Phone numbers have been removed from the news section of this site. If you want further information contact ed@TheDubber.co.uk.

 

 

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GENERAL NEWS

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
So said Juliet to Romeo and it is with this sentiment I must say farewell to the editorship of "The Dubber". When I first took on the job in July last year I had intended to hand the reins on in July this year. I thought to have stayed longer than that would have made my successor's task difficult and as the ideas started to run dry things so things would have become stale. Unfortunately I can't keep to this date so, due to personal circumstances, this will be my last issue. Two of my predecessors have told me that the task can be thankless. I have to say that I haven't found it so and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm. I have made a lot of new friends, and parishioners, on the whole, have been kind and understanding of my errors and very generous in their praise. Inevitably, when one puts one's head above the parapet you will experience the odd brickbat. All I would say to those that choose to hurl them is: take care you don't destroy the very vehicle that tries to support your cause.
Thank you to all the contributors, advertisers, helpers and everyone who makes "The Dubber" the successful little magazine it is. The seat is now vacant and I don't doubt that there is a reader out there who would like to experience the adrenalin rush that editorship can bring. Don Pratt awaits your call. Chris Kwantes

NEWS FROM NOWHERE
We used to meet in a camp we had made at the centre of an overgrown ditch in the middle of a piece of scrub land. It was impenetrable to anyone bigger than the average small boy but I remember it seemed enormous with a main living space and various antechambers. We had rules with dire penalties for members who transgressed, we swore oaths of allegiance and on the face of it were not much different from an embryonic Al-Qaeda cell. In the present day atmosphere of panicky distrust we might if discovered have earned a brief entry on the CIA computer except we were very hot on security and almost weekly renewed the password for entry to the inner sanctum.. I have lost contact with the other members of the cell. I can't even remember their names, but I hope they went on to great things. I am tempted to guess that one or two of them now head up big internet companies. Where else could this obsessive insistence on passwords have come from?
You cannot buy anything on the web without providing a name and password. Even when you not only remember your name but are prepared to tell people what it is, things are not simple for in the weird world of the internet someone else has almost certainly got there first and commandeered your name so you are obliged to invent a new one. It is not enough just to have a special name you must also invent a special password to go with it and for both we are given certain golden rules. Never choose the obvious like the name of your football team, your house or the cat. Have a new name and password for each different shopping site, and make each one at least six characters long with a mix of letters and symbols - and of course change your passwords frequently. This guidance may stop someone else pretending to be you, but it also effectively stops you from being you as well. It is in fact is a sure fire recipe for a lifetime of hitting the "password forgotten " button which I am told effectively negates the system for it is relatively easy to hack into password replacement messages. Inevitably some people keep a list of all their different passwords and names on the computer thus making the life of a potential hacker a hundred times easier for instead of having to guess hundreds of cunning codes the hacker only has to discover one. In the ditch I remember we kept our passwords in an old tin which we then buried. It was so secure that most times we couldn't find it and judging by the huge amount of internet fraud, web security systems are not much better. I notice that in the midst of the prolonged fury against civil servants staggering out of pubs forgetting their computers, memory sticks, pin striped trousers et al, no one ever assumes that the thief might be unable to crack the password and read the data. However what really worries me is that this security mania might spread. I can foresee a time when they refuse to sell me a pint of milk in the shop at Langton until I can recite correctly my unique and special Langton name and number. So far thank heaven most shops are less interested in who you are than whether you can pay. Once you have handed over cash or swiped your card through their machine they are quite happy. I am not sure why the same simplicity of purpose can't apply to internet purchases so that your card details are paramount and if they pass the test that is all you need to worry about. Maybe one day it will be as simple to buy a pound of butter on Tesco.com as it is to buy the same butter in a Tesco store but I doubt it. For long ago when the people who designed these systems were young and deep in their secret camp in the centre of a hedge they became hooked for ever on the wonderful world of complex codes and deception so beloved of kids the world over. Tony Viney

DUBBER EDITOR
First I want to register thanks to Chris Kwantes for the dedication, skill and time he has given to his task as editor, a task he has carried out with great courtesy, on behalf of his sometimes unappreciative readers, and if that last comment sounds a trifle sharp, I have to sometimes remind myself that, together with those who print, staple and deliver, he does everything as a volunteer.
He is looking to step down as Editor, while continuing to support the Dubber, and we thank him very sincerely for all he has done.
We are now looking for a successor and will be pleased to hear from any one who would be interested , either as overall editor , or as a village correspondent talk to me (Judith Malins) or Don Pratt

CONSERVATIVE PARTY AGM & OPEN MEETING
Corfe Castle & Langton Branch of South Dorset Conservative Association AGM will be held at 7.30 on Wednesday 4th February In Corfe Castle Village School. (Parking in the school car park). Richard Drax (Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate) will address an open meeting followed by an AGM for members only. For further information contact Ann Beard

PLOUGH SERVICE
The revival of an old tradition to bless a new season
We particularly welcome farmers and growers to this service but everyone is welcome! St. George's Church, Langton Matravers Sunday 11th January at 3pm. Preacher Mr Peter Jack, Blandford Dairy Farmer. Followed by refreshments. Proceeds to Farm Crisis Network

WHERE AM I IN PURBECK?

Not a photograph this time but a drawing I did some time ago. What is it? Where is it? What has happened to it since I drew it? How many more are there like this one in our area?
Last month's photo was of the trig point at Swyre Head taken by Ciff Turner. Swyre Head is the highest point on the South Coast and you are always rewarded when you walk out there by the stunning views, particularly to the west towards Portland. Chris Meadows

BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON
The moon is often visible in daylight. On Monday 1st December at about 15:00 I saw the moon in its first quarter to the south. Just to the right of the moon was a planet about the same size as one of the moon's craters. It was either Jupiter or Venus. The moon and the planet seemed to be in perspective.
Many years ago I bought a pair of Boots Admiral ll 16 x 50mm binoculars at Swanage. At night I have used them to look at the planets. They change colour. Mars appears as a red disk, Jupiter is orange with horizontal lines whereas Saturn is blue with the ring round the centre. Robin Brasher

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE
What a difference a year makes, the report of the Christmas fair in Swanage last year, started thus: "The date was Saturday 8th December; weather forecast gales and lashing rain, venue Commercial Road Swanage." This year the Saturday 6th was a sunny day, no wind, crisp and cold. It was a delight to be out selling the best of what Purbeck Producers had to offer. By four o'clock in the afternoon, most of the stalls had sold out of their produce. The last to go were Jeff Lander's two crabs that had waved for the final two hours at passers-by.
The range of what has been sold by Purbeck Products has increased over the past year. This year (2009) you will continue to be able to buy wonderful food from Purbeck at Putlake Adventure Centre in Langton Matravers, at least once a month, if not twice. You will be able to meet the producers themselves, and discuss the provenance environmental integrity of what they have to offer. No dioxin fed Irish pork here!
So what should our New Year's resolutions be? Let's continue to shop locally, remember that the money that you spend will remain longer within the community if you do this rather than siphoned off into the supermarket director's pockets. Let's continue to bat for a more environmental life, turn the heating down and put on an extra sweater, switch off more lights, and for me make more and better lists so that I don't have to go back to shop to buy one vital ingredient for my evening stew. Let's cook our own food, and eat less junk, the ingredients are better and it can be cheaper. Let's sit down, once a day have a meal with our children, and talk to them.
And what do us farmers want? I would like a dry early spring, followed by a damp early summer and then just at the right moment, the sun can come out and ripen the wheat, and the combines can roll and the cattle get fat, and the prices are good. Not unreasonable request!
So, thank you if you've come to shop with Purbeck Products. I hope that the food has been all that you look for. And now I will go and tilt at my windmiland you at yours, which I hope are not….. er windmills. And have a really Happy New Year.
Christopher Lees

KNITSON GARDEN CLUB MEETING SAT. 3 JAN.
We started four years ago so we could club together and get a big Group discount on top-quality seeds and sundries, and to exchange ideas, swap seeds, etc. Discounts are from 20% to 30%, depending on quantities ordered, with individual invoicing and delivery.
There will be a brief meeting at Knitson Old Farmhouse on Sat., 3 Jan. at 10 a.m. to order seeds for 2009. If your Dubber is late or if you have any questions, please ring Mark Helfer. OUR ORDER MUST BE SENT OFF BEFORE 12 JANUARY.

FURTHER ADVENTURES IN THE SERIES 'THE MYSTERY OF THE LIGHTS OF CHERBOURG'!
During a particularly vigorous period of local debate regarding said lights a few years ago, this article by Paul Simons was printed in his Weather Eye column in The Times, Saturday August 21 2004.
"On Sunday, August 8 the Coastguard at Southampton received reports of a flashing light seen out at sea from the coast of the Isle of Wight. It seemed as though a ship were in distress - possibly on fire - but the light was flashing in such a regular pattern that it made no sense as a distress call The Coastguard called vessels in the area but the only flashing light they could see was the lighthouse at Barfleur, near Cherbourg, on the French coast. To add to the mystery, other, smaller lights began to shine as the sun set. David Butler, an auxiliary coastguard at Ventnor, climbed up on to high ground and, with binoculars, could see clearly not only Barfleur lighthouse, but also the houses and harbour walls of Cherbourg, which he knows well. Cherbourg is well over 60 miles away and usually hidden under the horizon. But it was revealed by a mirage, created by layers of air at different temperatures which were bending light over the horizon like a glass prism. "Even allowing for the fact that you can't believe everything you read in the newspapers, this does add weight to the argument in opposition to the one posited in the December Dubber! Tereska and John Roe

THE MYSTERY OF THE LIGHTS OF (CHERBOURG) SOLVED

I read with interest Richard Sandham's article on the mystery of the lights of Cherbourg in the December Dubber. Although some of his article was missing I
quite agree that you can't see the lights of Cherbourg from Worth Matravers due to the curvature of the earth. But you can see quite a wide arc of lights on a bearing of 178 degrees true ( approx due south); many of us in Worth have seen this phenomenon on very clear nights & I have photographed them from near the car park. These lights which have been mistaken for Cherbourg are actually slightly west of the port & about 1.5 miles inland near Cap de la Hague. They are in fact from the very large French nuclear fuel reprocessing plant known as the COGEMA La Hague site which incidentally has the capacity to reprocess 1700 tons of nuclear fuel p.a., (surprising it doesn't glow in the dark anyway!) To prove you can see these lights I have consulted my aeronautical charts & text books on navigation. The straight line distance to the horizon visible is given by rule of thumb formulae: the square root of the height of the observer above sea level in feet multiplied by 1.5 equals distance in nautical miles, (n.m) i.e. Sq. Root(1.5xH) = D n.m. The height above sea level near Worth Matravers car park is 425 feet from O.S. maps, this equates to Sq. Root(1.5x425) = 25.2n.m. to the horizon. The height of the ( lighted multiple obstacles) chimneys etc. at the La Hague plant from the CAA Aeronautical chart is 942 ft. this equates to Sq. Root (1.5x942) = 37.6n.m; to the horizon. 25.2+37.6 = 62.8n.m. The distance from the car park to the French plant is 55.5n.m. therefore these lights are visible in clear conditions. It should also be possible to see any buildings etc. higher than 610 feet above sea level within the plant area, the plant ground level is 590 feet above sea level.
Dick Bellis

AND YET MORE!

I felt I had to reply Richard Sandham's query about the lights of Cherbourg and fill him in with a bit of history. The story first came to light some thirty years ago when Bob Bugler told me that he and other coastguards could quite often see a tower at Cherbourg during conditions of exceptional clarity. However, undeniable proof was obtained by Brian Bugler who obtained a photograph of an unmistakable row of lights in the direction of Cherbourg some 8 years ago.
I repeated Brian's observations from Seacombe on a few occasions, and the pictures can be seen at: http://www.dstrange.freeserve.co.uk/cherbourg.htm
There have been many sightings since, and the Square and Compass provides an excellent vantage point to seeing them. The lights are visible as a mirage, with different layers of air at different temperatures bending the harbour lights around the Earth's curvature, allowing us to see further than a straight line of sight would theoretically allow.The 400' elevation of our viewpoint also helps the geometry. They can be seen naked eye, but a pair of binoculars helps - just wait for a good cold north-westerly airstream and your chances should increase.
As a final note, if anyone sails into Cherbourg harbour, be sure to check into the harbour master's office. There on the wall of the reception is a painting of the lights of Cherbourg seen from a distance of half way across the channel, bearing a canny resemblance to the photographs that Brian and myself obtained! Merry Xmas to all at Worth, hope to catch up with many friends in the New Year! David Strange

ABOUT DRINKING WATER
The following will probably amaze and startle you.
One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University study.
Lack of water is the # 1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen.
Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day? Chris Meadows

NEW BURNGATE STONE CENTRE DATES
For those who are interested, some more dates for your diaries: All courses run from 9.30am until 4.30pm with an hours break for lunch (not provided). See the website for more details www.burngatestonecentre.co.uk.
Introduction to stone carving: Try your hand at carving a flower or a fish etc. We'll supply a selection of templates and you can see what you can achieve in a day! Friday 23rd January and Monday 16th February.
Introduction to masonry: Learn how to apply a variety of traditional architectural finishes to a piece of stone. Sunday 8th Feb and Friday 27th Feb
David Callaghan

COME AND SING HANDEL'S 'MESSIAH
On Saturday January 24th from 10am to 5.30pm At St Mary's Church, Swanage. The Purbeck Arts Club Choir invites singers to join them for this one-day event focusing on the much-loved music of Handel's Messiah. The day will be split into 3 sections with a break mid-morning, lunchtime and mid-afternoon, finishing with a 'performance' at 4pm. The cost is £10 and participants are invited to bring their own lunch or to purchase lunch in the town. Music will be provided, please reserve in advance.

FLOREAT ST GEORGES
We a re glad to report that the school is flourishing under the excellent leadership of Mrs Brown the acting headmistress, and her staff. The schools presentation of "the little angel" in St Georges church was a fitting climax to a busy term, and helped us all to think of the true meaning of Christmas.
Interviews for the new head will take place during the Spring term
By the time you read this, the Public Consultation on the future of schools in Purbeck will be under way, There is a meeting for parents staff and governors towards the end of this month and a public consultation meeting at the Mowlem, on 29th January which is open to everyone. The governors are considering the implications for St George's school . We believe it is an excellent school, committed to the education and welfare of the pupils and a vital part of our local community

NT NEWS
Some of you will know of our work to restore and maintain the dry stone walls in Langton and Worth Matravers. The most urgent wall repairs are those that prevent livestock straying on to roads or neighbouring land. When renewing boundaries we usually have three options: to fence, to dry stone wall or to remove the boundary altogether. Whilst fencing is the cheaper option a dry stone walls have a longer life and also support industries within the community as well as providing a habitat for wildlife. Boundaries of historical importance such as parish boundaries are also maintained.
This work highlights the conflict between preservation of a landscape and its conservation. When the productive life of a quarry ends the area is re-landscaped to turn it back to pasture. This in turn leads to new boundaries being put in or existing ones being replaced. Any new walls built will be designed to ensure the landscape is not adversely affected by the loss of important views. An example of this is along the Worth road where the new wall being built should have no adverse impact as much of it will be below the road level.
There is an opportunity to learn more about walling and south Purbeck by joining our Area Warden, Jonathan Kershaw, on a volunteer open day. On Saturday 31st January. Jonathan will be on hand to show people how dry stone wall are built from 11 - 3 o'clock. We will be meeting at Spyway Barn car park (at the end of Durnford Drove) and volunteers will need to bring lunch, strong shoes and steel toe-cap boots if they have them (some will be provided). Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. If you are interested then please call Rachel Rodman or email rachel.rodman@nationaltrust.org.uk
Many of you will have noticed that the scaffolding that has covered much of Corfe Castle over the last two years has been removed at last. If you visit the castle and look at the stone work carefully you will see just how much work has been done to ensure that castle remains safe and resists deterioration for a further 50 or so years. Being so exposed to the elements the structure gets quite a battering particularly where the core material in the walls has been exposed following its destruction in 1646.
Parts of the castle look slightly different now as some of the exposed core, particularly on the gatehouses and Keep have been covered with turf, much as it was in the 1950's and before. We hope that the turf acts as a 'soft capping' for the core material that will help absorb rain water rather than let it penetrate through the structure causing lime to leach through the joints of the finely worked ashlar. It will also help prevent the lime mortar from breaking up from frost action. The turf has also served to soften the appearance of the gatehouses so that they do not look so stark.
Unfortunately, work to the castle hasn't been put to bed and annual maintenance work will continue as part of a rolling programme. The urgent repairs that have just been completed cost a whopping £875,000 and we are very grateful to SITA who supported this conservation project to the tune of £250,000.
We have, of course, learned more about the castle whilst the work was underway when parts of the castle were so accessible. This includes a more about a decorative scheme in the Gloriette when fragments of painted plaster work were found and the exciting discovery of a carving of a pelican high in the Keep. These discoveries are being recorded and will, of course, be available in the future.
As always if there is an area of our work you are interested in that you would like to know more about then please contact me so I can include it in next months article Mandy Jarvis, CLV Manager.

PRAYERS ANSWERED FOR KAIROS OUTSIDE
We thank God for all who prayed for the Kairos Outside Weekend #12 in October. The Lord worked in wonderful ways in both the lives of the 8 Guests, and the team, some of whom were Kairos Outside graduates. One Guest said that her heart had been full of pain when she arrived but at the end of the Weekend it wasn't any more! The Lord used the Weekend to bring hope and love to the isolated and rejected, and prayer was instrumental in this. Thank you so much to all who prayed and signed a link of the Kairos Outside Prayer Chain.
Please remember all those affected by imprisonment this Christmas time. It is an extra hard time for them.
Praise God that one KO graduate came to the KO Reunion at the end of November, stood up and told those present that, since her Weekend in October, she had joined a church, was doing Alpha and, God willing, she will be baptised on 4 January 2009! Our God does wonders! Let's thank Him in our prayers. Pat Bloomfield

TRAIDCRAFT
We hope all of our customers, old and new, will have enjoyed the festive season and are now ready to re-stock their larders from the range of goods on the Traidcraft stall. We will be trading at St George's church before, between and after the morning services on January 4th.
We look forward to seeing you there. Happy New Year. Judith and Robert. Cochrane

SOLUTION TO BLACK SPOT PUZZLE.
Call the three contestants A ,B and C. Imagine you are A .
You open your eyes and see B and C both have black spots on their foreheads and they are standing up.
You stand up because you can see a black spot. in fact two black spots.
You say to yourself " if I had a white spot on my head, B and C would see my white spot and the other contestant standing up .We are all of equal intelligence so they would immediately know that they had a black spot. We are still looking at each other so I cannot have a white spot. I must have a black spot. Don Pratt

LETTER FROM ZIMBABWE SENT IN BY JOHN
I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn.
We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next. I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47s and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.
You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help - but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option.
I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us, that's all.

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
It's January again and could you please bring your Boxes to me at 110 High Street, Langton Matravers. I shall be very grateful. Thank you. Lena Smith

DONATION TO THE DUBBER
The Harman's Cross Village Hall Committee have very kindly given £50 towards the magazine's running costs. Many thanks. Editor

"THERE'S PROBABLY NO GOD, SO STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE"
This is the slogan The British Humanist Society are using on large bus adverts in London. It came to my attention again on a news item in one of BBC's Breakfast Programmes before Christmas. The piece was actually about the Church's advertising campaign in bus shelters promoting the story of Christmas, because the spokesman said, only 1 in 8 people know the story. It was this latter statement that shook me, so I did some checking and sure enough it was a misquote. In fact the majority of people do know the basics of the story but only I in 8 know it really well. Not quite so bad then.
There was also a lady from the Humanist Society on the programme, as balance, and during her interview this bus slogan was mentioned and shown. It prompted me to look at their website and that of the Secular Society. I have to say I was shocked at the tone of both sites. Of course they are entitled to say what they like, but it worries me that the Church should raise such ire amongst those supporters of these societies who corresponded with the sites. In fact I found it slightly scary. It is very unsettling to belong to an organisation which, from one's own personal experience, you know to be entirely benign and concerned for the good of all - certainly not just its own members - then to realise that it is seen in an entirely different and jaundiced light by others. Food for a lot of thought I would say.
As for the slogan, don't you think that it is worryingly out of date? Surely the problem is that too many of us did stop worrying and enjoyed our lives just a bit too much. Our total national debt stands at £4000 billion (three times our annual economic output), binge drinking threatens the livers of more and more young people, obesity similarly is assuming the category of a major health problem, just to mention a few of the things which bring unhappiness, where we British suddenly seem to excel. Much better, I would have thought, to hear a message that cuts back on the selfish and instead stresses the selfless. It might not shorten the crisis we are in but it will make it more bearable. Chris Meadows

A LETTER FROM HARMAN'S CROSS
It is clear to all villagers, and to the Harman's Cross Village Hall Committee, just how very valuable The Dubber is to the community.
Your clear concise reporting, your serious bits, and extremely useful "What's On" diary make the arrival of The Dubber a pleasure to which we all look forward.
It was agreed at the last Committee Meeting that we would like to express our appreciation for the role you play in village life., and that we would send you the enclosed small donation as an expression of our thanks and continued support.
Thank you to everyone who makes "The Dubber" such a successful little magazine. Richard Bullock, Chairman

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NEWS FROM
HARMAN'S CROSS

A MEMORABLE YEAR FOR HARMANS CROSS

Depending on when you receive your Dubber this message should arrive with our warm wishes for a happy festive season and a healthy New Year.
Whilst we all have our challenges in the years ahead we should like to express our thanks for the fantastic support that you have given us in 2008 and look forward to this continuing in 2009.
With your active participation, 2008 has witnessed some ground breaking activities for your Village Hall Team. Success with The Big Lottery grant for £256,000. A new residents club. A successful Field Day, contributing £9270 to New Hall funds. A great gymkhana. Connecting Dorset project starts surfing. The 'BUY A BRICK' campaign and new members for The Village Hall Team, especially young Betty, the third daughter for Viki and Gary Slack!
Here's to 2009 and our continuing success and good health together
Richard Bullock and Alan Stephenson for The Village Hall Team

COULD THIS (SEE PHOTO) BE THE START OF SOMETHING BIG?

As you may have read in the Press and, if you were at our AGM, we are still in need of more funding to finance the new build.
One of the terms of the Lottery Grant means we need to start by July next year and therefore a number of important activities need to be set in motion. We are in the process of applying for building regulations approval which is being managed by our professional advisors - architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyor - thus the need in November to dig a trial pit to determine soil samples. So the big hole IS the start of something big - our New Village Hall !
The photo shows team leader Roger Tucker and formidable JCB driver Terry Lucas, with architect Christine Taylor and structural engineer Roger Locke.

SURF'S UP IN HARMAN'S CROSS
After the Christmas break, why not come along and use our internet facilities to send all those festive "Thank You" messages to your friends and family both near and far?
As mentioned previously, the "Connecting Dorset" project based in the village hall aims to provide access to computer usage and the internet for the benefit of the local community. It is also part of the drive to improve the facilities offered by the village hall for local residents. The project is intended for people of all ages and is an ideal opportunity for those who might be thinking about getting a computer to have a go and see what's involved.
Going forward into 2009, the internet and computer access will be available at all of the regular coffee mornings with the first being on 17th January.
If you want to make notes in your diaries, coffee mornings are planned in February for the 7th and 28th.
In addition, the Harman's Cross computer club will start on Saturday 24th January for people to drop by anytime between 10.00am and midday. The computer club hopes to cater for those to whom the "world wide web" and computers in general are a mystery.
These sessions will cover topics such as basic computer skills, using email and searching the internet for areas of interest in a relaxed and supportive setting. We will tailor the activities of the computer club to meet the needs of those who come along.
The club will be run by volunteers from the village hall committee, who are by no means computer experts, so no one should feel nervous about attending.
Hopefully both the open access at coffee mornings and the computer club will prove popular with local people keen to use the internet, or learn some computer basics without the need to buy their own equipment. For further information please telephone Shaun Williams or Alan Stevenson.
Finally, thank you to Sylvester and Sue Smith, who have recently moved into the village and have very kindly donated some additional equipment to the cause. It is very much appreciated.

BUY A BRICK
The 'BUY A BRICK' initiative to raise funds towards Harmans Cross New Village Hall has now raised over £1400 with almost 300 bricks sold to our generous supporters. At this time of year this type of purchase could make an ideal gift for children/grandchildren, to commemorate an anniversary - or celebrate the start of a new year.
Single standard bricks can be purchased for £5 each while Gold bricks, equivalent to 5 standard bricks, are available at £25 each. All purchasers receive a certificate as a record of their support and are asked to complete a simple Gift Aid form. This enables the tax paid on the value of the donation to be recovered and thereby increase the value to the Village Hall.
The scheme allows supporters, if they so wish, to have their name recorded in the New Hall as a permanent record of their contribution. A number of individuals - some outside the village - have recently contributed significant sums for which we are very grateful.
Bricks can be purchased at all forthcoming events in the Village Hall or by contacting Martin Howell.

HARMAN'S CROSS ART GROUP
Many thanks to everyone for my Christmas gift which was given to me at our very enjoyable lunch at the Village Hall. It was lovely to see Brenda and I wish her and Mary and Sandra well for the New Year.
Sadly we have lost our dear friend Val Lloyd who passed away suddenly in November. We will miss her.
Wishing every one a happy New Year and we meet again on Tuesday 6th January. Judy Robson

WHAT HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS WANT
We are grateful to the large number of you who attended our Christmas Bazaar on 29 November and spoke to the two ladies from Dorset Community Action (DCA) to give your views on what equipment and facilities you would like to see at our new village hall and in the adjacent field. Many of you liked the idea of an all-weather running track and permanent outside gym equipment for all ages in the field.
This consultation followed on from the Harmans Cross Fun Day in October when many children and their parents took the opportunity to tell us what they wanted. Once DCA have analysed all your views and reported back to us, the Village Hall Management Committee will discuss how and when we can apply for grants to support the provision of suitable equipment. The building of the new hall will, of course, impact on when we can provide what villagers have asked for, but we will keep you informed of what is agreed and the likely timescales. Nigel & Jo Edmonds for Harmans Cross Village Hall Management Committee

HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS' CLUB

click here for more pics
On 19 December, over 40 members and guests filled the Village Hall for the Residents' Club's Christmas Evening. A free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie was on offer as a thank-you for helping to make the Club such a success.
Continuing our support of fund-raising for our new hall, we ran a bar at the Carol Concert on 12 December. We will also run a bar at the Swanage Railway Evening on 4 February and at the Grand Book Sale on 14 March (see accompanying articles in this month's Dubber) so do come along.
The Club now has 88 members and we welcome the four new residents who joined in December. If you are not yet a member and wish to join, please pick up a copy of the Club's rules and application form from the Residents' Club notice-board in the Village Hall, or from Nigel or Jo Edmonds.
We have just been awarded a grant of £900 from the Community Foundation for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole towards the cost of 6 bistro tables and 24 stackable chairs for use on Club nights and at other village hall events.
Make a note of the following Club Nights to start the New Year: 9, 16, 23 & 30 January; 27 February (when we celebrate our first anniversary) and 13, 20 and 27 March - all are Fridays from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
Nigel Edmonds Chairman of Harmans Cross Residents' Club Committee

HARMAN'S CROSS VILLAGE CLUB
On December 11 we held our Christmas Party for all members. We were entertained by Tommy Kenton with a smile, a song and a guitar! Home made mince pies, sandwiches, cheese biscuits, nibbles and mulled wine were served, followed by Christmas carols with everyone joining in. There were gifts from the lucky dip and everyone agreed that a good party was enjoyed by all.
Our AGM and the Village Club's birthday will be held on 22 January at 2pm. This is an opportunity to renew your subscription for next year and a full programme of events has already been planned. It would be more helpful if subscriptions could be paid on the day as this keeps everything running smoothly. Nick R Thomas will be our speaker again and promises to be just as hilarious as last year. We look forward to seeing everyone.
New committee members are needed for the coming year to bring in new ideas and replace existing members who are stepping down. A little commitment is required but there is a lot of fun to be had so please give this some consideration.
We would like to extended New Year greetings to everyone and hope for a peaceful and healthy New Year for all. Jane Rogers.

SWANAGE RAILWAY EVENING AT HARMANS CROSS
On Wednesday 4 February 2009 at 7.30pm we have a slide show and talk about Swanage Railway from Peter Foster, our Station Master. General Manager, Mick Dean, will also be here to give us an update on the Railway and its future developments, e.g. the extension to Wareham which so many residents are interested in. He will be happy to answer questions from the audience. There will also be a model railway display in the hall.
Tickets are available at £5.00, to include a ploughman's supper, from Nigel & Jo Edmonds. A bar will be available from 7.00pm and there will be a raffle on the night. After a contribution to the Swanage Railway Trust, profits will go to the new village hall fund, so this is a great way of supporting both these local organisations. Please phone now to order your ticket. Nigel Edmonds for Harmans Cross Village Hall Management Committee

HARMANS CROSS GRAND BOOK SALE
Saturday 14 March will see the biggest book sale that Harmans Cross has ever held. You'll have heard that the book stall at the Harmans Cross Field Day (August Bank Holiday Mondays) always has bargains galore - this will be even better! We estimate that there will be over 2,000 books of all types, shapes and sizes. ALL books will be on sale for just 20p each.
Everything must go as the old book store is to be demolished to make way for our New Village Hall - building is expected to start early summer.
The Grand Book Sale will open at 10.00am and close at 2.00pm (a four-hour bonanza). A licensed bar will be open from 10.30am until 2.00pm as bargain hunting can be very thirsty work! ALL proceeds, of course, will be going towards our new Village Hall. If you are keen on books, this something important to put in that new 2009 Diary.
Please note that we do not need donations of more books for this sale. Do keep them for our August Bank Holiday Book Stall at Field Day - more details nearer the time. Wishing all our Book Stall customers a happy and prosperous New Year - Keep Reading! Jo & Nigel Edmonds

MODEL RAILWAY GROUP

N gauge model of a Class 108 diesel at Harmans Cross Station

click here for more pics
About 40 people came to our meeting on 5th December. We had a Christmas card from Mike Loveless in Rhyl. He wrote the Wheel Meet Again article in the December Dubber. It is flattering to see that someone is prepared to travel 282 miles to come to our model railway group meetings.
In 00 gauge 1/76th scale Terry Jenkins had expanded his 00 gauge Severn Valley layout. Changes to the layout included an additional three sidings controlled by a three way point, some low relief buildings between the sidings and the backscene. There was a new church, a model of Highley signal box and a working junction signal. Colin and Rita Caddy from Weymouth exhibited Dyer's Wharf. Paul Mays had a model of Blandford station and a display of locomotives. There was a sales stand of Hornby items. There was also a display of 00 and 0 gauge 1/43rd scale LNER locomotives.
There was an HO (half 0 gauge) 1/87th scale model of a blue 0-6-0 diesel shunter shunting some trucks near a flyover.
Other layouts included St Leven and Hennoch in 3mm 1/100th scale.
I exhibited the late Vic Shaw's 4' x 9"N gauge 1/148th scale model of Harmans Cross station. I ran a class 108 dmu like the one that calls at the real station. The other N gauge layouts were Ankleton and Cinderford.
This year's meetings will be held on the following Fridays: 2nd Jan, 6th Feb, 6th Mar, 3rd April, 15th May, 5th Jun, 3rd July, 7th Aug, 11th Sep, 2nd Oct, 6th Nov & 4th Dec. Robin Brasher.

 

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NEWS FROM
LANGTON MATRAVERS

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NEWS FROM
WORTH MATRAVERS

WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL.
REPRESENTING THE VILLAGES OF WORTH MATRAVERS AND HARMANS CROSS.
The Clerk now has a new dedicated Parish Council telephone number. The "Carols on the Green", on the 17th. December, were enjoyed by over 60 people thanks to the good weather conditions. For a number of years this event was organised by Rob Clarke. No one seemed to know if he was wearing his Parish Council / Parochial Church Council or Village Hall hat, until it came to organising this years event. It transpires it was none of these hats, and for the last few years at least, Rob has made up the shortfall financially out of his own pocket. So thank you very much Rob. This years event was a joint effort but I am pleased to say the Village Hall Events Committee have agreed to take on the organisation from 2009. Mulled wine and mince pies were served in the Village Hall afterwards. A big thank you to the members of the Salvation Army Band and all those who helped in various ways. Thanks also to Justin Warren, who donated the Christmas tree this year.
It now looks as if we may get a plastic recycling bank installed at the entrance to HX car park, and another possible site is being investigated in WM.
There is a possibility that we could get some funding towards the cost of rebuilding the dry stone wall at West Burton Field, WM, from the Dorset AONB, but the work would have to be completed by 31st. March. If anyone would like to tender for the rebuiding of approx. 100 metres of wall, or could help on a voluntary basis, please contact the Clerk or myself as soon as possible. Cllrs, Burden, Wilson and myself met with Bill Davidson from PDC, to discuss the future maintenance of the toilets at WM car park. To cut down on costs we have suggested that we arrange local tradesmen to undertake any repairs as they arise, and invoice PDC. They have agreed to install hot water, soap dispensers and baby changing facilities. The Parish Council has recently paid for the internal redecoration and hope that the toilets will now be kept in better order. We have corresponded with several mobile phone companies, but none are interested in investing to provide coverage for WM.
We are interested to hear from anyone in the Parish, who has experienced problems when ordering goods over the phone or on the internet, being told that their address does not exist because the postcode and house name do not match up. There were no planning applications this month.
The next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 6th. January at 7.30pm. in WM Village Hall. A happy and peaceful New Year to everyone.
Joyce Meates. Chairman

WORTH COMMUNITY PROPERTY TRUST
Good news to report - but we are still not quite ready to start the community housing. It has been a very busy three months. On the positive side we have had a lot of support from Purbeck District council including a grant of £50,000. We have also been granted detailed planning permission for the development at Football Field. And many thanks to the continued support from the Parish community - including two large donations that are a great help in trying to complete our financial package. This support from the community is particularly important for us and helps us keep going when the barriers we face seem to keep getting higher.
In October we agreed to act as the national pilot community land trust. This was to establish funding procedures to allow Housing Corporation grant direct to communities. Despite lobbying and support from our District Councillors, MP and the Housing Minister, the civil servants in the Housing Corporation could only manage a response that they were 'not taking new organisations on to their funding list at the moment'. So it is back to the Minister to put pressure on the new Homes and Communities Agency that replaced the Housing Corporation on December 1st) and we hope to get the final funding piece of the jigsaw in place sometime in the new year. Our Board meetings will be at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at Worth village hall. All are welcome. Bob Kenyon

MOROCCAN EVENING
Worth Matravers Village Hall will be hosting a Moroccan evening on the 31st January at 7pm.
Lamb tagine with apricots and toasted almonds served on saffron cous cous followed by pears poached in spiced orange juice with caramel sauce will be followed by a general knowledge quiz on Morocco.
Bring your own wine and enjoy the Moroccan music and atmosphere with your friends.
Tickets are £10 per head and available from Derek and Chris Ralls at the Post Office Cottage Worth Matravers.

WORTH AFTERNOON CLUB
Tradition has it that our Christmas lunch is preceded by carols sung by the children of St George's School. This year they were as entertaining as ever and we all enjoyed it very much. Sophie and her team provided a very nice meal once again.
Our first meeting of 2009 will be on Wednesday 14th January at 2.30. There will be a short AGM followed by Viv Endecote's talk on Enid Blyton. Annual subscriptions are due and will be £6. Programmes are available for anyone who doesn't already have one. Dues for visitors are now £2 per session. Rachel Seaton

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NEWS FROM
KINGSTON

KINGSTON NEWS
It is sad that we start the New Year with the news of the passing of John Lock. He had been ill for a long time, but he carried on as though nothing was the matter. He was a very brave man who showed great courage. John was born in the house on the side of the hill on the way to Chapman's Pool and apart from a few years away, he lived in the village all his life. He had many jobs but his heart was in Kingston with Joyce and his family. I hope we shall be able to write more about his life later on. People came from far and wide to pay their respects to John. The church was full - a very moving occasion. After the service in church, the family went to the crematorium and returned to join friends in the Scott Arms for very generous refreshments. We are all thinking of Joyce and her family.
It often happens that as one soul leaves this world another comes in and we are cheered by the arrival of Jamie Hale at Farriers. He and mother were home in five hours and he weighed 10 pounds 10 ounces. Welcome Jamie!
On Thursday, 18th December there was a Carol Concert in St. James. It was given by the St George's School Choir, the Purbeck School String Quartet and the Isle of Purbeck Arts Club Choir. The music and the church complemented each other well. The church was warm and beautifully decorated. The young people performed extremely well and the adults were not bad either! It was great to be able to give the children the chance to perform in public outside their school environment. It was a lovely occasion.
St James has been busy. The next evening it hosted a village party. There was a good cross section of the village there and quite a lot of children. We could always do with more, but things are looking up. Unfortunately, the management committee was reduced from five to three as a result of a very virulent bug. I hope it did not show too much. The guests saved your correspondent from burning a hole in the mulled wine saucepan, but he is now paying the penalty and is scouring the pan. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
The Pembrokes are moving back to London, due to James's work commitments on the Oldie, but they will still be down most weekends and much of the holidays.
I am not best pleased with the editor, as I see that he now puts the name of the author under each article. My cover is blown! But maybe no one reads my piece in any case. George Pitman

MALACHI MONTMERENCY
Deep in the woods where no man goes/ In a far away clearing where nobody knows/ There's a place it appears that time has forgot/ A mysterious land of what I know not/ A wizard reside of considerable age/ Malachi Montmerency the wizened old sage.
His potions and cure stand in orderly rows/ A tincture for sneezing or warts on your nose/ Freckly foot fungus and up facing toes/ His magic's renowned wherever he goes/ He stands by his cauldron a mystical sight/ The chanting and ranting would give you a fright.
Into the depths he stirred as he threw/ Unearthly preponderables an odorous brew/ His ciphers and formulas synchronised to concur/ A concordant confection with each ritual stir/ Malachi Montmerency wanted to claim/ A perfect "Cure All", this was his aim.
No matter what ailment no matter what flaw/ His new medication would remedy all!/ He brushed off the dust from "Spells through the ages"/ His beady quick eye scanned the tattered worn pages/ With gnarly old hands he chose with delight/ An array of components, to mix and unite.
First into the brew went a whisker of shrew/ Some finely minced toenail of white kangaroo/ The tongue tips of wombat, and braised lizard tails/ Combined rather nicely with scolded fish scales/ Jellied mouse droppings and coddled frog spawn/ Chopped earlobe of gnat and powdered stink horn.
A measure of slime from freshly squeezed snails/ Marinade of rat's liver and kneecap of quail/ Six hairy black legs of rhinoceros flea/ Some well rotted gristle and eyelash of bee/ He swayed as the dirge reached an ear splitting wail/ The congealing suspension fumed a gut gripping smell.
On into the night the condessence was stirred/ A complex pastiche of corrective conserve/ This new found physic a concoction supreme/ To exult and empower this wizards esteem/ World shattering news of a potent new cure/ A one dose medicament, to heal and restore
Malachi Montmerency now exhausted and spent/ Shouts to the heavens in triumphant ascent/ A rolling of thunder a blinding of light/ Spellbinding magic bursts into the night/ Satisfied and content with his wizardly stew/ He transfers and decants this fine looking brew.
Into bottles with stoppers, to contain and preserve/ The "Magic Cure All", a unique single serve!/ So next time you are poorly or light in the head/ Don't give up the ghost and take to your bed/ When one degree under, remember there's hope/ This new medication will help you to cope.
Whether pretty to look at, or ugly a sin/ Slightly misshapen, gawky or thin/ Handsome and dapper, or clumsy and squat/ Even grumpy and grisly and covered in spots/ Really humongous, titchy or small/ There's Malachi Montmerency's famous cure all!
Ruth Lewis

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FROM THE RECTORY
Dear Friends,

I was hoping that the wise men might make it on to the front cover this month having seen
a drawing by one of the St George's school children for the Christmas card competition.
I always have sympathy for the wise men. It was such a long journey, they lost their way, went to the wrong place, arrived when the highlights of the celebrations were over, and everyone, angels and shepherds had all gone home. It wouldn't surprise me if they were late because they
were struggling to cope with the paraphanalia of small children, remembering several fraught journeys back to England to family weddings or funerals with our small children, always arriving after the bride.. or coffin had gone in and the doors were firmly shut. Perhaps that's why someone suggested, heaven forbid, that I have a sat nav for Christmas, but that's another story.
Of course, arrive they did ...thanks to the brightness of one star ...a salutary reminder to all of us that we can often find a way forward by looking up from our maps and our attempts to organise ourselves and systematise and control the world around us ..., to look outside our of ourselves, at what is greater, the wonders of the world around us, which in their own way point to the glory of the creator ... "the heavens declare the glory of God "....as the old psalm says.....
And having looked up, they then looked down, and with the wisdom of the truly wise found God in the eyes of a young child, a young child who later taught us to see him, and serve him in the poor, the homeless and the hungry.
If faith is learning to see Christ in others, then perhaps the front cover, with its photo of the willing band of good humoured Dubber helpers was an even better choice with which to start the year, than the wise men. I am always impressed by the way the Dubber reaches me, thank to the quiet often invisible efforts and cooperation of so many people all around me. It's a good thing to live
and work in a place where there is so much caring, friendly helpfulness.... a gift which augurs well for not just for 2009, but for many years to come ....
With best wishes for a joyful and peaceful 2009

Best wishes

Judith
Judith Malins Priest in charge, Kingston, Langton Matravers, and Worth Matravers.