’ Let s Get Away by The Abergavenny Chronicle
May 2012
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With Aberga the ve Chronic nny le
Let’s Get Away
Tale of two Italian cities - and Dave Mark discovers the joys - and midges - of a luxury camping trip in Italy. We're sitting in the best seats imaginable at Verona's magical amphitheatre: front and centre for a lavish performance of Verdi's classic Nabucco. My partner and the kids are dressed to the nines and goose-pimpled with excitement. We've dined out in one of Verona's finest restaurants and, later on, we're heading back to an apartment so attractive I want to lick the walls. I've got the lot. My soul should be soaring up towards the blue velvet night sky. But no. I'm grinding my teeth. I'm corrugating my brow. And I'm using every ounce of willpower I possess to keep my hands in my pockets. Why? The midges got me. They found me a week ago, on day one of my Italian adventure. Word spread that I was tasty. I now feel like a buffet. So as much as I'm in the process of ticking something off my bucket list, what I really want to do is pull down my socks and give my ankles a good going over with a spoon. There's the first note to self. If you're planning this kind of twin-break holiday, be aware that no amount of luxury during the five-star long weekend can eclipse the 'hardships' you are likely to endure during the camping element. Still, I'm a grumbler by nature. And as my family keep telling me, the bites weren't that bad really. In all honesty, my two weeks in the Adriatic gave us precious little to grumble about. Even the journey from our home in Lincolnshire was less gruelling than we anticipated. Kia loaned us a 4x4 Sorento and it truly ate up the miles. The teenager and the six-year-old in the back actually had room to move for a change, and the sound system meant that everybody had more to listen to than me saying "God, this is so boring" for 1,000 miles. We took a night ferry from Dover to Calais, getting a couple of hours' sleep among the curious collection of fellow midnight travellers, before ploughing on through Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland (it may not have been in that order - I just followed the sat-
nav) to reach Ca' Savio around mid-afternoon. Tired? Yes, but the locals were kind enough to help us to our feet when we toppled out of the car in a seated position with our knees locked. Camping Ca'Savio is a large, bustling park with superb pools, a relaxed atmosphere and great beach, all set in a nice stretch of woodland. It's got everything a child could want. And it has midges, too. Hungry ones.
Probably the largest outdo or tent display in Wales! ● Open 7 days a week April to ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
September Full range of accessories Calor and Camping Gaz Supplier Friendly help and advice Free and easy car parking Camping trailers to hire or buy Sevylor Kayaks for sale We sell kites too! New for 2011 - Vango Airbeam Inflatable Tents
0845 4093510 www.campingandkitecentre.co.uk Raglan Garden Centre, Old Abergavenny Road, Raglan NP15 2BH 5 minutes off the A449 at Raglan Follow us on Facebook!
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The food on site is extraordinary and seriously good value, whether it be the basic pizza and canteen-style diner, or the more upmarket restaurant. But venture off-site and you'll find even more impressive fare. The restaurants on the main drag are all of great quality and the seafood is to die for. The kids were over the moon with the swish pools and play areas. But it was the kids' clubs that were a Godsend. My youngest turned seven on the first night of the holidays and three superbly energetic and helpful girls from the Funstation came to say hello - bearing chocolate cake. Now friends for life, Elora spent her mornings and afternoons taking part in all manner of activities with her new pals, while her older brother had a ball with the club for older kids. The family highlight was most definitely the visit of the pirate ship to the beach. It chugged into the bay like something from a Johnny Depp film and hauled aboard families from the shallows before heading out to sea for a battle with a rival. There was much face-painting, swash-buckling and chucking of water, and my daughter loved every minute of it. Our first few days were very much campsitebased, spent lounging on the golden sands, paddling in the clear blue seas, and generally enjoying our comfortable, woodland-based mobile home. Then we felt ready for some proper luxury. We had arranged to spend some time in the two major tourist cities easily accessible from Ca'Savio. First was Verona, where we spent the night in the stunning, highly recommended city centre apartment Residence Il Vicolo, and dined at the superb Antico Caffe Dante, where we all made appreciative noises and sighed when we finished. Then it was Nabucco at the amphitheatre, which despite the bites, was all I could have wished for. But our dreams really came to life when we
headed on to Venice. Our base was the superbly opulent Ca'Sagredo Hotel, which offers some of the best views of this wonderful city imaginable. We took in a moonlit gondola ride, kissed under every bridge in the city and dined in style. Despite our best efforts, we even picked up some local knowledge, thanks to a very thorough and informative walk with an excellent local guide arranged by Liaisons Abroad, who greased the wheels of our trip magnificently. There was more culture to be digested as well, during a visit to Musica a Palazzo, where we were delighted by the performance of love duets in an extraordinary candle-lit palace. But our absolute highlight was thanks to the queen of the Il Ballo del Doge, Antonia Sautter. The designer responsible for the masked carnival that represents Venice's hottest ticket invited us to her studios where, despite our protestations, we soon found ourselves coerced into playing dress-up. You know those out-of-body experiences? I had one while standing by a canal, having my photo taken by tourists, dressed as Louis XVI. My partner was Marie Antoinette. And the kids were a masked prince and princess. I have never had so much fun while wearing tights. I also fell in love with the islands that dot Venice. Murano, Burano and Torcello are soothing, picturesque and beautiful, and to follow in Hemingway's footsteps and dine at Locanda Cipriani on the tiny Torcello was an unparalleled joy. After what was genuinely the time of our lives, we took the ferry back to Punto Sabbioni, and then a 10-minute bus ride back to the campsite for another few days of sunbathing, swimming and ice cream. The kids laughed, my good lady drank the plentiful wine, and I read books and scratched my ankles.
Britian
a campsite
Travel facts:
sleeping up to six, from e60 to e180 per night, including aircon/heating and bath towels/linen, kitchen equipment.
David Mark was a guest of Keycamp which offers self-catering holidays at 99 parcs across 10 European countries, including Sardinia, Austria and Croatia, plus the USA.
Liaisons Abroad offers opera tickets and bespoke arrangements in Verona and Venice and other European cities, including personalised guided walking tours and restaurant bookings.
Seven nights' self-catering in early May in a three-bedroom mobile home with decking for two adults and up to four children at Ca'Savio parc starts at £238, accommodation only. Ferry crossings and fly-drive packages can be arranged though Keycamp at a supplement.
Liaisons Abroad: 0207 808 7330 or www.liaisonsabroad.com
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Investing in antiques By Rob Bellis
Whether you are buying with the aim of making a profit or simply adding to your own collection, antiques can be a very sound investment. While fashions will change and prices fluctuate, there are two attributes that will ensure that an item sells well whatever the climate - quality and scarcity. I’ve been fascinated by antiques for many years and love nothing more than uncovering a bargain or coming across something that I simply have never seen before. My collecting began when I was a small boy and my father gave me a rather playworn Dinky tractor that he had been given as a child. I loved it and it was quality. It was diecast metal and heavy. And despite being half a century old, it was complete - it still is as the picture shows.. While this particular example might only be worth a few quid - although it is priceless as far as I’m concerned - there are some that are worth thousands of pounds. Dinky toys first appeared in 1934 when Meccano Ltd, based in Liverpool, introduced a line of modelled miniatures. They continued to be produced until 1979. Because production ceased during the war years, Dinky can be split into two distinct periods pre-war and post-war. Pre-war Dinky toys were cast from an impure alloy and often they have suffered from zinc pest, known as ‘fatigue’. Examples that survive without fatigue are
likely to fetch a significantly higher price. Scaricty is also a factor, whatever the age. Some models were produced in vast numbers while others were made in small quantities. The best example would be the much sought-after 28 series vans which were painted with the decals of various businesses, some of which are rarer than others. In 1994 a van advertising Bentalls department store fetched a record £10,125 at Christie’s in London. This record stood until a Dinky No.22d van bearing the name W.E. Boyce, a cycle shop on the Archway Road in Highgate in the 1930s, sold at Vectis auctioneers for £17,000. While these examples are extremely rare, there are plenty of other models that are worth a bob or two. Even the more common ones sometimes had slight variations which can make them more desirable. And it’s not just Dinky that is sought after. Corgi and Matchbox are among the other makers whose models can make a pretty penny. Last month 18 packs of Matchbox toys that had never been opened sold for £2,000 when they went under the hammer at Halls in Shrewsbury. The packs, each containing six toys, had been purchased by a North Wales vendor in 1971 from a West Midlands toy wholesaler for just 80p each. Another reminder that condition is allimportant. A mint boxed model can be worth 10 times the price of a playworn one. There are plenty of great reference books and price guides for Dinky and others and the internet is, as ever, a very useful tool.
Keycamp reservations: 0844 406 0319/ www.keycamp.co.uk Italian specialists Citalia offers three nights' B&B from Aug 28 at five-star Ca'Sagredo Hotel, overlooking Venice's Grand Canal, from £573 including return flights ex-Gatwick. Free night for stays of three nights or more between July 1 and 13 and July 16 and Aug 31. Citalia reservations: 0844 415 1956/ www.citalia.com In Verona, Residence Il Vicolo (www.residenceilvicolo.com) offers one and two-bedroom self-catering apartments,
Motorhome & Caravan Accessory Supplier Air Suspension Kits for AL-KO & Many Others - Pumps - Seat Swivels cbe Modular Electrical Ftgs. - Plumbing Ftgs. - Taps - Much More Online
Key facts - Venetian Coast ■ Best for: A relaxing family
break enlivened with moments of culture and sophistication. ■ Time to go: Early summer,
Marcle Leisure - Much Marcle Herefordshire Contact: 01531 660797 Web: www.marcleleisure.co.uk
but the weather is lovely for much of the year. ■ Don't miss: A trip to Antonia
Sautter's workshop and a night at the amphitheatre. ■ Need to know: There are
quite a lot of toll roads in the area, so keep plenty of change in your pocket if you're out driving. ■ Don't forget: Your midge
repellent!
Come and Visit our Camping & Caravanning Club (Certified Site) in the Beautiful Black & White Village in Eardisland! We have 2 acres of grassy flat field Tourers £5 per night NEW for 2012! Shepards Hut (Ring for details)
Tel: 01544 388 687 | 07710 639 504 ●
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Let’s Get Away
Travel -
Cheap Cruise Channel-hopping with an ageless beauty
FOREST OF DEAN
CARAVANS
Jeremy Gates sails to Normandy and Bruges on a budget.
Agents for
SWIFT & BAILEY CARAVANS
Good selection of Clean Pre-owned Caravans Generous Part Exchanges Competitive & Confidential Loans available (full details on application) Excellent Workshop Facilities for all aspects of Caravan Repair & Servicing Caravans Towed and Transported Well-stocked Accessory Shop for all your Caravanning Needs
Open 7 days a week FOREST OF DEAN CARAVANS - a name you can trust!
Parkend, Nr. Lydney GL15 4JR -
☎ 01594 562206 www.forestofdeancaravans.co.uk only 9 miles from Monmouth
The sailaway party, as our gallant ship edged away from Tilbury into the blackness of the Thames Estuary on an autumn evening, was a subdued affair: just me, two couples holding cuppas by an outdoor tea bar and Rudolf Nureyev. While Rudi, an impressive bronze statue, surveyed the swimming pool with a steely glare, things began to happen. Fireworks exploded high in the sky over Gravesend, and something impressive - is that Southend Pier already? - loomed brightly from the gloom on the Essex bank. Would London Mayor Boris Johnson be so keen to concrete over this historic stretch of water for his wretched airport if he took a cruise on the Marco Polo? After a stroll around a deserted deck, I joined a gaggle of cruise enthusiasts for pre-dinner cocktails, all gabbling nineteen to the dozen while a pianist tinkled the ivories on a white grand piano. When we joined second sitting in the Waldorf Restaurant, Eastern European waiters hovered attentively and so many lights blazed on the Kentish shore that I could have believed I was passing Monaco - if our captain, Valentyn Zhukov, had announced as much over the Tannoy. If recent disasters at sea have left people a bit queasy about mighty new superliners, the ageless Marco Polo could be set for an Indian summer. According to my Berlitz Guide to Cruise ships, she was designed by the Russians in 1966, initially named the Alexandr Pushkin, and given an "extremely strong" hull to tackle the Leningrad-Montreal run in winter. A 22,000-tonne ice-breaker, in short, with, says Berlitz, "a deep draft which rides well in unkind sea conditions". But that is only part of the attraction of a vessel widely seen as the 'Joan Collins' of cruise ships. There's a certain art deco charm about the cabins and corridors, and it's exciting to imagine James Bond clambering up the side while the Russians sailed away from Montreal. Today, Marco Polo sails from Tilbury, just off the M25 and almost next door to the Dartford Crossing. Some
CHEPSTOW SUNDAY MEERKAT?
Car Boots Restarted! Traders from all over Great Britain attend this market ● Large Car Park & Coach Park ● Picnic Area and Kiddie’s Inflatables ● Coach Parties Welcome
E.D. MARKETS ☎ 077680 00854 04
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voyages are so short that one, from Tilbury to Hull, costs only £75. Just don't forget the extra £30 to pay the coach driver laid on to bring you back! Our four-day voyage to Rouen and Bruges sailed 100% full, with many passengers happy to travel to Tilbury from the Midlands and the North. When we returned to our cabin after dinner, our room steward Mykhaylo, from Ukraine, had fashioned our bath towels into zoo animals sitting on the bed, with black stickers representing the eyes. But we couldn't admire his handiwork for long because the ship heaved with entertainment at both ends. On the dance floor, a troupe leaped about like mad Cossacks and a dazzling blonde played an electric violin while they regained their breath. Cruise director Richard Sykes wrapped up the show then ran the length of the ship to belt out pop songs from the Sixties in the heaving Scott's Bar cabaret. It was so packed that waiters wheeled in extra seats and threw open doors to the deck to lessen the risk of suffocation. Next morning, I reported for exercises on the prom deck before breakfast. Only later did I realise why I was the only volunteer for bend and stretch. All passengers on Marco Polo are 45-plus, plenty past 60. And they obviously planned to conserve their strength for a knock-out table tennis competition after lunch contested with such ferocity that a third umpire and TV replays would have come in useful. By then, of course, Captain Zhukov had swung us smartly into a left turn as we rounded the massive port of Le Havre. As we ventured up the Seine, a new vista took shape. One moment we were chugging past immaculate villages with terraced houses, shops and sailing clubs. The next, we were surrounded by the green and gold leaves of forests which fill the Normandy landscape. Here I realised one shortcoming of our ship: there isn't a crow's nest where you can look, in warmth and comfort, at what lies ahead. For the best views, you have to get a coat and walk around the deck. By mid-afternoon we rounded a bend in the river to confront the towering spires of Rouen Cathedral. We tied up on the river bank, with sections of wire fencing clamped together to provide some degree of immigration control, and from there it was a brisk 40minute yomp to the cathedral. Although it is a massive city, Rouen has the intimate charm of a small town and is surprisingly easy to explore. Many of the cobbled streets, which shook the horsedrawn cab while Emma Bovary was committing adultery with her lover in Flaubert's famous novel, remain in place. In the Musee de Beaux Arts, housing the largest collection of Impressionists in France outside Paris, you rub noses with splendid, multi-million pound Monets and Caravaggios. That night, we were lucky to dine in the halftimbered private room of La Couronne, the oldest auberge in France where eminent diners signed in before 'celebs' were invented. If I read their scrawls correctly, they include Jean-Paul Sartre, Princess Grace, Winston Churchill, David Niven and Ingrid Bergman. As La Couronne opened in 1345, some diners must have grabbed front row seats for the burning of Joan of Arc in the Place du Vieux-Marche in 1431. A simple concrete cross marks the spot, though our guide explained that French conspirators were as much to blame as the English. In Rouen's magnificent cathedral, the heart of Richard the Lionheart was interred at his request. Our guided tour included the room overlooking the western front of the cathedral, where Claude Monet began some of the 30 paintings which he produced of this remarkable landmark.
Walking back along the river bank, Marco Polo was waiting for us like a lovely blue bath tub. When we sailed away on the following evening, the old girl picked up the knots so rapidly that cyclists on the towpath, with infants waving from their handlebars, were left behind in our slipstream. When we sailed back past the giant tanks of Le Havre, illuminated in the night sky, the music was belting out of the open doors in Scotts Bar. Waiters handed out plates of scampi, and groups of drinkers spread out across the deck. After that, on day three, Bruges was a slight anticlimax. We arrived an hour late, with Captain Zhukov's underlings blaming speed restrictions in the Seine, but the guided tour still got us into 'the Venice of the North' around 2pm. There was no time for frites and mayonnaise in the main square, but a brilliant guide crammed most of it in: the market place dominated by the brick belfry with 366 steps which starred in 'In Bruges', and one of the few Michelangelo scupltures allowed out of Italy across the street from the oldest hospital in Europe. Our tour was rounded off by a canal boat ride which opened up an entirely new perspective on some of the most famous landmarks. Passengers ducked at the last minute as we swerved beneath low arches. We chugged back across the Channel overnight, and Mykhaylo wobbled his eyebrows, hopefully in gratitude but I couldn't be sure, when he got our tip. By breakfast time, we were driving home along a deserted lane in Tilbury, while Marco Polo began her rapid turnaround. I'm quite a fan of cut-price cruising: the food is passable, the enthusiasm of the crew infectious. Give it a go if you are nervous about splashing too much cash on a glitzy superliner.
Travel facts Jeremy Gates was a guest of Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), which offers 63 cruises from six UK ports in its 2012/3 programme, starting at £75 exTilbury to Hull on May 5. Five-night cruises on Marco Polo ex-Tilbury in October to Rouen, Amsterdam and Antwerp start around £399. CMV reservations: 0845 430 0274 and www.cruiseandmaritime.com
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For Luca Meningococcal septicaemia victim Luca Williams had to have both his legs partly amputated in January. His parents launched the Raise Your Hands for Luca campaign where people write “For Luca” on their hands attempting to raise £1.5m for prosthetic limbs that are not available on the NHS. Celebrities, including singer Pixie Lott and racing driver Sebastian Vettel, have joined in by Tweeting pictures of themselves with “For Luca” on their outstretched palms.
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The campaign has even reached the White House
Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert, rugby internationals George North, Ryan Jones and Leigh Halfpenny and jockey AP McCoy are just a few other famous names supporting the youngster. The three-year-old is now recovering at home in Newport with mum Sian Williams. Dad Mo Syed said: “It is amazing to be getting this kind of support. Luca is an inspiration to us all every day. “The courage he has shown has kept us positive and made us proud. “We now hope he can maintain a positive attitude as he copes with the awful effects of the disease.” The family has experienced huge support from well-wishers globally via social networking sites Facebook and Twitter,as they bid to raise £1.5m and raise awareness of the disease.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/forluca or text “LUCA80 £5 or £10” to 70070. For more information visit facebook.com/forluca1 or follow @for_luca.
Key facts: Short break cruising ■ Best for: City breaks across the Channel,
and as a venue for get-togethers of families and friends. ■ Time to go: Mainly in shoulder seasons -
spring and autumn - between longer voyages. ■ Don't miss: Lively evening
entertainment, with cabaret, dance and Abba by the bucketload. ■ Need to know: Shuttle buses usually
take you into port because local cabs can be pricey. ■ Don't forget: Umbrella and mac for prom
deck walking and city sightseeing.
Wernddu Campsite is situated 1 mile from Abergavenny Town Centre and has over 60 pitches, the majority of which are hard standing and have all their own individual electric hookup points, water supply and grey water waste. Tourers staying on our site can receive reduced rates on the golf course too! Our facilities block which is free to use Includes :●
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Privacy cubicles which have inside toilet, shower and wash basin. Male and Female vanity areas with mirrors, hair dryers and shaving points. Undercover washing up areas. Laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryers. ( COIN METERED ) Male and Female disabled privacy cubicles.
Old Ross Rd, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 8NG. Tel: 01873 856223 Fax: 01873 852177 Email: info@wernddu-golf-club.co.uk Web: www.wernddu-golf-club.co.uk ●
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How to get bright kids Liven up your little ones’ wardrobes this summer with clothes to make them smile. Lisa Haynes reports. BELIEVE it or not, Suri Cruise has been named one of the world’s best-dressed women at just five-years-old. In her jelly shoes and party dresses, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has been deemed stylish enough to land 21st position in Glamour magazine’s annual poll in which readers are
invited to vote for their favourite style icons. But if custom-made Louboutin shoes and tots couture all seems a little highbrow for your tearaway, the seasonal fashion forecast for childrenswear should be right up their street. “High summer for childrenswear focuses on relaxed beach holidays,” says Mags Milliken, Matalan’s senior infantswear designer. “Colourful vests, fun stripes, surf and palm tree graphics are essential summer looks for the boys. Neon brights are a huge look for girls along with big, bold, floral prints - fabulous for brightening up a summer wardrobe.”
Embrace the fun factor on sun-soaked days, but remember holiday-style dressing may not always be appropriate for your little darlings with the changeable British weather. Here’s how you can maximise your children’s wardrobe this summer with some natty styling tricks that should keep them smiling through those forecast highs and lows. BRIGHT AND BREEZY Grown-ups have enough problems finding clothes to fit, but children have an ability to shoot up faster than a beanstalk so buying a hard-working wardrobe for your kids can be problematic. Half-Pint Chic founder Nicole Frost (www.halfpintchic.com) knows only too well how contending with the unpredictable weather and growing children can mean clothes need to be adaptable. “As we don’t generally have clear and defined seasons in the UK, it’s helpful to make sure that your children’s wardrobes are interchangeable so that you don’t end up spending a fortune on items that will only ever be worn a handful of times,” she advises. “By making clever purchases, your children can still be stylish without the huge expense.” Working in the childrenswear industry and a mum of twin girls, Frost offers her expert advice on how to achieve a child-friendly but fashionable summer wardrobe. FOCUS ON KEY LINES Fun summer novelty accessories will add some seasonal flair to your little one’s look but don’t forget the staples when you’re on a childrenswear summer spree. “Buy clothes in key categories such as jeans, skirts, T-shirts and shoes along with the odd weather-appropriate piece such as sandals and hats, then you’ll never be caught out,” Frost recommends. “Make sure that each pair of bottoms can be matched to a number of tops and vice-versa so that the number of overall pieces is reduced but the amount of new looks is endless.” DUAL-USE CLOTHING Love buy one, get one free offers? Keep your eyes peeled for clever clothing that doubles up as two garments in one - less space in your little one’s
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wardrobe for twice the wear. “Purchasing items that can be swiftly adapted for the weather can save a lot of time and money,” says Frost. “Trousers that have inside hooks and buttons to make them into shorts are a great idea and jackets that have a removable lining can also help to keep a child warm or cool as well as stylish.” LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS Don’t be fooled by blue skies and sunshine. A sharp breeze or surprise rain shower could be around the corner so ensure your child is prepared for all seasons by carrying light layers you can add or remove in an instant. “Cardigans, lightweight jackets and sweaters are the perfect combination over a T-shirt or top to add some warmth without compromising on style,” says Frost. “If you buy these pieces in neutral and block colours then they can be used regularly to coordinate with the majority of your child’s summer outfits.”
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Facts about May
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Oak Apple Day (Pinch-Bum Day) This is the day that traditionally people wear oak apples or oak leaves pinned to them to remember that on May 29th King Charles ll returned triumphantly to London after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
May is named after the Greek goddess, Maia. The month is a time of great celebrations in the northern hemisphere. It is the time when flowers emerge and crops begin to sprout. The Anglo-Saxon name for May was Tri-Milchi, in recognition of the fact that with the lush new grass cows could be milked three times a day. It was first called May in about 1430. Before then it was called Maius, Mayes, or Mai. May Day (Garland Day) In Britain, as in most parts of Western Europe, May day marked the end of the harsh winter months, welcomed the beginning of Summer, and optimistically looked forward to the bright and productive months. For our ancestors, largely in rural areas, it was a major annual festival and was celebrated through out the country, especially on the first of May with music, dancing and games.
There are still garland ceremonies today. At Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oxfordshire, a large wooden cross covered with yew and box leaves stands above the rood screen in the church. On May Day this is taken down and redecorated with fresh greenery and flowers and the children carry small decorated crosses around the village and bring them to a special service. Also in Oxfordshire at Brampton, the Spring Bank Holiday marks the beginning of the traditional Morris Dance Season. In the morning children bring out a selection of garlands which are judged in a competition at lunch time. May dolls are sometimes used in these. May Day Superstition First thing in the morning on May 1st, young girls used to rush out into the garden to wash their faces in the May dew. Why? There is an old tale that says that May dew has magic properties and that anyone who has washed their face in it will have a beautiful complexion all through the year. This dew was supposed to be able to remove freckles and also spots and pimples. Other Superstition for May The month of may was considered an unlucky month particularly for getting married. 'Marry in May and you'll rue the day' ● Being born in May was thought to produce a sickly child. ● Never buy a broom in May or wash blankets. Wash a blanket in May. Wash a dear one away. ● Cats born this month will not be good rodent catchers and even worse, will bring snakes into the home. ● Unlucky days are 3rd, 6th, 7th, 13th, 15th and 20th. ●
Traditional May Day celebrations included dancing around maypoles and the appearance of 'hobby horses' and characters such as 'Robin Hood' and 'Jack in Green'. The first of May is Garland Day So please remember the garland. We don't come here but once a year, So please remember the garland. Greenery was collected by primary school children to make garlands. In many English villages children would parade with garlands of
Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings "A wet May makes a big load of hay; A cold May is kindly and fills the barn finely. " “A swarm of bees in May; Is worth a load of hay.” "Mist in May, Heat in June; Makes harvest come right soon" "If you wash a blanket in May; You will wash one of the family away." "Those who bathe in May; Will soon be laid in clay"
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The reason for the wearing of oak apples or oak leaves was to celebrate the King's narrow escape from capture by Cromwell's soldiers by hiding in an oak tree. Until well into the twentieth century, anyone caught not wearing an oak leaf or oak apple on 29 May could be pinched, kicked, or otherwise abused. Whipping with nettles was a favourite punishment, hence the name 'Nettle Day' in some areas.
flowers, sometimes fastened to sticks or in the shape of a cross, or fixed to hoops. This was done in the hope of collecting money. Sometimes this was known as May Dolling because often placed in the centre of the garland was a small doll.
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Arbor Tree Day Arbor Day, on the last Sunday in May, is the Sunday nearest to Oak Apple Day. In Aston-on-Clun in Shropshire, a large tree standing in the centre of the village is decorated with flags on the last Sunday in May. The flags stay on the tree until the following May. Astonon-Clun is the only place in the UK that still marks this ancient tradition. People say that in 1786 the local landowner John Marston married on May 29th and, when passing through the village, saw the villagers celebrating Arbor Day. The bride thought that the tree looked so beautiful covered in flags, that she gave money to the village to allow the custom to continue.
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1st May -Labour Day 1st May- May Day. 5th May - 1930 Amy Johnson was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. 6th May- 1840 The world's first postage stamp, the 'Penny Black' stamp, became valid for use in the UK. 6th May - 1954 Roger Bannister ran a mile in less than four minutes. 8th May - 1945 VE (Victory in Europe) Day. 9th May Captain Blood attempted to steal the crown jewels in 1671 10th May- 1994 Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa. 12th May- 1820 Florence Nightingale was born. 15th May The Romans believed this was the birthday of Mercury, the messenger and son of Zeus who could travel with the speed of thought. 18th May - 1955 The first Wimpy Bar opened in London. Have a treat and visit your local Wimpy, or have a burger night. 18th May - 1991 Helen Sharman became the first British woman in space. 21st May - 1946 Bread rationing introduced in the UK. 28th May - 1908 Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond books, was born. 29th May - 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest. 29th May Oak Apple Day. 30th May 1431 Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. 30th May Death of King Arthur in 542
The Belgrave Hotel The Esplanade, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7DU Tel: 01834 842377 Fax: 01834 842626
Come and enjoy the hotels superb seafront position overlooking Tenby’s beautiful south beach in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Midweek B&B from £37.50 pppn
Arrive Friday or Saturday Enjoy 2 nights mix and match
£89.95 pp 3 Nights £127.45 pp
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on Saturday Bed & Breakfast Friday and Sunday Candlelit Dinner & Dance Thursday and Saturday Gala Menu, Breakfast in Bed Sunday Morning Ring now for Birthdays, Anniversaries and other special breaks. ●
The Spring Issue
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May / June
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Let’s Get Away
Before you go... Holiday Check list Before you go: ❏ Check passport is valid ❏ Check holiday insurance ❏ Arrange car hire ❏ Arrange airport parking ❏ Vaccinations ❏ Visa applications Essentials: ❏ Passport ❏ Flight Tickets ❏ Other Tickets ❏ Visas ❏ Currency ❏ Travellers Cheques ❏ Credit cards ❏ Holiday Insurance documentation ❏ EHIC Card ❏ Holiday home keys ❏ Contact Numbers ❏ Holiday Address ❏ Directions ❏ Copies of paperwork and property details ❏ Driving Licence ❏ Other ID ❏ Personal house/car keys ❏ Car breakdown policy ❏ Airport parking ticket ❏ Photocopies of Passport/Insurance ❏ Itinerary ❏ Sports licences/ documentation Mobile Phone ❏ Watch ❏ Camera/film ❏ Glasses/case ❏ Reading glasses
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Contact Lenses Hearing Aid Medication Personal dietary requirements
Clothes: ❏ Shorts ❏ T Shirts ❏ Shirts/Tops ❏ Trousers ❏ Jeans ❏ Skirts ❏ Dresses ❏ Jumpers ❏ Sweatshirts ❏ Bras ❏ Pants ❏ Vests ❏ Socks ❏ Walking socks ❏ Tights ❏ Stockings ❏ Swimwear ❏ Sarong ❏ Wedding garments ❏ Suit ❏ Nightwear ❏ Dressing gown ❏ Slippers ❏ Shoes ❏ Sandals ❏ Flip flops ❏ Pool shoes ❏ Trainers ❏ Walking boots ❏ Coats/Jacket ❏ Waterproofs ❏ Thermal underwear ❏ Specialist Sports Clothes/Shoes/Boots
The Spring Issue
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May / June
Linen:Accessories: ❏ Watch ❏ Sunglasses ❏ Sunhat ❏ Gloves ❏ Hat ❏ Scarves ❏ Belt ❏ Handbags ❏ Jewellery ❏ Towels ❏ Beach towels Beach/Sports: ❏ Windbreak ❏ Bucket and spade ❏ Sports equipment ❏ Wet suit ❏ Beach mats ❏ Lilo ❏ Inflatable boat ❏ Snorkel ❏ Goggles ❏ Flippers ❏ Face mask ❏ Surf/Body board ❏ Arm bands ❏ Frisbee ❏ Kite ❏ Picnic blanket ❏ Picnic box ❏ Beach bag ❏ Folding chairs ❏ Cool box ❏ Ice packs ❏ Thermos flask Baby: ❏ Travel cot ❏ Travel highchair ❏ Buggy ❏ Baby sling
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Baby car seat Car booster seat Baby clothes Disposable nappies Changing mat Changing bag Baby products Bottles Sterilising equipment Powdered milk Baby food Plastic plate/bowl/mug Plastic cutlery Dummies Bedding Night light Intercom Story books Toys Don't forget baby!
Chemist: ❏ Glasses/case ❏ Reading glasses ❏ Contact lenses ❏ Contact lens fluid ❏ Prescribed medicines ❏ Insulin kit ❏ Inhaler/Nebuliser ❏ Pill/other contraception ❏ Travel sickness pills ❏ Headache pills ❏ Indigestion pills ❏ Hay fever tablets ❏ Anti-histamine tablets ❏ Diarrhoea medicine ❏ Nicotine patches ❏ Vitamins ❏ Bite/sting cream ❏ Antiseptic cream/liquid ❏ Vaseline ❏ Waterproof plasters
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Insect repellent Mosquito net First Aid Kit Safety pins
Electrical: ❏ Camera ❏ Camcorder ❏ Tripod ❏ Mobile phone ❏ Mobile phone charger ❏ Plug adaptors ❏ Travel Iron ❏ Travel Kettle ❏ MP3 player ❏ Headphones ❏ Lap-top ❏ Currency converter ❏ Electronic translator Flight Essentials: ❏ Support socks ❏ Travel pillow ❏ Ear plugs ❏ Eye mask ❏ Boiled sweets ❏ Reading material ❏ Travel games Motoring Essentials: ❏ Emergency triangle ❏ Car jack ❏ GB sticker ❏ Yellow headlights ❏ Map Toiletries: ❏ Suntan lotion ❏ After sun lotion ❏ Lip protector/balm ❏ Fake tan ❏ Shampoo
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Conditioner Hair products Soap Bath/shower products Shower cap Razor Shaver Shaving cream Aftershave Antiperspirant Toothbrush Toothpaste Electric toothbrush/ charger Dental products Moisturiser Beauty products Perfume Make-up/brushes Nail varnish Make-up bag Tissues Toilet paper Female hygiene products/tampons Sponge Flannels Wet wipes Wash Bag
Beauty Extras: ❏ Hairbrush ❏ Comb ❏ Hairdryer ❏ Hair Straighteners ❏ Curling tongs ❏ Hair accessories ❏ Travel Mirror ❏ Nail File/Emery board ❏ Nail scissors/clippers ❏ Nailbrush ❏ Tweezers
Miscellaneous: ❏ Travel Alarm Clock ❏ Torch ❏ Hand held fan ❏ Batteries ❏ Pen and paper ❏ Playing Cards ❏ Board Games ❏ Books ❏ Magazines ❏ Guide books ❏ Phrase book ❏ Map ❏ Travel belt ❏ Addresses list ❏ Diary/notebook ❏ Personal organiser ❏ Sketch book ❏ Artists equipment ❏ Business cards ❏ Sewing kit ❏ Penknife ❏ Padlock and keys for luggage ❏ Luggage strap locks ❏ Binoculars ❏ Backpack ❏ Water bottle ❏ Hip flask ❏ Compass ❏ Umbrella ❏ Walking Stick ❏ Wheelchair ❏ Crutches Pets: ❏ Dog lead ❏ Cat basket ❏ Dog bed/blanket ❏ Dog food ❏ Toys ❏ Pet