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