Purbeck Gazette 294

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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

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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.

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n Dorset Gliding Club, based near Wareham, has held its mid-summer fly-in and barbecue. Page 11

n Sandy Hill Arts, based at Corfe Castle, has won a lottery grant to run a new grassroots music project. Page 8

20s glamour at Nightingale Ball

THE schoolhouse at Canford School, near Wimborne, provided the glamorous setting for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s 1920s-inspired fundraising Nightingale Ball.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés in ‘The Aviary’, with birdsong playing through the trees, before taking their seats in the Great Hall, where they enjoyed creative dining provided by local caterers Molecular Magic.

A musical rendition of A Nightingale Sings in Berkeley Square was performed while celebrating the work of LewisManning’s clinical team in a candlelight parade.

The evening finished with dancing to the musicians from The UnSwung Heroes.

Hospice patron and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Felicity Irwin compered.

Guests and supporters took part in a silent and live auction, which featured an impressive selection of prizes, including Wimbledon tickets, lunch at the House of Lords, a week in a luxury chalet in the French Alps and a wing-walking experience.

Chief executive Clare Gallie said: “It was a fantastic evening. A wonderful group of guests and

supporters of the hospice came together and helped raise an outstanding amount to support the vital work our modern-day Nightingale nurses do.

“A huge thank you to our dining sponsor Lester Aldridge and to our staff, volunteers, guests and local businesses who helped to create such a

Insect insight walks

FAMILIES can learn more about the fascinating world of insects on short sensory walks around Brownsea Island.

The National Trust is running free, interactive ‘dynamic decomposers’ walks throughout August, which celebrate the minibeasts who recycle and clean up the planet.

Participants can enjoy minibeast games, see what it is like to look through the eyes of a ladybird, try to react as fast as a fly and find out how insects smell.

The walks run each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout August at 11.15am

and 2.15pm – lasting about an hour and booking is not required. Visitors can also make their own clay minibeast to take home at a weird and wild clay workshop.

The workshops run every Monday and Saturday throughout August in the National Trust visitor centre from 11am to 3pm. Booking is not required.

Visitor experience officer Dawn Clarke said: “The insect world is truly remarkable –there are so many fascinating facts on our sensory trail, you can even sniff the scents given off by different insects.”

memorable evening. A special thank you to Troika Developments for its generous donation and support.”

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

provide vital care to our patients and their families across East Dorset and Purbeck.”

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Mar '23

Solar & Tidal

Patron Felicity Irwin said: “I have been overwhelmed by the amazing support and generosity of all those involved – the evening was a wonderful celebration of our nurses who

- May '23

Other events planned for later this year include An Evening with Kate Adie on September 26, Ferndown Charity Golf Day on October 17 and An Evening with Jeff Mostyn on November 1.

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Jan '23

Solar and Tidal Predictions - Feb'23

Solar & Tidal Predictions July 2023

Peveril Ledge, Swanage

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Aug '23

Peveril Ledge, Swanage

Guests dressed in 1920s style at Lewis-Manning’s fundraiser

Ticket offices: What proposals could mean to rail travellers...

MOST ticket windows at train stations in Dorset are to close under plans revealed by rail operators.

A consultation closes on Wednesday (July 26) over proposals for all stations in the area run by South Western Railway.

The train company says the plans, which would see staff taken out of ticket offices and instead work on platforms and concourses, would bring workers ‘closer to customers in other locations at the station to support and assist with ticket purchases’.

However, the plans have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), said: “The ways our customers buy tickets has changed and it’s time for the railway to change with them.”

The closures would be implemented over the next three years, if approved by the Government.

South Western Railway, which oversees stations including Poole, said: “South Western Railway is proposing changes to the way it sells tickets and provides customer service at its stations.

“This proposal forms part of plans to modernise the railway and bring it more in line with modern consumer expectations. It reflects significantly reduced usage of ticket offices over the past decade as customers move to alternative, more convenient ways of buying tickets.

“It is proposed that ticket office windows at all our stations will close, with staff moving to other station areas, where they are better placed to help customers buy tickets, provide expert travel advice,

information and assistance for customers.

“Customers will still be able to access the same products and services as they do today through South Western Railway’s website, our mobile app, contactless payment, pay as you go, and at our customer contact centre, or at the station.

“We will continue to meet all our commitments on providing accessibility for passengers, including passengers with reduced mobility and people requiring in-person assistance.”

Some stations will keep ticket offices – although numbers are set to be reduced – with most losing all ticket windows completely.

South Western Railway has assigned each station a category, from 1 to 4, and at category 1 stations the company says multiple staff will be available to help customers ‘every day of the week’.

“The locations of category 1 stations ensure that our customers are never too far from a location where a ticket can be purchased from interim additional retailing facilities, while the industry fully transitions to digital ticketing,”

it said.

Around 80% of customer journeys are through a category 1 station, the company added. Category 1 stations include:

n Poole: Current ticket office times: Sunday, 9am-7pm; Mon-Fri, 5.55am-7pm; Saturday, 9am-7pm.

Proposed staffing times: Sunday, 6am-2am; Mon-Wed, 4.50am-2am; Thu-Fr, 4.50am2.15am; Saturday, 4.50am2.30am.

n Weymouth: Current ticket office times: Sunday, 8.40am – 6pm; Mon-Fri, 5.45am –6.05pm; Saturday, 6.10am –6.05pm.

Proposed staffing times: Mon-Sat, 5am – 12.30am; Sunday, 6am-12.45am.

n Wareham: Current ticket office times: Sunday, 10am2pm; Mon-Fri, 6.10am-6.30pm; Saturday, 7.15am-1.50pm.

Proposed staffing times: Every day, 6am-7pm.

Category 3 stations, meanwhile, will have ‘at least one colleague available at set times’.

“Most journeys from these stations are already made using tickets purchased through digital channels or via ticket

vending machines,” the firm said.

“The colleague at a category 3 station will be multi-skilled and able to support customers to buy tickets using digital channels and ticket vending machines, plan their journeys, answer any queries and more.

“South Western Railway will have colleagues available at alternate stations on Mondays to Saturdays or Tuesdays to Sundays to ensure customers are never too far from a station with retail support.

“At these stations, customers will be able to buy standard walk up tickets, monthly and weekly season tickets, and Railcards.”

Category 3 stations, with proposed changes, include:

n Wool: Current ticket office times: Mon-Fri, 6am-11am; Saturday, 9am-1pm; Sunday, Unstaffed.

Proposed staffing times: Mon-Thu, 6am-10am; Friday, Unstaffed; Saturday, Unstaffed; Sunday, 9am-1pm.

n Dorchester South: Current ticket office times: Sunday, 8.45am-4pm; Mon-Fri, 5.50am-6.15pm; Saturday, 6.45am-5pm.

Proposed staffing times: Sunday, Unstaffed; Mon-Fri, 6am-12.45pm; Saturday: 6am-12.45pm.

For stations in these areas, responses to the consultation are being managed by Transport Focus.

It can be contacted at TicketOffice.GWR@ transportfocus.org.uk or by freepost at RTEH-XAGEBYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend-on-Sea SS1 9PZ.

For full details on how to respond, log on to www. transportfocus.org.uk.

The train station at Wareham is one of those affected by proposed ticket office closures PHOTO: Google

Avian flu kills hundreds of island’s birds

PART of Brownsea Island has been closed to the public after an outbreak of avian flu killed hundreds of birds.

The area, managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust, has been shut in a bid to investigate the outbreak and to prevent further spread.

The trust confirmed about 600 birds had died and that tests by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had confirmed avian flu.

“It is with great sadness that we have now received the results of the tests from Defra which have confirmed that it is indeed avian flu,” a trust spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, the outbreak occurred at the height of the breeding season when hundreds of Sandwich terns, common terns and black headed gulls come to Poole Harbour and nest on the islands in the Brownsea lagoon.

“For this reason, the majority of the 600 dead birds found

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were chicks which will potentially have a serious impact on future bird populations.”

The area, including the lagoon and surrounding reedbeds and woodlands, will be closed ‘for the foreseeable future’, they added.

“The closure is to enable the Brownsea team to monitor and manage this very difficult and distressing situation and to reduce any risk of spreading the disease,” they said.

“The rest of Brownsea Island is still open to the public and all visitor events are taking place with ferries running from Poole Quay as normal.

“A limited pre-bookable boat service is also available from Sandbanks jetty. We are very sorry for any disappointment and inconvenience that the closure has caused and will provide further updates as soon as we can.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The outbreak occurred at the height of the breeding season, so most of the dead birds found were chicks PHOTO: Dorset AONB

Hospital’s new unit to care for frail elderly

A NEW centre of excellence for the care of elderly people has opened at Dorset County Hospital.

The new Mary Anning Unit was formed after the merger of two wards – Barnes Ward and Day Lewis Ward – at the Dorchester hospital.

Teams chose the name in recognition of the pioneering achievements of celebrated local palaeontologist Mary Anning.

It is only the second unit at Dorset County Hospital to be named after a local woman. Hospital chiefs said the new

specialist unit will meet the complex care needs of frail older people in an environment that promotes multiprofessional support and training.

Sonia Gamblen, divisional head of nursing and quality, said: “In England there are 295 older people per 1,000, whereas in Dorset this figure is 527.

“The population of those aged over 75 is projected to grow by 28% over the next 10 years in Dorset.

“We need to embrace the needs of our older population and create a centre of caring and

Tributes to teen after airport crash tragedy

THE family of a teenager tragically killed in a crash in Christchurch have paid tribute to ‘the best son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend’.

Billy Lardner, pictured, sadly died after a crash on Parley Lane, near Bournemouth Airport, after a crash at around 9.30pm on Friday, June 30.

The 16-year-old’s family has now paid tribute to the teen.

“Billy has left a hole in our heart that we will never fill, 16 years of fun, laughter and unforgettable memories,” they said.

“The best son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, bar none.”

Dorset Police officers are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of the collision.

An 18-year-old man from Wales who was arrested on suspicion of driving offences

and a 39-year-old woman from Ferndown who was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following the collision remain on police bail.

A 25-year-old Poole man who was arrested in connection with the incident and subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without valid insurance appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 3) and is next due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, August 3.

competence excellence involving our health and social care partners.

“To meet the growing complex needs of older people, the acute hospital ward needs to develop an environment that attracts the very best of skilled staff and provides a place to study, train and create a high performing centre of excellence

for frailty.

“Our aim is to recruit, train and retain a multi-professional workforce supporting the whole hospital’s understanding, knowledge and skills around frailty care.

“We want to be able to offer our older patients the best possible care in an environment that suits their specific needs.”

over alleged pub dog bite

A MAN has been interviewed by police after a seven-year-old boy was allegedly bitten by a dog in a Swanage pub garden.

The incident happened in the garden of The Crows Nest Inn, in Ulwell Road, at around 5.10pm on Tuesday, May 2.

Police issued a CCTV image of a couple they were keen to speak to in relation to the

incident, which left a sevenyear-old boy with head injuries requiring hospital treatment.

Now, Dorset Police has confirmed a man in his 60s from Cumbria has attended for a voluntary interview and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

“No arrests have been made,” a spokesperson added.

The Mary Anning Unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester is only the second unit at the hospital to be named after a woman

The alleged incident occurred at The Crows Nest Inn Man interviewed

Advice bus is hitting the road...

CITIZENS Advice in East

Dorset & Purbeck has launched its new advice bus – which will provide vulnerable residents with access to free advice and support – in Wimborne.

Stakeholders, local councillors, funders and businesses were at the event at Allendale House and heard about the service and challenges faced when reaching residents unable to access existing services. They were also invited for a look around the bus.

Helen Goldsack, chief officer, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck, said: “We

are very pleased to be able to provide a much-needed service to the local community.

“The bus enables us to reach residents who cannot access services due to rural isolation, restricted mobility, cost of fuel or limited access to public transport.

“Advice is free and there is no need to book an appointment.”

She added that Citizens Advice is an independent charity and relies on grants and donations to provide its service.

Helen said: “We would love to hear from individuals and

The Village Inn Ulwell

organisations who may be interested in supporting our advice bus. Please email katrina. ford@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk for more information.”

Among those who attended the launch event were mayor of Wimborne Minster Cllr Diann March; local councillors representing Wareham, Verwood, Ferndown and Wimborne; and funders including Wessex Water and local businesses including MJP Law, Dibbens Solicitors and Harold G Walker Solicitors.

Representatives also attended from other supporting organisations including Dorset Council, Wimborne & Ferndown Lions, Purbeck Youth

& Community Foundation, Dorset National Trust, Wimborne Food Supply and MCraft Camper Creations, which converted the bus.

The advice bus will stop weekly at Colehill, Verwood, West Moors, Corfe Mullen, Wool, Bovington and Swanage – for the full timetable visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/ get-advice/advice-bus

Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck can offer free advice and support on issues including debt, benefits, energy, employment and housing.

To speak to an adviser, phone the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 or visit www. edpcitizensadvice.org.uk

From 9.30a.m - 11.30a.m

CAB’s launch event was held at Allendale House in Wimborne

Arts group’s grant boost

THE lottery has come up for a Corfe Castle-based arts organisation to run a new grassroots music project.

Sandy Hill Arts has been awarded £28,129 by the Arts Council England National Lottery Fund which will support a range of musical events and projects, the purchase of a large marquee and PA system, and extend its programme throughout the year.

Laurel Hart, artistic director at Sandy Hill Arts, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for its support for our Grassroots Music Project.

“We have begun to generate a real musical presence in Purbeck.

“With this funding we want to build on that by strengthening our ability to offer the local community access to new kinds of music they might not otherwise experience and, importantly, appeal to younger audiences and those with additional accessibility needs.

“We will also be offering a platform for rising talent in the region to showcase their music throughout the year.

“This kind of support helps us develop into a go-to venue for different kinds of music, drawing talent from far and wide, while also supporting up-and-coming local musicians.”

She added: “We are also

delighted to be delivering local projects including AllSort’d, the Dementia Choir, Safe Space and Jazz Masterclass that engage and benefit our local communities.”

Sandy Hill Arts runs a diverse range of programming including live music, performing arts, exhibitions, workshops and outreach initiatives.

John Hegley performs a comedy and poetry night (above) and (left) the Boilerhouse Gallery at Sandy Hill Arts’ site in Corfe Castle

Premier Inn confirms town hotel

PREMIER Inn is to open a 100-bed hotel in Dorchester.

The chain has announced the purchase of the former Marks & Spencer premises in South Street and said it plans to submit a detailed proposal for the site later in the year.

M&S closed in 2020, with Dorchester a town long targeted by Premier Inn for development. Now, the former store site has been sold to the hotel chain’s parent company, Whitbread.

Louise Woodruff, property acquisitions manager at Whitbread, said: “We are delighted to have purchased the former Marks & Spencer site on South Street and want to deliver a new hotel of around 100 beds, revitalising this key town centre site.

“Following some early engagement with Dorchester Town Council and other key stakeholders, we’ll spend the

summer working on our plans before holding a public consultation in the early autumn, before submitting our plans to Dorset Council.

“We believe that a new hotel

in Dorchester will strengthen the town’s brilliant tourism offer, regenerate a near-derelict site, offer more choice to visitors and bring jobs and investment to the local area.”

She said there would be a public consultation on plans for the site in the autumn, before a full planning application is submitted to Dorset Council.

The former Mark & Spencer store in Dorchester has been purchased by Premier Inn

Police warning after rogue trader incidents

PEOPLE considering using traders who call door-to-door for business are being urged to check them out before employing their services.

Dorset Police has issued advice as it investigates three rogue trader incidents in Christchurch and Poole.

Two of the incidents occurred in Christchurch on the morning of Wednesday, June 21.

It is reported that a man attended properties in the town offering window and gutter cleaning services.

On both occasions he started the work but then claimed a roof tile was damaged and needed repairing.

A similar incident was

reported to have occurred on Thursday, July 6, in Poole, where the victim agreed for work to be carried out on the gutters at an address, before being told a roof tile was broken.

PC Sian Maynard, of Dorset Police, said: “We believe these incidents are linked and the man involved is suspected of purposefully damaging a roof tile in order to ask for a large sum of money to carry out repairs.

“I would like to take this opportunity to warn the public about door-to-door scams involving people selling goods or services that are either not delivered or are very poor

quality.

“If someone knocks at your front door claiming to be from a company, first check their ID. If you’re not happy, don’t let them in. Never call the phone number on their ID card to check them out. Ask the salesperson to wait outside, shut the door and find the company number on the internet. If they’re genuine, they’ll understand.

“I would urge anyone with concerns about vulnerable neighbours or relatives who are potentially being targeted by rogue traders in this manner to please contact us.

“We would always advise against accepting work from

doorstep traders. If you think a job needs doing, we would suggest getting multiple quotes from reputable traders and take time to think it over.”

A list of trading standards approved traders can be found on the Buy with Confidence website at www. buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

Anyone with information about rogue traders – and the incidents in Poole and Christchurch – should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset. police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55230096087. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sharon’s Tops class for 20 years

SENIOR nursery manager at Tops Wimborne and Tops Charminster, Sharon White, has been recognised for 20 years’ service.

Sharon started with the company as senior practitioner at Wimborne in June 2003.

She said: “I have seen a lot of changes over the last 20 years, two re-brandings, more nurseries added and how we successfully continue to grow.

“It is lovely that it feels like a family and some of our staff have worked for the company for a long time as well as new staff.

“I loved seeing us adapt to all the different changes that have happened within the sector over the last 20 years and how this has moulded and shaped us as a company.

“I am looking forward to the future to see how we continue

to adapt and change.”

Tops regional manager Vicki Sedgwick said: “I would like to congratulate Sharon on her 20 years’ service – what an achievement!

“Sharon has worked in many roles and across a number of nurseries over the last 20 years.

“She has seen many changes with Tops and has worked hard to be where she is today as a senior nursery manager.

“Sharon always goes out of her way to help and support others and offer advice and guidance as needed.

Congratulations on being with the company 20 years Sharon!.”

To commemorate the milestone, sales, marketing and recruitment director Harriet Pacey paid Sharon a visit to award her with a certificate, new badge and voucher.

A man called to clean windows and gutters then claimed a roof tile was broken in three incidents in Christchurch and Poole

Sharon White (right) receives her long service award from Tops sales, marketing and recruitment director, Harriet Pacey

Firefighters tackle nature reserve blaze

FIRE crews from across Dorset were called to a big fire on Studland Heath.

The incident, in the Ferry Road area, saw fire crews from Swanage, Poole, Wareham, Hamworthy, Bere Regis, Ferndown, Redhill Park and Verwood among those sent to the scene.

A Swanage Fire Station spokesperson said: “On arrival we were faced with a large fire some distance away from the road.

“An assistance message was sent back asking for four Land Rovers, one Unimog and a water carrier.

“The fire was difficult to extinguish due to lack of water

nearby, poor access to the fire and a strong wind. A bit later two more off-road appliances were requested to help with damping down.”

The incident happened on Wednesday, July 12, and was reported at about 10.55am.

Crews from Swanage returned to the station at 4.30pm, with other crews taking over to damp down the area to prevent further fire.

The area, officially known as the Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve, is managed by the National Trust and is a site of special scientific interest, due to it being an important example of lowland heath.

STUNNING sights and tasty treats were enjoyed at Dorset Gliding Club’s (DGC) midsummer fly-in and barbecue.

The event at the club’s base near Wareham, saw members and visitors enjoy a range of activities before a barbecue.

“On a hot and sunny day, 15 aircraft flew in from around the UK, with all aircraft available to view in the static park during the day,” a club spokesperson said.

“Activities during the day included introductory flights giving newcomers the experience of silent flight over the Jurassic countryside, instructional flights for club members and solo flying for qualified pilots.

“The day was completed by a deservedly popular barbecue at the club house, with all meat supplied from Jurassic Coast Meats in Winfrith Newburgh, and hand-made souvenir fridge magnets from Achievements UK, a local artisan craftsman.”

Fly-in pilots departed from mid-afternoon to return to their home fields, with all commenting on how successful the day had been and committing to return, they said.

Meanwhile, club members and visitors continued to enjoy the barbecue and socialising

Glider pilots fly in for club event

until late in the evening.

“Next year’s event is already in preparation, with plans to include flight and aerobatic displays,” the spokesperson added. “DGC is a vibrant, active club with a thriving Junior section, open to everyone interested in gliding, with all tuition undertaken by nationally qualified instructors. Age is no barrier.”

For more details, including of introductory flights available, log on to www. dorsetglidingclub.co.uk.

Firefighters battled the blaze (above and below) at Studland all day PHOTOS: Swanage Fire Station

Millicent Curtis PHOTOS: Martin Best/Dorset Gliding Club

Alison Cronin (left) and Ellie Ford

Ready, steady – Camp Bestival!

FAMILY fun and super sounds in the stunning setting of Lulworth Castle are on offer with Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle this week.

The four-day event organised by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank is now in its 15th year and has won Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards six times.

The Kooks will headline the main stage on Friday (July 29), supported by Sophie EllisBextor and Ella Henderson.

Other acts on Friday include Scouting for Girls, Elvis-themed Nirvana cover band Elvana, Hot Dub Time Machine and Fearne Cotton.

Grace Jones is headlining on Saturday (July 30) with other acts including include Sam Ryder, Gok Wan with Rob Da Bank, The Bootleg Beatles and The Cuban Brothers.

Craig David Presents TS5

will lead the main stage on (Sunday, July 31) supported by Confidence Man and Jo Whiley's Festival Anthems.

Families of all ages will be catered for by Dick & Dom,

Cosmic Kids

Yoga, Junior Jungle and Mr Tumble, among lots of activities at the event. And thrill seekers will not feel left

out with extreme bike battles, roller discos, mega skate ramps and a Red Devils parachute display.

The festival site opens on Thursday (July 28) morning – to check ticket availability visit the festival website at www.dorset. campbestival.net/

Bestival organisers Rob Da Bank and Josie, and Lulworth Castle, which provides the backdrop for the event

Sunflower trail set to help hospital baby unit

THE Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester is set to benefit from funds raised by a sunflower trail at a local farm.

Hazel Hoskin, from Maiden Castle Farm, whose two sons were treated on the unit when they were babies, has confirmed the event will support the unit for the third year running.

This year 750,000 sunflower seeds have been planted to create two new trails for visitors to enjoy throughout August.

The event will be bigger than ever and will tie in with other sunflower displays in Dorchester.

Matilda Manley from Dorset Town Council said Dorchester would be decorated with sunflower sculptures and that streets in the town will feature temporary, eco-friendly murals by a local artist.

The event aims to be eco-friendly and this year cycling clubs and enthusiasts are being encouraged to cycle to

Maiden Castle Farm.

They can use a good cycle path to get there and plenty of space is available to leave bikes.

Hazel said: “We wanted to support the SCBU as they are really in our hearts after the care, kindness and support they gave us so many years ago.

“This year our sunflower fields will be visible from the road, so we hope even more people will see them and come along to see the amazing display the sunflowers make, explore the trails, have an ice cream and enjoy a picnic, or a snack from

our cafe.”

Baby unit manager Dominic Sheehy said he would like to implement many improvements to the unit if funding was available.

He said: “We want to build on the family experience, handing back the power to mums and babies.

“We’d love to make the space less clinical, improve the lighting, and provide privacy screens and recliners for mums to feed their babies and spend quality time uninterrupted.”

He added: “Two of our family rooms currently share a bathroom – if we could fund an additional en suite, all four family rooms would have dedicated facilities with showers and toilets.

“These changes would make a significant difference to the experience of our patients and their families.”

The donation from the 2021 sunflower trail funded a cerebral function analysis monitor used to monitor new-born babies suspected of having seizures.

The equipment can detect these fits and ensures that babies get the care they need as soon as possible.

Tickets for the 2023 event are held at 2022 prices and are on sale now – see www. facebook.com/ MaidenCastleFarm and www. maidencastlefarm.co.uk for more information.

Hazel Hoskin and son Tom (left) with staff at the Special Care Baby Unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester

EFFORTS to improve access to Brownsea Island continue with the unveiling of a new electric minibus.

The vehicle, dubbed the Squirrel Shuttle, means guided tours are accessible for visitors who are less mobile or with additional needs.

The bus has space onboard for a wheelchair and the vehicle offers a hop-on, hop-off service for those that need a little help exploring, including families with smaller children.

It is the latest initiative from the National Trust team at Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour.

An initiative to make the island more accessible started in 2016, when the Seahorse landing craft was purchased, providing wheelchair users who may not be able to use the regular ferries a chance to visit. Other changes include wheelchair-friendly picnic benches, tracks re-surfaced to make them easier to use by people in wheelchairs or on electric scooters, and a map and guide with detailed information on the accessible offer on the island.

manual wheelchairs and pushchairs can be hired. To find

Kayaking Trips Around Swanage Bay and along the Jurassic Coast.

(Sea Kayak and Personal Performance) Old Harry Rocks Sea Kayak Adventure Kayak and Paddle Board Hire.

PHOTO: National Trust Images/John Millar

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The Squirrel Shuttle bus (above) and the Seahorse boat (below)

GOT A STORY? Then email ed@purbeckgazette.co.uk

Nursery supports food bank

TOPS Wimborne day nursery is set to support the town’s food bank and will visit every month with its preschool children.

The nursery will be collecting a range of nonperishable food items, including canned goods, pasta, rice, and other essentials, to help individuals and families facing difficult times.

It is also encouraging parents, staff and members of the community to help by donating items at Wimborne Food Bank at the Park Community Centre.

Tops Wimborne deputy manager Hannah Stanyon said: “We are proud to team up with the Wimborne Food Bank to address food insecurity in our local area.

“At Tops Wimborne, we strongly believe in supporting our community, and this partnership allows us to extend our commitment beyond early education and childcare.

“By collecting donations and raising awareness about this issue, we hope to make a positive impact and help those who need it most.”

Children from Tops Wimborne day nursery

Dress for mess at art events

FAMILIES and community groups in the Wimborne area are being invited to free artist-led workshops next month, to create artwork to be illuminated at the Glow Badbury event at Badbury Rings in September.

These creative, friendly summer workshops, suitable for children aged seven-plus and adults, are being held in Sturminster Marshall on August 8, Tarrant Keyneston on August 25 and Pamphill on August 29, with two drop-in sessions at the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne on August 26, and The Reef in Colehill on August 27.

Everyone is welcome to join in, either on a day workshop where places can be booked in advance, or at one of the drop-in workshops, where individuals

just turn up on the day.

The lanterns and flags being created form the backdrop for Emerald Ant’s Glow Badbury event, organised with the National Trust on September 29 and 30.

Those going along to the workshops are advised to ‘dress for mess’!

The sessions will be colourful and fun and, being part of the Glow Badbury project, participants will be helping to celebrate the local heritage – natural and historic – by bringing a very special hill fort to life.

To find out more about the Glow Badbury project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, or to book a workshop place, visit emeraldant.com/glow-badbury/ gb-workshops.

Brush up on your art skills at Poole park’s unusual but fun challenge!

POOLE Park is the venue for a fun art event next weekend run by Poole and Dorset Art Society.

Artists of all ages and abilities are invited to produce a painting or drawing in the inspiring setting of the park in one day, between Friday and Sunday (July 28 and 30).

The artwork will then be displayed in an evolving exhibition in the Poole Park Art and Makers Studio in the middle of the park.

Visitors will judge the art and the winners will be chosen in three categories with prizes

awarded on Monday, July 31.

Artists can also offer their work for sale with no commission.

To take part artists should register at the Art and Makers Studio from 10.30am each day before working on their painting or drawing and returning it to the studio.

Entry is £2.50 and £1.50 for children under 16.

All the work produced will be exhibited and visitors can vote for their favourite on Sunday.

Full details are available online at www.pedas.org.uk.

Poole and Dorset Art Society is running a fun event at Poole Park

The Waste Group expands with the aim to recycle 100%

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

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.

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

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 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.

Asylum seekers’ barge arrives off Dorset coast amid groups’ protests

THE Bibby Stockholm barge that will house around 500 asylum seekers off the Dorset coast has moored.

The vessel docked at Portland Port on Tuesday (July 18) and will stay at the site for 18 months, despite opposition from some local and human rights groups, who welcomed the barge with protests.

Many fear the arrival of hundreds of single men will put pressue on NHS services and schools, although Dorset Council has been handed £1.7 million to deal with increased demand.

The Government said use of the barge would cut costs in providing hotel accommodation for asylum seekers and met all safety standards.

The Home Office said barge residents would have passed ‘robust security checks’ and had their fingerprints and identities recorded.

However, among those voicing opposition to the plan was Conservative MP for Dorset South, Richard Drax, who said ‘putting (asylum seekers) on a barge is not the answer’.

Portland Port said providing berthing space for the barge was “the right thing to

do” and that the plan - which will make them profit - would allow Dorset to “play its part in the national effort to house some of the thousands of asylum seekers needing accommodation”.

The full costs of the barge have not been disclosed, with refugee campaign group Reclaim The Sea claiming the Bibby

Stockholm would cost more than hotels. The Home Office said it would “continue to work extremely closely with local councils and key partners to prepare for arrival of asylum seekers later this month and minimise disruption for local residents including through substantial financial support”.

‘No cash policy is nonsense’

WE had a relaxing and rewarding time away, hence no column in the last edition. Our journey took us to visit friends in Cheltenham, Powys and Derby, staying in hotels each night. A little ‘blip’ with the Tiguan forced me to keep the revs and the speed down, but our fuel consumption benefited as a result. Strange how the VW assistance people and the main VW dealer in Derby diagnosed different faults – but after Derby VW offered to hire an identical vehicle for a mere £175 a day(!) we just decided to crack on and see what happened. What happened was nothing – we made it home and nothing went ‘bang’.

The next weekend, we took the Mini up the M1 to Cadwell Park, where it did go ‘bang’ and so our day of high-speed driving around the track became half a day up to our elbows in oily bits under the bonnet replacing a blown alternator and a very greasy drive shaft.

When I was much younger, I always dreamed of blasting up the M1 in a Cooper S and now, aged mid-70s, I’ve realised that dream and also realised just how noisy and uncomfortable a stripped-out Mini can be!

ANYWAY. I digress. I was frankly surprised to come home with most of the cash I went away with as it was ‘card only’ in all the hotels and petrol stations, and most of the restaurants and bars.

This really is the beginning of the end of cash. In one restaurant, I tried to open a tab for drinks, our subsequent meal, sweet and coffee. I had to present my card on four occasions because opening ‘bar tabs’ was not allowed. The young staff were only doing their jobs, And it wasn’t their fault the management had laid down such strict regulations.

These kids seemed genuinely insecure, afraid of the ‘powers

By David Hollister

that be’, who were not actually there, and who probably wouldn’t have given a damn whether we stayed or left. How sad.

The Ibis hotel in Lincoln has a charming way of greeting its customers – notices plastered all over the car park ordering us to log our car registration numbers within FIVE MINUTES of arrival or face a £50 fine if we didn’t manage to unload the car in time.

This isn’t hospitality, it’s downright hostility – Ibis has sold the car park to an outside contractor. To whom this attitude might have appeared more reasonable than it did to us. Ten or 15 minutes to unload suitcases, passengers and so on would be reasonable. Five minutes isn’t. So we won’t be going back – not that it cares.

At least I wasn’t thrown out of any restaurants or bars for not having a card, as I was when I visited a chip shop in Swanage. No names, no dates but we won’t be going back there again either.

I went to B&Q last weekend in Poole and was again obliged to run my meagre purchases through a hand scanner and then struggle to pay by card while several ‘assistants’ stood by watching an old man struggle. And staring resolutely at their iPhones. At least they don’t do that in Nixons at Swanage !

We need to find a way to stop this ‘no cash’ nonsense. This isn’t a government thing, it’s senior management of many national firms just flexing their muscles for the sake of it. Trying to demonstrate the power they have over their staff and their impotent customers. But are we really impotent?

How about we all carry a card simply stating ‘No bank account – we will be paying in cash, which is still legal tender.’ Let’s see how they like it. Or are they really so arrogant that they believe they can run their

businesses and keep their customer base.

Just don’t take it out on the staff – they don’t want to be there either and have got up to earn a crust to support their families. Would you work anti-social hours for minimum wage, which has gone up this year by 11% in the face of a similar rate of inflation? The ‘staff wanted’ notices all over Purbeck seem to suggest that fewer and fewer people are prepared to get out of bed for £10.18 an hour. Would you? I wouldn’t! Those of us who went through the ‘bad old days’ of strikes, double-digit inflation and a 15% mortgage rate can see it all happening again.

PADDLEBOARDING sounds like an amazing way to get your thrills. I wouldn’t know as I can’t swim – which after living in Swanage for over 70 years is really quite shameful. All of a sudden we’re hearing and reading about paddleboarders in distress and none more so than the most recent one – as I write.

A father and son left South Beach in Studland on paddleboards at about 12.30pm and were last seen out at sea near Old Harry at 1pm. The alarm was raised by a family member at 4pm who was becoming concerned when they didn’t return to shore. That astonished me – they disappeared on paddleboards and it took the family three hours to raise the alarm!

By 4.30pm both Swanage lifeboats were launched and the

Swanage Coastguard team had been alerted.

Then, Poole and Yarmouth lifeboats joined the search. At about 7.45pm a member of the Yarmouth lifeboat crew spotted something in the water, so they investigated and discovered it to be one of the missing persons, still on their paddleboard.

The man was rescued and put on the lifeboat, and it was decided to airlift him using the Lee-on-Solent coastguard search and rescue helicopter from the Yarmouth lifeboat to Swanage where an ambulance was waiting. Searching intensified in this area and about six hours after the initial call-out, the man’s son was found by a police team on the beach near Bournemouth Pier. The 16-year-old boy had been blown out to sea from Old Harry and crossed the shipping lanes before reaching the coast about 10 miles away at Hengistbury Head.

What a lucky pair! And I know I will be vilified by the emergency services when I say that in my book people who put themselves at risk in this way should be asked for a contribution towards the cost of rescue. A contribution not large enough to cover the large costs, but big enough to be a salutary lesson to others. Several lifeboats, a helicopter, a police team and dozens of man hours, all to rescue someone who had put himself and his son at risk by failing to check out the tides and – more important – failing to carry a fully-charged mobile phone to summon assistance.

Museum acts on accessibility

THE Tank Museum at Bovington has been working hard this year to be more accessible to visitors.

It has introduced quiet mornings, where the sounds and interactives are turned off to support individuals with sensory needs, and free British Sign Language tours to help those with a hearing impairment discover the exhibitions in their own language.

Sensory backpacks for children with special education requirements and disabilities have been developed and are available to borrow free of charge, including ear defenders, a squeezy toy and a magnifying glass.

One in five people in the UK have an impairment and visitor experience general manager Rosanna Dean said: “The museum recognises the importance of supporting the needs all visitors and is committed to accessibility.

“We look forward to visitors enjoying the experience and the wider accessible facilities we have on offer.”

Facilities have been designed to create a safe space for visitors with a new wellbeing room, and for those with reduced mobility,

the museum is fully wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible.

The museum is recruiting an accessibility advisor and has enlisted the help of the disabled community, inviting diverse groups to feedback on what should be changed.

“We want to make sure we are pioneering changes at The Tank Museum,” Rosanna added.

“By making accessibility a priority, the

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museum can continue to be a welcoming space for anyone interested in the history of tanks”.

The museum has also looked online to engage with people unable to visit in person, recording Tankfest, its largest event, for those unable to attend.

The museum is also holding a wellbeing event in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, which will be livestreamed and made available online.

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.

A British Sign Language tour of The Tank Museum at Bovington

Big show backs hospital charity

DORSET County Show is supporting Dorset County Hospital Charity as its charity of the year.

The hospital in Dorchester is planning to build a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit on the site of the former Damers First School.

Dorset County Hospital Charity is running a £2.5 million capital appeal to fund enhancements to the planned new buildings.

Nicki Ralph, chair of the region’s largest annual agricultural show, knows from personal experience how important the critical care services at the local hospital are.

Her farmer husband, Nic, was admitted last year with total kidney failure and sepsis. He spent nearly three weeks in a coma in intensive care, 11 of those days on life support.

Nicki said: “This truly is a cause close to my heart. My

family are indebted to the incredible support the hospital gave my husband who, without a shadow of a doubt, wouldn’t be alive today without their unstinting help.

“All the staff were amazing. They left no stone unturned to find out the cause of my husband’s sudden deterioration.”

She added: “It was all so sudden! One minute my husband was in Accident and Emergency feeling very unwell, the next he was fighting for his life.

“Many of us may end up in A&E or hospital but none of us know when we may need intensive care.”

Simon Pearson, head of charity for the hospital, said: “Nic was one of over 50,000 people treated in our Emergency Department annually.

“It was originally built for less than half of that – 22,000

attendances.

“Clearly, there is currently insufficient Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit capacity at Dorset County Hospital to meet current and future demand.”

He added: “This is our biggest ever fundraising project. This appeal will raise funds for enhanced facilities and additional medical equipment, making patient care even better.

“It will also fund artistic elements in both new units to create a sympathetic and healing environment for the benefit of all.”

Ahead of the Dorset County Show, on Saturday and Sunday September 2-3, a Dorset-themed charity night will be held on Wednesday, August 30, hosted at the Dorchester Showground with music, bingo and bringyour-own food.

Dorset County Hospital Charity will have a stand at the

show where visitors can find out more about the hospital plans and donate to the appeal.

Show organiser James Cox said: “The experiences of our chair Nicki and her husband have highlighted the fact none of us know when we may need critical care.

“To have state-of-the art resources on hand at our local hospital makes us incredibly fortunate. We’re delighted to fundraise for this fantastic cause.”

Stalwart 67-year-old Nic, who is now recovering well at home, is aiming to do some fundraising himself for the hospital once he is fully recovered.

The show has a host of attractions including giant vegetables, prize cows, Dorset crafts and foods, monster trucks, axemen in action and hoe-down music – for tickets visit www. dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

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RSPCA in plea to phase out animal testing

THE RSPCA has called on the Government to ban scientific procedures on animals as new figures show millions carried out in one year alone.

More than 2.7m procedures were carried out in 2022, according to the data, which the charity says highlights the ‘sheer number of sentient animals still used in scientific procedures’.

The RSPCA called for a ‘clear commitment, and strategy, from the UK Government to phase out animal experiments and invest in humane alternatives’.

Dr Penny Hawkins, head of the animals in science team at the RSPCA, said: “While it is positive to see the overall number of animals being used in scientific experiments decreasing, now is not the time to become complacent or accept

the status quo.

“Millions of animals are still used in scientific research and testing, and we need a clear commitment and strategy from the UK Government to transition to non-animal technologies.

“The Home Office report showed despite this overall decrease, the proportion of experimental procedures that caused severe suffering has increased, and the percentage of ‘moderate’ procedures has also increased - which is deeply concerning to us.”

The RSPCA is calling for a clear statement, and commitment, from the UK Government, that phasing out animal experiments is a legitimate and desirable goal, as well as asking for more investment in developing Non-Animal Technologies.

Veterinary care in Dorset for a long, long time!

We now have six branches based in Wimborne, Verwood, Bournemouth, Ensbury Park and your Purbeck team in Wareham and Swanage. We are here to provide you with all your veterinary needs. We have modern facilities and a fantastic team providing a friendly and welcoming service. We treat every client and pet as an individual, always putting your needs first and ensuring we give each patient the time they need.

Our first priority will always be the health and happiness of our patients, just as it has been for the best part of 200 years. Long may it continue!

News from Wareham Town Council – July report

By Julie Bradshaw

IF you are concerned about speeding in your area, you can take action. Community Speed Watch volunteers work as a team under direction and with training from the police. Wearing hi-vis jackets and armed with a speed monitoring device, volunteers work an agreed session the results of which are fed back to the police.

Owners of vehicles registered as speeding are sent an advisory letter and, in the case of a third transgression, will receive a visit from a uniformed officer.

To join a Community Speed Watch team in Wareham, contact Cllr Ezzard on 01929 550138 or email berylrezz@ outlook.com.

Cllr Budd agreed with Mrs Hewitt about the sad state of

Trinity Lane where bins, domestic and commercial, are left at the roadside – a longstanding but unresolved problem and an eyesore for residents and visitors.

Under the Household Support Fund residents can apply for a £150 supermarket voucher if they have a low income. The eligibility criteria, application dates and form are on Dorset Council’s website or help is available from its Customer Access Point in Wareham library and from

Club’s ladies in pairs finals

SWANAGE Bowls Club

members Gill Bryceson and Sue Bird are through to the County Ladies Pairs finals being held in Dorchester on Sunday (July 23).

They will play ladies from Sherborne, but have already secured a place at the nationals, held in Leamington Spa – the bowls equivalent of Wembley.

The club are continuing to be successful in the Bournemouth and District Bowls mixed triples leagues.

Swanage Swans stay top of Division 1, five points ahead of their nearest rivals and with a shot advantage of 100.

Swanage Dolphins sit top of their league with an even more impressive shot advantage of 165, having lost only one of their matches so far this season.

Swanage Seagulls and

Puffins sit mid-table in their league, both teams enjoying recent successes.

In the ladies league the team sit third, one point off the lead, even winning on the artificial surface at Braeside Club.

Swanage Bowls Club’s ladies play in the Dorset Edna Paisley League. They have struggled to find form this season and currently prop up the league.

The men sit fifth in their league, while the men who play in the Percy Baker League have enjoyed recent wins and are in third place.

The club run an open competition during Swanage Carnival week, this year on Monday, July 31.

Details are available in the Swanage Carnival programme or on the website, www. swanagebowlingclub.org.uk

Citizens Advice.

Proposals to close many railway station ticket offices are the subject of a consultation on the Transport Focus website until July 26.

A Dog and Public Spaces Protection Order consultation is on Dorset Council’s website or phone 01305 221000 for a copy.

The council expressed its thanks to Mr Andrews, who stored the Wareham stones for a long time and cleaned and installed them at the entrances to the town on Worgret Road and North Causeway. The town has cause to be grateful to Mr Andrews for many such services.

Councillors supported a request to Dorset Council to ban the use of portable barbecues in Wareham Forest and

surrounding heathland.

West Street residents are urged to keep reporting criminal nuisance even if it appears that the police are taking no action. The upgraded CCTV in other parts of the town has slightly reduced the incidence of anti-social behaviour. The town clerks of Swanage, Wareham and Upton are combining their petition to the Police and Crime Commissioner for greater police activity in the area.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Cotton, is investigating interest in a Wareham Town Youth Council, which would air young people’s views and nurture their interest in standing for election to the council at some point.

Members of the public –including young people – are welcome to attend the next council meetings on Tuesdays August 22, 7pm, and October 3 in the council chamber. For more information, contact the town council office on 01929 553006 or consult the council’s website, www.wareham-tc.gov. uk.

Village fete coins in the cash for local charities

VILLAGERS gathered outside Worth Matravers village hall (above) to celebrate the success of this year’s fete and present the proceeds to local charities.

MYTIME, the Worth church roof appeal and the village hall all received a cheque for £1,850.

Charlie James, from MYTIME, said: “This donation will go a long way to help us level the playing field for young carers in our community.

“We hugely appreciate the ongoing support coming from

people in the village.”

Hugh Cochrane, for the church appeal, said: “The Worth church roof appeal looked like an almost impossible mountain to climb but we are now within £50,000 of our target.

“Our thanks to all who made the fete such a success and for their very kind support of our project.”

MYTIME provides young carers with a break at its outdoor centre in Worth Matravers, enabling them to have fun, make friends and take some time for themselves.

PHOTO: Simon Barnes

A letter from the future

Dear (Great) Gran and Grandad, I am writing to you in 2023 from the 2050s. Do you wonder what my world is like? The world you left to me. The world I have inherited from all of you.

Every year, from April to October, it is unbearably hot here and the heat kills lots of people.

We have long droughts, water shortages and wildfires so farmers’ crops suffer and harvests are small.

Food is in short supply and many more people are going hungry.

Large parts of Africa and elsewhere are uninhabitable and millions of people have moved north. The boats never stopped coming.

It’s hard to find jobs and social services

don’t work properly anymore.

People are more angry and violent, so we don’t feel safe.

Your world seems like a golden age to us.

Please write back and tell me what you are doing to prevent climate change.

Do you try to find out about climate change and its effect on me?

How often do you talk to your friends and neighbours about climate change?

How often do you e-mail your MP and

local councillors with your concerns about climate change? Do you write or speak to them instead? Why not?

Do you know how to find a local environmental group? Why haven’t you joined one?

Do you go to any meetings, demonstrations or marches about climate change?

(I don’t expect you to glue yourself to anything or break the law! Just go along.)

Do you worry enough about the future to do anything about it?

How much do you care about me?

Put your letter in a safe place so that in 30 years I may find it.

With love from your (great) grandchild. XX

‘Climate change is at tipping point’

THIS time-travelling letter was written by me.

I am not a young person from the 2050s but a 74-year-old pensioner from the here and now.

I follow the news on TV, radio and in the papers, so I have heard of climate change.

I know we are approaching a tipping point where it will become unstoppable. By 2050 we may already have passed that point but I will not be around to

Reader’s picture

see it. It is our children and grandchildren who will have to face the disaster of global warming.

I wonder what they would say to those of us who lived through a period when we could have stopped runaway climate change but did not.

The time-travelling letter is my guess about what they would say.

My challenge to you is to think what your reply would be.

Remember you are talking to a

member of your own family.

None of us can prevent climate change on our own but together we can put pressure on our politicians – local and national – to take the big decisions that are necessary.

I hope this letter will encourage you to think about what you can do.

Your grandchildren and greatgrandchildren will thank you.

Philip Browne Dorchester

LIFE’S A BEACH: Robin Boultwood took this photo in Swanage this summer

Philip Browne from Dorchester wrote this letter as if from one of his grandchildren in the 2050s

Celebrating 15 Years of Bringing the Countryside to Your Kitchen

At Jurassic Coast Meats & Jurassic Coast Farm Shop we are proud to supply both the hospitality and retail sectors across the South West, with local high-quality meat and meat products. This includes our own award-winning Aberdeen Angus Beef & Duroc Cross Outdoor Bred Pork, reared on the family farm at Fossil Farm in Winfrith Newburgh, South Dorset.

Founded in 2008 as the marketing arm for our Sealey family run farm, the business has thrived and now sources and stocks products from all over Dorset and the South West. In 2013 we invested in a purposebuilt catering facility to enable us to meet the high demand of our customers. Our expert team of butcher’s hand prepare the meat to each individual customers specific requirements and in 2020 we expanded into supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to accompany our well-established meat range.

By Summer 2022, operations were expanded further with the acquisition of Express Vegetables Ltd. A business that supplies the foodservice and food manufacturing industry throughout the South of England. The product range includes peeled potatoes, fresh chips, and a full range of diced and sliced vegetables.

Now, in 2023, we are

proudly celebrating our 15th anniversary. Over the past decade and a half, Jurassic Coast Meats & Jurassic Coast Farm Shop have consistently upheld our promise of bringing you the best from not only our own farm reared meat but also offerings from our fellow Dorset producers.

This year now marks a milestone of growth, adaptation, and perseverance for us. We’ve weathered various challenges in recent years and have always remained dedicated to providing the freshest and finest local produce to both our local community and across the South West. From our awardwinning dry-aged Aberdeen Angus Beef & Outdoor Bred Pork to our robust range of fruits, vegetables, salad and dairy goods, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has never wavered.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve also recently expanded our beloved farm shop. We’ve incorporated a new counter and fridge to better display our meat and local products. Our mission to support local producers remains as strong as ever, and we’ve expanded our offerings to include even more Dorset produced products. You can also grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee from our new bean to cup machine as you peruse our selection.

In celebrating our 15th anniversary, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our team and our loyal customers. The unwavering support and trust in our products have allowed us to grow from a simple marketing arm of our family farm to a Taste of The West Award-Winning provider of quality local meat and produce. Here’s to many more years of bringing the taste of Dorset to your kitchen table.

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The NHS at 75: ‘Unite to defend it!’

THIS July, the NHS celebrated its 75th birthday. Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Margaret Thatcher, rather cynically perhaps, said it ‘was the closest thing the English have to a religion’.

Nye Bevan, regarded by many as the driving force behind the creation of the NHS, said words by contrast which were genuinely heartfelt – ‘no society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means’.

The NHS Constitutional Values Hub states as guiding principles that the NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all, and that access to NHS services is based ‘on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay’.

These are noble principles. The chances are that we all know someone whose life was saved by the NHS. My own life

was saved by the NHS. State of the art keyhole surgery at Poole Hospital removed the tumour which would otherwise have ended my life.

Yet the NHS is under enormous pressure. Health leaders have reported that it is locked into a ‘spiral of decline’. The president of the Society for Acute Medicine is reported as saying ‘overcrowding in emergency departments and acute medical units means that patients do not receive timely, high quality care, and corridor care is now accepted as normal’.

NHS ‘reforms’ have led to fragmentation of the health service. There has been creeping privatisation. In the five years up to 2015, for example, the private sector was awarded 86% of pharmacy contracts and 83% of patient

transport contracts.

Some 7.4 million patients are currently awaiting treatment in England alone. Health staff have seen their pay fall in real terms since 2010 –so much so, that some NHS trusts now run their own food banks. No wonder that junior doctors and nurses have felt they have no alternative but to take industrial action, or that there are so many staff vacancies – almost 10% for nurses.

On July 5, 2023, 75 years after the birth of the NHS, the Kings Fund, The Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation called upon party leaders Sunak, Starmer and Davey to invest in the physical resources the NHS now so conspicuously lacks –equipment, beds, new buildings.

These well-respected bodies,

in their letter to our political leaders, outlined the consequences of the underfunding of the NHS – stalling life expectancy and growing health inequalities. They called for better pay and conditions for staff. They also recognise the need to repair the public realm, so damaged by austerity.

At the Covid Inquiry, Professor Marmot stated that the UK entered the Pandemic with ‘public services depleted, health improvement stalled, health inequalities increased and health amongst the poorest people in a state of decline’.

The NHS is surely the jewel in the crown. The health of the nation is a precious asset. We must unite to defend the NHS. As Nye Bevin also said: ‘The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with faith to fight for it’.

‘Nation faces population challenge’

IN my article about childcare –Purbeck Gazette 292 – I finished by stating that the ageing demographic of England as a whole, and Dorset in particular, presents serious challenges to many areas of our lives which local and national government urgently need to address. People are both healthier for longer and live longer.

One consequence of increasing population life expectancy, generally, is that older people form an increasing proportion of the population –that is our population is ageing. Preparing for the socioeconomic effects of higher numbers of older people is likely to prove challenging to local planners, social care providers, the NHS, and the range of institutions and public bodies concerned with the welfare and well-being of the population.

The most recent census

statistics show that the population of England and Wales has continued to age, and that there are now more people than ever before in older age groups. More than 11 million people – 18.6% of the total population – were aged 65 years or older, compared with 16.4% at the time of the previous census in 2011. The average – median – age in England and Wales rose from 39 years in 2011 to 40 years in 2021, reflecting the changing age structure of the population.

In Dorset, the statistics are skewed further towards an ageing population, with a massive 29.6% aged 65 or above in 2021 and the figures for birth to 65 lower than the national average. Worryingly, this trend in Dorset is forecast to continue with fewer children

and people of working age than now by 2031, and the over-65s rising to 35% or more of the population.

In the 1960s, British women each had an average of about 2.6 children. Now it is fewer than 1.6 nationally, albeit slightly higher at 1.69 in Dorset. For the first time ever last year, half of women reached their 30th birthday without having a child. The fertility rate in the UK and Dorset is now well below

replacement rate and it continues to fall.

Perhaps you’re thinking that this is not a problem, or only a minor problem, or a problem for the future. But there simply is no future if we don’t reverse this trend. A fertility rate of just 1.55 is not ‘gradual decline’. Even without further fall, in just two generations time there will

be 40% fewer births than there are today. That is population collapse and when combined with a shrinking workforce paying less tax and more people significantly past retirement, requiring ever increasing council-funded interventions, the prospect for most local authorities with social care responsibility is bankruptcy, and for the NHS to be not only on its knees but its face.

The Liberals Democrats have long campaigned for a national cross-party agreed reform of the funding and organisation of social care, as supported by organisations such as the NHS Confederation, but those in power don’t have the courage to look beyond short-term politics to addressing long-term.

Remember this the next time you are at the ballot box.

NICK IRELAND

On behalf of South Dorset Lib Dems

CHRIS BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

Chris Bradey

Nick Ireland

Great to visit Corfe Mullen carnival

IT’S nearly August and Parliament is in recess and not sitting. While I will be taking some time off to spend with my family, work as a Member of Parliament continues over the summer in the constituency as usual.

The Boundary Commission has now put forward its recommendations for the new constituency boundaries. These will make all 650 constituencies a more similar size. At the moment I have about 65,000 adult constituents, which is quite small – West Dorset, for example, has more than 80,000. Mid Dorset and North Poole is expanding to include the North Dorset ward of Stour and Allen Vale, as well as some extra homes around the edges of the constituency. I’m pleased the commission listened carefully to the views of local people –particularly in the Bere Regis area – when making its

decisions.

I recently sent out a residents’ survey about the cost of living, including details about the Government’s ‘help for households’ hub. Thank you to all of you who have returned it – it’s great to hear from you. Many people were not aware of the website – you can find it at https:// helpforhouseholds. campaign.gov.uk/ where there is information and links to sources of help.

As well as work in Dorset and London, I travelled to the Netherlands as part of a Parliamentary delegation. We met former and current Dutch parliamentarians, including the Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag. We discussed the importance of bilateral friendships with our North Sea neighbours, and had

constructive conversations with diplomats, civil servants and others.

More locally, I very much enjoyed attending the Corfe Mullen carnival, and it was great to chat to the stallholders, organisations and charities that attended. A special thank you to Douch Family Funeral Directors for providing the cars for the parade again. I was honoured to be asked by them to open its International Independent Funeral Homes European Summer Conference in Christchurch, where it shared best practice and showcased all that Dorset has to offer. If you are holding an event in the constituency over the summer, and you would like your MP there, please do send me an invite, and I’ll try to come!

Once Parliament returns in September, there will again be the opportunity for you to visit. If you would like to attend Prime Minister’s Questions, my office can book tickets for you. Only a limited number are available, so please do apply well in advance. My website has details about the various tours available – please do have a look. You can also sign up for my email newsletter or read more details about what I have been doing.

If you have an issue you need help with, please do get in touch – email me at michael. tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk or contact my office on 01202 624216. You can also follow what I’ve been doing on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

MICHAEL TOMLINSON Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole

Puzzle solutions (from pages 26-27)

Brain chain (hard)

Arrow words

Michael Tomlinson

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garden bliss: Nurture, harvest and thrive

AS summer reaches its peak, August presents garden enthusiasts with a crucial period to maintain and nurture their plants. This month offers an opportunity to prepare your garden for the changing seasons ahead. By prioritising essential tasks and staying on top of maintenance, you can ensure the health and productivity of your garden while enjoying the vibrant beauty it offers. Let’s explore the key garden jobs to focus on this August.

Watering

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Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, regulates soil temperature and improves soil structure as it breaks down

supply. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation and maximise absorption.

Weeding and mulching

WEEDS can quickly take over your garden and compete with plants for vital nutrients and water. Prioritise weeding to keep your garden beds tidy and ensure the well-being of your plants. Hand-pulling or using appropriate weeding tools can be effective, but make sure to remove weeds before they produce seeds. After weeding, apply a layer of organic mulch around plants. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, regulates soil temperature and improves soil structure as the mulch breaks down over time.

Pruning and deadheading

AUGUST is an ideal time to give your plants a gentle trim. Pruning promotes healthy growth, improves airflow and enhances overall aesthetics. Remove dead or diseased

branches, spent flowers and any crossed or tangled stems. Pay special attention to perennials, roses and fruit trees, as they benefit from selective pruning. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, encourages new blooms and prolongs the flowering season. Be mindful not to prune plants that bloom in late summer or autumn, as they may be setting buds. Harvest and enjoy AUGUST brings the delightful peak of your gardening efforts as the joys of harvesting await you. It’s an exciting time to gather the fruits of your labour and enjoy the flavours of homegrown goodness. From luscious tomatoes to crisp cucumbers, vibrant peppers to tender beans, the garden is brimming with ripe produce. Regularly check your plants for peak ripeness and harvest them at their prime.

Ready to embark on your August gardening journey? Look no further than Goulds

Garden Centre, your one-stop destination for all your gardening needs. With our knowledgeable staff at your side, you'll receive expert advice and guidance to tackle those important tasks with confidence. And don't forget to take advantage of our summer sale, where you can find incredible deals on essential garden tools and supplies.

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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.

A gardener’s lot...

by Lorraine Gibson

WHAT do you say on live TV when you’re asked the best place to put a garden gnome?

Is nudist gardening ever a good idea?

And why do the roses surrounding beautifully manicured English bowling green lawns grow so vigorously?

Just some of the things considered by a local author in a memoir bound to appeal to readers, green-fingered or otherwise.

Whether you watch Gardener’s World and fantasise about getting your hands dirty like Monty Don, or you don’t give a fig about dusting the office dieffenbachias – whatever side of the garden fence you’re on, prepare to be charmed by tales of a life spent outdoors told by someone who’s not

afraid to stand out like a sunflower in a row of cabbages.

Garden guru, Bournemouth’s first female parks gardener and former Wimborne garden shop owner Tamsin Westhorpe’s Grasping The Nettle, Tales From A Modern Country Gardener is one woman’s guide to making a living with muddy fingernails, steel toe-capped boots and a can-do gardening attitude.

Her memoir of memorable mishaps, peppered with a cast of colourful characters, relates her hapless horticultural exploits while making a living with her hands buried in soil.

Tamsin has had a long and successful career in the horticultural industry and has worked as an interior landscaper, a lecturer, as editor of the English Garden magazine

and as a judge at RHS Chelsea. She hopes that reflecting on her career will encourage others to grab the wheelbarrow and embrace the life horticultural.

n Grasping The Nettle, Tales

From A Modern Country Gardener is £14.95 from Gulliver’s, Wimborne, and orphanspublishing.co.uk/book/ grasping-the-nettle-tales-froma-modern-country-gardener/

Harvesting produce is one of the joys of August

Tamsin Westhorpe recounts amusing tales in her new book (inset)

Motoring

Drivers express disquiet over parking apps

NEARLY one-in-five drivers (19%) say their local authority has either scrapped parking payment machines or is consulting on doing so, forcing them to use mobile phones to pay instead, new RAC research reveals.

The survey of 1,900 UK drivers found that one-in-10 (11%) reported some or all parking payment machines had already been removed by their local councils with an extra 8% saying their local authority was consulting on doing so.

The RAC’s findings are being driven by the fact many councils are getting rid of parking machines as a result of many older machines relying on 3G mobile phone signals to

function, which telecoms operators are switching off.

This means councils either have to spend large sums on replacing machines with more modern ones or get rid of machines altogether, in turn making drivers use a mobile phone to pay to park – either via an an app like RingGo or PayByPhone or by calling a phone number.

The plan to scrap machines and force people to pay by app triggered a strong reaction among drivers surveyed by the RAC with 59% – and 73% of those aged 65 and over – saying they feel angry at the idea of physical parking machines being removed as they believe they should be able to pay for

parking however they want.

A fifth of all drivers (20%) said they felt discriminated against as they simply can’t use mobile apps to pay for parking in the first place, a figure that rises to 30% of those aged 65 and over.

Just three-in-10 (31%) of drivers of all age groups are completely comfortable with payment machines being removed – and only 14% of those aged 65-plus.

When asked what impact a council removing payment parking machines would have on them, half (48%) said they would drive to a different car park where they could still pay using cash or a bank card.

But a quarter (27%) said they would struggle to find somewhere else to park that was

convenient, a figure that rises to 38% for drivers aged 65 and over – which suggests councils that choose to ditch machines risk putting off some drivers from visiting town and city centres.

A fifth (19%) of all respondents said they would complain to their local council and/or Member of Parliament if payment machines in their areas were to be removed.

Levelling-up secretary

Michael Gove wrote to councils in April expressing concern about drivers being ‘digitally excluded’ without alternative payment methods being in place.

Separately, the Department for Transport is developing the National Parking Platform (NPP), a publicly owned software platform that would make finding and paying for parking easier for drivers confident using apps. In theory, drivers would be able to use a single mobile app of their choice to pay.

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Recruitment event aims to highlight benefits of a career

THE benefits of pursuing a career in healthcare in Dorset will be highlighted at a special event taking place this month.

University Hospitals

Dorset is hosting a recruitment open day on July 29 for those considering taking on a role as a healthcare support worker.

A spokesperson said the event could be the first step in beginning ‘a rewarding career in healthcare’.

The day will run between 9am and 3.30pm in the Education Centre at Poole Hospital.

“Attendees will have the chance to speak to staff from different departments about the role of a healthcare support worker, what it’s

like to work at the hospital and find out about the training and development opportunities available,” the spokesperson added.

“There will also be an opportunity to be interviewed for a position on the day.”

They went on: “No previous experience is needed as full training is provided to successful candidates to ensure they succeed in the role.

“Full and part time hours are available across both Bournemouth and Poole hospitals in various departments.”

For more details, and to sign up and guarantee an interview on the day, log on to www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers.

About You

• You’ll need to be target driven.

• Have a proven track record of B2B sales.

• Have the ability to work independently sourcing your own leads, through competitive media, online and social media.

• An understanding of both print and digital advertising.

• The personality to build a strong customer base.

• Your own transport is a must with mileage paid. This is a full time role.

• You’ll be joining a friendly, supported team, where you’ll be selling across a range of regional magazine titles.

• We DON’T do hard sell, these are local magazines, supporting local communities, success is key, but we’re also building a reputation we’re proud of.

• We DO recognise and reward success especially team members who exceed their targets. Be nice, but be successful!

• You’ll need to be based within and familiar with the Blackmore Vale area.

• You’re welcome to work from our Wincanton office or work from home within Dorset, Wiltshire or Somerset.

For more information or to apply, please contact; debi.thorne@blackmorevale.net

The Blackmore Vale Ltd is looking for an experienced Sales Executive to join our team.

Health & Wellbeing

Why July can be one of the most unsettled months...

By Alice Johnsen

PEOPLE are creatures of habit and when our habits are shaken up, we are shaken up too. So come July, suddenly we are out of our normal routines of school, after-school clubs, matches, plays, homework. It’s all gone. So too has the familiar classroom, teacher and, for some, the familiar school building. It’s the end of the academic year and there’s a long wait before we can get familiar with the new school year.

For many, that’s fine. It’s good to have a break and a rest from the constant feeling of trying to keep up. But for some, this hiatus is unsettling. If we are unsettled about the future our mind takes the opportunity to focus on ‘what ifs’. We start focussing on things that live only in our minds and don’t form part of what actually lies ahead. The emotional side of our brains takes over from the logical side.

If we don’t address these anxieties, they won’t go away. They’ll grow and the effect they

have on our mental and emotional wellbeing will seep into other areas of our lives. So, whether it is you, a parent/carer or your children who are feeling anxious about the next academic year, those concerns must be voiced. Either spoken out loud or written down. Once we start addressing our worries, we start seeing them in a different way. We start seeing things in the right perspective.

If you know your child is anxious about school in September, the best thing you can do is tackle this, albeit slowly and gently, at the start of the school holiday rather than letting it fester. I always recommend having such conversations in a car or while walking so you are not face to face. Short conversations that you come back to rather than a really long, heavy and potentially frightening discussion. Allow your child all the time they need and to use their own words rather than the words you would use. That’s really key – let your child

express their concerns in any way they feel they need to. Or if they find that too complicated, just start by asking them what words they would use to describe how they are feeling about the next school year. It’s a

start and a way in to address those underlying questions in their minds. I will write about this again later in the summer.

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

Parents and children are shaken out of their normal routines of school, after-school clubs, matches, plays and homework when July comes around PHOTO: Moshe Harosh/Pixabay

Meditations in nature: The choughs of Andalucía

By Susanna Curtin

I AM writing this from the romantic town of Ronda, a delightful location high in the Serannia de Ronda mountains of Andalucía. I have come here to experience Flamenco music and to learn more about the cultural influences that have shaped it. But like always, I also find myself drawn to the wildlife that adds to the town’s atmosphere, particularly the birds that inhabit the tall cliffs on which the place is built.

The new and old towns of Ronda are perched either side of the El Tajo Canyon through which the River Guadalevin flows quietly in summer but like a torrent in winter. It is linked by two bridges, the most famous of which is the Puente Nuevo bridge that towers 120m above the floor of the canyon. From one side of this bridge, a walkway extends along the top of the cliff towards my hotel. This is the perfect place to sit and ponder a while, not only to

enjoy the majestic views across the mountains but also to watch the swifts, choughs and raptors that soar in the strong thermal currents. For they have made these sheer rocks their home. With each passing day, I begin to appreciate the natural rhythms of the place and how each species appears to have a time slot for their performance. For example, every morning I am awoken by the calls of the peregrine falcons nesting just below my hotel. On realising their cries, I can’t help myself as I rush to the balcony to watch them push their wings back and nosedive down the cliffs at up to 200 miles an hour in pursuit of the crag martins. Then there are the family of lesser kestrels.

These appear by midafternoon with the sun’s rays backlighting their exquisite markings against the blue sky. These pretty, elegant birds are smaller than our common kestrels. They are also paler in colour and have shorter tails and

more rounded wings. They are such a delight to watch as they swirl high, making a highpitched call as they soar.

An hour or two later, it is the turn of the Bonelli’s eagles. These rare birds have become an icon of the Serrania mountains. With a wingspan of 1.8 metres, they are identified by their pale underside and dark band on their underwing..

But the birds that have really stolen my heart in Ronda are the chattering of choughs which come on mass for a fly-past in late afternoon. Their quirky red beaks and scruffy legs that hang

down beneath their bodies like jaunty red sticks make me laugh. I am instantly reminded of the poem by Rebecca Gethin in which she describes them as ‘side-tumbling from a height’ and ‘swing-rising on the curve of an updraft’, then ‘folding their wings, freefall down-cliff’. I notice them every day in town, perched two by two and side by side neatly on the tiny ledges of the rock face, out of the wind and the sun. Quiet and unassuming, that is until they take flight.

n

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

Wax Away Ear Care

Choughs, ‘quiet and unassuming until they take flight’

New podcast dedicated to South-West farmers

FARMING insurance firm

Cornish Mutual has announced the launch of Farming Focus, a podcast specifically for SouthWest farmers.

The podcast claims to bring its listeners the latest on what really matters to farmers across the region.

Managing director Peter Beaumont said: “Featuring a great line-up of industry experts and leading farmers, we expect Farming Focus to kick-start conversations across the South-West and give farmers the knowledge and solutions to face today’s demands.”

The podcast is published fortnightly on a Tuesday morning and hosted by Cornish farmer and businessman Peter Green. It sets out to answer the

hard questions and stimulate new ways of thinking.

The first 10-episode series is

all about resilience and what it really means with Peter and his guests unwrapping the essential

elements involved in building a farming business fit for the future.

Over the next four months, Farming Focus will cover everything rural crime and government policy to farm safety and animal disease.

It begins by exploring the vital role soil plays in farm resilience and why it’s front and centre of so many current conversations.

“We encourage everyone to join the conversation, gain valuable insights and enjoy listening whenever and wherever suits them best,” said Peter.

“We remain committed to the farming community and our wider services such as this new podcast help our members manage risk and find a way through an increasingly challenging climate.”

Farming Focus can be accessed through www. cornishmutual.co.uk, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Law firm stumps up for cricket club

By dorsetbiznews.co.uk

THE team from the Wimborne offices of Ellis Jones Solicitors has once again stepped up to sponsor its local cricket club.

Players from across the evening, Sunday, ladies and youth teams will all be heading out next season in kits bearing the Ellis Jones name. This latest renewal marks the firm’s sixth consecutive year as sponsors, starting in 2018.

Ellis Jones managing partner Nigel Smith said: “It’s a privilege to support Wimborne Cricket Club.

“It’s a club at the heart of the community which provides people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play the sport, including many youngsters.

“We are particularly impressed with the way the club continues to find ways to make cricket accessible for all.

“The club has worked hard at helping making cricket a truly gender-balanced sport, with really successful ladies and girls’ teams.”

Wimborne fields its own Dorset Premier League side and is set to host a prestigious match on Sunday, July 30, as the county team faces Hampshire.

Chairperson Charlotte Randall said: “It’s

a pleasure to team up with Ellis Jones once more.

“We are grateful for its support, which has allowed the club to grow on and off the pitch.

“Its commitment to the community matches our own and we are very much looking forward to the season ahead.”

Wimborne is one of many clubs and community groups sponsored by Ellis Jones, including Swanage Cricket Club and West Hants Club.

It also provides legal services to a number of amateur, semi-pro and professional sportspeople and organisations like Pure Golf Management.

Paul Dyer, consultant solicitor at Ellis Jones, is joined by partners Kate Brooks and Andy Kirby alongside players and coaches from Wimborne Cricket Club

Farming Focus host Peter Green will be covering everything from rural crime to farm safety and animal disease with his guests

50 years of ferry service

By dorsetbiznews.co.uk

1973: Roger Moore appeared as James Bond for the first time, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon, and the first ferry service between Poole and Cherbourg in more than a century was established.

Then operator Truckline started the freight service on June 29 with the ships Poole Antelope and Dauphin de Cherbourg.

The service was a reestablishment of the first freight ferry service between the two locations, which sailed with the ship Albion between 1865 and 1868.

The first ever recorded excursion between Poole and Cherbourg goes all the way back to July 1846 with the Water Witch.

Leaving Poole at 8pm for a journey of 67 miles taking eight hours, passengers would have three days in France, paying 20 shillings each for the pleasure – equivalent to about £100 today.

This route operated for two years, but Water Witch was too small to cross the channel and was offered for sale in 1848, with the company behind it dissolving at the same time.

Poole was twinned with Cherbourg in 1977 and then in September 1983, 137 years after the first passenger excursion, a day trip took place from Poole Quay, a charger of Townsend Thorsen Free Enterprise V, carrying 899 passengers on board.

Full re-establishment of a passenger ferry service came in 1986 with Brittany Ferries’ second purpose-built ship Cornouailles.

Jim Stewart, Poole Harbour Commissioners’ chief executive, said: “Today marks 50 years since the beginning of the ferry service to Cherbourg on 29 June 1973.

“50 years later, PHC remains committed to growing RoRo ferry activity by continuing to identify business growth opportunities from existing and new customers.”

ARMISHAWS SMALL MOVES

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The Poole Antelope. All images and archives: David Warhurst.

Day trip to Cherbourg from Poole Quay on September 6, 1983

Poole and Cherbourg were twinned in 1977

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.

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

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

Dorset, DT10 1BD

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

24th March at 10:30am

David Thurgood - 01297 306123

westcountry@holtsauctioneers.com

Auctioneers of Fine Modern & Antique Guns www.holtsauctioneers.com

Already consigned | A George II Silver Tureen, by Edward Wakelin | £2,000- £3,000 Inviting entries for our upcoming auctions

auction highlights

Auctions commence at 10.30am

A full list of auctions and closing dates for entries can be found online

August

Summer Interiors

September

Silver, Jewellery, Watches and Coins

Already consigned | A George II Silver Tureen, by Edward Wakelin | £2,000- £3,000 Inviting entries for our upcoming auctions

200 Years

Inviting entries for our upcoming auctions auction highlights

Auctions commence at 10.30am

A full list of auctions and closing dates for entries can be found online

August

Summer Interiors

October Find more information and a full list of auctions on our website

Silver,

Antiques & Collectibles

The art of Art Deco

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

THE Art Deco period runs from the 1920s and 1930s, although there was revival in the 1960s.

It followed the austerity of the end of the First World War and, as far as jewellery was concerned, it introduced more bold and striking designs in comparison to the intricacy of Victorian jewellery.

You can recognise Art Deco jewellery by its bold and colourful shapes, influenced by the art movements of the time from the likes of Bauhaus and Cubism, so lots of straight lines, squares, rectangles and triangles.

Synthetic gemstones became popular at the time because some gemstones were difficult to source and the colour and quality could be guaranteed.

However, you will see

genuine diamonds, rubies, aquamarine, pearl, jade and onyx set in white gold, resin and Bakelite, a hard plastic which is now quite rare, making any jewellery set in this material very collectible and valuable.

The striking and unusual Art Deco ‘domino’ diamond and onyx ring pictured had been donated to a local charity and is a perfect example of jewellery of the time.

The 1920s was a popular era of gambling and gaming, and the contrast between black and white was very on trend then.

It is set with three old-cut diamonds against an onyx panel in 18ct yellow gold and dates from the 1930s.

Being in beautiful condition, when we were asked if it was worth anything, we were able to value it at £800!

It was sold to a customer

from Essex who was a huge fan of Art Deco jewellery and even had a domino necklace, so the ring was a perfect match.

A wonderful end to a great story with all proceeds of the sale given to the deserving charity!

Duke’s: 200 years at your service

DUKE’S in Dorchester was established in 1823, less than a decade after Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

Some 200 years later it is now recognised as one of the leading auction houses in the UK.

An auction in celebration of such an occasion is being held on Thursday, September 14, featuring about 200 superb lots showcasing the very best across various decorative art disciplines.

Some of the highlights are a Tiffany ‘dogwood’ lamp (£15,000-£25,000), a George II silver tureen by Edward Wakelin, London 1751 (£2,000£3,000) and ‘The Port Jackson’ (pictured) by Montague J. Dawson (1895-1973) (£20,000£30,000).

Senior valuer and auctioneer Michael Roberts said: “We are extremely proud to mark our bicentennial milestone – 200

present and future – for their support.

“Technology may have changed enormously since 1823

round the world via the internet – but you can still rely on our ‘old-fashioned’ values of personal service and attention to

This Art Deco ‘domino’ diamond and onyx ring was sold for charity

Arts & Entertainment

THE real people and history behind Dorset’s tales of smuggling will be explored in the summer exhibition at Shire Hall in Dorchester.

In the 18th and 19th centuries Dorset was home to some of Britain’s most notorious smugglers, secretly moving goods into and out of the country for profit.

Smugglers: Beneath the Surface will take a closer look at four of them.

Nina Corey, director at Shire Hall Museum, said: “Everyone at Shire Hall Museum is so excited to share our new summer exhibition with our visitors.

“Smugglers: Beneath the Surface takes a closer look at Dorset’s tales of smuggling.

“Each story gives a glimpse of the people behind the word ‘smuggler’ and explores how they ended up becoming involved in one of the most lucrative professions of

their time. This multi-layered exhibition has something for everyone, from fascinating case studies to an interactive trail for families.”

The exhibition opens at the museum on Thursday, July 27, and runs until Saturday, September 16.

Over the summer holidays, the museum is offering free entry for up to three children (under 18s) per paying adult.

Smugglers stories for summer Salty tale spans centuries

SALT, Poole’s large-scale community play being performed at Lighthouse later this week, shines a light on the historic relationship between the town and Newfoundland.

Many Dorset families settled as economic migrants in Newfoundland by the end of the 17th century to escape rural and coastal poverty at home.

Salt is set between 1681 and the present day and features a community cast of about 100 actors and singers aged nine to 86, alongside five professional actors and three musicians.

Lighthouse chief executive Elspeth McBain said: “The collaboration between professional creatives and volunteers from across the local community has been nothing short of inspirational.

“This kind of collaborative working adds value and meaning to our understanding of Poole by highlighting the continued relevance of its rich heritage and celebrating its vibrant contemporary culture.”

Salt is conceived, created and directed by Lynne Forbes and

Tamsin Fessey of Angel Exit Theatre from a specially commissioned script by Stephanie Dale.

Students at Arts University Bournemouth have designed and made the play’s costumes, and community volunteers have helped with props and scenery.

Poole-based theatre maker Heidi Steller has designed and built two giant puppets and Tom Sharker, of the breakthrough band WH Lung, has composed original music.

Renowned Dorset folk musician Tim Laycock is musical director and La Nova Singers will appear as the choir.

Talbot Village Trust, which supports projects in east Dorset, awarded the production a grant of £15,000.

Salt will be performed at Lighthouse from Thursday (July 27) to Sunday (July 30) with street scenes played out in Poole’s Old Town and High Street on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are available at www. lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/ salt-a-community-play-forpoole/

Choir touring country 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 wideranging 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 Dorsetborn 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.

Salt, at Lighthouse Poole, looks at the links between the town and Newfoundland between 1681 and the present day

Festival has family flavour

FAMILIES who love a live music party on their doorstep will be flocking to the Poole Harbour Festival this weekend.

Family tickets have been in demand to see chart-topping bands The Hoosiers and Lightning Seeds, pop legends the Cheeky Girls and new indie favourites The Lottery Winners, plus tribute acts and star DJs.

Festival organiser Ben Dyas said: “Families love coming to us because we’re local, the site is big enough for everyone to have some space, there’s always something going on and the finish times suit everyone's schedule.

“Having an all-ages audience adds something special to the friendly vibe. The bands often comment on it as well – they love it when they can see the crowd having a great time.

“That’s why it’s grown to be one of the best family festivals

in the area.”

A busy schedule of free children’s entertainment includes dinosaur shows, Mad 4 Animals, Mr Merlin, Krazy Kev and Jules the Entertainer, as well as street performers and a circus skills workshops.

The festival has more than 50 acts over four stages, making this year’s line-up the biggest in its seven-year history.

The Lottery Winners, whose latest album Anxiety Replacement Therapy went straight to number one within

Poole

Harbour Festival has more than 50 acts over three days including The Hoosiers, Lightning Seeds and the Cheeky Girls

days of its release last month, are a late addition to the bill.

They appear alongside 1990s hitmakers Space, revisiting their best-known hits –Neighbourhood, Female of the Species and Begin Again.

Bristolian dance fusionists Dr Meaker are back for a third year by popular demand.

The event also includes a strong line-up of crowdpleasing tributes to the likes of Queen, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Prodigy, Guns N’ Roses, REM and Coldplay.

Fan favourites and stories from a founder of Fairport Convention

THERE’S a purity about Iain Matthews’ voice. And it’s mirrored by the integrity of his career.

The singer-songwriter has never been seduced by fame. His focus has always been on creating music that captivates the ear, the mind and the heart.

Born Ian Matthews McDonald, June 16, 1946, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, he soared to prominence in 1967 as a founding member of Fairport Convention.

In that pioneering band, Matthews created exquisite harmonies with first Judy Dyble, then Sandy Denny.

After two years, he left and formed Matthews Southern Comfort.

They enjoyed a huge hit with their stirring version of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock.

One of the outstanding solo albums Matthews recorded during his years in Los Angeles was 1973’s Valley Hi, produced by Michael Nesmith.

Matthews has fronted bands such as Plainsong, Hi-Fi, No Grey Faith, More Than a Song and a Dutch jazz combo, The Searing Quartet.

After working for a while in A&R, in 1987 Matthews returned to performing and recorded as a solo artist for a time, mostly based in Austin, Texas.

Since returning to live in Europe in 2000, he focused again on his now all-Dutch ensemble, Matthews Southern Comfort, and his seemingly never-ending stream of solo recordings.

Matthews’ latest album releases include A Bakers Dozen, his most recent solo

effort, and Fake Tan, recorded in Norway two years ago with Norwegian icons the Salmon Smokers.

A collaboration with British writer Ian Clayton in 2019 produced his highly praised memoirs Thro My Eyes, making several music book industry end-of-the-year lists.

These days Matthews prefers to focus more on acoustic solo shows, where he tells stories and plays many fan favourites from his 50-plus-year career.

He said: “I have nothing more to prove and this approach to live shows gives me an instant rapport with my audience and room to relax and breathe and reflect.”

n IAIN Matthews is at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on Thursday, August 17. For tickets visit www. tivoliwimborne.co.uk

The Dance Tent will feature Jaguar Skills, Tall Paul, Nicky Blackmarket and Brandon Block, with Bournemouth’s own Freeze joining dance scene movers and shakers including The Manor Reunion with Jon Langford and Paul Moss.

Leading local live music acts including Millie Manders and the Shut Up, Filta, Saints of Sin and Mother Ukers ensure there’s no let up in quality.

A diverse range of food will be on offer, along with a wide choice of local ales and ciders at the bars.

Poole Harbour Festival at Baiter Park runs from Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30, opening at 5pm on Friday, noon on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, closing at 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 7pm on Sunday.

Tickets are available at www. pooleharbourfestival.com

Iain Matthews is set to perform at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne

Arts & Entertainment

Play’s peace message

HOPEFOOL, a new play aimed at young people and adults, is set to be performed in Wimborne later this month.

The play is staged by Dorset-based Vita Nova’s Celeste theatre group, made up of refugees, individuals with English as a second language and people in addiction recovery.

Hopefool explores themes of peace, love and acceptance, and allows audiences to glimpse what it means to become a refugee, losing all that is familiar and being thrown into chilling situations, despite the individual’s attempts to cling onto a ‘normal life’.

The play’s lead actors can draw on first-hand experience of being forced to leave their homelands.

Hope is played by Olena Rohovska from Ukraine; Omid – Persian for hope – is Khabib Lutfullah Niazi from Afghanistan; and The Fool, Jamal Barrie, is from Sierra Leone.

Dr Sharon Coyne, who wrote and directed the play, said: “Hopefool addresses inequality and the struggles of refugees.

“This drama is the beginning of a discussion, a dialogue not just about the issue of refugees, but also the significance of borders and how immigration

has impacted this country.”

Olena Rohovska, 21, was studying at university in Lviv when Russia attacked Ukraine. She still finds it difficult putting into words the shock she felt receiving the phone call from her brother warning her war had broken out.

Olena said: “In that moment

my life changed. I was on the western side [of Ukraine] but listening to the thud-thud-thud of bombs. It was so frightening. So unreal.”

Arriving in the UK 12 months ago, Olena and her mother, Olha, were welcomed by a sponsor family in Dorset.

“Everyone has been so kind,” she said. “But it’s hard

worrying about friends and family in Ukraine. Not knowing what will happen.”

Olena’s answer to feeling constantly anxious has been to keep herself busy, working, studying, playing music – and joining the Celeste drama company.

Sharon Coyne said:

“Hopefool is a play for young people and adults that promotes peace in a time of conflict.

“Young people witnessing the horror of war from around the world can be left feeling helpless – without hope.

“Hopefool reminds us that we do have a voice and can make a difference however small in promoting unity and love.

“I am proud to see cast members who have English sometimes as a second, third or fourth language challenging themselves, learning together, giving one another strength. Every day they prove that co-operation is possible.”

Vita Nova is working with DEED, which promotes global education and learning in Dorset, Hampshire and South Wiltshire.

n HOPEFOOL is at the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne on Sunday, July 30, at 6pm, and Bridport Town Hall on Saturday, July 29, at 6.30pm.

Everly Brothers’ classic hits

By Lorraine Gibson

JUST say ‘The Everly Brothers’ and someone’s bound to launch into a line or two from Bye, Bye, Love or All I Have To Do Is Dream.

Those and a bunch of the famous crooning twosome’s other hits like Walk Right Back, Till I Kissed Her and Cathy’s Clown, will be brought to the stage at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne via Everly tribute duo The Bird Dogs – real-life

brothers Max and Oliver Hoare.

Along with a four-piece band, they will head back to the 1960s and that iconic sound of close harmonies and duelling guitars.

Credentials-wise, the siblings have written and performed their own stuff and have been featured on BBC’s Introducing Stage, the BBC Welsh A-List, played on Radio 2 and live at Bestival, St David’s Hall in Cardiff and The Royal Albert Hall, London.

And you may well recognise

Oliver from elsewhere – he played Dave Davies in the West End Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon and Max in the BBC’s All Together Now, where he appeared as a judge alongside the likes of Geri Halliwell and Rob Beckett.

n The Bird Dogs are at the Tivoli on Friday, July 28, at 7.30pm and tickets are priced £20.35 (online at www. tivoliwimborne.co.uk) and £18.50 (box office).

Olena Rohovska, who plays a lead role in Hopefool, with her mother, Olha Rohovska, in Ukraine before the war

Dancing at the seaside

TOPLOADER are set to headline the Music by the Sea Festival at Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage later this summer.

The event is in memory of Henry Searle and William Paddy, who both tragically died at a young age, and will raise funds and awareness for charities #Willdoes and Cancare, each of which support youngsters’ wellbeing.

Toploader’s crowd-pleasing material includes their billion downloaded hit Dancing in the Moonlight, now over 23 years old.

Toploader front man Joe Washburn said: “We are really looking forward to playing at Dorset’s Music by the Sea Festival.

“It’s such a fantastic festival with a great family vibe and incredible food and drink stalls.

“We love festivals where there’s more than a hot dog stand and it’s more about the whole ambience – the crowd really gets behind you.

“If you have never been to this before, come along – you won’t be disappointed.”

THE

MOWLEM

Theatre, Cinema & Function Rooms

Book your tickets: www.themowlem.com

A Summer of Music:

• A Beautiful Noise - The Definitive Neil Diamond Tribute Show Fri 28th July, 7.30pm

• Seriously Collins - The Phil Collins & Genesis experience Wed 9th Aug, 7.30pm

The Music by the Sea Festival is now in its third year and is expected to attract its largest ever crowd of 2,000 people.

Founder of #Willdoes and mum of Will, Lesley Paddy, and Vicki Searles, mum of Henry, said: “Both charities are thrilled to have such a prestigious band headline at the festival and support such great causes.

“We really think this will be the year that brings in a great crowd and puts Swanage on the festival map.”

Local indie rock band Galaxy Thief will provide support –they have been a regular feature since the festival began.

Hits include Timewaster with over a million plays on Spotify and YouTube since it was released last year.

They feature new front man and co-writer Rhys Messenger.

The festival is on Saturday, September 2, from 11am to 9pm and entry is £15 adults –postcode BH19/20 – £20 all other adults; children under 14 free. Tickets from www. eventbrite.co.uk – search for Music by the Sea, Swanage.

The Dorset Arts & Crafts

Showcase 2023

Friday 4th - Tuesday 8th August 10am-4pm daily

Sale of work by Members of DACA

Fine Art, Craft & Photography Competitions

Children's Workshops

Free Entry for Under 18's

www.dorsetartsandcrafts.org

• The History of Soul - A journey through the decades Sat 12th Aug, 7.30pm

• Richard Digance - The BAFTA Nominated entertainer returns!

Wed 16th Aug, 7.30pm

• The Elton John Show - The ultimate tribute, back by popular request! Sat 19th Aug, 7.30pm

• Fleetwood Shack – The music & history of Fleetwood Mac Wed 23rd Aug, 7.30pm

• New Jersey Boys - The music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons & more! Sat 26th Aug, 7.30pm

• Thought Control - An epic tribute to Pink Floyd Bank Holiday Mon 28th Aug, 7.30pm Every Summer of Music show features a free afterparty with popular local DJs Carlos Fandango and Purbeck Coast’s Flying G!

Children’s Theatre:

• Sally’s Spooky Holiday - Professional children’s theatre, made in Swanage! A family show from the team behind Santa Saves Christmas, particularly suitable for 2-8 year olds and lasts for 45 minutes, followed by our popular meet, greet and treat with Sally the Scarecrow, Crafty the Crow & friends - including a free present for every child!

Mon 7th Aug, 2.00pm, Mon 14th Aug, 2.00pm, Mon 21st Aug, 2.00pm

National Theatre Live:

• Fleabag (15) Encore Screening – A hilarious look at some sort of woman living her sort of life, written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The award-winning play that inspired the hit TV series Fleabag, filmed live on stage in London’s West End in 2019. Thur 31st Aug, 7.00pm

Movies - Evenings:

• Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning (Part One) (15) - Ethan Hunt and the IMF team track a terrifying new weapon that threatens humanity. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, a deadly race around the globe begins.

11th & 13th-17th Aug, 7.00pm

• Barbie (12A) - Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land, but then discover the joys and perils of living among humans. Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Greta Gerwig and Will Ferrell. 18th, 20th-22nd & 24th Aug, 7.00pm

• Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny (12A) - Indiana Jones is back on classic form in a race against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. 25th, 27th, 29th & 30th Aug, 7.00pm

Movies - Family Matinees:

• Elemental (PG) - 29th , 30th & 31st July, 1st-3rd, 11th, 18th & 25th Aug & 1st Sept, 11.30am

• The Little Mermaid (PG) - 4th-6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Aug & 2nd Sept at 11.30am

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) - 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Aug, 11.30am

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (PG) - 10th, 17th, 24th & 30th Aug, 11.30am

In the Showbar: Carnival Week events, upstairs at The Mowlem...

• Saturday 29th July – Fireworks and Disco - Join us for a great view of the Swanage Carnival Fireworks, followed by two hours of dancing with Purbeck Coast FM’s DJ Flying G. Free entry 9pm - 11pm

• Monday 31st July – Frankie Miles - A live acoustic session with local singer Frankie Miles. Free entry 8pm – 10pm

• Tuesday 1st August – Oscar’s Ultimate Quiz - Bigger quiz, with a lot more prizes! bring a team of up to 6 people, £1 per person, doors open 5pm, quiz starts at 7.30pm

• Wednesday 2nd August – Fireworks and Disco - Join us for a great view of the Swanage Carnival Fireworks, followed by two hours of dancing with Purbeck Coast FM’s DJ Flying G, Free entry 9pm-11pm

• Thursday 3rd August – Carnival Beer Pong - Full details in the Carnival Programme!

• Friday 4th August – Karen Grant’s Live Lounge - Local singer Karen singing all your favourite songs. Free entry, bar open from 5pm

• Saturday 5th August – Fireworks and Disco - Join us for a great view of the Swanage Carnival Fireworks, followed by two hours of dancing with Purbeck Coast FM’s DJ Flying G. Free entry 9pm-11pm The Showbar is open Friday & Saturday 5pm - 11pm & Sunday - Thursday 5pm – 10pm throughout the Summer.

www.themowlem.com

Purbeck School, Worgret Road Wareham BH20 4PF

Spotlight Diary

in association with: Karl’s Kabs – 07751 769833

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for August 7 is NOON on August 4. 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.

JULY 2023

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

MONDAY

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

FRIDAY

14:30 - YOUNGER4LONGER CHAIR-BASED EXERCISE in Wm United Reformed Church, Church St. with daisy chain fitness, 01929558139

SATURDAY

10am-4pm WAREHAM CAMERA CLUB Annual Print Exhibition Saturday 12th August 10 am – 4 pm Wareham Town Hall Free Admission

18:30

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

07590 116 017

Wanted

BOOKS HARDBACK, FOUNTAIN PENS, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid. Tel Mr Jones 01202 733550

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH ALSO