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Telegraph
5 days ago
- Telegraph
‘You could be in the Mediterranean': Why Swanage is the perfect seaside town
All summer, Telegraph Travel is taking the pulse of our most famous traditional seaside towns, examining the efforts being made to regenerate them, and reflecting on whether they are still worth visiting. This week, Teresa Machan visits Swanage Professor Joe Burns is putting the finishing touches to his Punch and Judy stand on Swanage Beach. Hook-nosed Mr Punch, looking pleased as, relaxes in a director's chair upholstered in red and white-striped canvas (in keeping with the booth's stripey skirt). 'He's having a rest,' says Prof Burns. 'The season starts tomorrow.' The first recorded Punch and Judy show on the beach in Swanage was in 1904. According to Burns, Dorset is the only county to have two full-time summer Punch and Judy shows – the second is in Weymouth. I'm no expert, but any novice can see that this tassel-trimmed booth is a thing of beauty. It was steam, the railway and the Victorian leisured class that led Punch from cities and touring fairs to seaside resorts like Swanage, on the Purbeck peninsula, a port and quarry town that became the 'queen of seaside resorts'. Purbeck stone paved the floors of Roman villas, fortified medieval Corfe Castle, slabbed cathedral floors and was shipped in vast quantities to the capital. Out-of-fashion architectural features came back as ballast for returning ships. Swanage is peppered with little bits of London, including bollards from Bloomsbury and a fish-topped weather vane from Billingsgate market. The Purbeck House Hotel has a tiled floor originally laid in the Houses of Parliament and an arch that once stood in Hyde Park. There are so many listed buildings in Swanage (179 to be precise) it looks like the town caught English Heritage-marker measles. Among them are the timber pier – rebuilt several times – and the 17th-century pub-come-fossil museum The Square and Compass in Worth Matravers. There's a full summer schedule of passenger trips to and from Swanage Pier but there's a buzz about town because the teak-and-brass Waverley, the last-remaining sea-going passenger steam ship, will pay several visits this September. Bronze plaques are nailed to the planks. Among the dedications I notice a common theme. 'Happy Place,' 'Happy Times,' 'Favourite Place'. This little seaside town has made a lot of people happy. Back on the beach's buttermilk sand, Prof Burns tells me: 'There's no faded glamour here. No boarded-up shops, pissheads or the smell of weed.' He points across a pedestrianised stretch of Shore Road to the folds of Ballard Down. 'It could be any decade. You can imagine the Victorians, picnicking up there.' What's Swanage really like? From the sea I saw kids crabbing, the spire of a clocktower, Victorian townhouses, a cliffside hotel, castle turrets, a stone obelisk poking up from pleasure gardens, some fine chalk stacks and a colourful medley of beach huts – all flanked by chalk headland and cradled by a swathe of Jurassic cliff. Behind me, rowers paddled a wooden gig, the Tilly Whim, and there – across the Solent – lay the Isle the Wight. What a setting. The nightlife won't keep you up but, amusement arcades aside, Swanage is compact, walkable and near picture perfect. Furthermore, the friendly locals like tourists. A sheltered, shallow bay, a lifeguarded zone, Blue Flag beach, steam railway and play areas hold obvious appeal for families – and it's easy to book a beach hut. Good cafes, artisan shopping, yoga and Pilates on the pier, alfresco bars, and several decent restaurants give it multi-generation appeal. Plentiful water fountains help save money and plastic. At Crave Beach Café, a hipster barista steamed an excellent cortado. Next door, at Swanage Bay Sauna, I ran from steam to sea and back again. What's not to like? Evenings are quiet – which is what attracts many visitors. Young and older are well catered for; teenagers less so. Electric vehicle owners may struggle. There are two Open Charge POD charging points for residents and visitors and four charging bays – two in each of Main Beach and Mermond Place car parks. Do this… Peruse the tat-free independent shops and galleries for art and unusual gifts. Visit The Purbeck Apothecary for tinctures, unusual and organic loose-leaf teas and immune-boosting 'Fire Cider'; Drift for tasteful seaweed art and edible seaweed spaghetti; Salt for foodie gifts and homewares and renowned chocolatier Chococo. Drift, Chococo and other independents are on Commercial Road, a flower-filled pedestrian lane known as The Heart of Swanage. Here too, if you're self-catering, is the town's family-run fishmonger, Swanage Bay Fish. Stroll the pier (adults pay £2.20) and board a vintage diesel or a steam train at Swanage railway station – complete with vintage luggage, porter trolleys, posters and signage – to the ruins of Corfe Castle. After a day or two, turn your attention to the area's unmissable natural attractions (be prepared to walk up a few hills). Follow the coastal path west to Durlston Country Park or east to Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay. Visit the small museum at Swanage Lifeboat Station before heading up through the butterfly-filled meadows of Downs Nature Reserve to Peveril Point, where the National Coastguard lookout is open to the public. Take a boat trip or go paddle-boarding or coasteering. For interesting commentary and to fully appreciate those dazzling chalk stacks, book a kayaking trip to Old Harry Rocks. The UK's oldest diving school, Divers Down, is at the entrance to the pier and takes divers under the pier and to several wreck sites. But don't do this… Don't head out to sea in an offshore wind. If in doubt, ask a skipper or staff on the pier. Avoid town-centre meters and head instead to one of two long-stay car parks. Eat this… Burnt Toast does a seriously good breakfast. Try the hash brown mash-up or build-your-own brioche. The cakes and slabs of quiche at Love Cake are extraordinary and ditherers might like the 'cake board' selection (£10). For a gourmet picnic, pick up a Dorset Grazing Box. For a beach-shack vibe with sand-at-your-feet views, head west along the beachfront to Burlington Chine, where Down the Beach serves chunky home-made fishcakes, calamari and falafel burgers. For afternoon tea or pre-dinner drinks, climb the 81 steps (or walk up the road) from the beach at Burlington Chine to The Grand hotel. The conservatory offers the same view and is a good option in winter or summer. For dinner, locals rate Smoke on the Water, The Narrows and The Salt Pig. From a local Richard Lester, assistant pier master (volunteer): 'I dreamed of retiring to Swanage and here I am, doing my dream job. We get several passenger boats a day during the summer and the big ones bring 500 people. 'I work with an army of volunteers and it takes eight of us to winch them in. We get about 12 or 13 weddings each year, too. People come from all over to see our dedication plaques on the boardwalk.' Lorraine Love, owner, The Purbeck Apothecary: 'I moved here in 1998. I call it 'Swanalulu' because the sun always shines. It was my dream to have my own apothecary and chemist and the local community has really embraced it. Our 'tea-tasting Tuesdays' are very popular. I love walking in the countryside and ancient woodland around Swanage. I wouldn't live anywhere else.' From a visitor Tracy and Eddie Joyce from Harlow, Essex: 'Swanage is our happy place. We've been coming for 15 years. As soon as we see the rhododendrons and get that first glimpse of the sea we know we're 'home'.' Trevor Pitt from Birmingham: 'We visited last year and decided to come back. It's our little discovery. Because Swanage isn't a through town you've got to make an effort to come here – I think that keeps it a bit special. 'Look at the view from the rooftop bar over there. You could be in the Mediterranean.' Stay here Deluxe sea-facing doubles at the Grand Hotel start at £248 including full breakfast. Sea-view upgrades from £20 per room per night. The YHA Swanage is housed in a sea-facing Victorian villa and has private rooms from £55. Nearby campsites include Tom's Field and California Meadows, which also has shepherd's huts. Get there The nearest mainline railway station is Wareham, for South Western Railway services to Waterloo. Swanage Station is the terminus of the heritage Swanage Railway branch line. National Express has a daily service between Victoria and Swanage. Purbeck Breezer bus routes 30, 35, 40 and 50 serve Swanage. Car access is via the Sandbanks Ferry from Sandbanks/Poole to Studland or the A351 via Wareham. Passenger trips to and from Swanage Pier in summer are operated by Coastal Cruises.
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Lifting fuel from Dangote refinery costs more than importing from Togo, Dangote reveals
In a scathing indictment of the country's port infrastructure and pricing structure, Dangote revealed that lifting refined petroleum products from the Lekki-based refinery is now more expensive for oil marketers than buying from offshore storage depots in neighboring countries, such as Togo. Speaking bluntly at the just-concluded Global Commodity Insights Conference on West Africa's refined fuel market, regarding the economic inefficiencies afflicting the local market, Dangote cited a slew of port-related fees and regulatory constraints that local merchants confront. At the event, which was jointly hosted by the NMDPRA and S&P Global Commodity Insights in Abuja, Dangote noted that multiple fees at the refinery's loading point and discharge at domestic terminals, which are essentially absent when marketers import gasoline from offshore facilities such as the Lomé Floating Storage Terminal, were to blame. 'In terms of port charges, it is currently more expensive to load a domestic cargo of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery, as customers pay both at the point of loading and the point of discharge. But when they load from Lome, which competes with us, they pay only at the point of discharge. This is simply unfair and unsustainable,' the Nigerian billionaire relayed. As reported by the Punch, after their findings, marketers who source fuel from the Dangote Refinery have to pay these charges. This was also reiterated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike. 'We don't load in Lomé, but for Nigerian distribution through the coastal route, it is easier to use the vessels here in Nigeria because it is interstate. Most of the international clearance and the rest is not applicable, because you would be able to avoid a lot of charges, both international and local charges,' he stated. 'It is better to load from Dangote via both means. But if you are loading coastal from another country, it is more difficult than when you are loading from Nigeria,' he added. However, some other players have cited the refinery's restrictive sale methods as a reason why there are complications in the supply chain. This point was elaborated on by Executive Secretary of DAPPMAN, Olufemi Adewole, who noted that the way Dangote conducts business does not benefit most local marketers, particularly small businesses that rely on flexible coastal supply chains. 'Since the advent of Dangote refinery, it has not been smooth sailing at all. We had preliminary meetings with their management. We received promises and assurances that we would be accommodated. We are ready and still willing to patronise Dangote. But the issue is, is Dangote ready to give us the product we want?' he stated. 'You don't get the price upfront,' Adewole explained. 'It is only after you've been cleared that a proforma invoice is issued. Meanwhile, there appears to be a select group Dangote prefers to trade with,' he added.
Business Insider
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Dangote refinery set to overtake world's sixth largest refinery, after expansion to 700,000 bpd
The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, Africa's largest single-train oil refinery, is undergoing a strategic upgrade to expand its production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 700,000 bpd by the end of 2025. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos is expanding production capacity from 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025. This enhancement aims to position the refinery among the largest globally, with modifications across critical refining units. The refinery has been leveraging global supply chains, including purchasing significant amounts of crude oil from the U.S. This development marks a new milestone in the billionaire's ambitious plan to continue to spearhead the continent's push for energy self-sufficiency. At launch, Dangote Refinery's 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity ranked it as the seventh largest refinery in the world and Africa's largest. With its recent upgrade to 700,000 bpd, it now aims to surpass South Korea's Onsan Refinery, which holds the sixth spot with a capacity of 669,000 bpd. According to Punch ng, the upgrade is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of the year and involves modifications across key refining units. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, disclosed the ongoing efforts during a media tour of the massive refinery complex in Lagos, Nigeria. ' Our RFCC is at 85 per cent. We are not up to 100 per cent because there are some modifications that we are doing. It will finish by the end of the year, and we believe we will get to 700,000 bpd, not even 650,000, because all the other components that we have and all the other departments have all (reached 100 per cent). Some are even doing up to 145 per cent. So, we've done very well in that area, " The billionaire explained. The RFCC unit plays a crucial role in converting heavy crude oil into higher-value products like gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas. With progress in other units, Dangote remains optimistic about achieving full operational capacity. Dangote imports crude amid shortage In a move that underscores the global nature of energy supply chains, and inconsistency with local supply, Dangote revealed that the refinery purchased 19 million barrels of crude oil from the United States between June and July 2025. In July alone, 10 million barrels were sourced from the U.S., representing 55 per cent of the refinery's crude feedstock. The refinery's establishment was born out of a failed attempt by Dangote to acquire Nigeria's state-owned refineries during the administration of the late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua in 2007. That decision, he said, sparked a vision to build a world-class facility that would address Africa's chronic dependence on imported refined products. Dangote however warned that foreign players continue to undermine African industries through mass importation strategies, hindering local production. This highlights the challenges faced by African industries in competing with international suppliers. ' Apart from Algeria and Libya, which are self-sufficient in Africa, technically, everybody is an importer ' he said. ' If you go to Lome, you will see a massive number of ships. That's what they do to attack all the industries in sub-Saharan Africa. Even if you look at the refineries in South Africa, they are actually not operating. Only one is now operating in South Africa, but we were able to take this risk' he added. The billionaire candidly admitted that the refinery journey has been far more complex than anticipated. He said, " People believe building a refinery is like building a house, but if I knew what we were going to face, I wouldn't have started it at all." Despite the challenges, the Dangote Refinery is nearing full-scale operation, symbolizing industrial ambition and a bold attempt to reshape Africa's energy landscape, and reducing reliance on imported fuel and securing economic independence for oil-producing nations. Dangote also expressed optimism about the future, attributing the group's success to their willingness to take on seemingly impossible challenges. "The luck that we've had now as a group was because we didn't know what we were getting into, really, and we believe that nothing is impossible." He said.
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
25 of the best photos bringing the swinging 60s back to life
But while they are painted as the cool, carefree days when the world shook off its shackles and life burst into technicolour, that's not how everyone experienced them. The cultural revolution didn't touch all corners of the UK, where many families were still experiencing great hardship and unable to afford the new fashions, sounds and technological breakthroughs the decade offered. These photos show life as it really was back then in the UK for ordinary people. They capture the excitement of the 60s, from the dance halls to the catwalk, but they also depict the practical realities of everyday life, from the supermarket aisles to the factory floor. If you were around in the 1960s, you will remember things like collecting Green Shield stamps in the shops, getting free school milk and enjoying donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows at the beach. You'll also recall the political demonstrations of the day, as women fought for equal pay, and huge crowds demanded an end to apartheid. And you'll likely remember the events which caught the public imagination, like Pickles the dog sniffing out the stolen World Cup trophy. TV rentals, the launch of Channel 2, a huge free Rolling Stones concert and the killer fog which descended are among the other evocative images in this retro photo gallery which together help capture the spirit of the 60s. What are your abiding memories of the 1960s? Let us know in the comments section. 1 . Green Shield stamps A shop assistant prepares to hand a sheet of Green Shield stamps to a customer at a newly opened supermarket in September 1960 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales 2 . Let's twist again A couple doing the twist at a ballroom in January 1962 | Getty Images Photo: Peter Hall/Keystone Features Photo Sales 3 . Free milk Comprehensive school pupils queue up for their free milk | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard Photo Sales 4 . Disposable fashion English model Twiggy wearing Bagatel autumn fashions, including this plastic disposable mini-dress, in May 1966 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
25 of the best photos bringing the swinging 60s back to life
But while they are painted as the cool, carefree days when the world shook off its shackles and life burst into technicolour, that's not how everyone experienced them. The cultural revolution didn't touch all corners of the UK, where many families were still experiencing great hardship and unable to afford the new fashions, sounds and technological breakthroughs the decade offered. These photos show life as it really was back then in the UK for ordinary people. They capture the excitement of the 60s, from the dance halls to the catwalk, but they also depict the practical realities of everyday life, from the supermarket aisles to the factory floor. If you were around in the 1960s, you will remember things like collecting Green Shield stamps in the shops, getting free school milk and enjoying donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows at the beach. You'll also recall the political demonstrations of the day, as women fought for equal pay, and huge crowds demanded an end to apartheid. And you'll likely remember the events which caught the public imagination, like Pickles the dog sniffing out the stolen World Cup trophy. TV rentals, the launch of Channel 2, a huge free Rolling Stones concert and the killer fog which descended are among the other evocative images in this retro photo gallery which together help capture the spirit of the 60s. What are your abiding memories of the 1960s? Let us know in the comments section. 1 . Green Shield stamps A shop assistant prepares to hand a sheet of Green Shield stamps to a customer at a newly opened supermarket in September 1960 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales 2 . Let's twist again A couple doing the twist at a ballroom in January 1962 | Getty Images Photo: Peter Hall/Keystone Features Photo Sales 3 . Free milk Comprehensive school pupils queue up for their free milk | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard Photo Sales 4 . Disposable fashion English model Twiggy wearing Bagatel autumn fashions, including this plastic disposable mini-dress, in May 1966 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales
