Author: Andrew Smith
New Salt Pig eatery in Studland replaces old Middle Beach cafe Following the controversial closure of Middle Beach cafe by the National Trust, a new venture has been set up nearby - The Sandy Salt Pig. 
Power lines to be buried to restore beauty spot near Swanage Overhead electricity lines in Ulwell, Swanage, are being buried underground as part of a £15 million scheme to make the scenery more beautiful. 
Watch out for ‘floating terrors’ washing up on Purbeck beaches Walkers along the Purbeck Coast, especially those with dogs, are being warned to look out for a venomous sea creature washing up on shore. 
Splash of colour at Blue Pool returns to illuminate Purbeck attraction Last year’s sell-out sound and light show is back for 2023 at Blue Pool near Wareham with more music and plenty of dazzling colour. 
Dorset Council set to double council tax for second home owners Second home owners who don’t let out their property for more than 70 days a year in Swanage and across Dorset, face paying twice the amount of council tax from ... 
From coast to coaster – how Oly is tackling Purbeck’s plastics problem Long distance swimmer and environmentalist Oly Rush has come up with an inventive way to deal with the tons of plastic rubbish which washes up along Purbeck’s Jurassic Coast every ... 
Swanage Bandstand to mark 100th birthday as friends charity disbands Swanage Bandstand will celebrate its centenary with a special concert, just as the charity which rescued it from ruin closes down. 
Hundreds of acres in Purbeck to be flooded to save Poole property Fields to the east of Wareham will be deliberately flooded over the next three years to create a new 500 acre nature reserve for wading birds. 
Mobile larder launched in Swanage to combat cost of living crisis A new mobile pantry has launched in Swanage to help tackle the growing issue of food insecurity in the town. 
Take the plunge at Blue Pool thanks to new wedding licence Couples who got engaged over Christmas and the New Year have a new venue in Purbeck to consider in 2023. 
What happened in Swanage this year? Review of the year 2022 As some kind of normality returned to Swanage and Purbeck in 2022, we look back at the top stories of the year. 
Ready Sheddies go for Durlston expansion in 2023 A pioneering project set up at Durlston Country Park in Swanage to help people with disabilities or mental health issues has been so successful that it’s ready to expand in ... 
Divers uncover secrets of WW2 plane found in sea off Purbeck coast Wreck detectives have finally uncovered the secrets of a Nazi plane at the bottom of Worbarrow Bay. 
Purbeck company sees business boom over panto season Twin brothers from Wareham are responsible for putting the magic into no fewer than 30 major UK stage productions this Christmas 
Studland’s winter solstice magic made more accessible to everyone Thanks to a new countryside mobility scheme, more people than ever can experience the winter solstice sunrise at Old Harry Rocks. 
From Swanage to Serengeti, Alfie has new driving ambition Former Swanage student says he's found his calling in life at a preschool in Africa, and is now fundraising for a new bus. 
Lulworth hotel unexpectedly goes on market for £2.2 million A Victorian hotel just a stone’s throw away from Lulworth Cove has been put up for sale by its owners. 
First Candles on Swanage Beach event is shining success The spectacular sight of Swanage Beach lit up with candles to remember loved ones looks set to become an annual event due to its popularity 
Santa arrives by lifeboat to light up Swanage Pier Swanage Pier has been illuminated by more than a thousand lights as it reopened following the last stage in its £2.8 million renovation programme - WATCH VIDEO 
Swanage’s love-hate affair with tourism explored by new book A 1934 photo of the scandalous fairy light incident in Swanage could illuminate the town's love-hate affair with tourism, a new book claims. 
Swanage Christmas Market bids to expand as popularity grows Swanage Christmas Market may get bigger and better from next year as organisers begin talks to close a second road to accommodate more stalls. 
Record number of entries for Purbeck Christmas Tree Festival It’s the season to be jolly at St George’s Church in Langton Matravers, where a festive winter wonderland of Christmas trees go on display - SEE PHOTOS 
Swanage Cricket Club comes top of the league for community spirit Members of Swanage Cricket Club were bowled over with pride after being presented with a prestigious sporting trophy. 
Surge in electric cars could lead to £1 million charge for Swanage A rapid move towards electric cars could lead to a shocking £1million charge for Swanage Town Council by 2030 
Donkeys on Swanage Pier for Christmas When Santa visits Swanage Pier in the run-up to Christmas, he will have some extra help from his donkey friends. 
New parents urged to join Swanage study to beat ‘silent killer’ Mums and dads in Purbeck are being urged to enrol their young babies in a ground breaking study at Swanage Medical Practice. 
Lawrie drums up support for new Swanage samba band Music master Lawrie Sandford hopes to bring some Brazillian warmth to winter nights in Swanage by starting up a local samba drum band 
National Trust to demolish Studland beach cafe due to coastal erosion Climate change has been blamed for the decision to permanently close a beach cafe which has been a vital part of Studland for 120 years. 
Warm Swanage welcome for the former Para who’s raised £300,000 Swanage has given a hero’s welcome to a former paratrooper on an 8,500 mile charity walk around the entire UK coastline. 
New research claims eco moorings could save Studland’s seahorses A new type of boat mooring in Studland Bay could be the key to protecting seagrass – the essential habitat for seahorses - according to university researchers. 
Corfe Castle Club regains top title after two difficult years Real ale fans at the Corfe Castle Club have raised a toast to their bar which has been declared the best in Wessex - again. 
Berlin Wall is rebuilt in Purbeck forest as symbol of hope Seven huge sections of the Berlin Wall have been rebuilt in a Purbeck forest as a moving tribute to the fight against oppression. 
Swanage shoppers co-operate to raise bumper payout for charity An impressive £24,000 has been handed out to three local good causes by the Swanage Co-op. 
Thousand candles to light up Swanage Beach for loved ones A hospice care charity is organising a festival of lights on Swanage Beach to reflect, celebrate and remember everyone we love and care about. 
WW2 Valentine tank damage in Studland Bay prompts police inquiry Dorset Police are investigating the near destruction of a World War Two Valentine tank at the bottom of Studland Bay. 
Kimmeridge oil well to stop contentious burning of waste gases A controversial gas flare which burns off methane along the World Heritage coastline at Kimmeridge could be extinguished within three months. 
Purbeck secret garden seeks official status as visitor attraction A retrospective planning permission application has been submitted by the owner of a once derelict Victorian walled garden near Wareham. 
Swanage to pilot scheme to improve access to cash after bank closures An action group made up of financial institutions and consumer groups has visited Swanage to work out a plan to ensure the town still has a guaranteed supply of cash. 
BBC faces Lulworth ban after Doctor Who ‘deceit’ at Durdle Door The BBC may be banned from filming at Lulworth Cove again after it was accused of irresponsibility by showing Doctor Who regenerating on top of Durdle Door. 
Top author from Wareham gives boost to local library Successful children’s author Rachel Bright has cleared a space in her busy autumn diary to support Wareham Library. 
Swanage star charged extra to take home Best Actress award Swanage actress Nicole Faraday has picked up the biggest award of her life at an international film festival - and was promptly charged excess baggage fees to bring it back ... 
Swanage students open a new art trail to celebrate the pier’s past Art students have helped create a new interactive arts trail on Swanage Pier, linking the heritage of the town's tourism with its industrial past. 
Swanage Railway marks 50 years of battling to restore branch line Two rail enthusiasts who started the fight in 1972 to save Swanage Railway, returned 50 years later to pay tribute to all the volunteers. 
Purbeck farmer expands pick your own pumpkin to meet growing demand There’s no trick about the latest treat from a Purbeck fruit farm - pick your own pumpkin month at Lenctenbury Farm, near Corfe Castle, has become a screaming success. 
New Swanage Post Office opens on time despite Liam’s cancer setback Postmaster Liam Searle has managed to open Swanage’s new Post Office on schedule, despite having to beat off a dangerously aggressive cancer at the same time. 
Top Swanage fundraiser achieves her half pipe dream One of the best half pipe ramps in southern England has been unveiled at Swanage Skatepark thanks to the impressive determination of Swanage resident Lorna Haines. 
Purbeck village set to be among first in Dorset to apply for 20 mph limit Campaigners in Langton Matravers near Swanage are all geared up to permanently lower the speed through the centre of the village to 20 mph. 
New consultation on future of Swanage Library Dorset Council is undertaking a second consultation on the future for libraries in its area including Swanage, with the promise that closing them isn't part of the plan. 
Swanage festival is best value in UK as entrance fee stays at 2012 price The best-value entrance ticket in live music events anywhere in the UK has just gone on sale in Swanage - and it hasn’t risen in cost since 2012. 
Purbeck Cider Company back from the brink of disaster Two years after fearing his business wouldn’t survive, founder of Purbeck Cider Company Joe Hartle is now looking to expand. 
Kimmeridge nurdle hunt to help save Purbeck’s sea life The Wild Seas Centre at Kimmeridge is highlighting the threat of tiny bits of plastic called nurdles that end up on our beaches. 
Studland Master of Wine toasts new chapter for Purbeck U3A The first in-person guest speaker after lockdown for Purbeck University of the Third Age was an expert in wine. 
Kingston’s old church finally sells at auction for half a million pounds The former church in Kingston near Swanage with spectacular views of Corfe Castle, has finally sold at auction after an earlier million pound deal fell through. 
Swanage sea rowers rescue paddle boarders in trouble Two men fishing in Durlston Bay on a paddle board with no phone, radio nor lifejackets, were lucky to be spotted by a crew from Swanage Sea Rowing Club. 
Pop-up restaurant at Kimmeridge gets two years to prove itself Despite a recommendation to turn down the scheme, an alfresco restaurant along the Purbeck coastline has been given temporary permission to operate. 
Mystery surrounds why there’s so few hedgehogs in Swanage A new map shows that Swanage has some of the lowest numbers of hedgehogs anywhere in Dorset. 
Swanage couple get a final platinum anniversary card from the Queen One of the very last royal platinum anniversary cards from Queen Elizabeth II has been received by a Swanage couple. 
Swanage safe haven scheme in fightback against drug gangs Blue ‘S’ posters have begun appearing in shops and businesses throughout Swanage indicating safe places for children to go if they feel threatened. 
Planet Purbeck to run a ‘fitting’ festival to honour the Queen Events at the Planet Purbeck Festival on the day of the Queen's funeral have been cancelled - but most of what's planned for the 10 day eco festival will still ... 
Purbeck marks King’s accession as tributes continue for the Queen In Wareham and Corfe Castle, events took place to mark the accession of King Charles III, while mourning for the Queen continued. 
Fundraisers rally round to serve up new court for Swanage Tennis Club A new Astro-Turf court at Swanage Tennis Club is a smashing new hit, according to delighted club members