Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Pound


Do you realize this piece of paper, now a coin, which I understand you used to be able to exchange at the Bank of England for 16 ounces of gold is worth in real terms about a Farthing? (gold=£338/lb)

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

PDC booklet

We are all due to receive through the post a new 16 page trumpet-blowing publication About Purbeck from PDC.
It's costing £24,000 a year for three issues.
That's £8,000 an edition. To tell us...well not really very much.
Remember when you receive it...and before you heave it into the (recycling) bin that it's cost you 40 pence to get it (whether or not you want it).
For that it appears you get some pretty pictures. A claim that the beach recharge at Swanage was completed right on schedule (not what I heard). The thoughts of Councillor Trite. The names of councillors, though not of course for the vacant seat at South Swanage, but no numbers or e-mail addresses (the advice is look on the website....but if you have access to the internet you'd already be able to know all this info and much more).
Trite says the aim is of what he calls a magazine...something of an overstatement when it's nothing more than a glossy newsletter .... "is to keep you, the resident, fully informed of what's happening in the District, keep you updated
on the latest developments to our services and tackle relevant local issues in a bit more detail".
So we get a page on fairtrade, that's really relevant don't you think, and even more on recycling, and something about fixed penalties for littering (when the sensible view is that's going to be another new labour initiative which fails to deliver, but costs you all dearly).
Oh and there's something about the preposterously costly heritage centre in the square, but we know all that already, and there's advertising about the sports centre.
Keeping residents informed about the sports centre is obviously an important part of local democracy for such a committed effective consumer-focused organisation as PDC (uhh?). That's what it claims.
And yes. I have a suggestion about improving it.
Scrap it.
Save the money.
Allow me to keep that £1.20 in my pocket.
And explain to me why in 10 years my council tax has gone up nearly three times and I seem to be getting less for it than I was then.

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 6/05/2006 09:20:49 PM

Monday, June 05, 2006

Recycling gone mad!

Things could be worse in Purbeck!

Donna Challice, a 30-year-old single mother of three from Devon, England, has appeared in court accused of failing to recycle her household waste properly. Mrs Challice was being prosecuted for 'contaminating recyclable rubbish' under the Environmental Protection Act. She has now been released on bail and will next appear on 5 June for a pre-trial review.

The Environmental Protection Act specifically states which types of recyclable items must be cleaned and placed in which containers on which days. Mrs Challice has been accused of putting items in the wrong bins on six separate occasions over the last year. She claims that the rules are confusing and that any offence that she may have committed was completely by accident.

Arthur Dimson, director of Waste Disposal for the Exeter City Council has dismissed Mrs Challice's claim saying that: "It's quite simple really. On the second and fourth Monday of each month, plastics go in the red bins and aluminium in the blue bins. On the first and third Tuesdays of each month - providing there has already been a first Monday, paper goes into the red containers and other non-aluminium metals go into the blue containers. If there hasn't been a first Monday, the schedule is pushed back a week. On alternating Wednesdays, glass goes into the red cans and miscellaneous recyclable refuse goes into the blue cans. On Thursdays, non-recyclable refuse may be put into either the red or blue receptacles. All discards must be washed except clothing - which may be either washed or dry-cleaned depending upon the fabric - and paper. Paper with coloured printing should only be placed in the red cans on the first Tuesday of each month. Paper with only black ink may be placed in the red containers on any other qualifying Tuesday. On weekends the bins are to remain empty for cleaning. These rules are all posted on the bottom of each recycling bin. So it's not as if people have to memorise them." He added: "Mrs Challice could wait until the weekend and look in the bottom of the empty bin to refresh her memory on the rules."

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Heritage Centre loos?

Why are the toilets on the Parade next to the Heritage centre shut? This is a very busy weekend. Its disgusting that the local authority charge to use the loo at all, but not maintaining the service for whatever the reason is beyond belief.

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 6/04/2006 03:46:48 PM

Saturday, June 03, 2006

National Veterans' Day 6 June?

This year, June the 6th will be 62 years since D Day when the British landed on "Gold beach and Sword Beach"

But with the added interest this year, the first time that the 27th of June will be the National Veterans Day.
I wonder if Swanage will be doing soemthing?
Does anyone know of any plans to celebrate the first National Veterans Day?
Brian Guy

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 6/01/2006 10:13:55 PM

Monday, May 29, 2006

Round Britain by cat

Two young Swanage sailors,Luke Yeates and Mark Angell,leave Poole Harbour on 3rd June to attempt a circumnavigation of mainland Britain on their 18ft Hobie Tiger catamaran.

They hope to complete the marathon in 27 days. You can follow their progress on their website at www.britCAT.co.uk.

Good luck!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Dentists

At 4:40 PM, Anonymous said...

a denture repair cost £75 just recently here in Swanage.
This sounds like extortion.
Use yellow pages.
At least Look before you Weep

WHAT A CALAMITY!


I am not aware of any official notification that the Balmoral and the Waverley will no longer be allowed to dock at Swanage Pier. However, I understand an accident involving the Balmoral there last Summer has led to a disagreement over insurance claims for the necessary repairs.
The door to the Jurassic Coast from Swanage pier has been closed. Another blow to tourism, another step backwards, another opportunity squandered.
It seems the problem is financial. Swanage Town Council or Purbeck District must see the need for financial support for proper maintenance or insurance cover; even if the Council accepts no responsibility or recognition of the pier’s value to tourism. Surely it is not beyond their means to get the Dolphin pier replaced or repaired? The argument over insurance can follow. Keep the boats coming sooner rather than later.

E. Storer

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Purbeck Good Food Guide?

Being a foodie! With a figure to match. A connoisseur of good food beautifully cooked and presented.

What and where, are the best recommended restaurants in a radius of say- 20 miles?
Brian.Guy

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 5/23/2006 11:49:17 AM

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Swanage characters?

If nothing else, Swanage has had its fair share of Characters.

My earliest memory of one of those characters, was Mr Streeter. He lived just above the Langton post office, circa 1935/6. His main claim to eccentricity, was that he walked everywhere wrapped in a large union jack. I do recall that the local village housewives made a dinner up for him at times. (Typical village look after each other)
Can anyone shed any light on Mt Streeter? Or come to that, any of the other eccentrics that brightened our lives here in Swanage?
Brian Guy.

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 5/21/2006 10:55:00 AM

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Sandwich Bar

Carlo and Angelo Wiggins have been successful in their application for an alcohol license in the lower High Street. Conditions apply: No off sales after 11pm, CCTV to be installed, all looking under 21's to be I.D.'d. I am sure everyone wishes them every success in the new venture.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Beach huts

At the Parish Assembly,Councillor Gary Suttle explained that after a review of all options, the existing number of huts would be maintained. Town Clerk said new licences would be going out soon. Councillor Colin Bright added that the council was arranging to provide new bases for all huts.

Mike Hadley

Parish Assembly 15 May

Around 50 ? people attended the meeting, chaired by Councillor Gary Suttle. These are draft notes of the main discussion points (Please note any errors or omissions and they will be corrected):

1/ Town Partnership. Peter Clarke expressed some concerns having attended the recent meeting:
funding apparently ceasing, no secretary, no reports published, function seems to support just a few projects. John Wootton asked what feedback was given to the community.

Town Clerk (Alan Leeson) answered that funding was assured to keep this project going; considered an important government programme, part of the Countryside Agency and South West Regional Assembly. Councillor June Farrow noted the secretary's absence was temporary. Councillor MIke Pratt noted that other councils regarded Swanage's progress as an excellent model. Councillor Mike Hadley asked how anyone could say the Swanage Partnership was a good model if no report has ever been published, and reported that in response to a request he had made, minutes were now to be available at the Town Hall and the Library.

2/ Sand build up in bay. Mr Mole raised recent report by boat operator Roger Marsh of boats grounding near the old stone quay, suggesting this is caused by the recharge works. He said this could also lead to greater flooding in strong easterlies. He also noted the amount of sand blowing up Victoria Avenue. Councillor Gary Suttle said PDC engineers were investigating these issues now, and that the roads (and drains) would be cleared.

3/ Licensing, Lower High Street. Mr Owen raised issue of new 12.00am license application for snack bar in Lower High Street, concerned with excessive drinking in this area. Councillor Gary Suttle noted that new laws gave individuals greater powers than ever to have their objections/concerns addressed, and that all complaints/objections should be made to the licensing authority.

4/ Footpath/waymarking. Mr Mackenzie expressed gratitude (on behalf of the Ramblers' Association) for much improved footpath signage in and around Swanage. The Town Clerk said that this was in part owing to the efforts of the late Hilary O'Donovan, and was certainly council policy to continue.

5/ Pier jumping. Lorna Haines asked that signs could be put up to tell people that pier jumping was "at own risk". Mike Hadley suggested an area be provided where jumping could be allowed. Councillor June Farrow to take up with the Pier Company.

6/ Boat park. Questions asked why price rises so high, and could there be special (discounted) passes for residents whose boats have been displaced by refurbishment?Assistant Town Clerk (Martin) explained that (although he didn't have figures to hand) he didn't believe the increases were exceptional, that under Best Value the council had to try to maintain income so increase had to attempt to compensate for reduced spaces. Mike Hadley asked about proposal for barrier, and how this would work for people wanting to launch/retrieve their boats early/late. Town Clerk said barrier was deferred for the time being, though it was a balance between the need to provide security and access.

7/ Beach huts. Question asked if the possible reduction of the number of beach huts was resolved yet. Councillor Gary Suttle explained that after a review of all options, the existing number of huts would be maintained. Town Clerk said new licences would be going out soon. Councillor Colin Bright added that the council was arranging to provide new bases for all huts.

If I've forgotten anything, please add it as a Comment.

(Mike Hadley)

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Public meeting (Residents)

Swanage Residents Association -- AGM --- Public meeting for all interested in any issues to do with Swanage, Wednesday 17th May, 7.30 pm Catholic Hall, Rempstone Road. Non-members welcome.

(Twinned with the Parish Assembly on Monday 15th, 7pm at Town Hall)

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

purbeck purity?

The Unfettered immigration of Foreigners into Britain.

On another thread this subject has been responsible for some heated and conflicting views. Let us bring it out into the open.

It is my considered opinion that this influx of peoples from foreign lands. (Any foreign land) should stop. Immediately. Those that come here illegally, should be returned post haste.

Those that have settled here again illegally, no matter the period of time, should also be repatriated. Immediately.
All criminals in our prisons should be deported, or stay in prison.

Before any one starts yelling Racist! This is the policy of the two main political parties.
Brian Guy

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Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 5/10/2006 01:27:13 PM