Gallery Updates
We have added 10 new photos by local photographer Andy Farrer to the gallery. See Andys photos on http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/gallery/photographerthumbs.aspx?p=5
Representation ? May as well talk to the wall.
Once again we find ourselves trying to organise – or in this case finding ourselves too late to organise – a protest against yet another service or facility being removed from Swanage by the Council that’s supposed to be here to look after our best interests.
So we saved the Day Centre for the time being. The library is on the slippery slope (watch this space). We got totally stitched up on the James Day Home. Fait accompli, right ?
The school issue is far from settled, and although we’re the biggest town on the South Coast without a secondary school, the County Council refuse to even consider what to us is sheer common sense, i.e. putting the Middle School back to a secondary school like it was in our day. So what for the hundreds of kids having to waste their time travelling to Wareham each day, the CO2 emissions (if that’s your thing), the inconvenience. The expense. So what that 700 homes are planned for Swanage over the next few years, most – hopefully – for families with children. Unless they’re going to end up ‘second homes’ or more bungalows for retired people. So are they going to ‘bus’ all those kids to Wareham as well ?
But let’s look at this ‘Council’. It’s actually run by a totally Conservative inner cabal – sorry, cabinet – comprising Spencer Flower (Verwood), Toni Coombs (Verwood), Andrew Cattaway (North Dorset), Geoffrey Brierley (Marshwood Vale (that’s Weymouth)), and Hilary Cox (Winterborne). Sadly, Purbeck is not represented at the higher level. But apparently the decisions of the cabinet are “subject to scrutiny by a different group of Councillors who ‘check and monitor’ what the cabinet does”. AKA rubber stamped.
Now I bet you thought that your vote made a difference? So – who’s your County Councillor, then? To save you the embarrassment of looking it up yourself, choose from David Budd (Lib Dem) (Wareham), Bill Trite (Con, Swanage) or Mike Lovell (Con, Purbeck Hills). Three out of 45 ain’t bad … is it? If all three actually stood up and shouted the odds on behalf of Purbeck, would they get a listen? Would they hell!
So here we are, basically unrepresented at any significant level at which the decisions are made.
Now personally I’m sick of having to try to defend Swanage and Purbeck’s best interests against the Council that is supposed to be working for us rather than against us. So I would imagine is my good friend Geraldine Norris, who has worked so tirelessly in so many local campaigns.
What I’d actually like to see is power being restored to the people. People who live here. Or at least people who have been here occasionally. Come on, Spencer Flower and Co, come down to a meeting of Swanage parents. I challenge you. Listen and learn.
Or how about a ‘cabinet’ specifically looking after Purbeck’s best interests. David, Bill and Mike would make ideal members ……..
Save the Swanage and Wareham rail link
From their facebook page:
Purbeck desperately needs your help to support the running of the line between Wareham and Swanage.
There are obvious benefits in opening up the line, no least of all being able to offer commuters continuous travel from Poole or Weymouth and therefore the whole UK and beyond. In turn this will get cars of our congested roads.
BUT, £3m is needed to be able to support the line.
At this stage we need your support in terms of votes. We need to be able to show Network Rail that there is sufficient support for it to be economically viable for them to invest in the infrastructure needed to fully open up the line.
You can do this by joining our Facebook Page and signing up as a fan. The more fans we can have for this page the more likely Network Rail will invest.
Without this support the dreams of many will disappear and the line will never see its full potential.
The next stage will then be to try and raise the money needed!
Visit their website on: http://swanagewarehamraillink.wordpress.com
Facebook group on: http://www.facebook.com/swanagewarehamraillink
Vandals cutting livestock fences
Vandals have been cutting wire fences on the sides of Dump Road in Swanage.
The fences have been cut leaving a gap which the horses and other livestock in the field could use to escape onto Dump Road which could potentially cause an accident or the death of one of more horses.
If anyone sees someone damaging the fences please can they call the police on 01929 422004 or 01202 222222
Large heathfire on Studland Heath
There is currently a very large heathfire on Studland Heath below the golf course and club house.
Photo from the top of Agglestone path
Photo from ferry road
Valley Road closed
The A351 Valley Road is currently closed due to a major crash involving four vehicles and a cyclist.
Diversions are in place via Kingston and Langton.
A new load of bollards for Swanage
ANGRY traders fear planned bollards will cause a bottleneck outside their Swanage stores, making it impossible for emergency services to get past. They also fear the work, rescheduled to start in Institute Road next week, could run into the Easter holidays, damaging trade.
Source: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/purbeck/5051718.Bottleneck_fear_on_Swanage_bollard_plan/
Google Street View now covers Swanage
Google have launched their streetview mapping system to cover nearly all of the UK.
You can take a look around Swanage and see the area with the 360 deg views from the google mapping car
A few to get started:
Church Hill, Survey Person, Pier, Tourist Info Centre, Swanage Railway, Corfe Castle
