Jazz festival returns to Swanage after two year Covid break The line-up has been announced for this year’s Swanage Jazz Festival, back after a two-year absence because of Covid.
Visitors to Swanage Hospital need to take lateral flow test New rules are being introduced for people visiting patients on the ward at Swanage Hospital, to help reduce the spread of Covid. 
RNLI on the lookout for new Swanage Beach lifeguards Getting ready for summer 2022, the RNLI is inviting applications from those who would like to be beach lifeguards along the South Coast including Swanage. 
Massive Swanage street party planned for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee To celebrate the Queen's 70 year reign, events in Swanage are being planned across the June Bank Holiday weekend. 
Police hunt for driver of car ‘hidden’ in Swanage The driver of a Mercedes car is being sought after they failed to stop for police and tried to hide the vehicle behind some flats in Swanage. 
Dig this – Swanage seafront gets spruced up! The operations team for Swanage Town Council has been busy planting out more trees, shrubs and perennials to improve the appearance of the town and its eco credentials. 
RNLI on the lookout for new Swanage Beach lifeguards Getting ready for summer 2022, the RNLI is inviting applications from those who would like to be beach lifeguards along the South Coast including Swanage. 
Swanage Ambulance Car unstaffed while patient waiting times increase Swanage ambulance car has been sitting idle for up to three quarters of the month - at a time when emergency response times have more than doubled. 
Swanage and Wareham firefighters do animal rescue! Ideally equipped for reaching the top of buildings and trees, animal loving fire crews were called to save a bird in Swanage and a cat in Wareham. 
Cyclist’s leg bitten by dog in Swanage Purbeck Police are asking for the owners of a dog that caused a puncture wound to a man’s leg, to come forward and tell their side of the story. 
First shout of the year for Swanage Lifeboat crew Following reports of a kayaker in difficulty in Swanage Bay, both lifeboats from Swanage Lifeboat Station launched for the first time this year. 
Councillors angered by bid to remove affordable housing in Swanage In a heated debate, Dorset Council nearly threw out the requirement for affordable housing from a proposed development in Swanage but settled on deferring the decision.
Bin collections across Purbeck still disrupted admits Dorset Council Apologising to residents in Swanage and across Purbeck, Dorset Council says it is trying to fix the problem of missed or delayed bin collections. 
Swanage residents’ views sought on a pocket of open land The future of the old St Mark’s School playing field and sports court in Herston is under discussion since Swanage Town Council signed a lease to take over the land. 
Ban on BBQs and illegal camping not proposed for Swanage and Studland A legally enforceable ban on antisocial behaviour is being proposed by Dorset Council for some areas but not for the majority of Purbeck. 
Swanage library invites views on future services The future of Swanage library - along with others in the county – is the subject of a public consultation that’s been launched by Dorset Council. 
Swanage on-street parking charges set to go up The cost of parking in Station Road and Shore Road is to increase, along with Dorset Council owned car parks in Wareham and Corfe Castle, if the plans get the ... 
Swanage street name may be changed after complaint A street name that a family holidaying in Swanage found offensive is set to be altered after they contacted Dorset Council. 
Celebrity couple share photos of New Year trip to Swanage While many famous people visit Swanage and keep it quiet, one well-known couple let everyone know what a good time they were having by posting on social media. 
Swanage bike repair man changes gear to show off his art From bike art to North American Indian-inspired suncatchers as well as paintings by David Bowie tribute act, there’s plenty to discover at Artisans on the Beach in Swanage. 
Tree 4 Henry – Holm oak planted in memory of much loved Swanage man Family and friends gathered to plant a tree at Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage in memory of Henry Searle, who sadly died aged just 25. 
Thomas Hardy letters reveal controversy over Dorset writer’s death Letters purchased at auction by Dorset History Centre throw fresh light on a little known controversy surrounding the death of Dorset writer Thomas Hardy. 
Purbeck animal charity chief exec steps down The Margaret Green Animal Rescue charity is looking for a new chief executive after the previous boss stepped down. 
More Covid cases now in Dorset than at any other time in pandemic Latest figures show that the number of people testing positive for Covid in Dorset, has hit its highest peak than at any other point of the pandemic.
New booking system for Covid booster jab rolled out in Purbeck To ensure more residents in Swanage and across Purbeck can get their Covid booster jabs at Wareham Hospital, a new text booking system is being introduced. 
Dorset hospitals see sharp increase in Covid patients as cases rise Public Health Dorset is warning that the vaccine is not a magic protective cloak as Covid cases and hospitalisations substantially rise in Dorset. 
Covid vaccine rollout to 16 and 17 year olds starts in Purbeck Swanage Medical Practice, along with GP surgeries across Purbeck is sending out letters inviting young people to get a Covid jab at Wareham Hospital. 
Get a jab on Swanage seafront as Covid cost is revealed in new figures A mobile vaccination clinic is heading to the beach so anyone may walk in and get a jab, as new statistics for Swanage are released. 
Rotary cancels Swanage summer fete as Covid cases double in a week Swanage and Purbeck Rotary has called off its summer fete due to a rise in Covid cases and fears the event would attract a large crowd. 
Swanage businesses forced to temporarily close due to Covid Covid rules have left a number of businesses in Swanage temporarily shut because staff have Covid or are self isolating. 
Purbeck commuters face slower rail journeys due to staff shortages The ‘significant impact’ of the Omicron Covid variant means the introduction of a reduced rail timetable from Wareham Station to London and Southampton. 
Swanage streets to be closed for roadworks A series of new year road closures in Swanage will mean drivers will have to take diversions to get round town. 
New Road to Studland temporarily closed for resurfacing A section of New Road (B3351) that links Studland and Corfe Castle is to be temporarily closed for four days for resurfacing works. 
Car park at Norden escapes Dorset Council parking charge hike Purbeck Park car park at Norden, developed to encourage visitors to take the train to Corfe Castle and Swanage has got a last minute reprieve. 
Parking permits for residents to be looked at by Dorset Council It’s been revealed that Dorset Council is considering introducing on-street parking permits for residents across the area including Swanage. 
Dig this – Swanage seafront gets spruced up! The operations team for Swanage Town Council has been busy planting out more trees, shrubs and perennials to improve the appearance of the town and its eco credentials.
Corfe gets a new castle but this time it’s for the kids! Work is nearing completion on a new play area for youngsters in Corfe Castle and it’s taken its inspiration from the village’s most famous landmark. 
Durlston Castle to get solar panels to reduce carbon footprint Planning permission has been granted to install solar panels at the Victorian Grade II listed Victorian folly near Swanage. 
Children tackle tree planting at Swanage and Wareham rugby club As part of a game plan to combat climate change, Swanage and Wareham RFC and Sustainable Wareham teamed up to plant 30 new trees. 
Brave Swanage swimmers take a Boxing Day dip Disorganised in the best possible way, hundreds took the plunge for the annual Boxing Day swim in Swanage - WATCH VIDEO. 
Behind the scenes as Extreme E car racing arrives in Bovington More used to army tanks, Bovington in Dorset has been transformed into an off-road racing track for Extreme E and it's helping beavers too! 
Controversial Purbeck wind farm to become reality after 20 year battle The final sections of a massive windfarm are arriving at a Purbeck quarry, which will provide eight megawatts of renewable energy. 
Swanage Railway on brink of restoring service to Wareham after 50 year battle A special diesel train service on Swanage Railway has marked the 50th anniversary since British Rail closed the branch line from Swanage to Wareham - WATCH VIDEO. 
Fundraising effort to get Victorian loco back on Swanage Railway’s tracks Work to restore a Victorian locomotive is steaming ahead after it was gifted to Swanage Railway by the National Railway Museum. 
Travel on Swanage Railway for 50p to mark 50th anniversary The heritage railway in Swanage is offering a limited number of tickets at 1972 prices to mark 50 years since the last British Rail train trip. 
Swanage Railway signals start to Christmas with first festive test run Residents got a first glimpse of the Swanage Railway Steam and Lights train service and the offer of a 25 percent discount on tickets - WATCH NEW VIDEO 
Volunteers at Swanage Railway Museum celebrate a cash boost Audio recordings from Swanage branch line staff and passengers in the 1950s and 1960s, will transport visitors back in time, after the museum was awarded grant funding. 
Massive Swanage street party planned for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee To celebrate the Queen's 70 year reign, events in Swanage are being planned across the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Purbeck businesses among finalists of Dorset Tourism Awards In yet another seesaw year for tourism, a number of businesses in Purbeck have reached the finals of the Dorset Tourism Awards for 2021 / 22. 
More Blackpool than Blue Pool, Purbeck attraction gets illuminated Blue Pool near Wareham has undergone a dazzling transformation bringing light and music to a winter evening’s stroll. 
Swiss Army gifts Bovington Tank Museum a present too big to wrap A Swiss variant of a British post-war tank has been delivered back to the UK and is now on display at The Tank Museum in Bovington in Dorset. 
Winners revealed of best Christmas lights in Swanage A competition to find the best festive decorations in Swanage has proved a tricky task, as many residents created dazzling displays . 
First Christmas for Swanage Town Band at the new bandstand Breaking tradition for the first time, the Swanage Town Band performed Christmas carols at the newly refurbished bandstand - SEE VIDEO AND PICTURES. 
New Purbeck Christmas fair may become regular event Word of mouth and the power of social media ensured the success of the first ever Christmas fair at Hartland Stud near Norden. 
The Christmas Tree Festival lights up the Emmanuel Baptist Church and brings plenty of festive cheer We find out more about this annual event by chatting to the minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage, Mark Hatto and the church's adminstrator, Janet Norley. 
“I thought I’d have a go at this ‘being an artist’ thing” – Andy Knill from Artisans on the Beach Every Christmas the beach huts in Shore Road become pop up shops selling artwork and handmade crafts. We find out more by speaking to event organiser, Andy Knill. 
“There’s a lot of really good food stalls today…I’ve spotted the olives!” – Rotary’s Steve Parsons Every year the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary organises a Christmas market in Station Road. The club's president, Steve Parsons explains more. 
“Ours is a sunken bandstand and it’s rare”- Alan Houghton, who campaigned to save Swanage Bandstand. After many years of neglect, the Swanage Bandstand has been restored to its former glory. We speak to the man who led the rescue mission, Alan Houghton. 
“Clear sewers equals clean seas!” – Sarah Spurling, Love Swanage Beach campaign Love Swanage Beach is a campaign to help improve and maintain the bathing water quality in Swanage. We speak to the project officer, Sarah Spurling. Jazz festival returns to Swanage after two year Covid break The line-up has been announced for this year’s Swanage Jazz Festival, back after a two-year absence because of Covid.
Swanage Panto performers say: Covid? It’s behind us…! This year’s Swanage panto has been the ‘hardest ever’ with illness and positive Covid tests causing one cast member after another to miss rehearsals. 
Swanage’s theatre on financial knife edge as Covid impacts again With audiences staying away due to renewed fears over Covid, The Mowlem is launching a winter appeal to raise £5,000. 
D-Day tank at Studland beach for documentary filming The history series for National Geographic is due to be broadcast in autumn 2022. 
Swanage Rep company gets Covid grant boost The production company behind the Swanage Rep theatre season at The Mowlem has won a government grant, raising hopes of a return next year after the ‘unprecedented and unpredictable’ impact ... 
Swanage-based radio station scoops silver at national awards Community radio station, Purbeck Coast 101.2 FM located on Swanage Pier, has achieved recognition in the prestigious 2021 Community Radio Awards, less than three years since its launch. 
Firework extravaganza set to light up the Purbeck sky Bonfire night is back with a bang with the spectacular annual event at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Ground returning after a gap of two years because of Covid. Visitors to Swanage Hospital need to take lateral flow test New rules are being introduced for people visiting patients on the ward at Swanage Hospital, to help reduce the spread of Covid. 
Heartfelt plea to return missing Swanage defibrillator Essential life saving equipment costing £1,000 has gone missing from outside the Swanage Sea Rowing Club near the pier. 
Bumper fundraising effort in Swanage to get #Willdoes bus on the road A launch date in early 2022 has been set for a mobile youth centre based in Swanage, thanks to youth charity #Willdoes. 
New clinic at Swanage Hospital to help with breathing difficulties A better breathing clinic has been launched at Swanage Hospital organised by a charity that provides care to patients facing life-limiting illness. 
Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage rated as ‘Good’ by regulator To the delight of the team at Gainsborough Care Home, it has moved from the grading ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ following a recent inspection. 
Bumper fundraising effort in Swanage to get #Willdoes bus on the road A launch date in early 2022 has been set for a mobile youth centre based in Swanage, thanks to youth charity #Willdoes.
Olympic medallist inspires Swanage students at Dorset stables Pupils from The Swanage School were lucky enough to get to meet three-times Olympic medallist Victoria Pendleton at a Dorset horse centre. 
Swanage families invited to swap toys for Christmas A Swanage childcare group is inviting local families to take part in a toy swap to spread a little Christmas joy. 
Opportunity to join in U3A activities in Purbeck post lockdown Covid restrictions have played havoc with social groups in Swanage, so now Purbeck U3A is enticing new members to venture out. 
Secondary schools in Purbeck holding open evenings again Open evenings for prospective parents and children to look round secondary schools in Purbeck, including The Swanage School, are happening again this autumn. 
Purbeck View School in Swanage graded as inadequate for social care The regulator, Ofsted, has told the management of the Purbeck View School in Swanage it must not admit any more students following its latest inspection, which found the social care ... 
No reprieve for Swanage Air Cadets as it merges with Wareham With its headquarters deemed "past its sell-by date" the decision has been made to combine Swanage Air Cadets with the squadron in Wareham. 
Swanage yachtsman sails into 2022 with an eye on Paris Olympics With plenty of peaks and troughs in 2021, sailor Sam Whaley from Swanage is looking to establish himself next year as a contender for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 
Corfe Castle horse rider celebrates amazing year A disabled rider from Corfe Castle is celebrating a year like no other as she competed first at national and then international level. Behind the scenes as Extreme E car racing arrives in Bovington More used to army tanks, Bovington in Dorset has been transformed into an off-road racing track for Extreme E and it's helping beavers too! 
Isle of Purbeck divers help solve ‘bumps in the bay’ mystery The Isle of Purbeck Sub-Aqua club has won a national award presented by the Duke of Cambridge for helping solve a mystery that has puzzled geologists for years. Olympic medallist inspires Swanage students at Dorset stables Pupils from The Swanage School were lucky enough to get to meet three-times Olympic medallist Victoria Pendleton at a Dorset horse centre. Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
Swanage News is an independent and daily source of news and information about Swanage and Purbeck, published online.
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