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Studland Parish News
January 2021
St Nicholas Church Studland
See the Parish News in full colour – www.studlandchurch.com
Note from the editor…
I think most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020, but as you read through
the pages of this January edition there is reflection on the year just passed.
There is focus on many of the positives that transpired through the adversity
we all faced. It is important to remember the good that was done and to carry
those things through into this new year.
I came across a quote that I find very poignant as we leave one year and enter
another:
‘Times of scarcity need to be met with generosity, times of fear with comfort,
times of uncertainty with presence. When we care for those around us, we
create a field of love’
I believe that the people of Studland acted above and beyond this quote last
year and that will prove to give a solid foundation of love as we move into
2021, as a community.
Sadly, last year I had to postpone some of my ideas for the Parish news, and
until a more normal life returns that remains the case. Therefore, if you have
any ideas for what you would like to see in the magazine this year, please do
let me know, your input is welcome and valued.
What will 2021 bring for you? For me it will see the completion of year one
of a three-year course to become a therapist, a new career path!
Please do share what hopes and dreams you have for the coming year; it
would be lovely to hear some positivity and share it with the community.
Sharon Westman, Editor
Gratefulness
“Small grateful acts every day can uplift us, make a difference for others, and
help change the world.”
Blessing of the month
‘You bless us with generosity – noblest of attitudes, so exalted that it was
associated with kings and princes and received its name from the well born,
the gentility, who could bestow bounty on their retainers and benefits on
those whom normally they oppressed and exploited. May we speak out
loudly for the dignity of the well born human heart, exalting its natural
generosity.’
February edition submission deadline is:
JANUARY 19th
sharonywestman@gmail.com / 01929 450358
Late contributions cannot be guaranteed.
2
Swanage and Studland Team Ministry
Team Rector The Very Revd John Mann
The Rectory, 12 Church Hill, Swanage, BH19 1HU
Tel. 01929 422916
Email: john.o.mann@btinternet.com
Team Office Tel. 01929 421117
Email: swanage.team@btconnect.com
St Nicholas Church, Studland
Resident Priest Rev’d Tony Higgins
The Old School House, School Lane, Studland BH19 3AJ
Tel. 01929 450691
Email: revtonyhiggins@btinternet.com
Church Wardens Barbara Matthews
Old Harry, The Glebe, Studland BH19 3AS
Tel. 01929 450218
Email: barmat18@btinternet.com
Mr Eric Stobart
Knapwynd, School Lane, Studland BH19 3AJ
Tel: 01929 450222
Email: eric@thestobarts.co.uk
Hon. Treasurer Mr Andrew Goodwin
St Nicholas Church Hall, Church Road, Studland,
BH19 3AT
Email: bayviewgardens@btinternet.com
Hon. Secretary Mrs Carol Wadley
34 Jubilee Road, Swanage, BH19 2SF
01929 424388
caroljwadley@icloud.com
3
St Nicholas Church News
“Wishing you all a Happy New Year”.
Who could have known what kind of
year lay ahead when I greeted you all
with those words at the beginning of
2020? It was indeed a challenge.
All number of plans were postponed or
cancelled and yet I find it hard to write
the year off as a wasted year. This time
last year we were planning new
initiatives to reach out to people as a Church. After the initial shock of the
disruption to our lives we all discovered new ways to help each other. The parcels
of vegetables and cakes that appeared on people’s doorsteps were sustenance for
the body but proved far more sustaining for the spirit. Well over 500 boxes were
delivered by hand all over the village. When we received one, our spirits were
lifted more than anyone could imagine, and I know other people really
appreciated the time and care given.
Returning to our Church life initiatives we had really made no more progress than
adopt a mission statement. That statement was a simple one, our reason to be
the Church in Studland was “To nourish the soul”. The simple act of delivering a
box of veg and cakes showed us the way and the need. Most people over
Christmas will have received a bag of Christmas cheer. Everything in it was made
with care and love in several local households. Not every bag was identical except
for one thing that was, they all came with love. If you live in Studland and did not
receive a bag please let us know, the reason will simply have been an
administrative error on our part. Each magazine in December should have had a
Christmas card inside it with a prayer for Christmas. The final verses read: -
And so, we pray this Christmas
To feel THY PRESENCE near
and for Thy all-wise guidance
Throughout the coming year ...
This is not a simplistic or sentimental greeting but a profound desire for your
Church here in Studland to help “To nourish the soul”.
Looking back over 2020 I believe we have achieved one of our goals by reaching
out via Zoom services. Had it not been for the pandemic I doubt we would have
ever thought of reaching out in this way. In no sense is this suggesting there is
anything to celebrate about the pandemic, but it does show when our options are
considerably restrained that human endeavour can be richly blessed by the Holy
Spirit. A few years ago, Evensong had become a thing of the past in St Nicholas,
now we have a worshipping community of between 30 and 60+ people both local
and on odd occasions even international. We would not have believed this
possible this time last year. The contributions to the services have been really
appreciated. In particular the time and expertise provided by Andy and Virginia
4
Morris in providing every Sunday since March the musical leadership and technical
help. They continued even when Virginia had suffered a serious accident and was
singing with a broken collar bone.
2020 was a year of individual acts of kindness which influenced our corporate
thinking, broke down barriers and showed how rewarding being kind to one
another can be. As I wish everyone a Happy New Year this year I do so with the
same hope and expectation as last year albeit tempered with realism. 2020 has
shown hope is still very much alive, vibrant and inspiring. It will take a while yet
until as a Church we can return to all our usual practices, but as we do it will be
with a renewed sense of what is truly precious and a sense that we should no
longer take anything for granted.
As we have appreciated the creation around us more deeply than before my
prayer for 2021 is not only for a sense of normality to return but also a lasting
memory of the many acts of kindness by so many people. The past year has had
many tragic outcomes for so many people, but I hope our enduring memories of
2020 are ones of people showing ingenuity, kindness, determination, inspirational
thinking and above all love. If we had just one goal in 2020 “to nourish the soul”
we have seen a great deal of encouragement from people of faith, different faiths
and humanity. We were told at the outset of the pandemic we were “all in it
together” may that continue to be the case. May tolerance of others views and
ways of doing things differently open the door to our hearts to love each other
more truly and deeply. Happy new year.
Rev Tony Higgins (Resident Priest)
Seasonal Salutations from Somerset
To all of you with whom we share a Sunday Screen
Throughout these months what a great joy it has been
For us it has become the highlight of the week
Receiving spiritual comfort (with just sometimes a tweak!!)
Superbly hosted by Tony aided by Virginia and Andy
Having a resident organist and chorister is ever so handy
Despite the ongoing tragedy of Covid one thing is clear
With Zoom we have attended regularly for nine months of this year
Although we have no wish for Covid to last
It beats the four visits a year we’ve managed in the past
St Nicholas is special – a church we hold dear
It is such a shame that we do not live near
Maybe one day soon we can appear in the flesh
We love being in the Church where our union was blessed
To all fellow zoomers we send our wishes most sincere
A happy Christmas and a very health New Year
Liz Sorrell and Roy Broomfield
5
Studland History Group
Studland Brickworks at Wadmore opened in the summer of 1892.
Samuel Samways was the manager and had moved from Broadmayne with his
family, including a 2-month-old son, Frederick, who was christened at Studland on
the 31st July 1892.
They lived in Brickyard Cottage, now Wadmore Cottage. The brick kiln was of the
Scotch type and the remains of it can still be seen.
The bricks were produced for the “building boom” in Studland over the next 10
years. Most of the houses along the main road are built of Studland bricks
including Harmony Terrace, Studland Stores and Wardley.
Samuel was voted onto the first Parish Council on 31st December 1894.
From the 1901 census Arthur Summers, 17, of Currenden was a brick kiln labourer.
Brothers Charles, 24, and Henry Painter, 19 were both brickyard labourers. Also
on the census were 2 bricklayers, 8 bricklayer’s labourers, 1 builder and 1
plasterer.
The brickworks closed around 1902 and Samuel moved on to become the foreman
at Herston Yards brickworks. His son Edwin followed his father as foreman.
Samuel’s grandson, Robert Humphrey Samways is commemorated on the
Studland War Memorial having been killed in Italy on 6th October 1944 aged 29.
He was my Mother’s first husband and Father of Mary.
It’s good that we now have a vaccine for Covid but it doesn’t seem likely that we
will be able to resume our monthly meetings until well into the spring. In the
meantime, take care and stay safe.
Joyce Meates. Secretary. 01929 439245
6
STUDLAND GARDENING ASSOCIATION
There’s not much to do in the garden at this time of year, so here’s
the Royal Horticultural Society’s advice on wildlife in winter.
• Clean bird-feeders at least monthly, and provide birds with grain
and high fat feeds.
• If you start using feeders, don’t let them get empty, birds will waste
energy checking them.
• Leave seed heads on perennials.
• Ensure water bowls do not freeze.
• Don’t use cooked fat from roasts or vegetables, suet is best. Don’t leave
fat balls in their nylon mesh as feet can be trapped.
A Happy New Year to you all.
Geoff Willcocks, Secretary
01929 450342 geoff.studland@gmail.com
Isle of Purbeck Golf Club
We hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas season. Even with all
the Covid guidelines, we were able to have small groups in to
celebrate with friends and family with a Covid-Safe layout. It
was nothing like in years past, but it was great to see many of
the old faces after our month-long lock down.
We feel certain golf will continue in January. Now we just have
to hope for some nice weather.
January is usually a quiet time for us, so if we are still in Tier 2, we may decide to
close the Restaurant in January until the government feels confident to ease up
on the restrictions.
Please watch our website for further news.
Wishing everyone a joyous 2021!!
01929 450361 • www.purbeckgolf.co.uk • iop@purbeckgolf.co.uk
7
A Happy and Hopeful New Year to All!
The festivities might be over and it is chilly outside, but you’ll always find a warm
welcome at Studland’s very special watering hole. Covid restrictions mean we
have to function a little differently, but we are open and doing all we can to
provide a safe, fun and friendly social space.
At the time of going to press, we are still in Tier 2 which means that we’re
providing table service in the bar for households/bubbles and drinks need to be
served with a substantial meal. Luckily, we can offer our delicious stone baked
pizza’s and we also have new bar snack deals. Plans are afoot for food ‘specials’
too – watch the boards and newsletter for details of these.
Under Tier 2 we are only open to members in the bar, but non-members may
use our take-away service. (New members welcome, get in touch to join!)
In terms of entertainment, we will be showing January sporting events on our
big screen and hope to have a New Year Quiz and Bingo Night up and running
again soon. We will circulate dates and details through the newsletter, on social
media, the website and on the boards.
Just to remind you, we are fully Covid compliant, so we have to ask you to wear
a face covering inside, observe social distancing, the one household/bubble
mixing rule in the bar, and the rule of six outside. Our twinkly new gazebo and
increased outdoor seating provide a great outside space for those who prefer it.
PLEASE BOOK AHEAD TO RESERVE A TABLE OR ORDER A TAKEAWAY
Phone: 01929 450561
Opening times are:
FRIDAY: 5-10pm with MEAT RAFFLE at 9pm
SATURDAY: 5-10pm with MEMBER’S DRAW at 9pm
SUNDAY: 3-8pm
MONDAY: 6-10pm
Our COLLECT AND TAKEAWAY or EAT-IN PIZZA
is available through all opening times.
12’ Margherita £9
Toppings 50p: Ham, Chorizo, Onion, Mushroom, Pineapple, Jalapenos,
sweetcorn, chicken, anchovies and peppers
Wine £10 - 2 Pint Carton of Beer £5 - Bottled Beer available on request
The Old Harry Bar Committee
www.oldharrybar.co.uk
TripAdvisor - rated "excellent" by 34 travellers
8
Notes from Studland Parish Council
Update for December
The deadline for this Parish News is before the next
Studland Parish Council (SPC) meeting on December 21 st.
However, since the last SPC meeting in November we have had an Extraordinary
Meeting of SPC, and also an Operations Committee meeting. There is lots going
on, so here is a brief update from those meetings.
The Extraordinary Meeting was held on November 30 th to review the toll
application put forward by the consortium of Dorset Council / BCP / Swanage
Town Council, and another by the National Trust. This toll application covers the
period 2020 – 2032.
In essence, the consortium proposals call for a freeze on tolls for pedestrians and
cyclists; but would lead to a 44% increase for car users. The increase for books of
tickets of 10 would be 36%. We believe this fails to take into account the need of
local residents and employees to use cars to travel – due to the distances involved.
The National Trust proposal does recognise the needs of local residents and
employees and calls for improved discounts for us: 50 tickets for £100.
We passed this motion – which will inform our submission to the Inspector of the
toll inquiry:
“Studland Parish Council reaffirms our objection to the toll increase proposals by
the Ferry Company in line with our earlier objection.
Studland Parish Council also objects to the alternative proposals from DC / BCP /
STC on the grounds that these will lead to fare increases of 44% for car users, and
a 36% increase in the price of a book of 10 tickets. The proposals also provide no
solution to the long-standing issue of the Ferry Replacement Reserve, and will
provide levels of profitability to the Ferry Company that far exceed their
operational needs.
We believe that the fare levels proposed will make it increasingly unaffordable for
local residents and employees to use the ferry, will have a detrimental impact on
local businesses to be able to recruit / retain staff, and will force residents /
employees to drive an extra 20 miles or more via Wareham, with environmental
consequences.
The DC / BCP / STC proposals favour leisure / lifestyle users of the ferry over the
needs of local residents / employees for whom this should be seen as an essential
service: a “floating bridge”.
SPC welcomes the alternative proposal from the National Trust as a viable method
for providing discounted toll fares for local residents / employees.”
There is a separate article in the Parish News on the questionnaire we have
conducted.
The Ferry inquiry resumes on January 5th: more on that in the next Parish News!
9
The Operations Committee met on December 7 th. There was a busy agenda, but
the highlights are given below.
On the Play Area:
• An inspection report had found some faults in the equipment in the Play
Area. We had received a quote to rectify these faults – which will involve
removing some of the equipment – and approved this.
• The SPC had approved the replacement of the picnic table and benches in
the Play Area. The Clerk had received 3 quotes for the replacement of
each of these. We approved the quote from one of the suppliers.
• There is a need to replace the play equipment being removed with two
new pieces play equipment. We have identified the most like-for-like
replacements, and are requesting 3 quotes for these
SPC had received a report called “Working Together” from Dorset Highways: this
outlined how we can commission extra services from Dorset Highways which
might go beyond their normal provision. We would of course have to pay for
these. We asked the Clerk to investigate with Dorset Highways how we can have
road markings in Studland (e.g., parking restrictions) “refreshed” and gullies jet
cleaned.
SPC had given the go-ahead for consultations to take place on commissioning a
zip wire for the Play Area. The Clerk has been asked to investigate good standards
on how to conduct consultations, and to prepare a draft questionnaire to go to
residents – especially to those whose houses are closest to the Play Area. This
consultation will probably take place in early February.
The Operations Committee also discussed an initial proposal to create a footpath
from the bus stop in Ferry Road (opposite Beach Road) to Coombe House: this
would be to increase passenger safety. This is an item highlighted ten years ago in
the then Studland Parish Plan. We discussed if the pavement should be extended
all the way to Hardy Road. This footpath is much needed, but would be expensive
(for example, gullies / drains would need changing or improving) so we will talk to
other bodies – such as Dorset Highways and the NT – who might have a stake in
this.
The next full SPC is on December 21st, and the January SPC will be on Jan 18th 2021.
In the meantime, all information relating to SPC can be found on:
www.studlandparishcouncil.org
In the meantime, we wish all residents a very happy Christmas – and a safe and
healthy 2021!
Nick Boulter, Chairman
10Survey of residents of Studland into the proposed increase in
tolls by the Sandbanks Ferry Company
Could I thank everyone who responded to the survey for doing so. We had 88
responses, which given that some 250 or so survey forms were distributed is a
response rate of some 35%. Given the short time in which to respond and the time
of year, this level of response was very much appreciated.
In terms of the key findings from the survey, these were as follows: -
• Reasons for travel – Many respondents use the Ferry for several purposes,
but the main ones were shopping (25% of responses), health
appointments (20%) and travelling elsewhere (24%). Only 9% of journeys
were for work purposes.
• Most respondents (93%) use the Ferry.
• 48% of respondents use the Ferry once or twice a week whilst 32% use it
once or twice a month. Only 10% use it daily.
• 52% of respondents would cease using the Ferry if the toll increases
proposed were implemented whilst a further 27% would reduce their
usage or change their mode of travel.
• Most of the respondents (77%) were aged over 50, with the largest
proportion over 65 (42%), reflecting in part the age profile of the residents
of the village.
It is clear from the survey that the introduction of the proposed increases in ferry
tolls would lead to a significant reduction in use of the Ferry by the respondents
to the survey, with most driving round Poole Harbour by way of Wareham as an
alternative to the Ferry with all the added congestion, time taken and emissions
that would result.
This point has been made very clearly in the further objection tabled by Studland
Parish Council to The Planning Inspectorate in respect of the proposals put
forward by Dorset Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and
Swanage Town Council, which would lead to higher charges over the period of the
toll application than even the Ferry Company was requesting. In particular the
point has been made to the Inspector that the use of cars in a rural area like
Studland and the wider Purbeck area is not a ‘lifestyle’ issue but is essential due
to the absence of adequate public transport, the distances, the age of many
residents and the topography.
Eric Stobart.
Councillor, Studland Parish Council
11What is changing at Studland Bay? By Julia Galbenu (Dynamic Dunescapes Engagement Officer) Studland Bay is on the move. Under the new Dynamic Dunescapes project, change is starting to happen at Studland. Dynamic Dunescapes, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the EU LIFE Programme, is a nationwide project aiming to restore sand dunes across England and Wales. At Studland Bay, the National Trust has been busy at work getting this restoration project underway. One of the aims of the project is to re-create patches of bare sand through the formation of scrapes. This involves removing the above ground vegetation and then digging out the soil back to bare sand. In the depths of the dunes during October 2020, twelve areas were marked out. These areas were over-vegetated with heather and gorse, had little bare sand in sight and were no longer home to the rare wildlife that once thrived. The areas needed their mosaic landscape back. So, in October, the blue areas marked on the map, totalling 2.1ha, were cleared. The heather and gorse were cut, and the invasive pine trees were felled and left to form a dead wood habitat. The vegetation removal formed the first stage of the restoration process. The second stage will happen in 2021, when excavators will scrape back the soil to bare sand. Why does this change need to happen at Studland Bay? Over the past 100 years, Studland’s sand dunes have become over-stabilised and have declined in biodiversity. Climate change, air pollution and previous overprotective management have all accelerated plant growth and seen our sand dunes slowly turn into heathland and woodland. In the 1930’s about 30% of Studland Bay was bare sand, now it is just 2%. The aim of the Dynamic Dunescapes project is to restore 15% of the land back to bare sand. Doing so, will restore the mosaic landscape of our dunes and hopefully see an increase in rare wildlife that depend on sandy habitats. To enable us to track these changes and ensure that the impact we are having is a positive one, a citizen science project is underway. Come rain or shine, our citizen science volunteers meet every Friday to record data on the dunes. In Autumn 2020, the focus was on sheep’s bit. This pioneer plant species is a positive indicator, growing only in healthy dune habitats. As the map shows, the species was found mainly on the edges of the dunes, where these healthy sandy habitats still exist. The hope is that as the Dynamic Dunescapes project progresses, this pretty blue flower will be seen across more 12
of Studland Bay. The citizen science volunteers have now moved their focus to
fungi, with results soon to come.
Swanage School has also partnered up with
the National Trust and Dynamic Dunescapes.
By embedding Studland Bay into their
science curriculum, students conduct their
field studies on the dunes and send their
data over to help monitor the dunes. Similar
stories are happening with Land & Wave and
Bournemouth University. The aim is not only
to get great data, but to also connect people
with the dunes, to learn about them and
encourage people to protect them. The
conservation and engagement volunteer group go one step closer to making this
happen. Either by practically helping the dunes or educating people on why they
are so special.
Another big change happening is at Little Sea. This freshwater lake is very unique
indeed. It once supported all kinds of strange life due to the high acidity and
nutrient poor, crystal-clear water. That was until around 2005, when carp were
illegally introduced. The result was disastrous. Carp fed on the rare aquatic plant
life and churned up the lake’s sediment. The result was the water turning murky,
a dramatic loss of species and a decline in overwintering birds.
During October 2020, Dynamic Dunescapes began
restoring this ecosystem. A line of deflectors was
installed along the eastern edge of Little Sea. Pictured
here, the deflectors reduce wave action and sediment
movement. Alone, this won't be enough. So next year
in 2021, the plan is to begin the carp removal process.
Cormorants and otters will also be encouraged to
inhabit the area to help us achieve our long-term
ambition of keeping carp numbers as low as possible.
Studland Bay is such a special site. It is the only place
in England to find the earthtongue fungus and one of
the best sites to see sand lizards. It is also a
playground of sandy hills and endless adventure, for
both children and adults alike. Here at Studland Bay, we are really excited to see
the restoration underway and cannot wait for our dunes to come back to life!
Want to get involved? Contact julia.galbenu@nationaltrust.org.uk for more.
Want to find out more? Follow our Instagram page @StudlandBay_NT or check
out the Dynamic Dunescapes website.
13Crossword corner
Across
1. ‘Again Peter denied it,
and at that moment a —
began to crow’ (John
18:27) (4)
3. Fetters (Job 33:11) (8)
8. Perform on a musical
instrument (1 Samuel
16:23) (4)
9. Paul describes it as ‘the
third heaven’ (2
Corinthians 12:2–4) (8)
11. Loyally (Deuteronomy
11:13) (10)
14. Hens? Me? (anag.) (6)
15. Not visible (Matthew
6:6) (6)
17. Predicted site of the
final great battle
(Revelation 16:16) (10)
20. Jacob’s youngest son (Genesis 35:18) (8)
21. One of Zophar’s eleven sons (1 Chronicles 7:36) (4)
22. For example, London, Paris, Rome (8)
23. United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (1,1,1,1)
Down
1. Favourite church activity: Fellowship round a — — — (3,2,3)
2. Divinely bestowed powers or talents (8)
4. Pile together (1 Thessalonians 2:16) (4,2)
5. Commanded to justify (John 8:13) (10)
6. Timothy’s grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5) (4)
7. Killed (Psalm 78:34) (4)
10. One of Graham Kendrick’s best-known songs, — — King (3,7)
12. Indecency (Mark 7:22) (8)
13. Unceasing (Jeremiah 15:18) (8)
16. He prophesied ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ (Matthew 24:15) (6)
18. British Board of Film Classification (1,1,1,1)
19. Pans (anag.) (4)
Answers P27
14Something for the children…
15Lost in the Dunes By Julia Galbenu (Dynamic Dunescapes Engagement Officer) How often do you walk and return home with little recollection of what you saw, smelt, heard or felt? Imagine the path is wide, with deep tyre marks tracked into the sand. It’s an easy path to walk, and you exert little energy in following its course. You walk with your head down and march rhythmically forward. Your mind is elsewhere, and you find it hard to be present. The open path calls for no attention. You know the path too well and you find your mind drifting. You walk like this for some time. Your feet sink into the sand, your hair sways with the sea breeze, your skin is warmed by the sun, but you register almost nothing at all. And so, you go on, without really going at all. Then a sound interrupts your daydreams, the strange melody jerking your head upwards. Far off the path, nestled in the gorse bushes, there is movement. The sweet song plays again. The yellow gorse flowers bounce together, but the musician cannot yet be seen. Automatically, your body turns in the direction of the song and you walk towards it. You step off the path. Your shoes and legs scratch up against the hard heather and crunch under your feet. The noise is loud and you freeze, fearing that you will scare away the animal. But the melody plays on. You continue, moving slowly and carefully through the overgrown vegetation, gently placing one foot and then the other to make the least amount of noise and give you the greatest stability. You spot it. The tiny dark body, topped with purple tinged feathers and bearing distinctive red eyes; a Dartford warbler. It flies up and over the gorse bushes and you follow obediently. Walking on no path at all, you trample through the thick vegetation. It is impossible to walk in a straight line. You must change direction constantly, twisting around tall trees and jumping over deep holes. Your trail looks like that of a searching ant’s - erratic and disorganised, but with a steady progress in the direction you desire. The land you walk on is vivid. The dark grey stems and lush purple flowers of the heather. The pale lime green of the lichen. The long yellow tufts of grass. The white openness of the sand. You walk on a patchwork of microhabitats, the land changing dramatically from one step to the next. It is not simple and repetitious but diverse, frantic and chaotic. It pulls you in and does not let you go. Your eyes are wide, trying to absorb the different colours. Your feet are sensitive to the different textures. Your ears in tune to the changing melodies. 16
You lose track of time. Following the sounds of birds, tracing the tracks of deer, or
moving towards a point of interest – you are far from the path now. You are in the
wild.
The land is shaped like that of rippling waves; moving upwards and downwards
and adding another element to this game of hide and seek. At the trough of the
wave, the land towers over you and only a short distance can be seen. At the peak
of the wave, the land stretches out in front of you. On one side there is endless
heathland meeting the forest and on the other a slick of bright blue sea. The lands
around you are the Purbeck heaths, the sea is the Jurassic Coast and you stand
lost in Studland’s dunes. A giggle escapes you, for although you can work out your
location from the view you truly have no idea where you are. There is not another
person in sight. You take a seat on an open patch of sand and breathe out. You
decide to stay awhile.
Studland’s sand dunes are a place of mystery and adventure. They are also
threatened and at risk of being lost forever. For a long time, we believed that we
should stay off sand dunes to protect them. New data and research have now
shown that sand dunes function as dynamic ecosystems. They need disturbance
to keep them diverse and we can help them, simply by exploring them.
Dynamic Dunescapes, funded
by the National Lottery
Heritage Fund and the EU LIFE
Programme, is a nationwide
project aiming to restore sand
dunes across England and
Wales. Due to climate change,
air pollution and
overprotective management,
our dunes have become over-
vegetated and over-stabilised.
The once mosaic landscape of
sandy hills and diverse habitats is now slowly turning into heathland and
woodland. At Studland Bay, we want to change this mindset that walking on the
dunes will harm them. Instead, we want to encourage people onto the dunes, to
go off path and explore their wild ways. Trampling on overgrown vegetation opens
the land and creates space for rare life. If we leave no trace, and are mindful of
local wildlife as we go, we can help the dunes simply by getting lost in them. For
we have always needed the dunes, but it is only just becoming clear to us now
that the dunes need us too.
Want to find out more? Follow our Instagram page @StudlandBay_NT or check
out the Dynamic Dunescapes website.
Want to get involved in the Dynamic Dunescapes project? Contact
julia.galbenu@nationaltrust.org.uk for more.
17Books
Here are a few books that may help us start 2021 on a more positive note:
Stuck in the Mud;
Stories of Hope when You’re Stuck
By John Prockter, Monarch
Framed around 12 real-life sticking points in John Prockter’s
life, this book offers us hope in a faithful God and a pathway
through difficult times. John encourages us to engage with
Scripture in a new and inspiring way, allowing Jesus to bring
the freedom we all need to live our lives authentically.
It may be a helpful guide for those struggling with the ups and
downs of discipleship.
When Faith Gets Shaken
By Patrick Regan OBE, Monarch
What do you do when life falls apart, and it feels as if God has
left you? How do you keep going when your faith is rocked to
the core? Sometimes things get so hard we're not sure where
God is - or what He's up to.
For Patrick there was pain, illness, and loss in his family and
community. Then a series of excruciating operations took him
to the brink physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Writing during his journey of recovery, Patrick explores how we find God in times
of suffering. He wrestles with how we can know God's peace when life is anything
but peaceful, what the true nature of courage is, how we allow ourselves the grace
to rest when we're running on empty, and how we can stay fully present in the
moment.
Rooted in Love – Lent Reflections on Life in Christ
By Sarah Mullally, SPCK
This is the first Lent book from the Bishop of London, and it
explores the ways in which we can live the Christian life to the
full today.
The forty reflections will help you to go deeper into the
meaning and practice of what it is to have your life in Christ
today. Each reflection includes a Bible reading, a prayer and a
suggestion for action.
The result is an exceptionally helpful Lent book, offering a rich
array of biblical insight and spiritual guidance that Christians of all traditions will
warmly welcome and appreciate.
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE is the Bishop of London. Before
her ordination she was Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health.
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Studland Picture Gallery…
'I saw three ships come sailing by on
Christmas Day in the morning'
'Be more Derek!'
Please share your photos - email sharonywestman@gmail.com
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