11th December 2025 • The HERALD • Page 31 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v Call for a FREE Quotation 023 8084 0257 www.gasworks.co.uk Visit our showroom at 299 Shirley Road, Southampton SO15 3HU Fireplaces and Surrounds Gas and Electric Fires Full Installation Service Service and Maintenance Your Local Professional Electrician • Complete Rewires • Periodic Inspection Reports • Fault Finding & Repair • New Consumer Units • New Circuits • Central Heating Wiring • Extra Sockets/Lights • PAT Testing • No Job Too Small • Part P Registered • Fast & Efficient Service • Free Estimates Telephone Gary on 07788 865081 forestelectrical@gmail.com CONCERT REPORT from Solent Concert Orchestra Amazing! Outstanding! Such was the audience’s reaction to the Solent Concert Orchestra’s musical director, Simon Wilkins’, performance of the Lalo Cello Concerto accompanied by the Orchestra at their recent concert at Cornerstone (Hythe URC). e programme started with Fauré’s ‘Masques et Bergamasques’, a suite comprising four contrasting pieces, the rst appropriately named ‘Overture’ followed by ‘Menuet’ and a lively ‘Gavotte’ nishing with a somewhat re ective ‘Pastorale’. e second work was Simon Wilkins’s arrangement of Debussy’s famous ‘Claire de Lune’, a romantic musical depiction of nature’s changing moods in the moonlight. e Orchestra then played the serene second movement followed by the stately minuet and trio of the third movement of what is perhaps Mendelssohn’s best known symphony, namely, No.4 the ‘Italian’. e rst half of the concert concluded in a ourish with Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Ballade’ with its erce and dramatic opening followed by a passionate love song and nishing with a vigorous climax featuring the full orchestra. Isabella Stocchetti took over the baton for the second half which commenced, not inappropriately in these times, with Andrew Wooler’s arrangement of the traditional Ukrainian folk song ‘Plyve Kacha’, a lament about a young soldier going o to war. en followed what was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, namely Simon’s faultless rendition of Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor which he played with much passion and expression. It was a truly virtuoso performance justi ably resulting in an encore by the near capacity appreciative audience. Solent Concert Orchestra Donations were made in aid of the New Forest Basics Bank endorsed by the Orchestra’s patron e Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP. £390 was raised for the Charity. Solent Concert Orchestra’s next concert is at the Hangar Farm Arts Centre in Totton on Saturday 14th March featuring Beethoven’s famous Fi h Symphony. Find out more at www.solentconcertorchestra.org.uk/ future-concerts Langley Hub Members Wish Everyone A Happy Christmas And A Peaceful 2026 from Langley Hub Langley Hub, is a group of residents who are trying to provide opportunities for people, who live in Langley, to meet together. During 2025 we have completed regular foot path and hedge trimming projects around St Francis Church and along Lepe Road. Armistice Day was honoured with poppies displayed at the bench, close to the Langley Tavern bus stop, and also at the “Welcome to Langley” road sign on the corner of Lea Road and Chapel Lane. Our sell out quiz nights and music events provided funds so that we could subsidise a morning rst aid course and monthly co ee mornings. As we enter 2026, we hope to continue to provide events to bring the Langley community together. Our website includes an events page detailing the local events occurring in the Waterside area: www.langleyhub.co.uk We are always pleased to welcome new members to the group so get in touch by emailing: Langleyhubnewforest@gmail.com
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