New Forest Living Jul - Aug 2024

Private GP 

Committed Expert to Medical medical Excellence, care at Dedicated a time to to suit Your youWellbeing 

A A PRIVATE GP GP SERVICE FOR THOSE AGED 18 OR YEARS OVER, AND 

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SALISBURY, BASED AT THE 

OVER. WE ARE BASED AT THE HIGHLY RESPECTED 

HIGHLY RESPECT NEW HALL HOSPITAL. 

NEW HALL HOSPITAL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SALISBURY 

Open Monday - Saturday for face to face, telephone 

Same-day appointments or video available. appointments. To book an appointment, 

please visit our website TESTIMONIALS: 

www.thegrosvenorpractice.co.uk 

or call “Excellent our 24 GP hour practice, telephone highly recommend. booking line Very on professional, 

01722 703899 

holistic and caring approach. Seen promptly, listened to, not 

Book a face to face, rushed, video and or reassured.” telephone appointment 

“Highly with recommend one of our The experienced Grosvenor Practice. GPs today. Warm and 

welcoming. The doctor dealt with my problems with such efficacy, 

giving Appointments time and understanding.” 

available: 

Monday to Thursday 

GENERAL AND SPECIALIST GP 

SERVICES Fridays INCLUDING: 

Saturdays 

Mole mapping and Skin assessment 

Menopause and Women’s health 

Bloods tests 

Joint Injections 

MOT health Checks 

8:30am – 8:00pm 

8:30am – 5:00pm 

9:00am – 12:30pm 

Partners: Dr Felicity Groom, 

Dr Davina Woodward & Dr Rupert Pemsel 

The Grosvenor Practice LLP 

Email: reception@thegrosvenorpractice.co.uk 

Website: www.thegrosvenorpractice.co.uk 

New Hall Hospital, 

Bodenham, 

Salisbury SP5 4EW 

The Grosvenor Practice 

New Hall Hospital 

Bodenham 

Salisbury, SP5 4EW 

Tel: 01722 703899

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

22 

PHIL VICKERY AND HIS RECIPE 

Welcome to the high summer 

edition of your fave local 

lifestyle magazine! 

As the days stretch longer 

and some sunshine finally 

makes an appearance (I 

swear I have webbed feet 

by now), it’s time to embrace 

the season’s vibrant energy. 

We are a nation obsessed 

with gardening, and this is no 

more true than in this edition, 

where we have a real life 

transformation to inspire you. 

If you’d like your space to be 

a little less abandoned and 

a little more Eden, hopefully 

this guide will help kick-start 

your plans for summer. 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

Speaking of gardens, we 

had a chat with multi- 

Chelsea gold medal 

winning horticulturist and 

TV Presenter Adam Frost - 

it was wonderful to get an 

insight into where his love of 

gardening began. 

GARDEN RENOVATION 

31 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Account Manager Helen Skeates 

e helen.skeates@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984494 

ADAM FROST 

40 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. 

Please recycle this copy or pass it along 

when you are finished for someone else 

to enjoy. 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be 

held liable for any loss occasioned by 

failure of an advertisement to appear, or 

any damage or inconvenience caused by 

errors, omissions and misprints. No part of 

this publication may be reproduced without 

prior permission from the publishers. 

The opinions expressed within are not 

necessarily those of the publishers. 

We also had the chance to 

catch up with the charming 

Phil Vickery, who also gave 

us a fabulous recipe to try. 

He’s utterly charming and is 

set to appear at this year’s 

Three Counties Food & Drink 

Festival. 

If you’re thinking your home 

needs a seasonal lift, we 

have a lovely piece called 

Interior Espresso, designed 

to show you smaller projects 

that can breathe new life into 

your space. 

So, kick back, relax, and 

let the sunshine guide you 

through these pages filled 

with seasonal inspiration! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

Time 

COMPETITION 

Find out more about entering our competitions online 

at minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions - join our 

Competition Club and enter over 60 comps a year for 

only £12.99! Or enter for free by post. 

All the below close on 25th August 2024 

WIN A STELLAR VERVE 

COOKWARE BUNDLE WORTH 

OVER £300! 

Want to cook more healthily this 

summer? With new cookware range, 

Stellar Verve, you can prepare your 

favourite recipes and reduce the fat 

thanks to its responsive non-stick 

technology that requires little to no oil. 

To celebrate the launch of Verve, we’ve 

teamed up with Stellar to give one lucky 

reader the chance to win a bundle of 

Stellar Verve goodies including a 26cm 

Frying Pan, 28cm Wok, 26cm Grill Pan, 

all worth over £300. 

Available at www.stellar.co.uk. 

Keyword ‘Stellar’ 

WIN A BBQ TRADITIONALIST’S 

TREAT BY CHAR-BROIL 

WORTH OVER £300 

Anyone who loves the smell and taste 

of charcoal BBQ will love the new Char- 

Broil Charcoal L. The BBQ impresses 

with its large 3,665cm2 cooking area 

and nifty features from the versatile 

charcoal bowl to side shelves with 

practical hooks for grilling utensils. In 

a stylish black design, key features 

include a temperature gauge on the lid, 

adjustable smoke stack and charcoal 

trays and an integrated bottle opener 

for keeping the chef hydrated! Charcoal 

L (£319.99 RRP) is available online and 

at garden centres nationwide. 

Keyword ‘Char-Broil BBQ’ 

WIN THE OPINEL BBQ SET 

This timeless companion, available from 

Berry Useful, comprises a 16cm steel 

bladed knife complete with a safety 

collar that locks the blade in open and 

close positions, a spatula and XL tongs 

with a grid lifting slot at the heel, making 

time at the BBQ easier! 

Available from berryuseful.co.uk 

Keyword ‘Opinel’ 

Essentials Lace B 

The Essentials Lace femin 

this season’s fashion shad 

Whether as loungewear 

dress – the understated b 

a delicate silk band, is su 

their removable pads pro 

with four hook and eye c 

lined with perforated, bre 

second skin! 

This great style also come 

even more variety to you 

their underwear to be sty 

Available from www.stud 

Sizes S/ M/L/XL 

WIN A TRUSTED BONA 

PREMIUM SPRAY MOP TO 

NURTURE FLOORS 

Bring out the beauty of wood and hard 

surface floors with the trusted Bona 

Premium cleaning system. The durable 

Premium Spray Mop and washable, 

reusable microfibre pads plus Bona’s 

water-based, low-VOC, GREENGUARD 

GOLD certified cleaning formula 

remove 99% of bacteria from your 

floors. We’ve five Bona Premium Spray 

Mops for Wood or Hard Surface Floors 

including 4L cleaning solution to win. 

Shop online at www.bona.com 

WIN THE BRAND NEW 

HOZELOCK AUTO REEL MOBILE 

AND BOKASHI COMPOSTER 

WITH KITCHEN CADDY 

Hozelock is giving away the ultimate 

gardening bundle, including the 

brand-new Auto Reel Mobile, Bokashi 

Composter and Kitchen Caddy, worth 

over £340. 

Built to cover all of your composting 

and watering needs, this bundle is the 

perfect solution to help your garden 

thrive this summer and includes 

Hozelock’s most premium hose storage 

solution. 

WIN ONE OF THREE 

UNDERWEAR SETS 

Introducing the Essentials Lace bralette 

from ANITA: comfort meets style! 

Perfect for lounging or adding a touch of 

elegance to any outfit. With adjustable 

back closures and removable pads, it 

offers a flattering fit. Plus, it’s wire-free 

and breathable, making it feel like a 

second skin! Pair with the matching 

Essentials Lace brief for the ultimate style 

and comfort combo! 

If you can’t wait to win then grab yours 

from www.studiolingerieandresort.com. 

Keyword ‘Bona’ 

Keyword ‘Hozelock’ 

Keyword ‘Anita’ 

For more informatio 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

EMBRACE SUMMER VIBES 

AT THE FURLONG IN RINGWOOD 

Discover a delightful fusion of big-name brands, 

bespoke boutiques, indulgent salons, captivating galleries, 

and quaint cafes encircling a picturesque courtyard. 

For the latest events, offers & store news visit thefurlong.co.uk 

GET BEHIND THE SCENES WITH US ON ANY OF 

OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS @FURLONGCENTRE 

FREE PARKING 

FOR 2 HOURS 

FIND US JUST OFF 

THE A31, RINGWOOD

Live well, 

yourway 

Our home visits provide total peace of mind, where you are 

safe in the knowledge that you have the company and support 

of a friendly and trusted companion. Whether your interests 

include visiting a museum, walking through one of Hampshire’s 

beautiful gardens, going for lunch or staying in to watch a film - 

we will match you with a like-minded companion to accompany 

you. Starting with our companionship service means that if you 

need extra help, there is already someone you know and trust 

to provide care and support. 

After all, we understand that your home is where you feel the 

most comfortable and the happiest. It is the place you know 

the best. If you would like to stay living comfortably at home, 

whilst sharing your interests with a like-minded person, then 

Home Instead New Forest are here to help. 

Our Care 

Home Help 

Companionship 

Personal Care 

Dementia Care 

Live in Care 

Home Instead New Forest 

5 Rashley Mews, 

Lymington, 

Hampshire, 

SO41 9AR 

01590 637250 

Clients@newforest.homeinstead.co.uk 

www.homeinstead.co.uk/new-forest 

Each Home Instead franchise is independently owned and operated. Copyright © Home Instead® 2023.

To Kiss Poster, desenio.com 

Delilah Paint, 

earthbornpaints.co.uk 

Cushion with Pad, £75, 

coloursofarley.com 

ANYDAY Trousers, 

£36, John Lewis 

Birdsong Wallpaper, 

fionahoward.com 

Elsie Stripe 

Blouse, 

£55, Monsoon 

ANYDAY Pocket Cardi, 

£34, John Lewis 

Deliberate Bag £95, 

dunelondon.com 

COLOUR BOLT 

Step into a world where joy and personality 

shines through every detail. A celebration of selfexpression 

through vibrant tones, eclectic decor 

and clothing. It’s a bold move away from the more 

mundane muted palettes that have dominated 

in the past, inviting a lively mix of colours that 

instantly infuse your space and wardrobe with 

joy, creativity and a new zest for life. Instant 

dopamine! Pair back with neutral bases. 

Orange Broderie 

Swing Dress, £24, 

George at Asda 

Lighting by pooky.com 

Garden Chair 

with Stool, 

£179, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Everyday Tiered 

Maxi Dress, £18, 

very.co.uk 

Striped 

Trousers, £54, 


Top, £14.50, 

George at Asda 

Gene Clog in 

Sand, £90, 

dunelondon.com 


Burford Rattan Dining Set, available 

with Four or Six Seats, currently £763 

off, £2,485 hauslife.co.uk 

Pair of Napkins, £28, 

avalonhome.co.uk 

ALFRESCO 

LIVING 

If you’re looking for a few new additions 

to add to your collection, we’ve pulled 

together a curated edit with everything you 

need to serve your guests in style - from 

the little details like napkins and serving 

boards to gorgeous outdoor furnishings 

that will suit the whole family. 

Set Of 4 Riviera 

Mimosa Placemats, £80, 

roseandgrey.co.uk 

Monstera Plate, £45, 

roseandgrey.co.uk 

Brisa Large Serving Bowl, 

£46.99, hauslife.co.uk 

Drinks 

Dispenser, £30, 

ellajames.co.uk 

Trendsetters 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE FASHIONS & FINDS 

Fabric by abigailborg.com 

Striped Serving Bowl, £78, 

spicerandwood.co.uk 

Candle Pair, £15, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Candlestick, £6, 

jysk.co.uk 

Lighting by lights4fun.com 


Eddie Allan 

Microsoft Certified 

M: 07894 621470 

E: eddie.allan@editsolutionsit.co.uk 

www.editsolutionsit.co.uk 

Lymington 

Afloat 

Exhibition|Festival|Events 

1000YearsofInnovation 

Celebratingtheinnovativemaritime 

historyofLymington,showcasingthe 

river'svitalroleinlocallife 

Eddie Allan 

Microsoft Certified 

 

Laptop&ComputerRepairs,SetupandMaintenance 

VirusRemovalandDataRecovery 

WiFiinstallationandConfiguration 

HomeandSiteVisits,PrinterSetup 

AdviceonnewHardware,RefurbishedPC’s&Laptops 

EdIT Solutions 

41 Meadowlands Lymington 

Hampshire SO41 9LB 

M: 07894 621470 

E: eddie.allan@editsolutionsit.co.uk 

www.editsolutionsit.co.uk 

CALLEDDIEon07894621470 

 

September-December2024 

www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk 

Withthankstoourmainsponsor 

41 Meadowlands • Lymington 

Hampshire • SO41 9LB 

Mobile: 07894 621470 

Email: eddie.allan@editsolutionsit.co.uk 

Web: www.editsolutionsit.co.uk 

 


www.blandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk 

Tearoom/ 

Giftshop 

The Full Circle 

Counselling service 

is working to deliver 

access to affordable talking 

therapy for Bournemouth 

Christchurch and Poole. 

YMCA Bournemouth believe that 

having access to mental health 

support is an important part of being 

healthy. 

Our service is for self-referring 

individuals as well as local businesses 

looking to support their staff. 

The counselling we provide is one to 

one and is delivered face to face, via 

online platforms or telephone. 

We have a team of 30 Staff, Associate 

and Volunteer counsellors all of whom 

are vetted regularly to ensure fitness 

to practice. 

Full Circle 

Counselling 

Counselling 

is available 

Monday to Friday 

8am to 7pm 

Face to face counselling 

takes place either in the 

telephone. 

centre of Bournemouth, 

Winton or Southbourne. 

Price: 

£35.00 

Displaying 200 years 

of fashion 

The Full Circle Counselling 

service is working to deliver 

access to affordable talking 

therapy for Bournemouth 

Christchurch and Poole. 

YMCA Bournemouth believe that 

having access to mental health 

support is an important part of 

being healthy. 

Our service is for self-referring 

individuals as well as local 

businesses looking to support 

their staff. 

The counselling we provide is 

one to one and is delivered face 

to face, via online platforms or 

We have a team of 30 Staff, 

Associate and Volunteer 

counsellors all of whom are 

vetted regularly to ensure 

fitness to practice. 

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 

10am - 4pm 

Adults £6.00 | U16 Free 

Full Circle 

Counselling 

See website for concessions and accessibility 

Blandford Forum DT11 7AA 

Full Circle 

Counselling 

Counselling is available Monday 

to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Face to face counselling 

takes place either in the 

centre of Bournemouth, 

Winton or Southbourne. 

Price: 

£35.00 

- ONLINE 

- TELEPHONE - ONLINE 

- FACE-TO-FACE - TELEPHONE 

- ONLINE 

Scan For an appointment Scan or for for more information 

per session for more per session 

* (50 minute duration) 

- FACE-TO-FACE 

- TELEPHONE 

more 

Telephone: details 01202 details * (50 minute duration) 830102 - FACE-TO-FACE 

For individual (please enquires leave a message for one-to-one and we will counselling get back to please you) 

For an appointment or for more informationFor an appointment or for more information 

email: 

Email: fullcirclecounselling@ymcabournemouth.org.uk 

“When you use the services of Full Circle 

www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/about/full-circle-counselling 

Counselling you are also supporting YMCA 

Telephone: 01202 * Please quote 830102 Telephone: 01202 830102 

NFL1 when contacting Full Circle Counselling Bournemouth to receive and the their discounted beneficiaries”. 

rate. 

For individual (please enquires leave a message for one-to-one and we will counselling get back to please you) email: 

Email: fullcirclecounselling@ymcabournemouth.org.uk 

“When you Email: use the fullcirclecounselling@ymcabournemouth.org.uk 

services of 


Full Circle Counselling 


you are also supporting 

* Please quote NFL1 when contacting Full Circle Counselling YMCA Bournemouth to receive the discounted and their beneficiaries”. 

rate. 

* Please quote NFL1 when contacting Full Circle Counselling to receive the discounted rate. 

“When you use the services of 

Full Circle Counselling you are also supporting 

YMCA Bournemouth and their beneficiaries”. 


BABY AND 

Beyond 

TOTTER + TUMBLE: 

Totter and Tumble playmats provide 

a safe and secure floor for many of 

your child’s milestones - from their 

first tummy time, to sitting unaided, 

to taking their first steps. These 

mats are also great for parents too, 

providing a cushioned surface for 

the many hours spent playing on 

the floor. Messy play is a must for 

children’s sensory development and 

Totter + Tumble’s wipeable playmats 

are the ideal spots for playing on. 

The beauty of the playmats are that 

at the end of the day when the kids 

have gone to bed you’re still able 

to enjoy your home without being 

met with the garish colours play 

mats so often tend to be. Starting 

from £80.00 with many designs 

to choose from. Available from: 

totterandtumble.co.uk 

MAGNET MOUSE: 

With a beautiful range of prints 

including their signature mouse 

design, and gorgeous Liberty print 

florals, Magnet Mouse clothing is 

revolutionising baby 

wear not just in 

terms of style, but 

also ease of use! 

The magnetic 

fastenings are 

perfect for quick, 

middle of the night 

changes as well 

as on the go, so 

you have can 

have more cuddles and less 

struggles. Indian Block Print Alice 

Shirt in Fresh Blue, £48, Unisex 

Mouse Babygrow Set £49.95, 

and Blue Romper Set, £45, all 

magnetmouse.co.uk 

GLOW DREAMING: 

The Glow Sleep Easy, £119.95, a 5 

in 1 sleep aid that will help create the 

perfect sleep conditions, combining 

Red LED light therapy, with organic 

Pink noise, ultrasonic Humidifier 

with optional Aromatherapy and a 

Green Light to rise. The Glow Sleep 

Easy can be app controlled from any 

room in the house and gives you 

access to their Sleep Memberships 

where you can contact their team 

for one-on-one support. Backed by 

science, engineered for sleep. For 

more information visit 

glowdreaming.co.uk 

LITTLE 

HOTDOG 

WATSON: 

Cool kids hat brand Little Hotdog 

Watson is on a mission to make 

the best kids hats in the 

whole world. They 

create high-quality, 

responsibly-made 

kidswear designed to 

give parents peace of 

mind, and are made for 

maximum adventure. 

All their Summer 

hats provide UPF50+ 

protection, have built in 

mosquito repellent and 

a keep cool fabric liner. Each hat is 

made from high quality cotton, fully 

machine washable and incorporates 

smart design technology created to 

keep young explorers comfortable 

and protected, whatever the 

weather. Starting from £30, 

littlehotdogwatson.com 

S P O T T Y 

OTTER: 

Spotty Otter, the 

renowned outdoor 

clothing brand trusted 

by parents nationwide. 

Putting the FUN back 

into Functional Kids 

outdoor gear! Designed 

to keep kids dry and 

comfortable during 

school and all their 

outdoor adventures. 

With a focus on quality, 

durability, and style, Spotty Otter’s 

range is the ultimate solution for 

parents seeking reliable protection 

against the elements. Check them 

out today at spottyotter.co.uk 

YOUR CHANCE 

TO WIN 

Win an amazing bundle featuring 

a product or selection from 

every brand on this page! Head 

to minervamagazines.co.uk/ 

competitions to find details of 

entry. Competition keyword: ‘Mega 

Baby Bundle’ 

Closes 15th July 2024. T&Cs apply. 


Expecting a baby? 

Informative, relaxed midwife-led antenatal classes. 

Preparing for birth is the biggest and most important 

investment you’ll make. Know your options, feel 

equipped and ready to meet your little one. 

❤ Practicing NHS Midwife also trained in British Sign Language 

❤ Relaxed and friendly environment 

❤ Honest and appropriate information 

❤ Open to adopting and surrogate parents - Third class 

discusses ‘once baby is here’ 

❤ Opportunity to meet new friends and develop strong 

support networks 

❤ Two weeks postnatal support 

Classes at the Bell Inn New Forest 

Call or text: 07398 992212 

www.nurturewithknowledge.co.uk 

hello@nurturewithknowledge.co.uk 

fi 

Whitley Short, BSc Hons 

Nurture with knowledge 

LYMINGTON 

Keep your 

ears happy 

with our help! 

Our experienced team of Audiologists can offer... 

FREE Hearing 

Assessments 

Hearing Aids 

Wax Removal for adults 

& children ages 5+ 

Custom Ear Plugs 

01590 673073 

1 Newington Court, Emsworth Road, 

Lymington SO41 9AW 

www.rawlingsopticians.co.uk 

lymington@rawlingsopticians.co.uk 


IT'S A GAME 

CHANGER 

BUT NOT 

FREE 

When the Chancellor 

announced his plan 

for expanding the 

childcare support for 

parents with young 

children last year, 

families across the 

country would have 

been jumping for joy. 

Some of these children who will be 

benefiting from the new places for nine 

month olds in September had not even 

been born then! 

It’s true that early education and childcare 

is very expensive, especially for our 

youngest children. This is a time when 

parents are going back to work after 

parental leave and can least afford to take 

the hit. Research has shown that many 

parents end up working just to pay for 

their child’s nursery. 

So the offer of “free” hours for their child 

is a game changer. Unfortunately it’s not 

free. It will make a big difference to family 

finances, but there will still be costs. 

The reason that childcare has been so 

expensive over the last few years in the 

UK compared with similar countries is 

because the Government contribution 

has been so low. There has only been 

some help for children once they turn 

three, unless they are from disadvantaged 

backgrounds and that’s only from age 

two. 

Unfortunately although the Government 

offers funded hours, the money they pay 

for these has never covered the actual 

costs of delivering high quality early 

education and care. When we speak to 

providers, 83% say funding rates do not 

cover their costs and at a lower rate than 

inflation. As a result of underfunding, 

early years providers have had to 

increase the cost of paid-for hours to 

make up the shortfall. 

From September, children of working 

parents aged nine months upwards 

will be entitled to 15 hours of funded 

childcare per week. This is great news 

– not just enabling parents to work but 

high quality early education and childcare 

supports children’s development, 

wellbeing and learning. 

There are catches however: 

• The 15 hours are only during 

term time – most parents work all 

year round so most providers will 

“stretch” these hours across the 

year – reducing the hours per week 

• The Government only pays for 

the actual childcare sessions, 

which does not include any meals, 

snacks, consumables or additional 

activities – so families may see 

settings make charges for these 

• Depending on the length of your 

sessions, you will need to pay for 

any additional hours you need at 

the nursery’s usual fee especially 

for early or later hours. 

National Day Nurseries Association which 

represents nurseries across England, 

Scotland and Wales recommends that 

parents speak as soon as possible to 

their local providers to find a place for 

their child. Our research showed that 

many nurseries were concerned they 

wouldn’t be able to meet demand. 

Ratios of staff to children are higher for 

our youngest children so in many cases 

they need to recruit more practitioners. 

We hope everyone who wants and needs 

these funded childcare sessions gets a 

place in their preferred local childcare 

provider. We are sure you will all feel 

the benefits but until the Government 

changes the funding system, they won’t 

be free either to you the parents or those 

who are delivering them. 

By Purnima Tanuku OBE, 

Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries 

Association (NDNA) 

www.ndna.org.uk 


NEW FOREST 

BUS ROUTES 

AVAILABLE 

BOLD 

IN EXPLORING 

YOUR 

curiosity 

PREP OPEN DAY 

TUESDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2024 9.30AM-12NOON 

SENIOR OPEN DAY 

SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2024 9.30AM-12NOON 

Bournemouth Collegiate School 

Independent co-education from ages 3-18 

@bcs_school | 01202 436550 | www.bournemouthcollegiateschool.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Talbot Heath 

Crowned Double 

World Swimming 

Champions 

Congratulations to the Talbot Heath 

Swimming Academy who secured a 

double win in last weekend’s World School 

Games Swimming Championships, at the 

London Aquatic Centre. 

Students in the Year 5/6 category were 

awarded 1st place, as were the pupils 

in the Year 9/10 category; swimmers in 

Year 7/8 category were awarded 2nd 

place. During the two day event, the 

girls participated in a variety of races, 

including Freestyle relays, Butterfly, 

Backstroke and Breaststroke. Many 

students achieved personal bests and 

each competitor improved on their 

previous performances. 

Head swimming coach, Barry Aldrick, 

praised the teams for their outstanding 

achievements: ‘The team’s collective 

efforts culminated in a remarkable 

achievement, garnering an impressive 

total of 5 Relay Medals (4 Gold, 1 

Silver) and 25 Individual Medals 

(9 Gold, 7 Silver, and 9 Bronze 

Medals). With great excitement, both 

the Junior and Senior Teams were 

crowned Female World School Games 

Swimming Championships, celebrating 

their outstanding performances and 

well-deserved victories. In a testament 

to their talent and dedication, the 

Intermediate team also achieved 

a commendable feat, finishing 

as runners-up in the prestigious 

competition, solidifying their status as 

formidable contenders in the world of 

school swimming.’ 

Headteacher, Tracy Harris, 

congratulated the teams adding: ‘This 

was a tremendous achievement and 

the school community are very proud 

of the team of staff and parents who 

supported these students to perform 

at such a high level. This is such a 

fantastic showcase of the talent and 

training.’ 

www.talbotheath.org 


SCHOOL’S Out 

Summer camps offer a myriad of benefits for children, 

providing experiences that extend beyond the 

classroom and into personal growth and development. 

For British children, summer camps serve as an ideal 

break from the routine, fostering independence, social 

skills, and a connection with nature. 

One of the primary benefits is the opportunity for 

children to develop independence. Away from the 

familiar environment of home and school, children 

learn to make decisions, solve problems, and take care 

of themselves. This sense of autonomy boosts their 

confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial for their 

overall development. 

Social skills are another significant advantage. At 

camp, children interact with peers from diverse 

backgrounds, forging new friendships and learning 

the values of teamwork and cooperation. These social 

interactions are invaluable, helping children improve 

their communication skills and learn to navigate social 

situations effectively. 

Additionally, summer camps provide a unique setting for 

children to engage with nature. In today’s digital age, it 

is vital for kids to disconnect from screens and spend 

time outdoors. Activities like hiking, canoeing, and 

archery not only keep them physically active but also 

instil a sense of appreciation for the natural world. This 

connection with nature promotes mental well-being and 

encourages a healthy lifestyle. 

Moreover, many camps offer specialised programmes 

such as art, music, science, or sports, allowing children 

to explore and develop their interests in a supportive 

environment. This can spark lifelong passions and even 

inform future career choices. 

In summary, summer camps are more than just a 

holiday; they are a valuable investment in a child’s 

personal growth, equipping them with essential life 

skills and unforgettable memories. For British families, 

these camps offer a balanced mix of fun, learning, and 

development, making them a worthwhile consideration 

for the summer break. 

Coach Holidays 

Holidays include pick up from home in Hook, Fleet, Alton 

Norfolk Explorer Mon 19th Aug Sandringham + Broads cruise 

3* Knights Hill Hotel £785 pp Double, £885 single 5 days 

Chester & Welsh Border Mon 2nd Sept 

2 boat rides + cream tea 3* The Queen Hotel, Chester 

£679 pp Double 5 days 

Isle of Wight Mon 7th Oct 

Steam train + Botanic garden + Farringford 

3* Channel View Hotel £679 pp Double, £739 single 5 days 

Blackpool Illuminations Mon 21st Oct Tower Circus + boat ride 

3* Grand Hotel £529 pp Double 4 days 

Ring for Brochure 

01252 265263 

enquiries@CandyTours.co.uk 

www.CandyTours.co.uk 


Feeding a 

CROWD 

Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a BBQ or an 

impromptu lunch, we’ve got some delicious 

recipes for you... 

RED FOX 

BREAKFAST 

TACOS 

with a cheese crust 

INGREDIENTS 

80g chorizo, diced 

(optional) 

4 small tortillas (corn or 

wheat) 

100g Belton Farm Red Fox 

cheese, grated 

4 medium eggs 

1 avocado, sliced 

Lime wedges, for serving 

Hot sauce, for serving 

(optional) 

Pink pickled onions, for 

serving (optional) 

Fresh coriander, leaves 

picked, for serving 

METHOD 

Add your chopped chorizo 

to a pan and fry until 

crispy. Set aside. 

In a frying pan on a 

medium heat, add a 

handful of grated red fox 

cheese, let bubble and 

melt. Once melted, bring 

place a tortilla on top of the 

melted cheese. Cook for a 

minute or two, then flip. 

In another frying pan fry 

the eggs until the whites 

are set but the yolk is still 

runny. 

Assemble the cheesy 

tacos, add a couple 

of avocado slices, the 

chorizo, the fried eggs 

and top with the coriander 

leaves, a couple of dabs of 

hot sauce and the pickled 

onions. Serve with lime 

wedges alongside. 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Farm Red Fox Cheese 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Farm Red Fox Cheese 

RED FOX 

CHEESE 

SAUCE 

Loaded Hotdogs 

INGREDIENTS 

2 shallots, sliced into 

rings 

100ml red wine vinegar 

100ml water 

1 tsp sugar 

1 tsp salt 

200g smoked bacon 

lardons, optional 

50g butter 

50g plain flour 

250ml of milk 

½ tbsp English mustard 

½ tbsp Turmeric 

200g of Belton Farm Red 

Fox cheese 

4 hot dog sausages 

(veggie or meat) 

4 sub rolls 

1 green chilli, finely 

sliced 

15g chives, finely 

chopped 

Crispy onions, optional 

METHOD 

Add the onion slices to 

a small bowl. Heat up 

the red wine vinegar, 

water, sugar and salt 

on a medium heat until 

simmering. Pour over the 

onion slices and put to 

one side. 

Add bacon pieces to a 

pan and fry until crispy 

and browned, for about 

10 mins, drain on kitchen 

roll and put to one side. 

Meanwhile, make the 

cheese sauce. Add 50g of 

butter for a pan on a low 

heat and allow to melt. 

Once melted, add 50g of 

plain flour and whisk until 

a paste is created. 

Turn up to a medium 

heat and add the milk. 

Whisk until all the milk 

is combined and has 

created a thick sauce 

consistency. 

Whisk in the grated Red 

Fox cheese until melted 

and combined with the 

sauce and generously 

add salt and pepper. 

Grill the hot dogs for 5-7 

minutes until browned 

and a little crispy. 

Add the sausages to 

the sub rolls. Top with a 

generous drizzle of the 

Red Fox cheese sauce. 

Finish with the bacon 

bits, quick pickled 

onions, chives, green 

chillies and crispy onions 

if using. 


CARR’S TEAR & 

SHARE BREAD 

with Tracklements 

Caramelised Onion 

Marmalade 

INGREDIENTS 

500g Carr’s Strong White Flour 

1 Jar Tracklements Onion 

Marmalade 

1 tbsp Sugar 

1 tsp Salt 

1 Packet Yeast 

100g Unsalted butter, melted 

250ml Warm Water 

150g Cheddar Cheese, finely grated 

METHOD 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the 

strong white flour, sugar, salt and 

yeast. Make a well in the centre and 

pour in the melted butter and warm 

water. Bring everything together to 

form a dough. Turn out onto a lightly 

floured surface and knead for a few 

minutes until smooth and elastic. 

Return the dough to the bowl, 

cover with a damp tea towel and 

leave to rise in a warm place for an 

hour. Once the dough has risen, 

knock out the air and turn out on a 

lightly floured surface and roll into a 

rectangle. 

Spread the onion marmalade evenly 

over the dough, top with the grated 

cheese and roll everything up. Divide 

into 8 equal portions and arrange in 

a lightly greased round tin or skillet 

pan, leaving space for growth. 

Cover loosely with cling film and 

place in a warm place for 30-35 

Recipe courtesy of ukshallot.com 

minutes to allow the dough to rise 

again. Preheat the oven to 180°C 

fan and bake the bread for 30-40 

minutes until risen, golden and the 

onion marmalade is bubbling around 

the edge. 

Allow to cool slightly before brushing 

with melted butter and topping with 

a light grating of cheese. Serve and 

enjoy straight from the pan/tin. 

GRILLED SHALLOT 

& CHICKEN 

BANH MI 

INGREDIENTS 

2 medium carrots, peeled and 

julienned 

100g radish, thinly sliced 

1 tbsp sugar 

½ tsp salt 

3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 

For the chicken: 

4 tbsp vegetable oil 

2 tbsp fish sauce 

1 tbsp oyster sauce 

½ tsp chilli flakes 

2 tsp sugar 

3 cloves of garlic, peeled 

2 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed 

2 teaspoons of lime zest 

700g boneless, skinless chicken 

thighs 

4 echalion shallots, peeled and 

quartered 

To assemble: 

1 large or 2 small French baguettes 

4 tbsp pork liver pate 

4 tbsp mayonnaise 

4 tsp hot sauce 

4 tsp soy sauce 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Carr’s 

Fresh coriander 

½ a cucumber 

METHOD 

Start by preparing the carrot and 

radish. Add the julienned carrots 

and sliced radish to a large bowl 

and toss in the sugar, salt, and 

vinegar. Set aside for 1 hour, stirring 

occasionally. 

Next prepare the marinade for the 

chicken and shallots. In the bowl of 

a food processor, add 2 tablespoons 

of the oil, the fish sauce, oyster 

sauce, chilli flakes, sugar, garlic, 

lemongrass, and lime zest. Process 

until smooth. Add to a bowl, along 

with the chicken and echalion 

shallots, and toss to coat in the 

marinade. Cover, transfer to the 

fridge, and marinate for 1-4 hours. 

Once marinated, heat the remaining 

2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying 

or griddle pan over a medium-high 

heat. Sear the chicken and shallots 

for about 5 minutes on each side, 

or until cooked through, this may 

need to be done in batches. Remove 

to a chopping board and slice the 

chicken into strips. 

Cut the baguettes to the lengths you 

want for each sandwich. Slice the 

baguette pieces length ways. 

Spread each sandwich with the 

sauces (pate, mayonnaise, soy 

sauce, and hot sauce) and then 

layer with the pickled vegetables, 

coriander, and cucumber. Top with 

the chicken and shallots and enjoy. 



HIT THE ROAD 

with Trailblazers 

We all have our fingers (and toes) 

crossed for a beautiful summer, 

and there really is no place like 

the UK when the sun is shining. 

What better way to see some 

of glittering coastlines and 

sprawling national parks, than to 

take to the road in a campervan? 

Katie Thomson hits the road... 

I’ll start by saying, I’m not a 

natural camper. My first camping 

experience was at the age of 16, 

on my bronze Duke of Edinburgh 

expedition in mid-March. This was 

where I learnt two things: one, you 

absoltely mustn’t forgot your roll 

mat (I have never been so cold in 

my life), and two, camping isn’t my 

bag. Or so I thought. 

Roll forward another 16 years and 

I was happily planning my next 

camping venture, but this time in 

the refined comfort of a campervan. 

I hired it from an indie company 

Trailblazer Campervan Hire and 

set off for a mini adventure on the 

borders of Exmoor. 

Equipped with a kitchenette, heater, 

two beds (one on the back seats, 

the other in the pop-top tent) and 

lots of other comforts, it’s compact 

enough for driving around without 

worrying about its size, but fullyeqipped 

enough to make sure you 

have everything you need. 

My two little four-legged friends 

came along for the ride, so the 

pop-up awning option was much 

needed. It was also a handy place 

to store camping chairs (and 

reserve our slot) whilst we shot 

off for the day, exploring Exmoor, 

Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. 

Home-base was the lovely 

Westermill Campsite - a working 

farm in the most bucolic of 

settings. 

If you’re planning a UK getaway, 

I can’t recommend Trailblazers 

enough. Collection is in Wiltshire, 

meaning you have the option to 

explore the south coast and south 

Wales easily. Rates start from £130 

per night, depending on the season. 

trailblazercampers.co.uk 

CAMPERVAN essentials 

Little touches to make your stay even 

more comfortable 

This hot choc is the best we’ve ever had - just 

the right balance of sweetness and rich chocolate 

flavour. 400g pouch, £6.95, hauslife.co.uk 

This ingenious sleeping bag can be 

made into two singles, or zipped 

together for a comfortable double 

- perfect for a couple sharing. Also 

available as a single which can unzip 

to create a double duvet. It’s the 

perfect thickness to cover you for 

multiple seasons, plus it’s machine 

washable with a fabric finish, 

meaning you feel as comfortable 

as your bed at home. Night Lark 

Sleeping Bag - Single Or 3-In-1 

Double £60/95, finebedding.co.uk 


EXPERIENCE THE 

GOLDEN AGE OF 

RAILWAY… 

at the Railway Hotel, 

Fordingbridge 


Immerse yourself in timeless elegance: 

Book an unforgettable stay at The Railway 

Hotel Fordingbridge, an award-winning 

boutique hotel in the New Forest 

Nestled in the picturesque town of 

Fordingbridge, the historic Railway Hotel 

captures the timeless glamour and charm 

of the golden age of rail travel. 

This seven-room award-winning boutique 

destination features a collection of 

exquisitely crafted rooms, each paying 

homage to the iconic trains that shaped 

British railway history. This New Forest 

gem offers more than just a restful stay 

for weary travellers. Guests can savour 

exquisite dining experiences and a 

vibrant events schedule, promising an 

experience so captivating, you may never 

wish to leave. 

A MEMORABLE STAY 

The Railway Hotel offers elegant 

accommodation, perfect for couples 

and families. Each of its distinct en-suite 

rooms is individually themed such as the 

Flying Scotsman room, which features 

a cosy mix of Scottish plaid, dark green 

hues, and sumptuous soft furnishings. In 

contrast, the opulent Orient Express room 

is lavishly decorated with bold colours, 

luxury fabrics, Eastern motifs and grand 

furniture. All rooms are equipped with 

home comforts, including free Wi-Fi, a 

hairdryer, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee 

making facilities, and fine cotton bed 

linen. 

STAY WITHIN 

THE WALLS OF 

FORDINGBRIDGE 

HISTORY 

For those seeking an exclusive 

retreat, why not immerse yourself 

in a slice of Fordingbridge’s rich 

history? Book a stay at the latest 

addition to the Railway Hotel – 

Breamore Station, nestled within a 

beautifully restored vintage railway 

station. This newly refurbished 

accommodation promises a 

unique experience, attracting 

guests with its ‘home from home’ 

feel. The space seamlessly blends 

traditional fabrics and a Victorian 

colour palette with modern comforts. 

Dogs are welcome too, so be sure to 

mention them when booking! 

A DINING EXPERIENCE LIKE 

NO OTHER 

Guests can enjoy unparalleled dining in 

the Railway Hotel’s First-Class Pullman 

carriage, which boasts a menu of classic, 

beloved dishes as well as seasonal 

offerings and innovative fusion creations. 

With the hotel’s prime location in the New 

Forest, diners can expect exceptional 

local produce and fresh ingredients that 

consciously minimise environmental 

impact. The Railway’s commitment to 

quality extends to its meats, all grass-fed 

and sourced directly from trusted farms 

in Hampshire or Wessex, with every cut 

meticulously hand prepared. Steak lovers 

will be particularly thrilled to discover the 

beef, chosen exclusively from Pedigree 

Dexter cattle on the Isle of Wight, is 

aged for 28 days to perfection, with an 

additional 3 days at the Railway Hotel for 

extra tenderness. 

Additionally, being close to the coast 

ensures its choice of seafood is fresh, 

arriving from boat to table within 24 hours 

and caught sustainably to guarantee 

the highest quality and respect for the 

environment. 

CHEERS TO THE SUMMER 

As the winter chill fades into memory, 

the Railway Hotel has curated a sizzling 

summer events schedule that blends 

high-quality cuisine with the joy of 

making lasting memories. Guests can 

revel in live entertainment and bespoke 

menus designed to delight the senses. 

Exclusive drink offers and special dining 

nights featuring delectable dishes from 

around the world await, all served with a 

warm welcome from the Railway Hotel’s 

talented and friendly team. 

With no two nights ever the same, there 

is always something new to experience at 

the Railway Hotel! 

WHERE TO FIND US 

Located on Station Road, The Railway 

Hotel is ideally positioned just minutes 

away from some of the country’s most 

beautiful natural landscapes including 

the New Forest National Park, Cranborne 

Chase AONB and the miles of sandy 

beaches on the south coast. 

www.railwayhotelfordingbridge.com 

116 Station Road, Fordingbridge, 

Hampshire, SP6 1DG 


A BRITISH 

STAPLE 

TV presenter and author Phil Vickery has been 

an integral part of the This Morning family for 

over 22 years and is firmly regarded as one 

of Britain’s favourite chefs. This summer, you 

can catch him at Three Counties Food & Drink 

Festival, which runs on 27th & 28th July at 

Three Counties Showground, Malvern. 

Here Sally Thomson catches up with Phil to 

have a chat about food and the delights of 

enjoying good dishes... 

THIS MORNING I WATCHED A LITTLE SHORT OF VIDEO OF 

YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER WINNIE. YOU WERE HAVING 

A CHAT ABOUT THE JOYS OF FRESH PRODUCE IN THE 

SPRINGTIME, IN PARTICULAR TALKING ABOUT ASPARAGUS, 

RASPBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES AND HOW MUCH YOU 

LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 

Jersey royals, the first salad. I love all that sort of stuff and as a 

seasoned chef, which I’ve always been, we were always taught 

fresh is best. 

SO YOU WERE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN REGIONAL, LOCAL 

PRODUCE? 

Yes, I’ve always cooked that way my whole life. There is 

something absurd about eating a raspberry from Guatemala in 

February. 

YES, I FEEL EXACTLY THE SAME AS THAT. I LIKE TO TRY AND 

GROW MY OWN PRODUCE AS WELL. I’VE GOT RASPBERRY 

CANES IN THE GARDEN WHICH I ENJOY. 

It’s nice to look forward to the first game in season: the first 

pheasant, or the first roe buck. It’s always been a priority of 

mine. 

SO DO YOU LIVE OUT IN THE WILDS? 

Yes, I live in the country. 

WELL, WE’RE VERY LUCKY. WE’VE GOT LOADS OF 

PHEASANTS IN OUR GARDEN BUT I COULDN’T DO 

ANYTHING WITH THEM. I JUST LET THEM WANDER AROUND. 

Oh, I like to eat them. Bear in mind, when I was a young chef, 

there were so many pheasants around that they were bred as 

game birds. But it’s always been very important to me that we 

cook in season. And that will never change. I was born up in 

Folkestone in Kent. I wanted to be a doctor, but my elder brother 

became a doctor, so I had to change course. I’ve always had 

sort of a fairly outdoorsy life. I’ve done a variety of things and I’m 

largely self-taught. 

YOU SPENT QUITE A LOT OF TIME IN TAUNTON, DIDN’T YOU, 

AT THE CASTLE HOTEL? 

I did. Yeah, that’s really where I made my name. I was told 

“Oh, you’re a good lad, but you probably won’t get the job at 

the Castle.” I was like, “Okay, fair enough, but I’ll help you.” 

Meanwhile I had nine very happy years there (at The Castle), and 

I was very lucky. 

SO IN TERMS OF, YOU’RE GOING TO BE DOING THE THREE 

COUNTIES, THE DRINK FESTIVAL? 

I am indeed. I love cooking outdoors. Especially if you climb 

that hill and you get the view across the whole vista up there, it’s 

sensational. It’s beautiful. I was very impressed. Plus you can 

interact with the audience a bit more, have a bit of a laugh. So I 

really enjoy it. 

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SAY WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO COOK 

THIS TIME? 

I haven’t got a clue what I’m going to cook at the moment. It’s 

probably piggies. No, it will be seasonal. It might be a bit of my 

pork, I’m not quite sure. Again, it’s what weather’s like. If the 

weather’s really hot, then I’ll do light food. If it’s a bit grim and 

overcast, then I’ll do some other stuff. 

SO WILL IT BE WITHIN A MARQUEE? 

Yes, it will be, yeah. 

SO WOULD YOU EVER LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OWN COOKERY 

PROGRAMME OR A SLOT? 

I’m happy working on This Morning. I’ve been all around the 

world on This Morning. I’ve been to... oh my goodness. I’ve 

cooked on the Indian Barrier Reef. I’ve cooked outside the 

Opera House. I’ve been all over India. I’ve been all over Namibia. 

I’ve been all over Norway. I’ve been all over Alaska. I’ve been to 

Peru. I’ve been very lucky. 

SO WHAT’S GOING TO BE YOUR GO-TO DISH FOR 

THIS EVENING? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO COOK FOR 

YOURSELF? 

This evening, I might have some Arctic char. It’s like an oily fish, 

a bit like salmon. It’s lovely. It’s a beautiful fish. It’s a freshwater 

fish out of England, but this one’s come from Norway. But they 

do have a very mild salmon flavour. Perhaps with some Jersey 

Royals and some roasted English asparagus. 

See Phil Vickery and many other top chefs at the Three Counties 

Food & Drink Festival this summer on 27th & 28th July at Three 

Counties Showground, Malvern. WR13 6NW. 

For the further information visit threecountiesfoodfestival.com 


SMOKED 

CHICKEN, 

TOMATO & 

PEA PAN PIE 

SERVES 4 

PREP 15 mins 

COOKING 40–45 mins 

No faffing about: just line an ovenproof 

frying pan with filo, bake, fill, top and 

bake again. The base is nice and crisp, 

and the filling is hearty and tasty. Pretty 

much any filling can be used, but the 

drier the fillings, the better the pie. 

INGREDIENTS 

10 sheets frozen filo pastry, roughly 

defrosted 

1 egg, beaten 

25–30g butter, melted 

4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for 

drizzling 

1 onion, finely chopped 

1 courgette, finely chopped 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

400g can chopped tomatoes in juice 

200g frozen peas 

10g beef stock cube, crumbled 

400g smoked chicken breast, roughly 

chopped 

1 teaspoon smoked paprika 

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 

(about a small bunch) 

salt and freshly ground black pepper 

green salad, to serve (optional) 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 

6. Place a few sheets of filo pastry 

in a 20cm × 3cm-deep, ovenproof, 

non-stick frying pan, brushing each 

layer with a little beaten egg and then 

melted butter. Keep any trimmings for 

the top later. 

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes to set 

the egg and pastry, then remove. 

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan 

over a high heat. Add the onion, 

courgette and garlic and cook for 10 

minutes to soften. 

Add the tomatoes, peas and stock 

cube and simmer for 12–15 minutes 

until nice and thick. Stir in the chicken 

and season well with salt and pepper. 

Spoon into the cooked filo. 

Very finely slice the rest of the filo 

pastry and place into a bowl. Drizzle 

with olive oil, sprinkle over the smoked 

paprika and chopped parsley, then 

season well. 

Recipe from Phil Vickery, The Canny Cook, Kyle 

Books (3 Feb. 2022) 

Arrange the filo on top of the filled 

pie. Pop into the oven and bake 

for a further 15 minutes until nicely 

browned. Serve with green salad, if 

you like. 


Plan your dream wedding 

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. For 

many couples, navigating the nuances of wedding planning requires a 

blend of tradition and modernity, along with careful attention to detail. 

Here are some essential tips to help you plan your perfect day. 

Planning a wedding can be an exciting 

yet overwhelming experience. For 

many couples, navigating the nuances 

of wedding planning requires a blend 

of tradition and modernity, along with 

careful attention to detail. Here are some 

essential tips to help you plan your 

perfect day. 

Set a Budget and Stick to It 

One of the first steps in wedding planning 

is establishing a realistic budget. 

Weddings can be costly, and it’s crucial to 

know how much you’re willing to spend. 

Make a list of all potential expenses, 

including venue, catering, attire, flowers, 

photography, and entertainment. Allocate 

a portion of your budget to each category 

and try to stick to it. Remember to set 

aside a contingency fund for unexpected 

expenses. 

Choose the Right Venue 

The venue sets the tone for your 

wedding. Whether you prefer a historic 

manor house, a rustic barn, or a chic 

city hotel, make sure it reflects your 

style and accommodates your guest 

list. Many venues offer all-inclusive 

packages, which can simplify planning. 

When visiting potential venues, consider 

the location, capacity, and available 

amenities. Don’t forget to check if the 

venue is available on your preferred date. 

Plan the Ceremony 

Decide whether you want a religious 

or civil ceremony. If you opt for a 

church wedding, ensure you meet all 

the requirements set by the Church of 

England or your respective denomination. 

For civil ceremonies, contact your local 

registry office to book an appointment. 

Consider personalising your ceremony 

with readings, music, and vows that are 

24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

meaningful to you both. 

Prioritise the Guest List 

Creating a guest list can be one of the 

most challenging aspects of wedding 

planning. Start by making a list of 

immediate family and close friends, 

then gradually add extended family and 

other friends. Be mindful of your venue’s 

capacity and your budget. It’s often 

helpful to have an A-list (must-invite) and 

a B-list (nice-to-invite), which can help 

manage numbers if you need to make 

cuts. 

Hire Trusted Vendors 

Vendors play a crucial role in bringing 

your wedding vision to life. Research and 

book reputable vendors early, including 

caterers, florists, photographers, and 

DJs or bands. Reading reviews and 

asking for recommendations can help 

you find reliable professionals. Schedule 

consultations to discuss your ideas 

and ensure they understand your 

expectations. 

Plan Your Attire 

Choosing wedding attire is a personal 

and often emotional experience. Brides 

should start shopping for their dress 

at least six to eight months before the 

wedding to allow time for fittings and 

alterations. Grooms and groomsmen 

should also select their suits or attire 

well in advance. Consider the season 

and venue when choosing your outfits to 

ensure comfort and appropriateness. 

Organise the Details 

Attention to detail can make your 

wedding truly memorable. Consider 

elements such as invitations, seating 

plans, favours, and decorations. 

Incorporate personal touches that 

reflect your relationship, such as a 

themed wedding cake or customised 

centrepieces. Don’t forget practical 

details like transportation and 

accommodation for guests, especially if 

your venue is in a remote location. 

Manage the Day Itself 

On your wedding day, the last thing you 

want is to be stressed about logistics. 

Hire a day-of coordinator or designate 

a trusted friend or family member to 

manage the schedule, coordinate 

with vendors, and handle any issues 

that arise. This allows you to focus on 

enjoying your special day. 

Embrace Tradition and Personal 

Touches 

Weddings often incorporate traditional 

elements, such as the bride wearing 

“something old, something new, 

something borrowed, and something 

blue”. However, don’t be afraid to infuse 

your wedding with personal touches that 

reflect your unique style and relationship. 

Balancing tradition with modern trends 

can create a memorable and meaningful 

celebration. 

Enjoy the Journey 

Finally, remember that wedding planning 

is a journey. While it can be stressful 

at times, it’s also an opportunity to 

strengthen your bond and create 

lasting memories. Stay organised, keep 

communication open with your partner, 

and don’t lose sight of what the day is 

truly about – celebrating your love and 

commitment to each other. 

By following these tips, couples can 

plan a wedding that is both beautiful and 

uniquely theirs.

RHINEFIELD HOUSE 

HOTEL 

THE NEW FOREST, HAMPSHIRE 

CELEBRATE IN STYLE 

With a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, 

award-winning food and warm service, 

Rhinefield House is the perfect choice 

to celebrate your next special occasion 

with family and friends. Whether it is an 

anniversary or birthday, an engagement party 

or christening, we would be delighted to be a 

part of your next celebration and bring your 

bespoke and memorable event to life. 

01590 622922 

handpickedhotels.co.uk 

h o m e w a r e s 

& c e r a m i c s 

p e r f e c t 

g i f t i n g 

f a s h i o n & 

a c c e s s o r i e s 

1 0 % o f f 

u s i n g 

1 0 H A U S L I F E 

www.hauslife.co.uk 


MODERN 

EARTHY 

PAINT 

Make your home a 

calming place, with 

modern earthy tones to 

connect with nature 

‘Bunny Hop’, 

earthbornpaints.co.uk 

LIGHTING 

Lighting makes a huge impact 

- adding table lamps for a soft 

glow is great. And you can 

get either corded wall lights 

or those with a rechargable 

bulb if you don’t want the 

upheaval of chasing in 

new wires 

Sophie Allport x COAT, 

‘Lyddington Mist’, 

sophieallport.com 

‘Viridis’ Paint, 

grahambrown.com 

Pooky x Matthew 

Williamson 

Pendant Light, 

£44, pooky.com 

Larkhall Large 

Table Lamp £145, 


Furniture from oka.com 

DECLUTTER 

Decluttering can make 

a huge difference to the 

way we feel in our homes. 

Get the help of an expert 

if you need practical steps for 

ongoing storage solutions. 

Storage baskets are a practical 

and aesthetically pleasing way to 

organise your belongings 

Set of 3 Baskets, 

£155, hauslife.co.uk 

Espresso 

INTERIOR 

Small-scale updates you can 

make to re-awaken your home 

BRIGHT 

CUSHIONS 

Inject some colour and pattern 

without having to lift a paint brush 

with some new cushions 

Outdoor Green Cushion, £40, claire-Louise. 

co.uk; Kappar Cushion, £145, abigailborg.com; 

Coral Cushion, £42, tartanblanketco.com 

BTC X Beata Heuman 

Alma Wall Light, £575, 

originalbtc.com 

Pre-loved kitchen, uke.co.uk 

posterstore.com 

NEW ART 

New posters, prints, or originals 

can transform a space. For 

something unique, head to your 

local antiques dealership or fairs 

REPAINTED 

KITCHEN 

A new kitchen is a big expense - if 

your cabinets are in good fettle and 

you’re happy with the functionality, 

a repainted or re-wrapped kitchen 

can be a great solution 


fi 

01425 650235 | sales@nfdesigns.co.uk | nfdesigns.co.uk 0 

New Forest Designs, 6 H 

01425 650235 | nfdesigns.co.uk f 

Call us now for a consultation 

New Forest Designs 

has over 25 years’ 

experience in designing 

and installing kitchens, 

bedrooms, bathrooms 

and studies. 

New Forest Designs has over 25 

years’ experience in designing 

and installing kitchens, bedrooms, 

bathrooms and studies. 

New Forest Designs, 6 High Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1AX

ARE YOU FED UP WAITING 

TO FIND A BUYER? 

WHY CHOOSE 

PART EXCHANGE? 

USE PART EXCHANGE FOR A SIMPLE, 

STRESS-FREE MOVE 

Reserve your new Pennyfarthing Home and be safe in 

the knowledge that the sale and purchase is guaranteed. 

SAVE TIME, MONEY AND HASSLE 

NO CHAIN 

GUARANTEED PURCHASER 

FIXED COMPLETION DATE 

NO ESTATE AGENTS FEES 

Available at Potters Wood, Verwood, Whitsbury Green, 

Fordingbridge and Spring Meadows, Fontmell Magna. 

Contact us today to book your viewing 

01425 613958 

sales@pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk 

View our 

Step-By-Step 

guide

Enjoy a simple, stressfree 

path to your new 

Pennyfarthing Home 

with Part Exchange 

With over 40 years of house building experience, 

we understand that purchasing a new home whilst 

selling your current home isn’t always easy... 

Pennyfarthing Homes’ Part Exchange scheme offers a simple and 

guaranteed solution. By reserving a new Pennyfarthing home and 

choosing Part Exchange, customers can confidently navigate the 

transition, benefitting from the following key features: 

Stay in your current home until your new home is ready: Enjoy 

the comfort and convenience of residing in your existing property 

until the completion of your new Pennyfarthing home. 

No chain, no hassle: Say goodbye to the uncertainties of 

property chains. With part exchange you experience a chain-free 

journey, providing peace of mind throughout the process. 

Guaranteed Purchaser: Part Exchange ensures a secure 

and guaranteed buyer for your current home, taking away the 

uncertainties often associated with traditional home sales. 

Fixed completion Date: Plan your move with confidence as 

Pennyfarthing Homes will provide you with a fixed completion 

date, allowing you to co-ordinate your move stress-free. 

No estate agent fees: By using Part Exchange, there are no 

estate agent fees to pay. 


Save time and money: Our part exchange homebuying process 

saves time, reduces additional financial burdens, and eliminates 

unnecessary stress. 

Up to three local valuations: Pennyfarthing Homes offers up 

to three local valuations from estate agents, ensuring a fair and 

accurate assessment of your current property’s value. 

No cost to you: Take advantage of the Part Exchange service 

with no additional cost to you, making the move to a new 

Pennyfarthing home a financially sensible and worry-free choice. 

Sheetal Smith, Sales and Marketing Director at Pennyfarthing 

Homes, commented: “We remain committed to providing 

exceptional homes and enhancing the overall homebuying 

experience. Our Part Exchange service reflects the company’s 

dedication to meeting the diverse needs of its customers and 

creating a positive and seamless journey to homeownership.” 

Please ask about our Part Exchange service or for more 

information www.pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk/part-exchange/ 

Made in our Dorset workshop 

25 year guarantee 

Family run business 

www.rflandscapeproducts.co.uk 

E: info@rflandscapeproducts.co.uk 

P: 01977 782 240 

Up to 50% more storage 

with fitted furniture. 

Made in our Dorset workshop Made in our Dorset workshop 

25 year guarantee 25 year guarantee 

Family run business Family run business 

Price match available 

Trade & Retail 

Nationwide Delivery 

Storage Storage solutions solutions designed designed 

with you with in mind. you in mind. 

Suppliers of - 

- Porcelain Paving 

- Natural Stone Paving 

- Tiles 

- Sleepers 

- Matching Accessories 

Wardrobes / Lounge and Media Units / Angled Units / Home Offices / Storage Solutions for every room 

Call 01202 823231 to book your free, no-obligation design consultation 

www.customcreations.furniture 

Showroom open hours: Mon - Fri: 9am – 5.30pm 

Wardrobes 

Sat: 

/ Lounge 

9am – 

and Wardrobes 

2pm 

Media 

| Sun: 

Units / Lounge 

By appointment 

/ Angled and Units Media / Home Units Offices / Angled / Storage Units / Home Solutions Offices for every / Storage roomSolutions for every room 

Call Unit 01202 1, Enterprise 823231 Park, Call Blackmoor to 01202 book Road, your 823231 free, to no-obligation book your free, design no-obligation consultation design consultation 

Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS 

Design inspired by you 



Showroom open hours: Mon - Fri: 

Showroom 

9am – 5.30pm 

open hours: Mon - Fri: 9am – 5.30pm www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 29 

Sat: 9am – 2pm | Sun: By appointment 

Sat: 9am – 2pm | Sun: By appointment 

Unit 1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor 

Unit 

Road, 

1, Enterprise Park, Blackmoor Road, 

Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, 

Ebblake 

BH31 

Industrial 

6YS 

Estate, Verwood, BH31 6YS 

Design inspired Design by you. inspired by you.

Garden 

GLOW UP 

When it comes to projects that are a double whammy, garden 

landscaping ticks those boxes - hugely enhancing the lifestyle 

of the owner alongside adding a possible 20% to your home’s 

value 1 . Homeowners Tom and Kate wanted to transform their 

space from the unusable, awkward and dark sloped space, into 

a multi-level tiered garden that allowed for entertaining. We 

caught up with them to discuss the project. 

P H O T O G R A P H Y LUCY SAUNDERS 


Trusted & reviewed, 9/10 

Enjoy Your 

Conservatory 

All Year Round 

With energy efficient conservatory 

roof systems from Ecozenic 

0% 

FINANCE 

AVAILABLE 

* Subject to terms and 

conditions 

Extra room in the home 

Cost effective 

home improvement 

1 day to install 

10 year guarantee 

& insurance backed 

No deposit necessary 

Accredited company 

Trusted & reviewed 

Cooler in the summer, 

warmer in the winter 

Save on evergy bills 

ecozenic.co.uk 

Speak with us today! 

01202 798 666

Envirobuild Explorer Decking and 

Barton Rattan Set 

CAN YOU TALK US 

THROUGH HOW THE 

GARDEN WAS BEFORE AND 

HOW YOU APPROACHED 

THIS PROJECT? 

The garden was just not fit for 

purpose. The access steps 

were treacherous and made 

arriving home awkward and a bit 

anticlimactic. The hard landscaping 

left very little space for garden 

furniture, and the finishes were 

either bare concrete or hardcore. 

The sloped site was challenging. 

The biggest job was the removal 

of earth and the creation of larger 

retaining walls - this allowed the 

usable space to double. 

We then wanted to zone the space 

as lounging and dining, with the 

dining on decking coming off 

the kitchen, and the lounging on 

porcelain slabs, meeting in the 

middle on the walkway. 

HOW DOES IT WORK WITH 

THE EXISTING HOUSE? 

The extension was designed with 

the garden in mind, with the Origin 

bi-fold doors opening from the 

kitchen onto the raised decking 

area. The black ‘Granite’ finish 

of the decking complements the 

doors, and also provides contrast 

against the buff-coloured stone of 

the house. 


There’s a nice circularity now 

between the inside and out, and 

the two different seating zones 

are connected by a path which is 

bordered by the same repeating 

plant drifts to create a flow. 

WHY CHOOSE COMPOSITE 

DECKING? 

Composite was a no-brainer for 

us - it’s long-lasting and very low 

maintenance compared with its 

timber equivalent. It’s easy to clean 

with a jet washer and there’s no 

sanding and re-oiling involved. 

This is the Explorer range from 

Envirobuild*, which is made from 

recycled plastic. The company 

also donates 10% of profits to 

sustainability charities - it’s nice 

to see a company with social 

responsibility. 

Origin Bifold Doors 

The dining set is from the 

same company - we wanted 

something that would ‘pop’ 

against the dark decking, 

and this six-seater Barton set 

works beautifully to create a 

contemporary dining area. 

ARE THE PORCELAIN 

TILES SLIPPERY? 

This was something we were 

concerned about and in turn we 

researched a lot and made sure 

our choices were anti-slip - this 

Kensington SE 04 from Origin 

BEFORE 

Earth Anthracite Porcelain, RF Paving 


Earth Anthracite Porcelain, RF Paving 


“MAKE SURE YOU KNOW 

YOUR GARDEN BEFORE 

YOU START WORK - LOOK 

AT WHERE GETS SUN - IT 

WILL DICTATE NOT ONLY 

WHERE YOU SIT BUT YOUR 

PLANTING SCHEMES TOO.” 

selection is Earth Porcelain Paving* in the colour Anthracite and 

it just looks superb. The large format tiles make sure the space 

looks contemporary and the colour hides a multitude of sins! We 

used it on both the patio and the new steps, so its functionality 

was as important as the aesthetics. 

The porcelain is also a practical choice, it’s immensely strong and 

durable, scratch and stain resistant. Important when we wanted 

this area to house our fire pit. 

IS THAT THE FRONT DOOR? 

Sort of! The parking in this house is at the back, so we wanted 

there to still be a sense of arrival when coming home. This is 

made possible by the beautiful Origin Aluminium Door with the full 

height casement windows either side for added impact. The wide 

steps leading down to the door are paved with the same porcelain 

as the other patio. 

Envirobuild Explorer Decking and 

Barton Rattan Set 

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PLANTING? 

We were really inspired by Prairie-style planting, so lots of drifts of 

ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials - most of the ones 

in this style are really great for pollinators too, which was perfect 

for us. For the grasses, we chose the ornamental grass experts 

at Knoll Gardens - their selection is completely unmatched! Then 

for lots of the perennials, we selected from a mixture of a local 

plant nursery and then some stars from the Piet Oudolf curation 

at Farmer Gracy. Oudolf is an authority on this style of planting, so 

this curation was hugely helpful in terms of planning. 

Lots of the plants came from local nurseries. The best deals can 

usually be found at nurseries and the teams there always have lots 

of advice to offer. 

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED DURING THE 

PROJECT? 

That a budget only applies until you discover what’s lying 

underneath! The digging out and muck away of the retaining wall 

was a longer and more costly job than we could have anticipated. 

But ultimately, we’ve doubled the usable space in that area and 

it’s fabulous to use. We’d definitely stress the importance of 

having a contingency fund though. 

The other lesson was to make sure you know your garden before 

you start work - look at where gets sun - it will dictate not only 

where you sit but your planting schemes too. 

STOCKIST INFORMATION 

• Earth Anthracite Porcelain, Per m2 from £26.40 inc VAT, 

rflandscapeproducts.co.uk 

• Explorer Decking, £29.69 per length (inc. VAT), envirobuild.com 

• Baret Rattan Corner Dining Set, £2,799.99 - currently on sale for 

£1,119.99, envirobuild.com 

• Doors from Origin, origin-global.com 

• Planting; farmergracy.co.uk and knollgardens.co.uk 

1 

Research conducted by AXA. * PR discounted products 


Garden 

I N T H E 

MAINTENANCE MADE EASY 

Stihl is a titan in the garden tool industry, and their new 

range of garden tools are a fantastic addition to the 

collection. They share interchangable AK batteries, 

meaning you can swap your spares between the 

tools. We’ve found that the RMA 248 Mower and 

FSA 60 trimmer are perfect for a medium garden 

- being lightweight and easy to manouever but not 

lacking in battery length to complete the work. 

The team at Stihl have given us some top tips for lawn care this summer: “It is 

good practise to start by trimming the edges with a gardening tool such as the 

STIHL FSA 30. The first grass trimmer in STIHL’s AS System of interchangeable 

battery-powered tools, the FSA 30 is extremely lightweight and easy to 

manoeuvre. Be careful to avoid potential hazards such as patio windows, and 

consider the direction you mow in, so the grass falls onto the lawn and can be 

collected by a lawn mower, rather than onto the path or flowerbed. 

EFFORTLESS 

WATERING 

Equipped with a 30m hose and 

an additional 5m feeder hose, 

this Auto Reel mobile ensures 

extended reach for all your 

watering needs. Experience 

unparalleled ease with its 

automatic rewind feature, 

complete with a reliable brake 

system for controlled retraction. 

No more tangles or kinks, 

thanks to the anti-kink hose 

design, allowing for smooth 

operation every time. 

Designed for practicality, 

the foldable front kickstand 

provides stability during use, 

while the large wheels enable 

effortless mobility around your 

garden. Never misplace your 

hose or accessories again, with 

designated hose and connector 

park points, 

along with a rear 

accessory storage 

basket for added 

convenience. 

Hozelock Auto Reel Mobile 

– RRP from £219.99 

“Begin mowing your lawn at the side, in the corner that best suits you, being 

careful not to walk too fast so as to optimise the cut and collection efficiency of 

your lawn mower. The new STIHL 2 and 4 series lawn mowers are available in 

a variety of cutting widths to best suit the lawn areas, as well as different drive 

options including variable speed drive which ranges from 2 to 4.5km and single 

speed drive of 3.5km hour; a comfortable walk. 

STIHL RMA 248 battery-powered lawn mower with AK battery and charger – RRP from £489 and STIHL 

FSA 60 R battery-powered grass trimmer – RRP from £169 (tool only) 

GARDEN IN COMFORT 

Garden with complete ease and in comfort with 

these slip-on and off clogs. Fleece-lined 

for maxiumum comfort, these padded 

garden clogs are waterproof and easy 

to use for those occasions when you 

need to nip out into the garden. 

Fleecy Cloggies® Teal, £12.99, townandco.com 

SUSTAINABLE HOME 

Making your own compost fro food waste is a great way to both 

reduce your gardening costs and utilise a polluting waste product. 

Creating your own compost produces carbon dioxide as part of the 

natural carbon cycle, whereas throwing food away for landfill produces 

both carbon dioxide and methane, a hugely harmful greenhouse gas. 

This compost bin from Hozelock has a handle for spinning, meaning 

you don’t need to turn your compost - it also produces it faster, giving 

you compost in as little as 6-8 weeks. As an added bonus, it creates 

nutrient-rich liquid plant feed, in a handy, ready-to-spray bottle. 

Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 Composter – RRP from £189.99 


OUR SERVICES 

INCLUDE BUT ARE 

NOT LIMITED TO... 

Fascia and Guttering 

FREE 

QUOTATION 

OR ADVICE 

Husband and 

wife team 

Window and Door Repairs 

Glazing 

Conservatory Roof 

Insulation 

Conservatory Repairs 

General Maintenance 

Loft Insulation and 

Boarding 

Becky 

Andy 

07860844401 

07516723151 

or email 

sales@srwservices.co.uk

Road Test Review 

GENESIS ELECTRIFIED GV70 

Are you in need of an electric vehicle that meets the demands of family life and feels 

like a smooth estate to drive? Enter the Genesis Electrified GV70. 

OVERVIEW 

Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai, who 

have been making huge strides in the 

SUV market with their perennially-popular 

Kona and Tuscon models. They’ve 

taken these successes and refined 

them, creating the Electrified GV70 - a 

stunning luxury crossover - from its gently 

articulated curves to a beautifully-decked 

out interior, this is a luxurious ride in every 

sense. We took it for a spin... 

DRIVING 

Given its heft, it handles corners 

surprisingly well - this is largely thanks 

to the rear-biased power delivery, which 

means the nose goes where you point it. 

Comfort is king, with the combination of its 

whisper-quiet motor and noise-cancelling 

technology - it effectively minimises 

wind noise with its standard acoustic 

windscreen and laminated side windows. 

RANGE 

The official range of the Genesis 

Electrified GV70 stands at 283 miles, 

although opting for the 20-inch wheel 

configuration slightly reduces it to 276 

miles. However, in real-world conditions, 

a more realistic estimate would be 

around 230 miles - still more than 

enough for day-to-day life, as well as 

some significant road trips. 

POWER 

Simplicity reigns in the Genesis Electrified 

GV70 lineup, boasting a singular 

mechanical configuration: dual electric 

motors and a four-wheel-drive setup, 

culminating in a formidable total power 

output of up to 483bhp. This propels 

the GV70 to achieve a brisk 0-62mph 

acceleration in just 4.2 seconds, eclipsing 

the performance of competitors such as 

the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model 

Y Long Range, and Volvo C40. 

INTERIOR 

The standard 14.5in infotainment screen 

is one of the largest you’ll find in the 

class. However, for shorter drivers, it 

can be a little hard to reach because of 

its high-placement on the dashboard 

- happily, there’s a dial on the central 

console to control the screen too. 

Overall the interior feels spacious and 

luxurious, with soft coatings on all the 

areas you regularly touch. The many 

options for seat and steering wheel 

adjustments amplify the comfort - 

adjustable lumbar support is standard, or 

opting for the Comfort Seat pack adds a 

massaging driver’s seat. 

Front and rear parking sensors, along 

with a reversing camera, are included 

as standard features. Additionally, the 

Electrified GV70 offers a clever feature 

to aid in kerb visibility through its side 

mirrors: when in reverse, the reversing 

lights project lines onto the ground 

behind the car. 

CHARGING 

The GV70 boasts a faster charging 

capability compared to the iX3 and 

Model Y, as it can accept power at a 

rate of up to 240kW. This translates 

to approximately 18 minutes for a 

10-80% charge when utilising a rapid 

charger with such capacity. On the other 

hand, a home wall charger will take 

approximately 12 hours to complete a full 

0-100% recharge. 

SAFETY & SUPPORT 

All models come equipped with 

automatic emergency braking (AEB) 

featuring pedestrian detection, lanekeeping 

assistance, and rear cross-traffic 

alert. The Innovation Pack enhances 

safety further with additional automated 

functionalities, including lane-change 

assist on motorways, blind-spot 

monitoring, and an upgraded emergency 

braking system. 

Unique to Genesis, a Genesis Personal 

Assistant will help you at every stage of 

your journey, from your initial enquiry, 

through the ordering process, to servicing. 

They’ll help you choose the right model, 

arrange your test drive from home and 

help you build and order your perfect car. 

Every Genesis comes with five 

years’ peace of mind included. The 

comprehensive care plan includes 

warranty, scheduled services, roadside 

assistance as well as courtesy cars. 

OVERALL 

This is a phenomenal vehicle which 

stands tall alongside other makes in the 

class. More than once, we returned to 

the car in a car park to see it getting an 

admiring look over - it certainly does turn 

heads and has an elegant presence. It’s 

equally comfortable in the city and on 

country roads - it really does offer the 

best of all worlds. 

AWD Dual Motor Sport £65,105 (OTR). 

To start your journey with Genesis 

please look at the website 

www.genesis.com 


Frost 

A TOUCH OF 

Gardening is in Adam Frost’s 

blood. The popular BBC 

Gardeners’ World presenter 

spent much of his Essex 

childhood learning how to grow 

plants at his grandparents’ 

gardens and allotments. No 

surprise then that a career in 

horticulture beckoned. Lisa 

Rockliffe caught up with him after 

his summer show season... 

I understand your introduction to 

gardening was from early childhood? 

“Yeah I had a really difficult childhood 

so I spent a lot of time with my 

grandparents. I talk about my ‘Tidy 

Nan’ and my ‘Scruffy Nan’. ‘Tidy Nan’ 

had an allotment and that taught 

me about growing your own food. 

‘Scruffy Nan’ had this wilderness 

outside her back door I could explore. 

There was the care and being looked 

after and guided by ‘Tidy Nan’ and 

whilst ‘Scruffy Nan’ looked after me 

too I had a lot of freedom. That is 

how it all started for me.” 

You seem keen, when you are 

presenting, to want to demystify 

gardening, “I was sold gardening on 

the basis that I could be a gardener, 

a chef or I could join the army. They 

were my options. Once you get 

involved you wonder why it was sold 

to you as the option for someone 

who wasn’t such a bright spark, 

which unfortunately it was back 

then, so when I’m stood in front of 

a camera I just want people to have 

a go. If I can keep it simple and 

explain things in four words not 10, 

I’ll use four.” 

Many people are put off because 

they think it’s too hard, and there’s 

too much Latin! “Exactly. We’re told 

if we don’t prune something on the 

third Wednesday in March the whole 

world’s going to come to an end and 

in reality it doesn’t. You don’t need 

to know the Latin names or how to 

pronounce them, as long as you can 

make yourself understood it really 

doesn’t matter. The plant just wants 

you to look after it, it’s not worried 

about how you pronounce its name.” 

Does he have any tried and tested 

combinations that he returns to in 

each garden that he does. “No but I 

do have certain plants that I call ‘Get 

out of Jail’ plants. For instance if I 

look at small garden trees I look at 

things like amelanchier and cornus 

mas, they work really hard. If I look 

at shrubs I love species roses, I 

love cotinus because of the foliage 

and the backdrop and the colours 

you can get it in. When it comes to 

herbaceous plants hardy geraniums 

are always great, astrantias are 

always good because they’re so 

long flowering” 

I imagine your love for gardening is a 

constantly evolving process? “Yeah 

it’s never finished. I have a continuing 

fascination with the natural world 

and as we look forward we are facing 

environmental challenges that we 

haven’t faced really before, and we 

are considering how gardens affect 

us emotionally and physically in a 

way that we haven’t really thought 

about much before. All that side of 

it is fascinating to understand and 

be part of – the human connection 

to gardening.” Has his view on that 

changed since Covid? “No not really, 

Covid gave me more time to be with 

my family and in my garden so I had 

that, but I always knew that gardens 

can fix us and can be major parts of 

our lives. Covid just gave me time to 

realise that it was more important to 

me than perhaps I thought it was.” 

Was it nice to see everyone else 

notice it too? “Oh that was incredible. 

If there was one positive to come out 

of the madness that was Covid it was 

the 2 to 3 million new gardeners. I 

covered a few Gardeners’ Worlds that 

Monty couldn’t do and my daughter 

and I did a weekly thing on Instagram 

and it was great, I felt like we were 

having conversations with gardeners, 

so many of them new, and it was an 

uplifting thing. If you love something 

and other people want to come to the 

party things don’t get much better 

than that do they.” 

What really excites you in the 

garden? “I always talk about my veg 

garden being my hobby, which is 

a bit sad given how I make a living 

but it is. I love growing and cooking 

so I’ll spend my time in my front 

garden with my veggies.” Is he more 

a veg man than a flower man then? 

“I’m both really, I make my living 

designing gardens for people and I 

love putting combinations together 

and planting things and designing 

spaces but actually just on a 

personal level at the weekend, I love 

going out and planting a few veg, 

playing with it, cooking for the family. 

And that is more a hobby level really 

– the ornamentals are the day job. 

It’s also quite good if you say that 

on telly because when you make 

mistakes it doesn’t really matter!” 


Quality Gates and 

Garage Doors 

Friendly, family run business, 

established for 23 years with an 

excellent reputation for quality 

and service. 

Please contact us for a no 

obligation quote 

Full fitting service available 

Unit 1, 

Slader Business Park, 

Witney Road, 

Nuffield Industrial 

Estate, 

Poole, BH17 0GP 

Contact us today 01202 670770 | sales@woodengatemakers.co.uk 

www.woodengatemakers.co.uk f 

Image Hypnos Beds 

LEADING BRANDS AT 

AMAZING PRICES 

“Over 25 Mattresses to try from leading 

manufacturers such as Hypnos, Kaymed, 

Mlily, Dormeo and many more...” 

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY 

FREE ONSITE PARKING 

OLD BED / MATTRESS DISPOSAL AVAILABLE 

New shop now open! 

Unit 1, 23 Salisbury Road, Amesbury, SP4 7AW 

www.elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk 

Thatcham: Unit 9, Wyvale Garden 

Centre, Bath Road, Thatcham, 

RG18 3AN • Tel : 01635 897665 

Devizes: l & 2 Windsor Drive, Devizes, 

SNlO 2TH • Tel: 01380 887943 


MIND & BODY WELLBEING 

New Age UK research uncovers deeply troubling levels of 

mental ill-health among people in their fifties and over 

in later life 

A new report from the charity Age 

UK, ‘I just feel like no one cares’, 

paints a really worrying picture 

of the mental health challenges 

facing many members of our older 

population (people aged 50 plus). 

For the first time in this series of 

regular reports, Age UK’s data 

collection included people aged over 

50, rather than focusing solely on 

those aged 60 plus. The report helps 

to identify a wide range of factors 

that are impacting the wellbeing of 

older people and highlights how 

mental health challenges for specific 

sub-groups such as women, people 

with long term health conditions, 

carers and those living in deprived 

areas, are a lot more pronounced 

than for others. 

Another report published last week 

by the Centre for Mental Health - 

commissioned by Age UK – showed 

how older people are being left 

behind by inadequate mental health 

services, ageism and the absence 

of any national strategic approach 

for supporting them. This new Age 

UK report, ‘I Just Feel Like No One 

Cares’, reinforces the urgent need 

to take this issue seriously as our 

population ages and, as the report 

highlights, due to the significant, 

often disregarded needs of those in 

their fifties who are still very much of 

working age but approaching their 

later lives. Nationally representative 

polling[i] carried out for Age UK in 

September 2023 found: 

The entire 50 plus population: 

• Almost a third (31%) said that 

their physical health had got 

worse over the previous 12 

months, with (16%) finding it 

harder to look after themselves. 

• More than two in five (45%) said 

they had less energy; more than 

one in three (35%) said they 

couldn’t walk so far; and almost 

one in three (32%) said they 

were in more physical pain. 

• Almost two in five (39%) people 

aged 50 and over reported not 

sleeping well, and more than a 

third (34% - 8.7 million) told us 

that they felt less motivated to 

do things that they enjoy. 

• Almost half (48%) of unpaid 

carers aged 50 and over had 

felt anxious, more than a third 

(34%) had felt overwhelmed, 

and more than a fifth (21%) had 

felt lonely because of the care 

or support they provide. 

• One in eight (13%) people 

aged 50 and over were rarely 

or never having social contact 

with others in person, over the 

phone, or online. 

Find more resources and support 

at ageuk.org.uk 

HOW TO HELP 

The report from Age UK makes 

stark reading - but there are lots 

of ways to support feelings of 

wellbeing - we have just a few 

suggestions: 

EXERCISE It’s well 

understood that activity, particularly 

resistance training, can be hugely 

beneficial for retaining muscle 

mass, helping us age better. You 

could start at a gym under the 

instruction of a PT, or even start at 

home, using household items like 

water bottles or cans as weights. 

If nothing else, aim for 5 minutes 

- more than likely you’ll feel like 

doing more once you start. 

SOCIAL We are social 

creatures by nature, but as we 

age, those circles can get smaller. 

Forming new, regular connections 

is essential. Age UK’s website has 

a directory for social activities - 

also check local bulletin boards. 

Workshops or short courses in a 

hobby you enjoy is also a great 

way to meet people. 

MINDSET It’s hard 

to heal the body without the 

mind - mindfulness helps 

hugely. Yoga classes provide a 

helpful framework - and a group 

environment is helpful. 

[i] Age UK Polling: Kantar Research Express conducted an online self completion survey between 7th September and 21st September 2023 

amongst 2,621 adults in the UK aged 50+. 


9.7 

Average Group 

Review score 2024 

carehome.co.uk** 

*T&C’s apply. Please see website for details 

** carehome.co.uk scores are based on independent reviews with 

a maximum score of 10. Rating correct as at 07/06/2024 

“The staff are lovely and the 

management is so supportive of 

the residents.” 

Mayflower Court relative review 

In a 2023 survey of all our care homes, when asked if 

‘Staff treat them with kindness, dignity and respect’, 

98.2% of family and friends agreed. 

3 weeks for 2 on shorter stays* 

Mayflower Court luxury care home 

62-70 Westwood Road, 

Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DP 

Call 02381 683 271 

Visit www.MayflowerCourt.org.uk 

Orchard Gardens luxury care home 

1 Garnier Drive, Bishopstoke, 

Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6HE 

Call 02380 984 651 

Visit www.OrchardGardens.org.uk

Quality care in 

Sway you can trust 


When a family is thinking about care 

for a loved one, they want the best - 

they want to know that the care home 

they choose will put their loved one’s 

safety, happiness and wellbeing first... 

Sway Place is managed by award-winning provider Care UK - 

one of the UK’s most highly successful care home operators* 

with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care 

to older people. 

Living at Sway Place is all about quality of life. Every 

colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents 

to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique 

needs and preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge 

variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going 

on each day. 

With the extra support that our care home offers, new 

residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether 

that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed 

in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily 

activities. 

The purpose-built home is designed for enjoying a luxury 

lifestyle, with en-suite rooms and facilities including a café 

bistro, hair and beauty salon, and comfortable lounges and a 

grand dining room. The home also boasts stunning gardens 

with wheelchair friendly pathways – the perfect place to 

spend some time when the weather allows. 

Sway Place care home 

Church Lane Hampshire, 

Sway SO41 6AD 

01590 608 130 

careuk.com/sway-place 

*As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care 

Inspectorate in Scotland. 

Help at hand with the press 

of a button 24 hours a day 

50% off an installation 

with code ‘NEWFOREST’ 

Always at the end 

of the phone for you 

Helping to keep you 

independent at home 

A helping hand 

when you need it most 

Staying connected 

so you’re never alone 

023 8028 5523 

appletree.careline@nfdc.gov.uk • newforest.gov.uk/appletreecareline 


Join us for 

our next 

event 

Sway Place care home, Sway 

Carers café 

First Wednesday of every month 

1.30pm - 3pm 

Join us for our regular support group at Sway 

Place. This valuable support group is a perfect 

place for carers to take a much-needed break, 

meet other people and freely share 

experiences. Our friendly team at Sway Place 

will also be on hand to offer support and 

advice. You will also be treated to homemade 

cakes and treats and light refreshments, 

prepared by our Head Chef. 

Trusted to care. 

To attend please call 

01590 608 130 or email 

laura.blake@careuk.com

Ratteeed 

Exceeelllleeentt 

Looking into care 

for a loved one? 

NEW 

website 

If you are increasingly becoming a 

carer for a loved one, maybe it’s time 

to think about home care support. 

Worried about how to arrange care for 

a loved one? We know how difficult it 

can be to find the right care support for 

a loved one, especially when they wish 

to continue living at home. 

Understanding the range of care 

options can be difficult, especially 

when you are already juggling work 

and life; not to mention the added 

responsibility of becoming a carer for a 

loved one. 

Fortunately, it’s not what you know, but 

who. At Agincare, we have a team of 

care experts on the end of the phone 

ready to help you find home care that’s 

right for your loved one. 

Our professional and experienced team 

can guide you through the steps and 

will remain your point of contact 

throughout the process. What’s more, 

as a fully managed provider, our team 

of experts in your community will take 

care of the details. 

No need to make sure your chosen care 

worker is trained or arrives on time. 

We will take care of that. We will even 

provide real time updates on the care 

provided via our app. 

Why Agincare? 

Delivering high quality care since 1986 

Trial period and no lengthy contracts 

Immediate and emergency starts 

Fully managed service with local office 

team 

Range of care services nationwide 

Talk to our team today 

01425 383825 

agincare.com

Are you financially 

supporting loved 

ones? 

A case study: 

Brian financially 

supports his adult son at 

university, as well as studying 

his own degree, but still has 

ambitions to make the most of his 

retirement by travelling. 

With so many plans and commitments, 

on top of the cost-of-living crisis, Brian 

took advice from an expert. 

Contact our Southampton team to 

find out how Charles Stanley 

helped him achieve his goals. 

southampton@charles-stanley.co.uk 

or call 023 8098 4345 

The value of investments can fall as well as rise. Investors 

may get back less than invested. Charles Stanley & Co. Limited 

is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

New Forest Living Jul - Aug 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?