The Southern Co-Operative Magazine Winter 2016

FR

EE

Winter 2016

!

N I W eat our grways givea

Keeping our New Year’s Resolutions

My wild winter

- let’s go outdoors

Brilliant Bristol - top tips from a local

plus what’s on across the south

When the cold comes - hearty comfort food to share

PURE ISLAND HAPPINESS

Set sail to the beautiful Isle of Wight with Red Funnel where you’ll discover top attractions, award-winning local food and drink, famous landmarks and stunning scenery.

Whether you’re looking for romance, family fun or just to get away from it all, the Island has it all less than an hour from Southampton.

What’s more, book with Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight Specialist, and receive 15% off* your ferry travel for staying visits, with promo code COOP15 Find your Island happiness today:

redfunnel.co.uk 0844 844 9988†

15

%

* OFF

Isle of Wight

ferr y traveml ore

night or for stays of 1

*15% off private vehicle bookings of 1 night or more when you book & travel by 30 Apr ‘17. Valid for private vehicles up to 2.7m high and 5.5m long and up to 7 passengers. Excludes travel 23-28 Dec ‘16.

Subject to availability. New bookings only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Conditions of carriage apply. Red Funnel reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time. †Calls to this number cost 7 pence per minute plus your service providers access charge. A £5 handling fee applies to telephone bookings.

Page 13

Welcome

Page 26

Page 6

!

N I W sure makeurn to you t 9 & 21 page

As an independent Co-operative operating food stores and funeral homes across eleven counties in the south of England, we are a genuine regional business. In this magazine, we want to celebrate all that is great about living in, and visiting the region.

It may be cold outside, but we hope that we can help you discover places to visit, local food and drink to try, and things to do here on your doorstep, whatever the weather. And, wherever you are, the chances are that we’ll have a store conveniently close by to call into on the way home. We’d love to hear what you’d like to be featured in future editions of the magazine; let us know using the contact details opposite.

Sophie Boxall Editor

Contents Features

20 Make it a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Christmas – and WIN an Isle of Wight treat with Red Funnel!

27 My Wild Winter 28 Stand Against Violence – how this charity is changing lives 32 Keeping our New Year’s resolutions

Contact: The Southern Co-operative Magazine, The Southern Co-operative, 1000 Lakeside, Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3FE

Food & Drink

5 ‘Tis the season to...

9 Join Thatchers’ mystical Wassail Ceremony – WIN this members’ only giveaway!

12 When the cold comes – comforting recipes 15 Our food heroes – The Tomato Stall 16 Fresh and Fast – speedy midweek meals

Regulars 6 10 18 24 26 30 34

Our Communities News from our business What’s on Where Love Your Neighbourhood My Neighbourhood - Bristol More for our members Get in touch

Email: community@southerncoops.co.uk Twitter: @TheSouthernCoop Web: www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk For membership queries; phone 0800 652 0124 or email membersupport@southerncoops.co.uk The Southern Co-operative Ltd. Registered No. 1591R (Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014) England.

The Southern Co-operative Magazine is published on behalf of The Southern Co-operative by The Marketing Collective Ltd, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9FD. Advertising enquiries: 023 8000 1655 Email: info@themarketing-collective.com Web: www.themarketingcollective.com. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. All events and details are correct at the time of printing. Copyright 2016.

Printed by Warners Midlands PLC.

3

WINTER SEASON FOR FAMILIES

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Theatre.

Join us at workshops, events, holiday activities and more.

For our smallest guests we offer baby changing facilities (in both female and male toilets), special refreshments and high chairs in our Café - and lots of space for buggies and lively toddlers!

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 6 - 10 DECEMBER

MR POPPER’S PENGUINS 7 - 11 DECEMBER Ages 3+

IN-STORE NOW

PETER PAN

17 - 31 DECEMBER Ages 7+

RUNNING WILD

10 - 17 FEBRUARY Ages 8+

SENSACIONAL

A SPECTACULAR SHOW FOR TODDLERS 31 JANUARY & 1 FEBRUARY Ages 18 months - 3 years

PAT-A-CAKE BABY 4 FEBRUARY Ages 2 - 7

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS 11 FEBRUARY Ages 6+

cft.org.uk/forfamilies 01243 781312

4

WA002706 WARBURTONS PROTEIN RANGE_CO-OP MAG HALF PAGE W90xH267_S1.indd 1

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk 20/10/2016 17:21

Tis the season to...

Get ahead with these seasonal suggestions.

Write your Christmas cards

Don’t leave it until the last posting date: put some time aside to write all your Christmas cards. So much nicer to receive than just a text or Facebook message. Pop into your local Co-op to stock up (£7.20 for pack of 10), and remember, we sell postage stamps too!

Fill your stockings

When you’re out shopping, look out for treats to hide away for Christmas. These Belgian milk chocolate Irresistible Santa Al Bears (£1); Co-op Pick ‘N’ Mix Fun sweet tubs (£3) filled with foamy, mallow and gummy different shaped sweet and sour sweets; and Loved by Us Sweet Cups (£1), all make great stocking fillers.

Stock up on nibbles

Treat someone

Co-op Irresistible Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar Crisps (£1.99) live up to their name! Handy to have for when visitors come. Or try our Loved by Us Hazelnut Latte Fruit and Nut Mix (£1) for a sweeter snack.

…or treat yourself!

Co-op’s Irresistible Prosecco Truffles (£4) are a delicate combination of Fairtrade Belgian milk chocolate shell filled with smooth milk chocolate truffle, flavoured with award-winning Co-op Prosecco.

Sparkling with a dusting of edible orange amber shimmer and cocoa powder, they’re luxurious and stylish, making the perfect Secret Santa present or dinner party gift.

Take a break with a cuppa (or a glass of Co-op Prosecco!) and a mouthwatering Irresistible luxury mince pie (£2 for 6).

All-butter pastry encases mincemeat made from vine fruits, apples, brandy, almonds and walnuts; delicious!

Products subject to availability. Prices correct at time of publication and may change.

5

We’re at the heart of our communities; giving a helping hand and celebrating the valuable work of volunteers Members join forces The Battle of the Somme is one of the most devastating tragedies in history, which claimed over one million lives 100 years ago. To pay tribute, members of The Southern Co-operative, charity Pompey Pals and local politicians joined forces to clean up the Cenotaph in Portsmouth (left) in advance of a memorial service in September. At the service, we unveiled a memorial to 65 of our colleagues who tragically lost their lives during the First and Second World War. Board Director, Gareth Lewis, explained: “The sacrifices these men and women made should not be forgotten. We are proud and honoured to be able to dedicate this war memorial to their memories.”

We cleaned up for the Big Co-op Clean!

Colleagues from our Lakeside office painted, cleaned, cleared fly-tipping and beach cleaned during Cooperatives Fortnight’s Big Co-op Clean. Rubbish cleared included broken toys, old furniture, dirty nappies and a working washing machine dumped in a forest plus 100s of cotton buds and plastic waste washed up onshore. Store and funeral home colleagues also litter picked locally to spruce up their neighbourhoods.

6

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

Fantastic result for foodbank An inspired promotion in our Haywards Heath (Sussex) store resulted in 350kg of food being donated by customers in just one day for the local Trussell Trust foodbank.

Foodbank volunteers handed out baskets to customers with a shopping ‘wish list’, requesting donations of most-needed products. Store Manager, Paul Chatfield (below left), said: “Our partnership with the foodbank is really important to us, and it’s really inspiring to see how passionate our customers are about supporting those less fortunate locally.” One regular customer bigheartedly donated £150 shopping!

Memorial Service at The Oaks

Sharing memories We’re inviting families and friends of loved ones whose funerals have been held at Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground or The Oaks Havant Crematorium over the past year, to join us for a memorial service on Saturday 4 and 10 December respectively. Ian Rudkin, Crematorium and Cemetery Manager, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for grieving families. These services bring people together, and we invite our guests to write a message to their loved one and hang it on our trees at each site. There are tears, but also laughter and happy memories shared, too.”

As the saying goes; “nothing is certain, except death and taxes” yet talking about death is still a difficult topic. To make it a little easier, our funeral homes supported ‘Dying Matters Week’ earlier this year, inviting the public to pop in for a cuppa and talk openly to allay any fears and discuss how, with a little planning, we can make life easier for those we leave behind. Organised by the Dying Matters Coalition (dyingmatters.org), this charity aims to raise public awareness of the importance of talking more openly about dying, death and bereavement and of making your wishes known.

We’ll be supporting Dying Matters Week in 2017, which runs 8-14 May.

Our Communities

Credit for Conservation Volunteers

The Solent Way Project, run by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), has scooped the ‘Community and Voluntary’ accolade in the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Hampshire’s 2016 Countryside Awards.

Working with local communities, TCV has improved and helped to maintain the Solent Way, a 60 mile stretch of walkway along the south coast. Gemma Lacey, our Director of Sustainability and Communications, said: “This extensive project makes it easier for people to access and

enjoy the coast by opening up areas and improving footpaths. Its reach has been huge; involving volunteers from schools, businesses and local communities, providing training opportunities for both volunteers and the unemployed”. These awards are sponsored by The Southern Co-operative.

“The Solent Way Project stood out because of the sheer community reach of its collective projects, mobilising a diverse and broad range of volunteers to come together to not only improve access to our coastline, but to educate and inspire young people and adults alike about all our coast has to offer.”

Volunteers learning to identify and survey intertidal wildlife at Hamble foreshore.

7

3 - 23 December

Space Mission

for Santa

Blast off into space and help save Christmas!

A live planetarium show with a Christmas twist, especially designed with families in mind

The show lasts 30 minutes and is perfect for ages up to 10 years. Showings every Saturday & Sunday, and weekdays 15 - 23 December

Book online: www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Or call: 01962 863 791

Stay in touch:

More Routes…

More Ferries…

More Often… this Winter* The Isle of Wight is the perfect year round destination, offering a choice of seasonal events for you to enjoy.

From the moment you step on board your Wightlink ferry, your magical Winter adventure begins. Whether you set out on an invigorating walk, shop ‘til you drop in one of the charming boutiques or visit one of the many year round attractions, it really is the most wonderful time of the year to visit.

The Isle of Wight is the place to be this Winter, let us take you there.

Book online at wightlink.co.uk *More sailings each day is based on the combined total of all three Wightlink routes. Number of sailings each day varies throughout the year.

Portsmouth Harbour Station to Ryde Pier Head in 22 minutes. Portsmouth to Fishbourne in 45 minutes and Lymington to Yarmouth in 40 minutes.

8

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

competition

!

N I W

Join the Mystical Wassail Ceremony at Thatchers Cider Enter our free giveaway, exclusively for members of The Southern Cooperative. One lucky winner and their guest will be invited to join the mystical Wassail ceremony at Myrtle Farm in Somerset, home of Thatchers Cider, on Friday 20 January. Overnight bed and breakfast is included, staying at a nearby hotel.

The Wassail is steeped in legend, originating from a pagan tradition of celebrating the good health of the apple trees, a great harvest, and of course, great cider.

Thatchers loves to bring the tradition to life by having a big party, with some weird and wonderful goings-on to be enjoyed by all throughout the evening!

After collecting you from your hotel, you’ll join the singing and dancing around the Wassail Tree led by The Green Man and the Mendip Morris Men, assisted by Thatchers very own Wassail Queen. As would be expected, there’s mugs of mulled cider to keep you warm too.

You should be prepared to make some noise! There’s banging of sticks,

Click on WIN!

pots and pans to ward the evil spirits away from the orchards, together with shot guns fired into the trees. And to encourage the good spirits who help the trees grow and produce fruit, cider is poured over the roots of the tree, and cider-soaked toast hung in the branches.

The Wassail tradition is all about celebrating – with supper, entertainment and more dancing, before returning you to your hotel.

“The Wassail is one of the highlights of our year,” says fourth generation cidermaker Martin Thatcher. “It’s a great reminder of the long heritage that cider has here in Somerset.”

Make this warming, mulled cider on a cold winter’s evening • • • • • •

2 litres of Thatchers Gold 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced 1 apple, sliced 2 star anise 5 cloves (or half tsp ground cloves) • 2 cinnamon sticks (or half tsp ground cinnamon) • 8 slices of fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger) • 5 tbsp soft brown sugar Place all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer gently for 30 minutes, but don’t let it boil.

The company has grown from a local farmhouse producer, to a family-led company that maintains a fundamental ethos of heritage, family values, craft and expertise.

Their ciders are a longstanding favourite in our Local Flavours range; look out for Thatchers Gold, Thatchers Haze, Thatchers Katy, Thatchers Vintage, Thatchers Old Rascal and Thatchers Green Goblin in our stores.

at www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership to enter by 4 December 2016. Terms and conditions apply.

9

News from our business

Keeping you up to date with what’s happening...

We’re celebrating 200 stores!

200 lucky customers at our new Purbrook store in Portsmouth (Hampshire) were treated to a bottle of Prosecco and cupcake each to celebrate the opening of our 200th store in July. Local charity, The Rowan’s Hospice joined our celebrations to cut the ribbon and receive a £500 donation.

We’ve opened a further 16 stores this summer across Hampshire, Somerset, Surrey, Kent, London Borough, East Sussex, Berkshire and Bristol.

Find your nearest store at thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/food/co-op-store-finder.

One in a million Donna Smith, who works at our food store in Selsey (Sussex), beat post-holiday blues in the best way possible by winning £1million on EuroMillions Millionaire Maker!

She said: “I buy lottery tickets on birthdays and holidays, and bought this one from the store where I work as I was heading to Corfu.” Donna lives with her daughter, Bryony (18) and her parents live nearby. She had no trouble deciding how to spend her fortune; “I am buying three houses – for me, my daughter and my parents. This really is a lifechanging win for me.”

Donna added: “I was asked whether I was going to stop working but I love my job so I’m definitely going to carry on. My boss now thinks I’m a lucky mascot!”

10

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

Funeralcare online The new www.funeralcare.co.uk sees a much more user friendly website for clients using The Southern Co-operative Funeralcare.

Now easy to access on mobile, tablet, laptop or PC, the website gives clear answers about questions that are often difficult to discuss, such as ‘What do you do when someone dies?’ ‘How do you go about arranging a funeral?’.

There is a link to our free service provided by The Bereavement Centre. To remember and celebrate

the life of a loved one, clients and their families can create funeral notices and arrange donations to charities of their choosing online, share memories, upload photos and videos, and light a virtual candle.

The ability to purchase a funeral plan via www.funeralcare.co.uk will follow. This will enable you to arrange and pay for your funeral in advance, completing all the details online, rather than a face to face appointment in a funeral home, if preferred.

By royal appointment HRH The Prince of Wales has appointed our Chief Executive Mark Smith to be Business in the Community’s (BITC) Responsible Business Ambassador for the South East of England.

BITC aims to create positive social and economic impact through business engagements, employment, enterprise and culture, driven through a core membership of over 800 organisations from small enterprises to global corporations.

Mark said: “This is a great honour. We know that responsible businesses contribute towards more resilient communities, stimulate local economies, help to create skilled and healthy workforces, and tackle environmental challenges.

There is also a real benefit for those businesses and the people in them.”

As South East Ambassador, Mark will continue to focus on using responsible business to engage with young people from challenging backgrounds, to encourage aspiration and achievement of their personal potential.

Receiving Recognition We’ve been shortlisted twice in the 2016 Solent Business Awards, for Company of the Year and for our Corporate Social Responsibility.

Winners announced after we’d gone to print, so check our website for news!

Our Bereavement Centre was shortlisted in Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards 2016 in The Experian Building Stronger Communities Award category.

Offering free one to one bereavement counselling, support groups, and memorial services to the public, The Bereavement Centre (funeralcare. co.uk/bereavement-support) also runs free bespoke training to organisations such as hospices, hospitals and charities.

What’s more, our Annual Review 2015/16 (pictured) has been shortlisted for the national CorpComms 2016 Awards!

Winner to be announced 23 November. Read the Review online at thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

11

When the cold comes… ...it’s all about comfort food at this time of year.

Our delicious mix of hearty ingredients and vibrant flavour ideas make perfect winter fare to share.

Crunchy Fish Bake FEEDS 6 | PREP 15 MINS COOK ABOUT 1 HOUR 40g unsalted butter 40g plain flour 125ml white wine 300ml semi skimmed milk 200ml double cream 25g fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional) 750g Co-op fish e.g. salmon, cod and smoked cod fillets 140g Co-op cooked prawns 100g Co-op frozen peas 200g crusty white bread, broken into chunky crumbs with your hands Zest of 1 lemon 2 tbsp olive oil

approx. per serving (serves 4) Energy 2267kJ 544Kcal 27%

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

High* 46%

High* 77%

LOW 6%

32g

% of adult’s reference intake

Shepherd’s Pie FEEDS 4 | PREP 15 MINS COOK 45-55 MINS 2 tbsp olive oil 1 courgette, trimmed and diced 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and diced 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 500g lamb mince 300ml vegetable stock 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 x 400g packs Co-op mashed potato About 10g butter A little grated nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas 6.

2. Heat the oil in a pan and gently soften the vegetables for about 15 minutes.

3. Add the lamb mince, cook until browned, then add the stock and Worcestershire sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.

Transfer to an ovenproof dish.

4. Mix the mash with a fork to loosen, then spoon it on top of the mince. Dot with butter and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake for 25 minutes until golden. approx. per serving (serves 4)

Energy 1833kJ 437Kcal 22%

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

Med 26%

High* 40%

LOW 6%

18g

% of adult’s reference intake

8.1g

5.2g

sALT

2.00g HIGH* 33%

carbohydrates per serving: 30g

Availability of ingredients will vary by store. *This recipe has one or more red traffic lights. It’s fine to eat occasionally or as a treat.

15g

5.2g

sALT

2.00g High* 33%

carbohydrates per serving: 25g

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/ Gas 5. Melt the butter in a large pan on the hob, add the flour and stir to make a paste. Cook for a minute or two, until golden.

2. Add the wine and stir constantly. Keep stirring as you gradually add the milk then the cream. Cook for a few minutes until you have a nice smooth sauce.

Add half of the parsley, if using, then season with ground black pepper.

3. Cut the fish into chunks and add it to the sauce with the peas. Cook for a few minutes. Stir in prawns and then spoon mixture into an ovenproof dish.

4. Mix together the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and remaining parsley, if using, and sprinkle the mixture over the filling.

Drizzle the oil over the top of the pie then bake for 40 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden, and the fish is cooked through.

Mix it up... add carrots or beetroot to the vegetable mix.

Roasted Veggie Tart FEEDS 6 | PREP 25 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 25 MINS 600g mix of butternut squash and sweet potatoes 1 leek, washed and trimmed 1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey Large pinch chilli flakes 100g kale 320g sheet shortcrust pastry 3 Co-op British free range eggs, lightly beaten 200ml double cream 40g Gruyère cheese, grated 1 tbsp pine nuts

approx. per serving (serves 6) Energy 2406kJ 578Kcal 29%

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

HIGH* 57%

HIGH* 62%

Med 15%

40g

% of adult’s reference intake

13g

14g

sALT

0.51g LOW 9%

carbohydrates per serving: 43g

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ fan 180°C/Gas 6. Cut any large pieces of the squash, sweet potato in half so that the pieces are evenly sized, and then place them in a heavy based roasting dish.

2. Halve the leek lengthways, slice into strips and add to the dish.

Drizzle over the oil and syrup or honey and add the chilli. Roast for 35 minutes, turning once, until the veg starts to caramelise.

Steam the kale for a couple of minutes, then mix into the roasted vegetables.

3. Line a lightly greased 20cm deep tart tin with pastry. Prick the base with a fork, cover with greaseproof paper and baking beans or dried pasta then bake for 10 minutes.

Remove the paper and beans or pasta and bake for 5 minutes.

4. Spoon the vegetables into the pastry case. Mix the eggs and cream together, season with ground black pepper then pour over the veg. Top with the cheese and pine nuts and bake for 35 minutes.

Fruity Pie FEEDS 6 | PREP 30 MINS COOK ABOUT 1 HOUR

approx. per serving (serves 4) Energy 1474kJ 352Kcal 18%

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

Med 27%

Med 18%

LOW 6%

19g

3.6g

5.6g

sALT

0.2g LOW 3%

% of adult’s reference intake carbohydrates per serving: 36g

Winter Salad FEEDS 4 | PREP 5 MINS COOK AROUND 25 MINS 1 medium red onion, peeled and roughly chopped 3 tbsp olive oil 200g Co-op couscous 250ml boiling water 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar Juice of ½ lemon 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1.5cm cubes 100g pack Co-op goat’s cheese, crumbled 2 tbsp Co-op wholefoods seed mix 70g bag rocket

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/ Gas 4. In an ovenproof dish, toss the onion and sweet potato in 1 tbsp of oil. Roast for 25 minutes or until the edges are starting to char.

2. Meanwhile, place the couscous in a heatproof bowl and cover with 250ml boiling water. Cover with clingfilm and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Fluff up with a fork into fine grains.

3. Make a dressing by mixing together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Toss the goat’s cheese, seed mix, roasted sweet potatoes and onion with the couscous. Serve on a bed of rocket, drizzled with the dressing.

5 dessert apples 450g pack Co-op frozen fruits Zest and juice of 1 satsuma 2 tsp mixed spice 2 tsp vanilla extract 50g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 2 x 320g sheets shortcrust pastry A little milk, to brush 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/Gas 5. Peel and thinly slice the apples and put into a saucepan.

Add the frozen fruit, satsuma zest and juice, spice, vanilla and sugar.

Heat gently for 10 minutes or until slightly soft.

2. Use a sheet of pastry to line a lightly greased 20cm flan tin. Prick the base of the pastry with a fork, cover with greaseproof paper and baking beans or dried pasta, and bake for 10 minutes. Take off the paper and beans or pasta and bake for another 5 minutes.

3. Spoon the fruit filling into the pastry case then brush a little milk around the pastry edge. Cut the remaining pastry sheet into 8 thin strips for the top.

4. To form a pretty lattice pattern, lay four pastry strips over the fruit, evenly spaced. Weave the remaining strips of pastry across the pie, over and under the first 4 strips. Just lift the pastry pieces up to help you along the way.

5. Trim excess pastry, then brush with milk and sprinkle with a little caster sugar. Bake for 35 minutes until the pastry is golden and the filling cooked. approx. per serving (serves 6) Energy 2966kJ 714Kcal 36%

Availability of ingredients will vary by store. *This recipe has one or more red traffic lights. It’s fine to eat occasionally or as a treat.

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

HIGH* 49%

HIGH* 68%

HIGH* 48%

34g

% of adult’s reference intake

14g

43g

sALT

00.1g LOW <1%

carbohydrates per serving: 91g

Our

Food

heroes!

As well as being named Good Housekeeping Magazine’s 2016 Food Hero, The Tomato Stall was awarded The Southern Co-operative’s Local Supplier of the Year 2016.

The Tomato Stall has been supplying our Local Flavours range in Isle of Wight stores since 2011, and rapidly extended to our Hampshire and Sussex stores. This growth is testament to the quality of the products, their innovation, sustainable practices, and a proactive working relationship with us. True ambassadors of their brand, The Tomato Stall team regularly run tastings and demonstrations for our customers in store.

Pick up a pot of The Tomato Stall’s oak smoked tomatoes from our Local Flavours range in our Isle of Wight stores or selected stores in Hampshire and Sussex.

Try this delicious winter warmer from The Tomato Stall; comfort food at its best!

Macaroni cheese with oak smoked tomatoes Serves 4 1 x 180g tub of The Tomato Stall oak smoked tomatoes 300g macaroni 500ml full cream milk 40g butter 35g plain flour 200g mature Cheddar cheese, plus 50g extra for the top 1 tsp paprika 25g coarse day-old white breadcrumbs Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Drain the oil off the tomatoes and save for another dish or salad dressing. Spread the tomatoes out on kitchen paper and leave to drain. Cut half of the tomatoes in half.

2. Preheat the oven to 190C/ fan170C/Gas 5. Drop the macaroni into a large pan of boiling salted water, stir once or twice as it comes back to the boil to ensure that none has stuck to the base of the pan. Cook for 8 minutes until just tender.

3. Meanwhile, bring the milk almost to the boil in a pan, then turn off the heat. Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan, add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring.

Remove the pan from the heat

and gradually beat in the hot milk.

Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring. Simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

4. Drain the macaroni thoroughly.

Add 200g of the grated cheese, the paprika and some seasoning to the sauce and stir until the cheese has melted, then stir in the macaroni and the halved oak roasted tomatoes.

5. Spoon the mixture into a 1.5 litre shallow ovenproof dish and scatter over the remaining whole oak-roasted tomatoes. Mix the remaining 50g of cheese with the breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

15

FRESH AND FAST

Ease into the New Year with some speedy midweek meals. Try our light and tasty noodle idea, a warming tasty pasta and a spicy Mexican favourite – all on the table in 30 minutes or less

RAMEN STYLE NOODLES FEEDS 2 | PREP 5 MINS COOK 10 MINS 1 Co-op British free range egg 500ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp Co-op smooth peanut butter 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 2 tbsp light soy sauce 5 mushrooms, sliced 1 x 250g pack Co-op fresh egg noodles 30g baby spinach leaves 2 spring onions, finely sliced.

Pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional)

Add a twist...

Toss in a handful of cooked prawns when you add the noodles.

1. Place the egg in a pan of cold water and bring to the boil.

Simmer for 6 mins, drain, and leave to cool.

2. Meanwhile, boil the vegetable stock in a large pan. Add peanut butter, sweet chilli sauce and light soy sauce, and stir until the peanut butter dissolves.

Add mushrooms and noodles, Bring back to the boil, cover and simmer for 3-4 mins.

3. Shell and halve the boiled egg.

Divide the soup between two bowls and add spinach leaves, gently pushing them into the broth with a spoon, to wilt.

4. Top the bowls with half an egg, and scatter over spring onions.

Serve sprinkled with chilli flakes, if you like.

GOAT’S CHEESE & CARAMELISED ONION PASTA

Ready in just 15 minutes

FEEDS 2 | PREP 5 MINS COOK AROUND 20 MINS

approx. per serving (serves 2) Energy 1262kJ 301Kcal 15%

FAT

SATURATES

sugars

LOW 16%

LOW 11%

LOW 8%

10.9g

% of adult’s reference intake

2.2g

7.4g

sALT

4.38g

1 tbsp Co-op olive oil 1 large red onion, finely sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried) 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp Co-op runny honey 200g penne pasta 65g Co-op Bristish goat’s cheese 20g walnuts (optional)

HIGH* 73%

carbohydrates per serving: 39g

Availability of ingredients will vary by store. *This recipe has one or more red traffic lights. It’s fine to eat occasionally or as a treat.

16

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS FEEDS 2 | PREP 10 MINS COOK 20 MINS

Tasty tip..

Try using toasted pine nuts instead of the walnuts. Add some chopped cooked bacon for a meaty version.

approx. per serving (serves 2) Energy 1262kJ 301Kcal 15%

FAT

SATURATES

MED 30%

MED 20%

20.8g

% of adult’s reference intake

3.9g

sugars

10.5g LOW 12%

sALT

0.22g LOW 4%

carbohydrates per serving: 46g

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and fry over a medium heat for 3-4 mins.

2. Add garlic and thyme leaves to the pan and reduce the heat. Cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar and honey and simmer for 5 mins more.

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta, following the packet instructions. Drain, keeping 3 tbsp of the water, and return it to the pan.

4. Add the caramelised onions, crumble over goat’s cheese and toss together.

Serve sprinkled with toasted and roughly chopped walnuts and some freshly ground black pepper.

1 onion, peeled and finely sliced 1 red pepper, deseeded and finely sliced 1 tbsp Co-op olive oil 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 clove garlic, finely chopped ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced, or 1½ tsp chilli flakes 2 Co-op ready to eat roast chicken fillets, finely sliced ½ x 400g can kidney beans, drained and rinsed Handful chopped fresh coriander (optional) 4 tortilla wraps 300g tub Co-op tomato and garlic sauce 50g Co-op mature Cheddar, finely grated 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/ fan 160ºC/Gas 4. Gently fry the onion and pepper in the oil for a few mins. Add the cumin, ground coriander, garlic and chilli, and fry for 1 minute. Add the chicken, beans and half the fresh coriander, if using, and mix.

2. Spoon a quarter of the mix into a tortilla wrap, fold each end, and roll up. Place in an ovenproof dish, and do the same with the rest of the mix and wraps.

3. Pour the tomato and garlic sauce over the wraps, sprinkle over the cheese and bake for 20 mins, until bubbling hot.

Sprinkle with more coriander, if you like.

Veggie treat...

Swap the chicken for canned chickpeas for a veggie version.

approx. per serving (serves 2) Energy 3249kJ 772Kcal 39%

FAT

SATURATES

HIGH* 35%

HIGH* 39%

24.5g

% of adult’s reference intake

7.7g

sugars

23.2g LOW 26%

sALT

2.32g HIGH* 39%

carbohydrates per serving: 92g

FRESH AND FAST 17

What’s on Where Images: © Gold on the Horizon: Kirsty Wither, © Ceramic faces: Stella Baggott.

There’s so much going on at this time of year and it can get expensive. It doesn’t all have to cost a fortune, though. We’ve picked a medley of events across our region that are all free to visit…

Artists Open Houses Festival 26 November – 11 December View an array of work from contemporary and original local artists and makers in their own homes, in and around Brighton and Hove. Meet the artists and buy artwork and crafts directly from them. Jewellery, ceramics and textiles, as well as painting, sculpture, printmaking and photography all feature. www.aoh.org.uk

Kids Run Free 26 November, 28 January Bring your kids along to join these children’s running races. All ages welcome from toddlers to teenagers and everyone in between. No running experience required; simply turn up and have fun. Run 50m to 5k, it’s up to them! 9am start.

East Hill Park, East Hill Way, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex, BN41 2FA www.kidsrunfree.co.uk

Pull a Pine 3 December Come and ‘pull a pine’ at Farnham Heath RSPB Reserve! It’s a great opportunity to help maintain your local nature reserve by aiding us in the removal of invasive young pine trees. As an added bonus you can also choose and cut down your own free Christmas tree straight from the heath! Put on some stout shoes, wrap up warm and then head down for as much time as you can manage on the day. 10am - 3pm.

RSPB Farnham Heath Reserve, The Reeds Rd, Surrey, GU10 2DL www.rspb.org.uk/farnhamheath

Your suggestions please! If you’re organising an event July-Sept in southern England or want to

recommend your favourites, please email community@southerncoops.co.uk with ‘Magazine events’ in the subject box, and we may include them in our summer magazine.

18

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

Create, Upcycle and Reuse 2 December, 6 January, 3 February

Tuppenny Barn, Main Road, Southbourne, West Sussex PO10 8EZ www.tuppennybarn.co.uk www.transitionchichester.org

ETSY MADE LOCAL 3 December Individual handmade crafts and gifts from all over Dorset, including crafting kits, handmade clothing and accessories, artwork and homewares to purchase for Christmas. A wonderful way to support local businesses and the local economy on Small Business Saturday. 10am-4pm.

Allendale Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1AS

image © Jeb Hardwick

A free drop-in session to get creative and share skills to live in a more sustainable way. Upcycle or embellish your own clothing, learn to slow sew, crochet or knit.

Mend or alter your clothing with help from Transition Chichester’s Sew Don’t Throw – please bring an item with you. 11am.

Burning the Clocks 21 December

Santa in a Stable

3, 10, 17 and 24 December Meet over 100 donkeys, horses and ponies who’ve all been abandoned or rescued. Tell Santa what you’d like and maybe adopt a donkey as a Christmas gift. 10am – 4.30pm.

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Lower Winstone Farm, St Johns Road, Wroxall, Isle of Wight PO38 3AA www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org

www.facebook.com/dorsetteam/events

Watch this lantern parade through the city to celebrate the shortest day of the year, or buy a Same Sky lantern kit and join the parade. Ending with a dazzling fire show on Brighton beach, where a massive fire sculpture is ignited, live music plays and fireworks light up the sky! 6.30-8pm.

Departs from New Road, arriving Madeira Drive around 7.15pm, Brighton www.samesky.co.uk/events/burning-theclocks

Morning walk to Otter Estuary

31 December

Redshank © Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

After the excesses of Christmas, join RSPB’s Exeter & District Local Group for a morning walk by the River Otter. Starting at the estuary, you’ll view gulls, other seabirds, ducks and waders, and walk up the river to look for birds on the adjacent fields and woodland. 9.30am.

Meet at Lime Kiln car park, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6JD www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/ seenature/events

Parcels of Comfort to 8 January As the Great War progressed, the morale of the soldiers, their families and sweethearts depended heavily on letters and parcels. This mixed media exhibition by local textile artists and Cotham School GCSE textile students gives a fascinating insight, with displays of parcels, knitting for the soldiers based on 1914 patterns and replicas of food items from that era.

Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on

Remember!

If you’re out and about, pop into our nearest store to pick up lunch, a snack or essentials when heading home. www.thesouthernco-operative. co.uk/food/co-op-store-finder

19

Make it a Hampshire and Isle of Wight C Wrap up warm and head out to enjoy the many festive treats that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are hosting this winter.

Winchester Christmas Market

hristmas

Christmas Market in Southampton

The atmosphere of a German Christmas Now recognised as one of the best in Europe (see picture above), the Christmas market, serving traditional fayre from bratwurst and waffles to gingerbread market is renowned for its abundance hearts and candied fruit, comes to of quality festive gifts, decorations and Southampton Above Bar pedestrian food, and its imposing setting within precinct (Saturday 12 November to Winchester Cathedral’s historic Close, Friday 23 December). encircling an open-air real ice rink. www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/ Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the events market runs daily Friday 18 November to Tuesday 20 December, 10am-6pm (Sunday-Wednesday), 10am-7.30pm (Thursday-Saturday. www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Christmas showstopper Adapted for the stage by Sam Holcroft Directed by Maria Aberg

22 NOV - 8 JAN NUFFIELD THEATRE A Nuffield and Curve co-production in association with Lyric Hammersmith

BOOK NOW: 023 8067 1771 nstheatres.co.uk

Portsmouth’s Victorian Festival of Christmas

Visitors are transported to Dickensian snowy streets, to shop for festive treats in the market, go to Fagin’s Tavern serving up real ale and other refreshments, see traditional Father Christmas dressed in green with his reindeer, and watch Victorian street performers. Friday 25 to Sunday 27 November. www.christmasfestival.co.uk

A Christmas show is a fantastic day out in the holidays.

Make it very special this Christmas and see the world premiere of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox (22 Nov – 8 Jan) with original songs and live music at the Nuffield Theatre in Southampton. “You know as well as I do: no-one outfoxes a fox!” Boggis, Bunce and Bean, three greedy, smelly, horrid farmers hate the cunning Mr Fox. A juicy tale of greed, pride and the power of friendship, this flagship production for the Roald Dahl centenary celebrations promises a wondercrump treat for the whole family!

Adapted by Sam Holcroft (Rules of Living, National Theatre), directed by Maria Aberg (As You Like It, RSC) and featuring original music by Arthur Darvill best known as Rory in BBC TV’s Doctor Who and as Rev. Coates in ITV’s Broadchurch. www.nstheatres.co.uk

20

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

competition

!

N I W

Win a Luxury stay on the Isle of Wight with return travel

We’ve partnered with Red Funnel to offer one lucky reader and their guest a luxury one night stay, including full English breakfast at The Royal Hotel on the Isle of Wight, plus return ferry travel between Southampton and East Cowes for a car and two passengers.

Click on WIN!

at www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership to enter by 31 January 2017. Stay between 1 March and 31 October 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Isle of Wight Christmas With its array of events, festivals and shows, the Isle of Wight is the ideal place to spend time with loved ones, relax in the seasonal seaside atmosphere and enjoy the activities the Island has to offer.

There are an abundance of hotels on the Island offering a relaxing retreat over the holiday season leaving you to enjoy a hassle-free Christmas, with special packages, party nights and even tickets for glittering shows and professional pantomimes. www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Santa Specials at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Enjoy live Christmas music, bustling market, sparkling Winter Wonderland, entertainment and children’s magic shows. Climb aboard a majestic steam train for a 10-mile round trip through the Island’s winter countryside. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21 to 24 December. www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Victorian Christmas at Osborne

Immerse yourself in the sounds and scents of a Victorian Christmas (Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 December), with traditional games, carousel rides, entertainers, falconer and roasting chestnuts in the snowy courtyard. Children can make traditional toys; meet Father Christmas and even Queen Victoria as you tour the festively dressed rooms. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne

Christmas Guided Fossil Walk

Burn off seasonal over-indulgence with Dinosaur Isle’s popular guided fossil walk at Yaverland beach on the Isle of Wight (Tuesday 27 December, 1-3pm). Early booking advised (call 01983 404344); Wellingtons and warm hat essential! www.dinosaurisle.com

21

22

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

advertorial

A passion about local produce...

Southampton Airport set to launch their NEW Priority Lounge menu.

There are already plenty of good reasons to fly from Southampton, but this local airport that can fly you world-wide is adding the cherry on the cake with the launch of their new Priority Lounge menu.

Eurest Executive Chef Tracy Mole has been working hard to produce a menu that radiates the quality and luxury of the Priority Lounge and showcases delicious food from locally sourced suppliers. As the seasons change so will Tracy’s menu, but the one thing you can guaranteed is Tracy’s ethos of food that is local, sustainable and in support of British Food.

The Priority Lounge also offers travellers some of the finer touches during their visit. The unlimited WiFi, high chairs and desks make it the perfect place for business users to work as they wait, whilst the comfortable seating and refreshments give that air of luxury to leisure travellers who want to add that extra special touch to their holiday.

You can enjoy the Priority Lounge and its delicious new menu when you fly from Southampton airport, pre-book online or purchase on the day. Start your journey with the luxury you deserve.

© image The Handmade Cake Company

© image Harvey & Brockless

Encompassing the fine food from these local suppliers, Tracy’s new menu promises to have your taste-buds soaring.

Suppliers Harvey and Brockless believe “eating well is an essential pleasure of everyday life”. Reflecting this statement in the quality of food they supply you can enjoy their fine cheddar, perfectly crumbly Stilton, and their delightful Tracklements Chutney’s in the Priority Lounge.

Winner of 9 Great Taste Awards in 2016 alone, The Handmade Cake Company supply delicious homemade cakes and bakes for that much needed sweet-fix whilst you await your flight.

With over 30 years of experience baking with free-range eggs and natural ingredients there’s nothing fake about these cakes, you’ll also find exquisite gluten-free options.

Bespoke only to Southampton Airport Priority Lounge, Piglets Pantry supply sausage rolls and Pork pies that you’ll not find at any other lounge in the world! Creating pies since 2011, Piglets Pantry have since become suppliers for well-known household names.

Visit www.southamptonairport.com/priority for more information. Why not visit our travel site to see where we could take you: www.southamptonairport.com/direct-travel

Fly L Eat L ocal ocal

23

Sharing the love

Our new community support programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ is gaining momentum, helping to create greener, safer, healthier more inclusive neighbourhoods across southern England.

Each of our stores and funeral homes, as well as our head office, is inviting local charities and community groups to apply to be their local fundraising partner for the year ahead. Our colleagues vote for the one they want to support in their locality, committing to work together to fundraise, volunteer, support events and generally get hands-on! This new format replaces our successful two year charity partnership with Whizz-Kidz, which raised an incredible £506,813.

In our Selsey (West Sussex) store, colleague Val Paine (pictured) is putting together a fundraising plan for the year ahead for their chosen community group, Youth Dream.

24

“We’re looking to host a larger monthly fundraiser as well as smaller activities like raffles in between, inviting Youth Dream to come into store and helping them at their own events, so that it’s a really strong partnership.”

Funds raised will contribute to Youth Dream’s ‘Growing, Life skills, Experience and Relationships’ (GROWLER) project, which addresses our greener neighbourhood theme. This engages young people in projects such as cultivating an allotment, growing and cooking food, and supplying food banks, which in turn benefit Selsey’s community.

Hopefully, fundraising will also help pay for renovation of Youth Dream’s learning centre and much needed new gardening equipment.

Fundraising footballers Ruby-Jean and Louie

Clanfield scores!

Colleagues at Clanfield (Hampshire) joined children and parents from the local under 8 football team during summer’s UEFA Euros, peddling a total of 235 miles on a static bike instore, the equivalent of cycling to Stade de France. Team effort raised £420, which was topped up to £750 through Love Your Neighbourhood and is helping fund new kit for the children. www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

Ending the awkward

Scope, one of four regional charity campaign partners we are donating the income from 5p sales of plastic bags to, spent a day filming in our new Romsey (Hampshire) store.

The filming was part of Scope’s End the Awkward campaign which aims to challenge attitudes to disability. Now in its third year, the campaign was inspired

by Scope’s research that found two thirds of people have said they feel awkward about disability.

As part of our ‘more inclusive neighbourhoods’ theme, the film was based around shopping, and naturally we explored awkwardness. Seven retail colleagues attended a focus group to talk openly about their own feelings towards disability and tell of awkward moments they had experienced or witnessed. A group of disabled customers did the same. The result was four scenes filmed to show awkward real-life situations involving invisible impairments, being patronising, making assumptions and being ignored. There will also be some simple tips on how to

handle these awkward situations a little better in future.

Richard Lane, head of campaigns at Scope, said: “Our partnership and this film are about shining a light on the awkwardness many people feel around disability in a refreshing, open and honest way. Most people feel uncomfortable talking about disability, and uneasy around disabled people as a result.”

He added: “We take a light-hearted approach with End the Awkward – we don’t want to point fingers or use equality jargon. But there’s also a serious side to the campaign. Too many disabled people

still face negative attitudes at work, in the playground and in the street. We hope our campaign will start conversations about disability and get us all thinking about what we can do to overcome those awkward moments in life.”

We’ll be sharing the film and Scope will use it as part of their wider national campaign, scope.org.uk/awkward Read our interview with Adam Fouracre from Stand Against Violence, on page 28, and make the most of winter with the Wildlife Trusts’ tips on page 27. Both charities are also our regional campaign partners.

! r e b m e Rem Even if your charity or good cause isn’t one of our local fundraising or regional campaign partners, we may still be able to help.

This could be donations of food and drink for a raffle prize or event, funding donations from £50 to £1000, volunteering our time, provision of a food bank collection point in store or support for installing a community defibrillator. Pop into your local store or funeral home to find out more.

Andreea Tudor, Community and Campaigns Co-ordinator , said: “At The Southern Co-operative, we really are at the heart of our communities. In the short time since launching this summer, our new community programme has helped over 250,000 people simply through cash donations. Projects we’ve supported include: an adult literacy course, refurbishment of a community centre to provide a vital meeting place, charity events for

Andreea Tudor

terminally ill children, an education programme around bee keeping, and many more. I encourage local groups to approach your nearest store or funeral home and have a chat with our colleagues to see how we can support your cause.”

Greener . healthier . safer . more inclusive 25

Visit our Bristol stores in Redcliffe Street, Whiteladies Road (Clifton), Wells Road (Totterdown), Ashley Down Road (Ashley Heights), Gloucester Road, Church Road (St Georges), North Street (Bedminster), Two Mile Hill Road (Kingswood), Memorial Road (Hanham), Long Down Avenue (Cheswick Village), Baltic Place, School Road (Cadbury Heath) and North Road (Stoke Gifford).

BRISTOL

My neighbourhood: BRISTOL

Hayliegh Beckles is Business in the Community’s (BITC) Education Manager for the South West. She is working with The Southern Co-operative to develop a work experience programme for Year 10 school pupils (aged 1415 years) from across the city to gain valuable retail experience in our stores.

The programme is being piloted in our Bristol stores in early 2017, with plans to roll out across southern England.

I’ve lived in Fishponds, Bristol for the past 18 months, having relocated from Norfolk. As soon as I moved here it felt like home.

Why I love it

Bristol is such a cool city; it’s really up and coming, there are so many opportunities here and lots of development. It’s full of life, buzzing with students, and is such a vibrant place for both young and older people.

Outdoors

Warleigh Weir, on the River Avon, is just the prettiest area and you can wild swim there in summer. Climbing Cabot Tower in the parkland of Brandon Hill gives great views over the city and Harbourside area.

There are so many lovely places to visit; it depends on my mood as to which is my favourite!

Shopping

There are lots of independent shops in Stokes Croft; this area has loads of character. That Thing sells individual up and coming designer and vintage clothes as well as supporting Bristol’s art scene.

Landmark

I guess it has to be Clifton suspension bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge and river. You get great views of this from Clifton Downs, especially to watch the sun set.

26

Eat and drink

Brace and Browns Bar and Kitchen on Whiteladies Road in Clifton does a brilliant Sunday roast dinner; you get huge platters of local, organic meat, loads of veg and big jugs of gravy. West Country cider is a favourite drink for Bristolians too!

Night out

Bristol has everything for a great night out; theatre, music, clubbing, art, restaurants and pubs. Stokes Croft has it all, there’s such a good feel here.

Try the infamous Pipe Dream cocktail from the Pipe and Slippers pub in Cheltenham Road!

Must visit

There are too many places to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. I’d say visit the amazing restaurants and eat your way round Bristol! You can enjoy good food for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

Top tip

Make sure you visit the suburbs of Bristol, not just the city centre. It’s like London; each area has its own character and nightlife well worth exploring.

Lots more ideas at www.visitbristol.co.uk

IMAGES: top image Cliftonwood © Andy Maybury | Balloon Fiesta © Angharad Paull | Cabot-Tower © Destination-Bristol | Banksy Park Street Photo © Destination Britol

My home

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

IMAGES: Worm hunting in the woods © Lianne de Mello | Long Tailed Tit © Darin Smith | Walking on a coastal reserve © Matthew Roberts Short Eared Owls © David Phillips | Children playing outside © Matthew Roberts

My wild winter The coldest and darkest months of the year are here, and it might be tempting to curl up indoors to wait for spring to arrive but don’t! There are loads of things to do outdoors, and lots of wildlife to spot at this time of year.

Grab your gloves, pull on your wellies and immerse yourselves in The Wildlife Trusts’ brrr-illiant route to spending time with nature this winter.

Wildlife Trust nature reserves are great places to visit all year round, with loads to see and do even in winter. Try a frozen wetland for a chance to see secretive bitterns. Be amazed by flocks of winter waders at the coast. Explore a woodland after a snow fall, and look for fox and badger footprints.

Look out for our winter wildlife: • Ducks, geese and swans all visit the UK in winter. Look out for large flocks of migratory geese, especially at the coast.

• Winter is the best time to spot footprints in mud and snow, great for practising your wildlife tracking skills.

• Listen for woodpeckers drumming on trees in January and February.

• Grey seals breed during November and December around the coasts of Britain.

• Tawny owls call more in winter than at other times of year. Listen for the familiar twit-twoo.

• Look out for starling ‘murmurations’ where hundreds of birds swoop through the sky

• •

•

•

together before settling down to roost for the night.

Snowdrops flower in late winter – one of the first signs that spring is on its way.

Redwings and fieldfares look a bit like thrushes and they visit the UK in winter. They love eating juicy red berries on rowan and hawthorn trees.

Try a wild book! Whether it’s The Tales of Peter Rabbit, or The Winter Hedgehog, get comfortable while you get lost in a fantastic wild story And finally, keep your eyes on the sky for those flying reindeer!

The Wildlife Trusts are a national network of local charities helping families and schools to inspire a new generation of nature lovers. Our goal is to create more, bigger, better and joined up spaces for wildlife across the country, including over 450 nature reserves across the south of England. Find out more about going wild in your neighbourhood and sign up for free email updates about Wildlife Trust activities and events near you by visiting bit.ly/MyWildNeighbourhood

For more ideas on things you can do this winter, visit www.wildlifetrusts.org 27

Adam Fouracre (above left) founded ‘Stand Against Violence’ in 2005 after the tragic murder of his 17 year old brother, Lloyd. As one of our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ regional campaign partners, we’ve donated £40,000 from the 5p purchase of plastic bags to help Adam’s cause; running anti violence, self-defence and vital first aid workshops for young people in schools and youth clubs.

Violence is a significant problem in the UK. Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates that over 2 million violent incidents took place among 16+ year olds in 2011/12 alone (Office for National Statistics - ONS, 2013). 0.5 million additional incidents were thought to have been experienced by 10-15 year olds (ONS, 2012).

What has been the challenge for the charity?

hardest

The knock backs. Setting up a charity in such a taboo subject is a constant struggle to achieve support, both funding and, more importantly, from educational organisations and Government. People don’t want to address the topic. By turning a blind eye, we allow it to grow.

What’s been the best thing someone has said to you after taking part in a workshop?

Hearing young people tell us that they have noticed reductions in bullying and play ground violence is always so inspiring and invaluable. This motivates us with a new sense of hope.

28

How do schools organise training, and do you offer this to other organisations?

Just email us at info@sav-ed.co.uk and we’ll get in touch. We can support other organisations in training, from delivery of a ‘stay safe’ programme, which we’re doing for The Southern Co-operative, and also delivery of emotive subjects such as violence to young people.

As an adult, what can I say to help a youngster stand against violence?

No matter who you are or whatever your background, we all, young and old, have the power of choice. Whether you think you do or not, whether you think your worthy or not, we are all in charge of our own destinies. If you are socialising with negative people, getting involved in violence and crime, going down a path you don’t truly want, then make your choice, get out and take control. Otherwise you run the risk of becoming a victim or an offender; the potential to ruin your life and others is high. Think before you act and think twice before you react.

How is our funding contributing to your aims?

A significant part of our plan is to source sustainable funding. It is crucial to get in front of young people annually to achieve generational change, so we need to be here long term. This hard task has been eased by this new partnership with The Southern Co-operative, and we’re enormously grateful. It frees us up to focus on the work in hand and progress sooner than planned - an exciting prospect.

What’s planned for the future?

We’re keen to develop our work with schools and widen our reach. We want to expand training to organisations and improve our standing as a specialist organisation in violence prevention.

How can an individual support the charity?

We welcome support in getting a foot in the door of schools across the south. You can donate via www.standagainstviolence.co.uk, fundraise with an activity, or join our National Day of Non Violence (25 September 2017).

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

Photos: Adam Fouracre/schools workshop

How serious is violence against young people?

Proud to be Green

Introducing our NEW Green Pioneer tariff

• 100% green electricity • No tie-ins or exit fees • Various payment methods including: Direct Debit, pay on receipt of bill, prepayment

Visit www.cooperativeenergy.coop/southern to discover how much you could save 29

MORE for our members

Sharing our profits, member trips, business news and what membership means to you.

Find out more Visit our membership page at www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk @TheSouthernCoop The Southern Co-operative

WIN!

We’re out and about Indulging in good food has been very much a theme of our recent members’ trips – no wonder they are proving so popular! We’ve been inviting members to meet some of the suppliers to our Local Flavours range.

Our tour of Caroline’s Dairy (Sussex) showed how delicious ice cream is made using milk from their own cows - and the tastings went down well! At Jon Thorner’s farm shop in Shepton

Mallet (Somerset), members had a go at making their own sausages and pies. Others enjoyed a walk around the apple orchards at Hill Farm Juice (Hampshire) with a tour of the juicing plant and tasting, or donned protective suits to view our own beehives at Lakeside (Hampshire) and learn about beekeeping.

As well as more local producer visits, we’re hoping to run member trips and information events at The Oaks Havant Crematorium (Hampshire) and Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground (West Sussex) in 2017. These are

Enter our Local Flavours competition to WIN an evening at Thatchers mystical Wassail ceremony and overnight stay in Somerset; exclusively for members of The Southern Co-operative. See page 9

intended to give an insight into the services we offer and dispel the myths surrounding funerals. Visitors will also see behind the scenes at The Oaks and learn about the conservation and wildlife at Clayton Wood.

As future trips are confirmed, we keep members updated via our website, posters in store and email if we have your email address. To be included in future trip invitations, please confirm your email address with our member support team, email membersupport@ southerncoops.co.uk or call 0800 652 0124.

“I now appreciate the efforts being made by The Southern Co-operative to bring into vogue excellent foods produced by the local smaller producers using locally sourced ingredients.

Well done The Southern Co-operative in supporting these producers and farmers.”

images: Caroline’s Dairy, Jon Thorners, Bee Island, Jon Thorners farm shop.

30

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

What Co-op Group’s new membership scheme means for our members...

You may have seen that The Co-operative Group has rebranded as ‘Co-op’. Whilst they are a co-operative like us, each is a separate independent business. Co-op Group, which is based in Manchester, operates nationally whilst The Southern Co-operative is a regional business, based in Portsmouth and operating across southern England.

Co-op Group has recently launched their new membership scheme.

Whilst they have issued new blue membership cards to their members, our membership cards remain the same honeycomb design. It is important that you keep your The Southern Co-operative card to use when shopping in our stores, to enjoy a share of our profits and other benefits as an independent co-operative.

Whilst we can see the opportunities around both Co-op Group’s brand and new membership, we have taken the decision not to participate in their new membership scheme for now. As an independent co-operative, we need to consider the wider implications of participating and ensure that adopting the new arrangements would be in the best interests of our own members.

We want to ensure our members and customers understand what membership benefits we offer; this is explained in our membership flyer that you can pick up in our stores, or on our website. Benefits include a share of our profits, membership offers and events and support for local communities with our new Love Your Neighbourhood programme, which you can read more about on page 24.

Save the date

Our 2017 AGM will be held on Thursday 25 May, location to be confirmed. We’d love our members to join us and to have your say. You’ll be updated about your business, vote on the distribution of our Share of the Profits, meet our Board Directors, be invited to workshops about our business, and be able to put your questions to the Board and Leadership Team.

If you’re not already a member of The Southern Co-operative, and would like to join and benefit from being a part of our independent co-operative, find out more and sign up at our website or call 0800 652 0124.

We share our profits

We’ve maintained the level of our members’ profit share at 2p per £1 of qualifying spend, whilst continuing to invest in the business, and are one of the few UK co-operatives to keep up this level of profit share. In fact, of all the co-operatives in the reciprocal membership scheme which we belong to, we paid out the highest rate. This year we shared over £1.5 million profits with members.

Thank you!

Kate Hibbert

Beth Rogers

New to our Board

to everyone who completed our members’ survey this summer. Congratulations to Mrs Baier of Surrey, whose name was pulled out of the hat to win £100 Co-op vouchers, as a thank you for taking part! Your feedback helps us improve our membership benefits and engagement with you.

Members voted two new Directors onto our Board at our 2016 AGM; Kate Hibbert, who is Local Sourcing Manager for our Local Flavours at The Southern Co-operative, and Dr Beth Rogers, Head of an academic group at University of Portsmouth Business School.

Both bring valuable commercial experience and aspirations for our business with them.

31

Keeping our

New Year’s resolutions Nature image: Family outdoors © Matthew Roberts

We all start the New Year with great intentions but inevitably a few weeks into the year, these can fall by the wayside. For 2017, why not resolve to make a small, yet realistic, difference to the way you live for the better. We share our ideas…

Do something

for nature

Make room for nature with a random act of wildness.

Build an insect hotel, feed the birds, grow bee friendly flowers. Hedgehogs, the nation’s favourite, are endangered; cut a small hole in your garden fence to help them survive (www. hedgehogstreet.org). Even the smallest space can welcome wildlife (www. wildaboutgardens.org.uk).

Support the inspiring #2minutebeachclean campaign or volunteer with your local Wildlife Trust.

Sort out your

‘life admin’

Use a rainy day to sort all those papers that tend to pile up.

Prioritise what’s urgent, file those you need to keep but not action and recycle the rest. Get organised with the important stuff for the long term too. Is it time to change your bank or energy provider for a better deal?

Have you written your will or considered making a funeral plan? It can save money, time and heartache in future.

Be a tourist

on your doorstep

Have a staycation - lots of historic attractions offer interesting guided tours, take a family picnic to a local park, look out for special ticket offers or seek out local festivals. Twitter is a great way to find out what’s on locally or visit your nearest tourist information centre – they’re for locals too!

32

Be kind Make a point to do

something thoughtful every day, however small. Show someone you care by giving them some time or pick up the phone for a chat. Look after yourself too; take time out from a hectic life to spend it with those you care about and do things you enjoy.

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

We’d love to know your resolutions for 2017; share via Twitter @TheSouthernCoop #newyearresolution, on our Facebook page, or email community@southerncoops.co.uk.

Learn a new skill

See what courses your local college offers or taster workshops local businesses run. Join a local hobby group or consider setting one up if there’s nothing locally.

There are lots of apps to help you learn too. At work, ask your employer if you can have training; do your research and suggest suitable courses.

Save money It’s all too

easy to splurge on ‘stuff’, especially in the January sales. moneysavingexpert. com has a simple, effective shopping mantra: If you’re skint; do I need it? Can I afford it? If you’re not skint; will I use it? Is it worth it?

Save for something special with a standing order into a savings account. Put £2 coins or small change in a secure money tin and cash it in only when it’s full.

Waste less and recycle more

New Year is a great time to clear out your wardrobe; if you haven’t worn something for the past year, you probably won’t in the next!

Let your local charity shops benefit instead.

When it comes to food, simple changes like menu planning, writing (and sticking to!) a shopping list, understanding date labels and correct storage can save the average family up to £700 per year and reduce waste (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com).

You don’t have to sign up to wwwrecyclenow.com explains what, where expensive gym fees or adopt a and how to recycle everything from bedding frantic fitness lifestyle you know to electrical goods and furniture. you won’t stick to. Ensure your goals are realistic and achievable.

Resolve to walk a little further, take the stairs not the lift, have a lunch break, eat less sugar, cut alcohol out on weekdays; if it becomes part of your everyday life, you’re more likely to succeed! If you’re aged 4074, book a free NHS health check for a midlife MOT.

Be healthier

Help others Could you afford to make a small charity donation monthly?

Ask your employer if they run a payroll giving scheme, where your donation comes directly from your wages before tax is deducted. Donate your time by volunteering; a great way to meet like minded people. Talk to our store colleagues to support our Love Your Neighbourhood community programme and help charities in your area. Or challenge yourself with an activity to fundraise.

33

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you, so please do get in get in touch using the contact details on page 3

@TheSouthernCoop @Vectisaccounts @TheSouthernCoop Thank you so much to your Emsworth funeral directors for Paul Beacon’s funeral. Efficient, kind, and so caring on the day. @iviewerltd #Southampton #customerexperience @TheSouthernCoop latest store to install magnifiers for their customers, Botley Rd #Romsey “I used the store for the first time today. Breath of fresh air and am convinced the village will actually prosper as a result. Store well laid out, excellent range and prices good, staff very pleasant.” Chris, customer at our new store in Lenham, Kent

“It gives me great pleasure to compliment this store for upgrading to a mini deli. I used to use this store for essentials and did my main shop at Waitrose but am now finding I am doing the main shop at this Co-op. In fact I now find that certain products are better, especially some of the ‘Loved by Us’ products. Parking is easier and the service is very good indeed.” Angela, customer at Bosham, Station Road @EYEProject Thanks @TheSouthernCoop for continued support & sponsorship of the EYEProject which helped to make today’s Chichester Eco summit possible

Pupils learn about food miles with the Eye Project

34

Members trip to Jon Thorners

Membership matters - “On the tour of the production area we met some of the staff, watched a number of processes and tried our hands at sausage and pie making; an excellent opportunity, not to be missed. I go away with the knowledge that Jon Thorner produces excellent products from locally sourced ingredients and these products are sold by my local Southern Co-operative store – minimal food miles!”

Wokingham Sing Healthy Choir sang to customers at our new Wokingham store, opened by Wokingham Salvation Army in July.

“The £500 that has been kindly donated to us will go towards the meals and support we provide at our drop in service at our Church for the homeless and those in need. Thank you for the wonderful donation and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the staff at The Southern Co-operative.” Jan Howlin, Lieutenant for the Wokingham Salvation Army

www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk

£100 towards your fully pre-paid funeral That’s a good plan Inflation-proof funeral plan Peace of mind for you and your family Flexible payment options

0800 243 380

www.funeralcare.co.uk

£100 OFF our Pre-paid Funeral Plan

Terms & Conditions: 1. This discount is solely redeemable by the presenter of the voucher, who may use it to purchase a plan for themselves or an immediate family member, but must be the person paying for the Plan. The voucher may not be exchanged for cash. 2. The discount will be deducted from the retail price of the Funeral Plan purchased at time of sale. 3. Only one discount is available per transaction. 4. This voucher has no cash value and may not be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotion. 5. The decision of Southern Co-operative Funerals Limited in relation to each discount is final and binding. 6. Voucher will be void if reproduced or photocopied. 7. Southern Co-operative Funerals Limited reserves the right to withdraw this promotion at any time.

8. This voucher is valid until 10.02.2017 MM16/02

Part of The Southern Co-operative 35

S U L P nce Experie

f o c i g a m the

s a m t s i r h C at