Big Voice in Stubbington/Hill Head, March 2021 by Big Voice Directories

STUBBINGTON March 2021 | Issue 75 | £1.50 where sold

Your local community magazine

Voice

Inside... Make yourself a ‘Bug Hotel’

Another local running legend

www.bigvoicedirectories.co.uk

Zoom away from screens

Photograph taken by Louise Elliott 1

Solent Sports Injury Clinic Previously known as Stubbington Sports Injury Clinic

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After

Right Choice

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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 Stubbington and Hill Head. For distribution enquiries please give me (Gemma) a call. Two other editions are also published in Alverstoke and Lee on Solent. 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

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MARCH ISSUE 2021

Recipes, community, charity, properties and more

CONTENTS 8

Get Puzzled

Crofton Parish

Recipe of the Month

Driving Times

Mum’s the Word

Keep On Running

Chat with Coralie

Test yourself with this month’s crossword

A wholesome family classic

Activities for cold days and rainy ones

Cut back, but not cut down

The luxurious Lexus RX450h

Another local legend, do you know one?

Longing for the better things in life

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

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

How To Avoid Carer’s Fatigue When Caring For Someone With Dementia Caring for someone with dementia can feel like a round-the-clock job. But nobody can look after someone all day, every day. Here, we explore why caring for yourself helps everyone and how you can begin to find the balance you need in order to recharge your own batteries. If you’ve ever sat on a plane, you’ll remember the safety guidance putting your own oxygen mask on before helping anyone else. The thinking is: look after yourself, and you’re in a much better place to care for others.

yourself as a carer because you’re looking after a member of your family” she says. “But it’s important for it to be acknowledged that you are a carer. Being acknowledged means that the support and help you need can be provided.”

Acknowledge your feelings It’s easy to set an impossibly high standard for the care you offer, then feel guilty when you don’t quite reach it. It can be even worse when it’s because you found yourself sad, frustrated, angry or forlorn. Which of course, can then lead to more guilt for feeling that way!

But it’s so easy to forget that when you’re looking after a loved one with dementia. The risk of carer’s burnout is real and the impact that can have on your life and relationships can undermine everything you’re trying to achieve.

It’s important to recognise these are all normal ways to feel. Caring is intense, and you’re only human. Your loved one didn’t ask to get dementia, but you didn’t ask to be living with it either. Be kind to yourself, you’re doing the best you can.

If that’s something you’re concerned about, either for yourself or someone in your family, read

Focus on you

Our Tips for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

It may sound counterproductive, especially when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But one of the best ways to avoid carer burnout is to put energy into your hobbies, projects, or other important relationships. The more you prioritise your own needs when able, the better you’ll feel about yourself. Then you’ll find you’re more emotionally equipped to deal with the realities of life with dementia.

Accept the situation It might sound strange, but for some carers, even seeing themselves as a carer can be a challenge! Admiral Nurse Barbara Fitzpatrick, speaking for Dementia UK, explains. “You may not think of 6

Not sure where to start? Google a life coaching tool called ‘The Wheel of Life’. It’ll help you get an overview of your priorities and start deciding more purposefully where to direct your energy.

Live healthy Eating and sleeping well can make such a difference to your outlook. Additionally, even 20-30 minutes light exercise, like a brisk walk or an online yoga class can

@bluebirdcaregosport / www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/gosport

add enormously to your energy levels. Try not to bite off too much at once, though. The more gradual the changes, the more they’ll stick.

Be creative Dementia can steal the joy from the time you spend with your loved one, but it only takes a little creative thinking to reconnect. Fish out their favourite music album, go for a short walk in a favourite place, flick through old photos, watch an old movie with them. There are always ways to make the most of your time with the person you’re caring for.

At Bluebird Care Gosport, we offer a number of different dementia caring services to suit every need. These include live-in-care, homecare visits (domiciliary care) and even companionship care, where a Bluebird care assistant can keep your loved one socially engaged. Whatever you choose, we’ll make sure you get a much-needed respite.

Find support In terms of lightening the mental load, the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline offers advice and support. Call them free on 0800 888 6678 or visit Dementia UK for more info. Of course, if your loved one’s condition deteriorates further, you may decide it’s time for a different approach. Call us on 02393 233 922 to see how we can help, or visit us at www.bluebirdcare.co.uk to find out more.

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

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

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)

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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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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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Invites you to our first

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For more information visit our Facebook page.

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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

to adverstise call Gemma 01329 630630 / 07909 627177

Crofton Parish

Cut back, but not cut down We have two apple trees in our garden. Every other year they produce an incredible harvest, more than we could ever eat in apple pie. So, Vicarage Cider is officially now one of my hobbies! But trees need care. One of the ways they need care is through regular pruning. They’re quite large, so it’s a challenge, but I try to do what I can each winter to make sure they are cut back and can continue to be fruitful in the years ahead. Through this last year, I’ve found the image of pruning a helpful one to describe what we’ve been experiencing. We’ve been cut back. Much of ordinary life has not been possible since March last year. There’s loss within that and we’ve been forced to adapt to a much reduced way of life. We find this difficult because, in the modern world, we have lost touch with the seasonal nature of our world. We’ve replaced it with a market-driven vision for life, which expects quarter-on-quarter growth and return in an endless pursuit for more. Yet, during the pandemic, we’ve had to learn to live with less. Often, this has been difficult: less human contact is not good for us. But, occasionally, it’s been helpful and has given us space to reflect on the state of our lives. All gardeners know that pruning is necessary for health and growth and that a seasonal approach to life is the way our world works. In time, the winter of this pandemic will come to an end and a new spring will come. We have been cut back but not cut down! New shoots will emerge and we will be able to rediscover some semblance of normality. We can use this time of pruning best by not just waiting passively for life to go back to normal but by reflecting on what we’ve learned and how we’ve

changed (for better and worse). It may be as simple as learning to show gratitude to those whose unseen work helps our society function. It may be something more profound about the balance between work and home. Or, maybe you’ve been wrestling with some of the biggest questions and life, meaning and God. Equally, we may have to come to terms with the ways this season has affected us negatively. You may have started to drink or eat too much. It may be that loneliness and isolation have caused your mental health to plummet. These things, too, need to be acknowledged so that we can learn from them and perhaps grow beyond them. In John 15, Jesus used the metaphor of pruning as a picture of the human experience, especially for anyone who would describe themselves as a Christian. In times of pruning, his encouragement was to develop healthy internal habits – meditation, prayer – that would deepen our experience of his love and grace, strengthening us for when winter ends and spring comes with new life and growth. The winter of this pandemic will end and we will experience a new spring as restrictions lift and we are able to resume those parts of life currently on hold. My hope and prayer for you is that this season of being cut back has prompted you to reflect on your life and as spring comes around, you can emerge from it with a deeper appreciation for the gift that is your life, and a deeper commitment to putting it to use for the benefit of others. Revd Richard England, Vicar – Crofton Parish Telephone 01329 661154 office@croftonparish.org.uk

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DRIVING TIMES

The Luxurious Lexus RX450h large SUV Tackles Tarmac and Trails Terrifically.

Playing music through the superb Mark Levinson sound system is a beautiful experience.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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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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

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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