16th July 2026 • The HERALD • Page 85 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v SELF-EMPLOYED GARDENERS REQUIRED We’re looking for a number of additional gardeners to help us provide a gardening service to a large number of residents across the Waterside. We offer competitive rates of pay & support across the gardening season. To apply or find out more, please call or email Waterside Community Fund 7 Drummond Court, Hythe SO45 6HD Tel : 023 8084 1305 Email : adminoffice@watersidecommunityfund.org.uk Poets Corner HERALD RECRUITMENT New Forest Festival For Readers, Writers And Lovers Of Words Play on Words returns this autumn from the 22nd-28th October, bringing together writers, readers and lovers of words for a lively programme of events and activities for all ages centred around the written word, including popular events such as the Local Writer Showcase at St Barbe, the Play on Words Open Mic at Forest Arts and the Sci Fi and Fantasy Quiz at Vibrant Forest, hosted by the Imaginarium Bookshop. is year’s festival celebrates local voices and the power of community in a condensed edition, deliberately making space for New Forest residents to get more involved: attend events and activities, share writing, volunteer, and help to plan the future. A follow up a ernoon event at Lymington Community Centre on 21st November, 2pm - 4.30pm, invites anyone who’d like to support the festival and other literature activity in the New Forest to have a cup of tea and a conversation about the future. Executive Director of ArtfulScribe and producer of the festival Bridget Floyer said: “We’ve felt privileged to work with the Play on Words steering group for the last few years to support the festival to grow and expand from New Milton to reach across the New Forest district. With funding confirmed through to 2027, this is an exciting time to bring in new voices to help shape the festival’s future as a local celebration of all things reading and writing.” Founded by two New Milton residents in 2018 and currently produced by ArtfulScribe C.I.C., in recent years, Play on Words has attracted over 2,000 people annually to more than 40 events, activities and exhibitions across the New Forest. is year’s festival is funded by Culture in Common, New Milton Town Council and through ArtfulScribe’s ongoing literature development programme for the New Forest, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. To nd out more about events and get new programme announcements and ticketing information, visit the Play on Words website: www.playonwords.org.uk, sign up to the mailing list, or follow on @POWNewForest on social media. ose interested in being more involved are encouraged to contact the festival team: admin@artfulscribe.co.uk Save the date for Totton Art Society’s Summer Exhibition running from 26th-29th August, 10am–4pm at Marys Church Eling, just across the bridge from the Eling Tide Mill Experience. It’s a great opportunity to see the recent art work produced by their members, in this beautiful historic church. ere’s lots to see in this unique area, a great day out for people of all ages. Totton Art Society’s Summer Exhibition DOWN THE BEACH WITH ‘GRUMPS’ by Mike ‘Grumps’ Bennett© I’d be happier sat in a bar Than be stuck, in the heat in this car As the traffic is bad It is driving me mad I just pray that the beach isn’t far The next ‘challenge’ on which we embark Is to try to find somewhere to park There’s a ‘blooming’ great queue Empty spaces are few Hope we get one before it gets dark! We’re in luck, but I’m still in a huff Tell me - Why do we need all this ‘stuff’? Parasol and five chairs Loads of food, but who cares? A few bottles of beer is enough So we get to the beach and I’m ‘whacked’ Look for gaps - and you’ve guessed it - it’s packed Things look bleak if not grim Yes - our chances are slim Odds against us, I’d say, are well stacked! Can’t believe it, we’ve found ‘ONE SQUARE YARD’!! Though to reach it, with others, we’ve sparred ‘Twas a dash for the ‘spot’ We outsprinted the lot Now to squeeze us all in will be hard And before I sit down - kids ‘create’ For an ice-cream - they’re in a right state Haven’t had my first beer So I’m not in good cheer For the moment they’ll just have to wait Then the kids want a castle of sand They say “Grumps, won’t you give us a hand?” I’m too old - can’t they see? And if left up to me Having fun on the beach would be banned! “Go down for a paddle” they said I can’t swim, so deep water - I dread Grit my teeth, I’ll be bold Cos it’s gonna be cold It’s FFFFFREEZING, my feet have gone ‘dead’! Later on I’m asleep in my chair They won’t wake me - they just wouldn’t dare I went out like a light Had no food, not a ‘bite’ And the beer was strong, let’s be fair Now you know I’m not one to complain But it seems we’ve been caught out again As umbrellas - we lack And the sky has turned black Yes - believe me, it’s pouring with rain We decided to call it a day So we’re back in the car - on our way As the sky slowly clears And the kids are in tears I feel saddened, I share their dismay I look back when there’s no one about Folk were kind cos they’ve taken me out They showed love and respect Things I tend to neglect I’ll be better to them - have no doubt! Wheelie Bins by Lee Owers© We would like to thank the Council for being kind to us, Giving us all wheelie bins although we made a fuss. One top is green, the other one black, Would the council mind if we sent them back? But there they stand looking very smart, We will learn to love them from the bottom of our heart. So I would like to thank our Council for wheelie bin mess But we all know they’re trying to do their very best When I look down my garden, what do I see? ose wheelie bins looking back at me. YOU SHOWED ME Lyrics by Barry Lowe© You showed me how to breathe for the rst time, Showed me how to laugh how not to cry, Made the words I love you the sweetest ever heard, You showed me how to live not just get by. You showed me how the glimmer of a reside, Showed hearts the way as love came in a rush, You showed me how to hold you but not how to let go you, You never showed me how to never love. Chorus You showed me how to hold and always love you, But not how to let my heart stay in control, You showed me how to hold and always love you, You just never showed me how to let you go. You showed me all the good times and the good days, Showed me a world where skies were blue not grey, When everything we had was all we wanted, You just never showed you never meant to stay. You showed me how to breathe for the rst time, You showed me how to laugh how not to cry, You showed me how to hold you but not how to let go you, You never showed me how to say goodbye. Chorus You showed me how to breathe for the rst time, You showed me how to laugh how not to cry, You showed me how to hold you but not how to let you go, You never showed me how to say goodbye. You showed me how to hold you but not how to let go you, You never showed me how to say goodbye. The copyright of all poems that are published in The Herald belong to the author and must NOT be reproduced without their permission
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