The Swanage Oracle - October 2016

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 October 2016

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE ALL THE AVAILABLE SPACE IN YOUR HOME?

BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Custom Creations is a family run business with over 40 years experience

CALL US NOW ON

01202 823231

TO ARRANGE YOUR FREE, NO OBLIGATION DESIGN CONSULTATION

www.customcreations.furniture

Unit 1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor Road, Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS



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

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.

• 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 95

We are now into our wonderful Autumn months with the beautiful yellow, orange and brown leaves. Don’t you just love that. I can definitely say that I do. After lazy days on the beach, walks in the parks and the forest, shows and late nights out, we can now enjoy warm evenings by the fire watching a movie. I actually like our changing seasons.

What a great excuse to go shopping again and buy some new clothes! Women hey.

With that it is also time to look and see what we want done in the house before those busy Christmas weeks are upon us. Did I say that word? Time goes by so quickly if you let it!

So does anything need fixing, changing or adding to? Maybe you want a new bathroom, kitchen or loft conversion? The living room painted? New carpets? Whatever it is I am sure The Swanage Oracle can assist you find a local tradesperson that can help you. Our little magazine is here for you, for your use. Keep it by the phone for a time of need. If there is a trade you cannot see inside, please let us know. We can guide you to find the right local business for you. Trust in tradespeople is vital and local companies love to help their local people. It keeps everyone happy!

If you run a group or club in the area and need extra support we can help promote this for you. The magazine is an excellent way to link not only local businesses but also community activities together. We have a Facebook page and the magazine is uploaded on our website each month, giving you as much promotion as possible. We want to help.

If you have any suggestions for improving the magazine further, do get in touch! I love new ideas.

Stephen, Hayden and myself, oh yes and of course Nellie, hope you have a great month.

Best Wishes,

Oracle

Published by:

Stephen & Debbie Corney at Purbeck Publications

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

Copy deadline for the November 2016 edition: 17th October 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

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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5

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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6

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

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7

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Community News

8

Dorset residents surveyed about future public service delivery A major public consultation is underway on the future shape of local government in Dorset.

Residents, along with businesses and other stakeholders, are being asked to give their views on a range of options proposed by all nine Dorset councils to address the unprecedented financial pressure on local services across the county.

The eight-week public consultation, called Reshaping Your Councils, runs until 25 October 2016 and is being run independently by research company Opinion Research Services.

Questionnaires have also been sent to 20,000 households across Dorset.

The questionnaire is also available online for anyone to complete at www. reshapingyourcouncils.uk as well as being available in libraries.

The options for consultation are: 1. Retaining all nine councils (Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Poole Borough Council, Purbeck Borough Council, West Dorset District Council, and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council).

2. Creating two new unitary councils for Dorset covering either: 2a. Large conurbation: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset, and the services currently delivered by Dorset County Council in this area; and Small Dorset: North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland, and the services currently delivered by Dorset County Council in this area; or 2b. Medium conurbation: Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, and the services

currently delivered by Dorset County Council in this area; and Medium Dorset: East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland, and the services currently delivered by Dorset County Council in this area; or 2c. Small conurbation: Bournemouth and Poole; and Large Dorset: Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland, and the services currently delivered by Dorset County Council in this area.

Dorset’s councils receive £142million less per year in government funding today than they did in 2010/11 and must have reduced costs by £200million per year by 2019/20. An independent financial assessment by Local Partnerships estimates that, even with these budget reductions by 2019/20, the nine councils must reduce costs by a further £30.4million by 2025, meaning that valued public services would suffer even greater cuts beyond 2019/20. This is why councils are now considering change.

Dorset councils commissioned Local Partnerships to look at the potential savings and costs of options for reorganising local government across the county. A two unitary council model would save a total of £108million over the first six years, based on the financial modelling conducted by Local Partnerships. The one-off transition costs to replace the existing nine councils with two unitary councils would be around £25million.

Cllr Anthony Alford, Vice-Chairman of the Dorset Leaders’ Growth Board said: “Dorset’s nine councils collectively spend £920million a year delivering services to our local residents. These councils receive £142m per annum less Government

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

9 funding today than they did in 2010/11.

Over the next two years to April 2019 a further £52m will need to be saved to balance further funding cuts and service pressures. Therefore, by 2019/20, Dorset’s councils will need to have reduced their annual spending by almost £200m since 2010/11.

“Despite all our hard work to make our councils more efficient and protect frontline services, the financial reality is that the current structure of local government is not sustainable. A further £30.4million less will be available to spend per annum between 2019 and 2025 and the harsh reality is that many services will have to change drastically, or even stop altogether if savings cannot be made.

“It is now essential that change is considered in order to minimise cuts to services beyond 2019/20, and ensure councils are sustainable for the future.

We want to hear the views of local people before any decisions are made.”

Tony Williams, Chief Executive of Bournemouth Borough Council and lead officer for the public consultation, said: “The Local Partnerships report is a significant milestone in our collective journey to reform local government

throughout Dorset. It provides Dorset’s nine councils with a firm financial basis to consult with residents, businesses and key stakeholders on the future of local government in the county.”

He added: “All councils are committed to an extensive public consultation and are keen that local people have their say. Every single resident in Dorset has the chance to have their say. By contacting 20,000 directly, and making the questionnaire available to any Dorset resident or interested party, we are confident that anyone who would like to have a say will have an opportunity to do so and to influence the final recommendation.”

Following the consultation, all nine councils will then decide whether to present of a full business case for local government reform to the Government early next year, based on the results of the consultation, the independent financial analysis and a detailed case for change.

If agreed, new councils would begin delivering services from April 2019, with elections in May 2019.

Find out more and complete the online questionnaire at www. reshapingyourcouncils.uk

Thriving communities in balance with the natural environment

Purbeck District Council Phone 01929 556561 Web www.dorsetforyou.com Visit Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PP Social media Twitter @Purbeck_DC www.facebook.com/Dorsetforyou

Purbeck Sports Centre Phone 01929 500 000 Web www.dorsetforyou.com/ purbecksportscentre Visit Worgret Road, Wareham BH20 4PH Social media Twitter @Purbecksport www.facebook.com/Purbeck sportscentre

Discover Purbeck Information Centre Phone 01929 552740 Visit The Library, South Street, Wareham BH20 4LR Social media Twitter @DiscoverPurbeck www.facebook.com/discover purbecktic

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Community News

10

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11

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

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

ou y e r i p � n i � u Let 01202 240769 justshutters.co.uk

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12

Wildlife News

Talking about Wildlife...

Dorset - A home for reptiles Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, covered in scales, whose ancestors date back more than 300 million years. Whilst the reptiles of Britain, like many other species in the country, have lost some of their natural habitat to development, for reptiles and reptile enthusiasts, Dorset is the ideal county. All six British reptiles reside here: adder, grass snake, smooth snake, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm.

ideal habitat for reptiles.

Dorset heaths are a unique natural environment, known to be amongst the best heaths in Britain, and provide an ideal terrain for reptiles. The rarest species of our reptiles, the smooth snakes and sand lizards, are heathland specialists, and particularly vulnerable to the current trend of heath fragmentation. The heathland conservation work that Dorset Wildlife Trust is currently implementing in Dorset is giving our reptiles the best chances possible of survival. For example, the open land and rocks of the heaths allow for plenty of basking in the sun, crucial for the reptiles to regulate their body temperature.

Heaths are also rich in insects to snack on and in hibernation places for the winter, another vital requirement for a reptile habitat. The ideal heath environment for reptiles also includes water, sand, and rock piles for hiding.

Upton Heath in Dorset is just one of those sites managed to provide the

Preserving precious reptile habitats is crucial for their continued survival. If you would like to find out more about heathland and reptiles in Dorset, visit:

Reptiles are extremely shy creatures and can be diďŹƒcult to spot in the wild. September is a good time to catch the last glimpse of the year of these fascinating creatures as they will soon be disappearing into hibernation.

Most will be gone by October, and not likely to emerge again until March, when the sun starts warming the land to meet the reptiles’ cold-blooded needs.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ the_great_heath Please note that a licence is needed to handle reptiles, and must not be disturbed as they are legally protected.

Niina Silvennoinen

Sand Lizard

Photo: Andy Fale

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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

14

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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A Makeover can start with just the Worktops.

Corian

Laminate

Overlay

Dream Doors can replace your kitchen worktops, upstands and splashbacks‌ if this is all you require. As well as looking great, our worktops come in a variety of colours and finishes to perfectly suit your kitchen.

EST.

1999

Call for a FREE estimate: 01202 695856 (Poole) or 01202 483129 (Christchurch) Visit our Showrooms: 185 Lower Blandford Rd, Broadstone,Poole, BH18 8DH 17 Bargate, Christchurch, BH23 1QD

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16

Motoring

Auto Biographies

Ford Kuga

By Tim Barnes-Clay, www.carwriteups.co.uk The Kuga came on to the scene in 2008. Built in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive it was Ford’s response to SUVs, such as the Nissan Qashqai. It was also built to challenge more established 4x4s, such as the Honda CR-V. While it is no rocket ship, the Kuga 1.5T Ecoboost, on test here, does pick up pace fairly well (0-62mph in 9.7s) and feels particularly nippy around town. Its manual six-speed gearbox has a positive, smooth, action and the Ford delivers a relaxing, yet well-ordered ride at low speeds.

The steering is light and direct – and this makes city driving and parking a breeze. Alas, there is far too much din in the road and wind noise department for the Kuga to be a serious motorway vessel. Safety is first-rate, though, with side and curtain airbags helping it achieve a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test result.

Inside, the Kuga is quite spacious in the front, but its plunging roofline intrudes on headroom for taller passengers in the rear. Legroom for anyone approaching six-feet tall is also limited, however it’s a fine area for kids to sit comfortably. The 406-litre boot is bigger than the Ford Focus’ 316-litre offering – making the loading of a bulky pushchair and the weekly supermarket shopping even less of a hassle.

As alluded to earlier, the Kuga’s key rival is the Nissan Qashqai, with other opponents including the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan. All of their boots are even bigger than the Ford’s by some margin.

In fairness, though, the Ford Kuga Zetec 1.5T EcoBoost makes a good buy. It offers a decent mix of performance and size for families looking for a school-run-mobile. It is also frontwheel-drive - and this variant is really what you should try and get, unless you are desperate for 4x4 traction and off-road ability. Front-wheel-drive Kugas are a little bit cheaper to run than the four-wheel-drive versions and, if buying used, may well have been better cared for.

The current Kuga is smart enough and has a generally reliable history, although it is starting to come over as a tad dated – but at least it’s a safe car. Fortunately, we won’t have too long to wait for a fresh Kuga. The Blue Oval hopes to fight the BMW X3 with a chicer, more elegant version of the SUV at the end of this year

Pros ‘n’ Cons • Safe √ • Gearbox √ • Steering √ • Wind / Road Noise X • Dated X

Fast Facts • Max speed: 121mph • 0-62 mph: 9.7 secs • Combined mpg: 45.6 • Engine: 1498cc 4cyl 16V turbo petrol • CO2: 143 g/km • Price: £20,995

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

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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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18

Money Saving Tips

Martin

LEWIS 2YHUGUDIWV

Debit cards can be debt cards too. The competition watchdog’s set out plans to cap fees for busting your overdraft limit. This should help, but don’t wait. Overdrafts are a debt like any other, and the key is to cut the rate, repay faster and avoid any penalties.

Most people’s overdrafts aren’t huge. My snap Twitter poll found 46% are under £250.

Yet even then fees can be horrid. With some accounts, a constant £200 overdraft would cost you £365/yr. So even if you only dip in, you need to sort them. Here are my top ten things you need to know.

1. Get PAID £100 to get a 0% overdraft. Best for overdrafts under c. £500 www.Firstdirect.com has won every customer service poll I’ve ever done, and 89% of its overdrawn customers rate it ‘great’. It offers accepted new switchers £100 (paid within around 28 days) – that’ll clear some of your overdraft to start with.

Then for the remainder it gives a standard £250 interest-free overdraft (above £250, but within your limit, it’s 15.9% EAR, still relatively cheap).

It’s a clear winner for those with overdrafts that never go over £350, and still likely best even if you owe a little more but intend to clear it.

Do you qualify? You need to pay in at least £1,000/mth (equivalent to £13,100 salary) to get the bonus and ensure there’s no fee. Like all banks, First Direct does a credit check when you apply.

2. Free £150 bank switch bonus. Best for those who just dip into their overdraft If at the end of the month you occasionally slip into overdraft, www.co-operativebank.co.uk (70% rate it ‘great’) is a decent alternative. It

currently gives an £150 switching bonus.

If that’s enough to clear your overdraft so you needn’t touch it again, it’s an easy win especially as you can also get up to £5.50/mth on its Everyday Rewards scheme (you need to fulfil some criteria). If not, its authorised overdraft is 18.9% EAR, not bad for small amounts, but the bigger it gets, the costlier.

Do you qualify? You’ll need to pay in at least £800/mth (equivalent to £9,850 salary) and switch at least four direct debits to get the £150 bonus.

3. Switch to 12 month 0% bank. Good for those with Bigger overdrafts.

New customers with www.nationwide.co.uk’s FlexDirect (77% rate it ‘great’) get a year’s fee-free overdraft. There’s no set limit – it depends on credit score – but anecdotally its limits are decent (if you pass the credit score), as mattboliver tweeted me: “@martinslewis Matched my old one - £1,200. Implied I could have asked for more, but the point was I wanted to pay off.”

After a year, it’s 50p/day, less than other accounts charging daily fees, but even so, use that time to budget to clear the overdraft debt.

Nationwide doesn’t require a min pay-in for its 0% overdraft, but you need pay in £1,000/mth if you want its 5% in-credit interest (equivalent to £13,100 salary).

4. You can SHIFT overdrafts to special 32mth 0% credit cards too A few specialist money-transfer cards let you pay cash into your bank to pay off your overdraft, then you owe them instead. This is useful for big overdrafts.@MoneySavingExpert

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

19 My top pick is www.virginmoney.com, which gives accepted customers 32mths 0% for a one-off 1.69% fee (min £3) of the amount shifted. Need longer? www.tescobank.com is 40mths 0%, but with a higher 3.94% fee.

2YHUGUDIWV Always follow the Money Transfer Golden Rules: a) These are special cards. Most don’t allow this, so be careful. There’s step-by-step help in my full money transfers guide at www. moneysavingexpert.com /moneytransfers. b) Always repay the monthly minimum or you’ll lose the 0% deal. c) Plan to clear by the end of the 0% period or they jump to the full rate, 20.9% and 20.6% rep APR. 5. Bank-charge reclaiming isn’t dead - ‘I got £865 in unfair bank charges back’ Overdraft charges for busting your credit limit are the only thing that give payday loans competition for cost. With fees of up to £6/ day or £15/transaction, they can mount up to £100s or £1,000s a year.

Reports of the death of bank-charge reclaiming have been exaggerated. It can still be done, though now you need to be in financial hardship to claim. Full step-by-step help and template letters at www.moneysavingexpert. com/reclaim Claire emailed: “I’ll get 6 years of charges back and a goodwill £70 on top... total £865. Thanks Martin.”

6. Shift your direct debits to minimise fees.

Ask companies you pay to shift your direct debits to just before you’re paid. So if you’re paid on the 25th, aim for the 20th. This artificially boosts your balance, so you’re in the red for less time, meaning fewer charges – but budget carefully and don’t forget those bills are coming.

7. Manage your way back into credit.

Do a money makeover, checking everything you spend money on to see if you’re overspending

Martin

LEWIS

such as energy, insurance, phone, broadband and more. Many can save £1,000s. Then do a detailed budget and stick to it. Full help to do this at www.moneysavingexpert.com/ moneymakeover 8. Compare overdraft debt rate to the other debt, repay highest interest first.

If you’ve multiple debts, write a list of what you owe, then see which costs most, adding up interest and fees for true costs.

If your overdraft ’s the most expensive, make minimum payments on all other debts, and focus on using incoming cash to clear that. If it’s not the costliest, stay in your overdraft (but never bust your limit) and use spare cash to pay as much off the costliest as you can. Once the most expensive debt is cleared, you’re ready to tackle the next, and so on.

9. Savings usually pay you less than an overdraft costs.

A £1,000 overdraft costing £20/mth equals £240/yr, but the same in easy-access savings earns a paltry £15 at best. So repay debt with savings and you’re £225 per £1,000 up each year. You may think: “But I’ll have no savings if the boiler packs up or the roof falls in.” True, but if an emergency strikes, you can go back into overdraft and you’ll be no worse off.

10. Struggle to control spending? Shift to a nooverdraft account.

Basic bank accounts provide a no-frills, nooverdraft current account service. So clear your current overdraft and you could move to one.

They used to charge fees if you spent more than you had, eg, for unpaid direct debits, but since January those have stopped. If you spend when you’ve not got money, it’ll still be rejected, but now there’s no charge.

Options include www.barclays.co.uk Cash Card and www.co-opbank.co.uk Cashminder account.. @MoneySavingExpert

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Puzzle Corner

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Pop the kettle on...

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6 Harmful (7) 7 Deplume (5) 9 A coffin stand (4) 10 Write out a speech (10) 11 False teeth (8) 13 Rubble (6) 15 Pocketbook (4) 17 Caper (5) 18 Indolent (4) 19 Purchased (6) 20 Nagging (8) 23 Hostility (10) 26 Journey (4) 27 It travels on rails (5) 28 Laboratory flasks (7)

Down

1 All (10) 2 Speech-giver (6) 3 A three-tone Chadic language (4) 4 Weekly TV series are this (8) 5 Sound from a contented cat (4) 6 Liquorice-flavoured seeds (5)

8 A light-hearted joke (American slang) (7) 12 Locations (5) 14 The leading sheep in a flock (10) 16 Notion (7) 17 Craftsmen (8)

21 Leased property (6) 22 Slides uncontrollably (5) 24 Not fake (4) 25 Missile (4)

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21

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

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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

22

The Adventures of Nellie The Purbeck Publications Camper Van Wow what weather we had for a good couple of months. Nellie has had to use lots of suncream this year, or was it polish? Still she looked good. The day she took Hayden and myself to Brownsea Island was a scorcher. Beautiful sunshine and hardly a cloud in sight. Stephen had gone off on a course to help him be more efficient, so I was all for that. Nellie was pleased too, as with her aging years she doesn’t take stress easily and is all for a relaxed, chilled out life these days.

Anything Stephen can do to facilitate that, had to be good. This left Hayden and I (that’s correct English isn’t it?) with a day to ourselves. Where would Nellie take us?

She did quite a bit of research on the internet to see how far places were and came up with the bright idea (as I said, it was a brilliantly sunny day) to take us to Brownsea Island. It was years since I had taken Hayden. He was a baby in a pram in fact, but don’t remind him of that, after all he is a grown up boy now and they don’t like it. You really feel you are going somewhere when you step on the boat at

Enjoying the harbour views from the water

Nellie on the quay with another old lady Poole Quay and sail off from the harbour wall. Nellie of course had to wave good bye at that point as she is too fat to get up the gangway. About that diet…

Bobbing up and down, watching all the different boats sailing by, passing the busy dock on the opposite side, where really large cargo ships get filled with all their wares to go out to sea and sail to some foreign land, is so relaxing.

There is definitely a whole ‘in the past feel’ about Poole Quay, as if time hasn’t fully moved on. Brownsea Island is very similar.

Now owned by the National Trust and famous for its red squirrels, you have the sensation that you have stepped back in time and are miles away from anywhere.

The island was owned by Mrs BonhamChristie from 1927. She was a recluse and gave everyone living there a year’s notice to leave. As a result the population went down from around 70 to 6! One advantage of that, though I am sure the residents would have had something else to say, is that the island preserved its authenticity, its simplicity, and nature

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23 was allowed to flourish. The little Church built in 1853 is idyllic, a real chocolate box look. (Nellie does like her chocolate, as you can see from her thighs.) There is no lighting or water and services here held from May to September by candle light only. Apparently there maybe anywhere from two to three hundred at any given Church service. All of a sudden two minutes before the service starts 300 Brownies can arrive. That is a challenge for the Reverend! The scouting movement is very much embraced on the Island after the founder Robert Baden-Powell held his first camp there in 1907. The day we arrived there were many Guides and Scouts who were leaving after a great camp, by the look of it. I can imagine it is quite a place to stay in a tent, under the stars with very few people around and just the birds, peacocks and squirrels to keep you company. Nellie would love it, but sadly she would never be able to get there, let alone stay.

Now boys will be boys, especially in this modern world we live in and Hayden had his phone with him trying to catch Pokemon. If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry. From what I understand, and believe me I am absolutely no expert, they are little animals that you find on your phone, wherever you may be. Very clever technology and in total juxtaposition (for those not so quite well educated, that

The church on Brownsea Island

Amazing views from the northern shore means, “the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect”. Nellie taught me it!  ) with the ‘old’ island, set back a century or so ago.

Apparently there is a ‘Pikachu’ on the island! These are rare and much sought after by Pokemon players, so that was very exciting. Hayden didn’t catch it, but it was good fun trying.

I have to say that a day with Hayden on my own was totally fulfilling. We don’t get many chances in our busy lives to just take time out, time together and chill. Nellie’s sole purpose in life is to help us do just that, which is why we bought her. I am so glad we did. Hayden and I walked to the fantastic beaches on the North side of the Island and gazed at the beautiful scenery.

It really is quite spectacular. After some time walking I asked Hayden what he would like to do. Knowing his Mum very well, and having an ‘old head on young shoulders’ he suggested we go back to the café for an hour to have something to eat… and a coffee, before boarding our boat to take us back to reality. What an incredible day. Nellie was delighted we had enjoyed it so much. She was patiently waiting in the car park and sprung into step as soon as I turned her engine on.

Love her.

Where will she take us next…?

By Debbie Corney

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Community News

24 The Christmas Market runs from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 19th November 2016. Entry is £1 per person, Under 5’s FREE. Proceeds going to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

We are very excited to announce our Event Sponsor Red Lion Marketing. With up to 40 stands offering an eray of seasonal goods all under one roof. Our Cheeky Elves will be around entertaining not just our stall holders but the visitors too!

Our Christmas Market is an ideal oppourtunity to buy stocking fillers, freshly grown and handcrafted gifts.

Endulge yourself with lots of festive treats including; Mince pies, Mulled Wine, Roasted chestnuts and much much more.

We will have a variety of food outlets outside of the venue where food and drinks can be purchased.

Admission Price to our Christmas Grotto to visit Father Christmas is £3 per child which includes, a photograph oppourtunity as well as a present.

There will be festive live entertainment throughout the day. So pop along to our Christmas Market for a a great day of festive fun!

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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 25th October 2016 and send to: October 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 Benefits of Garlic

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 and Japanese onions.

• 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 tim.

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.

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 we’ve all had enough of that lately!), 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, 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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27

Email: info@philiptrimcontractors.com

KDL Plumbing & Heating

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  

 

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All plumbing & heating work undertaken, including immersion heaters.

Free Estimates and advice.

Call Kevin 8am - 10pm 7 days.

Mobile: 0747 512 8249 Swanage: (01929) 448548

Household �ps Newspaper Before you recycle any of your old newspapers you may have lying around, why not put them to good use first? By placing a few sheets of newspaper at the bottom of your bin, it helps to soak up any accidental spills or any unwanted odours. This helps to keep your bin cleaner for longer!

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28

Food & Drink

Tastes so good...

PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

As the temperature drops, we find ourselves wanting more easy to make, comfort food. Not only is this dish simple to create is also tastes delicious. Perfect for quiet Autumn nights in.

Ingredients for 12 servings 1 medium onion (chopped) ½ cup of ketchup ¼ cup of packed brown sugar ¼ cup of tomato paste 2tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/3 cup of cider vinegar 2tbp. sweet paprika 1 ½ tsp. Salt 1 ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 4lb boneless pork shoulder 12 buns or ciabatta rolls

Equipment: Large slow-cooker, large bowl, forks Method: Mix together the onion, ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, paprika, mustard and then add the salt and the pepper. Once you have done this, pour the sauce mixture into the slow cooker pot and add the pork, making sure to also coat it in sauce.

Pop the lid on top of the slow cooker and cook the pork. Do this on a low setting (one which the manufacturer recommends).

Cook until the pork is tender for between 8-10 hours.

When it is finally cooked, move the pork from the slow cooker into a large bowl. Change the temperature setting on the cooker to ‘high’, cover the pot and then cook the sauce. Do this until boiling point is reached to make the mixture thicker.

Pull the pork apart into shreds (you can use 2 forks for this). Then put the shredded pork back into the slow cooker, mixing it into the sauce. Cover once again and cook on high.

Finally, once warmed through, spoon mixture into buns and serve.

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29

Georgian Gems Supporting musicians through The Michael James Music Trust

Established in 1981 in memory of the young organist and conductor Michael James BA, FRCO, to discover, promote, educate and support gifted young musicians.

Based in Wimborne Minster, the charity has its local representative as Brian Barker, proprietor of quaint and attractive Georgian Gems in Swanage High Street.

Since the Trust was established, over 550 students have been helped to reach their goals in the field of music.

Goals which they may not have otherwise achieved.

The Trust is funded by annual concerts, by donations and personal covenants or capital gifts. If you would like to support the Trust or find out more, please contact Brian.

Georgian Gems, 28 High Street Swanage, BH19 2NU

Verbal valuations £1 • Any item

Tel: 01929 424697 www.georgiangems.co.uk

Proceeds to go to The Michael James Music Trust Reg. Charity no. 283943 

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DANGLED DEANING DEADPAN

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D

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

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

30

Index of advertisers

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

Accountants Ward Goodman.................................................... 17

Hairdressers Philip Mills Hair Design......................................... 31

Bars, Pubs & Restaurants Bull & Boat........................................................... 24

Jewellers Georgian Gems..................................................... 29

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

Kitchens Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Custom Creations................................................. 2 Dream Doors........................................................ 15

Bedrooms Custom Creations................................................. 2 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds......................................................... 3 Broadview Shading Solutions............................... 7 Just Shutters......................................................... 11 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 Christmas Tree Festival 2016................................ 14 Dorset Theatre Goers Club - Purbeck Branch....... 24 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Dorset - A home for reptiles.... 12 Martin Lewis: Overdrafts...................................... 18 Michael James Music Trust................................... 29 Motoring: Ford Kuga............................................ 16 On your plot: Benefits of Garlic............................ 26 Purbeck District Council News................................ 8 Tastes so good: Pulled Pork Sandwiches............... 28 Electricians Four Electrical....................................................... 5 J Taylor Electrical.................................................. 11

Pest Control Terminator Pest.................................................... 27 Plumbers C+C Plumbing....................................................... 6 CM Plumbing & Heating....................................... 13 Gasways Heating.................................................. 21 Heatcare............................................................... 3 KDL Plumbing & Heating...................................... 27 Property Maintenance Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Total Woodwork - Peter Albin............................... 29 Puzzles & Competitions Crossword............................................................. 20 Honeycomb........................................................... 29 Kids Page.............................................................. 10 Prize Wordsearch.................................................. 25 Sudoku.................................................................. 20 Self Storage Purbeck Self Storage............................................. 11 Taxis DMB Cars.............................................................. 6 Tool & Plant Hire Sydenhams........................................................... 2 Waste Services Philip Trim............................................................. 27

Financial Services Ward Goodman.................................................... 17

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Competitive Construction..................................... 17 Doors-Windows-Locks.......................................... 13

Funeral Directors James Smith.......................................................... 5

Worktops Portman Stone...................................................... 32

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31

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 4pm to 7pm. If you want a great haircut or colour on training night, book in NOW as cuts are from £10 and colours are from £20 - 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 4pm to 7pm, every Thursday. Cuts from £10, Colours from £20 Now taking bookings for Christmas! Book now to avoid disappointment.

Ensure you look FABULOUS for the festive season!

Apprentice required, please email philipmillshairdesign@btconnect.com, FAO Lyn Mills

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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

The Swanage Oracle

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