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The Swanage Oracle

Edition 148

Oh, are we all ever hopeful for a good summer and the ability to get out and about again with much more ease. Here at Modern Magazines with your local Directory we salute you for your perseverance and determination to get through this and keep smiling. Let’s be honest it has not been easy, but we are British, so don’t forget that stiﬀ upper lip attitude and let’s create an Easter as well as a summer that we can look back on with a warm glow. Meeting friends and family, beach and garden parties, the cinema, the theatre… oh won’t we really enjoy and appreciate them now? I hope I am not being too optimistic, but I am going to keep my rose-tinted glasses on for now. Not only that but the shops Advertise with us are opening again! Shopping in the High Take your business to new heights Street, local corner shops, boutiques, with our aﬀordable advertising independents… let’s go and show them we packages! Supply your own artwork or care, buy their goods and use their services, use our in-house design and brand because quite honestly, they have missed expert. To chat to Debbie or the sales us too! team, give us a call: Once you have done all that shopping, 01929 408080 talking and walking, do have a well-deserved cuppa and sit and have a read. We have FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA some great new articles for you inside these pages this month. There are puzzles and quizzes too, as well of course, as our enquiries@modernmagazines.co.uk loyal and trusted advertisers who just love to hear from you. Don’t forget to mention Copy deadline for May edition: where you saw them. That always makes 12th April 2021 me smile as it makes all our hard work worth-while. The advertisers smile too! It DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken keeps our economy alive. to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any We wish you all the very best this Easter. liability to any party to loss or damage caused May the sun shine! Cover photo: Cruise Ship in the Bay by Robin Boultwood

by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The Swanage Oracle does not oﬃcially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in ant retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

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A decade of devotion William and Kate celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. The decade William and Kate have spent together has been significant not just for the arrival of three children, but the dawning of a new and rather troubled era of royal life where the groom’s own brother has fled the nest of the Windsors. The marriage ceremony for took place at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. It was overseen by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, in front of the families of the bride and groom, as well as members of foreign royalty, diplomats, and the couple’s chosen personal guests. The costs of the wedding itself were borne by the royal family and the Middletons themselves, with a guest list totalling 1,900 people. A third of those went on to a royal luncheon, with a privileged final 300 attending an evening dinner hosted by the Prince of Wales. In terms of the stats behind the day, over two million people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the happy couple as they made their way to and from Westminster Abbey. Their new titles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were

announced by the Queen at 8am on the day of the wedding; while the ﬂower budget alone was estimated at half a million pounds (that’s a third more than the wedding dress). In the years that followed the couple have carried out their duties with exemplary calm and

compassion. While others have faltered, William and Kate have strode forward with humility and a connectedness to the British public. Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond says the way the couple have gone about their duties has been impressive. “I think they’re doing well at having a

normal family life. The family are continuing the tradition they’ve adopted from years ago which is to give the press some access at key moments and then hope that their privacy will be respected the rest of the time.” As far as Kate’s immersion into royal life goes, clearly the births of princes George and Louis (2013 and 2018 respectively) and Princess Charlotte (2015), have endeared her to almost every onlooker, and that’s particularly impressive in a world of 24/7 media and Twitterati. “I think there’s a lot less deference now,” says Bond. “We know a lot more about them and I think people are demanding that the royal family be much more accountable for their actions, socially and ﬁnancially. “William and Kate are absolutely the best exemplars of this and I’m sure they will go on to be in future too.”

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A Force of Nature Sir David Attenborough and a career spent in nature’s microscope. Sir David Attenborough needs little introduction. From very simple beginnings as a studio hand at the BBC back in the 1950s, the explorer, naturalist, philanthropist and environmental visionary only started narrating the broadcaster’s wildlife documentaries because of a lack of a presenter.

From a lone ﬁgure in the time before we had any idea of the damage we were doing to our environment, Attenborough has a unique ability to purpose and present a way of reporting – one that raises awareness, creates urgency though, at the same time, patterns the natural world

What has developed has been a love affair with the natural world and the placing of the 94-yearold as arguably the most trusted, respected and knowledgeable wildlife enthusiast on the planet.

exist, trying to thrive, trying to prosper. It should never be at the expense of each other. We are all nature’s family.”

Some have even labelled him the ‘godfather of the natural world’, although it’s not a tag he particularly appreciates! “It’s a bit lofty, that one,” he laughs. “I like to think we are just passing down the knowledge, the passion and the commitment to protect what’s around us. It basically terriﬁes me that there may be a generation in future that cares less than we do, just as there were many in the past. “The truth is I’ve never wanted the plaudits or the commendation – I’ve just wanted to celebrate and assist in the preservation of this incredible world.”

Attenborough’s is a story that is now almost seven decades in the telling. “I can safely say every day has been a pleasure,” he admits. And there is little sign of the naturalist wanting to wind down. “Covid has put a halt on our ability to travel, and actually that has given me a good opportunity to reconnect with home,” he says. “I live in a beautiful semi-rural pocket on the southwestern side of London - not quite in the city, not quite out of it, but with enough to keep me in touch. in all the events, stories and anecdotes that we ﬁnd in human life. “We should all think of ourselves in the same family – nature and the human race,” he says. “We are all here, trying to

“I also think the time we’ve been forced to spend at home has probably meant we’ve listened more to the messages out there – to climate change, over-population, deforestation… perhaps we’ve all learned a bit more about the planet and ourselves.”

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1. Which land snake has the most toxic venom in the world? 2. Who produced a series of oil paintings in 1943 known as the 'Four Freedoms'? 3. Which sport is the haka dance associated with? 4. What are the names of Popeye's four nephews? 5. Which European country's national ﬂag features 3 vertical stripes in the order of blue, white and red from left to right? 6. On which river did a pilot by the name of Sully make an emergency landing in 2009?

7. Which 2016 song was an international hit for Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MØ? 8. Can you unscramble the following word to reveal an act of betrayal: RASENOT? 9. Which ﬁlm series stars 'thunder buddies' Mark Wahlberg and the voice of Seth MacFarlane? 10. How many degrees do the interior angles of a triangle always equal?

11. Who wrote 'The Canterbury Tales'? 12. What was the title of George Michael's ﬁrst solo single? 13. Sarah eats 5 sweets in January, 8 in February, 11 in March, and 14 in April. If this pattern continues, how many sweets will Sarah eat in October and November, of the same year, combined? 14. Which multinational corporation developed the PlayStation? 15. What famous statue was originally named 'Liberty Enlightening the World'? 16. Chris Martin is lead singer of which famous British rock band?

17. How many countries of the world begin with the letter Z? 18. Maundy Thursday commemorates which ﬁnal event that took place between Jesus and his disciples? 19. What do the letters DC stand for in the United State's capital Washington D.C.? 20. Which Shakespearean play is based on the short reign of a British king who was responsible for numerous deaths?

Answers on Page 30

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QUIRKY

BY MICA BALE

With spring most certainly in the air and the summer fast approaching, what is your favourite memory of Dorset? With a heritage that dates back millennia, Dorset certainly has many memories from which to cherry pick. Yes, from a royal bride on her way to marry the King of England to poetry in motion, here are ﬁve more quirky facts to celebrate Dorset for the delightful county it is!

Photo: Misky

Visitors to Bridport can easily see that the town is steeped in history that dates back centuries. If you were to leaf through the chapters of the county’s heritage and open on any page, Bridport would have an exciting tale to tell. Interestingly, did you know that it is thought to be here that in 1403 Joan of Navarre arrived at Bridport harbour, unwillingly leaving behind her sons in Brittany to meet her intended, King Henry VI, before they were married at Winchester Cathedral?

Did you know that Dorset might well have Josiah Wedgewood of the great pottery empire to thank for its ﬁrst railway? Owing to the concentration of the rare Purbeck ball clay, Wedgewood could hardly claim enough of this natural substance and would order huge amounts for use in his trademark wares. Previously, the clay would be delivered by waterways or even horse and carts until it was decided that Dorset needed a railway to improve trade connections and the ability to transport the county’s much sought after goods to other areas in Britain!

Dorset boasts a ﬁne array of country houses and beautiful historic estates. Crichel House is one such Dorset country house. Unusually, the Dorset estate would pass through the female line throughout much of its history. Throughout the years has attracted many distinguished guests, including George IV as a young prince regent. Years later, Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales would again succumb to the allure of Crichel House and she would go to stay with the then owners for some of the happiest times of her life.

Photo: ©Paul Highnam / Country Life

Did you know that one of Britain’s leading journalists in the 19th century was not only a female but also was a daughter of Dorset? Mary Frances Billington was born in Chalbury and was known to be one of the most renowned female journalists of her era, writing for many prestigious titles and holding senior positions and even travelling around the world before co-founding and becoming the president of the Society for Women Journalists in the early 20th century. So popular had this Dorset daughter become that even Queen Alexandra had ﬂowers especially sent to her one occasion she was ill!

Although Dorset is known for its connection with Thomas Hardy, did you know that William Wordsworth and his wife Dorothy also loved the county? The couple lived for a time in the picturesque village of Pilsdon Pen and would go for daily walks locally lasting for hours. So much in love with the county, Dorothy was inspired to write of Dorset,

“We have hills which, seen from a distance almost take the character of mountains, some cultivated nearly to their summits, others in their wild state covered with furze and broom. These delight me the most as they remind me of our native wilds”!

Photo: ©Dove Cottage, The Wordsworth Trust

Photo: ©Paul Highnam / Country Life

Photo: ©Dove Cottage, The Wordsworth Trust

Talking about Wildlife...

Return of the barn owls The silent flight of a barn owl is a majestic and wonderful sight for any nature lover. With the features of their heart shaped faces and deep black eyes, they are an unmistakable icon of the countryside in the UK. However, it may surprise you to hear that the odds are stacked against these wonderful creatures, with a long list of challenges and problems they face daily. Firstly, there’s the two things we all need: food and shelter. Declining or unsuitable habitat means that both of these vital elements to their survival immediately puts them at threat. Suitable roosting sites, and then good quality unimproved grassland for their prey to live (such as voles and mice) can be hard to come by if the quality of the habitat close to them isn’t good enough. During the breeding season, they need to have a plentiful food source within 1km of their roost – their chicks can eat their own body weight in food in one night! The next challenge is overcoming the physical limitations of the barn owls’ wings, which aren’t waterproof so they can be adversely affected by the weather. They are also unable to store a lot of body fat, and therefore are particularly prone to starvation during prolonged periods of severe weather or when there is shortage of prey. However, there are sites where barn owls can thrive. One of those is Dorset Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve, Lorton 14

Barn Owls at Lorton

Photo: Paul Williams

Meadows, in Weymouth, where we have seen many chicks fledge each year as a result of the excellent habitat surrounding the barn owl box. Careful habitat management carried out all year round by DWT conservation staff and volunteers means that this site can provide the food and shelter barn owls need to survive. This year we are streaming the latest pair of barn owls which are roosting and preparing for breeding, live on our webcam which is sponsored by PFM Associates. You can watch the barn owls here, and hopefully, enjoy many hours of witnessing the true beauty of nature as they raise their chicks at the Lorton Meadows nature reserve. Watch now at: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ wildlifewebcam By Sally Welbourn Communications Team - Dorset Wildlife Trust

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Recycle Recap Six common errors we make when we attempt to recycle. Few of us need to be reminded about the importance of recycling; but when it comes to ensuring we’re undertaking our moral duty to planet Earth properly, could we all use a recap from time to time? ONE- Lift the lid A plastic lid is recyclable in much the same way as a plastic bottle, but reapplying these can leave liquid inside, which means it weighs more and subsequently confuses the sorting machine. It can also trap air inside, which can force bottle bales apart. However, if you collapse the bottle and reapply the lid, you should be okay. TWO - A caffeine inconvenience In the UK last year only one in 400 cups was recycled, leaving a huge quantity of material in general waste. Our ambivalence to recycling coffee cups has become one of the major ﬂaws in recycling action, with eco groups keen to add dedicated cup deposit points in coffee shop., Better still, they’ve started encouraging us to bring our own reusable vessels into cafes.

THREE - Bag it up It may seem like a good idea to put material in a plastic bag before lobbing that in the recycling bin, but bags will instantly be rejected at the recycling plant, and will end up in landﬁll. Instead, tip your recycling into the main bin, then gather your

even unwanted nuts and pips, we can enrich our own soil by adding these to compost or even loosely scattering to the back of ﬂowerbeds.

plastic bags together and leave in a separate pile, take them to a local plastic bag recycling point, or even hand them back in at the supermarket. FOUR - An appetite for… compost? Recycling doesn’t just stop at the disposal of manmade materials. For leftover food items such as egg shells, peel from fruit and vegetables, and

FIVE - Excellent textiles Similarly, our throwaway culture often extends to the clothes we’ve grown tired of. If we’ve decided they’re too shabby to give to a friend or a local charity, the immediate reaction is to bin them; and yet textiles banks can make real use of these valuable fabrics, capable of bringing that tatty old jumper back to life as anything from furniture padding to loudspeaker cones! SIX - Green is clean And remember, no matter what you’re recycling, unless it’s washed clean, it’s not going to make the cut. From plastic bottles to tins, containers to pizza boxes, if food or drink is left on it, it’ll be rejected at the recycling plant and will end up back in general waste.

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Julia’s House Joins Government Kickstart Programme Local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House, is taking part in the Government’s Kickstart employment scheme, to help young people at risk of long term unemployment gain valuable skills. They are recruiting for 30 vacancies in their high street shops across Dorset and Wiltshire as well as other areas of Julia’s House Retail, where the Kickstart placements will join a training programme to help them gain experience and knowledge in diﬀerent aspects of the charity retail sector. The shops will re-open on Monday 12 April.

charity. Its shops lose £150,000 a month while they’re closed and fundraising will take some months to return to normal as social distancing restrictions are slowly lifted by the Government. Tracy adds: “We’ve had amazing support from the local community over the last few months and we really need this to continue. As we all come out of lockdown, the critical needs of the seriously ill children we support don’t change. We want to be right by their side providing a lifeline of care, now and in the future.”

“The local community gives us such great support, it’s nice to be able to give something back,” says Tracy Stanley, Julia’s House Retail Manager. “We’re really pleased to be able to offer placements to local young people and are looking forward to helping them get on their feet by providing retail training that we hope will prove valuable to them in their future careers. We know employment is challenging for young people at the moment and it’s been a difficult time for them, so we really wanted to contribute something that would make a difference locally. You never know, we could discover our Julia’s House shop managers of the future!” As part of the Kickstart scheme, Julia’s House is offering 30 six month placements for young people on Universal Credit aged between 16 and 24. Applicants will be required to work 25 hours a week on a rota basis and regular weekend working will be expected. Salaries will be paid by the Government and Julia’s House will be providing the training and experience.

The vacancies are only eligible to young people aged 16-24 currently claiming Universal Credit and will be advertised through local job centres.

Starting 2021 in lockdown heralded another challenging year ahead for the 18

If you think you are eligible and would like more information on how to apply, please contact Tracy Stanley tracy.stanley@juliashouse.org 07867801898 or Erin Hobbs erin.hobbs@juliashouse.org 07384817041

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The Corner Shop by Toby Wren What a morning I’ve had! Scarcely time for morning coffee or a read of the paper. The milk arrived late, and the baker hassled me about ordering some more cream cakes? “No thanks,,” I told him. “Folk ‘round here have little enough money to buy bread, let alone cakes, indeed!” My own fault, really. I had half a dozen off him last week, just to see if they’d sell, and of course they didn’t. I ﬁnished up eating them all myself, which does nothing for my waistline. Not that I paid for them. They’d have only gone stale anyway.

needing to build yourself up again,” say I. “Aye, ‘appen so, but the old pension don’t go far.” “Don’t you worry,” I told him. “You take what you want and pay me later.” There’s quite a few ‘round here who struggle to make ends meet. Take Mrs. Wilson, for example, with her husband out of work and four kids to feed. They practically live on baked beans on toast! “Take some burgers,” I told her the other day. “Give them kids a treat.” She was almost in tears and I got a bit misty-eyed myself, so I gave her a couple of tins of corned beef too. ----I had Bill Bennett call at the ﬂat last night.

Let’s face it, there are few perks with this job. Open all hours, and low pay. I’d like to see Bill Bennett do what I do. He owns the shop, you know. I run it and have the ﬂat upstairs too. ----Had Mr. Wilmot in the shop today. He’s had an operation and looked peaky. “You’ll be

“Takings, Mrs. Chapman,” he says. “You’re ordering as much as ever, but there’s less in the till. Have you had any dodgy customers recently? You know – helping themselves when your back is turned?” “No,” I said. “They’re all good folk ‘round here and I wouldn’t help them out if I thought they were helping themselves.”

“Help them out?” he says. “How d’you mean?” “Well,” I explain, “If they’re struggling I let some of the regulars have a few things on the slate. They’ll pay later, it’s good for business and it keeps them coming back.” “Course they come back!” he says, starting to get a bit red around the neck now. “Get your free groceries from Bill Bennett. No wonder folk like me… I’m feeding most of them.” ----So I lost my job… and the ﬂat. I got myself work in Viscount Stores and it’s much the same. More often than not I’m there on my own, and d’you know what? Soon as my old customers heard where I was they all started coming to see me again. It’s a fair old walk for some of them too, so I like to help them out when I can. It just goes to show how loyal some folk can be, doesn’t it?

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Let’s Sudoku!

Do you love numbers? Enjoy 2 new Sudoku challenges in every issue!

Answers on Page 30

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Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to cut inheritance tax, avoid care home fees and to protect their share The Property Protection Trust Will package is based around how you hold the ownership of your home. All good estate planning nowadays considers the difference between owning your home as joint tenants or as tenants in common. If you own your home as Joint Tenants; when one of you dies the ownership of the home passes by the Law of Survivorship and not by your Will. Therefore, the surviving partner will automatically own 100% of the property. This sounds right to most people. BUT should the surviving partner need care in the future, the Local Authority can take everything they own (including their home) to pay for the care fees, leaving just £14,250 to be inherited by children and grandchildren.

There is an alternative.

Nowadays many couples choose to own their home as Tenants in Common where each partner will own 50% of the family home. This provides for many benefits. Firstly, it allows you to legally leave your share of the property in your Will to whoever you wish. A properly written Will can ensure that your half of your house will eventually pass to your children even if your widow re-marries. Unmarried cohabiting couples or relatives living together can also use this means of ownership as a way of minimising their Inheritance Tax exposure. It can also help with long-term care costs. If one of you is still living in your home the Local Authority can’t include its value in the means test if one of you has to go in to long-term care. This also applies if the husband or wife still living at home dies while the other is in care as their share will go into the trust.

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Maze Game

Find your way out of this challenging maze! START

FINISH

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Call Jeremy Gough for a free home appointment. I live in Swanage and have worked as a blinds expert for over 4 years. I will do the measuring and fitting and bring a range of samples at a time that suits you.

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Locals in Lockdown Welcome to our inspiring pages of Locals in Lockdown! These are just a few people who have been busy and creative whilst we have not been able to get out and about so much. If you want to tell us what you have been doing, send me an email to localdata@modernmagazines.co.uk I hope you enjoy reading…

I had an idea to write a series of children’s books educating about climate change and waste, and giving life to some scenarios. I wrote my first book but had no money to pay for an illustrator. After a few months, I sent a plea around the local community... and p 2 illustrators replied! Caitlin, who does my characters, and Carla, who puts m them in the situations and creates the th incredible background scenes. in We went full steam ahead – queue weekly peppermint tea meetings either via zoom, or once restrictions eased, outside under a large umbrella when it rained! I decided to figure out how to self-publish. We became the 3Cs and spent hours crafting the first in the series of adventures about the Eco Protection Squad! The book focuses on littering in the park and recycling, after seeing all the littering that occurred in parks during the Covid-19 pandemic it became the first story.. I printed the books and am working on an eBook version along with an audiobook. Adventure 2 is in the pipeline too!

I started a project in late November to build a Shepherd's Hut for our grandchildren’s Christmas present to play with in our garden. It is a copy of an original style hut, but half size complete with seat/ folding bed and a kitchen and led� lighting. This started with just the four cast iron wheels followed by building the chassis in metal and wooden framework and corrugated cladding. It has kept me occupied for approximately 10 weeks. - Colin Simpson

Danny Do Gooder

P lastic Free Prival

Recycling Romesh

Reusable Ralph

Fun Fact Fiona

A super team of diverse kids helping save Terra, Mother Earth, from Bill McGreedy and his band of Eco Squashers (such as Single-Use Sally and the Toxic Twins, Gabbee Garbage and Larree Landﬁll).

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I have been typing out my Aunt's diaries. In 1928 she went to the Kenya Colony to marry in Mombasa Cathedral. In 1930ish, she tried to get a divorce but it was refused. In London during the Blitz her entry reads...

Danny Do Gooder

P lastic Free Prival

Recycling Romesh

Reusable Ralph

Fun Fact Fiona

A super team of diverse kids helping save Terra, Mother Earth, from Bill McGreedy and his band of Eco Squashers (such as Single-Use Sally and the Toxic Twins, Gabbee Garbage and Larree Landﬁll).

www.ecoprotectionsquad.com • www.simplysustainableideas.com

Answers Page PUB QUIZ 1. Inland Taipan 2. Norman Rockwell 3. Rugby 4. Peepeye, Pupeye, Pipeye, Poopeye 5. France 6. Hudson River 7. Cold Water 8. Treason 9. Ted 10. 180 degrees 11. Geoﬀrey Chaucer 12. Careless Whisper 13. 67 sweets (32 October, 35 November) 14. Sony Computer Entertainment 15. The Statue of Liberty 16. Coldplay 17. Two countries: Zambia and Zimbabwe 18. The Last Supper 19. District of Columbia 20. Richard III

Be sure to check out the next issue for more game pages!

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Five Fab Reads Out In April Whether you’re longing for a Parisian getaway or simply want to indulge in a comforting slice of wartime London life, April’s book releases are sure to sate your literary appetite. Other People’s Children by R.J. Hoffmann Touching on one of the most delicate subjects of human nature, this moving debut follows a young couple whose fertility problems lead to further heartache when a child they plan to adopt is reclaimed by its teenage mother. Exploring the complexities of a close family, they must make agonising decisions in the name of love. Published by Simon & Shuster on April 6. Paradise, Nevada by Dario Diofebi Steeped in the feverish neon wonder that is Las Vegas, this heart-stopping tale has all the thrills you would expect from a highstakes poker setting, with the surprising addition of depth and compassion for the four characters who are willing to

risk everything for the ultimate slice of the American dream. Eloquent, comedic and bristling with energy from Diofebi, himself once a professional poker player. Published by Bloomsbury Publishing on April 6. Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau Detailing everything one would expect from a love story set in the City of Lights, including divine Parisian pastries, languid afternoons strolling through art galleries and of course, stolen kisses in the shadow of the Tour Eiffel, this is the ideal read for anyone who is longing for a continental getaway. Published by Delacorte Press on April 6. Instinct by Jason M. Hough New York Times bestselling author Jason M. Hough brings us this intriguing and heartstopping thriller which takes

place in the kind of American backwater town where anything can happen, and does. It follows officer Mary Whittaker as she does her best to unravel several highly unusual incidents. It soon becomes clear that the townsfolk are losing their survival instincts and that Mary must fight to uncover the truth before she loses her own. Published by Skybound Books on April 6 The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin Set in August 1939 as London prepares for war when Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe, Grace Bennett’s realised dream of living in the city doesn’t quite meet up to her expectations as she finds her day-to-day life blighted by bombings, blackouts and bunkers. However, she quickly realises that her role as a humble bookseller may be just what the local community needs to find solace and light during a period where London was perpetually doused in darkness and death. Published by Hanover Square Press on March 2

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Save your knees and have some fun with Novelty Kneelers! Many shapes (Cat, Rabbit, Frog, Teacup, Teapot, Car) and colours available Great idea for presents and can be personalised with a message up to 25 characters (including spaces)

Size 400mm x 320mm x 25mm approx. • Free P & P Black or White Foam: £8 Coloured (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow) or Multi-coloured (Black with any of the colours) Foam: £10 Coloured or multi-coloured foam with message: £14

Call Gary on 07788 134302 to place your order

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Happy Hammies Is the humble hamster the most underrated pet of them all? The hamster is perhaps the most underrated pet out there. Entertaining, sociable and cute, it offers so much yet, as our quickﬁre guide below proves, demands so little. Cost Hamsters are cheap to buy. They can generally be picked up for around £10 each, and will quickly adapt to their new surroundings. Cleanliness Hamsters love to groom and keep themselves clean, and will very quickly begin to mark out their cage, with a designated corner for their toilet. Independent Both Russian and Syrian hamsters tend to live by themselves, as they will invariably begin to ﬁght when put together. Both though is they love to be handled by people, however and are great entertainment either up close or at a distance. Storing food Hamsters are fanatical about

careful storage of food, meaning if you are away for a night or two, your hamster will have ample food to see it through. Life expectancy Hamsters have a modest lifespan of between two and three years. That’s a small commitment to a friendly, livewire existence, but protects against an animal still hanging around when kids have ﬂown the nest. Interaction Kids can build some really early and valuable pet interactions when charged with looking after a hamster, as well understanding the responsibilities of having a pet. Exercise The sight of a hamster relentlessly spinning on its wheel is a common one; and while this is an excellent way for them to burn off all those honey treats, the classic hamster wheel is actually now thought to be detrimental to spinal health; hence a new ‘ﬂying saucer’ design is becoming much more popular now. Hamsters also love zipping about in their cages, scaling assault

courses and clinging to the sides in taking in the world around them. Genetics There is perhaps one startling downside to hamsters, and that’s their genetics. Whether it’s an inherent exposure to biological issues or as a result of rushed, sometimes careless breeding practices, the humble hamster is not the sturdiest specimen when it comes to internal health. Many are renowned for getting pneumonia, while heart disease is an all too common cause of death due to a genetic predisposition that means weakened heart muscles cannot efﬁciently pump blood. Doing our best to keep hamsters in good health means giving them a good supply of fresh and dried food, with plentiful changes of water and regular cleaning of their cage. If we do that, we give them the best chance of a happy, active healthy life, to the delight of kids and adults.

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Wall to Wall Why the cult of the feature wall is back in fashion. The feature wall concept – giving one side of a room a new lease of life, either through repainting or wallpapering in a different colour – became a go-to idea in the Noughties. It was regarded as a great way of redesigning a space without making a big investment - a day’s worth of work that would transform a room for years to come; or perhaps just a few months, depending on your desire to keep reinventing what could quickly become a versatile and adaptable space. As time went on though, our desire to stand out became less prevalent, and tastes merged rather more towards ﬂat colours and drops of detail, rather than one big, brave, statement wall. And yet, here in 2021, the whispers are that the feature (or ‘accent’) wall is about to make a triumphant return. In interior design just as in fashion, it’s supposed that a period of repression and

confinement – such as the one we’re still living through in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – does unusual things to the human psyche, causing us to break free, experiment, and cast aside formality. With that in mind then, if you feel your route back to finding yourself might begin with a roll of wallpaper or a pot of paint, here are some golden rules to follow: ONE - Complement, don’t confuse Use colours and textures that feel different, but still work with existing colours, furniture, floor coverings and styles that are in the room. TWO - Expose and expand A feature wall works because it is a flat layer of space that imposes itself on the rest of the room. With that in mind, pick the wall that is the room’s focal point.

Remember too, you don’t want a space that is going to be crowded in pictures and decoration, or blocked by furniture. And consider where light enters the room – your preference should be for it to hit your feature wall, thus radiating all its statement gloriousness. THREE - Space is the Place While it’s a nice idea that you can bring a study, small bedroom or boxroom to life with a spark of individuality, the reality is using limited area for a feature wall will most likely only serve to make a small space even smaller. FOUR - Living in a Material World Although wallpaper and paint are the preferred methods for giving a wall a new lease of life, there’s nothing to stop you using wood, cork, bamboo, tiles or even stone, if it means your feature wall in design can scale the expanses of your imagination!

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Quick Crossword

#001

Across Clues: 16. Unpleasant (4) 2. Fundamental truth (9) 17. Yellow citrus (5) 7. Chocolate Latte (5) 18. Plants, animals (6) 8. Short supply (7) 21. Analysing data (7) 9. Detox (7) 24. Lost memory (7) 12. Photo____ (6) 25. 2 or more metals (5) 13. Rope of wire (5) 26. Happy (9) 14. Container of water (4) Down Clues: 1. Skin condition (4) 2. Uncomfortable (4) 3. No value (4) 4. Seeds, chocolate (5) 5. Physical (7) 6. Desire (7) 7. Horde (4) 10. Vertical curved (4) 11. Delicate (6)

12. Ceramic + Metal (6) 14. Bound (7) 15. 1912, RMS_____ (7) 16. A speciﬁc function (4) 19. Start again (5) 20. Pale grey (4) 21. To say (4) 22. Distance (4) 23. ____ of Man (4)

Answers: Across: 2. Principle, 7. Mocha, 8. Lacking, 9. Cleanse, 12. Copier, 13. Cable, 14. Bath, 16. Ugly, 17. Lemon, 18. Nature, 21. Statics, 24.Amnesia, 25. Alloy, 26. Excitedly. Down: 1. Acne, 2. Pain, 3. Idle, 4. Cacao, 5. Paining, 6. Eagerly, 7. Mice, 10. Arch, 11. Subtle, 12. Cermet, 14. Bondage, 15. Titanic, 16. Unit, 19. Reset, 20. Ashy, 21. Said, 22. Away, 23. Isle.

Fool Proof?

Our love of a prank is no better exemplified on April Fool’s Day; but how did this peculiar annual opportunity to make a mockery of mates (and strangers) come about? The concept of April Fool’s Day was seen to gather pace in the 16th and 17th centuries and might be attributed to Flemish poet Eduard de Dene, who in 1561 wrote of a nobleman who would send his servants out on foolish errands on April 1. It might similarly originate from 1698 when, on this notable date, local residents were lured to the Tower of London “to see the lions washed”. Wherever the true origin may lay, what is certain is April Fool’s Day is one of the most cherished in our calendar. Four iconic April Fool’s gags:

- Spaghetti trees Panorama ran a report in 1957 detailing how spaghetti was growing on trees in Switzerland. In reality, filming took place in St. Albans, but with broadcaster Richard Dimbleby pursuing the idea with relish, millions were tricked. - Smell-O-Vision The Beeb were at it again in 1965 when they reported that new technology would enable viewers to pick up an odour transmitted over the airwaves. - Grandstand In 1989, Des Lynam was at the centre of an apparent fight that broke out behind him between

members of the newsdesk team, as he attempted to deliver sports news on the BBC’s Saturday afternoon Grandstand show. - Circle Line In 2007, The Independent newspaper printed a feature suggesting the Circle Line was being considered as a new location for a particle accelerator by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.

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20 Years Younger From plumping creams to intelligent make up, here are five tips on how to make yourself look up to two decades younger. Perfect your bedtime routine Remove dust, dirt and general impurities, as well as prepping your skin for moisturiser with Elemis Procollagen Cleansing balm. Loaded with hydrating ingredients such as starflower oil and padina pavonica, this luxurious balm melts into skin and smells divine. Exfoliate intelligently For gentle exfoliation, minimal fuss and maximum effect at a very reasonable price, consider NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads which are drenched in in resurfacing Glycolic Acid, soothing Witch Hazel and ultra-hydrating Hyaluronic Acid. One quick wipe between cleansing and moisturising will clear away dead skin cells, and tighten pores. Hydrate Harnessing the potent power of grapes, Caudalie Resveratrol-

Lift Firming Cashmere Cream is the kind of cult product that effortlessly combines science and nature to lessen the appearance of wrinkles AND boost collagen. Airbrush like a pro These days, some foundations are so good it barely looks like you’re wearing makeup at all. Leading the charge, Airbrush Flawless Foundation not only reduces wrinkles and boosts hydration, but leaves you with an immaculate complexion that lasts all day. Glow from within It isn’t always possible to get eight hours of sleep, drink litres of water and eat a highly nutritious diet, yet boasting niacinamide, vitamins A, E

and C, selenium and biotin, Votary Superglow Skin Nutrition Capsules are an advanced beauty edible that will leave you radiant.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow How to slow hair loss without expensive treatments. Wash less A healthy scalp needs natural oils to thrive and therefore should only be washed once or twice a week with a gentle shampoo and warm (not hot) water. Breathe more Stress is one the biggest contributors to the problem. Not only can it cause hair to stop growing as well as shedding more, it can also cause an autoimmune response whereby the hair follicles are attacked by body. So take those deep breathes, get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol as much as possible. Get a scalp massage So whether you splash out on a professional Indian head massage

treatment, buy an athome massage device, or simply ask a loved one for a quick rub, scalp massages are a way to help stimulate hair growth in increasing blood flow to the area. Nourish from within Eggs, turkey, oily fish, spinach, any kind of lean protein, food rich in omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, flax seeds etc.), iron and taking a biotin supplement will all help boost both healthy hair growth. Go easy on the products Thickening sprays and hair powders can build up on the scalp, blocking follicles and supressing regeneration, the chemicals in them can also linger and have a negative

impact on growth. Check your medication Medications that treat high blood pressure, heart problems, gout, acne and depression have all been known to lead to hair loss.

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Ref : 22303

LOCALLOCKSMI TH CALL:01 929503000

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WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

STAR GAZING Welcome to the April Stargazing Page. This year April is a quiet month astronomically, but there are a few highlights including Leo the Lion, Mars still hanging on in there in the western sky, and the return of Venus as the Evening Star.

Interna onal Space Sta on The ISS will be visible between 1 - 4th April between 8.30 – 9.30pm, and then again between 3 – 5am from 28th – 30th. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com, or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to Wareham.

Moon This month’s full moon occurs on 27th April, and is traditionally known by a variety of names, including Pink, Seed, and Egg Moon.

Object of the Month The familiar winter constellations are now setting by 10pm, leaving the spring constellations to take all the glory. The brightest of these is Leo the Lion, which has been recognised as a constellation for over 2,000 years, and is said to represent the lion slain by the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) as one of his twelve labours. The lion's mane and shoulders form a recognisable pattern of stars (known as an� asterism)� called the �The Sickle�, which resembles a backwards question mark (see ﬁgure). Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, is Latin for ‘little king’, or ‘prince’. Look for Leo moderately-high in the south between 9.30 – 10pm. Leo is the 12th largest constellation in the sky, easily covering an outstretched hand-span at arm’s length.

Events

Sickle asterism

Keep an eye out for shooting stars this month as there are several small meteor showers towards the end of April.

Mercury Mercury is hidden by the Sun’s glare until the ﬁnal few days of April when it reappears close to Venus, low in the evening sky (see ﬁgure).

Regulus

Mercury Venus

Venus Like its small neighbour, Venus is also lost in the Sun’s glare until mid-month when it can be spotted very low in the west just after sunset. It has vanished below the horizon by 9.15pm.

Mars The red planet is dimming faster now, but can still be seen fairly high in the southwestern sky around 9pm, and is joined by the Moon on the 17th.

Jupiter and Saturn Due to the clocks going forward, the solar system’s largest planets are easy to spot before sunrise, and are well-placed for viewing around 6am at the start of the month, but by mid-month are best viewed at 5am. The Moon joins them to make a pleasing skyscape on the 6th and 7th. 40

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28th April 08:45PM

Constellation of Leo viewed high in the S during April 09:30-10PM

Did you know? Did you know there are actually 14 signs of the Zodiac? In astronomy, the zodiac (or ecliptic) represents the annual path of the Sun across the sky, and the zodiacal constellations are those through which it passes. The twelve familiar signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. However, the Sun’s path also crosses a corner of Ophiuchus the Water Bearer, and touches the boundary of Cetus the Whale. Half of the Sun’s disk is in Cetus for less than a day, a brief but valid visit, bringing the total number of zodiacal constellations to fourteen.

Moon This month’s full moon occurs on 27th April, and is traditionally known by a variety of names, including Pink, Seed, and Egg Moon.

Sickle asterism

Regulus

Mercury Venus

28th April 08:45PM

Constellation of Leo viewed high in the S during April 09:30-10PM

Garden Neat Cheats

Six tips to help you get to grips with your unruly garden in no time. ONE - Focus on the lawn Your lawn is ultimately what leads your eye out into the garden, so keeping this well mown, clutter free and healthy is arguably the biggest factor in it retaining a tidy feel. To that end always try to keep borders to a maximum width of around 1.5m. Any wider than this and you may well ﬁnd their maintenance is taking up a lot of your time. TWO - A path to perfection Sometimes the issues with lawns is that they present such a wide expansive space it can be difﬁcult to know what to decorate them with. The simple answer is to add a winding path to your lawn - not only is this a one-off addition that will add structure and personality to your back garden, it would also require almost zero maintenance each year, helping the space stay tidy and uncomplicated. THREE - Crazy paving? If you want to take this a step further consider paving over larger areas of your garden. in recent years this is a trend that

appears to have subsided somewhat, but that’s not to say it wouldn’t create a nicer, cleaner, easier to maintain garden space. Wood decking has the same effect, as well as adding interesting textures and softer

base on which adults and kids can sit and enjoy their surroundings. FOUR - Evergreens every time Evergreen varieties are very handy for all-year-round foliage and variety; and adding a plentiful array of evergreens to your garden means you can avoid pruning, deadheading, staking, weeding and all those other things involved with perennials that take up valuable time that could be spent on other tasks… such a relaxing!

FIVE - What weeds? If the idea of spending hours picking out a smorgasbord of weeds from your beds doesn’t appeal then wood mulch it’s almost certainly the solution. Not only does it look great, it adds texture and colour too and is a great tool for keeping moisture in the soil, something that will come in handy when the baking sun of the summer months begins to dominate the day. SIX - Take a fake Finally, probably the best low maintenance addition of them all - fake grass. The technology these days means the look is almost as good as having a real lawn, and if you’re brave enough to take it a step further, then fake shrubs can decorate difﬁcult to reach or hard to maintain corners of your garden in a way that will need little maintenance, whilst offering big impact.

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AG Landscapes We are an independent local company that specializes in all aspects of landscaping.

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Kitchen Sink Cookies Introduction

Featuring a much-feted ﬂavour proﬁle – salty and sweet - these decadent cookies are a great way to use up any leftover bits and bobs in your pantry, and taste far more sophisticated than their name suggests.

Ingredients

As this dough requires time to set in the fridge, you can easily store half of it in the freezer to enjoy at a later date.

(makes approximately 20 cookies) • 300g all-purpose ﬂour • 1tsp baking soda • 200g dark brown sugar • 100g white sugar • 180g unsalted butter (softened) • 1 egg • 1tsp salt • 1tsp vanilla extract • 180g sweet treats: chocolate chips or chunks, honeycomb, mini marshmallows, dried fruit, Smarties… • 180g salty treats: nuts, broken up pretzels, sea salt ﬂakes, popcorn, sesame seeds, ready-salted crisps…

Top Tips

Tip

Method 1. In a bowl gently mix together your ﬂour, baking soda and salt. Then, in a separate larger bowl cream together your butter and sugar, either by hand or using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Once ﬂuffy and light in colour, add the egg and vanilla extract before folding in your dry ingredients. 2. Combine all your salty and sweet treats, before gently mixing into your dough until they are evenly distributed. Roll your dough into a log – approx. 1.5 inches in diameter – to be

wrapped in cling ﬁlm and chilled in the fridge for at least one hour, and up to two days. 3. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 170 degrees (160 for fan-assisted ovens) or gas mark 3, and prepare two baking trays with baking paper. Cut your dough into 1/2-inch-thick slices and arrange the cookies on your trays, before baking for around 20 minutes until golden. Leave to set for at least ﬁve minutes once out the oven before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

• Be as bold as you like with your ﬂavour combinations as this really is a recipe where you can let your personality shine through, as you think about ﬂavours, textures and even colours that will make your cookies special. • For extra pizzaz, make your own salted caramel chunks by melting two parts sugar to one part butter in a pan until golden, adding a generous pinch of sea-salt before pouring onto a baking tray to set.

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CAN YOU SPOT THE DIFFERENCE?

TO FIND

EASTER EGG MAZE

______________________________________

Date: ___________________

EARCH SPRING WORDS Spring

Bird

Q G

Q W B

B W

Lamb Rain Spring Bud Chocolate Easter Green Chocolate Bird Egg Lamb

Rain

Spring

START

Bud

Easter Egg

FINISH

Advertisers Index

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your magazine... Aerials

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DigitalTV4U ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 ............................................................................................................................................................. All Grass Landscapes 43 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Wessex Aerials Ltd 39 ............................................................................................................................................................. Novelty Kneelers 33

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Computer Services

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ AJV Computing 39 Puzzles & Games ............................................................................................................................................................. Maze Game 26 Dentists ............................................................................................................................................................. Pub Quiz 10 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ MouthPeace Dental Practice Wool 23 ............................................................................................................................................................. Puzzle & Game Answers 30 ............................................................................................................................................................. Sudoku Puzzles 21 Drainage Services ............................................................................................................................................................. Wordsearch 22 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Dorset Drain Unblocking 21 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ NO.1 PHD 35 Removals & Storage ............................................................................................................................................................. Purbeck Self Storage 3

Driveways

Electricians

Farm Shops

Features

Dorset Wildlife Trust ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Waste Services ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Locals in Lockdown 28-29 ............................................................................................................................................................. Dorset Council 11 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Quirky Facts about Dorset 12-13 ............................................................................................................................................................. Philip Trim Contractors 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Stargazing Pages 40-41

Will Writing Services Florists

Windows, Doors & Conservatories Foot Care Services

Worktops Garage Doors

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