56 21:24 20-Jun 00:42 08:05 17:28 20:34 07:21 20:05 16:25 14-Nov 05:50 10:40 18:10 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 07:23 20:07 16:23 15-Nov 03:46 06:30 11:13 18:50 04:56 21:25 21-Jun 01:10 09:00 18:21 21:33 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 07:25 16:22 16-Nov 04:33 07:19 11:52 19:39 04:56 21:25 22-Jun 06:28 09:59 19:18 22:41 24-Apr 05:56 09:53 19:14 22:43 05:57 20:17 20-Apr 06:03 11:13 18:22 23:22 06:05 20:10 04:57 21:25 23-Jun 07:33 11:05 20:19 23:53 07:26 16:21 17-Nov 05:25 08:27 13:03 20:42 04:57 21:25 23-Jun 07:33 11:05 20:19 23:53 25-Apr 07:16 11:17 20:29 Neaps 05:55 20:18 21-Apr 06:48 11:50 19:08 23:46 06:03 20:12 04:57 21:25 24-Jun 08:50 12:12 21:22 00:57 07:28 16:20 18-Nov 06:20 11:25 18:04 22:06 Neaps 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 07:30 16:19 19-Nov 07:14 11:47 16:44 23:27 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 07:31 20:15 16:17 20-Nov 08:04 12:17 17:21 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 07:33 20:17 16:16 21-Nov 00:18 06:17 12:53 18:01 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 07:35 20:18 16:15 22-Nov 01:03 06:36 13:32 18:43 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 07:36 20:20 16:14 23-Nov 01:46 07:08 14:13 19:26 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 07:38 20:21 16:13 24-Nov 02:29 07:46 14:55 20:10 Full Moon 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 07:39 20:23 16:12 25-Nov 03:13 08:26 15:39 20:56 Compiled from CCO data for Swanage Pier - E&O excepted - not for navigation 29-Apr 02:34 07:54 14:52 20:19 05:47 07:41 20:25 16:11 26-Nov 03:58 09:09 16:24 21:43 Springs 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 07:42 20:26 16:11 27-Nov 04:45 09:51 17:12 22:32 Compiled from CCO data forAllSwanage Pier - E&O excepted - not for navigation times are local time NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides 07:44 16:10 28-Nov 05:35 10:34 18:03 23:26tides NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap + SP = Spring Tides All times are local Time 07:45 16:09 29-Nov 06:29 11:15All 18:58 times are local Time Compiled from CCO data for Swanage Pier E&O excepted not for navigation 07:46 16:08 30-Nov 04:22 07:28 11:42 19:58 NM = New Moon + FM = Full Moon + NP = Neap tides + SP = Spring Tides

Swanage Tidal & Solar Predictions November '26

‘yummy’ homemade cakes to eat in and take away. No booking required and all that is asked for is a donation to hall funds. The Woolie Womblers have a litter picking session in Wool on Saturday, November 21. They will meet outside the D’Urberville Centre at 9.30am where equipment can be picked up. Litter pickers, rubbish bags, hoops for said bags, hi-vis packets and gloves are available, plus a list of potential areas which need to be cleared. Bag collection is available to save pickers carrying a full bag around while litter picking. Anyone who has some spare time is invited to go along. Contact Sue Burroughs or Jayne Simmons through Facebook – Woolie Womblers – or leave a message on 07714 389330.

Charity’s gala ball invite

DIVERSE Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, is returning to Lighthouse Poole for its popular Gala Ball this November. The evening will begin with a drinks reception before guests take their seats for a three-course dinner, live entertainment, fundraising activities and the chance to win a diamond necklace. The ball is sponsored by Franses Jewellers with additional support from Colten Care, Dorset Digital Print, and Forelle Estates. Mariana Swain, events executive at Diverse Abilities, said: “The Gala Ball is the highlight of our year, bringing together supporters, businesses and friends of the

The D’Urberville Players are still on the lookout for new members to join their lively team. Anyone with an unfulfilled wish to tread the boards would be welcomed with open arms. Budding amateur players don’t need to have any sort of professional experience, just an enthusiasm for making people laugh and showing off. The next production is a one evening only show and quiz – with refreshments – in December and then an extremely funny play called To Be Or Not To Bother!!! to be performed in June 2027. The group meets every Tuesday at 7.30pm at the D’Urberville Centre. If you know of any activity in the area which needs to be advertised, let me know and I will include it here. I am all about supporting local people and events. My email is patricia.hook125@gmail.com charity for a fantastic evening raising funds for Diverse Abilities. “Every ticket purchased helps us continue making every day better for the children and adults we support across Dorset. We can’t wait to welcome everyone for a very special night. “A big thank you goes to our generous sponsors as we would not be able to host this event without their support.” The evening also includes other surprise entertainment, a live auction and the opportunity to win top prizes throughout the night. The ball is on Saturday, November 21, with tickets available to purchase for groups and individuals. Funds raised help the 2,000 children and adults the charity supports across Dorset every year. Visit diveseabilities.org.uk/ gala to find out more and book online or phone 01202 711502.

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 13

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If You Became Unwell, Who Would Manage Your Affairs? By Chris Tennant - Legacy Planning Consultant, Oakwood Wills

Monkey Beach, Swanage, from which Paul Jenkins (right) and Allen Westerby (left) launched and returned, and (inset) The Needles

Canoe club pair rise to kayak challenge

TWO sea kayakers from Poole Harbour Canoe Club have raised money for the science faculty at The Blandford School by undertaking a gruelling challenge. Paddle UK sea kayak leaders Paul Jenkins and Allen Westerby kayaked from Old Harry Rocks, Swanage, to The Needles, Isle of Wight, and then back again in the same day. This demanding open sea crossing, which required meticulous planning at every

stage, is known as the Double Chalk-to-Chalk. Paul and Allen took over 14 hours to cover the 40-mile (64Km) distance in difficult conditions. The challenge aims to raise £10,000 to help The Blandford School purchase new science equipment the school cannot fund. Donations are still being accepted – visit www. gofundme.com and search ‘New Science Equipment For Children’.

Ballet at the local library FAMILIES and young people have the chance to explore ballet, contemporary, African and Caribbean dance styles at Swanage and Wimborne libraries this week during half-term. Professional dancers from the Black British Ballet project will lead fun, accessible sessions at Wimborne Library tomorrow (Tuesday, October 27) and Swanage on Friday (October 30).

Most of us want the same things: to remain in control of our lives, protect those we love and leave our affairs in good order. Yet many families have a will tucked away somewhere without knowing whether it still reflects their circumstances or assuming a partner could automatically manage everything if they became unwell. Planning ahead matters whether you own a home, rent, have savings or simply want your wishes respected. A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint trusted people to make decisions within its scope. There are two types: Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare. Together, they can provide support if illness or an accident affects your ability to make decisions. Marriage alone does not give your spouse automatic authority over your finances. A properly drafted will sets out who should inherit and who should administer your estate. A will should be reviewed when circumstances change, including marriage, divorce, bereavement or the arrival of grandchildren.

For some families, a will trust can help provide for a surviving partner while preserving assets for children or manage an inheritance for younger or vulnerable beneficiaries. Trusts can offer flexibility and protection from divorce of your beneficiary’s. Trusts give peace of mind when carefully tailored to your family’s circumstances and future wishes. The above arrangements work best when considered together, with advice tailored to your family and priorities. Oakwood Wills provides home appointments across Dorset and surrounding areas, explaining wills, updates, trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney in plain English. A review today can help give you and your family clarity for tomorrow.

YOUR LOCAL WILL WRITER Book your FREE Home Protection Review

Workshops include a family ballet session for children aged three to five and their carers, and a dance workshop for ages seven-plus. For booking information, visit the Dorset Libraries website.

We come to You - In the Comfort of Your Own Home

Call Oakwood Wills today on 07832 331594 Email: info@oakwoodwills.co.uk www.oakwoodwills.co.uk West Dorset-based

Wills • Living Trusts • Lasting Powers of Attorney ADVERTISING FEATURE

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

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Experts keep a tag on barn owls’ fortunes

A NEW barn owl ringing programme in Purbeck is helping conservationists track one of Britain’s most iconic birds, while building a clearer picture of how nature-friendly farming benefits wildlife. In a joint project between Carey Ringing Station, Birds of Poole Harbour and the National Trust, 15 barn owl chicks and one adult were ringed at nest sites across three areas of farmland where the owls hunt and breed. This was the start of an annual ringing programme which will provide information about barn owl survival, breeding success, movements and mortality rates. Crucially, it will help measure whether conservation-focused farming practices are creating better conditions for barn owls and the small mammals they depend on for food. Kate Fox, licensed bird ringer and ornithologist from the Carey Ringing Station, said: “Ringing provides invaluable scientific data about these birds, which can’t be gained from observations alone. Barn owls are striking birds, but it’s very difficult to tell individuals apart. If birds move to a different nest box, we won’t know whether it’s a new pair or birds we’ve recorded elsewhere unless they have been ringed.” The ringing is carried out under a special licence and follows strict guidance from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Barn Owls are a Schedule 1 breeding species, meaning it is illegal to disturb them during the breeding season without a licence. Kate added: “After a poor barn owl breeding season was reported last year across the UK, the team decided it was worthwhile monitoring them locally, especially with the

purbeckgazette.co.uk

15 barn owl chicks and one adult have been ringed locally PHOTO: Kate Fox

The ringing project will help build a clearer picture of how naturefriendly farming benefits wildlife PHOTO: Mark Singleton

landscape recovery work in Purbeck. This year saw a bounce-back in the number of chicks nationally, and it’s great to see the Purbeck birds following this trend. We’re hoping to expand the project next year by putting up and monitoring more nest boxes.” With their distinctive heart-shaped faces, buffcoloured backs and white underparts, barn owls are among Britain’s most recognisable farmland birds. They hunt mainly at night, flying silently over fields and hedgerows in search of mice, voles and shrews. Their exceptional eyesight and hearing allow them to locate prey even in total darkness. Mark Singleton, National Trust countryside manager for Purbeck, said: “This is an exciting project, and a first for us in Purbeck. Although barn owl numbers have declined dramatically over the last century, there are encouraging signs they may be recovering locally. “Our tenant farmers are managing land in ways that support wildlife, including creating areas of longer grass, maintaining hedgerows and encouraging patches of scrub. These habitats support the voles

and other small mammals that barn owls rely on. By monitoring ringed birds over many years, we’ll be able to assess how effective these measures are and continually improve what we’re doing.” Barn owls face a range of threats. Recent droughts and heavy rains have affected numbers, but road traffic collisions are one of the most common causes of death. Barn owls can also drown after becoming trapped in ponds or cattle troughs because their feathers don’t repel water and

Students get the lowdown on Cambridge

STUDENTS in year 10 and 11 at Wey Valley Academy were thrilled to hear a talk by Teodor Wator, admissions officer from Downing College, Cambridge. Dr Wator explored different aspects of the curriculum offer at Cambridge, alongside the eclectic range of colleges youngsters can apply to at Higher Education level. A year 11 student said: “I found the session inspiring and I

become waterlogged. To reduce this risk, the National Trust is rolling out a programme across Purbeck to install rafts on cattle troughs. These allow livestock to drink while preventing barn owls from sinking. Mark added: “It’s always sad when we find a dead barn owl, but if it’s ringed, it helps us build a clearer picture of what’s happening in the landscape. We can learn where it fledged, how far it travelled and how long it lived. The same goes for re-captured birds. This information is essential for understanding population trends and demonstrating the impact of our nature recovery work.” Barn owls have long captured the imagination with their ghostly appearance and eerie calls. Across different cultures they have been seen as symbols of wisdom, guardians of the home or messengers from the spirit world. have aspirations to attend Thomas Hardye School for my A-Levels and then to study English Literature at Cambridge.” Dr Wator said: “I was impressed by the intellectual curiosity displayed by the students at Wey Valley – they spoke with gravitas.” Personal development lead at Wey Valley Academy, Mark Chutter, said: “My thanks to Downing College, Cambridge, for such a stimulating workshop with some excellent advice and information for our students who will continue their educational journey onwards to a range of establishments at sixth form level and beyond.”

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 15

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Appeal bids to combat fuel poverty

The Citizens Advice energy team launch the Surviving Winter appeal

MORE older people will struggle to pay their heating bills this winter, according to a support organisation launching an appeal to give them the help they need to stay warm. The Dorset Community Foundation (DCF) has launched its 16th annual Surviving Winter appeal in partnership with Citizens Advice, raising money to distribute £200 grants to pensioners and people aged 60 and over with a disability, who are living in fuel poverty. Surviving Winter funding also helps the Citizens Advice Dorset energy team identify people at risk so they can offer the grants, as well as a range of other support. In its previous 15 years, the appeal has raised more than £750,000 and awarded more than 3,000 grants. DCF chair, Tom Flood CBE, said the appeal is still desperately needed. “There are around 500 avoidable excess winter deaths each winter in

Dorset, with national research estimating that more than a fifth are attributable to cold homes, and in 2026 we think this is unacceptable,” he said. “Our partners at Citizens Advice tell us they are seeing older people who are too scared to have their heating on at all in winter or are skipping meals because they are so worried about not being able to pay their fuel bills.” Citizens Advice head of advice services, Ros Dignan, said rising prices across the board are putting the squeeze on people’s finances, with many of those who come to the charity for help beginning the winter already in fuel debt. “We have seen a lot of unaffordable direct debits put in place by energy companies because of automation,” she said. “We’ve seen examples of £175 payments being increased to £300 because the company says it is based on usage, and

that’s how people get into debt.” Citizens Advice energy advisers help clients boost their income by helping identify extra benefits to which they may be entitled, give them food vouchers and signpost them to other agencies and organisations, such as Ridgewater Energy, where they can get free home insulation and other energy help. “We try to stop people from getting into the position where they are in debt in the future, but it is difficult,” Ros said. “We give them a lot of energy-saving advice but they are already following all of those things and it’s still not enough.” Tom is appealing for people to donate to the appeal to help it support some of the 35,000 people living in fuel poverty in the county. “We’d like to ask people, especially those who receive the Winter Fuel Payment and feel they may not need it, or all of it, to donate to our appeal and

maybe help save a life,” he added. “We’re so pleased to be working with Citizens Advice because of the support they provide. Every pound that people can spare will help us and Citizens Advice to keep people safe and warm this winter.” Donate to the appeal at dorsetcommunityfoundation. org.uk, or send a cheque or bankers draft made payable to Dorset Community Foundation, to The Surviving Winter Appeal, Dorset Community Foundation, The Spire, High Street, Poole BH15 1DF. People can also donate through a BACS Transfer via Charities Aid Foundation Bank, Sort Code: 40-52-40, Account Number:00083897, using reference SW, or on 01202 670815. If you need energy support from Citizens Advice, contact them on 01929 775500 or at energy@edpcitizensadvice. org.uk

INDIVIDUALS living with sight loss are being invited to a Dorset Blind Association (DBA) event in Dorchester, showcasing the latest support, equipment and advice available. Families, friends and carers are also welcome at the charity’s annual Low Vision Day at The Dorford Centre in Bridport Road. The free of charge event will bring together leading organisations, healthcare professionals and specialist exhibitors, offering visitors the chance to discover practical solutions that can help people

with sight loss live more independently. Among the highlights will be a live demonstration of Meta smart glasses by Vision Express Dorchester, showcasing how wearable AI technology is opening up new possibilities for people living with visual impairment. Visitors will also hear from consultant ophthalmologist Lucy Howe, who will present a talk on the latest advances in the treatment of macular conditions before hosting an interactive question and answer session focusing on Age-related

Macular Degeneration (AMD). Visitors will also be able to explore a wide range of low vision aids, meet local support organisations, discover assistive technology and speak with DBA’s community support workers. Leah Cross, community support manager at DBA, said: “Many people don’t realise how much support is available after a diagnosis of sight loss. “Low Vision Day gives people the opportunity to discover practical equipment, meet experts, experience the latest technology and find out

what services are available locally, all in one place. “We’re incredibly grateful to Ridgewater Energy for their generous sponsorship. Their support enables us to bring together organisations like Vision Express Dorchester, alongside expert speakers such as Lucy Howe, helping us deliver what promises to be one of Dorset’s most informative events for people living with sight loss.” The event is on Saturday, November 21, 10am-2pm. Admission is free and no booking is required.

Low Vision Day for sight-impaired

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Sport

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Visitor’s pack holds sway by Ron Butler Swanage & Wareham 12 Devizes 43 FROM the start, it was easy to see the difference in standard when Swans took on second in the table Devizes. Swans held the visitors in the tight but in the loose the bulk of the Devizes’ pack held sway. Within three minutes Devizes had a couple of penalties and forced their way over the Swans’ try line. The conversion was missed, but from the restart the Devizes forwards trundled their way over the Swans defence to take the score to 12 points after six minutes. Swans responded and went

RUGBY close to a try after 10 minutes. From a scrum five minutes later, the ball was worked to winger Rory Ferguson who broke clear and sprinted down the touchline to score in the corner. Will Slack added the extras, making the score 7-12 after 18 minutes. Swans improved their tackling but on 25 minutes Devizes went over for another converted try, taking them to 19 points. Towards the end of the half, Swans made another try-saving tackle, leading to a goal-line drop out. Swans gave away another penalty on their 22, and

Devizes slotted it over to take the half-time to Swans 7 Devizes 22. Swans fared better in the second half, taking a couple of penalties deep into Devizes’ 22 and should have scored but the visitors cleared. Another penalty took Devizes up to Swans’ 22, but as Swans tried to clear an interception by a Devizes centre left him clear to score a converted try (7-29) after 48 minutes. The opposition scored another converted try after 58 minutes, taking the score to 36 points. Devizes added a try five minutes from the end, bringing their score to 43 points.

From the restart, Swans had a couple of penalties taking them into the Devizes 22, and after a few scrums skipper Nick Audley was on hand to score Swans’ consolation try. Swans: Will Slack, Rory Ferguson, Ethan McNaught, Ed Dimascio, Ollie Dillon, Ollie Peters, Jacob Marshall, Joel Andrews, Jack Young, Nick Audley, Sam Chapman, Ryan Lander, Joe Towers, Aaron Foskett, Kian Salina, -- Steve Waterman, Harrison Sadd, Josh Allum.

FUTURE GAMES: Friday, October 30 – Swans 3rd XV v Weymouth, home, 7.30pm. Saturday, October 31 – Swans 1st XV v Dorchester, home, 2.30pm. Swans 2nd XV v Lytchett Minster 2nd, away, 2.30pm. Sunday, November 1, Swans Ladies v Wimborne Black Jets, away, 2pm.

Women and girls celebrate good year CRICKET by Mike Nash THE women’s and girls’ section at Swanage & Wareham CC held a well attended end of season presentation at Knoll House after another successful year for the club. The club’s growing section reached a second consecutive final and, despite narrowly losing to a side featuring two county level players, confidence remains high for next year. Leading run-scorers included Eden Crook, Hannah Attride and Nala (L), while Sophie (C), Nala (L), Pam Sealey and Faye (S) led the wicket-taking charts. Women’s award winners: 1st XI – batter, Jo Roberts-Miller; bowler, Nala (L); fielder, Suku Van Staden. 2nd XI – batter, Nala (L); bowler, Pam Sealey; fielder, Suku Van Staden; most improved player, Natalie Sherlock. The club’s thriving youth

Swanage & Wareham WAGs at their end-of-season presentation evening

programme was led by the Under-15s, who won their division, but all the junior teams competed strongly throughout the season. Award winners: Under-11s – batter, Nico; bowler, Frankie; fielder, Ruby; most improved, Noah (L). Under-13s (Sabres) – batter,

Nathan; bowler, Luke; fielder, Henry; most improved, Alex. Under-13s – batter, Danny; bowler, Liam; fielder, Alfred; most improved, Noah (W). Under-15s – batter, Josh (G); bowler, Nala; fielder, Josh (V-S); most improved, Fin. The club also paid tribute to the volunteers whose efforts

make cricket possible, including Michelle – safeguarding – the ground staff, Craig, John, Sam and Tom, scorers Nigel and Pete, umpires Tatty and Ron, maintenance team Alan and Tim, the coaching team, and Beryl and Sharon, whose teas are widely regarded as the best in Dorset!

GOT A SPORTS REPORT? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 17

Sport

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Youngster Alexis makes county squad

SWANAGE & Wareham Hockey Club goalkeeper Alexis Barras has been selected for the Dorset Under-15s squad. Alexis, 14, has been playing

HOCKEY for Swanage & Wareham’s ladies second team for the last two seasons. Alexis, who now lives near

Dorchester, started playing for Old Kingstonians in London at the age of 10 and quickly decided that goalkeeper was her position. A spokesperson from the club said: “We are very proud of Alexis making the squad for Dorset, which she thoroughly deserves. “Since joining the club only two years ago, she has shown commitment, enthusiasm and a maturity beyond her years. “It’s so rewarding to see all this hard work paying off.”

Swanage & Wareham second team goalkeeper Alexis Barras

prevent youngsters from making the most of their natural ability. “The grant provided me with the opportunity to not only train with equipment that enabled me to be my best, but also to be able to attend the competitions that were pivotal to my selection for the GB team,” she said. “I am so grateful as well

as being extremely proud to represent my country.” Finishing second in the women’s singles time trial and fourth overall in the Under 19 event at the Welsh Championships prompted her selection to represent Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in La Linea, Spain, last year. She justified the faith placed in her when she and her teammate finished seventh in the women’s doubles time trial, finally coming seventh overall after reaching the quarter finals. She said competing in Spain has made her hungry for more international competition. “The racing was very different from what I’m used to because it’s such a higher level, but I really enjoyed getting to see what the standard was like and it has made me set my sights higher.” Lexi ultimately wants to be a full Olympian and the Beach Sprint is set to become an Olympic event in 2028. She said: “That might be a bit soon but 2032 is great timing for me. That will be the prime time for me, so that is definitely my biggest goal.” Lexi added: “I couldn’t have reached this point without the support of my coaches at Poole Rowing Club and British Rowing, my beach sprint teammates, the grants that have helped make these opportunities possible and especially my mum. I’m looking forward to representing my country, gaining valuable experience and seeing what I can achieve.”

Lexi representing GB in Youth Olympics ROWING

ROWER Lexi Gill, from Poole, is set to represent Great Britain at the Youth Olympics, taking place in Dakar, Senegal, from Saturday (October 31). The 17-year-old had only been rowing for a year before she was invited to try the Beach Sprint event. The fast-paced sport requires competitors in either singles or pairs to race to their boats before slaloming around buoys and then rowing back to the beach, leaping from their boat to sprint for the finish line. Lexi showed so much promise she was invited to be part of the Beach Sprints Development Academy and had trials for the Team GB Development Pathway and will now compete in the Youth Olympics. She was also set to take part in the 2026 World Beach Sprint Finals in Qingdao in China last week. “Competing in Dakar at the Youth Olympics and in China at Worlds is something I’ve dreamed of ever since I started beach sprints, so it’s an amazing feeling to see all the hard work paying off and that dream becoming a reality,” she said.

Lexi Gill, 17, will be competing in the Beach Sprint event in Senegal after appearing at the World Beach Sprint Finals in China

“I’m incredibly excited to compete on the international stage, challenge myself against some of the best athletes and achieve the best results I can.” Lexi is grateful for a grant from Dorset Community Foundation’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented to help with the cost of buying her own rowing blades and travel and accommodation. The fund, which is also supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals, awards grants of up to £1,000 towards costs that might

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 19

ISSUE378 309 ISSUE

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Consumer News

Plug-in solar panels: Are they a good bet?

I’m trying to save money on energy bills. I can’t install traditional solar panels because I rent a flat. Are these new plug-in solar panels a suitable alternative?

Plug-in solar panels sit outside on a balcony or in a garden and plug directly into your mains electricity. They can help cut energy bills by generating electricity you can use in your home. Though they produce less power than traditional panels, plug-in kits are cheaper upfront and more accessible to renters or flat-dwellers as they don’t require roof access or professional installation. There are several things to consider before you buy.

Firstly, you’ll need to make sure it’s right for your home. You’ll need an unshaded outdoor space that ideally faces south, though east or west will still catch some sun for part of the day. The government estimates you could save up to £110 a year on your energy bills with a plug-in solar kit, but your actual savings will depend on where your panels are located and if you have the flexibility to use

appliances during the day. Unlike traditional panels, you must use or lose the power you generate. Current rules mean you won’t be able to store electricity in a battery, and you can’t get paid for any unused power generated by your kit. Check if you need permission before you make a purchase. Read the government’s official online guidance at https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/ plug-in-solar-panel-checklist to see if you need approval first. If you rent or live in a leasehold property, you should speak to your landlord or freeholder. If your home is a listed building or in an area with planning restrictions, you should speak to your local

Reader’s Picture

Blue Skies, clouds and a view - Swanage on an early autumn day PHOTO: Robin Boultwood

purbeckgazette.co.uk council. Follow the government’s safety rules before plugging in a new kit. Plug your kit into a safe wall socket – never an extension lead – and stick to the strict limit of one kit per household. To ensure your kit complies with UK regulations, only purchase an all-in-one kit that features a three-pin UK plug and a UKCA mark. If you’ve already bought one that doesn’t meet these criteria, see if you can return it, or contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 for advice. Finally, you’ll need to register your kit with your electricity network company. Your electricity network company provides the wires to your home and is different from the company you pay your bills to. You can find your network company via your electricity bill or by visiting the Energy Networks Association website at www.energynetworks.org

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 21

Countdown to

Christmas

Allo Allo & Eastenders'

courtney jackson LUCIA BARKER

Vicki Michelle

rkkAxkj 2 uuj Paul Hill

12 Dec '26 - 5 Jan '27 Box Office: 01202 88 55 66 tivoliwimborne.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas at the Village Inn

Flock to The Crow’s Nest for Christmas!

ADVERTISING FEATURE ur on-park bar and restaurant will be serving up a range of delicious food and drink over the festive season this year. Whether you’re staying on park or a local Swanage resident, The Village Inn is the place to be!

estled just a stone’s throw from Swanage seafront, The Crow’s Nest is a family-run pub and restaurant with a fresh new look, a passion for great food, and a commitment to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Services we have available are: Christmas Parties Get your friends or work colleagues together for some festive fun at The Village Inn. Afternoon or evening Christmas parties can be arranged throughout December. 2 and 3 course menu’s available. Christmas Eve Celebrate the festive season at the Village Inn – one of Swanage’s best bars and restaurants. Enjoy a delicious menu of locally sourced produce on Christmas Eve. Boxing Day Lunch Head to the Village Inn in Swanage this Boxing Day for a sumptuous two or three-course meal. Let someone else do the cooking and enjoy quality time with the family!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

New Years Eve Party Celebrate the New Year in style at The Village Inn in Swanage. Sample a delicious buffet of hot and cold dishes followed by live music by from the fantastic Eynsford Hill. New Years Day Lunch Kick the New Year off the right way with a tasty meal at the Village Inn in Swanage. Choose from our Head Chef’s fantastic set menu. Pair with a local ale from one of our fantastic suppliers.

As a family-run business, community means everything to us. We believe that a great pub is more than just somewhere to eat and drink – it’s a place where people come together, celebrate special occasions, catch up with friends, and make lasting memories. Whether you’re joining us for a quiet lunch, a family meal, drinks with friends, or a special event, you’ll always receive a warm welcome from our team. The Crow’s Nest is also an ideal venue for celebrations and events. Join us for our Christmas Disco and meal events in December.

If you’re interested in trying some festive food at the Village Inn, Swanage, get in contact or visit our website for more information: ulwellholdiaypark. co.uk/christmas-at-the-village-inn/

Join us at The Village Inn for a warm, festive celebration! Festive Menus & Party Bookings Christmas Party Nights • Disco Included See our menus & full details on Facebook or contact the team bookings@ulwellvillageinn.co.uk

☎ 01929 427644

Available Friday 11th and Friday 18th December with evening disco. Starting from 7.30pm until midnight. Prebook only.

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 23

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Menu STARTER

MAIN COURSE

DESSERT

WINTER VEGETABLE PORTAGE Roast root winter vegetable soup flavoured with saffron and served with warm crusty roll & butter (GFO, V, Ve)

GENTLE ROAST STRIP LOIN OF BEEF Served with all the festive trimmings including yorkshire pudding, stuffing, honey roast parsnips, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and chefs pan gravy (GFO)

WARM CHRISTMAS PUDDING Served with brandy sauce

TRIO OF PRAWNS Pan fried-crevette, black tiger prawns and breaded butterfly king prawn, drizzled with buerre blanc sauce (GF) SMOKE DUCK BREAST AND DUCK BON BON Smoked duck breast and duck bon bon served with oriental duck sauce QUINOA Delicately steamed quinona with lots of fresh herbs and saffron, ringed and topped with caramelised onion, orange and garnish with braised fennel (GF, V, Ve)

ROAST FREE RANGE TURKEY BREAST Served with all the festive trimmings including pigs in blankets, stuffing, honey roast parsnips, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and chefs pan gravy (GFO) SALMON FILLET Pan fried salmon fillet served with Parsley new potatoes, seasonal vegetables and lemon butter sauce (GF) NUT FREE VEGETABLE ROAST Served with all the festive trimmings including seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, honey roast parsnips and chefs pan gravy (V)

PAVLOVA A colourful assortment of fruits nesting in a chantilly cream on a deep meringue (GF, V) RICH CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE Chocolate lovers this one is for you, a rich chocolate fudge cake garnised with fresh fruits and a white chocolate pencil FRESH FRUIT SALAD An irresistible mix of fresh, juicy seasonal fruits (GF, V, Ve)

2 courses £35pp | 3 courses £40pp Available Friday 11th and Friday 18th December with evening disco. Starting from 7.30pm until midnight. Prebook only. Deposit of £10pp required when booking. Please enquire about other dates for private business or family parties To book please call 01929 422651 or email us to thecrowsnestswanage@hotmail.com

www.knollhouse.co.uk

Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with the most spectacular views across Studland Bay. Christmas Day Lunch - £95 Boxing Day Lunch - £40 New Year’s Eve - £95 Contact the team to discuss our festive party celebrations and private hire. *Children (12 and under) are half price. Booking essential.

01929 450450 | knollhouse.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Countdown to Christmas

National glory for B. Curtis’s Homemade Purbeck Black Pudding ADVERTISING FEATURE

. Curtis Farm Shop & Butchers has been crowned Black Pudding Category Winner at the 2026 National Craft Butchers Product Awards, competing against craft butchers from across England and Wales. An expert judging panel assessed entries on taste and appearance, with gold-standard products independently reassessed before category champions were selected. The Wareham family business, trading since 1951, has made its own black pudding since the 1970s, using the same muchloved recipe for over 50 years. The award celebrates a longstanding commitment to quality, provenance and traditional craftsmanship. Mr Curtis said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that our homemade Purbeck Black Pudding has won a national award. Our customers regularly tell us how much they enjoy it, so receiving this recognition is a proud moment for the whole team. “A special thanks go to Shane Cutler, who has been with us for over 30 years and makes our black pudding. It takes skill, patience and real attention to detail to get it right, and this award is a wonderful recognition of his craftsmanship.” It’s a fitting achievement as B. Curtis celebrates 75 years of serving its community.

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 25

purbeckgazette.co.uk

No degree didn’t do me any harm

NEVER had the opportunity to go to a proper university – at the one interview I had, the interviewer said ‘your headmaster doesn’t like you, does he?’ And from those first words, I realised that my university career was over before it began. I left the premises, made my way to the A31 and stuck out my thumb. At least the A31 didn’t ask for a reference. Moving on 60 years, I have no cause to regret what I did, or to hold my headmaster’s words against him. I have managed a reasonable life without a degree, and indeed there have been few occasions on which I have felt a university degree would have improved my lot. At least I wasn’t released on to the general public with a £50,000 millstone round my neck. And a certificate which I’d need to mention in my job application but which – I’m told – few employers even scrutinise. I find it hard to understand why we do this to our children and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that a three-year degree course keeps us off the streets, gives us two years of relative peace and quiet, followed by a year of panic, and in many cases, a year of disappointment. Maybe that’s what’s happening right now in France. Are the ‘protesters’ really taking issue with the Government over the quality and quantity of their further education or have they – as the news suggests – been infiltrated by left-wing hardliners intent upon inflicting as much damage to their country as they can. And ever one to be practical – who actually is paying the students and the protestors to riot? Are they still drawing grants, or relying on ever-increasing student loans safe in the knowledge it is unlikely they will ever be asked for settlement?

by David Hollister

The cynical among us might feel the Government should cut out the middle-person and pay the student loan money direct to the breweries. Or maybe cut back on the astonishing salaries dished out to vice-chancellors – roughly £400,000 a year. Or maybe reduce tuition fees to a reasonable level. Martin Lewis suggests that over a three-year course, the combined loan for tuition, plus the maintenance loan for living costs, can be more than £60,000. So really, I should thank my headmaster for being bold enough to suggest on my application that he didn’t like me. The feeling was totally mutual but, looking back, he did me a favour. So why are the ‘students’ kicking off in France? And why aren’t they doing likewise in the UK? Let’s just hope – for the sake of peace and quiet – they don’t realise the poor police are themselves fighting a losing battle – they can arrest people until they are blue in the face, because there are not enough magistrates to carry out the sentencing and that even if there were, the threat of ‘prison’ is empty because all the prisons are bursting at the seams. The ‘authorities’ can issue ‘penalties’ which will remain largely uncollectable or be paid from what parts of the student loans remain after the landlords and breweries have had their share. Never has the thin blue line been thinner. Would you go out and put your neck on the line for a meagre £32,500 a year? It’s not much of a salary for being asked to keep the peace – and, presumably, bring your own lunch.

HAT an amazing summer we have had. The sun is still shining while I write – the leaves

Telling It Like It Is are gradually turning brown and, barring a few hard frosts, my bedding plants will continue their summer displays for a few weeks yet. I’ve been able to have the top down on the MX5 for several months and am putting off the decision to SORN it for the winter, saving both road tax and car insurance for what is unashamedly a luxury toy. It’s hard to put the hood up when the weather is still making such a good case for leaving it down! I never lose sight of how fortunate I am, not just to live in Purbeck but in a beautiful part of England as yet unspoiled by progress or local authorities. I can look out across Poole Bay and see a town where I spent a good few years of my life, a town which, so I am told, is being ruined by the BPC council which since its inception in April 2019 seems to have upset a great deal of its electorate with its crazy traffic schemes, its unused cycle lanes and party-oriented virtue signalling. Its total failure to deal with the beggars, the druggies and the many other unsavoury elements who make the streets of Bournemouth feel unsafe after dark. And the utter insanity of ‘Active Travel’ which is not an option for 99% of people, including elderly people, disabled people and those who feel unsafe walking the streets, especially at night. ‘Active Travel’ sounds wonderfully energetic – it’s less appealing if getting home safely is part of the journey. Here in Purbeck we are blessed with few cycle lanes, mostly unused, but where taxpayers’ money has been spent creating dedicated infrastructure specifically so that cyclists have somewhere safe and separate to ride. Yet people still won’t use

them and surely it’s time to ask ‘why’. We should ask the cyclists ‘what’s the problem’? But if the answer is that they ‘don’t fancy using them’, questions should be asked about exactly who authorised the expense and where the money is going. And exactly what is the point of cycle lanes anyway? Perhaps they are there to give the weeds somewhere safe and separate to grow. Surely the funds would be better spent in repairing the potholes in our third-world roads? Some so large they should have their own postcodes. When I became a Swanage town councillor in the 1970s, I stood on the platform that party politics should have no place in local government and I’m pleased to see that Swanage and Wareham, at least, haven’t been taken over by party-based cliques. When I look out across Poole Bay – which I do regularly – I always put up a small prayer of thanks that I escaped in time. It seems to me that something is very wrong with the system when British Gas made a profit of £1.3 billion in the first six months of this year; BP made £6.9 billion between January and June and Shell posted profits of £9.4 billion last year; and bonuses to executives in several of our water companies were counted in millions – yet right now there are people who haven’t had breakfast or lunch because they can’t afford it, people who are working so hard to make ends meet that they’re making themselves ill and elderly people not drinking or washing because they’re afraid of running out of water. Yet energy prices are set to rise by up to 75% before Christmas.

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.

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Politics

purbeckgazette.co.uk

‘Devastating news’ on incinerator LIKE many local people, I am disappointed with the latest update on the proposed waste incinerator on Portland. Last year, the company behind the planned incinerator asked the Environment Agency to amend its existing environmental permit, increasing the types of waste it could incinerate. And the Environment Agency has now decided to grant that amended environmental permit. I think this is a mistake, showing that the entire permitting process is not fit for purpose. It is devastating news, and I completely reject the decision. Time and again, I have raised my concerns with both Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and with the Prime Minister. I have also repeatedly met senior officials at the Environment Agency to make the case for refusing the permit. However, because the

Environment Agency makes all permitting decisions independently, the options are limited. Throughout the process, I felt one option was for the Secretary of State for the Environment to ‘call in’ the decision, giving them the opportunity to overrule the Environment Agency and put forward a case for rejecting the amended permit. This would have been an unusual step, and it could have prompted a lengthy legal challenge – costing a great deal of taxpayers’ money and quite possibly ended up with the permit being granted anyway. I am told that this is why a ‘call in’ was not made. In my view, this is an unsatisfactory outcome for everyone in South Dorset, but I hope this explains how we have ended up at this stage. It is my firm view that the proposals to build a waste incinerator on Portland should

be abandoned. My concerns remain serious – potential damage to our Jurassic Coast and local wildlife, increased air and noise pollution, more congestion on our roads, and proximity to a prison and homes. Like many local people, I doubt an incinerator can operate here without a significant impact on the local environment. At every opportunity, I will continue to urge both the company behind the proposed incinerator and Portland Port – where the proposed incinerator would be built – to think again and drop these damaging proposals. And I will keep working with local campaigners and challenge these proposals wherever I can. On a brighter note, 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. I firmly believe that restoring the chemotherapy clinic will help to strengthen my campaign to restore other key services on our doorstep. Next up, I will be noisily making the case to restore the rheumatology clinic at Swanage Community Hospital. Many local people will remember when this clinic was shut down several years ago, under the previous Conservative Government. I will soon be meeting with local NHS bosses to push for the rheumatology clinic to return to Swanage Community Hospital for good. It’s essential that we get Swanage Community Hospital firing on all cylinders once again – the campaign for our cherished community hospital continues! LLOYD HATTON Labour MP for South Dorset

IN the last edition of Purbeck Gazette, Cllr Wilson explained the issues faced by Dorset from the social care crisis talking about both the cost of paid care and the burden on unpaid carers. One group of unpaid carers that are often forgotten is children. Imagine being eight years old and worrying whether a parent has remembered to take their medication or being a teenager trying to revise for exams while caring for a sibling. Most young carers don’t describe what they do as remarkable – it’s simply part of everyday life. But that doesn’t mean they should carry those responsibilities without support. In many cases, the added responsibility leads to increased absence from school, higher levels of school suspension and lower grades at GCSEs. In addition, most of these children struggle to access sports and social activities and miss out on

other elements of their childhood. In adulthood, evidence from Nuffield Foundation suggests that their own physical and mental health is impacted and their employment prospects are reduced. This is ironic given that the skills and resilience they develop through caring make them well equipped for the world of work. The study suggests they should be seen as a priority group in the Government’s programme to support NEETs – those under 25s who are not in Education, Employment or Training. I have been working with Dorset charity MYTIME Young Carers to secure more support for children while they are at school through the appointment of Young Carers Champions. The more I have learned about the realities of being a young carer, the more convinced I have become that schools need a dedicated advocate for these

children. These adults would take responsibility for advocating for children who have caring responsibilities – being trained to spot the signs of a young carer, act as a single point of contact, monitor their attendance and attainment and ensure that, where needed, support is in place to ensure they have a level playing field with their peers. Schools are already expected to identify young carers, but whether those children get meaningful support still depends too much on where they happen to live or study. That postcode lottery is unfair and entirely avoidable, and introducing a Young Carer’s Champion as part of the pastoral and safeguarding team is a low-cost and straightforward proposal My petition was set up to shine a light on this issue and I am delighted that nearly 7,000

have already signed it. Reading the comments from those who have signed is deeply moving and often heartbreaking. Parents describe children who quietly shoulder responsibilities well beyond their years. Teachers and support workers describe the difference a Young Carers Champion can make. Most importantly, young carers themselves describe finally feeling seen.. I will be taking this campaign directly to Ministers in the coming weeks because no child should be disadvantaged simply because they are helping to care for someone they love. If you agree, please add your voice by signing the petition. Search ‘Young Carers Champion’ on Change.org and help us make sure young carers across Dorset get the support they deserve. VIKKI SLADE Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole

An advocate for young carers...

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 27

Politics

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Britain’s future ‘The Right Way’

DURING the Conservative Party conference at the beginning of October, Kemi Badenoch launched a new policy document called The Right Way. This sets out the direction she wants the Conservative Party to take after its period in government. Rather than another manifesto packed with promises, she is seeking to set out the principles that would guide a future Conservative government. The fundamental argument she has put forward is that Britain’s problems stem from a state that has become larger but not more effective. Our government has too often tried to manage every aspect of society and the economy, creating more bureaucracy, regulation and spending without delivering better outcomes. Instead, Kemi argues that individuals, families and businesses should have greater freedom, with government

focused on creating the conditions for success rather than directing it. On the economy, she makes the case that economic growth is created by businesses and entrepreneurs, not by government. She argues that excessive taxation, regulation and energy costs have acted as an ‘invisible handbrake’ on growth. As Conservatives, we are proposing lower taxes, less regulation, labour market reform and measures to encourage investment, alongside a commitment to reduce public borrowing and debt. Crucially, energy policy forms a major part of this new policy document. Kemi has made it clear that current Net Zero policies have increased costs for both households and industry. Her policy document calls for a new approach centred on affordable, secure and abundant energy, including greater use of domestic oil and

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gas, expanded nuclear power and the removal of a number of green levies and mandates. Rightly so, her approach takes aim at the operation of government itself, claiming that Whitehall has become too bureaucratic and that major infrastructure projects take far too long to deliver. Some of the sensible proposals include reducing the size of the Civil Service, removing regulations that prioritise process over results and improving accountability throughout government. On issues of national identity and immigration, Kemi stresses the importance of social cohesion, shared values and stronger integration. Her ‘Right Way’ argues that citizenship should carry greater responsibilities and that immigration levels should be reduced and more tightly controlled. Among the proposals are annual migration caps

approved by Parliament and tougher action against illegal immigration. Defence and national security are also prominent themes. Reflecting growing international tensions, we Conservatives propose increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP, strengthening Britain’s military capabilities and enhancing national resilience. Growing international tensions mean Britain cannot afford to take its national security for granted. Whether you agree with every proposal or not, The Right Way provides a clear indication of the ideological direction in which Kemi intends to lead the Conservative Party – prioritising a smaller but stronger state, a freer economy, firmer borders and a renewed emphasis on national confidence and responsibility. BYRON QUAYLE Dorset Council Conservative councillor

(from pages 18-19)

Edition 378

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Health & Wellbeing

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Meditations in nature: In the company of seals

by Susanna Curtin FRIENDSHIP, opportunity and good fortune have brought me to Wales and the Pembrokeshire coast, a place I am only just beginning to discover. When I wake this morning, the sky is a mixture of dark clouds and shape-shifting mist rolling out into St George’s Channel, where the Celtic and Irish seas meet. However, by the time I have risen and made my way down to the beach for an early morning swim, the dark clouds are beginning to disperse. Low sunlight bathes the seascape in colour, leaving only the mist that hangs stubbornly over Dinas Island. I gently ease myself into the sea. The cold, silky water is shimmering like glass, reflecting the sky above. Long, seemingly innocuous swells, which have journeyed across the open ocean, pass gently beneath me, lifting me up and lowering me again. I feel completely weightless and at ease in this watery world from which life itself first emerged. Out towards the dark line of the horizon, I can just make out the brilliant white wings of gannets, and closer to the shore, a seal is occasionally bobbing above the surface, taking a good look around. The now autumnalblue sky above me and the gentle swell of this glassy sea all around me make an utterly magical experience to start my foray along this stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast. In this moment, I wish everyone could

experience this feeling of being truly alive, rather than simply existing amid the routines, chores and duties of everyday life. To feel connected to this remarkable sea and landscape is a pure shot of joy in an otherwise unsettling world. After a hot shower and breakfast, I set off along the coastal path towards Dinas Head where the mist is still lingering. Above me herring gulls disappear into the clouds, while the cliffs and their rocky stacks emerge and vanish in the shifting light. I am surrounded by rusty bracken, its fronds glowing in shades of cinnamon and saffron. Below the cliffs, the sea caresses the rocks with ribbons of lacy white foam. There are also some very intriguing strata on the rock face. The cliffs of Dinas Head reveal alternating layers of sandstone, mudstone and slate, formed from marine sediments that fell to the bottom of a deep ocean. Over millions of years, these layers were compressed and subjected to immense tectonic forces, folding and tilting the bedrock into the dramatic patterns I can see before me. The path climbs onwards and upwards above secluded coves where creamy-white sand meets turquoise waters. One cove in particular holds my attention as I watch four Atlantic grey seals frolicking in the shallows. West Wales is an important stronghold for grey seals in the UK. Its

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The grey seal is a powerful diver built for life in cold, Atlantic waters

rugged coastline, quiet coves, offshore islands and hundreds of sea caves provide ideal places for them to rest, breed and raise their pups. Two species of seal are found in British waters – the smaller common seal – also known as the harbour seal – and the Atlantic grey seal. The grey seals I am watching now are the larger of the two, with long, sloping snouts and mottled grey coats. Built for life in cold, Atlantic waters, they are powerful divers, capable of descending to considerable depths and remaining underwater for many minutes. I have always been a little wary of seals when I am in the water. In the past, I have had one attempt to climb aboard my kayak, while another followed me during a snorkelling trip in South Devon. My most frightening encounter happened inside a sea cave where I found myself scrambling up a rock to avoid a confrontation. As I round the corner of this secluded cove, I hear plaintive cries rising from the beach below. They sound almost like the wails of a human baby. Looking through my binoculars, I make out three white seal pups. Grey seal pups are generally born between September and December. During their first few weeks of life, they feed on exceptionally rich milk which

rapidly builds up the thick layer of blubber that will sustain them through the next stage of their lives. Then their mothers leave, and the pups must survive on their reserves while they shed their thick, white birth coats and develop the waterproof fur needed for life in the sea. Before long, they must learn to swim, find food and avoid danger. These first few months are a vulnerable time, and many pups do not survive. Leaving these wild creatures behind me, I continue along the coast path to Dale Beach and an old smuggler’s pub called the Sailors’ Safety where a pint of cider and some good cheer await me. As the conversation ebbs and flows, my thoughts drift back to the ocean and the strange evolutionary history that connects seals and humans. Our lineages diverged tens of millions of years ago from an ancient common ancestor, a placental mammal that lived on land. But over time, its descendants followed very different evolutionary paths. The ancestors of seals eventually returned to the sea, adapting over millions of years to life back in the water. After my swim this morning in that beautiful shimmering water, I don’t blame them. n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com)

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 29

Health & Wellbeing

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Why we pretend we’re fine by Kay Parkinson ASK most people how they are, and the answer arrives before the question has properly landed. Fine. Busy, but fine. Fine, thanks. You? It is not usually a lie. Fine has simply become the word we reach for automatically, whatever is happening underneath it. There is something fitting about this becoming more noticeable around Halloween, the one time of year adults openly put on a mask and think nothing of it. What goes less noticed is how many of us wear one for the other 11 months too, without ever quite realising we have put it on. The masks rarely look dramatic. They look like getting on with it, like being the reliable

one, the calm one, the person others come to rather than the one who asks for help. They look like changing the subject when someone asks a question that feels too close or answering it with a joke instead. They look like managing, even when managing has quietly become the whole performance. Often, the mask comes from somewhere understandable – not wanting to burden other people, not wanting to be seen as struggling, difficult or too much, or carrying a quiet suspicion that if we showed the true weight of what we were carrying, people might not know what to do with it, or with us. We keep the mask on and, over time, it becomes easier. No-one asks harder questions. No-one becomes

Immune-boosting herbs for autumn by Fiona Chapman ALL sorts of bugs seem to be going around at the moment. Colds, coughs and some new strain of covid, which I think I probably had last week. It always surprises me getting ill and what surprises me even more is that I am hopeless at looking after myself. It is so important at this time of the year to build up our immune system to cope with all the bugs that are around. We need to be physically fit, so should get outside every day and have a good walk. We need to eat well, and as the dark nights start, we should be thinking of eating with the season, so lots of root vegetables, soups, stews, broths – something that is easy on the stomach but full of all the goodness and energy from the vegetables. Drinking plenty of good quality filtered water is also very important as it keeps the body hydrated and washes through toxins and bugs. It is easy to

forget to drink as the days get a bit colder. Some immune-boosting herbs would be beneficial, too. Burdock or Arctium lappa grows in abundance in this country and is extremely good for strengthening the body. You can get a tincture, but you can also dig up and use the root. Burdock has a two-year life span – it forms a rosette of huge leaves in the first year and then grows enormous and flowers in the second year. You need to harvest the roots in year one in the autumn once the goodness has all gone back into the roots and they can be cooked as a carrot and added to stews. If you are worried about recognising the root – and you always need to be sure what you are harvesting – you can sometimes get it in specialist greengrocers. Rose hips are another great immune-boosting herb and lots of lovely wild hips are growing in the hedgerows. These

uncomfortable. Life carries on. It works, in its own way. The cost is the gap it creates between how we appear and how we actually feel. That gap grows slowly enough that we often stop noticing it exists at all. We become so practised at being fine that we half believe it ourselves, right up until something small breaks through – a kind comment that catches us off guard, an evening alone that feels heavier than it should or a question asked with genuine attention rather than politeness. None of this means the mask was dishonest. Most of us learned, somewhere along the way, that it helped us belong. It kept things running smoothly and protected us from whatever might happen if we let the fine

slip. It made sense once. For many people, it still does. The trouble comes only when the mask never comes off at all, not with the people closest to us and not even when we are alone. Halloween reminds us that masks are designed to be worn for a while and then taken off. Perhaps emotional masks were never meant to become part of who we are. n Kay Parkinson is a psychotherapist and founder of Place to Talk Therapies. Counselling is available in person across Bournemouth, Ferndown and Burbage, and online across the UK. The Mask Off and other wellbeing resources are available at https://payhip.com/ PLACETOTALK

obviously need cooking and sieving, but the juice added to some local honey can make a great syrup for the winter

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

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Home & Garden

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How to plant a ‘garden meadow’ by Sally Gregson OVER the past decade or more, since the London Olympics in particular, a quiet revolution has been happening in our gardens. Gradually ever more beautiful ‘meadows’ are filling our gardens – we have fallen in love with romantic, flower-filled fields of colour. These flowering gems are the brainchild of the late, much mourned, Professors Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, who were working at Sheffield University on a seed mix that would flower from April until the frosts. In the past seed mixes mostly comprised short-term flowers grown annually. No one had worked out a viable succession of flowers from spring to autumn. Then the professors got together and worked out a mix of annuals that succeeded each other throughout the summer. They separated the mixes by

colour at first, but when the designers of the Olympic parks in London approached them for a long-lasting vibrant patchwork of colour, Dunnett and Hitchmough introduced an exciting mixture of annuals that wowed everyone who saw them. The brief succeeded. The areas around the Olympic Park buzzed with happy bees and hummed with content visitors. Since 2012 the seed mixes have only got better. And this summer has proved that although they come and go in drought and hot sunshine, they persist. They fulfil the brief. But, as with all successes, it is important to do the groundwork first – ensure the area is naturally sunny and free of competing weeds and that the soil drains freely, whether by sowing on a slope or by adding

Gardeners have fallen in love with romantic, flower-filled fields of colour like these at Hanham Court, Bristol

lots of grit when sowing the mix. Annual flowers prefer poorer soils. At the end of the summer, it might be good practice to save and collect as much seed as possible but add that to new seed and start the area again

Getting ready for winter by Sally Gregson THIS year, more than any other, we are being well warned of winter rain, cold weather, rain and more rain. All we can do is to prepare as we usually do and make sure that every new plant we put in is in ‘the right place’. Never has this seemed such good advice. In many ways this year has been ideal for visiting open gardens to see just what and how to grow sun-lovers that can cope with extreme heat and drought without watering. Prospect Cottage, the former home of the late Derek Jarman, revels in its coastal garden at Dungeness, comprising plants, both native and exotic, that thrive in extremes of drying winds and salt spray. The world famous garden at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent has just been ‘extended’ to include

each year. You might have to take measures against the hungry birds at first, but once sown, the seed should germinate in two weeks or so and produce a haze of green before the first plants start showing buds and flower for another glorious summer.

The Delos Garden at Sissinghurst (left and top right)

Mediterranean-style planting, inspired by Vita and Harold’s visit to the Greek island of Delos. The area originally assigned to the Delos Garden was somewhat dispiriting – the soil was heavy, wet clay and it faced north. Within a few short

years the Second World War had broken out, taking Vita’s gardeners to fight for King and Country. The Delos Garden became a forgotten memory. Until 2019, that is, when head gardener Troy Scott-Smith started to research and, together

with the great garden designer Dan Pearson, drew up plans to recreate the garden that Vita and Harold had only dreamed of. Now, seven years later, the Delos Garden at Sissinghurst has become a template of just how and what to plant in the difficult conditions we experienced this summer. The drainage has been greatly improved and, as has happened this summer, the sun has blazed down every day. This winter there will be countless magazine articles about Delos that are there for us gardeners to read – to absorb the good advice and perhaps to emulate in our own gardens.

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 31

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British Garden Centres recommend Viburnum, Mahonia, Skimmia, Heuchera and Hebe for their vibrant foliage and winter blossoms. For fragrance, add Daphne, Sarcococca and winter jasmine, which produce clusters of highly scented winter flowers. Winterflowering heathers in white, pink and purple are also ideal for baskets and pots, providing vital nectar for pollinators. For a festive glow BERRYING plants bring a luminous touch to late-season arrangements and help birds with an essential food source as the temperatures dip. Callicarpa, Gaultheria, Holly, Pyracantha and Skimmia produce glossy, vibrant fruits that light up containers and hanging baskets through autumn and winter. Cotoneaster is also another excellent compact berrying option for small pots and baskets in your home. For practical beauty FINISH your display with aromatic evergreen herbs for scent and taste through the winter months. Rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender and mint are resilient, fragrant and perfect for mixed containers close to the kitchen door. Plant now for spring AUTUMN is prime bulbplanting time, and containers and hanging baskets are the perfect place for them. By planting spring bulbs like crocus, daffodils and tulips now beneath your winter bedding, you create a clever double display that keeps going. You can also add muscari, miniature iris reticulata, hyacinths for scent and alliums for the lasagne layers, and miniature daffodils like ‘Tête-à-Tête’ and dwarf tulips for hanging basket displays come spring.

AS summer fades, it doesn’t mean your outdoor space has to. With the right selection of plants, you can keep your container garden vibrant and beautiful even during the colder autumn and winter months. The team at British Garden Centres has put together their top picks. For instant seasonal colour WINTER bedding remains a favourite for a reason. Pansies, violas, cyclamen and primroses are hardy, frost-tolerant and available in a rainbow of shades. Planted in nutrient-rich, welldraining compost and placed in a sunny spot, they will flower cheerfully for months. Why not also try ornamental kale and cabbage for big rosettes of pink, white and purple that get brighter after frost, and Helleborus niger, also known as the Christmas Rose, for flowers from December onwards, when everything else is fading. For height, movement and texture ADD ornamental grasses such as Festuca glauca, Carex buchananii or Panicum virgatum. Their architectural form and colourful foliage bring life to even the greyest day, and they work beautifully in both tall containers and trailing baskets. Autumn is also the perfect time to plant dwarf conifers like Chamaecyparis, Thuja ‘Tiny Tim’ or Picea ‘Conica’ as a long-term evergreen thriller, and Carex ‘Everest’ and ‘Frosted Curls’ for a softer weeping habit at the edge. Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ will also give any container a dramatic black contrast. For evergreen structure and scent EVERGREEN shrubs are the backbone of a winter display.

Autumn containers and hanging baskets

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Antiques & Collectibles

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Pendant with Medusa’s head sold for £212,500

AS head of jewellery at Duke’s, Nicky Houston handles remarkable pieces, each with its own story. Her fascination began with the science of gemstones – nature’s creations, formed over millions of years and transformed by skilled craftsmen into treasures. One memorable example was an emerald and diamond pendant sold earlier this year. Its emerald was intricately carved with Medusa’s head, an astonishing achievement given the gemstone’s natural brittleness. A protective symbol, Medusa has long appeared in jewellery as an amulet against evil. Acquired in the early 19th century by Arthur Harington Champernowne, of Dartington Hall, the pendant passed through the female line of his family. Last worn in the 1980s, it spent over 40 years in a safe before coming to auction.

The emerald and diamond pendant sold earlier this year

After spirited bidding, it sold for £212,500, beginning a new chapter. For Nicky, moments like this illustrate why jewellery deserves to be worn, appreciated and to keep collecting stories. Duke’s is inviting consignments for its December Jewellery, Watches, Accessories, Wines, Spirits and Silver auction. Get in touch to arrange a free, no-obligation valuation.

A recently valued George III blue enamel and diamond lozenge ring, which is being passed down through the family

Bold, bright and back in style by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham STARTING in October, we’re going to spend 12 months celebrating the fact that Heirlooms Jewellers has been a feature on South Street since 1986! That makes the business 40 years old, which is a magnificent achievement nowadays. So, I thought it might be fun to look back at jewellery trends over the past 40 years. The 1980s was a decade where jewellery designs were bold, colourful and confident, from oversized earrings and chunky gold chains to dramatic cocktail rings, statement brooches and stacks of bangles. Although pieces from the 1980s are classed as vintage rather than antique, they often have strong connections to jewellery of earlier periods. The decade revived the grandeur of Victorian and Edwardian designs, with pearls, colourful gemstones, ornate goldwork and impressive cluster settings returning to fashion. Brooches also enjoyed renewed popularity, frequently worn on jacket lapels, echoing the way

earlier generations used jewellery to express status and personality. Yellow gold was very popular, sometimes combined with diamonds or coloured stones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Large, sculptural designs reflected the decade’s love of glamour, while costume jewellery offered equally bold looks through gold plating, enamel, crystals and imitation pearls. Designers including Chanel, Dior and Givenchy helped make statement costume pieces highly desirable. Today, good quality 1980s jewellery is attracting growing interest from collectors. Signed designer pieces, handmade designs and jewellery in precious metals can be especially sought after. As with antique jewellery, craftsmanship, condition, rarity and provenance all influence desirability and value. Do you have any pieces from this time? At Heirlooms, we love seeing how every era borrows from the past. The 1980s may not be antique yet, but its best jewellery already has the character, quality and stories that collectors treasure.

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 33

History

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Colonel John Blashford-Snell and his team were asked to remove a mobile crane which had been run into the harbour at Famagusta in Cyprus in 1960. Right a sketch from the Colonel’s notebook

A tricky moment underwater

SERVING as a Royal Engineer in Cyprus in 1960, I received a phone call from the Famagusta port commandant. “John, we’re in trouble” he said. “Some idiot has just run our mobile crane into the harbour. It’s blocking the slip and we’ve no crane big enough to lift it. We have a large landing craft arriving tonight and we need access to the slip.” It seemed the only way to move it was to pass a cable beneath the crane and then partially sink a ‘Z’ craft on either side, fasten the cable to them and refloat the craft. The only snag was that the crane was lying in liquid mud. As the squadron’s diving officer, I summoned our team and raced to the port. Securing the crane’s jib to the dockside, one of our divers, Sapper Ellis, and I slid into the murky water. I took a hosepipe to enable me to ‘tunnel’ through the mud. Ellis handled the steel wire cable which we were to pass beneath the machine. The mud closed about us as we felt

by Colonel John Blashford-Snell CBE. John is a former British Army officer, explorer and author. He also founded Operation Raleigh and the Scientific Exploration Society our way through the tangled mass of struts and cables. It was pitch black. Communicating by a system of hand signals, we descended slowly. When we reached a more solid lump, I hosed it away. I guessed we were right beneath the crane when I felt a slight increase in pressure on my ears. My depth gauge was invisible, but I realised at once what was happening. The crane was sinking deeper into the mud, pushing us down beneath it. I stopped moving and held my breath. I heard the clatter of Ellis’s valve stop also. The slow, relentless movement of the

steelwork was obvious. Only our efforts beforehand had masked it. Why on earth is the crane moving? I thought to myself but now was not the time to sort that out. We had to get out of this death trap with all speed. I tried to go forward but came upon an impenetrable barrier that was probably a wheel. The choice was to go down and try and come up beyond it or go back the way we had come. At least I knew the way back was clear, and in an instant I decided that was the way out. The mud was getting thicker and movement against it was an effort. I reached out to Ellis and gave the signal for ‘going back and up’. He seemed to understand and I felt him move away. Inside my suit, I was sweating with the effort of forcing my way through the clinging mud. My supply valve seemed to be giving me more air than I needed – probably the mud was affecting it. I was still clutching at the hose, although I had rather forgotten about it. Now it was vital for survival. Suddenly the crane gave a jerk which frightened me stiff and made me realise that I must move faster. I slid one shoulder under the hose and passed the nozzle down towards my feet, then gripping it between my knees and hands, I began to tunnel backwards, following my lifeline. Something tightened around my

thigh. It felt a little like a small octopus that had taken a fancy to me when working on a wreck the previous week, but I couldn’t move against it and as I struggled, it tightened. I felt it, coarse and rough. It was simply a loop of rope that I had stuck my foot through. Laboriously I went forward, freed my leg and started back again. It seemed like minutes, but it was probably only a few seconds before I found my nylon cord rising. Feeling above, I began to ascend. Once I hit a loose cable and a surge of panic returned – was I still under the crane? The water was jet black and I saw nothing until I surfaced. As the mud drained from my face mask, Ellis came into view beside me. “You okay, Sir?” he said. “Yes, but I’m not sure I’d like to repeat that!” I replied. “Sorry about that,” shouted the port officer. “One of the straps slipped on the jib but you’d have been all right – we had another on anyway.” “Thanks for telling me,” I murmured into my mouthpiece. We got the cable under at the second attempt. 65 years later, when my 26-year-old granddaughter Amber started training as a commercial diver, I told her some of the challenging moments I’d experienced underwater and recommend caution!

GOT A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Business

Prince Harry’s £34m legal bill – lessons for businesses

BUSINESSES in Dorset are being urged to learn a salutary lesson about going to court after Prince Harry and fellow claimants were recently hit with multi-million-pound costs at the High Court. Conor Maher, a partner, solicitor advocate and accredited mediator at Dorset law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors, warned that the costs consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic. His comments came after an unsuccessful privacy claim against Associated Newspapers left Prince Harry, Elton John, Baroness Lawrence and other claimants with total costs of potentially more than £34 million – including an interim payment of about £9.5m. Conor said that every claim should involve a commercial risk assessment and is not just a simple question of winning or

leaves a successful party with a significant shortfall. “I often describe costs recovery as similar to an insurance excess. Winning parties typically have to absorb part of their own legal spend, even after obtaining judgment. “As a result, clients should never assume that ‘winning’ means litigation will be costneutral.” The Prince Harry decision was particularly noteworthy because the court ordered costs on the indemnity basis. This is generally reserved for situations where the court considers conduct to have fallen outside the ordinary course of litigation. It is often a significantly Ellis Jones partner Conor Maher

losing. “In England and Wales, the starting point is that the unsuccessful party pays the successful party’s costs. “That sounds straightforward. However, many litigants are surprised to discover that this does not usually mean the winner recovers every pound spent. “Even where a party succeeds at trial, they may only recover a proportion of their legal costs following assessment. For commercial litigation, this often

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purbeckgazette.co.uk larger costs recovery in favour of the winning party than would be achieved under a standard basis assessment. Conor said it is important to keep litigation and potential costs under review as a case proceeds. He added: “Even when clients understand adverse costs risk, another issue often receives less attention – unrecoverable costs. “Imagine a company spends £150,000 pursuing a claim. It wins. It obtains judgment. The court orders the opponent to pay costs. Excellent result. “However, after assessment, the business only recovers £100,000. That leaves a £50,000 gap, despite being the successful party. Many litigants find this surprising and frustrating. “Commercial litigation should therefore be viewed as an investment decision rather than simply a legal process. “The critical question is not just ‘can I win?’ but ‘what will the net outcome look like after costs?’

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vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet renewal programme. The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo touring coaches replace older models in the Daish’s Holidays has upgraded company’s 32-strong fleet. its coach fleet The coaches will clock-up almost 100,000km a year, carrying holidaymakers from passengers’ bags. pick-up points between West Paul Harper, commercial Yorkshire and Cornwall to the director at the Bournemouth11 hotels in Daish’s portfolio. based family-owned company, Each vehicle is powered by said: “This £1.2 million a Euro VI compliant engine investment underlines our designed to reduce emissions commitment to keeping our and improve fuel efficiency. fleet modern, dependable and Onboard features include efficient. 53 ergonomic seats with “By introducing the latest Blandford Dorchester Shaftesbury Dorche fold-out tray tables and Mercedes-Benz coaches, we’re Blandford 01258 453898 Swanage 01929 500249 01305 231267 01747 440426 01305 5 01258 447005 adjustable footrests, fully raising comfort and23 safety automated rooftop air standards across our fleet so Sherborne Warminster Wincanton Warmin 01305 783795 01305 783795 Dorchester Wareham conditioning, washroom customers can relax from the 01925 984459 01963 34065 1 01935 316221 01925 98 facilities and extensive moment their holiday begins www.armishaws.com www.armish luggage capacity for as they step on board.”

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 35

Arts& Entertainment

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A history of theatre through 1,000 programmes A LIFELONG love of live theatre has led one dedicated Bournemouth Pavilion visitor to donate his extensive collection of show programmes to the venue’s archive after over six decades of attendance. Nigel, from Weymouth, has gifted about 1,000 theatre programmes spanning every decade since the 1960s, helping to preserve an important part of Bournemouth Pavilion’s rich cultural history for future generations. Nigel first visited Bournemouth Pavilion aged just 14 with his mother to see comedy legend Nat Jackley star in Puss in Boots during the venue’s 1965-66 pantomime season. The experience sparked a lifelong passion for theatre that would see him become one of the venue’s most loyal audience members. From 1967 onwards, Nigel travelled regularly from Weymouth by bus and train, later by car, often attending performances every week and sometimes two or three times a week. “I came to everything,” said Nigel. “Once I saw that pantomime, I was hooked. I always had a permanent booking and would usually sit in the same seat in the Circle. The staff all knew me and always made me feel welcome.” Throughout the decades, Nigel enjoyed a wide variety of productions, with particular affection for musicals, ballet and summer shows.

“I loved the musicals more than anything, but I also enjoyed the ballet, especially performances by The Royal Ballet and English Festival Ballet. Bournemouth Pavilion has always provided great escapism for me.” Many of Nigel’s fondest memories are of the venue’s bustling summer seasons, when Bournemouth Pavilion welcomed long-running productions and touring performances that drew large audiences from across the region. “When the summer shows were on, the theatre and gardens would be full of people. It was such a special atmosphere,” he said. “People dressed up more in those days, but the venue itself still feels very much the same.” Over the years, Nigel carefully preserved every programme from the performances he attended, creating a remarkable collection that charts the changing face of live entertainment at Bournemouth Pavilion across six decades. Now, he has chosen to donate his precious collection to the venue’s archive, ensuring the programmes can continue to be enjoyed and appreciated as part of Bournemouth Pavilion’s history. Nigel added: “My wife thinks I’m obsessed with it – but I do reckon I’ve seen pretty much every musical going!” Nigel’s donation will now

Nigel first visited Bournemouth Pavilion aged 14 with his mother to see comedy legend Nat Jackley star in Puss in Boots during the venue’s 196566 panto season

form part of the venue’s archive, helping document the rich history of performances, productions and audiences that have shaped Bournemouth Pavilion over the years. Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. For BH Live, entertainments and events manager Nicola Coney said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Nigel for his generous donation and for his longstanding support of Bournemouth Pavilion. His collection provides a fascinating record of the venue’s history and the many productions that have entertained audiences over the decades. Donations like this help preserve the stories, memories and heritage of Bournemouth Pavilion for future generations to discover and enjoy.” Councillor Andy Martin, portfolio holder for Culture, Customer and Communications at BCP Council, said: “Nigel’s remarkable collection is not only a wonderful record of his personal connection with Bournemouth Pavilion, but also an important part of our area’s cultural heritage.

“Through our partnership with BH Live, BCP Council is committed to preserving and celebrating venues like Bournemouth Pavilion that have brought generations of people together through arts, entertainment and shared experiences. “As we look ahead to the Pavilion’s centenary in 2029, donations such as this help tell the story of the venue, the performers who have graced its stage and the audiences who have supported it over the decades. “Bournemouth Pavilion remains one of our town’s most treasured cultural landmarks, and stories like Nigel’s are part of what makes it so special.” Bournemouth Pavilion has welcomed millions of visitors since opening in 1929 and remains one of the south coast’s leading entertainment venues. As the venue approaches its centenary in 2029, its archive team is inviting residents and visitors alike to search their attics, basements and cupboards for memorabilia that could help complete the theatre’s remarkable story. For more information, get in touch with the team at pavilion. archive@bhlive.org.uk

The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

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Folk band like no other

The Churchfitters (from left) Chris Short, Rosie Short and Boris Lebret – note Boris’s instrument made out of car hub caps!

Spotlight Diary Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry. The deadline for the November 9 issue is NOON on Thursday, October 29. 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 THURSDAY 14.00

LIFE DRAWING - Harmans Cross Village Hall every Thursday 2-4pm. 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

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FOLK trio The Churchfitters are set to return to Harmans Cross village hall by popular demand. The Churchfitters are a folk band like no other, with a double bass made out of a saucepan and heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw or a glass harp! They play infectious funk-rock rhythms and traditional tunes reinvigorated with mesmerising jazz sax. The band is made up of Rosie and Chris Short, and Boris Lebret, who comes from Lannion in France.

Boris hates to play a regular instrument when he can cobble together a better one out of scrap metal! Their previous concerts at the village hall have been sell-outs and they will be returning on Friday, November 6, at 7.30pm. Tickets are only available through the hall’s website at www.harmanscrosshall.co.uk/ Special-Events Seating cannot be reserved and a licensed bar and car parking are available. Proceeds from the concert go to the hall’s funds.

with Mark Chutter at the National Dorford Centre. She has gone played treasure in landmark roles in the theatre on television, including conversation and Candice Marie in Nuts in May,

NATIONAL treasure, actress Alison Steadman, is coming to Dorchester on a rescheduled visit following Dorchester Literary Festival. Steadman, who has a new book out, Out of Character: A Memoir, will be in conversation

Beverly in Abigail’s Party, Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Betty in Fat Friends, Sue in Here We Go and Pamela in Gavin & Stacey. Alison Steadman is in Dorchester on Friday, October 30, 2.30pm-3.30pm.

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Regularly at Holme for Gardens, Grand Hotel Swanage, Mowlem ShowBar

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 37

Wanted

Arts & Entertainment

BOOKS HARDBACK, FOUNTAIN PENS, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid. Tel Mr Jones 01202-733550.

Events THE SWANAGE BRIDGE CLUB 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.

The Amy Winehouse Band are playing Lighthouse Poole

20 years on, it’s Back to Black THE Amy Winehouse Band is playing Lighthouse Poole next month, 20 years after the singer’s defining album, Back to Black. Members of the band were with Amy Winehouse from the start, performing in London pubs, and toured and recorded with her. Back to Black, released in 2006, became the album that transformed Winehouse from a rising British talent into a global cultural force. Winehouse won five GRAMMY Awards in 2008 – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best New Artist – making her the first British woman to win that many awards in one night. The 2026 anniversary tour, which stops off at Lighthouse on Saturday, November 28, will see the band perform

Back to Black in full plus other Winehouse classics. The Amy Winehouse Band is led by Amy’s long-time musical director and bass player, Dale Davis. He said: “I can’t believe that it’s the 20th anniversary of Back to Black this year When I congratulated Amy on the success of this incredible album, she said to me, not with any arrogance: ‘I knew what I was doing’, and at that moment I realised that she knew exactly what she had created. It’s still an honour, pleasure and privilege to be performing these songs, from this timeless classic.” The Amy Winehouse Band completed a sold-out tour of the UK in 2025, alongside multiple tours and festival appearances across Europe, Asia, North America and South America over recent years.

Art or money is the choice NATIONAL Theatre Live is bringing The Golden Boy to The Mowlem in Swanage after its sold-out run at London’s Almeida Theatre. Josh O’Connor leads the cast in a revival of Clifford

Odets’ American classic about a musician who must choose between artistic fulfilment and financial success as a boxer. The screening is on Thursday, November 5, at 7pm.

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Local Services

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The Purbeck Gazette, October 26, 2026 39

Local Services

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Est. 2010 Independent Hearing Care

The latest hearing aids from ALL manufacturers! • 25 years of experience • £0 deposit available • Up to 3 years to pay Fully qualified wax removal available in all clinics.

Haven Hearing

Abbey Hearing

34 Haven Road Canford Cliffs BH13 7LP

1 Tudor Arcade Dorchester DT1 1BN

dorchester@abbeyhearing.co.uk 01305 602240

3 Cheapside House High Street Gillingham, SP8 4AA

gillingham@abbeyhearing.co.uk 01747 470500

reception@havenhearing.co.uk 01202 878969