The Swanage Oracle - October/November 2015

The Swanage

Oracle

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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

October/November 2015

In this issue: Win a meal for two at the Bull & Boat Make the Purbeck Pledge this October Local Business Directory Purbeck Railway Circle events Dorset Wildlife Trust: Welcome wildlife in winter Martin Lewis: Childcare Adventures of Nellie

Tenacious by Old Harry Rocks Photo: Julian Sawyer www.purbeckfootprints.co.uk

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

01929 408080

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Serving on ALL makes - at home or work Door - to - Door MOTs  Timing Belt Changes, VW Specialist  Quality Parts Used  Professional Computer Diagnostics 20 Years Experience Fully Qualified

Come and join us!

Dorset’s leading holiday cottage agency We are keen to chat to new owners who would like to holiday let their property with us. We have over 25 years’ experience and are experts in achieving excellent levels of bookings for all types of cottages, houses and apartments.

We offer a personalised and tailored service to meet your needs, so why not benefit from marketing with Dorset’s leading cottage agency?

We’d love to hear from you, please ring Fiona or Zac on 01305 789000 or email us on admin@dream-cottages.co.uk

Swanage Oracle

Introduction

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The Swanage

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

Edition 85

We certainly had a mixture of weather over the summer.

Nellie, the Purbeck Publications Campervan, took us all the way to The Ashdown Forest and we experienced out first camping trip in pouring rain! You can read all about it on pages 22-23. Whatever you did over the last couple of months we do hope you were able to get out and enjoy yourselves.

Oracle

Published by:

Stephen & Debbie Corney and Martin Budden at Purbeck Publications

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

Copy deadline for the December/January edition: 5th November 2015

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

The Swanage Oracle is here to bring you news articles, puzzles and competitions. There are of course our very loyal advertisers who would love to hear from you.

Please grab a cuppa, have a read and do mention The Swanage Oracle when making any calls and bookings.

This makes all the difference and makes all our work worth while. We have accountants, carpenters, carpet suppliers, garage services, insurance services, blinds, new and used cars, health and fitness experts, plumbers, electricians, restaurants, bathrooms, oven cleaners and even holiday cottages! The index at the back tells you all you can find inside. The prize wordsearch, a meal for two at the Bull and Boat was won by Mrs M Masters last month. Well done to you! Who will be the winner this month?

If you know of any clubs or societies needing help in advertising, or have a local story to tell, please let us know as we provide this service for FREE! If you have a business and would like to promote, we would love to help you too, please give one of us a call.

Wishing you all a great month of October and November.

All the best,

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

101 08457 708090 0800 111999 01929 422282

01929 408080

Train Enquires Wilts & Dorset Bus Wessex Water Emerg.

Purbeck Distict Council

08457 484950 01983 827005 0845 600 4600 01929 556561

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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: 07796 237351 Email: landerrmi@gmail.com FENSA - MTC - CRB checked 

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Community News

Are you taking the Purbeck Pledge?

Residents and organisations around the district are planning to give up or cut down their alcohol consumption for the 31 days of October 2015.

People have been pledging their intentions for October and possibly even planning to change their drinking habits for the longer term.

Councillor Bill Pipe, Local Communities Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council said: “By signing up to the Purbeck Pledge, people are thinking about how much they are drinking and making a decision to do something about it.

“For some, it’s just seeing if they can stick to the challenge for the month and others may continue with their new reduced alcohol regime for longer.

It’s entirely up to the individual, but hopefully by the end of October one thing will be certain, the Pledgers will be feeling and looking better!”

Dr Alastair Ward, GP at Wareham Surgery, said: “I am delighted that so many residents are making the pledge and putting their health first.

“We hope that this campaign will help people to better understand how much they drink and learn about the practical ways to make it easier to cut down.

Simple guidance is available via the Purbeck Pledge web pages and our colleagues at LivewellDorset are also offering assistance for those who want more support.”

Get involved by signing up online at www.dorsetforyou.com/Purbeck-Pledge to take the Purbeck Pledge or by telephoning 0772 451 0367. Everyone who signs up will receive a ‘Tips,

01929 408080

Tasters and Tales’ newsletter to keep them motivated and on track during October. They will also receive a directory highlighting local opportunities that could help them replace drinking with healthier habits.

Pledgers can also share their progress and support each other towards making a positive change on social media, using the Twitter hashtag #PurbeckPledge.

For further support and guidance on reducing alcohol, go online and visit www.livewelldorset.co.uk or call 01305 233105 (local) / 0800 8401628 (freephone) to speak to someone in confidence.

The Purbeck Pledge is led by the Purbeck Integrated Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Forum which brings together a number of organisations including Health; Dorset County Council; Purbeck District Council; patients; and representatives from the community to engage and work together on issues relating to health and social care needs in Purbeck. The Forum is supported by funding from the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group.

Dr Alastair Ward of Wareham Surgery

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Swanage Oracle

27/08/2014 15:35

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01929 408080

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Swanage Oracle

Community News

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Web pages for Dorset armed forces veterans’ launched Dorset authorities and the military have unveiled new web pages which aim to make life easier for ex-service personnel and their families.

The pages, which can be found at www. dorsetforyou.com/veterans-support offer a wealth of information for armed forces veterans. Housing, employment, health, pensions and welfare are just some of the issues that organisations across Dorset can help with.

The pages have been prepared by members of the Dorset Military Civilian Integration Sponsor Group (DMCISG) which comprises local councils, organisations and the military.

John Yerbury, a former Commando Engineer, War Pensioner and member of the Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee and a member of the DMCISG, initiated the project. He said: “The transition back to civilian life isn’t always easy for veterans and, although there is plenty of information available on the web, it can involve hours of searching.

“Whether it’s learning a new skill, obtaining childcare support, receiving housing assistance or finding out where to go for financial guidance, our aim is for the pages to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the needs of all veterans and their families.”

Lt Col (Retd) Stewart Burman MBE from the DMCISG said: “We hope that, by bringing links to the information together on the Dorsetforyou.com website, the transition into civilian life

01929 408080

can be more straightforward for exservice personnel in the county.”

The DMCISG supports the principles of the Dorset Armed Forces Community Covenant, which is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces community.

Debbie Ward, Chief Executive of Dorset County Council, said: “Through the Armed Forces Community Covenant, the group is working together to maximise the economic and social benefits of the Armed Forces’ presence in the county.

“The Community Covenant presents an opportunity for the organisations to combine knowledge, experience and expertise for the benefit of our Armed Forces members, past and present.”

Debbie continued: “These web pages underline our commitment to meeting the aims of the Covenant and the veterans who make up an important part of Dorset’s community.”

Visit the pages at www.dorsetforyou. com/veterans-support

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Swanage Oracle

National Trust News

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National Trust in Purbeck A survey commissioned by the National Trust which found days out at the coast had declined by 20 per cent in a decade got a lot of attention earlier this summer (August) – you may have seen Studland Beach on the BBC News.

Visitors provide a huge slice of income both for the Trust and Purbeck’s economy as a whole, so is it time to panic?

From the Trust’s point of view, the short answer is no. There are areas of concern, but the picture is a bit more complicated than the headline figure suggests.

Firstly, findings for the South West suggest the region’s historic connections with the sea remain strong. Seventy nine per cent of people surveyed agreed that seeing the coast every day would make them happy, against a national average of 73 per cent.

South West residents were also the most likely in England to regard visits to the coast as important for good quality of life (72 per cent against a national average of 61 per cent).

It’s easy to see why. We have a beautiful and varied coastline, we’ve got the kindest climate in Britain and more than half of us say we live within a 30 minute drive of the sea.

Secondly, the Trust is not playing a numbers game here in Purbeck. Our main attractions, Studland Beach and Corfe Castle, are already at or near capacity. Our focus is rather on the quality of visits – more on that in a minute.

Thirdly, delve a little deeper into the survey findings and some encouraging facts emerge.

Nationally, one in five of us say we daydream about the coast and 88 per cent regard the coast as a national treasure.

We may struggle to find time to visit (29 per cent), we may be put off by summer crowds (23 per cent) or think it’s too expensive (18

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per cent), but clearly our national love affair with the seaside is far from over.

Our challenge is to build on those feelings and make sure they are handed down to the next generation, so that they too will want to protect coastal treasures like Old Harry Rocks and Dancing Ledge.

That’s important because one of the most worrying aspects of the survey was that 18-24 year olds said they felt less of a connection to the coast than older people.

That’s why we encourage families to make the most of their trip to the seaside with free activities such as guided walks, bug hunts and beach sports.

It’s also why the money we make is ploughed back into conserving our special places, including 775 miles of coastline, and into making sure they will always be fantastic destinations to have fun and draw inspiration from.

This year we mark 50 years of the Neptune Coastal Campaign, our most successful fundraising initiative to date, and we aim to ensure our beautiful coastline keeps its place in the hearts of the nation.

Studland Beach

Photo: Robin Boultwood

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Book your Christmas party now at the Sandford Small parties catered for, or hire out the venue exclusively for your own company for that VIP feeling (Exclusive package needs to be 70+ people)

3 Courses for just ÂŁ22.95 per person (includes welcome Christmas cocktail or mocktail) Also, why not pre order wine for the table from ÂŁ12.00 a bottle

To book please contact Jamie on

01929 550800 / 761333

contact@thesandfordpub.co.uk Swanage Oracle

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Wildlife News

Talking about Wildlife...

Making wildlife welcome in the winter As the evenings draw in and the temperatures get cooler, the last thing you may be thinking about is spending some time in the garden. However, now is the time to think about helping out wildlife, as they will need a bit of extra care in the colder months!

The most obvious step is making sure the birds have enough food to get them through the cold days and nights. Food with lots of fat content are best, so you may like to invest in some ‘fat balls’, some good quality bird food and perhaps even plant some berry-rich plants for them to feast upon.

Water is really important too – you can often get bird feeders with space for food and drink – or just leave out a shallow dish for them. Beware if you have cats and are leaving food and drink at ground level!

Hibernating animals will also be looking for somewhere to stay for the winter, so leaving your garden a bit ‘messy’ can provide the perfect home for hedgehogs. Piles of dead leaves and twigs are ideal. Wintering insects also use hedgerows for protection and a source of food – for example, self-clinging ivy provides both these elements for a safe and healthy winter.

Even if you have a small outside space, there’s

01929 408080

something you can do. Make the most of a balcony or a windowsill by placing water and seeds on it, and many a passing bird will be grateful! Enjoy some colour in your garden all year by planting winter and spring bulbs and plants such as English Bluebells (Hyancynthiodes non-scripta) or Primroses (Primula vulgaris) for a burst of colour before next summer.

To celebrate Wild About Gardens Week this year from 26th October – 1st November, Dorset Wildlife Trust will be at RSPB Arne Reserve on Saturday 31st October from 10am – 4pm, giving free gardening advice and showing you ways to encourage a range of wildlife (including hedgehogs!) into your garden. Find out more online at: www.wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk

By Sally Welbourn Robin on a feeder Photo: Terry Fisher

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Purbeck District Council welcomes wind farm decision The announcement that the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has refused plans for a wind farm off the Dorset coast has been welcomed

by Purbeck District Council.

Councillor Gary Suttle, Leader of Purbeck District Council, said: “We are pleased that ministers have made this decision. Although the council fully supports sustainable energy, the potential adverse impacts of such a large scale development outweighed any potential benefits.”

Through the consultation process, the Council acknowledged and supported the sustainability benefits of the wind

farm. However, it objected to the proposal as it considered the benefits were outweighed by the potential adverse social and environmental impacts. These were: • harm to AONB landscape; • harm to significance and setting of the heritage assets of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and Durlston Castle and Park; and • adverse impact on tourist economy The Secretary of State refused both the initial application for up to 194 turbines and a subsequent smaller application for up to 105 turbines off the coast of Dorset.

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Tel: 01202 672222 Web: www.pnfl.co.uk Email: info@pnfl.co.uk

Swanage Oracle

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Money Saving Tips

Martin

LEWIS &KLOGFDUH

This is an important warning for anyone who pays for childcare. There are major changes due to take place to the system this year – and you need to decide rather soon how they affect you. If you leave it too late, you could miss out on thousands of pounds.

Are you eligible for childcare tax credits?

The most important start point is to check if you’re entitled to what’s technically called the ‘Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit’ – this is NOT the same as Child Tax Credit. You can usually claim it for children up to age 15, provided you pay for approved (Ofsted or equivalent) childcare.

Sadly the eligibility criteria are very complex. So I’ve tried to distil it in a simple rule of thumb: ‘if you’re a single parent working 16+ hours a week, or a couple BOTH working 16+ hours a week, and your total household income is under £46,000, you should definitely check out if you’re entitled.’

Please read this carefully – I’m not saying you are entitled, just that it is worth checking, as this is big money. The average pay out is around £60/week. That’s over £3,000/year.

If you’re not entitled to tax credits, decide now which other scheme works for you This is where everything is changing. If you’re eligible for tax credits, you’re likely to be better off getting that. If not, there are other schemes to look at.

This autumn, the new ‘tax-free childcare’ scheme launches and the current childcare vouchers scheme that lets many pay for childcare from their pre-tax income will close for new applicants. So if you’re eligible for vouchers, but won’t be for the new scheme, get in quick.

- New tax-free childcare scheme: If you’re a single parent who works, or a couple where BOTH work, and you each earn under £150,000, for every 80p you put in a new childcare account, the government will add 20p on top which can be used to pay for Ofsted approved (or equivalent) childcare for under-12s. The maximum the Government will contribute is £2,000 per child per year. Most childminders, after-school clubs are Ofsted approved, as are many nannies.

- Current childcare voucher scheme. Here you usually trade in your pre-tax salary for vouchers. For example, a basicrate taxpayer can swap £1,000 of salary, which after tax and National Insurance is only £700ish in your pay packet, for £1,000 in childcare vouchers. So you’re up £300 per £1,000.

01929 408080

The maximum you can get is £55/week per year per parent, which would be a gain of £930 for a basic-rate taxpayer.

Any parent can do this, even if their partner doesn’t work, provided your employer offers it (many do, but many don’t).

Yet if you’re not signed up to this by the time the new scheme starts, you can’t do it after. So if it’s right for you – sort it soon.

- Tax-free childcare vs childcare vouchers. If you’re a couple where only one works, the vouchers win hands down, as you won’t be eligible for the new scheme. Plus, if your childcare costs are low, it’s likely vouchers win due to the tax and National Insurance savings.

Yet for the self-employed, those whose firms don’t offer the vouchers, or those with more than one child and high childcare costs, the new scheme wins. This is just the tip of the iceberg – full analysis of which wins at mse.me/ childcare.

What about free childcare for three and four year-olds?

The Government have announced plans to give working parents with three and four-year-olds 30 hours of free childcare per week. If made law, pilot schemes will start in Sep 2016, though there’s scepticism about whether it’s deliverable. Yet already for at least 38 weeks a year (each week of the school year), if you’ve a three or four-year-old, you’re entitled to 15 hours a week of free childcare. Families with a low income may also get free early education for twoyear-olds.

Contact your local council to check if your child qualifies at (a good place to start is gov.uk/find-free-early-education). If they do, go to finder.familyandchildcaretrust.org for info on which childcare providers you can use under the scheme.

You then liaise directly with the provider to get the free childcare.

Is there help for paying for summer schools?

If you’ve got older children and work, check whether there are any summer schools in your area that they can go to. Some schools, community centres and youth groups have their own schemes. Most are Ofsted (or equivalent) registered, so if you pay for them, you qualify for childcare tax credit or you can use childcare vouchers to pay for them.

@MoneySavingExpert

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Call me for a quote:

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Puzzle Corner

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Across 6 Coiffure (7) 7 Eject or deport (5) 9 Support (4) 10 Displaying raging destructive violence (10) 11 Patellae (8) 13 Perch (6) 15 Utilizes (4) 17 A type of semiconductor (5) 18 Ripped (4) 19 Machines for lifting heavy objects (6) 20 Trains (8) 23 Record player (10) 26 Inactive (4) 27 Utilize again (5) 28 Permitted (7)

Down 1 Disappoints (10) 2 Dross (6) 3 Stalk (4) 4 An Atlantic coast state (8) 5 A vaulted recess on a building (4)

6 A wading bird (5) 8 An easy victory (slang) (7) 12 Trial (5) 14 Questions or conferences (10) 16 Suffocate (7)

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17 Couturier (8) 21 Breathe in (6) 22 Afflicted (5) 24 Person, place or thing (4) 25 Biblical first man (4)

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Swanage Oracle

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What’s On

Purbeck Events for October 2015 Date

Event Name

Time and Location

Contact Details

Every Monday

Country Dancing

Stoborough Village Hall 7.309.30pm

01929 552763

Every Tues' & Thurs'

Wareham Croquet Club

Wareham Recreation Ground 10-5pm

01929 552816

Every Wednesday

A Dance A Day

Wareham Town Hall 1011am £5

FREE Guided Walk

RPSB Arne 10-12noon

01929 553360

til 23

Red Squirrel Walks (FREE)

Brownsea Island 11.30am & 2pm

01929 707744

10

Royal Naval Cordite Factory Masterclass

Sandford Community Hall 1-5pm £3

10

Don't be a stranger, meet a Ranger

Studland Beach 10.30am12.30pm

01929 450500

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West Country Embroiderers

Carey Hall Wareham 10-3pm

01929 554070

15

Using the Police Helicopter (Talk)

Carey Hall Wareham 2.30-4pm £3

01929 552872

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Country House Fair in aid of Red Cross

Lulworth Castle & Park

0845 4501054

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Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala

Harmans Cross Station

01929 425800

16-31

Purbeck Film Festival

Rex Wareham & other venues

Discover Purbeck for tickets

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Fungi Foray

Studland 11am-3pm £16 including lunch

01929 450305

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Seashore Scavengers

Studland Beach 10.30am12.30pm

01929 450500

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Stoborough Sunday Afternoon Tea

Stoborough Village hall 3-5pm

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Pedal and Pizza

Studland 10.30am-12.30 noon £16 pp booking essential

01929 450305

All the information has been compiled by Discover Purbeck Information Centre (01929 552740) and Swanage Tourist Information Centre (01929 422885) www.visitswanageandpurbeck.com and is correct to the best of our knowledge

01929 408080

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Swanage Oracle

Adventures of Nellie

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The Adventures of Nellie The Purbeck Publications Camper Van Nellie took us to The Ashdown Forest! It would be a good school project for pupils to compare and contrast our wonderful New Forest with The Ashdown Forest.

They are alike in so many ways, yet very different in others. Part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Beauty, The Ashdown Forest is 30 miles south of London situated in East Sussex. Nellie was extremely excited to be going away, with her friends Roxy, Rocky and Mega, the bikes, as well as “Kombi”, otherwise known as …“The Tent”. When we set off the weather was wonderful, glorious sunshine and blue skies. We arrived at our destination around 8pm. We did get stuck in some traffic jams but nothing too horrendous. Stephen and I had booked a site in Crowborough at the Caravan and Camping Club. It is a very clean site, well kept, and certain spots have magnificent views over the hills. The facilities are small but very adequate. We set up camp…. with great anticipation.

Debbie relaxing with Nellie & Kombi

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The view from Stone Farm Rocks The following day the rains started and it pretty much rained for the next 3 days!

One evening we even had lightning and awful winds. It is quite something lying there wondering if the tent will hold or are we all going to be blown into the sky?

What with that and the Gatwick Jumbo 747’s flying low above us, as they were about to land. It was all very exciting!

There are other words I could use, but this is a family magazine… I was glad we had bought a decent air bed and had lots of bedding, so we were well wrapped up. The tent does have an inner section for the bedrooms, which did help with some of the leaking that occurred. With driving rain like that, hard for several days solid, it is hardly surprising that some drips do start to fall inside. One night Hayden wasn’t at all happy, but I told him we would all take refuge in Nellie, if the tent suddenly collapsed. That seemed to appease him. Good old Nellie. All in all I think we survived really well and I can

23 now say we are hardened campers! Nellie is also recovering well and is starting to smile again.

Once the rains stopped we went to climb rocks (well actually I looked at them), that are deemed to be 135 million years old!

Nearly as old as I felt with all that worry about the rain. “Stone Farm Rocks” they are called and it is a Site of Scientific Interest. It is owned by the British Mountaineering Council and there are 74 climbs for those adventurous to try.

There is actually quite an ‘atmosphere’ around these rocks and I would imagine you could spend an interesting evening in the dark around the bonfire we saw, that had recently gone out. The huge, 5,566,000 cubic metres Weir Wood Reservoir covering a site of 280 acres can be seen from the top of the rocks and it is obvious why this region is known for its outstanding beauty. Awesome.

Travelling back we found a lovely organic farm shop, called Plaw Hatch and just had to stop and buy some good, wholesome food. Camping has that effect on you, you suddenly have the urge to be more healthy. It must be all that fresh countryside air!

Hayden feeding one of the goats The Ashdown Forest itself has some wonderful walks, fantastic places to park the car (or van) and wonder at the expanse of picturesque English countryside rolling before you. There are sheep, cows and some fierce looking bulls, though I think they are pretty harmless, as long as you leave them alone. You know who is boss!

There are plenty of trees, shrubs and heathland to gaze at.

If you like animals, the Llama Park is a great day out. There are family walks that can be done with the Llamas themselves, pony rides for the children, wonderful reindeer, cute looking alpacas, peacocks, pigs, goats, a play ground and a lovely café / restaurant. Oh yes, there is also a fantastic clothes shop with some superb alpaca nightwear. A definite must for the ladies. Nellie loved her day there, and so did Hayden!

Where will Nellie go next…?

Some of the cute alpacas at the Llama Park

Swanage Oracle

By Debbie Corney

24

Community News

Purbeck Railway Circle Friday 16th October 2015 Joint Film Evening with the Purbeck Film Festival showing the 1953 film “The Titfield Thunderbolt” together with the BTF film “Single Line Working” (1958).

Friday 13th November 2015 “The Moors Valley Railway” - A slide show by Steve Green.

Harmans Cross Village Hall, Haycrafts Lane, Harmans Cross. 7.00 for 7.30pm EVERYONE WELCOME For more information please phone

01929 554765

Purbeck Chess Club

Purbeck Chess Club was formed eleven years ago to provide the opportunity for those who enjoy a game of chess to meet in friendly surroundings. We currently meet on a Monday evening between 7pm and 10pm from September to May at Mortons House Hotel, Corfe Castle.

We are always looking for new members and give a warm welcome to everyone whether old or young, male or female and of whatever standard. It may be you last played chess at school many years ago or perhaps you have never played but would like to learn. We have many players who are willing to teach or coach and provide encouragement. Whatever your standard you will always find someone of your own ability to play so that you can enjoy a good game.

We also provide the opportunity to play competitive chess. We currently field two teams in the Dorset League and several of our players also take part in local tournaments such as the Dorset Open and the Bournemouth Grand.

Our evening session fee is only £2 so you do not need to commit yourself to joining the club until you feel ready.

If you are interested please contact Steve Peirson on 01929 552504.

01929 408080

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The Swanage Oracle

D Z U F Y X I O U S T R N Y W

O H E K S N H P Y E Z O T T R

X J L H X S Q Z R P O O T U Y

U L L U O H G I W M C D S Q D

P G F Q I S F O E A A E V C V

F T Y P G N R Q N W R U N R V

J A L A O T A B S I G L R G O

K X X B T R E A T T K X O F O

J P W L V R T X C C O P U C C

L G K X V U P V S H W H M W K

E H B T M F B N E Z Z L D U G

A R K S B R O O M S T I C K P

Prize Wordsearch

Prize Wordsearch

E F C X W J J T N K C I R T M

T I F G Y M F G A Q A G Q Q B

A P R N D B X G N C F V Q B K

MOON GHOUL BONFIRE WITCH BAT TREAT WARLOCK PUMPKIN TRICK BROOMSTICK

This month, the prize is a meal for two at the Bull & Boat in Swanage, so please complete this page by 5th November and send to: Oct/Nov Prize Wordsearch Name: ______________________ The Swanage Oracle, Address: ______________________ 1 Moorlands Rise, ______________________ West Moors, ______________________ Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone: ______________________

Swanage Oracle

26

on your Gardening Tips

PLOT

Benefits of Garlic As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler the focus on your vegetable plot starts to turn from growing and harvesting, into clearing and tidying.

Time spent on clearing and preparing your beds now will pay dividends next year.

Make the most of the autumn sunshine to get compost dug into bare beds and you’ll have saved yourself hours of work on those chilly Spring days.

Jobs for October:Make sure that plenty of sun can get to your pumpkins in order to get them ripe in time for Halloween.

Plant garlic, shallots Japanese onions.

and

Leaving dead seed heads etc. on your flower borders will provide valuable food and shelter for garden wildlife over winter, as will leaving an undisturbed log or two. Build a rough shelter in a quiet corner and you might get a hedgehog move in!

If you get lots of fallen leaves on your plot don’t waste them.

Make a bin from chicken wire attached to 4 posts. Fill this with the leaves and they will rot down to give you sweet-smelling black leaf mould in one to two years time.

October is a good month for taking stock of how things have gone this year and starting to make plans for what you will grow in the future.

Removing spent crops exposes slugs and other such pests to birds and other garden friendly wildlife. It also gives you the chance to look after your soil and assess how the space will be used next. Crop rotation is important so if the space is to remain bare over winter it may be wise to make notes about what grew where this season.

Add matter from your compost heap to newly cleared areas, either digging it in, or leaving a layer on the top where the worms will gradually incorporate it into the deeper soil over winter. If the soil is heavy leaving it bare will enable frosts to help break it up. Our soil is lighter and benefits from being covered over - we use flattened cardboard boxes which protect from the rain and also help keep the weeds at bay.

You may think that it’s all too late in the year to be planting, but there are some crops that definitely need to be thought of now, and others that, given an early start now, will benefit next Spring.

If you’ve not grown garlic before, then do try it - it’s easy to grow, can help protect other crops from pests,

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and with just a small amount of space you can grow enough to see you through the whole year! Now is definitely the time to order your garlic bulbs and they can be planted anytime between now and Christmas, but preferably not when the soil is too wet. Rather than planting all the garlic together it may pay to spread it around the plot as the strong smell can be an aid in keeping pests such as the carrot root fly away from other crops.

Each garlic bulb should be separated into individual cloves and the cloves are planted with the pointed end uppermost, just below the surface, leaving about 4 inches between each one. They like well drained soil and you’ll be pleasantly surprised in the long winter days to see their green tips creeping upwards. Each clove matures into a whole new bulb. The traditional time for harvesting garlic is in June, on the longest day of the year and if properly dried and stored it will keep right through the winter.

Would you like some fresh, tender, young, peas early in the Spring next year? Look out for hardy varieties that can be planted now. They can be overwintered and are able to withstand the frosts, though protection with a cloche will be appreciated. We will be starting ours in pots to keep in the polytunnel over winter ready for early planting next season.

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SEE OUR SPECIAL OFFERS 1. (2kW) 8 x Solarworld 250 Poly with string inverter .......£3900 2. (2kW) 8 x Solarworld 250 Poly with Enphase inverters and internet envoy, 25 year warranty system ..........£5000 3. (4kW) 16 x Solarworld 250 Poly with string inverter .....£6000 4. (4kW) 16 x Solarworld 250 Poly with Enphase inverters and internet envoy, 25 year warranty system ..........£7500 5. (4kW) 16 x Solarworld 250 Mono with Enphase inverters and internet envoy, 25 year warranty system ..........£7800

Swanage Oracle

28

Motoring

Auto Biographies

Volvo V60 Hybrid

By Tim Barnes-Clay, www.carwriteups.co.uk This ‘green’ Swede estate offers a tremendously comfortable ride. That is no surprise though, Volvos are known for their plush, supportive seats.

Unlike some Volvos, the V60 isn’t supposed to be a‘wardrobeon-wheels’ like many models of the past. That’s why the Scandinavian car maker markets it as a Sports Wagon.

On the car’s tailgate there’s a D6 badge. The reason is that the combined performance of the five-cylinder turbo diesel and electric motor puts the car firmly within the same brake horsepower range as the petrol powered, speedy, T6.

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a 2.4-litre oil-burner, producing 212bhp and a maximum torque of 324lb.ft. The rear axle is powered by an electric motor, producing 69bhp. This is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment. The car has a syrupy smooth six-speed automatic transmission too.

On the road, the V60 has three driving characteristics: Pure, Hybrid or Power. In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 32 miles with no carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe.

Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the Volvo is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint, and it has a total range of up to 621 miles.

Finally, in Power mode, the technology is optimised to give the V60 the maximum possible clout. The diesel engine and electric motor have a total power output of 212 + 69 brake horsepower and maximum torque of 324lb.ft +147lb.ft. The

electric motor’s lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car’s acceleration from 0 to 62mph in just 6.0 seconds.

You can choose to save battery power in order to drive on pure electricity later on; for instance in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city. When Save is activated, the on-board system ensures there is always enough battery power to last for 12.5 miles of driving on electricity alone – sufficient to get you to a fuel station or charging point in most areas.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a normal power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park.

Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

Furthermore, pressing the V60’s AWD button activates the electrical four-wheel drive. This distributes power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven rear axle. The system has been designed to provide better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in snow or mud.

All in all, Volvo’s eco offering is an attractive alternative to green German executive estate rivals. It is expensive at over £45,000, but it offers more kit than the average BMW or Audi. So if you are considering a change from your usual ‘prestige’ motor, you could do a lot worse than visiting a Volvo dealership and going for the very accomplished and ultra-economical V60 Hybrid.

Pros ‘n’ Cons • Power √ • Handling √ • Equipment √ • Efficiency √ • Comfort √ • Expensive X

01929 408080

Fast Facts (Review Car) • Max speed: 143mph • 0-62 mph: 6.0 secs • Combined mpg: 156.9 • Engine: 2400cc 5 cyl 20 valve diesel hybrid • Price: £45,175

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TROMPES TEMPLES TEAROOM

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

T

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       



T

YOUTH

Household tips Get rid of pet hair

MINTY

Swanage Oracle

30

Index of advertisers

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

Accountants Ward Goodman ................................................... 7 Aerials Repairline ............................................................ 21 Bars, Pubs & Restaurants Bull & Boat .......................................................... 19 The Sandford Pub ................................................ 13 Bathrooms C+C Plumbing & Bathrooms ................................ 7 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds........................................................ 3

Events Purbeck Events .................................................... 20 Purbeck Railway Circle......................................... 24 Financial Services Ward Goodman ................................................... 7 Funeral Services James Smith......................................................... 11 Garage Services Coombs Auto Repairs .......................................... 3 Penton Poole........................................................ 31 Holiday Cottages Dream Cottages ................................................... 3

Builders Purbeck Home Improvements ............................. 1

Insurance Services Coversure Insurance ............................................ 17

Carpenters Total Woodwork - Peter Albin .............................. 5

New & Used Car Sales Penton Poole....................................................... 31

Carpets & Flooring Peter Newman Flooring ....................................... 15

Oven Cleaning David Chalmers ................................................... 21 Oven King ............................................................ 5

Community News Adventures of Nellie ............................................ 22 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Welcome wildlife in winter.... 14 Martin Lewis: Childcare ....................................... 16 Motoring: Volvo V60 Hybrid ................................ 28 National Trust in Purbeck .................................... 12 On your plot: BeneďŹ ts of Garlic ........................... 26 Purbeck Chess Club .............................................. 24 Purbeck District Council response to Navitus Bay ... 15 Purbeck Pledge .................................................... 6 Web pages for Dorset armed forces veterans ..... 10 Computer Services AJV Computing .................................................... 29 Whizzbits ............................................................. 29 Domestic Cleaning David Chalmers ................................................... 21 Driveways Distinctive Custom Driveways.............................. 9 Resin Drives ......................................................... 32

Plumbers C+C Plumbing ...................................................... 7 Gasways Heating ................................................. 2 Heatwise.............................................................. 21 Property Maintenance Total Woodwork - Peter Albin .............................. 29 Puzzles & Competitions Crossword ............................................................ 18 Honeycomb.......................................................... 29 Kids Page ............................................................. 8 Prize Wordsearch................................................. 25 Sudoku ................................................................. 18 Renewable Energy Solutions Nick Good Property Services ................................ 27 Taxis DMB Cars ............................................................. 11 Tool & Plant Hire Sydenhams .......................................................... 19

Eco-Friendly Products Green Life World .................................................. 28

TV Sales & Repairs Repairline ............................................................ 21

Electricians GKE Dorset........................................................... 29

Waste Services Philip Trim............................................................ 2

Entertainers & Discos Whaley Entertainments ....................................... 5

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Doors-Windows-Locks ......................................... 5

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1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR