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NOW LAUNCHING - TRINITY HOUSE
Stately Apartments by the SeaOne and Two Bedroom Apartments
Located in Alverstoke on the South Hampshire Coast, Royal Haslar is one of Britain’s landmark buildings.
Built in 1753, the Grade II-listed former naval hospital is part of the very fabric of our nation. Assured its place in history, it is now protected for the future. Reborn as a luxury waterfront residential village offering outstanding period architecture and well-appointed, modern apartments.
Welcome to Royal Haslar - your sanctuary by the sea. Call today and book a private viewing of the coastal and parkland show apartments.
For detailed floor plans, apartment specifications, video tours and to register for the Royal Haslar newsletter, with latest updates and local news, visit the website:
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I’m all for getting the bad news out of the way so I am going to do just that. May I offer a ‘mascara warning’. There’s no easy way of saying this...we’ve had to say goodbye to our beautiful Sid. He very quickly became a poorly boy, too poorly to survive. We are heartbroken but are left with the most wonderful memories and as you have seen over the last nearly 9 years, great photos of him. I know lots of our readers enjoyed seeing his photo each month to see what he’d been up to! He was regularly spotted out and about. So, with that in mind it felt only right to dedicate a full page to our most popular pup. You’ll find it on page 37. I hope you can join me in raising a cup or glass of something to Sid.
Moving swiftly on to a lighter note may I turn your thoughts to Christmas and specfically food, in the form of mince pies. It’s that time where 150 mince pies are dispatched to the Taste Test Team. The results are in. We have done the hard work to bring you the best mince pies out there! Check out the results on page 36.
The Friends of Crescent Garden will be celebrating more than just Christmas this month! They finish off 2024 by sweeping the awards
board! More on this next month. In the meantime you can read the latest article from the Friends on page 14. All about fungi!
Have you tried The Vine yet? The wonderful Nick has opened there serving his delicious Coffee, homemade cakes, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and more Monday through to Friday. He’s also offering our readers FREE FIZZ when you book Afternoon Tea throughout December. See p9!
Inside you’ll also find the gardening guide, our festive recipe that you can make to give as gifts, great offers, sudoku, great advertisers, local news and much more!
NEED MORE CUSTOMERS?
Why not kick start your business in 2025 with an advert in our January edition? Get in touch! Details below or scan the QR code.
I hope you enjoy this months edition. Thank you so much for your continued support of my magazine. I wish you a happy Christmas! See you
EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
BY ANNA JONES
These are perfect for gifts! Who doesn’t love receiving a delicious homemade gift. We’re all happy to indulge in a treat over Christmas time.
I’ll be making these to gift but I may not be giving all of them away!
Makes 48
• 60g coconut oil, plus a little extra to grease
• 30g light brown sugar
• 200g nut butter (I use almond, cashew or hazelnut)
• 200g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
• Seeds from 1 vanilla pod
• 2 big pinches flaky salt
Additional flavours (optional)
• Zest of 1 unwaxed orange, lemon or lime
• Smoked sea salt instead of regular salt
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• Seeds of 2 cardamom pods, crushed
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
To coat (use one or more)
• 50g raw cacao or cocoa powder
• Pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, finely chopped
• Candied ginger, finely chopped
• Grated dark chocolate
• Dried rose petals, crushed
Method
Grease a 20cm x 20cm square brownie tin with coconut oil.
Heat the coconut oil and sugar in a saucepan on a low heat. Once the oil has melted and the sugar has dissolved into the oil, take the pan off the heat, add the nut butter, chocolate, vanilla and salt and stir until everything has melted. If you’re adding any other flavour, stir it in now.
Pour the mixture into the tin, then chill for about two hours until set solid. While the truffle mix is chilling, get your chosen coatings ready and put each in a little bowl.
Once set, turn the truffle slab out on to a cool work surface and cut into squares (mine are 11.5 cm), then gently dip each truffle in its coating to cover. The truffles will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks in a sealed container.
Find out everything Anna Jones at: annajones.co.uk
VEGAN
Coffee, homemade cakes, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and more!
Afternoon Tea
Book now £17.50, Free glass of Prosecco with every booking made in December quoting this ad.
Free fizz with this ad!
DECEMBER IN CRESCENT GARDEN
On approaching the central gate of Crescent Garden your eyes will naturally be drawn to the vast selection of plants, sweeping lawns and a diverse array of trees. As the summer fades into autumn, the deciduous trees shed their spectacular amber leaves and the Taxus baccatas, dominating the western and eastern lawns, begin to discard their needles, a less conspicuous life cycle begins. The fruiting bodies of fungi can be spotted, some obvious and others so small you may never notice them.
The fungi that we are able to see above the ground, on trees or felled branches can be very helpful assisting gardeners by giving us a glimpse of what is happening beneath the surface of the garden. It is possible to gauge roughly what ph levels are in the soil, whether there is a high or low level of nutrients, the drainage of the soil and in some cases
identifying whether a living plant has been weakened as a consequence of other underlying issues.
The relatively untouched lawns at Crescent Gardens possess similarities as well as differences - the main difference is the species of trees which grow on each lawn allowing for a contrast in the fungal species between the two.
This autumn there has been an advantageous amount of rain for fungi, providing optimal growing conditions. The Crescent became a mycelial treasure trove. On the western lawn were some Hortiboletus bubalinus, a mushroom that has spongy pores instead of gills. On the eastern lawn there was another type of bolete (Xerocomellus chrysentron) which prefers the conditions on the eastern lawn, most of which run along almost the entirety of the space below the Buxus sempervirens (box hedge).
Under the Taxus baccata on the western side lay a cluster of Russula cyanoxantha, commonly known as a charcoal burner because of its distinctive smokey grey caps. They have a pure white stipe and gills and unlike other Russula their caps are more flexible and less brittle.
Further towards the Araucaria araucana were two different waxcaps, Hygrocybe conica, commonly known as ‘blackening waxcap’ or ‘witch’s' hat. The reason for these names is not only because of its conical-shaped cap, but also its stages of maturity; starting from a bright shiny orange and slowing blackening with age. The second cluster of waxcaps were Hygrocybe ceracea, a vivid golden yellow, both of which are usually found later in the season due to its preference for lower temperatures.
There were quite a few patches of Clavulinopsis luteoalba. Despite their dramatic appearance and striking colour they are small enough you
may never have spotted them. Often preferring mossy grasslands and high-quality habitats, they are a delight to see in the garden.
The eastern lawn had a patch of Ramariopsis kunzei, close to the central flower beds. This particularly perfect specimen looked just like a coral reef with its branch- like prongs protruding from the lawn. Additionally, there were many clumps of Clavulina rugosa around the base of the smaller female Taxus baccata, covering the pine ladened soil at the base. If you find yourself in Crescent Gardens between late August to mid-November; look closely and you may spot some.
Although the gardens are predominantly about the plants and trees that can be enjoyed all year round, they would not exist without the assistance of the fungi.
Rebecca Mckeown Crescent Garden, Crescent Road, Alverstoke alverstokecrescentgarden.co.uk
Recent Acquisitions
Pictures from the 17th to the 21st centuries
All exhibits for sale
As we approach our 45th year in business, all of us at the gallery would like to thank our many clients, near and far, for their continued support. We wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!
Saturday 30th November until Saturday 7th December 2024 (inclusive) 10.30am – 5.00pm (Closed Sunday 1st)
The gallery is happy to offer its expertise, free of charge and without obligation, to appraise paintings, etchings and antiquarian books brought in for framing, restoration, valuation or potential purchase.
Richard Martin Gallery
19-23 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1LS
Arthur Briscoe (1873-1943) - Landing Oysters. Watercolour, signed and dated 1929.
IN THE GARDEN
• Winter-prune Wisteria
• Store terracotta pots so they don’t crack
• Hang bird feeders near roses to attract hungry birds that will also pick off any overwintering pests
• Prune climbing roses
• Move potted tender plants under cover
• Fork over borders once remains of summer perennials & autumn leaves are cleared
• Cut down grasses that are past their best!
• Treat posts, fences & trellis with preservative
• Clear leaves near hedges & walls
• Place mulch around plants to give roots extra insulation from the cold
• Collect up hoses and reels, store in a shed over winter to prevent them being damaged by frost
• Place a floating heater or a ball in ponds to stop ice completely covering the surface
• Leave the faded flower heads on your hydrangeas until spring for protection
• Check climbers and climbing shrubs are securely attached to their supports with ties
• If it's mild, continue to cut the lawn if it's growing, but raise the height of mower blades.
GREENHOUSE
• Pinch out the tips of autumn-sown sweet peas to encourage bushier growth
• Pick faded leaves and dead flowers regularly from plants overwintering in the greenhouse
VEG PLOT
• Sow broad beans
• Plant out onion sets
• Plant out garlic
• Ensure kale, winter cabbages and brassicas are covered by netting
• Sow winter lettuce
• Order your veg seeds, onion sets, asparagus and potatoes and plan for next year!
• Finish digging over empty beds and pile manure on top if using
• Prune grape vines once leaves fall
• Plant any fruit or ornamental trees
• Turn compost heaps, empty the compost bin, mix the contents, then refill
• Plant out new rhubarb crowns
• Place straw around the base of parsnips to prevent the soil freezing, which can make harvesting difficult
• Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas
• Cut down dead asparagus foliage
Stubbington based pond creation and landscaping business, fully insured and specialising in wildlife friendly gardens including:
· Wildlife Ponds · Wildflower Planting & Flowering Lawns
· Fish Ponds, Streams & Waterfalls
· Pondless Water Features
· Paving & Decking
· Pergolas, Wooden Bridges & Seating
· Garden Maintenance
Check me out on YouTube, Facebook & Instagram - Viking Garden Creations ‘Where Water meets Land’
WHAT YOU GET WITH VIKING GARDEN CREATIONS
A PROFESSIONAL, FULLY PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURED TRADESMAN THAT TAKES PRIDE IN EVERY LANDSCAPING, GARDENING AND POND CREATION JOB THAT'S UNDERTAKEN.
A BUSINESS WITH A CONSCIENCE. VIKING GARDEN CREATIONS HAS INVESTED IN THE NEWEST, HIGHEST QUALITY CORDLESS GARDEN TOOLS, SO WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT WITH LESS NOISE, DISRUPTION AND POLLUTION TO YOU, YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND THE LOCAL WILDLIFE. A LOCAL SOLE TRADER THAT PROVIDES A FRIENDLY SERVICE THAT'S TAILORED TO YOU AND YOUR GARDEN'S NEEDS. JOIN MY GROWING LIST OF HAPPY REGULAR GARDEN MAINTENANCE CUSTOMERS,
ALONGSIDE MY LARGER GARDEN, POND AND WATER FEATURE CREATION PROJECTS.
A BUSINESS THAT DOES IT'S UPMOST TO PROMOTE WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDENS, EITHER DIRECTLY WITH THE WORK I CARRY OUT, OR BY TALKING WITH MY CUSTOMERS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN ALSO BE DOING TO HELP OUR LOCAL BIRDS, POLLINATORS AND MAMMALS.
I ALSO HAND BUILD MY OWN RANGE OF BIRD BOXES TO SELL. PLEASE VISIT
WWW.VIKINGGARDENCREATIONS.COM AND CLICK ON THE 'BIRD BOXES' LINK FOR MORE INFO.
Pollinator Friendly flower bed with Oak Sleeper retainers
Opening Hours: Monday
PRE
COINS (SILVER) WANTED
WHAT’S ON
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL At
St. Faiths
Church & Parish Centre, Victoria Square Lee Friday 6th Dec 5.30-7pm
Big Switch on of 40 Christmas Tree lights together with Rowdy Carols and Wreathmaking Saturday 7th Dec 11am-7.30pm
Featuring Santa’s Grotto, Nativity Play, Christmas Stalls, Refreshments, Bar, Live Music. Sunday 8th Dec 11am-7pm Ending with a Carol Concert from 7.30 pm in the Church.
Admission FREE on all three Festival days. Tickets are required for Santa’s Grotto, Nativity Play, Wreath making and Carol Concert – book online in advance or at the door on the day. For more details www.stfaithslee.org/peaceandjoy
MINI MARKET IN LEE HIGH STREET
Saturday 7th December 10am-3pm
FRIENDS OF STANLEY PARK
Monthly litter pick first Sunday of the month 10-11am Meet in The Alverbank Hotel car park. We provide pickers, bags, gloves and smiles!
CROFTON PROBUS CLUB
Meet for Lunch Last Wednesday of the Month Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club 12pm. For retired & Semi-retired professional /businessmen. If you miss the camaraderie and social connection of the workplace come along to a trial meeting before joining? New members welcome. 07508711299 morton.wouter@gmail.com
ROWING AT HILL HEAD SAILING CLUB
Nestled by a natural harbour at the mouth of the River Meon. It is a typical local club, run by the members and full of people who simply enjoy being out on the water. The club is keen to welcome anyone with an interest in rowing to contact the Rowing Captain Julie Thorpe at rowing@hillheadsc.org.uk for a trial row.
INSTITUTE OF NAVAL MEDICINE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Thursday 5 December 2024 17:00-21:00 Crescent Road Gosport PO12 2DL
Pre-sale tickets only contact: NAVYINM-CS@mod.gov.uk
Or call 02392768051
Only people with MOD car passes and disabled permit HOLDERS will be able to park on site Photo ID required. Bags will be searched on entry Last entry time 1930 hours
INTERNATIONAL FOLK/CIRCLE DANCING
December 3rd, 17th (Christmas Dance) 10am12pm RC Church Hall, Bells Lane, Stubbington
£6.50 Dances to beautiful music from around the World. No Partner or experience is required & all dances are taught. New members welcome. Contact Bob & Mary 01329 609589 Mobile: 07748009838 neal.bob61@gmail.com
SHORE LEAVE HASLAR MEMORIAL GARDEN OPEN DAY
CATS PROTECTION GOSPORT
Saturday 14th December 8am to 3.30pm
At the High Street Market. Cat-themed merchandise, nearly new goods, jigsaws, variety of craft items.
CATS PROTECTION GOSPORT
Friday 20th December 9.30am-4pm Promotional stand at Asda, Gosport. Branded giveaways and items for sale. Cat care advice.
11th Dec 11am-1pm. Free entry, donations gratefully accepted. Crafts, plants, produce for sale, homemade cake, drinks. Walk around the peaceful garden. Please park in main Haslar site. keep
Rear
YARROW THE HERBALIST’S HERB
You will find this modest little plant growing on grass verges, street corners, hedgerows and lawns all around our local area, and most of us are unaware of its amazing healing potential. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is named after the Ancient Greek hero Achilles who it is claimed used the plant to heal warriors’ wounds. The second part of the name reflects the plant’s fine, feather-like bladed leaves that slightly resemble a millepede’s legs(!). Yarrow is a complex herb that has many medicinal uses due to its numerous active constituents. Notably, it is considered as the ‘master of the blood’, meaning it can treat any condition related to distribution of blood e.g. varicose veins and menstrual issues. Flavonoids in the plant both strengthen and relax the peripheral blood vessels, which makes it a useful remedy for any circulatory issues including hypertension and venous congestion. Yarrow also has a balancing effect in a number of cases. For example, several constituents help to reduce blood clotting, whereas others help to stop bleeding. What’s more, it can help to bring on delayed or
irregular periods, but can also help to alleviate heavy menstrual bleeding. It is a wonderful herb for wound healing and can be used as a first aid herb to stop the bleeding of even deep cuts, especially if you can crush some fresh plant and place it directly onto the wound. Very useful to know if injured while out walking or playing! Fevers are common-place, particularly at this time of year, and Yarrow can induce sweating and reduce fevers, encouraging heat to be dispersed from the inside out by sending blood to the skin and sweat glands. In clinic I prescribe Yarrow in both tincture and tea form depending on the case. For fever reduction and at the first signs of colds or flu I use a hot herbal tea of Yarrow often combined with Elderflower and Peppermint to encourage sweating, and thereby reducing temperature. Yarrow is an anti-inflammatory herb and it’s astringent and toning properties help to tone and heal mucous membranes of both the respiratory and digestive tracts. I use Yarrow for cases of recurrent colds and sinusitis where there is a lot of mucous, as well as for acute and chronic diarrhoea, and topically for haemorrhoids. Energetically, it is held to protect against negative energy and to alleviate fearfulness. Now you know about this powerhouse of a little plant you will start to see it everywhere!! You can always pick some to try at home for teas or a homemade tincture, but ensure you wash it well if it was near a lamppost or fence!! As always, not all plants are appropriate for everyone. It should not be used during pregnancy and please consult a qualified medical herbalist before internal use (especially with the tincture and if you are taking other medications).
Louise Courtney wildsidehealth.co.uk
W L S
Do you have important legal documents in place to protect your interests and make life easier for you and your family, whatever the future brings?
If you have received a diagnosis of dementia, or are concerned about becoming ill and unable to cope with paying your bills, wouldn’t it be helpful for a family member to be able to step in and deal with your finances? If your family member needed to make decisions for you, instead of just acting on your instructions, they would need your formal written authority to do this.
Formal authority can be given by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney. This document will allow your family member to take over managing your money, either temporarily or long term.
You can also create a Lasting Power of Attorney which allows your family member to make decisions for you about medical treatment, if you are unable for any reason to make your own decisions. This is not the same as an Advance Decision, which is a document which sets out your decision to refuse medical treatment in the future, under specific conditions.
If you are caring for an elderly relative, or are likely to be doing so in the future, a Lasting Power of Attorney will mean that you can provide the support your relative needs and access services on their behalf, without the difficulties, stress and resistance you would otherwise encounter.
Having a Will gives you peace of mind that your money, property and personal possessions will be going to the people you have chosen to benefit. An out of date Will can cause problems within the family or mean that a chosen beneficiary receives nothing.
If you have any unanswered questions about Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney, Christine will be pleased to help, so do please get in touch for a free, no obligation, chat.
Call Christine Davies Solicitor on 07860 772274 or email: christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk
Christine is a Fully Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend. Christine will visit you in your own home and aims to provide a warm personal touch to every meeting.
Christine Davies Solicitor
MINCE PIE TASTE TEST
It’s that time of year when parcels of mince pies are distributed to the Taste Test Team. The team have worked their way through 150 mince pies to bring you the results of the best looking and best tasting mince pie for 2024! We went extra fancy this year and put Fortnum & Mason and Harrods mince pies to the test! How did they stand against the usual contenders? The results are in...
Tesco just looked ok, bland was the most used word for these pies. They were very empty and the pastry was far too thick.
Lidl’s looked awful! The pastry was claggy. A soggy, sloppy looking mince pie with no taste.
Harrods did not look like a mince pie, more like a muffin or fairy cake. However the pastry was lovely and flaky, for some it was the tastiest for others there wasn’t enough filling and the pastry too thick.
Fortnum’s had a great pastry to filling ratio, they were very deep with a nice aftertaste.
Waitrose are back on track! For the last few years they’ve lost their way but they are back with many tasters loving the flavour giving them the full 10 out of 10! They could definitely pass as homemade, in a good way!
Marks’s are always a safe bet. This year the tasters liked the festive look of them. The taste was ‘amazing’, ‘the perfect mince pie’. The winner! We hope this helps! The Team are all minced pied out! As always, any mince pie warmed up and with lashings of cream will taste good!
Until the next Taste Test.
With 3 sites in the local area, all of our Garages are high ranking members of ‘The Good Garage Scheme’ and ‘Checkatrade’. Our Garages provide onsite MOT testing. Mon - Fri: 8.30 - 5.30 Sat: 8.30 - 12.30
Solent Airport MOTs, Unit il1-3, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX (Stubbington Motors is now at Solent Airport MOTS) Elkins Motors, 99b Mays Lane, Stubbington PO14 2ED Locks Heath Garage, 212 Hunts Pond Road, Locks Heath PO14 4PG
HVR CUSTOMS
Specialists in VW’s, we also cover many other makes and models in the full or part conversion of camper vans, kombi vans and caddy’s. We manufacture and design custom built camper interiors for Volkswagens and other makes.
Full & Part Conversions
VW Transporters, Campers, Kombi’s and Caddy’s
0333 3585 999 (Option 3)
HVR Customs, Unit il3-4, Illustrious Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive, Lee on the Solent PO13 9FX
CARS AND VANS ALWAYS IN STOCK FOR SALE!
Specialising in transporters and small low mileage cars. (The cars are ideal for first time drivers.)
Pre-sale tickets only contact: NAVYINM-CS@mod.gov.uk
Or call 02392768051
Only people with MOD car passes and disabled permit holders will be able to park on site
Photo ID required
Bags will be searched on entry
Last entry time 1930 hours
Institute of Naval Medicine
Thursday 5 December 5-9pm
Crescent Road Gosport PO12 2DL
Christmas Opening Hours
Sunday 22nd 9am - 5pm
Monday 23rd 7.30am - 6pm
Christmas Eve 7.30am - 4.30pm
Christmas Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
Friday 27th 9am - 4pm
Saturday 28th 8am - 6pm
Sunday 29th 10am - 4pm
Monday 30th 8am - 6pm
New Year’s Eve 8am - 5pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Thursday 2nd Jan 8am - 6pm
Stubbington Green, Fareham PO14 2JG
ROWING AT HILL HEAD SAILING CLUB
All along the Solent and in our harbours and rivers you may have seen people out rowing in traditional boats. Gig Rowing, historically a West Country sport, has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and the Solent region has proved perfect for getting on the water in these lovely boats.
Hill Head Sailing Club is nestled by a natural harbour at the mouth of the River Meon. It is a typical local club, run by the members and full of people who simply enjoy being out on the water.
The club borrowed two scout rowing boats to do some trial rows and found that there was a group of members keen to develop a rowing group.
Part of the club’s history is an old, clinker-built wooden boat called Alston - named after one of the club’s founders. The Alston has been lovingly maintained by members over the years, keen to keep hold of this part of the club’s history. Two members took on the task of converting The Alston into a rowing gig, adding thwarts, footrests, rowlocks and a rudder.
Before long, The Alston was proving a popular boat to row, solid and very seaworthy. It was so
popular, in fact, that a crew rowed her all the way round to Langstone Harbour to take part in the Tudor Challenge - a 10 mile race around the harbour hosted by Tudor Sailing Club. With rowing proving so popular, Hill Head Sailing Club’s Rowing Committee applied for and was successful in being awarded a grant from Sport England to purchase a brand new modern fibreglass Bursledon Gig. These gigs are used by a number of local clubs and benefit from being very versatile - they can by rowed by between two and four people plus a cox, and are ideal for local waters.
Hill Head Sailing Club took delivery of their new locally built gig, in September. To mark this new venture for the Sailing Club, Mayor Cllr Pal Hayre presided over a naming ceremony for Bramble, with the boat being blessed by Revd Steve Dent.
Hill Head are now looking forward to training hard over the winter so that they can take part in local regattas next year, as well as simply enjoying being out on the water on those lovely crisp winter morning and is developing their rowing calendar for next year.
The club is keen to welcome anyone with an interest in rowing to contact the Rowing
Captain Julie Thorpe at rowing@hillheadsc.org.uk for a trial row.
