Gardens Galore
First an enormous thank you to so many of you, for your lovely messages and generous donations following last week's newsletter about Olly's Alps Arc. Honestly, your responses have been so overwhelming, it's been really heart warming for me, and for Olly there's definitely no going back now! Several people have also have written praising the mole screening service at The Arches, with one gentleman now receiving treatment for a facial skin cancer which was identified through the screening.
And now, following the wonderful afternoon in Lymington a couple of weeks ago, this weekend it's the turn of Sway to show off its beautiful gardens at Sway Open Gardens. On Sunday between 11am and 5pm a total of eighteen privately owned gardens will be open to the public for this one day only. There will also be a fundraising plant stall and raffle, refreshments and musical entertainment, with all proceeds to Oakhaven Hospice. Do go along if you can - Sunday's weather is looking reasonably good, too! Advance tickets (at £8 instead of £10) are available online until MIDDAY today. Or buy tickets in Sway on the day.
A word and diary note at the same time about Oakhaven's own Family Fun Day which this year will take place on Saturday 27 June in the lovely gardens and grounds of the hospice itself, this year with a pirate theme...
Dylan's Diary
"People often ask about things to do in the New Forest, and food is such a big part of that." For those of you who haven't yet met him, this is Dylan James, Head Chef at Careys Manor's renowned Cambium Restaurant in Brockenhurst. Dylan is anticipating a packed diary of creating and crafting fine dining menus all summer long. This year he is especially looking forward to the milestone 10th anniversary of Lymington Seafood Festival, which throughout the weekend of Friday 10 - Sunday 12 July in Bath Road Park in Lymington will bring together chefs, producers and food lovers and, along with some splendid live music entertainment promises a big summer treat for us all.
Careys Manor is headline sponsor of the Chef's Stage and Cookery Demonstration Tent, where television presenter and food expert Chris Bavin will be guiding audiences through chef demonstrations, interviews and live events across the weekend.
For Dylan, it's an opportunity to showcase the incredible ingredients available on our doorstep. With his team he'll be taking part in demonstrations throughout the weekend, sharing their approach to seasonal cooking and local ingredients. "The relationship between the New Forest, the coast and local food is something we're passionate about at Careys Manor. The festival brings all of that together in one place, whether you're a keen cook or simply someone who enjoys good food and spending time by the water."
One of the highlights Dylan is particularly looking forward to is the return of The Big Careys Cook Off, now in its second year. Created in partnership with the festival, the competition invites local amateur chefs to share photographs of their favourite dishes for the chance to compete live during the festival weekend. Dylan encourages us to enter: "You don't need to be a professional chef to create something memorable. The Cook Off is all about celebrating local talent and having a bit of fun."
Away from the festival, Careys Manor's summer calendar continues to celebrate the connection between food, people and place. Read on to discover all the other treats in store!
Fish (n Chips) (and Peas) Friday Anyone?
So who knew - I certainly didn't until I did a bit of research to see what's special about today - that Friday 5 June is National Fish and Chip Day?
It's the biggest celebration of the UK's national dish, bringing together local chippies and food lovers for special deals, giveaways, and charity events; always held on the first Friday in June, it apparently marks the traditional start to the summer season and is historically connected to the World War II D-Day landings, at a time when fish and chips were a crucial comfort food. And see more on the historical context below...
As it happens I was ahead of the day: above is my plateful on Wednesday evening at the Turfcutters Arms, where in tune with this week's not-at-all-summery weather they'd lit the fire and a cosy, jolly time was being had by all - including the regular Wednesday Evening Cyclists who'd managed to arrive without being blown off their bikes!
Every Friday at the Turfs really is Fish and Chip Friday, with two portions of fish, chips and peas for just £30; add a bottle of house wine and the total's only £45, which seems like a pretty good meal deal in this day and age, especially when there's live music too, which in fact there is tonight with Bushwacker Mark. Call 01590 612331 to book a table!
Wartime Walks in the Gardens at Exbury
During WWII, Exbury House became a “stone frigate”, operating as a land-based ship, HMS Mastodon. As such it formed part of the complex planning network which ultimately resulted in the successful D-Day invasion of France.
In April 1944, shortly before D-Day, a German Junkers 188 bomber was spotted approaching Exbury House before being brought down in the fields below the house by two RAF Typhoons, assisted by the Lower Exbury anti-aircraft battery. This intriguing story is told in the book, The Exbury Junkers: a World War II Mystery by John Stanley. Join the author on a fascinating walk around the gardens and wider estate as John recounts the curious tale of the lone bomber and its unknown mission, and shares his knowledge of the role of Exbury House leading up to D-Day.
Wartime Walks at Exbury Gardens: Tours are being held tomorrow and Sunday and start at 11am and 2pm. £5 per person for Friends of Exbury members and £20 for non-members, including a full day’s admission to the gardens.
And More Local History!
'Keeping the Lights Burning' has been a labour of love and painstaking research by Rebecca Gabzdyl and Judith Richardson to trace the history of the Baptist Church - now East Boldre Community Stores - and trade in East Boldre, from the early nineteenth century to 2024. It's fascinating! It must also be a microcosm of a multitude of local histories which will never be written and in its way a tribute to the lives of ordinary folk everywhere. If you'd like to pre-order a copy before the first print run, click here!
Upcoming Events...
Hoping for a let up in tomorrow's weather for the fundraising Summer Fair @ William Gilpin School and Tiptoe Village Fayre, and for Beaulieu Bikers' Day too!
New Forest Disability Information Service offers free advice at Local hubs in the community. Next week they will be in Lymington on Monday, Ringwood on Tuesday, and Testwood and Totton on Wednesday. You are welcome to drop in to the hub to ask the charity any disability-related questions.
Finally, a reminder about the wonderful fundraising Music Weekend at Kingfishers on Saturday and Sunday 20 and 21 June - there are still plenty of tickets available, and summer will be back by then!
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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