FROM THE EDITOR
A few weeks ago, Joyce Meates suggested that The Dubber should, once again, contain a section for Births, Marriages and Deaths within the Parishes. I think this would be a useful service and would also like to include Baptisms, Obituaries and Thanks in the section as The Dubber receives a few each month and it would be better if there were a specified area to place them in.
With this in mind, I have been trying to think up a suitable catch-all title for the section. 'Ave atque Vale' seemed a bit pretentious for a parish magazine and 'The Quick and the Dead' was a little too brutal... Regrettably, although I love Shakespeare, I had to dismiss 'To be or not to be' for the same reason! Sadly, there are just not enough vowels for a decent acronym and so, at this moment in time, I am still thinking... any suggestions would be gratefully received. (It will go out under a working title this issue.) Unfortunately, I do not have the time to trawl the parish registers and must rely, as usual, on interested parties to send me the relevant information each month.

Angela Bell

PS Thank's to Liz Parsons who stood in for Chris Meadows last month and spent a sunny Bank Holiday Monday in the vestry printing the June issue and thanks also to Owen Bryant for this month's cover design.

LETTER FROM THE RECTORY
July 2009

Dear Friends

June was walking time... with three pilgrimages and a parish walk. Some of us travelled out to the chapel, where the Bishop commemorated St Aldhelm who walked about these parts 1300 years ago, telling stories and singing about the Christian faith.
The children from St George's school walked as pilgrims through the village, singing and hearing some of the same stories, and some new ones, bringing their prayers to St George's church and being splashed by the Bishop with water from the font. If you have time, call in at church and read some of the children's prayers... They are simple and heartfelt, worthy to be prayed and beautifully presented.
And some of us were pilgrims at home... on a journey of discovery, just spending time each day being open to God. By home, I mean locally, not literally at home.
As we adjust to the demands of being dog owners, some of my praying time is with my new companion. Walking with a companion is something Rose and I have to learn. As we 'walk' together in the early morning up towards Dancing Ledge, she is at first nervous, turning round and looking back...then she becomes absorbed, repeatedly stopping to examine a particular blade of grass which takes her fancy... then she sits and refuses to budge, while she sniffs at the wind, or has a scratch... when we are overtaken by a jogger, she follows enthusiastically at a trot for a while...but she doesn't get up a full speed until we turn round and head for home.
Praying, like walking, has to be practised if it is to keep us fit. My prayer is often diverted by distractions. Even the smallest leaf or insect can speak to us of the wonder of creation but being too preoccupied with small concerns can stop us seeing the bigger picture... exploring new paths, seeing the wonder of the view from the top of the hill. Fellow joggers can give us encouragement. We enjoy the journey but the real joy comes as we head for home; the place where we feel truly Safe... where words aren't needed and we can just be and know we are loved.
And July? Fêtes, cream teas, ploughman's lunch, parish picnic, school holidays....lots to do and people to see.

Have a good time

Judith Malins
Priest in charge
Kingston, Langton Matravers, & Worth Matravers

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GENERAL NEWS

IN THE STEPS OF ST ALDHELM
The children at St George's School completed their own 'pilgrimage' in early June when they walked from the school, with various stops for prayers, stories and hymns, to St George's Church to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the death of St Aldhelm, the patron saint of Wessex.
The children, dressed in pilgrim's garb (sandals and cloaks), were led by The Revd Judith and The Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe. When they arrived at the Church, the children presented Revd Judith with a prayer book that they had written and decorated themselves and were then 'rebaptised' by Bishop David who led them to the font then sprayed them with water using a bough of Rosemary... much to the children's great delight. The prayer book is on view at St George's Church and is well worth inspection. Angela Bell

GOOD NEWS
We often read in our daily newspapers about the decline in church membership so I thought I would share with you the good news from St George's.
Each year we have to carry out a survey of our members attendance during a five week period in April/May to establish the Parish Share, which is the amount our church pays to the Salisbury Diocese for the upkeep of church organisation in the Diocese. Anyone aged 18 or over who has our church as the main place of worship and who has attended at least once during the time of the count is noted. Anyone who attends more than once during the five week period only counts as one member. Visitors are not included.
This year our membership totalled 81 which compared to 69 in 2008 and 62 in 2007. The comparison of this year against 2008 shows that our church membership has increased by 17.4% ! Thanks be to God. Don Pratt

CHRISTIAN AID RESULTS
The Coffee Morning of 9 May was an enjoyable sociable time. Despite what I hoped was better advertising, I think numbers were very much the same as they have been the last few years. However, we raised a good total of £477. It is very much a team effort and I don't wish to name individuals but special thanks to the ladies who baked some wonderful goodies and raised lots of plants for sale.
This was the first year we abandoned the house to house collection, relying on envelopes distributed through The Dubber to be voluntarily filled and returned to collecting points. I was amazed when the treasurer and I did the count at your generosity. THANK YOU to all of you who returned an envelope. Including one particularly generous cheque, the collection totalled £1095, which when we add on the Gift Aid due will rise to £1350. Therefore with the coffee morning monies a total of £1827 has been sent to Christian Aid. THANK YOU. Becca Charron

CREAM TEAS & MUSIC
During Sunday afternoons in August, we will again be serving delicious cream teas with musical entertainment at St George's Church, Langton. On Sunday 2 August, there will also be special flower arrangements and at 5pm an informal Songs of Praise. Please bring your friends. Cream teas, cakes etc served between 3 & 5 pm. All proceeds go to the friends of St George's Church. If anyone can offer help, baking scones and cakes or serving on any one of these dates 2, 9, 16 & 23 August, contact Helen Knight.

DORSET CC ELECTION RESULTS
The election results were as follows:
Mike Lovell (Conservative) 1605
Beryl Ezzard (Lib Dem) 895
Leigh Van der Zande (Lab) 183
Mike Lovell and his team would like to thank all those who voted at the Election on 4 June. For Mike's help with any local matter please phone. Anne Beard

LIVING LIGHTLY WITH A ROCHA
What gives you the most amount of pleasure in life? Maybe it's playing with your kids, watching the hum of city streets, planting some seeds, creating something in your workshop, walking with God in the fields, seeing a friend step closer to Jesus.
Whatever those things are, they are likely to be based on the relationships we have; the relationships with God, with other people and with the natural world around us. Yet, too often, get distracted by worldly matters and don't have time to spend on those relationships that matter, including our relationship with the rest of creation.
Living Lightly is a new website from A Rocha that is designed to help us live more lightly in God's world through every area of our lives, from our own day-to-day choices through to campaigning and what happens in our churches and workplaces. Living Lightly will give you ideas of things you can do, further information on key issues, links to useful website and resources and an on-line community that you can share your thoughts and questions with.
So do have a look at www.arocha.org.uk/livinglightly and see what you can do to live lightly in this world. Beverly Evans

PURBECK COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
The Purbeck Community Partnership is holding its annual open meeting at Purbeck School on 4 July from 9.30am-1pm. As well as looking at the progress made by some of the projects and the opportunity to talk to some of the groups who have received funding through the partnership, the new Community Plan will be launched.
The Community Plan addresses important issues identified by the Purbeck community as priorities for action. These priorities fall into seven main areas: Accessibility, Community Safety, Housing for All, Healthy Living, Local Prosperity, Environment, Strong & Active Communities.
"We have been delighted in the number of people who have contributed to the new plan", said Brian Bleese, Chair of the Partnership. "We hope many will get involved in helping to improve the quality of life in Purbeck."
In the past year the partnership has funded a wide range of projects. Anyone wishing to find out details of the new Community Plan and help develop the action plans is welcome to come along to the meeting. To book phone Michelle Warren or Sue Bellamy.

DIOCESAN CERTIFICATE IN CHURCH MUSIC
There will be a new intake of students in September 2009 for a two-year part-time course in Church Music.
No formal qualifications are needed and tutor groups meet monthly at convenient Diocesan locations.
This is a study course for all interested in using music in worship. Topics include the role of music in worship, liturgy, repertoire, use of instruments, singing, playing, composing, worship planning, using technology, alternative worship, worship songs, connecting school with church. Cost: £210. Further details at www.churchmusictraining.com or email fieldings4@btopenworld.com

THOUGHT OF VOLUNTEERING LOCALLY?
Due to the sheer scale of voluntary work in Purbeck, The Volunteer Centre Dorset has secured funding to employ a Purbeck Outreach Worker to develop local volunteer opportunities and support all local groups/organisations that use volunteers.
Aside from the obvious volunteering opportunities that help to preserve the famous Purbeck landscape and wildlife there is a wealth of both smaller community and national organisations that are dedicated to improving the lives of those that live in your area.
I have been busy trying to establish exactly where all the volunteering opportunities are in Purbeck and since the beginning of the year I have managed to compile a very impressive list. However we are now in a position where we have more volunteering opportunities than actual volunteers. Commitment is often a barrier to volunteering, however we have such a variety of opportunities that range from helping out regularly to those that just ask for a once a month commitment. So if you have ever thought of volunteering locally but where not sure where to start, from bugs to steam trains, there is something for everyone in Purbeck!
I visit Upton, Wareham, Wool and Swanage Libraries each week, so call me below to find out where I will be and come along and see what's available.
Likewise if you are part of a group that would like help recruiting/retaining volunteers contact Emma Stephens or purbeckvolunteering@googlemail.com

ZIMBABWE
Early in 2008, Bruno, myself and our son Max visited Zimbabwe. This sad, beautiful country made such an impact that Bruno and I returned for a month last September. We are planning another month there this September. Whilst there, we met a fundraising group based in Bulawayo which we have since been supporting and we have decided to do a fundraiser to raise some more money for destitute pensioners. So there will be Drinks and Canapés in the Garden, Dairy Cottage, Knitson from 6-8pm on Friday, 24 July. Tickets £10 in advance (limited). Please contact us for more information, as space is limited places are on a first come first served basis! Becca Charron becca@woodstudio.co.uk

WHERE AM I IN PURBECK?
This looks a bit like a swampy everglade where alligators might lurk but it is much closer to home and it is good to walk through even in the middle of winter, which was when I took this photograph.
Last month's photograph was of the circular arch in Mark and Rachel Helfer's garden at Knitson Old Farm. The garden is open to the public from time to time so look out for notices and details in The Dubber. Last month I organised a walk from St George's to the garden for a cream tea, which was very enjoyable. We had one small hitch on the way, just as we were about to enter West Wood, our way was blocked by a cow which was suckling a calf on a narrow bit of the path. So we thought it would be prudent to find an alternative route! That done, we had a most enjoyable stroll through the wood, past Wilkswood Farm, then over the hills to Knitson. There Rachel and her friend Connie welcomed us with pots of thirst quenching tea and tables laid out in her lovely garden. If you haven't seen it, do try to go this summer when it is open, it is everything you think of when you hear the words 'English country garden.'
The final treat was to meet her eight two day old ducklings. Thanks to Rachel in particular and all those who came on the walk, we raised £80 for St George's funds. Chris Meadows

CORFE COMMON MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The annual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15 July at 7pm at The National Trust Tea Rooms. At this meeting, the annual election will take place for two Graziers' Representatives and two Village Representatives.
Anyone willing to take these unpaid but essential positions should give their name to the Secretary, Barry Wilson, or write to David Hodd at the NT office.

INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Members of Purbeck District Council have agreed to withdraw the Transport Infrastructure Development contributions, chargeable for residential extensions, to improve roads in Purbeck.
The Policy required contributions from all development, including residential extensions, towards improving the transport network in Purbeck. Improvements are needed to help reduce congestion on Purbeck's roads.
However, although it has been agreed that whilst building a single bedroom has the potential to contribute to traffic congestion in the district, people have struggled financially when extending their homes.
The policy has been changed and contributions will no longer be sought from applications for residential extensions which have the capacity to be a bedroom. Alternative ways of funding the transport infrastructure will be explored.
Mark Sturgess, Head of Planning

A TASTE OF THE FUTURE
As I get older some tastes bring back strong memories. Take whelks for example, I will always buy a cup of whelks from Jeff Lander at the Purbeck Products market, because it reminds me of the first date I had with my wife. "Try these," said she. "Yeuck, " said I, but tried them all the same with a bit of mayonnaise and a glass of white wine sitting on the walls of St Malo in the evening sun. They are delicious, a sweet taste of the sea and I had fallen in love.
In these days of bland food, fast food, fat food, it is seldom that I find chicken that reminds me of those Sunday lunches at home, roast chicken, roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and horrid sisters. I can remember going with my mother into the depths of Purbeck to buy 25 prepared chickens that she put in the deep freeze. These were slow-grown chickens that lived outside. These were birds with taste, grown without the use of growth promoters or antibiotic laced food. Not like today's tasteless fowls from Thailand. Isn't it wonderful that we can again find chicken that taste this good grown in Purbeck by Andrew and Claire Head at Rempstone Farm?
My mother used to feed the six of us, the odd (in my case, very odd) grandmother and a few mad aunts on one chicken. If we were hungry, she would pile up our plates with vegetables grown in the garden. And those vegetables tasted good, we even ate cabbage. You can find vegetables like this in Purbeck, grown by the Ian and Karen Welsh in Church Knowle. They grow carrots that taste of carrots, potatoes that roast, sprouting broccoli that my children will eat. Not a spray in sight, "God did not put me on this earth to weed!" says Karen standing up and stretching her back. "Yes He did, so get on with it! 'comes Ian's voice from within the sugar snap peas. Info at purbeckproducts.co.uk Christopher Lees

IMPROVE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS
If you want to know the difference good listening can make, try this simple exercise. Think of an occasion when you had something important to say and the person you were talking to didn't listen properly. Spend a couple of minutes thinking how you felt. Then think of another time when someone listened properly to what you were saying. How did you feel on that occasion?
Good listening skills are worth developing. If you want to improve yours, we are running a basic Learning to Listen course at the Christian Centre on Saturdays 19 September and 10 October 10am-4pm. Call in at the Centre or see your Churches Together representative for more information. Anne Squires

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NEWS FROM
WORTH MATRAVERS

COFFEE ON THE GREEN MAY BANK HOLIDAYClick here for lots more pics
Despite an early scare which caused some last minute rearranging, we were blessed with much better weather this year. Having put up the marquee on the green on Sunday following an encouraging weather forecast, the early morning rain and a very poor forecast on the Monday created some panic and maybe kept some potential visitors at home. I noticed on Southern TV that Bournemouth Council were considering action against the Met Office, claiming that their forecast had cost the town visitors and about £1m in revenue. I'm not sure we lost quite that much but our visitor numbers were definitely down.
Nevertheless, at a little before 10 o'clock, the bric-a-brac and toy stalls started doing business; that special aroma was drifting across the green from the bacon butties and the tombola and raffle were ready for business. Children and adults alike were testing their skill on 'kill the rat' and 'the ladder game' and it seems that the younger you are the better; the more creative were having their faces painted to make them look even more beautiful. The cake and produce stalls were set up in the 'dry' in the main hall together with the book stall which was being run this year by the new Worth Book Club. The paintings and art by local artists were beautifully laid out upstairs and teas and coffees were doing a brisk trade from the Village Hall kitchen and being supped in the comfort of the Committee Room. Outside in the hall garden there was an even more impressive display of plants this year and their even larger team was very busy yet again.
This year we also had a fascinating exhibition of 'wood turning' on the London Row triangle by Toby Hoad and horse and cart rides by none other than Kelly Osborne. The horse had already pulled the cart up Kingston Hill from Corfe so had to get its breath back before starting.
The end result of all our efforts was 'a good time had by all' and following the amazing 'honesty-box' sales of plants from the Village Hall garden and the Bus Shelter in the week after the event and despite fewer visitors and our stalls being split over two sites, we are only £22 down on last year at £1,873, with plant sales coming in at a fantastic £502 - an excellent result for the village hall. The Management Committee would like to thank everybody for making it such a success; the stallholders and working parties for the energy and enthusiasm they put in before, during and after the event and of course the visitors who came despite the off-putting weather forecast to make the all those efforts worthwhile. The stalls and the car park all ran with teams of people organised by the main stallholders and we couldn't possibly run the event without all your help, thank you. We would also like to thank all those who contributed to the stalls, the amazing display of plants all donated by locals and potted up and looked after by Sheila and her team in pots supplied by helpful villagers. There were even more generous contributions this year to the ever popular homemade cakes and produce stall, as there was of bric-a-brac and a superb display of toys gathered together by the Mayo family. Thank you also to Tarmac and all who supplied prizes for the raffle and tombola. Everybody likes to win something on one of these games of chance it seems. We look forward to a re-branded and even more substantial event next year. To see some first-rate pictures of this year's event go to www.thedubber.co.uk Jack Ross

PAM'S PERCH
Click here for lots more pics

A very big thank you to Heather for organising 'my seat', to Jonathan and his merry men from the National Trust for installing it and all my kind friends who contributed to it. It is now in place at the back of East Man enjoying wonderful views of the hills and the sea. Bless this seat and all who sit on her. To see some pictures of the 'installation' go to www.thedubber.co.uk Pam Bayley

WORTH CARIBBEAN EVENING
Following a very successful Moroccan evening at the end of January don't miss out on our follow up Caribbean Night. Come and enjoy the flavour of the islands with a West Indian buffet created again by Karla who produced such splendid creations of Moroccan food. And for your entertainment you can get in the mood with a live Samba Band - and even get up and dance to it. Dig out all your colourful clobber and come along from 7-11pm, inside and if weather allows, outside Worth Village Hall on Saturday the 11 July. Tickets (£15) are available from Post Office Cottage. Please bring your own wine or other beverages.

WORTH MATRAVERS EMAIL GROUP
The members of the Worth Village Hall Events Committee are concerned that information about our fabulous events is not always reaching everybody living in the village or indeed the second homeowners. We have produced an Events Calendar that has gone into every home in the village which we hope you are keeping clearly displayed but as part of our efforts we have committed to create an email group exclusively to let folk know about Worth events. The list will not be used for any other purpose but in this electronic age, in addition to The Dubber, it will form a very useful vehicle for keeping you informed of what's going on in Worth, whether you live here permanently or visit us from time to time. We have a trusty band of 'collectors' going around the village gathering email addresses so please be nice to them when they call, or, if you would like to be included, together with any members of your family or friends, you can send your email address to jackmatravers@btinternet.com

WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL
Representing the villages of Worth Matravers and Harmans Cross
The saying 'It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know' has certainly been proved to be correct in WM. A new resident knows the Chairman of BT personally and thanks to the letter of objection he sent, as well as one from Lord Phillips, the telecommunication pole erected at London Row, is to be taken down as soon as possible and the cables put underground.
At the June meeting, Mick Dean, General Manager of Swanage Railway, gave an update on the progress they are making. Because of an increase in visitor numbers, extra trains are being run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is still no firm date for a regular service to Wareham.
A Swanage Hopper bus, supported by Swanage Area Senior Forum, began in April with a six months pilot scheme, running a mini bus on Tuesdays to the town centre and Swanage Market, between 11am and 3pm and costs £3 for a return journey. The bus is available to residents of both WM and HX and to register, or for more information, phone between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, or correspond with Dorset Passenger Transport, Environment Dept, Dorset County Council, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. It is hoped that if there is enough need, the service could be extended to Corfe, Wareham and Poole and if funding is obtained, then bus passes could be used. I have had a meeting with the new Purbeck Area Routine Maintenance Technician from DCC, to try and progress outstanding maintenance issues in both WM and HX. They are to sort out the drainage problem to the south of the bridge in Haycrafts Lane as soon as possible and will work through the other items on the list.
The Police and Traffic Wardens are to carry out more patrols to WM to deal with illegally parked vehicles, particularly by the Square and Compass.
We have just learnt of a planned illegal rave in the Winspit area on the 20 June. The police picked up the information on the internet and hopefully will be able to prevent the event taking place. Residents were asked to be observant and report anything suspicious to the police. The internal audit has taken place and found to be in order and the paperwork has been sent to the appointed external auditors.
Planning applications this month
o Sunnyhayes, Haycrafts Lane, HX. Conversion of double garage and store with office over, to garage and lounge with bedroom and bathroom over.
o The Parish Council had no objection provided the suggested condition was imposed, to return the building to its original use once the current need no longer exists.
o Flower Meadow, Haycrafts Lane, HX. Amended house types to plots 7-14 inclusive, of residential development currently under construction. The size of the garages is to be increased slightly and the internal layout changed. The measurements were checked and the PC had no objection.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 July at 7.30pm in WM Village Hall. Joyce Meates, Chairman

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NEWS FROM
KINGSTON

Oh dear! What have we done wrong in Kingston? Two wet fêtes and a wet Open Gardens Day. Is it significant that there is a stained glass window in the church of Noah holding his ark? Surely our luck must change? If only to cheer up poor Peter Buckle who is very depressed at the thought of the Fête He is not getting a lot of support and for that reason we are repeating his plea for help from last month. Come on everyone, cheer up Peter!
We were up against it on 7 June. It rained and we were in competition with Harmans Cross. They had organised a bus to take people round their 26 gardens over a period of two days. Our aces were a Town Crier who did good work in Swanage the day before and in the village on the day; his red coat cheered up a dull day. The Church Tower was a bonus, but views were not too good on the day. However, it is no good whinging. We did make a profit of £728. And that will be split 50/50 between Cancare and the Church. The breakdown was as follows: Entrances £360, refreshments £281, tower £66, plants £70, expenses £49.
In the end it was not too bad a day and the people who visited the gardens were particularly kind and complimentary.
We await the outcome of the Calendar Project. The PCC is to discuss it on 22 June. The organisers have received a number of photographs, but more are needed. Please pass them to Terry Hardy at Badgers, South Street or Robin Stringer at 5, The Lane.
There will be a concert in St James on Saturday, 11 July at 7.30pm. It will be quite light hearted. A small group from the Dorset Police Male Voice choir will be singing close harmony interspersed with pieces by the Purbeck Brass. It won't matter if it rains or shines, you will come away with a smile on your face. George Pitman

THANKS...
A big thank you to everyone who opened their gardens, rang bells or provided refreshments for Kinston open day. And thanks to Joyce Lock, the Buckles and Sue Ireland for organising it. Judith, Priest in charge

...AND MORE THANKS
We should like to thank Joyce Lock in particular, who was a great inspiration and all those who sold tickets, put up signs, supplied and served refreshments, organised the Tower, the Town Crier and especially those people who opened their gardens. Sue Ireland & Peter Buckle

ST JAMES CHURCH FÊTE
The Church Fête on Saturday 15 August would still be most grateful for items for the following Stalls. We should also be most grateful for volunteers to help on the day. If you are willing to help us, contact Peter Buckle. We need volunteers to help us set up the fête site and dismantle at the end of the day. Also volunteers to work with us during the afternoon. Stalls: Books (Honor Vass; Bottles (Angela Lardner); Bric-a-brac (Liz Watson); Cakes (collection point 16,West Street or you can take cakes to the Church on the morning of the fête); Plants (Joyce Lock); Tombola-Sue Ireland; Toys (Fiona Wake-Walker); Good Quality Clothes & Raffle. If you would like items collected, contact Sue Ireland . Peter Buckle can arrange for storage of donated items. Peter Buckle

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NEWS FROM
HARMAN'S CROSS

HARMANS CROSS VILLAGE CLUB
The Village Club is once again organising the refreshments at Field Day on Bank Holiday Monday, 24 August. Donations of sandwich fillings and home-made cakes will be greatly appreciated.
We raised over £1000 towards the new village hall last year and we hope to do the same this year. In addition, we need help at the Hall on the day, making and packing sandwiches from 9am. We are also seeking help for two hour slots between 11am until 5pm, serving, washing up and clearing tables. Please telephone Mary or Sue. It is fun and hard work and the proceeds will help the new village hall. We have contributed towards the funds for building the new hall and look forward eagerly to see it come to fruition.
Thanks to all the members of the Village Hall Management Committee and their team for their contribution to the success of this project.
Coach Trip
The weather stayed fine for the trip to Lacock village and the coach was full. Lacock village and Abbey is a picturesque NT property. Several films and television programmes have been filmed there. (The best known being Pride and Prejudice and scenes for the Harry Potter film, The Philosopher's Stone). A good day out much enjoyed by all.
In June, Amy Brenan, valuer and auctioneer, gave an interesting and humorous talk relaying her experiences. Items were brought for valuation and discussion. All donations went to 'Wessex Heartbeat'.
On 9 July, weather permitting, we will meet at Burlington Beach Swanage at 3pm for a picnic and beach games. Bring your own food and drink and chairs to sit on.
Mary Fisher & Jane Rogers

NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PLANS
Another reminder that you can come and look at various plans for the new playground equipment at the Village Hall. We now need you to tell us whether these show the sort of equipment you said you wanted for the village.
The Residents' Club and Dorset Community Action (DCA) are holding a consultation event at the Village Hall Coffee Morning on Saturday 18 July from 9.30am to 12pm. Following this, there will be a fun event for young people and their parents from 2-3.30pm at the hall and in the field. As with the October Fun Day, the 'Play Doctor' will be there and there will be games and activities on the field. For further details see the flyer enclosed with Harmans Cross editions of The Dubber. Nigel Edmonds,VH Management Committee

HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS' CLUB
The Club held its first 'Call My Own Bluff' quiz on 29 May; it was devised and presented by Treasurer, David Hollister, and Vice Chairman, Keith Fisher. Members of the winning team, Lerida & Brian Arnold and Jo & Nigel Edmonds, won a bottle of wine and a £5 bar voucher. Our next Quiz Night is due to be held on Friday 25 September - please watch The Dubber for more details.
The next few Club Nights at the village hall - always on Fridays and with the licensed bar open from 7.30-10.30pm are: 10, 24 & 31 July and 14, 21 & 28 August. (Just to remind you that the 17 July date shown on membership cards has been cancelled.) Nigel Edmonds, Chairman

HARMANS CROSS FUN RUN
On a sunny - some may say a too hot Sunday! Twenty eight runners from Purbeck and Poole competed in the first Village Hall organised Fun Run, contributing £168 to the New Village Hall Fund.
Villagers managed refreshments and drinks for the runners, marshalled the two courses, manned a first aid post and dispensed much appreciated water on the way round.
Winners of the long course of five miles, were Hannah Towner and John Towner. The three-mile short course was won by Barbara Murray and Tim Seymour. Barry Cullimore, secretary of the newly formed Purbeck Runners, is confident that the 'buzz that was created on the day will be a positive that can be built upon in the future'.
Thanks to all participants and also the Spar at Harmans Cross and Threshers at Swanage who donated the prizes, Sign Images (Banner), St Michael's Garage and Ben Bowerman of Godlingston Manor, who provided water and 'provisions' as well as Judith Harsent for the cakes.
Barry Cullimore &Alan Stephenson

NEW VILLAGE HALL IS NOW 'GO'
The hard work and money raising has been successful and we now have sufficient funds to start building the New HXVH.
The Big Lottery has recently approved Stepnell Ltd, a National builder with a local office in Hamworthy, as the contractor, who will start building work on the 6 July. The New Hall will be ready in May 2010.
We thank our supporters in particular: The Big Lottery Fund, Dorset County Council, Purbeck District Council, Talbot Village Trust, Viridor Credits, Garfield Weston Trust, Worth Matravers Parish Council and last, but not least, our community. Without them all our New Hall would not have become a reality!
Thanks also to The Bournemouth Echo, The Purbeck Gazette, Swanage Advertiser, Corfe Valley News and The Dubber in Purbeck for helping to promote our cause
We need to raise further funds for the interior of the hall to be finished to a high standard. So please don't stop raising money! Roger Tucker

HARMANS CROSS VILLAGE HALL 1949-2009
This newly published book is a 'must read' book for anyone who is interested in the beautiful hamlets and villages of Dorset; especially, those connected with this centre of the Harmans Cross Community.
Painstakingly researched and easy to read, this book provides interesting reading and is a ready reference for the 50 years since the hall was first ambitiously conceived in 1949.
Richard Bullock, Chairman of The Village Hall Management Committee, has written the introduction and additional material has been supplied by many local people. HXVH is a fascinating record of all the people involved in the development of a vital centre of the community.
Well illustrated with old maps and 'posters of the day', there are also some amusing memoranda and notes of purchases for the original pieces of land on which to build. Even as long ago as 1952, there was an active Field Day.
The later pages cover the efforts of a small group of committee members supported by the locals to raise funds for a new Village Hall. The book costs £4.50 and can be obtained from New and Secondhand Books in Station Road, Swanage or Roger Free
A book review by Alan Stephenson

FIELD DAY PLANS RECEIVE A BOOST
There will be fun for all the family on August Bank Holiday Monday. In addition to activities which include many Craft Displays as well as Plant and Cake Stalls, all the old favourites are at the Fair- coconut shy, darts, hoopla, swings and roundabouts. The children's games and rides will be strengthened by a fun display involving local Swanage volunteers from the RNLI. As usual, there will be a huge Tombola, with ice cream, teas and snacks, served in the Village Hall. (See photo on web site )
There will be a Grand Raffle with a whopping £100 prize and the Horse Show and Gymkhana will be as prominent as ever - as will the Flower and Produce Show. People can listen to The Wessex Military Band and enjoy the hot dogs, burgers and sausages and real ale on offer.
This year's event starts at 12 noon, but the Gymkhana starts at 9am. The Flower and Produce Show starts at 2pm. (See flyer for details.)
Although there is ample parking adjacent to the Field Day activities, visitors are being encouraged to use the train. On showing a valid ticket, the organisers will be offering half price entry. David Hollister who manages the event, is on the look-out for volunteers.

OPEN GARDENS
Click here for more pics

An indifferent weekend's weather did not deter many people from enjoying the 25 gardens that opened at Harmans Cross, over the two days in support of the new Village Hall Appeal. About 320 visitors turned up over the weekend and many took advantage of the ticket terms which enabled them to come back free of charge on the second day.
The organisers were delighted with the £2,050 raised. Enormous quantities of home baked items meant the tea venues raised close to £450. Jill Salter and Jenny Porter and helpers received many plaudits.
Many gardens also ran their own extra events; Lawrence Borrows, Peggy Lees, Roger Free and Alan Porter collected over £200 with plants and there were contributions from David Robert's 50/50 yard sale, Derek Hyde's miniature train rides and the Vineyard's wine tasting. For many the highlight was Bob and Cathy Curtiss's 'Teddy Bears' Garden Party'. The Champagne Treasure hunt was won by Peter Holyland from Leicester. The event was sponsored by Link Rider Coaches, who kindly donated £250 to the New Hall 'Buy a Brick Fund' in the name of the Trophy winner Peter Holyland.
The Village Hall Management would like to thank participants and contributors who helped to make the weekend a financial success. Hugh Salter

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NEWS FROM
LANGTON MATRAVERS

CHURCH FLOWERS
Many thanks to Mr Samways, for supplying the beautiful hanging baskets to the church. Judith, Priest in charge

FAMILY FUN AT ST GEORGE'S FÊTE
Please come and support our Church Fête (details p5). New this year spinning and stone carving also decorate a mask - masks supplied but you can bring your own decorations to add to the ones available… then a chance to enter the masked parade and win a prize! Also new is 'Guess the weight of Freddie the Fish' and for the golf enthusiast a putting game! There are the regular attractions... Swanage Town Band, Square & Compass, lunches, stalls & games. So support us on Saturday 11 July 12-4pm. Further details from Becca Charron or Di Cook.

LANGTON VILLAGE FAIR
The weather was kind and we all enjoyed a super day with lots of lovely craft stalls, displays and games. Thanks to St George's School Maypole Dancers, Wutan school of Tai Chi for their displays and to all parents, friends and supporters for their help on the day.
The traditional evening event this year was 'Facebooked' (NOT by the organisers I hasten to add!) that resulted in a big increase in young people from all over the county - you could say a mini Rave! This, as you can imagine, caught us by surprise. In 20 years of organising this event, nothing like this had happened before.
We did our best, aided by the local police, to contain the youngsters and there were no major problems except for the odd over indulgence which I can honestly say was not down to our bar as we have a stringent policy of asking to see ID. Most of the young people were polite and responded willingly to requests to see ID or search bags. Many people had a really good night dancing to 'Lady WinWoods Maggots' who are a really supper group of talented musicians. On a positive note, by 2pm Sunday everything was cleaned up and there was no lasting damage done.
At our next meeting we will be looking closely at what to do for the future as, whilst we do not want to discourage our young bands from taking the stage or our local young people from attending, we would like it to return to being a local affair with local people coming to enjoy themselves. Our apologies to the villagers who had problems and you are welcome to attend our meeting on the 9 July, if you have any suggestions that may help future events. Valerie Collins

INVITATION TO A CELEBRATION
Langton Matravers Allotment Association invites all residents of the village to join in the official opening of the allotment site at Coles Ground on Sunday 16 August. The plots are all flourishing and brimming with produce and we would like everyone to come and see our efforts, talk to the allotmenteers and celebrate a new part of our village life. The event will be held between 2-3.30 pm and the official 'turning of the sod' will be at 2.30pm. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and home made cakes will be available for the hungry and thirsty. Please come and join us. Nicky Gray

FAMILY HISTORY DAY
Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society will be holding a Family History Day in the Village Hall on Saturday, 4 July from 10am-4pm. Details of some 150 Langton families will be available; computerised charts to order. Coffee and tea are available from 10.30am-1.30pm and from 2.30-3.30pm. Admission £2. All welcome.
Rosemary Stevens

A HALCYON WEEK IN LANGTON
The results of planning appeals in the Purbeck District were reported last month. The Putlake Adventure Farm appeal for established use of parking on the field between the farm and the Ship Inn was refused but two elements affecting the paddocks were allowed. Permitted development rights still allow parking for some days during the year.
Ben Young's appeal against refusal to build a replacement agricultural building at Nursery Bridge Farm was allowed.
Of the six appeal decisions reported in the latest bulletin three were allowed. One application this month is of particular interest. I'm sure that many villagers have walked the bridle path from Acton Fields to Priests Way. The derelict building midway always intrigues people because of the high quality stonework, (quoins, lintels, jambs etc.) in its fabric. The building and the field in which it stands was bought at auction a few years ago from the estate of Nelson and Vera Bower who lived in Glencoe, (the name of their house not the massacre location). The purchaser, Mr Golob of Sea Spray, has put in a planning application to restore much of it to the way it was before it was abandoned. It will be brought back from dereliction and will again be used for agricultural purposes. The Parish Council registered 'no objection' to the application.
The buildings were erected by the redoubtable Mrs Serrell who wished to relocate the dairy at her Durnford complex to a more distant venue where the pong would be less noticeable. Her major-domo, or in modern parlance her estate manager, was Charles, (Monkey) Saunders. In the event the two cottages at Spyway Barn were built instead and the dairy went up there and became the Spyway Farm that we know. Mrs Serrell funded a village band and I imagine that they practised in the Church Hall, (now the Village Hall). I think it would be marvellous to hear again a band practising in the Village Hall and playing at our fêtes and fairs and Xmas lights switch on and so forth.
At the Annual Parish Assembly a parishioner suggested that in the interests of energy saving it might be worth considering switching off our public lighting earlier. I'm sure this suggestion will be welcomed by those people who favoured exactly that at the time of the Enhancement Scheme. The Council learned that the County Council is carrying out a comprehensive review of street lighting and more information is coming our way. I suppose if we are really trying to save energy then might the floodlighting and the coloured lights at Xmas have to be dimmed?
Traffic congestion in the High Street continues to present difficulties but it becomes a real problem when we have short periods of gridlock. On May Bank Holiday, the memorial service for Dick Odgers was held in St George's Church. The Odgers, Dick and Miriam must have been held in great esteem because a large number of people descended on the village and for a while there was some dialogue between those who wanted to walk on the pavement and those who thought that pavements are a reasonable place to park their cars.
Dick and Miriam Odgers lived in the Old Coach House at Leeson before retiring to Salisbury. Some funerals attract a large congregation but others are sparsely attended. The afore mentioned Nelson Bower's was one of those. Nelson and Vera were supportive villagers and especially so for St George's School where Vera had been a teacher for a very long time but they had no children and, gradually, they dropped from view. As Frank Selman reminded me once: 'The cemetery is full of indispensable people!' Norman Priddle

PURBECK PEOPLE
OBITUARY - GEOFF PEART
The sad death of Geoff Peart at the end of May brought to an end a family association with Langton that stretched back for more than seventy years to the time when his grandfather, Ivan, came to the village as Headteacher of St George's School.
With his wife, Norah, Ivan Peart had four daughters, Ivy, Joy, Doris, and Mary, and in spite of the stalwart service they gave to the village and its school and church the family was to an extent beset by a degree of tragic sadness inasmuch as three of the girls including Doris, Geoff's mother, died well before their time.
Geoff was only sixty-six when he in turn died suddenly at home from a heart attack, and in the whole of that relatively short life there will not have been many nights when he did not go to bed in Langton Matravers, either in The Hyde or in later years in East Drove. In some respects, then, he became the kind of local character that all villages should have and is remembered with great fondness by all who knew him; it is rare, if ever, that he spoke ill of someone else and by the same token he enjoyed an equal measure of respect and friendship himself.
As a child he was a wonderful friend and, with others, we were able to roam free in the village doing the kinds of things that children nowadays sometimes find difficult; the Marble Quarry, Wilkswood, Dancing Ledge and the cliffs were our playground and, being an excellent sportsman, Geoff also enjoyed more formal activities on the cricket field and football pitch where he excelled.
Those who knew him only in later years would be surprised that he was also an angelic member of the church choir and this was indicative of the talent he was to develop as a pianist and church organist, a talent which led to him being in great demand as an entertainer in local pubs and clubs as well as on more formal occasions. He led life to the full and did not let the onerous requirements of school get in the way of this for he was, in fact, a brilliant scholar and went to Swanage Grammar School a year early where he excelled academically and socially. He had 'a wonderful brain' and was always top of the class, seemingly with little or no effort, and it was no surprise therefore that he won a place at the University of Cambridge.
But it was a place that he did not take up for reasons that can only be guessed at, but for me it is certain that he did not go to university because he saw that his mother, Doris, was becoming ever more ill and Geoff felt the need to remain close to her in the latter years of her life.
And so he spent forty-six years on the buses, in a job that I had procured for him in 1961 which was to have been, like mine, a student job lasting just six weeks. As a conductor and later a driver, he was to achieve a kind of local celebrity arising from the conscientious service he devoted to his work and the unfailing cheeriness and courtesy with which he treated all with whom he came into contact. It was a real pleasure to see him on the road, particularly when he was driving onto or off the Sandbanks Ferry and there are few who can have approached a relatively simple job with such care and pride; Geoff, could, of course, with a brain like his, have managed the entire Wilts and Dorset operation, but he was content with his lot... or made a very good show of hiding it if he was not!
Geoff shared the house in East Drove with his Aunt Mary, once a highly respected nurse of the old school, and was her devoted carer until her sudden death just a few weeks before his. Nobody at her funeral who saw Geoff lead the mourners into church expected that so soon afterwards they would in turn be following him down Crack Lane to his final resting place near the woods, stream, and quarry where he had spent so much time as a boy.
He will be missed by many, and the village will be poorer for the loss of his ready wit and cheeky grin.
David Selman

THANKS - TED DUNCKLEY
It is difficult to find words to thank my neighbours and friends for their kindness and support during this most distressing of times. Ted's death was so sudden and a dreadful shock.
The church looked beautiful, filled with flowers that Ted loved, and the service was truly one of thanksgiving, for a long and happy life... firstly the early busy years with family and work, then 32 years of wonderfully happy retirement in the place that Ted loved most of all. As many people know, he was simply amazed that anyone would want to go away from Worth, even for a holiday.
Tea in the Village Hall was splendid and welcoming and many people must have worked very hard to prepare it. To everyone, my family and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you. I have received so many letters and cards, and it's comforting to know that so many people had such lovely memories of Ted. Joan Dunckley

NEWS FROM NOWHERE
I am not completely honest. I know of no one who is, (which is why I am always surprised when people occasionally take what I write in this column as absolutely true) for all of us to some extent trim our level of honesty to current circumstance. However, this does not turn us into out and out crooks as some people like to suppose.
When I was on the District council, voters on the doorstep used to tell me that all Councillors and Council officials were in it for the perks and corruption was endemic. I never saw any evidence to support this charge. Very, very occasionally a bribe was obliquely offered 'It's worth a lot to me to get this agreed'. Not needing the money, I was not remotely tempted though an awful lot of council pencils glued themselves to the committee papers and ended up in my house but then purloining a few pencils isn't really dishonesty... or is it? I am not sure I know, or what my reaction might have been to those gently probing enquiries, if I had desperately needed the money.
I once found a purse full of money lying on the pavement and turned it in to the police - good for me, but when a trade supplier sent by mistake two sets of things whilst only invoicing for one, I never seriously considered sending the second set back with a letter of explanation. It was too complicated, their mistake, being a large firm they could afford it and, anyway, the second set came in quite handy. (M'Lud). In different circumstances, I might have regarded the purse as a God given gift to help me out of a hole. Like the man who told me that, when he was a completely broke and desperate, he was walking home wondering what on earth he was going to do, when he came across a five pound note lying in the gutter. Five pounds was a lot of money in those days and he was quite convinced that some benign ghostly being had planted it there for his especial benefit.
Of course the greatest spur to dishonesty comes from society itself. The whole ethos of the system encourages us to grab as much as we can, regardless of need. A top footballer insists on £50 million minimum and a top artist like Damien Hirst also has his six figure price tag, while others who work harder fail even to recoup even the costs of their paints. Reason or justice have very little to do with the rewards we get. Hardly surprising therefore, when everyone else is helping themselves and getting away with it, normally honest people get sucked in; like those worthy citizens who rushed down to collect what they could from the containers washed up on a beach. Our MP's have been well and truly caught out but I am sure most earners of high salaries who monitor their expense claims are no better. The highly paid respectable directors of large companies are well aware that the underlings in their accounts office won't risk their jobs by raising objections to the idiosyncratic flights of fancy on their expense chits. They would certainly fight tooth and nail to stop such details being spread across the front page of the Daily Telegraph.
Only when the bosses fall out amongst themselves, as they did with Conrad Black at the self same paper do we hear about the lavish parties and private jets - all courtesy of the shareholders. I am not excusing or defending those MPs who fiddled their expense claims, I am merely suggesting that they are our representatives in more ways than one - i.e no worse than many of those who so angrily call for their blood... So three cheers for that half of the House of Commons who resisted fiddling their claims when it was apparently so easy and three boos for those in charge of the system who allowed the culture of dishonesty to grow, and when it began to unravel, tried so desperately to prevent it ever reaching the light of day. Tony Viney

WHAT'S ON
JULY 2009
1 7pm Model Railway Group - Modelling Workshop HXVH
3 7.30pm Model Railway Group HXVH
4 9.30am-1pm Annual Open Meeting Community Partnership Purbeck
School
4 10am-4pm Langton Family History Day (Entry £2) LMVH
5 AM Traidcraft - selling fairly traded goods between & after morning services St George's Church
7 7.30pm WM P C Meeting WMVH
9 3pm onwards HCV Club event
- picnic and beach games Burlington Beach
9 7pm LM PC meeting LMVH
10 7.30-10.30pm HX Residents' Club HXVH
11 10-2pm Purbeck Produce Market & Cookery Demo Putlake Farm
11 12-4pm St George's Church Fête St George's Church
11 7-11pm Worth Caribbean Evening (Tickets, PO Cottage, £15) WMVH
11 7.30pm Summer Concert
(see adjacent column) Kingston Church
15 3pm Cream Teas (see p 4) WM Village Green
15 6.30-8pm HX Computer Club HXVH
15 7pm Annual Public Meeting re Corfe Common NT Tea Rooms, Corfe
18 9.30-12pm Coffee Morning HXVH
18 2-3.30pm Fun Event for young people HXVH
21 6.30pm Worth Book Club WMVH
24 7.30-10.30pm HX Residents' Club HXVH
24 6-8pm Zimbabwe - Fundraiser
drinks and canapés
(Tickets £10) Dairy Cottage, Knitson
25 10-2pm Purbeck Produce Market Putlake Farm
26 3-5pm Pimms & Strawberries in aid of Julia's House WM Village Green
28 6.30-8pm HX Computer Club HXVH
31 7.30-10.30pm HX Residents' Club HXVH
AUGUST
1 10am-12 Coffee Morning in aid of Cancer Research
Bower Cottage, Coombe, Langton