Pannage in the New Forest

Watch out for piggies on the road this autumn!

The pigs of the New Forest play a vital part in the eco-system. Every autumn, when the acorns, chestnuts and various other nuts have fallen from their trees, up to 600 domestic pigs (usually owned by commoners) are let out onto the New Forest National Park for up to 60 days, to clear away and eat the nuts. This is called ‘pannage' or ‘common of mast’, and it is important because many of the nuts are poisonous to other animals in the New Forest, such as

Priestlands celebrates excellent GCSE results!

Congratulations to year 11 students at Lymington's Comprehensive School.

There was much to celebrate at Priestlands School last week as students received their GCSE results. Despite the uncertainties of the new exams in many subjects, Priestlands students did very well. 

English, Maths and Science sustained high performance whilst there were also record results in Business Studies, Computing Science, Geography, ICT, PE and strong performances in many other subjects. 

A third of all grades awarded were at 9-7 or A/A* and 74% students secured the new standard pass (4-9) in English ­and Maths, with 54% students secured the

Lasting Powers of Attorney demystified - and relevant to many of us

Life Matters for Lymington with Paula from Lester Aldridge

The second in our new monthly series on those niggling legal matters to which we should attend: t his month Paula Shea from Lester Aldridge de-mystifies Lasting Powers of Attorney,  in Plain English.   

Following last month's "Importance of a Will", this helpful Q&A about Powers of Attorney sets the scene for the next important subject to consider if we want the people we love to benefit the most (and the taxman the least!) should something happen to us.

Powers

Solent Music Festival Lymington 19-23 September 2018

World class classical music performances live on our doorstep 

Now in its sixth year the Solent Music Festival returns to Lymington from Wednesday 19th through to Sunday 23rd September.

Pianist Sam Haywood, the festival’s Artistic Director, says ‘I had dreamt of running a music festival for many years, of being able to put together programmes of my favourite works performed by the musicians I most admire. At the suggestion of a friend, Sophia and I came to Lymington and met with then Councillor Elizabeth Lewis, now the Festival’s president. Elizabeth advised that we

Celebrate National Burger Day with this great Beaulieu Burger!

Montagu Arms head chef shares recipe of the famous Monty's Burger

Thursday 23 August is National Burger Day! 

Matthew Tomkinson, head chef at the Montagu Arms Hotel in the heart of the New Forest, has shared with us the recipe of the famous Monty's Burger so that you can recreate it at home! Perfect for a Bank Holiday Weekend barbecue!

Of course you could save yourself the trouble and visit Monty's Inn to sample their fabulous burgers (and other food) for yourself! Find details of Monty's Inn here . And if fish

Local businesses on show at the 2018 New Forest Show

Hot, hotter and huge crowds, for this year’s extreme weather show!

This year’s top spectator attractions were gigantic: in the main rings the amazing Ben Atkinson with his team of horses and brave stunt ridersand the Mounted Hunter games both enthralled and delighted the crowds.

Meanwhile close to the Forestry Commission corner the Shire horses resplendently turned out enjoyed their own in hand classes, a spectacle in their own right allowing the public to get up really close to these magnificent creatures.

Lots of interest…

Coastal Comedy in Lymington, with TV headliner Adam Bloom

3 hilarious comedians at the Lymington Centre on 22 September, with Piddle Beer too!

Adam Bloom was 18 months old when his parents nicknamed him The Voice, and when he was 10, he told them he was going to be a comedian. By the age of 23, he was. Adam has appeared on various stand-up and panel shows on TV, and has recorded three series of his own Radio 4 show, The Problem with Adam Bloom.

Ricky Gervais says: Adam Bloom has been one of his favourite comedians for ten years:

The 2018 New Forest Dog Friendly Awards

Brand new awards scheme to recognise places in the New Forest where dogs feel welcomed

The New Forest and Solent shore are perfect for dog walks and it's little wonder that the area attracts many visitors and locals with four-legged friends. In fact the New Forest is doggy heaven for well behaved dogs.

Have you and your dog discovered a really dog-friendly business that is worth celebrating? The New Forest Dog Friendly Awards is your opportunity to nominate your favourite dog friendly businesses in the New Forest area.

Awards for dog friendly places to…

Colten Care is joining the anti plastic revolution

New Forest care home operator is removing more than a million single-use plastic items from its operations every year.

Good news for the overall "anti plastic" campaign in Lymington and the New Forest is that one of our higher "consuming" businesses is really taking this issue seriously.

Colten Care has consulted relatives, management and support departments of its care homes in the New Forest as part of the launch of a campaign aimed at eradicating throwaway plastic. Altogether, the use of 1,161,124 plastic items will be avoided each year by choosing more environmentally