The Christchurch Directory - December 2013

The Christchurch Directory

Christchurch, Burton, Mudeford & Friars Christchurch Cliff

Delivered FREE around the town

December 2013

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Queensmead A Care South Residential Care Home

Thinking of moving into a care home?

We’re here to help Situated in the heart of the Christchurch community, Queensmead provides quality residential care in a homefrom-home atmosphere.

Whether you’re looking for a short respite stay or a new home, we offer a warm welcome, comfort, security and peace of mind.

To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact the Queensmead manager, Janine May

01202 485176 queensmead@care-south.co.uk

Care South is a leading provider of residential and home care across the south of England Registered Charity No. 1014697

www.care-south.co.uk RESIDENTIAL

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DEMENTIA

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RESPITE

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NURSING

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ASSISTED LIVING

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HOME CARE

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Christchurch

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Introduction

The Christchurch Directory Edition 88

Published by:

Debbie & Stephen Corney at Dorset Publications

Telephone:

01202 894397

Email:

info@thechristchurchdirectory.co.uk

Copy deadline for the January 2014 edition: 20th December 2013

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

The Christchurch Directory 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.

Dear Christchurch, Bargates, Mudeford, Burton and Friars Cliff!

Welcome to our Christmas edition of The Christchurch Directory. Don’t you just love the front cover advert!

Well… It has taken me a little while longer to get into the Christmas spirit this year, but I have to say I am now really looking forward to my parents coming to visit and that all important turkey dinner. For me that is what this time of year is all about - family, friends, good food and a little bit of magic in the air.

We have a full magazine for you this month with lots of local shops and businesses who would like to make your Christmas a special one. The index at the back gives you all there is to find inside. From bathrooms, to bedrooms, plumbing, fencing, property maintenance, chimney sweeps and much more. Please tell them that you saw their details in The Christchurch Directory.

This makes all the difference, and makes our work all worth while.

Have you bought your tickets to see the Regent Centre Christmas Spectacular yet? Don’t miss out on that one.

There are also some articles, including one from Eric Monatgue, our very own ‘Adventures of Nellie’, a recipe and a wordsearch this month, so do get that all important cuppa and have a read. Last month the lucky winner of the tickets to see Aladdin was Mr Jenner, the winner of the Know your Christchurch Competition was Ian Davies and the winner of the 4 tickets to see the Christmas Spectacular was Miss Norris! Well done to you all. Don’t forget that if you run a local club or society, please let me know, as I can promote you for free!

Stephen and myself Wish You All a Really Merry Christmas and a Very Successful 2014!

Best wishes,

Debbie & Stephen Corney Useful Numbers

Local Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Christchurch. Hospital

101 08457 708090 0800 111999 01202 486361

Train Enquires Christchurch Council Sembcorp Water Christchurch Library

08457 484950 01202 495000 01202 590059 01202 485938

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Christchurch

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Community News

Charity dinner raises over £3,000 A charity event held in Christchurch raised more than £3,000 for Round Table Children’s Wish.

The Young Wishes Black & White Charity Dinner was organised by 21-year-old Amelia Pidwell at the Kings Arm Hotel.

An auction was held and the prize of a long weekend in a luxury ski chalet in Sante Foy, France, donated by SkiBoutique, raised £1,200 on its own.

about the Round Table Children’s Wish through a friend and after reading up about the charity online I knew this was the charity I had to support.

“I have personally seen the effects on the families and children who have these illnesses and I couldn’t think of anything better than raising money to ensure these families have lasting memories to cherish together.

Round Table Children’s Wish is a Bournemouth-based national charity that makes wishes come true for young people with life threatening illnesses.

“The event was a great success and I am very grateful for all those who came and for their generosity.”

Since opening its doors in 1990 RTCW has granted over 1,500 wishes and relies on fundraising efforts to carry out its work.

Charlotte Otter from Round Table Children’s Wish said: “It is only through fundraising events such as this, and the dedication of the individuals who hold them, that we are able to continue our work.”

A wide variety of wishes are granted including family holidays, trips to Disneyland, a chance to meet a favourite celebrity or being able to have a toy or item that enables life to be a little more enjoyable during a very difficult time.

The total raised was £3004.40.

The charity dinner attracted 75 guests who enjoyed a champagne reception, three course meal and live music.

Amelia, who graduated from university with a degree in Creative Events Management, decided that her first event would be for charity.

She said: “I found out

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Your fundraising efforts make a real difference

Your fundraising efforts over the last two successful Jigsaw Appeals, to raise money for cancer and blood disorders and women’s health, are now being put to use. Work on the new Jigsaw build project at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is now well underway, with the preparation work having started in October.

This is the first step in providing brand new purposebuilt cancer and blood disorder and women’s health facilities for local patients. The new Jigsaw building will be situated between the Eye Unit and the Derwent Suite for Orthopaedics, and will bring together oncology, haematology, gynaecology, breast care and early pregnancy. It will provide more space for rapidly expanding outpatient and day case treatments and will ensure better privacy and dignity for patients.

After three successful Jigsaw Appeals our fundraising efforts have now expanded to raise money for all departments across the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals under the banner of the Bournemouth Hospital Charity - and you can get involved.

Lindsey Sturman, Fundraising Manager, explains: “Through the Jigsaw Appeals our supporters have raised nearly £6m which is fantastic. Our staff and the public now wanted to focus efforts on fundraising that would help all areas in the hospital. The Bournemouth Hospital Charity does exactly this.”

Last year £1.2m of charitable funds were spent on items such as medical equipment and research, all directly benefiting the patient experience above and beyond what the NHS can afford. For example your donations funded exercise classes for oncology patients and each year we provide small patient gestures, such as presents, for those unfortunate enough to be an inpatient on Christmas Day. We must say a big thank you to our supporters who continue to organise fundraising activities. Here are just a small few: • Thomson Airways who have raised over £21,000 from onboard collections and who have chosen us as their Bournemouth charity of the year for 2013/2014.

• Two of our consultants took part in an epic cycle challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats and raised more than £7,500 for the Trust’s Rheumatology Department and Endoscopy Department.

Christchurch

• The Luff family who raised £3,500 for ITU and the new Cancer and Blood Disorders Unit by organising a special fun day as a thank you for the great care received at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital by their son Sean Luff.

All of your money helps us to provide an even better patient experience above and beyond what the NHS can afford.

How you can get involved: • organise your own fundraising event • take part in a hospital charity organised event • make a donation • consider leaving a gift or legacy • volunteer • be a corporate sponsor of one of the charity events Some Bournemouth Hospital Charity events: • Tree of Light Service for the Jigsaw Building in the main atrium at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Monday 16 December • March for Men raising funds for prostate cancer from Bournemouth Pier to Sandbanks on Sunday 2 March 2014 • Twilight Walk for Women starting at Bournemouth Pier on Friday 6 June 2014 • Football Tournament at the Littledown Centre on Sunday 20 July 2014 How you can keep in touch: • visit our website: www.bournemouthhospitalcharity.org.uk • email charity@rbch.nhs.uk • call 01202 704060 • visit us in the Charity Office in the main atrium of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital • follow us on Twitter @bmthhospcharity or • like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ bournemouthhospitalcharity

Community News

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Celebrating the success of young Christchurch sports men and women The success and dedication of young Christchurch sports men and women has been celebrated at the annual Christchurch and District Sports Council Sports Achievement Awards, held at East Dorset Indoor Bowls Club.

This year there were over 50 winners in total, with awards presented on the night by the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr John Lofts, for success across a diverse range of sports such as sailing, gymnastics, judo, rowing, athletics, swimming, football and hockey. Awards were divided into categories, with 18 bronze awards for county standard success in sporting competitions, 11 silver awards for national standard success and 11 gold awards for international standard success.

The gold award winners were Joanne Arnell and Simon Mussell (sailing), Bethany Cooper and Alexander Peek

(surf lifesaving), Joel Roberts (volleyball), David Williams (judo), Emilia-Mae Lynk (gymnastics), Sasha Ward (dance), Spencer Wilks (swimming), Charlie Roberts (water polo) and Matt Aldridge (rowing).

There were also two new categories this year with six Dedication to Sport awards and seven John Moss Sports Coaches awards. The coaching awards category was created in memory of the late John Moss, president of the Sports Council from 1997 to 2012.

On presenting the awards, the Mayor said: “It is great to see so many young people receive awards for their achievements and dedication shown in their chosen sports. It is also fitting to see volunteers and coaches getting the recognition they deserve for supporting these young people in reaching such high standards.�

Winners at the annual Christchurch Sports Achievement Awards

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Christchurch

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Law Spot ...providing the answers

to your legal questions

Every month the solicitors and lawyers at Harold G Walker will be providing answers to your questions about the law.

My employer has refused my request for two weeks holiday, as she has said that she is too busy at the moment. Can she stop me taking holiday leave when I want to?

Firstly, you should check your contract of employment and/or holiday leave policy to see whether your employer has made particular provision concerning this point. If your employer has, then under the contract your employer will have a contractual right to prevent you from taking your holiday.

However, if your contract is silent on this point, then the default position will be as set out under

Alan Fairley

Conveyancing Solicitor

the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). This states that a worker wishing to take leave must give notice, which must be at least twice the period of the leave requested.

Where this has been done the employer may refuse the worker’s holiday request by serving a counter-notice. This counter-notice must be given to the worker at least as many calendar days before the proposed leave is due to commence as the number of days which the employer is refusing.

ten calendar days before the date on which the leave was due to start.

As a result, a worker who wishes to take ten days holiday (i.e. two weeks holiday), under the WTR, should give their employer twenty calendar days’ notice. If the employer subsequently wishes to refuse that request, it must give notice at least

If the employer serves notice outside of the prescribed period then the employer will have GLIÀFXOWO\ VWRSSLQJ WKH ZRUNHU IURP taking their leave and the decision to refuse could be challenged by the worker raising a grievance.

I’m looking to sell my house and the Estate Agent has told me I need to buy an Energy Performance Certificate. I’ve only owned the house for two years can I just use the one I got when I bought the property?

many times as required within that period. It is not necessary to commission a new EPC each time there is a change of tenant.

Dee Woodcock

Employment Solicitor

In short, yes you can.

However, once a more recent EPC has been produced for a dwelling, it will always supersede an existing one. Therefore, where a number of EPCs are obtained for a property within the ten year period only the most recent one is valid.

EPCs are valid for 10 years a property and can be reused as

EPCs are currently not required at all on any Listed Buildings.

Send your questions by email to LawSpot@hgwalker.co.uk

Law Spot is brought to you by

Harold G Walker Your Friend-in-Law

There is no guarantee that your question will be used and you will not get a personal response.The answers in this feature are for guidance purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

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Community News

We NEED you! Have you ever thought about becoming an on-call firefighter with Dorset Fire & Rescue?

Fire stations across Dorset are recruiting for oncall firefighters – a part-time job which could save lives. We had a chat with Deputy Area Commander for Dorset, Craig Baker to explain what’s involved and how you can sign up.

Soon after your appointment you will have to travel to our Training Centre to complete a Basic Retained Training course. We provide ongoing training in the form of a drill night each week at your fire station.

What is an on-call/retained or part-time firefighter?

An on-call firefighters is someone who is able to work part-time for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and who is able to respond to his or her local fire station when needed, to deal with an emergency. It might be someone who is in other full time or part-time employment or is a carer and is keen to support their local community.

Local emergency services form an important part of our community. Firefighters do a whole range of jobs from fighting fires to helping at all sorts of incidents. As a retained firefighter you might be called to floods, road traffic collisions or chemical spills as well as fires.

So do I have to be on call all the time?

No, the number of contracted hours you are on call will depend on the amount of time you can give each week. The number of hours will be dependent on your work or other commitments and will be agreed following a discussion with the station commander of your fire station.

How do I apply?

Full details of the role of an on-call firefighter together with an application form can be found on our website; www.dorsetfire.gov.uk. If you would like any further information please visit your local fire station.

What kind of person can become an on-call firefighter?

Anyone can be an on-call firefighter, provided that they are over 18 and are both physically and medically fit. You do not need any formal qualifications for the job but you should have good reasoning and numeracy skills. You must be someone with commitment as you could be disturbed from your work or your home at any time of the day or night.

If you are able to respond from work you will need to get the permission and support of your employer. Your employer is likely to expect you to make up the time you have missed when responding to an emergency.

What kind of training do you get?

To begin with, you will have to complete a number of tests to show that you have the right skills and fitness to be a firefighter. If you are successful in these tests you will then be asked to attend an interview at your local station. Finally, you will need to attend a medical and eyesight test.

Deputy Area Commander for Dorset, Craig Baker

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         

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Christchurch

Community News

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Six major works to view by six prominent Christchurch artists S i x p ro m i n e n t a r t i s t s f ro m Christchurch and surrounding areas are starting 2014 with a new exhibition to be staged at the Kings Hotel Christchurch from 4th to 31st January. Entitled 6x6 the self-imposed limit of six works from each artist is a deliberate strategy to provide the audience with the finest examples from their current portfolio taking in aspects of abstract, figurative and impressionism.

Size matters and to this end the artists are free to expand their creativity both in picture dimensions and subject matter, a facility not available in an open entry exhibition.

Jackie Malley, Creative Director for Kings and one of the participating artists explains the concept more fully, “Within the Christchurch area there are many exhibitions from

Town Square, Orta

Sundowners at Bar Marriett the various art groups where highly talented people have the awesome task of selecting limited entries which may also be restricted in size.

We are trying this new approach of allowing more fl exibility to fewer artists with a view to repeating the event if it proves successful.�

The exhibition will also feature a coffee morning on Saturday 4th January 2014 between 10am and 12noon in the Georgian Suite where visitors can enjoy refreshment, meet the artists and view the paintings in a very relaxed atmosphere.

Disabled visitors are most welcome and access is very easy.

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22 22

Wildlife News

Talking about Wildlife...

The Robin

Traditionally seen as a cheerful symbol of Christmas, the robin is frequently depicted on Christmas cards, and a national favourite amongst birds. It is broadly distributed around the UK, and a familiar sight in parks, gardens and woodlands.

Robins are very friendly with humans, and with time, can become tame and feed from your hand. Winter-time especially is a good time to help them out as food is scarce during the cold months, and they will happily accept anything from kitchen scraps to cakes. Make sure, though, that once you start a feeding routine, you stay with it, as the birds will become reliant on the food source. For the rest of the year, the robin menu is a varied mix of seeds, berries, fruits and worms.

The male and the female are identical in appearance with the bright red breast and brown wings and back. The young robins

are a duller brown until about two or three months of age, when they gain their famous red colour. Robins build their nests in hidden spots near the ground, often very close to humans, and breed twice a year, from March onward.

Its adorable appearance and cheerful disposition has made the robin very popular with humans, but amongst themselves and rivals they are fiercely territorial, with their red breast acting as a warning signal. The British robin is mainly residential, with small numbers migrating to Southern Europe for the winter.

The robin is a fantastic wildlife spot as it is easily recognisable and its territorial song can be heard all year round, even on Christmas day, with the male and female songs sounding identical.

By Niina Silvennoinen Robin with its distinctive red breast Photo: S Davis

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         

 

Adventures of Nellie

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The Adventures of Nellie The Dorset Publications Camper Van Well this month we actually went further afield and Nellie took us to see friends in Brighton. In the last issue of The Christchurch Directory I called us ‘fair weather campers’ so this month I thought we would brave the cold overnight and see if we survived! Well I am here to tell the tale, so I guess you could say that we did.

Hayden had a sleep over much to his delight at Connor’s house. He very eagerly said “Goodbye Mummy!” as Stephen and I left in the rather nippy night air to find where we were staying. We are members of Brit Stops, having paid a small fee of £25 for the year. This gives us access to hundreds of pubs, farms and farm shops where we are able to stay in the Campervan for free for the night. This time we stayed at The Tavern at Telscombe, just outside of Brighton. We arrived in the dark and parked up. Having remembered the coffee but not the tea, we decided to go into the pub and get a cuppa. I must admit I felt a bit old entering the dwelling, with lots of local young people and rather loud music playing. Stephen just walked through to the back and much to our delight there was a roaring fire hidden

Brandy by the real log fire!

The view from the “bedroom” window behind the wall with two very comfortable arm chairs! Such a site to behold… There was no tea, but a small (honestly) glass of brandy went down very well!

So now it was time to brave the autumn breeze and settle down for the night. We had bought a hot water bottle on route and Nellie’s whistling kettle was much appreciated for something other than a cuppa! We kept the roof down to keep in as much warmth as we could and snuggled in. We were on a very slight slope which meant blood was rushing to my head! To save me passing out, I asked Stephen to park the other way round and then my feet could benefit from the extra blood flow.

Much more comfortable…The wind was blustering around the van and I really liked the feeling of being warm and protected in our little ‘den’. I woke up once in the middle of the night with a very cold nose.

I did wish I had brought a woolly hat, but I soon curled up, warmed up and went back to sleep. We didn’t wake up particularly early which I thought was a good sign and much to our amazement when we opened the curtains, we had a sea view!

Having parked in the dark we had paid no attention to where we actually were… at least we weren’t hanging off the cliff

25 25 edge! I put the kettle on and we sat having a lovely cup of coffee watching the clear blue sky and very calm sea. Bliss. I left the gas stove on for 20 minutes to warm the van as we got dressed and that made all the difference. Our very own heater.

We then set off to see if Hayden had got any sleep. The previous day he had mischievously said, with a wistful glint in his eye, “I wonder if Connor will have a midnight snack...?” The boys were very excited when we arrived, fully awake having had a full English breakfast. We took them out to see the sights of Brighton, so onto the Pier we went. One thing to note about Brighton is that parking is expensive. The car parks also do not cater for vans well, as the headroom just isn’t enough. We managed to find a spot in the town centre which was £6 for two hours. It was just enough time to play and then decide what we would do next. It was a gorgeous day, very bright, sunny and crisp. On the pier we bought 30 tokens for £20 which was the cheapest deal. The boys had great fun on the dodgems. I have to say that Hayden’s driving left a lot to be desired, and if he wants to be a pilot, as he keeps telling us, he will have to learn a few skills!

It was hilarious watching him spin, then suddenly shoot backwards as he turned the wheel too sharply. This was the first time Hayden was able to go on the rides on his own, due to his height, so it was all

Nellie says goodbye to the Brighton Eye

Christchurch

Hang on tight for the Twister! very exciting for him. The Waltzers were equally entertaining and I am happy to say that the boys did not go on The Booster ride which made my legs go like jelly just watching it! The people we did see on it, seemed to love it, so if you have a head for heights and like being spun high in the air, above the waves of the sea, then this is the one for you! Personally I think I am getting old, as once upon a time I may well have given this a go.

After leaving the Pier with the amusements and fair, Nellie took us to have fish and chips, again overlooking the sea. We found a free parking spot! The boys excitedly put the roof up and went ‘upstairs’ while Stephen and I chilled out, drinking another cup of coffee made with Nellie’s whistling kettle.

To finish the day off we all went down to the pebbly beach and threw stones into the gently rippling waves. Connor was very pleased with himself as he managed to skim the stones twice, bouncing them softly on the water. Well done Connor!

A great weekend was had by all. This would not have happened without ‘Our Nellie’ with her long black skirts and whistling kettle!

Where will Nellie go next… see in next month’s edition of The Christchurch Directory!

By Debbie Corney

26 26

Gardening

a beginner’s

GUIDE Composting

No garden can have too much compost and rich, fertile soil is the key to great vegetables and plants. In these days of fortnightly bin collections (and the threat of slop buckets for our kitchens) why leave kitchen waste to fester in your wheelie bin when it can be put to good use?

Find a corner somewhere in the garden to start a compost heap or, if space is limited, many councils offer bins for the purpose at reasonable prices. If building your own bin, it's best to put it on a soil base which will attract worms to start work on the heap. You could use old planks of wood or chicken wire supported by posts in each corner. This works well as it is important that air can get in to help the process.

You need a good mixture of material to make good compost. If you just put in grass cuttings you'll end up with a foul, soggy mess so they should be mixed with shredded newspaper, pruning clippings (not the really woody stems)

and even cardboard. Annual weeds can go in as long as they haven't gone to seed but avoid perennial weeds like dandelions as even the smallest piece of root will produce another plant. Almost all vegetable waste from the kitchen can be used, but avoid meat, fish and cooked food as these may attract rats etc. Use crushed eggshells, used teabags, used kitchen towels and fruit and vegetable peelings. Keep the mixture damp.

The aim is to end up with something that is dark, crumbly and sweet smelling and alive with worms. If you wanted to hurry up the process, you can buy accelerants from hardware shops and garden centres but a cheaper and just as efficient method involves collecting urine, diluting it with water and wetting the heap with it. Well, what do you imagine our ancestors used?

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Community News

28 28

Keith Motors Launches Local Schools Car Competition Christchurch and Ringwood-based Ford dealership Keith Motors have launched a car design competition aimed at secondary schools in the Christchurch, Ringwood and surrounding areas and are encouraging entries from year 7-11 pupils. Prizes include £250 for the school with the overall best entries plus a £100 Amazon voucher for the winning pupil. In addition, Keith Motors will donate £1 to charity per valid entry received. The deadline for entries is Monday 23rd December and winners will be announced via Keith Motors’ website, Facebook and Twitter pages on Friday 10th January 2014. For details on how to enter go to www.keithmotors.com or email emma@mushroommarketing.co.uk for an entry pack.

The car design competition is aimed at encouraging pupils from years 7-11 to create an image, model or piece of art based on their ideal car or aspect of a car. For example, this could include either a technical drawing, a textile design for the seat covers or even a painting of an aspect of a car. Entries can be as creative or as technical as pupils like.

Selected entries may also be displayed at Keith Motors Christchurch and Ringwood showrooms between 23rd December

2013 and 10th January 2014 for members of the public to view.

Dealer principal of Keith Motors, Robin Webb, added ‘we already work with local school pupils to offer work experience and learning opportunities. We wanted to launch this competition to give local school children a different platform to showcase their budding talent!’

Ford dealership Keith Motors is based in both Christchurch and Ringwood and has been run for 61 years by the Keith family. The company has been a Ford Dealer since 1980, and offers sales, parts, services, rapid fit and rental.

For further information on Keith Motors’ school competition, go to www.keithmotors.com or call 01425 271371. To request a competition pack, send an email to emma@mushroommarketing.co.uk

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       

                             

 

  

Christchurch

32 32

What’s On

THE REGENT CENTRE

Christmas Spectacular!

Friday 20th – Tuesday 24th December 2.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets: Matinees: £12 all seats Evenings: £14.50 Concessions: £13.50 Pre-Theatre dining at The Kings: £23 VIP Experience: £39.50 (Both include theatre ticket)

Following the huge success of last year’s Christmas Spectacular, The Regent Centre is delighted to bring you a brand new festive feast filled with comedy, dance and music, once again performed

by The Glad Rag Production Company.

This highly acclaimed company have created a brand new show with more lavish costumes designed and created

by Sue Simmerling and the trade mark combination of polished production numbers and festive fun that make this a Christmas treat for all the family.

Once again we return to Santa Claus at the North Pole with dazzling dancers, stunning showgirls, sumptuous costumes, sensational singers, dancing Santas, comedy elves and the cutest babes in town. The music blends up-beat dance routines with popular ballads, everyone’s favourite Christmas Number One’s and Irving Berlin showstoppers, all performed by theatre professionals, adorable babes and the pick of local entertainers.

Running right up to Christmas Eve this Christmas Cracker of a family show is guaranteed to fill you with the true spirit of Christmas!

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I R P Z W T Q Q V Q O U E R E

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E X G I R E I N D E E R L O T

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R F O Q E U D H E M O P R E T

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COAL SNOW CHIMNEY SLEIGH TREE PRESENT SANTA CLAUS CRACKER REINDEER RUDOLPH

This month, the prize is a pair of tickets to see Treasure Island on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm at The Regent Centre, so complete this page by 30th December and send to:

December Prize Wordsearch Name: The Christchurch Directory, Address: 1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone:

Christchurch

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Prize Wordsearch

The Christchurch Directory

Community News

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For Queen and Country A few weeks ago, I was asked

by Phil Palmer and Steff Emmett, Director of Music of the recently formed Christchurch and District Band, if I would like to produce a DVD of their Christchurch Festival of Remembrance. As it promised to be a ‘spectacular evening with parade, music, remembrance, the Highcliffe Charity Players, Bournemouth Male Voice Choir and a 50’s rock ‘n roll band’, I said “Yes”.

With such variety we decided to make it a multi-camera shoot and asked my friends Ben, Jay, Spencer and Trevor to be additional camera operators.

A small sports camera was mounted at the back of the stage to capture additional footage. Sound was in the capable hands of Shaun Luckly of the Regent Centre.

Steff, formerly with the Christchurch Band of the Royal British Legion, was born in Yorkshire , joining a Silver Band at 8 years old. Her son James plays in the new Band that was formed in February of this year and has over 40 members. Ahead of the filming, Ben and I had the opportunity to record interviews with two local Veterans of WW2, now in their nineties and living at the Bournemouth War memorial Homes. Some of these memories were to appear on screen during the Festival, with further excerpts destined for the DVD. Leslie George Kerswill, now 94, joined the Royal Corps of Signals before the outbreak of war in 1939. Les was part of the British Expeditionary Force that

was eventually driven back through Belgium and north-western France by the Germans in 1940. His Battalion was ordered to a rearguard action to protect the retreating soldiers heading for the beaches of Dunkirk. They were to do this by harassing and attacking the German troops against overwhelming odds. The only options were death or capture. Many men were killed but Les fought until he was captured. He was taken prisoner, escaped and recaptured and escaped twice again. He had some astonishing experiences whilst on the run and it was a privilege to film him as he shared them on camera. His escape from forced labour in a deep German coal mine was inspired by a pair of well-made boots sent to him through the Red Cross by his mother.

We join Les late at night in 1944, within sight of a flood-lit bridge spanning the river Oder on the German border with Poland, as he tells of his 1,300 mile walk to freedom.

“Lying on the ground in what seemed to be an allotment, I looked at the bridge, it was a long way across. I thought to myself, I could swim that, but my clothes would get wet. I couldn’t see the far bank to get up the other side.

I knew a chap in the coal mine who had some connection with the Polish Resistance. I was hoping to make contact. I thought about going hand over hand, under the bridge. I noticed there didn’t seem to be anybody on it.

I looked behind me and saw a tool shed with a metal chimney. I thought - funny, he must have a fire in there. And then the moon came out, a dog started to

35 bark. I looked again and what I thought was a long chimney, was a gun. I was amongst the Germans. I realised I had to move and quick! I made my way towards the bridge which was illuminated and started to walk across.

I met someone half way across who called out ‘Guten Abend’. So I replied ‘Guten Abend’ and just walked off the bridge and into Poland.” Eventually Les made it to the American lines and a chance encounter with U.S. General George S. Patton, but that’s another story.

Bob Eldon Roberts is a veteran of WW2 who in 1942 had joined the Canadian Army. We join him on the eve of D-Day 1944.

“We had no idea we were going to invade France. We got on a boat the night before in Southampton, like we had so many times before to anchor off the Isle of Wight. We’d come in, in training, and hit the beach at Southbourne, or Bournemouth or Boscombe, playing ‘cowboys and indians’ up over the cliffs.

We thought it was just another exercise just like that. It was completely secret.

We sailed off and about 4 o’clock in the morning we were woken and told to get prepared - we were hitting the beaches of France in the invasion - this was the real thing. We were what they called the ‘Spearhead’ in Juno Beach, right in the centre. I was in the first landing craft to hit the beach. The corporal in charge of our platoon was the first one out. I was the Bren gunner, right behind him, and the second on the beach. It hadn’t sunk in really. We were lucky because the gun boats were shelling the beach for an hour or so beforehand and the Germans had their heads down. It

Christchurch

went on until we were quite close to the beach. When we landed, the first of us were in on the beach and up into the town before the Germans realised shelling had stopped and got back into position.”

The Festival Evening at the Regent Centre was a great success and all who took part are to be congratulated.

The DVD will be released in time for Christmas. It can be ordered from the Band’s website, where details of the Band’s future programme of events can also be found: www.christchurchanddistrictband.co.uk Eric Montague is a local film maker - see www.netfora.tv.

Steff Emmett conducting the Christchurch & District Band

Recipe

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Tastes so good...

GRANNY’S XMAS PUDDING

The stout in this recipe will add the moisture to the pudding and the cocoa powder makes the pudding look lovely and dark.

Ingredients: 1oz mixed peel 1oz ground almonds 2 medium sized eggs ¼ teaspoon almond essence 2 teaspoons brandy 1 can of stout 2 teaspoons cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon mixed spice 4oz plain flour 4oz breadcrumbs 4oz beef suet 4oz brown sugar 4oz raisins 4oz sultanas 4oz glace cherries 1 grated lemon rind ½ apple grated ½ carrot grated

Equipment: 2 pint pyrex bowl, pudding bowl, clean tea towel or pudding cloth.

Method: Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add the eggs and the brandy and mix then pour in the stout gradually and keep stirring until your mixture is the consistency of a loose cake mix. Grease your pudding bowl with a little butter and pour in the pudding mix. Cover with foil and then a tea towel or pudding cloth and tie it to the top of the bowl, this is to prevent any water getting in. Place in a large boiling pan and fill with water ¾ of the way up the side of the bowl. Boil on a moderate heat for 6 hours keep topping up the water with boiled kettle water if the level starts to drop. When the pudding is ready turn it out and leave to cool. These puddings can be stored wrapped in foil from now until Christmas, to reheat just place the pudding back in the bowl and boil for another 2 hours on Christmas day. Can be served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on the top or pour on ¼ brandy and light for a flaming Christmas pudding Lindsay Crozier & photographs by Nigel Maisey

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Index of advertisers

Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Directory...

Bathrooms Bubbles Bathrooms Dorset...............................29 Bedrooms Custom World................................................... 7 Flair Interiors....................................................27 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds..................................................... 3 Broadview Blinds..............................................15 Builders & Carpenters RJW Carpentry..................................................11 Business Opportunities Diana Devereux................................................37 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Cleaning Doctor................................................17 Cars — New & Used Keith Motors.....................................................40 Chimney Sweeps Oliver Chimney Sweep......................................13 Community News Adventures of Nellie.........................................24 Celebrating Success of Young Sportspeople.....10 Charity dinner raises over £3000...................... 6 Dorset Fire & Rescue Service need you!............16 Dorset Wildlife Trust: The Robin........................22 For Queen and Country....................................34 LawSpot............................................................12 Six works by six prominent Christchurch artists.....18 The Regent Centre Christmas Spectacular........32 Computer Training Silver Training IT...............................................13 Denture Services Dorset Denture Clinic........................................29 Drainage Services All Drains Cleared.............................................23 Drain & Plumbing Solutions.............................. 8 Electricians Dorset Electrical & Fire Alarms.........................37 Fencing Concept Fencing...............................................15 Fitted Furniture Custom World................................................... 7 Garage Doors Christchurch Garage Doors...............................13 Garage Services Keith Motors.....................................................40 Garden Services Ashley Tree Surgeons........................................17 Duncan Mason Tree & Garden Care................. 3 Golf Clubs Solent Meads....................................................19 Health, Beauty & Fitness Timeless Beauty................................................17 Hearing Aids & Services Kellear Hearing.................................................11

Hospitals Bournemouth & Poole NHS Trusts.................... 9 Hotels, Restaurants & Takeaways Starlight............................................................39 The Cloud Hotel................................................14 Hot Tub Hire Party Tub Hire...................................................17 Kitchens Flair Interiors....................................................27 Garlen Kitchens................................................15 Portman Stone..................................................30 Letting Agents BCHA.................................................................23 Belvoir!.............................................................17 Logs Broadoak Tree Care..........................................13 Lofts Loft Services......................................................37 More Than Loft Ladders...................................30 Meals Delivered Custom Lunches................................................19 Party Stores Peeks................................................................23 Plumbing & Heating Engineers Drain & Plumbing Solutions.............................. 8 First Choice Plumbing.......................................14 Property Maintenance RJW Carpentry.................................................. 8 Puzzles & Competitions Prize Wordsearch..............................................31 Sudoku..............................................................37 Removals Bournemouth Removals................................... 8 Renewable Energy Solutions Nick Good Property Maintenance.................... 5 Residential Care Homes Care South - Queensmead................................ 2 Roofing Broadway Roofing............................................ 3 Forest Park Roofing.......................................... 8 Solicitors Harold G Walker...............................................21 Tree Surgeons Ashley Tree Surgeons........................................17 Duncan Mason Tree & Garden Care................. 3 Vets Natterjacks Vet................................................. 1 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Allglaze.............................................................29 Dorset Windows...............................................11 Richard Thomas................................................31 Worktops Portman Stone..................................................30

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Christchurch

Merry Christmas from Keith Motors

We’ve just launch ed a lo schoo cal ls com petitio s e e ou n– r webs ite / Faceb o ok / T witter pages fo r d e tails

To help your money go further this Christmas we have a gift for you!

Book your car in for a service at Keith Motors during the month of December and receive a FREE £10 Marks and Spencer Voucher, and

a FREE Winter health check to make sure your car is safe for the winter months!

To take advantage of this offer simply drop in to Keith Motors Christchurch or Ringwood or call us to book your service today.

Don’t forget to quote the Christchurch Directory!

Terms and Conditions Service must be booked in December.

Offer expires on 1 January 2014.

Voucher cannot be exchanged for cash value. Ford vehicles only.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can receive special promotions and event details straight to your inbox – simply sign up via our website.

Christchurch: 01425 271 371 Ringwood: 01425 472 242 www.keithmotors.com keithmotors

The Christchurch Directory 1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR