May 17, 2008toJune 15, 2008

This year’s Purbeck Aware Festival takes place from 17th May to 15th June.

This celebration of Purbeck’s natural heritage includes events such as rock climbing, quarry tours, fossil finds, dry stone walling and much more.

This year, Purbeck Aware’s theme is based on the rocks and stone which forms Purbeck’s beautiful landscapes. It’s aim is to enable local people and visitors to:
• Find out more about Purbeck’s rich and varied heritage;
• Appreciate the great diversity found in the area; and
• Get involved with helping to make Purbeck more special

Purbeck Aware Festival 2008: See full list of events below:

Saturday 17th May

Quarry Tour
10.00am - 11.15am (approx).
A tour of a working quarry including fossil finds and dinosaur footprints. Wellington boots or stout footwear essential. No dogs please.
Meet: Quarry Office, Lander’s Quarries, Kingston Road, Langton Matravers
(grid ref: SY 982 788).
Cost: Adults £3.50, children (over 8’s only) £1.20

Dry Stone Walling at Durlston
2.00pm to 4.00pm.
The official launch of the Dry Stone Walling Centre at Durlston Country Park. This is a great resource for people of all ages to learn the art of traditional Dry Stone Walling. Come along to find out more about this rural skill and how you can get involved.
Contact: Libby Hodd on 01929557336.

Rock Climbing at Dancing Ledge
Get really close to the Purbeck rocks. Climbing and abseiling lessons for groups, organised by Brenscombe Outdoor Centre. Minimum group size of 8, maximum 20 people.
Meet: National Trust car park (no charge), Durnford Drove, Langton Matravers (grid ref: SY 998 783).
Cost: £22.80 per person for a 2.5 hour session.

Sunday 18th May

Dinosaur Dig
10.00am - 4.00pm.
Family fun excavating fossils by Swanage Seafront. Find fossils and learn about the creatures of the Jurassic Seas. Get creative and take part in an arts project inspired by the pre-historic era.
Meet: next to Swanage Tourist Information Centre, Shore Road.

Meadows and Orchids
2.30pm.
Join local expert Ted Pratt on a wander around some of the best meadows in the country -distance approx 2 miles.
Meet: at Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773)
Cost: £3 charge

Discover Old Swanage
2.30pm - 4.30pm.
Join a guided circular walk to discover relics of Old London, the story of Swanage’s founding fathers - John Mowlem and George Burt and more.
Meet: Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre, The Square.
Cost: Donations welcome. Contact David Haysom on 01929 427329.

Tuesday 20th May

Mediaeval Masterpieces
11.00am.
Guided tour of St John the Baptist Church (Bere Regis) by a local church member telling the 1000 year old history of the village, parish church and churchyard.
Meet: at the church entrance (grid ref: SY 847
947).
Cost: Donations appreciated.

Wednesday 21st May

Heathland Amble at Arne
10.30am - 12.30pm or 2.00pm -4.00pm.
Come along on a guided walk to look at the wildlife on the heath at Arne from spiders to birds, dragonflies to reptiles. You never know what you might see!
Meet: RSPB Arne nature reserve car park, near Wareham (grid ref: SY 972
877).
Contact: RSPB on 01929 553360.

Dry Stone Walls Walk
2.30pm - 4.30pm.
Join a guided walk around Langton Matravers to find out about ancient manorial boundary walls, later enclosure walls and those which have been recently restored to their former glory.
Meet: Acton car park gate by the bus stop (grid ref: SY 988 786).
Cost: £2 adults, children free.
Contact: Mr R J Saville on 01929 423168.

Purbeck Freewheelers
6.30pm
A guided cycle ride around Purbeck for all cyclists, between 15 and 18 miles.
Meet: Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham.
Contact: John Thraves on 01929 554550.

Thursday 22nd May

Wareham Farmers Market
9.00am - 1.00pm.
Delicious local, fresh produce available direct from the supplier at the Corn Exchange, Wareham (at the main cross roads).
Contact: Purbeck Information and Heritage Centre on 01929 552740.

Mediaeval Masterpieces
3.00pm.
Guided tour of St John the Baptist Church (Bere Regis) by a local church member telling the 1000 year old history of the village, parish church and churchyard.
Meet: at the church entrance (grid ref: SY 847947).
Cost: Donations appreciated.
Contact: Mr J England on 01929 471469.

Friday 23rd May

Seabird Boat Trip
7.15pm, every Friday between 16th May and 4th July.
Relax and enjoy an evening cruise along Purbeck’s beautiful World Heritage coast, guided by the Durlston Country Park Rangers. Look out for Puffins, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and more.
Meet: Swanage Pier. Adults £12, Children £5.
Contact: For more information and to book, call 01202 558550.

Saturday 24th May

Meadow Mysteries
10.00am - 5.00pm.
Visit Wareham Information and Heritage Centre and pick up your ‘Meadow Mysteries’ competition form. Find the answers in Priory Meadow opposite Wareham Quay
Contact: 01929 552740.

ART 08
Daily until Saturday 31st 10.00am - 5.00pm.
An exhibition of art work from a group of professional artists.
Meet: The Catholic Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage.
Contact: Cathy Veale on 01929 475689.

Swanage Beach Awareness Week
Daily until Saturday 31st 10.00am - 5.00pm.
A week of celebrating the beautiful beaches and spectacular cliff tops in the Isle of Purbeck by promoting the safe enjoyment of the coast path and Swanage Beach. There will be an information display at the Tourist Information Centre, plus children’s activity packs to help raise beach safety awareness.
Contact: 01929 422885 for details.

Geology and Landscapes at Swanworth
2.00pm.
A guided walk along footpaths around Worth Matravers and Swanworth looking at the fantastic geology and landscapes, as well as the building stones. Organised by the Dorset Important Geological Sites Group
Meet: public car park in Worth Matravers (grid ref: SY 973 776).
Contact: AlanHoliday on 01305 789643.

Sunday 25th May

Purbeck Freewheelers
10.30am
Guided cycle rides for the experienced cyclist, between 28 and 40 miles, with a stop at a pub for lunch. Come along and enjoy the fitness and freedom in the Purbeck countryside. Organised by Dorset Cyclists Network
Meet: Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham.
Contact: John Thraves on 01929 554550

Children’s Pirate Half Term Fun
Daily until Friday 30th 10.30am - 6.00pm.
A vast me hearties! Expect swashbuckling fun for 6 days of Pirate themed activities at Lulworth Castle, complete with Pirate re-enactors creating mischief and merrymaking whilst quizzes, games, story telling, face painting and lots more pirate themed activities storm the Castle. Admission
charges apply.
Contact: Lulworth Estate on 0845 450 1054 for information.

Monday 26th May

Life on the Edge
10.30am.
The seabird colonies are in full breeding swing, discover why and how Guillemots and other wildlife live right on the cliff edge.
Meet: at Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Cost: £3 charge.
Contact: 01929 424443.

Smooth and Slippery Reptile Trail
10.30am - 3.00pm
Meet: Studland Visitor Centre, Knoll Beach.
Cost: Children £1.50.
Contact: National Trust on 01929 450259. T C

Hidden Nature Week on Brownsea
Daily until Friday 30th
10.30am - 3.30pm.
Become a wildlife spotter with fun trails, activities and walks exploring the island’s wildlife.
Cost: Normal ferry and admission charges apply.
Contact: National Trust on 01202 707744.

Project Plankton
Daily until Thursday 29th 1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Learn about the ocean’s tiniest creatures. Plankton trawls, microscopes, quizzes, make glow-in-the-dark plankton and Basking Sharks, and much more.
Meet: Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay (grid ref: SY 909 787).
Cost: Entry to the Marine Centre is free, but there is a small charge for some
activities.
Contact: Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044. C A

Rock Around the Coast 2008
Daily until Monday 2nd June
A week of one day guided walks along the stunning Dorset coastline, starting at Charmouth and finishing at Studland beach.
Cost: £4 charge.
Contact: For start times and meeting places contact Chrissy Suhr on 01929 450461.

Whispering Island
11.00am or 2.30pm.
Join Viv Endecott of the Ginger Pop Shop to explore Enid Blyton’s fascination with islands.
Meet: Brownsea Island Visitor Centre.
Cost: Normal ferry and admission charges apply.
Contact: National Trust on 01202 707744.

Batty About Bats
8.00pm - 9.30pm.
Meet at the Studland Study Centre, Knoll Beach to
find out the truth about the amazing life of bats.
Cost: £2 charge.
Contact: National Trust on 01929 450259.

Wednesday 28th May

Western Lady Boat Trip
2.00pm.
An afternoon seabird cruise along the World Heritage coast, with the Durlston Country Park Rangers on board the historic Western Lady III.
Meet: Swanage Pier.
Cost: Adults £10, children £6.
Contact: For more information and to book, call 01929 424443.

Wonderful Woodland Wonder
2.00pm - 3.30pm.
Meet: Studland Study Centre, Knoll Beach.
Cost: £2 charge.
Contact: For information and to book, contact the National Trust on 01929 450259.

Nightjars and Creatures of the Twilight
8.30pm - 10.00pm.
Join in the annual hunt for the elusive nightjar at Wareham Forest. A good chance of seeing deer, bats, owls and woodcocks as well. Bring a torch.
Meet: Forestry Commission offices at Cold Harbour (grid ref: SY 905 894).
Cost: Adults £4, children £2.50.
Contact: For more information and to book, call 02380 286840

Wildlife Activities Day
11.00am - 3.00pm.
A day full of children’s activities, based in the Lulworth Heritage Centre and wildlife garden, including bug hunts, collage making, mobile and model making and painting.
Cost: Nominal charges apply.
Contact: Lulworth Rangers on 01929 400155.

Enid Blyton Fun Day - The Secret Island
11.00am - 4.00pm.
Fun and games at Corfe Castle - the inspiration for Kirrin Castle.
Cost:Normal admission charges to the Castle apply.
Contact: National Trust on 01929 481294.

Tea-time with Tufty
2.30pm.
Celebrate Tufty the Guillemot’s birthday with games and activities and find out more about life as a seabird.
Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Cost: £3 charge.
Contact: 01929 424443.

Friday 30th May

Fun with Fossils
10.00am - 5.00pm.
Visit Wareham Information and Heritage Centre and enter the ‘Fun with Fossils’ competition.
Contact: 01929 552740.

The Wurzels
7.00pm - 11.30pm.
The Rotary Club of Wareham presents ‘The Wurzels’ live in concert at Rye Hill Farm, Bere Regis.
Free car parking with food available and a bar.
Contact: For information and to book call 01929 472327.

Saturday 31st May

Child Friendly Coastal Walk
10.00am.
Guided walk to Dancing Ledge and along the coastal path to Seacombe. Bring a picnic and fishing nets. Route suitable for large wheeled buggies - help available with stiles. Dogs welcome. Distance - approx 4.5 miles.
Meet: National Trust car park (no charge), Durnford Drove, Langton Matravers (grid ref: SY 998 783).
Contact: Ann Beard (East Dorset Ramblers) on 01929 427878.

Meet a Moth
10.00am.
Discover the beauty and strangeness of these creatures of the night as we see what’s turned up in last night’s moth trap.
Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Contact: 01929 424443.

Jaws and Claws
10.30am - 4.00pm.
Great microscope experience! Observe the predators that live in our rivers, from microbes to insects and even bigger creatures. Great fun for children.
Meet: The River Laboratory, Church Lane, East Stoke, BH20 6BB.
Contact: Dr Genoveva Esteban on 01929 401886 for details.

Sunday 1st June

Discover Dry Stone Walling
10.00am - 4.00pm.
Talk to the experts and find out more about this traditional rural skill at the Dry Stone Walling Centre at Durlston Country Park. Also watch demonstrations by Dave Rawson of the Dry Stone Walling Association. Children can a have a go at building their own wall.
Contact: Libby Hodd on 01929 557336 for details.

Best of British Butterflies
2.30pm.
Durlston is among the best places in Britain to see butterflies, with 34 breeding species. Join local expert Rees Cox for a guided butterfly walk - distance approx 2 miles.
Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Contact: £3 charge. Contact 01929 424443.

Wednesday 4th June

Nightjars on the Heath at Arne
8.00pm til late.
Experience the calls and hopefully catch a glimpse of this magical bird of the heath on a stroll across Arne, with a chance of seeing hobby and Dartford warbler before the dusk settles and the nightjars come out to hunt.
Cost: Non-members £3, members £1, children free.

Saturday 7th June

Quarry Tour
10.00am - 11.15am (approx).
A tour of a working quarry including fossil finds and dinosaur footprints. Wellington boots or stout footwear essential. No dogs please.
Meet: Quarry Office, Lander’s Quarries, Kingston Road, Langton Matravers (grid ref: SY 982 788)
Cost: Adults £3.50, children (over 8’s only) £1.20, all children to be accompanied.
Contact: 01929 439205.

Fossil Finds
10.00am - 11.30am and 2.00pm - 3.30pm.
An exciting chance to discover fossils hidden within layers of Purbeck Marble. Work with fossil expert Paul Ensom and learn how to find small fossils including teeth and fish scales, with a chance to take your fossil finds home. Great fun for children (over 8’s only), all children to be accompanied.
Meet: Quarry Office, Lander’s Quarries, Kingston Road, Langton Matravers (grid ref: SY 982 788).
Cost: £5 charge.
Contact: 01929 439205.

Viking and Saxon Weekend
10.00am - 4.00pm.
Living history Saxon and Viking encampment weekend including battle displays at Corfe Castle.
Cost: Normal admission charges to the Castle apply. Discount available if arriving by public transport.
Contact: National Trust on 01929 481294.

Sunday 8th June

World Oceans Day Celebrations
10.00am - 4.00pm.
Come celebrate and learn about our oceans by taking part in activities and competitions. Also an opportunity to do something practical to help save our seas by taking part in our summer beach cleans held on the day. Family activity and volunteer event.
Meet: The Heritage Centre, West Lulworth (grid ref: SY 822 800).
Cost: Nominal charges apply.
Contact: Lulworth Rangers on 01929 400155.

World Oceans Day Marine Model Workshop
1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Craft workshop for ages 8yrs and over. Help make some giant-sized marine-life models to feature at Dorset festivals this summer.
Meet: Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay (grid ref: SY 909 787). £5 per child.
Contact: Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044.

Flowers in the Grass
2.30pm.
Wildflowers galore, join local botanist Ted Pratt to learn more.
Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Cost: £3
Contact: 01929 424443.

Tuesday 10th June

Mediaeval Masterpieces
See Tuesday 20th May for details.

Wednesday 11th June

Heathland Amble at Arne
See Wednesday 21st May for details.

Langton’s Historic Buildings
2.30pm - 4.30pm.
Join a guided walk around Langton Matravers to see stone cottages from the 17th to 20th Century, including barns, outhouses and stables.
Meet: Acton car park gate by the bus stop (grid ref: SY 988 786).
Cost: Adults £2, children free.
Contact: Mr R J Saville on 01929 423168.

Saturday 14th June

Family Fossil Fun
11.00am - 5.00pm.
Come along and learn about rocks, fossils and dinosaurs. Lots of activities for children.
Meet: Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre, The Square.
Cost: Nominal charges apply.
Contact: 01929 421427

Purbeck Products at Putlake
10.00am - 2.00pm.
Fresh local produce including lamb, pork, beef, game, vegetables, cheese, wine, honey and jam sold by Purbeck Products Co-operative at Putlake Adventure Farm, Langton Matravers, Nr Swanage.
Contact: 01929 480151 or 480426.

Step Back in Time at Tyneham
2.30pm.
A walk around Tyneham Village with Lynda Price, designer of the school and church exhibitions and Project Manager of the newly opened Tyneham Farm.
Meet: in the village near the telephone box.
Cost: £2 charge for car park.

Open Air Theatre
7.00pm - 9.00pm (grounds open for picnics from 6.00pm).
The New Hardy Players present two short stories by Thomas Hardy at Corfe Castle. If wet, it will be performed in Corfe Castle Village Hall.
Cost: Adults £8, children £5 - tickets are available from the Corfe National Trust shop or on the gate.
Contact: National Trust on 01929 481294.

Sunday 15th June

Purbeck Plod
Registration from 7.30am, walkers start at 8.30am, runners start at 9.30am. A revival of these challenge walks including a choice of 25 and 16 mile routes (walkers only) around Purbeck, starting and finishing in Swanage.
Meet: Swanage Pier (grid ref: SZ 035 786).
Cost: £4 per person (£6 on the day). Advanced booking closes 8th June. Contact: East Dorset Ramblers Association Events Secretary on 01202 522467 or email:eastdorset@dorset-ramblers.co.uk.

Healing Plants and Herbal Folklore
2.30pm.
A rich tapestry of folklore is woven around our wild plants. Join a guided walk to discover more - distance approx 2 miles.
Meet: Durlston Country Park Visitor Centre (grid ref: SZ 031 773).
Cost: £3 charge.
Contact: 01929 424443. T