Latest news with #Swanage
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 best things to do in Dorset
Though Dorset's coastline steals the show, some fascinating sights are tucked away in the mellow hinterland too. Perhaps always destined to be the sleepy neighbour to Devon and trendy Somerset, Dorset's lack of fast roads and city sights is part of its draw. There's a wealth of history to dig into, from Jurassic-era fossils on the coast – a natural World Heritage Site – to evidence of neolithic remains, Iron Age hillforts and medieval castles. If you tire of simply relaxing on the many beaches, there are numerous watersports to get the heart racing. The South West Coast Path, meanwhile, keeps walkers happy, charting a rugged route past iconic cliffs and rock formations. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Dorset. Find out more below or for further inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants and beaches. Find things to do by type: Best for days out by the sea Swanage and Weymouth Enjoy a traditional day at the seaside If buckets, spades and helter skelters are more your thing, Swanage and Weymouth are two thriving seaside towns with echoes of the past and a friendly atmosphere. Swanage is smaller and less built up, with a fine sweep of sand. Weymouth's beach is complemented by a bustling quayside, where crabbing is popular. Or try Bournemouth's long and lively main beach, with its Victorian pier. Insider tip: The historic steam railway is integral to Swanage's vintage charms. Plan ahead to ride the steam carriage at sunset, past fireworks during Swanage carnival or catch it to watch outdoor cinema in the ruins of Corfe Castle during the Purbeck Film Festival.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swanage Cricket Club suffer defeat in 1st XI defeat
Swanage's 1st XI put up a strong fight but succumbed to defeat against Martinstown. The home side set a formidable target of 392 in their 50-over-a-side match. Despite the valiant efforts of Charlie Dyke and Freddie Long, Martinstown's opening pair amassed 171 runs in just 20 overs. Swanage managed to take wickets, with Dyke claiming three and Ben Hodder, Long and Ryan Stearn each taking two. However, the hosts were bowled out only in the 50th over. In reply, Swanage's Mark Stacey and Ben Hodder stitched together a 77-run stand after the early loss of a wicket. Stacey was eventually caught out for a quick 32. Hodder then formed an 82-run partnership with Pete Richards, before being caught at the boundary for 95. Richards continued the fight, adding 70 runs with Long, before being dismissed for 76. Despite their efforts, the visitors finished on 337-9, taking 10 points in defeat. Elsewhere, the 3rd XI celebrated their first win of the season against Wimborne. After losing an early wicket, Matt Dunster and Tim Ives steadied the innings with a half-century partnership. When both fell in the same over, David Alcock and Sam Willcocks maintained the momentum, scoring 66 and 33 respectively, to post a total of 219-6. The bowlers, led by Mike Gould's four-wicket haul, restricted the hosts to 184-9. The 2nd XI, however, couldn't replicate the 3rd XI's success against a strong Hamworthy side at Days Park. The hosts, led by Mike Nash and John Lewis, got off to a steady start, but a mini-collapse saw them slip from 74-1 to 90-5. The innings was rescued by an 80-run partnership between Michael Barry and Matt Beard, who remained unbeaten on 50 and 47 respectively. The visitors, however, batted superbly in response, reaching the target with two overs to spare for the loss of just three wickets. This marked only the second defeat of the season for Nash's side, who have just lost the top spot at the halfway stage.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hodder strikes sensational 165 to help Swanage to nail-biting win
SWANAGE'S 'star' all-rounder Ben Hodder played an extraordinary innings of 165 not out off just 140 balls - this included 31 boundaries, seven of which were maximums, to help his team record an incredible nail-biting victory in the last over. After losing the toss on a beautiful, sun-kissed afternoon at Days Park - unsurprisingly, Mark Stacey's side found themselves in the field against Marnhull in their latest Premier Division 2 encounter. The visitors got-off to a 'flying-start' - making use of the first 10-over Powerplay, however, when Stacy introduced his two main slower bowlers Charlie Dyke and Pete Richards - the hosts were able to build some pressure (especially, as they both not only bowled with fantastic control, but also, claimed vital wickets). The hosts were, then, hampered by the loss of a key bowler - who damaged his finger going for a catch. Despite this, Swanage's other change-bowlers - James Harding and Harry Long, also, bowled with great consistency too. Harding took a brace of wickets as the visitors recorded 345-7 from their 60 overs. In reply to this mammoth score, the hosts recovered from the loss of an early wicket with a half-century stand between Stacey & Hodder and despite Stacey being brilliantly caught for a quick-fire 32, the momentum of the innings was maintained by Tom Wells - who smashed 48 with a strike-rate of over 100. Hodder was, then, joined by Dan Salmon - who played some ferocious shots (particularly square of the wicket). These three cameo-innings had kept the hosts in with a chance - especially, because they only had 50 overs in which to reach this huge total and despite losing two quick wickets Hodder remained. He was, then joined by Matt Beard and at this point 140 runs were still needed off 14 overs. But together they managed to hit the required two boundaries an over and keep-up with the required run-rate. Until it got the stage where the hosts needed 11 runs off the final seven balls, at which point, Hodder hit the biggest six of his innings. Beard then scored his 35th run to simply get Hodder back on strike, and fittingly, he drove the next ball straight back past the bowler to complete a truly phenomenal innings/run-chase. Also on Saturday, the 2nd XI travelled to their Marnhull counterparts in Division 4. The visitors batted first and recovered from a poor start (32-3), with a half-century partnership between Ben Allatt & Sam Wells. However, when they were both dismissed in quick-succession for 51 and 24 respectively the game remained in-the-balance at 107-5. Despite this, Michael Barry and Mike Nash firstly consolidated the innings and, then flourished towards the final overs with an important stand of 77, until Nash, who also made 24 was dismissed. But Barry remained undefeated on a run-a-ball 63 - which included smashing the last ball of the innings to the boundary (his 9th) to enable the visitors to reach the respectable total of 216-7 off their 40 overs. In reply, the hosts got off to a brilliant start reaching 103-0. Despite this, the game changed with the introduction of Andrew Hancock's off spin. He not only broke this partnership but also bowled with fantastic changes of pace. He went on to complete an incredible five wicket-haul and along with the returning Ryan Stearn & Wells helped restrict the hosts to 151 all out - after being 138-2 at one stage. This puts the team in a positive frame-of-mind for this weekend's top-of-the-table clash against Winton at Days Park. As well as that, the 3rdXI were involved in (another) nail-biting finish on the Nursery Ground at Days Park in Division 5. The hosts batted first made a very respectable 237-6 from their 40 overs. With the stand-out performers being Chris Wood (61), Geoff Willcocks (64 not out), Tony Fowle & Josh Gould. In reply, Poole kept-up with the run-rate, despite some excellent bowling by Mark Savage & Alan Marks - who claimed three and two wickets respectively. Unfortunately for the hosts, one of Poole's up and coming young 'stars' came out and hit the last ball of the match for six to register a three-wicket win - in what was an exceptional game of cricket.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- BBC News
Views sought on plans for Swanage seafront green and road
Residents are being asked to give their views on options for proposed repairs and changes to a green and road at a seaside seafront green at Swanage has been found to be unstable due to ground movement, with essential work needed to prevent the area from options for the northern section of Shore Road are also being looked at including closing the road to traffic, making it one way and a no-parking zone, two-way with no parking, or leaving it as it Coast Forum, Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council are seeking views on the options being proposed until 29 June. The Green Seafront scheme has two options proposed to stabilise the area made up of Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field, and the spa beach hut first, which Swanage Town Council calls the "essential option" and costs an estimated £4.5m, would secure the ground movement, add more beach huts and revamp the toilets.A second option, costing an estimated £6.5m, would see a larger events space created, new toilets, a cafe, 46 more beach huts and new pathways. Swanage Town Council said it was working alongside Dorset Council and community organisation Dorset Coast Forum on the proposals and has £3.65m set aside to fund the works on the council said it planned to source the shortfall through external funding, a loan or grant green area is being closely monitored by the town council as stone walls and pathways are visibly showing signs of stress and cost of any changes on Shore Road would be on top of the costs to stabilise the seafront. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swanage beaten by Martinstown in opening game of Premier 2 campaign
ON SATURDAY, the 1stXI began their 110-over match phase of their Wessex Internet Premier 2 Division campaign by hosting a very powerful Martinstown side. The visitors batted first and were kept under pressure by an exceptional spell of economic, swing bowling by Steve Ramsay, however, crucially for the visitors they only lost one wicket. With the confidence from this solid foundation, the visitors top-order were able to play with great freedom and flourish. This led to two majestic centuries and another half-century and at 298-3 were on course for a score in excess of 450 (especially, with the option of the extra overs), despite the best efforts of Swanage's spin-twins Sid Nash & Pete Richards. But, when James Harding returned with his fantastic variations in seam bowling - he claimed four wickets, the visitors were still able to declare on 414-7 in the 55th over. In response to this mammoth total, Swanage set-off in pursuit at 9 runs-an-over during the powerplay with both Tom Rutherford and Mark Stacy both sharing a half-century partnership with Mike Salmon. But, when Salmon was dismissed for a belligerent 66 - his third half-century of the summer already, Swanage's chances of winning disappeared. So, in spite of the fact the hosts top seven all made a good start, no-one else got beyond 35 as wickets fell at regular intervals. The hosts were left with a battle to survive the remaining overs to get a draw, but, they were prevented from doing so by the visitors rerurning overseas 'star', and the hosts were dismissed with six overs remaining. Also on Saturday, the 2ndXI travelled to Martinstown in their latest Division 4 clash. The hosts won the toss (and quite surprisingly elected to bat first in rather overcast conditions). The visitors' main strike-bowler - Harry Long, was unplayable. He mixed hostile seam bowling with some sensational swing bowling to claim his first five-wicket haul of the summer to help reduce the shell-shocked hosts to 68-6. The pressure was maintained on the hosts by Josh Gould. Michael Barry & Dylan Church, also, both took a brace of wickets to enable the hosts to be skittled-out for just 115. In reply, the visitors faced two in-form, experienced opening batsmen - Simon Goldsack and John Lewis, had few alarms against the hosts in-experienced bowling attack to complete a comprehensive 10-wicket win to keep the team in second place. This was their third opening-stand of over 100 in their last seven games together. Goldsack made 56 and Lewis 47. As well as that, the 3rdXI played host to a very-strong Stalbridge Development XI on the Nursery Ground pitch at Days Park. Just like over on the main pitch, the visitors powerful top-order batting line-up produced two centurions and another half-centurion as the visitors amassed a formidable score of 369-7 from their 40 overs. This was despite an incredible spell of off-spin bowling by one of Swanage's many rising 'stars' - Bradley Bulpitt - who took his first-ever five-wicket haul. Despite the visitors monumental score, in reply, the hosts innings got-off to a positive start with a half-century stand between Don Van Staden and Gary Marsh (25). As well as that, Van Staden shared two other half-century partnerships with Geoff Willcocks (29) and Seb Wright (28) to enable Swanage to secure maximum batting points and finish on a very respectable 185-5 against a very good bowling attack, with Van Staden carrying his bat for a majestic score of 75.
