Immerse Yourself In Art - PAW Festival
24/05/2013
Swiftly taking over from St Ives, the Isle of Purbeck is fast becoming the creative mecca of the UK. With artist's studios tucked away around almost every corner, be it close to shore or hidden in a green, wooded valley, Purbeck is overflowing with an eclectic mix of quality arts and crafts.
Celebrating this diverse collection of art is the annual Purbeck Art Weeks Festival, this year running from Saturday 25th May through to Sunday 9th June.
Collecting together a vast array of artistic mediums from an overwhelming number of exhibitors, Purbeck Art Weeks offers a chance to explore and delight in the wide variety of art produced on the Isle of Purbeck.
more...
Swanage Beach Awarded Blue Flag For 12th Year
22/05/2013
Swanage Town Council is celebrating after receiving the news that the town has received the prestigious Blue Flag and Encams Seaside Awards for the 12th Consecutive year.
The town’s beach was awarded the Blue Flag for achieving the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management. It is a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that the beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world.
Swanage Town Mayor and District Councillor Mrs Ali Patrick, said: “With so many people taking ‘staycations’ and enjoying Swanage, we are absolutely thrilled that our beautiful beach has once again won this prestigious award.
more...
PDC Office Holders For 2013-14 Announced
17/05/2013
Purbeck District Council office holders for 2013/14
At the Annual Meeting of Purbeck District Council, members of the council elected office holders for the coming year:
• Chairman - Councillor Bill Trite
• Vice-Chairman - Councillor Mrs Gloria Marsh
• Leader - Councillor Gary Suttle
• Deputy Leader and Efficiencies Spokesperson - Councillor Barry Quinn
more...
Locomotive Wreath In Memory Of Soldiers Lost
08/05/2013
An iconic 1960s express locomotive named after a Scottish army regiment is to carry a poignant wreath during the Swanage Railway's three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival – in memory of three soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Two men serving with the Royal Highland Fusiliers – part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland's 2nd Battalion – were tragically killed last week after their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb during a routine patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. A third soldier from the Royal Regiment of Scotland's 3rd Battalion also died.
more...
Election Results For Purbeck Area Announced
03/05/2013
Election results for our area are as follows:
Purbeck Hills ED - Voting Complete - Turnout: 36.91% (2024 Votes between 5484 eligible voters)
Michael William John Lovell Conservative 1007 (49.75%)
Nigel Dragon Independent 723 (35.72%)
Andrea Etherington Labour 294 (14.53%)
more...
BEWARE Advertising Scam Hits Purbeck - Again!
01/05/2013
UPDATED - Please be aware that there is currently a telephone scam in operation, targeting businesses in Purbeck. Several Purbeck Gazette advertisers have reported receiving phone calls in the last few days from a gentleman with a Liverpudlian accent, attempting to sell them advertising in either a wall-planner as part of an 'anti-bullying' campaign, or in a book about anti-bullying.
DO NOT PROVIDE PAYMENT DETAILS TO ANYONE, EVER, OVER THE PHONE - locals are being called and their credit card details are being demanded. DO NOT GIVE THEM OUT, AND CALL ACTION FRAUD IMMEDIATELY ON 0300 123 2040 IF YOU BELIEVE THE CALLER IS PART OF THIS SCAM - quote reference number NRFC 130500228971.
This is a definite scam as in all reported incidences, those receiving the calls were told that another local business from the Purbeck area recommended them.
Here at Gazette Towers we also received a similar phone call on Monday, and were told that our accountant had recommended us. Of course, after double-checking, our accountant confirmed that he had not been in contact with anyone selling any form of advertising, and had not recommended us at all.
more...
Empty Home Scheme Launched In Purbeck
29/04/2013
A new scheme to help bring long term empty property back into use has been launched by Purbeck District Council.
The scheme, which was approved by councillors at their April meeting, will enable the Council to offer a loan of up to £25,000 to the owners of long term empty properties in Purbeck.
Although there are relatively small numbers of long term empty properties in Purbeck, the Council sees it as a priority to bring as many of them back into use as possible.
Frances West, General Manager, Public Health & Housing Services at Purbeck District Council said, “One of the Council’s key priorities is to meet the housing needs of local people. With Purbeck’s many environmental constraints, the development of new housing in Purbeck is restricted and it is important that the current housing stock is fully utilised.
more...
Swanage RNLI Crew Members Awarded
26/04/2013
Making the decision to become a volunteer lifeboat crew member is a huge commitment. On joining, the members agree to run to the call of the pager day or night, 365 days a year, often leaving occasions with friends and family or rising from their beds in the depths of the night. Yet despite these sacrifices many make the RNLI part of their lives and remain volunteer crew for many years.
This month two of the crew at Swanage, Colin Marks and Dave Turnbull have received long service awards from the RNLI for 20 years voluntary service. Colin and Dave joined the crew a month apart with Dave joining in December 1992 and Colin in January 1993. Since then they have been involved in more than 1400 rescue to aid those in trouble at sea.
more...
Swanage Resident Prosecuted For Noise Nuisance
23/04/2013
Purbeck District Council has prosecuted a Swanage resident for causing a noise nuisance to neighbours by playing loud amplified music at her home.
Miss Jessica Ashurst, 25, of Cow Lane, Swanage was convicted on three charges of breaching an Environmental Protection Act 1990 Abatement notice. Bournemouth Magistrates' Court ordered a fine of £750 and £232 towards council costs to be paid, along with a £30 victim surcharge and a forfeiture order in respect of noise making equipment seized from the property.
Miss Ashurst failed to attend Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on 2 April 2013 for the second time so the case was heard in her absence.
more...
Stand Up For Local Affordable Housing RIGHT NOW
17/04/2013
Raymond McIntyre of Devon and Dorset Properties is a local builder with an extraordinary vision. He actually believes in providing affordable housing to those who need it, to the point where he is willing to lose profit in order for local people to achieve the dream of a permanent home of their own. Unusual? Indeed.
Ray has submitted plans for a new development at Prospect Farm in Swanage to Purbeck District Council, where a decision will be made next week. Raymond's plans are somewhat unusual in that they actually support the notion of local working people, on a local average wage, being able to purchase their own homes - affordably. This would be made possible by being offered the properties at a percentage of market value, with an agreement that when they are eventually resold, they can only be sold to another local couple, again, at a percentage of market value.
more...
Electoral Fraud Allegation In Purbeck Hills
15/04/2013
Following the submission of nomination papers for the upcoming local elections, there has been an allegation of fraud, which is now being investigated by Dorset Police.
An independent source told the Purbeck Gazette "There is a question regarding a signature on a candidate's nomination paper for Purbeck Hills after it was noted that one individual had seemingly nominated two candidates.
"It was then found that the signatures attributed to this nominating individual did not match, and there is an allegation that one of the candidates signed the form in place of the nominee."
In a statement, Dorset Police said "Dorset Police has received an allegation that nomination papers, in respect of one candidate in the upcoming elections in Purbeck, bore discrepancies and the complaint is being investigated."
more...
Don't Forget To Register To Vote!
05/04/2013
Purbeck residents have until 17 April to make sure they are on the electoral register in order to vote at the May County Council elections.
Vanessa Ricketts, Democratic Services and Elections Manager at Purbeck District Council, said: “Most people will have registered to vote last autumn but if you have recently moved to, or within, the district you will need to register by Wednesday 17 April.”
This can be done by contacting Purbeck District Council on 01929 557219 or by visiting www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and it is free of charge.
more...