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DIRECTORY

FEB 2022

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THE ST LEONARDS Directory

Edition 62

So, we made it through January! These certainly are interesting times and I think it is crucial we all help each other as much as possible. The news is full of accusations, problems and negativity. Let’s not allow ourselves to be brought down with it. A smile can make all the difference. Saying Hello to passers-by could make someone’s day. A friendly phone call to a friend or family member may be just what they need. Let’s start a campaign to, every day, make someone else smile. How about it? Our loyal advertisers could really help you improve your home, garden or indeed have a treat for yourself. They definitely smile when you call them, as they love to help you. When you have good news about any of our advertisers, please let me know. I could print it in the magazine for others to read! Let’s be positive about our local trades and services – they are here for you. 14th February is Valentine’s Day of course, so what a great excuse to make another smile with a card, flowers or indeed just a hug! We have all been so lacking those all-important hugs recently. Here is a big hug from me to you. I thank you for all your loyal support of our local trades. Have a wonderful month of February and let’s look forward to the Spring, which is not that far away. Very Best Wishes,

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enquiries@modernmagazines.co.uk Copy deadline for March edition: 7th February 2022 DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The St Leonards & St Ives Directory does not oﬃcially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in ant retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

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A31 Ringwood Bridge Replacement and Widening Scheme National Highways is undertaking works to widen the westbound carriageway of the A31 to three lanes between Ringwood town centre and the B3081 Verwood Underpass, and to replace the road bridges over the River Avon and Bickerley Millstream. In order to carry out the works, a full westbound closure is needed and a contraflow will be put in place retaining two lanes of westbound and eastbound traffic. The slip road where traffic joins the westbound carriageway from Ringwood is now closed until completion of the project in November 2022. A diversion route is in place via the Poulner junction – traffic wanting to join the A31 westbound at Ringwood will need to join the eastbound carriageway, exit at Poulner and join the A31 westbound. In order to protect the workforce, one lane of northbound Mansfield Road (between the Furlong and A31 roundabouts) will be closed until the end of March 2022.

The contraflow is expected to be in place by 26 January 2022. Once the contraflow is in place, both the Verwood eastbound on-slip (which has already been closed) and westbound off-slip will be closed, with traffic being diverted via the Ashley Heath roundabout. Full details of the scheme are available on the National Highways website where you can also provide feedback to the project team and register for updates. The New Forest National Park Authority and New Forest Animal Accident Reduction Group have put out a plea to drivers to follow official diversions (rather than travelling on unfenced roads) during upcoming A31 and A35 road closures at a time of year when New Forest livestock are most at risk.

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Aster colleagues take on the mighty Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Dementia UK A team of colleagues from local housing association Aster Group, recently joined forces to tackle the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales, in aid of the company’s charity of the year, Dementia UK. The gruelling challenge, which involves scaling Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales needs to be completed in under 24 hours, which also includes travelling between the three mountains. The team of 15 walked 23 miles, climbed 3,064 metres and successfully raised £6,452, which includes match-funding from Aster. The challenge started with a 10-week training programme which helped the team prepare for what was to come. Team member, Jane Gallifent, development and sales director: “We did prepare well and stuck to the plan but oh my goodness… nothing prepared us for what we had to endure! It all came down to mental strength and sheer determination to complete the challenge.” Starting in Scotland at Ben Nevis the team successful scaled the 1,345 metres within five hours. Heading southwards to England, Scafell Pike was next on the agenda. The 978 metres elevation proved the nemesis for most of the team with some even 8

contemplating giving up before reaching the peak. The climb took four hours and was completed just after midnight. On very little sleep 1,085 metres high Snowdon in Wales was the last mountain to tackle. Although some team members had to run the final 100 metres, all crossed the line within the 24-hour deadline. Commenting on the team’s success Jane Gallifent said: “We have all achieved something special both individually and as a group that will stay with all of us through time. The team spirit throughout the adventure was amazing and we had a fantastic time and laughed lots; we got to know our colleagues exceptionally well and our bond will remain forever strong. We are now even thinking, what next?” Aster Group has been supporting Dementia UK as their charity of the year since April 2020. The total raised by colleagues is currently nearly £17,000.

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Here at United Fencing Supplies we specialise in all types of fencing from domestic to industrial. We stock a full range of timber fencing products including: • Picket Fencing • Closeboard Fencing • Trellis and Overlap • Closeboard Panels

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Puzzle Page

Quick Crossword 1

Across Clues: 1. Apparent (8)

14. Behaving stupidly (7)

7. Sergeant (5)

17. Spoken (4)

8. Precious stone (7)

18. Large tent (7)

9. Applying heat to ore (7)

21. Ugly creature (7)

10. Unemployed (4)

22. Particular requirement (5)

12. Wellbeing (7)

23. Expression of approval (8)

#012

7 8 9 10 11

Down Clues: 1. Black and white bird (6)

11. Conclusion (7)

2. Obscure (8)

13. Almond biscuits (8)

3. Unsuccessful (4)

14. Pale, oval nuts (6)

4. Balancing (6)

15. Immune (6)

5. Gravel (4)

16. More than one (6)

6. Guy ___ Australian actor (6)

19. Competition (4)

7. Nail resin (7)

20. ___ Kournikova Former Tennis player (4)

16 17

20 21

22 23

Guess the Love Song

Word Ladder

Make your way from LOVE to WARM by changing one letter on each step to make a new word!

LOVE

WARM ANSWERS: (LOVE, MOVE, MORE, WORE, WORM, WARM)

‘And I didn’t want to write a song, ‘cause I didn’t want anyone thinking I still care.’

‘Like a river flows, surely to the sea…’

‘Say you don’t need no diamond ring and I’ll be satisfied’

‘Love can touch us one time’

‘And I said, Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone’

‘My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues’

‘Well open up your mind and see like me’

‘The one you should call, was standing there all along’

‘You know I’m just a fool who’s willing to sit around and wait for you’

10. ‘Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better’

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Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile. Established for over 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows have become the UK’s leading company for domestic glass replacement. Customers are no longer needing to risk their windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the road, instead, now they can join over 320,000 happy customers and have their glass replaced in an affordable and ethical manner. Remember, a failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid any future costly problems. When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Justin Friel it became clear that these values have been held dear for a

number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Justin commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”. For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.com.

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Pump Politics The peril of short journeys, and how to subsequently make the most of the fuel in your tank. Many of us are stuck in cycles where short journeys are a necessity. A parent with school runs, or someone whose job requires a few short journeys each day, relies on a car to be able to stick to a schedule. While a trip of less than, say, 10 minutes will not damage in any obvious way, it does fail to allow the engine to reach operating temperature. These sort of outings, in a cold environment, allow excessive condensation in the crankcase and other parts. Only when an engine warms up does the oil lubricate better, boiling off that moisture. If the moisture doesn’t ever reach a temperature to condense, the lower temperature will impact the air/fuel mix, which reduces the oil’s effectiveness as a lubricant and can cause excessive wear on moving parts, such as the piston rings. Short trips, and the nature of driving around built-up areas and tight streets, will also impact wear and tear on tyres in a way that won’t happen

with longer journeys on straighter roads with fewer stops. In addition, users may also find battery performance dips badly over time. At no point on short journeys is the car in motion long enough to sufficiently recharge the battery – this means you’re using a lot of power starting the engine frequently, without fully replenishing its charge. Remedies General maintenance The greater the burden you place on your car, the better it will respond if properly maintained. From changing the oil regularly – which will be much more necessary for a car performing a number of short trips than a few long ones – to ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, better fuel consumption can be achieved. Excess weight Everything in a car that offers weight will lead to greater fuel consumption.

From objects left in the boot to unoccupied children’s car seats – the more you can remove, the lighter the car and the more money you will save at the pump. Gear high, revs low If you are forced to make a number of short journeys, try to use a high gear, whilst staying within the speed limit. You should change up through the gears as quickly as possible because logic says the faster an engine runs, the more fuel it uses. While a car’s optimum speed for fuel efﬁciency is usually around the 50mph mark – a speed that’s unsafe in urban areas – it’s obviously true that lower speeds ask more of an engine, so if you ﬁnd yourself operating at lower speeds, use smooth right-foot control, with gentle acceleration; and never break hard, instead cruise to a stop whenever possible.

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Do you drive an automatic car? The majority of car manufacturers recommend changing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) on automatic gearboxes every 40,000 miles. We have invested and are now equipped with the latest ATF exchanger machine, which runs flushing detergent through the gearbox, thus ensuring a 100% exchange of the total fluid capacity, unlike traditional methods. Are you experiencing any of the following? ## Rough gear change during acceleration ## Slow or delayed gearshifts ## Difficult to move from Park to Drive/Reverse

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Local Heritage:

LOCAL BRICKMAKERS

The clay below left survives from from The pond clay pond below left survives a yard established at Crow c.1838 by by a yard established at Crow c.1838 the Seymour family, maybe linked to to the Seymour family, maybe linked the the Bisterne estate. Its sheds and and Bisterne estate. Its sheds drying tunnels appear on maps, the the drying tunnels appear on maps, latterlatter a unique feature. a unique feature.

Red Red was was the predominant colour of of the predominant colour thesethese handmade bricks, although a a handmade bricks, although “white” form form had had beenbeen a “special” “white” a “special” requirement during the the re-build of of requirement during re-build Somerley House in the earlyearly 19th 19th Somerley House in the century. MostMost camecame from from London clay clay century. London bedsbeds near near Verwood, but others werewere Verwood, but others available from from a yard near near Beaulieu. available a yard Beaulieu. Arrival of the railway in in Arrival of SDR/LSWR the SDR/LSWR railway 18471847 mademade transport easier, and they transport easier, and they start start to be in Ringwood for for to used be used in Ringwood decorative features among the reds. decorative features among the reds.

Late Late 20212021 a resident questioned the the a resident questioned non-appearance of the lake at Avon non-appearance of the lake at Avon Castle on early maps. Probably dug in Castle on early maps. Probably dug in the mid/late 1860s, it first appears on on the mid/late 1860s, it first appears an 1870 OS map. It was the source of of an 1870 OS map. It was the source clay,clay, usedused to make bricks at the to make bricks at the Malmesbury estate’s yard yard at Ashley, Malmesbury estate’s at Ashley, workers seen here in 1905. workers seen here in 1905.

A pond and tunnels survive in thein the A pond and tunnels survive grounds of Clayton House. The grounds of Clayton House. firing The firing was was carried out inout in carried clamps, on anonopen clamps, an open area area overlooking overlooking the Avon valleyvalley the Avon beyond the of of beyondends the ends the drying tunnels. the drying tunnels. The The fatherfather Edward subsequently set set Edward subsequently up two on a on sitea in Poulner, seenseen up kilns two kilns site in Poulner, here with three of his seven sons at here with three of his seven sons at work around 1900. work around 1900.

In the 1880s an an example was was In the 1880s example Bickerley Terrace. Then, in 1886, its its Bickerley Terrace. Then, in 1886, developer began building the “red developer began building the “red bricks” in western St.Ives. A number of of bricks” in western St.Ives. A number Ringwood builders were involved on a Ringwood builders were involved on a 10 acre site, creating a mix of styles 10 acre site, creating a mix of styles and other decorative features. and other decorative features.

NextNext he built five similar cottages plus plus he built five similar cottages the Post Office, the latter seen here the Post Office, the latter seen here c.1930, with “1902” written into its c.1930, with “1902” written intoattic its attic chimney cement work. chimney cement work.

This This old “Verwood” brickbrick was was donated old “Verwood” donated by a resident following a restoration. by a resident following a restoration.

The water level is maintained by a The water level is maintained by a spring on an island and overflows into spring onAvon an island a drain under Drive.and overflows into a drain under Avon Drive. Meanwhile his son John continued to his son makeMeanwhile bricks, tiles and John pipescontinued at the to make bricks, tiles and pipes at the th Some Crow site into the 20 century. th century. Some Crow site into the 20 examples of the latter were used examples within of thethe latter were used decoratively Wesleyan decoratively within the chapel’s earlier graveyard wall. Wesleyan chapel’s earlier graveyard wall. 14

His first buildbuild seems to have beenbeen His first seems to have “Jubilee Cottage”, in 1897, its name “Jubilee Cottage”, in 1897, its name linked to Queen Victoria. SeenSeen here here linked to Queen Victoria. after after majormajor additions c.2015, the the additions c.2015, owner had had a problem obtaining near near owner a problem obtaining replica “white” bricks. replica “white” bricks.

To advertise in this magazine, call 01202 894397

At the time, among local brickmakers, At an theearly time, view among brickmakers, above of local one of them, above an early view of one of them, was Joab Brewer, who acquired was Joab Brewer, who acquired several of the 43 plots in the eastern several of inthe plots in the eastern half of St. Ives the43mid-1890s. half of St. Ives in the mid-1890s.

Several of the 400 Meeting House Several of the archive files cover the400 topicMeeting in detail.House archive files cover the topic in detail. JOHN HAWKINS JOHN HAWKINS For all enquiries call me on 01202 875512, enquiries call me on 01202 875512, orFor viaall Ringwood’s 1727 Meeting House or via Ringwood’s 1727 Meeting House

om by d to and the

set een s at

d to the me sed yan

This This old “Verwood” brickbrick was was donated old “Verwood” donated by a resident following a restoration. by a resident following a restoration.

By the 1950s mass production had By the 1950s mass production had steadily reduced all these original brick steadily reduced all these original brick makers to a few specialists who can makers to a few specialists who can still supply the old styles and sizes for still supply restoration work.the old styles and sizes for restoration work. At the time, among local brickmakers, At an theearly time, view among brickmakers, above of local one of them, above an early view of one of them, was Joab Brewer, who acquired was Joab Brewer, who acquired several of the 43 plots in the eastern several of inthe plots in the eastern half of St. Ives the43mid-1890s. half of St. Ives in the mid-1890s.

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Talking about Wildlife...

Birds of a feather... At about 4pm on a cold winter’s day, the sky may come alive with the shape of birds flocking together, with the sudden deafening sound of chitter chatter filling the air. One of wildlife’s most spectacular sights is approaching – a swooping and swirling murmuration of starlings. It may surprise you to know that starlings are actually becoming a less common sight in the UK, so seeing a flock of them is a wonderful thing. Other winter visitors flocking include birds from Eastern Europe and even species from the far northern regions, such as redwings and fieldfares from Scandinavia. So, why do birds flock? Well, why not! Birds can move easily and quickly, so they make the most of an annual trip to the UK, with an abundance of food, and a warmer climate to enjoy. Flocks of birds are also essential for their survival this time of year, as their main advantage is literally their

Starlings in flight

Photo: Stewart Canham

safety in numbers and they can distract predators with the sheer size of the group, making it hard for them to focus on just one bird when there’s so many, so close together. Large groups of birds can also stay warm, and hunt together, increasing their chances of survival. Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves are an excellent place to witness these special wildlife sights this winter, but you are also likely to see some activity in your own garden, by leaving out water and food for birds. Winter is a hard time of year to find food, so they need all the help they can get! Find out more about DWT reserves at: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ reserves and share your photos and videos with us at: www.facebook.com/ dorsetwildlife or www.twitter.com/ dorsetwildlife. By Sally Welbourn Communications Team - Dorset Wildlife Trust

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Bursting the bubble?

Underneath the easy-going niceties (and some immaculate clobber) that make Phil Spencer such a perfect ﬁt for light entertainment, lurks a ruthless edge. You couldn’t become a prominent property expert, nor last two decades on Channel 4 hit show Location, Location, Location without ﬁrm, singular views on the state of the housing market.

“There is often a perception in the housing market that the experts are totally clued up on what’s to come, but we’re keeping things schtum!” begins the 51-year-old presenter. “The truth is we’re as in the dark as anyone else at times; yet the task in hand is to examine the detail, listen to ﬁnancial announcements and spot the trends. “If you can do that, then you can give yourself a pretty good steer on what’s to come.”

thing is, the use of the world bubble implies that it can pop, and I don’t agree, even if the price rises that took place in 2021 cannot continue indeﬁnitely. “It will be interesting to see how 2022 plays out, but as ever in the UK, when you have a real housing shortage, to the point where I don’t remember a single year when enough houses have been built to meet

Certainly, in these postlockdown days, the housing market in some areas has never looked better, with accelerated growth and a buoyancy that many feel cannot sustain itself.

“I have always been a ﬁrm believer in home ownership. There is no greater cementing of security than in bricks and mortar.”

“I hear the words ‘property bubble’ used a lot; I have done for years,” he smiles. “The the government target, prices will increase.” Phil Spencer’s caution when it comes to making bold statements is perhaps reﬂective of the fact the expert has, in the past,

been a victim of the vagaries of the housing market and its intrinsic link with economic circumstance. His company, Garrington Home Finders Ltd, went into liquidation in 2009 as the ﬁnancial crash took its toll, yet the Kent-born consultant still steadfastly believes that getting on the housing ladder is beneﬁcial to all.

For people already with mortgages, Spencer also has some guidance. “I’d encourage them to look for opportunities to add value to their properties,” he says. “Don’t rely on the market doing that for you. I believe the market will continue to rise in the long-term, but in order to generate equity and to help fund a second move you need to beat the market, to outperform the market, and the only way of adding value to a house is making it bigger or better.”

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EAST DORSET GOOD NEIGHBOURS WE'RE HERE TO HELP! WE ARE DBS CHECKED VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH SMALL ONEOFF TASKS THEY CAN NO LONGER MANAGE THEMSELVES.

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A FEW...

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kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the February Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include the best opportunity to see Orion high in the sky, and the last chance to see Jupiter in our early evening skies until later in the autumn.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted in the evening until the 4th. Viewing then switches to the morning skies from the 19th. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Mercury

The innermost planet can be seen low in the southeast just before dawn for the ﬁrst two weeks of the month.

Venus

After many months in our evening skies, Venus takes a turn at being the ‘morning star’. It will be dazzlingly bright in the southeast from 5.30am onwards. The Greeks gave Venus the name Eosphorus, or Phosphorus when it appeared in the morning sky, and Hesperus when it shone as the evening star. They did not realise that these two objects were actually one and the same planetary body.

A. How many dwarf planets are there? B. Which planet has a mass 2.5 times greater than all the other planets added together? C. Which planet orbits the Sun on its side like a rolling ball? D. Is Saturn the only object in our Solar system to have rings?

Answers:

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

Quick quizlet:

A. There are 5 dwarf planets – Pluto, Ceres, Makemake, Eris and Haumea B. Jupiter C. Uranus D. No. All the outer Solar System giant planets have faint ring systems, and rings have also been detected around dwarf planet Haumea, and asteroid 10199 Chariklo.

STAR GAZING

Betelgeuse

Bellatrix

Orion Nebula

Rigel Saiph

Orion The Hunter

View south February 8.30pm

Mars

Mars can also be seen just before dawn, rising around 5.45am.

Jupiter

The Solar System’s largest planet is visible low in the southwest after sunset, but by mid-February it becomes very hard to spot in the Sun’s glare. A pair of good, steadied binoculars will reveal up to four pinpricks of light close to the giant planet. These are the four Galilean Moons; Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede.

Venus

Mars

Saturn

The ringed planet is too close to the Sun to be viewed this month.

Moon

February’s full moon occurs on the 16th. A crescent Moon joins Jupiter low in the southwest on the 2nd and 3rd. 22

To advertise in this magazine, call 01202 894397

View SE on 27 February at 6.15am Please add in a reference tree or building as has been done before to show the horizon (top of blackline). The colour of the sky is hard to get right, but anything that suggests ‘nearing dawn’ would

Quick quizlet: A. How many dwarf planets are there? B. Which planet has a mass 2.5 times greater than all the other planets added together? C. Which planet orbits the Sun on its side like a rolling ball? D. Is Saturn the only object in our Solar system to have rings?

Betelgeuse

Bellatrix

Orion Nebula

S Rigel

Saiph

Orion The Hunter

View south February 8.30pm

Answers:

Venus

Mars

View SE on 27 February at 6.15am Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers 23 Please add in a reference tree or building as has been done before to show the horizon (top of blackline). The colour of the sky is hard to get right, but anything that suggests ‘nearing dawn’ would

The New Forest History & Archaeology Group Our Society was once part of the Hampshire Field Club but we formed our own Group in 2008 to concentrate on the archaeology and history of the New Forest area. In 2014 we registered as a charity and the Group has since continued to flourish. Our aims are mainly to research the archaeology of the Forest to benefit our members and the wider public. We also seek to record and protect historical sites within the Forest. Education is important and we hold monthly meetings with talks from knowledgeable speakers and occasional workshops and historical visits. Much of our members research is published and available to buy and we produce an Annual Report.

The highlight of our year is our annual excavation in the Forest In recent years we have excavated a Romano-British site near Brockenhurst and members are welcome to join the‘dig’. The photo below show members hard at work at the site in August 2021. The annual subscription is very reasonable ie £10 for individuals, £15 for joint/family membership. Students pay £7. For further details and a membership application please visit our website: www.newforesthistoryandarchaeology.org.uk or contact the Secretary, Jeff Tucker, on jeffreytuckeruk@yahoo.com.

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The Queen in Decades

Buckingham Palace announced recently that it was already beginning plans for Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday, even though she is still over four years from that milestone.

Even now, at 95, Elizabeth still undertakes her seemingly endless list of public and private duties with consummate ease, and to begin the long process of

preparations in the lead-up to her century milestone in 2026, we have compiled a collection of images of the Queen on every decade of her life.

At 20 - Princess Elizabeth in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, seen here with her mother Queen Elizabeth.

At 10 - Princess Elizabeth, right, arriving with her sister, Princess Margaret, at the Royal Tournament, Olympia.

At 40 - The River Severn was at its full tide of 46ft as the Queen opened the world’s seventhlongest bridge with Mrs Barbara Castle

At 30 - Harry Primrose, the 6th Earl Of Rosebery, With Queen Elizabeth Ii At Epsom On Oaks Day

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At 50 - Queen Elizabeth II visits Associated Newspapers in Fleet Street, London, in 1976

At 60 - Queen Elizabeth II with David Attenborough, ﬁlming the Christmas Message in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

At 70 - Queen Elizabeth II out and about in her Range Rover

At 90 - Queen Elizabeth II is accompanied by Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness, as she unveils a portrait of herself by artist Colin Davidson at Crosby Hall in London

At 80 - The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament in November 2006

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Understanding Investments: Individual Saving Accounts (ISAs) An Individual Saving Account (ISA) is a tax efficient wrapper for saving cash or investments. Whilst they have been around for over 20 years (since 1999 when they succeeded PEP’s and TESSA’s), the features and benefits can still be misunderstood. To simplify matters I’ll split them into two (for this article we will ignore Lifetime ISAs and Junior ISAs). The annual contribution limit for each remains £20,000 per adult (16 years old for a cash ISA and 18 years old for an investment ISA): Cash ISAs: These act much like a savings account, so capital is not at risk (within protected limits) and interest is earned. However, since the introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) the benefits of cash ISAs has somewhat diminished for basic rate taxpayers who can now earn up to £1,000 per annum in interest tax free from their non-ISA accounts (this reduces to £500 for a higher rate taxpayer and is lost for those who pay the additional rate). In addition, the rates of interest available have been falling for a number of years to more recent all- time lows. Whilst interest rates have started to rise (and will likely continue as the Bank of England endeavours to control inflation), we remain in an historic low interest rate environment. We expect this to remain the case for a number of years as indicated by the average rates available for longer term fixed rate accounts (1.8% for 3 years and 2.1% for 5 years-source Money Saving Expert). What alternatives are available for clients who need an income from their savings or who are aiming for capital growth to meet or beat inflation? Investment ISAs: The capital value can fluctuate but the degree of fluctuation can be controlled by the level of risk selected at outset. Assuming a medium level of risk, the assets would typically be split 50% into equities (medium to high risk) and 50% into bonds, gilts and cash (lower risk). Currently the yield earned through dividends and interest could average around 2.3% (Source: L&G

Multi-Index 5 Fund 1.5% and LGT Vestra Strategic Income portfolio Howard Goodship 3.1%) which can be reinvested for growth or taken as income. The capital value of the investments will fluctuate depending on investment market returns but if invested for over 5 years we would expect the capital value to be maintained and ideally grow to keep pace with inflation. If the yield is re-invested, then we would expect the capital growth to exceed inflation. However, investment returns are not guaranteed, and it is important to understand that the risk of capital loss is why there is the opportunity to earn a higher return than cash. The investment choice in Investment ISAs is wide. Some funds focus on delivering a higher level of income and others offer little income but focus on capital growth. Risks will vary significantly, and this is where professional advice can be invaluable. If you are unhappy with the return earned on your current ISA, it is possible to transfer from one provider to another (both cash and investments) and maintain the beneficial tax status. One final note; since 2015 ISAs can be passed onto a spouse or civil partner on death. This was an excellent development and the surviving partner is eligible for an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) and can then continue to benefit from the tax-free status of the deceased’s ISA holdings. If you’d like to learn more or discuss your personal situation, we would be delighted to meet for a free, no obligation initial chat. Howard Goodship is an Independent Financial Adviser with Lonsdale Wealth Management, 5 Fridays Court, Ringwood.

Tel: 01425 208490

www.lonsdaleservices.co.uk

The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and do not constitute individual advice.

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Tom Kerridge’s Chicken & Coconut Curry Introduction Award-winning British chef Tom Kerridge lost 11st through a dramatic weight-loss regime, though there was one dinner-time favourite that remained on his personal menu throughout – the trusty curry!

Ingredients (serves four) • 2 onions, ﬁnely chopped • 8 garlic cloves, grated • 4cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and grated • 2 tsp sea salt ﬂakes • 1 tsp each ground ginger, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon • 1 tsp chilli powder • 400ml can coconut milk • 200g chopped tomatoes • 50g desiccated coconut • 2 hot green chillies, thinly sliced • 1 lemon, juice only • 6 skinless and boneless chicken thighs • 6 tbsp roughly chopped coriander • 4 tbsp roughly chopped green chillies • Salt and pepper • Vinegar

natural high. So you get a huge food sensation on multiple levels. “My curry dishes make use of

3. Add the chicken and wait until

homemade sauces stuffed full

cooked through.

of my favourite spices – curry leaves, turmeric, paprika and my

4. Now pour in the coconut milk

secret ingredient, vinegar. I’ve

and chopped tomatoes and stir.

always found the acidity of the

Bring to the boil then reduce

vinegar complements the spice

the heat and simmer for 10–15

fantastically, and I recommend

minutes, or until the sauce has

you try.

thickened.

“The curry scene is really part of

5. Dry-fry the desiccated coconut

British food heritage now, and as

in a frying pan until golden. Add it

the winter months draw in, it’s the

to the curry with the fresh chillies

perfect time to warm up with that

and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until

unique combination of ﬂavour,

thickened.

heartiness and sensory overload.”

Method

6. Season with lemon juice,

1. Pour a little oil into a large

the coriander and pickled chillies

saucepan. Add the onions and

and serve in warmed bowls.

vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir in

cook over a low heat for 10–15 minutes, or until they start to

“I’ve always been effusive

colour.

about curries. For me, the hotter,

the better. Not only is that a

2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring

taste preference for me, but it’s

for 4–5 minutes, or until the

scientiﬁcally proven that when we

onions are golden. Add the ginger,

eat spicy chillies, our brains are

salt and all the dry spices, stir

tricked by the heat into releasing

and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until

endorphins, which results in a

fragrant.

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General Knowledge Crossword #012 1

30 31

Across Clues: 1. Dissolve (4) 5. Brown, ﬁzzy (4) 7. In organisation with (9) 9. Doubled reeded instrument (4) 11. Proposal (5) 12. A valved brass instrument, bass pitch (4) 14. Condition (6) 17. Draw (6) 19. Listing (5) 20. Spirit which can be controlled (5) 21. Retro music player (6) 23. Natural substance; increases endorphins (6) 24. Skin condition (4) 26. Blueprint (5) 28. Obtain (4) 30. Paraphrase (9) 31. End of prayer (4) 32. Wickedness (4)

Down Clues: 1. Crispy mexican pancake (4) 2. Ripple (4) 3. Department (6) 4. Title of an emperor of Rome (6) 5. Small unit of money (4) 6. Region (4) 8. Recline (3) 10. Motion and force of projectiles (9) 13. Female dancer (9) 15. Hanging organ on an animal (5) 16. Circular ornament, decorated with jewels (5) 18. Mushrooms (5) 22. Invade (6) 23. 90-180 degrees (6) 24. Bluish-green (4) 25. Receive (4) 27. Atmosphere (3) 28. Impolite (4) 29. Small area of water (4)

Answers: Across: 1. Thaw, 5. Cola, 7. Affiliate, 9. Oboe, 11. Ideas, 12. Tuba, 14. Clause, 17. Raffle, 19. Index, 20. Genie, 21. Stereo, 23. Opioid, 24. Acne, 26. Chart, 28. Reap, 30. Rephrased, 31. Amen, 32. Evil. Down: 1. Taco, 2. Wave, 3. Office, 4. Caesar, 5. Cent, 6. Area, 8. Lie, 10. Ballistic, 13. Ballerina, 15. Udder, 16. Crown, 18. Fungi, 22. Occupy, 23. Obtuse, 24. Aqua, 25. Earn, 27. Air, 28. Rude, 29. Pool.

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High Brow Finding the right brow shaping method for your eyebrows. Eyebrows are like a rug in a room: they pull the entire look together. Eyebrows when groomed well can make you look like a movie star, and while for many years the trend was thin brows – a look which harked back to the silver screen days of the early twenties when cinema sirens like Clara Bow shaved their brows then drew them back on again in a severe pencil line – now, thanks in part to the likes of Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber, big brows are the way to go. So don’t spend your life feeling like a wallﬂower - invest in a dramatic look for raised eyebrows wherever you go. BROW KNOW-HOW: A GUIDE Waxing - Compared to plucking and threading, waxing is arguably one of the least painful methods of eyebrow sculpting as the warm wax soothes the skin, and you only need a few applications to achieve the perfect brow. This

method is especially useful if you want a strong, sculpted arch, though bear in mind skin can be red and tender for a few hours afterwards. Results last up to one month. Threading - An ancient technique which originated in India, threading is a straightforward process which involves a professional beauty therapist using two cotton lengths of thread to drive the hair from the follicle. One beneﬁt of threading is that it is completely natural, requiring no chemicals, and is therefore ideal for those with sensitive skin. It also provides a clean result and results last for three to four weeks. Tinting - If you have hair that is on the fairer side you may be frustrated at being unable to obtain that big brow va va voom, which is why tinting could be a great option for you. Working alongside your chosen treatment to remove the brow hairs, dye is applied to your eyebrows for a few minutes and then gently removed with a cloth can create astonishing results. Just be prepared to have a skin test before your ﬁrst treatment.

Plucking If visiting a salon is not for you, there is nothing wrong with plucking your eyebrows at home. By investing in a decent pair of tweezers and some brow stencils you can achieve the look you desire.

Microblading - If your brows are thin, sparse or patchy then you may wish to consider a more permanent treatment such as microblading, which uses a needle to apply pigment ink into the skin’s upper layers to create thickness and shape where it was hitherto lacking. Results last for up to a year, though treatment is pricy.

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50 in 2022

Age befalls all of us, and if this year represents any sort of milestone for you – perhaps one you’d prefer not to be reminded of! – console yourself in the knowledge that a group of everyoung musicians, ﬁlm stars and entertainers are

also now ﬁnding the creeping realities of age something they can’t fend off.

Cameron Diaz

Jude Law

Toni Collette

Liam Gallagher

In 2022, the following recognisable names all hit that magical half-century!

Jimmy Carr

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Ben Afﬂeck

Busta Rhymes

Eminem

Vanessa Paradis

Robbie Williams

Idris Elba

Gwyneth Paltrow

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Claudia Winkleman

Victoria Coren Mitchell

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A Design for Life… The Kevin McCloud Column Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner reveals his top tenets for architectural life and living happily. It’s an architect’s job to ﬁgure out what are the important things in our lives; it’s to organise space and light and volume that we live in, and to provide the best possible experiences for us to ﬂourish. When you think of it like that, architecture comes with a very simple a set of objectives really, doesn’t it? I think it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of those things. We are inspired and driven and teased almost by what see on the television and in magazines. We are made to suppose that bigger is better, when in reality it really isn’t. I often encourage people to look after the very basic elements

of what comprises our homes – things like storage, things like views up to the sky. I try to steer them away from mass or complication, because the fact is the more stuff we ﬁll our lives with, the more there is to go wrong. In the same manner, happiness really doesn’t reside in numbers - it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. And so if you can’t afford somewhere big don’t worry, it’s a false God. A big place won’t bring you happiness - what brings you happiness in the end is relationships with human beings. Ultimately, good architecture is a reﬂection of your soul, rather than an extension of your being. You should design your space so that it complements who you are as a person. I have seen many houses on Grand Designs that take seemingly normal people into wild expressions of contemporary ambition – it’s like they have epiphanies in the design process of a build and have convinced

themselves that they are ready to undergo an entire image change in the construction of their home. Ultimately, what generally happens is that once they’ve lived out that fantasy for six months or a year or however long, they realise they didn’t want that level of change after all, and ﬁnd themselves making adjustments so that their living space begins to come back round to being a bit safer, a bit more sanitised, a bit more comfortable. That’s not to say we shouldn’t reach out and be ambitious – just be ambitious in terms of what’s true to yourself, rather than true to what you’ve seen online. Be pragmatic, be disciplined and connect to those very primal desires you have, rather than those of fantasy and outrageous aspiration. Focus on the boring stuff ﬁrst - it will actually serve you well.

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Spring into life with a good read The final bitter throes of winter will soon pass, so how about some optimistic, non-fiction reading as February comes into view? Books Do Furnish a Life by Richard Dawkins Including conversations with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Steven Pinker, Matt Ridley; Books Do Furnish a Life is divided by theme, including celebrating nature, exploring humanity, and interrogating faith, bringing together Richard Dawkins’ forewords, afterwords and introductions to the work of some of the leading thinkers of our age. Published by Penguin on February 10th Small Island by Phillip Parker The shape and location of Britain’s landmass has not always been the same, with an identity that’s always been on the move. But, by knowing more about the 12 pivotal moments that occurred over a 2,000-year period, we can not only gain a full sense of our British history, but also an understanding of where we are heading, and that’s what Philip Parker reveals brilliantly across 12 defining maps. Published by Michael Joseph on February 17th A Bit of Me: From Basildon to Broadway by Denise Van Outen Denise Van Outen, original 90s ‘ladette’, West End star and primetime TV

favourite, reveals for the ﬁrst time the true story of grit and graft beneath the famous Essex sparkle. In this refreshingly candid memoir, Denise speaks openly and sensitively about her rollercoaster career, from The Big Breakfast in her early twenties to a decade grafting through theatre jobs and children’s TV shows. She describes her challenges offscreen and behind the headlines, as her heart was broken in a very public relationship, with her every move printed in the tabloids thanks to her phone being tapped. Moving to the US to play Roxie Hart in Chicago was a lifechanging experience, restoring the star’s ability to confront and move on from self-doubt, betrayal, invasions of privacy and professional struggles. Published by Ebury on March 3rd

What’s Black & White & Read All Over by Gyles Brandreth So… what is black and white and read all over? An embarrassed penguin, a sunburnt elephant, a newspaper! The reaction to these jokes can circumnavigate the whole spectrum of comedy, from hearty chortles to room-ﬁlling groans. In many senses, writer, broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth is going for the latter in this collection with a smorgasbord of some of the best and worst jokes ever (plus a few riddles to keep readers on their toes). From ‘Knock, knock’ to ‘Waiter waiter’, with some funny elephants and giraffes thrown in for good measure, there’s also a bit of expert joke advice, so you can show others just how funny you can be! Or not… Published by Penguin on March 3rd

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Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to reduce inheritance tax and help protect their share from care fees The Property Protection Trust Will package is based around how you hold the ownership of your home. All good estate planning nowadays considers the difference between owning your home as joint tenants or as tenants in common. If you own your home as Joint Tenants; when one of you dies the ownership of the home passes by the Law of Survivorship and not by your Will. Therefore, the surviving partner will automatically own 100% of the property. This sounds right to most people. BUT should the surviving partner need care in the future, the Local Authority can take everything they own (including their home) to pay for the care fees, leaving just £14,250 to be inherited by children and grandchildren.

There is an alternative.

Nowadays many couples choose to own their home as Tenants in Common where each partner will own 50% of the family home. This provides for many benefits. Firstly, it allows you to legally leave your share of the property in your Will to whoever you wish. A properly written Will can ensure that your half of your house will eventually pass to your children even if your widow re-marries. Unmarried cohabiting couples or relatives living together can also use this means of ownership as a way of minimising their Inheritance Tax exposure. It can also help with long-term care costs. If one of you is still living in your home the Local Authority can’t include its value in the means test if one of you has to go in to long-term care. This also applies if the husband or wife still living at home dies while the other is in care as their share will go into the trust.

Dorset and Wight are your local experts in Property Protection Trust Wills. 44

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Creature Comforts Presenter Kate Humble, on the natural beauty all around us, and how protecting is something we all need to invest in. It’s hard not to feel a sense of pride in Great Britain when you talk to Kate Humble. With her infectious enthusiasm for all things natural, backed up by an encyclopaedic knowledge of British wildlife, the former Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Lambing Live presenter positively exudes a love for animals and wildlife that have made her one of the nation’s most well-loved personalities. But the aptly-named Humble is adamant that it’s the animals, and not her presence, that made her various TV commitments – and plethora of seasonal spin-offs – such a massive hit with viewers across the UK. “As much as I love and will always love going to other parts of the world and ﬁlming and seeing and spending time with other wildlife, no one ever gets bored of the British countryside, be that the rolling hills, a simple stream, or a blue tit. “I think the reason is that almost anybody – wherever

they live – can look out of their window and see a beautiful animal in its natural habitat, and what has become very obvious over the years, across various programmes, is that people almost feel a sense of ownership over those creatures that we follow, and that they follow themselves at home.” Her most recent book, Thinking on My Feet: The small joy of putting one foot in front of another, took a rather more holistic view of our natural environment, and focused more on her incredible ability to immerse both herself and fans in the virtues of the British countryside “I think helping people love, respect and enjoy the countryside is more important now than ever before,” she says. “Never before have there been so many restraints on or rivals to people’s time; so while we hear a lot about protecting our

wild spaces by not overrunning them with tourism, at the same time it’s really important to get people out there, both for their own mental health and so that they can contribute to the rural communities that, in turn, support smaller wildlife projects.” And whether we live next to a great expanse of green, or are city-based and require a more dedicated trip to a green space, there is so much we can do around us. “As the seasons start to change, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how you can help wildlife ﬂourish in your local area,” Humble explains. “We rely on wildlife for enjoyment and beauty, and wildlife relies on us for sustainability in more ways than you would imagine. If we help each other out, we both beneﬁt.”

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Waving the wand for children with disabilities Merlin’s Magic Wand donated a number of Magical Days Out tickets to Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, enjoyed by children with physical and/or learning disabilities and their families during 2021. Days out have included trips to Chessington World of Adventures Resort, SEA LIFE Weymouth, and LEGOLAND Windsor, and the charity also provided contributions towards the hire of coaches for each trip. Merlin’s Magic Wand aims to make fun accessible by providing complimentary tickets and travel grants to help families create longlasting memories and take valuable time out from their stressful daily routine. Erin Woods, charity manager from Merlin’s Magic Wand, commented: “Merlin’s Magic Wand is an international children’s charity that has been creating magical experiences for children who need them most for over 13 years. With the support of our partners, colleagues, beneficiaries, and friends, to date we’ve been able to create over one million magical experiences with our three magical programmes.”

of its services including Project My Time, for children ages eight to 18; Awesome Nights, a youth club for teenagers with special education needs; Coping with CHAOS, providing play sessions for the whole family; and STARs, Diverse Abilities’ newly launched sibling support service. Clare Rochford, Children’s Team manager, added: “We are honestly so thankful to Merlin’s Magic Wand for supporting us each year, it really does make a huge difference to the families we work with. The daily challenges these families face often make these sorts of days out a daunting experience, and by being able to facilitate these trips means we can take the stress out of the whole process.” Visit diverseabilities.org.uk for more details about the charity’s services for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities.

Diverse Abilities has been supported by Merlin’s Magic Wand since 2016, and the charities work together to provide fun days out and activities for families through a selection 48

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Greenfingers… the Alan Titchmarsh column He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and all-round horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh talks about how our gardens can move us to a place of peace. While gardens mean different things to all of us, it’s when I venture into these tranquil spaces that I truly get a sense of their calming and healing power, and I ﬁnd that hugely enriching. Most gardens and landscapes naturally come with a real feeling of gentleness – from the choice of ﬂowers and plants, to gentle sweeps and curves that guide the eye onwards, to a softness and subtlety that may be a world away from some of the physical or emotional struggles we are going through; and I feel it is this dramatic contrast that really transports someone back to a place of comfort, even if just for a little while. What is also really important for me when I visit gardens

at hospices and hospitals, is the reminder that these spaces are not just for those who are residents. They also give hope, clarity, peace and a sense of calm to visiting families and, most importantly, the people who work there. Certainly, with everything that has happened over the past couple of years with Covid, and the realisation that we need to consider and protect workers and staff who look after us, I would like to think those on the frontline can wrestle back their own sense of contentment when soaking up the fresh air and beauty of a garden, where they can move away from a job that’s very hard and emotionally draining. I would like to see more attention given to gardens and outdoor spaces in our health institutions, and in workspaces in general. They are more important than we imagine.

Simple sweeps of ﬂowers, plants and foliage are inspiring; the sight of an olive tree can move our minds to far-off places; and we all know how calming a cascade of water can be. It’s all very peaceful and there’s nothing complicated or frenetic. Gardens are evolving, living things that are always changing – in fact they’re much like us in that respect! For me, on those days where I feel everything’s a bit fraught and frantic, and when I just can’t get to grips with anything, I go to sit in the garden or potter about to ﬁnd myself, and it really works! Life is a compromise, and you can’t always be on top of things, but gardens truly prove to me the healing qualities that exist within nature, and we’re so fortunate to have them.

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Carbon Confusion The eco faux pas we perform that don’t help the environment as much as we might hope or imagine. While every ‘green’ action can have a positive effect, sometimes it’s wise to examine the detail so that we might prioritise really efﬁcient initiatives from those that maybe don’t make as much difference as we would expect. Single-use plastic is rarely fantastic - There is huge confusion surrounding what can actually be recycled, largely due to the fact that services are run by local authorities and therefore differ from place to place. Secondly, many factors can disrupt the process meaning your good intentions end up on the rubbish heap. For example, while plastic bottles can be recycled, their lids, rings and wrappers cannot. Similarly, while the bowl from

your microwave meal will be accepted by your local recycling plant, the ﬁlm on top will not; while a disposable coffee cup with a plastic lining will be rediverted to the dump. Some environmentalists have even cited the energy expenditure in heating water in order to wash or clean out home products can feasibly increase our carbon footprint, not decrease it. So while recycling is effective to a degree, a fool proof solution is simply to cut down on singleuse plastic where possible. The contentious cotton tote - While the good news is that bringing in a compulsory single-use plastic bag charge in 2015 has led to a 95% drop in usage, the bad news is that some of the alternatives we use may not be as eco-friendly as we think. For instance, the humble paper bag may degrade faster and more effectively than its plastic relative, but it creates more carbon emissions during production; while you’d need to use a cotton tote 20,000 times to

equal the emissions waste from a plastic bag. Despite this, it is still far better to lug your groceries home in a reusable bag as it doesn’t pollute like plastic - just try to opt for a sturdy tote that can be reliably ﬁlled again and again. Querying the carbon offset With such an emphasis on the environment, it has become necessary for many businesses to show customers what they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint. The problem with this is that these entities rarely have to prove their actions are effective, and even buzzwords words such as ‘sustainable’ and ‘natural’ can be relatively meaningless. Even if a brand does stick to its word and ‘plants a tree’ for every item sold, there is still no way of ensuring that these forests will grow and ﬂourish to an extent that makes any real difference, so view this kind of marketing with suspicion and assess each pledge on its own merits.

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QUIRKY FACTS by Mica Bale Where did January go? It seems like no time at all has passed since that month had just arrived and we were delving into another fistful of fun facts to get us through the cold winter months. Now the shortest month of the year is here and hopefully soon spring will be upon us. Until then, why not enjoy another handful of Dorset's quirky facts?

Did you know that it is nearly seventy years since Princess Margaret visited Bridport and stood to give a speech outside the Town Hall to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the town receiving its royal charter? Reportedly thousands of locals as well as many visitors came to visit Bridport to catch a glimpse of the Princess. Today visitor to Bridport can enjoy a glimpse of the town’s fascinating heritage at the Town Hall which itself is a relic from a bygone era, having been built in the latter 1700s and now enjoying Grade 1 listed status.

Did you know that it is 135 years since the Victoria Community Hospital in Wimborne was founded? Built in recognition of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, the small community hospital was an intimate aﬀair, with room for just nine patients. Better known as a cottage hospital, a rent of ﬁve shillings each year was exacted and it was to be opened to the poor of the parish, cared for by a sole matron who worked tirelessly to attend to the ailing. Reportedly, despite the honour behind its opening, the cottage hospital was exactly that and reportedly the operating theatre doubled as the bathroom, no doubt causing many a shock.

3 54

Interestingly, the pretty parish of Colehill has evidence that it has been occupied since at least as early as 2000 BC. From ancient history to modern times, the small settlement has played its part in a very special slice of modern day history, that of being home to the inventor of the world wide web, Tim Berners-Lee. Little did the earliest occupants of Colehill know of the modern day inventors and inventions that would come millennia after themselves! To advertise in this magazine, call 01202 894397

Did you know that Bournemouth boasts some of the oldest beach huts in the UK? Built in 1909, the beach huts were the first to be opened to the public. With around 2000 beach huts in the area, reportedly the oldest of them all is hut number 2359 which is commemorated with its very own blue plaque!

Built in the 19th century, it would be easy to assume that Dorchester’s Keep Museum was a remnant from centuries ago. Designed to look like a Norman keep, the museum is a fitting stronghold for the preservation of th history of so many of the county’s military regiments. First used as the barracks of the 39th Dorchester Regiment of Foot, today the Keep is known for its memorabilia and research records for countless soldiers and officers. Among its collections and resources are war diaries, records, photographs, medals and artefacts that offer a fascinating insight for family research or indeed a snapshot into Dorset’s military heritage through the ages.

ENJOY THIS FEATURE IN EVERY ISSUE!

4 Did you know that Bournemouth boasts some of the oldest beach huts in the UK? Built in 1909, the beach huts were the first to be opened to the public. With around 2000 beach huts in the area, reportedly the oldest of them all is hut number 2359 which is commemorated with its very own blue plaque!

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Great Scout! For an organisation founded in 1907 by Robert BadenPowell, and whose roots are still embedded in the qualities of outdoor activities, learning trades and helping others, the progression of the scouting movement in the modern era is nothing short of admirable. Here are seven reasons why our youngsters are still turning to the scouts: ONE - Variation and distraction With so many distractions, many involving the scourge of screens, scouts groups pride themselves on providing rustic, rugged, real-life experiences that link members with each other, their communities and the world around them. These are things that will never be gained online, and it is the realworld experience of the scouts that continues to accentuate its popularity. TWO - Outdoor activities From exposing youngsters to good, old-fashioned fresh air, to building an appreciation of the ﬂora and fauna in the natural world, scouts’ ability to immerse

themselves in their natural surroundings is one of their deﬁning characteristics. THREE - Friendship groups While scout groups are geographical, they do of course offer the ability for children to link up and share experiences with those from different schools, different residential areas and, of course, different social and economic backgrounds.

FOUR - Responsibility and respect At the heart of the scouting blueprint is a desire to serve, to help, and to respect those around them. There’s also a signiﬁcant blueprint for responsibility, self-awareness and maturity, with an undercurrent of intelligent ways to solve problems. FIVE - Contributing There is little passiveness involved in being a scout. They are always on their toes, always looking for opportunities to make a difference, and are driven to serving those around them, be they friends, family, neighbours or anyone in need.

SIX - Inclusivity In 2011, more girls joined the UK scouting movement than boys. Indeed, girls have been allowed into the organisation since 1976 – as the Venture Scouts – bucking the assumption that it is a boys-only club. Beyond that, scouts bring together different backgrounds, language, abilities and interests in a way that doesn’t judge or discriminate. Indeed, a desire to learn and embrace other cultures and tastes was always at the heart of BadenPowell’s initiative. SEVEN - Resilience Finally, scouts are encouraged to go through life embraced by the challenges put in front of them. This dates back to Baden-Powell’s seven-month siege in the town of Mafeking in South Africa, when he fought in the Boer War. Upon returning to England, the lieutenant-general decided boys back home could beneﬁt from the skills he had learned, and that resilience has permeated through the movement ever since.

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Ferndown Probus Club

Ferndown, West Moors, Ashley Heath, St. Ives, St. Leonards, West Parley and District New members will be made most welcome. For further details please ring the Secretary, Alan Stevens, on 01202 876826, or email: alan_stevens@talk21.com Now is an excellent time to meet new people and make new friends. Why not join our members for lunch each month at the Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa? Good food, good company and interesting speakers, just what you have been waiting for! Ferndown PROBUS is a members’ club for retired or semi-retired professional men and our aim is to create a positive ambience of fellowship, friendship and fun. We meet on the ﬁrst Wednesday of each month at the Brabant Function Room, Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa, Ferndown commencing at 12 noon. Meetings are centred around a three-course lunch, followed by a talk given by invited Speakers covering a diverse range of subjects. Many of our ladies meet for a more informal gathering in the Spikes Bar at the same venue at the same time or arrange to meet at an alternative location. A coﬀee morning is also held at the Brabant Function Room on the second Wednesday of each month for our members and their partners to enjoy a relaxed and sociable get together. Other social gatherings are arranged throughout the year, such as outings to places of interest, restaurant lunches/dinners and trips supporting local events. 58

More detailed information about the club can be found on our website: www.ferndownprobusclub.org

Meetings held at Dudsbury Golf Course

Alan Redknap President

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Jamie Oliver’s Chai Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce Introduction

There has been a tradition in recent years to let our Christmas ﬂavours and tastes extend into the new year, and I really like that. After all, why should it be that we can’t enjoy turkey in spring, or add brandy butter to our desserts in summer. Dates are one of those fruits that count as another festive ﬁller that seems to be forgotten about during other times of the year, but I don’t see why – they’re sweet, full of texture and actually really versatile. So as we work our way through winter, why not extend that homely, rustic feeling with this date and toffee pudding. It’s warm, tasty and reassuring; and unlike Christmas, it won’t cost you the earth!

Ingredients

(serves 6)

• 150g unsalted butter (at room temperature), plus extra for greasing • 500g self-raising ﬂour, plus extra for dusting • 500g dried pitted dates

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C and place a tray of water in the bottom (this creates steam to keep the pudding moist), then butter and ﬂour a 25cm tin. Now chop the pitted dates, and zest the orange.

the date mixture, then pour into the Bundt tin.

• 1 orange • 2 chai tea bags • 20g of bicarb • 350g dark brown sugar • 5 large free-range eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 50g golden syrup • 75g black treacle For the Toffee Sauce • 125g double cream • 50g unsalted butter • 50g dark brown sugar • 30g golden syrup • 1 lug of brandy

2. Boil 400ml of water, turn the heat off, then add the tea bags and infuse for 3mins. Boil again, whisk in the bicarb and add the dates. Leave to one side to cool to room temperature. 3. Next, cream the butter and sugar in a food processor until light and ﬂuffy. Now whisk the eggs, vanilla, orange zest, golden syrup and treacle and pour into the butter mixture in stages, beating until smooth each time. Sieve the ﬂour and fold gently into the batter. Stir in

4. Bake for one hour, or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 5mins. 5. Pop all the sauce ingredients in a small pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Simmer for 5mins, stirring, then remove from the heat. 6. Finally, invert the pudding onto a platter and baste with a little of the sauce. Serve with clotted cream and the remaining sauce on the side.

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Puzzle Page Answers Quick Crossword Solution #012 Answers:

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Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your magazine... Aerials

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AMH Plumbing & Heating Ltd ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Lonsdale Wealth Management 35 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ K & B Installations 53 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ The Kitchen & Bathroom Co 29 Property Maintenance ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ UltraHeat Plumbing & Heating 1 .................................................................................................................. Avon Home Improvements 29 Garage Doors .................................................................................................................. JMC Property Development 13 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Skandoor 31 .................................................................................................................. TL Home Maintenance 47

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Garage 3R .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 .................................................................................................................. SDC Self Storage 47 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Longham Motor Engineers 13 Beds .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... ReversePark 43 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1st for Floors & Beds 64 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... West Moors Vehicle Repairs 35

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Alpha Trees & Fencing .................................................................................................................. 41 .................................................................................................................. Apex Tree Surgeons 51 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Garden Services .................................................................................................................. Arborgrind 37 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Ashley Blinds 3 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Alpha Trees & Fencing 41 .................................................................................................................. RHV 21 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Douglas Hutchins 32 .................................................................................................................. Special Branch 61 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Gardening by Peter Gould 3 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hoben Decking Specialists Ltd 31 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Redwood Landscapes 53 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Cleaning Master 37 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Special Branch 61 Waste Services ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Zero Dry Time 41 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... United Fencing Supplies Ltd 9 .................................................................................................................. Philip Trim Contractors 43

Carpets & Flooring

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1st for Floors & Beds ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 64 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... New Forest District Council 2 .................................................................................................................. Dorset Wills 45 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Flooring Elegance 32 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Kingsland Carpets 49

Linstone Chine .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 .................................................................................................................. Spot Free Window Cleaning 43 Chiropractors .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... The Location Collection 33 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Avon View Chiropractic 37

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.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... Doc's Fitted Furniture 49 .................................................................................................................. Cloudy2Clear Southampton 11 Peacock Computers ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 59 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... K & B Installations 53 .................................................................................................................. Dorset Windows Ltd 59 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Tec Check Ltd 17 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... The Kitchen & Bathroom Co 29 .................................................................................................................. G S Windows Ltd 7

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Cornerstone Paving Solutions ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 61 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... JMC Plastering 41 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ County Block Paving 17 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Wicks Surfacing 47

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