FROM THE EDITOR
The Parishes seem to have generated a great deal of news this month and it has been no easy task shoe-horning it into The Dubber's twenty pages.
I apologise to those people whose articles have been harshly edited or even omitted but I'm afraid there is just no choice this month.
People often ask why The Dubber can't have more pages which would allow room for more advertising and more news; unfortunately, it is just not possible because of production and delivery problems - i.e. It would be too thick to staple and too heavy to carry en masse! Angela Bell

LETTER FROM THE RECTORY

May 2009

Dear Friends

I'd like to add my thanks to everyone who supported our Lent lunches, both those who prepared them and looked after us so well and those who came and gave both their friendship, which made them enjoyable, and a donation, which made them successful.
The girls school in Sudan should be open for the summer term but still needs equipment and I gather the Guides are well on the way with their fundraising. Worth PCC have decided to continue fundraising for both causes at their 'Tea on the Green' in July. Before that, in May we have Christian Aid week. May, for me, is a time for blossom and birds song; it is a time for being out side at the best time of day... the early morning, with the dew on the grass and the fresh coolness of sun rise.
Since I came here to live, May means being up at crack of dawn to hear the madrigals of the May day singers. Soon after, there is breakfast in the Rectory with folk who have come to early communion on Ascension day in full view of our stunning hawthorn tree... covered in white blossom. Then, there is the quiet Rogation day walk from the Chapel perched on the cliff top between field and sea with the larks singing over head, saying thank you for all the goodness around us on the way out to the stone bench and praying for the needs of the world as we walk back.
At the end of the month, Whitsunday takes us back to the early days of faith... when people not only were prepared to be martyred for their faith, but learned to live in a different way, as a true community, sharing what they had and caring for each other, giving what they could whenever they heard of people in need.
Christian Aid's motto used to be 'We believe in life before death'. We share a wonderful full life here. The little I give will help to give someone else a chance to experience a full life too.

Best wishes

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

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GENERAL NEWS

LANGTON DUBBER DISTRIBUTION
Juliet Greves has retired from organising part of the Langton Dubber round. This has been taken over by Joanne Drew. Thanks to Joanne for offering and Juliet for her hard work over the past few years. We always need reserve staplers and distributors to cover absences so if you are able to help please ring either Joanne or Di Cook.

ROGATION SUNDAY
The annual Rogation Benefice Service will take place at 10.30am on Sunday, 3 May at St Aldheim's Chapel. Arrangements have been made for those wishing to attend the Service to be picked up and returned by Link Rider coach as follows: Pick up 10am at St George's Church, Langton or 10.15am at the Duck Pond. Vernon Young

MAY DAY MORNING
The Mayday Singers will be singing outside St. George's Church at 6am on Friday, 1 May. An audience is always much appreciated! Many thanks. Di Cook

ST. GEORGE'S SCHOOL FÊTE
St Georges First School PTA is holding its annual summer Fête 6-8pm on Friday 5 June in the School Grounds. We have a wide range of stalls, many local traders and our own cake, toy, book and plant stalls. We also have a lively mix of games, including new 'pig racing' a bouncy castle, splat the rat, hook a duck and more! Paul Loudon is doing the BBQ and there will be a liscensed bar for the duration.
Come along and enjoy the fun, a great way to relax into the weekend! St Georges PTA

ST GEORGE'S CHURCH SPRING CLEAN
We send a big thank you to the 17 stalwarts (including three grandchildren Isabel, Edward and William), who helped with our Spring Clean and made the church sparkle. Thanks also to Malcolm Haysom for dusting down all the high windows and ledges the day before! Jan & Don

CHRISTIAN AID COLLECTION 9-17 MAY
I have sadly accepted that in most areas of our Benefice there will be no house to house collections this year. This is a major break from a long tradition, but it has proved harder and harder to find enough helpers to ease the load on the regular (but getting a little older) team. As with last year, The Dubber will carry the envelopes within. I beg you ALL to realise how much we have, compared to many and PLEASE surprise me by putting some coins or even a note in your red envelope and return it to one of the contact addresses below. Last year you gave over £1500. There will be spare envelopes in the church if you lose yours…. If you are a tax payer and give more than £2 please sign the Gift Aid declaration on the envelope - we can then claim an extra 28% from the government!
You can drop envelopes off at: Langton Church; Langton Post Office; George Pitman at 16 West Street, Kingston; Marion Holloway at Newlands, Worth Matravers; Angela & Derek Hyde at April Lodge, Harmans Cross (1st opening on right up Haycrafts Lane from Valley Road). PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY.
Don't forget the Coffee Morning Saturday, 9 May, St George's Church 10.30-noon. Becca Charron. becca@woodstudio.co.uk

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

I would like to introduce myself as I am you local Safer Neighbourhood Team Officer. I work with Police Community Support Officers, Iain Leslie and Rebekah Butler and together we form the Swanage Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). We deal with issues raised by communities through the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) process. One issue is the parking problem outside St George's School when children are being dropped off and collected. The 'Walking Bus' scheme was initiated... setting out from Putlake Farm. This has proved very successful reducing parking problems, the carbon footprint and also promoting a healthy lifestyle. Another issue is vehicles parking on pavements causing pedestrians to deviate onto the road; this issue has also been raised in Corfe. Dorset Police has designed a polite notice for motorists which points out traffic offences they may be committing. (A copy can be seen at The Dubber website). Should the owner continue to commit an offence then a fixed penalty notice may be issued. We are also looking at speeding in the village. We address this problem by using a speed detection device and we will look at enforcing the 30mph limit through the village.
You may have seen us out and about in your community. Please stop and speak to us if you have five minutes and see how we can try and make your community a safer please to live. Contact: swanageruralsnt@dorset.pnn.police.uk. Barry Ashdown, Swanage Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team.

PURBECK ART WEEK
It's Purbeck Art Week again with its many open studios and exhibitions. This is a great opportunity to see original art in relaxed and informal settings, and to meet many of the artists and see how and where they work. New to Art Week this year is our open studio, The Stable (venue 12 in Art Week Guide), in the gardens behind Steppes Hill House (home of Bill and Moira Purver). The studio will include the work of three artists each with different styles. Moira specialises in sculpture, Sue Lansbury works in both sculpture and painting and Stephen Bishop paints local landscapes. Moira and Sue are Langton residents and Stephen, when not painting outdoors along the Dorset coast, uses the Stable as his regular studio. So there is a wide variety of work to be seen, in a very pleasant garden setting, and plenty of parking on the drive of the house. We look forward to seeing you.
Open 10-5pm daily, 23-31 May. Phone 07813307665 or www.purbeckartweek.co.uk for details. Moira, Sue & Stephen

SCOUTING IN LANGTON
For many years the boys of our district have been able to belong to Scouts, Cubs and Beavers in our Scout Hall in Langton. Countless men and women have given freely of their time to keep imaginative and character building activities going, with lots of fun and fellowship along the way.
But of course age, and other commitments mean leaders cannot keep going forever! All the units would appreciate some more help right now, especially from those able to come regularly and to share the planning and management of the group. Should anyone - whether new to the Movement or with previous experience - like to find out more, one of the leaders would be glad to tell them about it. Contact Barbara Bray for Beavers; Phil Stuckey for Cubs; Matt Haysom for Scouts.

WHERE AM I IN PURBECK?
No this isn't the Blue Pool, it's the other side of Purbeck. Possibly, if you were a scout and you came to Purbeck on holiday you might recognise this pretty spot and probably you will remember the wild and barren landscape nearby.
I know at least one person who recognised last month's picture, who said it was a favourite place to go and walk - it was a stone cairn monument on Stoborough Heath National Nature Reserve. There is a plaque on it commemorating the opening on 22 October, 1985 by Prof. N.W.Moore. To get to it by car, you take the Soldier's Road opposite the Half Way Inn on the road from Corfe to Wareham. After about half to three quarters of a mile, there is a cattle grid across the road and just beyond that you will see a space on the left where you can park. The cairn is up to your left at the top of the rise. From it, there's a good view of Corfe Castle in the distance beyond Middlebere Heath. You can either walk on Stoborough Heath or you can cross the road and take one of the tracks across Middlebere Heath to Hartland Moor.
Chris Meadows

LET'S HEAR IT FOR LIVER
'When gorse is not a' flowering, kissing's out of season.' Well, it must be the kissing season in Purbeck at the moment. Anyone who travels between Corfe Castle and Wareham cannot fail to see the riot of yellow alongside the road. Gorse is one of the plants that thrives on heathland and is the habitat of the Dartford warbler. This bird is thriving, due in part to the warmer winters. Let's hope that it has survived the February freeze.
Spring is when the Purbeck hills look at their best. The fields are full of ewes and lambs and dairy cows straining to wrap their tongues round the lush new grass. Fields of dark green wheat and lighter green barley ripple in the warm south-westerly winds straight from the sea. Sun is getting stronger and the evenings getting longer and it's time to get the barbecue out.
I shall be cooking lamb's liver on my barbecue. This is not a grey grainy liver of school dinners, which looked and tasted like slabs of shoe leather. This is an unsung delicacy, cut thin and cooked in a flash (a few minutes on each side) on the barbecue. As you cut into it, the inside should be pink, the texture should be firm and the taste mouth-watering. And liver is good for you! It is full of iron, copper, magnesium and zinc. The vitamin content reads like a packet of cornflakes, there are vitamins A, C, B12 and B6, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate.
"It is best to eat organic liver," says Claire Head, "because the liver is the blood's filter, and of course organic animals have less harmful substances in their diets that they need to filter out." Andrew and Claire Head are organic farmers, and members of Purbeck Products who farm at Rempstone farm, producing chicken, eggs, beef and lamb. They, like other Purbeck Product members, can be found on the first Saturday of every month at Putlake Farm in Langton.
So why not come along, and try some of the new products are being offered. Sarah Blackwell from Corfe Castle will be selling the herbs she grows. Kim Mullings and Sue Bullock, also new members, will have their Purbeck chutneys and jellies for sale. These and all the other producers will be there to enable you to buy all you need the best tasting barbecue in the world. You could finish the meal with a flourish, with some of Vikki Warren's cakes and biscuits. Finally, if you're worried that the kissing season might end, gorse flowers all year round. Christopher Lees

PURBECK ARTS CLUB CHOIR CONCERTS
On Saturday, 16 May, Jay Buckle will be conducting the Arts Club Choir's Spring Concert with orchestra. The programme includes Haydn Nelson Mass and Mozart Clarinet Concerto. David Cook is leading the Orchestra and the soloists are Fiona Hymns (soprano), Kate Chapman (alto), Jonathan Grey (tenor), Jonathan Pugsley (bass) and Claudio Bollani (clarinet). The Concert is at St Mary's Church, Swanage at 7.30pm and is in support of the Friends of Swanage Hospital. Tickets (£7.50/£2.50) Corbens, Swanage Lifeboat Shop and on the door.
On Thursday, 21 May, the Arts Club Choir welcomes singers and instrumentalists from Sandefjord, Norway for an evening of Scandinavian and International sea songs with English partsongs performed by the Choir at All Saints Church Swanage at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 on the door, proceeds to the Swanage Pier Trust. Liz Cattermole

WANTED - YOUNG MARINE WARDENS
Are you aged 13 to 19 and keen to discover what, why and how marine species adapt to surviving on the rocky shore? Are you concerned about the lack of protection for our UK seas? Want to meet friends with similar interests?
The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve needs people like you. Dorset Wildlife Trust is looking for 10 keen and enthusiastic young marine wardens aged 13 to 19 to join the marine team based at Kimmeridge Bay. Learn about and experience marine conservation in practice with a focus on practical management and care for our coastline.
The monthly sessions will include shore species identification and undertaking important survey work above and below the waves. Under the eye of the marine officers, they will undertake project work in accordance with the marine programme run by Dorset Wildlife Trust. Team members will be also be able to establish or continue their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and be given an opportunity to gain a snorkelling qualification; a fantastic opportunity for anyone who cares about marine wildlife.
Places are available for September 2009, with training taking place once a month until Summer 2010. For more information or to book a place on the taster session, please contact Emma Rance. Emma Rance, Marine Officer

GET INSPIRED BY PURBECK'S NATURE
People can get inspired by Purbeck's rich and varied nature this May and June when a host of exciting activities, events and displays takes place for Purbeck Aware 2009.
Purbeck Aware runs between Saturday 16 May and Sunday 14 June and there will be lots of opportunities for all the family to enjoy, including:
Nature walks; reptile trails; wildflower wanders; art exhibitions; boat trips; fossil excavations and much more. Kids can have fun and get involved with an array of activities including: pond dipping; rock pooling; Enid Blyton fun and games and creepy crawly walks.
Councillor Nick Cake, Natural Environment Spokesperson for Purbeck District Council, said: "With over half of the district designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Purbeck Aware is a great way for people to become inspired by our fantastic landscape and nature."
Details of all of the events, together with booking information, can be found at the Tourist Information Centres in Wareham and Swanage, local libraries and at the Council's Offices in Wareham. It can also be downloaded from the Council's website at www.purbeck.gov.uk. Rachael Shefford

PALAEONTOLOGICAL PERFECTION
Very often on a dark winter's afternoon, just as I have begun to worry that Charlie has disappeared forever under a huge mud slide at Chapman's Pool - he arrives home with five muddy dogs and a rucksack full of rocks. I have tried... but I can't get enthusiastic about lumps of clay that just might be hiding something Jurassic. I'm even less enthusiastic when I find these lumps in the kitchen sink and Charlie scrubbing them vigorously with my vegetable brush!
But then something fantastic happens. Either the sample of clay yields its secrets right there in the kitchen sink (dinosaur vertebrae, paddle bones, ammonites, etc) or it is taken to the shed where the delicate process of cleaning takes place revealing extraordinary turtle shells and bones, crocodile jaws and dinosaur limbs buried for 150 million years
The Fossil Show at the Square and Compass gave visitors the chance to see fossils that would not have been out of place in the Natural History Museum.
We had an impressive line up of fossil experts too, with Paul Ensom, Steve Etches, and David Sole. Mary Newman brought in a small sample of her collection of incredibly delicate fossil shells and fossil sea urchins.
There was a great response to our Dinosaur Picture competition. By the end of day two, the marquee was brightened up with superb pictures. Rosie Walls, Eva Longland, Evie Binns and Jack Steeden won prizes for their work. Thanks to everyone who made the event so enjoyable. Cath Newman

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST
At present, the National Trust is working with organisations like the Woodland Trust on ways in which we can record our Ancient Trees and it is something we are very excited about given the wealth of amazing trees we have here on Purbeck. It has naturally reminded us of our policy over the management of trees and it seems timely to attempt to clarify the why and when we carry out tree work. There are some clear instances in which undertake tree work and these are the following: coppicing; access; landscaping; harvesting. There are times when some of these reasons for tree work may conflict with one another and our challenge is to manage this conflict. As with all our countryside work, we are driven by the dual priorities of conservation and access. There are some amazing trees and vistas on this estate and we are inspired by them as every is visitor to the estate.
On a separate note we are looking forward to hosting seven local schools in the Castle on Friday, 12 June to mark the opening of CorFest 2009. The event runs from 6-8pm and is free, although it's obviously dependent on the weather. Bring a picnic and a rug and enjoy the music and dance put on by local schools and celebrate the opening of CorFest! Mandy Jarvis, CLV Manager

BURNGATE

The Grand Opening Day at Burngate came and went with much fun and excitement on 4 April. The centre was ceremoniously opened by Charlie Newman by the symbolic splitting of a block of Purbeck stone, to great applause! It was a beautiful sunny day with a really good turnout and everyone enjoyed the activities that included a maze for children by Val Quinn, a talk on the Purbeck beds by Dave Glassock, and a walk organised by Louise Robinson (Purbeck Keystone Project Education & Volunteer Officer). Delicious local food was supplied by Purbeck Produce, and as well as opening the centre Charlie also supplied a selection of cider and ale, which went down very well indeed.
A good number of people joined up to the 'Friends of Burngate' and you still can. We have a good selection of courses lined up to choose from in May and beyond. For details of courses in May go to www.burngatestonecentre.co.uk. David Callaghan

PEAT ON THE SCREEN
PEAT (Purbeck Environment Action Team) is putting on the following series of free environmental film and documentary showings across Purbeck in May and June: 21 May, 7pm, A Crude Awakening (Square and Compass, Worth). 4 June, 7pm, A Message In The Waves (Studland Study Centre, Knoll Beach), guest Speaker Steve Trewhella. 6 June, 7pm, Power of Community (Corfe Castle Village Hall), guest speaker Andy McKee. 11 June, 7pm, The 11th Hour (The Rex, Wareham), guest speaker Mark Constantine.
PEAT has many things in store this year including 'Skill Sharing Workshops' where people can learn and share skills that they have always wanted to explore. For more details please contact LouiseRobinson@purbeck-dc.gov.uk (557286) or Collette Drayson email: cdrayson@tiscali.co.uk

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NEWS FROM
HARMAN'S CROSS

THE VILLAGE CLUB
A talk by Richard Collier with wonderful slides on two screens took us to the Yunnan Province in China at our March meeting. Richard Collier was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and the afternoon was enjoyed by all who attended. It is hoped that he will be able to come again for an evening event in the hall at a later date.
The Mamma Mia evening dinner on the 4 April was well attended. The hall, decorated with long tables and blue/white colours in a Greek style, was complimented by Mary Fisher's attractive flower arrangements. The three course dinner, cooked and served by the Village Club committee, went down well with wine and soft drinks from the bar. A raffle and dancing to ABBA music from the film rounded off the evening. A good time was had by all and not a single plate was smashed!
On the 14 May at 7pm in HXVH Shirley Critchley will be giving an illustrated talk on 'HMS Waver, Lost in 1741', a square rigged 6-Rate Naval ship with 28 guns, wrecked off the coast of Chile. Tickets are £4, to include light refreshments (bar also available). There are still tickets for the trip to Lacock village and Abbey on the 21 May. We meet at Harmans Cross bus shelter at 9.30am. Tickets are £9 for members and £11 for non-members. Phone Jenny for details/ tickets. Jane Rogers

HARMANS CROSS FUN RUN
A fun run for all ages and abilities 'kicks-off' at the village hall in aid of The New Village Hall Fund, on Sunday 31 May at 10.30am. Organised by the HXVH, the run will 'embrace' two courses. The longer - for the more athletic - will start at the Village Hall - to The Square & Compass and return via Woodyhyde. The shorter route is via the top road and Woodyhyde. The best male and female finishers will receive a special prize .
Entry forms are available from Alan Stephenson and Barry Cullimore. The £5 per entry, or £6 on the day, will be donated to the HXVH fund. Forms can also downloaded from the Purbeck Runners Website: www. purbeckrunners.co.uk Alan Stephenson

VIRIDOR DONATE TO VILLAGE HALL
Viridor's recent generous £42,000 grant now brings the total funds raised to almost £600,000 of the £695,000 needed to build the New Village Hall.
Martin Howell and Brian Engel who have been the main contacts for Viridor, have already signed up to the terms and conditions relating to this grant and have expressed their appreciation for such a generous donation. "Dealings with Viridor, particularly Bob Attwood the Administrator, have been very straightforward and amicable," said Martin. "And whilst terms and conditions apply, these are not at all onerous. We look forward to building upon a strong relationship." Alan Stephenson

GARDENS OPEN IN HARMANS CROSS
Plans are advancing steadily for gardens to open in HX on 6 & 7 June between 2-5.30pm. This event, which has been well supported by the gardeners already, gives everyone the chance to show their support for the New Hall Appeal Fund. About 25 varied types of gardens have agreed to take part, but it is not too late to join in. All visitors will have a chance to enter the Champagne treasure hunt and there will be other attractions, including a visit to an apiary, a market garden, model aeroplanes and miniature trains.
We still need helpers, particularly with teas, cakes etc. on both days, and we also want ticket stall staff and car park organisers, and volunteers to distribute posters etc. If you can help, please get in touch with Hugh Salter even if you can only help for one of the days. This event is sponsored by Link Rider Coaches. Hugh Salter

THE 08:45 FROM VICTORIA
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon (1 April) at precisely 13:45, the diesel-hauled twelve carriage Purbeck Pioneer passed slowly through Harmans Cross. Enthusiasts at Harmans Cross were not as great in number as the massed crowds at Swanage but they were no less appreciative of this historic event (photos on Dubber/Swanage Railway webs.).
Over 400 railway passengers from London were not able to appreciate the full splendour of the station and flowers that the Harmans Cross team had worked hard at providing, as spare passenger carriages had to be left on the 'up-line' in the station! However, members of the team were given the opportunity to travel from Wareham to Swanage and back in First Class the following day on a second train.
There will be another photo opportunity on Saturday, 2 May, when the Battle of Britain Class 'Tangmere' steam locomotive will pass through Harman Cross at about 12.45. It will be the first steam train to travel through Wareham to Swanage since 1967, travelling back through Harmans Cross on Monday 4 May at around 11.45am.
When will we have a regular service to Wareham? There is a lot more work to be undertaken on the track and signals and it is hoped that these will be carried out as part of the upgrade required for the sailing events at Weymouth in the 2012 Olympics. Transport Minister, Lord Adonis, who visited Swanage Railway recently, said: 'I will host a meeting with all parties once detailed costings have been obtained to see if we can fund the work.' Lord Adonis added that he was keen to see whether a permanent train service run could be explored. Alan Stephenson

HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS' CLUB
Our special event on Good Friday attracted 40 members and guests to an hour-long Pub Quiz expertly devised and compered by Treasurer, David Hollister and Vice Chairman, Keith Fisher. After a tie-breaker, Hugh Salter's family team beat eight other teams to win £5 and two bottles of guest beer. Hugh kindly donated the £5 to the new village hall fund. Watch this space for similar events in the future.
Following this meeting and several other successful events when the Residents' Club has run a bar, including the Village Club's Mamma Mia Dinner, we have paid over a further £300 from our profits to the new village hall fund, taking our contribution to £900 since August 2008. We are grateful to the Village Club for the opportunity to run another bar for the 'HMS Waver' talk on Thursday, 14 May (details elsewhere in this issue).
It is pleasing to report that 67 members have renewed their subscriptions for 2009/10 and a further two new members have joined, bringing our current membership to 69. If you would like to join - or meant to renew but haven't got around to it - please contact Nigel or Jo Edmonds.
Here are the dates for the next few Club Nights at the village hall - all are Fridays from 7.30-10.30pm: 22 & 29 May and 12, 19 & 26 June. Beer-drinkers who might be missing us in the early part of May would be very welcome at the beer tent at the village hall on 8-10 May as part of the Swanage Railway Beer Festival and Diesel Gala (see separate article below). Nigel Edmonds,Chairman

RAILWAY BEER FESTIVAL & DIESEL GALA
From Friday 8-10 May visiting heritage diesels will operate between Swanage and Norden. Throughout this annual event there will be a beer tent behind Harmans Cross Village Hall serving a wide selection of real ales, ciders, wine and soft drinks - hot food will also be available. Just turn up, or for more information visit the Swanage Railway website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk/bfw09.htm. The Wessex Belle Bistro dining train will also operate on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Nigel Edmonds

MODEL RAILWAY GROUP
Thirty people came to our meeting on 3 April. As usual we ran the scale railway, Cinderford, Ankleton, Victoria Bridge and my N gauge railway and there were two sales stands. I bought a British Railways crimson and cream horsebox. Colin and Rita Caddy displayed some Great Western 0-4-2 tank locomotives including a scale model of 1453 that was used at Weymouth. I displayed my photographs of Harmans Cross Station in the snow and the first through train for 37 years from London to Swanage. Robin Brasher

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NEWS FROM
LANGTON MATRAVERS

CHURCH FÊTE PLANS
Plans are progressing for our Fête on 11 July. Donations of books, china and bric-a-brac are beginng to accumulate in the boiler room under the church but we need yours! Cupboard clutter from you could be treasure to someone else so please do that spring cleaning, box up unwanted clutter (in good order please) and drop off at the Church. We still need a few helpers - car park helpers are scarce. Any out there? Also help putting up signs before the event and collecting at the end - is that YOU? Please contact Becca becca@woodstudio.co.uk

LENT LUNCHES
The five lunches which were served in the Village Hall during Lent together with the lunch eaten on Good Friday were well supported this year and raised £1017. The proceeds will be shared between Under Tree Schools in The Sudan and the new Girl Guide Centre in Swanage.
A big thank you to all those who helped to prepare and serve the lunches... not forgetting those who gallantly washed up and returned the Village Hall to the condition in which we found it. An equally big thank you to all of you who came. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and the level of noise from the conversation was high. Many of you came each week, glad to have a day off from the kitchen! We do appreciate the fact that Worth Matravers are now responsible for one of the five lunches. Thank you. Some of you made the comment to me that they were hardly Lent Lunches. Well they weren't Haute Cuisine either but good honest family fare and our aim is to make money for the causes which we support. I don't think that we would raise as much if we simply served soup and bread each week. Anyhow, you seem to enjoy our meals and you certainly give generously. We hope to see you all again next year. Elizabeth Crabbe

EASTER FLOWERS
Once again, the flower arranging team in Langton did a marvellous job on Easter Saturday morning at St George's. The Church looked splendid for the afternoon wedding and, of course, for Easter Sunday. Thank you so much. Many extremely pretty and artistic baskets were brought back to Church and a delightful Easter garden made by the young girls team... more huge thank yous to everyone who participated. A great job done!

A BIT OF KNITSON HISTORY
Knitson lies to the North of Langton Parish, on an ancient Marblers' Road from Coombe to Arne via Windmill Knap and Nine Barrow Down. For centuries all the farm's fields were owned in Open Field strips by Studland Church and two private landlords, until the sitting tenants, the Curtis brothers, bought the farm in 1922 and eventually it was sold to Arthur Hickson, my father, who gave it to me.
The 17th C. farmhouse, probably originally a longhouse, was nearly derelict, so in 1960 Mark and I renovated it and added a wing, creating a rambling cottage with six small bedrooms. In 1962, we commenced creating a garden from nothing. Our kitchen garden was then a small field of raw clay, and where our flowers and lawns are was a sloping mass of nettles. We landscaped with our little grey tractor and laid paths and a wall to the north, and since then have made many improvements: raised beds, compost bins, greenhouse and shade house in the vege garden, and a marvellous stone Moon Arch and other decorative features in the flower gardens. Roman and Medieval stone artefacts are liberally incorporated into the garden design.
Over 50 years, we planted trees all over the farm, but now that we are retired from farming and Mark is an invalid, I spend much more time in the garden. The kitchen garden is entirely organic and produces more vegetables and soft fruit than we need; we grow more than 20 varieties of fruit, from strawberries to kiwis to hazel nuts to apples. Some of these keep well through the winter.
I am always happy to show people around and talk gardening if they want help or advice with their allotment or garden... please ring me in advance. There is no charge for these visits, but if you would like our lovely Cream Teas or other refreshment, our charities will benefit.
We have raised thousands for charities for many years, and again this year our income from the National Garden Scheme openings will go to them and all sales income to FARM Africa. FARM advises and assists the poorest subsistence farmers in south & east Africa, and is worth our support.
FOR YOUR DIARIES: Our NGS openings this year, all from 1 to 5 in the afternoon, are 1, 2, 3 May, 12, 13, 14 June, and 11, 12, 13 September. Admission is £2.50, 50p. for schoolchildren. Some plants will be on sale, and my usual array of home-baked cakes, Cream Teas and refillable coffees and teas, to be enjoyed on the lawn with the garden all around.
I hope that lots of you will take up my offer of advice for your gardens. Just ring to arrange a convenient time. Rachel Helfer

WINDMILL KNAP PATH CLAIM
Well, the public notices have gone up! The one on Valley Road was removed but I replaced it with a more substantial one on a piece of marine plywood. The Rights of Way Team at DCC have recently discovered 25 more User Evidence Forms ('Yellows'). But 14 of the people are over 75 - including five over 80. John and I will be checking who is 'still current' as it were. It is one of the Team's work criteria to prioritise claims involving elderly witnesses. Again, please think of anything you can remember related to that track. Do ring either John Bellucci or myself if you can help. Ian Mackenzie

A HALCYON WEEK IN LANGTON
In April 2003 I wrote that it had been 18 months since a report of the meetings of the Parish Council appeared in the Dubber and I felt that the Council's efforts on behalf of the village should be known. Because it is again some time since a report appeared people are asking if the Parish Council is taking a sabbatical.
Well actually in six years the Council has done a great deal. A Parish Plan was launched and several of the recommendations have been achieved including a wonderful new play area on the School Field created by a group of parents led by Tracy Stone. The Council sponsored the scheme and accepted the responsibility for maintenance and insurance.
A Parish Office has been created by altering the toilets at Putlake and thereby making a significant saving in costs. There is now a bus shelter opposite the Post Office. New recycling facilities have been provided at the Parish Office. Building work will commence very shortly on the erection of more affordable homes at Steppes.
The Council registered its interest in a new stone heritage centre which culminated in an official opening at Burngate just a few weeks ago.
Some of the recommendations have yet to be met. The one that has defied all efforts is a car park. One tends to think that very little has changed in the village during the course of six years but change is taking place all the time. There are now double yellow lines in St George's Close and at the entrance to Durnford Drove and one wonders if these are a precursor for others in the village. The Village Sign and the seat alongside have been magnificently restored by Mike Collins. One of the items on the first agenda of the newly established Parish Council in 1894 was 'allotments'. There have, at times, been many private allotments but, over a century later, we have some public allotments on Coles Ground involving about 80 people. There's a barn on Spyway Orchard but it doesn't seem out of place and I certainly like to see the Gloucester Old Spots rooting about.
Six years ago the old cemetery was in a right old mess but volunteers moved lorry loads of clay and repaired and straightened a lot of headstones and stripped all the walls of ivy. Five stretches of wall were rebuilt and a number of trees felled, (mostly with permission except for a couple which got me into hot water). Both sets of gates were repainted and the cemetery is now a delight to see. The application for the legalising of the footpath through to Windmill Knap seems likely to reach a satisfactory conclusion thanks to Ian Mackenzie and following 30 years of repeated council efforts. Reg Saville retired last year after 36 years service and John Bellucci is a capable successor. Six years ago Robert Watton was still the Rector. Quite a lot has changed. Norman Priddle

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NEWS FROM
WORTH MATRAVERS

COFFEE ON THE GREEN
We are looking forward to another success for this very popular annual event on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May, and hoping that this year we will have a dry day. Volunteers to help set up and put everything away afterwards are needed, as are contributions for the Raffle and the Tombola. Your old Toys, Books and Bric-a-Brac can help fill these stalls so take advantage of this event for the clear out you have promised yourself. The results of your baking and bottling are always the fastest to move from the ever-popular Cakes and Produce stall so we can take whatever you can bake. And, in this lovely spring weather is it time to thin out your borders and pot or bag up the excess plants for one of our most successful stalls -Plants and Gardening. So, some excellent ways to support the Village Hall and to get that satisfied feeling are to 'get baking and gardening and spring cleaning'. Whatever you contribute, as always, is much appreciated, in particular your company on the day.
In addition to the residents of Worth, the Village Hall committee would like to extend a warm welcome to the wider communities of Harmans Cross, Langton and Kingston. Come along with your families and friends for a browse though the stalls on the green, (or in the Village Hall if it is wet) have a look in the Village Hall at the pictures and art by local artists, watch the kids enjoying themselves on the children's games, and enjoy a cuppa and a bacon buttie whilst having a chat with friends, old and new; and you never know, it could be your lucky day in the Raffle, the Tombola or the Champagne draw - that's only if you buy tickets of course.
To make contact about the event, to donate items to the stalls, or prizes or offers of help, please call Jack Ross and see the insert for more details.

CAKES REQUEST
Please could we have lots of cakes, preserves and produce for our ever popular stall. We always sell out very quickly so the more cakes etc. we have, the longer we can keep selling. Deliver your cakes etc. from 8.30 am onwards on the day or deliver them to Jenny Hynan, Serendipity, 9 Newfoundland Close, Worth . I would be very happy to collect anything from you. Jenny Hynan

WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL
Representing the villages of Worth Matravers and Harmans Cross
Following the Annual Parish meeting in April, Purbeck District Council's Design and Conservation Officer, Ben Webb, and Planning Policy Manager, Steve Dring, attended the Parish Council meeting and spoke about the WM Conservation Area Review. Several members of the public expressed their concerns. The concensus of the village is that they wish to keep the boundaries of the Conservation Area as they are at present. It was pointed out that the village has evolved over hundreds of years and exception was taken over the way certain properties had been described and criticised. It is this very quirkiness that gives the village its character. The rebuilding of the drystone boundary wall at West Burton Field, WM was completed before time and we have now received grants from Dorset AONB and the Purbeck Keystone Project. Our thanks to Trev Haysom for donating walling stone to complete the project. Judy Robson has produced the artwork for a footpath map of HX to be erected in the car park. Our thanks to Judy. The undergrounding of the electricity cables in WM is likely to take longer to complete than anticipated because of a lack of co-operation from some landowners. Cllr Burden and myself attended the Volunteer Of The Year Award Ceremony at PDC on 8 April. We had nominated Glen and Betty Bower for this award in recognition of all they have done for the community for more than 50 years. They are worthy recipients.
The 30 mph speed limits have now come into force in parts of Haycrafts Lane and Tabbitts Hill Lane, HX.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS THIS MONTH
The Parish Council had no objections to the following:
o Woodyhyde Camp Site, Valley Rd. Erect detached shower block and tractor store (revised scheme to PP 6/2005/0966).
o White Wings, Valley Rd., HX. Alterations and additions to form bedroom and family room with detached garage.
o Vue Plaisant, South Instow, HX. Enlarge exisiting dormer, reposition roof window and convert exisiting loft space over garage to form bedroom and en-suite bathroom.
The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm in WM Village Hall. Joyce Meates, Chairman

WORTH AFTERNOON CLUB
The hall rang with laughter at the April meeting as the vivacious Kate Greenaway entertained us with her amusing anecdotes and observations. Her account of taking part in the X-Factor auditions was hilarious.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 13 May when Jim McKenzie's talk will be 'An Actor's Miscellany'. Please remember to bring £6 to book a place for the outing to Wolfeton House on 10 June. There will be a guided tour followed by a cream tea.
A reminder that Becky Butler, or one of her colleagues Barry Ashdown or Iain Leslie from our Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at the village hall about 2pm, before our meeting. If anyone has any policing issues they would like to talk to them about, please come early. Rachel Seaton

WORTH BOOK CLUB
We are now firmly established in our Book Club meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm in the Village Hall. Our conversations are enriched by a glass of wine and food appropriate to the literature considered. As we read Camus in April we had French bread, cheese and olives. May's book is Waterland by Graham Swift, set in the Fens. (Will we have eels, I wonder?)
There is lots of lively disagreement and opposing opinions which stimulate a lot of thought. It is even possible to join in having only read one sentence and stopped in disgust. Our new system of book choice allows every member to choose in turn as we go through the year, with books decided two months in advance to allow for longer reads. June's book is The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch. After that, who knows! Dilys Thomas

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NEWS FROM
KINGSTON

KINGSTON WEBSITE
If your family has lived in Kingston for several generations, then I would love to hear from you with any stories or photos you can share. I host the 'Kingston' website which is dedicated to making information about the parish of Kingston, its churches, buildings and, of course, its residents from days gone by available for genealogical research. Please take a look at the website now at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carthorse/kingston/home.htm to see what information you can add. Please email me at kingstonopc@ntlworld.com Thank you. Martin White

KINGSTON NEWS
I am happy to say that the Teddy Bear Event was seen for what it was -an April Fool Joke and no one turned up. The news of a Kingston Calendar did cause a slight flutter amongst the ladies. They were worried how to bake a cake large enough to hide behind. No, it was not going to be that sort of Calendar. It is on hold at the moment as the cost of production is rather high.
It is sad to mention that recently, in the churchyard, daffodils have been picked and dogs have left messes. It is quite obvious that neither should happen.
On a more wholesome note, the Purbeck Chamber Choir Concert was much enjoyed. We hope that the same will have been true of the concerts given by Clayesmore School on Friday, 24 April and the Musicians from Lytchett Minster School on Saturday, 9 May. It's not often you have the opportunity to hear teenagers playing a clarinet and trombone concertos.
Margaret Harris has really excelled herself. Would anyone who was at her ninetieth birthday party have believed that she was ninety? She had organised it all herself. It was a superb event. The food was outstanding and well served, generous drinks, great music from the Belvedere Singers and then the cake.
There were so many people there too. To top it all, yet another great grandchild arrived for Margaret on 21April. Oh and she had a family party near Oxford. What stamina! Thank you Margaret. By an amazing coincidence, John and Ruth Lewis had another grandchild on 21 April as well.
The Scott Arms has new landlords - Ian, Simon and Cynthia. They are leaseholders and not managers which is good news. We welcome them to the village and wish them all success.
The Village Open Gardens Day will be on Sunday, 7 June 1-6pm. Details are elsewhere in the Dubber. Any cakes, quiches or scones would be gratefully received in the church on the day. Anyone who could help with lunches or teas should let either Sue Ireland or Peter Buckle know. George Pitman

MY 90TH BIRTHDAY
Thank you for all the beautiful cards, good wishes, flowers etc., that I had for my 90th birthday. I am so privileged to live amongst such thoughtful and generous folk, and I am quite overwhelmed by your loving kindness and appreciation. Thank you for a birthday filled with love and laughter, happiness and fun. I can certainly recommend being 90! Margaret Harris

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NEWS FROM
NOWHERE

Events rush round fast these days. I have hardly got over Easter before realising it will soon be May and Purbeck Art Week, which runs from 23-31 May. This event has legs, as it grows every year with more participating artists and more things to see and do. There are 20 special exhibitions in Purbeck, details of which are in the PAW brochure which is free at libraries and the TIC etc. As usual, PAW's flagship exhibition is at Rollington Barn which is big enough to include one or two works from each of the eighty exhibitors and where even if you don't feel like buying a picture you can invest in a nice cup of tea or a glass of wine and a piece of quiche at the cafe. In the evenings there are four film performances, amongst them Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Rex on Tuesday and a big drive in movie on the Saturday at Holton Lee which starts at 9.30 with a performance of Mamma Mia. When we had our last drive in movie we had to turn away as many people as we let in. I hope that won't happen this time as the Holton Lee field is very big, but even so it is advisable to get there early. The gates open at 7.30 and the sound is transmitted through your car radio so there is no problem about being out of earshot. On the Thursday, there is a lecture about famous artists in Purbeck at 6pm at Corfe Village Hall by Pennie Denton author of a book on Paul Nash followed at 7.30 by the film Girl with the Pearl Earring and on the next day a Concert in St George's Langton given by Jack Maguire who once lead the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and who introduces each of the pieces he plays. Finally, on the last Sunday there is a performance by the Spyway Projects Theatre Company in Swanage of poetry and other reading about Purbeck. You may also happen upon a caravan which has been fitted out as an exhibition centre and a Camera Obscura. It is painted with enormous sunflowers and its name 'Van Go' on the side and will be parked at various towns during the art week. It is fascinating to enter its dark interior and see a moving image of the world outside in such precise detail and colour on the viewing table. So there is a lot going on and I hope you enjoy it.
I am told there is a serious bee crisis. Those essential little creatures, that so obsessively poke around in flowers already emptied a second before by one of their mates, have begun to disappear. The Government are spending millions of pounds to find out why, for bees are apparently a foundation stone for human survival, without them for instance we would have no apples and Charlie's cider factory would grind to a halt. I would be pleased to solve this problem for much less than a million pounds, as most of the missing bees are residing in the roof space above my kitchen. It must be three years ago that I noticed a certain amount of insect traffic above the kitchen window. The following year there was considerably more; they had clearly decided it was a good place to be. Especially as the only way of getting at them was either by taking down the entire ceiling or removing the roof. Last year, like squatters the world over, they started getting nasty and their numbers exponentially increased. I sent an urgent message to a bee man who, I was told, would know exactly what to do. His charges, which I accepted with alacrity were extremely reasonable and certainly no sting. Anyhow, I remembered what happened to the people of Hamlyn when they began to quibble. He said he knew how to tempt the Queen out of the building at which point the rest of the colony would follow and he went away promising to return in a few days. I never saw him again, maybe the bees mugged him on the way home. However, all was not lost for another bee man got to hear of it. Bee men apparently communicate with each other, probably by doing a dance in front each others houses. The new man seemed completely intrepid. He assured me he enjoyed being stung, in fact he usually evicted bees stripped to the waist with no protective clothing at all. I embraced him with enthusiasm, so it was doubly disappointing when he too failed to return. I can only presume that the bees got him as well. They certainly seemed to be buzzing about with renewed cockiness while filling up their enormous honeycomb. I can see them continuing in their tens of thousands, relentlessly depositing their offerings and eliminating anyone who dares get in their way, until the ceiling gives way and a cascade of golden liquid pours into the room beneath.
Lack of bees may be a crisis to the Government, but I certainly wish it was a crisis that I could share. Tony Viney

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HAVE YOUR SAY

DEAR DUBBER
I am local historian and I am seeking information on, and, if possible, photographs of some of the lesser know RAF units which were based in the Purbecks during World War II: Brandy Bay, Tilly Whim, Acton, Durlston, Kimmeridge and the like. If you can help me, I can be contacted at CPomeroy@aol.com . COLIN POMEROY

PLEASE DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS
DEAR DUBBER
On Wednesday, 1 April, I was walking down from the Worth Village Hall towards the Withy bed and was horrified to see a young girl and boy running around in a frenzy pulling the heads off the daffodils and dumping them at the base of a willow tree. I asked them: "Why are you picking the flowers?" Initially, there was silence until the boy spoke up and said: "It wasn't us, someone else put the flowers there". I replied: "But I've just seen you doing it!" Further silence. So I said : "Please don't pick the flowers - they are here for everyone to enjoy" and continued "the flowers will die now you've left them in a pile".
If the parents / grandparents of these children are reading this - be aware that your son / grandson was just about to pull the flowers off an Euphorbia plant. The milky sap can cause skin irritation. So pulling off the flowers not only spoils the Withy Bed for everyone else but can also be dangerous!
SHIELA JOHNSON

DEAR DUBBER
I have been reading The Dubber occasionally for several years; Reg Saville told me some time ago that there was usually a copy or two in the Church when I visit the old closed Cemetery. I magine my surprise last week to find a new Giant Edition waiting for me! You asked for comments; well, the large print could be helpful but the bigger pages now mean you need more space to lay it out. Nearly as bad as the old style Western Gazette (a few years ago) when the best place to read it was on the floor... the pages being so big. A new volunteer, a new editor, a new layout... all good news just keep it going... we'll get used to it. So nice now to see the Church news at the front of The Dubber. BERNARD TOMES

DEAR DUBBER
I used to pass The Dubber to an ex-resident of Langton who is now in York House, Swanage. Her eyesight has now deteriorated & a large printed Dubber would be much appreciated. A great idea to print the larger print. HAZEL DORRINGTON

Thanks for these positive comments, Bernard and Hazel. The two large print Dubber copies in the Church are there to be borrowed but if anyone would like one printed, it can be done. Unfortunately, at the moment they cost £3.60 each! It's terrible isn't it? If anyone was willing to photocopy these up from A4 to A3 for any less, please get in touch.

DEAR DUBBER
I wish to register some measure of apprehension concerning the recent provision of ALLOTMENTS in Langton Matravers, presumably to persons of the working classes.
I would refer you to a pamphlet by the Society for the Bettering of Conditions and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor, published as recently as 1797, and to the customary regulations governing the allocation of allotments. These include 'exhortations to attend a place of worship at least once every Sunday (accompanied by one's family), restrictions on picking crops when one might be in church, and instant revocation of the letting agreement if a plotholder was seen attending a public house on the Sabbath Day or failed to maintain a moral and sober character'. The Bishop of Winchester claimed that granting a plot to every married labourer would merely result in their becoming 'too saucy', wanting higher wages and breeding more children. What does Salisbury have to say on that, today? ROGER FREE
PS. To enjoy the full story, turn to Allotments, by T. Way, a paper-back from Shire Publications, 2008

TAPE RECORDER NEEDED
I give some help to a small local group who tape items of interest for those who have diffulty in reading the printed word. For such folk the audio tape is still most valuable.
Sadly, my trusty tape recorder has broken down, beyond repair, and I am in urgent need of a replacement. A small portable machine with a built-in or separate microphone would be fine - the old shoe-box-shaped one, for example. They don't seem to be on the market nowadays, but I do hope that somebody somewhere has one they no longer need.
Looking forward to hearing from you! Contact Roger Free .
All Letters can be submitted by post to Terry Whicker (contact details on page 3), by hand to Langton Church or Post Office or emailed to rogerfree@thedubber.co.uk

THE PURBECK PRODUCE RECIPE
ISOBEL'S CRAB THERMIDOR
450g Purbeck crabmeat
50g button mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon of sherry
1 onion, chopped
25g butter
1 large tomato, chopped
5 tablespoons cream (any type)
1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
A good shake or two of tabasco (optional)
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
A handful of freshly grated Parmesan
salt and pepper
lemon wedges
Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add the onion and cook gently over a very low heat until softened. but not Then stir in the crabmeat, mushrooms, sherry and tomato then cook for 5 minutes. Add the cream, parsley and optional tabasco. Heat through for a further 5 minutes then check the seasoning. Turn the mixture into buttered crab or scallop shells; mix together the breadcrumbs with the parmesan and sprinkle over the top. Then, either place under the grill or bake in the center of the pre-heated oven for about 10 minutes or until the crumbs are browned. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with a green salad. (serves 2-3)
If you have a Purbeck Produce recipe that you'd like to share, please send it to ed@thedubber.co.uk