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Allergic Reaction© Lucia Foster-Found 2022 www.luciafosterfound.com
“Would you like some?” Himself asked. Like an iridescent caterpillar, a blue moustache curled around his top lip. She looked dubious. The smoothie that he was so obviously enjoying was an unnatural shade of Prussian blue and she’d read somewhere that there was no truly blue food. “I might – depends what’s in it..” “Banana, apple, ginger, pear … umm..” He looked at the glass of blue-green gloop as if seeking inspiration, “Oh yes, oats and yoghurt.” “But why is it blue?” “Knew there was something else – blue spirulina powder.” He took another appreciative slurp. “Want some?” As she was steering away from dairy, regretfully she declined. “Can’t. Yoghurt. Although it’s a wonderful colour. Reminds me of one of those expensive paints that come in fancy tins with uber tasteful labels; names like Dragonfly Nasal Hairs and Eau de Workhouse. They’d probably call that something like ‘Lascivious Lobster.” At some point in their shared history they’d toyed with the idea of painting their dining room ‘Din-Dins’ or something similar. Seemed appropriate. Until Himself had looked at the sample on the wall and declared “looks like dried blood,” which had somewhat killed it for her; she’d shuddered and reached for the old faithful - magnolia... “Anyway, what’s wrong with yoghurt?” Himself took another gulp of ‘Lascivious Lobster’ and smacked his lips. “I’m seeing if dairy is why I occasionally blow up like a monsoon frog. Apparently,” she prepared to impart some of her research, “lots of people experience a reduced ability to absorb lactose after infancy. Leads to bloating, diarrhoea and farting.” “That’s attractive,” Himself chuckled and continued to consume his bizarre looking drink. “Although,” she hastened to add “I can neither deny nor confirm that I’m experiencing the whole spectrum of symptoms. I wouldn’t want to dispel any vestiges of mystery in our marriage.” “Does this mean,” he fixed her with a quizzical look over the top of the glass, “that you’ll have to declare this as well as the gluten thing when we go out to eat?” She understood his concern. At their last trip to a carvery she’d been asked if she had any allergies. “Well, a bit of a gluten intolerance, that’s all. Not serious,” she’d assured airily, anticipating the simple and low key receipt of the usual allergen sheet. But nothing so simple and low key.. When they reached the head of the queue, despite her protestations, the chef proceeded to cheerfully clean down his workstation and replace all of the utensils in the self-service veg section. It was a notable demonstration of duty of care. It was thorough. It was vigorous. It took quite a while... “The locals are getting restless,” whispered Himself, barely containing his amusement at her stricken expression. And her flustered “I’m terribly sorry,” to the people lined up behind her fell on deaf and hungry ears. There were frowns from the queue. Mortified, she quickly dished up her veg with the new serving spoons and scuttled back to their table, now very much aware that it was in the middle of the restaurant. “We can run, but we can’t hide,” Himself commented chirpily as he tucked into his dinner. She wondered if they’d best eat fast and slope off, but then noticed another couple arriving. Duly approached by staff they were asked, “Any allergies?” “Well we’re not very good with gluten…” came the answer. “Oh crikey,” Himself muttered happily. It was a lot busier by the time this new couple reached the front of the long queue. And the locals were looking even hungrier as the chef once more went through his good-natured, comprehensive and lengthy cleaning process. This time there were quiet mutterings in addition to the grumpy looks. The couple quickly served up their veg with the clean spoons and, revealing an impressive turn of speed, scuttled off to their table. Himself finished his meal and they left. “Woe-betide anyone who gets between a Brit and their roast dinner,” he laughingly observed. Some weeks later, they went to a pizza restaurant for their date night. As they confirmed their reservation, the helpful waiter uttered those fateful words.. “Any allergies?” As Himself started with “Well..” her reaction was immediate and almost a shout, “NO THANK YOU.” And then more quietly, “just a copy of the allergen menu please.” At Himself’s questioning look she smiled sheepishly and said, “after all that fuss I caused before, that, my darling, is my new ‘Allergic reaction’.”
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Winchester Heritage Open Days
9th-18th September 2022
Now in its seventh year, Winchester Heritage Open Days (HODs) is shaping up to be another fantastic festival packed with tours, behind the scenes, and engaging talks. Heritage Open Days is all about opening doors, exploring local heritage and culture, and connecting with the community.
This year’s festival takes place 9th-18th September 2022 with events not just in Winchester, but in the surrounding areas too (including Aldershot, Alresford, Alton, Bishop’s Waltham, Hursley, Romsey, Whitchurch and more). And the best part? Every event is FREE to attend.
The theme for this year’s festival is "Astounding Inventions", celebrating innovation, pioneers and creativity. Code breaking and brickmaking, weaving in the Roman world and railway engineering; these are just some of the Astounding Inventions topics to be explored. Join Aldershot Military Museum for their series of talks on Rushmoor’s Remarkable Innovations and view the Alexander Observatory. Discover the life of Hampshire born inventor, engineer and campaigner for women’s suffrage, Hertha Ayrton Marks with a performance by Pedlars & Petticoats at the Winchester City Museum. Visit IBM Hursley Park, home to decades of innovation, or take a tour of Farnborough Centrifuge.
Whether your interests are medieval or modern, in the everyday experience of people throughout history, technological advances, or courtly clashes, there is an event for you to enjoy. Many events you can just turn up to, but some require booking. The Online Box Office opens on Tuesday 9th August – book early to avoid disappointment. To view the full programme of events, how to book, or how to join our team of volunteers, go to our website www. winchesterheritageopendays.org
Ever wondered how the fantastic HODs programme comes into being every September? Behind the scenes, the Hampshire History Trust works hard year-round overseeing the coordination of Winchester Heritage Open Days - but that’s not all the Trust does. If you are keen to delve deeper into Hampshire’s heritage before or after the festival itself, the Hampshire HistBites podcast is shortly entering into its eighth season, coinciding with this year’s festival. You can listen to all HistBites episodes online, via the podcast’s website (www. histbites.buzzsprout.com) - and it’s here that new episodes will drop in the run-up to HODs itself. The Trust is thrilled too to have support again this year from our lead sponsor Winchester College, who will be offering guided tours including visits to the Fellows’ Library and Treasury again. Additionally, we are grateful to Winchester BID, our media partner Hampshire Chronicle, to the heritage sites and individuals putting on events, and to our volunteers. HODs couldn’t happen without them!
Here are just some of this year’s highlights...
• Winchester College Guided Tours • Winchester Combined Court Open Day • The Grange Open Day and Guided Tour • The Brickworks Museum Open Day • Whitchurch Silk Mill Food Festival • Winchester City Mill Live Milling Demonstrations • Alresford “Norman Bridge” • Alresford Museum Open Day • Alresford Eel House Open Day • Merchants, Millers and Maitre d’s Guided Tour • The Art of Bollards Guided Tour • Farleigh House Guided Tour • Westgate and City Museum Open Days • Royal Logistics Corps Museum Guided Tours • Bishop’s Waltham Palace Guided Tours • Jane Austen’s House: Director’s Highlights Tour • “You spin me right ‘round – spinning and weaving in the • Roman world” talk and demonstration • Jeremy France Jewellers Behind the Scenes • Friends of King Alfred Buses Running Day and Display
9th-18th September 2022 Delve into Hampshire
History
Join us again as we journey behind closed doors and share tales of the past through walks, talks, exhibitions, performances, workshops and tours. Now in its seventh year, Winchester Heritage Open Days is shaping up to be fantastic festival, with over eighty events taking place in Winchester and the surrounding area.
Many events you will be able to just turn up to on the day, but others will need to be booked in advance through our online box office.
Sign up to our newsletter via our website or follow us on social media to keep up to date with festival news.
Winchester Heritage Open Days is coordinated by the Hampshire History Trust.
Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club News…
Carnival, Family Fun day, Motorcade and Dog Show Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club ‘s everpopular Carnival, Family Fun day, Motorcade and Dog Show proved to be even more popular than ever after its enforced 3 year break. We had perfect weather and record numbers came to enjoy the live music, food, and drink plus the many stalls. We also had a record number of dogs entering the Dog Show with categories ranging from Fastest Biscuit Cruncher to Best 6 legs. All of this enabled us to make over £11,000 pounds, and at the time of going to press this figure was still rising. This amazing amount of money will help us to help others who are in need Locally, Nationally and Internationally.
New Rotary Year , New President As June drew to a close we saw the end of the Rotary Year and with that our President Mandy Tourle handed over her chain of office to incoming President Sara Walker who in turn handed her Senior Vice President chain to Jason Rule. We look forward to the year ahead with Sara at the helm and I’m sure Mandy is looking forward to a well-earned rest. At the hand
Shopping Centre helps Fareham Rotary Club fund a roundabout!
They say when you wish upon a star your dreams come true … and so they will, thanks to Fareham Shopping Centre supporting the Rotary Club of Fareham’s chosen local charity – The Rainbow Centre –that supports local children affected by neurological conditions. They teach the youngsters how to live their lives to their full potential.
The Rotary Club’s Wishing Well is centrally situated in the shopping mall and encourages those passing by to put in loose change to help our chosen charity. The shopping centre has been very generous in the past and now they will not only support The Rainbow Centre but will make it their local charity too through their events and promotions. over meeting outgoing President Mandy had the pleasure of surprising 2 of our members, Maurice Tester and Doug Draper, with Paul Harris Awards in recognition of their many years of devoted service and numerous roles they have fulfilled over that time. There was also a third member who was awarded a Paul Harris Award, John Stream, but,
unfortunately, he could not be there on the night.
Young Carers weekend and Henry the VIIIth. As soon as one Rotary year ended, we were immediately out there with a very busy first weekend in July where we saw members putting in a combined total of nearly 100 hours voluntary service. Over the weekend we, along with other local Rotary Clubs, provided a pop up café at YMCA Fairthorne Manor as part of their Young Carers Weekend which is the largest festival in the world for young people with a caring responsibility at home. Created in 2000 and run in partnership with The Children’s Society, the weekend provides opportunities for young people to enjoy a break from their responsibilities, have fun, make new friends and have their voices heard on issues that affect them. There were fireworks, a radio station, Voice Zone, silent disco, chill out/ pamper zone, adventurous activities and more… We also supported the celebrations in Bishop’s Waltham marking the 500th anniversary of the visit of Henry the VIIIth to the area.
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! ian.treveil@bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk
President Mandy and Paul Harris award recipient Doug
Launch Wishing Well Rotary in Centre
Mike Taylor, Centre Manager, said “We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Rotary Club of Fareham and support this year’s chosen charity The Rainbow Centre.
The new signage went up at the beginning of July on the Rotary Wishing Well and we hope it collects lots of money for them”. Raising sufficient for a wheelchair-friendly Rotary Rainbow Roundabout is the aim of Pam Marsden, President of the Rotary Club of Fareham, who said “The current playground at the Rainbow Centre has seen better days and I am hopeful that we will at least provide a roundabout that is accessible by children of all abilities along with other equipment too.”
Many events are planned for the 2022-2023 Rotary year and the first will be a sponsored Rainbow Swim in the Solent at 5pm from The Shack on the beachfront at Lee along to the Club’s Wheel House at Hill Head on Sunday 24th July. We will keep you in touch with the swim and all our events during the year.
If you would like to support the Rotary Club of Fareham’s fundraising for The Rainbow Centre, or are interested in being considered for membership of our Club, we’d love to hear from you. Contact farehamrotary.pr@gmail.com for more details.
The sea of tents at the Young Carers Weekend
Hampshire Open Studios
Hampshire Open Studios is an annual art trail where the visiting public can meet artists in their homes, studios and galleries free of charge – 20th – 29th August 2022.
With over 290 venues open this year we are bigger than ever! In the ten days leading up to bank holiday Monday 29th August, visitors can get the opportunity to meet the makers direct and learn more about the work.
Our colour catalogue is out from mid July in local stockists or view all the listings online – if you are not sure where to start some mini-trails have been suggested for each area around the county. Visitors can also enter a prize draw to win £100 towards artwork from your favourite Hampshire Open Studios artist.
There are a wide variety of venues to see along with every type of art and craft on offer in the region, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery and many more.
Entry is free and to find your nearest venue check the website or look out for the pink direction arrows that will guide you to the artists’ doors.
There are a great variety of venues to visit throughout the Meon Valley area. In the west near Curdridge, one of the three nearby studios, are Dé Garis Designs who are a new venue for 2022. They offer unique one off colourful abstract paintings inspired by landscapes and seascapes from around Hampshire and Isles of Scilly's.
Around Swanmore you can visit the Wessex Guild of Craftsmen nearby to artist Jerry Smith. Jerry is a regular favourite on the Hampshire Open Studios art trail and will be showing paintings, studies and sketches of the Meon Valley. With original works in oil, acrylic, charcoal and pencil alongside prints and greetings cards there is something for every budget.
In Wickham visit new studio of Brian Eyley and Friends. Here you’ll find five Contemporary artists working in different media. Brian Eyley working in woodturning based on natural forms plus photography; Lyn Eales jewellery, silver and gems; Jacqueline Rolls willow sculpture creations; David Small scrollsaw decorative creations; Lisa Beavis acrylic and mixed media painting. Take a break here as tea and cake is also available.
Amy Lague
In East Meon explore Amy Lague’s study Sunny Outside. New for 2022 you’ll find fresh, exciting and honest portrayals of the local landscape inspired by the sea, sun and the seasons.
In Hambledon see David Corbin who enjoys making wearable jewellery in an organic form working primarily in silver with gold detailing. Then travel on to Paula Mitchell, in Denmead, who captures the beauty of light and life in her landscape. Paula is an awarded artist by The Royal Society of British Artists.
Artists are very much looking forward to inviting you once again to their studios and galleries. They will be making every effort for your visit to be enjoyable and creative. Visitor information will be on the website so please do check that to help you make the most of your days out! www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk
