Doesn’t time fly!
I can hardly keep up with how quickly this year is slipping away. I am however looking forward to some wintry walks and fantastic fireworks displays this November, but not everyone enjoys this time of year. Please make sure that pets are kept indoors and safely looked after when fireworks are going off – it can be a very stressful time for our furry friends. It is also a great time of year for staying in the warm and spending time with a good book. Do enjoy the short story that we have included for you by Mark Laming. The vanilla pouring custard recipe by Salt Cø. sounds perfect for a cosy evening. Whatever you spend your time doing at this time of year, stay safe and have fun. If you would like something to look forward to in December, why not enter our competition to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to Barry Steele’s Roy Orbison Story at The Regent. Look out for Sammy Seagull hiding on one of the pages in this magazine!
Rebecca Smith
SUNDAY 8 DEC 7PM AT THE REGENT, CHRISTCHURCH
Barry Steele captures the magic of an era in a spectacular new show, which includes a sensational accolade to The Traveling Wilburys. With big-screen projection, this show has something for everyone!
Experience the unforgettable sound of a generation with Barry Steele alongside an extraordinary ensemble of talented musicians and singers. Together they pay homage to the timeless music of Roy Orbison and The Traveling Wilburys.
For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, simply find Sammy Seagull who is hiding somewhere inside this month’s magazine (excluding this page).
REGENT CENTRE BOX OFFICE
01202 499199
TICKETS: £29.50
Email the page number where he appears and your contact details to competition@themudefordmag.co.uk
Closing date is 22 November 2024
REGENT CENTRE BOX OFFICE
01202 499199
TICKETS £29.50
PREVIOUS WINNER:
Tickets to see MasterChef judge Jay Rayner were won by Heather Dempsey who correctly answered that Sammy was hiding on page xiv.
Coffee Break Time
How to solve codeword
Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number.
All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.
To start you off we reveal the code for 3 letters.
Solutions on page xxii
sponsored by Louis P Creative
Coffee Break Time
Reflections on the year so far
By Grounded Community
As 2024 draws to a close, our hard-working team have been reflecting on the achievements of our projects this year.
January saw the launch of our Vale Lodge Community Kitchen facility in Boscombe, just around the corner from our community food-growing space — The Secret Garden. This community kitchen was made possible thanks to BCP Council Housing Landlord Services, who gave us the opportunity to take over a neglected kitchen facility and bring it back to life for the benefit of the community.
As part of the agreement, we have given other community groups access to this fully equipped, five-star food hygiene rated facility. This year, we have partnered with Bee Mission, Safe & Sound Dorset and SWRAC. It has been fantastic to be working with SWRAC again, this time offering their fabulous students a work placement processing food surplus and preventing food waste, giving residents access to tasty, nutritious meals, and engaging with residents to help bring their communal room back to life. We are grateful to BCP Homes for their support with this project. Special thanks also to Vale Lodge residents for making us feel so welcome.
If you are a Bournemouth-based community group or charity in need of a commercial kitchen facility, or you would like to join our weekly evening cooking sessions, please contact zoe@ groundedcommunity.co.uk for more information.
Our Grounded Growers project also welcomed a new addition this year, as Cheryl Needham joined the team as Home Growers Coordinator in January. As a gardener running her own business for 20 years, Cheryl hit the ground running, starting with a review of prices for our raised bed installation service. We now offer a materials delivery service direct to local residents’ doors, starting at £70 for a single tier timber frame with soil and compost, as well as the option of a full
installation service, including timber frame, soil, compost, plug plants and seeds, all for £85.
Cheryl has developed connections with residents of the Cranleigh Communal Lounge in Boscombe, working with HACT, the Age Friendly Social Housing Programme, to share information about the benefits of growing food for improved mental and physical wellbeing. HACT works with multiple local housing associations to offer their residents a funded installation package for their outdoor spaces, as well as existing funding for local residents.
We also continue to support community food growing at the Henry Brown Community Centre in West Howe and helping anyone over the age of 60 in the BH1 to BH11 postcode apply for meanstested funding.
If you are interested in learning how to grow your own, the autumn/winter season is the perfect time to prepare for next spring. Options and prices are listed on our website, www. groundedcommunity.co.uk/groundedgrowers, or email homegrowers@groundedcommunity.co.uk.
Henry Brown Community Centre in West Howe
Cheryl Needham at Craigleith Community Housing in Boscombe
Grounded Gatherers at the Vale Lodge Community Kitchen
Museum Bums
by
Jack Shoulder and Mark Small, hardback £14.99
Heritage scholars and art educators Mark Small and Jack Shoulder pair illuminating social commentary, historical context, and lively captions with captivating depictions of tasteful — and sometimes cheeky — bums in art. This assortment of artistic behinds is both a celebration and study of the bounty of beautiful bums and their everlasting impressions. Museum Bums invites readers to admire, appreciate, and have a good laugh, all while learning a bit about art and history. A perfect gift for anyone who likes fine art, museums, and bums!
Book Reviews
Cross Stitch For The Soul
by Emma Congdon,
paperback £16.99
Cross Stitch for the Soul is a collection of beautifully designed motivational and inspirational quotes rendered in easy cross-stitching techniques that will raise the spirits, both during the making process and beyond, as gifts for loved ones or as treasured pictures on the wall. The 20 designs in this collection feature quotes that will resonate with anyone in need of a little boost. Designed by leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon, aka Stitchrovia, whose modern styling appeals to crafters of all ages and abilities, these inspiring quotes will provide comfort, motivation and an allround positive spin on life.
Jonty Gentoo: Adventures Of A Penguin
by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, hardback £12.99
Join a plucky little penguin on the journey of a lifetime, in this fabulous new picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true home at the South Pole. One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole). Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finds his way in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world. Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page, as well as fantastic illustrations of the natural world, with lots of details to spot, including seals, polar bears and lots more penguins.
Why not pop into the shop to have a browse and see lots of lovely new publications for autumn? You can also pick up a Christmas Catalogue from the first week in October and start planning for your Christmas gifts. Or you can contact us on 01202 418403, email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or find us on social media @bh6booksandhome to place orders and discover all that we have to offer at BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QU.
Vanilla Pouring Custard
BY CHRISTIAN ØRNER | SALT Cø. Private Chef and Chocolatier | www.salt-co.co.uk
INGREDIENTS:
• 150g double cream
• 150ml full fat milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 heaped teaspoon vanilla paste
METHOD:
• Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan.
• Put on a low heat.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the yolks and the sugar.
• When the yolks and sugar are mixed together, increase the heat to boil the cream and milk.
• Pour the hot milk mixture onto the egg and sugar. Stir to combine. Pour back into the pan and return to the heat.
• Using a digital temperature probe, cook the mix until it reaches 80°C.
• Place a sieve over the first bowl and pour the 80°C mix through the sieve.
• Add vanilla to the cream once passed through the sieve.
• Serve immediately if you want it to be eaten warm. If you want it cold, chill immediately. If you want to re-heat, make sure the temperature does not go above 80°C as the eggs will scramble.
Building new habits to achieve our goals
I’ve just read the book ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear and thought I’d share with you some of his tips on how to change your habits to transform all aspects of your life.
If you act as the person you want to become, eventually you will become that person. It is focusing on becoming a particular type of person that is important, rather than focusing on a particular outcome.
Habits are the building blocks of attaining our goals. We can break a habit into four steps: cue; craving (wanting the reward); response (obtaining the reward), and reward (satisfaction of the reward). To help develop a new habit, we need to make the cue OBVIOUS, the craving ATTRACTIVE, the response EASY and the reward SATISFYING.
As humans, we all crave junk food as the human brain has evolved to crave sugar, salt and fat. These were rare commodities for our ancestors, and as human brain reward centres have not changed, the craving persists. Just as our real motivation is to be lazy and conserve energy, therefore the less energy a habit requires the more likely it is to occur. We desire the outcome the habit delivers, not the habit itself i.e. exercise leads to being fitter, weight loss, etc.
Start with very SMALL changes. A habit must be established before it can be improved, so ask yourself what you can stick to even on a bad day. You can build incrementally over time. Doing a new behaviour for two minutes is better than not doing it at all.
PAIR your new habit with a specific TIME and ENVIRONMENT. “At 8am every day, I will go for a walk around the block.”
It can also help to tie your new desired behaviour to something you already do each day. “While the kettle’s boiling for my morning coffee, I will do 10 squats.”
This helps to trigger remembering our new habit and encourages consistency. It’s repetition
and consistency of a behaviour that enables learning and habit formation.
Our environment often shapes our behaviour, so design your environment for success. If you would like to eat healthier options, put out healthy snacks on the counter and remove unhealthy snacks. Remember it’s easier to avoid temptation than to resist it, as self-control is a short-term strategy not a long-term one.
Tell someone else you are starting a new habit, as this creates ACCOUNTABILITY and may also serve for encouragement and support. Immediate reinforcement with small REWARDS builds motivation while you wait to reap the longer-term benefits. Visual measurement, such as recording your habit daily, will help reinforce behaviour and keep the habit streak alive. Good luck!
Dr Armorel Wood MBACP, accred MNCS Private Professional Counsellor
07765915211 | woodarmorel@gmail.com www.mapletreetherapy.org
Allen White, History Hero
By Julie Ratcliffe, Christchurch History Society
There is no doubt that one of Christchurch’s local history heroes is Allen White. A photographer by trade, when he passed away in February 1997 aged 78, Allen left a legacy that will most likely never be surpassed. As well as numerous meticulously researched books and booklets, he left a large archive of photographs, including many aerial shots, and photographs of the town’s historic records. This legacy forms a body of work that visually captures Christchurch’s remarkable past, and documents a changing town.
Born in Boscombe in 1919, Allen lived most of his life in Wick Lane, Christchurch. He worked initially at the Fairey Aviation Company in Hamble and was a volunteer for the Air Force Reserve. When war broke out, he was able to combine his interests (aviation and photography), working in the Middle East then Europe. After the war, he set up his photography business and worked freelance for the Christchurch Times. After this, in 1960, he became the staff photographer for MEXE (Military Engineering Experimental Establishment) off Barrack Road.
Allen’s books and booklets, many still available through the CHS website, provide an invaluable resource for anyone researching Christchurch. One series, ‘Christchurch Through the Years’, examines the history of the buildings on the town’s main streets using tithe maps, census records and his own photographs. Other books include ‘40 Years of Flying – Christchurch Airfield’ and ‘The Chain Makers’, the story of Christchurch’s fusee watch chain factories. The latter book became an important source for those studying horology (the science of measuring time).
Another great achievement was to make large, hard copies of the microfilm pages of the ‘Christchurch Cartulary’, medieval documents recording the Priory’s transactions, stored at the British Museum. Once all these had been put together, the texts could be translated and are now available to all.
Allen White devoted 50 years to the study and recording of the town’s history and heritage. Allen’s incredible photographic archive is cared for jointly by Christchurch History Society and The Red House Museum. He was by all accounts a modest man who disliked fuss, so when told he was to be presented with a Meritorious Award from Christchurch Borough Council, he insisted it was done separately to that planned at a History Society meeting. Allen White is without doubt one of Christchurch’s great local historians and we thank him for his remarkable legacy.
www.historychristchurch.org.uk Membership current cost: individual £12 per year, £18 per couple, and includes quarterly copies of The Journal.
Talks:
3 December 2024 – By sea to Australia and New Zealand, The Tyser Legacy – A history of the Port Line with Jonathan Clark (retd. Merchant Navy Engineer)
7 January 2025 – A metal detecting archaeologist with Tony Player
Allen White with a large format camera.
Picture courtesy of The Red House Museum
The unmissable sights of Vietnam
I have recently been working on an itinerary for a couple who are travelling to Vietnam in February 2025. Vietnam is a remarkably diverse country – a kaleidoscope of beaches, markets, mountain trails and motorbike rides, along with a rich history that manifests itself everywhere from pagodas to moving war sites. It can only be
fully appreciated with an immersive tour taking in different places, to ensure you experience all the highlights and the array of activities on offer. I was able to offer my customers a bespoke tour fully tailored to them, including transport, accommodation and English-speaking guides. Tours can be foodie focussed, history based, remote adventures or a combination. I could also include some, or all of them, on an itinerary around Southeast Asia, including a stop off in Vietnam. Here are some of the things you can see and do in Vietnam.
Cruise Halong Bay
This is a great way to discover this northeast Vietnamese UNESCO World Heritage site with its rainforest-topped towering limestone islands and wonderful snorkelling. You can spend a night onboard the small cruise boat as part of
Sally Pullen
your experience. You can also go kayaking here and visit a fishing farm where you can find out about the fishermen’s work and daily lives.
Discover the capital, Hanoi
Hanoi has a hectic Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market, lovely temples and a mix of Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. Here you can do a fascinating city tour taking in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison.
Hike the Mai Chau Valley
In the northwest region, about 135km from Hanoi, this mountainous landscape has trails of varying lengths and levels through rice fields and traditional villages. You can even stay in Vietnamese family homes.
Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly Saigon, this southern city is considered one of the most exciting cities in Vietnam with French Colonial architecture and renowned street food. Among its top sights are the Jade Emperor Pagoda, the War Remnants Museum and Binh Tay Market.
Cycle the Mekong Delta
This is a maze of rivers, swamps and islands surrounded by rice paddies. Bikes are a
great way to see all the fascinating trades and activities along its waterways. Tours tend to start from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho in the heart of the delta.
Relax in Nha Trang
A coastal resort in southern Vietnam, it has around 300 days of sunshine a year. A place to relax, enjoy sea food and snorkel at several sites from its many beaches or the 19 surrounding islands.
To book your bespoke Vietnam tour, or if you need help with any other travel plans, please get in touch.
E sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com W www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen
Hanoi, the capital city of the country
Take a cruise around Halong Bay
A garden for all seasons
By Colin Knapman
Even during the long dull winter months, it is possible to create interesting planting schemes and garden features that will help inspire you throughout the months ahead.
When considering what will look good, here are a few ideas:
• Evergreen shrubs are a must with their different shapes, sizes and variegated leaves. They will give you structure throughout the year. Take a look at Fatsia japonica or Viburnum tinus, planted in sharp contrast with some of the ferns and ornamental grasses.
• Add seasonal flowers, from snowdrops, primroses and bulbs in winter and spring, through to the multitude of summer flowering perennials.
• In addition to the huge selection of plants available, there are permanent features such as archways and pergolas or statues and sculptures. You could even try outdoor coloured lighting which will brighten up your garden and can be seen from the comfort of your cosy, warm fireside.
For further advice and detailed planting plans, contact Colin Knapman by phone or text: 07925 166767
Bow Creek Lighthouse
by Keith Morton – Association of Lighthouse Keepers – alkhurst@gmail.com
On our tour of lighthouses in England and Wales, we now arrive at a lighthouse with a significant difference, in that it is in the centre of London and was never used operationally.
The lighthouse is located on the Trinity Buoy Wharf, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and at the confluence of the River Thames and Bow Creek at Leamouth. There were two lighthouses at this location, the first of which was built in 1852 but was demolished in the 1920s. However, the second lighthouse, which still survives today, was not built until 1866.
As this lighthouse is located adjacent to Bow Creek, it is not surprising that the lighthouse is often referred to as the Bow Creek lighthouse.
The site on which this lighthouse is located was first used by the Elder Brethren of Trinity House in 1803. The site was used for the maintenance and storage of the buoys used to aid navigation on the Thames. The wharf was used for the docking and repair of lightships.
Both the lighthouses were used for training new lighthouse keepers. As technology progressed, there was a need to test out new ideas, so what could be better than to have a real, but not operational, lighthouse close to the workshops, saving long journeys to an operational one. As the wharf was a working area and adjacent to workshops, it was an ideal place for Michael Faraday to carry out experiments with radio transmissions.
In December 1988, Trinity House decided to close the Blackwall depot and transfer all the work to their Harwich depot. The area was taken over by the London Docklands Development Corporation and Urban Space Holdings Ltd took control of the site on a long lease. It was then developed as a ‘centre for arts and cultural activities’ with studio space being provided in used and refurbished shipping containers. Subsequently, a further collection of shipping containers formed ‘Container City 2’ in 2001, providing yet more studio and office space. A further extension to the Container City Complex was the ‘Riverside Building’
located next to the Thames and opposite the O2 Dome. It was yet another architectural design providing a further 22 studio spaces. Then in November 2005, the University of East London opened the Fine Arts Studios at the wharf and, in 2009, two dance studios in what was the old Trinity House chain store.
In November 2009, the lighthouse briefly returned to what could be deemed lighthouse design duties. A small team of Association of Lighthouse Keepers members from the lighthouse museum in Hurst Castle visited to carry out experiments in time lapse photography as seen from inside a lighthouse optic from a point where the light source would normally be located. The result of the experiments enabled one member of the team to obtain a degree in time lapse photography.
Keith Morton at Bow Creek Lighthouse
Solent and Dorset Coast Special Protection Area
by Tom (CHOG)
On 16 January 2020, Christchurch Harbour was classified as part of the new Solent and Dorset Coast Special Protection Area (SPA). The SPA is located on the coasts of Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex and was designated due to the internationally important populations of Common, Sandwich and Little Tern that use the sea habitat to plunge-dive for food.
As the Terns face a lot of pressure from predators, disturbance and tides, they unfortunately do not breed inside Christchurch Harbour. They do, though, use the area on a regular basis, and this year CHOG has been recording gatherings of Sandwich Terns inside the harbour and at Holloway’s Dock. As the Terns get ready to migrate south for the winter, they can be seen feeding and resting together. At the time of writing, the highest number recorded was on 17 August, when 132 were around Stanpit Bight.
Following our last article on Springwatch, there was a further BBC visit to the area. On 14 July 2024, the Countryfile programme looked at the reconstruction of Long Groyne and what is being done to support marine life around the new groyne. The presenters explored the history and wildlife of the area with the help of several CHOG members and local experts, and there were some great aerial shots of the harbour.
For a more detailed breakdown of the Countryfile coverage, head to the CHOG Online area of www.chog.org.uk if you are a CHOG member. If not, sign up on our Join CHOG page. Alternatively, you can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer.
October and November see the arrival of birds that spend the winter in the CHOG area. The first Redwings and Fieldfares will be looking for berries and invertebrates to feed on to get them through the colder weather. A good way to detect their arrival is to listen out at night for the ‘seep’ calls that the Redwings make as they fly overhead. Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group, known as CHOG, is an independent organisation and registered charity, which is dedicated to recording, promoting and conserving the wildlife of the Christchurch Harbour area. To find out more about CHOG, please scan the QR Code or visit www.chog. org.uk for the latest daily sightings and details on how to attend one of the outdoor meetings.
Dates for this winter include 10 November at Stanpit Marsh and 14 December at Keyhaven and Pennington Marshes. Events are free to members, or £2 for nonmembers. We hope to see you there.
Sandwich Terns photographed by Tom (CHOG)
Puzzle solutions
pomegranate Sparkling citrus cooler
Recipe by Amie Lunn
Makes four servings | Prep time: 5 minutes
Relish this delicious mocktail, rich in antioxidants from pomegranate juice, for a heart-healthy refreshment. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a delightful way to toast to good health, according to Heart Research UK. Ingredients
• Juice of 1 lime (use 2 if you like sour)
• 120ml 100% pomegranate juice
• 60ml fresh orange juice
• 600ml sparkling water or soda water
• Ice for serving
• Rosemary sprigs and lime slices for garnish Method
• Mix all the ingredients together in a jug.
• Fill your favourite glass with ice and pour the mocktail in.
• Garnish with lime slices and fresh rosemary. Please note: this drink contains naturally occurring sugars, so it is wise not to drink too much of it, and ideally enjoy it as an accompaniment to a healthy balanced meal. Visit heartresearch.org.uk where this and other healthy recipes can be found.
Charity of the Year
Carers escape to the seaside at Swanage thanks to Lewis-Manning
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care provided a day of escape and relaxation for a group of carers with a beach hut on Swanage Beach.
In July, the carers swapped their usual routine for a sunny day of adventure at Swanage Beach, giving them the chance to unwind, laugh, and even dip their toes in the sea.
The day kicked off with carers dropping off their spouses at the Lewis-Manning Day Hospice in Poole, where the hospice clinical team took over caring duties. The patients were set to enjoy a day full of clinical support, games, arts and crafts, and lunch, ensuring they had just as much fun as their carers.
Meanwhile, their carers headed to a beach hut in Swanage which was used as a base for the day and as the location for their monthly support and bereavement group.
Jo Sharkey, family support & bereavement lead at Lewis-Manning, said: “What a wonderful day we all enjoyed, it was incredibly relaxing and just what the carers needed. We devoured delicious fish & chips, someone bought some prosecco and another some fresh strawberries, it was such a treat.
“The loveliness of it all was just being able to sit and do nothing but enjoy each other’s company. There were lots of shared conversations about what is happening in their lives, but the day out provided time out for the carers not to be responsible for anything
or anybody for a short time, have food put in front of them and do something normal. Things that so many of us perhaps take for granted.”
One of the carers, Val, said: “When you’re a carer, it’s like you’re sitting in a hole, and you just want someone to come and sit with you. Lewis-Manning is my rock. The compassion and care are so special. I have been attending the group for around two years.”
Another carer, Alison, said: “As a carer, you are working 365 days a year, 24/7 with no support. There are no holidays. Who would want that job? Lewis-Manning is the only part of my life that has stayed the same for the past six months.”
Anyone interested in finding out about the Family Support and Bereavement Service at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is urged to visit lewis-manning. org.uk/bereavement-family-support.
Carers and Lewis-Manning’s Jo Sharkey enjoy their day at the beach hut. L-R: Alison, Val, Jo, Sylvia, Carol and Carla
RNLI Mudeford Fundraising Crew Newsletter
One Moment, One Crew
To commemorate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations took a photo at 6.24pm (for the founding year 1824) on 1 August 2024. The Mudeford drone photo featured 280 RNLI team members and supporters.
“We wanted a picture that reflects how much the Mudeford Lifeboat Station is an integral part of the community and how much the crew depend on the support and goodwill of so many people to continue their vital work, saving lives at sea,” said Louise Adams, one of the event organisers.
Thank you, Joan!
A big thank you to Joan Roddam, who, assisted by Nikki and Jean Valcke, is stepping down after braving the elements in spring and summer months to run the successful RNLI souvenir stall on Mudeford Quayside for over 17 years.
Join us
For more information on our events or monthly meetings, or to get involved with our Fundraising Crew, please contact Adele at adele.orr.63@gmail.com. We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers for our fundraising team.
Dates for the diary
Saturday 23 Nov: Christmas Fayre, Stanpit Village Hall, 10.30am–1.30pm.
Thursday 12 Dec: Coffee & Mince Pies Morning, Stanpit Village Hall, 10am–12pm.
Friday 20 Dec: Carols on the Quay, Mudeford Quay, 7pm–8pm TBC.
RNLI 200 Mudeford One Moment. Photo by Will Evans at Snap Photography
The RNLI Souvenir Team, left to right: Terry Melling (secretary), Robin Pellatt (vice chair), Jean Valcke, Joan Roddam, Nikki Valcke, Adele Orr (chair). Photo by Robert King
RNLI 200 Mudeford Volunteer Lifeboat Crew. Photo by Will Evans at Snap Photography
Short Story
Dare to Bare
by Mark Laming
I lowered myself onto the hard seat and gazed around the atmospheric room with the dark oak, wood-panelled walls and shivered. It certainly wasn’t warm in here and I was relieved to see the leader of the art class coming over towards me with an electric heater.
Susan Taylor was a strange looking woman with silver-grey hair tied back in a ponytail and pointy rimmed glasses. One of the artists said she was 90 years of age which I found hard to believe with her younger looks. She walked so well and her mind was razor sharp. Today, she put me at my ease saying everyone in the club was so friendly and I was not to worry about posing for their life painting session. The only problem was I’d never been a model before and wasn’t sure I wanted to be the centre of attention.
The welcome I received was great, and the tea and cake were just what I needed. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about posing for a group of 20 artists all staring so intensely at me. The instructions were to sit still and keep the same expression on my face. I wondered how difficult this would be.
I wasn’t exactly good looking but I think it was my beard and heavy body that appealed to them. God, were they going to paint me warts and all? My chair was on a raised box and I was centre stage. Still, I had agreed to pose and I must go through with it now.
Susan dragged the long, red extension lead for the heater up to where I was sitting and smiled encouragingly at me.
“Soon have you as warm as toast. Are you comfortable there, Peter?”
The heat was set to maximum but, at first, it only moved the cold air about before any warmth reached me.
“How long is the session?” I anxiously asked.
Sweeping a stray grey hair from her forehead, she went on to touch my hand. God, she felt so
warm. “Just an hour, Peter, and then it’s cover up time. We stop for coffee and you get a chance to peek at how everyone sees you. Some of the artists here are very good and sell their pictures locally.”
“And if I get an itch or want to uncross my legs, what do I do?”
“Just put a hand in the air and we’ll all stop painting. You’re bound to want to move but the trick is to return to exactly the same position. Do you think you can do that?”
I mumbled a weak acknowledgement as my eyes homed in on the artists setting up easels, arranging brushes and paints. There was much chatter as they prepared for the class. I wondered what they were thinking. Was I natural enough for them, and how would they portray my 60-year-old body?
The reason I chose to experience being a model was down to my wife insisting I should enjoy the first year of retirement and do something really crazy. She said I should take up art classes and paint the naked human form. Only I hadn’t told Debbie my plan to become the model instead and I couldn’t wait to see the expression on her face when she learnt what I had done.
With a clap of her hands the room went quiet and Susan informed the class they could commence painting. She added, in a gruff voice, that everyone should turn off their mobiles first. A flurry of searching bags went on for what seemed an age, then the show began.
With what felt like a million eyes staring at me, I sat perfectly still, watching the battery clock with a wobbly second hand on the wall that was running 10 minutes slow. I observed the scene unfold as the artists held their hands at eye level to take measurements for their initial sketching. All the time, their mentor was moving between them, glancing at their work and making comments.
Paintbrushes were soon dipped in paint and applied to their canvasses. How many of them would produce an image of me in the conventional way or possibly a modern, abstract mode? I looked forward to seeing their masterpieces. A number of the painters grinned as they worked while others frowned in concentration.
I was doing reasonably well, and then the most awful thing happened: an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach resulted in an embarrassing gurgle that just kept on going. I sat, desperately trying to ignore the roars of laughter, as my face turned red.
Slipping my hand in the air I indicated I required a rest from holding my pose.
Susan told everyone to calm down, saying it wasn’t that funny. She turned to me with
an encouraging smile. “Are you ready to continue, Peter?”
I nodded but, before correcting my posture, I looked around the hall and vowed never to do this again. Okay, I was fully clothed, but what an ordeal it had been. Sitting amongst all those nudists who were painting me was really weird. They had wanted an outsider for their class, a model who was entirely dressed, and I certainly hoped I lived up to their expectations.
I couldn’t wait to get home and tell Debbie all about my crazy day.
Mark Laming has written six novels, and over the last 30 years he has penned over 100 short stories of which four have been broadcast by the BBC. He was nominated for The People’s Book Prize 2019 for his novel ‘Shadow with Nowhere to Fall’. Visit his website: www.marklaming.co.uk.
LIVE ON STAGE
CROONERS
Sat 9 Nov: 19:30
Superbly original, utterly hilarious and thoroughly entertaining, Crooners is the original comedy music show combining hilarious one liners, laugh out loud silliness and a splendiferous injection of Big Band swing.
SWING UNLIMITED: WE’LL MEET AGAIN
Sun 10 Nov: 19:30
This year’s show marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944 with a celebration of many of the best known and loved songs, tunes and poems of the war years and beyond.
REGENT
COMEDY CLUB WITH SEANN WALSH
Fri 15 Nov: 19:30
Joining Seann is a spectacular bill with Comedy Central Live star and must-see act Peter Rethinasamy, rising talent Eva Bindeman, and the sublime Will Duggan as host.
WALK RIGHT BACK: THE EVERLY BROTHERS STORY
Sat 16 Nov: 19:30
Immerse yourself in a wave of pure rock and roll nostalgia as we recount the tale of those two Kentucky boys who created unparalleled vocal magic – The Everly Brothers.
RHYTHM OF THE DANCE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Sun 17 Nov: 14:30 & 19:30
Join us on this festive journey and let the magic of Christmas begin with all your favourite festive songs performed live by world-class musicians, star vocalists and world-champion dancers.
IOLO WILLIAMS: LIFE BEFORE THE LENS
Tue 19 Nov: 19:30
TV presenter Iolo Williams tells us about his experiences working as a Species Officer for the RSPB. Informative, insightful and entertaining, this talk will keep the whole family entertained.
THE ZOOTS: SOUNDS OF THE 70S SHOW
Fri 22 Nov: 19:30
Join the Zoots for their unforgettable show exploring the sounds of Abba, T.Rex, Queen, Bowie, Elton John, Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, and other amazing 70s legends!
THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE
Sat 23 Nov: 19:30
Get ready to rock your way through an unforgettable journey with the only show to be endorsed by Jon Bon Jovi himself!
To see our upcoming film titles, please visit our website www.theregent.co.uk or pick up a film list in-person on your next visit.
All information is correct at the time of publication. Please see our website for the latest information www.theregent.co.uk
Christchurch Living Advent Calendar 2024
Get ready for the Living Advent Calendar to return once again to the streets of Christchurch this December!
These free-to-attend daily events from 1–24 December are just the thing if you’re looking for something to get you into the Christmas spirit. Every evening from 6–7pm, a surprise performance will showcase different local performers at various locations around the town.
Singers, dancers, musicians, and choirs are just some of the acts you’ll enjoy as the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar (CLAC) returns for a successful fourth year. As with a traditional advent calendar, each night of CLAC 2024 a “window” is opened, and that evening’s performance is revealed.
Each evening is in aid of a different local
charity and is sponsored by one of Christchurch’s generous local businesses. On the night, collections and raffle tickets will raise money for that evening’s charity but there is no admission charge and free refreshments are often provided by local suppliers.
For details, please visit the website www.christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org or pick up a leaflet around town. These events are organised by Christchurch Rotary Club and other local volunteers with the support of Christchurch Town and BCP Councils.
Details of the events as they take place can also be found on Instagram (@christchurch_ living _advent) and Facebook.
Merry Christmas!
Jitterbug Jive took part in CLAC 2023
Not Home Alone
By Elizabeth McPherson
No-one wants to be on their own, and noone ever wants to feel lonely, which is why more and more singletons are combining forces and moving in together. I, myself, have a lodger and I love it. These women — and it is mostly women, although need not be — are usually in their 60s, single, widowed or divorced and simply do not wish to spend the rest of their lives wallowing in self-pity.
In fact, it’s one of the things I have joked about with friends. When I say joked though, I have meant every word — we all have. We have talked about what ‘space’ we would need, and we have all agreed to separate bathrooms and, of course, bedrooms, but apart from that, a communal shared space would work wonderfully. We have joked about how messy one person is versus another and have agreed that we would agree on a happy medium. Inspired by the Omaze adverts, we have dreamed of winning a large home to share.
As for the garden, we could all enjoy that, and, of course, we would all have pets. As we aged, and needed support, we would bring in the right help, and over time that help would support all of us as needed.
As you can see, we have done much musing. Frankly, the idea of sitting in the garden with your friends on a summer’s evening, watching our pets playing around the garden, is enough to warm your heart.
But if you think this sounds like an idyllic fantasy, why could it not be a reality? Let’s look at the benefits:
• No more lonely nights in alone
• Shared resources and house bills
• Company
• Fun
• A sense of safety and security
• Permanent pet-sitters when required
• No more worry about ageing on your own
With a supportive friendship group, you will be healthier and stay fitter for longer. After all, if you find yourself struggling, you can almost guarantee that you will have a friend in your home who will encourage you to keep going.
The list of benefits is endless. There is even a doctor on YouTube who says that companionship is one of the best ways to stay young and healthy and is the secret to living better for longer.
So, the next time you find yourself worrying about the future, why not be a little vulnerable, and share your worries with a trusted friend. You may well find that there is someone who feels just like you and before you know it, you are relishing nights in, rather than dreading them.
With Love
Beth
Photo by Arno Smit
Southbourne rower sets his sights on 2028 Olympics
The 2024 Olympics closed on 11 August, and now a local rower has set his sights on the next games, which will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
Southbourne’s Tom Walker has been helped with his training costs by an award of £1,000 from the Dorset Community Foundation LordLieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented. This is supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals.
The 18-year-old, who has been rowing at Christchurch Rowing Club for five years, is one of the rising stars of the Beach Sprint event, which will make its debut at the Los Angeles games from Friday 14 July to Sunday 30 July 2028.
It involves head-to-head racing where competitors run to their boats before slaloming around buoys, then rowing back to the beach and leaping out to sprint for the finish line.
Tom made his debut for the Great British team in the European Beach Sprint Championships in Poland in June and came back with a bronze medal in the under-19 solo after a dramatic sprint finish.
Tom won a bronze medal in Poland in June
Southbourne cafes launch reusable coffee cup scheme
Five cafes banded together in August to launch the Dorset Cup scheme with Litter Free Dorset to reduce single-use coffee cup waste.
The scheme allows customers to borrow a reusable cup instead of remembering to bring their own. Members of the scheme – which costs £5 to join – can take a cup from any of the participating cafes, enjoy their hot drink, and then return the cup to any cafe within the Dorset Cup network.
The participating cafes are Velo Domestique, Wild & Ginger, Makla, Harry’s, and Little Perth.
Dan Armstrong, Southbourne Coastal BID director and owner of Velo Domestique, said: “We at Velo Domestique have been searching for a way to introduce a reusable cup scheme to the area for many years.
“Reducing our business’s impact on the planet has always been a core principle, so we’re thrilled to join Litter Free Dorset’s exciting new Dorset Cup initiative.”
The scheme is designed to reduce waste and encourage a culture of reuse. Disposable coffee cups are almost impossible to recycle and are likely end up in landfill or be incinerated. Even ‘compostable’ coffee cups do not solve the problem, since most compostable packaging cannot be processed by local authorities.
For more information about the Dorset Cup Scheme, including how to become a member, visit www.litterfreedorset.co.uk/dorset-cup.
