Feature

Of Monks and Airmen

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Autumn arrives with a flurry of leaves and the hint of a chill. Done picking the blackberries, we’ll wait for the sloes to be frosted, before we introduce them to the gin that waits for them too. In orchards, apples no longer aloft languish in long grass beneath rapidly balding boughs. On warmer days in slanting sunlight, sleepy wasps buzz about their bruised, browning flesh. The nights draw in, suddenly it seems. We retreat into our home, close the doors and pull together the curtains. We shut out the gathering gloom and allay all thoughts of oncoming winter.

And Halloween comes, when it’s said the veils that separate the world of the living from that of the dead become thin and porous. Traditionally, we’d light candles to guide our departed loved ones back to us and set them a place at the table. Turnips and pumpkins would be carved into grotesque faces to ward off evil - and offerings of food were left on the doorstep to placate malevolent spirits. It was and still is, a time for feasting, dressing up in costumes, games and storytelling.

And these might be my Halloween tales to tell. I last heard this first one many years ago; the teller is no longer with us, so sadly I can’t ask them to tell it to me afresh. I believe it took place in the ’70s and this is how I remember it…

Parked up one night outside Beaulieu Abbey Domus, a woman sits in the car and waits for her husband. He’s there after-hours on some business and she’s come along for the ride. Sat there alone in the darkness, I suspect that time trickles by slowly for her.

By and by her husband returns to the car, together with a staff member who apologises for keeping him so long. She says it’s alright, that she’s been listening to the recording of the monks singing, like they do. Must have been playing from somewhere inside the ruins, for the tourists she supposes..? Excellent, logical explanation in theory, but apparently anything visitor-related had long since been switched off for the day. The chanting of the Monks that she thought she’d heard? Whatever it was, it was no recording. Postscript: And it seems she hasn’t been the only one to hear the chants - others have reported similar experiences.

Here is another tale, one such as might be shared of a Halloween night, autumnal gusts rattling the letter box and rain thrashing wetly at the windows. This one is mine.

It was a Saturday morning and I had some tasks to finish off at the office. I didn’t usually work weekends and I wasn’t planning on being there long, so my husband came with me. We were going on from there once I was done – shopping I think.

Sat at my desk, I saw a movement to my left at the far end of the open-plan space. We were alone in the building and the doors were locked, so assuming it was my beloved with that promised cup of coffee, I looked up expectantly. A tall, slim figure wearing what I’d describe as a beige boiler suit was just disappearing around the corner and out of my field of vision. He most definitely was not my shorter, stockier, jeans-clad husband. Startled, confused, I sat for a moment then got up from my desk, just as my husband came rushing out of the kitchen towards me.

“I’ve just seen some bloke walk past. I think he’s gone into the loos.” He exclaimed, looking as startled and confused as I felt. “I saw him too. Wearing overalls?” He nodded “Yes, biscuit-coloured.” We both went and searched the toilets, which were located down a dead-end corridor. Although we can’t explain why, neither of us were the least bit surprised that no-one was there.

I should mention here that the office was located in a brick-walled Nissen hut. It was situated on the periphery of an airfield; both RAF and USAAF squadrons had used it as a base during WW2. And the beige overalls? Can’t be sure of course, but they looked very much like a flying suit.

Holey Moley – Let’s look at the importance of aeration

We mostly look at our lawns from above, judging their health by the appearance of their leaves. Let’s take a moment to consider what’s going on beneath the surface and the importance of the soil structure in the health of your lawn.

When it comes to an iceberg, we all know that there’s much more going on under the surface of the sea than there is above. Your lawn isn’t dissimilar. Within the soil, a network of roots not only anchors the plant, but also acts as it’s access to essential nutrients and moisture. Without a healthy, fully functional and well-developed root system your grass plant is never going to thrive.

Mind the gaps

Believe it or not, roots don’t actually grow in soil. Roots grow in the gaps within the soil, working their way deep into the ground through the network of tiny crack between the minerals and organic matter that makes up what we call soil. In order for soil to be healthy it should comprise of 25% air, 25% water, 45% minerals – that’s what you get when large rocks are broken down over time. And let’s not forget the remaining 5% which is humus. Not the chickpea dip, humus is the organic matter created when animals and plants decompose and it’s the essential food source for life within the soil.

As soil forms from the action of weather on rocks, plants begin to grow in it. These plants mature then die and new ones grow in their place. The leaves and roots of the dead plants are added to the soil. In addition, animals eat plants and other animals and their waste and, when they die, their bodies are added to the soil. Bacteria, fungi, worms and other creatures that live in the soil break down plant litter and the animal waste or remains and these then become the organic matter which help create healthy soil.

Life’s essentials

All living things need three essentials to survive. Whether you’re an elephant or an earthworm, unless you have water, air and food you’re not going to survive for very long. Restrict any of these three essentials and that living thing is going to suffer and struggle to be healthy. Your grass plants are no different and neither are the microbes within the soil that are critical to the health of your lawn.

Compaction – it’s a hard life

Now you have a bit of background about what your lawn soil is made up of and what makes it healthy, let’s talk about the importance of air gaps within your soil. Our lawns get a lot of foot traffic. We are out there barbecuing, kicking a ball around, playing with the dog or pegging out the laundry. Over time this foot traffic can compact the soil beneath your lawn, gradually reducing the air gaps which are essential to life. Less air means fewer insects that break down dead plant material. It also means less microbial activity and this is a major issue. These beneficial microbes create a relationship with the plant roots, they make important nutrients available to the plant and they produce growth hormones and help protect the plant from pests, parasites and diseases. Fewer microbes means that the balance of nature is being upset – don’t upset Mother Nature!

Feeling gassy

Air gaps within the soil are also essential for the health of the plant. Without air your grass would die. Plants don’t just breathe through their leaves, for roots to be healthy they too must breathe. Roots take in oxygen through tiny hairs within the gaps in the soil, they use this oxygen and then expel carbon dioxide. If the plant roots have limited access to air gaps within the soil then this gaseous exchange is compromised and the plant will be weakened, making it less vigorous and more susceptible to attack from pests and disease.

Loosen up man

So, you may we wonder what we can do to help nature along and create a healthier environment for all this subterranean activity. The answer is aeration. What’s aeration I hear you ask. Let me explain; aeration is the mechanical introduction of air spaces within your lawn soil to provide the essential balance needed to support soil life and healthy roots. In its most simple form, you could do this with a garden fork. Stamp the fork into the ground, rock it back and forth, remove and repeat - over the whole lawn area. Trust me, this is really hard work and there are better ways to work up a sweat. Lawn care professionals use a petrol-powered machine specifically designed for the task. It’s still hard work but its far more effective than a garden fork. The aerator is fitted with a metal tine that is driven deep into the ground to create a hole. If a hollow tine is used it pulls out a small plug of soil which is deposited on the surface of the lawn and soon breaks down. The surrounding soil now has the space to ‘relax’ into the hole, creating cracks and gaps within the soil and more air spaces essential to life. These newly created holes also allow dead plant matter into the soil where it can decompose and be broken down by insects and beneficial microbes, therefore creating a heathier soil environment.

Root pruning

The sharp edge of a hollow tine cuts into the soil and also cuts through the roots of the grass plants. When these roots re-grow, they do so in a more fibrous way and this gives them a greater surface area. More roots mean more access to food, water and air – the essentials for a healthy plant. Aeration is by far the most beneficial mechanical process for any lawn and should ideally happen at least once a year.

Drainage issues

Finally, compaction issues are often responsible for water-logging. When the air gaps become filled with water instead of air, they prevent the roots from accessing the essential air needed for life. The lack of air in the soil also impacts the life of beneficial bacteria and promotes the life of damaging bacteria which reproduce in anaerobic environments. This virtual ‘soil death’ will result in actual grass plant death. Regular aeration relieves compaction which can reduce waterlogging.

Ian Kenyon sits on the committee of the UK Lawn Care Association and runs Shrekfeet Professional Lawncare. He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help: 01962 460146 www.shrekfeet.com

Curtis Museum & Allen Gallery

Allen Gallery October - Exhibitions

Ceramicus is a group of ten local potters and a sculptor. They are delighted to be returning to the Allen Gallery after three successful exhibitions between 2014 and 2019. This talented local group will be presenting their latest work – giving visitors a chance to buy unique items direct from the artists for the home, or as a gift.

The exhibition will show a wide range of throwing, hand-building and sculpting techniques. Firing methods include oriental wood firings, simple outdoor Raku kilns as well as those using modern kiln technology. Many types of surfaces and colours are on display, including stoneware, porcelain, exciting Raku and the fascinating colours obtained from wood firing.

25th September – 31st October (FREE in the Main Exhibition area.)

The exhibition by Local artist Alex Loach continues to 10th Oct. (FREE in the Café area.)

Talks

Gilbert White & Alton - A talk by Jane Hurst Although White lived in Selborne, he had many connections in Alton - a sister-in-law and two nieces lived here; he shopped at drapers and ironmongers in the town and bought wine from the Swan. Come and learn about Gilbert's Alton. Thursday 7th October 7.30pm - £6.50 per ticket from the Gallery.

The Bridge Pottery of Beauworth

A talk by William Barham, whose fascination with Dorothy Watson, the founder of the Pottery, began with his family’s use of her wares. His recent book Forty Years a Potter: Dorothy Watson and the Bridge Pottery, 1921-1961 enlarges on the life of a woman who set up a successful business in the years after the Great War, when female entrepreneurs were thin on the ground. Thursday 14th October 7.30pm. FREE but donations to the Friends most welcome.

Gilbert White of Selborne and his Tortoise

Dr June Chatfield OBE Dr Chatfield provides an introduction to Gilbert White for the tricentenary of his birth (actually 2020 but held over). This talk will explore his life in Selborne and observations on his tortoise Timothy, which he acquired from his aunt. Thursday 28th October 7.30pm - £6.50 per ticket from the Gallery. Curtis Museum October

Worldham Park and King Edward’s Hill? A new book by Jane Hurst. This meticulously researched book traces the history of an area of East Worldham which has seen many changes of fortune and ownership. Some famous names have been connected with the Hill and surrounding Park - King John, Edward III, and Geoffrey Chaucer’s son Thomas. At times the Park has been enclosed, but often the owners were chastised for neglect which affected the King’s hunting. A fascinating read for the amateur historian. £3 from the Museum.

Opening Times Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Curtis 10am – 4pm. Allen 10.30 – 3.30pm Tel: 01420 82802

Community Information Volunteers

Age Concern Hampshire’s Community Information Volunteers (previously known as Village Agents), help people – and their family, friends and carers – find the information and support they need to stay living safely and independently. • Find – Provide information on a range of topics, such as finding help to manage around the home, social activities locally or what government help someone may be eligible for. • Help – Get to know the local charities and support groups working in the area and can help put people in touch with the right help at the right time. • Connect – Provide a bit of tailored support to help a person to get connected to the service they need. This may be making a phone call, filling in a form on their behalf of making first introductions to a group.

Examples include: reviewing benefit eligibility; completing forms, such as Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge; locating tradespeople for your home and garden; finding transport; signposting to home services, such as cleaners and meal delivery, and much more.

You can contact Denise, Alresford’s Community Information Volunteer, on 07969 376023 or enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk