Swanage Lifeboat Week launches for 2022 with brand new ducks! After an absence of two years, the major week-long fundraising event for Swanage RNLI is back, along with the ever popular duck race.
Complete closure of Dorset mainline train service due to strike action The whole rail network across Dorset, including trains to and from Wareham and Weymouth, will cease to operate for two days during the peak tourist season. 
Dorset campaign boosted as some Co-op stores stop sale of barbecues Litter Free Dorset says it’s ‘redoubling’ its efforts to get disposable barbecues removed from shops as Southern Co-op said it was stopping sales. 
What a week – Swanage Carnival 2022 ends with a bang! With hot weather and top events, Swanage Carnival was a scorcher of a week with crowds flocking into the town - SEE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS. 
Swanage Railway suspends steam loco service after track side fire Following a large fire at Corfe Castle, a diesel train service will replace the steam locos on Swanage Railway "until further notice" - WATCH VIDEO. 
New CEO sees hard times ahead for Church Knowle animal charity The new CEO of the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre at Church Knowle says the charity faces ‘challenging times’ as it gears up for its animal dog show. 
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Swanage Railway suspends steam loco service after track side fire Following a large fire at Corfe Castle, a diesel train service will replace the steam locos on Swanage Railway "until further notice" - WATCH VIDEO. 
Wartime bomb exploded by disposal team on Studland Beach A beach at Studland had to be closed so an old wartime shell could be detonated in a controlled explosion - WATCH VIDEO OF EXPLOSION. 
Campsites across Dorset urged to think twice before lighting fires Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking campsite managers, particularly in rural areas like Purbeck, to consider preventing the use of barbecues. 
Near miss for Studland paddle boarders blown into path of ferry Dorset Police marine officers, out on patrol in Poole Harbour, had to be urgently diverted to help four paddle boarders that were heading into the shipping lane. 
Wareham Fire crew tackle vehicle fires as heat rises With the hot weather continuing, a car at Durdle Door near Lulworth caught on fire, shortly followed by a lorry carrying hay near Dorchester. 
Rollout of ‘ultrafast’ broadband in Swanage to start soon Swanage schools, Durlston Country Park and the tip in Swanage are to be among the first places in the UK to benefit from ‘next generation’ full-fibre broadband.
New mayor for Swanage elected as Avril Harris forced to stand down In a surprise move, councillors voted for a Tory candidate to replace Labour councillor Avril Harris as Swanage Town Mayor. 
Swanage community awards launched to recognise local heroes Nominations are being invited for the Swanage Town Council Community Awards 2021/22, to reward individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to the community. 
New bins for Swanage seafront in latest attempt to tackle litter Bigger bins with seagull resistant lids have been deployed at Swanage litter hotspots in a bid to keep the town tidy. 
Planning granted for 90 homes on old Swanage Grammar site The former Swanage Grammar School site next to St Mary’s RC Primary School and nursery has got permission to be redeveloped, despite concerns from some parents. 
Repair bill for Swanage beach toilets to cost thousands The future of the public toilets to the north of Swanage Bay is up for discussion after a sewage pipe fractured. 
Swanage Town Council increases its council tax income by 12 percent The amount Swanage Town Council raises from council tax for 2022/23 is to go up by an inflation-busting 12.4 percent. New CEO sees hard times ahead for Church Knowle animal charity The new CEO of the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre at Church Knowle says the charity faces ‘challenging times’ as it gears up for its animal dog show. 
Jury deliver verdict on death of Swanage teenager Gaia Pope At an inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall, a jury concluded that Gaia Pope's mental health and mental state probably caused or contributed to her death. 
Missing 23 year old Swanage woman found Dorset Police officers searching for missing Swanage woman Grace Kent say she has been found safe and well. 
Swanage veterans to mark 40th anniversary of Falklands War Local ex-service members and those who wish to pay their respects are to gather for a service at the Swanage War Memorial. 
Living the dream as couple swop Paris and London for Corfe and Langton A couple are living out their lockdown dream in Purbeck in Dorset by serving food from a mobile catering van which they have kitted out in their own unique style. 
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. Complete closure of Dorset mainline train service due to strike action The whole rail network across Dorset, including trains to and from Wareham and Weymouth, will cease to operate for two days during the peak tourist season. 
Durlston bus is back for summer school holidays ‘Use it or lose it’ is the message, as the Durlston Explorer bus service returns for just six weeks - a much shorter time than previous summers due to rising ... 
Sandbanks Ferry to be out of service for five weeks The ferry that links Studland to Sandbanks in Dorset is to receive a full maintenance overhaul and refit which means it won’t be operational for about five weeks. 
Durlston bus service cut back due to lack of funding The bus service that usually operates from Swanage town centre up to Durlston Country Park and back via the hospital will only run for six weeks this year. 
A welcome return to more trains for Purbeck commuters South Western Railway is to once again run two direct trains per hour between Weymouth and London Waterloo via Wareham. 
Dorset campaign boosted as some Co-op stores stop sale of barbecues Litter Free Dorset says it’s ‘redoubling’ its efforts to get disposable barbecues removed from shops as Southern Co-op said it was stopping sales.
Dog lovers anger at National Trust restrictions on Purbeck heaths Some dog owners are at loggerheads with the National Trust after signs telling them to keep their pets on a lead appeared on open land near Corfe Castle. 
Have your say on boats mooring in Studland seahorse habitat Views are being sought on how best boats can continue to visit Studland Bay without affecting the seagrass habitat of the local seahorse population 
Football crazy badgers give Swanage Town Council £30,000 bill Badgers tunnelling under the entrance to Swanage’s football club are causing the road to collapse, leaving Swanage Town Council with a large repair bill. 
New repair café to get things fixed at Corfe Castle Environment group Sustainable Swanage is spreading the message ‘Don’t end it, mend it’, as its third repair café takes place, this time at Sandy Hill Arts centre in Corfe Castle. 
Action to make Swanage Beach easier to access New matting to make it less challenging for wheelchairs and pushchairs to get across Swanage's soft sand, has been installed. 
Acclaimed author headlines Dorset energy debate on achieving net zero An impressive array of experts have been invited by eco groups Planet Purbeck and DorsetCAN to lead a public debate on the energy crisis. Swanage Railway suspends steam loco service after track side fire Following a large fire at Corfe Castle, a diesel train service will replace the steam locos on Swanage Railway "until further notice" - WATCH VIDEO. 
Swanage Railway’s vintage steam rally is back and it’s bigger Following the success of Swanage Railway’s first Roads to Rail steam event last year, it’s returning for 2022 with more steam traction engines and the chance to dress up in ... 
Swanage Railway’s smallest diesel loco steals the show While many eyes were on the 1960s diesel locos at Swanage Railway’s Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, it was the smallest loco that grabbed much of the attention - WATCH ... 
Look what’s rolled into town for Swanage Railway’s first big event of 2022 A convoy of diesel locos has arrived in town, ahead of Swanage Railway’s Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival. 
End of the line for Swanage’s buffet car café? A campaign by a local resident has been launched urging Swanage Railway to keep the Bird’s Nest Buffet at Swanage Station. Swanage Lifeboat Week launches for 2022 with brand new ducks! After an absence of two years, the major week-long fundraising event for Swanage RNLI is back, along with the ever popular duck race.
What a week – Swanage Carnival 2022 ends with a bang! With hot weather and top events, Swanage Carnival was a scorcher of a week with crowds flocking into the town - SEE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS. 
Swanage Carnival photo competition winners revealed The winners of the Swanage Carnival photomarathon have been announced and medals awarded for producing the best photos in just 48 hours. 
Huge Swanage party as carnival parade arrives in town Crowds flocked to Swanage’s seafront to view the carnival procession, back after a two year wait due to the pandemic. 
Swanage Carnival kicks off for 2022 after two year break Following an unprecedented two successive years of cancellations due to Covid restrictions, Swanage Carnival is finally back, bringing fun and good humoured mayhem to the town. 
Swanage takes part in new coast path passport scheme A new way for walkers to keep track of their progress along the South West Coast Path has been launched and Swanage Information Centre is getting involved. 
What’s on in Swanage for summer 2022 With schools out for summer, there’s a full programme of events happening in Swanage and across Purbeck. 
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. 
Swanage painters are back with a splash With plenty of new artwork, Swanage Painting Club’s summer exhibition has opened - the first time in two years.
It’s no joke – Mr Punch signs three year deal with Swanage Town Council The traditional Punch and Judy puppet show is back on Swanage Beach and the mayor dropped by to deliver some good news. 
Music fans expected to fill town for Swanage Jazz Festival The popular appeal of jazz by the sea means there’s just a few tickets left for the 31st Swanage Jazz Festival. 
New royal work of art unveiled in Swanage for Platinum Jubilee To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a new mural created by local school children, has been officially unveiled by the Swanage Town Mayor - WATCH THE UNVEILING. 
Swanage sea show goes swimmingly well Bathed in sunshine, an extraordinary performance of words, dance and swimming took place in Swanage on midsummer’s evening - WATCH VIDEO. 
Wild swimming just got wilder with unique Swanage show An extraordinary double bill of theatre about swimming in the sea is to take place on midsummer’s evening in Swanage. 
New artistic talent given chance to shine at Purbeck Art Weeks After a turbulent few years for creative talent, the premier art festival in Swanage and across Purbeck is providing a platform for new artists to exhibit. 
Friends of Swanage Hospital ‘appalled’ at weekend closure of minor injuries unit The friends group that supports and fundraises for Swanage Hospital says it’s “concerned and disappointed” that the MIU has been closed over the weekend. 
Swanage Hospital’s minor injuries unit to close over hot weekend Despite an expected surge in visitor numbers heading to Purbeck’s beaches, Swanage Hospital minor injuries unit is to temporarily close. 
Hospice services in Swanage to be funded by new charity shop A new era of bringing care into the homes of those with life-limiting illnesses in Swanage and across Purbeck, is being piloted by Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. 
Community group concerned by increase of lonely people in Swanage A growing number of people in Swanage are suffering from loneliness with some not even having left their homes since the start of Covid according to a local group which ... 
Swanage resident pioneers new 5G care monitor A Swanage resident is one of just three people in Dorset who helped in a ground breaking trial of a new 5G monitoring system for vulnerable and disabled people. 
‘Critical summer’ for future of Langton stone carving centre Burngate Purbeck Stone Centre at Langton Matravers has relaunched this summer following a tough two years when the pandemic threatened its existence.
Swanage museum doubles size of archive to cope with extra donations Swanage Museum is doubling the size of its archive to handle the influx of items and provide additional meeting, research and exhibition space. 
Rollout of ‘ultrafast’ broadband in Swanage to start soon Swanage schools, Durlston Country Park and the tip in Swanage are to be among the first places in the UK to benefit from ‘next generation’ full-fibre broadband. 
Surge in school bookings means Swanage firms set for record year Swanage outdoor education businesses are riding the wave of a boom in school bookings with a record number of children signed up for 2022. 
Last celebration for the old Swanage Grammar School A final reunion for the old Swanage Grammar School brought together 170 people including former pupils and teachers. 
Stone carvings by Swanage students to go on pier to mark anniversary To help celebrate the 125th anniversary of Swanage Pier, pupils from The Swanage School have been learning the ancient local art of stone carving. 
Village turns out for a grand opening in Langton Matravers After much anticipation, the impressive new playground at Langton Matravers near Swanage has been officially opened. 
Old photos reveal the changing face of Swanage’s high street Posters have been springing up around the town centre as businesses celebrate shopping in bygone times, thanks to Swanage Museum. 
Lloyds Bank cashpoint in Swanage to go when branch closes Along with the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch in Swanage, the cashpoint machine service is also to be removed. 
Corfe Castle pub gets creative to attract punters in uncertain times Following a difficult few years for the hospitality industry, The Greyhound in Corfe Castle is tempting pub-goers back. 
Lockdown spurs new businesses to start in Swanage A passion for pizzas has led a Swanage couple to turn a business idea during lockdown into a flourishing mobile takeaway service. 
Fresh clams to be sold in Swanage in new venture A Swanage fisherman has launched a new business selling locally caught clams. 
Swans to take on Poole Town football club in Swanage Poole Town football club has been invited to play a pre-season friendly at Swanage Town and Herston‘s home ground at Days Park to mark the official switching on of the ...
Swanage man wins trip of a lifetime to Vegas poker tournament A Swanage poker player is finding it hard to keep a straight face after being dealt a place in a competition in Las Vegas after winning a regional final. 
Swanage sailor beats illness to take 11th place in the world Despite a gruelling experience, Sam Whaley who learnt to sail at Swanage Sailing Club, has achieved a personal best at the Laser World Championships in Mexico. 
Regeneration kicks off at last for Swanage’s football club After years of delays, partly due to the covid pandemic, work has finally started to upgrade the sports facility at Days Park starting with new floodlights. 
Ambitious recruitment target for Swanage’s gentle game of bowls Swanage Bowls Club is aiming to have more than a hundred members by the close of season as it launches a recruitment drive. 
UK’s biggest men’s cycle race to go via Corfe Castle and Wareham The route of the Tour of Britain cycle race has been revealed and it’s going through Purbeck, taking in Lulworth, Church Knowle, Corfe Castle and Wareham. 
Ace new facilities for Swanage Tennis Club after cash boost Swanage Tennis Club is to improve another of its tennis courts thanks to a generous donation served up by the Co-op. Most read
Swanage News – Independent local breaking news
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