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

NEWS FROM NOWHERE
As I write the rain is pouring down and it is miserably cold for August. Even global warming seems powerless to prevent us losing half our summer but what seems to me even worse is that we then perversely chuck away a large chunk of the rest of it. I am referring to the stupid adjustments we are obliged to make to our clocks every year. Occasionally I open half an eye at 5.0 on a July morning and register before diving back into sleep that the sun is already up and it is a glorious day. By 9.0 in the evening when both eyes and even parts of the brain are functioning the sun has gone. If only those two hours of sunlight wasted in the morning were available then, we could enjoy a summer evening which stretched out until 11.0 So why not ? I suspect it is to placate some community I have never met north of the border and although I do not of course want to inconvenience the Orkney farmers or their children struggling to school in the dark I think that as they are a separate nation now, they should arrange their own time and not lumber us with theirs. Standard time is after all a comparatively recent invention. It was dragooned into its present straightjacket to help the early timetablers of the railways who found it difficult enough to estimate when the trains might arrive without the added complication that the time in say York was different from the time at Waterloo. Previously, wherever you were, 12.0 midday was when the sun was directly overhead. So England was chock a block with different times and I expect everyone got along famously especially those (the vast majority I guess) who had a problem with punctuality. Once the fat controllers of the world insisted on regimentation, governments began to see time as a useful tool to control our behaviour patterns and started wrenching the clocks backwards and forwards to suit some administrative convenience or maybe just gain a few votes in the Scottish marginals. Making the most of a sunny day should be far more important than that especially as we are now well used to crossing time zones on holiday and could easily accommodate more than one within this island.. No doubt one day digital watches computers and the like will automatically adjust whenever one moves across borders and already radio clocks could theoretically be made to lose the odd second a day so that there was no need to put clocks back with a jump. Time is after all a very elastic concept and our pretence that it is real and constant in the way that tables and chairs are real is clearly incorrect for it comes unstuck far too easily. Einstein for instance insisted that it is theoretically possible for an astronaut to journey round space and return to earth before he was born in time to murder his father - not a very wise thing to do in the circumstances. Huxley reported that too much mescalin in the body made events appear out of order with some of the later ones happening first - rather reminiscent of that film of a girl on a swing which is the same whether you run it backwards or forwards.. Even composers who put precise time instructions at the top of their music know that how fast it is actually played varies enormously according to mood of the piece. Similarly and very fortunately an hour when you are seventy is far shorter than an hour when you are seven. Maybe we need some alternative words for unreliable time intervals. Perhaps "avocado" to denote any unpredictably fast jump in time - derived from how quickly the rock hard avocado you have stored for ages in the hope that it will ripen, suddenly goes bad - which is about as long as it takes after leaving a Chinese restaurant feeling absolutely stuffed to become ravenously hungry again. So I look forward (or is it backward ?) to the day when the maximisation of the sunny day takes precedence over all other shady administrative conveniences. They are just not worth the candle - many candles if like me you live in a house without electricity …..and anyway the trains seldom run on time whichever time you choose. Tony Viney

WHERE AM I IN PURBECK?

"Getting here you may be aware of sea spray - but here's a thing - do you know what this was? I don't and I think it has been 'remodelled' recently.
Last month's clue was really easy. If you went to Kingston Fete you would have had the chance to get up close to the golden cockerel which is at the top of the tower at St. James." Chris Meadows

KNITSON GARDEN OPEN 12-15
SEPTEMBER, FROM 1 TO 5
It's wonderful that we Purbeck residents are so popular with friends and family in the summer, but it is the main reason I didn't open my garden in August. It will be open as above, with the usual ample parking, amazing cream teas and cakes, and the garden is better than ever despite a pretty terrible season. Admission is £2.50, school children 50p, The National Garden Scheme and FARM Africa are the charities to receive the funds raised.
Mark Helfer

COFFEE MORNING AT BOWER COTTAGE
held on August 12th was very successful raising the wonderful sum of £1,900. We would like to thank all of our family and friends and everyone, who continue to give us so much help and all the donations which make our annual event so successful. Beryl and Les Varney

A NEW 4-WHEELED ROLLATOR-WALKING AID
with a seat available for anyone who needs it. Donations (if so desired) to the Langton Church Funds. Can be delivered. Jan Hancock

RE OBITUARY
I was interested to see this obituary in the August Dubber. The demise of common sense has long since been a serious concern of mine and in October 2004 I set up a website on the subject, where this obituary has been for several years and many other items may be found.
The site is intended to start a campaign for common sense - or to revive it - The address is:
http://mysite.orange.co.uk/societysense/
Mike Greenleaves

DEAD END
Following on from Pam Kwantes' theme of cemeteries in last month's Dubber, there used to be a Buckinghamshire road sign which read "Little Marlow Cemetery, No Through Road" - which I found very amusing. Peter Williams

ONE CAREFUL OWNER
I enjoyed watching "Top Gear" but if I owned a Bentley I would look after it better than Jeremy Clarkson did. To balance the programme I would like the presenters to reintroduce the Mobil Economy Run, to give advanced driving lessons and to show extracts from Classic Cars. Classic Cars would add local interest as one of the presenters was Sarah Matravers. Robin Brasher

DORSET HISTORIC CHURCHES SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE
The Great Cycle ride to visit as many Dorset churches as you desire. Saturday 13th September. Churches open from 10:00am to 6:00pm
On arrival at each church, a drink and a welcome should be waiting for you. Sponsorship money, based on number of churches visited, will be divided between a named one of your choice and the remaining Historic Churches in the Diocese.
All welcome. (You can Horse Ride, Cycle Ride or simply Walk)
For enquiries and sponsor forms please call Jan Hancock

SMEDMORE HOUSE AND GARDEN, KIMMERIDGE
Open to the public - In aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. Thursday 18th September. 2:00 pm to 5.00pm. Refreshments, various stalls, children's activities. Entrance £5.00 (accompanied children under 16 free). Enquiries to the fundraising office

CALLING ALL YARN CRAFTERS - A SHOPPING EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE MISSED!!
I am delighted to announce that Wool Workshop will once again play host to a Winghams Weekend. As the foremost supplier of fibres to the textile crafts, Winghams Wool Work are able to offer their extensive range of high quality fibres at very good prices. These will be displayed and if you bring your spinning wheel, most of them will be available to you to sample-spin. Winghams will bring their van, full to bursting with a vast range of fibres, yarns, books and equipment and set up shop in Corfe Castle Village Hall. For anyone with even a passing interest in spinning, weaving or knitting, this is an event that will inspire and thrill!
Wool Workshop are jointly organising this with the Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers and it will take place on the 20th and 21st September 2008. The event will be held in Corfe Village Hall and Saturday 20th will be 'open house' for a fibre sampling day and shop. Sunday will be a dedicated spinning course run by Ruth Gough with a limited number of places available. Costs for the two days are Saturday - Members £2.00, Non-members £3.00 and Sunday - £29.00 for the day.
Please ring Beverly Evans to purchase tickets or for more information.

TALKING RUBBISH - HAVE YOUR SAY!
From Monday 4 August local people have been having their say about a new plan that sets out how Dorset should deal with waste over the next 25 years. A series of roadshows are being held around the county so that local people can find out more and have their say. The draft waste management strategy has been produced jointly by councils in Dorset. The public consultation period extends until 7th November with information and survey forms available at libraries, council offices and www.dorsetforyou.com/futureofwaste.
The roadshows are on 11th September Wareham Red Lion pub 10am - 3pm and 9th October Swanage Co-op 4pm - 8pm

SWANAGE RECYCLING CENTRE
I am writing to express my great concern at the reported closure of the Swanage recycling centre. As a resident of the area I have always been struck by the apparent continuous use which the centre displays whenever I visit it and the number of relatively elderly people who make up those users. It seems there is no lack of need for disposal, the issue of locality for a collection centre is surely justified by local need. Wareham is not local in times when we are all forced to look at travel and transportation costs carefully. A round trip of 20 miles is simply not acceptable for individual car and small van trips and would impose a vast burden on the environment when compared to consolidated lorry loads, if local landfill and recycling activity is not possible, let alone increasing traffic on the already over stretched single road artery out of Purbeck.
I really do urge the council to think again on this matter. it would be unfortunate to launch on this course of action which is bound to cause enormous inconvenience and damage. As residents become more aware of the issue I am sure they will be motivated to protest in ever greater numbers and to exert what pressure they are able to, at all levels. Dave Lansbury

NEWS FROM PURBECK PRODUCTS
Well one thing leads to another, so that on a sunny Friday evening in August members of the local producers group, Purbeck Products, found themselves competing in the final of a charity rowing match across Swanage Bay. It happened that Jeff Lander (fish and shellfish) and Steve Fry (beef and lamb) were manning a stall at Lovell's Quarry open day. Also there was a charity, CLICSargent, who offer help to families in which a child has cancer. Jeff and Steve were impressed by this charity, which is able for instance to offer families a place to stay close to the hospitals where their children are being treated, or send them on a supported holidays, where families can put some space between themselves and the trauma of the disease. They persuaded Purbeck Products support a team in the charity race.
The two days were organised by the Swanage Rowing Club, who provided the cox and two of the six rowers in the gigs. The race was hotly contested, but in the end, fittingly, the Lovell's Quarry team pulled ahead, beating Holts JCB and Purbeck Products by half a length and the length respectively. As Phil Samways (pork and sausages) and Christopher Lees (pies, flour and beef), stood in the rain at Putlake the following Saturday selling locally produced food, they were able to compare the blisters on their hands and feel good that the group had helped produce a view thousand pounds for CLICSargent. So if you want to look up this particular charity, and it is a super one, then go to www.clicsargent.org.uk and maybe send a tenner of your own.
It was a very soggy day at the last Purbeck Products market. The wind whipped round the stalls, the rain rolled off the gazebos causing problems on the tables below. It seems that the Putlake markets are always dogged by windy weather. If this is a true feature of the Purbeck landscape perhaps it is time to accept that this is one of the places in Britain where there should be wind turbines. As someone who has stood beneath these towering giants and marvelled at the harnessing of a natural resource, I am totally won over by the need to explore every way to carbon neutral power. Those who oppose wind power must come up with viable alternatives to take us through the next 100 years.
There is an event led by the Purbeck Environmental Action Team (PEAT) on the 20th of September in Wareham. PEAT is the local environmental group that works to lower our carbon footprint by shopping locally, growing your own food and supporting the provision of allotments in villages, to name but a few. The Purbeck District Council is closing streets in Wareham to help "PEAT ON THE STREET" promote these ideas. So come along to that event from 10-4 and see how you could reduce your carbon footprints. There will be a chance to buy locally produced food, look out for the Purbeck Products logo, if it doesn't have the logo it might not come from Purbeck. Christopher Lees

PORTUGUESE MAN O' WAR
We have had several of these fascinating animals washing up in the Kimmeridge reserve in August. The Portuguese Man 'O War is a rare visitor to our shores, last recorded in 2000, is a cosmopolitan drifter preferring tropical waters and is not a jellyfish but a siphonophore; a colony of tiny animals all dependant on one another. The gas filled float enables them to stay on the surface at the mercy of the winds and tides and the tentacles are contractile. This was visible on the one we collected alive in the reserve. The Man O' War are extremely dangerous to humans, (but certainly not killer jellyfish as mentioned in the press), due to their stinging tentacles, even when washed up dead. A look but don't touch policy must be adhered to and all sightings to be reported to the Marine Centre.
The strong south west winds and autumnal weather that we have been experiencing lately mean that we are likely to have more unusual visitors to our shores that have been blown off course so keep your eyes peeled! Last year we had Columbus crabs and goose barnacles arriving from the Sargasso Sea which was a first for Dorset!
Emma Rance, Marine Warden

BEACHCLEANS
Sunday 21st September at 2.00pm. Worbarrow Bay (From Tyneham, meet on the beach) & Kimmeridge Bay (Meet at the Marine Centre). All Equipment Provided. Bring suitable footwear & Clothing

OLD STABLE FLOWERS
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the colourful display of flowers outside the Old Stable, whether it was a single plant or a complete hanging basket. I'm sure you agree with me it looks wonderful. What makes it very special to us is that someone from each of our main local churches has been involved in some way. Each of the displays of flowers is unique and beautiful in itself but when they are grouped together they become even more eye catching and draw people into the Old Stable. Admiring them recently it struck me that this is also true of our churches. We can work quite effectively in our own churches but it is when we come together as God's united church that we catch the eye of those who genuinely want to find God and draw them in. We may each have our favourite flower/church but that does not stop us admiring flowers in other baskets or learning from other traditions in worship. One of the things which struck me when we first moved to Swanage, and continues to impress visitors, is that all the churches work together and support one another. Ecumenicalism is such a big word for a simple act of love. So thank you for our ecumenical flower baskets.

LIFE WITH GOD
Discover a whole new way of reading the Bible in Richard Foster's first major new book for nearly a decade.
The starting point of Life with God is that so many of us want to make the Bible the foundation of our way of life but struggle to make sense of this huge, apparently disjointed book. Richard Foster believes that it is because we fail to grasp the over-riding coherent message of the Bible - that all of scripture is unified around the theme of living a vibrant and dynamic life with God.
Richard Foster is a widely respected leader who unites the varying traditions of spirituality and discipline. Available from Swanage Christian Centre at £10.99
Have you read any good Christian books recently? Please send a brief review and how it has affected you to Alan at The Old Stable (swanage@christiancentre.plus.com).

COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT
The following are the dates of the Volunteer Tasks run by The National Trust Purbeck Estate Wardens during September, Wed. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (Wed. tasks include path clearance, fence erection/ removal, dry stone walling, ragwort pulling). Sun 7th (grazing enclosure fence removal at Greenlands Farm)
Meet at Middle Beach Office, Studland (map ref: SZ 036 828) at 10am. Tasks finish at 4pm so bring lunch and a drink.
Sun 21st (Guided walk looking at the wildlife and landscape of Middlebere Farm and salt marsh, an area normally closed to the public, followed by a few hours clearing scrub from Middlebere Quay). Meet 10:30 at the end of the track to Middlebere Farm (map ref. SY 963 854) NOT Middle Beach.
For more information call the NT Purbeck Estate Office. N.B. you don't need to be a member of the National Trust to participate in this programme.

THEY DON'T WRITE DUBBERS LIKE THAT ANYMORE
Reprinted from "Have Your Say"
Moan, moan, moan. What has happened to what used to be such a bright, stimulating, informative and interesting magazine? Please cheer up! Page after page of close typed print, repetitive font, few illustrations, and lots of reviews of what happened at endless meetings. As a family we all used to enjoy reading the good old Dubber, but not now. Sorry, I realize I have become a moaner too!
Maureen Honey

NEWS FROM
HARMAN'S CROSS

HARMANS CROSS RESIDENTS' CLUB
The new Harmans Cross Village Hall licensed bar opened for business at our first Club Night on 29 February this year. Thanks to the support of our members, it has been so successful that we have now been able to repay loan for all the set-up costs kindly provided by the Village Hall Management Committee. Current and future profits will be used to provide any new equipment we require, but will mainly go towards the cost of building and fitting out the new village hall.
Joining the Residents' Club is, therefore, a good way to support fund-raising for the new hall. To find out how to join, pick up a copy of the Club's Rules and application form from the Residents' Club notice-board next to the serving-hatch in the Village Hall, or from Nigel or Jo Edmonds. Membership to the end of February 2009 only costs £5.00 (£2.00 for members of the Village Club or the Village Hall Management Committee).
Please make a note in your diaries/calendars of the following Friday Club Nights to the end of November: 29 August; 5, 19 & 26 September; 10 & 17 October and 21 & 28 November (all from 7.30pm to 10.30pm). We are not holding a Club Night on 14 November so that the Club can support Harmans Cross against Worth Matravers in the 'Call My Bluff' competition at Worth Village Hall.
Nigel Edmonds Chairman of Harmans Cross Residents' Club Committee

PLOUGHMANS LUNCHES & CREAM TEAS 2008
Sun Umbrellas and Gazebos gave a festive look to HXVH surroundings, and the sun shone on stalls, helpers and visitors. With a great team and generous support from people in the local villages and churches, as well as holiday makers, Kairos Outside will benefit from a record £1024 profit this year! A tremendous achievement.
At the beginning of October ladies, who have (or have had) a friend or relative in prison, will be able to experience a "Kairos Outside Weekend" free of charge because of this support. A team of Christians from across the denominations will offer them a special Weekend in Gloucestershire, when they will be shown love and acceptance (not always shown to prisoners families), and where they will listen to talks on issues relevant to their circumstances. In the past God has touched the lives of such women on these Weekends, transforming despair to hope and replacing isolation with friendships that last. Many have come back to serve on a Weekend Team themselves, growing in leadership skills. To find out more, visit www.kairosoutside.org.uk or have a chat with John or Pat Bloomfield. We thank God for all who worked so hard, for the wonderful support given, and for this brilliant result!

LIFE DRAWING CLASSES
Classes will continue at Harmans Cross Village Hall, Thursday afternoons, 2 - 4pm for 12 weeks, starting on 11th September. Fees are £58.00 per term. If you would like to enrol, please ring Sue Blake.

PAINTING CLASSES
Penny Wilton will be teaching water-based mediums classes at Harmans Cross Village Hall - Mondays 9.30 - 11.30am starting September 22nd 11 weeks for £66 Apply to Penny Wilton 51, Copeland Drive, Parkstone, Poole, BH14 8NR

LOTTERY GRANT
We have received GREAT news from the Big Lottery. Our application has been successful and we have been awarded a grant of £256,000 towards the New Village Hall. This is the culmination of 2 years intense work by the small team of Roger Tucker, Martin Howell and Brian Engel. This success, however, would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the Village Hall Management Committee, Village Club and all Villagers who have given such great backing to our fund raising activities.
Nevertheless the hard work is not over yet. There is an enormous amount of work still to do and we are now in the process of producing detailed drawings for submission to Purbeck District Council for Building Regulations agreement. We are also in urgent need of further funds. Although we have promises of funds from Worth Matravers Parish Council, Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council and substantial funds of our own we urgently need further grants/donations to enable us to meet our target and be able to comply with the Lottery's timescales.
Just because we have been fortunate to obtain the Lottery Grant and to secure various other funds, grant and donations, doesn't mean that the fund-raising stops here. When we made the decision to start this process, the estimated cost of the project was £500,000. The total cost has now risen to a massive estimated £650,000 because of various planning and environmental issues. But in many ways these regulations will ensure that we have a 'state of the art' Village Hall for our children and our children's children to use and to be proud of.
We take the attitude that having got this far, there's no point in doing half a job. It's properly or not at all.
There's still a long way to go and a limited time to do it in. We have to sign contracts with the builder and be 'in the ground' by the summer of 2009 and we would reassure all existing and prospective users that the old Village Hall will remain in full use until the New Hall is ready; there will be no break in continuity.
We hope that with the New Hall will come a rush of new opportunities for everyone in the Village. We're hoping for a Mother & Toddler Group, possibly a junior Youth Club, perhaps an 'outpost' for a Doctor's surgery, and much more. If you have any ideas, send them in !
We'd urge everyone to take a look at the plans and models on display at Field Day, and to interact with your Committee.
We thank you all for your support and hope you will come along to Field Day and visit the New Hall display to see our plans for the future.
David Hollister

COFFEE MORNING / CAR BOOT SALE
At Harmans Cross Village Hall on Saturday 6th September 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. £3 per car/table.
Enquiries to J. Robson.

HARMAN'S CROSS VILLAGE CLUB
Although we are on our summer holidays during August, the committee has been hard at work planning a programme of events for the following months for all members to enjoy. We hope that our plans will meet with everyone's approval and will be well attended by all. Meet in the village hall on September 25th for a country dancing display with Margaret Tyrer. All welcome, tea/coffee and biscuits as usual.
Anyone who would like to become a committee member would be warmly welcomed, so please give this some consideration and if you are interested let one of the committee know.
STOP PRESS. Wonderful news!! The lottery grant application has been successful and congratulations to everyone involved with bringing this amazing event to its conclusion. Good luck with the rebuilding of the village hall from everyone in the Village Club. Jane Rogers.

SUCCESSFUL SKITTLES AND FISH & CHIPS EVENING
On 23 July - a warm evening for once - 43 people came to Harmans Cross Village Hall for our annual Summer Skittles and Fish & Chips Evening organised by Jo and Nigel Edmonds. This year it again proved to be very popular and tickets sold out weeks before the event. As a competitive social occasion and as a fund-raiser for the new village hall, it was very successful with over £200 being raised from ticket sales, raffle and profits from our busiest night at the licensed bar (run by the Residents' Club).
The Men just beat the Ladies in two rounds of competition with prizes on the night going to Harmans Cross resident Hilarie Langley for the best individual score (after a play-off with Marie Evans) and to Peter Hall from Swanage (winner of the 'killer' game).
Thanks to The Parade Fish Restaurant in Swanage for the excellent cod and chips, as always, and to the support from the Village Club and local residents. Nigel Edmonds, Village Hall Management Committee

THE ROLE OF A PARISH COUNCILLOR
Reprinted from "Have Your Say"
As a previous Chairman of the Parish Council and Parish Councillor for some twelve years and a lifelong resident of the Isle of Purbeck, I feel I cannot observe the comments and criticism of the Parish Council by Alan Stephenson in last month's Dubber without some comment.
I know the amount of paper and correspondence the Chairman for one has to wade through and act upon during the month in this voluntary post, and I as a resident would like to offer my wholehearted support to Joyce Meates as Chairman as anybody would who has witnessed the way meetings are handled and the understanding she displays to the issues involved.
It was always an issue with me that the Parish Councillor role should not be that of a village hall committee member where results depend on individual efforts to get things done, but rather a decision making body considering and giving counsel on issues put forward to them which effect the Parish, and made up of persons respected in the Parish. In other words reactive rather than proactive.
It is my recollection that at the time of the last election there was in fact no election as insufficient people stood to take up the office of Parish Councillor and as has happened often in the past, some Councillors were co-opted so as to form a quorum.
The role of the Parish Councillor in Worth Matravers has however in my opinion been eroded by the way that various decisions taken in the interest of the Parish have been countermanded at District level, but I for one fully support all of our Parish Councillors whose efforts on behalf of the Parish in this voluntary capacity in fact take up far more time than the two and half hours a month sited in the article. Whilst I understand Mr Stephenson's frustration this is a democratic process and the criticism of Councillors, some who have given many years of service to the community is in my opinion unfair. Chris Suttle

AND IN RESPONSE
Reprinted from "Have Your Say"
In reply to Chris Suttle there is no doubt that Joyce Meates does a huge amount of work in her role as Parish Council Chairman that is of great benefit to the community, and I know that Alan Stephenson who has spoken to me, whilst on holiday, shares this view implicitly. I also know that Alan Stephenson's article focuses solely on the statements made on behalf of Parish Councillors at the July PCM when the method of dealing with Parish Plan Actions was stated. Chris Suttle articulates very clearly the historic principles of how he managed the Parish Council in his role as Chairman, which is fine, but I believe the real issue is how things should be managed today, and over the coming years, particularly now that a Parish Plan exists. The Parish Plan was compiled by Parish Residents for Parish Residents and is an accurate summary of what residents have stated is needed. The Plan is fully endorsed by both County and District Councils at board level. These endorsements have been published in extensive and detailed documentation. Our Parish Plan has been produced, like many other around the country against very strict government guidelines and it would not have been endorsed until it had passed an intensive audit. The purpose of the Parish Plan which is owned by the Parish Council, is to provide the authority and power for the residents' wishes to be implemented. Given the fact that the Plan covers a 5 year period it will require careful management and monitoring, and a reactive management style which is referred to may not be the best option. Bob Evans

MODEL RAILWAY GROUP
Click here for more photos

37 people came to our meeting on 4th July.
In 00 gauge, 1/76th scale we ran the Severn Valley and Hornby Dublo two rail layouts. In front of the Severn Valley layout was a painting by Barry Price of Hagley Hall hauling a rake of brown and cream coaches over Victoria Bridge. On the model of Victoria Bridge were a Great Western railcar and later the prototype blue Deltic locomotive. I ran a Wrenn diesel shunter with some bauxite goods wagons on the Hornby-Dublo layout.
Mike was selling some more 1/76th scale vehicles. I bought a green 1938 Morris Eight Tourer, a fawn 1953 Ford Popular, a racing green 1945 MG TC, a chariot red 1955 MGA, an ivory 1950 Mk 7 Jaguar and a regency red 1959 Mk 2 Jaguar. Colin and Rita from Weymouth brought a 1/76th scale diorama of a Wilts and Dorset bus depot surrounded by a shopping centre with some cars. These included models of their Land Rover and Mitsubishi.
On the boat table were two 16th century sailing ships. I exhibited models of the Waverley and Titanic. There was a wooden model of Le Hussard and the Bounty under construction. Terry Jenkins brought a Scalex Thames clockwork cabin cruiser.
In N gauge, 1/148 scale Roger Bray brought his Ankleton layout and Roger Denning ran his Cinderford layout.
On the 0 gauge 1/43rd scale layout was a model of Bodmin: a blue 0-4-0T made in 1864. There were 5 Dinky Toys cars from the 1950s parked by the track.
The next meeting will be at Harmans Cross Village Hall on Friday 12th September from 7.30 - 10.00 pm. Followed by an exhibition on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September from 10.30 am - 4.00 pm. £1.60 adults, 50p children (including refreshments). Robin Brasher.

NEWS FROM
LANGTON MATRAVERS

A HALCYON WEEK IN LANGTON
No matter what the recession does to society one thing is certain and that is that we will devote ever increasing amounts of money for sport and footballers will be even richer.
Don't worry if your lad or girl is not inclined to study. If they have an aptitude for kicking a ball or running like the wind then their future is assured. It doesn't matter if they are semi-literate because they can afford to pay someone to deal with all that culture nonsense and to work out their income tax and write their letters.
Sport, however, has passed us by in Langton. We have everything that an elderly person can wish for. A frequent free bus service. A beautiful burial ground, (two in fact). A functioning church. A village hall with activities for senior citizens (wheel chair available on request). A low crime rate. A pub without a Juke Box. At the other end of the scale we have a wonderful school for the children and a beautiful play area on the School Field.
What else could we possibly want?
Well, actually, we could do with something for all those people who don't have one leg in the grave.
Broadly speaking sport is not my particular bent. Sport on television is as far as I get and I can't stomach football for more than a few minutes. Rugby I don't understand. Tennis bores me to tears and why we want to host the Olympic Games and bankrupt ourselves is beyond me but for a lot of people it is the most important part of their lives.
One of the major problems we have in trying to provide some sporting opportunities is that in our parish of 2215 acres I defy anybody to identify a three acre level field .
1965 we formed a football club which for a short time was extremely popular. The prime movers in this enterprise were Dave Lovell, and Wilf Suttle. .
We held an open meeting in St. George's School Hall and about fifty people turned up and agreed to form a football club. A collection was made and realised £1.18s and three and a half pence. Anthony Nind, (Rector), was appointed Treasurer. Arthur Stuckey, (Headmaster of St. Georges's School), was made Chairman . Wilf Suttle, Vice Chairman and I was appointed Hon. Secretary.
A committee (17) was formed and a few survive. John Samways, Bruce Lander, Ron Bower, Maurice Suttle, Frank Selman and me. Len Nichols who lived in "The Nook " where the Seager family now live became the Hon. Auditor. Just over 200 people joined the Club and paid a membership fee of 2/6d. Vice Presidents paid 10/6d (or more), and Anthony was particularly adept at getting the 'more'.
The unavoidable necessity is a pitch.
The School Field was the only option. We managed to mark out a pitch which just came within the minimum size. The ground has a big slope on it and the prevailing wind is from the West and the football had a tendency to land in Hetty Glassock's garden or through her kitchen window or sail off down the High Street.
We lost a football when a Swanworth lorry ran over it and another when it became impaled on the school railings. A very serious matter seeing that they cost £7.4.6d each.
We started off holding committee meetings in the School Hall but we later found it more conducive to serious thinking to meet in the Square and Compass. I think the fact that Frank Honour was the trainer and Eileen, Raymond and Stella Newman were members had something to do with it. We had one of our Christmas do's there when Ken Ryman performed his famous Grandfather's Clock routine and Paddy Gillespie played his concertina.
At Whitsun a six-a-side knock out tournament was held. This was a great event attended by a very large crowd and Cecily Bower donated a cup for the winners. Teams were entered from the pubs and the quarries and several from the Club.
At that time we still had a large working population. The quarries alone employed a lot of men.
Those of us, whose dream it had been, drifted off to other interests and the Club gradually declined. The difficulties were there from the start. Anthony Nind and Arthur Stuckey were the key to using the facilities of the School and without them the writing was on the wall.
We used to travel to away matches at Sherborne, Witchampton, Pamphill, Hamworthy, Morden and Bloxworth, Stoborough and Corfe Mullen and always we were envious of their flat bit of ground and a changing hut.
For some people football days were a great enjoyment. One who travelled to all away matches was Ivan Peart an eminent figure in our village. Ivan was an athlete, Church Warden, Parish Councillor and Headmaster of St. George's School. He is credited with persuading the County Council to buy the piece of land we now know as The School Field.
I doubt that we will ever achieve a sports field but one never knows. A very rich benefactor may become besotted with the village and sink much pelf into a sports arena. But I'm not sure that having it handed to us on a plate would be quite as satisfying as that great adventure of 1965.
Norman Priddle

THE PARISH COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS - A PERSONAL VIEW
At the Parish Council meeting on August 14th there were 16 people in the public gallery, including members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team and PACT (Partners and Communities Together), who gave a short presentation. The SNT have helped with the "walking bus" to school and this will continue in September. The "walking bus" reduced traffic outside the school by 85%. Problems identified by SNT included speeding through the village, anti-social behaviour and parking issues in the summer months. There is a postbox in the Post Office where you can place cards voicing your concerns. These will be picked up every Tuesday. Members of the public expressed concern about the siting of the new bus stop sign at Three Acre Lane. The milestone on Steppes Hill is very overgrown, and a member of the National Milestone Society volunteered to deal with this. Planning issues : The Parish Council unanimously agreed to the change of use of Cole's Ground to allotments. Modification of vehicular access at the junction of Malthouse Lane/High Street - we reserved our opinion until the future use of the school is determined. Decisions received from Purbeck District Council: Add lead capping and insert dormer window at "Greystones", The Hyde - approved; Roof repairs at Acton Farm Cottage- approved; We had expressed our concern about the dangerous vehicular access to the new Purbeck Stone Centre, and PDC have agreed to look into this. The consultation period for the Conservation Area Review has been extended, so if you haven't already, send in your comments now to Benjamin Webb, the Conservation and Design Officer, PDC, Westport House, Wareham, BH20 4PP, or email him at conservation@purbeck-dc.gov.uk.We supported Putlake's appeal to continue car-parking in their field. Thanks were expressed to Mr. Collins for the maintenance of the village seat. It was agreed to raise Cemetery charges by £50.Anyone who has been forced to leave the village through ill-health should be regarded as "local" in terms of fees. Allotments: the Chairman has spoken to some objectors and tried to alleviate their concerns. Some residents have written to PDC and the National Trust both in favour and against. If you want to have your say to the National Trust, write to Louise Carmichael, Senior Rural Surveyor, NT, Hillbutts, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4DS or email her at louise.carmichael@nationaltrust.org.uk. Currently, there are 33 applicants for plots, including St. George's School, so we already have a waiting list. Nationally, there are 100,000 people waiting for allotments. Affordable housing: after a long and tortuous route, we seem to be back to square one - i.e. a development at Steppes. The National Trust have rejected the plan for Capston Field as they felt the site was too prominent. However, they would be willing to consider other sites for housing in the village, such as Cole's Ground, which they have currently earmarked for allotments. The Old Malthouse have received a stern letter from PDC's legal department requiring them to re-instate the trees felled. These must be mature specimens at least 6 metres in height. Those of you who have gone down Crack Lane recently may have noticed that half our house is missing, so don't be surprised to see me wandering round the village with my spongebag and towel looking for a bath!
Pam Kwantes.

LIFEBOAT COLLECTION - HOUSE-TO-HOUSE IN LANGTON MATRAVERS - 2008
Thank-you to our team - Ashley Cook, Sue Blake and Julie Cox.

NEW RNLI COORDINATOR WANTED FOR 2009
I have been village coordinator for many years and I wish to hand over to someone next year. Any volunteers, please ring me and I will explain what it involves. Jan Hancock

TAKE CARE IN CRACK LANE
Over the next couple of months I am having building work done on my cottage which is on the corner of Crack Lane and the High Street. A wall that adjoins the road is being rebuilt and on occasions it will be necessary to put scaffolding towers on the road. This will restrict what is already a narrow lane and, in the case of lorries, they will need to wait whilst the towers are moved in order get through. When this happens I will put "Men at Work" signs at each end of the lane. My advice would be, when they are there, to take a different route. My apologies for this and thank you for your cooperation. Chris Kwantes

LANGTON MATRAVERS LOCAL HISTORY AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY
The first of our Autumn Meetings takes place on Thursday 18th September at 7:30pm in the Village Hall. Reg Saville will give an illustrated talk entitled "Six Langton Characters of My Youth". These will vary and be dominant, funny or tragic, but all will be interesting in their way. All welcome, members £2.50, non-members £3.50.
The History and Preservation Society welcomes new members. If anyone, particularly new residents, is interested do come along and you will have an enjoyable evening. We meet each month during the Autumn and Winter. Any enquiries to Rosemary Stevens.

CONSERVATION APPRAISAL FOR LANGTON AND ACTON-OUR VIEWS CAN BE VERY DIVERSE!
I would like to add my support for the Langton Matravers and Acton Conservation Area to remain the same and to also include the area of Castle View. I do not understand why good time, effort and presumably money was spent on deciding the existing boundary for this Conservation Area. At this time Officers must have had very good reasons to come to this decision. How can buildings land be considered worthy of conservation and then a few years later, this is not the case. All the building that has taken place has been given Purbeck District Planning Permission so therefore it must be in keeping with the surrounding landscape, AONB and Conservation Area. If this is so why has it now been necessary to review this Area. This review of the Conservation Area, in my view, has been a waste of time, effort and money at a time when, we are told that Purbeck District Council's financial recourses are scarce
I would also like to add the following comments:
It is interesting to read the Conservation Appraisal for Langton Matravers and Acton. (PDC) Below I quote from this report, highlighting the view about East Drove, Langton. I am sure these are not the personal feelings of the community of Langton Matravers.
East Drove and top of Durnford Drove. East Drove is a particularly unattractive back lane. The current boundary runs along the edges of properties to the south, partial control over which seems unjustified in the context of the poor quality of this lane. The strip of land at the top of Durnford Drove has little linkage to the rest of the Conservation Area. (PDC)
I cannot agree with this statement. The above is one point of view. Another view that could be considered is that it is not an unattractive back lane. It is filled with bluebells, primroses, buddleia, butterflies and wild strawberries. it is lanes such as these that make a village a very special place to live. This lane is also a public footpath. We live in an unmade road and at times there have been suggestions to change it to tarmac. Local people have opposed this because in their view that it is these unmade lanes that give a village its beauty and character. Vehicles are driven more slowly, children can play and people have time to chat. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
With regards to the proposed reduction in the Conservation Area the conservation officer commented in a letter to me...
If you wish to object to the above (reduction in the Conservation Area) it will be necessary to explain why you feel these places fall within the statutory definition of a conservation area as 'an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance', or otherwise qualify given the statutory guidance referenced. Please note that 'preserve' does not mean prevent all development - that is not the role of a conservation area. (PDC)
I am afraid that we have experienced this sort of argument with PDC in the past. It is a no win situation, we just as well bang our heads against a brick wall! It is all very ambiguous as to what constitutes 'an area/building of special architectural or historic interest'. There is always a loophole and a government policy that can be interpreted in such a way that ordinary people are unable to win the argument. I am not prepared to enter into another pointless debate. There are so many different views, eg the PDC planning officers may have been of the view that the Huff houses in Studland were in keeping with the environment and did not have a negative impact on the AONB. There have also been opposing views with regards to these developments.
I apologise to Dubber readers for returning to an old argument but I couldn't resist this quote from the 'Langton and Acton Conservation Areas Review (PDC)
'Various additional planning controls exist within a Conservation Area. These include the protection of unlisted buildings and structures (with some minor exceptions) from works of substantial demolition. (PDC) Presumably, Worth Cafe and Craft Centre was a minor exception. Because the Queen Post trusses were removed and destroyed. The Purbeck Stone tiles were removed and much of the building was demolished. We were told that for a building to be demolished within a conservation area it was necessary for the building developer to apply for Conservation Area Consent. But then we were also told that the definition of demolition is when the last brick/stone is removed. You see, it is true that there are policies (planning controls) in place to protect but when the public tries to use them to protect a local building it seems that they are worth very little.
What baffles me is why does the government continue to ask the community and Parish Councils for their thoughts and input, it is to presumably show that it has been seen to have reached a democratic decision. Much time and effort has been spent at local Parish meetings with the public discussing possible areas and ways to increase the Conservation Area and to hopefully therefore preserve our beautiful Purbeck, only to find that whilst a small area at Castle View may be included, the total Conservation Area of Langton and Acton may be decreased by about two thirds! I don't think anybody is fooled by this process. I wonder if the reason for this huge reduction in the conservation area is to free up land for further unaffordable building development to meet central government requirements? No. We will see. Collette Drayson

SHRINKING THE CONSERVTION AREA, SHRINKING THE TRUTH.
The consultation period is now over but what really lies behind the "Langton & Acton Conservation Area Review"? A review leads to what: a "development"?
While one applauds the various factors contributing to the character of a conservation area and planning requirements to control the uses and quality of buildings why shrink the area? "Conservation Area designation is not intended to prevent development or restrict economic activity". In other words open up more land for "Get Rich Developers". Provided they build within the remit of "the character". People understand the need for affordable housing but it is often a convenient mask for property developers to get their foot in the door. While the information reads extremely well most people have expressed their unease about the whole situation. Perhaps the old expression "we smell a rat" rings very true.
Henry Staveley-Hill

TRAIDCRAFT
The next Traidcraft stall will be on Sunday September 7th, trading between and after the usual Hosanna and Benefice Services at St George's Church, Langton Matravers.
Thank you so much to all those of you who have bought from the stall already. You must be enjoying the produce as the sales are rising steadily. If you can't wait until September to top up then do go along to the Swanage Christian Centre where a wide selection of Traidcraft goods is always available. Judith Cochrane.

ST GEORGES SCHOOL FETE
Many thanks to everyone who came to St. Georges School Fete on the Friday 6th June. The change of day and time was obviously more appealing and we managed to raise a magnificent £1,470.00. Thank you so much for your support, we couldn't have done it without you!
We were very lucky with the weather, and couldn't have wished for a better evening. Many thanks to all of the local traders who came along and made the mix of stalls more interesting. Thanks also to Jon and Graham for bringing along the Coastguard Truck, and also to PCSO Rebekah Butler for being there. Special thanks to the team of parents, grandparents, teachers and friends who helped to set up, man the stalls and clear away, you all helped to make the Fete such a success.
Hope you all have a warm and happy summer!
St Georges PTA

ADVANCE NOTICE; DIARY DATE!!
St George's Church Fete 2009 will be held on Saturday July 11th 2009. This is a change from the usual day to avoid Wimbledon finals and put more time between the village fair (mid June) and the Church Fete. Please put this date into your diaries. Thank you. Becca Charron

NEWS FROM
WORTH MATRAVERS

WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL.
REPRESENTING THE VILLAGES OF WORTH MATRAVERS AND HARMANS CROSS.
At the July Parish Council meeting there were 4 members of the public present. Alan Stephenson was not one of them. In contrast there were over 20 members of the public present at the August meeting. An overwhelming majority voiced their support for the Parish Council. We would like to thank them and also all those who sent messages of support. We hope we can now put all the unpleasantness behind us and get on with the jobs in hand.
Representatives from Post Watch, Purbeck Disrtict Council and Dorset Community Action, attended the meeting to try and encourage us to oppose the closing of WM Post Office. It was the feeling of those present that whilst condemning the wholesale closures of Post Offices, it was more important to ensure that full time post office services remained at Langton Matravers, rather than fight to try and keep the very limited service at WM open.
This week I have had a meeting with several representatives of groups in the area, looking into the possibility of setting up some sort of community transport service, which would include WM and HX. More meetings are to take place in September and I will keep you informed of progress.
The flooding problem on the road outside Woodlands, HX, has at last been dealt with by DCC. The traffic order for the 30mph speed limit proposal for Haycrafts Lane and Tabitts Hill Lane has now gone out to Public Advertisement, and providing no objections are received, the order should become operative well before Christmas.
Regarding the footway extension request for Haycrafts Lane, I have been informed that as no developers contribution (Flower Meadow site) was obtained by Development Control, the request will have to be assessed as a new improvement scheme for priority against a very long list. These requests are assessed each autumn and we will be updated at that time.
Sadly we are to lose our Clerk, Michelle, in the middle of October. The position of Clerk will be vacant and if you are interested, please contact Michelle, for details of pay and conditions, etc. The closing date for applications is the 15th. September, with interviews to be held the following week and a start date of 1st. October.
We also have a vacancy for a Councillor, so if you would like to be considered, please contact Michelle or myself before the next Parish Council meeting on 2nd. September.
We have made the following progress on the Parish Plan Actions. Summer 2008.
4b. Verges will be cut according to Dorset County Council policy. Landowners are responsible for cutting back their hedges from the highway and footpaths, with enforcement action taken by DCC as necessary. This is an ongoing process which the Parish Council will continue to monitor.
7a. The review of speed limits on A and B class roads is to take place by 2010. Valley Road will be included in this review, but as to timescale, priority will be given to routes with high accident rates.
7g. To be addressed as part of ongoing maintenance by DCC, subject to resources.
12a. We have supported WCPT with a donation of £2,500. The Chairman regularly attends their monthly meetings as the Parish Council's Board Member.
12c. The last Purbeck District Housing Needs Survey was taken in 2006. At present PDC does not have a Rural Housing Enabler, but we will be kept updated as to future progress, so this action will be ongoing.
14a. and 14d. Bill Davidson from PDC Environmental Services attended the May meeting and these actions were brought to his attention. We have tried to find solutions to the problems but each one has been unacceptable to PDC. We will continue to try and find a satisfactory solution. PDC have no plans to re-introduce a weekly household refuse collection.
17b. There are tennis courts at Beach Gardens in Swanage and at Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham.
17c. Di Quinn is already heavily involved with local arts and craft groups and has agreed to be our co-ordinator and can be contacted if you would like to know more.
17f. The Parish Council has arranged a meeting for the 26th. August at 6pm. in HX Village Hall, together with PACT officers, HX Village Hall and Dorset Community Action.
18a. A Police Community Support Officer attended the July PC meeting to tell us all about PACT and their aims. Their support will be ongoing, see 17f.
18b. Completed Spring 2008.
19a. The Parish Council website went live in the spring. www.worthmatraversparishcouncil.org
The full list of actions can be viewed on the website or on the PC notice boards.
Next month I will update you on the Autumn 2008 actions, most of which we have already implemented. If you have any queries on the Parish Plan Actions please contact me.
Planning applications this month. The Parish Council had no objection to the following:
Old Harry Cottage. WM. Erect dormer window on the west elevation.
Seafield, Winspit Road, WM. Erect detached double garage, modify vehicular access.
Landers Quarry, Kingston Road, WM. Erection of office/showroom building and associated external works.
Former Worth Cafe, WM. Create an additional bin store to serve Samuel Smith Cottage.
The next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 2nd. September at 7.30pm. in HX Village Hall.
Joyce Meates. Chairman.

WORTH AFTERNOON CLUB
It seems ages since our very enjoyable outing to Cranbourne in June. Our programme tunes up again on Wed. Sept. 10 at 2:30 in the W.M. Village Hall with "Make Music" with Debbie Handy. Remember there is a "Bring and Buy" afterwards. Visitors are welcome. Shiela Johnson

CRACKED IT
Click here for another photo

Last month I should have enclosed some pictures of the Barn Dance with my article. I didn't because I had no idea how to take them from my camera to my PC and then send them into space. I think I may have "Cracked It". With a bit of luck you may be able to see them at the Dubber web-site (for those of you that have also mastered "cyber space").
Derek Ralls

WORTH CPT NEWS
Progress with the affordable housing project continues. Detailed designs are now with the Council for consideration. On the finance front, we have an offer of long term finance from the Charity Bank. But prices have increased and we are now looking to plug a £150,000 gap. We are in the process of applying to the Housing Corporation and Purbeck District Council and we hope to secure this money.
East Dorset Antiquarian Society (EDAS) returned to Football Field to complete the dig that they started last year. Last year, EDAS confirmed that the houses will not damage any of the important Iron Age and Roman remains. They were on site during the last two weeks of July and the first week of August. They will be returning two days a week for the rest of the summer. They have found a number of probable iron age features that they are investigating.
The Trust has been discussing possible uses for the Swanworth Quarry site when the quarry closes in a few years time. The Board has agreed to express an interest in the future management of the site in line with community wishes expressed in the parish plan.
This year's AGM will take place on Wednesday 10th September at 7:30 in Worth village hall. We hope to see you there. Bob Kenyon

WORTH MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL PARISH CLERK/FINANCE OFFICER
A vacancy exists for the above post. The post is part-time averaging 40 hours per month and attending 1 evening meeting each month. The appointee would be expected to take minutes of meetings, write letters, prepare agendas and keep financial records for the council. Must be computer literate and have an aptitude for figures. Training will be provided when in post. Salary is in accordance with NJC scales for part-time clerks(currently £8.041 per hour).
Please apply with a current CV and the names of two referees to the Clerk: Michelle Stracey, The Great Barn, Langton Matravers, BH19 3EU. Closing Date for applications: 15th September 2008

NEWS FROM
KINGSTON

KINGSTON NEWS
On 13th August, we were visited by a church choir from Exeter who were on tour in Dorset. They sang a beautiful Evensong, a service not often heard in St James.
On 16th August, it happened! Come hell or high water it always does. It really was not quite that bad at the Kingston Church Fete, the weather was not too encouraging, but people turned up and seemed to enjoy themselves. Our organisers are getting quite adept at coping with poor weather. They had already arranged for the Swanage Town Band to be in the church as were the Ring of Eight Dancers, the cake, produce and tea stalls. This meant that people could sit in the church, drink tea and listen to the music, take part and keep dry. It made the Church beautifully warm - if we could only have the same situation for services and concerts, we should save a lot on fuel bills.
For those who were prepared to brave the elements, there was plenty to entertain them. It was too slippy for the dogs to perform, but the Scott Arms kept up a steady supply of beer and burgers, there were plenty of Village Games to play and things to buy - the Book stall was particularly successful. The weather was not quite right for the Belly Dancers, who were certainly a first for Kingston. Who would have imagined that they came from Stoborough and not the Nile? It seems that belly dancers come in all sizes, but are all equally supple and colourful. An interesting experience.
The total taken on the day was £3062. This figure is gross as there are still expenses to be deducted. The details of the breakdown of this sum is posted on the Church notice board by the bottom gate. I should like to quote our Treasurer, "All in all a very good result given the rather dreary weather. Very many thanks to everyone who worked so hard before, during and after the Fete, to make it such a success and also to all those who gave their support to the stalls and other activities in so many different ways. 635 people paid for entry and I think that they spent more per head than those who used to come to the Encombe Fete. It was certainly a very happy occasion, despite everything."
A letter from Cancare has been put up in the notice board, thanking us for our donation of £777.57 from the Open Gardens.
It's not all money raising in Kingston. There is a small group of friends who share a common interest in creative writing who meet in Kingston. Last month the suggested subject was 'A view from my window.' We should like to give you Margaret Harris's contribution. It may strike a chord with many of us.

THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW
The view from my window is a view to liven all the senses, to see the beauty, the hills and valleys covered with flowers, with the sea in the distance, to take in the scent of the new mown hay and the blossoms; to hear the bird song and the sound of harvesting; to feel, in thinking, the pricks of the blackberry branches, and the taste of the lush black fruit. It is all these as I look at the view, and bless the day when we were able to buy a house with a panoramic view over the Purbeck Hills.
The view is always changing, I love it in all its moods, happy and welcoming in bright sunshine, cold and distant when covered with grey and brooding and angry when the lashing rain is chased by the rushing wind; and then quiet when the sun sets in the west, lights appear, and a silent owl glides over the valley searching for her supper, the fields are bathed in moonlight and the hills are dark and mysterious, so many moods, the view is never dull enough to be ignored. All the time there is life, people travelling down the hill to meet the main road, and the regular stream of white steam from the Swanage train, travelling along the valley.
I often think of the Lady of Shalott who had to see everything through her mirror. How fortunate I am to be able to see it all clearly and not to have to look out on brick walls as I did as a child, living in London. By Margaret Harris

FROM THE RECTORY
For many people September means ... back to school, back to work, back to normal. The end of the holiday time may delight you, ... as the car parks empty ... or fill you with dread, as autumn approaches.
Going back, to somewhere you have known well has risks attached. What if everything has changed while you were away?
Sometimes when I go to see people to talk about a funeral, they say we didn't go to church ... not since we were children ... but we've always believed ... and they are surprised at the comfort and reassurance that well known prayers and hymns bring, when they return.
Many people return to the faith of their childhood, later in life, and they find to their surprise, that while some non essentials, like tunes and even styles of words may have changed, the essentials, the basics remain the same, rock solid and utterly to be trusted.
And they find also to their surprise, that, in returning, the sense of wonder and joy and hope and simple trust and above all of being loved that is a characteristic of faith for many children, that returns too, but there is a difference. Grown up people need grown up faith ... Returners bring all their life experience and relate it ... to the faith story which spans from the cradle to the cross with a life time in between.
Back to school, back to work, why not back to faith as well? Or are you like the little boy who hadn't been to Sunday school for a few weeks. Oh, I haven't left he said when asked, I just haven't been ... Because we sometimes need a nudge or excuse, to get going again, the church now has back to church Sunday ... for us here its on September 14th. No questions asked. No explanations required, though we do love hearing other peoples stories ... Just go to any of the services, and you will belong and be welcome. Or give me a ring, and talk about it or just ponder on T.S. Eliot's words ...
"And the end of all our exploring
Will be to end where we started
And to know the place for the first time"
Priest in charge, Kingston, Langton Matravers, and Worth Matravers.