Upcoming events, things to do and businesses to support in Lymington and the New Forest
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Love, Kindness, and Pancakes!
These last weeks you have probably been inundated with heart-filled marketing emails; it would be hard not to be aware that it's Valentine's Day tomorrow! The annual 'Day of Love' was traditionally dedicated to expressing affection, romance, and appreciation for partners, friends, and family, with cards, flowers and chocolates. An email from M&S this week inviting me to buy heart-covered PJ's seemed to go a bit far, but who's to gainsay the Valentine's menus at our local hostelries: supporting them all after a long lean January is most definitely to be recommended. And best of all, the weather forecasters are promising us a beautiful sunny Saturday!
Anyway. Feeling the love is the perfect starting mood for Random Acts of Kindness Day next Tuesday, when we're all encouraged to spread love, compassion and positivity through small, unexpected acts of kindness.
Next Tuesday is also 'Shrove' ('being absolved from sin') Tuesday. The tradition on the eve of the fasting period of Lent was for people to use up ingredients they were not allowed to eat during the next 40 days, especially those that would spoil, like eggs and milk. Which is how Shrove Tuesday became known as Pancake Day or Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), because a great way to use up these ingredients is making pancakes and waffles.
With an increasing number of luxury toppings available these can be as fancy as you like! For my money though the best pancakes (here's the Good Food recipe) are the simplest: tossed in the pan for fun then served sprinkled with sugar and a good squeeze of lemon juice.
As Half Term Begins...
As pupils leave schools for a week during which families hope for better weather, it's shout-out time for Lymington Infant School. Largely due to a dip in the birth rate which will affect all schools for the next couple of years, pupil numbers are down for Reception in September and there is space, which needs filling!
Lymington Infants is a truly wonderful school, where many 'extra' things happen which help children to develop into rounded, caring big people. Here's just one example. Last September the school started a new 'Intergenerational' project with Linden House Dementia Care Home and now every Monday afternoon, accompanied by Headteacher Julia Morris and an additional member of staff, around 15 children and elderly residents of the home gather together. Sometimes the children read stories and the residents share stories back, other times everyone joins in singing songs together. Currently the children are also taking part in the Linden House 'Shine a light on Dementia' project. It's magical for the residents and a really beneficial experience for everyone.
If you like the sound of all this, click the button and make a date to visit the school!
CONTACT LYMINGTON INFANT SCHOOL
Mediation - Not Just A One-Off
Growing up and moving on: how ongoing family mediation can support families as life changes
Half term can be a natural pause - a moment to notice how quickly life evolves. Children grow, routines shift, and family circumstances change in ways we don’t always anticipate.
For anyone sharing parenting responsibilities after separation, it’s common to find that arrangements which once worked well may no longer feel quite right as time passes. What suited a toddler, for example, may not suit a teenager — and family life rarely stands still.
Family mediation is often seen as something used only at the point of separation. In reality, it can be a valuable ongoing resource, helping families adapt over time. It offers a constructive, practical space to revisit agreements as children’s needs change - supporting communication and problem-solving without the stress or expense of returning to court.
This month’s article from Scott Bailey Solicitors explores how mediation can help families navigate the changing realities of shared parenting - and why revisiting arrangements can be a positive step forward.
THE POWER OF MEDIATION - READ HERE
Other News
Big congratulations to the team at East Boldre Village Hall, the last surviving WW1 Airfield building on the Forest and an important community space. They have successfully raised over £450,000 for a major refurbishment project, which will transform the hall and allow for a greater number and broader range of activities to be provided. Read more here.
A number of new half term events have been added to the Events Calendar and below - take your pick and enjoy. And at the risk of repeating myself, we have been promised a full day of sunshine tomorrow - so let's get out there and make the most of it!
Best wishes Jane
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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