My Christchurch Directory - November 2022

Welcome...

Dear Residents,

We are very excited about our new project to be as eco-friendly as possible. The new paper we are using is definitely a step in that direction. We also have lots of articles this month that align with our view of helping the planet ‘one page at a time’. If you have any ideas locally, or know of a business that is doing all it can to stay environmentally safe, please let them know of us, as we can help spread the word. Let’s keep our planet clean and healthy.

This is in fact the November issue and I for one am so surprised how the time is flying by! I wonder if that is to do with my age? Quite likely! Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? … I cannot say I am as I write this, but that could change at any moment. Maybe a spot of Christmas shopping will do it? Well, it is a good excuse anyway. Stephen and I did manage a few days away last month and you can read all about it inside. It is good to take some time out that is for sure. We do wish you a very happy November and hope you have good plans to spend time with family and friends for the holiday season coming up. Oh yes and please use the advertisers inside to help with anything you need. As ever, if you have any data to pass on to me, I am happy to talk or receive an email.

Wishing you all the very best, Debbie, Stephen & Daichi

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DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damaged caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The Christchurch Directory does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

The waiting is almost over for the biggest festival of football to begin as the FIFA World Cup breaks new ground with its foray into the Middle East. Qatar is set to host what will be the 22nd edition of the sport’s most famous event, as a planet of football fanatics hold their breath.

This winter, hosts Qatar will kick-off the World Cup in the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday 20th November against Ecuador, hoping not to join South Africa as the only host nation not to advance from their group. Senegal and Netherlands complete Group A.

Group B sees England and Wales, alongside USA and Iran; while Group C contains twotime winners Argentina, as well as Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.

In Group D, it’s defending world champions France paired with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.

The might of Spain and Germany will clash in Group E, with Japan and Costa Rica seemingly fighting for third place.

Former World number one ranked Belgium are in with

The Teams, The Groups, The Venues, The Coverage show

2018 runners-up Croatia, as Canada and Morocco sit alongside, in Group F.

Record five-time winners Brazil play Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G, whilst the first-round stage is completed by Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in a tough looking Group H.

The 64 tournament matches will be played over 28 days and in eight different venues, as the sides battle it out to face off in the World Cup final, to be held at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, which is about 20km from the capital of Doha.

In the UK, free-toair channels BBC and ITV share the rights to screen every single match, and both will show the final in full. Globally, the viewing figures

for Russia 2018 were record-breaking, as over half of the world watched at least one minute of coverage. With the Middle East only a few hours ahead of the UK, the majority of matches will kick off in daytime hours. After Qatar’s opener on the Friday evening, there will be four matches a day throughout the group stage from 11am to 8pm start times (GMT).

There will no break between the group and knockout stages. The first hiatus in action will come in the days before the quarter-finals on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th; the semifinals take place on the 13th and 14th, and the third-place playoff is on Saturday 17th December.

The showpiece final, and the crowning of the Qatar 2022 World Cup winners, kicks off at 3pm on Sunday 18th December.

Hold onto your hats –it’s going to be quite a ride!

We all know that we need to do our bit to help save our planet, whether that might be changing our diet, reducing electricity usage or using eco-friendly alternatives. Products that are ecofriendly are products that do not harm to the environment.

Eco-friendly products are usually turned down by buyers because of their higher costs. Making a product for pro ts with no care for the environment allows large corporate companies to sell their products at a cheaper price while creating all kinds of damage to our planet. However, many of the cheaper products we buy from corporate businesses are designed to be less sustainable and durable, making us purchase them again and again. Eco-friendly products although pricier initially do not just help our planet but also tend to be more durable. is means that, in the long-term, choosing a more sustainable product can save you money.

Debbie Goes Green: Project Planet

In contribution to save our planet and give consumers an environmentally friendly alternative to household items, toiletries and many more, Debbie Goes Green began in 2019 designed to help local people nd better, and trusted eco-friendly products. Buying eco-friendly products is also safer for you as a consumer, other products are usually made with harmful chemicals. Bigger corporate companies usually use manufactures that use pesticides for cheaper costs, these chemicals can have a bad a ection your health. Eco-friendly products are made organically and manufacturers rarely use harmful chemicals. Debbie Goes Green is a business that makes it easy for you to nd eco-friendly products without having to spend hours researching and spending a fortune. e products on the website are all against animal testing. Use sustainable alternatives and help save our planet. To nd out more, take a look at the website at: debbiegoesgreen.uk Or email: hello@debbiegoesgreen.uk

By Amelia Hartley-Baker

Game for a laugh?

How luck and laughter have kept comedian, novelist and actress Jenny Eclair at the top of her game as she soars into her seventh decade.

You’ll often hear pop stars, entertainers and comedians complaining about life on the road – the travelling, the hotels, the constant and aching repetition of each live show… but not Jenny Eclair.

The husky-voiced fashionfervent 62-year-old doesn’t buy into all that. To her, touring is a chance to meet new people and see new sights – in many respects, it’s a holiday… even if she can’t pinpoint on a map where her destinations are...

“The more I tour, the more grateful I am to be doing this,” she begins. “I do realise how lucky I am, to have people still turning up. That’s pretty special

for me, because there’s a lot of competition out there and it’s quite tough.

“It’s easy to moan about this and that, but you come to realise this is actually a dream job. I get to show off for 90 minutes on a nightly basis. That’s not bad!

“And I love the travelling,” she continues. “There are the places you know, and they are ones that you look forward to. Then there are the surprises: Aberdeen, so friendly; Fowey, in Cornwall, beautiful; and Telford… fantastic! On any normal day you’d think ‘Where the hell is Telford?! Well, I know now!

“The mentality is, ‘I might never be able to come to this place again, so why not do that river trip, why not have that cheesecake?!’ It’s just taking advantage of where you are more than just laying in a hotel room worrying about the gig.”

That Jenny views touring as a holiday

means audiences get the very best out of a comedian who is, ironically, most notably recognised for her sour-spoken rantings on Grumpy Old Women, Loose Women and more.

Her 2022 tour, entitled Sixty! (Ffs!) should have happened two years ago, but Covid saw to its delay. The sentiments are, however, all the same, even now she has ascended to the ripe old age of, well, 62.

“Stand-up is an interesting concept in itself. You’re never totally in control – making people laugh can be tough, after all, but when it goes well it’s like getting into a big bath every night – it’s comforting and it’s comfortable.

“Ultimately, I love feelgood comedy – for me, it’s about performing to women of a certain age… an audience who are experiencing a lot of similar things; but good comedy should be about anything that makes us smile. I think we all need a dose of that right now!”

Oceanarium hosts gender reveal celebration for their youngest Humboldt penguin!

Oceanarium hosts gender reveal celebration for their youngest Humboldt penguin!

Oceanariums fun gender reveal party announced that their new baby Humboldt penguin is … drum roll please…. A GIRL!

Ponyo, hatched on 12 May this year by same-sex couple, Diego and Zorro who adopted Ponyo and proved to be quite the naturals at parenting! The female chick was named Ponyo after our naming competition and inspired by the Japanese animated film.

Until recently, the adorable chick had been busy behind the scenes with the aquatic team, getting warmed up to be released into the colony where Ponyo was finally reunited with her proud dads. After an inquisitive nature from the other birds, Ponyo has settled very well into the colony.

Ponyo is now finally at an age where they can reveal its gender as it is impossible to identify what gender a Humboldt penguin will be when its hatched. Identifying the penguins’ chicks’ gender is determined by the analysis of DNA from a feather sample. This can only be done when the chick has molted their natural down feather and their adult waterproof feathers have emerged.

Melissa Mudge who has recently been promoted to penguin keeper, says “Ponyo has developed really well in the last couple of months. She is eating really well and couldn’t be in a healthier position.

Ideally, we wanted her to be a girl to balance the girl/ boy ratio, but of course we would be happy whatever the gender was! We are very proud of Ponyo and how well she is doing!”

She continues to say “Ponyo is extremely curious, playful and entertaining to watch as she builds more confidence within the colony.

It is worth anyone’s while to come and say hello to Ponyo because she will undoubtedly brighten up your day.”

Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to reduce inheritance tax and help protect their share from care fees

The Property Protection Trust Will package is based around how you hold the ownership of your home. All good estate planning nowadays considers the difference between owning your home as joint tenants or as tenants in common.

If you own your home as Joint Tenants; when one of you dies the ownership of the home passes by the Law of Survivorship and not by your Will. Therefore, the surviving partner will automatically own 100% of the property. This sounds right to most people. BUT should the surviving partner need care in the future, the Local Authority can take everything they own (including their home) to pay for the care fees, leaving just £14,250 to be inherited by children and grandchildren.

There is an alternative.

Nowadays many couples choose to own their home as Tenants in Common where each partner will own 50% of the family home. This provides for many benefits.

Firstly, it allows you to legally leave your share of the property in your Will to whoever you wish. A properly written Will can ensure that your half of your house will eventually pass to your children even if your widow re-marries.

Unmarried cohabiting couples or relatives living together can also use this means of ownership as a way of minimising their Inheritance Tax exposure.

It can also help with long-term care costs. If one of you is still living in your home the Local Authority can’t include its value in the means test if one of you has to go in to long-term care. This also applies if the husband or wife still living at home dies while the other is in care as their share will go into the trust.

Dorset and Wight are your local experts in Property Protection Trust Wills.

Wool and the gang

How knitwear became cool again.

For some of us, knitwear evokes uncomfortable memories of itchy, misshapen cardigans in garish hues and patterns knitted by one’s nan or elderly aunt. It is a giant leap therefore to appreciate just how cool those same woollies, and all associated needlecraft, have now become.

Modern knitwear

In some ways it is just the inevitable movement of time, as that which was once au fait becomes so again, but there is also another social phenomenon which has helped propel this ancient art form to fashion’s front row: Instagram. Now boasting a breadth of needle-wielding influencers, the photo-sharing app has become the ideal place for knitters to show off their yarns. Whether cutesy crochet bikinis or gorgeous, grannyish cardigans, wool enthusiasts such as New

Zealand native Nicole Leybourne (@theknitter) and California student Kara Eng (@karas. knit.eng), not only have thousands of followers (43k and 118k respectively) they also have thriving online marketplaces where they sell their highly coveted patterns across the globe.

Not surprisingly, this online trend has begun to seep into modern culture with knitwear having a few massive moments. There was Bernie Sanders’ mittens which basically became the meme of Joe Biden’s inauguration; the cream, cable knit sweater worn by Chris Evans in thriller flick Knives Out (who knew cable knit could be so sexy?); and diver Tom Daley’s magnificent Team GB cardigan which he was seen knitting poolside at the Tokyo 2020 games.

Knitting inspiration for the nation

It comes as no surprise that a huge boost in sales was seen across sewing machines, knitting kits and crochet books during various lockdowns that commenced in the spring of

2020, while many of us around the globe sat anxiously at home.

After all, if one is going to nervously twiddle their thumbs for weeks on end, one might as well acquire a beautiful scarf and beanie set at the end of it.

Knitting is community, as the plethora of online forums will attest. It is unity, and comes with free online patterns widely available to download.

Purling that makes perfect sense

Beyond all the cultural ephemera, however, is the fact that knitting is just good sense. With the perils of fast fashion becoming more apparent by the day, making clothes yourself is an appealing antidote.

Made with care, made with time, and made with love: you can modify the pattern exactly to your size and colour preferences, save money, and nurture a real sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of it.

What happens to my Will if I separate from my spouse?

If you have made a Will that benefits your spouse, and you later separate from that spouse, the Will is not invalidated by the separation and any provision you have made for your spouse would usually still apply.

Similarly, if you make Mirror Wills with your spouse, you each have an individual Will, and these are not invalidated if you separate from each other.

It is possible to revoke a Will which benefits your spouse but please be aware that if you do so and then pass away without having made a new Will, you will be deemed to have died intestate (where you have died without a Will). Although you may be separated from your surviving spouse at the time that you pass away, your surviving spouse would still benefit under the rules of intestacy from yourestate.

Obtaining a divorce does affect the terms of an existing Will; the Will is read as though the former spouse predeceased and any gifts to and/or appointments of the former spouse wouldfail.

However, filing for and completing divorce proceedings can take some time and there is the risk that you may pass away before proceedings are completed. Therefore, on separation it is important to review your Will and update it to reflect any changes in your wishes.

Whenever you need clear and concise legal advice, delivered in a way that makes it easy to understand, call our team of professionals (01202 823308) or visit our website for more information: www.HGWalker.co.uk

Harold G Walker

Financial boost for residents hosting Ukrainian families

BCP Council has pledged to pay an extra £250 per month to hosts of Ukrainian refugees for six months.

The Government had set thank you payments at £350 per accommodation as part of its Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

BCP Council’s move will see enhanced payments up to £600 for those that accommodate their guests over six months up to 12-months.

Councillor Karen Rampton, Portfolio Holder for People and Homes, said: “We have seen a heart-warming response from local residents to the desperate need of Ukrainian people fleeing war.

“In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, we have 273 host households registered in the BCP area, of which 183 are now hosting Ukrainian guests.

“I am pleased to announce this extra financial support this winter to help cover the increased cost of living, and as a ‘thank you’ for their continuing support of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

“As Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine Day approaches, we also want to demonstrate our support for Ukraine by making their citizen’s stay in our area as comfortable as possible.”

A further festival goodwill gesture

of a £50 supermarket voucher will also be issued to all sponsors at Christmas.

If required, an additional £1k winter payment can be applied for and applications will be processed on a case by case basis.

Cllr Rampton added: “Council teams continue to work alongside partner authorities, to ensure Ukrainian guests receive the support they need.

“This includes welfare, wellbeing and accommodation checks, free gym memberships, signposting to English Language resources, 200 minutes free use of Beryl bikes in BCP area and free 30-day bus passes. It also includes welcome packs with useful information and guidance on humanitarian payments.”

“In addition, we have this month recruited additional caseworkers to support families.

They will focus on supporting those households who need it most, work on re-matching guests to other hosts where they need to move on, assist with housing options advice to help them move on to their own accommodation, as well as providing wider support to help find work and register with a GP.”

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner returns to the subject of truly making our home into a home.

It’s becoming more and more difficult to get on the property ladder. We are living through an incredible ‘cost of living’ crisis, and that throws the whole housing market into disarray. Should people buy now in fear of things getting even worse? Should they look to rent and wait for things to calm down? Or perhaps if the bubble is going to burst, should they sell up, keep their money to one side and buy something when the property sector crashes?

Through all the worry and uncertainty there is always the

factor of making wherever we do live as happily and as homely as possible.

I feel that sometimes we are so keen to move, so keen to head on to the next place, that we lose sight of the day-to-day joy, satisfaction, security and homeliness of our spaces, and really these things are worth more than any amount of money in the bank.

I have always thought that, right back to the first house I ever bought - an old two up, two down in East Dulwich in London. It was small and not worth a lot, but it meant and still does mean an awful lot to me. It was where I started out, and I look back with huge fondness.

So this is why, when we have so much worry and concern

over the way the market is going – and let’s be honest, for several years now it’s only been going in one direction – we can sometimes lose sight of the contentment and happiness that a property brings us. Perhaps it’s the garden, or the cellar, or just the hour or two you get to sit in the front room and relax on an evening.

My point is we are always trying to move on and aspire to the next thing, when in reality so much of what we should do is about sitting still, looking around, being in the moment and saying to ourselves, ‘you know, this is okay – in this moment, I am happy’.

Make the most of your home’s best features, because adding value isn’t always about money and it never has been. Wherever you find yourself, just enjoy your time there.

A Potted History of the World Cup

As Qatar prepare to host the 22nd edition of the World Cup, we look back on the heroes of the past the organisers are excited to emulate.

The first World Cup stretches all the way back to 1930, where the inaugural hosts also turned out to be the winners as Uruguay came back from 2-1 down against Argentina in the Montevideo final (the only city to be used in the competition), to prevail 4-2.

La Celeste (The Sky Blues) have reached one other final, in 1950, where they were also victorious, beating Brazil 2-1 on their own patch, in Rio de Janeiro. However, the runners-up there were, in time, to embark on a successful run of their own.

Italy, albeit amid some controversy, would win backto-back Jules Rimet Trophies in 1934 and 1938, keeping that trophy for a further 12 years, due to the outbreak of the Second World War, before the aforementioned 1950 edition.

Arguably, the best side never to have won the World Cup may have been Hungary, who went 49 matches unbeaten between 1950 and 1956, yet their 3-2 defeat by West Germany in the Bern final in 1954 is their best tournament performance.

As for Brazil, it was the discovery of a certain 17year-old named Edson Arantes do Nascimento – otherwise known as Pele – that would inspire them to three wins in four tournaments (1958, 1962, 1970), with England, in 1966 of course, breaking the sequence.

Back to West Germany and they would win on home soil in 1974, beating the great Netherlands side of Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens. Argentina would repeat the trick as hosts in Buenos Aires four years later, and the Germans again succumbed when Italy got themselves back

on the winners’ rostrum in Spain in 1982. Finally, a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina won their second title at Mexico 86.

West Germany gained revenge at Italia 90, before Brazil reached three finals in a row winning on penalties against Italy in the USA (1994), losing to the hosts in France (1998) and regaining the trophy in South Korea and Japan, against a reformed Germany in 2002.

Penalties would again be needed to give Italy their fourth success, against France in Germany 2006, while Spain’s golden generation recorded a debut victory in South Africa 2010 (either side of two European Championships wins).

Germany destroyed a sorry Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final of their second time as hosts, on the way to also denying Lionel Messi and Argentina in 2014, before France beat Croatia 4-2 (which is the most popular final score) in Russia 2018.

Jobs for the boys (and girls)

Seven simple household jobs that may help in getting your kids primed for later life.

1. Caring for pets

There’s perhaps no greater badge of honour for a child than knowing the welfare of a small animal is in their grasp. From feeding to cleaning, petting to playing, kids quickly build an understanding of survival, respect and rapport –all valuable elements.

2. Cleaning up mess

The inability of children to clear up after themselves is less laziness and more a failing of parents to reinforce good habits. Indeed, some cleaning away can be made into a fun game, and the aesthetic success of a tidy space can bring about is something that the whole family can marvel in!

3. Putting the rubbish or recycling out

As an extension of making the best out of mess, the removal of rubbish and recycling to an outside space is great in linking young minds to the concept of their home being part of something much bigger.

Indeed, the reinforcing of society, and our need to interact with it in a useful way, is one

of the most valuable things we can teach our children… and it can all evolve from putting out the empties!

4. Doing gardening

In a similar way, for kids to appreciate the fluidity and versatility of the natural world, they are able to reach beyond themselves and build an understanding of how things around them evolve and survive.

What’s more, the fact our gardens move through four different seasons means they always present new challenges and opportunities.

5. Helping in the kitchen

There is perhaps no greater instant gratification that kids can enjoy than baking a cake, making a casserole, or even putting together their own healthy fruit juice mix.

Helping with food and drink gives an immediate and tangible reward that can be savoured and shared with family and friends.

6. Cleaning the car The cornerstone of pocket money for so many years, the car is perhaps the ultimate family possession that acts as the vehicle – literally and metaphorically – to

great days out, not to mention the odd holiday.

While it’s a big job to take on, there’s a knowing satisfaction of dipping a generous sponge into bubbly, hot water on a cold winter’s day, that only a young person can fully appreciate!

7. Looking after younger siblings While we are all aware of the need to safeguard young children, getting older siblings to assume some form of responsibility will not only empower them, but enable them to appreciate the needs of others in close proximity.

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the November Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include an opportunity to see three planets in our evening skies and the return of the bright, familiar winter constellations.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted early in the morning until the 8th, then is visible in our evening skies before 8pm from the 18th. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

The winter constellations make a welcome return to our evening skies this month. Taurus the Bull, with its magnificent star clusters the Hyades and Pleiades rises in the east just after sunset. Orion follows shortly afterwards, and is above the horizon by 9.30pm, closely followed by the brightest star in the sky, Sirius (the dog star), which is shining low in the east by midnight.

Mercury

The innermost planet is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Venus

Venus is also lost in the Sun’s glare this month.

Mars

Mars continues to brighten daily, and can be seen at the start of the month rising around 7pm in the northeast (see figure). By month end, it is considerably brighter and rising around 4.30pm.

Jupiter & Saturn

Both gas giants are visible towards the south when darkness falls; Jupiter is the incredibly bright object to the east (left) of less-bright Saturn. Saturn sets by 11pm but Jupiter is visible until the early hours of the morning. The moon appears close by from the 1st – 4th (see figure), and then again on the 28th, 29th and 30th.

Moon

November’s full moon occurs on the 8th.

The Artemis return mission to the Moon

In the 1960s and 70’s, Apollo missions 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 landed twelve men on the Moon. In the 2020’s, NASA are hoping to return astronauts to the Moon with the Artemis Space Mission. At the time of going to press, Artemis I, a test run of the massive Space Launch System rocket (SLS), and the Orion crew capsule (which will keep the astronauts safe from the dangers of space) had yet to launch due to various issues, including a fuel leak and a delay caused by Hurricane Ian. Hopefully by the time you read this the mission will have successfully lifted off and be in orbit around the Moon.

Money on my mind...the Martin Lewis column

He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at the current energy crisis, and the fact no real solution appears close.

Our energy sector is in a mess, and there is little doubt about that. For too long we have experienced this continual up and down shift of prices and supply and tari s and everything else that, as consumers, drives us bonkers.

The reality of what we have and what’s going on right now has been brewing for a long time. A perfect storm of situations, from Brexit to covid to the conflict in Russia, e ectively means we are being throttled in our desire to heat and light our homes, ensure water comes through our taps and more.

You may say we have been unlucky to find these factors all colliding in together at one time, yet it is the job of the government – and any sort of decent opposition – to put fail safes in place so that when something

catastrophic result

It’s a disastrous combination and we are

praying for short- and medium-term solutions that will see not just the most vulnerable through the winter, but everyone else besides, because this is a national problem coming at a time of huge inflation and cost of living emergency.

Let’s just go to a basic summary of what we have here – in the UK we’re talking about having privatised energy firms, but we e ectively now have restricted competition and regulated prices in the form of a price cap. You have to ask yourself, what is the benefit of privatisation if you work in that marketplace?

The next price caps – they’re going to be in January and April – will reveal where we go from here.

All I can say right now is energy bills will go down – they will be lower in April than they will be in January, but higher than they are now.

And while we wait for a solution, we will need to ride this out – we have no choice. Yet rest assured the consumer has been sold down the river and the lessons of this will resonate with both current and future governments, as they should.

catastrophic like this happens, the end result isn’t the sort of bewildering increase in bills that really may move a greater quantity of people into poverty than we have ever seen before.

Grade II listed Community Hall receives £20,000 for vital refurbishment

Residents of Hinton Martell in Wimborne have been awarded £20,000 towards a restoration project to preserve their Grade-II listed village hall. Purchased by the local community in 1977 following its closure as a school, Hinton Martell Village Hall was in urgent need of restorative work to its roof, chimney and wall structure to ensure its important role as a community hub in the isolated rural village continues.

Talbot Village Trust, a local grant-giving charity that supports worthy causes across south east Dorset, donated the significant sum which has contributed to the completion of phase one of the project. This includes an upgraded and replaced roof of both halls one and two, repaired chimney stack, stabilised walls in hall two, and the re-build of two bays of the church wall which were in danger of collapse.

Sue Dawson, Acting Chair of the Hinton Martell Village Hall Management Committee, said: “Our village hall forms a vital part of the isolated rural community of Hinton Martell where the Parish is home to some 430 residents. The village has no shop, public house or any other amenities so the village hall plays a hugely significant part in ensuring a variety of activities are accessible to the community. We are extremely grateful for

the generosity of the Talbot Village Trust. Their grant has helped us to secure the future of our historic village hall by enabling us to tackle a major preservation project, which simply would not have been possible without their support. The whole community now has a village hall it can be proud to use.”

The hall is used as a central community hub for the surrounding villages, and the committee organises a whole programme of events throughout the year, working in conjunction with the church next door, the local primary school and organisations such as ‘Artsreach’.

The £20,000 donation also contributed to cosmetic work inside the hall, which took place while closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since re-opening, the hall now offers a safe, dry and inviting space for the community to use.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust, commented: “We understand just how significant community spaces like Hinton Martell Village Hall are, particularly for those living in more rural areas of the county. The Trust was delighted to support the preservation project, to ensure the historic building can continue to be enjoyed by the public for essential events, activities and social gatherings for many years to come.”

For more information on the preservation project, visit www.hinton-martell-village-hall.co.uk/ preservation-project

Talbot Village Trust donates £1million each year in grants to organisations in south east Dorset. In 2021, the trust supported 53 organisations across community, education, youth, and faith and will continue to broaden their support for priority projects tackling climate change, mental health and wellbeing, and education exclusion.

and contemporary solutions from Tuscany Blinds & Shutters Ltd

The Adventures of Daichi

The Modern Magazines Camper Van

Sometimes we have to change plans and apparently ‘make do’ with less than we originally wanted. Life is like that, let’s face it. Last month was an example of that, but we had a great time despite the grandiose plans taking a back step. You see it was our 25th Wedding Anniversary at the end of September. The plan had been to go on a cruise, sailing around Alaska, or some exotic location. However, we had moved house less than a year ago and with it came a brand new business, we now call “Wafflicious” on the Esplanade in Weymouth, that we had had no prior experience with at all. Fitting in a cruise both financially and time-wise was just not on this new agenda. So where did we go…? Lyme Regis! There were less whales and no black bears (fortunately you may say) but we had a wonderful time. We chose a hideaway just north of Lyme Regis, set in lush trees with a hot tub and sauna. Perfect. Daichi pootled his way there all smiles, ready for a relaxing getaway. We stopped off at a farm shop for a delightful full English breakfast en route, which is when I really knew we had actually managed to ‘escape’ for a few

The first day... it rained!

days. On arriving in Lyme Regis, one of my other favourite coastal towns here on the Jurassic Coast, the wind was blowing, the rain was pouring and by all accounts this was set in for the whole time we would be there. Oh dear. I just decided that whatever the weather, we would have a good time. Afterall there was a warm sauna awaiting us, and I had a good book with me too!

That all miraculously changed! The next day was glorious. Really. We walked along the front with glistening blue sea, swimmers and people in bathing suits, walking alongside ladies and gents in coats and boots! Only in England could this happen. We had lunch overlooking the bay with Portland in the distance. The Cobb majestically positioned, that famous harbour wall where “Persuasion” by Jane Austen and “The French Lieutenants Woman” were filmed some time ago. That must have been exciting to watch in the making. Walking slowly along the promenade we continued all the way to the “Ammonite Pavement” at Lyme Regis Undercliffs. What a find! There are fossils here that are huge, just lying around

bathing in the sun… and hundreds of them! All along this stretch of the coast you can see ammonites everywhere. It is so impressive. You really can feel the sense of history, a time well before us and envisage colossal dinosaurs towering above you. I loved it. Sitting on a rock lazily gazing out to sea, watching others anticipating their historic finds, seeing that actually the world is not as the press make it all out to be, was very rewarding. The passing of time and how things used to be, somehow has a calming effect I feel. For our younger readers this may not yet be so real. Live life now is also my motto!

That evening we had to try the jacuzzi of course and watch the thousands of stars above us. Incredible. Just on a practical note, as I have shivered at the thought of these Jacuzzis in Iceland and very cold climates, but they really are very warm, and keep you warm! It was delightful. The stars were utterly inspiring that evening and this turned out to be another thought-provoking occasion. Now, I was wondering who else was ‘out there’, how far is it really to these twinkling stars, planets and ‘other places’? The distance is remarkable and somehow (once again) made me realize that whatever we have going on, there is always a much bigger picture, a much

Well deserved cup of tea at River Cottage

bigger meaning. Amazingly both Stephen and I saw a shooting star! It was all very magical, sitting in a hot tub in October surrounded by trees. It absolutely made up for a lack of cruise and an apparently more luxurious destination. Life is what we make it.

River Cottage, the now famous Farmhouse with cookery and chef’s courses, was also on the menu. Their headquarters was literally a walk through the woods, some 20 minutes away. We strolled through the undergrowth and had a wonderful cup of tea and cake looking over the rolling English Countryside. Another totally unexpected and unpredicted beautiful day!

So, despite the apparent ‘loss’ of a romantic cruise, Stephen and I had the most relaxing and inspiring time. This was all of course on our doorstep. Daichi with his big white grin and skipping steps was able to take us. No airport delays or worries of luggage, just a good old English getaway, with a few extra trimmings. We hope you are making the most of the beautiful country we live in. It is never very far to the coast, or the countryside to get some space and recharge those batteries. Where will Daichi take us next… I wonder?

By Debbie Corney

The jacuzzi and sauna in the garden

Antony

Most people think of a salad as a summer dish –it’s light, seasonal, won’t fill you up if you’re having a couple of glasses of wine, and showcases flavours that match the sunny, uplifting vibes of July and August.

Yet

there’s

thing

versatility, so of course we should be creating interesting, challenging, delicious salads all year round.

Top Tip

that

adding in bolder

such as potato, and more edgy flavours, like bacon, you can very quickly and very easily convert the humble salad into a dish for any season, any temperature.

Method

1. Cook the potatoes in salted water until soft, drain and return to the heat to dry out. It is important that the potatoes are thoroughly cooked - there is nothing worse than ‘al dente’ potatoes.

2. Combine the potatoes with the crumbled crispy bacon, the pickled cucumber, eggs and onion. Season to taste.

Add in a handful of chopped jalapeno

for an extra kick!

3. Combine the remaining ingredients to make the dressing. Fold enough of the dressing into the salad to make it creamy.

4. When folding everything together do it while the potatoes are still warm and allow the potatoes to break down a little in the mixing.

Basil is looking for a forever home!

Hello, I am Basil I am a 6 year old Jackapoo. I was found alone and taken to the Pound.

When nobody came to collect me, Waggy Tails offered me a place and they are going to find me a super forever home where I will be loved and cared for.

I am not able to tell them too much about myself, but they know I love treats! I enjoy my walks and love to sniff about in the field looking for gaps under the fence.

I like to have cuddles a lot. I’m a busy boy, typical terrier with lots of energy.

I am making friends slowly with other dogs but can be a little reactive to them. I would like a home where I get lots of exercise, lots of cuddles and lots of treats please.

If you are able to offer me or one of my lovely friends a forever home or a foster home

Please contact our office on: Tel: 01202 875000

Email: admin@waggytails.org.uk

or visit our website : www.waggytails.org.uk

We also have lots of other dogs looking for their forever homes. Waggy Tails Rescue are in need of

more foster homes. If you are at home most of the time, have a secure garden an experienced with dogs then please give us a ring and discuss fostering for us. It is a very rewarding experience and enables us to continue helping these dogs.

(No children under 10 in the house please.)

Waggy Tails Rescue is a registered charity based in Dorset, we rescue and rehome dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or otherwise in need of a new home. We also find homes for other small furries that may be in our care, so to find out more you can contact us on the number above or send donations or letters to:

Waggy Tails Rescue

Helen’s House

143 Magna Road Wimborne

BH21 3AW

Thank you for supporting us!

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the next generation of green-fingered gardeners.

You’ll find me talking quite a bit about the new breed of gardener coming through. For me, it’s a natural evolution that presents to me two different things – firstly, the art of gardening is much more interesting and much cooler than it ever was in my day; and secondly, it seems as though I am becoming more and more aware of my own mortality!

Percy Thrower was the one who inspired me most when I was a kid. I watched him on Gardening Club on the box, and as the years have gone by, I have been lucky enough to work with a number of the horticultural greats. Christopher Lloyd was a friend, Beth Chatto is a friend who I really value

and whose work I really admire.

After a while you realise you have progressed from the student to the teacher, and I’ve always been very proud

We need to show people that it isn’t difficult or boring, that is it is exciting, and that most of it is just common sense.

to be that person. Ultimately, I want to inspire everybody to get into the garden, because I think there are so many benefits.

When I am presenting, I never have a set section of society or type of person in mind. I guess, in a way, I am presenting to myself - I want anybody and everybody to start thinking about getting into the garden.

And I do admit, the likes of James Swift, James Wong, Annemarie Powell, Katie Rushworth and Frances Tophill all have a knack of conversing to young audiences that I probably don’t have… and that’s great.

I

We have to keep evolving what we say and who we want to position it to, because as I have said before there are so many other distractions for young people these days.

I want to see our gardens and our outside spaces continue to flourish over the decades to come, despite the noise and appeal of doing other things elsewhere; and you know what, I’m sure they will.

Introducing... Caring Canines in Bournemouth & Poole

Caring Canines is a not-for-profit voluntary group dedicated to promoting canine awareness and its values.

It offers the assistance of its assessed, vaccinated and insured dogs in the Bournemouth and Poole community, to break down barriers and enhance the lives of those people who miss canine companionship or benefit from it.

What do we do?

• Organise and attend public events with their fundraising/ awareness stand throughout the year

• Give talks to local groups from Cubs to Womens Institues

• Offer Be Dogwise an educational session for 12 years and under via schools and youth clubs (inc Charlies Storybook for under fives)

• Offer ‘Be Bookwise’ a literacy programme for schools (children under 12 years)

• Offer therapywise School Support Dogs for children with additional needs

For information please contact either of the Co-Founders: Sue Dennett or Julie Lankshear 01202 574791 or 07812 477349 sulie2060@gmail.com www.caringk9s.co.uk

The Greenest Countries on Earth

The top eight countries doing their bit for the planet.

While environmental groups and politicians may make us believe we, here in the UK, are the scourge of the planet’s health, recent research by Oxford University has shown us to be one of the greenest countries on Earth.

Of course, more can always be done, always, but in the meantime, here are the planet’s top eight eco-conscious countries.

1. Switzerland

The most environmentally friendly and greenest country in the world, Switzerland, achieves its status in the way it has led on hydroelectric power, solar energy, wind turbines and geothermal.

2. France

In their 2019 Energy and Climate Act, France gave themselves an ambitious aim of net zero emissions by 2050. In addition, they made it illegal for supermarkets to discard good quality, unsold produce, and they score particularly well on low air pollution as well.

3. Denmark

With half of the electricity on Danish shores provided by solar and wind power and a very efficient policy on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), Denmark’s rating is boosted by extremely good air quality and rich biodiversity.

4. Malta

Biodiversity is also a big win for Malta, while water is as clean in the country as anywhere on the planet, due to excellent sanitation and resources. The country is also helped by great agritourism - local people hosting in rural areas.

5. Sweden

Another Scandinavian country on the list, Sweden has low CO2 emissions, and their utilisation of renewable energy sources mean they aim to be running at 100% sustainability by 2045.

6. United Kingdom

The UK ranks extremely highly on the purity of drinking water and general sanitation levels.

In addition, while our countryside is revered the world over, our eco rating is boosted mostly by the 9,000 wind turbines scattered around the coastline, which allow for clean and sustainable energy.

7. Luxembourg

In 2005, the diminutive country set itself a target of lowering GHG emissions by more than half by 2030, with a goal of net zero by 2050. Scoring high for water and biodiversity and habitat, Luxembourg is succeeding.

8. Austria

With 40% of the country’s money set aside for green projects and 19% of agricultural land now organically farmed, Austria is doing well in the environmental stakes. In fact, that latter figure puts them top of the EU charts.

Leading countries from other continents

Oceania

New Zealand, 17th Asia

Japan, 20th North America Canada, 25th

South America Trinidad and Tobago, 35th Africa

Morocco, 54th

On Your Bike! NHS Workers cycle across South East Asia to raise money for Julia’s House

Natalie Scotney, Harriet Mulcahy and Zoe Pollock are about to take on the challenge of a lifetime when they cycle more than 450 kilometres over seven days from Saigon in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia while raising vital funds for children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.

The trio from Bournemouth all work for the NHS – Natalie and Zoe as paramedics, Harriet as a nurse – so understand the devastation that caring for a seriously ill child can have on a family.

Says Natalie, “We wanted to raise money for a local charity and we all believe the work that Julia’s House does is so important for these families.”

Julia’s House looks after some of the most seriously ill children in Dorset and Wiltshire, who require 24-hour care for their complex and often rare medical conditions. The charity’s dedicated team of nurses and carers are a lifeline of support, providing essential respite breaks to give exhausted parents a break from round-the-clock care.

Cycling up to 90 kilometres each day through South East Asia’s Mekong Delta is a challenge that has required a lot of training, and, Natalie adds, it has not always gone to plan.

“Due to our work schedules we have only completed one ride together, around the Isle of Wight. Harriet was hit by a car whilst cycling in 2020 and due to the COVID pandemic it took a long time for her to be able to get a new bike. She has had to overcome the injuries she sustained and gain her confidence with cycling again but she found training for the challenge good motivation to get back on

her bike. Throughout training I have been very unlucky with injuries so am not as prepared as I would like to be. We all have hectic work schedules, working 12-hour shifts, which makes training on working days nearly impossible. We have to squeeze it all in on our days off.”

All three women have taken part in physically demanding endurance challenges previously, including cycle rides, marathons, cross fit and kayaking, but this will be the longest challenge any of them has completed, both in terms of distance and number of days.

“Zoe and I were first inspired to complete this challenge three years ago and now it’s actually happening. We are most looking forward to the day off in the middle where we cross from Vietnam to Cambodia by boat up the Mekong River and watching the sunrise of Angkor Wat on the final morning,” says Natalie.

With a new programme of events soon to be announced by the charity, she adds the following words of advice to anyone thinking of taking on a physical fundraising challenge for Julia’s House: “If there is a challenge or event that you want to do, that you find daunting or slightly scary, book it and use raising money for such an amazing cause as motivation!”

Natalie, Harriet and Zoe begin their cycle challenge on 20 October and hope to raise £2,000 for Julia’s House. You can support them by donating to their JustGving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ nat-harriet-zoe www.justgiving.com/team/Team13JH

Tom Aikens’ Pro teroles

There is something so contradictory about profiteroles that they keep me coming back for more. There is the sweetness of the chocolate against the plain cream; the dryness of the pastry against the moisture that spills from the middle; and a solitary, innocent-looking ball that ends up being filling and extroverted. What I love most about profiteroles is the fact they’re easy to make yet considered luxurious and even slightly opulent; so here’s a recipe that, in a similar way, is simple, yet sensational!

Method

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the profiteroles

- 80g unsalted butter - 25g sugar

- ½ tsp salt

- 150g plain flour, sifted - 4 eggs - 2 handfuls of chopped almonds, to serve

For the crème Chantilly - 1 vanilla pod - 250ml whipping cream - 40g caster sugar - ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the chocolate sauce - 50g unsalted butter - 250ml double cream - 180g sugar

- 1 tsp vanilla extract - 100g cocoa powder

- 50g dark chocolate

1. Put the butter, sugar and salt for the profiteroles in a pan with 250ml of water and bring to a simmer. Add the sifted flour and stir for a good 5 minutes over a low to medium heat, until the paste comes away from the pan.

2. Transfer this immediately to a food mixer or processor with a beater attachment. Add the eggs, one by one, and beat to a smooth, shiny paste. Put this in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave to cool.

3. Preheat the oven to 190°C/ gas mark 5. Spoon the choux paste into a piping bag with a plain nozzle and pipe 2.5cm blobs onto a baking tin. Each one should stand up nice and high, and you should get roughly 30 profiteroles in total. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden in colour. Pierce each one to let out the steam and cool on a wire rack before filling.

4. To make the crème Chantilly, add the vanilla seeds, scraped from the pod, to the whipping cream along with the caster sugar and vanilla extract and whip until firm. Pipe into the choux buns.

5. To make the chocolate sauce, put the butter, double cream, 180g of sugar and vanilla extract into a pan and bring to a simmer. Add the cocoa powder and whisk while continuing to cook for 5 minutes at a slow simmer. Break up the dark chocolate and put it into a bowl. Pour over the hot chocolate mixture and stir until the dark chocolate has melted, then pass the sauce through a fine sieve.

6. Drizzle the choux buns with warm chocolate sauce and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.