Test Valley Gazette - December 2022

Dear Residents,

We love our front cover... We will be taking the team out for a Christmas treat here and can’t wait!

December 2022. Here at Modern Magazines we have had a good year and are determined that 2023 will go well. We moved location this last year and are settled in new offices. Plus, we bought a new business too. It has been busy and pretty exciting really. There are always challenges and we have faced them head on. We have two new staff who are doing great. Beth, who has been our graphic designer for the past twelve months is going off to have her first baby! We can’t wait to meet him. Pippa has created a whole new magazine in Weymouth with us, and we are very glad she joined the team. Mel has worked with us for over 13 years now! Julie is into her 10th year of working with us, and Steph is into her 2nd year. We are a fantastic team. Chris the distribution Manager stays chirpy cheerful and is a real asset too!

All of our loyal advertisers are doing well and really want to thank you for your calls, bookings and purchases.

liability to any party to loss or damaged caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Test Valley Gazette 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. Issue No. 327 December 2022

DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any Boost your business to new heights with our affordable advertising packs! Supply your own artwork, or use our in house design team! features: local attractions puzzle pages community hub

Printed on Carbon Balanced Paper by Pensord Press Ltd. Certified by the World Land Trust. Helping the planet one page at a time...

School, Community Hub and Cancer Support Centre to benefit from TVBC Cost of Living Grants

A cancer support centre, school and foodbank are among the first organisations to benefit from Test Valley Borough Council’s £50,000 Cost of Living Grant scheme.

Charities, not for profit and voluntary organisations, parish and town councils, and schools can all apply for a share of the money to help them support people who are struggling with the rising cost of living.

They can do so by visiting Cost of Living Grant Scheme | Test Valley Borough Council.

The council launched the new fund last month and it has now approved the first recipients.

Several organisations will each receive £1,000.

Harrow Way Community School, in Andover, will use the money to expand their established Breakfast Club to support more children. The grant for Jane Scarth House, a Cancer Support Centre in Romsey, will assist with energy costs to enable them to provide a warm hub for those living with cancer and their carers. The Freedom Church Community Hub, in Romsey, will provide a warm welcome space and hot food three days a week and

the Royal British Legion Romsey to provide a warm hub.

Meanwhile, The Mountbatten School, in Romsey, have been given £585 for a Winter Breakfast Club and Citizen’s Advice Test Valley and Andover Foodbank have each been awarded £2,500 for caseworkers.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North said:

“I’m delighted that we have been able to approve the first tranche of grants from our Cost of Living Grant scheme. This money will provide an important boost to groups and organisations providing support to our local communities and it’s vital we work together to make sure frontline organisations can help those most in need. I strongly urge any eligible groups to apply as soon as possible.”

TVBC has also created a Cost of Living Support Hub at www.testvalley.gov.uk/ costoflivingsupport.

It provides useful information and signposts people to agencies and groups which offer a range of help, from local food banks to financial advice.

Vouchers & Gifts for Christmas

We o er gift vouchers for tuition, gun hire and money value to be spent in the shop. We also have a variety of gifts including Zippo lighters, opinel key rings, gloves, asks, targets and much much more

Sing When You’re Winning

Make no mistake, Gareth Malone is the national face (and bow tie) of choir singing. Through his television show, and its spin-offs, Malone has made the noble art of breaking into song cool again for everybody from shy school children to moody teenage boys, with emotionally charged and heart-warming explorations of how giving the vocal chords a workout can change lives for the better.

Returning recently in The Great Celebrity Bake Off and Celebrity MasterChef has given the choirmaster and presenter, 47 in November, an appetite for an alternative existence, even though his true passion is to exhale rather than inhale!

“I’ve never thought of it like that,” he laughs. “I’ve definitely enjoyed getting back into the reality TV side of things. I find it totally inspiring to see normal people do things that are

fantastically big and grand.

“And I count myself in that – in cooking terms I am very normal, so to challenge myself and try to do something impressive, which is exactly what we ask of people with music, has been a nice shift.”

Malone is of course best renowned for his work with The Choir, and the associated biproduct, The Military Wives, whereby he recorded with widows of British soldiers who had served in Afghanistan. The idea became such a touchstone that it spawned a number one single, Wherever You Are.

“As a choirmaster you are only ever a guide,” he says. “You have the energy and the persuasion and the techniques to pull the very best out of people, but none of those things are actually what makes a project work – it is all about the people who stand up and sing.”

What’s fair to say is Malone’s success has been hard fought. There have been no booming PR campaigns, no ‘kiss and tells’, and he certainly never felt the need to stand up in front of Simon Cowell for approval.

Malone was anointed with an OBE from the late

Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, a remarkable recognition for his work. “I truly appreciate my work being referenced in this way, and it was a great honour.

“I view the Military Wives project as the peak of that, because the national impact was so great. Sometimes, you can affect the life of one person in a seemingly small way and that can be powerful, but there is something so universal about that too. And there was a whole generation of widows who no-one was really thinking about.

“And that’s the great power of music - it goes beyond words. People who hadn’t even seen the series found out about it. It was life-changing for them and for me.”

Gareth Malone, the choirmaster who championed the voices of everyday people.

Councillor’s

Column

A huge thank you to the Federation of Small Businesses who recently crowned Test Valley the best All Round Small Business Friendly Council in the SouthCentral Region. I’m particularly proud of this considering the extraordinary efforts of the team in getting the national lockdown and additional restrictions grants out to businesses as quickly as possible during the pandemic. The FSB were also impressed by our approach to stimulating demand in Andover’s Chantry Centre through pop-up shops and our year-on-year cut to the service charge. As well as initiatives in Romsey Town Centre, collaborating with partners to launch initiatives such as Shopappy, an online platform for local retailers.

Our Small Business and Independent Retailer Grants were also praised, which we’ve paid out to 77 businesses over the past two years. These grants have meant that business survival rates have exceeded the national average. Helped by our Andover Skills Training Fund and our Youth Employment Hub initiative to support 16–24-year-olds into education, training or employment. My thanks to all the councillors and council officers who have worked so hard to achieve this.

Now winter has arrived, I’m pleased Test Valley’s Cost of Living Support Grants continue to be approved and paid out. Enabling organisations that help some of the most vulnerable residents in our borough cope with extra demand. This includes grants to Harrow Way and

Mountbatten School to expand their established Breakfast Clubs. Monies to Jane Scarth House and Romsey RBL as well as grants to Andover Foodbank and Citizens Advice Test Valley. If you run an organisation that you think might benefit from our scheme then there are more details at www.testvalley.gov.uk/cost-ofliving-support.

Congratulations to Cllr Neil Gwynne who has, this week, become the new Leader of the Opposition on Test Valley Borough Council. My thanks go to his predecessor, Cllr Celia Dowden for her willingness to work across party lines for the benefit of local residents. This was especially apparent during Covid when we had to make some quick decisions to help communities and businesses but also more recently with the cost-of-living crisis. It is my intention to continue that good cross-party working relationship with Neil.

Finally, as this is my last column of the year, I’d like to wish all readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Cllr. Phil North

Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

Family

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner returns to the subject of sustainability, both in terms of what we make our homes with, and what we place inside them.

To me, the relationship between making things and sustainability is essential, and I fear, as Western society, we’ve lost touch with the value of made things… with the value of raw materials, of the energy required. I don’t just mean fossil fuel energy, but also the human energy that goes into the process.

I’m very struck by seeing people producing lighting out of bits of recycled industrial stuff, or those who can put together and sell furniture they’ve handcrafted in small workshops all over the country.

A fabulous trend in the past couple of decades has been the

encouraging of home production creation –

everything from picture frames to jewellery – and how the internet has given these people a platform that is truly global.

When you meet someone who has made something in their workshop, you get the opportunity to sample their passion, influences, their own inspiration for doing what they do.

People talk a lot about sustainability using words like carbon and energy consumption – all that technical stuff – yet sustainability also comes in the form of the value of the objects we place inside our homes too.

After all, we are five times less likely to

throw away something we have made compared to something we have bought.

It’s also true that the longer we have something the less likely we are to bin itthere are records from the Seventies that I’ve still got; there’s a belt I’ve had all my life. We’ve all got stuff we love that we don’t want to let go of!

Sure enough, when we see our friends we talk about these things, we share the stories. I can bore people into infinity talking about my belt, or my old leather chair, and that’s the exciting thing: stuff as it gets older, gets better; it attracts more stories.

What I’m saying is we need to continue to keep creating homes that are rich in their fabric, but that are filed with things of value as well, so that we can share those stories with people, make friends, and embed ourselves into a community. That to me is actually a big part of what sustainability is about.

Have Yourself a Very Eco-Christmas

It may be the ultimate consumer holiday, but Christmas doesn’t have to cost the earth – in either sense of the phrase.

The festive season is expensive and wasteful, and most of us will reference calming things down in the following year.

Yet that may not be totally necessary – not least if all the joy of Christmas can be experienced in a way that is good for the soul, the wallet, and the environment.

Here are five ways to go about achieving that:

1.

Re-deck the halls

One of the best things about Christmas decorations is that they are reusable, though there are still ways to make them even more sustainable.

Choose wooden over plastic ones, purchase them from local craft fairs rather than supermarkets, and invest in baubles and ornaments that are of a decent quality so they can be reused for years afterwards. In time you will have a sizeable collection of

unique trinkets that tell your family’s own Christmas tale.

2. Tree-t yourself

If you’re planning on buying a new one for this Christmas perhaps consider either a pre-loved fake one, or a potted real tree that’s designed to last beyond the festive season. Even better, you can now rent trees that can be replanted in January, helping cut back on the seven million that are dumped each year.

3.

Invent an advent

What if you provided your loved ones with advent calendars that were not only personalised, but also more environmentally friendly?

Online marketplace Etsy sells wooden calendars that are personalised and can be refilled every year. Or you can make your own out of old fabric, leftover cardboard boxes or even just envelopes with craft activities in.

4.

Wrap resourcefully

In a world that is becoming wiser and more sustainable, it is easier than ever to buy

wrapping paper that is either recycled, or easier to recycle –which means no glossy finish or glitter, I’m afraid.

Another option is using old newspapers, magazines or comics; or investing in cotton wrapping cloths, which are fast becoming a trend and will look stunning under the tree.

5. Feast mindfully

It’s easy to go overboard when it comes to Christmas dinner, but why not save yourself the hassle and stick to the basics.

Firstly, only make enough food for the number of people you have coming (though Christmas leftovers can be sublime!). Secondly, buy produce as locally as possible to save on food air miles. And finally, avoid purchasing products that feel festive but are actually not very popular… cheese footballs, I’m looking at you.

In today’s throw away society, Ill fitting or broken spectacle frames are too often needlessly, put in a drawer or thrown away and replaced.

Many of my customers present me with a pair of glasses in various states of disrepair and request a complete replacement pair. They are pleasantly surprised to find that individual component, frame parts, such as arms and whole fronts are readily available. Spectacle Frame suppliers keep a stock of parts for their frames for up to 2 years to satisfy replacement requests. Most frames are guaranteed against fault for between 1 and 2 years and therefore there needs to be a bank of parts to service these “Warranty replacements”.

Plastic frames are currently, very fashionable. The front part of the frame is made of one continuous piece of plastic and the part that fits over the nose (bridge of frame) is all too often a ‘near enough’ fit because it cannot be adjusted. This can lead to uncomfortable pressure marks or the frame constantly slipping down, rendering the frame unwearable. Unlike metal frames it will have no soft pads on arms to hold the frame away from the face and this can cause problems with eyelashes brushing the inner surface of the lenses, leading to smearing. The closeness of the frame can also leave it resting on the cheeks or making contact when a patient speaks or smiles. This also results in skin oil or makeup being constantly deposited on the lens surface.

However, the frame can be modified to overcome these issues and soft silicon nose pads on adjustable arms can be retrofitted to push the frame away from the face. If the bridge is too wide, it can be reduced in size with the insertion of additional silicone nose pads or a technique known as “bumping” that reduces the radius of the apex of the bridge aperture.

If you have a petite face you may have been forced to wear ill fitting glasses with overly long arms. These can also be modified to shorten the part that bends down behind the ears.

All manner of other repairs are available, such as soldering broken metal parts, particularly the sprung hinges fitted to most spectacle arms these days.

So before discarding broken glasses, remember that there are a myriad of repairs and modifications that can be undertaken to make them as good as new.

A Flavour Of Christmas!

Performing for the WEOS Christmas concert on Thursday 16 December is Steve Hubble from Broadmayne in Dorset, making his fifth appearance for the Club. Originally from Birmingham, Steve is particularly noted for his musical arrangements and orchestral style of playing and has performed many times on radio, including BBC Radio 2 and Radio WM. He is constantly

in pursuit of top quality sounds, having worked with many of the leading instruments of the day, and was one of the first artistes to use multikeyboard set-ups. The concert commences at 7.30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) and tickets at £6.00 are available at the door.

Further information about the Club can be obtained by phoning (01264) 323213 or by visiting : www.weyhill-eos.co.uk

The Adventures of Daichi

The Modern Magazines Camper Van

Daichi drove us all the way to Anglesey, that wonderful island off the north coast of Wales, for a family break! How exciting, a week away after a very busy summer working in our new Ice-Cream parlour, Wafflicious in Weymouth. What is funny is that we could not get away… As soon as we opened the doors of the parlour that Friday, ready to show Chris how to use the till, so he could help Emma while we were away, we had wonderful customers wanting waffles, ice-creams, sundaes and milkshakes. Then to top it all we had a Birthday party unexpectedly arrive! A family of seven, as Harry the young boy of nine had enjoyed his waffle so much two days earlier, he could not wait to come back for his treat. Four hours late in setting off, but we were very happy and all smiles as we really do love what we do in the parlour. We arrived on Anglesey at 1am in the morning. We had stopped a couple of times en route of course as we gave up being ‘on time’ and decided to make the most of the journey together. Turning a situation around to one’s advantage can be a game in itself. We were meeting Stephen’s dad and sister and knew it would now be the following day before we would catch up with them. The first day was a little damp, but not wet enough to stop us going out for a walk. The old Menai, iconic bridge was closed just before we arrived. I love this bridge and remember fifty years ago, (oh my goodness – really!) my dad calling out

with delight that we were now on Anglesey! This bridge was opened in 1826 and was the first modern suspension bridge in the world apparently and initially made for cattle traffic as this was Anglesey’s main source of income. This one bridge reduced the time from Anglesey to London by nine hours! Did you know that this bridge is also mentioned by Lewis Carroll in “Through the Looking Glass”, chapter eight? The wind was quite strong that day and my legs did turn to jelly I have to say, when taking some photos looking out to sea across the Menai Straits. Fantastic views but not necessarily for the faint heated. In fact Rachel did wait patiently at the entrance with her lovely dog, Lottie.

Penmon Point in Llangoed, near Puffin Island was day number two. Again, I love this area and it brought back many memories of past days as a child climbing on the rocks and watching the puffins swirling around. This time of year there were none at all and in fact there are now only eight pairs of breeding puffins here. Unfortunately, rats, which swam from a shipwreck in 1816 reduced the size of the colony, from over 50,000 puffins to what they are today. By 1971 there were an estimated 500,000 rodents on the island. Incredible! In 1999 they were removed totally, and the sea birds are slowly coming back. Let’s hope they fully recover and we once again see swirls of ‘grunting’, mating puffins! It is such a great sound.

The Menai Suspension Bridge

Day three was a walk around Maelog Lake. What is fascinating here is that the sea is receding in this area and there are sand dunes inland. The sand dunes actually blocked off the water, which was once part of the sea. After years of fresh water entering, the lake became a freshwater lake and is no longer salty. Though we did not test it ourselves, the bevy of swans bobbing with their heads under the water pretending to be ostriches, seemed to be enjoying it. A meal at Oyster Catcher with fish and chips all round was highly enjoyed… even by Lottie the dog! For the afternoon I had a total trip down memory lane, and we drove to Trearddur Bay. I have spent many a holiday fishing on the rocks there and caught some good mackerel with Dad. The small bays further along were full of memories of rubber dinghies and swimming in cold water. Fun though! The following day we drove to Bodnant Gardens on the mainland. It may not be spring but the reds and yellows of the trees were just delightful. The house is still privately owned by the McLaren family. In 1948 Henry McLaren persuaded the National Trust to take over the running of the gardens which was only their second acquisition after Hidcote Gardens in Gloucestershire. It was a lovely day with afternoon tea in the grounds. After that a visit to Great Orme, the limestone headland on the other side of LLandudno and a trip on the tramway which opened in 1902! The weather

coming back up was hailstones, so a hot chocolate in the café at the top was well deserved. The views would have been magnificent… if it wasn’t raining… We enjoyed ourselves anyway, as we always do. The rest of the holiday was equally interesting with a trip to the Anglesey Transport Museum where there are over a hundred British vehicles from the 1920s! There is even a Hawker Hunter Jet to see… and, oh yes and the breakfast in the café was good too. Following that was a trip to Newborough Warren with the endearing Medieval church, St Eglwys Cwyfan, that gets cut off with the tide and is known as the “Little Church in the Sea”. The Rivals, a group of hills stand majestically opposite and were enshrouded with clouds, blowing around. Beaumaris Gaol created in 1829 was a place I remember well as a child. Visiting only of course. The story of the man hanged in 1862 who always professed his innocence and subsequently cursed the clock, which did not work until very recently. The treadwheel used as a punishment and in most gaols did not have a purpose but here it created running water for the sinks and toilets. It is a very atmospheric place. All in all we did a lot! We also ate, drank, had a swim in the pool as well as a game of air hockey, bar billiards and pool. We came home for a rest! Daichi drove us through the Llanberis Pass and Snowdonia on the way back. This is just awe inspiring. We stopped at the beautiful Swallow Falls where we had fun taking artistic photos of the rushing water. Holidays are definitely about having family fun and we certainly did that. Where will Daichi take us next I wonder…

By Debbie Corney

Autumnal colours at Bodnant Gardens

Daichi visits Beaumaris Gaol

Stocking Fillers and Murder Mystery rillers

This month, four cracking reads for the busiest book-buying time of the year.

Grannysaurus is a roar-some picture book about unpredictable grannies, dinosaur discos and staying up late.

A boisterously funny new festive release from the duo, this is perfect for young dinosaur fans! Published by Harper Collins on December 8th

Never Give In: The 12 Commando Rules for Life by Scotty Mills

Pinch of Nom by Kate and Kay Allinson

The healthy eating phenomenon that is Pinch of Nom returns with another hundred scrumptious recipes – from fakeaways to desserts – that are both tantalising to the taste buds and good for the waistline.

Enjoy more of the food you love. Never feel like you’re missing out, from all-day breakfasts to scrumptious desserts, with crowd-pleasing foody fests so satisfying and delicious you’d never guess they are also slimming-friendly.

Published by Pan Macmillan on December 8th

Grannysaurus

by David Walliams

Bursting with David Walliams’ anarchic sense of fun and blessed with Adam Stower’s vibrant illustrations,

A sudden downpour while Scotty Mills was walking down a street in South London sent him diving for cover into the nearest shop. It turned out to be a recruitment centre for the Royal Marines and, after a few minutes’ conversation while waiting for the rain to stop, Scotty was hooked and signed up to join the elite force. It changed his life and set him on a new direction that would end up with him leading the Marines on operations around the world, becoming an Olympic flag bearer in 2012 and dining at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and the royal family.

Scotty shares his lessons of performance and resilience with the reader, inviting them into the secrets of elite culture. His compelling story is one that combines tragedy with remarkable insight about the

Wild Women: A Collection of First-Hand Accounts from Female Explorers by Mariella Frostrup

A collection of the greatest women’s travel writing selected by journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup.

From Constantinople to Crimea; from Antarctica to the Andesthroughout history, adventurous women have made epic, record-breaking journeys under perilous circumstances.

In curating this collection of first-hand accounts, broadcaster, writer and traveller Mariella Frostrup puts female explorers back on the map. Her selection includes explorers from the 1700s to the present day, from iconic heroines to lesser-known eccentrics, celebrating 300 years of wild women and their amazing adventures over land, sea and air. Published by Head of Zeus on December 8th

power of human inspiration. Published by Simon & Schuster on December 8th

Forest & Cove is a creative hub and handmade gift shop situated on Bell Street, Romsey. The shop stretches back across the ground floor and stocks a range of handmade items created by local artists and makers. Stunning jewellery and beautiful ceramics are on show, as well as eye-catching glass sculptures and spectacular paintings. Upstairs is where the creativity takes place. The resident goldsmith, Rebecca Jackson, handcrafts bespoke commissions and remodels in a fully equipped workshop, which she also uses to teach jewellery making classes to both beginners and those with experience. There is a separate art room, where you can experience a creative class run by a local artist. In addition to jewellery making workshops, recent classes have included fused glass, coloured pencil drawing, wreath making, candle making and signwriting. Gift wrapping is offered free of charge so you can avoid the last-minute Christmas Eve wrapping marathon. All the packaging is environmentally friendly - FSC certified, biodegradable and recyclable - even the gorgeous ribbon!

The owner, Rebecca, says: “We are proud to stock beautiful handmade creations from over 35 artists and makers, so shopping with us supports not one but two small businesses. Many of our stockists are inspired by the same things: nature, animals and a love for the great outdoors.”

You will find Forest & Cove at 17 Bell Street, Romsey, SO51 8GY. Alternatively, you can shop online at www.forestandcove.co.uk, where you can also find information about upcoming classes. Tel: 07549 837309.

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the December Stargazing Page, and wishing you all clear skies and a safe holiday season. Highlights this month include an opportunity to see all five naked eye planets in our evening skies.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted in the evening until the 8th. Viewing then switches to morning skies from the 17th, and anyone wishing to catch Santa returning home will need to look up around 5am or 6.30am on Christmas morning. 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 Geminid meteor shower peaks on the night of 13/14th December, although a bright gibbous Moon rising around 9pm will spoil the show. Unusually, the Geminid meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left behind by an asteroid, 3200 Phaethon, and not by a comet. The Winter Solstice takes place on Wednesday 21st December; marking the shortest day and longest night.

Mercury

The Solar System’s smallest planet is just visible during the latter half of December, looping around the much-brighter Venus. An unobstructed view to the southwest is necessary as Mercury will be low on the horizon and hard to spot (see figure).

Venus

Venus reappears in our evening skies, starting off low in the southwest, and although bright may be difficult to spot in the evening twilight.

Mars

Mars has risen by 5pm, and is the bright, orange-tinted object further to the east (left) of Jupiter. It is visible in the sky all night.

Jupiter & Saturn

Both gas giants are visible towards the south when darkness falls; Jupiter is the incredibly bright object much higher in the sky than dimmer, blue-white Saturn. Saturn sets by 8.30pm but Jupiter is visible until midnight.

Moon

December’s full moon occurs on the 8th. The moon is close to Jupiter on the 1st and 2nd, and lies between Saturn and Jupiter between the 26th – 29th (see figure).

Things to look out for...

Both Mars and Uranus will briefly disappear behind the Moon this month (known as an occultation). Uranus disappears behind a gibbous moon on the 5th around 4.45pm, and Mars behind the full moon just before 5am on the 8th. Uranus is a very faint night sky object and must be viewed with a small telescope or binoculars. Mars will be so bright that you should be able to see it with the naked eye.

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses how our gardens can become carbon sinks.

We know how effective plants are at drawing CO2 out of the atmosphere. That means that while our gardens are wonderful spaces for our sensual pleasure, they brilliantly counteract global warming and our fight against climate change. In other words, they become ‘carbon sinks’.

I was recently asked how our green spaces might change if the planet continues to hot up. Certainly, I am not a climate change denier, but I think for our own peace of mind we need to keep things realistic, and it’s not as if within 50 years we’re going to be growing bananas in Northumberland or anything like that!

What we can of course do in the short-term is style and

shape garden space to ensure we help the planet as much as we can. After all, the most basic way to

prevent greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere (and warming up the climate) is by growing plants. And as gardeners, that’s what we do!

The best way to achieve this is by growing native plants. Non-native varieties can really take hold of a space, requiring harmful chemicals to control them, and leading to them being pulled up, exposing soil and releasing carbon.

We can also compost – it’s a great way of stopping carbon getting out in the first place.

It’s for this same reason that turning over soil is actually bad for your garden. Not only does it interrupt nature’s ability to let your earth matter settle into an organised pattern that benefits both plants and the creatures living in the soil, but turning over, or tilling, releases more carbon.

Beyond this, we can be more environmentally friendly by using organic fertilisers; and never be afraid to let your outdoor space ‘go wild’. Rustic gardens are the ultimate lowcarbon spaces, and that makes sense, because wild areas such as forests, wetlands and mangroves are the very best at protecting against the risks posed by climate change.

carbon

The same applies to mulching, too. When you consider that over 80% of the carbon in your garden is released from the soil, by adding a layer of wood bark chippings, for instance, you are holding the carbon in the soil.

As ever, our gardens hold within them the power not just to transform our own lives, but the welfare of the planet too, and that is why we love them so much.

Andover Chamber Choir: Christmas Concert

Saturday 17th December sees the return of a long-standing Andover tradition – the Christmas Carol Concert! Andover Chamber Choir (formerly known as The Harmonium Singers) have presented a concert at St Mary’s Church each Christmas for over thirty years, until the Covid pandemic intervened! The choir returns, this year, for the first time since 2019. Proceeds have always been donated to a local charity and will be given this time to the Andover Foodbank.

The programme features music both well-known and unfamiliar. Carols such as ‘Gaudete!’ (made famous by Steeleye Span), ‘Gabriel’s Message’ and Handel’s ‘Joy to the World’ rub shoulders with Holst’s ‘Jesu, thou

virgin born’ and ‘The Time draws near the Birth of Christ’, composed for the 50th anniversary of The Harmonium Singers and here receiving its Covid-delayed premiere! Items will be interspersed with poems and with carols for the audience.

Tickets can be bought in advance from The Lights and from the Newbury Building Society or choir members. The admission price(£10 in advance, £12 on the door, under 16s free) includes interval refreshments. The concert takes place exactly a week before Christmas Eve and the day before the World Cup Final so there’s no excuse to miss it!

Money on my mind... the Martin Lewis column

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

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at taking back control when creditors come calling.

I’ll come straight to the point this month - there is nothing more precious or valuable than our mental wellbeing, and there is no bill or invoice that should come before it.

I have worked with mental health charities and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to ensure people who find themselves in difficult situations are able to access not just financial assistance, but practical and emotional support too.

The truth is when people have existing mental health problems, the administration anxiety that comes with

bills, debt demands and ongoing financial commitments, can be very difficult to handle, to the point that they’re simply unable to deal with what’s in front of them. Even when in a good place mentally and financially, so many of us find processing everyday matters exhausting, so imagine the added difficulty when starting from a place of weakness.

Remember, we have the right to determine how we are approached and contacted by those we do business with. For some people receiving a text message informing them of something may represent a nightmare. For others, a text is the only way they wish to communicate; while some prefer to converse over the phone, or even face to face.

It’s essential we stand up and state our preferences, and organisations have to adhere

to these. That won’t necessarily mean the problem will go away… if you are behind on a bill, for instance; but it will bring back control to you and, from the outset, allow you to determine how you want to go about tackling a problem.

It was reported that 44% of people with mental health problems who fell behind on payments during the pandemic considered or attempted suicide; and if you macro that up to the UK population that would be two-and-a-half million people.

I’ll be honest and say that when I heard that figure, I didn’t find it surprising; but it does surprise and disappoint me that people still don’t feel they have the tools to fight back and retake control.

From recovery space to payment holidays, to freezes on interest or repayment plans, speak to your creditors in a way that is firm and fair, and you will likely get the result you want.

Vets Column: Santa Paws is coming to town...

Christmas is almost upon us, time to get excited about trees, decorations, presents and food. Let’s not forget though to make Christmas a fun time for our pets as well. It seems that many of us are already planning on doing this according to an RSPCA survey:

• 91% of people were planning on buying presents for their pets.

• 26% of pets could expect to have their own advent calendars.

• 55% would wake up on Christmas morning to their very own Christmas stocking.

• 15% of owners will make a Christmas card for their pet

• 26% will have their own special Christmas dinner cooked for them.

• 18% of people admitted to spending more on their pets at Christmas than on their Mother-in –law!

With an estimated 300 million pounds expected to be spent in the U.K on festive presents for pets, what would make a good gift? There are plenty of innovative and fun toys available for pets these days, many of which provide mental stimulation as well as exercise. Climbing frames for cats with hiding spaces and scratching posts included are great, especially for cats that are mainly indoors. These can help provide activities to reduce stress and increase exercise. There are also puzzle toys for both dogs and cats, in which they have to figure out a series of actions to release a food reward. You may want to buy

a ball or soft toy for your pet, just remember to chose one that is of an appropriate size and material. Balls which are too small present a choking hazard, and if your dog is a chewer then softer toys may not last too long with the risk of squeakers or stuffing being swallowed as the toy is chewed up. You don’t have to spend a fortune on toys either, you can easily make fun toys from empty kitchen rolls or toilet roll tubes. For cats you can cut holes in them big enough to put a paw through and hide treats inside then stuff the ends with paper. They can then try and get the treats out. For dogs just stuff the rolls with treats then fill the ends with paper to pull out. You can even decorate the cardboard rolls with a Christmas theme!

As well as the presents a huge part of getting into the Christmas spirit involves eating festive foods. Unfortunately many of the treats we like to enjoy ourselves are toxic to our pets, especially those containing chocolate or dried fruits such as raisins or sultanas. But there is no need for them to miss out, there are plenty of recipes for homemade biscuits and other treats for our furry friends. If your pet has a dietary intolerance though, be sure to check the ingredients first. Have a Merry Christmas!

Top Tip

Don’t expect perfection. Remember that trees are naturally wonky and flawed. Be sure not to over stir the cake mix; you want it light and airy.

Nigella Lawson’s Yule Log

Ingredients

(serves 12)

For the cake

• 6 large eggs (separated)

• 150 grams caster sugar

• 50 grams cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 5 teaspoons icing sugar (to decorate)

For the icing

• 175 grams dark chocolate (chopped)

• 250 grams icing sugar

• 225 grams soft butter

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

No one does Christmas like Nigella, which is why this glorious yule log is the ideal centrepiece for your festive lunch.

Introduction Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/gas mark 4/350ºF. In a large, clean bowl whisk the egg whites until thick and peaking, then, still whisking, sprinkle in 50g / ¼ cup of the caster sugar and continue whisking until the whites are holding their peaks but not dry. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the remaining caster sugar until the mixture is moussy, pale and thick. Add the vanilla extract, sieve the cocoa powder over, then fold both in. Finally, gently fold in the egg whites.

2. Line a Swiss roll tin with baking parchment, leaving a generous overhang at the ends and sides, and folding the parchment into the corners to

help the paper stay anchored. Pour in the cake mixture and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Let the cake cool a little before turning it out onto another piece of baking parchment. If you dust this piece of parchment with a little icing sugar it may help with preventing sticking, but don’t worry too much as any tears or dents will be covered by icing later. Cover loosely with a clean tea towel.

3. To make the icing, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water, then let it cool. Put the icing sugar into a processor and blitz to remove lumps, add the butter and process until smooth. Add the cooled, melted chocolate and

the tablespoon of vanilla extract and pulse again to make a smooth icing.

4. Sit the flat chocolate cake on a large piece of baking parchment. Trim the edges of the Swiss roll. Spread some of the icing thinly over the sponge, going right out to the edges. Start rolling from the long side facing you, taking care to get a tight roll from the beginning, and roll up to the other side. Pressing against the parchment, rather than the tender cake, makes this easier.

5. Spread the yule log with the remaining icing, covering the cut-o ends. Create a wood-like texture by marking along the length of the log with a skewer or sharp knife and finish with a dusting of icing sugar.