contents
welcome
18 38
OCTOBER 2012
What a summer this has been, the weather may have tried to let us down, but it has been a few months of celebration, success and colour that has made us all feel good about being British again; this summer has put the GREAT back into Great Britain. I have never seen such an overwhelming sense of pride from just everybody; never before have I seen the media so subdued in their usual cynical criticism of all things good and turn to the united praise of what has been achieved from the Jubilee and through the Olympic and Paralympic events. I have never seen so many people touched with tears and displays of emotion at the achievements of the athletes. I was fortunate enough to be in the Olympic stadium for one of the sessions during the Paralympics. For me and I think for everybody that was there, the experience was life changing. My perception of human endeavour, the fortitude and determination to overcome adversity has changed forever. I will never forget the wall of sound in that stadium that lifted every athlete – and not just British ones.I really am not alone in this, so many people that I have spoken to are similarly moved, inspired and proud to have been a witness to so much achievement.‘Inspire a Generation’ was the legacy objective of London 2012, and I am determined that Solent Life will take up that challenge and encourage the surge of enthusiasm and help to open doors to opportunities for our youth to try new | MANAGING EDITOR things. Let’s just see what we can achieve with your help…
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in this issue… features 26… Breast Cancer Awareness Month We catch up with Karen Roberts as she receives her 2 year all clear
28… Titchfield Carnival The Bonfire Boys have their first female Chairman
Solent Life Magazine Tel… 01489 583800 • Fax… 01489 564549 Online… www.solentlife.co.uk • Email… info@solentlife.co.uk WEBB HOUSE, 20 BRIDGE ROAD, PARK GATE, HAMPSHIRE, S031 7GE
38… Portsmouth Air Festival Solent Life meets characterful Captain Biff Windsock
58… Holidays are coming... Planning early for Christmas
theteam
regulars 6… The Walk
Editorial
Dave Hill – Managing Editor Tel… 01489 583743 • Email… davehill@solentlife.co.uk David Rose-Massom – Senior Journalist Email… editorial@solentlife.co.uk Fiona Cooke – Contributing Writer Email… fiona@solentlife.co.uk
Advertising Sales
Janet Grimm Tel… 01489 583800 Email… janet@solentlife.co.uk Barbara Smith Tel… 01489 583719 Email… barbara@solentlife.co.uk
Sarah Kent Tel… 01489 584010 Email… sarah@solentlife.co.uk Steve Walker Tel… 01489 583852 Email… steve@solentlife.co.uk
Take a Lepe along the New Forest Shoe
10… Artist Review Ceramicist Jan Griffiths who sources clay from the Solent
52… Coast & Country Autumn colours in the world’s longest border at
Sir Harold Hiller Gardens
56… Out and About Photographic memories of events across the south
82… What’s On
Reviews, theatre and events coming your way
Design & Production Leanne Dodd & Adam Barnard Tel… 01489 583718 Email… design@solentlife.co.uk // Deadline for advertising copy & editorial for November issue: 19th October 2012 Published by Living Coast Media. © Copyright Solent Life 2012. All rights reserved. No part of Solent Life Magazine can be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within.
All the team at Solent Life send their love and congratulations to Adam (from our design team) and Amanda as they celebrate their marriage on 6th October.
OCTOBER 2012 •
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the walk
taking a Lepe A
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Late wild flowers and berries fill the hedgerow with colour and bird sounds fill the air with light song. There are always surprises on country walks and the Lepe Loop, as it is known, is no exception. Across a road, along a broad gravel track and onto the narrow footpath alongside the farm and there in the field a small herd of alpacas; they might have been llama but I have never been taught the difference; apparently llama are bigger. They are cute, fluffy and with large, bulbous and adorable eyes; such gentle creatures to watch. Then in the next field, and even cuter, a heard of alpaca young. These animals may not be native to our land but they sure are welcome guests. At the bottom of the path, slightly boggy right and left turns bring walkers to an uphill climb through dense woods and then out again once more into the sunshine where a clearly defined footpath, like a meandering dry river bed, leads across the middle of a field. Down past grazing cattle, through a couple of gates and the walk leads once again back to the shore close to the Coastguard Cottages. I have often walked Lepe Country Park and the foreshore to the east of Lepe beach car park, but this is the first time I have walked the Lepe Loop, it will not be the last as it is a wonderful mixture of woodland and water, the wildlife is as diverse as the trail itself and you may even get to meet some very adorable young Llama. Lepe Beach and Country Park sit on the edge of the Solent close to Beaulieu and Fawley and there are plenty of parking spaces and a café on the shore. The walk is around five miles in distance and with time to take in the surroundings should take under 3 hours.
n abandoned beach, just footprints in the sand, a cool onshore sea breeze and the sound of gentle waves drifting onto the shore to keep you company – welcome to The New Forest…
From the car park the road is a gentle climb up to the grey, tiled frontages of the Coastguard cottages and down below you, at the foot of the shallow cliffs, is The Watch House cottage. Over the roof of the bright, white building and off in the distance is the westerly mouth of the Solent. This month’s Solent Life walk begins in the car park at Lepe Beach which sits on the watery edge of the New Forest; and few forests can have such a diverse landscape as this historic gem. Lepe village was originally a small fishing community that had a harbour back in the 18th Century for ship building which ceased in 1825 when the harbour silted up; but it was also a time when this narrow part of the Solent was used for smuggling. The smugglers would use the area to exchange lantern signals between the Isle of Wight and the mainland to warn of customs approaches or if the coast was clear. In the 19th Century the Coastguard was posted to Lepe to combat the increasing illicit trade and the cottages were built
6…
The beach part of our stroll begins beneath a charming little white lighthouse. The Beaulieu River Millennium Beacon was built in 2000 and helps sailors navigate the approach to the Beaulieu River from the Solent. Lines and diamond shapes of groynes jut out into the sea and on the beach are many chunks of driftwood, washed to smoothness by the waves. The sand is soft underfoot and often, at high tide, covered in water so stout and waterproof shoes are advised for this walk. The sandy stroll soon gives way to open scrubland where pheasants peacefully graze but they will lift, flapping and squawking back toward the undergrowth, noisily disturbing the peacefulness as walkers startle them. The open Solent soon becomes a mixture of salt marshes and the narrow estuary that leads into the Beaulieu River and is a wonderful coastal nature reserve. Continuing on toward Inchmery where the tidal mudflats mix with the small Exbury River winding its way to join the larger Beaulieu River while on the far side of the Beaulieu River is the bird sanctuary of Gull Island, and in the distance the chalk downs of the Isle of Wight. Large dragonflies zipped around my head, none of them becoming still long enough for me to photograph. It was a hot and sunny day but the early autumn sea breezes were keeping the air cool. A pair of classic sailing boats used those soft winds to ease their way out of the river mouth, their large square sails hardly being filled. Beneath my feet the remains of a fox supper, feathers spread across the foreshore as if a pillow had burst open, while in the water alongside me a fish broached the surface and disappeared again. The shoreline gives way to country lane and woodland walk at a small quay where a trio of small motorboats sat idly waiting for their owners. A short walk up the lane and a kissing gate is tucked back in the hedgerow to the right; this leads into the welcome shade of a classic New Forest woodland path. As the path opens out a little it is a strange sight when walking in the countryside to see a tall, white sail drifting by at the bottom of the field. You may have left the coast only 40 minutes or so previously but such is the nature of this walk you soon forget the trail is a mixture of shore and woodland.
to house the Chief Preventative Officer and his boatmen, The Watch House below them housed their wooden rowing boat. It was from here they captured Billy Coombes, a local smuggler and captain of the John and Susannah. The widow Siller thought he was about to give up smuggling and marry her, instead she discovered he had a girl in Hamble, his home port and, in a pique of jealousy, she informed on him. When he next sailed into Christchurch Bay he discovered the ship Osprey waiting for him after a battle his colours were hauled down in surrender. However, his men kept firing, which was bad form and a serious breach of the rules of battle. He and his men were locked up and when brought to trial, sentenced to death and hanged at Stoney Pointe near Lepe. There is a little less action along the shoreline these days and the only visible battles are between squabbling seabirds and the yachts racing out on the Solent.
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solent |Artist
“
I am a great experimenter; I like to try things and see what happens,” ceramicist Jan Griffiths told Solent Life when we visited her in the spacious studio at her North Boarhunt home.
“I am part of a group of six ceramicists who regularly join forces in Cumbria where we share a specialist kiln,” she explained. “The Anagama is a Japanese wood fired kiln that once lit and raised to its top temperature of 1280c has to be watched and stoked for three days with the artists working in four hour shifts to keep it going. “The kiln is in Cumbria because the other artists come from all over the UK; with one even coming down from Skye,” Jan continued. “The results from using this kiln are amazing and we have no way of knowing what patterns or colours will appear. You have to just let go of your work and allow the firing process to take over; the colours can vary from pale ochre to oranges and even onto blacks!” Jan showed me some recent work that had been treated this way and the first noticeable thing is the smooth and slightly shiny finish, it adds a lovely soft lustre to the pottery. The colours on one piece seemed to track the way the flame worked up the side of the tapering piece of ceramic. The base was dark and autumnal brown and as it rose up the stem it lightened, turned orange then cream and it was easy to imagine the powerful flame licking at the pottery to give it its unique colouring and sheen. “Once up to temperature it stays hot for three days and then a further day to cool down and there is a strong excitement as we un-brick the front of the kiln to retrieve our work.” Jan was getting excited just thinking of the moment that the work is revealed to the artists for the first time. “It is an amazing feeling and none of us can wait to see what is inside. “There are always some disappointments and frustrations as things do crack and warp in that heat; but that is all part of thrill,” Jan continued as we watched butterflies flit from plant to plant out in her part wild garden. “Because a lot of pieces come out at the same time there may be one or two pieces that you do not like, because as I say the results are unexpected, but you go back after
a k e r s t u e omen m 10…
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awhile and look again and that piece may have an unexpected quality you had not seen before; a quality that just draws you to a particular object.” Jan has been creating ceramic pieces for some 15 years now. “I loved art at school, but like many people when education was over, proper jobs got in the way of any artistic ambitions. Then when I was on maternity leave, I joined an adult education class and the first time I touched clay again it was a real eureka moment. Because I had worked with clay at school it took me back and I got right into it! “I had always been arty and this was suddenly a chance to bring out my artistic side. It was a passion I now had and I will never let go of it again!” Jan then surprised us with one of the materials that she uses. “I work with a clay known as Solent Slip; and this is clay that has been dredged up from the bed of the Solent.” She had approached the dredger company whose job it is to keep the deep channels open through the Solent and asked for their help. “I just thought one day I would like to try the clay from under the Solent and so approached the dredging company and they said it would be their pleasure to save some for me. It is a special and unique clay to use because of the salt it has drawn
in over centuries of being part of the seabed. It then behaves differently as the salt gets hot when it is fired and it gives me a real shiny and natural glaze. As far as I know I am the only artist to be using Solent Slip as a pottery material! “Again because I am an experimenter in what I do I often crush things up and add them to the clay, I have even used banana and orange peel and added paper to see what the end effect is,” she continued. “I will always keep experimenting and I have now met a geologist who has told me of some special rocks that he knows and so an expedition is in the planning to get some, grind them up and again see what happens when I add it to the clay. “The touching and working with clay is the passion and everything else is just a lovely add-on.” During November Jan will be working closely on an exhibition with contemporary fused glass artist, and friend, Dee McNamara. Solent Life met Dee during the recent Hampshire Open Studios when she shared Jan’s exhibition space. Jan explained. “Dee and I met by chance in London, although we both lived in Hampshire, and we discovered we were both moving to North Boarhunt at the same time and our sons had become friends at school. “As we were both Hampshire folk and in the same village, after seeing her beautiful contemporary glass work it seemed a good idea if we showed together. With my work taking on lots of different styles and Dee’s work sitting alongside it in the exhibitions we hold, it becomes something really special.”
MAKING MERRY is the exhibition being held in Jan’s workshop/gallery from 17th to 25th November. It will also include some guest pieces. The studio is at Evergreen, Trampers Lane, North Boarhunt, PO17 6BU ( a few miles from Wickham) E-mail: Griffiths.jan@btinternet.co.uk
ART FOCUS SPONSORSHIP HISCOCK GALLERY Our Artist Review is kindly sponsored by HISCOCK GALLERY 11 Stanley Street, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2DS 023 9282 5330. Creating quality with style
www.hiscockgallery.co.uk
Art is a great and lasting gift
and, purchased wisely, can be an investment too. If possible, purchase an original piece of artwork as this will always be a good investment whether the artist is national or local. And it doesn’t always need to cost the earth either. Trawling antique shops and charity shops can sometimes produce a “treasure” maybe an original piece or an image that is no longer in print. Limited Edition Prints by the same artist are less valuable than an original but still a good purchase. However, be aware of the edition size – a print from an edition size of 2000 for example, will not be worth as much as one from an edition size of 150. Open edition prints are less of an investment but if the artist has signed the print then this can increase its value. We stock a mixture of all of the above and each individual piece of artwork on sale is signed by the artist (excluding deceased artists). Finally, one important thing to remember about buying art is buy it because you like it and will take pleasure from looking at it.
Annual Children’s Art Competition Gallery co-owner Helen Steenhuis explained about their annual competition for young artists. “We all love to encourage children to enjoy art - they are, after all, the artists of the future. With this in mind, it’s at this time of year that we hold our Children’s Art Competition at both the Hiscock Gallery, Southsea and White Dog Gallery, Lee-on-the-Solent.” She told Solent Life. “Our theme this year is Winter at the Beach because whatever the season, the sea and beach are an inspiring and changing landscape. It can be a calm sea with snow capped beach huts, or waves crashing dramatically on to the shingle. Skies can be misty and foggy or clear, blue and crisp. Our competition is open to all children between the ages of 4 and 12 and is completely free to enter. Winners receive art goodies to continue to inspire them, but more importantly the winning entries are professionally framed by us and displayed in the window of our gallery alongside our artists.” For more details and entry forms (which need to accompany each picture) just pop into either of the Galleries - and the closing date is 17th November 2012.
OCTOBER 2012 •
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travel | focus
NEW YORK CITY & THE LAID BACK DELIGHTS OF
Are you planning a major holiday? Whatever your reason for planning a trip of any kind, you want to be sure that the arrangements are just right and that you have the holiday of your dreams. One way to be certain of this is make Amity World Travel your first port of call in order to discuss your plans. Here, you can be sure that you will be offered expert advice and assistance in putting together your perfect holiday.
LONG ISLAND
Amity World Travel has been trading since 1970 and has been based at its current location in Segensworth since 1994. This unusual location for a travel agency offers a “non shop” setting where clients are welcome to drop in (often by appointment), and meet with a consultant who can take as much time as is needed to discuss your plans over a coffee, suggest a variety of options and make the necessary arrangements in quiet and relaxed surroundings.
M
anhattan with its instantly recognizable skyline helps make New York a one of a kind destination, whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit there is always something new to see and do in the city that never sleeps.
Getting around in New York City could not be easier and the best way is on foot, the avenues run roughly North & South, except at the very tips of the island, and the streets East & West so getting lost is virtually impossible! However, if your feet really cannot take anymore then hop on, and off, the double decker city sights buses which stop at various points of interest all over Manhattan, Times Square, Macy’s, Empire State Building, Chinatown, Wall Street, Central Park, the list is endless. New York is made up of the five boroughs, Manhattan, Staten Island, The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, and it is through the borough of Queens that you leave the skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of the city behind as the scenery changes to magnificent landscaping, rolling hills and vineyards, and the mansions of The Hamptons, home to the rich and famous! At 118 miles long and up to 20 miles wide, hire car is the easiest way to see most of what long island has to offer, pick up your car in New York and take the Long Island Expressway to the North Shore, travelling into The Gold Coast area immortalised in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. The area is so called because of the affluent families who chose to build their mansions here, many of which are now open for the public to have a glimpse of how the other half lived! As you head east towards the North Fork you can stock up on some bargains at Tanger in Riverhead, Long Island’s largest factory outlet featuring over 165 designer shops, open 363 days a year it is a bargain hunter’s paradise. What better way to relax, after shopping till you drop, than a spot of wine tasting. There are over 60 vineyards on Long Island, more than 30 of which are open to visitors, sample the latest award-
winning vintage and enjoy lunch at one of the fabulous local restaurants. Paumonok vineyards produces an outstanding wine that is included in the ‘1001 wines to taste before you die’ book. Take the car ferry between the North & South Fork, with hourly services from Greenport and Sag Harbor, Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton are just a few of the charming and historic villages waiting to be discovered, chic and always with the possibility of spotting a celebrity, roam around to experience some of that ‘Old Time Charm’ that still exists in this area. It is well worth a drive to the end of Long island and Montauk Point, home to Long Islands oldest lighthouse where you can climb the 137 steps to the top of the tower. Of all the attractions spending a day at the beach is top of the list, Long Island beaches are renowned for their fine white sand, spectacular waves and beautiful sunsets and the South Shore is the best place to experience them, with its miles of hiking trails and boardwalks. It is worth taking a ferry trip across to Fire Island, virtually traffic free it is a tranquil wilderness of sand dunes, forests and wildlife. With so much to see and do it makes sense to speak with Amity World Travel the tailor made specialist, with a wealth of personal experience they can help you to decide how to make the most of your time in and around the Big Apple.
As an independently owned, ABTA and ATOL accredited company, Amity is able tailor the widest choice of travel options match your own personal needs. Through years of experience they have built direct relationships with ground handlers and hoteliers around the world,
New York & Beyond with the local travel experts
and they may be able to offer unique experiences that you just won’t find in a mass-market brochure. Amity World Travel blends old fashioned qualities of customer service, choice and impartiality with modern day booking technology to help give them the edge over their competition. As the leisure travel division of one of the most successful Business Travel Management Companies in the south of England, their consultants use the most up to date reservation technology, and have millions of ‘contract’ rates for worldwide flights, hotels and car rental. Put this together with the 60+ years of travel experience that Jeff, Sue and Lisa have between them, and you have a winning formula that sees clients returning year after year to put their trust in travel arrangements planned and booked at Amity World Travel. Telephone: 01489 579975.
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restaurant | review
CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU Starters
test trout W
hen the restaurant sits on the River Test it seemed the only sensible thing to do was have the trout for lunch, what an excellent decision that turned out to be!
A bright autumnal sun warmed a September day and despite the warm and friendly atmosphere and the rustic feel of the dining room my lunchtime dining partner Liz and I, decided to take the opportunity and sit outside, surrounded by towering greenery and served by the friendly Vicki; it was a perfect setting, in idyllic surroundings. While we perused the menu, Vicki served our cappuccinos, complete with delicious buttery, homemade biscuits, and explained the specials board selection. The regular menu consists of the basics; English breakfast, sandwiches, a superb smoked trout pate and melted brie together with more substantial dishes including macaroni cheese, salads, jacket potato and ploughman’s lunches. We might all recognise a typical coronation chicken sandwich, but Kimbridge do things a little different. Soft granary bread and good slices of fresh chicken topped with a 18…
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fruity chutney style Coronation sauce. Smooth with a good hint of apricot, Liz described it by stating, with a broad smile, ‘They really do know how to make a sandwich here’. It was her first visit to this wonderful tea room and restaurant on the outskirts of Romsey and she was impressed with the setting, the service and of course her sandwich; but the best smile of the day was kept for her dessert, but we will save that for a little later. The River Test has always been well known for its trout, so as Vicki described the specials board contents of liver and bacon or Cumberland sausage with onion gravy my mouth was watering but as soon as she mentioned the local fish, topped with almonds, my choice was made. The trout arrived and it looked as good, if not even better, than her verbal description. Gently brushing the skin with the edge of my knife and the pinkish flesh easily separated from the bones, it was soft on the palate, warm in flavour and heat and tasted simply glorious.
I love fish but hate fiddling with the bones but this trout was so perfectly cooked by chef and general manager Ian, that meat and bone easily parted company. Accompanied with new potatoes and vegetables, everything was perfectly cooked, the cauliflower and mange tout firm to the bite and still hot and the buttered carrot slices were just delicious. But the trout was the star of the day and was epic, memorable and a perfect dish on a lovely autumn day in the countryside. Sitting that lunchtime in the sunshine, main meal gone with only delicious memories and lingering flavours remaining, dessert was the last thing on our minds when chef Ian stopped by our table to assure himself of our contentment, he explained that whilst his team in the kitchen were all passionate about what they did, the two ladies who created the desserts were especially good. I made the ‘mistake’ of asking what they would recommend if we were to ask. Hazelnut Meringue Roulade or the gluten free Chocolate Nemesis, were recommended; and immediately ordered. The soft meringue just teased the tongue then melted away leaving the flavour of creamy hazelnut behind, it was beautifully presented as well which helped the whole experience. The Nemesis was gluten free which often means slightly heavier in texture and taste, but this was a light dessert, served with clotted cream to take away the richness of chocolate. It was full of flavour, easy on the tongue and luckily for me, Liz could not finish it so I had a few mouthfuls of that as well as my excellent roulade. It was too nice a day to rush away so after our lunch we just sat with another coffee, and some more of those delicious biscuits, and enjoyed the afternoon sun. Allan Gray is the Managing Director of the Kimbridge Restaurant and Annie’s Tearoom and he has always been somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to his charge. “In the four years we have been here business has just gone from strength to strength,” he told us. “So much so that we are just launching an outside catering arm targeting local businesses with the working lunch, business choice and executive level cuisine. Our General Manager and Head Chef, Ian Wooldridge, is a wonderful chef and has a great brigade out in the kitchen and together we are continually looking to improve our service and quality here at Kimbridge.” During our visit they were promoting the wedding and event packages that they now offer and Allan also told us of the special events and popular themed evenings; there are magician, curry and jazz evenings all planned. The Kimbridge Club has special deals such as a two-for-one offer on breakfasts, desserts and cream teas until the end of November; check website for details. With its rural location in the Test Valley and on the Kimbridge Estate it is perfectly located for an early breakfast, superb lunch or afternoon cream tea. If the sun is not shining then the dining room is a warm and friendly venue, and on days like we had, one of the outdoor terraces is a wonderful place to sit, chill and enjoy amazing food.
Home Made Sweet Potato and Cumin Soup Trio of Smoked Salmon Prawn and Melon Ball Cocktail Chef’s Pork and Calvados Pate
Main Course Traditional Roast Turkey plus trimmings Pork Loin Steak with Apple and Dijon Mustard Sauce Roast Duck Breast with Drambuie and Orange Sauce Whole Kimbridge Trout with a Walnut and Stilton Stuffing Courgette and Hazelnut Loaf
Desserts Selection of seasonal desserts Coffee and Chocolate Mints
Kimbridge Farm Shop & Anne’s Tearoom Our lunchtime meal was a little under £25 for two without drinks. www.kimbridgerestaurant.co.uk TEL; 01794 340556 / 340777
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photography
streets
Specialist advisers to the over 50s, giving you clear financial advice for a stress-free retirement
EE ENT FR IREMIEW T V RE RE
ahead
Retirement and Investment Solutions
Want to retire but unsure if you can afford to?
words by david rose-massom
R
eportage, or street photography, has been around since cameras were invented and it is one of the most satisfying forms of photography if done well and without invading people’s privacy.
Instead of worrying, find out today exactly what your options are with a FREE RETIREMENT REVIEW worth over £325.
As with wildlife photography, working in the street is all about patience and waiting for your subject to appear. When it steps into view, or you turn a corner and your subject presents itself, then the wait is rewarded with a cracking shot. It is not just about people, it is about surroundings, the street itself and objects you see there. With your camera, it is about holding a mirror up to society, you are recording a point in time, a brief glimpse of history, a fleeting instant in the economy of the area in which you are shooting, get the image right and you are reporting on that moment on that street. In many cases your subject is passive in the make-up of the picture; they have not posed nor prepared themselves in readiness for you to record that split second in their day, but you may have caught them at a decisive or maybe even a poignant moment. However, there is a fine line where on one side you are recording a moment as an art form or for posterity, but cross that line and you may be invading someone’s privacy and their personal space. If I snap someone without them noticing, to get the image I want, then I approach the person, explain what I have done and give them a business card with an offer of sending them a copy, if they object, which is rare, then I delete the image. The alternative is to just hold your camera up, without pointing it straight at the subject, and just quietly ask if they mind; if approached in the right way and with respect, again, you will rarely get a refusal. Sometimes however, seeking permission before taking the shot might well kill the element of spontaneity or the pureness of a picture and end up with posed individuals with a self conscious air that is not the image you might have seen. Children are a different matter and caution would advise not including them in your work unless it is someone you know. From the days of Robert Doisneau, whose shot of a couple kissing outside a cafe in post war Paris has become an iconic image the world over, and Henri CartierBresson street photography has recorded history and the person in the street. So be wary of where you point the camera, respect the person you are shooting and just sometimes asking for permission, you get a great shot from the characters in front of you.
To find out more and book your free review, give us a call on 01489 878 300 or email us at info@retirementis.co.uk quoting SL02.
Retirement and Investment Solutions are the only IFA in the South who specialise in providing pension and investment advice solely for over 50s. “I was hoping to retire at 60 but after a consultation with RIS we were informed that we could retire straight away”. Mr and Mrs S G, West End, Southampton
www.retirementis.co.uk Telephone: 01489 878300 Email: advice@retirementis.co.uk The Rumpus, St Clairs Farm, Wickham Road, Droxford, Hampshire SO32 3PW Retirement and Investment Solutions is a trading name of Meon Valley Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. FSA Registration No: 185205.
photo 2013
competition
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION SPONSORSHIP Our Calendar competition is kindly sponsored by the LONDON CAMERA EXCHANGE FAREHAM & NIKON 135 West Street, Fareham. T: 01329 236441. E: fareham@lcegroup.co.uk
THE RULES: All images must be taken by the named photographer and the photographer should not be a professional (eg earning the bulk of their income from photography). Images should be ‘landscape’ in format, saved as Jpegs and named for their location. Images should then be sent via email as high resolution and accompanied clearly with name, address and a contact number. The judges decision each month and for Photographer of the Year is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Send your entries to calendarcompetition@solentlife.co.uk
October’s winner… Paul Stone 20…
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DON’T FORGET THAT THIS YEAR we have an extra prize of The Young Photographer of the Year. Our thanks for the continued sponsorship from the London Camera Exchange, Fareham branch.
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was to keep the speed in check, it does run away very easily and makes one very thankful for the standard cruise control that helps make that easier. On twisty country roads, the revised electro-hydraulic steering together with the features described above provide a well balanced, and stable ride; the small steering wheel a perfect size and the steering rack ratio perfect for accurate, fast inputs. Lots of feedback from the wheel and chassis instil confidence. The only observations I might make are that the dashboard initially seems overwhelmingly complex with a sea of buttons. However, after a very short time, it was apparent that they are all logically positioned and that familiarity would come very quickly. The other point was that the side bolsters on the standard seats were too wide for my liking offering little lateral support – of course, this is immediately remedied by selecting one of the optional seat packs that offer adjustment of pretty much everything. Summary: All of my recalled attributes of the original Astra shattered; it is stylish, charismatic, technically competent and high performance. It might initially seem expensive compared with the alternatives in the class, but equipment levels are quite high so compare after adding the options to the others, it might not look quite so bad. Guaranteed to turn heads – well, at least from those aspiring youths that can’t afford it. Great car, very competent and great fun.
I
t wasn’t very long ago that I remember the Vauxhall Astra as being a boxy looking, inexpensive, technically basic and small family car; practical yes, but devoid of style and charisma – just take a look at it now!
Our friends at Picador Vauxhall invited us to test the all new Astra VXR and having read through the technical spec, around 280PS of engine power with 400Nm of torque from its 2.0litre turbocharged engine, 0-62 in less than 6 seconds and 155mph - we could not resist the offer. At first glance, this latest addition to the ‘hot hatch’ club looked sporty – actually very sporty, from its biplane rear roof spoiler, to its huge 20 inch wheels; yes sporty! My natural cynicism and recollections of the Astra’s humble beginnings made me wonder if this really was going to live up to the promise of being a high tech, high performance car; or was it a cheap small family car with body kit and a big engine? This was answered fairly quickly as I accelerated for the first time. As most drivers will know, trying to put a lot of power through a front wheel drive system can result in a phenomena known as ‘torque steer’ – the more power you apply, the more the steering wheel tries to tear itself out of your hands causing the car to veer to one side – leaving you wrestling for control to keep it in a straight line. For a long time, 150 BHP was considered to be as much power as could be handled comfortably; with nearly double that on tap in the VXR, I prepared myself for the inevitable battle for control, but a surprise – okay it’s still there, but nothing that
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can’t be handled with just a slightly firmer grip on the steering wheel when driven hard and unnoticeable in normal driving. This dramatic transformation has been achieved by the inclusion of a limited slip dif, HiPerStrut front suspension together with any number of other chassis, suspension and steering revisions; so yes, there is an abundance of technology making this car work. The styling is similar to other cars in the market sector, e.g. Focus ST, Megane Renaultsport, but the VXR is far more heavily sculptured than the others giving a lower, muscular appearance – add the optional ‘Aero’ pack and the final appearance defines a powerful image. Before even driving it, I questioned the target market. With a base entry price of a fiver under £27,000 and with the best part of another £1,000 for the Aero pack (that Vauxhall anticipate will grace 85% of models supplied) this is not the cheapest of cars. Whilst it might have every drooling teenage driver claiming to his girlfriend that it will be his next car and every driver under 25 trying to prove something at every traffic light; with the performance available from this car, reality says that the insurance premiums alone will preclude most young aspiring owners. So, younger professionals might be in with a chance but it will definitely appeal to the mid life crisis customer – eager to show the world that there might be at least a claim to still having ‘life in the old dog yet’! So to driving the VXR – within about 200 yards I had an instant perception that this was a harsh ride with hard seats and not for me – again I was in for a surprise. Whilst the suspension was fairly firm, it did cope with bumps and holes rather well and did not give spine jarring jolts and bangs. On the motorway, again it coped well with the varying road surfaces and proved to be actually quite comfortable, even the exhaust note was not intrusive (for a twin pipe sporty sounding exhaust) and the road and wind noise suitably muted. Progress on a motorway is not at all frenzied but very relaxed and variations in speed happen with the minimum of effort. In fact, the hardest thing I had to do on a motorway
The car tested was a… Vauxhall Astra VXR OTR price £26,995 and was kindly provided to us by Vauxhall Picador, Sholing For more information: Picador Plc, Portsmouth Road, Southampton, SO19 9RP Tel: 02380 449232 www.picadorplc.co.uk
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solent | charity
2 years clear
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year ago we interviewed Karen Roberts, a woman who, in her early forties, was about to get her first year all-clear from breast cancer. She relived her experiences, worries and stresses so that those of us who have not suffered had some idea what life was like with the fear of cancer hanging over your head. “It froze me to the core, it was such a big solid lump and as I watched the television I made certain not to touch it; if I didn’t touch it, it would not be there,” she recalled. “Because it was so large and protruding I just kept thinking it can’t be there, that was for an hour. I almost convinced myself it would be gone when I stood up, there was disbelief and I almost shut it from my mind. Then I got up to let the dog out into the garden before going to bed and felt it again.” This was how Karen described the discovery of her cancerous lump; and now two years on, as she prepared for her latest mammogram there was still fear. “To be honest I was scared when I realised this was an important year-all-clear,” Karen explained. “Two years is an important time for breast cancer as statistics show if it is going to return it will be in that window; so for me this was a real milestone! “At the moment I have a lot going on in my life; I have had two friends diagnosed with cancer; one in recovery and one not,” she continued. “This made me realise that I am one of the lucky ones, and despite that bad news I still had to stay positive; and although I was on edge I was still hoping for that lucky break when it came to my annual check-up.” She said that when she got the good news about another year clear it was a wonderful moment. “It seems to have affected my family, and in particular my 14 year old son, a great deal more this time as they also realised the importance of this check-up. In slightly more colourful language my son put on his Facebook page that I had ‘kicked backside’!” she said with pride. Karen is a receptionist in an A&E department. “It has also had a real effect on my work colleagues, it is one of those things that affects
everyone around you, and when we see people in A&E and hear their tragic stories you realise that nobody can escape this no matter who or what you are. “It is not about ‘why me?’ if it is your destiny then it will catch you, it just happens. There is no point worrying because what will be, will be!” Each time we have spoken with Karen she always has such a positive outlook. “I was lucky; it is just simply not my time yet! I do feel for people who have not been as lucky as me; one friend has had a full mastectomy on one side; we formed our friendship through our breast cancer, and she has handled it brilliantly and this summer I was there when she renewed her wedding vows, that was a very special moment; it was beautiful and I had to wipe my wet eyes and runny nose. “I did the Race for Life again this year and our little group raised over £2,500 for breast cancer research,” she added. If she had to give advice to anyone just diagnosed! “You will get through this! I have told this to everyone I come into contact with, I tell them to just look at me. My hair has grown…” She calls her hair her ‘chemo-curls’ as she had dead straight hair before. “I even went on holiday this year and wore a bikini and felt great about my body. A big part of the treatment is positive thinking – stay positive!” Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK; scientists estimate about 42% of breast cancer cases in the UK could be prevented through drinking less alcohol, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month www.breastcancercare.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk OCTOBER 2012 •
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Everetts Pharmacy
e r fi n s o y bo I
b
t has taken 132 years of history; but this year the committee of Titchfield Bonfire Boys have voted to keep a woman at the helm for a second term in office; and Anne Whyntie insists she will still be known as ‘Chairman’! “It sounds a little daft to describe myself as a chairperson or chairwoman of the Titchfield Bonfire Boys, but it has, none the less, been a proud moment to be the first female Chair since it all began in 1880,” she explained to Solent Life. The Bonfire Boys began with the tradition of burning a ‘tar’ barrel in the village square. “Things got so ‘hot’ that the police intervened,” Anne continued. “By 1894 members of the society were holding torchlight processions around the village dressed in various costumes, and wearing masks to avoid recognition while up to mischief; they then paraded a Guy and rocket-stand on a trolley as an ‘homage’ to the misguided Guy Fawkes.” Over the years and generations, the procession has undergone a number of changes, including, among other things, being moved from a Monday to a Sunday mostly due to health and safety rules. Traditionally the spectacle was held on the first Monday of November before being moved to the first Monday of half-term. Eventually it was moved to a Sunday; and this was mainly due to the traffic congestion that the event caused. Nowadays the whole event is held within the village; and with Anne now in her second year at the head of the committee, Titchfield Carnival parades a mixture of floats and walking participants with spectators travelling from all over the south to watch the event.
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Influenza or flu as it is more commonly known is an infectious respiratory disease that begins in your nose and throat. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person. It is often passed through touching door handles, sneezing or close contact. Flu typically starts with a headache, chills and or a cough but can develop quickly into more serious conditions such as pneumonia. Fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches as well as a sore throat are also common symptoms. Unlike the common cold, flu is potentially life threatening particularly for those already in poor health. Those also at risk from complications are the elderly, asthmatics, diabetics, pregnant women, young children and people with heart disease. But even those in generally good health can be rendered unwell for several weeks. Each year the flu virus mutates and changes meaning a variety of different strains exist. The winter vaccination is specially designed to combat any new strains that develop. It works by creating antibodies that fight against the infection to raise the body’s natural defences. Vaccinations are not just for those at risk from additional health issues. Everyone can benefit from being vaccinated, therefore reducing the risk of health complications and the need to take time off work. Everetts are again offering flu vaccinations at a cost of £10.49 at their Locks Heath, West End, Titchfield, Horndean and Cosham branches. For more information or to book an appointment please contact the branch directly or visit our website at www. everettspharmacy.co.uk.
Originally from Norfolk, Anne explained that she has become totally immersed in the village and its culture. “I am not a Titchfield girl by birth but I have lived here for 26 years, my husband was in the Navy and we have always enjoyed watching the carnival. In 2001 I took part for the first time on a ‘Calendar Girls’ themed float. Once you are in - you are hooked, and in 2006 I joined the committee, spent three years as treasurer before becoming Chairman last year, I am back again this year because they say I am ‘bossy’!” Anne added. “The strength of the Carnival is that it rebuilds relationships within the community and brings us all together.” she continued. “For me and the committee there are three strands that have to be pulled together, there is of course the funding for things such as health and safety insurance and other costs; so it is important the event does raise enough money to keep it going. We have to deal with the council and other bodies to ensure we keep within the rules and to gain necessary permissions and finally there is the best reason of all for holding the Carnival; the procession and bringing together the core of the village the families; placing everyone that lives in and around Titchfield at the heart of our community.”
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The Tanneries Unit 5 East Street Titchfield PO14 4AR
Mercedes-Benz Specialists
Your new independent Service & Repair Specialists. Silver Arrow MB has been set up by Phil Cook to offer an alternative to main dealer prices; this therefore helps YOU cut the cost of maintaining your Mercedes Benz. Up to 50% off main dealer prices without compromising quality, we only use genuine Mercedes specified parts, which ensures the manufacturers warranty is preserved at all times. Silver Arrow MB assures you of a highly personalised and professional service. Phillip is a fully trained Mercedes Benz technician with some 26 years experience at Mercedes Benz dealership, achieving the highest status of MB qualified diagnostic technician. Our fully equiped workshop contains the latest computer diagnostic technology which enables us to carry out your M.O.T, service and repairs to MB’s demanding standards.
Phone: 01329 845589 Email: info@silverarrowmb.com Web: www.silverarrowmb.com
Book Now For Christmas To Start
‘Titchfields fish & steak place’ Titchfield Carnival day B.B.Q. & Mini beer festival
Time For Christmas Dinner Dance from
New years eve Dinner & Disco £22.50/Head For more infomation & booking
Tel: 01329842965
£19.95
Seared breast of pigeon topped with a rosemary jus Spiced parsnip soup served with crusty bread Mini tapas board & queen olives Garlic buttered mushrooms served with a micro salad garnish Greek style avocado and prawn salad
Titchfield Carpets FW Bettons Ltd
Main Courses
Whole rainbow trout drizzled with parsley almond butter Pan fried chicken breast stuffed with stilton topped with crispy leeks Traditional roast turkey with sausage meat stuffing & homemade cranberry jelly Roast topside of beef & Yorkshire pudding with creamed horseradish Prime rib-eye steak with hot pepper sauce Goat’s cheese & herb roulade with basil & tomato salsa Served with a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables, roast & new potatoes
Desserts
The Square,Titchfield, Hampshire PO14 4AF
01329 841888 reception@thebuglehotel.co.uk
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1 East Street Titchfield PO14 4AD
Traditional Christmas pudding and brandy custard Cinnamon and apple pie Christmas chocolate gateaux Rum cake and rum drizzle Mini cheese platter Coffee and mince pies
£22.50/person
1st – 24th Dec (main menu available during Christmas period) OCTOBER 2012 •
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Piano & Keyboard L E S S O N S
• One to one tuition – beginners to advanced • • All ages – under 7’s special tuition • • Our record 100% exam passes • • Festival Cup Winners • a gift of lessons for someone could be the start of years of enjoyment and fun.
C arpenter School of Music 01489 789541 w w w. m c c s m . c o . u k
At Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery, we look forward to welcoming everyone into the nurseries vibrant and nurturing environment. Since we have started this project there has been a lot of interest and the early signs look very positive. The nursery provides full day care for children aged 3 months to 5 years, 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. offering our families flexible childcare. There are large open plan rooms, a fantastic messy play area and an outside garden for the children to explore, and all meals are prepared freshly onsite. We are having an open day on Friday 5th October and welcome families to call on 0845 272 0898 to book an appointment. Our official opening is Tuesday 16th October 2012.
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Itchen students discover a Pathway to Law Law students at Southampton’s Itchen Sixth Form College discovered a ‘new’ pathway to a career in Law when they were introduced to a prestigious national programme aimed at providing them a clear route into the field, courtesy of Claire Musselwhite, Pathways to Law Coordinator at the University of Southampton. The 2 year enrichment programme, supported by the College of Law and the Sutton Trust (a charitable educational trust) and delivered through 7 top universities, provides students with numerous benefits including advice and opportunities geared at those aiming for a career in the legal arena. Students can access mock trials, UCAS and careers advice, and law taster days. The major highlights are visits to England’s top law firms and chambers, plus guaranteed work placements – something becoming increasingly difficult in recent years. Further enrichment comes through working with the University of Southampton’s legal debating society, attending a national conference and an e-mentoring scheme, allowing sixth form students direct contact with the university’s students and departments. The nation-wide programme, now in its fifth year, has 50 spaces across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Linda Arnold, Teacher of Law, says Itchen was privileged to be the first stop on the programme’s month-long road-show; “By joining [the programme], our students will gain information and knowledge early. This will show any potential employer their enthusiasm and experience in research and presentation skills. This only adds to their aspirations and builds career paths”. With achievement in Law at Itchen already high – with 100% pass rate at A2 Level - universities can expect a class of high achievers from the college.
People are talking about the Meoncross Effect.... A school can have no better advocates than its pupils, and a recent pupil summed it up very succinctly, ‘Meoncross School helped me to believe in myself.’ At every stage of their education, from Nursery to GCSE, our pupils are encouraged to stretch their capabilities and achieve their best. ‘The personal development of pupils is given high priority, enhanced by the warmth of relationships throughout the school and good quality care from staff.’ (Ofsted Inspection 2008) Meoncross School bucked the national trend again this year, with 91% of GCSEs awarded at A* to C. Almost half the grades were at A/A* with 23% of pupils achieving A*s. Our academic results are only a part of the Meoncross story. As one parent remarked, ‘It is also about the rounded individuals in the school today, who are now ready to embark on the next stage of their futures.’ Above all, Meoncross is a family school where visitors comment on the caring atmosphere and courtesy on show throughout. One visiting family told us, ‘We could not get over how welcoming and calm it felt, and the children were so grounded, polite and exceptionally well behaved.’ Come and join us on our Open Morning on Saturday 13 October from 10am to noon, and we will give you and your child our warmest welcome!
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> GREAT EXPECTATIONS
TITCHFIELD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL An exciting new venture with The Bard in the Barn. A Festival of Shakespeare
Come and enjoy a wonderful evenings entertainment on a balmy summers evening. Why not bring a picnic on the green outside the barn with views over to Titchfield Abbey. The Great Barn is a beautiful and atmospheric setting for our Shakespeare Festival with connections back to Henry V and the Earls of Southampton – Shakespeare’s patron. The Great Barn, Mill Lane,Titchfield, PO15 5RP. Call the Box Office for details (01329 556156) or www.shakespearewozere.com
3rd – 13th OCTOBER We follow the orphaned Pip as a young boy to manhood as he helps the convict Magwitch, meets Miss Haversham and falls in love with Estelle. Pip’s life is transformed by a mystery benefactor who sees great expectations in Pip. But who is Pip’s kind benefactor and how will being a gentlemen change him?
WHERE: ST MARGARETS ARTS, ST. MARGARETS LANE, TITCHFIELD PO14 4BG. TIME: START AT 7.30PM. TICKETS: MON – THURS £9. FRI & SAT £11. MATINEES £9. LITTLE SHOP TICKETS: MON – THURS £10. FRI & SAT £12.
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DISCOUNTS: £1 OFF FOR STUDENTS, SENIORS, UNEMPLOYED, PARTIES 4+ £1 PER TICKET DISCOUNT. BOOK 2 SHOWS OR MORE £1 PER TICKET DISCOUNT. SPECIAL RATES FOR SCHOOLS AND PARTIES OF 10+.
.co.uk • OCTOBER 2012
> TAMING OF THE SHREW 26th SEPTEMBER– 6th OCTOBER Set in 16th century Italy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ is probably Shakespeare’s most knockabout and definitely not politically correct comedy. The beautiful Bianca wants to get married but her father won’t let her marry until her elder sister Katherine is married first. It’s a comedy in which the sparks fly!
BOX OFFICE: 01329 556156 titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com
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W
hen a man gets to 77 years of age, thoughts must surely turn to putting your feet up, tending your small garden and investing in a comfy pair of slippers – unless you are the alter ego of Captain Biff Windsock and you own a gleaming red flying machine called Red Rockette!
“The name came about as a joke when I was an airline captain and nobody was listening to my safety announcements!” Bill Charney, American, a true aviator and adventurer, told Solent Life the day after he had flown into Lee-on-the-Solent airfield. “When I was growing up in the days of black and white movies there was always a character called Biff, and I just liked the name. Then one day I looked out of the aircraft window and saw a windsock flying and suddenly a pilot called Captain Biff Windsock was being listened to when he made announcements.” Bill is an amazing character, someone right out of a comic book adventure; he is white haired, fresh faced,and looks nowhere like a man in his late seventies; and then there is this mischievous sparkle in his eyes. “I am the kind of guy who believes that there should be a mix of the seriousness in the cockpit but also able to lighten 38…
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up just a bit; it makes a plane a much better place to be.” Bill’s ‘mistress’ in life is his beloved biplane called the Red Rockette which he is currently flying around the world, and taking his time. “I left New Zealand four years ago and that is where I had her totally rebuilt, and that took five years.” He is a man that is in no hurry! “I left New Zealand and headed for Norfolk Island, then Lord Howe Island before reaching Australia; it was amazing that I was following the route of the great aviator Sir Francis Chichester, who was a famous flyer long before becoming a sailor. “I stayed in Australia for a year before taking the longest leg of this journey which was 740 nautical miles across the ocean to Bali.” After Bali the list of place names where he landed on route to our local airfield could only have been visited by an adventurer of the highest calling; Jakarta, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, Musquat and Jordan among many.” On his way to the south coast of Hampshire he has also been involved in a journey through history. “I grew up in the 30s and 40s, and the Red Rockette is also a plane of that era and in fact this one first flew in 1944, and I became a prisoner of the golden age of aviation.” His memory is as bright as the chrome on the plane’s propellers. “I began cleaning airplanes just to get a ride in them and before I could talk I was pointing at aircraft in the skies. I knew then that flying and aviation was going to be my destiny; I took flying lessons in High School and joined the Air National Guard, which is like our Air Force reservists, and while I was at university I was lucky enough to be sent out to the Air Force for pilot training. “Two years of that and then back to Battle Creek, Michigan to finish university; I was lucky to get my degree because I was always skipping lectures to go and fly.” Bill proudly showed us round his gleaming aircraft; it had just been cleaned in readiness for the Goodwood Revival Meeting, where he won the grand prize. “When that engine starts up it is a nine-cylinder symphony, and to look at - she is my Art Deco piece of art.” Bill Charney graduated from University and admits he was lucky enough to get a job flying with United Airlines and after three months of training he was piloting DC6 and DC7s and was flying out of New York. “When I was a kid, I told my father I would fly one day and when I was flying out of New York I was always taking my three children on special treats in the city. One time my eldest daughter and I were at Radio City Music Hall where the famous Rockettes danced; she told me one day daddy I am going to be a Rockette. Like me she reached her dream and she danced with them for ten years, hence the name of my little red biplane.” It was not all easy going for the debonair pilot. “With
the Air National Guard I was flying F-84F Thunderstreak jets and was called into active duty during the Berlin crisis and then in 1961 I was called into the USAF. “After Berlin I was kept on active duty and stationed in Florida when in 1962 the Cuban Missile Crisis hit and for 13 days the Soviet Union and USA were at a stand-off. Many people still today have no idea just how close we all came to a nuclear war!” When talking of such times it was the only time Bill lost his jovial adventurer look. “When you are a fighter pilot, and I do not mean to sound macho here, but you are part of a group of people who have volunteered and who have a bravado and spirit of wanting to protect your homeland,” he added. Come the Goodwood Revival Bill Charney will be wearing the uniform of the Eagle Squadron. “Long before the US officially got involved in the Second World War there were three squadrons of US flyers made up of men who crossed the border into Canada and joined the fight; and if my flight around the world could do anything it would be to highlight the bravery of the men of Eagle Squadron.” Bill rejoined the quieter life of airline duty until the Pueblo Incident happened and he was put back into active duty. This was the capture of the USS Pueblo, a Navy intelligence ship, and its 83 crewmen by North Korean patrol boats off the coast of North Korea on Jan. 23, 1968. The United States, maintaining that the “Pueblo” had been in international waters, began a military buildup in the area. “I was flying F100 Super Sabres then and after that incident I ended up in Vietnam for a year!” Back in civilian life he resumed flying with United Airlines first in DC8s and then in the DC10 before going onto various Boeing aircraft. A year and a half before his retirement from the airline at the age of 50, he purchased the plane that he had first loved at the age of eight, an aircraft type that first flew in 1932. The scarlet lady is a Beechcraft Staggerwing D17S built in 1944. “You cannot relax when flying this 240mph aircraft, well not until she is on the ground and her engines are off, you have to stay involved and I have a grin across my face every moment we are in the air.” Bill also believes he has bought the Red Rockette home. “I was given wonderful hospitality by the RAF when I was in Cyprus and I promised them I would bring the aircraft back to Britain as during WWII these planes were loaned to your Navy and flew out of Lee Airfield. When I landed here it was a wonderful moment as it is the first time one of these planes has landed here since the Second World War!”
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The Bold Forester at Sarisbury Green
Festive Celebrations Pre-Christmas Lunch Menu 3 courses & coffee £16.95
Pre-Christmas Dinner Menu 3 courses & coffee £23.95
H NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY WITH DISCO… BOOK NOW! H All the above with crackers and novelties RELAX, UNWIND & ENJOY QUALITY FOOD IN DELIGHTFUL SURROUNDINGS Open all day every day
Superb food served lunchtimes & evenings & days a week. All day on Sundays Small & large parties catered for Birthdays, anniversaries & celebrations
To book a table please telephone 01489 576400
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puc La cin boh i’s e `m e
W
hen Welsh National Opera chorus member Michael Clifton-Thompson auditioned for the role of Parpignol in the company’s latest production of Puccini’s La bohème he had no idea what he was letting himself in for.
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Because the toy maker who appears onstage in the café scene in Act Two has taken on a new guise in Annabel Arden’s production – that of a man in a monkey suit. So instead of cavorting around the stage in the typical coloured top hat and tails, Michael is shrouded from head to toe in a tightly fitted hairy body suit and mask. Specially moulded to Michael’s form, it is a costume which took months to make and takes nearly an hour to assemble for each performance. “It needs two people from the wigs department and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get it on me because the mask has to be glued to your cheeks and round the eyes,” says Michael, who has been with the Cardiff-based opera company for 27 years. “It is incredibly intricate and is a bit like the ones in the film The Planet of the Apes because it fits onto the face so that it moves naturally. It was difficult to make as it has to cover the face but also needs to have a certain density to ensure that the voice still carries round the auditorium. “Then for the body it is like a fat-suit with bits of foam added, so I look about 20 stone heavier.” The suit was the result of a good deal of research by designer Stephen Brimson Lewis and maker Robert Allsopp earlier in the year. On top of the monkey body the costume also features a check suit with silk fabric. The mask needed to fit exactly onto Michael’s face. “I had to have a head cast made. I went into the studio at the beginning of the year and they covered my whole head, right down to my chest, in plaster of Paris. They covered my eyes and mouth – it was only my nostrils that were left clear. Then they cut it laterally, ear to ear, and so it is completely moulded for my face. When I wear it the latex is blended to my skin, and so when it is removed, they have to throw it away.” Once Michael is in costume it has its own challenges. “It is so hot in there that I am perspiring all the time, so I drink about one-and-a-half litres of water for the part each night – through a very long straw. “But the strange thing is that once you are on stage you forget all of that and you are performing; the character takes over and you are really inhabiting that costume and that role.” Michael, whose other roles with WNO have included Spoletta in Tosca, Giuseppe in La traviata and Andres in Wozzeck, admits the innovative costume was a surprise. “With WNO you audition for the roles and those auditions often take place six to eight months before the show - a lot of the decisions about the staging are still being made. “When I learned about the costume I was a bit surprised but WNO has always been quite an innovative company and is always interested in new concepts.” There is a clear concept underlying the transformation of Parpignol. The production, which comes to the Southampton Mayflower in October, is set in 1913 pre-war Paris.
“The Parpignol character is based on a 19th century fairground character,” explains Michael. “He was a real person and there is a picture of him dressed in this costume with a suit on top. He was a bit of a fairground oddity and was followed around by lots of children. “But what is fascinating is not knowing the reason why he went out like that. Perhaps this man was disfigured in some way and perhaps he dressed up like that so people couldn’t see his disfigurement. Maybe he was a bit like the Elephant Man and that was his only way to be accepted.” A high tenor, Michael, who hails from Newport in South Wales, has performed in countless operas but he says Puccini is close to his heart. “La bohème is based on such a powerful story and Puccini is very good at expressing the emotion. The music seems to fit the plot perfectly and you just feel emotionally drained by the end of the piece. “With opera, once you have learnt the music then you never really forget it so what is interesting is to see new productions where they have fantastic new ideas. It is interesting being directed in the same opera but a totally different production. “This La bohème is very clever as it is set in the early 20th century but it makes use of some very modern technology so in some ways it looks traditional but the way it is projected isn’t. It uses images on a screen which really complement what is happening on stage. It is inspired. “I like the variety,” says Michael. “You can be doing three different shows on three different nights. In fact there is a dressing room joke where someone will come in and put on the wrong costume – it is only then when we ask what opera they think they are doing that night! “This season is really varied as we are doing Jephtha which is a very energetic and with some very difficult singing. It is a powerful story – all about war, God, blood, guts and sacrifice. Then we have Così fan tutte which is the other end of the spectrum as it is very light. It is set, to all intents and purposes, on Penarth seafront so I go from one extreme to another. I go from La bohème where I am all covered up to Così where I get my legs out! “But that is the beauty of opera – you never quite know what to expect.”
WNO perform Jephtha on Tues Oct 30, La bohème on Weds Oct 31, Fri Nov 2, Sat Nov 3 and Così fan tutte on Thur Nov 1 at Southampton Mayflower Theatre. For tickets call 02380 711 811 (subject to booking fee) For more information on WNO www.wno.org.uk
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wedding photography to suit your style
Relaxed, informal, unobtrusive and fun the way wedding photography should be ☎ 01329 319825 info@hrphotoimages.com http://www.hrphotoimages.com Registered Offices: 5 Elms Road • Fareham • Hampshire • PO16 0SQ
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coast & country
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Jermyns Lane Romsey, SO51 0QA tel 01794 369317/318 info@hilliergardens.org.uk www.hilliergardens.org.uk
centenary border
It is said that size does not matter, but when it is believed to be the world’s longest and attracts bees, butterf lies and over 160,000 visitors annually then you just have to take notice…
S
ir Harold Hillier Gardens, on the outskirts of Romsey is awash with every natural colour imaginable in springtime, then through the summer it settles down to a place of beauty and tranquillity before it then puts on its autumnal coat and becomes one of my favourite times to visit.
The grassy, and natural, auditorium may be empty of picnickers enjoying the sounds of an orchestra playing out across the gardens but down among the 180 acres, nature is about to offer a symphony of brown, ochre and gold. Due to the wet summer it may not be a classic year for autumnal colours but there will still be some great views as the trees turn and shed their leaves. Wolfgang Bopp is Director of the Gardens and he recently took the time to show Solent Life around some of his favourite parts of the garden; and we discovered the inner-child in a man that is not only totally involved with, but passionate about his charge. “Just smell this!” he said with childlike enthusiasm as he clutched a pile of brown leaves from the ground and rubbed them together before thrusting them under my nose. “This is the Japanese Katsura and when the leaves are brown, rub them together and they give off a wonderful smell of candy!”
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And, they did. Wolfgang explains that it is the sugars left in the leaves that give off the wonderful aroma of caramelised sweets. It was a strange experience, but not nearly as strange as watching him whizz down the slide at the amazing tree house. The tree house, explodes with geometric shapes from the sides of a massive pine tree, it has a short climbing wall, cargo net, room to run around, no matter what age of child you are - and also with some wonderful views. It is so well built that the wooden structure not only fails to be obtrusive in its surroundings, it looks very much like it belongs. Wolfgang carries out his duties as Director of this wonderful legacy with great respect and skill but his playful nature when out among the plants is, to say the least, infectious. “Guess what the children call this tree?” There was the mischief in his voice again as we looked at a pine tree with amazingly long needles. “They call it the toilet brush tree!” And it did indeed look like dozens of the bathroom tools growing out from the tree. Then further on our travels we stopped at what children have named the ‘T-shirt’ tree where the leaves of a member of the magnolia family resembled the shape of T-shirts. Finally we reached our intended destination and stood in awe as the curvature of this stunning feature reflected the curvature of the earth
itself. “In 1964 Sir Harold Hillier planted this border and called it the Centenary Border as his Grandfather had started the gardens in 1864,” a now more serious Wolfgang explained. “He not only wanted to sell plants but he also wanted to grow everything himself. Rather than look in books for research on plants, he wanted to grow the plants themselves and use the real thing for reference. “The Centenary Border was used as a nursery area originally because it was level ground, before he decided to celebrate a century of gardening by putting in the border and planting it with a backdrop of evergreens and hollies,” he added. Wolfgang then went on to explain that originally, the gardens were never intended for public enjoyment. “It was not until the 1970s that he realised the importance of what had been created here and that the arboretum needed to be turned into a charitable trust to preserve and continue the work. Now we are host to 166,000 visitors annually as well as over 13,000 educational visits each year. “Sir Harold laid the foundations of this amazing place and now Hampshire County Council and the Trust continue that work and we have one of the most diverse collections of plants growing. There are some 11,000 to 12,000 different plants here.” As we slowly walked the length of the stunning 250metre long feature, Wolfgang explained that in the borders alone there
were some 800 different plant types and over 30,000 individual plants. He also pointed out the pathways, diagonal to the main walk which invite visitors to explore the borders more fully and which also lead to areas such as Ten Acres West, where the trees will boast autumn colours that will probably be at their finest at the moment. “The improvement to the borders has been more of a renovation project than a totally new display; using the natural arboretum as a background we have taken what Sir Harold began and made it something special to take us into the next generation of visitor.” Spring and summer may have gone but at The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens autumn and winter await visitors with its own splendour of colour and excitement. This wonderful collection of plants set among the natural surroundings of the Hampshire countryside, is in good hands with Wolfgang Bopp, and his huge team of staff and over 150 volunteers; which he is always keen to mention. It never fails to enthral, excite and cause visitors to just stand and enjoy its splendour. Then when you discover the Tree House, no matter how old you are, climb the scaling wall and cargo net, and have a go down the broad but short slide!
OPENING TIMES April–October 10am - 6pm (last entry 5pm) November - March 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm) Open all year (except Christmas, Boxing Day) AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Step into a creative world and rediscover the art of enjoyable shopping. Thursday 11th Oct till 14th Oct 10am till 6pm (Sunday 10am till 4pm) Spectacular range of crafts and sculpture including demonstrations and specialist foods and countryside activities including rake making, ferret racing, country books and outdoor clothing. Garden and flower show.
Adults £3, Children Free. (buy 4 tickets and get 5th free) Members of Sir Harold Hillier Gardens: half price Cost: £3.00 per adult, children free VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY – November 4th 11am till 4pm. If you have a few hours of spare time each week then Sir Harold Hillier Gardens would love to meet you. There is also still a chance to see ART IN THE GARDEN with its amazing display of sculptures until 28th October.
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150 High Street . Lee-on-the-Solent . Hampshire . 023 9255 2320 . w w w.strawberry workshop.co.uk
Health & Beauty
Here at the Strawberry Workshop the salon has a spa like feel. We provide a relaxing and spacious atmosphere within the Salon. The experienced staff cover a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments focusing on the very latest technology using only the highest quality products. Having just introduced the latest colour innovation “Illumina” from Wella, which provides fabulous irradecent shine and condition while strengthening, improves the hair with each application. The colour tones are unique. For the new Autumn trends, book a complimentary colour and style consultation to explore a new you... Our 4 beauty therapists include Kerry and Jo, who we welcome back from maternity leave shortly, Kerry in October and Jo in November! Using the world famous Guinot range from Paris our range of anti-ageing treatments are second to none.
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Weight loss specialist Sue Peckham and her team at the Hampshire Hypnotherapy Centre will show you the secret to easy, lasting weight loss with the ‘EASY LOSS PROGRAMME’ in just 4 sessions. “If you’ve decided that you want guaranteed weight loss, then you’ve come to the right place!” says Sue. “Our ‘Easyloss Programme’, combined with 4 relaxing hypnotherapy sessions, will help you lose the weight you no longer want. It’s no fun being overweight. I know that from personal experience, but you can put an end to your weight problems and quickly become slimmer, fitter, healthier and happier.” With our Unique ‘Easyloss Programme’ it is possible to lose your unwanted weight just by changing the way you make your eating decisions…no starving yourself, no calorie counting and definitely NO FAD DIETS... Guaranteed! We guarantee that you will lose weight and feel good about yourself. Visit our website at www.hantshypno.co.uk to see some of the success stories from our happy clients. For more information call TODAY on 0800 970 4776 or 07946 641270 or drop us an email to info@hantshypno.co.uk to arrange your FREE Initial Consultation and discover how you can enjoy losing weight without feeling hungry and get the slim figure you dream of… Guaranteed!
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out & about
out&
about
THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL
Solent Life has been venturing out across the region to capture and bring to you some images from the notable events of the past few weeks…
THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL is a great chance to dress up and mix with race drivers and aviators. Jean Alesi, from Formula One, Tiff Needel from motor sport and TV and old race master Jackie Oliver were among the race drivers wandering through the crowds most of whom had heeded the call to dress in costumes from the thirties through to the sixties and seventies. Out on the track the racing was historic, fierce and very loud and in the pits and paddocks there were amazing cars and historic aircraft to view. www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/
words & images by david rose-massom
PORTSMOUTH KITE FESTIVAL SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
PORTSMOUTH KITE FESTIVAL on Southsea Common is one of those events where it is more about the happening than the people who go there. Year on year the kites seem to get more and more outrageous and colourful and with blue skies, bright sunshine and some strong winds, it was a perfect day for everyone. Portsmouth International Kite Festival is one of the premier kite festivals in the U.K. It is recognised by the worldwide kite community as one of the best kite festivals, attracting many kitefliers from around the world together with with tens of thousands of spectators.
SOUTHAMPTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW is one of the biggest and best on-water boat shows and whether you like to get afloat or not it is a fascinating day out. One exhibition not to be missed is The Boat Project – a carefully crafted sports boat made entirely from donated wood. Throughout 2011 the public donated wood to the project; not just any old wood though; pencil or piano – as exotic as Zebrawood or as familiar as pine to as rare as Jimi Hendrix’s guitar, every piece had a story behind it. Donations arrived in their thousands, from the highly personal to pieces of national importance including from HMS Victory, the Cutty Sark, the Mary Rose and Lively Lady. All of these donations went into the construction of a state-of-the-art open sports sail boat which was launched on May 7th this year in Emsworth where it had been built. www.southamptonboatshow.com
MARWELL WILDLIFE ARTISTS SOCIETY
THE CHILLI FIESTA
THE CHILLI FIESTA at West Dean, north of Chichester, has become a must visit event for lovers of the hot food. This year it had been postponed for a few weeks due to the wet weather and when it finally arrived over the August Bank Holiday it was an amazing day out in bright sunshine; the sun getting almost as hot as some of the chillies. www.westdean.org.uk
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For the first time the exhibition was held outside of Marwell Zoo and instead at Rookesbury Park Manor on the outskirts of Wickham. The venue was a massive hit and the show, Europe’s largest wildlife art exhibition, was opened by Benjamin Mee, the owner and Director of Dartmoor Zoological Park. This is the award winning zoo that Benjamin purchased before writing a book about his adventure and which was made into a film called ‘We Bought a Zoo’ starring Matt Damon. www.miwas.co.uk/
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beat the
rush Y
ou may think we live in a world ruled by nature and the seasons, but I would suggest that our lives are dictated by the next event that requires us to put our hands in our pockets. This September, whilst I was packing away the sun-cream and memories of this year’s summer holiday, my children were bemoaning the fact that there is nothing to look forward to until Christmas...and that is months away!
Actually, as of the day I write this article, Christmas Day is 99 days away and, by the time you read these words, will be upon us in 80 something days. And those days will go unbelievably fast so it is important that you do not get lulled into a false sense of security; in fact it may be a good idea to allow a mild sense of panic to pervade your every waking moment, and if you can also break out in a cold sweat a few times a week, then so much the better. Whilst we may resent the fact that the lead up to Christmas seems to start so early, there is a lot to be said for being an Early Shopper and getting out there and starting your Christmas shopping sooner rather than, in some cases, far too much later. In fact the pluses of this approach seem to outweigh the negatives as follows: 58…
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1. Picture yourself browsing with just a soupcon of fellow shoppers. You smile pleasantly at each other as you wander from shop to shop, selecting your purchases in an unhurried and un-harried fashion before receiving immediate service at the till, from staff who fall over themselves in their eagerness to serve you. The whole experience is agreeable, civilised and far, far removed from shopping with the teeming masses in December. 2. Parking spaces are easily available; you will not need to drive around the car park in ever decreasing circles and ever increasing frustration as you are beaten, yet again, to a just vacated space. 3. I feel this one is the icing on the cake of being an early shopper. As others bemoan the fact that they have yet to
head out into the Christmas Shopping wilderness you can casually, and with a mere hint of self satisfaction say, “Oh, but I finished my shopping WEEKS ago, I just have the turkey to stuff.” 4. You have all the time in the world to wrap your presents. It can become a nightly ritual: a glass of wine, one or two gifts which you lovingly and artfully wrap, whilst soothing music plays in the background, before you wander off to bed safe in the knowledge that you are on track to have all presents wrapped within 12 days of Christmas. This is in stark contrast to the last minute shopper, who stays up all night on Christmas Eve wrapping and then spends much of Christmas Day recalling just opened gifts in order to remove price stickers, or to redistribute to the rightful recipient, after some confusion over incorrect labels. I am thinking here of the year that a good friend of mine very kindly gave me a pair of men’s boxer shorts in place of a spaghetti serving spoon. 5. You make carefully considered purchases, which are received with exclamations of delight, and remarks about how clever you are to have found just the right gift, and how did you know that this was what they had dreamt of finding in their Christmas Stocking.....or words to that effect. This is obviously far preferable to the last minute panic buys, which are opened with a look of puzzled disappointment and surreptitiously consigned to the future charity shop donations pile. However there are a couple of drawbacks to being an Early Shopper: 1. The last minute change of mind. My children are adept at this; they compile a carefully considered Christmas Wish List, which I follow to the letter; albeit within financial and practical parameters, (i.e. no drum kits, quad bikes or anything remote controlled, after the helicopter and hair incident). A week before Christmas they then have a complete change of mind, having been brain washed by adverts for the latest
must have, and declare that the previous list is null and void. An Early Shopper would never consider returning to the shops after the 1st December, so it has to be made clear that the first list is the only list that can be accepted and all changes of mind will be discounted, but can be re-submitted when the time comes to draw up the birthday present list. 2. Hiding Places. All children, and some adults, are unable to resist the urge to hunt out the presents prior to the Big Day. It is therefore essential that the Early Shopper has a foolproof hiding place. A good hiding place should allow the Early Shopper easy access; there is nothing more annoying than having to scale high ladders and access dark and dusty corners twice an evening if one wishes to wrap on a nightly basis, and complete number 4 on the pluses to being an Early Shopper list above. The best hiding place I ever had was a big cardboard box with a pile of heavy books on top that stood in the corner of the lounge. It was so obvious it was dismissed as merely a box, and ignored. However over the years my children have found all my hiding places and so I have resorted to hiding their presents in my “just up the road” friend’s house. This is highly confusing to her son when he receives completely different gifts to those that his clandestine searches led him to expect! In conclusion I feel that the last minute shopper has the advantage here as presents that are yet to be purchased cannot be searched out. And an ideal hiding place, if shopping right at the last moment, is the boot of the car! Overall though I would suggest that there is much to be said for being an Early Shopper and as the countdown nears zero hour, and others reach a fever pitch of panic, you can calmly stuff the turkey whilst quietly humming the Christmas Carol of your choice.
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HL xmas_1/4 10/07/2012 15:48 Page 1
Celebrate Christmas 2012 in style @ Piranha Bar Christmas Menu (1st - 23rd December) 3-course menu & 4-course luxury menu available
FAMOUS FISH & CHIP RESTAURANT AND TAKE-AWAY MOTHER KELLY’S UNIQUE FISH & CHIP RESTAURANT AND TAKE-AWAY IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11.30AM - 11PM. ● All fish skinned and boned ● Traditional grilled breakfast served daily 8am-11.30am
Festive live music every Wednesday & Friday DJ can be arranged for larger parties.
20 NORTH STREET, EMSWORTH (TAKE-AWAYS ONLY)
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Home cooked real food served Sunday to Thursday 12-9, Friday &Saturday 12-10 Weekly specials (new menu every Friday), including fresh local fish.
Locally supplied meat, vegetables and fish New Small Portions Menu available Home cooked Sunday Roast available 12-6, Three courses for £12.95 *Sunday meat raffle with fresh meat Wednesday - Curry night Home-cooked curry for only £5 *Quiz Night on Thursday Cash Prize Regular live music - including blues
Tel 023 9221 9149 Coach parties by appointment • Large orders up to 250 portions DELIVERED FREE
Newly Refurbished Restaurant
from R.Owton
221 SOUTHAMPTON ROAD, PAULSGROVE
Tel 01243 375859
Range of local and national real ales
Sparkes Marina, Hayling Island www.piranhabar.co.uk info@piranhabar.co.uk 02392 469459
Celebrate in Style Christmas Christmas day lunch parties from £22.50pp
£85.00pp
Function room for hire free of charge (booking advisable)
☎ 01489 573088 Warsash Village, SO31 9HX
The White Horse, Market Place, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 8ZJ 01794 512431 thewhitehorse@silkshotels.com www.silkshotels.com
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solent | Food
HEARTY FAYRE
S
ometimes it is just what is needed, a simple but hearty lunch in a traditional pub, and that is just what we had after visiting the Miners Arms at Funtley near Fareham.
Back in 1841 the railway was coming through Funtley on its way to Fareham and Portsmouth and it meant the road leading to the village pub was cut in half and became a cul de sac, thereby stranding the ale house. Further up the village, a local had just built his new home and he was asked to turn it into the pub, which he happily did and ran it for many years. It was a pub with no name! A quarter mile tunnel was required and so some Welsh miners were brought in to do the work and one of them asked if a name had been chosen for the pub, the landlord told him no, and the miner stepped outside and wrote Miners Arms on the wall in chalk – the name stuck. It is one of those hostelries that I had driven past and wondered what it was like with the promise that one day I would pop in and take a look, an invite from landlady Joanne to Solent Life for a lunchtime visit meant we had to wonder no longer. It is a proper pub with padded pew seating and curved back chairs on either side of rustic tables, historic pictures on the walls and knick-knacks
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on the shelves. The locals are friendly, the service pleasant, the menu rustic and made up of proper pub-grub. Over the Friday lunchtime we visited, it was also very busy and popular with locals and passers-by, it was easy to strike up conversations and there was a happy buzz and feel about the pub. Another historic note for the pub is, that opposite and just behind the houses, is a lake that was formed when clay was removed to make the famous Fareham red brick. The clay was transported to the Bursledon Brickworks to produce the bricks. These were shipped all over the world however, the Albert Hall is probably the most famous building to have been built with this brick. Back to modern times and Joanne explained that almost all the food is produced in-house. The rice was soft and fluffy and the mushroom stroganoff was smooth and creamy while carrying the slight hint of garlic. The mushrooms were firm and tasty and the whole dish was a perfect consistency and although
CHRISTMAS MENU available from 7th to 22nd December. 2 course £14.95 3 course £17.95
lacking a little seasoning to begin with, soon solved with a touch of salt, it was a delicious lunchtime meal. Whilst my dining partner, a vegetarian, had gone for the sensible, I went for the hearty dish; Steak and Ale Pie. My full plate was placed in front of me by a very busy and smiling barmaid, Hannah, and I had the feeling that it might well be an afternoon of feet up and a nap rather than work; it was a fine looking plate of pie, chips and veg. The vegetables were hot and crisp to the bite, the chips had a perfect crisp outer coating with lovely delicate and fluffy insides. The pie itself was packed full of tender and tasty chunks of meat that had been cooked with onion in real ale, the HSB beer giving it a really good flavour, there was texture there but the steak still melted in the mouth. If I had one observation, and it was only a matter of personal taste, it was that the gravy was a little thin; to accompany such a great winter dish and a really good slice of homemade pie, it should have been a little thicker. That said it did not spoil a pie that was topped with a good short crust pastry. It was good to spend an hour or so in a good old fashioned pub, no overly loud music or fruit machines pinging in my ears, no fancy designer seating arrangements but comfortable cushioned benches and good friendly service as well as honest home-cooked food. A bit of local history thrown in and it was a fine way to spend the lunchtime; on their website it states, ‘The Miner’s Arms is a friendly local that quickly turns strangers into regulars with its warm welcome. The lounge bar is great for a quiet pint of cask ale, while the public bar is the place to go if you are looking for lively conversation…’ and I could not have summed it up better myself!
Starter Creamy Curried Parsnip Soup Potted Crab Chicken Liver Parfait
Main Course Traditional Roast Turkey with all the seasonal trimmings Sirloin Steak and Forestaire Sauce Cod Wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Herb Butter Somerset Brie and Beetroot Tart
Dessert Traditional Christmas Pudding Trio of Mini Chocolate Desserts Cheese and Biscuits
The Miners Arms Our two dishes cost just £16 www.minersarmsfuntley.co.uk The Miner’s Arms 112 Funtley Road Funtley Fareham PO17 5EF Tel: 01329 232065 OCTOBER 2012 •
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Adventure of a Lifetime High in the Himalayas you will find Bhutan, one of the most breathtaking, beautiful mountain countries. ‘The Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is no ordinary place; this tiny country, sandwiched between India and China, is steeped in traditional culture and remains largely unvisited, which made it the perfect location for The Rowans Hospice’s first international challenge. In fact this Hampshire based Hospice is the first charity to have an organised trek in Bhutan! The adventure began for 16 pioneering individuals who took part in this inaugural challenge in April earlier this year, by flying over Everest to reach this remote country. The 15-day challenge, which combined 8 days of extreme trekking reaching an altitude of 4,820m, took them to peaceful Buddhist sites and Tibetan-style culture including the spectacular Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The trekkers raised £35,000 towards the special care that The Rowans Hospice gives to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Their success has led to the development of the Hospice’s 2013 International Challenges Bhutan Himalyan Trek: 19th October – 2nd November 2013 Vietnam Hill Tribe Trek: 5th – 15th October 2013 Both challenges offer participants the chance to be part of a team, great adventure and opportunity to engage with local people. You will be supported by a UK tour leader and expert local guides throughout your time abroad and receive comprehensive training and fundraising advice to help you prepare and raise vital funds for The Rowans Hospice. To find out more and to take part visit www.rowanshospice.co.uk or speak to Ali George 023 9223 7146
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solent | nature
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xpect sunshine and showers this month. If you dodge the rain, it’s an
ideal time for planting, since the soil is the right temperature to encourage roots of newly planted shrubs, hedging and other hardy plants. By planting now and up until Christmas, you can take advantage of warm soil, despite the cooler air temperature. Autumnal rain should make the ground easier to work.
Plant fruit trees and soft fruit now and you’ll get your first harvest next year. Apple, pear and plum trees are available in the garden centre, along with raspberry, gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes. When planting a tree or shrub, give it a long soak first. Add some slow acting fertiliser to the planting hole to get it off to a good start and once planted, firm your new plant in to stop it moving around. Make sure all your new and relocated plants are well watered in dry spells. See the ‘tips for planting a shrub’ in the Gardening Tips section at garsons.co.uk. Create a multi-tasking autumn container or hanging basket by underplanting the flowers with spring bulbs. There’s a full selection of bulbs at the garden centre, including daffodils, crocus and scented hyacinth. Delicate bulbs such as snowdrops, crocus and tête à tête look particularly lovely in containers. Plant the bulbs first, then add your selection of autumn bedding plants for a long-lasting burst of colour. Enriching the soil with a bulb feed such as Miracle-Gro Bulb Booster gives balanced nutrients to ensure they are well fed during their spring growth. Our October plant of the month is the Heuchera. These highly ornamental evergreen herbaceous plants are at home on the patio or in the garden. They have great year round appeal and are available in gorgeous colours. Heucheras really come into their own in autumn as their leaf colours often take on autumnal hues, giving rise to lovely seasonal shades at a time when colour is fading in the garden.
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Some of our most popular (and deliciously named) varieties include ‘lime marmalade’ with citrus bright ruffled leaves and ‘crème brulee’ with burnt orange foliage. ‘Berry smoothie’ is a newer variety, known for its bold leaves in shades of raspberry, blackberry and rose-pink. Heucheras are tough and versatile and are good for ground cover in sun or shade. They can grow out of the ground over time, but if you lift them and replant deeper, you’ll re-invigorate old plants. Heuchera are not attacked by slugs or snails, all of which makes them a very practical and attractive plant. Jobs for this month: � Prune and deadhead in your borders, cut back flowering plants � Get rid of any weeds and roughly dig over bare patches of soil � Rake up leaves and remove them from your pond, � Take cuttings of tender perennials such as geraniums and busy lizzies � Make sure you have enough horticultural fleece to protect tender plants from frosts later in the season Happy gardening, come rain or shine!
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Events in October
autumn swing A
utumn is in full swing this month at Swanwick Lakes. A walk in the woodland during October is truly a feast for the senses; the rich colours, the sound of leaves crunching under foot and sweet smell of natural decay make for a wonderful experience. After the damp summer, this should be an interesting year for fungi. The fungi are actually there all year round, with masses of root-like mycelia hidden in the woodland floor. The damp air of autumn encourages them to send up their fruiting bodies - the toadstools or mushrooms which we are used to seeing. There are something like 6000 species to get to grips with, some with evocative names like Candle snuff or Orange Peel fungus and of course the classic red and white Fly Agaric. Over the past year, we have been working with local poet Pearl Elizabeth Dell May to use the power of poetry to capture the essence of the seasons at Swanwick Lakes. Pearl specialises in writing Haiku, a short form of traditional Japanese poetry. Here are some examples of her work. The sound of dry leaves disturbs my inner music striking a discord after the heavy dew clear bright morning – fluffy clouds drift across my mind by Pearl Elizabeth Dell May 78…
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Over the past 12 months, we have also been collecting poems written by our visitors which we hope to compile into a booklet. You can find out more about our year of poetry by coming along to our Post a Poem event on Saturday 13th October or our Autumn Story and Poetry Party on Friday 2nd November. Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve is an 86 acre reserve located on Sopwith Way, off Swanwick Lane. The reserve is owned by NATS and managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The reserve is open from dawn until dusk for all to enjoy. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust works to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk Join us today and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. For more information contact our membership team on 01489 774 408.
8th October Cyprus Revisited 7.30pm Professional wildlife photographer John Combes will show his images from several visits to Cyprus. To be held at Holy Trinity Church hall, West Street, Fareham, PO16 0EL. Contact Peter Adams on 01329 287653 e-mail peter-adams1@live.co.uk. Parking is available in Trinity Street or Western Road car parks. Suggested donation £2. 13th October Post a Poem 10.30am-12noon Would you like to see your poem in print? With the help of Pearl Elizabeth Dell May, Swanwick Lakes Poet in Residence, we will be collecting your poems in our Poetry Post Box for all our visitors to read. Pearl will be at the Study Centre to encourage you. Contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Please bring outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. 23rd October Autumn Splendours - A Guided Walk 10:30am – 12noon Join reserve staff for a guided walk to see the fantastic autumn colours at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve. For further details contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Suggested donation £3 per person. Please bring outdoor clothing and sensible shoes or boots. 2nd November Autumn Story and Poetry Party 10.30am-12noon or 1-2.30pm Help us celebrate the end of the Swanwick Lakes Year of Poetry at this event for families. Join us as we create stories and poems using autumn as our inspiration. Contact Dawn Preston or Jess DaishMiller on 01489 570240. Please bring outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. Booking is essential as places are limited. Suggested donation £3 per child. OCTOBER 2012 •
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money | matters
pension reform set to have
major impact words by justin stevens
New rules designed to resolve the UK’s pensions savings crisis are set to have a major impact on employers and employees alike when wide-reaching reforms take place later this year. With people living longer and facing the possibility of funding a retirement that could now last 20 years or more, the Government is getting employers to enrol their workers automatically into a workplace pension to make it easier for people to start saving and not rely solely on the state pension. This automatic enrolment will allow people to decide whether to stay in or opt out of a workplace pension. It will begin in October, starting with the largest employers, and workers will automatically join and pay into their employer’s staff pension schemes which could be an existing or new scheme to which the employer and the Government will contribute too by way of tax relief on personal contributions unless they specifically opt out. Smaller employers and newly formed businesses will have until 2016/17 to comply. It is all designed to reinvigorate pension saving in the UK, create a simpler system to help people make better informed decisions about how much they need to save privately, and make it easier for them to plan for their retirement. Minister for Pensions Steve Webb has described the new reforms as “the start of a much-needed seismic shift in pension saving in this country” (Source: Department of Work & Pensions press release 1st February, 2012). The reforms follow the failure of stakeholder pension schemes, which foundered because they required no contribution commitment from the employer and excluded many smaller employers. Automatic enrolment
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recognises that the solution lies in private provision and compels all employers to enrol eligible jobholders in a workplace pension scheme, unless they are already a member of a qualifying scheme. Contributions will be collected and paid to the scheme by the employer through the payroll system. For automatic enrolment, employers will have to choose a pension scheme, perhaps an existing one or a scheme set up with a pension provider. Information from the Pension Regulator will be available to help companies make this decision later in the year. A fundamental principle is that the jobholder must be enrolled and will then be able to opt out. The success of the proposals will be largely due to apathy - jobholders not getting round to opting out. Employers will be banned from incentivising opt-outs. ‘Another option open to employers is the National Employment Savings Trust, or NEST, a centralised pension scheme being run by a Government agency (NEST Corporation) to ensure that employers, including those employing low to medium earners, can access pension saving and comply with their automatic enrolment duties NEST has a public service obligation which requires it to accept all employers who apply and offers a range of funds and fund managers designed to meet differing member needs, and to offer a default fund. As a registered pension scheme, NEST enjoys the full range of tax reliefs as well as being a qualifying scheme. It is intended as a low-cost option but does
come with some restrictions. Pensions can seem a confusing subject, full of financial jargon and complicated rules, and the new reforms provide much food for thought. Certainly for employers, a proper strategy is going to be essential and most large scheme advisers consider that planning should already have started. The project will require an accountable manager and team. Employers should be mindful too of the requirements and restrictions of the Financial Services Act. They may invite an adviser to present to staff, and there is no problem in giving staff information that includes no recommendation or advice. In addition, there is no problem recommending that employees join a scheme to which the employer contributes. It is vital that the employer informs the employee that advice is available from a financial adviser, and the employer should take no financial reward for establishing a scheme. For employees, it is important to remember that your life in retirement is going to be very different from your working one, both personally and financially. Outgoings are likely to be lower, but you may want to spend more money on leisure activities. Retirement is like a holiday – but every one of your retirement years has to be paid for. That is why it is essential to seek professional advice and start planning for retirement now, whatever your age, to provide an income that is going to see you through potentially many more years than those enjoyed by previous generations. l
‘’
At Rachel Campbell Associates we offer independent financial advice and pride ourselves on giving clients that personal touch with integrity and professionalism. With 25 years in finance experience, Rachel and her team seek to establish long term relationships and to provide an understandable financial planning service.
For a free, no obligation appointment call…
023 8040 4681
Email: rachelcampbell@thinkpositive.co.uk www.rachelcampbellassociates.co.uk
The value of pensions and investments can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. Remuneration can be by commission or fees.
Rachel and the team can help with… l Pensions and Planning for Retirement l Making the most of Frozen Pensions
l Exploring and understanding the Annuity Market l Equity Release l Planning and paying for long term care
Home Visits can be arranged and clients may be accompanied by a family member or carer.
Equity Release is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion scheme. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Rachel Campbell Associates is a trading style of Positive Solutions Financial Services Ltd. FSA number 184591. Positive Solutions Financial Services Ltd is authorised by the Financial Services Authority, registered as a Limited Company in England and Wales No. 3276750. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate advice on some tax matters, buy to let mortgages, commercial lending, inheritance tax planning or unsecured loans.
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Events across the Solent region.
what’s
Music, Comedy, Events & TheatreChildren
THE EVENT
The Point, Eastleigh 02380 652333 Chichester Festival Theatre 01243 781312 Salisbury Playhouse 01722 320333 Mayflower Theatre 02380 711811 Theatre Royal Winchester 01962 840440 King’s Theatre Southsea 02392 828282 Tower Arts Centre, Winchester 01962 867986 Ferneham Hall 01329 231942 Ashcroft Arts Centre Fareham 01329 310600 The Concorde Club 02380 613989
If you have anything going on, tell us here at Solent Life and we will include it in our feature. 01489 583800 editorial@solentlife.co.uk
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Dickensian Christmas… Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s Victorian Festival of Christmas Friday 30th November – Sunday 2nd December
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens in Portsmouth and the Historic Dockyard is proud to be a part of the celebrations with the return of the wonderful and popular ‘Victorian Festival of Christmas’. This family favourite weekend in the unique surroundings of a dockyard steeped in history (Charles Dickens’ father, John Dickens, helped manage the Naval Pay Office which you can still see at the end of College Road in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard), is the perfect way to start the festive season and what’s more, by buying early, visitors can get a saving of over 15% on ticket prices! This event is one that is always looked toward with great anticipation and seems, to us here in the Solent Life offices, to be the kick-start for Christmas revelries. Visitors will be magically transported into a Dickensian-style bygone era of real snowy white streets laid out for both rich and poor, with seasonal carols, the ever raucous Fagin’s Tavern, and unique Christmas gift market. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is especially delighted to be introducing a magical new stage scene with a Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in green, who will be greeting one and all alongside his trusty reindeer and elves as they prepare for their busiest night of the year. Hampshire Fare traders will be returning again this year for food lovers to sample the delights of quality, local produce including jams and chutneys, honey, cakes and pastries. It’s also a chance to stock up on treats for festive feasts or give in to the aromas of steaming mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Also new for this year - delightful Christmas drink demonstrations and tasters of mulled wine, mulled cider, ales, hot toddies and more! Visitors can browse among the traders on the snowy covered Victorian streets along with all of Dickensian society, from the gentry and their families promenading to shop for presents (avoiding the pick-pockets!) and playing
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street games such as hopscotch and patter-cake, the grand buildings of the historic site and Georgian storehouses will be transformed into a glorious bazaar of arts, crafts, food, drink and gifts with hundreds of stalls - ensuring the Festival of Christmas remains the largest Christmas market on the South Coast! The Boutique Market will also be bringing back their very special indoor market hall with handmade items, artist’s work, upcycled fashion, vintage desirables, retro objects and local businesses who supply something just that little bit different that you won’t find on the High Street. Helping visitors to become immersed in the atmosphere of the Victorian dockyard will be a whole host of colourful characters and entertainment including Mr Alexander’s Travelling Show with magic and illusions, fire-eating and juggling as well as the traditional carol singers. Amidst the Penny Farthings and bicycles whizzing by, will be Queen Victoria and Mr Brown inspecting the Fort Cumberland Guard and the rest of the festivities, in their traditional horse and carriage. A Victorian Festival of Christmas is proud to be supporting the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) - please visit http://www.rnrmc.org.uk for more information.
Prices
Walk-Up Tickets: Adults: £16, Children: £14, Seniors: £15 and Family: £49 Early Bird Tickets (purchased before 31st October): Adults: £13.50, Children: £11.70, Seniors: £12.60 and Family: £40.50 Advanced Purchase (1st – 29th November): Adults: £15, Children: £13, Seniors: £14 and Family: £45 For tickets see www.christmasfestival.co.uk or call 0844 880 5419 (£1.50 administration and postage
Annual Carol Festival: from The Bournemouth Schools Music Association will have 400 children performing together from schools across Bournemouth in an event which is over 60 years old! The concert often includes performances from infant schools as well as surprise items such as hand bells, violins, poetry, dance, drama, Carol songwriting competition winners, songs written by local teachers, children and conductors. The Youth Choir and the Anniversary Choir, which is made up of generations together, will also be performing. Many parents and grandparents took part in this when they were young. Don’t miss this successful, popular, unique and special event - a wonderful way to start Christmas! Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre; Tickets on 0844 576 3000, book online at www.bic.co.uk or visit the BIC or Bournemouth Pavilion Ticket Office in person. Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 November at 7.00pm with tickets just £7.00 (concessions) Shadow Play: What would a world of shadows look like? That is the subject of a new exhibition of contemporary art at The Point Theatre’s ‘Watch This Space’ open gallery. Shadow Play explores the weightless world of shadows and presents a contemporary exhibition of the silhouettes that always appear to be illusive. The exhibition sheds light on the usually darkened world of shadows, introducing the spectator to the textures, complexities and possibilities of this imagined world. Exhibition curator Ruby Glaskin said: “I am really excited about this season’s exhibition. The breadth of work is really diverse, with video installation, to large-scale sculpture and delicate stencils. This exhibition is truly international, with artists exhibiting from Canada and Europe alongside Hampshire-based artists.” The Point in Eastleigh till December 7th www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk JOAN ARMATRADING: Joan admits that she tours because she enjoys how the audiences love the concerts and the three times Grammy nominated, Brit award nominee and Ivor Novella winner singer-
songwriter will be touring the UK during this autumn. Never one to rest on her laurels, Joan remains fresh, vibrant and current; no more so than when live, on stage, where her music comes to life. With every tour you are guaranteed a fantastic mix of magical old favourites plus brand new songs to fall in love with. This tour has two more plusses including Special Guest Chris Wood (BBC Radio 2 Folk awards Singer of the Year 2011) as well as a local singer/songwriter representing each town or city on the tour schedule. KINGS THEATRE, SOUTHSEA, 8th October, Box office - 023 9282 8282 or visit www.kings-southsea.com Explosion Fireworks Spectacular: As well as an amazing firework show there will be events throughout the evening, including Victorian Fun Fair – Children’s Activities – Story Telling – and also Free Admission to Explosion’s Award Winning Galleries. Some activities may carry an additional charge. Sunday 4th of November Evening Event Prices: (5pm until 8pm, Fireworks at 7pm). Adults £5 – Children and Concessions £3.00 – Family Ticket £12. Explosion - The Museum of Naval Firepower, Gosport www.explosion.org.uk. Anton & Erin Go To Hollywood: In a salute to the Golden Years of the MGM musicals and new for next year, the UK’s favourite dancing duo Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag are back and are waltzing their way to the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on 17 March 2013. Early warning as tickets will be selling quickly. This dazzling new show will be featuring sassy tunes, sensational choreography and sparkling costumes that conjure up all the fizz and razzmatazz of glamorous Hollywood at its best. Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre - SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2013 Tickets are on sale now. Call BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000, book online at www.bic.co.uk or visit the BIC or Bournemouth Pavilion Ticket Office in person.
Our Country’s Good: This is the true story of a ragbag cast of convicts, who put on a play under the guidance of an earnest young marine officer in a penal colony in Australia’s New South Wales in the 1780s. As the barriers between captors and captives break down, they start to discover each other, both onstage and behind the scenes... Written by British playwright, Timberlake Wertenbaker, the actors working on a play within the play put on a production of The Recruiting Officer. Our Country’s Good was first staged in London in 1988 and was directed by Max StaffordClark who now recreates that production at Southampton’s Nuffield. Nuffield Theatre, Southampton 16th to 20th October. www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk for full details. RADIO TIMES the musical: Gary Wilmot (Chicago, Me and My Girl) and Olivier Award winner Sara Crowe (Private Lives, Four Weddings and a Funeral) lead a cast of fifteen actor-musicians from the acclaimed Tony and Olivier award-winning Watermill Theatre in this gloriously funny musical comedy. Set in the heart of London’s Blitz-torn West End, the cast of BBC’s light-entertainment radio show, Variety Bandwagon are doing their bit for the war effort. But with the bombs falling outside, can star of the show Sammy Shaw hang on to his leading lady and broadcast live to America for the first time? A joyously entertaining night out. Theatre Royal Winchester, Mon 26th Nov till Sat 1st Dec. Box Office 01962 840440 or www.theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk
fee applies to telephone bookings. Calls cost 5p per minute, charges from mobiles may vary). OCTOBER 2012 •
.co.uk …83
p r r i e s t e n e O E F K F A T T
he Gosport peninsular is due for a massive boost which, over the next 14 years or so will see 3,500 new jobs and a new lease of life for the airfield at Lee-on-the-Solent. Land at Daedalus, the former MoD site, has been designated by Government as an Enterprise Zone (EZ). This provides a unique and exciting opportunity for a sustainable, high quality mixed-use development with potentially far-reaching benefits for the Solent area. The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) was formed after the Government offered local areas the opportunity to take control of their future economic development. It is a locally-owned partnership between businesses and local authorities and plays a central role in determining local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and the creation of local jobs. The Solent LEP is led by the business community and supported by four university partners, the further education sector, three unitary authorities, eight district councils, one county council and the voluntary and community sector – all working together to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future for the Solent area. It is the first LEP in the country to have a fully elected board of directors and Gary Jeffries is one of those Solent LEP Directors and he explained to Solent Life what this means for the region. “The background is that the two local authorities that overlap the airfield, Gosport and Fareham, agreed to grant planning permission for office and light industrial development and it is our ambition for the EZ is that Daedalus becomes an advanced manufacturing hub focussing on marine, aviation and aerospace sectors,” he said. “The good news about EZ status is it provides incentives to get companies involved with relief on things such as business rates, where they will save £55,000 per annum over the next five years. There is also simplification of town planning rules and making red-tape easier.
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.co.uk • OCTOBER 2012
“There are three development areas within the airfield, imaginatively called, Hangers East and West and Waterfront; and it all begins with East Hanger,” Gary continued. “Just putting together a package to enable everything to move forward is a complex thing; it could be companies on a world-wide basis or Europe and of course across the UK. What we do not want is local companies just to relocate within the Solent area as that will not benefit anyone; it will just be like rearranging the deckchairs!” Now the task is to get the message out around the industries it is hoped will make up the core of the redevelopment. “We have the EZ status and we now need to tell the people about it and why they should re-locate to our region and we need to get that message across. Although we have been formed for a very short time we have already received 50 to 60 firm enquiries.” It is all well and good to bring new industry in but we also need the skills to fill the workplaces. “We are working very closely with education facilities to ensure we have the skilled people to take up the posts,” Gary said, and added. “We are also aware that there is also a skill pool from MOD sources within the Solent region. “There will also need to be infrastructure enhancements such as a Newgate Lane improvement and some housing targets to be reached; but the airfield will remain as it is one of the unique assets of the site. It is important as an asset and will probably be used a little more than it is at the moment. It is not an airport but an airfield and there are very strict limits on any increase in air traffic. “Lastly there are some wonderful old buildings on the site and we will be bringing them back to life, there is one building for example that would make a superb hotel; there are just so many opportunities.” As for the effect it will have on the existing community, Gary has an interest in that as well as he lives in Stubbington close to the hub of the Enterprise Zone. Local MP Caroline Dinenage is also highly involved in the development and promotion of the EZ and she told Solent Life; “Unlocking the huge potential of the Daedalus site is essential to achieving economic growth on the Gosport peninsular. Now, after years of inactivity, we’re well on the way to turning that potential into a reality. Over 3,500 local jobs are set to be created, as Gosport becomes home to one of the UK’s top marine, aerospace and aviation engineering sites,” she said. “Daedalus has a huge amount to offer potential investors, as one of the only Enterprise Zones in the South-East, and with £2.94million
in grants available to incoming businesses through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. Last March, the innovative plans for the site took a huge step forward, as planning permission was granted by the two local councils. “The stage is now set for the vision of a site of advanced marine, aerospace and aviation excellence to become a reality. It’s an exciting vision, which will tap into our existing skills base to deliver real growth, high-end jobs and economic development for our area,” Caroline added. The future does indeed look rosy for the Gosport peninsular. www.solentlep.org.uk www.solentez.co.uk
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HAMPSHIRE WRITERS’ SOCIETY Speaker: Marc Morris, Historian & presenter of C4’s Castle series & author of The Norman Conquest on Tuesday, October 9th 7.30pm. Discover how this critically acclaimed writer puts a pulse into the past. Venue: The Stripe Building, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR - Competition : Write a cover letter to a publisher and bring to the meeting. Maximum of 250 words HWS members and students FREE Non-members £5 Wine & soft drinks available For more information see: www.hampshirewriterssociety.co.uk
WARSASH CHORAL SOCIETY The Society’s autumn concert takes place on Friday 2nd November at St Paul’s Church, Sarisbury Green, at 7.30 pm. Very appropriately, they will be performing Mendelssohn’s great oratorio “St Paul”. Admission is free: there will be collection plate for Multiple Sclerosis and for St Paul’s Church.
Fareham West Townswomen’s Guild Meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in St John’s Church Hall, St Michael’s Grove, Fareham at 2.15pm. The next meeting will be on 17th October and the speaker will be Mrs P Carver who will be telling
book. Tel 023 9252 3463
“Made with Love” Craft Fair - Sunday 14th of October - 12noon until 4pm in the Explosions Museum Conference Hall, Gosport. “Made with Love” Craft fairs offer local people the chance to look at the talent of local crafters. All items are handmade to a high quality and have that loving personal touch. Every item is unique, and that you wouldn’t find on the high street. Entry is 50p (under 16’s free), or FREE with a valid Museum ticket. The Fair will be raising money for Leukaemia Research.
In the Thick of it: A Woven Space by Laura B Nationally renowned artist Laura Ellen Bacon’s woven structures are rugged yet supple, monumental yet intimate, frenzied yet calm. They emerge from a heaving desire or compulsion to work the materials into a formed space of some kind, a language of materials and form. This October, she will be constructing a huge internal installation - a space within a space - from immense swathes of branches and willow. In the stillness of the softly lit gallery, the line, scale and aroma of the artwork will be exaggerated, allowing the physical presence and language of the artwork to be spoken intimately.
Neil McCulloch, owner of The Royal Oak, said: ‘This award reflects the hard work of our staff in making this pub a success. We feel that using locally brewed beers and New Forest Marque food gives our customers a better experience.”The tiny pub has always been a popular watering hole for walkers and visitors to the New Forest. www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk
END OF SUMMER BALL In aid of the NSPCC and complete with Ballroom Dance Demonstration with compere Claire Taplin and music by Colin Mansbridge - tickets are just £12.50. Saturday 13th October at Thorngate Hall, Gosport PO12 3PX. Tickets available by telephoning 02392 529768 or 01489 570774
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A superb opportunity to meet Chichester born bestselling author Kate Mosse on Thursday 22nd November, 7.30pm at Gosport Discovery Centre, High Street, Gosport. PO12 1BT - Kate Mosse is the No.1 internationally bestselling author of Labyrinth and Sepulchre and she will be talking about her writing life and about her new book Citadel. Books available for sale and signing on the night. Tickets £5, concessions £4 Please
Meet on the last Thursday of the month in the Victory Hall at 2.00pm and the next meeting is on Thursday 25th October when Mr R Matthews will talk to about ghosts of Hampshire. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information please ring 01489 584923.
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