The Bulletin | March 2021

The Bulletin

Cruise With Confidence

S14

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S1100. . Shoorrt S Sttorry, , Sttucck k in the e Miiddddlle e

S1122. . The e J Joouurrneey y

Welcome tothe Bulletin!

Thedays arealready notably longerand although the sunis stilllow in the sky, we are slowly starting to feel the warmth of spring. An added bonus is that the clocksgo forward on 28th March making usfeel thatbettertimes areontheir way. Already there isan air of positivity in the air as more and more people are receivingtheir vaccines,the restrictions willhopefully lessen,andlife takeson somekindofnormality again.

Mothering Sundayfalls on 14th March this year and if you would like to bake a traditional cake for the occasion, the recipe onpage 6givesdetails ofhowto make a Simnel Cake.

BestWishes,Julie

Please be assured that this publication has been delivered with theutmost care and considerationin thesedifficulttimes.

S1188. . Recciippee: : Cheeeessy y Taacco Paasstta

S2200. . One e Thhiinng g Leeadds s to o A Anoottheer r

S2266. . Dyssleexxiiaa: : Asssissttiivve e Teecchhnnoollooggy y

S2288. . Takkiinng g Soolaacce e i in n Natturre

S3300. . RNLI I Muuddeeffoord Liiffeebbooaat t G Guiilld d

S3322. . Hillbbrre Issllaannd d L Liigghhtthouusse e

500. . Connffliicct t in n Rellaattioonnshhiipps s

588. . Shhoorrt S Sttory: : Thhe e Party

600. . Looccaal l Hisstorry: : Ken n Youunng g

622. . Paaiinnttinnggs s F Frroom m the e Russsselll l C Cottes s

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.

Financialadvicemadepersonal

Werecognisethattalkingaboutmoneyandfinancesispersonal –sometimessensitive.Soit’sreassuring to knowthatthere’s someoneonhandwhocanhelpyouaddressyourneeds,understandyourgoalsand realiseyourdreams.

Weoffer afriendlyandapproachableservice,backedbythestrengthandsecurityof FTSE100company, St.James’sPlaceWealthManagement;andbeinglocalmeanswe’rehere to helpwheneveryouneedus. Let’sstarta conversation.

Leo,theLion

TheconstellationofLeo,likeall ancientzodiacalconstellations, followtheEcliptic;animaginary lineintheskythatshowstheplane ofourSolarSystem.Inother words,itistheapparenttrackof ourSuntogetherwiththepathof ourplanetaryneighboursMercury, Venus,Mars,Jupiter,Saturn, UranusandNeptune.

Atthistimeofyear,Leo iseasyto spoton aclearnightfor anumber ofreasons.Itissurprisinglyone ofthefewconstellationsactually similarinshapetowhatitdepicts. Littleimaginationisneededtosee

alionrecliningin apositionalmost identical totheEgyptianSphinx. Viewingin aSoutherlydirection abouthalfwaybetweenthe horizonanddirectlyaboveyour headyouwillsee abackwards facingquestion markorsickle with abrightstaratit’sbasethat

marksthelionsheadandchest. Regulus,thebrighteststarinLeo, representshisfrontpawandis inthetop15brightestNorthern Hemispherestars.Facingtoour righthisbodyextendstotheEast, endingwiththestarDenebolahis tail.

TheancientGreeksbelievedLeo was acavedwellinglionwhose skinwasimpenetrablebyany weapon.EventuallyHercules strangledLeoandthenusedone ofthelionsclawstomake acloak fromhispelttoprotecthimselfin theHeavens.

Sky Watching withRufusHenderson-Smith

Timelessvs Trendy

It’s arealdilemma!Keeping up on what’strendyandcurrentinhome designanddecorating.Theproblemis thatthosetrendschange –andoften! So,unlessyou’reabletocompletely redoyourhomeandfurnitureeveryfive years(nope),it’sjustaboutimpossible tokeepuponthetrends.“HowdoI createahomethatistimelessrather thantrendy?”Andperhapsevenmore importantly:“HowdoIcreateahome thatcaneasilygrowandchangeasmy tastesandstyleschange?”Afterall–it’snotaboutcreating amuseumthat neverchanges –it’saboutcreatinga homethatgrowsandchangesasyou do.

So,herearesomeofmythoughtson howtocreatesuch ahome –onethat canchangeasyourstyleandtastesdo. Onethatistimelessvstrendy.

1.Usetimelessclassicsforyourbigticketitems

Thereallyexpensivefurniturepiecesin yourhomeshouldbesomewhatneutral andveryclassictoensurestaying power.Thinktwice beforechoosingthat expensivesplashypinkvelvettufted sofaasthecentrepieceinyourliving room(unlessyouhavethemoneyto replaceitin ayearortwo.) Instead,opt for aclassicneutrallinentuftedsofa, andspiceitupwithpillowsandtrendy throws.

2.Usetrendypiecesandfinishesas accents

It’seasytoincorporatetrendylampsor smallfurniturepiecesasaccents,and it’seveneasiertochangethemwhen they’renolongertrendy.Thinktrendy sidechairorup-to-the-minutelamp. Thosepiecesarerelativelyinexpensive. They’llmake adifferenceinyourdesign, buttheywon’tcost afortune.

3.Cleanlinesarealwaysinstyle

Thingsthatarecleanlinedtendto stayinstyle.Ormaybethey’rejustless obtrusive,soyoureyeisn’timmediately drawntothem –thustheycanfitinto almostanystyle.Youcanalways paint acabinet,butit’sharderandmore expensivetochangetheinherentstyle ofthecabinet.

4.Usetexturetoaddinterest

It’smuchmorelikelythat atextural juterugwillstilllook freshinfiveyears than apalm-leafprintsidechairwill. Upholsteryandrug patternstendto besubjecttothewindsoftrends,so choosingtexturalpiecestospicethings upwillhavemorestayingpower.

5.Saveyourtrendysplurgesfor piecesthatcanbeswitchedout easily

Lightingisonetrendthat Ithinkisworth incorporatinginto ahome’sdesign–especiallythesmallerfixturesoveran islandorin abathroom.Andinstalling trendylightingwilldowondersfor keepingyourhomelookingup-to-date andstylish.Rugsareanotherfairlyeasy waytokeep aroomlookinguptodate. Theyareeasytoupdate,andtheymake ahugeimpact.Theactualflooring,on theotherhand,ismuchmoreexpensive anddifficulttochange.Sokeepingthe flooringfairlyneutralandlayeringona trendyrugis agreatoption.

6.Incorporatesomevintagepieces into aroomtoaddpersonalityanda senseofbeinggrounded.

Addingafewbeautifulvintageor antiquepiecestoeveryroomhelps give aroom asenseoftimeless styleandthefeelingthattheroom hasbeenassembledovertimewith thingsyoulove,ratherthanbeing purchasedstraightoffthefurniture storeshowroom.Andmixingantique orvintagepieceswithcontemporary piecesreallyaddstothevisualinterest of aroom.

7.Incorporatehigh-qualitynatural materialsintoyourinteriors.

Naturenevergoesoutofstyle,souse high-qualitynaturalmaterialsinyour homewheneveryoucan.Stone,linen, glass,leather,and woodallhavea timelessappealthatwillneverlook dated.Tryto usethemineveryroom ofyourhomefor acomfortable,classic look.Mostofthesematerialswill develop abeautiful,naturalpatinaover time –whichjustaddstothetimeless feelofyourhome.

8.Intheend,choosethingsthat appealtoyou –regardlessoftrends

Andafteralloftheabovetips,please remember –thegoalindesigningand decoratingyourhomeshouldalways betocreate aspacethatmakesyou feelhappyandis areflectionofyouand yourlifestyle.Andthatmeansthatyour homeshouldbefilledwiththingsyou love –regardlessofwhethertheyare trendyorinstyle.Inthe end,itreally doesn’t matterwhatyourneighbours think of yourhome– itmattershow yourhomemakesyou feel.

SouthCoastRevivals(InteriorStylist)

KarenMorris-07818012658

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewith thentic Mediterranean C isine with ProfessionalChefJose Professional Chef Jose

oc l Mushroom andBroccoli Buñuelos

ThesedeliciousBuñuelosaredesignedforvegetarians,althoughtheyaresuitable These delicious Buñuelos are designed for vegetarians, although they are suitable forallpalates.Theyare averyconvenienttapasorappetiserbecauseoftheir for all palates. They are a very convenient tapas or appetiser because of their flavourandbecausetheyaresoeasytomake. flavour and because they are so easy to make.

Ingredients (serves 6)

250ml MIlk

100g Butter

1 Pinch of salt

1 Pinch of thyme

125g Flour

5 Eggs

4 Chopped garlic

Nutmeg and black pepper

200g Mushrooms

150g Broccoli

Preparation:

Cook broccoli in boiling water for 3 minutes. Cool in cold water. Set aside. Bake the mushrooms in the oven at 180o C for 10 minutes. Set aside.

Put the milk, butter, salt, chopped garlic and nutmeg in a saucepan.

Heat and when boiling, reduce the heat and pour in all the flour and mix well with a spatula without removing from the heat for 4 minutes.

Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl.

Add the black pepper and add the eggs one at a time. It is very important when incorporating the egg to mix well until it is completely integrated, and then add the next one.

Now add the finely chopped mushrooms and broccoli. Mix well. With two spoons take small portions in the shape of balls of quenelle and fry in plenty of olive oil.

Watch mepreparethis and other meals on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDTunIvhOaT3ReG7FBhqj6w

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

StuckintheMiddle

ShortStorybyMarkLaming

Thisis atruestory.

In2002,attheageoffifty,theshockof beingmade redundanthitme reallyhard. I’dworkedfortwentyyearsintheprinting industry,thenwithoutanywarningitall cametoanabruptend. Iwasstillpaying offthemortgageand,with aholiday alreadybooked,thepressurewasonto findwork.

IsupposeifI’dthoughtaboutthe officevacancydescription abitmore, I’dhave realisedworkingfor asmall companyinBanburycouldonlyoffer limitedprospects.But Iwasdetermined toget ajob andherewasthislocaloffice stationerycompanyteasingmetogofor aninterview.

Did Isayinterview?Itwasmorelikea circusofeventsasSteventheowner,a tubbymanwithenormouscheeksanda loudvoice,becameconfusedbelievingI was avisitingsales repandgaveme shortshrift.

‘Actually,I’vecomefortheinterviewfor theofficejob.’

Theowneroftheantediluvianoffices andwarehouseeyedmewithsuspicion.

‘Whatmakesyouthinkyoucouldwork inofficesupplies?’

Igulpedas Ihadn’tdoneany research –whatcanyoupossiblysayaboutselling paperclips?‘Well, Iadaptwell tochallenges.’

Steveneasedthedrawerofhisfinely polishedmahoganydeskandproduceda longrulerandstartedtobendit.Myeyes fixedonthestrainingplasticwaitingforan almightycrackwithpiecesflyingin alldirections.

In apatheticvoice Isaid,‘Doyousell plasticrulers?’

Hiseyesshotuptotheceilingand backtomine.HethenstoodupandI thoughtthat’sit, theinterviewisover.He wasnowusingtherulertoclear acobweb thathungfromtheoverheadlight.

‘Wouldtherebetrainingonthe products?’ Ienquired.

‘MysecretaryandLawrencewilllook afterallthat.’

Hisnextstatement reallyshockedme. ‘Okay,you havethejob.’

Hethenshookmyhandandmuttered somethingaboutthesalaryandthathe neededthetoiletandleftmeonmyown. I’dsecuredemploymentbut Iwasnone thewiseronwhattheyactuallydid.

Istoodnexttothesecretarywiththe pointyrimmedglassesandsilverhair tiedbackin aponytail,who’dearlier introducedherselfasMarion. Igauged heragetobearoundsixtyandwarmed toherkindsmile.Beforeeitherofushad achancetospeak, Iheard thedistinct soundofsomeonepeeing. Isensed Marion’sembarrassmentassheshouted, ‘Closethatwretchedtoiletdoor,Steven.’

Thisis asnapshotofthestrangest companyI’deverworkedfor.I stayed fortheperiodofoneyearand,attimes, itwasgreatfunworkingforthismad house.Therewas aconstantsmellof PotNoodlesandMarion’sawfulRussian cigarettes.Thephotocopierwasanearly

oneandhad anoisytwo-tonehumthat washardtoignore.Thentherewasthe warehousedoorthat required abroom tosupporttheshutterwhenopen.A microwavebalancedon ashelfabove thesinkinthetoiletlookeddangerous–clearly,healthandsafetyfeaturedlowin thissetup.

Allthetime Iwasgleaninginformation fromthetrioofworkers;Stevenwho wastheowner,Marionhissecretaryand Lawrencewhohandledsales.Lawrence, was atallmanwith alongthinface,large circularglassesand amopofginger hairthatneededcutting.Hewasthe entrepreneurwhoranhisownbusiness duringcompanytime. Ifieldedmany acall forhimonsalesofduvetsandmattress protectors.Hehadnoqualmsabout conductinghisprivatetransactionsfrom theoffice.

Iaskedhimifthiswas awisethingto doandheinformedmethathehatedhis boss,Steven,witheveryfibreofhisbeing, sohedidn’tcare.

Isoondiscoveredthatthereweresome funnygoings,namelythatLawrencewas Marion’sex–husband.Italsoturnedout thatoursecretary,Marion,washaving anaffairwiththeboss,Steven.And thentherewas me,stuckinthemiddle, wonderingwhy Ihadacceptedthejob.

OnesunnyafternoonMarionwas outdoingthebankingand Iwatchedas Lawrencemountedhischairto reachthe suspendedceilingtilesoverhisdesk. Heslidthedustypaneltoonesideand reachedinfor aradio concealedinthe ceilingspace.HetoldmethatSteven’s deskwasdirectlyaboveandthathe played alittlegameeverysooftento annoyhim.Hetunedinto apopstation andhastily replacedthetile.

Itwasn’tlongbeforethebosscame thunderingdownthestairs.

mecrazy.’

Pretendingtobeonthephone, Lawrenceheld ahandintheair.‘Holdon, can’tyouseeI’mbusy?’

Twolongminutespassedand,when Lawrencepurportedlyfinishedhiscall,he said,‘Yes,Steven –where’sthefire?’

‘Yousaidlasttimeitwasnoisefrom nextdoor’sunit. Ithoughtyou’dspoken tothem.’

Lawrenceshruggedhisshoulders,‘Oh yes, Icanhearit.Doyouhearitallthe timeSteven?’

‘No,onlywhenI’mtryingto concentrate.’

Lawrencesuppressedhislaugher intoclenchedfingersandwoundupthe troubledmanfurther.‘Perhapsifyou didn’tconcentratesohard.’

Stevenstormedoffupstairsandmy colleaguewaiteduntilheheardthedoor slambeforeturningtheradiooff.Ashe replacedtheceilingtilehewhispered, ‘Workseverytime.’ ***

OneMondaymorning Iarrivedearly andtheowneradvisedmethatthe toiletcarpetwassoaked.Theballcock hadbecomewedgedinthecisternbut fortunatelyLawrencehadmanagedto repairtheproblem.Stevenwasmost grateful.Later IsaidtoLawrence,‘He’s notsuch abadbloke,hethankedyou forhelping.’

Icouldtellbyhisfacethathecouldn’t maskhissecretanylonger.I wasshocked whenhesaid,‘Trickythingsthoseball cocks,dearme,itlookedlikesomeone hadbentthe rodrightdownonpurpose.’

Hethenlookeduptotheceilingtile abovehisdeskandjokedmischievously, ‘Wellmyfriend,doyouthinkit’stimeto havetheradioonagain?’

‘It’sthatdreadfulmusicagain;it’sdriving

TrainJourney

By Marianne Thatcher

Irecall atrainjourneyfrom Geneva Switzerland,when Iwasabout15 yearsold, aspottyteenagerneitherprettynor shapely, withsharpbonyelbows,protruding knees and adental retainer,whichmademelisp.

My motherhadbooked my seatandwhen thetrainarriveditdidn’t waitlong.Usually thecarriages were notinnumericalorder. Ireadoffthenumbersasthey rolledpast hoping to seemine.Clutching my casein onehandandthestapledtriplicate paper tickets,intheother Isearched forthe number.Ihad to getonthe trainquickand walkthroughseveralcarriages,swayingfrom side to side,until Ifound my compartment. In thosedayswehad to carry oursuitcases, noonehadwheels.Additionally,in-train navigationalobstacles;pop-upseats,(for thosewhohadn’t reserved) were alongone sideofthe corridors.Everyoneinthoseseats had to getupifsomeoneneeded to get past,first awaveofgetting-uppersdrawing

theirluggage towardsthem, followedbythe wave ofsitting-downersmovedina sortof discombobulatedchain reaction.

Thetrainsinthose days were notasclean as today, andthesmallest roomsonlong distancetrainswereoftenfilthy. Frequently thethin rollofpaper ranoutlongbeforeI,or anyoneelse,arrivedatourdestination.

At that time Ihad aNorth AmericanID, whichmeantthatinEurope my passport wasscrutinisedclosely,despitemyyoung years.Isharedthe 6seatcompartmentwith fiveothers.Eachtookitinturntostare out thewindow, unwrap asandwichor two, and makepoppingnoises followedby‘shooosh’ asthesoftdrinksescapedfromthetin. There wasnoconversationassometimesdevelops over along route, untiltheborder was reachedand twocustomsmenappeared at thedoor.OfficerOnetook my passport, flickedthroughthepages,looked at the photo, then at me,grimacingashehanded itback.Stillnotsatisfiedheputhishand on my suitcase,“Whoseisthis?” “Mine,”I venturedtimidly.Hegestured formetotake itdown, “openit.”Iclickeditopen,andhe rifledthroughthe fewclothesand washing kit, with the restofthe compartment watchingwithkeeninterest.“Okay,”hesaid andgestured formetoclose it.

Thecustomsofficerhadhardlyleft, when themannext to meleaptoutofhisseatand shookhiscase,whichclinkedandclunked. Helaughedaloudasheopenedit forus to seenumerousbottlesofwine.Weall laughed,but Iwas concernedlesttheofficer returntoseewhatthenoise wasabout. Perhapshisintuition toldhimtherewas somethingheneeded to check,littledidhe know justhowclosehe wastofindingit!

©Marianne Thatcher

Photo:MichałKubalczyk~UnSplash

Cruisewith Confidence

Aswelooktothefuture,there’salot to getexcitedaboutincruisingwithnew itinerariesand revampedships ready to take youbackouttoseaorriver cruising.

Cruiselineshavebeenplanningahead withitinerariesspanningrightthrough to2023,meaningyoucanstartmaking planswithmetodayforthatcruiseyou havebeenlongingfor.Witheachday you’llpullintonewports,exploringthe palm-fringedbeachesoftheBahamas, thewhite-washedalleywaysofGreece ortheArtNouveauarchitectureof Barcelona.Thenbynight,you’llfind yourselfbackonboard,diningon sumptuousdishesastheattentive staffcatertoyoureverywhim,before retreatingto acabinorsuitethathas beenhand-pickedwithyouinmind.

Icanarrangeyourdreamcruise, leavingyoufreeto relaxandenjoy theanticipationofyour returnto thesea,safeintheknowledgethat, shouldcircumstanceschange,you’ll befinanciallyprotected. Ipersonally

andproactivelymanageyourtravel arrangements, Iamanexperienced travelprofessionalabletoguideyou throughcurrenttravel restrictions providingyouwithtailor-made, personalisedadvice, recommendations andsupport. River

Budapest, Venice,Pragueand Vienna; rivercruisingtakesyoustraightinto theheartoftheworld’smostintriguing cities,givingyou ajumpingoffpoint toexplorehistoriccathedrals,storied landmarksandfamily-ownedeateries servinguplocally-inspireddishes.

LuxuryCruising

Theaddedextrasarewhatsetsluxury cruisingapart;premiumbeverages, specialitydiningexperiencesand includedexcursionsatyourportof call.Askmeaboutthespeciality accommodationsavailableoneach shipassophisticatedsuitesoffer five-starsurrounds. Ihavepersonal experienceofcruisingwithRegent

SevenSeasCruises,Seabourn, Azamara,Cunard,Oceaniaand Silversea,alloffering atrulyluxury experience.

AdventureCruises

Ourthirstforadventurehasnever beengreaterandtheideaof anew journeyismoreappealingnowthan everbefore.Whetherit’sasailinginto theArcticCircleor avoyagedown theruggedDalmatiancoast,you canchannelyourinnerexplorerinto yournextcruise. Tradewind Voyages, Hurtigruten,WindstarCruises ,Aurora Expeditions,ScenicEclipse,Star ClippersandPonantcanalloffer adventurecruisingtosomeofthe world’smostbeautifuldestinations.

Ocean

Surroundedbyendlessblue,with everythingyoucouldwishforatyour fingertips, aseafaringcruiseallows youtodisconnectfromdomesticlife withoutforcingyoutochoosejust onedestinationtovisit.Everydayis anewexperienceandaftertheyear we’veallhad,we’vegotsomemaking uptodo.PrincessCruises,Fred

OlsenCruiseLines,RoyalCaribbean International,HollandAmericaLine, P&OCruisesandNorwegianCruise Lineallmaketraveleffortless,soyou canwake restedandraringtogo.On topofallthatyouhavepools,spas, bars,boutiques,theatres,speciality restaurantsandguaranteedsea views……

Ifyouwishtobookanoceanorriver cruiseorhaveanyothertravelplans, pleasegetintouch!

T: 01202375150

M: 07929626156

E: sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com

W: www. travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen

Nicholl’s Nibbles

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Ingredients:

•450g lean beefmince,

•1 largeonion(chopped),

•2 garliccloves(minced),

•950ml chickenorbeefstock,

•2 tablespoonsoftaco seasoning (OldelPasoorany otherwilldofine),

•250 g pasta(Ilike using fusilli withthisrecipebutpenneor theshellpastaworkfine),

•250 g enchiladasauce(Oldel Pasoisbest -I’ve usedtheir cheesy bakeone),

•150 g gratedmozzarella,

•300 g gratedcheddar,

•1 smallsprig choppedfresh parsley for garnish.

Directions:

Addthe groundbeefto alarge frying panorsaucepanandcook overmedium-highheatfor3 minutes.Addtheonion, garlicand tacoseasoning toit,stirandcook foranadditional 5minutes until theonionsoftensandbecomes translucent.

Addthestock,pastaandenchilada saucetothepotandstirwell. Bring to aboilthenturndown theheatto amediumand cook forabout15minutesor untilthe pastaiscookedthrough,stirring occasionally.

Combinethemozzarellacheese withthecheddarcheeseandadd about2thirdsofittotheskilletand stiritwell.Turnofftheheatandtop withremaining cheese.

If you wouldlikemoreinfoonthe aboverecipepleaseemail: lowtrolover@googlemail.com

OneThingLeads to Another

Haveyoueverlookedbackatyourlife, andrealisedhowonething hasled,toanother?

What Imeanbythat,isthatif XYand Zhadnothappened, youwouldn’tbewhere youarenow?And,ifwhereyouarenow,isexactlywhereyouwanttobe,thenthe roadyouhavetakenhasbeentherightone.

Ihavesometimesmadethemistakeofsaying“Iwishthathadn’thappened”and then Ihavetocorrectmyselfveryquickly,because,intruth,withoutthat‘bad’thing happening, Iwouldnever be where Iamnow (inagoodplace).Intruth,eventhebad thingsthathappento us can,over time,causeus tolookbackandreflect,andeven understandourselves alittlebitmore,learningfrompastmistakes.Evensomething thatyoufeltwas‘wrong’atthetime,canleadyouto apaththatyouneverwouldhave takenhadyounotmadethewrongturninthefirstplace.

Insummary,thereisnosuchthingas awrongturninlife,justpossibly aslightly differentroutethanyouwereoriginallygoingtotake.

Photo:StephenLeonardi ~UnSplash

Gardening Jobs for March

Mow the lawn on dry days

Open the greenhouse doors and vents on warm days

Prune bushes and shrubs to encourage new growth

Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes

Other Jobs to Consider

Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials

Sow sweet peas

Plant summer flowering bulbs

Plant a spring container

Dead head any early spring flowers and bulbs as they die off

Protect new spring shoots from slugs

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

Thelockdownhasseenmanyofus embracenew technologiesinorder toovercomethechallengesof working andstudyingfromhome. Mostpeoplenowrecognisethe benefitsthattechnologycanbring, offeringopportunitiesthatwould notbeotherwisepossible.

Asdyslexiaspecialistteachers and assessors,we have seenthebenefits thattechnologycanbringtothe individualsweworkwith.

WhatisAssistiveTechnology?

Assistivetechnologies(AT)aredigital tools andsoftwarewhichcanbe usedtoassistindividualswhomay havedyslexiaoranotherdifficulty, andwhomaystrugglewithtasks suchasreading,writing,planning andorganisation.

independence,inanenvironment thatallowsthemtousetheir strengthstoovercometheir challenges. Whilstthesetoolsmayhavebeen originallydevelopedforpeoplewith adisability,companiessuchas MicrosoftandApplenow include thesetechnologiesasstandard.

Therearemanytoolsandsoftware available whichcanhelpchildren andadultswithdyslexiaandother difficultieswithreading,writingand spelling. Someexamplesofthese aregivenbelow.

Readingpens

Theseportabledeviceshelp individuals withreadingdifficulties to independentlyreadpaper-based texts,andalsoprovidequickaccess topronunciationanddefinitions.

Texttospeech software

Thisenables individualstoread onscreentextmoreaccuratelyand efficientlyandhelps toreducethe cognitive loadthatreadingcan present.

Speechtotextsoftware

Assistivetechnologydoesnotaimto provideindividualswithanunfair advantage,but rathertogivethem

Dictationsoftwareenablespeople whostrugglewithwrittentasksto get their thoughtsdowninwriting moreaccuratelyandefficiently.

Howtechnologyishelpingpeopleovercome theirdifficultiesineducationandtheworkplace

Note takingsoftware

Thisallowspeopletorecord important informationfrom meetingsand lecturesquickly, reducingthepressureofhavingto writeundertime constraints.

Mind-mappingsoftware

This canhelppeoplewhostruggle withgettingtheirthoughtsdown in writing.Mind-mapping software provides toolsforstructuring assignmentsor reports and producingvisualnotes.

Organisationand planningtools

Onlinetoolsandappscanbeusedto helpvisuallyorganiseworkloadsand study.Asmanypeoplewithdyslexia arevisual-spatial learners,having informationpresentedthis waycan makeiteasiertounderstand,which inturncanmaketasksmore manageable.

FreeAssistiveTechnology

Wehavecompiledalistof free solutions,websitesandappsthat canbeusedtohelpwithboth learningandintheworkplace.

Wehave alsoincludedinformation aboutthe inbuiltfeatures that are nowincluded in today’scomputers andpersonaldevices.Manypeople areunawaretheyevenhavethese already.

Tofindoutmorevisitourwebpage whereyouwillfindalinktoour recentblogpostonAssistive Technology.

www.mykindofthinking.co.uk

MyKindofThinking carriesout diagnosticdyslexiaassessmentsfor peopleofallages.This includesa detailedanalysisofan individual’s strengthsandweaknesses,withfull andpersonalised recommendations forsupport.

WearebasedinBournemouthand workthroughoutDorsetand the NewForestarea.

Findoutmoreaboutusby visiting the websiteorbyfollowingthe facebookpage @mykindofthinkinguk

info@mykindofthinking.co.uk

TAKINGSOLACEINNATURE

ByRon Toft

Everycloudhas asilverliningandso, too,hasCOVID-19,althoughatfirst thatmayseemhardtobelieve.

Whatthe pandemichasdoneby chanceistoencouragethousands–possiblymillions –ofpeopletofind solaceinand agreaterappreciation forthecountryside,andthereismuch beautifulcountrysideandbreathtaking coastalvistasinandaround Christchurch.

Ithasbeenwidelyreportedthatpeople fromallwalksoflifewhohavenot previouslytakenanyinterestinwildlife havedonesoduringthepandemic.

Forsomepeople,theawakeningofan interestinthenaturalworldhastaken theformofwildwalksthroughwoods oralongbeachesorcliff-tops.Others, however,havebecomefascinated bythelivesandmovementsofour featheredfriends,andtherearefew betterareasinsouthernEnglandto watchbirdsthantheChristchurch Harbourarea.

Flyingthe flagforbirdwatchers locallyistheChristchurchHarbour OrnithologicalGroup(CHOG)whose membershiphassoaredinrecent yearsandisnowatanall-timehighof morethan550.

SaidchairmanDrChris Chapleoat thevirtual AGM:“Ourmembership isabsolutelycritical.Without subscriptionswewouldn’thavethe voicewe haveandwewouldn’tbeable todowhatwedo.”

Takinganinterestinwildbirds mightinvolvewatchingtheantics ofGreenfinches,GreatTitsorGreat SpottedWoodpeckersonyourgarden feeder,learninghowtoidentifygulls wheelingoverHengistburyHeador watchinginaweasOspreys,talons outstretched,pluckfishfromthe watersoftheHarbour.

Watchingbirds,evencasually,does wondersforourmentalhealthandcan helpput life’stroublesintosomesort ofperspective.

Sparrowhawk by Dave Green BarnOwl by Paul Turton

Sadly,alltoomanybirds,aswellas countlessotheranimalandplant species,areendangeredas aresult ofthedestructionanddegradationof theirhabitats.

CHOGmembersnotonlyenjoythe camaraderieoflike-mindedindividuals butknowthattheirsupportand subscriptiondrawsattentionto andbackingforlocalconservation initiatives.

Wide-rangingmembershipbenefits includeonlineaccesstoallthelatest birdsightingsandotherCHOGnews; walksandtalks;anannualreportthat recordsforposterityandresearch purposesnotonlythebirdspecies seenand/orheardinandaround theHarbourbutalso butterflies, mammals,reptilesandamphibians; aBarnOwl webcam;and aquarterly, e-mailedbulletin.

Oneoftheattractionsforbirdwatchers isnotknowing whatisgoing toturn upnext,andthatcertainlyprovedto bethecasein2020.Arguablythemost unexpectedspeciesspottedlocally was aShort-toedSnakeEagle –onlythe fourthbirdofpreyofitskindrecorded inBritain.

Tragically,thisimpressiveraptorwas foundwashed up on theshoreat HengistburyHead.Itwaswet,cold andunderweightbutstillaliveand immediatelytakento alocalwildlife rescuecentre.Despitereceivinghoursof intensivecare,theeaglesuccumbedto hypothermia.

Short-toedEaglesarefoundinmany partsoftheworld,includingWestern Europe,butvery,veryrarelyinBritain. Thisparticularindividualisthoughtto havebeenblownoffcourse in astorm whilemigratingfromEuropetoAfrica forthewinter.

Whoknows whatwonderfulspeciesmay graceourskiesandshoresin2021,so keepyoureyesopen!

Oh,andbesuretotellyournaturelovingfriendsaboutCHOG.

Information:CHOG.org.uk

CormorantbyPaul Dore

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The Party

By Colin Seager

Anthony stared at theinvitation. WhydidI accept? Idon’t likeparties,especiallynot Fancy Dress.Imusthave beenmad;theycanbe worse than cocktailparties.

Andhow Ihatedthose,particularlythepredinnergatheringswhereyoustandaround, decibels risingsohighthatcommunicationis confinedtobrayinginthenearestear.Then, whenthecall to take yourplacefinallycuts throughtheguffaws andgeneralbabble,you discoverthatyou’reseatednexttothebiggest boreyou’vejustescapedfrom.OnceIfeigned feelingunwellandleft, theprospectofthe next coupleofhoursbeyond my endurance. Developing my business contactnetwork had towait.

Idon’t know,perhapsthisisdifferent. Isupposethey’rejustbeing kindand neighbourly.I’vedoneprettywellsofar, neverbeenafraidof my owncompany, but it’s toughsometimes.Imissthelittlethings, theunspokengesture, thelook,thesmile, the touch.

Well,I’vedoneitnow, I’ve said yes, butwhat can Igoas? Isupposetheadvantagesof fancydressarethatnobodywill recogniseme afterwardsand,ifIfeellikeit,Icanslopeoff. Althoughthethemeseems abitoldfashioned, “Idolike to bebesidetheseaside.”

Anthony,Anthony withanaitch,stop cavilling.Youmightevenenjoy it. Whoknows, maybe Iwon’t betheonlyoneunattached andit couldturnout to beanopportunity. Somewheretherehas to be anewsoulmate awaiting my call.

Ican’t make acostumeand Idon’t likehiring. Never know whouseditbeforeyou.Theysay theycleaneverything,but I’ve beencaughtout before. Can’tforgetwhen Iwentasa Keystone Coptoasilentmovie themedparty.The officer ofthelawbeforemeclearly hadamishapin thetrouserdepartmentwhenhefell over.

Let’sthink,waders,sou’wester,rods,I’vegot allthose.That’sit: afisherman.No,that’sboring and awkward;have to carry my tacklearound allevening.Whatabout Mr.Punch,that’seasy. I’ve plenty oftime,Icouldmake apapiermâché nose.Ididn’tget ridofAlice’smakeup,could soonhaverosy cheeksas well.

Ah,yes,gotit,I’ll wear my mankini,addapair ofgoggles:bingo,aswimmerwith attitude. Onsecondthoughts…theydon’t have any pockets…nowheretoput my handsand Icould give thewrongimpression.But,onthe other hand,ifitdoesn’t feel rightitwillbeeasy to put onshirtand trousers.Idon’t know,stillnotsure. What aboutmyfrogman’s kit?Haven’tusedit foryearsbutitfitsthebill,seasidethemeand allthat. I’lltryiton.

Umm,notsure, bittightaroundtheold midriff,certainlybeginning to developthe commonpearshapeof aretiringmale.I’ll need to standtall,keep my shouldersbackand breathein. That’s whatcomesoflivingon my own, nobody to provideanydiscipline.But I’ll get away withit:decisionmade.

Well,thatworkedout well.Assoonas Isaw Bethsomethinghappened.Wejustclicked. It wasdifficult forher to walkaroundinthe mermaid’s outfitinto whichshe’d poured herselfbutthatwasn’t animpedimentata Zoomparty.We’ve setup aone-to-onesession andwho knows, perhapslaterabubbleand then…

Photo:stockmediacc

LOCALHISTORY

KenYoung(1943-2019)

Historianofthe Cold War

Iwrote alengthytome recently foramilitary historymagazineaboutthe Cold Warthreat ofnuclear war. Coincidentally,Ithencame acrossthestoryofKen Young(1943-2019),who hailedfrom aChristchurchworkingclassfamily andleftschool at 15withnoqualifications, whichmeansnoughtasKen wouldbecome anhistorianoftheearly Cold War, thatnuclear stand-offbetweentheUSAand SovietUnion.

Another coincidentalquirksaw Kenjointhe RAFwhere he’d bestationed at RAFHalton (Aylesbury, Bucks),theself-sameairbase thatwashome to theheroicflyer DonFinlay (MudefordMag,January2021).Ken wasan armamentsengineer,butbackproblems led to anearlydeparture, areturnhome, tutoringfrom alocal librarian (Christchurch Libraryperhaps),theacquisitionof ALevels, thenadmission to theLSEwhereheobtained bachelor’s andmaster’s degrees.It’snever too lateto takeon knowledge.

Young went on to have quiteacareer consideringhisslow, ratherdisadvantagedstart inlife. Aresearchofficer,he’dalsobecomea teacher /lecturer,including at theUniversity ofBirmingham,analmamaterofyourscribe

(whichmakesme wonderwhether Imight have seenhim),aneditor,urbanandpolicy studies expert, governmentadvisor,andlatterly asecuritystudies /international relations expert, whichishowhecametobeaCold War historian examiningnucleardeterrenceand thepolicyof‘Mutually AssuredDestruction’ (or ‘MAD’)whereweallunhappilyblowone anotherup.

It wasinthe 2000sthatKenbegan researching andwritingabout ‘the politicsofdefenceinthe earlyCold War’withpublicationof anumber ofacademicarticles.KenwroteabouttheUK’s Polarisprogramme,sincereplaced by aTrident sub-launchedmissilesystem,andtheevolution oftheso-calledBritishindependentnuclear deterrent.Hewentontopublish abook, ‘The American BombinBritain:US AirForces’ StrategicPresence, 1946-64’(2016)which examinedtheUnited StatesAir Force’s(USAF’s) StrategicAir Command(SAC) in theUK.Ken’s lastbook waspublishedposthumously: ‘Super Bomb:Organisational Conflictand the Developmentofthe Hydrogen Bomb’(2020). Kenunderstoodthe ramificationsoftheUS’s decision to develop ahydrogenbomb:thefirst test(1952) wasofaweapon500timesmore powerfulthanthe atombombsusedagainst Japanseven yearsbefore.

Ken Youngdiedin February2019,aged76, with15books to hisname, plusnumerous articlesand reports.Iwouldhave lovedtohave knownKenbecauseofhislate-in-lifeinterest inthe Cold War. Iwonderwhathisviewof todaywouldhave been. Thereare ninenuclear powersinthe world(asfaras we know)witha ‘mere’13,000or sonuclear warheadsbetween them. Therewereover50,000atthetimeof greatestproliferation at theheightofthe Cold Warinthe mid-80s,soatleastsomeprogress hasbeenmade,which I’msureKen wouldhave applauded.

By Stephen Roberts www.steveroberts.org.uk Twitter:@SRChristchurch

eMail:littleval@talktalk.net

Photo:Ioanna Tzivani

ENDOFLOCKDOWNSALE