May 2019
Promoting your local area
THE
SWANAGE
Oracle
All major credit & debit cards accepted
& DEVELOPERS LTD
ALL ASPECTS OF ROOFING & BUILDING WORKS UNDERTAKEN * New Pitched Roofs * New Flat Roofs * Conservatory Roofs * Lead works * Pitched Roof Ventilation * UPVC Fascia, Soffit & Guttering * Extensions, Loft Conversions, New Bathrooms & Kitchens Fitted LOCAL FAMILY BUSINESS • 30 YRS EXPERIENCE • FULLY INSURED • WORKS GUARANTEED
FREE SURVEYS & QUOTES • 01929 46 33 49 / 47 28 09 • 07799 26 11 05 / 0800 567 7614 • www.purbeckhomeimprovements.co.uk
Brought to you by
Purbeck Publications Promoting your local area
www.purbeckpublications.co.uk
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Email: info@philiptrimcontractors.com
To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080
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Full range of rural services
Heatcare (UK) Ltd is a local family run, OFTEC and Gas Safe registered, plumbing and heating company! Heatcare are able to cater to your needs be it services, repairs or installations and we are able to carry out these services in both domestic and commercial sectors. Along with offering these services in Oil, we can also offer the same in LPG and mains Gas, again, in both domestic and commercial fields. • Worcester Accredited Installers • Up to 8/10 year warranties on oil/gas boilers • Oil tank replacements and new installations To book your service or quote contact us on
01305 853970 or 07557 990715 or email us at heatcareukltd@aol.com
Visit our website:
www.heatcareukltd.com
Upton Farm, Upton, Ringstead, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8NE
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Introduction
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Dear Swanage, Studland, Worth Matravers, Langton Matravers, Ulwell and Durlston!
The Swanage Oracle Edition 126
Published by:
Stephen & Debbie Corney at Purbeck Publications
Telephone:
01929 408080
Email:
info@swanageoracle.co.uk
Copy deadline for the June 2019 edition: 13th May 2019
Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused 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 any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.
Proud members of
Welcome to our NEW LOOK! We are very excited to launch our new website as well as our new look magazine. Do you like it? Stephen and I do hope so. The new website has all the contact details of our very loyal advertisers as well as local information and events. We even have a blog about Daichi the NEW Campervan who loves to “dash” around. “Daichi, The Dashing Dude”, has indeed finally arrived! He is looking very dapper with his pearl white kimono and he loves to dash around and take us to exciting places right here on the South Coast and beyond. You can read all about his first trip in this issue! As always, we love to hear from you, so if you have any comments please do contact us. We do listen. Our loyal, local advertisers are always ready to give advice and get the job done as swiftly and as expertly as they can. From bathrooms to beds, curtains to cameras, electricians to estate agents, garage doors to garment alterations, plumbers to printers, tilers to tree surgeons and even windows to will writing, we have it all here for you at your fingers tips. If there is a trade you are looking for and cannot find it inside, please give us a call. I am sure we can help. Wishing you a wonderful month of May,
Debbie & Stephen Useful Numbers Local Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Swanage Hospital
101 0800 072 7282 0800 111999 01929 422282
Train Enquires Wilts & Dorset Bus Wessex Water Emerg. Purbeck Distict Council
08457 484950 01983 827005 0845 600 4600 01929 556561
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The Kitchen & Bathroom Co • We design, supply and install kitchens & bathrooms to suit all budgets and styles • Bath Out - Shower In
• Kitchen makeovers
• Building work - Tiling - Electrics - Plumbing
• • • •
No job too small Professional, friendly service Free, no obligation quotations Local, family run business with 30yrs experience
Give us a call... because we really do, do it all! Call Nicky on 01202 870839 or 07788 410808 www.thekitchenbathroomcompany.co.uk
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Email: sales@wessexaerials.co.uk Phone: (01305) 813010 - Weymouth (01929) 270081 - Swanage www.wessexaerials.co.uk
Hu Fairy NEW nt D for oo 20 r 19
E: nicky.thekitchenandbathcompany@gmail.com • 14 Southern Avenue, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0BL
A truly delightful family attraction since 1935,this magical pool is surrounded by tranquil woods and heathland with many sandy paths. Why not take an imaginative stroll and enjoy becoming a ‘Searcher and Finder’ looking for Squirrels, Fairy Doors and much more. The Teahouse will welcome you with Coffee, light lunches and delicious Cream Teas with Homemade Scones. Then visit the unique Gift Shop before entering the fascinating world of the Wareham Bears. Adults £7.50 • Seniors £6.50 • Children under 16 free
Suppliers and Installers of: Aerial - Satellite - CCTV Wi-Fi points for domestic and commercial situations.
Tel: 01929 551408 www.bluepooluk.com Furzebrook, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AR
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Community News
The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society Back in October 2017 I set up The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society to inspire people to keep writing letters to each other. We have had the loveliest year and a half spreading the word about our “handwritten letter revival” and “quiet revolution in the art of intimacy”, and have met so many interesting people and organisations on the way. A highlight of last year was our inaugural outing to Purbeck Valley Folk Festival where Plankbridge Ltd very generously loaned us their Writer’s Hut of Chelsea Flower Show fame as our wow factor, for the duration of the weekend. It was amazing the response to our stand and the hut and the idea of putting handwritten letters back on the map for everyone. All sorts of fascinating folk stopped by including lots of musicians and authors and Roger Finn (from BBC South) with his daughter to see what we were up to. The musician Hannah Scott came to sing her song “Letter” on the steps of the hut and Korby Lenker all the way from Nashville, Tennessee, hung out with us writing letters and inspiring others to do the same. We celebrated our first birthday last October, have appeared on BBC Radio Solent Breakfast in Dorset with a little recorded piece including some children from Corfe Castle Primary School. Hannah Scott recorded the backing track especially so they could use it and will be doing a proper version of it as a single. The song really is lovely and says it all. We’ve held letter writing workshops at Chococo in Swanage and Dorset International Women’s Day in Dorchester. We are going to Swanage Fish Festival in June, we’re just waiting for confirmation about the Chalke Valley History Festival, and we’ll be at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival again in August. Some particularly lovely highlights have been receiving a letter from Stephen Fry which said “Bravo for setting up The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society”, one from Dame Vera Lynn just before her 102nd birthday which said “Your Society sounds truly interesting - writing letters is a lovely art, and I am glad to know you are keeping it alive”, and one from Abigail Thaw who said “Lovely website!”
One of the best feelings is to hear people say that THLAS has inspired them to write letters again. Plankbridge have very kindly agreed that they would let us borrow the Writer’s Hut again for Chalke Valley History Festival which is amazing so for Purbeck Valley Folk Festival I decided it would be really fun to see if I could get a Gypsy Caravan instead this year. I felt it was rather a big ask as we don’t have any budget but people are utterly lovely and after writing a letter to Derek and Carole Ambridge in Devon they wrote back to say they would be really happy to bring not just one but two of their Romany Wagons. As you can imagine I am over the moon. Below is a photograph of one of the ones they sent me. They are stunning. The story behind them is brilliant too. I haven’t heard the full version but Carole said they “bought a rotten shed on wheels at an auction by mistake” but her very clever husband converted it. Finally just to say we have 122 members from all over the world including England, Wales, Ireland, the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, China, Africa and Australia. For more information, why not write a handwritten letter to: The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society PO Box 9347, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 9BG Alternatively, you can email: thlas@outlook.com Or visit: thehandwrittenletterappreciationsociety.org
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Fixed quote work
Loft conversions / Cut and truss roofing Dormer and Velux windows 1 & 2 fix carpentry / Kitchens fitted Laminate flooring Replacement fascias & guttering General repair work
Call Peter Albin Mobile 07834 983022 Home 01929 425048
www.totalwoodwork.co.uk
CAMERAS & BINOCULARS WANTED
By Private Collector ANY Age, Format, Quantity or Quality - Collections Of ANY Size - Lenses Of All Types - Clockwork Cine ALSO Wanted 8mm, 16mm, 35mm - BEST PRICES PAID - WILL COLLECT - ANY DISTANCE CONSIDERED Please Call Keith On
01202 862886
Gasways Heating 367 High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NP ALL HEATING SERVICES INCLUDING: • • • • •
Boilers Installed Full Central Heating Systems Boiler Maintenance and Breakdowns Domestic and Commercial All LPG work undertaken
ALSO ALL GENERAL PLUMBING
T: 01929 427713 M: 07889 409584 www.gaswaysheating.co.uk
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8
Community News
The Flying Scotsman Comes To Swanage There was a lot of excitement in the air when the world famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive came to Swanage. Lots of people were waiting at Swanage Station to see her as she majestically rolled into the station on a beautiful sunny March day. My husband is quite a train enthusiast so as a birthday treat we went to see this magnificent feat of engineering. Having travelled from Norden to Swanage on a steam train we were already feeling the excitement having passed many people lining the route waiting for a view of the ‘Scotsman.’ The volunteers that help to run The Swanage Railway were all turned out in their uniforms at each station along the route but one volunteer in particular caught my eye. Heather Barsby has been volunteering on the railway for a year and travels all the way from Warminster which is quite impressive. She looked very smart in her full porter’s uniform, chatting with passengers as they waited to board the steam train ferrying people back and forth to Swanage. The Flying Scotsman was painstakingly rebuilt by E Riley and Son of Bury who are the custodians of the ‘Scotsman’ and maintain and run her for The National Railway Museum. On
the day we saw her she was also pulling the impressive Pullman Observation Coach ‘Devon Belle’ whose renovation was organised by Swanage Railway in 2007 after she was returned from San Francisco where she had been used as several things including an office and a cafe. It was a lovely sight to see people decked out in their finery boarding the coach and being given champagne for the journey up the line to Norden and back again. I have to say I was incredibly impressed by the sheer presence of The Flying Scotsman as I have seen photographs of her but never seen her in real life. It was a real treat for my husband and I to be among other enthusiasts who had flocked to Swanage just to catch a glimpse of her. We were quite swept up in the moment especially as everyone scrambled to get a photograph of her as she arrived in the station. Well done to Swanage Railway for a successful event and I look forward to the next one. by Julie Sharp
To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080
9 We’re with you every step of the way 24 hr service available on 01929 422445 or email: office @jamessmithfunerals.co.uk or find out more at www.jamessmithfunerals.co.uk
We can support all of your funeral needs and will guide you through this difficult time with professional advice, care and empathy
Funeral arrangements
Memorial masonry
Funeral plans
Our number one priority is looking after you
The Lady Decorator Katie Francis Grass Cutting Hedge Cutting Regular Garden Maintenance
Call John on 07494 595864
All aspects of Internal & External Decoration, incl. Wallpapering Based in Isle of Purbeck Free estimates
07780 504986 See website for details
www.decoration-by-design.co.uk
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Community News
Around the World in 80 Minutes Thirty years on from their first public performance in 1989 when funds were raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust the Belvedere Singers are again supporting this charity with a retiring collection at their next concert. Inspired by the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days, the choir are taking a musical journey around the world. Globetrotting from the South Seas to South America and then off to Europe represented by France, Austria and Spain, also dropping in on Italy and Ireland on the way, the Singers enjoy a world tour, testing their language skills at the same time.
As a contrast, they will also be performing Cantate Domino composed by their Music Director, Clive Watkiss in 2014. Soloists performing at the concert are professional clarinetist Helen Paskins, who will be playing British, French and German music, and the talented young oboist Isabella Barr. This concert is on Saturday, May 18th 7:30pm at St. Mary’s Church in Swanage. Tickets are available from Albury & Hall, choir members and at the door: adults £10: under 18s free. For further information, please telephone 01929 423729. We look forward to entertaining you.
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Quality Hand Made Curtains, Blinds & Soft Furnishings
BESPOKE SOFT FURNISHINGS Local Purbeck Workroom - Personal Service - Free Consultation
T: 01929 761717 - M: 07843 367547 - E: info@duckandrabbitinteriors.com www.duckandrabbitinteriors.com
Natural Gas, LPG and Oil qualified and registered engineer
• All aspects of Plumbing and Heating undertaken • Boiler and Cylinder Installation / Service and Repair • Landlords Gas Safety Certificate • Central Heating System design and installation • Bathroom refurbishment
Call Rory on: 07980 805157 / 01929 761688 Email: rory@fxrheatingandplumbing.co.uk
www.fxrheatingandplumbing.co.uk
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Wildlife News
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Talking about Wildlife...
Help with the health of heathland We all think of heathland as being either glorious (when the sun is shining on it) or wonderfully bleak (when lashed by wind and rain). But whatever the weather, we invariably think of heathland as being tough a sort of resilient and indestructible place. But in actual fact heathland is fragile. This is because heathland is largely occupied by heathers, and heathers are unusual and fussy plants. To start with, heathers are ‘dwarf shrubs’. This means that like all shrubs they are woody and brittle and so can be easily snapped. But unlike other shrubs they are low growing and thus very liable to be stepped on, when, unsurprisingly, they do not bend, but snap off. This is why heathers readily die when walked over, and new bare paths are so readily formed where they were not present before. And then heathers are ‘oligotrophic’. This means that they only do well where the ground is poor in nutrients. When the ground is poor they hold their own against plants that like it rich, but when the ground becomes Heather
Photo: Amy Lewis
Upton Heath
Photo: Nicky Hoar
rich, those other plants win the day. Dog poo, left to decompose naturally, makes the ground nutrient rich. This is why heathers are so easily ousted by lush green grasses and herbs alongside paths where dog poo is left. When we go out on our seemingly tough old heathlands, we should remember that appearances can be deceptive and that actually, like other old things, they are rather on the fragile side. So, keeping to existing main paths, even when a tad muddy, stops the heath becoming criss-crossed by many new ones (and makes it less likely that we will disturb those rare ground nesting birds in summer). And always picking up and removing dog poo helps to prevent those main paths becoming lined by widening bands of non-heathland (and avoids the health hazard which is just as relevant here as in formal open spaces). If we want our heaths to continue to provide for our needs, we do need to be aware of theirs. By Lesley Haskins
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Wills, Property Protection Trusts and Lasting Power of Attorneys We discuss the difference between legal professionals and the benefits of home visits for clients.
We are often asked what is the advantage of using a member of the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners (SWW) over a more conventional high street solicitor. There are many good reasons, here are just a few: 1. Members of SWW are fully trained specialists in the field of will writing and estate planning. All have professional indemnity insurance, are regulated and adhere to the SWW code of practice. 2. Members also provide clients with the convenience of attending them in their own home and at a time that is suitable. 3. Taking instructions in the privacy of the client’s home is not only about convenience. In the absence of such a
service many people who need a Will or Power of Attorney’s would go without if they were housebound, elderly or frail and could not get to a high street solicitor.
As a member of SWW, Dorset & Wight Wills has a totally transparent pricing policy. Our prices are clearly shown in all our adverts and we will send you a full pricelist with confirmation of your FREE home visit appointment. We offer various packages to make the whole process of getting your affairs in order both simple and cost effective. It is estimated that 67% of people in the UK do not have a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney in place. With almost 1 million people living with dementia and the total growing yearly, perhaps now is the time to call Dorset & Wight Wills on 01202 065953 or 01983 623900.
Do you want to protect your family and loved ones? Probably the most important documents you will ever own. Wills & Power of Attorneys - £140 each
Special Offers: Complete protection Package for a couple includes wills, all Power of Attorneys, Advanced Directives and all copies. £798.00
Complete Lasting Power of Attorney Package for a couple. All four LPAs for £530.00
(A Saving of £112 off normal price of £910)
(A Saving of £30 off normal price of £560)
www.dorsetandwight.co.uk
Book your FREE home visit now on 01202 065953 or 01983 623900 Ferndown, Dorset and Isle of Wight
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Community News
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Join Cakes4Cancer and raise dough for local people living with cancer If baking tickles your (fondant) fancy, Wessex Cancer Trust, would love you to host a Cakes4Cancer event this May and raise dough for local people living with cancer. Rolling out across the entire Wessex region throughout May, Cakes4Cancer is a really simple way to come together with friends, family or colleagues and ‘bake’ a difference by asking for a donation in return for a cuppa and cake. Maria Tidy, Wessex Cancer Trust’s Community Engagement Manager, said: “We’re passionate about community at Wessex Cancer Trust, and believe everyone living with cancer should be able to get free and local emotional support whenever they need it. Cakes4Cancer is all about people coming together to enjoy something delicious for a great
cause. Your event can be as big or small as you want. You could put on a coffee morning at work, host an afternoon tea with friends or invite neighbours to come along to a bake sale. Whether it’s faked or baked, every cake sold could help change someone’s life for the better. It really is a piece of cake.” The charity has put together a free kit containing everything you need to host your own event, including a tablecloth, balloons, posters, cake toppers, game ideas and recipe cards. Sign up at www. wessexcancer.org.uk/forms/ cakes4cancer-pack. Wessex Cancer Trust is a charity dedicated to providing practical and emotional support to anyone living with cancer in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, and in 2018 helped over 11,000 people throughout Wessex.
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All Grass Landscapes
We are an independent local company that specializes in all aspects of landscaping.
• • • •
Supply & install any size and type of artificial lawn Renovate, replace and maintain natural lawns Over 15 years experience One off visits or regular maintenance schedule
For a free, no obligation quote, please call
Household Tips Whilst cooking, spaghetti, rice or noodles, add one teaspoon of cooking oil or one teaspoon of butter to the water in the pan. This will prevent the water from boiling over and help to stop the grains or strands from sticking together.
Computer Problems? For prompt and friendly help call Alan on:
01929 480529 or 07710 835905
E-mail & internet support • Wireless network & printer setup • PC & Laptop repairs • Virus removal Custom-built PCs • Home & Small Business visits No call-out charge • Over 20 years experience
Will on 01929 500450 or 07522 987090 and we will arrange to visit you.
www.ajvcomputing.co.uk
35 years experience. Installation & repairs. Bathrooms, central heating & general plumbing work undertaken. Fully Insured. Labour is guaranteed for 12 months. Email: candcplumbing@btinternet.com www.candcplumbingservices.co.uk
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The Adventures of Daichi
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The Adventures of Daichi
The Purbeck Publications Camper Van “Daichi, The Dashing Dude” has finally made it! The NEW Purbeck Publications Campervan has travelled across barren land and rough seas to get here. All the way from Japan, just to be with us. We love him! He is pearly white and is still wearing his posh kimono. Nellie had long skirts to cover up her rather large thighs, whereas Daichi likes to think he is rather sophisticated, debonair, and has an eye for the girl vans. In fact, “The Dashing Dude” as we have nicknamed him, is a play on words as he believes he is good looking, stylish and fashionable. It is all part of his charm. He also loves to run around and have fun. So, dashing he is, and otherwise known as “Dash” to his friends. Daichi is his official Japanese name, (dai) meaning “big, great” combined with (chi) meaning “wisdom, intellect”. As Daichi is full of himself and a little over confident, this seems rather appropriate. He even speaks Japanese when we switch on his purring, seductive engine. “Ha Dor!” and other words I have yet to discover the meaning of, he expels in a rather high pitched, very cute voice. (Don’t tell him I
Daichi at Portland Bill
Daichi gets the thumbs up! said that, boys do not like it.) We hope you like reading about his exploits and antics as he whisks us to exciting places around England and particularly here on the Southern Coast. Here’s to having some family fun… Our first trip was to Portland just along the coast from Weymouth. We had never been there before, and boy were we lucky with the weather. Dash was extremely happy. So were we. We climbed all the 165 muscle tasking steps up the Portland Bill lighthouse. What views from the top! Currently there is the amazing huge magnifying lamp which shines across the English Channel to warn our ships at sea of potential danger. The lamp will soon be replaced by a more modern system of LED lights. Sad really, but times move on as we all know too well. The majestic lighthouse demanding attention on the clifftop also has that eerie foghorn sound which haunts the waves in times of fog. There have indeed been a massive 113 shipwrecks along this coast, due to its shallow reefs and the strong Portland tidal race. Daichi decided to keep his nifty wheels firmly fixed on the solid ground.
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17 A meal overlooking the crystal blue sea was a well-deserved treat after all that climbing. The café was a welcome sight. We ate outside! Portland of course is famous for its Portland Stone. Dash, knowing what boys are like and having empathy with Hayden our 15 year old active teenager arranged a “Geo Cache” hunt for us to do. Geo Caching is a modern-day treasure hunt. There are hundreds of walks you can find online. Some are still free, but there is now a small charge of around £20 for the year for the keener walkers. It is a fun way to follow coordinates and eventually find a box (the treasure!). The stones enroute, carved by artists, were quite amazing. A Falling man, chairs, hearths, octopus, bear, a whale and lots more. My favourite was the mythical Portland Dog Beast, the Roy Dog. Carved by Damien Briggs, this beast has fiery eyes, one green, one red and it was said that he lived in the Cave Hole where he would drag any travellers passing by, into its watery hideout. Brrr…. It even has the eyes of its victims embedded into its stony fur. Daichi is beginning to wonder about us Brits… We love our legends don’t we. Another way to explore our incredible homeland are Treasure Trails. Again, available online to buy at just £6.99
Daichi helps us to find the “treasure”
The Roy Dog in Tout Quarry Park per walk. Daichi chose the Pirates Graveyard one for us. (Is he trying to tell us something?). This was an intriguing walk along the coast and through the graveyard with skull and crossbones engraved in the stones. Contrary to popular belief, these are not pirates’ graveyards, but just images to ward off the evil spirits in the afterlife. The cove we passed, Church Ope, was gorgeous. We would love to go back there. There are stunning views from all over Portland. It really is a fantastic place to visit. It has seen busier times, with the Naval Base and the famous 18 mile long Chesil Beach where the American troops embarked on their journey to Nazi occupied France in the second World War. My Dad aged 83 told me that he, his Mum and sister regularly travelled to Portland all the way from Hull to see his Dad who was stationed there in the Royal Navy. He remembered a day when a German plane was flying down the coast, being fired at by our anti-aircraft guns from the beach. The exploding shells got closer and closer, until the plane dived and escaped! Today it is a gorgeous stretch of pebbled beach with crashing waves and wonderful sunsets. Daichi is ecstatic to be here with us. He thoroughly enjoyed his first trip and is very excited about where he will transport us to next… where will that be? By Debbie Corney
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Community News
18
THE
SWANAGE
Oracle
A New Look! We have a brand new website for our clients to promote their goods and services, in addition to their advert in the magazines! It is fresh, bright and easy to use. www.purbeckpublications.co.uk
Our new website will also allow all groups, clubs and societies to promote their events freely. There will be community information to be able to easily find useful contacts and telephone numbers. Our advertisers will be able to feature their details with a link to their own website. There will be a blog each month for the residents to read, which will showcase an area in Dorset, Hampshire or Purbeck to visit. This of course will be written by our new Dorset Publications campervan - Daichi - The Dashing Dude! To see the first one visit www.purbeckpublications.co.uk/blog
Call us now to advertise on 01929 408080 Brought to you by
Purbeck Publications Promoting your local area
Mail Chimp Info please call: 01929 408080 To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, Mail Chimp Info
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10% off your first clean with this advert
01202 705045
ovenking.co.uk - info@ovenking.co.uk Oven and Range Cleaning Hob and Extractor Cleaning Carpet Cleaning End of Tenancy Cleaning All operators DBS checked
Over 4000 satisfied customers a year! Commercial Enquires Welcome
C
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Tel: 01929 550160
M: 07790 056396
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Gardening Tips
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On Your Plot Courgettes
There are not many vegetables that are as rewarding,.and.easy.to.grow,.as.courgett.es... Now.is.a.great.ti.me.to.get.them.started,. they’ll pop up quickly and soon be supplying you.with.more.tasty.courgett.es.than.you. know what to do with!
Jobs for May :-
• Keep on earthing up your potatoes to prevent the tubers from turning green. • If you’re planted peas don’t forget that they’ll need some support from sticks or netting that they can climb up. • With snow in April you’ll probably need to catch up with sowing crops that it was too cold for last month. • As the risk of frost passes, tender crops such as tomatoes or peppers can either be planted out, or on into grow bags. • Start winter greens such as cabbages, sprouting broccoli and Brussels sprouts in a seedbed for transplanting to their final positions later. If you’ve lost seedlings or had trouble getting them started with all the cold weather don’t forget that you can always buy plants that have already been started. Buying young plants in is a great way to experiment with different varieties too - with so many types of tomato available it’s more fun to have several plants, each of different kinds, than half a dozen all the same. There’s a good plant stand at the monthly farmers market, and several garden centres or local growers nearby. May is the time to start off that wonderfully easy vegetable - the courgette. If you’ve never grown courgettes before then I can highly recommend it as they give such a high yield from even just a couple of plants. In fact that would be my main advice - don’t be tempted to grow too many or you’ll be inundated! Plant the seeds undercover or on a windowsill from the beginning of the month. Put two seeds to a pot, laying them on their sides and covering with about 1” of compost. They usually germinate in a week to ten days and grow
pretty rapidly. Remove the weaker of the seedlings (I always feel guilty when I do this! If it looks good I re-pot it). When the seedlings have four to 6 leaves start to harden off by placing outside during the day. Plant out after all risk of frost has passed. You can also start courgettes outside, directly into the bed in which they’ll grow but I’d wait until later in the month when the soil is a bit warmer. The plants will grow quickly, producing exotic looking yellow flowers (look out for recipes for the flowers too). For maximum yields the plants should be harvested regularly. Tiny courgettes are very tasty, and don’t be tempted too turn your back on the plants for too long as they grow large at an amazing rate! Be careful with watering when seedlings as the stems can rot, but they’ll need plenty of water once they have grown. If you’re short of space courgettes can be grown in grow bags, planting two to a bag. With summer in mind, don’t forget to keep planting your salad crops. As well as the traditional lettuce there are a host of other salad leaves that can be grown, and it’s usually possible to buy packets of mixed salad seeds. Get in the habit of planting some at least once a fortnight - use some of the leaves to cut and come again for tasty fresh salad, transplanting some lettuces outside and allowing them to grow on to full size. If you planted beetroot seeds out in March or April the chances are that they’ll have suffered with the very cold weather that we had last month. Another row sown now may well give you much better results. Fancy your own, home grown, Brussels sprouts with Christmas dinner? They need quite a long growing time, so think about starting them around now.
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21
SELF STORAGE UNITS TO LET (for private use)
Insulated, Individually Alarmed for Furniture, Classic Cars or Documents
East Stoke, Wareham
J Taylor Electrical • • • • • • • •
NICEIC approved contractor Established 2002 Friendly Swanage based service Small jobs in the home Domestic and commercial work Inspection and testing Replacement fuseboxes Electrical control systems for central and under floor heating
Tel: 07836 369969
Call John on
E: mb@malcolmbarnes.co.uk www.purbeckselfstorage.co.uk
or 07966 167978
Swanage 422989 E: johntaylor294@gmail.com
MALLWOOD ROOFING LTD
A local family business with over 45 years experience. High Performance Felt, Cold Applied Liquid Systems, Single Ply Membranes, Tiling & Slating. All new work fully guaranteed. Full Public Liability Insurance. For a no obligation quote call Matt:
01202 020063 / 07950 972289 www.mallwoodroofing.co.uk
E: propoint1@yahoo.com
Please mention The Swanage Oracle when responding to adverts
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Index of advertisers
Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Oracle... Aerials Wessex Aerials............................................................ 5 Attractions Blue Pool..................................................................... 5 Bathrooms The Kitchen & Bathroom Co....................................... 5 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds............................................................... 3 Duck & Rabbit Interiors............................................. 17
Garden Services All Grass Landscapes................................................. 15 Parsley the Gardener.................................................. 9 Home Care Services Bluebird Care............................................................. 23 Kitchens Dream Doors............................................................. 24 The Kitchen & Bathroom Co....................................... 5 Oven Cleaners Ovenking................................................................... 19
Builders Cambell Clarke Construction...................................... 23 Purbeck Home Improvements.................................... 1
Painters & Decorators The Lady Decorator.................................................... 9
Cameras Rocky Rock Cameras................................................... 7
Pest Control Terminator Pest......................................................... 11
Carpenters Total Woodwork - Peter Albin..................................... 7
Plumbers C + C Plumbing........................................................... 15 CM Plumbing & Heating............................................ 19 FXR Heating & Plumbing........................................... 11 Gasways Heating........................................................ 7 Heatcare..................................................................... 3
Community News Adventures of Daichi................................................. 16 Around the world in 80 mInutes................................ 10 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Help with the health of heathland.......................... 12 New website launched!............................................. 18 On your plot: Courgettes........................................... 20 The Flying Scotsman visits Swanage.......................... 8 The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society............. 6 Wessex Cancer Trust invites you to bake Cakes4Cancer...................................... 14
Property Maintenance Cambell Clarke Construction...................................... 23 Purbeck Home Improvements.................................... 1 Total Woodwork - Peter Albin..................................... 7 Removals & Storage Purbeck Self Storage.................................................. 17
Computer Services AJV Computing.......................................................... 15
Roofing Mallwood Roofing..................................................... 17
Drainage Services All Drains Cleared...................................................... 19
Soft Furnishings Duck & Rabbit Interiors............................................. 11
Electricians J Taylor Electrical....................................................... 17
Waste Services Philip Trim Contractors............................................... 2
Funeral Directors James Smith................................................................ 9
Will Writing Services Dorset & Wight Wills................................................. 13
Garage Doors Garolla........................................................................ 2
Windows, Doors & Conservatories GS Windows.............................................................. 24
To advertise in The Swanage Oracle, please call: 01929 408080
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campbell clarke construction ltd
general building carpentry new build landscaping contracting groundworks brickwork a local building company based in the isle of purbeck
07760 108 773
info@campbellclarkeconstruction.com
Please mention The Swanage Oracle when responding to adverts
A new look for your old kitchen this Spring... Have you always wanted the kitchen of your dreams, but can’t quite justify paying the expensive price tag that comes with it? Now you can by just swapping the doors and worktops.
Call us to find out more
Kitchen image supplied by Lincoln Customer Sept 2011
Call for a free estimate or visit our showrooms:
185 Lower Blandford Rd, Broadstone, Poole, Dorset BH18 8DH Tel: 01202 695856 or 17 Bargate, Christchurch. BH23 1QD Tel: 01202 483129
www.dreamdoors.co.uk
Purbeck Publications Promoting your local area
Find us on
Call us on 01929 408080 or visit www.purbeckpublications.co.uk