Letters

Update on glow of street lights...

I WOULD like to give your readers an update about the LED replacement street lights that have been installed in Swanage by Dorset Council.

When the stray light from these LEDs was being measured, the light meter was concealed from us and we were not told what the readings were, despite us asking for them at the time.

The next day we were informed via email the light levels were within acceptable limits.

We asked for an independent reading of the light trespass to be taken, but we received no response to this request from either the council or its contractor.

I therefore purchased an identical light meter to the one that had been used by the contractor, and repeated the readings myself.

The meter readings I obtained were double the values that were reported to us, and were considerably higher than the maximum spill light specified in the current guidance.

I wonder how Dorset Council can explain this discrepancy and what, if anything, they will do to correct the situation?

Dr Gavin Rider

A seasonal Brexit poem for all!

Happy Brexmas!...

Xmas will be Brexmas now we’re out of the EU;

Decorations everywhere will be red,white and blue.

The tree will be an English oak, not Scandinavian pine;

And on the top a Rishi Sunak fairy doll will shine.

Turkey can get stuffed this year cos British beef is back;

Brussels sprouts will never more our festive bots attack! when they need to keep their child warm.

For families supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, life is getting even harder with the pressures of the cost of living.

As the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, we are seeing families we support in Dorset having to deal with uncontrollable costs.

Young Lives vs Cancer has launched a Crisis Fund appeal to offer families grants to help lessen the burden of bills this winter.

There are still families and young people out there who haven’t received the relief of a grant.

We can’t support them without your help.

Readers can visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk to donate today.

As well as donating, there are other ways the community in Dorset can support Young Lives vs Cancer’s vital work this Christmas.

You can also visit our online shop to buy Christmas cards and gifts at: younglivesvscancer. org.uk/join-our-fight/getshopping.

We also have a range of festive pin badges with various designs available online and at JDWetherspoon for a suggested £1 donation.

This photograph, taken at sunrise in Acton Fields, near Langton Matravers, was taken by Chris Caruana. Send your Purbeck pictures to ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk.

Instead the wind of change will blow to herald in the new;

Presents will be scarce though, cos the pound is in the poo;

And sadly Santa won’t be here nor swaddled babe in straw;

Immigrants like Laplanders and Jews will come no more.

But Christmas will be white again, the snowflakes and the skin;

Brexiteers will warm their nuts and merrily they’ll sing.

“Forget about the world outside, we Brits will have a ball;

The Brexit future’s just begun, “God help us one and all!”

Martin Hobdell Swanage

Cancer support at Christmas

THIS December, on top of the devastating reality of facing cancer at Christmas, families of children and young people going through treatment have increasing costs to get to hospital as well as a devastating rise in energy bills at home

Liz Blunt Young Lives vs Cancer

Joy at railway campaign story

I FELT compelled to write to your erstewhile organ after reading the recent edition featuring the story of Andrew Goltz and John Sloboda, who spearheaded the campaign to save the Swanage Railway after a visit to our part of the world in 1972.

What a lovely story of people deciding to make a difference – and then actually doing it.

The Isle of Purbeck – and Swanage in particular – owes these chaps a debt of gratitude.

Our area would be much the poorer without the railway, and all it brings.

They should be honoured for their efforts to restore what has become a major attraction.

I, for one, salute them and all the volunteers who keep up the good work.

John Archer

Christmas and New Year rubbish and recycling

Remember:

1) Up to two extra sacks of rubbish beside your bin will be collected on your first rubbish collection after Christmas Day. 2) No garden waste collections will take place from Christmas Eve until Monday 9 January. 3) Household recycling centres are open from 9am - 4pm daily, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. 4) Extra recycling – including glass and food – will be collected on your recycling collection day, provided it has been separated correctly and placed in a suitable sturdy container (no bags) that can be easily lifted by one person. 5) Please help collection crews by putting your glass out for collection before Christmas. This ensures you have as much space as possible in your glass box going into the festive period, helping prevent overspilling containers.

See what items can be recycled at the kerbside at

dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/which-bin

Save £50

this Christmas!

These tips can help you make savings on your Christmas food budget. It can save you time as well! • Plan your meals over Christmas fortnight - make a shopping list and stick to it • Check your food cupboards before shopping • Use the portion calculator at lovefoodhatewaste.com/

portion-planner

• Use up foods in your freezer beforehand to make room for

Christmas leftovers • Store food correctly – check pack instructions • Keep an eye on “use by” dates • Use up leftovers in delicious recipes • Freeze leftovers that can’t be eaten

Find more top tips and recipes at

dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lovefoodhatewaste

Bin collection days

Your recycling and waste collections over the festive period will be diff erent from your usual day of the week.

Usual collection day

Revised collection day

Friday 23 Dec No change

Monday 26 Dec Tuesday 27 Dec

Tuesday 27 Dec Wednesday 28 Dec

Wednesday 28 Dec Thursday 29 Dec

Thursday 29 Dec Friday 30 Dec

Friday 30 Dec Saturday 31 Dec

Monday 2 Jan No change

Refer to your calendar or visit

dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/check-your-bin-day

to check your collection days.

Recycle more

This Christmas, don’t let all your waste go to landfi ll. If you live in Dorset*, you can recycle: • All cooked and uncooked food waste • Wrapping paper**, cardboard and Christmas cards (no glitter) • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays • Glass bottles and jars (Please keep glass separate)

We’ll collect extra recycling in your own boxes. Thank you for recycling!

If you live in Dorset*, check for changes to your collection

* Doesn’t include Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole. Check your council website for details.

** Scrunch your wrapping paper! If it stays scrunched, it can be recycled. If it doesn’t, or it’s foil-based or glittery, it should go in the rubbish bin.