Page 38 • The HERALD • 15th May 2025 v THE HERALD - ENCOURAGING LOCAL ENTERPRISE v OUT & ABOUT Lyndhurst Second Hand Book, Map and Ephemera Fair Saturday 31st May 10am - 4pm, 50p entry Lyndhurst Community Centre, SO43 7NY 100s books, maps & ephemera for sale For more information email Lsbookfairs@gmail.com or call Ed Bailey on 07967 643579 Furzey Gardens: Top Reasons To Visit This Spring If you’re looking for the best spring gardens in Hampshire, Furzey Gardens is a hidden gem in the New Forest that truly comes to life this time of year. From peaceful paths to dazzling colour and fairy doors to discover, spring is by far the best time to visit Furzey Gardens. Whether you’re a garden lover, a keen photographer, or a parent looking for things to do with children, here are the top reasons not to miss the magic of Furzey this season. 1. Dazzling spring owers with colourful displays May and early June are peak owering season at Furzey Gardens. Rare and beautiful plants, including vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas, burst into bloom, lling the garden with colour. From sweeping borders to secluded corners, every path is a celebration of spring. e woodland garden is at its peak – with swathes of purples, pinks, yellows and reds lining the twisting paths that criss-cross their 12 acres of mature planting. 2. A peaceful midweek escape Furzey is open seven days a week, but midweek visits o er a calm, relaxed experience, ideal for those looking to enjoy the gardens without the weekend crowds. 3. Fairy doors and family adventures Searching for Furzey’s enchanting fairy doors is a gentle adventure through the woodland garden that sparks imagination and joy. With plenty of space to roam, spring sunshine, and a family-friendly tearoom, it’s the perfect spot for a midweek outing with little ones. 4. A brief but brilliant season Spring at Furzey doesn’t last forever, late April through to June is when the gardens reach their most colourful and dramatic phase. e cosy thatched tea room will be serving a range of drinks, light lunches and snacks. Don’t forget to sample some of their delicious cakes too. Explore the beautiful gardens then enjoy a lunch on the terrace, or a cup of tea and cake with friends. Book your visit www.furzeygardens.org 100 Piers: Painting at the Water Edge New Forest/Waterside U3A members are looking forward to some interesting talks in the near future. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at St Andrew’s Hall in Dibden Purlieu, starting at 2pm. Meetings nish at around 3.30pm, but everyone is invited to stay for tea and biscuits if they wish. ey regularly welcome between 90 and 100 people to their meetings. ey recently enjoyed a most interesting talk entitled ‘Pirates’, given by Richard Hutley. ey learned about their ags, and also that the famous pirates were those who weren’t really very good! ey might have thought that pirates operated at the fringes of society, but in fact, they were o en another arm of a country’s military strength. Previously they enjoyed hearing from Jonathan Broom eld, local cheese expert, from Harveys of Hythe. He told them how he came to do what he does, and he clearly loves it. He brought samples which went down well! Their forthcoming meetings include, 20th May ‘100 Piers: Painting at the Water Edge’, 3rd June, ‘Watermills on the Waterside’, and on 17th June, a talk from a representative of Hampshire Air Ambulance. Special interest groups meet regularly, including skittles, embroidery, table tennis, history, and gardening. Lunches are regularly arranged, too. A new group, for anyone who enjoys playing boules, has recently taken o . ey play on alternate Thursday afternoons, at the Old Mill, Hardley. is is a delightful venue, with a very pretty garden, and for their very rst session they were blessed with what was then the warmest day of the year. Anyone who is interested in joining this friendly U3A group is welcome to go along to a meeting, or to contact the secretary if they’d like to chat rst. Please email: u3a. nfwsecretary@outlook. com
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