The Purbeck Gazette issue 295

What’s inside this issue...

EDITORIAL

Paul Jones Editor-in-chief

We love hearing your news and views. Get in touch with us by emailing ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Lloyd Armishaw Publisher ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk 01963 400186

About the Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette prints every fortnight and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. All editing, graphic design and lay-up is completed in-house by The Blackmore Vale Ltd.

The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury. The Purbeck Gazette website is managed and edited by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. Blackmore Vale Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide. All rights reserved. All layouts copyright Blackmore Vale Ltd. No reproduction without permission.

OUR TEAM: The Gazette team consists of: Lloyd Armishaw, Debi Thorne, Donna Garner, Jane Toomer and Paul Jones.

n Lots of fun was to be had, despite the unsettled weather, as Swanage Carnival got under way. One of the attractions was a fire engine pull won by Swanage Rugby Club Page 7

n A Victorian locomotive, which it is hoped will be operating in Swanage this autumn, has moved under its own steam for the first time in 75 years after restoration work Page 4

ADVERTISING

Debi Thorne Advertising Sales Manager Debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net 07714 289409

Donna Garner Account Manager

Donna.garner@blackmorevale.net 07714 289408

Jane Toomer Senior Account Manager

Jane.toomer@blackmorevale.net 07714 289411

Phoenix Witt-Tower Classified Adverts adverts@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

Lorraine Drake Distributor lorraine_drake@icloud.com 07850 529937

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm Book Online: purbeckgazette.co.uk

The legal stuff...

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this magazine, but the editor is unable to accept responsibility for any omissions or errors that may occur. The inclusion of any article or advertisement does not constitute any form of accreditation or approval by the editor.

No part, written or visual, of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the editor.

Cathy and the Buoys rise to Channel challenge

FOUR Dorset swimmers –three from Purbeck – have completed a 14-hour English Channel crossing despite turbulent seas, sickness and sheer panic.

The Cathy and the Buoys team was made up of Cathy Lewis and Mark Bauer from Swanage, Anthony Walton from Wareham and Neil Ingle from Bournemouth.

They set out on registered Channel boat Sea Leopard at 12.25am on Tuesday, July 18.

The swimmers had trained hard for the event, but for Cathy it was perhaps the biggest challenge.

Unlike her teammates, she came late to swimming – until she was in her mid-40s, not only was she a non-swimmer, she was also terrified of putting her head under the water!

Cathy said: “I spent many years fighting to get over this crippling fear, but I knew there was always a chance that the Channel swim would bring it back. And it almost did.

“We set off in the dead of night, in rough sea conditions. When I looked down at the black, churning water –

knowing that soon I had to jump in – I felt the onset of a panic attack.

“I was in tears, saying ‘I can’t do this’.”

It didn’t help that Cathy had been violently sick for the hour before her swim – something she hadn’t anticipated.

“I have never been seasick before, so it was maybe down to nerves and the disorientating effect of the darkness.

“I managed to throw up over two of my teammates while they were swimming – the third escaped but he was being sick himself!”

A tough talk from the team’s trainer had Cathy in the water, and after a slow start, she got into her stroke.

Cathy said: “It was the longest hour of my life, being swirled around in big waves, blackness below you and blackness ahead. Only the light of the boat to guide us.

“But every time I felt the panic rising, I thought of my teammates – and my daughters who had been so proud of me. I couldn’t let them all down.”

Surprisingly, one of the highlights of the swim was the

sight of hundreds of iridescent jellyfish deep down under the swimmers.

Cathy said: “It was surreal and utterly beautiful. They were in rainbow colours – pink, yellow, blue, turquoise, purple – and all different shapes. But luckily, most of them were kind and didn’t come up to say hello to us!”

“There were many memorable moments, but for me the best thing was putting my feet on French soil – or sand, anyway!

“Landing the swim was a really emotional experience. It was made extra special by the fact that Cathy had – unusually – been allowed to join me once I’d cleared the water.”

The team has raised more than £2,300 for Project Planet Earth and in excess of £1,100 for the Mental Health Foundation.

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution,

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Mar '23

Solar

It was Mark Bauer who landed on the beach at Wissant, France. Once clearing the water, he raised his arms to signal to the boat, and the swim was officially completed – to cheers from French onlookers. It was Mark’s third successful Channel crossing.

He said: “It was a rough start to the swim – bigger waves and a bigger swell than on my previous Channel relays.

Donations are still open at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ Cathy-and-the-Buoys for Project Planet Earth and at https://www.justgiving.com/ page/neil-ingle-channel-swim for the Mental Health Foundation.

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Aug '23

Solar & Tidal Predictions August 2023

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Jan '23

Solar and Tidal Predictions - Feb'23

Swanage

The Cathy and the Buoys team before the start of their swim (from left) Cathy Lewis, Mark Bauer, Anthony Walton, Ali Budynkiewicz (trainer) and Neil Ingle

Mark Bauer and Cathy Lewis, from Swanage, on the beach at Wissant in France. They were two of the four swimmers who completed a 14-hour relay swim across the English Channel

Victorian loco steams back into action after 75 years

A VICTORIAN locomotive has moved under its own steam for the first time in 75 years after a £500,000, six-year restoration project.

Built in 1893 to a design by renowned locomotive engineer William Adams, London and South Western Railway T3 class No 563 has been restored after it was donated to the Swanage Railway Trust (SRT) in 2017.

Work has been continuing at a restoration base in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and the locomotive is once again functional.

It was saved from being scrapped so it could celebrate the centenary of London’s Waterloo station in June, 1948.

After being donated to the Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum, the 81-tonne T3 this month passed its boiler exam at the Flour Mill locomotive restoration workshops.

An elated 563 Locomotive Group chairman Nathan Au, who is also a volunteer driver at SRT, said: “There were a lot of

emotions as the unique T3 steamed for the first time and moved under its own power – nostalgia and pride about the fundraising and restoration journey, as well as excitement and celebration.

“With the locomotive splendidly restored in its lined out 1890s Drummond passenger green livery, it was incredibly satisfying to watch No 563 run back and forth on what was a special day and a very proud moment – the culmination of a huge amount of work by many people to make a unique project possible.

“It was very humbling to be among the first people to drive the T3 and I could feel the locomotive’s potential power –it’s as though the T3 wants to haul a passenger train again and I am really looking forward to No 563 stretching its legs on the Swanage Railway.”

It is hoped the T3 will haul its first passenger train in 75 years on the Swanage Railway in the autumn to mark the centenary of the Southern

Railway and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the London and South Western Railway.

Steve Doughty, 563 Locomotive Group treasurer, said: “I would like to thank the staff of the Flour Mill workshops for their outstanding restoration of the locomotive, Phil Anderson for the splendid museum quality livery that he applied to the T3, as well as all the supporters who have made No 563’s restoration possible through their donations.

“The testing and commissioning of the T3 on the Swanage Railway will be an exciting new learning experience for everyone involved because the Victorian locomotive has not run and hauled a train for 75 years.

“We need to discover how No 563 behaves when being driven both on its own and with carriages in tow.”

Dating from 1893, and the last survivor of its T3 class, London and South Western Railway No 563 had travelled a

total of more than 1.5 million miles when it was withdrawn from service by the Southern Railway Company in August, 1945 – the start of the Second World War in 1939 extending the locomotive’s working life.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns added: “The T3 is a splendid direct link to the Swanage Railway’s past – back to the early days of the London and South Western Railway in the 1880s and 1890s when holidaymakers first visited the Isle of Purbeck by train.

“The T3 steam locomotives hauled trains from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage from the 1890s to the 1930s, so the restoration of No 563 gives us the opportunity to show our visitors what the railway was like during Dorset’s industrial and social development in the 19th century.”

To make a donation – or start a standing order – visit 563locomotivegroup.co.uk, where you can also find out more about the T3’s overhaul and history.

T3 No 563 moved under its out steam after a £500,000, six-year restoration at the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean. It is hoped that it will haul its first passenger train in 75 years on the Swanage Railway in the autumn to mark the centenary of the Southern Railway and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the London and South Western Railway. PHOTOS: Nathan Au

Saturday 12th August 10am-1pm

At Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, DT2 7LG

With Duke’s Auctioneers £2 per item

Raising funds for Weldmar Hospice Refreshments available

Charity offers comfort to parents for 25 years

A CHARITY marked 25 years of helping bereaved parents at a small event.

The SPRING organisation, which helps parents deal with a loss at any stage of pregnancy, at or just after birth, was founded in 1998 by Heather Domeney.

SPRING is funded by the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity and brings parents and medical professionals together to help parents and families in Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding areas.

It provides support groups, counselling and remembrance events, and to mark the anniversary, families who

School’s out, dance in at workshops

TWO free dance workshops for youngsters are being offered at Swanage library on Wednesday (August 9).

They are being run ahead of Landance’s free performances of ‘Light’ at Swanage Downs and Amphitheatre next month. The hour-long workshops are led by professional dancer

have been supported by the SPRING service were invited to a ‘small but significant’ event at Merley House in Wimborne.

Fundraising officer Zoe Wood said: “It was so lovely to mark this special milestone with our SPRING families.

“The service depends on the generosity of our supporters, and it is wonderful that we can still provide this much-needed and valued service for people in the local community for generations to come.”

SPRING founder Heather Domeney and fundraising officer Zoe Wood are pictured above,

Sammy Gillingham and are at 1.30pm for seven-to-11 year-olds, and 2.45pm for those aged 12-plus.

The youngsters will help to create moves around the shifting of light and water for Landance’s professional dancers to incorporate into their performances of 'Light' on September 6 and 7.

Booking is recommended for the workshops due to limited places – contact Swanage Library on 01929 423485 or book online at rb. gy/bxdp6

Climate groups think global and act local with conference

WILDLIFE expert and environmental campaigner

Chris Packham is backing an event in Dorset aiming to speed up moves to tackle climate change.

BBC Springwatch host Mr Packham, who lives in neighbouring Hampshire, has given his support to Dorset COP 23, which will take place at Dorchester Corn Exchange on September 9.

Dorset COP (Conference of the Parties) 23 has been put together by three climate action groups from the county with the aim of ‘spurring the local community into urgent action to combat the threats posed by climate change and ecological collapse’.

Zero Carbon Dorset, the Dorset Climate Action Network (Dorset CAN) and Sustainable Dorset have joined forces for the event and hope to produce a ‘Dorchester Declaration’ outlining a commitment to tackling the problem.

Laura Baldwin, environmental campaigner and former Olympian, who will open the conference, said: “This

event is not only groundbreaking but also of huge importance – not just for Dorset but for community activists everywhere.

“That’s why it hopes to attract people and organisations from right across the county.”

Giles Watts, a co-ordinator with Dorset CAN, said: “This ground-breaking, communityled event is an attempt to apply the power of the international COPs to local issues and so galvanise Dorset into faster action to tackle the climate and

ecological emergency.”

The event hopes to attract people and organisations from across Dorset and will close with a declaration of intent to mirror those issued at the international COPs.

The ‘Dorchester Declaration’ will be a commitment to act, advocate and lobby for action on climate change and the environment across the county and will follow a series of talks by high-profile speakers, as well as workshops, short talks, panel discussions and break-out workshops for organisations to collaborate.

Chair of Sustainable Dorset, Jenny Morisetti, said: “This event, a first in the UK we believe, will be Dorset’s very own opportunity for the community to network and have its say on climate and ecological issues.

“It will raise the power and reach of Dorset-based organisations by fostering

collaboration, supporting the spread of vital information, and helping organisations to act locally in a way that puts people at the heart of decisions.”

Co-founder of Zero Carbon Dorset, Mark Chivers, added: “While Dorset is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from rising sea levels to the loss of local species unable to cope with the rising temperatures, globally others are already suffering the consequences of climate change – losing their livelihoods, homes and even lives.

“But by raising awareness of the urgent need to act locally and demonstrate the depth of community commitment to tackling the crises we aim to secure action from all stakeholders and spur both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils to take the lead suggested by the Government’s own Climate Change Committee.”

Arrest in Christchurch murder probe

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a death in Christchurch.

Police were called to an address in Druitt Road at around 2.06pm on Saturday (July 29) after reports of the ‘sudden death’ of a 29-year-old man.

Another 29-year-old man, from Christchurch, who was known to the man who has died, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Superintendent Stewart Dipple, of Dorset Police, said patrols would be

increased in the wake of the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has sadly died. Officers are providing support at this difficult time,” he said.

“We have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“I am keen to hear from anyone locally who may have information that could assist our enquiries.

“There will be an increased police

presence in the area over the coming days and officers can be approached by any member of the public with information or concerns.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55230118926.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111, where no details are taken by the call operators.

Environmental campaigner Chris Packham is backing Dorset COP

Climate campaigners (from left) Neil Smith, Mark Chivers, Jenny Morisetti and Giles Watts Three action groups hope to produce a ‘Dorchester Declaration’ at an event next month outlining a commitment to tackling the climate problem

Thousands brave the weather for start of Swanage Carnival Week

THOUSANDS braved some unsettled weather for the beginning of Swanage Carnival Week.

Saturday (July 29) saw the streets lined with people and attractions for the event, which this year has the theme Under the Sea.

And while some downpours brought the feel of the water to the shore, it did little to dampen spirits as events got underway.

Among them was the Fire Engine Pull, sponsored by The Black Swan Inn, won by Swanage Rugby Club.

Meanwhile, more physical efforts were on show in the We’re a Knockout competition, sponsored by Sydenhams. Top prize there was won by the team from Swanage Fire Station. Music, entertainment and more continued long into the

night, and on Sunday, another full programme took place, including the carnival procession.

Also, Purbeck extreme swimmer Oly Rush took to the waters alongside 4.5m-long Percy the Plesiosaur, highlighting the blight of plastic pollution in our seas.

Events continue throughout the week, to Saturday, August 5. For programme information, swanagecarnival.com.

From

Flower show will raise garden funds

POOLE Flower Show, being held this August Bank Holiday weekend, is returning to the Livability Victoria School for the first time since 2019.

Proceeds from the event will help fund an extension and renovation of the memorial garden at the school, which offers specialised high-quality education, therapy and care for young people aged three to 19.

Husband-and-wife team David and Pam Bassil are once again at the helm, organising the show as they have for over 20 years.

The event, sponsored by Compton Acres, has 139 classes for judging, including flowers, fruit and vegetables, floral arrangements and pot plants, as well as handicraft, cookery and children’s classes.

The flower show was a regular summer event from the 1890s to the 1970s and grew in

size and popularity with input from the council’s parks department.

Ernest Gale, chief officer of the parks department, was particularly enthusiastic and became known as ‘Mr Poole Flower Show’.

Rising costs and a decline in financial support led to the show winding up in the early 1970s but in 1985 David Bassil was asked if he would be interested in reviving the event.

The success of that show saw it return in a new format and it has since been held at various venues, raising thousands of pounds for local charities, including Livability Victoria School.

Donna Brown, family liaison officer at the school, based in Lindsay Road, Poole, said: “Victoria School is delighted to once again be hosting Poole Flower Show.

“Money raised from the show will go towards the extension and tidy up of our school memorial garden.

“Over the years, we have sadly lost a number of students. We created the memorial garden as a peaceful place where families, friends, school staff and students can go to remember, reflect and pay tribute.

“The memorial garden is very much in need of some TLC and following the recent loss of three of our students it will be lovely to have the garden once again as a special place to visit.”

Bernard Merna, owner of Compton Acres, sponsors of the 2023 show, said: “Compton Acres is proud to be sponsoring Poole Flower Show and supporting the work of a fantastic local charity.

“As well as bringing joy, growing plants, flowers and vegetables has many therapeutic benefits and this event celebrates local horticulturalists and their achievements.”

The show is on Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, and entries for the show classes must be received by August 23.

To find out more and to enter, contact David Bassil at dcbassil@tiscali.co.uk.

Proceeds from Poole Flower Show will help fund an extension and renovation of the memorial garden at the Livability Victoria School

Homes scheme for ex-military hospital

A FORMER military hospital could be developed to create three homes, if plans are approved.

Plans submitted to Dorset Council would see the Grade II-listed building, on the Marabout Industrial Estate in Dorchester, converted into two three-bed homes and one four-bed property.

The military hospital was formerly part of the Royal Horse Artillery Barracks, later the Marabout Barracks, built in 1799.

It served as a hospital for the barracks until the mid-20th century.

The hospital was also used to treat those held at the prisonerof-war camp at Dorchester which, in the spring of 1919, held 4,500 men.

The barracks ceased to be

used in 1958 and the hospital has been empty for a number of years.

The application said: “The building was previously marketed for office use, however there was a lack of local demand, and commercial use is not viable due to the requirement for a goods entrance – which would be detrimental to the heritage asset.

“The requirement for offices has now diminished further, due to the pull of office units on Poundbury, and the increase of working from home postpandemic.”

Previously, a plan to convert the building into five flats was approved, but now the intention is to create three houses.

The application said it was hoped ‘minimal intervention’ would be made to the ‘historic

fabric’ of the building, with most work being carried out to the rear, a later addition.

“The three houses replace the five flats previously approved, with a desire to provide a better quality of housing to the local housing supply,” it added.

For more information on the plans, and to comment, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2023/03689.

The Grade II-listed former military hospital on the Marabout Industrial Estate in Dorchester could be turned into three homes

PHOTO: Spase/Dorset Council

The hospital treated prisoners-ofwar held at a camp in Dorchester

PHOTO: Spase/Dorset Council

Spare pennies are heaven for Julia’s House

OUR staff have raised more than £20,000 for children’s hospice Julia’s House by donating spare pennies from their monthly pay.

This milestone amount was raised over the last 12 years through the Pennies from Heaven scheme. The scheme rounds down people’s takehome pay to the nearest pound, diverting any surplus pennies to a good cause.

The money will make a huge difference to the local hospice, which for 20 years has been providing clinical, practical and emotional support for families caring for a child

with a life-limiting or lifethreatening condition.

Our staff pick three charities each year to support, and Julia’s House is chosen each time – it’s a fantastic charity which supports the child and the family. We are pleased we can make a difference to a very worthy local cause and be part of something doing good.

Pennies from Heaven is such an easy way for our staff

to donate to charity without really noticing. Each month any spare pennies from their pay gets deducted and goes into the charity pot. We would recommend more local organisations take part to fundraise for charity in a really simple way.

In total we have raised more than £49,000 for charities through the scheme. And this achievement has earned us a

gold award quality mark from Pennies from Heaven, which demonstrates dedication and support to society.

For more information about Pennies from Heaven visit www.penniesfromheaven. co.uk, while details on Julia’s House are available at www. juliashouse.org/

The south of England’s premier skate suppliers

LEANNE MERCER Staff benefits co-ordinator at Dorset HealthCare

Dorset Healthcare staff support children’s hospice Julia’s House by making a small donation from their pay every month

89 – and Hilda gets first tattoo!

SOME of us have a ‘bucket list’ of things we’d like to try before our time is up.

And for Hilda Parsons, who lives at Maiden Castle House in Dorchester, it was something slightly unusual.

For the 89-year-old wanted to get a tattoo.

After mentioning it to staff at the Care South care home, they set about making her dream come true.

They consulted Hilda’s GP for any potential health risks and ensured Hilda knew what the process would involve, before Beccy, one of the carers at Maiden Castle House, reached out to a local tattoo artist.

And so Nathan, from Tattoo Lounge in Weymouth, created a design to capture Hilda’s love of bird watching, with the pensioner choosing a dainty artwork of birds on a branch.

After a careful risk

assessment, Hilda sat patiently while her tattoo was taking shape.

Now, she proudly sports the tattoo she longed for, on her forearm.

“There’s not many people my age having their first tattoo,” said Hilda.

“The lovely team at Maiden Castle House did everything to make my wish possible and nothing is ever too much trouble.

“I’m so pleased with my tattoo.”

Ash Smith, manager at Maiden Castle House, said: “We work hard to ensure that our activities are person-centred and that we can make dreams come true.

“We’re pleased to have helped Hilda fulfil her wish. The tattoo looks great and is a permanent reminder of her outgoing nature.”

And, Hilda’s unusual bucket

list request was a hit on social media.

Carol Parsons, a relative, said: “We’re so pleased that mum is still able to tick things off her bucket list.

“She’s always got a new

story to tell us. It’s great to know that in later life, mum is still having lots of new experiences and making happy memories, so thank you to Maiden Castle House for helping to achieve this.”

Hilda Parsons at Maiden Castle House had a tattoo of birds on a branch to reflect her love of birdwatching

Law firm joins in beach clean

COMMUNITY-SPIRITED lawyers hit the beach to clean up litter and debris on the sands at Swanage.

The team from Ellis Jones Solicitors in the town joined volunteers from Swanage Carnival committee for the sweep of the shoreline, in collaboration with Swanage Beach Buddies.

The law firm is a longstanding sponsor of Swanage Carnival, which ran last week on the theme Under the Sea.

Craig Wells, a partner based at Ellis Jones’ Swanage office, said: “It’s a great pleasure to once again support Swanage Carnival.

“We have a very communityminded and environmentally conscious team here at Ellis Jones, and we wanted to do more than just provide financial sponsorship for the carnival.

“A beach clean was the

perfect way to show our support and tie in with the carnival’s Under the Sea theme to mark 2023 being designated as Year of the Coast.

“It also meant that we could help the town sparkle in the countdown to one of its biggest weeks of the year. Well done to everyone who took part.”

The carnival featured eight days of events and entertainment for locals and visitors, including a procession, aerial displays, stalls, competitions, entertainment, food and drink, games and firework displays.

An estimated 250,000 people attend every year, making it one of the biggest carnivals on the south coast. Last year £29,150 was raised for charity.

Carnival secretary Kevin Langdon said: “Our thanks go to Ellis Jones for its continued support and the fantastic effort of its team for the beach clean.

HORSE & BARGE LEISURELY CANAL RIDE & BRUNCH AT BICKLEIGH MILL*

Tuesday 8th August - £88

AUGUST SUNDAY LUNCH 20th August - £55pp

WINDSOR CASTLE & WINDSOR DUCK BOAT TOUR*

Saturday 26th August- £89pp NEW TRIP

HIGH TEA AT SPINNAKER TOWER & HISTORIC DOCKYARD

Saturday 16th September - £110pp

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIAL, LOOE, CORNWALL 24th September - £55pp

HARRY POTTER WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS*

Sunday 15th October - £99pp / £89 per child NEW TRIP

OCT SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIAL 2 COURSE

CHEQUERS ROOKLEY & GODSHILL MODEL VILLAGE

Sunday 1st October - £99 NEW TRIP

CHATSWORTH HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS & XMAS MARKETS

Saturday 4th – Monday 6th November - from £319/£379pp

TURKEY & TINSEL TORQUAY

Monday 13th – Friday 17th November - from £435pp

LONGLEAT SAFARI & FESTIVAL OF LIGHT & 2 COURSE MEAL

Sunday 3rd December - £99 NEW TRIP

SECRET 3 COURSE XMAS LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday 5th December – from £79pp

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Sunday 10th – Tuesday 12th December - from £375/£425pp

XMAS AT KEW ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS* NEW TRIP

Saturday 16th December - £79

CHRISTMAS IN LYNTON VALLEY OF THE ROCKS HOTEL

Saturday 23rd – Wednesday 27th December - from £650-£730pp NEW TRIP

2024

SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIAL3 COURSE LUNCH & ENTERTAINMENT TORQUAY

21st January - £79pp

Book your getaway! 01963 363000

*Packed lunch included in these trips

“They’ve helped keep the beach in a pristine condition as we look forward to what we will hope will be another bumper carnival with tens of thousands raised for charity.”

Ellis Jones supports many local charities, organisations

and good causes, including Swanage Railway, Swanage Cricket Club and Ringwood Carnival.

Earlier this year its team joined in a beach clean alongside Dorset Wildlife Trust at Kimmeridge Bay in Purbeck.

Members of the Ellis Jones team and volunteers from Swanage Carnival committee joined forces for a beach clean

Planet Purbeck set for Change is Coming survey

COMMUNITY group Planet Purbeck has been commissioned to carry out a major survey into public attitudes to the vast nature recovery projects going on in the area.

It has been called in by the Wild Purbeck Partnership (WPP), a group of 30-plus landowners, farmers and environmental organisations that are working together to deliver significant changes to the countryside and coastline.

These changes, which include rewilding and allowing landscapes to take their own course, are aimed at benefiting nature and local people.

But WPP has historically

found it more challenging to engage a wider audience, and to identify attitudes, than those involved in the projects and Purbeck’s green enthusiasts.

Planet Purbeck was therefore chosen to conduct the survey as it is seen as a neutral, popular grassroots organisation more in tune with mainstream residents who may or may not be in favour of WPP’s activities.

The hope for WPP is that it will gain a community mandate to go ahead with nature restoration on a large scale and at speed.

Thousands of Purbeck residents will be quizzed in the survey, dubbed Change Is Coming.

Planet Purbeck’s cofounder Rob Waitt said: “We are going to be everywhere – on the sidelines of sports events and at fetes, fairs and carnivals.

“We will be chatting to people sunbathing, eating ice creams or just walking in the street.

“There will also be opportunities to respond on social media and other online outlets.

“We want to make sure everyone in Purbeck gets a

chance to influence and shape how these projects will develop and work out.

“Are they in favour of, for example, the reintroduction of wild beavers? What do they make of bodies such as the National Trust and the RSPB, and Purbeck’s national nature reserve? What do they feel are the benefits and drawbacks of living in Purbeck?”

Mr Waitt said Planet Purbeck is ‘incredibly proud’ to be trusted with the survey.

Planet Purbeck will be seeking views on everything from the reintroduction of wild beavers to opinions on bodies such as the National Trust and the RSPB, and Purbeck’s national nature reserve

Housing: Statistics tell a tale

I‘M writing this in carnival week and watching the rain pour down outside my window. I feel so sad not only for the holidaymakers who have come down to enjoy carnival, but the hundreds of people who have spent so long in putting floats together, designing carnival activities, who I know will carry on regardless of the fact they will go home wet and cold. Thank you all so much for helping to make Swanage a very special place.

IRECEIVED a fascinating press release providing statistics on the population and housing needs of Dorset in advance of a radio interview with Graham Carr Jones, Dorset Council cabinet lead member for Housing and Homelessness. The council is consulting on its housing strategy and some of the statistics are terrifying. Some 379,850 people live in the Dorset council area. 216,750 people live in urban areas and 162,830 live in rural areas. Higher than any other unitary authority, 30% of Dorset’s population are 65 and over and 8% are 80 or older.

As of April 2023, 4,488 households were on the housing register. The waiting list for social housing shows 83% seeking general needs rented housing and 17% seeking older persons, sheltered housing. As of April 2023, 518 young people were leaving care, 390 of whom need settled accommodation and 318 who were going to leave care during the lifetime of this strategy. It doesn’t mention homeless ex-servicemen.

In the next 25 years, Dorset will need 2,862 homes with support, 1,874 homes with care, 1,023 residential bedspaces, 1,912 nursing care bedspaces and 3,663 fully wheelchairaccessible properties.

More than 600 affordable homes were built between April 2022 and March 2023, a record number for Dorset. But the numbers fall short of the need.

By David Hollister

During the lifetime of the strategy, planning has approved 2,124 affordable rented and 1,330 affordable homes.

Whichever way you look at Dorset’s numbers, they don’t add up. Cllr Gary Suttle has already taken the brave step of warning us that not only will anticipated income be nowhere near anticipated expenditure, but they’ll be dipping into the council’s reserves substantially. The local authority is being hit in all areas by inflation and by unpaid council tax.

Dorset county is already finding it necessary to employ outside debt collectors who will no doubt be on commission, and I find myself thinking that Dorset Council selling its £47 million debt to a private company doesn’t bode well. How can a council be owed that much anyway? What has the Council Tax collection department been doing while this debt – much of which is over 12 months old – been building up?

Nationally, at present between 100 to 400 ex-service personnel sleep rough and 3,000 to 4,000 ex-service personnel face eviction. Glad to see that those in control have their priorities right. Without wishing to be uncharitable or politically incorrect, I would submit that the people who have been trained to defend their nation should not be chucked out on the scrap heap after they retire –they’ve done their job and done it well and deserve treatment equal to or better than people have come to the UK in small boats. Maybe the next floating hotel should be offered to them.

ISEE the new police officer in Swanage has been busy apprehending drug dealers and confiscating their stash. Although he’s a welcome addition to our town, I cannot help wondering why it is that the nearest ‘custody suites’ are miles

away and why it is that our own officer has to summon specialist ‘response’ officers from outside Purbeck if a crime is going on? There’s a police station for sale – with cells – right now – in the middle of Swanage. Come on, Mr Sidwick, put two and two together.

Despite their assertions that police numbers are to be increased, there still aren’t enough of them.

I was disappointed to read of the overnight theft of a large number of good-quality marked tools from a van in Swanage, where the victim said the ‘police refused to attend – they even had the cheek to ask me to go and look for CCTV or doorbell footage for them’.

It seems the concerns put to the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner and two other police officers at a packed public meeting held just over a month ago, has gone over the heads of the senior police officers who were supposed to listen and act on all the illegal issues expressed at this meeting.

I’m not criticising the ‘few’ police officers that have to police Purbeck – I am criticising high-ranking officers who sit in their ivory towers at Winfrith, patting themselves on the back on what they consider the good job they are doing policing Dorset.

If everyone reported incidents this county would probably have the highest crime rate in the country.

They’ve centralised police stations and response crews, which means towns like ours

have little chance of officers turning up to incidents in time to catch the perpetrators. They’ve overlooked shoplifting and ASB and have turned these crimes into nothing more than incident numbers which enable traders to claim off their insurance.

So, Mr Sidwick, our period of tolerance and hope has gone. Bring back officers with a knowledge of working from the ground up – perhaps we’d get some good sound decisions regarding policing overall.

SOME time ago, I drew Dorset Highways department’s attention to the fierce speed bumps on the way into Swanage recycling centre. I am pleased to see it not only listened but has replaced them with less-damaging speed bumps. Thank you!

IKNOW I’ll be roundly vilified for supporting Thatcher’s attempt to revive the ‘sick man of Europe’ but at least she seemed to achieve control over the unions who are today causing so much hurt and inconvenience to us, the poor old general public, who just need to get to work, to have their children educated, and to have doctors and nurses to keep illness at bay.

Our economy thrived and consequently there was an upturn in the tax take, enabling the Government to spend more on the railways, teachers and the NHS.

Yes, in all these cases, they have a ‘just cause’ but is this really the only way to do it?

The highs and lows of fostering

The highs and lows of fostering

“There are always highs and sometimes some really tough lows, but each one brings new rewards and new challenges”

THERE are always highs and sometimes some really tough lows, but each one brings new rewards and new challenges.

The hustle and bustle of a busy household can provide so much joy and fulfilment, seeing others achieve or just sharing experiences over a heart-warming breakfast. Yet, that does not mean there are no challenges involved, with any household regardless of size and make up has its own unique challenges – and that is the same for fostering households.

The hustle and bustle of a busy household can provide so much joy and fulfilment, seeing others achieve, or just sharing experiences over a heart-warming breakfast. Yet, that does not mean there are no challenges involved. Any household regardless of size and make up has its own unique challenges – and that is the same for fostering households.

When children come into your life, whether that be short term or long term you know as a carer that, at some point, it is more than likely this child may move on to a more permanent home. It can be emotional to see a youngster move on but our carers highlight that it is nice to see when they become settled and happy in a new home. One carer notes such moment is “a high and a low together! … A high as we know we have made a difference in their lives, but a low, because they are leaving

When children come into your life, whether that be short-term or long-term, you know as a carer that at some point it is more than likely this child will move on to a more permanent home. It can be emotional to see a youngster move on, but our carers highlight that it is nice to see them become settled and

happy in a new home. One carer notes such a moment is “a high and a low together. A high, as we know we have made a difference in their lives, but a low, because they are leaving you.”

Advertising feature

This is not only a difficult time for the carer, the child must get used to a new home and new guardians. That is why Footprints pays close attention to this transition, giving the support required for all individuals. Over the last years, more special guardianships have been approved, allowing carers to look after youngsters on a more permanent basis. This is a great outcome that Footprints is proud of.

That is why Footprints pay close attention to this transition, giving the support required for all individuals. Over the last years, more special guardianships have been approved, allowing carers to look after youngsters on a more permanent basis, this is a great outcome that Footprints are proud of.

If you are up for a new challenge fostering could be your next step, but remember it does not always go swimmingly, but it promises rewards! That is why Footprints are the best choice for anyone that would

If you are up for a new challenge, fostering could be your next step, but remember it does not always go swimmingly, although it promises rewards! That is why Footprints is the best choice for anyone that would feel content in a small, supportive environment.

In the next article in the series, we will be exploring what inspires our wonderful foster carers.

HOORAY, it’s summer! We are all hoping for another beautifully sunny summer holidays and Durlston has a jam-packed month ahead at a wonderful time of year to visit the park.

Whether you’re coming up for a coffee, an evening picnic or just the views, Durlston has plenty in store for everyone to enjoy.

If you want to enjoy some of the very best wildlife, scenery and coastal walking in Dorset, Durlston is perfect for a short, gentle stroll or a day of hiking on the Southwest Coast Path.

Five waymarked trails start and finish at the castle, where you can pick up a trail guide to help you explore.

The gentle, well-surfaced Woodland Trail leads you

through the historic Durlston Pleasure Grounds; the Wildlife Trail explores through rolling downs and meadows; the Clifftop Trail takes in seabird colonies and spectacular views of Old Harry and the Isle of Wight; while the Victorian Trail takes you to historic Swanage and back.

Our woodland Play Trail is the perfect place to start exploring the park with little

Shielding Your Home & Estate from Care Costs with a Living Trust

Advertisement feature

kids – or big kids at heart!

Through the sheltered canopy of the trees you will discover swings, balance logs and hammocks. Engage different senses as you explore our ‘feely boxes’, the barefoot path, listening post and chimes.

In the gallery this month we have a fantastic exhibition of work by artists Robin Mackenzie and Katy Harrald with prints, paintings and sketches on show all inspired by the Shetland Isles. The exhibition will be running daily until Wednesday, August 30, and is open 10.30am-5pm with free entry.

Durlston has lots of events this month as it’s the summer holidays, with a whole host of ranger-led activities, drop-ins and workshops including Glass Engraving and a ‘Walk and

Draw’ workshop with Madelaine Devenay. Make sure to visit the website for more information and to book!

On top of all this, Durlston will have not one but two Children’s activity trails in the holidays. From Tuesday, July 18, to Thursday, August 10, take a trip through time and learn about Durlston’s past with the ‘Time Travellers Trail’; then from August 11 until September 3 follow the map and find the treasure with the ‘Pirates of Purbeck’ trail.

Don’t miss out on the summer fun this month.

For more information on events and more visit our Durlston website, https://www. durlston.co.uk/;visit the Seventhwave café website at https://seventhwaverestaurant. co.uk/

Nobody likes to think about getting old, but it is certainly worth thinking about if you value your home. That is because your house could very well have a charge placed upon it or sold by the local council to pay for your care fees. If a person’s capital and savings, including equity in their home, is worth more than £23,250, they will have to fund their own care.

A living trust can shield your home and estate from care costs in the following ways.

Placing your main home into a living trust ring fences the property from any potential future care costs. With a living trust, you can be both a trustee and beneficiary. You can maintain control over your assets even after you pass away. You can specify how and when your assets should be distributed to your beneficiaries.

Other benefits of the trust include the avoidance of probate upon the property and the protection from both divorce & creditors for your beneficiaries. The situation won’t get better over time. The UK’s fastest-growing age group comprises those aged over 85. Councils will face even more pressure on budgets, leaving them with little choice but to continue to sell people’s homes.

To protect your home, contact Oakwood Wills on 07832 331594.

The main thing to remember with a trust is that because you do not own the assets held in the trust in your own name, a charge cannot be placed upon the home.

Chris Tennant Oakwood Wills.

Durlston Country Park has a lot going on in August

Plans for 330-acre quarry revealed

PLANS for a 330-acre quarry between Dorchester and Bovington have been submitted.

The scheme, on land at Hurst Farm and Station Road, Moreton, would see around 11.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel extracted.

Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd (RBQP) has submitted the applicationwhich includes an ‘office/visitor centre, car park, internal haul road, bridged conveyor crossing, erection of an aggregate processing plant, aggregate bagging plant, ready mix concrete plant and ancillary buildings’ - to Dorset Council.

The sites were allocated for ‘mineral development’ in the Bournemouth, Churstchurch, Poole and Dorset Mineral Sites Plan 2019, which was adopted by Dorset and BCP Councils.

Plans for a phased development of the sites would see around 135 hectares (333

acres) of land for the quarry.

Outlining the scheme, the application said: “It is proposed to develop Hurst Farm and Station Road as one combined quarry, working in a phased manner at Hurst Farm and subsequently with the installation of a field conveyor system bridging the B3390 in order to access and extract the Station Road mineral reserve.

“Binnegar Quarry, a local quarry operated by RBQP is nearing exhaustion and therefore it is envisaged that should planning consent be granted, then the proposed development would commence immediately.”

The Hurst Farm area would be developed initially, followed by Station Road.

The application said consultation with residents, particularly in nearby Crossways and Moreton, had seen changes made to the design

Pop up legal clinic

WHEN: 9:00am to 1:00pm (20th September)

WHERE: Studland Village Hall, Heath Green Rd, Studland, Swanage, BH19 3BT

to minimise the visual impact and to protect plant species, including rare Heath Lobelia in the Hurst Heath and Ragged Firs areas.

And planting has already started in some areas to ‘provide time for the establishment of planting prior to the commencement of development, should planning consent be granted’, the application said.

“The proposal also provides an overall increase in hedgerow, tree and scrub planting to improve the diversity of habitat creation and increase the biodiversity net gain within the locality for the long term,” it went on.

It is proposed the site would

work between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and between 7am and 1pm on Saturday.

Restoration of the site, once the quarry is closed, would entail ‘generally returning land to existing ground levels for agricultural use and integrated lakes, ponds and scrapes,” the application added.

It added: “The area of Hurst Heath/Ragged Firs will be subject to a major restoration project aimed at restoring it back to a mixture of wet and dry heathland with native woodland areas, for the benefit of the population of the nationally rare species Heath Lobelia Lobelia urens, that is present but currently in an unfavourable and precarious conservation status.”

To see the full application, and to comment on the plans, log on to www.dorsetcouncil. gov.uk and search for application reference P/ FUL/2023/03982.

The Mission and tragedy that claimed 189 lives

IT was great to see so many people at the recent Swanage Fish Festival. We were very grateful to the organisers for letting us have a pitch at the entrance to Prince Albert Gardens and for nominating us as one of their charities. With volunteers from Peveril Point and St Alban’s Head stations manning the stand it gave us an ideal opportunity to tell people about how we help to keep the Purbeck coast a little bit safer.

We were privileged to be alongside a team from the Fishermen’s Mission, the other nominated charity, along with their mascot ‘Albert’. The Mission, or to give it its correct title ‘The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen’, is a national charity founded to help those working in the UK’s fishing industry.

Ebenezer Joseph Mather founded it in 1881 following the Eyemouth Black Friday disaster. A huge storm off the north-east coast saw 189 fishermen die close to shore, watched by their wives and children.

Deeply affected by the tragedy, Mather set up the charity to help provide practical, financial and emotional support to workers and their families in an industry that remains today one of the most dangerous in the world. Its work was recognised in 1896 by Queen Victoria and it was able to add ‘Royal’ to its name. Today, through its network of support workers and mission centres, the Mission still provides that support to fishermen and their families in more than 70 ports and harbours throughout the United Kingdom.

THE National Coastwatch Institution was also set up following a fishing tragedy, off the Cornish coast. Shortly after the coastguard station at Bass Point, on the

By Nick Reed

Lizard, closed a small fishing vessel capsized within site of the station. Sadly, the two men aboard drowned but had the lookout still been open there might have been a chance of them being seen and rescued. Immediately after the incident, a group of ex-mariners, under the direction of Captain Starling Lark, received permission to re-open the lookout and NCI was born. The station opened in late 1994 and was followed quickly by our two local stations, at Peveril Point and St Alban’s Head, in early 1995.

THE small inshore fishing fleets along our coastline are often what give seaside communities their character, but sadly the fleets are declining. Along the Purbeck coast there are now only a handful of small boats. Most are under 10 metres long, are operated single-handedly and can only operate on a daily basis during relatively calm weather. It’s a hard life and sadly there are not the young

people. Despite the bad press the fishing industry receives, our inshore day boats are a sustainable fishery and something coastal communities should support. There’s a world of difference between one of the super trawlers which can stay at sea for weeks on end and a small day boat that often can’t put to sea at all, because of the weather.

There’s quite a sense of community between the boats along the coast. Not only do the fishermen all know each other, many of them are related, as there is still a tradition of the trade being a family affair. In Swanage, the surnames of Lander, Marsh and Dyke can be traced back for several generations. Fishing boats are registered to a port and our local ports are Poole and Weymouth. The registration begins with the first and last letters of the port’s name. Weymouth is WH and Poole is PE. However, boats often move along the coast and we have a

boat ‘Star of Hennock’ which is has the registration E499. E is one of the unusual ones as it only has one letter signifying Exeter. The other one is Boy Matt, and this comes from Penzance. To avoid confusion, if ports have the same first and last letters – Poole and Penzance – the second letter can be another letter in the name. Boy Matt’s registration is PZ699. Trying to work out where vessels were originally registered can get quite addictive and my family have got used to me taking photographs of vessels’ registrations when we are on holiday. It’s like nautical trainspotting!

AS well as links with our local fishing community, we enjoy good relationships with the other search and rescue organisations, namely the RNLI and the Coastguard Rescue teams. We will be taking part in the annual lifeboat day on Saturday, August 19. Come and chat to watchkeepers on our stand at the entrance to Prince Albert Gardens and cheer out team on in the famous – or should it be infamous! – ‘Build a Boat competition. Another date for your diary is the August Bank Holiday weekend. Both stations will have refreshments available over the weekend. St Alban’s is opening the hatch from Saturday to Monday, August 26-28 , while Swanage will have ‘tea and cakes on Sunday and Monday, August 27-28. If the weather’s good, an ideal Bank Holiday walk would be from Swanage, along the Priest’s Way to St Alban’s Head – via Worth – morning coffee at St Alban’s lookout and then back along the coast – being careful on the cliff path! – for afternoon tea and a piece of cake.

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

The fleet at anchor (above) WH 368 Freya (below left) and the Bass Point look-out on the Lizard in Cornwall PHOTOS: Swanage NCI

Wing walkers help hospice

THREE brave supporters of LewisManning Hospice Care took to the skies for a wing walk in aid of the charity which helps patients and their families in Purbeck and East Dorset.

Felicity Irwin, Sue Baron and Gary Rocha took off from Henstridge Airfield and for the wing walk were attached to a seating rig while the plane flew over the Dorset and Somerset border.

Felicity, Sue and Gary recently attended the Lewis-Manning Nightingale Ball at Canford School where guests challenged Felicity and Sue to take on the wing walk.

They accepted, and the guests donated, enabling the duo to raise just over £2,500.

Gary successfully bid for the wing walking opportunity in the charity auction.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care patron Felicity said: “Wow, what a wonderful experience for a wonderful cause! Nothing beats a bit of peer pressure and my fellow hospice supporters were incredibly generous, for which I’m hugely grateful.

“Thanks too to all the team at the Wing Walking Company who gave all us wing walkers a fantastic welcome, induction and reassurance before the flight.”

Sue, senior lecturer and programme lead for MSc Adult Nursing at Bournemouth University, added: “I was terrified, I have a real fear of heights, but after signing up I thought, ‘I can’t do this!’

“The experience was far better than I thought it would be, but it took a lot of courage.

“I had a great pilot, the team were lovely and I had great support from the charity and my family. And all for a great cause!”

Rocha Finance managing director Gary said: “It was an amazing experience – it isn’t scary after all, a wonderful experience for a great charity.”

Gary Rocha, Felicity Irwin and Sue Baron did a wing walk from Henstridge Airfield

Mixed results for Swanage teams

The Waste Group are pleased to announced the acquisition of Ideal Skip Hire (Southern) Ltd as of Monday 10th July.

SWANAGE 1st XI have won four of their nine matches in Division One and occupy seventh place.

CRICKET

Based in Wareham, The Waste Group is a local family run skip hire business that has branched out into aggregates, asbestos disposal and grab hire.

The best innings so far was Craig Wells’ century against Poole – he has also made three other half-centuries. Captain Ben Hodder (two), Ricky King, Sid Nash, Mark Stacey (two) and wicket-keeper/batsman Tom Wells have also registered half-centuries.

Trade customers can tip all types of aggregates and waste at their existing recycling centre on the Puddletown Road in Wareham.

Mike Nash has provided their batting highlight with two centuries and has also scored three half-centuries. David Alcock, Phil Eades, John Lewis (two) and Sam Wells have also all recorded half-centuries.

Ideal Skip Hire (Southern) Ltd is based in Swanage and has a long tradition of providing skips and aggregates to the local Swanage and Purbeck area. Their existing recycling facility on the Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate will still be open and running as usual.

The stand-out bowling performance was a four-wicket haul from Steve Ramsay but he has been well supported by Charlie Dyke, Mike Hernandez, Hodder, Freddie Long, Nash and Ryan Stearn.

The Waste Group’s aim is to strengthen customer service through great relationships whilst implementing an improved fleet and new technology. A full range of aggregates are available to purchase from the recycling facility on the Victoria Avenue Industrial Estate.

The 2nd XI have won seven of their nine games to lie third in Division 4.

The outstanding bowling performance was a four-wicket haul from Steve Kent, but he has been well-supported by Ross Carroll, Ed Cross, James Harding, Harry Long, Sam Marks, Sam Wells and Steve Woolley.

The 3rd XI have won three of their seven games in Division 6 to occupy sixth position.

Tim Ives’ century against Dorchester has been their

Bowlers off to national finals

BOWLERS Sue Bird and Gill Bryceson have been representing Swanage Bowls Club in the Ladies County Pairs competition.

Their first game at Broadstone Wessex started a winning streak but the next two games against a different pair from Broadstone and West Moors went down to almost the last bowl of the game before they came out on top.

In the quarter-finals they played at Lyme Regis against Blandford when they again won after the game went down to the very last bowl.

The semi-finals were played on the same day at Lyme Regis against probably their toughest opponents, Poole Park. The scores were all level going into a very tense last end.

Gill said: “We took a slender lead but needed to protect it while the opposition fired three

BOWLS

times, attempting to remove our holding shot.

“Although they succeeded in removing two of our close bowls, we still held on to one shot to win the game. We were both thrilled to win.”

The final at Dorchester against Sherborne was scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, July 22, and, with the rain lashing down, excited supporters from Swanage Bowls Club were nervous.

Gill and Sue were relieved when the game was postponed until Sunday morning when the sun shone and a vocal bunch of supporters cheered them all the way through the match.

The game started well and they took a good early lead which they held until the end. The opposition from Sherborne conceded on the 17th end as it

was impossible for them to win on the last end.

Sue and Gill said: “We overcame our nerves to win 19 shots to 9. We were again both thrilled with the result and will now go on to represent Dorset in the national finals to be held at Leamington Spa on August 15.”

Nadine Evans, from Swanage

Bowls Club, said: “The national finals are the pinnacle of bowls and Leamington Spa is a wonderful place to play.

“Some of our club will be there to cheer Sue and Gill on, and whatever the result at Leamington Spa, Swanage Bowls Club are immensely proud of them.”

Trying conditions for youngsters

THREE pairs faced challenging conditions when Dorchester & District Angling Society Juniors held their annual pairs match at Harbourbridge Lakes in Chickerell.

The rain stayed away most of the day, but a strong south-west wind meant the youngsters were forced to use a method feeder – and even that was made tricky by the strong gusts.

Runaway winners with 107lbs 2ozs were Austin Scott-Kennedy and Oliver Smith, with the Cryer brothers, Harry and Jack, second on 38lbs 14ozs, and Josiah Wells-

ANGLING

Parkes and Jack Copp third with 34lbs 13ozs.

Austin and Ollie will have their names etched onto the Pairs’ Trophy Shield next April.

Junior secretary Graham Howard said: “A big thank you to Jim Roper for hosting us at Harbourbridge Lakes – it is good to see the lakes back on form.”

For more information on the junior section visit ddasjuniors.co.uk and for memberships see www.d-das.com.

Fishery information on Harbourbridge Lakes is available on Facebook.

Austin Scott-Kennedy had a 52lbs 6ozs catch and Oliver Smith caught 54lbs 12ozs

Sue Bird (left) and Gill Bryceson will represent Dorset

THE PURBECK

Arrow words Wordsearch

Funny English Place Names

Crossword

a porky (5)

10 Artificial hair (3)

11 Fabled (9)

12 Continental sea (5)

14 To the side (7)

16 Bewitch (7)

18 Small particle (5)

19 Better than (1,3,5)

20 Cooking dish (3)

21 Nephew’s sister (5)

22 Additional helpings (7)

Down

2

1 In general (2,1,5)

2 Performed vocal music (4)

3 Taken without permission (6)

4 Jupiter or Mars (6)

6

5 Argue (8)

6 Unattractive (4)

8 Ordinances (11)

13 Kept out (8)

15 Similarity (8)

17 Deciduous flowering shrub (6)

18 Ferocious and aggressive (6)

19 Uncle’s wife (4)

20 Enclosures for domestic animals (4)

EAST BREST

FELTWELL

HAPPY BOTTOM

LICKAR MOOR

MUDCHUTE

NETHER WALLOP

PANT

SANDY BALLS

SCRATCHY BOTTOM

SIX MILE BOTTOM

Brain chain

Bibby Stockholm: Time for humanity

ONE Saturday early in July, I marched with supporters of Stand Up to Racism Dorset from Portland Port to Portland Community Hospital. There were banners with the message that refugees were welcome here. The mood was uplifting –we sang, we chanted, we ignored the rain.

We were there to say no to the Bibby Stockholm barge, which will house up to 500 young male asylum seekers, many of whom will be traumatised and desperate.

Among the marchers was a partner from Wilsons Solicitors, Katy Robinson, head of public law and human rights at the London law firm. Wilsons will support legal challenges made on behalf of asylum seekers accommodated on the barge.

A strong case could be made, said Katy, that the accommodation provided by the barge – cramped, with two

or three young men living in a space roughly the size of an average car parking space –failed to meet the ‘adequacy test’ set by the Home Office. Lawyers from the highly regarded law firm Leigh Day are also ready to support the asylum seekers.

Unlike asylum seekers housed in hotels, those on the barge will not be able to leave or return freely – they can only do so under escort, and then under strict conditions.

The rural dean for Weymouth and Portland, Nick Clark, reminded us of Justin Welby’s words – that the Government’s asylum policy was cruel, and that we should show our ‘shared humanity’ to those driven from their homes by war, torture or natural disaster.

A Portland resident, Heather,

spoke of how so many in the Portland community were preparing to support and reach out to the young asylum seekers. What she had to say was heart-warming, in stark contrast to the racist rhetoric so openly expressed by others opposed to the barge.

Local councillors said that the millions being spent on the barge would be much better spent upon improving life on the island. They said the community had always been a welcoming one and bitterly regretted the division the barge was causing.

We had marched past a rival demonstration on our way to the hospital, greeted by loud jeers and derisive whistling, so I could understand why the councillors were so concerned.

The far-right group, Patriotic Alternative, had been

leafletting in Weymouth and Portland, spreading fear and promoting anti-refugee hatred. Its leaflet claimed that immigrants would outnumber and ‘replace’ white Britons by 2060.

Early in the morning of Tuesday, July 18, the barge finally arrived. Once again, two groups were present. There were those who said the asylum seekers would create ‘no-go’ areas on the island. Women and children would not be safe from these ‘illegals’. The residents had been betrayed.

Rural Dean Nick Clark, however, spoke for all those ready to open their hearts: “I am here to make a stand to welcome the refugees to this community.”

All praise to him and to Dorset Stand Up to Racism. It is time for humanity.

Page turns on library opening hours

LIBRARIES in Dorset could see changes to their opening hours under new plans.

Dorset Council’s new library strategy was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday (July 25), meaning a series of changes will soon come into force.

Although no libraries will close under the plans, changes are proposed to opening hours.

Under the plan, libraries are designated as one of three categories – Library, Library Plus, Library Connect –depending on the services on offer.

Depending on the designation, opening hours will vary.

The hours are as follows:

Library: Beaminster; Corfe Mullen; Crossways; Lyme Regis; Lytchett Matravers; Sturminster Newton; Upton; Verwood; West Moors; Wyke Regis

Proposed opening hours:

Monday: Noon to 6pm

Tuesday: 10am to 1pm

Wednesday: 10am to 1pm

Thursday: 2pm to 5pm

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 10am to 1pm

Sunday: Closed

Library Plus: Gillingham; Littlemoor; Portland; Shaftesbury; Sherborne; Swanage; Wareham; Wimborne

Proposed opening hours:

Monday: 10am to 5pm

Tuesday: 10am to 5pm

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 10am to 5pm

Friday: 12 noon to 6pm

Saturday: 10am to 1pm

Sunday: Closed

Library Connect: Blandford; Bridport; Dorchester; Ferndown; Weymouth

Proposed opening hours:

Monday: 10am to 5pm

Tuesday: 10am to 5pm

Wednesday: 10am to 5pm

Thursday: 10am to 6pm

Friday: 10am to 5pm

Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Sunday: Closed

The council said the strategy was shaped using more than 12,000 responses from two public consultations, from feedback gathered in engagement workshops and data on local need, to see how libraries can meet the needs of residents and communities over the next decade.

Cllr Laura Beddow, portfolio holder for culture and communities, said: “We are delighted that our new library strategy has been approved, with councillors giving great feedback on our vision for the future of our library service.

“It is an ambitious strategy

informed by the views of residents and by customer need that will not result in any closures, instead enhancing Dorset’s libraries for the future.

“Residents have made it perfectly clear that libraries are at the heart of their communities and this strategy really reflects that.

“The conversation doesn’t end here. We will continue to work with our communities and listen to their views on our strategy.”

The plan will not go before the full council, with work set to begin to implement the new library strategy.

It is planned the new operating model and changes to opening hours will come into effect from April 2024.

Queries or questions can be sent to the council via letstalklibraries@dorsetcouncil. gov.uk.

CHRIS BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

Chris Bradey

M argaret Green Animal Rescue Looking for ideas this summer?

WE would love to welcome you to our Church Knowle centre near Wareham, Dorset (BH20 5NQ), which is open to visitors six days a week –closed on Wednesdays – from 11am-3pm.

The centre is the perfect place to find out more about the important work we do here at Margaret Green Animal Rescue, and to meet some of the wonderful rescue animals

in our care.

You may get the chance to feed some tasty leaves and branches to our goats, or help our team to give our chatty pig, Thelma, her goodies at lunch time.

It is also a fantastic way to meet some of our sponsor animals, including Sid and Jake, the donkeys, Mickey and Donald the Shetland ponies, and Bilbo the sheep, who you

can sponsor from just £5 a month.

With many outdoor tables with parasols available, and a selection of snacks, ice cream and cold and hot drinks on sale, the centre offers a great opportunity for you to bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful Dorset countryside.

So, why not come along and spend some quality time at Church Knowle this summer? Our teams and rescue animals would love to see you!

Please visit our website at www.mgar.org.uk/contact to discover more about the centre and its opening hours.

Puzzle solutions (from pages 22-23)

FROSTY DELIGHTS

AS summer's vibrant colours fade, gardeners and vegetable enthusiasts eagerly turn their attention to the cooler months ahead.

Autumn and winter offer a fresh array of vegetables that thrive in crisp air and chilly soil.

Planting these crops at the right time ensures a bountiful harvest, providing nutritious and flavourful produce throughout the colder seasons.

From Brussels sprouts to peas, let's explore the best time to plant these autumn and winter wonders.

Cruciferous delights

BROCCOLI, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, belonging to the cruciferous family, flourish in cool weather. Plant them in late summer or early autumn to establish strong

Ensuring a bountiful harvest:

winter vegetables

delights, perfect for hearty stews and roasted vegetable platters.

Leafy greens

LETTUCE, spinach and leeks. For a constant supply of fresh greens during the chilly months, look no further than lettuce, spinach and leeks. These cold-hardy plants can be planted from late summer through early autumn. With proper care and protection from frost, they will grace your table with nutritious goodness throughout the winter.

The protein powerhouses

root systems before the harsh winter sets in. Provide steady nutrients and consistent watering for healthy and

www.beaminstersheds.co.uk

01308 861144

info@beaminstersheds.co.uk

32, North Street, Beaminster, DT8 3DY

A family-run business established more than 29 years ago, offering a huge range of sheds and outbuildings, including:

Bike Sheds, Dustbin Stores And Log Storage

Sheds To Suit All Budgets & Uses, From Hobbies To Workshops

Garages & Carports

Summerhouses & Home Offices

Playhouse

Beach Huts

Field Shelters & Stables

Poultry Housing, Dog Houses, Kennels & Runs

Garden Gates Fencing

Bespoke Buildings

vigorous growth.

Colourful surprises

BROCCOLI sweet stem, purple sprouting varieties and red cabbage can be planted around the same time as their counterparts. Enjoy their attractive colours and unique flavours in winter salads and side dishes.

Underground goodness

PLANT turnips, beetroot and baby round carrot in late summer for a delicious harvest. Cool weather enhances the sweetness of these earthy

Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices. workshops, agricultural 01935 891195

PLANT peas and broad beans in late autumn for an early spring harvest. These legumes not only add nutritional value to your meals but also help enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops.

The flavour foundations

PLANT onion sets in late summer for fresh bulbs in spring, and plant spring onions in early autumn for a winter harvest. Add depth and flavour to soups, stews and stir-fries.

The Christmas staple

ENSURE roasted and new potatoes for Christmas by planting seed potatoes in late summer or early autumn.

Purbeck Advertise with us adverts@purbeckgazette.co.uk

TREE CONTROL Tree & Garden Services

I offer the following services for t shrubs & hedges • Pollarding

Seed potatoes (above) and peas (right)

The perfect timing for planting autumn and

Choose varieties suited to winter growth for a mouthwatering crop.

FOR a successful autumn and winter vegetable garden, visit us at Goulds Garden Centre. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process and provide valuable advice for your gardening needs.

Embrace the changing seasons and cultivate a diverse and thriving winter vegetable garden. By planting at the right time and with proper care, savour the satisfaction of homegrown produce throughout the chilly months. Happy gardening!

Sue Butterworth GouldsGC.co.uk

n SUE Butterworth is in her 25th year at Goulds Garden Centre.

She is the plant manager for this busy store and has been sourcing plants for awardwinning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show since 2018.

She is an avid gardener, leading to numerous Britain in Bloom awards including a first.

Deadheading and summer pruning roses

By Sally Gregson

DURING this overly hot weather it becomes imperative that any moisture loss in plants is minimised. Removing spent flower-shoots is a good way of cutting back a lot of leaf area to prevent evaporation, as well as encouraging the plant to make root growth rather than produce seed.

Deadheading the roses is particularly important if you grow the varieties of rose that repeat-flower. Thwarting their motherhood encourages them to produce more flowers, albeit in

vain. And when once-onlyflowering roses have all finished their show too it is prudent to create a new framework for future growth.

On repeat-flowering varieties using a sharp pair of secateurs to avoid skinning the stems, cut off the flowering head just above an outward-facing bud. The re-growth will not then cross back into the plant. Repeat-flowering roses will then live up to their name.

On once-only flowering roses the aim is to open up the middle of the shrub and make the bush

the shape of a bowl. When all the spent stems have been removed, stand back and look at the overall shape of the finished plant. An odd wayward stem may need another cut, or perhaps the whole bush needs to be cut further down.

In some of the great gardens the new young shoots are laid down horizontally and tied in to purpose-made hoops. This causes the rose to make flowering breaks all along each shoot and increase the flowershow next year. The hoops are traditionally made of hazel

wands cut while the stems are green and pliable. Galvanised hoops are available online but some are too big to use for this purpose.

As the new young growth appears, as it surely will – we just need some good rain – tie in the green shoots to the hoops horizontally. And then give each plant a full can of water, and feed them with a proprietary rose-feed that will encourage the young growth and harden it up for the winter. Next summer your roses will put on quite a show.

Bathing a problem? We can help

•

•

•

•

Hard-pressed drivers cut corners to save money

COST-OF-LIVING pressures have forced almost a quarter of drivers (23%) to either put off getting their vehicles serviced or do it themselves with or without the help of a friend or family member, a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers by the RAC has found.

While 10% have postponed their next car service by up to a year to save money, one-in-20 (5%) have gone further and delayed getting their vehicles checked for more than a year and are only relying on the

annual MOT to ensure their car is roadworthy.

An additional one-in-10 (10%) meanwhile have decided to either start servicing their cars themselves, or called on the assistance of someone they know to do it.

Nine per cent of drivers say have opted for cheaper servicing – for instance by swapping a full or major service for a minor one – while a similar proportion (8%) have switched from using their normal garage to a cheaper one in a bid to save cash.

High inflation inevitably means the price to service vehicles goes up, a point backed up by research from the Motor Ombudsman which shows that rising costs are the biggest operational challenges faced by independent garages and franchised dealers in 2023. But a poorly maintained car poses all sorts of risks for drivers – from a breakdown at an inopportune moment to much bigger garage repair bills when car parts start failing.

RAC Breakdown spokesman

Nearly a quarter of drivers have put off servicing their vehicle, according to an RAC survey

Rod Dennis said: “Not keeping on top of servicing a vehicle is almost always a false economy, as the probability of suffering a breakdown emergency and having to fork out even more for expensive repairs down the line go up massively.

“So, while drivers might feel the best thing to do is to put off servicing or opt for a cheaper service even if their car is due a full one, we advise strongly against it as repair costs are likely to snowball when things start to go wrong.”

Ins and outs of hay fever and driving

By Lorraine Gibson

HAY fever can be the curse of summer – and beyond – for sufferers, and its symptoms can adversely affect driving.

Sneezing has been known to distract some drivers enough to cause an error, or even a collision.

But hay fever can add further complications – think watery eyes, streaming nose and drowsiness – which might explain why at least one in four drivers has had an accident due to related symptoms.

This raises several questions:

Can I drive with hay fever?

WELL, if you couldn’t, a huge proportion of the population would be grounded, so it’s down to self-governance and whether it negatively affects your driving.

Just under a quarter of sufferers asked in a recent survey said hay fever did negatively affect their driving ability and a third of those who had experienced

an accident or near-miss cited coughing or sneezing as reasons for losing control.

Can I drive if I’ve taken hay fever medication?

YES, you can. However, only with certain types. A notable side-effect of some medications is drowsiness, which can –and does – cause delayed reactions and co-ordination.

The NHS advice is that you should not drive – or use machinery – when using a ‘drowsiness’ option.

Most off-the-shelf or over-the-counter varieties from pharmacies are safe, however, check the label for diphenhydramine and chlorphenamine – both are common ingredients that cause drowsiness and are used in some leading brands.

If you’re unsure, ask the

pharmacist.

What happens if I have a car accident due to hay fever?

ACCORDING to the same poll, if your reaction to your hay fever medication caused you to crash, you could be convicted for drug-driving, receive a fine, or points on your licence, or worse.

What if hay fever kicks in while I’m driving?

SIMPLE. If the symptoms are severe – pull over in a safe place until they pass to avoid any dangerous situations.

n Research: online poll of 1,500 UK drivers who suffer from hay fever conducted by One Poll for Confused.com (May 2023).

Helpful links: www.allergyuk. org/about-allergy/statistics-andfigures/; www.nhs.uk/conditions/ antihistamines/

PHOTO: RAC

New food hall at county show

THE best of local produce and more will be showcased in a huge new food hall at Dorset County Show being held near Dorchester in September.

The 60 metres by 24 metres hall will have everything from brownies to beer, pickles to pork and cider to sourdough, plus English wines, local gins, cheeses, olives and more.

One of the show sponsors, Justin Langham, from Langham Wine Estate in Crawthorne, near Dorchester, said: “Dorset’s farming community is rightly proud of its produce.

“The new food hall at this year’s Dorset County Show is an exciting opportunity for us to celebrate the world class food and drink we make here, and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”

Show organiser James Cox said: “Our county is bursting with wonderful food and drink producers, and now in one area, we’re delighted to bring over 100 together at the Dorset County Show ranging from small producers just starting out to more established names.

“Our aim is to put the

Cool salads for summer

WHEN the heat is on outside, the last thing anyone wants to do is slave over a hot stove on the inside.

Grace Edmonds, from The Watercress Company, has developed delicious salads that are simple to prepare, ideal for a light lunch or for a tasty side to accompany an alfresco dinner. Peppery watercress is the base ingredient for all the recipes but each combines it with other fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, packing these dishes full of flavour and goodness.

Watercress and asparagus

salad with parmesan sauce

ASPARAGUS and watercress are good sources of folate which is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. Both vegetables are also full of antioxidants and fibre.

Serves 2 as a side

Prep time 10 mins

Cook time 5 mins

Ingredients

100g Asparagus tips

40g watercress

Parmesan, flaked or grated

Mixed seeds

For the dressing

1tsp Lemon juice

1tbsp Dijon mustard

1tbsp Olive oil

Pinch black pepper Method

1 Cook the asparagus in boiling water for a few minutes, until it is vibrant green. Remove and allow to dry and cool.

2 Make the dressing by combining all the ingredients and stirring.

3 Arrange the salad ingredients on a plate, sprinkle with the grated cheese and mixed seeds before drizzling with the dressing.

Watercress, beetroot and goat’s cheese salad

Beets and watercress are packed with nutrients and minerals but also contain a high concentration of nitrates, which can help lower blood pressure levels.

Serves 1 (or 2 as a side/starter)

Prep Time 10 mins

Ingredients

40g watercress

1 or 2 beetroots, thinly sliced

1 apple, chopped

20g goats cheese, sliced

10g walnuts, crushed

consumer in contact with the producer and get to know more about local and artisan foods.”

The food hall will sit alongside a new food and drink area where visitors can enjoy hot and cold treats under picnic marquees.

Mr Cox added: “This area has more of a festival vibe with colourful flags and live music to entertain visitors while they enjoy a pitstop for a cool local cider or a Dorset ploughman’s picnic.

“It also offers outside pitches for market traders wishing to

sell foods to take home and use in the kitchen.”

Two local independent businesses are sponsors with the food and drink area sponsored by B Curtis Family Butchers in Wareham and the food hall by timber merchants Dorchester Timber.

The Dorset County Show is on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3. Tickets are £19 in advance until August 26 and entry is free for children.

To book, visit the show’s website at www. dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

Method

Arrange all salad ingredients on a plate before sprinkling with walnuts.

Watercress, orange and fennel salad

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin – the body can’t produce it, so it has to be consumed. It has many roles and has been linked to health benefits, including helping strengthen the immune system, and may help lower blood pressure. This recipe has lots of vitamin C thanks to the orange and watercress.

Serves 1 (or 2 as a side/starter)

Prep time 10 mins

Ingredients

1 large orange, peeled and thinly sliced 50g watercress

Flaked almonds

Bulb of fennel, finely sliced 1 shallot, finely chopped 30g feta, crumbled

Method

1 Arrange the watercress, orange, fennel and shallot on a

plate.

2 Sprinkle with the finely chopped shallot, feta and flaked almonds.

Watercress and tomato salad

Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Combined with watercress, it is a healthy plate. Serves 1 (or 2 as a side/starter)

Prep time 10 mins

Ingredients

40g watercress

100g mixed tomatoes, sliced 30g olives, pitted and sliced 10g toasted pine nuts

Good quality olive oil

Salt and pepper Method

1 Arrange all ingredients on a plate before drizzling with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2 This salad could be served with a nice soft cheese like buffalo mozzarella or burrata.

Watercress and orange salad

Health & Wellbeing

Meditations in nature: In search of royalty

By Susanna Curtin

TIME is running out to meet the royals. July and early August are my favourite months for butterfly walks. For it is now that all the big, blousy butterflies are in flight – the silver washed and dark green fritillaries, peacocks, brimstones and commas.

But it is the admirals and the emperors that are the jewels in the crown. Red admirals are a common garden visitor. These large, bold butterflies are widespread and fly from March right through the year. I have even seen one in my garden on Christmas Day.

Their white cousins, however, are much more secretive. They reside in shady woodlands in the south of England and can only be spotted from late June to early August. It is their delicate flight you notice first with short periods of wingbeats followed by a long glide. I love to watch them grace the dappled sunlight of woodland rides and clearings in search of brambles and their favoured honeysuckle on which they lay their eggs. Without doubt, they are one of our most charming butterflies.

But then, there is the elusive beauty of his majesty, the purple emperor (Apatura iris), with whom no other butterfly can compete. With iridescent purple wings, it is the size of a small bird and is the UK’s largest butterfly. In Greek mythology,

the name Apatura means deception and is given to the butterfly for the fact that the purple iridescence can only be seen from certain angles. In comparison, the female purple emperor resembles a white admiral and can be easily confused with it.

These enigmatic butterflies are almost impossible to see, they live at very low density in specific locations and scorn the avid butterfly watcher year after year as they fail to make its acquaintance.

And that is why I have got up early this morning to head for the woods to try for the sixth year running to glimpse this charismatic insect. I am not alone. There are others who await his presence, and they have all come with offerings for the King. In a well-versed ceremony played out in large woodlands in southern England, logs are positioned, and a

breakfast table is laid that consists of the most revolting, rancid dollops of food you could imagine, such as rotten bananas, fox or dog scat, stinking shrimp paste, horse manure and pickled mudfish. All because unlike other butterflies who leave their tree-top playground to feed on flowers, the emperor only comes to ground in the mornings to feast on muddy puddles and minerals found in dead, rotting creatures.

I take a step back from the smell and the group of people whose cameras are ready and poised, just in case one should deign to descend from the oak and sallow, and the honey dew from which it feeds. We wait for the sun to break through. All eyes and binoculars linger over the tops of the trees above this little car park. One hour becomes two, and still, we wait for just a glimpse of the purple magnificence. Walkers come and

go, bemused by this motley crew of strange people.

While I fidget from one foot to the next, I ponder how peculiar it is that we go to such lengths to see an insect that beats us every time. But just as despondency is setting in and I think about leaving, a large dark shape comes into view and drops down low enough for me to see it stretch out its wings and linger high on a sallow leaf.

Holding my breath in anticipation, I shout out ‘there’s one!’. Urgent cries of ‘where? Where?. But it’s pointless, I dare not take my eyes away to look for markers as I pathetically try to explain the twigs and branches in which my binoculars are fixed. Sadly, the angle of vision makes it impossible for me to see the royal purple, but I know instinctively that this is a purple emperor. Suddenly, it folds its wings shut, turns to the side to show its intricate shape and then – gone.

Feelings of relief at having seen one immediately turns to disappointment, for I have still not seen it in all its purple glory. I still can’t quite say I have met royalty. Maybe it’s good that we don’t always get what we want. For the desire to see this butterfly in all its glory will provide me with yet another lovely day out.

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

The Purple Emperor is a hard ‘spot’ for even the avid butterly watcher

by Alice Johnsen

LIKE many, I was gripped watching the recent men’s singles final at Wimbledon. I’ve always been a fan of Novak Djokovic. I find his mental strength completely fascinating.

To watch the match play out was to watch a game of mental strength just as much as to watch a game of supreme physical fitness and skill.

Supreme is the word and that level of grit, strength and amount of training is, probably fortunately, not required for most of our lives.

Emotional resilience, which is made up of grit, flexibility and coping ability, is a mental strength we all need in spades. Without a level of self-belief and a desire to overcome the obstacles we face, we would achieve very little. So, we must nurture our emotional resilience and allow ourselves to believe in it. Central to what emotional

The mental battle of emotional resilience

resilience is, is our willingness to adapt in order to keep progressing. For example, to move on from the disappointment of a cancelled plan and create plan B so your day is not ruined, just changed. Or something much bigger, like coping and adapting to life after the death of a loved one.

Once it was believed you were either born with emotional resilience or you weren’t. Now it is known we can develop, improve and increase it throughout our lives. It is the combination of personality traits, the environment we live in and how we learn from the difficulties we face that builds our resilience. To nurture this feature is a life’s work – there’s no high point you hit at a certain age. So, the next time you face a challenge, a disappointment or a difficult situation, maybe pause and make sure you are aware of all the different ways you could

DORSET FOOT CLINIC

react and choose your reaction deliberately. Ask yourself what is the best way forward. What keeps you moving towards your goal? Which decision will cause the least disruption? Which choice will make you feel stronger and will you be glad you made?

As I have said many times, all these aspects of our mental health are interlinked. If we tweak one area of our life – let’s

say how you start your day – the effects ripple out across the board. If you take steps to boost your emotional resilience by considering your reaction to that cancelled plan before you react, your overall well-being will benefit. It’s like a constantly changing jigsaw when one small piece affects the whole picture. n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based near (07961 080513; alicejohnsen.co.uk)

Wax Away Ear Care

PHOTO: Pixabay/Fotorech

Locally consigned guns exceed estimates on international market

HOLTS, ‘one of the leading auction houses for fine modern and antique guns and militaria worldwide’ has for many years sold items consigned by local clients on the international market.

It currently auctions close to 20,000 lots a year, often well exceeding estimates.

Holts would be pleased to give auction estimates on items from a ‘best’ London gun to a loft find.

HOLTS

Auctioneers of Fine Modern & Antique Guns

FREE VALUATION DAY

HOLTS Auctioneers are the leading specialists in fine modern and antique guns.

Thursday 3rd & 31st August

NFU Mutual

The Creamery, Station Road

Sturminster Newton

Dorset, DT10 1BD

To book an appointment, arrange a free valuation or home visit please contact:

David Thurgood - 01297 306123

westcountry@holtsauctioneers.com

www.holtsauctioneers.com

Recent good examples are a WW Greener 12-bore ‘Royal’ hammerless ejector shotgun which sold for a very satisfying £3,900 against an estimate of £2,000-£3,000.

And a rare example of a Kolibri, the world’s smallest central fire semi-automatic pistol, sold for £3,100 against an estimate of £1,200-£1,600.

David Thurgood, Holts’ westcountry agent, holds regular local valuation days, including at Sturminster Newton and Charmouth.

To find out more about the next ones in the area or to discuss a valuation or home visit, David can be contacted on 01297 306123 or via email at westcountry@holtsauctioneers

Perfect peridot

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

THE elegant and timeless peridot is the birthstone for August and is said to represent prosperity and good fortune.

However, it is also known as a Love gemstone and is the traditional gift for a 16th wedding anniversary!

Similar in colour to a traditional emerald, the two were often confused in medieval times, but the semi-precious olive-green peridot was discovered in 1500BC.

In the Middle Ages, the peridot was brought back from the Crusades and was used to decorate church robes and other artefacts.

It rose in popularity in jewellery during the 1800s. The Victorians and Edwardians loved it, especially after King Edward VII stated that it was his favourite gemstone!

Also known as the ‘Evening Emerald’, the peridot glows under natural and artificial light which makes it an enchanting stone for use in jewellery.

Watches from iconic makers

DUKE’S Silver, Jewellery, Watches and Coins auction takes place on Wednesday, September 13.

It already features pieces by iconic makers such as Cartier, Breitling, Rolex, Omega, Tudor and Patek Philippe, but last entries are now being invited.

The spring sale was a huge success with more than 85% of the 530 lots selling.

Highlights were a sapphire and diamond pendant originally from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) sold for £16,900 and an 1847 Queen Victoria Gothic silver crown which made £4,680.

A Patek Philippe Ellipse 18ct gold wristwatch complete with iconic dark blue steel hands is estimated to sell for £2,000-£4,000 in the September auction.

The beautiful drop pendant (pictured) is a perfect example of original Edwardian jewellery.

The two round-cut vibrant green peridots are softened with seed pearls and pale pink tourmaline accents creating a wreath design all in a warm yellow gold.

The Edwardians favoured intricate and delicate designs and you will see pearls and diamonds incorporated into necklaces, pendants, earrings, brooches and rings with stones like peridot, rubies and amethyst.

Platinum became the more favoured metal, taking over from yellow gold, due to the Edwardians preference for all things ‘white’.

Peridot is quite soft, so if you have jewellery set with this beautiful stone, take special care to check that the settings are sound and any claws are complete.

It can wear easily and can lose its polish, so regular assessment of the settings and gentle cleaning is highly recommended

The sale will also feature the customary selection of precious gems – diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds mounted on gold, platinum and silver.

And a decorative late Victoria silver trophy by Walker and Hall, 1900, is

Duke’s is inviting final entries for its September auction of silver, jewellery, watches and coins

estimated at £1,500-£2,000.

The timeless appeal of antique pieces is undeniable. With so much history and character, it's no surprise that these pieces command high prices at auction.

For more information on the sale or to arrange a free valuation for auction visit Duke’s website, www.dukesauctions.com, or call its office on 01305 265080 to make a confidential appointment with a specialist.

Lucy sets out her stall at funeral directors

LUCY Lester has been appointed manager at the Corfe Mullen and Blandford branches of Lesley Shand, owned by Douch Family Funeral Directors.

She joined the multi-awardwinning family business in January after a career in private health care, where she served as a high-level customer services manager, and is now gearing up to qualify with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD).

Lucy said: “This is a wonderful company to work for which really cares for its clients – we always go that extra mile.

“I’m determined to increase the community use of our facilities in Corfe Mullen and Blandford as we have beautiful

ceremony rooms at both locations. These rooms can be tailored for any number of uses, from small community groups to bereavement counselling. It really is a tremendous asset for both locations.

“I’m also enthusiastic about helping care home staff understand what happens when a resident they have cared for and have got to know so well

GOT A STORY? Then email

Printing business welcomes students

STUDENTS from St Michael’s Middle School in Wimborne have been offered an inspiring example of entrepreneurship.

It started with a talk given to students by Samantha Riley, who founded Manta Makes in 2015 from her kitchen table.

On the back of that inspiring talk, groups of Year 8 students have been visiting the Ringwood printing business, taking tours and asking questions to learn how it works.

Samantha said: “A lot of children at this age have no idea what they want to do for a career, but that’s not a bad thing.

“I think those who visited us were interested in seeing two former St Michael’s students working here and learning that they took very different routes.

“We also have all ages of people working here and everybody gets on well, and I think that taught the children about diversity.”

Samantha has also agreed to

be the school’s careers enterprise adviser.

Pam Gould, from the school’s senior leadership team, said: “The children are so lucky to have this hands-on experience.

“Samantha and engineering husband Paul began the business on their table with one laser engraver.

“They now work out of premises in Ringwood with staff and a growing business selling all manner of items, including engraved wood, mugs, cushions,

dies. So I’ve invited local care home staff to the branches to provide them with a better understanding of what happens when one of their residents comes into our care.

“There is a large crossover between the healthcare and funeral industries – the most important of which is being there for families and loved ones through a difficult time and

walking with them along that path.”

Lucy is also an advocate for the NAFD Bereavement in Education campaign, which aims to make the acknowledgement and handling of grief a subject covered by the National Curriculum.

Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funeral Directors, added: “Lucy brings with her vast experience of working in the care industry within the local area.

“She has managerial expertise and is already making a difference in Corfe Mullen and Blandford.

“Being a family business, we have certain values we want to adopt, and Lucy embodies those. She’s a great fit for the business.”

jewellery, key rings and plaques.

“Hearing about how the business developed really engaged the children, and seeing some former pupils working there really brought it home to them.

“We have taken children in groups to the business with support from the Dorset Careers Hub, who were able to provide a grant to allow us to run this workplace project.

“They get to see what

happens and learn how a business operates. The company is also making us a special large jigsaw which is personalised for the children.”

Liz West, chief executive of Initio Learning Trust which includes St Michael’s School, said: “What a great experience for the children.

“This will really open their eyes to the different careers open to them, and how it’s possible to start a business and grow it. Our trust really wants to encourage entrepreneurialism in our students.”

Lucy Lester, new manager at Douch Family Funeral Directors

Students from St Michael’s Middle School, Wimborne, with Samantha Riley (right) and manager Dave Melbourne

Samantha Riley, who founded Manta Makes from home

Builder gives youngsters ‘green’ lesson

HOUSEBUILDER Barratt

Homes has given children from a Wimborne school tips on how to look after their local wildlife and environment.

Nine pupils from Wimborne First School visited Barratt’s new Quarter Jack Park development for a wildlife workshop hosted by one of Barratt’s contractors, landscaper Jake Smith from J S Landscapes.

The interactive session saw Jake explain how the firm is building wildlife-friendly developments and passing on tips on conservation in a move aiming to show Barratt’s commitment to protecting wildlife while promoting sustainability.

The children were also able to sow their own sunflower seeds which they could take home in a pot and were given their own goody bad complete with gardening tools and energy-saving booklets.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “The workshop has been fantastic for the children. They were very engaged watching Jake talk about the importance of our local wildlife and were very excited to plant their own seeds and see them grow at home.

“We always try to communicate the advantages of looking after our planet, especially with climate change

by dorsetbiznews.co.uk

being such an important subject at present, and this workshop has been a great addition to the school’s curriculum. A huge thank you to Barratt Homes and to Jake for such an interesting session.”

Barratt Homes community liaison officer Anthony Dimmick said these interactive sessions give the housebuilder the perfect space to highlight its priorities over and above providing homes for local people.

He said: “We need to do all we can to protect the UK’s wildlife and Barratt is committed to doing that in any way we can.

“We pride ourselves on offering homes to animals, as well as humans, by installing hedgehog highways, bat boxes and swift bricks.

“Plus, Quarter Jack Park is part of a dedicated SANG area, which is designed to encourage more people to enjoy the natural environment.”

With the developer continually taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment, it also wants to share this ‘greener’ attitude with the next generation.

“We are thrilled to offer workshops like this one to local school children. It was lovely to see the pupils getting involved,” added Anthony.

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.

Nine pupils from Wimborne First School enjoyed a wildlife workshop from Barratt contractor Jake Smith (above centre)

Property

11 strange house superstitions

THE squeaky floorboard that can’t be fixed, that mystery switch that doesn’t do anything – all houses have their quirks, but some are built into the foundations.

Armishaws Removals has been unearthing some of the weirdest home superstitions.

1Which witch

FOR centuries European housebuilders puzzled over the age-old problem – how to stop a witch coming down the chimney. Mummified cats, animals’ hearts pierced with iron nails, pots of urine – all manner of anti-witch totems were buried in the chimney or hearth to keep the pointy-hatted harridans away. A ‘witch’s crook’ was another tactic, essentially building a bend in the chimney to stop them flying down it.

2Triskaidekaphobia

THE fear of the number 13 is reflected throughout our homes. Many people won’t buy a house numbered 13. 28% of British streets don’t have a number 13 partly because on average, properties numbered 13 sell for 2% less than 11 and 15, so profit-hungry developers simply avoid it. In New York less than 5% of high-rises have a 13th floor.

3Buy-day the 13th

IT’S not just the house, it’s also the date. Fewer homes are

sold on the 13th day of the month. While Fridays are normally one of the busier days of the week for completions, when Friday the 13th occurs, sales/completions drop by an average of 43%.

4Sainted medals

IN Catholic countries, builders would often bury a pendent of St Joseph or St Benedict in the foundations. The patron saint of carpenters, Joseph is believed to ensure a strong construction. While St Benedict medals was there to ward off evil spirits.

5Buried wealth

IN other cultures, coins were sometimes buried in the foundations or placed under the doorstep to encourage wealth into the home.

6Stair-raising superstition

HOUSEBUILDERS in the Philippines are very careful with the number of stairs, which are counted in threes, ‘oro, plata, mata’, meaning, gold, silver and death. The superstition states the topmost step must not end in mata (death). It’s also unlucky for there to be 13 stairs.

7Thank you ‘TOPPING out’ ceremonies began in Scandinavia where builders would celebrate reaching the top and finishing point of a house by hanging a

bough to thank the forest and tree-dwelling spirits for allowing the use of the wood. The tradition is still observed by trades such as masons, brickies and carpenters, even on buildings like skyscrapers.

8Chinese numbers IN China, 8 is a lucky number and homes with 8 in the number – 8, 18, 28 etc – tend to fetch a higher price. Buyers/ sellers will often include 8 in transactions. 4, 17, 19 and 53 are all considered unlucky, not great news if you were born on the 17/04/1953.

9Long and winding road CHINESE homes often had winding garden paths and curved rooves to confuse spirits,

which presumably can only travel in straight lines.

10That’s the spirit IN parts of Southern Asia, ‘spirit houses’ would be built close to homes to give dead spirits somewhere to live away from the main house: “Mum! Great-great-great-greatgrandma’s walking around the garden again!”.

11

Exit this way

BACK in the Philippines, spirits were thought to hide in low, dark places, so special escape routes were built into basements to allow ghosts leave.

Find more fascinating home facts at www.Armishaws.com/ blog.

Making homes witch-proof was a problem for centuries and solutions included mummified cats and pots of urine placed in the chimney

PHOTO: Barbara Evening/ Pixabay

‘Topping Out’ began in Scandinavia where builders would celebrate reaching the top and finishing point of a house by hanging a bough to thank the forest for allowing the use of the wood

PHOTO: sreitzig/Pixabay

Our

Our

Picture: Rahul Chakraborty

Classic films for all ages are featured in this year’s outdoor cinema screenings to launch the annual Purbeck Film Festival.

Locations for films in the coming weeks include Corfe Castle, a hotel – and a secret garden.

From romance and action thriller, to dinosaurs and dragons, films being shown this summer will appeal to children, parents and grandparents, in magical settings across Purbeck. Residents and visitors are

invited to special evenings, including over the August Bank Holiday, watching some of the best loved films ever made.

The festival’s main fortnight of films will take place in October, but the ever popular outdoor screenings are on every Saturday throughout August, plus a special screening on Saturday 2 September at Careys Secret Garden, Wareham.

SUMMER NIGHTS of OUTDOOR CINEMA

Bring a picnic and experience the magic of the silver screen under the stars at one of our stunning venues

Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club

Saturday 5th August 2023

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (12A)

Knoll House Hotel, Studland

Saturday 12th August 2023

ROMEO + JULIET (12A)

Durlston Country Park

Saturday 19th August 2023

JURASSIC PARK (PG)

PURBECK FILM FESTIVAL

FramesByBen@gmail.com

All tickets can be booked at purbeckfilm.com

National Trust Corfe Castle

Friday 25th August 2023

THE SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE (PG)

Saturday 26th August 2023

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (12A)

Careys Secret Garden

Saturday 2nd September 2023

FILM IS STILL A SECRET, please visit our website to find out!

purbeckfilm.com

-

Gates Open 8am

There’s a full timetable of fun for all the family to enjoy at Purbeck Sports Centre this summer!

There are some fantastic activities for the whole family at Purbeck Sports Centre over the Summer Holidays.

We have our usual favourites including football fun, trampolining and gymnastic, tennis camp, dance workshops, archery, nerf gun fun, laser tag and intensive swimming lessons.

The popular Summer in Dorset Holiday Club running Monday to Thursdays, 31 July to 25 August, 8.30am to 4.30pm, the sessions include multi sports activities, fun games, swimming, and lunch is provided by Allstars. Visit our website for further details and to book a place or alternatively give us bell to chat through the programme.

Activities book up fast so booking in advance is highly recommended.

The 25 metre indoor swimming pool is open all day every day with sessions that include lane swimming, wet and wild, family fun, aqua-fit and public sessions, please visit our website for the most up to date swimming pool programme.

The Centre has 3 floodlit artificial surface tennis courts, 5 badminton courts, table tennis table and 2 squash courts, why not book an indoor court on those rainy days to keep the whole family occupied, followed by a swim in our indoor heated swimming, please contact the Centre to book a court.

Purbeck Sports Centre has a state-ofthe-art gym with the most up to date Technogym equipment, along with a free weights area and a functional training zone, there is a requirement for an induction to make use of the gym, once completed the gym is open all day every day.

Discover the magic of music at the Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival

‘Forgotten Voices’ September 7th to 10th, incredible performances and a celebration of hidden musical treasures.

Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival is a unique and much-loved annual event in beautiful Dorset and the Isle of Purbeck. Featuring internationally renowned musicians and artists. The festival takes place every year at the end of summer in nine historic locations, set in intimate venues like the Lulworth Castle Chapel, The Victorian Hall in the Dorset Museum, and ancient churches in quaint villages around Dorset and Purbeck.

Since its start in 2009, this festival has grown into a must-attend event, attracting international stars and a passionate audience.

And it’s not just about the performances,

we also have a mission to nurture young talents, with specially planned events for young musicians and concerts for families and children. We believe in reaching out to the broader community and spreading the joy of music.

Experience the magic of Nurit Stark and Marc Danel as they perform a captivating mix of Hungarian and English folk songs in collaboration with the Swanage Folk Festival, and it’s perfect for families and audiences of all ages. FREE, Saturday 9th September, 10:00am, Sandpit Field, Swanage.

The festival runs from 7-10 September. Tickets from £10. Free entry to 25-year-old and under. Thanks to the CAVATINA ticket scheme. Tickets and programme information at www.picmf.org

PICMF

7–10 September 2023

Forgotten Voices

Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival

Natalie Clein artistic director

A unique mix of world class live music making and other performers. Extraordinary musicians play classical masterpieces and rarely performed jewels with live painting during selected concerts.

Come and enjoy 11 exhilarating concerts over 4 days in beautiful and intimate venues across Dorset. Including Worth Matravers, Wareham, Studland, Lulworth and the Dorset Museum in Dorchester.

Image © Composer Henriette Bosman by Katharina Ziemke

Treat for model railway fans

A MODEL railway exhibition will steam back into Purbeck this weekend.

The event is at Harman’s Croft village hall, in Haycraft’s Lane, Swanage, on Saturday and Sunday, August 12 and 13.

Rail fans will be able to enjoy up to 15 layouts, ranging from the smallest imaginable size, N gauge, to G scale.

It will be open to visitors from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm the following day.

Show organiser Dakota Dibben said: “I’m expecting this to be a popular event, bringing with it a great chance for people to enjoy nostalgia in miniature.

“It also offers the chance to learn more about a potential new pastime or simply appreciate the care taken to create a model railway.”

Layouts on display include Feldspar, an N-gauge layout set in a coffee table, based on a small market town somewhere in the middle of England, and Wickhambreux Rd, which depicts a station on the Canterbury Light Railway just before the Second World War.

“There has been a real upsurge of interest in model railways during the past few years thanks to people having more free time during the pandemic lockdowns,” Dakota added.

Choir touring rural churches

CHORAL evensong in country churches is promised when the Laudemus Choir visit Dorset.

The choir, led by former King’s Singer, choral director and composer Jeremy Jackman, will serve up a wide-ranging and different repertoire over a week of services.

The choir, which originated at the Wimborne Arts Festival in 1991 and has returned each year, operates as an annual summer course, singers coming from all over the UK and some from overseas.

It will visit churches in Bere Regis (August 15), Milton Abbey (August 16), Cerne Abbas (August 17), Shapwick (August 18) and the Minster in Wimborne (August 19), all at 6pm.

The choir is accompanied by Dorset-born organist Sam Hanson, who pursues a busy freelance career as conductor, accompanist and composer in Dorset and London.

In 2020 he was appointed assistant chorus director and accompanist to Bournemouth Symphony Chorus.

The changing high street

SHOPKEEPERS and traders past and present are the subject of an exhibition at the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne.

Tinker, Tailor, Cappuccino Maker showcases historical photographs and portraits from the museum’s collection, alongside newly commissioned images of current day traders.

Visitors can reflect on how society, lifestyles and the nature of the ‘high-street’ have changed over time.

The exhibition runs until October 7.

“That has been helped no end by high profile TV programmes like Hornby: A

Model World which recently aired its second series on the Yesterday TV channel.”

Romance set in war years

A WARTIME romance by a Dorchester writer has been published.

Stronghold of Happiness by Devina Symes from Lower Came charts the traumatic challenges faced by a family during the Second World War.

It is inspired by her father, Leslie, who served in the RAF.

Interwoven within this dramatic and compelling love story, set in southern England in the war, is a captivating insight into the lives of all the characters involved, revealing their fortitude, wisdom and humour, along with a unique perspective of life during that period.

It is a celebration of love, family and friendship.

“I have weaved a story around some key facts from the Second World War,”

Author Devina Symes

said Devina, who has written books on a number of subjects, including Corfe Castle and squirrels.

n Stronghold of Happiness by Devina Symes is published by Tim Saunders Publications and is available online and in all good bookshops.

A model railway exhibition is taking place at Harman’s Croft

‘Ugly Sisters’ returning for Aladdin

THE ‘Ugly Sisters’ who delighted audiences at last year’s Lighthouse Poole production of Cinderella are returning for this year’s panto offering.

Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji, who played Nadine and Doris in Cinderella, won Best Sisters at the annual Pantomime Awards.

Andrew will play the villain and Alim the Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin, written and directed by CBeebies star Chris Jarvis, who is Widow Twankey.

Andrew said: “I’m thrilled to come back to the Lighthouse –and to be working with Chris again.

“It’s also a special thrill to come back with my good friend, Alim, as we had such a good time as Sisters last year – then winning the award for Best Sisters at the Great British Panto Awards, which was the icing on the cake!

“There’s a lovely family atmosphere at Lighthouse and the audiences were fantastic, so I’m very happy to be spending Christmas by the sea in Poole

once more!”

Alim added: “I am just so excited to have been asked back to Poole. Last year, the audiences welcomed Andrew and I with the widest of arms and it truly felt like home.

“Along with our stellar team, and Chris’s exceptional writing, I’m looking forward to bringing some genie magic to Lighthouse!”

Chris Jarvis said: “I’m incredibly thrilled that both Andrew and Alim are returning to Lighthouse for panto this coming Christmas.

“As well as being an absolute joy to work with, they brought so much talent to Dorset last year with their hysterical portrayal of the ugly sisters.

“I can’t wait to see them in action again in totally different roles as the great villain Professor Pocus and Genie of the Lamp.”

Aladdin will feature all its traditional ingredients including genies, a lamp, a laundry scene, masses of magic, plenty of wishes and, of course, a magic carpet.

Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain said: “We are thrilled that Andrew and Alim will return to Lighthouse this year.

“They gave such memorable performances as the ugly sisters in Cinderella and we know that they will delight and entertain our audiences in Aladdin.”

Aladdin is at Lighthouse Poole from Thursday, December 7, to Sunday, December 31.

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

Music and food by harbour’s shores

FABULOUS flavours and tasty tunes are promised at the Upton House Food and Music Festival this weekend.

The family friendly event in the country house’s beautiful grounds by the shores of Poole Harbour will run from Friday, August 11, to Sunday, August 13.

Festival organiser Serena Wren said: “Last year’s festival was really well received and we’re determined to make it even better this year, so there’s more music, kids’ entertainment every day, even more great food and with school holidays in full swing we’ve kept the prices down – I don’t think there's a better value festival out there.

“People really embraced the fusion of a

family festival that caters for foodies and music lovers alike. This year we’re offering even more from the region’s wonderful food and drink producers, while beefing up our music line up.”

Adult ticket prices start from just £3, children from £1.50 and families from £8.

The music line-up features the cream of Dorset’s home grown local artists with the perennially popular party starters Mother Ukers, ska stars Rat Race and the hard rock juggernaut that is Saints of Sin joining top UK tributes to Oasis, Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Stereophonics and Bon Jovi.

Foodies will be able to sample flavours and treats from around the world including

traditional Asian cuisine with a western twist from The Bao Beast, Afghan street food from 2 Lads Kitchen, the sensational GREEKery and more.

The site opens from 3pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday when entry is split into two sessions – day sessions run from 11am to 4.30pm on Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, with evenings from 5pm-10pm on Saturday and 4.30pm8pm on Sunday. Those who want to stay all day should book both sessions.

Pre-paid on-site parking is available and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

For bookings and more details visit www. uptonhousefoodand musicfestival.com.

Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji, who played Nadine and Doris in Cinderella at Lighthouse Poole last year, are the villain and Alim the Genie of the Lamp in Aladdin

Bestival is a blast!

THE big names delivered when the family friendly Camp Bestival, staged over four days at Lulworth Castle, celebrated its 15th birthday.

The iconic Grace Jones performed back-to-back hits in a headline set which included six outfit changes, while Craig David provided a memorable TS5 set for the closing party.

Vocal powerhouse Sam Ryder thrilled crowds with hits including Space Man while dressed in a bejewelled space-themed jumpsuit, and Confidence Man, one of the hottest acts of the last year, brought their feelgood party anthems to Dorset.

Pop icons Melanie C and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and indie favourites The Kooks, helped make it an event to remember,

as did East 17, who wowed the audience with a festive set complete with their 1994 Christmas number 1 Stay Another Day.

One of the highlights of the weekend was DJ Gok Wan’s spectacular entrance scattering rose petal confetti from a giant light-up heart more than 50ft in the air.

Younger visitors enjoyed entertainment from family favourites Dick & Dom, Cosmic Kids Yoga, Junior Jungle, Bluey and Mr Tumble.

And Cirque Bijou delighted crowds each night with entertaining performances of their new All You Need is Love Show.

The festival had an Animal Snap theme in which costumed revellers dressed as their

favourite species met up – and tying in with the animal theme the event partnered with the World Wildlife Fund.

Those looking for family downtime enjoyed the Slow Motion wellness area with everything from ice baths and

meditation to yoga sessions and sleep retreats.

n Early Bird Weekend Camping tickets for Camp Bestival Dorset 2024 went on sale on Friday at this year’s prices –visit www.campbestival.net/ tickets

The crowds turned out in force at the Camp Bestival festival at Lulworth Castle, where youngsters had lots to do (top) Among the big name performers were The Kooks (above) and Dick & Dom, Mel C and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (below)

Spotlight Diary

in association with: Karl’s Kabs – 07751 769833

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for August 21 is NOON on August 18. Call on 01963 400186 or email adverts@blackmorevale.net

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

AUGUST 2023

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

MONDAY

18:30 - 19:30

ADULT MODERN LINE DANCE at St Edwards Church Hall, Swanage

Starts 4th Sept – to reserve yourself a place contact Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D Tel; 07518 056149

purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

19:30 - WAREHAM CHORAL SOCIETY. Lady St.Mary Church, Wm. Till 9.30. New singers always welcome. 01202 632678.

warehamchoral@gmail.com

19:45 - 20:45

ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN

AMERICAN DANCE at St Edwards

Church Hall, Swanage Starts 4th Sept

– to reserve yourself a place contact Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D

TEL; 07518 056149

purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

14:30 - YOUNGER4LONGER

CHAIR-BASED EXERCISE in Wm United Reformed Church, Church St. with daisy chain fitness, 01929558139

SATURDAY

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

10am-4pm WAREHAM CAMERA CLUB Print Exhibition Saturday 10 am – 4 pm Wareham Free Admission

10:30 - 11:30

ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN

AMERICAN DANCE

Church Hall, Swanage

– to reserve yourself a place contact Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D

TEL; 07518 056149

purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

10:30 - 11:30 ADULT BEGINNERS LATIN

AMERICAN & BALLROOM LINE

DANCE at St Edwards Church Hall, Swanage. Starts 4th Sept – to reserve yourself a place contact Donna Diebelius F.I.S.T.D Tel; 07518 056149

purbeckdancestudio@gmail.com

The Rum Life are back on track after a nearly catastrophic accident last month

Founded in 2014 by friends Olly Smith and Phil Aller, The Rum Life began as a clothing brand that sought to “Be the Fun”, regularly hosting BMX and skateboarding events at local pubs, visiting festivals and enjoying spreading the Rum Life message.

‘We always wanted to throw parties and build bars. Phil built the original Bar-Bados in his garden, and we built a bar next door to our private skate ramp in Stapehill’ said Olly, age 39, ‘so it was a natural progression to try and take that positivity out to more people.’

Eight years later, Olly and his partner, Emily Brake, handed in their notices in order to take The Rum Life on tour full-time. The couple served their menu of rum cocktails and award-winning coffee out of their handcrafted trailer-bar at functions and festivals. With their first event in April 2023, The Rum Life catered for weddings all over Dorset.

‘We loved every minute. The bar was a real labour of love, and we all put so much effort into getting it just right,’ said Emily, age 34, ‘which is why what happened hurt so much.’

Just as the pair had embarked on their new chapter together, on the 30th June the bar’s serving hatch was opened by a stray tree branch, which tore the trailer to pieces, en route to a Crossfire BBQ gig in Wimborne. Though nobody was injured, the mobile coffee & cocktail bar was destroyed.

‘All our friends left their Friday pints at the pub and became our emergency clear-up team. They are our heroes.’ the couple said.

The journey home was a bleak one, and looking at the empty unit where the couple’s livelihood should have been parked was crushing. Emily and Olly cancelled their summer gigs, and then set their imaginations to work on how they could return from such a major setback.

‘We were overwhelmed by the support that we got from our friends and family,’ Olly said, referring to the GoFundMe page set up by a friend, and which exceeded its £5,000 target within 24 hours. ‘We know that the only way back is to adapt, so that’s what we’ve done.’

The couple have moved to the Purbecks for the summer, building a new bar inside a large marquee provided by Neal at Camelot Marquees, and are now hosting a pop up market with artisan produce. Selling local beers, ciders and ice creams, showcasing the great produce that Dorset has to offer. The Rum Life is now part of a wider initiative begun by Henry Bond in 2020. Pop-up on the Hill was created when people needed outdoor, communal spaces during the Pandemic. A favourite stop-off spot for campers and walkers along the South West Coast Path, the pair stress how important the community is to their enterprise. A short walk from Steeple Leaze farm campsite and a great coastal walk to Kimmeridge Bay.

‘Being a part of the community is everything to us,’ says Emily, ‘and though we’re only tiny at the moment, we still want to give back as much as we can by promoting such wonderful, local companies.’ Inviting local restaurants, portable food trucks and bakeries to showcase their delicacies as guest spots on the Hill.

The Rum Life continues to serve the thirsty Dorset crowd this summer, and open from 10am8pm, Thursday to Sunday Be sure to check out their Instagram for updates on food and events

Advertisement feature