Buzz of activity as care home residents turn children’s champions

The Honeypot Children's Charity praises Colten Care's Woodpeckers home for their support

Woodpeckers nursing home in the New Forest has experienced a buzz of activity as residents raised hundreds of pounds to help young carers.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity praised Colten Care’s home in Brockenhurst for making and selling craft items to support its work. Betty Hampton, who knitted a host of bee-inspired woollen gifts including glove and finger puppets, was among residents receiving a thank-you visit from Honeypot representatives including mascot Bumble.

“Helping children who are carers is such a

2018 Lymington Italia Festival supporting local MS Society branch

Free event on 1st July 2018 will include Ferrari convoy, Italian market and live music

Lymington’s FREE Italia Festival will be held on July 1st this year with all charitable proceeds going to the Lymington and New Forest branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Lymington and Pennington Town Council event is set to be bigger than ever in 2018, thanks to a huge wave of local support. For those who don’t know, it’s all about chic Italian motor cars, quality Italian food, a fun family day out and raising money for

Lymington Seafood Festival puts New Forest on the UK Food Map

The second annual Seafood Festival promises an amazing line up of local producers.

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August 2018

Following its immense success and popularity in 2017, the Lymington Seafood Festival is gearing up for a weekend of gastronomic delights with over 85 local artisan producers attending this year’s event. With its stunning Solent backdrop, Bath Road Park will host the free two-day festival on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August. Organisers are also delighted to announce their support for Sail 4 Cancer, this year’s festival charity.

Background…

A break for both carer and cared for with Colten Care's short stay offer

Sometimes a holiday is just what's needed, providing precious time to be "you" again.

Whether recovering from a spell in hospital, or simply wanting to give your carer - or yourself - a break, a short stay in one of Colten Care's homes could be just the ticket.

Caring for a loved one can be demanding and stressful, both emotionally and physically. We all deserve an occasional break from our responsibilities – and that’s where a respite stay in a beautiful, welcoming care home comes in. You may well

Help Lymington and Pennington win South & South East in Bloom awards!

Suggest areas to the Town Council by 30 June in time for judging 6 July 2018

The South & South East in Bloom campaign is the largest horticultural campaign in the region involving hundreds of communities each year. Participating communities create lasting improvements to their local environment for the benefit of those that live, work and visit. 

The campaign provides a sense of community spirit and pride and encourages encourages communities to tackle everything from litter, graffiti and anti-social behaviour through to conservation, sustainability and improving horticultural standards.

In

National Hospitality Charity winner chooses 'Break of a Lifetime' at Balmer Lawn

The New Forest’s Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa is the destination of choice for charity 'hidden hero'.

The hotel industry has come together to give thanks to a veteran of volunteering; with a stay at her dream hotel, Brockenhurst’s iconic 4 star Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa. 

National charity, Room to Reward works on a simple premise - partner hotels donate their anticipated unsold rooms to the initiative. Registered charities are invited to nominate their ‘Hidden Heroes’ for a break away. If selected, volunteers choose from over 150 hotels

Life’s a picnic at The Montagu Arms!

Enjoy National Picnic Week in the New Forest with a fabulous Montagu Arms hamper!

As the sun beats down on our glorious English countryside, what could be nicer than packing up a picnic hamper and finding a secluded spot away from the madding crowds for lunch with a view?

And, thanks to a luxury New Forest hotel, you won’t even have to spend hours hunting for that battered old picnic basket or making your own sandwiches.

To celebrate National Picnic Week from June 15-24, The Montagu Arms has created a fabulous wicker hamper

Enjoy a fish and chip supper on the banks of the Beaulieu River.

Takeaway fish and chips from Monty's Inn every Friday over the summer months!

We’re a nation who love our fish and chips – and what could be better on a balmy summer’s evening than sitting on the banks of a river in a picturesque English village, tucking into white, flaky fish in crispy batter and a pile of rustling, golden chips?

It’s National Fish and Chip Day on 1st June, and as a salute to this iconic British dish, a luxury country house hotel and pub in the

Colten Care to end use of throwaway plastic

'Caring, without plastic' will see cuts in avoidable plastic waste across all departments

The owner and operator of five New Forest nursing homes has become the first major provider in the UK’s private care sector to begin a group-wide reduction of single-use plastic.

Family-owned Colten Care, which runs homes in Lymington, Brockenhurst and New Milton, is aiming to cut avoidable plastic waste across all its departments.

Residents, families and team members have all fed in ideas on how to eliminate non-recyclables and replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives.

Caring, without plastic

The

Lymington's Ocean Brothers hit their £100,000 goal!

Jude and Greg's successful transatlantic row has raised important funds for the British Skin Foundation.

Earlier this year Jude Massey and Greg Bailey, the 'Ocean Brothers', successfully completed a dramatic, unsupported 53 day row across the Atlantic - with Jude breaking a Guinness World Record in the process, becoming the youngest person to have rowed any ocean in a team of two.

The Ocean Brothers rowed in memory of their late father and stepfather, Pete Massey, who passed away two years ago following a 16 year battle with skin cancer. Their objective was also to raise

First falconer in centuries appointed for new Beaulieu exhibition

Official Falconer will give falconry demonstrations this half term as part of Beaulieu's Spies and Solders activities.

Lord Montagu has rekindled Beaulieu's ancient association with the art of falconry by appointing the first official falconer in three centuries.

The history of falconry at Beaulieu can be traced as far back as the 11th century and Paul Manning is believed to be the first falconer endorsed by the Montagu family for over 300 years.

Paul will be based in Abbot’s Mews in the grounds of 13th century Beaulieu Abbey. The former ticket

"I've found my perfect job!"

A Career in Care in the New Forest with Colten Care

You only have to glance at the recruitment pages in the local papers and online, to see that the New Forest is bursting with jobs in care!  It makes you wonder why there are always more jobs advertised than people applying for them, which is an issue for employers as well as for those who need care.

Going home each day with a sense of achievement and job satisfaction

We spoke to local people who have actively chosen a career in care of the

Lymington's Aqua Plumbing celebrates 25 years!

Expert, reliable and friendly plumbing and heating service throughout the New Forest.

When Sean Ward set up his own plumbing and heating business in May 1993, he’s the first to admit “there was no plan.” The plan didn’t go beyond earning enough to cover rent, the odd (!) pint in the Chequers on Friday night and sailing at the weekend.

At 25, with a City & Guilds plumbing and heating apprenticeship, 4 years’ industrial and domestic experience, 5 years’ experience on the tools, a turquoise Austin Maestro, nicknamed the “tractor” and a “can-do” attitude, Sean

Foals on the Forest - visitors and locals watch out on the roads!

The merry month of May is prime time for newborn foals in the new Forest

May is a magical month as once again tiny foals are being born all over the New Forest, soon to be seen gambolling about and winning our hearts.  

Please take extra care on the unfenced roads.

Foals move very fast and are unpredictable.

Some of them even lie on the road!

So give yourself plenty of time on your daily commute, or when crossing the Forest at any time.

A very simple message