LEE ON THE SOLENT March 2021 | Issue 160 | £1.50 where sold
Your local community magazine
Voice
Inside... Make yourself a ‘Bug Hotel’
Another local running legend
Zoom away from screens
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Voice
Smalltalk
Well, it’s finally happening…. I thought I had had a chance of making it, but my Birthday is going to be consumed by lockdown 3.0! Having just escaped it in 2020 it feels surreal to know that a year has passed and so much has happened. What’s more, it’s not just any Birthday! It’s my 40th and it will even be on a Saturday! Am I fine about it? Yes I am. I long to see friends and family but I’ve made a deal with myself that I’ll be able to trade a cold March Birthday for a better date in the summer and do something really fun. I hope the summer will be jammed full of postponed celebrations, not forgotten, but finally allowed to happen and all the better for it! Lockdown 3.0….to be honest this one seems a lot tougher than the last two. The short days and long nights coupled with poor weather make it hard to get out as much. Home-schooling has been a challenge but the support I have received from my little one’s schools has been amazing. I feel I should publicly acknowledge the sheer hard work and dedication the teachers are putting in. Well done Gomer, and thank you teachers everywhere! We’ve now settled into new family routines, one is watching ‘A Perfect Planet’ on a Sunday evening. It’s amazing to see the kids brains whir as they try to comprehend the scale of David Attenborough’s stories and the challenges facing the planet as a whole. Having more time on our hands, we decided to explore those ideas with the kids and they are coming up with their own mini-plans to make a difference. We’ve built a bug hotel, focused on not using single use plastic bottles and interrogated Daddy to find out whether our electricity is renewable, thank goodness it is! It’s amazing how a 94-year-old can connect with and inspire the kids, making them more world aware and instantly start challenging why things can’t be better! Something amazing that I think we’ve all realised during the last year is the immense wisdom and perspective that our older generations can provide us with. From Sir David Attenborough through to Sir Captain Tom (RIP), and even some longer discussions I’ve had with my Grandma, who told me about being a little girl during WWII. I hope when I’m on the beach finally celebrating my 40th, there will be just as many Octogenarians and older safely back out enjoying themselves. Lord knows they deserve it!
Peach Publications 01329 630630/07909 627177
Editor
Gemma Harvey-Guttridge editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Advertising Sales
editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Distribution
This Big Voice Bigazine is delivered to residents and businesses in Lee on Solent. For distribution enquiries please give me (Gemma) a call. Two other editions are also published in Stubbington & Hill Head and Alverstoke. Whilst Big Voice Directories aim to provide a quality publication for local reference, it cannot be held responsible for the services, reputation or cost of any of the advertisers, and content of adverts or editorial herein. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Publishers. The magazines are produced on paper sourced from FSC approved paper mills and printed using vegetable based inks. They love being recycled but please pass to a friend first! Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content ©Copyright Peach Publications Ltd.
Stay safe, Gemma x 4
email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
MARCH ISSUE 2021
Recipes, community, charity, properties and more
CONTENTS 8
Get Puzzled
Test yourself with this month’s crossword
10
Recipe of the Month
A wholesome family classic
12
Mum’s the Word
14
St Faiths Church
16
Driving Times
21
Chat with Coralie
24
Keep On Running
The luxurious Lexus RX450h
Longing for the better things in life
Another local legend, do you know one?
Activities for cold days and rainy ones
Thank you Alan
Advertise with us!
Reliably delivered by our local teams, reaching over 15000 homes each issue. THREE editions of Big Voice provide exceptional monthly coverage of our area every single month. Call Gemma now on 01329 630630, jump on our website or link up with us on Facebook.
Visit our Facebook page @bigvoicedirectories Visit our website www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
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Clues Across 1 5 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 20 22 23 24 25
Get Puzzled
Grand house (7) Verifiable truths (5) Dividends, earnings (5) Ghoulish, spooky (7) Evened the score (7) Coach, teach (5) Animosity, hatred (6) Stick, attach (6) Permit (5) Sincere (7) Beasts (7) Belief (5) Ledge (5) Pudding (7)
Clues Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 15
8
Important business person (7) Sound (5) Brilliance, astuteness (7) Wanderers, travellers (6) One side of a many-sided object (5) Savoy, Red, or Napa (7) Severe, sombre (5) Depression, sickness (7) Ridicules (7)
16 17 18 19 21
Drain, take out (7) Stopped (6) Collect, compile (5) Dock, levee (5) Bald, Golden or Pygmy (5)
email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
Invites you to our first
Mothers Day Memorial Service Join us on Friday 12th March at 7pm The service will be broadcast live on Facebook.
For more information visit our Facebook page.
Gosport
Lee-on-the-Solent
2 Stoke Parade, Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire. PO12 1QE
175 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire. PO13 9BX
023 9250 1128
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Recipe of the month
Classic Steak and Ale Pie A wholesome family classic
Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: Filling 3.5-4 hours (plus cooling time) Pie - 45 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients: Pie Filling: Lard or dripping (you can use sunflower oil at a push), 700g boneless beef shin – cut into mouth size chunks, 25g plain flour, seasoned, 200g smoked bacon (diced) or lardons, 225g whole baby onions, 400ml sweet dark brown ale (Theakston’s Old Peculier works well if your ale knowledge is not strong!), 400ml beef stock, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar, 1 tsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp cocoa or 1-2 squares of very dark (80%+) chocolate. For the pastry: 400g plain flour, plus extra for rolling, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp mustard powder (optional), ½ tsp salt, 175g suet, Iced water, A little milk or egg, to glaze Method: Preheat the oven to 170C or 150C fan / gas mark 3. Place the seasoned flour into a large plastic bag. Add the beef in small batches and shake thoroughly to coat evenly. Reserve the floured pieces to a plate. Heat a generous chunk of lard or dripping in a large frying pan over a high heat. Brown the beef pieces in small batches, transferring them to an ovenproof casserole dish as you go. Reduce the heat a little and add the chopped bacon or lardons and the onions to the pan. Cook until the bacon fat begins to render, and the onions are brown on all sides, then add into the casserole. Pour a small amount of the beer into the pan and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom to incorporate all the flavoured meat scraps and flour. Pour this into the casserole too, then pour in the rest of the ale, and add the stock, herbs, sugar, vinegar, and cocoa (or chocolate squares) and bring to a simmer. Cover, and place into the oven for about 2 hours, then uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for another 1½ -2 hours (depends on your oven), until the meat is tender. Set on one side to cool then transfer to a pie dish. To make the pastry place the flour, baking powder and mustard powder in a bowl with ½ tsp salt. Stir in the suet, and then add just enough iced water to bring it together into a dough. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for an hour or so. Preheat the oven to 190C / 170C (fan) / Gas mark 5. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to the thickness of two £1 coins. Place over the filled pie dish, sealing the edges tightly. Cut vent slits to allow the steam to escape. Brush with beaten egg or milk and then bake for 45-50 minutes until golden.
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11
Mum’s the word
Activities for cold days and rainy ones This lockdown seems a lot harder than the last two. The kids are off school again but this time the days are shorter and the weather is cold. My kids love being outside, but we are fed up with the same walk, scoot or bike routes. We’ve been getting our daily dose of vitamin D and time away from the screens, whilst reconnecting with nature in our garden and it has been great fun. We’ve tried making mud pies and a spot of gardening but one of our favourite activities was creating a ‘bug hotel’ and keeping an eye out for visitors. Bug hotels are not expensive to make, in fact they can be almost entirely free and what better way to help nature while using up the garden waste and you’ll never be too far away from a hot chocolate and snack to warm up. Here’s a few tips so you can have a go…. Collect materials: Spend some time hunting around the garden you can literally use anything. Sticks, leaves, pinecones, bark, pebbles, old bricks, broken plant pots or wooden pallets will help you create different environments and lots of hidey holes. Find a suitable place: Choose somewhere that won’t be disturbed and is sheltered from the weather. Insects like dark cosy places so darker corners or behind a bush are the best places to create the home. Build: Make sure your have a good frame by using bricks or larger bits of wood. Create lots of different size holes and gaps to attract different types of creatures and fill spaces with pebbles, leaves and bark. Top with a roof so your guests can stay dry and you are done. You really can’t go wrong. My children found an old garden ornament and said it was a ‘bug swimming pool’, very fancy! Then just wait for the guests to arrive. Different seasons will attract different visitors so make sure you are doing your house keeping!
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Mum’s the word
When you are looking for something to do on a rainy lockdown afternoon, why not try this cheap and super easy playdough recipe. Not only will your children love playing with the dough, but they can also help make it too. You only need a few store cupboard ingredients, and it is ready to be played with immediately. Perfect! Makes - 1 ball of dough (make as many different colours as you like) Prep - 10 minutes You will need: • • • • • • •
8 tbsp plain flour (plus extra for dusting) 2 tbsp table salt 60ml warm water food colouring (gel will work best) 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 mixing bowls Glitter (optional)
DydIoYugh
Pla
Method 1. In one bowl mix the flour and salt and in the other mix together the water, a few drops of food colouring and the oil. 2. Pour the coloured water into the flour mix and stir with a large spoon to bring all the ingredients together. 3. Lightly dust a work surface with a little flour. Knead the dough together for a few minutes and it will start to turn soft and pliable. Check the colour and add a couple more drops of food colouring if you would like a more intense colour. If you want to add a bit of sparkle you can also knead in some glitter! 4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh.
to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177
13
St. Faith’s Church
Those of you who are regular readers of this column will (like me), have been disappointed to read that Alan has decided to lay down his pen. At least as far as the Big Voice is concerned. On taking on the mantle, I wanted to speak to Alan to find out a bit more about the man behind that pen. Over the 8 years Alan has written this column, small snippets of his life have been shared with us as he empathised with many of the people he had met. We have found out that he was a teacher, and it was this vocation that brought him to Gosport to be Headteacher of Siskin School before heading up a middle school in Southampton. Alan came with his family, and his two sons remained integrated into his life in Lee-on-the-Solent when his marriage broke down and his wife moved away. He remembers fondly the many cycling trips he took with the boys around the local area.
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died. He counts himself fortunate to be a part of the lives of his own and Isabel’s grown-up children, as well as remaining on good terms with his first wife. It is a mark of Alan’s gentleness, grace and humility that these relationships are so strong. Although living in Lee-on-the-Solent, it was Alan’s passion for writing which led him to St Faith’s. He picked up the weekly notes one day and saw that there was a competition to write new words to a hymn tune. It will be no surprise to you to learn that he was a winner! To receive his award, he was invited to Southsea Common for the diocesan centenary gathering of churches with members of his own church. Although not a member at the time, the people in St Faith’s were delighted to share in his success! They welcomed him in and he soon became an integral part of the community of St Faith’s.
Alan was candid about telling me that the breakdown of his marriage as a very low point in his life, however, on reflection he is thankful for the wonderful things that can happen in a life which may have seemed bleak in that moment. First, he experienced the joy of discovering the very real and deep love that God had for him. From that moment, Alan has lived out his faith and love for God. This was somewhat unexpected, for although he had accompanied his wife to church for many years, he confessed that he mainly went to keep her company and for the music. An accomplished musician himself, Alan was the choir master at Holy Rood for some time.
Before bringing our conversation to a close, I asked Alan how he would like to be remembered. Having given the matter due consideration, he remembered what his pupils had said of him when he retired , that ‘He makes us laugh’. He hastily told me he wasn’t a comedian - presumably he didn’t want to raise expectations – but I think I understood. He wants to share the humour he finds in life as it unfurls around us, and invites us to smile with him.
Soon after, Alan met and fell in love with Isabel, who was his partner for the next 30 years until she
Written by Bridget Dean For St Faith’s Church
Alan, thank you for the last 86 columns, and we wish you a long and happy retirement.
email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
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15
DRIVING TIMES
The Luxurious Lexus RX450h large SUV Tackles Tarmac and Trails Terrifically. The Lexus RX450h (Hybrid) large SUV really is luxurious. Its interior envelops you, providing a comfortable, safe environment for your journey. Quality materials are used throughout, along with plenty of driving aids and passenger provisions. Although this is a large SUV with a V6 engine, you will notice the difference between this hybrid and a conventionally powered vehicle in a couple of ways. Firstly, an improvement in fuel economy through higher mpg figures. The RX450 spec sheet lists an mpg of 51.4 mpg but I managed 41.9mpg on a 70-mile journey. The V6 engine combined with the electric motor powers the RX to 124 mph with a 0-62mph of 7.7 secs. It is quick enough and then you can cruise along in total comfort.
Playing music through the superb Mark Levinson sound system is a beautiful experience.
It has USB charging points as well as wireless charging, meaning phones, tablets etc can be kept powered for the whole family. Phones can be connected via Bluetooth and whatever you are listening to will sound brilliant through the fabulous speakers distributed around the entire car. It is equipped with the ‘Lexus Safety System +’, a collection of features that aid driving. ‘Lane Departure Alert’ notifies the driver of any straying from direction without indicating and a ‘pre-crash’ safety system continually monitors the road and analyses the likely hood of a collision. Audible warnings sound if it believes an impact is approaching and if the driver fails to respond by slowing or braking, the brakes are applied, and seatbelts tightened. The RX also has blind spot monitors in the door mirrors which notify the driver of vehicles behind the car that are in a blind spot. The RX450h comes with a colour HUD (heads up display), which projects important information on the windscreen in the driver’s eye line. The automatic box is smooth, so you don’t detect the changes unless you drive the car hard. If you want to do this, you can engage ‘sport’ mode. In sport the acceleration increases, the suspension tightens, and the car is more responsive. In Normal mode, the car is more economical, and it provides a softer ride. In ECO the car adapts to give the best
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DRIVING TIMES fuel economy. You can also choose to enter EV mode at speeds under 30 mph. This is the full electric mode and is ideal in confined areas like car parks. The RX is AWD which gives excellent handling to the SUV, both on and off-road. A large boot space easily accommodates shopping, luggage, bikes or sports kit and seats can also fold flat to increase carrying capacity. I loved the luxury feel of the RX450h, it felt impressive driving it. If you drive one, you will buy one.
https://www.lexus.co.uk Price starts from £51,500 Jeremy writes for www.roadtestsandreviews.co.uk Words and pictures by Jeremy Webb Copyright 2020
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CHAT WITH CORALIE
Z oom away from screens
Like many of us, I have been enjoying more than my usual time on Netflix and YouTube, whilst I, probably wrongly, use these tools to switch off to what’s going on around us. I have found myself drawn to a few things in particular which I wanted to share with you all this month, just in terms of giving another perspective on the way we live. You may know that we have a busy household - 4 of our 5 children still live at home and my paraplegic mum and her partner live in the annexe. We have 2 elderly dogs and of course like many of us we are homeschooling. Firstly I am grateful for everything we have. But I find myself getting increasingly frustrated by society and the invisible ropes which seem to be drawing us in. On the face of it we live in a lovely part of the country. We have the seaside on our doorstep, countryside a small drive away and some reasonably good schools who are doing their best to support our kids during the pandemic. And yet.... so much seems so wrong. Reliance on screens has now become a permanent fixture at home making me worry about the addictive affects of social media as well as the possibility of sleep deprivation, eye strain, and other negative outcomes such as depression and mood changes. At least at school the screen time was generally restricted to ‘between lessons’ and there was some break. Now the lessons are all on zoom and it feels like a constant battle to remove our kids from a device and get them doing other things. I have found myself immersed in YouTube channels (oh the irony!) that showcase families having simpler
lives in smaller homes, being off grid and more sustainable in their choices and spending more time in the necessary activities of their lives rather than superfluous ‘surfing’. I yearn to be able to buy some land (albeit somewhere warmer!) where Sean and I can build our own house, heat it with sustainable fuels, grow enough fruit and vegetables for us all and rely a lot less on stores for our day to day necessities. I want our kids to be less concerned about their profiles, the brands of their clothes and whether they have the right filter on their pictures. I want them to do daft things like building tree houses, learn how to cook properly and garden without the draw of Fortnite or Fifa being the main focus in their worlds. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a knock on my kids. But I know I’m not alone in saying that it’s much, much harder to extract them from what has become totally normal in todays society into something that I believe to be healthier and give them more happiness. We can be as strict as we like but it doesn’t stop them feeling as though we have somehow treated them differently to their friends. We are generally at our happiest when we are travelling with our caravan behind our car. The first few days can be tough whilst we try and extract them from their ‘home life’ with phones and screens at every turn. But I yearn for the day when we can get back on the road and let them splash in the pools in France, goof about at Disney and have outdoor cooked food together in the awning where we play cards and chat instead of looking at the back of each other’s iPhones. Until next month
Coralie x
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23
Keep on running
Jackie Tombs The last few articles have been an opportunity to shine the spotlight on local people who have inspired others by their sporting journey. This month’s article is no different. Allow me to introduce Jackie Tombs who some may remember from her many years as one half of a very successful local opticians. As with the others whose talents we have showcased, Jackie is as humble as they come. In fact, I’m not convinced that she truly recognises the significance of her achievements. I asked Jackie to describe how she came to enjoy running and summarise her journey. These are her words... ‘Why did I join Gosport Road Runners (GRR’s) and the 545 RunClub? I had recently retired and had just lost my lovely, amazing Mum who I cared for daily, so I had some free time for the first time since forever. I had run and jogged casually on my own for about 10 years. I had thought about joining a running club but was shy about just turning up, not knowing anyone, being the oldest and the slowest... Then in January 2018, I decided to run the Stubbington 10K for charity with my son. I was amazed by how much support GRR’s gave not only to their own runners but to every runner. They were noisy, smiley and just seemed to love everything about running. I went home and emailed the ‘yellows’, was told to turn up any Tuesday or Thursday and the rest is history! I love being a GRR! The club is friendly, well run and caters for runners of all abilities. There is always someone ready to give you a lift, advice or just a smile when things don’t go as planned. After joining the GRR’s I went from being a casual jogger to representing England and running my first Marathon in not much over a year. I learnt how to reduce my
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injury risks, how to add strength and conditioning and enjoyed Pilates to increase longevity. I also made some great friends. Through Nick Carter (GRR Men’s Club Captain at that time) I also got introduced to the 545 RunClub and The Breakfast Club. They meet at 5.45pm on Wednesdays, followed by a beer if you fancy one, or on a Sunday morning with breakfast after running. This is running for fun, really relaxing and for those who run just for the pure joy of it. We run, chat, put the world right and go home feeling so much better. Covid-19 has been difficult for everyone. Being a runner has helped beyond all expectations to keep me sane. It’s been great to just get out there at quiet times and run off some of that excess energy, to share runs on social media with others and take part in some ingenious games thought up by the GRR committee to keep us all in touch and supporting each other as much as possible. Whilst Jackie has undoubtably taken her running to a whole new level since joining a running club, she has enhanced the experience for those around her with her style, humour and determination. These local legends are amongst us. Who is your hero or role model? Reminder: Most runners are responsible and respectful of other runners and pedestrians. However, as a running community we need to remember that there are those for whom COVID presents considerable issues, physical and psychological. We can all share our roads, footpaths and open spaces safely if we’re mindful of the needs of others. Written by: Nick Carter (Absolute GosVegas Run Groups)
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Guardian Angel Carers from a morning cuppa to supper, or compassionate all-round care in Fareham and Gosport
Domestic Cleaning
Visiting Care
Tech Enabled Care
Companionship & Shopping
Overnight Care
Live in Care
Pop in for a chat to meet the friendly staff
01329 690 096 36b, Stubbington Green, PO14 2LE
fareham@gacarers.co.uk www.gacarers.co.uk www.gacarers.co.uk/Fareham
to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177
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TUDOR LODGE NURSING HOME CARE HOME Exceptional nursing care in a lovely country house setting FOR OLDER PEOPLE
RESIDENTIAL CARE HOM E
follow us on
229 Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire PO14 1AU 01329 220322 www.nursinghomefareham.co.uk
RETIREMENT HOME
CANFORD MANOR NURSING HOME Exceptional nursing a stone’s throw from the beach
follow us on 38 Manor Way, Lee-On-The-Solent Hampshire PO13 9JH 023 9255 0437 www.nursinghomefareham.co.uk
‘Normal Life’ Atmosphere inside the homes See our website for video tours
LGS Lee Garden Services
We specialise in all aspects of: · Patios · Fencing · Water Features · Artificial Lawns · Bricklaying · Walls · Drives · Paving · Garden maintenance - including hedges, grass cutting and tree work
For a quote, call us today on: 07879
270 974
lgs1williams@gmail.com to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177
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311 8001 Solent Way 0800 01329 535 001 Computers Lee-on-the-Solent
Unit 7, Fareham Innovation Centre, 4 Meteor Way, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9FU
Feel like throwing your computer out the window?
Fed up with it going slow? Crashing or Freezing? Strange messages popping up? Or you just want to upgrade?
• Virus & Malware Removal
• System Tune-up
• SSD Upgrades for PC & Mac • Wifi & Network Setup • New & refurbished Laptops • PC Troubleshooting • Custom-built PCs
• Data Migration to new PC
• Arranged home-visits
• Disaster Recovery & Backup
E-mail: info@solentwaycomputers.co.uk
www.solentwaycomputers.co.uk www.ovencleaning24-7.co.uk
0800 1931992 mail@ovencleaning24-7.co.uk
DOMESTIC or COMMERCIAL CLEANING OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Our 24 hour, 7 day a week service is second to none and will fit within your schedule...
FAIR P RIC E, G OO D
V
All staff checked and are 100% fully trained.
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LENT SERVICE! XCEL E D AN E U AL FRIENDLY
PRODUCTS USED
www.ovencleaning.24-7.co.uk
email: editor@bigvoicedirectories.co.uk | www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk
SOLENT FLOORING
Sit back and relax - we come to you! or alternatively visit our showroom CARPETS, VINYLS, LAMINATES, & REAL WOOD ALL SUPPLIED & PROFESSIONALLY FITTED. OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FULLY INSURED. DIRECT EMPLOYED FITTERS
Showroom now open!! Monday-Friday 9am-2pm If you wish to visit our showroom between the hours of 2pm-5pm Mon-Fri or on a Saturday morning please call to make an appointment.
We supply Top Quality Artificial Grass
‘Solent Twist Promotion’
Stain Free Heavy Domestic Twist with a 7 Year wear warranty, 12 colours, Creams, Browns, Greys. 3m x 4m £240 4m x 4m £320 5m x 4m £395 Price Examples including VAT
To include:- Fitting, 10mm underlay, uplift and disposal of old flooring, Grippers, Door bars, Doors eased, help to move furniture, we even hoover up. The full traditional service
Call today - 023 9287 6700 or 0800 9177 553 Jason: 07770 411734 Vicky@solentflooring.co.uk www.solent-flooring.co.uk
Unit C1, Heritage Business Park, Heritage Way, Gosport, PO12 4BG Established 25 years. Company Reg 5813534.
over 1000 reviews
