April 2016 Issue no. 195
Magazine archive at:
Home Improvement Time?! Pg 34-41
New Shannon-Class Lifeboat. Pg 19
No ‘Sanctuary’ For Elderly. Pg 26
Government Give Go-Ahead. Pg 14
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Editor’s note...
W
elcome to the April edition of your Gazette! Spring is officially HERE! The clocks have gone back and summer now seems like a real possibility after a long, damp, grey winter. We’ve another packed edition this month, including our popular Home Improvement feature - gathering together our local service providers and home improvers in one place, advertising to let you know they are ready, available and willing to get to work to assist you on making your ‘castle’ just perfect for 2016. Interiors looking dull? Guttering filthy? Fabrics needing some loving care? Take a look through the feature and get calling our local tradespeople - get started now! We also have ground-breaking news of a new development granted permission by central government for the outskirts of Swanage are Swanage’s housing problems to be solved? The magazine is ram-packed this month with your news, views and events - we had a real struggle to fit it all in! Don’t forget to book your tickets for a super-special night at Durlston Country Park this month - see page 50 for details. Just watch out for the wolves as it gets dark - we’re not kidding! Enjoy whatever April brings you, don’t sit at home - get out and about, get involved in the local community and have some fun! 2016 is looking good...!
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The May 2016 edition has a deadline of 11th April and will be distributed from 25th - 29th April 2016. The June 2016 edition has a deadline of 9th May and will be distributed from 23rd - 27th May 2016.
Public Notices & Information
Swanage Town Council Meetings - April 2016
Planning & Consultation Committee General Operations Parish Assembly Policy, Finance & Performance Council
Mon 4th Weds 6th Mon 11th Weds 13th Mon 25th
6.30pm 4.30pm 7pm 4.30pm 7pm
Please check the Town Council’s website www.swanage.gov.uk or call the Town Hall on 01929 423636 for the latest information.
Wareham Town Council Meetings - April 2016 Planning & Transport Wareham In Bloom Council Policy, Resources & Finance Museum Amenities
Mon 4th Weds 13th Tue 19th Mon 25th Tue 26th Weds 27th
7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7.30pm 7pm
Purbeck DC Meetings - Open to public - April 2016 Council Policy Group Planning Committee
Tue 12th Weds 20th Weds 27th
7pm 7pm 9.15am
Meetings are subject to change. To double check, see: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/ meetings/purbeck and see ‘dates of council and other meetings’
About The Purbeck Gazette & Purbeck Media Ltd The Purbeck Gazette prints 20,000 copies every month and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by Purbeck Media Ltd. All editing, graphic design and lay-up is completed in-house by Purbeck Media Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury and delivered by Logiforce GPS-tracked distribution. The Purbeck Gazette Daily News and Gazette online website is managed and edited on-site by Purbeck Media Ltd. Purbeck Media Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide. All rights reserved. OUR TEAM: The Gazette team consists of: Nico Johnson, Editor, Joy Lamb, Sales & Accounts Executive, David Hollister, Columnist, John Garner, Columnist, Charlie Hobbs, Columnist. Paul Notley, Graphics, Kim Steeden, Spotlight Diary Editor. VOLUNTEERS: A massive thanks to our volunteers, whose help is invaluable each month with proof reading. They are the very professional: Gerry Norris and David Holman. Thank you both so very much!
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Kelp, Waders and Binoculars - John Garner on page 49 Curlew in flight, by Rob Evans. Thanks Rob - amazing shot.
CONTACT US ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS/IT COMMUNITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS DIARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURES Blast From The Past Gazette Gardening, with Simon Goldsack Government Gives Development Go-ahead Home Improvement Feature John Garner writes - Kelp, Waders & Binoculars No ‘Sanctuary’ For Elderly Stuck With The Skin You’re In? Possibly Not.... Telling It Like It Is - David Hollister writes Wareham Carnival Queen & Princesses Your Dog Needs Microchipping NOW FOOD - Godlingston Manor Kitchen Gardens HEALTH & BEAUTY LETTERS MOTORING - David Hollister writes NATURAL MATTERS SPORT TRADE ADVERTS sponsored by Sydenhams Your Pictures
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[email protected] Web: www.lymingtonidiomas.uk incapable of doing both, when David Cameron continually swears his allegiance to the European Union and refuses point blank, the prospect of a live debate with UKIP’s Nigel Farage on TV. In a statement that will haunt Conservative supporters locally for many years to come, David Cameron told his MPs and all their party chairmen that “they should NOT decide the public’s view on the EU referendum because of what your constituency association might say”. Or in layman’s language, that transpires into you’re a complete irrelevance unless we want your vote at the next election! But most people, according to all public opinion polls, believe the best people to govern Britain are the British people themselves. Democracy is not primarily about left or right but about who, ultimately, has the power to decide on the laws of our great country. I remain Editor, yours faithfully. Mike Fry. UKIP PCC for the Lytchetts.
Don’t Retreat To Feudalism Dear Gazette, On behalf of Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community, I would like to thank Rachel, landlady of The Royal Oak in Swanage, for adopting us as their charity, especially the Shove Ha’penny team, and Pete and Carol Burgess who ran the Boxing Day auction. Their continuing support has raised £1300 for our work. This means we can continue our progress towards providing an
Admiral Nurse for this area. An Admiral Nurse is a specialist nurse who gives practical and emotional support to family carers and to the person living with dementia. Our target is £100,000 and individuals in our community have already found ways to help us, by giving up birthday presents and asking instead for cash donations. Others are choir members and have sung their hearts out to swell the coffers. Others have given freely of skills without charge. Others have held table top sales. Others have made hundreds of Forgetme-not brooches to sell. We already have plans for an elephant in the Carnival and two willing young people are signing up for the Three Peaks challenge. So join in this big challenge - if you can support in any way, large or small, by doing a free awareness session or organising an event, please see the information in our latest newsletter all around the area or phone Jean on 01929425521 for a copy. Remember - elephants never forget! And nor should we! Jean Gibbs, Chair SADFC
Who Governs Britain? Dear Editor, It’s generally accepted that politics and therefore politicians have to respond to what society in general and individuals specifically want out of their members of parliament. Over the past six months, Conservative MPs have been chafing against their party policy over having a referendum. Rebellion or not, it does raise the question on whether MPs ought to represent us, their constituents, or put the interest of their party first. It’s become self-evident that after Wednesday February 3, they are
Dear Editor, What a joy it was to start the New Year with reading your excellent local magazine of news and events. My favourite part is always the letters pages, where the January edition printed many intelligent, well-presented views - no ‘migrants ate my baby’ headlines of our national newspapers. It was also comforting to know that there was space for the conspiracy theorists and individuals who have the answers to all the world’s problems. The coming months will no doubt contain more letters concerning the referendum on exiting the EU. At present, many people seem moved by the notions that – ISIS terrorists execute, all Muslims are ISIS, all migrants are Muslims, all migrants are headed to EU, we can only survive by exiting Europe. Even our MP, Richard Drax, views that nothing short of a complete exit will satisfy. But surely the migrant fears (whether simply xenophobic or justified) are not the basis to plan our future? Whether people like it or not, the population of UK is set to rise over the next decade but mostly by legal entries (estimated that asylum seekers only make up 1 in 20 entries), so EU exit will make no real difference. Instead growth can be seen as an economic blessing of new young talent and diversity to counter an ageing population reliant on pensions. World politics and economics have a uncertainty that clearly call for joining together with strong allies rather than jumping off the cliff into the unknown shouting “I’d rather be alone”. The age of nationalism is hopefully being replaced by globalism and an EU exit is a retreat to the feudalism, public schoolism and the empire of the past. As the yes/no campaigns over the referendum intensify, I hope to read more views in the Gazette (but not in national press) to help me make an informed decision Andrew Fleming, Swanage, by email.
Inner Wheel Club Needs Wool Dear Readers, Five years ago I moved to Swanage with my husband. New to the area, I was missing the support and friendship from my previous friends. I joined the Inner Wheel Club of Swanage & Purbeck. A group of friendly likeminded ladies, whose aim is to support local, national and international charities by raising funds and promoting personal service. You may not have heard of the association but it is one of the largest women’s organisations in the world (associations in 103 countries).
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Although a small group, in the last six months we have sent monies to Guide Dogs for the Deaf, Mary’s Meals (an African Children’s Charity), the Cumbrian Flood Appeal, £250 to the national Parkinson Appeal and £500 to our President’s chosen charity, Wessex Heartbeat (Southampton Hospital). I have enjoyed the friendship and admired the commitment to offer help (wherever it is needed) that is prevalent within the club. One of the many projects we are involved with at the moment is an overseas charity “School in a Bag”. Amongst the items put into the bags for children is a small knitted teddy. These provide comfort (something to cuddle and talk to in times of stress, something that belongs to just you!). We would like to appeal to people in the area for any knitting wool they have no further use for. Several of our group can knit, but we need more wool (particularly red). Please help if you can. For further information about Inner Wheel or your offers of wool, please contact Jenny Huntley on 01929 426401. Thank you.
My Car Is Now A Van! Dear Editor, I was very surprised to find out after buying a parking ticket on Swanage seafront that my Mitsubishi L200 4x4, four seater, is considered a commercial vehicle, and if I did not move it, I would receive a £70 fine. The Parking Warden had just given a van a £70 parking ticket - I have been taking my car every other weekend to Swanage to walk my greyhound, who sits in the back. I told the parking warden this and also explained that this was a four seater 4x4 private car, but I was told to move and not return. A great shame - I will be spending my money in West Bay from now on! Roger Aldworth, by email.
Town In Shocking State Dear Editor, My husband and I have just returned from a holiday in Swanage. We were really shocked at how much litter is dropped and left lying around the streets. Dog mess on the pavements is also a serious problem. We were staying in a holiday cottage in Townsend Road and we took several pictures showing piles of loose rubbish on the street during our visit on 9th February 2016. I imagine that the economy of the town is heavily dependent on tourism, yet these scenes greet tourists pretty much throughout the town. I expect visitors may think again before returning. Are there any plans to clean up the town? Yours faithfully, Anne Peacock, Welwyn, Herts, by email (letter also sent to Dorset County Council).
Daily ‘Lie’ Becoming Harder?! Dear Editor, The Joy of Spelling Errors! Congratulations on the continued excellence of the Gazette….and I
must say I also enjoy the occasional delicious spelling mistake; e.g. the Occupational Therapy advert on page 59 of the March issue. ‘Daily Lie becoming harder?’….is it laying down? Lying to one’s spouse? Little white lies? My imagination ran riot!! Having recently witnessed the professionalism in the Poole Hospital O.T. Department, I can attest to the fact that their skills can make a big difference to people’s lives, if not their spelling! Now, spot the other two errors in the said advert! Sincerely, J.C.Brown, Corfe, by post.
Beware The Asian Hornet Dear Editor, Further to previous letters concerning the plight of Honey Bees in the U.K., there appears to be a new, possibly insidious threat to pollinators in the Asian Hornet, a species accidently introduced into Northern France two decades ago in a Chinese flower pot shipment. These vivacious predators have caused six deaths in humans; one female queen crossing the channel to the south coast and very possibly the Purbeck region, could pose a serious problem. The M.O. of the Asian Hornet is one of extreme privacy, hovering outside the hive to decapitate and carry off returning bees back to their nests to feed their larvae. Who says there’s no such thing as wasp honey? Honey, and maybe Bumble Bees are defenceless against this attack, as would be Bee Keepers. Watch the hives – please report any sightings to D.E.F.R.A.. You can find visual aids to help identify the Asian Hornet by searching on the internet. Let’s all hope not to see them in Purbeck any time soon! MJK Hamilton, Herston, Swanage, by hand.
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Running In Memory Of Joss Dear Editor, I will be running in this year’s Brighton Marathon on April 17th. I am running to celebrate the life of a wonderful young man, Joss Venning from Corfe Castle, who sadly passed away in December 2014. I am aiming to raise as much money and awareness for Young Epilepsy, who are a wonderful charity. If anyone would like to sponsor me, please go to my Just Giving page or pop into Royal British Legion in Corfe or at the bar at The Kings Arms, North Street, Wareham. Thank you in advance! Scott Fox, Kings Arms, Wareham.
Kingston Country Fair Ahead! Dear Gazette, The organisers of “The Kingston Country Fair” are pressing ahead organising the event for 2016 with a fixed date of Sunday July 3rd. In 2015 we raised fractionally over £5000 in aid of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, our sole beneficiary. Already support has been secured from many sources throughout the area. Some new attractions this year will include a display of working steam engines, together with various stationary engines and agriculture tractors. Since the steam engines will arrive on Saturday we are taking the opportunity to hold an evening music event on Saturday 2nd to include food and a bar marquee. Many of the artists are donating their time free of charge. This extra event should prove popular for all ages at this delightful hilltop location. The dog show will be enhanced to include various displays of dog agility and obedience capabilities. The very successful flying displays of model aircraft will be returning again. We are hoping to extend the classic car display with invitations being sent out to many car enthusiasts and clubs in the area a large area has been set aside for this attraction. Many stallholders are returning and even more have shown an interest. The Swanage Town Band will be on hand to entertain everyone throughout the day. The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance is a vital resource particularly for the Isle of Purbeck due to its isolation. The service needs all the funds that can be raised to ensure it’s always available. The location of the event will be the same as 2015 the field next to Kingston Country Courtyard just outside the village offering magnificent views across Purbeck from this elevated position. Directions will be posted. If you can promote this event through your media channels and community sections our appreciation is guaranteed. We want to smash last year’s total! Please contact our organisers Mr & Mrs Alan Fry by email ann@fryfarm. net or on 01929 481663. Graham Lambert, by email
Cancare Thanks Dear Editor, On behalf of Cancare, I thank the dedicated team of Swanage Hospital staff for the donation of £785 presented to us recently. This most generous gift is just one half of the total raised at a successful Quiz Night and Ploughman’s Supper, which they organised in memory of their late colleague, Semra Sharpe. Well done to all of you – you should be justifiably proud of an outstanding result. With sincere gratitude, Gill Norman, by post.
Rex-Players Sell-Out Show
Dear Editor, The Rex Players would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported their recent sell-out performances of “Back to the Future” at the Rex Cinema, Wareham. Without your help and enthusiasm, the show could not go on. Owing to your generosity, we have managed to raise nearly £70,000 over our last twenty years, with all proceeds going to local charities. Thank you once again and hope to see you all for our next production. The Rex Players. Many thanks, Sue Minshall (Rex Player), by email
We Need Drivers! Dear Readers, Swanage Disabled Club NEEDS YOU NOW!!! We are looking for volunteers to help us by being able to drive our two Care Buses, on an occasional basis for meetings (on a Monday afternoon), outings and availability to local organisations. We are also looking for extra Escorts to accompany our drivers. If you are interested, we would be very pleased to hear from you. All necessary training will be given. Suddenly our Driver list has been curtailed - mainly due to various health problems. For further information please contact Robert Payne, our Transport Manager, on 01929 423729, who will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Thank you and we hope to hear from you very soon. New members are always welcome to our meetings, please call for further information. Mrs. Daphne Saville Hon. Sec. 01929 425241
Sight Problems? Dear Readers, From time to time we meet people with limited sight who express surprise that our Blind Club welcomes anyone other than the fully blind. To call ourselves the ‘Swanage Club for the Blind and Visually Handicapped’ would be a mouthful, even though it would be more accurate. We meet on the 4th Tuesday afternoon of each month in the Rectory Classroom on Church Hill from 2pm till 4pm. Anyone with sight problems would be welcome to come and try us out. The Club is affiliated to the County Association for the Blind. We can be contacted by phone on 421785, or simply come to Rectory Classroom on the day. Sincerely, Peter Burtwell, by email
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Help Find Abused Dog Dear Readers, The RSPCA, the dog warden and myself need help in finding three men who live in Wareham. I was on Abbott’s Quay, Wareham on Tuesday 9 February at about 4pm when I saw a small dog being dunked in the freezing river by its lead. The dog is of a white and black Jack Russell type and is about two years old. I was told the dog was being thrown in the river to help get rids of its fleas. I was shown a large raw strip from its tail up to its back that was covered in flea bites. I was told that the owner would hit the dog if it gnawed at the bites or urinated indoors. The dog had a broken jaw and was often beaten. The owner was not on the scene but the dog was being taken for a walk by friends who seemed sympathetic to the dog’s plight. The two men on the quay were: one of stocky build with a collie dog and the other was of tall build with a long grey pony tail. They live quite local. Can anyone help to take this dog away from its misery and stop the owner from owning another pet? Thank you. Name and address supplied, witheld on request, by email Ed’s note: Are you the owner? Are you struggling to care for this dog? If so, please give us a ring on 01929 424239 (leave a message on line 3 if no answer) or email us at
[email protected] in complete confidence, and we’ll come pick up the dog, no questions asked. We’ll ensure the dog is treated (if needed) and found a safe, forever home at no cost to you. Call us - no judgement, just let us help. Better than risking being prosecuted by the RSPCA, which could be the next step - surely? Contact us.
Clean Up After Your Dog Dear Editor, I love Dorset. I love Purbeck. I like dogs. I once owned a dog. I respect those people who clear up after their dog. I have no time for those selfish xxxxxxxx’s (enter an appropriate expletive in accordance with your level of irritation) who are happy to leave dog excrement on pavement and footpath, the beach, playgrounds, recreation areas and sports fields; where it can be trod in by young and old, picked up on the wheels of pushchairs, mobility scooters, cycles and children’s scooters. It can also be sat in, knelt in or even handled by children on beaches and other recreational areas. Come on! We then have the preservationists who actually do pick up after their dogs, and then dispose of the little bag. Not in an appropriate bin or at home however, but rather on, in, or under the nearest hedge or bush, hanging in a tree, under a car, in a front garden, on, behind or in front of a beach hut, tucked down in rocks or groynes, hanging on a fence, or just dropped on footpaths or steps. The little blue bags are particularly attractive! Is there any logic in this? Why, when walking in such a beautiful area do I have to spend most of the time staring some two metres ahead just to avoid a pile of dog xxxx? Yours very sincerely, Name supplied and withheld on request
Opening Times A Mystery An open letter to the Army Ranges One afternoon in February we found the gates to Tyneham closed. Not just any old afternoon – this was a Sunday, Valentine’s Day, in halfterm holiday week. We had taken care, as usual, to ring the 404819
Building Alterations & Maintenance
01929 427296 07971 690817 Happy to help and advise recorded Range information line, which told us that the first ‘closed’ date was to be in May. No longer being able to refer to the Purbeck Gazette for range open dates and exceptions (the Editor had been told that this information was no longer to be published - why?), we telephoned the Range walks line again on our return home, and discovered that the recording was in fact of last year’s (2015) list of open and closed dates, read at a rather unhelpful high speed. It would be good to have a response to this letter, and to have the recorded message brought up to date, at a more helpful speed, please. We’d be interested also to know why the dates cannot be published. Yvonne and Roger Free, by email Ed’s note: Having published the Range Times for well over a decade in conjunction with Range Control (The Gazette funded the majority of the opening times advert, with a small proportion of the cost covered by Range Control), we were told to remove the listing in 2015. We were informed that the public could access the opening times from the internet, or by telephone. We did point out that nowhere near Tyneham had an internet signal, nor a mobile phone signal, meaning day trippers and ‘impulsive visitors’ would not therefore be able to access opening times online. This made no difference and Range Control decided to stop advertising the opening times to the public. We have since had numerous complaints similar to Yvonne and Roger’s letter above, from locals and tourists alike. We no longer retain the annual opening times, so please do not call our office for this information!
Shame On Local Thief Dear Gazette, A message from Jenkins News of Swanage We would like to offer a huge thank you to the people of Swanage and further afield for all your heartfelt support, kindness, loyalty and enormous generosity. A big thank you also to Nico and Joy from the Gazette for placing the ‘Jenkins Fund’ jar in our shop. Members of the public and regular customers have been popping in and have been donating money to the Jenkins fund. We have decided to use the fund to purchase some outside lights, which we haven’t been able to afford to replace during the past five years. The remainder will go towards paying off a portion of the debts we incurred due to the serial thefts. The new lights will be a symbol to show there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Jenkins is still here and will shine even brighter, with your continued support and loyalty. Also, we would like to say that there is a person in Swanage who, despite all that has happened, has not shown one tiny shred of remorse or shame, but instead has had a totally hubristic attitude throughout. To that person: You should be in a place of disgrace, the people who trusted you on a daily basis are now having to collect money in a jar from strangers – equating to the general public paying back the money YOU stole (which the courts, as yet, have not required you to even attempt to pay back) with their own hard-earned money. We gave you a job, we were decent, considerate and respectful of your needs. You ripped us apart financially, as well as on a personal level. I think the whole town (bar a very few) support us, and there are many in other areas and across the country now who would join us in saying SHAME ON YOU. Shame on you, shame on you. Betty and Martin, Jenkins News, High Street, Swanage.
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Unaccountable Monolith? Hi Nico, Having lived before and during the present EU, my biggest regret was voting for the free movement of commerce in what was then the Common Market. At first this was brilliant, but I and my fellow countrymen fell for the lies, that in reality turned out to be an unaccountable monolith created to serve the self-interests of unelected leaders: all second-rate, failed politicians fulfilling their own egos. The PM and his chums spout on about the unknown factor, but to me the great unknown is, what are we letting ourselves in for should we stay? Having lived through the farce of the past forty-one years, this does concern me. Only a fool would join a club whose accounts haven’t been signed off for nineteen years. Of last year, 100 billion Euros remain unaccounted for. This is not all to do with immigration or financial catastrophes; it’s about us, the British standing up for ourselves against foreign jealousy and selfinterests. I think I noticed a few familiar names in the recent letter from business leaders advocating to stay in, who, in 1999 demanded we join the Euro otherwise the country would sink; can I smell a few gongs waiting in the New Year’s honour’s list? The PM in the commons reminded me of Chamberlain waving his piece of paper and I felt a slight brush of history repeating itself. Let’s pray that June 23rd 2016 goes down as yet another date in our glorious history when we again stood up for this country against those in other countries who want to take us for a ride in their own egotism. Let us not forget D-Day - Battle of Britain – Dunkirk – Waterloo – Agincourt! I finish with this thought: This precious stone set in the silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a wall Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands, This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare, “King Richard II”, Act 2 scene 1 Roger Thompson, by email
A Massive Clean-Up Dear Readers, Clean for the Queen – Saturday 5th March 2016, Swanage Together we filled forty-nine bags full of rubbish in the few days leading up to Saturday afternoon, and we covered both sides of the A351 road from Victoria Avenue Car Park in Swanage to St Michael’s Garage in Harmans Cross. That is a massive effort (five volunteers came in for a few hours on Saturday, including three Swanage Town Councillors). I started at 03.15 on Friday along the A351 – it’s much safer at night, you can see the headlights, and they see our safety orange flashing lights everywhere. Dorset Waste Partnership picked up most of the bags. I would like to meet them, and discuss how to make things work better for all, and any other teams who might adopt roads……..I hear another team did A351 Wareham – Corfe on Sunday afternoon – is that correct? A few of us will do some of the B roads to the south of the Purbeck Hills, and the Studland Road before Easter I hope. Kind regards, F E Roberts BSc MIRO, Senior Project Manager, Project Wareham, Swanage Railway.
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[email protected]
Keeping Purbeck Tidy
Dear Readers, Clean for Queen, 5th March 2016, Wareham A big thank you to the volunteers who helped clear the streets and surrounding area of Wareham, on the morning of Saturday 5th March. We collected about thirty bags of litter. Another group volunteered on Sunday to start clearing the A351 between The Halfway Inn and Norden Farm, and gathered eighteen more bags of litter, despite being advised that clearing the highways is too dangerous for community groups. Thank you also to Purbeck District Council and Dorset Waste Partnership who lent us the pick-up tools, high-viz vests and gloves. Not all the litter is intentional but some of it is. Within half an hour of clearing one road, I found two plastic bottles which had been thrown out of a car. We must encourage everyone to take pride in their surroundings, to dispose of their own litter responsibly and to take part in litter clearing events in towns, the countryside and on the beaches. Clean for the Queen has caught the imagination of communities over the whole country and I don’t know if it will become an annual event. However, I would like to see the communities of the Isle of Purbeck and Wareham join together and organise regular litter picking events, and especially the roads of Dorset, which should be cleaned at least once a year. I am sure Dorset Waste Partnership would have many volunteers if they could get around “health and safety” rules and organise an event of their own. If, like me, you hate seeing litter, please help by picking it up whenever you can, by teaching your children not to litter and by encouraging your local council and DWP to clean up the roads. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful area and people from all over the world visit us, so let’s Keep Purbeck Tidy. If you agree and would like to help next time, please email me on lara.
[email protected] Lara Manningham-Buller, by email
The Purbeck Gazette
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The Beer, Ale & Cider Specialists High Street, Swanage 01929 423533
Please Pledge Your Support Dear Readers, Wings on her feet The ‘Wings’ refer to my husband, Stephen Nelson, who was a pilot. He sadly died a few months ago from Pancreatic Cancer (pictured, left). Stephen was strong and fit, but it is a ruthless disease and although he fought with a courage that was truly inspirational, he lost his battle just ten months after first being diagnosed. Currently, only around 20% of people diagnosed with this Cancer live for more than a year and it has the slowest five year survival rate of any major Cancer – just 8%. Yet Pancreatic Cancer only receives around 1% of all Cancer research funding. The ‘Feet’ refer to Abigail Ross, a friend, who is running the London Marathon in April in memory of Stephen and to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK and Forest Holme Hospice. Wherever Stephen flew in the world, he always said that there was nowhere to beat Purbeck, and he felt very privileged to live here. As fellow residents, please help us to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer and pledge support to our campaign to raise much needed funding. Thank you. Lynn Nelson, Swanage. To give sponsorship, please visit the JustGiving donation page at: https:// www.justgiving.com/AbigailRoss1970
A Night At The Races! Dear Readers, The final event is here! We are holding ‘A Night At The Races’ on the 30th April at Holme Nurseries. The doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £10, including soup or a ploughman’s. Tickets available from Joy on 01305 853421 or John on 01929 552951. We would like to thank everyone who has supported my Dad in raising the money for this year’s challenge of Walking The Wall of China for Weldmar Hospice. Watch this space for his return and an update on how he got on! Joy Allan, by email
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2016 T.W.A.T.S. Walk
Dear Purbeckians, Terry Dorland Foundation Our aim is to raise money and awareness for the charities that Terry Dorland (pictured, above) supported, for the good of the community. In the past we have raised over £5347 for Forest Holme, McMillan, Swanage Stroke Club, Swanage Football, Dorset Air Ambulance and Brain Cancer. These were done with our T.W.A.T.S. walks – Terry’s Walking and Trekking Society, a group of friends and family who came together to raise money after the sad loss of Terry. We also run fundraising coffee mornings and spa and stall days, called ‘Dorland’s Delights’. We’ve made some lovely friends and are always inspired to help local associations and causes. This year Jackie is running 10k for Cancer Research and has several other ideas in the pipeline. In 2016, we would love to raise money for Cancare, however we will need a bit of support, love and help from all of you! This year we walk from Bournemouth Pier to Swanage on June 4th, gasbagging away - or is that just me! We ask those joining us to wear yellow if they can, as this is Cancare’s official colour. We go along to the Jazz café, where we regroup. This year we want people to stop off and have a coffee and chat if they like, making it a social event for all abilities and ages. Our next stop is the ferry, where those who want to bus back to Swanage rather than walking, can. Mum will do what she can manage - last year she made it to the ferry, then we had to bundle her on the bus! Those walking then stop for a welcome drink at the Bankes Arms, before we slog over the hill back to Swanage. A nice refresher and regroup at Crow’s Nest is next, before heading on to the Pier. We finish at the end of the Pier, at Terry’s memorial plaque in the shelter. We have asked Purbeck Nordic Walking if they want to do their normal Studland beach walk that day, and we hope the group will join in. I have sponsor forms for anyone who wishes to join us on the walk, please email me on the address below and I can send one to you. We would love your help, support and we hope you join us - you can walk a little part or all, it’s totally up to you. Everyone is very, very welcome. In true Dorland fashion, I raise a glass to you all and do our family toast “Up Yours” – charming, aren’t we?! We hope you’ll walk with us. Carolyn Hooper (Terry’s sister), T.W.A.T.S. Email:
[email protected]
The Purbeck Gazette
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SWANAGE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MONDAY 18th APRIL 2016 YOUR meeting YOUR views YOUR chance to have a say in matters affecting Swanage In addition to your local Town, District and County Councillors, representatives from local organisations have been invited to make short presentations to the meeting.
7pm, Swanage Youth Centre, Chapel Lane, Swanage. Monday 18th April 2016 Agenda items should be submitted in person at the Town Hall, by telephone 01929 423636 or by email:
[email protected] by Wednesday 6th April 2016.
Please come along and have your say
Great Honour For NAFAs Dear Editor, In 1959 flower arranging clubs and societies banded together as the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS). The Association has since been a unifying and guiding mainstay to thousands of men, women and juniors, whose love of flowers has opened up a whole new world of creativity. In 2017 the Dorset & Guernsey Area of NAFAS will be representing the association at the Chelsea Flower Show, with an exhibit twenty foot square and sixteen foot high. We are the smallest area in the country and have a large task in front of us. We have to raise £20,000 to supplement the allowance given by NAFAS and we are looking for sponsorship of any kind, financial, products and advertising. The exhibit will depict the Jurassic coast and all things Dorset. This is a great honour and as NAFAS was formed by Mary Pope of Eldridge Pope, we want to do credit to the county. If there are any businesses who would be willing to assist with sponsorship we would be most grateful. Regards, Pat Cherrett, Team Leader. Telephone 01929 552087
Perkins and Sydenhams in Swanage have kindly sited drop off bins in their stores. For collection of bigger stashes or for more information, please contact Kim on 427828. Thank you in advance for your donations – to provide a hand up not a hand out. Kim Gallagher, Swanage Lions * Tools with a Mission http://www.twam.co.uk
Walking The Moonlight Walk Dear Readers, I am a thirty-year-old Staff Nurse from Bere Regis and I work at Poole Hospital. Last year I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and have had treatment for this, and have known many people affected directly and indirectly by breast cancer. This year I am walking the Moonlight walk (walk the walk) in May 2016 London, effectively walking the London marathon at night. I am trying to raise sponsorship to support breast cancer charities and am trying to get the information out about my sponsorship page in the hope of not only raising money for breast cancer charities, but also awareness that breast cancer can affect people of all ages, both men and women alike. I would very much appreciate any help you might be able to provide and look forward to hearing from you. Becky Dodd, by email. http://wtwalk.org/moonwalklondon2016/becky-7
Thank You Studland Helpers!
Tools Across The World Dear Editor, Swanage continues to send tools across the world – next collection Day, Saturday 23rd April, Co-op car park. A big thank you and well done, from Swanage Lions and TWAM*, to all the fantastic folks who have donated work and craft tools, over the last year, ranging from industrial type tools to hand planes, screws to a scythe, typewriters to sewing machines, fabric to knitting needles. The collecting continues…… for example TWAM recently provided woodworking and metal working tools for the mobility Sierra Leone workshop, a disabled skills training charity, where metalwork tools are used to produce wheelchairs and the woodworking tools to produce crutches. Win win – less land fill for us and more self- sufficiency for others. So, if you or anyone you know has any tools that are no longer used please give them a new home and drop them off on 23rd April from 9.30 – 3.00, we’ll be very happy to see you. If this is not convenient, Nixons, Travis
Dear Readers, Volunteers from Studland gathered to clear part of Studland Playground to make way for some exciting new equipment - funded by local donations, the County Council and Studland Parish Council. Fuelled by bacon sandwiches and obeying health and safety legislation at all times, Ross Pearson, Craig Dyball and Steve and Owen Smith cleared the site in no time. Thanks everyone! Julie Dyball, by email
The Purbeck Gazette
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Oui - Or Non?
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n response to the FOI request I made to DCC concerning roads desperately needing attention (last month’s Gazette), they replied “the resurfacing of the A351 (Corfe to Stoborough) is a preliminary to a premium surface dressing that will be carried out later in the spring/ summer. This is a seasonal operation, therefore the works have to be carried out in this limited window of opportunity. Given the road widths it’s unlikely the contractor will require the road to be closed; these works would normally be done under stop/go boards to minimise the impact on motorists. Works on routes such as this are also carried out during restricted working hours to avoid the rush hour traffic.” This is the main road into and out of Swanage and any road works carried out in season – i.e. May to September- must result in major traffic delays and not insignificant frustration and ill-feeling. They continued “The annual resurfacing programmes are identified through condition data collected annually, and through information collected by regular safety inspections. They are prioritised in line with strategies linked to safety and promotion of the economy within the County. If you have specific locations/roads you are concerned about then please identify those so we can investigate them”. “We are in the process of forming our forward-looking capital programme beyond 2016/17 and therefore if such sites are not already on our radar we could re-examine the data held and/or inspect them to assess the need, whilst also dealing with any safety defects that might exist. I will put you in touch with our Community Highway Officer who will contact you and make arrangements to discuss your concerns about roads. She will then report back to me with any roads that we need to consider for future resurfacing, if we haven’t already. She will also arrange any immediate safety repairs where appropriate”......... I offered to take this officer on a voyage of discovery around Purbeck one day, in my own car, all she needs to bring is a camera and a notebook and a cushion (MX5’s a bit bumpy). They have finally agreed for one of their supervisors to meet me “to discuss this issue”, at the end of March. Not actually committed to a voyage of discovery! But strangely, suddenly they seem to be going hell-for-leather on patching and temporary repairs so let’s hope that the pressure that we’ve been putting on, via the Gazette, individual letters and huge Facebook threads, is going to achieve the desired result. Watch this space! 31st March is a significant date in the ‘affordable homes’ planning applications, at Langton Matravers and at Worth Matravers. Positive planning decisions will result in thirty-one affordable homes right in the heart of our community. I have suggested to the Planning Committee that this is a golden opportunity to tell the electors whether they really want to help the homeless of Purbeck or whether they are simply paying lipservice to the idea and actually siding with the many residents who want it anywhere except in their own back yard. Further refusal or prevarication on this application may only indicate the latter. The car-parking spaces at Corfe Castle station are run by Purbeck District Council who issue annual permits to people who have nowhere else to park their cars, including Corfe shopkeepers who have no other option. When we first took on the shop in 1996, the annual fee was £59. This year it’s around £390, an increase of 561% in twenty years, or 18% each
year. The fee for issuing a duplicate permit, which is a colour scan or a photocopy the size of a tax disc, has always been £5. This year it’s £30. Unbelievable! But they state that they have ‘no obligation’ to supply CCTV even though the cameras are already there, so the cars are at the mercy of all and sundry. So what the hell is the huge ‘fee’ for? Answers on a parking ticket please. Please don’t forget that the elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner take place on Thursday May 5th. Last year the turnout in the whole of Dorset represented 16.77% of the electorate. Martyn Underhill (Independent) received 44% of the first-preference votes. Over 2500 papers were ‘invalid’ suggesting that the complexities of the PR system were lost on us. I can make no comment (legally) upon this election other than to ask each and every one of you to dig down deep inside your soul and to realise how crucially important the Police and Crime Commissioner is to your everyday life, and to be there at the crack of silly-o-clock at the Polling Station to cast your vote. Or to mess up your ballot paper, as the case may be. Local journalist Mya Pope-Weidemann has just spent many weeks in Lesvos, not just reporting on the plight of the refugees, but also getting actively involved in saving lives. On 17th March she addressed an Open Meeting at the Emmanuel Baptist Church and shared her experiences; she also introduced three refugees from the war-torn Middle East, who told their stories. This was been organised by a newly-formed group, “Swanage Action for Refugees”. I’m necessarily writing this beforehand, and by the time you read this, it’ll have taken place. But I’m sure that this will be the first significant stone in a pool of which the ripples will continue to spread. If you want to know more, or to help, and regardless of whether you live in Swanage, Wareham, Wool or any of the villages in between, please log on to http://www.swanagechurches.org/swanage-action-for-refugees. Despite the heart-rending scenes being shown to us almost daily on TV and in the press, I know that there are those who still feel that refugees should be ‘turned away’ from EU borders, and indeed at Calais where the heavily armed French Police are closing the refugee camps with tactics reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. These refugees are not ‘scum’ or whatever other derogatory term you choose to use, they are mainly ordinary people caught between a rock (Assad) and a hard place (ISIS), who just want to do anything they can to ensure that their families survive rather than drown, starve, or be blown to bits. So the words “send them back where they came from” aren’t those of the Christian and Caring society that the UK claims to be. Yes, a few ISIS members might slip through. Along with 99.9% of genuine refugees. I seldom nail my colours to any particular mast. I’m openly criticised here for my left-wing views and my right-wing views, so I guess as no-one has sussed out my true political leaning, then I’ve probably got it about right. But if the behaviour of the uniformed armed thugs at The Jungle is representative of how the EU treats those begging for help, than to me the answer to one question is very clear. NON!
The Purbeck Gazette
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Swanage Royal Mail Office To STAY OPEN
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ast month we reported on plans to close the Royal Mail Delivery and Sorting office in Swanage from March 2016. This would have left businesses and individuals on the Isle of Purbeck without a Royal Mail office, meaning that missed parcel deliveries and a whole host of Royal Mail services would no longer have been available to a large number of locals. With no public transport available to access the Sorting Office in Wareham (where Swanage was due to merge), those without their own transport would have been unable to collect missed parcels and signed-for deliveries, unless they were up for (and capable of) a long walk from the nearest bus stop to the Wareham Sorting Office. Business customers would have lost local services, and those with Royal Mail contracts would have had to travel to Wareham to send multiple deliveries. Purbeck would have been cut off - without a Royal Mail office on the isle. Thankfully, it seems those in charge at Royal Mail have seen the error of
their ways, and to the delight of our fabulous local postmen and women, the Sorting Office is to remain open in Swanage - for now. Below you’ll find a statement from Royal Mail on their recent change of heart.... STATEMENT “Royal Mail has concluded the feasibility study and our discussions with our people and the CWU (Union of Communications Workers) on our proposal to merge Swanage delivery office into Wareham delivery office. “Taking all factors into account, we have decided not to proceed with this proposal at this time. “Royal Mail will continue to review its infrastructure on a regular basis and in the meantime, we will continue to operate the two delivery offices in Swanage and Wareham. “We are constantly reviewing our operations in order to ensure that services can be delivered as efficiently as possible, while providing the best facilities for our people and customers, as we address the structural decline in letter volumes and the rise in the number of parcels.”
Sir Vince Cable Visits
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ir Vince Cable was the guest speaker at the annual dinner of South Dorset Liberal Democrats in February, at the restaurant in Holme for Gardens. Sir Vince spoke on a range of subjects, including Green issues, housing Civil liberties, banking, the Referendum and private/public ventures. The House of Lords. David Cameron has sent too many of his own to the Upper House, which is now overcrowded. He was very critical of the new government rapidly demolishing the Green Agenda. Banks are not changing enough and are still more powerful than governments. On the Referendum, Sir Vince thinks that it is an exercise in Tory Party management. Housing. The government may build lots of ‘affordable’ houses for purchase but not enough to rent to those on low incomes who cannot pay what the government has stipulated, 80% of market rents. John Wootton, Liberal Democrats
Swanage Fire Station Update
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i and welcome to this month look at what’s been happening at Swanage Fire station! Operationally we have responded to 53 incidents. These have included: Thirty-seven medical calls Seven false alarms Two special service: these involved a chemical drum being washed up on the beach at Chapmans pool and we were also called to assist the Minor Injuries Unit at Swanage hospital to remove a ring from the finger of a sixteen year old young lady. Two road traffic collisions. Two stand-by moves to cover Wareham and Westbourne fire station areas whilst their crews attended fires. One call to assist the RSPCA rescue a sheep with it head stuck in a feeder One chimney fire. And at 08:55 on Monday 7th, March, the Wareham crew responded to a thatch roof on fire at Creech near Wareham (pictured, right). The crew then requested a further eight appliances, two water carriers and two breathing apparatus support vehicles. This included both Swanage appliances, along with crews from Poole, Weymouth, Westbourne, Wimborne and Redhill Park, Christchurch, Maiden Newton and Fordingbridge fire stations. Crews remained at the incident all day, with our crews returning to Swanage at 4pm. This will be my last report as a member of Dorset Fire & Rescue Service as my next report will be as a member of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.
As I said in my last report, from the 1st April 2016, the two Fire and Rescue Services will become one service. I hope to bring much more information on how the new service will be ‘Passionate about Changing and Saving Lives’. Stay safe on our roads and test your smoke alarms Phil Burridge, Station Commander.
The Purbeck Gazette
You’re Going To Die...
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ou’re going to die. I’m going to die, too. Every day I live is another day closer to when I stop. It could be tomorrow, it could be in thirty years’ time. I’m glad I don’t know when my time is up; that would spoil the fun. So my motto is ‘treat every day as if it were your last because one day it will be’. I spent a really lovely Sunday. Started off with bacon (high fat content), eggs (cholesterol) and coffee (caffeine). Worked in the garden with my shirt off, soaking up the spring sunshine (skin cancer). Stopped for elevenses; coffee (caffeine) and a chocolate bar (fat and cholesterol). Went out to lunch (more fat, more cholesterol) in the car (helping climate change). Had a beer (risking prostate cancer) and my wife had a glass of wine (risking breast cancer). Paid by credit card (risking bank fraud). Back home to laze around, taking no exercise (risking heart attacks) soaking up more sunshine (risking skin cancer). Later, we cleaned the three (anti-social) cars, (probably using carcinogenic chemicals). Spent an hour (apparently too long) in the Jacuzzi (soaking up chemicals and risking skin irritation) playing the lovely warm jets on my back (damaging my kidneys), and knocking back at least a pint of San Miguel (that’s my units for the day gone), listening to loud music on the headphones (damaging my hearing). Dried off under the patio heater (that’s the globe totally finished). Dinner was Steak (grilled, not fried, but still dangerous), sauté garlic potatoes (fried) and vegetables (two sorts, not five). Apple pie and icecream (fat), and a glass of red wine (good for the heart). And another (that’s tomorrow’s units gone) and another (but then it was a very good bottle and I don’t think I’m driving anywhere). And then put up the feet in front of the TV (no exercise either considered or possible by this stage). And so to bed. Am I glad to be alive? No, I’m amazed! That reminds me, I must cancel the Daily Mail…….. See you next month. Maybe. Parker Waterman of Purbeck.
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The Purbeck Gazette
Government Give Go-Ahead For Huge New Development On Outskirts Of Swanage By our Government & Communities Correspondent
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t has come to the attention of us here at Gazette Towers that a housing blueprint has been drawn up for a large area on the outskirts of Swanage. According to our sources, more than 300 units, a shop, a place of worship and a community centre are being planned. Following the update in planning (NLPLG 1742 p94-97 Feb 2016) from central Government, a development of this size needs no local permission as long as certain conditions are met. To fulfil these conditions, the development will contain a quantity of one, two, and three bedroom flats, no more than four storeys high, and several four and five bedroom houses. The estate will be built to the highest environmental specifications from the very beginning, including ground source heat pumps for all the heating, roofs tiled with PV cells and triple-glazed windows and doors. As part of the project, domestic wind turbines will be mounted on each gable. The power generated will be sold to the National Grid, with the proceeds used to subsidise the rent. Rain water will be collected and used in a brown water system for flushing the toilet and watering the vegetables. Residents will be expected to join in with the community, the unemployed to help grow vegetables in the garden, the elderly to look after the younger children while the parents are at work. Employed people will be expected to give up a small part of their weekend for the good of the community. The value of the unpaid work will be reflected in the rent charged and the distribution of vegetables from the garden. The land has been donated to the council for this project and the cost of development has been taken up by a group of wealthy Purbeckians, who are dismayed at the lack of affordable housing for locals and want to help out. Fewer than 10% of the homes will be sold, each with a binding covenant, allowing only working locals to live there. The rest will be rented, with the rent assessed by the ability to pay. The philanthropists are not looking for a profit, only for the running costs to be covered, they have already made their money. Four or five homes will be designed for disabled local people. If there are no eligible locals, then they will be offered to ex-military, to be lived in permanently, or used as respite homes akin to the Help For Heroes cabin at Herston Yards. As Swanage is a town that recognises Dementia, as part of the new ‘dementia-friendly town scheme’, there will be easily accessible flats for
those afflicted, with helpers selected from the community. All the local builders were invited to take part in the build, but only three replied, two of whom were busy, and the other was deemed unsuitable. Alternative arrangements have now been made with outside contractors. When the project is complete, the organisers are hoping that Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, could be persuaded to open the development with a Grand Opening Party. Above: Official plan of area to be built on - utilising an aerial shot of Swanage taken by local photographer, Mark Farrer. The new estate can be seen coming off Prospect Cresent, Victoria Avenue, (circled) where the allotments and green-field sites are currently situated. Housing, industrial units and an additional place of worship can be seen in the new settlement outlines. The image below shows the area (including the allotments) as it is today, prior to the clearances taking place and the build starting.
The Purbeck Gazette
Coastguard Update
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e are very lucky to have such a wonderful coastline and waters from Studland, Swanage, St Albans, Kimmeridge and Lulworth. The waters are open to all types of users from swimmers to power craft users but the mixture does bring its problems. For that reason Purbeck District Council has a five knot safety zone in place from about Easter to September to protect swimmers and non-powered craft close to the shore line. Purbeck District Council, Swanage Town Council, Dorset Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI, professional boat owners and the maritime community all work very hard to ensure our area remains safe for all to use. This year, Swanage Coastguard will be promoting the ‘arrive at five campaign’ and want users to be responsible when close inshore and to observe the five knot speed limit. The key partners are regularly meeting to discuss things like the replacement of the ageing buoys and signage at the launch site. Dorset Police along with other enforcement officers will be carrying out speed checks and along with HM Coastguard be offering strong words of advice and failure to comply could lead to prosecution. Spread the word, keep our shoreline safe.....ARRIVE at FIVE knots. This is just one of many meetings that the volunteer Coastguards have attended recently to ensure close and better relations with our partner agencies. For every hour of rescue work there are approximately three hours of preparation behind the scenes - from cleaning the equipment to safety meetings. There has also been the RNLI AGM, the Swanage Resilience plan meeting, where the teams are ‘category one’ responders, along with Police, Fire and Ambulance. Then there was a Carnival meeting to discuss road closures and emergency helicopter landing sites, a special beach management meeting on the enforcement of the five knot buoys and finally, a meeting with Phil Burridge from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue. This meeting was around the capabilities of HM Coastguard and the Fire and Rescue Service. Each have their areas of responsibility, but there is some overlap and the meeting was to ensure we support one another in those incidents. The good news from this meeting is a joint exercise on rope and water rescues as both services have new equipment. Training for many teams is focused on the re-validation of their ropes qualification, which is valid on a three yearly cycle, along with our other disciplines (search, water, mud, Officer-in-charge, to name a few). Rope work is the most hazardous type of incident the Coastguard deals with, due to working at height and the physical demands it places on the teams. Thankfully, numbers of cliff incidents are much lower than they were ten years ago. However, the training takes up approximately 75% of the training timetable, due to the skill levels having to be maintained. Finally, the St Albans team were called out recently after Dorset Police had a report of a rucksack left on a coastal footpath. There was concern the owner had fallen or come to harm, so the team searched and found the bag which was old and had been there sometime. Please help us to help you by ensuring you always pick up your belongings. If you forget them on the coast, it’s worth a call to the operations room on 01305 760439 to avoid a large search. Ian Brown, Swanage Coastguard.
Skittles Knocked Down AND Eaten!
Fundraising for St Mary’s Church, Lytchett Matravers, on Thursday 10th March n Thursday 10th March we enjoyed a Skittles and Pub games evening at the Chequers Inn at Lytchett Matravers. We would like to thank the Chequers for loaning and setting up the skittles for this event and to all those who supported it and helped raise £215 for our much needed new heating and electric system at St Mary’s Church in the village. The winning team not only knocked over more skittles than the others but then were able to enjoy eating them as well. Photo: Jill Everitt, Anne Robinson, Tim Brown, Anne Brown, Clive Allen, Adrienne Allen, Ian Robinson
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The Purbeck Gazette
Wareham Carnival Queen & Princesses 2016
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his year Wareham Carnival will take place on 24th July. It will see the return of the Carnival Queen and Princesses, a much requested addition to the event and an extra chance for local people to get involved in being a part of Carnival. The choosing of the Queen and Princesses took place on Saturday 27 February at Wareham Town Hall. The event was well attended with twenty contestants for the three positions - one Queen and two Princesses. Judging was by Wareham’s Lady Mayor Dina Adkins, Mr Graeme Blundell, Manager of Sainsburys Wareham and 2003 Wareham Carnival Queen, Holly. The winners were: Carnival Queen: Georgia Candy, Carnival Princesses: Katie Lake and Phoebe Allen. The Judges agreed that it was a very close competition and that the standard
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Wareham In Bloom
he Wareham in Bloom Committee have already started to prepare and enhance the town before the summer season and the forthcoming South/South East in Bloom competition. We were unable to enter last year so are making a determined effort this year to win the coveted Gold and be selected for the Britain in Bloom Award, for this we need the help of more volunteers. Amongst our achievements are the following: South Bridge has been cleaned, the work being sponsored by local businessman Peter Andrews of Andrews Plant Hire and Haulage. The Saxon Roundabout has been maintained by Anvil Ground Maintenance, a local supporter of Wareham in Bloom. Anvil GM cleared the land to the rear of St. Martins Church Project, North Street, a group of Wareham in Bloom volunteers planted out spring bulbs and they will later be sowing wild flower seeds, a project we hope will improve the entrance to Wareham Town Centre and impress the judges! The railings on the wall of St Martin’s Church will be painted by volunteers, so if you have some time to spare and want to help we will supply all the necessary tools and equipment to carry out the job.
of contestants had been very high. Organisers Val, Sheriden and Abbie from Kaffs Café in Wareham organised the night for Wareham Carnival and Val herself interviewed each of the contestants. Wareham Carnival would also like to thank Sainsburys for providing the refreshments for the event. Carnival Vice Chairman Bob Dean said, “This is the first time for many years that Wareham has a Queen and Princesses. We hope they all have a lot of fun at Carnival in Wareham in July as well as other local events throughout the spring and summer. Being an ambassador for Carnival they will be representing Wareham; it’s a great opportunity!” Images: Top left: Princess Phoebe Allen (left), Queen Georgia Candy (centre), Princess Katie Lake (right). Top right: All the beautiful entrants. Working in partnership we have cleared two beds in the Rempstone Centre Project, with the intention of planting out new shrubs later in the season. The area will also be enhanced by the addition of hanging baskets, sponsored by a local business participating in the project. The sponsored hanging baskets and floral towers for the Wareham Town Centre 2016 summer displays were collected by the plant suppliers and planting ordered for three flower beds and nineteen tubs that will be exhibited in early June. A large proportion of the work and displays has been funded by generous donations from shops, businesses, individuals and organisations loyally supporting the ‘In Bloom’ project year after year. The Wareham in Bloom Committee are holding a fundraising event on 30th April 2016 in the Town Hall and would appreciate any items for the draw, bric-a-brac, tombola, any spare plants/flowers, shrubs for the event or come along and support the event. Wareham is the envy of other towns for its floral and planting displays and they have been asked to assist other towns set up their own ‘In Bloom’ initiatives. Volunteering - Wareham in Bloom is a group of local volunteers who organise events, participate in planting projects and assist in the watering and deadheading of all the summer displays. If you want to come and be part of this group and help make Wareham a ‘Gold’ medal winning town in 2016 then please contact our Chairman Eric Osmond on 01929 551000. Councillor Eric L Osmond MBE, Chairman, Wareham in Bloom
Commemorative Tree Planted For Poundbury Residents
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n Saturday 5 March, Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, planted a tree in Woodlands Crescent as a gift to local residents during Poundbury Gardens’ 10-year anniversary celebrations. The Alnus incana Aurea, which is more commonly known as Golden Alder, was a particular favourite of Mike’s father, David Burks, who was a regular visitor to both the garden centre and the neighbouring park during its early years. Professor David Leaper, chairman of the Poundbury Residents’ Association, (pictured centre left) explains: “The Golden Alder has always meant something special to me, so I am very thankful to Mike and Lucy for planting one in this communal space for everyone who lives in or visits Poundbury to enjoy.” Lucy Simpson, manager of Poundbury Gardens, adds: “We couldn’t have reached this great milestone without the support of the Poundbury Residents’ Association or the local community, so we wanted to say a huge thank you and plant this commemorative tree as a token of our appreciation. We look forward to watching the tree grow, as the community of Poundbury continues to flourish.” Picture shows: (L-R) Kelvin Henwood, Gold Club member, Professor David Leaper, chairman of the Poundbury Residents Association, Lucy Simpson, manager of Poundbury Gardens, and Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group. For more information about the 10 days of celebrations at Poundbury Gardens, please visit www.thegardeneronline.co.uk.
The Purbeck Gazette
Smedmore House Open Day
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medmore House with its beautiful gardens and spectacular sea views of the Jurassic Coast is a hidden gem set in the glorious Purbeck countryside. On Sunday 8th May the house and gardens will be open to the public from 2pm until 5pm. As well as guided tours of this historic house, there will be craft, plant, tombola and games stalls in the garden and tea with homemade cakes. The MNDA is a national charity with local branches who help provide practical and emotional support for people with MND and their families, as well as funding vital research projects. For more information about the event and MNDA please visit www. mndedorsetandnforest.org.uk, phone 07811 871347 or you can find us on Facebook or Twitter.
New President For Dorset Blind Association
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orset Blind Association, a local charity that provides services and support for blind and partially sighted people throughout Dorset, is glad to announce that their new president is James Weld DL of the Lulworth Estate. James is the Chairman of Lulworth Estate, a diverse rural business encompassing agriculture, property and tourism including landmarks such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove which have been granted public access for over one hundred years. Dorset Blind Association’s need for a new president arose following the sad death of James’ father Wilfrid late last year and he becomes the third member of the Weld family to hold this position. The first of the Weld family to take on the presidency of the charity was James’ grandfather, Joseph Weld, who was himself visually impaired. The family has continued the role since the 1990s. James Weld DL: “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to help Dorset Blind Association move forward in the coming years. I have taken on a charity that was championed by both my grandfather and my father after WWII and, with the incredible work that they have done, I have been put in a very privileged position to help Dorset Blind Association to a bigger and better future. I look forward to helping make the lives of blind and partially-sighted people in Dorset a lot happier for them and their families.”
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The Purbeck Gazette
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News from the Lookout s Easter slips by, we are looking forward to another summer season of hopefully good weather and lots of outdoor fun on and around our beautiful coastline. We need you all so that we have something to look at whilst on watch at Peveril Point, but hopefully you will not need us, as it will mean you are having a bit of bother! Several people have called in at the Lookout to ask advice about weather, tides etc. We welcome their company and help them as much as we can – it beats having an emergency on our hands, which can be avoided with a visit or a phone or VHF call. Unfortunately, our services were needed over the last few months. A sailor who lost his mast whilst sailing in the bay managed to swim to the RNLI lifeboat’s mooring buoy, from which he was rescued by the Inshore lifeboat, who then retrieved his boat. The other major incident, which sadly reached our television screens, was triggered when a lady disappeared over the edge of the cliff close to the Lookout on a very wet and windy Saturday afternoon. I am sorry to say that this did not end happily. Despite the care and attention given to her by NCI personnel at the bottom of the cliff and the excellent services of the Air Ambulance, Coast Guard Helicopter 106 and the staff of Southampton Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries on the following morning. Our thoughts and sympathy are with her family and friends.
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Looking forward, most of you are aware of the NCI Lookout at Peveril, some of you may know of our neighbouring stations at the Needles and Calshot to the east and St Alban’s Head and Portland to the west. These five stations are just 10% of the lookouts around the country stretching from Morecambe Bay in the west to the County Durham coast in the east. The predominance of these are situated in the South of England area where a large amount of coastal leisure activity takes place. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer blanket coverage of all of the UK coast line. This is due to many factors. We are pleased to say that we are now entering a period of expansion and very shortly will be starting a series of several site assessments to see where our presence is needed in order for us to work towards becoming National in practice as well as in name. I am sure that we can continue to count on your support in our fund raising. All monies raised will always support your local station and keep us equipped and running. Any funds raised in excess of our needs will help towards giving other locations the benefit of their own NCI Lookout and hopefully save some lives that may not otherwise have been saved. As always, use the email below for any questions that we may be able to answer for you. Stay safe on whichever side of the tide line your life or leisure takes you. The Swanage NCI can be contacted at the Lookout, on 01929 422596, at nci.org.uk or on VHF 65.
NCI St Alban’s
he watchkeepers at the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) lookout on St Alban’s Head assisted the coastguard in rescuing a boat that was in trouble off Anvil Point. A twenty-six foot yacht reported that its engine had blown and that it was drifting westwards on a strong tide. Visibility was poor, but the NCI watchkeepers managed to establish visual contact with the stricken vessel and to track it on radar, enabling them to pass its exact position to the coastguard. The Swanage all-weather lifeboat was launched and towed the yacht to safety in Swanage Bay. Pictured- Swanage lifeboat approaches the drifting yacht.
Purbeck District Council Sets Council Tax
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2.90% rise has been agreed for Purbeck District Council’s share of the council tax in 2015/16. This amounts to an increase of £5 per year for a band D household for the District Council’s share. Proposing the rise, Council Leader, Councillor Gary Suttle, said: “We always knew the coming years would prove a challenge as the Revenue Support Grant funding from Government was withdrawn and cuts became deeper.” Councillor Suttle continued: “Several weeks ago, I would have been presenting a very different set of options and would have had to ask you to face some difficult decisions regarding fees and charges and the use of reserves. “However, due to prudent financial management and the government listening to our calls for greater acknowledgement of the problems faced by rural districts such as Purbeck, I put forward proposals that I hope you will be able to approve to maintain our existing level of service and protect our reserves for a further year. “Our challenges do not stop now; there will be more challenges to come in 2017/18 and the Council will continue its prudent financial management which has enabled it to maintain its level of service to the residents of Purbeck.” Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the 2.90% increase. A band D household will pay £177.41 per year for Purbeck District Council’s element of the Council Tax bill. Since austerity measures were introduced in 2008, Purbeck District Council’s funding from central government has reduced by over 80%. In December 2015, the government announced that it would be ending
the funding it provides to the Council, via its Revenue Support Grant, in 2017/18 rather than 2019/20. This made balancing the 2016/17 budget particularly difficult and was worsened by a reduction in business rates and other income, changes to housing benefit subsidies and increased National Insurance costs. The Government has agreed some relief to help rural councils, like Purbeck, which have been hardest hit by the changes. The District Council has also made savings through voluntary redundancies and reduced working hours for some staff. This, together with Dorset Waste Partnership savings and additional New Homes Bonus funding, has helped the Council to balance its budget. Average Council tax payable for a Band D property in Purbeck in 2016/17 Authority Total Increase on 2015/6 Share Dorset County Council £1,263.78 3.99% / £48.51 71% Dorset Police & Crime £190.80 1.97% / £3.69 11% Commissioner Purbeck District Council £177.41 2.90% / £5 10% Dorset & Wiltshire Fire £69.21 1.99% / £1.35 4% and rescue Town/Parish average £74 5.40% / £3.79 4% Total
£1,775.20 3.64% / £62.34
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Local Specialist Personal Injury and Workplace Disease Team
By Hannah Brown, Michelle Green and Lorraine Brown
Suffering an injury that is not your fault can have a significant effect on your life both emotionally and financially. Pursuing a personal injury claim is not just about obtaining compensation for the immediate effects of the accident.
Follow us on twitter @BattensSol
www.battens.co.uk
It is also about assessing the injuries and ensuring that any longer term rehabilitation and treatment needs are met. You will also want to be able to return to the quality of life that you had before the accident as far and as soon as possible. We are specialist personal injury and workplace disease lawyers located in Dorset and Somerset. We have specialists experienced in dealing with injuries lasting a few months to accidents which lead to catastrophic injury from which a full recovery is not expected. We aim to resolve claims as swiftly as possible, whilst ensuring that the proper compensation is paid. We would be pleased to meet with you at any of our offices and outreach locations
in Dorset or Somerset or to deal with your claim by telephone. If you have a significant injury or find it difficult to leave home, we will arrange to see you at home or in hospital. We will be as accessible as possible in order to support you through your claim. In most cases we are able to offer clients a 'no-win, no-fee' agreement. When we win we will claim legal fees from the insurer of the company or individual responsible for the injuries. If the claim is not successful, we do not charge for our legal fees. Unlike most lawyers we do not make a deduction from our client's compensation for our own fees. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 652 8411 or call into any one of our offices to make an appointment.
Local Personal Injury Specialist Free claim assessment No cost to you, win or lose
Yeovil, Sherborne, Dorchester & Weymouth. Appointments available in Wareham
0800 6528411
Swanage’s Shannon-Class Lifeboat Is Due!
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n Friday the 8th of April the new Swanage lifeboat, the George Thomas Lacy, will arrive in Swanage Bay at 12pm. Members of the public are invited to gather on Swanage Pier for this momentous occasion. A flotilla of local vessels will also take to the water to welcome the arrival of our new state-of-the-art lifeboat that will moor up alongside the pier for the afternoon to allow people a closer glance before taking residence on a mooring until the lifeboat station is operational. We hope members of the community will turn out to celebrate this milestone. Our Shannon training is well underway. During the last week of February four of our crew went to the RNLI College in Poole for a waterjet boat handling course. The course gives crew the skills to operate the new lifeboat. Waterjet powered boats handle quite differently to conventional propeller driven boats and the week at the college gave the crew the opportunity to spend time at sea to fully understand the handling and
capability of a waterjet powered vessel. Training continues in earnest for all of the crew at the station before the new all-weather lifeboat can be declared operational. Once the Shannon arrives final intensive training will commence in preparation for the final handover around two weeks after the lifeboat’s arrival. The lifeboat station continues to take shape with the timber frame of the boathall put into place in mid-February. People are now able to get a real feel for what the building will look like. We’re expecting the build it to be completed towards the end of the summer. We were also delighted to receive a cheque of £1,205 from David of Anglers Afloat this month. The money was raised at last year’s Swanage Classic kayak fishing competition. Thanks to all who took part and helped support Swanage RNLI. Pictured:- The George Thomas Lacy taken by RNLI Steve Lowe. Boathouse frame taking shape.
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aily operation for the Summer season commenced on Friday 25th March and will run until Sunday 30th October. This year’s Spring Steam Gala - Friday 8th – Sunday 10th April has two very notable “firsts”: First opportunity for passengers to travel “over the road” from Norden to the limit of our operations at the River Frome Bridge. First ever visit of GWR 2-8-0 no.4247 to the Swanage branch. In addition to GWR 4247 the home fleet of Battle of Britain Class 34070 “Manston”, U Class 31806, 4MT 80104 and M7 30053 will be in action operating an intense timetable of passenger and demonstration goods trains. Our Dining Train season has now commenced with Saturday Night Wessex Belle, Friday Night Bistros and Sunday Dorsetman Luncheons on selected weekends throughout the year. This year our afternoon cream tea specials will run on selected Mondays. Full details of our events, dining trains, timetables and fares can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk Purbeck Railway Circle On Friday 8th April, Michael Bunn makes a return visit to the PRC to deliver a presentation entitled “The Baie de Somme Railway”. The Baie de Somme Railway is France’s most successful and interesting steam tourist railway. The route mileage of the single line metre gauge track is 16 miles, and for a distance of 3.5 miles standard gauge track is laid outside the metre gauge. The Circle meets in Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycraft’s Lane, Harmans Cross at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tea/coffee/biscuits and railway orientated raffle as usual. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. For other information please contact the PRC General Secretary, e-mail:
[email protected]
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Farewell Mike...
ne of the country’s most prominent and expert rail enthusiasts who died aged 71 was taken to his funeral in a carriage he had restored himself. Mike Stollery (pictured, below) was a life-long rail fanatic and was one of the people who began the restoration of the Swanage steam railway in Dorset which he volunteered on for 44 years. Such was his passion for the railway that he lived overlooking it and built replicas of local stations in his loft where he had an enormous model set. He gave talks about the railway and in his working life was an architect who was employed by London Underground and he even won an award for the design of Gloucester Road station. He was diagnosed with cancer of the jaw last year and two days before he died married long-term partner Jan, and did so wearing his Swanage Railway top. His coffin was decorated with photos of steam trains and it was loaded onto the Bulleid carriage that was pulled by an M7-class locomotive. His final journey was from Swanage to Norden station on the line he had worked on for so many years. Mike’s widow Jan said their house became an extension of the railway with the models in the attic, photos of trains on the walls and rooms given rail-themed names. She said: “Mike was born in Kings Langley in a house with a railway at the bottom of the garden and his love of trains never left him. As a child he holidayed in Swanage most years and in 1972 he went to the first meeting that eventually led to the restoration of Swanage Railway, even though he lived in Hove at the time.” “He worked as an architect on the Underground and after his first wife died we met and moved to our house in Swanage in 2000, after he had retired. Mike loved getting his hands
dirty and helped to acquire and restore coaches – he was more interested in them than the engines. He held many senior positions in the Railway – including Chairman and Trustee – and worked as a steward and in other roles. He just loved being around trains and travelling on them. In the loft he spent ten years building a model railway and he had thousands of trains and built replicas of Swanage and Wareham railway stations as they were in the 1950s. He’d disappear up there for hours. “He read rail magazines all the time, from breakfast until he went to sleep. Over his life he accumulated a massive archive of rail books and slides which he used to illustrate talks, and he also co-edited a book about Swanage Railway. “When he died it was fitting that he went by steam train and with the help of the funeral directors and railway, we were able to make that happen. Not only was his coffin covered in photos of trains, but he went wearing his Swanage Railway top.” As well as his love of Swanage Railway, Mike was involved with planning matters through the Purbeck Society and for many years was involved with the Town Twinning Association. He acted as Chairman of both groups. Mike’s first wife, Dot, pre-deceased him and he leaves Jan, his stepson Bobby, stepdaughter Samantha, six step-grandchildren and a greatgranddaughter. The Dorset line from Swanage to Wareham was closed by British Rail in 1972 and ripped up in seven weeks. Volunteers rebuilt the line from Swanage as far as Norden over 30 years and have been running it as a tourist attraction since the late 1990s.
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Blast From The Past! This month, A Decade Ago...
pril 2006 saw the Gazette publish the breaking news that a Fish Flu pandemic was an upcoming possibility. Our Science Correspondent reported on concerns that a form of fish flu had been found on the Farn Islands, with concerns that the fishy flu had migrated from fish to humans after fish factory workers reported headaches, nausea and tiredness. The spores responsible for the virus had previously only affected Japanese Sushi Chefs. It was recommended that anyone handling raw fish should wear protective clothing and a facemask. It was also advised to carry out the operation inside a thick plastic bag to avoid contaminating the kitchen...... Swanage Town Council was reeling after a difficult couple of years, culminating in the disqualification of Councillor Julie Wheeldon and the shock resignation of Mayor Tony Miller. Councillor Wheeldon was found to have breached the code of conduct by; using inappropriate and offensive language in conversations with council officers and local residents, arranging meetings with senior council officials and outside consultants to discuss matters in which she had a personal and prejudicial interest (relating to the cliff stabalisation work carried out at the Belle View Landslip, Durlston), and using her position as a Councillor to achieve an advantage to herself, and other residents of properties that were affected by coastal erosion. Councillor Wheeldon was disqualified from being or becoming a member of any authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2000 for one year. It was suggested that the district council had been providing insufficiant training for District and Parish Councillors. Town Mayor, Tony Miller, resigned from Swanage Town Council. Mayor Miller had been called as part of the Wheeldon hearing in February 2006, having provided an original statement to the hearing, and then later added a further three paragraphs to his original statement in support of Councillor Wheeldon as his ‘memory had strengthened’ in the intervening time. Studland village said a sad farwell to one of the village’s most extraordinary residents, Mrs Elizabeth Pauline Ferguson (pictured, left), of Studland Bay House (and Knoll House Hotel), Studland. Born in India in 1918, Pauline had led an amazing life prior to moving to Knoll House in Studland in 1959 with her husband, Ken, and children Michael, Christopher and Sarah. Pauline intergrated herself in the local community, becoming involved with the flower shows, gymkhanas and regattas. She regularly opened the gardens at Studland Bay House for charity, and supplied the church with greenery and flowers for all occasions. She took a great interest in the lives of the villagers, and in her staff, friends and family, and has been sorely missed by the village over the past decade. In his regular column, Andy Kirkwood asked readers to imagine they were on a raft, travelling down a river at speed, heading towards a huge waterful. He explained that this was a fitting analagy for our current plight on the planet, and wondered why more of us were not ‘desperately paddling backwards away from the waterfall’ as we as a species head towards our inevitable doom. Ten years on and it seems humanity is still refusing to ‘grab an oar’ and back-paddle. Andy mooted seriously limiting car travel and revising public transport to actually provide a service people need, thus reducing pollution. Reader, Sue Moore, travelled to Lar de Sta Terezhina, Goa, with local photographer, Chris Twilley. They reported on the Lar Orphanage, which they stumbled upon on their travels (pictured, left). The orphanage was opened by Sister Maria Christina, and catered for female children who were without care. Sue was visiting for the seventh time, having taken clothing,
The Purbeck Gazette
bedding, toiletries, crayons and books with her. Sue encouraged readers to visit the region and to pay a visit to the orphanage. Apathy seemed to rule over Purbeck Businesses in 2006, according to John Scott, who wrote about the closure of ‘Purbeck Business Club’ and said it was a sad indictment of the local business community when local business owners seemed to have no interest in selling more of what they produce, of becoming more efficient and more profitable. John, Coordinator of the Rural Business Support Group, once again offered assistance to local businesses, and asked business-owning readers to call him - if they could be bothered....! Wareham’s popular Saturday market moved to a new home on Wareham Quay on Saturday 8th April 2006, relocating from its previous home in Bonnet’s Lane. The market steering group hoped the move to the Quay would be a popular one, and that the new location would become a permanent place for the Saturday Market, which it has. Nico Johnson’s (then Office Manager and Sub-Editor) travel column reported back from Egypt, where she’d spent ten days travelling alone whilst checking the area out for our readers. She managed ten days in a four star hotel on the Nile for under £160 - including flights and transfers!! Nico (pictured, right) stayed in Luxor, situated on the Nile, and visited many of the surrounding historical sites, including Karnak and Luxor Temples, Deir-El-Medina, Hapshpsut, the Valley of the Kings and Memnon. She also befriended and visited the homes of several locals she met along the way. So that was April 2006!
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Medieval Archery: The Grand Muster Pike and Shot Tuesday 29 March – Friday 1 April Sat 23 April – Sunday 24 April ack by popular demand Pike and Shot will be taking part in The Grand Muster with a new story to tell for 2016. Learn and discover how archery was used in the 1356 campaign of the 100 Years’ War. There will be archery
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demonstrations and have-a go sessions. Wolfshead Bowmen Saturday 2 April – Sunday 10 April The Wolfshead Bowmen come to Corfe Castle and bring the past to life. A medieval encampment, demonstrations of combat, skilled archery displays, talks on the longbow and have-a-go sessions. Feudals Saturday 16 April – Sunday 17 April Medieval living history and archery displays portraying life in Britain from the Feudal period of 1135 to 1216, spanning the reigns of four kings – Stephen, Henry II, Richard I and John. Picture by Neil Davidson/National Trust Purbeck images
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On Top Of The World! YOUR Pictures.....
The Purbeck Gazette
Send us your pictures to
[email protected] Original files ONLY please, as they come straight off the camera with NO alterations. Some mobile phones may not produce useable pictures due to low resolution. Remember to include your name in the email!
High tide on the lower deck, by Anne Elford
Horses on Bournemouth seafront, by Denise Exon
The Monarch at Wareham, by Yaowalak Murray
Studland Reflections, by Annie Whitehouse
Pier Strollers, by Mike Walshaw
Watson, by Ross Prior Jnr
Worbarrow Bay, by Mike Streeter
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Dorset’s Best Village Competition 2016 30th Anniversary orset Best Village Competition entry deadline is fast approaching. Entries have to be in by 5pm on Monday 11th April. More than £2,000 in prize money will be given away to winners in the available categories. The competition is organised by Dorset Community Action (DCA) and entry packs have been sent to parish councils, village hall committees and numerous other active community groups. Magna Housing has been the major sponsor for the competition since 2010 and has renewed its support again this year. Additional sponsorship comes from Dorset County Council, the four District Councils, The Dorset Echo, Dorset Magazine, Blackmore Vale Magazine Communities, Dorset Waste Partnership and the Campaign to Protect Rural England along with local food producers Clipper Tea, Fudges Biscuits, Honeybuns, Craig’s Dairies and Helen Furness Catering. DCA’s Competition Organiser Rita Burden says: “Once again we are delighted with the entries we have already received but we would like to encourage those village communities who have not entered for a while, or have never entered, to come and join in to this exciting 30th anniversary competition. The ‘Environmental Champions Award’ and ‘The Best Village Shop’ category together with the ‘Peoples Project Award’ and the ‘Neighbourliness Award’ will involve wider interest groups. Besides the ‘Best Kept Village’ competition, won last year by Burton Bradstock (large village) and Winterborne Zelston (small village), there are other distinct categories to enter. ‘The People’s Project’ - the village judged to have an entry involving local active people - Bere Regis Neighbourhood Car Scheme won in 2015. Last year’s winner for the ‘Environmental Champions’ award, given to the village judged to be doing the best ‘Green’ initiative - was Burton Bradstock’s Corncrake Project. In 2014 a new category, sponsored by the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, of ‘Best Village
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Shop’ was introduced where communities were asked to nominate the village shop which served them best. Last year’s winner was Thorncombe Community Shop. In 2015 a further category was introduced the ‘Neighbourliness Award’, with the worthy winner being Okeford Fitzpaine. The deadline for entries for the Best Kept category is 5pm on Monday 11th April 2016. DCA is encouraging groups to save paper and postage by entering the competition online if possible. Entry packs can be downloaded from www.dorsetcommunityaction. org.uk or by telephoning DCA on 01305 250921 to be sent a copy by email or paper. Pictured above: The village of Worth Matravers, Purbeck
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No Sanctuary In Swanage For Elderly Residents by Marienna Pope-Weidemann
Elderly residents live in fear of losing their warden pposite Swanage Town Hall is the Burr Stone Mead sheltered housing block (pictured). It is home to twenty-six elderly residents. Many have lived there as part of our community for more than twenty years. But this year is off to a rocky start for them. They fear for their health and safety as, like many pensioners across the country, they face the loss of their live-in warden, Linda. At the end of January, Sanctuary Housing announced that due to government funding cuts, each resident would have to pay an extra £16.72 per week or live without Linda. Sanctuary states the £16.72 figure is ‘a national average’ but according to local councillor Robert Gould, the actual shortfall is as little as £4.58 and could be covered by local housing benefit, making it possible for Sanctuary “to mitigate any reduction in funding imposed by the council at no cost” to residents. However, Sanctuary has rejected their proposal. Many Burr Stone Mead residents are also visited by community carers, but they and their relatives fear the prospect of losing round the clock support. Linda also plays a crucial role liaising on their behalf with doctors and social workers and provides daily support for those with impaired vision and other disabilities. “We all came here because that is what we need,” one resident explained. “We need that help. And what if one of us fell? There are no neighbours to help us in an emergency.” Back in June, Ann Clwyd MP demanded an investigation into sheltered housing safety standards after a 92-year-old resident was trapped for hours on the ground floor of his flat having fallen down the stairs. The accident occurred after warden cover was cut in his building. Now, pensioners across the country are being faced with this fear, although emergency assistance from a familiar warden is the main reason most pensioners enter sheltered housing in the first place. For this reason Anne Ludlow, secretary of Sheltered Housing UK, has found changes to be unlawful, adding that “the warden was the lynchpin in the community life that gave the elderly residents a sense of security and belonging. With that lynchpin removed, this vital national commodity has lost its identity and its purpose.” Richard Drax MP is “extremely sympathetic” to the residents’ cause. He states that maintaining the warden, “if not a legal obligation, is certainly a moral one.” Drax has promised to visit Sanctuary in person to advocate for them and expressed concern about the psychological impact of Sanctuary’s conduct. The vast majority of tenants at Burr Stone Mead say would be willing to pay the extra to keep Linda on. Some are even willing to cover the shortfall left by those unable or unwilling to pay. But there is a twist: to keep her, Sanctuary demanded 100 percent consensus from tenants. That’s a stronger mandate than a government needs to declare war. Unsurprisingly, it proved unachievable. The ‘consultation period’ for Burr Stone Mead lasted just three weeks, and residents complain no real consultation has taken place. They spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s wicked,” said one. “A disgraceful lack of care. What sort of democracy is this?” “Most of us are strongly opposed, and there’s nothing they can do?” continued another. “That’s not consultation. And for all their talk of ‘customer choice’, it’s not that either!” The others shook their heads in agreement. “It’s a PR stunt, the voting, the illusion of choice. It’s ‘choice’ for those who can afford it. We feel blackmailed.” Sanctuary committed to providing Tenancy Support Officers to assess individual needs, but nobody has yet seen or heard from them. One resident reports being told “there are only 15 of them for the whole country! So it would probably just be phone support… most of us can’t even hear the phone!” She forced a smile. “We felt like people before Sanctuary took over. Now we’re just numbers,” said another. This is a common complaint against Britain’s biggest housing associations, of which Sanctuary is the largest. There are entire support groups on social media, made up of hundreds of complainants taking action against Sanctuary, for everything from failure to make repairs to toxic mould.
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In a standard written statement, Sanctuary expressed regret that funding cuts have created the need “to make some difficult choices,” but points out that because Burr Stone Mead residents are classified as ‘independent’, “the support our staff provide would not, and has never included any element of care.” Of course, government cuts are hitting services hard across the board. But while residents tighten their belts, landlords – including housing associations – have been posting record profits in Austerity Britain. In 2013, a costly merger made Sanctuary the largest ‘social landlord’ in the UK. Although it qualifies as a non-profit group, Sanctuary turned over a cool £72 million in 2013, tripling profits from previous years. Its chief executive, David Bennett, takes home over £300,000 per year. Two-thirds of that comes from taxpayers. These mega-associations control more than a quarter of all rented housing in the UK and retain billions in public funding, having acquired much of their stock from local councils in the 1980s and 1990s in what has been described as “the most successful stealth privatisation ever.” Back in 2011, now Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell condemned their lack of accountability and recalled how since the 1980s these specialist social co-operatives had mutated into large corporations in all but name, “indistinguishable from private landlords.” Tim Burness, a housing campaigner who has spent years scrutinising Sanctuary’s practices, adds that Cameron’s government “has done away with what little regulation there was. Cutting back on wardens is a classic example of what results.” And in a letter addressed to him and seen by the Purbeck Gazette, Margaret Hodge, then Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, confessed that there is no independent monitoring “of social housing performance against, or in compliance with, the consumer standards.” Back at Burr Stone Mead, Linda’s wages have already been cut from full to part time in recent years. “But she still goes above and beyond for us,” say tenants. “That’s the sort of person she is. And we don’t want to lose her.” This hasn’t stopped them speaking out, and so are sheltered housing residents across the country. In Angus, pensioners have been protesting on the steps of the town hall, forcing the local council to reiterate that no decisions have been finalised and their views will be taken into account. In Leek, residents are also raising their voices against Sanctuary’s ‘determined’ attempts to get rid of their wardens. According to 85 year old John Broun, quoted in Leek Post and Times, Sanctuary kept the proposals secret for two full years and, “knowing that this would be an unpopular decision, tried to make it look as though it was the decision of the residents.” When asked if they would move out of Burr Stone Mead because of the changes, the ladies shook their heads. “We have nowhere else to go.” But rather than resigning themselves to the loss, the residents are resolved to defend their warden. They have started a petition, are seeking legal advice and are far from alone in what is in fact a national fight of grave concern to us all. Sign the petition at: www.change.org/p/sanctuary-housing-save-thelive-in-warden-at-burr-stone-mead
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Out Of The Blue
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pring is now upon us, hopefully bringing with it some warmer weather; day trips out and countryside walks may be beckoning. However, we also receive many reports of thefts from unattended motor vehicles and, as most vehicle crime is opportunistic, there are steps you can take to try and protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime. If a thief thinks there is something of value in your car, they may try their luck. Our best advice is don’t leave anything in your car. We generally take steps to ensure our homes and personal property are secure, but many of us are less vigilant when it comes to our vehicles. We ask that you remove everything from the car - don’t hide things in the boot, glovebox or door wells. Take removable stereos, sat nav equipment and bags with you and wipe off any marks left behind on your windscreen. Ensure all your windows and doors are secure before you walk away. Leave a ‘no valuables in this vehicle’ sign on display. Where possible, park your vehicle in a well-lit area with CCTV cameras. Never leave your keys in the vehicle, even if you are just leaving it for a few seconds. Invest in a visible alarming system and security devices such as steering locks and gearstick locks. Looking back over the last month or so, we received many calls from vigilant members of the public who called us to report suspicious vehicles, people and incidents, some of these possible involving poaching. This is fantastic and is just what we are asking you to do.
If something doesn’t feel right or is out of the ordinary, then it’s probably best to report it at the time (not the next day) which enables us to send an officer to the area as quickly as we can. We are still encouraging you to let us know about anything suspicious and thank you to those of you who have called us. Keep up the great work! To contact Dorset Police 101 - Police Enquiry Centre 999 - EMERGENCY where there is a risk of harm or a crime is in progress. 0800 555 111 – Crimestoppers (anonymous) Remember if you See Anything Suspicious (SAS) call 999. For the latest information on what Purbeck police are doing follow our social media, Twitter - @PurbeckPolice and Facebook – facebook.com/ Purbeck-Police. We value your support and comments. Purbeck Safer Neighbourhood Team
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urbeck Good Neighbours are now approaching 400 tasks completed by our many Purbeck Good Neighbour Volunteers. During their visits Volunteers are noticing that some of the people they visit are often isolated and possibly lonely. Some of the known statistics are that 51% of people aged over 71 live alone and 17% of older people have contact with friends and neighbours less than once a week. Purbeck Good Neighbours are pleased that Link Visiting Swanage is a new organization offering befriending to older people, typically by a one hour home visit weekly. Link Befrienders are thoroughly checked, trained and supported. Link Friends are referred by doctors, community nurses, social workers and other professionals. Link Visiting Swanage is mainly for those over sixty who find themselves requiring some extra friendship and support. If you would like further information about Link Visiting Swanage or would like to be a Volunteer, please call 07495 534171. Purbeck Good Neighbours hope you have had a Happy Easter and remember just a telephone call and a minimum £2 donation links you to one of our many Volunteers, who are happy to help with that small one off task. Call us! Telephone : 01929 424363 or email: purbeckgoodneighbours@ yahoo.co.uk
lease join us, old and new members, on 9th May at Wareham Parish Hall and hear all the latest information about the health services available in the Purbeck area from Maggie Hardy, Chair for the Friends of Wareham Hospital. We are very lucky to have many clinics taking place in our two Community Hospitals including, Chemotherapy. The Wareham Lions Club have recently donated £500 towards a much-needed scalp cooler for the patients undergoing chemotherapy. Look out for the collection boxes in your local shops and businesses as the Friends of Wareham Hospital are helping with the upgrading of the relatives room and have paid for Wifi connection for all patients, plus many other projects. Wareham Seniors’ Forum are supporting the Wareham Lions who are working towards Wareham becoming a Dementia Friendly Community. There are now twenty-nine Dementia Friendly Communities in Dorset, so if you would like to be involved or would like further information, please join the Wareham Lions on 12th April at 6pm at the Wareham Town Hall
Wareham - Hemsbach
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areham Hemsbach Society recently held its Annual General Meeting. Tributes and thanks were paid to the retiring officers, Jacquie Hall and Maggie Parry, who were standing down from their respective positions of chairman and treasurer after being in post for three years. Elected into office were Nick Cake, President, Bob Huskinson, Chairman, Eddie Byrom, Vice Chairman, Michael Wardle, Treasurer. Lena Huskinson was re-elected as Secretary, plus a committee of eight members were selected. The election was followed by a ‘bring and share supper’ and social time.
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Wareham Area Senior Forum Wareham Area Seniors’ Forum
Wareham Parish Hall (on Wareham Quay) 10am to 12 noon, Monday 9th May Come along and enjoy Tea/Coffee & cake, plus...
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Maggie Hardy Chair of Friends of Wareham Community Hospital.
Do you know what health services and clinics are available in Purbeck? Are you supporting your Community Hospitals? For information, or for transport to attend, call Sue on 07825 264353. Age 50+ All welcome. £2 donation required.
or contact Sue – 07825 264353 for further information. Secretary, Wareham Seniors’ Forum For more information or for transport to the event, tel: 07825 264353. This year is the 30th anniversary of the society and we once again look forward to hosting our friends from Hemsbach at the beginning of September. They will reciprocate in 2017. Hemsbach is situated approximately mid-way between Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Although more than twice the size of Wareham, it is very similar with an old, historic quarter and a fairly new part. At home the society normally meets on the first Monday of each month for a variety of talks, entertainment and social events. We would welcome new members who would be interested in finding out more about our European cousins. Language is not a barrier, nor is a requirement to host, although that would be beneficial. Also all meetings are open to non-members. Anyone who would like to find out more about our society please call 01929 553051. Bob Huskinson, Chairman, Wareham Hemsbach Society.
The Purbeck Gazette
NIGHTINGALES HOME CARE SERVICE
We have provided personal care to the people of Purbeck for more than 14 years. We offer assistance in your own homes, tailored to your individual needs. If you feel we can help in any way, please ring Nanette on: 01929 485285 (office) or 07415 242933 Registered office: 2 The Sidings, Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1AU
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All Change!
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rom the start of the new tax year, 6th April 2016, a couple of changes to tax allowances and ISAs come into effect. If you saw my article last month, you may recall there will be a new Personal Savings Allowance for individuals whereby £1,000 interest income is allowed tax-free for each basic rate taxpayer. The allowance is reduced to £500 for higher rate taxpayers and there is no allowance for additional rate (45%) taxpayers. The income relates to interest from cash savings as well as from fixed interest investments. Income from cash and investments in ISAs falls outside this regime - remaining tax-free as it is now - but does not count towards the Personal Savings Allowance. The Dividend Allowance also comes into effect on 6th April and, where an individual’s income from dividends is less than £5,000, it will be free of tax and the income can in effect be received gross. Where the dividend income exceeds £5,000, tax is payable at 7.5% for basic rate taxpayers, 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers and 38.1% for additional rate taxpayers. Dividends received within an ISA do not count towards the £5,000 Dividend Allowance. I would strongly suggest seeking professional help and advice if your dividend income exceeds £5,000 and your interest income is above the allowance for your tax bracket. As the changes above will affect people in different ways, it is worth, for example, considering the allocation of assets between spouses and the use of ISAs if your dividend income exceeds £5,000 and your interest income is above the allowance for your tax bracket. The other change that comes into effect on 6th April 2016 is that ISA investors will be able to withdraw monies from their Cash or Stocks & Shares ISAs and will then be able to put the monies back in their ISA that tax year, without it forming part of that year’s ISA subscription. The withdrawal and the re-addition of the monies does, however, all need to fall within the same tax year. All three tax changes sound relatively straightforward but, like a lot of recent changes, I envisage the mechanics of them could be quite complicated! The information contained within this article is based on our understanding of current UK tax provisions, which is subject to change and the benefits of which would depend on your personal circumstances. This information does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of individuals. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not receive back the amount you originally invested. Kate Spurling lives in Swanage and is an investment manager with Charles Stanley, Dorchester office – (01305) 217404 – kate.spurling@ charles-stanley.co.uk
HELP US RAISE £900,000 TO SAVE THE PIER!
Personal Savings Allowance From 6 April 2016, the personal savings allowance (PSA) will allow basic rate taxpayers to receive up to £1,000 of savings income taxfree. For higher rate taxpayers, this limit will be £500. HMRC have published guidance setting out details of what counts as savings income and how the allowance will be calculated, including some useful examples. Savings income includes account interest from: • bank and building society accounts; • accounts with providers like credit unions or National Savings and Investments. It also includes: • interest distributions (but not dividend distributions) from authorised unit trusts, open-ended investment companies and investment trusts; • income from government or company bonds; and • most types of purchased life annuity payments. • Interest from Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) does not count towards the PSA as it is already tax-free.
MAY DEADLINE NOON 11TH APRIL
The Purbeck Gazette
County Council Agrees 4% Council Tax Rise
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Resolve your legal matters with Battens Solicitors
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orset County Council has agreed to put up its share of council tax by 3.99 per cent, including 2 per cent to help pay for adult social care. At the full meeting of the county council on 15th February, councillors voted to approve the council’s budget for 2016/17, including the council tax increase. The county council is able to increase council tax by up to 1.99% before triggering a local referendum. This year, the Government has also allowed it to raise council tax by a further 2%, which can only be spent on adult social care. In Dorset, this will raise around £3.9m. Recently, the council received its final funding settlement from the Government, which gives it £4.1m of transitional support to slow the impact of cuts in funding over the next three years. This followed extensive lobbying by the council Leader Robert Gould, chief executive Debbie Ward and local MPs after the Government’s provisional settlement in December left the council needing to find an extra £7.4m of savings on top of £13m already planned in 2016/17. However, the council is still £3.3m worse off than it had planned for in December and has needed to use £2.2m of one-off funding from its reserves to set a balanced budget in 2016/17. Leader of the council, Cllr Robert Gould, said: “This has been our most challenging budget to balance since 2010. We faced losing 47% of the grant we receive from Government this year and all of it within two years. The Government did listen and respond to our calls for a fairer settlement for Dorset, which was the worst affected county in the country.” Cllr Gould reported to the council that the authority has had to take £70m out of its budget in the last five years and expects this figure to reach £120m by 2020. The council’s Cabinet has already agreed to save £500,000 next year by supporting more community transport as an alternative to subsidising rural bus services. A transformation of the county’s youth services to a more targeted approach will also save £1m a year. The council will set up a cross-party task and finish group to develop plans for further savings.
“Common Law Marriage” – the pitfalls of living together A recent Dorset case has hit the headlines and highlighted the perils of living together without putting appropriate safeguards in place, writes Cherise Luke-Bennett, Senior Associate in Battens Solicitors’ Family Law Team. It concerned the estate of Norman Martin, who was married but for the 18 years prior to his death lived with his partner Joy Williams in their jointly owned home in Dorchester. Mr Martin never divorced his wife and did not update his will. The home he shared with Miss Williams was owned as tenants in common which meant that on his death his share of the property automatically passed to his wife. Many people think that if you live with your partner for over a certain amount of time that your relationship becomes a ‘common law marriage’ and you gain rights. This is a common misconception. There is no such thing as a common law marriage and this case highlights the difficulties that couples can find themselves when a relationship is at an end. Many people also believe that cohabiting couples have the same legal rights as married couples. Again, this is far from the truth. Currently the law does not recognise cohabitants and they have very limited protection on separation. To protect each of the couple in the event of separation, cohabiting partners can enter into a Cohabitation Agreement at any time during their relationship. This can set out the ownership of assets and financial arrangements during the cohabitation and in the event of a separation. Both parties should have their own legal advice when the Agreement is entered into and should be on the basis of full financial disclosure. If the couple own a property as Tenants in Common they can put in place a Declaration of Trust which will set out exactly how much of it each of them owns. Cohabitees should also be aware that when one of the partners dies without leaving a will the other will not automatically have a right to their deceased partner’s estate under the intestacy rules. There is also no inheritance tax exemption as there is for spouses. It is essential that when in a cohabiting relationship both parties make wills and regularly update them. If Mr Martin had reviewed his will with a solicitor the issue of the joint ownership of the house would have been picked up and rectified. Even if Mr Martin had decided not to leave his share in the bungalow outright to Miss Williams, he could have given her the security of remaining in it for the rest of her life – and avoid her having to plead her case at court. The County Court Judge decided that Miss Williams should ‘retain an absolute interest’ in the house that she owned jointly with Mr Martin. However, it has been reported that Mrs Martin is going to appeal this decision and we await the decision of the Appeal Court in due course.
01305 760423
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We Can Print Your Photos On Virtually Anything!
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rom our fully equipped printing studio in Swanage, we can print and produce a huge range of photographic gifts using your photos. They are the ultimate in personalised gifts. We can print T-shirts, Mugs, Framed Canvases, Posters, Phone Cases, Plates, Coasters, USB Sticks, Keyrings, Calendars and much more. Looking for something really remarkable? We can even print on Tile, Slate, Glass, Leather and Wood! In addition, we can provide cost effective commercial printing of brochures, leaflets, business cards, flyers, stationery, vinyl lettering, banners, plaques and photo ID cards - with no minimum order quantities. Pop in to our shop in Daisy May’s Shopping Arcade in Swanage to see samples of our printed products. We also offer: Professional Photography – A full suite of services delivered from our Swanage studio or at the location of your choice. Computer Repair Services - Including PCs, Macs, laptops, tablets and smartphone repairs as well as remote support and recovery services.
Internet Kiosk – We have four computers available for public use, with superfast internet and document printing facilities. Our internet kiosk is available from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-4pm on Saturdays Call us: 01929 288008 Email us:
[email protected] Visit our website to view all our services: www.firstservicetechshop.com
Dorset Welcomes International Group Buyers
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he delights of Dorset were proudly presented to a group of global tour operators on Wednesday 24th February as part of a three-day ‘Showcase South West’ event organised as part of the South West Tourism Growth Fund programme. The Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership had the pleasure of hosting the tour
operators who were taken to see a selection of Dorset’s finest attractions and sample some of the county’s famed local produce. The tour operators, who specialise in organising excursions to the UK from across the world, arrived in Dorset on the evening of Tuesday 23rd and enjoyed dinner at the Smuggler’s Inn at Osmington before spending the night at the Heights Hotel on Portland. Wednesday’s itinerary began with a flight on the Jurassic Skyline, complete with a tasting of the tower’s own-branded cider, followed by a trip to Abbotsbury to admire the quintessentially Dorset village and visit the Subtropical Gardens. The group then travelled to Thomas Hardy’s Cottage in Dorchester and journeyed east along the coast to see Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, two of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic landmarks. To finish the visit, the group were treated to a Dorset themed meal at the Greyhound Inn at Corfe Castle and a tour of the majestic castle ruins. This high profile trip followed an exciting day at the South West Showcase B2B workshop in Torquay where the Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership together with Bournemouth and Poole Tourism pitched the county’s fantastic group travel offer to nearly fifty coach tour operators. Nick Thornley, on behalf of the Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership, said “This has been a marvellous opportunity to market Dorset to an international audience. The pan-Dorset tourism teams have been working incredibly hard to help co-ordinate a programme of travel trade activity and we look forward to attracting lots more international business to the area as a result of their efforts.”
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Trading Standards Know your consumer rights!
Trading standards warn of Blue-Badge copycat websites rading standards officers are warning Dorset residents about copycat websites dealing with applications and renewals of Blue Badge disabled parking permits. The unregulated websites may appear to offer a quick and easy application but in fact charge at least £49 for minimal help in completing the application form, and they have no authority to issue a Blue Badge. Dorset residents who use these sites will still have to submit their applications to Dorset County Council and pay a further £10 to cover the genuine application fee. These copycat websites are in no way affiliated to the Blue Badge scheme and many ask for personal information such as bank details and National Insurance numbers, which could be used for further fraud. Complaints are being received by the county council in increasing numbers from residents who have unnecessarily paid excessive amounts to apply for a Blue Badge. Ivan Hancock, Trading Standards service manager for Dorset County Council, said: “Steer clear of these rip-off sites. Many are based overseas so are difficult to tackle when problems arise. The official Blue Badge costs £10 and you can find more information on the eligibility requirements and how to apply for or to renew a Blue Badge through the Council’s website or through the Government’s official gov. uk pages. “There are all sorts of scams based on applications for official documents we need so all consumers need to stay alert to this risk. Best advice, if you don’t know the reliable website you need already, is to use the official ‘gov.uk’ websites for any government services such as renewing driving
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licences, passports or European Health Insurance Cards, rather than rely on search engines that often display copycat sites.” To report a problem with a copycat website contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06. This is the first point of contact for consumer advice or to report any consumer problem to Trading Standards. For information about the Blue Badge scheme and how to apply please visit: www.dorsetforyou.com/blue-badge
TIME FOR A BIT OF
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HOME IMPROVEMENT?!
s the saying goes home is definitely where the heart is. Whether it’s a small flat, or a mansion, it doesn’t matter – what counts is whether or not you are comfortable in your own particular living space. With the upcoming Spring Bank holidays – many of us may be thinking that this is the time to start some home improvement. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, replacing a kitchen and adding a bathroom are the most popular renovations, and are always recommended in terms of adding value to your property. Other value-added suggestions include building an extension, converting the loft and fitting central heating. However, if your budget doesn’t run to major renovation, there are still a whole host of ways you can make new and exciting transformations to your living space. These could include a change of colour scheme with a fresh paint job, new carpets or flooring, new curtains and soft
furnishings (or maybe just freshening up the old ones!) or a change of lighting, furniture or simply buying a few new nic-nacs. Over the following pages we have invited local tradespeople and businesses to give you a flavour of what is on offer here in Purbeck. We are sure you will find some ideas to inspire you whatever your pocket. Finally - a word of warning – research has shown that whilst British homeowners are big spenders when it comes to improving their homes hundreds of thousands of home improvement jobs are started with the best intentions, then left unfinished when DIY-ers get bored and lose interest. Apparently around four out of ten of us have unfinished DIY projects and over half of those outstanding jobs were started over three months ago! So bear this in mind – and maybe consider employing a professional local tradesman to undertake the work – at least this way you can be sure of getting the job done!
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Heatcare UK
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ow in its 15th year of operation, Heatcare UK Ltd, a family run business just outside of Dorchester, still prides itself on knowing the importance of customer service together with being able to offer a wealth of advice and knowledge, with over thirty years’ worth of experience in their ranks. Experts in new build projects both small and large, Heatcare really are the local company who can assist you. Be it the development or redevelopment of a property or site, down to something as simple as your annual boiler service. The one thing that always remains of paramount importance is the services, efficiency and customer satisfaction offered by members of staff. Whilst known as a tried and trusted plumbing and heating business within the Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester communities, following a change of location at the beginning of 2014, the company has broadened its horizons, now covering up to and including Bridport, Bere Regis and across to Swanage. Heatcare boasts an impressive repertoire of available services and qualifications. Both domestic and commercial oil work can be carried out, along with all elements of work with mains gas and LPG. The company is also one of a select few Worcester registered installers, part of the Worcester Accredited Installer Scheme. This allow extended warranties to be available to any customer who has a new Worcester boiler installed by Heatcare. These warranties can be extended from five years anywhere up to ten years. For all of your plumbing, heating and bathroom needs, Heatcare will be happy to offer you their friendly and professional service at competitive prices. There are no call out charges and all quotations are free. Simply ring one of the numbers below and book your appointment today.
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Limits, Loopholes & Sheer Good Luck! by David Hollister
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he imposition of the 30mph speed limit in Harmans Cross certainly caused a huge amount of discussion, both in the Gazette and on social media; a significant number of people agreed with me that it was ‘overkill’ and a totally un-necessary annoyance to the many people using the A351 through road for its intended purpose. But a properly conducted democratic survey in Harmans Cross appeared to favour the change, even if it seems that most of those residents voting hadn’t lived in the village for long and indeed are seldom seen on our pavements. We managed with a perfectly adequate 40 limit for many years during which time we had one serious injury and no deaths on the village’s roads. But what’s done is done, and we can now enjoy the spectacle of people either jamming their brakes on when they realise that they’re speeding, or getting frustrated when crawling behind a law-abiding motorist in third gear. And now, apparently, we can enjoy the spectacle of watching unsuspecting motorists making their contribution to the government coffers courtesy of unmarked police cars stealthily patrolling the village. I received much opprobrium from ‘law abiding citizens’ recently when I published the registration number of a ‘secret’ black 57-plate Ford Focus police car on Facebook, after they’d caught a dozen people in the village, but I steadfastly maintain that the Police’s number one job should be to prevent crime and to promote road safety rather than helping the Government profit from offenders. In other words – a proper police car or van, either driving through or parked up, should slow people down; if they don’t spot it then they’re driving without due care and attention. A police officer standing by the road with a speed-gun will have the same effect. Even a dummy policeman with a dummy speed-gun would slow people down if they kept moving it around. Surely we must have some of those? The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points added to your licence. You could be disqualified from driving if you build up twelve or more penalty points within a period of three years. If you’re still within two years of passing your driving test, your driving licence will be revoked (withdrawn) if you build up six or more penalty points. Recent statistics show that 47% of cars, 46% of motorbikes and 48% of vans break 70mph limits on motorways as well as 30mph limits in towns. The AA claims the ‘default motorway limit’ is now 80mph because police won’t prosecute. Neither police nor local councils profit from speeding fines. They can claim back their running and administration costs for the scheme; any surplus goes to the Treasury. Time, perhaps, that the motorists found a voice. The Association of British Drivers (ABD) is a transport lobby group which claims to speak as “the voice of the driver” If you’d like to know more and to read their whole – very interesting – manifesto, then have a look at http://www.abd.org.uk/about/manifesto By law, a vehicle’s registered keeper must be sent a notice of intended prosecution within fourteen days of an alleged speeding offence. When a police camera takes a photograph of a speeding vehicle, the registered keeper is sent a form asking who the driver was at the time. It’s an offence not to complete the form and name the driver - but the owner doesn’t have to sign it. If the form hasn’t been signed, the courts cannot take any notice of it. A Welsh driver recently omitted to sign the standard form, and local magistrates said they couldn’t accept it as evidence. Police have no power to compel car owners to sign the form and have been expecting someone to spot this loophole, which has not yet been closed. An ABD spokesman suggests that “Cameras have reduced public respect for the police and local authorities”. He said motorists who receive a speeding ticket after being caught on camera could opt to have their case
heard in court, rather than pay the fine without quibble. “If a lot of people take up this option it will have another side-effect, which will be to clog up magistrates’ courts with hundreds or thousands of motorists all trying to avoid paying the fine” he said, “the implications for the legal system are interesting, to say the least.” The prospect of using the loophole looks especially attractive to people who already have endorsements on their licences; if they fail, they will end up paying the full fine rather than the 50% they would pay if they admit liability. RoadPeace, the charity for road-accident victims, said the loophole showed that cameras and computers were no substitute for a police presence on the roads and here I totally agree. ANPR cameras can spot untaxed and possibly uninsured vehicles. But they can’t tell whether the driver is drunk, stoned, or has just stolen it. Another interesting website with a legal guide for motorists is at http:// www.ukmotorists.com/speeding%20fines.asp My son James recently had his house in Buckinghamshire burgled; his safe was stolen as were both sets of keys for his distinctive Aston Martin Vantage and the spares for his ‘shopping’ car, an Audi A3. He was staying with us, using the A3, at the time; having stumbled upon the keys, the burglars made off in the Aston. By the time we got there after a two-hour journey, the Police had been informed and had taken statements and it seemed to us that both insurance companies were going to take a substantial hit. But later that night, he spent half an hour on Facebook, and shared his post far and wide, asking all his friends to share it, too. It went viral. As a result, both car and safe were found the next day; we had to get the immobiliser changed on the Audi…..and then the Police advised us that the spare Audi keys had been found in the Aston! So the burglar did a lot of damage, caused a lot of heartache, but actually achieved very little in exchange for his efforts other than to leave useful fingerprints everywhere. What have we learned? Initially, never put a keyfob on any of your keys showing your registration number or address. For an identifier in case they’re found, just use your mobile number, so your house or car can’t be broken into by someone who finds them and works out who you are and where you live. And secondly – the amazing power of the Facebook community who gathered together to help a complete stranger recover his car and possessions! And finally. Thank you to local driving instructor Andy Temple, with whom I hope to be having three lessons in October this year, to find out exactly what I don’t know and also what bad habits I’ve acquired in fifty years of driving. His impressive range of qualifications suggests that I’m not going to be able to sneak much past him! Thanks Andy!
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15(15)FORD New Focus 1.0”Titanium” 5dr Our Own Vehicle. 4500 Miles Only Low Road Tax Sat Nav SYNC Park Assist …........................................................….£16995 16(65)FORD Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec 5dr Our own Vehicle Zero Road Tax Fantastic Economy Ford Warranty until Jul 18…...........................................................…£12495 13(13)FORD Fiesta 1.6TDCi”Titanuim X”5dr Supplied & Maintained from New by Us. Excellent Condition. Many Extra. . . . . . . .................................................... .£9995 13(13)PEUGEOT Rcz GT 1.6 Coupe Sought after Sports Coupe Host of Features Excellent Condition Low Mileage. . . . . . . . . . ...................................................£13995 12(62)FORD Fiesta 1.0”Zetec”5dr Locally Owned & Maintained from New by Us. Zero Road Tax. AirCon. Rear Park Assist. . . . ................................................... .£8295 12(62)FORD Fiesta 1.2”Zetec”5dr Sold & Maintained from New by Us. Very Low Mileage only 13000. Full History New MOT. . . .................................................... £7595 12(62)FORD Fiesta 1.2”Edge”5dr Only 24000 Miles Sold New & Maintained from New by Us. Air Conbitioning. Blue Tooth. . . ..................................................... . .£6595 12(12)FORD Ka 1.2”Zetec” 3dr One Owner Sold & Maintained from New by Us. 5700 Miles Perfect Condition Great Economy ......................................................... .. £6995 12(12)FORD Kuga 2.0TDCi”Titanuim”AWD Locally Owned Maintained by Us. 36000 Miles. Climate Control. Very High Spec. . .........................................................£14995 08(58)FORD Focus 1.6TDCi”Zetec” 5dr Excellent Condition Service History New MOT70000 Miles Diesel Economy AirCon. ............................................................ . £5995 08(58)FORD Focus 1.8TDCi”Style”5dr Locally Owned.78000 Miles Service History Terrific Economy. Long MOT. . ............................................................................ £3995 08(08)FORD Focus 1.6”Zetec”5dr Locally Owned. Maintained by Us 61000 Guaranteed Miles. Air Conditioning Twin Airbags............................................. £4995
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Limited Edition Discovery Landmark Arrives
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limited-production Land Rover Discovery has arrived at Westover Land Rover in Christchurch and Salisbury. The special edition model of Land Rover’s seven-seater SUV, the Discovery Landmark, has distinctive exterior design features as well as interior touches which enhance the model’s luxurious look and exclusive feel. “This is a great looking top-spec Discovery which really stands out from the crowd, thanks to its one-off nature,” says Andy Grant, Westover Jaguar Land Rover Brand Manager. “The fact that it’s being made in small numbers means it’s generating a great deal of interest from 4x4 enthusiasts and Discovery devotees, so anyone interested in seeing it should pop in to one of our showrooms as soon as they can.” The Discovery Landmark has interior and exterior features that deliver a more premium and unique look and feel. Exterior upgrades include the addition of full length, bright finish roof rails;
distinctive black fender vents, grille and mirror caps; silver bonnet and tailgate badges; Landmark badging to the side and rear; as well as 20-inch, split-spoke alloy wheels. On the inside, the Landmark is contemporary and stylish with Windsor leather seats and fastidious attention-to-detail touches, as well as a rear seat entertainment system. Two exclusive features are available, including a new copper-coloured metallic paint called Zanzibar and a tan interior with ebony fascia and door casings. With a three litre V6 diesel engine and an eight speed automatic transmission, the Discovery Landmark has a top speed of 112mph and reaches 0-60mph in just 8.8 seconds. For more information about the Discovery Landmark or other vehicles and services available from Westover and Rover, please go to westovergroup.co.uk
People in South West believe drivers of small cars are safest on the road eople in the South West believe drivers of small and compact cars are the safest on the road, new research conducted on behalf of TomTom Telematics has revealed. The study, which addressed more than 1,000 Brits, revealed that 25 per cent of people from Wales and the South West selected drivers of small and compact cars as the safest and most careful road users. They were closely followed by bus and coach drivers (22%) and drivers of saloon cars (21%). Van drivers finished joint bottom of the list, selected as the safest by just one per cent of respondents. Taxi drivers (three %), high performance/ sports car drivers (5 %) and SUV drivers (8 %) rounded out the bottom four. Small and compact car drivers also topped the list of the most polite and courteous road users, taking 24% of the vote. Saloon car drivers and bus and coach driver came joint second with 20%, but the rest lagged far behind.
Van drivers finished bottom of the list, again selected as the most polite and courteous by just one per cent of respondents, closely followed by SUV drivers (2%), taxi drivers (3%) and high performance/sports car drivers (3%). The research also outlined a significant challenge for businesses, as 66% of people from Wales and the South West said they would be less inclined to do business with a company if they saw its drivers behaving in an unsafe or discourteous manner on the roads. Commenting on the results, Taco van der Leij, VP Marketing at TomTom Telematics, said: “More than 1.4 million people are killed or injured on Europe’s roads each year, so all road users have a responsibility to improve driving standards. Technology also has a key role to play and modern telematics already provides drivers with real-time coaching and feedback on driving style to help them improve. TomTom Telematics is committed to raising driving standards through its fleet management systems for businesses and connected car technology for motorists.” Van der Leij continued: “It’s also important for companies to understand the impact that poor driving standards have on their reputations. It’s easy to overlook the fact that their vehicle fleets are all branded and the behaviour of their drivers can have a significant impact on how other road users view them. By empowering employees to drive more safely through access to the appropriate training and technological aids, businesses can in fact enhance their brands.”
Small Car Drivers Safer On Roads?
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Food
From The Kitchen Garden...
Seasonal Grub - Herbie Quiche
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hen I was first invited to put pen to paper, I immediately felt flattered, followed rapidly by the thought “am I good enough?” Charlie the Bikemonger leads an interesting life, travelling to exciting places, meeting quirky people and doing his high adrenalin stuff. Charlie’s honest, “off the cuff” style of writing makes me smile. I, on the other hand, spend a lot of time getting muddy and obsessing about the weather. I run a small Market Garden. My aim is to provide fresh, flavoursome and healthy seasonal produce and actually… thinking about it…. I also meet quirky people! So here we are now in early spring, last year’s stored produce is coming to an end and this year’s is only just germinating –this is “the hungry gap”. Good timing then for the first bit of foraging in the local area. Us lucky people in Purbeck enjoy some really glorious deciduous woodland and now’s the time to gather wild garlic (allium ursinum), also called Ramsoms. With this garlic the leaves are eaten and not the bulb, however, to get a real garlicky hit you can also eat the flower - but beware, it can be strong! It is best to wash and dry the leaves before you can use them in all sorts of recipes. I’ve chucked handfuls into soup, green risotto, as salad with hard boiled eggs and on thickly buttered crusty bread laid on in layers. Yum! Yum! However my most favourite of all is this quiche, as the whole eggy/cheese mix calms the garlicky punch - a bit! If wild garlic can’t be used, just replace it with chopped spring onions or some other fresh green herbs like parsley or chives. This recipe is for a 20 cm diameter quiche dish/ 4 people: Pastry 200gr.plain flour 80gr.butter Sprinkling of cold water Filling 2 handfuls wild garlic leaves/spring onion/herb mix chopped 5 good hen’s eggs
By Regula Wright, Godlingston Manor Kitchen Garden
a generous splash of cream 2 handful of any hard cheese, grated (cheddar, goat, emmenthal, halloumi) Salt, pepper, sprinkling of nutmeg Preheat oven to 150 C Mix together flour and cold, cubed butter with fingertips, add a little water to bring together to non-sticky dough. Butter quiche dish. Roll dough out on floured surface, place in quiche dish, stab with fork and stick in preheated oven to part bake for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile whisk together eggs, cream and seasoning. Take the part baked pastry out the oven and scatter chopped wild garlic/ spring onions over the base. Fill with egg mix and scatter grated cheese all over top. Stick back into the oven at 170 C for about 25-30 minutes. Take out the oven and dig in! Best eaten with friends so everyone can share the garlic breath……
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Purbeck Products
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pring is now here and so is our busiest time of year, lambs are being born day and night, while others are out in the fields playing, racing and getting into mischief. It’s great to watch them. The lambs that were born in September are now ready for marketing. These are the spring lamb that you can buy for Easter, but the majority of the lamb on sale now is hogget, these are lambs born last March. We will have lamb, hogget and mutton pies available at our Purbeck Producers market in April, alongside free range eggs and our own sheepskins. All from our farm at Church Knowle. Please come along to meet all the producers and see what we all have to offer, all grown or made in Purbeck by the people behind the stalls, this makes us quite unique from most other markets. We look forward to seeing you! Kath Best, Besties Lamb.
PURBECK PRODUCE FARMERS’ MARKET MARKETS IN COMMERCIAL ROAD, SWANAGE, AND AT PUTLAKE FARM, LANGTON MATRAVERS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS LOCAL PRODUCE FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS www.purbeckproducts.co.uk
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Purbeck Ice Cream
Giving Generously, It’s A Way of Life
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he Purbeck Ice Cream team support local charities close to our hearts by raising and donating essential funds for local deserving causes and with donations of raffle prizes for fundraisers throughout Dorset. During 2015 a massive £6750 was donated and raised for our two main charities - The Youth Cancer Trust and Weldmar Hospice, as well as a plethora of Dorset fundraising activities ranging from local church and school raffles through to Red Nose Day and Children in Need. For 2016, we will continue our support for the Youth Cancer Trust, who provide support and free therapeutic breaks for teenagers and young adults aged 14 to 30 from the UK and Ireland who are living with cancer. Our new charity for this year is the Dorset Blind Association, who offer practical help and emotional support to enable people with sight loss to stay healthy and happy – and to enjoy free ice cream as well as raising funds to keep the charity buoyant. The DBA help one thousand sight impaired people every month, powered by four hundred trusted volunteers right across Dorset and we are proud to be able to offer them our support too. www.dorsetblind.org.uk Purbeck Ice Cream also work with the Royal Bournemouth and Yeovil Hospitals in providing individual tubs for the benefit and enjoyment of Dorset and Somerset patients and some unfortunate visitors who so richly deserve not only great tasting food, but foods that are full of naturally occurring wholesome ingredients. We have had many letters of thanks from patients and family saying that Purbeck Ice Cream is most welcome, being easily eaten and digested, cool and palatable and very often, the only thing that can be eaten and enjoyed. The Purbeck Ice Cream team are also delighted to introduce three glamorous new flavours of ice cream and a sublime new sorbet to join the throng of multi award winning, delicious flavours. Dorset flavours are always a joy to make and the new Dorset Marmalade is no exception. Double Mango Ripple is a summer ‘must have’ and the seriously tempting Cracking Choc just begs to be cracked with a spoon! Finally, the stunning Beetroot Sorbet is a delightful sorbet and is a root that you can’t beat! Sample these tempting and tasty new flavours today, scoop up, serve around, adore and enjoy!
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Kelp, Waders And Binoculars by John Garner
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ecently, on the advice of my mother, I have taken to munching the odd Kelp tablet as an addition to my diet. This is based on the wholly unscientific ‘evidence’ that she has been taking them since she read an article about the benefits of kelp in about 1974, and whilst she doesn’t actually know if it has had any positive effect on her general well-being, she’s scared of stopping in case it is responsible for her being 82 and in the rudest possible health imaginable. I can’t say I’ve noticed a massive upsurge in my own energy levels, but I do feel the need from time to time to go and drape myself on a rock and await an incoming tide. I’m also hoping that, as the tablets appear to contain a lot of iodine, any wounds sustained whilst scrambling about the countryside will miraculously be sterilised and healed from the inside. A famous footballer once said of Chopper Harris, the ruthless Chelsea defender, that if he was in a good mood he used to put iodine on his studs before a match. No real relevance to that except that it contains the word iodine and I just like the quote. It’s not my favourite sporting quote. That remains the Vitas Gerulaitis response after he finally beat Bjorn Borg having lost fourteen times in a row. He was reputed to have said. ‘Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis fifteen times in a row.’ Many versions of this quote exist with many different players so I don’t know if it’s true. I hope it is. Anyway the draping on the rocks by the sea urge could be a coincidence or maybe this desire to re-acquaint myself with the natural world again is a sign that a new season is on its way. After what feels like an interminably wet and wild winter, spring is finally upon us. Spring is often interminably wet and wild as well but in a different way. You can see the wetness and wildness for longer as the daylight hours lengthen. The prevailing conditions don’t seem to have quite the bite that the elements seem to deliver in the winter, although the extra lightness is sometimes the only way of recognising the change in seasons. And there’s the promise of what’s to come. Like many promises these are often broken, but spring allows you to at least hope that the weather will be better soon. Someday soon. Please, someday soon. One of the greatest pleasures of living in this country used to be the change in seasons. My own personal view is that the seasons seem less defined in terms of weather these days so you sometimes have to look to nature to give us the clues as to the change in seasons. Clue number one is the fact that the birds are going audibly bonkers. There are territories to mark and mates to find. Some seem to just want to let us all know they’ve survived the winter and will trill and whistle away just to remind us that they’ve made it. There are new birds arriving from ridiculously distant parts of the world, all keen to make a noise and get on with preparing for future offspring. The trees are alive with them. Hedgerows explode as you walk or ride past as flocks of them blat around setting out their alarm calls. And when the swallows and swifts and housemartins turn up, you know you’re well into spring. The sea also begins to warm up, almost imperceptively at first and then there comes a time, either because of the repetition of immersion or because it just is warmer, that you don’t clench up your whole body as you tentatively edge your way into the water. The stormy weather that churned the water into a grotty brown mushy colour eases off and the waters starts to lighten and brighten. Another big change in spring is demonstrated with the colour spectrum. Greys and browns give way to sometimes vibrant greens. More shades of green than you can possibly name. There is a stark beauty in the leafless winter trees, but give me a vivid green canopy any day. Hedges have had their first flush of white froth in the form of blackthorn flowers and the hawthorn will follow next month. To sample all this at closer quarters I have purchased some binoculars. These are reasonably good, yet compact binoculars. They are also
toughened, sealed and waterproof, a necessity given my facility for dropping things and my penchant for being in and around water. C o m p a c t binoculars strike me as a marvellous compromise. I am not good with cumbersome stuff and a set of small high powered binoculars with decent optics was the only way I was going to regularly use them. I can fit them in a coat pocket and get them out when I see something interesting. Dog walks have taken in the look-out at Arne so as to whip out the bins and survey the harbour. There is a helpful identification board inside so that I can start to identify my waders. I never thought I would ever want to identify my waders. For a long time I had no idea what a sentence like ‘identify my waders’ could be referring to. The waders are active. The birds in the trees and hedges are pinging around. New insects and birds are appearing. Green is in abundance. Life is kicking off and I aim to be watching at both close quarters and from a distance. Image: Avocet, by extremely kind permission of Rob Evans.
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‘The Company of Wolves’: Burn the Curtain From the 21st to the 23rd April, Durlston will be hosting an amazing piece of outdoor theatre by the nationally acclaimed theatre company Burn the Curtain. The show, based on Angela Carter’s ‘Company of Wolves’ – a dark and mysterious tale, will take place on 3 evenings, around the Park, with a candlelit finale. “In a tiny village on the edge of the mountains, a young girl puts on her red shoes and cloak, and heads out into the forest alone, watched by unseen eyes. As the shadows lengthen, she begins to run and the hunt begins.” Angela Carter’s classic tale has been adapted into a promenade theatre adventure for walkers or runners. Join this retelling of this dark and mysterious modern classic. Walk or run and the story will be performed along the way. The show starts from the Learning Centre at Durlston at 7.15pm . Tickets are available now and numbers are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment – the performance is either a 2-3 mile walk, or a 4 mile run! Tickets are £12 adults, £8 Under 18, £25 families or
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£10 for groups of 4+ adults. Tickets are available from Durlston Castle or Durlston.co.uk To find out more visit burnthecurtain.co.uk Wildlife in April On the cliffs seabirds are starting to nest: Guillemots form long lines on the water or can be seen whirring in and out of the cliffs. Razorbills are less numerous but are regularly spotted, often in courting pairs. Shags dive deep for fish while stiff-winged Fulmars glide effortlessly over the water. A Peregrine or an occasional Raven may provide a dramatic spectacle for the lucky observer. A basking Adder can often be seen near the Tilly Whim Caves. Later in the month the harmless St. Mark’s Fly appears, a weird creature with its dangling legs. Cowslips bloom in the meadows alongside Pale Flax and Buttercups. White Blackthorn blossom attracts early insects like the Bee Fly. For daily wildlife updates visit the Rangers diary on our website
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Wear Green For Margaret Green! “All together for animals” he fundraising never stops at Margaret Green Animal Rescue and now we need you! On Friday 20th May we are organising our second annual Margaret Green Day, on what would have been Margaret Green’s birthday. We are once again inviting local people, schools and businesses to get involved and WEAR GREEN FOR MARGARET GREEN! It really is that simple. Get your colleagues, friends and family involved and agree to each wear something green (or an entirely green outfit!) and decide on a small donation such as £1 each to help us raise much needed funds for the animals. And it doesn’t stop there, if you would like to go all out on the day, why not arrange a cake sale, a quiz or a raffle - the possibilities are endless! We want to get as many people across Dorset taking part as possible, and we can help with fundraising packs. We were so grateful for the support we received last year on Margaret Green Day. Thanks to your donations, we raised over £2,500 but we know we can do better with your support. Last year one of the animals we were able to help thanks to your fundraising, was Ivy the black cat. Ivy was ten years old when she came into us as a stray. She was very poorly and struggled for weeks to keep food down. She was given the best veterinary care and medication and, when she was finally feeling fit and well, and once she had begun putting some weight on, Ivy was rehomed and now lives happily ever after with her forever family. You can help us care for more animals just like Ivy. To request your fundraising pack and get involved with Margaret Green Day, call 01929 477074 and ask for Kate or Jazmin. On Sunday 22nd May, we’ll be celebrating your achievements at our event ‘Strawberries and Cream at Margaret Green’ at our Church Knowle centre between 12.30pm and 4pm. With entertainment from Purbeck’s own Flanders & Swann, Ball and Socket, it promises to be an afternoon not to be missed! All are welcome, and tickets are £5.00 and all proceeds will go towards the care of all our animals. Please come and support us on this special occasion. Thank you and good luck fundraising from all the animals at Margaret Green Animal Rescue!
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Ivy the black cat - now happy with her forever home.
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Gazette Gardening with Simon Goldsack
Oh to be in England now that April is there
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complemented by the bronzy coloured emerging leaves.
hen Robert Browning penned these words he was referring to the bursting forth of leaves, blossom and new life. April is the month filled with flowering trees and shrubs and there is nothing better than seeing these in the warm spring sunshine framed against an azure blue April sky, so this month I want to share with you five magical April blossoms.
Viburnum carlcephalum (both images below): This makes a fine bush covered in what appear to be snowballs but on closer examination are clusters of densely packed white flowers emerging from pink buds. However it has another appeal in the absolutely intoxicating sweet scent!
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ (above): There are many fine forms of this ancient plant and many are familiar with the pink and white forms but M. ‘Elizabeth’ is one of the few creamy bordering on yellow varieties. The large blooms are later than most forms and therefore tend to avoid being frosted. Camellia ‘Spring Festival’ (left): Wow what a stunner this evergreen plant is, bearing a profusion of medium sized semi double blooms. Some Camellias are overly blousey in both size and number of petals but C. ‘Spring Festival’ strikes just the right balance. Requires a neutral to acid soil. Apple ‘Lord Derby.’ (left): This tree produces great cooking apples but its blossom is so beautiful that it is worth growing for this reason alone. Prunus ‘Ukon’ (top, right): Of all the gorgeous flowering cherry trees, and there are many, this form is my favourite. The pink centres give way to classic wedding dress creamy pink tones at the edges. As the flowers reach their zenith they are
Visit Holme this April and see the spectacular range of plants on display in the garden centre. Be ‘wowed’ by the tulips blooming in the borders and whilst there enjoy the Fritillaries, drumstick primroses and king cups emerging in the pond-side beds with a relaxing drink from the Orchard Café.
Get Your Dog Microchipped Before It’s Too Late The Purbeck Gazette
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Don’t risk a £500 fine for non-compliance from April 6th
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he deadline for having your dog microchipped is approaching fast and local animal charity, Margaret Green Animal Rescue, is reminding owners that they must have their dog chipped before Wednesday 6th April. From this day onwards, microchipping will be compulsory for all dog owners in this country. Helen Chittock, manager at Margaret Green Animal Rescue’s Lincoln Farm centre for rescued dogs, explains: “Microchipping has a number of important benefits. Should you find yourself separated from your dog, the microchip gives you the best possible chance of being reunited. “There are other benefits including the fact that a microchipped dog may not attract the attention of thieves. Puppies are also traceable to their breeder which helps reduce the problem of puppy farming.” For the past few months, Margaret Green Animal Rescue have been offering free microchipping for dogs both at their dog rescue centres and at specially set up locations across Dorset. Helen adds: “In February 2016, we microchipped 206 dogs. However, we feel sure there are many more dogs in our local community who are yet to be chipped”.
The charity is urging anyone who has not yet had their dog microchipped to come along to an event near them, or book an appointment at the rescue centre. The next microchipping event is at Pampurred Pets in Weymouth on 2nd April. You can also bring your dog along to the charity’s Family Animal Activity Day on Tuesday 5th April at Church Knowle, where free dog microchipping will also be offered. Margaret Green Animal Rescue are offering the microchipping entirely free of charge, although donations to the charity would be gratefully received. Helen adds: “It is also a requirement to ensure that the database record for your dog is kept up to date. If you change any of your details, you must inform the company that holds the details of your dog’s microchip. All rescue dogs at Margaret Green Animal Rescue are microchipped before going to their new home as well as vaccinated, treated for worms and fleas and neutered or spayed where possible.” If you need to have your dog microchipped or would like advice and information from Margaret Green Animal Rescue, please call 01929 471340.
Where Has Your New Puppy Come From?
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ocal animal welfare charity, Margaret Green Animal Rescue, has spoken out in support of the RSPCA following the publication of their report highlighting the issues surrounding the breeding, trade and sale of puppies in this country. In the report, the RSPCA highlighted a number of issues relating to the puppy trade in the UK and set out its top ten recommendations to the government to bring some of the problems under control. Staff at Margaret Green Animal Rescue, who have a dog rescue and rehoming centre near Bere Regis in Dorset, are no strangers to the darker side of the dog breeding industry. Chief Executive of the charity, Geoff Wright, explains: “We often hear from people who have bought a puppy after seeing it advertised on the internet, or without checking the breeder was licensed. Sadly some of these
dogs are very poorly, or have developed serious anxiety and behavioural problems due to being under socialised or mistreated at a very young age.” Margaret Green Animal Rescue are urging prospective new owners to think carefully and do their research before choosing a puppy. Whilst they may not always have puppies, it is always worth contacting your local registered animal rescue charity. When you adopt a puppy or a dog from Margaret Green Animal Rescue, you can be safe in the knowledge that it has received the best care possible, is microchipped, vaccinated, treated against worms and fleas and neutered (or the charity will cover the cost if the dog is too young at the time of adoption). For more information on the breeding, trade and sale of puppies in this country, visit the RSPCA website to read the report and sign their petition to ‘Scrap the Puppy Trade’.
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‘Another Smashing Weekend In Swanage’
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few days after the Swanage Blues Festival in March, and a local businesswoman summed it up perfectly: “Another smashing blues weekend in Swanage. A wonderful atmosphere round the town, lots of smiling fans and music folk, and the best day’s trading on a Saturday I’ve had since the last festival.” Sentiments like those make it all worthwhile, and believe you me, there is a huge amount of hard work that goes into the creation of a Swanage Blues Festival. That’s why I’ve been encouraging collaborations with other festival organisers, to bring even more energy and ideas into the mix – more later, watch this space. But this festival started with a fun evening of re-written lyrics, humorous anecdotes and down-to-earth stompin’ blues and boogie performed by my mates ‘Harmonica’ Hugh Budden, singer/guitarist Robert Hokum and myself on piano at the Swanage Legion. “I’ll never be able to listen to Stairway To Heaven in quite the same way again,” said one fan, bemused at the morphing of that classic into Teddy Bears’ Picnic. OK, so the weather was chilly on Friday afternoon but not cold enough to deter a garden full of participating musicians and their friends at the Red Lion, who later moved on to Bar One for the first band slot at 5pm. It’s funny to recall now, how for the first festival I was the only act booked for the Friday evening, playing solo piano in a pub. This time there were fifteen participating venues, thirty-five different acts and a whole town full of fans. Saturday was the busiest day of the weekend, with buskers at Swanage Railway Station, a concert at the Youth Hotel Association and dozens of other slots from the Grand Hotel and Herston Camping as far as Corfe Castle. There was a particular treat in store at The Legion, Swanage, on Saturday evening when Ray Dorset aka Mungo Jerry entertained a packed house with some old Lead Belly tunes and his own hits, including the smash number one In The Summertime. Other notable performances – among a sea of fantastic musicians and lovely people – were by the youthful Red Butler, a group who are representing the UK at the European Blues Challenge in Italy this year, and the amazing talent of young guitarist Matthew Long of Catfish. We’ve only scratched the surface of what happened here that
weekend. There’s just enough space to say thank you so much for all your congratulations and wonderful comments. I have never felt so overwhelmed by such appreciation. As well as organising the Swanage Blues festivals, I’m going to be working with The Royal British Legion in Swanage to put on other events too. It’s the ideal place, there’s a friendly atmosphere, comfy chairs, club price drinks, hot food, a dance floor, a stage with lights and a PA system you can hear clearly all the way to the back. We’ll be hosting occasional Sunday afternoon parties with a variety of live music including soul, funk, country and more. Everybody is welcome, non-members just sign in, but you’ll need to book in advance for the very popular Sunday lunches in the restaurant. Steve Darrington Pictures: Credited to Paul Dubbelman. Top: Mungo Jerry. Bottom left: The Blues Machine, bottom right: Red Butler
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Fringes Of Land Antonia Phillips & Heather Gibbons
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n innovative exhibition comes to the Arts Centre - exploring Boundaries… Here the intricacies of our rich coastline are revealed, inspired by coastal forms: where land meets sea. Both Heather and Antonia are established and well known professional artists, based in Dorset. Both are drawn to the coast and coastal edges, and have taken part in successful solo exhibitions in Dorset. They are pleased to present this
collaborative new show. Heather – oil and charcoal, Antonia – acrylic and printmaking. Antonia and Heather have strong links with the area, celebrating Dorset’s unique coastline in very different styles, yet with a common goal... The well-known Café and Foyer areas have created a sympathetic setting for Paintings, Printmaking and text pieces: a Celebration of Dorset’s unique coast… 12th April – 14th May,Tues – Sat, 10am – 4pm, Café and Foyer Galleries, Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport DT6 3NR. See the artists’ work: www.antoniaphillips.co.uk www.heathergibbons.co.uk
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2016 Young Musician Competition Winners
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his year’s Young Musician Competition, organised by Swanage & Purbeck Rotary, proved to be a great success, attracting twenty-eight entries. The competition was held over a weekend, with different categories for each of the Key Stages - KS2 (7-11 year old children), KS3 (11-14 year old children) and KS4 (14-16 year old children). A concert, featuring the top three placed musicians from each category together with St. Marys’ School choir, took place on the Sunday evening and was very well attended. The standard of the musicians was as high as ever, with the overall winner of the competition being Lola Brown Araujo, who performed a piece by Klose on her clarinet (pictured, above). Lola will now be representing Swanage & Purbeck Rotary at the Rotary District event being held later this month. As well as being heavily involved in the organisation of the event, Jay Buckle accompanied many of the performers both during the competition as well as the evening concert. Congratulations to all those who took part and to their parents for their support. We have an amazing pool of young talented musicians in the Swanage and Purbeck area. Swanage & Purbeck Rotary is really proud to be able to help nurture this.
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The Purbeck Workshop Welcomes You All!
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t the Purbeck Workshop in Wool, those touched by cancer can come and distract themselves with a wide range of activities. Whether it’s flower-arranging or felting, screen printing or woodworking, many mentors have come forward to share their craft. Best of all it is a cheerful and fun place to go to and because so many crafts have been created, the Workshop is also a gift shop. This spring there will be an exhibition of work entitled ‘Light’ on Sunday 3rd April, to which everyone is welcome. So many people have embraced the concept of the Workshop, it is important that the people who it has been created for, come along. Any ‘workshopper’ will be welcomed with a cup of tea and no charge at all for the activity they pursue. Friends and family are welcome to come along to sessions too. I had a friend who did not really think this was for him, but he said he sat at home “twiddling his thumbs and not knowing how to occupy himself,” so I actually insisted he gave it a try. The second time a relative went with him and remarked, “good place this.” After this he went on his own and is becoming a painter. A few weeks ago he said, “That’s the best thing anyone ever did for me. I really love going there.” So if you have been affected by cancer, do give the Purbeck Workshop a try. Best of all remember it is a place to have fun and enjoy! Mary Fegan, Purbeck Workshop. Image, above: Our Gift Shop.
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Thai Foot Massage
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hai Foot Massage is a non-evasive treatment for the feet and lower legs. It is both invigorating and deeply relaxing and involves handson massage, stretching and acupressure to stimulate reflex points. It has elements of Reflexology, Reiki and Chinese Foot Massage incorporated into the treatment. Thai Foot Massage includes the use of a traditional Thai massage stick as well as using the palms, fingers, thumbs and knuckles to work the feet. This wonderfully enjoyable massage dates back more than two thousand years, originating in China and is seen all over Thailand today. The treatment includes working on Sen Lines, which are from the Ayurvedic tradition, and are the equivalent of the Meridians of traditional Chinese medicine. The techniques of Thai Foot Massage stimulate and open energy channels leaving you feeling relaxed, balanced and invigorated. Thai Foot Massage is great for tired feet, improves circulation and lymph movement in the feet and lower legs and also improves flexibility in the ankle and toe joints. If you have tried Reflexology you will also enjoy this treatment, but be surprised at how different the two treatments are. Thai Foot Massage is suitable for men, women and children of all ages and may be suitable for pregnant women who are past the first trimester. There are some medical conditions where the treatment may not be suitable which is why a consultation is carried out before commencing. The treatment can be tailored to you and your needs as, although rigorous use of traditional methods is used throughout, the treatment can be flexible to your requirements. Thai Foot Massage benefits also include; Boosting of immune system Reduction of stiffness Encourages the Clients self-healing abilities Stress relief Improves sleep Improves concentration and mind clarity Lifts your mood Bruce Grace has joined the team at Swanage Therapy Centre and is offering treatments in Thai Foot Massage, Reiki and Indian Head Massage. For more information or to book an appointment, please call Swanage Therapy Centre on 01929 426506.
Edith Mason-Hubacher I.T.E.C. M.I.P.T.I B.A.U.K.
Qualified Bowen Practitioner Indian Head & Neck Massage Gift vouchers available Telephone: 01929 424956 or 07967 978 695 for details
Swanage Therapy Centre Thai Foot Massage Indian Head Massage & Reiki With Bruce Grace We look forward to seeing you! T: 01929 426506 www.swanagetherapycentre.co.uk
Kate Smith, ITEC
www.swanagebeautyandmassage.com
HOLISTIC MASSAGE & BEAUTY TREATMENTS EYELASH PERMING & TINTING, FACIALS, MANICURE, PEDICURE, SHELLAC, WAXING, EYEBROW TREATMENTS, HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPY
Swanage Beauty & Massage at RubyTuesdays Kate is available at: Ruby Tuesdays, Tilly Mews, Swanage
Call Kate for details on 07505 313179 Now selling ‘Duncan’s Unctions’!
The Purbeck Gazette
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Matron’s Round - Our Local Hospitals’ Monthly Column
Charity Quiz held in memory of Semra.
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his month, Jane Tavinor and Nikki Crooks tell us about their work in our hospitals and with patients in our communities: The occupational therapists and ward physiotherapists are part of the Purbeck Community Rehabilitation Team (PIRCT) and, in addition to visiting patients in the community, work together in our hospitals to help and encourage patients to return home and pick up their previous daily lives to the best of their capabilities. Sometimes, this means coordinating complex discharge plans to help patients return home as soon as possible with the equipment and support
they need put in place. PIRCT can also provide short term rehabilitation care packages to help some patients get home earlier and they receive referrals for this service from Poole, Dorchester and Bournemouth acute hospitals. The team is also called upon by GPs and other health and social care workers to assist in preventing admission to hospitals and to provide physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments in patients’ homes for those unable to get to outpatient services in hospital or clinic settings. This month we would like to remember a dear member of our team, Semra Sharpe, who worked as an occupational therapy assistant at Swanage Hospital. Semra’s positive, sunny outlook and generous spirit was very much appreciated by patients and health service colleagues alike and we were deeply saddened when she lost her battle with cancer just before Christmas. At a recent charity quiz night held in her memory, we raised £1500 to be divided between Cancare and Wavekids, as Semra had requested. The great turn out for this event is a tribute to this lovely lady and the great affection in which she is held. Until next time, take care, Matron Donna Kiss (pictured, right).
Swanage Hospital Minor Injuries Unit - Open 7 days a week from 8am - 8pm If you have an injury, we’re here to treat it! Call us on 01929 421329. We’re here for YOU, so use our services!
The Purbeck Gazette
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CHIROPODY Rachel Ciantar
Home Visits & Clinic Appointments Comprehensive foot care - Diabetic Patient’s Care Biomechanics & Orthotics Registered with Society of Podiatrist & Chiropodists, HPC Registered
Contact 07979 840542 NEW PATIENTS £5 OFF FIRST TREATMENT
NHS 111 Service - Your Opinion? Too Late! Healthwatch Dorset call for public to have say on NHS 111..... orset health and social care consumer champions, Healthwatch Dorset, called for public opinions of NHS 111 ahead of the March CQC inspection. However, the press release came to us at Gazette Towers on 29th February, meaning that there was no way we or any other local paper could publicise this for you in time. Following the recent questions which have been raised over the safety of the NHS111 helpline, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is set to conduct an inspection of the service in Dorset. Before the inspection, which took place from the 7th to the 9th of March, local health watchdog, Healthwatch Dorset, were apparently collecting feedback from residents across Dorset. Healthwatch Dorset stated in their press release: ‘By gathering the opinions of as many people from across Dorset as possible, Healthwatch Dorset aims to ensure that local voices form an important part of the CQC inspection.’ We immediately emailed back, asking just how the opinions of the public would be gathered – as the publicity material we received was sent out four days before the consultation deadline, and well after our publication date. Manager of Healthwatch Dorset, Martyn Webster, said: “People will have read the revelations about NHS 111 in the papers recently. As
a direct result the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is conducting a snap inspection of the service in Dorset in a couple of weeks’ time. Here at Healthwatch Dorset, we want to encourage local people to get involved.” “The CQC has promised us that any feedback we gather before their deadline will be taken into account when they make their inspection. Tell us your story of using NHS 111, good or bad. We’ll keep your details anonymous, so you can feel safe in telling us your story.” Healthwatch Dorset asked the Dorset public to get in touch with their experiences of NHS111 before the 4th of March (although we’re wondering how and where that was publicised in Purbeck). The CQC had guaranteed that all feedback collected before this date will be taken into consideration as part of the inspection. Those wanting to share their experiences were encouraged to contact Healthwatch Dorset on 0300 111 0102, to connect via Twitter @ HwatchDorset or Facebook or to fill in the feedback form on the Healthwatch Dorset website: www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk Sadly though, it appears your opinion wasn’t needed…………! Anyone who wishes to have their opinion noted (even after the ‘deadline’) can contact Healthwatch Dorset on the above number and make their feelings known about the fact Purbeck residents seem to have been left out of the consultation!
Cakes & Cuppas To Help Dementia
‘Butterflies’ Cancer Support Group
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ettles and cake at the ready, ‘Brew Up for Dementia is back’ for 2016. Bournemouth Hospital Charity wants friends, family and colleagues to catch up over a cuppa in April and help raise money for dementia care at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Last year around 2,290 patients with dementia were treated at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) and according to the Alzheimer’s Society there are around 850,000 people living with Dementia in the UK (2015). Money raised from this year’s campaign will go towards buying four iPads to help with the national ‘This is Me’ initiative which helps people with dementia tell hospital staff about their needs, preferences, likes, dislikes and interests. Money will also help to fund dementia boxes which include reminiscence folders and rummage bags which can help distract and interest dementia patients; and weekly music therapy for patients. Trudi Ellis, Dementia Nurse Specialist, said: “The hospital environment can be a disorientating place for dementia patients due to its unfamiliarity. Using the iPad’s alongside the ‘This is Me’ initiative staff can identify meaningful interactions with a view to supporting the patients to feel relaxed and safe.” Barry Wilson, Events Officer for Bournemouth Hospital Charity, said: “Being part of the ‘Brew Up’ campaign couldn’t be easier, just decide where you’d like to hold your event, invite some friends and then flick on the kettle. Why not ask your friends to bake a cake and bring it along to help you out. “It doesn’t matter how big or small your event is – everything you raise will go towards dementia services and will make a real difference.” To find out more, please visit http://bournemouthhospitalcharity.org/ brewup/ or call the Charity Office on 01202 704060.
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was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2014. To hear the words ‘you have cancer’ was without doubt the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to me. My imagination ran riot. I couldn’t even say the word cancer or read any of the information that was given me. I felt extremely isolated but it didn’t occur to me to join a support group then. Whilst going through treatment I had the medical team to guide and reassure me, which was hugely important to my state of mind, but once this was finished I was out there on my own and this was when I found it really difficult to cope. After talking with my cancer nurse, I looked for a support group and the one that stood out was the Living Tree, but Bridport was too far. Instead, with their help, advice and introduction to a group of fabulous women, Butterflies was formed in Dorchester. We want Butterflies to be for people with any form of cancer rather than one specific type - as when diagnosed we all pretty much have the same thoughts and feelings - and also for people who had cancer some time ago but still need support. Family and friends are also welcome. We have backing from Macmillan and have speakers and advisors. We have one therapist who gives free sessions, and hope to enlist more for complimentary therapies. We have various workshops on a regular basis and a counsellor who drops in to give support. We want to get as many professionals on board as possible as this really makes a difference to people’s wellbeing. Butterflies is based at “The Quiet Space”, Woodlands Crescent, Poundbury, Dorchester every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Drop in between 2-4pm or stay for the two hours. The group can be contacted through Mel or Rosa on 01300 341900 or 07737234054. Email:
[email protected] Web: www.butterflies-dorchester.org.uk.
The Purbeck Gazette
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Stuck With The Skin You’re In? Not Necessarily... Editor, Nico Johnson, Tests Out Teosyal PureSense Redensity Therapy With Dr Claudia Morley
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aving tested Botox and Fillers on behalf of our readers in 2015, I recently met-up with Dr Claudia Morley again at her clinic in Swanage to test out Teosyal PureSense Redensity Skin Redensifier and Glow treatment. Following my write-up with regards to my experience with Botox and Fillers last year, I was amazed at the response from readers. I was stopped umpteen times whilst out and about by people keen to take a closer look and discuss my experience in depth. And I’m not just talking women - a good number of men also approached me, interested in losing some of those more prominent wrinkles and deep lines. The response certainly educated me - far, far more of you are interested in ‘holding back the years’ than I had anticipated, and I was encouraged by how open many of you were in discussing your worries and concerns about the visual aging process - something it seems we all have in common! So, what is Redensity treatment and what does it do? Our skin loses definition as we age - post-birth, after menopause, following trauma, exposure to sun, as a result of smoking and an unhealthy lifestyle - all these things can have a dramatic affect on our skin as the years roll past. This is, of course, something ‘they’ warned us about when we are young, basking in eternal sunshine (without skin cream), staying up partying all night and then working hard all day before repeating. Did we listen then?! Nope - and our skin is the proof all these years later! Eventually, as we age, wrinkles set in and our skin can turn dull and uneven. It loses some of it’s plumpness - it begins to age. Looking in the mirror daily, we notice the change in our appearance and few of us like it! Teosyal PureSense Redensity treatment utilises Hyaluronic acid, which is an essential skin component, along with a dermo-restructuring complex (including antioxidents, minerals, vitamin and eight amino acids). These ingredients are combined with Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to give better patient comfort during the procedure. The treatment consists of three seperate sessions, where you will have multiple small injections in your face in each session. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart. The ingredients of the treatment are slowly absorbed into your skin, smoothing, plumping and adding back a healthy ‘glow’ as the product is absorbed over time. Your appointment would include a consultation with Dr Morley, who will explain the procedure and ask any relevent medical questions - Dr Morley is also a practicing private G.P., so you know you’re in safe hands medically. Following the consultation, you will lie back comfortably in a reclining position, whilst Dr Morley injects small amounts of the Redensity formula directly into your skin. Most areas of the face are covered, focusing on particular ‘problem’ areas. For those with a little needle phobia out there, the needle used during the procedure really is tiny. No, it is still not particularly comfortable having even a tiny needle inserted into your face, but neither can it be described as painful. The whole procedure was completed in about ten minutes. For a few hours I had some small, raised, red lumps where the injections had taken place, but these quickly subsided. Over the following two months I had the second and third treatments, completing the initial therapy. After the third treatment, I really did notice a difference. Very old chicken pox scars were visably reduced, as were fine lines and areas of dryness - a result of many hours basking in the sun as a teenager, I admit!
Model images above - before (left) and after (right) Redensity treatment. Results shown one month after the third session.
Model images above - before (left) and after (right) Redensity treatment. Results shown immediately after two sessions of Teosyal PureSense Redensity
The skin-enhancing treatment aims to prevent premature skin aging, restore skin density and maintain a healthy glow. I admit to being pleasantly surprised at the difference, which was evident after the third treatment. So, we’ve discovered another way to gently slow the aging process - with very little pain and actual results, there’s nothing stopping you.....! The Teosyal PureSense Redensity treatment is charged at £200 per session, or £500 for three sessions. Additional follow-up sessions can be booked as and when required. Using both dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections (Botox), Dr Morley can also treat frown and forehead lines, crow’s feet, eye bags, drooping mouth corners, mouth and lip lines, as well as more advanced facial contouring, replacing cheek volume, face lifting and lip enhancement. Dr Morley’s whole ethos is to ensure patients have a completely natural look, freshening the face rather than changing it. Your initial appointment is free.
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Sport
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The Purbeck Gazette
Under The Towering Tamar...
wanage rowing crews began the racing season in March with the Three Rivers Race on the Devon-Cornwall border. The 6.5 mile race started and finished at the iconic Tamar Bridge, incorporating the three rivers of the Tamar, Tavy and Lynher. Four of our crews competed, two men’s and two women’s, and although it was a bright, sunny day, they had to battle against a bitter northerly wind. The Swanage Men’s A crew came 19th out of 64 entries, and the Ladies’ A crew came 25th out of 68. Swanage cox, Paul Meacham, said: ‘It was a great start to the season, and our crews performed really well, especially because we’ve found it hard to train over the last few months due to difficult sea conditions. We’re really grateful to Poole Gig Rowing Club who’ve helped by letting us use
their boats so we could row in the shelter of Poole harbour.’ The Three Rivers Race was good practice for the World Pilot Gig Championships which take place in the Isles of Scilly at the start of May. Remember that rowing isn’t just about racing - many of our members just enjoy leisure rowing. Why not come along to one of our open sessions and give it a try? Weather permitting, they take place on Saturday mornings (10.30am to 12.30pm), and Tuesday evenings (from 6pm). It costs £2 for a short row, and there’s no need to book – just come down to the gig shed. Find out more about membership, news and events on our new website www.ssrc.org.uk Images: Left: Men’s A & B Crews at start. Right: Ladies B crew at finish line.
DC Football Assocation Volunteer Presentation
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he annual volunteer awards aim to recognise and reward people from all walks of life, across the county, who make a difference in their local community to grassroots football. Volunteers from leagues, clubs and many other organisations that make up the ‘football family’ affiliated with Dorset County FA, are the life-blood that make football in Dorset function. In December of last year, nominations were welcomed and many worthy citations were received and deliberated upon. The winners were invited to receive their awards at a dinner held at Bulbury Woods Golf Club on February 23. Swanage Town & Herston – Club of the Year Swanage Town & Herston FC is a Charter Standard club that runs teams from Under 9s through to adult for both males and females. During the last season they have become a club that truly offers football for all, developing two girls’ football teams, a women’s team that is currently training with a view to entering the league next season, boys’ teams from Under 9s through to Under 18s and two adult male teams, one of whom competes in the Dorset Premier League. In addition, they have offered community opportunities, one of which is an inclusive football project that has seen them develop a fantastic relationship with a local school, ‘The Purbeck View’.
The Purbeck View is a mixed gender residential school for students aged 7 – 19 years, with students who often have complex needs, learning difficulties associated with autism and challenging behaviour. The club has provided weekly football sessions for students who would have never had the opportunity before. The weekly sessions will enable them to form an Under 16 team who will then participate in the Under 16 Ability Counts League next season. Swanage Town and Herston FC are also a successful walking football club, competing in friendlies and will be part of the first Walking Football League in Dorset. DCFA Chief Executive Sue Hough said; ‘They are a truly inclusive club who thoroughly deserve the title of Club of the Year’. Representatives from Swanage Town and Herston FC received their award from Spencer Miles, President of the DCFA (pictured above left). Ian Tarbotton - Presented with the Chairman’s award for Outstanding Service to Corfe Castle FC. Spencer Miles, President of the DCFA presented Ian with the Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Service to Corfe Castle FC (above right).
Jurassic Coast Ultra-Marathon Trek
The Purbeck Gazette
Take on Diverse Abilities Ultra-Marathon Trek along the Jurassic Coast oin Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, and take on an exciting ultra-marathon two-day trek along the Jurassic Coast this summer (1617 July) and make a difference to children and adults, and their families, with disabilities in the county.
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This is an amazing opportunity for the adventurous or those that simply love walking. The challenge will see you trekking approximately 60km over a two-day period, starting off in Weymouth and finishing at Studland Bay, all while taking in some fantastic sights along the way. Jodie Harris, events manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “Many of the children, adults and families Diverse Abilities support face challenges every day, so why not test yourself and do something amazing? You will get to experience England’s first World Heritage Site and some of Dorset’s most amazing sights from Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, as well as the beautiful coastline that will be consistent throughout your journey.” The trek includes lunch and breakfast, as well as one night’s accommodation. A qualified leader will be taking charge during the trek and there will be first aid support throughout the two days. Every participant will receive a Diverse Abilities t-shirt and fundraising support, ideas and tips in the lead up to the event. Jodie added: “If you are up for the challenge and want to experience this amazing trek and see Dorset in a way you won’t have before, then please sign up and get involved!” Registration for the event is £50 and the minimum fundraising pledge is £385, which is enough to fund the charity’s invaluable weekend club for children with disabilities for a whole day or it can give four children with profound disabilities a fantastic two hour play session with their siblings, while their parents can attend a support group. For more information or to sign up visit www.diverseabilities.org.uk/ events or call 01202 718266.
Wareham’s Fiona Wins ‘South West Golf Steward of Year’
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iona Snook has been recognised as the Fuller’s London Pride Steward of the Year for England Golf’s South West region. Fiona, from Wareham Golf Club, received her trophy at the annual presentation lunch at The Counting House in London, when the national and regional winners were celebrated. The competition to find and recognise England’s top golf club stewards was in its ninth year and attracted hundreds of votes for the nominated stewards. Fiona commented: “I’m a newbie at the club and I’m so pleased to reach this final. Wareham is such a friendly club and everyone mucks in – you’re quite likely to see our president on a lawn mower! If you want anything you just have to ask.” Fiona is a qualified chef who has worked at Wareham for eighteen months and has helped the club improve its image and appeal to visitors and members. Since she’s been there the club has attracted fifty six new members. She’s overseen some clubhouse renovation, has changed the club’s brewery and suppliers, all the food is now home-made – and the increasing profits are reflecting her efforts. She runs a host of social events from darts and cribbage nights to a psychic
supper and a chocolate night – all prominently advertised on display screens and a white board. That’s alongside weddings, birthday parties and a concert night with the Bournemouth brass band, which was promoted with a local leaflet drop. Fiona has even taken up golf and joined the ladies’ section! Fiona and the other winners all received their trophies from England Golf Acting Chief Executive, Craig Wagstaff, and from Earl Baker, Fuller’s Sales Manager (Traditional Free Trade).
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Swanage Football Club
he First team’s great season under Tim Brown and assistant Tony Parrott (see photo) is still in full flow. Although we have suffered two defeats in the last six games to Weymouth Reserves and Hamworthy Utd Res. Since Tim and Tony have taken over the running of the team their record is quite remarkable. Their record in the Dorset Premier league is:- Played fifteen, won eleven, drawn one, lost three .If we were to keep that sort of form throughout a whole season we really would be challenging for the DPL title. So everything bodes well for the future and who knows where we will end up when these two have a pre- season followed by an entire season. Next weekend sees us travelling to Merley Cobham in the quarter finals of the Dorset Premier League Cup. Looking back through the records we played and beat Merley 4:0 in the quarter finals the year we went on to beat Westlands in the final 3:0 and lift the cup. So watch this space, although we are away this time we always seem to raise our game against Merley. The reserve side is just about holding its own in Dorset League 1. To run the reserve side it has always been said to be the hardest job in the Club for a number of reasons. If the first team are short they will take your better players, which is obviously how it should be but makes it hard to keep a settled team. Also if you start to lose a few games some players seem to lose interest quite quickly leaving a strain on numbers. So in recent weeks, Jossie has called on a lot of younger players from the U16 & U18s to bolster numbers in the squad and when called upon to take to the pitch, they have done themselves proud. It is really pleasing to see these youngsters continue into the adult game. This is exactly what we are all about as a club - giving youngsters the chance to progress from the Youth to Senior. The Youth section recently held a race night at the Legion in Swanage
The Purbeck Gazette
and would like to thank all those who attended and Royal British Legion Club Steward, David Elm, for hosting the event and helping us raise a tidy sum on the evening of £603. The money raised will go towards the end of season presentation day and for any other equipment each team might need. Numbers at Day’s Park recently seem to have dropped, which is surprising considering the team are winning more than they lose. Why not come on down to Day’s Park for a game and support your local football club at grass roots? You can enjoy a cup of tea and light refreshments throughout the game from Lennie’s tea hut and enjoy a beer or soft drink in the clubhouse after the game. COME ON YOU SWANS! John Peacock
The Purbeck Gazette - Proudly Supporting The Swans
Swanage Tennis
Division Champions!!!! wanage Men made it seven wins from seven recently to take the title of Division 5 Champions in style. But Pug’s Hole away was a more challenging proposition than Swanage might have expected. Graham Ward and Gordon Wallis, Swanage’s first pair, had to focus and fight in their first rubber. Having won the first set quite comfortably
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Swanage Cricket Club
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ast month, Swanage Cricket Club held their AGM in their updated, modern, fully-heated, ‘state-of-the-art’ pavilion. The club Treasurer reported a much healthier set of accounts due to the hard work by both Pete Constable and Ryan Norman with regards to the bar, as well as Tim Ives’ ‘tireless’ work on the ever-expanding Youth Section. Another major advantage for the club has come from the decision by the committee to install heating in the pavilion, enabling the club to host a number of successful social events during the winter months. Whilst welcoming Gill Clarke into her new Role as Secretary, the club were quick to praise the sterling work carried out by her predecessor, Mike Wells. With regard to the playing officials, Ricky King remains Captain of the 1stXI with Ian Booth as his deputy. They are planning for the club’s 4th successive season in the Premier Division. Pete Barker was named the new Captain of the 2ndXI, with Mike Nash appointed as his Vice-Captain. They will be playing in Division 4. As well as that, Andy Tillman, who is also the
(6:3), Pug’s Hole proved to be a more difficult prospect in the second set which they took (3:6) and forced a match tie-break. Fortunately the Swanage pair were able to edge a lead and keep the momentum up to win the rubber 10:7. Gordon and Graham’s exertions had paid off and they were never really out of their comfort zone in their second match which they won with ease, 6.0 6.1. Jamie McDonald and Rob Thompson (who made his debut in the team), hardly broke a sweat in their first rubber winning it 6.2 6.0. But the Pug’s Hole first pair who had already tested Swanage’s first pair were ready and waiting in the wings. Buoyant from their win Rob and Jamie bounced into action and dominated play, winning the first set 6:1. But Swanage’s magic seemed to desert them and the tables were turned as Pug’s Hole made the come-back they needed in the second. Could Swanage come away with a clean sheet and take the match tie-break? After a point for point battle, the Swanage pair just couldn’t do enough to win it but it was close! (10:12). But Swanage had done more than enough to win the meet and come top in their division. The team will go up to Division 4 next winter. The squad consists of Jamie McDonald (Captain), Gordon Wallis, Mike Angell, Graham Ward, Andy Moore, Ian Marchant, Jeff Veale and Rob Thompson. The photo features (left to right), Gordon Wallis, Jamie McDonald, Rob Thompson and Graham Ward. club’s Welfare Officer, remains Captain of the Sunday team. Swanage Youth Cricket is a vibrant and growing area of the club. Last year we ran four sides with our Under 9s coming in as runners up in both their league and cup. This year we will, for the first time, be running six youth sides from U9s to U15s. There is also Kwik Cricket for younger children. We will be starting some pre-season nets at the Swanage School on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Then, once the weather is better and the ground has dried out, we’ll be up at the cricket ground off Day’s Park. So come along and give it a try. As well as the cricket, we will once again be running a trip to the Ageas Bowl to watch a Hampshire T20 match. Last year we had our first schools competition, in addition to our second Presentation and Fun Day. Have a look at our website and if you are interested in playing cricket, please contact Tim Ives at:
[email protected] Anyone interested in playing for/sponsoring the club or simply would like to keep up-to-date with all the latest news, should visit our website:- www. swanagecricketclub.co.uk
The Purbeck Gazette
Spotlight Event Diary
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Diary Entries are FREE if your event is FREE. If you charge, then it’s £5 plus VAT per entry, per month. DEADLINE for APRIL is noon, 11th April KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.
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Pike & Shot In The Grand Muster at Corfe Castle. Sign-up Day for new housing estate in Swanage. Local homes for local, working people! First thirty local people to sign-up at Purbeck District Council main reception get ‘pick of the properties’ once completed, with life-time leases. See page 14 of this edition for details - and good luck! Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill at 7.30pm. For: SPS Jubilee Cup‘ (Prints) ‘Open’ and Ken Moore Trophy – Outing images ‘Open’ Judge: Members Visitors welcome. ffi Colin Brixton – 423841 Rob Heron & Teapad Orchestra Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. Freebay Table Top Sale at The URC Swanage. Free table & free entry. Ffi: 01929 422406 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Ulwell Cottage (09:25 bus from Swanage) for walk to Corfe Castle along the Purbeck Way, returning to Swanage by bus or train. Ffi 01929 427015. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. AGM and Buffet At the Dorford Centre, Bridport Rd, Dorchester, DT1 1RR. Our speaker this year is Caroline Benjamin, Founder of the Food Allergy Training Consultancy -’Obligations of the caterer and the consumer under the NEW Food Information Regulations’. This will be followed by a gluten free buffet. £1 admission to the meeting, which includes refreshments, and £3 per person to stay for the buffet. Arty Bazaar At Boilerhouse Gallery, Corfe Castle. A wide range of stall holders outside the gallery and studios. A varied mix of other artists, vintage, excellent coffee and food, and usually some live music… Email: jaynecunliffe@hotmail. com Swanage Garden Society At The Catholic Hall, Swanage. Spring Show. Spring flowers at their best all naturalcolours. Produced by ameteurs. The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. ‘Light’ Exhibition At The Purbeck Workshop, East Burton road, Wool. David Celia Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Swing ‘n’ Sinatra Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.
19:30 Mon 4th 10:00 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. 13:00 Swanage Jazz Machine At the Conservative Club, Swanage. 19:30 Wareham Hemsbach Society The Society will be hosting a talk by Anne King on Thomas Hardy on Monday 4th April at Carey Hall, Wareham. Visitors are welcome to join without charge. Contact Lena on 01929 553051. Tue 5th 10:00 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. 10:00 Forest School Fun Join us for this Forest School taster session at Upton Country Park. Enjoy fun filled games & craft activities in a woodland environment. Suitable for under 11’s, adult supervision required. £3 per child. Limited numbers so BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01202 692033 or email
[email protected] 19:15 Rotary Club of Wareham Looking for new members and meet at Springfield Country Hotel at 7.15pm. Speaker from Water Aid. For more information please contact Tony on 553936 or see our website www.warehamrotary.co.uk”. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Print & PDI of the Year Competition” Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822 Wed 6th * Swanage Probus Meets at The Purbeck House Hotel for a talk on Changing Holidays by Kevin Sansom of Hayes Travel. Visitors welcome. Ffi: Roger Livingstone 01929 425002or Andrew Yeandle on01929 421945 / 01225 461087 10:00 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. 10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Corfe Castle NT Castle View car park for a circular walk to East Creech via the Purbeck Ridge path and return via Purbeck Way. Ffi 01202 570670. Thu 7th * The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. 10:00 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail.
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19:30 20:00 Sat 9th * * 09:45 10:00 10:00
10:00 10:00 14:00 19:30
The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. Spring Steam Gala At Swanage Railway. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. Reptile Ramble on Upton Heath Join Dorset Wildlife Trust to discover the reptiles waking up for spring on Upton Heath. Snake & lizard activities plus a ramble to find real reptiles in the wild! Suggested donation £3 per child. Meet at the Urban Wildlife Centre, Beacon Hill Rd, Corfe Mullen BH21 3RX. For more information ring 01202 692033. No unaccompanied children, please. Purbeck Railway Circle Meets at Harman’s Cross Village Hall for a presentation entitled “Baie de Somme Railway”. A presentation by Michael Bunn concerning France’s most successful and interesting narrow gauge steam tourist railway. Doors open 7pm. Ffi 554765. EVERYONE IS WELCOME Richard Digance Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Red Foot Crow Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. Spring Steam Gala At Swanage Railway. Swanage Walking Group Meet at Corfe Castle NT Castle View car park for a circular walk to Kingston. Ffi 01929 480224. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. Meeting of Local Microscopists In the Village Hall, Langton Matravers. Many microscopes showing a wide variety of subjects from biological (eg pond life), geological ( micro fossils etc) to artistic. Visitors including children very welcome. Entrance free. Tea and coffee with biscuit available. NSPCC Spring Fair At Wareham Town Hall. Bric-a-brac, books, toys, crafts and cakes. Raffle & tombola, refreshments available. Offers of items for sale - 01929 553578. Craft & Vintage Fairs At The Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Free Entry. Craft Fabric Sale At Harman’s Cross Village Hall. Spring Serenade - Concert In Lady St Mary Church, Wareham by The Broadstone Choir: Mendelssohn O for the wings of a dove - Elgar and Dvorak. Email:
[email protected] Tantz Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229
20:00 Sun 10th * The Wolfshead Bowmen At Corfe Castle. * Spring Steam Gala At Swanage Railway. * Dorset Countryside Volunteers will be helping care for Tyneham in Purbeck. We welcome new people interested in helping care for this historic abandoned village. For details see www.dcv.org.uk, email
[email protected], or text or message 07923-498760 for us to contact you. 10:00 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt At Knoll Beach, Studland Bay. £2.50 per person, per trail. 14:00 Gillespie & Wolf Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 15:30 Harmonica Hugh Budden At The Legion, Swanage. Free Admission. Tue 12th * South Dorset Mid Week Volunteers Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Please contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for details or to book a place. 14:00 Parkinson’s Self Help Group At The All Saints Church Hall, Swanage. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. Paul Keene – “From Here to Eternity”” Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. Wed 13th * North Dorset Volunteers Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver on 07824 874273. 10:00 The Great Heath Volunteer Work Party Practical conservation work on a variety of habitats. A wide range of tasks will be carried out; tools & training provided. Come along & enjoy what the countryside has to offer. For more information call Sally Wright at the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033. 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Worth Matravers Car Park for circular walk via Swanworth Quarry, Hill Bottom, Chapmans Pool and Weston Farm. Ffi 01929 424462. 19:30 Studland WI At Studland Village Hall. Studland Annual Meeting. Followed by coffee & cake. Competition: Holiday Souvenir. Fri 15th 19:15 Rotary Club of Wareham Race Night at Furzebrook Village Hall In aid of The Rex Cinema and Water Aid. For tickets and more information please contact Tony on 553936 or see our website www.warehamrotary.co.uk”. 19:30 Swanage Photographic Society Meets in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill at 7.30pm. Members work. Visitors welcome. ffi Colin Brixton – 423841
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19:30
The Purbeck Gazette Hats Off to Led Zeppelin Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.
Sat 16th * Feudals At Corfe Castle. 09:30 Car Boot Charity Sale At St Mary’s Church, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6BS Cost £5 per Car or Table (Book in Advance) Customer Entry 50p. Phone: 01202 623635 or 01202 949690 Setup 8:30. Hot snacks available Raising funds for the new Heating System and Electrical Rewiring in St Mary’s Church. Email:
[email protected] 10:00 Books, Coffee, Cake and Home Made Produce At Moreton Village Hall DT2 8RE. FREE Entry. All books 25p. Maeve 01929 463221 www.moretonvillagehall. btck.co.uk 20:00 Grizzly Grasshoppers Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 17th * North Dorset Volunteers Working on a DWT nature reserve near you. Contact DWT Warden Steve Oliver - 07824 874273. 14:00 Wareham Whalers & Vent de Noroise Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Mon 18th 19:00 Swanage Annual Parish Meeting At Swanage Youth Centre. Tue 19th 14:00 The New Christian Spiritualist Church Swanage Meet Tuesday 19th April 2016 at 2pm Queensmead Community Hall, Swanage. Guest Spiritualist Jean Tanner, Warm welcome awaits you with Tea & biscuits. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. Sue Sibley – “Sue’s New Prints & Travel PDIs”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. Wed 20th 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Acton car park for a circular walk via Wilkswood, Langton and Acton. Ffi 01929 425165. 14:30 Studland History Group Meets in the Village Hall for a talk by David Leadbetter, “Prehistoric Times in Purbeck”. All welcome. Ffi the Secretary 01929 439245. 19:30 Swanage Garden Society At Herston Hall, Swanage. Gardeners forum. Light bites to follow. Thu 21st 19:15 ‘The Company of Wolves’ From Burn the Curtain theatre company at Durlston Castle. Starting at the Learning Centre, moving around the park ending with a candlelit finale. Tickets £12 adults, £8 under 18, £25 families or £10 for groups of 4+ adults. 19:30 All Folk’d Up Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. nd Fri 22 * Rock ‘n’ Roll Dances At Swanage Conservative Club. 19:15 ‘The Company of Wolves’ From Burn the Curtain theatre company at Durlston Castle. Starting at the Learning Centre, moving around the park ending with a candlelit finale. Tickets £12 adults, £8 under 18, £25 families or £10 for groups of 4+ adults. 20:00 2 Man Ting Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sat 23rd * Pike & Shot In The Grand Muster at Corfe Castle. 10:00 Craft & Vintage Fairs At The Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone road, Swanage. Free Entry. 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at car park behind Spetisbury Primary school on lane off A350 for a mostly level circular walk taking in parts of Stour Valley Way. Ffi 01929 422795. 19:15 ‘The Company of Wolves’ From Burn the Curtain theatre company at Durlston Castle. Starting at the Learning Centre, moving around the park ending with a candlelit finale. Tickets £12 adults, £8 under 18, £25 families or £10 for groups of 4+ adults. 19:30 Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’ At The Lighthouse, Poole. Ffi: 01929 481419 20:00 Zen Hussies Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Sun 24th 10:00 Purbeck Antiques & Collectors’ Fairs At Furzebrook Hall, Furzebrook, Wareham. £1 entry. www.purbeckantiquesfairs.co.uk 10:00 Swanage Charity Day and Classic Car Display At Victoria Avenue Car Park. Refreshments on sale and Various Charity and Craft stalls. 14:00 Rubber Wellies Live acts at the Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Ffi: 01929 439229 Tue 26th * South Dorset Mid Week Volunteers Habitat management on a DWT nature reserve near you. Booking essential. Contact DWT warden James Hitchen on 07436 157328 for details or to book a place. 19:30 Swan Lake Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. 19:30 Wareham Camera Club Meets at Parish Hall, Wareham. “Clay Cross National Exhibition 2014 CD”. Visitors welcome. Contact Roger Starling on 01929 553822. 19:30 Dorset Industrial Archaeological Society Meetings start at 7.30pm in The Dorset Room, Colliton House, Colliton Park, Dorchester (opposite County Hall). “The Salisbury to Yeovil Railway” is the subject of Giles Harvey’s lecture to the Society. Non-members welcome (small donation suggested). Further details from 01305 785968 or 871863. Wed 27th 10:00 Swanage Walking Group Meet at Ulwell lay-by (2nd on right from Swanage)
for circular walk via Godlingston Manor, Wilderness Woodland and Nine Barrow Down. Ffi 01929 480224.
Thu 28th * An Afternoon Walk at Stonehill Nature Reserve Led by Harold Gillen (01929 550850). Meet at the access point opposite Creech Barrow (map ref. SY 921821). 10:00 Purbeck U3A Meeting Points At Harman’s Cross Village Hall “Beautiful Bali - the Island of Gods” A look beyond the holiday beaches into the unique culture and mystique of this tropical island paradise. Non-members very welcome, just turn up! Purbeck U3A is a registered charity. Fri 29th 19:30 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Live Performances at The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. Sat 30th * Corfe’s Got Talent At Corfe Castle Village Hall. To enter email:
[email protected] for an application form. 10:30 Swanage Walking Group Meet at car park lay-by a short way east past the Hardy’s Monument for an all day walk above Abbotsbury. Ffi 01929 288427. 19:30 Mayday Singers Spring Concert At St George’s Church, Langton Matravers BH19 3HZ. Relax for an hour or so in the company of this popular local group and enjoy their selection of beautiful music. The singers are delighted to be joined bysoprano Rebecca Price and cellist Caroline Buxton. Refreshments will be served at the end of the concert.
WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONDAY 09.00 U3A Table Tennis Group meet at Harmans Cross VH. 09.30 Under 2.5 years old group. Till 11am. at Parish Hall, Wm. 09.45 Toddler Club URC, Sw. Till 11.15 10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 10.30 Flowers with Liz at the Purbecvk Workshop in Wool. The Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool. BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907. Email: richris95@ gmail.com 13.00 Play and Learn at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Till 2.45pm 13.00 Under 1s and Tums at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 3pm 14.00 Pins and Needles at Harmans Cross VH. 14.00 Swanage Disabled Club meet until 4pm. Meeting place alternates between Catholic Hall & Queensmead Hall, Sw. Transport available. Call Mrs Daphne Saville on 01929 425241 ffi. 16.45 Soccer Skills Sw FC First Sch chldn £1 Till 5.45. 425175 18.00 Sw Tennis Club Snr Club Session. 426312 19.00 Wareham Choral Society meet URC Meeting House, Chch St, Wm. Till 9. New singers always welcome. 554229/553460 19.00 Swanage Youth Club. School year 10 and upwards. Till 9.30pm 19.00 Whist. Come & join us at the Reading Room, Church Hill, Swanage. Ffi, call 07984 968733 19.00 Purbeck Chess Club. Mortons House Hotel, Corfe Castle. Ffi, call Brian Beard 425988 19.30 Purbeck Quire rehearse at Wm Methodist Church. New/visiting singers (no audition necessary). String & wind players also welcome. Ffi: 423505 or 480737. 19.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718. 19:30 Badminton & Table Tennis Club, Adults, Swanage Methodist Church Hall. Small friendly club. All levels welcome. Til 10pm. 07917 473390 19.30 Wm Folk Dance Club Stoboro’ VH. All welcome. 553519/422730 19.30 Swanage Badminton Club at the Swanage School, till 9.30pm. Ffi: 07966 136641. 19.30 Swanage Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, Court Road, Sw. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email:
[email protected]. 20.00 DARTS at the RBL Club, Sw. 20.00 Herston Hall Management C’ttee Bingo EVERY TUESDAY 09.00 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 10.15am. Ffi: Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or
[email protected] 09.30 Isle of Purbeck Arts Club. Painting and sketching. At the Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Till 1pm. Outdoors in summer. Ffi: Gina on 421689. 09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Chapel Lane, Swanage. Till 11.30am. 09.30 Kiddies Corner Mother & Toddler Group (term time only) No fee - donations welcome. Purbeck Gateway Church. 551415 09.30 Wareham Art Club Workshop at Wareham Parish Hall. Ffi: 553718. 10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Bridgit on 01929 552816 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email
[email protected] 10.00 Sw Tennis Club Club Session. Till 11. 426312 10.00 Sandford Toddlers at Sandford Community Hall, till 11.30am. 10.00 Short Tennis at Sw FC All ages & abilities £1.50 Till noon. 425175 10.30 Swanage Walking for Health Group starter walks (15-30mins). Start from the Mowlem Shelter on Swanage Seafront. Get back into the swing of things gently! Ffi: 481000 10.30 First Steps Toddler’s Group. Swanage Methodist Church till 11.45am. Ffi:
The Purbeck Gazette
Sylvia Garrett 425420, office hours, or
[email protected] 11.00 Guided Tour of Bere Regis famous Mediaeval Church. Tour lasts around 3/4 hour, no fixed charge, donations very welcome towards vital work on the Church’s fabric. Families and larger groups welcome at other times, by arrangement. Contact Richard on 01929 471889 or email bereheath@ btinternet.com or John England on 01929 471469 or email st_george@ stanbarrow.f9.co.uk. Light refreshments can be made available for booked tours. 12.00 Nature Tots (0-4yrs) at Bovington Memorial Hall Garden. Until 2pm 14.00 Swanage Walking for Health Group. Walks of 60-90mins, various locations. Walks are very social, for a range of abilities. Walks start from car parks at Studland, Corfe, Arne, Durlston, Langton, Acton, Worth and Kingston. Ffi: 481000. 14.00 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Art Group Till 5 14.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls. Furzebrook VH. Roll-up session, all standards welcome. Ffi 401799 17.00 Sw Tennis Club Junior Session till 6pm. 426312 18.00 Sw Youth Centre Girls’ Night (Yr 8+) Till 10 18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 8.30pm 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Wareham Air Cadets meet at Air Training Corps HQ, St Martin’s Lane, Wm. Cadets age 12+. Ffi: email:
[email protected]. 19.30 Swanage Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Swanage Day Centre, High Street, Swanage. If you want help to stop drinking, you are welcome. Or call 01202 296000 for more details. 19.30 Sw & Langton Folk Dance Club Langton VH. Ffi: 421913 19.30 Belvedere Singers rehearsal at their NEW venue, St Mark’s CE VA Primary School, High St, Sw. Parking on-site. All singers welcome! 423729 20.00 Sw Regatta & Carnival Assoc Bingo Herston Leisure, Herston Yards Farm, Sw. 20.00 Carey Hall, Wm Bingo EVERY WEDNESDAY 09.00 St Mark’s Toddlers Group, St Mark’s Church, Swanage. Herston, Sw Till 11am 09.45 Corfe Wool Workshop Corfe VH, East St. Members £1.50; non-members £2.50. Till12.00. 427067 10.00 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till noon. 10.00 Breast Feeding Group at Wareham’s Children Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Offering peer support and breastfeeding counsellor advice. Till 12 noon. Ffi: 552864 10.30 Play and Learn at Kids of Wool (BH20 6DY) until 12 noon. 11.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Swanage Library till 1pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities 14.00 Herston Senior Citizens meet Herston Hall, Jubilee Rd, Sw. All welcome 14.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 3pm. With Penny at the Mowlem Community Room, Sw. Ffi 07969925502 15.00 Extend Exercise Class, now at Morton Village Hall. To improve strength, balance and flexibility. All welcome. Donations welcome. Ffi: 471490. 16.15 Swanage Football Club U-7s Training til 5.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346 17.15 Swanage Football Club U-9s Training til 6.15pm. £1. Ffi: 426346 18.00 Swanage Youth Club. School years 7&8. Till 8.30pm 18.45 Sw Hockey Club Training Wm Sports Centre. Till 8. 424442 19.00 Wm Bridge Club at the Library, South St. 552257 19.00 Wareham Short Mat Bowls Club Roll-up evening Furzebrook VH. 401799 19.15 Purbeck Runners meet at the Crows Nest, Sw. 4/5 mile run. 19.30 Swanage Musical Theatre meet Swanage Bay View Complex Rehearsal Room. All welcome. Ffi: 426161 20.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 10 20.15 Dorset Buttons Morris Practice. URC Hall, Wm. 423234/421130 20.30 Wm Swimming Club Adults. All standards + stroke improvement. Till 10 22.00 Sw Youth Centre Club Night (16+) Till 11.59 EVERY THURSDAY 08.30 Wm Home Producers Veg, cakes, plants, flowers, handicrafts. URC. New producers/helpers welcome. Till 11. 553798 09.00 Swanage Painting Club. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Rd, Sw. Friendly group. New members including beginners welcome. Till 1pm. Ffi: Jane on 01929 427078 09.30 Play and Learn at Chapel Lane, Swanage, till 11am. 09.30 Well Baby Clinic at Streche Road, Wareham, until 12 noon. 09.30 Sensory Play for under ones, at Bovington Centre until 10.30am 10.00 Wm Parent & Toddler Group During term Parish Hall, Quay Till 11.45. 556806 10.00 First Dorset Credit Union is in Wareham at ‘Not Just Sundaes’ community cafe, South Street, Wm. Until 12 noon. 10.00 Wool Country Market D’Urbeville Hall. Cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, vegetables. Coffee & biscuits available. 10.00 Sw Tennis Club Session. Til 11am. 426312 10.00 Tea, Coffee, Biscuits at Queensmead Hall, Sw. Til 11am. Adm 50p 10.00 Volunteer Centre Drop-In at Wareham Library till 12pm. Find our about volunteering to support community groups & charities. 10.00 Wareham Croquet Club meet at the Recreation Ground until 5pm. New members and visitors welcome. Call Bridgit on 01929 552816 or Lesley on 01929 553927 or email
[email protected] 10.30 Harman’s Cross Village Hall Chinese Art Group 10.30 Mid-Week Market Morning Service URC, Church St, Wm. Prayer requests to Revd. Simon Franklin 556976 10.30 Woodworking with Bernard and Terry at the Purbecvk Workshop in Wool. The
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Workshop provides craft activities free of charge to those touched by cancer - friends and family are welcome too. Unit 6, Woolbridge Business Centre, East Burton Rd, Wool. BH20 6HG. www.purbeckworkshop.org 07757 776907. Email:
[email protected] 11.00 Sensory Play for 1-4yrs old at Bovington Centre, until 12 noon. 13.00 Studland Toddler Group at Studland Village Hall until 2.30pm. 13.30 Under 1 year olds at Wareham’s Children’s Centre, Streche Rd, Wm. Antinatal mums welcome. Till 3pm. Ffi: 552864. 13.30 Toddler Group. All Saints’ Church, Sw. 423937. Till 3pm (Term times) 14.00 Life drawing classes at Harmans Cross Village Hall from 2pm till 4pm. For further information, ring 427621. 14.15 Sw Over-60s Meet in the Rectory Classroom, Swanage, Sw. All Welcome. 15.00 Guided Tour of Bere Regis famous Mediaeval Church. Tour lasts around 3/4 hour, no fixed charge, donations very welcome towards vital work on the Church’s fabric. Families and larger groups welcome at other times, by arrangement. Contact Richard on 01929 471889 or email bereheath@ btinternet.com or John England on 01929 471469 or email st_george@ stanbarrow.f9.co.uk. Light refreshments can be made available for booked tours. 17.45 Swanage Youth Club. Learning Difficulties and disability (age 11-25) night. Till 7.30pm 18.00 Five High Singers, United Reformed Church Hall, Swanage. 11 - 18 years. Till 7pm 18.15 Sw Cricket Club Practice till 9pm 18.30 Swanage Sea Rowing Club Circuit Training at Swanage Middle School. Ffi: 07776 201455 19.00 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 8pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 19.00 Purbeck Gateway Club meets at Wareham Youth Centre until 9pm. Purbeck Gateway is a club for adults with learning difficulties. We meet during term time and have fun! All welcome. Ffi: Lew on 552173. Email:
[email protected] 19.15 Wm Town Band Brass & Woodwind players welcome. 551478/01202 242147 19.30 Short Mat Bowls in the Durbeville Hall, Wool. All standards welcome, till 9.30pm. Ffi: 552682 19.30 Purbeck Arts Choir meet for rehersals, with conductor Jay Buckle, at Swanage First School from September - May. All welcome. For more information please phone Liz Roberts 01929 481419 19.30 Swanage Youth Club Youth Action (year 7 - sixth form). Till 9.30pm 20.00 Herston Hall OAP Committee Bingo Sw EVERY FRIDAY 09.30 Health Qigong: Fitness and relaxation. Till 10.30pm. With Penny at Furzebrook VH, Wm. Ffi 07969925502 09.30 Little Fishes Baby and Toddler Group. Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage. Term time only. Until 11.30am. Ffi: Alex on 07904 412067. 10.00 Swanage Library Rhyme Time, until 11.30am. 10.00 Table Tennis Club Sw FC All ages/abilities £2.50 Till noon. 480093 11.00 Toddler Time For Under 5s And Carers. Wareham Library. Stories, songs and crafts. Every Friday, including school holidays. Ffi: 01929 556146 14.00 Pottery Classes held in Corfe Castle. 2 - 5pm. Call Rachel 01929 480455 to book. £10pw 14.30 Short Mat Bowls at Durbeville Hall, Wool. Till 4.30pm. All standards welcome. Ffi: 552682. 18.00 Purbeck War-Game & Model Club. Royal British Legion, Sw. 426096. 18.00 Sw Youth Centre Club 12-13 (Yr 7-9) Till 8 18.00 Sw Tennis Club Senior Club Session. 426312 18.30 Sw Bridge Club Mowlem Community Room. 421840 19.00 Sw Youth Centre Seniors Club Night (Yr 9+) Till 9.30pm. 19.00 Swanage Scouts meet during term time at the URC Church Hall, Sw. Open to boys & girls aged 10-14 years. Ffi:
[email protected] 19.30 Short tennis for adults at Swanage Football Club. All welcome. Equipment supplied. Till 9.30pm. £3. 20.00 Sw Youth Centre Live Bands (as advertised) Till 10pm. 22.00 Sw Youth Centre Late Session (Yr 9+) till 11.59pm (members free) EVERY SATURDAY 08.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 4/5 mile run. 09.00 Sw CC U11 - U15 Practice till 10.30 09.30 Sw CC U9 & U10 Practice & Kwik Cricket till 10.30 10.00 Tea, coffee and home-made cakes in the Parish Hall on Wareham Quay during the Community Market. Til 2pm. Bric-a-Brac stall weekly. Christian bookstall most weeks. All welcome for a warm-up and a friendly chat. 20.00 Herston OAP Committee Bingo at Herston Hall, Sw EVERY SUNDAY 09.00 Purbeck Runners meet at the Mowlem, Sw. 8+ mile run. 09.45 Skyscrapers Children’s Group at Swanage Methodist Church Hall. Including a cooked breakfast, games and fun bible stories, ages 0-11. Ffi: Tom Bullock on 421767, office hours, or
[email protected] 10.00 Arts and Crafts Market at the Mowlem in Swanage. A wide range of local art for sale, including pottery, glass, cards, fabric and much more! To book your table, or for more information, call Tony on 01929 421321. 10.30 Stoborough Emmanuel Baptist Church meet at Stoborough First School, Stoborough. All very welcome.
The Purbeck Gazette
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Decorators Insured & guaranteed 01929 552483 / 07743019590
From only £126
plus VAT for SIX MONTHS, you’ll struggle to find a better deal on Trade advertising Call Joy on 01929 424293 to book your trade advert! Advertising can also be booked online, from the comfort of your armchair. Simply go to: www.purbeckgazette.com and click on ‘shop’. Then select either ‘Magazine Advertising’ or ‘Trade Advertising’, select your advert size and click to buy. Then send your advert in to us and bingo! More customers (and therefore money) coming your way.....
Man & Van available to hire
Rubbish Clearance House Clearance Half the price of a skip and we do all the work!
07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured
NEXT MONTH...
OUR FEATURE IS: PURBECK ARTS & CRAFTS Call JOY on 01929 424293 to book your space NOW! First come, first served. Space limited.
Man & Van available to hire
Rubbish Clearance Half the price of a skip and we do all the work!
07767 479438 Fully licensed & insured
