The Swanage The independent directory of local businesses serving the residents of Swanage, Studland Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers & Ulwell
Delivered FREE to all homes & businesses in the BH19 area
Oracle November 2016
2
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BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Custom Creations is a family run business with over 40 years experience
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01202 823231
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Unit 1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor Road, Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS
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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.
• Service checks available • No call out charge • Fast response • All work guaranteed • Increased warranties on Worcester products • Heating • Plumbing • Leadwork 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!
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Introduction
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The Swanage
Dear Swanage, Studland, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers and Ulwell!
Edition 96
Well I for one cannot believe that it is Christmas shopping time again. Can you? Nellie had a particularly busy month taking us all over the place and I am sure she will be just as busy this month. Unlike me, are you all ready, presents bought and wrapped? I have to say I have never been like that, but this year Stephen’s parents are going away and we have to be well ahead of time. I wonder if we will make it?
Oracle
Published by:
Stephen & Debbie Corney at Purbeck Publications
Telephone: 01929 408080 Email: info@swanageoracle.co.uk
Copy deadline for the December 2016 edition: 14th November 2016
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
As well as all that shopping now is the time to get the house set up for the family arriving, that extra room de-cluttered, maybe a wall painted, a new carpet, new blinds or even the chimney swept? Whatever it is please take a look inside your local Oracle and see if there is someone who can help you. Our little magazine is definitely meant for use. The advertisers as well as ourselves really appreciate that and thank you for calling them. Don’t forget to mention where you saw their details. There is also lots of community news, so please take a look at the index and make sure you don’t miss out on anything this November. If you know of any community groups or activities in December that we can help promote, do give us a call, or send an email. The December issues will be going through doors between the 5th and 10th December, well in time for any more Christmas events. We love to help local activities and keep the community informed of what is happening so please use us! Congratulations to Mrs S Jardine who won the meal for two at the Bull & Boat last month. We hope you have a lovely time. Go on... give it a go... it could be you this month! Stephen, myself, Hayden and Nellie of course wish you a very busy and exciting month. All the Best,
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
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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
Funeral arrangements
Memorial masonry
Funeral plans
Our number one priority is looking after you
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Community News
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FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Gerard Le Feuvre and his world renowned King’s Chamber Orchestra are coming back to Swanage in November! Yes, Emmanuel Church and Centre in Victoria Avenue are hosting them once again on 24 November for two fabulous concerts – the crazy, fun and free afternoon performance for nearly 300 local Purbeck children, then in the evening, their ‘How Silently’ concert for everyone will take place in Emmanuel’s grand auditorium. This year, the orchestra are touring with a Harp, a Star and an Angel, bringing a touch of winter joy with the help of Vivaldi, Handel and Tchaikovsky and other musical surprises to boot, so expect the unexpected! Among others, the orchestra will be performing the beautiful slow and romantic movement from Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence”.
made musical offerings, informally presented by their founder and conductor, Gerard. People talk about the way they are touched by the music and the atmosphere created by the way that the musicians walk among the audience, playing violins, creating a mystical touch of heaven.
This year’s one and only performance will be in Swanage on THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER at 7.30 at Emmanuel Baptist Church and Centre. Early booking for this seasonal delight is essential so come and enjoy this festival of light and a musical feast for the senses. More information from the church office at 160 Victoria Avenue, Swanage (mornings) or online via www.emmanuelbc.org.uk or call the church office on 01929 427706.
KCO are unique among touring orchestras in their spontaneous approach and they aim to delight audience with tailor To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080
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Community News
8
Awards for tourist information centres in Purbeck The Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham has won Gold at the Dorset Tourism Awards. The Centre, which is based in Wareham Library, won the Gold award in the Dorset Tourist Information Service of the Year category. The Information Centre is the first point of contact for many of Purbeck’s visitors. The Centre’s team, which offers a first class professional service and a wealth of local knowledge, welcomes almost 100,000 visitors every year, including local residents and those who choose to enjoy their holidays in the district of Purbeck. The Centre also provides a range of information on events via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. For the third year running, Swanage Tourist Information Centre won bronze in the same category for its excellent tourist information provision.
Councillor Brooks concluded: “Tourism is such an important part of Purbeck’s economy, so it’s good to know that these services are recognised.”
Both information centres went through a rigorous three-stage judging process which involved initial scoring of an entry form, a programme of mystery visits and finally decisions by an independent panel. The awards ceremony took place at the Tank Museum, Bovington on Thursday 13 October 2016. As award winners, both information centres will receive a range of PR benefits. The Discover Purbeck Information Centre relocated to the Wareham Library premises in 2012, enabling it to provide an enhanced service, including 6-days-a-week opening, at a reduced cost due to partnership working.
Councillor Cherry Brooks, Economy and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder for Purbeck District Council, said: “A huge congratulations to the Discover Purbeck Information Centre on this Gold award. We always strive to maintain high standards and it is really good to know that this has been recognised by the award. “I also send congratulations to the Swanage TIC on winning the bronze award. Two out of three awards given to the Purbeck district just shows how committed our teams are to giving the best service to visitors to our area.”
Deputy Economy and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, Councillor Caroline Finch receiving the Gold award from Brian Cooper of Resort Marketing
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Community News
10
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J Taylor Electrical • • • •
NICEIC approved contractor Established 2002 Friendly Swanage based service From small jobs in the home to rewires and commercial work • Inspection and testing • Replacement fuseboxes • Electrical control systems for central and under floor heating
Call John on
Swanage 422989 or 07966 167978
E: johntaylor294@gmail.com
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Wildlife News
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Talking about Wildlife... How to keep Dorset wild The State of Nature report has been published by over 50 nature conservation organisations, and it reveals some worrying statistics about how wildlife is faring in the UK. It states that half of the UK’s native species are in decline, with 15% facing extinction. Many once-common species such as the beloved hedgehog, house sparrow and native bluebell are fewer in number, and wildlife-rich habitats are becoming increasingly scarce. Whilst the news may seem gloomy, there are ways to make a difference, and this is something Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is doing on a daily basis. The Dorset Wild Rivers project, is a great example of the work carried out by DWT and partners already seeing gains for wildlife. DWT has been part of the Dorset Catchment partnership* since 2010 working on this major river restoration project, which has improved 14km of chalk stream rivers in Dorset. Benefits include an increase in fish populations, such as brown trout, and salmon has been found for the first time in the upper stretches of the river Frome.
South Winterbourne with new channel
Photo: Sarah Williams
Hedgehog
Photo: Tom Marshall
Over on Portland in Dorset, a major grassland restoration project, Portland Living Landscapes has seen the removal of 200 tonnes of invasive cotoneaster, in an attempt to re-establish vital wildlife habitat from being smothered. We’re pleased to say that this has been a success with a 120% increase in plant species in 2014, and the first colony of Lulworth skipper butterfly being recorded on Kingbarrow Quarry nature reserve. Other butterflies returning to the site include the silver-studded blue, dingy skipper, small blue Adonis blue and grayling. It is hoped that these projects in Dorset, and other projects in the UK will lead to increases in wildlife numbers for the future so we can help turn the tide for wildlife. If you’d like to support the work Dorset Wildlife Trust is doing, say yes to wildlife and you can get involved in a number of ways, including becoming a member of DWT or volunteering. Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust. org.uk/sayyes to find out more and read the full State of Nature report. *This project is being led by DWT, FWAG SW, with funding from Wessex Water (£100,000 over 5 years), the Environment Agency and Dorset AONB.
By Sally Welbourn
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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
CAMERAS & BINOCULARS WANTED
Doors-Windows-Locks
By Private Collector ANY Age, Format, Quantity or Quality - Collections Of ANY Size - Lenses Of All Types - Clockwork Cine ALSO Wanted 8mm, 16mm, 35mm - BEST PRICES PAID - WILL COLLECT - ANY DISTANCE CONSIDERED Please Call Keith On
01202 862886
Glass repairs & Sealed units replaced uPVC & Timber Windows & Doors supplied & fitted uPVC Fascia - Soffits - Gutters installed Locks Opened - Replaced - Upgraded Window restrictors & Child locks fitted Handles - Hinges - Letter Boxes Seals & Gaskets Replaced Snapped keys extracted
Tel: 01929 481496 Mobile: 07484 186617 Email: dwlocks@outlook.com FENSA - MTC - CRB checked
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Community News
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The Christmas trees are coming back to Swanage! Following last year’s very successful Christmas Tree Festival held at the new venue of Emmanuel Baptist Church, it’s time to think about whether you might like to sponsor a Christmas Tree again this year. Last year, nearly fifty trees glittered and sparkled at the magical three day event and a dozen trees have already been booked in for this year, so it will be first come, first served as the church anticipates an even bigger event with more visitors than last year as everybody loved it so much! Open to the public for three days from Thursday 8 until Saturday 10th December, the event aims to provide a showcase for local charities and businesses from Swanage and all over Purbeck as well as telling the Christmas story through music, singing, acting and more. There will also be a fun photo opportunity for folk to ‘Get into the Stable picture!’ The café will be open all day throughout the period
and free car parking is available in the church’s car park. More details on the programme of events will be published early in December but for now, if you are a local business, charity or a local organisation and wish to sponsor a tree, get in quick and contact the church office on 427706 for a booking form with terms and conditions, or email events@emmanuelbc.org.uk or pop in to the church in Victoria Avenue one morning and get a form. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to this lovely event at the beginning of Christmas! Marjorie Edwards
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GARDENING:
World’s most famous gardeners It’s probably relatively safe to say that few people go into green-fingered pursuits for fame or fortune. And if they do they must already realise their work is very much cut out for them. Nevertheless, thanks to our love of watching things grow, and learning about the steps necessary to cultivate that growth, there have been a few faces lucky enough to cement a reputation in the horticultural public conscious. We decided to come up with a few of our all-time favourites, so take a look and see if you don’t agree.
Charlie Dimmock
After rising to fame in the Ground Forceera, alongside another of our picks, Mr. Titchmarsh, Dimmock hasn’t stopped improving the outdoor lives of others, with her most recent endeavour coming in the form of Garden Rescue. A true crusader for the cause.
Pippa Greenwood
A regular on both Gardeners’ World and the panel for Gardeners’ Question Time, Greenwood also lays claim to a three year stint as gardening consultant on the ITV series Rosemary & Thyme, and the title of Plant Pathologist.
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David Domoney
Resident gardening expert on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, co-presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden and winner of 28 Royal Horticultural Society medals, Domoney might still be more familiar to most for time spent on This Morning, which spanned four years.
Monty Don
The main man on Gardeners’ World has authored more than 15 books on the subject of plants, flowers and landscaping, whilst still finding the time to appear on countless other TV shows, often as lead presenter. He’s also spoken and written openly about his struggle with depression, which we thoroughly applaud him for.
Alan Titchmarsh
From his formative years on the long-running BBC show, Nationwide, where he was horticulture expert, to his presenting of the Chelsea Flower Show, Ground Force, British Isles - A Natural History, and even providing the voice for CBeebies’ Gordon The Garden Gnome , Titchmarsh is easily the most iconic and recognisable gardener on our list. Alan Titchmarsh and his Britain in Bloom Garden
Photo courtesy Creative Commons
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Motoring
Auto Biographies
Volkswagen Golf GTI By Tim Barnes-Clay, www.carwriteups.co.uk
The splendid VW Golf GTI has been in the motoring arena for over four decades, and its appeal is still red-hot. The word ‘hot’ is significant here, because the Golf GTI is the original ‘hot-hatch’ and it has generated many copycats. This obviously means the VW Golf GTI isn’t the only one in the hothatchback division anymore, and it has to try even harder to thrash the (relatively) young new comers that try and knock it down from its perch. Curiously, key adversaries come from inside Volkswagen Group’s inner sanctum. These motors include Skoda’s Octavia vRS and SEAT’s Leon Cupra. Both cars are brilliant in every respect, apart from the absence of the ‘VW Golf GTI’ badge. And, to be blunt, they produce comparable performance for less cash. But, that’s because they are not the celebrity that is the Golf GTI – and Volkswagen knows motorists will fork out more for that reason alone. The modern day Golf GTI is just such awesome fun behind the wheel. It is a grin-making motor that makes every mile travelled an utter delight. Toss the Golf along motorways and it stays as planted as a 100-year-old oak tree at 70mph. The 2.0-litre TSI 220PS five-door version, on test here, has wads of power on tap, masses of grip, alert and meticulous steering, and virtually no body roll. Regardless of this, the suspension is efficient enough to keep the hot-hatch comfy. So, as well as being a champ of commuting on the straight sections, picking its way along snaky country roads and making mincemeat of tight bends is where the VW Golf GTI really comes into its own. Under the hood, the 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol engine, adjoined to a six-speed manual gearbox, gets you from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds on the way to a maximum speed of 152mph. Stimulating as these numbers are, they’re accompanied by extraordinarily meagre running costs. The GTI manages an average fuel consumption of 47.1mpg, while discharging only 139g/km of CO2 emissions. This mix
of parsimony and performance makes the appeal of the present Golf GTI even more delicious. You can instantaneously tell a VW Golf GTI from a standard Golf by the larger 18-inch alloy wheels, the red styling on the lower front bumper, and the attractive roof spoiler. Peep inside and there’s a suggestion of retro, with the archetypal Golf GTI tartan upholstery and the gear knob formed to look like a golf ball. Regardless of the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s sporty standing in the automotive amphitheatre, the five-door car is as practical as any other hatchback. The cabin and load space are the same as the ordinary VW Golf. This means the car will seat five people and the boot is big enough to accommodate anything from a baby’s pushchair to familysized bags of shopping. The Golf GTI comes festooned with interior gadgetry and kit, too. Included is a touchscreen infotainment system, sat-nav, a DAB radio and Bluetooth. Automatic lights, parking sensors adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and automatic windscreen wipers are also part of the standard paraphernalia. At the end of the day, we like a family vehicle to be safe. Well, on top of the rapidity, driving dynamics, economy, pragmatism and comfort, I’m pleased to say that the latest VW Golf GTI scored the maximum five-star rating possible under Euro NCAP crash safety assessments. So, what’s not to like about the modern day Volkswagen Golf GTI? It stirs the spirit as much as it ever did – and it still warrants the respect it first netted forty years ago.
Pros ‘n’ Cons • Performance √ • Handling √ • Efficiency √ • Practicality √ • Costly to buy X
Fast Facts • Max speed: 152mph • 0-62 mph: 6.5 secs • Combined mpg: 47.1 • Engine: 1984cc 4cyl 16V turbo petrol • CO2: 139 g/km • Price: £27,700
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Looking for a builder who covers all the bases? Extensions Loft conversions Listed building work From drawings to completion All trades handled
Tel: 07973 400 297
19 St Martins Lane, Wareham, BH20 4HF
All successful relationships start with a conversation. Let’s talk... You deserve to work with a firm that values your long-term success as much as its own. Many individuals and businesses across Dorset put their trust in us to be their Chartered Accountant or Financial Adviser, so contact us and let’s get the conversation started.
For more information or to discuss your own circumstances
call us on 01929 551 551 or visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk
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Money Saving Tips
Martin
LEWIS 6SDP
It’s an invasion of your home and private time. Spam calls and texts top many people’s list of pet hates. There is no perfect way to stop them, but things are improving with the launch of a new text service for mobiles. So here’s my SPAM BUSTER briefing on the latest techniques… How to stop spam calls Landline: Register your number online with the Telephone Preference Service (www.tpsonline. org.uk) or call 03450700707. It’s then a criminal offence for firms to make unsolicited calls to you. It takes around 28 days to start working. If you get a call after that, tell them you’re on the TPS and most legit companies scarper. Mobile: While 85% of people have registered their landlines, only 3% have registered their mobiles. Now a new service allows you to register it by free text. Just message to 85095 with ‘TPS’ and your email address (needed to verify your identity). However, the TPS is only a register for reputable EU companies. Firms from outside the EU, and rogue firms from here may still contact you. And if your number is targeted,
the TPS may feel totally ineffective, so see registering as a way to reduce but not stop calls. There are things some people buy to add on to their phone which require callers to select options before being put through – thus getting rid of almost all spam calls. The best of these cost up to £100 so you have to balance just how annoying you find them. Stop spam texts If a legit company texts you – they offer to let you text STOP so you won’t get any further texts. However, if it’s a spam text don’t reply, don’t text STOP as it can just indicate to them that your number is real and it may target you more. Instead, forward the message for free to 7726 (spells ‘spam’) to your provider – if enough people do it the number is investigated and blocked. You should also always block the number on your mobile too. If you’re still receiving calls/texts after you’ve done the above, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s @MoneySavingExpert Office (ICO) on 0303 1231113. Give
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I’ve had so many people ask me 2YHUGUDIWV whether the text they’ve received from a PPI company saying they’re owed £1,000s is legit or not. I’ve even had similar texts myself, and I’m definitely not owed a penny.
Addressed mail: To stop unwanted snail mail coming through the letterbox, join the http://www. mpsonline. org.uk and after about four months the bulk of letters should have stopped. Though, unlike the others, it’s a voluntary scheme by a trade association, so those still sending aren’t breaking the law.
These texts are spam – they neither mean you’re owed or aren’t owed PPI. It’s just a shotgun approach, spraying messages to everyone in hope of a response. As an aside, if you do want to check if you’re owed PPI, you don’t need to pay anyone. My free template letters available at www.moneysavingexpert.com/ppi will help you do it for free.
Unaddressed letters, flyers, and other junk: The Royal Mail has the online door-to-door opt-out system, which means they’ll stop delivering it to you.
it as much info about the call/text Martin as you can, so it might be able to do something to stop it.
LEWIS
Stop door knockers Put a no cold-caller’s sign up. I’ve designed a free one you can download, print and stick on your door at www.mse.me/nocoldcallers. If they still knock (political parties and charities especially tend to ignore these), just open the door, point at the sign, and politely close the door. If they persist, in some cases it’s a criminal offence. Make a formal complaint to the company they’re from and to the Trading Standards via www.citizensadvice.org.uk. How to stop junk snail mail
For anyone who’s been annoyed with a leaflet with my face on it during the referendum, well that was nowt to do with me – it was done without my permission.
You’ll need to print an online form and post it back to ‘Freepost Royal Mail Customer Services’ (search for ‘door to door’ on www.royalmail. com) or phone 03457740740. It’ll take about six weeks for mail to stop and lasts for around two years. You’ll need to opt-out again after this time. But not all junk mail is bad, and this will stop all unaddressed mail, including Government leaflets. Plus, some junk mail can contain some top promo deals, so when choosing if to do these, balance hassle against opportunity. @MoneySavingExpert
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Puzzle Corner
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Pop the kettle on... 3
4
8
5
2 8
3
5
7
1
4
6 2
7 9 6
2
1
9
4
1
8 6
5
Across
Crossword
8 Neap, high or low (4) 9 Ramparts (10) 10 Slowly (musical term) (6) 11 Knave (8) 12 Shaped by an axe (4) 13 One who takes investment risks (10) 17 Utilizes (4) 18 Not second (5) 19 An ardent follower (4) 20 Vibrated (10) 22 Lobbed (4) 23 Sing and play for someone (8) 27 Not unusual (6) 28 Bilestones (10) 29 Beer (4)
Down
1 Benevolences (10) 2 Garments for legs (8) 3 Sorry (10) 4 Angers (4) 5 Mother of Zeus (Greek mythology) (4) 6 A musical composition (6)
7 A gull-like jaeger (4) 14 Type of heron (5) 15 Messiness (10) 16 Makes obscure (10) 19 Dressing gown (8)
21 Paragons (6) 24 Panache (4) 25 Pretentious (4) 26 Sea eagle (4)
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Carpet & Flooring Specialists • Hardwood & Laminate Flooring • Carpet & Carpet Tiles • Wood Sanding & Restoration • Home selection service • Free quotes and advice Come and visit our showroom to see the ranges for yourself 1 Manor Park, 35 Willis Way, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3SZ Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
Tel: 01202 672222 Web: www.pnfl.co.uk Email: info@pnfl.co.uk
Boilers installed Full Central Heating Systems Boiler breakdowns and repairs Boiler servicing and maintenance Full breakdown & maintenance work
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Adventures of Nellie
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The Adventures of Nellie The Purbeck Publications Camper Van Wow what a busy month Nellie has had! First of all she took me to Heathrow airport where I went to Cartegena in Columbia for a week! This was connected to some work we have been doing with the “Way to Happiness” campaign and the police over there. The whole week was truly inspiring, especially as the crime rate has reduced so significantly. Nellie would have loved to come, but there wasn’t a plane big enough! Immediately on returning from the airport Nellie collected me, with Stephen and Hayden, to take us to the “Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Awards Evening” at the Chineside Café, Durley Chine. Nellie does so like that part of our wonderful beach. It was a great evening and I was glad I stayed awake after two flights (one over ten hours long) and 24 hours travelling. The things we do. A week later Nellie took us to a wedding service at a beautiful garden centre near Wool, “Holme
Bindon Abbey retreat
Nellie at Standen House
for Gardens”. You may know it? The weather was lovely and the staff provided a gorgeous setting in the same lilac colour that the bride was wearing. Delightful! Nellie wondered what she would look like in lilac, but we hastily decided against it. Then my Mum came to stay with my sister for a week, as our Dad (age 82) had gone fishing with his friend for the week to Docklow Pools, Hereforshire. Nellie found that highly amusing and was very impressed, but Mum was not so enamoured and my sister’s idea to take Mum’s attention off this, was a good safety measure! Nellie got all excited when she took us to “Bindon Abbey Beauty Retreat”, again near Wool funnily enough. As you know Nellie likes her massages and loves a polish… especially from a handsome young man. Do you remember the Valet? Bindon Abbey is quite a place and for anyone wanting an extra special beauty treatment. Nellie highly recommends it. We had
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a very girlie day which was just what was needed. We don’t make enough time for these moments and I think we should make the effort more often. It’s a good excuse, don’t you think! Finally, as I think Nellie is pretty exhausted this month, we took a trip all the way to “Standen House and Garden” in West Sussex. Stephen is on a course in East Grinstead, so Hayden and I were taken by Nellie to see the house now owned by the National Trust. Ironically we are having a wall taken down in our own house (as if we are not busy enough) to create an open plan lounge and dining room. For the first time in a long time we have been looking at paint and wallpaper. By chance Standen House is an arts and craft house and home to Morris and Co. Interiors. Nellie fi nds it fascinating that you can have a patterned carpet, chairs in a different fabric, walls in another pattern and mats in a different style again, yet they all seem to match! How is that? If we did that no one would want to come into the house! It would look hideous. Yet this whole house was stylish and comforting. Very homely in fact. Maybe me and
Nellie and the Morgan
Colours and patterns!
Nellie are just not the artistic types. The conservatory was particularly inviting… we want one of those! Again deep yellow coloured walls that just seemed quite natural. The hillside gardens are extensive and ideal for a long strole. At Christmas the trees are lit up in the house and I would imagine they will look amazing, so if you are anywhere near East Grinstead and want to look at an artistic house set in glorious rolling English countryside, then do pay a visit and let Nellie know what you think of all the different patterns and colours. When we returned to the car park a rather nice shiny blue Morgan was parked right next to Nellie … what is she like… she loves a bit of class does our Nellie! Cheeky. She is hoping for a slightly less busy month, but who knows, Nellie certainly seems to like travelling around. In fact she only ever gives us trouble if we leave her too long in the garden on her own! That’s when all her ailments seem to appear. Funny that. Where will she take us next…? By Debbie Corney
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Everything you wanted to know about cordless drills (but were too embarrassed to ask) When it comes to things people would prefer not to ask for advice about- and instead pretend they’re experts on- DIY must rank quite highly. And not just for men too ashamed to admit to other men that they flunked woodwork at school. Don’t worry, though, we’ve put our heads together and come up with a solution. If you’re confused about buying drills simply read this page- so you don’t have to ask anyone- whilst making sure nobody nearby can see what it is you’re reading. The result- immediate(ish) in-depth knowledge on cordless drills. You’re welcome. Hammer Drills If you need to drill through tough materials like masonry and concrete then a hammer drill is the only way to do it. Enough said then. Impact driver Thanks to their high torque (turning power) and high impact force, impact drivers give the best possible performance when using large screws on metal and wood, with no recoil adding extra safety to the equation. Drill driver Capable of performing two tasks, with a drill driver you can bore holes in materials as you would expect whilst in ‘drill’ mode, but you can also use these for ‘driving’ and loosening up the screws too. Adjustable power means you can set it to suit the material you’re using, avoiding getting screws too tight and damaging the material. Combi drill Understandably one of the most popular choices, as the name suggests combi drills can perform several different tasks. So, you might opt for a model that can act as a hammer drill, putting
holes in solid materials, but can also be a drill driver and drive screws. Things to remember Volts - The higher the voltage the more powerful the drill, but you also need to factor in useable output, or torque... Torque - This is how twisting power is measured, in Nm. The higher the Nm the more maximum torque the drill can produce. A drill with adjustable torque can be particularly useful if you are working with different surfaces and materials (wood, for example, needs less than brick). Hammer action / drill driver - Hammer is essential for drilling into masonry, and the performance in this context is measured in BPM. Drill drivers should only be used on softer materials. Speed - RPM provides the measurement for drill speed, and it’s always wise to look for a drill with variable RPM. Charge time - Obviously, opt for drills with low charge times... Batteries - ...but high battery life. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly useful, providing long life and short charge times, not to mention lower battery pack weight. Gears - Some drills offer two gears, so you can increase torque without having to increase speed. Drilling at low speeds is standard for delicate materials like tile and glass, the low speed decreasing the chance of breakage. Chucks - The chuck is responsible for holding the drill bit in place. Single sleeve keyless chucks give easy bit change access and improve overall retention.
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The Swanage Oracle
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X Y Y O K F G D P W G B K A P
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Prize Wordsearch
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K F C C G V E R I F N O B E E
T O L P R E D W O P N U G H R
J K T N E M A I L R A P N W W
BANGERS ROCKET TOFFEE APPLE BONFIRE PARLIAMENT FIREWORKS GUY FAWKES KING JAMES SPARKLER GUNPOWDER PLOT
This month, the prize is a meal for two at the Bull & Boat in Swanage, so please complete this page by 25th November 2016 and send to: November Prize Wordsearch Name: ______________________ The Swanage Oracle, Address: ______________________ 1 Moorlands Rise, ______________________ West Moors, ______________________ Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone: ______________________
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Gardening Tips
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On Your Plot Feeling Fruity
Few flavours compare with that of fruit freshly picked from the garden. Much of the fruit available in the shops (particularly the supermarkets) has been grown for it’s ability to travel well rather than it’s flavour and may have been picked well before it’s arrival on the shelf. If you fancy apples from your own tree, or a bowl of raspberries fresh from the garden, now is the time to act.
Jobs for November :-
• Start to harvest parsnips after the first frosts. • Tidy up your greenhouse or polytunnel, wash out pots and seed trays before storing ready for the Spring • Sow hardy peas or broad beans ready for an early crop next year. • Use netting or chicken wire to protect your broccoli and cabbages from hungry pigeons. • If you haven’t already done so, plant garlic and shallots. • If your rhubarb is taking over, lift and divide the crowns before replanting.
If you are anything like me you will spend ages drooling over pictures of bushes dripping with blackcurrants or gooseberries, trees laden with apples, or bowls full of luscious raspberries but struggle to get to grips with the realities of production on your own plot! Patience is a virtue that is definitely required for growing your own, and this is particularly so with fruit trees and bushes. I have to confess to having an inclination to move on with anything that requires more than a few months to give a decent crop, but with most fruit you just have to force yourself to take the long term view and now being the proud owner of a 2 year old gooseberry bush and raspberry canes I can assure you that the waiting is worthwhile! Think carefully about where you will grow your fruit. Trees require lots of space (but are a wonderfully attractive addition to your plot) while bushes may be incorporated in your borders, but will probably need some protection if you aren’t going to loose a lot of fruit to the birds.
Late autumn is an ideal time to add fruit to your plot as trees and bushes will be entering their dormant period. It is important to buy healthy plants and to ensure that they are dormant as they will transplant more successfully. If you are ordering from a reputable mail order nursery they are likely to arrange delivery to coincide with the best time for planting. You should also get instruction on how to plant and care for your new tree or bush. Trees such as apple or plum may be grafted onto a variety of different rootstocks - this sounds complicated but all you really need to know is what effect this will have on the final size of the tree. If you have limited space it is possible to buy dwarf varieties some of which can even be suitable for container growing. Pollination is also an important consideration, some varieties are self-fertile and do not need a pollinator, while others may require another variety planted close by to act as a pollinator. When planting your tree out it may benefit from staking and protection around the base. One ‘fruit’ that is a little different and very easy to grow is Rhubarb. Rhubarb is actually classified as a vegetable, but certainly tastes good used like a fruit in crumbles and pies. November is the perfect time to plant out dormant crowns. Although these can be bought from nurseries Rhubarb tends to spread well when established and needs to be divided every few years so it is often possible to obtain surplus crowns from friends or neighbours. Plant your crown with the buds just above the soil and water well the first year. Once the plants have become established you can look forward to harvesting a good crop of delicious pink stems from Spring onwards very welcome as the first ‘fruit’ of the year.
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Email: info@philiptrimcontractors.com
Business Problems? Talk to people who care...
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professional friendly We work for you • not your creditors • not your landlord • not your bank • not the tax man
Call us for a free confidential chat
01202 551193
30 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, BH1 3PD
www.markliddle.com
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Food & Drink
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Tastes so good... CHICKEN PIE
This is a delicious recipe which is perfect for those chilly nights in. You can serve this with almost anything from chips or a healthier alternative or vegetables. And any excess pastry can be used as decoration on top.
Ingredients for 4 servings 4 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. flour 200ml chicken stock 3 tbsp. double cream Sprig of tarragon Squeeze of lemon juice 1 handful button mushrooms (cut into quarters) 1 medium green pepper (sliced) 400g cooked chicken (shredded) 225g ready-made puff pastry 1 medium free-range egg (beaten)
Equipment: Saucepan (2), large oven proof dish Oven: Gas Mark 6, 200C Method: Melt half the butter in a saucepan before adding the flour. Cook on a low heat for 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and turn up the heat and stir continuously until it is simmering. Then add in the cream and gently simmer until thickened. Next add the lemon juice and tarragon and switch off the heat. In a separate pan, fry the chicken with mushrooms and peppers with the rest of the butter. Once this is cooked add the sauce and mix together. Using the dish, pour in the chicken mixture. Then roll out the pastry onto a floured surface. Make sure it is flattened out until 1cm thick. Place the flattened pastry over the dish and cut off the excess around the sides. Cut a few holes into the top with a knife and brush the pastry with the beaten eggs. Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes until the filling is hot and the top of browned. Serve and enjoy!
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Index of advertisers
Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Oracle... Accountants Ward Goodman.................................................... 17
Funeral Directors James Smith.......................................................... 5
Bars, Pubs & Restaurants Bull & Boat........................................................... 29 The Crow’s Nest Inn.............................................. 32
Insolvency Advice Mark Liddle Partnership....................................... 27
Bathrooms C+C Plumbing & Bathrooms................................. 7
Kitchens Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Dream Doors........................................................ 15
Bedrooms Custom Creations................................................. 2
Pest Control Terminator Pest.................................................... 27
Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds......................................................... 3 Broadview Shading Solutions............................... 7 Just Shutters......................................................... 11
Plumbers C+C Plumbing....................................................... 9 CM Plumbing & Heating....................................... 13 Gasways Heating.................................................. 21 Heatcare............................................................... 3 KDL Plumbing & Heating...................................... 27
Builders Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Purbeck Home Improvements.............................. 1 Cameras Rocky Rock Cameras............................................. 13 Carpenters Total Woodwork - Peter Albin............................... 29 Carpets & Flooring Peter Newman Flooring........................................ 21 Community News Adventures of Nellie............................................. 22 Awards for Tourist Information Centres in Purbeck..... 8 Christmas Tree Festival 2016................................ 14 Dorset Wildlife Trust: How to keep Dorset wild......... 12 Everything you wanted to know about drills........ 24 For one night only: Kings Chamber Orchestra...... 6 Martin Lewis: Spam.............................................. 18 Motoring: Volkswagen Golf GTI........................... 16 On your plot: Feeling Fruity.................................. 26 Tastes so good: Chicken Pie.................................. 28 World’s most famous gardeners........................... 15
Property Maintenance Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Total Woodwork - Peter Albin............................... 29 Puzzles & Competitions Crossword............................................................. 20 Kids Page.............................................................. 10 Prize Wordsearch.................................................. 25 Sudoku.................................................................. 20 Removals & Storage Bournemouth Removals....................................... 29 Self Storage Purbeck Self Storage............................................. 11 Taxis DMB Cars.............................................................. 9 Tool & Plant Hire Sydenhams........................................................... 2 Waste Services Philip Trim............................................................. 27
Electricians Four Electrical....................................................... 5 J Taylor Electrical.................................................. 11
Windows, Doors & Conservatories Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Doors-Windows-Locks.......................................... 13
Financial Services Ward Goodman.................................................... 17
Worktops Portman Stone...................................................... 31
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GRANITE & QUARTZ WORKTOPS Your
BEST VALUE local supplier!
“Speak to our friendly staff for advice”
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE GRANITE GALLERY
£50 Donation to MacMillan when you place an order with this advert. sales@portmanstone.com www.portmanstone.com
SHOWROOM & GRANITE GALLERY 1 Airfield Way, Christchurch BH23 3PE
A337
Contact 01202 484 340 A35
Portman Stone Factory/Showroom
CHRISTCHURCH Sainsbury’s
SOMERFORD
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Season’s Greetings!
The Crows Nest, 11 Ulwell Rd, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LE
01929 422651 | www.crowsnestinn.co.uk
The Swanage Oracle
1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR