The Forest Edge Gazette - June 2020

SCAN ME

YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES RETURNING AFTER LOCKDOWN

Forest Edge LOCAL DIRECTORY Connect with businesses & service providers in your community

QUIRKY FACTS Read some interesting facts about Hampshire

EXERCISE AT HOME! Try out our equipment-free 20 minute abs and legs home workout

JUNE

2020

What’s inside...

Welcome to the

June edition of your local Forest Edge Gazette community magazine.

Stephen, myself, Linda and Emma here at the Gazettes sincerely hope you are fit and well.

What extraordinary times we are living in. I know things may never be quite the same again but there are many positives that have come out of this. We appreciate our NHS and salute those who sacrifice themselves to help others. We know our neighbours much better.

We are polite when walking around the shops and give a nod and a smile when we are out and about. We exercise more. Cycle riding has never been so popular. We call those we love to see how they are and cheer them up if needed.

Our birds, wildlife, oceans and countryside are flourishing. So, let’s continue to turn the negative into positive and continue to help each other.

Our trades and services here inside really want to hear from you. Each company is set up with Government guidelines to keep themselves and you safe. Please call them to find out how they now operate and maintain their great service.

Keep safe and keep well.

Debbie, Stephen and all the Team at the Gazettes

Contact us Debbie: 01264 316499, e: debbie@mlggazettes.co.uk Linda: 07500 592584, e: linda@mlggazettes.co.uk Emma: e: emma@mlggazettes.co.uk Website: www.mlggazettes.co.uk Like us on Facebook: @mlggazettesnews Follow us on Twitter: @mlggazettesnews

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Debbie & Linda

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Naomi House hospice to reopen after COVID-19 closure

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Quirky Facts on Hampshire

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Puzzle Corner

10 Stargazing in Hampshire 12 Recipe: Jam Turnover 16 Artist of the Month: Samuel Thomas 18 Wildlife: Honey Bees 20 Home Workout 22 The Adventures of Daichi 24 Unity receives Lottery Funding 26 Council encourages residents to be responsible around wildlife 27 Motoring: Tesla Model 3 To advertise your business call our sales team on 01264 316499.

Advertisers have the benefit of our free in-house design for their advertisements by a professional artwork and graphics team.

Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send JPGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than the size required.

COPY DATE FOR NEXT ISSUE 15th June 2020

Our magazines are printed in a factory that is FSC® & ISO 14001 certified. Sustainable and environmentally friendly printing is part of our ethos.

Using vegetable-based inks and recycling nearly 100% of our paper waste means you can be confident that this publication isn’t harming the planet.

MLG Magazines Ltd reserve the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication.

The opinions expressed or advice given in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the publisher.

Every care is taken when compiling this magazine, however we cannot accept liability for misprints or mistakes. Dates and information quoted are believed correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change and no responsibility can be taken for loss, damage or omission of material due to error.

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they have permission to use any artwork which they supply to us or request for us to reproduce. Unless prior consent of the publisher is given, no part of this publication is to be reproduced.

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Community News

Naomi House children’s hospice to reopen after Covid-19 closure As the Covid-19 lockdown began, the region’s hospices for children and young adults, Naomi House & Jacksplace, temporarily suspended respite care and instead offered up 6 staffed beds to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Adults from neighbouring hospitals were admitted to Jacksplace to be cared for by the charity’s skilled nursing and care team, so leaving the NHS better able to address the immediate challenge with Coronavirus.

With most indications suggesting the Covid-19 peak is now passed and the NHS less likely to be overwhelmed, Naomi House children’s hospice will reopen to provide funded respite care for the region’s lifelimited children. Initially, the charity will offer emergency respite to families, taking in the South’s most medically vulnerable children to assist families in times of crisis. Jacksplace will close temporarily to allow extensive maintenance work to take place.

Mark Smith, Chief Executive of Naomi House & Jacksplace said: “We can be extremely proud of the part we have played in helping the NHS cope during the Covid-19 crisis but now, as all signs point to the peak having been passed, we can turn our attention back to our core mission and supporting life limited children from across the south. While this isn’t business as usual and it may be some time until we open fully for planned respite, it is an important step towards once again providing the full and comprehensive service that local

families so desperately need.”

Naomi House & Jacksplace cares for more than 500 families across the south, and the charity’s family support team have stayed connected with them throughout lockdown.

They have delivered a raft of virtual services, from social work and bereavement counselling to sibling support and play therapy. The charity continues to offer end of life care for children and young adults at the hospices near Winchester.

Naomi House & Jacksplace supports hundreds of life limited children, young adults and their families from across Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, the Isle of Wight and beyond. The charity employs 180 staff and needs to raise in excess of £9.2 million each year to provide a comprehensive service on good days, difficult days and last days.”

For more information on the charity and various ways to support the work at the hospices now and into the future, visit www.naomihouse.org.uk.

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QUIRKY

BY MICA BALE

Although the opportunity to enjoy Hampshire at its very finest might be somewhat hampered at the present, the cap va ng history of the county con nues to paint a picture of fascina ng finds and interes ng snippets that can be enjoyed from the safety of the great indoors. From a prac cally unknown zoo to a popular icon in the county, here are five more facts from around Hampshire.

Fans of the popular period drama Downton Abbey are proud to know that the real home of the Crawley family is actually in Hampshire. Highclere Castle plays the starring role in the much loved television series and has become an icon for fans all over the world. Although Highclere is noted for its high profile appearances, the castle is also home to a wealth of fascina ng artefacts, many of which make it onto the small screen.

Interes ngly, the mahogany desk that is used so frequently by Lord Grantham was actually once in the possession of Napoleon himself!

Interes ngly, Whale Island is best known for its naval base however, prior to the second world war, the island was also used as a zoo for all manner of animals that had been sent to Britain’s high ranking o�cials as gi�s. Although li le to nothing remains of the zoo today, it is said that some of the animals that called Hampshire’s appropriately named Whale Island home included, leopards, polar bears, elephants, kangaroo, lions as well as an aviary which was rumoured to house many rare varie es of bird.

Were you aware that Romsey was credited with the building of the renowned Berthon Boats? These boats were created by Edward Lyon Berthon who was living at Romsey and whose special design allowed them to be collapsible. However, his original designs received much ridicule and and were generally dismissed. Berthon though received much support from a certain Samuel Plimsoll and the Berthon boats were later hailed and even commissioned by the Admiralty.

Have you heard of the Hampshire sheep?

The na ve breed began life in the county in the late 1820s and were first produced in the Hampshire Downs as a result of cross breeding with other local na ve breeds including the Old Hampshire.

Interes ngly, the popularity of the breed quickly spread and the Hampshire Sheep would become the first recognised pedigree breed in the UK. Today, many of the heritage breeds suffer declines in number however the Hampshire Sheep Breeders’ Associa on works hard to keep up numbers of this special na ve breed for future genera ons.

Much of Whitchurch’s wealth was owed to its mills which were powered by the River Test. One such mill was owned by Henri Portal a Huguenot refugee fleeing from persecu on who established a paper mill. The paper produced from the mill became so widely respected that in 1724, the Bank of England later came to use the paper and con nues to use Portal paper to this day!

Puzzle Corner 8

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STAR GAZING Welcome to the monthly Stargazing Page. Each month I’ll be describing astronomical events that are happening overhead in our beau ful night skies. The majority of them are viewable just by stepping out at the appropriate me and looking up, but some may require a par cular vantage point (e.g. a clear view to the west). A cloudless sky is (usually) required!

Some viewings will benefit from using binoculars or a small telescope if you have one, but most observa ons can be enjoyed without either. For your safety, please remember to wait un l the sun has set before observing the night sky.

Interna onal Space Sta on The Interna onal Space Sta on (ISS) is usually visible at some point during the night, but o�en at unsociable hours. During the summer months it is even trickier to see due to the extended daylight hours. At the me of going to press, the only ‘sociable’ overhead pass of the ISS in our skies this month is on the June 1st around 10.10pm. It will be visible moving from west to south, but observing it will require a clear, unblocked view as it will be very low in the sky. Times are subject to change, therefore please visit the free website www.heavens-above.com to obtain accurate flyover mings.

Mercury Very difficult to spot this month, but for the first few days of June, if you have a clear, low view to the west a�er sunset you may spot Mercury towards the WNW. Venus You may have no ced that the bright ‘star’ in the western evening sky has vanished. Although lost to the glare of the sun for the first half of the month, Venus reappears in mid-June as the ‘morning star’.

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Mars, Saturn & Jupiter Currently these three planets are visible only in our (very early) morning skies. Over the next couple of months they will move into our evening sky, and as the nights darken they will be be er placed for observing. If you cannot wait un l then, head out between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and look towards the south east. Mars is the bright, reddish object on the le�, whilst the two bright objects to the right are Saturn and Jupiter (brighter of the two). In the early hours of June 9th the Moon joins the two gas giants making for a pleasant view (see diagram below).

Moon This month’s full moon on June 5th is tradi onally known as the Saturn Jupiter Strawberry Moon. Named by Moon Na ve American tribes, it is associated with the me of year when strawberries ripen and are VIEW TOWARDS SE-S ON 09 JUNE 2020 3AM BST ready to pick.

In Europe and other countries, June’s full moon is known by many names, including the Rose Moon, Mead Moon and Hot Moon.

Midsummer, or the Summer Sols ce (from the La n for ‘the sun stands s ll’) occurs on June 20th this year. For the northern hemisphere, it marks the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. This means we experience the ‘longest day’ of the year (the longest period of daylight in one day). The early summer months are the best me to try and spot a rare and beau ful cloud-type: noc lucent clouds. If condi ons are favourable, these blue-white illuminated clouds are visible thirty minutes a�er sunset for a couple of hours, typically in our northern skies.

Although the exact cause of their forma on is unknown, we know they are composed of ny water ice crystals and form about 80km up in the atmosphere.

Although June itself isn’t well-known for any named meteor showers, in 2014 the UN officially designated June 30th to be Asteroid Day. This day was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the Tunguska Event that took place in Siberia in 1908. Asteroid Day aims to raise awareness about asteroids, and due to the current global situa on all events are going ‘online’, so feel free to check it out at h ps://bit.ly/3dhs4tm To advertise, please call 01264 316499 or email enquiries@mlggazettes.co.uk

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Food & Drink

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Debbie goes

It is becoming increasingly evident that looking a�er ourselves and our planet is vital to our survival as well as the plants and animals who live with us. In our current me the birds, the animals, the plants and the marine life are all thriving! Now is a great opportunity to con nue this improvement and protect our planet even further.

How many products do we use that are not environmentally safe, or have been tested unnecessarily on animals? Can we change our habits and start to think more about what we do and what we buy? Soap for example - which we are using so much of currently. Oh dear, soap. Since when did we start purchasing soap in bo les? This is so easy to replace with good quality, wonderful smelling natural soaps.

These soaps not only have enhancing proper es for our skin, but they do not harm the environment! All the “Friendly” soaps on the website below are Free from Palm Oil, Parabens, Sulphates, Triclosan, Phthalates and Cruelty, as well as being boxed in plas c-free recycled (and recyclable) packaging. Lovely.

Another product we use a lot of is toothpaste. Tradi onal toothpaste is not only stored in environmentally damaging plas c, but it contains chemicals which could be damaging to our own health too. The toothpastes here are natural and contained in glass, which can be reused. Tea Tree is known for its powerful healing proper es, throughout history. Tea Tree leaves have been used to heal cuts, treat burns, and as a topical applica on for infec ons. This toothpaste is a paste-like clay, so it takes a li le adjus ng, but is much less harsh on any aging gums. The other alterna ve are the peppermint toothpaste tablets. These are useful, with a more tradi onal flavour and would be ideal for when we start travelling again. As they are not liquid, they will not take up any hand luggage space, in those li le plas c bags!

Of course, a plas c free toothbrush to go with it, is perfect. Go on, give the sustainable beechwood version a go. You will feel so much be er for it. Be er for you and be er for the environment. There is a children’s one too with so� bristles. These toothbrushes are suitable for all the family.

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Samuel THOMAS featured ar st

“

appreciate how much

joy and beauty surrounds us in our everyday

”

Enjoy some of these pain ngs featuring beau ful scenes from the countryside nature and wider landscapes that will help you reconnect with the joys in your life, and will help you feel op mis c and hopeful for the future that awaits you. A�er all, you ARE what you FOCUS on. The ar st's work is usually on show at Gallery 65 in Westbourne, but currently closed. But you can browse the ar st's online gallery to feel refreshed and upli�ed and enjoy some 'escapism' during lockdown.

We're living in uncertain mes right now with the effect of covid 19 and our new Lockdown Lifestyles that we now find ourselves living every day. You may be wondering about the best ways to remain op mis c and hopeful during your everyday and looking ahead to the future.

Ar st Samuel Thomas shares his vision and tac cs on how best to cope during our lockdown lifestyles.

He suggests that prac sing daily apprecia on of the small things, remaining hopeful in our mindsets, showing daily gra tude and apprecia on for the small joys within our everyday, being apprecia ve of nature and the fact that the sun is s ll shining whilst looking forward to be er days ahead are all strategies we can all rac ce to help us stay resilient and op mis c at this me.

Samuel Thomas' artworks embody these philosophies as the ar st's upli�ing pain ngs have always been about projec ons of the self into a be er future, because this faith and belief is in the very fabric of our human nature.

The ar st explains: 'We all live in hope for the future, but we should also prac ce apprecia ng the smaller joys within our everyday, that we may have overlooked or taken for granted before our Lockdown lifestyles took effect. I think we're all a bit guilty of this mentality in life, because it's not un l we suffer the threat of losing something that we then start to truly appreciate the value of those things and we then learn to be thankful for what we are blessed with.

A crisis (despite how harrowing it can be) can help put our problems into perspec ve and allows us to gain clarity on our lives and focus on what's really important in the short term and in the long term. My pain ngs have always been on a mission to persuade people to stop and pause, and to visually see and appreciate how much joy and beauty surrounds us in our everyday.'

Visit

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Wildlife News

Honey bees There are over 250 types of bees in the UK but there is only one european honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Sadly our Honey Bees are not protected species so they need our help and support more than ever. They are vital for pollina on of crops and many flowering plants.

Why do bees swarm?

Swarming is a honey bee colony's natural means of reproduc on. In the process of swarming, a single colony splits into two or more dis nct colonies. In this state the bees will be docile and should be quite easily be collected by a beekeeper. A swarm is usually a temporary phenomenon as the bees will be sending out scouts to look for a permanent home. When a new home is found, usually within 24 hours, the bees will fly off to start a new colony. Swarms in the New Forest normally occur between April un l mid-July.

Are swarms dangerous?

A swarm of bees are generally unlikely to s ng. When bees swarm, they will gather in a ten to twenty metre area and will try to cluster on a branch or bush or even under the eaves of a roof. This will con nue for an hour or so, but they will eventually se le down and the large hanging cluster of bees will be clearly visible - this is a swarm. Call the Swarm Coordinator on 07976 258062 for help and advice.

The most common insects are honeybees, bumblebees and wasps. There are other kinds of insects that are confused with these, such as Ivy bees, Solitary bees and hornets.

Are these honey bees?

Need help?

If you need assistance with iden fying or rehoming a swarm, the New Forest Beekeepers’ Associa on has a list of experienced beekeeping members in the area that help in the re-homing of honeybee swarms.

To identify or rehome a swarm, please send pictures of the swarm to the swarm coordinator or contact them on 07976 258062

The New Forest Beekeepers host talks on a range of bee related subjects every third Thursday of a month normally at the Lyndhurst Community Centre, but now on Zoom!

www.newforestbees.co.uk 18

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Exercise Tips

6 FINISH

10 Min run, jog or walk

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Adventures of Daichi

The Adventures of Daichi I would like to introduce you to a couple of fun pages – The Adventures of Daichi! Daichi is a characterised campervan. He travelled across barren land and rough seas to get here.

All the way from Japan, just to be with us and we love him! Daichi likes to think he is rather sophisticated, debonair, and has an eye for the girl vans. In fact, we have nicknamed him “The Dashing Dude” as he believes he is good looking, stylish and fashionable (all part of his charm) but he also loves to run around and have fun. So, “dashing” he is, and otherwise known as “Dash” to his friends. Daichi is his official Japanese name, (dai) meaning “big, great” combined with (chi) meaning “wisdom, intellect”. As Daichi is full of himself and a little overconfident, this seems rather appropriate.

He even speaks Japanese when we switch on his purring, seductive engine. “Ha Dor!” and other words I have yet to discover the meaning of, he expels in a rather high pitched, very cute voice.

(Don’t tell him I said that as boys don’t like it).

We hope you like reading about his exploits and antics as he whisks us to exciting places around England and particularly here in the South.

Here’s to having some family fun…

Daichi has a brand new very colourful kimono!

His playful character wanting all to have fun and live a little is now clearly visible. He has one purpose in life and that is to make you smile.

View from the balcony over Shanklin Bay

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Daichi on the Garage Deck of the ferry He may well be made of metal, but he has a life of his own and before the lockdown he was in full spirits when he skipped his way to the Isle of Wight. He had children waving at him and a surfer gave him his ‘shaka’ hand signal, which is a ‘surf signal of approval or greeting’, whilst carrying his surfboard off the beach at Shanklin.

In fact, Daichi was so excited about his trip that we caught the early ferry and got onto the island an hour ahead of time. We had booked a house on the cliff top at Luccombe. between Ventnor and Shanklin. At the time the weather was cold, wet and windy. There had been storms, trees had fallen, and many would think we were mad. That’s us… but we are British after all. We were lucky with the crossing. Two days earlier people had been on the ferry for 14 hours waiting for the rough seas to calm down.

Funnily enough because we actually arrived earlier than planned, for some reason I kept being a day ahead of myself, which was great as I gained a day every day. Daichi shot me into the future!

We had booked through AirBnB. The wooden house on the cliff top was idyllic. Truly. Situated at the end of a track, with only the coastal path winding into the distance, overlooking the misty grey sea with Shanklin Bay in all its glory clearly visible. Exactly what we wanted. Pure peace. The serenity we craved... well just for a little while.

Daichi even had his own ‘room’ in the garden to protect him from the wind and the rain. A wooden open car port, he just fitted in. The first

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night was spooky I have to say. Being up on the cliff top with nothing around us everything went pitch black and I mean pitch black as soon as we switched off the lights. Daichi was all alone outside and I am sure he got scared, so much so that he switched on the light outside to protect himself. I woke up, also shuddering I have to say, to see a light appear from nowhere in the garden. Nothing to do with a moving fox, I am sure. It was Daichi shivering in the dark that did it! With the howling wind, swaying trees and lashing rain, who could blame him?

Despite having been to the Isle of Wight several times now, we had never been to Osborne House. Can you believe it? We are English Heritage members, so for the three of us the whole year’s membership was nearly paid for in this one trip. I learned a lot about Queen Victoria and Albert. The staff were very versed in their Victorian history. I had no idea how Queen Victoria had been so protected as a child. She could not go out or even go up and down the stairs without someone holding her hand. Her mother was particularly over-protective and when she came to live at Osborne House with them, the Queen made sure her mother had a room right at the other end of the building.

Albert was very talented and designed the house from scratch. It was in fact a new build and totally built as a family home. An escape from London, though dignitaries and even the Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill did visit and have meetings there at times. Despite the weather we managed to have a picnic on the beach that Queen Victoria so loved. What a special place. You can almost “feel” Victoria’s

Crazy Golf with the pirates!

Osborne House from the gardens presence as you wander around. Daichi was seriously (well playfully) impressed.

Robin Hill Country Park has some very cool events. We were lucky enough to see the Chinese New Year celebrations with dancing Dragons, Chinese food, lanterns and lights.

It turns out that I am a Dragon (according to the Chinese Zodiac), but to some there is no surprise there!

Then of course Daichi had to take me to the Isle of Wight Pearl on the west coast. A girl just has to do some shopping every now and then.

The grey water pearl earrings were an early Mother’s Day present and lovely they are.

We had fun in Shanklin at the crazy golf.

Stephen won another game when, on the last shot, he rang the bell! Of course we had to go back the next day to play again, but this time on the dinosaur side, as opposed to the pirate side we had played the day before. You can’t beat a game of crazy golf can you? Prior to that I had helped Hayden our son with his Spanish homework in a local café overlooking the crashing waves on the beach. I don’t speak Spanish, but his cue cards were fun trying to ask the questions and listening to his responses. We did laugh, which is what family time is all about.

I am so glad that Daichi came all the way from Japan to take us to new and old places here on the south coast. He was beaming with full lights aglow all the way home. Now that the lockdown is easing, we are so excited to be going out again… Where will he take us next month... I wonder? You will find out in your next issue of…

The Gazette!

By Debbie Corney

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Gardening Tips 24

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Plant of the month Rose

Garden roses are one of the most popular and widely cultivated groups of flowering plants yet they vary immensely in colour, scent and flower shape as well as growing style.

Rose flowers are available in a host of colours and shades, from bright pinks and reds through to crisp whites; always popular and classic choice for bridal bouquets all year round.

In the garden, roses are grown as bushes, climbers or shrubs yet most garden roses prefer well-watered, rich soil in areas of full sunlight. Adding special rose fertiliser in spring will help to ensure they flower profusely and remain healthy.

Pruning is vital to encourage new growth and is best performed late February to early March.

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25

Community News

Council encourages residents to be responsible around wildlife Test Valley Borough Council is asking residents to be respectful of social distancing guidelines and mindful of wildlife when visiting nature reserves.

Local parks and green spaces across the borough have been well used by many residents during the lockdown period.

As the government issues new rules and lockdown eases, there will be more opportunities for residents to enjoy their local area.

The authority is reminding residents to keep dogs under effective control or on a lead across nature reserves, to ensure that wildlife is undisturbed. Signage has been erected highlighting nesting areas, with additional signage displaying the government’s most recent advice for safely using green spaces and how to social distancing guidance can be

followed when outside.

Portfolio holder for Community and Leisure, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: “As we see more restrictions lifted by central government, we are all enjoying more time in our nature reserves and green spaces. The government have issued guidance to help everyone keep safe by following social distancing whilst enjoying the outdoors. These guidelines are reflected in our signage around the borough.

“At this time of year, there are also many water birds with vulnerable young and often use our nature reserves to raise their offspring. Whilst the vast majority of residents and visitors are respectful of wildlife, we must all work together to help the animals that call the borough their home, feel safe.”

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stepping over into the EV world, what is it like? Well I can tell you it’s definitely not something we should be afraid of. Electric vehicles are here to stay and are a viable alterna�ve to your everyday oil burners! The Tesla Model 3 is the latest model (alongside the Model Y) to come out of the huge 5.3 million square foot factory in Fremont, California. This car really puts Tesla on the map by appealing to a much wider audience than it’s bigger brothers, the Model S & X, and that’s due to one simple fact….the price.

It starts from only £40,000 which may sound like a lot, but when you compare it to the other models in their por�olio, you can really tell Tesla have made a conscious effort to develop something more affordable for the masses, whilst keeping quality high. With incredible lease deals available, owning a Tesla is now a realis�c prospect for many people, and why wouldn’t you? The Model 3 Standard Range Plus boasts a range of 235 miles, coupled with incredible performance, superb technology and a very engaging drive. The car effortlessly corners, even with all power to the rear wheels it s�cks to the road like an AWD and the “ondemand” accelera�on is like hi�ng a light switch, it really is incredible. This car however has two personali�es, when you’re done enjoying the performance,

flip the stalk down twice un�l you hear a subtle bong, sit back (whilst keeping your hands on the wheel) and enjoy autonomy. Who would have thought in 2020 we would have a very capable self-driving car, granted it’s more suited to motorways but the car really is capable of keeping you and your family safe. Onboard you’ll find 8 high defini�on cameras which con�nually scan the road around you. All the informa�on from these cameras is displayed on the HUGE 15 inch screen, along with Google Maps, Spo�fy, and pre�y much the en�rety of the cars control system. Want to find out more?

Check out my YouTube channel by visi�ng h�ps���bit.ly�2AQkXtz. Like & subscribe to see more automo�ve content.

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Community News

National Emergencies Trust Funding Awarded to Brendoncare Clubs Coronavirus has challenged the whole nation, causing fear, grief, panic and disruption to the way each one of us goes about our daily lives. The National Emergencies Trust (NET) has partnered with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Fund (HIWCF) to award Brendoncare Clubs a grant of £5,000 to help those most affected by the crisis.

Brendoncare Clubs is a charity that brings joy and friendship to 1,700 older people in Hampshire and Dorset, thus preventing loneliness and isolation.

With the temporary suspension of the 94 clubs, and many members living alone, Brendoncare is running a contact and support service to help maintain the positive connections and friendships members usually enjoy through their regular clubs. This generous grant will help fund this crucial service.

Brendoncare is providing regular contact through telephone and written communications to all 1,700 members and volunteers via a team of over 100 Brendoncare staff and volunteers. The support is focusing on helping to alleviate the extreme loneliness that some older people face, regularly checking they have enough medicine and essential supplies, and putting them in touch with external resources and community partners, if needed.

Sam Agnew, Head of Brendoncare Clubs, said “Thank you very much to NET and HIWCF for providing this funding, which is essential to ensure that we are able to continue carrying out this vital contact and support service to our members and volunteers. We have had such a positive response from everyone and it is making a huge difference to people’s lives.”

Jonathan Cheshire OBE, HIWCF Chairman, commented, “We are delighted to be able to support Brendoncare Clubs in their work to help those in need in the local community. Local charities,

community groups and voluntary organisations are providing a lifeline to those less fortunate, and it is heartening to see that these organisations can react so quickly and be so resourceful in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The vital services that these organisations provide are more crucial now than ever before but are under threat more than at any other time. HIWCF is continuing to raise funding for charities across our region, for which donations can be made to the ‘We’re All Together’ Fund: virginmoneygiving.com/fund/AllTogether. ” Future plans for Brendoncare Clubs include setting up virtual clubs, to maintain regular routines for members, as well as keeping them connected. There are also plans for a virtual choir, and online videos of Brendoncare’s ever popular cooking for one sessions.

Internet sim cards and tablets will be provided for those members who do not have access to the technology to ensure they can join in too.

Brendoncare Clubs is a well established and trusted community service, offering a vital lifeline for older people through 94 clubs across 40 locations during the week and over the weekend. The clubs provide a friendly, fun, relaxed and supportive environment where older people can meet other club members, make friends and develop strong peer support networks.

To learn more about Brendoncare Clubs please call 01962 857099. clubs@brendoncare.org.uk www.brendoncare.org.uk/ clubs

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Unity receives Lottery Funding for further Covid Support Unity, a Test Valley charity are overjoyed to hear that they have been awarded a grant of £10,000 by the National Lottery Community Fund to enable them to build on work from the Covid 19 Helpline to provide a service beyond the reactive support currently on offer.

This funding will enable Unity to offer more than just signposting support but to provide help to those who may need direct support as well as linking to groups, businesses and other services in the heart of the community.

Unity volunteers come from a range of ages and social backgrounds, while most of the people needing help tend to be older people living alone, this project will add to a longer-term community

cohesiveness by creating new links and relationships between individuals.

Unity Chief Executive Terry Bishop said: “The Covid crisis has created real hardship and our volunteers and the local groups are doing everything they can to ensure people have everything they need. This funding will also enable us to strengthen these relationships, engage these volunteers and communities in the longer term to build on the fantastic ‘community spirit’ we have seen across the Borough” www.unityonline.org.uk

Press Release Lottery Funding for Covid Support Unity, a Test Valley charity are overjoyed to hear that they have been awarded a grant of £10,000 by the National Lottery Community Fund to enable them to build on work from the Covid 19 Helpline to provide a service beyond the reactive support currently on offer.

This funding will enable Unity to offer more than just signposting support but to provide help to those who may need direct support as well as linking to groups, businesses and other services in the heart of the community.

Unity volunteers come from a range of ages and social backgrounds, while most of the people needing help tend to be older people living alone, this project will add to a longer-term community cohesiveness by creating new links and relationships between individuals.

Unity Chief Executive Terry Bishop said: “The Covid crisis has created real hardship and our volunteers and the local groups are doing everything they can to ensure people have everything they need. This funding will also enable us to strengthen these relationships, engage these volunteers and communities in the longer term to build on the fantastic ‘community spirit’ we have seen across the Borough”

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www.unityonline.org.uk

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Ends

www.britanniawindows.co.uk

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Index of advertisers

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

Bathrooms Ocean Bathrooms................................. 13 Builders A & M Contractors................................ 25 Community News Council encourages residents to be responsible around wildlife................ 26 National Emergencies Trust Funding Awarded to Brendoncare Clubs......... 28 Naomi House children’s hospice to reopen after COVID-19 closure.......... 4 Test Valley Business Awards Postponed for 2020............................ 12 Unity receives Lottery Funding for further Covid Support................... 24 Wellow Foodbank Collection................ 10 Driveways County Block Paving............................. 5 Eco-Friendly Products Debbie Goes Green............................... 14 Features Artist of the Month: Samuel Thomas................................. 16 At Home in the Garden......................... 29 Colouring Page..................................... 19 Home Workout..................................... 20 Motoring: Tesla Model 3...................... 27 Puzzle Corner........................................ 8 Quirky Facts on Hampshire................... 6 30

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Recipe: Jam Turnover............................ 12 Stargazing in Hampshire...................... 10 The Adventures of Daichi...................... 22 Wildlife: Honey Bees............................. 18 Garage Doors Garolla.................................................. 21 Skandoor............................................... 9 Jewellers Christopher Stephens............................ 9 Painters & Decorators Trevor Jerams....................................... 25 Plumbers G.E. Harding......................................... 21 Solicitors Bells...................................................... 13 CGM Solicitors...................................... 5 Stonemasons Allstone Memorials............................... 9 Lockerley Stone & Masonry.................. 21 Peter Thomas........................................ 25 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Britannia Windows............................... 32 Entire Group Home............................... 31 GS Windows......................................... 3 @mlggazettesnews

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