The Test Valley Gazette - March 2022

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March

Edition of your local Test Valley Gazette Community Magazine!

Dear Residents,

We are really hopeful that we are out of the woods! Well at least from the viewpoint of local restrictions, even if travelling abroad is still not so easy. Very disappointing for some which is not good at all, but what a great excuse to explore our wonderful British Isles. We can shop at local shops, buy a painting from a local artist.

Why not treat ourselves to a pamper day, buy some new gadgets or soft furnishings for the home? We can join a new club, go walking in our beautiful countryside or visit the seaside. Lots of choices. Coming into Spring of course we can all clean, tidy and pass any items we do not want to a charity in need of help. There are lots of exciting things to do and since we have been cooped up for a while, we can look at it all with a brand-new pair of eyes. A fresh new look.

Remember that when we were young?

Talking of being young again – Daichi, the Modern Magazines Campervan bought an icecream parlour! You can read all about it inside.

Our local trades and services are ready and waiting for your calls. They want to help you in the home or for yourself. Give them a call and do tell them where you saw their details. I still smile as much today about that, as I did 17 years ago when we published our very first magazine. Don’t forget if you have a business you want to promote or know of a local club or society that needs help, please let us know. We are here for the community!

Here’s to Spring!

Debbie & Stephen with their son Hayden

Contact Debbie: debbie@modernmagazines.co.uk or Tracey: 07500 592584 tracey@modernmagazines.co.uk

4

IN THIS ISSUE...

6

Councillor’s Column

8

Weyhill Electronic Organ Society

12 CPRE Hampshire 16 Kevin McCloud Column 18 Interview: Gary Oldman 24 Wildlife: Dabbler or Diver?

26 Adventures of Daichi 28 Money Matters: Martin Lewis 32 Pets: Feeding Rabbits 34 The Hairy Bikers’ Dairy Free Vegan Brownies 36 Alan Titchmarsh Column

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Our magazines are printed in a factory that is FSC & ISO 14001 certified. Sustainable and environmentally friendly printing is part of our ethos. Using vegetable-based inks and recycling nearly 100% of our paper waste means you can be confident that this publication is not harming the planet.

Modern Magazines Ltd reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit material prior to publication. The opinions expressed or advice given in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the publisher.

Every care is taken when compiling this magazine, however we cannot accept liability for misprints or mistakes. Dates and information quoted are believed correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change and no responsibility can be taken for loss, damage or omission of material due to error. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they have permission to use any artwork which they supply to us or request for us to reproduce. Unless prior consent of the publisher is given, no part of this publication is to be reproduced.

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @modernmagazines

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Councillor’s Column I’m writing this in advance of Test Valley Borough Council’s budget setting meeting for the 2022/23 financial year - scheduled to take place at end of February. It’s a tough set of circumstances for local authorities – and just like any household budget, we’re also impacted by rising inflation.

In order to maintain frontline services and to help deal with the ongoing impact of Covid, we are once again proposing to use a modest amount from our reserves.

Useable reserves have to be built up in the good times to help offset the impact of unpredicted events such as the pandemic - and I’m pleased that our prudent decisions in previous years have given us the flexibility to do this.

Whilst at the time of writing no final decision has yet been made on our portion of the council tax, our Medium Term Financial Strategy assumes a below inflation increase of £5 on a Band D property, which would mean an average bill of £153.91 for an entire year of Test Valley Borough Council services. £41 lower than the average for the rest of England. Not only to have your bin collected every week but to maintain the housing & homelessness, planning, licensing, countryside, environmental health, economic development and leisure services - as well as continuing with 6

our ambitious plans to improve our town centres.

I’m pleased that any potential rise will be more than offset for those that need it most after the government announced a £150 discount for households in Council Tax Bands A to D. Around two-thirds of all homes in Test Valley. The Chancellor has also confirmed that we will also receive a discretionary fund to help lower income households in higher Council Tax Bands. This is on top of our already very generous Council Tax Support Scheme.

One of the reasons our level of council tax is way below average is because we took the decision in 2014 to set up Project Enterprise.

At a time when council finances are being increasingly stretched these investments in commercial and residential property have earned us an additional £1.9m this year than if we had kept the money in the bank.

Enabling us to protect frontline services and keep the council tax as low as possible. We never forget that it’s your money.

Cllr. Phil North Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

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Minister Of Mirth Returns Appearing at the WEOS March concert will be Andrew Nix, from Selby in North Yorkshire, making his sixth lengthy journey to Weyhill to perform on electronic keyboard. Often referred to as the ‘Minister of Mirth’, Andrew is well established on the circuit – not only as a musician but also as an entertainer. His varied musical repertoire, along with his Yorkshire wit, have gained him popularity throughout the UK.

music is welcome to attend and newcomers are most welcome. Further information can be obtained by visiting the Club website www.weyhill-eos. co.uk or by phoning (01264) 323213.

The concert is being staged at the Weyhill Fairground Hall, commencing at 7.30 p.m., with doors opening at 7.00 p.m. No membership fee is required - admission is £6.00 (payment at the door) and interval refreshments are available.

Everyone who enjoys melodic, easy listening live 8

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Puzzle Page

Countdown Clock Trial

Suko - #013

TABCMO

Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the squares so that the number in each circle is equal to the sum of the numbers in the four surrounding squares.

You have 2 minutes to find as many 3 or more letter words as possible. Plurals are allowed. The 6 letter word will always be simple! Good Luck!

SUDOKUWEB

SUDOKUWEB

6 Letters: 2 • 5 Letters: 0 4 Letters: 9 • 3 Letters: 13

You must also make sure that each colour total is correct.

Sudoku Sudoku -- #013 #013 28

20

12

20

20

3 3 8 8 5 5 6 6

9 9 2 2 5 5 1 1

17

1 1 6 6

4 8 4 8

3 3 6 1 4 6 1 4

8

Name: _____________________________________________________

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

Date: _______

2 2 3 7 3 7

9 9 4 1 4 1 7 7 5 5 3 3 9 9 2 2

• First select a number/operator and than apply it to a sudoku cell.

• First select a number/operator and than apply it to a sudoku cell.

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CPRE Hampshire – the countryside needs you!

CPRE Hampshire are looking for volunteers with a passion for the countryside to join the local Test Valley team.

The Hampshire countryside sustains us in every way. Its beautiful landscapes provide the food we eat, the air we breathe and a haven for the nature and wildlife we love.

It’s where most of us feel alive.

CPRE, most people have heard of, but few may know what we do, and what we do is amazing! Once known as the Campaign to Protect Rural England, we are the Countryside Charity. We believe in countryside and green spaces that are accessible to all, are rich in nature, and play a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency.

As a separate, volunteer-led charity, CPRE Hampshire works solely in support of the Hampshire countryside. And we’re looking for more volunteers, with a passion for the countryside, to join our team.

We are lucky in Hampshire to have a stunning range of landscapes and habitats. With two National Parks, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, chalk streams of international renown and stretches of protected coastline, we have a lot to be proud of.

The Test Valley, famous for its clear chalk streams and iconic river Test, boasts the most beautiful rolling countryside including ancient woodlands, water meadows, and chalk hills. It is within these beautiful landscapes that the vitally important ecosystem services that we all rely upon including clean water, clean air, the production of food, and habitats for wildlife, exist.

Over the last few years, there has been a surge in appreciation for local green space. There is a growing awareness of the role that countryside and nature play in our well-being, and a recent study conducted

by CPRE revealed that 63% of people say that lockdown has made them more aware of just how important these spaces are.

Today, in Hampshire, the countryside faces many challenges including population growth, climate change, and pressures to grow the economy and build more houses.

In planning for the future, we must ensure the Hampshire countryside and its valuable resources are properly considered and managed to maintain

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a thriving and natural environment.

Over the last decade, the use of green space for housing development across the UK has increased by over 150%.

The amount of land built upon in England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty has more than doubled since 2012 (129% increase), and today, the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries with only half of its biodiversity remaining.

Now is a critical time for our countryside!

CPRE Hampshire works across the Test Valley responding to a whole range of issues in support of the countryside. Led by local volunteers, we monitor and respond to planning applications, influence Local Plans, and take practical action to help improve the environment – we are here to stand up for YOUR local countryside.

Within the Test Valley, we are seeking more volunteers to take forward activities in support of the countryside including leadership of the local group, support at local events, and responding to issues of concern.

More information can be found on our website at cprehampshire.org.uk or email hantssupportercare@ cprehampshire.org.uk. We also offer talks to local community groups, so please do get in touch!

There has never been a more critical time to look after our beautiful countryside!

CPRE Hampshire is a membership organisation.

Membership is the best way to support a thriving Hampshire countryside and we would urge you to join today.

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A Design for Life… The 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 reveals his top tenets for architectural life and living happily.

It’s an architect’s job to figure out what are the important things in our lives; it’s to organise space and light and volume that we live in, and to provide the best possible experiences for us to flourish.

When you think of it like that, architecture comes with a very simple a set of objectives really, doesn’t it?

I think it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of those things. We are inspired and driven and teased almost by what see on the television and in magazines.

We are made to suppose that bigger is better, when in reality it really isn’t.

I often encourage people to look after the very basic elements

16

of what comprises our homes – things like storage, things like views up to the sky. I try to steer them away from mass or complication, because the fact is the more stuff we fill our lives with, the more there is to go wrong.

In the same manner, happiness really doesn’t reside in numbers - it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality.

And so if you can’t afford somewhere big don’t worry, it’s a false God. A big place won’t bring you happiness - what brings you happiness in the end is relationships with human beings.

Ultimately, good architecture is a reflection of your soul, rather than an extension of your being. You should design your space so that it complements who you are as a person. I have seen many houses on Grand Designs that take seemingly normal people into wild expressions of contemporary ambition – it’s like they have epiphanies in the design process of a build and have convinced

themselves that they are ready to undergo an entire image change in the construction of their home.

Ultimately, what generally happens is that once they’ve lived out that fantasy for six months or a year or however long, they realise they didn’t want that level of change after all, and find themselves making adjustments so that their living space begins to come back round to being a bit safer, a bit more sanitised, a bit more comfortable.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t reach out and be ambitious – just be ambitious in terms of what’s true to yourself, rather than true to what you’ve seen online.

Be pragmatic, be disciplined and connect to those very primal desires you have, rather than those of fantasy and outrageous aspiration. Focus on the boring stuff first - it will actually serve you well.

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17

Golden Oldie Even after four decades in the spotlight, actor Gary Oldman is still reaching out for more.

South Londoner Gary Oldman, who lives in Los Angeles with fifth wife Gisele Schmidt, has just celebrated 40 years on screen.

Having worked for many of the world’s most renowned filmmakers – Francis Ford Coppola, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Zemeckis to name but a few – the actor and director is most certainly Hollywood royalty.

Bolstering this tag are figures from The Hollywood Reporter that place him top of the list of the highest grossing actors of all time with films he has either acted in or directed generating over $4bn in the United States and $10bn worldwide.

He is a man wrapped in the comfort and contentment of the entertainment industry, sure; yet he’s just as happy having a pint in a spit ‘n’ sawdust pub as he is hobnobbing with the elite in LA.

“I think, in a strange way, what’s made me this way has been success,” he begins. “Many of us dream of a life that’s away from everything we’ve known; and for a while, that’s a nice little piece of escapism we can grab hold of and take with us.

“Yet very quickly when I saw this other world opening up in front of me, my overriding thought was that, while I wanted a bit of it, I didn’t want to lose the people and places I grew up in and around.

“It’s like anything you’re threatened with losing – it just makes you grab hold of it a little tighter.”

As for the wealth and the success, Oldman has very clear thoughts about that too. “My films have garnered a lot of money, sure. I wish I had a cut,” he laughs.

Most recently excelling in the Hitman’s Bodyguard project, and smart drama such as The Woman in the Window and Crisis, Oldman is still mixing up genres and characters, as he looks for a way

18

to preserve creativity, albeit at an age where many of his peers take the easy option.

“I can’t see myself ever doing that easy option,” he says. “That’s just not me – I think I’d rather retire completely than do something my heart and mind weren’t totally committed to.”

Oldman has always been this way, going right back to the start. Gary Oldman studied with the Young People’s Theatre in Greenwich and the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in Sidcup, Kent, obtaining a BA in Acting in 1979. He was the first in his class to receive professional work as an actor and has also gone on to clinch five BAFTAs, the most recent as Best Actor in Darkest Hour.

“It’s my career, my life, my world, and I’d be lost without it!”

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Music Madness at the Lights The Counterfeit Sixties Friday, 4 March at 7.30pm Barry Steele: The Roy Orbison Story Friday, 11 March at 7.30pm Cream of Clapton Friday, 18 March at 7.30pm Blair Dunlop (seated arena event) Saturday, 19 March at 8pm The Roving Crows (seated arena event) Friday, 25 March at 8pm To book, contact our Box Office: 01264 368368 visit www.thelights.org.uk

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19

Planning for your Pet’s future We are a nation of animal lovers and almost half of UK households have a least one pet. We tend to see them as part of the family and lavish time and attention on them, spending large sums of money on their care and upkeep.

So, when it comes to planning for the future, you may have decided what you want to happen with your personal effects when you die but have you thought about what would happen to your pet.

The first point to consider is whether you know anyone who could act as a guardian to your pet. Perhaps there is a friend or family member who already has a relationship with them. You can appoint a guardian of your pet under your Will, in the same way that you would appoint a guardian for your child. You should discuss this with the guardian so that they are aware of your wishes and are willing to take on the role. You will also need to bear in mind the lengthy life span of some pets as this is quite a commitment and you should be certain they want to take on the responsibility.

The second point to consider is whether you should leave a gift to accompany the pet so that the guardian is not out of pocket. You can leave a cash gift to cover the cost of

caring for your pet, however you need to be careful how you word this in your Will to ensure the beneficiary only receives the cash gift on the basis he/she agrees to look after your pet.

If you cannot find anyone who would be willing to welcome your pet into their home, you can request that your pet is looked after by an animal charity instead. Lots of charities accept pets that have been left homeless as a result of their owner’s death, such as the RSPCA, The Cinnamon Trust and Home for Life service. They provide peace of mind that your pets will be rehomed and if you use these facilities you may wish to consider leaving a legacy to the relevant charity as a “thank you”.

Bells are a specialist Wills, Probate and Conveyancing practice. The office opens five days a week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and home and hospital appointments can be arranged where appropriate.

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21

STAR GAZING WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the March Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include the Spring Equinox, a crescent moon between two star clusters, and early morning planet spotting.

International Space Station

Summer Time officially starting on March 27th, this view occurs at the slightly more sociable hour of 6am.

Did you know…

There are 88 constellations in the sky, depicting 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects and 17 humans or mythological characters. The official list was drawn up in 1922 by the International Astronomical Union. Before this date many other star patterns were known, such as Anser the goose, Tarandus the reindeer, and Testudo the turtle, but these are no longer recognized. The areas covered by each constellation are not all equal: Hydra, the water snake is the largest constellation taking up 3.16% of the night sky, whilst the smallest is Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, a beautiful pattern of stars not visible from the UK that takes up a mere 0.17%.

The ISS can be spotted early in the morning until the 11th. Viewing then switches to the evening skies from the 17th. 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

Venus

The start of longer daylight hours commences on March 20th at the Spring Equinox. This marks the first of two dates (the second being the Autumn Equinox) when daylight hours equal the number of night-time hours, wherever you are on Earth (equinox comes from the Latin meaning ‘equal night’).

The equinoxes are the best time of year to determine the main compass point directions relative to your own home, as the Sun rises due east, sets due west, and is due south at midday. Try remembering these positions relative to a building or a tree.

Mercury

Our smallest planet is incredibly hard to spot during the first few days of March, low in the southeast just before dawn. It is much better placed for viewing next month.

Venus

Venus continues to dazzle as the morning star, rising around 4.45am in the southeast.

Mars

Mars rises a little after Venus, and is the much fainter object to its lower right.

Mars 27th

Saturn

28th

View SE 27th & 28th March at 6am Trees requiredAldebaran if possible–– the black bar represents the horizon. Dawn sky colours please – lighter at the bottom and tored thegiant left star Pleiades (or the Seven Sisters) Hyades (or the head of Taurus the Bull)

Jupiter

Our largest planet is lost in the Sun’s glare this month.

Moon

March’s full moon occurs on the 18th. A crescent Moon joins a trio of planets early on the mornings of the 27th and 28th (see figure). Due to British 22

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8th March: View high in the southwest at 7pm, the Moon lies close to the Hyades and Pleiades star clusters

Summer Time officially starting on March 27th, this view occurs at the slightly more sociable hour of 6am.

Did you know…

There are 88 constellations in the sky, depicting 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects and 17 humans or mythological characters. The official list was drawn up in 1922 by the International Astronomical Union. Before this date many other star patterns were known, such as Anser the goose, Tarandus the reindeer, and Testudo the turtle, but these are no longer recognized. The areas covered by each constellation are not all equal: Hydra, the water snake is the largest constellation taking up 3.16% of the night sky, whilst the smallest is Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, a beautiful pattern of stars not visible from the UK that takes up a mere 0.17%.

Venus

Mars 27th

Saturn

28th

View SE 27th & 28th March at 6am Trees requiredAldebaran if possible–– the black bar represents the horizon. Dawn sky colours please – lighter at the bottom and tored thegiant left star Pleiades (or the Seven Sisters) Hyades (or the head of Taurus the Bull)

8th March: View high in the southwest at 7pm, the Moon lies close to the Hyades and Pleiades star clusters Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

23

Ducks: dabbler or diver?

Winter into spring is a wonderful time to see wildlife, and birds especially. As the cold grip of the Arctic winter takes hold on the lakes, pools and marshes of Northern Europe and Russia, huge numbers of swans, ducks and geese retreat to the relative warmth of the UK. The UK’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs and coasts offer a winter home to an estimated 2.1 million ducks!

Ducks can be split into two broad groups: dabblers and divers. As the name suggests, diving ducks feed mainly by diving underwater, using their strong feet (and sometimes their wings) to swim and chase fish, scoop up insects or graze on tasty aquatic plants. These ducks can be seen year-round, but winter brings a boost in numbers as migrant birds arrive. Some species, like scaup and smew, are mostly winter visitors and are rarely seen during summer.

Examples of diving ducks you may spot (though some are more widespread than others) include pochard, tufted duck, scaup, goldeneye, eider, smew, goosander and red-breasted merganser. The latter three species are known as sawbills, a sub-group of ducks so named for the sawlike serrations on their slim bills that help them catch and hold fish.

wigeon, pintail, shoveler and teal. There are helpful tips to help identify each of these ducks on the Wildlife Trust website at hiwwt.org.uk/ wildlife.

One useful trick for identifying ducks (especially females) is to examine the speculum. The speculum is a coloured patch on the secondary flight feathers, which are the feathers at the trailing edge of the wing, close to the body. The speculum is often a distinctive colour and can easily be seen in flight, and often when birds are swimming or standing.

Also consider that for some ducks, the plumage of males and females of the same species can look markedly different.

This applies to many, but not all, birds.

The Wildlife Trusts cares for many wetland nature reserves across the UK, providing the perfect habitat for our breeding ducks and winter visitors. In our region, Blashford Lakes and Farlington Marshes are two Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust nature reserves that boast healthy duck populations.

Dabbling ducks, however, feed predominantly at the surface, sometimes even grazing on land. Many dabblers can often be seen upending, with their heads underwater and their hind parts in the air.

Species of dabbling ducks you may chance your binoculars upon include mallard, gadwall, 24

Pair of mallards

Photo: Jon Hawkins, Surrey Hills Photography

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25

The Adventures of Daichi

The Modern Magazines Camper Van My dream has always been to have a sea view. The blue beyond, the changing skies and the soft sand to take endless walks has been an illusion of mine for many years.

Daichi, our Modern Magazines campervan of course loves his trips to the seaside, and you see him with his surfboard and dolphin as he travels around our British Isles. So, you may have noticed we have been ‘quiet’ for a couple of months with no stories to tell of journeys near or far. Well, I am delighted to say that we have moved… to that very place I dreamed of… overlooking the delightful blue shimmering sea and sands of Weymouth Beach. It may not be a Greek Island or a Caribbean beach, but Daichi is in his element - and so are we! Not only have we moved our location, but in addition to that we bought an ice-cream parlour to go with it. How outrageous is that!

Weymouth is wonderful. It has character, local people who care for each other and a sense of community.

It can be very lively (we have yet to

Horses, and dogs, play in the “garden” 26

Me and my view! spend a whole summer here…) and yet is very peaceful at night when the stars are out, and the silky sand is deserted. The beach is my new garden and I do laugh about sharing it with others and having to build a bigger fence, but seriously I love it.

Each morning I wake up I go into the lounge, smile and say, “Hello view!”

This came out of the blue, literally.

I suppose it is a lesson in keeping a dream alive, no matter how surreal it may seem. Some may remember that we visited Bovisand and then Cawsand in between various Lockdowns of 2020. I saw a shop front in Cawsand, overlooking the sea, that was for sale with a flat above it. I laughed and said “oh that would make a great Ice-cream Parlour. Little did I know.

You do have to be careful what you decide sometimes… We even looked at other properties that were for sale there, which again looked out to that far reaching beyond, the waters of our English Channel. Devon and Cornwall are amazing, but moving that far away, let alone a Greek island,

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

really was not what we wanted, so it was a dream I could create, without seriously considering it. So I thought.

However, on returning home I started to look at properties in Dorset with sea views. I came across one which said ‘12-bedroom house, Weymouth Esplanade £380,000’. I could not believe it, so we made an appointment to see it. Well, it turned out to be a Guest House. The people were lovely and I could see the appeal. We looked at 5 or 6 more of these Guest Houses, but then I saw what we have now… two holiday flats, an owner’s flat and an ice-cream parlour on the Esplanade with everything in the town just five minutes walk away. Ten months later we made it! That is the shortened version… We have renovated the parlour with its bright pink seats and mint green walls which should be open by the time you read this. We have a juke box with good old sixties music, two rooms with 28 seats inside and seating for 16 more outside. It is not anything we have done before.

Hayden will run it with Emma and Lindsey who fortunately do know what they are doing. “Wafflicious” is

Wafflicious will be ready for you...

I do love to be beside the seaside its name, and we will have waffles (it is all in the name you know…), delicious Marshfield ice-cream, homemade cakes, coffee, tea and even ice-cream for your dog. With a dog friendly beach all year round, it is a great place to bring your four-legged friend for the run of his or her life. I watch them daily jumping, swimming, darting around and catching balls. It is a delight to see. The holiday lets are as the previous owner left them with a few changes and ready to welcome guests. We already have bookings which is great.

With a new shop front office for our magazines, just five minutes walk away, I could not be happier. It has been a test of persistence, that is for sure, but it shows that a dream can become a reality and sometimes you get even more than you bargained for! Daichi will be visiting lots of local places and for sure he will update you on the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys of serving ice-cream. He may put on some weight and eat all the profits if we are not careful! Could you ever imagine that? Daichi and the family hope you have some dreams too… you never know where they may lead you.

By Debbie Corney

really was not what we wanted, so it was a dream I could create, without seriously considering it. So I thought.

However, on returning home I started to look at properties in Dorset with sea views. I came across one which said ‘12-bedroom house, Weymouth Esplanade £380,000’. I could not believe it, so we made an appointment to see it. Well, it turned out to be a Guest House. The people were lovely and I could see the appeal. We looked at 5 or 6 more of these Guest Houses, but then I saw what we have now… two holiday flats, an owner’s flat and an ice-cream parlour on the Esplanade with everything in the town just five minutes walk away. Ten months later we made it! That is the shortened version… We have renovated the parlour with its bright pink seats and mint green walls which should be open by the time you read this. We have a juke box with good old sixties music, two rooms with 28 seats inside and seating for 16 more outside. It is not anything we have done before.

Hayden will run it with Emma and Lindsey who fortunately do know what they are doing. “Wafflicious” is

Wafflicious will be ready for you...

I do love to be beside the seaside its name, and we will have waffles (it is all in the name you know…), delicious Marshfield ice-cream, homemade cakes, coffee, tea and even ice-cream for your dog. With a dog friendly beach all year round, it is a great place to bring your four-legged friend for the run of his or her life. I watch them daily jumping, swimming, darting around and catching balls. It is a delight to see. The holiday lets are as the previous owner left them with a few changes and ready to welcome guests. We already have bookings which is great.

With a new shop front office for our magazines, just five minutes walk away, I could not be happier. It has been a test of persistence, that is for sure, but it shows that a dream can become a reality and sometimes you get even more than you bargained for! Daichi will be visiting lots of local places and for sure he will update you on the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys of serving ice-cream. He may put on some weight and eat all the profits if we are not careful! Could you ever imagine that? Daichi and the family hope you have some dreams too… you never know where they may lead you.

By Debbie Corney

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27

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 a new column beginning in this issue, Martin Lewis discusses the perils of car insurance.

The cost of motoring is highly topical right now. From soaring fuel prices to electric cars right the way through to low emission zones, we’ve perhaps never had to fight our way through so much commotion and noise where our wheels are concerned.

While so much seems fluid as far as the affordability of our cars goes, one thing that seems constant – constantly high – is the cost of car insurance.

I’m always asked what people should look for when they are searching for car insurance, and above everything else I would recommend they focus on price.

be a better product.

Price should and will always be the core driver for most people because car insurance is a grudge purchase.

As for securing that best price, while most insurers are on price comparison sites, some – Aviva, Direct Line etc. – are not, so check between the two and always try to go through a cashback site to bring down the price further.

Finally, a word about gender equality on car insurance

I think there’s a slight myth in the insurance world that if you pay more you are going to get a better claim. If you’re going for a high-street insurance policy and you pay £300 or £500, don’t assume that the £500 will premiums. A few years ago regulations came in designed to make things more equal, but all the evidence shows there is still a large disparity between prices

28

for men and women.

I’ve wrestled with this a lot – car insurance prices represent a behavioural difference between a man and a woman, so why should we be stereotyped that we will all behave like the rest of our gender?

Having said that, should we not be allowed to discriminate on age as well because an 18-year-old drives in a different way to a 58-yearold?

Ultimately, insurance is a risk-based product and there are always winners and losers in these things.

Funnily enough, in the first big campaign for gender equality in insurance, the big loser was young women because their prices went up, which is perhaps not always what people think of when they talk about equality campaigns: women losing out. So, there’s a balance between principle and practice here, and I think principle can win at practice’s cost.

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A selection of locations to choose from...

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Retreat @ Rockley - Cozy and relaxing two bedroom park home with views across Poole Harbour and close to beach airbnb.com/h/retreatatrockley

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31

Feeding Rabbits Sadly many of the problems we see in pet rabbits stem from their diet- often these are the results of long-term issues and so are almost impossible to correct. Fortunately, it does mean that these problems are preventable!

In particular, dental disease and gut stasis are commonly associated with dietary issues. Even fly strike risk is increased by poor diet resulting in failure to remove the edible faeces from round the back end.

A recent study performed by Edinburgh University confirmed these findings- different groups of rabbits were fed diets ranging from all fibre (especially hay) to all muesli concentrate diet.

Unsurprisingly, those in the all-fibre group had the healthiest teeth and the healthiest guts.

They were also in best overall shape. Sadly some of those in the all-muesli group had to be removed from the trial as they began developing severe dental disease even in a few months: many of these rabbits also became clinically obese. Of the rabbits in the mixed diet group, there signs of dental disease developing and they were fatter than those having just fibre.

Are we surprised? Not really- rabbits evolved to eat fibre (ie. Grass and hay) so it makes sense that they are happiest and healthiest when eating these. Concentrate and muesli rations were basically developed for feeding production rabbits (ie those destined for food and fur) and are not designed for longevity. They have become popular amongst pet rabbit owners as they are so easy to feed.

by John Chitty mrcvs from Anton Vets If possible, this should be all-fibre- unlimited hay and grass should be the basis of all rabbit diets from as young an age as possible.

Contrary to some advise, rabbits do not get diarrhoea if fed grass, unless they are suddenly given large amounts of fresh wet grass when they have never seen grass before: to avoid this? If your rabbit is unused to grass, then introduce it gradually over 5-7 days!

Greens should be added for interestdandelions and garden herbs are excellent, but a range of dark green leaves and brassicas can be given. To avoid dietary overload, used mixed greens each day.

Carrots are not a staple of the rabbit diet (apart from Bugs Bunny, of course!) but can be given in small amounts along with apple or pear as treats.

There are some situations where concentrate food is desirable- eg. growing rabbits; pregnancy/ nursing; and in the coldest parts of winter. In these cases, use one of the high fibre nuggets or a top brand pellet and do not exceed a level of 25g/kg bodyweight per day.

Muesli diets encourage selective feeding as well as causing the problems described earlier, so should be avoided completely.

It would be wonderful if we could prevent dental disease in rabbits. While genetics do play some part, improved nutrition would make the biggest difference.

However, it is becoming obvious that something must change- one major pet store now no longer stocks muesli-type diets, and as rabbit owners we need to be looking to give a much more natural diet.

32

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01264 729 165

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Vet on site 24 hours a day, every day

Full supervision for hospitalised patients Unit 11 Anton Business Park Anton Mill Road Hampshire SP10 2NJ @antonvets search ‘Anton Vets’ 24 hour emergency care

Puzzle Page Answers SUDOKUWEB

Suko #013 Solution You must also make sure that each colour total is correct.

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33

The Hairy Bikers’ DairyFree, Vegan Brownies Introduction Si, from the Hairy Bikers: The baking revolution of the Noughties was really something to behold, and the momentum of that in the years since has never slowed down.

As a duo, we always felt we had unfinished baking business ahead of our Bakeation series, not least because being on the road, on motorbikes, does limit your ability to use an oven.

Also, I think in some ways, baking can easily get pushed to one side when the necessity is there to get home and cook a meal for your family.

Lockdown finally afforded more time to play about with baking ideas and ingredients, and this dairy-free variation on the classic brownie was one of my absolute favourites.

These brownies contain no butter and no eggs, and are vegan friendly, and beauties still taste fantastic. Give them a try!

Ingredients

baking paper or brush with cake-release spray.

using the tip of a knife. Don’t mix it up too much!

2. Whisk the milk, oil and vanilla extract together in a bowl and set aside. Mix the ground flax seeds with the hot water and leave to stand for 5 minutes. Whisk all the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate chips and the nut butter, together in a separate bowl.

5. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the brownies have just set. Leave to cool completely, then cut into squares. If you want them extra fudgy, put them in the fridge for several hours. Otherwise transfer to an airtight container.

(serves 8-12)

• 275ml plant-based milk, any sort • 150ml groundnut or walnut oil • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp ground flax seeds • 60ml hot water • 125g plain flour • 125g cocoa powder • ½ tsp baking powder • 100g light soft brown sugar • 75g caster sugar • ½ tsp salt • 150g vegan chocolate chips • 100g nut butter, any sort

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/ Fan 160°C/Gas mark 4. Line a 20x20cm brownie tin with

34

3. Beat the flax seeds into the wet ingredients, then add the dry mixture and fold in as gently as you can. Add the chocolate chips.

4. Scrape the mixture into the prepared tin. Dot spoonfuls of the nut butter all over the batter, then swirl it through,

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

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35

Greenfingers… the Alan Titchmarsh column He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh talks about how our gardens can move us to a place of peace.

While gardens mean different things to all of us, it’s when I venture into these tranquil spaces that I truly get a sense of their calming and healing power, and I find that hugely enriching. Most gardens and landscapes naturally come with a real feeling of gentleness – from the choice of flowers and plants, to gentle sweeps and curves that guide the eye onwards, to a softness and subtlety that may be a world away from some of the physical or emotional struggles we are going through; and I feel it is this dramatic contrast that really transports someone back to a place of comfort, even if just for a little while.

What is also really important for me when I visit gardens

at hospices and hospitals, is the reminder that these spaces are not just for those who are residents. They also give hope, clarity, peace and a sense of calm to visiting families and, most importantly, the people who work there.

Certainly, with everything that has happened over the past couple of years with Covid, and the realisation that we need to consider and protect workers and staff who look after us, I would like to think those on the frontline can wrestle back their own sense of contentment when soaking up the fresh air and beauty of a garden, where they can move away from a job that’s very hard and emotionally draining.

I would like to see more attention given to gardens and outdoor spaces in our health institutions, and in workspaces in general. They are more important than we imagine.

36

Simple sweeps of flowers, plants and foliage are inspiring; the sight of an olive tree can move our minds to far-off places; and we all know how calming a cascade of water can be. It’s all very peaceful and there’s nothing complicated or frenetic.

Gardens are evolving, living things that are always changing – in fact they’re much like us in that respect! For me, on those days where I feel everything’s a bit fraught and frantic, and when I just can’t get to grips with anything, I go to sit in the garden or potter about to find myself, and it really works!

Life is a compromise, and you can’t always be on top of things, but gardens truly prove to me the healing qualities that exist within nature, and we’re so fortunate to have them.

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

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37

Advertisers Index

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

Appliance Repairs

Events

Mobility Products &

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

T.A.Spacagna 15 .................................................................................................................................................................

The Lights 19 Services

A to B Mobility ............................................................................................

7 ............................................................................................

DF Mobility 15 ............................................................................................

Inspire Mobility 30

Bathrooms

Funeral Directors

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AHM Installations Ltd 14 .................................................................................................................................................................

AH Cheater & Sons 35

Pest Control Services

............................................................................................

Pest Control Test Valley 35

Builders

Garage Doors

JS Building Services .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

14 .................................................................................................................................................................

Fix My Garage Door 37 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Paul Jones & Co 37 .................................................................................................................................................................

Skandoor 9 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

SB Renovations 21 Pet Services .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Willmont Building Services 30 ............................................................................................

Anton Vets 33

Garage Services

Premier Car Care .................................................................................................................................................................

30 .................................................................................................................................................................

ReversePark 17 Plumbers .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Input Joinery 29 .................................................................................................................................................................

Scratched Cars 33 ............................................................................................

DJ Harris 30 .................................................................................................................................................................

Test Valley Car Breakers 21 ............................................................................................

Humphrey & Crockett 40

Carpenters

............................................................................................

NO.1 PHD 2

Carpets & Flooring

Garden Services .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fletcher Flooring 11 .................................................................................................................................................................

Andover Patio Centre 15 Roofing Services .................................................................................................................................................................

ATH Machinery 13 ............................................................................................

Right Roof 30 .................................................................................................................................................................

Romsey Stump Grinding & 14 ............................................................................................

Work Smart Roofing 1,3 Landscaping Charities .................................................................................................................................................................

The Handyman & Garden Co Ltd 37 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

CPRE Hampshire C/O Sparsholt 12 College Hampshire

Solicitors Health Clinics

............................................................................................

Bells Solicitors 20

.................................................................................................................................................................

The Dove Clinic 21

Chimney Sweeps

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Toast (Southern) Ltd 37

Taxi Services Hearing Services Computer Services

............................................................................................

Apex Cars 7

.................................................................................................................................................................

Winchester Hearing Centre 13

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Widenet Computer Services Ltd 17

Will Writing Services Holiday Accommodation Drainage Services

............................................................................................

Dorset & Wight Wills 25

.................................................................................................................................................................

The Location Collection 31

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

NO.1 PHD 2

Memorial Stonemasons

Windows, Doors & Conservatories

............................................................................................

Alpha Glazing Ltd 9 Lockerley Stone .................................................................................................................................................................

33 ............................................................................................

G S Windows Ltd 5 .................................................................................................................................................................

M.J.Sly Monumental Sculptor 37 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Peak Electrics 37 ............................................................................................

KJM 1 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

RG Electrix 7 ............................................................................................

Outlook Window Systems Ltd 39 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Romsey Electrical Services 17

Electricians

38

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499

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39

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THE TEST VALLEY Gazette • www.modernmagazines.co.uk