The Southbourne Link - April 2023

Welcome...

Dear Residents,

It is Spring! I do so love this time of year. Flowers, the promise of better weather, lambs, new life - it has a huge sense of hope, which quite frankly I think we could all benefit from! Here at Modern Magazines we won an award! We are so proud of this. We won Best Business to Business company for 2023 in the WeyPort Business Awards. Fabulous! Daichi our wonderful Modern Magazines Campervan tells you all about us inside your local magazine this month. We do hope you enjoy reading this as well as our local and celebrity news articles. There is something for everyone here.

Not to mention of course our loyal and trusted trades and services who are here for you! From plumbers to window fitters, roofs experts to beauticians and gardeners to flooring specialists, we have them all. The index at the back gives you a quick guide to find who you are looking for, or if you have time to sit with your feet up and have a well earned cuppa, then the whole magazine should keep you interested for an hour or so. Enjoy.

If there is anything you would like to see in your little community magazine, or you know of a company that wants more business and to get their name out to the local residents, please let me know. We love to help and make your magazine as useful as possible.

Stephen, myself, Julie, Mel, Steph, Tracey, Pippa, Chris, Jaidan our wonderful new graphic designer, Beth and her 4 month baby are all here for you!

Debbie, Stephen & all of us here at Modern Magazines

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A thoroughly Modern Monarch

Everything we know about His Majesty’s upcoming coronation.

King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday May 6th 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Eyes around the world will focus their attention once more on this magnificent London institution where the King will be crowned – alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort –in a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This opulent ritual is the last of its kind in Europe and has remained largely unchanged for the past 1,000 years. It is an honour of course, but for a King who wants to be a modern monarch there are a few wrinkles that must be ironed out with Buckingham Palace confirming that although the Coronation will be ‘rooted in long-standing traditions’, it will also reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future.

For starters, it will be a relatively modest affair, even compared to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation that came in the recent aftermath of World War II. The ceremony itself is expected to last around two hours – rather than the three for Liz’s ascension to the throne – and guests will be limited to 2,000 due to health and safety restrictions. That’s considerably less than the 8,000 dignitaries from 129 nations who were crammed into Westminster Abbey in 1953.

There will also be less pomp and formality. Prince William is the only Duke expected to carry out the traditional gesture of kneeling and swearing allegiance to the King, and His Majesty has apparently decided to swap the stockings and breeches worn at coronations by his male predecessors for a military uniform, possibly that of Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore for the State Opening of Parliament last May.

As for the crown, Charles will wear the solid gold 17th Century St Edward’s Crown.

It is exceptionally heavy and contains the Cullinan II diamond, sometimes called the Second Star of Africa.

At its heart however, the ceremony must fulfil its key role as being the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned, as well as fulfilling the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. And despite cementing His Majesty’s role as Head of the Church of England, it is thought that representatives of different faiths will also be present – to uphold the King’s wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain. He will also still pledge to be “Defender of the Faith”, but further words will be added that allow the King to show he serves all religious faiths.

Revamp your Wardrobe at the First

Swish It! Event of 2023

After the roaring success of 2022, Swish It! is back for its first event of 2023. Two Southbourne based-businesses, ethical PR agency, Warrior Agency, and sustainable stylist, Buddy & Noo, are hosting this season’s sustainable clothes swap on Thursday 23rd March at a new venue, the Brewhouse and Kitchen in Southbourne.

With the promise of spring in the air, Swish It! is the easy, eco-friendly way to update your wardrobe ready for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring along quality pre-loved clothes and finish the night with a new to them, revamped wardrobe, reducing waste and protecting the planet at the same time. Nonswapping visitors are also welcome to come along and find some new ‘fits too.

Swishing saves unwanted clothes from ending up in landfill and reduces how many new items need to be made. Tickets are just £5 per person with any unswapped clothing left at the end of the night going to local initiative, Wardrobe Foundation. The local organisation uses donated clothing to put together clothing

gift bags for women in need of clothing support and work closely with established local organisations to deliver them. Since launching in January 2022, the Swish It! team has raised over £1000 for Wardrobe Foundation and saved tonnes of clothes from landfill.

Swish It! host, Alice Nichol, and Founder of sustainable styling service, Buddy and Noo, commented: ‘Last year was a great success for Swish It! we had an absolute blast, saving lots of clothes from landfill and raising much-needed funds for Wardrobe Foundation. We can’t wait to get stuck into it in 2023 and see even more people leave with bags full of sustainable, stylish clothes ready for the summer.’

Lizzie McManus, Founder of Warrior, an ethical PR agency, commented: ‘We couldn’t have been happier with all the positive responses we’ve had from Swish It! last year. We’ve gained a great a group of regulars that attend each event and we’ve always got people asking when our next events are happening. We can’t wait to Swish our way into 2023!’

Swish It! returns on Thursday the 23rd of March at The Brewhouse and Kitchen in Southbourne. Clothes drop off is from 2pm, and the doors are open from 4pm up until 6pm. Guests can purchase tickets on the door or in advance at https:// spring-swish-it.eventbrite.co.uk

Photo Credit: Kirsty Mckeon

Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

PIPE

Geography Quiz

1. What is the official currency of India?

2. Where is the world’s largest desert found?

3. What country formally ruled Iceland?

4. How many time zones does Australia have?

5. What is the highest active volcano in Europe?

6. What is the only country that borders the UK?

7. Which country has the most pyramids in the world?

8. What city is known as the Glass Capital of the World?

9. What is the capital city of Argentina?

10. Kathmandu is the capital city of which country?

The Full Monty

Even after four decades, green-fingered expert Monty Don’s passion for the outdoors shows little sign of waning, as he explains why gaining new inspiration is so important.

A lifetime of getting green fingers might be taking its toll physically on the 67-year-old broadcaster and writer Monty Don: aside from his bout of peritonitis in 2007, a stroke that could have killed him a year later, and battles with depression – for which he says gardening has been a better antidote than any prescription drug – the everyday rigours of flowering and weeding, pruning and digging have left his body as weathered as one would expect… not that he cares.

“It’s a strange day when you put the visual appearance of your garden over yourself,” he laughs. “For me, that was quite some time ago, but it all relates back to how passionate you are about a subject or a project.

“It’s a big job to keep my garden how I want it, and to keep going – you do that because it’s important not only for the future, but in respecting the effort you have put in previously.”

A renowned writer on all things horticultural since the early 1990s, Don has had over 20 books published and still pens a number of popular newspaper columns.

He became the welcoming, enthusiastic, all-knowing expert on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World

programme between 2003 and 2008, before taking on lead presenting duties for its flagship Chelsea Flower Show in 2014.

Well dressed in his ‘painterly’ style and with a sparkling demeanour, Monty’s garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire has become something of a national horticultural staple, with fans sharing in the ups and downs of tending to an expansive plot that continues to throw up new challenges. “We’ve had all manner of issues over the past few years, especially some drainage issues.

“Where nature is concerned, you’ve got to expect the unexpected – it’s a fun part of the process… at least, fixing it is!”

When asked about his own inspirations, he admits to having been influenced by

aesthetics

the style and aesthetics of French gardener Nicole de Vesian, who passed away in 1996.

“Nicole had a great feeling for both colour and form, and then for space,” he says. “Her use of colours could look muted and faded at first, but when her gardens were in bloom they looked fantastic when the sun is shining. And she used the space in between plants and sculptures better than anyone. That’s been a blueprint I’ve used for Longmeadow for quite some time.

and

“I think it’s important to have heroes and inspiration, no matter who you are or for how long you’ve been in the game.”

Let our care be your legacy

With more children being born and living longer with increasingly complex conditions, respite care couldn’t be more vital in the years to come. Julia’s House has been there for local families providing this vital care for the last 20 years and will only be able to continue to be by their side for the next 20 years with the support of the local community.

When parents receive the devastating news their child has a life-limiting or life-threatening illness, their world falls apart. It is an anxious and lonely existence. Julia’s House is their lifeline.

“The demand for our services has never been greater,”

comments Beth Whitworth, Family Support Services Lead Nurse.

“The families have come out of the pandemic and straight into a cost of living crisis. It’s an incredibly difficult time for them.”

Julia’s House relies almost entirely on generous donations from local

supporters and businesses to fund this vital care for families across Dorset and Wiltshire, receiving just eight per cent Government funding.

You have the power to change lives – and it won’t cost you a penny right now.

Pledging to leave a Gift in your Will is a wonderful way of showing local families you care and will give the charity the confidence to continue developing its life-changing care service for the most vulnerable children and families, long into the future.

A gift of just 1% from your Will can make 100% difference to overwhelmed parents going through dark times. Be remembered for bringing light back into the lives of local families. Find out more at juliashouse.org/legacy

Fours for thought

For April, an eclectic combination of fiction, non-fiction and poetry to stimulate the mind and appease the soul.

The God Desire

by David Baddiel

David Baddiel has spent a lot of time fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually was a God. Unfortunately for him, there isn’t. Or at least, that is Baddiel’s view in this book, which argues that it is indeed the very intensity of his, and everyone else’s, desire for God to exist that proves His nonexistence. Anything so deeply wished-for we will, considers Baddiel, make real.

The God Desire emerges as a philosophical essay that utilises Baddiel’s trademarks of comedy, storytelling and personal asides, offering a highly readable new perspective on the most ancient of debates. Published by William Collins on April 13th

Homecoming by Kate Morton

Many years ago, a police investigation is called and the small town of Tumbilla becomes embroiled in one of the most shocking and perplexing murder cases in the history of South Australia.

Six decades on, Jess, a journalist in London, who

finds herself laid off from her full-time job and struggling to make ends meet. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, which leads her to begin digging into her past, and that long-forgotten tragedy. Published by Mantle on April 13th

A House for Alice by Diana Evans

Alice wants to go home to her native Nigeria to die, though three daughters are divided on whether she stays or goes, and tasked with realising her dream of a house in Africa, conflict stirs and old wounds rise to the surface. Meanwhile their father wanders the flames of purgatory, unable to pass into the light. Will Alice get back home and complete the circle of her life, or will London be her final refuge?

Set against the shadows of Grenfell and a country in crisis, these ordinary people are faced with fundamental

questions about who they are, what they want and where, and with whom, they want to be. Published by Chatto on April 6th

Divisible by Itself and One by Kae Tempest

A new poetry collection from Britain’s foremost truth-teller, Kae Tempest masterfully steers a path between publicfacing performance, dramatic work and the contemplative voice that came to the fore in Running Upon the Wires.

Questions of integrity are addressed in direct, affecting terms: how can we be true to ourselves while under constant pressure to conform?

Throughout the poems, ideas of form – of the body, gender, and in nature – resurface and resolve, as the poet considers the changes that are sometimes required to be oneself. Published by Picador on April 27th

Baloo is looking for a forever home!

Hello, I am Baloo

I am a 3 year old neutered Border Collie. I am a big gentle dog, friendly to strangers of all ages, affectionate and playful and love having my tummy tickled. I have lived with a cat, ignore horses, cattle, bikes, even sheep, but I am anxious of some cars. Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with Epilepsy and require daily medication to stop the distressing fits. We have got the right medication and regular checks need doing. I am covered by the Petplan lifetime policy which will be transferred to the new owner. I need about 2 hours exercise a day – walks and free running in the garden. I very much like to potter around the house and garden, or the local woods. I do need human company as I get separation anxiety. Help with veterinary fees maybe available when using our vets.

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!

Fundraising with Friends

Want to make friends and get that ‘feel good’ factor at the same time?

Oddfellows friendship groups are a great way to make new friends, enjoy social events with like-minded people and give back to your local community at the same time. Our branches host regular activities and social events across the local area to help our members get the most out of life. Forming strong friendships can help us feel more fulfilled and support our mental health and wellbeing. There are so many benefits to spending time with good friends.

As well as supporting each other when times get tough, a very important aspect of what we do is fundraising for local charities and supporting our communities. The Oddfellows is a national non-profit organisation and each local branch is involved in supporting both local and national charities. We are proud to have donated thousands of pounds in recent years. Local charities that have benefitted from our efforts include Macmillan Caring Locally, Marie Curie, Dorset and Somerset Air

Ambulance, Forest Holme Hospice, Yeovil Freewheelers (Bloodbikes), Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Care UK, Wessex Cancer Trust and Youth Cancer Trust. Our accompanying picture shows member Edna Daniels presenting a cheque to Julia’s House, a children’s hospice organisation operating in Dorset and Wiltshire, who were supported by Edna’s branch.

We realise that times are hard at the moment, but socialising doesn’t need to be expensive - we organise many affordable, fun events. So if you’d like to make new friends and be part of a supportive friendship group, why not give us a try.

Contact our District Secretary, Andrew Hampton, for a copy of our latest events diary and newsletter, and information about your nearest branch.

Contact Andrew on 01202 743910 or email Andrew.hampton@oddfellows.co.uk

BCP Council Set To Honour Local Heroes at Annual Chairman’s Community Awards

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is calling for nominations for local community heroes as they prepare to host the annual Chairman’s Community Awards.

The awards, which are now in their second year, recognise community organisations and individual volunteers who make a huge contribution to our lives across the conurbation.

There are just two weeks left to nominate someone for an award this year, with nominations closing on Thursday 30 March.

Residents are being asked if they know someone who has helped their community or the wider BCP community and encouraged to complete the nomination form and send it to mayu. roucosantos@bcpcouncil.gov. uk

A panel will decide the winners for each award category, who will then be invited to attend the celebration event.

The 2022 winners of the first ever annual Chairman’s Community

Awards included 10-year-old Issy Barnbrook who claimed the ‘Young citizen of the year’ award, and local litter picking group, the Dorset Devils.

Chairman of the Council and Community Awards panel member, Councillor Nigel Hedges said:

“I am thrilled to have presented our first annual community awards on behalf of BCP Council. Over the last couple of years, we have witnessed the truly remarkable work of many individuals and community groups helping and caring for others in the community.”

“A lot of the time the work goes unnoticed, but the contribution is valued, and this is an opportunity for us to celebrate their achievements.”

Gates, Railings, Balustrades

Interior & Exterior Ironwork

Heritage Restoration and Conservation work carried out

Consultation, Design, Manufacture & Installation services

Gold and Silver gilding service offered

Tel No: 01202 914360

info@ironworkofdistinction.com

Mobile No: 07967 545800 www.ironworkofdistinction.com

www.kingsparkplants.co.uk

High Quality Plants. Expert Advice. Everyone Welcome

Open:

Quality plants carefully chosen to thrive in our south coast climate

Seasonal hanging baskets, troughs, bedding, tropical plants, large olives, rare & unusual plants, herbs, vegetables and much more

King’s Park Drive, Bournemouth BH7 6LR | 01202 427851

Ken Fanner AWCB

Associate of The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Ashington Forge, Ashington Lane, WIMBORNE, Dorset, BH21 3DG

The King’s New Groove

He was raised to one day be king, but can Charles III fully realise his vision for Great Britain? Only time will tell.

They say the best things come to those who wait, and King Charles III’s 70 years spent as heir apparent suggest he is well deserving of the throne. For His Majesty, ascension is bittersweet with the loss of his mother still laying heavy on the royal heart, but he is equally keen to finally execute his master plan to bring the Windsors into the 21st century.

But what does this actually mean? And what are the implications for the country as a whole?

One of the main tenets is to slim down the royal family. Over recent years this has happened somewhat organically anyway with the voluntary stepping back of Prince Harry and the less voluntary removal of Prince Andrew from official duty. However, King Charles III is expected to go one step further as he is reportedly seeking to change legislation that allows

non-working royals to be counsellors of state.

Her Majesty’s passing means that Queen Consort Camilla, as the King’s spouse, and Princess Beatrice, as the next adult in line to the throne, are eligible to fill these roles. But aside from Prince William, three of the five counsellors – Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice – are non-working royals. This is thought not to sit well with the King who may change the law to allow his siblings, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal, to take on the duty alongside their current roles as working royals.

Having lived through several tumultuous periods in the monarchy’s history, King Charles III is acutely aware of the Republican sentiment among certain Britons. Queen Elizabeth II was hugely popular, but there are some who are convinced that now is the right time to disband the monarchy and move forward into a fully modern, democratic Britain. Yet when you consider how much the monarchy generates for our economy, not to mention how valuable our traditions and illustrious

history are to us culturally, we would likely lose more than we would gain.

According to Forbes, the House of Windsor is estimated to be worth £19bn. And while the average annual cost for UK taxpayers in royal upkeep comes to around £500m a year, it’s estimated that the monarchy’s brand contributes £2.5bn to the British economy over the same period.

In short, His Majesty knows his worth, but he also respects the need to assimilate more with the everyday people in his kingdom - the recent cost of living crisis, environmental awareness and societal change being issues he must help solve if he is to have a peaceful reign.

MONDAY

Christchurch 5pm & 6.30pm

Twynham Church

99 Barrack Road BH23 2AL

Tel: Gary 07733 131277

Somerford 9am

Somerford ARC

20 Southey Road BH23 3EH

Tel: Charlotte 07954 237438

Boscombe 5.30pm & 7pm

Boscombe Baptist Church

Pa merston Road BH1 4HS

Tel Gary 07733 131277

TUESDAY l :

WEDNESDAY

Boscombe East 9am

Iford United Reformed Church

Ropley Road BH7 6RU

Tel: Charlotte 07954 237438

#YesYouCanWithSlimmingWorld

THURSDAY Bo pm

scombe East 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7

Iford United Reformed Church

Ropley Road BH7 6RU

Tel: Charlotte 07954 237438

FRIDAY

Southbourne 9am & 10.30am

Immanuel Church

120

Southbourne Road BH6 3QJ

Tel: Val 07971 106169

SATURDAY

Christchurch 8am & 9.30am

Christchurch Infant School

1 Addiscombe Road BH23 2AE Tel: Penelope 07555 429434

A hole lot of avour going on

Under George Harris, Marketing Manager turned sweet maker, Rowntree’s embarked on a golden era during the 1930s; yet while chocolate brands such as KitKat, Smarties, Aero, Black Magic and Dairy Box led the charge initially, it was the launch of Polo mints that really put the York confectioner on the map.

Even though World War II saw the mint’s release delayed – it wouldn’t be until 1948 that the first packs appeared on the shelves of stores – when its arrival came, Britain was hooked.

The original mints didn’t have the word ‘POLO’ imprinted into them, and were distinguishable simply by the hole in the middle, yet the success was down to its low cost, compact size and maximum impact. And like the other mints of the era, each sweet could feasibly keep the recipient sated and fresh for some time.

It’s a product that has evolved hugely over the years – the company has produced fruit, lemon, spearmint, ice, butter mint and gummies, amongst others; always working in smart marketing humour. For instance, on April Fool’s Day 1995, they announced that “in accordance with EEC Council Regulation (EC) 631/95, they

would no longer be producing mints with holes”.

Celebrating 75 years of Rowntree’s iconic mint, the Polo. of starch,

And to flip the concept somewhat, the launch of Polo holes the following year leaned on the false notion that, previously, all the holes had been popped out of the mints and discarded!

The rock-hard nature of the sweet is achieved by compressing it at extreme high pressure - around 75 kilonewtons. That’s the equivalent weight of two fully-grown elephants.

Perhaps part of our love affair with the humble Polo comes in the fact it has always been a British product. To this day, the sweet is produced at the Rowntree’s plant in York. The facility is able to make up to 22,000 sweets per minute –that’s equivalent to over 1.3 million packs a day!

It’s thought the name derives from “polar”, referencing the

cool, fresh taste of the mint; and as far as ingredients go, the formulation is relatively simple, comprising of sugar, glucose syrup, modified starch, stearic acid and mint oils.

While the British public’s attitude towards confectionary has changed significantly over the years as we look to strip high-sugar items out of our diets – the brand responded to this by launching its Sugar Free Polo – our love affair for the humble mint has never waned. It seems certain the Rowntree’s favourite will saunter its way towards its centenary, as fresh and satisfying as it was way back in 1948.

Remember Loved Ones This Spring With a Julia’s House Forever Butterfly

People we have loved and lost are often on our minds as we remember the times we spent together and the lasting memories we made. This spring, Julia’s House, is launching a special way to remember our loved ones with a Forever Butterfly. The local children’s hospice charity has created a beautiful ironworks butterfly that you can buy and keep, in memory of someone close that is no longer with you.

The Forever Butterfly, made by Unbearable Design Ltd in Weymouth, is handmade and finished in waterproof sky-blue lacquer. Placed somewhere meaningful for you, it will create an everlasting reminder and touching tribute to someone you’ve loved and lost. Before all the butterflies land in their forever home with you, they will be featured in a wonderful butterfly garden display at Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire on 5-8 April and Athelhampton House & Gardens, Dorchester on 12-15 April,

helping to mark the Julia’s House 20th anniversary year – imagine the spectacular sight of hundreds of butterflies side by side, each one holding a memory of someone special.

Flying free

“I will be buying my Forever Butterfly in memory of my sister, Gabrielle and mum, Maria. Having a butterfly in my garden is a lovely way of thinking of them being free,” shares Diana Lawrence, whose family have been supported by Julia’s House.

Gabrielle (Gabby) had a rare brain condition which meant one side of her brain was stronger than the other. Her complex condition led to scoliosis of the spine, epilepsy and learning difficulties and she stopped being able to swallow. Sadly, Gabby died when she was just 15.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better place to be with Gabby in her final days than Julia’s House - a place where she came and played when she was alive,” continues Diana. “Sadly, after being at a remembering day for Gabby at the hospice, my mum died suddenly. It was such a shock. Even after Gabby and then my mum’s funeral, the support from Julia’s House never stopped for our family – they are always at the end of the telephone, especially on the harder days like the anniversaries. It’s a real comfort to know they will continue to be there for me.”

Who will your Forever Butterfly be for?

To buy your own Forever Butterfly like Diana’s, in memory of someone special to you and to be a part of the extraordinary Forever Butterflies garden display, visit: www.juliashouse. org/foreverbutterflies You can also email info@juliashouse.org or call their head office on: 01202 644220

For Annabel Karmel, Julia’s House patron, the Forever Butterflies are

special too: “Julia’s House is a charity close to my heart because of losing my daughter, Natasha. Losing a child is the worst thing that can ever happen to a mother. I always think what you do for others lives on and what you do for yourself dies with you. And the work we all do with Julia’s House will live on through many generations of families. Forever Butterflies will help that work to continue and I will proudly be displaying my butterfly in memory of Natasha.”

The Forever Butterfly costs £35 and is a beautiful way for someone loved and lost to leave a lasting tribute of care in the community. Every Forever Butterfly bought in someone’s memory will make a life-changing difference to local seriously ill children and their families, including bereaved families just like Diana’s.

The Forever Butterflies have been kindly sponsored by local businesses Clinical Partners (Wiltshire) and Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management and Consulting (Dorset).

Rear set colour coded: from £160

Front set colour coded: from £190

Both

Standing With Ukraine Sculpture Comes to Bournemouth

A commemorative sculpture of a Ukrainian soldier holding a baby while leading a mother and another child to safety has been installed in Bournemouth.

The sculpture named ‘I want to live’ by voluntary community project group ‘Standing with Giants’ marks the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 12ft tall silhouette, which features the words ‘Bournemouth Standing with Ukraine’, demonstrates the town’s solidarity with the country and will be on show at the Triangle until the first week of the Easter holidays.

BCP Council facilitated the sculpture’s installation and Bournemouth Town Centre BID supported its arrival to the town.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Contemporary art is provocative, and this installation really drives home the trauma faced by the Ukrainian people”

“Just a little over a year ago they were going to work, going to school and going about their business just as we do every day.”

“Public art cannot always be fun, and this piece is

a timely reminder of how hard their life has become. I encourage everyone to make time to see this dramatic artworkand continue to support our Ukrainian friends.”

‘Standing With Giants’ is a silhouette of a soldier holding a baby while leading a mother and another child to safety. Made from 15mm laser-cut steel, it will remain in position until Wednesday 5 April - the first week of the Easter holidays.

Bournemouth Town Centre BID Chief Operating Officer Paul Kinvig said: “This thought-provoking sculpture is another great way for the town to show solidarity with Ukraine.

“It forms an important part of our wider, ambitious cultural offering for Bournemouth and will be a great utilisation of the community space at the Triangle.”

QR codes around the sculpture will allow wellwishers to make donations to various charities in support of Ukrainians, including local charity Ukraine Relief.

Oxfordshire artist Dan Barton collaborated with Peter Naylor to produce the piece of art in just 12 days.

He said: “We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and it’s all for such a crucial cause. It’s so important that we continue to donate the items so badly needed which are listed on Ukrainian Relief’s website.”

“They’ve managed to create an amazing network of couriers to get the aid where it’s needed. I hope people will find ways to support them.”

Greenfingers… The Alan Titchmarsh Column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. is month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the uniqueness and the survival of our gardens.

ere is an argument to say the more complicated you make something, the more di cult it is to keep things constant. I am certainly guilty of pushing and pushing and adding so much more to an idea when I could have kept things safe and sane.

I think it’s important though to remind people, that whether your garden is some elaborate flourish of colour and texture and shape, or just a bit of grass and some simple shrubbery, absolutely everything about it is unique.

A er all, that space has its own unique history - for some, the flowers in it are a present; they may even come from another country; they might remind us of a special occasion or an event or story. We may just have spo ed them in the garden centre and gone from there.

e point is everything we have is full of memories and stories. e things we put in our gardens remind us of times in our lives, and when that garden is in full colour and full blossom in May, or in its full richness in autumn, or at some other point in the year, it creates and stimulates memories.

I have done so much in my gardens, but I don’t think I could pick one specific thing – everything has been my favourite part at some stage. And I believe the whole beauty of gardening is that it’s personal, and the freedom of choice really is with the person ge ing their hands dirty.

Ultimately, if you want to follow my advice and slavishly do as I say in my books, then that is perfectly fine. However, if you read something and think, ‘I don’t agree with that, I’m doing it my way,’ then that is good too, because it has at least made you think.

Gardening is private – it’s intimate. We all have di erent ideas in terms of what we think of as full or minimalist, and I am passionate about people exploring their own narrative, because anybody can do this. Simply decide what you’d like to grow – perhaps something

you want to eat, or smell, or just look at. Buy the seeds and do it. Don’t even worry about the process, just try it out.

When it succeeds, do it again; and most importantly, when it fails, do it again too!

Here at United Fencing Supplies we specialise in all types of fencing from domestic to industrial.

We stock a full range of timber fencing products including:

• Picket Fencing

• Closeboard Fencing

• Trellis and Overlap

• Closeboard Panels

We manufacture all of our own panels, trellis and gates so if you have any bespoke requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us.

With over 25 years’ experience we are confident that United Fencing Supplies is the right choice for your garden project.

The Adventures of Daichi The Modern Magazines Camper Van

We won an award! Daichi was delighted. Having never entered any business competition before we did not know what to expect. Customer service and looking after all our valuable advertisers has been at the core of everything we do here at Modern Magazines. I have always had the viewpoint that we get what we give out in life. If we are helpful, want people to succeed and are willing to go that extra mile to make it all happen, the client is delighted. In return we get great local trades and businesses who also want to help their clients. Everyone wins. You the resident can rely on the people inside the magazine, which is after all what you need. Of course, we are not perfect. Daichi will vouch for that! Mistakes happen and sometimes a client gets cross. This happens in life doesn’t it! Well, how do we react to that? What do we say back? Shouting back creates more shouting and everyone gets upset. Listening, understanding and correcting a mistake, or quietly giving a suggestion back usually handles the situation and we all have a better day for it.

So, that was what this award was all about – our business to business ethos and attitude. How do we treat our advertisers? Well, it seems like we won with flying colours. How amazing is that! One area we work really hard is the creation of the adverts themselves. We have a new graphic designer, Jaidan and he is fantastic. He works quickly and professionally which at a young age of just 23 is brilliant. He is also a videographer and we have some exciting news about a new E-Magazine, which will be online and found through Google, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and even emailed out, where all the adverts will link to business websites, there will be interactive puzzles that can be done within the magazine online, competitions and there will even be talking pages where you will be able to listen to business owners talk about their business and how they can help you. Soon to be released! Keeping up with modern

technology is a must of course, however paper is still in fashion! Yes, print advertising is still seen as the most trusted source of finding a local trades person and business. Combining the two mediums will help all round and create a real hub of the place to go to find all that is local. I am very excited about that… as you can see!

Beth will also be back soon, having had her wonderful baby boy a few months ago. We will then have two graphic designers. Beth has a woman’s touch to her designs (am I allowed to say that?) and I think we will have the perfect balance to get those all-important adverts right, depending on what the customer wants.

Our team of salesgirls… yes we are all girls there I am afraid… are incredible. We really don’t see ourselves in sales. Our purpose is genuinely to get more work for local businesses and to give you, the valuable resident, good trades and services to

Debbie with Cllr Ann Weaving, Mayor of Weymouth at WeyPort Business Awards

help you. Mel has worked with us for over fifteen years! Today this is what she told me,

“I love working at Modern Magazines. I am one of those rare people who looks forward to going to work. Great team. Great customers!”

Julie has been with us for over nine years. This is what she says,

“I just love working with Debbie and Stephen and the whole team. It really feels like we are a family, looking out for each other and looking after our clients. There is nothing better than knowing you helped a client get more business. Most of all the work is fun, getting to talk to lots of interesting people. I look forward to every day!”

Then we have Steph who is a delight to hear talking to customers on the phone and then our newest member is Pippa who runs our office in Weymouth and set up the new “Wonderful Weymouth Magazine”. She has been amazing. Her knowledge of the area and the people has enormously helped and without her that magazine would not be what it is. Pippa says,

“Having worked on the Wonderful Weymouth magazine the past 16 months, winning the WeyPort B2B category and supporting both local businesses and the local community of Weymouth and Portland, in which I’ve always lived, is an honour.

I would like to thank Debbie, Stephen and the rest of the Modern Magazines team for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic team with a passion to help others succeed.”

Amazing.

Chris, our distribution manager gets the magazines to the distribution company that delivers several of our magazines each month, drops off magazines to local shops, cafes and businesses in their respective areas, delivers magazines to our own distributors in a few areas and when he has some downtime, he posts photos on each of our Facebook pages. He is busy!

I started our first magazine in 2005. At that time Hayden was very young and I needed something to do. I walked around the streets with him in the pram and “touted for business” as Pat at Kingfisher Cleaning Services laughs. She was my first client ever. I will never forget that phone call. It gave me hope and a reason to continue… here we are today. Thank you Pat. Stephen, my husband, gave up his career in computer engineering to work alongside me in 2008 and we have not looked back.

The WeyPort Business Awards were such fun and we thank all our nominations for acknowledging us as “The Business to Business” business of the year! We love what we do and are here for any business wanting to expand. Most of all we are here to link you the homeowner, resident and VIP of your area, to these very important trades and services. We thank all of you for your support and loyalty. Let’s continue to work together.

www.modernmagazines.co.uk

By Debbie Corney

Pippa with the WeyPort B2B Business of the Year 2023 award

Debbie and Stephen with Daichi

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

It’s an important legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions, or make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.

Think of an LPA like an insurance policy, putting it in place while you’re fit and healthy gives you peace of mind knowing that, no matter how life plays out, your health and financial matters will be managed as per your wishes

Here’s how it works:

Margaret suffers an unexpected illness or accident, resulting in a loss of mental capacity.

Without an LPA

Next of kin doesn’t have the legal right to make decisions for Margaret

Sole bank accounts are frozen

Joint bank accounts are frozen in some circumstances

Bills can’t be paid from Margaret’s money

Investment decisions can’t be made (any previous authority given to make investment decisions is cancelled)

Property can’t be sold, meaning a co-habiting partner can’t move house if they wanted to

Next of kin don’t have the legal right to make decisions about medical treatment

Next of kin don’t have the legal rights to make personal choices, for example where Margaret should live

If you don’t plan ahead and you suffer an accident or illness which causes you to lose mental capacity, your next of kin can only get the legal authority to act on your behalf through a Court Order. This is a long, costly and intrusive process.

With an LPA

Margaret puts LPAs in place for both Financials & Health and Care Decisions appointing a representative

Margarethas legallyappointeda representativetomake decisionsabouther finances

Thebankrecognisesthe chosenrepresentative’s legalauthorityandNO accountsarefrozen

Investmentdecisions canbemadeby Margaret’s representatives

Bills can be paid as normal

Property can be sold if needed

The representative has the legal right to make decisions about Margaret’s medical treatment

The representative can make personal choices for Margaret, such as where to live.

By planning ahead, you can choose who should have legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself. A Lasting Power of Attorney costs far less than a Court Order and the people you choose can step in as soon as needed

Somerford Youth and Community Centre Supports Hundreds of

Vulnerable Children in BCP

Somerford Youth and Community Centre (SYCC) in Christchurch received £115,000 in funding that has enabled the organisation to provide vital educational and wellbeing support to more than 500 children across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

SYCC received the generous donation from Talbot Village Trust, a local grant-giving charity in south-east Dorset, to develop a new training and wellbeing centre, which opened less than 6 months ago, to provide one to one mentoring, training and wellbeing services to young people.

SYCC supports the local community it serves by providing activities and services such as youth clubs, mental health support, and a community foodbank. In addition to its own services, SYCC has been able provide a location for BCP Council’s ‘Alternative Provision’ programme to tutor children currently excluded from school. The programme currently uses the new SYCC training and wellbeing centre for 15 separate referrals per week for 15 hours each.

Jae Harris, general manager at SYCC, commented: “We rely on grant-funding at SYCC in order to provide the daily services to young people in our community, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Talbot Village Trust for its continued support. The new building has enabled us to extend our services beyond just those in Somerford to the wider community in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Our aim is to engage young people

so that we can support them as effectively as possible, get them active, feeling part of the community and ultimately changing their mental outlook to better their futures.”

Talbot Village Trust has supported SYCC with funding for several projects since 2017, including the set-up of its community food store the People’s Pantry during the height of the pandemic. This store continues to play an important role during the cost-of-living crisis and currently serves up to 180 families in the local community.

Nick Ashley-Cooper, Chairman of Talbot Village Trust said: “It’s been our pleasure to support Somerford YCC with several projects in recent years, as the team work hard to bring the young people in the community together. In 2022, we identified the great need to join forces to tackle educational exclusion in south-east Dorset and the new building at SYCC is already having a huge impact on the wider community. We look forward to receiving regular updates on the workshops, training and mentoring they will be able to provide for many years to come.”

SYCC is currently recruiting for full-time and part-time staff as well as volunteers. For those interested in getting involved, please visit sycc.org.uk/join-the-team or email somerfordycc@gmail.com.

As one of the area’s leading benefactors, Talbot Village Trust supports up to 60 causes each year, with an average grant size of £16,000, awarding grants twice a year to projects promoted by a charity, church, school, college, or university. For more information visit talbotvillagetrust.org.uk

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 talks about his love of modernism in interior design.

I often get people asking me why so many of the build projects on Grand Designs end up being decorated in a modernism style, with sharp lines, slick surfaces, uncomplicated decorative features and a view to celebrate space and light.

The answer to this comes not in the contents of a house, but its exterior. Simply, it follows that the architectural design of a building will often be mirrored by the interior design within it; and while developers may regularly seek to replicate Georgian or Victorian designs styles, most newbuilds still celebrate straight lines, clean shapes and hard edges. Aside from anything else, the build requirements are much easier!

Certainly, with people whose journeys we have followed on Grand Designs, this is very much the trend, although the advent of modernism in home furnishings was something that really took off towards the end of the 19th century. In essence, it was a rebellious response to the years of floral, ornate,

elaborate, elegant and largely curved, flowery styles that had patterned so much of people’s lives.

In modernism the modus operandum became creating something that much more straightforward. Within this, overuse of colour was discouraged, while the invitation was laid out to embrace textures and textiles not previously considered homely – consider steel, concrete, large expanses of glass and other materials once thought of as cold and unwelcoming.

Where colour did prevail, this was to be bold and statementgiving, so perhaps blocks and slabs of shades adjacent to blacks, greys and whites.

Where did this all come from? Well, the Industrial Revolution had a lot to do with a more measured and practical approach to living, and these

modernist statements extended to literature, art, music and more – countless areas where people were expressing a desire to rebel.

Although no end date for modernism has ever been noted, it’s perceived that postmodernism came into being in the late 1970s, and from there society has largely embraced a mass of contrasting and conflicting styles in elegant harmony. Yet modernist architecture has never gone away, and speaking personally, I love the perfection of modernism in interior design –its flow, simplicity, practicality and function.

General Knowledge Crossword

Across Clues:

1. Needle grasses (5)

3. Small barrel (3)

5. Right or wrong (5)

7. Long, narrow pieces of wood (3)

8. Cannot be identified (3)

9. Point (3)

10. Poem (3)

11. Guardiola (3)

12. Remove (5)

15. Small hut (5)

18. Noticeable (7)

21. Shallow iron pan (7)

25. Raffle (7)

29. Bland (7)

32. Ample (5)

34. Escape of fluid (5)

36. Long, thin fish (3)

37. Narrow beams of light (3)

38. International Organisation (3)

39. Race (3)

40. Through (3)

41. Made from flax (5)

42. Emphasise a reaction (3)

43. Strong vehicle (5)

Down Clues:

1. Smooth soft rock (5)

2. Cravat with wide squares (5)

3. Sarong like, colourful (7)

4. Pl. Millionfish (7)

5. Changes (5)

6. Worthless (5)

13. Position (3)

14. Vehicle (3)

16. Smooth, thick liquid (3)

17. Adult female sheep (3)

18. Flat face, large eyes (3)

19. Very young child (3)

20. Employ (3)

22. Relatives (3)

23. Rim (3)

24. 2012 bear comes alive (3)

26. Paddle (3)

27. Meal (3)

28. Shouting (7)

29. Make better (7)

30. Unwell (3)

31. Frost (3)

32. Fight (5)

33. Alone or unseen (5)

34. Local law (5)

35. Bakers, 13 (5)

7. Ski, 8. UFO,

Answers: Across: 1. Stipa, 3. Keg, 5. Moral,

9. Tip, 10. Ode, 11. Pep, 12. Eject, 15. Hovel, 18. Obtrude, 21. Skillet, 25. Lottery, 29. Insipid, 32. Broad, 34. Bleed, 26. Eel, 27. Ray, 38. ISO, 39. Run, 40. Via, 41. Linen, 42. Gee, 43. Wagon. Down: 1. Shale, 2, Ascot, 3. Kitenge, 4. Guppies, 5. Morph, 6. Losel, 13. Job, 14. Car, 16. Oil, 17. Ewe, 18. Owl, 19. Tot, 20. Use, 22. Kin, 23. Lip, 24. Ted, 26. Oar, 27. Tea, 28. Yelling, 29. Improve, 30. Ill, 31. Ice, 32. Brawl, 33. Dearn, 34. Bylaw, 35. Dozen

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Christchurch’s Blue Plaque Millennium Trail Gets Welcome Refresh

Blue Plaques detailing Christchurch’s key landmarks and historical figures have been lovingly restored.

Founded by the Christchurch History Society and community members in 2000, the Blue Plaque Millennium Trail was designed to help visitors and residents discover more about the market town’s fascinating history and the people who helped shape the town. These include 19th Century MPs, former Mayors, Victorian artists, Georgian watch chain makers, church wardens, mercers and Lords of the Manor.

Over the last few months BCP Council, working with signage experts and the Christchurch History Society, has been renovating and refurbishing the nineteen distinctive blue plaques which are located throughout Christchurch from the Quay to the High Street to the Saxon Shopping Centre.

The restoration work was carried out by specialist company Complete Signs. Each plaque was carefully removed from its site, often a listed building, and then expertly restored and repainted to its original striking condition. They are now all back in place on the original Blue Plaque Millennium Trail.

Christchurch’s origins can be traced back to Saxon times and The Blue Plaques detail the town’s rich history.

On the wall of the current Waitrose building the discovery of a Saxon Cemetery is noted while the original Town Hall was constructed at Saxon Square in 1860.

Ye Olde George Inn (previously known as The George Inn and The

George and Dragon) has its own plaque, noting its existence since 1630 while Number 11 Castle Street is the site of The Old Court House dating back to the 13th Century. It was owned by the medieval borough and is now managed by the modern day BCP Council.

The newly revived Blue Plaques can also be found on the ancient Place Mill at Christchurch Quay, on the grounds of the 11th Century Priory and at The Red House Museum (formerly the parish workhouse) and on iconic building, The Regent.

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places at BCP Council says,

“The Millennium Trail blue plaques give us a fascinating insight into Christchurch’s long and varied history and I am delighted that they have been cleaned up and refreshed! Thank you very much to everyone involved.”

The trail can be enjoyed in its entirety or in shorter walks. A popular route takes in sites around the historic quarter of The Priory including Church and Castle Streets and down Convent Walk, opened in June 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

The plaques are a great asset to the town of Christchurch depicting the incredible history we have and the need to preserve the information

in as many ways we can for future generations.

Janet Burn, Archivist at The Christchurch History

Society says,

“The Blue Plaques are a great asset to the town of Christchurch depicting the incredible history we have while underlining the need to preserve this valuable information in as many ways we can for future generations.”

Other interesting Walking Trails in Christchurch include the Step back in Time photographic trail and the Christchurch BID managed trails on the Loyal Free App, which also includes great deals at local businesses.

More cultural trails are currently in the planning and are due to be released later this year. These will showcase the Blue Plaque Millennium Trail and other cultural gems that are waiting to be discovered around Christchurch.

Choose it all on the Coast with The Most

English Tourism Week

2023 launched last month, celebrating the wonderful and unique towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole located on The Coast with the Most.

There are many reasons to choose to holiday on the East Dorset coast. These include the stunning award-winning sandy beaches, areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Hengistbury Head and Poole Harbour, top class restaurants and hotels to cater to all tastes and budgets, family friendly attractions and year-round nationally acclaimed events such as the Bournemouth Air, Arts by the Sea and Poole Christmas Maritime Festivals.

English Tourism Week, organised by Visit England, gave us a chance to focus on the many reasons why taking a break in one of our three coastal towns is a very good idea.

There is a thriving art scene here on the Coast with The Most. Modern and thoughtprovoking work can be found at GIANT gallery located in a re-purposed department store in the centre of Bournemouth. Exhibitions included ‘Studio Visit’ (on till the end of April) looking into the working practices of internationally renowned artist Daniel Lismore, known as ‘The Living Sculpture.’

The Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, a late Victorian villa situated on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, houses an eclectic permanent collection alongside a rolling programme of visiting exhibitions. In Christchurch there is a never-ending trail of blue plaque history waiting to be discovered while Poole’s old

town and quay are steeped in nautical history.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places at BCP Council says

“It’s wonderful that English Tourism Week puts the spotlight on our unbeatable hospitality sector, beautiful clean beaches and stunning open spaces. We are also very proud of our three East Dorset towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with their exciting, unique and vibrant tourism offers.”

The Coast with the Most hosts a number of major, free and exciting annual events catering for a variety of tastes – the Bournemouth Air Festival, Arts by the Sea Festival, Christchurch Food Festival, Bournemouth Bay Run, Christmas Tree Wonderland and the Poole Christmas Maritime Festival, launched in 2022.

Craig Mathie, chair of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole’s Destination Management Board, said

“The tourism and hospitality industries are vital to the local economy and there is so much to do and see across our

three unique towns. There are extraordinary major events all year round, fabulous restaurants, top class attractions, museums, castles, art galleries and country parks, quays, harbours and nature reserves and of course miles and miles of sandy beaches.”

Choose a traditional holiday by the sea, possibly at the contemporary Bournemouth Beach Lodges, with a raft of free events and festivals, a cultural break interspersed with culinary delights or simply a relaxing break in cosy surroundings.

Spread the word. Choose it all at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Electric dreams, or nightmares?

While the government rallies drivers to pursue environmentally friendly car options, on the ground a lack of electric charging points is holding back the green revolution.

However, as the conflict between supply and demand reaches crisis point, perhaps all is not lost.

There is trouble afoot in the world of green motoring, with a lack of charging points and expensive plug-in costs severely hampering the electric car revolution. Perhaps this was visible in its starkest sense when, just before Christmas, queues of Teslas were seen at motoring service stations looking to charge their vehicles as families went off on their festive breaks.

Charging capability is at the forefront of the problem, in much the same way as when electric vehicles were first popularised over a decade ago. Back then, the question was how many miles a full battery would propel a vehicle, and while the range of these green machines has shot up, the supply of charging points has failed to follow suit in quite the same magnitude.

Recent figures show that almost a third of the charging points in the whole of the UK are situated in London – in quantity, that’s more than Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham combined.

What’s more, the drive to add more charging points across

the UK has slowed to an alarming rate – just 509 installations were made in December, versus a target of 100 per day.

Yet it is the practical realities of charging that is ultimately

seems fraught with roadblocks at present, there is hope for motorists.

frustrating electric car owners. Most charging points are slow, and many are built into street lampposts, meaning access is blocked by non-electric vehicles.

In addition, the catastrophic increase in energy prices has seen the cost of electricity rocket. In some cases, charging an electric car can cost more per mile than its diesel counterpart.

While the journey towards a fully electric travel landscapes

pledging

The Department of Transport is currently pledging £1.6billion to support the continued rollout of charge points, with a further £450million dedicated to local authorities.

In addition, the cost of home charging conversion kits continues to fall, with supply lines improving from China all the time.

It’s hoped that the recent slowdown in charging point installation can be put down to the political commotion that swamped much of 2022.

Either way, the fact is, with so many road users now signed up to a motoring revolution, there has never been so much pressure on those in power to put their foot down and make good the promises made.

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the April Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include a chance to spot elusive Mercury, and the Lyrid meteor shower.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted around 8.45pm on April Fool’s Day. Viewing then switches to our morning skies from the 23rd. 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 annual Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the night of April 22nd. The dust that causes these meteors comes from Comet Thatcher. The meteors, or ‘shooting stars’, originate from a point in the sky close to the bright star Vega, which lies northeast around 9.30pm, but meteors can be visible in any direction.

Mercury

The innermost planet can be spotted low in our evening skies during the first couple of weeks of April. Look to the lower right of dazzling Venus, between about 8.45 - 9pm (see figure).

Venus

Venus is nearly at its brightest this month and stays long into the night, setting around

midnight. On the 11th it passes close to the Pleiades star cluster (see figure), and lies near the Moon on the 22nd and 23rd (see figure).

Mars

The red planet tracks from Taurus to Gemini over the course of the month, and appears close to the Moon on the 25th. It is setting around 2.30am.

Jupiter & Saturn

Saturn becomes visible in our morning skies midmonth. It is visible just before sunrise, low in the ESE. Jupiter is too close to the Sun to be visible this month.

Moon

April’s full moon occurs on the 6th.

Star of the month

Visible in April an hour after sunset, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. This is not because it is particularly large (it is only twice the size and mass of our Sun), but because it is relatively close to us. It never reaches very high in the sky from our viewpoint in the UK, but can be easily found by tracing a line towards the east through the three stars in Orion’s Belt. Sirius was an important marker star for ancient peoples. The Egyptians knew the flooding of the Nile was imminent when they noticed Sirius rise above the horizon before dawn. Some Australian Indigenous peoples can predict the onset of seasonal change by noticing how much Sirius twinkles, which is due to changing winds and approaching weather systems.

Big screens announced for the Coronation

Residents and royal enthusiasts can watch the Coronation of King Charles III live on big screens that are being installed in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The bank holiday weekend of 6-8 May will be a momentous occasion marking King Charles III’s accession to the throne, and BCP Council is encouraging residents to get in the community spirit and come together to watch the events that mark this historic occasion.

The big screens are being installed in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth; The Quomps, Christchurch; and Baiter Park, Poole.

On Saturday 6 May, the official Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey will be streamed live through the screens, with residents encouraged to bring chairs and a picnic and watch as the new king is crowned.

On Sunday 7 May, residents can bring a picnic to one of the three locations as part of the Coronation Big Lunch in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship, then later, enjoy the music on the big screens which will be showing the special Coronation Concert that’s taking place at Windsor Castle.

The screens are being funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) who have invested more than £1 million for these screens to show the

Coronation event nationwide. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer announced the screening locations last week.

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places commented:

“Some of our residents may remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, but for the large majority of us, this will be the first time witnessing a Coronation event.”

“We’re lucky to have been chosen to receive this funding from DCMS and I hope everyone makes the most of these celebrations and gets involved with all the community events that are taking place across the conurbation.”

The Charter Trustees for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are currently working on more local events in their respective towns, with details being announced soon.

Please visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ coronation to find out more on the events.

Puzzle Page Answers

Quick Crossword Solution #026

Answers:

Across: 2. Sew, 5. Bleach, 7. Earbud, 9. Weave, 10. Carom, 11. Append, 12. Marina, 14. Target, 18. Attire, 21. Leapt, 22. Cubit, 23. Agenda, 24. Noodle, 25. Nod.

Down: 1. Blowup, 2. Shield, 3. Webcam, 4. Summon, 6. Aware, 8. Rarer, 11. Act, 13. Age, 15. Allege, 16. Grain, 17. Titian, 18. Ascend, 19. Taboo, 20. Rattle

Geography Quiz Answers

6. Ireland

7. Sudan

8. Toledo

9.

10. Nepal

Minimum charge £45

1. Indian rupee

2. Antarctica

3. Denmark

4. 3

5. Mount Etna

Buenos Aires

Royal Pastry Chef’s Spiced Easter Biscuits

Back in 2020, Queen Elizabeth’s royal pastry chefs released the family’s sacred ‘Spiced Easter Biscuits’ recipe.

What better way to honour her late Majesty, than by baking these delightful and delicious Easter treats?

Ingredients

Biscuit base:

• 350g plain flour

• 5g bicarbonate of soda

• 10g ground ginger

• 5g cinnamon

• 125g unsalted butter

• 175g light soft brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 60g golden syrup

Icing:

• 2 egg whites

• 600g icing sugar

• Food colouring of your choice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/gas mark 3 then mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a bowl. Add the diced butter and mix until it reaches a crumb-like texture.

2. Add the sugar, then once combined add the egg and golden syrup. Mix until a dough is formed.

3. Roll the dough to a thickness of 5mm then use biscuit cutters to cut into desired shape such as Easter eggs, chicks or bunnies. Place the biscuits on a non-stick mat or baking paper and bake on the middle shelf for 12-15 minutes until they are golden in colour. Leave biscuits to cool completely before decorating.

4. Add 1 egg white to 600g of icing sugar and beat until smooth. Spoon mixture into a piping bag - the icing should pipe smoothly and be able to

Top Tip

If you don’t have biscuit cutters in the shapers you require, simply draw or print the ones you need and cut out the dough around them.

hold when piped as a line – and pipe around the edge of the biscuits. To cover all the biscuits with icing add extra egg white to thin the mixture. Decorate and enjoy!

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