Those of you with fond memories of heady nerve-wracking journeys on tuk-tuks in Asia will have to wait a bit longer for a hopefully more sedate Swanage experience as plans to introduce them here this summer have been delayed.

The Tuk Tuks were approved by Purbeck District Council but Roadline Passenger Transport - the firm hoping to deploy them - have had problems with their suppliers and it looks like they won’t have arrived by the summer.

Tickets are now on sale for the Manic Street Preachers who play the BIC in December.

The Manics are one of the great live bands of their generation and the few times I have seen them they have gone down an absolute storm.

BIC:   9 December:  Tickets £25

Grab yourself a partner and don your skates as Ice Skating comes to the BIC this summer.

It’s running for a month so there’s plenty of time to master those flying spins and butterfly jumps but make sure you book your session in advance as it’s sure to be busy.

BIC:  Tickets £6.50

The planned £8 million transformation of Boscombe seafront, which includes the installation of Europe’s biggest artificial Reef, has had the brakes put on it by the Government.

Bournemouth Council hoped the surf reef, which would create 4ft waves, would attract 10,000 surfers a year, turning Bournemouth into the new Newquay of the South (is that a good thing?!)

DEFRA have delayed approving the project but the talks with Bournemouth Council are continuing so it may just be a matter of time before the project gets the go-ahead.

Only a few weeks now until the Swanage Jazz Festival is upon us. Whatever style of Jazz you are into you will find it here, with the big and upcoming names from the British Jazz scene performing alongside European and American artists.

With the promise of a relaxed and friendly environment, whether you are an aficionado or a newcomer to the scene there will be something to tickle your fancy.

Get dressed up and enjoy a couple of days of fun and frolics at the Wareham Carnival.

Activities include: Battle of the Bands, Beer and Cider Festival Bungee Jump (sounds lethal!), a fun fair, farmers market, swing band and fireworks. Check out the website link below for further details.

Wareham Carnival: 6-8 July

This year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, organised by the TUC, is fast approaching. 

As well as some great local musicians such as the fiddle maestros Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll (no relation!) other bands playing this year include 80’s throwbacks Chumbawamba and The Men They Couldn’t Hang. The excellent Baghdaddies are also appearing and Billy Bragg makes the short trip up from his Burton Bradstock home.

Guest political speakers include the irascible Mark Thomas and the indomitable Tony Benn. Liquid refreshment is provided by the Workers’ Beer Company.

For those of you in need of a historical recap, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 6 farm labourers, led by George Loveless, who were arrested in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle in 1834 and transported off to Australia. Their alleged crime was to have formed a trade union in an attempt to fight the appalling wages and conditions they and fellow works were suffering. After a massive public protest the martyrs were pardoned and returned home and trade unionism was born.

Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival:  13-15 July: £30 camping or parking £5 per day

The rock legend Joe Brown plays an outdoor gig at Lulworth Castle next month. Joe Brown was a session musician with the likes of Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Johnny Cash before embarking on his long solo career.

Joe is supported by Sam Brown with Ben Walters and his big band. Bring a picnic and don’t miss the firework finale.

Lulworth Castle:  £16 early bird/£22 on door

What better way to spend a summer evening than seeing the sun set over beautiful Kimmeridge Bay whilst watching an outdoor performance of  Taming of the Shrew?

Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is brought to life by the Cornish based Miracle Theatre group who are renowned for their fresh and exciting productions. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and something comfortable to sit on.

Artsreach:  Kimmeridge Bay:  Tel 01305 269512

As part of the Artsreach and A Hardy County Read arts events,  Claire Tomalin will be giving a talk about Thomas Hardy to celebrate the paperback release of her excellent acclaimed biography ’Thomas Hardy: A Time Torn Man’.

Cerne Abbas Village Hall:  2 July 7pm:  Tel 01300 341085

Monkey World is holding a free open day for all visitors on June 30. The day is in memory of Monkey World founder Jim Cronin, who died earlier this year of liver cancer.

Visitors will be asked to donate to the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund, which his widow Alison set up with the aim of raising money to build a new education centre where visitors can learn about the plight of the apes.

Hone up your circus skills during the half-term break as fiery Jack brings his circus skills workshop to Lulworth Castle.

There’s entertainment for kids of all ages including stilt walking, uni-cycling, rollabolla, plate spinning, hoolahoop and juggling.  There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting, quizzes and hunt the clown’s red nose!

Bring a picnic or enjoy the special circus menu at the Stable Cafe.

With over 60 artists exhibiting at over 30 venues there should be something for everyone at this year’s Purbeck Art Week.

The biannual arts fair aims to make art more accessible for everyone and gives you a chance to meet local artists.

A taster exhibition will be held at Rollington Barn near Corfe Castle where samples of all the artists can be viewed.

Keep an eye out for the yellow and blue signs indicating an open studio or visit the website for full listings.

The perennial Beatles vs Stones debate rolls on but, to my reckoning, The Who topped the both of them. Normally I’d be dubious about seeing a bunch of geriatric has-beens live (i.e. The Stones) but I saw Roger Daltrey supporting the Doves at a Teenage Cancer Trust gig a few years back and he’s still the Ace Face. Well worth the trip up to Southampton.

Southampton Rose Bowl: £45 standing, £47.50 standard seating

Ricky Gervais brings his new stand-up show to Bournemouth in June. Get your tickets now to listen to Ricky’s musings on ‘Fame’ as they are likely to be snapped up pretty sharpish.

BIC:  Tickets £25