Upcoming events, things to do and businesses to support in Lymington and the New Forest
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Seize The Hour
After the clocks go back this weekend those longer evenings will hopefully bring starry skies too... but one hour's time difference prompts lots of things to think about. Whilst we gain an extra hour in bed on Saturday night then briefly reclaim an hour of morning light, those afternoon car journeys we've been accustomed to make in daylight will suddenly be in darkness. And when they lead us onto pitch black forest roads, even more so when modern headlights from the opposite direction make it ever more difficult to see what's in front of us... even keeping to the official speed limit would mean driving way too fast for the conditions. And thus the forest animals are in more lethal danger than ever - from us.
Let's consider the words of pony Bea's well wisher (last week's newsletter) pleading with drivers to "respect these beautiful animals, it’s their home and we are just passing through." And make a commitment to ourselves, always to drive slowly enough in the dark that we can stop if one of those beautiful animals steps in front of our path.
Coming back to the night skies, you might recognise the stars above as part of Oakhaven's 'Light Up A Life' logo. The services themselves don't take place until December, but there is a deadline approaching if you would like to make a dedication. There are also more beautiful venues and more services than in previous years. See below and seize the opportunity, by Friday 7 November!
First yet another photo of that rather special spot in the forest which many of us drive past regularly. It was taken just before 6pm on Tuesday - and after a very soggy couple of days the sight of the sun, even as it set, was welcome. The nearly grown cygnets are now taking daily flying practice in preparation for taking leave of their parents. From next week, we're going to have to seize the moment to begin our 'evening' dog walks an hour earlier!
Make Your Dedication by 7 November
Oakhaven’s much-loved 'Light up a Life' services are beautiful candlelit occasions held in memory of all our loved ones who have died, which offer a special moment to pause and reflect before the festive season gets underway. This year there will be five services and venues include Beaulieu and Brockenhurst, as well as Hythe, Totton and Lymington.
We are invited to make dedications and donations in memory of our precious and much missed partners, parents, children, friends - whenever and wherever they died, and they do not have to have been cared for at Oakhaven. If we submit our dedications by Friday 7 November, these will be included in the printed commemorative Light up a Life programme for all the services. We can attend whichever service we wish, with seating on a first to arrive basis - but those dedications must be in by 7 November! Click here for details.
Oakhaven’s hospice care is provided free of charge, both in the hospice and in patients’ homes throughout the New Forest, Totton and the Waterside. All funds raised help to fund Oakhaven’s day-to-day running costs, which last year amounted to £9 million. With only 11% of funding covered by the NHS, Oakhaven relies on kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from its charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd, to cover the remaining 89% of costs.
Local Folk and Festive Fundraising
Christmas Shopping at Delawarr is organised by two local ladies Helen Lennox and Sarah Branson, both of whom have personal experience of Oakhaven Hospice and the exceptional service it offers to our local community. A few years ago Helen and Sarah, sharing a love of Christmas and also lots of contacts and experience of organising events, decided to raise funds for Oakhaven. Thanks to the inordinate generosity of the Broadway family who now annually provide the ground floor of their beautiful Lymington home for the occasion, this lovely event is entering its 5th year. Festive Fun & Fundraising for Oakhaven Hospice includes 20 fabulous stalls and Coffee, Cake, Choir, plus The MEGA RAFFLE and Wreath Making. Put the dates in your diaries!
Wednesday 19 November 1pm - 8pm
Thursday 20 November 9am - 1pm
Click here for more details and location
Happy (Ghostly!) Half Term
So now let October half term commence! And in keeping with the season, from tomorrow until 2 November the mysterious ruins of Beaulieu Abbey are tailor made to set the scene for the ghoulish uncovering of local legends. Get ready to take the Folklore and Phantoms trail at Beaulieu!
Over 800 years ago, monks lived, prayed and worked peacefully in Beaulieu Abbey, until 1538, when the Abbey was destroyed by order of King Henry VIII. Chanting, footsteps, and mumbled prayers can still be heard from beyond the grave - watch out for a glimpse of hooded figures lurking within the cloisters. From there to the tantalising tales of Mary Dore and Witchy White, residents of Beaulieu in different eras who were said to have expert knowledge in herbs and remedies, as well as being able to mysteriously shapeshift into different animals! And on it goes - including the chilling tales of those who are said to still roam Palace House itself, today...
The spooky half term activities are included in your general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which also covers entry to the National Motor Museum (including the last chance to see Icons of Formula 1, plus the new Caravans in War Time Britain display and Beaulieu's latest interactive attraction We Had One of Those) as well as Palace House, Little Beaulieu, the Secret Army exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey, its grounds and gardens and unlimited rides on the Monorail and Veteran Bus.
And because there's so much to see and do at Beaulieu, you're invited to 'return for free' in the six days after your first visit - in other words buy one get one free, and that's two days of half term sorted! All the details are here!
There are lots more half term treats (no tricks!) on offer - see diary below including brief introductions to the activities which run all week.
As per details in last week's newsletter, tomorrow and Sunday (25-26 October) is the New Forest Marque Producers Autumn Market, and the rain looks like it should stay away.
A reminder that clocks go back at 2am on Sunday - happy 'long' weekends everyone!
Best wishes Jane
Read the rest of this week's newsletter here
And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!
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