New Forest Living Nov - Dec 2021

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Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

19 

Guest 

A Culinary Journey through 

Northern Ireland bedroom perfection 

It’s certainly the challenge of 

publishing that you always have your 

head in the wrong season - each year, 

Christmas begins for us in July, which 

is about the same time as I start to 

ask my friends and family what they’d 

like as a present or if they’re free for a 

meal in December - each year I’m met 

with the same furrowed brows and 

a ‘my god, I haven’t started thinking 

about that yet!’ 

Forward planning aside, it is a rather 

lovely, smug feeling to know that I’m 

mostly sorted for the festivities - my 

only issue being losing said gifts 

between July and December 25th. If 

your industry doesn’t quite prepare 

you in the same way though, we’ve 

got a bevy of festive features to help 

get you prepped. 

Our competition 

page returns 

04 

Alongside Christmas features, 

we’ve got a lovely interview with 

The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda 

Owen, plus some delicious recipes 

from her new book. 

If you’re receiving guests this year, 

we’ve got some inspiration on 

creating the perfect guest room 

sanctuary. And if festive madness all 

gets too much, you can always slip in 

there yourself! 

Yorkshire Shepherdess 

Amanda Owen 

12 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre-Press Manager Kate Norris 

Contributors Rebecca Rose, Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs 

Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Blue Brontide bluebrontide.com 

Key Account Manager Angela Cave 

e angela.cave@minervapublications.co.uk 

d/l 01225 984498 

twitter: @NFLivingMag 

15 

Recipes from 

Amanda’s new book 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton 

Trowbridge BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

The news has been all doom and 

gloom of late, but I think it’s important 

that, toy shortage/turkey drama/fuel 

crisis or not, this year’s Christmas is 

looking so much brighter than 2020’s, 

and there’s so much to be thankful 

for. This quote from the legendary Bob 

Hope really captured that for me: 

“My idea of Christmas, whether 

old-fashioned or modern, is very 

simple: loving others. Come to 

think of it, why do we have to 

wait for Christmas to do that?” 

We are looking forward to seeing 

you again in January - we are doing 

away with the New Year, New You 

nonsense and instead focusing 

on what 2022 can offer you. Until 

then, take care, have a very Merry 

Christmas and a peaceful New Year. 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Delight your friends 

and family with a selection box of delicious treats. One lucky 

reader will win a ‘Decadent Christmas in a Box’ containing the 

following: 

WIN 

A Laundry 

Bundle from 

Brabantia 

worth over 

£500 

6kg Free Range Whole Turkey | 4.5kg Unsmoked Ham | 1kg 

Side of Smoked Salmon | 1kg Organic Cheddar | 1kg Cropwell 

Bishop Stilton | Christmas Pudding | Harrow & Hope Brut 

Reserve (750ml bottle) | Classic Cranberry Sauce | Granny’s 

Apple Chutney | Artisan Coronation Sauce | British Goose 

Fat | Luxury Bread Sauce | Traditional Roast Gravy | Sage & 

Onion Stuffing | Pigs In Blankets | 200g Smoked Chicken 200g 

Smoked Duck 

WIN 

Christmas in 

a box! Worth 

£375 

copasturkeys.co.uk 

Closes 10/12/2021 

Competition keyword ‘TURKEY’ 

For most of us, laundry is a bit of a chore, so to lighten the load, 

we’re giving away a luxury laundry bundle from Brabantia worth 

over £500. 

The prize includes Brabantia’s new Bo Laundry Bin Hi, which 

will blend effortlessly into your decor with its sleek finish and 

has two 45L compartments for easy separating your whites 

from your colours. When spring comes around again, you 

can then hang your washing out on Brabantia’s Rotary Dryer 

Lift-o-Matic Advance which can easily be adjusted to your 

ideal height. For those grey days, Brabantia’s 23m Drying Rack 

Tower is the perfect inside solution. Finally, prep your fresh 

laundry for the wardrobe with a Brabantia Ironing Board. ThisXL 

model is designed for easy ironing of any outfit! 

brabantia.com 

Closes 15/01/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BRABANTIA’ 

WIN 

2 prints 

each worth 

£250 

Eliza Southwood practiced 

as an architect for ten years 

before deciding to take 

up a career as an artist 

and illustrator full-time in 

2010. Eliza’s speciality is 

silk screen printing, but she 

also works in mixed media, 

watercolour and acrylic. As a keen 

cycling fan, she is known particularly for her 

cycling themed artwork, but she also produces 

work on a wide range of subjects such as 

cityscapes, dogs, sports and people. We have 

two prints worth £250 each to give away. 

Adagio, the European leader in aparthotels is giving one lucky 

winner a two-night stay for two at one of their amazing UK 

properties in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Liverpool. 

Adagio is the perfect option for that much needed getaway this 

year, providing all the services of a hotel with the freedom of an 

apartment. The apartments comprise of a kitchen, bedroom and 

living area with flat screen smart TV - great for lounging after a 

busy day of activities. 

WIN 

A City 

Break with 

Aparthotel 

Adagio! 

adagio-city.com 

T&Cs available online. Closes 

15/01/2022 - Competition keyword 

‘ADAGIO’ 

elizasouthwood.com 

Closes 15/01/2022 

Competition keyword ‘ELIZA’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

putting our pets first 

We may feel as if we have had ‘information 

overload’ when it comes to germ 

prevention and protection, but sometimes 

a product comes along that demands our 

attention - enter Leucillin. This is a skin 

health product for pets that is proving to 

be a product which all of us may well be 

putting in our first aid chests very soon. 

We spoke to Georgina Bashforth (pictured 

right) about the product and its exciting 

potential……. 

First of all, in layman’s terms – what is 

Leucillin? 

Leucillin is a clever antiseptic applied to 

the skin topically to protect against harmful 

germs. Leucillin is a revolutionary fresh new 

take on what an antiseptic is and can be 

capable of. 

Leucillin mimics the body’s own immune 

system, providing you a powerful solution 

which delivers the ultimate shield in 

topical skin protection against harmful 

pathogens. Leucillin’s unique formulation 

does not contain any alcohol, steroids or 

antibiotics, it is the natural choice for safe 

skin sanitising. 

Our pets our so important to us, how 

is Leucillin used and what specific 

applications is it effective for? 

Leucillin has a great reputation for safety 

and efficacy, supported by pet healthcare, 

veterinary and grooming industries, 

this year. It has been awarded human 

approvals and begun an exciting new 

chapter in healthcare. 

Furthermore it can be safely applied in 

any topical application where the skin, 

ears and eyes need care, whether broken, 

red, sore, inflamed, cuts, stings, bites 

or grazes, Leucillin’s powerful antiseptic 

properties eradicate germs on contact 

creating the perfect environment for rapid 

recovery. 

For children, as well as our pets, it’s 

“Ouch Free” formula is kind, it has been 

developed to match the natural pH of skin 

so no more wincing on that grazed knee. 

It seems to be a very gentle solution 

to a number of particularly stubborn 

problems - can it be used long-term? 

Leucillin achieves an unbeatable 

99.99999% reduction in bacteria on 

contact, but how does that compare with 

the 99.99% which we think is good? Well; 

it’s a massive 10’000 times better! 

Fast effective pathogen reduction means 

no resistance therefore long-term usage is 

always effective and no harmful ingredients 

means Leucillin is always safe! 

And finally, how else can it be used and 

what are your hopes for the product 

going forward? 

Our goal is to help alleviate the dependence 

on antibiotics and pharmaceutical 

intervention in the area of germ protection, 

for a more natural, safe, non-invasive and 

most importantly effective alternative. 

During the pandemic Leucillin has been 

proven effective against all coronaviruses 

including SARS-CoV-2 topically and 

has been used by animal care industries 

including Police Dog Handler units for 

reducing risk. 

We have also recently teamed up with The 

Humanimal Trust founded by Professor 

Noel Fitzpatrick - aka The Supervet, we’re 

excited to be supporting mental health and 

raising money for ONE Medicine, so that 

humans and animals can benefit equally 

from all medical progress. 

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Tough on all Pathogens 

BACTERIAL, VIRAL & FUNGAL 

Yet skin pH Neutral, Gentle to Skin 

Reasons to 

5LOVE LEUCILLIN 

33% 

OFF 

for all 

Readers 

Proudly Supporting 

because Leucillin is alcohol free! It’s 

gentle HSE approved formula 

matches our natural pH meaning kind 

to skin and safe for all. 

At home or away, Leucillin is a 

effective essential for all skin 

concerns, it is soothing and calming 

to; Red, Sore, Itchy skin, Minor Cuts 

and Grazes, Bites, Stings and Burns. 

suitable for all ages and skin types including 

highly sensitive, ears and eyes. Leucillin is 

your germ protection, antiseptic care and 

daily cleanser. 

300x more effective than most sanitisers YET Leucillin 

is passed by the Organic Soil Association, has recyclable packaging, is cruelty free and vegan 

friendly. 

Available in stores and online 

For promotional 500ml product offer please visit: www.leucillin.co.uk/promotions 

PROMO CODE: LEUCILLINTOTHERESCUE 

www.leucillin.co.uk 

For People AND our Pets, Leucillin is a 

clever, reliable and affordable solution for 

cleansing and sanitising skin safely including 

your face! Leucillin removes germs without 

drying skin, so however species diverse your 

family unit is, Leucillin has you covered.

23 children in our region 

have an uncertain future 

Sadly they didn’t get the start in life they deserved. 

Could you adopt and change their lives forever? 

For most people, being part of a family 

is something they can rely on from birth. 

Unfortunately, there are children across 

Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and 

Southampton, who are unable to live with 

their birth parents, and who are instead cared 

for by kind and compassionate foster carers. 

Lilly is just three and loves playing with her 

dolls. Siblings Oliver, aged five years and Theo 

who is nearly three, enjoy going to the local 

park, or like to play with their toy cars endlessly. 

They are just some of the children waiting for 

a permanent family life. 

Today, there are all types of wonderful families 

from different backgrounds and circumstances 

who support one or more children to feel 

included, safe and loved forever. Some families 

have single parents, while others are couples 

who are heterosexual, same sex or gender 

fluid. Ethnicity, religion, or culture, these 

differences don’t matter – what matters is that 

a child is loved and supported to feel safe and 

respected. 

child thrive in a forever home. Kirsty adopted 

an older child, and says it’s the best thing she’s 

ever done. 

I’m so pleased about adoption 

I actually encourage other 

friends... you need to go and 

do that. Do it. For me it’s 

been wonderful.” 

Mike and Natalie both felt very strongly that 

they could offer a family life to a brother and 

sister who might otherwise stay in the care 

system for a long time. “Young siblings have a 

strong bond together but need to be wrapped 

in the cushion of being loved and cherished by 

one or more parent. We knew that separating 

siblings from one another can have long term 

effects on children.” 

Adopt South is seeking more mums and dads 

who can give children a shared life together. 

School teacher Kirsty knew about the high 

numbers of black children who were waiting 

in foster care and felt that with a bit of learning 

and support she could be a mum and help a 

Families who adopt two children or more, 

or adopt a child with additional needs, may 

also get additional financial support through 

Adopt South. 

*Children with Placement Orders as of 5th July 2021 

If you’ve been thinking about adoption 

and the children waiting, contact us today 

0300 3000 011 • adoptsouth.org.uk 

The Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Local Authorities

Kaloo Lapinoo Rabbit, 

£17.99, jojomamanbebe.co.uk 

Guide 

The gift 

Unisex Mouse 

Babygrow Set, £45, 

magnetmouse.co.uk 

Woodland Nesting 

Creatures, £22, 

rosaandbo.com 

Help children 

learn to 

code with 

Blockly, Snap!, 

JavaScript, 

Python and 

C++ 

Exploding 

Kittens, £15.99, 

amazon.co.uk 

Artie Max, £110, 

amazon.co.uk 

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond + 

Shining Pearl (Nintendo Switch), 

£89.99, amazon.co.uk 

Nila Nepp Top, 

£22 and Kieran 

Kneepatch 

Joggers, £28, both 

welovefrugi.com 

Organic 

cotton and 

amazing 

colours and 

prints 

FOR KIDS 

GOTS Organic 

Cotton 

Pyjamas, £26, 

polarnopyret. 

co.uk 

Everhot 

Electric Stove 

£1,295, 

everhot.co.uk 

Luigi Starter Course 

Currently priced at 

£46.98, 

amazon.co.uk 

Available 

in a host 

of fab 

colours 

WHEN THEY HAVE EVERYTHING 

Le Creuset Evolution 

Oval Deep Teal Casserole 

Currently priced at £241, 

amazon.co.uk 

Aranya Hmong 

Cushion, £32, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer, 

£275, cuisinart.co.uk 

Hand-Sliced Side of 

Smoked Salmon, £54.95, 

formanandfield.com 

Truffle Guys 

Experience Box, 

£119.95, 

truffleguysuk.com 

Gusbourne Brut 

Reserve 2017, £39, 

gusbourne.com 


Tabitha Ribbed 

Cashmere Socks, £32, 

pantherella.com 

The stunning oval-shaped sapphire 

accompanied by glistening diamonds, 

resembling blossoming florals and 

exuding an aura of romance that is 

truly enchanting. This ring is set in 

platinum, the perfect host for opulent 

gemstones. Sapphire and Diamond 

Ring, set in Platinum, £19,450, 

laingsuk.com 

FOR HER 

ILLAMASQUA 

Skyrocket Artistry 

Eyeshadow Palette, 

£39, lookfantastic.co.uk 

ESPA Jewels of Nature Collection, £195 

(Worth £365), espaskincare.com 

Perfect 

Christmas 

party 

make up 

Alpaca Super 

Soft Hot Water 

Bottles, £45, 

chilcottuk.com 

Great for 

deeply cleansing 

the skin and 

soothing 

stressed eyes 

Cashmere Sweatshirt 

in Emerald, £179, 

loopcashmere.co.uk 

Luxury Heavyweight 

Merino Scarf, £90, 

pantherella.com 

Mulo Slippers in Blue Corduroy, 

£124, muloshoes.com 

UBUNA Refresh 

Water Hydration 

Cream, £160, 

net-a-porter.com 

BeGlow Tia All-In-One 

Sonic Skincare System, 

£199, johnlewis.com 

Micro Merlin 

Japanese Knife 

Trio, £99, 

souschef.co.uk 

FOR HIM 

The Micro Explorer 

Electric Scooter, 

£349.95, reduced 

from £449.95 

micro-scooters. 

co.uk 

Amazing 

for the 

chef in 

your life 

Eco Sports Cloak 

Long Sleeve, £119.95, 

charliemcleod.co.uk 

Home to the worlds 

most beautiful bikes. 

Gift Vouchers available 

for the perfect 

Christmas treat. 

The Sammy Miller 

Museum 

sammymiller.co.uk 

18 mile range, 

foldable and 

ultra light 

weight with 

15mph top 

speed 

Scrivner For 

Men 5 Step 

Skin Strategy 

- £127, 

janescrivner. 

com 


4-5 th 

DECEMBER 

Christmas Market 

5 th DECEMBER 

Santa Toy Run 

Ride in 

ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST 

MOTORBIKE MUSEUMS 

GIFT 

VOUCHERS 

AVAILABLE 

The perfect 

present! 

Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley Cross Roads, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5SZ 

CALL US ON 01425 620777 (Museum) and 01425 616644 (Workshop) 

sammymiller.co.uk | www.sammymiller.co.uk 

CONSCIOUSLY 

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USE CODE LIVE15 

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Amanda Owen 

The yorkshire Shepherdess 

Tells us about her life in the Dales 

Known to millions as The Yorkshire 

Shepherdess, Amanda Owen is the 

author of five best-selling books about 

her life on Ravensea, one of the most 

remote farms in the country, where she 

lives with her husband Clive and nine 

children. She currently stars in Channel 

5’s popular TV show Our Yorkshire 

Farm and her latest book is Celebrating 

the Seasons includes stories, recipes 

and photos from the farm and is out now. 

I understand that you had had no 

previous links to farming, may I ask 

how you became so involved in this line 

of work? 

I grew up in Huddersfield and no one in 

my family is from a farming background. 

I loved the James Herriot books when I 

was a child, and watched the TV series. 

Because of James Herriot I loved the idea 

of being a vet, probably like most other 

children of that era, but was told at school 

that I was not academic enough to make 

the grades. One day in the school library 

I picked up a book called Hill Shepherd. 

It was a photographic documentary of 

hill farming in Yorkshire and Cumbria. 

Reading that book was an epiphany for 

me, the pictures of the hill shepherds on 

the moors with the sheep made me realise 

it was where I wanted to be. It ticked the 

box of wanting to work with animals in 

the countryside and importantly it also 

ticked the rebellion box as it was so the 

opposite of my townie life up until then. 

Years later after I had married my husband 

Clive, we realised that there was actually a 

photograph of him in Hill Shepherd! 

So it’s a very important book to me. 

12 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

How did you learn your crafts? One of 

the many things I learnt from your book 

was how important it is to get the grass 

in - in good time. 

I started out as a farm hand, and then 

moved on to being a contract shepherd, 

working on different farms all over the 

country. But really, I learnt everything as I 

went along. 

Most of my crafts came through natural 

progression, learning to ride a horse 

by riding it, learning to clip a sheep by 

clipping my first one, learning to work a 

dog, by taking the dog out with me for the 

first time. 

You can only learn what to do by doing it, 

you have to get practical on the ground 

experience. Nothing comes close to 

learning how to be a shepherd, other than 

actually doing the work of a shepherd and 

it’s not just about learning about sheep, 

it’s about learning about the land. 

With the grass it starts with the sheep. 

You’ve got to have your sheep in good 

order - we grow hardy stock through the 

winter, so it’s absolutely vital that you grow 

your crop well, so they have food to eat 

throughout the winter. 

What would you like to tell our readers 

about your life? 

I want people to know that Celebrating the 

Seasons is a book about going your own 

way. It’s not a blueprint for how you should 

live your life, it simply says this is what we 

do as a family this is how we do it, feel free 

to follow the recipes, or do them your own 

way. I want people to not let themselves to 

be stereotyped, to know that all things are 

achievable if you really want to do it. So 

many people said you won’t have time to 

write 

a book, 

you won’t 

achieve 

that. But 

I believe 

you can do 

anything 

you just 

have to 

start doing 

it. If you 

want to 

write a 

book, 

start 

writing. I 

got an E 

in GCSE English, and this is my 

fifth book. Anything is possible. 

Celebrating the Seasons with The 

Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen 

is available from Pan Macmillan, £20.

Looking for a unique 

Christmas gift? 

Arya 

www.redwings.org.uk/adopt 

01508 481000 

Sponsor a 

rescued donkey 

or horse from 

Redwings for a 

whole year from 

just £15! 

Upgrade your gift! 

We have a 

gorgeous selection 

of Adoption Star 

merchandise 

available in our 

online gift store 

www.redwings.org.uk/shop 

LYMINGTON 

TILECENTRE 

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http://brockenhurstvillage.org.uk/ 

Book Fair 

Sunday 14th November | 11:00am-3:00pm 

Brockenhurst Village Hall | Highwood Road SO42 7RY 

·Over 1000 pre-loved books for you to 

browse, alongside CD’s and DVD’s too. 

·A meet-and-greet with Sunday Times 

best-selling author of the Ragdoll 

Trilogy, Daniel Cole! 

·Have a look round the Vegan Market 

stalls in our Forest Hall. 

·The Charity Shop will be open specially! 

·All proceeds of the Book Fair go 

towards Brockenhurst Village Trust! 

The 2021 

Winter Fair 

http://brockenhurstvillage.org.uk/ 

·The Brockenhurst Winter Fair is taking 

place on Sunday 12th of December at 

the Brockenhurst Village Hall from 

10:00am–3:00pm. 

·The Winter Fair is a traditional festive 

day out, where you can support local 

charities, crafters and buy local 

produce. 

·So come on down, bring family, meet 

your friends, and buy your unique 

Christmas gifts all at our village hall. 

·If you’re interested in having your own 

trade stand please email us at 

winter_fair@brockenhurstvillage.org.uk 

email sales@lymingtontiles.co.uk or call us on 

01590 673175 www.lymingtontiles.co.uk 


Dinner is served 

Tasty recipes from Amanda Owen 

Wild Mushroom Soup with 

Wood Sorrel & Hazelnut Pesto 

Prep time 10 minutes 

Cooking time 35 minutes 

Serves 4 

2 tbsp Yorkshire rapeseed oil, plus extra for 

garnish 

1 medium onion, finely chopped 

1 large clove garlic, crushed or grated 

450g wild mushrooms, such as yellow 

chanterelle, roughly chopped 

50ml Madeira or sweet sherry 

850ml hot vegetable stock 

3 sprigs fresh thyme 

200ml double cream 

1 tsp mushroom powder 

Salt and black pepper 

Pesto 

25g chopped toasted hazelnuts 

1 small bunch wood sorrel 

2 tbsp olive oil 

10g Parmesan 

Garnish 

Handful of wild mushrooms 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add 

the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5 

minutes, until softened but not coloured. 

Next, add the mushrooms and fry on a 

medium heat for 8 minutes, until they are 

golden. 

Pour the Madeira over the mushrooms and 

cook on a high heat for about a minute until 

the alcohol evaporates. 

Lower the heat and pour in the hot stock, 

then add the sprigs of thyme. Bring to the 

boil then cover and simmer gently for 20 

minutes. 

Remove the pan from the heat, blitz with 

a hand blender or in a liquidizer until the 

soup is smooth. Return the soup to a clean 

pan, stir in the cream and sprinkle over the 

mushroom powder, then season the soup 

and gently reheat over a low heat. 

Meanwhile, place the pesto ingredients into 

a small food processor and blitz for a few 

seconds until combined. Add extra oil if the 

pesto is a little thick and season to taste. 

For the mushroom garnish, drizzle some 

oil in a small frying pan and gently fry the 

remaining mushrooms for a couple of 

minutes until golden. 

To serve, ladle the soup into warm bowls, 

scatter over the whole fried mushrooms, 

and top with a spoonful of pesto. 

Tip 

Try serving with homemade spelt bread. 

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with 

Jewelled Couscous 


Cooking time 1 hour 15 minutes 

Serves 4 

Tagine 

2 tbsp olive oil 

600g lamb shoulder, diced 

1 large onion, sliced 

2 cloves garlic, crushed 

1 tbsp ground cumin 

2 tsp ground coriander 

1 tbsp hot smoked paprika 

40g tomato purée 

400g can cherry tomatoes 

1 cinnamon stick 

50g dried apricots, chopped 

2 large pieces orange peel 

285ml lamb stock 

1 small bunch coriander, chopped 

Jewelled couscous 

200g couscous 

200ml hot vegetable stock 

1 red onion, chopped 

100g pomegranate seeds 

1 small bunch mint, leaves roughly chopped 

1 small bunch coriander, chopped 

3 spring onions 

20g almonds, toasted 

Salt and black pepper 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas 4. 

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large 

heatproof casserole dish, then add the 

lamb and sear and brown on all sides for 

about 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from 

the casserole dish with a slotted spoon and 

set aside. 

Return the casserole dish to the heat and 

add the remaining oil. When hot, add the 

onion and fry gently for approximately 8 

minutes until golden. Add the garlic and fry 

for a further minute. 

Sprinkle over the ground spices and stir 

in the tomato purée then fry for a further 

minute. Return the meat and any juices 

to the pan with the remaining Tagine 

ingredients (except the fresh coriander), 

bring to the boil then cover with a lid and 

transfer to the middle shelf of the oven. 

Cook for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender. 

Meanwhile, while the Tagine cooks, put the 

couscous into a bowl and pour over the 

hot vegetable stock. Cover the bowl tightly 

with cling film and set aside for 10 minutes 

until the couscous has absorbed the liquid. 

Season the couscous, then stir through 

the remaining ingredients, saving a few 

almonds and herbs to garnish. 

To serve the Tagine, remove the cinnamon 

stick and check seasoning, then sprinkle 

over the chopped coriander. Serve in warm 

bowls with the jewelled couscous. 

Tip 

This recipe can also be cooked slowly in a 

Tagine over a barbecue. 


And time for pudding... 

More tasty recipes from Amanda Owen 

Rhubarb & Custard Crumble Cake 



Serves 4-6 

Rhubarb 

250g Yorkshire rhubarb, cut into 2cm 

chunks 

50g caster sugar 

Crumble 

50g plain flour 

25g butter, cut into cubes 

40g chopped mixed nuts 

25g demerara sugar 

Cake 

170g butter, softened, plus extra for 

greasing 

85g caster sugar 

85g soft brown sugar 

3 medium eggs, beaten 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

170g self-raising flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

30g custard powder 

Icing sugar to dust 

Custard to serve 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 

Grease and line a 21cm round spring-form 

cake tin. 

Put the rhubarb into a saucepan and 

sprinkle over the caster sugar. Heat very 

gently until the sugar dissolves into a syrup. 

Simmer for 6–8 minutes until the rhubarb 

just begins to soften. Set aside to cool. 

Meanwhile make the crumble. Place the 

flour into a mixing bowl and rub in the 

butter with your fingertips until it resembles 

breadcrumbs, then stir in the chopped nuts 

and sugar. 

Next make the cake. Beat the butter, caster 

sugar and soft brown sugar in a bowl using 

an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes, until light 

and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract 

with 2 tablespoons of the flour, beat for 

a minute until combined, then fold in the 

remaining flour, baking powder and custard 

powder. 

Drain any excess juices from the rhubarb 

16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

and discard the syrup, then gently fold the 

cooled rhubarb through the cake mixture. 

Transfer the cake batter to the prepared tin 

and gently smooth the top with a spatula. 

Sprinkle the crumble over the cake and 

press down lightly with the back of a spoon, 

then bake on the middle shelf of the oven 

for 40 minutes, until the cake is golden, firm 

to touch, and when a skewer is inserted it 

comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly in the 

cake tin, then transfer to a plate. 

Dust lightly with icing sugar before serving 

warm with custard. 

Tip 

Also delicious served with ice cream or 

single cream. 

Hedgerow Nutty Crumble 



Serves 4 

Fruit filling 

40g butter 

40g golden caster sugar 

2 Braeburn apples, peeled and sliced 

200g Bramley apples, peeled and sliced 

300g foraged berries or any mixed berries, 

such as blackberries and wild raspberries 

Crumble topping 

125g plain flour 

85g unsalted butter, diced 

85g demerara sugar 

50g rolled oats 

30g chopped toasted hazelnuts 

Custard or ice cream to serve 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. 

For the fruit filling, melt the butter in a 

pan, add the sugar and apples and gently 

simmer for 5 minutes. Add the berries and 

simmer for 2 minutes, then transfer to a 

23cm round oven-proof dish. 

Meanwhile prepare the crumble topping. 

Put the flour into a mixing bowl and rub 

in the butter with your fingertips, until the 

mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir 

in the sugar, oats and hazelnuts. 

Sprinkle the crumble topping over the 

fruit, then place the dish on the middle 

shelf of the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, 

until the crumb is golden and fruit 

bubbling. 

Allow to cool slightly before serving with 

custard or ice cream. 

Tip 

Try using other seasonal fruits such as 

damsons or gooseberries.

TIMELESS NORWEGIAN CRAFT 

Eco versions of wood stoves 

The Jøtul Group have recently introduced into its highly acclaimed 

product portfolio with two stunning updated versions of its highly 

popular F100 and F400 wood stoves. Innovative technology for the 

ultimate in clean burning eco-efficiency now ensures both models 

sport an Eco badge to exceed the clean air legislation due to be 

enforced from next year. 

Both the F400Eco and F100Eco join the classic collection of 

cast iron stoves with a choice of a plain door style or wonderful 

Norwegian character tracery arches. 

The larger capacity F400Eco is offered in Matt Black paint priced 

from £2,365. The large front door provides easy loading access 

with an ash lip to protect flooring from stray sparks when open. 

The Jøtul air wash system also ensures a clear glass for minimum 

maintenance. The F400ECO is sized at Height: 727 mm, Width: 

670 mm, Depth: 597 mm. 

· Min output 4.0 kW · Efficiency 84% 

· Nom output 7.0 kW · Heating capacity up to 150 m² 

· Max output 10.0 kW · Heating capacity cubic up to 300 m³ 

Jøtul F100 has been a firm favourite wood stove throughout the 

world for many years and the new F100Eco is now set to take its 

rightful place as the 21st century version. This smaller capacity 

stove takes logs up to 35cm in length, showcases heritage design 

and features a front opening large door for maximum flame views. 

The F100ECO is sized at 

Height: 570 mm 

Width: 528 mm 

Depth: 445 mm a 

The stoves are offered in amatt black paint finish. 

Priced from £1,495 inc vat 

(enamel finishes are set to be introduced at a future date) 

· Min output 2.7 kW · Efficiency 78% 

· Nom output 5.0 kW · Heating capacity up to 107 m² 

· Max output 7.0 kW · Heating capacity cubic up to 200 m³ 

Jøtul UK have an extensive dealer showroom network. Visit their 

website to locate the one nearest to you: 

www.jotul.co.uk 

The 

Fireplace Room 

Let Us Create The Fireplace Of Your Dreams 

Visit our new showroom and see the exciting range of gas and 

electric fires and fireplaces plus a variety of solid fuel stoves. 

We have relocated to: Unit 3, Longmeadow Industrial Estate, 

Ringwood Road, Three Legged Cross, Dorset BH21 6RD. 

Tel: 01425 471147 Email: info@thefireplaceroom.co.uk 

www.thefireplaceroom.co.uk 


www.anboise.com 

www.norsu.com.au 

GUEST BEDROOM 

perfection 

DON’T: WORRY IF YOU 

DON’T HAVE LOADS OF 

SPACE 

Ultimately you have to work with what 

you’ve got - in the last 18 months, 

many of us have seen our guest rooms 

overhauled into home offices. If you’ve 

ditched the bed don’t worry - how about 

adding an attractive sofa bed that you 

can actually use the rest of the time as a 

break out area from your desk. 

DO: PROVIDE BASIC 

AMENITIES 

The more things you can put in the room 

to make their stay easier, without having 

to ask you for everything, the more 

relaxed everyone will feel. A mirror is 

important, as are fresh towels, tissues, 

and perhaps even a hair dryer. A bedside 

carafe and some glasses means they can 

help themselves to water too. 

DO: INVEST IN 

GOOD WINDOW 

TREATMENTS 

As you might have never 

slept in this space, you 

might not know how 

light behaves or how 

effective the current 

window treatments are for 

blocking out light. For a 

really luxurious look, pair 

blackout blinds or shutters 

with thick, decorative 

drapery. Shutters give a lovely secure feel 

to a space and really finish the room. 

DON’T: SETTLE FOR A 

LUMPY MATTRESS 

The same goes for the mattress as the 

window treatments - spend a night in the 

room and see if the bed is up to scratch. 

DO: PROVIDE GOOD 

LIGHTING 

Multi-level lighting is key for making a 

space feel cosy - make sure there are 

two bedside lamps and then another 

light source in the space, such as a 

standing lamp in the corner or a lamp on 

a dressing table 

DON’T: SKIMP ON THE 

BED LINENS 

Good bed linen really is worth the money 

- and it tends to wash better too. Provide 

a good quality duvet and pillows, linens 

and some additional blankets if your 

guests feel the cold. 

DO: CREATE 

SOMEWHERE THEY CAN 

UNPACK 

We all know it’s a bit stressful trying to 

live out of a suitcase - allowing for some 

hanging space and a few drawers to 

unpack into, can really help guests keep 

on top of things whilst they’re with you. 

DO: MAKE IT SMELL 

LOVELY 

Kit the room out with either fresh flowers, 

a reed diffuser, or room sprays. Pillow 

spray to help deep sleep is also a lovely 

touch to make the space feel homely - we 

love Olverum’s new Restful Pillow Sleep 

Mist, £25, olverum.com 

DON’T: BE A 

PERFECTIONIST 

If your guests were hoping for hotel 

standards, then that’s where they should 

have stayed. Just aim to make sure 

the space is clean, comfortable and 

functional, then relax - there’s enough to 

be worrying about in the festive season 

without adding high expectations on top 

of that. 

If you’re looking for a total decorative 

overhaul, check out our moodboards! 

www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 


STYLISH 

QUARTZ 

Granite and Quartz Worktop Specialists 

Offering unbeatable prices and a swift turnaround time, 

Portman Stone can help your dream kitchen become a reality. 

With a friendly, professional and high quality service you are 

sure to find the worktop solution that’s right for you. 

Visit our Christchurch showroom today for any advice you 

may need and a free quotation. 

SHOWROOM & FACTORY 

1 Airfield Way, Christchurch, BH23 3PE. 

TEL 01202 484 340 | www.portmanstone.co.uk

Bromley Chest, £399, 

Made.com 

Black Branches Print, from £6.99, 

www.juniqe.co.uk 

Jute Effect Daylight Roller 

Blind, from £22, John Lewis 

Bedroom by Pure Salt Interiors 

BRIGHT 

& CRISP 

Off-White Linen Bed Set. 

£170.99, www.truelinen.co.uk 

Limestone Wood Paint, £18 

750ml, thorndown.co.uk 

Dar Lighting 

NUS422, from £82, 

wtlighting.co.uk 

Furn Contra Olive Cushion, 

£25, www.persora.com 

London Bench, from £499, 

www.boconcept.com 

Mala Pile Rug, 

200x290cm, £299, 

Made.com 

Reims, Iron/Metal Four Poster Bed Frame, from 

£649, www.obc-uk.net 

Black Bud Vase, £29, 

room356.co.uk 

Achieve this look by 

layering different 

neutral textures, and 

adding structural 

touches of black and a 

few strong accent colours 

Juna Striped 

Cushion, £34, 

hauslife.co.uk 


01425 650235 | nfdesigns.co.uk 

fl 

New Forest Designs 

has over 20 years’ 

experience in designing 

and installing kitchens, 

bedrooms, bathrooms 

and studies. 

Call us now for a consultation 

New Forest Designs, 6 High Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1AX 

Image Hypnos Beds 

LEADING BRANDS AT 

AMAZING PRICES 

“Over 25 Mattresses to try from leading 

manufacturers such as Hypnos, Kaymed, 

Mlily, Dormeo and many more...” 

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY 

FREE ONSITE PARKING 

OLD BED / MATTRESS DISPOSAL AVAILABLE 

New shop now open! 

Unit 1, 23 Salisbury Road, Amesbury, SP4 7AW 

www.elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk 

Thatcham: Unit 9, Wyvale Garden 

Centre, Bath Road, Thatcham, 

RG18 3AN • Tel : 01635 897665 

Devizes: l & 2 Windsor Drive, Devizes, 

SNlO 2TH • Tel: 01380 887943 


Pembridge Pendant 

Size 3, £1319, 

www.originalbtc.com 

B O H O 

COASTAL 

Dulux Paint in ‘Paper Chain’ 

Natural Ceramic Table Lamp, 

£99,barkerandstonehouse.co.uk 

Kilby Bedside 

Table, £229, 

made.com 

Design by Studio McGee 

Fingal 3 Seat 

Sofa, £1210, 

sofa.com 

Navy Seigaiha Wave Cushions £32 and Kayla Woven Cushion £31, hauslife. 

co.uk, Weeping Palm Tree Velvet Cushion Cover, £32.95, audenza.com 

Malibu Print, from £6.99, www.juniqe.co.uk 

Tulana Double Bed, 

£599, made.com 

Elowen Throw, 

£75, hauslife.co.uk 


Century 1 Light 

Chandelier in Rich 

Auerelia Gold with Clear 

Heritage Crystal, £906.12, 

weybridgelights.co.uk 

Design by Turner Pocock 

Clemence Mirror, £174, 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

So’Home Lamp, 

£139, laredoute.co.uk 

Rustic Apricot Blossom 

Wallpaper, £44 for 10m 

roll, litfad.com 

MODERN 

REGENCY 

Porthallow Footstool, from 

£746, sofasandstuff.com 

Botticelli Demi Lune 

Console Table, £495, 

perchandparrow.com 

Country Living Linen 

Pom Pom Cushion, £20, 

homebase.co.uk 

Estella Headboard from £545, 

headboardsbydesignonline.co.uk 

400cm Core-Edo 

Coordonne mural, £470, 

thebestwallpaperplace.com 


Wooden Ice Lolly Plate, £18.99, 

bluebrontide.com 

DECK THE 

HALLS 

Decorations, from left to right: 

Glass Glitter Bauble, £7, hauslife.co.uk; Ice Cream Four Decroation Set, 

£15.50, coxandcox.co.uk; Felt Dalmation, £9, sophieallport.co.uk; Glass 

Toucan, £6 and Glass Bunny Tail Grass Filled Bauble £7, hauslife.co.uk 

Lights and LED Candles 

from lights4fun.co.uk 

Wooden Stag Head 

Bunting, £5.99, 

gingerray.co.uk 

Extra Large Zinc Lined Rattan Planter, £85 

Open Log Carrier Basket, £38 

Mixed Eucalyptus Berry Wreath, £85 

All marquisanddawe.co.uk 

Sausage Dog Placecard, £3.99 for six, gingerray.co.uk; 

Christmas Dogs Nibbles Bowl, £13, sophieallport.com 


HOUSING-WITH-CARE 

Allowing older people to live where they want to live 

Imagine you’re an older person in your 

70s, approaching your later years and 

perhaps in need of more support soon, 

but still with so much to give, so many 

talents to unlock, so many friends to 

make. You’re thinking about moving 

from the family home you’ve lived in 

for years to somewhere which provides 

security and care if and when you need 

it, but which also allows you to keep 

your independence and connections to 

the local community, and which has a 

range of activities and facilities to keep 

you busy. 

It’s this middle ground, this golden 

mean, combining independence with 

care and support, which housing-withcare 

settings across the country are 

offering to older people in increasing 

numbers. Sometimes called retirement 

communities, retirement villages or extra 

care housing, these settings give older 

people the opportunity to rent or own 

a flat or apartment, on a site with 24/7 

staffing, high-quality care provision if 

needed, and facilities like restaurants, 

bars, cafes, gyms, activity rooms and 

much more. 

While long-standing options for older 

people like care homes and traditional 

retirement housing will continue to have 

a vital place, there is a growing need 

for middle options like housing-withcare 

which allow older people to stay 

independent and healthy for longer. 

The evidence is clear: housing-withcare 

improves health and well-being, 

drastically cuts down hospital and GP 

visits, and reduces feelings of loneliness. 

Not only do older people themselves 

benefit, but so too does the NHS and 

whole social care system. 

Housing-with-care settings can be in 

either rural or urban locations, giving 

older people the chance to choose the 

lifestyle they want. Often, they are closely 

connected with the town centre, and 

people of different ages are able to use 

the facilities at the retirement community 

and mix with older residents. Far from 

being ghettos of the elderly, housingwith-care 

settings can be hubs of 

intergenerational connection. 

ARCO’s role as the representative body 

for the housing-with-care sector is to help 

our members provide the best possible 

service to their older residents, and to 

ensure the sector thrives and grows in 

the way that it should. An important part 

of ARCO’s work is helping members 

set high standards through the ARCO 

Consumer Code, a new edition of 

which was launched in September this 

year. The code upholds the principles 

of transparency and fairness, giving 

customers and residents confidence that 

housing-with-care operators achieve 

high levels of consumer protection in 

everything from marketing, sales and 

lettings, and resident relations. 

Because, ultimately, housing-with-care is 

all about the residents. About responding 

to the growing demand from older 

people for housing options that combine 

independent, active living with care 

and support if needed. About allowing 

residents to live the life that they want 

to live. 

For further email please visit 

www.arcouk.org 


Help at hand with the press 

of a button 24 hours a day 

50% off an installation 

with code ‘NEWFOREST’ 

Always at the end 

of the phone for you 

Helping to keep you 

independent at home 

A helping hand 

when you need it most 

Staying connected 

so you’re never alone 

023 8028 5523 

appletree.careline@nfdc.gov.uk • newforest.gov.uk/appletreecareline 


BOOK A PRIVATE 

TOUR TODAY 

LIVE THE LIFE YOU 

LOVE IN ROMSEY 

London 

Coombe 

Lane 

Stanbridge Lane 

Old Salisbury Lane 

B3084 

Audley Stanbridge Earls 


Romsey 

Station 


AUDLEY STANBRIDGE EARLS OWN YOUR RETIREMENT 

Now that restrictions have eased, it’s time to take control of our lives. Audley Stanbridge Earls is an 

exclusive, luxury over 60’s development where you can own your own property, keep your highly 

valued independence and live the life you love. And with the charming town of Romsey and its 

scenic surroundings on your doorstep, that’s now easier and more enjoyable than ever. Whether you 

want to amble along the famous River Test, take a trip to the nearby Mayflower Theatre or browse 

the quaint independent shops, you’ll never be short of things to do and places to explore. 

Don’t miss your chance to reserve one of the stunning properties at Audley Stanbridge Earls 

in rural Romsey. Join us for a private tour on a day and time that works for you and enjoy a 

complimentary Champagne viewing of our new show apartment and luxury facilities. 

Call us to request an information pack or to arrange a visit. 

01794 278 335 | www.audleyvillages.co.uk/stanbridgelocal 

Properties from £379,950 (other fees apply). 

Scan to find 

out more

Expert care 

every step 

of the way 

With Spire Southampton Hospital you’ll see 

a leading specialist in a hospital where safety 

comes first. When you book an appointment 

with us, you can be sure that you’ll receive 

expert care in a secure environment. 

Safety first 

We screen our patients and colleagues for 

COVID-19 symptoms and have extensive 

protection protocols in place. 

Fast access to diagnosis and treatment 

You can see one of our specialists quickly, 

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Advanced technology 

We use the latest technology and techniques 

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Search ‘Spire Southampton Hospital’ 

Call 023 8077 5544 

Interest free finance – 0% representative APR available 

Credit is subject to status. Spire Healthcare Limited is acting as a credit broker, Omni Capital Retail 

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Authority. Spire Healthcare’s registered address is 3 Dorset Rise, London, EC4Y 8EN.

DISCOVER THE 

MAGIC of CHRISTMAS

New Forest Living Nov - Dec 2021

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