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FROM THE EDITOR
I apologise to all those people who have been experiencing problems emailing me over the last week or two. I still have no real idea what was causing it but I am hoping that I might have got the ed@thedubber.co.uk email working properly once again now. The problems with email may mean that a few submissions have got lost in the ether; if that is so, I apologise wholeheartedly. Please do not stop emailing me your submissions; hard copy submissions take twice as long to process and, as the turnaround time between copy deadline and printing is so short, it saves me a good few hours of midnight oil!
I would like to thank Di Quinn for the drawing on this month’s cover. It’s inevitable,
that as I have pre-
‘Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze’
whereas ours are beside the A35... where they ‘flutter and dance’ amidst the roadside rubbish. Oh well! They are still a poetic sight.
This month, I would also like to offer my personal thanks to David Parsons who managed to free my icebound car in Durnford Drove during the freeze when even the AA man had failed!
Angela Bell
LETTER FROM THE RECTORY
February 2010
Dear Friends
As I write this, the news is dominated by the disaster in Haiti, with pictures of the heart rending suffering of a people struggling to keep body and soul together in the heat of the sun.
This is such a contrast to our battles with ice and snow, which indeed caused hardship
for some and inconvenience for many but fade into insignificance before the suffering
and need we see. One small source of joy in all the suffering has been the wish to
help, (which I would call prayer). There are so many people giving what they can
to help people they may never see -
It is, of course, possible that by the time you read this, Haiti will no longer be headlines... pushed off the front page by another news story and the needs of the Haiti survivors will be, like those of the Boxing day tsunami, no longer remembered; this is just like the needs of countless hungry impoverished people all over the world who suffer and whose voices are not heard.
Which brings me to listening and my snow story... we were iced in for several days in the Rectory, my car sitting sideways in a flower bed at the bottom of the drive. We had tried and tried to get it out, Ken revving hard, me pushing behind, to no avail. The next morning, we decided on one last attempt. Ken shot up the drive towards me, standing half way up, mats and muscle power at the ready. So impressed was I by the speed, I forgot my duties, shouting ‘wow!’ and jumping up and down in excitement. Unfortunately, he thought I said ‘whoa!’...slammed on the brakes and then slid back down to the bottom again. There was no mistaking his words as he got out of the car!
The moral of the story is I guess not just to listen but to pay attention to what is said. Lent is our listening time beginning on 17 February. Here’s hoping you hear something good...
Best wishes
Judith Malins
Priest in charge
Kingston, Langton Matravers, & Worth Matravers
GENERAL NEWS
HAITI COFFEE MORNING
The folk from the Purbeck Hills have done it again! The Coffee Morning and Cake Sale
raised £1772. Then two raffle prizes were reraffled at Worth which added another
£130 making a grand total of £1902! Thank you to everyone who gave so generously
-
Thanks to all the bakers who made the cake stall overflow -
Chris Meadows
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Men’s Breakfast is taking off. We meet every third Saturday in the month from
8 until 9 o’clock, at the moment in the Rectory unless numbers outgrow Judith’s kitchen
table. Those who go will confirm that it is not aimed at church goers -
Chris Meadows
BISHOP OF SALISBURY TO RESIGN
The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe, is to resign in the summer to concentrate on teaching, writing, music and the arts.
Dr Stancliffe, 67, will cease to act as diocesan bishop after attending the summer
session of the Church of England’s legislative body, the General Synod, in York from
July 9-
The Bishop and his wife, Sarah, will move to a house in County Durham. This will be a base for Dr Stancliffe who expects to travel in the UK and abroad, teaching and researching for further writing projects.
Until the arrival of Dr Stancliffe’s successor, the running of the Diocese will be the responsibility of the Bishop of Ramsbury, Stephen Conway.
Jonathan Ball
PIPE UP!
There will be a free Open Day for young organists and keyboard players aged 11-
ECO SCHOOLS AT ST GEORGE’S
Last year, we achieved Bronze Eco Schools and now we are working towards the Silver Award. The current school council are working hard towards some new targets.
Earlier in the year, we had a visit from Jan Dutton of Purbeck District Council. With the help of Year 4 she completed a rubbish audit. This highlighted a few targets for us to work towards. Our main targets this year are linked to recycling. We have moved our compost bin and added one green cone specifically designed to compost cooked food. It is hoped that we will be able to compost all our food waste in school and all the green paper towels plus garden waste.
We have opted into the curb side collection scheme so our green boxes with: glass,
card and tins will be collected once a fortnight. We are also recycling plastic,
foil, batteries, mobile phones and ink cartridges. We have joined a textile recycling
scheme that will help other people around the world and also raise money for school
funds. Textiles can be brought into school at any time where there will be a box
with the green boxes. This is then collected by Purbeck District Council. We receive
£300 per tonne collected! We are hoping that by putting this information into The
Dubber that you may like to take part in this scheme with us. This term textiles
can be brought into school at any time, but especially during the week before half
term, 8-
If you are interested in our Eco Schools work and you think that you could help in any way: fund raising, taking recycling to the dump or working in the grounds please come in and ask or you can email the school at office@stgeorgeslangton.dorset.sch.uk. To see our complete Eco School you can log onto the school website and read it there. Many thanks.
St George’s Eco School Council
WHERE AM I IN PURBECK?
I sometimes despair at my own lack of observation, twice in the last month I have
noticed signs that I must have passed hundreds of times without having a clue that
they were there. Here’s the first one -
Last month’s photo was taken sitting outside the refurbished cafe at Knoll Beach Studland. It is the new awning that enables you to enjoy a coffee outside, sheltered from the rain or shaded from the sun. When we were there a few days ago we saw that another one was in the process of being put up. It’s a good place to relax after a walk along the beach at any time of the year.
Chris Meadows
CHILDREN’S SAFETY
Understandably, railways can be an attraction to children. During the recent snow, we saw bicycle tyre tracks not only on the footpaths but also along both platforms at Harmans Cross and it was very clear from the footsteps that some of the riders had ventured down on to the track.
The Swanage Railway will always encourage youngsters to take an active interest in the railway and one very good introduction is via the Sygnets Youth Group. However, safety on the railway is something that we take very seriously and I would ask all parents to ensure that their children understand that riding bikes along the platforms or venturing onto the track could well result in an unfortunate accident. Even during times when there are no passenger trains running, we could be operating engineering trains at odd times during the day.
The safety of youngsters must be of concern to us all. Please tell your children that the station platforms and track areas are not a playground. Thank you.
Jeff Gregory, Harmans Cross Station Manager
FOOD SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY
The government has finally taken food security seriously. At the Oxford Farming Conference, Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State at DEFRA challenged the farming community to produce more and to produce it in a sustainable way. Increase production and sustainability seems like a contradiction to me. Every farmer knows that there is a relation between the amount of nitrogen fertiliser applied to the crop and the yield, in short, you can buy the yield with oil. This is not, I suspect, what Mr Benn is calling for.
The government is also calling for an industry supported by first class research. Much of the increase in yield over the past decades has been achieved by plant breeding. Plants have been selected to make better use of nutrients and to be more resistant to diseases. Progress is generally slow, and I emphasise slow, and steady. It does not keep pace with the increase in population. It was for this reason that many large companies invested in research into gene modification.
I am at odds with my professional body, the Soil Association, over this. I see nothing wrong in producing a crop that is resistant to roundup, which is a fairly benign spray that kills weeds. I see nothing wrong in producing a plant that might synthesise a chemical that is of immense use in the drug industry. One day, I hope to see a wheat crop that can fix nitrogen, taking nitrogen from the atmosphere and turning it into a nutrient. That would be a step towards sustainability.
Sustainability is also the small things, and that is what Purbeck Products offering at their market at Swanage Middle School on the second Saturday of every month. Local food, known provenance, great taste, real farmers, good parking, the reasons for visiting go on forever. So see you there on the 13 February, eh!
Christopher Lees
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST
As part of my role on the property I am involved with the work of our volunteers. I am amazed by their commitment to us and constantly reminded of how vital their contribution is to the work we undertake. Recently people I have met have been unaware of the number of people who volunteer with us so I thought I’d take the time to share their vital role with you.
At the last count over 200 people were actively involved in one aspect of our work or another across the property.
We have three teams of practical conservation volunteers who help us manage the landscape
in our care, undertaking tasks which range from dry stone walling to gorse clearance
and hedge-
In other areas teams of education volunteers help us to deliver our learning programme throughout the year, whilst volunteers also play a key role in our visitor services department, helping us engage with visitors to both the castle and the beach.
Over the next year we will be continuing to develop ways that people, particularly those local to us, can get involved in all aspects of our work so watch this space for more details. In the mean time a big thank all those that do give their time to help us, we’d be lost without you!
Don’t forget that if you have an area of our work you need more information on or that you think needs further explanation do please get in touch. The aim of these regular articles is to provide a greater understanding of what we do so any suggestions for content are always appreciated.
Mandy Jarvis, Community & Volunteer Manager
MOTHERS’ UNION
Following our pattern of meeting on the first day of each month, we are holding a
soup-
Liz Parsons
PURBECK ARTISTS & STALLHOLDERS
We would like to thank everyone who supported our Christmas Event and we would also like to thank the Committee for the new kettle! We raised £312.56 for Worth Village Hall. We will be back in Worth in July and August.
Di Quinn
BIG SWAP...
During Fairtrade Fortnight this year (22 Feb -
I’m proud of the wide range of Fairtrade goods stocked in our local shops, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the shops, try the Traidcraft section in the Christian Centre. Locally, Swanage Fairtrade group and the ladies section of RNLI will be holding a Fairtrade Tea Party in the United Reformed Church hall in the afternoon of Saturday 6th March to raise money for Swanage Lifeboat. Any offers to make Fairtrade cakes would be gratefully received. Please contact Anne Squires on 422882. We look forward to meeting you that afternoon and supporting a valuable and worthwhile charity.
During the fortnight all the first schools in the Swanage area will be taking part in a competition on the theme of a Fairtrade tea party. The displays will be on Fairtrade cotton background and we hope to display them in various places around the town. Look out for them!
There will also be Fairtrade displays in Swanage Library and Tourist Information
Centre and a tasting stall in the Co-
...SWAP AT ST GEORGE’S
At St George’s we support FAIRTRADE and this year we would like local people to come and join us for a tea party on Friday 5 March between 3 & 4pm in the school hall.
If you haven’t tried FAIRTRADE tea before, now is your chance. There will be some tasty homemade cakes made with FAIRTRADE ingredients (where possible) too! We will be entering the local competition run by the local FAIRTRADE committee again this year and hopefully our entry will be finished and on display. We hope that you can join us.
KINGSTON NEWS
The festive season started with a swing. The Village Party attracted 78 people to the Scott Arms. It was a bit squashed, but it made it all the more cosy. We were greeted with a glass of mulled wine provided by the Scott Arms and we then enjoyed the plates brought by ourselves. Father Christmas called in for the 20 children and there was a raffle which raised £78 thanks to the persistence of Peter and Cynthia Buckle. There was also a Quiz. There were one or two disputes which were found in favour of the competitors. At one stage, an atlas had to be produced to convince the doddery, old Quizmaster that he was wrong. Some people just don’t know when they are past it. At least the organisers, Sue Ireland and Peter Buckle, are not past it, thank goodness
This was followed by the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve. There were 145 people in the congregation... the church was packed. There were a large number of children and there was a great atmosphere. Would there were so many on a Sunday.
Then came the snow. I suppose we were quite lucky that we did not get more. However, it was the ice that did for us. The T junction of South Street and West Street was an ice rink. We hear that the Council will provide us with Grit and Sand Boxes, but of course we have to get planning permission for the boxes. But we were much helped by Harry Dennis and Brian Audley and their merry men, not forgetting their tea lady. Thank you. The weather conditions produced acts of much kindness and thoughtfulness. Community life still exists.
During the snow our postman always got through, when others did not. Mike used his own initiative and put his own chains on his van.
A few years ago, I was told a story by Jane Dutton who used to live at No 12, West Street. She said that one winter the snow drifted up against her house and the only way they could get out was through the bedroom window. There seem to be conflicting views on this. Has anyone any evidence for this story? (See article in ‘The Round’... ed)
It is good to see the Scott family arms back on the signs. In keeping with modern educational trends the motto is in English rather than in Latin, but you might be surprised by what it says. I do not think it is a very exact translation of the original motto!
We are glad to hear to hear that Dave Dennis had his operation early in the month and is recovering well. He seems to be surprisingly mobile. We look forward to welcoming him up here soon.
It has been brought to my notice that there is a vacancy on the Corfe Castle Parish Council. They are very keen to have someone from Kingston on the Council to represent our interests. If anyone is interested they should contact Jeff Dunn, the Parish Clerk (555266) or CorfeCastlePC@aol.com as soon as possible but certainly before 8 February.
George Pitman
RDPE BOOST FOR VILLAGE HALL
Alan Titcombe, left, adviser to the RDPE;
Bob Evans, seated, representing HXVH
and Bruce Douglas, South West Rural Development Agency
signing the contract for the RDPE grant
When the new village hall at Harmans Cross opens in the early summer it will boast
a commercial kitchen, a smaller servery, the latest audio and visual equipment and
a state-
These special facilities, made possible by a £134,411 grant from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), will mean that, as well as being the hub of village life, the Dorset hall will be able to stage a wide range of shows and events for the community and organisations across the district.
“The hall will be used as an educational, recreation and sporting facility and potentially as a doctor’s surgery,” said Bob Evans, a retired business executive who is the village hall committee’s managing agent. “It will also provide an excellent venue for conferences, small and large meetings and exhibitions. We expect about 60 different organisations to use it, including people who want internet access and computer training which will be provided by the ‘Connecting Dorset’ programme,” he said.
It is estimated that the new building which is double the floor size of the current
hall will increase the current revenue, while the ground-
“One of the aims of RDPE is to support services that improve the quality of life
for people living in our rural communities,” said Andy Wood, head of place-
“The extra facilities at Harmans Cross will widen its appeal and make it more versatile, so it will be of greater benefit to the community at large.”
HARMANS CROSS DANCE GROUP
Glen and Betty will hold their last dance (Ballroom, Old Time and Sequence) in the
Old Village Hall on Saturday 6 February, from 7.30-
Admission is £2.50 to include tea/coffee, biscuits and Raffle. Proceeds to be donated
to the New Village Hall. To contact Glen and Betty -
HARMANSCROSSHALL.CO.UK – GOES LIVE!
From the 28 January, our website designed by Lerida Arnold can be accessed by everyone interested in the New Hall facilities and activities.
The site contains information on the rooms and the hall layout. Also details on contacts, booking forms and available dates, plus the activities of the Residents’ and Village Clubs.
A map provides the location for people from outside the area and there are also directions for travelling to the hall in Haycrafts Lane.
Commenting on the need for a Website for the New Hall, Chairman Richard Bullock said: “A website is an essential marketing tool for the promotion of the hall, and one which provides up to the minute information for our existing and potential users.”
Comments or clients wishing to advertise on the website, would be welcome and interested parties requiring further information, should contact Alan Stephenson on 477125.
Alan Stephenson
HALL CLOSURE DRAWS NEAR
Sunday, 14 February, will mark the end of an interesting era for our Village Hall and will undoubtedly evoke many happy memories. (See website).
The official closure and clearing of the hall takes place on the above date to make way for the New Hall build and landscaping, and our volunteer teams will be busy most of that weekend
Glen Bower who was instrumental in building the hall, remembers the trip to Blandford over 50 years ago, to dismantle the, then, existing Army hut and commence the build at Harmans Cross. “It was quite a job which we combined with our normal work,” said Glen. “This entailed working evenings and weekends plus the scrounging of extra materials from local sources. Bill Mitchell was a force to be reckoned with in those days ! But he certainly got things moving!”
At the time of writing the completion date for the new build is still ‘hanging in the balance’ due to the recent adverse weather conditions. But more news soon.
Alan Stephenson
HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS’ CLUB
The last Club Night at the old village hall before its demolition is from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday 12 February: members and guests are welcome. A number of pub games will be available including darts (with a prize competition), backgammon, cribbage, dominoes, etc. There will also be free nibbles.
After the old hall closes on 14 February, rather than say ‘see you in June’, we’d liked to keep in contact with our membership on Friday evenings at local hostelries. Members and guests will be able to meet twice a month: our first will be at The Village Inn, Ulwell, near Swanage (BH19 3DG) on 26 February. This pub has always been very helpful and welcoming to the Residents’ Club and the Village Club.
We have made the licensee aware that an uncertain number will be descending on his premises on that date, but it is obviously up to individuals when they choose to arrive and depart and whether or not they wish to have a meal. Their normal pub prices will apply! We will be there from 7pm to welcome people as they arrive.
The 12 & 26 March are also dates for your diary again at the Village Inn.
Nigel Edmonds
MODEL RAILWAY GROUP
The cold weather put off many of our regular visitors on 1 January but many new people
came and by 8pm there were 23 people. The engines on the Evercreech layout included
two 2-
Fewer people came to our meeting on Wednesday 20 January but we made a lot of progress
building new layouts. Terry Jenkins and his friends built a 12’ x 4’ TT gauge 1/100
scale layout while I built a new portable 4’ x 3’ Hornby-
Eric showed us some pictures of the 19’ Hornby-
Robin Brasher
THE VILLAGE CLUB
We wish all our members a very Happy New Year. Dates for your diary... there will be a Skittles Evening on the 4 February at the Village Inn at Ulwell Caravan Park. Food can be provided at the Village Inn before commencement of skittles and names of those wishing to attend please phone Eileen on 481063. Our next club meeting will be at 2 pm, Thursday, 25 February at the Village Inn at Ulwell where Kate Rust will demonstrate pilates. Any members having transport difficulties please get in touch with Mary Fisher on 480482 or Eileen on 481063 and they will try to assist.
The Club meeting on 25 March will again be held at the Village Inn when Simon Goldsack from Holme Nurseries will give a talk on ‘How to make the most of your garden’ and members are encouraged to participate by bringing along any sick plants and have suitable questions at the ready. For those who have not paid their annual subscription we will be happy to collect at any of our meetings. We would like to express our thanks to the Village Inn at Ulwell for their generosity in allowing us to host our meetings there whilst our new Village Hall is being finished. We urge all members to check their monthly newsletter or if you have access to a computer, your emails, for updates regarding the club activities.
Marie Evans
ART GROUP
The last meeting of the club at the old Village Hall will be at 2pm on Tuesday, 9 February. It will be sad to see the old hall go; it holds lots of good memories but we look forward to the new hall. We now have 24 members in our group, 18 of whom sat down to a lovely Christmas Lunch in December. Thanks to everyone for my very generous voucher. From 16 February we will be meeting at Worth Matravers Village Hall and our annual Art Exhibition, 1 & 2 May, will be at Langton Village Hall.
Judy Robson
CHURCH FÊTE
This is advance warning for all those who support and help with St George’s Church
Fête. This will again be held in and around the Church and St George’s Close on Sat
10 July from 12-
LM HISTORY & PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Our monthly meeting will take place on Thursday, 18 February at 7.30pm in Langton
Village Hall when Reg Saville will give an illustrated talk on ‘Langton’s Mediaeval
Manors’. All welcome. Members £2.50, non-
Rosemary Stevens
LANGTON FLOWERS
If only I could remember to beat The Dubber deadline in busy December, then all the stalwart flower arranging team would be thanked at a more appropriate time! Be that as it may, I want to say thank you to all those who helped decorate the Church for Christmas and also provided greenery from their own gardens, together with much good humour.
We are, at present, a dwindling band for one reason or another. Is there anyone out there who would like to join our team of flower arrangers? We are all amateurs and any help would be very much appreciated. Perhaps you could contact me, if you feel you could give a little time during the year.
Rachel James
LANGTON MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL
Chair of Governors, Sarah Painter, thanked the Council for its help and support in saving the school, especially Cllr P Loudoun who had attended several meetings.
The Clerk reported that Peter Aston of PDC had confirmed that if someone lived within 4 miles (3.8 km) of the parish they could stand for Parish Council.
Cllr M Lovell reported that the application for the festival had been withdrawn.
Provision of grit in bad weather -
Acting Chairman, Cllr P White, said that he wanted to send his best wishes to Chairman Cllr N Priddle, who was unable to attend the Meeting due to ill health. This was unanimously supported.
Council cemetery -
The Clerk reported that he had paid the Product & Public Liability insurance. He also reported that the LMAA hoped to plant hedging along the fence bordering the shed, which would provide shade and screening for the shed and the area surrounding it. There was no objection.
World War 2 bunker -
Accident black spot at Coombe Orchard -
Planning
- Plan submitted by Mr JRK Roe: Erect porch and insert one dormer window in north elevation
and one in south elevation at Holly Tree Cottage, Gypshayes, Langton Matravers. -
The Parish Council has no objection. - Plan submitted by Mr & Mrs Dyer: Erect straw storage barn and covered feed store
at Knaveswell Farm, Knitson Lane, Corfe Castle. -
The Parish Council has no objection.
Planning decisions by PDC affecting parish
- Plan 0497, submitted by Mr J Wotton: Site a single static caravan as warden’s accommodation
in connection with the operation of Tom’s Field Campsite between 17 March and 31
October. -
Approved. - Plan submitted by Old Malthouse Trust: Re-
arrangement of fenestration, reduction of roof lights and adjustment of the upper roof height. - Refused. - Plan submitted by Mr P Ferris: Erect porch and conservatory. -
Approved. - Plan submitted by Mr & Mrs Dyer: Erect straw storage barn and covered feed store.
-
Invalid. - Plan submitted by Mr G Bell: Convert loftspace, relocate two existing roof lights
and insert new roof lights. -
Approved.
Correction
In his column in the December issue of The Dubber, Tony Viney wrote that it had been agreed that the replacement trees at the Old Malthouse could be planted in a different position. This is incorrect. The Parish Council took a great deal of time and trouble to ensure that the trees would be planted in the original position. However, PDC’s Arboricultural Officer felt that the original trees had been planted too close together, which certainly seemed to be the case, and so, to ensure the healthy growth of the new trees, the Parish Council agreed that only two should be planted in the original position and the third one should be planted nearby. This has now been done.
The next meeting of LMPC is 7pm on 11 February.
John Bellucci, Clerk to the Council
WORTH AFTERNOON CLUB
The first meeting of the year took place in a rather chilly village hall, but after a short AGM, a warm welcome was given to our speaker Bob Fox, who soon had everyone laughing aloud. Having spent his life in the entertainment business, he has amusing anecdotes and jokes from the many famous comedians he has worked with including Ken Dodd and Tommy Cooper. Bob donates his speaker fee to the Roy Castle Cancer charity. It was a great start to our programme for the year. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 10 February, when our speaker will be Di Pestall of Julia’s House. Visitors welcome.
Rachel Seaton
WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL -
Because of the heavy fall of snow, leaving dangerous road conditions, in the afternoon of 5 January, both the Parish and Parish Council meetings were cancelled. The PC meeting was subsequently held on the 13 January, prior to the Parish meeting at WM, to discuss the future use of Swanworth Quarry (see separate report). Because the next scheduled P C meeting at HX isn’t due until July. It has been decided to hold the February meeting there on the second at 7.30pm.
As you will by now all know, the application to hold a Classical Music Festival at Weston Farm has been dropped, the applicants are going elsewhere in the district.
I am reminded of an old BT advert, ‘It’s Good To Talk’. If you are intending to hold an outdoor event or submit a planning application, talk to your neighbours at the outset. That way, they may still want to object but at least these objections will be based on fact not supposition and rumour. A recent planning application in the Parish illustrates this well. A property was sold and the new owners submitted plans for some alterations. The neighbours were duly notified by PDC and were all set to object to this application when the new owners invited them round to look at and discuss their plans. The result was they went away quite happy and no objections were made!
If you have concerns on any Parish matters please don’t hesitate to contact any Parish Councillor.
Shiela Johnson has made an excellent job of rebuilding the dry stone walls in Begbie Field. In appreciation for this and all the other voluntary work she undertakes in the Parish, a National Garden Token has been given to Shiela.
Planning applications this month
- Braemar, WM. Proposed new parking and vehicular access. Conservation Area. -
The P C had no objection.
The budget was set for the next financial year 2010/11, and I am pleased to report that the Parish Precept will once again be set at NIL, thanks entirely to the donations received in WM car park.
Letters of thanks have been sent to Tim Hoad and Derek Ralls, for the installation and lighting to the Christmas tree on WM Village Green. Thanks also to Cllr Burden.
Did anyone see the double axle vehicle that drove/reversed across the Green at WM causing significant damage to the grass and the low stone wall? The damage was discovered on the morning of 14 January.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2 February at 7.30pm in HX Village Hall.
Joyce Meates, Chairman
FUTURE USE OF SWANWORTH QUARRY
Some 25 people attended the Parish Meeting on 13 January to discuss Parish Plan action 4c. Establish the future use and support the present landscaping project at Swanworth Ouarry. The PP also states on page eight that there may be a role for community involvement in the planning and management of the site after extraction of stone ceases.
We were pleased to welcome the following to the meeting, Derek Haden, Quarry Manager at Swanworth, Bob Kenyon, Chairman of Worth Community Property Trust and Brian Bleese, Director of Operations and Development at Dorset Wildlife Trust. Unfortunately because of a ‘lost’ email confirming the date, the Planning Officers from PDC were absent, but will attend further meetings.
Mr Haden gave a brief overview of how the restoration at the quarry site is progressing. As the amount of crushed stone being sold, is less than predicted, Tarmac are to make an application to DCC to extend the present planning permission to 2017. They then have two years to complete the restoration and will then be responsible for its maintenance for a further five years. As a condition of the planning permission, all buildings and utilities have to be removed from the site, although some parking places will be provided.
It was suggested that if the buildings could be kept and used for say Artisan Workshops together with a Craft Centre/Cafe/Radar and Quarrying Museum and Educational Facility, then some income could be generated to help maintain the vast majority of the quarry land as a wildlife area.
Because of the many planning policies that protect the site, it will involve much time and thought to have any possibility of obtaining permission to retain the buildings for future use.
Much discussion took place, with views ranging from supporting a future use for any type of business (suporting local jobs) to preserving the site only for wildlife. The majority supported additional low impact use that would complement its use as a nature reserve.
Mr Kenyon, WCPT, stated that the Trust were interested in taking on the management of the site in the future, so that the land could be retained for the community.
Mr Bleese, DWT, spoke of the broad plan to put a nature reserve into the quarry site and that there are complimentary and appropriate uses which can meet the aspirations of the community and also compliment the area. He was very positive about the suggestions being put forward.
As the majority of those present had never visited the quarry, Mr Haden agreed to hold a tour of the quarry sometime in June. It could then be seen how the buildings fit into the landscape.
It was agreed to hold another meeting after this for further discussions to take place. In the meantime Joyce Meates, Bob Kenyon and Brian Bleese are to liase to source possible funding for a feasibility study to be undertaken, should it be agreed at this meeting to try and utilise the present quarry buildings.
Joyce Meates, Chairman, WMPC
When John Stewart then rector of Langton started The Dubber many years ago he always insisted that it was a community paper and not just an organ of the church. I always thought he was wise to take that view because that increased its readership and appeal to the benefit of everyone, the church included. If John had taken a different view, I doubt that I would be permitted or indeed want to be a regular contributor to this paper for I am not a church goer. In fact, I find it difficult to sign up to the whole package of beliefs of any of the established religions.
However, I am equally unwilling to join the Richard Dawkins camp and deny the entire religious experience and recent events now tempt me dip my toe into religious waters. I hope that Judith or our esteemed editor [who me?.. ed] will not reach for their blue pencils, though I expect they may well disagree with parts of what follows [who me?.. ed].
The event which has prompted me is of course Haiti. How is it possible for an almighty God the loving protector of the human race to allow hundreds and thousands of the poorest and most disadvantaged people on this planet to be crushed or starved to death through no fault of their own? A traditional answer to this question is that there are certain things that man is unable to understand but if we could we would realise that it is all part of a grand and ultimately beneficent design far beyond the bounds of our comprehension.
I have always regarded this solution as something of a cop out, for it can be used to excuse anything and everything. More likely I feel the question is the result of a confusion of logic. Christ once pithily observed that we should render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s, which suggests that we should not apply the logic of religious statements to practical affairs. I know that I mustn’t get too heavy here for I have always in my mind’s eye Esme Prior who whenever she meets me asks why I am no longer funny, however I hope she will forgive a short excursion into philosophy.
It seems to me that human thought processes are amazingly fluid and we pick up and discard a huge range of different logical frameworks according to demands and pressures of the moment and as God belongs to an entirely different logical framework to earthquakes, the causal chain can’t stretch from one to the other. Causation is a good example, for we decide what causes something according to how best we think we can control it.
When my car got stuck in a snow drift by my house recently, it would have been accurate but a bit pointless to blame the snow. I can’t stop it snowing, so I tended to look to causes I can control. Why did I not listen to the forecast and rescue the car before the snow began? Why didn’t I buy a four by four or snow chains? Why live in such an impractical place anyway? All of these are causes which spring from their own logical framework which we adopt because they lead to some appropriate remedial action.
It is pretty useless just to blame the snow, or at the other end of the scale the flutter of a butterfly’s wing in the south Atlantic which deflected an air current. Just as we switch logics to choose our causes, so we choose our Gods. The Romans had a great many, we have only one which is a bit tough on Him, Her, It (told you I was getting into deep water) for then the buck becomes a really big buck. The God(s), I believe in, help me deal with the things which are God’s. My prayers when I get stuck in a snow drift are prompted by the concerns of the spirit.
Of course such spirits are greatly lifted by the sight of an approaching snow plough, but, for that, a phone is more helpful than a prayer. Just as it is inappropriate to try to phone up God, so one shouldn’t expect spiritual comfort from the breakdown service.
The latter helps me repair the car, the former helps me mend myself. I am sure they prayed for help in Haiti and that help, when it came, though not material nor life saving was help nevertheless.
Tony Viney
A WINTER’S TALE
Bearing in mind our recent ice and snow (so far!) the following may give food for thought. I have many vivid memories of living in Worth Matravers in the winter of 1962/3. I had recently married into a local family, whose history in the village dated back hundreds of years, many of whom occupied houses in the village. Our house was a single story building of asbestos and wood with an east/west aspect and wonderful views of Winspit. On Boxing Day late evening 1962, we returned from a family dinner party. As we turned the corner at the Square and Compass, we walked straight into a blizzard; then, we had to stagger home along the top road and past the area then known as ‘peaky’. From then, until well into March 1963, we lived in a frozen white world.
Worth was cut off for a week until tractors could get through to Langton where there were five shops open. The village store in Worth soon ran out of supplies and so my husband and other villagers walked along the tops of the stone walls beside the buried road to Langton. The drifts in many places were 20 foot deep.
After the snow, we had frozen rain which made the fields and elsewhere resemble a glacier; this was a truly fantastic sight at night by moonlight. Snow and frozen rain continued and each barb on the barbed wire fences was coated in ice. The scenery in the whole area, by day and night, was unbelievably beautiful.
Worth was not connected to mains water until 1971. Our drinking water was collected
by bucket from a tap supplied by local farmer Peter Strange 100 yards down the road.
The tap soon became frozen so every drop of drinking water had to be fetched from
the spring down the lane (where the bus turns.) That spring never let the village
down for over two months. At the rear of our house were two 100 gallon vats which
collected the rain water off the roof. This water was hand-
Further along ‘Peaky’, next door to the Methodist Chapel, lived a civilized and cultured gentleman and his wife, Mr and Mrs Opie. A shade eccentric, they lived happily in a converted wooden railway carriage and became good friends. Their son who tried to keep an eye on them became one of England’s leading paediatricians, Professor Opie of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.
The Opies had to be dug out of the snow and ice, as did Harry Samways. Harry was
the local cowman whose calls for the cows were known to all in Worth and his cries
mingled with the plaintive song of the pee-
After nearly three months of this primitive lifestyle, towards the middle of March 1963, the soft southwest wind began the thaw. I can remember the amazing sight of green blades beginning to appear in the fields. Eventually all was green, where I had felt at times that I would never see again that fine sight of meadows stretching down to the sea and the green strip lynchets on the hill above Winspit.
Marion Ormerod
DEAR DUBBER
I would like to use The Dubber to thank most warmly those five kind neighbours who called to see if I needed anything during the cold snap. One of them gritted the path to my door. It is a wonderful feeling to know that one lives in a caring community!
Reg Saville
DEAR DUBBER
Appeal to Dog Walkers
If you walk a dog in Harmans Cross, please remember to pick up your dog’s mess, especially
in the residential areas of Valley Road, Haycrafts Lane and Tabbits Hill Lane, (i.e.
within the 30 and 40mph limit areas), the field adjacent to the Village Hall and
on any part of Harmans Cross Station. It has recently been necessary to clear up
after owners who have left dog mess in all these locations. Please also encourage
any guests with dogs to avoid this anti-
Nigel Edmonds
As a postscript to this letter I must say, I never cease to be amazed by the utter stupidity of people who bag up their dog’s mess and then throw the bag in a field or hedge or leave it lying in a car park (there were several such unpleasant packages left in Langton House NT car park a week or so ago). I know this really angers Paul Loudoun and he has put up notices ‘advising’ people against it but there still seems to be people idiotic enough to do it! ed
DEAR DUBBER
I wish to say a big “Thank You” to Bob and Ann at Langton Village Stores. Having
been ice-
P. Norman
DEAR DUBBER
Natalie and Ken Bailey would like to express their thanks for the kindness and practical help bestowed upon them by the local inhabitants of both Langton and Worth Matravers during Ken’s recent illness and during the cold weather. Fortunately, Ken is much better following a spell in Poole Hospital and hopes to resume normal duties in the near future, whatever they may be.
Natalie & Ken Bailey
DEAR DUBBER
I would like to thank all the kind people who have sent messages and cards on the peaceful passing of Bess. She was a wonderful companion and enjoyed a happy life.
Pam Bayley
DEAR DUBBER
We would like to thank all the people who visited our light display (Serrells Oak)
and who generously donated money. Together we raised £384 in aid of Can Care and
St George’s Pre-
Ken & Kay Burgess
Letters should be emailed to ed@thedubber.co.uk
BILLY’S CIDERED FISH CRUMBLE
This recipe is a relatively healthy change from fish pies which use a heavy cheese sauce.
Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 40 mins
25g butter or margarine
1 onion, chopped
25g plain flour
300 ml dry cider
300 ml vegetable stock
2 carrots, grated
250 g celeriac grated
500 g white fish, boned and cubed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
25g wholemeal breadcrumbs
50g Cheddar cheese grated
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter or margarine in a large saucepan, add the onion and fry until softened. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the cider and stock and cook, stirring, until thickened and smooth.
Add the carrots, celeriac, white fish, lemon juice, parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a 1.75 litre (3 pint) ovenproof dish.
Mix together the breadcrumbs, cheese and sesame seeds and sprinkle over the top. Cook in a preheated oven, 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4, for 40 minutes, until the topping is crisp and golden brown. Serve with fresh green vegetables.
If you have a recipe that you’d like to share, please send it to ed@thedubber.co.uk
