The Swanage Oracle - May 2017

The Swanage The independent directory of local businesses serving the residents of Swanage, Studland Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers & Ulwell

Delivered FREE by Royal Mail to all homes & businesses in BH19

Oracle May 2017

& DEVELOPERS LTD ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING & BUILDING WORKS UNDERTAKEN *New Roofs *Flat Roofs *Stone Roofs *Conservatory Roofs *Roof Repairs *Loft Conversions *Renovations *Lead Work *Chimney’s Removed/Repaired *Fascia’s, Soffits & Guttering *Velux Windows *New Builds *Plastering *Internal Walls Removed *Extensions *Plans submitted on your behalf

LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

FULLY INSURED • WORKS GUARANTEED www.purbeckhomeimprovements.co.uk

FREE SURVEYS & ESTIMATES 01929 46 33 49 / 47 28 09 07799 26 11 05 / 0800 567 7614

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Custom fitted furniture handmade in Dorset.

A family run business with over 40 years experience.

Wardrobes Lounge and Media Units Angled Units Home Offices Storage Solutions for every room

Call 01202 823231 for your free, no obligation design consultation

www.customcreations.furniture Showroom open hours: Mon - Fri: 9am – 5.30pm | Sat: 9am – 2pm | Sun: By appointment Unit 1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor Road, Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS

Design inspired by you.

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To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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FULLPOWER INDUSTRIAL PRESSURE WASHING CLEANING

DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS

DEEP CLEANED

£2.50

square metre

min charge £80

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

01202 021254 BEFORE

AFTER

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Introduction

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The Swanage

Dear Swanage, Studland, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers and Ulwell!

Edition 102

Welcome to the May issue of your local Directory! Nellie, the Purbeck Publications campervan enthusiastically took us to Stonehenge this month and what a trip that was.

Do read all about it inside as Nellie was quite taken with all that ‘atmosphere’. We certainly have had some good weather recently, so long may it continue I say. The sun definitely makes a difference and allows us to get out and about. Hayden will soon be starting his Surf Life Saving on the beach again and I can’t wait. We had such a good summer last year - we had never been on the beach so much! How lucky we are to live in such a glorious area.

Oracle

Published by:

Stephen & Debbie Corney at Purbeck Publications

Telephone: 01929 408080 Email: info@swanageoracle.co.uk

Copy deadline for the June 2017 edition: 15th May 2017

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

The Swanage Oracle does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

Proud members of

In the magazine this month we have some new advertisers as well as many loyal, regular ones. Can you see the new ones? They would all love to hear from you, so please don’t forget to mention us when making those important calls and bookings. It is twelve years (doesn’t time fly) since we started our first magazine and I still get excited when I hear how well ‘our’ businesses are doing! I feel quite responsible for them and the business owners most certainly appreciate you at home. Everyone wins.

The magazines are also on our overall website www. purbeckpublications.co.uk and we have Facebook pages too. Put in the name of the magazine into Facebook and we will be there! The whole magazine can be viewed this way as well. If you have a local event please feel free to let us know and we can promote it for you. Nellie even has a Facebook page so do ‘follow’ her… I didn’t mean down the road though. If you do see her on the go, please give us a wave!

The lucky winner of the wordsearch last month was Mr A Watt. Well done!

We hope you have a great month of May. Best regards,

Debbie & Stephen Corney Useful Numbers Local Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Swanage Hospital

101 08457 708090 0800 111999 01929 422282

Train Enquires Wilts & Dorset Bus Wessex Water Emerg.

Purbeck Distict Council

08457 484950 01983 827005 0845 600 4600 01929 556561

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Upton Farm, Upton, Ringstead, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8NE Heatcare UK LTD are OFTEC and Gas safe qualified and registered. We are able to cater for all of your oil heating needs including commercial, on top of providing our expert knowledge and services in both mains gas and LPG.

20% SALE

Ends July 31st Genuine Every single product and every style in our range (QUOTE REF SUMMER2017)

• Service checks available • No call out charge • Fast response • All work guaranteed • Increased warranties on Worcester products • Heating • Plumbing • Leadwork To offer honest and practical advice, to deliver quality products and to put the needs of our customers first

To book your service or work contact us on

01305 853970 or 07557 990715 or email us at heatcareukltd@aol.com Visit our website:

www.heatcareukltd.com And don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

We believe that by offering a good service, as well as a leading range of products, we will continue to build a growing list of happy customers into a successful business for today and tomorrow

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Community News

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Dorset students JET propelled More than 2500 young people across Dorset have been inspired and motivated in the past year by sessions run by the Jon Egging Trust (JET). The charity was set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging (Red 4) who lost his life whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2011. JET realises his dream of helping young people overcome adversity, identify their strengths and work towards their ambitions.

In Dorset JET is working with St Aldhelm’s Academy, Glenmoor and Winton Academy, Ferndown Upper and Ferndown Middle Schools to help underachieving students realise their full potential. Built on the core values of Inspiration, Teamwork and Leadership, the charity supports young people from the age of 10, empowering them to gain the skills that they need to stay in education, re-engage with learning and continue on a path to further training and employment, as one of its patrons, Professor Brian Cox, explains: “There are young people in Britain today who, for a multitude of reasons, have a difficult time and with that comes low self-esteem and low aspirations for the future. These are youngsters with immense untapped potential.

That’s where the Jon Egging Trust comes

into its own – it gives them that vital sense of possibility and purpose; affirms their selfworth, and from there they grow in confidence and self-belief. Everyone deserves the chance to be the best they can be; it’s quite wonderful to see how these youngsters respond when given that chance.”

JET provides two youth engagement initiatives: Blue Skies and Inspirational Outreach. Blue Skies is an intensive programme working with young people aged 13-16, which raises their confidence, self-esteem, and aspirations, helping them to make the most of themselves.

It’s a model that works.

Josh, 12 from St Mary’s C of E Middle School in Puddletown says he has learnt to socialise and communicate in different ways. Robert, 14 said that he has “learnt that I can do what I want to achieve in life” Inspirational Outreach provides sessions to children from the upper end of primary school, led by Inspirational Mentors who deliver assemblies, lessons and educational visits. During the past year, young people in Dorset have benefited from sessions at HMS Sultan, the Tank Museum and Bournemouth Aviation Museum. They have also been guided by inspirational mentors such as Des Day, Managing Director of Supply Shack and Captain Spike Jepson, General Manager of Cobham Aviation and an ex Red Arrows leader.

JET operates in six regions across the UK and is on track to expand into nine regions by 2020, offering life-changing opportunities to 10,000 young people every year.

If you would like to help a young person in Dorset be the best they can be by donating or volunteering, or if your company is interested in becoming a JET partner, please contact Kaye Jackson: kaye@joneggingtrust.org.uk

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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COMPETITIVE CONSTRUCTION Dorset Ltd

E: compcondorset@gmail.com

Experienced local builder specialising in:      

Listed Building Work Extensions Loft Conversions New Builds Renovations All trades handled

Tel: 07973 400 297

19 St Martins Lane, Wareham, BH20 4HF

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C

M PLUMBING & HEATING Local Gas & Heating Engineers

• • • • •

Boiler/Fire Ser vicing Landlord Gas Safe Inspections New Boiler Replacements Power Flushing Unvented Hot Water Cylinder Installations • Bathrooms, Shower Rooms, Wet Rooms 180993 • Design &installations

Tel: 01929 550160

M: 07790 056396

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

9 We’re with you every step of the way 24 hr service available on 01929 422445 or email: office @jamessmithfunerals.co.uk or find out more at www.jamessmithfunerals.co.uk

We can support all of your funeral needs and will guide you through this difficult time with professional advice, care and empathy

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Funeral arrangements

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Memorial masonry

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Funeral plans

Our number one priority is looking after you

IDEAL SKIP HIRE Skips from 2 - 40yds SAND, GRAVEL HARDCORE, SHINGLE & TOP SOIL Available loose or in 25kg & 1 ton bags Delivery or collection

Trade & DIY Customers Welcome

A Fast, Friendly & Efficient Service

TEL: 01929 422980

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Community News

10

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Concerned your tenant will miss payments?

What is the biggest concern residential and commercial property owners face when letting out their property to new tenants?

Usually, the answer is: having tenants that can’t, or won’t pay the rent.

As a property owner, it’s very hard to gauge what type of tenant you’re getting and you never know when problems may arise; sometimes even the best tenants experience unexpected, out of their control, incidents that result in them unable to pay the rent.

Where does that leave the landlord?

Not all property owners are aware that there is, in fact, insurance cover available that can be put in place to cover for such event. So what actually is available to property owners on landlord schemes?

Rent Guarantee Firstly, the guarantee of monthly rent – this is the bread and butter of the cover and claims are usually available on up to a maximum of 12 months’ worth of payments.

Unruly tenants If you’re unfortunate enough to have unruly tenants, as part of your insurance policy, you can obtain cover for the costs and expenses in relation to the pursuit of legal proceedings

John Palmer in respect of an insured property arising from: • a nuisance • a trespass • an unauthorised occupation • damage caused to the Insured Property by a third party Eviction Cover If the unruly tenant evolves into a nightmare tenant there is insurance available to cover the costs incurred with having them evicted.

If the situation gets even messier…

Legal Defence There is specially designed Legal Expenses cover that can be tailored to assist in the defence of your legal rights. The cost associated with defending such actions, or pursuing our own legal rights can be very costly; it’s nice to know that should the worst happen, there is financial support available.

Insurance may be boring and feel like a formality, but it can be extremely helpful in testing times for landlords, individuals and businesses if the right cover is in place!

If you have any questions regarding your insurance, whether you have the right cover or could get a better deal, call or email John Palmer:

Tel: 01202 929 141

!

Email: poole@coversure.co.uk www.coversure.co.uk/office/poole

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12

Wildlife News

Talking about Wildlife...

Helping the birds Many of us will have wanted to help our familiar garden birds by putting up nest boxes for them to use in the spring. We rightly love the sight of the blue tits and robins taking advantage of our help.

But beyond our gardens, out on our beautiful heaths, there are other birds which cannot be helped by our thoughtful actions, such as putting up nest boxes.

This is because their specialist lifestyle involves nesting on the ground amongst the heather and bracken. So, these birds need our help and thoughtfulness in another way. They very much need us to think constantly about not disturbing them as they keep vigil on their eggs or chicks when we go out on the heath. We, or our dogs, only have to stray a very short distance from a path for a rare woodlark or nightjar to be scared off its vulnerable nest - quite possibly causing the bird to fail to breed successfully. A failed year is very significant to such rare birds which Nightjar

Photo: Steve Davis

Woodlark Nest - Photo: Andy Fale

can only breed on this rare habitat we are so lucky to have around us. This is why it is so important that we stick to the paths and keep our dogs on a lead from March, when the nesting season begins, right through the summer, when it ends.

None of us would deliberately destroy the nest of a robin or blue tit, but it is terribly easy to unwittingly destroy the nest of a woodlark or nightjar just by leaving the paths or not keeping our dogs on a lead in the spring and summer. If we follow the ‘heathland code’ in this and other ways, we can both protect our the special wildlife of the heath and enjoy its beauty to the full.

Read the healthland code here: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ heathland-code

By Lesley Haskins, The Erica Trust

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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SELF STORAGE UNITS TO LET (for private use)

Insulated, Individually Alarmed for Furniture, Classic Cars or Documents

East Stoke, Wareham

Tel: 07836 369969 E: mb@malcolmbarnes.co.uk www.purbeckselfstorage.co.uk

    

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Money Saving Tips

Martin

LEWIS +ROLGD\ %RRNLQJV

It’s cold, wet, and miserable, so no wonder this is the peak summer holiday booking period. However, with the pound recently at a 32 year low against the dollar, and matching the awful rates of 2013 against the euro, this year it’s likely to be a challenge to get a decent price. The weak pound not only hits holiday spending, but hotels, car hire and more, so here are my 10 top tips for keeping costs down.

1. Pocket the perfect plastic to make the pound perform. Spend abroad and most credit cards add a 3% ‘non-sterling transaction fee’ which means £100 of euros costs £103 and some then load other charges on top. However, there are a range of specialist cards that don’t add that fee. So, you get that day’s same near-perfect rate that the banks do, in every country. My top two long term picks, as well as good exchange rates, have low cash fees - the www.creation. co.uk Everyday card and www.halifax. co.uk Clarity. Spending on these is super cheap, usually easily smashing the best bureau de change rates.

Yet only do this if you’ll repay the card IN FULL each month, to avoid the 18.9% ish representative APR. It’s worth noting if instead of spending on the card you withdraw foreign cash and spend that, you will pay interest even if you clear in full, but even with that added they’re still not that costly. For full info on top cards, and an eligibility calculator so you can see which you’re most likely to be accepted for go to www.mse.me/

payabroad.

2. One hotel room can have hundreds of prices. Once you know what hotel you want, always check to see if it’s being sold cheaper elsewhere, use comparison sites www.trivago.co.uk and www.travelsupermarket.com for a wide-ranging search (and always call the hotel to see if it’ll beat the price). The difference can be £100s.

3. With car hire book it early and buy insurance elsewhere. If hiring abroad, generally early booking is cheaper, what costs £10 a day now can be £40 a day when you get there. Here’s the three key steps: a) Do a comparison to find your cheapest. I’d try www.kayak.co.uk, www.carrentals.co.uk and if needed www.skyscanner.net too. b) Check stealth fuel charges. Some try and make you pay for a full tank and return it empty - adding £80ish if you don’t drive far. The above, apart from Kayak, let you filter by fuel policy. c) Don’t fall for their insurance up-sell.

When you pick up a car they’ll often try and fear sell you up to £25/day insurance on top – to cover the large excess if you have any claims. If you’ll pay for this, instead use excess insurance comparison site www.moneymaxim. co.uk before you go and you can often @MoneySavingExpert find a policy from £2 a day. Yet if you do

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

15 this, or don’t get the insurance, the car

Martin hire firm will ask you to leave a deposit

LEWIS

on a credit (not debit) card which can be €1,000+.

4.

Find best holiday cash in seconds. Just +ROLGD\ %RRNLQJV use my www.travelmoneymax.com site which compares 30 online bureaux to find which gives you the best rates in seconds, factoring all fees.

5. Speedily find the cheapest flights. The obvious start point again are comparison sites. My top picks are www.skyscanner. net, www.kayak.co.uk and www. momondo.co.uk which include most airlines and booking sites like Expedia and ebookers. Yet if you really want to slash flight costs, you need to get clever, such as using ethnic specialist travel agents and checking out airline code sharing deals. For full help see www. mse.me/cheapflights.

6. Don’t forget the good old fashion package holiday. Package holidays are where you usually get flights, hotels and transfers in one. They can still be the cheapest especially if you’re going away for 7, 10 or 14 days in a traditional holiday destination like Benidorm.

Both www.travelsupermarket.com and www.icelolly.com have comparison sites. Then once you’ve got up a price, if you want to shave a little off, you can call up other agents to see if they’ll sell you the same holiday at a cheaper price.

7. Book travel insurance AS SOON as you book the holiday. Every year people email me saying something sadly akin to, “I’m due on holiday in a few months, but I’ve just been given a cancer diagnosis and can’t go, the airline won’t let me cancel, what can I do?” The answer is ‘that’s what travel insurance is

for’. Yet many people only book it just before they go. Waiting defeats half the point of having the cover – which is to protect you in the event cancellation is needed due to illness, a death in the family or something else. Full help on the cheapest policies, including for over 65s in www.mse.me/travelinsurance.

8. Booked EasyJet – keep checking the price. If your EasyJet price drops after you’ve booked it – excluding in a sale – you can just call it up to ask for the difference back in vouchers. Jo emailed: “We got an £803 voucher... all thanks to you.”

9. Check if your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is still valid. The free EHIC means if you’re in an EU (and a few others) country you can use a state GP or hospital for the same price as a local, so if it’s free for them, it’s free for you. It’s valuable extra protection (alongside travel insurance). Yet it’s not valid for millions, this is nothing to do with Brexit, but simply that it has a valid until date and 5.3 million expired in the last year. Check yours, if it is, go to www. nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/ EHIC to get a new one for FREE (don’t Google this, you’ll find shyster sites trying to charge you to do it who add nothing to the process).

10. Be careful boozing on holiday. A final thought. If you’re going to drink on holiday (and let’s be honest, for many people that’s half what it’s about), remember this may invalidate your travel insurance claim. So, take it easy, and if you won’t take it easy, at least think about what belongings you’re taking with you! @MoneySavingExpert

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16

Dorset Charities Conference 2017 Ward Goodman is returning to Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne to host their annual Dorset Charities Conference on Thursday 6th July.

This event has earned its place in the Dorset events’ calendar by welcoming back charities and businesses for the sixth year running.

“This conference is special to the local charities’ community as it offers a day of variety, including listening to eminent speakers, learning from others and networking with specialist suppliers.

It’s a day organised for members of charities and community organisations to share ideas, experiences and identify opportunities to work together”, comments Ian Rodd, Managing Director of Ward Goodman.

This year the conference is supported

by DCCI, Alan & Thomas, Copyrite, and CAF Bank.

Trade stands, presentations and networking opportunities bring together charities and sector suppliers to facilitate collaborative working.

If you have a business that currently supplies or would like to supply the charities sector; if you are a volunteer or professional looking for help with CPD training; or you would just like to come along; please visit our website: www.wardgoodman.co.uk/ charities-conference or call us on 01202 875900

DCC DORSET CHARITIES CONFERENCE

The Dorset Charities Conference 2017 10am - 5pm (doors open at 9am for trade

& charities stand registration)

Thursday 6th July 2017 Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wimborne This year’s event includes: • Trade Stands

• Networking Opportunities

• Presentations

• Lunch and Refreshments

Hosted by

Supported by

To book please visit: www.wardgoodman.co.uk/charities-conference If you have any queries or need more information please contact 01202 875 900

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

17

At Philip Mills, our top priority is education. Our team regularly go on courses to London studios to keep up with the very latest fashions and techniques.

We also have in-salon training nights every Thursday from 2.45pm to 7pm. If you want a great haircut or colour on training night, book in NOW as cuts are from £12.50 and colours are from £22.50 - and training is fully supervised.

We train our team to work with face shape, skin tone and eye colouring, which gives a greater understanding in designing hair for the individual.

This enables us to practise new techniquies and keep our team focused on providing an excellent service.

THURSDAY IS SUPERVISED TRAINING NIGHT!

Book NOW for cuts and colours from 2.45pm to 7pm, every Thursday. Cuts from £12.50, Colours from £22.50 Apprentice Required! If you’re looking for a career in Hairdressing, then come and join the team at Philip Mills! With in-salon training and courses in London, we train our team to the highest level possible. Contact LYN MILLS by sending your CV to philipmillshairdesign@btconnect.com asap. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 17th May. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Puzzle Corner

Purbeck Railway Circle Friday 12th May 8

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“The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway” A presentation by John Berry to set the scene for the summer outing.

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PRC Summer Outing A day visit to The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway plus a single journey on the West Somerset Railway.

(Open to all – please use contact details below for more info / bookings) Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross.

7.00 for 7.30pm EVERYONE WELCOME For more information please phone

01929 554765

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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20

Food & Drink

7DVWHV VR JRRG BBQ Grilled Aubergine Burger

A yummy vegetarian BBQ burger, perfect served with a side salad and a tzatziki dressing.

Ingredients for 4 servings Burgers 2 aubergines Lettuce leaves Sliced tomato 1 red onion 4 burger buns Cooking Oil Curry Marinade 75ml vegetable oil 1-2 tsp curry powder Juice of ½ a lime 2 cloves of garlic Salt & pepper

KITCHEN 1. Wash all the vegetables. Cut the aubergines into slices 1cm thick.

Peel and slice the onion.

2. To make the curry marinade, mix the oil, lime juice and curry powder together into a paste, peel and crush the garlic and add to the mixture.

3. Brush the sliced aubergine with curry marinade and season both sides.

BBQ: 1. Prepare to the BBQ to approx. 220c.

2.Cook the sliced aubergine for approx. 4 minutes on each side.

3.Split the buns and drizzle some oil on the inside and toast gently.

4.Serve the aubergine inside the warm toasted buns with lettuce, onion rings and tomato, with a dressing of your choice.

To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080

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Boilers installed Full Central Heating Systems Boiler breakdowns and repairs Boiler servicing and maintenance Full breakdown & maintenance work

Swanage Disabled Club We do have an urgent need for some new/extra drivers plus escorts to help out with our two Care Buses. Recently, due to illness etc. etc. our list has diminished considerably. This is a voluntary position where initial training will be given and the more drivers we have on our crew then it spreads the load. We meet on a Monday afternoon in Swanage either at the Catholic Hall, or Queens Mead Hall from 2pm - 4pm so it would be helpful if that day could be available from time to time. We also offer our specially adapted buses for local Rest Homes, other organisations and needs in the town, plus our own outings, so other times and dates may be required. It is always done on a Roster basis, so it is ‘if you are available’. Generally it is more beneficial to have male drivers, and female or male escorts would also be welcome.

Do hope someone will be able to join our very friendly group and also be able to contribute to the community in this way. Call Robert Payne our Transport Manager : 01929 423729 New members are always welcome - just give us a call for further information.

Thank you.

Contact details: Secretary, Daphne Saville 01929 425241

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Adventures of Nellie

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The Adventures of Nellie The Purbeck Publications Camper Van Stonehenge. What an atmospheric place.

Did you know that henge literally means a prehistoric monument consisting of a circle of stone or wooden uprights? It is English in origin too. Well Nellie was very excited to take us to such a place. It is still unknown as to exactly what the stones were used for.

Nellie’s imagination ran riot (it doesn’t take much) and she was worried that she might be ceremonially sacrificed to the Gods at dawn. I didn’t like to remind her that she was not that young anymore and probably a little more “experienced” than those maidens offered as a reward to the gods many years ago. I think Nellie still thinks she is in her early twenties, but in campervan terms it is more like her 80’s. We all get delusional from time to time don’t we and Nellie certainly was having one of those moments.

Now Nellie is no historian, but she found out that the stones were erected about 5000 years ago! Wow that is amazing. No wonder Stonehenge is an international landmark and one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments. They are even older than Nellie! The stone circle was built in the late Neolithic period around 2500BC. This was an Era, a New Stone Age, and a development of human technology. I wonder how those people would react today with the technology we have now? Can you

Stephen tries the test of strength!

Nellie admires the impressive visitor centre image how many people it would have taken to drag those stones into place, probably on rolling wood and a pulley system? Nellie was impressed. Steve gave it his best shot, but that stone did not move as you can see!

The day we arrived, a beautiful sunny day, it was busy but not as busy as I imagine in the summer months. There were many many foreign visitors which really highlighted how popular and well known our wonderful monument is. Standing in the queue we were asked if we were Heritage members?

It may be a good sales pitch, but it did make sense to join, as one more historic trip to one of their many sites and we will have paid for the membership. Us Brits like a bargain don’t we. The money is used for a good cause too and Nellie always likes to help where she can. So, as a family, we became Heritage members. Hayden did point out, in his very serious, ‘old head on young shoulders’ manner that we should use it and not waste what we had bought… as we have done before. Very sensible. I am sure you have never done that. As newly fledged English Heritage Members (it sounds good doesn’t it) we were also given useful, informative headsets giving lots of history while we walked around. All included in the price.

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23 As soon as you get off the very well laid out bus ride to the site itself you feel something very atmospheric and mystical about the whole area. Nellie was particularly taken with the Heel Stone which sits outside of the circle a little distance away. It is rugged, made of sandstone and somewhat resembles an old man bending slightly. The sun rises from him every day. Fascinating.

You could envisage all his wisdom gained over thousands of years, all his sightings and learning. This stone commanded respect.

The stretch of English rolling countryside and feeling of space can really set those creative and imaginative juices flowing.

Were there people from outer space who knew about these stones? Nellie got the impression there was The Heel much more ‘out there’.

Stone The whole expanse of land and sky lent itself to daydreaming and pondering the meaning of life, where we came from, are there others, what will happen to us? Many were sitting gazing up to the sky.

Some were just having sandwiches.

The stones of the central cluster, brought to the site about 2500 BC, are of two types – the larger sarsens (sandstone) and the smaller bluestones. The sarsens were erected in two concentric arrangements and there is something about the layout,

The enigmatic stones themselves

The Corney-stone Family? the carefully placed heavy lintels across the vertical stones that draw you in and make you wonder what they were all about.

You can almost ‘see’ men in robes slowly putting one foot in front of another, head down, walking around the circle. The Blue Stones in the inner circle seem to have an ‘energy’ to them… or was Nellie just getting all carried away again? We know how easy that is! Then of course there are the burial mounds which all add to the atmosphere and age of this spiritually inspiring location.

In the museum there are skeletons from that time. With today’s technology, it is possible to know what these people ate, how old they were and what they did for a living.

Incredible. The whole day was fascinating.

All in all, Stonehenge is for those who wish to have some spiritual enlightenment, those who love our wonderful English rolling countryside or those who just like to have a family day out. Nellie was delighted that she visited and very glad she was not sacrificed to the Gods. The English Heritage have many places to visit and I am sure we will have fun finding other locations to visit and ponder over.

We did end the day with some good retail therapy at the Wilton Shopping Village just a few miles away… to bring us back down to Earth. It was a good excuse of course.

Where will Nellie take us next…

By Debbie Corney

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Gardening Tips

26

On Your Plot Courgettes

There are not many vegetables that are as rewarding,.and.easy.to.grow,.as.courgett.es...

Now.is.a.great.ti.me.to.get.them.started,. they’ll pop up quickly and soon be supplying you.with.more.tasty.courgett.es.than.you. know what to do with!

Jobs for May :-

• Keep on earthing up your potatoes to prevent the tubers from turning green.

• If you’re planted peas don’t forget that they’ll need some support from sticks or netting that they can climb up.

• With snow in April you’ll probably need to catch up with sowing crops that it was too cold for last month.

• As the risk of frost passes, tender crops such as tomatoes or peppers can either be planted out, or on into grow bags.

• Start winter greens such as cabbages, sprouting broccoli and Brussels sprouts in a seedbed for transplanting to their final positions later.

If you’ve lost seedlings or had trouble getting them started with all the cold weather don’t forget that you can always buy plants that have already been started. Buying young plants in is a great way to experiment with different varieties too - with so many types of tomato available it’s more fun to have several plants, each of different kinds, than half a dozen all the same. There’s a good plant stand at the monthly farmers market, and several garden centres or local growers nearby.

May is the time to start off that wonderfully easy vegetable - the courgette. If you’ve never grown courgettes before then I can highly recommend it as they give such a high yield from even just a couple of plants. In fact that would be my main advice - don’t be tempted to grow too many or you’ll be inundated! Plant the seeds undercover or on a windowsill from the beginning of the month.

Put two seeds to a pot, laying them on their sides and covering with about 1” of compost. They usually germinate in a week to ten days and grow

pretty rapidly. Remove the weaker of the seedlings (I always feel guilty when I do this! If it looks good I re-pot it). When the seedlings have four to 6 leaves start to harden off by placing outside during the day. Plant out after all risk of frost has passed. You can also start courgettes outside, directly into the bed in which they’ll grow but I’d wait until later in the month when the soil is a bit warmer. The plants will grow quickly, producing exotic looking yellow flowers (look out for recipes for the flowers too).

For maximum yields the plants should be harvested regularly. Tiny courgettes are very tasty, and don’t be tempted too turn your back on the plants for too long as they grow large at an amazing rate! Be careful with watering when seedlings as the stems can rot, but they’ll need plenty of water once they have grown. If you’re short of space courgettes can be grown in grow bags, planting two to a bag.

With summer in mind, don’t forget to keep planting your salad crops. As well as the traditional lettuce there are a host of other salad leaves that can be grown, and it’s usually possible to buy packets of mixed salad seeds. Get in the habit of planting some at least once a fortnight - use some of the leaves to cut and come again for tasty fresh salad, transplanting some lettuces outside and allowing them to grow on to full size.

If you planted beetroot seeds out in March or April the chances are that they’ll have suffered with the very cold weather that we had last month. Another row sown now may well give you much better results.

Fancy your own, home grown, Brussels sprouts with Christmas dinner? They need quite a long growing time, so think about starting them around now.

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27

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    

    

Household Tips Whilst cooking, spaghetti, rice or noodles, add one teaspoon of cooking oil or one teaspoon of butter to the water in the pan. This will prevent the water from boiling over and help to stop the grains or strands from sticking together.

  Please mention The Swanage Oracle when responding to adverts

Community News

28

May is when honey bees start to swarm in their thousands!

Although the huge cloud of bees that usually takes to the air on a warm, pleasant day around noon is awe inspiring and perhaps a little frightening there is no need for it to be particularly so with the boys and girls of the East Dorset Beekeepers Swarm Collection Team a phone call away from helping you out.

The mass of bees can actually turn the sky dark for about twenty minutes before the old queen of a colony (who has been evicted along with about 20,000 of her old soldiers) decides to settle on the branch of a tree, a wall or a hedge.

The bees are at their most docile. No home to defend, and their stomachs full of honey, it is now a waiting game as they send out scouts to search and report back on the suitability of new homes in the locale.

And here’s where East Dorset Beekeepers come in.

The Association prides itself on the service of its swarm collections and will, in most cases be able to remove the swarm within the day. This not only helps to protect bees under threat but also supplies our beekeepers with colonies which they can go on to make thrive. In addition we appreciate we are providing a valuable public service and preventing a call out to the dreaded Pest Controller.

Swarming is a natural and fascinating phenomenon and more information along with a list of swarm collectors by local area in East Dorset can be found at: www.edbka.org.uk/help-with-swarms.php Alternatively you may wish to contact Jenny Wellman on 01202 873292.

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29 @BattensSol

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Index of advertisers

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Oracle...

Accountants Ward Goodman......................................................... 16

Insolvency Advisors Mark Liddle Partnership............................................ 24

Aerials Repairline.................................................................. 13

Insulation Services FoamInstall................................................................ 19

Bars, Pubs & Restaurants Bull & Boat................................................................ 18

Insurance Brokers Coversure Insurance.................................................. 11

Bathrooms C+C Plumbing & Bathrooms....................................... 7

Kitchens Competitive Construction........................................... 7

Bedrooms Custom Creations....................................................... 2

Locksmiths Landmark Locksmiths................................................ 19

Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds............................................................... 3 Infiniti3....................................................................... 5 Builders Competitive Construction........................................... 7 Purbeck Home Improvements.................................... 1 Cameras Rocky Rock Cameras.................................................. 24 Carpenters Total Woodwork - Peter Albin.................................... 27 Community News Adventures of Nellie.................................................. 22 Beach huts for hire in Swanage................................. 19 Dorset Charities Conference 2017............................. 16 Dorset students JET propelled.................................... 6 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Helping the birds......................... 12 East Dorset Bee Keepers Association......................... 28 Martin Lewis: Holiday bookings................................ 14 On your plot: Courgettes............................................ 26 Purbeck Railway Circle.............................................. 18 Swanage Disabled Club............................................. 21 Tastes so good: BBQ Grilled Aubergine Burgers.......... 20 Computer Services AJV Computing.......................................................... 27 Demolition & Asbestos Clearance Services Pro-Dem.................................................................... 32 Drainage Services All Drains Cleared....................................................... 3 Financial Services Ward Goodman......................................................... 16

Pest Control Terminator Pest.......................................................... 7 Plumbers C+C Plumbing............................................................ 13 CM Plumbing & Heating............................................. 8 Gasways Heating....................................................... 21 Heatcare..................................................................... 5 Pressure Cleaning Services Full Power Pressure Cleaning...................................... 3 Property Maintenance Competitive Construction........................................... 5 Purbeck Home Improvements.................................... 1 Total Woodwork - Peter Albin.................................... 27 Puzzles & Competitions Kids Page................................................................... 10 Prize Wordsearch....................................................... 25 Sudoku....................................................................... 18 Self Storage Purbeck Self Storage.................................................. 13 Skip Hire Ideal Skip Hire............................................................. 9 Solicitors Battens...................................................................... 29 Taxis DMB Cars................................................................... 27 Tool & Plant Hire Sydenhams................................................................. 2

Funeral Directors James Smith................................................................ 9

Tree Surgeons Apex Tree Surgeons................................................... 31 Heartwood Tree Management................................... 8

Gifts & Coffee Shops Molly’s Den................................................................ 29

TV Sales & Repairs Repairline.................................................................. 13

Hairdressers Philip Mills Hair Design.............................................. 17

Waste Services Philip Trim.................................................................. 24

Health & Fitness West Dorset Mobile Foot Clinic.................................. 7

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Competitive Construction........................................... 5

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31

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20/04/2017 10:41

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The Swanage Oracle

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