Herald - Issue 380

Page 18 • The HERALD • 24th October 2019 v FOR GOOD ADVICE - ASK YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v Acorn Building Contracts Ltd u Reliable, local builders offering affordable, quality workmanship u Our employees are fully qualified and fully insured u All aspects of building undertaken including extensions, structural alterations, roofing, ground works, kitchens, bathrooms, carpentry and plastering u Drawings arranged u Insurance work undertaken u Local Authority Approved Contractor For free quotations and friendly advice please call Office: 023 8024 3336 Mobile: 07786 656865 Email: acornbuilding@googlemail.com or visit our website: www.acorn-builders.co.uk You will not be disappointed FOR QUALITY AND SERVICE • DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL WORKS • DISABLED FACILITIES Hardley Industrial Estate, Hythe, Southampton Telephone: (023) 8084 9999 Fax: (023) 8084 9999 • Mobile: 07836 525286 E stablished 1955 Chris Hopkins Painting, Decorating, Carpentry, Tiling Free Estimates Photographs & references available on request Telephone: 023 8081 5210 Mobile: 07986 806277 07378 350979 Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH Finalist In Hampshire Countryside Awards e New Forest Non-Native Plants Project, hosted by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, was delighted to be selected as a Finalist in the Hampshire Countryside Awards 2019. e annual awards are run by e Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to celebrate the innovative, diverse and sustainable work being done to enhance the county. e New Forest Non-Native Plants Project was recognised as a Finalist in the ‘Community and Voluntary’ category at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 17th September. e Project aims to stop the spread of invasive non-native plants, particularly along watercourses and in wetland habitats. Catherine Chatters, New Forest Non-Native Plants O cer, said: “Our wonderful volunteers play a vital role in helping to control these vigorous invaders, generously giving their time to work cheerfully in all weathers, often in very muddy conditions. It’s great that their dedication, determination and hard work have been recognised”. Left to Right: Patsy Baverstock (volunteer), Nigel Atkinson (Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire), Brian Matthews (volunteer), Catherine Chatters and Jo Gore (New Forest Non-Native Plants Officers). Photo by: Jason Allen Photography New Forest Walking Festival Returns for Bumper Year Smuggler’s trails, wild play activities and fascinating wildlife are just some of the treats awaiting walkers in this autumn’s extended New Forest Walking Festival. e festival boasts dozens of guided walks led by knowledgeable local experts and booking is now open online. Walks take you behind the scenes in the Forest to reveal the area’s history, heritage and wildlife until Sunday 3rd November , which includes half term week. eNationalParkisawonderfulplacetowalkduringthe autumn, with at, accessible routes that allow walkers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the Forest’s ery foliage. Walks cover topics including: • Free-roaming pigs, ponies and the traditional rights of communing. • Wild play activities for children. • WWII experimental sites. • A secret forest. • Top tips for bird watching. Many of the walks are free or discounted thanks to the festival being supported by the £4.4m National Heritage Lottery Fund Our Past, Our Future landscape partnership scheme. e festival is run in partnership with many local organisations including the Forestry Commission, Hampshire County Council, and New Forest Ramblers and Hampshire. For full details, including booking, visit www. newforestnpa.gov.uk/walkingfestival Walkers enjoy a New Forest Walking Festival stroll in Beaulieu BEETLE DRIVE SUCCESS As reported in a previous issue of eHerald, Marchwood Twinning Association’s Beetle Drive was held on Saturday 28th September in St. John’s Church Hall, Marchwood. e evening commenced with a hogdog or veggie burger supper, complemented by salads brought by the committee. Supper was followed by the ‘Beetle Drive’. Quite a simple game of rolling dice and drawing a beetle, but with the added element of moving tables a er each game. e rst person to draw a complete beetle shouts ‘beetle’ and moves one table clockwise. e players with the highest score on all other tables also move one table clockwise. A player wins the game when he/she gets back to the table they started from, or when eight rounds are completed, the winner then being the person the highest total for all eight rounds. ose taking part thought this would be good entertainment for their French guests when they visit next May. eir ‘French Conversation’ evenings are held in the Church Hall for one hour on Wednesday evenings, starting at 7.30pm. eir current attendance includes beginners to advanced including a French lady, and they all help each other to improve their French. Why not pop along to meet them. Your rst session is free, further sessions just £2 per meeting.