Swanage loos

Swanage Station toilets will be closed in January. Most of the other toilets are closed from 16:30 to 09:00. Should Swanage follow Wimborne's example and have one toilet open 24/7 and the others open from 07:00 to 18:00.

Posted by Robin from Swanage to swanageview at 31/12/12 10:46 AM

Ugliest Building? Monstrosity?

Betty Hewett writes in this weeks (27/12/12) Advertiser postbag:

"I have.seen many people stop and look in disbelief at the new block of flats in Rempstone Road replacing the Westbury Care Home. Why did the planning committee pass such a dreadful plan? Were they thinking that it could be entered in an 'ugliest building in Swanage competition'? It would certainly win. It doesn't fit in with surrounding buildings. A friend of mine said it was a monsttrosity, and she was right.

IMHO Betty must have blinked as she walked along Rempstone Road consequently missing the most ugly building right next door to Horizons to which she refers, called Mowlem Court, which is particularly dire when seen from the sea.

Why did the planners pass this? It doesn't fit in, she reasons.

Did Betty moan/not notice when the planners passed the two other recent structures behind the Rec? Deco, with very little Art Deco in the area, let alone other blancmange moulds in Rempstone Road; and Island View, the brick building with the plastic mock Tudor beams in the gables -I guess to reflect all the other Swanage Tudor architecture.

Sandbanks ferry back

Sandbanks ferry now back in service...  www.facebook.com/SandbanksFerry

Landslip near Grand Hotel

More on the landslips at http://swanagecoastguard.blogspot.co.uk/

and thanks to Brian Dorey for the last picture...

Making posts

Have been more or less forced into getting people to use identities to make comments. This is an attempt to stop mean-minded, bigoted morons making mindless comments, despite being asked to tone things down. I guess if this doesn't work I'll just close the site. So, if you value having somewhere to have these kinds of discussions, please at least try to behave in a civilised manner. My apologies to those decent people (the majority) who may find it a hassle to register a name.

The Swanage School

Time for a new thread, perhaps..

LANGTON ARTHOUSE CINEMA 6 DEC

LANGTON ARTHOUSE CINEMA

Film: The Kid with a Bike (Le gamin au velo) (French with English subtitles)
Date: Thursday 6 December at 7.30pm
Venue: Langton Matravers Village Hall BH19 3HA
Tickets: £5 on the door

Inspired by the Purbeck Film Festival a group of film fans have got together to create a “pop up” cinema at Langton Matravers Village Hall, dedicated to showing films not usually screened at mainstream venues, with a showing every other month. 

For full details go to their website: www.LangtonArthouseCinema.co.uk


Buying Tickets
Tickets are £5 on the door.  Bring your own drink, glasses will be supplied.

Swanage Pier

Notice is hereby given that the Swanage Pier Company intends to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation of theSwanage Pier Byelaws made on the ninth day of November 2012.

...more info in comment below.

Free child care Sat 8th December

If the children are taken to the Sports Centre on the morning of Saturday 8 December, the team will keep them entertained while the adults get on with the Christmas shopping.
More details on Comment below...

Free gym in December

Start that New Year resolution now!  It won’t cost a penny

Visitors to Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham can enjoy 12 free gym sessions during December.

Michelle Goodman, Sports Centre Operations Manager, said:  “There’s no need to wait until the New Year to start that resolution to get fit!”

Throughout December the Sports Centre is offering 12 free gym sessions to be taken during that month (use of cardio equipment only).  If participants then join the Gold
Card membership scheme* they will also receive a free induction.

Michelle concluded:  “Why wait?  Take advantage now and you’ll really feel the benefit and save money.”

Call 01929 500 000 for more details

Fin whale

A rare fin whale, second in size only to the blue whale, one of the largest animals in the world has been washed up on the beach near Kimmeridge. This is a young male, 44ft long (13.6 metres). Photograph courtesy of Ilay Cooper, author of Purbeck Revealed (available in all good bookshops, and some good pubs, at least at the Square and Compass).

Durlston Craft Fair (Saturday 10th Nov - 23rd Dec)

This Saturday there will be an afternoon preview at Durlston Castle of their Christmas Craft Show 'Inspire' - curated by Walford Mill Crafts. The show features the work of more than 150 artists and makers and includes perfect stocking fillers and Christmas presents and unique collectors pieces. The preview runs between 2 and 4pm and all are welcome!

If you can't make it on Saturday, come along any day between 11am and 4pm until the 23rd December!

Regards,

Ali Tuckey
Countryside Ranger
Durlston Country Park

Music in Studland 18 November

Tickets are now on sale for our next event, on Sunday 18th November at 7.30.

TICKETS (£8) CAN BE RESERVED BY PHONE OR PURCHASED IN PERSON FROM STUDLAND STORES 01929 450204

Three Cane Whale - A multi-instrumental acoustic trio, with influences from folk, minimalism, classical and film music. At times as intricate as a team of watchmakers and at others as spare as a mountain stream, the music encompasses both a cinematic sweep and an intimate delicacy, evoking a diversity of landscapes. Featuring mandolin, psaltery, zither, trumpet, harmonium, lyre and guitar, Three Cane Whale presents wonderfully atmospheric and evocative evening of live sounds.
"Perfect. A glorious adventure into new folk" Cerys Matthews     "Elegant and atmospheric. Four stars" The Guardian
More at http://www.idyllicrecords.co.uk/three-cane-whale.php

FOR ANYONE WHO NORMALLY USES THE SANDBANKS-STUDLAND FERRY TO GET HERE PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT OPERATING DURING NOVEMBER

The Artsreach Programme for the whole of Dorset can be seen athttp://www.artsreach.co.uk/programme/programme.php
and you can join the Artsreach mailing list (for all events in Dorset) athttp://www.artsreach.co.uk/mailing_list.php

Stephen Yeoman
on behalf of Studland Village Hall

Regular comedy comes to Swanage!

Regular comedy comes to Swanage!

The Rock-A-Hula Club, organisers of the Swanage Comedy Festival shows are pleased to announce that they will be bringing regular comedy to Swanage in partnership with the Royal British Legion.
Building on the successful format of the Sun, Sea & Stand-Up shows, the first event will be on Saturday 24th November and will feature MC Danny Ward, the posh, witty and exquisitely funny Andrew Watts, imaginative storyteller James Dowdeswell and headline act and star of BBC R4, Mitch Benn. Tickets priced £13 are now available from The Legion, Replayed Records and Swanage T.I.C.
David Elm, head steward of the Legion stated “Following the success of the events we have already staged with the Rock-A-Hula Club, we see the comedy club as another opportunity to provide great entertainment for the town and our members”.
Organiser Dave Taylor says “I’m really happy that we will be continuing to bring quality acts to The Legion. We first put comedy on there in 2010 and all of the acts who have played there loved the venue. Combined with great bar prices a good night is guaranteed!”
Further details of events at the Legion by Rock-a-Hula Club can be found at www.rockahulaclub.co.uk & www.swanagecomedy.com



Posted by Dave T to swanageview at 5/11/12 4:24 PM

The watercooler

OK, THIS is the place for general chit-chat.

PLEASE leave 'New subjects' JUST for suggestions of new topics that may, or may not, get posted (and don't run a debate there); it gets difficult for me to manage otherwise. If it gets too much of a pain, I'll just have to close the site down or something.

Mike

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in 'Post a comment' (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments.We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or    otherwise unpleasant will be deleted. 

Please note that the moderator may exercise editorial control, to limit posts to subjects likely to be of interest to the majority of people, so not every topic will be posted (there's always the 'Watercooler' topic for miscellaneous issues/observations/chit-chat), and please use an existing thread to debate issues.

Swanage School (places)

I understand that a number of parents have tried to apply for The Swanage School using the Dorset County Council form - but am told that this form won't reach them, and they won’t be able to guarantee you a place at the school unless you have completed the application form provided by the school.

You can apply via the website at www.theswanageschool.co.uk or contact their Admissions Team for a paper application form on 07757 319605 or by emailing admissions@theswanageschool.co.uk

James Day Centre

JAMES DAY CARE CENTRE TO RE-OPEN IN NOVEMBER

Everyone is invited to join Swanage Area Senior Forum for an advance preview of its future.

Raina Summerson of Agincare unveils an exciting visual presentation of how the centre will provide a home for our vulnerable elderly and become an integral part of our community.

WEDNESDAY 17TH OCTOBER, 7PM, SWANAGE DAY CARE CENTRE, HIGH STREET.

All are welcome, and refreshments will be available.



Posted by Swanage Area Senior Forum to swanageview at 12/10/12 5:51 PM

Vote for Durlston

If you would like to vote for Durlston - in the last 3 of the National Lottery Awards - please use this link http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/durlston-castle

Swanage Town & Community Partnership

Draft minutes of the Swanage Town & Community Partnership

[Minutes subject to approval at next meeting]

Held at the Town Hall

On September 13^th 2012 at 2.30pm

see first 'comment' for minutes

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday December 13^th at 2.30pm.




Present
Kim Gallagher Chair STCP
Ann Faulkner Vice-Chair & Hon Sec  STCP & Chair SLFDC
Martin Ayres Hon Treasurer STCP & Town Clerk STC
Carol Lander Youth Offenders Team
Bernard Bettles Methodist Church
Mike Stollery Purbeck Society; Town Twinning & Swanage Railway
Lawrence Gloyn-Cox Swanage Coastal Change Forum
Ian Lomax – Mowlem Institute Charity 
David Bale – Mowlem Institute Charity
Stephen Dumble – Mowlem Institute Charity
Lesley Kennedy Save Herston Fields
Jason Haiselden SPHA/Swanage 50:50 Club
Collette Drayson PEAT/Education Swanage
Bob Foster – Rotary
Julian Maughan – Swanage & Purbeck Hospitality 
Jan Turnbull – Friends of Swanage Hospital
Carlotta Barrow – strata & Swanage Seen
Mel Norris – Swanage Senior Forum
Christopher Burke – Swanage Seen Project
Dave Morton Dorset POPP/Swanage Senior Forum
Bill Trite STC/PDC

Mobile phone users

I was sent this, and pass it on in case it's true (probably is; I've heard of similar things), but sometimes these are put around as alarmist scams themselves, but better safe than sorry..

Please pass this to everyone you know with a mobile phones Dear All If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense. Forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, to stop it. Many thanks for your time regarding this matter, take care and regards. Phil Corris Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer Ext 496696 (Internal) 01524 596696 (External) Email PhilCorris@lancashire.pnn ..police.uk

Council tax changes: consultation

Council Tax Benefits are changing – and it could affect everyone

Purbeck District Council is reminding residents that changes to Council Tax Benefits could affect everyone in the district.

From April 2013, the Government will be ending national Council Tax Benefit and councils will be replacing it with their own local schemes, called Council Tax Support. 

Councillor Suttle concluded:  “As the changes could have an impact on every council tax payer and service user, not just those who claim Council Tax Benefit, we are urging everyone to have their say.”

The questionnaire and information can be found on the council’s website at www.dorsetforyou.com/counciltaxsupport.  Alternatively, telephone 01929 557240 or emailbenefits@westwey.gov.uk to request a questionnaire.

The closing date for the consultation is Monday 5 November 2012.

New rope string band,Studland, 28 October

Tickets are now on sale for our next event, on Sunday 28th October at 7.30.

New Rope String Band

Once seen, never forgotten: combining superb musicianship with side-splitting comic genius, the New Rope String Band are truly unique entertainers. Elements of circus, clowning, vaudeville, slapstick and sheer inspired silliness are spliced with beautiful acoustic music from various world traditions, in precision-honed yet uproarious performances

More at www.newropestringband.co.uk

TICKETS (£9) CAN BE RESERVED BY PHONE OR PURCHASED IN PERSON FROM STUDLAND STORES 01929 450204

Aircraft over Swanage

The Sun goes out over Swanage because some twit decided the airliners from UK Airports heading to the South and West could fly low level (5,000 -10,000 feet), then  clime to their designated flight level, (30-40,000feet) when they get several miles south of Swanage!    Not only do they cause vapour trails which blot out the sun, but  when they apply full power to clime the noise from their engines blasts Swanage from before sunrise to midnight, every day.
Rob O

Planning

Is it really fair that if you build a house in your back garden in Swanage you will have to make an infrastucture contribution of £18,000 (or more) but if you live in Wareham you only pay £10,000?
See:
http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=175734&filetype=pdf

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in 'Post a comment' (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments.We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or    otherwise unpleasant will be deleted. 

Please note that the moderator may exercise editorial control, to limit posts to subjects likely to be of interest to the majority of people, so not every topic will be posted (there's always the 'Chit-chat' topic for miscellaneous issues/observations), and please use an existing thread to debate issues.

James Day Home

Anybody got an update on when James Day Care Home will reopen? Must be almost a year since a group of smiley faces were photographed outside of the building. 



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 14/8/12 9:35 AM

The Swanage School

This posted by Carl Styants on Education Swanage Facebook page (Hope you don't mind me posting here, Carl)

3:58pm Aug 9

Unfortunately we were advised last week by the landowner of the former Swanage Grammar School site that his offer of part of this land for The Swanage School has been withdrawn and that the site is no longer available to us. Clearly this is very disappointing and a big setback but we have been aware that dealing with the owners carried risks and have always considered alternatives.

We can report that Swanage Town Council, a strong supporter of The Swanage School from the outset, has this week resolved to help us look at using the Lower Grammar School Field site to the north for the school, which could be built next to a new St Mary's school. We have no intention or wish of preventing St Mary's building a primary school on the site. The site is large enough to accommodate two schools and there may be opportunities to share construction management costs and amenities such as parking.

The site, originally gifted to the town by James Day, is owned by Swanage Town Council under a 150-year lease from Dorset County Council. It is under a covenant held by the De Moulham Trust.

We are striving to ensure that The Swanage School will open as planned at the start of September 2013. The additional weeks needed for a new planning application would be offset by the weeks saved by no longer needing to remove asbestos from and then demolish the old Grammar School buildings.

At the moment we are at the beginning of discussions with lots of groups and more work is happening at the highest levels of the DfE. As soon as more news is available, we will let you know.

The water cooler

OK, THIS is the place for general chit-chat.

PLEASE leave 'New subjects' JUST for suggestions of new topics that may, or may not, get posted (and don't run a debate there); it gets difficult for me to manage otherwise. If it gets too much of a pain, I'll just have to close the site down or something.

Mike

Mobile phones

 Robin from Swanage said...

MOBILE PHONES

Should mobile phone jammers be made legal in Swanage to prevent people from using mobile phones in public?

5/8/12 8:58 PM

 

 David Furmage said...

I have heard they are used in public places in Japan on the doors of restaurants . I reckon they also should be fitted by law to every car too.

5/8/12 11:33 PM

 

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in 'Post a comment' (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments.We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or    otherwise unpleasant will be deleted. 

Please note that the moderator may exercise editorial control, to limit posts to subjects likely to be of interest to the majority of people, so not every topic will be posted (there's always the 'Chit-chat' topic for miscellaneous issues/observations), and please use an existing thread to debate issues.

AMATEUR FILM

Actor and actresses wanted. See comments.

The Pierhead

If you want to learn more about the plans for the development of the Pierhead site (now approved), look here. I gather that building work probably won't start for a couple of years, owing to various things that need sorting out beforehand.

Swanage Carnival Sat 29th July- Sat 4th Aug

www.swanagecarnival.com

including Red Arrows 1pm on Sunday 29th, Carnival Procession Sunday 29th

Hospital closure meeting 20 July

Vote for Durlston

National Lottery Awards: Vote for Durlston

Durlston has been nominated for the 2012 National Lottery Awards in the Heritage category and we are keen to maximise our vote.  This is an important, national award, with the winner decided by public vote and the final shown live on BBC1 later in the year. 

We need everybody's support to ensure Durlston reaches the final so your vote would be greatly appreciated - along with the support of any colleagues, family or friends who you might also persuade to vote. This is a chance to help the Castle reach lots of new possible visitors and potential supporters. 

There are 3 ways of voting:

Telephone: the project voting number is 0844 836 9713: this is a quick, simple and totally automated process - calls cost 5p on a BT landline
 
Online links: via http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/heritage - and then vote for Durlston.
 
Facebook Connect: voting by this method is quick and easy, and your vote will be published on your wall

Thank you very much, here's hoping we do well

Katie Black
Senior Ranger
Durlston Country Park,

Cost of meals in Purbeck

The price of a ploughmans lunch varies from £2.50 at the Co-op to £9.50 at Seventhwave. £9.50 is also the highest price for a ploughmans lunch in Yorkshire. What do you think is a reasonable price to pay for a ploughmans lunch and where can you get one for that price?

Posted by Robin from Swanage to swanageview at 7/7/12 5:03 PM

Purbeck Local Plan

Purbeck consultation:

Remember that PDC are currently consulting on modifications to the Core Strategy, which dictates what can be in the Swanage Local Plan. This ends on 31st July and includes proposals that Swanage has:  

- 200 homes outside the extension settlement (and about 700 within the town)
- Supermarket expansion in Swanage. (It was originally going to be on the outskirts of Wareham.)
- No economic strategy to find jobs
- Transport Strategy that relies on a few more buses to solve congestion.
- No specific protection for AoNB (our countryside)


Swanage Town and Community Partnership are hoping to run a session at Funworld on Sat 14th July to help people respond to this consultation.

The next STCP quarterly meeting will be on Thursday, 13th September at 2.30pm.

New subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in 'Post a comment' (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments.We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or   otherwise unpleasant will be deleted. 

Please note that the moderator may exercise editorial control, to limit posts to subjects likely to be of interest to the majority of people, so not every topic will be posted (there's always the 'Chit-chat' topic for miscellaneous issues/observations), and please use an existing thread to debate issues.

Free sports Sunday 8 July

Try new sports for free in Purbeck on Sunday 8 July

Purbeck Sports Centre is celebrating the Olympics and Paralympic Games early, kicking off a week of events in the district.

Sunday, 8 July, is gearing up to be a-day–to-remember with FREE sports and activities tempt all ages and abilities. [More in Comments, below]

Swanage School radio debate

Big Dorset Brunch show on BBC Radio Solent about Swanage free school - Paul Angel and Lindsay Shaw debating the pros & cons.

Available in full on the podcast for the next 7 days from here:  http://tinyurl.com/66mq2uo

US Army visit to Swanage Sat 30 June

Saturday 30th June 2012.

A delegation of US Army and diplomatic personnel including a surviving GI Wes Mullen who was Billeted in Swanage from 1943 until June 1944 will be visiting Swanage to dedicate a memorial on the recreation ground
Full details of the day and timings below (in Comments)

Wind farm

Navitus Bay will be holding a drop in session for parish/town councils and
community organisation representatives on Thursday 21st June at Swanage
Youth & Community Centre, Chapel Lane, Swanage, BH19 2PW\
The session will take place between 9am and 12pm.



In order to enable us to spend as much time with each representative as
possible, please could you attend if possible at 9.30am. The purpose of the
event is to provide an opportunity for you to ask Navitus Bay
representatives any questions you have about the Project proposals.



Unfortunately we may not be able to answer all questions at the event as
research and assessments are ongoing, but we will get back to you with a
response following the events.

We will not be exhibiting any new information at these events and the drop
in session is not open to the public. Please could you ensure that a maximum
of two representatives from your organisation attend the session, as there
will be limited space.

If you would like to attend, please could you get in touch with Rachel by
emailing  info@enecowindoffshore.co.uk
titled 'Community Drop In' or call 01926 331214.

Priority will be given on the day to those who have notified us of their
attendance.

If you have questions but are unable to attend the event, please email these
to us at  info@enecowindoffshore.co.uk
or call 01926 331214.

Swanage Hospital/Surgeries etc

Public meeting at the Mowlem at 6.30pm on Friday 20 July, to discuss proposed NHS /Swanage changes

Swanage Area Senior Forum

Purbeck core strategy (June 2012)

Further consultation on development in Purbeck

Further consultation is taking place on some changes to the Core Strategy for Purbeck, a document which will guide future development in the district.

The Core Strategy sets out the strategic vision and policies for Purbeck up to 2027. Once adopted it will replace the Purbeck District Local Plan Final Edition (2004) and be used to guide new development and determine planning applications.

Further information can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/corestrategy/purbeck

Three peaks charity challenge

We are taking part in the Impact - Impact 3 Peaks Challenge on 24/06/2012 to raise money for Impact and I'd really appreciate your support.

We will both be challenged by this one and would relish fair weather for each climb. Any physios among you free on Monday 25th? Your prayers are welcome too.
With a huge thank you.

It's easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to my JustGiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/Lorna-Haines1

JustGiving sends your donation straight to Impact and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. I hope you'll join me in supporting Impact.

Thank you.
Lorna

Future of Purbeck healthcare

If you want to impact the NHS proposals: 

1 Get to one of the workshops below.

2 Join the Friends of Swanage Hospital. Call Mike Ranger on 01929 422040. This is key - power lies in numbers.

3 Watch out for counter proposals from the Friends of Swanage Hospital.

4 When you attend the workshops, remember, just because the NHS have drawn up two proposals doesn’t mean they are the only options.

If there is something else preferred, we will fight for it. If we just accepted proposals from Dorset County Council or the NHS previously, we wouldn’t have a local recycle centre, a Day Centre, a Nursing home, out of hours medical cover etc etc.

Trevor Ayling
Chairman

[see more on Comments, below]

Windfarm

Please see the latest windfarm update from the RYA.http://www.rya.org.uk/regions/southern/news/Pages/articlewrapper.aspx?pageUrl=/newsevents/news/Pages/WestWightWindFarmJune2012update.aspx

They are asking for the views of recreational boaters. 

 

West of Wight was the original name of Navitus Bay Wind farm.

 http://www.rya.org.uk/regions/southern/news/Pages/articlewrapper.aspx?pageUrl=/newsevents/news/Pages/WestWightWindFarmJune2012update.aspx

Sea-water quality

Wessex Water’s bathing water quality tool has been launched providing real-time information about the quality and cleanliness of the 348 miles (560km) of coastline in the region. It will allow people to check beaches in Dorset, Somerset and North Somerset. During the past year Wessex Water have invested in telemetry equipment that notifies them when an emergency overflow has operated.  Find out more about the tool at: http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/news/threecol.aspx?id=8600

Swanage beach

Comments

5 June: given the increase in unpleasant comments and irrelevant rants, I think it's time to try to ensure everyone uses an identifiable user name, so at least people may have a sense of whether comments are coming from one individual or many. We'll see how it goes, and I apologise if it causes any difficulties, but you can blame the bitter b****** out there who see this place as somewhere to grind their axe and pursue personal agendas rather than to contribute to our community
13 June: have reverted to allowing anonymous postings, as the above seems to have seriously limited access. Just hope people can behave sensibly ....

Jubilee tea party Swanage High Street

Charity Acoustic night Wed 13 June

Swanage gigs in Jubilee pageant

Swanage gigs at Blackfriar's Bridge; photo by  Kitty Wass  from venue 13 Purbeck Art Weeks (at Peveril Point)

Purbeck Art Weeks 26 May - 10 June

http://www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk/

SPARKLING cultural celebrations shine on Purbeck in May and June with the 10th successive year of the Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) Festival. The 2012 Festival galvanises a stellar line-up of regional and international artistic talent for 16 Festival days. Purbeck's creative showpiece takes place 26 May to the 10 June and spans the wider Royal Jubilee celebrations.

The PAW Festival has grown substantially over the past decade. This year's event celebrates an impressive cultural programme, encompassing visual art, music, film and story-telling. Drawing on the success of previous years, a major part of the 2012 Festival is the active involvement of Purbeck's Young Artists. This involves 12 -schools across the region, helping Purbeck school-children develop artistic expression and exhibit their work at Rollington Barn from the 26 May onwards. The theme this year is the Carnival of the Animals, which encompasses the fabulous musical suite written by French romantic composer, Camille Saint-Saens.
Purbeck is a timeless landscape of ever-changing colours. The region has attracted leading artists over the past 200-years drawn to the exceptional Jurassic Coast setting and unique light conditions available in the area. Artists range from distinguished landscape painter, Paul Nash to Toulouse Lautrec's contemporary, Charles Conder. Others captivated by Purbeck include Walter Field, Denis Lowson, Augustus John, Mark Gertler, Alfred Palmer, Graham Sutherland and Henry Tanworth Wells. Musicians included E.J. Moeran and Peter Warlock.
Nowadays Purbeck is experiencing a wider cultural renaissance. In recent years, many have noticed a St Ives effect taking hold and since 2002 the annual PAW Festival has developed a substantial following. In 2012 the Festival embraces such international names as:

• Author and TV/radio presenter, Melvyn Bragg, who gives a stirring talk about the cultural significance of the King James Bible.
• Oscar winning composer Stephen Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love) and his group performing some of his famous music scores.
• The world-renowned Gabrieli Consort & Players performing Handel's English Pastoral Acis & Galatea as well as a Handel oboe concerto.
• The lyrical Brahms Horn Trio performed by international classical musicians Miranda Fulleylove, Fergus McWilliam and Huw Watkins.
• Early Music Show presenter Lucie Skeaping joining fellow artists for a show on the theme of The Music of the Spheres.
• The rising stars of the Sacconi Quartet for a programme featuring Mozart, Beethoven and Bartok.
• Professional tuba players called 'YouTuba!' performing The Carnival of the Animals (the artistic theme for Purbeck Young Artists this year) and other works as well as opening the Festival in the grounds of Corfe Castle (26 May).
• Illustrated talks covering talented Dorset artist and Director of the Glasgow School of Art, Fra Newbery.
• Historian Philip Mansell opening his house at Smedmore to give a talk on 'Grand Tourists in the East: from Casano to Disraeli.'

During the 16 Festival days, over 50 local artists will open their studios showing their recent work. Many of the pieces displayed are directly inspired by Purbeck's unique geology, flora and fauna. Artists will also talk about their work at the Festival's central exhibition space: Rollington Barn near Corfe Castle. During the 16 days, blue and yellow PAW Festival signs guide visitors and residents to working studios where painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists, illustrators, jewellers, textile artists and photographers will be on hand to explain their work. There will also be the opportunity in some cases to participate in creative workshops.
The Royal Jubilee will be honoured on Sunday 3rd June at the splendid Victorian Church, St James' Kingston, where international musicians, Mhairi Lawson (soprano) and Paula Chateauneuf (lutes), perform evocative music from the courts of Elizabeth I, James VI, Charles I, Charles II and William and Mary (including Dowland and Purcell compositions).

During the opening Weekend at Corfe Castle (26 May), the spectacular venue provided courtesy of the National Trust; a dazzling procession of brass, drums, flags and masks, followed by circus acts, jazz and stallholders offering tasty local food and produce, will triumphantly open the Festival. For the following 16 days there will be the chance to 'Crown the Castle' by helping recreate a gigantic stone-built Jubilee Crown. A similar commemorative showpiece was also a feature of Queen Victoria's Jubilee - the picture attached shows how it looked then.

The PAW 2012 Fringe offers an eclectic mix of established and emerging artists, fresh ideas, spontaneity and fun. It’s an opportunity to see exciting and entertaining work in an atmosphere that encourages taking a chance and discovering something new. Fringe events this year offer the chance to take part in a frockalicious bike ride to what is arguably the best pub in the world. Create a plasticine landscape inspired by the stunning Jurassic Coast. Help an environmental artist make patterns in the sand. Indulge in a bit of wild knitting. Photograph a Chococo dinosaur somewhere in the wilds of Purbeck. Listen to The Supernovas at The Legion. Enjoy Tapas while listening to Ansell & Gretel at Tawny’s Wine Bar. Equally, if you are mad about computers, please join in at the digital animation workshop. There's also the chance to find out why Shakespeare left his second best bed to his wife and hear Time & Tide telling tales on the Swanage sea front. Full Fringe information can be found at: http://fringe.purbeckartweeks.co.uk/ and on the PAW Facebook page.

Festival President, Anthony Caro, OM CBE is delighted to lend his support, saying recently: 'Art is so important because it fuels the soul. It is an expression of who we are and what we are feeling. The range of artistic talent drawn to the Purbeck region is testament to the ongoing success of this important annual cultural event.' 'Purbeck Art Weeks Festival encourages young people to be adventurous and stimulates and informs an ever-growing national and regional audience drawn to the region.''It's a delight to see PAW celebrate its 10th anniversary. It's a grass roots cultural organisation run by enthusiastic volunteers supported by local businesses. It operates without large grants from local or central government and depends solely upon the support of the community it serves. Here's to many more years to come.'

Bowjangles, Studland 15 July

Tickets are now on sale for our next event, on Sunday 15th July at 7.30.

Bowjangles combine virtuosic string quartet performance with classy vocals, hilarious comedy and energetic dance moves. This stunning show harks back to the good old days of Music Hall Variety, when talent was truly multidimensional. So, they're a string quartet, but they also sing and dance - ALL AT THE SAME TIME! [ see first Comment below for more info]

Half-term fun for kids

Let the kids loose for some fun this half-term at Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham.
From Wednesday 6 June to Friday 8 June, there are lots of activities to keep the kids amused, including AFC Bournemouth Football Camp, Climbing and trampolining. [See Comments for more info]

Swanage Town & Community Partnership AGM 15 June

Annual General Meeting      15th June 2012 @ 10.30am
Swanage Town Hall

1. Welcome,
2. Apologies,
3. Appointment of Chairman
4. Appointment of Vice Chairman
5. Appointment of Honorary Treasurer
6. Appointment of Secretary
7. Chair’s Report and Review of the CSP 2011/2012– A. Faulkner
8. Statement of Audited Accounts – M. Ayres
9. Minutes of 26th April Quarterly meeting
10. Matters Arising
11. Area Action Plan update
12. Purbeck Health – Maggie Hardy
13. Partners’ Updates
14. AOB
15. Date of next AGM

Minutes of meeting April 2012

Annual Report 2011/2012

Nominations are invited for the Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair

The Swanage and Community Town Partnership is currently seeking nominations for the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Partnership represents all organisations in Swanage and rural catchment area and requires vibrant and energetic volunteers, with a local interest and passion for Swanage and its community. Motivated, strategic thinking individuals are required to assist in taking projects forward from the Swanage Community Plan. For further information contact:
Kim Gallagher, Hon. Secretary         01929427828 email kim.gallagher2@yahoo.com

Swanage businesses

There seems to be a wish to discuss different aspects of business in Swanage, from the service of shops in the High Street, to the Mowlem, the Railway ...and so on. Here's the place for those discussions.

Sea off Swanage a National Park?

Interesting article in The Guardian, which might be worth thinking about, especially in the context of the proposed windfarm:
"We need to start a debate about how we can meet the needs of the maritime industries, conservation and food production in a way that supports a healthy and biodiverse sea. This requires a change in attitudes from all sides: the British need to start thinking about their seas the same way they think about the countryside. The first steps have been taken – 22 May is International Day for Biological Diversity and this year the day is dedicated to raising awareness and calling for practical action to support marine biodiversity around the world. In Britain the government is responding to this by looking at how it could implement marine conservation zones." ....continues

Durlston Bus

Visitors can now ride the Dorset Explorer number five service, which will run daily between 10am and 4.50pm. The service will run daily from 27th May (Sunday) to 30th September and is operated by Damory Coaches.

Return ticket prices for adults will cost £2 and for children (7-18) £1.50. Concessionary pass holders and children under seven travel free. A ‘five for five pounds’ scheme will be on offer for groups to enjoy a return journey to the country park.

Leeson House

Leeson House launches as a new Cultural Hub for Dorset

Beloved Leeson House in Purbeck, is set to open its doors to the public again this Summer. Known across Dorset and UK wide, for its educational school trips and activity weekends, things are now changing. One of the few activity centres in the County to stand on its own two feet financially (after its near closure in recent years) new confidence means an exciting range of events to the general public can now be offered out of term.  [See Comments for more info]

Miscellaneous chit-chat!

I wonder if there's a place for a thread to deal with things that may not be worth putting up as a 'New subject'? Here it is

New Subject

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment here — just click first on Comments below, then type in 'Post a comment' (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. Not every topic will be posted (there's always the 'Chit-chat' topic for miscellaneous issues/observations), and please use an existing thread if possible. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or   otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Purbeck Healthcare

Press Release from the NHS Trust

People living in Purbeck are being offered the chance to have their say on how health services in their community are developed for the future. The local NHS and GPs have been reviewing how healthcare is provided in the area at the moment and have drawn up two sets of proposals.


The aim is to make sure that services keep pace with best medical practice, are of a high quality and able to meet the future needs of local people. The proposals reflect the need to improve community services, enabling more people to be treated in or near their homes, avoiding hospital admission wherever possible.

Dr Christian Verrinder, a Wool GP who is chairing the project alongside Dr David Haines a Swanage GP, said: ‘We would like to reassure people that these proposals are at an early stage and nothing will be decided until Purbeck residents have been given ample opportunity to let us know what they think.

Between 24 May and 20 July 2012 residents, local organisations, local authorities, hard-to-reach groups and other interested parties will be asked for their views on current services and the new proposals. One way we will do this is through a series of workshops to which everyone is invited. They provide an opportunity to find out more, ask questions and give an opinion, so we would urge people to book a place.

Then a final proposal will be drawn up, taking comments we have received into account, and local views sought in a variety of ways between September and November.

Over the coming years, developing and maintaining sustainable services for patients is a key priority amongst local GPs. We believe this is a good opportunity to look afresh at how services are organised in Purbeck and think through how we can provide better services for local people’

How are health services delivered in Purbeck now?

At the moment, there are: Six GP practices (at Wool, Sandford, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Swanage, and Bere Regis), Two community hospitals (at Swanage and Wareham). Between them they care for a population of around 33,000, providing a range of services for the people of Purbeck.

At the moment, some services are provided in Swanage Hospital and Wareham Hospital. These old buildings are expensive to run and no longer used to the extent they once were, as new ways of caring for people in the community develop.

Swanage Health Centre has outgrown its present site and is in urgent need of more space and facilities for the growing range of services GPs now provide.

Generally, we feel it would be impossible to meet local and national clinical standards for healthcare needed for the future with the facilities available at the moment.

Why do services need to change?

The way healthcare is delivered is changing, with the emphasis moving to providing services close to - or in - people’s homes, avoiding the need for them to go into hospital wherever possible. If they do need to be admitted, community services working together can enable them to be discharged as soon as it is safe to do so.

In Purbeck, we want to ensure that we use available resources in a way that means we can keep pace with these developments for our residents. For example, at the moment doctors, nurses and their teams are having to spread their work across the different sites, sometimes leading to duplication and inefficient use of their time. How can we improve this situation? The two hospitals are just 10 miles apart and are serving a relatively small population.

Could we use the funding they need in a better way for Purbeck residents?

These are just two of the questions we have been considering at a time when, in the current economic times nationally, everyone knows the importance of working in the best and most efficient way possible. However, we would stress that we are not cutting the health budget for Purbeck. Any savings we make through the changes will be reinvested in healthcare for the area. By doing this will be able to develop and sustain the high-quality services Purbeck needs and deserves.


Proposal 1

This proposes two new purpose-built polyclinics providing a wide range of services – one in Wareham and one in Swanage. In Wareham the new building would include:

a GP practice a range of investigations, diagnostics and treatments including x ray and minor surgery under local anaesthetic a minor injuries unit outpatient appointments integrated teams working together to provide ‘hospital at home’ services potential to have some new services not currently available in the town. In Swanage the new building would include: a GP practice, a range of investigations, diagnostics and treatments, including x-ray and minor surgery under local anaesthetic endoscopy services, a minor injuries unit, outpatient appointments, potential to have some new services not currently available in the town, Inpatient care.

The NHS would continue to provide inpatient care - including care for people at the end of their lives - by purchasing: six NHS-funded beds from care or residential homes in Swanage, eight NHS-funded beds from care or residential homes in Wareham. Some of these beds would be for palliative care and could be increased in number if needed.


Proposal 2

This proposes a brand-new Purbeck Community Hospital with up-to-date facilities based in Wareham and a modern, purpose-built polyclinic in Swanage. In Wareham the proposed new Purbeck Hospital would include: a GP practice, a range of investigations diagnostics, and treatments including x-ray and minor surgery under local anaesthetic, a minor injuries unit, outpatient appointments, integrated teams working together to provide ‘hospital at home’ services, 12 NHS-provided Community beds, potential to have some new services not currently available in the town.

In Swanage the new building would include: a GP practice, a range of investigations, diagnostics and treatments, including x-ray and minor surgery, under local anaesthetic, endoscopy services, a minor injuries unit, outpatient appointments, potential to have some new services, not currently available in the town, Inpatient care.

In Wareham, inpatient care would be provided in the new Purbeck Hospital (see above). In Swanage, the NHS would continue to provide inpatient care - including care for people at the end of their lives - by purchasing two NHS-funded beds from care or residential homes in the town. These beds would be for palliative care and general care and could be increased in number if needed.


How you can have your say

We will be seeking your views over a 16-week period in two phases:

Phase 1: (24 May to 20 July 2012).

Purbeck residents, local organisations, local authorities, hard-to-reach groups and other interested parties will be asked for their views on current services and the two new proposals.

Phase 2: (September - November)

This phase will seek views in a variety of ways on the final proposal, which will have taken into account the comments we have received, information on how services are being used and best clinical practice. No final decision will be made about the proposals until these phases have been completed.
The events will include a presentation, followed by questions and answers and then a workshop. They will be held as follows:


12 June 2012: 10.15am – 12 midday, Wellbridge GP Practice, Wool

13 June 2012: 10.15am – 12 midday, Royal British Legion, Corfe Castle, 2.15pm – 4pm, Swanage Bay Holiday Park

14 June 2012: 10.15am – 12 midday, Methodist Church, North Street, Wareham, 2.15pm – 4pm, Sandford Community Hall, Sandford, 6.15pm – 8pm, Bere Regis School, Rye Hill, Bere Regis.


Places are limited, so please contact the NHS Dorset Involvement team on 01305 368064 to book a place.

Making Purbeck Healthcare Fit for the Future – additional workshop



Newsflash 23 May 2012
An additional workshop has been organised in Swanage to help local people share their views about proposals in Purbeck. Tuesday 26 June 2012, Methodist Church Hall, 105 High Street, Swanage, 6.45 pm for 7pm start. Places are limited, so anyone wishing to attend is asked to register in advance by calling 01305 368064 to book a place.





Copies of the proposals along with an online response form can be found on the NHS Dorset website - http://www.dorset.nhs.uk/getinvolved/purbeck.htm.