The St Leonards & St Ives Directory - December 2020

December 2020

Promoting your local area

THE

ST LEONARDS & ST IVES

Directory

In this issue...

Local Heritage: Memories St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council News Dorset Wildlife Trust: Fabulous Fungi Short story: The secret ingredient Food & Drink: Cinnamon Stars The Adventures of Daichi

Brought to you by

Dorset Publications Promoting your local area

www.dorsetpublications.co.uk

2

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3

Special Branch

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Welcome...

4

The St Leonards & St Ives Directory Edition 48

Published by:

Stephen & Debbie Corney at Dorset Publications

Telephone: 01202 894397

Email:

info@stleonardsdirectory.co.uk

Copy deadline for the January 2021 edition: 7th December 2020

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

The St Leonards & St Ives 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.

Dear St Leonards, St Ives, Ashley Heath & Avon Castle, Stephen, myself and all of us here would like to wish you a good Festive Season. At the time of this writing we are still on the second Lockdown and though it has been nowhere near as restricted as the first one, we do not know for sure how Christmas will be for us all. By the time you receive your magazine we will have that answer, I hope. Certainly, our parents are very keen to stay with my sister who has moved into a cottage in the country where Gary her husband was brought up in fact. We have all our fingers crossed.

Our very loyal and reliable advertisers are so grateful for all your support this last year. Let’s face it, it has been a challenge for all of us. Our local trades and services have needed your calls and bookings like never before. You have delivered and many, many of the companies inside these pages are in fact very happy to tell you they are busy and want to thank you sincerely for this. Please continue to call them and do say “Hello” from us too! We are here to help. Right from my first magazine which I started all the way back in 2005, pushing Hayden around in his pram, my purpose was to bring good, local businesses to your door step as well as give you some local data to be able to back up your local community. As soon as more events start happening again, we will be able to let you all about it!

So, 2021 is just around the corner. Whatever you do this Christmas we wholeheartedly wish you all the Very Best. Keep well, stay safe and relax with a glass of mulled wine.

Debbie, Stephen, Hayden & Daichi

Useful Numbers Local Police Bournemouth Airport Village Hall Emergency Electric

101 01202 364000 07847 430815 0800 028 0247

Royal B’mouth Hosp Parish Council Bournemouth Water Emergency Gas

01202 303626 01425 482727 01202 590059 0800 111 999

To advertise in The St Leonards & St Ives Directory, please call: 01202 894397

5

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6

Community News

St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council The Parish Council has approved funding of £100k to fully refurbish its playpark at Braeside Road, St Leonards. In addition we are seeking grants to increase this amount. This is a really exciting project and the Parish Council wants to make sure the community are involved as much as possible. Parents and children are being consulted on how the new playpark could look, what equipment it will have and what new surfacing it should have.

The plan is to create a design

by January 2021 then tender and award the contract in the spring. It is expected that the construction works will start after the school summer holidays in 2021.

If readers would like to offer their comment on what the new playpark should look like they please can they email clerk@ stleonardspc.org.uk During remembrancetide the Parish Council wanted, in a small way, to help in remembering those brave people who gave so much. We placed plaques on our

playground fencing. Each plaque remembering someone who gave their life in World War 1 or 2.

It is a sad fact that more people are not picking up dog waste after walking their dogs. We would like remind all dog walkers to pick up after their dog no matter where they are. This applies to the pavements, grassed areas, heathland and country parks. It is against the law to not pick up dog waste.

Need to contact the Parish Council: Mr J Ross, Parish Clerk, Parish Office, Village Hall, Braeside Road, St Leonards, Ringwood, BH24 2PJ Telephone: 01425 482727 Office hours: Tuesday to Thursday 10.30am to 12.30pm Email: office@stleonardspc.org.uk website www.stleonardspc.org.uk

To advertise in The St Leonards & St Ives Directory, please call: 01202 894397

7

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8

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10

?

1. Where in the world would you expect to find a car with the vehicle registration code ‘V’?

5. Which was the first James Bond film to feature Roger Moore in the title role?

2. In which children’s book did a spider called Charlotte and a pig called Wilbur appear?

3. Which Mexican artist produced works entitled ‘The Broken Column’ and ‘Diego and I’?

6. How many sides has a heptadecagon?

7. ‘Suncrisp’, ‘Golden Russet’ and ‘Braeburn’ are all varieties of which fruit?

8. In which country would you find the coastal resort of Lara Beach?

4. What was the name of the character played by John Travolta in the film ‘Pulp Fiction’?

9. In which century was the first ‘Grand National’ horse race?

10. The letters of the word ‘allergy’ can be rearranged to form three other sevenletter words. Can you find all three of them?

Want to see how you did?

Answers on Page 30 To advertise in The St Leonards & St Ives Directory, please call: 01202 894397

11

advertorial

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing

company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the St Leonards area

and manager Justin Friel agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Justin a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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Wildlife News

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Talking about Wildlife...

Fascinating Fungi Fungi don’t fit into the plant or animal kingdoms but into an entire category of their own. The Fungi kingdom is a large group of organisms that includes yeasts, moulds, and, of course, mushrooms.

Found everywhere - in the soil, in water, on and within plants, and even in the human body - fungi are essential to life on earth and they have a fascinating biology.

Fungi play an important role within our ecosystems, helping to recycle nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter releasing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus into the soil and the atmosphere. Without fungi, these recycling activities would be seriously reduced, and we would have a lot more decaying material around our feet.

They are important directly as food for us, with many edible mushroom species grown and harvested for sale and some mushrooms and truffles considered as delicacies. While mushrooms aren’t a large proportion of what we eat day to day, fungi are also widely used in the production of many other foods and drinks

Crimson Waxcap

Fabulous Fungi

Photo: Nick Tomlinson

such as cheeses, beer and wine, and bread.

Fungi are also vitally important for the good growth of most plants and crops. In 1885, German biologist Albert Bernard Frank coined the word “mycorrhiza” to describe this symbiotic relationship in which fungus grows around plant roots.

This gives the plants greater access to water and minerals such as phosphorus and nitrogen and even increases their immunity. In exchange, the plant provides carbohydrates and other nutrients to the fungi.

Dorset Wildlife Trust manages many nature reserves to support and benefit all kinds of wildlife, including fungi. In west Dorset, Kingcombe Meadows and Powerstock are some of the best places in England to find fungi species, many of them rare, all of them beautiful. The huge variation in geology and plant life at Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve ensures a variety of habitats which allows for a larger variety of fungus species than one would expect in a few hundred acres.

By Susannah Lynn, Volunteer

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Heritage News

14

Local Heritage: Memories This is the season when families re-unite, sharing reminiscences of the past, this year potentially somewhat more important as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus pandemic. Writing this article in April to complete my 2020 series, with no immediate family with whom to share our thoughts, several spring to mind. Is it really forty-five years since my wife and I moved to St. Leonards just a few days before Christmas 1976, to be immediately invited to join one of our “new” neighbours for tea on the day itself? Have I been (theoretically) “retired” for twenty-three years and is it now twenty since we first opened the garden under the NGS “Yellow Book” scheme? Was this aerial view actually taken twelve years ago? Have my wife and I been married sixty years, both now in our nineties, but nowhere near ready to move into one of the retirement homes that bombard us with their literature.

We are proud to remain here as the longest surviving residents on our road, fortunately one that has not as yet suffered any in-fill by developers. Even my earliest efforts at writing the history of the area go back fifteen years. How time flies! We desperately miss no longer having a car, the last seen here about to be collected after I failed the DVLA eyesight test mid-2018. I now rely on a friend as regular driver, or organisations to get me to their events.

Can it now be three years since I wrote that first “Heritage” article on “Local History” for the Directory? So many topics have been covered within the forty-six items so far, hopefully without too much repetition. I still have a few new items up my sleeve for 2021, but, if anyone has some particular item of local interest they would like me to cover, perhaps one from the past in more detail, please let me know. Requests can be given to the Directory or via the Meeting House.

Histories of local properties, new and old, or their earlier site story, can still be provided, as I remain an active archivist and historian.

For example, it is still quite recent that the old St. Ives House site off Horton Road became a new Care Home. Some new apartments and cottages were included in this development. The reception area has two files that I provided for the Trustees, who made a donation through me for the Meeting House. They tell the back history of the site since the early 19th century, and throughout the twentieth century; many old photographs; and the development’s progress. Originally covered in my third article in March 2017, a Directory update is obviously required. My 2017 photograph shows some superb early 20th C. stained glass panels in reception, rescued from the old house.

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There has also been considerable new development around the old wartime hospital site. This was first mentioned in the August 2018 edition, and I had access to the site just before the loss of my licence.

Avon Castle has a new “ownership” arrangement being run by the apartment residents. I was invited to visit mid-2019, and have since received some interesting extra old pictures and newspaper cuttings about the 1930s Canadian “Rancher” Earls.

The photograph is one of the father who succeeded as the 10th Earl in 1929, but died after a car accident two years later. His son returned to Canada, married a cousin, but was unable to “prove” his title until 1938. He visited with his family; and the estate was sold to a development company.

Another update is warranted here, as a follow up to Article 12 about the overall history of the Cottage/ Castle estate, and Article 27 about the two John Turner Turner’s tenure 1861-1900.

The transition from rail to road travel has always proved of interest, many of my contacts expressing the wish for the local rail service to be restored, sadly an extremely unlikely event. However, local relatively modern road developments are well-remembered by many of our older residents. Bypasses for Ringwood began in the 1930s; became part of a major south coast project that has yet to be achieved; the Spur road was opened in June 1969, but had been mooted well before WW2; and there have been several changes to our A31, originally just part of the western route out of Ringwood, using what today is the Service Road. This is perhaps another story that needs to be told, which might even require a pair of articles to do it justice. The photograph is part of the new Spur Road shortly before opening, using part of the old 1862-1935 RCB Railway track.

At the Meeting House hopefully there has already been a return to normality allowing us to welcome visitors into our oasis of calm, this month amidst the bustle of children and Christmas shoppers.

MY EVERY GOOD WISH TO ALL FOR A TRULY MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS AND A MUCH HAPPIER NEW YEAR! John Hawkins

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  

              

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WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

STAR GAZING Welcome to the December Stargazing Page. Each month I’ll be describing astronomical events that are happening overhead in our beautiful night skies. The majority of events are viewable just by stepping outside on a cloudless night and looking up, but some may require a particular vantage point e.g. a clear view to the west. Occasionally, events will benefit from the use of binoculars or a small telescope if available, but all can be enjoyed without either. Warm shoes, layers of clothes, and a flask of hot tea are recommended during winter viewing!

Interna onal Space Sta on Due to the changeable nature of the ISS, timings published here are unfortunately often inaccurate. From hereon in, only dates, which are likely to remain correct, will be listed. To establish exact timings please visit www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to Bournemouth. The ISS will be visible, often twice during the night, in our early evening skies between 1st – 10th December. Those hoping to spot ‘Santa’ on the 24th or 25th will need to wake up early in the morning, with pre-dawn sightings visible on both mornings.

Events The Winter Solstice occurs on 21st December this year, and marks the day when the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. This in turn corresponds to the shortest day, and longest night (all the better for doing astronomy).

Mercury

The solar system’s smallest planet is lost in the Sun’s glare this month.

Venus Early morning risers continue to be greeted by Venus shining brightly in clear, pre-dawn skies to the south-east.

Mars Mars is still shining in the constellation Pisces, but is fading rapidly. Look south at 7p.m. on a clear night and search for a relatively bright, reddish object quite high in the sky.

Saturn & Jupiter If you see only one astronomical event this year, then the close meeting or ‘Great conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn must be it. The two gas giants have been slowly moving closer together in our night sky (as viewed from Earth), and on the 21st December appear so close they, along with their larger moons, will be visible in the same field of view in binoculars or a telescope.

The two planets were last this close in Galileo’s time in 1623 CE. If the sky is clear this will be a truly spectacular sight. There is only a small window of opportunity to see this event as the planets are low in the sky, close to the horizon, but try looking after sunset, between 4.45 – 5.30p.m towards the southwest.

Moon This month’s full moon occurs on 30th December, and is traditionally known as the Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon, or Moon before Yule.

SATURN

JUPITER

NAKED EYE VIEW SW ON 21 DECEMBER 4.45-5.30PM

Stargaze with

Titan

Callisto Saturn

Ganymede Io Jupiter

Europa

VIEW SW WITH OPTICAL AID 21 DECEMBER 4.45-5.30PM

Spot the difference!

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

www.nickgowman.com

Puzzle Corner

20

Let’s Sudoku!

Do you love numbers? Enjoy 2 new Sudoku challenges in every issue!

8 1 2 6

2 7 4 3

2 6 8 3 6 7 4 1 6 7 8 2 1 4 3 2 8 9 1 6 2 8 4 7 1 2 7

4 2

7 1 6

1 2 5 2 4 9 8 5 8 7 1 2 6 5 3 2 8 2 7 1 3 1 5 8 2 6 2 6 7 8 8 1 5 9 2 3 1

8 5 1 9

2

Answers on Page 30

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21

Dear Santa Paws,

I’ve been a good boy this year, apart from the cowpat incident. I’ve been vigilant about chasing squirrels (it’s good exercise for them you know) and it’s months since I last dug a hole in my dad’s prize lawn.

Last year’s bag of dog biscuits was nice, although the ‘breath control’ labelling didn’t go unnoticed. This year I think it would help you if I give you some ideas.

Firstly, can I have some human stuff that I’m actually not supposed to play with? You know: socks, shoes, a top-of-the-range tennis ball, or a human pillow – because doggie pillows are just not the same.

Then I’d love an automatic belly rubber.

My humans are good, but I want so much more – belly rubs are the absolute best.

Finally, a special request: if anyone has put dog fancy dress clothes on their list, please tell them the workshop had sold out. Especially if they included dog antlers.

Yours,

PS: If you bring chocolates for my humans, please put them out of my reach because they are poisonous for me.

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22

Understanding Investments: Sustainable Investing

With Christmas approaching and having endured such a challenging year on many fronts due to the worldwide pandemic, I am sure many people will reflect on 2020 and hope 2021 will be better. As these articles are themed around “understanding investments”, it felt appropriate at this time of the year to highlight an area of investing which should benefit the environment and society overall.

What is sustainable Investing?

Given the global challenges the world faces, including poverty, healthcare, inequalities and climate change, businesses are coming under increasing pressure to review how they operate and become more sustainable.

This is a movement which has been gathering awareness and support, and which has undoubtably been accelerated by the events of the last 12 months. In 2015 the United Nations announced the “17 Sustainable Development Goals”, to transform the world for the better.

These introduced a 15-year plan for all countries-developed and developing, to end all poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change by 2030.

Why invest in a Sustainable way?

Governments and businesses often include sustainability criteria in the contracts they award business, so companies which embrace these themes have a competitive advantage which should benefit them in the long term.

Certainly, many sustainable funds have out-performed their more mainstream rivals in recent years, a trend which has accelerated in 2020 due to Sustainable funds excluding sectors such as Oil & Gas, Airlines and Industrials and the

higher inclusion of Technology and Healthcare.

I remember 10-15 years ago Howard Goodship the opposite was often true of “ethical funds”, which were much more focused on negatively screening companies rather than inclusion for a companies’ positive contribution. Also, the pool of businesses operating in a sustainable way was much smaller, leading to a limited choice for the fund managers. This has now changed.

However, a word of warning; due to greater awareness of this theme, there has been a flurry of investments funds launched during the last year or so. We believe it is really important to work with investment managers who have experience and a proven track record of delivering on their promises. Our due-diligence processes help identify fund managers who we believe are able to support both socio-economic development and sustainable business practices, whilst generating strong and consistent returns for clients.

Stewart, Kerry and I wish you all a peaceful, healthy Christmas. I am sure you will join us in looking forward to a 2021 in which we are able to return to the freedoms and life we have all been so accustomed to enjoying.

Howard Goodship is an Independent Financial Adviser with Lonsdale Wealth Management, 5 Fridays Court, Ringwood.

Tel: 01425 208490

www.lonsdaleservices.co.uk

The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and do not constitute individual advice.

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23

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24

Famous Words

Do you know who uttered these famous words?

1

2

If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

5 Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking.

3

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

4

Who said it?

“If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.”

6

8 7 The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."

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25

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26

Maze Game

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27

 



                 

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The Adventures of Daichi

28

The Adventures of Daichi

The Dorset Publications Camper Van What incredible times. We do hope you are safe, well and are still smiling despite anything that maybe happening around you. Daichi highly recommends switching the news off for a whole week and doing things that make you happy.

Here, the intention is to make you smile, give you ideas of places to visit (if we can now…), and things to do, that are simple, honest family fun.

Hopefully, it is a light relief. So here we go…

Daichi managed to sneak us back to that coastal village I so wanted to see when we were in Devon in the summer. This time it was October half term, so just before the second Lockdown. In August we had stayed in Bovisand on the other side of The Sound, that deep inlet of sea near Plymouth. While we were there, I looked daily across the blue expanse of water to a curious, small village with a beach. I was fascinated and told Daichi that was where I wanted to go next.

He was straight on the case and found a little cottage in Kingsand perfect for the three of us: myself, Stephen and Hayden our son. I have to say I was not sure if Hayden would come this time. He had plans with friends and now at the grand old age of nearly seventeen I feel very privileged that he still likes to get away as much as we do and enjoy our English ‘escapes’. Off we set. Daichi was certainly all smiles, engine roaring and lights aglow.

Volcanic rock formations at Kingsand

Cawsand beach Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages situated in Cornwall, right on the border with Devon. It is difficult to know where one village ends and the other one starts. For me they are idyllic.

Crashing waves literally hit the walls of the houses which line the streets on one side and the beach immediately on the other. Situated on the Rame Peninsula with a very small population I could definitely live there. Not only are there terrific sea views, but the villages are nestled in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park with 865 acres of beautiful forestry and parkland, ideal for walking.

It is a haven for dog lovers, walkers, children and simple adults like us. I am not so sure about rather large campervans in brightly coloured Kimonos though! Boy did Daichi have to breath in when navigating those cobbled, winding lanes.

Sharp bends and stone walls, which look amazing, are not necessarily good for metal bodies. Daichi was lucky and decided to spend his time in the very safe car park.

We had taken the chain ferry at Torpoint at the mouth of the River Tamar to get there. These crossings started right back in 1790 and now have 3 ferries running every day of the year, including Christmas Day. There is nothing like going on a ferry to know you are really going away! Some of us may have missed holidays abroad recently, but you can’t beat a good old English get-away.

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29 The weather of course was very mixed (it was late October after all) with some wind and rain and then one day of a wonderful, mysterious sea-roke which enveloped the cliffs and the houses. Long thick fingers of fog and mist creeping around everything in its midst. I was brought up in the North, so this is very real to me and I love a bit of atmosphere. I think Daichi was ok in his safe place, the car park…

Mid-week we took a trip to Whitsand Bay. What incredible chalets there are here! Scattered literally all over the cliffs from the bottom of the bay almost on the beach, right to the top of the overhanging cliffs. What fantastic views over a never-ending expanse of dramatic looking waters.

Speaking to the owner of the very welcoming Cliff Top Café, we were told that the chalets had once, and not that long ago, cost £20,000 each but now sell for over £350,000! We wished we had seen them earlier… They are not large and some look more modern than others, but I think you are paying for the ‘pitch’! The day we arrived the sea was totally white. Torrenting waves were pounding on the beach and the unforgiving rocks.

We took a walk right down to the front where the RNLI Lifeguards had a station, ready for any problems. We took many photos and videos of the thundering waves and the spectacular scenery. All smiling. Nature really is beautiful and there is something which excites the soul on mesmerizing days like this.

After all that excitement we needed a meal and a drink to calm us down and take in the night sea air. Our favourite café had become The Bay, Bar & Restaurant in Cawsand. Right on the sea

Waves crashing against the shore

Chalet overlooking Whitsand Bay front it was perfect for a coffee and a piece of cake, or indeed a full candle-lit evening meal. One lunchtime I had a whole mackerel (head and all) on a bed of salad. You really can tell I am from the North, can’t you? I am definitely my father’s daughter, even if I have lived in the South since I was twenty two… just a “couple” of years ago.

Now now…

The whole week was really relaxing. One day walking along The South West Coast Path (we did not quite manage all 630 miles of it…) we discovered Pier Cellars, the old torpedo development and testing station. Steeped in history and built in 1888/1889 it had a certain ‘mood’ about it. It is not open to the public, now owned by the MOD and used by HMS Raleigh for training purposes, but looking through the wire fencing I don’t think I wanted to take it any further anyway… Great to see and a bit of our history to set the old ‘grey matter’ thinking. I was pleased to get back to the luscious greenery and still blue waters from on high, on the hills this day.

There’s lots more I can say but I am limited with space – you may be relieved. The pink rocks on the beach at Kingsand were fascinating. I am no geologist, but this is volcanic lava apparently! How exciting is that?

So Daichi, another great family trip. Hayden did not quite manage to get his board out this time, though you carried it all the way to Cornwall for him, just in case. It just wasn’t quite the weather this time, but boy did we enjoy watching those gigantean waves thrashing the shores. Where will Daichi take us next… I wonder?

By Debbie Corney

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30

Puzzle Answers

Answers Page PUB QUIZ 1. Vatican City 2. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White 3. Frida Kahlo 4. 17 5. Vincent Vega 6. Live and Let Die (1973) 7. Apple 8. Turkey 9. 19th century (1839) 10. Gallery, largely and regally WHO SAID IT 1. Nelson Mandela 2. Eleanor Roosevelt 3. Mother Theresa 4. John Lennon 5. Steve Jobs 6. Oprah Winfrey 7. Walt Disney

8 4 2 3 9 1 7 6 5

9 1 6 5 7 2 4 3 8

7 5 3 6 4 8 9 2 1

2 9 7 4 1 6 5 8 3

6 8 4 7 3 5 1 9 2

1 3 5 8 2 9 6 4 7

3 7 1 2 6 4 8 5 9

5 6 9 1 8 3 2 7 4

4 2 8 9 5 7 3 1 6

9 7 3 6 2 4 1 8 5

1 2 5 9 8 3 4 6 7

6 4 8 5 7 1 2 3 9

2 9 7 3 1 5 6 4 8

3 8 4 7 6 9 5 1 2

5 6 1 2 4 8 7 9 3

7 1 9 4 3 2 8 5 6

4 3 2 8 5 6 9 7 1

8 5 6 1 9 7 3 2 4

Be sure to check out the next issue for more game pages!

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31

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Technology Tips

32

Many of the gifts we give or get at Christmas are gadgets, and that means Santa has a few things to think about in the days before the big day. For example, if the kids have asked him for a games console it’s highly likely that the console will need to download a big software update before it can play online; the worst possible time to do that download is on Christmas morning when everybody else in your street is trying to do the same. If you can, connect any new console to the internet in advance so there’s no delay before the kids can play.

Another good idea is to prepare a bit of paper with your Wi-Fi details and password on it: from Amazon Echo speakers to Apple iPads and even many kids’ toys, a Wi-Fi connection is needed for them to work. Digging out the details in advance will speed things up considerably on the day.

It’s worth looking out any USB-ready charger plugs (such as from iPhones or Kindle Fire tablets), because to help reduce electronic waste many USBpowered devices will come with a cable but not the plug it connects to.

And of course, it’s a very good idea to check what batteries any gadgets, toys or remote controllers are going to need.

If you don’t already have one, a battery charger with a couple of sets of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries will come in very handy in the next few days.

Last but not least, we’d recommend having a multi-tool or a screwdriver set and some really good scissors handy.

We’ve found that many kids’ toys come screwed to the packaging or require very small crosshead screwdrivers to open their battery compartments, and others come in extremely strong clear plastic that’s very hard to open.

The top big-ticket Christmas gifts 2020 Apple Watch The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch ever made. There are now three watches to choose from, starting at £199 for the Series 3 and rising to £399 for the Series 6. £199, Apple.com

Oculus Quest 2 This is very geeky, we know, but the Facebookowned Oculus Quest delivers an incredible virtual reality experience without wires or the need for a computer. £299, Oculus.com

Fitbit Sense If you or your loved one is a fitness fan, the new Fitbit Versa adds clever new features to its tried-and-tested fitness tracking, including EKG, temperature sensing and even stress sensing. £299, Fitbit.com

PlayStation 5 The next-generation PlayStation is big, beautiful and it isn’t quite as expensive as we feared: the standard version is £449 and the disk-free digital version is £359. £449, Very.co.uk

Dyson Supersonic If your time is money, then Dyson’s high-tech hairdryer will pay for itself very quickly: not only does it make your hair look amazing, but it does it in an amazingly short time too. £299, Boots.com

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33

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34

Short Story

Natalie poked her head around the kitchen door. “I thought I heard a crash.”

Colin and Maureen looked at each other in panic.

“So sorry Natalie, we’ve had a little accident,” Maureen confessed. “Colin’s dropped your Thermos flask.”

By Jackie Brewster

Maureen and Colin watched helplessly as the Thermos flask slid from the table. It hit the kitchen floor with a dull crack.

“Christmas is ruined,” Colin said glumly.

“Christmas isn’t ruined.” Maureen reached for her glass to calm her nerves. “Not when there’s sherry.”

“Perhaps it’s saveable.” Colin gingerly picked up the Thermos flask and shook it. It sounded like wet gravel. “Natalie brought it,” he said.

Their guests, Colin’s dad, Maureen’s brother Derrick and his fiancée Natalie were patiently waiting in the dining room for their Christmas dinner. It was a family tradition for everyone to bring something for the meal. Colin’s dad had made the Christmas pudding, Derrick had brought crackers.

“What did she bring?” Maureen asked quietly.

“I’ve no idea,” Colin said, “she just handed me this when she came in.”

It was the first time Natalie had joined them for Christmas day, and the pressure to impress was on because she’d once been a guest on a cookery show on the local radio and never missed an opportunity to mention it.

“It was only cheap,” Natalie laughed nervously.

“Just so long as the contents are alright.”

Colin shook the Thermos.

Natalie looked crestfallen.

“I could lend you a pair of slippers,” he offered.

Maureen nudged him in the ribs. “But my advice would be not to put your shoes in a Thermos in the first place.”

Natalie looked puzzled. “Not shoes, it’s jus,” she frowned, “to pour on the meal.”

“Do you mean gravy?” Maureen asked, astonished.

“I knew there was something missing!”

“I suppose some people call it that.” Natalie sounded offended. “We professional chefs call it jus.”

“Why didn’t you say?” Maureen laughed, refilling her glass. “Colin, get the jar of granules out of the pantry and I’ll whisk up some more.”

“But it was a special jus,” Natalie protested.

“What’s the key ingredients?” Colin asked as the kettle boiled.

Natalie blushed. “I used gravy granules,” she said quietly, “with a slug of sherry in it.”

“Didn’t I tell you Colin?” Maureen picked up the bottle. “Sherry to the rescue again!”

“What did she say when she gave it to you?”

Maureen asked impatiently.

Colin thought for a moment. “She said it was shoes,” he said finally.

“It’s clearly not shoes though is it?” Exasperated, Maureen took another swig of her sherry.

“What are we going to do now?” she said.

“What did you ask her to bring?”

Colin said.

“I can’t remember, can I?” Maureen said. “Let’s look at what we’ve got and see what’s missing.”

They looked at the steaming dishes of food on the counter – turkey, stuffing, sprouts and roast potatoes.

“Can I help with anything?”

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35

Dorset & Wight Wills Your Local Experts in providing Affordable

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Book your FREE home visit on 01202 065953 or 01983 623900 Dorset and Isle of Wight

www.dorsetandwight.co.uk

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The quintessentially English country garden has classic, timeless appeal, and although easier to achieve in the countryside can still be recreated at least in part in town.

Shrubs make a great backdrop so choose a range of different shapes, textures and shades of leaf colour for that cottage garden feel. For best effect choose mainly or all deciduous shrubs with just a few evergreens.

A wooden or metal gate painted white gives the right feel, and when smart, traditional-look fixings and fixtures are painted contrasting black, the look is complete.

In a country-style garden the combination of a wide range of types of flower in an even wider range of colours is perfect. Contrasting colours look great as long as there is plenty of greenery in-between.

Plant loosely and almost randomly in drifts, with no straight lines anywhere, to give beds and borders a country style, whatever their size.

Allow plants to grow closer together so there is no bare earth, and when planting a bed from scratch use hardy annuals to fill in any gaps while the main plants grow, to create a wall-towall carpet of colour.

Plants in pots add seasonal splashes of colour, so include temporary plants such as brightly coloured pelargoniums and geraniums or longerterm plants such as bulbs and small shrubs.

Choose a pot with an informal, rounded shape, rather than anything too geometric or modern; a terracotta pot works a treat.

Have a range of heights in the flower borders, basically with smaller plants in front and the largest at the back, but add in tall, slim plants throughout

to add colour, interest and height variation without blocking your view of their smaller neighbours. The classic choice for this is the purple-flowered Verbena bonariensis.

A wall made from brick or stone make a perfect boundary. A drystone wall with variations in the grey and brownish colours of the stone looks great in all weathers, and you can grow plants such as house leeks in some of the crevices.

If your garden needs steps, choose stone. It is long-lasting, withstands hard frosts and needs no preservative treatments. Combined with a wall of the same material, steps like this almost look natural, particularly when laid slightly unevenly.

Ivy is perfect for covering up unattractive features such as an ugly wall. It grows rapidly and is a useful wildlife habitat, but don’t allow it to grow out of control.

Maximise planting opportunities with containers made from natural materials such as terracotta.

Positioned on top of a wall they’ll mark the boundary well and bring seasonal colour. Swap the plants around at summer’s end and use winterflowering pansies for colour throughout the year.

Plant small, compact plants along the edges of paths and steps to add colour and interest.

Small saxifrages look great but won’t swamp the steps either!

Visit Pippa’s website (www.pippagreenwood.com) to book Pippa for a gardening talk at your gardening club or as an after-dinner speaker.

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QUIRKY

BY MICA BALE

From an interesting event in the height of the English Civil War to a special treat for King George III, Dorset has had many interesting chapters in its long history. This winter might well prove to be just another page in the journal of time but here are five more interesting facts from around Dorset to celebrate the county’s interesting past and even more interesting future.

Did you know that in the old Dorset dialect, there are at least eight words for mealtimes? Ranging from the more recognisable ‘luncheon’ to the slightly less identifiable ‘nammet’ or perhaps the ‘nuncheon’, the Dorset dialect is a vital part of the county’s heritage and certainly offers an interesting mealtime conversation!

Did you know that in 1645 the English Civil War touched the lives of the village of Child Okehampton in a very unusual way. An independent unit of around two thousand men decided to attack both the Royalists and the Parliamentarians. Known as the ‘Clubmen’, their endeavour was actually to prevent further conflict between the warring parties. Their skirmishes resulted in Cromwell imprisoning at least three hundred of them however it could almost be said that there was a touch of amusement when he was later quoted as describing them as ‘poor, silly creatures”.

Of course Dorset is known for its delightful dishes however, rumour has it that George III himself was responsible for the creation of the Royal Portland Pudding! Reportedly, the king, during his frequent visits to Dorset, would especially ask for the rich fruit pudding. It was reported in a local publication of the day, that: “George III, during his visits to Weymouth, had several times made a tour of the Isle of Portland; and on those occasions he made the ‘Portland Arms’ his headquarters, and used to finish his day by dining at the house. The then landlady had a recipe for making a certain famous Portland pudding, and the King never failed to order this pudding, in honour of the island”.

Although not unique, Dorset can boast some of the finest examples of where natural history meets humans. The holloways in the county have been created by thousands if not millions of Dorset locals having traipsed through the beautiful countryside and thus created delightful sunken pathways similar to tunnels, exposing tree roots and millenia of Dorset’s Jurassic geology.

Perfect for a winter walk!

Holloways to wander...

PHOTO: FINN HOPSON

DRAWING BY STANLEY WOOD

PHOTO: JONATHAN BAKER

Although it might be a little difficult to go abroad for some winter sports, restrictions allowing, Dorset still has some great local activities including a range of different ski slopes and winter activities to enjoy. Perhaps even a game of socially distanced snow ball fights is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy Dorset in its wintry wonderfulness!

40

By Katherine Sorrell

We help you to make the most of your festive centrepiece.

Some prefer a real Christmas tree while others argue for artificial. We offer some arboreal insights.

Which type of real tree?

The Norway Spruce is the classic choice but can be spikey and shed needles. The very popular Nordmann Fir has an even shape, soft foliage and glossy, dark green needles that don’t drop much. The Scots Pine retains its needles and has a lovely, fresh smell, while the Fraser Fir has silvery-green foliage and soft, low-shed needles with a citrusy aroma. The Noble Fir features blueish needles with well-spaced foliage while the unusual Lodgepole Pine has bushy, upward-pointing branches and the best needle-retention of all.

Cut or container?

Freshly cut Christmas trees provide a problem when it comes to disposal, so a great alternative is a tree purpose-grown in a pot. After Christmas the tree can be moved outside until next year. It will grow but can be kept for up to three years.

Preparing for your tree-shopping trip Measure the height and width of the space available for your tree and take a tape measure with you. Pack a pair of heavy gloves and an old blanket to catch pine needles that fall off in the boot of your car. If transporting your tree on your car’s roof, take a rope and perhaps a tarpaulin to wrap around the tree.

Picking out the best tree Look for a symmetrical tree with evenly distributed branches. Fresh trees will boast shiny, green needles that don’t drop if you gently pull a branch. Avoid trees with dry or brown needles.

Buying direct from a local grower is best.

What about artificial trees?

Modern artificial trees are incredibly realistic, though usually without the natural appearance or smell that real trees offer. An artificial can be used again and again, but consider how easily it can be stored.

Frosted Norway spruce seven-foot artificial Christmas tree, £369.99; glitter LED Christmas bauble trio, £11.99; Osby star lights, from £7.99; champagne bow Christmas decoration, £7.99; all Lights4fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk.

Which artificial tree?

There is a huge variety of shapes and sizes on offer, and with a choice of PVC needles or PE (polyethylene) needles. Many artificial trees are pre-lit, too and some are ‘frosted’ with a dusting of artificial snow.

Caring for your real tree • If you want it to look good right through until Twelfth Night, try to buy your tree as late as possible.

• Ask the seller to saw a small slice off the bottom of the trunk (alternatively, do this yourself as soon as you get home). This will help it to absorb water.

• Stand the tree in a bucket of water in a cool place until you are ready to position and decorate it.

• If possible, place the tree in a cool spot, away from fires or radiators. Even a sunny window can hasten the tree’s decline.

Secure it in a correctly sized, sturdy stand and adjust it so it is level. Fill the reservoir with water and check this regularly, topping up as necessary.

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41

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SERVICES

• Leather Cleaning • Highly qualified • Excellent results at sensible prices

Stump Removal | Hedge Removal/Cutting | Tree Surgery

For a free no obligation quotation, friendly advice and the deepest clean ever, please call Daryl on

Tel: 01202 855129 Mob: 07886 180861

www.cleaningmasteruk.co.uk

07860 467952 01425 483331

18 Years Experience, Professional, Friendly Service at Competitive Rates Domestic and Commercial | Fully Insured CALL JASON FARMER TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTE info@arborgrind.co.uk | www.arborgrind.co.uk

PARKING SENSORS WITH AUDIBLE WARNING FITTED Rear set colour coded: £155 • Front set colour coded: £185 Both Front and Rear Sensors: £275 Vehicle tracking with NO UPFRONT COSTS. JUST £14 PER MONTH SUBSCRIPTION. Rear view cameras for cars £180, vans £195 and motorhomes £225 Dash cameras starting at £145 fully fitted or FRONT & REAR cameras for just £225

Telephone: 01489 449020 Mobile: 07979 353696

www.reversepark.co.uk Please mention The St Leonards & St Ives Directory when responding to adverts

42

Garage doors and awnings Up and over • Roller • Sectional • Side hinged Any size, style and colour Electric or manual • Supplied and fitted Repaired and serviced

Advance Shutters Ltd

Visit our showroom

Rear of 98 Ashley Lane, Hordle, Lymington SO41 0GA

01425 618636

www.advanceshutters.co.uk

• Patios - Porcelain/Sandstone • Fencing • Garden Clearance • Re-Pointing • Hard Landscaping • Driveways • Tarmac • Block Paving • Brickwork • Artificial Lawns • Turfing • Tree Work • Fully Insured

 07712 279076

Local, Friendly & Reliable

RedwoodLandscapes1@gmail.com

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43

LOCAL ELECTRICIAN LUKE RAINFORD EXPERIENCED, TRUSTED, QUALITY All Works, Small or Large Free Quotations, NO VAT City & Guilds, 18th edition qualified Fully insured • Accredited by NICEIC Following Government COVID-19 guidelines and using necessary PPE

T: 01202 002725 • M: 07881 788666 • info@rainfordelectrical.com

thewindowman

Tel: 01202 488880 E: windowmandorset@gmail.com

SPECIALISING IN

REPLACEMENT MISTED UP DOUBLE GLAZING Offering a full Window & Door Repair Service Hinges • Locks • Handles • Door Services • Broken Glass • Cat Flaps Fitted

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44

Perfect for a festive sweet treat or a lovely edible Christmas gift these spiced star cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Makes 20 Ready in 1 hour, plus chilling and cooling INGREDIENTS • 2 medium egg whites • 175g icing sugar • 250g finely ground roasted hazelnuts • 50g mixed peel, finely chopped • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon TIP Dust the cookie cutter with icing sugar frequently to prevent the mixture sticking.

1. Using an electric handheld mixer, whisk the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl until holding stiff peaks. Stir in the icing sugar until thoroughly combined then continue to whisk until thick and glossy.

2. Remove 40g of this mixture and set aside. Fold the hazelnuts, mixed peel and cinnamon into the remaining mixture to make a very stiff dough. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 140C, 120C fan, gas mark 1. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. Roll the dough out on a surface heavily dusted with icing sugar to a 1cm thickness.

4. Using a 5cm star-shaped cookie cutter stamp out about 20 stars, re-rolling the dough as needed until it is all used up. Place the stars on the baking sheet, well-spaced apart.

Spread a little of the reserved egg white and icing sugar mixture on top of each star.

5. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cookies are still white and crisp on top but slightly soft underneath. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and leave the cookies to dry out for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

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45

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46

Index of advertisers

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Directory...

Aerials Oakhurst Aerials............................ 17

Computer Services TecCheck........................................ 2

Property Maintenance Avon Home Improvements............45

Bathrooms AMH Plumbing & Bathrooms........31 K & B Installations......................... 25 The Kitchen & Bathroom Co..........33

Drainage Services All Drains Cleared.......................... 5

Puzzles & Games Famous Quotes.............................. 24 Maze Game................................... 26 Pub Quiz........................................ 10 Puzzle answers.............................. 30 Sudoku........................................... 20 Spot the difference........................ 20

Bedrooms Doc’s Fitted Furniture.................... 23

Driveways County Block Paving...................... 31 Wicks Surfacing............................. 33

Beds & Mattresses 1st for Floors & Beds...................... 48

Electricians Green Light Electrical..................... 16 Rainford Electrical......................... 43

Residential Care Homes Care South: St Ives House.............. 2

Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds.................................. 3

Financial Advisers Lonsdale Wealth Management.....27

Roofing Moss Off Roof................................ 21

Cameras Rock Rock Cameras........................ 8

Garage Doors Advance Shutters........................... 42 Skandoor........................................ 17

Storage Services SDC Self Storage............................ 9

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Cleaning Master............................ 41 Zero Dry Time................................ 31 Carpets & Flooring 1st for Floors & Beds...................... 48 Flooring Elegance.......................... 23 Kingsland Carpets.......................... 5 Community News Adventures of Daichi..................... 28 Baking: Cinnamon Stars................ 44 Choosing and caring for your Christmas tree.................... 40 Dorset Quirky Facts....................... 38 Dorset Wildlife Trust: Fascinating Fungi........................ 12 Gardening Tips: How many kinds of sweet flowers Heritage: Memories....................... 14 Short Story: The secret ingredient.................. 34 St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council News.................... 6 Stargazing in Dorset...................... 18 Technology: Christmas checklist......32 Understanding Investments...........22

Garage Services Longham Motor Engineers............ 5 ReversePark................................... 41 West Moors Vehicle Repairs..........27 Garden Services Alpha Fencing & Trees................... 17 Doug Hutchins Landscaping.......... 9 Redwood Landscapes.................... 42 Special Branch............................... 3 United Fencing Supplies................. 47 Kitchens Doc’s Fitted Furniture.................... 23 K & B Installations......................... 25 The Kitchen & Bathroom Co..........33 Locksmiths Keytek............................................ 5 Plumbers AMH Plumbing.............................. 31 Blue Dot Plumbing......................... 3 No 1 PHD....................................... 13 P L H Heating................................. 16

Tree Surgeons Alpha Fencing & Trees................... 17 Apex Tree Surgeons....................... 37 Arborgrind..................................... 41 Special Branch............................... 3 Waste Services Philip Trim Contractors.................. 16 Will Writing Services Dorset Wills................................... 35 Legal Eagle Wills............................ 45 Window & Gutter Cleaning Services Spot Free Windows & Gutters....... 8 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Cloudy2Ckear................................. 11 Dorset Windows............................ 8 GS Windows.................................. 7 RFM Windows............................... 25 The Window Man.......................... 43 Worktops R and A Fabrications...................... 9

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47

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

a o r te 0 l f o 50 al qu 5 C e 89 fre 02 2 01

UNITED FENCING SUPPLIES LTD

Fitting service offered

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.

Kerbside delivery

Bespoke designs

Competitively priced

For a free no obligation quote call 01202 895500 or email: sales@unitedfencingsupplies.co.uk

www.unitedfencingsupplies.co.uk Find us at: 41 Telford Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Dorset BH21 7RX

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Dorset Publications Promoting your local area

Call us on 01202 894397 or visit www.dorsetpublications.co.uk