Upcoming events, things to do and businesses to support in Lymington and the New Forest
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Family Fun
This weekend is perhaps the busiest in the local summer calendar for the sheer number of village festivals, fetes and fayres.
First, tomorrow is Oakhaven Hospice Family Fun Day which takes place in the beautiful Oakhaven gardens between 12-4pm. It'll be hosted by a veritable army of volunteers all with smiles as above: everyone is welcome and there really is something for everyone to enjoy. As mentioned last week this year's fun day has a circus theme, including prizes for the best circus fancy dress outfits. Plus the usual popular stalls - including an art sale, the Fizz and Pimms tent, strawberries, pizza, ice creams and a traditional tea room; for the children a circus show and workshop, the Miller’s Ark Animal Farm, inflatables and a great range of games and other entertainment. There will also be a performance by New Forest Academy of Dance. Entry £2 per adult, £1 per child (under 2s free). Just 11% of Oakhaven’s costs are covered by the NHS. The remaining 89% of the £9 million it takes to provide Oakhaven’s vital services each year is raised through the generosity of our community’s kind donations and fundraising, in which the Oakhaven Hospice Family Fun Day plays a very important part!
Also tomorrow, it's the the ever popular Friends of South Baddesley School Summer Fete, and the summer Flower Festival at St Thomas Church which follows last Saturday's hugely successful Midsummer Fayre.
And now see below for news of more family fun at the East Boldre Scarecrow Festival!
Meanwhile the Monkey Brewhouse Summer Beer Festival starts today and continues right through to Sunday evening.
And as if all these were not already enough, tomorrow the gardens will be opened at Kingfishers as part of the National Garden Scheme, and Sunday at Beaulieu it's the National Austin Seven Rally.
SCARECROW ALERT!
The little village of East Boldre with only a few hundred permanent residents has been joined by approximately 50 guests this week including some famous characters as above, in preparation for its first ever Scarecrow Festival this weekend.
The works of art based loosely on the theme 'East Boldre Village' take in the local history of the pre World War One flying school together with fishing at Hatchet Pond, South Baddesley School pupils waiting for the school bus (including one up a tree!) and many more delightful creations. They are to be found at various points along the 3 miles length of the village and everyone is invited to join in this weekend of fun, creativity and community spirit. Pick up a scarecrow trail map from the wonderful Chapel Stores community shop (and do a spot of shopping whilst there!) then complete the trail quiz or just enjoy the scarecrow show, then join the celebrations on Sunday at the East Boldre School Fields with a big BBQ with refreshments and cake from 1pm followed by Prizegiving at 3pm. All proceeds will go to the very special children’s charity HoneyPot. Find all the details here.
SCARECROW FESTIVAL - INCLUDING MORE SCARECROWS!
Butter Wouldn't Melt...
But the donkeys are already working out how to open the new food waste bins, and in so doing bringing the New Forest yet again to the attention of the National Press - so far the Guardian and the Daily Mail! I'm sure solutions will be found, but meanwhile it seems prudent for those of us who live on the forest to leave our food waste bins inside rather than outside our gates on collection mornings.
A reminder as ever to add your events to the Events Calendar. It's free to add up to 3 events; please follow the guidelines here.
And so it comes again to wishing you a lovely summery weekend.
Best wishes Jane
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A WEEK OF MUSIC, JOY AND WORLD-CLASS TALENT!
That's the verdict on this year's Solent Music Festival, this time in the words of the team at Scott Bailey Solicitors instead of me!
"There’s something quite magical about hearing live music in a beautiful setting - and this year’s 13th Solent Music Festival delivered magic in abundance. Taking place through the week of 24 to 30 May at St Thomas Church, just next door to the Scott Bailey offices, the festival brought a week-long celebration of music to Lymington, and we were very proud to be the official sponsor.
From classical masterpieces to uplifting jazz, each and every concert was packed, with the audience often finishing the night with a standing ovation. The variety of music has always been part of the festival’s charm, and whether you’re a seasoned concertgoer or new to the genre, there’s something for everyone. We are incredibly lucky to be treated to world-class music right on our doorstep and our heartfelt thanks go to the entire Festival team and the extraordinary musicians who made this another unforgettable week of music and celebration.”
Read the rest of this week's newsletter here
And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!
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