Tea of The Month: Winter Mulled Spice



Our tea of the month is always a little easier on your purse and usually has great health benefits.


What is it?
Winter Mulled Spice

If Christmas could be captured in one warm Beatons blend, Winter Mulled Spice is it!

Black tea and the scent of clove,
Warming and tempting sit by the stove,
Enjoy this restorative spice black tea, 
That tells you it’s time to feel all Christmassy!

This flavoured black tea comes from the mountains of Sri Lanka and Vietnam. It’s festive tones come from the cinnamon and cloves, subtly blended to give a warming robust tea to revive and restore. A perfect choice for cold winter days, perhaps unsurprisingly, we’ve discovered it goes well with poultry. It’s also a great accompaniment to Afternoon Tea, and our lemon polenta cake, so we invite you to enjoy a pot and let it infuse you with inspiration for your Christmas shopping.


                                                                                                                                          Emily Hoskins Jones                                                                                                                                     Engagement Quartermaster 

Beatons Petersfield: Big Give Christmas Challenge with Fitzroy



As you may know, each one of our locations chooses to a local charity to support when they first open. When Beatons Petersfield first opened, they chose to work with Fitzroy, a charity driven to help transform lives by supporting people with learning disabilities to do the simple things that make a real difference to their every day life. 
Fitzroy has  taken a great opportunity to be involved again in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, where every penny raised is doubled. To get the match funding they have only one week to raise £10,000, which the Big Give will then double.  

Fitzroy have been embracing technology and how it is transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities in some really special ways. The difference that something as simple as an iPad and a really great communications app can make is astonishing and wonderful. With the money raised, they will buy iPads and an unlimited licence to a really good communications app. Many of the people they support aren’t able to communicate verbally and they can feel incredibly isolated and out of control of their own lives. 

An amazing app called MyChoicePad uses 4000 Makaton signs and pictures to help people express their thoughts and feelings. This means they are able to have meaningful two-way conversations with the people who are important to them. Fitzroy have been trialling iPads in our services and have seen some remarkable results. One woman called Bex at their Malvern service was able to use the app to say ‘mum’ for the first time. You can read more about her story here.

If we can reach our target we will be able to help more people like Bex to be understood and heard. This link is where donations can

be made once the campaign launches https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/fitzroy Please share it! The Big Give starts at midday on Tuesday 27th November until midday on 4th December. Donations can only be made between these dates.

Tea of The Month: Kuchipudi Masala Chai Tea


Our tea of the month is always a little easier on your purse and usually has great benefits.

A great anti-inflammatory, immune strengthening and revitalising chai. Take a sip and South Indian spices will dance across your tongue, boosted by this robust black tea. Cardamom and ginger play a lively part in our Masala Chai, which tastes lovely with or without milk and sugar; ensuring it’s a rich, sweet and smooth choice.

What to have it with?

When you add the revitalising effects of caffeine and discover that it improves digestion it’s unsurprising to hear that even Olympic athletes resort to the drink as a pick-me-up. Perfect to start a autumn eating campaign, order today and let us know that you think!


Meet November's Beatons Bod...Holly!

Each month we dedicate a section of our monthly Bulletin to a new member of staff, our Beatons Bod. We like to do this as it introduces them to you, our customers and we all get to find out a bit more about them. This months Beatons Bod, is Holly a new member of the team in our Blandford location. 

Beatons ‘Bod’ for November
           
Holly 

What's your role and what do you like best about your job?
I am a waitress and I love to make people happy. I enjoy learning to make cups of coffee and all the different teas. I also enjoy the rest of the team I work with. I believe we all work well together and get along, so that makes the day and service run better.

What's your favourite drink or edible from our menu?
My favourite drink is an iced latte, and the prawn mayo sandwiches are the best!

And how about your favourite book from our shelves?  
The King’s Panto is my favourite book because my young daughter loves it very much.

Which of the ways we like to go about things at Beatons means the most you and why?
I like the way customers are treated with lots of thought and respect. They come first and I love seeing them smile because we gave them good service. 

Finally, if you were an animal, what would you be?  
I would be a kitten, cute, fluffy and friendly.   


                                                                                                                  Emily Hoskins Jones
                                                                                                                 Engagement Quartermaster 

Z is for Zillions...


What is a zillion? According to my old Concise Oxford Dictionary it’s an ‘indefinite large number’! That means I can safely say there are a zillion different events which are available to you, our ‘Distinguished Guests’ and local community. 

While you’ve been enjoying our new menu (thanks for all the positive feedback!) and 5* new Afternoon Teas, the team at Beatons Central have been refining our menu of events to extend the ways we provide you and the community with a restorative experience, gracious hospitality and generous value. 

What’s on the menu? 

· Patrons Occasions 

  - Birthdays, Births, Bridal, Anniversaries, Graduations and Retirements

 We regularly see customers come in who are celebrating a special occasion. We’re always happy to reserve a table (or four!) and make these occasions extra special and – if the group is very large – allocate a special area for your ‘do’. We have some easy ‘group’ options too!  

Although subject to each Tearooms’ discretion, extending our hours so you can enjoy a private early evening event with all the Beatons’ trimmings is also a possibility. Just ask if you have something special in mind.

- Private Book Launches 

Usually held between 6 and 7.30 pm, Beatons is the perfect place for drinks and canapés to celebrate the publication of your new book with the bookshelves and your book in the background! 

- Wakes 
When one of our regular customers or friends suffers a bereavement we may be able to accommodate their wake – 4pm onwards, weekdays only and subject to availability. It’s an honour to be able to do this for those we know in a friendly, dignified and restorative way.


      ·  Home for Your Club or Networking Group 
We’re ‘home’ already for a number of different groups, for instance, a mid-morning Carers Group at Beatons Tisbury. We can provide a great networking breakfast, or regular space for your reading or craft group.
 
     · Masterclasses and Workshops 
From January you will be able to learn about the world of tea which ends up on our shelves. Tea Ambassador, Harry McGookin, is preparing a fascinating Masterclass as a first introduction to tea for those less familiar with the terms ‘terroir’, oolong and the many rainbow shades, and how to brew them to perfection! Please flag your interest with your local Tearooms Owner or ‘gather some friends’ as we will need a minimum of 6 signed up to run them.  

Would you like to host an evening Workshop or Masterclass for up to 12 in your local Beatons? We’d particularly like to hear from you if you can offer photography, hat-making or floristry Masterclasses and are looking for an elegant environment, our classic Beatons Brew blend, filter coffee and soft drinks and cake, too, if you wish!   

P.S. Z is also for Zest and Zeal which are definitely two of the ingredients in the Beaton Team’s magic.  

                                                                                                       Liz Darcy Jones, Book Ambassador




Beatons New Milton - An Afternoon With Wizzy!

 

As you may remember, during August we took on the mission of busting boredom for the summer holidays. Across Beatons we hosted several children's book events with many wonderful authors. Here at New Milton, we had Beatons Book Ambassador, Liz Darcy Jones join us for a fun-filled story telling session of 'Wizzy and The Seaside Adventure' by local author Anthony Ridgeway and local artist Suzan Houching. Well, on Wednesday 24th October they will be visiting us themselves for another story-telling, signing and talk!

'Wizzy and the Seaside Adventure' is about Dan, who has a rather strange friend - Wizzy! He's a highly opinionated and automated wheelchair who is more than the sum of his parts. Together friends, James and Sophie he and Dan (not forgetting Honey the labrador for some four-legged intelligence) a thrilling seaside adventure unfolds. Perfect for ages five to eight, we'll also have activity sheets and colouring pencils (not just for the children!).

‘Are you sitting comfortably?’  All you'll need to do is your drinks, cakes and ‘Knights & Ladies’ treats and enjoy; we'll take care of the rest! 

The event starts at 4pm and tickets cost £2. All money made from tickets is being donated to local charity, Mencap Gateway Club, New Forest; an organisation dedicated on being the voice for learning disabilities in the New Forest. Tickets are available in the tearoom!

You can find out more about the Anthony and Suzan, and how Wizzy came to be on our Hampshire Authors page here


                                                                                             - Emily Hoskins Jones, Engagement Quartermaster

Beatons Petersfield: 'Home Waters' Book Signing


'Home Waters' written by Lt. Cdr. Rob Hoole, RN
and Cdr. David Bruhn, USN.
Following the success of our summer Boredom Busting book events, we have another lined up for you! Beatons Petersfield will be hosting Lt. Cdr. Rob Hoole, RN. for a book signing for his latest release 'Home Waters', written with Cdr. David Bruhn, USN.
Lt Cdr Rob Hoole, RN will be signing copies of ‘Home Waters’ which he co-authored with Cdr David Bruhn, USN. Both writers have commanded minehunters in the Persian Gulf and have produced many books about naval mine warfare. 

Signed copies of 'Home Waters' will be sold for £26, £10 of which will be donated towards Project Vernon - the campaign to erect a monument in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth to celebrate the mine warfare and diving heritage of HMS Vernon, which previously occupied the site. 

The signing starts at 11:05 am and will last until 2pm on Sunday 11th November 2018. 


Z is for Xeric… (Part 1)


I admit it doesn’t start with a ‘Z’ but it sounds as if it does. And it’s a word which we might have used for much of the summer: xeric. We’re not going to sleep, but ‘Z’ is going to extend into November as well as October as Z is also for Zillions too but you’ll have to wait until next month to find out why!

That may be a new word for you (great for scrabble fans)! It was to me, although it might be familiar to gardeners or those who live in the desert. Pronounced ‘zeerik’ it’s an adjective which describes a habitat containing little moisture; very dry or parched (more and more of our world it seems).

As I began to research this feature, overlooking a very brown lawn thirsty for rain, my gaze was drawn to the bright orange blooms of the giant Crocosmia and stunning swathes of ‘Beatons’ pink’ Lychnis in the border – both drought tolerant. On my study table sits a succulent cactus sharing its pot with an aloe vera – both positively THRIVE in xeric conditions.

Might there be a metaphor or analogy for me to learn something about dealing with the ‘high and dry’ times life occasionally delivers? Oh yes! Apparently, the technical name for the ways plants and animals deal with challenging environments is ‘adaptations’. Here are three gifts I’ve found from inspecting the adaptations of desert plants:

·    Be happy to have a few spines! Not to be scared to have clear boundaries because they create a still space in which vital drops of moisture (inspiration or nourishment) can gather, and they protect me from harsh winds and predators.

Stay Juicy! I can soak up all the water of life when it pours with goodness and abundance, and draw on my gratitude in my memory and bones when times are scarce

·    Develop strong roots to draw up maximum moisture/nutriment:
- grow a fine web of numerous roots which gather water from many places (not having all your eggs in one basket)
- have one very deep and long tap root which gets to water others can’t (being so single-minded you’re always nourished)
In both cases the key is to grow my unseen ‘inner’ roots rather than putting all my attention into necessarily
what I want you to see of me. I don’t have to ‘be out there’ all the time!

These were my discoveries, perhaps you’ll think of some others for yourself. Desert plants often have waxy, oily leaves so they don’t leak their precious stores of water – what might that mean to you?

More practically? Remember, Beatons is an absolute oasis… With sharing platters on the new menu, Afternoon Teas which are so beautiful you might think they are a mirage and sparkling kombucha too! Kombucha is the pro-biotic fermented ‘wellbeing’ tea which I’m convinced would restore me in the most xeric of conditions. Try it - it grows on you!

P.S. Z is also for Zest and Zeal which are definitely two of the ingredients in the Beaton Team’s magic. It’s my pleasure to honour them – and that magic – in my last poem as ‘Beatons House Poet’ on the back page.


                                                                                                            -Liz Darcy Jones, Book Ambassador 

An Autumn Change at Beatons



The time has come where we have to say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn. No longer do we have bright blue skies with a beaming sun and glorious heat; but rather a crisp morning with a breeze that makes you feel refreshed and energised. Though the thought of potential rain and gloomy days are ones that we may not look forward to, something that I feel helps us all feel a little better is the fresh produce we get in these months.

You may have noticed that our menus have had a few changes recently, especially when we came into the summer months, well as the seasons are changing we feel our menus should reflect this and make use of all the delicious produce coming into season. As well as our classic, oven cooked baked potatoes with various toppings, daily homemade soups and ‘on toast’ and ‘croque’ dishes, we see the return of the popular Warm Chili Chicken Salad and Smoked Mackerel Pate, served with toast, gherkins and a fresh side salad; perfect to warm you up on a chilly day.

Though we tend to reach for more comforting food choices in the colder months, we also get to dive back into the world of decadent coffees, rich hot chocolates and heart-warming teas. Though we don’t have any additions to our drink's menu, we do feel now is the time to try our ‘Choc-O-Lait' Hot chocolates; available in dark chocolate, milk chocolate or hazelnut. Why not indulge even more by adding whipped cream? Not forgetting our ‘Knights and Ladies’, we do serve our hot cholates and other drinks in a smaller size, as well as serving a comforting Babyccino with sprinkled chocolate on top!

So why don’t you come on into a tearoom, leave any troubles behind and treat yourself. You can try one of our new items or simply sit in the corner with a warm drink, read the paper and enjoy some well-deserved me time. We know you won’t leave disappointed.

                                                                                     -Emily Hoskins Jones, Engagement Quartermaster



Tea of the Month: Herbal Harmony


Perfect for when you feel like giving your health an extra boost or your mind some piece, October's Tea of the Month is full of goodness.

This is a caffeine free, herbal infusion with the innumerable health benefits of nettle which include hypertension, inflammation and alleviating asthma symptoms. Liquorice is good for bronchial disorders. As for the cardamom? It's used as a breath freshener in India and is known to be great for 'the system'.

The sweetness of the liquorice and cardamom, balanced with the astringency of the nettle makes this a perfect match for our home-made cakes. Try is out with our signature carrot cake—which if you haven't tried before—is and absolute must! It’s a great digestive after enjoying a light lunch too.


A trio of herbs this month fill our kettle

Liquorice for chests and that panacea, nettle

Cardamom too—astringent and clean

A harmonious blend—see what we mean?!

                                                                                  -Emily Hoskins Jones, Engagement Quartermaster