Interviews
Swanage News speaks to the people who make Swanage, not just a beautiful seaside town but a vibrant community.
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. 
“It’s got to be the roulade for me” – David Furmage, customer at Java Independent Coffee House Java Independent Coffee House is a popular boutique coffee shop, tucked away in Tilly Mead. We chat to regular customer, David Furmage. 
“I play as much as the children, as much as I can! ” – Senior tutor, Lloyd Robinson, Allnatt Swanage Allnatt Outdoors in Swanage offers the chance for children to learn about the natural environment. Leah Rutter and Lloyd Robinson explain more about what they do. 
The Salt Pig Too – urban farm shop and restaurant serving locally sourced Purbeck produce The Salt Pig Too in Swanage is passionate about selling produce that is locally sourced and sustainable. We chat to the manager, Stephen Patterson and customer, Martin Johnson. 
“Cod, fresh potato, fresh herbs and a few secret ingredients!” – Oliver Kirkpatrick, The Fish Plaice The Fish Plaice is an unmissable Swanage landmark, well known for its excellent fish and chips. Co-owner, James Kirkpatrick lets us in on his secret. 
“Swanage itself has become very arty, there are at least 10 art galleries” – Gina Marshall Well-known for her distinctive paintings of the Dorset coastline, artist Gina Marshall opened the Purbeck New Wave Gallery in 2018. We speak to her about her work. 
Purbeck Film Festival – the longest running rural film festival in the UK Many thanks to Andrea Etherington (chair) and Woody Harding (programme coordinator). 
Natural Wonders – the Jurassic Coast rock & fossil shop in Swanage Vicky Andrews (sales assistant) and David Spiller (proprietor) talk about all the fossils and healing crystals that they sell at Natural Wonders. More a cave than a shop, the shelves ... 
“I like Swanage because it’s a quaint Victorian seaside town” – Di Standley, co-owner of Tilly Whims Di Standley is co-owner of three shops in Swanage: Tilly Whims (lifestyle clothing), Coast & Country (outdoor clothing), and Country Corner (homeware store). Tilly Whims is one of three shops ... 
“In the 1970s a group of people got together to save the railway” – David Rawsthorn, Swanage Railway Head of Sales & Marketing for Swanage Railway, David Rawsthorn talks us briefly through the history of the popular public service and tourist attraction 
New goal for Swanage and Herston Football club redevelopment Plans for a brand new sports centre for Swanage are taking shape, following a public consultation at Day Park.