Herald - Issue 422

Page 20 • The HERALD • 21st April 2022 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v A.M.H. Handyman Services Internal & External Painting All aspects of DIY Work • Flat Pack Assembly Power Washing: Driveways, Patios, Paths & Decking Gutter, Fascia Boards & Window Cleaning (Bungalows only) Call or email Andy for a free estimate Tel: 07961 443623 handyandyharding@gmail.com Local and Reliable FREE ESTIMATES • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE HYTHE: office.atlaswindows@gmail.com FAX/PHONE 023 8084 0441 Unit 2, Hardley Ind Est, Southampton ESTABLISHED FOR 30 YEARS THE LOCAL WINDOW COMPANY WITH THE BIG REPUTATION SUPPLY & INSTALL • Windows • Porches • Conservatories in PVCu • Doors • Choice of Colours & Woodgrain Deals this good don’t last forever Call me today... Kevin • All Gardening, Gutter Clearance and Repairs • Sheds re-treated/re-felted • Window Cleaning, including PVCu Fascias, Soffits and Conservatories. • Pressure Cleaning of Patios & Paths • All Exterior & Interior Decorating • All Flat Pack Assembly • Brickwork, Pointing and Fencing No Job is too Big or too Small and all at competitive prices KDL Services Mobile: 07837 348036 or kevinlodge1@outlook.com HANNAH’S ELECTRICS Your Local Female Electrician NEED AN ELECTRICIAN? From simple upgrades to complete house re-wiring - and everything in-between, Hannah’s Electrics is the perfect choice. A trusted tradeswoman with sensible rates covering Southampton, New Forest & Waterside areas CONTACT HANNAH 07585 778136 W: www.hannahs-electrics.co.uk • E: hannahelectrics@gmail.com Like us on Facebook DECORATING Interior and Exterior Established 1985 07867 528307 mark.blake.decorating@gmail.com Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk SWIMMING THE SOLENT by Nicholas Hatton Last year, I took on a summer job at the Cadland Pop Up Hotel in Calshot. As a keen swimmer, I loved getting out in the Solent and enjoying the sea during my breaks. Kris, the pot washer, seemed to have a similar interest himself. I think that a lot of people thought that he was quite mad, but once we got chatting, I could see that he was quite determined to give the Solent a go. I wasn’t going to be outdone and I thought that, with a few of us, this may be more viable than trying to do the stretch on my own. I sought advice from locals. e people at the Herald warned us about the strong currents at Lepe beach, which helped us to make the decision to make the attempt from Calshot. Another colleague, Chris, accompanied us in a canoe. We had an ordeal trying to get hold of such a vessel on the morning of our swim. We timed our departure to coincide an hour before the incoming tide. is was based on the advice that we received from another local. At around 2:30 we le the beach at Calshot. We ‘hugged’ the shore towards the point at Lepe. We then made a break for it towards the Red Bouy that demarcates the shipping lane for boats going into Cowes. It was at this point that we encountered massive waves and a current that was sweeping us in nitely westwards. ‘ e sizes of caravans’ was Chris’ assessment. ere was a point in which we were fearful if we were going to survive the journey. However, we kept pushing and landed in the wilderness at Hampstead- much further down than we had anticipated, due to the currents. You should have seen the looks on people’s faces, walking though Nicholas, Chris and Kris Cowes with our swimming gear, oars and in atable canoe. We managed to convince some people on the ferry that we were a stag party! Even more impressively, we managed to convince a bemused taxi driver to pick us up from Southampton and take us back to Calshot! Walking the Thames to Save Lives on the Water Solent Rescue Lifeboat crew member, Kevin Perrett, is currently in training for the ames 100K challenge taking place later this year. Kevin will be taking part in the 100 km 24 hour trek which runs from Putney Bridge in London, following the ames all the way to Henley on ames and raising funds for the Solent Rescue Lifeboat charity. Solent Rescue is a small independent rescue charity founded in 1971 initially as a beach rescue service and over the years has grown into a lifeboat service, adhering to the Maritime and Coastguard agency’s Rescue Boat Code. e service still maintains its presence at Lepe Country Park with the aim of providing rst aid to the 1 million visitors the park has each year. As an Independent charity the organisation runs solely on charity funding, grants and volunteers with which nding out more about the charity or becoming a volunteer yourself either on or o shore visit: www. solent-rescue.org.uk Solent Rescue Lifeboat out the charity wouldn’t be able to operate. If you would like to sponsor Kevin and help fund the Solent Rescue Lifeboat please visit: www.solent_rescue.donr. com/thames If you are interested in e monthly meetings of Copythorne Parish History Society will begin again on Thursday 28th April from 7.30pm at Copythorne Parish Hall. ey are moving into the main hall where they can hopefully maintain a Covid-free environment and stay safe. e speaker will be Gordon Lewis for a talk titled ‘Imber, Wiltshire’s Lost Village’. Anyone is welcome to go along. Entry is £1. Contact Copythorne Parish History Society by e mail: copythornehistory@yahoo. com or call Clare on: 023 8081 2167. Imber, Wiltshire’s Lost Village