The Bulletin | April 2021

The Bulletin

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Welcome tothe Bulletin!

As you read this, we shouldbe working our way towards an endto lockdown and together with longer days and warmer weatherthere is definitely a positive feeling in the air.

So good tohear thatalready events havebeen given the go ahead forthe summerincluding the Mudeford Arts Festival in July. If youare the creative type you may want to get yourbrushes and easelout andenter the Art Competitionthat is being held bythe Stanpit Village Hall - detailscanbe foundon page56.

For the younger members of our society the RNLI areholding a short story competition for5–15 year olds which you can readabout on page S32.

I wish youa happy Easter

Best Wishes,Julie

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Editor: Julie Smith

Tel:01425270100 or 07762 701271

Email: julie@themudefordmag.co.uk

www.themudefordmag.co.uk

Cover Photo Courtesyof John Clarke

Printed by Warwick Printing

Disclaimer: Whilst every carehas been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, thepublisher cannotacceptany liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errorsor omissions resultingfrom negligence, accidentorany other cause. The Bulletin does not officially endorseany advertising material included within this publication. No partof this publication may be produced,stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permissionof thepublisher.

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ayyliigghht t Sky

Financialadvicemadepersonal

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Yourgarden,Your way

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Did theStory Come True?

By Marianne Thatcher

Manyyearsago,when Iwasa Kindergartenteacher,acertainbook, whosetitleescapesme,was afirm favouriteofthechildren.

Thestorywasabout agreedyman, whobuiltmoreandmorefactories, destroyingthelandaroundit,while themanbecamericherandricher. Eventuallytherecame atime,when therewasnomorelandlefttobuild anotherfactoryon,sothemanwentto thetopofoneoftheslagheaplooking hillsandhad arocketbuilt.Heleftthe planetinhis rockettofindsomewhere new,ashehaddestroyedmuchof theEarth.Heflewaroundforages inspaceandfinallysaw abeautiful bluePlanetanddecidedtogothere. Whenhelanded,henoticedallthe lovelyflowers,treesandmeadowsand decidedtobuildhisnewhomethere!

Itwouldseemtobe aratherprophetic story.Muchofourplanethasbeen seeminglyirreparablydamagedby

thegreedandcarelessnessoflarge companies.Thesheerquantityof plasticsfloatinginouroceansis unimaginable.Ourearthhasbeen damagednotjustbyindustries,but alsofrommining,wars,overfishing andsomuchmore.Ithasgottothe stagewherefineplasticparticleshave beenfoundinfish,whichnowfind theirwaytoourdinnertables. We have anew scourge,consistingof masksandrubberglovesappearing onourbeaches,inforestsandoceans, presenting amajorhazardfor wildlife, petsand youngchildren.

Itishearteningtoseepeoplepicking uprubbishonthebeaches,let’shope thatfromnowoneveryoneisableto taketheirlitterhomeorfind abin. To thebigindustrialistindustries aCree Prophecyservesas areminder:

“Onlywhenthelasttreehasbeen felled,thelastfishbeencaught,and thelaststreampoisonedwillmankind realizemoneycannotbeeaten.”

andperhaps:

“WedonotInherittheEarthfrom OurAncestors,weborrowitforOur Children”.

Solet’sleave agoodFuturetoour young,onewithAbundanceforall, notjustthefew,andbyAbundanceI includeJoyandResourcefulness.

©Marianne Thatcher

Photo:KaiDahms~UnSplash

TheDaylightSky

Sky WatchingwithRufusHenderson-Smith

Springtimeis agreattimetospot afew daylightsurprisesinthe sky. Everyone’sfavouriteandmost commonlyseenis,ofcourse,the rainbow.Amazinglyitiscreated bysunlightrefractingthrough everysingleraindropfallingfrom ashowercloud.Eachdropletof wateractsas aprism,bending lightinslightlydifferentdirections, resultingin aromanticdisplayof everycolourinthespectrum.A rainbowcanonlybeseenwith thesunbehindyou.Ifyouare highenoughthe rainbowwill extendfurtherthanjustanarcand ultimatelywantstoachieve afull circle,however,youwillneversee thiswithyourfeetontheground.

In asimilarsituation,halos areformedwithin icecrystals appearingincirruscloudshigh intheatmosphere.Thisrare occurrenceiseffectivelya completerainbowseenaroundthe suncovering over20degreesof sky.Togiveyou anideaofhow muchskythisis,hold aclenched fistatarm’slength;thedistance betweenyourforefingerand littlefingerknucklesisaround10 degrees.

Sundogsappearperpendicularto thesunwhencloudincreases,and theentirehalocannotbeseen. These‘parhelia’areasbright asthecloudedsunand amini sectionof arainbowcanbeseen 10degreeseithersideoftheSun, parallelwiththehorizon.

Disclaimer:Itisimportanttoremindyou toneverlookdirectlyattheSunwiththe nakedeyealsotakinggreatcarenottopoint cameras,binocularsandtelescopesinthe directionoftheSun.

SunDogbyBelindaFewings~UnSplash

Waveto Timothy

ShortStoryby MarkLaming

Theboylookedmuchyoungerthanhis tenyearsandhisfatherhadnorightin sendinghim roundtoborrowoneofmy powerdrills.What reallyannoyedmewas whyBarryhadn’tcomehimself.

ItriedtosmileasyoungRobert mentionedhewastoaskformynewer drillandnottheolderonewiththe scratchedcasing. Twohourslaterthe youngladwasbackwiththemessage thatthedrillhadbrokenandcouldhe borrowtheotherone.

Theboy’sfatherBarryand Igobacka longway.Morerecently,I wasfarfrom pleasedwhenhemovedintoourstreet. Iquestionedwhyhechosetoliveina housejustfourdoorsawayfromme.

Twentyyearsago,wewerestruggling youngactorslongingforthatfirstbreak thatwouldleadtostardom. Ialways admiredBarry’sadrenalin andpositive attitude.Heinsistedthatfamewasjust aroundthecorner.All wehadtodowas treadmoreboardsand keepplayingthose minor rolesinpoorlyfundedtheatres.

We bothadoredthethrillofstanding on astageplayingtoanaudience,even

ifattimesitwas averysmallnumber ofpeopleattendingtheperformance. In reality,webarelyhadenoughmoney foraccommodation,trainfaresortoeat regularly.Itwas allaboutsurviving,waiting fortomorrow’sdreamtoarrive.

Ihadmyfirst realbreakwhen atheatre producercametoseetheshowwewere starringincalled‘WavetoTimothy’.My chancehadfinallyarrived;itwasthe opportunitytogoontobiggerandbetter actingparts. Isignedmyfirstcontract leavingBarrytotakehischancesonthe circuitwhilst Imovedonto aWestEnd show.

ThelastwordsBarrysaidtomeasI climbedintothetaxiwere,‘Youareright,I amjealous –thisbreakshouldhavebeen mine,notyours.’

IleftBlackpoolonanafternoonwhen itwasrainingsoheavilythateventhe amusementarcadesandchipshopshad shutearly.Whilst Iwasannoyedwith Barry’sreaction,in astrangewayitmade memoredeterminedtogetonwithmy career.

Yearslaterallmyhardworkasan actorpaidoffaffording aleveloffame andearningsthatallowedmetolive comfortablywithmywifeinLondon.

***

Theyearspassedquickly,yet my sadnessoverlosingBarry’sfriendship continuedtoweighmedown. We only metupoccasionallybutnomagicexisted. Ourconversationsstillplayoverandover inmyhead.Hetoldme,‘Tellyouwhat, Andrew,there’s skillandthere’sluckand youfallintothelattercategory.Youwere justintherightplaceatthetime.’

Alwaysonthedefensive, Isnapped back.‘Imustbedoingsomethingright. Luckisjustthesteppingstonefor developingtalent.’

Heshruggedhisshouldersand muttered,‘Ifyousayso.’

***

Nowhe’sbackinmylifeagain,Barry wantstoburythehatchet.Hewassorry forbeingjealousofmychanceofmoving upthecareerladder.I feelapprehensive inextendingthehandoffriendship,nowI onlyseeBarryas astranger.

***

Afew monthsago, Iwasplayingthe leadin ashowinourtownanddeveloped stagefright. Iputitdownto Barrybeing backonthescene.Myconfidencetowalk outonto astagehadbecome aproblem. Iliterallyfrozefor afewmomentsand realiseditwasgoingtotake asupreme efforttostepforwardandfacethe audience. Iwasshakingsobadlyandwas convinced Iwouldruintheperformance. Thestagemanagerwavedatmefrom thewings. Icould readthewordsashe silentlymouthed,‘ComeonAndrew,you candoit.’

***

Mymindracedbacktowhen Igotmy firstbreak.Itwastheperformanceof ‘WavetoTimothy’and Idid areallybad

thing. Iwasin ahurrytogetbacktothe changing roomsand amanin asmart suitstoppedtoaskmeifhecouldhave aword. Heexplainedhewas atheatre agentlookingfornewtalent.Having seenmeplayTimothy,hetoldmehe waskeentosignmeup. Iwashowever acutelyawarethatthismanhadbecome confusedinthinking Iwastheactorwho hadplayedthepartofTimothy,whenin truthitwasBarrywhohadimpressedhim, notme!

Itooktheopportunitytograspfame, onlyonthisparticularoccasionitshould havebeenBarry’sbig break. ***

SohereIamagainstandinginthewings waitingtogoon. Iamatmy wits endas Barryhasnotonlycomebackintomylife butheisalsothestagemanagerofthis theatregroup.

InodmyheadinthedirectionofBarry whoisanxiouslywavingformetostep ontothestage.When Idomove, Icatch thelookonhisfaceas Iturnawayinthe directionofmydressing room.I have decided Iwillnevertreadtheboards again.

Ishouldneverhaveliedandstolenthis man’sgoldenchanceforfame.Barryhad putontheperformanceofhislifeand Ihadpretendedthat Iwasindeedthat superbactor.I wasnoTimothy.

Barryneverfoundfameasanactorand driftedintostagemanagement. Yes,he wassuccessfulinhisworkbuthisdream hadbeendiverted.

Noweachtimewemeetuphespeaks kindlyaboutmyactingcareer.He,is however,unabletocomprehendwhyI’ve retiredsoearlyfromtheprofession.He offersmehishandtoshakeand alump comestomythroatastheguiltcomes thunderingback.

IknowIhavesteppedoffthestagefor theverylasttime.

INVESTinYOURSELF!

Whilsttheworldhasstopped,youhavehadanamazingopportunity.Anopportunityto investinyourself.TimetocheckinandsortofrunanMOTonyourself.

•Maybeyouhavefoundthatyoudon’teatas wellasyoushouldandnowisthetime toensureyoufeedtherightkindoffoodsintoourbody.Afterall,goodfoodisour naturalmedicine.

•Maybeyouhavesignedupforcourses,inparticularpersonaldevelopment,thatallow youtoexpandyourmindandsoul.

•Perhapsyouhaveexpandedyourspiritualsideandgrownyour‘tribe’oflike-minded friends(Iknow Ihave grownmine and Iamhappierfor it)

•Perhapsyouhavelookedatyourhomeandrealiseditneedsadeclutter.

• Perhapsyouhavetakenup anew fitnessregime,onethatyoumayneverhave consideredbefore.Whowouldhavethoughtwewouldbeexercisingathome,infront ofyourlaptop!

•Perhapsyouhavetakenstockofyourlifeandrealizedyouneedto‘tweak’somethings. Maybetherearesomethingsthatdon’tresonate withyouanymore.

Maybe,justmaybe,youhavefound astrengthinyouthatyouneverthoughtyouhad,and oncethingsgetbetter,thenmaybeyoubelieve nowisthetimeto decluttereveryelement ofyourlifeinordertogettothathappyplaceyouwanttobe.MaybeyoufoundBRAVE!

Photo:AaronBurden~UnSplash

THECOASTALINTERIOR

Coastalinteriordesigncanmean alot of differentthingstolotsofdifferentpeople. Ifyou’redesigningfortheCaribbean,you mayimaginecoloursthatareasvibrant asthespicetrade;ifyou’rethinkinga Mediterraneanvilla,warmer,earthytextures arewhatyoumaybeenvisioning.Then again.Californiastyleisveryneutraland naturalintextureswithlotsofwhites, creams,tansandmutedblues/greens whilstHamptonstyleinteriorsareusually light,brightandwhitewashedwitha sophisticated,classicyetbeachyvibethat comesacrossaseffortlessandcalming.

COASTALLIVINGROOMS

Whilethekitchenmaybetheplacewhere friendsandfamilygathermost,theliving roomistheplacewhereyoucandeliveron casualcoastalmotifswithoutsacrificing elegance.Ifyouareluckyenoughtoenjoy waterfrontviews,bringtheoutdoorsin withunfetteredwindowsthatprovidea seamlesstransitionfromtheindoorsand outside.Passonwindowtreatmentsthat mayobstructtheviewofourcoastand arrangesofasandsectionalsaroundyour bestvistas.In acoastalliving room,like virtuallyany roomwithcoastal-inspired design,naturallightisyourbestfriendanda hallmarkofyourinteriorspace.

Amplifythelightinyourhomewithlots ofwhite –whitewalls,whitefloors,white ceilings –asthecolouramplifieslightand providesthefloodofsunshinethatgive coastalhomestheirvastsenseofopenness.

Ifyourhomeisshortonnaturallightselect elementscanbeusedtoyouradvantage. Smartusageoflamps,sconcesand mirrorscanprovideartificiallightthatstill exemplifiesthesun.

Coastalfurnitureistheoftentheopposite ofwhatmostthinkofwhentheythinkof elegancespaces.Thebestkindofsofas, occasionalchairsandfurnishingsarethe kindsthatcanstandupto awetswimsuit, thesandthedogdraggedinfromthe beach,oropenwindowsthatwelcomein theelements.High-stylefurniture,suchas upholsteredsofas,cantaketheirfairshare ofabuseandcaneasilybedry-cleanedto maintaintheircleanaesthetic.

COASTALKITCHENS

Aneffectivelydesignedkitchenshould accountforthefunction,moodand personalityoftheinhabitants.Thekitchen shouldhave anaturalfocalpointwherethe eyeisautomaticallyfocuseduponentering the room.Thiscouldbeyourkitchen’s

islandordiningnook,astheseareascan besprucedupwithselectcoastaldécoror popsofcolourthatbringwarmthandset thetone.

Naturally,yourkitchen’sfurnitureshould satisfyyourfunctionalneeds.Ifyour tables,chairsorotherfurnitureistoobig ortoosmallforthe room,it’stimetothink ofsomethingmoreappropriate.When selectingcoastalliving-inspiredfurniture, goforwornorreclaimedwoodsforyour kitchen’sdiningarea.

Complementthesetableswith awooden armorsidechair,optingfor adiningchairin anaturalwoodcolourorcompletelywhite.If thediningnookinyourkitchenisyourfocal point,consideraddingsomebluewooden chairstogivetheareasomenautical influence.

Lighting,likefurniture,shouldbecarefully chosenbasedonthefunctionsofthe kitchenaswellasforaestheticappeal. Nauticalpendantlightingaboveislands isoften ago-todesignmove,especially thosethathave anickelorbronzefinish. Ofcourse,makinguseofnaturallighting shouldbe amajorconsideration,andthis canbecomplementedwithaccentlighting toenhancetexturesand room details asnecessary.

COASTALBEDROOMS

Moodisoftenthemajorconsiderationwhen designingforthebedroom.Aswithother coastal-designed rooms,thebedroomlends itselftolotsofwhitesandbluesthroughout. Thesefoundationalcolourpaletteswillseta calmingand relaxingmoodthatyou’dwant in aplace you restyourheadeachnight.

Amust-haveifyouareconsideringcoastal bedroomdecoriswoodwith adistressed finish.Thisgivesyourfurnishings asortof wornlookasifit’sspenttimeinthewaves. Distressedwood,seagrass,bambooand rattanareallgreatbeach-inspiredfurniture foryourcoastalbedroom.Whenthinking about acolourscheme,thesky(orocean rather)isthelimit. Touchesofcoraland red

arewonderful accentsalongwithgreens, bluesandpopsofyellow.

Sincethereare nohardrulesfor agreat beachdesign,anin-homebeach retreat oftenpresentsthesameoverallnauticalnaturevibes.Itusuallymeans acausal andpeacefulfeelingwithplentyofoceanic colours,vintagefurnishingsandmotifsthat suitthetheme.Decorationsofteninclude (thoughcertainlyaren’tlimitedto)nautical ropeaccessories,thetraditionalnavyand whitestripe,distressedwood,boldpopsof colourandsealifeaccentstobringit alltogether.

GARDENS -AHAVEN FORBIRDS

ByRon Toft

As aresultofCOVIDrestrictions,most ofushavespentmuchmoretime duringthepastyearenjoyingour gardens(ifweareluckyenoughto haveone)andprobablytakenmore than apassinginterestinthedifferent birdsthatfeedandbreedinour belovedgreenspaces.

Thishasresultedinlotsofpeople seekingonlinehelpwithidentifyingthe speciestheyhavebeenluckyenough towatchwiththenakedeyeorthrough binocularsordigitallyimmortaliseon smartphones,compact,bridgeand SLRcameras.

Inmyexperience,somenovice birdwatcherscanfeel alittle embarrassed askingforhelpin identifyingbirdswhichareprobably extremelycommonbut‘new’and excitingtothem,butwehaveallhadto startsomewhereand Iwillalwaysbe gratefultothemanyveteran‘birders’ whohave helped meonnumerous occasionsovertheyears.

Weneedtonurture up-and-coming birdwatchers,especiallyyoungsters, andensuretheyareencouraged andhelpedtolearnmoreabout ornithology –oneofthefewsciences inwhichamateurscananddoplayan extremelyimportantpart.

Somebirdwatcherstakepleasurein simplywatchingouravianwonders casuallywithoutrecordingwhat theyhaveseenandwhere.Others, however,meticulouslynotethespecies theyhaveseenand/orheard(perhaps intheirlocalareaor‘patch’aswecall it),orphotographthemor,iftheyare trainedandlicensedtodoso,catch andringbirdstolearnmoreabout theirmovements.

Thecontributionthatamateurscan maketoornithologyissuperbly illustrated,forexample,bythehuge numberofrecordsofgarden birds submitted duringthepastquarterof-a-centurytotheBritishTrustfor Ornithologyresearchorganisation. ThankstothesededicatedBTOGarden

Blue TitbyAmanda Cunningham Goldfinch by Alan Crockard

Birdwatchparticipants, astaggering 194 MILLION-plusindividualbirdsand otheranimalshavebeenrecorded inmorethan 56,000gardenssince 1995. Atotalof42.1millionfilledupfeederswererecorded,more individualrecordsweresubmittedfor HouseSparrows(18.1million)than foranyotherspecies,theBlackbird wasthebirdonmostparticipants’ lists(8million)and atotalof 387 species(birds,dragonflies,butterflies, bumblebees,reptiles,amphibiansand mammals)wererecorded.

ThehighestgardenintheGarden Birdwatchschemeisatanaltitude of438metresabovesealevelin Nenthead,Cumbria,themostsouthwesterlygardenmonitoredfor25 yearsisonTheLizard,Cornwall,and themosteasterlyisinLowestoft, Suffolk.

Thecommonestgardenbirdin1995 wasthedapperBlueTit –anditstill wasin2019.TheBlackbirddropped fromsecondtothirdcommonest. Oneofthebigsurprisesisthatthe

Woodpigeon,whichrankedonlytwelfth mostpopular aquarter-of-a-century ago,shotuptosecondin2019.The othertoptengardenbirdsin 2019 were:Robin(4),GreatTit(5),Dunnock (6),HouseSparrow(7–downfrom3 in1995),Goldfinch(8 –upfrom20in 1995),Magpie(9)andCollaredDove(10). Nothingstaysthesameinnature,which iswhatmakeswatchingitsofascinating formillionsofus.

Whoknows whichgardenbirdswill betopoftheavianpopsinanother25 years?

www.BTO.org.

Locally,whynotjointheChristchurch HarbourOrnithologicalGroupasmore than 500otherenthusiastshavedone?

CHOG.org.uk

BlackbirdbyDavidJohn Faulkner

COMPUTERS 4K DS IDS

Tradingas acomputer repairbusinessfor 25yearsRapidPCshavealwaysbeen willingtogiveawayequipmentinorderto helpsomeone.That’shuman,isn’tit.?

Thepast12monthsservingpeople,my instinctshaveoftentoldmethat Iam facingsomeonewhocoulddowith ahand. Grandparentscomingintopurchasea computertohelptheirchildren’schildren becausethemotherorfatherhaslosttheir joborhadhours reducedorworse,suffered fromCOVID.

Idecidedtoactafterhearing anewsitem onRadioSolentinthemorningontheway towork,sayingthat400computerswere suppliedtochildrenontheIsleofWight. Brilliant! Ithought. Welldone.Thenewsitem concludedbystatingthat7000children werestilldeemedtobeinneed.Ifthiswas thesupportavailableforcommunitiesit seemedliketherewas room tohelp.

Iwenthomethatnightandknockedupa quickposterandoptimisticallypostediton ourFacebookpage.

Myoptimismwasconfirmedtheverynext morningat 8am. Iarrivedatworkand RichardOswaldfromPPPrintingwassat outsideinhiscarwith 3perfectlygood laptops!Notably,ourveryfirstdonation. Thatweekcontinuedwithmoreandmore peoplemakingcontactviaC4K@rapidpcs. comaswellasdroppinginequipment.So excitingtoseethekindnessofpeopleand willingnesstohelp.TheFacebookpost receivedjustunder400sharesandthis magnifiedtheeffect. Yousee,it’snotallbad withFacebook.

Aweeklater acustomerofoursputa chequefor£1000onthecounterandasked ustoadministeritinthebestwaypossible. Just anormal,localguywith akindheart. With alittlehelpfromus,thisbought MudefordJuniorSchool10complete computersystemsworthinexcessof £2500.

GavinDoherty,anotherlocalbusinessman, hadquietlynoticedtheappealliterature inourshop.Saidnothingand returned30 minuteslaterwith£600+worthofup-todatecomputers(howlovelyisthat!)Which wentstraightoutto aschool,within24hrs! Peoplewhoareconfined tohomehave beenpostingitemstousandwehavealso arrangedsociallydistancedsafecollections too.

Thegenerosityofcustomersandthe generalpublichasbeenoverwhelmingand heart-warming.

Iprocessthedonatedcomputersathomein theeveningandovertheweekendwiththe helpofmyson.Luckilymywife,Gvantsa, isveryunderstandingofthesituationand doesn’tmention themess Ihavemadein ourflat. We fundtheprovisionof abrandnewSolidStateHardDrive(SSD)inmostof theunits,whichwillmakeeven a10-yearoldcomputeruseableasthesedriveswill workat10 xthespeedof atraditionalhard drive.So,youcanputthemin areallyold computerorlaptopandtheyrunasfastasa brand-newmachine.

Being asmall,grassrootscampaignit seemstogivetheflexibilitytomoveandact quicklytoeffectchange.Whichweareonly abletodowiththesupportofourfabulous communityhereinDorset.

We have reachedoutasfarasCorfeHills SchoolinPoole.Inexcessof900pupilsand inparticularneed,itseems. We hopetobe supplyingthemwithmoreequipmentaswe continuetoprocessthedonations.

Anydonationsthataretoooldtobeofuse aregiventotheSocietyofSaintJamesin Southampton. Acharityorganisationthat recyclesITequipmentandfeedthemoney backintothecommunity.Aprojectworking withpeoplewhoarehomelessorhave substanceproblems.Sonothingiswasted.

Iwon’tsayithasbeeneasy,theshop hasbeenopensincelastMarchandthe demandsonourtimeincreasedbysome 50%witheveryoneworkingfromhome.

Allofusarea littleweary.Therewillbe plentyoftimefor restinthefuturethough. We area smallteamoffour,dedicatedto helpingpeoplewiththeirITneeds.Once again,thefactweareindependent,small andhavedonethisfor25yearshasbeen suchanassetwiththe recentchallenges wehaveallfaced.Itwouldhavebeenmuch easierandpossiblysaferforustohave chosenthefurloughoptionbutthatwould havebeenmuchlessexciting,wouldn’tit? Withorwithoutlockdowntherewill befamilieswhoarestrugglingand theincredible responsefromdonors encouragesmetodomore.Plus, afar betteroptionthancomputers,screens, tabletsandlaptopsbeingsatin acupboard ortakentothelocaltip.So, Iintendto continuewiththeinitiativeandexpandit withthesupportofthecommunityandof coursetheBournemouthDailyEcho. That’sitsofar.Schoolsarestillcontacting meand Iencounterpeopleintheshopdaily whowillbenefit. Iamextremelygratefulto be aconduitfortheunendingkindnessand generosityofthecommunity.

byMikeCobelli

My FavouriteGreekSummerDestinations

Whitewashedarchitecture,cobbled alleysandsplendidbeaches,whether onitspicture-postcardislandsoronthe mainland,alongwiththemostdelicious Mediterraneancuisine,makethisclassic holidaydestination abrilliantspotfor arelaxinggetaway.Atmosphericruins andmesmerisingmuseumsareahistory lover’sdream,whileover1000Greek islandsleavetravellersspoiltforchoice withanabundanceofazurebeachesand divingopportunities.Thisculturaltreasure trovecanbeenjoyedalongsidetraditional tavernasservingdeliciousGreekfood accompaniedbyanouzoortwounder thestars.

Crete

ThelargestandmostpopulatedGreek island,Cretepairsstunningbeaches (PlataniasandElafonsi)withthousands ofyearsofhistory(Europe’soldestcity -Knossos),andfor aromanticbreak awayonthislovelyisland,couplescan’t gowrongwiththefive-starDaiosCove LuxuryResortand Villas.

Irecommend…….DaiosCoveLuxury Resortand Villas

Blendingintoitsincrediblenatural surroundings,DaiosCoveisfocused on agorgeous-heatedinfinitypoolwith dazzlingseaviews.Aswellas atempting arrayofoff-siteexcursions,this resort hasitsownpacked rosterofactivities includingkayaking,scuba-diving,yoga andPilates.

Halkidiki

AnotherGreek regionthatgoesdown wellwithyoungfamiliesisHalkidiki.With itsunspoiltlandscapeandhillscarpeted withwildflowers,nottomentionover300 milesofbeautifulwhite-sandcoastline, itisundoubtedlyoneofthemostfamilyfriendlyGreek regions.

Irecommend………SaniResort

Thehubofthe resortistheglamorous Marinawithitsupscale restaurants,bars andboutiques.Asidefromthis,there’s 7kmofgloriousbeaches,fiveunique spas, avastarrayofsportsandactivities, crèchesandkids’clubsforagesfour monthsthroughto17, anewAdventure Parkwithzip-linesandchallengebridges, andanincredible24 restaurantsand 17bars.

Santorini

ThevolcanicislandofSantoriniis renownedforitscliffsidetownsand villages,withdazzling-whitebuildingsand Instagram-worthysunsets,aswellasit’s NeaKamenihotspringsand prehistoricruins.

Irecommend…….Mystique, aLuxury CollectionHotel

Idealfor romanticescapes,Mystique,a LuxuryCollectionHotel,layscarvedinto theruggedcliffsoverlookingtheazure watersoftheAegeanSea.Thankstoits subtlecolourpaletteandwell-considered design,thehotelhasanairyfeeland acarefreespiritwhichcomplements itsexclusivenature.The41luxurious suitesandvillasarelinkedby anetwork ofcobbledpathwaysandeachoffer unobscuredviewsoutacrossthesea.

Corfu

AsummergetawaytoCorfuisan opportunitytoimmerseyourselfinthe island’seclecticculturefollowingyears ofinfluencefrom Venetian,Frenchand Britishrulers.Thepicturesqueislandis definedbyit’sruggedmountainslopes whichplungerapidlyintotheazurewaters oftheIonianSea.

Irecommend………..DomesMiramare, aLuxuryCollectionResort

Thissophisticatedadults-onlyproperty, in aModernistbuildingthatwasonce ownedbytheOnassisfamily,offers suitesthatopenontoolivegrovesand lushgardens,orthealluringshoresof theIonianSea. Amustforwater-sports fans,withwake-boarding,scuba-diving andtubingallonoffer,it’salso ahit withfoodiesforitsGreekand Venetianinfluencedcuisineby aMichelin starredchef.

Bookyoursummerbreaktooneof thesegreatGreekdestinationstodayby contactingmeandtakeadvantageof exclusivebenefitsincludingfullfinancial protectionand a24-hourdutyoffice readytoassistyoubefore,duringand afteryourstay.

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BookReview

TheMermaidofBlackConchbyMoniqueRoffery£9.99

ItisApril1976andinStConstance, atinyCaribbeanvillageontheislandof BlackConch, afishermansingstohimselfinhisboat,waitingfor acatch, butattracts asea-dwellerhedoesn’texpect. Aycayia, abeautifulyoung womancursedbyjealouswivestoliveas amermaid,hasbeenswimmingthe CaribbeanSeaforcenturies,andsheisentrancedbythismanDavidandhis song.Theiridyllisbrokenwhentheirsecretmeetingsarebroughttoanendby aFloridafatherandsontrawlingislandwatersinthehopeofbaggingfirstprize in afishingcontest.Suddenly,they’rethinkingbig –asaletotheSmithsonian orthecoverof Time.ButcanDavid rescueher?

TheLostPianosofSiberiabySophyRoberts£10.99

Thiscritically-acclaimedSunday Timesbestsellercharts adramaticquest throughtwocenturiesofRussianhistoryandeighttimezonesstretching acrossaneleventhoftheworld’slandsurfacesearchingfortherarepianos thatwerecreatedduringtheboomyearsofthenineteenthcenturyand managedtosurvive.Theytellthestoryofhow,eversinceenteringRussian cultureundertheinfluenceofCatherinetheGreat,pianomusichasbeen amainstreamofSiberianmusicalculture.Thestoryofhowthesepianos madethejourneyintothissnow-boundwildernessinthefirstplaceistruly remarkable,andthattheymightbecapableofmakingmusicinsuch ahostile landscapefeelslike amiracle.

Vi Spy:LicencetoChillbyMazEvans£6.99

ManyofyouwillbefamiliarwithbrilliantlocalauthorMazEvansfromherWho LettheGodsOut?seriesofbooks.Nowwehave anewadventurefeaturing Vi.Divorce istoughforanykid.Butwhen -like Vi’s parents -yourmumis ex-secretserviceandyourdadis aretiredbadguy,‘tilldeathdouspart’takes on awholenewmeaning.Whileherparents’focusoneachother,the real super-villainsarehaving afieldday.Tosaveherfamily -andtheworld -from evildomination, Vi mustturnspy...withhilariousconsequences.

Hello!I’mKirstyfrom BH6BooksandHome,anindependent bookshopandlifestylestorein SouthbourneGrove. We sellnewbooks,cards,jigsaws,giftsandhome-waresfromourshopand althoughwe’resmall,weprideourselveson aconstantlychangingstockthat reflectsthebestin publishing,carddesign,homeandgiftware. We alsotakeordersforbooks,CDs,DVDsandvinyl, withmostordersarrivingwithin24-48hours.

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Start to feed citrus plants

Gardening Jobs for April

Tie in climbing and rambling roses

Other Jobs to Consider

Sow garden favourite biennials foxgloves, hollyhocks as well as annuals

Sow greenhouse crops such as tomatoes

Protect fruit blossom from late frosts

Prune fig trees

Keep weeds under control

Feed spring bulbs to encourage greater blooms next year

lb

Increase the water given to plants

Sow hardy annuals and herb seed

All equipment and essentials needed for the above jobs can be found in store, ask any member of staff for assistance

thentic

Mediterranean C isine with Chef Jose

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewithChefJose

Chickpea PotagewithSpinach

Ingredients (serves 6)

600gdriedchickpeas

5springonions

3clovesofgarlic

15gsweetpaprika

5ghotpaprika

3bayleaves

400gcrushedtomatoes

30mlsherryvinegar

Vegetablebrothorwater(1Lapprox)

4potatoes

4eggs

500gfreshspinach

Groundblackpepper

Salt

Extravirginoliveoil

Paste

2slicesofbread

60galmonds

2garlic

Freshparsley

Preparation:

Leave the chickpeas to soak in plenty of cold water the night before (about 12 hours).

Chop the spring onion and three cloves of garlic. Poach the spring onions with some olive oil and add the garlic, stir a little and let it fry for a few minutes. Add the peppers and add the tomato, the bay leaf and a little salt.

Add the drained chickpeas, some vinegar and stir well for two minutes. Cover with water or cold broth, bring to the boil, cover, lower the heat and leave to cook slowly for 90-120 minutes depending on the type of chickpeas.

When it takes an hour or so, add the pieces of potato. Lightly season with salt and pepper and check the level of liquid. It should be thick. Cook while the eggs are still hard, cool and peel them.

During the cooking time, prepare a paste, for it. Fry the bread with some oil with the almonds and remaining garlic. Crush them in the mortar to make a paste, adding the parsley.

Five minutes before finishing the cooking, add the chopped bread to the potage and add the spinach. Serve with peeled, quartered or chopped eggs.

Watch me prepare thisand other meals on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSpanishKitchen

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

Reflections

By Colin Seager

Usually,Melvyncould rescue apicturethat wasgoingwrong.Lookatitfromtheside, turnthe canvas upsidedown,scrapeoff somepaintorleaveit acoupleofdaysand returnwithneweyes.Oftenthemundane couldbecomemarvellous.Butnotthistime.

Themorehelookedthemoreheconvinced himselfthattheprojectshouldbeabandoned: eithercoveritwith afewgessolayersand startagainorconfineittotheskip.His reputationsecuredas aleadinglandscape artisthequestionedwhyhe’dagreedto produce aself-portraittobeincludedin his retrospectiveexhibition. Amomentof weakness?

‘Timetocomeoutofyourshadows,nobody blamesyounow,’saidMarcia,thegallery owner.‘It’sabouttimeyourfollowerssawthe realyou,notthepicturepaintedbythe redtoppressandInternettrolls.Whobetterto produce asympatheticstudy?’

Sheinsistedalsothattheoriginalplein-air sketchof Reflectionsshouldbeincluded. Melvynarguedthatitwastoopainful.

‘LookatitanotherwayMelvyn,thisisan opportunity.Youjusthappenedtobeinthe wrongplaceatthewrongtime. Youare an artistsettlingdowntoconcentrateonthe sceneinfrontofyou,keepinghimselfto himself,focussingonthechanginglight.

Bystandersbehindyou,watching,admiring, andyes,inonecaseplotting. Youweren’tto knowwhathappened.’

‘That’smytrouble,mylifehasonlybeen aboutme,that’sit,me,mynextpaintingand nothingelse. Ibecomepartofeachpicture, that’swhat Ihavetodo. Ican’tdoitanyother way.’

‘That’spreciselywhatthecollectionwill show.Thepowerandimpactofeachpiece couldonlyhavederivedfromyou.Thatis whyyouaresuccessful.Forsuretherehave beensomebuyerswithmorethan ahintof ghoulishnesswhowereattractedbyyour periodofnotorietybutputthemtooneside.’

Melvyn relented,Marciawasrarelywrong, andheowedherforherunstintingsupport. Shedidn’twaverwhenhislifewasturned upsidedown.Howwashetoknowthat settinguphiseaselthatautumndaywould bethebeginningof anightmare?

Thebodyofsix-year-oldArchiewasfound inthewoodsbeyondthepondfeaturedin Reflections.Thepathologist’sreportfixedthe timeofdeathas afewdaysbeforeMelvyn wasthere.Onenewshoundtook astep toofarwhensheimpliedwithlittlesubtlety thathischoiceoflandscapewasakintoa pyromaniacenjoyingthe resultofhisactions.

Hecouldn’texplainthesmalltoydinosaur thatthepolicefoundatthebottomofhis rucksackwhentheycarriedout asearchof hisstudioandhouse.

Melvynlivedalone,mostlyinhisstudio, awayfromtheoutsideworld.Forhimhis belovedlandscapeswerebettercompany thananythingavailablefromhumankind.With hiseyesandmindsetonhissubjecthewas aneasytargetforwhoevertriedtoincriminate him.Manypassers-by rememberedthelone artistathistoilthatautumnday.Fortunately, whenhepaintedinoils,heworevinylgloves thatoutofhabithedidn’tremoveuntilafter hefinishedunpackinghisgearbackathis studio.Thekiller remainsatlarge.

PaintingbyColinSeager

ENDOFLOCKDOWNSALE