W E S S E X
solentlife.co.uk
JUNE 2012
WINn t with h g i fl l a i r t a
tio a i v A x i n e o h P
Summer
of Celebrations Land, Sea and Air
ART REVIEWS
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INTERIORS
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GARDENS
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HE ALTH & BE AUT Y
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COMPETITIONS
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W H AT ’ S O N
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contents
welcome
80
JUNE 2012
I would be surprised if anyone will get to read my greeting for this month, with the Jubilee celebrations, the Olympics getting closer and the sun finally appearing you will all be doing better things; for those of you remaining, welcome.
It seems that each month with Solent Life we have more and more to tempt you with and this June issue is no exception.
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With the approach of the Portsmouth Air Festival we discover what it is really like to fly the iconic Spitfire. Staying with the events along the coastline P&O Cruises are celebrating 175 years of sailing the world’s oceans and to honour that achievement, all seven ships in the P&O line will be gathering in the Solent and Southampton Water. We meet the brand new Principal at South Downs College and discover what is in store for this popular place of education and in our regular artist’s slot we feature some work that truly, for me and my taste, has the WOW factor. For last year’s Father’s Day we discovered what life was like for a local lifeboatman and his father, this year we talk with father and daughter, ITV’s Fred Dinenage and his daughter, the MP, Caroline Dinenage. As we continue with Solent Life month on month the number of stories and incredible people from across our region amaze and astound me; keep your stories coming and keep enjoying the pages of our magazine.
in this issue… | MANAGING EDITOR
features 10… The Magnificent Seven Celebrations for P&O’s 175th Anniversary.
contactus
14… Care of the Elderly Options to make an important decision easier.
Solent Life Magazine
26… Chronicles Of Light Looking forward to the event at Winchester Cathedral.
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
44… Father’s Day Special Interview Gosport’s MP Caroline Dineage and her Dad, Fred.
theteam
61… Breeze FM Apprentice, David Perry Talks to the team at the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance.
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 Sarah Kent Tel… 01489 584010 Email… sarah@solentlife.co.uk Steve Walker Tel… 01489 583852 Email… steve@solentlife.co.uk James Stevenson Tel… 01489 584057 Email… jamie@solentlife.co.uk
Janet Grimm Tel… 01489 583800 Email… janet@solentlife.co.uk Barbara Smith Tel… 01489 583719 Email… barbara@solentlife.co.uk
Design & Production David Ives-Farren, Joe Parker & Adam Barnard Tel… 01489 583718 Email… design@solentlife.co.uk // Deadline for advertising copy & editorial for next issue: 18th June 2012
regulars 6… The Walk Going on a bear hunt at Mottisfont.
24… Restaurant Review
A standing Ovation at the Mayflower Theatre.
46… Artist Review River and sea reflections.
66… Coast & Country Celebrating the Jubilee with a chain of Beacons. 72… Is it a car? No it’s a boat! Review of the Prestige 360 in the Solent . 88… What’s On
Reviews and theatre productions coming your way.
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.
JUNE 2012 •
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A warm welcome from Room 8 hair & beauty Room 8 would like to welcome back Samantha Woolley who is rejoining the hairdressing staff after a 4 year break. Samantha, a previous manageress of the salon, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the hairdressing team. “I’m really looking forward to being back in the salon environment and to seeing faces old and new.” She will be working part time from the beginning of July. Room 8 would also like to welcome Ella Moore to the beauty therapy team. Ella, who has a passion for beauty therapy says “I love meeting people and making them feel good about themselves. We all need cheering up at times and beauty treatments are a great vehicle for helping them relax and forgetting about the stresses in life.” During June Ella will be offering 20% discount on treatments. Just mention The Solent Life when booking. For any further information or to make a booking please call Room 8 on 01489 582660. We look forward to seeing you soon.
01489 574465 | 07745 977960
GOLD PRICE AT IT’S HIGHEST EVER. SILVER AT BEST PRICE SINCE 1980
OLD BOTTLES coins & medals Purchased
RECEIVE CASH With unexpected credit card bills and cost of living increasing. Why not sell your unwanted gold and silver jewellery, Coins / Medals/ Foreign Gold / Kruger Rands / Sovereigns / Pahlavi / Chinese Panda Maple Leaf / Dental Gold. SILVER - BRITISH OR FOREIGN COINS Pre 1947 or Pre 1920 (Pre 1947 50% Silver Pre 1920 92.5% Silver) Old Cutlery / Cups / Trays Look for the ‘lion hallmark’, you will be surprised what treasures are tucked away. For Free Advice Phone Arthur on
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All Campaign Medals, Swords, Daggers, Masonic Items, British & Foreign Coins
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All coins wanted. I will buy British or foreign coin collections. Any quality, all considered. Pre 1947 and 1920 silver coins. Any condition.
PHONE GORDON ANYTIME on 01329 662331 OR 07903 237291(M) 4…
.co.uk • JUNE 2012
Come & join in the fun at Room 8! Why not book your appointment today and discover what we are all about...
Hair Studio
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www.room8-hair.co.uk 01489 582660 JUNE 2012 •
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solent | walk
going on a
bear hunt words & images by david rose-massom
Walks with Solent Life are adventures, not only for us as we wander the byways and footpaths of Hampshire researching the walks, but also for our readers, which is why we do not print maps or tell you to turn left here, turn right there and follow this or that footpath; because we want you, the reader, to have your own adventure. So if you wander off from our prescribed trail and find your own wonderful walk then we have done our job. So, why am I explaining this in our June issue? Simple, because we followed a map for this walk; and it was wonderful!
O
n a recent visit to the National Trust’s Mottisfont Abbey we noticed a map on sale for just 50p, and it turned out to be a real bargain. It is one of the clearest walk maps, with some of the clearest path markers we have followed and it mattered not one iota that we were following someone else’s adventurous trail. On the Stockbridge Road from Romsey the Abbey itself is clearly marked and as you drive over the broad and rushing water of the River Test it will give a clue as to the countryside you are about to explore. Park in the Mottisfont Estate car park and at
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the kiosk you can purchase your map and begin your walk along the narrow, but quite peaceful, lane into the village where you will also walk over a tributary of the Test as it flows from the grounds of the House. Above you high in the trees a cacophony of argumental sound drops down from the rookery, another Old Wives’ sign, along with a glut of molehills, for a hot summer with the large black birds nesting so high in the treetops. Opposite the locked double gates that protect the driveway into the house there is an entry into a field at the start of Benger’s Lane. At this point there are two options the long walk, the six mile (10k) version
marked in black on the map or the 3 mile ‘blue’ route. For this adventure we took the shorter route. The short version lasted for around two and a half hours and good, stout, waterproof walking shoes are advisable as some of the walk does get quite muddy – even in this, the wettest drought since records began! The footpath is clearly laid out diagonally across the field and through a high carpet of yellow rapeseed flowers; the late morning sun was hitting them so hard that it was almost blinding. The journey had only gone a few steps from the tarmac of the road and yet here I was in the middle of the English countryside surrounded by bright crops, a stunning tree-line and thatched cottages while overhead a buzzard wheeled through a blue sky that was just dusted with the odd white cloud. Out of one field, and into the next for more of the same with more bright yellow flowers and this time with the bonus of small birds
darting across the tops of the plants in startled flight. There is the odd lane to cross, with very little traffic, but as this part of the walk is lane and farmland please keep your dog on a lead until deep into the woods. A gravel roadway enters a small southern part of Spearywell Wood and on the left behind the trees is an attractive little pond. The National Trust took over the Mottisfont Estate back in 1957 and apart from the magnificent house (Abbey) and gardens there are woodland, rivers and farmland covering some 1645 acres and operating as a country estate since 1500. The Estate was once owned by the Barker Mills family whose crest bore images of a bear, hence the stone bears on gate posts and markers. Don’t worry there are no bears in these woods. Cadbury Farm’s house with its verandas could well be on a chocolate box lid but, as the path wanders away from the farmhouse it drops into the woods. Follow the red disc and the stone marker arrows from here and you will walk into a cool, dark and pine aromatic enclave of conifer woods. Towering trees keep the light from the woodland floor and the atmosphere of the walk changes. The pathway curves downward and the conifers give way to deciduous woodland and the path, now more open, gets a little muddier and less easy to walk. But, great fun for dogs with water and mud to coat their fur with before returning to your car if the friendly mutts I passed were anything to go by. An old, broken, style stands under the shade of a large tree and is dappled
by the sunlight coming through the foliage. The pathway narrows and passes under a railway bridge before a kissing gate leads walkers into a lush meadow where another pair of buzzards glide and swoop in the hunt for prey. Before entering the meadow, and a few paces beyond the gate, take a while to tarry on the little footbridge that crosses a beautiful shallow river that is busy with wildfowl on the sun dappled waters. Across the meadow pretty little orange tipped fritillaries dance over marsh plants along with several other species of butterflies. Once through the meadow there is an idyllic and classic English thatched cottage, envy is hard to avoid. Another rail crossing and another road crossing but glance right here and you will spot the Mill Arms at Dunbridge, a lovely pub and eatery and sitting close to the pretty River Dun. Then a green hill climbs from where you stand and a footpath sign tells you that there is just 3/4 of a mile to go. At the top of the gentle hill and through the hedgerow, the squat wooden bell tower of the 12th Century St Andrew’s Church in Mottisfont comes into view, almost back to the car park. Back through the village and if you have energy left pay a visit to the Abbey and grounds, Mottisfont is beautiful, especially in springtime. A great adventure and one where for once pathways off the beaten track did not tempt me, I followed the signs through farmland, woodland and meadow; I crossed rivers and gazed upon stunning wildlife and flora; a perfect way to spend a spring day and a fine walk. ●
nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/
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Snap Happy Photo Competition Calling all amateur photographers We’re looking for the best animal photos taken in Hampshire The best photo from each category will feature in our 2013 Calendar 10 Categories to choose from including Funny Foto and the Aah Factor.
£1 per photo per category all entries must be submitted on official entry form. Contact Vanessa Eden
01329 666916 • 07880926751 for further details and prizes
www.stubbingtonark.org.uk Closing date 20th August 2012 Stubbington Ark Animal Shelter 174-176 Ranvilles Lane, Fareham, PO14 3EZ Regestered charity 205096
The Tanneries Unit 5 East Street Titchfield PO14 4AR
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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.
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Messing about on the water, boating for all occasions. Take a break on one of our 2-8 berth narrowboats l Day Hire l Rowboats l Canoes, Punts and Kayak Hire l Open 10am – 6pm, 7 days a week l Ice creams and drinks
Phone: 01329 845589 Email: info@silverarrowmb.com Web: www.silverarrowmb.com 8…
.co.uk • JUNE 2012
T: 01256 703691 www.galleonmarine.co.uk
ILL WE W Y AN BEAT E QUOT
June is the time for Strawberries at
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From late August we have a large selection of our own Daffodil Bulbs, plus Tulips, Hyacinths and other bulbs, also our own SWEETCORN. JUNE 2012 •
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7
solent | history
the magnificent
VENTURA
175 years, seven ships, 15,000 passengers, one port, one day – a ‘Grand Event’.
P&O
Cruises can trace its roots back to 1837 and this year will mark the 175th anniversary of when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was awarded the lucrative Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. Not long afterwards the concept of cruising was born and since then has evolved into a popular holiday choice. Today, as trusted cruise experts, P&O Cruises has a fleet of seven ships offering holidays tailored to British tastes combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Now those ships of the Line are to come together in, what P&O Cruises have aptly called, The Grand Event which will take place on home waters on July 3rd. P&O, their captains and their 6000 crew members, are readying themselves for this massive one-off spectacle when the entire fleet of seven ships will be docked together in its home port of Southampton for the first time in the company’s history. This is part of a year of celebrations marking the 175th anniversary and how P&O Cruises has grown to now carry more British cruisers than any other line. P&O Cruises Managing Director, Carol Marlow, told Solent Life “We are very excited and looking forward to this special day. It will be a great celebration for P&O Cruises, our passengers and for the whole maritime world. “As cruising has become the fastest growing sector of the UK holiday market, so the P&O Cruises fleet has grown to seven ships dedicated to the British market. Whereas the very first P&O ships plied their trades to the Iberian Peninsular and the Orient, P&O Cruises’ ships sail throughout Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and, of course, on round the world cruises. What began life as a national necessity, has now
become a national vacation pastime and is worthy of a celebration such as The Grand Event.” The Grand Event now has a Royal connection as Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal will conduct a review of the P&O Cruises fleet. Her Royal Highness will join guests on Oriana for a reception before swapping ships and joining THV Patricia to conduct the Fleet Review in her capacity as Master of the Corporation of Trinity House. On arriving in the Solent the P&O Cruises fleet will then move into formation to pass the THV Patricia at Charlie Anchorage and salute HRH The Princess Royal, where they will also be photographed from the air before they sail onwards to their various destinations. Of the Royal Salute Carol Marlow said; “We are honoured to have HRH The Princess Royal visit us on this, one of the most significant days in our history, as all our seven ships gather in their home port and as one of our esteemed godmothers, the Princess Royal named both Aurora and Oceana, she is intrinsically linked with P&O Cruises and we are privileged that she has agreed to conduct our Fleet Review. “I am sure that this magnificent celebration of 175 years of heritage will go down in British maritime history, providing long lasting memories as we look forward to the next stage in our company’s history, with a new ship being launched in 2015.” One by one each ship in this very special celebration will depart the port on its own Grand Event cruise, with a spectacular send off with champagne deck party, flutterfetti and marching bands. The shores of Southampton Water and the Solent will then be lined with thousands of spectators as the seven ships form a procession as they leave Southampton for the English Channel and beyond. Once in the open water, the ships will meet again, saluting one another before they sail onwards to their various destinations. l
For details of the routes and timings of the Grand Event, go to 175.pocruises.com For further details of the ‘Grand Event Cruises’ and all other 2012 P&O Cruises holidays go to www.pocruises.co.uk, call 0845 3 555 333 or see an ABTA travel agent.
OTHER EVENTS OF 1837: Queen Victoria at 18 ascends British throne and ruled for 63 years and also in this year she was the first monarch to live in the present Buckingham Palace.
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AZURA
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JUNE 2012 •
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THEATRE TICKETS & MEAL FOR TWO Win two tickets to Kiss Me, Kate at Chichester Festival Theatre on 27 June at 7pm and a two course pre-show meal and bottle of house wine in the Brasserie in the Park if you can answer the following question… What Shakespeare play is Kiss Me, Kate based on? Was it… (A) The Taming of the Shrew (B) Love’s Labour’s Lost (C) Much Ado About Nothing
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TO ENTER, email competitions@solentlife.co.uk quoting ‘Chichester Festival Theatre’ with your name, address and telephone/mobile number together with your answer! Alternatively, post your entry to Solent Life, Webb House, 20 Bridge Road, Park Gate, Hampshire, SO31 7GE. The closing date is 21.06.2012 Featuring music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Sam and Bella Spewack and directed by Trevor Nunn, Kiss Me, Kate is an exuberant show within a show, bringing together the worlds of gun-toting gangsters, sparring actors and Shakespeare’s original characters from The Taming of the Shrew. Kiss Me, Kate is at Chichester Festival Theatre from 18 June – 1 September, 7.30pm (except for Press Night, Wednesday 27 June at 7pm), matinees 2.15pm. Tickets: University of Chichester Previews: £10 - £29 | Previews/Press Nights: £14 - £34 Evenings/Matinees: £15 - £40 To book, go to cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312. Kiss Me, Kate is sponsored by Henry Adams, Oval Insurance Broking, Seaward Properties and John Wiley & Sons. TERMS & CONDITIONS: (1) Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary. (2) The prize draw is open to UK residents only, except employees and their families of the Promoter, its affiliated companies and agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion. (3) Last date for receipt of entries is 21.06.2012. (4) There are no cash or other alternatives to the stated prizes.
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JUNE 2012 •
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solent | ‘life’
care elderly
words by tiggy bradshaw
Statistics state that in the UK there are over 375,000 older people living in care homes and a further 700,000 people receive care and support in their own homes. Care is a huge industry and offers a myriad of choices to the consumer. It can appear complex and confusing though, and many view the prospect of seeking care for a loved one very daunting. When considering care, either for you, or a family member, the best place to start is by considering the different types of service on offer. The following seeks to explain the choices available to enable you to make a more informed decision.
‘H
ome care’ is a phrase that encompasses a wide range of health and social services. These services are delivered in the home of the person in need of support and assistance. People’s needs are individual and anyone could have home care for any reason but commonly those who are recovering, disabled, elderly, chronically or terminally ill; in need of medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment and/ or assistance with the essential activities of daily living are the recipients of this type of service. Home care is an effective solution for whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs on-going care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. These days, there are an increasing number of older people electing to live independently, and therefore not moving into Residential/Nursing homes, who are receiving home care services. Younger adults who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness are choosing home care whenever possible, often being supported through University and throughout their lives. Adults being diagnosed with terminal illness also are being cared for at home, receiving compassion and maintaining dignity at the end of life which, when inevitably it comes, is in their own home and in familiar surroundings. Increasing numbers of patients need highly skilled services when
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they return home from a stay in hospital and there are those that need intermittent home care to allow a full time Carer (often a family member) a well-earned break. Home care itself can then be broken down into the many services it may provide. Typically quantified by terms of time, it falls into categories as follows: Hourly Care Where care workers visit people in their home in fractions or multiples of hours at a time, moving from one home to the next in sequence. Hourly Care Workers offer the entire spectrum of services from companionship to full personal care and suits those that remain predominantly independent, but perhaps need a little reminder for medication or assistance for bathing. Live-in Care Where care workers live in the homes of their clients caring for them on a daily basis and acting as a round the clock support if needed. This live-in care is comparable in price to Residential Care Homes. Live-in Carers are highly trained, with many specialising in conditions such as Dementia and Parkinson’s. Housekeeping, preparing home cooked meals, all aspects of personal care, companionship and emotional support are amongst the many benefits of Live-in Care. The service removes the worry
from family members and today, is greatly enhancing the lives of people throughout the UK. Night Care Of which there are ‘Waking’ nights and ‘Sleeping’ nights where, care workers perform their duties in the homes of the clients overnight. ‘Waking,’ being where they need to stay ‘awake’ during their shift and a ‘sleeping,’ where it is appropriate for them to sleep and perform care duties if required. Cost wise, prices vary and are typically quoted considering the dependency of the client. As a guide though, and to put a figure in your mind, privately funded hourly care starts from around £16 per hour with Live-in Care from £700 per week. The alternative to homecare is the residential care home of which there are many options nowadays. They vary greatly in size, price, location, amenities and it would be prudent to look at a handful before selecting. The following gives you a very brief overview. Residential Care Residential care homes provide help and support to those unable to remain in their own home even with the aid of an hourly care package and are perhaps the closest alternative to ‘Live-in Care’. Residential Care homes provide service from trained care staff, and give access to visiting District Nurses. Cost wise, in the south, think along the lines of £675 per week. Nursing Care Nursing homes have qualified nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day and provide for those clients with complex needs who cannot be cared for by a Care Worker and that need Nursing. Cost Wise, from £850 per week.
Information supplied by Access Care
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hello@chimneypotsonline.co.uk. JUNE 2012 •
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012 Swift Lifestyle • Unit7 • Fareham Enterprise Centre • Hackett Way • Fareham • Hampshire • PO14 1TH
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Ashley Manor Nursing Home
2 acres of beautiful Hampshire wooded countryside near Wickham l 46 Beds, ensuite l 24hr Nursing Care by Qualified Nurses and Carers l Elderly Care and Adults aged 18 years and above l Dementia Care, Day Care, Shor t Term, Long Term, Respite and Palliative Care l Freshly Prepared Home Cooked Meals Within easy reach of Wickham, Fareham, Bishops Waltham, Southampton, Por tsmouth and Winchester. Please ring or drop in anytime to view. Winchester Road, Shedfield, Southampton SO32 2JF
Telephone: 01329 833810 Email: Info@ashleymanorhome.co.uk www.ashleymanorhome.co.uk
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Jubilee Weekend
JUNE 2012 •
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photography May’s winner… matt allen
flight or
fright
words by david rose-massom
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competition
photo 2013
With the Portsmouth Air Festival fast approaching many readers will be thinking about how to get the best images of the aircraft and wondering if they need specialist equipment, the simple answer to that question is no… With the dynamic action of an air show many photographers freeze with fear and panic about not having the right gear, but with some great viewpoints across the shore line at Southsea a 200mm lens will be plenty, and most keen photographers have a prime or zoom lens of that size in their bags. Even a simple point-and-shoot compact camera will probably have an excellent zoom lens that will be more then suitable. The beauty of modern cameras is the viewing screen, no film to be wasted or days waiting to see if you have any shots on your roll of film. It will be a busy day at Southsea with aircraft flying by all the time so get there early and set your chair where you feel the best action will be and get comfortable. Some of my best airshow shots were taken from a café seat on the beach at Bournemouth while I sipped on regular
supplies of lattes; so do not panic too much about being in the right place. As the first of the aircraft fly by take some test shots and then check your images, zoom in on your viewing screen and check for good focus, check you have the right shutter speed? Too slow a speed and the plane blurs, too fast and the propellers are frozen to stillness losing the illusion of movement and flight. Also with a bigger lens normally a tripod would be best to avoid shake but I find a monopod much more manoeuvrable when photographing planes in flight. The biggest part of getting the movement into your shot is the panning. Teach yourself to follow the aircraft; or car or racehorse for this works with any speedy object. Get the subject in your viewfinder and follow its line of flight, when you are ready; fire the shutter, but then keep following the aircraft. Like a golf or tennis swing you need to complete the follow through to get the best shot! The tough part of the day will be through the afternoon as the sun heads across the Solent and the light changes. Again to not let this scare
you into submission; this is a great chance to get some atmospheric flying silhouette shots and some really artistic images. There is no better image than getting a beam of sunlight bouncing off the scarlet fuselage of one of the Red Arrows. For the easier shots with regard to light though get yourself in a position where you can shoot to the east or west, along the Solent, rather than south into the sun. Just keep checking your settings, take time to see what you have taken and re-set your cameras light setting and shutter speed to suit; don’t be afraid to experiment as there will be another plane along in a moment or two. One of the most important offerings of advice for a day such as an air show; is to ensure you have fully charged your batteries, or bought new ones; make sure you have spares and if you can afford it, buy a bigger memory card so you can take more images. Take care, be fearless and think about what you are doing and you will have some amazing images that will take you back to the Air Festival every time you turn on your computer… l
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 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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JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …21
travel | focus
All aboard the
Rocky Mountaineer words by jeff kilby
There is something about train travel that evokes a feeling of romance and the nostalgia of times past. Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to recapture the romance of the rails with a breathtaking journey through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies.
T
ake in unparalleled views in the famed
GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service dome coaches, and enjoy exceptional service, delicious regional cuisine and award winning wines from Canada’s premier wine region, while enjoying each others company and undivided attention. After two glorious days onboard, stay in some of the regions’ most romantic destinations, such as Vancouver, BC, Lake Louise and Banff, Alberta. It’s the perfect getaway for a honeymoon, Anniversary or justbecause you have always wanted to see the Canadian Rockies and what better way than in the luxurious, relaxed atmosphere of the Rocky mountaineer. Western Canada’s most captivating scenery sets the stage for a delectable culinary experience onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service. Having created spectacular cuisine in kitchens around the world, four renowned BC chefs have come together to design
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
innovative menus that celebrates the unique character of Western Canada. Travellers are treated to outstanding three-course, à la carte meals, made with the finest and freshest ingredients from two of Canada’s most bountiful regions, British Columbia and Alberta. Menus feature a selection of local specialties – including Alberta beef and West Coast wild salmon – and an award winning list of wines from the renowned Okanagan Valley. Talented onboard chefs prepare meals fresh onboard the train and overcome the challenges of cooking in a confined, constantly moving space. Guests are treated to exceptional service and a romantic dining setting with white linens and fine china as they indulge their senses through Canada’s West. Best of the West by Land and Sea Rocky Mountaineer offers the best travel experience on land and on water – a rail journey through BC and the Canadian Rockies and a cruise through
the stunning icebergs and scenery in Alaska. Bringing together the service of two world-renowned partners, the Rocky Mountaineer and Holland America Line, a Rocky Mountaineer Rail & Cruise Vacation is an ideal way to catch the natural drama unfolding in Western Canada and Alaska from both land and sea. Cruise from Vancouver onboard the ms Zuiderdam or depart from the port of Seattle, WA on the ms Oosterdam. Whichever port you choose, it’s a journey not to be missed. Amity World Travel currently have some great upgrade deals available on all Rocky Mountaineer rail packages booked by 30 June for travel before the end of October 2012. Amity World Travel are also experts at putting together itineraries tailor made to your specific requirements, this sits perfectly with the Rocky Mountaineer, enabling you to add pre and post tours, city stays and self drive options as well as the above mentioned Holland America cruise up the Inside Passage. All of which means there has never been a better time to speak with Amity World Leisure Travel about your dream Canadian holiday. l
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. 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. 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
Experience the Rocky Mountaineer and enjoy a complimentary upgrade
relationships with ground handlers and hoteliers around the world, 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
Your Local Travel Experts 14 days Rockies Rail & Inside Passage from £2709 per person
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As members of Advantage, the UK’s leading consortium of independent travel agents, we have the widest choice of tour operators from which to choose your dream holiday. Our expert consultants can also piece together the elements of your dream trip into a tailor-made holiday while you relax, safe in the knowledge that your arrangements are fully bonded.
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4 Manor Court, Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham, PO15 5TH JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …23
restaurant | review
applause! a round of
words by janet grimm
Accompanied by the giggles of Fagin’s boys, as they tucked into tea before the evening’s performance of Oliver, we were seated at a window table in the elegant, rich purple, white and black surroundings of the Ovation Restaurant.
M
y dining companion for the evening, Birthday girl and daughter Katy, was thrilled at the experience of having her chair pushed in and her napkin placed on her lap. The restaurant is a hidden gem on the third floor of the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. It offers a fine dining experience in the centre of the city and although it is perfect for a pre show lunch or dinner, it shouldn’t be dismissed as just a theatre restaurant. There should be nothing behind the scenes about this Ovation, it should be top of the bill. This is a fabulous restaurant that just happens to be in a theatre. Having passed the empty auditorium, and heard the sound tests as we climbed the stairs (a lift is available), our pre-show taste buds were already tingling with excitement as we perused the theatre themed menu. The set menu, whilst not confusingly long, offers an
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excellent variety of options to suit every taste. There is also an a la carte menu offering a range of additional choices. You don’t just order a starter and a main here, you choose an overture, act one and if you have room, a finale. Unable to decide between the soup or smoked salmon, I asked the advice of our waitress, who suggested that as we were choosing from the three course set menu, then the smoked salmon would be less filling. As portions are generous, this proved to be good advice. Katy chose warm goats cheese and when it arrived the combination of the white cheese, tangy blood orange jelly and deep purple of the beetroot puree and crisps were not only visually attractive, but tried in combination created what she described as a ‘party in her mouth’ Act one for me was sea bass served on crushed (rather than mashed) potatoes, flavoured with crab and saffron
with a kick of chilli. The accompanying sun dried tomatoes added a burst of sunshine flavour. Katy’s duck was succulent, served pink at the centre to her taste and was accompanied by a square fondant potato cooked with honey, fresh crisp and colourful summer vegetables together with a sweet and fruity peach compote. Katy looked rather full as the second plump piece of duck breast defeated her. “Too full for pudding?” I asked. “No Mum,” she replied pointing just slightly to the left of her tummy, “you know there is a special pudding place just here that still has room.” So on to the finale… I opted for the rich chocolate Brownie with pistichio ice cream and chocolate and kirsch sauce. This was surprisingly light and melted on the tongue. Katy chose a mousse textured strawberry cheesecake and raspberry sorbet accompanied by a black pepper tuile which served to highlight the fruit flavours. The sophisticated presentation on a black slate was enhanced by Happy Birthday written in chocolate!
If you have booked for pre-show dining, then you can return to the restaurant during the interval, where your drinks, or dessert will be waiting for you; a really civilised option. The Ovation restaurant is not exclusively for ticket holding theatre goers and reservations are welcomed from diners even after the show has begun. Special events, occasions and parties are also welcomed and can be planned with the Events Department. The excellent food and service make any trip to the theatre a special occasion whether you are seeing a show or not. l
Ovation Restaurant Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. 02380 711 833
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.co.uk …25
event | focus
the light! seeing
words by david rose-massom pictures by joe low
“It was like making a fruit cake, we just kept throwing ingredients in!” enthused Canon Roly Riem talking to Solent Life about an exciting event coming to Winchester Cathedral…
C
hronicles of Light is a
unique event for the people of Hampshire and it is a sound and light experience like no other seen or heard; and it is all within the cavernous interior of Winchester Cathedral. Solent Life visited the Cathedral Refectory for some fine cake and tea while we spoke with Canon Roly, who is the Executive Producer of the event, and his wife Sophie Hacker who is the Creative Producer. Sophie explained to us. “We had all this creative genius from the team that just brought sparks of inspiration off each other. Among others working on this event we had award winning script writer Philip Glassborow, who is a playwright, lyricist and composer who writes for theatre, radio and television; BAFTA winning film maker Terry Braun and the Event Technical Director who has worked on the X-Factor, Mark Gardiner. They, with the rest of the team, have created a dramatic and sensitive production.” The stories being told are those that have created the history of the Cathedral and the community
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surrounding it for 1,000 years. “It is heroes and villains – with a bit of showbiz!” Sophie added. Roly took up the story. “What we have been careful to do with the Chronicles is to tell a story; people thrive on stories. Stories such as that of Jane Austen who came to Winchester for the last few days of her life and actor Tamsin Greig has done a wonderful job of reading some of Jane’s poetry, she has got the mood of the pieces just right.” One heroic tale even has a modern-day link. Just over a century ago deep sea diver William Walker saved the Cathedral from sinking into the marshy earth and working in water up to a depth of six metres, he shored up Winchester Cathedral, using more than 25,000 bags of concrete, 115,000 concrete blocks, and 900,000 bricks. It was a massive undertaking! “William Walker’s granddaughter is being a Chronicle Angel, connecting the past and the present.” Sophie said. “These Angels are not only attending the event but are also helping us raise funds for our sound and light project. Currently the sound system in the Cathedral is not very good.” Roly went on to explain that, for probably the first
time, the women linked to local history were being included. “We are focussing more on the women through history rather than just the men. The story of the church is normally about men but in the Chronicles of Light we will be honouring such women as Jane Austen, inspirational women such as Mary Sumner, who began the Mothers’ Union which has now become a powerful, world-wide organisation; and Josephine Butler the campaigner for women’s rights.” The top tickets are selling fast, despite them being £50, as this gets the audience member totally immersed in the whole experience; but Sophie explained that all ticket holders, even the £10 standing only purchasers, will get a fantastic visual and audio experience. “The sound and images will go right down through the Cathedral, for example in one scene a team of horses are heard galloping down the aisle, the sound travels as if the horses are really there. No matter where you are in the Cathedral you will become totally enmeshed in the whole experience and show.” Like a well rehearsed double act, (well, they are married to each other!), Roly took up the story. “The Cathedral is like a landscape, it looks different throughout the seasons, now when we light the building during the show it will take on different seasons and different surroundings.” “With William Walker’s story the lights will make it appear as if the entire Cathedral nave is under water and with Izaak Walton you will be transported to open fields with sunlight dappling on the ground and
the sky will be blue and full of clouds; you will believe the roof has come off the Cathedral.” Sophie took over again. “This is a story that belongs to Hampshire; a Cathedral can appear restrictive or imposing to some people but shows such as this are open to everyone.” Roly added, “The profits from this will be going back into the Cathedral and the aim is to stop this wonderful Cathedral sinking in people’s affections!” “The pressure and the challenge have made this a tricky process as we are doing something for the first time; it is about the whole community and the people of the county; not just about the Cathedral,” Sophie continued. “We are working with seven of the county’s schools and from each of them on particular evenings 35, ten to eleven year-olds will be singing an introductory chant. We have chosen the schools and children from areas that would normally be least likely to visit us.” The story scripts and lines are not complicated, and although it is a 90 minute show with no breaks, it is a show for the whole family. Roly concluded by saying, “We all love stories and we are going to be telling the tales about real people who have lived in the world and of their struggles, we are not trying to sell people our faith, this is about our history; And, we are much better at teaching and exploring history now. Just because it is being held in the Cathedral, visitors will not be coming to a church service; it is the story of the Cathedral and the people around it being told in an interesting, fun and exciting way. It is a spectacular spectacular…” l
WINCHESTER: CHRONICLES OF LIGHT Friday 12th to Sunday 28th October
With a cast in sound and vision performed by Dame Judy Dench, David Suchet, Bernard Cribbins, Tamsin Greig, Alistair Stewart, Wendy Craig, Hugh Dennis, Finty Williams, John Rhys-Davies, Anthony Andrews, Jon Snow and Alan Titchmarsh all of whom gifted their time and skills to the Cathedral and event. Watch a trailer of the Chronicles of Light at www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
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solent | luxury
Diamonds are forever words by barbara tipple
Diamond – the hardest known material on earth.
N
ot all diamonds originated here on this planet, some were deposited via asteroid impacts. There is evidence that indicates that white dwarf stars have a core of crystallised carbon. The largest of these currently known is heavy; having a stellar core diamond that is some 2500 miles diameter named Lucy after the Beatles song “Lucy in the sky with diamonds”. So perhaps it wasn’t a song about LSD after all! Coming back to earth; nowadays, due to improved cutting, the fire and durability makes a diamond the number one choice for an engagement ring. When buying a diamond ring, it is important to know the exact quality of the stone. A good goldsmith will know how to choose the right one. The three C’s are very important and should be considered first. These are: cut, colour and clarity. All are important as are other factors like not having high fluorescence in the stone which kills the sparkle. I feel the most important thing is the make – that is the cut, proportion and polish. Over the years I have seen great improvement with the make of the diamond. Recently we have been buying the ‘lovely cut’ from Israel, this diamond has many more facets than the standard diamond cut. This is such a glamorous diamond, it has incredible fire and sparkle that will even disguise a lower colour
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
grade and make the diamond look amazing. Having chosen a diamond it is important to have it set properly; unfortunately much of the quality manufacturing of good jewellery has disappeared due to cheap imported goods. However, Goldsmith’s Hall – my own livery in London, recognising that there had to be more training in this field, has built a new school of jewellery with workshops. When looking for a good goldsmith, go by recommendation and inspect the design and craftsmanship. Many simply put ‘bought in’ castings together which result in poor quality. Properly made and cared for, a ring will last a lifetime and beyond. When I was a student at Hornsey Art College, training to design and make jewellery, I had little time for faceted stones of any kind – just not artistic enough. However, on wining my 1st Diamonds International Award, I was thrown into the world of creative excellence in high end artistic jewellery dedicated to diamonds and by then, I loved them, mainly for their fire. Since then I have won 3 more Diamonds International Awards contrasting these amazing stones with steel, bronze or Perspex. I design small pieces like the ‘Lucky Pebble’ – this is silver cast from a pebble found on the Southsea beach with a perfect ‘Barbara Hepworth’ hole through it. Suspended in the hole is a
10pt diamond, an inexpensive but personal gift. By contrast, we have just completed a commission which has been loaned to an exhibition at Goldsmith’s Hall in London. Gold: Power and Allure is a story of Britain and gold over 4500 years and features some 400 gold treasures from across Britain. Our exhibit has pink diamonds in the white gold cherry blossom on a round steel box which holds the ring. Coloured diamonds are very rare and a good quality pink or blue will command a huge price; red diamonds – just insane. There are beautiful orange, yellow, green and brown diamonds which I used in the Diamonds Natures Miracle Award cuff. It has been a joy to work with fabulous stones over the years, especially diamonds. What lies behind these gems is a universe of science and technology, of international history and business practice. There is a world of beauty in the jewellery, the people and the settings. l Gold: Power and Allure…
…is a free exhibition from 1st June – 28th July at Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster Lane, London.
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Recently in the pages of Solent Life we announced the launch of two BMW drivers at the beginning of their 2012 motor racing season. Finance Director for the Totton based independent BMW specialist, Sharon Ellis, told us of the successful, but hard fought, season so far. “The most significant race meet so far this season, was at the end of March at Brands Hatch which was the first meet (rounds one & two) for Stuart who races in PBMWC in the E30,” she said. “He qualified in 2nd place for round one, but was knocked off by another competitor (who has now been banned from the championship fully due to dangerous driving and too many penalties). Stu found himself last (34th) before pulling it back to an amazing 17th place with the bumper and exhaust hanging off! “After some very quick repairs to the lights, bumpers, exhaust and windscreen in the 45mins between races, Stu started round two. Having already qualified on pole, he took a lead which he maintained for most of the race. He dropped down to 2nd for half a lap but then regained the lead to win the race overall.” With regard to novice Stephen who has only had two races so far, at Brands Hatch – he finished 12th and 13th and is now in 9th on the season’s leaderboard in the BMW Compact Cup. Sharon added. “This is particularly impressive as it was his first two races ever in a saloon car.” On the Bartley Facebook page there are photos and videos of each of the races Bartley Independent BMW Specialists www.bartleyuk.com
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.co.uk …29
money | matters
SOVEREIGN DEBT CRISIS… A GOOD TIME TO INVEST? words by justin stevens
Financial issues have hardly been out of the headlines in the last five years, ever since the credit crunch first came into the national consciousness, and the European sovereign debt crisis of the last two years has merely served to intensify the media coverage. Since the autumn of 2009, the European Union has been struggling with the mounting debts of some of its weakest economies, notably Greece and Portugal, as well as Ireland, severely hit by the global downturn. All this has led to mounting fears among investors. Summit conferences, top level negotiations, make or break meetings and a series of bailouts have so far failed to extract struggling countries from their debt crises or fully restore investor confidence. The crisis has even raised questions about whether the Euro can survive as a currency, placed strains and risks on banks across the continent and forced cuts in government spending, putting several countries back into recession. Fears have risen about Italy, Europe’s third largest economy, and Spain. Even France, whose banks hold large amounts of Italian government bonds, was dragged into the mire, leading to credit ratings agency Standard and Poor’s downgrading its rating by one notch at the beginning of the year. Italy and Spain were downgraded two points, and Portugal’s credit reduced to junk status, indicating Europe’s sovereign debt worries were far from over. It is the risk of contagion from the sovereign debt crisis that has been at the forefront of investors’ minds and held back global markets. While Greece only represents 1% of the eurozone economy, and a minuscule portion of the global economy, it is the risk of the domino effect of contagion that concerns investors should it default and drop out of the Euro. As well as the Greek problem, Europe’s challenge is to stop Italy and Spain ending up like both
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Greece and Portugal. So what are the opportunities for investors in what remains a tough and uncertain economic environment? Equity markets so far in 2012 have started on a much more positive note. This could be due to a realisation setting in that there is a political will to resolve the crisis coupled with a strong desire among leaders to keep European Monetary Union (EMU) together. In recent times, investors have become worried that there is worse to come and that share prices will decline no matter what the industry sector or market share of companies. As a result, they often buy and sell at precisely the wrong time. The fear of missing out pulls investors in when markets are soaring, and causes them to sell when they have already fallen. Yet there are exciting and attractive investment opportunities out there. Take, for example, large blue-chip companies with a strong and healthy market position and a continuous record of generating profits and earnings during all phases of the economic cycle. Such companies have seen their prices held back along with all others as a result of highlevel macro-economic circumstances outside of their control, yet they remain attractive propositions through their proven resilience, ability to ride out the crisis and sustained long term prospects. Investors should be looking at these cash generative companies, with their strong balance sheets and more predictable profit streams. Some of the best opportunities today can be found in the telecom and pharmaceutical sectors.
And one of the safest places to invest in equity markets in times of economic turmoil are in defensive sectors such as consumer staples – industries that manufacture and sell food and beverages, tobacco and household products. These are typically the last products to be removed from the household budget at times when disposable incomes are being squeezed. In addition, many analysts see corporate bonds as a promising asset class, with recent sell-offs presenting an attractive entry point for investors. Exaggerated fears of mass defaults are, in the eyes of many, presenting investors with unprecedented value in high quality corporate bonds, which offer much more attractive yields than those provided by gilts. Commercial property, too, continues to represent a high-yielding and relatively stable asset class, presenting a further valuable opportunity for investors to diversify their assets and ultimately be rewarded over the longer term. After the events of the past few years, investors need no reminding that equity investing can be volatile. But history is clear - stock markets tend to rise over the longer term, despite shortterm fluctuations. Good investment opportunities still exist for the prudent investor, across a diversified portfolio. However, to find those opportunities requires the expertise of a skilled and experienced wealth management specialist in order to satisfy properly medium to long-term investment objectives. l
To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Justin Stevens, A Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management on 01489 790797, by email justin.stevens@sjpp.co.uk or visit www.justin-stevens.co.uk
How can I protect my children’s inheritance? Or more commonly known as “Bloodline Planning”. Bloodline Planning is ensuring that your assets reach your children, grandchildren and other relatives, rather than ending up in the wrong hands! When assets are distributed to beneficiaries “absolutely”, (ie they receive cash, property or other assets as a direct lump sum payment) so much can be lost. These assets are then considered to be part of the beneficiary’s estate and would be at risk of attack from any future divorce settlements, creditors and taxation. With the strategic use of Trusts, We can ensure that your children and grandchildren are able to benefit completely from the inheritance you want them to receive and at the same time, protect the family home and other assets from being lost to the costs of Long Term Care. Have you considered what might happen if your surviving spouse were to remarry? How would this affect your own children if he/ she later changed their will in favour of the new spouse and any subsequent children? Or for those of you who already have children from a previous marriage how do you ensure that they would get their fair share? What if your children are very young or have special needs? How can you ensure that they are fully provided for? There may also be a business you have worked hard to build up. Surely you would want to protect this for your family too? Do you really want to leave it all to chance, when with our professional help to set up the correct type of planning all these problems could be solved? Our expertise will ensure that your assets are both fully protected from attack and immediately available to your loved ones after you are gone.
Brentwood Associates
Estate Planning Services
We are a local business providing advice in all aspects of Estate Planning & Asset Protection. We use specialist strategies to protect your assets from unnecessary taxation, divorce settlements, long term care costs and bankruptcy proceedings. We can arrange to visit you in the comfort of your own home to discuss your situation and answer all your questions. Contact us to arrange a meeting. Telephone: 01489 557113 Mobile: 07889 792631 Email: brentwoodeps@gmail.com www.brentwood-associates.co.uk Brentwood Associates Ltd 66 Botley Road | Park Gate | Southampton | SO31 1BB
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.co.uk …31
WIN a customized cover for your gadget from City Photographic
City Photographic has been established since 1971 and in this time has been producing high quality products and services on site, and adding many new products all the time. We produce High Quality Digital Prints and now many Photo-Gifts. In the last month we have added some superb new gifts for protecting and customizing your smartphone or iPad. Simply create a graphic or send us a logo/picture and we can create a great case for your iPhone 4/4s, Galaxy S2 or iPad2, all created on the premises with a two day turnaround. Making this a superb gift for Fathers Day. All our services can be ordered on www.cityphotographiconline.co.uk All you have to do to win a Photo-Gift (case for smartphone or ipad) is answer the following question… In which year was City Photographic established?
TO ENTER, email competitions@solentlife.co.uk quoting ‘City Photographic’ with your name, address and telephone/mobile number together with your answer! Alternatively, post your entry to Solent Life, Webb House, 20 Bridge Road, Park Gate, Hampshire, SO31 7GE. The closing date is 29.06.2012 TERMS & CONDITIONS: (1) Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary. (2) The prize draw is open to UK residents only,
except employees and their families of the Promoter, its affiliated companies and agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion. (3) Last date for receipt of entries is 29.06.2012. (4) There are no cash or other alternatives to the stated prizes.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
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health&beauty
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House of Trinity is home to 4 hairdressers and 6 Beauty Therapists/ Nail Technicians, we are probably the largest salon for a 10 mile radius offering the broadest range of treatments/services and all under one roof. The salon is deceptive from the road but once inside you will be pleasantly surprised and somewhat amazed by the “Tardis” that spans back and up with a spacious modern comfortable feel. All our staff are highly trained, pleasant, professional and fun, clients to the House of Trinity or as we like to call them “HOT Clients” find the salon warm and friendly with a service ethic, of customers first, we believe this is one reasons they return. My name is Lisa Oliver and I am the proud owner of this beautiful salon and manager of this fabulous team, my customer service ethics are simple, “Good Customer Service is about the quality of what you deliver and how you deliver it, by paying attention to the important small details and listening to clients and staffs feedback you can continually improve toward delivering excellence… Delivering Excellence at the House of Trinity is our ultimate Goal”. Visit our web site and download our FREE Gift Voucher to visit the salon. Like us on Facebook and receive our FREE Gift Voucher to visit the salon.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
01489 559900 190a & 190B Bridge Road | Sarisbury Green Southampton | SO31 7ED
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01489 565456 Find us on
VOUCHER TO BE PRESENTED IN ORDER TO CLAIM OFFER COLOUR SPECIALIST DEGREE SALON
www.oskahair.com
First Floor, 20 Middle Road, Park Gate
Oska Hair is a colour specialist degree salon in Park Gate, Southampton. The new INOA hair colour now available. It offers no odor, no ammonia, optimized scalp comfort, supreme respect for the hair, infinite haircolour power, sublime shine, covers up to 100% white hair. Oska hair is a team of professional senior stylists who offer the highest quality hair cutting, colouring and styling service to compliment every individuals taste and lifestyle.
WIN
a flying lesson with Phoenix Aviation
The park gate salon is welcoming and friendly and the teams ethos is to deliver professional hairdressing in a relaxed atmosphere. To book an appointment please call 01489 565456.
It’s never been easier to Stop Smoking! Due to popular demand appointments are now available on a Sunday! Sunday Stop Smoking Service Becoming a non-smoker is much easier than you think and our team of Stop Smoking Specialists recently received the following feed- back from clients after their life changing, one hour, Stop Smoking sessions.
This month’s competition winner will receive a lesson with an experienced and fully qualified instructor in a PA28 or C42 aircraft based at Lee on the Solent Airfield (Gift Voucher valid for 10 months). Who flew too close to the sun? Was it… (A) Daedalus (B) Icarus (C) Ridiculous TO ENTER, email competitions@solentlife.co.uk quoting ‘Phoenix Aviation’ with your name, address and telephone/mobile number together with your answer! Alternatively, post your entry to Solent Life, Webb House, 20 Bridge Road, Park Gate, Hampshire, SO31 7GE. The closing date is 29.06.2012
“It will be one year on the 31st of next month since you did the business for me TVM. Cheers Frank.” “It’s a year today since I became a non-smoker with your help. I’m a winner!! Thanks Ben.” Visit us at www.hantshypno.co.uk for more success stories and videos of our successful Non-Smokers. Become the next non-smoker success story with this very special offer. You’ll need to act fast as we are only able to offer this amazing offer price for a limited period. Book your Stop Smoking Sunday Service appointment before 30th June 2012 and the fee for our Stop Smoking session is just £175.00 (saving a massive £50 on our usual £225 session fee). Book your session today and be smoke free for summer by calling us on 0800 970 4776 or e-mailing us at info@hantshypno.co.uk and book your Stop Smoking session for just £175.00!
Learn about the principals of flight and then , under the expert eyes of your instructor, take the controls and experience what it is like to pilot an aircraft over the Solent. You can even bring a friend to share the experience (subject to weight limitations). There is no upper age limit but recommended for age 14+. www.phoenixaviation.net
TERMS & CONDITIONS: (1) Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary. (2) The prize draw is open to UK residents only, except employees and their families of the Promoter, its affiliated companies and agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion. (3) Last date for receipt of entries is 29.06.2012. (4) There are no cash or other alternatives to the stated prizes.
It’s a proven fact… you can become a non-smoker, stop smoking for good, in just one session! If you really want to stop smoking then our successful team of Stop Smoking specialists are here to help you. All you need to do is pick up the phone and you can quit smoking for good!
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …35
Hampshire Nannies Hampshire Nannies was founded with the goal of providing local Hampshire families with the perfect childcare solutions, and also an outstanding post-placement support network for the parents, their chosen Nanny, and the children. Hiring a Nanny does not have to be expensive! Hiring a Nanny for only the hours you need, such as a before & after school Nanny, can significantly reduce the cost to the family, as can sharing a Nanny’s time with another family. Hampshire Nannies specialize in all types of Nanny services including full and part time, live-in and live-out, school holidays and other short-term placements, as well as emergency Nanny services for planned and unplanned childcare gaps. Your peace of mind… …is vital to us. All of our Nannies are CRB checked before placement. They are qualified and/or experienced, and have been interviewed and reference checked by our recruitment team. We keep in touch with our families and our Nannies post-placement, providing dedicated support, assistance, and information. We can provide payroll services for all placement types, as well as tailor-made contracts and hands-on support during the interview process. Whether you’re a family looking for your ideal Nanny, or a Nanny looking for your next role, contact us now for further information! Tel: 01489 880066 contact@hampshirenannies.co.uk www.hampshirenannies.co.uk Hampshire Nannies is recommended by the Good Nanny Agency Guide.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
HERE COME THE GIRLS – AN INVITATION TO THE ALL WOMAN SHOW The successful South Coast ladies’ lifestyle show is visiting The Portsmouth Mountbatten Leisure Centre on Sunday 24 June 2012. With up to 80 exhibitors, visitors can create a new look with the latest clothes and accessories, treat themselves to unique gifts, speak with wellbeing experts and be pampered with a makeover. There is plenty of free parking, an outdoor play area and indoor swimming pool to keep dads and toddlers busy while you spend time at the show. The café and function areas provide attractive areas to relax and to enjoy a wide range of refreshments, from snacks to main course meals. Tickets are available on the door for £3.50, or can be purchased in advance at £3.00 from reception at The Mountbatten, telephone 023 9262 6500, or from www.allwomanshow.com, (concessions for over 60s and under 16s). Advance tickets holders will receive a Boots ‘Goody Bag’ on arrival.
A low cost HANDYPERSON SERVICE for anyone over 60 or disabled Mainly for small jobs taking up to 2 hours. Labour costs £12.00 per hour (plus VAT) but further discounts available if you receive a means-tested benefit. This service is provided by In Touch and is supported by Hampshire County Council. Labour costs £20.00 per hour (plus VAT) for anyone not qualifying for lower rates. Areas covered are Winchester • Fareham • Havant & Gosport. Carpentry • Plumbing • Electrical • Safety Homecheck • Keysafe Security Please call to make an appointment on (local rate charges apply)
0845 459 5036 TLC For Horses
&
Solent Riding
Fully Licensed & Insured
Pony care & ride sessions including lessons in riding and pony care, for children of all ages. Shetland ponies for the under 5’s
Fantastic membership available for adults. A superb junior membership from the age of 8. Ladies mornings for the novice who would like a gentle introduction to riding. Fabulous hacking for the experienced rider. also picturesque woodland riding
Pony care days during the holidays and Saturdays. We have relocated to Spring Road, Sarisbury Green. Please call for a chat.
Tel: 01489 589214 or 07714 092120
Check out our new website www.tlcforhorsesridingest.co.uk
Fareham College in partnership with Hamble Community Sports College Fareham College is thrilled to be in partnership with Hamble Community Sports College to provide courses after a million pound investment. The Hamble Centre of Excellence, based on the school’s campus, is a £6.7 million pound purpose built post-16 facility. Fareham College’s BTEC Sport Science and Performance and Excellence course are now based at the new Centre. It also runs Marine Engineering and Construction courses, giving students another option to consider when leaving school. The nationally recognised facilities are outstanding and boast a 20 metre swimming pool, Astroturf, tennis courts, Olympic standard gym, Construction and Engineering workshops and much more. Gill Sommers, Director of Faculty for Applied Studies, said: ‘The partnership with Hamble Community Sports College is very exciting and offers increased opportunities for their learners as well as our own.’ Kieran Smith, formerly of Hamble Community Sports College, is studying BTEC Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science at the Centre and commented: ‘I chose to come to here because it had a good choice of courses and it’s a great place to meet new people.’ To find out more about the courses starting in September and see the amazing facilities that the Hamble Centre of Excellence has to offer, visit www.hamblecentre.co.uk or call (023) 8045 7608 for more information.
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …37
solent | education
south downs success at
words by david rose-massom missing out,” she responded. “There are defined groups among the student body such as race and religion, but you have to look at every young person and every group; it is about the success of every individual. I believe we, as individuals, are all capable of so much more than we realise and my hope for every one of the students is that they develop their talents and fulfil their potential and follow their dreams. “We need to remember to praise and celebrate all levels of achievement; we need to stretch and challenge but then praise the endeavour and the achievement,” Lyn Surgeon added. “Never say I can’t but say I can’t yet. It is about inspirational teaching that creates aspirations. My job is to lead and steer in the right direction; we are all on a journey toward being the best we can be and that involves everyone at the college from staff to student, we all have a part to play at South Downs. “I ensure that all the human resources and equipment are in place and then lead the culture of learning, of aspiring to better things, and ensuring the inspiration is there. We are not afraid of getting things wrong but we have to make sure we do only get them wrong once!” So what is Lyn Surgeon’s personal brief as new Principal in the diverse campus that is South Downs College? “To be a communicator and setting out the vision that everyone can shine and has a place within the system. To leave the students wanting to come back to the next lesson or lecture and ensure they are hungry to learn more as well as moving on to a more independent form of learning. We have to understand how to teach as well as how young people learn. “The biggest challenge for any Principal is to manage change within a culture of continual improvement, especially in an environment of funding cuts and reduced budgets. Everybody here has their part to play and it is our job to make the young people feel good about themselves. This is a purposeful and secure environment and what we achieve here is not about just gaining a national average but using the very best educational establishments as our benchmark for success. By aiming to be up there with the very best we become the best at what we do!” l
As Principal of a large college Lyn Surgeon has the pleasant demeanour and
composure one would expect from someone in her position; but the more she spoke about her college, staff and students the more animated she became as she fidgeted with unsuppressed excitement.
S
outh Downs College,
perched above the Solent on Portsdown Hill, just east of Portsmouth, is a sprawling modern campus with as diverse a body of students and courses as any that could be found at any of our local colleges and Lyn Surgeon, slim, smiling and imposing, has been in charge since early this April. “The belief in this college is to stretch and challenge and we have a considerable educational as well as vocational expertise here on campus,” she told Solent Life. “We are very quick to knock young people and children in this day and age and yet we have some amazing talents and abilities among them. “The youngsters here are going on to diverse and exciting futures, for example we have 28 students from our sports department who are off to help out at this year’s Olympics. So this college is already successful but I believe you can always make a place better – no college has achieved success until every student succeeds,” she said with passion. “You can always seek to extend the experiences of young people.” Lyn was raised along the coast at Poole but, in 1974, moved up to Manchester where she was at university and fell in love with the north west of England. She recently achieved great success as Principal at an East Lancashire college but felt that the opportunity to take over at South Downs and move back to the south coast was too great to miss. “South Downs College was somewhere that I could contribute in a positive way and its high values attracted me.” We mentioned that she had a very diverse group of students and a broad spectrum of subjects from science to engineering, hairdressing and catering. “As educators we need to ensure that the quality and diversity is there in the classroom and that no one group of students is
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
South Downs College – ‘an outstanding college’ Ofsted inspection. www.southdowns.ac.uk
College gets £1.5m buildings boost St Vincent College has received a £1.5m grant from the Government to continue its ambitious buildings improvement programme over the coming 12 months. The Mill Lane campus has already been transformed by a similar grant last year, which has enabled the college to re-furbish its main building with cladding, new windows and energy-efficient insulation. And now that work can be extended to the eastern side of the building. In addition, the college has been able to convert a previously derelict studio into a state-of-the-art hair salon (pictured). Principal Di Lloyd is delighted at the news: ‘Everyone who has visited the site has remarked at the transformation in our main building and the news we have been allocated further funding is yet another boost for the college and the young people of Gosport. ‘It is our 25th anniversary this year and by the end of it, once this additional money has been invested, I am confident we will have a college campus to be proud of,’ she added. As well as completing the refurbishment works, the college also plans to reconfigure its sports hall building to provide purpose-designed classrooms for the PE department. People can come and see for themselves the changes going on at the college at a special 25th anniversary open day organised for Saturday June 30 (11am-4pm). For more details visit www.stvincent.ac.uk
Part-Time Courses for September 2012 Fareham College has a range of part-time courses to suit your needs. Whether you want to learn a new skill, gain a qualification to help your progress in your career, or just want a flexible learning model, then Fareham College has something for you. Situated on Bishopsfield Road and just a mile from the town centre, it is conveniently located for access via road, rail or bus. The campus offers an onsite nursery, gym, three cafes, Learning Resources Centre and much more. The courses include GCSE Maths and English, First Aid, Access to Higher Education, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Motor Vehicle, Early Years and IT, among others. Gemma Mesquitta, who is studying VRQ Level 3 in Make-up, came back to study after having her daughter. ‘I completed a Level 2 Beauty Therapy course seven years ago and decided to return to beauty as my daughter is now at school. The best things about my course are going on training courses in London and performing demonstrations in secondary schools for potential Fareham College students. The courses at Fareham College are varied and interesting and the aftercare you receive after finishing your course is brilliant.’ If you’re not sure about what direction to take your studies then get in touch and we can help you through all of the details to ensure you make the right choice to suit you. Call 01329 815 200 to speak to one of our Admissions and Progression advisers or visit www.fareham.ac.uk/courses/part-time.
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …39
A Quality Day Nursery 9 Ofsted Outstandings
day “Every is a
”
magic day
Call us on
01489 577778 or visit our website
www.fpchildcare.co.uk Futurepath Childcare Limited. Warwick House, Beacon Bottom, Parkgate, Southampton, SO31 7GQ
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
Flourish with Childcare courses at Itchen In these difficult economic times, jobs are often difficult to find but for people working with children there are always jobs in childcare. Itchen Sixth Form College has been helping young people to become successful childcare practitioners for over 17 years. In fact, in many local nurseries and schools you will encounter staff who started their careers at Itchen and are now enjoying very rewarding jobs. Itchen’s former students are employed as teachers, social workers, nurses, nursery managers, abroad as nannies or working in respite and outreach programmes for children with learning difficulties. Meryl Edwards, Head of Itchen’s Childcare department said, “Our childcare courses can lead you into a variety of settings with the confidence that your contribution will be valued. Former students who have become parents themselves can use their qualification with a small top-up to become childminders and look after other children alongside their own, in their own homes.” In recent years Itchen’s students have achieved 100% pass rates for CACHE (childcare) courses and have been very successful in finding employment at the end of their course. Such is the strength of Itchen’s childcare courses that, 8 years ago, the college extended its provisions to adult learners. Now, with the option of studying in the daytime or evening, many adult learners are able to successfully complete their course(s) and go onto successful careers in childcare.
The King’s School – Fair Oak (For children age 3 to 16) There will be a reunion evening for past staff and pupils on Friday 6th July. We are keen to establish an alumni association for anyone who has been a pupil at The King’s School during the last 30 years. If you are a former pupil, or you know anyone who is, we would love to hear from you! We will also be promoting our new Jubilee Scholarship programme that the Trustees are launching as part of our 30 year celebrations. I hope you will agree with me that 30 faith filled years of The King’s School are well worth celebrating. It is fitting as well that we can do this at a time when God has established us now as one school on one site and will be a wonderful opportunity to promote all that we are about in Him for His glory. For more information about any of our events please contact Amanda Pole on 023 8060 0986 or email amanda@ thekingsschool.eu. You can also keep up to date with events on our website www.thekingsschool.eu and join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheKingsSchoolAlumini Up and coming Events: Saturday 23rd June Open Morning/Jubilee Funday Friday 6th July Reunion 2012, Pupils and Staff – Past and Present Wednesday 11th July An Evening with the Rwandan Olympic Team – Tickets £10 to include Hog Roast and dancing to Andy Stubbles and the Half Life Band. The King’s School, Lakesmere House, Allington Lane, Fair Oak SO50 7DB
JUNE 2012 •
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father’s | day
popstars Wikipedia gives an explanation as follows: Father’s Day is a celebration honouring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. For me it means I get another bottle of fine Scotch whisky as well as moments remembering my daughters’ lives! One of the greatest achievements any parent can gain in life is to see your children grow up safe and strong, I have double joy because of two beautiful daughters who have grown up to be fine people and great parents in their own right; to them I am Pops, and Father’s Day for me is a chance to bask in the glory of having done a good job. The added thanks from the offspring; well that’s just a bonus. As I sit of an evening, sipping the gifted burning amber nectar my mind travels back to the trials, tribulations and joys of watching my children move from toddler to school kid and from school kid to teenager (I have to
admit to being lucky with two girls as they got through that tough period rather well) and finally from teen to adult and now to wives and parents of their own children. The first school uniform, the first boyfriend, the first rescue from some real or imagined difficulty and the guarding them with body and soul, all the memories come flooding back. The strange thing is they are only good memories, the tough times and the bad times forgotten, or just filed away as it is the best of their lives that is important. I would, and could, tell stories of mishaps, of funny moments and of embarrassing episodes, but with Father’s Day being just a couple of weeks away it would be gift suicide and I would end up having to buy my own whisky! On a daily basis our children never fail to amuse us, to amaze us or even antagonize us and our love and devotion is unconditional, unswerving, uncomplicated and certainly unequivocal. They bring us joy and frustration in equal measure, they bring tears and laughter and they bring a lifetime of sublime commitment that never weakens. Both my daughters are now in their mid thirties with families of their own and yet they are never thought of as anything other than my little girls. Then on one special day a year, supposedly made up a little over a century ago by our American cousins, they arrive at the door
Treat your Dad to the ultimate Father’s Day Gift from Ron Upfield and Watch Euro 2012 in style! Samsung UE40ES7000 40” 3D Full HD 1080p Digital (Freeview HD) LED smart television £1299.99
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Ron Upfield, High Street, Bishops Waltham,SO32 1AB www.ronupfield.com Mon – Sat 9am – 5.30pm Quality Electrical Products, Personal Service, Best Value.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
bearing cards and gifts along with a huge thank you and affectionate hugs. But, for me Father’s Day is a day where I get to be selfish, Pops looks at his girls and his grandson and thinks, ‘well done you; a job well done’. All the thanks any parent needs are there in their happiness and their complete lives, seeing them with their own families and doing a good job themselves is a gift that cannot be bought; but I will never say no to a scrawled, handmade card from my grandson and nor will I turn down the bottle of Famous Grouse and the chance to reminisce about my daughter’s lives and the pleasure of watching two human beings grow into wonderful, caring adults. For me now though, and far better than the annual chance for the children to say ‘thanks Pops’ on a given day, is that every day is now Grandfather’s Day and I get to spoil my grandson and teach him all the mischievousness I can that was forbidden or frowned upon when my girls were little. When they were growing up it was me telling them to ‘act your age’ and ‘no you can’t do that’; now however it is ‘go for it Harry’ (Harry is four and my best mate) and my daughter telling me to grow up and act my age – never – it’s a father’s prerogative! l Father’s Day Sunday, June 17
solent | report
what the
Dickens is EB? words by fiona cooke
Walk through Fareham Town Centre and you will pass any number of charity shops. Many are charities that are easily recognisable but one, sited by the children’s play area in West Street, is for a little known charity called DEBRA, which supports and cares for families affected by EB. Epidermolysis Bullosa is a genetic condition which causes blistering and shearing of the skin and internal linings from slight friction, often that which is from the normal day to day activities. In its most severe form it can be fatal in infancy, and the least severe can still cause lifelong disability and pain.
I
n one of life’s strange co-incidents the Fareham
branch of DEBRA is managed by a Deborah; Deborah Baber Taylor to be precise, and she adds, making the name game even more confusing, that the assistant manager is Debbie Darling! In the retail section Deborah told Solent Life: “I had no idea we are here to raise about EB when I first joined DEBRA. What as much money as changed for me was possible. My task is having first hand to turn trash into dealings with Dan, who was a young treasure so I can man who came to support and care work with us. Both he and his baby had for the people who EB and it really gave have EB. me an insight and an understanding into how awful a condition this really is. His feet would be covered in blisters and his hands would be open wounds. But he also carried the guilt of having passed the condition onto his baby daughter. It was absolutely devastating.” Managing the charity shop is more than a job for Deborah. Having seen firsthand the impact this terrible condition has she is passionate about the work the charity does in providing specialist nurses, equipment, social care and funding research. She says “I often wake up at 3 in the morning exclaiming “I could do that”. My poor husband!” But more than this, Deborah loves the
fact that the shop enables her to tie in with the local community. She recently worked with some of the children from Harrison Primary School, who made bunting for the Freedom March, and many of the volunteers in the shop are youngsters looking to gain work experience. “You and I could go and get jobs at 14, and that’s how we learnt about the work” explains Deborah. “Young people today aren’t allowed to. Some come from Duke of Edinburgh awards, for the charity segment. Some are at college, they come in with their student discount cards and we entice them to come and work. They are just delightful. They are just so enthusiastic; just throw a pot noodle at them and a can of coke they are like sponges! They are just so keen to learn and are in awe of you; they are just such fun.” Deborah continues: “Some of our customers come in every day just to say hello. We might be the only people they see during the day and so you become part of their lives. We have a secret donator who puts £5 or £10 notes in our collection box with little notes – one said our window displays make them happy. So we are very conscious that we always provide a lovely window display, it brightens everybody up.” And then there is the tale of the wedding dress, which had been donated to the shop. Deborah’s innate curiosity (although she calls it nosiness) led her to ask of the woman who bought it what it would be used for. It transpired that the
customer was Christine Derry, a ceramic artist and Artist in Resident at Portsmouth Grammar School. Christine was working with the Year 9 pupils at the school to create an exhibition of ceramics and other art works in response to the writing of Dickens. Their work will form part of the Portsmouth Great Expectations Festivities celebrating the birth of Charles Dickens 200 years ago in the City. The dress will appear on a ceramic Miss Haversham, and be part of the display. Deborah saw an opportunity, and grabbed it with both hands with the end result that the exhibition is now supporting DEBRA and she is also taking part in assemblies at the school to inform the pupils about EB. Charity is about more than raising money. It is about being involved. All charities are worthwhile and it can be a personal choice as to which you support and donate to. As Deborah says; “Charity is a business. The shop has rent and bills to pay and my job is to run it so that I make it a very profitable business and the money in the till can be spent on research and care for people with EB. But also added to that is the fact that we are a real part of the community.” l
For more information about EB go to www.debra.org.uk. Tel: 01344 771961
The Fareham Branch is at 57 West Street. Tel: 01329 825193 The Ceramics Exhibition by Portsmouth Grammar School entitled Dickens Museum of Curiosities will be held at Portsmouth Cathedral, opening Tuesday 26th June at 7.30 p.m. and running to 1st July 2012. Full details can be found at: http://www. portsmouthfestivities.co.uk
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father’s | day
never a moment’s worry interview by david rose-massom
Fred Dinenage MBE won a contract at Southern Television for seven weeks’ work on ‘Three Go Round’ in 1964. He was a presenter on HOW, which started in 1966, and which was destined to become the longest-running children’s programme on ITV. Then by 1984 he was presenting the nightly news programme Coast to Coast with Fern Britton. Fred currently presents Meridian Tonight for ITV Meridian and he is Dad to Caroline and twins Christopher and Sarah.
A
Caroline Dinenage is the Conservative MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent, and Hill Head. She was elected in May 2010 with a majority of 14,413 votes. Prior to her election, she ran a successful local business and served as an effective member of Winchester Council. With Father’s Day on the horizon Solent Life spoke to father and daughter about their relationship.
DAUGHTER’S TALE – Fred Dinenage has been in the corner of our living rooms for almost 50 years and been part of our lives, so, did Caroline ever mind sharing him? “I have never known anything different,” she replied. “When I was very young Dad was a freelance and so was off all over the country presenting programmes and sport so it never really occurred to me that he actually had a different kind of job. “I had a fantastic childhood, when Dad was presenting HOW he would bring the experiments home for us to try; we used to play with all these prototypes, such as Speak & Spell. Also whenever he had to go away for any extended time, such as with the Moscow Olympics where he was away for a month, there was always quality time for family when he got back. After the Olympics we had him for two straight weeks! “I have never been able to fault him as a father, he has always been there for us,” Caroline added. “Dad and I used to spend hours in the back garden taking penalties with the frame of the swing as the goal. It was ten years before I stopped being an only child and so I was the surrogate boy of the family with dad being sport mad, so I would get cricket bats and Subuteo as presents; I think that is why I was never a girly girly type of person.” This was said with great humour and deep fondness for what was a happy childhood.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
As she reached teenage years though, Caroline tried to ignore what her father did for a job. “A lot of what dad did was not in this area and in Senior School you really didn’t want your peers to know that he was on TV; in your teens there is so much going on you did not want to stand out from the crowd!” One of the things that make Caroline the proudest is that the public persona and Dad are the same person. “The thing about Dad is that you see who he is on TV; that is why I am so proud of him. He has been on TV for over 40 years and has always been employed because he is good at what he does” she said. “What you see is what you get with Dad and I have tried to follow that with my own career; fake people soon get found out; and Dad has been around a long time.” Caroline then showed her Twitter description of herself, it read; ‘Mum of two, Fred’s girl, Pompey fan – not necessarily in that order.’ “I have never used my Dad’s name to move forward or even to get elected,” Caroline continued. “It is simply that I am proud of my surname and so why shouldn’t I use it if it stands for such good things as being genuine in all you do, hard work, popularity in the community through your charity work and longevity? “Dad has taught me to be true to myself and treat everyone the same. And, now he has become a fantastic granddad.” l
A
FATHER’S STORY – “Caroline has always been a good all round person and has never been a moment’s worry.” These were Fred’s first comments about his eldest daughter. “I was thrilled when Caroline was born and we named her after the Neil Diamond song ‘Sweet Caroline’. Every time I hear the song I think of her. I suppose I might have been expecting a son – hence poor Caz (as we call her) being subjected to football training! But it’s stood her in good stead with her own two sons! “I cannot explain, or put into words, how it felt to watch her make her maiden speech in the Commons; after all, she is still – and will always be – my little girl. It was extraordinary” Fred said with obvious pride. “She had waited some years and fought some hard battles to get that far.” So, what does Father’s Day mean to Fred. “On Father’s day you think about all your children - and Beverley and I are lucky enough to have three wonderful children. Caroline, of course, but we also have the twins, Chris and Sarah. Chris is with Portsmouth Police
and Sarah is a PA at Cameron Mackintosh, the big West End theatre company. Like Caroline, they have both been wonderful, supportive children. We are a very close family.” Did the fact that he was a TV personality make any difference? “The funny thing is because I’ve always been on the telly during their lifetimes none of the kids has ever really been affected by it. When they were very young they just assumed everyone’s dad was on the telly! They’ve never been terribly impressed by it either – in fact they’ve never really watched me or come to the studio very often. Luckily, because my image is quite regional and low-key, they’ve not been bothered by the media, etc, and hopefully it will stay that way! “The family time we spent after long periods working away was special – but so has all the times we have had together; especially at our little holiday apartment in southern Spain where Caroline and the twins have spent most of their holidays.” To sum up Father’s Day and 38 years of being ‘Dad’! “I feel I have been a very lucky man.” l
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …45
art | focus
softsails words by david rose-massom
In last month’s Solent Life we featured an artist who had tamed the power of the waves in her work, this month we move onto calmer waters with an artist who brings the softer side of the sea and sailing, as well as some stunning landscapes, to the walls of local galleries and homes…
“I
t’s all hard-edged areas, like preparing a picture for screen printing. It is darks and lights and I think my work now is far closer to my training as a graphic designer,” Evelyn Bartlett told Solent Life ,when we visited her in her home on the edge of the New Forest and close to the waters of the Solent. “I liked the challenge of graphic design – you are given the size, the colours and then a short time limit to complete any commission. I still give myself short time limits as I like to work within that tight framework. “It is much more relaxed now and any time limit is selfimposed,” Evelyn continued, “and then if the work is going to print it does need to be produced to a certain size. I feel as if my work has sort of gone into a ‘fine art’ world now. When I was training I was told I could choose between graphic or fine art which I took as a compliment aimed at the range of my work.” Unlike many of our featured artists Evelyn does very little in the way of commissioned work. “It means I
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
can just paint what excites me and then I get the real pleasure of seeing it hanging on a wall – it is a great feeling when people then buy it to hang on their own walls in their own homes.” “I paint using Gouache and that is very much a throwback to my days in graphics,” she explained. Gouache paint is similar to watercolours but modified to make it an opaque painting medium. A binding agent, usually gum-Arabic, is added and Gouache forms a thick layer of paint on the paper surface and does not allow the paper to show through. Gouache is often used by illustrators because it has such a smooth surface that it reproduces well. “Five years ago I moved here from Devon and with my daughters’ and partner’s encouragement and support I have been able to become a full-time artist. There is always a nagging in the head to make you, as an artist, produce something; you just have to paint!” Evelyn said. “When my two girls were babies, art felt like something
ART FOCUS S P O N S O R S H I P decadent; there were always so many first image that brought Evelyn to Solent other things to do but painting and art are Life’s attention; a blue sailing boat on calm a part of you that you just have to let out.” waters and moving away from the viewer. But, what of her main inspiration; the sea! “The boat has such a strong graphic shape. “I cannot live very far from the sea and I I was on the safety boat down on the love living here, there is something about Beaulieu River with my compact digital the way the land just meets the sea and camera and although there was no wind the geology and structure of the land that day the reflections on the water were shows through on the coast; inland it’s just amazing. Through the cameras viewfinder covered in dirt!” she said smiling broadly. I was cropping to just the boat, getting Throughout her home that love of the sea to the business end of it and there was is reflected in the décor with soft blue just something about the graphics of the furnishings, wooden sculptures of sea image that inspired me. birds, sea-inspired artefacts and pictures; “Simplicity in a scene is lovely; light and not hers, but of peaceful coastal scenes. dark inspires me as I love the contrasts; “I really do love living near to the sea; the in fact I fight to get those contrasts in land comes to an edge and if I am inland my work. It’s like apple pie and ice cream it feel as if I am drowning – if that makes sometimes; it’s delicious and you just want sense. I love to see the blues of the sea to eat up the scene!” and even opening an atlas I must see the As an artist Evelyn is fully aware that there blues of the sea on a map.” I reminded her is more to our beautiful surroundings than that the furthest point from the sea in the just the sea. “As I said, I love to form steps UK was only 71 miles in any direction; she with light and the contrasts that will always laughed and said that it was too far away. draw my eye. Now, just stepping away “There is so much blue in my paintings but from the sea for a while and into the forest then I whack in something from the other I am noticing the light and dark in among side of the colour wheel such as reds. My the trees; and that is now beginning to favourite colour? Well that’s easily the draw me in.” l deep blue of the sea, and the opposite for me is pillar-box red heading toward orange. “I always want to be ‘sploshy’ and chuck The work of Evelyn Bartlett can be seen the paint about a bit but I soon find myself on show at the White Dog Gallery, Leetidying up my work and cleaning the on-the-Solent and Hiscocks of Southsea. edges; it is hard for me to find a ‘looseness’ Go to www.evelynbartlett.co.uk to see in my work.” a selection of her magical images and For Evelyn it is not just about the water, contact details. but also the craft that sit and ride on its surface and we were sitting looking at the
Our Artist Review is kindly sponsored by WHITE DOG GALLERY 8 Milvil Court, Milvil Road Lee-on-the-Solent Hampshire, PO13 9LY 023 9255 2255. www.whitedoggallery.co.uk
THE WHITE DOG TIP Giclée printing is a popular and relatively new form of printing – but what is it? Giclée (pronounced Gee-clay) is a French word meaning to spray or squirt which is exactly how the ink is applied to the paper. The printers use pigment based inks that are fade resistant for up to 100 years. As the ink is whole pigment not a dye it sits more on the surface of the paper rather than soaking in making the print fragile. The printers are large format, high quality, inkjet printers (but unlike the home inkjet printer) and provide excellent reproduction, giving high quality prints to the customer on either paper or canvas. If purchasing a Giclée print always handle it with care and ensure any canvas has been varnished to protect from scratching.
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …47
homes
What is an Orangery?
Ask the experts
It sounds exotic, but originally it was just that, “a place to cultivate oranges”. This developed in style between 17th until 19th century to become a fashionable addition to grand houses.It now is really a development of a Conservatory, but has more brickwork and features a ceiling area which has usually a glass lantern roof. In recent years it has steadily become more and more popular, and is a real alternative to a Conservatory. It is more of an all year round room with the latest Glazing and insulating to walls, and is really an extension to your home, but is still classed under conservatory category, so often Planning is not required. We at Shield Windows, doors and Conservatories have built a large display inside Hilliers Garden Centre in Botley where the full effect can be seen. Inside their are large length Windows, 3 Glass lantern roofs with spot lights inside the perimeter ceiling. The area is used as part of the new Coffee Shop extension, which has been very well recieved by all visitors to Hilliers Garden Centre. The construction of an Orangery usually takes about 6 weeks from start to finish, so if booked now can be finished in time for your Summer Barbecue. Shield Windows, Doors and Conservatories offer 10 year guarantee on all installations, and because we have our own in house building division, we control the project from start to finish. Here at Shield we also have a great display of Conservatory styles on site, Extension and Our Brand new Outdoor decking display, so all your home improvements can be dealt with in house. We would welcome any enquiries for both Conservatories and Orangeries, as well as Windows doors and decking, we currently have a limited offer for Orangeries starting at only £16,500.00 and if you compare this to the cost of an extension, proves exceptional value for money. Please contact Shield Windows Doors and Conservatories at addresses below, or pop in for a chat about your new Orangery! For more information contact: Shield, Hilliers Garden Centre, Woodhouse Lane, Botley, SO30 2EZ or Arturis Garden Centre, Allington Lane, West End, SO50 7DE Tel 01489 789611
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JUNE 2012 •
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solent | business
a lawn unto
themselves words by janet grimm
Did you know, that on your doorstep, tucked away in Duncan Road, right beside Swanwick Railway Station, you can find an independent retailer offering the widest range and highest quality garden machinery at prices that can’t be beaten?
C
arters of Swanwick have been supplying commercial and domestic garden machinery, in this area, for over 90 years and are stockists of all the well known brands such as Honda, Kubota, Lawnflite and Mountfield. This is a family run company that is run like a family and the team of knowledgeable and helpful staff are always ready with a warm welcome to the family (and a free cup of coffee) at their large showroom. Carters of Swanwick offer a price match promise and will always prove to be competitive locally. They also have their online store, ‘Best Buy Mowers’ offering some of the best prices online across the country. These online prices are also available in the showroom. Carters of Swanwick are so confident that they can offer the best price, customers are welcome to check out competitor’s prices on computers in the showroom. The team at Carters of Swanwick pride themselves on offering their expertise care and time to every customer, whatever their budget. Customers may be buying anything from a pair of secateurs , to a push lawnmower to a commercial tractor mower costing tens of thousands of pounds! Unlike at some stores, each and every customer, including online customers, is given their salesperson’s contact details on their receipt. This helps to build the ongoing relationship and means that if a problem should arise then the customer has someone they know to turn to. Carters of Swanwick and Best Buy Mowers customers do not have to put up with being passed from pillar to post in a call centre! Service like this and the best prices available means that even in these troubled financial times, Carters of Swanwick remain successful. They have recently welcomed four new members of staff, creating new local employment. The team look forward to meeting you soon and offering you the best prices and the highest level of customer service to meet all your garden machinery needs.
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
NEWS Carters of Swanwick now offer Aspen Alkylate petrol. Available in both premixed two stroke and fully synthetic biodegradable and regular petrol. This fuel can be stored for up to five years without going stale and affecting the performance of machinery. Our service department is seeing an increase in machines with starting problems due to the affect of carburettors becoming clogged due to the poor quality fuel purchased from petrol stations. Using Aspen fuel can prevent these problems.
Carters of Swanwick Tip for June Following the heavy rain that we experienced throughout April and the beginning of May and sunshine at the end of the month your lawns may be over grown and out of control. Remember to raise the cutting height of your mower blades to the maximum. If you try and cut the grass too short too quickly you risk damaging your lawnmower and your lawn.
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JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …55
Developers & Building Contractors of Distinction
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there’s an app for that... Why not check us out online?
Scan the QR code on your smart phone for a direct link to the Solent Life website! Keep up to date on the move, read this months features and enter our competition! Visit our website at: www.solentlife.co.uk
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
www.solent4uk.co.uk
HBS House, Unit 9, Fulcrum 1, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7FE
> THE HISTORY BOYS
by Allan Bennett
> THE ZOO STORY
by Edward Albee
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.
> 13th – 23rd JUNE
> 11th – 21st JULY
An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. A maverick English teacher at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher. A headmaster obsessed with results and a history teacher who thinks he’s a fool. One of the finest plays written by Alan Bennett, packed with superb one liners, a play of depth as well as dazzle, intensley moving as well as thought-provoking and funny’ This play contains some strong language
The lives of two men unfold on a park bench! Edward Albee’s play covers a wide range of topics in its short time span; from money and family to homosexuality and power struggles. We lead busy lives these days, but I would wager you could spare an hour to absorb this funny, charming and saddening story.
SEE OUR FULL SPRING & SUMMER LISTINGS…
why not get a copy of our Theatre Calendar Card to remind you of what’s coming up. Just phone 01329 556156 and we will send you one free of charge.
> JULIET & HER ROMEO 18th – 28th JULY
> THE COMEDY OF ERRORS 15th – 25th AUGUST
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with a difference. Have you ever thought why Romeo and Juliet are always played by star crossed young lovers? Do they always have to be young.... does young love still exist for our senior citizens. This version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet certainly questions that.
Two sets of twins separated at birth collide in the same city without meeting for one crazy day, as multiple mistaken identities lead to confusion on a grand scale. Shakespeare’s furiously paced comedy will have you laugh out loud in the wonderful setting of Syracuse also known as The Great Barn in Titchfield!
WHERE: ST MARGARETS ARTS, ST. MARGARETS LANE, TITCHFIELD PO14 4BG. TIME: START AT 7.30PM. MONDAY TO THURSDAY – £9. FRIDAY & SATURDAY – £11. 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+.
JUNE 2012 •
BOX OFFICE 01329 556156 titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com
.co.uk …57
solent | theatre
Porgy&Bess Cape Town Opera | Summer 2012 Tour words by nancy groves
Was there ever a song as seasonally appropriate as Summertime? Guaranteed to raise temperatures, this standard of the American songbook has been covered more than 25,000 times by artists including Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin – even The Doors. So many times, in fact, that it’s easy to forget it started life as an operatic aria in George Gershwin’s 1935 masterpiece, Porgy and Bess.
T
his summertime, however, the tune will be restored to its rightful origins by Cape Town Opera (CTO), the pioneering South African company whose triumphant version of Porgy and Bess took the UK by storm in 2009 and The Mayflower is bringing the show to Southampton. “One of these mornings, you’re going to rise up singing” – never have the words seemed so appropriate. Transferring the story from the sweltering humidity of Charleston, South Carolina to the deep heat of South Africa’s Western Cape, the production boasts a cast including Soweto-born soprano Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi, last seen in the
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title role of Carmen Jones at the Royal I am singing with my people and my nation Festival Hall, and a chorus that Rupert again. It reminds me of where and who I am. Christiansen, opera critic of The Telegraph, It takes me back to being young and the reports Williams. “We did La Bohème and has called “quite magnificent”. reasons why I’m a singer.” every one of the soloists came through our Given the rapturous reviews CTO received Maswanganyi was 13 when she first heard programme. The average age on stage last time round, bringing Porgy and Bess opera via a chance clip on TV. “I think it was was 23.” back to the UK was a no brainer, says La Bohème and it was just one clip, one aria, “What we strive to do is not only the managing director Michael Williams. “It was but I was mesmerised, completely taken European classics,” says Williams. “Do a revelation to see how warmly the Brits over,” she recalls. Throughout her teenage foreign audiences really want to see our took to a South African company tackling an years, she sang acapella in her local church version of La Bohème, or is that taking coals American standard which such vigour and in choir, but it wasn’t until university, when to Newcastle? We want to represent the such a novel fashion,” says Williams. “People invited to a music masterclass, that miracle that is South Africa: look at what we were taken away by our enthusiasm, the Maswanganyi realised her calling. can do here, look at the art we can produce.” quality of our voices and the opportunities “Opera is the highest form the voice can And people are looking – this September, for those voices which Gershwin’s score reach for me,” she says, “not in the sense of CTO will travel to Berlin at the personal provides.” the highest kind of living, but in the capacity invitation of Sir Simon Rattle to perform the Happily, Porgy and Bess is now a stalwart of of what your voice can do when music and complete Porgy and Bess with the Berlin the operatic canon and “people know they emotion are combined. It’s so expressive and Philharmonic. shouldn’t tamper with it.” At least not with yet so composed at the same time – “All this and we’re a country still in our the music – transferring the setting is combining nature and art together into a adolescence,” Williams marvels. “We are only another matter, says Williams, who insists more powerful form.” 17 years old, you must remember – we’re the that the South African relocation is faithful Maswanganyi had to go abroad to pursue pimply kid who drives his dad’s car down to the themes and spirit of the opera. Not to her musical career, which included an the highway.” He pauses for thought. mention the characters of Catfish village: award-winning stint in best-selling opera “l wonder what Gershwin would have thought beautiful but broken Bess, her brute of a group, Amici Forever. Opera, once a strong of a South African cast singing his piece.” boyfriend Crown, no-good drug pusher tradition in South Africa, fell out of favour Maswanganyi is in no doubt. “This works,” Sportin’ Life and, of course, noble but along with other ‘classical’ art forms with the she says. “Storytelling is storytelling. Once crippled Porgy himself. arrival of the ANC government in 1996, who you put music to it, it’s going to Porgy and Bess is a perfect match with CTO: withdrew public subsidy for the arts to communicate. Porgy and Bess is from the “When you have a piece with so many great channel much-needed funds into Western world but there’s nothing Western tunes, it’s ideal for our singers. Turning life impoverished rural areas. about it. This is African song, this is South into song is very much what our people do. Regional opera departments and orchestras African opera, and music is a universal They sing about marriages, about death, folded and only Cape Town survived, thanks language.” l about lovemaking, about harvesting, about to the benevolence of its supporters and the buying a new car. For every significant event, leadership of Williams and his team, who there’s a song. Singing forms the patterns of fought hard to win it charitable status. Coming to the Mayflower Theatre people’s lives here.” CTO is still South Africa’s only full time opera Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th July 2012 Tsakane Maswanganyi agrees. “We are a company – its nearest competitor almost a nation of singers,” proclaims the 32-year-old continent away in Cairo – but it works hard Box Office on 02380 711811 | www.mayflower.org.uk soprano, based in Italy but back on hometo spread the gospel of opera as widely as turf for Porgy and Bess rehearsals. “There is possible. “We do a national tour every year something very familiar about singing this to 10 different cities and the kids who do our music,” she says. “I heard my own African workshops are the same kids who say, ‘We music from when I was a tiny baby and here want to come and sing and audition for you’,”
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charity | focus
TwoSaints words by peter holding images by two saints
Neil “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for two Saints, the staff literally saved my life.”
Neil, Bill and Catherine are just three success stories from the more than 3000 people helped by Two Saints every year.
N
They wanted to tell their stories so that they could help to show that supporting people who are homeless can make real differences to real lives. They also wanted to show other people that if they could do it, anyone could. Two Saints work with who are either homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless each year. Every person they work with is treated as an individual and helped to make small steps in a long journey – a journey which will lead to an independent life.
Catherine “I’ve got responsibilities and a sense of purpose.”
A home is hard to keep without a job. And a job is very hard to keep without a home. Two Saints works hard every day to provide access to education, training and employment opportunities for the people it works with, but this can only be done with the help of donations, fundraising and volunteers. Helping people like Neil, Bill and Catherine is highly rewarding, please get in touch with Two Saints to see how you can make a difference to someone life. Two Saints never give up on, or stops believing in, people – you can help by getting in contact today. ●
Bill “I’m living proof that things can get better with a safe place to stay and the right help.”
754 People helped to manage mental health issues.
3000 People supported every year.
332 People helped to find paid work.
Web: www.twosaints.org.uk Tel: 01329 234600 60…
.co.uk • JUNE 2012
188 People helped to gain a formal qualification.
hired or
fired?
Here at The Breeze we are always looking for a different view of the world and
it is sometimes good to vary the challenges we set our presenters so along with our friends at Solent Life we have taken our Breakfast Show presenter, who has no experience of writing, and removed him from his comfort zone by throwing him into the world of journalism…
D
avid Perry is the voice of The Breeze FM Breakfast Show and he has been presenting on radio since he was just 16 and for his entire professional career. Aligned with the current television series ‘The Apprentice’, David has been accepting all sorts of challenges from various businesses around the region to be judged as ‘Hired’ or ‘Fired’ by his new colleagues for the day. The Solent Life Editor has thrown down the challenge for him to step out of his studio and take on the task of writing a feature for the magazine – and the judges of his success or failure, will be you the reader; after reading his article it will be your decision to ‘Hire’ or ‘Fire’ David! His brief was to write the charity feature this month; about the Hampshire and
Isle of Wight Air Ambulance service. David visited the head offices first, for a chat with the management and fund raising team, and then moved on to their Thruxton airfield base, to discover the secrets, trials and challenges of the operational aspects. Under the watchful gaze of the Solent Life team, they reported… This first part of his assignment was not too trying as David is well practiced at chatting to and interviewing various professionals and celebrities live on air; but would he be able to write a 1,000 word article from the information he gleaned? Within his article he must garner the reader’s attention, and then be able to sustain the interest while entertaining and informing his target audience. While interviewing the team he asked the questions that excited and
interested him with regard to the work of the Air Ambulance service, he listened to the answers and then formed his next question from what he was hearing. He performed well in this prequel to his main task, but was he up to the real challenge; writing an informative and entertaining feature that would capture the interest of quarter of a million readers? l
David Perry’s feature appears on the following pages and we invite you to judge; has he achieved success and will you vote to Hire or Fire him? David will be recounting some of his experiences during his breakfast show on The Breeze during the runup to our next edition. Email apprentice@solentlife.co.uk and just write ‘The APPRENTICE’ followed by either ‘Hired’ or ‘Fired’ And don’t worry about leaving him unemployed with no way of feeding his five young children; David will be back presenting his radio show on The Breeze every morning as usual.
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solent | charity
Hampshire’s
doctors words by david perry pictures by david rose-massom
“Wherever you are in Hampshire or The Isle of Wight we can be there in 19 minutes or less.” Without question a hugely encouraging thought to anyone in critical need of help from their excellent crew of real life Flying Doctors.
T
he airfield at Thruxton
near Andover is simple and many miles away from the busy image that springs to mind of a usual hospital emergency area. You feel the air ambulance base has a very calm atmosphere with an almost James Bond air of professionalism, relaxed but aware that at any time a call to potentially save a life could come and the crew, usually made up of a doctor, a paramedic and a pilot, know that when that happens they will be in the air and on the way to a crisis inside three minutes from putting down the phone. Formally in the Army, Stewart Mayor has been flying for 19 years and is one of the two air ambulance pilots; he arrives at the base just before seven each morning where
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he will be for the following 12 hours on standby to take off at a moment’s notice. Being called out in the eight year old EC135 helicopter every single day is routine for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance crew, who never start the day knowing what it may hold or where they could be required. From road accidents to sporting incidents and all sorts of injuries in between, they are able to provide a rapid response and, of course, get to far more remote or isolated areas that would prove difficult or even impossible for the ground service. It is unimaginable how many people have been helped and how many lives have been saved since the air ambulance took its first flight of rescue above the South on the 1st July 2007.
However it is 40 minutes away from the helicopter and telephone that you find the biggest shock and meet the unsung heroes, at the head office in Kings Park Road, Southampton, recently relocated to the city centre from St Marys Stadium. Sherie Williams Ellen has been the charity manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance for the last three and a half years. It is her, alongside a team of nine people, who need to raise the £3,600 a day that is essential to keep the operation in existence. They receive absolutely no government funding and rely solely on donations and contributions from the public and businesses across the region that they serve. But after five years of providing critical help to people in need across the south, they continue
to run training courses for paramedics, who, in addition to at least two years working experience in a ground ambulance, need extra training and navigational skills before they can take to the air. The money is raised in various ways from the Flight for Life Lottery, where for a pound a week you can enter their draw and stand a chance of winning a cash prize - to the ‘Bag it Up’ recycling scheme which collects textiles, shoes and mobile phones in their donation banks across the county. As well as helping with much needed funds, this is friendly to the environment and of no direct cost to the donator. Every penny counts - right down to the good old fashioned charity collection tins in a vivid flourescent yellow that you might see by the till at a corner shop or on the bar in the pub.
Incredibly for the last five years and due to the public generosity, even in the financial climate that we have experienced of late, the team have been able to raise the money and the Air Ambulance has continued to rescue and transport those in critical need of medical attention to hospitals in Southampton, Portsmouth or on occasion even over the borders to the Thames Valley or Oxfordshire. The fund raising team in Southampton show nothing other than genuine gratitude to the people who help, although it is concerning that many of the volunteers and donators have become so since having a direct experience of the air ambulance either themselves or through a member of their family. Quite why there is no allocation of public funding for a truly
valuable emergency service is highly questionable, when the real cost would be further strain on the existing ground force and the reduction of response times. One would hope you never need to call on its services but the knowledge that wherever you might be in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight, first class help will be at your side in less than 20 minutes, is a very comforting thought to carry. l
You can help celebrate the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s fifth birthday at their family orientated Summer Fair to be held at Popham Air Field, Coxton Down on Saturday 30th June and for more details about the event or to find out how to help with the charity visit www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk
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solent | kids
holiday heaven
T
he first few days it is a joy having the small ones home, even when getting under your feet, household chores are quickly done or postponed, picnic is packed, kids bundled into car and it’s off on an adventure…
best, warm summer evenings, a fish and chip supper and a stroll along the foreshore; perfect. But that is just one evening; what to do the rest of the time? As with any campaign of action it is all in the planning, remember the 5Ps; Poor Planning Provides Poor Performance, so start the planning
Rock legend Alice Cooper summed it up quite well… ‘School’s out for summer – School’s out for ever…’ and that is what it seems like for parents during the summer recess; it goes on for ever! So how do we make it fun rather than fraught? Day three or four and your energy is draining, patience is wearing thin and the little darlings are not looking quite so amusing. By the time week three or four has gone by, even including the summer vacation, you are looking at ways of emigrating and where do you find a one-way ticket to anywhere? Well here at Solent Life, we have no real idea either! We have all raised our own children, amused them during summer break and maybe now we are taking our grandchildren out for odd days and fun adventures; before handing them back full of e-numbers and fizzy drink and climbing the walls with still pent up energy. Being a grandparent is so much more fun, enjoying the moment and then handing them back before heading home to a glass of chilled Chardonnay while sitting in the garden and watching the sun go down. For my family Friday nights are
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now. Work out what time you have out of work to share their moments and then ensure those moments are well planned to make them easy for you and fun for the children; if you are not stressed they are happier meaning you are less stressed, see how this particular cycle of life is working? Kids clubs, art and crafts workshops, camping in the garden - the simple and inexpensive things that are out there. For a great family treat that is free there are the play areas along the coast and inland. Cooling sea breezes, splash pools with fun fountains for the youngsters to run through, such as those along Southsea seafront or large areas of greenery such as Lee-On-TheSolent where a picnic and a kickabout has been a favourite for generation after generation of family. Mayflower Park, a combination of playing fields and adventure
playgrounds or the firm favourites with my family are Itchen Valley Country Park or Moors Valley with its woodland walks, exciting play areas, including some great new wooden structures and its lakes and railway and then in a similar vein Lakeside Eastleigh with its lakes, wildlife, fishing and yet another miniature railway. Then of course there are the vast expanses of coastline and countryside in the New Forest, Lepe Country Park, Highcliffe, Mudeford and Christchurch. All great places to play and to go crabbing or paddling. There is also the chance for us, the parents and grandparents, to get a bit of education! Check on the internet for details about bugs and flowers and get the kids out in the woods and countryside discovering and naming them; turning it into a game and meaning just because they are away from school it does not mean they have to stop learning. The summer holiday is about quality time together, not about getting stressed and wishing they were back at school, so plan a few things and then just let the rest happen. Smile through the adversity, laugh through the funny moments and have plenty of hugs and TLC for those little accidents that are bound to happen. Above all have fun, enjoy the sun, if we have any; before you know it you will be out buying the new school uniform and packing them off back to school before sitting back and having a well earned rest yourself. l
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01489 571973 | info@kitlistcamping.co.uk | www.kitlistcamping.co.uk Unit 11, Eastlands Boatyard, Coal Park Lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW JUNE 2012 •
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coast & country
Beacons of
Light words & images by david rose-massom
Once upon a time long ago and in a land where there was no such thing as texting, instant messaging or Facebook, people across the land, and indeed the world, still needed to communicate with each other in times of peril or celebration and so they used fire; and these beacons of light could send a message of greeting across land and sea…
B
ritain has a long history of beacon lighting; spanning centuries and has been used in celebration for the Millennium, Royal Weddings, Jubilees and Coronations. On village greens, castle turrets, church towers, farms, beaches, front gardens, car parks, cliff tops and mountain tops across the land, as well as from island to mainland, beacons have been used to bring communities and nation together! The simple beacon chain, once used as a tool for warning and communication, has now become a symbol of unity and joy across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration. In 1897 beacons were lit nationally to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and many of them were just giant bonfires made from barrels and timber; in today’s safety driven culture the Health and Safety officer would have had a coronary on seeing some of the giant flammable constructions. In 1977 and 2002 more beacons were fired up to celebrate both the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees as well as the Millennium. Traditionally, beacons were fires lit to signal over land that enemy troops were approaching, in order to alert defences. Usually positioned at well-known locations
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on hills or high places, used either as lighthouses for navigation at sea. As signals, beacons are an ancient form of optical telegraphy. Systems of this kind have existed for centuries over much of the world, probably from the time that fire was first discovered. In Scandinavia many hill forts were part of beacon networks to warn against invading pillagers. In Wales, the Brecon Beacons were so named from beacons used to warn of approaching English raiders. In England, the most famous examples are the beacons used in the time of the first Queen Elizabeth to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada. Over time many hills in England were named Beacon Hill after such beacons such as Beacon Hill at Warnford in Hampshire which is a chalk hill in the beautiful National Nature Reserve which is part of the South Downs. The aim for this year during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations is that on Monday 4th June, 2012 (or more) beacons will be lit across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the Commonwealth and other countries around the world; to mark this important and historic moment in The Queen’s Reign.. Shortly before Solent Life went to press that number of beacons in the UK had risen to well over 4,000 and was still growing; organizers of the overall event, Jubilee Beacons, have applied to the Guinness Book of World records for the event to be the longest chain of Beacons ever!
In 2012, The Queen will become only the second Monarch in British history to celebrate 60 years on the throne, the other being Queen Victoria. Hampshire with its rolling hills and stunning coastline is ideally suited for a chain of beacons; many will also be visible across the Solent from the Isle of Wight where a World War 2 site will also light up; St Boniface Down is the highest point on the Island, rising to 241mtrs. It can be seen clearly from the mainland and from the English Channel. It has many claims to fame in history; not least that it was a site for the early warning radar system during WW2 which of course, could be considered a ‘new age’ warning beacon of its time. In fields, on hill tops, cliff tops and in villages and towns the people of the county will be setting a torch to their own celebratory beacon to join in the national celebration and linking themselves to communities across the globe. Beacons across the country in a carefully planned and timed progression are being lit between 10pm and 10.30pm which will then reach its Grand Finale when the Queen will light the final beacon; the National Beacon will be at a central location in London. In what is set to be a memorable moment, among the many planned, her Majesty will trigger the lighting of the final beacon by placing a huge crystal into a specially designed pod during a concert given in her honour. ●
Just some of the sites across the Solent Life region where Beacons will be lit and visible; many of the coastal viewpoints will also have a good vantage point for those on the Island: ● Lepe Country Park ● Furzey Lane, Minstead, New Forest ● The Bickerly, Ringwood ● Toothill, Rownhams ● Southsea Castle and Portsdown Hill ● Hiltingbury Rec Ground, Chandler’s Ford ● Shawford Down, Nr Winchester ● Kings Worthy ● Hilldale Farm, Wickham ● Castle Rec Ground, Netley Abbey ● West Hill Park School, Titchfield ● West Wittering Beach ● Hatch Grange, West End For a map of all the registered Beacons go to diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk And for details of other official Jubilee events go to thediamondjubilee.org
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solent | gardening
green fingers June
words by anne watson
With longer days, warm sunshine and the garden at its peak, June is often seen as the best month in the gardening calendar, so take time to enjoy the garden in full bloom. The downside of all the new growth is the weed seedlings to keep at bay. Regularly hoeing will stop them taking over and needn’t be hard work if you take a little and often approach. Now the risk of frost has gone, you can fill up your borders, pots, baskets and veg garden with tender plants.
Bedding, baskets and containers Create a real wow by using bold splashes of colourful bedding plants. At Garsons there’s a huge range to choose from, with plenty of red, white and blue for those jubilee celebrations! One of our favourite plants, the Busy Lizzie (impatien) suffered a bout of powdery mildew last season. Thankfully an alternative is now available – the new ‘Divine Mix’ (pictured) means we can enjoy busy lizzies this summer. They are powdery mildew resistant and come in a range of gorgeous colours. Normally only available from cuttings, these specially developed impatiens have large flowers, a well-branched habit and green-to-bronze leaf colours to add contrast to planting schemes.
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They have good all-weather tolerance and will flourish all summer long. They’re renowned for long lasting colour and perfect for window boxes and patio containers. You can now plant up your own hanging baskets if you haven’t already, or the garden centre has a wide range of ready-made baskets. Make sure they are kept well watered and check Garsons’ online tips for being water-wise.
Vegetable garden Keep a regular supply of salad leaves by sowing seeds in lengths of plastic guttering, cut to the length of your veg beds, and filled with good compost. When the seeds germinate, you can grow them on for 2-4 weeks and then simply slide the plants into their growing positions as soon as space becomes available. Continue to plant out courgettes, beans, pumpkins and other tender crops. You can also sow them directly for a later crop. A good start makes all the difference to how they will perform eventually.
Come and see the animals The popular petting farm is back at Garsons Garden Centre at Fontley Road, Titchfield on Wednesday 6th June. Say hello to the friendly farm animals and alpacas from 11am to 4pm.
Some of your early potatoes may be ready to dig this month. Traditionally early potatoes are said to be ready to harvest when the plants are in flower – but not all varieties produce flowers. Dig up a trial plant ten weeks or more after planting to see how they are doing, then dig them fresh when you want to eat them.
Mixed borders Plants grow quickly in warmer weather, so make sure climbers are supported and tied in regularly. Consider installing supports now for taller growing perennials to allow them to naturally grow through. Garsons has some innovative support systems for all types of plants. Lush plant growth and warm weather can also mean an increase in pests and disease, so look out for a new range that maintains a garden’s natural cycle to ensure beneficial insects, hedgehogs and other garden dwellers feel at home as well. Talking of wildlife, a bird bath or bowls of water are a welcome addition for the creatures in your garden and encourages birds, hedgehogs and frogs. l
Let’s hope for some glorious weather over the summer. Until next time, happy gardening!
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boat | review
smooth
crossing We have tested and reported on cars for some time and every now and again, we are asked to try something different; this month our friends at Ancasta suggested that we try a Prestige 350 luxury motor yacht.
G
words by dave hill & janet grimm enerally, the value of most things that we
have tested have been up to about £40,000 – but this little number costs as much as an average house; with little change from £300,000. Whilst I have some familiarity splashing around in the Solent, it has always been under sail, so this was a new experience for me. First impressions on approaching the boat was that it bears no resemblance to a sailing yacht – yes I know it doesn’t have any sails, but I mean the whole structure and layout – the whole concept is different. Yachting is about an activity where the decks are cleared for action and accommodation is essentially below decks and perhaps of secondary importance; by contrast, motor cruisers are pretty much all about the accommodation. Boarding is not the climb and clamber over wires, rails and ropes, just a very civilised step onto a platform at the stern and across the aft deck area, through glass sliding doors and into the spacious, beautifully finished saloon. With large window area, the saloon is bright with ample seating for six people. To the front there is the pilot station with complete instrumentation and on our boat, the joystick for the pod propulsion system that I will discuss later. Below the windscreen are the access stairs to the lower deck where the fore and aft cabins can be found which together sleep four, the small, but perfectly formed galley and the bathroom. Now if you have ever experienced the joys of the stainless steel furnished and quirky plumbing of a typical sailing yacht toilet, with its pumps and levers that require a special sequence of events to avoid flooding the place with the stuff you are trying to get rid of. With the Prestige you are in for a surprise; with its modern ‘home like’ environment with electric pumps, that perform exactly as you expect it to without needing a degree in marine plumbing. Back outside behind the saloon, the aft deck area is roomy and has further seating. Here also is the stairway to the flybridge. From this elevated position, there is 360 degree visibility and plenty of seating and lounging area. In fact this easily accommodated six people throughout our trial period. The pilot station here is a duplicate of the one below in the main saloon, comprehensively equipped with instrumentation, displays and controls. So what’s it like on the water? The twin Volvo D3 turbo Diesels provide 440 BHP and are both powerful and reactive. What surprised me was the noise level – so much quieter than I would have anticipated. Responses to throttle settings are immediate and performance is both pleasing and exhilarating. I will add at this point that Sarah, one of our Solent Life team,
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joined us on this adventure. I am not sure that she had been on a boat before – certainly nothing smaller than a cross channel ferry – so to say that she was apprehensive and we had to drag her kicking and screaming was an understatement. The day of our trial was not only cool and overcast but windy – in fact a bracing force 7 out on the Solent. Can you imagine the excitement and exhilaration expressed by Sarah as we cranked up the power and charged into the wind at over 30 knots? If you can imagine sticking your head out of a sunroof at 70mph, you will get close to an impression of speed. The combination of wind and tide causing some quite rough water added to the experience – this did nothing for Sarah whose screams of elation (or was that terror) left us with ear damage that we are just recovering from. I will add that this boat handled extremely well in these conditions, fairly bumpy as you would expect at that speed and with those sort of water conditions – but as a relatively short boat, at 35feet, it coped extremely well. Steering boats can be a little bit of an art – especially at slow speeds when you can turn the wheel and then, at some time in the future a change in direction may occur, just how much is a bit ‘try it and see’; then do it a bit more or a bit less if you didn’t get it right. The Prestige 350 is actually very precise, turns are sharp and after just a couple of direction changes, it becomes quite natural to predict accurately the steering inputs required. The secret behind the amazing and effortless moves of the Prestige 350 is the electronic steering with twin individually steerable drives. I mentioned earlier that there was a joystick system. This allows you to control movement in every direction from this single stick. Sophisticated and specially developed software in the system transforms the driver’s joystick movements into steering angles, gear shifts and throttle positions. With one hand controlling the joystick you can now concentrate on the situation and make a more safe and precise docking or passage. On our return to harbour, this inch perfect control was demonstrated by our hosts by positioning the boat into its berth undergoing complex manoeuvres with just inches to spare all round. This is worth its weight in gold – so clever, so straightforward and so precise. l HIS VERDICT: As an entry level flybridge motor yacht, this is a lot of fun. Powerful, very balanced and even a joy in bad weather. If you are considering this class of boating, have a chat with team at Ancasta and take a look – it’s impressive!
A
ttractively kitted out in my
waterproofs and life preserver, I was walked along the pontoon, arm twisted up my back like the condemned being marched to the gallows, toward the glamorous and sparkling Prestige 350. It is fair to say that I was not keen on this month’s test drive and as someone who gets seasick watching the Onedin Line I neither like boats or water! But, ever the consummate professional, and for your reading pleasure, I allowed myself to be press-ganged and carried on board. Even as a committed landlubber I could not fail to be impressed by the interior of the 350, particularly the main bedroom with its full-sized bed and plenty of space for clothes, shoes and handbags. The bathroom was also rather luxurious and with ‘proper facilities’ and not a portaloo or ‘head’ as I was expecting! I was particularly impressed with the rear seating area, complete with flat-screen TV, and leading out to an equally comfortable outside area. I bravely climbed the ladder to what I now know is called ‘the flybridge’ and before I knew it we were moving away from the pontoon. I was fascinated enough by the other boats and distracted enough by the
chilly wind not to really notice the trip along the River Hamble. Out in the more open water, the trip became just a little more, shall we say, exhilarating! The chorus of my screams joined those of Sarah’s as the team from Ancasta put the boat through its paces; but, to my surprise – it was great! Well, most of the time it was great apart from when Dave drove it over the bumpy bits; waves not potholes this time. Taking the wheel was not an experience I was relishing but strangely, just like driving a car, the boat went in the direction you turned the wheel; once you had become used to it. There is even a joystick for low speed manoeuvrability but as I am not very good at computer games (it’s a girl thing) I thought it best not to try that bit. But, I impressed myself and will make Captain yet! Returning toward her home berth I was persuaded to walk around to the pointy end and I think it was to be doing something with ropes and fenders but obviously I could not miss the opportunity for the Kate Winslet moment, no icebergs in the Solent thankfully, but where was Leonardo DiCaprio when I needed him? l
HER VERDICT: Where’s my G&T?! I could well be a convert!
The boat tested was a… Prestige 350 Flybridge. Price as tested approx £300,000 and was kindly supplied by Ancasta International Boats Sales. For more information: Ancasta, Port Hamble, Satchell Lane, Hamble, SO31 4QD. 02380 450 022 www.ancasta.com
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JUNE
solent | community
Your essential guide to all the local news and events in your community. Jubilation West End Singers (from Hedge End, Southampton) will be performing their summer concert entitled ‘Jubilation’. They will be featuring The Bossard Quartet as special guests and the retiring collection will be in aid of the Alzheimers Society. Friday 22ndJune to be held at The Berry in Hedge End 7.30pm – tickets available from The Berry Theatre Tel: 01489 799499 – £10 (concessions £9) and Sunday 24th June at Thornden Hall in Chandlers Ford 2.30pm – tickets available from Ingrid McIntyre 02380 404881 £10 (concessions £9). Further information about the West End Singers can be found at www.westendsingers.co.uk Southampton Canal Society On Thursday 7th June Southampton Canal Society IWA member Peter Boyce’s talk on the Wooden Narrowboat “Lucy” built in 1953. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ at 7.30pm Visitors welcome www.sotoncs.org.uk SEVEN day charity bike ride challenge James Seilo, Director of Catalyst Personal Training has told Solent Life of a massive charity challenge cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats – John O’Groats to Southampton. On the 2nd July seven riders will set out to ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in 7 days averaging 130 miles per day. On the 5th of July James will join the ride en route to complete the final 600 miles to John O’Groats before turning around and cycling from John
O’Groats to Southampton in just 4 days averaging 225 miles per day! The challenge is in aid of Caudwell Children www.caudwellchildren.com, a national charity that supports disabled children and their families. Due to the unique way in which the charity is run, 100% of the money raised from the bike ride will be used to provide life-changing support for children across the country. www.justgiving.com/ catalystcyclechallenge to make a donation and remember every penny raised goes straight to help the kids. The Portsmouth Schools’ Music Festival The Portsmouth Schools’ Music Festival has been in existence for over fifty years. In that time, the Festival has given a continuing opportunity for many children in many schools from the Portsmouth area to celebrate their talents and their music at an annual gathering. In recent years, the Festival has invited choirs, bands, orchestras, dancers and performers from over seventy schools to perform on stage at the Portsmouth Guildhall. The Portsmouth Schools’ Music Festival is dedicated to continuing this great tradition. It is also dedicated to giving even more opportunities to pupils, teachers, schools, parents and supporters to allow the children of Portsmouth to perform, enjoy and further their musical talents. Dates: 3rd – 6th July. Venue: Portsmouth Guildhall Tickets are only available from the Guildhall on the night, or, advance tickets can be ordered through the schools.
www.schoolsmusic.org Cystic Fibrosis Autumn Ball Saturday 20th October at the Legacy Botleigh Grange Hotel, Southampton for a fantastic Black Tie evening full of sumptuous food and drink, entertainment, music and fun whilst raising money for Cystic Fibrosis, the UK’s most common life threatening inherited condition. There is no cure and average life expectancy is only in the 30s – please help find a cure! Tickets start at just £45 per person – for arrival drink, a three course meal with wine, tea & coffee. Why not get your friends, colleagues, or employees together to buy a table? There are also some exclusive VIP Tables available at £1,500 which includes champagne, extra wine and a VIP Sponsorship Package. Visit www.cf-ball.org.uk for more information and to apply for tickets. There are also sponsorship opportunities available! Sponsor an element of the Ball or donate an item for the Auction or Raffle whilst generating publicity for your organisation! Contact Debbie on debbie@cf-ball.org. uk or call on 0844 826 0506 for more information and to apply for tickets. Blithe Spirit Is a comedy, performed by Crofton Amateur Dramatics Society on 14th to 16th June at 7.30pm in the Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. Tickets £8. Ticket hotline 01329 661143. The performance is adapted from the screenplay/play by Noel Coward. The plot - Charles and his second wife Ruth lightheartedly arrange for local mystic Madame Arcati to give a séance. They are then haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira. Come to the show to see how this develops!
IF YOU HAVE A LOCAL EVENT Let us know at info@solentlife.co.uk
Please note we need 6-8 weeks notice of events.
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Locks Heath Horticultural Society The next meeting of the Society will be on Wednesday 13th June, in the Memorial Hall, Locks Heath Park road; at 7.30pm. Marion Emery will give a talk on “William Morris - not just another roll of wallpaper!” Visitors very welcome. Titchfield Abbey WI The next meeting of the Titchfield Abbey WI will be held on Tuesday 12th June, starting at 9.30am at Titchfield Community Centre, when the speaker will be Robert Stone, Deputy Coroner, whose talk is entitled “The Coroner’s Office”. Day visitors will be welcome, as membership is currently full, and tea and coffee will be available. The Vintage Sounds Retirement Band A local band who play freeof-charge for Charities and are now taking final bookings for ‘Christmas’ and the Spring next year. If you would like ‘VS’ to play at your charity event, then please contact Gerray on 01489 575400. The band are also looking for a good female band singer, and maybe an instrumentalist or two. SINGALONG-GIGS include songs such as Apple Blossom Time / True Love Ways / Lavender Blue / Sunny Side of the Street / Cathy’s Clown / Wooden Heart / Country Roads / Don’t sit under the Apple-Tree / Can’t Help Falling in Love. Whereas our JAZZ-SONG EVENINGS include Ain’t Misbehavin / Sentimental Journey / Don’t get around much any more / Beginnin to see the light / Blues in the Night / Wee Small Hours / Crazy / Summertime / Autumn Leaves / etcetera. Contact Gerray on 01489 575400.
sail the olympic dream
Newly launched this month the ‘Lady Catherine’ is a brand new Beneteau Oceanis 41 footer that is fully equipped with a qualified skipper and hostess that will give Solent Life readers a true Olympic sailing experience… ‘Lady Catherine’ is one of the newest and most modern yachts available for charter at the Olympic sailing regatta being held off Portland. The luxury yacht will be moored in Portland Harbour for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few yards away from WPNSA (the Olympic sailing venue) taking you and your guests into the heart of an Olympic event. She offers comfort and space in 3 double cabins (2 with en suite) and this is the type of luxurious surroundings and comfort usually associated with much larger yachts. The cockpit layout of the Beneteau Oceanis 41 is also innovative, as it may be transformed, by award winning hydraulics, turning the rear cockpit seat into a full width bathing platform. Not only does this stylish transformation offer unrivalled access to the sea for all on board but creates enough room in the cockpit for all the guests. Being at anchor has never been as relaxed or sociable, offering access to the sea which again is not associated with yachts of this size.
Leighton King, from the fledgling yacht charter business Solent Yachting, told Solent Life; “This is the first boat for our small family run charter business and we will be normally based at Port Hamble Marina offering skippered charter, RYA courses, boat handling courses, and much more. “Starting a small family charter business with possibly the most stylish, modern and luxurious, 40 footer on the Solent is exciting enough;” he continued. “But even though we couldn’t wait to get going, we also couldn’t ignore the once in a lifetime opportunity to watch an Olympic Sailing Regatta in our home nation. That’s why we have purchased a mooring in Portland Harbour and decided to offer this unique opportunity to watch the Olympic sailing regatta aboard possibly the most modern charter yacht available for a totally unique Olympic experience. “The timing is perfect and all our plans have come together to turn your time at sea into an experience that will stay with you long after you step ashore.”
A typical Itinerary for the Olympic experience: Arrival: 8.00 am Departure: 6.00 pm Max 10 people per day l Welcome on board with breakfast baps & tea or coffee l Full safety briefing l Morning sail tailored to crews experience and requirements l Move to optimum position for race viewing l Lunch on board l Afternoon sail tailored to crews experience and requirements l Return to mooring or disembark to beach for shore side post sailing celebrations The day includes a qualified skipper and host/hostess to ensure that you get the most from this once in a lifetime experience. The above itinerary includes a light lunch as well as light refreshments served all day Whether you’re looking to entertain valuable clients or share the experience of a lifetime with friends and family this is a day you’ll remember forever. Solent Sailing welcomes any opportunity to dress the
boat in your company colours and logos as well as amend any itinerary to suit specific requirements. An improved catering package is also available for those that want to really push the boat out as well as overnight accommodation on board for the night before your charter. Daily Yacht Charter (Standard Race Days) – £1,250 Daily Yacht Charter (Medal Race Days) – £1,500 Overnight Accommodation (Night Before) – £60/person with 3 Double berths available. There are also per person rates which mean everyone has the chance to experience the Olympic sailing regatta from the water. Per Person (Standard Race Days) – £250 Per Person (Medal Race Days) – £300 To book or find out more information contact Sonja King: T: 07718 652 815 sonja@myolympicregatta.com www.myolympicregatta.com
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solent | nature
events… at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve…
wildlife June
words by jess daish-miller | images by darin smith & jo trotter
June is a month which is full of flowers at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve.
O
ur populations of
Common Spotted Orchids, with their
distinctive spotted leaves and tall flowering spikes, are at their best this month. Another speciality of our meadow areas is the Grass Vetchling which has, as its name suggests, dainty, grass-like leaves, making it almost impossible to spot except for the short time when it is actually flowering. Carpets of St. John’s Wort and Bird’s foot Trefoil will be cloaking the man-made ‘New Hill’ in the middle of the reserve – providing nectar for a range of insects and a food source for the caterpillars of Common Blue butterflies. The wild roses and brambles will be at their best as well, providing food for bees and butterflies alike. All of our summer migrant birds are now with us and are busy with the task of rearing their young. Listen out for Reed Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, Whitethroats and Blackcaps as you
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walk around the reserve. Last year, a Nightingale made a welcome return to Swanwick Lakes. After a four year absence, a Nightingale was heard singing in the scrubby brambles on New Hill. Other creatures will also be on the wing this month- on still, warm days look out for the brilliantly coloured dragonflies and damselflies hovering over the lakes and ponds on the reserve. If you want to find out more about the summer wildlife that abounds at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve, then why not join us on our guided walk this month? Or choose a nice day to visit by yourself for a meander around our flowery meadows! l 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
Post a Poem Sat 9th June 2012 10:30am – 12 noon 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 to create seasonal poems inspired by the wildlife and wild places of Swanwick Lakes. For further details contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Please wear outdoor clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. Wildflower Walk Tues 19th June 2012 10:30am – 12 noon Join reserve staff for a guided walk focusing on the colourful summer flowers of Swanwick Lakes and the creatures that depend upon them for food. Contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Please bring outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. Suggested donation £3 per person. Swanwick Lakes Wildlife Watch Group Wildlife Watch is a local club for young people who are interested in wildlife and the environment. The Watch Group has two events in June. Booking is essential. Natural Dyes Thurs 21st June 2012 6.30 – 8pm For more information or to book your place please contact Carly Fretwell on 07733 980980 or Michelle Crooks 07784 391604.
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 774408.
Order from the sanctuary on 01489 589260. www.andrewmckellar.com also featured on YouTube… To book an appointment 01489 589260.
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out & about
out&
about
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…
words & images by david rose-massom
DRAGON BOATS
Fareham charity Rainbow, which Solent Life featured a couple of issues ago, had a break in the rainy weather for a great day at Mayflower Park with teams, and companies, from across the region taking part in the ever growing DRAGON BOAT RACING. Great fun was had by all and much money raised for a brilliant school.
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WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
There have been few sunny days over the last few weekends, but when the sun did shine Cathedral Green in Winchester filled with families and friends enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and Solent Life just happened to be there with the camera.
TENNIS OPEN
Warsash Tennis Club may be small but it has an open heart, a friendly greeting and some lovely facilities. They invited Solent Life along to their recent Open Day when plenty of locals and children took the chance to discover more about this sport which does bring communities together.
MOORS VALLEY COUNTRY PARK Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood has just opened two brand new wooden play structures. They join 11 other unique pieces of play equipment along the Park’s popular mile-long play trail. The two structures, both designed by award-winning landscape architects Davies White, encourage children to be inventive with their play. The largest is The Nest. At around six metres high and nine metres wide, it provides an exciting challenge for older children, and is made up of three giant wooden nests all linked together by tunnels. The second structure is more suited to younger children with its large, hollow tunnel providing a fun space in which to crawl, spy and hide! Both have a natural finish to allow them to blend in to the forest and offer children the challenge of outdoor play in a safe way.
Holding an event you’d like us to feature? Simply email details of your event to
info@solentlife.co.uk and we will do our best to cover the most exciting and interesting events.
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air | history
reach for the
SKY words by andy sephton & pictures by ian frimston
One of the most iconic aircraft from WWII is the Spitfire and pilot Andy Sephton flies one. Andy has a fine flying pedigree and has written this insight into the great aircraft exclusively for Solent Life. In his time he has flown Jaguars in the RAF, was Deputy Chief test Pilot at Marshall Aerospace; Rolls Royce Chief Test Pilot and holds a world record in the Harrier. Whilst with them he displayed their Mk 19 Spitfire and was also for many years the Chief Pilot of the Shuttleworth Collection and flew the Mk V Spitfire. With 20 years as a display pilot Andy has flown 7 different marks of Spitfire - each was better than the last!
If
it’s not a Spitfire, then it’s just an aeroplane... How does one begin when asked to describe what’s it’s like to fly that great British icon; the Supermarine Spitfire. It is a relatively straight forward process when talking to pilots but how does one get it across to those who have never experienced the thrill of flight in a single seat aircraft? During my time as an instructor in the RAF, I was told to go from the known to the relative unknown when teaching student fighter pilots, so let’s try that for starters. Let’s assume that you, the reader, has driven a car, ridden a bike, or even sat on a horse. In each case, have you ever thought what it would be like driving or riding a thoroughbred in the respective class? Have you ever envied those who do - the racing drivers, the fast motorcyclists, the Olympic cyclists, the international stars on their steeds? Have you ever imagined yourself in their place, the world streaming past as you speed along your way, the object of your dreams taking up most of your peripheral vision, the power of the steed felt though your intimate contact? As a pilot, regularly flying modern piston engined aircraft, that is the feeling one gets when looking at the Spitfire; it’s the feeling one aspires to when fantasising about one’s future and most importantly it’s the feeling one gets when the wish finally comes true.
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Approaching the beast, for the first time as a prospective pilot it is a daunting thing; for it is a powerful war machine. As well as having great monetary worth, the heritage value is incalculable. The emotion attached is high; the pressure to succeed is enormous. Climbing in, one descends into the tiny cockpit, surrounded by instruments and controls. One tightens the straps slowly and carefully so as to become an intimate part of the machine. The starting procedure is simple, but achieving a start with the antiquated controls requires several hands - fuel taps to turn on, primers to actuate, booster coils and starter buttons to press, flight controls to guard against tipping the aircraft up on its nose....and mostly all at the same time! The engine fires; the airframe twists in the opposite direction, the prop turns, smoke appears then disappears from the exhausts, there is noise and vibration, the engine is running. Taxiing is the next challenge for is it impossible to clear the ground directly in front of the aircraft over the long nose. One weaves from side to side in a drunken fashion looking either side of the nose as it passes the direction of progress. One is soon at the take off runway. With checks
complete and a final whisper of the pilot’s prayer (Please Lord, don’t let me screw up!), one lines up the aircraft along the runway direction and gingerly opens the throttle. The noise level is horrendous, the torque tries to twist the fuselage, the gyroscopic precession and spiral flow from the propeller try to spin the machine off the runway.... but the flight controls quickly become effective and control is restored. We quickly lift into the air, change hands, raise the undercarriage, change hands back again - the undercarriage lever is on the wrong side of the cockpit! The engine controls are set to climb power and the machine cleaves its way into its natural environment. Slowly but surely one realises that one is sitting on a real thoroughbred. The controls are generally light but effective, although perhaps a little heavy in roll. They are, however, harmonised and little effort is required to make the machine follow one’s will. Almost as soon as one thinks about turning then the turn is complete. An aerial ballet follows - loops followed by rolls and other stunts fill the time in the air; each following the previous manoeuvre with a flowing grace. One relaxes and takes in the scene. With the graceful curve of the elliptical wings filling ones peripheral field
and the long nose pointing forward against the background sky; this is surely in pilot’s heaven! .....But, when flying, in the end one always has to come back to earth. The Spitfire turns out to be a delight to land. Yes, the nose is long, but a curving approach is all that is required to see past it and it looks so evocative from the ground. She’s a bit skittish on the ground during the landing roll too, but again control is easily achieved with the pilot’s feet dancing daintily on the rudder bar. After flight, one looks at the machine in wonder. Did I really fly that, did my dream come true, was it really that good? The answer is, of course, yes to all the questions… after all, if it’s not a Spitfire, then it’s just an aeroplane! l
EVENT PARTNER
portsmouthairfestival.co.uk
JUNE 2012 •
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solent | business
Increasing your business contacts
Successful networking boils down to six things: l The establishment of a positive relationship and trust l Experience and confidence l A willingness to share l Your own comfort zone l Your communication skills
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHEL FOCARD AND BARRY MANN PHOTOGRAPHY
l Follow-up
Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people etc. This keeps you visible to them. words by denise barlow
H
ave a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.
Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and no immediate answer comes to mind.
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce offers a diverse mix of events from football tournaments to sailing, from lunch at Chewton Glen to Speed Networking, from informative Breakfast Briefings to Large Exhibitions – why not come along as a guest and see for yourself?
www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/eventdetails
Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them and ask if you could get together and share ideas. Have fun relax and enjoy the event. l
JUNE 2012 •
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Your local florist & greengrocer. Flowers for weddings, funerals and corporate functions.
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Planting / Re-planting
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● Garden Maintenance ● Lawn Mowing ● Bush & Hedge, Cutting & Pruning ● Planting & Replanting ● Patios & Decking ● Fencing & Walls JAKE: 07557 763183 RICK: 07795 626807 01489 572330
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JUNE 2012 •
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GARDENING SERVICES
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GARAGE DOORS
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DRIVES
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Service with a style! Quality accessories
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Gutters Cleared
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using the reach vacuum
• Patios & Decking • Pergolas & Pathways • Fencing • Water Features
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GUTTER Cleaning FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL l Block Paving Cleaned & Re-sanded l Patios & Paths Cleaned l Patios & Paving Sealed l Decking Cleaned
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Lessons
One to one tuition Beginners to Advanced All Ages Under 7’s Special Tuition All Types of music taught, Classical and Jazz etc.
Our Record 100% Exam Passes (including many distinctions) Festival Cup Winners
KEVIN TAYLOR
All types of decorating, paper-hanging a speciality, no job too small. Public liability insurance held. FREE ESTIMATES For a professional service with over 30 years experience call:
PAINTER & DECORATOR
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Decorating Services Est. 23 years
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l Gutters Cleaned Out l Fascias & Soffits Cleaned
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ALL PLASTERING WORK UNDERTAKEN – INTERNAL / EXTERNAL CLEAN, TIDY, RELIABLE
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98 FUNTLEY ROAD, FUNTLEY FAREHAM, HAMPSHIRE. PO17 SEE
Richard Nicholson
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PAINTER & DECORATOR
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Business Directory
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all materials. Call Jason on…
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• Airport Transfers • Seaports • Local & Long Distance • Friendly, Reliable Service
New Roofs & Repairs to:
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MAINTENANCE WORK
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All aspects of tree work
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Telephone:
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WILL WRITERS
ROOFING WORK
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Events across the Solent region.
what’s
PREVIEW
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
88…
“midnight tango”
back on the road
U
nless you are a true fan, shows featuring ballroom dancing are not something to get over-excited about, or so I thought until I saw my first Tango show. It is passion, fire and part of Argentine history and now I cannot get enough of this vibrant dance form. Following rave reviews for the West End premiere of Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace’s Olivier nominated show, MIDNIGHT TANGO, the Strictly stars are now touring the UK once again, bringing new audiences to dance, as well as delighting regular dance goers. Last year’s tour was highly successful and was the fastest selling show of the year in many of the venues. Producers Arlene Phillips and Adam Spiegel are pleased to announce that box office sales in London and around the country have exceeded all expectations and MIDNIGHT TANGO has now taken almost £10 million at the box office (2011 tour, West End run and advance ticket sales for 2012 tour combined). The show arrives in Southampton from 12th to the 16th June. In a joint statement Vincent and Flavia said: “We are thrilled to be performing Midnight Tango in front of such amazing audiences. It’s a dream come true and we are both overwhelmed with how the show has been received. We are very much looking forward to the upcoming national tour.” Midnight Tango is set in a late-night bar in downtown Buenos Aires, and the show brings to life all the drama, sensuality and elegance of the tango. In the show, the audience is taken on a journey into the heart of this intoxicating city, as danger and excitement, joy and jealousy, pain and
.co.uk • JUNE 2012
passion combine into a spectacular and explosive evening. Tango as a dance is nothing if not dramatic! Former World Champions, Vincent and Flavia, are joined on stage by some of the finest tango dancers in the world, including Giraldo Diomar, Richard Manuel, Jenny Nolan, Daniel Raphael, Pauline Reibell, Yaisuri Salamanca, Guillermo Torrens, Alexandra Wood, Leandro Palou and Romina Godoy, and actors Teddy Kempner and Tricia Deighton. MIDNIGHT TANGO is directed by Olivier Awardwinning choreographer Karen Bruce, who has choreographed for both Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance on BBC 1, and whose theatre credits include Footloose (West End and UK Tour). Choreography is by lead dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace. The live music is provided by top tango band, Tango Siempre, featuring vocalist Miguel Angel. MIDNIGHT TANGO is produced in London and on tour by Arlene Phillips and Adam Spiegel. TICKETS FOR MIDNIGHT TANGO 12th to 16th June are on sale from The Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, online at mayflower. org.uk or in person from the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Marlands, Southampton. Ovation Restaurant bookings 02380 711833.
Music, Comedy, Events & TheatreChildren MOONLIT MEMORIES WALK The choice of 5 mile or 12 mile walk is yours and The Rowans Hospice hope that 2,500 people will take part in walking the course to raise much needed funds, and having fun with friends and family at the same time, the organisers hope that the walk will raise approximately £300,000 for the Hospice. The walk, which starts at 11pm, is sponsored by Biscoes Solicitors and is open to all aged 13 and over. The route starts and finishes at Castle Field ,Southsea and passes along Southsea Seafront, into the Historic Dockyard and on into Old Portsmouth. En-route the Spinnaker Tower, Southsea Seafront and HMS Victory will all be illuminated, there will also be entertainers to help guide you through the walk. The registration fee is £20 which includes a sponsorship pack, event T-shirt, drinks en-route and a medal and breakfast on completion of the walk and you can register by downloading a registration form from the website or by telephone, www.rowanshospice.co.uk Tel: 02392 238533 Saturday 16th June at 11pm. DOCKYARD AT DUSK In a brand new venture, this summer Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will present a truly unique opportunity to enjoy a night ‘out’ at the theatre in the exceptional surroundings of the world-famous HMS Victory, as ‘this huge stage presenteth nought but shows’. Starting the ‘Dockyard At Dusk’ season is the Royal Navy Theatre Association (RNTA) who are planning their most ambitious project yet by performing an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing It is a witty comedy about two sets
of lovers drawn from a group of young men returning home from war, reminding us that “the course of true love never did run smooth”. Bringing the production right up-to-date the men will be a troop of Royal Marines returning from Afghanistan. PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC DOCKYARD (Victory Arena) from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st July at 7.30pm (Gates open at 6.30pm) Tickets £12 (Concs £10), includes free parking in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Car Park (follow the brown tourist signs for Historic Dockyard) from 6pm – 11pm. Box Office 0844 880 5406 (£1.50 booking fee over the phone) Or Online: www. historicdockyard.co.uk/tickets/ dockyardatdusk In person at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Visitor Centre, Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ. Folding seats are provided, but are not allocated so are on a first come first served basis regarding position/location. There will be food concessions and a bar but you can take your own picnic. SOUTHSEA FOLK ROOTS & BLUES DAY Live music at the Naval Base Establishments Central Sports Association (“Dockyard Club”). Blues Afternoon and Folk & Roots Evening concerts will take place at the Club on the Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend. Supporting fringe events will be held at local pubs from the previous Friday through to the following Monday. Acts include Julie Felix and the Jon Amor Blues Group. Dockyard Club, Onslow Road, Southsea, PO5 2NH on August 26th. See website for details Tickets are available on the door or in advance
online. website: www. southseafolkfestival.co.uk email: spiderpromos@aol.com BEAULIEU SCULPTURE TRAIL One of the largest exhibitions of sculpture in the country will open on 24th May at Beaulieu, creating a stimulating Sculpture Trail that will lead visitors from the world famous Motor Museum into the enchanting gardens that surround Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey. The sculptures have been carefully selected from the works of over 300 Surrey Sculpture Society members - from talented amateurs to the artistry of top professional sculptors – who come from all over the South of England including a number from Hampshire. The exhibition runs from 24th May until the 2nd September from 10am daily. For further detailed information about the exhibition visit www. surreysculpture.org.uk. As well as admission to the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and Gardens, visitors to the Sculpture Trail will also be able to enjoy all of Beaulieu’s many main attractions. For information call 01590 612345 or visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk CABARET This double Olivier-award winning production of CABARET is to star internationally renowned singer/songwriter Will Young in his musical theatre debut as the enigmatic Emcee. The production will open at The Mayflower Theatre on 3rd September for a week as part of an exclusive four week tour prior to a West End run. Ever since winning the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2002, Will Young has been one of the UK’s most
popular and successful music artists, selling over 9 million albums. CABARET features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre including ‘Money Makes The World Go Round’, ‘Two Ladies’ ‘Maybe This Time’ and of course ‘Cabaret’. The production turns Weimar Berlin of 1931 into a sassy, sizzling haven of decadence. And at its dark heart are the notorious Emcee and sassy Sally Bowles, who perform nightly at the infamous Kit Kat Klub. MAYFLOWER THEATRE, Southampton. Tickets for CABARET 3rd to 8th September are on sale from The Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, online at mayflower.org.uk or in person from the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Mall (Marlands), Southampton. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833. MICKY FLANAGAN – ‘BACK IN THE GAME’ TOUR Micky Flanagan is now one of Britain’s biggest comedy stars and he will be touring throughout 2013, taking in 57 shows on the way. Micky has appeared on The Royal Variety Performance, Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats – amongst others – and next year will cement his reputation as one of the superstars of British Stand Up. Tickets for the show next spring are already on sale. BIC WINDSOR HALL, Bournemouth. Thursday 21st March 2013, www.mickyflanagan.com
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …89
puzzle time
mindgym the
Train your brain with our selection of puzzles. Solutions are printed at the bottom of the page...
Quickish Crossword
Easy Sudoku 7
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DOWN 1 Chopping down trees (7) 2 A sad colour (4) 3 End a promise (6) 4 Cultural or social setting (6) 5 Protagonist of the Odyssey (8) 6 Ice house (5) 12 Spanish percussion instrument (8) 13 Car used in robbery (7) 15 Person fishing with hook and line (6) 16 Form of newly hatched insect (6) 17 Market table (5) 19 The ratio of the side opposite a given acute angle to the hypotenuse (4)
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.co.uk • JUNE 2012
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COPYRIGHT
With many thanks to www.sudoku-puzzles.net for the sudoku puzzles, and www.dowedo.net for supplying the crossword puzzle.
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check your answers here!
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