ENVIRONMENT FEATURE
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Trust - Lady of the Stream
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
OUR REGULAR FEATURE Wrinkles by Lucia Foster-Found
WIN FAMILY FESTIVAL TICKETS
To Good Festival (see page 8)
Cover Image: Evening sunlight on bluebells in the woods near Hambledon
Durley – Price Guide
Unique, single storey country cottage, situated in a sought after semi-rural lane location within the village of Durley. The property, is set within established cottage gardens and offers great potential for new owners to enhance and personalise as their own. The property is charmingly documented in a local history book, which indicates it could have dated from the late eighteenth century. The accommodation has a good sized sitting/dining room with fireplace, kitchen/ breakfast room and a utility/larder room. There are two bedrooms and a generous sized bathroom. Outside, the well stocked gardens extend to the front, sides and rear with an in and out driveway to the front.
Bishop's Waltham – Price Guide
Freehold
A great opportunity to purchase a superbly situated home, just a short walk away from the town centre. The property, has been built to a lovely traditional design and forms part of a small collection of homes, built by Mapledean during 2006. Inside, the house benefits from a spacious and well equipped kitchen/breakfast room, double aspect living room, dining room. Up-stairs there are four good sized bedrooms, en-suite to the main bedroom and family bathroom. Outside, the rear garden is attractively landscaped and has rear access leading to the parking and detached garage.
Bishop's Waltham – Price Guide £695,000
Impressive five bedroom detached home, lying in a great residential cul-de-sac location within a convenient distance of the town centre. The property was first completed during 2014 and offers the benefits of a newer, energy improved home which includes, gas heating, double glazing and fitted solar panels. There is also the advantage of a detached purpose built double garage and adjoining carport which provides for plenty of covered parking/storage or for additional leisure room/work room use. The accommodation offers the opportunity for perfect family living and entertaining.
Waltham Chase – Price Guide £750,000
Delightful bespoke and traditionally designed home, lying impressively within established gardens in a great convenient semi-rural location between the villages of Waltham Chase and Curdridge. The property offers superbly proportioned, spacious and beautifully presented accommodation which in brief comprises: Four bedrooms with en-suite to the main bedroom and family bathroom. There is a fabulous sitting room overlooking and opening to the garden, a spacious triple aspect kitchen/dining room, utility room and a separate study. Outside, the gardens have been sympathetically landscaped and are completed with an oak framed garage and carport & parking.
Any 3 Windows
Any 4 Windows
Any 5 Windows
Any 6 Windows
Any 7 Windows
Any 8 Windows
Any 9 Windows
Any 10 Windows
Any 11 Windows
Any 12 Windows
Any 13 Windows
Any 14 Windows
Any 15 Windows
After Makeover
off all makeover orders taken in May Makeovers up to 50% cheaper than fitting a new kitchen!
Before Makeover
∙ Change all your drawers, doors, panels and plinths
∙ New worktops can be fitted
∙ Small amendmants to existing cabinetry and layout can be made
∙ Built in ovens can be changed to eye level ovens
Before Makeover After Makeover
Make your OLD kitchen a NEW kitchen for a fraction of the cost of buying a new kitchen
We manufacture our doors to order to bespoke sizes, so it doesn't matter who made your kitchen we have the sizes to fit.
Whether you want to just change your doors, or change everything you can see on the face, we can utilise your existing units, and change all the trims and panels, just like in the photos above, yes that really was a makeover, with a couple of small changes.
Call us today for a free of charge home visit.
Happy Kitchens are quite unique as we are able to offer top quality products, available in any size, fitted by the best professionals in the business. Change your kitchen and bedroom with a makeover or design and install a new kitchen and bedroom, whichever suits your needs or price range.
8 year winner of the Best of Houzz award and one of the highest reviewed kitchen companies on Houzz in the UK
SATURDAY 16TH JUNE DUMMER, BASINGSTOKE
WIN a family ticket* to Good Festival on Saturday 16th June at Dummer Down Farm, a festival raising funds for the Hampshire Medical Fund.
1. Follow @goodfestival and @hampshiremedicalfund on Instagram
2. Comment ‘GOOD TIMES’ on our ticket giveaway post
Giveaway closes on 16th May. Winner will be contacted via Instagram. Find out more at goodfestival.co.uk.
T&Cs: Person entering must be at least 18 years of age.
*Two adults and up to three children
The Country House Company presents two historic homes in Hampshire FOR SALE, SOBERTON
The Towers was constructed in the late 19th century and has previously served as a private residence, a prep school and a home for Wrens stationed at HMS Mercury in the war. In the late 1970s, it was sympathetically converted into nine homes.
This prestigious property historically the main entrance to the house, retains its elegant façade and the original commemorative plaque laid in recognition of its designer, the late Colonel Bashford.
It is one of the most privately situated properties within the development and the only one to benefit from approximately one acre of grounds.
TO LET, PETERSFIELD
Having been sympathetically restored and refurbished by the current owner, its accommodation is both impressive in its presentation and versatile in its configuration.
Stunning character features have been retained throughout the property to include ornate ceiling cornices, oak panelling, fireplaces, shuttered sash windows and parquet flooring with newly fitted kitchen and bathrooms to ensure comfortable modern living.
Tel: 01730 771222
management@countryhousecompany.co.uk
sales@countryhousecompany.co.uk
lettings@countryhousecompany.co.uk countryhousecompany.co.uk
Making the most of your pension annual allowance is a great way to boost your retirement savings tax-efficiently. But complex rules around calculating individual allowances mean many people risk exceeding limits and facing surprise tax bills.
Figures from HMRC show the number of people who reported pension contributions exceeding their annual allowance soared from just 5,450 in 2015/161 to 53,330 in 2021/221. Meanwhile, the total value of contributions exceeding the allowance rocketed from £143m to £1.2bn2
Understanding your pension annual allowance and managing it effectively is essential to avoid unexpected tax charges. A financial adviser can offer advice on your individual circumstances but here are some of the key considerations.
The pension annual allowance is the maximum amount you can save into your pensions in any one tax year without having to pay a tax charge.
For most people, the standard annual allowance is £60,000, though you can only receive tax relief on up to 100% of your UK relevant earnings.
If you exceed the annual allowance, you’ll pay a charge, which essentially claws back any excess tax relief received. The rate of charge you’ll pay will depend on the tax band(s) that your income plus the excess contribution fall into.
For example, a higher-rate taxpayer who exceeds their annual allowance by £10,000 would pay a charge of £4,000 (£10,000 x 40%).
You may be able to ‘carry forward’ unused annual allowances from the previous three tax years.
Carry forward can be a really useful way of reducing or avoiding tax charges, as well as making use of unused annual allowances. However, the rules are complex, so please seek advice.
Although £60,000 is typical, your allowance could be lower due to the annual allowance taper if your ‘adjusted income’ exceeds
£260,000 a year and ‘threshold income’ exceeds £200,000 a year. Your allowance then reduces £1 for every £2 of excess adjusted income, down to a minimum of £10,000.
Your allowance might also fall to £10,000 if you have flexibly accessed your direct contribution (DC) pension, triggering the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA), which limits the amount of contributions you can make to DC pensions while still receiving tax relief.
In some cases, it can make sense to exceed your allowance and pay the charge, especially if receiving generous employer contributions that would cease if you stopped paying into your pension.
The rules are complex, so speaking to a financial adviser can help you evaluate your options and maximise unused tax allowances. By getting some advice, you’ll feel confident you’ve made the right decisions.
We live and work local to you. We would be delighted to help you and your family achieve financial clarity and stability.
Alice Proctor
Investment Manager
Assistant Director
E: alice.proctor@brewin.co.uk
Kirsty Simpson
Financial Planner Divisional Director
E: kirsty.simpson@brewin.co.uk
46 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8RY
T: 01962 798000
W: www.brewin.co.uk/our-offices/winchester
1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d8a45c3e5274a0849b8d7bc/Table_7_Personal_Pensions_Annual_Allowance_Statistics.pdf
2 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-and-stakeholder-pensions-statistics
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.
Bishop’s Waltham in Bloom are organising a Hidden Garden Event on Sunday 7th July from 11am to 5pm. There will be 12 private gardens opening their gates for us all to explore.
The event was last held in 2022, after a pause during the Covid pandemic. There are 4 new gardens for this year, including the allotments on Albany Road. There is plenty for you to experience and a variety of refreshments will be on sale at 6 of the venues. Some of these gardens are attached to historical properties, some to new-builds. Some are well established, some newly planted. They vary in size too.
Garden gates will be open from 11.00 until 5.00. Refreshments will be available at 6 gardens and there will be plant sales at some too.
To guide you round the gardens we publish a Garden Guide. This gives details of all the gardens opening and includes maps to help you find your way from one garden to another. It also shows where there are car parks around Bishop’s Waltham and where footpaths allow you to plan walking and cycling routes.
The guide contains some information about each garden, with a photograph, and details of the facilities each has to offer. Purchasing the guide ahead of time allows you to plan your day.
Each person will need a guide which costs £6.00; children under 16 are free. The guides will be on sale towards the end of May and throughout June and July at Best Wishes in Brook Street, Bishop’s Waltham and The Sweet Corner in the High Street of Bishop’s Waltham. We will also sell guides in Red Lion Street on the day (July 7th ) from 10.00 in the morning. We ask, though, that purchases are made in cash or by cheque at all venues.
This is a great opportunity to visit private gardens and talk to the people who have created them and who maintain them. All are enthusiastic about their own gardens and enjoy sharing them with others.
Tel: 01489 895614 bwinbloompauline@gmail.com www.bishopswalthaminbloom.org.uk
www.macdonaldoates.co.uk
Students from St Swithun’s sixth form politics class had a unique opportunity to witness democracy in action during a visit to the Houses of Parliament earlier this month.
The highlight of their visit was a meeting with the Meon Valley Member of Parliament, Flick Drummond, who engaged with the students in a lively discussion about the workings of government and the importance of political engagement.
The students were given a comprehensive tour of the historic Westminster Palace, including the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They had the chance to learn about parliamentary procedures and gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities
of MPs. Additionally, the students had the opportunity to explore the historic Supreme Court chambers as part of their visit to the Houses of Parliament.
During their meeting with Flick Drummond MP, the students had the opportunity to ask questions about her role as their representative in Parliament, as well as about current political issues affecting their community and the nation as a whole. Mrs Drummond was impressed by the students' knowledge and enthusiasm for politics, and she expressed her hope that their visit would inspire them to become more actively involved in the democratic process.
Head of Politics Alex Wilson commented on the significance of the visit, saying, "Experiential learning opportunities like this are invaluable for our students. It's one thing to read about how Parliament works in a
textbook, but actually being here and seeing it brings the subject to life in a way that simply can't be replicated in the classroom."
In response to the students' questions and enthusiasm, Flick Drummond MP remarked, "It's always a pleasure to meet with young people who are interested in politics and eager to learn more about how government functions. I hope that today's visit has inspired these students to become more actively engaged citizens and perhaps even consider a career in public service in the future."
The visit to the Houses of Parliament provided the students with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the political process and to engage directly with their elected representatives.
Stswithuns.com
The importance of early medical treatment in an emergency can be something those of us who live in rural areas are at times concerned about, especially when the news headlines contain stories of overstretched ambulance services. This is where the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) team of Community First Responders can offer vital help to the public. Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained in Basic Life Support and dealing with time-critical medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke, choking, diabetic emergencies, serious injuries, breathing difficulties, seizures, chest pains, unconscious patients and traumatic injuries. Following additional training, we are also sent to patients who may have fallen at home.
What all these situations have in common is they are time-critical and when we are dispatched to a call by the Ambulance Service, our aim is to get to a patient as quickly as we can. An Ambulance is also dispatched, as we are not Paramedics or a replacement for an Ambulance crew and we are not allowed to jump red lights or exceed
scene.
CFRs can respond to emergencies anywhere in the SCAS region but are attached to a local team, with your local Meon Valley team now being made up of seven CFRs, including Local Coordinator Jennie Ham (East Meon) Jane Warwick (Shedfield) Clive Tillbrook (East Meon) Su Lancashire (Soberton) and Debbie Westley (West Meon) as well as our latest CFRs, Suzie Brooker (East Meon) and Kev Skipper (Wickham). The Meon Valley team members meet once a month to share training and recent experiences.
We often use our own car, but recently, East Meon has become the base for a new ambulance Dynamic Response Vehicle (DRV) provided by the SCAS Charity to help the Meon Valley team. The DRV allows us to carry more equipment, such as our Mangar Elk – a lifting cushion designed to help patients off the floor.
We are also active in the community, providing Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness sessions, so please get in touch if you would like a similar session for your local group. AEDs, more commonly known as 'defibrillators' enable more people to respond to a medical emergency when a defibrillator is required. When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, their chance of survival can decrease by 10% for each minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation.
You can help the South Central Ambulance Charity in a number of ways but if you
would like to find out more about becoming a Community First Responder, please contact our Meon Valley coordinator, Jennie Ham at jennifer.ham@sca-charity.org.uk or go to the website at https://scascharity.org.uk
CFRs are only sent to emergency calls received during the hours you choose to be available (at least 20 hours per month) if you have had the relevant training and if the incident is local to your location. Becoming a CFR is a very valuable and relevant way to support your local community. Training takes place over a series of weekends with an annual refresher. It is an intense course at times, but one in which you are supported all the way through by a fun and great team of training staff and fellow CFRs.
There are other ways you can support the charity, including donating to the charity or maybe enquiring about one of the other volunteer roles at https://scascharity.org.uk/ volunteering/
If you would like to stay updated on our latest news, please do follow the “Meon Valley CFRs” Facebook page. Clive Tillbrook
MYLO ART was founded by Kate Anniss in 2014 with the aim of bringing beautiful, decorative art to interiors. They have long established connections to an extensive network of artists who work in many different styles and media. Mylo’s HQ is at Meadow, a combined gallery, coffee shop and event space housed in a wonderful, light Georgian townhouse in Stockbridge. Meadow’s ethos is one of collaboration and creativity and they are renowned for hosting imaginative and inspiring events and workshops. Recent highlights include an evening in conversation with Edward Bulmer and a planting design workshop from RHS Chelsea sward-winning garden designer Lottie Delamain. Mylo’s curation of art hangs in the gallery room and throughout the building.
May sees the return of Mylo’s annual Summer Art Show (10 May-14 June). This year the gallery will be showcasing artists they have worked with for the past decade as well as exciting and dynamic new artists. The collection of over 100 paintings, collages, ceramics, original prints and drawings will be hung in the gallery room and throughout their beautiful home at Meadow.
This year, to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, Mylo has collaborated with the Interiors Collective, to bring together art and design in a 3 day pop-up, throughout the top floor of Meadow (15-17 May). The Interiors Collective have curated an inspiring selection of furniture and home accessories from some of the best interior designers and artisan makers. Brands include Kate Guinness Design, Sarah Vanrenen, Tate & Darby Rugs and SARAH.K homewares.
More events to look forward to include a pop-up from clothing brand Day Dress (5-8 June) led by Gabby Deeming. The collection is focused on the art of block printing on the softest cotton, is stitched in original patterns and hand block printed in Jaipur by a team of skilled artisans. Molly Mahon will be hosting a block printing workshop (6 June) and Gabby will join her to give a talk on Inspired Design followed by a gallery supper by Meadow on the evening of 6 June.
meadowstockbridge.com myloart.co.uk
Sunday 5 May
CANCELLED
Butser Ancient Farm Children’s Nature Workshop
Saturday 11 May
From 9.30am to 3.30pm
Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Hampshire, PO8 0BG
Get out in nature and learn a new skill on this free community day at Butser! Nature-based crafts and activities in a gorgeous outdoor setting. A Free workshops open to East Hampshire residents.
Bramdean Fete
Saturday 11 May
From 2pm to 4.30pm
Bramdean House, SO24 0JU
In the beautiful gardens of. £2.50 entry (under 16s free). Cash preferred. Only assistance dogs allowed. Plants, Toys, Home Produce, Magpie Gifts, Books, Bottle Stall, Bar, Teas, Children's Games & Races and much more! (all donations welcome). For all enquiries, please contact Alex Hardle on 01962 771354 or email: family.hardie@gmail.com
Sunday 12 May
From 8am
New Road, Swanmore, Southampton, SO32 2PF
The ‘Beast to the East’ is a spectacular yet challenging sportive across the Meon Valley Beautiful, scenic and challenging sportive across the Meon Valley towards Glorious Goodwood. 28, 57, 82 and 100 miles, fully marked
and marshalled with well stocked aid stations. All routes start from Swanmore and head out towards Hampton Hill, Beacon Hill and Old Winchester Hill, where you can enjoy amazing views across the beautiful rolling countryside. The medium, long and epic routes head up the renowned Butser Hill, lots of out-the-saddle climbing here but the sight of the sea and the panoramic views at the top make this totally worth it! You then head over to Rowlands Castle with the medium route looping back via South Harting and the long route heading on towards Glorious Goodwood, returning via the South Downs National Park. For more information and tickets visit: https://findarace.com/events/ beast-to-the-east
Wednesday 15 May
From 7pm
Droxford Village Hall, 2 High St, Droxford, SO32 3PA
In collaboration with Droxford Village Hall. The 2017 film Churchill (PG) starring Brian Cox . Tickets £6 available from www.jumblebee.co.uk/ churchillfilmwithbriancox or from Wilfrids Cafe in the annexe to the church. Refreshments available to purchase.
Musical Director: Andrew Cleary, Director of Portsmouth Military Wives Choir, and more! Grand
Saturday 18 May
From 10am
United Reform Church, Basingwell Street Lower, Bishop's Waltham, Southampton SO32 1AL
Finale Concert Location: St Peter's Church, Bishop's Waltham. Registration Details: Cost: £17 with Lunch Included: Enjoy a delicious lunch break with your fellow singers (£10 without lunch). Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to be part of something truly special. Mark your calendar, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sing your heart out at the Bishop's Waltham Festival's "Come and Sing" event! For more information and to reserve your spot, visit www.bwfestival.art or contact Jan Veck at veck1948@ gmail.com
Saturday 18 May
From 11am to 11pm
East Meon Village Hall, Workhouse Ln, East Meon, Petersfield GU32 1PF
Village Hall & The Green Come and join us for our 50th Birthday May Fair. There will be the boat race (open 11am from East Meon River £2.50 per boat entry). Dog Show, Stands, Fun Fair, Bouncy Castles, Games, Maypole Dancing, Food, Music, Competitions, Bar and much much more. This event kicks off with the boat race at the East Meon river and then continues on the green opposite the village hall. Live Music until 11pm. All profits go towards the Village Hall overhaul project.
Alresford Watercress Festival 2024
Sunday 19th May
From 10am to 4pm
Broad Street, West & East Street and Station Rd, Alresford
Annual free Watercress Festival. From street markets, food & drink stalls, cookery demonstrations with renown world class chefs, the Hampshire Farmers Market, a "Kids Zone" featuring Falcon Displays and Circus Skills, there really is something for everyone. For many the highlight of the day is Watercress Eating Championship which takes place at 15:00 on the main stage - a must see event hosted by our very own redoubtable Paul Rees keeping the participants in order and the crowd in stitches.
Continued on page 34 >>
Good day all.
This is my final advert for the Spring season of MVU3A lectures. Happily, we resume again in September with another full programme already organised. On 7/5 at 2pm we have our AGM followed by our last lecture for this season offered by Tony Kippenberger on “The early History of Bishops Waltham”. His power point presentations are a work of art, extremely professional and very informative. Everybody is welcome and will get a warm welcome. We gain new members at every lecture and guests often attend. Guests pay £2 to defray speaker costs. Venue is Wickham Community centre. Tea and biscuits provided after the talk, and we always have pre-loved books for charitable sale.
Lyndon (Chairman) Contact-07881991763 Or lyndonplmr@gmail.com Website- : u3asites.org.uk/ meon-valley
ivy, boost the numbers and types of butterflies, particularly in urban areas and near farmland
• The research is great news for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, proving the free and easy action of letting an area go wild can make a positive impact for butterflies
Letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species, according to new research from leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation.
The study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, provides the first scientific evidence that having long grass in your garden increases butterfly abundance and diversity. Creating such wild spaces may help to reverse the decline of these beautiful insects.
Undertaken by Butterfly Conservation scientists Dr Lisbeth Hordley and Dr Richard Fox, the research analysed butterfly sightings from more than 600 gardens across the UK, collected by members of the public over six years through the charity's Garden Butterfly Survey. The results show that gardens with long grass had a significantly higher number of butterflies recorded, with a greater variety of species, than those without.
Importantly, the biggest benefits of these wild spaces were found in urban areas and intensively farmed landscapes. In highly
these gardens had a space that was allowed to go a little wild, with grass growing long, it would make a huge difference for butterflies and moths, providing spaces for them to feed, breed and shelter.
While the research specifically studied gardens, the benefits to butterflies of long grass and wild spaces are likely to extend beyond the garden gate. Public green spaces such as parks, school grounds, allotments, and road verges, could also provide vital spaces for wildlife, and enable more people to see more butterflies if allowed to go a little wild.
Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation and co-author of the study, said: “Nature is in crisis; 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s, so we need to take action now to protect them. We wanted to be able to give tried and tested gardening advice that will benefit butterflies as we know lots of people want to help. This study proves, for the first time, that allowing a patch of grass to grow long will attract more butterflies into your garden.”
The study also found that the presence of flowering ivy in gardens increased the number of certain butterfly species, such as the Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Comma, which use ivy as a breeding habitat or nectar source.
wild spaces by allowing a patch of grass to grow long, or a border edge to go wild is free and easy to do, and can significantly boost butterfly numbers, especially in urban and agricultural settings where they are most under pressure. The benefits of each individual wild space are small, but if thousands of people get involved the boost to butterflies could be huge.
“Whether you have a large garden, a small patch of grass, a community or school space, or a balcony or window box, anyone, anywhere can help. We hope that our Wild Spaces programme will inspire people across the UK to take action and help to create a national network of butterfly-friendly habitats.”
Wild Spaces can be created by anyone, anywhere – from gardens to shared community spaces, balconies, terraces, or patios. No matter the size or location, every Wild Space can contribute to the recovery of butterfly populations and support biodiversity.
To create your own Wild Space visit www.wild-spaces.co.uk
Home-Start Hampshire can offer support to anybody that has at least one child aged 0-11 years, or is expecting a baby. We support families for a variety of reasons:
· They may be feeling isolated in their community, have no family nearby or be struggling to make friends
They may be finding it hard to cope because of their own or their child’s illness or disability
They may be struggling with the emotional and physical demands of having several young children
They may have complex needs that can impact on the children’s well-being, e.g. domestic abuse, debt, drug or alcohol misuse, poor living environment, etc.
Who can make a request for support?
Anybody can make a request for support to their local Home-Start Hampshire office as long as the family being referred has agreed to the request being made. Families are also able to request support themselves by making a self-referral. To make a referral please email familysupport@hshants.org.uk or visit our website Referrals | HomeStart Hampshire.
Home-Start Hampshire Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane Wickham PO17 5AL - Telephone number: 0330 124 2095
Home-Start Hampshire is an independent registered incorporated charity in England Wales No.1144661. Company registration No: 7295751
Singers from Southampton
Philharmonic Choir and Southampton University
Philharmonic Choir (SU Phil) are looking forward to their début concert at Romsey Abbey, on Saturday 8 June.
The Abbey offers the perfect setting for a different repertoire from their usual fare of large-scale works with orchestra; an opportunity for a slightly smaller ensemble from the combined choirs to explore some of the most beautiful, smaller-scale choral pieces – both sacred and secular – of the past three centuries. Stirring anthems by Handel and Parry contrast with the drama of a Cornish folk song by Holst and the serene harmonies of Mozart, Elgar and Whitacre.
Taking the evening’s music-making into another dimension are the legendary Crispian Steele-Perkins, whose trumpet will soar alongside the choir's voices, Ian Le Grice at the organ and piano, and the crystalline voice of soprano soloist, Alex Kidgell, who is also a member of the celebrated choral ensemble, The Sixteen. David Gibson conducts.
Choral classics from the Baroque to the 21st century
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicinromsey
8 JUNE 2024 7.30 p.m.
southamptonphil.org registered charity 1050107
Programme highlights include:
with Southampton University Philharmonic Choir David Gibson (conductor)
∙ I was glad – Parry’s vibrant coronation anthem.
∙ Laudate Dominum – Mozart’s sublime expression of divine praise.
∙ Lux Aeterna – a moving adaptation of Elgar’s Nimrod, arranged for choir by John Cameron.
∙ The Blue Bird – Stanford’s exquisite and serene setting of Mary Elizabeth Coleridge’s poem.
∙ Let the bright Seraphim – the famous soprano aria from Handel’s oratorio, Samson.
∙ Trumpet Voluntary – John Stanley’s rousing and celebratory voluntary for organ, later arranged for organ and trumpet …and works by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Bruckner, Fauré, Holst, Barber, Gjeilo, Stopford, Whitacre and others.
The singers have already been thoroughly enjoying rehearsing this varied programme, which includes personal favourites for many of the choir. ‘I must have sung Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring hundreds of times as a boy chorister,’ says Alan (now a bass), ‘but it still brings a lump to my throat because it’s so beautiful.’ For Claire, an alto who first joined as a member of the SU Phil, and “graduated” to the SPC after university, Holst’s I love my love has become a new favourite: ‘I’m particularly enjoying the Holst, which is new to me – I love a good folk song.’ It all adds up to a concert not to be missed!
Tickets are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicinromsey or from Romsey Visitor Information Centre (tel 01794 512987).
For more information about this concert or about joining the choir next season, visit the SPC’s website at https://www.southamptonphil. org/web/
Tucked away in gorgeous historic Alresford, Hampshire, Saddle House Medi-Spa will help you discover and uncover your very best you. Saddle House is a nurse-led Medi-Spa of excellence with a private car park for complete discretion.
NEW TREATMENT LAUNCHED:
Help eliminate fat cells and build muscle in a single 30-minute treatment!
We are delighted to announce that Emsculpt Neo treatment is now available at Saddle House Medi-Spa.
Per Session
Medical Facial Aesthetics, Skin Tightening, Hydrafacial, Visia Skin Analysis, Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal, Pigmentation Treatments, Microneedling, Chemical Peels, Incontinence Treatments, Skincare & Packages.
Saddle House Media-Spa Treatments Include: Satisfied Clients
We are proud of our 5 star reviews.
More news from the forthcoming NGS, fully funded, Show Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. One of the outstanding features of the garden is the Shed. To call this structure a Shed is little disingenuous - it will be a place of peace, calm and sanctuary. After its staring role at Chelsea it will eventually move to its final home as part of the Chelsea Garden which will be re-constructed at the Maggie’s Centre (an NGS Beneficiary ) at Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge, for use by the gardeners, cancer patients and their families - a place to relax, have a cup of tea and maybe cake! You can read more about the materials and construction on the NGS website (ngs.org.uk) click on the Lifestyle section. As I write this there are still tickets available for our Bonsai Experience Garden in Fleet.
43A Basingbourne Road, Fleet, GU52 6TG
Visitors can enjoy a guided tour around the 140 ft wildlife garden with bonsai nursery, then enjoy an informal bonsai demonstration from Julia, an enthusiast who also holds 'Create a Bonsai' hands-on experiences and is a member of bonsai societies. Finally relax with refreshments and Q & A. Starter trees will be available to purchase.
Tour & Demonstration: Thursday 9th May 10am and 1pm: Sunday 25th May 10am and 1pm: The tours starts promptly at 10am and 1pm: Admission: £20.00 per adult. Pre-booking only - simply click on the above link. Limited tickets available. Price includes refreshments. For any clarification contact streamsidetrees@gmail.com
Crawley, Winchester, SO21 2PR
Opening: Thursday 20th & Sunday 23rd June 2pm to 5.30pm
Admission: Combined for 4 gardens - £10.00 children free. Cashless Payments available. Refreshments: Home-made teas in Village Hall.
Crawley is a pretty period village nestling in chalk downland with thatched houses, C14 church and village pond. Bay Tree House has bulbs, wildflowers, a Mediterranean garden, pleached limes, a rill and contemporary borders of perennials and grasses. Little Court is a 3 acre country garden with carpets of spring bulbs, herbaceous borders and a large meadow. Paige Cottage is a 1 acre traditional English garden surrounding a period thatched cottage (not open) with bulbs and wild flowers in spring and old climbing roses in summer. Tanglefoot has colour themed borders, herb wheel, kitchen garden, Victorian boundary wall supporting trained fruit and a large wildflower meadow.
Best Wishes to you all - Pat Beagley (Head of Publicity)
National Garden Scheme - Hampshire - pat.beagley@ngs.org.uk
IF YOU HAVE A CAR THAT’S NO LONGER NEEDED, GIVE ME A CALL, IF I DON’T BUY IT, I
The following cars have been carefully selected because of their low mileage, excellent condition and service history.
2020 (20) Honda Jazz 1.5 Crosstar EX Hybrid automatic, 5 door, satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors + camera, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels, 6,000 miles, £20,995
2020 (20) Citroen C3 Aircross Flair 1.2 Automatic. 5 door, satellite navigation, parking sensors and camera, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels, 20,000 miles £13,750
2017 (67) Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge, Pan roof, air conditioning, bluetooth, Parking sensors, alloy wheels, 26,000 miles
£7,695
2009 (09) Mercedes A Class SE Classic CDi Automatic, 1 lady owner from new with FULL service history, Only 11,000 miles £4,995 VIEWING AVAILABLE BY
Supply
Espalier,
All
All
Design,
Bosque
Bosque
Harko:
FRIDAY 28th JUNE 2024 7.00pm
Bishop’s Waltham Palace Grounds Grounds open 6.30pm Bring rugs / chairs
Adult £15 13-17yrs £8 U13
SUNDAY 30th JUNE 2024 1.30pm
Bishop’s Waltham Palace Grounds Grounds open 1.00pm Bring rugs / chairs /
Adult £14 5-15yrs £9
Family (Max. 4; max. 2 adults) £40
SUNDAY 30th JUNE 2024 7.00pm
Bishop’s Waltham Palace Grounds Grounds open 6.00pm Bring rugs / chairs / picnics Adult £18 Concessions £16 U18 £8
At this time of year, we begin to venture out into our gardens more often and become aware of how our lawns have coped over the winter months. We see plenty of lawn issues, lets take a look at what can be done.
Healthy soil needs air spaces within it. Roots don’t grow in the soil; they grow in the gaps within. Gradually, over time, through regular use of your garden your lawn is likely to become compacted. Areas where your lawn is walked on more often are likely to show signs of poor grass growth and more often than not, this is due to the compaction below the surface. You’ll see this more often close to washing lines, the entrance to gates or where you have to walk over the lawn to access another area in your garden. It may be tempting to scatter grass seed on the surface, but unless the compaction issue is addressed, that new seed is going to struggle to establish as there is no space in the soil for its roots.
Compromised root development means the grass has limited access to moisture and nutrition, meaning compromised grass growth. In addition, the roots are responsible for a gaseous exchange with the atmosphere, without which your grass will be less healthy and more susceptible to disease and pest issues. If you want a lawn to be proud of, deal with the compaction in your lawn. Aeration of the lawn, at least annually, should make up part of your lawn care plan.
Since Covid lockdown, there are many more lawn owners that are now also dog owners. That increase in dog ownership has seen an increase of dog related lawn damage. The most common of which is scorching, and bare patches caused by dog urine. Urine is high in nitrogen. Used correctly, nitrogen is an essential lawn nutrient and good for your grass. As anyone who has spilt lawn fertiliser on their grass will know, a concentration of nitrogen will kill grass. And this is what we are seeing with dog urine burns. The high concentration of nitrogen burns the grass and then the lower concentration around the edge creates a halo of lush growth – great for drawing attention to the unsightly burn!
The best way to deal with this is prevention. If you can train your dog to pee elsewhere then that’s ideal. If not, try flushing the area with water after your pet has relieved itself. This isn’t always practical,
and you may need to adopt strategies to repair these bare areas. Raking, spiking, and seeding is a good way forward. Another great tip is to grow some small plant pots of soil and grass seed. When the burns appear, you can dig out the area, using an empty plant pot as a template and then pop the new grass in to fill the gap.
There are two main groups of insects that cause lawn issues – leather jackets and chafer grubs. Both live in the soil, both eat the grass plant, both cause major, unsightly damage. The pesticide used to control these insects has been withdrawn and therefore we are seeing increased numbers. Turf growers are struggling to supply pest-free turf and we see major problems in lawns that have been recently re-laid. To avoid this problem, if you are thinking of replacing your lawn, it’s far better to establish it from seed than to bring in new turf and possibly bring in lawn destroying insects too. Check with a lawncare professional if you suspect insect damage issues and they will be able to advise the best way forward.
All living things need the right nutrition to remain healthy. Your lawn is no different. Without the correct seasonal nutrition, grass growth may be weak and the plants more susceptible to pests and diseases. In addition, regular weed and moss control will ensure your lawn looks its best all year long. Many lawn owners, who choose to apply their own lawn treatments, soon realise that shop-bought products are often not as effective as they would like. In addition, they tend to be expensive and don’t come in pack sizes to fit the size of your lawn – resulting in a shed full of part used boxes of ineffective products. It’s important not to under or over-dose a lawn, so the right applicator should be used, and that applicator should be calibrated too. Many people realise that the convenience and value offered by professional lawn treatments far outweighs shop bought alternatives and guarantees a beautiful lawn you can be proud of all year.
Ian Kenyon sits on the committee of the UK Lawn Care Association and owns Shrekfeet Independent Lawncare. He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help: T: 01962 460146 www.shrekfeet.com
Come shop, explore, relax and enjoy time with us...
Expect: Helpful, friendly, expert staff
Shop: Plants, gifts, lighting, outdoor living & landscaping
Explore: Inspiring show gardens and design area
Craft workshops – learn and create with us
• How to arrange flowers in a vase
• Plant a hanging basket to take away
• Plant a ‘backdoor’ winter pot
• Make a pumpkin flower arrangement
• Autumn wreath workshop
• Christmas wreath making workshop
• Make a Christmas candle arrangement
Sat 11th May 2024
Sat 1st June 2024
Sat 5th Oct 2024
Sat 12th Oct 2024
Sat 12th Oct 2024
Sat 30th Nov 2024
Sat 14th Dec 2024
Location: 135
Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 May
From 7.30pm
Durley Memorial Hall, Durley Brook Road, SO32 2AR
“Bright. Young. Things.”, by Georgia Christou, is a funny, fast-paced play about identity, truth and the challenge of finding out who you really are. It is, in turns, funny, thought-provoking and poignant, and will keep you guessing to the end in this fast-paced take on the wacky world of reality TV. Pete Burton directs the fantastic cast, which includes many of our talented younger actors (as well as some old faces returning to Bishopstoke Players!).Tickets £12 Under 18 £8 No Booking Fee. For tickets visit: https://www.bishopstokeplayers. uk/buy-tickets/ www. bishopstokeplayers.uk Tel 07871 006551
Summer Concert
Saturday 1 June
From 2.30pm
Kings Community Church, Hedge End, SO30 4BZ
Tickets available online: ticketsource.co.uk/new-musicmakers or 01489 781836. Adults: £10, U16s £6
Sunday 2 June
From 3pm to 6pm
Droxford Village Hall, 2 High St, Droxford, Southampton, SO32 3PA
With live performances from Amy Baker, singing hits from the blitz! Dress up and step back in time. Tickets £20 per person including tea and cake payable online. www. jumblebee.co.uk/teadance or from Wilfrids cafe in the annexe to the church. More information contact: Clare Hooper 07974 577970.
Saturday 8 June
From 12 noon to 5pm
Recreational Ground, Hoe Rd, Bishop's Waltham, Southampton SO32 1DU
Date for your diary, don’t miss Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Summer Fayre with Live Music, Fun Dog Show, Motorcade of fabulous Vintage & Classic Cars and Motorbikes, Children’s rides, inflatables, food and drink Village, Pavilion teas & Cakes, Ice Cream, shopping stalls, games and charity fund raisers plus lots more. The Motorcade will be parading up the High Street travelling to Hoe Road on the day from 12noon.
Saturday 15 June
From 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Wintershill Hall, Sciviers Lane, Durley, SO32 2AL
Entrance £2, Under 16s FreeStalls, Sideshows, Lunches and Teas, Beer Tent and Drinks.
Soberton Church Fete
Saturday 29 June
From 1.30pm
Church Green, Soberton, SO32 3PF
Food & Drink, Entertainment, Grand Draw and Much More!
Saturday 6 July
From 12.30pm - 4pm
Church Green, Meonstoke, SO32 3NA
At this year’s brilliant fete there will be masses of activities for the whole family - including the pooch. New for this year is the amazing Chinese auction which gives you an opportunity to buy tickets for the particular prizes you would like to win such as a day's fishing with tuition, golf lessons, a meal out, a car MoT
and a fantastic week’s holiday on the Isle of Wight. There will be an awesome dog show, a grand raffle, a variety of stalls from toys and games to soaps and scents, as well as plants and preserves. Join us for face painting, the tombola and the ever popular duck race! With tea, cakes, burgers and beer as well as ice cream and Pimms to round out the afternoon, we hope to see you there. Contact Meonstokefete@post.com if you have any questions.
Sunday 7 July
From 11am to 5pm
Various locations within Bishop's Waltham
There will be 12 private gardens opening their gates for us all to explore. The event was last held in 2022, after a pause during the Covid pandemic. There are 4 new gardens for this year, including the allotments on Albany Road. There is plenty for you to experience and a variety of refreshments will be on sale at 6 of the venues. Some of these gardens are attached to historical properties, some to newbuilds. Some are well established, some newly planted. They vary in size too. Refreshments will be available at 6 gardens and there will be plant sales at some too. For more information visit: www. bishopswalthaminbloom.org.uk
At Town and Country, we take pride in ensuring every client receives the best customer service, from the informative and knowledgeable sales process through to the extensive after sales care.
Our boutique showroom showcases some of the finest kitchen and bathroom furniture available, with a strong emphasis on UK and European manufacturing. Bathroom manufacturers on display include Ambiance Bain, Kudos, Roper Rhodes, Tissino and Arte Form, with Porcelanosa and Ca’Pietra tiling throughout the showroom. Our kitchens are expertly crafted by Schuller, one of the largest German kitchen manufacturers, and Mackintosh, their products are made exclusively in Britain. Both have an extensive and inspiring collection ranging from the contemporary to the more traditional.
Please contact us regarding our complementary design and quotation service, we look forward to hearing from you.
Visit Town & Country
8 The High Street, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO3O 2EA
Telephone: 01489 536187
Email: sales@town-and-country.co.uk www.town-and-country.co.uk
INGREDIENTS
(SERVES 6-8)
FOR THE PORK:
2.5kg pork leg joint
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic cut into slivers
2 tbsp fennel seeds
2 tsp dried chilli flakes
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
FOR THE MINT CAPER SAUCE:
2 tbsp tiny capers
2 shallots
20g fresh mint, stems removed
1 clove garlic
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Prepare the Pork - Preheat the oven to 140˚C. Take a sharp knife and cut small slits into the meat. Insert the slivers of garlic all over the meat. Mix together the herbs and chilli. Rub the pork roast with 1 tbsp of olive oil and salt and pepper. In a very large frying pan, sear the meat on all sides until browned. Rub the remaining oil over the pork and then roll in the herbs. Arrange on a roasting rack over a roasting tin. Place in the hot oven and cook for about 4-5 hours.
The meat will be tender and fall apart when the string is removed. Slice the pork and place on a platter with rosemary sprigs and other fresh herbs. Serve with sauce and some roasted or mashed potatoes.
PREPARE THE SAUCE
Finely chop the capers, shallots, garlic and mint and place in a small bowl. Add the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and a large pinch of sugar. Mix well and pour into a serving jug.
Hamble - Sat 4th, Alresford - Sat 4th, Petersfield - Sun 5th, Romsey - Sun 5th, Alton - Sat 11th, Winchester - Sun 12th, Emsworth - Sat 18th, Alresford - Sun 19th, Southsea - Sun 19th, Ringwood - Sat 25th, Winchester - Sun 26th For more information visit: www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk
Open Monday - Saturday 8:30am to 5pm. 7pm Thurdays by appointment
Open Monday - Saturday 8:30am to 5pm. 7pm Thurdays by appointment
Pat Staples Interiors is a small, independent interior design business based in Bishops Waltham, with expertise in designing, making and fitting curtains and blinds, and specifying and supplying wallpaper, paint and floor-coverings. ‘Home’ is their jam packed design studio on Claylands Rd, nestled in between Ludus Gym and Abbey Tyres, teeming with fabric books, flooring samples and upholstery. Pat Staples Interiors also sell beautiful new upholstery, all handmade in the UK to the highest standards, plus they have a team of experienced upholsterers that can skilfully re-upholster your own furniture in a huge range of fabrics. For several years since Pat’s retirement, the business has been run by Corinne, Pat’s daughter, who said “We would like to thank all our customers over the last 31 years, for their orders, trust, and frequent recommendations to friends and family. 31 is a pretty good milestone in this day and age, thus proving our longevity and secure footings for the future in Bishops Waltham”.
Their 31st birthday coincides with the launch of a really interesting new fabric collection that Corinne was excited to share. ‘William Morris At Home’ is an authentic Morris brand in partnership with the William Morris Gallery, a not for profit organisation based in Morris’s childhood home
Family Fun Day, Dog Show, Motorcade and Classic Car ShowSaturday 8th June 2024 - 12 noon to 5pm Date for your diary, don’t miss Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Summer Fayre with Live Music, Fun Dog Show, Motorcade of fabulous Vintage & Classic Cars and Motorbikes, Children’s rides, inflatables, food and drink Village, Pavilion teas & Cakes, Ice Cream, shopping stalls, games and charity fund raisers plus lots more. The Motorcade will be parading up the High Street travelling to Hoe Road on the day from 12noon.
We are also delighted to confirm Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance will be bringing their mobile flight simulation experience for any budding pilots who wish to experience the thrill of flying a helicopter (suitable for 11 years +) We still have spaces left for stall holders within our shopping area on the showground, so if you are a local business, charity or crafter and want to raise money or show your products to approximately 3000 local people
in Walthamstow. William Morris (1834-1896) was an iconic artist, poet, writer and activist who valued simplicity, utility, beauty and championed nature as the inspiration for everything. ‘William Morris At Home’ celebrates and upholds his principles to create beautiful and useful fabrics that are well crafted and sustainable- elevating the everyday. Every purchase from the range supports the William Morris Gallery, which holds the world’s largest archive of his designs.
Speaking about the new launch Corinne says “I have long been a fan of William Morris, since being an Art and Design student many years ago, but this collection is the cherry on the cake. The designs have been reproduced so skilfully, including original colours and colourways with a modern twist, all paying homage to the natural dyes used in the original textiles. These authentic iconic designs are now more accessible for everyone to enjoy. They are perfect for both contemporary and traditional homes, being ideal for use in curtains, blinds, accessories and on upholstery. I cannot wait to see the designs in my clients’ houses!”
If you are looking for a guiding hand with your interior projects, whether you have a whole house to decorate, or small cloakroom blind, Pat Staples Interiors offer advice to help you make the right choice. “We strive to design something that will give you many years of happiness” Corinne Staples.
Pat Staples Interiors, The Studio, Unit 3, Claylands Road, Bishops Waltham, SO32 1BH Tel: 01489 892626 patstaplesinteriors.co.uk sales@patstaplesinteriors.co.uk
then contact us via our website www.bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk or email pete.yeoman@bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk
Introducing our new members
At the end of March we were delighted to formally welcome 4 new members, Rob, Lizzy, Sally and Rebecca, to the Club, who come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and will, no doubt, enhance our already amazing team. If you would like to find out more about what we do and think you might like to join this active fun-loving bunch, then get in contact with us via our website.
Like our Facebook page or take a look at our website for updates on what is going on, what we have been up to and how you can help us help others! pr@bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk
INTERIOR DESIGN, FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS
1993
• Interior Design & Home Consultations
• Fabrics & Wallpapers
• Upholstery
• Carpets & Floor Coverings
• Curtains, Blinds, Poles & Tracks
• Re-upholstery
• Lighting & Accessories
• Designer Branded Paints
• Measuring & Fitting
FROM THIS TO THIS IN ONE DAY
FROM THIS TO THIS IN ONE DAY
FROM THIS TO THIS IN ONE DAY
Skandoor has led the way in manufacturing and installing garage doors in Hampshire and the south for many years. Our speciality is high-quality garage and front doors, on-time delivery and full ownership from start to finish.
A well respected long established family run business based in Bishop's Waltham ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS AUTOMATIC INSULATED GARAGE DOORS & FRONT DOORS
Her dressing table and mirror now resided near the bedroom window, affording her a pleasing view of the pear tree. This was, however, a fringe benefit and not why she’d dragged her furniture noisily across the floor.
No, no, no.. She was there for the light; the glorious, celebrated, natural daylight.
But, as she contemplated her reflection in the mirror, now bathed in daylight (it transpired) that was actually not glorious at all, but unforgiving and harsh, she came literally face-to-face with the roadmap of her life. Every laugh, every frown, each unhappy episode and hilarious occasion was there; forever etched.
Turning away from the mirror-mirror-not-on-the-wall (not mentioning anyone fairest at all), she saw there’d been an overnight frost and the blades of grass were grey-dusted, white-edged and crisp.
‘A frost in May’ - she recalled the phrase from some cobwebby recess of her memory. Wasn’t that an idiom for something showing promise, yet struck down before it’d reached its full potential? Or had she dreamed that one up, along with ‘no peace for the wicket’ which she used to think was to do with poor batting?
Good job the pear blossom had arrived early this year and was over and done. And seemed she’d been right not to plant out her rather titchy geranium plugs just yet. Himself appeared as if by magic, much like the shopkeeper in Mr Ben. “I heard a noise - what are you doing?”
“Looking at my wrinkles. They’re even more many-and-various than I had realised. I think I might move my dressing table back into the shadows.”
“Not that I’ve noticed any wrinkles,” he said with a wink, “but perhaps you should celebrate you’ve lived long enough to earn some.”
Himself was wise. She loved that about him. Mostly. There was that time she’d insisted on buying the absolutely beautiful, hugely expensive, unbelievably uncomfortable settee. Himself had sat on it. He’d laid on it. He’d walked around it. And then he’d stood back and wisely pronounced it a ‘looking-at sofa’. And he’d been annoyingly right; when she eventually sold it on, it’d hardly been used..
But mostly, such as now, his wisdom made her adjust her perspective. He was as right as he’d been about the blasted sofas. Absolutely. She could have been struck down like a frost in May – or anytime from her January to her
September (where she felt she currently resided). She was indeed lucky to have wrinkles.
But there were other wrinkles. Good wrinkles. Helpful wrinkles. Picked up along the way like the ones on her face, were the little wrinkles of life.. The shortcuts, the side benefits, the handy tips - like cooking a chopped potato in food you’d over-salted, or rubbing a walnut into the scratch on a wooden table and watching it vanish. Although Instagram et al referred to them as ‘hacks’, she’d always called them ‘wrinkles’.
‘Hacks’, to her, brought visions of world-weary journalists. ‘Hacks’ chased down headline stories and employed dubious and underhand methods to get them. ‘Hacks’ stood in darkened doorways on rain-slick city streets, lighting up cigarettes, turning up the collars of their raincoats and pulling down the brims of their trilbys. ‘Hacks’ waited in the shadows to catch the suspect/witness/victim unawares and elicit an unguarded quote or a noholds-barred exposé…
Coming out of her reverie and reflecting that she’d been watching far too many old black-and-whites on Talking Pictures, she decided that more contemporary viewing might be in order. She’d take Himself out on a date –she’d heard that dating your husband was considered a ‘life hack’ too. Well, in any event, it was a good idea. She’d use her online video subscription; two cinema tickets for a tenner. Also, her supermarket vouchers; worth double their value in certain restaurants. Wrinkles..
Later that day, she moved her dressing table a little further from the cruel and uncompromising light from the window. She got ready for her date, adopting a ‘what the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve about’ approach to applying her make-up and felt more youthful already.
In town they watched a newly-released blockbuster. It was in colour, set in the 21st century. Not a trilby in sight. And nobody, but nobody, smoked.
Emerging from the dark of the cinema and walking towards the welcoming lights of the pizzeria, Himself took her hand as they crossed the road. As they ordered their food, he observed, “This is nice.”
It was nice. And, courtesy of the wrinkles, nice and cheap, she mused.
And as for those other wrinkles: the earned wrinkles, the weather wrinkles, the laughter-and-tears wrinkles, the inevitable evidence of a life lived wrinkles.. what of them?
As Himself held her hand again across the table, in the soft, forgiving candlelight, she gave no thought to those wrinkles at all…
Established 1878
Friendly, professional advice on all areas of family law in the centre of Bishop's Waltham. Our friendly family team will do everything possible to guide you through the process and securing the right outcome for you and your family, no matter the situation.
Friendly, professional advice on all areas of family law in the centre of Bishops Waltham
Our friendly family team will do everything possible to guide you through the process and securing the right outcome for you and your family, no matter the situation.
Contact Serhan Handani at sh@bramsdonandchilds.com
Contact Serhan Handani at sh@bramsdonandchilds.com
Our Bishop's Waltham office has moved to: St.George's Square, Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, SO32 1GJ Tel: 01489 888240
Southsea Office 141 Elm Grove, Southsea, Hampshire PO5 1HR Tel: 02392 821251
Fair Oak Office Unit 10, Vicarage Farm Business Park, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, So50 7HD Tel: 02382 514300
www.bramsdonandchilds.com
