As we move from winter to spring — a time of year so often associated with fresh starts and new beginnings — it’s hard not to feel that familiar pressure to do something: make changes or set goals. But if you’re reading this and thinking that you’re quite happy as you are, perhaps you’ve recently gone through a big change in life, or you simply feel that right now doesn’t feel like the moment for big plans, that’s absolutely fine too.
I speak from experience. I recently moved house, and I can safely say that right now I am more than happy to keep things fairly consistent. In hindsight, moving over Christmas and New Year was probably not my wisest decision (the car breaking down also didn’t help matters), but there we are — everyone is safe and well, and that is the most important thing. At the moment, stability feels like a gift, and I’m embracing it. Not every season of life is about growth or change; some are about settling, adjusting and catching up with yourself.
In this issue, there are lots of interesting articles to read, perhaps while relaxing with a cup of tea, and we also complete the wonderful tour of the lighthouses of England and Wales — have you managed to find any on your travels? Thank you to Keith Morton for writing this column since 2016!
As always, this magazine includes a variety of suggestions of how we can embrace this beautiful area in which we live. If you can, do take a moment to support one of the local businesses who advertise in these pages. Wishing you a gentle, hopeful spring — whatever that looks like for you. Dear readers,
Clap, clap for another successful CLAC
The organisers of the annual Christchurch Living Advent Calendar (CLAC) have revealed that the annual community event has passed a major milestone, having raised more than £100,000 for local causes since it was first held in December 2021 — with around £20,000 raised each year thanks to the generosity of sponsors, performers, venues and supporters.
Organised by the Christchurch Rotary Club, the CLAC ran from 1 December to 24 December, with a free musical performance taking place every night at a different location around the town. Each event raised money for a selected charity and was sponsored by a local business.
Highlights from CLAC 2025 included performances by the Rock Choir at The Priory, Georgie Carter at Loch & Quay, and a dance showcase from Mad4Dance. Just some of the supported charities were Bournemouth Heart Club, Julia’s House, Dorset Mind, Macmillan Caring Locally and many more.
The CLAC team issued thanks to all their sponsors, including Hoburne Dental Practice, Grove Wealth Management, BNI Dorset, Pulford Publicity, United Taxis, Christchurch
Charitable Trust and many others. The team also thanked the performers and venue hosts who donated their time and space for free.
Pulford Publicity (the publisher of this magazine) sponsored the evening of 14 December 2025 to the tune of £650. Mad4Dance performed in Bargates, and the charity being supported was Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.
Ben Pulford, managing director of Pulford Publicity, said: “Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was our charity of the year for 2025, so this was a perfect opportunity for our company to get involved and make a donation to round off our year of support.
“Mad4Dance put on a great show, and I would like to thank them for hosting the evening.”
After the performance, Ben presented a cheque for £650 to Emily Griffiths, charity manager of Dorset Cancer Care Foundation. She praised Pulford Publicity, calling their support “amazing”, not only for their sponsorship, but also for producing the free programme which promoted the CLAC.
To find out more about the CLAC, visit christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk.
FRIDAY 17 APRIL AT 7.30PM AT THE REGENT, CHRISTCHURCH
Get ready to visit Dollywood, as the UK’s best Dolly Parton impersonator comes to Christchurch.
West End star Kelly O’Brien is the only Dolly Parton impersonator endorsed by the Parton family. Australian-born singer Kelly is a worldclass entertainer who brilliantly captures the voice of the little lady from Tennessee.
Get ready to hear all the country legend’s hits like ‘9 to 5’, ‘Jolene’, ‘Islands in the Stream’, ‘I Will Always Love You’ and many more, brought to life by Kelly and her band.
REGENT CENTRE BOX OFFICE
01202 499199
TICKETS £28
For your chance to win two tickets to the show, all you have to do is locate Sammy Seagull who is hiding somewhere inside this month’s magazine (excluding this page).
Send an email with the subject line ‘Sammy Seagull’, the page number where he appears and your contact details to competition@ themudefordmag.co.uk.
Closing date is 31 March 2026
PREVIOUS WINNER:
Two tickets for the Regent Comedy Club in December were won by Jan Ayres, who found Sammy on page 52. Well done, Jan!
Coffee Break Time
How to solve codeword
Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number.
All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.
To start you off we reveal the code for 3 letters.
Solutions on page 46
sponsored by Louis P Creative
Coffee Break Time
Please look after this bear
By Rebecca Smith
It all began rather unexpectedly, with a post I spotted in a Facebook group late in 2024. A trail of Paddington Bear statues had been installed across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the release of ‘Paddington in Peru’, the third film in the franchise. As someone who has loved Paddington Bear since childhood — long before the films introduced him to a new generation — it immediately caught my attention.
The idea was simple: 23 identical Paddington Bear statues, each with its own plaque and QR code, positioned across the UK and Ireland. (A 24th statue was later installed in 2025 — more on this later!)
Armed with a rather wobbly plan scribbled into my notebook (with hindsight, the occasional marmalade sandwich might also have been useful), I decided this was the perfect excuse to explore more of this beautiful country and to test out my micro-camper, with my dog coming along for the journey. Sometimes we travelled alone; other times the route took us to visit friends and family while discovering new places along the way.
My first Paddington was found during a trip to London to celebrate my 40th birthday. In December 2024, my mum and I enjoyed a wonderful evening at ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’. The next morning, we headed to Westfield and found Paddington perched on a wall. And just like that, the trail had begun!
Christmastime brought another memorable stop: Land’s End on 27 December 2024. My parents live only a couple of hours away, so we made the trip during the lull between Christmas and New Year, exploring beautiful beaches with the dogs.
On 1 January 2025, after fulfilling a bucket list dream of watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks
opposite the London Eye, I met Paddington again in Connaught Village. Travelling solo this time, it felt rather fitting that my first “conversation” of the New Year was with a bear renowned for curiosity, kindness and adventure. The quiet streets of London early on New Year’s Day were a striking contrast to the crowds of the night before.
I hope my adventures inspire you to seek out your nearest Paddington Bear, whether close to home or while on holiday. My friends initially thought this was a rather odd challenge to set myself, but it wasn’t long before the conversations became: “Where are you going next?” “Which Paddington is your favourite?” and, most often, “I’d love to go there.”
Land’s End, Cornwall, 27 Dec 2024
Westfield, London, 12 Dec 2024
Hopes for mitigation of coastal flooding
Two local authorities are joining forces to tackle coastal flooding and erosion.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and New Forest District Council’s new strategy outlines how the risk from Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to Hurst Spit, encompassing Christchurch Harbour will be managed over the next 100 years.
The Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy was produced in partnership with the Environment Agency and technical consultants AECOM. It highlights that ageing existing coastal defences and the changing climate (including rising sea levels) put over 3,500 properties at risk from coastal flooding or being lost to coastal erosion. If nothing is done over the next 100 years, the coastal frontage would suffer an estimated £1 billion in damages (cash value over 100 years).
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and
Energy at BCP Council, said: “This is the first time a cohesive strategy has been adopted for this stretch of coastline.
“The value of damages is not designed to alarm people but enables us to evidence and justify available options to ‘do something’ to minimise the risks to people, properties, infrastructure and open spaces.”
Food to keep you healthy in 2026
By Marilyn Barber
If your New Year’s resolution was to be healthier, the question to ask yourself is: are you eating the right foods? The NHS has some guidelines. You should eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day. They can be fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced. Fruit juice and smoothies should be limited to no more than a total of 150ml a day.
And just a word of warning: if you are taking statins, you must avoid grapefruit and its juice, as it can dangerously raise medication levels in your bloodstream. The fruit can also interfere with medication for high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety.
Starchy foods should make up just over a third of the food we eat. Choose higher-fibre
or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta and brown rice, or simply leave the skin on potatoes. Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of several nutrients.
Beans, pulses, fish, eggs and meat are good sources of protein. Choose lean cuts of meat and mince, and eat less red and processed meat, like bacon, ham and sausages.
Aim to eat at least two portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel.
Milk, cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais are good sources of protein, vitamins and calcium.
Finally, drink plenty of fluids; the government recommends six to eight glasses a day.
The power of sleep
By Luke Graham
Sleep is critical for our mind and body, but many of us don’t get enough.
I certainly don’t. In 2025, I had a bad habit of staying awake until late, sometimes past midnight, either playing videogames, watching television, or scrolling on my laptop or phone.
That’s despite often getting up at 6am (or earlier) to look after my young children.
This lack of sleep can leave me in a bad mood and irritable. The NHS says a lack of sleep can also cause difficulty concentrating, meaning you might be less productive at work or in your daily life. It can also cause problems in your relationships and social life, and (obviously) leave you feeling tired more of the time.
The NHS recommends adults usually need seven to nine hours of sleep. Clearly, my schedule of six or fewer hours was not doing me any favours. In 2026, I’ve set out to sleep
better, aiming to be in bed before 11pm, even it still takes a little while to fall asleep.
If you struggle to sleep, the NHS offers some advice.
First, set a good sleep routine, meaning set a time to start winding down and try to go to bed at a set time each evening.
Avoid screens and devices for at least an hour before bed, as the blue light from mobiles, tablets and computers can affect your ability to go to sleep. Instead, try reading, meditation, or listening to a podcast or music.
Diet and exercise can help. Avoid large meals close to bedtime, as well as stimulants like coffee. Exercise will help tire your body, but it’s advised to avoid anything too energetic in the 90 minutes before bedtime.
Hopefully this advice might help you sleep better. Sweet dreams.
Schools invited to apply for cookery grants
Following the decision by trustees of Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust (CFFET) to no longer provide healthy eating and cookery workshops directly, local schools are invited to apply for cash grants to carry out projects.
Chairman of the Trustees, Julie Ratcliffe, said: “Schools can apply for grants to support them in arranging their own workshops and projects, provided that they meet the Trust’s charitable aims and objectives.”
Trustee and the Trust’s education co-ordinator, Mary Reader, said: “Each year for the past 25 years, the Food Festival Education Trust has visited local schools to promote healthy eating and cookery skills. The work in secondary schools has supported many young people into hospitality jobs at all levels and delivered specialist skills to support GCSE students. We have seen thousands of children in Christchurch primary schools while running our very popular cookery days which started in 2004. Unfortunately, it has become very difficult to find chefs and nutritionists who are able to commit to the huge amount of work required to organise and carry out this important work, which we are keen to see continued.”
Schools and organisations can apply for grants via www.cffet.org.uk.
Local brass band needs you
Do you love making music and being part of something uplifting, exciting, and fun? Then Christchurch and Highcliffe Brass Band could be the perfect place for you.
The band has been a feature in the local community since 1907 but is currently seeking new members. Whether you’re a seasoned player or returning to your instrument after a break, you’ll find a welcoming group of musicians
who enjoy creating music together. And if you have no instrument, they may be able to help.
Rehearsals are held at Burton United Reformed Church on Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in a friendly, supportive, and relaxed atmosphere.
To find out more, call Paul on 01202 897163, email candhbb25@gmail.com or simply pop along to a rehearsal at the church.
Schoolchildren taking part in a CFFET workshop
2026 is a time for gentler pursuits
By Elizabeth McPherson
As we work our way gently back into a New Year, I suspect many of us have set New Year’s resolutions — though whether we keep them or not is another matter entirely.
I’ve long avoided the pressure of resolutions myself; they tend to feel a bit much, don’t they? Instead, this time round, I chose a softer approach: gentle, comforting pursuits that don’t need to be pencilled onto a list or cause any additional stress in the year ahead.
Top of my list is simply to read more. If you’re anything like me, there are a few neglected books on your shelf, quietly gathering dust and waiting for their moment. I often glance at mine and think, “I really should pick that up,” but somehow never quite get around to it.
Reading is a wonderfully gentle way to spend time, especially when the wind howls and rain lashes down outside. Not only does it satisfy my curiosity, but it also makes me feel just a little bit cleverer — at least in theory!
The rewards of reading are plentiful: it can reduce stress, sharpen memory, and improve concentration. It’s a brilliant way to build vocabulary, broaden horizons, and strengthen your ability to reason and write. On a wellbeing front, reading can foster empathy, keep your mind active and resilient, and offer a deeply satisfying escape or moment of calm.
In recent times, the world seems to favour audiobooks, but I do think there’s something special about curling up with a proper book. It’s grounding and soothing — balm for the mind, body and soul.
My other gentle intention for 2026? To embrace a bit more spontaneity. Being
spontaneous can lift your spirits, ease tension, and spark your creative side. It makes you more adaptable, boosts confidence, and brings richer, more meaningful connections. Most importantly, it opens the door to new adventures and a genuine sense of possibility.
I’ve always been a planner — perhaps even an overthinker, if I’m honest. But perhaps it’s time to loosen the reins: let the diary breathe, open my mind, and allow life to unfold naturally, rather than feeling compelled to orchestrate every moment. The pressure to plan is everywhere — just think of those relentless holiday adverts over Christmas, or being asked to commit to next year’s events before you’ve even left this year’s. Personally, I’d rather not tie myself down to something I might regret further down the line.
So, as 2026 begins, my mantra is simply this: go with the flow and seek out life’s gentler, less urgent moments.
With Love
Beth
The Lifestyle Concept www.thelifestyleconcept.co.uk
This is my favourite potato dish, guaranteed to impress the guest. It’s so simple to make and can be cooled down for another day. When it’s cold, it can be cut into squares or cut with a pastry cutter into circles and reheated individually in the oven. In our restaurant, we cut 20 at a time and reheat when the guest arrives. You can also use other potato varieties that are slightly waxy, like King Edward or Lovers Potatoes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can change the potato to root vegetables like beetroot, swede or parsnip. My only advice is to make sure the potato is sliced thin. It needs to be thin to absorb the cream. Perfect with meat and fish dishes.
INGREDIENTS:
1.5kg peeled Maris Piper potatoes
1 peeled and crushed clove of garlic
500ml double cream
1 tsp table salt
1 small pinch of ground white pepper
150g mature cheddar cheese
coats each slice, and push down evenly with your fingertips
5. Cover with greaseproof paper and foil
6. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes
7. Take out of the oven, remove paper and foil, and cover with the grated cheddar
8. Put back in the oven and bake for another five minutes Hey presto, you re done.
Colin Nash Restaurant
Lyndhurst Road, Hinton, Christchurch, BH23 7EF
T: 01425 200050
W: www.colinnashrestaurant.co.uk
Barn owl and marsh harrier — two successes for local conservation
By Tom (CHOG)
Barn owl surprise at Hengistbury Head
Spring 2025 brought an unexpected highlight — barn owls nested at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre! After a very long wait, a pair moved into the unused nest box that had been installed around 20 years ago. In July, a licensed bird ringer confirmed a single chick, which was ringed for monitoring and watched via a small camera that was installed. The chick fledged successfully, and plans are already underway to install a high-quality livestream camera, so that the public can share in the magic if breeding occurs again in 2026.
Marsh harriers thriving in the Avon Valley
Since 2016, marsh harriers have been breeding north of Christchurch in the Lower Avon Valley, with strong productivity most years. During the winter, birds from across the UK, including wing-tagged individuals from East Anglia and Cheshire, have been spotted using the valley and Christchurch Harbour as a regular roost site.
Last winter, numbers in the harbour peaked at 12, with seven so far this season. For those keen to witness this spectacle, head to Grimmery Bank on Stanpit Marsh from midafternoon onwards to watch the harriers glide into the reeds for the night. Dawn departures are shorter but equally exciting. This seasonal show is likely to continue until March, when the birds disperse to their summer grounds.
Community and conservation
These successes highlight the importance of reedbed management, and we’re grateful to BCP Council for their sensitive approach. With barn owls benefitting from nest boxes and marsh harriers nesting and roosting, it’s a reminder of how local action supports national conservation.
Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group, known as CHOG, is an independent organisation and registered charity which is dedicated to recording, promoting and restoring nature in the Christchurch Harbour area. To find out more about CHOG, scan the QR code or head to chog. org.uk for recent wildlife sightings and details on how to receive a copy of the annual nature report by becoming a member.
Barn owl by Scott Usher
Marsh harrier by Scott Usher
From gas to electricity, streetlamps lighting the way
By Julie Ratcliffe, Christchurch History Society
Towns have lit their streets for centuries. Rush lights were used in medieval times, and by Georgian times oil streetlamps had become a common sight. But it was the advent of gas lighting that heralded modern public street lighting.
Christchurch was late to the game, with the installation of oil lamps in 1851, but these were short-lived when the Christchurch Gas Company opened in ‘Rotten Row’ (which we know as Bridge Street) around 1853/54. By 1859, gas had become the main fuel for street lighting and the town was considered ‘well lit’. Street lighting at this time was ‘seasonal’, with the lamps lit in the evenings between 1 August and 31 May.
The focus for both the council and for ratepayers was cost. In 1865, one person wrote anonymously to The Christchurch Times to suggest that the town should have its own gas works, an idea first mooted in 1847. As well as the price of gas, each lamp had to be individually lit, which was the task of a lamplighter. By 1874, the lamps were costing 7p in the pound of the rates paid to the council — more than the maintenance of the poor, the police, bridges and the cemetery put together. Additionally, it was felt that gas lighting was not very bright; in 1889, it was even suggested that the lights revert to oil.
However, by the turn of the 20th century, there was competition for the gas company — electricity. Initially, electricity in Christchurch was supplied by the Bournemouth and Poole Electricity Supply Company, situated in Bourne Valley. But demand in Christchurch led the company to build a new power station close to the town centre in Bargates. This new source was cleaner, brighter and available at the touch of a switch.
In 1903, Christchurch Council’s Roads and Lighting Committee considered a report on the mode for the town’s street lighting. Proposals from the gas company offered the service at a cost of £266 1s (£28,230 today), and the electricity company £245 (£26,000 today) per annum. The cost of laying
cables and adding lamps to the system was discussed and eventually the councillors decided on electricity.
The power station in Bargates provided electricity until 1926, when the town switched to the national grid. The town has enjoyed good electric lighting since.
It has been hard to track down exactly when the last gas light was switched off in Christchurch. However, did you know that in Throop and Holdenhurst there are some 28 gas streetlights still in use? They are listed structures, therefore protected, and are now maintained by BCP Council.
TALKS:
Held at Christchurch Junior School, 7pm–10pm.
3 March 2026 — Wild New Forest projects and fieldwork, by Marcus Ward
Why not join Christchurch History Society? Reduced meeting fee, four Society Journals per year. Individual £13, joint £18. We need volunteers too! See website for details: historychristchurch.org.uk.
Christchurch MP Christopher Chope talks politics on the podcast
Sir Christopher Chope has had quite the political career. The Conservative MP was first elected in 1983 for the seat of Southampton Itchen. He lost the seat in 1992 to Labour but returned to Westminster in 1997 when he was elected the MP for Christchurch, a seat he has held for nearly 20 years.
In late November, the 78-year-old came onto Your Voice | Dorset Podcast to talk about his experiences, including serving in Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 80s. He recalled fond memories of the Iron Lady.
“I was absolutely devoted to her,” he said. “She still remains my great character who I wish to emulate in politics, not that I can.
“She was surprisingly approachable. If you had supper with her, she would insist on washing up the dishes.
“The first time I ever met her was back in 1976, soon after she became leader of the Conservative Party. I was chairman of Putney Conservatives in London. She came and visited an old people’s day centre. I was really impressed… because she got down on her knees and spoke to every single individual in that day centre.
“She treated them as an equal to herself.”
Chope served in the Department of the Environment and was involved with the infamous poll tax.
“It became unpopular, but at the time it was popular because it was getting rid of the old unfair rates system. Margaret was insisting, and I agreed with her, that it was important in local government that everybody should make a contribution. It was a ready reckoner and would enable them to hold their councillors to account.”
The poll tax was introduced in
Podcast preview
1990 but didn’t last long. Its repeal was announced in 1991 and replaced by the current Council Tax system in 1993.
Chope admitted that being the opposition party is “gruelling, unrewarding” work.
“But it’s a time to take stock, prepare and reexamine your policies, work out where you went wrong and how you’re going to win back the support of the public.”
And would he join Reform?
“Not in the least. But I would like to see the right unite. I’m very pleased there’s an increasing confluence of the policies of the Conservative Party and Reform. That could be the foundations for us working together at the next General Election.”
To learn more about the local MP, including his thoughts on the 2024 General Election, tune in to the latest episode of the podcast. Search for Your Voice | Dorset Podcast online or watch the interview on dorsetview. co.uk/podcast and youtube.com/@dorset_ view. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great interviews and videos.
Sir Christopher Chope, right, with interviewer Marilyn Barber
The magic of Malta
Imagine escaping from the everyday, boarding a direct flight from Bournemouth, and in just a few hours stepping into Malta’s world of sunshine and dazzling blue seas. We did exactly that and enjoyed a five-night winter break discovering all that Malta has to offer. Malta bathes in more than 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a perfect destination for winter sun seekers. With hot, dry summers and mild winters, outdoor activities and al fresco dining are always on the menu. Malta has a vibrant dining scene with seven Michelin-starred restaurants and is brimming with vibrant nightlife and history. There are regular flights from Bournemouth Airport, which make it easy to stay for a few nights or a longer stay. We stayed in St Julian’s, with its sweeping seafront promenade and marina. Spinola Bay is a great place to start the day with a coffee — it offers boutique shops and waterfront dining. It is easy to get to Malta’s capital city,
Valletta, from St Julian’s, either by taxi or local bus; it’s just a short drive away. Thanks to its compact size and variety of attractions, Valletta is a perfect destination for a short stay. This unique UNESCO World Heritage city is ideal for exploring on foot. Whether you’re wandering its cobbled streets, gazing at its iconic fortified walls, or soaking up the view of Grand Harbour — often celebrated as one of the world’s most stunning natural harbours, where superyachts bob alongside colourful fishing boats — every corner has something to wow you.
Highlights of Valletta include St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barrakka Gardens with harbour views, and museums telling Malta’s rich, layered history.
Chartering a private boat for a day’s sailing is a perfect way to discover hidden coves and the Blue Lagoon’s turquoise waters on nearby Comino Island.
For those seeking adventure, Malta’s coastline offers world-class snorkelling, diving
St Julian’s boasts a sweeping seafront promenade
and sea kayaking. Explore ancient underwater wrecks or paddle into secret caves, with expert guides available for every level of experience.
Malta may be small, but it’s packed with unforgettable travel experiences. From its rich history as a trading hub to its vibrant culture today, Malta connects visitors to stunning landscapes, historic sites and unique adventures. Whether you are exploring ancient temples or relaxing by crystal-clear waters, I found this island to be a very special place and would love to return.
Putting together a seamless Maltese escape is all about the personal touches, from arranging VIP airport transfers and exclusive guided tours to recommending characterful boutique stays or five-star resorts. Please contact me if you would like to know more about a holiday to Malta, or if you would like help with any other travel plans.
Travellers’ tips
• Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
• If you are planning to hire a car it’s best to book in advance, especially during the busy months of July and August.
• Schedule a private walking tour of Valletta to uncover its palazzos, museums, and charming cafes.
www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen
SALLY PULLEN TRAVEL COUNSELLOR
Sally Pullen in Malta
Valletta’s historic streets
Malta enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year
Your chance to win a copy of ‘Paws in the Flood’
This magazine’s former editor, Janine Pulford, has written a brandnew book.
‘Paws in the Flood’ is a whodunnit from a dog’s point of view, aimed at age group 9–99. You can read an exciting extract from the first chapter on pages 54–55.
To celebrate the book’s release, we are giving readers the chance to win their very own copy to treasure at home.
For your chance to win one copy of the book, all you have to do is read the opening extract and answer the following question: What is the name of the dog detective in ‘Paws in the Flood’?
Simply send an email with the subject line ‘Paws’, the answer and your contact details to competition@themudefordmag.co.uk. One correct entry will be chosen at random as the winner.
The competition closes on 31 March 2026. If you can’t wait to find out the result of the competition, ‘Paws in the Flood’ is also available to buy from Amazon for £7.99.
The lighthouse tour –back where we began
By Keith Morton | Association of Lighthouse Keepers | alkhurst@gmail.com
I trust that all readers have enjoyed the lighthouse tour through the regular articles that have appeared in this magazine.
It all started back in 2016, some 10 years ago, when the then-editor, Julie Smith, found my number and gave me a call to ask if I would be interested in producing a regular article for the journal. Previously, I had been the Hon Secretary of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers, better known as the ALK, and was then the project manager for an ALK Lighthouse Museum based in Hurst Castle. So, Julie’s idea was ideal, as it would be a great way of promoting the ALK, and I readily agreed to draft a regular article.
Looking through my records, I see that I have produced 117 articles, of which some 90 were about individual lighthouses and the other 27 related to the Lighthouse Museum, describing it as it was progressing. The idea of the tour was that it would start at Hurst Castle, go around the Isle of Wight, before proceeding in a westerly direction and writing about each lighthouse in that order. When I reached Land’s End, I jumped to the Channel Islands and then back to the mainland to continue up the west coast. The tour started to circumnavigate Wales, firstly along the south coast and then up the west coast. Then it was up the west coast of England until we reached the border with Scotland, a quick jump across to the east coast proceeding southwards, and finally along the south coast of England, back to Hurst Castle. It has been an interesting task. I do not profess to know everything about every lighthouse, so each lighthouse for each article had to be researched. I found the result to be fascinating
and increased my knowledge. Most of the lighthouses covered in my articles I have visited and, where possible, I have climbed them.
The Lighthouse Museum in Hurst Castle is still there for you to go to and enjoy. It is closed in the winter months but will be open again from Easter. To get there, travel to Keyhaven near Milford on Sea where you can park. Just around the corner, follow the signs, and you can catch a ferry that will take you to the end of the shingle spit where you can buy a ticket to enter the castle. Once in the castle, the Lighthouse Museum is free.
Perhaps the best day to visit is on Mondays when members of the ALK will be there keeping the museum up to date. They will be able to explain what all the artifacts are, what they were used for, and where they came from.
To check for a good day to visit, contact Dinah le May at hurst@alk.org.uk.
Keith at Hurst Castle with Hurst Point Lighthouse
Sudoku
RNLI Mudeford Fundraising Crew Newsletter
Without feeling that we repeat ourselves on this page, once again we would like to extend our thanks to members of the community as well as our volunteers for their support and commitment to helping Mudeford Lifeboat Station to keep saving lives at sea.
We would like to recognise two of our long-standing Fundraising Crew who are stepping down from formal roles but will still be remaining active in supporting RNLI activities: Cathy Jesse and Robin Pellatt.
Also, a special mention to Kirsty of Anode Fitness for running a successful charity fitnessa-thon that raised over £1,753 (see photo above). We look forward to welcoming you all at one of our many events in 2026.
Join us
For more information on our events or monthly meetings, please contact our chair, Adele, at adele.orr.63@gmail.com.
We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers for our fundraising team. We meet at 2.15pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Stanpit Village Hall.
Bringing light to Dorset’s most vulnerable families
By Julia’s House
Julia’s House is your local children’s hospice, giving children with life-limiting and complex conditions and their families a chance to have magical moments and memories.
Our nurses and carers bring clinical care, fun, laughter and compassion to the children they support at our hospices or in the comfort of their own homes. And we give exhausted parents a much-needed break from around-the-clock care, with the peace of mind that their child is in safe hands. We help families make the most of every day. Families just like the Kotzes and their daughter, Skye.
Helping Skye shine
“The support Julia’s House has given us has been phenomenal — not just for Skye, but for our whole family,” explained Sophie Kotze, Skye’s mum.
“For her dad, Kyle, and me, it gives us precious time together and with Skye’s brothers. The nurses just get it — they’re a shoulder to cry on and they celebrate every little win with you.”
For Sophie and Kyle, the world changed overnight when their daughter Skye, then aged just three, suddenly lost the ability to walk, talk, or even hold her head up. Skye was struck by a rare, unnamed degenerative condition. Despite countless hospital tests, doctors couldn’t find a cause. But just as hope seemed lost, Julia’s House stepped in.
At first, the word ‘hospice’ filled Skye’s family with fear: “We thought it would be all about death. But when we walked in, there was laughter, colour, and children playing. It was full of life,” Sophie said.
Kyle
Julia’s House began supporting Skye and her family with regular respite sessions, sibling support for her brothers, and emotional and practical help for Sophie and Kyle.
A glimmer of hope
In 2024, Skye began experimental treatment. Miraculously, her speech started to return, and one day, she was singing again. “It felt like I was getting my little girl back,” Sophie said.
Now aged five, Skye is learning phonics at school, using her walker, and even dancing at home. But the future remains uncertain, as her treatment has ended and doctors don’t know what lies ahead.
Grateful for the support they’ve received, Skye’s family is determined to give back and help Julia’s House continue its vital work.
Most recently, Skye and her family were the stars of the Julia’s House Christmas Appeal, helping us to raise £65,000. With only eight per cent of the hospice’s ongoing funding coming from the government, we rely almost entirely on public donations.
Your support can help children like Skye enjoy the magic of Christmas all year round, while their families find comfort and hope. To donate, visit juliashouse.org/Skye or call 01202 644220. Your gift could help Skye — and families just like hers — shine through their darkest days.
Through the Windows of an Ordinary House: A History of England
by Ian Mortimer, hardback £18
This book tells the story of Mearsdon, a house on the edge of Dartmoor, and the documentary record of all the owners who lived there since the 1260s. Blending the broadest national history and the most intimate local events with a description of changing daily life from the Norman Conquest to the present day, Mortimer acquaints us with the people who passed through the house, from its first known owner, John the Palmer, to the folklore collector Charlie Laycock, who turned the house into a museum in the early 20th century, to Mortimer’s family living there today. Seeing through its windows, we not only glimpse at the people who lived in the house over the ages; we also see through their eyes as they look out at the changing world around them.
Cozy Cat Club and Good Dog Club
1000-piece family jigsaw puzzles
£17.99 each
We have lots of choice of jigsaws in our dedicated jigsaw room, but these two new designs really caught my eye and are sure to be firm family favourites. Available from March.
Hooked by Asako Yuzuki, paperback £14.99 From Asako Yuzuki, the award-winning author of the global bestselling sensation ‘Butter’, comes an unmissable new novel of friendship and dangerous obsession. Eriko’s life appears perfect: devoted parents, a spotless apartment and a job in the seafood division of one of Japan’s largest trading companies. Her latest project, to reintroduce the controversial Nile perch fish into the Japanese market, is characteristically ambitious. But beneath her flawless surface she is wracked by loneliness. Eriko becomes fascinated with a popular blog written by a housewife, Shoko. Shoko’s posts about eating convenience store food and her untidy home are the opposite of the typical Japanese housewife’s manicured lifestyle. A delicious exploration of food, loneliness and womanhood in contemporary Japan, ‘Hooked’ brings together all the ingredients for which Asako Yuzuki is so adored.
Why not pop into the shop to have a browse and see lots of great book ideas for adults and children? Contact us on 01202 418403, email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or find us on social media @bh6booksandhome to place orders and discover all that we have to offer at BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QU.
Short Story
Meet Max Nowza, dog detective
It’s been two years since Dorset author, Janine Pulford, made a New Year’s resolution to get her seventh novel into print. She is now delighted to announce the release of ‘Paws in the Flood’.
Meet Max Nowza, the big-hearted dog detective with a loyalty to his owner that could easily bring you to tears, and just as easily make you laugh out loud.
When Max’s lead-meister, Adorable, is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, the investigative pooch must take matters into his own four paws.
With his unkempt beard, large eyebrows and coarse grey, straggly coat, he’s such an unlikely
detective, will anyone take him seriously? Not DI Roughly, that’s for sure, but Max knows every paw print on his patch, and the scruffy dog with a nose for justice is straight on the case.
This cosy crime novel is written in Max’s viewpoint and will enable readers aged from 9 to over 99 to get right inside his head. His chumdogs also spring into life as he recalls events that led up to the case of ‘Paws in the Flood’.
This hero of the dog world will live in your mind long after you put the book down. Barky joy! Here is the opening of Chapter 1:
Paws in the Flood
by Janine Pulford
Max Nowza, with a hooter the size of a beef shin, signing in.
When out for my walk one morning, I made a terrible discovery, and that’s a hard thing to do in the little village of Chiddle-pon-Piddle where I live.
My lead-meister, Adorable, and I were in the Dorset woodland leading to the river when a stag sprang out of the undergrowth right in front of us. Before Adorable could stop me, I was off.
The deer’s musky smell flew up my hooter and my heart knocked wildly in my chest as I charged after it, but the faster I ran, the faster he went. Even with my ears streaming back and my nose cutting the air like a dagger, I lost ground.
The scent got weaker and weaker then, bowser-wowser, it disappeared!
I skidded to a stop and found myself paw deep in flood water. The river was much wider than usual and bowl me over with a dock leaf, the stag was swimming across it with only his head and antlers sticking up. When he got to the far side, he hauled himself out and swaggered off, flashing
his white bum in a victory wave. He knew the river was too deep and fast for me to cross.
In the next second, the strong tang of our top dog-walking friend hit me like a fly swat, but where was he, and where were his spaniels?
I stalked up and down the bank, noticing the smell was stronger at a huge tree that had fallen into the water. Its roots stuck out of the ground in an earthy lump, and some of the branches had sunk into the middle of the swollen river. After taking a few long sniffs, I saw my besties’ lead-meister caught in the branches and he was in big trouble.
Without thinking, I clambered up the roots onto the tree’s slippery trunk and edged along as the water flowed noisily below. If I lost my claw-hold, I’d be washed away.
When my front paws slid, I thought my time was up, so I kept still to recover before crawling on my belly into the branches.
Thank muttness they were sturdy, and I leaned into them for safety, peering through my hairy eyebrows at a pale face I barely recognised.
‘Max,’ he said weakly. His dark hair straggled into sunken eyes that could hardly stay open. ‘Help me, Max.’
He was fading and there was nothing I could do. The way he was wedged in the branches kept him from drowning. If I tried to pull him free, he’d be washed away. I had to get Adorable and quickly, so I let rip with a volley of short, sharp barks. And where were my bestie chumdogs? There was not even a whiff of them.
I woofed and barked and barked and woofed until my throat hurt.
When Adorable found me, it took a while for her to work out what the problem was. Lead-meisters can be slow at understanding dog barks and to begin with, she thought I was stuck. Then she saw Joe.
‘Oh no!’ she cried, and her cheery face lost all its colour.
To find out what happens next, visit Amazon.co.uk and purchase your own copy of ‘Paws in the Flood’. It costs £7.99 in paperback. ISBN 978-0955502255. There is currently no e-book version.
By Revd Sandra Prudom, Christchurch Community Partnership chief executive
We waved goodbye to 2025 with another hugely successful Christmas Day Community Lunch with 50+ attendees who would otherwise have spent Christmas day on their own. A delicious traditional two-course Christmas dinner was provided, along with entertainment, transport and a visit from Santa — at no charge — thanks to our wonderful volunteers and the SNG Winter Wishes Fund.
Huge thanks go to Sarah, Paul and Laura who were our wonderful catering team as well as the volunteer team who assisted with set-up and peeling tons of veggies on Christmas Eve.
We were also thrilled to have live entertainment, both from our own Karen Hollocks, who played throughout lunch, and Bee Chumley, who then got our guests up and dancing in the aisle to work off all those calories!
Dancing in the aisle
Bee Chumley
Karen Hollocks
Sandra and Karen Kevin, Kirsty and Sarah
Sarah and Laura
Finding the spring in your step
By Kat Amey, life coach
The festive season is over, Blue Monday has passed and the noise around getting started with your 2026 goals has eased, so why do we still feel like hibernating?
There’s a narrative I keep hearing that February is the most disliked month in the UK. I even found an article on The Guardian website stating that February was the “cruellest month”!
Admittedly, this is my first February and March in the UK for eight years, after I moved back here from Thailand last April — yes, I know, life is hard!
I’ve been giving some thought to how I can best navigate this time of year and ultimately find the spring in
my step before spring arrives.
First, I can find comfort in knowing that we are over the winter hump. Spring means lighter, warmer days are on their way.
Second, now the New Year noise has died down, I’m taking some time to create intentions and goals for the year ahead and mapping out the first steps I need to take. This is the preparation phase. I know my spring energy isn’t quite here yet, but I also know that in this slower phase, the groundwork can begin.
Third, I’m focusing on the micro moments of joy, such as the beautiful sunsets that are becoming later and later; the early signs of spring that
are appearing in nature; and the satisfaction of a quiet walk along the beach before the summer crowds arrive — plus lots of parking spaces! These may not be Instagram-worthy, but they are the moments that shift how these months feel.
If you’d like to explore this further, here are some journalling questions to help you find that spring in your step:
• What am I putting off until spring that I can start now?
• Where is the excitement in my life right now?
• What small ritual could make February and March brighter?
One thing I often ask my clients to create alongside these reflections is a JOY list — a list of simple things that bring a feeling of joy. When life feels challenging, or perhaps your energy is nearing empty, this is a perfect way to receive a quick boost of happiness by doing something you love. How about giving this a go too?
Enjoy this time of year. And if you have any tips for coping with the “cruellest month”, then I’d love to hear them! You’ll find my details below.
Crafty Beer Boy
By Ryan Perry
From grey skies to sunshine pours with Vibrant Forest Pupa Pale Ale
February and March can be a funny old time. Those lingering grey skies, chilly evenings, and the dark months still hanging over us. We all need a bit of sunshine… and luckily this sunshine comes conveniently packaged in a can.
So, while you’re cocooned in your blanket waiting for the first hints of spring, there’s a beer ready to help you emerge like a hop-thirsty butterfly and remind you of brighter things to come.
Introducing the legendary Pupa, an absolute juice bomb of a pale ale from Vibrant Forest, brewed in Hardley in the New Forest. This hop-forward little beauty is a mash-up of two American pale ale styles — think West Coast meets East Coast.
The moment you start pouring, a tropical aroma hits the nose like a Caribbean carnival, flamboyant and ready to party, with a fruity blast of prominent pineapple and a light citrus ensemble. And the colour, wow! It’s like you’ve trapped the sun itself. Hazy, unfiltered, mellow yellow, and glowing like soft rays of sunshine. The wheat adds a cheeky little head, fluffy like a passing cloud.
Your taste buds will be practically sprinting towards the glass, and trust me, they won’t be disappointed. The taste… bosh!
First, the East Coast flavours come in swinging with punchy, juicy tropical notes of pineapple, mango and peach. Then comes the follow-up: those classic West Coast waves of resinous pine and grapefruit bitterness, lingering beautifully. It’s a marriage of two styles that just works, bringing a wonderful balance.
On the tongue, there’s a playful tingle of bubbles, yet the whole thing feels smooth and creamy thanks to the oats. It’s a proper allrounder, and at 4.5 per cent, it’s undeniably session-able. You may well be tempted to crack open another… don’t worry, no one’s looking.
Now, I’m passionate about pairing beautiful
beers with delicious food, and an American pale ale is ridiculously versatile. Try it with a juicy cheeseburger — the citrusy bitterness slices through the fat perfectly. For a veggie twist, a mushroom burger works a treat. The beer cuts through the umami for a balanced bite, with that welcome fizz cleansing the palate.
And for the sweet-toothed among us, try it with a naughty slice of carrot cake. The tropical notes play well with the sweetness of the carrot, while the hops’ piney fruitiness complements the nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon spices, and the smooth, creamy mouthfeel mirrors that moist crumb and silky cream cheese frosting. Absolutely smashing stuff!
This is genuinely one of my favourite beers. It’s the kind of brew that puts an instant smile on your face. A cheery beer, a sunshine-in-acan beer. The sort that makes you want to whip out a Hawaiian shirt and pretend it’s July, even when it’s an icy two degrees outside.
Now you’re probably wondering: “Where do I get this legendary beer? I want a taste of the sunshine!”
You can pick some up from the Vibrant Forest taproom and website, or more locally at Stewarts Garden Centre. Give it a go for an upbeat weekend treat. Let’s give it a cheers! For more from Crafty Beer Boy, visit tiktok.com/@craftybeerboy.
Glider retrieval
By Friends of the New Forest Airfields (FONFA)
One of the lesser-known activities at Ibsley Airfield in the Second World War was the training of pilots by Army Co-operation Command and the Glider Pilot Regiment in the ‘glider snatch technique’.
This was a method designed to rescue wounded personnel for medical evacuation from rough fields which were unsuitable for Dakota landings, as well as retrieving gliders that were still airworthy after a mission.
This was a hazardous technique that involved a C47 Dakota flying at only 25 feet or less above the ground with a hook trailing from its fuselage. The hook was designed to snag a nylon loop suspended between two poles, which was connected to a waiting glider. As the hook caught the loop, the Dakota would climb away, pulling the glider off the ground, rapidly accelerating from zero
to over 120mph in around seven seconds. The system was used effectively in Burma, where injured personnel could be snatched out of the jungle and delivered to hospital in about two hours, whereas an ambulance extraction could take months.
Further information on Ibsley and the other New Forest Airfields can be found at fonfa.co.uk.
Photograph courtesy of John Leverseley
Hop on over to unique toad photo gallery
Rangers at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest have teamed up with Ringwood and Poulner Toad Patrol to stage a free, outdoor photo gallery titled ‘Amphibians Are Friends — A Tale of Toad Patrol’.
On display from January until 12 July at Moors Valley, with a launch event on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, the gallery is the brainchild of Louis Pulford, a keen local wildlife photographer, regular volunteer with the patrol, and this magazine’s lead designer.
“There’s a common misconception that toads are ugly, but in fact they’re really beautiful,” said Louis. “I like to take a few seconds to get close-up pictures of them when
I’m out on patrol, and it’s a privilege to be able to share them with other people who love and want to protect wildlife.”
The display features 12 super-size posters showcasing dramatic photos of toads and other amphibians.
Toad Patrol volunteers help to save the lives of migrating toads as they cross a busy rural road just north of Ringwood
during their breeding season.
Nicola Yorke, who runs the patrol, said: “We’re so happy to have this opportunity to tell people a bit more about the importance of toads. Very sadly, amphibians are in decline across the UK.”
The gallery is free to visit. Moors Valley does not charge admission per person, but vehicle charges apply.
Eel-y fantastic pass reconnects vital habitat in New Forest
A new eel pass has been created in the New Forest to help one of the UK’s most enigmatic and critically endangered species.
The work, carried out by Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT), has transformed what was previously an impassable ditch into a vital migration route for eels and other aquatic life.
The eel pass consists of two six-metrelong pipes beneath an access track on an estate in the east of the New Forest. This has created a safe pathway for young eels (elvers) to move upstream. It also better supports varying water flows and is less prone to becoming clogged with leaves or sediment.
The pipes have been modified with a resin and shingle lining to provide enough grip to allow elvers to wriggle upstream to safer and more suitable habitats.
The area previously experienced erosion, leading to water spilling over and sediment entering the stream, which caused difficulties for fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants.
However, the transformation means the site now forms a small but crucial part of the wider habitat network needed to support eels.
These remarkable creatures travel thousands of miles every year from the Sargasso Sea in
the North Atlantic Ocean to UK rivers and streams. Unfortunately, barriers such as weirs and culverts, along with disconnection from floodplains, can make their journey impossible.
The work carried out by FHT is part of the New Forest National Park Authority-led Species Survival Fund (SSF) project, which aims to halt species decline and expand habitats for wildlife across the Forest and beyond its boundary.
A key aim of the £1.3million SSF project is to restore freshwater connectivity and improve breeding and feeding conditions for priority species around the New Forest.
Ponds have been created, streams restored, and advice given to landowners by FHT to help protect, improve and expand the freshwater landscape, as well as to address climate change pressures.
FHT is working alongside Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Wild New Forest, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association to boost nature recovery around the New Forest. The project is funded by the government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
THINKING OF GETTING A NEW PUPPY? HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD BREEDER
By Dan May, vet at Priory Vets and Labrador breeder
Bringing home a puppy should be one of life’s happiest moments. As a vet with 17 years’ experience caring for pets — and as a breeder myself — I’ve seen firsthand how a puppy’s start in life shapes their health and temperament for years to come. Here’s what I look for — and what I expect — from any responsible breeder.
Health first
A responsible breeder prioritises the health of their dog and the breed, so they will have completed all breed-appropriate health tests for their dogs and should be happy to show you the results. These can vary, dependent on the breed; for example, my Labrador has had her hips, elbows and eyes checked, and all recommended genetic tests carried out. I will only pair her with a stud dog who has undergone the same rigorous health checks. I also ensure the breeding coefficient is low, which means there is minimal inbreeding. I would expect all responsible breeders to understand the health checks required for their dogs.
Meet the family
You should always meet at least the mum of any puppies who you are considering, and be able to see dad’s details too. Spending time with the mother tells you a lot about the pup’s likely temperament and the care the pups are receiving. Avoid any situation where viewing is rushed, offsite, or discouraged.
Visit
responsibly
Puppies need a safe, calm environment. For my pups, we arrange visits from four weeks — when it’s safe for the pups — and at six weeks we focus on matching the right puppy to the right home. Red flags to avoid
• Never buy from a car park, lay-by, or “meeting point”.
• Be wary of multiple litters at the same place with little knowledge of each puppy’s background.
• No mum or relevant paperwork.
A partnership, not a transaction
If you’re thinking about a new puppy, do your homework and choose a breeder who cares as much about your dog’s future as you do. The right beginning sets up a lifetime of wagging tails and happy walks on the beach!
Night driving advice
Many motorists dislike driving at night, and for good reason. Department of Transport data shows that around 40 per cent of road traffic accidents occur after dark, despite lighter traffic, while research by consumer group Which found 76 per cent of drivers worry about accidents caused by dazzling headlights. Fatigue adds further danger: the road safety charity Brake warns that driving tired can be as risky as drink-driving.
Churchill Insurance offers tips for safer night driving. Prepare your car: ensure all lights, signals, and windows are clean and functioning. Be mindful of others: adjust
headlights so they aren’t too high, set mirrors to anti-dazzle, and consider anti-reflective lenses if you wear glasses.
Hold your course: if oncoming lights dazzle you, look to the left road edge for guidance.
Drive cautiously: reduce speed and increase following distances, as judging other vehicles’ speed and distance is harder at night.
Rest and refresh: take regular breaks for snacks and exercise. If you’re too tired, stop somewhere safe for a power nap — a service station or town, never a motorway hard shoulder. Proper preparation, attention, and rest can make
night driving much safer for you and others on the road.
Robert Louis Stevenson in Bournemouth
By Denise Hanrahan Wells
Robert Louis Stevenson was only 44 years old when he died, yet during his short life he produced many works of literature and lived in several places. He was born in Edinburgh in 1850 and died in Samoa in 1894. In between, he lived in London, the French Riviera, Fontainebleau, Belgium, California, Bournemouth, New York State, and Hawaii. Yes, that’s right — he lived in Bournemouth for three years. Bouts of ill health dogged him throughout his life, and this is how he ended up in Bournemouth in 1884, which had become a popular health destination by the late 19th century. Rather than returning to the less temperate climate of Scotland, which had worsened
his health on many previous occasions, the Stevenson family found a house in Westbourne. They immediately put their stamp on the place by changing its name to ‘Skerryvore’, after the Skerryvore lighthouse built by the family on the Argyll coast.
However, Stevenson saw no improvement in his health and described his life at Skerryvore as like “a weevil in a biscuit.” He was forced to endure long bouts of bed rest, and yet this was one of his most productive periods, when he wrote some of his best-known works and several short stories.
In 1886, both ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ and ‘Kidnapped’ emerged from his pen, but surprisingly, both these works are evocative of other places. Indeed, none of his work seems to bear any evidence of Bournemouth, which may indicate his feelings about his sojourn.
Not all was negative for Stevenson, though, as he became a prominent figure in the social scene. Writer Henry James was a frequent visitor, as was artist John Singer Sargent, who painted an intriguing portrait of the Stevensons. Sir Percy Florence and Lady Jane Shelley, son and daughter-in-law of Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, lived nearby. They
gave him plenty of attention, with Lady Jane likening him to Shelley senior. This may well have been due to Stevenson’s romanticised persona of the suffering, tortured genius, doomed to die young. According to biographer Claire Harman, Stevenson was flattered by the attention and agreed to pose wearing a cape for Sir Percy, who was a keen photographer. Following the death of his father in 1887, the Stevensons decided to set off and tour the South Seas, not realising they would never return to Skerryvore. And what of Skerryvore? Sadly, it was destroyed during the Second World War by enemy bombers on 16 November 1940. The remaining brickwork reveals the layout of the ground floor, and there is a monument inspired by the original Skerryvore lighthouse. The memorial stone reveals the garden was designed and constructed by the former Bournemouth Corporation in 1957. Nearby, there is R L Stevenson Avenue. Although Stevenson did not receive the health cure he so eagerly sought, his time at Skerryvore will be remembered.
You can read the full version of this article on Denise’s blog at literarylikes.co.uk.
Owners of the beach huts at Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head — which are some of the most expensive in the UK — will soon have to pay full second home Council Tax.
Historically, the huts enjoyed a 50 per cent Council Tax discount.
However, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole (BCP) Council argue that the huts should be defined as holiday homes. As a result, from 1 April 2026, the huts will be classified as Class A second homes and be subject to full Council Tax.
Council Tax has not yet been set for 2026/27, but based on 2025/26 charges for a band A property and removing the 50 per cent discount, owners will
see their bills increase by just over £60 per month and pay £1,503 per year.
This change will generate an additional £211,000 for the council.
Just over 340 beach huts will be affected by this change, with 231 owned by nonresidents of the BCP Council area. All huts are in the lowest Council Tax band A.
Cllr Mike Cox, Cabinet member for Finance said: “As a result of severe financial pressure, the council must use all levers at its disposal to raise funds to protect essential services important to our residents.
“Beach huts on Mudeford Spit often sell for between £400,000 and £575,000.”
Looking for a chat?
If you’re still feeling the winter blues, why not join The Chitter Chatter Club?
Founded by Anne Anderson in January 2022, The Chitter Chatter Club aims to help people who feel isolated in their community or are experiencing loneliness.
Chitter Chatter Clubs and Brew Crews are volunteer-run and held in pubs, cafes and care homes across Dorset for people to come together and connect. There are now dozens of weekly clubs held across Dorset, as far as Dorchester and Weymouth.
Locally, there is a Chitter Chatter Club held every Thursday at The Oaks in Highcliffe from 2.30pm to 4pm, and Arcado Lounge in Christchurch’s High Street every Tuesday from 2.30pm to 4pm. These groups are free of charge, but donations are welcome.
Last year, the club was shortlisted for a National Charity Today Award and was highly
commended at the awards ceremony for its significant impact on individuals struggling with loneliness. In
July 2025, club founder Anne also received a prize from the Social Care Institute for Excellence for her work. She said: “I believe we’ve found one of many ways to help people recover from loneliness and isolation, by planting hope and reaching out worldwide.
“In just three years, 4,800 people in Dorset have benefitted, with 73 per cent reporting better confidence, mental health, safety, and connection to services, all from volunteers simply saying hi, being friendly, graceful and empathetic.”
To find out more about The Chitter Chatter Club or to sign up to a free newsletter, visit thechitterchatterclub.co.uk, call 07986 323789 or email thechitterchatterclub@gmail.com.
