TRADING STINKERS
No-one is in favour of alcohol being sold to under-18’s, except perhaps the under-18’s who try to buy it.
All the local shops and off-licences train their staff properly. They keep a ‘refusals book’ logging all occasions on which they turn away under-age would-be purchasers. They know that they and their individual staff members are liable to be heavily fined if they break the rules, and that they may even lose their licence.
But the Trading Standards people are going too far in their attempts to curb under-age sales, by involving themselves in what can only be described as ‘entrapment’.
Children grow up much too quickly. By 18, they’re wearing adult clothes, using make-up, and appear at times to be well over 20. So the Trading Standards people take one of these child-adults around, send them in to buy alcohol, then swoop as soon as the unlucky shop assistant has been successfully conned.
A child has to be 18 to have a credit card, yet allegedly somehow these ‘children’ have been furnished with credit cards to use in the off-licences, possibly to enhance the illusion of their actually being 18.
So every so often the Trading Standards descend on Swanage, ‘child’ in tow, and impose fines and penalties. Last time, I’m told, they “caught” 11 establishments in this way.
You might say they’re only doing their job. But I say that it’s deliberate entrapment and the whole thing stinks.
BEACH GARDENS PLANNING
Following my articles in the Gazette requiring specific answers to specific planning questions, from planning officers and elected representatives.
I have heard nothing whatseover from any District Councillor or Planning Official. So I for one will be staying at home on Thursday.
But the good news is that on one specific point I have - in writing - a letter from Councillor Steve Poultney of Swanage Town Council stating "There will be NO development on Beach Gardens. Never, ever, over my dead body".
Thank you Steve. If only all your colleagues were as forthright and as forthcoming as you, there would be fewer misunderstandings between the Council and the electorate.
But in view of your comment, I might be inclined to sleep with a shotgun beside the bed. Some people will go to any lengths...................................
AND THE REST (2)
And here's the full text of the next one which got edited .........
Dear Sir,
I am disappointed that A C King (Advertiser May 7th) highlights the fact that two of the three letters on the subject of tourist-related businesses came from outside the Town’s boundaries.
Whilst accepting that I am not directly affected by the volume of visitors, this surely does not preclude my protestations on behalf of all Swanage’s seasonal businesses, not just one in particular. Take the time, Mr. King, to think exactly how many people are directly and indirectly employed by the tourist businesses; not just the waitresses and shop assistants, but the decorators, plumbers and carpenters who work on the shops and the homes of the business owners, the garages who service their cars, and so on. Swanage’s economy is inter-related and inextricably linked with the tourist trade.
Very few of the issues which I take up actually concern ME. It would be very easy to ‘shut up shop’ and retire to my house in Harmans Cross with my deckchair and my cats. But one has to take a broader picture, stand up for, and try in some way to work for the community in which I have lived for over 60 years.
If you, Mr.King, have lived here for your whole life and detest tourists, why don’t you move away ? And conversely, if you knowingly moved into a Tourist Town then you have no justification for complaining about the tourists.
And finally; “You Don’t Hear OAP’s complain”. Sorry, Mr.Editor, you got that wrong ! The media is full of OAP’s complaining about the meagre interest on their savings; they’re lucky indeed to have savings. The point of savings is to provided for a ‘rainy day’ and economically-speaking, it’s pouring. I’d rather earn 0.5% on my ISA’s if it means that the low rates can give much-needed relief to those not as fortunate as myself, stuck with huge mortgages to pay.
Life shouldn’t be all about “how it affect ME”. No man is an island.
AND THE REST....
and the rest of the letter which this week's Advertiser did NOT publish......
"No, A C King, if you want to complain about the rate increase, don’t take it out on the tourist businesses without which this town would be dead in the water.
Instead, look at a Council which can generate money from the Beach Concessions, from all the car parks, from what should be a successful Caravan Park and leisure centre, and ask yourself whether perhaps the increased precept is an indication of their total failure to milk these ‘cash cows’.
I question whether any elected body – on which business people are sadly in the minority – has the skill, or even the right, to control these public assets."
Even though the Advertiser wouldn't let me ask this question ..... it still needs to be asked. Along with all the others which I asked in the Gazette this month - to which I've still had no answers. Someone should explain to the Town Council that it is an accountable and elected public body and as such can be asked questions concerning its policies, practices and behaviour. Whether by a tuppeny-halfpenny journalist lilke me, or by the District Auditor. It's their choice.
And as for A C King's reply in this week's Advertiser ....... dont you just hate it when people move to a seaside town to retire and then complain about the tourists ?
Not serious all the time ........
You’re going to die.
I’m going to die, too. Every day I live is another day closer to when I stop. It could be tomorrow, it could be in thirty years time. I’m glad I don’t know when my time is up; that would spoil the fun. So my motto is ‘treat every day as if it were your last because one day it will be’.
I spent a really lovely Sunday. Started off with bacon (high fat content), eggs (cholesterol) and coffee (caffeine). Worked in the garden with my shirt off, soaking up the spring sunshine (skin cancer). Stopped for elevenses; coffee (caffeine) and a chocolate bar (fat and cholesterol). Went out to lunch (more fat, more cholesterol) in the car (helping climate change). Had a beer (risking prostate cancer) and Tina had a glass of wine (risking breast cancer). Paid by credit card (risking bank fraud). Back home to laze around, taking no exercise (risking heart attacks) soaking up more sunshine (risking skin cancer).
Later, we cleaned the three (anti-social) cars, (probably using carcinogenic chemicals). Spent an hour (apparently too long) in the Jacuzzi (soaking up chemicals and risking skin irritation) playing the lovely warm jets on my back (damaging my kidneys), and knocking back at least a pint of San Miguel (that’s my units for the day gone), listening to loud music on the headphones (damaging my hearing). Dried off under the patio heater (that’s the globe totally finished).
Dinner was Steak (grilled, not fried, but still dangerous), sauté garlic potatoes (fried) and vegetables (two sorts, not five). Apple pie and Ice-cream (fat). And a glass of red wine (good for the heart). And another (that’s tomorrow’s units gone) and another (but then it was a very good bottle and I don’t think I’m driving anywhere). And then put up the feet in front of the TV (no exercise either considered or possible by this stage). And so to bed.
Am I glad to be alive ? No, I’m amazed ! That reminds me, I must cancel the Daily Mail……..
See you next month. Maybe.
David Hollister
Planning
We have been running a series in the Purbeck Gazette entitled 'Telling It Like It Is' , and the last two months' articles have been on planning matters, peculiarities, and downright odd decisions. I have tried and failed to understand how it is that some plans seem to go through almost 'on the nod' whilst others are subject to constant refusal, moderation, and general hassle from either the Planning Officers or their Committee. I would be interested to follow up the last article (Gazette April 2009) with any stories, comments, etc from our readers and those who read and contribute to this blog. So if you have a story - let's have it at virtual-swanage.co.uk. If you do not wish me to use it in next month's Gazette, please indicate this fact at the end of your tale.
I genuinely belive that something is wrong here. but cannot at this stage make any comments or point any fingers because I don't have enough hard facts. Over to you, dear readers.
If you'd prefer to keep it anonymous then please email me your story at david.hollister@corfe-castle.co.uk. All emails will be acknowledged but I make no guarantee of publication; that's Nico's department !
David Hollister
NEWS FROM HARMANS CROSS - MARCH 2009
50/50 SALE
Harmans Cross Residents - and those from anywhere else in Purbeck too - are being offered the opportunity to sell unwanted items on Saturday 7
March when the Village Hall will be ‘hosting’ a 50/50 Auction.
Bring along the jewellery you no longer wear, collectables you no longer collect, or that old bike you no longer ride! - and turn them into cash. It will only cost £2 to enter a lot (max 10 lots per household), or £3 if you wish to place a reserve on it.. And whatever the hammer price, you get 50%; the other 50% - plus the entry fee - goes towards the New Hall Fund. Unsold items will be returned to the owner or donated to charity.
Items should be ‘deposited’ for cataloguing by 2.00 p.m. on 7 March for viewing from 6.00 p.m. and sale starting at 7.00 pm when bargain hunters can bid for the products that they wish to buy.
The evening promises to be a lot of fun; The Residents Club bar will be open. Enquiries please to Robert Steel on 01929 481525
GRAND BOOK SALE
Saturday 14 March 10.00am to 2.00pm There will be over 2,000 books of all types, shapes and sizes on sale for just 20p each. Everything must go as the old book store is to be demolished to make way for our New Village Hall. A licensed bar will be open from 10.30am as bargain hunting can be very thirsty work! All proceeds will go towards our new Village Hall. We don’t need more books for this sale; tuck them away for our August Bank Holiday Book Stall on Field Day.
NEW VILLAGE HALL
We have now raised a massive £575,000 towards our NEW VILLAGE HALL project; only £120,000 to go ! We hope to be 'in the ground' by the end of July 2009 so any fundraising ideas and practical help will be very much appreciated.
David Hollister
01929 480540
