The Ferndown & West Parley Directory - December 2013

Directory 128x165 Nov Pre Xmas_Forget Me knot 128x165 17/10/2013 12:49 Page 1

50

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Delivered FREE around the town

December 2013

2

Fairlawn

A Care South Residential Care Home

Thinking of moving into a care home?

We’re here to help Situated in the heart of the Ferndown community, Fairlawn provides quality residential care, including dementia care, in a home-fromhome atmosphere.

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

To arrange a visit or find out more, please contact the Fairlawn manager, Gina Smith

01202 877277 fairlawn@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

|

DEMENTIA

|

RESPITE

|

NURSING

|

ASSISTED LIVING

|

HOME CARE

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  

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4 Dear Residents, Welcome to another 64 page bumper Christmas edition of The Ferndown Edition 94 & West Parley Directory!

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 Debbie & Stephen Corney is what this time of year is with their son, Hayden all about - family, friends, good food and a little bit of magic in the air.

We have a full magazine for you with lots of local shops and businesses who would like to make your Christmas a special one. As always the index at the back gives you all there is to find inside. From vets, to plumbers, to carpet and upholstery cleaners, woodburning stoves, solicitors, opticians, car servicing and much more. Please tell them that you saw their details in The Ferndown & West Parley Directory. This makes all the difference, and makes our work all worth while.

Nellie took us a little further away last month, to Brighton, and you can read about our weekend in the cold, fresh night air on pages 38 and 39. There is also a calendar you can pull out and fix to your fridge or pin board to help you keep organised this year. In addition to that there is an interesting article about The Legion of Frontiersmen by Dave Mitchell, as well as a local short story by Keith Hart of the Writer’s Study Group. For fun there is a wordsearch, sudoko and a crossword! The lucky winner of the tickets to see Aladdin was Caroline Seaby and Mrs I Moore won the meal for two at The Kings Arms at Longham! Well done to you both.

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

Welcome...

The Ferndown & West Parley Directory

Debbie & Stephen Corney

Published by: Stephen & Debbie Corney at Dorset Publications Telephone: 01202 894397 Email: info@ferndowndirectory.co.uk Copy deadline for the January 2014 edition: 20th December 2013.

In this issue...

Dorset Fire & Rescue Need You!....10 Child Safety in the home...........14 Ferndown Inner Wheel...............20 Priests House Museum & Garden...................................20 Ferndown & West Moors Philatielic Club...........................20 LawSpot....................................22 The Legion of Frontiersmen.......24 Kids Puzzles..............................26 Dorset Wildlife Trust:The Robin....28 Santa has Xmas all wrapped up....34 The Adventures of Nellie............38 Martin Lewis: Family.................40 Pop the kettle on.......................44 Prize Wordsearch......................51 Motoring: Vauxhall Mokka.........52 Recipe: Granny’s Xmas Pud.......56 Short Story: What’s Up Nancy?....58 A Beginner’s Guide: Composting....60 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 Ferndown & West Parley 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.

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   

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

               

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     

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  

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

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 

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

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

 

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

  

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  

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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.

• 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

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   

   

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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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Community News

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Local lady campaigns for child safety in the home After her own devastating loss, a local lady is taking a stand and campaigning for changes to improve child safety in the home. This is her story: My name is Annette Latimer and 5 years ago my 2 year old daughter Lucy died after becoming tangled in the blind cord in her bedroom. I had no idea that she could reach it and also no idea of the threat to her life that this popular household item posed.

There have been 28 recorded death’s from looped cords since 1999 and most recently a 17 month old girl, Sophia who’s mother left her alone for 4 minutes, that’s all it takes. No one is capable of watching their children 24/7, if the dangers are made more apparent then maybe our little girls would still be here. People argue that it is the parents responsibility to protect their children from harm and I totally agree this is why it is so important to get the message out to those who don’t realise.

The campaign has at present 4,515 signatures but it needs 100,000 before the government will take this matter seriously. The e petition is to ban looped cords but if that does not happen at least this campaign will raise awareness and hopefully save lives. By signing the petition you will be helping to get our voices heard, by sharing this story you may save a life.

If you feel you can help by signing and sharing the petition with all of your friend’s and family it would be much appreciated.

Please visit; http://epetitions.direct.gov. uk/petitions/55067 to sign the petition.

Follow Lucy on Facebook at Legacy for Lucy.

I am not perfect and I feel I let Lucy down, every time I hear of another innocent life lost because of these cords it tears me apart and I feel partly responsible for not doing this sooner, I have to try and stop it from happening again.

Thank you so much for your time and thank you for your support.

If you would like to contact me please use the number below.

Many thanks, Annette Latimer 07706 647954 Below: Similar message from a different source

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Merry Christmas

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

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to all our customers!

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

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

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   

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Fletcher Builders “One stop shop for all your building needs”

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Community News

The Inner Wheel Club of Ferndown The Guest speaker at the recent Charity Lunch held by the Inner Wheel club of Ferndown was Neil Lucas from Knoll Gardens. Some amazing photographs accompanied his talk showing garden scenes where grasses are used to create drifts of colour and shape. We learnt that contrary to the thought that these ornamental grasses grow just anywhere; like many shrubs and perennials, there are specific varieties for shade, full sun or dry stony situations.

lucky we were to have experienced such a presentation and we appreciated his help in making the event so successful.

The total amount raised was £900, which would be donated to overseas charities, in fact the £200 raised from the raffle would go immediately to the Philippines disaster fund.

Neil Lucas with Diana Marshall

Neil has won ten gold medals at Chelsea during his horticultural career and has become a leading expert in the propagation of grasses, so we were not surprised to learn that he travels worldwide as a lecturer and consultant. When thanking Neil for his talk, Club President Diana Marshall said how

A Victorian Christmas at

FERNDOWN & WEST MOORS

PHILATELIC & POSTCARD CLUB Affiliated to ABPS

The Priest’s House Museum & Garden in Wimborne Minster will be hosting the Victorian equivalent of a Christmas Grotto until the 21 December.

The display, a collaboration between Paul Gruitt and the museum’s Honorary Keeper of Costume, Eileen Carter, will see the museum’s hall transformed, complete with the Ghost of Christmas Present as the precursor to today’s Santa Claus.

The table will be laden with a recreation of a sumptuous Victorian Christmas feast, while sculptured figures will depict scenes from Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Visitors will be able to compare the characters in four of the illustrations by Victorian artist John Leech. Scrooge will be seen experiencing the apparition of his deceased business partner Jacob Marley, reliving the happy memory of Mr and Mrs Fezziwig dancing, encountering the Ghost of Christmas Present, and sharing a glass of Christmas punch with his clerk Bob Cratchit.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10.30 to 3.30pm.

For further information please contact the museum on 01202 882533 or visit www.priest-house.co.uk.

Stamps - Postcards - Postal History - Thematics

Visiting Speakers - Members’ Displays Club Auctions - Annual Fair Meetings at the Ferndown Day Centre, Library Road, Ferndown, BH22 9JP at 7:30pm for 7.45pm until 10:00pm, usually on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

On November 25th, Colin Baker will present “Advertising Through the Post” Free parking behind the Day Centre Subscription £6.00 per annum.

For general queries contact Paul Barry, Club Secretary:- 01425 472449, or email: paulrichardbarry@hotmail.co.uk

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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

Nicola Lowe

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

The Legion of Frontiersmen The Legion of Frontiersmen dates back to 1905 and was originally formed by one Geoffrey Peacock, a former junior officer in the Royal North West Mounted Police.

Its objective was as a paramilitary force to assist in the protection of what was then the British Empire and although first set up in Canada where it had some 10,000 followers it also took root in Britain, particularly in the South of England and in Wales where Legion groups were set up, all of them volunteers. It had a formal headquarters in London. At the peak of its popularity there were some 75,000 members throughout the British Empire.

With the onset of the First World War the Legion became an integral part of both the regular forces and also began what later became the British Secret Service. The 25th Royal Fusiliers Regiment in 1915 was made up almost entirely of Frontiersmen and undercover work was carried out in Europe by members in various guises.

During the First World War some 9,000 Frontiersmen lost their lives in several of the fields of conflict.

Between the two World Wars the membership dwindled having also been decimated by the Great War. It remained in existence and had many notable and distinguished

Members of the Longham/Parley unit of The Legion of Frontiersmen

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members including MPs, Generals and Professionals graced its ranks.

With the looming Second World War fresh recruitment took place and this was enhanced by the membership of Lord Louis Mountbatten and the active support and promotion by Lady Mountbatten who saw the potential for members of the Legion to support home forces when invasion looked all but inevitable.

The new membership consisted largely of those too old for active service, particularly if they had served in the First World War, and some with minor disabilities that would otherwise rule them out for active service. In addition men served as Air Raid Wardens (ARP) and as members of the LDV (later to become the Home Guard).

The Legion in Britain was supplied with equipment and uniforms by the North West Mounted Police in Canada and all gave their time, training and skills on a voluntary basis often whilst holding down full time jobs.

In Hampshire and Dorset there were several units and one of their main tasks was to patrol the New Forest, the heathlands and open common ground where normal military patrols would be unlikely to be able to operate but where an airborne attack might easily be made.

Locally there were two units and the

nearest operated from the Longham/ Parley area consisting of about twenty offi cers and men. Of that unit all but three were members of the Home Guard in addition to their Legion duties. The remaining three were Air Raid Wardens operating from a base near the Longham Bridge.

The photograph opposite is of 12 members of that unit. It will be noticed that one member, wearing medals, is without a horse. He was the Captain of the unit and this picture was taken at Longham just prior to their participation in a Sunday Parade. The other member without a horse (to the left of the picture) was the farrier.

I am able to identify two of the members, one of them being my father who was also a Captain in the Home Guard, but I would invite anyone who is able to recognise any other members from the picture, or who has any other information regarding the local unit to contact me with a view to trying to recover more history of the Legion and of this fascinating but little know piece of local history.

I do incidentally know that all those in the picture came from Colehill, Wimborne, Parley or Ferndown and the date would have been in April of 1941. I can be contacted by email at: dmitchell@colehill.gov.uk David Mitchell

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

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FREE Legal Drop-In Clinic in West Moors Following the success of her August seminar on the subject of Lasting Powers of Attorney, Nicola Lowe from Harold G Walker Solicitors has agreed to run a FREE ‘Drop-in Legal Clinic’ at the Local Epicentre in West Moors on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am to 12 noon.

The Drop-In Clinic is intended to help answer questions on a wide range of legal issues be it Family Law, Property Matters, Wills, Probate, Litigation etc.

Nicola is very approachable and is looking forward to meeting with lots of local people over the next few months.

The first DROP-IN CLINIC was held on Wednesday 6th November between 10am and 12 Noon and was very successful. The public are invited to pop in for a coffee and a chat with Nicola about any legal matters that may be concerning them and no appointment is necessary.

This initiative will run alongside Harold G Walker’s LawSpot feature which has given members of the public the opportunity to submit questions via email with a view to receiving an answer through regular columns in numerous free local publications like this one.

Nicola Lowe, managing partner, said “The recent expansion of our branch offices means that we are very much at the heart of the community when it comes to providing good legal advice. The Drop-In Legal Clinic at the Local Epicentre is just one more way that we at Harold G Walker can give the public access to our expertise in a way that may not normally be possible. I’m looking forward to answering what I hope will be a variety of questions over a good cup of coffee.”

It is also possible to book an appointment in the private meeting room to discuss your legal issues with one of the experts from Harold G Walker at the Local Epicentre in West Moors, just call one of the offices or the Local Epicente directly on 01202 855322.

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       

      

                     

   CID2443 DORSET ELEC ADVERT 2011

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 

 

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n w o d n r e F

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The Ferndown & West Parley Directory Your local community magazine.

Helping local residents find what they need and want.

FREE promotion for local community groups!

Tel: 01202 894397

34

Community News

Santa’s got Christmas all wrapped up Aleia Mountassir had a real surprise when Santa helped wrap up her Christmas tree at Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood. Father Christmas had made a special visit to the Park on Saturday 30 November to help launch the opening of the Forestry Commission’s Christmas tree shop. He arrived not on a sleigh but one of Go Ape’s Segways, zooming around the Park to meet visitors before handing out chocolates to his youngest fans.

Father Christmas will be back at Moors Valley on Sundays 8th and 15th December for the Santa Special train rides on Moors Valley Railway (booking essential). These two Sundays are also Festive Fun Days at the Park, with family Christmas crafts to enjoy, whilst other seasonal attractions include a Christmas Market.

Christmas trees are on sale at Moors Valley until 20th December, stock permitting. Parking is free for anyone buying a tree or taking the Santa Special. For the full range of festive activities at Moors Valley go online to www.moors-valley.co.uk or call the Rangers on 01425 470721.

Rangers wrap up a Christmas tree at Moors Valley for Aleia Mountassir - with a little help from Santa!

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Your Local Team of Specialists

35

Nicola Lowe

Dee Woodcock

Conveyancing Wimborne

Employment Law Christchurch

Cath Porter Family Law

Broadstone

Mia Prashad Wills & Probate Christchurch

Broadstone:

01202 692448 Verwood:

01202 823308

Harold G Walker Your Friend-in-Law hgwalker.co.uk

Christchurch:

01202 482202 Wimborne:

01202 881454

36

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

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

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

 

   

      

          

       

   

       

   



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

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

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37

Adventures of Nellie

38

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 Ferndown & West Parley 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 behind the wall with two very comfortable

Brandy by the real log fire!

The view from the “bedroom” window 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 edge! I put the kettle on and we sat having

39 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 very exciting for him. The Waltzers were

Nellie says goodbye to the Brighton Eye

Hang on tight for the Twister! 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 Ferndown & West Parley Directory!

By Debbie Corney

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Community News

Martin

LEWIS Family

If you’ve a family, your purse or wallet is probably crying. Having children is a terrible investment. You fork out an estimated £200,000 per child by the time they reach age 21. Of course, if you’re happy to be repaid in hugs, it's all more than worth it. Yet a few tips to ease the burden never go amiss…

Take your kids to TV shows for free

If your kids' favourite sentence is "I'm booorrred", you can get 'em out of the house without breaking the piggybank. TV shows need bums on their seats, so you can often apply online for free tickets at via sites like www.sroaudiences.com and Are you missing £1,000s of childcare help? www.applausestore.com – the latter's seeking audiences for Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football There are two big ways you may be able to get cash if (ages 12+) and Britain's Got Talent 2014 (16+). you pay for childcare. First, do you work over 16 hours a week (you and your partner if you’re a Ensure you’re paying less for power couple) and earn under around £41,000 in total? If that’s you, check if you’re eligible for childcare tax Lots of people in the house means big energy bills – credit. This can be serious money – many get over more rooms, TVs on full blast, heating all that water – £3,000 a year. To find out if you’re due, call 0345 300 it all adds up. Ensure you’re on the very cheapest 3900. deal. It only takes a few minutes. Just plug in where you live to an www.ofgem.gov.uk approved Alternatively, see if your employer offers childcare comparison site and it’ll find your cheapest. vouchers, which allow you to pay for childcare from your pre-tax income. The way this works is you give Alternatively, my free Cheap Energy Club up, say, £2,000 a year of salary for £2,000 of www.moneysavingexpert.com/energyclub will do a vouchers. However, as after tax you’d only have got comparison for you, including top picks you might around £1,400 in your pay packet, it means you’re miss, and monitors your tariff afterwards to ensure £600 better off. you know when to move again.

'I saved £3,000 adding mum and dad to car insurance' Added to the fear of seeing your teenager on the road, the cost of insuring one to drive can be terrifying. One trick, if they’ve their own car, is to try adding extra drivers with good records (eg, mum and dad) who may occasionally use the car. It's trial and error, but can have a big impact, as it did for one of my Twitter followers (join me at @martinslewis): "As a new driver my insurance wanted £5,000. A�er adding mum and dad, it dropped to £1,900."

Give pocket money as pay – otherwise you're 'trust fund teaching' Pocket money's under-rated as a way to teach kids core money lessons, provided you reward a work ethic, and don't just dole it out. It teaches how to manage an income – by having a regular amount of money you start to learn the concept of saving versus spending.

It also incorporates “opportunity cost” - whether they'd be better off spending the same cash on However, you must never say someone's the main something else. For a young child this is perhaps “do driver when they’re not. That’s called fronting and it’s you want to buy sweeties with your money every illegal. Full info on slashing costs for under-25s, week, or save up to get the toy that you want?" including special policies, at www.mse.me/youngcar

@MoneySavingExpert

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Pop the kettle on...

Puzzles

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Across 6 Coiffure (7) 7 Eject or deport (5) 9 Support (4) 10 Displaying raging destructive violence (10) 11 Patellae (8) 13 Perch (6) 15 Utilizes (4) 17 A type of semiconductor (5) 18 Ripped (4) 19 Machines for lifting heavy objects (6) 20 Trains (8) 23 Record player (10) 26 Inactive (4) 27 Utilize again (5) 28 Permitted (7)

Down 1 Disappoints (10) 2 Dross (6) 3 Stalk (4) 4 An Atlantic coast state (8) 5 A vaulted recess on a building (4)

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Put your feet... in good hands!

Having been the podiatrist on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner and also having worked within the NHS in a variety of roles specialising in diabetes high risk clinics, biomechanical clinics and specialised nail surgery clinics, Catherine Ranger brings a wealth of 18 years experience to Ferndown.

She graduated with a Honours degree in Podiatry from the University of Brighton before taking a position as clinical lecturer at Huddersfield University. More recently she was a lecturer in Podiatry at University College London and the University of East London before moving down to the South Coast.

‘I am able to provide specialised services including gait analysis and orthotic therapy for those experiencing pain in their feet, heels, knees and lower back’, says Catherine.

Nail surgery for the removal of ingrowing toenails is available as well as general care for nails hard skin and verrucas. Diabetic foot care and advice is available whether during a routine appointment or as a one off diabetic vascular and neurological assessment.

‘We run a professional welcoming and friendly clinic and are happy to answer any queries about foot problems if people are unsure whether I can help’, adds Catherine.

She has owned and worked in private practices in Southampton and the New Forest for 8 years and the Ferndown Chiropody Clinic for the last 4 of those years.

Ferndown Chiropody & Podiatry Clinic • Routine treatment of corns,

callus and nails • Fungal and in-growing nail care • Verrucae treatments • Nail cutting only service • Specialised orthotics for foot,

leg and back pain • Nail surgery for in-growing nails • Diabetic foot care and advice

181 New Road, West Parley, BH22 8ED

Catherine Ranger

BSc (Hons) Podiatry, MSCh, DPodM HCPC registered

01202 581090 www.ferndownchiropodyclinic.co.uk

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

     

    

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



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

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V K V K P V B G Y R L Y V B P

T C N V N E R U D O L P H O R

N Z E U Z E W G M A Y E F O E

D C F I J R L O O C L M J W S

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

R Y E S U A L C A T N A S S N

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

K G N B S H Q R T Y R Y U B Q

C H S D Q E P N L E O Y R P W

A J D W W T S Z S N X D R F C

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

C N J D M K H D E I A M T U T

S S L E I G H V S H S B M P M

I R D J W U K M W C X C P Z N

H Z W F Q X A N C C A S T U A

COAL SNOW CHIMNEY SLEIGH TREE PRESENT SANTA CLAUS CRACKER REINDEER RUDOLPH

This month, the prize is a meal for two at the Kings Arms at Longham, so please complete this page by 30th December and send to: December Prize Wordsearch Name: ______________________ The Ferndown Directory, Address: ______________________ 1 Moorlands Rise, ______________________ West Moors, ______________________ Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone: ______________________

Prize Wordsearch

The Ferndown Directory Prize Wordsearch

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auto

BIOGRAPHIES Motoring

Vauxhall Mokka TechLine 1.6 16v

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Writer

www.carwriteups.co.uk

@carwriteups

THE VAUXHALL MOKKA mixes functionality with a comfortable elevated seating position.

if you’re into two-wheeled outdoor family fun.

It’s the Griffin-badged company’s answer to the Nissan Juke or the Skoda Yeti, and power to the small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is provided by three efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol version comprises a 1.6-litre engine or a 1.4-litre Turbo and there is a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel.

The SUV is available in front-wheel and all-wheeldrive. The 4x4 system wasn’t fitted to my demo, but if I was in the market for a Mokka I’d definitely want it. As you’d expect, the extra technology ensures a high level of stability and traction, extending the car’s capabilities to more rugged environments. It’s always worth having for extra safety reasons alone.

I drove the 113bhp 1.6 petrol Mokka; it has moderate pulling power, but, working your way through the five speed gearbox, it eventually spins up to a decent speed. It also provides a smooth and grippy ride.

Standard features that enhanced the driving experience for me included Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) as well as Hill Start Assist (HAS). Other progressive upmarket gadgetry the Mokka brings to the table includes Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting. This increases driving safety and includes High Beam Assist. The lights cut a way through the dark like a laser - they really are that good.

Looks-wise the Mokka is beefy and incorporates Vauxhall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping towards the rear. Its muscular disposition is reinforced by its higher ground clearance and 18” alloy wheels.

But what I really liked about the Mokka is its cleverness. Inside, the vehicle displays archetypal Vauxhall values such as versatility and user-friendly functionality, providing up to 1,372-litres of load space and 19 storage locations. The Mokka also offers the latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier.

The user-friendly case is fully integrated in the rear underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bikes at a time. Brilliant,

The Vauxhall Mokka range is available priced, as my test model was, from a very reasonable £15,995 and it’s far more handsome than its unsightly rival, the Nissan Juke.

FAST FACTS  Max speed: 114 mph  0-62 mph: 11.9 secs  Combined mpg: 43.5  Engine: 1598cc, 4

cylinder, 16 valve, petrol



Max. power (bhp): 113 at 6,000 rpm



Max. torque (lb/�): 114 at 4,000 rpm

 

CO2: 153 g/km Price: £15,995 on the road

PROS ‘N’ CONS Smart √ Distinct √ Smooth drive √ Reasonably priced √ Slow off the mark √

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

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

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

              



     



  

54

Need any help with gadgets this Christmas?

Hello to all the residents of West Moors, my name is Dan Morgan and I am the owner of Tec Check Ltd. Some of you may know me already as my job is to solve your computer and technology problems.

Firstly I would like to say thank you to all my customers for your loyalty and the time you have taken leaving feedback on ‘Check A Professional’.

I am very proud of my reputation and always strive for total customer satisfaction.

family. What if you’re lucky enough to receive one of those gadgets and have no idea how to connect it to Wi-Fi or set up a new Windows 8 laptop?

This is just the tip of the iceberg as Apple iPads, Android Tablets, Smartphones and Smart TV’s are now part of everyday life. You may take hours, days or even weeks to set up those new gadgets, which will cause much frustration and spoil that new present. Why not call me and arrange a home visit where I can set up your equipment and show you how to use it? Maybe even suggest how you can get the most out it for your life.

Tec Check Ltd is a mobile operation which means I come to your house or business and rarely have to take your equipment away for repair, this ensures your private data stays safe with you. If the repair can’t be completed at your premises I have a fully equipped workshop and office in West Moors.

As a mobile techie I try to solve most problems on my first call - this helps me and also helps you.

I am a speedy worker and will not drag the job out. However, if you want me to go a little slower please ask, as some customers like a steadier pace.

With Christmas fast approaching we are scurrying around buying gifts and gadgets for friends and

I look forward to meeting you.

n Dan Morga

55

Recipe

56

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

57

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Short Story

58

What’s up Nancy?

by Keith Hart

Nancy watched the traffic lights turn to red and slumped back into the deep seat of the cab. She re-folded her headscarf for the twentieth time that afternoon and flinched as she caught sight of herself in the wing mirror. She had been told what to expect but somehow she never thought it would come to this.

It was the evening rush hour. Londoners rushed past the window, hurrying towards the bus stop or the Tube station, or perhaps to a theatre or dinner date.

A twenty-something hurtled towards the taxi and touched the door handle before realising it was not empty, turning away in frustration. She was in such a hurry.

Everyone was in such a hurry.

The girl reminded Nancy of herself at that age – full of nervous energy, with long blonde hair down to her waist. She could remember the days when there weren’t enough hours in the day. She had been ambitious, hungry for success, certain all her dreams would be fulfilled.

When she wasn’t working she was partying. She was known for her dancing and for her resemblance to Barbara Streisand in the movie ‘What’s Up Doc’. She would stand alone in the centre of the room, swaying in time to the music, staring at the floor, her head moving in ever-expanding circles so her hair spread out two feet in front, then behind. When the music stopped everyone would clap and shout ‘What’s up Nancy?’ and she would laugh and get another drink.

Later on, much later on, she found out that it was her hair that had first attracted Mike. Although it took dozens of parties where he loitered at the edge of the dance floor, and threw long lingering looks from the shadows, he eventually plucked up the courage to ask her out. A year later they were married and a month after that her beautiful twin boys were born.

As the cab pulled away Nancy tried to remember the plans she had made before meeting Mike, and couldn’t remember what they were. The fact that she could so easily forget the internal dialogue that had occupied her every waking thought (and many sleepy ones too) for so many years - that shocked her.

She watched an argument develop outside a pub just as the verbal insults morphed into mild physical violence and she flinched, remembering last year’s mugging. She was suddenly there, smiling indulgently at two girls mock-fighting as she tried to enter the cinema. She saw, too late, that her maternal indulgence had been misinterpreted as a mocking gesture, which was rewarded by both girls turning on her. They knocked her to the ground then kicked her till she was comatose. Witnesses said the girls had pulled her to her feet by her hair and smashed her head against the wall before being pulled away by friends. She didn’t remember the police arriving,

59

or the ambulance journey, but she remembered coming round from the first operation and seeing Mike’s concerned face before he remembered to hide his anxiety with fake cheeriness.

He said “What’s up Nancy?” and she laughed, not knowing what she was doing there.

She hadn’t laughed a lot since then. There wasn’t much to laugh about.

Although her body healed, her mind was like a wayward child, unable to concentrate on anything for very long. She tired easily and the endless visits to the doctors, then the hair specialists, wore her down.

The medical experts all agreed that the attack had caused her hair to start falling out. Twisting and pulling hair was a common cause of alopecia, apparently, and given the initial severity of her head injury, they said it should come as no surprise that she was losing a bit of hair. Although they never actually accused her, the sideways looks and the understanding smiles seemed to be telling her to stop being so ungrateful. After all the hours of surgery and devoted nursing care that her saved her from losing her marbles, they seemed to say, why worry about losing a bit of hair?

Nancy watched her road come into view and tapped the window to indicate where she wanted the cab to stop. For some reason she didn’t want to step straight from the taxi to her front door, facing an expectant family.

Mike and the boys would be waiting to offer love and support because they knew, as they had all known for the last month, that today she would return from the clinic totally bald. They knew how nervous she would feel as she took off her headscarf to reveal the shiny bald skull which felt so wrong, so not-her.

She paid the driver, walked the final 200 yards to the house, unlocked the door and stepped over the threshold. She hung up her coat, took a deep breath and strolled, almost but not quite casually, into the lounge.

She was touched beyond words. She had expected kind words and sympathy, spoken from love and not pity. She had expected some initial reticence from the boys, and then maybe a cuddle or two as they became accustomed to their mother’s new alien-like features. She had not expected this, and she choked back the tears.

She was greeted by three round faces, one big one and two smaller ones, sat in a row on the sofa. Each face was wearing a large grin and appeared underneath a bald head. They pointed at their ears, pointed at her head, laughed out loud, and as one they shouted “What’s up Nancy?”

Keith is part of the Writer’s Study Group and this story won their Short Story Competition in 2013. If you are a budding writer and would like to send in a short story, we would love to hear from you!

60

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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 

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Index of advertisers

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

Aerials Oakhurst Aerials.......................15 Appliance Repairs Thompson Group Services........48 Bathrooms Bubbles Bathrooms Dorset.......48 K & B Installations....................11 Beds The Bed Store........................... 1 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds............................. 3 Interiors Complete.................... 9 Tuscany Blinds..........................27 Block Paving & Surfacing K & S Paving..............................11 T P Sherwood............................37 Builders & Carpenters Creative Carpentry....................61 Fletcher Builders.......................17 Cafes & Delicatessens The Merchant of Venice............18 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Cleaning Magic.........................57 Kingfishers of West Moors........16 Carpets & Flooring Carpet Barn.............................. 1 Chimney Sweeps Oliver Chimney Sweep.............. 6 Chiropodists & Podiatrists Ferndown Chiropody Clinic.......46 Chiropractors West Moors Chiropractic Clinic.... 9 Computer Services Tec Check..................................54 Web Sites Plus..........................29 Dentists Balmoral Lodge Dental Practice....61 Moorlands Road Dental Practice...29 Drainage Services All Drains Cleared.....................49 Electricians Dorset Electrical & Fire Alarms....31 H.E. Electrical............................ 3 Holmes Electrical......................12 M J Electrical............................. 9 Financial Advisors Kingston PTM...........................12 Fitted Furniture Custom World........................... 5 Select Interiors..........................15

Funeral Directors Cooperative Funeralcare..........15 Garage Services Coastal Car Sales & Service......45 Longham Motor Engineers.......18 Garden Services (see also Fencing & Tree Surgeons)

Douglas Hutchins......................31 JBM Garden & Property Services....49 Jon Stokes Garden Services.......17 Land Girls Garden Service......... 8 Hairdressers Creations Hair Salon.................55 Health & Fitness Ferndown Fitness......................43 Hearing Aids Kellear Hearing.........................17 Hospitals Bournemouth & Poole NHS Trusts.... 7 Insurance A-Plan.......................................63 Kitchens Flair Interiors............................23 K & B Installations....................11 Portman Stone..........................48 Select Interiors..........................15 Lofts Loft Services..............................12 More Than Loft Ladders...........41 Meals Delivered Custom Lunches........................27 Memorial Masons Minster Memorials...................57 Opticians EyeStyle Centre.........................47 Oven Cleaners Cleaning Magic.........................57 Painters & Decorators Different Strokes.......................16 Photographers Barrett & Coe: Paul Sumner......12 Plumbing & Heating Services C M Lovegrove..........................50 First Choice Plumbing...............41 H2OT Heating........................... 8 Luxton Plumbing.......................57 P L H Heating............................53 Pond Services The Koi Shop.............................29

Printers & Stationers Xerocad.....................................53 Property Maintenance JBM Garden & Property Services....49 John Stevens Property Care...... 3 Peter Le Grand.......................... 6 Pubs, Restaurants & Takeaways Spice of India............................64 The Kings Arms.........................43 Renewable Energy Solutions Nick Good Property Services.....21 Residential Care Homes Care South - Fairlawn............... 2 Roofing Services Brian James Roofing.................36 J Meechan Roofing................... 8 PR Smith Roofing......................49 Room Hire Barrington Centre.....................36 Sewing Machine Repairs S Ford Sewing Machines...........31 Solicitors Harold G Walker.......................35 Storage SDC Self Storage.......................53 Taxis Prestige Executive Travel..........13 Tree Surgeons RHV...........................................49 Upholsterers Custom Covers.......................... 6 User Cars Coastal Cars Sales & Service.....45 Waste Services All Clean Waste Management....16 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Allglaze.....................................50 AM PM Glazing.........................36 Dorset Windows.......................13 Profile 3.................................... 6 Richard Thomas........................11 Select PVCU..............................19 Woodburners & Stoves Cozy Stoves...............................45 Worktops Portman Stone..........................48

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Looking to renew your car, van or home insurance?

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Call 01202 644 390 Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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