NEWS

Desmond Swayne, Jim Stride and Ron Cherrett

Casual Trip to the Bookshop
A casual trip to the bookshop in Ringwood by Desmond Swayne MP led to an impromptu photo opportunity for members of the Pedal Car Committee on Saturday 7th June. Committee Members Jim Stride and Wayne Robbins spotted our New Forest Member of Parliament in Ringwood' Southampton Road. He was more than happy to pose for photos to promote his role in the upcoming Pedal Car event on Sunday July 13th. A hurried call to Ron Cherrett, at work in Martins, also in Southampton Road, resulted in the map of the race circuit being used to good effect.
Desmond Swayne will be starting the British Pedal Car Grand Prix this year while Mazda Magna will be presenting the cups and trophies. Our local Member of Parliament took it all in his stride with his good humour and his willingness to promote a good cause.
The British Pedal Car Grand Prix is the highlight and final event in the Ringwood Town Council's Festival Week which takes place on Friday 4th July to Sunday the 13th. Other events taking place during the annual weekly Festival include a Fashion Show, the Annual Festival of Transport held at Avon Heath Country Park, Ringwood Rocks featuring local rock and folk bands and other events for various ages and interests.
The Pedal Car Race Committee sincerley hopes Desmond Swayne arrived at the bookshop before they closed on Saturday evening. For more information visit: www.britishpedalcargp.co.uk

Children's Competitions at Toys of Ringwood
It is competition time at the Furlong in Ringwood. Toys of Ringwood have two competitions running. The first one is a “Spot-the-Difference competition.
Children have to spot ten differences between two pictures to win Sylvanian models. There is a delightful watermill bakery with 70 separate pieces worth £30.Other prizes include Farmer’s cart and pony valued at £25, a Pizza Parlour costing £10 an ice cream cart at £10 and a Juice Bar at £10 They must send their entries to Sylvanian Families at Flair Leisure before the end of April for judging. There are three age groups with three prizes per age group 4-6, 7-8 and 9 and over. Entry forms at Toys of Ringwood.
The second competition is Lord of the Rings model painting competition. Three winners in two age categories will win vouchers for £15, £10 and £5 to spend on Games Workshops Toys.
Children have to obtain from Toys of Ringwood a free model of a character from the Lord of the Rings to construct and paint. Entries must be returned to Toys of Ringwood by August 30th and winners will be announced and prizes awarded on Saturday September 6th. There are two age categories – under 10s and 10s and over.
From Belinda Charlton 01425 473813

Easter Bonnet Parade Donkey

Furlong Easter Bonnet Parade
Despite doubts about new legislation threatening the viability of local Parades, the Ringwood Easter Bonnet Parade will be going ahead as usual. Once again the Furlong Centre will be hosting the delightful Ringwood
Easter Bonnet Parade on Easter Saturday March 22nd from 10.30 a.m.
Youngsters are invited to come along to the Furlong Centre with their Easter Bonnets or dressed as an Easter Bunny to win a prize and join the Easter Parade around the town.
A magic show from Count Backwards will start at 10.30 a.m. in the Furlong and judging of the bonnets and bunnies will start at 11 a.m. The judges are the Mayor Cllr Brian Terry and his wife Jacquie, ex Mayor Danny Cracknell and wife Di, plus Lynette Neal from Jaeger, Emma Rose from Hobbs and Kate Sanderson from East.
There are 3 categories 5 yrs and under, 8 yrs and under and 14 yrs and under. The Bunnies have one group only. The first, second and third winners will receive prizes. Prizes are vouchers from Toys of Ringwood, Easters eggs or a family entry to Liberty’s Raptor and Reptile Centre. Every bonnet or bunny will receive a prize of a small Easter Egg.
Following the magic show and the judging, the parade around the town will start at about 12 noon led by the Dolphin Marching Band. The contestants are invited to choose between climbing into the decorated agricultural trailer donated by New Forest Farm Machinery, or into Ian Mason Smith’s vintage cars. Led by the Dolphin March Band, the parade will go through the town for everyone to admire the bonnets and bunnies, the beautifully decorated trailer and the elegant old cars.
Said event organiser Belinda Charlton: "I am delighted that this can take place as usual. Common sense has prevailed."

Fancy Dress Winners - Christmas 2007

Children in Need Collection in The Furlong
Fun and Games in Ringwood's Furlong Centre on Saturday November 17th when local school children and Furlong people are collecting for BBC Children in Need from 10am - 12.00noon. Jazz saxophonists Chameleon will be playing. Come along and join in the fun.

David Lloyd Pool Revolution
The revolutionary new £300,000 pool enclosure at the David Lloyd Club will be opened on Monday December 10th by the Ringwood Mayor, Brian Terry and the son of David Lloyd, Scott Lloyd. The David Lloyd Aqua Club are giving a demonstration, as are a group of synchronised swimmers. After the midday opening the pool will be available for members. More...

Chelsea Pensioners Weekend in Ringwood
The last weekend in July saw the arrival of two Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea. They were invited by Sammy 'Sunshine' Rowe to attend the 'Celebrate Veterans Season' at the Ringwood Town & Country Experience and the ENSA evening as Guests of Honour on the same day. The visit was to help create awareness and raise funds for the Royal Hospital Chelsea New Infirmary Appeal. The Royal Hospital Chelsea needs one million bricks to build a new infirmary in order to provide modern-day care for the Chelsea pensioners. More...

Swing Fever - Meeting House - Saturday 7th - 8:00pm

Swing Fever
Swing Fever hits the Meeting House on the 7th July at 8:00pm as part of the Ringwood Festival. Dave Shepherd, Britain's number one clarinettist and Chris Walker, jazz broadcaster, clarinettist and saxophonist, will be taking centre stage on the night. Tunes featured will include Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others from the period. Tickets are available from the Meeting House or telephone 01425 474972. 

The Art of Wine

The Art of Wine
There is to be a happy fusion of art and wine in the Furlong Centre in Ringwood on Sunday May 20th when John Watson of Gallery 2 and Paul Dawkins of Heaton Wines in Romsey get together for a celebration wine tasting to blend fine French wines with fine art.
John will be displaying his remarkable original works from French abstract artist Pascal Magis, stunning sculpture by Rebecca Newnham, contemporary works from Portuguese Artist Fernando Costa involving old pieces of French road signs, plus innovative work from local artists. Said John Watson: “We have held many exhibitions in the Furlong, but this is one with a difference. You view my art and learn about rare wines.”
Paul will be inviting guests to sample his excellent range of unusual and very special French wines. He said: “The wines are all from small independent producers in France. You will never find these wines in Tesco, but although they are better than the supermarket wines and certainly rarer they are often cheaper as well. My wife and I travel around the small vineyards and knock on the doors taste and select the wines. Many of these producers are not able to export abroad to England due to onerous regulations, so we then return to France to collect the wines. Sometimes in the very small family run vineyards we get roped in with the labelling and finishing so that we can take the wines away.
“We do hope people will come along and we will have some fun, you will be able to taste the wines, and learn something about wines, there is no obligation to buy, but of course, I hope you will.” The wine tasting and Art exhibition is open on Sunday May 20th from 11.30am until 3.30pm
From Belinda Charlton 01425 473813

Furlong Easter Bonnet Parade
It is that time of the year again when the Furlong will again be hosting the delightful Ringwood Easter Bonnet Parade on Thursday April 5th at 10.30am. Youngsters are invited to come along to the Furlong Centre with their Easter Bonnets or dressed as an Easter Bunny to win a prize and join the Easter Parade around the town. There are 3 categories 5 yrs and under, 8 yrs and under and 14 yrs and under. The Bunnies have one group only. The first, second and third winners will receive prizes. Prizes are vouchers from Toys of Ringwood, Easters eggs or a family entry to Liberty’s Raptor and Reptile Centre. Every bonnet or bunny will receive a prize of a small Easter Egg.
Marvellous magician Count Backwards will be entertaining at 10.30am, the judging will be at about 11.00am and the parade will start at about 12 noon led by the Dolphin Marching Band. The contestants are invited to choose between climbing into the decorated agricultural trailer donated by New Forest Farm Machinery, or into Ian Mason Smith’s vintage cars. Led by the Dolphin Marching Band, the parade will go through the town for everyone to admire the bonnets and bunnies, the beautifully decorated trailer and the elegant old cars.
Belinda Charlton 01425 473813

Red Nose Day Hits Ringwood
Comic Relief arrived in the Furlong in Ringwood red nosed and radiant. There was Sammy Sunshine the Clown, blowing giant bubbles, Jane and Len the saxophonists, from the band Chameleon, with Furlong Manager Lara Faramus, with red hair, and Furlong events organiser Belinda Charlton, also red nosed and ridiculous. They were assisted by Kate Nunney and Shirley Tobias, similarly decked out, and all collecting money for Comic Relief. As the music played and the bubbles burst, the red nosed collectors raised £200 in a couple of hours, thanks to the generosity of the Furlong customers.

Happy Christmas

Furlong Santa Reindeer Parade
Once again Santa and his reindeer will be descending on the Furlong, parking his sleigh just outside Frampton's Mill while the traffic warden is busy elsewhere. The festivities start at 6.00pm and continue around the town until 8.30pm when all the good little boys and girls will have discovered that there really is a Mr. Claus.
Our favourites, Bournemouth Carnival Band will be disguising themselves once again as Spider-Men to follow the Green Goblin and ensure he behaves on the night. With plenty of shops open for the night there will be the Annual Ringwood Chamber Fancy Dress competition for the shopkeepers and the cunningly clever Ringwood Chamber Odd Man Out shop window competition. If you see any mobsters and their molls sneaking about with suspicious violin cases, Italy and Italians is the theme for this Christmas Event of the Year. The Italian Market, new for Ringwood, will also be holed up in the Market Place so this really is an offer you dare not refuse!
For more information call Belinda Charlton on 01425 473813

Local Author seen 'On The Buses'
Verwood author 'Tom Levick' was recently spotted in August conducting a book signing aboard a bus in Wimborne. At first glance the bus appeared to be lost, as the destination stated 'Trafalgar Square'. One of the local bookshops had organised the bus to gain the attention of passers by and shoppers on Saturday 5th August. 'Tom' who owns a local bus company in the area told us he had rewritten the book five times in the last five years and this was his first published novel. More...

Jazz on a Summer Night
The Ringwood Meeting House Association invite you once again to an evening of superb Traditional Jazz on Thursday 17th Aufgust when yet again, by popular demand, they welcome back the Alan James Band to provide another evening of 'Jazz on a Summer Night'. Doors open at 7.30pm with the jazz commencing at 8.00pm. Real Ale and wine will be on sale as usual. More...

Falconers and Fighters
Giles Talbot dressed in his new falconers costume with a falcon called Speck, a cross Peregrine and Saker Falcon, on his arm. Giles sat astride a 17 hand horse called Victor helped set the tone in the Furlong Shopping Centre for the start of the Civil War raging in the town on the 7th and 8th July. More...

British Pedal Car Grand Prix 2006
The British Pedal Car Grand Prix first took place in Ringwood in 1987, and has steadily grown in popularity since. The race now attracts thousands of spectators, and has even been filmed by both BBC Television and Satellite TV!
This year's race is being held as the finale to Ringwood Festival Week, and there will be pedal car activities taking place on both Saturday and Sunday. The judging of the Concours D' Elegance will be held on Saturday 15th July and members of the public can come along and get a sneak preview of the competing cars. More..., Results...

Chernobyl Children in Ringwood
Once again the Furlong Shopping Centre in Ringwood were host to twelve children who came from the radiation stricken city of Chernobyl in Russia. The visit of these children, many of whom are orphaned by the nuclear disaster, was organised by Moira Swayne the wife of New Forest MP Desmond Swayne. The children stay in the homes of host families in Burley for one month, during which time they receive health checks and have a fun seaside holiday. More...

Meeting poses nuclear question - Caroline Lucas MEP to speak at Ringwood meeting
Ever-increasing household oil and gas bills and the prospect of water restrictions, including hosepipe bans, this summer are just two of the problems that New Forest residents have to contend with. But is building more nuclear power stations part of the long term solution? That is the question being posed at a public meeting in Ringwood on Friday March 3rd, where Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for South-east England, will speak.
"Burning fossil fuels is causing our climate to change and this is predicted to bring lower rainfall to southern England in future. This winter has given us a taste of times to come, with rainfall well below average and water levels in some reservoirs reaching record lows,” said Dr. Lucas.
“With increasing demand for oil and gas, households are being landed with huge bills just to keep warm. This situation is likely to get worse as oil supplies become scarcer, so it is essential that we reduce our use of fossil fuels and move to alternative energy sources,” she said.
The meeting will also mark the launch of the New Forest branch of the Green Party. Janet Richards, who was the Green Party's candidate for the New Forest West constituency in last May's general election said: “The government recently launched a public consultation as part of its energy review[4]. This review will decide whether a new generation of nuclear power stations will be built in the UK, so it is vital that local people get involved in the debate. That is why we are holding this public meeting – to allow people to find out more about the issues and show them how they can make their voice heard.”
So is nuclear power the answer to the problems caused by burning fossil fuels? Find out what Caroline Lucas MEP has to say, and voice your own opinion, at Greyfriars Community Centre in Ringwood on Friday March 3rd at 7:30pm - www.carolinelucasmeporg.uk 

Bettles Gallery on the Move
After seventeen years of exhibiting in their existing building Bettles Gallery have an exciting move about to take place. The gallery has the opportunity to relocate to the premises next door at 82 Christchurch Road, Ringwood. Over the years the high quality exhibitions of ceramics and paintings by internationally acknowledged artists have attracted collectors from near and far. Nevertheless, the limitations of available display space has always been restrictive to the size and quality of exhibited work. Now this is about to change for the better with the new premises presenting an attractive challenge of more floor and wall space whilst retaining the character of an old building. With three floors available there will be far more flexibility for displaying larger and more varied works.
The actual move will take place over the weekend of 4th February and the gallery will then be closed for a month whilst renovations take place.
A full programme of exhibitions is planned for the coming year. The first features raku ceramics by Time Andrews and paintings, drawings and silk screen prints by Martyn Brewster starting on 18th March.
On that day the official reopening of the gallery will be launched by Professor Simon Olding, Director Crafts Study Centre, University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham. Anyone interested in receiving an invitation should telephone Gill or Roger Bettle on 01425 470410 / 489350.

It's A Big World Out There
Ringwood Meeting House is the venue yet again for another of Forest Forge Theatre Company's productions. This time it is The Adventures of Tom Thumb and takes place on Tuesday 17th January 2006. Tickets are £6.00 for adults and children are £4.00 each, available from The Meeting House or call 01425 474972. More information is available from www.forestforge.co.uk 

Wessex Transport Society's Fourth Festival of Transport
Sunday 14th August 2005 is the date for Wessex Transport Society's fourth 'Festival Of Transport'. Avon Heath Country Park, A31, Near Ringwood, Hants is the venue. Avon Heath Country Park has woodland walks, the Avon Forest Café, picnic areas and excellent facilities. Past and present transport vehicles will gather here including static displays of buses, commercial vehicles, cars and motorcycles. New and vintage buses will operate scheduled public services to scenic and transport related destinations. Both admission and bus services are free. Supported by Go-Ahead Wilts & Dorset. The Programme is available by post for £3.00 and include a size A5 stamped sae. Continuous shuttle buses will operate from the large Ringwood car parks and feeder services from Poole and Salisbury will be available. Programmes, enquiries and vehicle/stall entry forms from: Mike Caldicott, 7 Priory Dene, 47 Cavendish Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1RA. Tel: 01202 293245. Contact: mcaldicott@wessextransportsociety.co.uk or visit their web site www.wessextransportsociety.co.uk

Image courtesy of Ian Francis

Baby Owls Can Climb Trees
Liberty's Raptor & Reptile Centre in Ringwood are having a problem with baby birds. With the sap rising and the birth of young things in full flood, people have been bringing baby birds to the sanctuary which they mistakenly think have been abandoned by their parents.
Said Liberty's owner Giles Talbot: "We have had quite a few young birds, particularly young owlets, brought to the Centre recently because people had found them apparently abandoned. People mean well but in fact by moving the bird it does not help them. The chances are the mother is close by, and particularly with owlets, even if they have fallen out of their nest, some of them, particularly the Tawny Owls, can climb back up the tree to the nest. It is usually best to leave a young bird or animal alone, that gives it a better chance of survival because the parents are often watching close by.
The Raptor & Reptile Centre in Crow Lane, Ringwood do have some young owls recently hatched which are on view to the public, along with their usual array of birds or prey, snakes, iguanas, lizards and rabbits. Liberty's Raptor & Reptile Centre can be contacted on 01425 476487 or visit their web site -  www.libertyscentre.co.uk

National Charity Seeks Volunteers
If you have a few hours to spare each week and you live close to the market town of Ringwood, the British Liver Trust would greatly appreciate your help.
Like all charities, the Trust has a core of dedicated staff, but depends on volunteers to help with every day tasks such as mailings.
The growing awareness of the spread of liver disease, now the third leading cause of death in those aged between 45 and 65, ensures that each day the Trust receives requests for information leaflets on all aspects of liver disease from individual members of the public and from larger organisations such as hospitals.
"We are a small charity addressing a huge problem" explains Chief Executive Alison Rogers "and we also have to combat the stigma attached to liver disease - the presumption that it is always associated with alcohol and drug abuse. In reality, alcohol accounts for only a half of adult liver disease, with a third being caused by viral hepatitis, and the remainder caused by a significant variety of diseases related to the immune system, metabolic disorders and inherited diseases."
The Trust helps fund important research as well as offering information and support. Locally, a team at Southampton University has recently completed an important survey on the impact liver disease has on the health service and patients, highlighting the problems of obesity, diabetes and the increase in alcohol intake, particularly in young people.
If you think you'd like to help and join the friendly Ringwood team, contact Tracy or Emma at the British Liver Trust on 01425 463080

Revised: 20 June 2008

All phone numbers are prefixed (01425) unless otherwise stated.

Copyright © 1999-2008 [Ringwood Online]. All rights reserved.
All information is subject to change without notice.
Web site design and hosting by Wayne Robbins, Member of Ringwood Chamber