I hope you’ve had a lovely summer, whether you’ve been relaxing in the garden, heading off somewhere new, or making the most of what’s on your doorstep.
Personally, I do like a summer challenge. In 2022, I completed a 2km sea swim at Studland; I hiked the Jurassic Coast Marathon for charity in 2023; and I even ventured further afield to take part in the Great North Run in 2024. This year, though, it’s all about Paddington.
I set myself the rather ambitious challenge to track down all 23 Paddington Bear statues dotted across the UK and Ireland in celebration of the 2024 Paddington film. It’s been such a fun excuse for a few spontaneous adventures — including a trip all the way up to Scotland! I haven’t found them all yet, but it’s been a joy to follow the trail and take a moment to explore new places (usually with a marmalade sandwich in my bag).
We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to, so do drop us a line and let us know. Here’s to a lovely end to the season.
Rebecca Smith
Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/@Dorset_View
Farewell to the Great Tail Trail
After being scattered across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for the Great Tail Trail earlier in the year, all 88 mermaid tail art sculptures created for a local charity were gathered for a farewell display at Bournemouth International Centre on 14 and 15 June.
From 5 April to 1 June, 45 giant tails and 43 tiny tails were spread across the area to raise awareness and funds for children’s hospice charity Julia’s House. Each giant tail featured artwork created by a local artist, and many
of the tiny tails had been designed by schools and art clubs.
Visitors to the exhibition admired the tails up close and were treated to face painting, brilliant balloon animals created by Mr Pop, an arts station, a photo display using items donated to Julia’s House, and children’s activities. There was also the opportunity to learn about the work of Julia’s House and enter a raffle to win a tiny tail.
On Friday 20 June, the tails were auctioned off at The Italian Villa in Poole, raising a grand total of £201,100 for the charity.
‘An Ocean of Colour’ by Mudeford Infants School
CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS FOR RADIO GAGA 2025
SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 7.30PM AT THE REGENT, CHRISTCHURCH
It will be ‘A Kind of Magic’ for one night only in Christchurch as the ultimate tribute act to Queen perform at The Regent.
Break free for an evening and shake all over like a jellyfish as Radio GaGa recreates two magical hours live on stage, celebrating the music, fun and showmanship of one of the biggest bands to have ever graced the stage.
The show features several of Freddie Mercury and the band’s greatest hits, including: ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, ‘I Want to Break Free’, ‘Somebody to Love’, ‘We Will Rock You’, and of course ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
REGENT CENTRE BOX OFFICE
01202 499199
TICKETS £33
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the show, all you need to do is find Sammy Seagull who is hiding somewhere inside this month’s magazine (excluding this page).
Send an email with the subject line ‘Sammy Seagull’, the page number where he appears and your contact details to competition@ themudefordmag.co.uk.
Closing date is 21 September 2025
PREVIOUS WINNER:
The winner of our ticket giveaway to see ‘Thank You For The Music 2025’ was Debbie Sullivan, who spotted Sammy hiding on page viii.
Coffee Break Time
How to solve codeword
Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number.
All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.
To start you off we reveal the code for 3 letters.
Solutions on page xxii
sponsored by Louis P Creative
Coffee Break Time
With solo travel, the world is your oyster
By Elizabeth McPherson
An increasing number of individuals are stepping out of their comfort zones and embarking on solo journeys by plane, train, or boat to fulfil their desire for travel. Unlike traditional package holidays, these travellers embark on independent trips to foreign destinations they have always aspired to visit.
Initially, solo travel can be challenging, particularly for novices. For example, a trip to Malia in Crete may prove difficult during the initial nights, especially for those hesitant to explore alone. However, participating in social activities, such as a quiz night at a local pub, can mitigate those feelings of isolation. Meeting fellow solo travellers often results in companionship for the remainder of the trip.
Many individuals have reported similar experiences during solo travel. After a few days, engaging in conversations with others frequently leads to new friendships and dispels the feeling of being on holiday alone.
For those contemplating solo travel but lacking companionship, numerous female solotravelling groups support women wishing to travel independently. Additionally, some local organisations provide resources and connections for solo female travellers. Just do a little digging online.
Based on personal experience, here are my key recommendations:
• Select a destination that aligns with your preferences. For instance, if you prefer tranquillity and nature, a lively resort may not suit you.
• Bring ample reading material. This allows you to remain engaged
during meals without relying on your phone, thereby projecting confidence.
• Engage with others, as many people welcome additional company. Even if you do not wish to join them, making connections can enhance your trip.
• Prioritise safety by avoiding suspicious areas, yet maintain a positive mindset. For example, during a 2022 trip to Turkey, I experienced a welcoming atmosphere when unable to pay for cocktails immediately, as the barman kindly allowed me to settle the bill later.
The notion that it is unbecoming for a woman to travel alone abroad has become obsolete. Many individuals now embrace solo travel, and given our desire to maximise life experiences, there is no need to wait for companionship when one can independently embark on an adventure.
Happy holidays!
Beth The Lifestyle Concept beth@thelifestyleconcept.co.uk Phone: 07932 945738 www.thelifestyleconcept.co.uk
Clinical and rehabilitation services
at Health Sciences University
By HSU
We know that deciding what to do next with your health can be tricky and uncertain. We’re here to give you clarity – helping you understand your next steps, avoid unnecessary costs, and get the right care when you need it.
From our student clinics and affordable exercise options to specialist physiotherapy, chiropractic and rehabilitation, we offer a range of treatment options. We have an orthopaedic specialist onsite, along with medical imaging services, including MRI and Ultrasound.
It’s important to us that you can easily navigate our different services, right from booking.
If you know who you’d like to see, you can use our online booking system. If you’re unsure, we have a phone triage service that can give you
Exploring the ‘Coast’
with LucanArt
Local artist Miroslav Lucan (aka LucanArt) has a brand-new exhibition at Highcliffe Castle
Miroslav Lucan (also known as LucanArt) is an artist, designer and photographer known for his bold illustrative style and large-scale street art, which often take inspiration from the world of nature and old technologies.
Now, he has put together an exhibition entitled ‘Coast’ at Highcliffe Castle, which features his illustrations as well as a series of installations using the materials and fossils collected from around Highcliffe beaches.
We caught up with Lucanart to learn more about his new exhibition.
What is the exhibition about?
It’s all about this local area of the coastline, and to celebrate it, but also to encourage people to head down and spend some time on the beaches.
To me personally, it was a massive thing, especially during lockdown. It saved me really. It was mainly through fossil hunting.
This exhibition is a combination of art and photography that is coastline inspired, but
also my collection of fossils, shark teeth and other finds from the beaches.
Do you get nervous before an exhibition opening?
Yes, very nervous, as usually I’m running behind — that happens a lot. There are always lastminute headaches for whatever reasons; it might be logistics or things to sort out.
What is your favourite subject to draw?
It’s a mix between nature and technology for me. I love nature and living by the sea, so sea creatures like octopus and crab appear in my work quite a lot.
[I also love] old technology, so old Americana and Victorian machines. Often, I combine the two, like a crab holding an old school bus.
That’s the beauty of art. No one is telling you what to do, so you can have some fun.
To watch the full interview with LucanArt, visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@dorset_view. ‘Coast’ is on display at Highcliffe Castle until 16 October 2025. For details, visit highcliffecastle.co.uk.
The arrival of September can be a difficult period to navigate
The kids go back to school, normal routines resume, our social calendars start to slow down and we’re quickly back to warming drinks and cosy socks. We pack away the shorts, the Pimms and the carefree summer vibe begins to fade. After a hectic August, we’re left with extra time but find it hard to regain our momentum. We can feel unmotivated and uninspired.
The ‘C’ word (sorry but I can’t write it — it’s too early) starts to creep into our conversations, and before we know it, we’ve planned out December and forgotten there’s a whole three months to embrace. Then the Winter Blues start to appear. Welcome to your post-summer slump!
So how do we avoid this and instead feel excited about this next chapter? The answer is to take some time to realign our internal compass.
We need to know where we are heading, otherwise we may find ourselves going round in circles.
September is a great time for self-reflection and re-evaluation of our goals, whether they are personal, professional, or both. This doesn’t have to mean striving for the same goals that you set out to achieve in January, because that was eight months ago and life changes. It can mean creating fresh ideas that align with how you’d like the rest of 2025 to look.
Too often we walk through life on autopilot. We do the things we’ve always done without really questioning if they are right for us. Why? Because it’s easier to do what we’ve always done, rather than stepping out of our comfort zone and trying something new.
But how about making this chapter a little different?
I encourage my coaching clients to use journaling as a tool for self-reflection. If you’ve never journaled before, don’t worry — it can be as simple as asking yourself a question and writing down your thoughts.
To help you realign your internal compass, here are five questions to kickstart your September:
1. If you put ‘joy’ at the top of your todo list, what are you prioritising?
2. What goal would you like to focus on (this can be a new or refreshed goal)?
3. Why do you want to achieve this?
4. What’s your first action (a simple, easy-toimplement action that you can do today)?
5. Imagine it’s 31 December 2025. What are you celebrating?
Remember, you don’t need a new year to start a new routine or a new goal. Every day is a chance for a new beginning. Make this chapter an exciting one for you.
Kat Amey is a life coach and hosts journaling workshops and retreats in the Dorset area. Get in touch for more information.
W: www.kathrynamey.com
E: kathryn@kathrynamey.com
Instagram: @kat_amey
Massive chilli festival brings on the heat
Photos and report by Janine Pulford Hardcore chilli-heads fired up their taste buds at the annual Christchurch Cheese and Chilli Festival on 17 and 18 May, but one man bit off more than he could chew.
At Saturday’s chilli-eating competition, hundreds gathered at the main stage as six brave contestants took their places. During the opening round when a low rated chilli on the Scoville scale was being eaten, one participant got up in a hurry. George will be remembered as the first contestant ever to make a hasty exit in round one.
Winner Ross kept going through the following rounds as the other participants fell by the wayside.
The festival site featured a long avenue of stalls selling everything imaginable with a chilli twist. Live entertainment included music, cooking theatres, cheese challenges and an extensive family zone with crowd-pleasing wrestling, closeup magic, axe throwing and crazy golf.
All this plus a plentiful supply of food, drinks and ice creams made for a great family day out in the sunshine.
Ross (centre) won Saturday’s chilli-eating contest
Huge crowds enjoyed sunny weather
We’ll Prescribe You
Another Cat by Syou Ishida, hardback £14.99
The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul reopens in this delightful followup to the bestselling Japanese novel ‘We’ll Prescribe You a Cat’. Although it is mysteriously located at an uncertain address, the Kokoro Clinic can always be found by those who need it, and it has proven time after time that a prescribed cat has the power to heal the emotional wounds of all its patients. This irresistible sequel introduces a new loveable cast of healing cats, from Kotetsu, a four-monthold Bengal who unleashes his energy by demolishing bed linen, to curious Shasha, who won’t let her tiny size stop her, and lazy Ms Michiko, who is as soft and comforting as mochi. As characters from one chapter reappear as side characters in the next, we follow a young woman who cannot help pushing away the man who loves her; a recently widowed grandfather whose grandson refuses to leave his room; and an anxious man working at a cat shelter who seeks to show how difficult cats can be the most rewarding.
Book Reviews
By Kirsty Robinson
Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes by Mary Berry, hardback £23
Join Britain’s best-loved cook as she celebrates her 90th birthday with a career-spanning collection of iconic, fuss-free recipes for every occasion. In this beautifully illustrated cookbook, Mary Berry shares 90 of her very best recipes, each one perfected over a lifetime of cooking. From sumptuous dishes like Mary’s best ever lasagne bolognese, a foolproof pepper pot chicken and a freezer-friendly mac and cheese, to irresistible desserts like raspberry soufflé and, of course, classic bakes including Mary’s best brownies and lemon drizzle traybake, this collection features a mix of brand-new recipes and beloved classics for every home cook. Alongside the recipes, Mary shares stories and cherished family photographs that offer a glimpse into the memories tied to her favourite dishes. Accompanying a brandnew BBC series, ‘Mary 90’ is a lavish tribute to the joy of cooking and sharing good food.
Always Remember:
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse And The Storm by Charlie Mackesy, hardback £18
Charlie Mackesy’s four unlikely friends are wandering through the wilds again. They’re not sure what they are looking for. They do know that life can be difficult, but that they love each other, and cake is often the answer. But when the dark clouds come, can the boy remember what he needs to get through the storm? The hugely anticipated new book from Charlie Mackesy revisits the much-loved world of ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ – the bestselling adult non-fiction book, with over 10 million readers around the world.
Why not pop into the shop to have a browse and see lots of lovely new publications for autumn? Or you can contact us on 01202 418403, email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or find us on social media @bh6booksandhome to place orders and discover all that we have to offer at BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QU.
recipe:
By Colin Nash | Head Chef colinnashrestaurant.co.uk
INGREDIENTS:
Makes approximately 6
For the filling
400g local venison shoulder (chopped into small chunks)
3 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp English mustard powder
1 chopped carrot and celery stick
Rapeseed oil
1 onion (finely chopped)
1 tsp chopped thyme
100ml real ale
200ml venison or beef stock
1 medium potato (finely diced)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the pastry
300g plain flour
125g butter (keep cold)
1 egg (beaten)
Venison pasty
Method:
Toss the venison in the flour, mustard powder and two pinches of salt and one pinch of black pepper. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish and brown the venison in batches, shaking off excess flour. The brown colour will add flavour to the dish. We use large frying pans because of the quantity we are making.
Add the onion, carrot and celery to the dish and cook for five minutes to soften, stirring to release any meaty bits from the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle any remaining flour back into the dish and add the thyme, ale, stock, venison, and some salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 60 minutes until the meat is tender but not falling apart. Stir every now and then and add a splash of water if the dish looks dry.
Add the potato and keep splashing with water if necessary. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the potato is just cooked. Leave to cool completely (you can chill overnight or freeze for up to two months).
To make the pastry, tip the flour into a bowl and add 1 tsp salt. Grate the butter into the flour and use a spoon to stir it in. Add 100–125ml cold water and mix again with your spoon until the pastry forms a dough. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least one hour, removing the pastry from the fridge 10 minutes before you roll it.
Heat oven to 180C fan/gas 6. On a floured surface, roll the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin. Use a plate as a guide to cut out six 8-inch circles. You may have to reroll the scraps to make all six.
Divide the cold venison stew between the pastry discs, piling up the filling on one side. Brush egg wash around the end of each pastry circle, then lift one side and stick down on the other to create pasties. Use a fork, or two fingers, to crimp the edges firmly shut. Transfer to baking trays lined with baking parchment and brush with more beaten egg. You can now chill for 24 hours or cook straight away
Bake for 30 minutes, until the pastry is crisp and golden. Can be eaten hot or cold. We don’t serve these at the restaurant, but you can get our homemade ones at Ellie’s Farm Shop near Bransgore. We also make cuttlefish pasties for the shop. You can use diced beef or lamb instead of venison using the same procedure. Happy cooking!
Colin Nash Restaurant
Lyndhurst Road, Hinton, Christchurch, BH23 7EF
T: 01425 200050
W: www.colinnashrestaurant.co.uk
ANTS or NATS
(Negative Automatic Thoughts): Why we find them annoying and detrimental to our lives
Did you know that the average human brain has approximately 3,000 thoughts per hour? And 90 per cent of these are repetitive. The bad news is, as humans, the majority of these are negative. They originally were designed to keep us safe, and as cavemen we only survived by being on a constant lookout for danger, learning to anticipate threat and avoid it. We now use our imagination to think of potential dangers and problems so that we can solve them before they threaten us. However, as ‘random thought generators’, our minds can work against us.
Negative thinking can become an unhelpful habit, and these repeating thoughts develop a neural pathway that becomes stronger with repetitive use. For this reason, habits are very hard to break as the brain is inherently lazy and doesn’t like developing new pathways that require more energy.
Excessive negative thoughts cause chronic stress and can alter brain chemistry, lowering ‘feel-good’ chemicals. They can reduce the size of the intelligent brain whilst enlarging the fear centre: the amygdala.
Negative thinking can be divided into several patterns of thinking:
1. Black and white, using words such as ‘always’, ‘every’ and ‘never’.
2. Focusing on the negative and dismissing the positive.
3. Mind reading and assuming what others are thinking.
4. Labelling feelings so that if we ‘feel’ stupid in a situation, then we think we ‘are’ stupid.
5. Being ruled by ‘shoulds’ and ‘musts’. These need to be reframed with a more positive phrase; instead of “I should exercise more” which infers that you don’t really want to, think “It’s important to me that I exercise.”
6. Taking things personally.
7. Blaming others.
If we want to change how we think because we have identified our thinking patterns as unhelpful, we first need to capture our most common thoughts and challenge whether they are fact or fiction. When our minds convince us of something that isn’t true, this is known as a cognitive distortion.
And then think, could we look at this situation in an alternative way? What advice would I give a friend who has this thought?
Once we have identified and challenged the unhelpful thought, we need to try and loosen ownership of it. We need to recognise that not every thought we have is interesting, important or even true, and we must learn to let these thoughts go, or turn them into PETS (Positive Empowering Thoughts), reframing your negative thought into something more positive and probably more realistic. For instance, “I failed that exam, I’m useless and will never get a job” could be reframed as, “I didn’t do as well as I hoped, but I’m going to work hard and do better next time.”
Other ways of reducing unhelpful thought activity are meditation or mindfulness, helping to quieten the mind and master negative thought patterns.
Finally, practise gratitude. Being grateful also reduces negativity, boosts feel-good brain chemicals and increases emotional resilience whilst reducing negative emotions.
Dr Armorel Wood MBACP, Accred MNCS Professional Counsellor
200 years ago this summer, a terrible fire swept down Spicer Street in the Pit area off Bargates, Christchurch, destroying houses and making 52 families homeless. The occupiers were poor, mainly artisans, fishermen, and farm labourers. In the days before welfare, how did the town react?
The summer of 1825 was hot and dry. On the morning of 20 July, at around 11am, fire broke out on Spicer Street. It isn’t clear where and how, but the properties were mainly mud and thatch, and the fire quickly took a hold and spread rapidly. Dragoons from the barracks attended with a fire appliance and tried in vain to stop the fire from spreading, but it was being fanned by high winds. It was even suggested that had the wind changed direction, the whole town might have been at risk.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, except for a boy who accidentally had his leg broken. Some of the residents had been able to rescue belongings before the fire destroyed them, and there were beds and other furniture strewn in nearby fields. Over 200 people were suddenly homeless.
With just one resident reportedly insured, it was quickly apparent that the town had a crisis. Local women set up a committee to find clothing. By 4pm, an emergency meeting had been called.
An appeal for subscriptions (donations) to help the victims was quickly answered. The relief fund grew, and in just three weeks around £1,300 was raised, which is almost £105,000 today.
The fund continued to grow, and such was the amount of money donated that not only could funds be distributed but there was enough to begin building new homes. Given what had happened, it was decided that these would not be thatched.
By October, the area was cleared, and building had begun, but it was obvious that the families would not be in the new houses before the winter. The families were accommodated in people’s homes. The Hampshire Advertiser reported: “The hospitality of many respectable individuals will afford shelter to the unfortunate during the winter.”
Spicer Street ran from Bargates down to Barrack Road; these days, this is part of the old Pit Site car park and Fountain Roundabout. On the newly erected buildings, a commemorative plaque was added, which was rescued when the houses were demolished in 1937 to make road improvements. The plaque can be seen in the gardens at The Red House Museum.
By quickly organising, and by giving money and practical support, the town had rallied to help the victims of Christchurch’s worst fire and provided new homes within months.
Visit www.historychristchurch.co.uk or email enquiries@historychristchurch.co.uk
Talks:
to find out more.
Held at Christchurch Junior School, Clarendon Road, BH23 2AA. Doors open at 7pm.
2 September – The Wilts & Dorset Female Penitentiary, by Clare Humphreys-Vincentini
7 October – Annual General Meeting. All welcome
A plaque commemorating the fire
The rebuilt Spicer Street
Belle Toute Lighthouse
By Keith Morton | Association of Lighthouse Keepers | alkhurst@gmail.com
Continuing on our lighthouse tour of England and Wales, we are now back on the south coast and heading in a westerly direction to the headland known as Beachy Head. Mariners heading for London would keep close in so as to cover the shortest distance and to arrive in the shortest time — this resulted in many shipwrecks during the 17th and 18th centuries. So, in 1691, a petition was raised for the erection of a lighthouse on the cliffs at Beachy Head.
Alas, this petition was ignored for some 100 years until The Thames, an East Indiaman, crashed onto the rocks at Beachy Head. The petition then gained momentum with the support of a captain in the Royal Navy and Trinity House, the official lighthouse authority. The incident was also witnessed by one John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller, the MP for Sussex, who used his influence and personal wealth to fund a lighthouse construction.
The first Belle Toute Lighthouse was a temporary wooden structure that was brought into service on 1 October 1828. The construction of a permanent granite structure began in 1829 and became operational on 11 October 1834. The light design with reflectors used 30 oil lamps that consumed two gallons of oil every hour. It was a revolving light that gave a flash every two minutes, provided by a three-sided array with 10 lamps on each side.
In 1887, the light was altered using the latest two-wick oil burners and using six lamps with reflectors on each side. The frame was clockwork driven and the speed of rotation was significantly increased to give a four-second flash every 15 seconds.
Sadly, the lighthouse was not as successful as had been hoped. Clearly, the higher that a lighthouse beam is above the mean sea level, the greater will be its range. But
in poor weather conditions, when the light is needed most, the lighthouse on top of the cliffs would become obscured by orographic cloud, and if ships sailed too close to the shore, the light would be blocked by the cliff edge. Furthermore, the cliffs themselves were suffering from erosion.
It was decided to decommission the lighthouse on 2 October 1902, when a new lighthouse had been completed down at sea level just a short distance from the shore, known as Beachy Head Lighthouse.
In 1903, Trinity House sold Belle Toute Lighthouse and since then it has been owned by various people and organisations. In 1999, coastal erosion threatened the lighthouse, so it was moved back by some 50ft during a pioneering operation where the 850-ton lighthouse was pushed by hydraulic jacks along 4 concrete beams that were topped with steel – the work was undertaken by Abbey Pynford. More coastal erosion has now caused a large crack in the cliff face, so it could soon be time to move the lighthouse once again.
By Revd Sandra Prudom, Christchurch Community Partnership chief executive
Last year, we were involved with BCP’s Access to Food Forum and Bournemouth University in research around Hidden Hunger, focusing on food insecurity in our older population which had come to light during the pandemic. The findings have both informed and shaped CCP services, being the catalyst for our weekly Homelands lunch club as well as the monthly Sunday Roast project. The film made from this research is well worth watching and can be found on our website. Recently, we gathered some of our service users at Bure House for a screening followed by a discussion of the issues raised in the film. This was an enjoyable and valuable event and included a buffet lunch so attendees were able to socialise, make new friends, and continue their conversations.
In other news, we recently adopted one of the former Age Concern Christchurch Friendship
groups, which meets at St Catherine’s Hall on the Hill every Wednesday afternoon at 2pm and is happy to welcome new members. Speaking of that area, we are also launching a new Coffee Connections venue from September in partnership with The Bunker.
There are also plans afoot to launch our second CCP lunch club in the Burton area, so if you have isolated neighbours or relatives who would like to attend, do get in touch with us. Watch this space for further details on both of those new initiatives!
If you are at a loose end this summer, we are still looking for drivers and buddies to support our projects, so give us a ring or drop us an email if you’d like to volunteer.
T: 01202 989632
E: contact@ccpartnership.org.uk
W: christchurchcommunitypartnership.org.uk
An emblematic bird
By Tom (CHOG)
As summer turns to autumn, we head towards the peak time for sightings of Osprey in the Christchurch Harbour area. Ospreys use the harbour as a stopover to hunt for fish, so that they can build up their energy reserves, ready for their southerly migration to Southern Europe and West Africa.
As the star of the Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group (CHOG) emblem, the Osprey is an iconic bird for local birders and conservationists. It is amber listed due to its historical decline and low breeding numbers. Therefore, conservation efforts have been undertaken to help re-establish breeding Ospreys across the UK. This year is the first time there have been two active nests on the South Coast since the successful reintroduction programme in Poole Harbour began.
It is hoped that the number of Ospreys using Christchurch Harbour will increase and benefit from the plentiful supply of Grey Mullet in the harbour (a fish that is also a food item for the previously featured Whitetailed Sea Eagles). Interestingly, the old English name for Osprey is ‘Mullet Hawk’.
Once an Osprey has caught a mullet, it usually carries the fish head-first torpedo style when flying back to its perch to feed.
If you see a large bird carrying a fish torpedo style, as per David’s photograph, it’s possible that you may have seen an Osprey.
For more information and photos of Ospreys in the harbour, check out the species page on the CHOG website, and you can send your sightings via email, the website or through a dedicated wildlife recording app such as BirdTrack or eBird.
In addition to Ospreys making the move south, so will many other birds. Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins will be joined by Wheatears, Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails, all of which can be seen fuelling up on insects and autumnal fruits and berries around Hengistbury Head and Stanpit Marsh. If you haven’t experienced bird migration in action, get out and about and see what you can find this month.
CHOG is an independent organisation and registered charity dedicated to recording, promoting and conserving the wildlife of the Christchurch Harbour area. To find out more about CHOG, please scan the QR code or visit chog.org.uk for the latest daily sightings, how to join and details on the CHOG Members’ Day at Hengistbury Head on Saturday 20 September 2025.
Now for a challenge: can you work out what this is?
Hurst Castle’s hidden secrets
Article
and photos
by Tricia Hayne
In reality, these ‘hidden secrets’ are neither hidden nor secret, but in a castle that stands larger than life at the end of Hurst Spit, it’s extraordinary how much gets overlooked by the casual visitor.
As you pass through the imposing gates at the western entrance to the castle, it’s easy to miss what’s above your head — but look up and you should spot the newly painted escutcheon marking the date that the Victorian extensions were completed.
Once inside the castle, the massive guns that were installed to protect the western approach to the Solent during Victorian times are pretty impressive. But what about the detail? Those guns had to be primed and cleaned with implements that are also on display: a sponge (to clean the barrel), a rammer (to press home the charge) and a wadhook (to remove debris left in the barrel after firing the gun).
Heading into the Henry VIII section of the castle, you can’t miss the staircase up to the top floor of the keep, but somewhere there’s a spiral staircase leading to another room — and steps that take you down into the basement, where food, ammunition and other supplies used to be stored, including water; then, as now, all fresh water at the castle had to be brought in, usually by boat.
As in any military setting, uniforms and kit were a key part of day-to-day life.
Communication, too, was a crucial component. Look around and you’ll find army great coats and rifles; field telephones and a switchboard; even a typewriter, most dating to the two World Wars. But life at the castle had its lighter side, too; how many garrisons had their own theatre, complete with painted backdrop?
Perhaps this could be the year to discover some of Hurst Castle’s lesser-known features. It’s open right through to the end of October, so why not give it a try?
I am the membership secretary of The Friends of Hurst Castle. Members are involved with everything from upkeep and displays to guided tours, litter picks and historical research. They also receive a regular newsletter, can take part in our events and are entitled to free entry to the castle. Why not join us?
To find out more, email trjhayne@gmail.com.
Escutcheon over the entrance to the west wing
Sponge, rammer and wadhook
Spiral staircase
Original backdrop of the Garrison Theatre
Charity of the Year
Get ready to party at our fundraising gala
By Eve Went, co-founder of Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF)
Dress up and enjoy fine dining and entertainment from London’s West End musicals all whilst helping Dorset families suffering financial hardship because of cancer — at our Black Tie Gala 2025.
The highly anticipated Black Tie Gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year. In 2024, it raised over £50,000 to support Dorset families facing hardship following a cancer diagnosis. These funds, and all the money we raise, help cancer patients pay for items such as transport to medical appointments, household bills, domestic help and new home appliances. Our fundraising events are vital in enabling us to continue to help people in these ways.
A small number of tickets are still available for this year’s Black Tie Gala, which will be held in the glitzy Phoxtrott Ballroom at the four-star Hilton Bournemouth on Saturday 13 September.
The evening will begin at 6.15pm with welcome drinks and the chance to peruse some of the fantastic lots in our charity auction.
Our compere will be the popular host Paul Kinvig, and our patron Jeff Mostyn (the former chairman of AFC Bournemouth) will be speaking and mingling with guests.
A sumptuous three-course dinner will follow, before guests are blown away as our entertainers make their ‘surprise’ entrance.
Sit back – or even better, get up and join in – as the singers and musicians of Singing Surprise perform their unique show, ‘A Night at The Musicals’, which comes direct from London’s West End.
The Black Tie Gala will also feature an exclusive auction featuring high value lots such as holidays, beauty treatments and thrilling experiences.
The night will end with dancing to our disco until midnight.
Jeff Mostyn said: “The Black Tie Gala is one of my favourite events of the year and I hope people will take the opportunity to come along and support the charity whilst enjoying a truly spectacular night of entertainment. I look forward to welcoming you!”
Tickets to the Black Tie Gala cost £95 with proceeds going to the continuing work of the DCCF.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit dccf.co.uk or call 01202 124690.
Jeff Mostyn, left, with Eve Went
RNLI Mudeford Fundraising Crew Newsletter
Blue Light Day and Lifeboat Station Open Day 2025
Our fourth Blue Light Day was once again successful in raising awareness of local organisations that contribute to the health and welfare of our community. The weather was dry with a very ‘stiff’ breeze, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out to meet the first responders, try their hand at children’s games, enjoy a ‘brew with the crew’, or watch the Mudeford Lifeboat go through some manoeuvres. Thanks to all the sponsors, participants and the public who lent their support. Plans are already underway for next year.
RNLI souvenirs
Find our stall plus books and jigsaws at Mudeford Quayside, Sundays 10am–4pm, weather permitting.
Join us
Luke’s fundraising walks
A huge well done and thanks to Luke Jenkins, 22, who has proudly completed his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award with a series of supported walks raising £1,500 for the RNLI. On his final walk across Hengistbury Head and over the Mudeford Spit ferry, Luke, who lives with a dual diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome and autism, arrived at Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Station to be met with smiles, cheers and plenty of gratitude from the volunteer crew. To donate to Luke’s fundraising campaign, visit edge.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/luke-jenkins-rnli.
Charity fitness-athon
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking for ‘kitchen disco’ time, there’ll be something for everyone at the charity fitnessathon this September, featuring workouts, music, and a raffle. For over 18s. Tickets cost £20 with all profits going to RNLI Mudeford. Hosted by Anode Fitness on Saturday 20 September at Twynham School, BH23 1JF from 1.15pm–3.15pm. Registration starts at 12.45pm. Sign up at anodefitness.co.uk/product/charity-fitnessathon20th-sept-2025/
For more information on our events or monthly meetings, please contact Adele at adele.orr.63@gmail.com. We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers for our fundraising team. We meet at 2.15pm on the first Wednesday of the month at Stanpit Village Hall.
“You have walked 4,766 steps,” announced my talking pedometer as I went from the bathroom to the bedroom. I glanced at the bed and then back at the pedometer, which had definitely started to sound smug. Could I really stop now? Another 34 steps and I’d have a clear 5,000.
I paced the room and thought about my friend, Carol, and the day we’d decided to buy the pedometers as an aid to our latest dieting efforts.
We’d been for our regular Saturday coffee when Carol saw the pedometers in a window display at the sports shop.
“Look, Annie, they’re on special offer. Maybe we should invest in a couple. Sue in accounts swears by hers.”
I glanced at her sceptically. “I can’t see how a pedometer can help.”
“They’re motivating,” Carol said, dragging me into the shop. “Sue says the pounds just drop off. And knowing how much you’ve walked fires you up to do that little bit more.”
I hadn’t believed her until now. I’d always walked a lot anyway.
But as I paced around my bedroom to get those last few steps I was convinced.
“What are you doing, Annie?” my husband, Graham, called sleepily from the bed.
“Nothing.” I snapped the pedometer into silent mode before it could give the game away.
“Get into bed before you wear out the carpet.”
I unclipped the pedometer and glanced at the number 5,000 on the display. Then I snuggled up beside Graham, feeling almost as smug as the pedometer sounded. * * *
“So, how’s it going?” Carol asked the next day. “Have you reached your 10,000 daily target yet?”
“I thought it was 5,000,” I gasped.
“That’s better than nothing, but 10,000’s recommended for the average person.”
“Who says?”
“The government.” She patted her pedometer. “I made it for the first time yesterday. Took a bit of doing though.”
I smiled enigmatically and kept quiet. There
was no way I was confessing to being under average. Unless of course it was under average weight, which had always been a bit of a pipedream. I was far too fond of my food. Neither was I confessing my legs ached from even half the required amount of steps.
The next day, I redoubled my efforts. It was spitting with rain when I left for work, so usually I’d have caught the bus. Today, I headed grimly out, umbrella held aloft. By lunchtime it had stopped so I went for a walk, which logged up another 1,000 steps.
At afternoon tea-break, I sidled up to Carol. “How many steps?” I asked, confident of my 5,500 tally.
She got out her pedometer to show me her 7,500. “How about you?”
“About the same.”
I didn’t meet her eyes, but she must have heard something in my voice because she said gently, “I’ve found another way of increasing the numbers without it being too painful.”
“You have?” I tried not to sound too keen.
“Every time I use the stairs, I do three trips instead of one.”
“Right.”
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. There are five staircases in our office, and I’d been up all of them at least twice.
“How many steps?” I asked Carol as we left.
She consulted her pedometer and gave a small smile. “9,062.”
I smiled back weakly. How on earth did she do it? I could have sworn I’d been out of my seat more than she had – yet I hadn’t hit 8,000. Maybe she’d been pacing in the loo.
* * *
“You don’t need to lose weight anyway,” Graham said when I told him about it later.
“Yes, I do. But thanks anyway. How do you suppose Carol does it?”
“Let’s have a look at your pedometer,” he held out his hand. “Maybe it’s possible to clock them like a car.”
I waited, holding my breath. Not that I had any intention of cheating, you understand, although I
had to admit it was tempting. It would have been brilliant to catch up with Carol, just once.
“These things work by registering movement.” Graham announced. “Perhaps Carol moves more than you do. If she jiggles around in her seat, she might be clocking up steps when she’s sitting down.”
“Might she now.”
I watched her the next day. But she didn’t seem to be doing any jiggling when she was sitting down. She was obviously doing something right though.
* * *
I still hadn’t worked out Carol’s secret when we went for our Saturday coffee three weeks later. She consistently managed 2,500 steps a day more than me. As we strolled past the shop where we’d bought them, she said, “I’m glad we got these, I’ve lost four pounds. How about you?”
“I haven’t weighed myself.” If she’d lost four pounds, then doubtless I’d have lost two.
“Hey, Annie, look at that! They’re recalling a batch of pedometers. I wonder why?”
We went into the shop, where an apologetic assistant explained one of the batches they’d recently
sold was faulty.
“It’s nothing serious. They’re just under reading by about 30 per cent.”
I felt a massive weight lifting as we handed over our pedometers and she pronounced mine was faulty, and Carol’s was fine.
“So, you’ve been doing more steps than you thought,” Carol grinned. “Brilliant.”
Which were Graham’s sentiments too, when I raced home to tell him.
But the best step of all was the one onto the scales.
“I’ve lost half a stone.”
“Congratulations, love. A brilliant achievement. Even if I did think you were perfect as you were.”
I stepped off the scales and into his arms. That was a pretty satisfying step too — as steps go!
Della Galton is the best-selling author of romantic comedies set around Dorset, Wiltshire and the New Forest, published by Boldwood Books. Her latest novel featuring Phoebe, a New Forest Vet, is called ‘A New Family at Puddleduck Farm’ published 28 August 2025.
No place for drugs
By David Sidwick Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Recently, the latest round of Operation Scorpion took place in Dorset, tackling the harm that illegal drugs networks cause to our communities. Working across the South West in collaboration with four other police forces — Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire — along with their PCCs, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police, Operation Scorpion harnesses the collective powers of each organisation, making the region a hostile environment for drugrelated crime by dismantling drug networks and protecting vulnerable people from this destructive criminality.
In this latest round of action — the 12th since Scorpion began in 2021 — 120 Dorset Police officers and staff were involved in activities across our county, carrying out eight warrants, permanently closing two county lines, arresting 24 people and seizing more than £20,000 of Class A and B drugs, along with £25,000 of cash, three vehicles and weapons including zombie knives, machetes, flick knives and knuckledusters. I was able to witness some of this tough enforcement first hand and welcome the difference this robust approach makes, both to our communities and feelings of safety, and to confidence in policing.
This is why, when I became PCC, I was determined to put tackling illegal drugs front and centre of my Police and Crime Plan. I understand the concern the public have over illegal drugs and the impact they have on our communities, and I know how much tough enforcement is welcomed when it comes to tackling the harm these despicable drug networks cause. From carrying out warrants, removing drugs, cash and weapons
from the streets, ensuring people including children are protected, and working with partners and other sectors to ensure powerful intervention and education is in place, Scorpion is a key component of our fight against these illicit and dangerous substances.
This latest round focused on ‘the enablers’ and those who exploit children, pulling them into these drug networks. The model of county lines may be ever-changing, but something which remains the same is the exploitation of young people with those of a younger age being recruited as drug runners. That’s why we must balance robust enforcement action with strong partnership work to intervene and educate.
I was pleased to see some powerful work on this during Scorpion, with officers working with hotels, taxi and private hire companies and postal operators to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and encourage them to report any concerns. Work was also carried out with young people and schools to educate them around the risks associated with illegal vapes. This is vital as we know criminal gangs are recruiting young people to sell these products.
Shining a light on the despicable activities of these networks and putting a stop to the harm they cause to the people of Dorset remains a top priority. I will not shy away from my tough stance on illegal drugs; I know this approach is working and that’s why alongside Dorset Police I will continue to do all I can to ensure Dorset — one of the safest places in the country — remains no place for drugs.
To contact the PCC, visit the website www.dorset.pcc.police.uk.
A celebration of 1970s music and culture will be sure to delight visitors this September
After an incredible success in 2023 and a fun but wet follow up last year, the Cliff Top Music Festival will take place in Highcliffe on Saturday 6 September.
Get ready for a spectacular day of music, dancing and fun overlooking the sea. There will be live bands and artists performing all
day, including headline act Odyssey, as well as top local food and drink vendors, market stalls and funfair attractions. And new for 2025 is the chance to meet a magical mermaid.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their best vintage outfits. There are even prizes to be won in the fancy dress competition, as well as an epic raffle offering even more fabulous prizes.
So, make a note in your diary and head to Wharncliffe Road from 11am to 7pm on 6 September. Tickets cost £9.38 plus booking fee. Book your tickets now from highcliffevillage.com/ music-festival.
Going back in time
Susie Kimber and her band performing last year
From food waste to flavour bombs
By Grounded Community
What do banana peels, sandwich crusts and carrot tops have in common with your next delicious meal?
If you live in Boscombe, the answer might just be everything!
Tucked away above the Sovereign Shopping Centre, something rather wonderful is growing. Using compost made from local food waste, Grounded Community has launched a new project called Grounded Greens — and it’s turning tiny shoots into a big deal.
These aren’t your average salad leaves. Microgreens are the young shoots of vegetables like peas, sunflower and radish — harvested just days after sprouting, when their flavour is intense and their nutrients are off the charts. Think fresh, peppery, crunchy, sweet… basically a flavour bomb in a handful of greenery.
But this isn’t just about fancy garnishes.
Every tray of greens supports Grounded’s wider work — from growing food with local people, to running education sessions and helping tackle food inequality in the community.
The best part? You can taste the difference for yourself. Grounded Greens are starting to pop up in local cafés, restaurants and shops — and each bite supports a bigger, greener mission.
So next time you see some colourful little greens on your plate, just imagine — they might not have come from miles away. They could have been grown right upstairs in a tiny urban farm, powered by food waste, passion, and a whole lot of local love.
Want to try them? Keep an eye out for Grounded Greens at your favourite local spots or visit groundedcommunity.co.uk to find out more, get involved or suggest somewhere that should stock them.
https://groundedcommunity.co.uk
The Lyme Regis Women’s Swimming Club BOOK REVIEW
By Rachel McLean and Millie Ravensworth | (Ackroyd Publishing, paperback)
Review by Gill Hayes
This book by Southbournebased author Rachel McLean and Millie Ravensworth (the pen name for writing duo Heide Goody and Iain Grant) revolves around four women who become friends through their love of open-water swimming and their accidental involvement in a murder.
Set in the beautiful town of Lyme Regis with its winding streets and tranquil harbour, the authors call to mind a typical seaside town with all its problems, personalities and hopes for a better life.
This is shattered for our
ladies when they discover a body in one of their member’s cars. What ensues is a hunt for the truth which will bring together the members of the swimming club and develop their personalities and struggles with everyday life.
The twists and turns are compounded by complex family situations which include several police in-laws and a detective constable daughter. Not to mention a very determined seagull called Kevin.
If you can get over the obvious question of “Wouldn’t you have gone to the police?”
and the slightly contrived plot, the whole thing is a fun-filled, laugh-out-loud adventure with a passing nod to Richard Osman’s ‘Thursday Murder Club’. It’s an easy read which I devoured in three sittings and would highly recommend for a sunny day sat in the garden with a glass of ‘something’.
Birthday parties at Discovery Village
Here is one mum’s experience of the children’s birthday party package offered by Dorset’s leading immersive role play centre
By Sarah Graham
If like me, you dread the thought of having 15 cake-filled, screaming children in your house, or making 50 sandwiches whilst watching your toddler fall off the church hall bouncy castle, then let me tell you about my daughter Emma’s fifth birthday party.
This year, we decided to do things a bit differently and booked a birthday package at Discovery Village; a charming immersive play village for 1–8-year-olds based in Christchurch. There are two packages to choose from: Platinum offers you exclusive use of the venue with up to 30 children and 70 adults, while Gold allows up to 15 children and 20 adults. Both packages include a dedicated party host, a cold buffet with cupcake tower, and the birthday child gets a card and gift.
We went for the Gold package (Emma’s class only has 10 children) and did it jointly with one of Emma’s classmates. Shortly after booking, we were contacted by Debbie who talked us through the process, sent us beautiful invitations for Emma to give out, and helped with our queries.
On the day of the party, we were allowed to come in 10 minutes early and met the owner Chris who made sure we had everything we needed (and a coffee). Each party guest got a name tag, and the adults were able to sit on reserved tables.
The birthday girls were made to feel extra special by the performer leading the session, including getting the whole room to sing happy birthday. The kids enjoyed playing in the village
(as always) and the pizza-themed story and games were great fun – we especially liked the confetti cheese.
Half-way through the session, the buffet was brought out. The food offered was amazing: sandwiches, fresh fruit and veg sticks, biscuits and a cupcake tower. It all looked beautiful, and the kids loved it — along with the unlimited squash.
After two hours, we said goodbye to the guests. Emma then received a lovely birthday gift from Discovery Village, and then we went home. Yes, that meant no tidying up!
Overall, the party was a huge success. I would very much recommend this as an excellent, stressfree alternative to hiring the village hall — and for around the same price, too.
Nature’s Footprints
The brown hare
Report by Janine Pulford
Although not native to the British Isles, the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is now considered naturalised. Originally from central Asia, it is thought to have been introduced to this country some 2,000 years ago.
Identification
Hares are not rabbits. They are in the same family — Leporidae — but they are a different species.
Brown hares are bigger than wild rabbits. They have reddish gold fur, amber eyes and long ears with black tips. By comparison, wild rabbits are light brown, have shorter ears without black tips, and brown eyes.
Rabbits generally hop and, when scared, will run into their burrows. Hares tend to walk unless fleeing from a predator when they can be seen using their long legs to bound at speed in a zigzag manner.
Hares also don’t live in burrows. Instead, they make a small depression in the ground in long grass. This is known as a form. During the day, they stay low and still, hiding on or near the form and moving off to feed at dusk.
Diet
Brown hares mainly graze on tender shoots of grass, including cereal crops, and will eat the bark of young trees. They live on grassland and arable land, preferring a patchwork of farmland offering a variety of food, long grass to hide in, woodland edges and fields. They are generally solitary, occasionally feeding together.
Breeding
The breeding season is between February and September, and the female — the doe or jill — can rear three to four litters a year. She may line her form with soft fur pulled from her chest. Although brown hares are generally nocturnal, you are most likely to see them during the day in the spring, particularly in March when fertility is at its peak. You may catch sight of them ‘boxing’ in the fields. This unusual behaviour has coined the saying ‘mad March hare’.
Should you be lucky enough to see two hares having a boxing match, don’t be fooled into thinking it is two males fighting. It is more likely to be a jill warding off an amorous male (a jack). And so comes to mind the rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’. Here’s my take on the rhyme written with hares in mind:
Jack and Jill went up the hill
With visions of making a daughter
Fed up with his pose
Jill boxed his nose
And poor Jack was unable to court her
A jill will give birth to two to four leverets, which are born with fur and open eyes. The babies leave the form after a few days and lie low separately, keeping quite still. Their mother will return to feed them after sunset for around four weeks, allowing them to suckle for a few minutes a day. After that, they’re on their own. Their lifespan is short: between two to four years.
Conservation status
Although protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, brown hares are considered game animals and numbers can be managed by landowners and farmers. This means they are afforded minimal protection and can be shot throughout the year. They are the only game species in the UK without a closed season when hunting is fully prohibited. However, a licence is required to kill them in the closed season, which runs from 1 February to 30 September.
In their favour, the cruel sport of hare coursing was outlawed in 2002, apart from in Ireland. It does, however, continue illegally and if you suspect hare coursing, you should report it to the police on 101. If you see a crime in progress always dial 999.
On a beautiful sunny weekend at the end of June, visitors to this year’s Shake & Stir Festival at Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne were able to step back in time and enjoy retro music from the 1920s to the 1970s.
The vintage village also included car displays and classic motorcycles.
Many people got into the spirit of the event by dressing in outfits from the 20th century, and there were plenty of stalls offering vintage items to boost wardrobes.
Performers on the bandstand included Sing People Sing Choir, The Upbeat Beatles, Red Fez Orchestra and Little Miss Sixties.
Fans of retro and vintage culture should consider attending Cliff Top Music Festival in Highcliffe on Saturday 6 September (see page 60).
UP THE CHERRIES!
Football is back with the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign in August. How did Bournemouth do last season? The team achieved their best ever Premier League performance, once again breaking their Premier League points tally
record with a total of 56 points, having won 15 out of 38 games. They finished in 9th place, up from 12th in the 2023/24 season and 15th the year before that; this was the team’s highest finish in the Premier League since placing 9th in the 2016/17 season.
Outside of the Premier League, Bournemouth was knocked out of the Carabao
Cup in the second round by West Ham, but made it all the way to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, before losing 2-1 to Manchester City.
Under manager Andoni Iraola, the team continues to go from strength to strength. Will they set a new record and finish higher up the table this year? We’ll be cheering them on.
Ryan Christie and Evanilson celebrate scoring against Arsenal
