BH Six & Seven | January 2023

52 Keep Moving

If you find yourself with a few spare hours over the festive period and it’s too wet and too cold to venture outside, it might be a good idea to sort out wardrobes, cupboards and drawers, decluttering and making room for any gifts you may have received over Christmas.

New Forest for Ukraine would be very appreciative of any clean clothing, bedding etc that you may have and details of drop off points and the donations that are needed can be found on their website www.newforestforukraine.co.uk

Christmas and New Year wouldn’t be the same without taking the family to see a traditional pantomime and this year there are two versions of Cinderella: New Forest Players have a production at New Milton Memorial Centre from 29th December to 1st January and The Highcliffe Charity Players are putting on their pantomime at The Regent which runs from 27th to 29th January.

Wishing you a healthy and happy 2023

Best Wishes, Julie

6. Competition

8. Bread & Butter Pudding

10. Sugar & Spice

14. Puzzles

S1. Bird Watching

S6. Book Review

S8. Local History

S12. Heugh Lighthouse

S18. Re-Green Your Garden

S20. Wine of the Month

S22. Are You in Your Comfort Zone

S28. What’s on at The Regent

S30. Travel: Mauritius

S32. Recipe: Soda Bread

54. The Social Canteen

56. Spanish Kitchen Recipe

58. Myths About Acupuncture

60. Why do we Sleep?

Photo by Ihor N on Unsplash

Sugar and Spice

When I think of Christmas food, I am haunted by the smells of cinnamon and spice, of oranges. I think of Christmas cake soaked with boozy dried fruits and crisp pastry shell mince pies. In Georgian times, the import of fruits, fresh and dried were a popular commodity and elaborate confections adorned the supper tables of the aristocracy and landed gentry. In 1757 an Italian pastry cook named Domenico Negri opened a confectionery shop at 7-8 Berkeley Square under the sign of “The Pot and Pineapple”. At that time, the pineapple was a symbol of luxury and used extensively as a logo for confectioners. Only the rich could afford the delicacies produced in this type of shop, but the eating of ices and sweetmeats became extremely fashionable. No image remains of the premises, but here is one of Negri’s business cards.

Frederic Nutt’s Spiced Biscuits

Sugar and Spice

The Ang Lee adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (1995) has Fanny Dashwood declare at the ball, that her brother and husband “have been eating ices”. Negri’s shop employed apprentices, one of whom included Frederic Nutt, who went on to produce his own recipe book. The recipe following, (converted into modern measurements) is taken from Nutt’s publication, The Complete Confectioner: Or, The Whole Art of Confectionary Made Easy : Also Receipts for Home-made Wines, Cordials, French and Italian Liqueurs, &c, first published in 1789.

(NB not suitable for people with nut allergies)

These biscuits are rather like biscotti, designed to be dunked in sweet, dessert wine (or these days, coffee or tea). They are hard and crunchy so best to be softened by liquid before consuming.

Ingredients:

125g plain white flour

125g blanched almonds

40g icing sugar

Teaspoon mace (or mixed spice)

Teaspoon cinnamon

Sugar syrup – 100ml water, boiling with 125g caster sugar, swirl in pan, boil for 1 min.

Method:

Add syrup to dry ingredients. Pull together by hand. Roll into a sausage, flatten a little. Put on baking paper, bake at 160 degrees for 40 mins.

Wet the back of the paper and the sausage will lift off easily. Cut very thin slices at an angle. Put the slices back on the tray and into the oven (switched off) to dry out for 40 minutes. Dunk in dessert wine and enjoy!

Trade print held in the British Museum

you want them...

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A warm and friendly welcome awaits you with modern facilities and professional staff on hand.

WINTER AT STUDIO ARKELL

Now that the trees are bare, and Christmas preparations are in full swing, its time to look ahead to the arrival another New Year! For us, 2022 has past in a flash, with January marking the first year in our Christchurch offices and seeing us already planning ahead for 2023.

Now is a great time to set your plans into motion too, adding those extra spaces to make your home New Year ready, whether you need that vital quiet corner for work, or want to bring the outside in ready for the Spring – Studio Arkell can solve all your design and build questions.

Studio Arkell is a friendly and approachable RIBA Chartered Architect’s practice, with a talented and growing team led by Hannah Arkell, in her home town of Christchurch, Dorset.

To take advantage of a limited offer of a complimentary 1-hour Design Consultation – please get in touch with Hannah or her Team at Studio Arkell today.

You can find us just off the top of Christchurch High Street. A: 5, Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1DP

T: 01202 232423

Enquire for a free consultation.

E: info@studioarkell.com

W: www.studioarkell.com

Due to our continued growth and success, we are seeking a motivated:

- Part 2

- Architect

- Senior Technician

If you think you’d like to work with us, please send your abridged CV and portfolio to info@studioarkell.com

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Tel: 01425 278408

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Email: scott@creativepaving.co.uk

Web: creativepaving.co.uk

2023 CHOG CALENDAR

ONLY £9.99 INCLUDING DELIVERY

The 2023 CHOG calendar has been produced from stunning pictures taken by CHOG members of some of the 180 species which have been recorded in the Christchurch Harbour area over the last 12 months.

The profits raised from sales of the calendar will help towards meeting a variety of CHOG’s aims, including promoting and conserving the birds and wildlife of the Christchurch Harbour area, which includes Hengistbury Head, Stanpit Marsh and Wick Fields. At a very reasonable price the calendars are lovely colourful gifts to give as Christmas/birthday presents for all your family and friends. Visit: www.chog.org.uk

BIRD WATCHERS FOR BEGINNERS

This year CHOG have had a few events aimed at beginner birdwatchers. There was the very successful Peregrines event at The Priory where many members of the public were able to see the Peregrine chicks through telescopes. On 8th May some members organised a Warbler Workshop at Hengistbury Head helping people learn how to identify warblers by their songs and by sight. CHOG further organised a walk for BCP Council aimed at beginner birdwatchers on 11th September and Richard Cordery was supported by Roger Howell, David Taylor and Greg Lambe in leading the group out onto Stanpit Marsh looking for waders which moved towards them as the tide was rising. Good views of Bar- and Black-tailed Godwits amongst other waders were enjoyed and a

www.chog.co.uk

Cattle Egret dropped in, which was exciting for beginners. On Crouch Hill 6 Wheatears and 10 Yellow Wagtails were seen feeding up before their long southward migrations.

All outdoor meetings are suitable for birders of all abilities including complete beginners. The leaders enjoy helping people to find and identify all species and are not all experts just looking for rarer species, although it is always exciting when something unexpected is seen! Blackwater Arboretum is always a favourite outing and took place in mid-November and the final outing of the year is on Saturday 10th December 2022 where mince pies and warm drinks are enjoyed by members.

If the interest is there, but mobility is an issue, CHOG have several indoor meetings a year, based at St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, The Broadway, Hengistbury Head. Forward planning includes the aim to have hybrid meetings that people could attend online or in person.

Also, the CHOG website is full of interesting bird facts and CHOG Online provides a growing library of online resources which you can discover in the comfort of your own home at a time convenient to you.

To join please visit www.chog.org.uk

By Valerie Kelly

Photo by Richard Cordery

Photo by Richard Cordery

TALKS are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month, September to June inclusive, at the Christchurch Junior School, Clarendon Road, Christchurch.

All talks start at 7:30pm | Parking on Site | Coffee Break Members £2.00 | Visitors £5.00 | Students £2.00

December 6th Tucktonia - The largest Model Village in the World with - Alex McKinstry

Occupying four acres of the Tuckton Golf and Leisure Park, this remarkable attraction opened in May 1976 by Arthur Askey. Alex’s talk will explore the early days, how it developed and what happened next.

January 3rd - The making of films of local interest with - Patrick Kemp

Patrick shares his passion for making is own films with this illustrated talk. Filmed in and around the local area, it features some of the interesting people he has met, the places he has been and the funny things that have happened. Short relevant excerpts of film re shown.

February 7th - Fairgrounds at war 1939 - 1945 with - Kay Castleman

This second talk by Kay will cover the fairgrounds managed under the restrictions of WW2. From the blackout to the limitations on travelling, food supplies including coconuts for the shies!

March 7th - Life in a Medieval Village with - Mary Harris, Chairman of Romsey Local History Society

Mary’s talk is based on research and Studies of the Medieval documents - rentals, custumals and court records held by Winchester Cathedral for the estate of Michelmersh. Custumals: A written account of the custom of a manor or other local community.

April 4th - Christchurch Twinning with - Howard Piper, Chairman of Christchurch Twinning Association

Christchurch Twinning Association was formed in 1982 in response to the formal Town Council Mayoral links with St. Lo the previous year. Howard’s talk will cover how other towns joined; Christchurch (New Zealand), Aalen (Germany), Saint Lo (France) with Tatabanya (Hungary) joining in 2013. Also, what the future may bring to the Twinning Towns.

May 2nd - Aviation around Poole Bay 1910 - 1926 with - Kevin Prentice

A sixty-year odyssey of the important part of Poole Bay and its surrounds played in the story of aircraft and the men who flew around this part of Dorset between 1910 and 1976.

Book Review

She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai, hardback £10

On the outskirts of Tokyo, local cats weave their way through the lives and homes of their owners as they navigate difficult times. A cat named Chobi sends silent messages of courage to a young woman; a gifted artist fatally misunderstands her boss’s enthusiasm for her paintings; a manga fan shuts herself away after the death of her friend, while her cat Cookie hatches a plan to persuade her outside; a woman who has dedicated her life to a distant husband learns a lesson in independence from her cat. An uplifting and heartwarming book, this is ideal for fans of The Travelling Cat Chronicles, The Cat Who Saved Books, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E. Grant, hardback £20 (SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST)

When Richard E. Grant’s wife, Joan, died in 2021, her final challenge to him was to find ‘a pocketful of happiness in every day’. This honest and hilarious memoir is written in honour of that challenge, sharing in raw detail everything he has experienced: both the pain of losing his beloved wife, and the excitement of their life together, from the role that transformed his life overnight in Withnail & I to his thrilling Oscar nomination thirty years later for Can You Ever Forgive Me? With insights into their relationship and marriage, navigating the highs and lows of Hollywood, parenthood and loss, this memoir is told with candour in Richard’s utterly unique style, A Pocketful of Happiness is a powerful, funny and moving celebration of life’s unexpected joys.

Britannica’s Word of the Day, hardback £12.99

Aimed at junior school age children 7-11

Become a word virtuoso in just one year with 366 new words aimed to impress. This charmingly illustrated book features captivating words selected by the masterminds at Britannica to highlight the best of the English language. Follow a menagerie of animals as they teach one new word for each day of the year, including a pronunciation guide, definition, sample sentence and interesting trivia about the word’s usage or etymology. From gargoyle to guffaw, buoyant to befuddle, this book includes 366 elevating utterances to stretch your cranium!

Why not pop into the shop to have a browse and see lots of great Christmas present ideas for adults and children, as well as jigsaws, cards, advent calendars and gifts?

Or you can contact us on 01202 418403, email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or find us on social media @bh6booksandhome to place orders and discover all that we have to offer at BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QU.

LOCAL HISTORY

Edward Hyde (1609-74)

He’s commemorated in a Christchurch road name, ‘Clarendon Road’, so must be worth examining. Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609-74) was born at Dinton, nr. Salisbury, was destined for the church but found the law and letters instead and was a pal of Ben Jonson.

Hyde married twice, the second liaison with Frances Aylesbury in 1632 being most significant. They’d have six children of whom the eldest, Anne Hyde, married James, Duke of York, the future James II, in 1659. This royal marriage produced a veritable nursery of grandchildren for Edward including two future queens of England but more of them later. Let’s return to Edward Hyde. Not only was he Earl of Clarendon, but also Lord of the Manor of Christchurch, hence Clarendon Road being here.

He became an MP in 1640, a couple of years before England was riven by civil war, and although he’d favoured the parliamentary cause briefly, by the time conflict began he was in the royalist camp, being knighted in

1643, and made Chancellor of the Exchequer. Hyde accompanied the Prince of Wales, the future Charles II, and was with him in the Scilly Isles in May 1646 when he began writing his History. Yes, he was an author too. Following the execution of Charles I, Hyde remained loyal to his exiled son and heir. When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Charles II, as he now was, rewarded Hyde who became High Chancellor, a baron, then Earl of Clarendon in April 1661.

The wedding of Hyde’s daughter, Anne, to James, Duke of York, had occurred meanwhile by secret contract (1659), then private marriage (1660). Among their children would be the future Mary II (of William and Mary) and Queen Anne. Clarendon meanwhile was not the most popular of statesmen, irritating both sides of the spectrum, his ostentation an irritation to many. Lots of mishaps occurred (not all of which were his fault): the loss of Dunkirk; the Dutch war; the Plague and Great Fire of London. In 1667 Hyde was ousted and exiled to France where he’d spend his rest of days. He was lucky to get there as he was almost mugged by disgruntled English sailors.

Hyde left his mark in our area as he’d a scheme for Hengistbury Head, which saw a ‘cut’ through the sandspit to ease navigation in/out of the harbour with a ‘jetty’ protecting it from the worst of the weather. The trouble is they built the jetty on the wrong side of the cut (oops) so the works got wrecked. That jetty’s still there though (‘Clarendon’s Jetty’ or ‘The Long Rocks’). Hyde wished to return to England but wasn’t allowed so died in Rouen but at least he finished his ‘History of the Rebellion in England’.

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

eMail: littleval@talktalk.net

Edward Hyde in 1626 by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen. Collection - Government Art Collection. Current location - British Embassy, the Hague.

Photo: Matheus Ferrero-UnSplash

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& your garden

With climate change becoming such an important issue we all need to do all we can to mitigate its effects. Having greener gardens helps store carbon emissions , reduce flooding and create a better environment for our birds and pollinating insects. Here a just a few simple ways to make a difference.

 Plant an evergreen hedge or grow climbers in front of your fence.

 Have a larger lawn which you mow less often and create wildflower corners.

 Plant a tree or more evergreen shrubs.

 Build a pond or boggy area.

 Make your own compost and mulch.

 Avoid chemical fertilisers and weed killers.

 Reduce your gravel and paving areas

 Install water butts and use collected water for your beds.

 Grow your own fruit and vegetables.

Just be more relaxed about having a pristine tidy garden and allow nature a look in. If you really do want large gravel areas then fill it with pots, grasses and sedum.

Wine of the Month

Adobe Reserva Viognier Central Valley [Organic] 2022 13.5%

High quality organic fruit is sourced from Emiliana’s vineyards in Casablance and Colchagua. A delicious, fresh, spicy and aromatic Viognier.

This wine was our best seller at our last three wine tastings, and an absolute bargain at £8.29 (promotion).

Very aromatic and fruity, perfect for any kind of oriental food, or just by itself.

Graham

67 Bargates, Christchurch

BH23 1QE

We are delivering locally 6 days a week (Deliveries of 6 bottles or more)

01202 485965

graham.bonafide@gmail.com

Open 6 days a week

Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 8pm

Monday CLOSED

Are You in Your Comfort Zone?

Many years ago, I found myself out of my comfort-zone. It made me feel uncomfortable, scared and totally on high alert/flight mode. In fact, I spent twelve plus years of my life in that state. No wonder I came out of that period of my life in a bit of a state but also exhausted. Even my hair seemed to be overly frizzy! My body was in state of shock and yes, trauma. I was so out of my depth, I felt like a swan on the outside, whilst my legs were paddling away at 150 knots underneath the water!

I truly believe that we all have our limitations. Some people are born in a village and stay there, quite content to live a quiet life. There is nothing wrong with that. Others want to climb Kilimanjaro or become a top City Trader. The choice is yours, but all choices should be coercion free and totally of your making, not someone else’s dream.

Our society today pushes us into believing that you are only a success if you step outside your comfort zone. But why? If it is going to stress you out, make you anxious and affect your life, your health, your relationships, and everything else in between, how can it be worth it? I know women who are stressed out of their minds in a high-powered job. The only question they ask themselves, is how further can I go? How much harder can I work to achieve what I want?

There comes a time when the work/life balance must be your priority. How stressed do you need to be to eventually say, “I have had enough?”

I never said I was done, I said I was fine. I left it way too late. Eventually I really was done, done in. I had no more fuel in the tank. I was exhausted. That was 2014, it’s taken me years to recover.

There is a reason we have a comfort zone; it protects us and keeps us safe. We know that within that zone we are ‘okay’ and comfortable, before we step outside, check in with yourself, is this want you truly want? Is this your dream or someone else’s?

Maybe you are perfectly happy just as you are? There is nothing wrong with that. Life is for living not stressing.

With Love Beth, x

Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

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SHOWING

NEW YEAR’S EVE: KINKY BOOTS - THE MUSICAL (12A)

Tickets: £20

KING RICHARD (12A)

Tickets: £7.50, Conc: £7 (over 60s, under 16s, students & registered disabled)

REGENT CENTRE 90TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

For more details, visit www.regentcentre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01202 499199

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974) [35mm Presentation]

Tickets: £10, £9 Conc.

REGENT 90TH CONCERT:

A Celebration of Musical Theatre

Tickets £10

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

Tickets: £23, Conc. £22

BOURNEMOUTH CONCERT BRASS

New Year Viennese Concert

Tickets: £11.50 Conc. £11

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (PG)

Tickets: £7.50, Child (U16) £5

TENORS UNLIMITED “That’s Amore”

£24, £22 Conc.

SLEEPING BEAUTY:

Highcliffe Charity Players Pantomime

Tickets: £15, £14 Conc.

NT LIVE: Leopoldstadt (Recorded Live)

Tickets: £14, Conc. £12

ODYSSEY (plus support)

Tickets: £28.50, Conc. £27.50

GORDON BUCHANAN

30 Years in the Wild Anniversary Tour

Tickets: £26.50

DATE & TIME

Fri 31 Dec: 9.15pm

Dustoffyourdancingshoesforthisspecial screening,recordedattheAdelphiTheatre.

Tues 4 Jan & Thurs 6: 2.30pm & Wed 5 Jan: 7.30pm

StarringWillSmith.Thetruestoryoftennis superstarsistersVenusandSerenaWilliams.

Sat 8th Jan & Sun 9th Jan 2022

Aweekendofcelebratoryevents,including backstagetours,specialfilmscreenings,amusicalvarietyshowandevenagameofbingo!

Sat 8 Jan: 7.30pm

BrianDePalmacomedyhorrorabouta disfiguredmusicianhauntingarockpalace.

Sun 9 Jan: 7.30pm

Acelebratoryeveningofmusicaltheatre classics,from‘MackandMabel’to‘LaCageAux Folles’andmanymore,performedbytalented localmusicaltheatregroups.Allproceedswill bedonatedtotheRegentCentreDevelopment Fund.

Sat 15 Jan: 7.30pm

Sun16Jan:3pm

Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jan: 11am

Sat 22 Jan: 7.30pm

Thurs 27 & Fri 28 Jan: 7.30pm

Sat 29 Jan: 2pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm

Sun 30 Jan: 2pm & 4.30pm

Wed 2 Feb: 7.30pm

TomStoppard’sOlivieraward-winningnewplay, recorded live in London’s West End.

Sat 5 Feb: 7.30pm

70s/80shitband.“NativeNewYorker”,“If You’reLookingforAWayOut”&more

Thurs 10 Feb: 7.30pm

Award-winningwildlifecameramanandBBC presenterliveonstage.

Experience Mauritius with One&Only Le Saint Géran

Nestled in the soft sands of its own private peninsula, between a gorgeous, sheltered lagoon and the blissfully warm Indian Ocean, surrounded by fabulous coral reefs and clear waters, this cocooning ultra-luxury resort is the grande dame of Mauritius resorts, with an illustrious history going back to 1975 – when it opened as the island’s first luxury offering.

But it’s not all about peace and calm here. The concierge is at your disposal for discovering the island, including touring the buzzing multicultural capital Port Louis, discovering traditional villages, sampling local delicacies, taking part in religious festivals and browsing fascinating markets. For those hankering for something more energetic, there are also thrilling bespoke adventures on offer, including jumping out of an aeroplane, scaling a mountain, quad-biking through sugar cane fields and trekking in the wild at Ile aux Aigrettes. Back on-site, The Boathouse is the place to head to for water-sports fun on the lagoon.

Special Experiences at the One&Only Le Saint Geran

Guests can discover the mangroves of Mauritius with One&Only’s Club One

Manager, Burwing Caetan, by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, on its Secret Mangroves Discovery Tour. The mangroves play a great role in the marine reproduction process of the lagoon, and going to this untouched green spot will allow you to see many different types of fish, plus crabs, spiders’ webs, mussels on the rocks and kingfishers looking for fresh fish or crabs.

Other island adventures on offer include bespoke guided hiking tours with a Mauritian Wildlife Foundation eco-ranger, traversing valleys and nature reserves, climbing waterfalls and gorges and spotting the likes of rare pink pigeons, Mauritius kestrels, echo parakeets and giant Aldabra tortoises. A helicopter excursion will also give you a unique view of the island, including the ‘underwater waterfall’ just off the coast of Le Morne – a natural optical illusion created by the movement of sand and silt sediments under powerful underwater currents.

Private romantic dining on the hotel’s jetty or beach is also available here, or for the ultimate indulgence, the resort offers a ‘One Day Perfect’ Experience including sunrise yoga and meditation, a sumptuous breakfast on your private terrace, lunch

cooked over firewood and coconut, a spa treatment, a wine tasting with the sommelier, and private dining in a beachside tipi or on the lantern-lit jetty.

If you’re inspired, you can learn to make local cuisine here too, with a market-totable cooking class starting with a Flacq food market tour browsing local, seasonal ingredients and proceeding to a session creating popular local dishes that you can then sit down to enjoy with wine pairings curated by the sommelier.

Accommodation at the One&Only Le Saint Geran

The resort’s rooms, suites and the secluded villa have all been cleverly designed to bring the great outdoors in through disappearing patio doors, seamless indoor–outdoor flooring and island-inspired colour palettes. This is very much a place for self-care

and holistic wellness administered by famously warm and empathetic staff. The spa is a stand-out, with private gardens with outdoor showers and treatments inspired by indigenous techniques. And with its accommodations with up to three bedrooms, One&Only Le Saint Géran is perfect for family escapes and multigenerational getaways.

To book your stay at One&Only Le Saint Géran, get in touch with me today. You’ll benefit from full financial protection and a 24-hour duty office ready to assist you before, during and after your trip.

SALLY PULLEN

TRAVEL COUNSELLOR

T: 01202 375150

M: 07929 626156

E: sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com

W: www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen

Top 5 Reasons To Keep Moving This Winter

Let’s be honest, we all probably sit for too long, whether that’s: for work, at home on the sofa watching TV, or driving around town running errands. Sometimes it seems that all we do is sit, especially over the festive period and winter months. Why? Well, it’s easy and also feels relaxing and comfortable. But surely it’s not good for you? See below for a list of effects that can result from oversitting. Brace yourself, you might want to get those walking shoes ready!

1. Inhibitory Postures

Sitting for too long puts added pressure on your lumbar discs, inhibiting your weight being evenly distributed throughout your spine. This can lead to the pelvis rotating backwards which throws your head forward creating bad posture (slumping)

2. Chronic Pain

Sitting for too long may lead to excess pressure on certain parts of the body to compensate for poor posture. The lower back is an area that usually suffers from oversitting. If this happens over a long period of time, it may lead to discomfort and pain.

3. Likely Weight Gain

When you don’t move about enough, you lose muscle mass. Muscle mass helps you burn more calories at rest as it is a cellularly more active tissue than fatty tissue. Move less = burn less calories.

4. Low Energy Movement and exercise increase s energy levels. By sitting for long periods of time you may find yourself struggling with lethargy. This may result in you reaching out for less than optimum ways of feeling re-energised, e.g. caffeine/ sugar. Start by building up with short walks, the body adapts to the regular movement you do.

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5. Declining Mental Health

With recent events we don’t need reminding what life can be like stuck inside all the time, but the impacts of this are sadly more than just physical. With limited social interaction comes the risk of reduced mental well-being compounded by heightened periods of tiredness, struggling to sleep, lack of concentration , and decreased social skills.

Easy Movement Maintenance Tips:

o Set a timer and take a break from sitting every 30 minutes.

o Stand while talking on the phone or watching television.

o If you work at a desk, try a standing desk, or improvise with a high table or counter.

o Introduce walking meetings with your colleagues/friends rather than sitting in a conference room/cafe

Address Aches and Pains

Many don’t realise it, but aches and pains can be the reason you have stopped doing something that you once enjoyed We specialise in helping:

Back pain

Neck pain

Joint pain/stiffness

Sciatica

Headaches and migraines

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Tension and inability to relax

Poor posture

Get Growing with Grounded

As the winter draws in, we thought we would try something different! The Social Canteen is a new way of eating, piloted by Grounded Community supported by Dorset Community Foundation and the BCP Food Support Fund. We also joined forces with Bournemouth Food Bank, for this undertaking, who provided their brand-new facilities at their recently launched Miracle Community Café in Boscombe.

Grounded Community Charity has been working with the Food Bank at the venue in Haviland Road for some time, ensuring people get food when needed. A surplus food box runs daily, which feeds hundreds of people each week, whilst Foodbank run a massive operation from the Boscombe venue.

The new facilities include a state-ofthe-art commercial kitchen and training room, stylish conference room facilities

and a new kitchen as well as the new café due to open soon. For more info, check out @miraclecafe.bmth on Instagram.

The Social Canteen was the first to use the space alongside Grounded Community’s ‘Gatherers’, who meet in the space weekly to chop, preserve, cook and make meals from food surplus. The event, in half term, was an exciting 4-day food event bringing local people together to eat well, socialise and support the planet. This pilot is hoped to be the first of many Social Canteens that eat weekly across BCP.

In this time of food insecurity, high energy prices and isolation, it makes sense to eat together. Eating together has also been shown to improve our mental health - the more often we eat with others, the more likely we are to feel happy and satisfied with our lives.

The Social Canteen is for EVERYONE, irrespective of background or social situation, but it can also help households struggling through difficult financial times.

Over 350 people turned out and received a warm meal and welcome over 4 nights. Over 40 volunteers helped deliver this as well as 3 paid chefs to create 2/3 course meals each evening, Takeaway was also available and the whole concept is set to ‘change the way we eat’. Local community workers really supported the efforts.

Eating together also has the added bonus of reducing waste caused by cooking alone and reduces energy bills. For £1-4 per head this is a super cheap way to feed yourself and your family. Where else could you get a 2-course meal for £2 a head! The Social Canteen chefs produce delicious meals out of surplus foods and garden gluts from our local area, meaning we also intercept food that would otherwise go in the bin! Vegan and children’s options and local venison were on the menu.

Look out for future Social Canteens and this concept roles out across the conurbation in the new year. The team are also offering a PDF pack so if you want to start a Social Canteen in your area you can get in touch for some support!

Info@groundedcommunity.co.uk or to join in the fun contact

volunteer@groundedcommunity.co.uk.

To find out more about Bournemouth Foodbank’s projects, new spaces and how to book them, please visit www.thegardenbournemouth.org or email

hello@thegardenbournemouth.org and also

www.groundedcommunity.co.uk

Garlic Mushrooms

Ingredients (for 5 Tapas)

1/2 kg of Mushrooms

50 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil

5 Cloves of Garlic

Fresh Parsley to taste

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 Red Cayenne Pepper

Preparation

Brush or wipe the mushrooms with a tea towel, never soak them to clean them.

Cut into shape of your choice or leave whole if the mushroom is small. Slice the garlic and slice the chilli.

Heat the oil, garlic and chilli in a frying pan. Brown lightly and add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper.

Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes and then turn the heat up to high and leave to cook for a few more minutes.

Garnish with parsley and serve piping hot and enjoy.

Experience the flavour of the Mediterranean, cuisine with soul, made with love, to teach and transmit the Gastronomic Culture of Spain.

With simple, fresh, aromatic, varied ingredients, full of flavour and sunshine. We make 100% Spanish food to enjoy and share. We don’t sell anything, everything on this channel is free and authentic.

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

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

Authentic Mediterranean Cuisine with Chef José

5 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture

Are you considering trying acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for over 2,000 years and has been gaining popularity in Britain since the 1970’s. The BBC reported the Queen’s fascination with acupuncture way back in 1999, and today the NHS recommend it for many conditions.

However there is still much confusion around acupuncture, here we dispel five common myths:-

1) Acupuncture is painful

Needles are used but they really aren’t painful, in fact it can be so relaxing that many patients fall asleep during a session.

The needles used are tiny, nothing like injections, and while there may be a slight pinch on insertion, deep relaxation typically occurs within minutes.

2) Acupuncture doesn’t work

There is a growing body of evidence to support the effectiveness of acupuncture for a range of conditions.

The National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) recommend it for chronic pain, headaches and migraines but it’s success reaches much further with studies demonstrating it’s benefits for many ‘difficult to treat’ chronic conditions. Information can be found on the British Acupuncture Council website (acupuncture.org.uk)

The key to getting the most out of your treatments is to talk to your practitioner about how many sessions may be required for benefit.

3) It’s a mystical form of voodoo

There is nothing mystical or magical about acupuncture. It is a clinical modality designed to help balance the body’s various interconnected systems.

Modern research studies believe that acupuncture encourages homeostasis by stimulating nerves in the body that then send signals to the brain and other organs to release hormones and chemicals including beta-Endorphins that can relieve pain.

4) Becoming an acupuncturist requires little or no training

This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. To become a fully trained acupuncturist registered with the British Acupuncture Council (www. acupuncture.org.uk) a practitioner must have trained for at least 3 years and obtained an acupuncture degree or similar qualification with the relevant insurance.

Always ask your acupuncturist about the length of their acupuncture-specific training and if they are a member of a professional body such as the British Acupuncture council.

5) Acupuncture is just for pain

It is true that acupuncture does wonders for pain management. However, acupuncture has been shown to reduce other side-effects and conditions including dizziness, headaches and migraines, depression, insomnia, nausea, stress, anxiety, infertility and other gynaecological conditions, the list goes on.

One key benefit of acupuncture is that it can often help with those ‘difficult to treat’ chronic conditions that can make life miserable on a dayto-day basis.

This article was written by Kate Freemantle (www.christchurchacupuncture.co.uk).

Kate is a long-standing member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 15 years’ experience. She always offers a free 15-minute consultation and can be contacted on 0788054593 or email kate@katefreemantle.co.uk

By Dr Armorel Wood

WHY DO WE SLEEP?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE ASLEEP?

HOW DO WE SLEEP BETTER?

Sleep is essential to allow us to recover from the physical and emotional strains of the day and recharge us for the new day ahead. As a generalisation we are awake for 16 hours and sleep for 8 hours- 1/3 of our lives spent asleep!

There are three sleep inducers:

An INTERNAL BODY CLOCK (circadian rhythm) that is set by periods of light and dark

A SLEEP SIGNAL (adenosine) that builds up as we are awake and resets at night

RELAXATION activities as a pre bed routine.

We can adjust our lifestyle in order to maximise the capacity of these inducers to get us, and keep us, asleep. Firstly, we need to get up at approximately the same time each day, even at weekends, to allow the sleep signal time to build up to a maximum by bedtime. We also need to go to bed at approx. the same time each night. i.e., staying awake for the same time period each day.

Diet, dark/light exposure and temperature can interfere with this process. Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine the sleep signal and that is how it keeps us awake. Therefore, if you have trouble sleeping you should not have caffeinated drinks after about 2pm. Alcohol in the evening although it may make us sleepy ultimately messes with the quality of our sleep so should be limited to one unit with our early evening meal. Eating at

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

regular times also helps our internal body clock so it is best to have breakfast on waking and our main meal at lunch with a light early evening meal. Our eyes have receptors that are sensitive to morning sunlight and evening sunlight so exposing ourselves to natural full spectrum light as early as possible by doing a short walk for about 30 minutes and again in the early evening helps the sleep-wakesleep cycle. At bedtime our bodies like to be cool, this can be achieved by a hot bath/shower which causes the skin to vasodilate and our bodies to lose heat. Bedrooms need to be about 17 degrees; a dark, tidy and quiet place, a safe, comfortable haven to relax. Bedtime routines including turning all screens off one hour before bed and those that include meditation, reading, music, breathing exercises or yoga all help set us up for a better night.

There are three phases of sleep that occur in cycles throughout the night. The phases include:

DEEP SLEEP which cleans and refreshes the nerve pathways in the brain and refreshes the tissues in our bodies.

REM/DREAM SLEEP that acts to process and reset our emotions from the day.

LEARNING SLEEP that helps store and consolidate memories and learning from the previous day.

We have 4-5 cycles of these sleep phases each night with most of our deep sleep before 3am and most of our REM sleep after 3am. After each cycle we wake momentarily (which we may not remember). Thus, a total of 10 min awake at night with 20 min falling asleep is considered normal.

If you have trouble sleeping, try not to worry about being awake as this leads to outpouring of stress hormones and puts your body on high alert. You need to try

and change your expectations of being in bed to expect to fall asleep away from expecting to stay awake. Enjoy resting and relaxing, bring your thoughts back to the here and now and focus on your senses and what you can feel, practise your breathing, count, use calm music, sleep podcasts, familiar audiobooks with headphones.

Do not worry about being awake as this leads to outpouring of stress hormones and puts your body on high alert. The more you worry about not falling asleep the more you wake yourself up! You need to change your expectations of being in bed to expect to fall asleep away from expecting to stay awake. Enjoy resting and relaxing practise your breathing, count, use calm music, familiar audiobooks. You ideally need to lie in bed with your eyes closed in a state of quiet wakefulness while waiting for sleep to come. Instead of fighting to get to sleep you need to practise accepting the fact that you are still awake and welcome any unwanted thoughts or sensations instead of resisting them. It is the struggle with wakefulness that does the damage not the wakefulness itself. Any attempts to fight, or avoid your insomnia signals your brain that you are being threatened in some way. This automatically triggers your innate survival response and prepares your mind and body for fight or flight and alert wakefulness so you need to change your relationship with your thoughts rather than struggle to change them. Accepting and welcoming your insomnia is the key to getting you back to sleep!

Dr Armorel Wood Private Counsellor

M: 07765 915 211

E: woodarmorel@gmail.com

W: mapletreetherapy.org.uk

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