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Helping stop hitler’s luftwaffe, Sir Arthur McDonald arts culture & THE memoirs have been pub- lished of a distinguished pilot who retired to Lymington hav- ing played a role in developing the radar systems that helped win the Battle of Britain. until his retirement in 1961. A key moment in his career was when the fledgling radar technology, able to detect ers could be stopped, Britain turned its attention to build- ing fast, modern fighters and to developing a radar network senior posts in the RAF until his retirement. But it his part in the development of Britain’s air defence at the most crucial time in its history, for which he will always be remembered.

‘00 tree secret agent , Susie laan The Snow Leopards class learned about recycling from the ’00 Tree book

an aircraft ap- proaching Brit- ain at a consid- erable distance, was proven in the Biggin Hill e x p e r i m e n t when a young Sir Arthur Mc- Donald led three biplanes from RAF Big- gin Hill. They were directed by ra- dar sets on the ground to in- tercept incom- ing aircraft. At the time McDonald was

– just in time for the Bat- tle of Britain. For this work Sir Arthur re- ceived the Air Force Cross. In his subse- quent career, he became Air Defence Com- mander in Cey- lon in 1942, Air Officer Training at Headquar- ters Air Com- mand of South East Asia Com- mand in 1943, and Air Officer C omma n d i n g No.106 Group in

The story of Air Marshal Sir Arthur McDonald, who died aged 93 in 1996, was published late last year to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the airborne conflict in 1940 that turned the tide of the Second World War. Sir Arthur spent a long and happy retirement in Lyming- ton and was well known in the town’s sailing circles. Over nearly 300 pages, Helping Stop Hitler’s Luftwaffe tell his previ- ous life as a distinguished RAF pilot – as well as his enthusi- asm on the water and Olympic success. Born in 1903, Sir Arthur grew up in Antigua where his engi- neering career began in a sug- ar factory, earning him just £1 a week. He joined the RAF in 1924, remaining in the service A POPULAR weekly quiz night at the Horse and Groom in Woodgreen has led to a book of questions being published to raise money for the NHS. In normal times quizmas- ter Anthony Swift hosted the event every Tuesday but dur- ing the pandemic he has taken the quiz online and expanded it to two nights a week. These lockdown quizzes have now been compiled into a book which contains 30 each of four 10-question rounds, along with the answers. Money made by the compi- lation will go to the Bourne- mouth Hospital Charity and the Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal. Anthony said: “Initially we put the entry fees for the quiz into a contribution back to the pub to help tide them over during the pandemic.

Sir Arthur was a keen sail- or and represented Britain in the Olympic Games in 1948 in Torbay in the single-handed yachting category. The book also details his sailing career starting as a boy in Antigua with a small mo- tor boat, moving to Singapore where he helped to set up an RAF sailing club, through to 1937 when he won the Burton Cup, the national champi- onship for National 12 Class yachts. He continued to race into his late 80s and sailing enthu- siasts will enjoy his tales of X Class racing at the Royal Lym- ington Yacht Club. Helping Stop Hitler’s Luft- waffe is published in hardback by Pen and Sword Books. Price £25. ISBN: 9781526764782.

A BROCKENHURST store has partnered with an author to produce an eco-book to inspire local schoolchildren and help raise nearly £1,450 for wildlife charities. Richard and Karen Dance, who run the Welcome outlet in Brookley Road, wanted to do their bit to promote recycling, so they commissioned Ashurst children’s author and illustra- tor Susie Laan to come up with a story with a message. She wrote ‘00 Tree, Secret Agent of the New Forest’ about a group of local children on a mission to clear the Forest of A HIGHCLIFFE mum’s tale for children about accepting themselves for who they are was inspired by a typical par- enting moment. Samantha Midgley penned Being Myself after her son objected to wearing a dress- ing-up costume to playschool one morning, which gave her the seed of an idea to expand into a story. “I confided in one of my best friends that I had written it. She is extremely talented and offered to illustrate the book,” she said. “We have spent months working hard to get all the de- tails perfect and are so excited that it will finally arrive with us in mid-December. “The illustrations really do make the book, and to go on this journey with a good friend has made it so special.” The confidence-building story is suited for ages 2-5, said Samantha, and carries the message that the very best thing you can be is yourself, and being yourself is more

rubbish. They donated the books to Brockenhurst Primary School where Year 3 teacher Sam Wilcox based an eco-project around the story. He challenged pupils to make a tree from waste, research plastic pollu- tion in the oceans, and write about the issue to New Forest East MP Julian Lewis. Mr Wilcox said: “It’s so that people are aware of the impacts that they have and what they can do about it and the Snow Leopards class have also cre- ated instructions on how to go single-use plastic free.

“This has been a lovely proj- ect. Thank you Welcome Co-op for the opportunity!” The school’s tree now has pride of place in Wel- come Brockenhurst as the store’s Christmas tree to stress the importance of disposing of rubbish responsibly. From sales of the book Wel- come has raised £450 which it will donate to Wildlife charities. Ms Laan has donated nearly £1,000 to Elephant Orphanage Charities from another book, Elephants, which teaches chil- dren about wildlife conserva- tion.

told that “the whole future of this country depends on the results which you obtain”. He succeeded and, having demonstrated that bomb-

April 1945. He was the last command- ing officer of the Royal Paki- stan Air Force and held many

being myself, Samantha Midgley

the woodgreen lockdown quizzes , Anthony swift

It is those lockdown quizzes which have been collected into a book. “It makes a great stocking filler and as well as having a piece of social history, the do- nation will be a true gift to the NHS, which has been excep- tional this year.” Available for a suggested do- nation of £15 plus £5 post and packing for the books. They will also be on sale at the Horse and Groom in Woodgreen, the Fordingbridge bookshop and the Woodgreen village shop. Sample questions include: In 34 episodes which was the only car never to win a race in The Whacky Races? The answer: The mean machine, car number 00, driven by Dick Dastardly and Muttley? Anthony’s quiz is still run- ning online. Visit www.patreon .com/anthonysquiz

Sami and Ablie

than enough. She added: “I think it real- ly does come across that it is written by a mother. It essen- tially a love story – to her, this little boy is perfect. She shows patience, and compliments him, while encouraging him to be true to himself.” The book is available to buy online at Etsy by search- ing “Beingyourselfbook” and there are also plans for it to be stocked in some local shops. Visit www.facebook.com/ s ama n t h am i d g l e y p h o t o graphy

Horse and Groom quizmaster Anthony Swift

THIS ARTICLE IS PART OF A PAID-FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

THERE’S LIGHTATTHEENDOFTHETUNNEL... BUT, FORNOW, EMBRACELOCKDOWNLIFE

Once again theUK is livingunder toughbut necessary restrictions aswebattleCOVID-19. Vaccines offerus hope andaway out but, until then, wemust all play ourpart in together beating the virus.We lookat themanywayswe cancontinue to stay at home andenjoy life.

More exercise, DIY and daily routine have helped couple cope

YouTube yoga andfitness classes online. Reading and crosswords have alsofilledour days,” confirmedAngela. “Themobile libraryhas provideda fantastic service allowingus to choose and orderbooks online andcollect locally. Danielle Steel has beenaparticular favourite formewhilemyhusband has continuedwithhis love ofDickens, Steinbeckand Hemingway.” Despitenot visiting family, theyhavekept in touch. “FaceTime callinghas become a regular occurrencewith calls toour grandchildrenand listening toour grandsonread stories fromhis school book.” Tohelpcopewith lockdown, they continue to stick to a routine.

HusbandandwifeTimand AngelaHoe (below) have embraced life in lockdown. TheYorkshire couplehas exercisedmore, completed DIY jobs around thehouse and gardenandbecomewell-read. “Like everyone else, ourworldhas completely changed,” saidAngela. “Work has stopped, usual placeswe visitedclosed, andwe arenot allowed to visit friends and family. “All our shopping is supermarket click-and- collect or fromour local independents and farmshop.” Theyhave two adult children. DaughterCharlotte liveswithherpartnernearby while sonLewis liveswithhis wifeLucy and two children Harry, aged six, andLily, 18 months, inBournemouth. Angelahas not seen themor herparents, who also live in Yorkshire, for tenmonths. The couple love to exercise andhave continued todo so withinupdatedrules. “Withgyms closing, itwas a case of keeping ourselves fitwithrunning, biking and

Life in lockdown is undoubtedly different. But, embrace it, and it can offer newopportunities. Take up a hobby, learn a skill, exercise, read, bake, take up a craft and complete jobs around the house you have been putting off. New technologies allowus to keep in touchwith family and friends as well as connecting on virtual pub quizzes and classes. There is light at the end of the tunnel with rules regularly reviewed and the vaccination programme being rolled out apace. But for nowwe are in this together, all having a vital part to play.

As COVID-19 tightens its grip, lockdown restrictions have again been put in place, and are likely to remain for some time to come. Schools to shops, work to pubs, restaurants, cinemas and gyms – all aspects of our lives are affected amid the UK Government andDevolved Administrations’ clear clarion calls to stay at home. Those on the NHS frontline continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic while other key workers are keeping operating essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, waste collection and deliveries. We can all play our part on the path to freedom. All we have to do is obey the rules.

LOTS TO DO: Home improvements and more reading are just two things that can help you get through lockdown.

MENTALWELLBEING

n There are thingswe canall do to lookafter ourmental wellbeing at this time. n EveryMindMatters canget you startedwitha freeNHS onlineplan, showing you simple steps to helpmanage anxiety, sleepbetter, andboost yourmood. n For yourmental healthactionplan, searchEveryMind Matters today. n Formore informationgo to gov.uk/coronavirus