Herald - Issue 398

19th November 2020 • The HERALD • Page 29 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v NEW FOREST MOHAIR FARM TO YARN CHRISTMAS MOHAIR SHOP Open Sat 5th, Sunday 6th, Sat 12th and Sun 13th December 11am-4pm at Linden, Jordans Lane, Pilley, Lymington SO41 5QW www.newforestmohair.co.uk 01590 679921 Hand-dyed mohair yarns, curly fleece and fibres. Needlefelting supplies, craft kits, socks, throws and hand-knits OUT & ABOUT FARM TO YARN e Music in Romsey Abbey team are delighted to announce the ongoing return of music to the Abbey, with the following concerts scheduled in December. Please join them in supporting these local musicians. Friday 18th December , 7.30pm, Romsey Singers – A Great and Mighty Wonder. The Romsey Singers entertain with a selection of carols old and new. Saturday 19th December , 7.30pm, Nova Foresta – e Virtuoso Cello Returns. Join Nova Foresta Classical Players, international cellist Lionel Handy and conductor Paul Ingram for a delightful and virtuosic programme. Tickets are available from Romsey Visitor Information Centre (01794 512987) or online through their TicketSource site, www. t i c k e t s ou r c e . c o . uk / musicinromsey For the latest information on events, please visit www. romseyabbey.org.uk/ visit/concerts Social distancing regulations apply for performers and audience. International cellist Lionel Handy Winter Concerts at Romsey Abbey For something uniquely local why not visit the New Forest Mohair shop in Pilley. eir Christmas Shop will be open for the first three weekends in December (5th/6th, 12th/13th & 19th/20th) from 10.30 am until 4pm at Linden, Jordan’s Lane, Pilley. SO41 5QW. Go along for local, unique, hand dyed gi ideas such as scarves, hats, gloves, throws, rugs and much more. ey also have Needlefelt and stocking ller gi s. You can also nd out more information on the website: www.newforestmohair. co.uk ART EXHIBITION AND SALE East Boldre Painters are delighted to be able to hold their COVID-Safe annual Art Exhibition and Sale which has been rescheduled for Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December 2020 from 10am to 4pm both days. e show will take place at East Boldre Village Hall , where there is plenty of parking, and entry is free. (Masks will be required). On display will be paintings, craftwork, ceramics and beautiful handmade Christmas cards, all produced by local artists from the New Forest. It’s a rare opportunity this year to be able to browse an exhibition and maybe pick up some Christmas gi s too! Payments can be made by card or cash. Romsey Singers 65 Reasons to Visit the Steamship Shieldhall Website Steamship Shieldhall marked her 65th birthday this summer, but was unable to celebrate in style as planned with a trip to the Nab Tower. However, behind-the-scenes work on Shieldhall means that Southampton’s heritage steamship is in excellent condition, with volunteers looking forward to a full 2021 sailing programme. Earlier this month Shieldhall launched a new website, www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk, and has now unveiled her 2021 sailing programme. Shieldhall’s 2021 sailing will commence in May and carry through to September, with a mixture of 2hr, 3½hr, 4hr, 6hr and all day cruises. Special trips held over from 2020 will be staged, including the sailing to the Nab Tower and a cruise to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the rst steamship to leave Southampton, the Prince of Cobourg, in 1820. Also included will be trips to view the Round the Island and Fastnet Races, and the Bournemouth Air Festival. ere will be special themed cruises including a Titanic based cruise, and music cruises with tribute bands RU40, the Soulcatchers and Shieldhall’s house band the Stompers. Initially, a limited number of tickets will be available as Shieldhall introduces COVID-compliant measures on board during the autumn and winter. A Government Heritage Emergency Grant awarded during the summer has assisted Shieldhall’s volunteers in carrying out essential maintenance works on the ship and alongside, which continues in earnest. e new website o ers passengers the chance to further support the Shieldhall Charity by becoming members (and entitled to a 10% saving on all tickets purchased) and to purchase Gi Tickets for Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions. Steam enthusiasts should look out for opportunities to purchase single day or two day ‘Steam Experiences’ on board, whilst two Heritage Adventure Training Days at Sea for youth groups will be staged, together with two ashes scatterings at sea. A popular outing for groups, Shieldhall has once again teamed up with SeaCity Museum, Solent Sky and the SEE Southampton tour guides to o er full day packages for parties of 10 or more on the themes of the Titanic, the Spit re and the May ower. ese will be available when coinciding with 2hr and 3½ hour sailings. Lewis Folland of Shieldhall’s marketing team noted: “We have published next year’s programme earlier than ever. Many of our guests unable to sail with us this year have offered their support and encouragement by holding tickets over to 2021, and we cannot wait to welcome them and other passengers on board. The distinctive sound of Shieldhall’s siren and whistle may have been missing from Southampton Water and The Solent during 2020, but we look forward to once again becoming a regular site on this most historic stretch of water, keeping Shieldhall ‘Alive and Steaming.” The classic lines of SS Shieldhall on Southampton Water Since early July the New Forest has proved to be a great draw and the perfect place to refresh visitor spirits as hotels, shops, attractions and accommodations enjoyed record levels of business. To help maintain this momentum, Go New Forest has launched its 2020 Autumn Campaign. e pandemic has forced us all to re-evaluate the important things in life; so to be able to stroll along the coast, in the forest, or visit an attraction is a great yet simple joy. We’ve also come to realise that our mental health is as important as our physical health and by spending time in the forest one can refresh mind, body and spirit, especially in Autumn when the kaleidoscope of colours is a real tonic. Following the Chancellor’s popular Eat Out to Help Out scheme, Go New Forest, working with New Forest District Council, has launched Eat Out 4 Less and Shop 4 Less. As we pass through Autumn into Winter, the two programmes o er visitors the added bonus of saving money at the same time as supporting the local economy. Eat Out 4 Less o ers mid-week deals to the end of November, while Shop 4 Less provides a half price Go New Forest Card (£5) with which to save money in over 300 local shops and businesses up until the end of the year. Go New Forest businesses have long understood the importance of protecting the qualities that make the New Forest so special and, during the pandemic, they have also understood the importance of taking Covid- Secure precautions so their guests can visit with con dence. One ne example of this is the new, huge, pop- up tent restaurant in front of the iconic Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst which opened at the end of October, complete with outside bar and pizza oven! Comments Michael Clitheroe, General Manager of the Balmer Lawn Hotel: “The Eat Out 4 Less” campaign is not just a vital tool for aiding the recovery of local hospitality businesses, it is critical in supporting the wider destination and its supply chain. Tailoring special offers aimed at increasing visitor and local resident diners is precisely why we are proud to be part of the scheme.” ere are 111 Restaurants, 141 Pubs & Bars and 98 Cafes & Teashops listed on www. thenewforest.co.uk New Forest Launches Autumn Campaign