solent life east - march 2012

A R T R E V I E W S l I N T E R I O R S l G A R D E N S l H E A L T H & B E A U T Y l C O M P E T I T I O N S l W H A T ’ S O N

sole

ntl

ife

.co

.uk

MARCH 2012

E A S T

plus your essential local business directory

guideto what’s on

the

meander down marmion road

marine matterssolent sailing season starts

march makeovers

win a makeover for your mum

worth £500a spring clean

…3MARCH 2012 • .co.uk

welcomeMARCH 2012

features16… A day in the life of

Sue McSheaffrey, a Portsmouth paramedic

24… Solent Sailing Season Gets underway

26… Meander down Marmion Road We ‘love Southsea’

42… Home Makeovers A restored Georgian home in Gosport

56… Portsmouth Air Festival What does it take to become an RAF pilot?

regulars06… Walk

Following farmers, Kings & Bishops in Bishops Waltham

08… Artist Review An online gallery of incredible images

12… Restaurant Review Indian Cuisine at Mowchak Tandoori

30… Motoring Review Executive luxury from the Mercedes C250 CDi

38… Education Solent Life discover the end of the Rainbow

54… Out and About Images from around the region

62… What’s On Reviews and theatre productions coming your way

65… Mind Gym Try our latest puzzles

in this issue…

36

42 08

contactusSolent Life Magazine Tel… 01489 583800 • Fax… 01489 564549

Online… www.solentlife.co.uk • Email… [email protected] WEBB HOUSE, 20 BRIDGE ROAD, PARK GATE, HAMPSHIRE, S031 7GE

theteamEditorial Dave Hill – Managing Editor Tel… 01489 583743 • Email… [email protected]

David Rose-Massom – Senior Journalist Email… [email protected]

Fiona Cooke – Contributing Writer Email… [email protected] Advertising Sales Sarah Kent Janet Grimm Tel… 01489 584010 Tel… 01489 583800 Email… [email protected] Email… [email protected]

Steve Walker Barbara Smith Tel… 01489 584057 Tel… 01489 583719 Email… [email protected] Email… [email protected]

Scott Steele Tel… 01489 583852 Email… [email protected]

Design & Production David Ives-Farren & Joe Parker Tel… 01489 583718 Email… [email protected]

// Deadline for advertising copy & editorial for next issue: 14th March 2012

Published by Living Coast Media. © Copyright Solent Life 2012. All rights reserved. No part of Solent Life Magazine can be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within.

In this fast paced, modern world of ours, has the concept of ‘spring cleaning’ declined from being the rigorously followed annual tradition, so methodically performed by past generations, to a mere whim of good intent? Well, maybe!

However, in our March edition we look at one of the more recent innovations that seem to have superseded the ‘spring clean’;

the makeover!

We are covering everything from a stunning and complete renovation of the Georgian, Superintendents House in Royal Clarence Yard, to a new roof with an interesting insight into the world of thatching. Not only is an amazing remodelled kitchen featured this month, but the makeover theme continues with a look at personal rejuvenation with beauty tips and articles. We close this makeover loop and come back to where we started with a light hearted look at life during spring cleaning.

Our partnership with the Portsmouth Air Festival continues with a view of RAF recruitment and career training. We are so excited by our association with the Air Festival, because there are so many topics to write about, we just don’t have the time left to cover them all before the event itself in August.

We are sad to say goodbye to our Abby who has been with us for a few years now. She is leaving us to explore life in the colonies down under and of course, we wish her bon voyage and good luck. How will we manage without her?

We promised over a year ago that we would keep evolving and improving the magazine and as the months have passed, we have kept that promise and you will have noticed the difference. This month has yet more changes, new layouts to improve the fresh feel, with even more interesting and varied content. We are sure you will enjoy your March edition.

| MANAGING EDITOR

contents

4… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

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‘Spirit of the 1940s’ Weekend – 14th / 15th of April 2012.This April, remember the ‘Spirit of the 1940s’ at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport. Come and join us as we recreate the atmosphere of those momentous years in a weekend of living history.

Explosion is located in the former Royal Naval Ordnance Deport at Priddy’s Hard, near Gosport, in Hampshire and with a hundred re-enactors on site over the weekend, our atmospheric historic buildings will really be coming back to life. Highlights of the day include the following twice daily demonstrations:

• American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division ‘storm’ the sites Historic Ramparts, ably assisted by Explosion’s own ‘Dad’s Army’, the local Home Guard.

• Naval gunners give a dramatic demonstration of firepower using Explosion’s 4.7-inch gun.

• Head for the shelters when the sirens sound for our 1940s air raid!

• But make sure you are on your best behaviour for the arrival of the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Winston Churchill, MP, and his entourage.

There’s plenty more to do throughout the day, with a display of military vehicles, demonstrations of 1940s, a NAAFI tea wagon, drop in family activities and wartime film shows. Your ticket includes free admission to Explosion’s award-winning museum galleries.

But that’s not all. We will also be staging our very own, separately ticketed, 1940s dance on the evening of 14 April. See our website for details and come and jitterbug till midnight in our eighteenth century Grand Magazine. (Dance Tickets must be prebooked).

So for an unforgettable start to springtime and a weekend of drama and nostalgia, come and relive the ‘Spirit of the 1940s’ at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.

Explosion! Museum of Naval FirepowerHeritage Way • Priddy’s Hard • Gosport • Hampshire PO12 4LETelephone 023 9250 5600 • Fax 023 9250 [email protected]

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So, take your pick; the three mile Nature Walk, the four mile – complete with 16 stiles – Heritage Walk, or explore the farmland and field Country Walk that offers amazing views across the Hampshire countryside during its five mile hike. No matter which you choose to begin with, eventually, like us, you will get around to taking all three and finding something engaging, different and evocative in each walk.

Starting with THE NATURE WALK, the shortest of the three and a personal favourite; it has a wonderful richness in its diversity and wildlife. The first point of real interest is the Sand Boils. This is a springhead that gets its name from the sand swirling round due to the numerous springs that bubble in a large sandy bottomed pool. This,

it turns out, is one of the two sources of the River Hamble. The water bubbles up from the sand and this produces ripples across the surface as if invisible stones have been tossed into the clear depths to form the slowly spreading rings. It is hypnotic viewing! If you can pull yourself away from the shallow, bubbling pool follow the path over a gurgling brook, up a small slope and through a gate where the footpath is only just defined through the long grass. It seems each time I follow this route, there is a buzzard gliding low over the treetops. Yet another gate takes the walker into the shade of a wooded pathway; but be warned, at most times of the year wellies, or at the very least tough waterproof walking shoes are called for. Often among the shady trees a small herd of Highland cattle can be found grazing on thin patches of grass and stripping leaves from low hanging branches. Mighty gnarled oaks throw their branches over the pathway

offering cover from spring sunshine, or showers. These oaks are probably between 250 and 300 years old and play host to a variety of birds such as nuthatches and jays. The woods are home to all three species of woodpecker and on the floor are plants such as primrose and wild garlic. Out of the woods and a new pond appears, well it’s probably not new, but thanks to some careful coppicing of the hazel trees it is now visible and a newish path follows a route around the shallow water. A perfectly placed tree stump offers a wonderful natural seat to take a rest and ponder about the butterflies and dragonflies that will soon inhabit this clearing.

THE HERITAGE WALK is an easy one to spot, as the road sweeps around the station roundabout and where on the left sit a pair of redundant old railway gates – without the tracks. Throughout the 1960s more than 4,000 miles of railway and 3,000 stations closed following, what became known

Bishop’s Waltham began life as a Saxon village. It took the name after the year 904 when the King gave the manor to the Bishop of Winchester. The Waltham part is derived from the words Wald, or Walt, meaning wooded area and Ham meaning a settlement. Despite the bustle of modernity this name is just as relevant now, as this charming settlement is surrounded by woodland tracts and walks.

words & images by david rose-massom

solent | walk

farmers, kings & bishops

following

A ound 1138 the Bishop built a palace and it was used as a meeting place for Henry II to meet his barons. Then in 1194 Richard the Lionheart

stayed there. Now it is time for Solent Life readers to pick a walk where once great kings trod and where the Romans built an arrow-straight road.


as, The Beeching Cuts, named after Dr Richard Beeching who was attempting to cut the cost of the railways. It was in 1962 that the branch line to Botley, which ran 13 trains a day, was axed. What it has left is a raised footpath that follows a straight route through trees and above streams and brooks. Close your eyes and it is still easy to imagine the clackety-clack of trains throwing out their grey steam above the tree-tops as they pass along the narrow cut. At the end of the now peaceful ‘track’ the walk meanders across farmland and onto remnants of a Roman Road. This was once the main route from Portchester through to Winchester for Roman legions. These roads were built by the Roman Army to not only maintain control over the country but also to provide troops with supplies. Just out of reach behind a fence is a picturesque lake where the birdlife, such as

kingfishers and herons, can be easily seen and enjoyed.

Last, but not least, THE COUNTRYSIDE WALK is the longest, but also takes in some great pubs and some magical Hampshire scenery as it explores the countryside to the north east of Bishop’s Waltham. This is an undulating walk that follows the typical Hampshire landscape of rolling hills and there are several spots to just stop and take in the beautiful county that we live in. This final walk begins its journey in the heart of the town, through a narrow lane that gently rises toward a beautiful church, cuts through wooden gates before climbing to some of the most amazing views in the county. Up here the air is clean, cattle graze and buzzards soar. Walkers can take in the magnificent views of our county before once again dropping down to follow country lanes – visit great country pubs – walk alongside

streams and vineyards before tired and refreshed reaching the town once again.This pretty ‘villagesque’ market town in the heart of the county has a bustling centre and is surrounded by countryside that sums up exactly what rural Hampshire has to offer. Stunning views, wonderful wildlife and a great selection of pubs, cafes, hostelries and shops which can keep us fuelled and in readiness to take the next magical walk. One last point, each of these walks start, and finish within the town centre and each direction has something to grab your attention. It may be the town-centre boardwalk across the pond and marshland that play host to waders and waterfowl, it may be the wonderful and romantic ruins of the Bishop’s Palace or it could be, at the top of the hill, St. Peter’s Church, which is an important and historic church as well as being a beautiful one. So pick your walk, or if you

are up to it pick all three, slip your feet into your wellies and set out on a trio of treks that will bring back your spring-spirit and uplift you as well as proving once again, what a great area we live in! l

For route details take a free copy of the pamphlet EXPLORING BISHOP’S WALTHAM from many points in the town centre or go to www3.hants.gov.uk/walking-country, and there are also several other websites with various bits of information about Bishop’s Waltham.


art | focus

Five friends and I, all with an interest in photography looked at the options available for us to sell our pictures and perhaps make a little money to supplement our incomes

as well as gaining a wider recognition for our work. We soon discovered that there were few options available.” Tony Hill originator and owner of The PIC explained to Solent Life. “Most ‘stock’ websites demand a huge collection from photographers and we didn’t have 1,000 images between us and most of us were not comfortable with selling our ‘digital files’ on the internet. So between us we felt we had around 80 or so ‘good’ images each that were just hidden on our hard drives and we had no obvious way of presenting them to a wider audience in an affordable and secure manner.” So it was that Tony set up the internet gallery The Printed Image Company, an on-line gallery that now hosts images from around the world which are available as high quality prints on canvas, in a variety of sizes, to be hung and enjoyed in any environment from homes to offices.

“It was a bit like the film ‘Field of Dreams’ with the cry of ‘build it and they will come’,” he continued. “From the

early days of just having images from those few friends we now have a gallery that includes photographers and pictures from around the world; Brazil, the USA as well as from all over Europe, making it a global market place of images.

“The PIC is providing access to pictures that buyers would not normally get, providing not only a site where people can browse at their leisure and have access to some stunning photography but it also offers a venue where those photographers who have wonderful images can exhibit and sell their work.” The easily navigated website offers everything from stunning landscapes and seascapes to a keen eye on nature, as well as abstract, architecture and animals. Tony described how the concept was finally brought to actuality. “Those five friends and I worked on the idea and discussed it with our friends and family. It was surprising to discover just how few of those friends and family actually knew about our interest in photography. It was even more surprising and encouraging to discover how many of them were actually looking to buy pictures and didn’t know where to look for something that was affordable, good quality and not

Tony Hill is a keen and accomplished photographer who, like many other talented photographers, is on the edge of being professional; despite a full time job he has a collection of desirable images with no way of realistically selling them; his response to the problem – an on-line gallery.

home gallery

thewords by david rose-massom

“


Our artist Review is kindly sponsored by THE HISCOCK GALLERY 11 Stanley Street, Southsea Hampshire, PO5 2DS 023 9282 5330. Creating quality with style www.hiscockgallery.co.uk

ART FOCUS SPONSORSHIP

Spring is a time for new beginnings so how about learning to paint as a new hobby? It’s good to start with acrylic paint as it is an easy medium to work with. If you choose oil paints make sure you purchase a pre-primed canvas and remember oil paint can take 6 months to a year to thoroughly dry! And if you fancy painting outside a box easel is a good purchase as you can store all your equipment in it and use the lid as the easel.

THE HISCOCK TIP

likely to be found in every fourth home up and down the country. We gave away 10 pictures between us in the first 2 months – my frog image, which can be found on the site, seemed, to my surprise, to be quite popular proving that there was a wide and varied desire for great images.

“This level of response from very little stimulation made us think our situation can’t be that unique and that there must be photographers and customers, like us, the length and breadth of the UK. If the five of us with only 80 pictures each could have potentially sold 10 pictures to 40 friends, then the opportunity across the country could be vast in two ways; helping photographers to safely get their images to a wider audience and to potentially generate demand and income, while supplying customers with previously unavailable images, supplied as good quality prints, delivered to their homes at an affordable price, from a reputable site.”

Many people still feel nervous when entering specialized galleries or plump for the ‘stock’ image available from the normal home furnishing stores. “On the website they can choose their image, pick what size suits them and the location in their home and finally have a gallery quality image in the home without paying gallery prices,” Tony said. So as Tony Hill explained, this exciting new concept in selling quality images provides an access to superb photographic imagery not normally available through any other market. This gives the buyer the

opportunity to browse unique and beautiful photographs while providing budding and talented photographers with an exhibition space for their work. Have a browse and see what catches your eye… ■

THE HISCOCK GALLERY

10… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

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> 11th – 21st APRiL dario Fo’s throught provoking political satire. Fed up with high prices in the supermarket? Frustrated by constant strikes? Frantic at rising train fares? Take the law into your own hands! Fast and furious comic chaos – Dario Fo’s 1974 farce is, quite literally, a riot!

> PRiVAte LiVeS by Noel Coward

> 14th – 24th MARcH noel coward’s scintillating comedy of manners. Full of dazzling dialogue, irresistible one-liners and acerbic wit, it explores the conventional and unconventional ways of being in love.Elyot and Amanda are divorced. Honeymooning with their new spouses ,Sybil and Victor, at the same hotel they encounter each other one evening. Rekindling their passion, they decide to run away to Paris. But can Elyot and Amanda really be together?

> cAn’t PAY – WOn’t PAYSee our full Spring Summer listings, why not get a copy of our Theatre Calendar Card to remind you of what's coming up.

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A rguably the most inaccurately named Chihuahua on the planet;

Bruiser has been a total crowd pleaser in the West

End, where he even has fans queuing up at the Savoy stage door to meet him. Perhaps it’s seeing so much pink in one place but rarely does a show prompt such a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from its audience. And if there’s one entrance that gets the loudest cheer of them all, it’s when Bruiser scampers on. Just as nobody was prepared for what a phenomenon Legally Blonde the Musical would become, likewise no one guessed that Bruiser would be its biggest star. Not even his trainer Cindy Newman. “That old adage about working with animals and children – it’s safer not to, especially in a live show,” she says. “But Legally Blonde really wouldn’t be the same without Bruiser.”

“Newman’s consultancy, Animals Galore, is one of the oldest and most respected in showbiz, established in 1967 when the family pet, a bullterrier named Butch, landed the dream role of Fagin’s dog in the feature film of Oliver! Newman never looked back (despite previous ambitions to be a vet) and now trains animals of all shapes and sizes for stage and screen, even the dog in the recent Oliver! revival at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. As soon as plans for a UK production of Legally Blonde were floated, Newman was brought on board, catching the first plane out to New York to see the show on Broadway. “I knew the film, of course, but wasn’t sure how involved the dogs were until I found out the US trainer had spent six months training them up,” she says.

“Then I realised they must be doing some pretty special stuff.” Newman’s hunt for potential Bruisers – several dogs share the role at any one time,

began as soon as she landed back in the UK. The biggest challenge: the Chihuahua problem. “Training works on the basis of rewarding good behaviour with treats but Chihuahuas haven’t got huge appetites,” she says. “They don’t particularly want to please and are also easily offended, sensitive souls.” Much like actors, you could say. And when it came to casting the tour, the dogs needed to be even tougher. So don’t tell Elle, but the latest Bruisers are cross-bred with Jack Russells. “The dogs have got to cope with a new venue every fortnight and Jack Russells are a bit more tenacious,” explains Newman. “They are not so easily put off by things and also a lot greedier, which helps! I’m looking for temperament over looks. If they jump all over me when I meet them, it’s a good sign. I don’t mind boisterous. It’s the quiet ones that sit in the corner that aren’t going to work.” As an honorary member of Elle’s Delta Nu sorority, Bruiser needs to bond with the girls from day one. “The dogs have to feel comfortable around the cast so I bring them into rehearsals and let everyone make a fuss of them,” says Newman. Her only rule: no one feeds them titbits except Elle and Margot. Unlike on a film set, where the trainer is usually just behind camera, these two characters have to direct Bruiser live on stage, using a mixture of hand signals, vocal cues and tasty treats: from cat biscuits to cooked liver. “So I really need those actresses to engage with the dog, to stroke him and say ‘Hello, pretty boy’ eyeball to eyeball,” says Newman. But sometimes you’re training the actress how to behave around the dog as much as the other way round.” Newman often tests new recruits by popping them into Elle’s bag in the final courtroom scene. Routine is also key and even more so on tour. Animals Galore has booked digs for the dogs in each new city,

often out of town where it’s easier to go for walkies. Day begins with breakfast and bath time. That evening’s Bruiser (and understudy) are picked, walked and taken to the theatre for 5.30pm, where they head straight to their dressing room. Other four-legged stars have been known to slip up. “One dog did a wheel spin before jumping onto Elle’s bed and totally missed his mark,” Newman recalls. “The stage is quite slippery and sometimes their little legs can’t take it.” But a founding member of the Animal Consultants and Training Association (ACTA), Newman makes animal welfare top priority on the show and keeps a close eye on the wellbeing of her wards. What do the Bruisers pack in their away bags? Quite a list, says Newman. “First, their brushes, shampoo and conditioner.” Not two-in-one. What would Elle say? “No, definitely not! We use baby shampoo in case it gets in their eyes.” Add to that nail clippers, poo bags, towels for drying off on rainy days, loads of bedding and toys, and the bag is easily twice the size of the dog. Do they ever get homesick? “No because they are with the trainer, someone they love and trust. They have to enjoy it or it doesn’t work – it’s all about positive reinforcement. Plus they love being told how clever they are!” Dogs can be divas too, then. “Oh yes. “Whoever comes in from work always trots in like they own the place! But I’ve never done a show that’s got such a good atmosphere. It feels like a party every night – even for Bruiser – and I think that shows on stage.” l

Legally Blonde the Musical runs at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from 19 – 30 June 2012.

Touring, it’s a dog’s life – especially for a dog. So as Legally Blonde the Musical comes to The Mayflower, Southampton this coming June, Elle Woods’ trusted canine companion Bruiser has left no bone unturned to make sure everything is to his liking on the road.

words by Nancy Groves

dog’s life

it’s a

bruiser on tour

solent | theatre

12… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

One of the things about exotic cuisine is that each chef has a different way of using the spices that are available and this is why it is always exciting when

entering a new Indian, Thai or Chinese restaurant, you never know what to expect…

words & image by david rose-massom

Mowchak Tandoori Indian Restaurant is almost hidden amongst a row of shops and

houses in Drayton, near Cosham, but once through the door, it stands out a mile simply because they do things right. Why the Honeycomb reference in the title? Mowchak means honeycomb. A lovely, comfortable dining room, with the capacity to serve some 40 to 50 covers; traditional, clean and bright, but best of all, shaped like pointy crowns on the table, crisp cloth napkins; luxury. On the way to the table it was impossible not to notice that a curry feast had been laid out in the form of a buffet and although we perused the menu our eyes kept returning to the enticing dishes laid out in front of us. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays are buffet evenings and not ones to buck a trend, we joined in. Plus, of course, it would give us the chance to try lots of different things. Not just because it is hot, but I do love Lime Pickle, there is just something about the flavour and texture that overcomes the explosion of chillies, and this lime and vegetable pickle was a perfect way of getting the mouth working along with some very thin, very crisp poppadoms. Whatever the pickle gave in heat and spiciness the Aloo Chat; spicy, sweet and sour potatoes

served chilled, gave in refreshment and contrast. The chicken tikka starter, gently spiced chunks of moist chicken that is soft to the bite and has, what can best be described as, a warm, soft flavour. Vegetable fritters, soft but with a pleasant texture with just a hint of spiciness together with little onion bhajis - their rough texture and great flavour completed the starters. There was of course, a real danger of filling up before the main courses, especially when some soft and buttery naan bread was delivered to the table and which was used to mop up the remnants of the lime pickle and the chilli relish from the plate. At the buffet the dishes are all well labelled and explained and you can be certain in the knowledge that they are all delicious as the chef, Kowser Miah, is the Curry Life Chef of the Year for 2011 – 2012. The pilau rice was still nutty and yet so very fluffy; perfect rice. Unusually, one of the dishes was lamb cutlets, in a slightly spicy coating and served in a delicious curry sauce. Cooked on the bone it retains all of its flavour and it is tender with that hint of spice that just sneaks through as an afterthought. One word of advice, take two at least as you will be going back for more otherwise! The Chicken Tikka Massala, with large pieces of tender meat, was very recognisable in its

buffethoneycomb

the

restaurant | review


red spiced sauce. The sag aloo, spinach with potato and tomato, was soft, delicate and herby. The vegetable curry also gained a tick in the excellent column as again, it was a dish full of flavour and also had the best of the texture with peas that ‘popped’ when bitten and that burst with flavour. One more chicken dish to add to the buffet feast was the bhuna, cooked with onion and tomato in a thick sauce, as delicious as the rest. All the curries are delicate flavourings with a careful use of the spices to create the individual dishes; nothing on the buffet is too ‘hot’ or too spicy so suitable for most tastes. A good blend of textures and varying

thickness of sauces means each dish has its own character. Such was the expertise of cooking and preparation, it was difficult to pick a favourite dish, and so I didn’t bother and just went back for small seconds of everything. When Solent Life visited, it was one of those freezing cold February evenings when most sensible people would be staying indoors but Mowchak was quite busy with only one table left available. There was a lovely happy buzz and chatter circulating around the dining room, a testament to the quality and consistency of the cuisine and service. If visiting on a non-buffet evening, then why not book your own buffet and visit

as a group and when you book your table ask for the BADSAHI DAWAAT or Royal Banquet – each of the three choices need to be ordered in advance but include such delicacies as whole chicken stuffed with rice, eggs, potatoes minced lamb and spices; or a whole lamb leg marinated with special herbs and spices and then slow cooked. Then there is the whole fish Maharaja, which is a fish marinated with yoghurt, spices and herbs before being baked in the oven. No wonder chef Kowser has won Curry Chef of the Year! ◆

Our buffet evening was just £9.95 a

head, for the Royal Banquet prices are quoted

when booking.

For the full menu & other details go to: Web: www.mowchak.co.uk

Tel: 023 9237 5007

Mowchak tandoori indian Restaurant

270 Havant Road drayton

14… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Port Solent Harvester, Portsmouth15 The Boardwalk, Port Solent, Portsmouth, PO6 4TP02392 201012 • www.harvester.co.uk

Freshly prepared food, a warm welcome and a relaxing atmosphere...

The Harvester Port Solent is an ideal place for those seeking genuine value, whether for a family meal, relaxing drink or a bite to eat with friends.

With our new Salad & Grill menu, you can enjoy great tasting grills including tender spit-roast chicken, succulent ribs with barbecue sauce,

flame-grilled salmon or a grilled combo all with the signature salad bar. Our earlybird menu is also

now available all day!

FAMOUS FiSH & cHiP ReStAURAnt And tAke-AWAY

l All fish skinned and boned

l Traditional grilled breakfast served daily 8am-11.30am

MOtHeR keLLY’S UNIqUE FISH & CHIP RESTAURANT AND TAKE-AWAY IS OPEN 7 dAYS A Week 11.30AM - 11PM.

221 SOUtHAMPtOn ROAd, PAULSGROVe

Tel 023 9221 914920 nORtH StReet, eMSWORtH (tAke-AWAYS OnLY)

Tel 01243 375859Coach parties by appointment • Large

orders up to 250 portions DELIVERED FREE

NAZContemporary Indian Cuisine

& Takeaway Service

114 West Street, Fareham

01329 312525www.naz-indian-cuisine.com

We have an extended range of dishes with an emphasis on

light & healthy cuisine.

Sunday & Monday Nights

£10.95 Special Per Person

4 Course Set Menu

25% OFF A la Carte menu only on production of this voucher**

(**Offer expires 30/04/2012 and can not be combined with any other offer)

BOOk NOw FOr MOtherS DAy! limited space available

Find us on Facebook


South Coast Flooring ☎ 023 9255 4097www.southcoastflooring.co.uko u r b u S i n e S S i S F l o o r i n g

✓ Large selection of cushion floor vinyls✓ Retailer of Karndean & Amitco designer flooring✓ Expertly installed by our own fitters✓ Solid Woods

V i S i T O u R S H O W R O O m A T 8 6 H i g H S t r e e t • L e e - o n - t H e - S o L e n t • P o 1 3 9 D A

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Specialists in... sealing • solid & engineered wood flooring • all aspects of safety flooring • carpet carpet tiles • designer flooring

16… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

solent | interview

Paramedic Sue McSheaffrey has just arrived at Portsmouth

Ambulance Station at the start of her ten hour shift. It is four o’clock in the afternoon and just as most of us are thinking about clocking off for the day she is getting ready to go out and save lives. During the course of her shift she could attend as many as nine incidents and each one will be potentially life threatening, so she prepares thoroughly beforehand.

“I arrive half an hour early so that the person I am relieving does not have to go over time if a job comes in just before their shift officially ends” explains Sue “I’ll grab a quick cuppa and then strip the car down, check all the bags, make sure all the equipment is there and ensure I have enough to last me, as I generally do not come back.” Sue drives an emergency response

vehicle and responds primarily to Category A incidents such as chest pains, road traffic accidents and haemorrhaging. In each case the control team will mobilise whoever can respond fastest, but if an ambulance is needed it will be sent as backup. Once she has logged in she can then be called out at any time. She can be sent anywhere in Portsmouth, Fareham, Havant and even as far as Petersfield. After she has been mobilised to her first incident Sue will stay out. “I can almost guarantee that if I come back I will get called straight out again. If it’s quiet then I’ll come back for a quick cup of tea but that’s rare.”

Between incidents Sue has her bag of supplies. “ I have the world’s biggest backpack” laughs Sue “ It is full of chocolate, sweets, fruit, clinical directives, and a trashy novel or two” Whilst she is allowed a half hour meal break there is no guarantee she will get to take it. Some of the incident’s Sue attends can be long. She may need to wait for the Police to gain access to premises before she can

start to treat the patient, and then there is the paperwork. “We have a form for everything and all the little dots need to be filled in. This is important not only for the patient care but because it reflects on the station as we are audited and ranked by the Ambulance Service.” Sue seems to take most things in her stride, but there are some jobs that are virtually impossible to detach from.

“Cardiac arrests are hard” says Sue “It is so upsetting for the relatives. No one likes to get a call to attend a sick child. The best sound you can hear when you walk in is the sound of a baby screaming. You have to be matter of fact, a little bit detached, but at times we do have incidents that touch us and then we will go back to the station and talk to the others. We have our own support system”

“I love what I do” continues Sue “I work with some really good people. It’s not all doom and gloom when you go out there. There are some lovely jobs and you meet some wonderful people. For me, where I work a lot by myself it is almost like an adrenalin rush. It keeps me on my toes. Every day, every job is different. I like a challenge.” Speaking to Sue this is apparent, she completed three years of training on the job, whilst attending University on day release to qualify and has since gone on to complete a foundation degree in paramedic science as well as a BSC. She also plans to go back and top this up to an Honours degree. All this whilst being a single mum to a teenage daughter. Once her shift has ended Sue will go home, wind down for an hour or so, put the washing on, prepare her uniform for the next shift, spend some time with her daughter and get some well earned sleep.

There are some people who work to live and others who live to work. It is reassuring for those of us who may one day need her help, that for Sue, her job is her life, and she loves it. ✚

Our thanks go to South central Ambulance Service for helping us with this interview and allowing us to work with Sue McSheaffrey.

Paramedica day in the life of a…

“It is a bit of a power rush when I am sat in traffic and I get called to an incident and the cars part before you. Then I get there and my heart’s beating. It might not be anything serious but it’s still something I’ve got to think about, it’s still going to test me a little bit. i just love the job; I’d be there twenty four hours a day if I could – as long as I can get some sleep!”

words by fiona cooke


C hamber in the 21st Century is all about support products and services tailored to all sizes of business and in all sectors. It is particularly attractive to small

businesses that operate from home in that our products through membership include a free legal advice line, free HR advice line with an online interactive document creation and store, discounted primary health care, discounted telecoms packages, and free access to the membership database. We also have a member-to-member Chamber Passport that gives you the chance to promote great offers at attractive rates.

And of course, you have access to all our events throughout the County – events that will put you in touch with business leaders and organisations that want to do business with you!

Do you want to expand your horizons and need to trade overseas? With three offices located in Basingstoke, Portsmouth and Southampton, we have the experts at Chamber to help you with International Trade and documentation.

The HR and Legal Advice Line are worth their weight in gold. It’s like having your own HR and Legal team as part of your company. Members have saved thousands of pounds over the years through membership of the Chamber.

Need an apprentice? Would like to know more? We have the contacts that could break myths and deliver the real deal.

You can also be assured of the Chamber fighting your corner locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is recognised for its lobbying and representation success – the real “voice” of business. Westminster regularly receives our members’ feedback as do local authorities and stakeholder organisations. Recently we have submitted views on the impact of Government funding and employment.

But don’t take my word for it; take a look at our website: www.hampshirechamber.co.uk which

has all the news and information you need. l

Welcome to Hampshire chamber of commerce – no, not a stuffy organisation that contemplate local business issues in a cold boardroom, but a dynamic business-led organisation that is committed to helping you and your business grow and prosper!

solent | business

Chamber of CommerceHampshire

words by kevin whatton

20… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Remembering our loved onesThe final resting place for your loved one is of special importance. As a family run, privately owned and independently operated Public Memorial Garden we have the personal experience of losing closefamily and friends. We are sympathetic and fully understand how important the grieving process can be.Unlike most Crematoriums where ashes are scattered, we offer an individual memorial plot for the burial of your loved ones cremated remains along with a dedicated memorial stone. Memorial only option is also available for families that have already laid the ashes to rest at sea etc. Since 2002 the gardens have grown and flourished, achieving numerous awards, including South & South East in Bloom “Best Commercial Premises” for 8 consecutive years, Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom “Commercial Award 2005” & “National Cemetery of the Year Winner 2009”. We were also recently proud winners of the Gold Award for the “Best Commercial Garden 2011” at the South & South East in Bloom Regional Awards.

Valid Until 30/04/2012

Six acres of beautiful landscaped gardens offering a final resting place for the burial of your loved one’s cremated remains along with an individual memorial

01329 828250www.pmgardens.com

How to find us: we are located first left after the crematorium entrance. LOOK our for our GREEN sign. Please note that we are NOT part of the Crematorium Grounds or their Garden of Remembrance.

Book your holiday how and when you like...

To request a copy of the latest Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises or Cunard brochure please contact Ambassador Travel

EXCLUSIVE DEALS AVAILABLE AT AMBASSADOR TRAVEL

Term & Conditions: ‡(OBS) On board spend is credited to an on board account and can only be spent onboard, the above deals are valid until 31.03. 12. The on board spend amounts shown are per couple and is the maximum amount available per stateroom. The on board spend applies only to the �rst two adults in a stateroom. These promotions apply to new bookings on the selected cruises and cannot be applied to existing bookings.

P&O & Cunard: Fares are per person in £ sterling based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of stateroom/cabin within each stateroom/cabin type, are inclusive of all applicable savings and are subject to availability. Offers are valid until 31 March 2012 and apply to new bookings on selected voyages. The upgrade offer is subject to availability and guests must book their chosen stateroom/cabin grade and will be charged the fare applicable to a stateroom/cabin that is at least one grade lower than the grade booked and often will be charged the fare applicable to a grade in the stateroom/cabin type below that booked (e.g. book a C5 outside and pay for a D8 inside). The upgrade offer is combinable with Agent Special Departures, P&O Cruises Peninsular Club and Cunard World Club discounts. The upgrade offer is not combinable with Getaway Fares. This leafl et should be read in conjunction with the the P&O Cruises Winter Holidays 2012/2013 (second edition) brochure and P&O Cruises World Cruises & Cruises to Australasia 2013 (second edition) brochure and the Cunard Voyages 4th edition brochure March 2012-April 2013 or the Cunard website www.cunard.com which contain important information that you must read before booking.O�ers are subject to availability on new bookings made by 31 March 2012.

Fares for sole occupancy and supplementary fares are available on request. Prices and other information correct at the time of going to press.

P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises are trading names of Carnival plc, a company registered in England and Wales with comp any number 04039524. Registered o�ce address: 5 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE.

CRUISE NO. SHIP CRUISE DATE DURATION BENEFITS

J206 Arcadia Around Britain 16 Jun 12 10 Nights Up to £340 per couple OBS‡

R207 Aurora Fjords 19 Jun 12 14 Nights Up to £520 per couple OBS‡

N216 Ventura Central Mediterranean 3 Jul 12 17 Nights Up to £640 per couple OBS‡

X214 Oriana Baltic 4 Aug 12 14 Nights Up to £280 per couple OBS‡

A230 Azura Canary Islands 27 Dec 12 11 Nights Up to £200 per couple OBS‡

UP TO £640 ON BOARD FREE SPENDING MONEY PER COUPLE‡ ‘Up to’ on board spend amount is based on suites

CRUISE NO. SHIP ESIURC DATE DURATION BENEFITS

V216 Queen Victoria Baltic 29 Jun 12 14 Nights Up to $1,060 per couple OBS‡

V217 Queen Victoria Northern 13 Jul 12 8 Nights Up to $700 per couple OBS‡

M221 Queen Mary 2 Iberia/Canary Islands 4 Sep 12 10 Nights Up to $740 per couple OBS‡

V224 Queen Victoria Mediterranean 3 Oct 12 16 Nights Up to $500 per couple OBS‡

M233B Queen Mary 2 Caribbean No Fly 15 Dec 12 26 Nights Up to $1,200 per couple OBS‡

UP TO $1,200 ON BOARD FREE SPENDING MONEY PER COUPLE‡ ‘Up to’ on board spend amount is based on a Queens Grill

Contact your local branchNow open in Lee On The Solent

Or visit: www.ambassadortravel.co.uk

Lee On The Solent Tel: 02392 290480

CRUISE NO. SHIP ESIURC DATE DURATION BENEFITS

B223 Caribbean Princess North Cape/Fjords 19 Jun 12 12 Nights $65 per cabin OBS‡

A221 Grand Princess Spitsbergen/N. Cape 23 Jun 12 14 Nights $65 per cabin OBS‡

A222 Grand Princess Baltic Heritage 7 Jul 12 14 Nights $65 per cabin OBS‡

A225 Grand Princess Mediterranean Adventure 11 Aug 12 14 Nights $65 per cabin OBS‡

A230 Grand Princess Mediterranean & Adriatic 5 Oct 12 17 Nights $65 per cabin OBS‡

FREE BALCONY UPGRADES ON ALL CRUISES INSIDE THIS LEAFLET PLUS RECEIVE FREE SPENDING MONEY IN ALL STATEROOMS ON THESE CRUISES

March/April 2012

FREE BALCONY UPGRADE on all Princess cruises inside

LARGEST EVER UPGRADE OFFER with P&O Cruises and CunardInside to Oceanview • Oceanview to Balcony • Balcony to Mini-Suite • Mini-Suite to Suite

See Ambassador Travel for latest news on Royal Princess Coming in June 2013!

24… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

These shows attract buyers from far and wide because they offer a huge range of boats, all in one location, all available to view on the same day with

a qualified yacht broker. Brokers are able to discuss all the matters relating to the boats on display, such as finance, insurance and berthing, as well as the boat itself. If you’re thinking about buying a yacht or motor boat this year then make sure you don’t miss these used boat events during the Easter weekend.

Thinking of Selling your Boat? There are many reasons why selling your yacht or motor boat through a broker is a good idea. However, one of the biggest attractions is that it costs you nothing to do so unless a sale completes. Leighton King, Marketing Director for Ancasta International Boat Sales, says…

“…this is one of the main reasons that many owners come to us. We have a strong presence in the market and handle hundreds of enquiries every day from buyers contacting our network of 19 offices. We can offer owners instant access to these buyers, something that many of them try to do privately through small magazine adverts and the internet. It may seem like the cheaper option but you can quickly rack up big bills by placing your own adverts whether they are online or offline. We offer an instant cost effective solution to this, not to mention the added comfort that a qualified broker will handle all of the viewings, negotiations and subsequent transactional aspects involved in selling a boat, and believe me there are a lot!”

Why should you display your boat at the Ancasta Easter Used Boat Show? The Ancasta Easter Used Boat Shows attracts buyers from all over the world. These shows have historically attracted overseas buyers because of the savings to be made as a result of recent currency fluctuations. Although contact with these buyers is possible through

the usual Ancasta service, brokers have noticed over recent years that buyers will wait until a used boat show is happening before making the trip to the UK. They’ll tend to visit the show as well as view other boats in the local area. Displaying your boat at the show ensures that this unique annual opportunity is maximised” says King.

Thinking of buying a Boat? Buying a yacht or motor boat is an expensive exercise which means that you’ll want to make absolutely sure that you end up buying the right boat at the right price. This often takes many months of viewing boats all over the region (often even further afield) and you can sometimes feel like you’re going around in circles. The great thing about a Used Boat Show is that you can spend a whole day (or even a whole weekend) viewing as many boats as you like, all in one location. This will allow you to make much more meaningful comparisons between different makes, models, sizes, ages, and prices without the inevitable time lag that is usually attached to this process.

For more information about the Ancasta Easter Used Boat Shows then contact either the Port Hamble or Port Solent Ancasta Offices (Contact details below) or visit the Ancasta website (below).

To display your boat in one of our Ancasta Easter Used Boat Shows then contact the relevant office as soon as possible. The closing date for the show is 29th March but places often fill up quickly and will be offered on a first come first served basis. Boats entered into the show will also benefit from the full Ancasta brokerage service.

The Ancasta Easter Used Boat Shows at Port Hamble and Port Solent are the perfect place to sell your boat or buy your next one. Last year there were 171 boats on display which generated over 400 viewings and resulted in the completion of 20 sales worth over 2 million pounds!

Port Solent Marina | Port Hamble Marina Opening Times: 10am – 5pm Daily

Easter Used Boat Shows 6th–9th April 2012

Ancasta Port Hamble Tel: 02380 450000Email: [email protected]

Ancasta Port Solent Tel: 02392 373300Email: [email protected]

www. ancasta.com

26… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

marmionroad

Right at the heart of this vibrant community is Marmion Road,

a bustling shopping street with an ecclectic mix of shops,

restaurants and cafes.

This is a tight knit community where the shopkeepers look after

each other and each contribute to the success of the area whilst

still creating a wonderful laid back atmosphere and extending the

warmest of welcomes.

If there is anything you want from high quality groceries to a

quirky or artisan gift with a touch of individuality then Marmion

Road is the place to find it. And as this historic shopping street is

just a pebble’s throw from the beach, it is worth a visit to Marmion

Road for a browse or a coffee even when you are in Southsea to visit

its other attractions- give it a try!

The traders of Marmion Road also support a local community

business group, ‘Love Southsea’ encouraging people to shop

locally and spend the ‘Pompey Pound’ Brought together by Louise

Whitmore the local traders are extremely proud to pull together and

support one another to buck the current trend - far from being a

‘dying highstreet’ Southsea is vibrant and thriving.

Every second Sunday ‘Love Southsea’ host a traditional market at

the Square Tower, Old Portsmouth supporting local boutique sellers,

businesses and traders to present their products to the local and

tourist trade.

Southsea is an amazing place to live,work or shop and with so many colourful and creative people in one place you can’t help but love it!words by • janet grimm

photo by • david rose-massom

Creatiques StudioThe team here at Solent Life would like to extend their

congratulations to Rob and Andrew and the team at Creatiques

who were recently announced the winners of the Portsmouth News

Business Excellence Awards Retailer of the Year . This recognises

their ongoing commitment to going the ‘extra mile’ to find brides

the dresses of their dreams . The team offer each bride a personal

one to one consultation enabling her to browse their wonderful

collection and try on that most important dress in comfort,

uninterrupted and with the team’s undivided attention.

T: 02392 826622 | www.creatiques.co.uk


meandermarmionroad

down...

LusseauOnly French food Cakes and freshly baked (every morning) pastries and bread. a good variety of French cheeses and cured meats, patés etc. French general groceries as well as French clocks, soaps from Marseille and other little gift ideas.

106 Marmion Road, pO5 2BBTel: 02392 178727

Sales: 02392 820701 • lettings: 02392 820824

Thinking of selling?If you are considering moving

home this year, then please give us a call for some free and

professional advice.

T: 023 9273 5558

35 Marmion Road, Southsea

(Opposite Waitrose)

CapersCapers is a light and airy licensed cafe in Marmion Road. Perfect for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. all the food is prepared and cooked in our kitchens and the homemade cakes are a must. Simply delicious!Tues-Sat 0900–1630 Sun/Mon 1000-153059 Marmion Road, Southsea, Hants PO5 2aX

T: 023 92 815511www.caperssouthsea.co.uk

Kids BoutiqueKids Boutique is a family run business offering children’s clothing that can’t be found on the high street.Our aim is to create a beautiful shopping experience that provides high quality, unique clothing and footwear for the special children in your life.

24 Marmion Road, SouthseaT: 02392 828580

Alain Le Rays100 Marmion Road, Southsea pO5 2BBT: 023 9287 3000

Tailor AlterationsDiscount offered on

production of this advert

• Repairs & alterations• Bridal & Evening Wear• Fitting & Dress Making• Curtain Making/alterations• School Uniforms Made to Fit

87 Marmion Rd • Southsea

023 9285 1381email: [email protected]

www.justsew.co

Lou Lou’s37 Marmion RoadT: 02392 825113 Opening Times: 08.00 - 16.00 (Sun-Thurs)

08.00 - 17.00 (fri-Sat)

28… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Your chance to win a pamper package worth £170

KENSINGTON HAIR STUDIOOffer you a free cut and finish carried out by one of aveda’s professionally trained stylist to include consultation, head massage, organic glass of wine and luxury Cocco chocolate for those who dare. Worth £50

MARILYNS FLORAL BOUTIqUEThe lucky winner will receive a stunning individual seasonal bouquet, every women’s dream! Worth £50

SOUTHSEA BEAUTY LASER & SPAOffer you a choice of treatment whist relaxing in luxurious surroundings. Value of £30

CAPERSThe perfect lunch for 2 using only the best quality produce whilst relaxing in a bistro environment. Value £20

COCOa delicious box of pure indulgence handmade chocolates, pure heaven! Value £20

All gifts are non-reedable for cash, this offer can not be used in conjunction with any other promotion.

Details:LOVE SOUTHSEa SUNDaY MaRKETS EVERY FRIST aND SECOND SUNDaY OF EVERY MONTH Come along and visit one of Portsmouth’s oldest buildings and look at the great stalls we have on offer. Small antiques, boutique businesses, not on the high street finds for your home, beautiful jewelery and so much more.

Have a delicious cup of tea and a slice of cake courtesy of our vintage tearooms all served up to you on old fashion vintage crockery.

The market is will be on every first and second Sunday of the month, please come along and show your support to the local community, local businesses and historic sites of Portsmouth City.

We would really appreciate your support and would ask you to pass on this information to anyone you may feel would be interested in these markets.

Shop Local, keep the pound in Portsmouth.

www.lovesouthsea.co.uk

49 Marmion Rd • Southsea (Licensed cafe)

• Great home cooked food

• Sunday roast with vegetarian & vegan option

• Best all day traditional English breakfast meat, vegetarian & vegan!

• Milkshakes & Fruit smoothies

• Beers & Coffees too!

lovesouthseaThe ‘Love Southsea’ markets are back for 2012 and better than ever. We are now taking over THE FIRST AND SECOND SUNDAY of every month, starting on Sunday 5th February.

Spring 2012 at Preview Boutiquea selection of unusual day and evening wear, bags and accessories.

Quote “Solent Life” when you purchase and receive 15% off.

Find us on facebook www.facebook.com/previewboutique

Enter our free prize draw to win a £50 gift voucher to spend.

Email: [email protected] and attach your name and address.

Names will be drawn on May 31st 2012.

www.preview-boutique.co.ukT: 02392 832 45253 Marmion Road • Southsea coat £39

bag £29

blouse £35 scarf £9

To enter simply answer the following question:What is the name of the supporting local community

business group in Southsea?Entries to [email protected]

Closing date: 31.03.2012


John WoolnoughM E M O R I A L D E S I G N

• HAnd cRAFted MeMORiALS• eXceLLent AttentiOn tO detAiL• APPROVed BY LOcAL cOUnciLS• StOne, GRAnite & MARBLe• ALL WORk FULLY GUARAnteed • PeRSOnAL & cARinG SeRVice

our work is very competitively priced

T: 01329 220710

M: 07702 441278

6 R e d B A R n L A n e • F A R e H A M • H A n t S • P O 1 6 7 U t

• HOMe ViSitS ARRAnGed• RenOVAtiOn & RePAiRS • Pet MeMORiALS • HOUSe PLAqUeS etc• SUPeRB RAnGe • FULLY inSURed

Est 1989

Set in a beautiful private location on the South Downs, surrounded by woodland.

Distant views of the Solent and Isle of Wight, Horse-drawn funeral cart and DIY

funerals a speciality.

Rooms & catering available for service & wake

Call Al Blake on 01730 823425E:mail [email protected]

all profits support The Sustainability Centre

www.sustainability-centre.org

MAke YOUR

FinAL jOURneY

A POSitiVe One

Solent Funeral ServicesOur Family Serving Your Family

Independent Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons

l Male & Female Funeral Directors l Traditional Funerals & Life Celebrations l Multi-Faith Services

l Woodland Burialsl Embalming Service Available l Pre Payment Plans Available

Now Serving the communities of Park Gate, Warsash, Locks Heath, Stubbington, Titchfield & Fareham

82-84 High Street, Lee-on-Solent PO13 9DA • 023 9271 7039 • 109 Stoke Road, Gosport PO12 ILR • 023 9258 7741 E-mail: [email protected] • www.solentfuneralservices.com

Why not check us out online?

Scan the qR code on your smart phone for a direct link to the Solent Life website! Keep up to date on the move, read this months features and enter our competition! visit our website at: www.solentlife.co.uk

there’s an app for that...

30… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

I have been looking forward to driving this elegant mid range C-class Mercedes as it has gained a reputation of being a smaller

S-class – if true, this would indeed be a great achievement. Styling is actually very similar to both the E and S-class and so in appearance at least, it does indeed closely resemble the larger saloons. Seating is typically Mercedes, with both support, comfort, and plenty of adjustments. The cabin is spacious with more than adequate front seat legroom; even adjusted to accommodate the tallest driver there is good space for the rear passengers. The cabin width is excellent which adds to that feeling of space. The model tested was the C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Elegance and came equipped with a number of options which actually gave a level of specification that was rather good. Controls for the extensive facilities offered by the (optional) COMMAND online system and media pack, together with the information system were intuitive and easy to use – as indeed, were all of the controls. Modern technology in cars just keeps evolving with more and more driver aids to make the whole experience, not only easier and safer, but altogether more enjoyable. The package of equipment and options on our test car, I would personally judge to

be just ideal. Finished off with an amazingly excellent Bi-xenon intelligent lighting system, the package was complete. Automatic light switching (not only on and off when it got dark, but the sensing of other cars and dipping of main beam etc), automatic windscreen wipers, automatic mirror dimming and a host of other things – is there anything easier – all that’s left for the driver to do is just point it in the direction you want to go. The 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine performance is superb. With 204 bhp and some 500Nm of torque (and that’s nearly 70% more than the equivalent sized petrol engine) 0-62mph takes just 7 seconds and gives a top speed of 149 mph. With this sort of performance I can’t help but admit my amazement at fuel consumption figures which indicate a return of over 47 mpg around town and nearly 59 mpg for motorway. This engine does make for fairly effortless driving, especially on our crowded roads. Yes, there are larger engine options – right up to the 6.3 litre V8 with almost 2.5 times more power and with acceleration that will pull your face off, but I promise this one will not disappoint. The Elegance model has ‘comfort’ suspension which might be construed to mean soft and wallowing; not the case – it is firm enough to provide excellent handling with minimal body roll etc, whilst providing a very comfortable ride. So does it stand up to the reputation of being a smaller S-class? Well not quite, but it really is quite close! l

comfort, luxury, performance and plenty of gizmos for even the most enthusiastic of executive car owners – it must be a Mercedes!

road | test

luxuryexecutive

His summary

More than impressed by this car; an excellent blend of performance, comfort luxury and space.

words by david hill & janet grimm


Now as regular readers will know, I am rather fond of German

cars so I too was looking forward to driving the Mercedes C250 and it didn’t disappoint. This is an extremely comfortable and luxurious car to drive, with plenty of room for the whole family, even the youngest who has suddenly become the tallest! He rather fancied playing with the onboard computer- he is a teenager after all – but fortunately his arms aren’t long enough to reach from the back seat – yet! The SatNav in the model we drove was excellent, providing up to date and accurate information about motorway services, shops and petrol stations as well as changing from day to night mode when it got dark and displaying a night scene. The SatNav is connected to a brilliant gadget in the centre of the speedo which advises you of the speed limit on the road ahead and which gently reminds you of it when you are approaching the limit. This car has lots of safety features and the first one I experienced was the slightly disconcerting tightening of the seat belt as I fastened it although it did quickly release. It turns out that this is an indication of the cleverest thing about this car. The car constantly monitors the driver and if there is a problem with the car or the driver becomes tired it senses this and automatically sets itself to keep the driver

(or passengers) as safe as possible and as it has monitored your size, shape and is even able to take into account the clothes you are wearing, it is able to do just that – very safe and very clever. A further source of slight consternation to me, as I had never seen them before, were the intuitive headlights but it took moments to get used to them and now I wonder how I can live without them. A drive down a rather winding country road was so much easier with this clever system lighting the way. With a family to feed and clothe and fuel prices rising every day it seems, economy is becoming more and more important and again the C250CDi ticks all the boxes. If you are stopped at traffic lights or in traffic then the fuel saving start stop system operates. I have driven a number of manual cars with this system but found that it is far easier and much smoother in the automatic Mercedes. The super economy of this car does not affect its performance in the slightest and it drives smoothly and efficiently and ‘pulls like a train’ l

Her summary

A car which is definitely near the top of my ‘want’ list; Easy to live with, comfortable, clever, smooth and economical- a bit like me!!

The vehicle tested was a Mercedes C250 CDI Blue EFFICIENCY Elegance and was kindly provided by Mercedes-Benz of Portsmouth,

For more information: Mercedes-Benz of Portsmouth Portsmouth Motor Park, Airport Service Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5FH 023 9280 8807 | www.mercedes-benzofportsmouth.co.uk

32… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

So – what did you do with yours? Did you use your extra day this leap year to do something to make a difference or was it just another day?

Even if you didn’t use February 29th itself as your extra day, it’s not too late to make a difference

to a local homeless person like Catherine. Catherine Russell is a resident at a Two Saints Hostel. She arrived with an alcohol problem that had not only cost her, her family, home and job, but had almost killed her. Now she uses her background in recruitment to help other residents learn to use computers, perhaps to get back in touch with friends and family or to look for work placements or jobs. “I’ve got responsibilities and a sense of purpose, and its helped me to become completely dry.” Please visit our website to meet some of the people we have worked with, like Catherine, hear their amazing stories and be inspired to do something. As Spring approaches, all of us at Two Saints are getting ‘on our bikes’ so perhaps you could use your extra day to join other Two Saints supporters on a sponsored Cycle Ride on the Isle of Wight for the annual IOW Randonnee on the 6th May. John Holding is a keen cyclist and is raising funds to help Two Saints work with more people

like Catherine ,helping to give them back their futures. He will be taking part in the 100km ride (Shorter routes are available!) and John is 71 years young so age is no object. Would you like to join him or perhaps take part in your own fundraising event? Please see our website or phone 01329 234600. Two Saints has a history of providing innovative solutions to homelessness. Just one of the many examples of our projects that go the extra mile, is our forthcoming Bike Workshop which will be based in Portsmouth. We are currently renovating a large shed at one of our premises and building a workshop where our residents can learn to service their own bikes and help others to do the same. Our workshop will contribute to crime reduction; encourage enterprise and self fulfilment – just some of the many ways we work to rebuild lives. And you can help. We are looking for volunteers to help us deliver practical workshops, coordinate the many donated bikes we are already receiving, and work alongside our residents helping them to get back on track. Its hugely rewarding, and you only need to donate any time you can spare. l

Check out our website…

twosaints.org.uk

charity | focus

words by janet grimm & images by two saints

754People helped to manage mental health issues.

332People helped to find paid work.

188People helped

to gain a formal qualification.

3000People supported

every year.

TwoSaints

➜So don’t forget that extra day – you can make a difference.


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We have pool tables • darts • cards • dominoes • baking aromatherapy • indoor golf • skittles • horse racing • bingo

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A Grand day out Solent Day care has been established in Stokes Road, Gosport for less than a year but has already built a great reputation for offering the highest levels of needs centred planned day care.On Mondays and Fridays the fully qualified team led by Jan Loman offer care to the elderly including those with dementia. Clients enjoy home cooked food and a variety of activities as well as shopping trips and mystery tours or even just some fun and company.Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the days for adults with learning difficulties. a full range of activities including regular trips to the pub or the beach, shopping, cookery lessons, also canoeing, climbing, sailing, archery and swimming for the more active.a full days care at Solent Day Care costs just £45 (fabulous value in comparison to residential or even childcare) and includes travel between the clients home and the centre , all activities and a two course home cooked meal.If you would like to have a chat or enquire about the day centre please do not hesitate to call Jan and her team on 02392 522773.

34… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

How does Earmarking work in practice?

‘For divorce actions that commenced before 1 December 2000, divorcing couples had the choice of either offsetting the pension rights against other assets in the financial settlement, or by making them subject to an earmarking or attachment order, in which case a ‘clean break’ was not available. Earmarking orders can provide for the payment of a lump sum or pension, and can vary the disposition of lump sum benefits. An earmarking order will not make an ex-spouse a member of a pension scheme in their own right. In effect it is only a payment mechanism, requiring trustees or managers of pension schemes to pay a proportion of the member’s benefits directly to the ex spouse. Where an earmarking order has been issued and the member subsequently transfers to another scheme (or personal pension), the earmarking order also transfers to the other scheme. The courts are also given a wide power to direct payment of all or part of any lump sum death benefits, overriding any discretion given to the pension scheme trustees. However, earmarking has its weaknesses:

l Earmarking does not allow a clean break as the ownership of the pension remains with the original member. The ex-spouse therefore needs to keep the trustees of the member’s scheme advised of any changes in their circumstances (eg. change of address, remarriage etc),

l The payment of the earmarked pension benefits can only start when the member takes benefits and the ex-spouse cannot force a member to take benefits at a set date,

l The payment of the earmarked pension benefits ends when the member dies,

l If the ex-spouse predeceases the member, any earmarked pension benefits automatically revert to the member,

l A pension earmarking order (but not a lump sum order) automatically lapses if the exspouse remarries,

How does Pension Sharing work in practice? Pension sharing was introduced to allow divorcing couples a ‘clean break’ solution by transferring pension rights from one of the divorcing couple to the other. The ex-spouse ‘owns’ the entitlement to the benefits and is able to choose where to invest their share and, subject to Scheme Rules and overriding legislation, when and how to take benefits.

A court in England and Wales can only make a pension sharing order when one of the divorcing parties were domiciled in England and Wales on the date of the statement of marital breakdown, or habitually resident in England and Wales throughout the preceding year. In addition, no UK pension provider is obliged to comply with a pension sharing order made against it by a court outside the UK.

The types of pension that can be covered by a pension sharing order include:

l All individual pension arrangements, including personal pensions, stakeholder pensions and retirement annuity contracts,

l All employer sponsored pensions, whether funded or unfunded, including S32 buy-outs, inhouse AVCs and Free Standing AVCs and whether active, deferred or pensioner member,

l SERPS / State Second pension but exclude:

l The basic state pension,

l Widow(er)’s and dependants’ pensions already in payment (including cases where benefits are being taken by income drawdown),

l (In Scotland) benefits accrued outside the period of marriage.

The pension benefits will be valued at a date chosen by the pension scheme administrator, although this must be within three months of the member’s request. The value of the pension rights will be the Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV), rather than the current value.

A pension sharing order will not necessarily be based on a 50:50 split. The exact amount will vary depending on the financial agreement. However, in England, Wales and Northern

Ireland the pension sharing order will be expressed as a percentage of the member’s CETV under the scheme,rather than as a specified amount. In Scotland the order may be expressed as a percentage of the CETV or a specified amount.

The pension sharing order applies equally to all of the member’s benefits under a scheme (including any pensions already in payment). Therefore if an order indicated that 60% of the member’s benefits were to be shared, this would apply equally to any contracted out and non-contracted out benefits under the scheme and to any in-house AVCs where they are part of the main scheme. That part of the pension that the scheme member gives up is known as a ‘pension debit’, while the amount that the ex-spouse receives is referred to a ‘pension credit’.

There are two ways in which the ex-spouse may be granted their pension credit. They may either become a member of the existing pension scheme or transfer the pension credit to a scheme of their choice. All personal pension, stakeholder and funded occupational pension schemes must offer the ex-spouse the choice of transferring the pension credit and can choose whether or not to grant the ex-spouse membership of the scheme. Unfunded public sector schemes can only offer transfers if the scheme is closed and the pension credit can be accepted by another public sector scheme. In practice most private sector defined benefit schemes are unlikely to offer membership to the ex spouse due to the ever-increasing costs of maintaining defined benefit liabilities. Where a pension in payment is being split, the ex-spouse does not need to continue to take income. The actuarial value of the member’s pension can be transferred into a different pension scheme and the ex-spouse then decides whether or not to take benefits at that time. l

money | matters

divorce & pensionswords by justin stevens

To receive complimentary information on your Wealth Management, Retirement Planning including your Options at retirement or Inheritance Tax Planning needs, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Justin Stevens, Partner of St. James’s Place Wealth Management on 01489 790797, by email [email protected] or visit www.justin-stevens.co.uk

don’t miss your iSA opportunity subscribe by the 5th April ‘Use it or Lose it’Higher taxes are headline news and making full use of your annual ISA allowance has never been more important. However, review your ISA investment performance before topping up, and remember ‘don’t keep all your eggs in one basket ‘spread your Investments around. A St. James’s Place ISA invests your money with some of the world’s top investment managers, giving you every opportunity to maximise the tax benefits.


A s any radio listener will know the busiest show of the day is the early

morning show but for David his hectic schedule was about to be invaded and interrupted. Solent Life had been invited along to see how the show worked together with a special guest – Bev Woods from Locks Heath who had won the Solent Life competition to spend the morning sitting in on The Breeze Breakfast Show.

The light on the mic glows red and as if connected physically to the presenter David’s smile broadens and his upbeat voice fills the airways; just a short link between songs this time from the presenter who has 25 years of experience in radio. Mic off, headphones slipped from his head, and David chatted about his job. “When I began it was putting records onto the turntable and setting them up in the right place ready to play.” He explained as Bev looked on intently, engrossed in the experience. “Then it was stacks of CDs but as you can see now the whole system and all the music is now on the computer, no records and no CDs anymore.” For the Breakfast Show presenter early morning is a part of the day when it is just them and their listeners, it is almost a personal thing with each listener being the only one David is talking to; the office outside is empty apart from David Brown getting his next news bulletin ready and Hayley Ray checking on traffic movement, or lack of it, on The Breeze area roads. Bev and I both felt as if we were invading the presenter’s space but David was an amiable and informative host. It’s nineteen minutes to eight and a showbiz update leads into a traffic report from Hayley before the Corrs are introduced as the next song; a teaser from David further builds up the listener expectation for the next few pieces of music before the news bulletin on the dot of eight o’clock. The Solent Life tag-line introduces the weather bulletin and then back to the show. It is a fascinating experience watching the events unfold on something that we only usually hear coming through our car radios.

Bev explained why this visit was so exciting for her; she was like a child waiting to unwrap a Christmas present! “When I was a kid I recall hiding under my blankets with my cheap transistor radio tuned into Radio Luxemburg and I always wondered how radio stations worked.” Her questions were all being answered as outside the studio window the sun began to lighten the day. Following an on-air chat between the two Davids the O’Jays began to play, and Bev began to dance, while The Breeze Programme Director, Andy Turner was tasked with fetching bacon sandwiches and coffee for the interlopers. For most of the show Bev stood looking over David’s shoulder watching his every move; that was until he handed a slip of paper across and told Bev she was reading the weather report. She was a natural, word perfect and with great diction. After eight the show picks up in pace and becomes even busier for the presenter as he has listener’s texts to respond to, scripts to read, links to the next-door news studio, links to Hayley for the regular traffic updates. On top of that it was time to promote and receive phone calls for the Station’s prize competition ‘The Word is Out’, where a short quote from a celebrity is played with a word missing and listeners have to guess the word; this is a serious competition and only presenter David and Programme Director Andy know the answer as the current competition is creeping up toward £2,400 in prize money. As Lucy from the Isle of Wight comes on line there is a physical excitement in the studio that she may be the one – sadly for Lucy she fails to pick the

missing word. Despite the extra guests in the studio the Breakfast Show was as smooth and professional as always, David has been doing the job far too long to let a couple of tourists put him off. And The Breeze/ Solent Life prize winner Bev, well she was still grinning from ear-to ear! “That was fantastic, very enlightening and although the bacon sandwich was a little bit naughty it was well worth getting up at

5.30 for.” She said as she was dragged kicking and screaming from the studio clutching a goody bag. l

winning soundsIt had just turned 6am when I hit the road and headed toward the studio; but for the Breeze Breakfast Show presenter David Perry his working day had already begun with a cheery good morning and some smooth music

36… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Gosport based Toe in the Water came into being three years ago after a chance meeting between charity Director, Tanya Brookfield and Captain

Holly King, a physiotherapist at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court. Holly felt that taking the injured servicemen out of Headley and into the world of competitive sailing could make a substantial difference. With a background in running a professional yacht racing team Tanya had the expertise to make it happen, and, with her warm personality and cool head, she quickly became a big sister to many of the boys who have sailed with TITW. Yearly between three and four hundred men and women find themselves at Headley due to injuries sustained whilst serving.

Rehabilitation is a slow and arduous process, and there is also the psychological damage; this can sometimes be harder to deal with than the physical. Many struggle with the feeling that they are now less than they were. TITW provides competitive sailing for 60 to 70 injured servicemen, and women each year and Solent Life visited Tanya and Lloyd Hamilton, the sailing coach and skipper.

“Competitive sailing challenges the crew.” says Lloyd. “It re-introduces the boys, taken from all the services, into the team environment where they can work together to compete. The goal is to beat the other boat, and knowing that they are an integral cog, that if they go slowly they could let the team down, they focus on their role. They know what they’re doing because of the training they’ve had. It’s exactly the same as going through the rules of engagement,

dipping a

Sailing charity toe in the Water was described by one supporter as ‘rehabilitation by stealth’, but one double amputee, who sailed with them as part of his treatment, stated it in much simpler terms; “The experience made me feel human again!”

words by fiona cooke & david rose-massom

charity | focus


doing your role when it’s required to make the team win so that we all come out of it in a better place.” Tanya explained the importance of Toe in the Water; “In the first year just 19 injured servicemen sailed with us and last year it was around 60 who used us as part of their rehabilitation pathway.”

“The medics are saving so many more people with severe injuries because war zone treatment has come so far in recent years.” She continued. “It is not just about loss of limbs, there are many more blast injuries to be taken into account and these service personnel are in mid treatment when they come to us. The clinicians send them as part of their treatment and we are a short term intervention that has long term impact. All that injured people want is to feel normal again and what we do works because of the simplicity of it.”

“There is a clear shared goal, a clear chain of command, a uniform – sailing gear supplied at massive discount by Helly Hanson – and once on the water they become just like everyone else. They gain invisibility by being part of something!” As Tanya explains, sailing is a high risk sport for anyone – let alone amputees! “None of the boats are adapted in any way and the crews have to adjust to the boat. We are doing one simple thing and it is a turn-key moment – we change things!” Lloyd explained that the crews take sailing very seriously and race hard. “You can imagine how annoying it is for the people who train week in, week out and practise really hard, with the same group of people on the same boat and then, with all this experience, have a bunch of squaddies, with one days training and one leg, rock up and rank significantly higher!” Lloyd said an important aspect of being part of the crew is the banter. “One amputee told Tanya; ‘I may have lost a leg, but you are ginger and I would rather be less a leg than be ginger!” Tanya laughed at the story and

said it was typical of the banter. “It is all very un-PC but these are young soldiers getting back their sense of humour and their ordinary lives.” Lloyd added. Everyone involved with the charity makes an enormous difference, but it seems none more so than Lloyd. At the end of January Lloyd, who is a quietly spoken and confident man, will be at Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE from the Queen, which has been awarded in recognition of both his work in Afghanistan and with the charity. Tanya believes that it is Lloyd who really inspires the boys. He joined the Royal Engineers at the age of 16 and in 2009, as a senior NCO, he was detailed to look at the electrical power generation for the forward operating bases in Afghanistan. He went on to become the Power Manager for the whole war zone, completing three tours in two years, and, at the age of 38 is about to make the huge leap from NCO to Captain. Lloyd has sailed all his life, been an instructor since 1994, and in 2008 became the skipper of the army sailing team. It was during the process of taking the team through to representing Great Britain that he recognised one of his assets; that was the difference he felt when enjoying someone else’s success completely blew him away, for him it was far greater than his own success and was a big turning point for him. It seemed fated that Lloyd should become involved with TITW when he continued his association with the army team by coaching the first Toe in the Water experience, and went on to become the Racing Director. When you consider that, in the last three years, Lloyd has only spent one Christmas at home with his wife and two young children, it is inspiring that he should give so much time and commitment to the charity. Typical of Lloyd, he did not think of himself when he heard the news of his MBE.

“I was in awe of the fact and filled with pride because Toe in the Water had got the recognition it deserved. I was proud

for everyone, the crews and the many volunteers and supporters involved in what we do.” TITW receives help and funding from many sources. Last year they were chosen as the Cowes Week official charity for the next three years. They are loaned boats from various organisations; the RYA, UKSA, Surrey County Council, Langley Holdings, the Army and R.A.F. but Tanya feels that they are only able to do what they do largely because of the additional support from the local community. “The biggest contribution is all the goodwill, the little things, such as the collecting tin in the local sandwich shop. One of our largest costs is feeding everyone. When we go to an event there are up to 55 of us and the discounts from local bars, restaurants and supermarkets make such a difference. It is not often we get to say thank you, but we are so very grateful to everyone who helps.” As for Lloyd’s commitment, Tanya explains;

“First of all he is a soldier, he understands how the system works; he has served in all the places the boys have; he has a great sense of humour, personality and professionalism, allied with being quite modest and humble. More than that, he is just so extremely passionate about sailing, about what sailing can do and about helping the boys see what they can achieve. Lloyd gives the boys wings and sets them free in a way that lets them know he believes in them and that’s a real gift.”l

If you would like to attend the crew volunteer selection weekend in March, make a donation or organise a fundraising event please email Tanya at [email protected]

www.toeinthewater.org

38… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

solent | education

tough lovewords by david rose-massom

At the end of the rainbow there is a pot of gold so they say; well that can also be said of Fareham’s Rainbow Centre but the size and value of the virtual pot of gold depends on the individual and what they are able to achieve.

One of the functions of the Rainbow Centre is to inspire and support children with Cerebral Palsy and their families. Through a system of

learning called Conductive Education, they encourage and teach the participants to take an active role in their own development. They will learn new ways to become active and happy individuals who are proud of their own achievements and ready for life’s challenges. The focus is on inspiring them to reach their full potential.Solent Life visited the Centre and spoke with Service Director, Senior Conductor Teacher – Magdi Kovacs; “We are the conductors of an orchestra, leading each individual musician in the same way as a real orchestral conductor, except our musicians are the children. They know the score but we just have to get them to believe it is possible to achieve; and this is through the trust gained from being in safe hands.”As Magdi spoke we were viewing a children’s play area through an observation window and while one staff member set up a huge sheet of bubble wrap, a great invention, under mats and coverings, two other staff members, with great care, lifted an immobile and inactive young girl into a four-wheeled walker. What happened next was astonishing as this little girl suddenly kicked her feet, stretched her legs and began to ‘drive’ the wheeler around the room, out of the door and along the corridor.

She had freedom – and made her own choices of where to go, she made the decision to move or not move and from her earlier deadpan expression there was now a light in her eyes; looking at Magdi standing

next to me there was also a light in her eyes!The Rainbow Centre is a fun place, in the entrance hall stands a five foot Scooby-Doo wrapped in a rainbow scarf and on every wall and along every corridor there are the photos of children with smiling faces.

“The joy and drive comes from the families and the children we work with. As I see it, we are privileged to serve these families with special children and they trust us,” Magdi continued. “Then there are the achievements; and not just with the children but also with the parents. Watching their progress in accepting the person, that is their child, and not the disability; they also form friendships with other parents and begin to support each other.

“The parents have to come to terms with

what has happened to their child and not be frightened by the disability. They need time and guidance before they can get to enjoy their own child. The pressure comes from outside because of the labels and the views

of disabilities. It is our job, despite the difficulties, to focus on what a child can do and that will be different with each individual.

“It’s an ‘I can do’ approach making the whole family recognise what their abilities are and then praising their achievements; making them proud of what they have done, – this makes them even more driven to move onto the next goal.”So what do the close knit, and highly experienced, team get out of their input?

“It is a joy to celebrate the lives of these children and watch as their quality of life grows; and that is for the whole family, not just the child.”

Parents discover the Rainbow Centre through word of mouth, and media coverage. “We get the children as soon as they are diagnosed and that can be from six months old. We can then offer our services for as long as we can all work together and it is beneficial to the family,” Magdi said.

“It is a dedicated team here and we all support each other; it is our task to find the key to each child that will enable them to show the world what they are capable of.” l

For more information on the Rainbow Centre and its charitable work visit www.rainbowcentre.org or telephone 01329 289500.

‘’It is a dedicated team here and we all support each other; it is our task to find the key to each child that will enable them to show the world what they are capable of.


Fareham CollegeFareham College is a thriving, close-knit, supportive College which

offers over 130 courses. There is something to suit everyone, with

a range of levels to suit individual abilities and career goals. There

are A-levels and BTECS to suit those who wish to go down the

academic/university route and vocational qualifications for those

who want to work in a specific industry.

There are so many options to consider when choosing a college,

and often, it’s not just the course content that interests students.

It’s all the extras that come with studying for the future. All of

the courses run regular trips and visits, and often, these are to

international destinations.

Over the last year there have been trips to Lisbon, Berlin, La

Fosca, Disneyland Paris, and Gray. Students have also visited key

companies within the UK to ensure they see where their course

can take them in the future. Such organisations include IBM, BBC,

Cadbury’s World, Virgin Atlantic, as well as various theatres,

galleries, uniformed services bases, conferences and exhibitions.

Trips and visits are a vital part of any college course and at

Fareham College, these support the students to develop on the

course and provide them with an insight into other cultures and

potential employers.

If you want to be part of this, then there is still time to apply

either online or send in the form from the prospectus to start in

September 2012. You can also apply at the Information Evening

which will be on 26 April, 5-7pm. For more information about any

of the courses, call (01329) 815200, visit www.fareham.ac.uk or

find the College on Facebook and Twitter.

40… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Deciding which college is right for you? Find out what we have to offer!All students aged 16-18 at South Downs College will receive free

tuition and exams for their course and every student will be

supplied with text books for their course. Students with young

children will get help with childcare through the Care to Learn

Scheme, and can take advantage of our on-site nursery.

All full-time students aged 16 -18 are eligible to apply for a

subsidised South Downs Travel Pass, helping to reduce the cost

of travelling to College.

We offer 44 A levels, and had a fantastic pass rate of 99.3% last year.

We also have a wide range of vocational courses.

The College is home to superb facilities including five student cafes,

a large Learning Resource Centre; theatre; music suite with practice

rooms, recital room and a recording studio. The award winning

restaurant and hair and beauty salons are also open to the public.

We also have a well-equipped fitness centre!

Let us help you to get to College. For more information, please

visit www.southdowns.ac.uk , call Student Services on 023 9279

7969 or come along to our Open Evening on Tuesday 6th March.

Our next Open Morning for the Kindergarten and Infant School is on Saturday, 10th March from 10am to 12 noon.


A fter a quiet start to the Solent Life 2013 Calendar Competition, this

month has given us a tricky task of picking a winner; some beautiful images

have been sent in.

Now spring is on the way and with just a few weeks until the clocks go forward

to British Summer Time, the opportunity for taking some great photographs increases.

Wonderful new subjects for the new season’s photography include: new blooms, chicks in

the nest, swallows in flight and lambing – all happening across the region and all in warmer

weather (hopefully).

Our one disappointment here at the judging table in the Solent Life offices, is the lack of

images from our talented younger photographers, come on you under sixteen snappers,

the old folks are showing you up – get out there with your cameras and show us what you

can do!

And, don’t forget that this year we have an extra prize of The Young Photographer

of the Year.

Our thanks for the continued sponsorship from the London Camera Exchange,

Fareham branch. l

March’s winner… david phillipson

T H E R U L E S :

All images must be taken by the named photographer

and the photographer should not be a professional

(eg earning the bulk of their income from photography).

Images should be ‘landscape’ in format, saved as Jpegs

and named for their location. Images should then be sent

via email as high resolution and accompanied clearly

with name, address and a contact number. The judges

decision each month and for Photographer of the Year is

final and no correspondence will be entered into. Send

your entries to [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION SPONSORSHIPOur Calendar competition is kindly sponsored by the LONDON CAMERA EXCHANGE FAREHAM & NIKON 135 West Street, Fareham. T: 01329 236441. E: [email protected]

competitionphoto2013

photography

42… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

queen Victoria and Prince Albert together with the King of the French and the Duke of Montpensier took dinner in this room on the night of 14th October 1844 when storm bound in Gosport. Their host was the then storekeeper Mr Thomas Grant. The queen was 25 years old at the time. “And the Duke of Boot was also in attendance!” added the current incumbent of the house Giles Padmore who, along with wife Paula, have renovated it to its former stunning glory.

solent | history

reborna home

words & images by denise barlow


The story of Queen Victoria’s visit is engraved into a brass plate that hangs in the dining room of The Superintendent’s House in Gosport and last October,

Solent Life joined the Mayor and members of the Gosport Society, as a green plaque was unveiled celebrating the careful renovation of the historic house. The house is at the former naval victualling complex at Royal Clarence Yard and was designed in 1830, by G L Taylor, architect to the Navy Board and became known as the Superintendent’s House. I sat with Giles at the refectory table in his kitchen drinking fresh brewed coffee and listening to the stories of how they purchased the house and then restored it. “It was a shell and had not been lived in for around 30 years; nobody is quite sure how long it had been empty, even the admiralty, who had owned it, had no data; but every door had a notice scrawled onto the paintwork stating ‘room cleared 1989’ so we can safely assume that is when the house was emptied.” Giles explained. Giles and his wife Paula have transformed that shell into a comfortable home, it is not a precious artefact, but has a warm welcoming feel and is filled with wonderful pictures and knick-knacks in keeping with its history. “It is okay when you visit a reclamation yard to buy a tap or something but we were going in and trying to buy it all.” He laughed before explaining that often the things on display around his home were gifts between themselves, such as the beautiful alchemists’ jars that stand in a row atop the traditional styled kitchen units. “I always wanted some of those and Paula bought them for my birthday, although it was seven months early!”

“We had a year to think about the work and the impact it would have on us as it took that long to exchange contracts. There were no mains services: water or electricity and all were

connected just 12 hours before we moved in. We completed the contracts on 1st May and four weeks later we had cleared all the debris and rubbish and began work in earnest on 1st June, it then took eight months to complete the renovation which was quite quick for a house of this size.” As Giles spoke, it almost seemed as if it had been a trouble free time, but as with most jobs like this, nothing was further from the truth. “It was a very traumatic experience; much could, and did go wrong.” He said. “With walls that are 15” or more thick, even some modern tools were no good. We were able to buy the house and take on the renovation because we knew we were prepared to ‘rough it’ during the refit and we knew that there was going to be around a year of challenges ahead of us.” Although both Giles and Paula had their own careers, Giles remained closely involved on a daily basis. “Although we originally had a builder, I really wanted to be involved. In the end you become so passionate about what you are trying achieve, it is very easy to fall out with contractors; that happened with us. Also, throughout most of the build we were living in here, as we could not afford to rent locally and pay all the bills for the house, it was just unaffordable doing it that way.” On entering the house the first thing that strikes visitors are the height of the ceilings and the quality of the flooring. Long lengths of floor boards shine with age and wear and the boards are so wide that Giles believes they must have originally been the decking on a ship, and these boards are all held down by original style pins. In every room there is something to excite, to impress, whether that be the old and still disused coal cellar, the wine cellar which is currently the junk room or the only modernity that has been designed in; the contemporary and stunning bathrooms. “I was the kitchen and Paula was the bathrooms.” Giles admitted.

Was it always sweetness and light between husband and wife? “Paula and I agreed all along that we would not compromise on any part of the build. There was so much to do we had to split tasks and of course we still had to earn a living, but everything was a joint decision.” They do differ in one way when it comes to the house though. “Paula is more thoughtful about buying things for the house, whereas I see something I like and within moments it is wrapped and sold!

“Paula and I are a real partnership; I would not have had my business if it had not been for her support.” Giles continued. “Throughout the build I tried hard not to let anything get to me, it was my job not to appear as though I wanted to shoot everyone involved. I felt I had to be the happy smiley one. Paula did go off on a short holiday at one point for ten days, but I had to call her as there was no-one to share the brunt, I really did miss her and we really do support each other.” So, like many couples who renovate, is the Superintendent’s House a case of now the job is done, it’s time to move on? “We both think this is the one; this is our house and home. Maybe sometime we will move on as it is a big house for just the two of us; but this really does feel like home.” One compliment that must be paid to Giles and Paula about their transformation of this Palladian style, late Georgian house, it does feel homely. It is a beautiful transformation that has taken love, care and a lot of hard work and dedication, but from an empty shell they have built a stunning home as well as continued the long story of a beautiful

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Fantastic. Instead of getting out there, turning my face up to the sun and enjoying the sights that nature has laid

out for me, I can roll up my sleeves, get on my hands and knees and clean the parts that have not seen the light of day for twelve long months. Why? What rule says that because it is spring I have to clean? And why do only women seem to do it? Where are the men when we are scrubbing and shaking? When we are beating everything in sight, including slow moving children who refuse to get out of bed when we want turn their mattresses, and remove a year’s worth of discarded detritus from behind the headboard? Spring cleaning seems to come naturally to some women; they relish the challenge. Their planning starts weeks ahead with the precision of a military operation; drawing up schedules, having coded conversations with like-minded allies about the most effective hardware and then sourcing supplies. Come D-Day they assemble their weapons of mass destruction, don their uniform, and set to with much vim, vigour and the odd battle cry. Weary but victorious they emerge, sometimes days later, with their trusty vacuum cleaner by their side, the dust of the battle in their hair, blisters on their knuckles, and a bad case of housewife’s knee. For weeks after they will snap “Don’t touch that, I’ve just cleaned it” at anyone who dares to do much more than breathe in the house. And all kudos to these fearless, brave women. They have my untold admiration

and respect, for they achieve what I can only dream of. I have tried. Come spring I do get the urge to have a clear out and clean up. I’m not sure where the urge comes from; whether as a woman it is part of my genetic make-up. But given the right wind and the right mood I enjoy the thought of spring cleaning my house, yet the result is always the same. With much enthusiasm I will start, for example, in the lounge; I’ll assemble the vacuum and cleaning materials and commence with retrieving Lego from under the sofas and taking it up to my son’s bedroom. Entering his room will lead to the discovery that the gerbils have no water, and quite possibly have not had any for days, which will take me to the bathroom, where I will remember that the u-bend on the bath needs unblocking. This necessitates hunting for a screwdriver to remove the side of the bath, which takes me to the under stairs cupboard. Here I will find that, due to my habit of opening the door, throwing in any odd item which has no real home and shutting the door quickly, it is impossible to find my toolbox. As I am spring cleaning, it makes sense to take everything out of the cupboard for sorting. Once I’ve found a screwdriver I’ll leave the contents of the cupboard all over the hall floor to come back to, and return upstairs. Having un-bunged the bath, and as I am spring cleaning, it follows that I should then clean it.... and the toilet, basin, floor and anything else either fixed or unfixed. An hour or so later I’ll emerge, pleased

with my hard work and in need of a quick cup of tea. Skirting around the pile in the hall and the vacuum in the lounge I’ll reach the kitchen and put the kettle on. Whilst waiting for it to boil, and as I am spring cleaning, I’ll take everything out of the nearest cupboard and start to wipe down the shelves. With the tea ready before I’m finished, I’ll wander off, mug in hand, to the table and the unfinished crossword. Sometime later, refreshed and revitalised I will restart my spring cleaning by removing the cushion cover from the chair I was sitting on for washing. This will take me to the utility room and the clothes which have stayed at the bottom of my ironing pile for the last year, and can therefore, as I am spring cleaning, be bagged for the charity shop… ...and so the day will progress. Nightfall will find me lying on the sofa, the vacuum cleaner close by, some sort of pile in every room of the house and only the bathroom completely clean. Wearily I will be trying to work out what, if I have been busy all day long, I have actually achieved. These experiences have taught me that my spring cleaning impulses only end in disappointment and sometimes complete disaster. It seems to me that in order to be an accomplished spring cleaner you need two attributes: discipline and single mindedness. I lack both. So this year, I firmly ignored the first stirrings of the urge to take down my curtains and get behind my sideboard with the cobweb brush. Only days later the discovery of an unsecured cage and no gerbil in sight forced my son and I to take everything out of his room in our attempt to locate the escapees. I then found myself, in an unplanned way, cleaning and getting rid of old toys and clothes. Three hours later, just as it dawned on me that I had successfully spring cleaned my son’s bedroom the gerbils appeared smirking, from the bed in their cage, and gave me a round of applause! l

isn’t spring wonderful? All around us nature is bringing forth new life; the world is brighter, green shoots are appearing and the air is laden with the scent of the early flowers. The birds are singing up a storm and feathering their nests, lambs are frolicking, hares are boxing and bees are a-buzzing. It is a magical time of year when we can throw open our windows, take deep breaths of the revitalising air… and spring clean.

words by fiona cooke

solent | ‘life’

time of yearagainIt’s that


Spick & Span are expert providers of a range of domestic services. Our uniformed, dedicated and highly trained team of staff provide cover across much of the South Hampshire region with full support from our

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52… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

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The 29th year at Stubbington Natural Health Clinic will be an exciting one with several new Practitioners joining the Team and more to come.Rachel Jessey – Nutritionist – is now available for Allergy Testing using Applied Kinesiology as well as to give advice on weight loss and other nutritional issues. Tania Wilkie – Homeopath – has advised on conditions such as headaches and migraine, skin conditions, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, insomnia, hayfever and asthma. Ann Alderman – Pilates Teacher – joins in March for one to one sessions. Pilates helps with core strength and should help those with back problems. Caroline Herbert, Proprietor, heads our established Team of Osteopaths and Acupuncturists. The Podiatry/Chiropody clinic is managed by Sian Downing and also provides biomechanical assessments. Other treatments include Remedial/Sports Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Alexander Technique & Psychotherapy.

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IN MARCH

54… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

Doctor Who took children back to WWII and the blitz with re-enactments and costumed actors during the half-term break at Explosion Museum on Gosport. Families were having great fun touring the exhibits and getting involved with The Doctor and his enemies. www.explosion.org.uk for all the events this spring and summer.

Holding an event you’d like us to feature? Simply email details of your event to [email protected] and we will do our best to cover the most exciting and interesting events.

It is one of the south’s newest markets. In one of its oldest buildings and has a real retro feel to it with both the stall holders and the stock they sell. Home baked cakes, arts and crafts from local artisans and all sorts of tremendous little knick-knacks. The market is held at the Square Tower (inside and outdoors come spring), along the seafront at Old Portsmouth on the first and second Sunday every month from 11am till 3pm. Well worth a visit… www.lovesouthsea.co.uk

It looks as if 2012 is going to be another exciting year for Gosport BMX Club. The club has had an excellent start to the year coming third in the National Series 2012. The Club was formed in 2007 and has grown rapidly since then. They aim to involve the local community as well as attracting new riders from all over the area. BMX Racing is a fun and exciting sport, suitable for anyone aged from 4 to over 40, male or female. The Club is run entirely by volunteers and they are always on the look out for more help. www.gosportbmx.co.uk

Solent Life has been venturing out across the region to capture and bring to you some images from the notable events of the past few weeks…

out &aboutwords & images by david rose-massom

Time travelling at Explosion Museum

love Southsea

Gosport BMX club

out & about


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A poster on the wall of the recruiting office in Portsmouth boasts ‘It takes real team work to fly solo’ so, what does it take to become a flyer in the RAF?

“A lot of people come in to the office saying they want to be a pilot but when we sit down and discuss their strengths and weaknesses they discover it is not really what they want.” In the build up to this year’s inaugural Portsmouth Air Festival, Solent Life visited the Armed Forces recruitment offices that are situated close to the city’s university campus where we met with Flt Lt Tamara Taylor the OC AFCO (RAF) Portsmouth.

“Becoming a pilot is one of the most competitive roles in the RAF.” She continued. “There is a basic level of education required such as ‘B’ in Maths, ‘C’ in English and three other GCSE passes of ‘C’ and

above as well as two ‘A’ levels of ‘C’ and above, but to be honest a huge part of it is aptitude.

“Many people have seen Tom Cruise in Top Gun and they want to be that person, its cool, and that level of flying is obtainable for the right person, male or female. We have many women who have become top pilots.” Flt Lt Taylor joined the RAF just eight years ago as a, as she put it, ‘naïve young girl’, and since that time has gone onto become an effective and mentally strong officer with a firm handshake and a confident manner. “There are many careers within the RAF, this posting has been for nearly two years but soon I am off to Afghanistan in a Human Resources role, my last posting was in charge of re-building the runway in the Falklands.” One thing that came out time and again as we spoke was the fact that the RAF produces officers

In the lead up to the PORTSMOUTH AIR FESTIVAL 2012 we take a look at what it takes to become a pilot in the RAF and ask the question; do you have…

air | festival

E V E N T P A R T N E R

portsmouthairfestival.co.uk

words by david rose-massom

right stuffthe


‘’first and then flyers. “Any recruit must pass a 45 minute interview with me to see if they have the qualities to become an officer in the RAF. If successful, some branches including Pilot then require the candidate to sit an aptitude test.

“In the interview the candidate has a small amount of time to sell their potential to me and show their desire to become an officer.” She said. “I am looking for a person who makes their little part of the world better for them being in it; something that shows their commitment to being part of a team, or a leader such as a school prefect

– it takes all sorts to become an officer.

“We don’t have to ask someone if they want to be a pilot – they have to want it!” if they are successful at the filter interview the next stage is to attend the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at Cranwell for aptitude testing. It’s a tough five to six hours of testing. “This is on the computer where several things are happening at once, for example while you are typing in the answers to simple maths questions such as six, times, six,

the computer is showing many coloured columns with coloured bricks passing over the top and you have to match colour for colour, all this while another test will be happening at the same time. It is about verbal reasoning, spatial awareness, capacity and mental agility.” Then there are two more days of officer selection which is another interview; leadership exercises, individual and team exercises, a medical and fitness tests. “Because we are now looking at fewer numbers in the armed forces we get to pick the crème de le crème of the applicants. The military never want to waste anybody’s time so we tell applicants if they are not suitable and encourage those that are but were maybe unsuccessful for some reason, to try again and keep trying. Being in the RAF is still a very secure career, despite the current economic climate.” Compared to the Navy and Army the RAF is still the junior service, that is not even 100 years old, and yet it still has great traditions and high standards. “We try and breed a thinking airman; or air-person if you like! When I joined I needed

to develop my military bearing and gain emotional intelligence which was needed for someone of the age of 21. When you leave training you are an officer but it takes time to become less reliant on your SNCOs and begin to make your own decisions.

“We train leaders; no matter

what the rank, and whatever their skill levels or confidence. If you have the potential to be trained there is something that will show in your rough and raw attributes that will allow us to train the recruit as an officer and potentially a flyer...” She paused for a second or two…

“Again; it is the officer that comes first after training for 30 weeks and irrelevant of what your job will eventually be in the RAF. That could be nurse, police, ground crew or logistics. We build the basic officer first and

then it is onto the specialised training, whatever that may be.

“If it is toward the career as a pilot; then generally speaking it is then onto the elementary flying training. Once the officers get past the basics they get told if they are off to be a fast-jet pilot, rotary (helicopters) or

multi-engine as in air transport .” Before getting to the Portsmouth Air Festival on August 18th Solent Life will be joining a trainee pilot as guests of the RAF at one of their bases when we will discover how they achieve their dream to become an officer and one of the best. There are over 50 careers in the RAF. For more information about joining the RAF visit one of the recruitment offices, visit the website at www.raf.mod.uk/careers or speak to an RAF recruiter on 02392 736414. l

PORtSMOUtH AiR FeStiVAL 18th August 2012 For the latest news go to www.portsmouthairfestival.co.uk

Becoming a pilot is one of the most competitive roles in the RAF.

58… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

words • nikki magee image • david kilbey

As the first wave of summer migrants return its time for many birds to start defending there breeding territories and building their nest.

As the temperatures gradually creep up and spring starts to flourish on Farlington Marshes

Nature Reserve many of the site residents start to get ready for the breeding season. The lapwings start setting up territories and advertise the fact they are there to rivals and potential mates with energetic displays that tumble and roll through the sky. Often diving to the ground seemingly uncontrolled before rising up into the air at the last moment. Although not all birds have such visible displays, listen out for the start of the dawn chorus as birds such as robins and blackbirds are stacking out and establishing territories by singing. The great spotted woodpecker establishes their territories with their distinctive drumming solos. As well as setting up territories many species are busy building nests. Hedges, trees, river banks, houses and many other places are used by parents to build nests of various designs. The building materials are a little more varied than the ones we use – grass, moss, lichens, twigs, spider’s webs, plastic, hair and wool can all be woven to produce a safe place for mother, her eggs and eventually the young chicks. As animals their needs are much the

same as ours - a sheltered space safe from predators with plenty of food nearby. It not just the residents of Farlington Marshes that are busy this month look out for the first summer migrants returning to the UK. Often one of the first birds back are the wheatears, which pass through the reserve on route from West Africa to breeding on our mountains and moors. This bold little bird is one of the smallest long-distance migrants arrives on our shores towards the end of March. Why not take some time and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring? l Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust works to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. As the leading local wildlife conservation charity, it looks after 61 wildlife reserves, has 27,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. The Trust manages its own land and advises other landowners how to manage their land with wildlife in mind. Staff and volunteers also carry out surveys and gather data to monitor how our local wildlife is doing. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk

solent | nature

wild lifeMarch

at Farlington Marshes Wildlife Reserve…Bird Watch Saturday 10th March 11.00am – 2.00pm

Get close to the hundreds of waders and birds on the marshes and lakes around high tide at Farlington Marshes Wildlife Reserve. Guides will be at viewing areas to help you identify the birds and tell you about their behaviour. Drop in anytime during the session to improve your bird identification skills. Limited parking is available off the Eastern Road (A27/A2030) roundabout (Map ref. SU 679 044). For further details, please contact jamie Marsh, Solent Reserves Officer, on 01489 774429. Please note that this event will not take place in wet and windy weather. Suggested donation £1.50.

Can you help?

We need help checking the cattle that roam the marshes. It is very simple, can be done as part of a walk around the sea wall and you do not need to get too close to the cows. If you can spare a few hours, please call Jamie Marsh on 01489 774 429.

Visiting Farlington Marshes Wildlife Reserve

Farlington Marshes is 125 hectare of coastal grazing marsh situated south of the A27 between Portsmouth and Havant. The reserve is managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on behalf of its owners Portsmouth City Council.

How to get there

Rail: Hilsea train station is 1.5 miles from the reserve with trains from Fareham and Portchester every 30 minutes.

Bus: 21 between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour. Closest stop is at Farlington Sainsbury’s, 15 minute walk to the reserve. Service is hourly Monday to Friday with a reduced service at weekends.

Road: The car park is off the Eastern Road roundabout (A27/A2030).

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Join us today

…and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Hampshire and isle of Wight Wildlife trust. For more information contact our membership team on 01489 774408.

• Unlimited FREE visits to over 55 wildlife reserves in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and 2,500 reserves nationwide.

• A welcome pack when you join Hampshire and Isle of Wight Natural World, the Wildlife Trust’s magazine, delivered to you (or your partner three times a year).

• The chance to take part in local group and community activities offering you a variety of opportunities to be involved in more than 400 walks, talks and events throughout the two counties.

• Join by direct debit and receive your FREE full colour Local Wildlife Reserve Guide. Visit www.hwt.org.uk and discover your local Wildlife Trust.


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Let’s talk about roses this month, since now is a good time to get ready for a blooming good season. With a little care,

roses bloom for a surprisingly long time, they peak during the summer and can keep going until it turns cold in winter. Plant roses in March to get them established for the summer, just make sure the frosts are over. We covered tips for planting shrubs last month and you can find them on the Garsons’ website. Get your existing roses ready for the season. Pruning helps give you bigger and more prolific blooms and it’s much easier than you might think, so dust off your secateurs! Secateurs should be sharp enough to cut cleanly through the stems because ragged cuts might encourage disease. If you pruned them last autumn, have a check and remove any dead wood. Cut away dead branches and remove suckers. Suckers are usually at the bottom of the plant and are so called because they suck the energy away from your plant. They look different to the main rose, with paler leaves.

Newly planted roses need to be pruned hard, you can go as low as 8-10” from ground level – don’t worry, new shoots will emerge. For established roses, you cut off about a third to a half of the length of each branch. This encourages healthy new growth and a well-shaped shrub. Little or no pruning is needed on miniature or shrub roses. Having pruned your roses, apply a granular or powder rose feed around the base of the plant. Roses are quite heavy feeders and signs of lack of nutrients will soon show with discoloured leaves and poor blooms. A mulch layer such as chipped bark around the plants will improve the soil as it breaks down and keep soil moist in the summer. Roses are known for being susceptible to pests and diseases, but don’t be put off. If the plant is cared for and any problem treated, it should bloom healthily. I recommend the Rose Expert book by Dr. Hessayon which is available from Garsons and tells you all you need to know and gives details of the best varieties. You can also ask for advice in the garden centre. l

After a chilly February, it’s time to launch into the gardening season. New life is bursting through and spring is on its way.

words by anne watson

greenfingersMarch

Other jobs for March

l While you have the secateurs out, prune large flowered Clematis and early flowering shrubs.

l Clear away leaves and debris from the borders and turn the soil, avoiding any bulbs.

l Improve your soil by digging in compost.

l Suppress weeds before they appear with a thick layer of mulch.

l If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, start sowing veg seeds.

l Shallots, onions and potatoes can go in the ground now.

Get into the ‘little and often’ habit in the garden this year and you’ll have a rewarding growing season.

Until next month, happy gardening!

solent | gardening


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The Point, Eastleigh 02380 652333

Chichester Festival Theatre

01243 781312

Salisbury Playhouse 01722 320333

Mayflower Theatre 02380 711811

Theatre Royal Winchester

01962 840440

King’s Theatre Southsea

02392 828282

Tower Arts Centre, Winchester

01962 867986

Ferneham Hall 01329 231942

Ashcroft Arts Centre Fareham

01329 310600

The Concorde Club 02380 613989

If you have anything going on, tell us here at solent life and

we will include it in our feature.

01489 583800 [email protected]

PREVIEW

Pride of the White Star LineTwenty years ago the first meeting was held of a youth theatre group and over the years the Performing Arts company, which is based in Hedge End, has become a very successful company. It was set up in 1992 for the benefit of the young people of the local area, to perform in the arts under constructive learning to performance level. In the last 19 years they have rehearsed and performed nearly 50 productions, from musicals and pantomimes to concerts and soon to be moving on to dramatic productions. For their latest creation they are

celebrating another milestone anniversary – the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic and this time it’s a musical - with music, book and lyrics by James Holmes and Sue Peckham.It is April 1956 and we see an old man and his two grandchildren searching a dusty old attic for material to help with a school project when they come across a chest which holds memories for the old man of one of the most significant disasters in maritime history. The artefacts bring back memories of that fateful night in April 1912 when the RMS Titanic, the unsinkable ship, struck an iceberg and took more than 1500 passengers and crew to the bottom of the ocean.This musical tells not only the story of that night but some of the tales of heroism and personal sacrifice. It also tells the story of three items that come to have a common link to the Grandfather who was chief baker on the Titanic.Director Jane Turnham admits she is a hard task master for the young people in the company. “We have a cast of 35 in this musical and it is a very emotional piece.” She told Solent Life. “I have to be strict during rehearsals because I am trying to draw out that raw emotion.

“The story travels from the dusty attic to Southampton Docks where Titanic is getting ready for her maiden voyage. There are characters with their story being told in all three of the classes of travel on board.” Jane continued. “But, the

Grandfather is the central pivot for the telling of the stories and through his actions we get involved with all the other characters.

“As we all know the Titanic goes down and the rescued are brought full circle back to Southampton on the Carpathia. The musical, and our story, ends in 1985 when the wreck of the great ship is discovered lying on the sea bed.”This is a big task for any theatre company to take on and when we visited rehearsals the young company were practicing a dance routine and even at an early stage in rehearsals it was being performed with passion and commitment.Titanic and her loss had a massive impact on the port of Southampton and it seems quite fitting that a new musical to celebrate and remember the event one hundred years on should be performed by some of the youth from that same city. It should be a magical and moving evening. l www.performingartscompany.org.uk The Performing Arts Company present Titanic the Musical

“Pride of the White Star”

18th April - 21st April Box Office 01489 799499 [email protected] at THE BERRY THEATRE, Hedge End Prices - £9.00, £7.50 concessions


Children

THE HAMPSHIRE POLICE MALE VOICE CHOIR The Choir will be making a welcome return to St Peter’s Church, Titchfield with the Concert being organised by and in aid of the Friends of St Peter’s which has given thousands of pounds towards major restoration work at the church and the expectation is that this event will be well attended so please ensure you secure your tickets in good time. The Choir Programme will include operatic choruses, songs from the shows, and hymns introduced by the Master of ceremonies and St Peter’s Church Warden Bob Walker. St Peter’s Church, Titchfield on Saturday 24th March Starting at 7.30pm Tickets cost £8 and are available from John Hiett telephone 01329 315 893 or at the door.

EMSWORTH ARTS TRAIL This year a record number of local painters and designers will be opening their doors to share the amazing talent that can be found throughout Emsworth. Over two weekends, thirty six venues will be open offering a picturesque Arts Trail and this will be an opportunity for the public to not only purchase original work, cards and reproductions but also visit the workplaces, studios and gardens of the many artists. The event will be launched on Sunday the 29th April in Emsworth Square where artists will be painting and drawing, (weather permitting) and there will be a chance for everyone to contribute to a large community painting. Emsworth Arts Trail, various venues 5th – 7th May & 12th - 13th May. Also an exhibition at Thornham Marina during the Boat Project Launch on Monday the 7th May. www.theboatproject.com.

Trail Guides will be available from local shops and Trail venues or – www.artstrail.emsworthhants.org.uk. Others Arts Trails are taking place in the Havant, Leigh Park and Waterloo areas on the 12th & 13th May. The Hayling Island Arts Trail takes place on the 19th & 20th May.

CAPE TOWN OPERA’S PORGY AND BESS Following a hugely successful short tour in 2009, Cape Town Opera returns to the UK this year. The internationally renowned Cape Town Opera’s first UK performances of Porgy and Bess met with universal public and critical acclaim and the company is known globally for its exceptionally gifted young singers. Relocated to the depression-ravaged townships of Soweto, Cape Town Opera have made this production of Porgy and Bess their very own, as the search for hope and happiness - amidst poverty and hardship - unfolds in a poignant tale of love and deprivation. This compelling work contains some of the most stirring and ever-lasting songs including Summertime, I got plenty of nuttin’, It ain’t necessarily so, and I loves you Porgy. MAYFLOWER THEATRE, Southampton 3rd to 7th July. Tickets are on sale at mayflower.org.uk the Mayflower Box Office Tel: 02380 711811, or in person from the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Mall (Marlands), Southampton. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833.

BARRY CRYER – BUTTERFLY BRAIN LANDS IN FAREHAM One of Britain’s truly great comedy writers and performers, Barry Cryer has contributed to this country’s entertainment industry for over 50 years.

He has written for some of our highest rated shows and for many of our most popular comedians. His wit, life experience and huge sense of comedy are still enjoyed by millions - on radio, television and theatre performances. Billed as an A-Z odyssey of oddities from Aardvark to Zulu, Barry will present a continuous, hilarious stream of unconsciousness in his own inimitable style as he travels through the alphabet from A to Z. Have you noticed that all the letters in the alphabet are in the right order? Or that ‘Flabbergasted’ means appalled at how much weight you’ve gained? Ferneham Hall, Fareham on Friday 9th March, curtain up at 7.30 with all tickets £18.50. To book tickets or for more information call 01329 231942 or visit www.fernehamhall.co.uk or www.barrycryer.co.uk

MOTHERING SUNDAY & DAFFODIL DAY A beautiful country house set in stunning grounds that become awash with yellow as the daffodils announce the arrival of spring. This is the first of many events planned throughout the summer and a special one for Mothering Sunday and there is also a fine café on site with plenty of tables in the walled garden. 18th March – House open free for Mums 1-4pm. STANSTED PARK, ROWLANDS CASTLE, HAMPSHIRE, PO9 6DX Tel: 023 9241 2265 www.stanstedpark.co.uk

CAMRA WINCHESTER REAL ALE AND CIDER FESTIVAL This year’s festival returns to the newly refurbished Winchester Guildhall. The festival is organised wholly by volunteers of the South Hants branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and will feature 75+ different real ales, ciders, perries

and foreign bottled beers. www.winchesterbeerfestival.org.uk Winchester Guildhall, High Street, Winchester. The festival has four ticketed sessions over the two days: Friday 16 March, 11.30 - 4.00pm, quiet Session (£5), Friday 16 March 6.30 - 11.00pm, Live Music from The Strand (£10), Saturday 17 March 11.30 - 4.00pm ‘Last Night of the Proms’ with Denmead Brass (£5), Saturday 17 March 6.30 - 11.00pm, Live Music from State of Undress (£10).

‘VERY BEST OF BRASS’ Each year for the past 13 years, there has been a brass band concert at the Pavilion featuring one of the world’s top brass bands and this year’s concert sees a return of the Black Dyke Band, their seventh appearance. A highlight of the brass band weekend occurs on the Sunday following the concert when the band hosts a Masterclass for brass band musicians young and old, with the opportunity to be tutored by principal players and to play with the band in a special concert. The Masterclass will be hosted by Black Dyke at Highcliffe School on Sunday 27 May. The profits from the concert are to be donated to Help for Heroes Tickets are available from BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000 or see the Very Best of Brass website – www.verybestofbrass.co.uk – for more details. Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, on Saturday 26 May and Masterclass 27th May.

Music, Comedy, Events & Theatre

64… .co.uk • MARCH 201264…

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…65MARCH 2012 • .co.uk …65

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Professional Pain Relief for Pets

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66… .co.uk • MARCH 2012

SOLENT BRANCH OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD

On Monday 19th March 2012 the Solent Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild have Joanna O’Neil who will be presenting a talk entitled “Rich Stitch”. Joanna is a textile artist working in a variety of media including velvet, felt and paper. She has created a body of work ranging from wall hangings and panels to bags and vessels. The talk will focus on her career to date and she promises to bring along a lot of her work for everyone to see. If you would like to join them, please go along and you will be made very welcome. Parish Rooms in Titchfield, PO14 4AQ, 7pm for 7.30pm. Visitors £5. For more details please contact Sue Moys on 01329 288502 or Christina Eustace by email; [email protected] or visit our blog on www.solenteg.blogspot.com.

MALTESE HERITAGE GROUP

Reader Steve Gill wrote to Solent Life and asked, “I am looking for Maltese people living in the south west to become members of the newly formed “Maltese Heritage group. Looking for Maltese people is not easy here as, unlike most ethnic groups, they do not group together and tend to integrate into British society. The group has been set up so that once in a while we Maltese can get together to celebrate cultural Maltese events, here in our region. We will be holding Lejla Maltija (Maltese evenings) throughout

the year, around different parts of the region. If you can help me to contact Maltese people living in your area it would be of great help. People can contact me by emailing [email protected] or calling either 01278 446488 or 07926622629.”

FAREHAM WEST TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in St John’s Church Hall, St Michael’s Grove, Fareham at 2.15pm. The next meeting will be on 21st March. This will be the AGM meeting; after which there will be a quiz with lots of fun and laughter as usual at this event! The Guild holds coffee mornings and arranges outings and various events. They also have craft, art, singing and scrabble groups and now have a gardening group. Visitors are very welcome. For more information please call Jackie Walker on 02392 298768.

BLITHE SPIRIT

a comedy, performed by Crofton Amateur Dramatics Society. The performance is adapted from a play by Noel Coward and it will be performed by CADS on 14th, 15th and 16th June at 7.30pm in the Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. The plot - Charles and his second wife Ruth light-heartedly arrange for local mystic Madame Arcati to give a séance. They are then haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira. Ruth gets irritated with her supernatural rival. Come

to the show to see how this develops! Ticket hotline 01329 661143.

NEARLY NEW SALE

with Fareham & District National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Quality second hand clothes, Toys and equipment for babies and children. Saturday 17th March 2012, Titchfield Community Centre, Mill Street, Titchfield, PO144AB 10am - 11.30am Priority Entrance to NCT members on production of valid membership card. Entry £1 per adult (donation). Call 0844 2436130, email [email protected] or http://www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/fareham/farehamnns.

GROW YOUR CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING.

‘Banish your nerves and build your skills’, helped by award-winning Solent Speakers. New guests welcome, no charge. Regular meetings on 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays monthly. March meetings are on 6th and 20th March, starting at 7:15pm Venue: Lysses House Hotel, 51, High Street, Fareham PO16 7BQ. For more information, visit www.solent-speakers.org.uk or call Louise Hockaday, 01329 235923 or 07958 589971.

FASHION SHOW SUPPORTING NAOMI HOUSE AND BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

at Oaklands Roman Catholic School where they will present a charity fundraising event. Friday 4th May 2012 from 7.30pm to 9.30 pm. Tickets including a drink are £5 adults and £3 under 18s. Tickets are available from the White House, Oaklands Roman Catholic School, Waterlooville. Tel 02392 259214

FARMERS MARKET

There will be a FARMERS ’ Market in Fareham’s West Street from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 7th April, so you can make sure that you are fully stocked with good local food to feed the family over the weekend. Up to 40 local producers will be selling the best of their produce directly to customers - everything from freshly picked organic fruit and vegetables to free range eggs, fish from local waters to rare breed meats, from home-baked bread and cakes to the honey made from local bees. Sample before you buy from the people who actually produce; and taste the difference in quality whilst supporting your local farming and rural community.

‘A TOUR OF THE RAMPARTS’

On the first Saturday of every month throughout the main season, from April 7th onward at 1pm walkers can join local Historian, Terry Hinkley, for a walk around the Historic Ramparts at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. The Ramparts are part of the early fortifications erected around the town, as an extension of the defences of Portsmouth Harbour. The ‘Gosport Lines’ as they became known, were surrounded by dry moat areas. The walks will include this early history and look at how this area later be-came an important part of the Priddy’s Hard Ordnance supply depot. NOT suitable for under 12’s, other children must be accompanied by an adult. Times: 1pm (meet at Museum Coffee Shop). Places are £2 per person and must be booked in advance. 023 9250 5600 or [email protected] or visit www.explosion.org.uk - Priddy’s Hard, Gosport, PO12 4LE

IF YOU HAVE A LOCAL EVENT Let us know at [email protected] Please note we need 6-8 weeks notice of events.

Your essential guide to all the local news and events in your community.

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solent life east - march 2012

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