Forest Edge Gazette - June 2023

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JUNE 2023 WESTBEAMS TREE CARE LTD. WWW.WESTBEAMS.CO.UK TREE SERVICES  PLANNING APPLICATIONS STUMP REMOVAL  HEDGES  FENCING  FIREWOOD 01590 690644 trade com Proud members of Where reputation matters Che c a Part of the City & Guilds Group AWARDS Accredited Contractor CHAS.co.uk My

STRENGTH IN DEPTH

Buying and selling property can be, without doubt, a stressful period of your life. That’s why it’s important to select a solicitor with the relevant experience, knowledge and supporting staff to ensure all fuss is minimised.

At the Waring Partnership our conveyancing teams are led by solicitor and partner Andrea Waring, an expert in her field who has personally overseen countless property exchanges.

With one team based at our Totton office and another in Hythe, we continue to serve the local area, the wider New Forest, Hampshire and beyond. We can even offer the services

of our specialist new build department, fully fluent in all the expectations and idiosyncracies that a new build can offer.

And there’s more to us than just conveyancing. Our family law expertise and celebrated wills and probate team mean that the help you need is available locally, staffed by people that know the area and understand the challenges you might face.

We look forward to helping you make that next step, whatever it may be. By drawing on our strengths we hope to make it smoother and less daunting. Get in touch with the Waring Partnership today.

Conveyancing • Family Law • Wills & Probate
8 Marsh Parade, Hythe Tel: 023 8084 9381 15 Water Lane, Totton Tel: 023 8066 0010
www.the-waring-partnership.com C5233 TWP_MM_Aug2021.indd 1 16/08/2021 14:50 2 To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499
info@the-waring-partnership.com
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Welcome...

Dear Residents,

Has the weather finally turned, and will we get that delightful sunshine we all so desire over the summer? I do hope so, it makes such a difference to us all. Daichi visited Scotland last month and indeed the sun did shine, amongst some rain, but nevertheless it was not bad! We loved the trip and you can read all about it inside. Do you have a trip planned this summer or are you going to stay in our beautiful British Isles and enjoy some home comforts? We will be staying local, so let’s see where Daichi takes us next…

As always we have great trades and services inside your local magazine. They are all here for you, for advice and help and creating the space you want in your environment. Each would love to hear from you, so do pick up the phone or send an email. Stephen, myself and the girls who make the call, as well of course all the local trades and businesses really appreciate all that you do to keep our local economy and services going! Times are interesting and the more we can work together, the better we will all do. I am a big believer in that.

If there is anything you would like to read about or see here, please let me know. I would love to provide as much as possible within these pages.

All of us here at Modern Magazines wish you a Jolly June!

DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damaged caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Forest Edge Gazette does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher. Advertise with us! Call the sales team on: 01264 316499 Copy deadline for July 2023 edition: 12th June 2023 Keep up to date with the magazine by following our Facebook Page @ForestEdgeGazette Boost your business to new heights with our affordable advertising packs! Supply your own artwork, or use our in house design team! features: local attractions puzzle pages community hub Issue No. 254 June 2023 Printed on Carbon Balanced Paper by Pensord Press Ltd. Certified by the World Land Trust. Helping the planet one page at a time...
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New Forest Bees Nest Pitching Competition: Showcasing

Innovative Businesses in the Area

Local business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend the inaugural New Forest Bees Nest Pitching Competition on Thursday 8th June 2023, from 9.30am to 12.30pm at The Linden Hall, Lyndhurst Community Centre.

This exciting event, organised by The IncuHive group in partnership with New Forest District Council, will bring together innovative business ideas and offer a chance to witness the finalists vie for a £1,000 cash prize and to hear from former Dragon’s Den contestant Kate Bell. The event promises to be a great networking opportunity for local business owners, as well as an exciting way to learn about new enterprises being launched in the area.

“We are excited to host the New Forest Bees Nest Pitching Competition and support the entrepreneurial spirit of the New Forest community,” said George Scott-Welsh, CEO of IncuHive.

“This is an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, win a great selection of prizes including £1,000 cash, and gain valuable free publicity.”

Those interested in participating in the pitching competition are encouraged to get in touch to learn

more. Whether you are thinking about starting a business in the New Forest, have done so recently, or know someone who is/has, this competition offers a chance to pitch your product or service and gain valuable exposure.

For more information about the event, please visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/newforest-bees-nest-final-businessshowcase-tickets-618484552947 or contact Andy Pringle at IncuHive on:

07817 065694 or by email at: andy.pringle@incuhive.co.uk

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness innovative ideas and meet other local business owners. We look forward to seeing you there!

New businesses in the district can also benefit from free, one-to-one support from Incuhive thanks to support from New Forest District Council’s Business Start Up Support scheme.

To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499 6
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Brilliant British Cars

Eight marvellous motors that changed the culture and reputation of British motoring.

The British motor industry has a rich and illustrious history, with some of the most iconic cars ever produced. From luxury sports speedsters to rugged off-roaders, the UK has produced vehicles that have captured the hearts of petrolheads around the world.

1.

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is an iconic British off-roader that has been in production since 1948. Originally designed for agricultural use, the Defender has become a symbol of British engineering and adventure. Renowned for its ruggedness and reliability, it has been used by the military, farmers, and explorers all over the world.

2.

Mini

The Mini is a British motoring icon that first appeared in 1959. Originally designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the Mini was a revolutionary car that was small, agile and cheap to run. It quickly became a cultural icon, featuring in films such

as The Italian Job and becoming synonymous with the Swinging Sixties.

3. Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise is a lightweight sports car that was first introduced in 1996. The car was designed to be a pure driver’s car, with an emphasis on agility, handling, and performance.

4.

Jaguar E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type is often cited as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Introduced in 1961, this sports car was an instant hit thanks to its sleek styling, impressive performance, and affordable price tag.

5.

Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is a luxury grand tourer that was first introduced in 2003. The car is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, refined performance and luxurious interior.

6. MG MGB

The MG MGB is a classic British sports car that was produced between 1962 and 1980. The car was designed to be affordable and practical, and quickly became one of the bestselling sports cars of all time.

7. Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce is one of the most prestigious car brands in the world, and the Phantom is its flagship model.

Introduced in 1925, the Phantom has been the choice of royalty, heads of state, and the rich and famous ever since. The car is famous for its luxurious interior, smooth ride, and attention to detail.

8.

The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most iconic British sports cars of all time, and is best known for its appearance in the James Bond films. The car was produced between 1963 and 1965, and was one of the most expensive cars of its time, a symbol of luxury and sophistication.

Aston Martin DB5
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Probably the most impor tant documents you will ever own. Simple Wills £140 each All four Lasting Power of Attorneys for a couple £620 (save £60) Lasting Power of Attorneys £170 each We are specialists in providing for the elderly or less mobile. Ever ything is dealt with in the comfor t of your own home. Members of the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners. A complete Property Protection Trust, Wills and all four Lasting Power £1,149 (save £471) Are you concerned about care fees and other risks? The “Ultimate” Family Protection Package includes All Trust Wills and £1,429 (save £601) If you are concerned about care fees and protecting your children’s inheritance from divorce and other risks. All four Lasting Power of Attorneys & two Wills for a couple £870 (save £60) EXPERTISE • EXPERIENCE • EMPATHY www.dorsetandwight.co.uk Dorset - 01202 065953 Hampshire - 01264 252900 Isle of Wight - 01983 623900 All subject to deliberate deprivation guidelines 9 Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

Word Ladder

Make your way from BIND to SORT by changing one letter on each step to make a new word! ANSWERS:

True or False Trivia

1. An ant can lift 1,000 times its body weight

2. The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body

3. Australia is the Land of the Rising Sun

4. All mammals live on land

5. In bowling, a chicken is 3 consecutive strikes

6. The skull is the strongest bone in the human body

7. Hawaiian pizza comes from Hawaii

8. The shortest war in history lasted for only 52 minutes

9. Dumbo is the shortest Disney Movie

10. While sleeping you cannot smell anything

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Across Clues: 5. Food substance for spreading (9) 8. Lift your foot (4) 9. Currency, domestic transactions in China (8) 10. Scatter (7)
Notational symbols (5) Down Clues: 1. Production (6) 2. Finished (7) 3. Period of time (5) 4. Obtain (6) 6. Speech (9) 7. Dislike intensely (9) 13. Significant (5) 15. Obvious (7) 18. A machine that controls another (8) 19. Town (4) 20. Decisive victory (9)
Total
Relating to the eyes
10 years (6)
Musical
a solo instrument
#028
11.
12.
(7) 14.
(6) 16.
17.
composition for
(5)
(BIND, BOND, BONE, BORE, SORE, SORT) BIND SORT
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Lasting Powers of Attorney –

Why it makes sense to appoint a professional

Many people very sensibly confer lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) on others so that their affairs can be properly managed in the event that they lose the ability to do so themselves. However, as a High Court ruling underlined, it often makes good sense to appoint a professional, rather than a loved one, as your attorney.

The case concerned a woman who, by her will, bequeathed her home equally to her four children. About two years prior to her death, aged 93, an LPA was registered in favour of her daughter. The daughter subsequently used the power conferred on her by the LPA to purportedly transfer the property, which was formerly owned solely by her mother, into her and her mother’s joint names, as tenants in common.

The result of the transfer was that, when the mother died, her daughter’s half share of the property fell outside her estate. That in turn meant that the inheritance of her other three children was significantly reduced. Acting as executor of her estate, her son challenged the transfer on the basis that the daughter had no power or authority to make it.

Upholding his claim, the Court noted that the half share in the property was a gift to the daughter. Section 12 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires that an LPA

may generally only be used to make gifts of reasonable value to charity or to loved ones or other connections on customary occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Gifts that do not fall within those exceptions must be authorised by the Court of Protection.

Such authority having neither been sought nor granted, the High Court concluded that the transfer was void. The registration of the daughter’s half share in the property was therefore a mistake on the face of the Land Register. The Court ordered that the Register be rectified to the effect that the mother remained the property’s sole owner at the date of her death.

This is intended for general guidance only. In all cases specific advice should be sought.

Bells are a specialist Wills, Probate and Conveyancing practice. The office opens five days a week Monday –Friday 9am – 5pm and home and hospital appointments can be arranged where appropriate. Our professional service is right on your doorstep.

Join us again next time for another legal insight!

Tel: 01794 513328

E: bells@bells-romsey-solicitors.co.uk

Need advice on Property, Wills, Trusts & Probate? Call us today 01794 513328 www.bells-romsey-solicitors.co.uk A long established firm with a wealth of knowledge ready to give you a helping hand 5 Market Place Romsey Hampshire SO51 8XF bells@bells-romsey-solicitors.co.uk 11 Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

Just Jake

The work and the ways of Jake Gyllenhaal.

It would be hard to find a more serious and articulate observer of his profession than Jake Gyllenhaal. He goes about every role with deep consideration, flawless delivery and unparalleled commitment. Yet for the 42-year-old star of Brokeback Mountain, Southpaw, Donnie Darko, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Wildlife, the action is involuntary.

“I made a decision a while ago to push everything else aside and see acting as a craft… which sounds up there you know,” he laughs, “but if you look at any of the greats, they fully commit. And when you watch those fully committing, it’s inspiring, it’s moving.

“That’s a priority for me, because the way you grow as an individual is by forcing yourself to exit your comfort zone. For me, life is all about discovery and risk and exploring new aspects of yourself as well as the world in general.”

In over two decades of producing cinema of improbably high calibre, Gyllenhaal, who is the brother of actress Maggie, is keenly aware of the inflated status of actors in the context of modern celebrity culture.

“The thing that really drives me as an actor is my curiosity,” says Gyllenhaal. “I’m far less adventurous in my own life, and my work gives me the ability to exceed my normal boundaries and explore things about myself that I wouldn’t do otherwise.”

In the immediate foreground is Road House, a brilliant remake of the Patrick Swayze movie from 1989.

“I bulked up a bit for the movie, but generally speaking, have tried to keep my shape since doing the likes of Southpaw and Prisoners,” he says. “It’s been a process of looking after myself and taking satisfaction out of how I look and the power and focus being built gives me, so it wasn’t too difficult to get into the right mode for this one.

“Southpaw was a ‘six hours a

day’ dedication – I don’t think I could go through that again for any film!”

Road House puts Gyllenhaal back into box office central, although the actor is keen to state he is about much more than big-money productions. He is at a stage in his career when it seems he has little to prove… and if there is something, it’s purely to himself.

“I find that as an individual I learn so much from looking at the world differently when I work on a film. I constantly feel the need to challenge myself, and I make sure I listen to my instincts.

“I believe we should all do that – follow the clues, follow your heart; and stay happy.”

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Call for a FREE quote on 07801 993 630 Interior & Exterior Work Undertaken Over 25 Years Experience • City & Guilds Quali ed 12 Amberley Court, Ashurst Bridge, Totton, SO40 7JX 07922 250 670 richardsonscontractflooring@gmail.com www.richardsonscontractflooring.com Richardsons Contract Flooring Commercial & Domestic flooring products supplied & fitted Many flooring products ( Cormar, Abingdon, Kingsmead, Balta, Polyflor, Altro, Karndean, Amtico and many more) supplied and installed in your home or workplace, 25 years experience in the trade. Unit 31 New Forest Enterprise Centre tton, Southampton SO40 9LA. • Roof Moss Removal & Coating Applications • Driveway & Patio Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning & Clearing • Solar Panel Cleaning Diamond Exterior Cleaning Local Exterior Cleaning Specialists DiamondExteriorCleaning.com nick.diamondexteriorcleaning@gmail.com 07452 824555 • Smar t controls 07856 408269 w wrazw.razheating.co.uk heating@outlook.com 07856 408269 hearing & plumbing services! Boiler & Sy em Installation All n al gas appliance Ser v ing • Landlo Certifi cates • B r, central heating syst m as applian e Breakdowns • hing • S pgrad s w.r .co w w w.razheating.co.uk • Boiler & System Installation • Boiler, central heating system & gas appliance Breakdowns Our Ser vices • Landlord Cer tifi cates • System Upgrades • Power fl ushing • All natural gas appliance Ser vicing Whether you need a single radiator changed, have a boiler breakdown or need a complete heating system installation... Raz Heating Ltd o ers a wide range of heating & plumbing services! 13 Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

Totton & Eling Cricket Club

Welcome to Totton & Eling Cricket Club

We are a family ‘Club-marked’ community cricket club, offering great facilities and a warm welcome to all philosophy. We have four Adult XI’s and a host of junior age group teams for boys & girls.

Adult Training

Adult training nights are every Wednesday starting at 6.15pm

Junior Cricket

Our thriving junior section trains on Monday evenings, if you would like to join contact juniors@ tottonandelingcc.co.uk

Not just Cricket!

When your child enrols as a Junior

member of T&ECC, mum and dad receive complementary social membership, allowing them year-long use of the facilities of the club as well as the discounted benefits of membership.

June Fixtures tottonandelingcc.co.uk

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New 1st XI captain Bright Mugochi with South African overseas player Josh Elliot.

Room Hire from £100

Includes

Salad Days

Spring into summer by giving life to your own salad vegetables.

Lettuce

A salad staple, lettuce is also one of the easiest salad plants to grow, and it can be sown directly into the soil in the spring and summer months. There are many different types of lettuce to choose from, including crisphead, butterhead, and looseleaf.

Rocket

Rocket has launched itself into the hearts of UK salad eaters, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Peppery and vibrant, the leaf

also known as arugula

adds a lot of flavour to any dish and is quick to grow.

Radishes

You may think radishes are rad; or you may think they taste very, very bad. Regardless, this crunchy and peppery root vegetable is easy to grow and can go from seed to serve in as little as four weeks.

Spring onions

When it comes to livening up dull dishes, the humble spring onion is a powerhouse of flavour and versatility.

Spruce up stir-fries, make a delightful dip or even whizz up a delicious summertime soup.

Spinach

Spinach may be known for its super-strength giving properties, but the plant itself is rather sensitive, requiring six weeks of

cool weather from seeding to harvest.

Mizuna

Spice up your life with Mizuna, a Japanese salad green that has a slightly fiery and peppery taste.

Chard

A stunningly beautiful and vibrant plant that loves the sun and takes up very little space, chard’s glorious colouring will also complement the late summer blooms in your flowerbeds.

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The journey of lapwing nesting: a story of resilience and renewal in the natural world

Fifty years ago, wandering across the lightly tilled agricultural land of rural Hampshire, a lapwing circling across the vista would have been a typical site in early Spring. Nowadays it is somewhat rarer but no less spectacular.

Lapwings are ground nesting birds found across much of the UK. In Hampshire, your best bet of seeing a lapwing is at the coast, especially at a grazing marsh site like Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve. These are birds of wide-open spaces, liking nothing better than a view of the surrounding area, unhindered by scrub and trees, allowing predators to be quickly identified.

On a sunny late February day, you will see them enacting aerial displays, and summersaults accompanied by their unique call. Territories are formed where males vigorously attack any intruder.

Come the end of March, things are generally settled down and into April, you will see nests appearing. A female may be huddled down on three to four eggs. This is the most vulnerable stage for the young. Crows or buzzards are but a few birds that will take all the eggs within an afternoon. Foxes, badgers and even the cuddly hedgehog will make short work of the nest, so they are up against it.

That is not to say that they are helpless. Lapwings are some of the bravest parents going. Any sign of an intruder, they will take to the air and bombard the wannabe egg thief mercilessly until it is deterred. The more lapwings there are

with nests in the vicinity, the more likely it is that they will successfully see off a predator.

At the end of April and into May, the first chicks will arrive. These little fluff balls are immediately able to feed for themselves so the parents will take them to wet areas where they pick invertebrates off the surface of the mud. In these first few weeks of mobility, they are particularly vulnerable to avian predators. A crow flying over will exact a very specific alarm call from the adult. At this sound, the chicks will bolt for cover, whether that is a patch of rush or a hoof print in the mud, they are well camouflaged and if quick, may avoid detection.

Roughly four weeks later, the chicks will be taking flight and we breathe a sigh of relief as a few lucky birds make it to adulthood, hopefully returning in a few years to raise some young for themselves.

Find out more about local wildlife at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s website, www.hiwwt.org.uk

Photo Credit: Ian Cameron Reid

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COVID-19 spring vaccines are available for those most at-risk of serious illness:

• Adults aged 75 years and over

• Residents in care homes for older adults

• Individuals aged five and over who have a weakened immune system

The level of protection we get from the COVID-19 vaccine can reduce over time, so it's important you attend for this spring dose when invited.

You may have been invited by your GP Practice, through the NHS App or by post, but you can also visit nhs.uk/CovidVaccination to book online.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018 can help with booking an appointment or checking if you are eligible.

If you are yet to have any COVID-19 vaccines, it isn’t too late. Everyone aged five and over is eligible for two doses. You have until 30 June to get protected.

Getting vaccinated saves lives.

nhs.uk/CovidVaccination | 0300 561 0018
Is your family’s COVID-19 vaccinations up to date?
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A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about how to enrich and update your home, without the need to raise it to the ground.

If I were to make one criticism of the Grand Designs concept, it’s that everything starts from scratch… well, almost everything.

The concept across 23 series has often been to develop a basic, unremarkable plot of land into a dream home; yet in reality, 99 per cent of people never have that option. In short, we have to make the most of what we’re given, and that means taking an existing home and redeveloping it, and that means dealing with limitations as far as the freedom we have.

It’s not all bad news though. What you have with older properties is a build quality that is often significantly better than we have today. We’ve all been in old houses where the walls are several feet thick, or the overhanging beams, for all their ageing, are as rigid and secure as the day a couple of hundred years ago they were put in. Trust me, this stuff counts.

So if you have the opportunity to renovate rather than buy new, take it and embrace it. Sometimes, if we already have something on the canvas, so to speak, it can stimulate a whole plethora of ideas you would never have thought of previously.

most important of all, be brave in what you create.

What

I will say is give this creativity the respect it deserves.

Ensure to hire a reputable builder, use highquality materials, focus on energy efficiency – as well as saving the planet, it will save you money too! – consider sustainable building practices and,

Look at extreme detail as well as the big picture, think about what styles you’ll like in a year’s time, in five years’ time, in 10 years’ time, and drive ideas that fill you with energy and creativity… the like of which you would never achieve in a newbuild.

There is no place more important than our home –it is our inspiration, our salvation, and our sanity. It’s the place we thrive, and the place we protect those around us, so getting it right is essential, and sometimes reinvention – making use of some existing elements and working them into a new outcome – can be the golden nectar a space requires.

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The Adventures of Daichi The Modern Magazines Camper Van

As you know Daichi, our beloved Modern Magazines campervan, loves to travel. Well last month he did his longest journey yet and travelled all the way to the beautiful, stunning and inspiring Trossachs in Scotland. We decided to do the first journey in two parts. After a busy and fun Bank Holiday Monday in Wafflicious our ice-cream and waffle parlour, the three of us stepped into a rather packed Daichi and set off for ‘just north of Manchester’ where we would have a snooze. Daichi was in his element. This is exactly what he is made for. Family time, travel and adventure. After an overnight stay on the motorway, well not literally of course, we set off again all refreshed. I have to say that the service station at Tebay with its rather nice farm shop, good food and lovely scenery was a welcome break. It was designed and constructed after the motorway was planned to meander all the way through the farm itself. The owner took advantage of the situation and created this whole new business. What a brilliant idea. Instead of complaining and stopping the planned road, he thought with it, for the good of all. The whole trip was a lesson in this as you will read.

Tigh Mor is located on Loch Achray, near the famous Loch Katrine. It is so picturesque. The imposing Hotel did remind me of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, with its majestic turrets and high stone walls. It was all rather exciting, and I am led to believe that some guests have heard their name mysteriously called out when their partners were out. The views down to the Loch and across to Ben A’an and Ben Venue are awe inspiring. They calm the soul. Perfect for a relaxing break. We met with Stephen’s dad, Alan and his sister Rachel, so it was a time to catch up and make some memories too. Daichi, and me, were in our elements.

Hayden was only staying for a couple of days as the King had decided to have a Coronation (even more excitement – what a week!) and Hayden needed to get back to work in his beloved Icecream parlour with Coronation Specials. The first day we planned a boat trip on Loch Katrine. What a beautiful location. What I did not know is that Loch Katrine is famous and actually the very reason this area is now so frequented and loved. Sir Walter Scott had written the novel “The Lady of the Lake” published in 1810. Prior to this Scotland was seen as a dangerous, inhospitable place with fierce warriors, outlaws (that is my maiden name by the way… honestly!), thieves, wolves, ferocious birds of prey and

Daichi at “An Tigh Mor Trossachs”
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I got to steer the boat on Loch Katrine!

savage stags. Sir Walter’s novel, portrayed a rather different picture. It is a romance after all with much adventure. I have not read it yet but am getting my copy for sure. This is a story of turning a whole view around and creating good, where once there was only bad. After the great adventures in Lady of the Lake had been published, with heroes, heroines, myths and legends, hundreds of visitors arrived to witness the sheer beauty and delights of this alluring area – but there was nowhere for these people to stay! Arriving in luxurious carriages these gentry slept on straw in barns and wherever they could lay down. One intelligent and thoughtful man, James Stuart, started renting out rooms, albeit the stale bread and rough whiskey he provided was little to be desired. The local landowners then built a hotel with all the luxuries of a London dwelling to accommodate the increasing numbers of high guests all pouring in. The Trossachs Hotel it was called. Now known as Tigh Mor, having gone through many owners and changes over the years, this is where we were staying. How exciting. Daichi may not be a horse drawn carriage, but the setting is such that you almost feel this is how you arrived! History is fascinating, don’t you think?

The following day we visited Doune Castle. Another famous place now, due to the filming of the recent series Outlander and previously Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We love castles and this did not disappoint. The high curtain walls in the courtyard that would once have been the height of activity with a thriving community, the Great Hall still showing its splendour, the

Gate house, the spiral staircases up to the chambers, the magnificent views across River Teith, it was all very thought provoking. Built in the late 1300’s by Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany and the renown “uncrowned King” who ruled Scotland without ever being given the title to actually do so. Lots of intrigue with the real heir imprisoned in England. History at its best. Another fabulous day was had by all.

Hayden took his train from Glasgow to London and then onto Weymouth, while we continued to enjoy our stay. We watched the Coronation with the backdrop of Ben A’an behind the TV, gorgeous.

A visit to Loch Lomond was an absolute must and with beautiful sunshine it was just gorgeous. One day Stephen took me on a mystery tour and we visited Nick Nairn’s Restaurant, at Port of Menteith. We had to stop for coffee and cake of course! We met Julia, Nick’s lovely wife in her delightful shop full of quality kitchen ware and house furnishings. Nick was the youngest Scottish chef to win a Michelin star in the early 1990’s. More fame to be experienced this trip. All these accolades and acclaims are getting to Daichi’s head! A lovely setting, good coffee and delicious desserts were enjoyed by all.

A visit to Stirling to see our niece, meals out, strolls alongside Lochs, wonderful Daichi tours around the “Three Lochs Drive”, and picnics by the glistening waters, what more could we want. Daichi was extremely happy and so were we. Thank you to Grandpa for an amazing week! Where will Daichi take us next… I wonder?

Our view of Loch Achray
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The Curtain Walls at Doune Castle

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses an array of wildlife we may not expect to see in our gardens over the summer months.

Think of our gardens in summer and you can probably come up with the same old things that make those outside spaces such pleasurable places to spend time in. There are flowers such as roses, lavender, foxgloves, delphiniums; there’s all that lush green grass that offers visual magnificence with an aroma that is as unique as it is unmistakable. Beyond that, there’s the beauty of climbing plants such as ivy, clematis and honeysuckle. And of course, the odd bat.

Hang on, did I just say that?!

Well I did, and it’s true. Bats in the summer in our gardens

are common, albeit not the first thing you would immediately think of.

And while you’re there, have a look for grass snakes, stag beetles, slow worms, glow-worms, foxes, and even rare amphibians such as the great crested newt. And what about the humble hedgehog, or the sparky sparrowhawk?

Few of these animals we would confidently associate with summer gardens, but they are there, they are present, and if we seek them out, they can truly enrich our admiration for this wonderful habitat and where life – beyond flowers and plants – is shown to flourish.

So while the summer months typically enable us to sit back, relax and enjoy the immediate visual beauty of our gardens, the truth is there is so much more going on behind the scenes. You’ll see all this if you delve a bit deeper into your outside space, and can attract the wonderful visitors – all the while supporting local

biodiversity – by ensuring you are planting native species, by providing water sources, as well as creating habitats like log piles or compost heaps.

The fact is, while we look on our gardens primarily as places that stimulate our senses so spectacularly, it’s worth remembering they are habitats for all manner of wonderful little creatures and critters, and we are all, at times, guilty of forgetting their existence.

My recommendation this year is to give a bit more back to animal life – even if that means keeping the grass a bit longer than you usually would – because you’ll be surprised at just how much more your garden evolves.

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Spot the Difference!

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

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Alison Roman’s Birthday Cake

Whether you’ve got a big celebration coming up or just fancy making a really moist, beautiful cake, this classic birthday recipe from American baking superstar Alison Roman will make even the most ordinary day feel special.

Ingredients

(10 to 12 servings)

• Non-stick spray or butter for the pan

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 470g all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1½ tsp baking soda

• 360ml buttermilk

• 180ml vegetable oil

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 400g granulated sugar

• 110g lightly packed light brown sugar

• 5 large eggs

• 3 large egg yolks

For the Chocolate frosting

• 340g bittersweet chocolate, chopped (chocolate chips are fine)

• 225g sour cream, room temperature

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature

• 185g icing sugar

• Generous pinch of salt

• Lots of sprinkles

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray or grease with softened butter.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.

3. In another bowl, combine the butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat everything until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time. Beat until combined.

4. Add a quarter of the flour mixture. Before fully combined, add in half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining flour and buttermilk until everything is blended.

5. Divide the batter equally among the pans. Bake for 35-40mins, rotating the pan halfway through baking. The cakes are done when they are golden brown and pulling away from the sides of the pan.

6. Melt the chocolate. Add half the sour cream to the chocolate and combine. Repeat with another half. The chocolate will

Top Tip

It is essential to ensure the cake layers are properly cooled before frosting them

Top Tip

• For a pro effect, apply a ‘crumb layer’ first whereby you apply a thin layer of icing on the outside of the cake and then place it in the fridge to set. Once chilled, you can apply the rest of the frosting over this layer for a flawless effect.

stiffen a bit as you add the sour cream.

7. In a bowl, combine the butter, sugar and salt using an electric mixer on low speed at first. Beat until everything is almost pure. Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and beat until combined.

8. Assemble the cake with frosting between each layer and use the last of the frosting to cover the entire cake. Decorate with sprinkles and serve.

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Puzzle Page Answers

Quick Crossword Solution #028

Answers:

Across: 5. Nutbutter, 8. Step, 9. Renminbi, 10. Bestrew, 11. Neume, 13. Major, 15. Evident, 18. Actuator, 19. City, 20. Landslide.

Down: 1. Output, 2. Aborted, 3. Stint, 4. Derive, 6. Utterance, 7. Abominate, 12. Overall, 14. Ocular, 16. Decade, 17. Etude.

True or False Trivia Answers

1. False – it can lift 5,000 times their body weight

2. True

3. False – it is Japan

4. False – Dolphins are mammals

5. False

6. False – it is the Femur

7. False – It comes from Canada created in 1962

8. False – it was between 38-45: The Anglo-Zanzibar War

9. True – it is 64 minutes long

10. True

Spot the difference solutions Goodies Goodies FISH & CHIPS find us: RINGWOOD ROAD, TOTTON, SOUTHAMPTON, SO40 7DY OFFER VALID MON TO WED 11.30am to 2pm at our Totton branch only *nottobeusedinconjunction with anyother offer. Valid until end of June 2023 WITH ALL FISH! FREE CHIPS SPECIAL • Boiler Servicing, Breakdowns and Repairs • Landlord Certificates • All Plumbing work • FREE QUOTATION on Boiler Replacement & Central Heating Installation • Worcester Bosch accredited installer • 10-12 year Guarantee on Worcester Boiler new Installation • Fully Qualified Gas Safe & ISO9001 Accredited Company G.E.HARDING & SONS LTD Inc BOILERCARE Worcester • Vaillant • Glowworm • Baxi Tel: 02380 382830 Mob: 07917 816380 Email: info@geharding.co.uk 12887 27 Please mention Modern Magazines when contacting advertisers

STAR GAZING

kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the June Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include a very close encounter between the Moon and Antares, the star that ‘rivals Mars’.

International Space Station

For the final few days of June, the ISS is visible an hour or so before sunrise, low in the southeast. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

Midsummer, or the Summer Solstice (from the Latin for ‘the sun stands still’) occurs on June 21st. For the northern hemisphere, it marks the day when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon (GMT). We experience this as the ‘longest day’ of the year (the longest amount of daylight and the shortest night).

Mercury

The innermost planet is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Venus

Venus is now sinking lower every evening but remains visible in our skies until just

Please canwe have trees added to the horizon as view isvery low to the west. Thanks Mars Venus View west at 11pm, 21 – 22 June 21st 22nd To advertise in this magazine, call 01264 316499 28

before midnight. It appears close to Mars and the Moon on the 21st and 22nd around 11pm (see figure).

Mars

Mars is also getting dimmer and lower each night. Use Venus and the Moon as markers to try and spot it low on the western horizon on the 21st and 22nd. Binoculars will help bring out its red colouration.

Jupiter & Saturn

Jupiter is visible from around 3.30am low in the east, but is dazzling bright and for early risers it cannot be mistaken for anything else. Saturn appears earlier, around 3am.

Moon

June’s full moon occurs on the 4th. It is very close to the star Antares on the 3rd at 11.30pm (see figure). On this date, the Moon is pretty much full, so binoculars might be required to see Antares through its glare.

Star of the month

Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of the scorpion, Scorpius (note, not Scorpio), can be spotted low in the south during the month of June. Its name is derived from the Ancient Greek for ‘rival of Mars’, as it is often seen in the same part of the sky as the red planet, and is also coloured red, but for different reasons. Mars is red because its surface contains oxidised (rusted) iron, whereas Antares is classed as a red supergiant star, which has cooled to a temperature that gives off red-coloured light. In one version of Greek mythology, the scorpion was responsible for the downfall of the boastful hunter Orion, causing his death by a quick sting on the back of his foot. The whole star pattern of Scorpius can’t be seen from the UK, but if you travel farther south for your holidays this summer try and spot the scorpion in all its glory as it really is one of the most spectacular constellations.

Please canwe have trees added to the horizon as view isvery low to the south. Thanks View south at 11.30pm on 3 June Antares: ‘Rival of Mars’
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Near full moon
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