Purbeck Gazette Issue 324

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07714 289408

clare.govan@blackmorevale.net 07714 289407

Big name to launch film festival

ACCLAIMED British film and stage director, producer and screenwriter Sam Mendes will launch this year’s Purbeck Film Festival at The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage next month.

Following the screening of his film 1917, Mendes will join Mark Cosgrove, from the British Film Institute, for a question and answer session on the making of the movie and his career.

Mendes is best known for his work on American Beauty, Skyfall, 1917 and more recently Empire of Light.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to lend my support to the brilliant Purbeck Film Festival this year.

“Film festivals like this are increasingly important for fostering a sense of community, and for keeping the cinemagoing experience alive. I look forward to seeing you there!”

Festival chair, Andrea Etherington, said: “Having a filmmaker of Sam Mendes’ calibre attend our festival is a tremendous honour.

“His participation not only elevates our festival but also

provides a unique opportunity for our audience to gain a deeper understanding of his work and the film industry world.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome him and to share this experience with our community.”

The screening is on Friday, October 18.

This year’s festival promises a diverse, record-breaking line up of 95 film screenings from 21 countries over two weeks.

The event focuses on the environment and “food on film”, and concludes with a special “Stunt Saturday” on November 2, featuring five epic stunt films and four VIP stunt guests.

The festival concludes on November 3 with a short film competition, an interactive evening in which the audience and judges vote for awards.

Tickets for the screening of 1917 and the Q&A session with Sam Mendes are on sale through the festival’s website, www.purbeckfilm.com.

A detailed film guide is available locally and can be downloaded from the website.

1917 director, producer and co-writer, Sam Mendes, will take part in a question and answer session following the film’s screening to launch Purbeck Film Festival PHOTO: Getty House Photographer Jeff Spicer

Purbeck Film Festival is being launched at The Mowlem, Swanage

FryFilm.com

Custom fitted furniture handmade in Dorset.

Music by the Sea event raises almost £13,000

ALMOST £13,000 has been raised for two Purbeck charities thanks to a fundraising concert in memory of a young Swanage man who died of cancer – with his parents thanking attendees for strongly supporting “such a wonderful and happy family friendly community day”.

Music by the Sea took place in the natural grassed amphitheatre of Prince Albert Gardens with an impressive lit stage built between the stone pillars – overlooking the town of Swanage, its beach and the bay.

In its fourth year, the annual fundraising memorial concert was organised by Swanage couple Vicki and Jonathan Searle whose 25-year-old son Henry died of a brain tumour in April, 2021, after a seven-year battle against the illness.

Proceeds from this year’s Music by the Sea are being donated to two Isle of Purbeck charities – the Cancare cancer support group and the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal.

Organised and sponsored with the generous help of

businesses and individuals in Swanage and around the country, Music by the Sea featured music from across the decades thanks to more than 20 local bands and singers, who performed free of charge, in a nine-and-a-half-hour concert hosted by Brian Travers, from Swanage.

Vicki Searle said: “It was clear to see that Music by the Sea was a community family event and the love for Henry

Searle really shone through.

“It was wonderful and moving.

“Against a background of determined fundraising, generous donations and kind sponsorship from individuals and businesses – and keeping costs to a minimum – this year’s Music by the Sea memorial concert attracted large crowds of people who came and went throughout the day.

“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to plan, support and stage the event, the wonderful singers and musicians who gave their talents for free and the lovely people who came to the memorial concert and so strongly supported such a wonderful and happy family friendly community day.”

Ms Searle, who works in the finance office of the Swanage Railway, added: “Music by the Sea is a wonderful way of keeping Henry’s memory alive – and remembering other young people in Swanage who have died – while also raising money

for local charities and good causes through the joy of music and song.”

Ms Searle’s husband, Jonathan Searle, said: “Raising a total of almost £13,000 for two Isle of Purbeck charities thanks to a one-day event is an amazing achievement and I am so pleased and proud that Swanage came together to support Music by the Sea and the Cancare and the Swanage Railway Trust charities.

“Music by the Sea is a huge annual event and without the hard work and dedication of many enthusiastic and generous people from the community in Swanage it would not be possible to stage.

“Large crowds of people and large family groups steadily arrived with picnics and drinks. The family day was combined with celebratory events for 18th, 30th, 60th and 100th birthdays and the attendance of a honeymoon couple newly arrived from Denmark.”

Mr Searle, a former chiropodist who works as a

The Henry Searle memorial concert raised money for two Isle of Purbeck charities, the Cancare cancer support group and the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal

PHOTO: Harrison Williams

PHOTO: Harrison Williams

builder in the Isle of Purbeck, added: “The crowds were of all ages, all enjoying music and song from across the decades.”

Swanage Railway Trust chair, Frank Roberts, said: “I remember meeting Henry Searle for the first time a few months after his cancer diagnosis and I still hold on to that lovely memory.

“I have been keen to help the annual Music by the Sea memorial concert in Swanage which has been supported by so many fine people and organisations and is a great

community event – this year supporting two important Isle of Purbeck charity initiatives.”

The Swanage Railway welcomes new volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer, Lisa Gravett, on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@ swanagerailway.co.uk.

Details about volunteering can be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/ volunteering.

Paul’s Story

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Paul he is some to Tuesdays in everyone’s and gets essential now and Sofia have losses

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Vicki and Jonathan Searle in Prince Albert Gardens, Swanage

PHOTO: Andrew PM Wright

Fun-filled day in store at skatepark

THE Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) is staging a second event —a fun-filled day of skate workshops and a skate jam next month.

The event will follow a similar format to a successful community day held in June and will offer something for all ages and abilities.

Thanks to funding from

Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council, entry is free of charge.

King Ramps will provide skateboarding equipment for beginners keen to try out the sport, while more experienced riders can enjoy intermediate workshops for scooters, skateboards and BMX.

The day will conclude with an exciting skate jam, featuring

prizes and a celebration of community spirit.

The skate jam will be held in memory of Will Paddy, a regular at the park who loved riding his scooter with friends.

Will’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 14, but his legacy lives on through

#Willdoes, a charity founded by his mother, Les.

#Willdoes helps young people reconnect through sports and activities.

Money raised on the day of the event will be shared between #Willdoes and SSCP, towards new ramps.

SSCP has made impressive strides toward its goal of raising £200,000 for new ramps, with a total of £46,000 raised to date.

This includes £20,000 from their Crowdfunder campaign, a £10,000 grant from The Valentine Charitable Trust, and £416 from a recent fundraiser hosted by Alan May at Newton Manor Hall.

Combined with a £15,000 pledge from Swanage Town Council, and more grant applications in progress, the project is well on its way to achieving its vision.

“Our June event exceeded all expectations,” said James Woodford, of SSCP.

“I was blown away by the turnout and the positive energy shared by locals and visitors alike.

“People are clearly excited about what we’re doing here, and we’re eager to keep that momentum going with more events.”

In case of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled for safety reasons.

Stay updated by following @ Swanage Skatepark Community Project on Facebook or @ Swanageskatepark on Instagram.

The event is on Saturday, October 12, from 11am-4pm.

Andy Lyons in action – the skatepark has raised £46,000 towards the cost of new ramps

Run or walk for the Alzheimer’s Society

CHARITABLE runners and walkers are being given the chance to enjoy Wareham Forest while raising money for a good cause.

The Together for Alzheimer’s 5k Run or Walk is set to take place on Sunday, October 13, and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Starting at Birchwood Tourist Park, Wareham, the route follows tracks through the forest. Registration is at 9.30am for a 10am start and everyone is welcome.

This is the 17th anniversary of the event, organised by personal trainer, Alex Eversden.

She said: “It’s always a fun event that attracts both club runners and family walkers.

“All money raised will go to the Alzheimer’s Society, which does fantastic work in helping those affected by dementia, as well as research to find a cure for this devastating disease.

“It is close to my heart, so it would be wonderful if we could pull together and meet – or exceed – our target of £1,000.”

To enter the run, organisers ask for £10 for adults, £5 for children or £25 for a family, with sponsorship forms available if required for further fundraising or donations.

Anyone who would like to take part, make a donation, or help, can contact Alex on 07769 584820, or email getfitwithalex@yahoo.co.uk. A Just Giving page is also available at www.justgiving. com/page/ togetherforalzheimers2024.

“Please dig deep and support us – any donation, however small, is greatly appreciated,” Alex added.

Energy advice at theatre

SUSTAINABLE Swanage –Healthy Homes will be offering tips and tricks to improve energy use and save money in The Studio at The Mowlem in Swanage on Tuesday, October 15, at 7.30pm.

Runners will be able to enjoy Wareham Forest

‘Hairy Veterans’ step to it for #Willdoes

TWO army veterans who call themselves the “Hairy Veterans” have raised £4,625 for Dorset charity #Willdoes by completing a three-day trek traversing 65 miles of the Wessex Ridgeway and camping out in torrential rain.

Mike and Dave Roberts – no relation – started their hike in the village of Ashmore on the Dorset/Wiltshire border and made the gruelling journey across Dorset, finally finishing in the seaside town of Lyme Regis on the Devon/Dorset border.

Dave said: “The Hairy Veterans is all about advocating positive mental health by pursuing outdoor activity.

“The whole experience has been very rewarding, spending time in the beautiful countryside with your best friend for a good cause, for me, it doesn’t get any better.”

The ex-Royal Armoured Corps soldiers, who served together on operational duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, were supported by several local companies with Babcock and AFC Bournemouth giving large donations.

Dave said: “We have been blown away by the support – a special thank you to Busy Birds for keeping us fed along the way and to an old comrade of ours, Steve Mosley, who gave up his entire Bank Holiday weekend to support us by supplying admin, transport and medical cover.

“This is the second challenge we have completed for charity, and we are already talking about the next!”

The former soldiers, who have remained best friends since leaving the army, started a social media page to record their passion for outdoor adventure and history, but realised

something was missing and decided to start raising money for worthy causes, advocating positive mental health and raising awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Lesley Paddy, founder of #Willdoes, said: “To see Mike and Dave arrive in Lyme Regis brought tears to my eyes.

“The support and kindness that they’ve shown to the charity has been incredible.

“What an amazing show of resilience on what couldn’t have been a worse weekend to take on the Wessex Ridgeway.

“My son, Will, after which the charity is named, would have been so proud.”

Mike said: “Day one was by far the toughest for me, the terrain was very unforgiving and the route took us up and over some very serious hills, such as Hambledon and Hod, both ancient hill forts, but the hardest was the climb up Okeford Hill!

“I must admit though that the views were stunning, and at the top we could see all over the Blackmore Vale, we could even see into the neighbouring counties of Somerset and Wiltshire!”

By the end of day one Mike and Dave had completed 25 miles and it was time to move into their night time location for some well-earned rest.

However, they knew what was coming and at 1am the sound of raindrops hitting the tent signified what would be an absolute barrage of torrential rain that would not give up until mid-afternoon of day two.

Dave said: “Day two was a challenge with the torrential weather from the moment we set off, even with all of our waterproof kit and boots, we were soaked within a couple of miles.

“Trying to dry and carry out any ‘foot admin’ in such conditions is near on impossible, luckily the weather did improve later in the afternoon.

“A highlight for me on day two was a short stop at the medieval church in the village of Maiden Newton with its original door dating back to the AngloSaxon period.”

Mike and Dave set up base camp at the end of day two just north of Beaminster after hiking another 21 miles.

Mike said: “We were starting to suffer now, Dave was struggling with an old knee injury, and I had bad blisters on a number of toes, which is ironic considering that I never suffered from a single blister throughout

my 22 years serving in the military!”

On day three the “Hairy Veterans” found the elevation dropping off slightly as they started their climb down to sea level.

However, they still had two final obstacles in their way before reaching the finish point on the beach at Lyme Regis, Lewesdon Hill and Coney Castle.

Dave said: “Our first glimpse of Lyme Regis was a very welcome sight indeed! Although it was slightly deceiving as there was still a lot of very difficult terrain and miles in front of us!

“The last four or five miles were the toughest for me, the fatigue had really started to set in with old injuries complaining all the way, but keeping our thoughts very much on why we were doing it and the great charity kept us going.”

At around 5pm, Mike and Dave finally crossed the finish line at Lyme Regis beach having raised £4,625 for #Willdoes.

Their JustGiving page – The Hairy Veterans ‘Walking into Wessex’ fundraiser for #Willdoes – will remain open for a few weeks.

Mike and Dave Roberts at the finish line in Lyme Regis

Mike Roberts presents Lesley Paddy with a cheque from Babcock

Pirates and more on wonderful Wareham Wednesdays

by Helen Casey

THE Wareham Wednesday team have done it again!

Four fabulous Wednesday evenings packed full of entertainment for all the family, resulting in fun, frolics and lots of laughter.

Wareham enjoyed near perfect weather for each of the events, but this didn’t stop many getting a little wet, though!

The season kicked off with a masquerade-themed evening, with the Dorset and Splitz local dance troops entertaining the earlier arrivals.

They were followed by Tudo, a mixed party band, with the evening dedicated to the Lexi May Trust.

The Pirates of Poole again attempted to invade our lovely town on the second Wareham Wednesday, but their attempts were foiled thanks to the Wimborne Militia, the Muddlecombe “Red Barrows” and many younger onlookers on the quay-side armed with water pistols!

The third week saw the wheelbarrow race, with eight teams racing around and over

obstacles along the causeway, enjoying several “pit stops” needed to energise themselves for that last-minute surge to the finish line.

And on the finale evening, a packed quayside witnessed the annual raft race – eight teams in full fancy dress, lots of frenzied paddling and sabotage antics resulting in most of the participants ending up in the river!

Next came the 30-strong choir from All Sortd, a not-forprofit community interest company based in Swanage which helps young adults with learning disabilities.

And, to finish, Macbusted, a local tribute band, had the crowd jumping and singing along for a fabulously successful end to this year’s events.

This year the Wareham Wednesday team asked local people to help them decide what local causes to support.

After much deliberation, each evening was dedicated in turn to the Lexi May Trust, Allison Campbell Trust, #Willdoes and All Sortd.

Representatives from each

cause attended on their respective evening, to share with the public what their organisation was about and how it contributes to the local community.

The Wareham Wednesday team say that each of the four causes will receive a £1,000 donation, with the money presented at the Wareham Club, South Street, Wareham, on Wednesday, October 9, at 7pm.

Many thanks go to all this year’s sponsors – without their support the Wareham Wednesday events would not happen.

Organisers would also like to

thank all the volunteers, too many to name individually, for their help and support, not just on the four Wednesdays, but in the planning stages throughout the year.

To get involved in Wareham Wednesday 2025, contact the committee at warehamwednesdays@gmail. com.

To help make next year’s Wareham Wednesdays as successful as 2024, it is not too late to make a donation via the Wareham Wednesdays

JustGiving page, https://www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ jude-marquet.

Hosing down: The Wareham

The event team embrace the masquerade-themed evening

purbeckgazette.co.uk

Get Ready to Celebrate: It’s Party Time!

Each Autumn the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club begins to shift from a golf focus into PARTY MODE. It kicks off with the Fabulous Duck Brothers as part of the Swanage Blues Festival, performing on Friday 4th October at 8pm. Dinner can also be booked to make it more of an event! Following that, the club collaborates with the Swanage Jazz Club to present “Not Just Sax” on Saturday 12th October. You can come just to enjoy the music or can book a table for dinner to add to the pleasure.

Their first Quiz Night of the season is Friday 18th October where you can come for the game and get a delicious dinner too. Food starts at 6pm for £11 and the quiz begins at 7:30pm. It’s a great way to spend an evening!

The Club will be showing two movies for the Purbeck Film Festival. “Bob Marley - One Love” is showing on Tuesday 22 October at 7:30pm and “A Haunting in Venice” shows on Thursday 31 October (Halloween).

The month closes with their ever popular Halloween Party on Saturday 26th October. There will be dinner and dancing and it’s the most fun party of the year! November will feature more Jazz, another quiz and then December arrives with loads of Christmas lunches and parties. Dates are booking fast so don’t delay!

More details for all can be seen at www.purbeckgolf.co.uk or by calling 01929 450361 option 3 or email iop@purbeckgolf.co.uk.

Mum in the money after lottery win

A HUMBLE mum has won £250,000 after a life-changing knock at the door – and now she’s going to buy a new one.

NHS worker, Amy House, 40, was left in disbelief when People’s Postcode Lottery knocked on her front door and presented a cheque for £1/4m.

Amy said: “Oh my goodness. Is this a dream? I told myself it might be 10, 20, 30 maybe – I never expected six figures. I’d really like a new front door.”

Now the personal assistant at Poole Hospital wants to spend her winnings on a family campervan and will visit her brother, who lives in California.

She shared the weekly £1m prize with two neighbours in Poole, after BH12 4LF was announced as the winner of Postcode Lottery’s Millionaire Street prize on Saturday, September 14.

Every ticket was worth £250,000 but one resident, playing with two tickets, doubled their haul to £1/2m.

Amy, who works in a maternity ward, said the win could help to speed up the completion of an extension to her and husband Tom’s home.

Tom, 33, an electrician, has

Speaker at Green Festival

PRESIDENT of Dorset Wildlife Trust, Dr George McGavin, will be talking about his journey from academia to becoming a television presenter at Planet Wimborne’s Green Festival at Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne.

George – pictured – is an explorer, author, lecturer and television presenter, and one of

been using his spare time to work on the extension in between his day job. But now the couple are hoping to use some of the winnings to complete the renovation sooner and spend more time together as a family.

Amy said: “We did talk about a campervan. Maybe that would be something we’d look at just so we can go off odd weekends with our little boy somewhere and have a bit of a break from the extension, which might be

the UK’s leading authorities on the natural world.

He is passionate about all creatures great and – especially – small, and has travelled the world in pursuit of various insects.

He is the author of numerous books, with a particular focus on the insect world, and has several insect species named after him.

finished.”

The mum-of-one would love to take her young family over to visit her brother, who lives just south of Los Angeles in Mission Viejo.

She said: “I think we might plan a trip to California. We saw my brother last year when he came back to the UK for our wedding, so it’s our turn to go there.

“We’ve not taken our little boy out yet. We went before he was born but we’d love to go

on television to present documentaries including Oak Tree: Nature’s Greatest Survivor, the BBC’s Lost Land series and Ocean Autopsy: The Secret Story of Our Seas.

After teaching biological and human sciences at Oxford University for 25 years, George has used his expertise

back and spend some time with them.”

The family also have future holidays on their minds, with Amy admitting they’re spoiled for choice now.

Along the road, Brian Lewis and wife Chris were also celebrating after Brian won £250,000 with his ticket.

Upon hearing the news, Brian said: “I feel absolutely stunned. Quarter of a millionaire!”

Brian, 65, is now set to splash out on his dream car. He said: “I’ve always wanted a Range Rover, so I will be getting myself one. I’m not quite sure what type or where, but I’ll definitely be getting a Range Rover.”

Retired care home manager Chris, 66, added: “But the first thing will be a holiday to relax and think about what we’re going to do with it.”

The pair share five children between them, ranging in age from 29 to 37, who they also hope to help out.

Having been together for 17 years, the couple have been through a rough couple of years after Brian was hospitalised with pneumonia and a severe second bout of Covid.

Brian, who runs his own training company, spent weeks in and out of hospital and was in intensive care for 10 days, before developing sepsis. Thankfully, he recovered and the couple are now looking ahead to the future.

and £2 for under-18s – under13s must be accompanied by an adult – and are available online at www.tickettailor.com or cash only at Wimborne’s Fair Ground shop.

He is a regular contributor to The One Show.

His talk, “It’s a Wild Life – Tales from Television”, is on Sunday, October 13. Doors open at 4pm, with George’s talk at 5pm.

Tickets are £10 for adults

Planet Wimborne’s Green Festival (October 12-19) has a host of green-themed activities and events planned for all ages. Pick up a programme from the East Dorset Information Centre and Fair Ground shop to find out more, and check the Planet Wimborne website –www.planetwimborne.org – or Facebook page for details.

Amy House plans to visit her brother in the USA

40th Swanage Blues Festival

This October will be the 40th Swanage Blues Festival, which was started and single-handedly run by the legend that was Steve Darrington, who sadly passed away at the end of June this year.

In honour of Steve’s memory, his family and his fellow community of Blues artists are committed to make sure this October’s event will go ahead as Steve would have planned. All venues and artists have been booked and there will be some extra special perfomances as a tribute to the late great Steve!

Swanage Blues Festival brings us four days of fun, dance and great music from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th Ocotber. This is the 40th event since its beginnings in 2001 as a local party, and now attracts visitors worldwide.

There are over 60 acts in 15 venues over 4 days. Please purchase a £15 support wristband to ensure this amazing festival can continue. Wristbands are available at the following outlets, and will be available at venues on the day:

Conservative Club 27 Kings Rd West, Swanage BH19 1HE

FiFi’s 18 Institute Rd, Swanage BH19 1BX

Grand Hotel Burlington Road, Swanage BH19 1LU

Jenkins 21 High St, Swanage BH19 2LP

Royal British Legion 150 High St, Swanage BH19 2PA

Purbeck Plaza, 19 High Street, Swanage BH19 2PA

Rainbow’s End 10 The Square, Swanage BH19 2LJ

Red Lion 63 High St, Swanage BH19 2LY

Showbar at The Mowlem Theatre, Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1DD

Swanage Information Centre The White House, Shore Rd, Swanage BH19 1LB

White Swan 31 The Sq, High St, Swanage BH19 2LJ

We appreciate these businesses giving up their space and time to help support the festival.

King’s new representative in Dorset

A NEW Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset has been appointed to succeed Angus Campbell CVO, who recently retired after serving 10 years in the role.

Michael Dooley LVO MMs FRCOG has taken on responsibility for representing His Majesty the King in Dorset.

He will work closely with businesses, charitable organisations and communities to promote civic, cultural and social initiatives across the county.

He has extensive experience

of working with numerous charitable sectors and a wide knowledge of the county from his role as High Sheriff in Dorset.

Mr Dooley has had a long and distinguished medical career.

He is consultant gynaecologist to the Royal Household, and practices in London and Dorset.

He was lead gynaecologist at the London Olympics, and team doctor for the British Equestrian Federation for eight years.

He is a visiting professor to Bournemouth University.

Since serving as High Sheriff four years ago, he has developed and led an initiative Creating Health and Harmony in Dorset.

The project’s next stage will focus on the county’s prison population – he is a trustee of Key4Life, which aims to reduce youth reoffending.

Real ale award for Corfe Club

MEMBERS of Corfe Castle Club raised a glass when the club in East Street was presented with another award from the Campaign for Real Ale.

It won Camra’s Club of the Year award for the Wessex and Channel Islands region for the fourth year running. Norman Clinnick, Camra’s regional director, is pictured – inset – handing the award to club steward Brian ‘Chubby’ Varney.

PHOTOS: Robin Boultwood

He has raised considerable sums for charities and other good causes, including Dorset County Hospital, a local hospice and the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Mr Dooley said: “It is a great honour to serve as The King’s representative in Dorset and follow in the footsteps of Angus Campbell whose work has been inspirational and a huge benefit to the community.

“I am greatly looking forward to working with my Lieutenancy team and continuing to work with local charities as well as meeting local people and celebrate their many contributions to the communities in Dorset.”

Mr Dooley lives in Broadmayne, near Dorchester, with his wife, Barbara. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.

Amy Winehouse film at village hall

by Patricia Hook

A S well as our usual yoga class on a Monday evening and kick-boxing class on a Tuesday evening, the Mad Melodies Pop & Rock Choir class has two sessions on a Wednesday, 10am-noon and 6.30pm8.30pm. A fitness class is running on a Thursday from 9.45am-10.30am. Everyone welcome.

The monthly coffee and cake morning is on Friday, October 11, from 10am-noon. Don’t forget to bring a book to swap

and enjoy a slice – or two – of home-made cake.

On Thursday, October 24, the Gardening Club will meet at 7.30pm to enjoy a talk by Rosemary Legrand on the Rare Plants of Bhutan. Tea and coffee will be available, and a raffle will be held.

Finally, on Friday, October 25, the hall will be showing the film Back to Black, about the life of Amy Winehouse, in association with Purbeck Film Festival. It will be shown as part of the hall’s popular hot

potato evenings and will start at 7pm.

Tickets will be available through Purbeck Film Festival for those who just want to watch the film. Visitors can take their own drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, for consumption at the event.

Details will be on the hall’s website, via posters displayed throughout the local area and on social media, as well as via the Purbeck Film Festival website.

The hall can be hired for

private/personal events or, for anyone who wants to start a class – maybe art, drama or book club etc – get in touch on 01929 288020 or go to the hall’s website, ebvh.org.uk.

The whole hall can be hired, or it can be divided in half – with a kitchen for each half – and a smaller meeting room is available.

For any information about these events, hire rates, availability, bookings and so on, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Michael Dooley has been named Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset

Swanage Railway would have expected thousands of visitors to the event

Shield your home from Care Costs & Inheritance Tax with a Living Trust.

Steam gala hits the buffers

SWANAGE Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala has been cancelled.

The event, which was set to take place from October 25-27, has been called off due to “unforeseen circumstances” and some locomotives being unavailable, organisers said.

“We regret to announce that this year’s Autumn Steam Gala will no longer be taking place,” they said.

“Despite much hard work by the gala organising committee, due to a combination of unforeseen circumstances and the last minute unavailability of the visiting locomotives earmarked to attend, it is with

much regret that we must cancel this event.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing for our supporters and visitors. We look forward to welcoming you to the other events that we are running for the rest of 2024 and we hope you can visit us next year for our gala events.

“We hope to confirm and share the timetable for the weekend that the gala would have taken place on as soon as possible.”

The Autumn Steam Gala was set to welcome thousands of train fans and visitors.

Bus stops upgrade

BCP Council has upgraded 150 bus shelters across the conurbation.

The new shelters incorporate CCTV cameras to reduce anti-social behaviour and make travelling by bus more welcoming

Poole Bus Station has seen additional CCTV equipment built into 14 new electronic passenger information displays.

The cameras are covering the

busiest bus stops across the conurbation and the main boarding areas at the bus station.

High-definition footage is live-streamed to the council’s CCTV control room, while continuous recording will help identify anti-social behaviour offenders and aid prosecution.

A further 100 locations will be upgraded over the coming months.

A Living Trust, is a legal arrangement that allows you to protect your assets, including your home, from care costs along with potential inheritance tax implications. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Asset Protection: By transferring ownership of your home and other assets to a living trust, can help protect them from certain creditors and potential claims, including care costs.

2. Care Costs: Placing your main home into a living trust can ring fence the property from any potential future care costs. Thus, protecting your inheritance

3. Inheritance Tax Planning: A living trust can be part of an estate planning strategy to minimize inheritance tax liability. By placing assets into a trust, they can be excluded from your taxable estate upon your passing, potentially reducing the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries would owe.

4. Reversable Nature:

One of the advantages of a living trust is that it is reversable, meaning you can make changes to the trust or remove your home from the trust during your lifetime. This flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances or wishes.

5. Trust Administration: When you establish a living trust, you typically designate yourself as the trustee alongside one to three other trustees. Thus, maintaining control over the assets and allowing you to continue using and managing them as you did before. Surviving trustees take over the administration of the trust upon your incapacity or death. 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

News from Wareham Town Council – August report

by Julie Bradshaw

THE council meeting began with a minute’s silence in memory of Ann Selby, former Wareham councillor and mayor.

Dorset Council chief executive, Matt Prosser, had accompanied Dorset councillor and cabinet member, Ryan Holloway, on a Wareham walkabout. They visited the town council chamber, the family hub and the railway station.

The family hub supports families with children from 0-25 years old. It would welcome interest from possible volunteers who should phone 552934. Purbeck Citizens Advice will be handling

applications from people on Income Support or Pension Credit for Dorset Council Cost of Living Support.

Network Rail has released a report about the level crossing, but it is a risk assessment of the options available and not the expected feasibility study of an automated crossing.

Dorset Council has been advised that residents and businesses had problems due to the short notice given of the

closure of St Michaels Road. Nutcrack Lane will be closed on Monday, October 21, between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Wareham Town Council will be backing Worth Matravers Parish Council in opposing the fare increases proposed by the Studland ferry company. Councillors believe that the company has been making a large profit but not feeding a reserve fund for replacement of the ferry.

Samuel Dickens, the new deputy town clerk, started on August 21 and will be overseeing the re-building of the Howards Lane toilets, among other duties. The grounds team now has three members and a uniform.

Paul Willis, the new museum manager, has been meeting the 25 volunteers and learning how the museum runs. He regretted the resignation of curator, Heather Scharnhorst, and wanted her “outstanding work” to be recognised. Mr Willis will be conducting a survey of volunteers, residents and local businesses before he produces a Museum Strategy Plan for 2025-29.

The public is welcome to attend the council meeting on Tuesday, October 22, at 7.30pm in the council chamber. Further information is available on the council’s website, www. wareham-tc.gov.uk, or by phoning the town council office on 01929 553006.

Friends of Wareham Hospital annual meeting

IT may surprise you to learn that many people in Purbeck do not see someone to talk to from one month to the next.

People make appointments at the doctor’s surgery because they do not have anyone else to talk to.

Purbeck is fortunate to have a social prescriber, Dani, whose role is to connect isolated people to opportunities to meet other people.

This might involve accompanying the person to a lunch club or activity. Dani works part-time and covers six surgeries.

Swanage has a befriending

service. Friends of Wareham Hospital (FOWH) would like to enhance the “Friends” part of its title by providing the same service.

However, the committee is already stretched in its roleS of fundraising and advocating for local health services and caring for the garden.

To add a service, additional committee members are needed. Wareham Hospital Reception team is a big support to the Friends and will pass on offers of help – phone 01929 557550.

The waiting time for physiotherapy appointments has

been reduced to six weeks but to keep pace with the number of patients, it is unusual for a follow up appointment to be made.

Wareham physiotherapist, Emily, would like to run group sessions. FOWH will help by financing fitness equipment for the groups.

FOWH put £1,000 into the funds for a second Admiral Nurse.

Thanks to FOWH, with the advice and support of Holme Gardens, the hospital garden is a pleasant refuge much admired by the hospital’s many visitors – patients and staff.

More than 40 clinics take place at the hospital, which makes it a busy place. The Community Mental Health team will be moving in. A Family Eating Disorders Clinic and a Long Covid Clinic have been established.

The Mayor, Councillor Cotton, has praised FOWH’s work and endorsed the committee’s encouragement of more trustees to come forward to keep the organisation viable.

Again, phone Wareham Hospital Reception on 01929 557550.

CONTRIBUTED

Find out more about your family history

DORSET Family History

Society is holding an open weekend for the second time this year at its base in Poole. Experienced volunteers will be able to help visitors with their family history research. Everyone is welcome, whether they are experienced family history researchers, those

just thinking of starting their family tree or those who have started but need some helpful advice to continue their research.

The centre has access to all the major family history websites, parish register transcriptions for Dorset and miscellaneous information from other counties, Monumental

Inscriptions, an extensive library and a sales area.

Volunteers will be available to give one-to-one help and guidance, not only to those with Dorset ancestors, but from wherever their ancestors came from, including worldwide.

The Family History Society is at the Treetops Research Centre,

Suite 5 Stanley House, Fleets Lane, (BH15 3AJ).

The open weekend is on Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6, from 10am-3pm both days.

Society members and non-members are welcome –booking is not necessary, and parking is available on site for the weekend.

PHOTO: Simon Barnes

Molly leaves the judges spellbound in bard contest

YOUNG Molly Dunne has been chosen as the Bard of Caer Dur – Dorchester – after a competition at Pummery Square in Poundbury.

The five judges were spellbound by her reinterpretation of the Thomas Hardy poem The Shadow on The Stone from the point of view of Emma Gifford, an English writer and suffragist, best known as the first wife of novelist and poet Thomas Hardy.

Molly’s other piece was a celebratory monologue on the charms of Dorset.

Mollly, 22, of Upwey, will hold the title of the Bard of Caer Dur for one year and one day.

She will also set the theme for next year’s competition and compere the event in 2025.

Six entrants competed for the Bardic Seat of Dorchester watched by an audience of 40 people.

The annual competition celebrates local poets, storytellers and musicians, and

offers them a platform to showcase their talents.

It aims to promote the arts within the community and honour Dorchester’s rich literary heritage.

Singer-songwriter Aidan Simpson, 30, from Bridport, was awarded the Hardy Prize by the chair of The Thomas Hardy Society for the best Hardy piece, his interpretation of the poem The Late Autumn as a song with acoustic guitar.

Jerry Bird, who founded the Bardic Seat in 2010, and Simon Emmerson – Imagined Village and Afro-Celt Sound System – both passed away in 2023 and were awarded the status of honorary bards of Caer Dur for their contributions, to music and poetry.

Peter Roe, the former Bard of Caer Dur, was honoured with the title of Grand Bard and he will continue to work with the successive Bards of Dorchester to administer the competition for Dorchester and West Dorset for the next five years.

Church organ recital

THE organist emeritus at Christchurch Priory, Geoffrey Morgan, will give an organ recital at St Nicholas Church, Studland, next month.

The programme will include works by Coates, Handel, Bedard, Bach, Grainger, Fauré,Gould and Boëllmann.

The concert follows extensive restoration works on

the organ carried out by Andrew Cooper.

The concert is on Saturday, October 19, at 3pm and will be followed by refreshments in the church hall.

Tickets priced £10 are available from Barbara Matthews on 01929 450218, email barmat18@btinternet. com, or Studland Stores and on the door.

Peter said: “We were absolutely delighted with the quality of all the contestants who made it to the final.

“Each of them brought their own interpretation of the theme ‘Celebrating Dorchester or West Dorset’, an interpretation of a

Thomas Hardy poem as poem, song or story, and their Bardic Manifesto – what they would bring to the role.

“Molly has big ideas for her year in the role, she is a worthy winner, and you can follow her Bardic year on The Bard of

Grand Bard Peter Roe (centre) with the contestants (from left) John Seymour, William Adams, James McMillan, competition winner Molly Dunne, Aidan Simpson and Athena Lynn

News from The Purbeck School

Record GCSE results

THE school is celebrating its best ever GCSE results, measured by overall results and the additional progress students have made on their expected grades.

Nationally, school results were down as marking returned to the pre-Covid scheme but they were up at Purbeck.

On overall attainment, 72% of students received five passes – grade 4-9 – including English and Maths, this compares to the average across the country of about 65%.

Many students did exceptionally well, with 71 students posting at least one grade 9 or 8, the very top grades.

Schools are now measured on progress compared with results at primary school.

Projections would suggest

that The Purbeck School students gained at least a half a grade higher for each subject than expected, this will place the school in the top 10% of schools in the country.

The school was also proud to post exceptional results for students with special educational needs, and those who have come from more disadvantaged backgrounds.

All groups of students have posted superb results.

The results mean more students are able to proceed to the sixth form to do A-levels, go to college or gain an apprenticeship.

Excellent A-level results

THE A-level results were also excellent.

The vast majority of students were able to take their first-choice university placements.

In all, nine students gained

Sabotage was the watchword for ‘Churchill’s Auxiliaries’

THE story of Dorset’s secret Second World War resistance fighters will be told in a talk at Moreton Village Hall next month.

Military historian Dr Simon House will be giving the talk in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Warmwell.

He is the son of a farmer turned underground saboteur who was tasked with the destruction of RAF Warmwell if the Luftwaffe ever took it over.

Dr House said: “My father, Robert House, was a farmer. He worked on his father’s farm at

west Fossil, Winfrith, and later held the tenancy of the Manor Farm, Moreton.

“In June 1940, he volunteered to be one of “Churchill’s Auxiliaries”, a highly secret organisation of men trained to be local resistance fighters if – or when – Hitler invaded Britain.

“He was a sergeant, in charge of the four-man Winfrith Patrol, and he and his men dug a secret bunker in the woods near the London to Weymouth railway line in the area still known locally as the ‘Sheep Walks’, from where – in the

A*-A across all their subjects and over half of all grades were A* to B.

Other news

THE school is full at year 7 for this September and we look forward to pupils living in the Isle of Purbeck applying for entry next year.

The open evening for prospective parents is on Thursday, October 3, 5.30pm8pm.

The evening is an excellent

event of invasion and occupation – they were expected to conduct local sabotage missions.

“The Winfrith Patrol had one key mission: to infiltrate Warmwell Airfield – assuming it had been captured and used by the Luftwaffe – and blow up the German planes.

“My talk is the story of how I tracked down my father’s secret wartime history – the Auxiliaries were so secret that they reported directly to Churchill as Minister of Defence, and not even General Montgomery, charged with defending the south coast in 1940, knew of their existence.

“And how he, like all Auxiliary Patrol leaders, received one of the precious few thousand American Thompson machine guns –“Tommy Guns” – that were rushed from the United States after Dunkirk to re-arm Britain.

“Members of MI 7, as it was

opportunity to tour the modern facilities, meet the committed teaching team and be escorted around the school by our wonderful students.

We are fortunate that we are served by such an excellent 11-18 comprehensive school and the staff, its leadership and students should all be congratulated on having such a successful 2024.

Steve Clarke, chair of governors

secretly designated, were sworn under the Official Secrets Act never to tell, and they never did. Until 1975 all documentation was restricted under the “30 Year Rule”.

“My talk will place the 1940 Auxiliaries in the context of the German invasion plan, Operation Sealion, and of the German air assault which we know as the Battle of Britain but which the Germans called ‘Adler-angriff’ – the Eagle Attack.

“RAF Warmwell took on a vital role in defending the Royal Naval Base at Portland. Protecting vital Channel convoys and beating off Germany’s attempt to achieve air superiority prior to invasion.”

The talk, My Dad’s Tommy Gun, is on Friday, October 18, at 6.30pm. Entry is £10. For more information email davidpwalsh1802@gmail.com or phone 07770 343441.

The Purbeck School PHOTO: GOOGLE

Waverley’s visit is always a treat

AS I write September’s article, it looks like the extended summer we were hoping for has faded away! While on watch, recently, we recorded nearly an inch of rain and when I phoned the watchkeepers at St Alban’s Head, to let them know the Waverley was on its way, they were struggling to even see the sea in the low visibility!

A visit by the Waverley – or more correctly PS Waverley – is now firmly part of the September calendar, in Swanage. Built in 1946, and named after Sir Walter Scott's novel “Waverley”, she is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Her importance is recognised by being listed in the National Historic Fleet Register (NHFR) as "a vessel of pre-eminent national importance". In early 2024, the National Historic Ships UK – which coordinates the NHFR – gave Waverley the prestigious title of “National Flagship of the Year”, in recognition of her ambitious cruising programme around the UK. The current vessel replaced her predecessor – built in 1898 – which was sunk in 1940, while helping to evacuate troops from Dunkirk.

Originally built to serve as a passenger ferry on the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, the Waverley ferried holidaymakers and tourists around the Scottish coast. After her retirement from regular service in 1973, she was purchased by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1. After extensive refurbishment and restoration, she was returned to service in 1975 as a heritage vessel. Initially she plied her home waters along the Clyde but soon ventured south to cruise around the English and Welsh coasts.

by Nick Reed

The ship underwent a major refurbishment in the early 2000s to ensure she could continue to operate in compliance with modern safety standards. In 2019, the vessel required urgent boiler repairs and was taken out of service temporarily to undergo significant restoration work. For a time it looked like she may not sail again but she returned to service in 2020. As with much of our maritime heritage, it has been a constant struggle to find the money to keep her running. Thanks to a

project ran by STS Fryderyk Chopin foundation. At around 150 feet long, the Fryderick Chopin is the largest brig still sailing – a brig is a sailing vessel with two-masts, both of which are square-rigged. Her bowsprit is over 30 feet long and can carry six foresails, while each of her masts are nearly 90 feet tall. As well as sailing around the coast of Europe, she competes regularly in the Tall Ships race, has made numerous trans-Atlantic crossings and has even rounded Cape Horn under full sail.

Tdedicated team of volunteers, generous grants from the lottery and donations from the public, she seems set to operate well into the 21st century.

Watching this graceful ship steam passed the Lookouts, as she makes her way from Swanage to Lulworth Cove and Weymouth, is always a treat for both sets of watchkeepers.

AT the end of August, watchkeepers in Swanage were treated to excellent views of another vessel, the tall ship Fryderyk Chopin. Although built on traditional lines, The ship wasn’t designed and built until 1990, in Gdynia, Poland. She was launched in 1992 and named in honour of the composer Fryderyk Chopin. She now serves as the ship of the Blue School, a sail training

HE end of the summer saw watchkeepers meeting the public at the Swanage Lifeboat Fair and “Build a Boat” competition, and the rescheduled Fish and Food Festival. I’m pleased to say that the NCI boat completed the course without sinking and we came fourth overall. Despite being a “fun” event there is a strong element of competition, and the design of the winning boat was closely scrutinised and photographed to provide inspiration for next year! Despite the heavy rain and strong wind, the Fish and Food Festival proved popular with the general public and our stand had a steady stream of visitors to it. It’s always good to be able to chat to people about our work and how they can stay safe while taking part in water activities. We are one of the charities chosen by the festival to receive a donation and we are extremely grateful to the organisers for this. For me, the high point of the event were the comments about how much people enjoy reading the NCI article each month. There were several suggestions about topics that people would like to see me write about and I hope to incorporate these in future articles. Thank you.

This is St Alban’s Head NCI and Swanage NCI listening on channel 65, NCI out.

Waverley ties up alongside Swanage Pier PHOTOS: Swanage NCI

The tall ship Fryderyck Chopin

National Coastwatch attended the Fish and Food Festival

Sport

Swanage’s top performers

SWANAGE Cricket Club’s 1st XI won five of their 12 matches across a variety of formats in the second tier of Dorset’s Premier Division – including reaching the quarter-finals of the T20 Trophy – finishing mid-table in 4th place.

The batting highlights were the four centuries, three by Mike Salmon and one by Ben Hodder. Charlie Dyke, Hodder (two), Tom Rutherford, Mike Salmon, Mark Stacey, Craig Wells (two) and Tom Wells had halfcenturies.

Bowling highlight was Hodder’s eight-wicket-haul against Martinstown, which included four wickets in four balls. The most consistent bowler was Steve Ramsay, ably supported by Dyke, James Harding, Sid Nash, Freddie Long, Salmon and Ryan Stearn.

The other main highlight was Lily Wood’s debut. Lily has also played for the Worcester Rapids T20 side and has been signed by Rockingham-Mandurah Cricket Club, based in Perth, Western Australia, for their summer season.

The 1st XI also competed in the South West Group of the T20

CRICKET

Cup and finished runners-up to Premier 1 side Bere Regis.

In Mike Salmon, the club had the leading run-scorer in the competition. He had a sensational innings of 139 not out against Dorchester, including 13 sixes, and a half-century.

James Harding was the leading contributor with the ball.

The 2nd XI won 10 of their 15 games in Division 4 to finish 4th, in a very competitive league.

Half-centuries were registered by Matt Beard, Simon Goldsack (three), John Lewis (two), Mike Nash, Pete Richards, Tom Rutherford and Mark Stacey.

Beard, Max Nicholson and Pete Richards “tied” as leading wicket-takers. They received invaluable support from Beard, Harry Long, Sam Marks, Nash, Richards, Ethan Stacey and Sam Wells.

Phil Eades finished the season as leading wicket-keeper in the division.

The 3rd XI had a 50% strike-rate from their 12 matches in Division 5 to finish sixth.

The batting highlight was a maiden century for Michael Barry. He had invaluable support from skipper David Alcock, who posted two half-centuries, and Simon Goldsack, who had another.

Regular support came from the Barry Brothers, Jernimain and Michael, and the Goulds, Joshua and Mike, Andrew Hancock and Chris Wood.

Bowling highlights were Michael Barry’s incredible spell against Wimborne, where he claimed six wickets – including a hat-trick – and Hancock’s two five-wicket-hauls. Useful contributions also came from Jernimain – who finished the season in the 1st XI – the Goulds, Gary Marsh and Sam Willcocks.

The 4th XI, who won a match in their debut season, has been a fantastic breeding ground for the Under-15s and the thriving Women’s & Girls’ section in a competitive Division 6. Tim Ives and Jon Maidman both registered half-centuries and useful contributions also came from Alex Alcock, Ross Carroll and Alan Marks with the ball.

There were memorable

debuts for Jo and Zach Baker, Kayleigh Barguss, Freddie Briggs, Bradley Bulpitt, Eden Crook, Luke Marks, Arun Orgee, Harry Spurling, Faye Stacey and Seb Wright.

Niamh McKeown kept wicket well in her debut season. The other main season highlight was Harry Long’s maiden century against Cerne Valley.

The Women’s & Girls’ team performed brilliantly in the Super 8s League with useful contributions from those previously mentioned, and Jasmine and Kirsty with the bat, and Amelia and Sophie with the ball, at a recent festival the club hosted.

All the club’s youth teams, from the Under-7s through to the Under-15s, performed impressively.

The club would like to thank Ryan Stearn, Craig, Sam and Tom Wells for their hard work and dedication at the ground; Nigel Dawe and Chris Wood for their help with scoring; Tatty King for doing some umpiring; and Sharon Ives and Beryl Mitchell for their culinary delights enjoyed during the tea intervals.

Swans fall away in closing stages

by Ron Butler

Swanage & Wareham 15

Royal Wootton Bassett 2nd 30

SWANS welcomed Royal Wootton Bassett 2nds to Bestwall and after a thrilling first half Swans fell away in the last 20 minutes to give the visitors a bonus point victory.

Swans started well, but after five minutes a three-quarters break by RWB nearly saw the visitors score, but a knock-on in the tackle saved Swans.

From a scrum on the halfway line, a grub kick by Swans fly-half Ben Meaden along the wing saw George Crouch raced forward to score a try out wide (5pts-0) after 10 minutes.

RWB continued to press and two moves by their backs

RUGBY

eventually resulted in a converted try by a winger making the score 5pts-7 after 20 minutes.

From thereon it was all Swans attacking the RWB line. From a couple of penalties, RWB had a couple of goal-line drop outs, but Swans could not capitalise.

RWB did clear their lines and just before the interval nearly added to their tally but for some stout defending by Swans. Half time score Swans 5-RWB 7.

From the restart by Swans the RWB fly-half punted the ball into Swans 22, and following a scrum and a few phases, RWB managed a try in

the corner – 5pts-12 after 45 minutes.

Swans immediately went on the attack and after a goal-line drop out by RWB the ball came to George Crouch who kicked ahead and won the race over the try line – 10pts-12 after 50 minutes.

Swans continued on the offensive, but a misjudged pass set RWB on the attack and they won a penalty inside Swans 22.

This was converted and four minutes later Swans infringed again and RWB converted their second penalty goal – 10pts-18 after 65 minutes.

At this stage, Swans started to come under pressure from RWB as they controlled the play keeping the ball in play between

the backs and forwards so Swans never had a chance of possession.

RWB managed a converted try after 75 minutes, giving them 23pts, and from the kick-off an RWB forward split the Swans defence but was tackled, passed the ball to a centre who followed up to score under the posts – 10pts-30.

This time RWB knocked-on from the restart and the ball went into the RWB five metres line, and wing forward Kian Salina was on hand to score in the corner in the last minute.

Swans: Tom Munns, George Crouch, Matt Spencer, Harry Speer, Ollie Dillon, Ben Meaden, Olly Peters, Anthony Crouch, Craig Foskett, Nick Audley, George Slack, Joe Towers, Kian Salina, Lewis Lee, Joe Desmond, Steve Waterman, Jonny Blackmore, Cam Chew.

Learn how to help struggling swifts

SWIFTS, swallows and house martins are among our most familiar summer visitors because unlike most migrant birds, they choose to nest in, on and around our farm buildings, homes, villages, towns and cities.

They are not songsters like the nightingale or the many warblers that nest out in the countryside, but their chirps and twitters and, in the case of swifts, their vibrant screams, are the quintessential sound of summer to most of us.

One swallow does not, as the saying goes, make a summer though, and nor does one house martin or one swift, yet the numbers of these three once familiar species are declining alarmingly.

So much so that house martins and swifts are now Red

listed as being of serious conservation concern in the UK.

Swallows may join them on that list soon if the decline they have shown over the last 10-20 years continues.

Swifts, though, are in the biggest trouble, having been declining in abundance steadily for over 30 years.

There are now less than one-third of the numbers there were in the mid-1990s.

No one knows exactly what is driving this decline in swift numbers, but most agree that the key drivers are likely to include a loss of suitable nesting sites, a decline in the abundance of flying insects and perhaps also climate change.

New building methods and standards and renovation of older properties is leading to fewer and fewer nesting opportunities for swifts which need holes in walls, under eaves and in roofs to access safe

nesting sites.

Intensive agricultural practices and habitat change across the wider countryside may be contributing to the declines of many groups of the flying insects on which swifts feed, as may climate change.

Across the country, groups of swift enthusiasts are getting together to take action to try to slow, stop and ideally reverse the decline in swift numbers.

The Swanage and Purbeck Swift Group is our local group of more than 20 people who are taking action to help the swifts in our area.

We are surveying nesting swifts across Purbeck to record where they nest and work out how many pairs we have left.

We are also looking for opportunities and encouraging people to put up nesting boxes for swifts in our towns and villages and hoping to encourage the installation of integral swift

bricks in new builds in Purbeck. We are spreading the word about the wonder of swifts and their plight through publicity banners, a group leaflet, written articles in the local press, attending public events and giving presentations to the public.

We have even persuaded the BBC SpringWatch team to visit Purbeck twice to film swifts and broadcast their story on national television.

Richard Caldow, one of the members of the Swanage & Purbeck Swift Group, will give a talk on swifts and the work of the group at Corfe Castle Library on Friday, October 18, at 2pm.

Come along to find out more about swifts, the work of the group, and what you can do to help swifts in your neighbourhood.

Martyn Jessop Via email

AUTUMN is here! We can start to say hello to scatterings of leaves on the woodland walks and a milder heat on the sunny autumnal strolls as we welcome in the spooky season. October at the Park is a great time to see the seasonal changes happening in the wildlife here, from changes in colours, sounds and smells to changes in the nature you may stumble across on your visit.

The dampness in Autumn produces a fantastic array of fungi in the woodland, including the weird Jelly Ear on old Elder trunks, Wood Blewit with its slight slimy cap and pale purple colouring, plus the deadly (and to be avoided) Death Cap, a greenish tinge giving it away. In the canopy tops, tiny Goldcrests arrive in numbers

along with an occasional Firecrest, also a good selection of warblers with Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Wood Warbler. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a host of wildlife this month.

In the Fine Foundation Gallery this October, artist Ilona Skladzien will be showcasing work based on parenthood, childhood and play. ‘Play nicely’ will feature ceramics, illustrations and installations to explore the boundaries of childhood play. This will be on display until Thursday 10th October, 10:30am – 5pm and is free to enter. Following this, we have an exciting photography exhibition ‘Take a Dorset View’. The exhibitions will showcase the winning entries from the recent Dorset

National Landscape/Dorset Magazine competition, inviting people to share photos of their favourite Dorset landscapes. This exhibition will be open from Tuesday 22nd October until Wednesday 27th November, 10am until 4pm.

October is a fantastic month for events here at Durlston. Purbeck Film Festival will be returning with 6 film showings from 22nd October in the Fine Foundation Gallery. To book tickets, visit www.purbeckfilm. com. We have a host of workshops including Glass Engraving, a drawing workshop and a photography walk. Then on top of this, we have our fantastic guided walks exploring history, geology and wildlife of Durlston.

October also marks the start

of the ‘Spooky Season’ meaning we have a haunting Halloween trail to keep the kids entertained through the October half term, as well as ‘Wild Wednesday’ providing free drop in crafts and activities as well as a Ranger led ‘Wild Durlston’ event. For more information or to book onto events then visit www. durlston.co.uk.

Whatever your reason for visiting the park this October, make sure to take a second to enjoy Durlston in its Autumn glory!

For more information on events and more visit our Durlston website: Visit the Durlston website: https://www.durlston.co.uk/ Visit the Seventhwave café website: https://seventhwave restaurant.co.uk/

24/7 radio station ready to launch

FOR several months now I have been promising my listeners and readers that we will shortly be announcing the official opening of Purbeck Sounds, your new community radio station. And at last – here it is!

A new community radio station, broadcasting from the heart of Swanage is going live on Saturday, October 5.

Purbeck Sounds is the brainchild of Graham Turner and Andrew Birt. With a studio located at the Hub in Commercial Road, Swanage, opposite Chococo, it will be broadcasting 24 hours a day and you can already listen online at www.purbecksounds.com, on internet radio or via Alexa.

The station aims to be a source of entertainment and information for everyone and company for people on their own.

Featuring great music –everything from Bach to Billie Eilish – local news and views, it has something for everyone. Start your day with the Breakfast Show presented by the Breakfast Crew, or on Sunday, Jurassic Classics presented by Andrew Birt. Drive home from work with David Hollister’s Drivetime, hear interviews with local people by Maggie O’Neill and Thelma Deacon, Afternoon Tea with Paul HC, The Theme Show with Peter Haynes, get set for

by David Hollister

what’s happening at the weekend with Jackie Temple, travel the world with Travelling Man, Jeremy Hoare, enjoy Dance tunes with DJ Thomas, have a Funky Friday with Mr C and much more.

For those who can’t sleep at night, from 11pm-7am, there’s Through the Night – mellow tunes and selected highlights from the daytime shows.

Part of the station’s commitment is to all members of the community, and exclusive to Purbeck Sounds is the Verbatim project. As a service to those with hearing difficulties, a selection of the station’s interviews will be transcribed to text and later appear on the website.

Purbeck Sounds is run by volunteers and funded by member subscriptions and advertising income. Any surplus at the end of the year

Purbeck

Sounds is the brainchild of Graham Turner (left) and Andrew Birt

will be given back to the community.

We are aiming to have a lot of “live” studio guests from as many local organisations as we can, so if you’d like to come on air with one of our hosts, and tell the world about your group, then contact@purbecksounds. co.uk. It’s all free publicity for you and there’s no such thing as “bad publicity”, is there!

It’s broadcasting now – but the big launch is on October 5. Tune in to Purbecksounds.com and listen, or better still, use the “contact us” button to get in touch.

I’VE been away in Spain for our annual holiday and consequently been somewhat out of touch. But I was heartened to see the pictures of so many people attending the Studland Village Hall meeting with the Ferry People. I do hope that everyone wrote to the Secretary of State and voiced their opinion.

In my book, the threat to make a £6 charge just to use the road to the ferry and the beach is outrageous. It may well be that they have to put the ferry fares up to break even and enable significant chunks of money to be set aside for the new ferry in 2035. We should be asking our MP to watch this and asking the Ferry Company to

publish the annual increases in the fund so we can all see it grow. But somehow, I remain sceptical that this will be done. And that the Replacement Ferry Fund, when wanted, will fall far short of the target.

Readers, residents, we simply cannot let this happen. Dig those heads out of the sand and get ready for a proper fight with your new MP at the forefront, and the MP for Sandbanks – Neil Duncan-Jordan, whoever he may be – right now behind him. Come on, Lloyd Hatton, this could be the making or breaking your career. Get in touch with Purbeck Gazette and keep us informed. You will be surprised at the amount of help that’s out here.

RESIDENTS have complained about the piece of almostpavement at the junction of Hill View and Priests Road many times through the correct channels – even got to a point where someone in “authority” came out and said how dangerous it was, but not priority at all!

Parked cars, speeding traffic and a busy school run with lots of mums and pushchairs who have to walk out in the road past the parked cars and even a caravan this week! Let alone wheelchair users, no dropped kerbs and no pavement on the other side.

The locals don’t think a bigger pavement will ever happen – why not? – but a struggling mum pointed out this week that even double yellow lines would help. Surely that wouldn’t cost the council too much? She also spoke to a lady this week who fell and broke her wrist five years ago struggling to get past with her shopping trolley! She didn’t complain.

Any thoughts or ideas who else to approach? Apparently, the complaints about this have been going on for many, many years. So, let’s hope that the county council will give them a real Christmas present and fix their problem.

Ferry Company ‘opportunistic’

IN September 2018, a Public Inquiry in Studland considered proposals put forward by the Ferry Company to raise tolls for those using the ferry. As chair of Swanage and Rural Purbeck Labour, I spoke against these proposals at the inquiry, as did Swanage Labour town councillor Debby Monkhouse.

The inspector, Kenneth Stone, ruled against the company. One of his objections was that the company had prioritised the payment of dividends to shareholders rather than building up the Ferry Replacement Reserve.

A second public inquiry, held in 2020-21, resulted in a judgement that tolls be increased. The BBC in May 2021 reported that the ruling would mean car fares rising by 3.75% a year on average until 2031.

Yet this July, the company applied to the Department of

Transport for further toll increases across the board –save for a pedestrian using the ferry one way from Shell Bay, Studland, to Sandbanks – and for discounts for bulk users to be reduced, and a toll charged just for the use of the road.

The company argues in its letter to Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, that without these increases it will make “significant losses”, and that as a result “there will be insufficient funds to make the necessary contribution to the Ferry Replacement Reserve so that the ferry can be replaced at the end of its useful life”.

and time constrained, with no other option of getting to work.

Too many jobs in South Dorset and Poole and Bournemouth are precarious and low paid. Dorset Council’s Local Economic Assessment indicates weekly earnings for people living in Dorset are lower than the national average – £546 a week compared to £613.

Swanage Labour objects strongly to the Ferry Company’s proposals. They give no consideration to the effect of fare increases on those ferry users who are low waged

Key workers in health and education have seen their wages fall significantly in real terms since 2010.

The company has given no thought to a wider picture, with a social and environmental dimension. There is no vision for off-peak fares, encouragement of pedestrians, cyclists and buses though user-friendly tariffs.

If motorists – especially visitors – are deterred from

using the ferry as a result of fare increases, congestion on already congested roads will be increased, with potentially serious consequences for emergency fire and health services.

A Freedom of Information Request already reveals the South Western Ambulance Trust paid the company £31,905 in 2020-23. It is startling to think of paramedics, racing to hospitals in Poole or Bournemouth, having to pay a toll to cross 250 yards of water.

Swanage Labour member Alice Rogers sums up our objections succinctly and well: “The current proposals to increase tolls, cut discounts for frequent users and charge for accessing the Ferry Road look opportunistic and outside of any sense of serving the local community or businesses”.

CHRIS

BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

Elderly facing a long, cold winter

SUMMER officially ended on September 22, but if you didn’t know that, the signs are already out there. Tourist numbers are dwindling, the nights are drawing in and in four weeks’ time the clocks will go back. And, of course, the other telltale sign is that many of us will be contemplating when we’ll be “turning the heating on”.

Unfortunately for many these days, this isn’t a simple binary decision of whether you’re cold or not. The cost-of-living crisis absolutely hasn’t gone away and one part of that is the sustained high price we as consumers have to bear for our electricity, gas or heating oil. The OFGEM price cap is going back up and the days when you could be a bit savvy and shop around for a cheaper energy deal have long gone. The reality for many is that there is a stark choice between heating your house and eating.

So, if things weren’t already bleak enough, the new Labour Government has decided to introduce a very basic means testing for the previously universal Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) which was given to anyone on a state pension. At the crucial vote in parliament, the Lib Dems voted against this, but Labour won easily with most of its MPs, including South Dorset’s Lloyd Hatton, supporting the cut. While it is unarguable that some receiving this income had no financial imperative to do so, and indeed there are some charities whose funding model is based on donations from socially minded pensioners of their WFP, now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Someone on the maximum state pension of £11,502 can’t by any measure be deemed to be “well off”.

To qualify for WFP, you now need to be in receipt of Pension Credit, but many who are eligible simply don’t receive it because they haven’t applied, often through pride or a lack of awareness. Dorset Council is trying to identify those pensioners so that we can help, but that’s hindered by Pension Credit being administered by government and it won’t tell us who already receives it!

A recent survey of pensioners commissioned by the Liberal Democrats showed that 75% expect to be affected by the Government’s cut to winter fuel allowance

payments.

Staggeringly, over half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while 40% will look to cut back on other “essentials”. There is a clear correlation between cold homes and the elderly needing additional health care, so there will be a knock-on impact to the NHS. And one in five (19%) are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut!

Other research from the charity Age UK shows the WFP cut will mean two million will find paying their energy bills a real stretch and will be seriously hit.

Pension Credit can be applied for at https://apply-forpension-credit.service.gov.uk/ start and help is available from Dorset Council and Age UK.

Democrat Leader of Dorset Council

Chris Bradey

Nick Ireland

Sudoku 3D puzzle

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.

Killer Sudoku Pro

Across

1 Coach limits spread in part of Christianity (11)

9 Husband with trio possibly getting arty about gardening (13)

10 Take responsibility for strip by road (8)

12 Cut bargain (4)

14 Huge soldier, six-footer (5)

15 With time put back, totally calm (5)

Killer Sudoku Pro

19 Hint in ballroom dance lacking nothing (4)

Down

2 Some chairman’s broadcast (3)

3 Musical with bit of verse that’s very thin

4 Retired pair in Luxembourg with queen becoming more obtrusive (6)

5 Name mostly yen in financial district (4)

6 Rigorous form of English almost by civilized chap (9)

7 Move quickly cutting short spirit (5)

20 Something that punctuates completely crowded block (4,4)

22 Imposing duke with sign of jollity left out for young relative (13)

24 Break before speech for repair (11)

Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit 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.

8 Run off with Eastern European in turn (5)

11 Determine position of attire one found tattered (9)

13 A French lake in visual range showing summer feature? (8)

16 Mount section of rally? (5)

17 A heightened atmosphere for family help

18 Reject with contempt special place for votes? (5)

21 Run newspaper in revised iteration (4)

23 Mention of couple also (3)

(8)

Retired pair in Luxembourg with queen becoming more obtrusive (6) 5 Name mostly yen in financial district (4) 6 Rigorous form of English almost by civilized chap (9)

7 Move quickly cutting short spirit (5)

8 Run off with Eastern European in turn (5) 11 Determine position of attire one found tattered (9)

13 A French lake in visual range showing summer feature? (8)

16 Mount section of rally? (5)

17 A heightened atmosphere for family help (2,4) 18 Reject with contempt special place for votes? (5)

21 Run newspaper in revised iteration (4)

23 Mention of couple also (3)

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: Ode to the osprey

by Susanna Curtin

AFTER days of heavy rain, autumn has arrived in force. The heathland floor smells dank, and the autumn crops of fungi are springing up from the ground; common earthballs are scattered like rotten potatoes amid the heather and gorse. Above me is an interesting September sky that is a mosaic of grey, white and black clouds interspersed with wintery teal and vibrant blue.

Today, I have come to RSPB Arne to enjoy the season’s highlights, particularly the large velvety raft spiders that lurk in the ponds, and the now iconic ospreys of Poole Harbour. Like all wildlife watching, you first have to know where and how to look for the species you are interested in, and you always have to be prepared that you might not see them. A great deal of luck is involved with being in the right place at the right time. Nevertheless, I am feeling quietly optimistic.

The chocolate-brown raft spiders are relatively easy to spot. Despite their ingenious camouflage, they have two yellow stripes down their sides which set them apart from their background of floating vegetation. Ospreys, however, are much more difficult to predict. Fortunately, I catch sight of a small group of people

with their binoculars firmly fixed on something interesting. And there, hovering above the shimmering water with its furry legs and sharp talons facing downwards, long wings folded upwards, head down looking for fish, and tail splayed in a fan shape, is an osprey. Unmistakable and breathtakingly beautiful to behold.

Silhouetted against the backdrop of the ghostly shadow of Corfe Castle, I follow this incredible bird for the next couple of hours, seeing him hover, then silently dive into the water; talons at the ready to grasp an unsuspecting fish. Half-submerged, I watch in awe as the strong, broad-shouldered wings grapple with the incoming tide while he lifts his prey out of the current. Once airborne, he shakes the water from his feathers and flies off to his favourite perch, a small dead tree. There he sits, shoulders hunched, while he eats his lunch. It is not long before he is back again. Not every dive is successful, and as the day progresses I begin to wonder about the effort it must take to exit the water each time.

Ospreys – Pandion haliaetus – are specialist fish-eaters, and after the peregrine falcon, are the second most widespread bird of prey in the world,

occurring on every continent bar Antarctica. Once widespread in the UK, they were heavily persecuted as they competed with anglers for salmon and trout. Their eggs were also taken, birds were shot for taxidermist collections, and they became extinct in England, Wales and Ireland. There were just a few pairs remaining in Scotland with the first known breeding pair in Loch Garten in 1954. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I distinctly remember my family following “Operation Osprey”, where each year, volunteers would guard the nest in Loch Garten to protect it from egg collectors. Even then, there were losses due to theft which were further compounded by the use of DDT that entered their food chain and reduced the viability of their eggs. Eventually, with stricter regulations and protection, ospreys made a comeback and by the 1990s there were over 60 pairs, but mostly in Scotland.

With the support of the Roy Dennis Foundation, ospreys were reintroduced by a translocation programme in 1996 to Rutland Water and to the Lake District. Five years later in 2001, some of the

CONSERVATION PROJECT

Osprey have bred successfully in

translocated birds returned after their migration from Africa to breed there. Due to the success of the previous reintroductions, the fact that ospreys mate for life and generally return to the same nest site, plus the suitability of Poole Harbour as a habitat and migratory stop-over, the Poole Harbour Osprey Translocation project was begun in 2017. Once again in partnership with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, 60 osprey chicks from Scotland were released. In spring 2022, a first pair to breed had two chicks. One was predated by a goshawk but the other survived and successfully migrated to Africa. She was the first wild-fledged osprey in southern England since 1847. In spring 2024, she returned to join her parents who have successfully bred again. And so here I am now, watching a conservation success story. I have seen osprey in Canada, Australia, Rutland Water and Scotland, but nothing compares to the feeling of seeing them here in my home county. It is such a privilege given their long journey to success.

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

Poole Harbour

Ageing: It’s important to look outwards

by Fiona Chapman

THEY say that “youth is wasted on the young”, and looking back to my own youth, it probably was. You don’t realise how lovely and elastic your skin was or how much energy you had or appreciate the enthusiasm and blind belief that you know it all and can do it all!

Although I think life gets better as you get older – you grow into and get to know yourself, and have the confidence to be who you want to be, it then takes a turn for the worse as you hit old age. Energy drains quickly, memory goes, the body starts to ache and things stop working. Often, I see people turn into themselves, losing confidence and interest in life, which is terribly sad. Going deaf seems

to trigger this as it becomes such an effort to hear that individuals stop trying, which causes isolation and then depression. It is also extremely difficult for a partner who may be younger or stronger than the other, to watch those they love deteriorate and in some cases change personality and become someone they don’t know anymore. A partner or parent is supposed to be strong and supportive, and however much you tell yourself to have patience and sympathy, it is unbelievably stressful and will take its toll.

I see ladies whose husbands are shrinking into themselves, with high levels of stress and blood pressure because they too are struggling with old age, energy levels and in many cases

RSV vaccine coming soon

WOMEN 28 weeks or more pregnant and individuals aged 75 or older will soon be eligible for the new RSV vaccine, becoming available next month.

Respiratory Ssyncytial Virus (RSV) is a major respiratory virus that is common over the winter period, typically November to February.

While the symptoms are mild for many, RSV can be

especially dangerous for infants and the elderly, says Public Health Dorset.

RSV accounts for about 30,000 hospitalisations of children in the UK a year, and for 20 to 30 infant deaths. RSV can also be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia and existing lung condition flare-ups.

It causes about 9,000 hospitalisations in those aged over 75 in the UK each year.

their own health issues.

There are herbs that can help with stress such as Withania somnifera, Avena sativa – oat tops and seeds, Passiflora, Valariana officinalis and Skullcap combined with Crateagus for the heart –physical and mental, but I think the best thing is to look outward.

See friends and try to laugh, eat healthily – very important –take as much exercise as possible, get into the sun or fresh air every day. Appreciate the beauty in the world, don’t listen to the news, play music,

draw, paint, dance if you can, read or listen to books that will transport you out of yourself. I also think it is important to see the positives in the young. The young often, sadly, ignore the old, but the old sometimes write them off because they are not like they were. Of course they are not – our generation has seen a technological revolution and enormous change in society. Times have changed and, if possible, embrace this rather than hate it.

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

Eating healthily is very important for individuals as they get older

Home & Garden

The turning of the seasons

by Sally Gregson

AS you walk around your garden now on a warm, autumnal morning, you can almost smell the seasons changing. The rich, decaying scent of fallen leaves permeates the earthy smells of the damp ground; the scent of summer’s new-mown hay has matured to the honeyed perfume of chrysanths and ripening fruit; while the last remaining leaves are green no longer, but slightly foxed – brown and gold. Nature is changing its dress. The natural world is preparing for winter.

And it’s good to follow her example – celebrate the new season and tidy away the summer pots of faded flowers. Put the washed-out petunias and pelargoniums on the compost heap and replace the used soil with fresh potting compost mixed with a little sharp grit to help drainage. Trowel in some

slow-release fertiliser that will be activated during the damp warm spring weather ready to encourage a new generation of plants. For the wet winter season especially, it is wise to rest the container on “pot feet” to prevent the young plants sitting in a quagmire. Then

install the winter favourites, and push in some bulbs for next year. Daffodils and tulips show off in the spring sunshine, while snowdrops and scillas thrive and flower better in the shade. Creating a “lasagne” of spring bulbs in a celebratory pot by the front door is a rewarding

way to anticipate the spring. Start at the bottom with broken pots and grit for good drainage, filling the pot with the compost and grit mixture to a third of the way up. Then place a layer of tulips out of touch with each other, and cover them with just enough compost to expose their noses, followed by a layer of narcissi above and between. Follow that up with another layer of crocus and laterflowering dwarf tulips and put the pot in a sunny spot – or with Scillas and Muscari for the shade. Finish off the pot with lots of little Iris reticulata, and dwarf bedding cyclamen to last until Christmas. And cover the top of the pot with lots more grit to finish the display off. The cyclamen will have gone over by Christmas and be ready to be removed gently, by which time the up-coming bulbs will just be pushing through the soil – a pot of spring sunshine.

Upcoming Events & Workshops at Careys

DATE

Fri mornings

Sat mornings

Sat 5th October

Sat 5th October

Fri 11th October

Sat 12th October

Sat 19th October

Fri 25th - Sun 27th

October

Sat 9th Nov

Sat 9th Nov

Thurs 21st Nov

Fri 29th Nov

Sat 30th Nov

Sat 7th Nov

EVENT/WORKSHOP

Parent & Toddler Group

Women’s Yoga Group

In Conversation with Steve Wyatt, Restored Retro

Mindful Mandala Drawing Workshop with Pia Elliot

Mushroom Foraging

Beginners Macrame Workshop

Willow Handbag Workshop

Secret All Things Fungi Festival and Purbeck Film

Festival

Mushroom Foraging

Beginners Macrame Workshop

Porcelain Paper Clay Workshop

Xmas Willow Tree Decorations Workshop

Mushroom Foraging

Xmas Macrame Workshop

Pre-booked tickets only, please visit: https://bookings careyssecretgarden co uk/ Carey Road, Wareham, Dorset

MAX MUDIE JANA NICOLE

Nature is changing its dress for the brown and gold of autumn

Ferns to make a statement and more

by Sally Gregson

IT is all too easy to create dark shade in a closely planted border. And if the soil is left bare and open it will soon find less than welcome occupants. And not just the green sort either. Slugs and snails much prefer those moist places out of the drying sunlight.

Evergreen ferns will grow in just such places, and fill an otherwise damp, dingy place with fresh green leaves all year round.

In spring, fresh fronds will unfurl like a bishop’s crozier to replace the over-wintered leaves. Their emergence coincides with the flowering of hardy cyclamen and Grape hyacinths, and provides an electric green background. Over the course of the summer the leaves will mature, the plant will expand, and the foliage blend with its neighbours.

Some leaves are almost entire and undivided, such as the Hart’s Tongue ferns, Asplenium scolopendrium, and are consequently more tolerant of drier soils. Whereas others, such as the Maidenhair ferns and Spleenworts, Adiantum venustum and its sisters, prefer the moisture of cool, shaded walls where the moisture drains away quickly.

Many hardy ferns are larger and make a statement in the border. The black hairs on the foliage of Dryopteris wallichiana outline the classic shapes of the leaves. And the American Sword Fern, Polystichum munitum, is a distinctly characteristic shape with large leaves that in the wild can reach to well over 1.5 metres in length. It is droughttolerant with fronds that are not too feathery and so it will put up with sunshine, although it prefers a little shade. Neither ever becomes invasive. Alas.

Ferns pre-date flowering plants so their spore-bearing parts are often less obvious than blowsy flowers. But a mature frond can be backed entirely with small black spores that will spill into the wind and blow away to find somewhere damp to complete their germination. Pterodologists, or fern aficionados, collect the spores and germinate them to make more fernlets. But it’s a painstaking job and can take a year for the spores to germinate. A very rewarding task but perhaps one for the enthusiasts.

Dryopteris wallichiana (above) and Adiantum venustum (below, left)

AA calls for 1,000 more ‘cops in cars’

THE AA is calling on the Home Secretary to appoint 1,000 new roads police officers to improve road safety and help tackle wider crime.

As part of its manifesto, Labour pledged to recruit thousands of new police officers to tackle neighbourhood crime. The AA believes 1,000 of these new recruits should form part of the road traffic section of forces across the country.

The request, part of The AA’s own Motoring Manifesto, follows AA analysis of the latest police workforce statistics released by the Home Office. As of March 31, there were 4,215 traffic officers in England and

Wales, a drop of 1,022 officers from the highest point on March 31, 2016 (5,237).

Recruiting more traffic officers would increase the visibility of police on the roads. In a poll of 11,469 drivers last month, more than half (57%) felt that drivers could get away with careless driving due to a lack of police on the roads.

Similarly, more than twofifths of drivers said offences such as using a handheld phone behind the wheel (44%), drug-driving (42%), not wearing a seatbelt (46%) and using a dangerous vehicle (43%) were going unpunished due to a reduced police presence.

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The wider use of technology in roads policing such as new AI cameras which can detect more offences than just speeding is welcome, but only 15% of drivers agree that roads policing can be carried out by cameras alone.

It was strongly felt that more traffic officers could help fight and reduce crime beyond the road. Nine out of 10 (91%) said having more traffic police would make communities safer, while eight out of 10 believed that an increase in roads policing officers could help reduce crimes such as drug dealing, human trafficking and vehicle theft.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: “Be it driving offences or wider crime, public opinion suggests that too many people are simply getting away it. It’s clear that the public

wants to see more bobbies on the beat, so the Government’s ambition to increase the number of police officers is welcome.

“We believe there should be a wider approach to tackling crime and that more cops in cars could produce safer communities as well as safer roads. A clear and visible presence is a deterrent itself to ensure better standards of driving, as well as sending a warning signal to criminals that the chances of being caught are higher than before.

“Most traffic cops catch other crimes in the act, such as discovering stolen goods, through routine stops. Similarly, a camera can spot the speeding driver, but it can’t stop them if they are under the influence of drink or drugs. Investment in traffic officers does more than improve road safety, it produces safer neighbourhoods, too.”

Crossword

Quick Wins to Add Value to Your Home

Boost the enjoyment of your home and your selling price if you want to move...

Quick Wins

10 Quick Wins for Adding Value Before Selling

32 Purbeck Gazette, March 18, 2024

32 Purbeck Gazette, March 18, 2024

Quick Wins

1 REDECORATE

Redecorating is the most popular home improvement and adding a lick of paint can be done at a relatively low cost. Neutral colours are most appealing to house buyers and can go a long way to giving your home a new lease of life, so do not be afraid to pick up the paintbrush.

2

FIX SUPERFICIAL DEFECTS

While unlikely to be the clinching factor in a house sale, small problems and defects can create an impression of a house being run down or not well cared for. Bigger issues (like damp) should not be covered up as they will show on a survey and come back to haunt you later on.

Things to look out for include:

• Peeling paint

• Dirty walls, especially near door

Get to work planning your garden design in the winter months

Curb appeal - does it really matter?

Curb appeal - does it really matter?

With Autumn almost upon us and winter not too far around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your new garden design.

4

DECLUTTER

frames & light switches

• Dripping taps

• Squeaky floors, doors or stairs

• Mouldy sealant in kitchens or bathrooms

• Limescale build-up on kitchen and bathroom fittings

• Badly fitted laminate flooring

• Broken lightbulbs

3 THE FRONT DOOR

First impressions count and the front door of your home can say alot about the rest of the house to firsttime viewers. If you cannot afford to replace the door, make sure it looks new by giving it a power wash or fresh coat of paint. Even a new doorknob, house number or name plaque can help. Try to make your front door look smarter than your neighbours’ to help your property stand out.

Never underestimate a tidy, clean room and pay special attention to high-impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also consider whether there’s too much furniture in each room as it can make the property feel smaller.

5

HEATING AND LIGHTING

If you’re looking to sell or add value to your home, how much do rst impressions count? Based on the Home owners alliance survey, 68% of home buyers say that curb appeal was important to their choice of home. Ensuring you have structural items taken care of like windows, doors and brickwork are a must for any potential buyers. However items to consider that could clinch the deal could be, tidy front gardens with no weeds and trimmed hedges, well maintained fences and walls and well maintained and attractive paths or driveways. For a small price win, consider wheelie bin storage especially in Purbeck where multiple bins maybe on show. If you struggle for inspiration look for a local landscaper who can advise you on the most cost e ective way of adding that wow factor. Purbeck Landscapes, www.purbeckld.co.uk, 01929 253112.

While there might be less to do out in the garden, cold winter days are the perfect time to curl up with a cup of tea and get some inspiration from books, magazines and online. Spending some time browsing and dreaming could be just the space you need to come up with garden design ideas that are perfect for your plot.

Whilst your outdoor spaces sleep, there is the perfect opportunity to see the garden’s structure with all the leaves off the trees, shrubs and hedging. Winter is the perfect time to carry out changes to paths and Purbeck stone walls and other structural features. You can also move trees and large shrubs whilst they’re dormant and it’s the perfect time to get any large structures or ambitious projects underway.

Purbeck Landscapes can work with you to inspire, design and build your perfect outdoor space. Get in touch to get started on your winter renovation. www.purbeckld.co.uk - 01929 253112.

If you’re looking to sell or add value to your home, how much do rst impressions count? Based on the Home owners alliance survey, 68% of home buyers say that curb appeal was important to their choice of home. Ensuring you have structural items taken care of like windows, doors and brickwork are a must for any potential buyers. However items to consider that could clinch the deal could be, tidy front gardens with no weeds and trimmed hedges, well maintained fences and walls and well maintained and attractive paths or driveways. For a small price win, consider wheelie bin storage especially in Purbeck where multiple bins maybe on show. If you struggle for inspiration look for a local landscaper who can advise you on the most cost e ective way of adding that wow factor. Purbeck Landscapes, www.purbeckld.co.uk, 01929 253112.

If you’re not at home, preset the heating to come on ahead of a scheduled viewing. Potential buyers will want to know that your central heating works well and feel comfortable in your home if it’s cold outside. Good lighting will also be essential on a drab day so having lamps on in dark corners will help. It’s better for the viewing to take place in daylight but if a potential buyer is coming after dark then turn any outside lights on.

Quick Wins for Adding Value

The Power of the Sun Saves £££££

As energy prices in the UK continue to surge, the October price cap rise has left households grappling with soaring bills. In this challenging environment, investing in solar PV systems and battery storage is not just a smart financial move, but also a long-term solution. Green Planet Renewables is here to help you harness the power of the sun and take control of your energy costs.

By installing a solar PV system, you can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid, shielding yourself from volatile energy prices. The average UK household could save hundreds of pounds per year on electricity bills. Pairing this with battery storage maximizes your savings, allowing you to store excess energy and use it during peak pricing periods.

Beyond the immediate financial benefits, solar PV is an environmentally conscious choice. Reducing your carbon footprint is not only good for the planet, but it also aligns with a growing global shift towards sustainable living. This investment doesn’t just save you money – it adds value to your property. Homes equipped with renewable energy solutions like solar panels are more attractive to buyers, who increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and cost savings.

Choosing Green Planet Renewables means investing in a cleaner, greener future, all while protecting your finances and enhancing the value of your home. It’s time to join the renewable revolution and enjoy the rewards.

Quick Wins

6 GARDEN APPEAL

If you have a front garden, spend a little time sprucing it up. A few plant pots and a clear pathway can make the front of your house more appealing helping with first impressions. Out the back a well-designed garden can add a great deal of value, it should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, rather than an expanse of grass. It’s essential to trim borders, clear pathways and cut back any overgrown trees or bushes, particularly if they block direct sunlight into the property. An area of decking creates a sense of bigger usable living space and three per cent of homes sold in 2019 were even found to have a summerhouse in the garden, giving owners more space to relax and entertain in the brighter weather.

7 CREATE A DRIVEWAY OR OFF-ROAD PARKING

In some areas of the country, the ability to park close to your front door comes at a huge premium and therefore, if you have the room to add offstreet parking, you are sure to increase value.

8 LOOK SMART AND BE ENERGY EFFICIENT

Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers - just advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area could be enough to encourage buyers. Statement systems like multiroom music platforms can also make a difference. Double glazing will also help retain heat (and keep noise out). Smart technology such as Hive, which gives mobile control over heating systems, is a feature worth considering. If a home improvement moves your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) up a band it could add thousands to the sale price!

Quick Wins

Transform Your Outside Space

Transform Your Outside Space

Transform Your Outside Space

Transform Your Outside Space

Summer may be over, but now is the perfect time to make quick wins that will tide you over until the spring. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to refresh driveways, pathways or decorative beds then this is it.

Summer may be over, but now is the perfect time to make the quick wins that will tide you over until the spring. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to refresh driveways, pathways or decorative beds then this is it.

Summer may be over, but now is the perfect time to make the quick wins that will tide you over until the spring. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to refresh driveways, pathways or decorative beds then this is it.

For sales help and any other enquiries you can visit their website www.suttlestonedepot.co.uk, call their friendly team on 01929 439444 or alternatively you can email them at info@suttles.co.uk

Summer may be over, but now is the perfect time to make the quick wins that will tide you over until the spring. If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to refresh driveways, pathways or decorative beds then this is it.

uttle Stone Quarries have an extensive range of decorative chippings, building aggregates, sleepers and more! Their range of Dorset limestone chippings are from their quarry Worth Matravers and are not only aesthetically pleasing also practical and hard-wearing, ideal for use on driveways and pathways as well as for decorative purposes. this doesn’t take your fancy and you are looking for an alternative they have a range of other options, including Heather Slate, Devon Pink and Sandringham chippings as well as many more.

Suttle Stone Quarries have an extensive range of decorative chippings, building aggregates, sleepers and more! Their range of Dorset limestone chippings are from their quarry in Worth Matravers and are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and hard-wearing, ideal for use on driveways and pathways as well as for decorative purposes. If this doesn’t take your fancy and you are looking for an alternative they have a range of other options, including Heather Slate, Devon Pink and Sandringham chippings as well as many more.

Suttle Stone Quarries have an extensive range of decorative chippings, building aggregates, sleepers and more! Their range of Dorset limestone chippings are from their quarry in Worth Matravers and are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and hard-wearing, ideal for use on driveways and pathways as well as for decorative purposes. If this doesn’t take your fancy and you are looking for an alternative they have a range of other options, including Heather Slate, Devon Pink and Sandringham chippings as well as many more.

Suttle Stone Quarries have an extensive range of decorative chippings, building aggregates, sleepers and more! Their range of Dorset limestone chippings are from their quarry in Worth Matravers and are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and hard-wearing, ideal for use on driveways and pathways as well as for decorative purposes. If this doesn’t take your fancy and you are looking for an alternative they have a range of other options, including Heather Slate, Devon Pink and Sandringham chippings as well as many more.

of these products and more are available for fast and convenient home delivery. They will deliver your material in tonne bags to a convenient location. Don’t worry if access is tight, just let them know prior to delivery so they are aware. you don’t want as much as a tonne you can pop into their Poole depot (near Tower Park) where you can buy as little as much as you’d like, just remember to bring a container a shovel. You will need a high visibility vest to be out of your vehicle in the yard, don’t worry if you don’t have one, they are available to buy on the weighbridge for £2.70.

For sales help and any other enquiries you can visit their website www.suttlestonedepot.co.uk, call their friendly team on 01929 439444 or alternatively you can email them at info@suttles.co.uk

For sales help and any other enquiries you can visit their website www.suttlestonedepot.co.uk, call their friendly team on 01929 439444 or alternatively you can email them at info@suttles.co.uk

For sales help and any other enquiries you can visit their website www.suttlestonedepot.co.uk, call their friendly team on 01929 439444 or alternatively you can email them at info@suttles.co.uk

All of these products and more are available for fast and convenient home delivery. They will deliver your material in tonne bags to a convenient location. Don’t worry if access is tight, just let them know prior to delivery so they are aware. If you don’t want as much as a tonne you can pop into their Poole depot (near Tower Park) where you can buy as little or as much as you’d like, just remember to bring a container and a shovel. You will need a high visibility vest to be out of your vehicle in the yard, don’t worry if you don’t have one, they are available to buy on the weighbridge for £2.70.

All of these products and more are available for fast and convenient home delivery. They will deliver your material in tonne bags to a convenient location. Don’t worry if access is tight, just let them know prior to delivery so they are aware. If you don’t want as much as a tonne you can pop into their Poole depot (near Tower Park) where you can buy as little or as much as you’d like, just remember to bring a container and a shovel. You will need a high visibility vest to be out of your vehicle in the yard, don’t worry if you don’t have one, they are available to buy on the weighbridge for £2.70.

All of these products and more are available for fast and convenient home delivery. They will deliver your material in tonne bags to a convenient location. Don’t worry if access is tight, just let them know prior to delivery so they are aware. If you don’t want as much as a tonne you can pop into their Poole depot (near Tower Park) where you can buy as little or as much as you’d like, just remember to bring a container and a shovel. You will need a high visibility vest to be out of your vehicle in the yard, don’t worry if you don’t have one, they are available to buy on the weighbridge for £2.70.

Quick Wins

9

MAKEOVER THE KITCHEN

Kitchens are often the main focus for many buyers, it may be the first thing they look to replace or pay more for if the property has one they like. You may not be able to afford a whole new kitchen but, for a relatively small budget, painting units or replacing cupboard handles or doors are great alternatives. Good lighting and clutter-free, clean surfaces will also make a big difference.

10

FRESH BATHROOMS

In the bathroom, re-grouting, eliminating all limescale and replacing taps are good options. Bathrooms need to look fresh and hygienic so paint the walls and neutral shade and ideally add a new shower curtain or standard glass screen. In 2019, new bathrooms were fitted in 29 per cent of homes which sold that year so could be the key to selling fast and earning more.

Caring for antique jewellery

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

AS you can imagine, caring for antique jewellery requires special attention to preserve its beauty and value, and if items are not handled or stored correctly, they can be easily damaged.

Here’s some of my tips to help keep your antique jewellery in excellent condition:

1 – Gentle cleaning: Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. Instead, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean your pieces.

If necessary, a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water can be used, but ensure the jewellery is dried thoroughly afterwards to prevent moisture damage.

sanitiser and household cleaners.

Always remove jewellery, especially pearls, before applying cosmetics or doing household chores to prevent discoloration or deterioration.

3 – Proper storage: Store each piece of jewellery separately to avoid tangling and scratches. A soft-lined jewellery box or individual cloth pouches work well.

Alternatively, there are many specially formulated cleaners you can buy that are perfect for the job.

2 – Avoid exposure to chemicals: Antique jewellery is very sensitive to chemicals found in everyday products such as perfumes, lotions, hand

Keep them in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight, which can fade gemstones and cause metals to tarnish.

4 – Regular checks: Over time, prongs, clasps and other settings can loosen. Regularly inspect your jewellery for signs of wear or damage. Here at Heirlooms, we’re happy to take a no-obligation look at your precious pieces to check their condition and recommend any repairs. By following these steps, you can help preserve the condition and elegance of your antique jewellery, ensuring it remains a cherished heirloom for years to come.

Angling trophy an auction highlight

SPORTING & Natural History returns to Duke’s on Thursday, October 10, for another expedition into the natural world.

Once again, the auctioneer’s will be transformed into an emporium of curiosities showcasing a collection of vintage firearms, rare fishing paraphernalia, taxidermy, sporting attire and a variety of wonders from the animal kingdom.

A highlight of the collection is a Walton & Cotton Club Silver Angling Trophy by James Charles Edington, London 1833, estimated at £1,500£2,000

The 2023 Sporting & Natural History auction was a resounding success, with 80% of the lots sold, including a highly coveted collection of carved wooden salmon.

A highlight of the sale was a Fochaber Studo hand-carved wooden salmon, which sold for £6,875, exclusive of buyer’s premium.

With such a great act to follow, Duke’s promises this auction will be a superior successor, with greater variety,

provenance and results.

The auction is on Thursday, October 10, at 10.30am, with viewing starting on Monday, October 7, until the date of the auction.

Get in touch to organise a free and confidential valuation with one of Duke’s specialists, either through enquiries@ dukes-auctions.com or on 01305 265080.

The Walton & Cotton Club: An important silver angling trophy estimated at £1,500-£2,000

Business

Six-figure bequest buoys RNLI

A GENEROUS supporter of the RNLI from Dorset who donated £1.5 million for a lifeboat in honour of her husband has left it a further £100,000 in her will.

Doreen Hogg bequeathed the money to the charity to allow it to keep on saving lives long after her passing.

Mrs Hogg, who was married to the late Archie, arranged the legacy through solicitor

Malcolm Scott Walby, a trustee of her estate.

Mr Scott Walby, a consultant solicitor at Dorset law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors, presented the donation at a wake at the RNLI headquarters in Poole following Mrs Hogg’s funeral.

He said: “Doreen and Archie were dedicated supporters of the RNLI for many years.

“It was a privilege to act as a trustee for Doreen and to make this very generous donation in her memory.

“It means that lives can continue to be saved at sea for many years to come, thanks to her benevolence.”

Six in 10 of the RNLI’s lifeboat launches are funded through legacy gifts.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “Without the generosity of people like Doreen, we simply couldn’t keep our lifesaving service running.

“Anyone can leave a gift to

RNLI for a lifeboat in memory of Archie following his death in 2018.

died aged 91 earlier this year. Her funeral was held at Poole Crematorium.

the RNLI in their will, and we are thrilled that Doreen chose to support us with donations in her lifetime, through her trust and in her legacy.

“The £100,000 donation has come from the will trust that Doreen set up after her legacy to give a regular income to the RNLI and we are very grateful to her.”

Doreen and Archie were both great lovers of the sea, spending much time on the water. They moved from Newcastle to Poole where they became big supporters of the RNLI.

Doreen donated £1.5m to the

She was the guest of honour when the vessel was named “RNLB Ettrick Shepherd Hogg Hardie” at a ceremony at the RNLI headquarters in 2021.

Doreen and Archie were also enthusiastic members of the Bournemouth Caledonian Society. Four friends from the group who knew Archie joined Doreen when she attended the naming ceremony, which included a piper, brass band and sea shanties. A minister conducted an open air service before champagne was poured over the bow.

Doreen, who lived in a flat overlooking Poole Harbour,

Regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors has 178 staff including 24 partners in seven offices, including Canford Cliffs in Poole.

The RNLI saved 355 lives in 2023 and helped 84 people a day. There were 9,192 lifeboat crews launched. It celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.

Visit https://rnli.org/supportus/give-money/leave-a-gift-inyour-will for more details about leaving the RNLI a gift in your will and www.ellisjones.co.uk/ personal/wills-trust-and-probate for more about Ellis Jones’ Wills, Trust and Probate services.

Morebus looks to hire women drivers

by editor@dorsetbiznews. co.uk

MOREBUS has kicked off a recruitment drive with a unique event aimed at encouraging local women to consider a career as bus drivers.

The “Drive a Bus Like Us” event, held at Bournemouth University, saw attendees from across the region take the wheel of one of Morebus’s specially branded vehicles.

Head of communications, Nikki Honer, explained the motivation behind the event: “We were pleased to welcome

potential female employees because we know, across the UK, women are vastly underrepresented within the bus industry.”

Nikki added that some attendees had previously doubted whether they could drive a bus, but the event was designed to show otherwise:

The “Drive a Bus Like Us” event was held at Bournemouth University

“Anyone who can drive a car can potentially handle a double-decker.”

A dedicated driving circuit was set up for the event, where women from various employment backgrounds, including customer service, care and retail, could try their hand at bus driving.

Morebus’s female drivers, instructors and managers were on hand to answer questions.

“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees saying it was easier than they had expected,” said Nikki.

Interviews were conducted on the day, with job offers expected to follow.

Morebus is continuing to welcome applications from all genders for both full-time and part-time positions, with full training, a uniform and free travel included.

Consultant solicitor Malcolm Scott Walby presents £100,000 to Ed Davies, senior engineer and RNLI Poole lifeboat crew member, in memory of the late Doreen Hogg

Doreen Hogg in front of the RNLB Ettrick Shepherd Hogg Hardie for which Mrs Hogg donated £1.5m in memory of her husband Archie. She attended a naming ceremony in 2021 at the RNLI headquarters in Poole PHOTO: Bournemouth Caledonian Society

Hospitality industry warned over new tips legislation

DORSET hospitality industry businesses are being warned to be well prepared for changes to the law on tips and gratuities this autumn – or face the possibility of employment tribunals.

New legislation being introduced on October 1 will make it unlawful for employers to withhold tips and service charges from staff.

The Government’s Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 will mean that more than two million workers will have their tips protected. The legislation follows a lengthy consultation process during which it was revealed that an estimated £200 million was being held back from staff by companies withholding tips.

These new rules require 100% of the tips generated at a place of work to be passed to employees in a fair and transparent manner.

As a minimum, employers must: allocate tips fairly and

transparently; have a written policy on how tips are allocated to workers; and distribute 100% of tips to workers by the end of the month following which they were received.

Jez Howson, employment tax director at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, said: “Employers must review their current arrangements for administering tips and ascertain what needs to be done to ensure compliancy with this new legislation.

“There is absolutely no time to lose as no transition period has been built in from October 1 when this new employment law comes into force – meaning employers must have made the required changes in advance.

“It must be stressed that if a worker raises a concern that the allocation of tips and gratuities is not fair or feels that they are being discriminated against, whether deliberate or not, they are able to raise a claim with the

Gala ball for Mind

by editor@dorsetbiznews. co.uk

DORSET Mind is to bring businesses, education and charity together next month for its “Empowering Minds” Gala Ball.

The mental health charity is inviting guests to reserve a place at the black tie event on Thursday, October 24, at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth.

It hopes to raise enough funds to help roll-out critical mental heath and wellbeing services for people in Dorset, specifically young people aged nine years and above.

The gala evening begins at 6.30pm with arrival drinks served on the terrace overlooking Bournemouth Bay

employment tribunal which, if successful, could result in compensation paable of up to £5,000.

“As this new legislation falls within employment law legislation, the risk will solely sit with the employer. This risk cannot be discharged to a third party such as a troncmaster –someone appointed by a business to be responsible for sharing tips to staff via a tronc scheme.

“Our advice to businesses is to seek professional help to understand and act upon the new legislation, host employee consultations, identify potential risks and to implement a tronc scheme.”

Such a scheme – the word originating from “tronc des pauvres” – collecting boxes for

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and includes a sprinkling of magic, three-course meal and silent auction.

It will be followed by live music, networking and dancing. Carriages should arrive by 11.30pm.

Dorset Mind says its services have never been more needed.

Like other local and national charities, it faces a challenging financial landscape while simultaneously seeing an increasing demand for its support.

To reserve a place at the “Empowering Minds” Gala Ball, visit https://dorsetmind.uk/ get-involved/the-empoweringminds-gala-ball/

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, email Nick Rowe at partnerships@dorsetmind.uk.

the poor – in 1920s France – is a pay arrangement which allows hospitality and leisure businesses to fairly share tips and service charges given by customers to staff.

If an employer decides how tips are allocated, the payment of them is subject to both PAYE and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

When an independent troncmaster is appointed to decide how any tips and gratuities are distributed and to manage the allocation and payment of those tips, they are not considered earnings for NICs purposes and therefore only attract PAYE.

Therefore, appointing a troncmaster can provide savings of both primary and secondary NICs.

ARMISHAWS SMALL MOVES

Its not the size that matters it’s the way you move it! Armishaws operate a fleet of small removal vans throughout Dorset, Somerset and Wilshire catering for those clients who only need a small removal but still want the expertise provided by a larger removal company.

With prices ranging from £300 for a local move our services are tailored to meet your needs.

Arts & Entertainment

The cost of chasing ‘perfection’

AN acclaimed adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein is coming to Lighthouse Poole this autumn.

The thriller, inspired by the classic Gothic novel, explores what makes us human and the ultimate cost of chasing “perfection”.

It is 1943 and as Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world.

And one of them has a terrifying story to tell…“I created life. You don’t believe me but it’s true.

“I didn’t start from scratch, of course, but out of portions and odd ends I made something – alive.

“But what I created... it wasn’t a superhuman. It was a monster.”

Emily-Jane McNeill – The Mousetrap and Brexshit, both West End – plays Victoria Frankenstein, with Tawana Dingembira – recent RADA graduate – as Henry, and Brianne Surgeoner – Pal: Your AI Companion and Adrift, Citizen’s Theatre – as Francine.

Frankenstein, adapted by Seán Aydon, is produced by Tilted Wig Productions and features an atmospheric original score.

It is at Poole Lighthouse from Tuesday to Saturday, November 5-9, at 7.45pm with matiness on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

For tickets and information, phone 01202 280000 or visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk.

n Mary Shelley is buried in St Peter’s Church, Bournemouth. In line with her wish to be buried with her parents, when she died in 1851, her son Percy – who had bought Boscombe

‘Amateurs’ deliver in spades

Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

THIS is the stuff of which dreams are made.

Grass Roots Theatre Company’s production of A Bunch of Amateurs leads the audience on a journey of self-discovery, paternal love, deceit jealousy and redemption.

Alan Colclough’s Jefferson Steele was “almost” unbearable.

Colclough’s perfectlypitched unpleasantness is broken down by Julia Savill’s Dorothy.

Her timing is perfection and her handling of Colclough’s protagonist is a masterclass in deadpan comedy and audience control.

Simon Meredith gave the perfect performance as Nigel. His portrayal of the “wannabe” lead was well imagined and delivered with skilled restraint.

The role of Mary is among the more challenging roles in this production and Chelsea Sherry’s comic portrayal of unrequited love was played

with pleasing confidence.

Jill Richmond showed she has the acting chops to deliver pathos and comedy.

James Soulsby excelled as handyman Dennis Dobbins.

His deft delivery and visual comedy added hugely to the texture of the show.

Shakespeare scholars may appreciate his nod to the character of Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Lisa Watkinson’s performance as Lauren was amusing and clever.

Tracey Jane Murrey showed the proven pedigree of a skilled director, allowing the cast to play to their strengths, letting the themes and nuances of plot speak for themselves. (Spoiler alert, it’s a happy ending.)

This is a multi-layered piece of storytelling and it took a lot to pull it off effectively, both technically and artistically.

Grass Roots Theatre Company delivered in spades, something “a bunch of amateurs” could never do!

Gordon Wray

Manor in 1849 as a home for her – had her parents’ coffin exhumed and interred in a family plot at St Peter’s with the heart of his father, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

ONE of the most iconic soul groups, famous for numbers like I Can’t Give You Anything – (But My Love), once a UK Number 1 single, are set to perform in Dorset.

The Stylistics – Airrion Love and Herb Murrell, from the original line up, with Barrington ‘Bo’ Henderson and Jason Sharp, will showcase all the classics, including You Make Me Feel Brand New, I’m Stone In Love With You, Let’s Put It All Together and You Are Everything and more on their Greatest Hits Tour.

The group, who have been “shmooozing” audiences for decades, say: “We are excited to announce our tour and can’t wait to connect with our loyal UK fans again through the power of music.

“Performing live is where we come alive, and we want to share this experience with you all.”

The Stylistics are one of Philadelphia’s biggest-selling groups, with seven Gold albums and five Gold singles.

They are at Bournemouth Pavilion on Thursday, October 31, 7.30pm.

An adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is coming to Poole

Grass Roots Theatre Company performers on stage

Welsh male voice choir singing for good cause

A 30-STRONG male voice choir from an ex-mining valley in South Wales are set to perform free of charge in Bournemouth to raise funds for cancer patients in Dorset.

Ogmore Valley Male Voice Choir, from Mid-Glamorgan, will appear at St Peter’s Church in Hinton Road, with the proceeds of all ticket sales going to the Dorset Cancer Care

Foundation (DCCF).

The choir, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022, has performed all over Europe and the UK, including at the Royal Albert Hall.

The concert comes after the singers contacted Bournemouth mayor Cllr George Farquhar to offer their voices for a good cause.

Cllr Farquhar said: “I

received a wonderful message, quite out of the blue, saying the choir would be in our area and would be willing to perform to benefit a charity of my choice. Of course I jumped at this amazing chance.

“The DCCF does fantastic work offering financial support to local families facing hardship because of cancer and they were understandably thrilled to hear

the choir was offering to perform on their behalf.

“The charity has found an ideal venue for the concert in St Peter’s Church, where the choir will undoubtedly raise the rafters with their fantastic voices. It should be an incredible evening of song, and I am very much looking forward to attending.”

Phil Davies, secretary of Ogmore Valley MVC, said: “We are excited to be performing in Bournemouth for the first time.

“We have a wide repertoire, from traditional Welsh choral music to modern classics, and a very talented and committed music team comprising of Eira Paskin, our MD; Gareth Waite, assistant MD; Deb Lewis, accompanist; and Catrin Jenkin, our assistant accompanist.”

He added: “The choir is proud to have raised considerable amounts of money for local, national and international charities, and are pleased to be able to use our voices to now support the DCCF and families in Dorset.”

The Ogmore Valley Male Voice Choir are in Bournemouth on Saturday, November 2, from 7-9pm.

Tickets cost £10 and include tea or coffee and cake.

Shaun of the Dead back 20 years on

THE Mowlem in Swanage is showing special screenings of Shaun of the Dead, 20 years after its release.

Horror is mixed with comedy and romance in the film directed by Edgar Wright, a patron of The Mowlem.

Shaun is a salesman whose life has no direction.

However, his uneventful life takes a sudden turn when he has to singlehandedly deal with an entire community of zombies.

Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright and Nick Frost, and is being shown from Monday to Thursday, October 7-10, at 7.30pm – excluding Tuesday

– and with a Monday matinee at 2.30pm.

Other movies being shown at the venue are:

n The Whip (12A) plus a question and answer session with director Christopher Presswell on Monday, September 30.

A full-time carer plots a daring heist from the Houses of Parliament, in a bid to thwart devastating welfare reforms known as Independence Credit.

To Thursday, October 3, at 7.30pm with a matinee on Monday at 2.30pm followed by the question and answer session.

n The Critic (15). A powerful London theatre critic lures a

struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences.

Starring Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Ben Barnes. Directed by Anand Tucker. Monday to Thursday, October 14-17, at 7.30pm –excluding Wednesday –matinee Monday, October 14, at 2.30pm.

n 200% Wolf (U). Freddy Lupin's wayward wish transforms him into a werewolf and brings a mischievous moon spirit to Earth.

With help from his friends and a legendary villain, he must restore cosmic order before the Earth and moon collide.

Friday to Thursday, October 25-31, 11.30am.

THE sound of music is coming to The Showbar at The Mowlem in Swanage with Swanage Blues Festival next weekend.

The Mighty Howlers play on Friday (October 4) at 5pm with John McClean and the Clan at 8.30pm.

The Fabulous Duck Brothers are on stage at 4pm on Saturday with Alex Voysey performing at 8pm.

The weekend is rounded off on Sunday (October 6) with Back Porch at 1.30pm, and Blue Touch at 5pm.

Wristbands available from Showbar priced £15.

The Ogmore Valley Male Voice Choir has performed all over the UK and Europe

Arts & Entertainment

Misadventures of a man with two bosses

COMEDY is coming to the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage with One Man, Two Guvnors.

The show, written by Richard Bean, premiered at the National Theatre in London in 2011 and is a modern adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s classic play The Servant of Two Masters.

Set in Brighton in 1963, the story follows the misadventures of Francis Henshall, a hapless, easily confused but ever-hungry individual, who finds himself simultaneously employed by two eccentric bosses, each with their own agendas.

As Francis attempts to keep

his double employment a secret, he becomes entangled in a web of madcap schemes, romantic entanglements and outrageous situations.

The show, featuring a talented ensemble cast, is presented by Revive Theatre and directed by Richard Batt.

One Man, Two Guvnors is at the Mowlem Theatre on Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12, at 7.30pm.

It is also at the Electric Palace Theatre in Bridport on Friday, October 4, at 7.30pm and Saturday, October 5, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

PHOTO: Rocky Roode

Beth’s rocking it!

AMERICAN rock icon Beth Hart is set to open a run of UK dates this autumn at Lighthouse Poole.

The singer-songwriter is known for her powerful voice and emotive performances, often blending blues, rock, soul and jazz.

She has sold out tours worldwide, topped the

Billboard charts six times, gone double platinum and had a string of Top 10 charting albums across Europe.

Beth Hart is in Poole on Thursday, November 28, at 7.30pm.

For tickets and more information phone 01202 280000 or visit www. lighthousepoole.co.uk

Barn dance for theatre group

WIMBORNE Community Theatre is organising a fundraising barn dance at Holt Village Hall next month.

Dorset barn and ceilidh band Black Sheep – pictured – will be playing live with a professional caller to take revellers through all the hoe-down moves.

Black Sheep have been performing in Dorset and beyond for over 40 years.

Dancers are invited to take their own harvest supper and drinks, and dress up western style if they wish.

Wimborne Community Theatre has been performing theatre around Wimborne for over 30 years, making community theatre in unusual places and reflecting local stories, real and fictional.

The group, which relies on grants, donations and fundraising, is planning a

major production for 2025 focusing on the subject of home and what home means for people living in the Wimborne area.

The dance is on Friday, October 11, and tickets are £15 adults and £5 children.

To register and purchase tickets, contact Tracie Billington-Beardsley via email at tracie@ferndown.biz or phone 01202 888174.

One Man, Two Guvnors is at The Mowlem in Swanage

Autumn colours in Japanese Garden

AUTUMN is bright, bold and beautiful at Kingston Lacy, the National Trust property near Wimborne, as the first tints of autumn colour start to appear in the Japanese Garden and Acer Glade.

Visitors will see spectacular reds, yellow and oranges as the season progresses, with beautiful specimen trees providing pops of colour throughout the garden.

Senior gardener, Steve Candy, said: “Autumn is one of

my favourite times of the year in the Japanese Garden – there is nothing quite like enjoying the vibrant colours of the acers as the leaves start to turn.

“It’s always a joy to share the garden with visitors at this time of year, and we’re just at the start of the season, so are looking forward to several weeks of great colour.

“Let’s hope for fair weather to prolong the display.”

Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the Japanese Garden, an

English interpretation of a horticultural heritage with a traditional tea garden at its heart.

An hour-long tour provides an opportunity to discover how Japanese garden techniques are used to create the space.

Tours run on Wednesday, October 30, at 11am and 2.30pm, and are free of charge, although normal admission applies and booking is advisable – see website for details.

OCTOBER 2024 Spotlight Diary

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for the October 14 issue is NOON on October 7. Call on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net / Please call prior to attending events listed to ensure they are still on.

MONDAY

18:30 ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM LINE DANCE CLASS (you dance solo). Starting 9th September at St Edwards Church Hall, Swanage 6.30pm - 7.30pm. Limited spaces available – to reserve a place in the class contact Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D Tel: 07518 056149

Email: purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

19:00 CHESS AT CORFE CASTLE VILLAGE HALL, Purbeck Chess Club - Mondays from 16 September through to end of May. Friendly club. Free teas and coffees. Experienced players and beginners. All ages welcome. Contact Nick: 07443 033536

19:30 ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM LINE DANCE CLASS (you dance with a partner) Starting 9th September at St Edwards Church Hall, Swanage 7.30pm - 8.30pm Limited Spaces Available – to reserve a place in the class contact: Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D Tel: 07518 056149

Email: purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

TUESDAY

19:30 COME AND SING WITH SWANAGE CHOIR the Belvedere Singers this autumn. We rehease every Tuesday from 7.30-9.30pm and start our new season on Tuesday 3rd September at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 160 Victoria Avenue, Swanage BH19 1AZ. Come and try us out for two weeks with no obligation to join. We are a friendly, welcoming choir. All singers are welcome and there are no auditions! Contact Linda McMorrow on 07943 442919 for more information.”

TUESDAY

19:30 WAREHAM CAMERA CLUB Parish Hall 7.30pm Wareham unless on Zoom. Visitors welcome - £3 Zoom link available from website 01 October - Sid Jones ‘Momolands’ Mono Prints. 8th Speaker Tim Green ‘Route 66-Exploring the original American Dream’ 15th Zoom-Kev Sandall’Passion in Pictures’. 22nd Speaker Chris Hilton ‘A Month in Malaysia. 29th Theme-’Renovation required’ Print & PDI Competition

SATURDAY

09:30 MACMILLAN’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING 5th October Carey Hall, Mistover Road, Wareham BH20 4BY

18:30 WHIST DRIVE AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, Rectory Classroom, Swanage. Every Saturday. Tea and coffee provided. Very friendly group. Contact Richard: 01929 553516

The Japanese Garden at National Trust property Kingston Lacy PHOTO: National Trust/Steve Candy

Handy hints for your house move

IF you’re moving home soon, these top tips from Armishaws Removals can make planning your relocation easier and help reduce moving day stress.

Book Your Removal Team Early CERTAIN dates/days of the week are more popular, the closer you get to your moving day, the more likely your dates will already be booked.

Read The Terms & Conditions

HOW many times have you clicked “I have read the terms and conditions box” without giving it a glance? We’re all guilty of it. You might required to unplug electricals, cover floors, etc. Not being prepared could slow things down and create extra charges.

Check For Access Issues

DO a quick recce with large vehicles in mind, tight bends,

low hanging trees, etc, to ensure things go as smoothly on the day.

Protect Your Carpets AT Armishaws, our crews carry carpet protectors but these may not cover against everything if access is muddy. Add extra coverings before your removers arrive.

Disconnect Electrical Equipment

MAKE arrangements to disconnect white goods. Curtains, shelves and anything fixed to the walls should also be taken down ready to move. Declutter To Save Taking Unwanted Items With You MOVING home is the perfect time for that long promised clear out. You don’t want to pay to take clutter with you only to have to find somewhere else to hide it!

Check & Clear Loft Spaces

MOST removal companies are not insured to work in lofts unless boarded and lit.

Check Those Droopy Drawers

IF you have any ‘wobbly’ furniture, get repairs done before it’s moved. The stresses of moving house can exacerbate existing structural weaknesses.

Disassemble System Furniture

SYSTEM or self-assembly furniture is not designed to be moved whole and often does not go back together well if dismantled. Take furniture apart carefully in advance of your move. Place screws/fixings in a bag and tape it to the furniture so it doesn’t get lost.

Ensure Everything Outdoors Is Ready To Go

ANYTHING to be transported from the outbuildings or garages should be prepared in advance. Plants should either be potted or their roots contained in a plastic bin liner. Garden tools should be tied in

UNLOCKING HOLIDAY HOME POTENTIAL

My name is Lee and as a resident of this beautiful county, I take great pride in helping holiday homeowners in Dorset and Somerset transform their properties into profitable holiday lets.

Whether you’re struggling with an existing property or considering your first holiday let, I offer personalised advice and strategies to boost your income.

I represent two of the UK’s biggest holiday letting agencies: Cottages.com and Hoeseasons.

Extensive marketing campaigns bring a high volume of holidaymakers to our websites, ensuring yearround bookings for your property. Last year, our site achieved over one-and-a-half million bookings. Here are a few of my top tips to ensure your property stands out in a competitive market:

1. Invest in Comfort: Never compromise on beds, linens, and towels. A good night’s sleep is crucial and can make or break a holiday.

2. Partner with Professionals: Working with an agent can streamline bookings, ensuring guests are well taken care of and providing you with a hassle-free experience.

3. Prioritise Cleanliness: Guests should be greeted by the fresh scent of a clean home.

bundles and swings, climbing frames, dismantled ready to go.

Prepare To Unpack Over Several Days

IT’S usually not possibly to unpack everything at your new home in a single day. Decide what’s most important and focus on those key items. Don’t Forget To Eat! “OH, we’ll get something on the day…”. There might be delays. The last thing you need are ‘hangry’ kids and rumbling stomachs, so pack provisions to keep everyone fed and watered.

Get Insurance Cover

IT’S essential you ensure your goods are adequately protected throughout your relocation.

Book A Shopping Delivery

When you get to your new home, the last thing you want to worry about is ‘a big shop’. Plan ahead and book a food and essentials delivery to arrive at your new address the day after your move.

You can find more moving advice at www.Armishaws. com/blog.

4. Adequate Seating for ALL: Ensure there are enough seats in all shared and outdoor areas for all guests.

5. Think like a guest: Anticipate needs like umbrellas, picnic baskets, torches for those late-night dog walks. Small details show you care and enhance the guest experience.

As a local expert, I have lots more tips on how to help attract guests. I’m here to help you every step of the way. Please contact me directly if you would like to book in a visit or would like to discuss further.