W E S S E X
solentlife.co.uk
JULY 2012
WINs
ut at o y a d y l i m a af
Treerunner
Red Arrows
roar over the Solent
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
contents
welcome
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JULY 2012
PHEW! June was some month, it seemed as if the Jubilee celebrations would go on forever (not to mention the rain); but a huge thank you to everyone that welcomed us to their street party and allowed Solent Life to join in with their fun, we visited so many different parties across the region and it was a wonderful experience seeing communities brought together in celebration. In this month’s issue we have plenty of pictures of street parties, including the people of Bishops Waltham who turned out in their hundreds to fill the main street. Apologies if we did not have room for your photo; but we took so many over that weekend we couldn’t fit them in. With July, an exciting summer continues, despite the weather! We are just a few weeks away from the Portsmouth Air Festival and have been speaking to the undoubted stars of any air show, The Red Arrows. Of course the Olympics will be starting and so I sent our intrepid journalist down to Weymouth and Portland for our Coast and Country section to take a look at the area that will be playing host to the world’s sailors for the on-water events. Ringwood Forest has a nature trail which is part of the Moors Valley Country Park and a wonderful walk, especially as the sun was shining at the time, and for the July artist we leave paint and canvas to one side and look at the work of a highly talented local sculptor. There is still so much happening and going on this summer that here at Solent Life we barely have time to take a breath; but it is an exciting time with an amazing array of events to visit. We hope we have given you some ideas to enjoy whether it’s raining or | MANAGING EDITOR glorious sunshine.
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in this issue… features 26… Schools out! The secrets of stress relief on school holidays.
contactus
38… Cooking on the Fort We chat to the young chef on Spitbank.
Solent Life Magazine
58… Classic Regatta Historic J Class yachts race round the island once again.
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
76… Charity Focus Campaign launch for Wessex Heartbeat.
theteam
78… Out & About Photographic memories of Jubilee parties.
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
Nature trail in Ringwood Forest.
Advertising Sales
10… Artist Review
Sarah Kent Tel… 01489 584010 Email… sarah@solentlife.co.uk Steve Walker Tel… 01489 583852 Email… steve@solentlife.co.uk Janet Grimm Tel… 01489 583800 Email… janet@solentlife.co.uk
James Stevenson Tel… 01489 584057 Email… jamie@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 August issue: 18th July 2012
regulars 6… The Walk
Clay and wood taking shape.
24… Restaurant Review
A classic dish in a classic pub.
60… Coast & Country Sailing down to an Olympic venue. 82… Portsmouth Air Festival The Red Arrows open up. 88… What’s On
Reviews of events 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.
JULY 2012 •
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Snap Happy Photo Competition Calling all amateur photographers
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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.
Perhaps you are looking for a new hairstyle or colour? We have an experienced team of stylists to make you look and feel good. Or maybe, you want to prepare yourself for the Sun with a course on the popular tanning tube or have a fantasy spray tan? We also offer an acrylic nail service and the Geleration long lasting nail polish, which is chip and rub off resistant, lasting up to 3 weeks.
£1 per photo per category all entries must be submitted on official entry form. Contact Vanessa Eden
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the walk
nature trails & poohsticks words & images by david rose-massom
It was an idyllic summer’s day; blue, cloudless skies a warm breeze and
From the trees alongside the pathway came the chirrup of blackbirds, the pretty song of the robin and the repetitive, but attractive, cry of the aptly named chiffchaff. A great spotted woodpecker zipped across the pathway, obviously in a hurry to get somewhere for some wood pecking, and in the distance came the unmistakable sound of a cuckoo. The Nature Trail dissects the immaculate fairways of the Moors Valley golf course before turning left over another rustic bridge and to the edge of Crane Lake. Gulls swooped and dipped over the still surface catching insects as ducks flew into splashy and barely controlled landings. On the far shore a heron sat preening his grey wing feathers and there was a need to get closer if I was to get a photograph. Nature is cruel sometimes, she makes the days warm and sunny to encourage wearing shorts, and then she makes nettles sprout to great heights while brambles send out vicious tendrils, the result of this wicked equation - stung and scratched legs, the reward for my fruitless efforts as I watched the heron flap into a rich blue sky and even further away from my camera. In the distance could be heard the un-resting and hooting cry of the cuckoo. From lake, to stream and through meadow speckled with buttercup yellow; it was beautiful here as butterflies twisted and twirled a pas de deux among the yellow and purple flowers. Then a choice of direction, if you are getting tired, turn left and follow the trail back to the Visitor Centre, but the invitation
a rustic bridge crossing a rippling stream. A perfect day for a perfect walk… Moors Valley Country Park, close to Ringwood, has it all, vast areas of picnic grounds, a ‘Go Ape’ course, biking trails, the Play Trail with its unique pieces of wooden play equipment, the miniature steam railway and so much more within Ringwood Forest.
A
fter a picnic among the trees, we began a family walk around the large lake before coming upon route signs for The Nature Trail. In all my visits to this popular park area I had never taken this route and it seemed a good a time as any to rectify that. The wooden bridge arched gently over the river where a pretty warbler darted close to the surface catching tasty insects. A short game of that wonderfully time consuming yet unimportant sport of Poohsticks and we were once again off on the trail. This is ideal for the less able bodied, or those in a wheelchair, as most of the route is tarmac paths and fairly level, there is a section of gravel as well as a meadow crossing but in dry weather both are easily passable. A few minutes behind us the weekend summer visitors crowded the picnic grounds and lake surrounds, but here on the nature trail it was peaceful and calm. The odd group of cyclists did pedal by, but they all seemed to offer gentle warnings of their approach and are polite with thanks as you stand to one side for them.
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offered by an avenue of young oaks standing sentry-like on either side of a gravel path was too difficult to ignore. As the cuckoo continued crying out across the landscape we climbed the gentle slope up into the dappled shade of the woods. The footpath meandered through dense woodland, sunlight painted spotty pictures on the slim trunks of the tall trees and on the woodland floor, a thrush darted out onto the footpath to gather nesting material before fluttering back into the undergrowth. I listened for the chorus of birdsong and realised that finally we were out of range of that annoying cuckoo. A signpost pointed the way back to the Nature Trail and the footpath led into a meadow with the path mown through the deep grass. It was back to the tarmac path which carved its way through the heart of the golf course; then a couple of wooden boardwalks traversed areas of marshland before the trail finally arrived back at the river and that wooden bridge. It really had been the perfect walk, field, woodland, meadow, lakes and streams and, as we stood looking down into the stream again, watching the dragon and damselflies busily flit about, there was that cuckoo again with its insistent cries. We tossed a couple of sticks into the stream and watched as they drifted under the bridge… ●
“And that was the beginning of the game called Poohsticks, which Pooh invented, and which he and his friends used to play on the edge of the Forest. But they played with sticks instead of fir-cones, because they were easier to mark.” A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
For refreshments the Visitor Centre has the café called Seasons. There are parking fees at Moors Valley but they are worth it because of the facilities set in the wonderful surroundings of Ringwood Forest. The Charges are clearly marked on the Park’s website. www.moors-valley.co.uk
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Workshop £130 including copy of book. Please visit our website for details. www.thebalanceprocedure.com/events_training.htm
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art | focus
S
olent Life came across the work of sculptor Chris Cudlip during the recent Oxford Street event that commemorated the sinking of the Titanic and we watched as his well-practiced hands drew the tools down across the clay to shape the subjects face. The artist working from both photograph and the sitter; the main difference between subject and clay model was that the sitter and artist chatted while the sculpted face sat silently on the pedestal growing in character. “That’s where the sculptor’s work comes in; giving character,” Chris explained. “A photo can tell part of the story but the sculpture can really get into the character of the person sitting. It is still the artist’s impression of the character sat in front of them, which is why I need to get to know the subject, learn about their personality and their personal history.” Chris told us he felt that with sculptures he was able to add dimensions to a person’s character. “When I work from a photograph, or even when I have the subject sitting in front of me, it appears two-dimensional but then I guide it into a fourth dimension by adding the sitter’s character and personality – it’s the person but also the unseen person!” Outside of the studio, wrapped against the torrential rain, was a huge chunk of cedar wood; it was the beginnings of a life-size sumo wrestler. Chris unravelled the ropes and tarpaulin that covered the part finished and rough-hewn work. “I begin something this large with the chainsaw but when I have the rough shape I use small gouges and chisels.” The hefty wooden shape had a wonderful texture but also cedar has a wonderful smell and as the rain hit the wood shavings that aroma lifted and added yet another dimension to his work. “I have long been into Japanese and oriental culture,” Chris continued. “I visited Japan and China and got massive inspiration from what I saw and experienced there, I have also studied martial arts, which again adds to my
words & images by david rose-massom
In a small Southampton studio frozen faces stare back with glaring, cold eyes. A brown clay head, unfinished and yet full of character gazes off, sightless into the distance as if aloof and purposely ignoring anyone who enters the studio; still this is a face full of emotion and deep thoughts. Behind the unfinished sculptor’s piece is a photograph of the sitter and each facial line of age and life is reflected in the artist’s work. 10…
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commitment when it comes to sculpting in that style.” There are many facets to Chris Cudlip’s work and we asked which medium he preferred, especially after seeing on his website that he referred to himself as an ‘Environmental Sculptor’! “I mostly work in wood and clay, although…” here there was a long pause for thought, “I do prefer clay!” There was another pause while he thought again about his preference. “I do love the feel of working with wood - no, clay is my favourite!” A decision had been reached. “But I am also very much into recycling sculpting, using plastic bottles and the like to utilise waste into something that can be appreciated. I often work with schools and young offenders with environmental sculpting and it helps them appreciate that it may just be a plastic bottle they have discarded but there are consequences to that behaviour.” There is also a fun element alongside the educational such as with beachcombing. “We go on litter-picks and comb beaches for litter that could have washed up from anywhere; it is amazing when you check where the flotsam and jetsam have come from. There is so much plastic in our oceans that it is now getting into the eco-system, it is getting into the fish and therefore into our food chain; effectively we are beginning to eat our own cast-offs!” “With the litter we recover we build works of art as we discuss where the rubbish came from,” he added. As with many of our featured artists much
of Chris’s knowledge is self-taught. “I loved art at school and was always chosen when it came to creative projects such as poster production and stage set and scenery design. I left school at 15 with no qualifications but always continued to work at my art as a hobby. “When I was 21 I went to work in a ceramic studio in Bristol and did some classes before building my own gas-fired kiln. The wood carving side of my craft came from making puppet heads and masks for street entertainment, I was taught by a friend who had learned his skills from some travelling Portuguese puppeteers.” On reaching his early thirties Chris felt he needed to formalise his art knowledge and learning and applied to the Wimbledon School of Art. “I began by aiming for a theatre design course but while wandering around the University I stumbled on a course called ‘Technical Arts Interpretation’ and as I walked into the studio there were loads of figure sculptures taken from life and was designed to make props and special effects. It was one of those moments in life when you just know this is for me!” he said. “On the course we began with the head, then onto the male torso, we were taught classical life sculptures working with both life size and then to scale. “Understanding the skeleton and the way the muscles build up is vital; you need to know your anatomy before you can start to build the life sculptures. You need to know where all the parts of the body are and how they work. With the head you need to be aware of the extremities such as the depth of the eyes, the jaw line and the shape of the nose. For example the eyes of an infant are positioned differently in the face to an adults, their skull has not yet fully formed,” Chris explained. Sitting in his studio and watching him work and hearing about his career was fascinating and he finally convinced himself, and us, that clay was indeed his favourite medium. But, when you are interviewing an artist who travelled to Japan to get inspiration for his art works and ended up playing the banjo in a band while there; it is always going to be a fascinating story! l
ART FOCUS S P O N S O R S H I P
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 Choosing a frame for your artwork can take time, you need to get it right as you’ll hopefully be looking at, and enjoying it, for a long time! Always ensure you choose a frame for the picture not the surroundings it will be hanging in – otherwise you may end up with a completely unsuitable frame or one that “competes” with the image. You want a frame that will blend and draw your eye into the picture without taking over. So look at the image and see what colours there are, then look at frames that work in harmony with these. And what about the subject matter? A traditional picture will naturally suit a more traditional frame as would a modern image suit a more contemporary frame. And if your image is on canvas then that too can be framed following the same principles, but often canvases tend to have no frame at all, just stretched ready to hang.
Through till August sculptor Chris Cudlip is passing on his experience with workshops at his studio on Life Drawing and Figurative Sculpture. For details on his workshops and his work, Chris works both onspec and with commissions, go to www.cudlipscupture.com E-mail: chriscudlip@yahoo.co.uk
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photography 1
3
5
2
4
6
talent young
1 Cheetah 2 The Barge Jonathan Swann (15)
3 Needles from Keyhaven 4 Hurst Spit Ben Thomas (11)
5 Penguin 6 Stoke Lake Oliver Bobby Cunningham Lambert (13) (7)
words by dave hill
You do not need age or experience to be able to produce beautiful images from your camera, all you really need is a keen eye and the desire to record the life and landscapes around the Solent Life area. For regular readers of Solent Life you will know that alongside our main Calendar Competition we are also running the Young Photographer of the Year challenge and we have already received some beautiful images from around the region. With the young talent that is out there and from the images already received we think it will be a tough job when it comes to awarding the Young Photographer prize; so to all under-16s with a camera, a simple message – keep those images coming as we are really enjoying seeing your work. l
photo 2013
competition
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION SPONSORSHIP Our Calendar competition is kindly sponsored by the LONDON CAMERA EXCHANGE FAREHAM & NIKON 135 West Street, Fareham. T: 01329 236441. E: fareham@lcegroup.co.uk
THE RULES: All images must be taken by the named photographer and the photographer should not be a professional (eg earning the bulk of their income from photography). Images should be ‘landscape’ in format, saved as Jpegs and named for their location. Images should then be sent via email as high resolution and accompanied clearly with name, address and a contact number. The judges decision each month and for Photographer of the Year is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Send your entries to calendarcompetition@solentlife.co.uk 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.
June’s winner… louise mead 20…
.co.uk • JULY 2012
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TO BEAT ANY WRITTEN QUOTE
DISCOUNT ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT
72 Botley Road, Park Gate, Southampton SO31 1BA
Tel & Fax: 01489 559915 Email: carpetzone@tiscali.co.uk Website: www.carpetzone.co.uk
*Based on the production of a valid quotation from a recognised retailer. Not including carpet or vinyl under £12.00 m2. Laminate flooring based on Quick-Step range.
A gift shop selling more than you might think • Open 7 days a week Find the perfect gifts and cards here!
Silver Jewellery ~ ‘Jelly Cat’ ~ ‘Lily Flame’ ~ ‘Spaceform’ ~ Scarves ~ Handbags Milvil Court, Milvil Rd, Lee-On-The-Solent, Hampshire PO13 9LY
Telephone: 02392 553701 www.finishingtouchesgiftshop.co.uk
Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm / Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm / Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm. JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …21
travel | focus
Canadian
Bear Necessities words by jeff kilby
Each year, in the fall, on the west shore of Canada’s Hudson Bay, Polar Bears gather along the shore on the outskirts of Churchill, waiting for the bay to freeze in order to begin the annual hunt for seals. This makes Churchill the self-proclaimed “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. Every fall you can expect in the vicinity of nearly 1,000 bears to pass through Churchill.
T
he annual Polar bear trek to Hudson Bay provides a fantastic
opportunity to see these magnificent animals. Amity World Travel offer tours that range from one to seven days in length that can easily be bolted on to a tour of the Canadian Rockies/Alaskan Cruise, etc or work as a stand-alone holiday. The only way to reach this remote settlement is by plane or a 40-hour train journey from Winnipeg – our recommended option is to fly from Winnipeg and spend 3 or 4 nights in Churchill, this will allow for 2 full days spent viewing the bears. Your two days of Polar Bear viewing will be spent in the Tundra Buggy; Tundra Buggy’s can only be described as a portacabin on oversized wheels. However they are without doubt the most comfortable and safe way to experience the bears in their natural environment. The Buggy will follow a
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
system of established trails, stopping at leisure to enjoy the scenery. Meandering across the cold landscape in the morning light, the tundra looks a bleak, unforgiving wilderness, with low, battered willow bushes dusted with snow, frozen pools, tidal flats and the odd spruce. Despite the bleakness the sage green and pale turquoise tints of the ice have a peculiar beauty about them, contrasting with the golden brown leaves clinging to the trees and the red and yellow ochres of lace-like lichens on the scattered rocks. As you weave your way towards Hudson Bay there is a good chance that you will catch the unmistakable outline of the bears plodding along the horizon, their coats honey-coloured against the pure white of the snow. Upon reaching the shores of Hudson Bay you can expect to find an abundance of polar bears, the majority will carry on with their daily life, as if you are
not there. Curiosity will get the better of some and you can expect male bears to approach the buggy, puling themselves up against the side to do a spot of people watching, whilst the mothers will just lay close by with their young in tow. With the opportunity to take photos from the observation deck to the rear of the buggy and a highly knowledgeable guide to keep you informed on all that is going on around, you will find the day soon passes and before you know it you will be heading back to town. The Polar Bears of Churchill are undoubtedly a holiday experience that will live long in the memory, with a choice of tour operators offering an array of options from Adventure tours to the more luxurious and inclusive; it makes sense to speak to Amity World Travel first. Their experienced staff will be able to steer you through the myriad of choices and take the strain out of tying it all together with any plans you may have for before and after your time in Churchill. The season is short as the bears will be off as soon as the sea ice has formed, which is usually by mid-November, with the high demand to witness this annual migration, early booking is highly recommended. 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
Contact us for expert advice and a wide range of Canadian holiday options
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 6 day Polar bear Adventure from £2995 per person Includes 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill all flights and tax, 2 days polar bear viewing. Based on travel in October, 2 persons sharing twin rooms.
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.
Telephone: 01489 579975
Email: holidays@amitytravel.co.uk
Web: www.amitytravel.co.uk
4 Manor Court, Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth East, Fareham, PO15 5TH JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …23
restaurant | review
& superb simple
words & pictures by david rose-massom
Following a Solent Life walk and on entering a pub for lunch where you discover the floor is stripped oak boards and yes, sawdust actually goes down for special occasions and really busy nights; where a diner is tucking into a chip butty made from big chips and doorstep slices of bread – you just know you are in the right place…
F
INNS suits Ringwood, it is a warm and friendly place that is comfortable, clean, friendly and with its heart in exactly the right place. The bar and the dining areas are full of character; the floorboards are a little worn from years of use, the eclectic furniture styles add to the ad-hoc and rustic charm of the rooms; the walls are filled with interesting pictures and posters that will keep your interest peeked through a dozen lunchtimes. Following my long trek through the Nature Trail of Ringwood Forest for this month’s walk I had gained a deep appetite, and thirst, so I had called into Finns which sits by the market square and opposite the attractive town-centre church. Sitting in my pew with a pint of chilled Guinness my hunger pangs were not helped by watching plate and platter of great looking food pass by for a destination by the bright window where a group of fellow walkers sat on comfortable couches.
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Tempted first by the Stilton topped burger and then by the pie, I was spoilt for choice but, as this was a classic looking pub menu, I plumped for the sausage and mash with onion gravy and onion rings. While mentioning pies, every Thursday is Pie-Night with two pies for £12, a bargain and a good reason for going out on a Thursday evening. Pete and Ben, two good mates from Bournemouth, took over the pub in November of last year and have given a new lease of life to an already popular establishment. They have been best friends for many a year and although they may appear to be a couple of young whipper-snappers, they do seem to have their heads screwed on when it comes to running a hostelry. I checked with Ben and he assured me that wherever possible the foods are sourced locally, the sausages coming from the local butcher. While waiting for my lunch and sipping on my black nectar I took time to gaze around the pub and get a feel for the atmosphere. The background music is just
that, in the background, and the noise that did reach my corner of the bar was of the happy chatter of the customers. There is a charming warmth about this place and it felt very comfortable. It is not only the bar that is full of character, the same has to be said for some of the older customers as my reverie was slightly disturbed when a regular greeted me warmly with a gentle hand on my shoulder and a friendly laugh. I could not help but smile and engage him in conversation until my meal arrived. Pubs like this are now sadly rare; many now turned into themed bars, but Finns is a little oldfashioned in feel and yet seems to be keeping up with modern trends and practices. This is an honest hostelry that serves good food and offers excellent service with a warm atmosphere. But, what about the food, well I was saving the best for last! Simple, traditional food served without fuss. Two dark, fat and succulent looking sausages lay on
a mound of slightly course mashed potato which in turn was topped by three home-made onion rings; the thick and aromatic gravy was served in a small pouring dish. The aroma coming up from the gravy was intoxicating; this redwine based onion gravy is quite simply epic and it made the dish lift from very good to brilliant. The onion rings, fresh made, and coated with thin light batter. The mash seasoned perfectly and mashed just enough to leave a good texture. A mash served with sausages should not be a sloppy puree; it should be a little course and be ‘man-mash’! The sausages were very good. A great flavour and really firm textured and big enough that even for my appetite a serving of two sausages was enough. We have a great reputation in Hampshire for the quality of our sausages and Finns locally sourced bangers upheld that tradition. Finns serve good, honest, rustic food that is high in quality, where
possible locally sourced, and filled with flavour. Each mouthful of my lunch was as enjoyable as the last and that stood for the entire meal. Sometimes the simple things in life are best and over complicating any part would spoil the equation. Finns keep things simple! The menu is not overcomplicated, the bestseller being the aforementioned Stilton topped burger, and there is something with both meals and snacks to tempt even the most fussy of palates. So a classic menu combined with a nice atmosphere in attractive surroundings and some good service; as well as a smattering of characters in the bar, Finns is a place that I can not only recommend but that I will be visiting again – I need to try the pies! l
www.finnsatringwood.co.uk My Sausage and Mash was good value at just £6.50
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …25
school’s out!
we’re all going on
a summer holiday words by fiona cooke
When you are young time seems to go so slowly and the six weeks of the summer holidays can last forever. Six blissful weeks of, as the song goes; “No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks.” Six weeks of sun and fun, of sandcastles and ice-creams. Six weeks of…
…“Muuuuum, I’m bored!”
L
uckily, as you get older, time speeds up. So although the summer holidays, as they approach, can seem to be a long stretch, once you hit the ground running, they do pass fairly quickly. If you are lucky the annual family holiday will last two weeks... or longer if you are very blessed, and can decamp to your villa in Spain for the whole period.
So most of us are left with four weeks in which to keep our children amused, come rain or shine, whilst retaining our sanity. Depending on your budget there is a wide variety of places that children can be taken to, on both wet and dry days; you can visit forts, country parks, sea life centres, cinemas, and activity centres. But four weeks, even discounting weekends, can be an awfully long time when you are keeping children entertained. So I have a plan:
Day 1: First day of the holidays, we can all have a lie in; the kids can watch TV all day if they choose, and I will remain in my pyjamas, contemplate the ironing pile and drink lots of tea. Day 2: My eldest can pick our activity, with a set budget per head and a radius of 10 miles. I will refrain from organising anything, including getting her out of bed, so potentially we will not leave the house until 4 in the afternoon. Day 3: My choice. I will invite a friend and her children over for lunch. The kids will amuse each other and my friend and I can contemplate my ironing pile, drink tea and chat. Day 4: The youngest can choose. Same rules as for Day 2, but as he is an early riser we should leave the house before lunch; if he can get his sister out of bed. Day 5: If the weather is fine we’ll go to the beach. I’ll alternate between slathering the children in sun cream at frequent intervals and standing on the shoreline, with my finger hovering on speed dial for the inshore rescue service, frantically beckoning them to come closer to the beach,. Day 6: I’ll tell the children we can’t go out until they have tidied their bedrooms, so I will have plenty of time to tackle what is now an ironing mountain, wearing my oxygen cylinder and crampons.
Day 9: Youngest chooses. With the proviso that the budget is for entrance fees, not parking at the shopping centre, sweets and the purchase of nerve guns. Day 10: My choice. The children will be in charge of catering. They will have a budget, recipe books, and the instruction to include the five major food groups. Whilst I am tempted to vacate the kitchen for the day I know this will end in a call to one of the emergency services, so I will act as chief washer up and health and safety advisor. Day 11 and 12: I will arrange for one friend each to come for a sleepover; otherwise known as an awake over in our house. They’ll take over the lounge, I’ll be confined to the kitchen supplying food, drinks, cleaning the fridge out and rearranging my food cupboards. Come bedtime I’ll request that they keep the noise down at 20 minute intervals for an hour or so until I give up and take to my bed with a pair of earplugs. Day 13: A day for haircuts and new school shoes. The haircuts are straight forward but the hour or so spent in the shoe shop will not be amongst my favourite moments of the holidays. Day 14: We (I) have earned a day of rest. I’ll allow the children free access to all forms of electronic gadgetry and I will read a book. It is my holiday too and I need to gird my loins for tomorrow. Day 15: Shop for new uniforms. I don’t want to think about how harrowing this experience will be. Day 16: I am running out of steam. And money. We can go to the woods and build wigwams or the beach (minus the body boards) and build sandcastles. I’ll take a folding chair from which to supervise the construction process. Day 17: Realise that no homework has been done so spend the day standing over the children as they complete projects that really need a week. End the day feeling that teachers are underpaid and must need to consume vast quantities of wine every evening. Days 18, 19 and 20: Start the first day by watching a Bear Grylls DVD, then pitch a tent in the back garden and challenge the children to survive in the wilderness for three days and nights. Allow access to only the toilet facilities and drop in food parcels at regular intervals.
Day 7: Eldest picks again. With the proviso that she should not choose a film she knows her brother will hate. Day 8: I’m counting on a return invite to friend’s house. Where we can discuss who ran out of oxygen first while doing the ironing.
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So there you have it. Surviving the summer holidays is all in the forward planning. And as with all good plans I have no doubt this one will go awry somewhere around Day 3! l
EXCLUSIVE
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Forest fun for everyone aged 6 to 66! We have 2 kids courses (aged 6-9) and also 4 adult courses. Travel 25ft up in the trees using our zip lines, our bicycle and our snowboards. We also have Tarzan swings and base jumps and let’s not forget ‘Big Bertha’ the longest tree to tree zip in the UK! Special harnesses mean that under 18’s do not have to be accompanied by an adult. So book today at www.treerunners.com Treerunners is situated at Harewood Forest, Cowdown Lane, Andover. SP11 6LE. Just 2 mins off the A303/A3093 exit to Andover. Check website for directions.
WIN A DAY OUT
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TREERUNNERS Treerunning is the fastest growing recreational activity in the UK. It’s great fun, exciting and though it might make your knees shake a little it’s perfectly safe.
Attached to a safety line you move from tree to tree negotiating a number of crossings such as suspended beams, ropes, cargo nets and zip lines and because you can choose the level of difficulty, anyone can do it. We have two courses for kids aged 6-9 and four courses for adults and the best bit is that because of our safety system under 18’s do not have to be accompanied by an adult. We welcome families, friends, groups of all sorts, birthday parties and school outings. In fact just about everyone can have fun at Treerunners.
Just answer the question below correctly and you could win a day out for a family of five at Treerunners. What did Tarzan wear in the jungle? Was it… (A) Loincloth (B) Pyjamas (C) String vest TO ENTER, email competitions@solentlife.co.uk quoting ‘Treerunners’ 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 27.07.2012 Treerunners is situated in Harewood forest, Cowdown Lane, Andover. SP11 6LE, just two minutes south of the A303 off the A3093 exit to Andover. Please visit www.treerunners.com for directions and more information. 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 27.07.2012. (4) There are no cash or other alternatives to the stated prizes.
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …27
F1 Stag Parties
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
money | matters
HOW ARE YOU PLANNING
TO PAY FOR
LONG-TERM CARE? words by justin stevens
The funding of long-term care is becoming a major political issue, but for many families it is already a burning personal issue. It is estimated that more than 20,000 pensioners were forced to sell their homes to pay for care in 2010 (Source: The Telegraph, November 2010) and that number could be on the increase given rising care costs. Some people do get state help. Depending on your income you may get state help, although a person who owns his or her home is likely to fail the local authority means test and be deemed a “self-funder”. In England, this threshold is £23,250 which has been frozen until 2013 (in Wales it is £22,500 and in Scotland £23,500) (Source: Department of Health, April 2011). In most cases this includes the value of any property owned. However, there are circumstances in which the family home is ignored: if you have a spouse or relative aged 60 or over still living in the home it will not be included within the local authority’s financial assessment. It should also be ignored if your care needs are classed as “temporary”. In addition, if your other assets, excluding the home, are less than £23,250, then you should not be charged for the first 12 weeks. Those in this situation can request that a legal charge is put on their home rather than selling it upfront. You need to be aware that not all benefits are means-tested. For example, people who need nursing care (as opposed to “personal care”) will receive a contribution towards these costs, regardless of their financial position. In England this is normally paid at £108 a week, with payments made direct to the nursing home. It is important to remember, however, that reliance on the state comes at the cost of choice of the care you receive. For many people the self-funding route is going to be their only option. It is a worrying prospect as the cost of care
can quickly add-up and eat into your savings. On average, someone who requires care in a residential care home will pay £524 per week, and for a nursing care home £722 per week (weighted averages for the whole of the UK, source Laing & Buisson Care of Elderly People UK Market Survey 2011/12), a huge ongoing amount to find at any age, let alone in later years. However, these are averages across local authority funded and self funded care, many self funders will pay much more than these averages. It doesn’t take much to work out that you wouldn’t have to be in a care home for too long before you or your family had spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on paying fees. In the past, pre-funded care insurance plans were an option – aimed at those who think they might need to go into care in the future. But as it stands not one UK insurer provides pre-funded insurance today with the last provider exiting the market in 2010, citing lack of demand. Instead, perhaps the most popular option for paying for long-term care is an immediate care annuity, which pays a tax free fixed income for life, provided that it is paid directly to the care home provider. This can provide some certainty for people moving into care, as they know their fees will be guaranteed to be paid for life; their money will not run out and they will not have to move into a local authority-run home later. There is also the reassurance that whatever is left
from the sale of the home, once the annuity has been bought, can be left to the next generation. The price depends on a person’s age and health when going into care – the longer the insurer expects them to live, the larger the upfront cost. Most providers, however, allow you to buy “capital protection”, which refunds part of the cost in such circumstances. You can also pay into plans that protect against inflation via escalating benefits. Many people fund this annuity when they sell their home. Of course, the downside is that if the person dies shortly after going into nursing care then you will have paid out more for the annuity than the cost of fees. It can seem a little bit of a gamble, but an annuity does provide security in that you know fees are covered for life. You could try to fund care fees out of regular income – if you have the means to do so. For starters, if you are going into care and have no dependants, then your own property could be rented out and the rent used to offset the fees. Alternatively, with careful planning you could build an investment portfolio designed to pay an income without taking undue risk. You will need expert help because it is crucial that your capital is protected to a large degree. Again, just be aware that several years’ fees could quickly add up, so the balance and diversification of assets will have to be just right. We are all expected to live longer but while that is good news it is likely to mean that more people will need to consider care fees – not just for themselves, but also for their parents. It is an issue that many baby boomers are dealing with at this very moment – and it is an issue that is unlikely to disappear. 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
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …29
We bring businesses together Getting to meet the decision makers We have a very experienced team of people who can communicate at all levels informing and educating your target audience, as well as gaining valuable information and feedback from their responses. Find out how we work to generate leads and appointments that could potentially drive your business forward.
T | 01489 789588 W | www.nobelamarketing.info
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
N OBE L A MARKETING
solent | business
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …31
health & beauty
GREAT NEWS FOR THE OVER 40’S WOMAN LADIES, WE GUARANTEE RESULTS! Our exercise centres are an exciting concept in the battle against ageing. Improved joint mobility and posture, better digestion and sleep patterns, weight loss, figure improvement and increased energy levels, are just some of the benefits reported by hundreds of satisfied clients. Cathy Edwards is the Club Manager of Fareham and we took the opportunity to speak to her to find out more about the success story. WHY ARE YOUR CENTRES AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT THE OVER 40 AGE GROUP? Cathy: “Younger people are already quite well catered for. There are plenty of health clubs and gymnasiums, aerobics classes, etc. In my experience however, older people find those facilities intimidating. They are full of young, fit bodied people. The staff are very young too. I felt that it was time we over 40’s had a place of our own to keep in shape. We want to exercise as much as younger people, but we don’t feel the need to train like an athlete. We want equipment that is simple to use, even if we are overweight or suffer from arthritis or low back pain. We want instructors that understand our capabilities and facilities that are a little more luxurious and friendly than a typical health club. What we don’t want is blaring pop music. We want a facility that provides the opportunity to relax and socialise. Our clients tell us we have got it just right.” HOW DID YOU COME TO INVENT MOTORISED EXERCISE AND WHAT IS IT EXACTLY? Cathy: “Motorised exercise is the name of the exercise system used in each centre. There are eight motorised exercise machines and they are motorised to make exercise easy and enjoyable. Each machine is a luxurious armchair and has a different function. It takes just 30 minute to use them all, by which time the whole body has been exercised. Motorised exercise, is fun. However poor a beginner’s condition may be, and regardless of age, anyone can cope with motorised exercise. DO I HAVE TO PROVE THAT I AM 40 PLUS? Cathy: “No, we have plenty of under 40’s using our centres. We appeal to anyone that wants a gentler way of getting into shape, regardless of their age. But we do tend to attract the over 40’s in very large numbers at our centres. That is hardly surprising, is it, as half the population is now in that age bracket. What pleases me is that we are attracting many clients in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s too.” CAN MOTORISED EXERCISE REALLY SLOW DOWN AGEING? Cathy: “Motorised exercise can increase fitness, joint mobility and muscular strength by about 20%. Energy levels are substantially increased. Body fat is reduced. Muscle loss is retarded. The risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and thrombosis are reduced. In my book, this adds up to a serious fight back against the ageing process.” IS FIGURE IMPROVEMENT AND WEIGHT LOSS REALLY IMPORTANT? Cathy: “Average inch loss in the first 12 to 16 weeks can often exceed a full dress size even when no weight loss in involved. Unlike toning tables or conventional resistance machines, motorised exercise allows you to exercise aerobically and to burn fat. Overweight clients follow our unique weight loss plan that guarantees most clients a minimum of half a stone per month reduction. The combination of muscle toning and weight loss make motorised exercise the most effective figure improvement programme ever devised.”
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
Places are limited so phone today on:
01329 231229 fareham@energieffw-club.com www.effw.co.uk
3 day FREE pass
Please complete this form and phone ahead to activate the FREE pass which will be required upon each visit. Valid for three consecutive days. Name: Address: Postcode: Occupation: Tel: Mob: Email: Activation date (office use only): Activate your FREE 3 day guest pass today!
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30 minute Technogym fitness and weight loss circuit • Beauty therapy • Power plate • Personal training studio • Friendly qualified fitness staff • Relaxation area • Strawberry laser lipo U n i t 1 a • Co n s o r t Co u r t • H i g h S t r ee t • Fa r eh a m • H a n t s • P O 1 6 7 AL
THE ULTIMATE SPA EXPERIENCE
The Spa Studios 25 Middle Road Park Gate SO31 6QW
SPECIAL OFFER Ease the tension with a back, neck and shoulder massage, follow this with a revitalising Dermalogica facial and soothing eye treatment. Then apply the finishing touches with a Jessicamaintenance manicure! Only £37.50 per person – saving you £75! Phone: 01489 557862 Email: jill@thespastudios.co.uk www.thespastudios.co.uk
At the Spa Studios we invite you on a relaxing journey. We offer a full variety of treatments, ranging from a quick eyebrow thread on your lunch break to a full day of indulgence before your holidays. We can also accommodate pamper days for up to four ladies, whether it be for birthdays, hen parties or just a well deserved treat for you and your friends. Our therapists specialise in set areas of expertise. Jill Norman, ethetician and proprietor of The Spa Studios has just celebrated her tenth year owning the business. Her ongoing training through The International Dermal Institute has ensured every skin care treatment is tailored to suit her specific client, as not two skins are the same. Senior therapist and nail technician Leonie Reynolds is coming up to her sixth year in the salon. She specialises in intimate waxing, gel nails, threading and has just introduced intricate nail art and vajazzles to the salon. She has a loyal client base many who travel long distances for treatments due to her experience and knowledge in waxing. Grace is our newest member of staff who is currently training in gel manicures and pedicures. We are offering these treatments half price throughout the summer when booked with Grace. Call today on 01489 557862 or email jill@thespastudios.co.uk to avoid disappointment as limited availability. Terms and conditions apply.
Luxury for less! ● Gorgeous swimwear from Miraclesuit, Huit, Speedo & Panache ● Introducing fabulous swimwear from British brand Kiss Me Deadly (pictured swimsuit £75) ● B each dresses & must have accessories for all your summer fun!
Opening Hours Tues – Fri • 10am to 5pm | Sat • 10am to 4pm Out of hours appointments available by arrangement
☎ 02392 552764 167 High Street • Lee-on-the-Solent • Hampshire PO13 9BX www.pslingerie.co.uk
Would you like to lose weight and gain a £20 M&S voucher towards the new wardrobe the new slimmer you will need? Now there is something you can do to get the results you want! The specialist team at the Hampshire Hypnotherapy Centre will show you the secret to easy, lasting, weight loss with the unique ‘EASY LOSS PROGRAMME’ or ‘VIRTUAL GASTRIC BAND SURGERY’. With our personalised hypnotherapy programmes it is possible to lose all your unwanted weight just by changing the way you make your eating decisions… no starving yourself, no calorie counting and definitely NO FAD DIETS. Our Easyloss programme is most suitable for people needing to lose 3 stone or less while our Virtual Gastric band programme is really effective in helping people with a BMI of 30 plus. Virtual Gastric Band Surgery has been featured heavily in the media and many hundreds of people who have struggled to lose weight in the past have achieved amazing results. Call TODAY on 0800 970 4776 to arrange your Free ‘Easyloss’ Initial Consultation or ‘Virtual Gastric Band’ Consultation just £50.00 (Usually £75) if booked before 31st July 2012. Every new weight loss client in July will also receive a £20 M&S voucher to put towards their new slimmer wardrobe! Discover how you can enjoy losing weight and get the slim figure you dream of by calling today or visit our website at www.hantshypno.co.uk
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …33
Instant Cosmetic Simulation at Titchfield Dental Health
Do you have gaps where teeth once were? Would you like whiter teeth? or straighter teeth?
Another innovation at Titchfield Dental Health is SNAP. SNAP is a new computer generated dental imaging which can show you after just a photograph how your teeth could look after treatment. Have you got a missing tooth? Have you got crooked or uneven teeth? Would you like whitening but are not sure how it would look? Come for a free presentation of SNAP at Titchfield Dental Health during July (appointment necessary). Let us show you what you could look like after treatment. Whether something simple or the complete align, bleach and bond we can let you see a computer generated image of yourself after treatment. Take the guesswork out of having treatment and see what the end result could be! Ring 01489 581158 for an appointment – what have you got to lose?
Introducing SNAP – we now have the computer technology
to show you what your teeth could look like after treatment! Free consultations for before and after pictures BEFORE treatment is carried out!! Titchfield Dental Health is an ALIGN, BLEACH and BOND Practice. Have your teeth aligned (straightened),bleached (whitened) and bonded (tooth coloured filling material added to teeth to reshape without the need for drilling) For more information see our website www.titchfielddental.co.uk
Call us now on 01489 581158
s er ch le u o b ft V ila Gi ava
Full head foils £50 • Cut & blowdry £29 • Wet cut £17
Gents as usual just Walk In: Shampoo, cut & finish £9 OAP 20% Discount Tuesdays & Wednesdays Open: Tues & Fri 9am-6pm, Wed 9am-5pm, Late Night Thurs 12noon-8pm, Sat 9am-3pm
63 Southampton Road, Park Gate, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 6AH
www.titchfielddental.co.uk
Ladies & Gents Hair salon
Ladies by Appointment - Walk In’s when available:
Look out for the green and white picket fence. T: 01489 581158 | F: 01489 582220 | E: info@titchfielddental.co.uk
HEAD RUSH
01329 843852 • 23 HIGH STREET TITCHFIELD SQ. PO14 4AQ
They’re your eyes – why compromise?
www.headrushhairsalon.yolasite.com
l Outstanding professional patient care l Very latest testing instruments l Family run practice, established 1948
North Street, Havant Botley Road, Park Gate 02392 484184 01489 584169 www.wingateopticians.co.uk
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Dr Now e Ex am Stoc te G k ns irl ing ion Ha s ir
JULY 2012 •
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advertorial
TwoSaints words by peter holding images by two saints
As readers of Solent Life, you have met some of the people we have helped in the past, people who with our help are living lives as part of their local community.
T
Neil “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Two Saints, the staff literally saved my life.”
here are no easy solutions to the causes of homelessness, but as one of the largest providers of accommodation and support to single homeless people in the South of England, we offer a stepping stone to a better future for those most in need – providing quality services that help people to live independent lives.
Catherine “I’ve got responsibilities and a sense of purpose.”
Volunteers are hugely important to us, if you have time to spare on a regular basis you can help us to change more lives for the better.
Bill “I’m living proof that things can get better with a safe place to stay and the right help.”
Volunteer opportunities Chair of Finance and Performance Committee (Non Executive Director) - Fareham Right now, we’re seeking a Chair for our Finance & Performance Committee who will grasp this challenge with vision and energy – applying their expertise to enable Two Saints to positively touch the lives of hundreds of the most vulnerable adults in our area. In addition to a strong track record at management level, we’re looking for an experienced professional with a background in finance to support our Finance Director, chair Finance & Performance Committee meetings and to take the lead on finance at board level. Time Commitment - As a nonexecutive director, you’ll be required to attend board meetings every two months as well as occasional training and strategy days. Our Finance & Performance Committee meets quarterly.
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
Kitchen Assistant – Portsmouth Our kitchen at Mill House on Milton road Portsmouth, is a busy place serving three meals per day, seven days a week to around 50 people. The service is run by a catering team with the help of volunteers – if you like feeding people or would like to learn more about catering in a commercial kitchen with a supportive team, then this could be ideal for you. Shop Assistant – Southampton In Millbrook Road West, we have a framing workshop with a full time framer. We need help to offer an ongoing service to our regular client base of photographers and artists. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has some spare time, has an interest in art and would like to make a difference to people who are homeless. Whist these are voluntary roles, expenses will be reimbursed. Two Saints values diversity and is committed to ensuring that its board reflects a diverse range of perspectives. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of society. To enquire or to apply for an application pack please call 01329 848556 (24hr answerphone) or email your name and address to: recruitment@twosaints.org.uk.
754 People helped to manage their mental health issues.
3000 People supported every year.
332 People helped to find paid work.
188 People helped to gain a formal qualification.
Web: www.twosaints.org.uk Tel: 01329 234600
Traditional & contemporary kitchens & bedrooms Your recommendation is important to us Come and visit us at our new showroom
(01489) 781178 ☎ E: ultraplan@btconnect.com
Unit 19A2 • The Square • High Street • Botley • Nr Southampton • Hants • SO30 2EA
Are you performing to a small crowd with your advertising?
or in tune with our huge audience
To be successful in these difficult times, you need to be a head-liner receiving standing ovations Solent Life’s pricing structure offers a highly competitive rate and yet with our huge circulation and coverage the cost to you per thousand readers is unbeatable. No other magazine in the region can compete with our circulation or readership and our feature content is also tightly linked and relevant to the community in which we publish so that Solent Life is retained by our readers and continually re-read, meaning that your advertising has multiple opportunities to be viewed and acted upon.
Telephone… 01489 583800
Email… info@solentlife.co.uk
Website… solentlife.co.uk JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …37
solent | luxury
the fort of fine dining A couple of months ago we were privileged to be able to visit Spitbank Fort in the middle of the Solent following its £5m makeover into an exclusive hotel and dining retreat. The food on the buffet that day was simply delicious and then we discovered the chef is a young, just 25, Cornish girl… words by david rose-massom
I
love preparing the more rustic, Jamie Oliver, style of food but I do have a very wide variety of skills and tastes when it comes to my cooking,” Chef, Rebecca Baddeley, told Solent Life when we met up on the quayside in Gosport’s Royal Clarence Marina where the company that run Spitbank Fort, Clarenco, have their Departure Lounge.
“There is also an Asian influence to some of my cooking following trips to places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali. This was after working in France for four years in 5-star exclusive chalets and villas and producing cuisine very similar to that which we now serve on Spitbank.” Using my fingers I calculated the years of experience in someone so young and Rebecca, known as Bex to her friends, could see my puzzlement. “I began working in a kitchen in Cornwall when I was just 14 as a kitchen porter in a two-rosette restaurant,” she explained. “It was under a very good French Chef, but I was also very good in Food Technology at school. “He trained me until I was about 19, and I also went to Cornwall
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
College studying hospitality but specialising in cookery. Whilst studying during the day, I then worked in the kitchens evenings and weekends, so it was a heavy schedule.” I pointed out that young people were not known for volunteering for ‘heavy schedules’! “You have to put your all into cooking if you want to succeed. My aim has always been to be the best; even here at Clarenco I have the ambition to be Executive Chef of all three of the Solent Forts when we have them all converted and operational.” A new chef at the Cornish restaurant brought about a huge change for Rebecca. “Master Chef, Steven Saunders of Brockett Hall, took over the restaurant and he took me up to the famous Hertfordshire country house hotel to work; it was very daunting as it was my first time away from home; within a month though I had been promoted to Chef de Partie.” A Chef de Partie is also known as a Station Chef, and is in charge of one part of the kitchen, for Rebecca it was the tricky area that produced the sauces. It was while working in the chalets in France that she was spotted and recommended for the position as Chef with the
owning company of Spitbank Fort, Clarenco. “Our owner and his wife are incredibly passionate about what they are doing with the Forts and about the people who work on them. It is great to be a part of something special like this; I have been with Clarenco for over a year now and they are a superb organisation with a driving passion for everything we do as individuals and as part of a team.” Cooking it seems, runs in the family as Rebecca’s brother is a chef in the homecounty of Cornwall and her auntie teaches cooking in Italy. “As a young person I could see I had a talent, the way I presented food, it always had to look professional,” she added. “I can turn my hand to any style of cooking; when eating, one of my favourites is a Thai soup, but as a chef I love to prepare Classic French dishes. I also really enjoy putting together a Sunday Roast, which is something we have just launched out on Spitbank Fort and is already proving really popular. “With the fine dining I tend not to mix influences. Spitbank Fort is very much a private island for discerning guests and so we speak closely with the client and guests and find out their dietary requirements and then work any menu around that. As an exclusive eatery we always go with the client’s wishes and desires and offer suggestions when they are needed.” It was only a few years ago that this young chef left the comfort of her home county and small restaurant and joined the big time! “It was intimidating when I moved to
the country hotel, they had a brigade of 16 chefs there, but it gave me confidence in my own abilities and I worked hard and moved forward. It also gave me a love and good grounding for Fine Dining.” That confidence shines through now with this young, bubbly and enthusiastic chef. “My partner James and I, he also works for Clarenco, wanted to move near the sea and so when Spitbank Fort came up we leapt at the chance to work here,” Rebecca explained. “I wanted to live near the sea and now I work on an island fortress in the middle of it! “People often ask if we source locally and buy in fresh. Well how local and fresh can you get when we drop fishing lines off the boat-jetty on the fort and catch our own produce for lunch and dinner. This week we have caught sea bass, Pollock and about 40 mackerel and so our food is locally sourced and as a chef it does not get much better than pulling in your own fish and then preparing it and cooking it for guests; and often that is on the 18th Century cast-iron barbeque that we use on Spitbank. “I love working with the simple ingredients, such as the fish, and turning it into something special. We do the finest in Fine Dining but we also have the pleasure on Spitbank Fort of producing simple but delightful meals such as our Sunday Lunches. I have a huge passion for my art of cooking, and I cannot think of many more unique places to produce great food than in the middle of the Solent.” l
Spitbank Fort’s famous Sunday Lunches are back with a luxury twist and are now available on selected dates throughout the year. Arrive at Royal Clarence Marina for light refreshments before being whisked off to the luxurious Spitbank Fort. Enjoy wine and canapés to start before a three course lunch and then historic tour of the fort. Sunday Lunch Experience starts at £95 pp www.clarenco.com/venues/ spitbank-fort/ For details of Spitbank Fort dining experiences and Sunday Roasts please call 01494 682 682.
Royal Clarence Marina Departure Lounge, The Mill Offices, Royal Clarence Marina, Gosport, PO12 1AX (this is the setting off point to reach the fort.) Email: info@spitbankfort.com Overnight stays also available from just £399pp, including three course dinner and full English breakfast.
JULY 2012 •
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solent | education
balconies battlefields and
words by david rose-massom “I tell my staff there is an importance to be able to shift between the ‘Balcony and the Battlefield’. Sometimes you stand on the balcony and look over your charges and other times you have to get down onto the battlefield. It is important as Principal that I am visible to anyone and everyone linked to the college be it student, staff or parent and it is important to understand all the issues that effect them and see what is coming over the horizon. “This is not a traditional Sixth Form College but it’s an inclusive college in that we take that student who may need that little bit more support to reach their goals and potential,” he continued. “There is a danger that if a young person has not achieved their goals by a certain time, then they have failed; so we are a college who will take and develop students who have a thirst for something; even though they may not know what it is they are heading for.” Mike Gaston has led a varied and fascinating life, as a 17 year-old he found Belfast and his strict family upbringing to be claustrophobic. “I ran away from home and took the ferry ending up in Preston; I thought I was heading for Prestwick - I was rubbish at Geography! Belfast in the 70s with the troubles was quite an experience and very confining and I suppose I had something of the itinerant tribes-person within me. I guess I have been travelling south ever since in order to reach here. “I am extremely passionate about this college and making it an exceptional place of learning” A moment of thought, which is something Mike Gaston does before every statement, and he added. “Make that truly exceptional! “I want Totton College to be known for its learning and not for its teaching, people need to walk in here and know it is about the learning – its not about the person at the front of the class but about the individual and it is about the collaboration with that individual whether that be a student of 14 or a mature student of 38 or so. “This college is very much steeped in the community and Totton is very proud of its college and its 57 year old heritage. It is my responsibility, as the new boy on the block, to promote and grow with the heritage and then take the students and the college into the 21st Century. “In coming here, there was a good reputation that intrigued me and the fact this was an establishment that gave second, and third, chances as well as new opportunities and that’s what further education is all about. The students here feel needed and secure and my being here as Principal is an opportunity and a privilege.” l
From Belfast runaway, to Goldsmith’s Fine Art student and then a whole world of experiences in between before arriving at Totton College as the Principal – Mike Gaston is a passionate and committed leader…
C
“
Creativity is something I am very passionate
about, but even as an undergraduate I took great delight in discussions about concepts of fine art and was asked by a lecturer at the time, if I would consider doing some visiting lecturing; so you have to balance the act of being a practitioner of your art and passing on all that knowledge!” Mike Gaston explained in his deep toned and still gentle Irish brogue, as he responded to the question of how a Fine Art student and artist came to move onto academia and end up running a college in Totton. “It is also about the research into your subject so it becomes about creativity whether standing at my easel or planning the strategic future of my college,” he added. “As with a painting it is about building up the layers and what is the next brushstroke to make and that reflects my feelings toward this community college.” The links between his art and how he thinks continued to flow and the analogies fitted. “As a leader you have to have a balance; I like to think I am creative with people, I believe in empowerment of the individual. The creative thinking skills I have allow me to take some measured risks but also set out a clear direction for the College. “I have not practiced my art for a year now and that is because of the move down here;” Mike joined the College last September. “I have not even built my studio yet as time has not allowed. My spare moments; apart from being with my family, are spent running and cycling in the New Forest which is my time for thought-gathering and reflection. I need that time as a leader, it is key, and where better to do that than in the Forest!
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
Totton College – www.totton.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. For the 2012-13 academic year, there are a range of new and exciting courses. Within Beauty Therapy there are four additional make-up courses; Advanced Make-up; Fashion and Photographic Make-up; Media Make-up and Airbrush Make-up. Jewellery and Dressmaking courses at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels are also on offer, alongside a Motor Vehicle course for women. Access student, Ann-Marie Houghton, chose to come to Fareham College to get the grades she needed to get into university. ‘The lectures give great encouragement and support during the course especially with completing assignments. ‘It is a great place to learn and there are lots of opportunities and experiences to be gained here.’ 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. Call 01329 815 200 to speak to one of our Admissions and Progression advisers or visit www.fareham.ac.uk/courses/part-time.
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homes
Sweet Dreams…
At Sweet Dreams Beds we supply bedsteads, divans and mattresses to suit all budgets and tastes – we can even get them custom built in tension and size – so if you need something a bit different, please call to discuss all the possibilities. I n 27 years of trading, there have been many changes in both the attitudes to beds and the development of new products. In the early days it was very fashionable to have very firm beds as it was believed this was good for our backs, however, attitudes have changed and consumers have been educated to realize that good support and comfort is the key to a good nights sleep. Trends have changed and the bed has become a very important furniture purchase, with the increase in the number of TV home make over programmes, the consumers approach to buying beds has altered from, what was once a purely functional decision, to a more considered one; taking into account design and style, to create and compliment a certain feel or look. The most significant breakthrough has been has been the introduction of the no-turn (one sided) mattress, using modern materials such as Memory Foam & Latex. These mattresses only ever need to be rotated from top to toe rather than being turned over – making it so much easier for the consumer to look after their mattress & get the best possible life out of them. Further progress in this field has resulted in mattresses upholstered with totally natural products to be manufactured as no turn models – giving the customer maximum choice. Divan bases have also been revolutionized to provide the maximum storage space possible with the introduction of lift and store Ottoman bases; ideal for homes where storage is at a premium. The humble headboard has been revamped too; with modern fabrics and improved designs they are no longer considered as “old fashioned” and with many bed manufacturers offering headboards and divan bases in matching fabrics it has never been easier to transform the look of your bedroom. The one piece of advice we would give when buying a new bed is; try before you buy. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have please email us at sales@sweetdreamsbeds.com or telephone 01489 578856. There is not much that we haven’t seen or come across in 27 years! As a company we have also grown over the years, opening our flooring department 18 months ago. We are stockists for leading carpet brands such as Victoria Carpets, Axminster, Crucial Trading & Cormar. Our flooring range also includes luxury vinyl tile brands such as Amtigo & Pergo; which has been fitted in our communal office areas to showcase our fitters’ talents. If you like a more of a natural look we supply & fit laminate & engineered wood flooring too. We provide a free measuring & estimating service and all the fitters have extensive experience in all forms of floor fitting Our web site is a very useful tool for customers to see our ranges before they come and try the products at our large, light and airy showroom on Brook Lane. www.sweetdreamsbeds.com
EXPERIENCED, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE & LOCAL COMPLETE BATHROOM SUITES OR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS
“Nothing was too much trouble”
THE COMPLETE SERVICE
“Friendly, Polite & Helpful”
EXPERIENCED BATHROOM SPECIALISTS ● A new refurbished showroom displaying an extensive range of bathroom suites, shower enclosures, taps, accessories, bathroom tiles and furniture. ● A free ‘Virtual World’ bathroom design service helping you realise the potential of your space in stunning 3D colour. Trade and public welcome. ● Free local (SO) deliveries. Free expert Advice. ● Majority of suites available within a week. Open: Mon–Fri 7.30am – 5.00pm. ● All budgets catered for. Sat 8.00am – 12.00pm. Closed Bank Holidays.
HEDGE END 01489 776945 or 01489 797951 EASTLEIGH 02380 611211 WINCHESTER 01962 706211
www.uniqueplumbing.co.uk
7a, Herald Ind Est, Botley Road, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2JW
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TRANSFORM YOUR KITCHEN Do you want to make changes to your existing kitchen which don’t cost a fortune and make the most of what you already have? We all want our homes to look as good as possible and it is a well documented fact that a smart, well-appointed kitchen is one of the rooms which can really add value to your home. So – why not change your doors and worktops and add a few touches such as Corner carousels, soft closing doors and drawers, full height larder unit l What do you expect from a kitchen company? l Personal attention? l Advice and guidance, listening to your ideas? l Professional and courteous fitters? Steve Hudson, the owner of Kitchen & Bedroom Tranformations (Fareham) says “We pride ourselves on our high levels of service and workmanship and have received many glowing testimonials which we will happily show you.” Visit the showroom on the first floor of Heming & Co, The Square, Wickham, PO17 5JT. You will find a warm welcome, expert advice and a wide selection of replacement doors, worktops, and accessories. Or call 01329 830111 / click www.kabt.co.uk to arrange an appointment.
Summer Offers!
Free dishwasher with all July orders.* 10% off Corian worktops. *terms & conditions apply
Lofts of Space offer a wide range of loft and garage conversions from basic boarding and skylight fitting to fully decorated rooms within a matter of weeks. WHY LOFTS IN SPACE?
l Highly recommended by l Full management of projects from structural design to completion l Experienced and reliable workmen l Honest and open pricing and advice l Showlofts to view l Customer reviews available l Fully insured l Small works department l Minimum disruption with full site clearance
10% OFF
ALL FULL CONVERSIONS WHEN YOU MENTION SOLENT LIFE
Call us now on 07722 147694 to organise a FREE no obligation quotation or email your enquiry to info@loftsofspace.co.uk
Excellent Quality, Great Service, at a sensible price We are a family run company who specialise in supplying quality Kitchens to suit all budgets. We will project manage all aspects of fitting from start to finish and for your peace of mind we are proud members of Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm ☎ 02392 552914 www.andrew-collins.com
Andrew Collins Kitchen Design LTD
Your Dream, My Passion
87 High st • Lee on the Solent PO13 9BU
JULY 2012 •
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Give your carpets a premium deep steam clean they deserve without the premium cost! Using the industry leading machines and chemicals we will bring new life back to your old carpets by deep steam cleaning them Our friendly staff will be happy to help and will arrange a time that suits you including any time at the weekend! PRICES Front Room, dining room hall stairs and landing for only…
£110
Bedrooms from only…
£15
Front room only for only…
£45
Other prices on request
Call today and ask for a free no obligation quote to suit your requirements!
Call 07900214003 • rcmostran@gmail.com
www.mostrancleaningservices.co.uk FULLY INSURED • COMPANY NO. 7680540
Solent Flooring Ltd
Established 25 Years • Fully Insured
CARPETS • VINYLS • LAMINATES • REAL WOOD • CERAMIC TILES ALL SUPPLIED AND PROFESSIONALLY FITTED
SPECIAL OFFER
View feedback from our customers at checkatrade.com
FREE Home Selection & Estimate Service
For a friendly and genuine service with no obligation call: Freephone: 0800 9177 553 Jason: 07770 411734 John: 07812 132087 Fax: 01329 238861
Email: jason@solentflooring.co.uk website:www.solentflooring.co.uk
All prices include fitting, good underlay, disposal of old floor covering, grippers and door bar.
Solent Twist
5 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty 5 Year Stain Warranty 12 Colours to choose from
Solent Berber
100% Man Made Natural Looking Carpet
Room Price Examples Including VAT
3m x 4m £156 • 4m x 4m £208 5m x 4m £260 • 6m x 4m £312
Unit 19, Regent Trade Park, Barwell Lane, Gosport PO13 0EQ approved supplier and installer of karndean international design floorcoverings
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
BOB WEAVER ROOFING LTD 39 years experience in flat & pitch roofing We offer Free survey’s and Quotations
S?
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023 9265 3352 • 07860 356466 www.bobweaverroofing.co.uk
bob.weaver1@ntlworld.com
Summer Sale
Save approximately £200 a year by having a energy efficient boiler installed. For a FREE quote call us now on
0800 862 0100 info@alfordgph.co.uk www.alfordgph.co.uk
on selected Worcester Bosch Boilers until end of 2012 (only available through Worcester Bosch accredited installers)
JULY 2012 •
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l Bathrooms l Wet Rooms l Showers l Bathrooms for the less abled l Ensuites
CE VI AD
Styles & designs to transform your Bathroom!
AL ON SI ES
OF PR
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Already bought a bathroom and need someone to fit it? We can do that too! Over 20 years experience. We are recommended for our price and quality
Tel: Southampton 023 8045 3112 Mobile: 07968 347241 58 Queensview, Netley Abbey, SO31 5EA
Please view our gallery & testimonials on our website: www.bathroomssouthampton.co.uk
Reasons to choose Solar4UK – There truly is only one informed choice of MCS approved Supplier/Installer for your solar PV system… l Solar4UK guarantee to install you before the new 31st JULY 2012 deadline.
l Solar4UK guarantee the current high FIT available to 31st JULY 2012 deadline for 25 years.
l Solar4UK successfully installed 100% of customers who paid their deposit and beat the 12th December 2011 deadline.
l Solar4UK successfully installed over 200 systems after the Government Announcement on 31st October 2011 of the FIT reduction. l Solar4UK are rated 100% on Check-a-Trade and are an established MCS approved Installer/Supplier.
Government Loses Appeal to slash FITs – last chance to grab the HUGE financial solar benefits.Solar4UK can guarantee to have your system installed & registered before the 31st July 2012.
l Your roof space can be WORKING & EARNING for you NOW! l Capitalise on the current Government backed ‘Green Energy CashBack’ Scheme. l Get a TAX FREE & RPI INFLATION PROOF income for a GUARANTEED 25 Years l You could earn over £1,500 per annum from your Solar System! l Your own clean, green renewable energy – use whatever electricity you generate and still GET PAID for it!
Generate your own Free Electricity and get paid for it! ACT FAST & Capitalise NOW! The Government ‘FIT Scheme’ will reduce the current high tariff from 1st August 2012.
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l Full payback within 10 years PLUS 10% return on investment for 25 Years! l Currently only 5% VAT rated on PV Systems. l Solar4UK – Established, reliable and have met every deadline!
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www.solent4uk.co.uk
HBS House, Unit 9, Fulcrum 1, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7FE
JULY 2012 •
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W H C i- o O E N M r F O ac ia FE W s n® R w a or nd kt op s
Designed • Managed • Guaranteed
SHAW
J
STONE
LIMITED SPECIALISTS IN NATURAL STONE
Granite & Quartz worktops Save £££ by coming direct to the factory. Up to 60% less than high street prices!!
Summer Offer *fitting fee £1,100 ALLSORTS OF KITCHENS Unit 9, Solent Industrial Estate, Hedge End, SO30 2FX
T: 01489 788617
www.allsortsofkitchens.co.uk *Subject to survey
ILL WE W Y AN BEAT E QUOT
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
Full templating and fitting service. Expert advice. Quick turn around. Wide range of granites to choose from. Factory Showroom open Monday to Saturday 9am til 5pm. Quartz Engineered Stone worktops also available. Natural Stone tiles available. 15 year anti-stain warranty available on all natural stone. *SEE WEBSITE FOR TERMS & CONDITIONS
Call us on 01329 844474 www.shawstone.co.uk
Kingfisher Ridge, Fontley Road, Titchfield, Hampshire. PO15 6QS
SHERBORNE & SARAYA KITCHENS FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
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solent | property
A
BIG adventure words by david rose-massom
Apart from weddings and births moving house is supposed to be the biggest adventure of your life! Moving onward and upward, taking your family into your new home; a fresh start in new surroundings. So how come it is so blooming stressful! The deal has been done, contracts exchanged on old house and new; the panic of the actual new-house purchase is a thing of the past and it is now time to say goodbye to the old, often sadly, and welcome in the adventure of the new. So weeks of planning, days of packing, the cat even packs itself away ready for moving, and the excitement of the move is full on… BUT! Not enough boxes; need more paper to wrap the Sunday-best china, unpacking the cat, yet again, the children getting under your feet and complaining about whose bedroom belongs to who while hubby sits there and wonders what all the fuss is about!
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The answer to the stress is simple, we can do nothing about the children squabbling or the husband thinking, ‘this is easy’ and nor can we tell the cat to stop getting into the packing boxes; but what we can do is point you in the direction of the professionals. Those specialised people who will take the worry and stress from your shoulders and just leave you to enjoy the adventure of the move. Welcome to your new home! l
Curdridge £995,000
A magnificent detached property set in a mature and established landscaped plot extending to approximately 0.6 of an acre. Presented in pristine condition throughout it boasts five bedrooms, two of which have en-suite facilities; there are four reception rooms and a luxuriously appointed kitchen. The front of the property enjoys a private enclosed feel with timber electric entry gates, there is a an oak double barn style garage and matching oak enclosed double garage.
Titchfield Common £499,995
Titchfield Common £156,000
Locks Heath £209,950
Titchfield Common £315,000
• Non-estate position • 5 bedrooms • 3 reception rooms
• 3 bedrooms • Conservatory • South facing garden
• Refurbished accommodation • Immaculate order • Double garage
• Re-fitted shower room • Immaculate order • Garage & driveway
• Potential to extend • No forward chain • Private west facing garden
• Cul-de-sac location • Backs onto parkland • UPVC Double glazing
• Two bedroom home • UPVC double glazing • Immaculate order
• Bathroom with window • Allocated parking • South facing garden
• 3 reception rooms • Re-fitted kitchen/breakfast room • Cloakroom & utility room
• Cul-de-sac location • Re-fitted bathroom • Ideal FTB or investment purchase
• South facing rear garden • Non estate location • Garage and off road parking
• Re-fitted en-suite • 4 well proportioned bedrooms • Gas central heating system
w w w. s b k 4 h o m e s . c o m Canterbury House, 58 Botley Road, Park Gate, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 1BB JULY 2012 •
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Brambles Estate Agents
www.brambles-estateagents.com
Old Bursledon • £1.795m
Bursledon • £735,000
An exclusive contemporary property set on approximately 1.3 acres with 6 bedrooms, 8 receptions, 4 bathrooms, triple garaging, south west facing gardens and paddock. NHBC guarantee.
Substantial period family home with 5 bedrooms, 4 receptions, 3 bathrooms set on approx 1/3 acre. Approached via a private road in Bursledon within walking distance to Hamble River.
Netley Abbey • £359,950
Bursledon • £179,950
Four bedrooms, 2 receptions, 3 bathrooms detached property built by Bargate homes in 2008. NHBC guarantee, integral garage, walking distance to Royal Victoria Country Park.
Well presented three bedroom home with a nicely appointed fitted kitchen/dining room, single garage and a lovely well tended rear garden – approx 50’.
Portsmouth Road • Lowford • Burseldon • Hampshire SO31 8EQ Telephone: 023 80408200 • Fax: 023 80408201 Email: enquiries@brambles-estateagents.coms 52…
.co.uk • JULY 2012
Brambles Estate Agents
www.brambles-estateagents.com
Netley Abbey • £540,000
Old Bursledon • £725,000
Contemporary family home offering wonderful living and entertaining areas including large decked balcony and further decked area overlooking rear gardens. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garage.
Situated in the heart of Old Bursledon and set on approx 2/3 of an acre, within walking distance to Hamble River and local marinas. Self contained one bedroom annex linked to main house with 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and wonderful reception room overlooking gardens.
Bursledon • £639,950
Butlocks Heath • £189,950
Four bedroom detached family home with extensive living and entertaining accommodation. Two bathrooms, triple garaging and private and secluded gardens to the rear of the property. Situated in a private road in Bursledon.
Delightful two bedroom cottage in good order throughout with reception room, dining room, nicely appointed fitted kitchen, white bathroom suite to first floor, patio area leading to long garden at rear.
Portsmouth Road • Lowford • Burseldon • Hampshire SO31 8EQ Telephone: 023 80408200 • Fax: 023 80408201 Email: enquiries@brambles-estateagents.coms JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …53
Mother and son team June and Patrick are celebrating their 1st anniversary as the owners of Enfields Park Gate. To celebrate, your local family run estate agents are offering fantastic incentives throughout the summer. Sales:
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olympic | sailing
words & image by david rose-massom
Unbelievably Olympic Sailing was first contested in the Sydney Olympics of 2000! Prior to those Games the sport had always been called yachting and was the first Olympic sport to change its name.
I
n reality sailing made its Olympic debut in Paris 1900 with both men’s and women’s competitions. With the exception of St Louis 1904, the sport has appeared at every Olympic Games since. In the early years sailing was dominated by the bigger boats, crewed by as many as a dozen sailors, and time handicaps were used to decide races and medal winners. Certainly since the 1950s the competitions have increasingly been towards the smaller one-design boats with fewer crew members. During the 2008 Beijing Games, only one event had a three-person crew, the Yngling which has now been replaced by the Elliott 6M keelboat in the women’s racing, with five events contested by solo crewed dinghies. For the non-sailor, or the hobby sailor, the classes of craft and number of crew can be a little daunting to understand, so whether you plan to watch the racing from the comfort of an armchair or with a visit to Weymouth and Portland here is a beginner’s guide to the Olympic sailing classes.
OLYMPIC SAILING The Olympic sailing in Weymouth and Portland will take place from Sunday 29 July - Saturday 11 August. There will be a total of 10 Olympic sailing events consisting of a series of races. The Paralympic sailing events take place from Saturday 1 September - Thursday 6 September, there will be a total of 3 medal events. Full details of the Olympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland are available on the London 2012 website. www.london2012.com
One-Person Dinghy Women’s Laser Radial & Men’s Laser Designed by Bruce Kirby these exciting sailing boats have been produced since 1970 and Lasers are now among the most popular sailing craft around the world. The Laser Radial that are used in the women’s event has slightly less sail area than in the Lasers used in the men’s event, this is because a women’s lower body weight provides less of a balancing force against the heeling induced by wind filling the sail. Length overall: 4.23 m One-Person Dinghy, Heavy, Finn The Finn is a Class of racing for men and is a centreboard dinghy designed by Rickard Sarby in 1949. It made its debut in the 1952 Olympics and is now the oldest continuous class in Olympic sailing. With its large and fully adjustable mainsail, the Finn demands strong and large sailors. The boat demands a sailor who concentrates well and has quick responses and, for many sailors, this is the ultimate racing experience. Length overall: 4.5 m Two-Person Dinghy, 470 This is a class for both men and women sailors; The 470 was designed by Andre Cornu in 1963. It has been sailed in the Olympics since 1976 and is a doublehanded centreboard dinghy that is light and manoeuvrable and responds well to the body movements of the two crew members. The skipper is typically smaller
and lighter while the crew are taller and heavier as only the crew member can hang far out on the single trapeze. The women’s and men’s events race with identical boats. Length overall: 4.7 m
many times over the years, it has been competing in the Olympics since 1932. The Star class keelboat requires considerable technical skill from the two crew members. Length overall: 6.92 m
Two-Person Dinghy, High Performance, 49er The men’s two person 49er dinghy is the fastest of all the Olympic team boats. With a large sail, the 49er has an adjustable wing on each side allowing both crew members to hike far out on the trapeze to keep the boat upright in a stronger wind. The crew have to work well together to maintain a delicate balance at high speeds, the 49ER races are often some of the most dramatic and exciting. Length overall: 4.995 m
Women’s & Men’s Windsurfer, RS:X Now a popular sport worldwide, and for many sailors their first introduction to watersports, windsurfing has been an Olympic sailing event since 1984. Windsurfers skim the surface of the sea at high speed. Considerable upper body strength is needed to control the sail, along with good balance and quick reflexes. Women use the same board as the men just with a slightly smaller sail to compensate for body weight. Length overall: 2.86 m
Women’s Keelboat Match Racing Elliott 6m The Elliott 6-meter will be new to Olympic sail racing at this year’s event in Weymouth. With a thin bulb fixed keel, the Elliott 6m is fast and nimble and crewed by three women sailors. This class replaces the Yngling that has been used in recent Olympic Games and is the only new boat class for the 2012 Olympics. Length overall: 6 m
The first event in this year’s Olympics is the Men’s Finn class starting at midday on July 29th.
Men’s Keelboat, Star The Star design is over one hundred years old, originally being designed in 1910 by Francis Sweisguth and although it has been refined and improved JULY 2012 •
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solent sailing
class of their own in a
words by david rose-massom
They are giants of the yacht racing world, their sails seem to fill the sky like billowing clouds and their dart-like hulls carve through open water throwing up spray onto the unprotected crew that line the narrow deck. These are the classic yachts of ocean racing and they have been reborn, offering a magnificent image of an era that was almost lost. These are the majestic J Class yachts…
V
elsheda, Ranger, Lionheart and Rainbow; the names bring thoughts
of daring deeds and gallant racing and these are the boats that will challenge for honours in the SOLENT REGATTA, and they are the classic boats that will soon grace our local waters. The J Class has its roots in the oldest sporting race in the world, The America’s Cup. This International Event was born from an annual race around the Isle of Wight, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron and called the ‘100 Guinea Cup’. In 1851, an overseas yacht was allowed to participate for the first time. The yacht “America” was built that year to an innovative new design and had sailed to the Solent in search of racing. Initially excluded from racing against British yachts,
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she was finally allowed to enter the Round The Island Race for that coveted ‘100 Guinea Cup’. In 1929 Sir Thomas Lipton, the owner of the English grocery chain, issued a challenge to the Americans for the America’s Cup. It was his fifth challenge and signified a whole new era in design evolution and racing and he commissioned the build of the first J Class Yacht. In their heyday prior to the Second World War, between 1930 and 1937, ten of these classic yachts conforming to the J Class rule were built, four in the UK and six in the USA. Sadly as the years passed these yachts became all but extinct, and only three originals survived the Second World War - Shamrock V, Endeavour and Velsheda and they rested and rotted in mud berths, until their rebuild and rebirth as 21st Century racing superyachts. There is little more thrilling on the water than following one of these beautifully sculpted luxury raceboats as it heels over and cuts through the water. Then in the year 2000 the new J Class Association was formed ‘to promote, protect and develop’ the interests of these wonderful yachts. Today, there are now seven yachts sailing with one more under construction and three in the design phase! Now this July their mighty sails and sharp hulls will cleave their way through the waters surrounding the Isle of Wight in a stunning regatta that will be viewed from the water and ashore.
Mike Garvey from the host club, the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, which is one of the oldest established in the country, receiving its Royal Charter in 1875, said; “With the largest fleet of J class yachts ever competing in the Solent this will be a magnificent sight. With the expectation of extremely close racing between at least four Js we are looking forward to hosting a truly outstanding event from our Ocean Village base.” David Pittman of the J Class Association said; “The Class chose Royal Southampton Yacht Club to host the Solent Regatta and Hundred Guinea Cup Race because of the Club’s deep experience of organising and running major racing regattas, especially with its great onshore facilities and close historic ties to the J Class fleet. With at least four yachts now confirmed, the owners and skippers are anticipating great courses and exhilarating racing.” These are racing thoroughbreds that require a crew of 30 or more highly experienced sailors, handling more than 10,000 square feet of sail while driving a 200 ton hull at 16 knots around the Solent race course. There is also an unusual problem for crew members as the yachts race without guardrails, unlike on modern yachts, so each boat will have its own safety boats fore and aft to shepherd away the hundreds of
anticipated spectator craft wanting to see these magnificent yachts at close quarters. The crew, hopefully, keep on board by just keeping their feet tight against the gunwale, which is the top edge of a boat’s sides that forms a ledge round the whole boat just above the deck. Back in the 1930s they were the ultimate racing yachts and have become so once again for owners, crews and spectators. They may be classic yachts but owners still want to race them and race them hard so they are fitted with advanced rigging, hydraulics, carbon masts, composite ropes and electronic navigation systems, but these new breed of Js still represent the most demanding yachts in the world. Sailors are always in awe at the power, size, skill and management required to race these monsters, which are around 40 metres (130 feet) long and have a draft of 5 metres (16 feet). Despite their size and weight, these yachts are incredibly manoeuvrable, making for some of the most exciting racing that sailing has to offer. So, keep a close eye on the race website to discover where and when the racing is taking place and get out and watch these wonderful racing machines from an era long gone where gentlemen raced for the thrill and the glory; and the ‘100 Guinea Cup’. l
SOLENT REGATTA
The J Fleet will be practicing on the two days before the event. Wed 18th July Race 1 Thu 19th July Race 2 Fri 20th July Race 3 Sat 21st July Round IOW. The last, testing race will be for the ‘Kings Hundred Guinea Cup’ and will perfectly capture the true spirit of the J Class. And the race is based on the original 75 mile America’s Cup course, clockwise around the Isle of Wight. www.jclassyachts.com Best viewing point for the Central Solent race will be Lee-on-the-Solent. For West Solent; Calshot Point for their departure and return, to and from Christchurch Bay, and from Hengistbury Head for the race. And East Solent Gilkicker Point while for the Round the Island finale most of the action will be taking place closer to the Island shores but still visible from viewpoints along the Solent.
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …59
coast & country
dash pebble
words & pictures by david rose-massom
It was the first of the completed Olympic venues and has always been a region of sailing excellence but it also has one of nature’s true wonders, great views and dangerous waters. For this month’s Coast and Country, Solent Life have visited one of the most stunning and diverse coastlines in the UK; Portland Bill.
P
art of the commitment to the Olympic Games sailing venue was a new road
infrastructure to allow better access to the area for sailors, support teams and spectators; but would the newness remove some of the charm remembered from childhood holidays and day trips? My personal thoughts of Portland rekindle fond memories; times as a carefree kid on sunny summer days spent clambering over slippery rocks, yards above dangerous currents and tides. Since Weymouth and Portland were announced as the Olympic venue there has been a distinct urge to revisit and early one Sunday morning in February, leaving at ridiculous o’clock, I headed west in the darkness – in a race to arrive on the tip of Portland Bill just before the sun rose above the sea I drove into Weymouth and the road followed the inner harbour and even though my last visit had been many years ago there was a warm feeling of familiarity. One of my favourite family photos is of me as an early teen sitting on the wall with the
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
fishing boats behind me; the wall and boats are still there. A kink in the road to the left, then the right and suddenly I was on the causeway, the safe lazy waters of the harbour on one side and the embankment, known as a Tombolo, of Chesil Beach’s pebbles on the other. Around the roundabout, where the new marina complex, is signposted off to the left the road climbs through the narrow streets lined with houses built from the local Portland Stone. With space being at a premium on the island the houses seem to huddle together on the steep hillside. When the town is looked down upon from the viewpoints it is just a muddle of roofs so closely knit, that it seems as if there is no room for roads or gardens. As the road continues to climb and weave its way skyward there are occasional glimpses back down to where Chessil beach curves away with the Atlantic Ocean battering away and trying to strip it of its pebbles. I lost my race, the sun having appeared above the horizon just a few minutes before I arrived at my intended destination, but the light across the water and beaming onto the towering island was still clean, clear and stunning. The sky was a deep blue and criss-crossed with white vapour trails of jets that had disappeared out across the Atlantic. With a view across field and farmland the bright yellow orb of the sun threw its light across a benign sea. Then the first of the lighthouses appeared; this one low and all white. Then the first glimpse of the barber-pole
striped main lighthouse. A broad smile seemed as if it was now stuck to my face, and as I met fellow photographers, fisher folk and dog walkers they all seemed to have the same affliction. The early morning light was glorious, no wonder this is known as the Golden Hour! The rugged footpaths trace and mimic the rough hewn cliff edge but one word of warning, the rocks are slippery, they are dangerous and the tides off the Bill are treacherous. Converging tides battle for supremacy at the point of the Bill and the water rushes in from west and east and crashes together beneath the rocks creating a broiling maelstrom even on calm days. At that time of year the car park alongside the lighthouse is almost empty, especially early on a Sunday morning. However, with the arrival of summer – and especially the Olympic competitions; this will become a highly fought over destination for both tourists and locals. With photos of the lighthouse and of the square block that is Pulpit Rock ‘in the can’ I slowly worked my way back to Weymouth, stopping at the viewing point above the harbour as it looks down on Chesil Beach.
This wonder of nature is 18 miles long and is said to contain 180 billion pebbles. The area lies at the centre of the Jurassic Coast; a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. The pebbles are graded in size from fistsized near Portland to pea-sized at Bridport and it is said that locals know just where they are depending on the size of the pebbles beneath their feet. The view is spectacular, on one side of the shingle bank, stormy seas, and on the other is the Fleet Lagoon which is a shallow area of saline water between Chesil Beach and the mainland. It is 13 km long and the deepest part is 4-5 metres deep, but all of the mid and upper Fleet is less than 2 metres deep; and a haven for wildlife. From the power and beauty of nature and her wonders it was back to the bustle of the quayside in Weymouth. It takes something special to get me out of bed before sunrise; Portland was that special thing and well worth the early start, my advice; head down there and check out this wonderful place before the Olympians and their followers arrive… l
www.worldheritagecoast.net
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …61
solent | theatre
beat hard to
words by robin hancox
As Stomp comes to The Mayflower Theatre for the first time in September, we caught up with the show’s creators, Luke Cresswell (a self-taught percussionist from Brighton) and Steve McNicholas (an actor/singer/ musician/writer from Yorkshire).
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
How and where did Stomp begin? LC: STOMP came about over a period of time, almost like looking back on all of the crazy rhythm projects I had and realising that a show might be possible. I had performed lots of rhythmic pieces, from suspending and drumming off buildings to wearing suits of armour made of old cymbals. Working with Steve McNicholas was the key really. He has a background in theatre and helped the project grow. As he is not a drummer he would soon point out when it became too self indulgent and stopped the idea becoming just a long drum solo.
Did you think when it all began, that the show would still be going strong 20 years later? SM: Not at all! We thought it would have a 3 year lifespan and then we would probably move on! Most projects we’d been involved in had a natural lifespan of 3-5 years and there was no reason to think this would be otherwise. In fact we thought it might be shorter, because we weren’t really sure that anyone other than ourselves would be interested in a show purely about rhythm. To begin with STOMP was something other performers were into; it took a while for audiences to catch up.
Why do you think the show is still so popular? LC: I think STOMP brings out the drummer in all of us. Rhythm is a language that we use everyday without ever realizing. STOMP reminds us of that. Another strong aspect of the show is humour; these two elements can be a very compelling combination. SM: We are always looking at ways to improve the show, reinvent it, keep it fresh, but we have an inbuilt system whereby the performers bring their own personalities to the show. So as the cast changes over the years, so does the show. They all devise their own solos, all create their own costumes, and they have the freedom to approach an established ‘character’ in the show in their own way. So the show changes organically as time goes by, it keeps up with the times. But the biggest factors for its popularity are really that it can be appreciated by any culture, any nationality and any age. There really are no barriers to STOMP.
What do you look for in a Stomp performer – can anyone learn how to do it? SM: We look for a sense of rhythm and a sense of humour, and the charisma to take to the stage and have a wordless dialogue with the audience. So not everyone can do it, but it is open to anyone to give it a try. Being a great dancer or drummer doesn’t necessarily mean you will be a great stomper, and some of our key performers had never been on stage before. If the sense of rhythm is there, and we think they will blossom as performers, then we are prepared to teach the drumming...
What is the most unusual object you have ‘stomped’? SM: For me its radiator hoses. You’ll find them in garages, cut them to different lengths and you have a beautiful pizzicato like sound. I’m also a fan of anything that gives us a chance to use water: like the kitchen sinks.
Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th September 2012 Tuesday–Thursday & Saturday 8.00pm Friday 5.00pm & 8.30pm Wednesday & Saturday 2.00pm
Box Office on 02380 711811 www.mayflower.org.uk
What has been your most memorable Stomp experience to date? SM: Hard to pick between performing at the Oscars, the Emmys or on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the eve of the Millennium! Maybe it has to be the Oscars, as we were also nominated for Best Short Film, so that was a special night.
What’s the most unusual place a Stomp routine has been performed? Is there anywhere you’d like to perform that you haven’t yet? SM: We shot a routine under a pier in Brooklyn dockyards. The performers didn’t notice the rats and swimming crabs that routinely passed by them as they played! As for the show itself, it has played all over the world, from Moscow to Tokyo, Brazil to Bangkok. We haven’t played India yet though, that’s one for our wish list.
What’s next for Stomp? SM: We’re working on a 3D Stomp movie special: Luke and I have another life where we make 3D Imax movies (we’ll be completing our 4th Imax movie this year), so we feel we have the experience and know how to make a Stomp 3D movie that’s something different, something special.
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …63
solent | gardening
July
green fingers words by paul gibbons
July is a time to enjoy the garden, while keeping on top of all that exuberant growth. In between the weeding, deadheading, tidying and chopping, find time to appreciate your handiwork from a garden bench, preferably with a refreshing drink. I find it helps to make notes on what’s worked well and what hasn’t, so I can make improvements for the following year. This is particularly helpful with plant combinations and colour themes. If you’re entertaining in the garden this summer, go for instant impact and colour with ready planted containers. If you have bare patches in your borders, fill them with container-grown perennials. You can even sink whole containers into your borders for a fabulous instant makeover! Dahlias will keep colour going until the first frosts, so are a great late summer and autumn brightener. Add a layer of mulch to your borders. Plants such as Clematis, which has its roots near to the surface, benefit from mulch, to retain moisture and protect exposed roots from direct sun. Make use of your garden herbs, especially as snipping them back encourages fresh growth. They’re perfect for BBQ marinades and salad
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dressings, plus you can add a sprig of mint to your Pimms! Roses are in full bloom and will benefit from regular dead-heading to encourage flowers. Although modern roses can be dead-headed, leave the old fashioned types as these will often form hips that provide autumn colour. Heavy rain and winds in June battered our gardens, so check newer shrubs are well-staked, firmed in and haven’t come loose in the bad weather. Take advantage of dry weather to refresh your garden furniture with a coat of paint or furniture reviver.
Holiday plans If you’re going away in July and August, prepare the garden so you don’t come back to either a jungle or to a mass of dead plants. Try to enlist a neighbour or friend to complete routine tasks. If you ask them to harvest surplus veg like courgettes and beans, which all seem to come at once, and to cut flowers like
sweet peas and dahlias, they should be happy to help. Regular picking ensures crops and blooms well into autumn. Mow the lawn but don’t cut it too close as this encourages it to grow faster. Most houseplants can be moved outside for a summer break. Plunging the pots into soil will lessen water loss. Automatic irrigation systems are inexpensive and easy to install. Connect them to a timer so they can be set to come on whenever you want, making it much easier to take off in the summer months..
Composting With deadheading, cutting back and lawn mowing, you soon build up heaps of waste material. Make good use of it by turning into your own compost. Making compost isn’t as complex as you’d think, all you need is the right ingredients and to let nature do the rest. As well as garden waste you can use shredded paper and vegetable peelings too. Around 40% of the average dustbin contents are suitable for homecomposting so it helps cut down on landfill too. We have a wide range of composters available at Garsons – ask in the garden centre for advice. l
Until next month, happy gardening!
JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …65
All Aspects of General Garden Maintenance Including… Lawn Mowing and Borders We can also help if you are… ● Landlords or tenants of buy-to-let properties ● Small Firms and Commercial Properties
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.co.uk • JULY 2012
OPEN DAYS 2012 Sunday 15th July
A Victorian Jubilee Day 10am to 3pm • Jubilee Tea Party • Jubilee Fancy Dress Competition • Victorian Sponge Cake Competition Judged by the WI
Sunday 19th August
From Bikes to Steam Trains
www.bursledonbrickworks.org.uk
01489 576248
Registered charity in England and Wales No: 293358 and in Scotland No: SCO40486 Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal
> THE ZOO STORY
by Edward Albee PLUS
> DUMB WAITER
> LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Harold Pinter
TITCHFIELD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL An exciting new venture with The Bard in the Barn. A Festival of Shakespeare
Come and enjoy a wonderful evenings entertainment on a balmy summers evening. Why not bring a picnic on the green outside the barn with views over to Titchfield Abbey. The Great Barn is a beautiful and atmospheric setting for our Shakespeare Festival with connections back to Henry V and the Earls of Southampton – Shakespeare’s patron. The Great Barn, Mill Lane,Titchfield, PO15 5RP. Call the Box Office for details (01329 556156) or titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com
> 5th – 15th SEPTEMBER
> 11th – 21st JULY 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. Two more men feature in Pinters black comedy about would be assassins on their next ‘job’! A great double bill not to be missed.
Seymour Krelbourn is a poor young man working at a run down flower shop in a not so nice part of town when he encounters a miracle – he discovers a cute plant and names it Audrey after his girlfriend. He nurtures the plant with love and care and soon he’s a sensation the plant can move and talk! The only defect is that the plant feeds on blood – human blood!!! No performance Thursday 6th September Matinees Saturdays 8th & 15th September.
> 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!
BOX OFFICE
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+.
01329 556156 titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com JULY 2012 •
.co.uk …67
solent | business
Trım S UMMER
words & images by david rose-massom
Hedge cutting season is upon us, which for many gardeners is the least enjoyable of the summer’s tasks. But, with a little advice from equipment experts Carters of Swanwick this chore can easily become a joy.
D
avid Jacobs is one of the team of experts at, what is probably, the largest showroom of its type in the south, and he offers a top tip for the perfect hedge. “Always trim your hedge from bottom to the top, this will give an even finish and avoid tearing the side shoots.” David explained, “The hedge should also be slightly wider at the bottom, tapering toward the top.” Carters of Swanwick are the agents for all the leading brands of garden machinery but especially Kawasaki and Stihl. With your hedges in mind David recommends the Kawasaki (KCL525A) Long Reach Clippers for the sides and top of your hedges. This tool features an easy-start system; it is lightweight, has low noise and vibration and is collapsible for easy storage. Then for those tricky parts that your mower cannot reach under the hedge the Kawasaki Brushcutter is ideal; but it is also an ideal system for banks or those larger areas of garden with overgrown vegetation. Carters of Swanwick have two Brushcutters the KBH27B at under £240 and the KBH45B at under £350; both prices are a special promotional deal and include VAT. These essential tools come with a five-year Home User Warranty and, uniquely, a three-year Professional Warranty. David added, “Kawasaki machines are of the best Japanese quality and as well as being very powerful are also quiet.”
saves on lawn fertilisers as it recycles the grass clippings to your lawn and replaces all the nutrients that would normally be piled up in the corner of your garden or taken to the council tip.” David went on to explain that the safety aspect of the Mountfield is that because it is powered by lithium rechargeable battery there are no trailing leads to be damaged or cut through by the mower.
Mountfield 50 Years Mountfield are about to celebrate their 50 year anniversary and it is rumoured that the founder of the company, Dennis Selby, came up with the Mountfield name whilst in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The two most respected people in his life at that time were Field Marshall Montgomery and Lord Louis Mountbatten and he used their names in the formation of the business he planned while incarcerated. ●
Visit Carters of Swanwick at this year’s New Forest Show, New Park, Brockenhurst on July 24th, 25th and 26th July. They can be found on stand 15
Honda IZY of £278 Readers Solent Life Offer
Recycling Carters of Swanwick are also very aware of the environment and are pro-active when it comes to the recycling of batteries, oil and air filters, old engine oil, paper, cardboard and metal. With that care in mind, as well as safety, David Jacobs told Solent Life; “One of the greenest ways of cutting your lawn is to use a mulching mower. The new cordless Mountfield 38LI has a mulching option which
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solent | nature
wildlife July
words by jess daish-miller | images by darin smith
July is a very purple month at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve. The tall spikes of the teasels make a spectacular show and provide a wonderful nectar source for passing insects. Later in the year, charms of Goldfinch will feast on their seed heads. Knapweeds and thistles are also flowering this month along with the less well-known Lesser Centaury.
T
his is also a great month for watching
our Damselflies and Dragonflies as they emerge. The larvae (or nymphs) are found along the warm, shallow edges of the ponds. They climb up out of the water using the stems of tall plants and then their amazing transformation into adults can take place. Look out for their strange skins or ‘exuviae’ which can be found clinging to the plants. Listen out for crickets and grasshoppers at Swanwick Lakes this month. It is usually the males that can be heard singing to attract a mate and to mark out their territory while the females of many species are actually silent. Both grasshoppers and crickets are at their most active on warm sunny days, so let’s hope for lots of those this summer!
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By the end of the month, we hope to have grazing animals returning to our meadows. Some years, we have ponies grazing in our meadows, but this year we hope to have cattle. Different animals prefer to eat different plants and so by changing the animals we use from year to year, we hope to increase the variety of grasses and flowers growing in our 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
events… at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve… Post a Poem Saturday 14th July 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. The Fruits of our Labours – A Guided Walk Thursday 19th July 2012 10:30am – 12 noon Join reserve staff for a guided walk focusing on our growing, maturing habitats and the role of people in conserving the wildlife of Swanwick Lakes. Contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Suggested donation £3 per person. Family Pond Dip Wednesday 1st August 2012 10 – 11am, 12.30 – 1.30pm or 2 – 3pm One of our most popular events is back for 2012. Bring the family and explore the pond at Swanwick Lakes. We will provide all equipment. Booking is essential as places are limited. Contact Dawn Preston or Jess Daish-Miller on 01489 570240. Suggested donation £3 per child.
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.
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life’s a breeze
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solent | people
out&
about TEA AT THE COMMONS words & images by david rose-massom
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The filling out of questionnaires is often a tiresome chore; but also some good can come from it and for Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, that good came in the guise of an invitation for seventy of her constituents to take tea with her at the Houses of Parliament; and Solent Life were invited along. There are certain questionnaires that the MP has to fill out and for each one, receives a fee of £30 or £40 which may be donated to charity. Instead of giving a few charities just a few pounds each, Caroline saved up these fees to pay for an evening event and say thank you to charity workers and community volunteers for their efforts and work in making Gosport a better place to live. She told Solent Life; “It did not seem enough just to give a few pounds away; but it appealed to me to be able to thank a whole range of people who give up their precious time for good causes by, hopefully, giving them a bit of a treat.” Just over 70 people from all walks of life in Gosport arrived at the Jubilee Rooms, just off the magnificent Westminster Hall. It may sound a simple thing to take tea in such a place but everyone was in awe of their surroundings; especially when later in the evening we were all given a guided tour and the chance to sit in the Public Gallery, formerly known as the Strangers Gallery, of the House of Commons and watch a debate. For many though, the highlight was the Central Lobby, an octagonal area which sits between the two houses. For just over a century, this ornately decorated lobby, which even includes a small post office, has seen parliamentarians, royals and commoners pass through on the business of governing our country. It is impossible while standing there not to be impressed by the surroundings and it is in this space that any constituent can demand to see their MP, and that MP if they are in the building must attend to their visitor. Irrespective of political persuasions, this was a wonderful evening that left everyone feeling that the trip to our seat of Parliament had been not only very worthwhile, but a real privilege. The experience was a positive and highly enjoyable one; and all because one of our local MPs had some form-filling to complete! On the internet there is a virtual tour of the Palace of Westminster at www.parliament.uk/visiting/online-tours/virtualtours
JULY
solent | community
Your essential guide to all the local news and events in your community. STOCKBRIDGE GARDENS OPEN EVENT Ten varied house gardens open in this popular village on Saturday and Sunday, July 28th and 29th (1.30pm - 5.30pm) ; small cottage gardens, lovely landscaped gardens, gardens designed for wildlife; lots of water features, streams and water meadow views plus the Primary School’s vegetable and wildlife gardens and the village allotments! Delicious cream teas are available on the church lawn in the centre of the village and Amesbury Town Band will be playing there during both afternoons. There will also be garden plant stalls at the church. Plenty of free off- street parking. Tickets just £5 per person (£1 for 12-16 year olds.) To get a taste of what to expect why not visit http:// web.me.com/h.e.jones to see slideshow of the 2011 event VOLUNTEER AT WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL Volunteers make a valuable contribution to the Cathedral. Working in a huge range of roles, they make all who come to the Cathedral feel welcome, whether they’re visiting for a service or a quiet moment, to admire the stunning building or to take part in a social or cultural activity. There’s much to be gained from volunteering: real job satisfaction, friendship, being part of the community, variety and stimulation. If you live locally and can spare just a few hours a week, please consider becoming a volunteer! Email Hilary Dunwoody volunteering@ winchester-cathedral.org. uk, the Cathedral Volunteer Co-ordinator, or call her via the Cathedral Office on 01962 857200.
WESSEX CANCER TRUST OLYMPIC GALA DINNER Wessex Cancer Trust is holding an Olympic Gala Dinner at St Mary’s Stadium on Friday 13th July. Celebrity guest speaker is the inspirational British yachtswoman, Dee Caffari MBE, the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in both directions. Guests will be treated to a cocktail on arrival, followed by a four course dinner. Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by TV and radio presenter, Michael Kurn, with music from DJ and radio presenter Lawrence Hall. There will be on-the-spot prizes and a silent auction. Contact Alison Osborne by email ali@ wessexcancer.org for tickets £55 each or £500 for a table of 10. Don’t miss out! WHITELEY TOWNS WOMEN’S GUILD Want to meet new people? Why not go along To Whiteley Primary School, Gull Coppice, off Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.15pm. The Guild has a varied programme of events and speakers, a craft section, reading group, gardening group, lunch club, cinema/theatre club & weather permitting, a walking group. New members and visitors are always welcome. Meetings always end with a cup of tea, or coffee and a chat. For more information please contact: Mrs Sue Hall (Chairman) Tel No: 01489 881721 or Mrs Chris Gray (Secretary) Tel No: 01489 880421 LOCAL AUTHOR SUCCESS Writer R J Blowers is a Warsash resident, along with his wife and family, and it is no surprise that his first novel is a seagoing drama, as he is an experienced
yacht master who has extensive knowledge of the islands and coastline of the Ionian Sea in North Western Greece. Publishers Austin & Macauley said of his debut novel, ‘R J Blowers delivers a compelling and literary tale in ‘Gerard Oakley RN: The taking of HMS Poseidon’. Captain Oakley is a man who is haunted by the day to day images of the men lost aboard the Poseidon…the ship that he was in command of, and one that he was compelled to hand over to Turkish pirates. All that remains for him now is the hope that he will one day be able to redeem himself… an opportunity that will at last relinquish the woes that continually haunt him. With a truly absorbing plot, the author’s words will intrigue the mind until the final page. SPUDDY SUPPORT The WARSASH BAND SUMMER CONCERT is this popular band’s next event on Saturday 14th July at the Victory Hall, Warsash. This year they are donating to Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of local teenager Nathan ‘Spuddy’ Ward who lost his battle with brain cancer earlier this year. It would be great to get a lot of local support for this concert and a good cause. Tickets available from Victory Hall on 01489 572913 or tickets@ warsashband.co.uk Adults just £7 with concessions at £5.50 www.warsashband.co.uk BOTLEY GARDENING CLUB’S ANNUAL SHOW Botley’s very popular Gardening Club invites everyone to come and marvel at the range of fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, domestic industry and children’s art at its annual Horticultural Show at the Market Hall on Saturday 8th September, from 1.30pm. You can even submit an entry yourself! This is one of the big events in Botley’s calendar and not to be missed! The Club also invites you to its monthly meetings at the Market Hall – on Wednesday 19th September 7.30pm Victoria Ennion talks about ‘foliage in design’. Further information from 01489 781155 or 01489 782513.
SEA SUNDAY At 6.30pm on 8th July the popular annual celebration of the part the sea and the river play in the life of our local communities will take place at the D-Day Memorial by the Hard at Warsash Shore. The Choir of St Mary’s Parish Church will lead Shore Hymns of Praise, accompanied by Warsash Band, and there will be a parade by the Royal British Legion and local uniformed organisations. Collections will be taken for the Poppy Appeal and Missions to Seafarers. WEYMOUTH BAYSIDE FESTIVAL Weymouth Peninsular & Pleasure Pier on 27th July to 12th August (to coincide with the Olympic Games) Open daily from 10am until 11pm – Daily tickets £5 (festival only) – £10 for festival & headline arena shows (children 6 & under, go free). Over 200 live acts on 2 stages, vibrant retail village, daily street theatre & entertainment, TITAN the robot, sea cat helicopter display team, big military presence (from big bands of Her Royal Marines Commandos to marching bands), night trips on the Weymouth Sealife Tower, Weymouth Football Club’s beat the goalie plus food & drink! On water trips & VIP hospitality on board classic cruiser “Balmoral” to witness the sailing from key anchorage points at race-track level, exclusive to festival guests. Bespoke super sand structure created by Mr. Sandman himself – Mark Anderson who creates live on Weymouth beach every Summer! More detail on www. weymouthbaysidefestival.co.uk
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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charity | focus
HIGH 5 for Wessex Heartbeat In the 1550’s, when imprisoned and watching others being led to the executioners block, John Bradford uttered the immortal words “There, but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford.”
T
oday it is a sentiment which serves us well in life. We never know what is around the corner and when we encounter anyone suffering circumstances that are worse than our own, the thought “There but for the grace of God go I!” can motivate us to do something to help. This is where the charity Wessex Heartbeat’s HIGH 5 appeal comes in, with the request for Young People to raise money for Young People. To explain more about the appeal let’s start with some facts about congenital heart disease: the Wessex Cardiac Unit at Southampton is currently caring for 8,000 young adults from our region – a number which is expected to grow by 10-20% in the next decade. In the last year, young people have spent over 2,000 days and nights in hospital, whether for lifesaving heart surgery, medical treatment or end-of-life care. These youngsters have spent some, if not all of their lives, receiving medical treatment and up until the age of 16 they are treated in the Ocean Ward at Wessex. This ward was completely refurbished with funds raised by the Wessex Heartbeat charity and is now one of the finest facilities of its kind in the UK. However once they have turned 16, the patients have to be moved onto the adult wards, which are a far cry from the colourful, nurturing and child orientated Ocean Ward. Young men and women, still in their teens, can find themselves suddenly transported into starkly clinical surroundings, with bed
To contact Wessex Heartbeat: PO Box 270, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6GE. Tel: 023 8079 5927 76…
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mates who are 80 and 90 year olds. It is a big transition, especially when they are going through the usual times of teenage angst. In addition up to the age of 16 the parent’s are involved in the patient care, but at 16 the Doctor’s have to talk directly to the youngsters, they are expected to take responsibility and ownership of their treatment and care – can things get much tougher? So the HIGH 5 appeal hopes to raise £500,000 during the next two years to fund a new ward for young adults aged 16 to 30. The aim is to create a place more suited to their needs, with a funky design, rooms to chill out in, sit and chat, play on the Xbox, make some tea and toast, use the exercise equipment and all importantly, provide access to the internet and social media. These young people can feel tremendously isolated at an age when inclusion is all important. They all have their real lives outside of the hospital that they need to hold on to, and can feel out of touch and left behind by their peers. A ward specifically designed for them can make a world of difference to their psychological well-being and therefore their physical state of recovery. The charity has lots of initiatives and ideas as to how Young People across the Wessex region can raise funds; from the catchy ‘Raise a Fiver and become a High Fiver’ (and get a wrist band) to the innovative Water Bottle Challenge… fill it with 5p’s! They have tied-in with local sports organisations.
For the HIGH 5 Appeal: To donate: Text HIGH15 plus the amount you wish to donate to 70070, eg HIGH15 £5.
Eastleigh and district Mini Soccer League, with 2,000 young footballers, is taking up the water bottle challenge and organising a penalty shootout. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Lawn Tennis Association is aiming to break the world record for the highest number of people taking part in Cardio Tennis exercises. The charity also has its own five HIGH 5 champions from the world of sport – all high profile but top secret until the appeal’s official launch later this month. These Superstars are all committed to the cause and will go out to local schools and help with fund raising events. Some schools that are already on board with the challenge are holding a School’s Got Talent competition culminating in a final at the Southampton Mayflower next March – although the charity cannot guarantee that Simon Cowell will be one of the judges! Wessex Heartbeat are hoping that other schools, colleges and universities will become involved and have plenty of ideas as to how money can be raised using the HIGH 5 theme. Since its conception Wessex Heartbeat has raised over £13 million, and has made a tremendous difference to the lives of those affected by cardiovascular disease. Nearly 40% of deaths in the UK annually are caused by this disease and some of those will be young people. None of us knows who those youngsters might be… there, but for the grace of God go I!. Hopefully that sentiment will encourage the Young People of our region to go out and raise a HIGH 5! l
Go online for fundraising ideas: www.heartbeat.co.uk/high-5-appeal Call the fundraising team on 023 8078 6555
Post cheques made payable to HIGH 5 Appeal to the address stated.
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out & about
out&
about words & images by david rose-massom
JUBILEE JAMBOREE
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Solent Life has been venturing out across the region to capture and bring to you some images from the notable events of the past few weeks…
The first weekend of June was time for the country to down tools, well most of the country, hang out some bunting and light the barbeques as we celebrated 60 years of rule by HM The Queen. For anyone who has lasted 60 years in one job there should be a medal… It began on the south coast with HMS Diamond entering Portsmouth Harbour and firing off a 21 gun salute, which was answered from the shore by Fort Blockhouse with their own 21 gun salvo. From that moment and for the next four days all around the Solent Life area parties were held, musicians played and children drank lots of fizzy pop and dressed up. Solent Life visited parties from across our region, from small street gatherings to the awesome sight of Bishop’s Waltham filled with people and all in a party mood. It proved that we have some amazing communities here in the South. We hope you all had a wonderful Jubilee Jamboree and please enjoy some photographic memories – apologies if we have not had room to include you all.
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out & about PARTY IN THE PARK AT MARWELL
With so many other festivals and anniversaries being celebrated Marwell may easily have been forgotten, but hundreds of guests and visitors, including Solent Life Prize Winners, had an unforgettable evening with a Party in the Park at the beginning of the long holiday weekend. African drummers, a wondering mechanical hippo and a chain saw artist entertained visitors while the animals came out to see what was going on… Solent Life wish all at Marwell a happy fortieth and we look forward to the next 40 years.
WATERFRONT MUSIC FESTIVAL
It was not all about the Jubilee this month, Gosport had its Waterfront Music Festival, Warsash had its Crabbing Competition, Sparsholt College had its Countryside Day, Cowdray Park had the first big Polo match of the season while Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard went all Vintage. Enjoy the memories of a glorious couple of weeks when once again we were proud to be British and proved we live in a great part of the country.
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WARSASH CRABBING COMPETITION
COUNTRYSIDE DAY AT SPARSHOLT
ST REGIS CUP AT COWDRAY PARK
VINTAGE DAY AT THE DOCKYARD
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air | festival
stars in the skies Since the Team’s creation in 1965, the Red Arrows have flown in close to 4,500 displays in 52 countries. Today the Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world, acting as ambassadors for Great Britain when displaying overseas as well as supporting UK industry by demonstrating the capabilities of British equipment and expertise.
N
o matter where the Air Show, no matter what spectacular display team or flyer are on the programme, the only true stars of the show, as far as we Brits are concerned, are the amazing RED ARROWS! The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday of Royal Air Force jet aerobatic display teams and by the mid-60s almost every Flying Training School, and several operational squadrons, had their own teams. So much time, effort and money was being spent on these teams that the Royal Air Force eventually decided to disband them all and form a single, full-time professional team. And, so it was that in 1964, the Red Pelicans were formed. Flying six Jet Provost T Mk 4s they became the first team to represent the Royal Air Force as a whole. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the formal name of the Red Arrows, began life at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where initially there were seven display pilots and ten Gnat jet trainers. The name ‘Red Arrows’ was chosen to combine the appeal and expertise of two
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earlier teams, the famous Black Arrows and the Red Pelicans. In their first season, 1965, the Red Arrows flew in 65 displays in Britain, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Germany, and the Team was awarded the Britannia Trophy by the Royal Aero Club in recognition of its outstanding contribution to British prestige in the field of aviation. When the Royal Air Force decided to retain the Team for 1966, two spare pilots were established but the Team continued to fly just seven aircraft in most displays. The first display with 9 pilots was in July 1966 for the benefit of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The practice of carrying spare pilots proved unsatisfactory because the display was so specialised that each position had its own demands. To be of any use at all, the spare pilots had to be capable of filling any position at very short notice. To this end they required more training than any other member of the team and, as a result, became more skilled. Not surprisingly the spares became dissatisfied with their roles as reserves.
What does it take to be a Red Arrow pilot? All nine Red Arrows display pilots are fast jet pilots from frontline Royal Air Force squadrons and once they have finished their three-year tour with the Team they will return to their Royal Air Force duties. To apply for selection to the Team, pilots must first meet certain criteria: l They must have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours. l They must have completed a frontline tour. l Be assessed as being above average in their flying role. A shortlist of just nine applicants are examined during a thorough selection week, and are put through a gruelling flying test, formal interview and peer assessments. Three new pilots are chosen each year to replace the three that have finished their tour. The Team Leader must have completed a three-year tour as a Team pilot earlier in his career, and is appointed in a separate selection process. All this information and more about the Red Arrows can be found on their official website at www.raf.mod.uk/reds Solent Life would like to thank them for their help with this feature.
Despite the risky fly-pasts and stunning display elements such as the ‘bomb-burst’, the Red Arrows seem to be most famous for their trademark move the Diamond Nine. The Red Arrows flew nine aircraft in displays from time to time from mid-1966 onwards, but it was not until 1968 that the Team was officially increased in size to nine. Although there was nothing new in flying nine aircraft in a diamond-shaped formation, the Red Arrows’ perfectly symmetrical Diamond Nine quickly came to represent the peak of precision flying and it was eventually registered as an official trade mark. The biggest event this year for the Red Arrows was of course the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and Red One, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows Squadron Leader Jim Turner, said; “The whole RAF was incredibly proud and my Team was no exception, to have taken part in the salute to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. The flypast itself was a huge success although the weather deteriorated over London, with strong southerly winds, a lowering cloudbase and poor visibility. It was surprisingly difficult to see the Palace on the approach, but the Mall came into view thanks to the
enormous number of people who had come out to join in the celebrations. “The Team landed at Bournemouth airport after the flypast, but the weather was so bad that we had to split into smaller formations and make instrument approaches to a very wet runway. Sadly, the weather got worse and we were forced to cancel our display over Southampton for the Cunard 3-Queens celebration. The Team returned to RAF Scampton the following day for a day off.” For the 2012 season the classic nine plane formation for the Red Arrows has been changed, partly due to last season’s tragic events which saw them lose two pilots. Judith Cross is the Public Relations Manager for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team and she explained to Solent Life. “There are seven Red Arrows display pilots for this year. Red 8 will no longer fly displays but will be retained to provide essential team support and also to conduct signature flypasts in the ‘Big Battle’ formation of nine aircraft together with Red 10 who is the Road Manager,” she said. “Reds 1 – 5 form the front section known as ‘Enid’. The Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly popular, dynamic manoeuvres during the second half of the display sequence.
“With safety paramount, but the quality of the displays vitally important, it has been decided that seven aircraft presents the most visually balanced and dynamic formation”. With last year’s tragedies in mind Judith added. “The last few months have been the hardest that the Team have endured for a long time, however, in true RAF spirit and ethos we are determined to put the recent tragedies behind us and move forward. My Team and I remain committed to the continuation of these traditions and to upholding the outstanding legacy established by our predecessors”. l
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Slow PC • Printer Problems Virus Removal • Disc Crash PC Start Up Problems Data Recovery & Backup Wireless, Network & Broadband
Anytime
www.aquabathrooms.com
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Home & Business Users No Call Out Charge Low Rates
Tel 01489 572 900
CONSTRUCTION
01489 579461
WITH THIS ADVERT
84…
Call: 01489 588832 07816 288841
THE COMPLETE SERVICE
B AT H R O O M S
BUILDING SERVICES
10% DISCOUNT
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DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS
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CRAFTS
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SHOWERS &
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& Limited Companies
LANGDALE
Project Management
CHIMNEY SERVICES
Reporting & Taxation
TUMBLE DRYERS OAP DISCOUNT DISHWASHERS COOKERS WASHING MACHINES SAME DAY SERVICE NO VAT NEW MACHINES SUPPLIED & FITTED FAMILY RUN BUSINESS
BUILDING SERVICES
• Washing Machines/Vacuums • Dishwashers/Cookers • Tumble Dryers/Microwaves
Mob: 07879 841881
Sole Traders, Partnerships
APPLIANCE REPAIRS
Over 20 years experience
01329 844 884 01489 559 687
BATHROOMS
ACCOUNTANTS
Accounting, Payroll,
Repairs & Servicing
£5 off any repair with this advertisement
01489 583800
Chartered Accountants
Domestic Appliances
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JACKY GREGORY ACA
BUTLER
COMPUTER SERVICES
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APPLIANCE REPAIRS
Business Directory
CYCLE REPAIRS Nigel Tidman - Mobile Service Experienced & Friendly Mechanic • Same day repairs available • Service £40 • Collected & delivered to your door • Some 2nd hand bikes bought & sold
Tel 01489 572583 Mob 07771 783822 - Between 8am and 8pm -
All Aspects of Hedge Work Target Pruning / Trimming Mowing and Brush Cutting
www.bwdriveways.co.uk BeeWise and Call Us
(Behind Sheila Hurst Florist)
EAL Qualified Part P Electrician All electrical work in the home or garden Everything from new lights to new fuse boxes Additional telephone/aerial points
Garden Maintenance ELECTRICIANS
DOUBLE GLAZING
GHH Electrical Services
FULLY INSURED NO JOB TOO SMALL
Call 01489
578111 or 07876 212766
All Types of Quality Fencing Supplied & Erected, Including....
FENCING
Shoreline Fencing
Solent Garage Doors S
G
THE PREMIER GARAGE DOOR SPECIALIST
D
GARAGE DOORS SUPPLIED & FITTED
l MAINTENANCE FREE DOORS l UP AND OVER DOORS l ROLLER DOORS l SIDE HUNG DOORS l SECTIONAL DOORS l AUTOMATION TO NEW AND EXISTING DOORS l REPAIRS – SPRINGS CABLES – LOCKS ETC. FOR ALL MAKES OF DOORS.
FOR A FREE
07500 926558
UNIT 2A, BRIDGE FARM INDUSTRIES BOTLEY ROAD, CURBRIDGE SOUTHAMPTON, SO30 2HB
and Much, Much More
NO VAT – Call Now
EMAIL: SOLENTGARAGEDOORS@YAHOO.COM
Tel: 01489 578699 Mobile: 07850 332363
TEL: 01489 786273 or 07500 926558
THE FRUIT & FLOWER BASKET
Dons Doors
info@shorelinefencing.co.uk www.shorelinefencing.co.uk
E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 8 0
FLORIST
Scan the QR code on your smart phone for a direct link to the Solent Life website!
Site Clearances
NO OBLIGATION QUOTE OR ADVICE PHONE CHRIS ON
• Discount Sheds made to Order We will beat • Repairs any writt en • Gates quotatio n • Decking • Patios & Paving
Why not check us out online?
Phone Julia & Claire
01489 576764
All Green Waste Disposed of
Steve Allen Fully Insured
Tel: 07983 622747 01489 588533 admin@teamgreenstreeservices.com
DJO Services - Home & Garden Decorating & General Repairs - Clean, Tidy & Reliable - Free Estimates -
Please ring
01489 482855
advertise your business here?… from as little as • Manual • Automatic • Spares & repairs • Maintenance free • All leading brands supplied & fitted
Quality Floristry with Local, National and International Delivery
Planting / Re-planting
www.donsgaragedoors.co.uk
Your local florist & greengrocer. Flowers for weddings, funerals and corporate functions.
www.solentlife.co.uk
Grounds Maintenance Services Private and Commercial
Tel: 01329 235993 or 07768 072627 info@bwdriveways.co.uk
22G Middle Road, Park Gate, SO31 7GH
Team Greens
023 8060 0027 Fax: 023 8060 0070
Unit 9 Vicarage Farm Business Park, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, SO50 7HD
£40
per month.
Please contact us on…
01489 583800 JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …85
GARDENING SERVICES
• Block Paving • Tarmac • • Gravel • Concrete • • Drainage • Brickwork • • Slab Work • • Fencing • Decking • • Free Estimates • • Family Business •
www.dollybags.co.uk
there’s an app for that...
GARAGE DOORS
01489 576118 07795 056649
DRIVES
DOG GROOMING
Service with a style! Quality accessories
12 years established
GUTTERS CLEARED
01489 583800
morganlandscaping@hotmail.com
using the reach vacuum
• Patios & Decking • Pergolas & Pathways • Fencing • Water Features
All Aspects of Hard & Soft Landscaping
0800 955 0888 31 Bentley Green, Southampton
Fully guaranteed Fully insured
GUTTER Cleaning FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL l Block Paving Cleaned & Re-sanded l Patios & Paths Cleaned l Patios & Paving Sealed l Decking Cleaned
from as little as
£40
per month.
(Restaining optional) l All Pressure Cleaning Undertaken
Please contact us on…
01489 583800
01489 881 110 07540 878 089 86…
.co.uk • JUNE 2012
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:
Call Derek on
01489 581 269 07780 910 799
JEFF MARRIOTT
PAINTER & DECORATOR
FOR A FREE QUOTE
Decorating Services •Internal/External •Paperhanging •Insurance Work a Speciality
PLASTERER
01489 576209 OR 07799 498494
Tel: 01489 582655 Mob: 07771 970294
Est. 23 years
FREE ESTIMATES
CALL JEFF ON
=
l Gutters Cleaned Out l Fascias & Soffits Cleaned
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KEVIN TAYLOR
PAINTING & DECORATING
ALL PLASTERING WORK UNDERTAKEN – INTERNAL / EXTERNAL CLEAN, TIDY, RELIABLE
info@bwdriveways.co.uk www.bwdriveways.co.uk BeeWise and Call Us
Professional Decorating Services
Richard Nicholson
T: 01489 581168 M: 07917 133223
Tel: 01329 235993 or 07768 072627
98 FUNTLEY ROAD, FUNTLEY FAREHAM, HAMPSHIRE. PO17 SEE
where reputation matters
023 80 4779 80 or 07762 807824
• Free Estimates • • Family Business •
Jonathan Pearman: 07974 195874 William Pearman: 07793 116017 escapes@hotmail.co.uk
Proud members of
www.highvac.co.uk info@highvac.co.uk Call Mark
• Block Paving • • Tarmac • • Gravel • • Concrete • • Drainage • • Brickwork • • Slab Work • • Fencing • • Decking •
Mobile: 07725 210869 Home: 01489 589516
ESCAPES
UPVC conservatory & window cleaning. Gutter repairs & replacement.
12 years established
109 Fleet End Road, Warsash Southampton, SO31 9JH
Gutters Cleared Also:
PAVING
• Ponds & Water Features • • Border Maintenance • • Grass Cutting • Decking • • Hedge Trimming• Pergolas • Fencing • Patios • Fencing
PLASTERERS
Please contact us on…
Garden Maintenance & Landscaping
PLASTERERS
advertise your business here?…
Dan Morgan
PAINTER & DECORATOR
LANDSCAPING
Business Directory
JJ PLASTERING 20 Years Experience City & Guilds l All plastering work
undertaken on any average size room (approx 12’ x 12’). Ceilings re-skimmed
over Artex to a flattened and smooth finish. £100 includes
all materials. Call Jason on…
07715 054663 01489 481012 jj.plastering@hotmail.co.uk
Building Plots & Houses in need of Renovation in Warsash and the surrounding area.
Call Paul on 01329 841416 or 07876 194823
233959
01489 691541 07711 812966 or 07977 807057
Tel: Dave 01329 847056 Mob: 07852287476 Gas Safe Registered
www.westendcarsfareham.co.uk
Grab a Cab
New Roofs & Repairs to:
• Flat Roofs • Tiled Roofs • • Slate Roofs • • Re-Pointing of Brickwork • • Chimneys • • Valleys & Ridges • • UPVC Fascias & Guttering All Aspects of Property Maintenance Over 20yrs Experience. Fully Insured. Free Estimates.
FLAT ROOFING SPECIALIST NEW SERVICES: l WINDOWS,
CONSERVATORIES, UPVC FASCIAS & SOFFITS CLEANED 10% O l GUTTERS our new servFF CLEARED with th ices is advert
Tel: 01489 583486 or Mob: 07813 087210
Want Somewhere Great to
Celebrate?
The Victory Hall, Warsash, for that important date. Phone Dave Gasser on:
Airports Seaports, Clubs Local & Long Distance Wheelchair and pushchair friendly
01329 825045
Team Greens
Tree Services
All aspects of tree work
» Crown Reduction » Crown Lifts / Felling » Target Pruning » Dismantling » Hedge Work » Stump Grinding
01489 572913
www.victoryhall.btik.com
Solent Wills A member of The County Wills Group
Not Written Your Will yet?
Don’t put off the essential job any longer. Now it could not be easier with a confidential and professional Will Writing Service in the area. Instructions are taken in the comfort of your own home. Your family deserves the protection a legally binding Will can provide NOW also lasting power of attorney Don’t be tempted to put it off For prompt personal attention,
Tel: 0845 6200016 or 02380 403781
» Emergency Tree Work Undertaken & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
COMPLETE ROOFING SERVICE ALL ASPECTS COVERED ROOFING WORK
UPVC Fascia & Soffits • Velux Windows Gutters • Loft Conversions Dorma’s etc • Insurance Work
MAINTENANCE WORK
Block Paving • Fencing Garden Decking • Garden Walls Re-Pointing • General Property Repairs
Steve Allen NPTC Qualified Fully Insured
Why not check us out online?
Scan the QR code on your smart phone for a direct link to the Solent Life website! www.solentlife.co.uk
Telephone:
FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTES
07983 622747 01489 588533
01489 574306 • 07960 947971
admin@teamgreenstreeservices.com
jands.roofing@yahoo.co.uk
there’s an app for that...
JUNE 2012 •
.co.uk …87
WILL WRITERS
For All Your Plumbing & Heating Requirements, From a Dripping Tap to Bathroom Installations & Power Flushing Fully Insured – Free Quotations
CALL 01329 842963
TREE SERVICES
Proctor Plumbing & Heating Services
• Airport Transfers • Seaports • Local & Long Distance • Friendly, Reliable Service
VENUES
PLUMBING & HEATING LTD
W.R.A.S Approved
Taxi Service
ROOFING
PURPLE
All aspects of plumbing & heating undertaken • OAP Discounts for boiler servicing • Boiler changes/replacements • Reasonable rates • Power flushing • Local and reliable • Free estimates • Bathrooms
Fareham
UPHOLSTERY
01489 787647 07775 506891
REQUIRED
West End Cars
TAXI SERVICES
Boiler Servicing, Central Heating, Dripping Taps, Landlord Safety Checks, Blocked WCs, Bathroom Suites All Plumbing Work Undertaken
Strawberry Homes
PROPERTY SERVICES
PLUMBING & HEATING
PLUMBING & HEATING
COLIN SHARPE
Events across the Solent region.
what’s
THE EVENT
The Point, Eastleigh 02380 652333 Chichester Festival Theatre 01243 781312 Salisbury Playhouse 01722 320333 Mayflower Theatre 02380 711811 Theatre Royal Winchester 01962 840440 King’s Theatre Southsea 02392 828282 Tower Arts Centre, Winchester 01962 867986 Ferneham Hall 01329 231942 Ashcroft Arts Centre Fareham 01329 310600 The Concorde Club 02380 613989
If you have anything going on, tell us here at Solent Life and we will include it in our feature. 01489 583800 editorial@solentlife.co.uk
The 5th Annual Asahi
British Beach Polo Championships
P
olo is a fast, thrilling and highly
competitive sport where rider and horse give no quarter in the battle for supremacy on the pitch. Normally for Solent Life Cowdray Park is the nearby venue to spend an afternoon of wandering among the celebs and watching some great sport. But this month there is a slightly different, and maybe surprising venue with the 2012 British Beach Polo Championships taking place at Sandbanks. For the first time, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will come together to compete on the original custom-made enclosed polo arena.
This is an ideal spectator sport; beach polo offers a unique and accessible introduction for polo novices and an action-packed match for keen enthusiasts. Polo ponies are able to accelerate, stop and turn extremely quickly on the beach arena’s sand, creating a fast-paced, exhilarating game with the ball travelling at speeds of up to 100mph. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the English Channel; guests will have an unrivalled view of the polo whilst enjoying a cool crisp glass of champagne.
In addition to the hotly anticipated matches, The Asahi British Beach Polo Championship offers a host of activities within the festival. Guests will be able to enjoy ‘Have a Go’ polo sessions; Oakley International Beach Volleyball; Fashion shows; and The Beach Retail Village featuring a wide selection of luxury exhibitors. The event will also see the return of the exciting Audi Q7 V Polo Pony charity race in aid of Help the Heroes. At sunset, the Asahi Championship will unveil the renowned Polo Beach Parties, where players, celebrities and supporters can continue to celebrate into the small hours at the renowned AMIKA beach party. The ideal summer event, the Asahi British Beach Polo Championships promises to be a thrilling, action-packed and distinctly glamorous event. l
The Asahi British Beach Polo Championships Takes place on 6th & 7th July, 2–11pm on Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset. Ticket prices start from £25 for general admission and may be purchased from sandpolo.com
88…
.co.uk • JULY 2012
Music, Comedy, Events & TheatreChildren HOUSE AND GARDEN DESIGN DAY National Trust property The Vyne in Hampshire is the magnificent venue for an exclusive day of house and garden design. Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Bunny Guinness, presents a unique look at how to transform your garden, sharing tips with the Head Gardener of The Vyne. The event includes a guided house tour, delicious two course lunch with wine and gift bag, and the chance to enjoy The Vyne’s glorious gardens and wider estate. House and garden design day: 21 September, 10.30am – 3.45pm. Tickets cost £95. To book: The Vyne, telephone 01256 883858. For further information on the event: www.killiandawson.com AN AFTERNOON WITH SIR ROGER MOORE Sir Roger Moore will be appearing live on stage at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on the release of his new book Bond On Bond, the legendary film star chats about his astonishing life and career, with inside stories and unheard anecdotes ranging from the iconic TV series The Saint and The Persuaders, to Hollywood blockbusters and the James Bond films. MAYFLOWER THEATRE; Tuesday 16th October 2.30pm Tickets are likely to sell fast so early booking is recommended. Tickets for An Afternoon with Roger Moore priced £25.00 each are on sale from mayflower.org.uk, the Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, and in person at the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Marlands shopping centre.
ORCHID DAY A celebration of orchids and fine Hampshire produce is being held at Houghton Lodge and Gardens near Stockbridge as part of the Hampshire Food Festival. Whether you want to learn more about these beautiful flowering plants or need expert advice on how to give your own orchid the best care, Houghton Lodge resident expert, Andy Phillips, will give a talk packed with information on how to look after, care for and solve any orchid problems. A delicious Hampshire produce lunch will be served in Houghton Lodge’s fine dining room, looking out onto stunning views over the River Test. Houghton Lodge is a haven of peace alongside the tranquil beauty of the River Test. Tickets for the Hampshire Food Festival Orchid Day on Wednesday 11 July, which runs from 10.30am-3pm, cost £25 per person, including lunch and entry to the 16 acres surrounding the house. Advance booking is required, please book by calling 023 8000 1655 or email info@ themarketing-collective.com. www.houghtonlodge.co.uk Find out more about Hampshire Food Festival, which runs from 1-31 July at www.hampshirefare.co.uk/ foodfestival. DEAD RINGER Menace and murder in high places. When the Prime Minister drops dead from an apparent heart attack on the eve of a general election, two cabinet members who fear they need his charisma to get re-elected hire an out of work actor to replace the deceased. This dead ringer is supposed to fill in until after the election is won, but he grows to like the role until he discovers that the real PM was poisoned. This thriller plunges from early amusing fantasy into murder
and dark plots. Laced with humour throughout, Dead Ringer is, at its heart, a Murder Mystery, and one which will keep the audience guessing right up to the moment of the explosive denouement. Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Tuesday 21 August – Saturday 25 August, Tickets on 0844 576 3000, book online at www.bic. co.uk SUMMER SCHOOL This summer, The Mayflower Theatre has expanded its successful summer school and is running another series of Masterclasses & Workshops led by West End theatre professionals. Sean Jones, Shona Lindsay, Leanne Harwood, and English National Ballet will lead sessions focussed on acting, musical theatre and dance at the Theatre. In addition to this, Kim Holder will be running a Streetdance workshop, professional magician Neil Kelso brings a street magic day, and Helena Fox is hosting a Roald Dahl workshop, and scriptwriting day. Tickets for all the Masterclasses are on sale now with prices ranging from £15 - £60. They are available 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 shopping centre, Southampton. DEATH AND GARDENING A brand new drama by Winchester theatre company, Wet Picnic, is a playful comedy that blends dark humour as the universally relevant themes of life and death are explored using physical, movement-based drama through the metaphor of gardening. The show stems from ideas of how garden imagery is often used in social conventions and literature to explain the
process of life and death, from the memorial gardens in our military cemeteries to children’s fairy tales such as Peter Pan. Five actors play a range of different characters using choreographed movement and a colourful set and costumes to explore these philosophical, but often very funny, themes. Theatre Royal Winchester on Tuesday 31st July at 8.00pm. Tickets £15.00, Conc. £13.00. For further information or to book tickets, please call the box office on 01962 840440 or book online at www. theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk GREASE Blonde baritone Rhydian Roberts will bring some added X Factor to Grease when he guest stars as ‘Teen Angel’ in the smash hit musical for its limited 1 week season in Bournemouth. The singing sensation will leave audiences hopelessly devoted to his charms when Grease rocks into Bournemouth. Since breaking out on Broadway in 1972, Grease’s place has been firmly established in the cultural Hall of Fame, having seduced the hearts of millions with its back-to-back sizzling tunes. It’s the original high-school musical with all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Grease Is The Word’, ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’, ‘Sandy’, ‘Greased Lightnin’’ and many more. Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Tickets are on sale now. Monday 13th August – Saturday 18th. Call the BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000, book online at www.bic.co.uk
JULY 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... Easy Sudoku 1
2 5 1 7 9
5
Quickish Crossword
4
1
8
8
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4 6 3 1 5
12
1 2 1 8
1
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3
7
9 7 6 6 4
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6 2 9
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www.dowedo.net
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Hard Sudoku
2
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E N D I E T 6
1
www.sudoku-puzzles.net
www.dowedo.net 1
15
2
3 8 1 7 9 2 6 4 5
6 4 7 8 1 5 9 2 3
5 2 9 4 3 6 1 8 7
2 1 5 6 7 3 8 9 4
9 7 4 1 5 8 2 3 6
8 6 3 9 2 4 7 5 1
1 3 6 5 8 9 4 7 2
7 5 8 2 4 1 3 6 9
4 9 2 3 6 7 5 1 8
.co.uk • JULY 2012
6 7 2 8 3 9 4 1 5
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1 9 5 2 7 4 6 3 8
COPYRIGHT
With many thanks to www.sudoku-puzzles.net for the sudoku puzzles, and www.dowedo.net for supplying the crossword puzzle.
8 4 3 5 1 6 7 9 2
check your answers here!
4 8 9 3 5 1 2 7 6
the
7 3 6 4 9 2 8 5 1
solutions
6
5 2 1 6 8 7 3 4 9
4 5 3 7
9 6 4 7 2 5 1 8 3
8
3 1 7 9 6 8 5 2 4
9
2 5 8 1 4 3 9 6 7
6
DOWN 1 A singleton (8) 2 Matured (4) 3 Egyptian calculator (6) 4 Expel (6) 5 Of Cells (8) 6 Check (4) 8 Shortened (11) 13 Find a direction (8) 15 Chemical element N (8) 17 Too much input (6) 18 Waiting, tarrying (6) 19 Part of spine (4) 20 Gloomy (4)
O N I F T R U O G R E N
9 1
ACROSS 7 Branch of mathematics (7) 9 Change (5) 10 Concealed (3) 11 Soft top convertible (9) 12 Parts of a chain (5) 14 Migratory flying formation of birds (7) 16 Italian pasta dish (7) 18 Military or French headgear (5) 19 Careless inattention (9) 20 Two (3) 21 Quoted (5) 22 False tooth (7)
B C 9 A M E N L R I O L S U C H E L A 18 BWR I 20 D E D O I E N T U G R
6 7
22
A 8 B R A A B 11 C A B U R 14 S E V 17 O L I V A E C T R E 22 D D O
7
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B A 7 A L G E C E 10 H I D E 12 13 L I N K O A 16 R A V I I 19 N E G L A E C I T E E K
2
1 7 4 9 3 8 5 2 4 6 4 3 7
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