The Bulletin | September 2021

Whata lovely month September is!A transition from summer intoautumn, warm enough to enjoy butwitha feeling of crispness in the air.

September also heraldsthe startofnew beginnings and renewed energy; the new school term begins; the football season is underway and maybe a great time to re-evaluatehow you are going to spend yourtime withpossibly anew hobby or interest. Withthat in mindthe East DorsetIndoor Bowls Club in Christchurch have a free taster weekend on 18th and 19th September suitable for all ages and all the family welcome.

Not sure thatdrinkinggin and rum can be classed asahobby, butHoburneParkare holding a rum and gin festival together with live music on Saturday 11th September and tickets can bepurchased online – see page S24 for details.

Best Wishes,Julie

4. Holy Issland Lights s

8. Local Histtoory y

14. Winne of thhe Moonth h

16. Puzzzles

S2. RNLI Muuddefoorrd d Lifeebboat Guild

S4. Russsell-Cotees s Muusseum

S6. Traavvel: Venetian Cruuisees

S10. Meedditeerrranean Cuisiinne e

S18. Weendy Broownn: Local Arrtiist

S26. Short t Stoorry y

S28. Book Reviieew w

S30. Competition

S32. Bird d Watcchhing

50. La Grèèvve

52. Anxietyy: : Benefiit or Cursse e

58. Veeterinnaary Coorner

Editor: Julie Smith

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Thinkingofletting your holiday property?

20,000bookings

1.04 million webusers

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LOCALHISTORY

John Everett Millais(1829-1896)

Iwasrubbish at artsotookupwriting.Itsounds likethe kindofphilosophicaloutpouringthat Confuciusmighthavecomeoutwith. It’s just humblemethough. My lackofabilitywithan easelandartisticaccoutrementsdoesmean, however, thatI have aninordinate respectfor thosewhowield abrushwiththesamedexterity somepeopleapply to flowerarrangingorcake decorating.Takefor exampleSirJohn Everett Millais(1829-96).

Millaishadlinks to ourarea.He wasbornin Southamptonwhichimmediatelyputshim withinourorbit.Now,Icontributeamonthly column forHampshireLife, its‘PastLife’,and for my June/July column Ifeatured Millais.Wehave someofhisartworkinChristchurch. There’sa largepaintingentitled‘The Widow’sMite’,an early Millaisof1847,whenhe was18-odd,that hangsinthe Priory. Awidow’s miteincidentally is ‘a small contribution givenbyapersonwho has very little’(contrastingstarklywiththe phenomenonofthe wealthytightwad).

Apparentlythepainting wasgiven to the Priory by MrsReevesof AvonmouthHouse,Mudeford, in1928,whenit wasvalued at anything between

£5,000and£15,000. If yourockedup to the Antiques Roadshowand wastold yourheirloom would fetchthat‘shoulditever comeup at auction’which,of course,itwouldn’t as you’d nevercashin –well,you’d bepleased.You’d beevenhappierwhen youdiscoveredthat’s anythingbetween£320,000and over£950,000 in today’sdosh. We concludethat Millais’work wasappreciatedthenandstillis.Thededication ofthe Priory’spicturewasundertaken by the Bishopof SouthamptoninNovember1929;apt givenMillais’birthplace. Igatherit took young Millaisabout ayear tocomplete (it’s eightfoot by five). Anotherpaintingcamethe Priory’sway courtesyof Admiraland MrsReeves aquarter centurylater(1953). This was‘Christandthe Rich YoungRuler’. Visitthe Prioryandseeifyoucan find Millais’work.

Millais certainlyvisitedChristchurchlongbefore hisartwork. He washerefordefinitein1891, by whichtimehe wasintheautumnofhislife, staying at the King’s Arms.Hischoiceofhotel was unsurprisingasthe King’s wastheplacetostay. If youhavean1863Bradshaw’sHandbooklikethis budding MichaelPortillothen you’ll know it’s the onlyChristchurchhostelrymentioned.I’m not awarehedidanypaintingwhilsthere.

Millais wasa Pre-Raphaelite, achildhoodprodigy with aFrench Impressionistsurname(hisfamily hailedfromJersey). That Widow’sMitepicture justpre-datedMillais’s Pre-Raphaelitephase whichbeganin1849.He’d laterswitchto populist ‘chocolate box’painting to earnmore wonga. Idothesamewith my writing. Millais became awealthyartistbutamidstaccusations of ‘sellingout’, whichincluded afamouspicture usedin asoapadvert.

Withthanks to theChristchurch HistorySociety forsomeofthisinformation (www.historychristchurch.org.uk).

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

SirJohn Everett Millais(1829-1896)

Thereisashortageofrental propertyin thisarea!

We arereceivingmanycallsandemailenquiries everyday, especiallyforpropertiesin Mudeford &WestChristchurch.

Most tenantsare lookingfor long term rentals,anythingfrom12months to 10 years,andon averageour tenantsin3-bedroomhousesstaya littleover8 years.

Renting apropertyoutcangiveagoodincome, certainlymorethanputting moneyinthebankand,theasset isthere,itdoesn’tgo away until yousellit.

Areyouin aposition to become alandlord,have you inherited aproperty,doyouhave moneyinthebank earningpitifulinterest?

In early2009 Iwasapproached by achap looking to investin abuy-to-letproperty; at thetimehewas looking to investc£230,000.

We satdowntogetherandshortlisted5 propertiesfrom localagents’details,hethen wentawayto make appointments to view theseproperties. Ithenaccompaniedhim onall 5viewingstogivemyinputas to what eachproperty would returnas farasrental income.Duringthatdaywe settledon1 house;anextended 3bedroomsemi offof CometWay in Mudefordpriced at £230,000.

Overthenext weeksthenegotiations culminatedinanagreementtobuythehouse at £220,000andabout 5weekslaterhehad thekeys. Therewasnomortgage required to buy,themoneycamefromaninheritance.

May2009,purchased for:£220,000 Rent received2009 –2021c£143,335

SaleagreedApril2021 £347,500 Obviouslytherehave been costs –c£18,000 Sowhatdothesefiguresshow?

Theyshowthatthe ownerhas returned approximately £125,000(rentless costs)on hisoriginalinvestment–about50%andhe nowhasan assetworth£127,500more thanhepaid forit, an overall “profit” of c£252,500, –114%!

Idon’tknowwhathedid with theincome but,ifhesaveditforhis retirement,that combinedwiththesaleproceeds couldmean thathenow hasalmost£500,000 available

Wall Street movie(1987)GordonGekko: “Idon’tthrow dartsataboard. Ibet onsurethings. Read Sun-tzu, TheArt of War. Everybattleiswonbefore itis everfought.”

jeremy.clarke@belvoirlettings.com

Luxury VenetianSailingwithSilversea

Acitysteepedinopulenthistory; Venice is asymbolofgrandeur recognised acrosstheworld.Itsmagnificent palaces,piazzas,inter-linkingwaterways andcharminggondolasmakeitoneof themostbeautifulandintriguingcities imaginableandtheperfectspotto startanultra-luxurycruisethroughthe EasternMediterraneanalongCroatia’s glisteningcoastline.

Silversea’ssmallluxuryshipsare designedforthosewhodelightin thethrillofdiscoverywhileindulging mindandbodyinthemostlavish surroundingsimaginable.All accommodationsarespacious,oceanviewsuitesthatincludebutlerservice, andmostincludeprivateverandas.

Silverseaoffersaround-the-clock, dedicatedbutlerserviceinallsuites. GuestsofSilverseaareassured theireveryneediswellserved–withthought,surpriseandcharm. Renownedforculinaryexcellenceand aninnovativespirit,theirluxurycruises offer achoiceofopen-seatingdining

optionsthroughoutthefleet,aswell asseveralspecialityvenuesaboardall non-expeditionships.Enjoytheease, convenienceandvalueofanall-inclusive cruisefarethatincludesalmostallof yourdiscretionaryonboardexpenses. Settingsailon24thJune2022,this seven-daysailingwilltraveleastfrom VenicetoexplorethescenicDalmatian CoastofCroatia,beforereturningtothe historiccityforanotherchancetotick offanythingyoumayhavemissedthe firsttimearound.

BeforeyouleaveVenice,take aromantic gondolaridealongthecanals,taking inthemagnificenceofthesurrounding architecture. WanderovertheRialto Bridge,spanningtheGrandCanal andmakethemostofthephotoop, capturingoneofthecity’smostfamous views.Ifthebustleof Venicegets alittle overwhelming,take aVaporettotripover tooneofthelocalislands,eachwith itsownuniqueattraction;inMurano it’sthefamousglass,in Torcello it’s the stunningCathedral,andBuranohasits eye-catchingcolourfulhouses.

AsyousailalongCroatia’scoastline, you’llfeeldetachedfromeverydaylife asyoupassbyruggedclifftopsand centuries-oldcitiesthathavemaintained theirauthenticcharacter.InHvar,the SpanjolaFortress, VenetianClock TowerandFranciscanMonasteryserve aswindowsintothecity’spastasan importanttradingportontheAdriatic Sea.Enlistthehelpof aguideto understandthishistoryinmoredepthon oneofSilversea’sincludedexcursions, or,for amoreactiveouting,explorethe city’sharbouron akayak.

FurtherSouth,thestoriedcityof Dubrovniksitsonthewater’sedge, encircledbyhuge,defensivestonesthat servedtoprotectitovertheyearsand nowgiveit adramaticaestheticthathas earnedit aspotas ashootinglocation formovies

Withoneofthehighestspaceto guestratiosinthebusinessandeight superlativeluxurydiningoptions,Silver Spiritwillbeyourhomefortheduration ofthetrip.With astaff-to-guestratioof nearly1:1,youcanlookforwardtoan

attentive,personableservicethroughout yoursailingasyoumeetlike-minded friends;enjoyfirstclassdiningand relax outonthespaciousdecks.

To arrangeyourluxurycruise,contact meandtakeadvantageofexclusive benefitsincludingfullfinancial protectionand a24-hourdutyoffice readytoassistyoubefore,duringand afteryourstay.

T: 01202375150 /07929626156

E: sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com

W: www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewithChefJosé thentic Mediterranean C isine with Chef José

GrilledSquid with Hazelnut Vinaigrette

f l t i et Wonderfulgrilledsquid,with arefreshingvinaigrettebasedonlemon,toastedhazelnutsand ir i ol v i i i ed v . extravirginoliveoil.Accompaniedwithgrilledprawns,avocadoandbabyleafsalad.

Ingredients (serves 2):

2Squid

100gRawPrawns

1Avocado

150gofmixedsaladleaves

MaldonSalt

HazelnutandLemon Vinaigrette

40gWhole ToastedHazelnuts

1/2Lemon(Juice)

80gExtra VirginOliveOil

MaldonSalt

Preparation:

Cleanthesquidandmakesomecuts inthetube.Heat agrill.

Grilltheprawnsbrieflyuntilthey changecolour.

Brushthesquidwithoilandbrownfor oneandhalfminutesoneachside. Seasonwithsaltflakesandsetaside.

Cuttheavocadosopenandslice.

Vinaigrette

Crushthehazelnutsintolargepieces in amortatandpestle.Addsomesalt, thezestof awholelemon,thejuiceof half alemonandoil.

To Serve

Place abaseofleaves,coverwiththe restoftheingredientsanddrizzlewith vinaigrette.

ExperiencetheflavouroftheMediterranean,cuisinewithsoul,madewithlove,toteachandtransmitthe GastronomicCultureofSpain.

Withsimple,fresh,aromatic,variedingredients,fullofflavourandsunshine. We make100%Spanish foodtoenjoyandshare. We don’tsellanything,everythingonthischannelisfreeandauthentic.

Attheendofthisvideoyoucanfindthecomplete recipe.Enjoyour recipesandshareyourexperiences.

IfyoulikeSpanishfoodandwhatwedo,pleasesupportusbySUBSCRIBING.

Watch me prepare this and other meals on my youtube channel: https://youtu.be/7o6bPd2HN9Y

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

Thinking about taking up bowls? Come along to our Open Days and find out more, you will receive a warm welcome from our members and coaching team.

No appointment needed - just turn up. Bring your friends and family.

Bowling will help to keep you fit and active, whatever your age.

CANNOT MAKE THE DATES? RING US TO ARRANGE A TASTER AT A TIME AND DATE TO SUITE YOU.

LocalConservatory InsulationSpecialists

Useyourconservatoryallyearround withaninsulatedconservatoryroof suppliedandinstalledbylocal professionalspecialistsinPoole

Ifyouhaveaconservatorywithapolycarbonateor glassroofyouwillknowhowcolditgetsinthe winterandhowboilinghotitisinthesummer.

Butdidyouknowyoucanuseyourconservatory everydayandnightoftheyearwithafully professionalinsulatedconservatoryroofbychoos‐ingConservatoryInsula onSpecialistsin�oole.

 Theconservatoryroofsys‐temsstopSpiders,Flies,Cob Webs,&InsectscomingIn.

 Theinsideroofisasmoothmaintenancefree product

 Thedoublecavityairflowconservatoryroofsys‐temenablesyourconservatorytobefreeofany condensa on,moistureordamp

 Savemoneyonhea ngbillsallyearround

 Theroofsystemsstopalldra s

 Allrefurbishment,repairsandmodifica onwork carriedoutandhandbuiltonsitebyourown mul skilledteamgivingourcustomersthefinest ofhigh ualityfinishesandthebestBri shcra s‐manshipandthebestcustomerservice

 Improveshomesecurity

 Governmentapprovedenergysavingproduct withreduced5%Vat

Theconservatoryroofingsystemwillbring elegance,warmth,andversa litytoyour conservatory–allowingyoumorespaceallyear round.

Thecompaniesexpertsbuildanewceilinginside yourconservatoryandinsulateyourexis ng conservatoryroofsavingyouthousandsofpounds.

Transformyourconservatoryintoa“Real” ComfortableRoomtouseeverydayandnightof theyearwhatevertheweather.

Herearesomeofthebenefitsoftheconservatory roofingsystem:

 NeverTooCold

 NeverTooHot

 UVGlare..NeverAgain

 UVDamagetofurnishings.NeverAgain

 Noise..Reducenoisebyupto95%

Thecompanycancompletethejobusuallywithin oneor2daysandsaveyoumorethan50%ofthe costofanewreplacementroof,plusitkeepsyour conservatorys lllookinglikeaconservatoryasit wasdesignedtolook.

Whateverthedesignofyourconservatorythe guaranteeisthatitwillbeusableeverydayand nightoftheyearwhatevertheweather.

WendyBrown

Local Artist

Lifedoesn’thavetobeviewedinblackand white …orinstraightlinesforthatmatter,soif youliketoseethingsin acolourful,twistyway, WendyBrown’s“Twistsand Turns”artandgifts mightberightupyourstreet!

OriginallyfromLondon, Wendymovedtothis area21yearsagoand afewyearslaterstarted topaintlocalviewsinitiallyjustforfun,but astimepassedthehobbygrewinto asmall business.

Although Wendyhasnoformalarttraining, shehasbeenpaintingsinceshecouldholda paintbrush.Shehasalwayslovedtraditional children’sillustrationswhicharedetailed, colourfulandimaginative(thereisacollection ofherownchildren’spaintingsandgiftsonher website),butheradmirationofillustrationsled hertodevelop alight-heartedstyleofherown wherewellknownlocalscenesaregiven an imaginativetreatmentallowingthebuildings totwistandbend.Theyglancedownatthe passingpeopleorlookuptothesunandthe wholeimagecomestolifein ajoyful, colourfulway.

Wendyworksexclusivelyinwatercolours.Her workspaceis acornerofherbedroomwhere sheworksfromcopiousphotographsofthe areasheisgoingtopaint.Althougheverything istwisted,sheendeavourstomakesurethat thescenesarealsoaccuratesothattheycan beinstantly recognised.

Oncethepaintingiscompleteitis professionallyscannedthusenablingittobe producedasLimited-Editionprints,cards, coasters,placemats,teatowels,mugs,tins, lampshades,and recentlyjigsawpuzzleswhich areprovingverypopularindeed.

Youcanseeallherworkonherwebsite, www.wendy-brown-art.co.uk.It’salsostocked in afewlocalshopsoryoucanmeet Wendy inpersonatcraftfairsincludingthepopular HighcliffeFoodandArtsFestivalwhichshe attendsaspartofTheLittleCraftShack directory(www.thelittlecraftshack.com).

Dohave alookat Wendy’swork. Youcouldbe infor atwistysurprise!

Facebook: WendyBrownArt

Instagram:@wendybrownart

Welcome to Nayberle

Localfriendlyhelpasandwhen youneedit.

Do yourememberthedayswhen youhadthatonespecialneighbourwho wasalways lookingout foryouand yourlovedones?Doyou rememberwhennothing wastoo muchtrouble forthemandtheywerealwaysmorethanhappytohelp youwhenever andwithwhatever youneeded? Ifyoustillhave thishowspecialthisisnowadays,butif youdon’t howwould youliketohavethisbackagain?

Nayberleis exactlythis, we areneighbourlyandwillcomeandhelpandsupport youin yourhomewithwhatever youneedandwheneveryouneedit,nothingis toomuch trouble forour Nayberle helpers.

We canarrangeforone of our Nayberlehelpers to comeandhelp youfromaslittleas 30minutesup to full24hoursperdayliveincare.PleasecallAlison fora freesupport assessmenton 07918984482 oremail alison@Nayberle.com sheis readyand eagerto speak to youaboutwhatbenefitsthereare to having aNayberlehelperin yourlife.

Comeandjoinus

Areyou agoodneighbour?Could youbeNayberle to peoplewhouseourservice?Are you caringand feelgoodwhen youhavegoneabove andbeyond to help others?Ifyouhave said yestoall of thesethen wewouldlove to meetyou!

As aNayberle carerorhelper youwillbecome avitalpersoninthelives of ourserviceusers makingsurethattheyhavealltheirneedsmetandin return foryouroutstanding work we will reward youwith averycompetitivesalarywith aguaranteedminimumhourcontract (subject to passingourcriteria), excellenttrainingand ateamaround youthatwillbeas supportiveandashelpfulas youare to ourserviceusers.

Nayberleis alocalservice to helplocalpeoplewithmakingtherunning of theirday to day businesseasier.Weneedkindandcaringpeoplewho want to makeadifferenceinpeople’s livesandbethebest of thebest.

If thissoundslikeyouthenpleasedonothesitatetocontactAlison: Tel:07918984482oremail:alison@nayberle.co.uk sheis waitingand very eagertotalk to you!

THELAST BUS(Cert TBC)

Starring TimothySpall as awidower embarkingon across-countrypilgrimage.

LUCY WORSLEY: AVeryBritishMurder

WALDEN

FilmedattheHaroldPinterTheatre in London’s West End. StarringGemmaArterton

ANDFINALLY, PHILCOLLINS

&Tues31 Aug:7.30pm

7.30pm

HERITAGEOPEN DAYTOURS

Ticketsmustbepre-bookedasspacesare limited.NBSome stairsonTour

9.30am,10.45am &12pm

NORTHERN BALLET:DangerousLiaisons(12A)

Sept: 7.30pm

£17.50,£15.50 Conc. Recorded Broadcast

SIMONEVANS:The Work of TheDevil

THEBOOTLEGBEACHBOYS

NTLIVE: Follies(Encore) (12A)

Romeo&Juliet(Encore) (12A)

RecordedattheNationalTheatrein2020.

Starring JessieBuckley&JoshO’Connor

JAMESBOND:NOTIME TO DIE(12A)

Fri17Sept: 8pm

£16,£14Conc. (Strictly forages 14+)

Sat18Sept: 7.30pm £24

Wed22Sept: 7.15pm

Thur23 Sept: 2.30pm £13,£12Conc.

Tues28 Sept: 7.30pm £15,£13Conc.

ScreeningsfromThurs30 Sept

Allinformationiscorrectatthetime of publicationandissubject to changein responsetoGovernment COVID-19guidelines.Pleasecheckourwebsiteforthelatest information at www.regentcentre.co.uk.

The RegentCentreisaCOVID securevenueandiscertiedas“Good to Go”byVisitEngland.

He ar th eB la ck bi rd Si ng

ShortStory &IllustrationbyMarkLaming

ItwasobviousNick’sfatherwaslosing patienceasheraisedbothhandsinthe airandspokeloudlyinhisusualslowand methodicalvoice.

‘NotagainNick…youaregoingtohave toworkharder.’

Theboy’seyesstrayedtothetableand theletterfromhisheadmaster.Unrolling hisclenchedfisthe replied, ‘Theydon’t likeme,Dad. Ihategoing.’

Nickwastheboywiththehugebrown hearingaidandthecurlywirerunningtoa batteryinhistoppocket.Somethinghe’d nevercometotermswith.

Therewasoneotherboyinhisclass called York whowalkedwith alimp. Thefundamentaldifferencebetween thetwoofthemwasthathegotonwith hisdisability,whereasNickmopedand carriedtheproblemallofhislife.Hewas jealousof York who refusedtoletthis slipofnaturegetintheway.Hemadea

jokeofhislegthatdraggedbehindand wonovertheboysbyjoininginwiththe fun.HowNickenviedhimandwishedto swapplaces.Then,somehow,he’dcope withhisdebilityand York wouldhavethe dodgyear.

Nickwasthepupiltheteacherspoke louderto,thepupilwhowasmade funof,thebuttofmany ajoke.Hedid howevergiggleatthefrantic‘windmilling’ movementsoffellowpupils’armsasthey playedwithsignlanguage.

Downhearted,heturneddownthe volumeonhiswretchedhearingaidto shutthemallout.Hesoughtsolacein hisquietnessanddreamedofthedayhis hearingwouldbe restored.

On reachinghistenthbirthdayhis parentsannouncedtherewasan operationthatmay restorehishearing. Hisfathertoldhimthat,whenthe bandageswereremoved,he’dhear everythingsoclearly -eventheblackbird inthegardenthathismumalwayssaid sangjustforhim.

Sadly,the operationdidn’tworkand thediscomfortwasn’tworththenew MeccanosetandtriptotheWimpybar. Heneverdidheartheblackbirdsingand returnedtoschoolwith aheavyheart.

Manyyearslater,Nick’soldclassmate, York,contactedhimon asocial networkingsite.Clickingon York’s picture,therehewas,sixty,hardlyany hairandhisusualhappygrin.Nickwas intriguedtolearnwhatpathhislifehad taken.He’dobviously rememberedhim andhe’dcertainlythoughtofhimenough times.

Theykeptintouchuntiloneday York suggestedmeetingupfor areunionwith afew otherclassmates.Thevenuewasa winebarinBournemouthwhichwasan hour’sdrivefromwherehelived.

Thecarjourneywasawfulwithrain poundingonthewindscreenanda holduponthedual-carriagewayinto thetowncentre. Treeswereswaying withleavesdriftingintodeeppiles.Nick wonderedifhewouldhavebeenbetter offnotacceptingtheinvitation.Orfor thatmatter,not draggingupthepastby renewingthefriendship.

Theturnoutwaspoorandtheyallsat inthecrampedwinebarwitheveryone attemptingtotalkatthesametime, onlyNickstruggledtograspwhatthey weresaying.Nobodyfromhisoldclass seemedto remembermuchabouthim. Heinstantly recognised York fromhis picture.Hewasastallas abeanstalk andNickwassurprisedtoseehewalked without alimp.Hecommentedonhow wellhelooked.

Then York raisedhisvoiceandcameout with,‘Bestthingthateverhappenedto melosingthoselegs.’

Nickwasastoundedbythe replyand muttered,‘Sorry,whatdidyousay?’

Yorkgiggled,‘Theonethatlimped wentwithmybestleg -bothhadtobe amputatedafter acarcrash along timeago.’

Hethenstoodupandraised atrouser leg revealing adarkanklesockanda silvermetal rod.

‘Isoonmasteredthesenewpegs,now Irunlikethewindorsotheytellme.I’ve nohangupsabouthavingartificiallegs. LifeiswhatyoumakeitNick;don’t youagree?’

‘Ah,yes, Isupposeso.’

YorkpattedNickontheshoulderand said,‘Yougotonwithyourfunnyeardidn’tworryyouonebit,didit?’

Nickgulped;howcouldthismanhave beensomistaken.Eventhoughthe scienceofaudiologyhadvastlyimproved, hehadalwaysstruggledwithhis restrictedhearing.

AfterthemeetingNicksatinhiscar.It feltlike ashotof realityhadpumpedinto hishead.Herewas York gettingonwith hislife,runningaroundonmetallegs whilehewasstillburdenedwithhishard luckstory.Yes,he’dhad agoodlifebut he’dlosttheplotsomewherealong theway.

Manoeuvringthecaroutofthecarpark hewaspleasedtoseethewindandrain hadstopped.Hetoldhimselfhe’dsoon behomeandwassurehiswifewouldbe waitingtohearhowthe reunionhadgone.

Headingforthedual-carriagway,he pulledupat ajunctiontomakehisturn.In theshiny redcarnexttohimhestaredat thedriver,ahappyman,contentwithhis lot. York spottedhimandput athumbup inhisdirection.

Nick respondedwith anodand ahand wave.ThelightschangedandNickturned rightand York wentleft.

Ashedrovehome,heexperienced aspecialwarmththatcouldonlybe describedassheerhappiness.Itfelt like agreatweighthadfinallybeenlifted fromhisshoulders.Itwastimetostop frowningandgetonwithhislife.

Nickthoughtbacktohismother’s commentwhenhewas ayoungboy abouthearingtheblackbirdsing.Meeting upwith York hadshownhimhow importantadopting apositiveattitude was,andtodaythatbeautifulsongbird wassingingjustforhim.

BookReview

TheManWhoDied TwicebyRichardOsman£18.99

(OurPrice£14.99)published16thSeptember

We couldn’tfailtorecommendthesecondnovelinthe record-breaking,million-copy bestsellingThursdayMurderClubseriesbyRichardOsman.Elizabethhas received aletterfromanoldcolleague, amanwithwhomshehas alonghistory.He’smade abigmistake,andheneedsherhelp.Hisstoryinvolvesstolendiamonds, aviolent mobster,and avery real threattohislife.Asbodiesstartpilingup,Elizabethenlists Joyce,IbrahimandRoninthehuntfor aruthlessmurderer,andif theyfindthe diamondstoo? Well,wouldn’tthatbe abonus?Butthistimetheyareupagainstan enemywhowouldn’tbataneyelidatknockingofffourseptuagenarians.CanThe ThursdayMurderClubfindthekiller(andthediamonds)beforethekillerfindsthem?

PRE-ORDERNOWFROMBH6BOOKS

And Away…byBobMortimer£20

(OurPrice£16)published16thSeptember

BobMortimer’slifewastrundlingalonghappilyuntilsuddenlyin2015hewas diagnosedwith aheartconditionthat requiredimmediatesurgeryandforcedhimto cancelanupcomingtour.Theepisodeunnervedhim,butforcedhimto reflecton hislifesofar.Thisistheframeworkforhishilariousandmovingmemoir,And Away AlthoughhischildhoodinMiddlesbroughwasnormalonthesurface,itwastinged bythelossofhisdad,andhisownvariousmisadventures,fromburningdownthe familyhometostarting ashort-livedpunkbandcalledDogDirt.Asanadult,he trainedas asolicitorandmovedtoLondon.

Thoughhewasdoingprettywell, achanceencounterin apubinthe1980swith ayoungcomediangoingbythenameof VicReevessethislifeon adifferent track.Andnow,sixyearson,theheartconditionthatoncethreatenedhiscareer hasinsteadledtonewsuccessonBBC2’sGoneFishing. Warm,profound,and irrepressiblyfunny,And Away...isBob’sfulllifestory(with afewliesthrowninfor goodmeasure.)

PRE-ORDERNOWFROMBH6BOOKS

TheDisgustingSandwichbyGarethEdwards£6.99

Ahilariouspicturebookabout averyhungry,andratherunlucky,badgerinsearch of asandwich -with awickedlyfunnytwistinthetale.Oneday,aboydropshis sandwichin asandpit,andtheraceison! Averyhungrybadgerwantsit,buthe’s justnotquickenough.Thesandwichisdropped,squashedandslitheredoverby everyonefrom asquirrel,to afox,to abandofslugs. Willthebadgerevergethis pawsonthatsandwich?Andwillheevenwantitifhedoes,orwillitjustbetoo disgusting?Greatfunforpre-schoolandearly readers.

Hello! I’mKirstyfrom BH6BooksandHome,anindependentbookshopandlifestyle storeinSouthbourneGrove. We sellnewbooks,cards,jigsaws,giftsandhome-waresfromourshop andalthoughwe’resmall,weprideourselveson aconstantlychangingstockthat reflectsthebestin publishing,carddesign,homeandgiftware. We also takeordersforbooks,CDs,DVDsandvinyl,with mostordersarrivingwithin24-48hours.

Whynotgetintouchon 01202418403,email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk orfindusonsocialmedia @bh6booksandhome

BIRD WATCHING

By ValerieKelly

Withmuch reliefafter alonglockdown, thelatestoutdoormeetingofCHOG (ChristchurchHarbourOrnithological Group)tookplaceonSaturday24th Julyalong agreat stretchofcoastfrom Keyhavento Lymington,takinginthe stunningviewsacrossPenningtonMarsh.

Theenthusiasticgroupincluded amixof highlyexperiencedbirdwatchers,someof whomweregroupleaders,manypeople whowereconfidentinbirdidentification andsomewithlittleknowledge,butwilling tolearn.

Withanominousweatherforecastofrain thegreystratuscloudsparted revealing brightsunshinemakingidentificationeasier forall. Arespectabletotalof69birds wererecorded.

ListofbirdsIdentified:

GreylagGoose,BrentGoose,Canada Goose,MuteSwan,Shelduck,Gadwall, Mallard,CommonEider,GreatCrested Grebe,StockDove,Swift,Moorhen,Coot, Oystercatcher,GreyPlover,Lapwing, RingedPlover,LittleRingedPlover, Whimbrel,Curlew,Black-tailedGodwit, Turnstone,Knot,Dunlin,Snipe,Common Sandpiper,Greenshank,Redshank,BlackheadedGull,MediterraneanGull,Herring

Gull,GreatBlack-backedGull,Little Tern, Common Tern,Sandwich Tern,Cormorant, GreyHeron,GreatWhiteEgret,Little Egret,MarshHarrier,Buzzard,Kestrel, Magpie,Jackdaw,Carrion Crow,BlueTit, GreatTit,EurasianSkylark,SandMartin, Swallow,HouseMartin,Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Wren,Starling,SongThrush, Blackbird,Robin,Stonechat,Dunnock, HouseSparrow,PiedWagtail,Meadow Pipit,Greenfinch,Linnet,Goldfinch,Reed Bunting.

CHOGwelcomesnewmemberswhoshare apassionfor recording,promotingand conservingthewildlifeoftheChristchurch HarbourArea.Thegrouphasbeeninvolved inmanyimportantconservationsprojects andwillcontinuetosupportimportantwork regardingconservation.Ifyouwishtobe involvedtheCHOGwebsiteisupdated daily, CHOG.org.uk.Membershipisas easyastwoclicksviathewebsite.CHOG isalsoon Twitter- @CHOG_birds andhas aFacebookgroup.Existingmembershave accesstoCHOGOnline,andpersonal contributionsarewelcome,pleasesendto editor@chog.org.uk.Members will receive e-bulletinsfourtimes ayeartoyourinbox.

Contact secretary@CHOG.org.uk for enquiries.

Wood Sandpiper by AlanHayden

WillowWarbler by MatthewBarfield

When La GrèveStrikes

By Marianne Thatcher

It’sroughoutthere.Peoplesittingattables clutchingplasticlinedpaperbags,somehold themcloseandmakegaggingnoises.The Ferrylurchesandleanscreakingtooneside, thentheother.Thesightofwaveslapping againstthewindowsisunnerving.Glasses onthebarslidealongwith aclinkandswish, whileothersfallfromtheirholdingandcrashto thefloor.Mybottleofcocacolais abitfrothy. Sippingitthroughtwothinstrawsmakesit frothieranddoesn’trelievemythirstatall.I take abitefrommyhamsandwich,astheboat tiltstheothersway.

AftertwohourscrossingtheEnglishChannel, wearriveatCalaisand‘disembark’asthey callit.Severalpeoplelookquitegreenaround thegillsastheystaggeracrossthegangway.

Iarriveattheplatformforthetrainand findonly ashorttrain,withnocouchettes. “Where’sthetraintoLausanne?” Iaskthe conductor.Herollshiseyes,“ilyaunegrève Mademoiselle.” Ilookaroundhelplessly.“He saysthere’sastrike.”explains awoman, climbingupthestepsintothetrain,dragging herbagbehindher.I’mmomentarilypanicked. “Mais,quesquejepeuxfaire?”“youmusttake zetreintoParisNord,andchengetoParis Est,”he replies,unmovedbymydespair.

Thetrainisabouttoleaveand Iclimbup reluctantly,throwingmycaseupeachstepat atimeasit’sheavy.I vowtocreate asuitcase withwheelsas Idropmycoatonanempty seatandtrytoliftmycaseuptotherack above.I’mtooshortandthecaseistooheavy, soit’sleftintheaisle.Nooneisbothered, they’reallcomplainingabouttheir rerouted journey.

After afewhourswearriveatGareduNordin Paris. Ifollowthe restofthepassengersand fallinstepwith ayoungwoman. Aconductor tellsustowalktoGaredel’Est, he saysit’s notfar.Weare nearlylastofffromtheend ofthetrainandcan’tquitebelievetheother stationissoclose.Theyoungwomanhails ataxiandinvitesmetoshareit.Thetaxi driverdrivesatbreakneckspeedallaround Paris,pastourpickuppointanddropsusat Garedel’Est20minuteslater.Wepayhim anexorbitantfareandrushintothestation. We cansee thedepartureboardwiththe platformfortheLausannetrainandrunupjust intimetoglimpsethe rearlightsofourtrain disappearingdownthetrack.Thenextoneis duethefollowingmorning.

Theyoungwomangivesmesomecoinswith whichtoringmymother,toletherknowabout thestrikeandwhentoexpectme. Iresign myselftospendingthenightinthewaiting roomwiththeyoungwoman.Itsmellsofdamp coats,peopleandGauloisecigarettes.Dim lightsanddarkpanelledwalls,twolargemetal radiatorswiththreeorfourbenchescomplete thepicture.Severalpeoplearewaitingwhen wearrive,butgraduallyallofthemdisappear, barthetwoofus.

Woodenbenchesarehardtosleepon, especiallysittingup,butatleastit’swarm. Aftermidnightwearejoinedbysome homelessmen,gladtobeoutofthecold. Theysmell abitodd,butaftersomemuttering and aswigortwoofsomethinginsmall bottlestheydropofftosleep.At 8a.m.the nextmorning Iamrelievedtobeonthe traingoingtoLausanne,and Inowknowfor certain,Garedel’Estreallyis ashortwalk fromGareduNord.

PhotobyAlexeyMalakhovonUnSplash

The Secret Garden @ TheOakInn isnowopen!

WHAT’SONINSEPTEMBER

Friday24th

LiveMusicwithThe Wise Guys

WHAT’SON@THE OAKINN

■ Mondays

MEETUPMONDAYS

Are younew to thearea? Meetingfriends?On your own? Comealongon Monday’sfrom11am for coffee andcakeorif youprefer, teaand toasted tea-cakes.

■ Tuesdays

NEWMUM’SMEETUP

Are youanewmum? Whynotmeetupandget to know othermumsfrom12-3pm,enjoyadrinkand/or abite to eatinourlovely,enclosedgardenorindoors.

GAMESAFTERNOON–3pm

Dominoes, Card games, Pucket, Cribbage, chess,Rummikuborbring your owngame.

■ Wednesdays

WINEWEDNESDAYS Buy2largeglassesand receive the restofthebottlefree!

■ Thursdays

OVER60’sCLUB Receive20%off your total foodbill

BINGO – 3pm Eyesdown forournewafternoonof bingo,everyone welcome.

QUIZNIGHT –ourpopularquiznightisbackevery Thursday, lotsofprizes to be won,itisafunnight, book yourtablenow, 8pmstart.

■ Fridays FISHNCHIPFRIDAYS Orderourdeliciousfishn chips to eatinortakeaway foronly£7.50!

■ Saturdays

GROUPRESTSPOT/PUB LUNCH

Are youpartofa cycling group, walking,golforother club? Callinduringorafter your exerciseandenjoy aburgerandapint for£12.50(standardlagerorale) (applies to groupspre-bookingonly)

■ Sundays

JOIN USFOR A SUNDAY ROAST

Choiceofhalfa roastchicken, roastporkand roast sirloinofbeefserved12pm-6pm

ACOUSTICSUNDAYS

AcousticsingereverySunday at 3pminthesecret garden

MEATDRAW everySunday at 2pm,don’t miss outon yourchance to winmeat vouchersfrom Meadowbrookbutchers. Ticketsonsale throughoutthe week.

Nurseclinicsarebackand betterthanever!

We areproudtoannouncethatwe haverevampedournurseclinics, andcannowprovideourclients withevenmoreassistanceand informationon awidervarietyof topics.

HereatPrioryweareproudto have alargeteamofhighlytrained qualifiednurseswhoarelooking forwardtoseeingyouandyour petsinourclinicblocksatallthree branches.

Theseclinicswillcovertheold favouriteslikedentalchecks,weight clinics,andhealthcheckseverysix months.

Butwearealsonowoffering:

•Cardiacclinics tomonitorand trackhearthealth.

•Geriatriccatclinics toaddress themultitudeofchangesseen inoldercatsandimplement treatmentbeforetheycause suffering.

•Mobilityclinics tokeeppets movingcomfortably.

•Confidenceclinics for(mainly) puppieswhoneedhelpwith socializing,trainingandfacing thebigwideworld

•BOASclinics (Brachycephalic ObstructiveAirwaySyndrome) forourflatfacedfriendsto assessandseehowandwhen wecanhelpthembemore comfortable.

•Dermatologyclinics for those itchypatientswithchronicskin issuesorallergies.

Ifyou’dlikemoreinformationabout anyoftheclinics,ortobookyour petinpleasecalluson

01202484466.

Areyou Fearless?

Iamonarollwiththewhole‘fear’thing… maybeit’sclosetomyheartbutit’salso indicativeofwhatisgoingonrightnow. Massivefearinducedbyanout-of-control mediamachine.

So,areyou fearless? Ithinkthisisa questionweprobablyaskourselveson manyoccasionsoverthelastyearorso.I haveoftenthoughtthat Ihavespentmost ofmylifebeingin‘fear’,not agreatfeeling becausefearbreaksdownyourimmune systemanddoesnothelpyouhavethe easiestoflives.

Myfearhasoftencomefromnotbelieving inmyselfandnotfeelingconfident enoughtospeakmytruthandaccept theconsequencesandthe responses, whatevertheyare.Thathasledtovocal noduleswhichhavecauseddamageto myvoice,if Ievergetstressed,theymake themselvesknown.Asyouknow,Iama bigfanofLouiseHayand Ibelieveevery ‘symptom’islinkedtoanemotion.

As achild Ineverfelt Icouldspeakout andupformyselfandas awife,my thoughtswereleftunspokenandoften unheard. Ikepttheminside,smouldering awayinstead,never agoodthingasitwill showupinyourlifeat alaterdate.

Strangelyhowever,there havebeen manytimesinmylifewhen Ihaveshown strengthandthosetimesarethe times youneedtoclingto,ifyouarestruggling rightnow.Weallhavebraveryinsideofus, sometimes,itgetssmotheredby self-doubt.

Butas Iwas reflectingonthissubject mattertoday,Isuddenly realisedthatthere havebeenmomentsinmylifewhen Ihave notbeen apeoplepleaserandhavetruly stoodupforwhat Ibelieveand,indeed,

havegoneagainstthe‘grain’andbeen preparedtostandoutforwhat Ibelieve. Mydefiningmomentwasattheageof27. Ihadfoundmyselfworkingfor aNarcissist (NPDpersonalitydisorder.)Thewordis bandiedaroundbut Iuseitproperlyand appropriately.Thelady Iworkedforwas verychallenging.

Iwasswornatonadailybasisandtold Iwasincompetent. Itookthosewords toheartandstruggledfor18months; however,Ineverleftthefirmas Iwas determinedtoleavewithunblemished recordandnotsuccumbtothebullying whichhadledotheremployeestolose theirjobsor resignandstrugglewiththeir mentalhealthbecauseofthetorturous environment.

Onedayweweresentto ahotelinLondon foran‘awayday/personaldevelopment day.’Oneofthetasksweweregiven was to‘critique’eachotherandthen report backtoeachperson,totheirface,what wethoughtofthem. We weretobehonest andconstructive.

Ihadnostrugglespeakingmytruthabout mostofthestaff,wewereallbullied,and westucktogetherlikeglue,buthowwas Igoingtospeakaboutmyboss?Lie…… pretendshewaswonderfulandbe atotal peoplepleaserORspeakmytruth.I decidedtooptforthelatter.All27years ofme,wetbehindtheears,newlyarrived fromCornwallintothecauldronofLondon. With atremblingvoice, Itoldhershewas abullyandthatwewereallterrifiedofher, Ilookedaroundthe room forsupport,I hadnone.Everyonehadtheireyesdown andlookedhorrifiedatthewords Ispoke. Isaidshewascruelandthatwewerea loyalbunchonlywantingtodo agoodjob.

Mybosses’eyesfilledwithtearsandshe stoodupandleftthe room.Theotherstuff turnedonme“Whathad Idonethatfor”, theyasked? Iturnedtothemandsaidthat theyshouldbeashamedofthemselves, thatall Ihad donewasspeakthetruth, wewererequiredonthiscoursetotellthe truthandnotholdback.So, Ididwhat mysoultoldmetoo,standupformyself butforalltheotherpeoplewhoselives shehadruined. Iwasmoreconcernedat them,peoplelosingtheirlivelihoodsand theirminds,atthesakeofsomeoneelse’s ego.Apparently,sheworkedon reverse psychology,rip yourstaffapartandthen raisethembackupagainintheimageof whatyouwantfromyourteam.

Inevergotthesack.Mybosschanged overnightandshowedmethebiggest amountof respect.Theday Iresignedof myownaccord,sheheld aleavingparty formeandwrotethesweetestnote.AsI huggedhergoodbyeshecried.

Themoralofthistaleisthis

•Alwaysstandyourground

•Alwaysbetruetoyourself

•Alwaysspeakyourtruth(whether otherslikeitornot)

•Bepreparedforany responseyou mayget(goodorbad)

Andinthecaseofthisstory,beinga peoplepleaserdoesnotalwayswinyou favours.Byspeakingmymind, Ifound respectfromtheleastlikelyperson. Whatmomentsdoyou recallinyourlife whereyou haveshowednofear?Ifyou feelkindofscaredrightnow,remember thosetimesandembracethem,theyare theessenceofwhoyoutrulyare.

Photo:DariusBasharonUnSplash