New Milton Advertiser 11th Dec 2020

28 · Friday 11th December 2020

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music: empty frets – out of our minds MILFORD-based folk rock band Empty Frets have re- corded a 12-song socially dis- tanced album entitled Out of our Minds. ready gaining airplay on local radio stations.

Steve added: “The band lost a huge number of gigs because of the pandemic but writing and recording the album has helped lessen the disappoint- ment of not being able to per- form live. “We know that the majority of musicians and performers are in the same boat and that the situation is even worse for the many businesses that were under threat of permanent closure.” Out of our Minds is available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon music and Tidal or on CD. To find out more visit www. empt y f r e t s . yo l as i t e .com entertaining stories.” All the short-listed compe- tition entries, in adult and Un- der-18 categories, are included in the anthology. Competition winner Mike Watkins, from Ashurst, created a humourous Christmas tale, featuring two old ladies, a reformed burglar, and some magic shenanigans with a Rolls-Royce. The anthology also includes short stories from Lymington Writers in several genres: hu- mour, magic realism, future fantasy and under-the-covers machinations in an unnamed planning office. There is a preview of a hilari- ous chapter from the forthcom- ing novel by Trina Woolhouse, set in a traffic jam round the M25. In total, there are 14 short stories, and twelve flash fictions (500 words each) spread over 147 pages. The Lymington Anthology has 147 pages and is available from the Lymington Centre. Visit lymingtoncommunity.com

The group usually plays doz- ens of gigs each year including regular performances at Lym- ington Band Stand and Mil- ford Music Festival. Lead guitarist Steve Adams said: “Despite the coronavirus restrictions the band mem- bers were able to make and send individual recordings electronically which were then mixed and mastered central- ly.” Featuring 12 original tracks, Out of our Minds is a blend of country rock, blues and folk rock, with several numbers al-

book: lymington anthology THE first Lymington Antholo- gy has been published in time for Christmas, full of a variety of stories penned by local writ- ers.

The collection contains short tales and flash fiction from the Lymington Writers group, as well as the successful entries to a community competition held last year. Those published include an imagining of the first com- munity to settle in the area, a war-damaged soldier finding a home, and a heart-warming story of disability overcome through the care given in a resi- dential community. Editor Colin Johnson (pic- tured) said: “We put together this anthology to support the Lymington Community Asso- ciation appeal, which is raising funds to refurbish the commu- nity centre. “Entries for the competi- tion were all on the theme of community. We received a wide range of excellent,

book: the natural history of milford-on-sea parish including keyhaven

book: this changes everything

LONGSTANDING conserva- tion volunteer Keith Metcalf has published the first in a se- ries of three books exploring the flora and fauna of Milford and Keyhaven. The glossy 360-page hard- back edition explores the birds, wildflowers and insects as well revealing how Keith’s childhood in London inspired a lifelong passion for wildlife. Recalling how his early in- terest in birds was awakened during an alleyway cricket game in Edmonton in 1961, Keith said: “Just as I was about to hit the ball I saw this bird come skimming over the tops of the fences and hedges and straight along our alley towards where we were play- ing. “It twisted and turned to veer off before diving towards the nearest garden hedgerow a few feet away. It plucked a frightened house sparrow out of thin air as the poor bird tried valiantly to reach the hedge before he was grabbed by unmercifully sharp talons.” Keith and his childhood pals were so entranced by the bird, which they later identified as a sparrow hawk, that they all went on to share an interest in wildlife and became support- ers of the RSPB. Keith continued: “Following those wonderful early days of the RSPB group and moving down to Milford in 1988, I sub- sequently became absorbed on the wider issues affecting

Milford WI ABOUT 40 members of Milford WI signed in for a Zoom meet- ing and illustrated talk by Gale Pettifer on tales and myths of the New Forest. Gale shared her knowledge of the politics of New Forest inclo- sures and her experiences as a commoner. Vivien Shute gave the vote of thanks before president Diana Cobbett informed members that the parish council had giv- en permission for the WI to have a table on the village green as a collection point for donations to the New Forest Basics Bank. Now that Denman College has closed and is to be sold, the committee had agreed that the twice yearly Denman Bursary would now become a quarterly draw for £150 to be spent on a course of the recipient’s choos- ing with the proviso that they provide a written report for members. Meanwhile Denman College continues in a virtual form and provides some very interesting and good value Zoom courses. Diana thanked Wendy Lott for her leadership of the Craft Group – she will bemuchmissed when she moves to Sussex. Mayve Larke was also thanked for her eight years of service on committee and, though stand- ing down, she offered to contin- ue with raffle duties should real meetings resume in 2021. Secretary Beverley Smith reminded members to think about the five proposed resolu- tions for 2021 as local voting will take place in January Diana concluded the meet- ing with thanks to Tracy Haupt for organising and hosting the Zoom event. Day storm, Dibden Bay and the emergence of climate change and the young Greta Thunberg.” Keith introduces his own heroes in conservation, his- toric local events and social history and the controversial issue of building on green belt. He continued: “But essen- tially, my first book is about Milford’s wildlife, conserva- tion and habitat management. “I hope that by reading it, it might help find the next gen- eration of young Milford con- servationists.” The second book (due to be published in 2021) will feature all the systematic wildlife lists of Milford parish and the third book (due to be published in 2022) will offer a historical account of how the Pleasure Grounds, Studland Common and Sharvells Copse came into public ownership under the stewardship of the Milford Parish Council. Book one, entitled The Nat- ural History of Milford-on-Sea Parish including Keyhaven, costs £30 with Keith pledging to donate £1 to both Oakhav- en Hospice and Milford Con- servation Volunteers for every book sold. Signed copies of Keith’s first book can be purchased by emailing keithmetcalf@ btinternet.com. The black and white cover illustration fea- turing a badger and butterfly has been drawn by local artist Katy Harrold.

THE debut novel by Beaulieu writer HelenMcGinn (pictured) poses the question: should first love be left in the past or is first love, forever love? In This Changes Everything, that’s the quandary faced by

drinks writer and internation- al wine judge, describes the tale as a “timeless, joyous, un- forgettable journey through love, family, and long-forgotten dreams” – and well suited for fans of Elizabeth Noble, Cathy Kelly and JoJo Moyes. A l t hough

sisters Annie and Jess who fear it’s an adventure too far for their spon- taneous moth- er Julia when she announces she’s flying off to Rome to meet her first love, Patrick, who she hasn’t seen for 50 years. The daugh-

This Changes Everything is Helen’s de- but novel, she is a well-prac- ticed writer who spent al- most a decade as a super- market wine buyer before creating the award-winning wine blog, the K n a c k e r e d Mother’s Wine Club. She regular- ly appears on television as a wine expert for BBC1’s Sat- urday Kitchen

ters decide the only way to keep Julia safe is to go too – without actual- ly telling their mother she has a pair of secret chaperones. Julia and Patrick’s love story

wildlife, including habitat management, conservation and more recently trying to understand the effects that saltmarsh erosion, climate change and sea-level rise has on our important coastal hab- itats, their national and inter- national designations, wildlife and the local community.” Keith also explores major local events over the last six decades and the impact they have had on local wildlife and eco systems. He said: “This book recalls the Torrey Canyon oil-spillage disaster, the Ringwood mink release, Navitus Bay wind farm, the 2014 St Valentine’s

was everything – epic, once-in- a-lifetime, with a tragic ending and life-long consequences. First love is hard to forget, but sometimes, just sometimes, life delivers a chance to rewrite your story. As the eternal city of Rome works its magic, old secrets, old friends and old loves be- come new possibilities and new dreams. And when the four travellers return home, nothing will ever be the same again. Author Helen, who is also a

and ITV’s This Morning, and her awards include Fortnum & Mason’s Online Drinks Writer of the Year and Red Magazine’s Blogger of the Year. She lives in the New Forest with her husband, three chil- dren and, she says, “too many dogs”. Publication by Boldwood is on 9th February next year. Pre-order is available now with prices at £8.99 for paperback, £14.99 audiobook and £1.99 eb- ook.

Clubs & societies Rhinefield Probus THE November meeting, held virtually, followed the usual for- mat plus the AGM. The talk, given by a local resident Di Fletcher, was entitled Brocken- hurst: a World War 1 Hospital Village. about the role that Brocken- hurst played in providing hospi- tal facilities for Indian and New Zealand troops during World War 1.

Brockenhurst and District Probus FOR their November Zoom meeting members of the Brock- enhurst and District Probus Club welcomed Professor Colin Terrell for a fascinating talk en- titled The Brain. IQ tests have been used as a measure of intellectual capabil- ity but unfortunately this has sometimes resulted in attempts at social engineering. supply of a litre of blood every minute, which is roughly 20% of the body’s blood and so it is clear that a healthy heart is im- plicit in a healthy brain.

languages, book clubs, music, bridge or any other learning ac- tivity. As medical knowledge has developed the NHS has had a focus on increasing life expec- tancy but Colin argued that by improving brain health this fo- cus could be expanded to that of increasing a healthy life ex- pectancy. Spurred on by Colin’s talk it was interesting to see several club members walking in the Forest around Brockenhurst af- ter the talk. For more information con- tact the club secretary on 01590 622691 or visit www.brocken- hurstprobus.com dried stems, and included some lovely fiery coloured spider gerberas, purple brassica, cris- pedia, ornamental chillies and nerines. As well as Melanie showing her designs, a number of mem- bers had got their scissors out and shared some beautiful ar- rangements. Within the limi- tations of lockdown, most had made full use of garden foliage and late flowers, such as hy- drangeas, dahlias, roses and chrysanths – it was great to en- joy the talent in the club!

for a new hazel coppicing pro- gramme, beginning in January. This provides lots of material for bonfires on Friday mornings when the weather’s right. Volun- teers will also be trimming back a small blackthorn clump and removing collapsed willow to ex- tend the area of meadow. Members of the public are welcome to join the Friends at Ballard Meadow, off Lake Grove Road, on Friday and/or Sunday mornings. Membership is £5. Visit www.friendsofballardwater meadow.co.uk In the talk she described the building of the Tin Town, a tented 500-bed accommoda- tion hospital situated at Tile Barn on Church Hill, and the takeover of the Balmer Lawn and Forest Park hotels for the treatment of Indian and New Zealand soldiers, and how in excess of 28,000 soldiers were treated at the hospital, formally known as Meerut General Hos- pital, and the support provided to the soldiers and staff by the local community. The collection of photographs provided mem- bers with a superb overview of a little known period in the histo- ry of Brockenhurst. Visit www.rhinefieldprobus. org.uk

In the USA immigrants arriv- ing at Ellis Island in the early 1900s were assessed on their IQ score and only those with a high score accepted, and later in 1927 the US Supreme Court sanctioned forced sterilisation of those with a low IQ. Here in the UK our educa- tional system adopted the 11- plus which identified those children with higher IQ scores and then provided them with a more academic education. The human brain needs the welcome scheduled demon- strator Melanie Smith, who had herself created a beauti- ful hand-tied design using 10 flower stems. It was a hugely enjoyable, social and flower-fo- cused event. Members and the demonstrator raised £310 for Macmillan and the club was also able to make a donation to the VCC’s appeal. Inspired by this success, 25 members were present for the November Zoom Club meeting. Everyone was very brave and managed to get to grips with

There is now a body of re- search that has identified how to maintain a healthy brain lat- er in life which highlights the importance of the following: (1) A good sleep routine allowing for 8-10 hours of sleep, (2) Phys- ical exercise preferably done in a social context. This would in- clude activities such as walking, gardening, golf, bowls, dancing and swimming, (3) Volunteer- ing in your local community, (4) Brain exercise such as activities offered by U3A including new the technology in their own homes for a full afternoon of friendship with flowers. There were some initial nerves for some about mastering Zoom but they were soon banished by the great feel-good atmosphere of the afternoon. Melanie Smith this time demonstrated three designs which she had pre-recorded at her local hall and presented just as she would if she were live in Milford. She used a su- per mix of autumnal foliage, berries, cones, seed heads and

Colin is a practicing psy- chologist and he began his talk by discussing how our knowl- edge of the brain has evolved. Although we have been able to identify the function of different parts of the brain, our knowl- edge of how it works is still rela- tively limited particularly when it comes to human attributes like personality. Since the 1900s psychologists have developed tools to meas- ure the functioning of the brain.

THE small group of local resi- dents, keen to promote the ben- efits of healthy exercise through habitat management for nature conservation, wildlife and people have been busy lately. At the start of October, the Dexter cattle were brought back to the site, and at the end of the month was the AGM and Bob Lord was nominated the new chairman. The group has recently start- ed several months of clearing a small area of Woar Copse of bramble and holly to make way Chairman Francis Cumber- lege opened the meeting with a review of the year’s activities and the impact the coronavirus pandemic was having on the club. This was followed by the AGM and the members voting. After thanking his commit- tee and the members for the support he had received dur- ing his year in office, he stood down, in accordance with the constitution, and welcomed the new chairman, Steve Wilks. The traditional tie handover was achieved virtually. Steve welcomed Di Fletcher, the Brockenhurst church ar- chivist, to the meeting to talk

Milford Milford Floral Art Club IN October, 19 of the club’s members met for the first time via Zoom. The first gathering was made a Macmillan Tea Par- ty (rather than coffee morning) and also supported Milford Vil- lage Community Centre’s 10th anniversary fundraising appeal. That included a challenge to “do something with 10” and a number of our ladies accepted the challenge with enthusiasm, for example, creating floral de- signs using 10 stems or 10 flow- ers and baking 10 cakes. The club was delighted to

Friends of Ballard Water Meadow

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