Purbeck Gazette 290

What’s inside this issue...

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EDITORIAL

Paul Jones

Editor-in-chief

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

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

About the Purbeck Gazette

The Purbeck Gazette prints every fortnight and delivers throughout the region from Swanage to Dorchester, Lulworth to Bere Regis. The Purbeck Gazette is published by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. All editing, graphic design and lay-up is completed in-house by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. The Purbeck Gazette is printed by Blackmore Ltd of Shaftesbury. The Purbeck Gazette website is managed and edited by The Blackmore Vale Ltd. Blackmore Vale Ltd also publishes The Purbeck Guidette, the Purbeck Visitor Guide. All rights reserved. All layouts copyright Blackmore Vale Ltd. No reproduction without permission.

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

A Langton Matravers pub has applied for planning permission to create a new kitchen and keep a shop

Page 8

The National Trust is offering healthy activities to support mind and body on Brownsea Island

Page 11

ADVERTISING

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

Donna Garner Account Manager Donna.garner@blackmorevale.net 07714 289408

Jane Toomer Senior Account Manager Jane.toomer@blackmorevale.net 07714 289411

Classified Adverts adverts@blackmorevale.net 01963 400186

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

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

Citizens Advice bus hits the road to take free advice to people of Purbeck

A NEW Citizens Advice bus has hit the roads of Purbeck to offer free help and support to residents.

The Advice Bus was officially declared open by Mayor of Swanage, Cllr Tina Foster and deputy mayor, Cllr Chris Moreton, at Swanage Market - one of the weekly bus stop locations.

It aims to deliver a service to those who cannot easily access existing outreaches or are digitally excluded.

The cost of living crisis has resulted in a big increase in the number of people needing advice, according to Citizens Advice.

In 2022, the East Dorset and Purbeck branch helped more than 5,000 people with advice issues and the number is expected to rise.

Katrina Ford, business development manager, Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck, said: “The Advice Bus will visit locations across East Dorset and Purbeck reaching residents who are unable to access current services due to rural isolation, restricted mobility, cost of fuel or limited access to public transport.

“We are most worried about those on the lowest incomes including the elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged with many struggling to pay every day bills.

“Our Advisers on the bus will be able to provide general advice and support which is free and there is no need to book an

appointment. Other voluntary sector organisations will be joining us at some locations to provide additional support services.”

n Wednesday, 10am-noon, Corfe Mullen (St Nicholas Church)

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

n Thursday, 10am-noon, The D’Uberville Centre, Wool

The Advice Bus will be stopping at the following locations on a weekly basis:

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Mar '23

n Monday, 10am-noon, Colehill Village Hall

n Tuesday, 10am-noon,Verwood (The Hub)

n Tuesday, 1pm-3pm, West Moors (Parkway Car Park)

Cow rescued from sticky situation

THIS was a sticky situation.

A cow needed to be moo-ved pretty quickly after getting stuck in a bog in Wareham.

Fire crews were called to the scene, in meadows behind Lady St Mary’s Church, at about 3.45pm on Thursday, May 18.

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “The rest of the herd looked on as firefighters and Poole Fire Station’s Tech Rescue crew

n Thursday, 1pm-3pm, Bovington (The Hive)

n Friday, 10am-noon, Swanage Market (Main Beach Car Park)

For more information about the Advice Bus visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/ get-advice/advice-bus.

Compiled by National Coastwatch Institution, Swanage

Solar & Tidal Predictions May/June 2023

Solar & Tidal Predictions - Jan '23

Solar and Tidal Predictions - Feb'23

Solar & Tidal Predictions - June '23

Peveril Ledge, Swanage

Cllr Chris Moreton, deputy mayor of Swanage; Helen Goldsack, chief officer at Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck; and Cllr Tina Foster, mayor of Swanage, open the new advice bus

rescued the stricken animal.

“The herd escaped from its field due to a gate being left open, by some walkers. The happy cow is now grazing in his rightful place.”

Affordable homes for local people

NEW affordable homes have been handed over to local people at Spyway Orchard, Langton Matravers.

The homes have been built using grant funding from Homes England, and delivered in partnership with Dorset Council, local housing association Aster Group and developer Countryside Partnerships.

All the homes at Spyway Orchard have been allocated to residents from Langton Matravers or those with a strong connection to the area or the surrounding rural parishes, via the Dorset Housing Register.

Similarly, the shared ownership homes have been snapped up by local and Dorset residents.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council lead member for housing said: “It’s great to see this development providing new homes for local people in Langton Matravers.

“Affordable housing makes a

significant difference to people’s lives and Dorset Council is working on several affordable schemes across the council area, supporting communities and providing homes for households with a need for local housing.”

The development is a mix of one-bed flats as well as two-,

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Hospital wants your old photos

DORSET County Hospital is seeking pictures from the past as it prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

The hospital is looking for pictures that illustrate its history and its staff over the years, especially photos that represent a specific era – such as those which feature distinctive uniforms or hairstyles.

A spokesperson said: “If you or your family have any images that you’re happy for us to use and reproduce, then please get in touch.”

Arts in Hospital is also working on a future project to create a history wall which will show a visual journey of the hospital over its 180-plus years, incorporating the history of medicine, healthcare and the social history of the county.

The spokesperson added: “We would love it if some of these photos could feed into this larger project.”

If you have anything that might be of interest, get in touch at artsinhospital@dchft. nhs.uk

three- and four-bedroom houses, built in locally sourced stone in a traditional style to reflect the Purbeck character.

Amanda Williams, chief investment officer at Aster, said: “Local residents across the South-West are being squeezed out of the area by the rise of

holiday short-term lets.

“In Langton Matravers the average house price has broken through the half million mark at a staggering £555,000.

“We’re therefore delighted to be able to hand over 28 sets of keys to the new residents moving into the affordable homes at Spyway Orchard from the village and surrounding parishes.

“The mix of homes will cater to a range of people enabling them to continue living in an area they love, close to family and friends.”

Phil Farminer, managing director of Countryside Partnerships Southern, said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Aster and Dorset Council to deliver these wonderful new homes.

“Spyway Orchard is a fantastic development providing local people with affordable housing opportunities across both rental and shared ownership tenures.”

The site, which is also an Ecological Enhancement Area, includes bat boxes, bird boxes, bee bricks and a ‘hedgehog highway’ which provides gaps in the fencing between gardens to allow hedgehogs to move freely.

In the picture (from left) are Cllr Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, Langton Matravers Parish Council, Sadie Pickernell, Technical Coordinator at Aster Group UK, Lead member, Cllr Graham Carr-Jones – Housing & Homelessness, Chris McDermott, Senior Housing Enabling & Policy Officer, Dorset Council and Rosemary Elliott, Pre-Construction Managing Quantity Surveyor, Countryside Partnerships Southern.

Outdoor play delight!

INDOOR learning has been put in the shade by a new extension at a school near Wareham.

A new outdoor learning space has got top marks from pupils at Sandford St Martin’s Primary School.

Featuring a 15m x 5m wooden pergola, reception children can now learn and play in a natural environment without worrying about the weather.

The under-cover area was created by local contractor Andy Critchell with an £8,000 investment from PTA funds. It adds another tick on the list of facilities at the primary school which already boasts its own large on-site forest school, a dipping pond and two further outdoor classrooms in its spacious grounds.

Head teacher, Paul Beveridge, said: “It is such a benefit to have an all-weather canopy for our youngest learners.

“We place great emphasis on the use of outdoor space to give pupils freedom to play, develop

skills and build friendships.

“We have been longing for this sort of extension for a number of years and we’re thrilled with the results. Andy Critchell has done a super job on the workmanship.

“It has been used daily since its installation and it will become an integral part of our learning environment.”

Childminders and nurseries in the area are also benefiting from the work, as they are allowed arranged access to the school’s outdoor spaces and the forest school area to enhance their outdoor learning and help children get used to the school grounds before they start.

The 420-pupil primary school, recently awarded ‘good’ status with ‘outstanding’ in behaviour and attitude from Ofsted, is open to applications from local families in all age groups.

For enquiries on available spaces at the school and to book a tour, call 01929 552949, or email office@sandfordprimary. dorset.sch.uk.

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Staff and pupils have given the new outdoor play area at Sandford St Martin’s Primary School in Wareham top marks

Town band all set for summer

SWANAGE Town Band is looking forward to another summer season playing on Swanage Bandstand.

The band has a range of brass and woodwind instruments, and plays a lively selection of marches, songs from the musicals and popular music –everything from the Beatles to Bernstein via Bond theme tunes and big band classics.

The band regularly attracts crowds of up to 200 locals and holidaymakers and, while the concerts are free, friends and relatives carry around collection buckets for donations to local charities.

This year the band will be collecting for Purbeck Youth Music, which encourages children to play musical instruments by providing lessons and loaning instruments, and Herston Village Hall Rebuilding Fund – the hall is a community hub, hosting

services such as a youth club, playgroup and community larder.

As well as its bandstand concerts, the band also supports local events and charities by playing at fetes and other fundraising events.

Swanage had a band during the late 19th and early 20th centuries but in its current form held its first practice in 1995 with just eight musicians.

Since then it has grown to more than 40 members of all ages, almost all of whom are amateurs.

The band practises every Wednesday evening in Swanage Methodist Church.

If you live in or around Swanage and are interested in joining, contact the musical director, Dave Cook, at daveswanband@gmail.com.

For updates and other information, see the band’s Facebook page.

Loyal servants

SWANAGE Band’s longest-serving members

Eddie Chinchen and Bridget Burtwell.

Eddie joined band in 1995 when it re-formed and Bridget in 1997.

Eddie says the band has a great community feel and everyone whatever ability is welcome. Diane Clare, who has been in the band a year, is the newest member.

Village pub could get new kitchenand keep shop - under expansion plan

CATERING at a village pub could soon get a boost in the form a new kitchen.

The Kings Arms, in Langton Matravers High Street, has applied for permission to build a new kitchen in the garden area.

Plans, submitted to Dorset Council on behalf of Kings Arms (Langton) Ltd, also detail plans to continue to offer a shop facility in a former coffee lounge at the pub.

“The Kings Arms does not have a kitchen suitable for commercial catering,” it said.

“This is the principal need for the business to thrive. Before the applicant’s ownership there was only a small kitchenette behind the former smoking room.

“Permission is requested to replace a temporary kitchen in a

timber shed erected in the garden with a permanent kitchen attached to the rear of the building.”

The Kings Arms dates back to 1743 and has ‘continually

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adapted’ over its lifetime, the application said, being now ‘popular with tourists and visitors who come to explore the Jurassic coastline and countryside of the Isle of

Purbeck’.

Part of the pub’s evolution, the plan details, was the creation of a shop on the premises.

“In 2021, the Post Office and general store closed in Langton Matravers after the owner retired,” it said.

“Following support and encouragement from the parish council, a community shop staffed by volunteers was opened in the former coffee lounge of the building.

“This application seeks to regularise and continue this activity.

“There is strong support in the village for the shop.”

To view the full plans, and to comment on the application, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for reference P/ LBC/2023/02663.

The Kings Arms in Langton Matravers has applied for permission to extend and to keep the villlage shop

New wheelchair improves access at Corfe Castle

MORE people should be able to explore the Corfe Castle site after the National Trust purchased an all-terrain wheelchair.

The MountainTrike ePush has electric assist and has been built to tackle challenging terrain and steep hills.

The electric assist helps remove the effort required to push but also has the option to be used manually on flat surfaces and down hills.

The MountainTrike will be free to use and available seven days a week, throughout the year.

The route will take users

from the ticket office to the top terraces of the Outer Bailey of Corfe Castle, which is up a steep and uneven incline.

Due to the nature of the site and multiple sets of steep steps, at present the vehicle cannot access the entirety of the castle ruins.

To complement the ePush, an access guide has been created which is available from Castle View welcome centre and Corfe Castle ticket office.

The guide gives more information about accessibility needs across the site. The access map highlights the recommended routes for the

ePush, which will be explained by staff when visitors are leasing the wheelchair.

Volunteering and community officer Zoe Squirrell said: “I am thrilled we now have an ePush wheelchair for Corfe Castle.

“Our hope is that this will offer more visitors, of all ages and abilities, the opportunity to experience and explore this

beautiful site.

“Where some may have previously thought they could not visit the castle, I hope they will now be able to say ‘yes’ instead!”

Vehicle bookings will be on a first come, first served basis. For more information contact the team on 01929 481294 or visit corfecastle@ nationaltrust.org.uk.

The all-terrain wheelchair in action at Corfe Castle

Animal Rising protestors target Dorset dairy farm with peaceful sit-in demo

PROTESTORS disrupted work at a Dorset farm on Friday morning (May 19).

Around 35 protestors staged a peaceful sit-in protest at a dairy farm in East Chaldon at 7am and left the scene some five and a half hours later.

Sitting between calf pens, Dorset Police said the Animal Rising activists had ‘hindered the daily working of the farm’.

“The group of protestors identified themselves as belonging to the Animal Rising group,” police spokesperson said.

“Animal Rising is an activist movement with the stated aim of compelling social change towards animal rights and welfare.”

Animal Rising said they had entered Grange Dairy, owned by JF Cobb & Sons, saying it supplied milk to chains including Marks & Spencer.

Ben Newman, one of those taking action,

said: “Just like every other animal in farms across the UK, the baby cows here just want to be free and live without the threat of being slaughtered for food or repeatedly impregnated so they produce milk.

“The dairy industry - indeed all of animal farming - is not working for any of us, farmers included.

“Exploiting these animals for our own purposes is hurting us, it’s hurting our environment, destroying our rivers, and it’s killing billions of innocent individuals each year.

“We need a safe and secure food system and that can only come once we all truly consider how to mend our shattered connection with all animals and create a world that is kinder to us all.”

The police spokesperson warned farmers to be on their guard.

“Please be vigilant around farm security, and you may wish to consider upgrading your security/CCTV arrangements,” they added.

An Animal Rising activist at the Dorset farm last week

Picture: Animal Rising

Activities for mind and body on Brownsea Island

NEW healthy activities to support the mind and body are being offered by the National Trust team on Brownsea Island.

The charity is offering different types of events on paddle boards and kayaks thanks to a new partnership with The Watersports Academy.

Paddle and Cake Days on Tuesday, May 30, Thursday, June 1, and Saturday, June 3, will give visitors an opportunity to explore the island from the water, with a chance to get close to marine life and see the island from a different perspective. Afterwards they can warm up with a hot chocolate and cake.

This chance to paddle board around the island is aimed at first time and seasoned

are inviting

boarders. Booking is essential – adults £30, children £23 – and normal admission fees plus boat fare also apply.

Visitors can also enjoy the

Business Proposals

for a unique café/restaurant

With the concession for the highly successful 1859 Pier Café & Bistro at Swanage Pier finishing in September 2023, the Swanage Pier Trust is looking for an experienced catering business to operate at the Pier.

To register your interest and to obtain more information please contact Sidney Phillips on 01460 259100 or wessex@sidneyphillips.co.uk

peace and tranquillity of the location while local yoga teacher and meditation master Sonja Lockyear guides them through a one-hour yoga

session, followed by a picnic breakfast prepared by local plant-based chef Wylde Green Kitchen.

These classes run every Wednesday in June and are priced £35. This price includes admission fee and boat fare.

Programming and partnerships officer Rachel Lamb said: “We are so excited about being able to offer these new activities for health and wellbeing in such a beautiful setting. We hope that people will stay a while longer, perhaps even stay on the campsite and enjoy the beauty of Brownsea.”

For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ dorset/brownsea-island

Paddle boarding - National Trust images – Ben Selway; and yoga –National Trust Images – Chris Lacey; are on offer at Brownsea Island

Bosses and staff alerted to higher statutory pay rates

A RAFT of new increases to statutory pay rates has come into force, employment experts at a Swanage law firm have advised.

They include maternity, paternity, adoption, parental bereavement and sick pay rates as well as changes to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

Ellis Jones Solicitors, with offices in the High Street, is reminding employers to ensure policies are refreshed, payrolls updated and staff informed.

Partner Kate Brooks, head of employment/HR services, said: “It is important to make sure that these type of pay rate increases don’t slip through the cracks.

“The latest rises are an increase of 10% on 2022/23 in many cases and represent not insignificant sums for employers and employees.

“There may be other factors to take into account which complicate the picture and need to be considered, such as timescales and average earnings, especially at larger firms with sizeable payrolls.”

Under the changes statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and parental bereavement pay are now £172.48 a week – up from £156.66 – although there are differing provisions for the various schemes.

The weekly rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) is now £109.40,

up from £99.35.

The weekly earnings threshold for a worker to be eligible for the statutory parental pay rates or statutory sick pay remain the same, at £123 a week.

Kate added: “Statutory pay rates can be a minefield.

“Clearly employees will be unhappy if they miss out, while in some cases, such as for minimum wages, non-

compliance is a criminal offence.

“It is advisable for businesses and individuals to check the latest changes and seek advice from qualified and regulated professionals if they are in any doubt about what it means for them.”

The National Living Wage has increased from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour for those aged 23 and over.

Bespoke kitchens, created to be the centre of your home

Kate Brooks, partner and head of employment at Ellis Jones Solicitors

The Great Outdoors

Kayaking

(Sea Kayak and Personal Performance)

Old Harry Rocks Sea Kayak Adventure

Kayak and Paddle Board Hire.

This year H20 Adventures is running a two-hour Swanage Bay kayaking experience perfect for all abilities. Our clients will learn a few kayaking skills before heading out to explore Swanage Bay, including the old and new pier, and kayaking along the beach towards Ballard Point. Kayakers can enjoy games and races out on the water, and occasional capsize games.

All the kayaking equipment is supplied and the minimum age is 13 when accompanied by an adult.

The half-day Old Harry Rocks sea kayaking adventure is for clients who have had some experience in a kayak and are comfortable in a kayak for three hours plus.

This trip shows kayakers much more of the Jurassic coast, including the caves and sea stacks along the chalk cliffs, hidden beaches and the UNESCO world heritage site of OId Harry Rocks.

The trip normally runs for three to four hours.

Paddleboard and sea kayak hire is offered throughout the season with all safety equipment included, all of which can be collected from H2O Adventures at Swanage Boat Park with pre-booking. Kayak coaching courses are also offered, including a six-week river to sea kayak course for people who live nearby and want to learn a new skill. H20 Adventures also runs an introduction to sea kayaking course, and the more advanced British Canoeing Sea Kayak Coastal Award – participants can come away with various awards based on their performance over the course.

Trips Around Swanage Bay and along the Jurassic Coast.

IN an idyllic spot between Swanage and Studland, Ulwell Holiday Park is the perfect destination for a break. It provides an ideal base from which to catch the bus to Bournemouth, via the scenic Sandbanks Ferry, or into picturesque seaside haven, Swanage.

You could also take a steam train ride to Corfe Castle, making your way back to Ulwell across the Purbeck Hills… Even if you choose not to venture out, there’s plenty to do. The Ulwell Shop is on the doorstep, complete with fresh bakery, local sausages and most essential items, while the Village Inn serves drinks throughout the day, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.

All the while, you can be charging your electric vehicle back at the holiday park. So, bring your tent or motorhome, or hire a luxury caravan, where you can sit outside and take in the beautiful Purbeck Hills. Perhaps then is the time to plan that walk to Corfe Castle or Old Harry Rocks to take in the stunning scenery of Studland Bay and Poole Harbour.

For the sporty types, Purbeck Golf Course is nearby, as are the delights of the Jurassic Coast, for the more history-minded. Or, you could take a dip in the heated indoor swimming pool included in the cost of your stay – and even if you’re not staying, you are welcome to book a swim at reception. Ulwell Holiday really is the base for everything the area has to offer

It would be hard not to fall in love with Dorset. With its easy charm and inspiring scenery, many have come to adore the beautiful county in all its glory. One person who would openly confess his love of Dorset was famed author Thomas Hardy who would likely share his fondness of the county with another love in his life. The lady in question was a certain Eliza Nicholls to whom Thomas Hardy was greatly attached. The two would spend as much time as possible together and loved to visit Clavell Tower which was built in 1830. The tower, noted for its circular structure, was built as an observatory looking out over the beautiful Dorset coastline.

Thomas Hardy was said to have used it as a destination for romantic walks with his first love, Eliza Nicholls, whose father was a Kimmeridge coastguard. His Wessex poems also include a frontispiece, hand-drawn by Hardy himself, of the tower.

A Sizzling Summer Offer

Serious financial considerations are being made every day, in nearly all households across the UK, about how much money is available to buy food for the family. Generally speaking, most people will decide to choose cost over quality.

At B Curtis Butchers, we know how important it is to eat food that is ethically reared, fed with high quality feed, free range or organic where possible and of course local. These things are of the utmost importance to us and so we only sell the best produce. We’re also trying to be mindful of costs, something all independent retailers across the country are battling with.

We want you and your family to eat quality produce and save money, therefore we are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new offer ‘Saturday’s Sizzling Deals’. Available every Saturday, but only from 2.30pm until 3pm closing.

Subject to availability. Items may change on a weekly basis.

D

One of Purbeck’s best kept secrets is the flat cycling network across the Rempstone Estate. If you are a cyclist, then you have probably ridden the forest trails between Purbeck Park and Studland Bay. But if not, you might be surprised how easy the trails are to cycle on and being nestled so close to Poole Harbour the terrain is quite flat and only gently undulating at worst.

Ross Kempson, who owns Cyclexperience set up a bike hire business at Purbeck Park (then Norden) back in 2008, fifteen years after starting a larger business in the New Forest. “After the success of our business, I started to look for additional locations and having lived in Bournemouth, I was familiar with the Purbeck area but always considered it too hilly for most people to enjoy cycling. But after spending a couple of days cycling with my son, we discovered some really easy cycling along tranquil trails which also rewarded us with fantastic views”.

The bike hire unit at Purbeck Park is open seasonally from April to October. Bikes can be booked online and suggested routes are also shown on the website www.cyclex.co.uk. You can download a free app on the app stores (search ‘cyclexperience’) which tracks your progress on your phone. The most popular route is Bike to the Beach which follows part of the National Cycle Network to end up at Studland Bay. For the more adventurous, you won’t find renting a E-Bike a pointless choice if you follow the Over the Hills route taking you to the coast at Kimmeridge for a spot of fossil hunting or the slightly less hilly Steamy Swanage route which can be combined with a steam train ride either to or from the town station.

And if you want to buy a bike, you can save some money with an ex-rental or a new bike can be sourced from their New Forest business and delivered to Purbeck Park.

National Coastwatch – Eyes along the coast

Service was their watchword

ONE of the most memorable things that I will take away from the coronation was how strongly the concept of service ran through all the pageantry.

Several years ago I asked the watchkeepers at Peveril Point why they volunteered with NCI and one of our watchkeepers summed it up by saying: “The attraction is the wonderful outlook on the ever changing weather and sea conditions, the camaraderie and, most of all, the feeling that one is being of use to the community.”

Another said: “I have felt safe knowing we have teams of dedicated people who work tirelessly to keep our coastline safe. So, I decided to join them and be part of that unique team keeping our coast safe and secure, whether you are in a large vessel, yacht, dinghy or a family on the beach or walking the clifftop. I am there so they can always feel safe.”

I think it’s this attitude that was instrumental in both stations being awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – soon to become the King’s Award. The QAVS was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. The award, often known as the MBE for voluntary groups, has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years. It’s the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

BOTH St Alban’s Head and Swanage can trace their roots back to the original coastguard stations with their history of volunteer coastguard auxiliaries. It doesn’t seem like two years ago that Ian Brown, station officer of the Swanage Coastguard Rescue team, was awarded the British Empire Medal. This is a prestigious award which

recognises ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. With over 30 years’ service within the team, and well known for other work within the community, Ian was certainly a worthy recipient of the award. He follows in the footsteps of other local coastguard volunteers who have also been given this award.

We are particularly proud to be associated with Ian Surface BEM. Ian was born in Swanage in 1938. A carpenter by trade, he enrolled in the Coastguard in 1968 and became the auxiliary in charge – now known as the station officer – in 1975. Ian was involved in hundreds of rescues around Swanage and many people owe their lives to Ian’s skill and leadership of the rescue team.

In 1988 the team received a Chief Coastguard’s Commendation for recovering a deceased climber from caves near Anvil Point. This difficult and technical rescue was led by Ian, who was also the cliff man that day.

In February 1990, Swanage

suffered major flooding and Ian led the other emergency services in helping people out of their homes.

When the coastguard station at Peveril Point closed in 1994, Ian was instrumental in working with the fledging National Coastwatch Institution in re-establishing a lookout on the site and, in April 1995, Swanage NCI came into being. Shortly after, largely due to his offices, the station at St Alban’s Head was re-opened. After Bass Point in Cornwall, our two local stations are the longest established lookouts in the NCI.

After nearly 30 years Ian retired from Coastguard in February 1998 and continued his excellent work with the National Coastwatch Institute at Peveril Point until his death in 2009, aged 71. Ian is remembered not only by a plaque on the station wall, unveiled in 2012, but by the present Lookout itself which he was responsible for rebuilding in the early 2000s.

Ian’s role has recently been

taken over by Martin Jones, who was appointed station manager in May after serving for nine years as training officer.

IN contrast to Ian Surface, Percy Wallace BEM came from Bristol. He was born in April 1895, the oldest child of Frank and Rhoda Wallace. After leaving school, he served an apprenticeship with Bristol Wagon Works, before becoming a blacksmith for a time.

With the onset of the First World War Percy joined the Navy and trained as a signaller. At that time the coastguard came under the Navy and George was seconded to the coastguard station at St Alban’s Head. It was there that he met local girl Dora Lander and they married at the end of the war.

Percy and Dora moved back to Bristol for a short while before returning to Worth Matravers where Percy became a full-time coastguard. As well as the British Empire Medal, he also won a Queen’s Commendation, a Royal Humane Society Medal and Carnegie Awards for bravery in saving lives from the sea and the cliffs.

He was also a lobster/crab fisherman, and his descendants still carry on this today. Watchkeepers at both stations regularly record fishing vessel Star of Hennock, owned by Geoff Lander, making its way along the Purbeck cliffs.

After Percy died, the villagers of Worth Matravers commissioned a small garden of remembrance to be built in the middle of the village. It stands inside a small copse of willow trees called withies. The withies were coppiced and the thin canes used to make traditional lobster pots.

This is St Alban’s Head and Swanage NCI carrying on a long tradition of keeping ‘eyes along the coast’ as well as listening on channel 65. NCI out.

Plaque for Ian Surface

PHOTO: Swanage NCI

Martin Jones receives the station manager epaulettes

PHOTO: Swanage NCI

Percy Wallace PHOTO: Frenchay Museum Archives

Telling It Like It Is

‘Don’t forget – have your say to PCC’

AT the risk of repeating myself – and I’m only doing do because the subject is that important – please don’t forget to come to the meeting at the Methodist Church, 105 High Street, on Monday, June 12, at 7pm; our Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick and as many senior police officers as he can bring will be there; our local county councillors Bill Trite and Gary Suttle have promised to attend.

Regrettably, Richard Drax has a prior three-line whip that evening, which he cannot avoid. We’d also like to see youth leaders, local school heads and anyone else whose input may positively contribute to a solution to the ever-increasing problem of petty crime, vandalism, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour which is casting a cloud over the evening skies of Swanage.

Don’t wait for a printed invite to drop through your letterbox; it won’t. This is your formal invitation!

So – I repeat my previous comment – if you have ever felt that anti-social behaviour is taking over our streets, if you have been the victim of crime, however petty; if you are concerned about the teenage drug-taking in our public areas and the open dealing on our streets, if you have ever written to Facebook and complained about the absence of police on our streets, in short – if you have had enough, then please take the time to be at the Methodist Church at 7pm and support those of us who feel the same, by talking to and above all listening to, David Sidwick.

Do you lie awake at night wondering where the hell your children are and what they are up to, who they are mixing with? Are you one of the many people who have contacted us privately – and are you prepared to come along and seek a solution? Or are you one of the ‘night people’ who are so desperate for a warm place to go

By David Hollister

in the evening and just hang out safely with your mates? And I don’t mean ‘youth initiatives’ or ‘crafts’, I just mean four walls, a sound system and a coffee machine. Whatever your age, you will be made most welcome. 7pm at the Methodist Church on Monday, June 12. Please come. Talk to us. Listen. It’s only one evening out of your life and it may just make a difference.

I was disappointed at the number of empty chairs at the recent parish assembly. It was your chance to make your points to the town and district councillors of Swanage and to listen to the interesting things they were saying on many subjects, including homelessness and the continued lack of an effective county council planning department.

Indeed, Cllr Bill Trite reminded us of what he had said when the district council was abolished; his words of warning have proven prophetic.

We do not appear to have proper representation at county level simply in terms of numbers, and we seem to be saddled with council officers who have little or local knowledge of Purbeck.

It seemed from what Bill was saying that a good number of decisions, which we thought were being made by our elected representatives, are actually being made by these officers and passed by the council cabinet, who know little and probably care less about our neck of the woods.

For many years, I have been pushing in this column for a proper pavement in Harman’s Cross so that the pedestrian residents do not have to cross the road when going from the eastern part of the village to the crossroads and beyond, including the village hall.

It’s an accident waiting to happen, especially on dark wet winter nights.

Apparently it’s been

discussed at county level on several occasions and the answer always comes back that ‘budgetary constraints’ prevent it going ahead.

The same problem is now happening in the village of Studland, where the residents have been campaigning for a proper pedestrian crossing for some considerable time.

The downhill approach from Swanage into Studland has a speed monitor, which many people ignore, but this doesn’t prevent motor vehicles and cyclists from whizzing through the village to catch the ferry.

Apparently, Dorset Council has assured the residents of Studland that they recognise their need.

A council spokesperson says the location in question does meet the criteria for a crossing but, ‘we need to make sure the crossing can be safely installed and done so within the limited budget available’.

Ah. So that’s it in a nutshell.

How much is the life of someone crossing the road actually worth, in terms of pounds and pence?

I invite Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, to explain through these pages why it is that the Studland crossing and the Harmans cross pavement are so far down the list, and what he will be saying to the grieving relatives of the inevitable victims of both neglected road schemes?

At the same time, when they put in the ridiculous turn-off from the Swanage road into Langton Matravers, we were

promised that a site meeting would take place and we’d all be invited to it.

Covid came along and the discussion appears to have been shelved indefinitely.

It’s sad watching drivers of large vehicles trying to get around that junction into Langton Matravers.

So maybe, Cllr Bryan, when responding to my first points, you can also cover this junction and let us know if and when Dorset Council will be doing something about it other than pretending it’s going away.

My afternoon radio show is called ‘Drive around Purbeck’ And this weekend that’s exactly what we did, by courtesy of the Dorset Blind Association event based at Lulworth Castle.

Michelle (my producer) and I took my lovely little classic MX5 Phoenix around a prearranged route, along with about 200 other classic cars including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and lots of other expensive metal.

Fortunately, it was a beautiful blue sunny day and the fact that we had good music, good company, and no particular place to go in a hurry, meant we really enjoyed ourselves.

I think the huge volumes of traffic trying to get into Lulworth Castle may be a lesson to next year’s organisers; the queues on every approach to Lulworth – by the time that the ‘run’ ended – were several miles long. The event itself was an amazing success but my only words of advice to the organisers are simply, ‘be careful what you wish for’!

Chris Packham is new RSPCA president

WILDLIFE expert and campaigner Chris Packham has been named president of the RSPCA.

The TV presenter, pictured, who is currently working on BBC Springwatch from Dorset, said he was ‘immensely proud’ to take on the role.

And he said it comes at a ‘critical time’ for animals.

“This honour comes at a historic moment as the charity counts down to its 200th birthday next year in 2024,” he said.

“200 years of driving forward amazing change for animals, but, arguably, I am taking up my position at one of the most critical times for animals in the charity’s history.

“The challenge facing those distant founders was very different, the notion of protecting animals from cruelty was a new one, with the first animal welfare act, protecting

cattle from abuse, only being passed two years earlier in 1822.

“They had a huge job to do in changing both social attitudes and legislation.

“Fast forward two centuries and protection of animals is woven into the fabric of our society and our laws - the British people care deeply about animals and recoil in outrage at abuse and cruelty.

“But, despite the immense leaps forward we have made, the modern world comes with its own challenges for animals.

“We’re living through uncertain times with seismic shocks that have undermined our own sense of security and wellbeing - a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, a war in Europe, the repercussions of all of which are still being felt and will be for years to come.

“During times of social and economic stability, that is when

animals can suffer and when charities like the RSPCA are needed more than ever.”

He highlighted a number of challenges faced by the charity, including the cost-of-living crisis, but urged people to work together to tackle the issues facing animals and people alike.

“We have a big job ahead of us. But we know we don’t have to do it alone,” he added.

“Since we became the world’s first animal charity, we not only spawned other SPCAs

all around the world, but we are now part of a huge network of charities and organisations working together in this country and abroad to improve the lives of animals.

“We need to work in partnership, not just with other charities, but with businesses and government, to bring about the change we need to see.

“Running throughout everything we do is prevention - it’s in our name - and we all have a part to play.

“We need to work with you, animal lovers, to ensure we can truly be there for all animals who need us.

“We need you to lend us your voice to campaign with us, your time to volunteer for us, your power as a consumer to make the right choices for animals, and, most of all, your compassion to make sure we create a world which is better for animals.”

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!

purbeck@lynwoodvets.co.uk

Great tips for keeping your garden looking fabulous all summer long

AT the time of writing this article, it looks like summer has finally arrived, and with it comes the promise of warmer weather and the opportunity to spend a lot more time enjoying our gardens. Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your garden looking at its best, throughout the year.

n Add a splash of colour

– Plant some pots, baskets and containers with some summer bedding plants such as geraniums, petunias and lobelia. They are a low-cost way of adding instant colour to your garden, and if you give them a bit of love and attention, they’ll reward you all summer long. For an extra treat, include some scented plants such as Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’ which produces a delicious scent.

n Don’t forget to water your plants – Rather than watering little and often, which encourages weeds and causes plants to form roots near the surface of the soil, neither of which is good, water thoroughly every few days so that the water can really soak in. Watering this way will encourage deeper roots and will make your plants less vulnerable in hot weather.

n Feed your plants – All plants, especially flowering

plants, can exhaust the nutrients in the soil really quickly during the growing season, particularly plants grown in pots and containers. Applying a quality liquid feed to the soil when you water will replace these lost nutrients and will strengthen your plants and encourage them to produce more flowers. A healthy, well-fed plant will also be less susceptible to drought and attacks from pests and disease. Always make sure that the soil around your plant is moist before applying a feed, as feeding a plant in dry soil can do more harm than good.

n Deadhead your plants – Deadheading is simply the term used for removing any flowers that are past their best. Doing this will stop the plant from setting seed and it’s a really clever way of encouraging your plants to produce many more flowers. Be sure to remove the flower below the base, or you may leave the seed-forming part in tact.

n Give your lawn a bit of love – Now is a great time to apply a multi-action granular treatment to your lawn. They contain a lawn feed that will replenish much needed lost nutrients which will green up your lawn and strengthen it, in preparation for the drier summer

Nemesia Wisely Vanilla

Clare and Will from Goulds Garden Centre

months. It will also clear moss and weeds from your lawn which will compete with your grass for moisture and nutrients, and can take over if left unchecked, leading to unsightly bare patches. If you can, try and leave a small part of the garden unmanicured, to provide an important space for insects, pollinators and other wildlife.

If you would like to keep your garden looking fabulous, pop in to Goulds Garden Centre where our friendly team can give you all the advice you need! Happy gardening!

Sue Butterworth

GouldsGC.co.uk

n SUE Butterworth is in her 24th year at Goulds Garden

Make the most of summer days

SUMMER has finally arrived, and all our gardens, patios and balconies are ablaze with colour.

New flowers, foliage emerging every day. Roses, perennials, trees and shrubs full of blossoms, scents and busy insects buzzing and humming, pollinating as they go.

All your summer bedding, patio and basket plants can be planted out now. They come in every colour, trailing, upright for full sun or shade.

Check with your nursery or garden centre staff to select the best for your baskets and containers.

Choose from hundreds of varieties – geraniums, begonias, bizzy lizzies, marigolds, lobelias, fuchsias, petunias,

trailing, upright or bush to suit every situation.

Vegetable plots, greenhouses, all your tender beans, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, chillies and many more can now all be safely planted or potted out to get the summer sunshine for strong growth and heavy cropping.

Fruit bushes and plants may need to be netted to protect from birds and mammals so that fruit is in tip-top condition for eating.

Sowing of vegetable seeds can still be carried out for later crops of fresh carrots, lettuce, spring onions, peas and beans. Late planting of seed potatoes can still be done.

Lawns can be fed and weeded. Seed can be sown, for repairs and renewals.

Make the most of these summer days, sit back and enjoy all your gardens and plants – it’s a wonderful time of year.

Westland boost feed

Centre. She is the plant manager for this busy store and has been sourcing plants for award winning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show since 2018. She is an avid gardener, leading to numerous Britain in Bloom awards including a 1st.

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Delphiniums star of June garden

By Sally Gregson

ONE of the highlights of an English garden in June is a bed of towering blue delphiniums. They must be the archetypical cottage garden plant. And yet delphiniums are becoming an increasingly rare sight.

Maybe it’s because gardeners are reluctant to take precautions against slugs and snails with the young plants. Or maybe organic solutions are not so well-known.

There are plenty of treatments available at the local garden centre, ranging from copper rings, through organic pellets, to dressing the surrounding soil with crushed seashells.

Once the delphinium plant reaches a certain size the slugs and snails have to get out their climbing boots and they tend to ignore them thereafter.

Perennial cottage delphiniums are usually grown from seed. The ‘Pacific Coast’ strain produces towering spikes

that are not just blue, but rich, deep purple, pink, white, and the blue of an English summer sky. The central spike of flower lasts quite a few weeks before being cut down. Then the side shoots often produce smaller flowers into July and August, before fading away completely until next year.

The seed strains are now so good that barely anyone grows the named forms any more. However, worth looking out for are the devilish, deep bluepurple D. ‘Faust’ with semidouble flowers and dark divided leaves; and D. ‘Spindrift’ with semi-double, pale lavender flowers with white eyes.

All the large-flowered delphiniums need a rich soil in sun, that drains well. It is worth top-dressing the border with well-rotted manure or garden compost in winter.

They associate well with ‘old’ roses in shades of pink, purple and white, that relish the

same rich soil and sun. And purple Salvia ‘Caradonna’ would add a deeper note to the composition.

Their cousins, the annual larkspurs, bring that touch of blue to a sunny, free-draining bed. They are especially pretty grown through a population of airy, light grasses such as Stipa tenuissima. They can be sown in

trays in the greenhouse early in the year, or outdoors where they are to flower, in early spring and keep them weed-free. Their flowers will last most of the summer punctuating the grasses with pops of sky blue, and with a mild winter they may even seed themselves around, putting themselves in just the right places.

Why it’s wise to pot on tomatoes

By Sally Gregson

AT last, the warmth has returned to greet the summer, and many gardeners’ thoughts are turning to growing tomatoes, aubergines and peppers in the greenhouse.

The frosts are past and the world, and the soil, is warming up. With a few days of sunshine these soft vegetables will respond with a growth spurt.

Having bought young plants, or raised them from seed in the frost-free greenhouse, it can seem like a good trick to avoid the task of regularly potting on fast-growing tomatoes in particular, by skipping the pot sizes and planting the young tomato straight into a bigger pot.

But putting small plants into big pots causes more problems than it solves.

The roots of young tomato plants tend to move outwards, seeking the sides of the pot

where the moisture has evaporated down the inside. They tend not to grow into the middle of the compost.

Consequently, there is a whole area of wet, nutrient-rich soil that is sitting underneath the middle of the young plant. In extreme cases this can cause the whole plant to rot.

And the container is full of nutrients that are going to flush through unused, and they have a fairly short shelf-life.

It is much wiser to pot on each time the roots are showing through the drainage holes at the bottom, into a slightly larger pot.

It needs doing perhaps every two or three weeks, when the nutrients have been used up and the roots have absorbed all that moisture.

By the middle of June, the tomato plants will be big enough to plant out in a

prepared, sunny spot in the vegetable garden, or into a grow-bag.

They will need feeding regularly from the moment they

start to form flowers with a high potassium, tomato fertiliser to promote lots of fruit.

The days of tomato soup are back again.

Delphiniums are the archetypical cottage garden plant

PHOTO: RTsocial/ Pixabay

It is best to pot on tomatoes each time the roots are showing through the drainage holes at the bottom, into a slightly larger pot.

PHOTO: Andreas Göllner/Pixabay

New contract for firm helping vets

DID you know, many of the signs you use to help navigate your way around the roads of Britain are produced by an army of veterans and people with disabilities?

The signs are being worked on at Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), through its social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), at a factory in Kent.

Used on England’s motorways and major A-roads for National Highways, the signs are not just helping drivers but also helping veterans and disabled people.

And thanks to a new pledge from Vinci (Ringway), Amey, Colas, H W Martin, Chevron and Highway Traffic Management, the factory will be able to continue operating and supporting the people who rely on the support it provides.

Michelle Ferguson, managing director of RBLI’s social enterprises, said: “As the country faces ongoing challenges with the cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever that businesses come together to

make meaningful choices that have a demonstrable, positive impact on people’s lives.

“This ongoing commitment from National Highways and their supply chain means we have been able to promote military veterans to more senior positions, hire more people with disabilities and for the whole of RBLI to become a real living

wage employer.

“We cannot thank National Highways enough – together we will genuinely change people’s lives.”

Roads Minister, Richard Holden, said: “We owe our veterans a great debt of gratitude and we’re proud of the work National Highways is doing to boost employment opportunities through its road sign partnership.

“We have a long history of supporting those who serve in our armed forces and together with the additional £33 million funding for veteran housing and accessibility equipment, we are continuing to offer our support.”

National Highways executive director of commercial and procurement, Malcolm Dare, said it was a pleasure to help such a company while providing the vital signs.

“We’re pleased to be supporting such a great cause as they continue to produce signs that are used on our roads, and in turn helping to support the veterans and disabled people that rely on this vital work.”

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Anil Gurung, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, now makes road signs for National Highways

OAP priced out of dental care

AS a resident of Wareham I was today informed by my dentist – The Wareham Dental Practice – that it will no longer be able to treat me under an NHS contract.

I’m approaching 70 years of age and as an OAP I’m in receipt of the state pension. Had I some warning of this situation I would have made some provision for this when still working.

As it stands my dentist has indicated that from August 1 a single filling will cost me about £140, a replacement crown £600 to £700 and any maintenance to my bridge work £380.

As you can imagine this will be impossible to pay on my state pension and when, as advised, I phoned Dorset NHS was informed the nearest dental practice working with an NHS contract is in Tadley, near Aldermaston, about 70 miles from Wareham – that's a 140-mile round trip to see a dentist.

Reader’s picture

As a vulnerable pensioner this is nigh on impossible for me to achieve. Both in terms of cost and my health.

Surely it would have been more thoughtful, or dare I say compassionate, for the dentist to maintain his current list of pensioners under the NHS contract and for the Dorset Commissioning Group or Dorset Integrated Care Board to support our dentists in looking after Dorset’s OAP’s.

We are not asking for cosmetic dentistry, only to maintain our oral health in our old age.

I have worked all of my life and contributed tax and National Insurance.

As a child in the 1950s my Granny impressed upon me to ‘look after your teeth’ and ‘thank god for the NHS’.

Most of the OAPs back then had no teeth and cheap dentures – and, oh yes, if I want dentures they will cost between £800 and £1,400, so not much chance of even looking as good as my old granny.

What has gone wrong in Dorset? Back in October both

the PM and the Chancellor stated in parliament ‘this government will look after the most vulnerable in our society’.

Why do OAPs on the state pension or Pension Credit not have access to routine NHS dental care in Dorset?

Hamish Ross

The Poetry of the Sea

I’ve often watched the raging sea

From jutting rock or promontory

And tried to store that majesty

For lines of future Poetry

But any words of mine are poor To catch that surge, that spray, that roar

The sea’s the sea, just look in awe ...

And don’t read poems anymore !

For more poetry visit the PAW open mic poetry night at The Globe Inn on Monday, June 5, from 7.30-10.30pm. Free entry.

Martin Hobdell Swanage

Ploughing match coins in the cash

THE sun shone and Wareham & Purbeck YFC & Vintage

Ploughing Committee had 50 entries booked to take part in its ploughing match.

We would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors, those who donated raffle prizes, everyone who bought raffle tickets, all the people who ploughed and the judges for giving up their day for us.

We raised £2,000 for the Dorset Cancer Centre in Poole Hospital.

Helen Selby Committee secretary

SAND AND SEA: Robin Boultwood, from Swanage, sent in this picture he took recently of Studland

Taking care of precious pearls

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

PEARLS are a most beautiful gemstone, formed in a most unique way, and which are still immensely popular in classic jewellery design. The pearl is also the birthstone for June and is said to represent purity, humility and innocence.

Pearls are traditionally worn as bridal jewellery but, conversely, are associated with mourning jewellery which dates back to the time of Queen Victoria who established the wearing of pearls while grieving.

The lustre on a pearl is known as the ‘orient’. These shiny layers of pearl grow around the nucleus of the pearl and are porous. Without proper care, they can erode to a chalky white finish. Because of their soft, organic nature, they do require special care and I’ve put together some tips to keep your pearls in top condition.

Recommendations:

Wear your pearls frequently as the warmth and moisture from your skin keeps the nacre glowing and prevents the pearl from drying out

Avoid anything acid-based,

like perfume, hairspray, handcream and antibac gel as they corrode the surface of the pearl and they lose their lustre

Pearls should be put on last when getting dressed to avoid the above!

Once you have finished wearing your pearls, gently rub any surface grease from them

Always lie a strung row of pearls flat rather than hanging, otherwise the thread will stretch and the pearls will become

loose, move and become damaged

NEVER use jewellery cleaner on anything set with pearls

Some seed pearls are cemented into a setting and if water seeps into the setting, it

can loosen the cement and cause the pearl to fall out. Water also corrodes the thread and can make pearls crack when they dry. So, even though pearls are grown underwater, they should not under any circumstance get wet!

Expertly curated Antique, Pre-owned and Modern Jewellery

Crossword 28 Purbeck Gazette May 29, 2023

6

2

2 4 2 7

7 2 3 4 6 7 3 8 7 6 4 9 1 6

3

Brain chain

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

sudoku

Brain chain (hard version)

Cryptic crossword

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

Down

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

2 Firm given approval that is for biscuit (6)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

3 A French man with unusual pull around France is disobliging (9)

4 Argument over a new tree (5)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

6 Anger seen in diaries regularly (3)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

7 Sufficient reason for foundation (6)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

16 Draw advantage (4)

8 Up-to-date way of operating by service sea (6)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

16 Draw advantage (4)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

11 Ink spilled in cupboard that’s joined together (5-4)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

13 Moral outlook binding Norway regarding race (6)

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

14 Fine stitching son removed in time to come

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

Across

1 Get a group of singers for audition (7)

5 Top card game book ignored (5)

9 Man in black say entertaining complete house gets to make unqualified commitment (2,3,5,3)

10 Fault about lone criminal showing unjustifiable force (8)

11 Stick container close to plate (4)

12 PM not for a largely new reform (9)

16 Draw advantage (4)

17 Emotional outbreak? Heart is broken infused with yen (8)

19 A ruling agenda moved devoted assistant (8,5)

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3x3 box. No digit maybe repeated in any dashed-lined cage, and each dash-lined cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage

21 Disreputable group nearly always detaining Frenchman (5)

22 Agitate monarch with routine upset in lead (7)

15 Policy followed by a Republican in an unbroken sequence (6)

18 Grasp plain matter of fact (5)

20 Border that’s neat needing no introduction

2 Firm given approval that is for biscuit (6)

3 A French man with unusual pull around France is disobliging (9)

4 Argument over a new tree (5)

6 Anger seen in diaries regularly (3)

7 Sufficient reason for foundation (6)

8 Up-to-date way of operating by service at sea (6)

11 Ink spilled in cupboard that’s joined together (5-4)

13 Moral outlook binding Norway regarding race (6)

14 Fine stitching son removed in time to come (6)

15 Policy followed by a Republican in an unbroken sequence (6)

18 Grasp plain matter of fact (5)

20 Border that’s neat needing no introduction (3)

For the solutions, turn to page 33

Neal’s Yard in awards spotlight

DORSET success story

Neal’s Yard Remedies has been named International Business of the Year at the prestigious Solent 250 Awards.

The business, founded in 1981, harnesses the power of the finest natural and organic, ethically sourced herbs, botanicals and essential oils to make awardwinning collections.

It has become a global leader with a growing presence across five continents.

The Solent 250 is a yearly listing of privately owned Solent businesses ranked by sales turnover.

The list is compiled by print publication The Business Magazine.

Richard Thompson, managing director of The Business Magazine, said:

By dorsetbiznews.co.uk

“We’re pleased to present the International Business of the Year award to Neal’s Yard Remedies.

“They have brought their vision from Dorset and the UK to multiple global markets with such success.”

Neal’s Yard Remedies was founded by natural health advocate Romy Fraser in Covent Garden, London.

It was acquired by its present owners, the Kindersley family, 17 years ago.

Known for its distinctive blue bottles, the business was the first health and beauty brand to receive 100/100 for ethics by The Ethical Company Organisation in 2014.

It has six commercial

locations in the county – Bournemouth, Bridport, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham and Shaftesbury – with

its eco

factory, offices and a store at Peacemarsh near Gillingham.

The eco headquarters

is set in acres of organic gardens, fields and meadows where the organic calendula, St John’s wort, verbena and lemon balm used in many of its favourite products is grown.

The Solent 250 private dinner and awards ceremony was held at the Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa.

Guest speakers were Mark McDonald, head of Data Science and Analytics for HSBC Global Research, and Roland Emmans, who heads up HSBC’s Technology Sector & Growth Lending Teams.

The International Business of the Year Award was presented by Leila Jundi, business development director for HSBC UK.

Communal workspace has a tasty offer!

A NEW workspace café has opened in Dorchester.

Debut Encore, at Brewery Square, opened on May 22, and features various communal workspaces with single and dual monitors and hi-speed wifi, with customers able to walk in, or pre-book a spot for half day or full day.

Half day and full day pre-bookings include access to unlimited baristamade coffee – with locally made snacks available to those booking for a full day.

Bradley Butterworth, co-founder at Debut Encore, said: “Flexible working is now a standard practice for many across Dorset, but comfortable workspaces where people can really focus outside the office can be difficult to come by.

“Debut Encore is designed to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere, with different amenities to help maximise productivity.

“The café will support a variety of needs – from people needing a suitable workspace for a few hours between travelling to

meetings, to those wanting a change of scenery to their normal home working environment.

“It’s a space for everyone, so people can also just pop in for a coffee and slice of cake if they wish.

“We’re excited to become a new hub for remote workers and coffee lovers across the county.”

Tara Bailey, centre manager at Brewery Square, added:

“It’s fantastic to broaden our offering at Brewery Square to appeal to more visitor needs.

“Debut Encore gives people an alternative workspace with everything they need in one place – reliable connectivity, delicious food and drink and above all else, a calming atmosphere in which they can really focus.”

A state-of-the-art podcast studio will also open at Debut Encore in the summer, offering a professional, high-quality recording environment for podcasters and content creators.

For more information, visit debutencore. com, and for more on Brewery Square, visit www.brewerysquare.com, or call 01305 267777.

Simon Smith and Leila Jundi of HSBC UK with the International Business of the Year award won by

Debut Encore features a range of workspaces

‘Excitement building’ for business festival

By dorsetbiznews.co.uk

FIRMS are being urged to join in a three-day business festival being held by Dorset Chamber.

The Dorset Business Festival, from October 10 to 12, will include a conference, exhibition and awards.

Bookings and awards entries have now opened.

Details of the celebration of business – the first of its kind in the county – were revealed at an event held by Dorset Chamber and Dorset Council at Kingston Maurward College, near Dorchester.

Dorset Council is one of the festival partners along with Blue Sky Financial Planning, Bournemouth and Poole College, the Dolphin in Poole and YMCA Bournemouth.

Lester Aldridge Solicitors is premier festival partner.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “Excitement is building towards our first business festival.

“There are so many brilliant businesses across the whole of Dorset with some incredible success stories and inspirational achievements.

“The business festival is an opportunity for them to shine and to help us showcase the rich and varied range of businesses from many different sectors and

parts of Dorset. There are different ways to get involved, from visiting or taking part in the business exhibition and conference to entering or attending the awards.

“I would encourage everyone to get behind this event and help celebrate the exceptional business community we have in the county.”

A promotional video was unveiled at the Kingston Maurward event along with more details about the festival, which is based in Bournemouth but open to all from across Dorset.

The conference will have a ‘future of business’ focus with four main themes: Technology; Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG); Place and People.

The festival awards will be free to enter in ten categories and open to all businesses in the county whether chamber members or not.

The event at Kingston Maurward also included updates from Dorset Council about

Levelling-Up funding and opportunities for inward investment.

Luke Rake gave an insight into his role as principal and chief executive of Kingston Maurward College as well as the skills agenda for businesses and the economy. Visit dorsetchamber.co.uk/ festival/ for more information on the festival.

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber’s chief executive, pictured centre, with speakers and sponsors at Kingston Maurward College

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber

Preserving the right to protest

THE right to protest is something to cherish. Indeed, Amnesty International UK says that protest is a human right.

The UN Human Rights Committee ruled in 2020 that people have the right to demonstrate peacefully, and that Governments should respect international law and let them do so.

Many of the great movements of world history have made use of peaceful protest – the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, the campaign for Indian Independence, the movement against apartheid in South Africa.

In England, protest has a long and honourable history. Working men and later women won the vote through protest, trade unionists won employment rights for workers – including the right to have a week-end –and those campaigning against slavery ensured its abolition.

The abolitionist Sir Thomas

Fowell Buxton was MP for Weymouth, where he worked ceaselessly to end what he called an evil ‘repugnant to the principles of…the Christian Religion’ – making use of petitions, meetings and demonstrations.

Dorset was the home of the ‘Tolpuddle Martyrs’ – early trade unionists who fell victim of the law when they tried to establish a trade union, protesting against reductions in wages which made it impossible for them to feed their families.

Those concerned about the climate emergency are now protesting worldwide against the refusal of governments to take decisive action to save the planet. Given the dire nature of the latest warnings from scientists there is every likelihood that these protests will continue.

The UK 1998 Human Rights

Act confirms the right to ‘freedom of peaceful assembly’.

Serious concerns, therefore, have been voiced about the Public Order Act, given Royal Assent only this May. This act gives the police greater powers to act against protesters –including extending the right to stop and search, as well as banning individuals from participating in protests if they have twice before caused ‘serious disruption’ –even without being convicted of doing so. A new offence under the act criminalises ‘slow walking’. Possession of anything which might assist ‘locking on’ will result in an unlimited fine.

Over the weekend, when the nation celebrated the Coronation, a jarring note was struck by the arrest under these new powers of six members of the campaign group, Republic.

Republic had spent months in talks with the Met, and had been assured that it had no concerns about its planned peaceful protest. Yet despite this, the six members were arrested before they even had time to unload their placards from their hired van. One of their members, Republic claimed, was arrested for being in possession of a piece of string.

The six were released without charge. The Met have now apologised.

Last year, a barrister, Paul Powlesland, who held up a blank piece of paper near the Houses of Parliament, was told by an officer of the Met that he risked arrest if he wrote ‘not my king’ on it.

We rightly condemn other governments when they clamp down on protests. Perhaps we should condemn what is happening here.

Coronation was a fantastic occasion

IT’S often been said that no-one does pomp and ceremony quite as well as the British. I think the events of the coronation weekend show that this is true – the crowning of King Charles III really was a fantastic occasion. Of course, the coronation service itself was the centre of it all, but the events all around the country showed a brilliant spirit of celebration.

I was in Wimborne Minster on the Friday evening for the civic service, led by Canon Andrew Rowland, with the Archdeacon of Dorset and Bishop Karen also in attendance. We were given a magnificent taste of what was to come on Saturday from the Minster choir, singing I Was Glad by Hubert Parry. The Archdeacon reminded us in his sermon about the King’s humility and sense of service to his country – which was reflected in the coronation

service. The service retained its essential traditions, but had more modern touches.

I was in Dorset all weekend, and on Sunday and Monday I visited several community parties and get-togethers. I want to thank everyone involved in organising these events, and those who have put time and effort into decorating our local communities –whether with bunting, flags, flowers or posters. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend’s celebration as much as I did.

As a Member of Parliament, I have the privilege of working in the Palace of Westminster –the formal name for the Houses of Parliament. Although used as the seat of Government, it is actually a Royal Palace. The King does not come to visit

very often, though he recently came for a reception in the oldest part of Parliament, Westminster Hall. Brought in for the occasion was the Speaker’s State Coach – an impressive 17th Century gold coach made for King William III. This is going to be on display until the autumn, and can be viewed by anyone visiting Parliament.

There are various different types of tours in Parliament. Some of them are paid tours, which happen at weekends and weekdays when Parliament is not sitting. When the House is sitting, you can book a free Inside UK Parliament tour, which you can book by contacting my office. If you book one of the early morning tours, you will be able to walk into the chamber of the

House of Commons itself. This is something the King is not allowed to do! At the moment you are not able to see inside the Elizabeth Tower due to building works, but this will be open again later in the year.

Please get in touch if you are interested in visiting. The tours are popular and book up well in advance. I continue to hold regular surgeries in the constituency so contact me if there is something you need help with, or if you’d like me to visit your organisation or business. Email michael.tomlinson.mp@ parliament.uk or contact my office on 01202 624216. You can also follow what I’ve been doing on Twitter @Michael4mdnp or Facebook www.facebook.com/ michael4MDNP or on my website www.michaeltomlinson. org.uk

MICHAEL TOMLINSON Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset & North Poole

CHRIS BRADEY Chair, Swanage & Rural Purbeck Labour Party

Chris Bradey

Michael Tomlinson

How housing changes might help...

ABOUT a year ago I wrote an article concerning the lack of affordable housing and rented accommodation in the Dorset Council area. While the situation has not yet improved by any realistic measure, there have been developments that may make things easier.

One of the consequences of right-to-buy (RTB) has been the decimation of council-owned housing, with insufficient construction of replacements. While Dorset Council has no housing stock of its own, the announcement around this time last year of the intention to extend RTB to housing association stock would potentially have had a significant effect on the numbers of available and affordable accommodation.

This seemed unlikely given

Puzzle

the properties by definition aren’t owned by local government, and indeed Michael Gove in a speech to the LGA in Harrogate last July admitted such, i.e. there would be no way of forcing this upon Housing Associations. The idea has been quietly dropped. Another policy aired recently has been to allow local councils to levy additional council tax above and beyond what they can apply currently on second homes and short term rental properties. The idea behind this is to try and bring such properties back into use as housing for local people. Wales already has such legislation and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill for England has similar clauses but is still

stuck in the parliamentary process. Dorset Council has signalled its intention to avail of these new powers and it’s long been a Liberal Democrat policy to charge 200% or more council tax on second homes. If/when the legislation reaches the statute books, there is currently a requirement for 12 months’ notice so the earliest this could apply would be 2025/26.

Liberal Democrats have also called for the closure of the business rates loophole whereby homes are rented out as a ‘business’ and hence don’t pay council tax but also benefit from relief which basically means no business rates payable either. To add insult, many owners also fail to meet the rental obligations required to access

this benefit, but this hasn’t been actively enforced until now. From April this year, the Valuation Office requires such properties to provide yearly evidence of rental availability and use. There are concerns they might be understaffed, and we’ll wait to see what impact it might have.

The final development has been the announcement to scrap Section 21 evictions, whereby tenants can be evicted through no fault at short notice. As a Dorset councillor, I’ve helped many families who have been thrown out of their homes and in some cases had to relocate far away due to the lack of local accommodation. Scrapping it can’t come soon enough.

NICK IRELAND

On behalf of South Dorset Lib Dems

solutions (from pages 28-29)

Brain chain (hard)

Nick Ireland

Dorset HealthCare’s monthly round-up

New video highlighted support for anxiety during Mental Health Awareness Week

DURING Mental Health Awareness Week earlier this month (May 15-21), our talking therapies service highlighted the help and support available for people struggling with anxiety.

Anxiety is one of the UK’s most common mental health conditions, affecting six in ten adults at some point in their lifetime, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

Feelings of anxiety can lead to a range of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms, including:

n Feeling on edge or fearing the worst

n Having trouble sleeping

n Feeling disconnected from the world around you

n Feeling sick

n A fast heartbeat.

Anxiety is a normal emotion for us all. We may feel anxious when we are sitting a driving test, starting a new job or before a big event.

There are things we can do to manage our own anxiety, but when feelings of anxiety and worry get out of control, it’s important to remember that there is help available.

Our Steps2Wellbeing service has produced a short, easy-to-understand video on the topic of anxiety – what it feels like and how to manage it. It can be

viewed on our You Tube Channel: https:// bit.ly/AnxietyHelpS2W

Steps2Wellbeing is an NHS talking therapies service that specialises in helping people to manage anxiety and depression. Its treatments for anxiety are based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can help people recognise and overcome patterns of thinking and behaviour, to change how they feel for the better.

If you are over 18 and registered with a GP in Dorset – and Southampton City –you can refer yourself directly to Steps2Wellbeing. Referrals can be made online, over the phone or by using a friendly chatbot called Wysa. Just visit www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk

Liz Doyle, senior service manager at Steps2Wellbeing

Helicopter landing pad moves as work on new department continues

A HELICOPTER landing site at Dorset County Hospital is being moved during building work.

The landing pad, next to the current Emergency Department, is being relocated as work on a new department continues at the Dorchester site.

Construction of the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit is being carried out on the former Damers School site, and will feature a rooftop landing spot for the helicopter, operated by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

To allow demolition and enabling works to begin, the current helipad will be decommissioned, moving to the Army Reserve Centre on Poundbury Road, a site already used as a landing area for military helicopters.

The clinical crew on the helicopter will transfer with the patient onto the ambulance and continue to provide care on the way to the hospital.

Mario Carretta, unit chief pilot at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: “The introduction of a rooftop helipad at Dorset County Hospital will facilitate the safe and efficient transfer of patients to and from the hospital by helicopter.

“The Army Reserve Centre will act as an excellent alternative during the build, and we have worked with the hospital and South Western Ambulance Service to ensure that the move will not adversely affect the critical care we provide to patients.”

The new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit is part of the Government’s

New Hospital Programme.

Work is set to be completed on the new building by the end of 2026.

Tristan Chapman, programme director at Dorset County Hospital, said: “We would like to thank C Company 6 RIFLES for allowing us to use their site as a landing area for helicopters.

“It will allow us to start enabling works on site which will bring us a step closer to building the brand-new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit.

“The new rooftop helipad, funded by a £2 million grant

from the HELP Appeal charity, will allow patients to be transferred quickly and comfortably via a lift directly into the hospital, maintaining their privacy and dignity.”

The Army Reserve Centre will be used as a helicopter landing site from May 23 until construction of the new building and helipad is complete.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Picture: MATT CAPE

Big Slimming World clothes throw across Purbeck!

There are nearly 200 Slimming World members in Wool and Swanage losing weight beautifully all without ever going hungry or having to stop eating the foods they love.

Slimming World have joined with Cancer research and encouraged members to donate their clothes that they have slimmed out of helping them feel motivated to stay on track and in return raise money for continued research into fighting against cancer.

Members from Swanage and Wool Slimming World Groups were beyond generous, donating 96 bags of clothes that no longer fitted not because they were tight but because they were too BIG!. These members felt amazing and empowered to continue on their weight loss journeys but not only this, these Slimming World members got even more joy from their kind donations knowing that they have raised an extraordinary £2400 towards Cancer Research as each

bag donated will approximately raise £25 for this deserving charity.

If you would like to know more about Slimming World or would like to join one of our friendly groups then please call Trudy 07486 454046 (Swanage) or

Jane 07887 866730 (Wool) for details. Our healthy eating plans mean you can continue to eat the foods you love without feeling restricted.

Yes You Can with Slimming World!

Just some of the 96 bags of clothes donated by Slimming World members in Swanage and Wool

New eras and our fear of change

By Alice Johnsen

KING Charles III has been crowned, the public holidays are over and the bunting flapping gently in the spring sunshine is but a distant memory.

With this new reign comes a new era which means, of course, we are moving on from the old, Elizabethan era.

quickly

Let’s widen this away from just being about the Monarchy. This applies to every type of change in our lives. Change is something most people resist by reflex because we are, at heart, creatures of habit. So, when

something new comes along – a new school, a new member of staff, a new way of doing something that’s been done ‘like that’ for years – we are suspicious and sometimes we feel challenged. Our memories of the old ways focus on the positive and we tend to forget the bits of the old ways we didn’t like. We hanker back to the past.

It’s the fear of the unknown coupled with the mental effort, literally, of creating new habits in our heads, also known as meta-patterns. Our brilliant but slightly lazy brains get used to

Hawthorne an extremely special tree

By Fiona Chapman

I DON’T know if it is the odd spring we have had, wet and not particularly warm, that means the May or Hawthorne looks as though it is going to be a bumper year.

Some trees are out already and some are just about to flower with a huge number of buds waiting to burst open. It is a tree of spring, and to me a wonderfully ancient and magical tree.

I am sure I have mentioned

before that Hawthorne or Crataegus monogyna is specific for the heart. There has been lots of research into Hawthorne, particularly in Germany, and it is the young leaves and flowers that have such an effect on the cardio system. It is a cardiotonic and increases myocardial contractility - positive inotropic – meaning it increases the force of the muscle contraction in the heart giving it a stronger and more rhythmic beat while reducing vascular tension,

allowing the blood to move much more freely.

This is obviously extremely good for blood pressure and circulation issues.

with the blood moving more freely around the body, it means that toxins can be removed and excreted.

Crataegus is also good for the emotional heart and a flower and top tea can have a calming, soothing and gently soporific effect. The berries are nutritive and full of anti-oxidants and vitamins so help with metabolism and digestion. It is an altogether extremely special tree. The tops and leaves should be harvested now, just as the Increase

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The flowers, together with the red fruit berries in the autumn, help to reduce cholesterol and have a protective effect on the heart muscle and also helps to prevent inflammation in blood vessels or atherosclerosis. This antiinflammatory action is also good for gout and arthritis as

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If we look to change with an inquisitive mind we are likely to adapt more

PHOTO: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

repeating things, so when we challenge them to new patterns, they don’t like it. That is, they don’t like it until those new patterns start to feel familiar, then it’s okay.

This is a helpful thing to know because change can feel unsettling and challenging. The fear of imminent change can seep into all bits of our lives and really throw us off course. But if we can remind ourselves that what we fear leaving behind us once felt new and threatening, perhaps we can accept the current threat with a more positive and flexible mindset?

By looking to change with an inquisitive mind, we will surely

flowers open, any older and they start to smell of death – this is to attract the blow flies that will pollinate it. Young tender flowers and leaves – picked in the dry – can then be left to dry – ideally well spread out on brown paper – to make a herbal tea, or can be added to brandy

adapt more quickly. And, of course, however much we engage in the new way, the influence of previous habits or methods will not leave us. What we learn from doing something again and again will stay with us for ever. As we move through our lives, adapting and engaging with new things, the sum of those parts becomes our greater ability to thrive and influence. So, in some ways, we could say while things change on the surface, we bring the old along to meet the new in a way that means old habits really do die hard.

n Alice Johnsen is a life coach. Phone: 07961 080513; visit www.alicejohnsen.co.uk

making a tincture you can add the berries in the autumn and make yourself an effective heart tonic. Obviously, this should not be taken if you are already on heart medication such as digoxin or beta blockers.

n Fiona Chapman is a Naturopathic Herbalist

Sport

Juniors bag big weights

By Graham Howard DDAS junior secretary DORCHESTER & District

Angling Society Juniors fished their latest points match at Todber Manor on Homeground Lake.

The fishery was hosting a Pole Open Day for the public to meet some of the top names in fishing and fish with some very expensive poles.

The junior match was rearranged to coincide with the event and what a day the youngsters had: signed caps from Shimano’s Nick Speed, photos with world champion Will Raison, lots of freebies, and Preston Innovations’ Des Shipp even loaned one his own pole.

Des was also kind enough to

come down and present vouchers to the winners at the end. It was such a big day for juniors and coaches alike. The weather turned up too with some warm sunshine towards the end despite a chilly start.

Winner with 97lb 6oz was Harry Cryer, beating his brother, Jack, by just one pound. Third was a consistent Austin ScottKennedy with 93lb 1oz. Harry now leads the championship with 65 points from Austin on 54 points.

For more information visit www.ddasjuniors.co.uk; for membership information visit www.d-das.com; and for fishery information visit todbermanor. co.uk.

Pupils give fishing a go

By Graham Howard, DDAS Juniors secretary

THE junior section at Dorchester & District Angling Society (DDAS) hosted a fishing experience day for Broadmayne Primary School at its own Luckfield lake.

Five pupils were keen to learn the basics of coarse fishing on a warm early summer’s evening.

With the willow seeds blowing around like lost snowflakes, five fishing firsts were quickly accomplished as keen novices became novice anglers for the first time.

There is nothing quite like your first fish. Nearly every angler knows where and when they caught it, but some of the

fish caught in this session were exceptional.

Lots of smaller fish were caught with maggots but the bigger ones fall to baits like meat or corn.

DDAS club secretary Steve Sudworth helped young Willow, nine, catch a beautiful common carp in close down the edge on the pole, all the time supported by her younger brother, Basil. That’s not a fish to forget in a hurry!

For more information about the club’s school events or further information about DDAS Juniors contact junior secretary Graham Howard at juniors. sec@d-das.com or visit www.ddasjuniors. co.uk.

Boxing classes for boys and girls

BOXING is on offer to youngsters in Corfe Castle with the opening of a new gym.

The Purbeck Power Boxing Gym is offering boxing classes to boys and girls aged 12 to 16 between 6.30-7.30pm on

Tuesdays and Thursdays; followed by classes for seniors, aged 17 and over, between 7.30-8.45pm.

It is hoped soon to offer

classes to younger boys and girls, and in due course Boxertone, a form of keep fit based on boxing exercises.

The gym welcomes those with previous boxing experience and none.

For more information phone 0744 3764059; email purbeckpowerboxinggym@ yahoo.com; visit @ PurbeckPowerBoxingGym on Facebook, or the gym in Corfe Castle (BH20 5EE).

Harry Cryer weighed in with 97lb 6oz at Todber Manor on Homeground Lake, beating his brother, Jack, by just one pound

DDAS club secretary Steve Sudworth with Willow, Basil and a fishy friend

Isabella on road to Rio

YOUNG Wimborne paraswimmer Isabella Haynes is set to compete in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil later this summer after achieving domestic success.

Back in March the 14-yearold competed in the British para-swimming meet against para-swimming athletes from around the world and swimmers from the Para-Swimmer GBR Team.

Isabella qualified for four junior national finals over the course of four days gaining 8th place in the 100m breaststroke, 5th place in the 200m individual medal and a strong 4th place in the 100m freestyle.

But her best performance came in the 400m freestyle final where she took the title.

Isabella is a classification S9 swimmer – a through the knee amputee.

She said: “I am not sure why I Iove to swim but I think that swimming is something I excel at and that I can improve on over time.

“Swimming brings me purpose and fuels my competitive drive to win. I enjoy seeing my progress at the end of a meet and knowing that in that moment I was faster than I ever was before.

“In training what pushes me to commit to early mornings and the hard sessions is that this is a time to improve myself and my swimming.

“No matter how hard it is, I have to do it eventually – there are harder things to overcome in life and I can sleep as much as I want later.

“Swimming has given me unique feelings and emotions, moments when time just feels off/weird.

“Like waiting behind the block at an event, the whistle blowing and release of nervous energy when I hit the water. Nothing else feels like that.

“When swimming with Swim Bournemouth I feel equal and accepted as part of a bigger team.

“Swim Bournemouth allows me to dream big and pursue my

dream of becoming a paralympic swimmer.”

Isabella has now been invited to ESSA England School’s Swimming Association team in the ISF U15 World School Games in Rio de Janeiro this August.

She said: “Competing as a para-swimmer means I get to go to competitions without other swimmers from Swim Bournemouth.

“It is good as I get to meet other para-swimmers and share their experiences. Competing in the big events has helped me

mature and grow in confidence.

“I feel strong, capable and confident when I am in the water. The opportunity to go to Rio represents my next big step towards my dream of the Paralympics.

“This is my chance to travel abroad with a team of swimmers I haven’t met before and without my parents to hold my hand. It is a little scary but gaining the experience of travelling internationally is just amazing and I want to prove to myself that I can do it, that I am ready for the next challenge.”

Young Daisy back among the medals

YOUNG Swanage swimmer

Daisy Kirkpatrick achieved more success in the second weekend of the Swim England South West Championships.

Daisy, 11, after completing her SATs exams the same week, won two bronze medals at the 50m pool at Hengrove Park in Bristol.

She knocked a second off her personal best in her 200m breaststroke heat to reach the

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Meet the Invincibles!

SWANAGE and Herston FC U10s had an excellent season playing some super football and going undefeated.

A spokesperson said: “This season has shown great development and attitude from each of our players – and it’s great to see just how confident they’ve become as individuals and as a team.”

final where she bettered that by 2.61 seconds to win her medal.

Daisy medalled again in the 800m freestyle, having only competed in that event once before, in March, and dropped 35 seconds on her previous time.

Her coach Luke Dormer and head coach from Bournemouth Jeff Sandley cheered Daisy on from the sidelines. Determined Daisy trains five times a week.

Isabella Haynes, 14, from Wareham, is a below the knee amputee

Daisy Kirkpatrick knocked big chunks off her personal bests

PHOTO: Megan Coward

Team members are pictured with Oli Jones (left) and Sam Fooks.

Easy cheesecake takes the biscuit

THERE’S always a perfectly good excuse to have a biscuit, but since it’s National Biscuit Day today (May 29), why not elevate the humble biscuit to a thing of wonder?

Now I happen to love that staple two-pack of hotel-room tea trays, the Lotus Biscoff. It’s featherlight but the firm crunch is unique and perfect with a dark roasted coffee.

It’s also perfect for making one of the scrummiest cheesecakes that will ever melt in your mouth.

Here’s our family no bake, easy-peasy, five ingredient

recipe, which goes down a storm if we have any left to serve up to guests.

Ingredients

248g pack of Biscoff biscuits

60/70g melted butter

500g room

temperature cream cheese

1 jar of Biscoff spread

100g icing sugar

Method

Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs and pour into a bowl. Take out two tablespoons of the crumbs and reserve for later. Mix the melted

butter into the crumbs and press – very firmly until compacted – into an eight-inch square, lined baking tray.

Mix the cream cheese, 150g of the Biscoff spread and the icing sugar together and whisk until combined.

Spread the mix over your base and even out.

Melt 200g of Biscoff spread, pour over the mix and smooth out.

Sprinkle the reserve crumbs around the edge – as in the photo – and place a single biscuit for decoration in the centre or in one of the corners. Chill in the fridge – minimum three hours – serve and look smug while everyone tells you that it really takes the biscuit!

Recipe and photos by Lorraine Gibson

The Bard al fresco

SHAKESPEARE is coming to the garden of the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne on Saturday, July 15, with Sisata’s production of The Tempest.

Bookings can be made via the museum’s website, www.museum ofeastdorset.co.uk

Jazz festival announces line up changes

THE 18-piece Dan Mar Molinero Jazz Orchestra, featuring the outstanding British Jazz pianist Ivo Neame, has been drafted in to close the Sunday night programme at Swanage Jazz Festival.

The orchestra is performing in place of Issie Barratt’s Interchange – Issie has had to withdraw for health reasons.

Dan Mar Molinero’s orchestra will be performing his recent composition Taproot,

now released on his own Sea Miller label.

Festival director Paul Kelly said: “We are really sad to lose Issie Barratt and her superb 10-piece band from the festival and will be working to bring her to Swanage at a future date.

“Meanwhile, we are delighted to have secured a worthy replacement. The moment I heard Dan Mar Molinero’s Taproot I was struck by the power and imagination

of his compositions and arrangements.

“They rank with the best traditions of large-scale jazz composition. Festivals give the opportunity to programme things you can’t do in small jazz clubs and we are very pleased to have turned unfortunate circumstances to our advantage and bring this great band and piece to the festival.”

Swanage Jazz Festival has also added Bristol duo Sarsen Drift, an exciting electroimprovisation pair featuiring Rebecca Nash and Nick Walters to the programme, plus the more conventional duo of Julian Phillips and Mike Denham performing Ragtime to Boogie Woogie – four hands one piano.

Paul added: “We’re pleased with ticket sales to date. But people need to book soon to

guarantee a place at what we expect will be a fantastic weekend with a wide range of jazz styles from New Orleans to electro-jazz fusion.”

The festival runs from Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 9, in four main venues.

The main festival programme features 45 bands and headline names include The James Taylor Quartet; Claire Martin and her Trio; Alina Bzhezinska’s Hip Harp Collective with Vimala Rowe; Zara McFarlane sings Sarah Vaughan; Tony Kofi’s Inside Straight; The Dan Mar Molinero Jazz Orchestra; Alyn Shipton’s New Orleans Friends; and Chris Hodgkin’s Salute to Humphrey Lyttelton.

The festival also features a free festival fringe with a further 20 bands.

Wildlife artist’s work goes on show

WILDLIFE artist L Paul Matthews is set to stage his spring open house exhibition near Dorchester.

Paul chose a career as a professional artist in 2011 painting wildlife and portraiture from his home in rural Dorset after painting and drawing since childhood.

In 2012 his work attracted wide acclaim when he was a finalist in the David Shepherd Foundation’s competition for Wildlife Artist of the Year.

His picture The Passenger, selected ahead of thousands of entries from all over the world, received the Public’s Choice Award at The Mall Galleries, London. Almost at the same time, Paul was in

the final of the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, receiving runner-up in the Frozen Planet section with a polar bear

portrait. It was the fourth year Paul was shortlisted for the final of the BBC competition since its inception in 2008.

The wildlife of Dorset has moved to the fore in recent years, especially due to travel restrictions, but he recently travelled to the Okavango Delta in North Botswana and has previously visited Kenya and Tanzania.

Paul’s work can be viewed online and at galleries across Dorset and beyond.

He also runs workshops and gives public demonstrations to art clubs.

The exhibition is at 23 High Street, Puddletown (DT2 8RT) from May 26-29, June 3-4 and June 10-11, open from 11am-5.30pm.

Examples of L Paul Matthews’ work

Iconic World War II planes to take to Dorset skies during special event

ICONIC aircraft of World War II will take to Dorset skies once again next month.

The Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will stage a flypast at the upcoming Tankfest 2023 event, which runs across June 24 and 25, at the Tank Museum, Bovington.

The flypast is courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight organisation, with visitors able to see the Spitfire and the Hurricane on Saturday, and heavy bomber the Lancaster, one of only two airworthy examples in the world, will be flying over the arena on Sunday.

The Spitfire was critical in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of

Britain, and the classic fighter, the Hurricane, also played an important role in the battle. The Lancaster bomber was the most successful of the British heavy

Classic theatre in the open air

HOLME for Gardens at West Holme, Wareham, is the beautiful setting for two classic plays in the open air this summer.

Theatre lovers can picnic with family and friends when Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents Sense and Sensibility and The Importance of Being Earnest.

In Jane Austen’s Sense and

Sensibility Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into the exciting world of Regency society.

This timeless classic follows the sisters as they fall in love and experience heartbreak for the first time in their quest to strike a balance between sense and sensibility.

The performance is on Friday, July 7, at 6pm.

bombers.

Head of marketing at the museum, Nik Wyness, said: “Tankfest is well-known as an event for military history enthusiasts to see some of the rarest running historic tanks in the world.

“Now we’re giving tank nuts and aviation fans alike the rare opportunity to glimpse these Second World War planes soaring over their armoured vehicle counterparts.

“We’d like to thank the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for sharing another piece of history with our Tankfest audience and helping us to honour those who fought during the Second World War.”

Oscar Wilde’s finest and most eccentric romantic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, features a cast of unforgettable and larger than life characters.

The delightful Cecily, the roguish Algernon and the formidable Lady Bracknell are

sure to keep the audience wildly entertained.

Wilde’s hilarious tale of double lives and mistaken identities is staged on Sunday, July 30, at 6pm.

For tickets, visit www. seetickets.com or phone 0871 220 0260.

Centaur tank is taking centre stage

FANS of British armour will enjoy a rare opportunity to see a newly restored Centaur tank run for the first time at Tankfest at the Tank Museum at Bovington.

The unique display of historic tanks in action runs from Friday to Sunday, June 23 -25.

The Centaur previously featured in the popular television series Band of Brothers and the BBC documentary D-Day to Berlin. Built during the Second World War, the Centaur was modified into a Dozer before D-Day when the British military required a vehicle

that was fast but could bulldoze through the rubble of bombed out cities and make a path for other tanks.

Owned by the Bannister Collection, this Centaur III has now been fully converted back to a gun tank, utilising the original 400 hp Liberty L-12 MKV engine.

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is at Holme for Gardens

The tank will run at Tankfest at Bovington Tank Museum

THE

Theatre, Cinema & Function Rooms

Live Shows, Special Screenings & Events:

Get in with the Inn Crowd

THE Swanage Mowlem Showbar is set to host Callum Patrick Hughes for a performance of his hit show Thirst.

The writer and performer will talk about love – love of pubs, love of community, love of family, and a reminder that not everything you love is necessarily good for you.

Thirst is a riotous, warm and musical journey from a small Oxfordshire town through Beijing’s Hutongs and the Scottish Highlands to the bright lights of the ‘Big Smoke’.

Intertwining storytelling and song, it is a love letter to

sobriety and a celebration of all things alcoholic – exploring life, family, theatre, religion and, most importantly, the positivity of the pub and how creating a community under the roof of the nearest watering hole does not have to involve alcohol.

The show is on Monday, June 12, at 8pm and staged by Dorset rural arts charity Artsreach as part of the national Inn Crowd project aimed at supporting rural pubs and community bars as vibrant components of community life.

Tickets priced £5 are available from www.artsreach. co.uk

Spooky stuff for the little ones

CHILDREN’S entertainment is coming to the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage this summer.

Sally’s Spooky Holiday is a family show particularly suitable for youngsters aged between two and eight, and lasts for 45 minutes.

Why has Crafty the Crow gone to live in a haunted castle? Will Sally the Scarecrow get the holiday she’s been dreaming of? And why is Pirate Harry making things go bump in the night?

The show features children’s

favourite songs including If You’re Scaredy and You Know It, Dingle, Dangle Scarecrow, The Hokey Cokey, Hickory Dickory Dock, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, I Hear Thunder and many more.

It will be followed by a meet, greet and treat with Sally the Scarecrow, Crafty the Crow and friends, and free present for every child.

Sally’s Spooky Holiday is at The Mowlem on Mondays August 7, 14 and 21 at 2pm.

• National Theatre Live – Fleabag - Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Following a box-office record-breaking run in cinemas in 2019, the one-woman show returns to cinemas to the big screen this summer. (15 - explicit language) Thu 15th June at 7pm

• SW!M TOO - 12 months on from the original SW!M (Midsummer’s Day 2022),

The Mowlem Theatre and Diverse City present a red carpet screening of SWIM CLUB – a short documentary about how it came about, followed by SW!M TOO a premier performance of swimmers’ stories told ‘In Their Own Words’ and featuring conversations between new swimmers and older hands with a splash of music and dancing thrown in.

Wed 21st June 2023 at 7pm

• Karen G Sings the Songs of Karen Carpenter - Karen Grant is a well-known local singer. In this show, she pays tribute to the legend that was Karen Carpenter, singing her songs in her own inimitable style. A show not to be missed! With special guest Holly Gate.

Fri 23rd June at 7.30pm

• National Theatre Live - Best of Enemies (Encore Screening) - David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s multi-award-winning drama. As beliefs are challenged and slurs slung, a new frontier in American politics opens. Jeremy Herrin directs this blistering political thriller, filmed live in London’s West End. Fri 30th June at 7.30pm

In the Showbar:

• Thirst 16+ (Ticketed Event) - ‘Thirst’ is a show about love – love of pubs, community, and family. And a reminder that not everything you love is necessarily good for you. This INN Crowd show tours Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity. 8.00 pm

Monday 12th June

Mowlem Visual Arts & PAW Festival Present Portraiture Celebration

• PAW and The Mowlem are delighted to present a celebration of Portraiture as part of this year’s PAW Festival. There are four events; two exhibitions, a talk, and painting in action. For more information and tickets, please visit www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk

• What Makes a Good Portrait? A talk by Philip Jackson and a panel discussion

Thursday 8th June | 6.30 – 8.00 pm in the Community Room

• Portrait Artist of Purbeck is a compered live event; Dorset artists Jack Dickson, Tony Kerins, and Suzy Wright paint a notable local character in front of an audience.

Saturday 10th June | 2.00 – 4.00pm

• ‘Family’ an exhibition by Suzy Wright, takes place in The Mowlem’s visual arts space. Suzy, a textile artist and one of the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year finalists, encourages us to look at portraits differently! Open to all for free throughout June during our opening hours.

• Shown alongside ‘Family’ is an exhibition of portraits submitted to the Portraiture Competition by young people from schools across Purbeck – of somebody they admire. There could be some surprises here! Winners will be announced at 4 pm on Sat 10th June in Community Room.

Movies:

• Are You There, God? It’s me, Margaret (PG) - Coming of age comedy-drama based on the much-loved book by Judy Blume. Starring Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Abby Ryder Fortson. 7.30pm Thu 1st June

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) - Brooklyn plumbers Mario and brother Luigi are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. Based on the video game! While comic & fantastical, some scenes might frighten very young children. 11.30am Thu 1st, Fri 2nd & Sat 3rd June

• Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (PG) - The Guardians are adjusting to life on Knowhere when parts of Rocket’s past resurface. In order to protect him, Peter Quill must lead the Guardians, along with their newest member, Cosmo the Spacedog, on a dangerous mission that could lead to the current team dissolving. 7.00pm Fri 2nd June - Thu 8th June

• Love Again (12A) A music critic writing a feature about Celine Dion inadvertently receives text messages from a grieving children’s book author. The pair develops affection for each other in this heartfelt US romantic comedy. Starring Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan, and Sofia Barclay and features Celine Dion as herself. 7.30pm Fri 9th June - Wed 14th June, plus 2.30pm Mon 12th June

• Air (15) - American biographical sports drama film directed by Ben Affleck. The film is based on true events about the origin of Air Jordan, a Nike employee seeks to strike a business deal with rookie player Michael Jordan. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis. 7.30pm Fri 16th & Sat 17th June

• A Good Person (15) - Allison is a young woman with a wonderful fiance, a blossoming career, and supportive family and friends. A US drama in which a young woman’s life spirals out of control after she is involved in a fatal road accident. Starring Morgan Freeman and Florence Pugh, directed by Zach Braff. 7.30pm Mon 19th, Tue 20th & Thu 22nd June

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (PG) - After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. Starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac and Daniel Kaluuya.

2.30pm Sat 24th, 11.30am Sun 25th and 7.30pm on Mon 26th to Thur 29th June

Book your tickets: www.themowlem.com www.themowlem.com

Callum Patrick Hughes is performing at the Mowlem’s Showbar

SW!M TOO

Spotlight Diary

in association with: Karl’s Kabs – 07751 769833

Diary entries are £6 plus VAT per entry, per month. The deadline for June 12 is NOON on June 2. 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.

MAY/JUNE 2023

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

MONDAY

18:00 - SWANAGE TENNIS CLUB at Beach Gardens, Swanage. Free cardio tennis taster. Till 7pm.

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

19:45 -

Wanted

LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM DANCE (for couples) starting in June at The Swanage School. We will start with the Waltz.

Call : Purbeck dance 07518 056149

WEDNESDAY

12:10- BEGINNERS MODERN LINE DANCE at St. Edwards hall, Swanage. Come and try a FREE CLASS. Call: Purbeck dance 07518 056149

THURSDAY

09:30 - SWANAGE TENNIS CLUB at Beach Gardens, Swanage. Free Matchplay taster session for prospective new members. First 3 sessions are free. Until 11am

09:30 - MODERN LINE DANCE at The Scout hut, Wareham. Come and try a FREE CLASS. Call: Purbeck dance 07518 056149

BOOKS HARDBACK, FOUNTAIN PENS, coins and stamps, costume jewellery. Cash paid.

Tel Mr Jones 01202 733550

Farming

info@dorsettractors.com

07590 116 017

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH ALSO GUNS FOR SALE

SOS to all air rifles and pistols, any make or model, any condition.

We collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash.

10:30 - LATIN AMERICAN & BALLROOM LINE DANCE (you dance solo) at The Scout hut Wareham - come and try a FREE CLASS. Call : Purbeck dance 07518 056149

FRIDAY

09:30 - BALLROOM DANCE (for couples) starting in June at Corfe Castle Village hall.

Call : Purbeck dance 07518 056149

14:30 -

YOUNGER4LONGER

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

Spotlight Diary - in association with: Karl’s Kabs

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