Background Checks, Trace Work, Due Diligence

Carried out for private clients and businesses - UK & Global Searches.

Ever had that feeling that you would like to know a little more before making a commitment or decision? Perhaps you would like to be reunited with a lost friend or relative or perhaps you need to trace a tenant that has absconded. Or perhaps you want to find a bad debtor who has done their best to disappear?

Using my many years of experience in information research and retrieval, in both the private and public sectors, my job is to provide my clients with the most up to date information possible, with full supporting references. That way they are in the best possible position to make a decision and move forward.

I am able to carry out investigative research using innovative research techniques to conduct Background Checks, Traces, Asset Trace and Due Diligence for clients who want to be well informed and take the guess work out of situations.

My research is rigorous and uses comprehensive and analytical approaches to uncover key information, approaches that I have developed and learnt over the last 10 years of experience in both the private and public sectors.

So, WHY do you need an investigation researcher?

“Why do I need to know more?” What is the benefit? Well, peace of mind can be massive help and being fully in possession of the facts can save significant amounts of money as well as preventing avoidable stress.

Background Checks are carried out to ensure what a person says about themselves is correct. You may have met someone through one of the many online dating sites, and want to make absolutely sure the person is whom they claim to be, especially important if there are children in the family.

Knowing about a prospective business partner before embarking on a new commercial venture is another area where being well informed is just a very sensible part of the decision making process.

Business checks and due diligence

Checks and Due Diligence are carried out on individuals or companies. Every company needs to know and understand their customers and rivals. Comprehensive Due Diligence allows you to gain key knowledge and information, making an uncertain, costly decision into a positive, cost effective result.

Calling all employers

Did you know that around one in five people admit to being ‘economical with the truth’ - or worse - in interviews and on application forms? Carrying out screening and checks on potential employees can save your company time and money. It will also help protect you from fraud and reputation damage. It is an obvious, logical business decision to make sure you are as well informed as you can be.

Results

I had a recent client who needed to trace her husband’s father due to medical reasons. I was able to deliver the results and find other blood relatives. The client was overwhelmed with the information I was able to deliver and sent me a wonderful thank you letter. This brought a big smile to my face and a small tear in my eye.

Another client wanted me to carry out an International Trace on a company. Through deep web searches, I was able to trace the company, its background and contacts. This enabled the client to make an informed decision based on the information I found.

Since then, I know I made the right decision to do Investigation Research as a freelancer. I find that my work brings confidence and smiles to clients.

When you enjoy your work….it’s not really work

Julia Vincent, Investigation Researcher

Tel: 07710 184 091
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.investigation-research.com

‘Own Your Later Life’: New Forest Wealth Management is sponsoring a special FREE exhibition organised by Oakhaven Hospice on Saturday 28 September at Brockenhurst College.

Take advantage of this special opportunity to write or update your will

If you don't already receive our weekly e-newsletter full of useful local information and news told with a personal twist do sign up for it here - and then read on!

This September, Oakhaven has teamed up with local solicitors and estate planners who will waive their usual will writing fee in exchange for a donation to Oakhaven Hospice.

Write a Will Month, sponsored by HWB Chartered Accountants, is a great opportunity for everyone to write or update their will - and to also support Oakhaven to make a difference for local families living across our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.

To ensure that your wishes remain current, your will should be regularly updated

Life is full of milestones; house purchases, marriage, children or divorce. To ensure that your wishes remain current, your will should be regularly updated. You can look after loved ones and support the causes about which you care most.

Michaela Johns at HWB Accountants said: “Would you risk everything you have worked so hard for and the protection of those you most care about? It’s astonishing but the latest report from the National Will Register shows that 56% of UK adults have not made a will. If you’re one of them, have you considered the implications for those you leave behind? The law doesn’t always work the way you think it is going to. Planning and making a will is the only way you can ensure what you have is divided according to your wishes. As always, the best recommendation is to give yourself some peace of mind, plan ahead and take professional advice. That’s why we are supporting this brilliant initiative from Oakhaven Hospice.”

How to take part in Oakhaven’s Write a Will Month:

Step 1: Visit www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/write-a-will where you will find the details of participating solicitors and estate planners

Step 2: Book an appointment between 19th August and 30th September 2024

Step 3: Pay the donation to Oakhaven Hospice via the link on the website page above

Step 4: Take your email receipt to your appointment.

Have some questions? Everyone is welcome at Oakhaven’s free Q&A sessions about wills and estate planning during August. 

During August, Oakhaven has organised free 'drop-in' sessions where you have the opportunity to speak to qualified professionals about making or updating your will. Attendees will also have the opportunity to book a ‘Write A Will Month’ appointment before bookings officially go live the following week! Everyone is welcome to attend at:

• Lyndhurst Community Centre on Tuesday 13th August from 2pm-4pm
• Hythe Library on Wednesday 14th August from 2pm-4pm
• New Milton Community Centre on Thursday 15th August from 10am-12.30pm
• Lymington Community Centre on Friday 16th August from 9.30am-12pm

For more information, please visit www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/write-a-will, or contact the Fundraising Team directly on 01590 677773 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Family mediation is often thought of as something parents use only during separation but in reality, it is a great ongoing tool that supports families for years afterwards.

Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide - Stay safe in the sun this summer!

Remember skin can burn on overcast days and watch out for those cooling breezes!

We're hoping to bask in a gloriously sunny summer! Whether you are out enjoying Lymington's fabulous Seawater Baths, walking along the coastal path along the Solent, exploring the New Forest, or simply relaxing in the garden, it is worth reminding ourselves to be sensible with the sun. Adults and children alike enjoy spending time outdoors in the sunshine. However, it's a well-known fact that over-exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause sunburn, speed up the ageing process of your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

The delicate skin of babies and children is particularly sensitive to UV rays. In fact, research indicates that sunburn in childhood may increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. So take special care to ensure that children are given the protection they deserve when out in the sun.

Slip - Slop - Slap - Seek - Slide

A good way to get children (and adults!) to remember what to do in the sun is SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK, SLIDE:

SLIP on a t-shirt   

SLOP on some sunscreen

SLAP on a hat

SEEK out some shade

SLIDE on some sunglasses

Top tips for sun safe kids

SLIP on a t-shirt and SLAP on a hat

Covering the skin with cool, loose clothing is one of the safest and least expensive ways of protecting children from the sun. Long sleeve t-shirts and hats which shade the face, neck and ears are best. Clothing made from tightly woven fabrics, such as cotton, offers good protection from the sun's rays.

Look out for sunsuits with a high SPF in the fabric - most high street stores now stock these at reasonable prices. Locally, JoJo Maman Bébé in Lymington High Street is a great place to find swimwear for children with sun protection.

SEEK out some shade

Encourage children to play in the shade, particularly between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm when the sun's rays are most intense. Babies should be kept out of the sun: use sunshades on prams and never leave babies unattended outside as they are unable to move with the shade.

Plan walks or other activities to avoid the midday sun. Don't be fooled by cool breezes or cloud cover, as up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate through light clouds and mist. Sand, water, concrete and other light surfaces also reflect UV light on the skin, increasing the risk of sunburn.

Beach tents with a high SPF (40 or more) are also a good idea for keeping babies (and sleepy children) out of the sun.

SLOP on sufficient sunscreen...regularly

When neither shade nor protective clothing is practical, use a high-factor sunscreen on all exposed skin. However, due to the sensitive nature of their skin, children should ideally use a sunblock with a much higher sun protection factor (SPF) which blocks out as much of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays as possible. Apply sunscreen frequently and generously (following instructions), particularly after being in the water or after towelling skin dry.

Department of Health advice is for children to always use a sunscreen of SPF40 or above, and adults (unless very fair skinned) at least SPF30. Bear in mind that most damage to your skin is done by the time you are 18. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better.

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen - if sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced. As a guide, adults should aim to apply around:

• 2 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck
• 2 tablespoons if you're covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume

If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use sunscreen with a higher SPF and if you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and just before going out.

Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes applying it straight after you have been in the water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off. It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin.

Remember, using sunscreen does not guarantee that you will not burn. Do not use sunscreen to prolong the time children spend in the sun!

Sun lotion has a shelf life of about 2-3 years, but only if it hasn't been left in direct sunlight or stored at high temperatures.

SLIDE on some sunnies

Remember to protect your eyes in the sun. A day at the beach without proper eye protection can cause a temporary but painful burn to the surface of the eye, similar to sunburn. Reflected sunlight from snow, sand, concrete and water, and artificial light from sunbeds, is particularly dangerous. Avoid looking directly at the sun, as this can cause permanent eye damage.

Make sure that children wear proper sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms that meet the CE Mark and British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 E.

For more information, click here to visit the NHS website. 

Park and Stride for Walk to School Week

Walk to School week (16-22 May this year) is part of the Living Streets campaign - see more here.

Having already established their "Park and Stride" processes, it was a small "step" for Lymington Infant and Junior schools to take part in Walk to Shool week too.

For those who live too far away to walk the whole way to school, the simple principle of parking a little further away and walking makes it possible for everybody to take part in this initiative.

Sustainable and active travel to school

Park and stride for multiple benefits

Last month Lymington Infant and Junior schools held a special launch event for their new Park and Stride scheme.

The schools joined with Hampshire County Council as part of a national campaign to encourage alternatives to car travel on the school run.

Park and Stride is a long term scheme designed to promote walking, cycling or scooting to school in order to reduce congestion and pollution in the local area, making it a better environment in which to live and learn!

(Not to mention the benefits of extra daily exercise in the battle against the growing obesity epidemic!)

Thanks to NFDC for the local free parking! 

Everyone is delighted that the New Forest District Council has supported the schools by enabling families to use the local car parks free of charge during drop off and pick up times.  A special permit is issued for this purpose. Barfields and the Town Hall car park are only 3 or 4 minutes walk away from the school, meaning that parents who live further away can safely park here and still be active as part of their journey to school.

Inspired by ‘My Journey Hampshire’, families and members of the community met bright and early at the Park and Stride car parks and set off accompanied by volunteers to walk the short distance to school. They were met by a larger than life Basil the Bird who posed for photographs and handed out stickers.

STARS award for scooting, cycling or walking

Both the Infant and Junior school have been working hard and have achieved their Bronze Modeshift STARS award which celebrates sustainable and active travel to school such as scooting, cycling or walking; the schools have also been teaching pupils the green cross code and pedestrian safety as well as scooter training.They have a number of events planned for next term. 

The recent ‘Bling my bike/scooter’ was a great success.

Both schools hope that once the scheme is established, they will see a reduction in the number of cars and a reduction in the number of parking issues which they hope will benefit the local community too.

Places still available for September 2022 at Lymington Infant School: visit its wonderful website here!

If you'd like to be kept in the loop about upcoming local events with Lymington.com's Weekly What's On e-newsletter and don't already receive it just click here! 

Little Beaulieu reopening for the summer holidays

A fabulous adventure playground for children at leading New Forest attraction! 

Launched back in the middle of March just before the National lockdown, Beaulieu’s new adventure play area, Little Beaulieu, is getting ready to welcome younger visitors again when it reopens from Monday 27th July.

This £0.5m new feature at the Beaulieu visitor attraction was closed on 21st March just one week after its official opening and therefore hasn’t yet had the pleasure of being used by the younger visitors for whom it has been designed.

The large wooden structures and rustic play equipment allow children to let their imagination run wild as they explore Little Beaulieu’s secret passageways and hidden tunnels, its turrets and lookout tower. They can peek out from behind portraits and crawl through a trick bookcase to discover every nook and cranny, from his Lordship’s library to the tree-top boardwalk – then keep their eyes peeled for a bird’s-eye view as the ‘Skytrain’ monorail rumbles past.

Special safety and cleaning measures in place

The Beaulieu team has put in place special safety and cleaning measures to ensure the play area can be enjoyed safely by visitors as part of its Covid-19 visitor safety promise. Capacity will be managed with a recommended maximum playtime during busier periods to avoid any disappointment.

The Little Beaulieu kiosk will also be open, and families will be able to enjoy light refreshments in the covered seating area whilst their children play.

Limited special offer tickets for afternoon admissions

To coincide with the reopening of Little Beaulieu, a limited special offer ticket has been introduced on admissions at 3pm and 4pm. The discounted ticket will provide entry to all aspects of the attraction until it closes at 6pm. Perfect for families wanting an afternoon playdate, a picnic in the parkland or those wanting a shorter visit to a specific area of the attraction.

New exhibition: motoring in miniature - the toys of your childhood

A brand new exhibition in the National Motor Museum, Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood, is another a great reason to visit this summer holiday. A colourful collection showcasing more than 800 toy cars and pedal cars as well as books and games celebrates the miniature motoring memories and much-loved playthings of the past. The exhibition features Lord Montagu’s own childhood pedal car, modelled on a vintage London bus, as well as his collection of pristine Matchbox vehicles displayed in Palace House.

A visit to Beaulieu is a really brilliant day out for the whole family to enjoy together. Your tickets include the National Motor Museum, On Screen Cars, the World of Top Gear, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Little Beaulieu, the Secret Army Exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey, as well as the grounds and gardens. There really is something for everyone to enjoy!

Find out more about Beaulieu here.

Pre-book tickets online at www.beaulieu.co.uk.

Covid-19: Home schooling across the New Forest

Useful resources and advice for parents from the British Psychological Society

School's out! Except it's not. Schools in the UK are now closed for an undefined period of time for all but the children of key workers, leaving parents to follow school guidelines and home educate their children - whilst at the same time having to work from home too.

A recipe for disaster? Or precious family time together? Locally we're fortunate to live with the New Forest National Park and the Solent shore within easy reach - do make time to get outside to get fresh air and exercise daily if possible.

We've gathered here some useful information that could help...

Useful to know - resources available for home schooling

• Twinkl.co.uk are offering a free month of home learning resources: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/how-to-utilise-twinkl-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown-a-guide-for-schools

• Premier Education are offering free home learning resources: https://www.premier-education.com/stay-active/

• White Rose Maths may help - there's a Home Learning section specifically for different year groups and a problem on the day. https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/?fbclid=IwAR2gWthfu3Gtv5VkDTQoibUYt4H3Q-8cQqPeO058oYWFP_b_quAEFlzqHoU

• Audible.com are offering free streaming of stories for children and teens for as long as schools are closed, including titles across six different languages, that will help children continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening. https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

• Joe Wicks, the Body Coach is doing free PE every day at 9am on Youtube - 30 min workouts for kids, live every day. Great fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8o8wMgAT-Y

• Explore museums online. There are various platforms: from interactive, 360-degree videos and full “walk-around” tours with voiceover descriptions to slideshows with zoomable photos of the world’s greatest artworks. And many allow viewers to get closer to the art than they could do in real life. Try the Natural History Museum: https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/naturalhistorymuseum/, the British Museum: https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/ and the National Gallery: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/google-virtual-tour for example 

Local resources

• Closer to home, take the virtual tour of St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=PcS9Xyz4DuW

• Local resident, Daniella Othman, has made a colouring sheet of Lymington to keep children (and adults!) occupied. Click on the link below to download it, it's free and can be sized up to A4 size without losing resolution. https://gumroad.com/l/TwURu

 If you are aware of any other local resources, please get in touch to let us know on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Advice from the British Psychological Society

Additional websites for information

Ballard pupils win gold at regional and national ISA championships

Sporting success in athletics for New Milton's leading independent school for 2-16 year olds

Two Ballard School pupils have won gold at the Independent School Association’s (ISA) National Athletics Championships following record-breaking success at the ISA London West Athletics Championship.

Ballard School’s top sportsmen and women achieved great success at the ISA London West Athletics on Wednesday, 5th June, winning 23 medals, 4 championship regional records and upholding their gold position in the U17 Girls’ Relay for a 4th consecutive year. This run of achievements saw three pupils go on to compete in the National Championships, held at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham on Wednesday, 19 June 2019.

At ISA London West Athletics, Lana Blake single-handedly beat two championship regional records in Long Jump with a distance of 5.38m and in the 200m with a time of 25.57s. Theo Shaw and Ella Adams also saw their 1st place wins smash records; Theo with a distance of 38.22m in the Javelin and Ella with an impressive time of 12.81s in the 100m.

Their wins qualified them for the National Championships where Theo Shaw secured gold in Javelin and Ella Adams achieved gold in both the 100m and 4x100m relay. Ballard’s Jemima Chetwood also competed in the National Championships and accomplished an impressive silver medal in the 600m whilst competing against pupils a year older.

Lana Blake took the decision not to compete as she is currently focusing on competing in the English School Nationals, where she is hoping to break more records.

Andrew McCleave, Headmaster at Ballard School, said: “I am very proud of all our pupils who participated in the ISA London West Athletics and National Athletics; their achievements were outstanding across the board.”

Finlay Wood, PE teacher at Ballard School, said: “The pupils worked so hard in the run-up to these competitions and really deserve their fantastic achievements. A special well done to them all.”

Ballard School - superb for sport!

An award-winning, independent, co-educational day school for children aged 2-16, Ballard School sits within 32-acres of woodland and playing fields on the Hampshire and Dorset border, between the New Forest and Solent. 

Ballard School has outstanding sports facilities, including an Olympic Astro and provides a healthy, positive and inclusive sports provision. The school has six full-time specialist PE staff for individual sports tuition, who teach all pupils from Nursery upwards.

As well as winning a wide range of team competitions, the school also supports pupils in their success out of school across a wide range of sports and has strong links with local sports clubs, providing further opportunity and encouragement for those pupils who wish to develop into county, national and, potentially, international players.

Ballard’s approach is that sport and its benefits are for life and for all abilities, summarising sporting values with the acronym TREDS – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Summer Camps at Ballard School  

The Ballard School Summer Camp programme runs throughout the school holidays and includes Sport, Gym, Dance, Creative Arts, Stay and Play, Cycle Proficiency, Mad Science, Animation & Programming, Play & Drama and Swimming for children in YR - Y9. Find out more here.

Find out more about Ballard School here.

Looking for childcare in Lymington and the New Forest?

School holidays are great - except when you have to work!

Updated July 2021

Finding things for the children to do whilst you are working can be a real chore. In a bid to try and make things slightly easier for you, here is a summary of holiday children that is usually on offer in and around Lymington.

Start planning your school holidays now - you will generally find that activity days get booked up well in advance.

Do get in touch with us if you know of any other holiday childcare clubs that could help local parents juggle school holidays. 

Full day childcare

Stay and Play at Lymington Junior School are open during the school holidays. Please contact Danielle on 07867 534398 or Karen on 07885 821234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and to make a booking. See also www.stayandplayholidayclublymington.co.uk.

Milford School Holiday Club is open school holidays, from 8.30am to 3pm. Whole days or afternoons possible. Contact 01590 644684 for further information about the club. See also http://www.milfordpreschoolplus.co.uk/out-of-school-care/

Activity days for children

Ballard School usually run holiday camps with sports, arts and STEM activities during the school holidays - see our Events Calendar for more information!

Calshot Activities Centre has a range of Action Adventure Days for most school holidays - choose from skiing, snowboarding, track cycling, canoeing, archery, climbing, skiing and windsurfing - and much more! 

The Tile Barn Centre in Brockenhurst has action adventure days during most school holidays.

Hengistbury Outdoor Centre has a range of multi-activity days and watersports courses available during most school holidays.

Avon Tyrrell has fun days and half-days for children aged 5+ during most school holidays. 

If you are running school holiday childcare and/or activity days that could help parents juggle work and holidays and would like to be featured in this article, please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.