Discover Romsey April - May 2016

Romsey APRIL/MAY 2016

NORTH

BA D D E S L E

EDITION

IS F Y | A M P FI E L D | A B B OTS W O O D | T H E W E L LO W S | M OT T

ONT

Find the Symbol Win ÂŁ50 pg 4

Richard E Grant at

International Arts Festival

Community News, Business Features, Local Events -

Look inside!

Gardening with Pippa Greenwood

The Grass Can Be Greener

YO U R F R E E C O M M U N I T Y M AGA Z I N E & LO CA L BU S I N E S S D I R E C TO RY

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Dunwood Manor Nursing Home

Situated just outside Romsey this stately manor house sits in 12 acres of beautiful gardens and blends the very latest in equipment and comfort within an historic and classic building.

General nursing care for clients 60 years and above is catered for, plus respite, specialist palliative and nursing care for physically disabled clients from 18 years and above.

Two light and airy lounges and a seperate dining room, all offer stunning views over the gardens and grounds.

We have a licensed bar for the use of our residents and our specialist activities organisers arrange group and individual entertainment.

Our mini-bus runs regular trips to

Romsey town, churches and pubs as well as the theatre and cinema.

In warmer weather residents can sit out in the attractive patio areas and enjoy the views over the grounds.

Hairdressing, physiotherapy, chiropody dental and optical services plus a visiting library are all available within the home.

Finally our own hydrotherapy pool offers a tremendous boost to the health well-being and lifestyle of our residents.

Dunwood Manor Nursing Home, Sherfield English, Nr. Romsey, Hants. SO51 6FD Tel: 01794 513033 www.sentinel-healthcare.com

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ADVERTISING SALES ENQUIRIES Tel: Melanie Tinson 023 8027 6396 Email: melanie@discovermagazines.co.uk Web: www.discoveradvertising.co.uk

ACCOUNTS ENQUIRIES Tel: Tania Houston 02380 8027 6361 Email: tania@discovermagazines.co.uk

EDITORIAL/COMMUNITY NEWS Please visit www.discovercommunity.co.uk and use the Editorial Form under Contact Us Email: editorial@discovermagazines.co.uk Tel: 02380 266388 option 4 This edition of Discover is delivered throughout Romsey and North Baddesley (SO51 and SO52 postcodes) using a combination of our team of loyal distributors and Royal Mail for those hard to reach rural areas.

Romsey’s No 1 Community Magazine 12 local editions 143,500 circulation

Home Fashion Faux Pas

Melanie Tinson & Tania Houston

Some people love the process of home improvement. The whole choosing the furniture, the colours, the accessories and planning how everything is going to be laid out. I’m not one of them.

About 4 years ago my husband and I agreed that our ensuite bathroom really needed redoing. It never happened and now it’s embarrassingly bad. The budget had been put aside ages ago, but the planning and deciding part is something I don’t enjoy, and as for husband Kevin – he wouldn’t even come to the showroom. As an aside, when he asked me to come and look at a new lawnmower with him I had no guilt in saying ‘categorically no’.

However, a bit of envy got me moving on it. A friend of ours moved into one of the new Bovis houses in North Baddesley.

Visiting for the first time I realised that our house – although only 18 years old – had become dated and frumpy.

These days, tiles in bathrooms are always fitted horizontally, not vertically, and forget the twiddly little border tiles half way up the wall. And if you still have carpet in your bathroom, well, ewww. Coving? Out. Inset spotlights in kitchens and bathrooms? In. Now, I have to say I’m a lot more interested in my life outside of the house than in it. Eating out, concerts, exercise - don’t have a problem there deciding what to do.

But I can now see the pleasure that comes from having a nice home. So gritted teeth, keep focused on the finished product, and get on with it. And despite his reluctance Kevin will give an opinion on ‘this one or that one’ from the pile of catalogues I’ve accrued. I’m still not compromising on lawn mowers though.

Tania

Editor

How to enter Online: www.discovercommunity.co.uk Text Only: 07702 567811

FIND THE HIDDEN SYMBOL COMPETITION All you have to do is find the Bee hidden somewhere within one of this issue’s advertisements.

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You must state the following details: 1. Which advert featured the symbol 2. Your name 3. Your postal address 4. Your email address 5. And most importantly, when you received your copy of Discover One entry per household, last entry date 15th May 2016.

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And Another Thing...

Where Tom Stops Commuting

by Tom Hughes My Dearly Beloved’s face fell as the true horror of my announcement sunk in.

“So what you’re saying is that from now on, you’ll be working from home?”

“Yes. Nigel is cutting costs. It’s actually great news because they are paying for a broadband upgrade, and I get a desk.”

“You’ve got a desk.”

“And no more commuting hurrah! I thought I could move into Evan’s old room.”

“Well I’m not getting rid of that divan, it’s never been slept in.”

Monday morning 7am. I leapt into my work trousers and after slurping my coffee was on the drive, keys in hand before I realised. Of course, I don’t have to do this anymore! So, sitting at my new desk an hour early, I took the first conference call of the morning: a very important discussion about our national marketing strategy.

“Hi Tom, Nigel in Basingstoke here and Marty in Seattle, what’s your take on this? I was just about to launch into my best corporate blather when – MMMMNNNMMNNNNN! “Sorry Tom, there seems to be some interference on the line?”

Apologising, I opened Evan’s 6

bedroom door (sorry, branch office door) and was promptly bashed on the big toe by the Hoover. “Darling - I’m in a meeting!” I hissed. The Henry fell silent.

“Well this house won’t clean itself - darling. Anyway that’s me done, I’m going out.”

So while Marty droned on about performance indicators, I looked down from the bedroom (branch) window as Sarah, Bags for Life in hand, set off for Tesco and the dreaded Big Shop. At last some peace! Or so I thought. I was in the middle of composing my umpteenth electronic missive of the day when I heard a scratching at the door. It was Ollie, demanding to know what I was doing at home this time of the morning. To stop the whining I relented and in two bounds he was over the desk and onto the window sill, where he settled down for a mid morning snooze.

So, with my best friend asleep next to me, I beavered away at my spreadsheets. The new phone buzzed once more and, as Ollie raised an inquisitive eyebrow, I took my second conference call of the day. I was just about to set out in no uncertain terms why Basingstoke couldn’t escape restructuring when next door’s cat

decided to run across the porch roof.

“So, Tom what you are saying is…”

“Grrrrrrr…”

“Oh, sorry Tom, don’t you like Marty’s idea?”

“Woof! Bark! Woof!”

“Tom, is that a dog I can hear?”

I heaved Ollie out onto the landing, nearly strangling myself with my headset in the process.

I coughed. “Sorry guys. New ring tone.”

After ending the call I spotted Sarah returning from the Big Shop. “I thought you were ‘at work’?”

“I can’t just sit up there watching you struggling. Here, let me.”

“Look I’m perfectly capable of putting away the shopping - no Tom, the bleach doesn’t live in there! Just go back upstairs and leave me to it.”

As Sarah unpacked everything my stomach reminded me that lunch time was almost upon us. So, nestled on the sofa next to Sarah with my bag of Quavers and my ham bloomer, something told me that turning the TV channel over to check on England’s progress at Trent Bridge was not a good idea.

I decided instead to join in with

the catch up.

“And who’s she?”

“That’s the mother, she lives in the garage, and that’s the daughter and she’s pregnant to the drug dealer.”

“And which one’s he?”

“The one under the bed.”

“Is he hiding?”

“No, he’s dead.”

Where the framer comes to you!

“Hasn’t anyone noticed?”

“He’s encased in concrete.”

“I see...”

Finally it was time to return to work. But I shouldn’t have had that second Eccles cake because around three forty five both Olly and I began to flag.

The phone rang, the computer bleeped, my mobile buzzed. Eventually the racket drew Sarah to see what was happening inside Tom Hughes Towers.

“Hello, Tom’s phone? I’m sorry, he can’t come to the phone right now he’s…in a meeting with Oliver. Of course you can’t hear snoring, that’s…his new ring tone.”

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The Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival Friday 27 May – Saturday 11 June 2016 In conversations with Richard E Grant, Frieda Hughes, Sir Vince Cable, Ben Miller, Juliet Stevenson and Dame Joan Bakewell Returning for a 44th year and taking its inspiration from New Zealand, the Festival will once again fill every corner of the medieval City and surrounding countryside with a thrilling mix of music, comedy, film, theatre, circus, dance, walks, poetry, exhibitions, children’s workshops and street theatre, featuring an outstanding range of high-profile and emerging talent from the UK, New Zealand and beyond.

A specially commissioned Opening Ceremony will celebrate the start of this year’s Festival drawing on the long and rich tradition of the Maori welcome, powhiri, and the arts of kapa haka. Under Festival Chorus director Howard Moody, hundreds of singers will welcome

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Ngati Ranana, the UK’s foremost Maori arts club, performing traditional Maori arts before joining forces with the Chorus in a newly commissioned ‘waiata’ or song to launch the Festival.

A diverse array of in-conversations and special guests fill the programme including the Right Honorable Sir Vince Cable MP; actor Richard E Grant; one of the world’s most respected Maori authors, Witi Ihimaera; naturalist and broadcaster Stephen Moss; comedian and writer Ben Miller; journalist and author Dame Joan Bakewell; actress Juliet Stevenson; former England Rugby Union captain Will Carling; comedian Jon Culshaw; Queen of Shops Mary Portas; and former Artistic Director of the National Theatre Sir Richard Eyre among others.

Festival Director Toby Smith said: “This year we look southwards

to New Zealand, a distant land defined

by Maori culture and its fusion with European and contemporary Pacific island traditions.

“New Zealand artists spanning every art form will be coming to Salisbury, bringing work rarely seen outside of the country. The Festival is all about bringing the world to Salisbury and showing off our city to the world. Let’s bring it on.”

The 2016 Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival is supported by Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Booking is now open www.salisburyfestival.co.uk

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company

policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

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HOBBIES

A Hobby That’s Worth Droning On About Drones are much in the news these days: whether it’s shooting a spectacular wildlife image or zooming too close to a passenger plane, these popular flying machines have had their share of good and bad press reports.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be the latest gadget-of-choice but pilotless flying vehicles have a long and surprising history. In 1849 the Austrians launched a largely unsuccessful unmanned bomb attack on Venice, using balloons (planes were yet to be invented) and unmanned torpedos also played a part in the First World War. The first remote-controlled pilotless aircraft was invented in 1935 and World War II saw the use of UAVs on both sides, but when the US Air Force lost over 5,000 airmen in the Vietnam War, drones began to be used extensively. They undoubtedly saved further loss of life but these large, expensive, jet-powered craft proved hard to recover and many were lost during operations.

If you are thinking of buying one for yourself or a family member, be warned, as you can incur some pretty hefty penalties if you 12

By Kate McLelland

let your drone infringe airspace regulations. The Air Navigation Order states that no unmanned craft can be flown within 50 metres of a person, vehicle or building – unless the people, vehicles or buildings in question are “under your control”.

That means even that flying a drone in your own back garden is not permitted unless your neighbour’s property is at least 50m away. If you’re in a public space, such as a park, you are not allowed to fly within 150m of any “congested area” and you must avoid filming in places such as sports fields where crowds are gathered.

Even though you may be able to receive live, streamed video from the drone’s location, you should not let it stray out of your line of sight.

Businesses that want to use a drone for commercial purposes must apply for a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority before they attempt a flight close to people or property.

A number of recreational users have already been convicted for offences that include flying too close to the rides at Alton Towers and photographing Devonshire landscapes without

the landowner’s consent. It cost one man over £4,000 in fines and court fees when his UAV flew near a road bridge and over a nuclear installation.

If you’re still keen to own a drone you can pick up a fly-only model from under £30. A more advanced device, which lets you steer from a smartphone or tablet while a camera streams live images or records video footage, will cost around £250£300.

As long as the rules and regulations are observed, you’ll get hours of enjoyment from flying these clever little gadgets, but do set aside some time to master the techniques you’ll need before you attempt that perfect bird’s eye view shot.

Here are some basic rules to follow while you are learning: avoid windy conditions and operate the drone in a park or grassy field well away from people, animals and parked cars.

Turn off your mobile phone and try not to let other distractions affect your concentration.

With a bit of practice, you’ll soon be flying like a pro, but just remember: if your expensive UAV ends up in a tree, just don’t go droning on about it…

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The Ampfield The Catch Market Up Cafe (Established 2000)

The Ampfield Market is now celebrating its 16th successful year. The Market is always on the first Saturday of the month excluding January, February, July and August which are holiday months. It takes place in Ampfield Village Hall between 10am and 12 noon. Parking and admission are free. There are many top quality food and craft tables to browse, delicious fresh coffee and homemade cakes are served all morning. All the funds raised support the Village Hall and all the help we receive is voluntary.

If you would like to rent a table for a morning, please call Julie 02380 254587 for more information.

18

Ampfield Village Hall The Catch Up Cafe' takes place in the new Ampfield Village Hall annexe every Thursday morning between 9.30am and 11.30am. Delicious fresh coffee, a selection of home-made cakes and a warm welcome awaits you! The cafĂŠ provides a warm, friendly venue to meet friends and keep in touch during the grey winter months. All the proceeds of our Cafe' support the Village Hall and all the help is voluntary.

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RECIPE

Thai Beef Salad Serves 4 Ready in 50 minutes, plus marinating time This colourful and fragrant main-meal salad is great for easy entertaining. Choose thick pieces of steak and take care not to overcook them or they will become tough and chewy.

Ingredients:

1. Place the steak in a shallow dish. Mix together the lime juice, soy sauce, garlic and chilli flakes.

Season with freshly ground black pepper and cover and leave to marinate for 1 hour.

• 2 x 175g sirloin steaks • 1 tbsp lime juice • 2 tbsp light soy sauce • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

2. Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle until very hot. Add the steak and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side.

Remove from the pan, cover with foil and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes • 6 spring onions, trimmed and thinly sliced

3. Toss together the spring onions, radishes, bean sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes and salad leaves.

Mix together all the dressing ingredients, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

• 8 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced • 100g fresh bean sprouts • 1/4 cucumber, thinly sliced

4. Slice the warm steak thinly across the grain. Toss gently into the salad with the dressing. Pile into a large shallow serving dish and serve immediately, or leave to cool and serve chilled.

• 4 firm plum tomatoes, quartered • 200g mixed salad leaves

FOR THE DRESSING • juice of 2 limes • 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce • 2 tsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp fresh chopped coriander • 1 tsp finely chopped lemon grass 20

Lemon grass stalks are sold in small packs by the fresh herbs in the supermarket. You only need a small amount to give an extra zesty fragrance to the dressing but the stalks will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. Try adding chopped to curries, fruit salads or infuse in hot water for a refreshing alternative to tea.

TIP

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21

The Life List Gone are the dark days when the dunce’s cap and corporal punishment were the natural order, and good riddance to them both I say. But perhaps now the pendulum has swung too far the other way?

Everyone seems to get a prize for something or other and even school reports sound too good to be true. That is, until you can read between the lines.

Excellent social skills and positive personal relationships. (She won’t stop chatting in class to make arrangements for the weekend.)

Good with his hands. (A bully.)

Technologically gifted. (Always playing with her mobile phone, but very useful if you’re having trouble downloading an app.)

A natural performer. (She is disruptive and better suited to a stage school, or home schooling, or someone else’s school.)

Extremely imaginative. (A daydreamer or a liar, or both.)

Consistent with her timekeeping. (Always late. A future career as a train announcer.)

Very artistic. (He keeps drawing on the desks, and the chairs, and the teacher.)

She has a fondness for nature. (She brings spiders into class.)

Very interested in the wider world. (He is a persistent truant.)

She loves the great outdoors. (She escapes out of a window at every opportunity.)

A passionate communicator, who sticks up for other pupils. (He has formed a union in class and is now threatening to take strike action.)

She is ambitious. (She cheats in tests, and sucks up to the teacher, but her parents send great end of term presents.)

Class dismissed!

By Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk 22

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23

Gotta Get A Witness Iain Betson conducts enquires into a useful new website Come-on, ‘fess up. I know it’s happened to you because it’s happened to me.

How many times have you seen, or been the victim of, down-right dangerous driving by another and wished that a policemen had also seen what you had experienced and nabbed the perpetrator?

Well now your wish can come true. It takes a little forethought and effort on your part, but if it helps to get numpty drivers and, frankly, those who seem to have little regard for human life when driving off the road and given their just desserts, then I think it’s time and money well spent.

The use of the dash-board mounted camera is comparatively recent in the UK, although it is rising. This is in contrast to Russia, where, judging from the hours of Youtube dash-cam uploads, its use seems universal.

Your own insurance protection Fitting one to your car is quite simple and reasonably inexpensive to do, certainly when you consider that the material it captures could save you a fortune in insurance.

But what do you do with that footage if you do record bad, dangerous or illegal driving?

You could contact the police directly and show them the evidence, but your camera may not have recorded enough material for charges to be brought.

Alternatively, you could consider submitting it to the PoliceWitness.com website. The aim of the site is to highlight dangerous driving and that those responsible are now having their actions recorded. They also act as a conduit to the police and insurance companies when claims or charges are brought.

You may not have been the only one recording an incident, so the site can act as a collection point for other footage of the same incident, thereby increasing the chances of a prosecution.

An additional incentive for getting a dash-cam is that, to help insurance companies prove liability, they may also pay for your footage, meaning it could pay for itself.

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MOTORING

Range Rover On Test It’s the dreaded question that anyone even remotely connected to cars fears more than any other: what’s your favourite car?

But finally I might have the answer: the Range Rover. Not the Sport or Evoque but the good old fashioned, full fat Rangie.

A looming family holiday looming involving a 1,500-mile trip gave the perfect excuse to borrow the car, and after two 13-hour shifts behind the wheel I can honestly say there’s nothing else I’d rather have been in.

Here’s why. First, it’s super comfortable. The front seats in our Range Rover were heated and cooled and had more adjustments than a home hi-fi amplifier from the 1980s. The huge armchair like seats with cushioned headrests never dulled a muscle and left us with no aches and pains.

With a five-year-old on board, the £7,300 entertainment pack (yes, you read that right) was a blessing. Two 10.2-inch rear screens and wireless headphones meant Finding Nemo could work his fishy magic at keeping the Are We Nearly There Yets at bay until at least Dover.

The multimedia system might be showing its age a little but it works well. It takes seconds to hook your phone up for music streaming, the satnav might look 26

By James Baggott

a little dated but it got us to France, Switzerland and home without fail and it’s simple to set a DVD running for the rear occupants while listening to Dad FM in the front.

Then there’s the size – I know Range Rovers are massive, but when it comes to getting a ski trip’s worth of luggage inside, it coped admirably. Despite using up the entire boot space there was ample room inside – enough to curl up for a snooze in the back and enjoy the equally cosseting rear seats when my wife drove.

For its size it’s no slouch. Our test car had the delightful 4.4-litre SDV8. Despite only returning 26mpg, with a top speed of 135mph and a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds, it’s brisk enough for French Autoroutes. It piles on speed in a smooth and linear fashion, quietly and without fuss, whilst adding to the feeling of luxury travel.

However, what really sets the Range Rover apart are the little touches. Things like the softclose doors, the illuminated logos projected onto the floor by the wing mirrors at night, and the front seat armrests that adjust to the perfect height. I love the fridge in the centre console, the cameras all around the car that make it a doddle to park, and the split tailgate that automatically

opens and closes at the touch of a button.

But above all it’s the fact that despite all this luxury and Rolls Royce-rivaling opulence, it’s still so utterly capable off road. As we arrived in Villars, Switzerland, the snow was falling heavily and cars were being abandoned up the mountain as snow chains failed to do their jobs. But not the Range Rover. A flick of the all terrain response button to its Snow & Ice setting and away we went.

So there you have it. The one car I would buy if I had to live it with it for the rest of my life.

Just as long as I could afford the £109,710 for the pleasure…

Model: Range Rover Autobiography Price: £109,710 (with options) Engine: 4.4-litre SDV8 Power: 339bhp / 740Nm 0-60mph: 6.8seconds Top Speed: 135mph CO2: 219g/km Economy: 33.6mpg

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HIDATO

Puzzle Page

Starting at 1 and finishing at 34, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

Pictograms

PICTOGRAMS

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34

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31

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30 ©Puzzlepress.co.uk

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD 20. Water ice on a wooden stick (8) 22. Window screen made of horizontal strips that overlap when closed (8,5) Down 1. Elegant and stylish (4) 2. One who rules during the absence of a monarch (6) 3. Positive (7) 4. Bring out or develop from latent or rudimentary existence (5) 5. Yellow songbird (6) 6. Racial extermination (8) 11.

Component of blood, essential for clotting (8)

1

2

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7

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©Puzzlepress.co.uk

Across 7. Unscrupulous person who knows how to circumvent difficulties (7,6) 8. Selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas (8) 9. River which flows through Bristol (4) 10. Russian artificial satellite, the first to orbit the Earth (7) 12. Text of a song (5) 14. Capital of Bolivia (2,3) 16. Sidney ___, star of the 1967 film To Sir, with Love (7) 19. Basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music (4)

custard (6) 13. The Netherlands (7) 18. Tony ___, former prime minister (5) 15. Deer’s horn (6) 17. Dessert of sponge, 21. Utter a pig-like cry (4) jelly, fruit and Answers: Page 50

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The Schlee Collection: Drawings from Henry Moore to David Hockney 23 April – 3 July 2016

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This spring, an intriguing exhibition of rarely seen works by some of Britain’s most famous twentiethcentury artists goes on show at the National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire.

Over 50 drawings and sketches will be displayed, alongside works from Mottisfont’s own collection and drawings by contemporary artist David Breuer-Weil for his sculpture Alien, installed in the parkland at Mottisfont until the autumn.

The Schlee Collection: Drawings from Henry Moore to David Hockney features works by major artists including Graham Sutherland, Peter Lanyon, Stanley Spencer and Gillian Ayres. Visitors will be able to enjoy portraits and landscapes, as well as observational drawings, abstract works and compositional sketches.

Highlights include studies by Sutherland for his crucifixion paintings, where stark black lines and dense shading create Christ’s agonised form on the cross. In contrast, Stanley Spencer used delicate pencil outlines to represent stretcher-bearers during the First World War. The show ranges from the energetic scribbles of Frank Auerbach, from which London landscapes take shape, to the exuberant colours of Gillian Ayre’s abstract work and Michael Rothenstein’s designs of birds.

Mottisfont’s gallery opens at 11am and closes at 5pm. Normal property admission price only, free for National Trust members.

There’ll be a spotter trail for children to explore the gallery and a linked ‘drawing’ trail for families to enjoy in May half term. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont 30

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31

Are You Failing Your Lawn?

By Rob Wiffen, Greenkeeper Lawns We may be a country with a climate perfect for growing grass, but we are a nation of failed lawn carers which is why the lawn caring business is now worth half a billion pounds. A lawn of 200 square metres takes about 20 hours a year to maintain to achieve a “perfect” lawn – maybe more if you are a novice and have none of the appropriate equipment. This Before

After

32

involves scarifying, aerating, feeding it four or five times, ad hoc weed treatment and of course, mowing it properly.

A lesson in mowing is something that would really transform many lawns in this country.

The other aspects of gardening capture the attention of garden lovers because they give more obvious pleasure; wandering around garden centres overflowing with choice of colours, sizes and aromas; planting herb gardens or hanging baskets, designing ponds, decking and borders. The poor lawn is seen as monotonous to mow, backbreaking to rake and usually causes disappointment when it turns brown, patchy and more moss than grass. Lawns are simply a plant growing in soil, just like our flower beds and vegetable beds so why don’t they just get on with it and “grow” . Let’s look at the comparisons

A vegetable bed is often dug over yearly. A lawn is almost never dug over.

New plants are added each year into an improving soil.

A lawn rarely, if ever, gets over seeded even, let alone correctly.

If a plant fails in the garden, it is often replaced with one that does. This won’t happen in a lawn as most people don’t know which grass may be surviving in their lawn.

We have a lawn care industry in the UK worth in excess of half a billion pounds because it provides expertise and convenience allowing homeowners to enjoy their outdoor “carpet”.

All with the effort and time at levels our grandparents could only have dreamed of.

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35

GARDENING

The Grass Can Be Greener

by Pippa Greenwood www.pippagreenwood.com Blue Clematis

It’s the time of year when things are starting to look lush and green, and beds and borders are beginning to come into their own. But does your lawn spoil it all by looking like a rather moth-eaten patchwork quilt? Or maybe you don’t have a lawn but think it would be great to possess one of those beautiful green surfaces in the centre of your garden?

Whether you have decided your old lawn is well past its best or you want to create one from scratch, it is the perfect time to get started, and turf should still be available from specialist suppliers or garden centres.

Preparing the site If you want a new lawn, it is essential to get the site properly prepared. It takes time and effort, but every moment you spend is well worthwhile. Start by removing all weeds, large stones, debris and any old grass or lawn, then dig or fork over thoroughly to remove all taproots of weeds.

If the area is really weed infested or covered with old lawn, then most people opt to kill this off with a weedkiller based on glyphosate. Then, once all the plant matter has died off, you can strip it away or dig it in. On sandy soils, incorporate some organic matter to improve moisture retention, while on very heavy soils it is often worth digging in grit and organic matter to improve drainage.

Next, firm the whole area by treading it over evenly - walking over the site

36

with fairly flat-soled boots is all you need to do. Once done, rake thoroughly with a garden rake and remove any stones or other debris which comes to the surface. Gently tread down the area again if raking makes it uneven.

Buying turf Always choose a reputable supplier and make sure that the turf you buy is suitable for the use you have in mind – some, especially those including lots of dwarf ryegrass, are much tougher than others, while some contain a seed mixture especially put together to make it suitable for use in shade.

Others produce a ‘bowling green’ effect, which may look superb but will take an awful lot more maintenance and be a good deal less hardwearing. Spending that little bit extra usually pays - cheaper turf often contains weeds and sometimes pests or diseases, or simply does not contain a good grass mixture in the first place.

Always buy the turf or arrange to have it delivered just when you need it, as storage never does it any good. If you do need to store it however, you can usually

do this for a couple of days.

The turves can remain rolled up for up to 24 hours, but for any longer than this unroll as soon as they are delivered and lay them out flat, grass side upwards, preferably on paving or plastic sheeting. Make sure that you keep them regularly watered and lay them as soon as possible.

Lay the next row of turves, again ensuring that the long edges of each abut onto the long edges of the previous row. To avoid damaging the first row lay a plank over it which you can kneel on to lay the second row.

Continue like this over the whole area until your new lawn is in position.

LAyING tHE tuRF

Of course no lawn is ever exactly the right size to fit the turf length, so if you need a small section of turf to complete a row, add this in the middle of a row rather than at the end, as this will make it less likely to be dislodged or to dry out. If you want a curved edge to your lawn, lay the turves so that they overlap the new lawn edge and then cut them to shape using a half moon edger or a sharp border spade.

It is essential that you lay your turves closely together and do not allow the edges to overlap.

Make sure that the joins on each row are staggered (like bricks in a wall), as this will give an even finish.

Starting at one side, lay the first row of turf using the adjacent path or lawn edging to form a straight line which you can work to. Roll out each turf carefully so that the edge of one abuts onto its neighbour.

When finished, gently tamp the area over using the back of a

rake and if any turves sink in then carefully lift them and place some extra soil underneath until they are level. Finally, brush in a mixture of horticultural sand and finely sieved soil over the surface, taking care to ensure that any tiny gaps between the turves are filled in.

CARE AND MAINtENANCE As soon as the turf is in position, gently water it using a sprinkler, ensuring that this first watering allows the water to penetrate right down to the root level.

If it doesn’t rain frequently then you will need to water your lawn on a regular basis, particularly for the first couple of months whilst the roots are getting established.

In the meantime try to avoid walking on it too much and in no time at all you will have a gorgeous lawn to be proud of.

At econic Landscapes we pride ourselves on quality, working closely with the client to turn their vision into reality.

• Lawns • Decking • Paving • Garden Maintenance • Water Feature • Artificial Grass • Planting Schemes • Full Design & Build Service Based in Colden Common t:

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37

Work Begins On Brand New Romsey Youth Centre

(Left to Right) Councillor Ian Hibberd, Councillor Roy Perry and Councillor Ian Carr.

A turf-cutting ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction on a £483,000 new centre for ‘Youth in Romsey’ - thanks to joint investment

by Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council.

County Council Leader, Councillor Roy Perry cut the ground to mark the start of work - joined by Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Ian Carr, and representatives from Youth in Romsey.

Hampshire County Council has contributed £292,000 of funding for the project, adding to an investment of £191,000 from Test Valley Borough Council.

Youth in Romsey is a charitable organisation providing information and support for young people aged 11 to 25 years, on a wide range of issues such as financial difficulties, careers advice, finding work, and relationship problems. Each year, the organisation supports around 2,500 local young people who may be facing challenges at home, school or work, including

Romsey & Chandlers Ford

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those who may be young parents or carers.

Located next to the Rapids sports complex in Romsey, the new building will replace Youth in Romsey’s current premises in Bell Street, which the charity has outgrown.

Youth in Romsey was in need of larger premises, with better disabled access, and to be able to offer activities without impacting on their neighbours.

Designed by Hampshire County Council’s award winning in-house Property Services team, the new purpose-built facility will be all on one level, making it fully accessible while offering facilities available for wider community use. A large activity room, smaller group room, 1:1 room with combined medical examination room, offices and kitchen are among the facilities that will be provided.

The new centre will be constructed

by Foremans Relocatable Building Systems and is due to be completed by the spring of 2016.

Valley Park Landscapes

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Newstone Construction specialises in surfacing, paving and hard landscaping. We are a family run business based in Chandlers Ford, highly recognised for our quality workmanship and professionalism, delivered by courteous and considerate staff with over 25 years combined experience. Our expertise extends to all types of work without the need for subcontractors. The scope of our work includes

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41

Planning A Master Bedroom

By Katherine Sorrell Your bedroom is a highly personal space, but if you are considering selling, or simply want to enhance your property’s value in the long term, you’ll also need to design it so it has general appeal, says Katherine Sorrell.

Soft carpet, sumptuous curtains and a deeply buttoned headboard all add up to a sense of luxury. Huntington bed, £1,175, Sweetpea & Willow, tel 0345 257 2627; www.sweetpeaandwillow.com.

Your first consideration when planning a master bedroom, large or small, should always be comfort. Zone the space according to how you use it – sleeping, dressing, exercising, checking your laptop, reading – and, if it helps, draw a scaled plan of the room so you can play around with the layout. It’s nice to have your bedhead opposite the window, for example, with a bedside table each side; remember to allow enough space (experts recommend at least 450mm) around the bed to give you room to change the sheets.

To create calm and order while minimising clutter, try to include as much storage as you can squeeze in. A whole wall of fitted wardrobes, with well thought-out internal drawers and divisions, is a great option, and you can add free-standing pieces such as chests of drawers and blanket boxes for character and flexibility.

Given enough floor space, it may also be possible to create a separate dressing area, using a tall bedhead, a bookcase or wide wardrobe as a partition.

The traditional-style Burlington Bathroom range includes these Edwardian lights, from £75 each, Pure Bathroom Collection, tel 0845 634 4321; www.purebathroomcollection.co.uk.

42

We can’t escape technology anywhere, and although watching TV is not necessarily conducive to a good night’s sleep it is

still a lovely idea to include a TV in the bedroom – ideal for a languorous Sunday morning lie-in with croissants, coffee and a newspaper. If you don’t want to look at a blank screen the rest of the time, fitted furniture manufacturers can provide cupboards from which TVs pop up or slide out, while music specialists offer all sorts of sleek and good-looking speakers and sound systems. You will probably also want a place to connect and site a landline phone, a small desk on which to pop your computer, e-reader or tablet, and somewhere to plug in a charger for your mobile. Even in a bedroom, you can’t have too many plug sockets.

Luxurious, wall-to-wall carpet is always a good idea for a master bedroom, and pure new wool has just the right warm, soft, snuggly-toe feel. Choose a high quality underlay for extra bounce and softness. That said, you could combine underfloor heating with engineered wooden boards and beautiful rugs for a more traditional look with plenty of character – and still enjoy warmth underfoot. The latter option, though only possible if you are undertaking major renovations, will also save the space that would

have been otherwise taken up with a radiator.

Well-designed lighting is an asset in any room, and the master bedroom is no different. A central pendant is fine for general, overhead light, but you can be more creative elsewhere by adding wall-mounted reading lights beside the bed, a bright, adjustable light above your dressing table and perhaps a table lamp or two to create a gentle glow. Such layers of light will provide a pleasing ambience and give you great flexibility. Conversely, for restful darkness while you are sleeping, ensure your curtains have a good blackout lining, or else choose well-fitting shutters – which will help block out noise, too.

The days of carefully matched bed linen and window treatments are long gone, yet it is still important to get this combination right.

When the bed is plain, some

pattern at the window is lovely, and vice versa – simply avoid two patterns that clash. Plain curtains can look absolutely beautiful if made from a generous amount of fabric, hung from a pole with pretty finials at the ends, and finished with an edging of ruffles or a contrast border. If privacy is a problem, it may be necessary to add sheer or lace curtains, either full-length or covering the bottom half of the window only.

Considering adding an en-suite?

Once a luxury, these days they are virtually a necessity, and will certainly make your home more saleable – and may even add value, too. If you have enough room for a walk-in wardrobe, there’s probably enough space to convert to an en-suite, though if you want a proper bath you’ll need to allow a little more room.

Alternatively, you could knock through and steal a little space from an adjacent room. When

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space is tight, compact fittings can be effective, but do make sure they are practical for regular use. While any arrangement is possible in theory, the least expensive place to install an ensuite bathroom is close to other plumbing, particularly the soil pipe. And, because the room leads directly off the bedroom, install low-noise sanitaryware and lights on dimmers, with a high-powered extractor fan that’s controlled separately from the light.

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• General plumbing repairs & installations • From a tap to a complete bathroom • Tiling & decorating • Free estimates • No call out fee • Fully insured • All work guaranteed • NO JOB TOO SMALL For excellent value & a friendly service call your local plumber now on:

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A local Glazing Company you can TrusT

Showroom Open Sat 9.30am-1pm

Trading for 35 years, the Blake family is proud to be installing a wide range of windows, doors and conservatories for the people of the New Forest, Romsey, Waterside and Southampton We have the experience to advise you on a wide range of materials, sizes and styles. Repair and replacement services are also available.

Please call and ask for a personal visit or visit our showroom

02380 849198

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44

ROOFING SPECIALIST

We focus on providing all types of roofing repairs and maintenance to the highest quality,and with a finish that is made to last.

New roofs & re-roofs Roof repairs Chimney work Lead work Lead roofs Flat roofs Felt roofs Pitched roofs Fascias, soffits & guttering Roof de-mossing Roof cleaning Exterior painting

T: 01794 874584 M: 07824 512933

Fully insured & all work guaranteed www.rooflinepropertymaintenance.co.uk

Beautiful lawn - No sweat!

GreenKeeper is a locally owned company - not a franchise - with many years of success transforming Hampshire lawns. Not only are we experienced and professional, but being independent we keep our prices very competitive.

Don’t take our word for it!

See what our customers say at www.greenkeeperlawns.co.uk

Why wait for costly repairs?

Regular gutter cleaning prolongs the life of your gutters • • • • • •

Clearing all guttering Cleaning all UPVC guttering, fascias & soffits.

We will also clean your windows.

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RG Electrix

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www.rgelectrix.co.uk 45

Always wanted to experience Machu Picchu?

This could be your chance! A holiday company dedicated to meeting the needs of vegetarians has two spaces left on their ‘Inca’ tour to Peru 4 - 22 May 2016. Visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca, it focuses on the history of the Incas and on their descendants’ present-day lives.

Local travel is by bus, train and boat. Nights 2 – 4 are at Ollantaytambo, the only inhabited Inca city with its irrigation systems still intact. On Lake Titicaca the group stays on an island as guests of the Taquilenos tribe. Natural ecologists, they

willingly share their simple colourful way of life. With VegiVentures you enjoy delicious vegetarian/vegan food, plus the leadership of anthropologist Oda Seedhouse. Oda lives in Peru and is an expert in Andean culture.

She is especially interested in indigenous concepts of natural medicine, shamanism, music, dance and ritual, as well as the natural environment.

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Accommodation is in locally owned small hotels and lodges.

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Trogir, CROATIA

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A week or two in this perfect location will give you the chance to really appreciate all that Croatia has to offer. Whether it’s walking the historical streets of Split or Trogir, sunbathing by the beach or pool, canyoneering the Cetina river or swimming at the Krk National Park Waterfalls there’s something for everyone.

• Trogir town is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre • visit Split by boat • waterbus services: no need to rent a car!

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46

THE OLDEST GOLF CLUB IN HAMPSHIRE

Come and play our two excellent, very different courses; the mature parkland Manor Course (Par 71) and the oldest course in Hampshire, the heathland Forest Course (Par 69) built in the 1860’s. Golf as it was meant to be!

Visitors are very welcome. Our Manor Course summer green fee rate during the week is £45 and the Forest Course is £25. After your game, sit and relax in our comfortable clubhouse and enjoy a drink and a meal from our expansive menu.

Our 2016 Society packages (min 12 players) are available from £25.25 for the Forest Course and £35.25 for the Manor Course (coffee on arrival, 18 holes and sandwiches after). More extensive packages can be tailored to meet your needs.

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The Clive Bonner Golf Shop is fully equipped to meet the your golfing needs and tuition is available from our fully qualified PGA professionals.

Call 02380 813434 for details.

We look forward to seeing you soon at the New Forest’s Premier Golf Facility

Bramshaw Golf Club Brook, Nr Lyndhurst, Hants, SO43 7HE T: 02380 813433 E: golf@bramshaw.co.uk W: www.bramshaw.co.uk

At DixeyClean we specialise in cleaning home exteriors to restore and protect.

We professionally clean, treat and then seal roofs and driveways ensuring they remain looking their best for years to come.

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TECHNOLOGY

Gadgets for the Indoor Gardener You don’t need to get dirty to grow great things Indoor Allotment

Spring has spring and it’s gardening season. But not everybody has a garden or access to decent growing space - and even if you do have the space, the recent stormy weather has been enough to keep all but the most determined gardener indoors. Don’t despair, though: there are plenty of gadgets that enable you to grow great things indoors or when you have limited space for green things.

There are even tools to design gardens that don’t exist.

If you’re also a keen cook, you’ll like the Indoor Allotment (£24.99, currently on pre-order at Firebox. com): it’s a miniature herb garden complete with picket fence and storage shed. It includes basil, coriander and oregano along with everything you need to get your herbs growing - and it’s small enough to fit in the corner of a windowsill. If you fancy something a little bit more ambitious, IKEA’s Socker miniature greenhouse is just £12 with an assembled size of 45cm wide, 22cm deep and 35cm high, which is more than enough for all kinds of plants. You can also keep the roof vents partly open to improve air circulation for plants that don’t like it too hot.

While you’re in IKEA, it’s worth checking out their self-watering 48

plant pots too. The Sötcitron and PS Fejö pots (from £6 to £16) are designed for those of us who don’t always remember to water our plants, and do a superb job for very little money.

Fancy something a little more hightech? The Click and Grow (¤59.95 from clickandgrow. com) describes itself as a “smart garden” and uses a NASA-inspired combination of hydroponics and electronics to ensure that your plants get the right combination of water, oxygen and nutrients without you doing anything. It includes a LED lamp for maximum germination, and because it’s LED the running costs are microscopic.

The creators suggest growing petunias, tomatoes, chillies, basil or thyme but it should be able to handle anything that isn’t too large.

If you’ve got green fingered children, the Chuppon self-watering animal planter (£9.99) should delight them: it’s a ceramic animal with a herb basket on its back and a straw that sips from any glass or mug. There are four animals and four

herbs to choose from, although of course you can put your own herbs in instead.

Even the smartphone has made its presence felt in the world of gardening, and there are lots of apps and devices for indoor and outdoor gardening. One of the cleverest devices is the Parrot Flower Power, a wireless device that sits in your plant pot and monitors the plant’s health, sending alerts to your phone. It’s available for Apple and Android phones, measures sunlight, temperature, fertiliser and moisture, and it currently costs £42.

That’s probably a bit steep if you’re growing cress, but if you’ve got something exotic or temperamental it could be a very wise investment indeed.

There’s another type of digital gardening you can do, and that’s to create a virtual one in your computer - something you can do just for fun, or to plan what you’ll do to a real garden space. There are many garden planning apps to choose from, including My Garden (free from www. gardena.com/uk) and Marshalls Garden Visualiser (free from www.marshalls. co.uk). Happy gardening!

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Computer & I.T. support.

DEADLINE?

Helping the small business and home users of Romsey since 2006 with their Mac and PC problems.

From Virus Removal to Networking & WiFi Setup, Memory & Drive Upgrades to Data Recovery, or just a general service to speed up the computer and keep things running smoothly, even a website for your new business venture?

Digital Print has enabled you to have print on demand ranging from 1 to 3000 copies.

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These are just some of the things Geek On Demand can help you with, so if you need help why not contact Ian for a friendly chat.

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Useful Numbers SCHOOLS

DOCTORS

Ampfield C of E Primary

01794 368219

NHS 111

Awbridge Primary

01794 340407

Abbey Mead Surgery Romsey SO51 8EN

111

Braishfield Primary

01794 368359

Cupernham Infants

01794 514494

Alma Road Surgery Romsey SO51 8ED

Cupernham Junior

01794 512702

Lordshill Health Centre Lordshill SO16 8HY 02380 738144

Fairisle Infant & Nursery

02380 731199

Fairisle Junior

02380 733415

Halterworth Primary

01794 512028

North Baddesley Infant

02380 412412

North Baddesley Junior

02380 411100

Nursling Cof E Primary

02380 732289

Oakwood Infants

02380 733337

Oakwood Junior

02380 320360

Lloyds Pharmacy 123 The Hundred, Romsey

Romsey Primary & Nursery

01794 512362

Boots The Chemist Ltd 1 The Hundred, Romsey 01794 513143

Romsey Abbey C of E Primary (aided)

01794 512047

Alliance Pharmacy 7-8 Market Place, Romsey 01794 513193

Rownhams St Johns Cof E Primary

02380 736417

Lloyds Pharmacy 16-17 District Centre Lordshill 02380 737161

Sinclair Primary & Nursery

02380 736663

Alliance Pharmacy 7 Rownhams Road,N Badd 02380 732438

Wellow Primary

01794 322201

Wellow Pharmacy Lower Common Road

01794 512218 01794 830888

Nightingale Surgery Romsey SO51 7QN

01794 513422 01794 517878 01794 511513

North Baddesley Surgery Fleming Av SO52 9EP 02380 743401 02380 743400

CHEMISTS 01794 522716

01794 322554

Oaklands Community School & Oasis Academy Years 7 & 8 Years 9 -11 -

RECYCLING

02380 393660 02380 771881

The Mountbatten School

01794 502502

Bunny Lane, Timsbury

The Romsey School

01794 512334

Winter (1st Oct - 31st March) 9am - 4pm

01794 368548

Summer (1st April - 30th Sept) 9am - 6pm

Useful Numbers PUZZLE ANSWERS Across: 1 Sudoku, 7 Schooner, 8 Lah, 9 Legend, 10 Apex, 11 Scarf, 13 Cardiac, 15 Handbag, 17 Totem, 21 Scum, 22 Troops, 23 Sir, 24 Basement, 25 Spleen.

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Hidato

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51

servicing the area since 1976

REPAIR & INSTALLATIONS TO ALL YOUR TV & AUDIO EQUIPMENT LED, LCD, PLASMA & PROJECTORS (Installed • Wall Mounted • Repaired) HOME CinEMA

Why have a Large Screen TV when you can have a HUGE Projection Screen Package for less money, as good quality & more discrete than an LED.

Call us for more information or even a demonstration.

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52

BUSINESSES FOR SALE Low Cost Laptops/PCs Repairs No Jargon Virus/Spyware Tuition On-Site Local Friendly Free Home Callout

Just one of our many happy customers on Checkatrade “This is the second time I have used Will. First class service again, helped me understand the laptop and installed printer and antivirus.”

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We’re on

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IMMACULATE HAIR & BEAUTY SALON IN SOUTHAMPTON 6 dressing stations 2 backwash; sep beauty room. Low rent only £70 per week. Sales of £968 from just 3 days trading each week.

Densely populated suburb. Est 18 years £17,995 plus sav HW1477 Leasehold DAYTIME CAFE IN SOUTHAMPTON CITY CENTRE Renewable 10-year lease expires 2021. 30 covers on ground floor lease includes first floor. Easy hours 09:00 to 16:00 7 days per week. £48,500 L/hold HW1480 Leasehold UNISEX HAIR SALON IN EAST HAMPSHIRE TOWN CENTRE 8 dressing stations 3 backwash. Dedicated nail bar. Same hands 45 years, retirement sale. On High Street; free parking to rear. Revenue £2,000 per week. Rent £200 per week £49,950 + sav L/Hold HW1483 Leasehold NEW FOREST 60 COVER PUB RESTAURANT A3 with 1-bed Manager’s flat above. Refurbished last year following 3-month closure due to fire in 2014. 12-month turnover to 31/12/15 £479,139. 60%food/40% bar. Free of tie. £650,000 Freehold + sav HW1484 Freehold NEW FOREST BED & BREAKFAST 10 letting rooms; 2-bed owners suite; parking for 12 vehicles;.

Year-round commercial long term guests mid-week. Scope for week-end guests. Retirement sale. Declared takings £60k £649,950 Freehold HW1485 Freehold Tel: 023 8025 3910 M: 07801 411 879 nick.coleman@adamsbusinesstransfer.co.uk Successfully Selling Businesses For More Than 60 Years

Local Employer?

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53

BEAUTY

Gently Does It

By Kate Duggan Lorraine Dallmeier of Formula Botanica

This month we’re talking oils, hair dyes and (ouch) waxing.

Summer is just around the corner, so we can no longer hide away under layers of winter woollies…

We beauty writers tend to focus on new launches.

We’re a bit like magpies – easily distracted by new shiny things. But this month I thought I’d celebrate an underrated classic – Fenjal. Just a whiff of the bath oil conjures up images of my grandma, who’s used it since I was tiny. I’m reminded of her every time I open my Fenjal Classic Shower Oil, £5.49, but that’s not the only reason I love it. Packed with natural oils, including grapeseed and soy, it leaves my skin feeling really soft and lightly scented.

I’m a big fan of botanical oils and use at least one every day. On my ‘to-buy’ list is andiroba oil. And it’s not just me; according to Lorraine Dallmeier of Formula Botanica, this golden Central American oil has ‘attracted great interest from the 54

cosmetic industry in recent years for its potential anti-inflammatory properties.’ She explains, ‘This oil will nourish your dry and sensitive skin and as an added bonus, it will also repel insects, which makes it an ideal choice for packing when you go on your summer holiday!’ Fancy learning more about natural oils? Formula Botanica has a wide range of online courses, teaching students how to select and blend natural skincare ingredients.

Light coloured hair can easily look dull and lifeless, so my go-to hair shampoo this month is the PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver Brightening Shampoo.

I start by prepping with the Pre-Toning Primer, which adds shine and smooths cuticles. The shampoo’s violet pigment then helps to neutralise brassiness and protect my colour. Finally, the intensive conditioner undoes some of the damage caused by my highlighting habit.

Plus, as the range starts at just £3.19 in Boots, it doesn’t break the bank.

As mentioned, my hair is feeling a little hard-done-by at the moment, so I’m giving it a rest from bleaching. Instead,

I’m using Naturtint, £10.99, to refresh the colour and cover the grey. Probably the gentlest homecolour on the market, Naturtint doesn’t contain any ammonia, parabens, SLS, mineral oils, paraffin, or silicones, so it doesn’t damage my hair. It’s also enriched with plant and seed oils, so leaves my locks really shiny.

I’ve hauled my summer clothes out of the loft, and my thick tights have been banished to the back of the drawer for another few months. Unfortunately, that means there’s no escaping the need to regularly de-fuzz.

If you’re brave enough to wax, Parissa Warm Wax, £12.99, is one of the simplest ways to ensure hair-free legs for longer. The wax is easy to melt in the microwave, and the fabric strips are strong enough to reuse a few times. (Tip: dust a fine layer of baby powder over your skin before waxing, as it helps to make the wax easier to remove.)

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Discover What’s On ROMSEY COUNTRY MARKET 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 April, 1011.30am United Reformed Church Hall, Romsey Home made baking, home grown fruit & vegetables, free range eggs, local honey, beautiful jewellery and unique handmade cards and other hand crafts items. Free admission, refreshments available.

GREG RUSSELL & CIARAN ALGAR 7 Apr, 8pm Hanger Farm Arts SO30 8FT Two time BBC Folk Award winners met in 2011 and released their debut album in 2012. In January 2013, the pair picked up the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk award. Tickets £12/10. 02380 667683 CHARITY SKYDIVE 10 Apr, 8am GoSkydive, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury SP4 6EB Raising money for The Transformation Project david.clayton@bassets.co.uk 01722 415141 SIMPLY ASTON MARTIN 10 Apr National Motor Museum A display of Aston Martins of all ages, in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. www.beaulieu.co.uk/events 56

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN 12-16 Apr Plaza Theatre, Romsey RAODS performance. A dark Irish comedy. Not suitable for U12s.

Tickets available from www. plazatheatre.com FINE ART AUCTION 16 Apr, 2-5.30pm The Ringwood Meeting House, Meeting House Lane Charity auction of locally based paintings and drawings for British Liver Trust john. ringwood2@gmail.com MORRIS DANCING AT THE FARM 16 Apr, 3pm Manor Farm Country Park SO30 2ER Come & watch the King John’s Morris Men perform at Manor Farm as part of their Day of Dance Tour. The tour involves 50 dancers & musicians from many local Morris Groups – you may even learn a few steps! Price: Normal farm admission charges apply FEEL THE POWER OF SONG 16 April, 7.30pm Chandlers Ford Methodist Church Romsey Male Voice Choir’s charity concert in aid of Action for Children & Wessex Cancer Trust with special guests Radcliffe-on Trent Male Voice Choir, featuring classical choral singing and popular songs from the shows. Tickets: £8 or £24 family of 4 from: Romsey Tourist Information Centre; Chandlers Ford Methodist Church; Wessex Cancer Centre & Wessex Cancer Shop, Chandlers Ford; Romsey MVC 02380 738966 or 07826 712783.

ANTIQUES, VINTAGE & RETRO FAIR 17 Apr, 10-4pm City Hall Theatre, Salisbury SP2 7TU An eclectic mix of Antiques 20th

Century Collectibles Vintage & Retro. www.biscuitmarketingpr. co.uk/events.php SPRING ALFA DAY 17 Apr National Motor Museum The first national event of 2016 for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, with 500 Alfas expected to attend. www.beaulieu.co.uk/ events A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF NORMANDY MARSH 18 Apr, 7.30pm to 9.30pm Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey SO51 8GL The range and variety of avian species in Normandy Marsh. This talk given by local bird expert Marcus Ward focusses on the range and variety of mostly avian species throughout the year in this coastal region. £4 on the door. 01795 519262 janetlev@ hotmail.co.uk A LIFE WITH ELEPHANTS 22 Apr, 7pm City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury Wiltshire SP2 7TU Join Saba Douglas-Hamilton, the highly acclaimed elephant conservationist and wildlife TV presenter of This Wild Life and Big Cat Diaries for an evening of exciting animal stories and intimate behind the scenes tales of life in Kenya with her young family. 01722 434434 BURLESQUE & CABARET 23 Apr, 8pm to 10.15pm City Hall Salisbury, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7TU Dress code: Glamorous vintage attire is encouraged for both men & women, but not enforced. This show employs and embraces adult themes – over 18s only!

01722 434434 LOVER GARAGE SALE 23 Apr, 8.30am to 12pm Up to 50 locations, in driveways and on Lover Green. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Village hall open for teas, coffee, bacon rolls and cakes. To book, call 01725 510720

BOATJUMBLE 24 Apr National Motor Museum Search for a bargain amongst the hundreds of stands selling boating spares and accessories, plus used boats for sale. www. beaulieu.co.uk/events TESTWOOD LAKES WILDLIFE WATCH 30 Apr, 2-4pm Testwood Lakes Education Centre, Brunel Road SO40 3WX Fun wildlife-themed and outdoor activities for children aged 5-15 years at Testwood Lakes, under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Usually the last Saturday each month, 2-4pm. Suggested donation £3. 02380 667929 grace.hall@hiwwt.org.uk NEW FOREST VEGAN FAIR 2016 30 Apr, 11-4pm Lyndhurst Community Centre SO43 7NY Over 40 stalls packed with vegan goodies as well as a pop up cafe. Entry £3 on the door, accompanied children under 14 free. www.dorsetvegan.co.uk RHODODENDRONS SEASONAL FLORAL DISPLAY 1-30 May Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, SO51 0QA You will find a magnificent display of Rhododendrons for you to enjoy (in the Oak Room). Free with normal admission. www3. hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens

August. Food and craft tables, fresh coffee and home-made cakes all morning. 02380 254587 NAFAS FLOWER SHOW 7 & 8 May, 10-5pm (closes 3pm Sun) Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Lane, SO51 0QA Be amazed by the variety of exciting award winning design styles, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colour alongside a wealth of scent and floral innovation. Free entry with normal admission. www3.hants. gov.uk/hilliergardens ART DESIGN HOME & INTERIORS FAIR 8 May, 10-4.30pm Stockbridge Town Hall, High Street SO20 6HE Quality art and design-led craft work from over 30 Artists and Craft-makers from across Hampshire and beyond. All competitively priced and from the High Street. Watch and discuss the artists’ techniques, demonstrations through the day.

Free entry. 07514680872 HORSE, CYCLE RIDE OR HIKE 8 May, 10am Burley, New Forest Join the PLANETS team again for the New Forest Rotary Club horse and cycle ride. Routes are mainly off-road through open forest; horses and walkers about 8 miles, cyclists a choice of about 8 or 16 miles. Start and finish at Burley Park, adjacent to Queens Head. This is a great, fun event for all the family! www. southamptonhospitalcharity.org BROUGHTON VILLAGE FETE 15 May, 12pm to 3pm Sports Field, Buckholt Road Royal-themed fancy dress, dog show, pony rides and lots of fun stalls. All proceeds go to the Friends of Broughton School

AMPFIELD MARKET 7 May, 10-12pm Ampfield Village Hall The Market is always on the first Saturday of the month excluding January, February, July and

ANTIQUES COLLECTIBLES & THE DECORATIVE ARTS FAIR 15 May, 10-4.30pm Town Hall, Romsey, SO51 8YZ This event will bring together passionate enthusiasts/traders

of Antiques & Collectibles, including jewellery, furniture, posters, vinyl records, ceramics, glass, curios, etc. The venues will be in The Town Hall, The Cornmarket market places, The Tack Room of the White Horse Inn and in Abbey Approach by the TVBC offices. www. biscuitmarketingpr.co.uk SPRING AUTOJUMBLE 21 & 22 May National Motor Museum Over 1000 stands selling motoring parts, literature, automobilia and accessories, plus up to 200 cars for sale. www.beaulieu.co.uk/events IN HARMONY 21 May, 7.30pm United Reformed Church, Romsey Romsey Male Voice Choir in concert with the New Forest Chamber Choir In support of local charities. Tickets will be available from Romsey TIC and the choirs. Romsey TIC is 01794 512987 and the RMVC contact is 01794 513015 COUNTRYSIDE DAY AT SPARSHOLT COLLEGE 21 May Westley Lane, Sparsholt, SO21 2NF A fun-packed fmaily day out that celebrates the very best of the English countryside.

Sorry, no dogs with the exception of recognised assistance dogs.

01962 776441 OPEN GARDEN (NGS) 28 & 29 May & 27 & 28 Aug, 2-5pm The Island, Romsey, SO51 0HP 6 acres either side of the R Test.

Fine display of paeonies, wisteria and spring flowering trees.

Main garden has herbaceous and annual borders, fruit trees, rose pergola, lavender walk and extensive lawns. An arboretum planted in the 1930s by Sir Harold Hillier contains trees and shrubs providing interest throughout the yr. Admission £5, Children free.

Home-made teas. 01794 512100 57

LOCAL CLUBS & GROUPS MUSIC, DANCE & DRAMA Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society Winchester Road, Romsey Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (RAODS) owns and operates the Plaza Theatre offering a different show every month. We welcome those interested in on/off stage roles. Email info@plazatheatre.com or call the Romsey Tourist Information Centre on 01794 512987 NOMADS music & drama group NOMADS meet every Friday 8pm, Woodley Village Hall, School Road, Romsey. We have been part of the local community for 35 years and new members are welcomed. Come along or phone Rachel: 023 8049 8955 or Clare: 01794 523578 - for more information.

Amateur Drama Group Every Tuesday Ritchie Memorial Hall, C/Ford. New members are always welcome, for both onstage and backstage roles. 0845 644 0496 or www.chameleontheatre.co.uk Rowan Scottish Country Dancers meet Mondays in term time from 7.45 - 10pm at St. Francis Hall, Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh. All abilities welcome.

Contact our secretary - Tom on 07929 252086 ROMSEY MALE VOICE CHOIR Romsey Male Voice Choir’s team of 60 members share a passion for singing and fun. Come along to a rehearsal to hear what we do, all visitors welcome.

The choir holds weekly rehearsals on Monday evenings in Romsey. 02380 663263, www.romseymvc.co.uk LADIES CHOIR Wed evenings (term time), 7.30 to 9.30 p.m Chandler’s Ford Community Association Centre, Hursley Road (next to St 58

ROMSEY HEARING CONCERN 2nd & 4th Tues of the month 2-4pm Appletree Centre, Romsey Friendly club, whose aim is to minimise the restrictions of deafness. You do not have to be deaf to visit or join us, you just need an empathetic approach to people with a hearing loss. We are HEALTH & EXERCISE always looking for help: Anne Gale on 02380735858, hearingconcernromsey@ gmail.com.

Hampshire and Wight Christian .

Walkers CHILDREN Like meeting new friends and enjoy walking? join us on Saturdays and midweek for walk of between 4 and 12 Romsey Sea Cadets miles. www.hantswightwalk.org.uk Tues for 12–18 year olds or Thurs for Boniface Church) An ability to read music is not necessary and no auditions are required. We sing for fun and friendship. Come along to a meeting or 023 8025 3870

Meditation as a way of prayer Every Friday 11am to 12pm. An opportunity to explore & experience the stillness & silence of contemplative prayer. Wisdom Centre, Romsey, Hants SO51 8EL. 01794 830206. reception@ wisdomhouseromsey.co.uk. www. christian-meditation.org.uk Romsey Cancer Support Centre Mon to Fri, 10am to 4:30pm Jane Scarth House, 39 The Hundred, Romsey SO51 8GE Free, practical and emotional support is offered to those dealing with the impact of a cancer diagnosis Professional counselling, meditation, Mindfulness, befriending, aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head massage and Reiki are all available to anyone living with cancer whether it is the person who is ill, their family or close friend. 01794 830374 ROMSEY ARTHRITIS HYDROTHERAPY Help soothe Arthritic joints, helping to relieve pain in the Hydrotherapy Pool. Join us as a member for £10 per year. Weekly sessions are subsidised.

Transport is not available, but sessions are held locally. For further information contact Mrs Linda Hill 01794 323838 ROMSEY OPEN SIGHT Meets every Wednesday afternoon Romsey School SO51 8ZB A social club for people with sight difficulties. Offering tea, games, gossip, entertainment and support.

New members and volunteers always welcome. 01794 884806 Romsey Breeze Bike Rides Regular, fun and free! Romsey-based bike-rides for women: introductory (5mile) or steady (12mile) rides. www. breezebikesrides.com, search Romsey under Find-a-ride or find us on Facebook. Or call Viv on 01794 368207.

You must be confident with hand signals

10–18 year olds. Romsey Sports Field, Southampton Road, Romsey SO51 8AT Activities and competitions in every area include sailing, rowing, canoeing, swimming, 5-a-side football, shooting & camp craft. 01794 514387 romseyseacadets@gmail.com

1st Romsey Girls’ Brigade Tuesdays Romsey Baptist Church Games, crafts, bible stories, life skills, uniform, badgework. For girls from 5 to 14+ years. GB@romsey-baptist.org.uk.

01794 522122

HOBBIES & SPECIAL INTEREST New Forest Art Society Meets third Wednesday of most months at Lyndhurst Community Centre 7-9 pm. Programme on website www. newforestartsociety.weebly.com New members and guests welcome.

Flower Arranging 2nd Weds 7 for 7:30 N Baddesley Hall Series of demonstrations and talks on Flower Arranging at North Baddesley Village Hall, Contact Sue Perdue 023 8073 3134 Ampfield Bridge Club Meet Tuesday 7pm to 10pm, Ampfield Village Hall. This is a very popular club, with experienced players and beginners welcome. Contact: Chris Balchin at 01794 368427 or just come along.

COMMUNITY & SOCIAL North Baddesley Friendship Circle In need of new members. Meet monthly, 2nd Thurs of every month, 2-4pm North Baddesley village hall. 02380 739349 Talks, music, quizzes, cream tea events.

Members free. Visitors £1.50

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Every issue of Discover is full of interesting articles, useful information and fun stuff too, delivered through your door free of charge, made possible by the financial support of its advertisers.

Please support local businesses who promote themselves in Discover.

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Painter/Decorator Different Strokes 63 Dominic Newman Paint & Decorator 30 PetCARE Hampshire Hounds 63 piano tuning/repairs Steve’s Piano Tuning & Repairs 63 picture framing Dovetail Framing 7 Plumbing Services (including bathroom installation and gas and boiler services) Ace Plumbing 31 AK Plumbing & Heating 10 Aquatec 13 DN Plumbing Services 44 Gair Gas 9 Gas Rated Ltd 63 Gas Technique 16 Grahame E Jones Plumbing & Heating 59 Heatworks Heating & Plumbing Ltd 14 M.Brierley Plumbing 61 NHP (Romsey) Ltd 23 THT Plumbing & Home Improvements 18 PRINTER Warwick Printing 49 Property Maintenance Chandlers Ford Handyman 29 Direct Roofing Services 31 Dixey Clean 47 H2O Gutter Clearing Service 45 House Worx 63 Newstone Construction 40 Paul Lacey Builders 40 Prestige Property Services 31 RMP Carpentry 21 Roofline 45 S.G. Roofing 44 The Door Hanger 63 property sales & letting Blue Door 52 Radio The Breeze 62 Residential CARE Dunwood Manor Nursing Home 3 Rubbish clearance 1st Choice Rubbish Clearance Specialists 41 solicitor Coffin Mew Solicitors 51 Eric Robinson Solicitors 49 storage Solent Plastics 17 stoves & fires Stoves & Fireplaces 10 waste 1st Choice Rubbish Clearance Specialists 41 Window Repair Cloudy2Clear 11

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INTERVIEW

All Saints Fans of the nineties band All Saints, are celebrating their return – with a new single and album. Melanie and Natalie, who make up half of the group, caught up with The Breeze’s Lucy Ambache and talked reunions, families and reality TV. You are the band I wish I was a member of.

Both: Oh thank you!

You started out as an unmanufactured band. Did that just happen?

Mel: Yes it did. We’d been going for years under different set ups and stuff like that. By the time the public were aware of us and we had ‘You Know Where It’s At’ out, we already felt like we’d been doing this for years.

Are you enjoying being back together?

Nat: We’re having so much fun.

We spend more time laughing than anything.

For me this reunion came a bit out of the blue. Who was the one who put in all the calls?

Mel: Shaz always begged us to come back <laughs>.

She actually got a call from Backstreet Boys asking whether we would support them on their UK tour a couple of years back and we all said yes. She was 62

inspired, started writing for us, and we all thought what she was doing was amazing. We got in the studio and had the best time ever. It’s a bit daunting that we’ve only got ourselves to blame!

Do you feel that? Do you feel nervous with such a gap between your last work?

Nat: It’s not even about that. It’s about enjoying what we have there’s no point worrying. Enjoy the moment, have fun and whatever happens, happens!

Either way we’re happy and proud with what we’ve done.

Mel: At our nice ripe old age, we know what our weaknesses and strengths are, we know who we are as people and we know and appreciate the love we have for each other as well.

Let’s talk about the new song ‘One Strike’. For me, it’s All Saints but All Saints 2016. Is that what you intended because it works!

Mel: I think it was just done naturally. There was no plan and no agenda – not even what style of music we should do for the album. We had one meeting at the beginning saying it just had to be good – and that was pretty much all we spoke about.

Shaz picked the producers she wanted to work with and the feedback has been great.

Is the single a good example of what the rest of the album sounds like?

Mel: Definitely. I think if you’re

a fan of us, you will love this album as much as we do.

Are you getting on the road with the album? Because you guys are internationally successful.

Do you want to do the whole global thing again?

Mel: If someone goes “hey guys do you want to perform over here” and we can be bothered, because we’re really lazy <laughs>, then we’ll go!

So what have you been doing in the meantime?

Mel: I was being a judge in New Zealand <on the New Zealand X-Factor> What kind of judge were you?

Mel: Obviously a horrible one!

I was very honest because I can’t help it. I was a really bad mentor but a really good judge.

Nat, what have you been up to?

Nat: Being really involved in my son’s life, growing up in school, and enjoying it and appreciating every second. I love my life and I’m very blessed with the family I have.

Lucy Ambache presents the Evening Breeze, Sunday to Thursday 7-10pm. To hear a selection of her interviews, go to www.thebreeze.com.

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The right direction Open Evening Thursday 30th April 2015 5.30pm - 8.30pm

for a great education Your chance to find out more about courses and life at sixth form college Tel: 023 8036 7200 | www.barton-peveril.ac.uk Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5ZA

Full-time A Level and vocational courses Part-time adult learning ning e v E n e p O â&#x20AC;&#x201C; L I R THURSDAY 28 AP for Year 10 & 11 5.30 - 8.30pm Tel: 023 8036 7200 | www.barton-peveril.ac.uk 64

Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 5ZA