The Purbeck Gazette - Issue 311

Life is good in Isle of Purbeck

THE Isle of Purbeck has been named on a list of best places to live in the south west.

The area, including Swanage and Wareham, was named in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

Judges called it the “place to live a country life by the sea”, saying there is “countryside here for everyone, with cliffs, moorland, meadows and marshes”.

However, Dorset town Sherborne came out top of the list, being called “handsome and historic”.

Six other south west towns made the list for the guide which, for the first time, did not feature Bristol: Cirencester, Gloucestershire; Clevedon,

Somerset; Dartmouth, Devon; Exmouth, Devon; Falmouth, Cornwall; Tisbury, Wiltshire.

Published by The Sunday

Times, the guide includes 72 locations across the UK.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places

The bank in Ashley Road, Poole, is set to close in May, along with more than 160 other branches

Lloyds shutting bank in raft of closures

LLOYDS Bank in Poole is set to shut in the latest tranche of closures announced by the firm.

The Ashley Road location is among more than 160 closures announced as the company says customers are moving to online banking and will shut its doors on May 9.

Elsewhere, branches of Lloyds in Somerset, banks in Wellington, Burnham on Sea, Nailsea and Portishead will go, while Halifax branches in New Milton, Hampshire, and

Bridgwater, Somerset, will also shut.

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said the move came in response to people migrating to online and telephone banking.

“Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

“Most customers are now using our mobile app, internet banking or calling us instead, which means they are using branches much less.”

to Live editor, said: “This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024, from Dunkeld to Knutsford, Falmouth to Leeds.

“These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing.”

The Sunday Times’ judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

The overall winner, named best place to live in the UK, was North Berwick, in East Lothian.

The guide was again sponsored by the mortgage lender Halifax, which provided an average house price for each location.

Corfe Castle – the Isle of Purbeck has been named as one of best areas to live in the south west in a Sunday Times guide

80 years on, dry run for D-Day landings remembered

THE 80th anniversary of Exercise Smash, a dress rehearsal for the D-Day landings which took place at Studland Bay in 1944, is being marked with a series of events this week.

Studland Bay was chosen for Exercise Smash because it was like the beaches in Normandy, with long shores and sandy dunes.

Thousands of men took part in the exercise and the British tested their amphibious tanks – the duplex-drive Valentine tank.

The tanks were designed to be launched in the sea when big naval carriers could not dock.

But, on April 4, 1944, the exercise took a tragic turn when the tanks were launched too far out from the shore and, when the weather turned, they started taking on water.

Seven of them sank, killing six soldiers.

The wrecks of the tanks still lie on the seabed at Studland Bay.

Their final resting places are honoured as war graves.

Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI and US General Eisenhower watched the exercise from Fort Henry at Middle Beach, a concrete bunker which can still be visited today.

The National Trust is commemorating the milestone with events including a visit by the last remaining duplex-drive Valentine tank of the type used in the exercise, guided Second World War walks and an

EVENTS LINE-UP

n Exhibition at Studland village hall on Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4 (10.30am to 3pm) and Friday, April 5 (12.30pm to 3.30pm).

The exhibition shows photographs, original Pathe reels, physical ordnance and apparatus from the tanks. Someone from the Sub Aqua Club and the National Trust team will be available to answer questions.

n Guided walks on Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4 (2pm to 4pm) led by Pam White, a local historian, about Studland during the Second World War.

n The Valentine tank will be

exhibition and talks in Studland’s village hall in association with the Isle of Purbeck Sub Aqua Club.

at Knoll Beach on Thursday, April 4 (12.30pm to 4pm) and Friday, April 5 (10am to 3pm).

n Talks in Studland village hall by Major Graeme Green; John Pearson, about the restoration of the Valentine tank; and Nick Reed, from the Sub Aqua Club, about diving the site; on Friday, April 5 (10am to 11.30am).

Guided walks are £5 a ticket and bookable at www. nationaltrust.org/visit/ dorset/Studland-bay.

All other events are free, though normal car parking charges apply. Free parking for National Trust members.

Fort Henry from the air PHOTO: National Trust/John Millar

Valentine Tank, Studland Bay

PHOTO: National Trust/John Pearson

Dragon’s Teeth, Studland Bay

PHOTO: NationalTrust/JonBish

Exercise Smash – six soldiers lost their lives in Studland Bay PHOTO : The Tank Museum

Fort Henry PHOTO: National Trust/Clive Whitbourn

Upton is shortlisted in the Town category PHOTO: Google

Britain in Bloom: Upton in award running

UPTON in Bloom has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.

Upton has made the shortlist in the Town category, alongside Ainsdale, Forres, Glastonbury and Todmorden.

Britain in Bloom judges will visit each of the finalists this summer, with the winners of each category announced at an awards ceremony in the autumn.

The gardening contest is run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Family fun at village hall

EAST Burton village hall is holding another family fun event on Thursday, April 4, from 10am-noon.

Everyone is welcome, entry is free and competitions are just 10p a go.

Games will be on offer for adults and children alike, including old favourites Bagatelle, Shuv Ha’penny and guessing games, as well as a colouring table – for big and little people – and jigsaws.

Children are invited to take along a decorated cupcake and the best one will win a prize.

A quiz suitable for all ages

will be held and tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be available for a small donation.

The hall is holding its monthly coffee and cake morning on Friday, April 12, from 10am-noon.

The event is always very well attended and offers a selection of delicious homemade cakes.

A Gardening Club meeting is bVeing held on Thursday, April 25, from 7.30-9pm with a talk on low maintenance gardening.

The regular yoga session runs at 6.30-7.30pm on Mondays, and Kick Boxing at 7-8pm on Tuesdays.

Patient group reaches out

SANDFORD Surgery Patient Participation Group is giving local people a chance to find out more about health, wellbeing and community services available in the area.

Several services will be represented at an event at Sandford Community Hall on Saturday, April 6, from 10.30am-1pm.

Services attending include: Sandford Surgery, including Carers Support; Purbeck

Primary Care Network; Wareham Hospital outpatient clinics; Help and Kindness; Help and Care; LiveWell Dorset; Sandford Church; Sandford Pharmacy; Steps2Wellbeing; parish council; Pine Martin Grange; and other local community groups.

Refreshments will be available provided by Asda.

For more information, email jan.sayers@dorsetgp.nhs.uk.

Labour hopeful’s chip shop date

FORMER Labour MP for South Dorset, Jim Knight, launched Lloyd Hatton’s bid to reclaim the seat for the party – at the chip shop where the candidate worked as a teenager.

Mr Hatton returned to his role at the Marlboro fish and chip shop, in Weymouth Harbour, for the launch event.

He was born and raised in the town, attended Holy Trinity and All Saints schools, and played rugby at Weymouth RFC.

Days before the event, he had said Richard Drax’s comments calling for young people who turn down work to be conscripted were “out of touch”.

Speaking to the Purbeck Gazette, Mr Hatton said he wants to combat the cost of living crisis by providing support for families, pensioners and small businesses.

Labour wants to deliver an extra two million NHS appointments in its first year

with a key part of the plan a Neighbourhood Health Service scheme, which would aim to increase treatment capacity at local health centres.

This is a key aspect of Mr Hatton’s campaign, who highlighted the waiting list in Swanage and the community hospital.

He has been an active campaigner to reduce sewage spills in Dorset rivers and beaches, and said the Bibby Stockholm was a “pointless gimmick” that needs to be shut down.

Mr Knight represented the constituency from 2001 to 2010, under the premierships of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, before he was made a life peer in the 2010 Dissolution Honours.

Despite the Labour landslide in 1997, Mr Knight narrowly missed out on the seat by 77 votes.

His win in South Dorset in

the 2001 election was one of only two Labour gains that year and he went on to strengthen his majority in the 2005 election to 1,735.

In the past 100 years, the only non-Conservative MP in

South Dorset other than Jim Knight was Labour’s Guy Barnett, who won a by-election in 1962, defeating the Conservative Angus Maude by 704 votes, before losing the seat in 1964.

Lloyd Hatton (left), Labour candidate for South Dorset, with former MP Jim Knight at the Marlboro fish and chip shop, in Weymouth

Mel’s dresses for all seasons

A NEW display of three handmade dresses representing spring, summer and autumn has been greeting visitors at the entrance to Walford Mill, the arts and crafts centre in Wimborne.

The dresses are the work of the charity venue’s administrator of eight years, Mel Pownall, who has never displayed her creations in public before.

Mel’s love of horses as a youngster led her to equineinfluenced drawings and sewing, but later she made clothes for her children, and now she makes free motion machine embroidered items for friends and work

colleagues.

She said: “Lockdown gave me the time and space to develop my style, from which the first summer dress evolved.”

Each of the garments has taken over a year to make and a winter model to complete the quartet is now in progress.

Mel says her sewing and creative work is a fun hobby

that fits around family and work.

The dresses can be seen, along with work by resident and visiting makers and artists, at Walford Mill, which is open to the public free of charge, Wednesday to Sunday.

Walford Mill Education Trust is keen to give developing new talent the opportunity to take space at the centre. Email info@ walfordmillcrafts.co.uk or phone 01202 841400 for more information.

Mel Pownall with the spring, autumn and summer dresses, and in the office at Walford Mill Crafts where she is administrator

Spring show is good to go

ORGANISERS of the Dorset Spring Show, being held at Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, later this month, are busy making final preparations.

The show, presented by the team behind the Dorset County Show, will focus on education and entertainment, on everything to do with food, farming and flowers.

Demonstrations include extreme BMX, beekeeping, terrier racing, axemen, falconry, baking and flower arranging.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about some of the rarest pigs in the world and witness ‘pig agility’ in The Hogg Show.

They will also be introduced

to nine breeds of sheep – that dance – in the Sheep Show.

Members of the public can get involved, too, with more than 90 competitions across cookery, photography, flowers, vegetables and crafts.

The show will also have Associated Garden Classes alongside school, college and club competitions.

Event organiser, James Cox, said: “We welcome in the new season with a spring get together for Dorset.

“Whether you wish to indulge in delicious Dorset foods, purchase local crafts, enjoy watching extreme BMX bikes, meet a lamb or watch local demonstrations, Dorset

Spring Show has it all when it comes to celebrating spring in Dorset!”

The show is on Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28. Discounted tickets priced £12 are available until April 20 at https://dorsetcountyshow. ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/38. Children are admitted free of charge.

The Dorset Spring Show, being held at Kingston Maurward, will feature BMX demonstrations and “pig agility” in The Hogg Show

Thumbs up for marathon date

A MEMBER of staff at Citizens Advice is running the Brighton Marathon this weekend to raise much-needed funds for the service.

Adam Spong, advice session supervisor at Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck, is running his first ever marathon on Sunday, April 7, in Brighton with the money raised going towards the service’s general running costs.

Adam completed two half-marathons in 2023 and wants to push himself further mentally and physically to complete a full marathon.

He said: “I will be attempting to run my first marathon in Brighton raising money for Citizens Advice East

Dorset & Purbeck.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have been a part of this amazing charity for eight years having started as a volunteer while at university.

“We provide much needed advice and support for local people and I see daily the difference the charity makes to people’s lives.”

Adam added: “We are seeing an ever-increasing demand in our service, and with future funding not guaranteed, I really would welcome any support.

“All donations will go towards helping others who are in need and who live in our local community.”

Adam is running with two

other people who have connections with Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck.

how to donate, visit the Citizens Advice website at www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/ fundraising.

Citizens Advice employee, Adam Spong, is running the Brighton Marathon this weekend to raise funds for the service

Gardens opening to visitors this month

SPRING is here and properties are opening as part of the National Garden scheme this month. Among them are:

n Edmondsham House, Edmondsham, Wimborne (BH21 5RE)

SIX acres of mature gardens, grounds, views, trees, rare shrubs, spring bulbs and shaped hedges surrounding house.

Lovely mature garden full of spring colour with daffodils and tulips. Large walled garden filled with vegetables and cut flowers.

Open for NGS: Monday, April 1 (2pm-5pm). Every Wednesday, April 3, to Wednesday, April 24 (2pm5pm).

Admission £4, children £1. Donation to Prama Care.

n Knitson Old Farmhouse, Corfe Castle, Wareham (BH20 5JB)

MATURE cottage garden nestled under chalk downland. Herbaceous borders, rockeries, climbers and shrubs, evolved and designed over 60 years for year-round colour.

Open: Monday, April 1, (noon-5pm). Admission £4, children free.

n Broomhill, Rampisham, Dorchester (DT2 0PT) A FORMER farmyard transformed into a delightful, tranquil garden set in two acres.

Open: Sunday, April 21, (2pm-5pm). Admission £5, children free.

Visits also by arrangement June 5 to August 9 for groups of eight to 45.

Broomhill also opens as part of Rampisham Gardens on Sunday, June 9.

n The Old Rectory, Litton Cheney, Litton Cheney,

Dorchester (DT2 9AH)

STEEP paths lead to four acres of natural woodland with springs, streams and two pools, one a natural swimming pool planted with native plants.

The garden featured on BBC Gardeners’ World last year.

Open: Sunday, April 28, (11am-5pm). Admission £7, children free. Visits also by arrangement April 30 to September 30.

n Western Gardens, 24A Western Ave, Branksome Park, Poole (BH13 7AN)

“THIS secluded and magical one-acre garden captures the spirit of warmer climes and begs for repeated visits,” according to Gardening Which?. Created over 40 years it offers enormous variety with rose, Mediterranean courtyard and woodland gardens, herbaceous borders and cherry

tree and camellia walk.

Open: Sunday, April 28, (2pm-5.30pm). Admission £6, children free. Home-made teas.

Visits also by arrangement April 15 to September 1 for groups of 20-plus.

n Crichel House, Moor Crichel, Wimborne (BH21 5DT)

60-ACRE park, 40-acre lake and three-acre walled garden surrounding Crichel House split into three distinctive parts.

Limited tickets are available for a special one-day event, hosted by head gardener Mark Lyons and his team.

Open: Thursday, April 25 (1pm-4pm). Admission £25, children free. Pre-booking essential, visit ngs.org.uk for information and booking.

All entries subject to change. For latest information check www.ngs.org.uk.

Loving Tributes to Beloved Companions

Saying goodbye to your beloved pets can be very upsetting, through our services we can offer you a lasting keepsake as unique as your pet. We offer a range of designs to suit every budget, talking with you to discover your pet’s individuality to create something just for you. We will design and create a lasting memorial piece by encapsulating your pet’s ashes into resin. It is also possible to add fur or hair clippings, their favourite treat or their collar. (Unfortunately not soft toys).

All ashes vary in colour and size we will advise you once we have received your ashes, on how to best to use them and if you would like colour added. We have a wide selection of moulds to create your memorial piece. Paw print keyrings start from £10. We also offer: flower preservation, ashes memorials, breast milk jewellery and personalised laser engraving.

A Whole New Life and A New Fantastic Mindset!!

During pregnancy woman gain an average of 22lb - 28lb, due to baby’s weight, extra fluid and blood stores. Slimming World works with the Royal College of Midwives to support pregnant members to make healthy nutritional choices throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

In 2022 Christina joined Slimming World,

Wool with Consultant Jane McKaigg, due to constant tiredness, sluggishness and to lose baby weight gained from her first child. Christina wanted to improve her relationship with food and model healthy eating behaviour. Food optimising is so easy Christina and husband naturally now food-plan, cook from scratch, enjoying family favourites such as Slimming World Carbonara and fishfingers. Pinching mummy’s ‘Hifi bars’ Arthur (5) healthily snacks on her special treats bought in group. Finding she was pregnant (June 2023), Christina was determined to continue with Slimming World’s famous eating plan to maintain the positive mindset and control excessive weight gain possible during pregnancy. She knew by purchasing a countdown offer that it would ensure weekly attendance bringing group support alongside commitment. Baby Louis, was born on 1st February weighing 8lb, Christina came back to group 2 weeks later, losing 1 stone

4 and a half pound. Maintaining a healthy blood-pressure and gaining only 20lb during pregnancy. Excitingly she has started the new journey with Slimming World supporting her as a breast-feeding mum. During her pregnancy Christina attended group weighing weekly, knowing healthy eating was good for her and baby. Sharing that this wouldn’t have been possible without her slimming world “family”.

Wareham, Masonic Hall, Howard Lane

Tuesday 5 30pm & 7pm, Wednesday 9am & 10 30am

Jackie 07715 438 810

Wool, The D’Urberville Centre

Wednesdays 5.30pm & 7 30pm, Fridays 9 30am & 11 30am

Jane 07887 866 730

Swanage, United Reformed Church, 112 High St

Thursdays 9am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm

Trudy 07486 454 046

Poole, Canford Heath & Community Centre.

Mondays 6pm & 7.30pm, Wednesdays 7.30am, 9.30am & 11am

Sadie 07545 379 045

Oil leak: The cost to the local economy

A LEAK at the Wytch Farm oil field near Poole Harbour cost the local economy more than £500,000, a report has concluded.

The impact of the leak in March last year, which saw an estimated 200 barrels of reservoir fluid leak into waters off the Dorset coast, has been investigated in a report commissioned by Dorset and BCP Councils.

And it concludes the impact on business and economy in the area was more than £570,000 in total.

Fishing work and bathing were banned in the area for a period after the leak was detected, as clean-up work and investigations were carried out around the scene.

The pipeline was part of the Wytch Farm oil field, operated by Perenco.

Carried out by Hatch, the report said of the losses: “Set in the context of the overall economy for Dorset and BCP Council this is considered minimal, however it is recognised that impacts have disproportionately fallen on independent and SME [small and medium-sized enterprises] firms within the area, during times of closure, particularly those within the aquaculture and fishing sectors.

“While not quantifiable, the wider impacts to the economy regarding perceptions to investors and attractiveness as a place to do business has been considered.

“There is limited direct evidence to establish a firm conclusion and considering the short-term nature of restrictions

£570,000, says a report

Environmentally, a separate report by Premiam Environmental, said: “There has clearly been an environmental impact in Ower Bay around the point of release.

“Any remaining hydrocarbons were fully contained initially by booms and absorbants and later, by a bubble curtain, to prevent risk to the wider Poole Harbour area.”

Work to remove contaminated sediment has been completed, it added, and the area is being monitored.

The impact on birds was deemed to have been “limited to a few individuals”, the report

(BoPH) completed a wetland birds survey on April 2, 2023, soon after the initial oil release,” it said.

“This showed some oiling on six birds had occurred.

“Some unconfirmed numbers of birds were said to have been seen with oil sheens on their bodies after this initial survey, but these were not formally reported.

“Overall, impacts on birds appeared to have occurred but were limited to a few individuals.”

The report concluded there had been “limited impact from the incident on the wider Poole Harbour area”.

Monitoring will continue to

The impact of the leak at the Wytch Farm oil field near Poole Harbour on business and the economy was more than

Police appeal after child hit by car

A CHILD suffered “serious injuries” after being hit by a car in Corfe Mullen.

The incident happened on Sunday, March 17, at around 4.22pm on the B3074 Blandford Road, near to the junction with Ridgeway, involving a white Smart ForTwo and a child pedestrian.

“Emergency services attended and the child was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“Their family is aware. Road closures were put in place to allow the emergency services to respond and for an examination of the collision scene to be carried out.”

Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the traffic unit, added: “We are

conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of this collision and I am appealing for any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please get in touch.

“I would also urge any motorists who were in the vicinity with dashcam fitted to please review their footage to see if they have captured anything of relevance. Finally, I would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding while the road closures have been in place. These are absolutely necessary to enable the emergency services to respond and for a detailed examination of the scene to be carried out.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 17:396. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555111.

Three electric bike thefts

THREE electric bikes were stolen when a garage in Corfe Mullen was targeted by thieves.

The theft occurred some time between 11am on Friday, March 15, and 3pm the following day, at a detached garage in the Cogdean Way area, Dorset Police said.

The stolen bikes were an Surron Ultra Bee electric dirt bike, a Specialized Turbo Levo Expert electric mountain bike and an Orbea Rise Wild M10 electric mountain bike.

Police Community Support Investigator Adam Cleaver, of Dorset Police, said: “We are continuing to make enquiries into this burglary, and I am keen to hear from anyone who might have information to assist our enquiries.

“I am issuing images of the stolen bikes and would also like to hear from anyone who may have come across electric bikes matching the descriptions given being offered for sale locally or online in unusual circumstances.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240039860. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

M argaret Green Animal Rescue

COULD you play a crucial part in helping to save the life of the next animal who needs our urgent help?

Amazing, trusting animals like Juliet, who arrived at our door, alone, and desperately in need of kindness and compassion.

Found without anyone to lean on for support, this elderly greyhound had a mouth full of jagged and decaying teeth –one of which had deteriorated so badly, it had rotted through into her nasal cavity.

We cannot begin to imagine how distressing this must have been for dear Juliet, and we immediately set about helping to ease her painful burden.

In total, it was necessary to remove 26 crumbling teeth –demonstrating simply how

The sweetest girl

26 of Juliet’s crumbling teeth had to be removed

dreadful the situation was for this poor, sweet girl.

Now safe, loved and firmly on the road to recovery, Juliet

EventsProgramme 2024

IN THE SUMMERTIME... GAWAIN GLENTON WITH IN ECHO

Saturday 25th May | 6pm St James’ Church, Kingston

FROM VENICE (TO ROME)WITH LOVE I FAGIOLINI

Monday 27th May | 6.30pm Lady St Mary, Wareham

THE CHANGING FACE OF BEAUTY TALK BY PHILIP JACKSON

Wednesday 29th May | 6pm The Conservative Club, Swanage

DAWN CHORUS FIERI CONSORT

Friday 31st May | 6pm St James’ Church, Kingston

LEND US YOUR EARS HELEN CHARLSTON & TOBY CARR

Friday 7th June | 6pm St Edward, King & Martyr, Corfe Castle

FADING GESUALDO SIX

Saturday 8th June | 6.30pm Lady St Mary, Wareham

www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk

has left our care and headed off to enjoy life-long sofa snuggles, just as she should have been doing all along.

By setting up a sponsorship for our rescue dogs, you will be directly helping the next four-legged friend who needs

us, like Juliet, and guiding them towards the happiness they deserve.

To find out more about becoming a sponsor, please visit our website, www.mgar. org.uk/sponsorship for further details.

Caring for animals since 1965 Rescue Care Rehome Support

Donate margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/Donate

Registered Charity Number: 1167990

Prepare to be captivated at Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2024

Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2024 promises to be a vibrant celebration of art in all its forms. From May 25 - June 9, immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of Concerts, Open Studios, Exhibitions, Events and much more. Tickets are now live for our Concerts and other Events programme which includes a celebration of summertime Gawain Glenton with In Echo, I Fagiolini with a diverse repertoire, the Fieri Consort with beautiful melodies inspired by birdsong, Helen Charlston and Toby Carr and their journey through English songs of centuries past. And finally, don't miss The Gesualdo Six's breathtaking musical concert, inspired by the ancient service of Compline, from the renaissance to the present day. PAW also features talks by distinguished sculptor Philip Jackson and an open mic poetry night with The Purbeck Poets. Prepare to be captivated! Find out more at purbeckartweeks.co.uk

A photo of artist Kimberley Day, she will have an Open Studio showing landscape works in the beautiful setting of Coombe Keynes Church.

Plans put in for seafront coffee kiosk

A NEW coffee bar and ice cream kiosk could be installed on Swanage seafront if plans are approved.

Tanner Associates has applied to Dorset Council on behalf of Carve Coffee for a five-year permission for a kiosk on hardstanding at Shore Road.

If approved, the kiosk would operate from a customised, up-cycled shipping container, with tables and umbrella shading also installed, set back form the Shore Road footpath.

The kiosk would operate seven days a week throughout the year, the application said, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Opening hours would be between 7.30am and 10.30pm during the summer months, and from 7.30am to 5pm in the winter.

“The proposal provides an opportunity to create local employment opportunities for up to a total of four people, both full and or part-time,” it said.

Customers would be able to enjoy “an exciting and flexible menu”, the plan said, including “freshly-ground coffees sourced form sustainable growers” and “bagels, cakes and other sweet takeaway treats, ideal for families wishing to enjoy lunch on the beach”.

“Carve Coffee aims to deliver an exciting and flexible menu to provide variety for different times of the day and adapted for different seasons,” the

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application went on.

“All their catering options would include gluten-free and vegan options.

“Carve Coffee have capacity at their existing roastery at Prospect Business Park, Swanage, for food preparation and storage, where they hold a five-star food hygiene rating.”

It supplies a number of coffee shops, delis and restaurants across Dorset, it said, as well as running the coffee shop at the roastery premises.

The firm was established by Will Moy and Sophie Tanner in Swanage in 2000, the application said, established “as an expression of the owners’ love of outdoor pursuits and their passion for exciting food and drink experiences”.

“This has inspired them to share this experience with Swanage and the local community,” the application said.

The firm has obtained a seven-year licence to operate the proposed coffee bar and ice cream kiosk from site owners, Swanage Town Council, subject to the planning application being approved.

For more details on the plan, and to comment, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/ FUL/2024/01420.

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One of the advantages of a living trust is that it is revocable, meaning you can make changes to the trust or even revoke it entirely during your lifetime. This flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances or wishes.

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When you establish a living trust, you typically designate yourself as the trustee, thus maintaining control over the assets and allowing you to continue using and managing them as you did before. Should you move home the trust stays in place and protects your new residence. The effectiveness of a living trust in achieving your specific goals will depend on your individual circumstances. Oakwood Wills offer a free consultation in the privacy of our own home.

Tel 07832 331594, email: info@oakwoodwills.co.uk.

The kiosk would be sited in Shore Road, Swanage, if plans are approved. PHOTO: Tanner Associates/Dorset Council

Dorset

Your Health Matters

HealthCare’s

monthly round-up

Access Wellbeing Poole opens its doors

A NEW support hub has opened. Access Wellbeing Poole will offer a welcoming space to find support on the issues that matter to members of the local community. The hub’s friendly wellbeing coordinators will take the time to listen, then help people to access support and advice on a wide range of topics including:

n Mental health and emotional wellbeing

n Social connections and activities

n Bereavement and grief

n Advice on issues such as work, money and housing

n Support for carers and family members.

Members of the public don’t need an appointment to visit Access Wellbeing Poole – they can pop in at any time during opening hours. The service is designed to support people aged 18 and over. The hub is located on the first floor of the shopping centre, next to the car park entrance, in the old Eco Hub, and is open from 10am-

4pm Monday to Friday.

Sometimes when you’re worried or struggling, it can be difficult to know where to turn. The team at Access Wellbeing Poole will offer a friendly ear, whatever is on your mind, and help people to access the right support, whether that’s from a charity or community group, the NHS or another local service.

Access Wellbeing Poole is managed by PramaLife and Help & Care, working together with NHS Dorset, Dorset

HealthCare, Community Action Network, Legal & General and BCP Council, as well as other charities and community groups. It is facilitated by The Dolphin Poole.

The new hub in Poole is part of the wider Access Wellbeing programme of work, which sees organisations in Dorset working together to improve mental health and wellbeing support for the local community.

We are really pleased to

have reached a significant milestone of our nationally driven community mental health transformation programme, Access Wellbeing, with the opening of the hub in Poole.

We have worked with local people to develop Access Wellbeing and the services will offer different types of support depending on a person’s need, including earlier and easier access to help, which can prevent concerns from escalating. Overall, we want to ensure more people get the right mental health and wellbeing support, at the right time and in the right way.

As part of this new way of working, we will be building on the excellent work of our staff and use this as a foundation to help us move mental health services forward together.

For more information on Access Wellbeing Poole and the support available, visit www.ourdorset.org.uk/ accesswellbeing.

MORAD MARGOUM

Dorset HealthCare’s Deputy Service Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Families

Art club salutes spring in village hall show

MEMBERS of Wimborne Art Club are set to hold their It’s Spring exhibition at Pamphill village hall.

The exhibition showcases the group’s artistic talents and features crafts as well as paintings, and a varied selection of subject matter and styles.

One of the artists featured is Anne Gooch, a club member for 20 years.

She said: “I love my paintings to tell a story. I

normally paint in watercolour for the beauty of the colour washes capturing the light and feature small children capturing their movement

while out and about having fun.”

The exhibition runs on Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14, from 10am-4.30pm,

and entry and parking are free. Refreshments will be available.

Wimborne Art Club was formed in 1975 and meets fortnightly on a Thursday at St Catherine’s church hall in Wimborne.

Activities include demonstrations, talks and workshops. The club stages at least two exhibitions a year.

For more information, contact Rosemary McDonald at ramcd6@gmail.com.

The Access Wellbeing Poole hub in the shopping centre

Watercolour paintings by Anne Gooch will be on show in Pamphill

Sell out success for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Muddy Dog Dash!

WATCH MUDDY DOG DASH VIDEO

Over 400 people and 200 dogs took part in the Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s second ‘Muddy Dog Dash’ which took place at Upton Country Park on Sunday 17th March and raised an incredible £15,000 which will support patients and families facing a life limiting illness across East Dorset and Purbeck. Participants and their four legged friends took on the exceptionally muddy 2.5km or 5km obstacle course across fields and woodland, consisting of various exciting obstacles including ramps, tyre runs, wiggle poles, tunnels and much more!

Director of Fundraising Tom Goodinge said, “We couldn’t have wished for a better turn out, there was such a great atmosphere – It was fantastic to see so many runners, dogs and families supporting the sell out event.

The weather also didn’t disappoint, the sun shone all day on a very muddy course. “We were delighted the event was opened by Ted the celebrity pooch from BBC’s Mortimer & Whitehouse’s ‘Gone Fishing’ programme.

“We’ve got a brilliant gallery of photos for everyone to see. Take a visit at https://drive.google.com/drive/ folders/16KVIqACkRk2BhkF9ktlUFS3zajAl54ow? usp=sharing”.

“This event would not be possible without the incredible support from our volunteers, staff and sponsors - Barratt Homes, Care South, Capital Barriers, PHP Vets, South Coast Mini Marquee Ltd, Hot Radio, Nurturing By Nature, VetSmiths, Wessex Water and Marshalls. Without their help and support the event wouldn’t have been the huge success that it was.” Megan Hamlyn, Marketing Manager at Barratt Homes concluded, “We are thrilled to have supported Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s ‘Muddy Dog Dash’ for yet another year. They’ve created a wonderful community event and it’s a real pleasure to see the event grow so rapidly and be an even bigger success

this year. Barratt Homes is committed to supporting organisations in the areas in which it is building and the vital work Lewis-Manning do to help patients and their loved ones across East Dorset and Purbeck is incredible.”

Head of Marketing & PR at Care South, Chris Golding said, “My family had such a wonderful day out, our Cockapoo called Bip Bop fully embraced the mud!

It was a really great family experience, It’s certainly a totally unique event! “At Care South we love to enrich the lives of the residents in our care by including them in lots of different activities. Our partnership with Lewis-Manning provides many opportunities for this throughout the year. The ‘Muddy Dog Dash’ was a real social occasion for over 20 of our residents who had a fantastic time geeing on the Care South teams, which included staff and their families. It was definitely a real Care South family affair!”

Tom concluded, “We would urge anyone interested in learning about next year’s event to register their interest and we look forward to keeping you informed. Don’t miss out, spaces are limited and fill very quickly.

SPRING is fully in bloom and Durlston looks beautiful. The park is alive with signs of spring and it is a wonderful time of year to visit. Take a walk along the woodland path and immerse yourself in sounds, sights and smells. The viewpoints along the trail on a sunny day have the power to stop you in your tracks.

While a walk along the clifftop path can start with the gentle sounds of waves folding onto the rocky shore of Durlston Bay, that is soon interrupted by the excited calls of seabirds as you round the headland.

Venturing further, the sweet aroma of coconut radiates from the bright yellow gorse flowers and an adder or two may be spotted basking in the spring

sunshine at Tilly Whim Caves.

The exhibition in the Fine Foundation Gallery, running until Sunday, April 14, will give visitors a different view of the local landscape. Night-time photographer Kevin Ferrioli will be showcasing Dorset’s dark skies and hidden beauties in his exhibition, Landing Among the Stars.

Following on, from Tuesday, April 23, ‘twenty3 art collective’ will be on show in the Gallery with their exhibition, Convergence.

The Easter holidays will

Mum’s the word at care home

RESIDENTS at Barchester Healthcare’s Upton Bay care home, in Hamworthy, celebrated Mother’s Day with visits and video calls from family members near and far.

The home was decorated with fresh flowers and bunting for the occasion.

Karen Grant, activities lead at Upton Bay, arranged an afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and jam, along with a fun flowering arranging afternoon which was joined by members of the local community. Head chef, Alain, prepared a special three-course menu including roast lamb to mark the day.

General manager, Mevin

Sohorye said: “We’ve all had a really lovely day. It has been so good to see family members who were able to visit in person and to have video calls with those who are further away. Our residents enjoyed a fantastic lunch and then a delicious afternoon tea prepared by our brilliant chefs. Days like these are so special.”

Joy, a resident at Upton Bay, said: “We have been so spoiled today, the staff always go to great lengths to make sure days like this are so special. It was wonderful to see my family and to be able to spend some quality time together, plus we all had a fabulous afternoon tea, I absolutely loved it.”

bring new energy to the park, with a range of activities for children and families to get involved with. We have a full schedule of events with rabbits hidden around the park for our children’s activity trail, drop-in activity Wild Wednesdays as well as our bookable activities of flowerpot planting, kite making and Mark Page’s Kids Easter Drawing Workshop. A host of guided walks are also being run during April. Visit the Durlston website to book or for more information on future events and activities.

In other news, keep your eyes peeled for our next events guide which will run from May-September 2024. This edition will be jam-packed with a whole host of events, exhibitions and activities from

sea bird boat trips to the return of outdoor cinema and stargazing evenings. We are all very excited, so make sure to pick up your copy on your next visit.

With the winter weather behind us, check out all the wonderful ways you can get involved at Durlston. From weekly work parties outside, counter volunteering, becoming a roaming ranger or helping down at the Shed.

We hope to see you here! All the best from the Durlston Rangers.

For further information on events and more visit the Durlston website, www. durlston.co.uk. Visit the Seventhwave café website at www.seventhwaverestaurant. co.uk/

Durlston Country Park has a lot going on this month

Lib Dems confirm Matt’s their man

WEYMOUTH school teacher

Matt Bell has been formally selected to stand for the Liberal Democrats in South Dorset at the next general election.

Matt, 36, was thanked and praised by two leading figures in the Lib Dems, party Leader Sir Ed Davey and president Dr Mark Pack.

Speaking moments after his selection, Matt said he was determined to replace a “dreadful” Conservative MP in Richard Drax who routinely voted against extra funding from government to help cash-strapped Dorset Council provide better services to vulnerable people across South Dorset.

“They are a shambles in Dorset – it is time for change,” he said.

“I am appalled by the hardship I have witnessed within my own community and commit myself to improving the lives of people living in this beautiful part of the world.

“We only have to walk down the high streets in Swanage,

Weymouth and Portland to see the devastating impact Tory policy has had on our local businesses. Here in South Dorset, we have a low wage economy, food banks are almost seen as a necessity – poverty is here. It is shocking.”

He added: “I am confident we have a great story to tell about how we will look to help people through the cost-ofliving crisis, help people get doctors’ appointments and access to dentists, help deal with our environment and climate change issues.

“I am local, and am really in touch with local people and views, unlike politicians just parachuted into an area by a national party.”

Matt was given a ringing endorsement from Lib Dem party president, Dr Mark Pack.

“We are so lucky to have a great local champion in Matt,” said Dr Pack. “With his strong roots in Weymouth, his impressive campaigning tackling issues like flooding and, of course, the experience

Museum’s gardeners need new equipment

THE Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne is asking local people to help its volunteer gardeners look after the museum’s cherished gardens.

The volunteers need new equipment to keep the historical and educational spaces flourishing.

The gardens provide a tranquil escape and a hub for the community, but outdated tools and equipment hinder volunteers’ efforts.

“We are incredibly grateful for our volunteer gardeners’ dedication,” said Annika Lennox, operations officer at the museum.

he brings from the frontline as a teacher, Matt is a brilliant champion.”

Party leader, Sir Ed Davey, was quick to endorse Matt and talk up his prospects of becoming South Dorset MP.

“The Liberal Democrats are back in the west country, with great by-election results,” said Sir Ed.

“We have a dreadful Government. Their comments are unbelievable. Their management of the economy is dreadful and this week’s Budget just won’t cut it.

“Our message is focussing on more GPs, and more dentists, and uniquely our focus on social care, helping people leave hospital into care homes or better supported families to look after loved ones.

“We have a quite radical agenda on the NHS and care – it would make a massive difference.

“I’m sure Matt and the whole campaign are focussing on issues like this and issues that are particularly relevant to Dorset, like sewage and flooding.”

“Their tireless work ensures these beautiful spaces remain a source of enjoyment and learning for everyone.

“We want to equip them with the tools they need to continue their vital work.”

Donations are sought for ladders, hand tools –secateurs, pruners, loppers – gardening gloves, steel toe cap boots and PPE.

Every contribution will go directly towards purchasing new equipment.

Anyone able to donate should contact Annika Lennox at operations@

or call the museum at 01202 882533.

“With your support, we can ensure these gardens

continue to blossom,” said Annika.

“By investing in our gardens, we invest in our community.”

School teacher Matt Bell has been formally selected to stand for the Lib Dems in South Dorset in the forthcoming general election

museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Simon Dunk, lead gardener at the Museum of East Dorset, at work

Dog dash fun for residents

CARE home residents – and their best friends – took on a charity challenge to raise vital funds.

Residents, staff and their families took on the Muddy Dog Dash alongside their four-legged friends in aid of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

Staff members got thoroughly muddy competing while residents enjoyed staying warm and clean cheering them on from the sidelines.

More than 20 residents from St Ives Country House Care and Dorset House, run by not-forprofit charity Care South, cheered on the event’s participants which featured dogs and their owners facing a host of fun obstacles at Upton Country Park.

Pat, who lives at Dorset House care home, in Hamworthy, said: “It was a wonderful day. I loved meeting the different dogs at the event,

Reader’s Picture

particularly the labradors, as it reminded me of the labrador I used to have, and meeting the families of the staff who work in our care homes. Everyone did so well.”

Yvonne, who also lives at Dorset House care home, said: “It was such a lovely day. It was incredible to see so many dogs in one place.”

More than 400 people took part in this year’s Muddy Dog Dash, alongside 200-plus dogs, to raise money for LewisManning Hospice Care, which supports people with lifelimiting illnesses and their families across East Dorset.

Chris Golding, head of marketing and PR at Care South, said: “At Care South, we love enabling the residents to enjoy all sorts of activities, and this one is quite unique.

“The team, myself and my family thoroughly enjoyed being participants in the race –

but most rewarding of all was seeing how much fun the residents had cheering us on and laughing at how muddy we were.”

Care South has an ongoing charity partnership to support Lewis-Manning Hospice Care through its Chairman’s 2020 Fund, which gives back to community groups, services and organisations which directly benefit Care South’s residents and staff, and their Care at Home clients.

Tom Goodinge, director of fundraising at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: “We were thrilled to see the Care South residents cheering from the sidelines of our Muddy Dog Dash, as well as members of the care home teams taking part in the obstacle course.

“We are so pleased to receive such fantastic support from Care South who help us to support more people with life-limiting illnesses during their time of need.”

Time out on a misty afternoon in Swanage PHOTO: Robin Boultwood

Care South staff and residents with the LewisManning Hospice Care team at the Muddy Dog Dash

Agricultural Property Relief and the Budget

Since Brexit, a question Land Agents are often asked is how the new environmental schemes will influence tax planning. If, for example, a landowner takes arable land out of production and installs herbal leys to improve soil quality, will they still be seen as actively farming the land, and will they therefore still be eligible for Agricultural Property Relief? Jane Ruell, Graduate Rural Surveyor in Symonds & Sampson’s Tiverton office explains the details.

As anticipated, Jeremy Hunt’s March budget has provided some clarity on this issue by way of an extension to the existing scope of Agricultural Property Relief. From 6th April 2025, land included in schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery, as well as the England Woodland Creation Offer and other similar schemes will be eligible for APR.

Similarly, land managed under an environmental agreement with, or on behalf of, the UK Government, Devolved Administrations, public bodies, Local Authorities, or responsible bodies will all be in the scope of Agricultural Property Relief.

Furthermore, land will still be included if the environmental agreement has ended but the land continues to be managed in a way that is consistent with the original agreement. This measure is cost-free to the taxpayer but has opened doors and provided certainty. As Rural Professionals, Symonds & Sampson are now better able to be confidently recommend opting into schemes with serious environmental outcomes.

If you are interested in entering your land into one of the new schemes and would like guidance, please do get in touch with Jane in our Tiverton Office on 01884218911, or one of our Rural Grants experts in your nearest office who can guide you towards the most advantageous option for the future of your farming business.

Symonds & Sampson’s dedicated farm agents offer a range of services to farmers and landowners. They are here to help you make the best decisions, ensuring that the buying, selling, letting and managing of your most valuable asset is straight-forward and rewarding. For further details, please visit our website.

The Importance of Grazing Licences

As we approach the Spring, hopefully better, brighter days are coming and the grass will be growing in no time. Landowners may be starting to think about letting their land out and graziers are often looking for further grass keep for grazing or silage. Graduate Rural Surveyor, Ella Witteridge from Symonds & Sampson’s Axminster Office explains the importance of using grazing licenses. A grazing licence grants the grazier access to land for a period of less than a year and in most cases runs from 1st April – the end of October. The landowner is usually responsible for the maintenance of the land including hedges, fencing, ditches etc and the grazier would be paying the landowner for the crop of grass whether it is for grazing or mowing purposes.

One of the main benefits of a grazing licence is that it enables the landowner to retain the rights over their land and most importantly still be seen as ‘actively farming’. This in turn helps them in terms of claiming and retaining agricultural subsidies and for Inheritance Tax purposes. Having a simple written agreement in situ provides good evidence of this, as convenient as it may be to only have a ‘handshake agreement’ in place which may not prove legally to be sufficient.

Whether you are the landowner or the grazier, it is important to consider all aspects of an agreement, be it a Grazing Licence or Farm Business Tenancy prior to entering into one and be sure it is right for you and your business.

If you are interested in entering your land into one of the new schemes and would like guidance, please do get in touch with Graduate Rural Surveyor Jane Ruell in our Tiverton Office on 01884218911, or one of our Rural Grants experts in your nearest office who can guide you towards the most advantageous option for the future of your farming business.

Symonds & Sampson’s dedicated farm agents offer a range of services to farmers and landowners. They are here to help you make the best decisions, ensuring that the buying, selling, letting and managing of your most valuable asset is straight-forward and rewarding. For further details, please visit our website.

1 Washington DC, eg (7)

5 Fish eggs (5)

9 Problems; drawbacks (13)

10 Black coffee (4,4)

11 Fight to settle an issue of honour (4)

12 Roof apartment (9)

16 Tiny, biting fly (4)

17 Selfless concern (8)

19 Nervous fear (6-7)

21 Declare (5)

22 Pupil (7)

Down

2 Waterproof jacket (6)

Down

3 Utensil (9)

2 Waterproof jacket (6)

4 Mexican friend (5)

3 Utensil (9)

6 Twenty-third Greek letter (3)

4 Mexican friend (5)

6 Twenty-third Greek letter (3)

7 Having difficulty breathing due to exertion (6)

8 Coiffure (6)

7 Having difficulty breathing due to exertion (6)

11 Interrupted (9)

8 Coiffure (6)

13 Movement (6)

11 Interrupted (9)

14 Come up with (6)

13 Movement (6)

15 To the rear, on a ship (6)

18 Special reward (5)

14 Come up with (6)

20 Android, perhaps (3)

15 To the rear, on a ship (6)

18 Special reward (5)

20 Android, perhaps (3)

Cryptic crossword

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Across

7 Expression in Italy for stations (7)

9 Find fault with bachelor, rowdy male (5)

10 Excellent feature in court? (3)

Killer Sudoku Pro

Down

9 Find fault with bachelor, rowdy male (5)

1 Direct and narrow passage, we’re told (8)

10 Excellent feature in court? (3)

2 Elder, say, getting support around rector

11 Claim job with university after a deadline? (9)

11 Claim job with university after a deadline? (9)

12 Fool within walls of grocery given to vapid talk (5)

3 Son with hint merely (6)

12 Fool within walls of grocery given to vapid talk (5)

4 Sailor in Marseilles on back of billboard ridiculous (6)

14 Robot in human form manoeuvred in road close to land (7)

5 Frenchman with a vehicle on island getting pasta (8)

14 Robot in human form manoeuvred in road close to land (7)

16 Percussive instruments in main pit damaged (7)

16 Percussive instruments in main pit damaged (7)

6 Give up source in hearing (4)

8 Unsteadiness, isn’t it, with Libya? (11)

18 Waste strip of wood for lighting candle (5)

18 Waste strip of wood for lighting candle (5)

19 Vain lot I fancy after securing Oscar getting abuse (9)

19 Vain lot I fancy after securing Oscar getting abuse (9)

13 Coils by ground around medium? That’s characteristic of a sign (8)

20 Priest, informally, concerned with verse (3)

15 Conveyance of French uniform (8)

21 Sound of bay, maybe, in eight harbours (5)

20 Priest, informally, concerned with verse (3)

21 Sound of bay, maybe, in eight harbours (5)

22 Less advanced Canadian musician with Queen (7)

7 Expression in Italy for stations (7)

9 Find fault with bachelor, rowdy male (5)

10

11

12

14

16

18

19

20

21

22

Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No didgit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.

22 Less advanced Canadian musician with Queen (7)

17 Indifference apparently at hospital close irresponsibility (6)

18 Like a misguided person among criminals Fulham (6)

19 Doctor penning note for opening (4)

20 Fury with shooting venue denied name (4)

Down

1 Direct and narrow passage, we’re told (8)

2 Elder, say, getting support around rector (4)

3 Son with hint merely (6)

4 Sailor in Marseilles on back of billboard is ridiculous (6)

5 Frenchman with a vehicle on island getting pasta (8)

6 Give up source in hearing (4)

8 Unsteadiness, isn’t it, with Libya? (11)

13 Coils by ground around medium? That’s characteristic of a sign (8)

15 Conveyance of French uniform (8)

17 Indifference apparently at hospital close to irresponsibility (6)

18 Like a misguided person among criminals in Fulham (6)

19 Doctor penning note for opening (4)

20 Fury with shooting venue denied name (4)

For the solutions,

Field & Stream

Swallows, swifts and more –ticking off the summer migrants

By AJ Selby

“Oh to be in England, now that April’s here.” Robert Browning

MY chiff-chaff arrived with impeccable timing on March 14, bang on the median date for the last 50 years. He always gives me great comfort that another spring is with us and summer cannot be far behind. Daylight is increasing and the first leaves are appearing – the hawthorn buds are bursting and older country folk will be nibbling on these deliciously nutty treats. Their country name is ‘bread and cheese’, as they helped sustain travellers and drovers for centuries.

O, to be in England

Now that April’s there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf

Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

In England — now!

In those distant days the elm was a pre-eminent tree across

the country and I still remember magnificent specimens dotted along many a hedge line. The alarm bells started ringing in the early 1970s when word came of Dutch elm disease, spread by the elm beetle. I can recall the warnings that the trees would quickly die back as the beetles burrowed into the bark and cut off their sap supply. However, looking up at those beautiful trees, it seemed incongruous that within a few short years they would all be felled and gone, if not forever, then for the rest of my lifetime.

Elm was a strong and durable wood that has a tight grain and is resistant to water. It was used to make boats and boat parts, coffins, wooden water pipes, wheel hubs and furniture. As the trees were felled, the bark parted from the trunk and we saw the myriad burrows of the beetle – like a drone view of those water channels found on beaches as the tide goes out. Today’s younger generation will fail to grasp how beautiful these trees were and how iconic they were of the England at that time

– even old photos fail to do them justice.

Another big change over the last half a century or so is the definitions of the seasons with many of them blurring into the next. Rarely did we see a winter without snow and prolonged frosts, and spring crept gradually upon us. However, autumn is the season that has changed the most, from that former descent into mists and mellow fruitfulness when the colours were beyond mindblowing, and then the post equinox gales and trees stripped bare of every quivering leaf. Today it is hard to tell when autumn starts and finishes.

Despite my chiff-chaff appearing on time, many marker plants tell us that the seasons are changing. With no proper winter this year, some flowers were appearing up to six weeks early, but with pollinators still in hibernation, prospects of fertilisation were slim. Once insects hatch they may then struggle to find those flowers upon which they have become interdependent for centuries.

Many people are trying to address the changes to our climate – all I can do is observe and compare, but there is no doubt we are close to a tipping point, if not already over it. So what else can we see as the days lengthen and the mercury rises? Summer migrants are arriving in numbers and it’s great fun

ticking them off as you spot them – blackcap, willow warbler, whitethroat, flycatcher, swallows, martins and swifts.

I love swifts, beautiful birds that spend so long on the wing and scythe though the warm summer air. I used to have a Ladybird book with pictures representing each month and its associated wildlife, and July, I think, showed an old Norman village church with swifts wheeling around the bell-tower set against an azure blue sky.

I plan to visit some different habitats this year as there are still many birds I have never seen, such as the dipper, bittern and the corncrake – this last bird will be hard to find but possibly easier to hear.

Alongside the birds, of course, will be the different plants and insects in those habitats which will also be fun to learn about.

Woodland has always been my milieu, so to visit fast-flowing rivers, reed beds and, to a lesser extent, organic farmland, to see the three aforementioned birds will be interesting.

My other plan this year is to see more butterflies. I have only seen many species once or twice, so I want to brush up on my identification skills this year, as who is not entranced by these beautiful insects? As time marches on, I want to experience as much as I can of the wonderful world of nature around me.

“Swifts are beautiful birds that spend so long on the wing and scythe though the warm summer air,” says AJ Selby

Telling It Like It Is

Train drivers, junior doctors, teachers: Life’s about choices

OKAY, it’s easy for me to sit here in my warm and spacious home in Harmans Cross and pontificate, but it hasn’t always been that way. Years of worrying about the next credit card bill – still not over – or whether the bank account is in the red. Yes, we’re fortunate that we no longer have to worry about where the next meal is coming from or whether to heat or eat. But we have been through those weeks, months and years and have made decisions which to some readers might seem strange.

For example, we invested wisely in putting James through the public school system. Where he thrived, left with adequate exam results and made his own way in life. His dreams of becoming a car salesman were rapidly replaced by the more realistic rewards of commercial banking, but at no time did we try to tell him what to do – or indeed what not to do. As no-one did with us. Mother wanted me to be a Minister!

So, where is this going? It’s all about choices. We made ours and James made his. With differing degrees of success. I don’t mean money, I mean personal satisfaction. Happiness. And all a parent can really ask is for his child to be healthy and happy. The rest is up to him. But these days, so many people appear dissatisfied with the lot they have chosen and choose to vent their feelings on the rest of us by striking, protesting, waving banners, getting involved in political issues that have little or no bearing on their own personal or family life.

Take for example junior doctors. Poorly paid. But with a

By David Hollister

little more patience, foresight and ‘stickability’, they would end up as senior doctors or registrars with more responsibility and consequently fatter pay packets. I totally applaud their motives in wishing to work for and with the NHS, which trained them this far, but wonder when the basic tenets of the Hippocratic Oath got lost along the way.

“As a new doctor, and a member of the medical profession: I solemnly pledge that I will do my best to serve humanity – caring for the sick, promoting good health and alleviating pain and suffering. I will care for all patients equally and not allow prejudice to influence my practice. I will respect, support and give gratitude to my teachers, colleagues and all those who sustain the NHS. I recognise that the practice of medicine is a privilege with which comes considerable responsibility and I will not abuse my position. I make this declaration sincerely, freely and upon my honour”.

And the teachers? Do I really expect to see the people charged with educating my children standing outside the school gates, chanting and waving banners? Professionals taking “industrial action”. Whatever their circumstances and whatever gripe they may have with the Department for Education, what sort of example does that show to the schoolchildren? Patience? Tolerance? No – it’s the modern principle of he who has the biggest stick to wave and the loudest voice thinks he will win. And may well do so at the expense of the country and of

future generations.

How about train drivers? Perpetual strikes bringing the railway network to its knees, to the point where many people won’t “let the train take the strain”, simply because having forked out some of the highest rail fares in Europe they can still not be certain that the same means of transport will be available for the return journey.

I do miss the good old days where the train was a viable alternative and a pleasurable experience. Wareham to Manchester, one way, today is £115.60. That’s a whole week’s state pension if I want to come home. And no, I don’t want to spend hours trawling the internet for the cheapest fares. I want to buy a reasonably priced ticket and enjoy my journeys there and back. But if it goes on like this, there will be no railway network left to travel on.

I’ve cited three examples here. And wonder exactly how many strikers are doing so to “get at” the Government, how many in search for personal gain and how many have actually thought this through and remembered the Kennedy mantra – “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. Like it or not, we are all in this together so – doctors, teachers, train drivers – before demanding from your country, ask yourselves what the long-term effect on your country will be if it goes on like this. And you, dear reader, can ‘get at the Government’ later in the year – through the ballot box.

AND now the bad news. Depends how you see it, really. Double council tax will be charged on all second home owners in Swanage and across Dorset from April 1, 2025.

A 100% premium charge will also apply to homes left empty for more than 12 months from April 1, 2024. Purbeck currently has about 2,000 second homes in its towns and villages, more than a third of all the second

homes in the Dorset Council area.

At a full council meeting in February 2024, Dorset Council voted in the measures, which are expected to raise an extra £8 million to £10 million a year, by 50 votes to three. Some 40% of all extra money raised by the premium charge will now be put aside for building new affordable homes in Dorset. So they say.

This is great news for those families struggling to buy a first home in Swanage. Now we have to hold Dorset Council to it. And don’t forget my much repeated mantra – for everyone who has two homes, someone else has none.

STILL trying to organise another public meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner for April, although this might stretch into May, depending on venue availability. No, Mr Sidwick, we haven’t gone away, and indeed, the groundswell of dissatisfaction with the Police is still very much there. Keep those complaints and comments coming in.

WE’RE working hard on the new radio station. I can now tell you that it’s going to be in Commercial Road, in the premises previously occupied by the Purbeck Gazette, which we will happily be sharing with the Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust, by courtesy of The Loft and Swanage Emporium. We’ll only be occupying a small area as most of our shows will be recorded at home, or out on location, and we’ll invite as many of you as can attend, to our grand opening – well, tea and a bun perhaps – round about the end of May. Not shut away on the pier, but here for you in the centre of town. Hope you can come and talk to us.

I’m sure that the first part of this column will have ruffled a few feathers but some things just have to be said. And if you disagree, then I’m sorry.

In praise of our lifeboat crews

I HAVE the honour and good fortune of having two lifeboat stations in my constituency.

On March 23 I was invited to attend the naming ceremony of a new inshore vessel at Swanage.

Named after the donor, the D-Class Ray Norgrove, powered by an outboard engine capable of 25 knots, has a crew of three crew.

Similar to a RIB, the boat is highly manoeuvrable and adaptable, especially in shallower waters.

It’s ideally suited to cope with incidents involving dinghies, motor yachts, paddleboards and even pets.

There will be no let up, especially during the summer, when the station deals with an average of 15 incidents a month.

Rob Pullman is the latest in a long line of dedicated operation officers.

He says they are NOT a towing service, there are commercial operators for that.

The RNLI is acutely aware it’s funded by public donations

and should use assets appropriately.

Over the year, there are about 80 call-outs, some of which require the station’s much bigger, Shannon-class all weather lifeboat, which I’ve been on.

Completely sealed, capable of rolling 360 degrees, with twin water jet engines, air conditioning and special seating, the Shannon class can rescue about 50 people in rough and stormy seas.

It was called on three times during the chaotic, 50th Fastnet race last year.

family orientated, literally.

The present Coxswain, Dave Turnbull, followed in his dad’s footsteps, while Gav and Matt Steeden served alongside their father, Martin Steeden, following their grandfather, Vic Marsh.

There are also three families with two generations currently serving together – Steve Williams and his son Felix, Rob and Lucie Aggas and their son Sam, and Roydon Woodford and his son Morgan.

Call-outs are predominantly initiated by the Coastguard, which then notifies the RNLI, which tasks the relevant station.

Since 1875, Swanage crews have launched the lifeboats 3,106 times and saved 783 lives, with the station closing only temporarily in 1914.

You will not be surprised to learn that the station is very

It’s a tradition they are rightly proud of. 200 years ago, RNLI founder Sir William Hillary wrote to the King, appealing for volunteers to “risk their own lives for those whom they have never known or seen”.

How appropriate then that the birth of this extraordinary organisation should be celebrated at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on March 4.

Today, there are 238 lifeboat

stations, which have cumulatively saved 146,000 lives.

As you might expect, these rescues are often performed in appalling conditions and the risks are high.

More than 600 have died in the RNLI’s service – their names are inscribed on a memorial in Poole.

I have met the crews at Swanage and Weymouth and there’s a resolute professionalism about them that is truly awesome.

They volunteer to serve, they serve to save lives – there is nothing more honourable.

The RNLI has many stories of courage to tell and they come from the selfless acts of local people like those who crew the vessels in Swanage.

On behalf of South Dorset’s residents, visitors, sailors and fishermen I would like to thank them profoundly for their courage and humility.

RICHARD DRAX Conservative MP for South Dorset

Tourist businesses take centre stage

THIS week is English Tourism week. Living in such a beautiful part of the world, tourists are an important part of our local economy here in Dorset. Many of our local businesses benefit from the revenue that tourists bring to the area.

Promoting local businesses is part of my role as your MP, and I recently met two awardwinning local businesses at the British Holiday & Home Parks Association conference in London. Wareham Forest Tourist Park and South Lytchett Caravan and Camping Park took Gold and Silver respectively at the Dorset Tourism awards.

At the conference we discussed technological advancement and incorporation, and how they are becoming more environmentally

sustainable. If you run a local business and would like me to visit, please do get in touch.

Another part of my role is working with local councillors and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Coming up in May we will have the chance to vote for who we want to run our local council here in Dorset, and who we want to be the Police and Crime Commissioner.

From this year, you will need ID to vote in elections in Dorset. This has already been a requirement in Northern Ireland for many years, and helps to prevent electoral fraud. You can use a wide range of documents as voter ID, including a driving licence,

Michael Tomlinson

passport and certain bus passes. You can use an expired document, as long as you still look identifiable from the photograph. If you do not have ID that can be used, you can get a free voter authority certificate, but you must apply by 5pm on April 24. You can find links to the online application form, and a full list of acceptable ID, on my website https:// www. michaeltomlinson.org. uk/voter-id-elections.

Once you have a voter authority certificate, you can use it for any future elections, including the general election. We don’t yet know when that will be, but it has to be by January 2025.

If you prefer to vote by post, you will also need to provide ID when you apply. You can apply for a postal vote up until 5pm on April 17, and you can do so through the Dorset Council website.

I continue to hold regular surgeries in the constituency, so please do get in touch if there is something you need help with, or if you’d like me to visit your organisation or business. Email me at michael.tomlinson.mp@ parliament.uk or contact my office on 01202 624216. You can also follow what I’ve been doing on Facebook, www. facebook.com/michael4MDNP, or on my website, www. michaeltomlinson.org.uk.

MICHAEL TOMLINSON

Conservative MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole

Richard Drax

Friends speak with voice of humanity

THE Oxford English Dictionary defines racism as “prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”.

I thought of that definition when I heard what Conservative Party donor Frank Hester had said: “You see Diane Abbott on TV, and you’re just like – you just want to hate all black women because she’s there.”

The businessman, worth £415 million, then said that although he didn’t hate all black women, he thought the long serving MP “should be shot”. He is also reported to have made remarks coloured by racism about the Indians and Asians employed in his company.

Hester is the chief executive of Phoenix Partnership, a software company he founded in 1997. The company has been awarded £400 million in NHS and Prison Service contracts. In

2015 Frank Hester was awarded an OBE for “services to healthcare”.

Polling indicates 68% of all voters and 56% of 2019 Conservative voters would describe Hester’s comments as racist. 52% of all voters say Rishi Sunak should return Hester’s donations to the Conservative Party – now reckoned to total £15 million, including £5 million not yet registered with the Electoral Commission.

Yet so far Rishi has made no move to return the millions despite widespread criticism –even from within his own party.

In a tweet on X, formerly Twitter, Hester admitted his comments about Diane Abbott were “rude” – but “nothing to do with her gender or the colour of her skin”. At Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi said the public should accept this apology. Hester’s remarks were “wrong”

and “racist”.

It is worth noting though that Hester, in his tweet, said he had been “rude” – not racist. It is also surely also worth noting the pronouncements made by prominent Conservatives in the recent months.

Lee Anderson – before he joined Reform – said “Islamists” had “got control” of London and its Mayor, Sadiq Khan – and of Keir Starmer. Suella Braverman said the overwhelmingly peaceful marches for a ceasefire in London were “hate-filled mobs”. She said the desperate souls crossing the Channel in small boats “possess values which are at odds with our country” – she spoke of an “invasion”.

Priti Patel said she dreams of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda – a country described by Amnesty International as a country where there are “serious human rights violations,

including detention and torture”.

Small wonder, locally, then that far right supporters have issued death threats to the brave women who are inspiring the work of the Portland Global Friendship Group. Small wonder there are banners saying “no illegals”.

All credit then to the Portland Global Friends who remain undaunted – supporting the asylum seekers living in limbo on the Bibby Stockholm. And all credit to Portland mayor Carralyn Parkes who took Dorset Council to the High Court, challenging its decision to allow the berthing of the Bibby Stockholm.

A judgement is still awaited, but there can be no doubting that Carralyn and the Portland Global friends speak with the voice of humanity.

CHRIS BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

Lib Dems set out stall at conference

EVERY day I wake up and wonder if this is the day that the general election is going to be called. This has been going on for more than six months and could carry for another six.

Westminster was described this week as a Zombie Government, so it seems MPs are doing the same, and it was reported that new legislation is typically completed each week by Wednesday lunchtime, with MPs either going home or holding debates with no purpose.

Considering our public services are crumbling, and the country is lurching from crisis to crisis, this is an appalling situation and people around the country, from all parts of the political spectrum, agree “enough is enough, we need a general election NOW.”

The Liberal Democrats held our spring conference last week, setting out our stall for the electorate and agreeing rafts of

new policies that will form part of our general election manifesto. One of the things I value most about the party is how we make policy – it starts with members, or groups of members who submit a motion, it gets debated at conference and if successfully voted through it goes on to be policy. Democracy in action.

People often ask what we stand for and I point them first to the party’s preamble: “The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.”

and principles allows us as activists, members, candidates and elected representatives to remain true and for our voters and constituents to understand what to expect from us.

This most recent conference saw clarity over our commitment to the NHS, not just our 24-hour GP guarantee, the development of dental policy and expansion of support for carers, but a refocus on primary and community healthcare and a reminder of the importance of mental health gaining true parity with physical health.

Windfall tax to be spent on retrofitting homes and eliminating fuel poverty and plans to simplify the taxation of wealth and reversing the Government’s tax cut on banks.

Throughout the coming months you will hear the Liberal Democrats talking about a Fair Deal. We believe we make things fair by ensuring everyone can get on, by devolving decision-making to regions and communities and by holding power to account.

Policy changes as the world changes but starting with values

New tax policy that would see a 4% levy on share buybacks that can inflate company values was announced, with tax raised invested into public services. This sits alongside our expansion of the Energy

Every day the general election is delayed is an opportunity missed to make things fairer, to turn over a new page to a new chapter. Look at the Lib Dem website to see how our Fair Deal will improve lives from early years to old age, for the environment and to the economy.

Vikki Slade

Go on, take a break from your phone

By Alice Johnsen

WHEN it rains as much as it has done recently, our minds can drift abroad to a dreamed of holiday where we can re-charge and life will be more than alright.

But I’ve been reading about other types of holidays. Digital holidays. Time away from all screens is good for us, we all know that. Unfortunately, we also all know that’s nigh on impossible. Where we go, our phones go.

A week-long break from your phone is unlikely to work. Short breaks are almost as good.

I know if I go for a walk with my phone the temptation is there to take lots of photographs I will never use.

But a walk without my phone is a different thing altogether. Not only do you immediately come back to your surroundings and the present but you return home feeling like you’ve had a

proper break.

So why do we not all spend more time away from our phones?

It’s down to habit and I wrote about changing habits recently.

If you decide you want to spend less time looking at a small rectangle, start small. Go for the walk without your phone.

Actually, the first step is to leave your phone outside your bedroom at night. Remember, before phones we used alarm clocks and they’re still really good.

If you can manage no phones in the bedroom and not always taking a phone with you when you walk - your brain will already be benefiting.

By disconnecting yourself now and then, you are allowing your mind to process and re-set, which means you will be in a better state to do what you need to do.

Other good times to lose the phone are mealtimes. Or time with friends. Or if you are working on something that requires focus - leave your phone in another room.

Having a phone with us all the time is just a recently acquired habit and unless we are on call or have a family situation that requires us to be contactable, do we really need everyone to be able to get hold

of us all the time or to know where our loved ones are all the time? What happened to freedom and independence?

A constant exposure to smart screens is slowly eroding our ability to focus and to be alone with our own thoughts. So why not take a few steps to address and see how different you feel.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach (07961 080513; alicejohnsen. co.uk)

Don’t take your phone when you go for walk, or use it when you are having a meal or are with friends

Meditations in nature: The moth that thinks it’s a bird

By Susanna Curtin

MARCH is marching on, and to be honest, I am not sorry. As the nature poet John Clare declared, it is a “month of many weathers, that wildly comes, in hail, snow, rain, and threatening floods”. Occasionally though, the cold wind drops, and March offers us a taste of the warm sunshine to come. Fortunately, this morning is one of those glorious moments. Usually, I would be eager for a nice long walk on such a day, but I am currently nursing a sprained ankle and am therefore out of action. Instead, I have taken the opportunity to stop for a while with my feet up in the garden, to enjoy the sunshine and watch the comings and goings of my garden birds.

There are blackbirds squabbling in the undergrowth, blue tits checking out the nest boxes and flocks of finches fighting with the blackcaps for supremacy on the bird feeders. Beside me, one of my visiting wrens is rummaging through the flowerpots like a mouse, looking for insects and grubs, and it is watching him that alerts me to something quite extraordinary for this time of year.

A hummingbird hawk-moth is hovering on the patio in search of nectar. Stopping at a jonquil, it expertly places its inch-long proboscis on the flower stamens to collect nectar.

Like its namesake, this exquisite moth looks and behaves just like a hummingbird. It flits at speed from flower to flower and even appears to have feathers and a tail. They are often quoted as a perfect example of what evolutionary biologists call convergent evolution. Because creatures all face the same challenges for survival, it is not surprising that nature can arrive at the same solution to meet these demands. So sometimes, distantly or non-related animals

independently evolve similar traits and can bear an uncanny resemblance to each other. This delicate hummingbird hawk-moth has a wing-speed of up to 80 beats per second. It flies by rotating its wings in a figure of eight motion, enabling it to generate lift on both forward and backward strokes. This allows it to maintain a stable position mid-air – just like a hummingbird. In fact, their wings can move so fast they also emit a characteristic

humming sound. Being a member of the hawk-moth family, whose Latin name is Sphingidae, they are commonly called “sphinx moths”. Apparently, their name comes from the caterpillar’s habit of raising its head up when alarmed like an Egyptian sphinx.

I’m always amazed at how many people shudder at the idea of moths because we have many beautiful, intriguing species in this country, and they are such important pollinators. But these hummingbird mimics are the moths that defy all others by blowing away the myths. These ones are pretty, they fly during the day and people are fascinated by them.

Watching this one darting over my spring flowers, I am fascinated too, for I have only ever seen them in flight from July to October. They are a widespread species in Europe, Asia and North Africa, and the ones we get here have usually migrated in variable numbers each year from southern Europe. In 1998 they never overwintered here, but due to rising temperatures and milder winters, it appears they do now in unheated outbuildings, in thick vegetation and hollow trees. As this this one flits off over the garden fence and into the distance, I wonder about climate change and the migration of species and people as a result. We can now add the hummingbird hawk-moth to the other new species of bees and spiders that frequent our gardens. But what others have we lost in turn?

n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com).

CHIROPODY

The hummingbird hawk-moth has a wing-speed of up to 80 beats per second and flies by rotating its wings in a figure of eight motion

Actions speak much louder than words

By Alice Johnsen

I HOPE by the time this article reaches print, the furore around the apparently doctored photograph of the Princess of Wales and her three children will have died down.

As I write, I don’t know which way this story will go, but it seems to me there’s a lot of fuss being made over a young girl’s hand while she, Princess Charlotte, has to go about her life at school without the option of explaining. I’m pretty sure that’s not fair.

All of us will face times when we are being criticised or accused wrongly. It happens but it’s never nice, particularly if it’s unjustified. That old saying, ‘the truth will out’ is often applicable, but even when it’s not, carrying on with your life and not getting directly involved in an accusation can very often be the quickest and

calmest way to move forward.

Rather than fuelling the flames by voicing your reaction it is so often more effective to show your purpose and strength through just carrying on.

Actions are greater than

Simple herbs to keep the body healthy and strong

By Fiona Chapman

I CANNOT believe that it is almost two weeks since we came back from India – four by the time this article is published. It is unbelievable to think that we were enjoying 37 degrees with bright sun. We are now sitting in a water-logged, grey Dorset. But spring is in the air, wonderful daffodils, crocuses, forsythia, hyacinths, tulips – a bit early – and rosemary with their stunning purple flowers coating the stems all cheering me up as I look out of the window.

We are all, particularly my husband, missing our daily one-hour massage, which is an integral part of the Ayurvedic treatment and especially important as we get older. It breaks down knotty muscles,

which is great for circulation, pain and bad postural habits.

It breaks down fat cells which is quite wonderful and literally has changed our shape. I now have a waist! My friend was complaining about her “bingo wings”. Her therapist really worked on the underneath of her arms, and she now feels she can wear tank tops. She also got rid of a small hump on the back of her neck. Another lady at our centre had a stomach that was slewed to one side and the therapist managed to get it back into the centre.

words in other ways, too. We are surrounded by bad news stories, now more than usual, and we are all affected by this to a greater or lesser degree.

But saying the world is an awful place or expressing

The massage helps with lymph drainage and detoxification and makes one feel much younger and more agile. This then, with daily yoga to stretch out and strengthen muscles, has taken years of us all.

To replace the massages, I will make some delicious herbal teas as an alternative and try to do yoga daily to keep the body flexible. Fresh nettles are brilliant for this as they strengthen the blood and provide lots of the nutrients we need after winter.

The beautiful rosemary bush

sympathy for someone in trouble only goes so far. Few of us are in a position of global reach but we are all in a position to make a difference locally. I don’t think we should ever underestimate the power of a small deed, a short conversation, a shared meal.

In the very early days of the Russian invasion, a scheme was set up unofficially to get financial support to people in Ukraine. In March 2022, almost exactly two years ago, social medial platforms encouraged people to book a short stay in B&B accommodation, obviously without travelling, throughout Ukraine, therefore ensuring money got to people direct. You may have done this.

I am looking back on a short online conversation I had with my ‘host’ because of this initiative. It was a tiny human contact between two strangers who will probably never meet but it was a contact based on love and a simple but effective action.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach (07961 080513; alicejohnsen. co.uk).

outside my window is cowering slightly as fresh rosemary tea is excellent for circulation, particularly taking blood and therefore oxygen up to the brain.

The Galuim aparine, goosegrass/cleavers can be just steeped in cold water overnight and drunk to improve lymph drainage.

Dandelion leaves added to salads act as a bitter to stimulate digestion. They are diuretic, which will make sure we get any toxins out of the body.

Dandelion root helps to detox the liver and acts as a mild laxative to keep the bowels moving.

So, although a massage is simply lovely, there are ways in which we can all keep our body healthy and strong with simple herbs.

n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist; email Pellyfiona@gmail.com.

The power of a short conversation should not be underestimated

Fresh rosemary tea is excellent for circulation

The do’s and don’ts of weeding

By Sally Gregson

SPRING is the time of year when weeding the borders is particularly prescient. Every weed left in place now will increase exponentially if it is allowed to seed. What was a single weed can suddenly become a forest of dandelions or nettles or docks.

With such pernicious weeds, it is essential that the entire root is removed and the roots disposed of in the waste bin, not the compost heap. Even a fraction of root can turn into a whole plant. The best tool for the job is a long, narrowpronged hand-fork that can excavate right down to the tip of

the root. A twist of the wrist will extract the whole weed entirely. Annual weeds that cannot proliferate from their roots are best extracted before their flowers have set seed. If they are removed on a sunny day, and the seed has not yet formed, they can be left to wilt on the surface, although tidy gardeners may prefer to take the carcases away.

A garden hoe can be of great use in such a situation, especially among the formal rows of seedlings in the vegetable garden. Here it’s possible to run a hoe down through the rows, detaching the upper parts from the roots and

Turkish sultans delighted in tulips

By Sally Gregson

MOST gardeners are familiar with the story of the Black Tulip and ‘tulipmania’ that captivated so many in 17th century Holland. But before and after that time the fashion for growing tulips centred on the court of the Ottoman sultans of Turkey. In the 16th century, Istanbul – or rather, Constantinople – was famous for its fabulous gardens, and especially for its tulips. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who ruled Turkey, adored them and would grow thousands of new species in his garden, The Abode of Bliss. But the passion for tulips did not end with Suleiman’s death. By the 18th century Sultan Ahmet III was also obsessed with them. He imported millions of tulip bulbs from Holland to grow in his own garden and gave those his

Home & Garden

Every weed left in place now will increase rapidly if allowed to seed leaving the weeds to die. Perhaps a quick run down the rows, hand-weeding between seedlings, could finish the task.

But hoeing in the ornamental garden can cause more harm than good. Leaving self-sown seedlings of ornamentals such as the soft lemon-yellow Oenothera odorata ‘Sulphurea’, or ‘pot marigolds’ (Calendula), will give a more relaxed, fuller feel to the planting. And often these seedlings put themselves

in such good places. Hoeing the borders can make it all look too regimented and self-consciously ‘tidy’. And when a whole border is thoroughly weeded in late spring, not only is it a timely job well-done, but the soil has been titivated in between the perennials and shrubs, making a more absorbent surface for any more rain to drain down into the ground beneath the roots. And young plants actually like the rain, unlike gardeners.

gardeners bred names like Light of Paradise, Matchless Pearl and Gem of the Shah – this latter variety bred by lady gardeners.

Sultan Ahmet grew mounds of tulips in his garden, in pots and containers - anywhere and everywhere they would flower. He would throw lavish parties in his tulip garden. At sunset the gongs would be sounded, the doors thrown open and the Sultan’s ladies would walk out dressed as tulips. At their feet, tortoises with lighted candles on their backs would weave among the revellers. The Turks especially favoured tulips with long, thin petals such as Tulipa acuminata with flaming red petals tapering to a golden point. It is an easy species to grow, providing the site has well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine, like its exotic Turkish home.

Sport

Moag at the double in away win

By Ron Butler

Corsham 14

Swanage & Wareham 27

SWANS had to make the long journey to Corsham for their penultimate game in the Southern Counties league.

Swans were awarded a penalty on the Corsham 22, wing forward Conor Moag took a quick tap and raced to the try line after five minutes to put Swans five points up. Matt Spencer added the extras.

Three penalties to Corsham took them into the Swans 22, but from a maul, Swans won the ball back, moved the ball to winger George Crouch, who outpaced the Corsham defence

RUGBY

to score half way out. Matt Spencer added the conversion to put Swans 14 points ahead after 10 minutes.

From thereon it went badly for Swans, conceding loads of penalties, which Corsham tapped, as they were good at retaining the ball, but the Swans defence was outstanding.

However, after 20 minutes, a penalty to Swans five metres line resulted in a catch/drive move enabling Corsham to score a converted try (7 points-14 points).

Swans continued to give away a series of penalties – 16

in first half – but Corsham could not add to the score, so that was how the game stood at the interval.

Three minutes into the second half another penalty to Corsham on the Swans five metres line resulted in another catch/drive move to level the scores at 14 points each.

It was quite even for the next 20 minutes or so, but past the hour mark, Swans moved the ball to winger Olly Dillon, who went down the wing to score in the corner (14 points-19 points).

Five minutes later a Swans scrum on the Corsham five metres line saw Swans push

Corsham back over their line, with Conor Moag claiming his second and bonus point try (14 points-24 points).

A penalty to Swans three minutes before the end saw Matt Spencer add the three points to make the score Corsham 14, Swanage & Wareham 27.

Swans team: L Reeves, G Crouch, E Dimescio, M Roberts, O Dillon, M Spencer, O Peters, S Waterman, J Phillips, A Crouch, K Salina, M Seaton, T Holland, C Moag, K Jones, Z Wyburgh, G Smith, J Towers.

n OTHER RESULT: Swans 2nd XV won the title of their league without playing with one game to go at Bournemouth 3rd XV.

Swanage go down after feast of goals

Swanage Town & Herston 1 Bournemouth Sports 3 SWANS suffered a disappointing defeat at Days Park in the Dorset Premier League.

Sports were far sharper than the hosts and had three near misses in the first 10 minutes.

Swans produced a lacklustre performance and looked disjointed, and, unsurprisingly, the visitors took the lead after 30 minutes following a deflected shot.

Swans introduced substitute

FOOTBALL

Charlie Brassington at half-time and started to look far more cohesive in their attacking play.

Moore and Brassington went close, then Swans deservedly equalised when Brassington headed home following a cross from Reeks.

Swans fought hard but Sports always looked dangerous and took the lead with a header from Jamie Trimble.

Swans keeper Jacques produced a good save but was

beaten by Jai Crowther following a corner to secure the points.

Swans’ misery was complete when defender Pryor was shown red in the last minute.

Team: K Jacques, Olly Smith, B Smith, J Streams, D Cavendish (S Pryor 72), B Hughes (C Brassington 46), C Lee, C Dyke, C Moore, M White, D Reeks. Star man: Cohen Lee. Special mention: Jake Streams. Subs: C Brassington, S Pryor, S Willcocks, T Hibbs.

Swanage Town & Herston 8 Poole Borough 0

SWANS scored seven second half goals to register a big win

at Days Park in The Dorset Premier League.

Dan Reeks scored from a spot kick in the first half before Charlie Brassington doubled the lead with a header and Mitch White added the third, his first goal for the Swans.

White scored number four and Reeks the fifth with an exquisite chip. Charlie Dyke scored the sixth and Mitch White completed his hat-trick with a calm finish and then his fourth in the last minute of normal time.

Over-60s team run the leaders close

THE Dorset over 60s football league concluded with Swanage finishing a close third behind Dorchester and winners Eastleigh.

The Swanage team had a great campaign, only losing once in their 14 fixtures and conceding a mere seven goals in the process.

Wins in six of their last seven matches, including a 1-0 victory over eventual champions Eastleigh, saw the Swans fall just short of the top two.

The league took place over five rounds starting in October

2023 at Bournemouth, with further rounds held at Weymouth, Hamworthy, Sherborne and Dorchester.

It featured teams from all of those locations plus Eastleigh and Swanage.

Teams play each other twice over the course of the season in 25-minute matches with all matches refereed by qualified officials.

Swanage have their club night from at Purbeck Sports Centre on Thursday at 6.30pm and new players from 50-plus are welcome to attend.

Swanage over-60s (back) A Vince, P Attwater, M Pocklington, S Dawson, P Robathan; (front) P Arrowsmith, G Leman, G Young

The Timeless Charm of Afternoon Tea: A Tradition of Elegance & Delight

In a world that often moves at a frantic pace, there exists a timeless tradition that invites us to slow down, savour the moment, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Afternoon tea, a ritual that has transcended generations, continents, and cultures, embodying elegance and refinement.

Originating in 19th-century Britain, afternoon tea was introduced by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who found herself in need of a light repast to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. What began as a private indulgence soon evolved into a social custom, spreading throughout the British Empire and beyond. Today, it continues to enchant enthusiasts worldwide, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

In an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty, afternoon tea reminds us to pause, to appreciate life's simple pleasures, and to find comfort in the company of loved ones. Whether enjoyed in a hotel, restaurant, tearoom, or the comfort of home, it offers a sanctuary of tranquility amidst the chaos of the outside world.

Afternoon Tea with the most spectacular views across Studland Bay.

*Friday 2.30pm-4pm and weekends 12pm-4pm. £24 per person or £30.50 with a glass of bubbly.

01929 450450 | knollhouse.co.uk

Delightful Tea at The Pines Hotel

Join us at The Pines Hotel in Swanage for an afternoon tea to remember with views across Swanage Bay.

Food & Drink

By Lorraine Gibson

East Street Deli in award running Lotto comes up for food club that keeps it

IT’S cheesy grins all round at the East Street Deli by Warren & Butler in Wimborne, as owners Claire and Simon Warren have been told their popular shop has been shortlisted for a special foodie accolade.

The annual Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards announced that the delicatessen, founded nearly four years ago on hard graft and a hefty dollop of optimism, is in the running with four others in the ‘Newcomer’ category, with the winner to be revealed at the Farmshop & Deli Show at the NEC, Birmingham, this month.

“We’re so, so proud to announce that we have reached the final of the national,” says Simon.

“We’ve made it to the final five for this national award that’s in partnership with The Grocer.

“Whether we win, lose or

draw you can be absolutely sure that we are truly humbled to have been listed for such a prestigious retail award!”

He added: “A massive thank-you goes to everyone that has supported us throughout this journey.”

DORSET’S food and education charity the Friendly Food Club has been awarded a three-year grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This will be a major boost to everyone involved in the charity and will help the dedicated team continue to deliver cookery workshops and food education and skills sessions across Dorset.

The Friendly Food Club provides fun, friendly and free cooking programmes for disadvantaged and marginalised adults and children, including cookery skills, healthy eating and therapeutic cooking sessions, and community meals for older people and those with additional needs.

The workshops and sessions enable participants to feel more self-reliant, improve selfconfidence, build social connections and can improve mental health.

Phoenix attended the cooking and nutrition sessions at the Joy Cafe, Boscombe, last year.

His life went from eating fast food, low energy levels and poor sleep patterns, to losing weight, improved sleep and having grown in confidence.

By the time he had finished the courses, he was cooking for

his mum as well as looking forward to teaching her how to cook his recipes.

Phoenix said: “Fast food made my energy levels so low. I feel different, I’m less tired than usual. I sleep better and I’ve got more energy.

“Without the cooking and nutrition course, it would have been the same cycle, but I’ve changed, broken the cycle and I’m moving forward instead of backwards.”

Liz Guilmant-Cush, chief executive of the Friendly Food Club, said: “I’m delighted that the National Lottery has seen that the Friendly Food Club is a charity worth investing in.

“This grant will allow us to reach more of our local communities through the cooking workshops and skills sessions, so that, like Phoenix, others can grow in their cooking skills, nutritional knowledge and develop confidence for a better future.”

To find out more about the Friendly Food Club, visit its website at thefriendlyfoodclub. org.

Anyone who would like to support its work can do so by donating on its Go Fund Me page at gofundme.com/f/ get-dorsetcooking.

The Friendly Food Club delivers cookery workshops and food education and skills sessions

Edwardian pendants are typically delicate in design and feature gemstones including seed pearls, peridot, amethyst and tourmaline

Pendant or necklace?

By Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers, 21 South Street, Wareham

WHAT differentiates a pendant from a necklace?

A pendant will hang freely on a chain whereas a necklace is complete.

Even back in the Stone Age, pendants were worn which featured shells and stones, and were worn as a symbol of protection.

As you can imagine, the Ancient Egyptians designed more elaborate pendants with symbols they considered sacred like gods, snakes and scarabs.

Pendant design changed from being a religious symbol to being worn as jewellery as we know it in the 16th century being crafted in gold or enamel but still representing love and protection.

I am fortunate to see many examples of the most beautiful Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian pendants when I am valuing heirlooms for a client.

These are typically very

delicate in design and feature popular gemstones of the time including seed pearls, peridot, amethyst and tourmaline.

Queen Cleopatra was said to have gifted lockets with an image of her inside to her favoured courtiers. Queen Elizabeth I did the same.

Wearing images of the monarch of the day was a sign of loyalty.

In the 17th century, lockets became popular, initially as mourning jewellery.

Here the pendant opened to reveal a place to keep a loved one’s hair or picture, and was worn close to the heart to signify eternal love.

We now associate lockets, often in a heart shape, with Valentine’s Day and they are given as a token of love, especially if they are engraved with the name of a loved one or words and dates that are significant to the person.

Whether you choose a pendant or locket, they make charming jewellery with a lot of meaning.

‘Glistening ocean’ of porcelain

DUKE’S in Dorchester is staging back-to-back sales with Art & Design post-1880 and The Spring Auction on Wednesday and Thursday, April 24-25.

They showcase a trove of curiosities and wonders of exceptional variety.

From furniture to fine art, The Spring Auction promises to be one of Duke’s most diverse.

The vast single-owner Bryan Beardmore collection is a glistening ocean of porcelain.

The halcyon hoard is striking to behold, from teacups to plates, each intricately and masterfully crafted and sure to make a fine statement at auction.

Alongside the ceramic collection are several extraordinary paintings.

A highlight of the collection is a Giacomo Mantegazza painting called The Love Token, featuring two lovers sharing an apple in an Italian courtyard.

The ever-popular Art & Design post-1880 auction features names belonging to titans of the art world, including Mary Fedden, Dame Lucie Rie, John Ward and David Hockney.

An original Mary Fedden oil on canvas entitled Jug and Grapes on a Table, from a deceased estate, is estimated at £8,000-£12,000.

Mary Fedden (1915-2012) Jug and Grapes on a Table is being auctioned later this month.

Business

Town law firm celebrates women in the workplace

PIONEERING Swanage lawyers urged businesses to put employment law into practice when they celebrated International Women’s Day.

They hailed progress made so far in tackling inequality but warned that much is still to be done to ensure female workers have the same opportunities as men.

The call came as Ellis Jones Solicitors held a dedicated Lunch and Learn session for staff to mark the annual day.

The firm – with offices in the High Street – has a record 75% women. Some 70% of its senior associates are female while 57% of its management team and 89% of its support staff are women.

Kate Brooks, head of employment and HR services, said: “We have come a long way from the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Equal Pay Act of 1970.

“However, women have yet to achieve equality of opportunity, equal representation in senior roles and comparable earning power in those businesses where the glass ceiling exists.

“Traditional views about presentism in the workplace, career breaks for maternity and childcare responsibilities are still barriers in some workplaces, which leaves women under-under-rated and undervalued.

“It must be remembered that, at minimum, standards of equality are a legal obligation in the workplace.

“Thankfully progress has been made at many firms but more needs to be done through initiatives such as flexible working, enhanced maternity leave and structured career pathways to make equality a reality rather than a tick box exercise.”

Over and above minimum legal obligations, businesses are advised to build equity, diversity and inclusion into their business’s strategic aims and company culture.

They can include equality, diversity and inclusion in employee policies, working practices and dealings with third parties; hold staff training every 12 months; have robust policies in place; create diversity in leadership; form a staff equality, diversity and inclusion group; and work towards external accreditations.

This year’s International Women’s Day had the theme of ‘inspire inclusion’ to encourage society to recognise the value of women and their diversity in race, age, ability, faith, body image and identity.

Ellis Jones’s celebration included guest speaker Catherine Beal, from Soroptimist International (SI) Bournemouth, who is co-lead of the charity’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Challenge, just one of the projects that local Soroptimists undertake.

Ellis Jones sponsors the STEAM competition every year, which promotes young girls in school around years 8 and 9 – aged 12-14 years – to

becoming a partner in 2018.

Other inspirational figures are Legal 500 rated Victoria Riddleston, the firm’s youngest partner; head of dispute resolution, Lauren Day; joint head of family Deborah Leask; and head of wills, trusts and probate, Carla Brown.

Deborah has built a stellar career in the profession after qualifying in 1990. She has been rated consistently in independent industry guides, including the Legal 500 in 2024 and Chambers and Partners in 2023.

Lauren has been recognised in the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and The Times

work on a project which follows Soroptimist aims to enable, educate and empower women and girls by taking a sustainable idea from design to prototype by using STEAM subjects.

They aim to break gender stereotypes and encourage more girls to take up these subjects and careers in the future.

Catherine spoke about the work of SI as well as the STEAM contest.

She said: “It was inspirational hearing about the successes of so many women at Ellis Jones.

“Soroptimist International is proud to work with such a champion of inclusivity as Ellis Jones whose commitment to equality shows just how much can be achieved both for a business and its people, too.”

Kate Brooks, and partner Katie Taft, outlined their career paths and challenges during the Lunch and Learn session.

Katie, who is a Legal 500 rated lawyer, recently returned from maternity leave and talked about her experiences of Ellis Jones’s flexibility.

Kate has also successfully combined career and family. She was promoted to senior associate in 2016 during her maternity leave before

Top 200 Law Firms guides –including ratings as a Leading Individual. Lauren has also pioneered the firm’s LGBT+ legal services.

Carla, who became a partner in 2018, was named as a Recommended Lawyer in the latest Legal 500 and has been ranked several times in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide.

Other subjects at the Lunch and Learn included how the traditionally male dominated legal profession has changed, inclusion and how Ellis Jones supports its female employees.

This includes enhanced maternity and paternity leave, and a flexible working policy generally in terms of hours and location.

Ellis Jones supports various events for women, such as a Royal Ascot Ladies Day Lunch which it hosts every summer.

It also continues to raise awareness and breaks down barriers in areas such as the menopause, IVF and baby loss.

The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was held in March 1911. It is a global celebration of the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.

Ellis Jones, with 178 staff and 21 partners, also has offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Wimborne and London.

Members of the team at Ellis Jones Solicitors

Property agent joins cancer charity’s backers

A PROPERTY agent in Poole is backing a Dorset cancer charity.

Move On is the latest business to become an official sponsor of The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

Sharon Canning, founder and managing director at Move On, said: “I feel lucky to have watched the DCCF’s amazing work since it started almost 12 years ago, because my mum is one of its founding supporters.

“In recent years, my staff have joined me in attending some of DCCF’s fun events.”

She said the firm was now organising events to support the cause, including a planned coffee morning at the Level 8ight Sky Bar, at the Hilton

Bournemouth last month.

The DCCF was formed in 2012 by three local nurses and has since raised more than £700,000 for cancer patients.

Sharon added: “I have met many people who have been helped by the DCCF when they needed it most; people who have been able to go on much needed short breaks with their loved ones; people who would have lost their homes if they hadn’t had help to pay their mortgage, and even people who have been helped to pay for basics like petrol and parking, just to get back and forth from their cancer treatment.

“We are really passionate about helping the DCCF

Bus company hails its ‘Mr Reliable’

By editor@dorsetbiznews.

co.uk

LOCAL bus driver Dale

Courtney has been named Morebus’s Employee of the Year 2023.

Dale, who has been highly praised for his excellent customer service, was presented with his award by managing director Andrew Wickham.

“Dale joined Morebus in the autumn of 2013, working from our Poole depot all that time, and he has now become part of the furniture,” said Andrew.

“Reliable and dependable, he has also been a member of our driver mentoring team for many years. His calm and mature nature make him the ideal choice to be paired with new drivers who are still finding their feet.

“He was nominated for this award after an act of kindness towards a passenger in need – and this typifies his behaviour day in, day out. He is an excellent example of the image we strive to portray to

our customers, and he is a favourite among his manager, supervisors, fellow drivers and new starters alike.

“Dale thoroughly deserves the accolade of Morebus Employee of the Year. He has also picked up third place overall among Morebus and our sister companies across the south coast. I’d like to congratulate him, and wish him a successful year ahead.”

In recognition of his efforts, Dale received £1,500 worth of vouchers and a trophy.

For more information about Morebus, please visit morebus.co.uk.

because we know the charity’s trustees and supporters work on a voluntary basis and that all the money we raise will go straight to local people who really need it.”

Move On Sales & Lettings has joined Chez Fred, Steele Raymond LLP, Grandeur Properties, Colten Care, Atlas, South West Vehicle Auctions (SWVA) and Swan Productions Ltd in pledging support for the DCCF this year.

Charity manager, Jannine Loveys, said: “There are many families here in Dorset who are facing the added stress of financial worries, on top of the already unbearable burden of a cancer diagnosis – and this is

only getting worse as the cost of living continues to rise.

“Move On Sales & Lettings, along with all our supporters, make a real difference to Dorset families who are going through their darkest days, and we are incredibly grateful for their enthusiasm and support.

“We would love to talk to other companies interested in supporting us in any way they can, from a one-off donation, to sponsoring one of our events, or by choosing us as their charity of the year. ”

For information on DCCF and supporting the charity, contact the team by email to hello@dccf.co.uk, on 07849 249250 or via www.dccf.co.uk.

Bus driver Dale Courtney with Morebus managing director Andrew Wickham

Campaign targets hogging the middle lane and tailgating

DRIVERS hogging the middle lane or driving too close on the motorway has long been a bugbear of motorists.

Now, a new survey has

revealed one in three drivers admitted to outstaying their welcome in the centre lane, while one in four say they have been guilty of tailgating.

UNWANTED VEHICLES bought for cash ●Mot failures ●Nonrunners ●Unfinished projects ●end of life scrap vehicles ●minimum of £200 paid for complete vehicles.

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The survey findings –released as National Highways launches a new campaign –show lane hogging was among the most likely behaviours to cause motorists and riders to feel frustrated, while tailgating was among the most likely to make them feel anxious, stressed or unsafe.

The campaign is urging drivers to carefully consider their driving habits – as little changes can change everything.

The new campaign – carrying the slogan ‘little changes, change everything’ – will feature on radio and television adverts, podcasts, roadside billboards, posters at motorway service stations, retails parks and petrol stations, and on social media.

According to the survey, carried out by Ipsos UK on behalf of National Highways, nearly a third (32%) of drivers admitted to lane hogging at least occasionally while driving on England’s motorways and major A roads.

When thinking about their most recent journey, around a third (34%) of those responding noticed middle lane hogging, and many of them reported that it made them feel frustrated or angry.

Meanwhile, almost seven in 10 adults in England (67%) said close following, or tailgating, is a serious problem on these types of roads.

The survey, of 2,500 adults aged between 16 and 75, also revealed nearly a quarter (23%) of drivers admitted to tailgating at least occasionally.

Lane hogging and tailgating both fall under the offence of careless driving with police officers having the power to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points, meaning failing to keep left on the motorway and close following could hit people in the pocket.

LFor more on the campaign, see https://nationalhighways. co.uk/road-safety/littlechanges/.

2019

2017

EV charging at more than one in 10 supermarkets

the UK added electric vehicle (EV) chargers to 600-plus new locations, meaning drivers can now charge up at more than one-in-10 of their stores, analysis from Zapmap and the RAC shows.

The total number of supermarkets offering EV charge points rose by 59% last year – from 1,015 stores with charging facilities in 2022 to 1,616 in 2023.

This equates to 13% of all 12,839 UK supermarkets, including those that don’t have parking facilities.

In the supermarket charging league, Sainsbury’s has seen the biggest year-on-year growth thanks to the launch of its ultra-rapid network Smart Charge.

After installing just 53 units in 2022, the retailer nearly tripled its total device numbers in 2023 by adding 104 new chargers to its stores.

Meanwhile, Tesco is still leading the way as the biggest overall supermarket charging network.

With 1,305 devices now in place across 4,859 shops, the retailer added 497 chargers to its stores last year.

Consequently, Tesco has nearly 900 more devices than its nearest EV charging rival Morrisons, which has 413 chargers.

Asda uninstalled a large proportion of its devices after its contract ended with bp pulse, dropping by 72% from 165 in 2022 to just 46 in place through 2023.

This represents a drop of 81% from the 246 devices it had installed in 2021 and leaves it with facilities at just 22 stores.

RAC EV spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Concerns about the lack of public charge points are one of the biggest reasons why drivers aren’t choosing to go electric when buying their next car, with six-in-10 telling us this.

“It’s very encouraging to see supermarkets doing their best to allay these fears by ramping up EV charging facilities across a greater proportion of their estates.

“The data also shows a surge of investment in the very fastest chargers. These rapid and ultra-rapid units are the closest drivers can get to filling up with fuel because they offer the fastest charging speeds, helping to reduce queues so motorists can resume their journeys as quickly as possible.

“As the supermarkets currently dominate UK fuel sales, it makes sense for them to try to retain as much of that market as they can by catering to the needs of all EV drivers looking to recharge as quickly as possible.”

Spotlight Diary

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for the April 15 issue is NOON on April 5. Call on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net

KEY: * = Start time not known or n/a; Ffi = for further information; Sw = Swanage; Wm = Wareham; VH = Village Hall, Telephone code 01929 unless otherwise stated.

Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

Singers seek new voices

THE Dorchester-based Encore Singers, who mostly sing songs from the shows and popular modern songs, are looking for new members.

The ever-changing repertoire includes songs from Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady and other musicals, as well as songs by Adele, The Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

The friendly choir is always looking for opportunities to expand its range and includes songs from a wide variety of genres.

It tries to present three or four concerts every year, each usually dedicated to raising funds for charity.

Charities it has supported include Weldmar HospiceCare, Harlequin Care, Citizens Advice, C’Siders and Julia’s house.

It also sings every year at the Carols In The Borough Gardens and the Light Up A Life service in Dorchester.

The Encore Singers currently has about 35 singers across the voice parts and would like to increase its numbers, particularly in the tenor and bass sections, to take on more ambitious works and have greater strength in depth.

A spokesperson for the choir said: “If you are a singer, or even if you have thought about being a singer and never got round to it, why not come along and see if you enjoy being a part of our choir?

“The ability to read music is an advantage, though not essential.

“If you are not sure what voice part you would fit into,

we would be happy to help you find your niche. No audition is required, simply come along and sing with us.”

The choir rehearses every Thursday, during school term time, at 7.30pm in the United Church, 29 South Street, Dorchester DT1 1BY.

The spokesperson added:

“Please let us know if you wish to attend a rehearsal, so that we can ensure there is music available for you to use.”

Contact Liz Williams on 01305 786421 for further details or leave a message on the choir’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ EncoreSingersDorchester.

College gig for guitarist who has played with the best

THE Robbie McIntosh Band will be playing Blues-influenced originals and covers when they visit the Bay Theatre at Weymouth College this spring.

Robbie McIntosh, who plays acoustic and session guitar, is a sought after session musician who has featured on recordings for big names such as Roger Daltrey, Mark Knopfler, Norah Jones, Paul McCartney, Joe Cocker and Kirsty McColl.

He was also a guitarist with The Pretenders – with whom he played at Live Aid in 1985 –and continues to tour and record with leading lights in music.

His band features Steve Smith (keyboards and vocals), Steve Wilson (bass and vocals), Pete Hope Evans (harmonicas),

Weymouth College Music students will present a set of cover versions and originals.

The gig is on Thursday, May 23, and tickets priced £15 –£12.50 concessions – are available on the door or in advance from the Bay Theatre box office – via the Weymouth College website – or on 01305 208702.

The Encore Singers sing songs from the shows and modern tunes

Paul Beavis (drums), Jody Linscott (percussion) and Hannah Robinson (guitars and vocals).

The Robbie McIntosh Band are playing Weymouth College

Sound System’s album tribute

CONTEMPORARY world music pioneers Afro Celt Sound System are playing Lighthouse Poole this autumn as part of their first tour since 2019.

Their ground-breaking fusion of African, Gaelic and Bhangra influenced sounds has won the hearts and minds of audiences since the group’s beginnings over 25 years ago.

In that time, they have recorded album sales topping one and a half million, had two Grammy nominations and toured all around the world.

Their Dorset-based founder Simon Emmerson died a year ago, and the group are now showcasing a new album,

OVA – short for Ovate, the Afro Celt symbol – to be released in his memory in October.

Simon brought the group together and was the driving force in their innovative, genre-defying recordings and live shows.

Afro Celt Sound System are N’Faly Kouyate (vocals, kora, balafon), Johnny Kalsi (dhol), Eric Renwart (sound system, electronic bass), Lottie Cullen (pipes, whistles), MiadhachLughain O’Donnell (vocals, flute), Robbie Harris (bodhran), Kalifa Koné (djembé, talking drum) and Fanta Yayo (vocals).

The concert is on Friday,

Little Explorers back at musuem

VISITORS to the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne in the next few weeks can enjoy fun family activities and the final days of a Star Wars exhibition.

The museum’s popular Little Explorers programme returns with a special Spring has Sprung! event on Tuesday, April 2, from 10am to 1pm.

The craft morning, priced at just £3.50 per child, allows little ones to get creative and celebrate the vibrant colours and joys of spring.

The May the Toys Be with You exhibition, a captivating collection of vintage Star Wars toys and original memorabilia ends its run on Saturday, April 20.

The museum also has some engaging workshops:

n Botanical tile creative clay: Get hands-on and design a botanical tile on Thursday, April

25.

n Needle felt: Learn the art of needle felting and create a miniature landscape scene on Friday, May 3.

n Lino cut print making: Unleash the inner artist and explore the world of lino printing on Tuesday, May 21.

In O Flow’ry May: An Evening of Folk Music & Spoken Word on Saturday, April 27, renowned artists Tim Laycock and Alastair Braidwood weave together music and spoken word in a captivating performance (price £12).

Family fun at theatre

SINGER-SONGWRITER

Nick Cope, well known for his CBeebies show Popcast, is coming to the Tivoli Theatre

Arts & Entertainment

MOZART'S enduring masterpiece Don Giovanni is coming to the Regent in Christchurch with Hurn Court Opera.

Beauty and wit are set alongside menace and debauchery in this vivid re-telling of the eternal Don Juan tale.

Through a single night, the opera tracks Don Giovanni as he seduces and manipulates without conscience, leaving rejected conquests and vengeful victims in his wake.

Mozart’s sublime music and glorious arias, in contrast, capture the huwmanity and strength of those he harms.

This production, set in the seemingly glamorous world of the early 21st century film industry, addresses issues as relevant today as in Mozart’s time.

Don Giovanni is at the Regent on Tuesday, April 9.

in Wimborne.

He has been writing and recording his songs for children and their families for over 10 years, and performs with his guitar and animations to audiences all over the country.

Cope reaches into people’s hearts with songs of the

everyday, igniting children’s imagination in an organic, unpatronising, educational and fun way.

The show on Tuesday, April 9, from 11am-noon and is suitable for children aged three-plus.

For tickets visit www. tivoliwimborne.co.uk.

October 25, and for tickets and information visit www. lighthousepoole.co.uk or call 1202 280000.

Afro Celt Sound System are playing Lighthouse Poole

Tim Laycock and Alastair Braidwood weave together folk music and spoken word in In O Flow’ry May later this month

Dancing shoes on for taste of Spain

EXCITING fusion group

Track Dogs are set to bring their blend of folk, Americana and roots to Dorchester Arts as part of their Blind Summits and Hidden Dips tour, celebrating the release of their latest album of the same name.

Track Dogs are back on the road after a big 2023, which included playing the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury.

The band are based in Madrid with members from Ireland, the US and the UK.

Garrett Wall is on guitar, ukulele and vocals; Robbie K Jones on cajon, banjo and vocals; Howard Brown on trumpet, cajón and vocals; and Dave Mooney on bass, mandolin and vocals.

The tour coincides with the release of a new single called Too Good For This World. The song, out on Friday, April 12, is a tribute to a friend, and a celebration of her strength, life and spirit.

Garrett Wall said: “We can’t wait to get back on the road for our biggest tour yet! We always love playing in the UK and bringing the sunny Spanish

Bicycle Club take superstar along for the ride

INDIE-ROCK favourites

Bombay Bicycle Club will be playing the Concert Hall at Lighthouse Poole this summer.

The band’s much-praised latest album, My Big Day, features a host of guest vocalists who encapsulate the band’s widespread appeal including Damon Albarn, Jay Som, Nilüfer Yanya, Holly Humberstone and the legendary Chaka Khan.

“After Jack invited me and then sent the song, I loved it, the ethereal part drew me in.

“The band has such innovative and passionate energy, truly great musicians. Absolute vibes.”

This led to Jack jetting off to Los Angeles to capture Chaka Khan’s distinctive vocal line.

vibes with us, and it’s fantastic to see some familiar faces when we come over, as well as some lovely new ones wherever we go.

“We hope everyone in Dorchester has got their dancing shoes ready, it’s going to be a big night!”

Track Dogs have been playing together for 18 years. Originally formed as the Garrett Wall Band in 2006, they changed their name to Track Dogs in 2010.

Garrett has worked as a session singer since the early 1990s in Ireland and continues to be a sought-after voice artist in Spain, for both singing and spoken projects.

Robbie is a prolific percussionist and voice artist, and performs with many groups in Spain, while Howard is a trumpeter and band leader with one of the best big bands in Spain. Dave works as a session player, with Track Dogs as his main musical project.

To see Track Dogs at Dorchester Arts, on Thursday, April 4, visit trackdogsmusic. com.

Frontman Jack Steadman sits on both sides of the glass for the duration of the record, having previously produced their fourth album So Long, See You Tomorrow, and co-produced 2020’s Everything Else Has Gone Wrong with John Congleton.

Additional production comes from Paul Epworth on the track Heaven, and Ben Allen, who co-produces Turn The World On.

The lead single, the gloriously funky Tekken 2, was recorded with Grammy award-winning superstar Chaka Khan, who said:

“It has been a pretty crazy journey,” said Jack. “From sitting on my sofa messing around with a keyboard and drum machine to sitting across from Chaka Khan in a fancy LA studio giving her singing directions.

“Chaka was an absolute superstar and the whole experience was so positive. I think the song reflects that –it’s about coming together, putting any bad thoughts aside and just enjoying the moment.”

Bombay Bicycle Club play on Thursday, July 11 – for tickets and information visit www.lighthousepoole. co.uk or phone 01202 280000.

Bombay Bicycle Club are playing Lighthouse Poole

Multi-national outfit Track Dogs are based in Madrid

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www.jaconstructiondorset.co.uk

www.jaconstructiondorset.co.uk

Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

Email: sales@jaconstruction.co.uk

Brain chain