FREE
Covering the areas of Hampshire and surrounding counties
JUNE - AUG 2014
Summer recipe by local
celebrity chef James Martin
Adrenalin Summer Reviews
BBQ Special with Weber
Win a Yachting Trip on the
Solent with Escape Yachting
Win a Camp Bestival Family
Ticket
Win a Ferrari 458 Spider
experience at Thruxton
Win James Martin’s new
FAST COOKING book
…And much more!
Summer issue aa aa
aa
Photography by Andrew Edmonds for GoSkydive
Hampshire
Win two places on a Sail withLunch or Dinner this summer.
Visit www.whatsgoodtodo.comfor details and to enter.
Good Luck!
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592
Welcome to Summer and the June/August edition of
What’s Good To Do Hampshire. #WGTDHampshire is a
FREE Glossy A5 magazine published as a result of the
success of whatsgoodtodo.com which offers
product/venue reviews and competitions as well as a
nationwide searchable online directory where users can
search for things to do in their local area. This issue is
packed full of places to go and things to do this summer
to sit back and enjoy!
Best wishes
Kerri ChardEditorWhat’s Good To Do Hampshire
What’s Good To Do Hampshire is produced to provide a
forum for local businesses to promote themselves to
residents and visitors of Hampshire.
To discuss advertising opportunities or to submityour venue for review, please contact on:Email: [email protected]: 01264 889592
What’s where...Page 2 – Competition: Win a luxury
sailing trip
Page 4 – Adrenalin Summer: Airkix
Page 6 – Adrenalin Summer:
Go Skydive
Page 8 – Adrenalin Summer:
Ferrari Experience
Page 9 – Adrenalin Summer:
Thruxton Skid Pan
Page 10 – Living History Museum
Review
Page 11 – Southampton 20 Year
Anniversary
Page 12 – BBQ Special: Weber
Rotisserie and recipe
Page 14 – BBQ Special: This
Summer’s hottest BBQ
products
Page 15 – James Martin Summer
Recipe and Competition
Page 16 – Summer Cocktail
Page 17 – Garden Products 2014
Page 18 – PURE wireless Music
system review and
camping gear
Page 19 – Garmin GPSMAP 62 review
and new ‘iSIS’ Solar
Charger
Page 20 – 2014 Festival Diary
Page 22 – Camp Bestival Special and
Competition
Page 24 – 2014 Country Fairs Diary
Page 26 – 2014 Food Festival Diary
Page 28 – Theatre Land
Page 30 – Intercontinental Hotel
Afternoon Tea Review
Back cover - Competition: Win a
Ferrari 458 Spider experience at
Thruxton
3
Dear Readers...
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What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 4
Adrenalin Summer
If you have ever dreamt of Sky
Diving but thought it was too scary
or too expensive then try Airkix.
An indoor alternative to launching
yourself out of an aeroplane, it is a
genius way of getting a real flying
experience! We tried out the wind
tunnel in Basingstoke and had the
most exhilarating time.
Airkix Basingstoke is easy to find.
Located on the Basingstoke
Leisure Park it is at home next
door to long standing popular
venues such as the Bowlplex and
Odeon Cinema, and there is
plenty of free parking. On arrival, it
is satisfyingly obvious that the
venue is new. Only a year old, it is
modern, clean and inviting. No
time wasting, the venue uses a
computerised arrival system which
is simple to use, however be
assured that a number of very
friendly staff are on hand if you
need assistance.
Once you are signed in you are
guided up to the activity foyer.
Here you will find seating areas
which double as viewer platforms,
refreshments, the Wind Tunnel
and the SkiPlex (we hope to
review this for another edition).
You can’t help but notice the
massive Wind Tunnel which
dominates the area. Its
transparent design really lends
itself to providing a perfect
spectator activity, which is ideal if
you are with a large party or just
want to see how it’s done before
your own attempt.
Time for a safety brief. The
instructor allocated to us was
extremely enthusiastic which
really helped to build excitement
and at the same time clearly
highly professional and confident.
The safety video only takes
around 10 minutes and provides
essential information to ensure
you get the most out of your
indoor sky dive. Ignore the advice
of the instructor and the video and
I guarantee you will not make the
most of your experience.
Whilst you are getting suited up in
the special gear (goggles, ear
plugs, flying suite etc.) ready for
your flight, the clear wind tunnel
really engages you as flyers take
to the air. We even got to watch
some of the pros demonstrate
their unbelievable competition
level tunnel skills. Upon entering
the outer circle of the wind tunnel
to await our turn we were instantly
aware of how loud the wind tunnel
is. This really got the adrenalin
pumping. Be warned this almost
meant we got very warm very
quickly so don’t go wrapped up in
layers even if you visit on a cold
day.
Airkix
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 35
PricesFrom £39.99
(Gift vouchers available)
Locations: Basingstoke (Manchester
and Milton Keynes)
Basingstoke Leisure park,
Hampshire
factbox
Opening TimesAirkix Basingstoke:Term Time
Monday-Friday 1600 – 2100
Saturday, Sunday & Bank
Holidays 0700 – 2300
School Holidays
Monday-Friday 1000 – 2100
Saturday, Sunday & Bank
Holidays 0700 – 2300
*Off Peak times apply
About:Basingstoke is the latest Airkix
location in fact it is currently
celebrating its one year
anniversary. There are three
great activities on site
including: the super-smooth,
super-fast wind tunnel for
indoor skydiving; the UK’s first
permanent Brushboarding
slope – ‘surfing without the
wet stuff’; and party rooms,
which make it an ideal venue
for kids parties, stag parties,
family fun and much more.
For more informationvisit/call:www.airkix.com
0845 3316549
Now it was our time to fly. Your
allocated safety brief instructor is
with you at all times. Without them
you would probably bounce off of
the sides of the wind tunnel like a
pin ball! So as you leap into the
wind taking care to relax (we were
informed and indeed discovered
that girls are better at this than
boys!) your instructor guides you
gently to the centre and holds you
in place until they are comfortable
that you are holding a good flying
position and of course are
enjoying yourself. The instructor
will then slowly release you
allowing you some unaided flight
time – don’t forget to smile for the
camera located on the wall of the
control booth.
The instructor also offers to give
you a tandem white-knuckle
experience which will see you
circling at high speeds to the top
of the wind tunnel and back down
again several times in the safe
clutches of the professional. I
highly recommend you use some
of your flight to have a go at this
as it is extremely exhilarating.
The experience is 2 minutes in
total on your first visit. This
doesn’t sound very long, and
indeed it goes very quickly, but on
a real sky dive you would free-fall
for less than a minute so in reality
you are getting much more air
time. If you can master a solo
flight it is very satisfying and will
leaving you wanting more. All of
your accomplishments in the
tunnel are recorded so that if you
do return again you can skip
straight to some more advanced
tunnel activities.
Whatever your reason, whether
that be a fear of the real thing, a
fun family day out or an activity for
you and your friends, I highly
recommend that people give this a
go. It’s a once in a lifetime
experience that thankfully you can
do over and over again. Trust me,
you will want to! And as a thank
you from Airkix for your repeat
business, you will find that your
second visit will be a lot friendlier
on your wallet.
Also located at the Basingstoke
venue is the UKs’ first permanent
Brushboarding slope. This is
essentially surfing without getting
wet. I have tried to surf before
very unsuccessfully but after a few
attempts to stay up right on the
brush board I started to get the
hang of it. This would make a
brilliant group activity for all ages.
We also agree with the complex
staff that it would also lend itself to
a fitness work out because after
only a couple of goes we were
feeling the burn!
A great venue with lots to do for all
the family!
Highly recommended
A WGTD rating of 4.5/5 stars
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 6
The first thing I noticed when I
arrived at the Old Sarum Airfield
near Salisbury was the sheer
number of spectators. There were
crowds of supporters for those
brave enough to be jumping that
day, all of which were enjoying the
sunshine and the site facilities
(restaurant etc.). That’s right,
sunshine despite it being early
March.
My first point of call was the safety
brief classroom where I was
greeted by Skydive expert Paul
Blair. Paul ran myself and a few
others through a very thorough
safety talk and training session
which was both informative and
mind easing. If you are ever
thinking of ticking jumping out of
an aeroplane off of your bucket
list, here are a few details that I
think you will find interesting.
Firstly, be assured that every
safety measure is taken to ensure
you a pleasant, safe and secure
jump – I was pleased to hear that
Go Skydive provides the very best
parachute equipment to its
jumpers worth
£13,000. This includes industry
leading parachute materials and a
very clever Automatic Activation
Device which is an on-board
computer that guarantees your
parachute will deploy
automatically at 2,000 feet if
manual deployment fails. You can
choose to jump from either 10,000
or 15,000 feet which in freefall
time is 30 seconds or 1 minute
respectively. You can also choose
how you reach the ground once
your parachute is in action i.e. you
can enjoy a slow peaceful canopy
ride taking in the stunning sights
of the Hampshire and Wiltshire
landscapes for 5 minutes, or if you
prefer a more adrenalin fuelled
experience allow your skydive
expert to perform a few spins and
tricks that will see you on the
ground in around 1 minute.
One you have demonstrated to
the instructor that you can hold a
couple of critical body positions in
the training room you are ready to
go and get yourself kitted up in a
jump suit. There was a real air of
excitement on the ground and I
was really pleased to see that a
group of jumpers had just landed
and returned with the biggest
smiles on their faces. It was time
to head towards the aeroplane.
I was very lucky to have Paul the
safety brief instructor as my
tandem jump expert. He was
calming, friendly and most
importantly confident which made
the nerve
racking 15
minute flight up
to 15,000 feet
a lot more
comfortable for
me. During the
flight you are
already
secured to your
jump expert but
they will spend
this time
making some
last minute
checks to
ensure
everything is
100% secure.
Go Skydive Review
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 37
Opening times:APR-SEP: Friday,
Saturday and Sunday
OCT-MAR: Saturday and
Sunday
Prices:10,000ft Jump = £250.00
15,000ft Jump = £310.00
Personal Cameraman –
starts from £99 12 month
gift vouchers available
Age restrictions:Min age: 16 (16-18
requires parental consent)
Max age: none, but over 40
requires a signed medical
form
About:Go Skydive at Old Sarum
Airfield is the UKs’ only
tandem sky diving
specialist centre, they
understand what first time /
amateur skydivers need to
feel safe, secure and
happy for the most
amazing experience of
their lives. There is plenty
or parking on site and the
facilities are excellent so
take your family along to
share your special day.
For more information visit:
www.goskydive.com
factbox
As we were approaching 15,000
feet the aircraft cabin seemed
ominously quiet, but when it was
clear that it was now time to jump
everyone came to life. There was
no time to consider whether this
decision to jump was a mistake or
not, the next thing I knew I was
sitting on the edge of the door
frame and then leaping out into
mid-air. This is the most
memorable part of the jump for
me.
Nor the complete weightlessness
achieved that made me truly feel
as though as I was flying.
At 5,000 feet the parachute is
pulled and the rush of hurtling
towards the ground is instantly
replaced with a majestic floating.
In the briefing we were told that on
a clear day you can see as far as
the Isle of Wight. I was in
complete awe of the stunning
vista from such a height, it was
silencing. I think it is something
you have to see with your own
eyes to truly appreciate. I decided
that I should experience as much
as I could on this jump so I agreed
to let Paul take us for a spin
before we reached the ground.
Suddenly I realised just how much
more there was to see. I was
enjoying the new sensation of
controlled parachuting but it was
the panoramic views that were
stealing the show.
All too soon it was time to land
and suddenly I was brought back
to reality. Now that I was on the
ground everything that happened
during the last 5 minutes became
a blur. It was a surreal moment.
As I looked around I could see
that everyone had their own
personal way of celebrating the
end of their jump. Most were truly
elated and were high fiving their
fellow jumpers whilst others were
more casual but clearly enjoyed
the experience. I think I was in
shock. It wasn’t until about a week
later that it really sunk in and I
began to appreciate that I had
achieved a small feat, and
experienced much that many
others would never get to enjoy.
Once you have got out of all the
kit there is nothing left to do but to
make a quick visit to the media
centre to grab your photography if
you booked a photographer and
your goody bag which includes a
certificate of proof that you were
mad enough to jump.
This is probably the closest you
will ever get to experiencing flying
- it is incredible. Thank you to Go
Skydive and especially the lovely
Paul Blair for giving me a day I will
never forget.
A WGTD star rating of 5/5 stars
March 2014 by Kerri Chard
“I don’t think I will ever forget
the feel of the wind on my
face as we fell towards earth
at around 120mph”
“I highly recommend that
everyone should experience
a sky dive at least once in
their lifetime!”
Highly recommended
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 8
Thruxton Racing CircuitBy Ross May, April 2014
Review:We sent a reviewer along to
Thruxton to have a go in a Ferrari
458 Italia, the latest model from
Ferrari - you will not find this car
with any other driving experience
company!
If you are a lover of cars and
driving at mind blowing speeds,
then Thruxton Race Circuit is
undeniably the best circuit in the
UK to visit. The 2.4 mile circuit is
the fastest in the UK and is home
to the Touring Car
Championships, the British
Superbike Championships, and
famous British Racing Driver and
Fifth Gear TV presenter Tiff
Needell.
Thruxton race circuit is
conveniently located less than 1
mile from the A303 so it is very
easy to find. On the day of my
experience the weather had taken
a turn for the worst so I was really
pleased that it was not cancelled.
On arrival I was asked to sign my
life away and then handed a
Driver Analysis Card (DAC) which
I was told is used throughout the
experience to record your
achievement and abilities in order
to provide you with a final
appraisal of your driving skills.
The first stage of the experience is
to ride passenger to an
experienced instructor in a
Porsche Cayman to receive some
valuable tuition around the course.
This was a total of two laps and
then it was my turn to jump into
the driver’s seat. For the next 3
laps my every move was being
scrutinised for the aforementioned
DAC. The instructor was both
advising me and scoring me on;
my approach to driving, my
steering ability, gear changes,
driving lines, braking and pace.
Each corner was also allocated a
score based on how well I; turned
in, used the apex and performed
through the exit.
Next up was the Ferrari. I couldn’t
wait to get behind the wheel. It is
difficult to describe the feeling I
felt as I got into the car. I was in
complete awe and at the same
time eager to get going. The
moment my foot touched the
accelerator the Ferrari roared into
action. The 0-60mph time of the
Ferrari 458 is a mind blowing 3.4
seconds, and in every gear it
delivers acceleration like I have
never felt before. It is truly a
marvel to behold.
Taking the Ferrari around the track
was a real treat. Experiencing not
only the power but also the sheer
brilliance and ingenuity of the
controls really made me
appreciate the mechanical genius
behind the car. In short, it was
awesome! Pushing the car as far I
could within reason on such a wet
day I was still able to reach
unbelievable speeds, and with
each corner I became more and
more confident and trusting of the
Ferrari’s abilities. As with all good
things my time in the Ferrari had
to come to an end.
Feeling a strange combination of
exhilarated and sad I made my
way to the media centre to collect
my certificate of achievement and
the professional photo taken by
Thruxton on circuit cameras for a
memento. There are plenty of
experience days available at
Thruxton with a huge range of
cars to choose from. There is
something for everyone whether
you want to drive or just enjoy a
wild ride an experienced pro such
as Tiff Needell can take you on.
I highly recommend the venue,
and of course massively credit the
Ferrari 458 Italia experience for
giving me such an incredible day.
To read our full review visit:
www.whatsgoodtodo.com
Ferrari 458 Italia Experience Review
Price: £325
2.5 Hours Experience
www.thruxtonracing.co.uk
fact box
A WGTD star rating of 4 out of 5
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 9
The shiny new Skid Pan facilities
at Thruxton race circuit opened in
January 2014. We went along to
try out our driving skills and to get
some tuition from the pro’s.
The new Skid Pan offers drivers a
real life experience in a safe and
controlled environment. That
means that you can really get to
grips with how a car performs in
adverse conditions as well as how
a car behaves to driver reactions.
The course is laid out to allow
drivers to tackle a number of
hazards but predominantly it is
designed to replicate and
exaggerate very wet, slippery
conditions in order to help you
develop the skills needed to
correct and control a sliding car.
The reception building is as shiny
new as they come, with a
welcoming clean layout that is not
only relaxing for visitors and
spectators but also lends itself to
corporate functions. On arrival we
were taken through a series of
safety guidelines and our
instructor, Josh Tuersley, a highly
skilled and experienced
professional driver, took the time
to explain the differences between
the cars we would be driving and
the main proceedings of the
experience. Two cars are used on
the Skid Pan which are
particularly modified to provide the
ultimate experience: The Toyota
GT and a Mini. Both cars perform
differently which enables drivers
to have two very different trials on
one course.
On our visit first up was the Toyota
GT, a fantastic looking car with an
appetite to perform. We were
directed through the first part of
the course which is a cone slalom
that is designed to test a driver’s
reactions and to demonstrate a
cars weight distribution and
transfer which has an effect on
how a car performs during
breaking and accelerating. At this
stage the car’s electronic safety
systems were switched on yet the
car was hard to manage with our
untrained skills on the slippery
surface. With the safety systems
turned off this was even more so
but after a few attempts and some
very useful guidance our reactions
quickened and the car became
more manageable and the cones
more negotiable. It is a very
rewarding feeling to be able to
control a car whilst it is skidding.
The course also has a large circle
of cones laid out which we were
directed to navigate. This part of
the course clearly demonstrates
the effects of over and under steer
whilst testing and teaching throttle
control. We found this the most
frustrating part of the course
mostly because we trying so hard
to get right. The pros make it look
so easy! Lastly the course uses a
sprinkler to act as a wall of water
hazard in order to test breaking
and manoeuvre reactions. This is
probably the most challenging
obstacle as timing has to be
absolutely perfect for you to
succeed, the ultimate goal being
to break and swerve the hazard
without losing control.
Jumping into the Mini Cooper
following the Toyota is a surreal
experience. On the one hand it
feels as though you have more
control as it feels easier to drive
and is somewhat less erratic, yet
despite this we found the Mini to
be less responsive and harder to
perfect. We certainly had more fun
in the Toyota.
If you are looking for a driving
challenge then this is for you. The
Skid Pan is a true test of a driver’s
skills that will increase the
confidence of the novice driver but
trial the more daring and
confident. Whether for fun or for
skills practice the Skid Pan
delivers with abundance.
A fantastic experience, only
slightly lacking in speed. We
would have also have liked to
experience being a passenger
whilst a pro gave us a taste of
how it is done.
To read our full review visit:
www.whatsgoodtodo.com
Thruxton Skid Pan Review
Course 1 – 1 hour
Standard £99
Advanced – 2 hours with
tailored tuition £185
www.thruxtonracing.co.uk
fact box
April 2014, By Kerri Chard
A WGTD star rating of 4 out of 5
Copyright of Pete Gibson
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 10
We arrived at the Living History
Museum to find the car park
outside full and people queuing
outside the door. Luckily there is
loads of alternative free parking
within a couple of minutes’ walk
and by the time we had sorted out
the push chair, picnic and
generally got ourselves organised
the queue had disappeared. I was
a bit worried that it would be
packed and difficult to get around
as the car park was full but it was
really easy. We were dealt with
quickly and asked if we would like
to buy some old pennies for the
sweet shop, we brought two at 70
pence each, they both came with
a ration book which we were told
we could get stamped at the shop.
At the large reception type desk
we were given a map. You can
also pick up free audio guide that
tells you all about each area as
you walk through it.
The museum is a mock-up of an
old town with cobbled streets,
shops, factories, workshops and
vehicles. Two of these building
were actually working, the sweet
shop, where we spent our old
pennies and the public house
where you could enjoy a drink in
the authentic building. I thought
the sweet shop was a really good
idea, you exchange your penny
for a quarter of sweets from the
jar, you could choose from several
varieties, these were then
weighed out for you and you then
got your ration book stamped. We
didn’t try the pub as we had a
picnic but it looked fun and even
smelt like an old traditional pub.
We followed the streets, looking at
all the buildings on the way; it
Opening Times:Tue–Fri and Bank Hols:
10am–4.45pm
Sat and Sun:
11am–4.45pm
Last admission: 3.45pm
Tickets cost:
Children under 5: FREE
Children 5-15 years: £5.25
fact box
takes quite a while as there is lots
to see in each one. There were all
sorts of different buildings from a
shoemaker to a garage and each
one was packed with items
relevant to the era and dummies
dressed up to look the part. There
was an old bus you could go on
and several other vehicles had
steps up to them so you could see
in the cab, it was all very
interesting.
We didn’t eat in the café but the
prices seemed very reasonable at
£3.30 for a baked potato and
£3.70 for a children’s lunch
including drink. There is a room
set aside indoors for picnics which
is where we had our lunch along
with other families avoiding the
rainy outdoors.
The great thing about the museum
is that it’s really interactive, there
are lots of things for children to
do, touch and look at without
worrying. I felt totally comfortable
letting my toddler run around
everywhere joining in with Lego
tables, playing in the Wendy
house or dressing up in the
dressing up tent. He had a really
good time.
From upstairs the museum looks
fairly small but it’s really deceiving
and took us a good two and a half
hours to go round it. If we had
visited the pub or café you could
easily add another hour making it
good value for money especially
on a cold or rainy day. I would
recommend it as a good day out
for all ages.
A WGTD star rating of 4.5 out of 5
The Living HistoryReview, Basingstoke25th April 2014 – By Amanda Hayes
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 11
Southampton was granted city status by Royal Charter on 24th
February 1964 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
It was the third most important port in England in medieval times andenjoyed a rich and varied commercial life. In the 19th and 20thcentury its role in shipping was world renowned. But it did notbecome a city until 1964. It is often thought that a town automaticallybecomes a city when it has a cathedral or a university or has a largepopulation. In fact it can only become a city when it is granted thatstatus in a royal charter.In September 1958 the County Borough ofSouthampton petitioned the Queen for the town to be raised to thestatus of a city.
Reasons why it was thought that Southampton should become a cityincluded:1. The growth in the size and population of the town.2. The growth of the importance of the town in the shipping worldand in the Country’s economy.3. The long history of public administration and the efficiency ofits municipal services.4. The record of voluntary service, public spirit, practice of charity,the maintenance of historical records and customs, and theexistence of a true sense of citizenship.
On the 7 February 1964 the town received a letter from the HomeOffice advising that the petition has been successful.
What’s On in Southampton this summer:June - August: Community Fairs - Various venues
4 June: Commonwealth Games Queen'sBaton RelayThe Queen’s Baton Relay visits the cityduring its two week journey acrossEngland, drumming up support forTeam England and celebrating sport asit goes.
6 - 30 June: 50@50 - Various VenuesSouthampton Music Hub celebrateswith 50 musical events. Some of thesewill be open to the public.
7 June: Holi One Southampton -Mayflower ParkThousands of people, dressed in white,come together to share music, dance,performance art and visual stimulation.
11 June: Southampton Airport"Welcome to Southampton" Wall -Arrivals areaAs part of 50th anniversary of the city,Southampton Airport havecommissioned a Southampton SolentUniversity final year photographystudent to gather images from acrossthe city of people as well as landmarks.These will be mounted and displayed on
a wall in the arrivals area of the airportas a 'welcome to Southampton'.
14 June: EjectorSeat Arts Festival -Palmerstom ParkFree event showcasing local music andart talent.
21 June: Inflatable 5 a side Football -Hoglands Park
22 June: Bedford Place Street Party -Bedford Place TBCCelebrating the city’s 50th anniversarywith the Hampshire Farmers Market,Vintage vehicles, music and street party
29 June: Southampton Sky Ride - citywide routeMass participation cycling event in thecity centre attracting 12,000participants.
12 July: Let’s Rock Southampton -Southampton Common80’s Music Festival featuring Billy Ocean,Bananarama, Howard Jones, ABC, GoWest, Nick Heyward, The Real Thing,Heaven 17, Then Jerico, Jaki Graham,Altered Images, Brother Beyond.
12 July: Mela Festival - Hoglands ParkAnnual free festival focussing on southeast Asian culture attracting 25,000visitors.
27 July: Big Fun Run - SouthamptonCommon5k Fun Run for all the family. Raise fundsfor a charity of your own choice.
1 – 17 August: Art at The Heart Festival -Nuffield Playing Field @ GuildhallSquareA summer festival of events at NuffieldPlaying Field, Guildhall Square, inpartnership with Art Asia, City Eye, JohnHansard Gallery, Mayflower Theatre andTurner Sims.
21 – 25 August: August Bank HolidayFair - Southampton CommonTraditional fair with popular market onBank Holiday Monday.
22 - 23 August: Southampton MaritimeFestivalTwo day maritime event for all thefamily at Southampton Docks(see our festival guide for moreinformation)
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 12
Summertime BBQ
And here is a recipe courtesy of
Weber to get you started…
Aromatic Chicken with Lemon
Balm or Mint By Weber
Tender chicken infused with
lemon balm or mint, coriander
and peppercorns to create an
aromatic roast.
A sure way to impressguests with this take on theclassic roast chicken.Serves 4Prep Time - 20 minsBBQ time – 75 minsCharcoal Roast / Gas Roast
Ingredients:• 1 Lemon
• 50g/2oz caster sugar
• 1.5kg/3-3½lb
corn-fed chicken
• Bunch of lemon balm
or mint
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
Method:1. Thinly slice the lemon. Bring a
saucepan of water to the boil, add
the lemon slices and cook for 2
minutes. Drain and refresh the
blanched lemon slices under cold
running water. Put the sugar and
150ml/ ¼ pt water into a clean
saucepan and bring to the boil.
Add the blanched lemon slices
and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and leave
aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, to prepare the
chicken, work your fingers
between the skin and the breast
meat to loosen it and then loosen
the skin on the legs. Drain the
lemon slices. Work the lemon
slices and lemon balm or mint up
under the loosened skin, over the
legs and breast meat.
3. Put the peppercorns and
coriander seeds into a pestle and
mortar and grind coarsely. Mix
with the oil and brush all over the
chicken.
4. Place the chicken on the
skewer and if necessary, tie the
thighs and wings together.
Put a drip tray under the
meat with a little water in.
Insert the skewer into the
motor and switch on.
Barbecue over indirect
Medium heat for 1-1 ¼
hours until the juices
run clear and internal
temperature is
170º F/ 77 º C.
Leave the chicken to
rest for 10-15 minutes
before carving.
Do you find yourself buying a new BBQ every year, replacing the dirty old BBQ
that was put to the back of the shed at the end of the summer the year before?
With hot summers becoming more frequent and our growing love of alfresco
dining with friends and family we think it’s time to take this rustic way of
cooking more seriously, and that means making sure you have the very best
equipment. We recommend you treat yourself to a Weber.
Weber is the world’s no:1 Barbecue brand. It boasts long term warranties of up
to 25 years on all of its BBQs and has an extensive range of accessories and
gadgets to help you BBQ like a pro and create some mouth-watering recipes.
You can say goodbye to boring old burgers and sausages!
Weber products are available from most reputable barbecue retailers
nationwide and online.
Aromatic C Balm or
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 13
We personally love the Weber®Charcoal Rotisserie. The
Rotisserie, which can be used to
cook whole joints of meat and
poultry, uses a motor to spin meat
to ensure it gets an even exposure
of heat, which means you can
leave it to cook to perfection whilst
you are relaxing and enjoying
yourself. The Rotisserie pictured
fits Weber’s 57cm Kettle charcoal
barbecues (A weber gas barbecue
rotisserie is also available) and
lets you roast with the lid down. It
costs £189.99.
Review:
We were very excited to receive
our Weber Charcoal Grill
Rotisserie. As BBQ fanatics, we
enjoy trying new cooking methods
so that we can make use of the
barbecue as much as possible
when the great British weather
allows, and the rotisserie
presented a fantastic way for us to
cook a joint of meat in a unique
way, any day of the week! We
particularly like that you can get
more than one bird on the skewers
so it is even a great cooking
method when you have a large
group to feed.
The Rotisserie arrived in an
exciting large box. Opening it up
was like Christmas morning. Why
such a large box? Because the
Rotisserie is a solid single unit - no
fiddly assembling of multiple
pieces, and as with all Weber
paraphernalia that we have tried, it
felt well manufactured, clearly a
quality bit of kit. This meant it was
extremely easy and quick to set up
(note: you will require the Weber
Bar-B Kettle and outdoor mains
power) so we were ready get
cooking within minutes.
We had a go at roasting a chicken
which we had marinated
beforehand. We simple loaded the
chicken onto the rotisserie arm,
and once the BBQ was up to
temperature (which with the help
of the quick lighting Weber
charcoal chimney accessory can
be no to time at all) we were to
start cooking. Watching the
Rotisserie in action is really
satisfying and the smell it
produces as it cooks is a nasal
delight. Turning the bird as it does,
the meat is guaranteed to cook
evenly and even bastes itself as it
rotates. It is recommended that
you use a collection tray below the
meat you are cooking. This works
two fold as firstly it avoids
aggravating the charcoal which
causes it to burn too hot, and
secondly it enables you to collect
all the lip-smacking excess juices
to use as gravy which would be a
travesty to waste.
On a side note, Weber boasts
a very useful downloadable app
called ‘Weber’s on the grill’ which
not only features 280 classic
weber BBQ recipes; 40 recipes for
rubs, marinades and sauces; and
a very handy tool to
create a shopping list for your
favourite recipes, but also provides
a recipe grill timer which pings
when the recommended cooking
time should end. On investigation,
for simple roasting, we found that
most times matched the cooking
times you would ordinarily use for
a fan oven. We used the app when
we were cooking our chicken and
we are pleased to report that when
the ping sounded and after 15
minutes rest time, our chicken was
cooked to perfection. We would go
as far as saying that it is the best
chicken we have ever had!
We can’t wait to try different meats
on the Weber rotisserie. No doubt
they will be just as delicious and
perfectly cooked. Using the
rotisserie really enhances the
traditional, safe BBQ methods we
are all guilty of sticking to. If you
fancy exploring some more exotic
ways of getting the most out of
your BBQ this summer then we
highly recommend you give the
rotisserie a try.
For more information and to see the entire the collection of Weber products visit www.weberbbq.co.uk
Read our full review of the Weber Rotisserie on our websitewww.whatsgoodtodo.com
Chicken with Lemon r Mint By Weber
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 14
BeefEater BUGG BBQ THEBUGG:Australia’s leading BBQ
manufacturer BeefEater have
produced a small BBQ called The
BUGG which looks great is small
and light making it ideal for the
smaller urban garden or
terrace/balcony and is fully
portable for trips to the country or
coast. BUGG comes with a wide
range of stylish and durable
accessories; including a robust
trolley, baking dish and roast
holder, protective cover, carry bag
and pizza stone. It also comes in
three colours and is available with
or without a stand, is extremely
well built and is sure to look good
year after year with just a minimal
amount of maintenance.
BeefEater has stockists around
the country
Prices from £250 More info:
www.beefeaterbugg.com
Weber Smokey JoeStyled using the iconic Weber
kettle design the Smokey Joe®
Original and Smokey Joe®
Premium are perfect to pop in the
car for out-and-about barbecuing.
Both feature a weather-proof
handle with protective heat shield,
a triple-plated cooking grate, rust-
proof aluminium lid vent to provide
proper air flow, and a fire and rust
resistant lid and bowl, made from
steel and porcelain-enamel coated
for durability and weatherproofing.
The Smokey Joe® Premium also
has a lid lock for carrying which
lowers to double as a lid holder
and is available in Spring Green,
Smoke and Crimson.
Smokey Joe® Original £59.99
Smokey Joe® Premium £69.99
More info: www.weberbbq.co.uk
Ready To Cook BarbecueKit/Eat BucketReady for when the sun shines,
just pick up your bucket and go!
Kit contains: portable BBQ, 0.5kg
sack charcoal, box of matches,
soft-grip handle all-purpose tongs
and recipe booklet.
Price: £32.95 From:
www.potterandrest.co.uk
BBQ Gift Set – Look the part:
Victoria Eggs is a young, award
winning British designer. We love
her new Barbecue collection
featuring a British Barbecue
inspired print. A great gift idea for
the King of the Grill!
Handmade in Britain, available in
Green and Grey.
Apron £19.95, Oven Mitt £14.95
Tea Towel £9.95, Gift Set £47.95
From: www.victoriaeggs.co.uk
Pack of flower motif woodenpegs:
These hand decorated wooden
pegs are ideal for helping weigh
down table cloths out in the
garden. This product is hand
made by woodworker Jo
Stephens, one of many artisan
crafters creating unique but
affordable items for the home and
garden on
www.elsieandfleur.co.uk A pack
of 5 costs £3
Verycook Plancha Grill The new Verycook Plancha Grill is
endorsed by celebrity chef Rachel
Allen (pictured). A new gas
barbecue that is ready to cook in
just in 3 minutes is features two
burners providing two areas to
cook with separate controls. Sear
on one, keep warm with the other.
The plancha grill has a raised
edge which gives you greater
control when moving food around
(especially
useful if you
have a dog
that is ever
ready to clear
up whatever
falls off) and
there is no
need to use
any fat, just
sear straight
on the grill
surface or
cook in
marinade
juices direct on the plancha grill.
Any excess juices / fats will drain
away to the drip tray leaving you
with a healthier dish to enjoy.
There are more than 10 different
colours to choose from making the
Plancha Grill a BBQ that really
stands out from the crowd.
Prices start from £319 More info:
www.verycook.co.uk
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 15
Summer vegetable vodka tempura with aÏoli
Recipe Intro: We created this while working on a bar snack, and this is the result:
vodka and tonic batter! You could use gin, too, and the alcohol helps
crisp it a lot. Make sure the oil is good and hot, though. The aioli is
easy to make, but you could also use shop-bought mayonnaise and
add some finely crushed garlic to it.
RecipeServes 4
100g courgette
100g aubergine
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 large red onion
vegetable oil, for deep-frying
coriander cress, to serve
(optional)
For the batter 200g strong plain flour
1 x 7g sachet fast-action yeast
25ml vodka
175ml tonic water
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar
For the aïoli 4 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
2 egg yolks
squeeze of lemon juice
200ml vegetable
This recipe is just one of many inspirational dishes you can create in
just 20 minutes which are featured in James Martin’s new book, FAST
COOKING.
FAST COOKING by JAMES MARTIN, published by Quadrille (£20) Photos ©TARA FISHER
JAMES MARTIN
Method1 First, make the batter: whisk
together all the ingredients in a
large bowl until smooth.
2 Cut the vegetables into batons.
3 Make the aïoli. Crush the garlic
with the salt. In a food processor,
whizz together the egg yolks,
garlic and lemon juice, then slowly
drizzle in the vegetable oil until
thick and emulsified. Set aside.
4 Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to
160°C/320°F. Dip the vegetables
in the batter and deep fry for 2–3
minutes, until crisp and golden.
Remove and drain on kitchen
paper.
5 Season the vegetable tempura
with salt and pepper, scatter with
coriander cress, if using, and
serve with the aïoli. We have 5 copies
to giveaway. Head to
www.whatsgoodtodo.com
for details.
Book Competition
Do you have a bowl full of salad left over at the endof every bbq you have? Why not try thisalternative recipe to impress your guests courtesyof local celebrity TV chef James Martin.
We think it sounds delicious!
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 16
Summer CocktailsLooking for an after dinner cocktail to enjoy on a warmsummer’s evening? Try the global award winning RoyalTemptation by world champion cocktail maker GeorgeLiddle, now restaurant manager at Hotel Indigo & TheMarco Pierre White Steakhouse in Newcastle. Perfectlybalanced to compliment the taste of the Vodka TempuraVegetable dish by James Martin and Lemon RotisserieChicken by Weber ... it's almost a dessert in a glass!
Royal Temptation Cocktail
Recipe Intro: The Royal Temptation was
created for the International
Cocktail awards held in 1993
Vienna (Austria) by British cocktail
maker George Liddle. The Royal
Temptation was the winning entry
of the After Dinner Cocktail
category.
Method:Shaker & mixing glass, serve in a
Cocktail glass
Recipe:• 4/10 Disaronno
• 3/10 Kahlúa
• 2/10 Midori
• 1/10 Fresh cream
Garnish: Orange (zest), mint & chocolate
flakes (brown & white, rim)
About George Liddle: Cocktail creator to the stars
George Liddle tells an
extraordinary story from serving
royalty in The Ritz to becoming
the first-ever world champion
cocktail maker. He’s now the
restaurant & bar manager for
world-famous chef Marco Pierre
White at Hotel Indigo Hotel,
Newcastle. His skill with the
shaker was confirmed when he
became the man who makes the
planet’s best mixed drink, beating
32 other countries. Asked to
create a concoction for the James
Bond movie Goldeneye and
trained under the man who
choreographed the hit film
Cocktail starring Tom Cruise he is
a cocktail aficionado.
At the Ritz George mixed cocktails
for Princess Diana and Prince
Charles and was head-hunted by
Dances with Wolves film star
Kevin Costner to create cocktails
at a an exclusive celeb party; And
he couldn’t turn down the offer to
run a mini-bar at a “jamming
session” involving Canadian rock
star Bryan Adams, pop legends
Simple Minds and king of swing
Harry Connick Junior. George,
who is from the North East, even
went on to serve his famous
drinks to the then richest man in
the world the Sultan of Brunei,
who was being entertained by the
Queen at Royal Ascot.
If you ever find yourself in the
area and want to try more
amazing cocktails by George
Liddle visit Hotel Indigo,
Newcastle.
To view the full Marco PierreWhite Steakhouse menu visit: www.hotelindigonewcastle.co.ukBookings: 0191 300 9222
Twitter: @HotelIndigo_new@MPWNewcastle
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 17
L ve your garden
CacoonMeet a Cacoon; the coolest
hanging haven for adults to enjoy
the garden and a fantastic place
for kids to hang out in the shade.
It’s a wing chair, a hammock, a
hanging garden – it’s whatever
you want it to be! The Cacoon is
inspired by the woven hanging
nests of the weaver birds and is a
winning combination of fine
furniture expertise and complex
sail cloth technology. Get ready
for a simple, cosy, relaxed back to
the nest experience. Available in
various colours and sizes to suit
you from £225.00 www.hang-in-out.com
Bronze Duckling Watering CanThis sweet duckling is a lovely gift for a green fingered enthusiast!
It's rustic design and organic shape reflects the nature of the garden
environment. The body of the duckling carries a litre of water, which
comes out through its beak so you can water your houseplants or
garden perfectly. This watering can has been carefully handcrafted,
so it is completely unique. The duckling stands on its own, making it a
stylish garden ornament when it's not being used, the perfect gift for
garden and animal lovers. £18.99 www.treatrepublic.co.uk
Hydro GlobeThis pretty ornament for your
beloved plants is not only
beautifully designed but ultra
useful! The ornamental and hand
blown-recycled glass vessel
solves the problems of watering
pot plants or hanging baskets both
efficiently and stylishly, by slowly
releasing water to drying soil. It
makes an original and eco-friendly
gift, or helps the absent or busy
home-owner manage their own
watering role; it is beautifully
decorative while ensuring that
indoor or outdoor plants get the
water needed for up to two weeks.
£12.99 www.treatrepublic.co.uk
Personalised Gardening Tool KitThis handy gardening tool pouch is perfect for
budding gardening enthusiasts this summer.
It comes in two colours, Pink/green or
blue/green, includes a fork and trowel which
can be personalised with a child’s names and
a pair of gardening gloves for little hands.
£18.99 www.borngifted.co.uk
Napoli Solar GardenLightA classically designed garden
light providing the unique feature
of a bright pool of light on the
ground and a soft accent up
lighter from the top of the
luminaire, Napoli is garden
lantern that perfectly fuses
modern technology with the grace
and style of yesteryear. A single
high power Nichia LED provides
the illumination and power comes
from a state of the art Maxi Plus
solar cell and lithium battery.
Napoli is the perfect choice for
areas where a greater spread of
light is necessary. Napoli’s light
pool is 2.4m in diameter and is
ideal for paths, driveways, patios
and by ponds.
£29.99www.solartechnology.co.uk
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 18
PURE Jongo S3 ReviewBy Kerri Chard, April 2014The flexible wireless musicsystem.RRP £139.99 www.pure.com The first thing we noticed about the
Jongo S3 when we took it out of the
box was the super cool design and
the quality of the build. We were
sent a bright white unit but there is
an array of fabulous colours to
choose from to compliment different
tastes and surroundings. The
frontage of the system is kept clean
and simple with only power, volume
and mute buttons, everything else is
tucked away neatly to the rear.
Set up was fairly simple with a few
button presses. We pretty much
breezed through the processes for
both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
without any hiccups and in a
relatively short space of time. A
speaker allocation function allows
you to choose the right sound
distribution for four pre-set
conditions. We set our unit to the
outdoor mode which produced a rich
sound quality and fairly decent bass
levels even at the highest volume
levels – perfect for large garden
parties or any small outdoor event.
On to the battery. In addition to
mains power the Jongo S3 also runs
on its own internal battery – which
we believe is replaceable so when
the battery output eventually
degrades, as is the case with all
batteries, you won’t have to replace
the whole system. We only tested
the battery whilst connected via
Bluetooth, so we can’t make claims
for the WiFi battery, we achieved
around 12 hours continuous play
from a full charge which is excellent
– PURE quotes 10 hours, very likely
the happy medium.
The PURE Jongo S3 and indeed all
of PURE’s Jongo music system
series has the added bonus of the
“PURE Connect” smartphone
application. The app provides a
library of music as well as; on
demand shows and podcasts, and
access to live radio. It also accesses
your device’s music library so you
can find everything in one place
instead of having to leave the app.
Very clever. PURE also boasts its
own music subscription service to
rival the likes of Google Music.
One of the other selling points of the
PURE Jongo is the ability to create a
multi-room sound system with a
number of the speakers connected
together over WiFi. This
undoubtedly explains the slightly
high price tag.
That said, we still rate the Jongo S3
highly as a standalone unit. We think
it looks fabulous, has perfectly
adequate sound, the flexibility of
both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
and a whopping battery life.
4/5 Almost perfect. The few niggles
we have are minor so we still
recommend the Jongo S3 as a
sound investment.
You can read our review online:
www.whatsgoodtodo.com
Outdoor Living...
A WGTD rating of 4.5/5 stars
Camp Bucket Price: £29.95www.potterandrest.co.uk Ging gang goolie goolie watcha – this multi-faceted
Camp bucket is perfect for all those nights under the
stars and for campfire catering. The all-in-one kit
contains: Snuggly campfire blanket, matches, dynamo
torch, 11-in-1 multi tool, toasting fork, water/sand
bucket and a camping tips and recipe booklet.
Bell Tent From: £439.00www.boutiquecamping.comThese Bell tents from boutique camping have a simple
design which originates back to the 19th Century. We
love them because of their distinctive old-fashioned
shape which promises a beautifully elegant silhouette
and a wonderfully soft ambience inside. As well as eye
pleasing the Bell tents are practical; they come with
everything you need, are quick and easy to put up and
pack down, and in the sun you can roll up the sides
and lounge about enjoying the breezy shade beneath.
Available in four attractive colours and varying sizes.
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 19
COMING SOON!!!
iSIS Solar Charger – Power YourAdventures
The FIRST solar charger to use a high density siliconcell The FIRST charger that does not need endless tipsand cables The FIRST portable charger that can power 2 devicesat the same time
Designed to provide
instant solar charging for
power hungry outdoor
gadget users, the new
iSIS delivers all weather
performance, a tough yet
modern and practical
design, as well as cutting
edge power delivery. It is
the must have gadget
accessory to take on your
travels.
iSIS harnesses the power
of the sun to convert into
electricity making free
power readily available for all your favourite portable
gadgets. It can be fully charged by the sun in 18 hours
and by USB or mains in just 8 hours – but iSIS will
deliver power to your devices even if it is only partially
charged – especially useful if you need an instant juice
top up to make a quick call or check your GPS location.
With inbuilt Lightning (for all new Apple products) and
micro USB connector, iSIS is compatible with 85% of all
mobile phones whilst a standard USB socket allows
virtually every other 5v device to be connected. It is also
the first portable charger that can power 2 devices at the
same time.
Super powerful, iSIS not only gives devices like an
iPhone three full charges but also copes with tablets,
portable DVD players, even tech products like the
Raspberry Pi. Designed to be tough iSIS is ready to
cope with the rigors of mobile adventures. Supplied with
a bomb proof gel case, it can be dropped from 1 meter
without damage and is as much at home in driving rain
as blinding sun. It is also extremely light and compact for
convenient portability.
iSIS is this year’s
must have gadget
accessory for
everyone. We say,
lose your way,
not your power!
Price: £64.99 www.solartechnology.co.uk
Essential Outdoor kit...Review: GARMIN GPSMAP 62handheld navigator – dare to explore
We got our hands on a Garmin GPSMAP 62 to put itthrough its paces. A functional, outdoor gadget It is adevice designed to survive. It feels solid and wellprotected, but is also slightly weighty which on arduousadventures may prove a burden. On start-up, our firstimpression of the system was that it seemedcomplicated, but after consulting the guide and a bit ofpractise we discovered that the opposite was in fact true.This actually works in its favour because when you areout and about you don’t want to be fiddling with too manymenu features – you can also jig the menu around toyour suit your preferences.
As you would expect from any modern day GPS tool, theGarmin; allows you to record and store Waypoints forquick fire navigation to favourite locations, has a routeplanner, a POI database, the ability to share online,along with some less impressive features such as analarm clock and a stopwatch. That said hard coreadventurers may find these add-ons very useful on theirtravels. We were sent the entry level version of theGPSMAP 62 series however a lot of the functionalitydescribed in the set up guide for the more advancedmodels, we believe would have lent the device better tothe more casual user, such as; an on board camera anda ‘Sight N Go’ feature whereby you point the device atan object in the distance and then navigate to it.
It is very hard not to compare the GPSMAP 62 withcurrent smartphone technology, consequently we foundourselves prodding the display on more than oneoccasion expecting touch screen reactions, but theGarmin uses a more traditional rubber button set up.This will be a welcome feature for those using the devicein environments where gloves are essential! The Garminalso boasts much more reliable Satellite connectivity sothat even in the wilderness it won’t let you down, andextensive battery life from 2 x AA batteries, easilyreplaced in the fieldwhen required.
If you are heading upEverest or the Nileand are on a budget(comparable tosimilarly designedGPS tools forprofessional use) thenthis is a very sensiblechoice, otherwise lookto your Smartphonefor some greatalternativeapplications.
Price: £209.99www.garmin.com
A WGTD rating of 3/5 stars
A WGTD rating of 5/5 stars
You won’t know how you
managed without it!
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 20
12th - 15th June Isle of Wight Festivalwww.isleofwightfestival.comThe Isle of Wight festival is the first major festival of the summer.
Headline acts for 2014 include from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings
of Leon and Biffy Clyro. A well as an unbelievable line up festival
goers can head to the BT Sport Field of dreams to catch all the
World Cup action. From camping and glamping, to family and
caravan areas, the Isle of Wight festival has it all. Visit their website
for the range of travel options to the island.
Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
23rd - 29th June Chalk Valley History Festival www.cvhf.org.uk01722 781 133The Chalke Valley History Festival is the largest festival dedicated
entirely to History in the UK. With an air show featuring Spitfires, a
B-17 and other warbirds, and with Sword School, Have-a-Go
Archery, an interactive First World War trench experience, and
jousts and battle re-enactments, there is much to see for all the
family.
Nr Salisbury, Wiltshire
5th July Lowde Fest 14 www.lowdefest.comLowde fest guarantees a fabulous day out for the whole family.
With 11 hours of sensational music from over 20 fantastic acts plus
the largest selection of real ales and ciders and fantastic food from
around the world, all served up fresh in Hampshire's Premier Music
and Beer Festival. Now in its 4th year, the festival has grown from
just a single small tent to one of the country’s most loved family
events.
Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
Dates for your
diary:Festivals
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 21
31 July - 3rd Aug Camp Bestival www.campbestival.netCamp Bestival is a multi-award winning festival that combines an
all-encompassing family festival experience with an action packed
camping holiday. Set in the majestic grounds of Lulworth Castle, on
Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline, Camp Bestival is jam-packed
with entertainment, from stellar musical morsels and cultural
delights to stunning sideshow attractions and lashings of family fun.
This year’s theme is the acrobatically outstanding Circus.
Lulworth, Dorset
22nd - 23rd August Southampton Maritime Festivalwww.southamptonmaritimefestival.comTake a step back in time at Southampton Maritime Festival as it
commemorates the wartime and maritime history of the South.
During this two-day event many historic ships and vessels will be
making their way into dock whilst on land you can also explore a
large number of attractions and demonstrations. The quayside
will be packed with exhibits including historic cars, classic steam
vehicles and heritage trams whilst Southampton’s Ocean Cruise
Terminal will house indoor heritage displays, art exhibits, craft
fairs and traders.
Ocean Terminal, Dockgate 4, Southampton, Hampshire
22nd - 24th August Carfest 2014 www.carfest.orgCarfest South is a dream team of cars, music, food, family and
ultimately some good honest fun, all in aid of BBC Children in
Need. From the imagination of Chris Evans, CarFets is a world
of festival madness like no other! CarFest South takes place
over4 the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Some of the confirmed
artists: Erasure, Eliza Doolittle, Jamie Cullum and the infamous
Seasick Steve. And don’t forget a whole line up of cars tackling
the track and Hill Climb, and more from 40 car clubs.
Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 22
With an acrobatically astounding
Circus theme announced the
award-winning seventh Camp
Bestival is set to dazzle and
delight! Camp Bestival
guarantees all a festi-holiday
experience like no other at a
castle campsite by the sea.
There is so much going on we
hardly know where to start! Here
is just a snapshot of what is in
store at this year’s Camp
Bestival…
Camp Bestival’s huge music
line-up is an ever evolving
collection of big names in a
variety of music categories,
guaranteeing to offer something
for everyone. They are proud to
announce top acts such as
Basement Jaxx, De La Soul and
Laura Mvula, as well as
renowned DJs Boy George and
Rob De Bank. More and more
performers are added on a
weekly basis so be sure to
check out the website for the
latest announcements.
MORE... The very best in family fun,
Camp Bestival has gathered a
host of spectaculars and shows
guaranteed to enchant every
one. Horrible Histories is back
by extraordinarily popular
demand. And, of course, the
Welcome to
FANTASTICCOMPETITION
WORTH AWHOPPING
£800!!!!
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 23
utterly legendary Mr Tumble will
be clowning his way to the
Castle Stage, causing unrivalled
excitement amongst Camp
Bestival’s discerning tots.
Camp Bestival has also
announced a full line-up pf
comedy acts bringing in some of
the funniest names on the
scene at the mo, and unveiled
that iconic 70’s dance troupe
and Top Of The Pops starlets
Pan’s People will be hosting
some spectacular dance
classes.
Everyone’s favourite elf and
fairy duo Ben And Holly will be
hosting the Main Stage with, for
the first time ever, the actual
voiceover actors from the
television series, Preston
Nyman and Sian Taylor. There
will also be a wild and
interactive journey of snakes,
sharks, elephants and whales
with Michaela Strachan's Really
Wild Adventures. Helping to
celebrate a phenomenal 50
years of Roald Dahl’s best-loved
tale in 2014, Camp Bestival is
also hosting a Charlie And The
Chocolate Factory 50th Birthday
Takeover on Saturday, with a
whipple-scrumptious selection
of exclusive treats. There’s also
a Bedtime-Story special, with Jo
Whiley, Howard Marks and
Camp Bestival’s very own Rob
da Bank reading the ENTIRE
book over the three evenings of
the festival.
EVEN MORE...Food glorious food! Food has
always been a highlight at
Camp Bestival as it strives to
make the grub on offer the very
best. This year, they’ve created
the ultimate taste-fest, a
celebration of all that is great
about the British food movement
– introducing... The Feast
Collective! A delectable
celebration of creative food
makers regarded as
exceptional. Situated in front of
the Castle, with views of the
Main Stage and plenty of green
spaces to picnic, The Feast
Collective will be a space where
all the family wants to hang out.
With long tables for communal
dining, a bar with mixologists,
talks, demos and the hustle
bustle of a trading market
space, it will be THE destination
to which to head for food and
drink.
To celebrate the Circus theme in
glorious Camp Bestival style, a
wondrously fabulous new venue
has been added, introducing the
The Greatest Tent on Earth!
Beneath its canopy you will
witness jaw-dropping circus
shows, astonishing
extravaganzas, tremendous
theatre performances and
delightful characters galore.
We can’t stress enough that this
is just a snapshot of what’s on
at this year’s Camp Bestival.
Everything you need to know
about running away to the circus
can be found here:
www.campbestival.net
CAMP BESTIVAL 2014 – TICKET INFO
Ticketline: 0844 8884410
Adult Weekend Ticket (inc.
camping) - £195
Student Weekend Ticket (inc.
camping) - £180
Age 15 to 17 Weekend Ticket
(inc. camping) - £113
Age 11 to 14 Weekend Ticket
(inc. camping) - £88
Age 5 -10 Weekend Ticket (inc.
camping) - £20
Age 4 and Under Weekend
Ticket (inc. camping) - FREE
(but ticket still required)
Terms and conditions apply. For
further information make sure
you visit the website where you
will also be able to find prices
for car parking etc.
COMPETITION...Camp Bestival has kindly offered us a family ticket to giveaway toone lucky winner. This amazing competition prize worth a whopping£800 provides one family access to this fantastic festival for thewhole duration (including camping tickets). For more informationand to enter visit www.whatsgoodtodo.com
the greatest family show on Earth!
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 24
CountryFairs D I A R Y
Royal Isle of Wight Country Show 28th June 2014This is the show where cattle, sheep and poultry come first. It’s a
fantastic day out for all the family, combining entertainment and fun with
the opportunity to enjoy many aspects of Island country life and farming.
The Main Ring is the focus of the Royal Isle of Wight County Show.
The action lasts all day and includes: Annual Poultry Show, Falconry
displays, Show jumping, Gun dog displays, Horticulture and craft tent,
Celebrity Pole Climbing and much more. Also: There is a Small Animal
Farm where children can handle lambs piglets and goats and a village
green – the perfect place to relax for a picnic
and enjoy traditional stalls and fairground
attractions.
Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Ground,Northwood, Cowes PO31
CLA Game Fair 18th - 20thJuly 2014The CLA Game Fair is the largest
annual celebration of field sports
and rural life. Held over 3 days
located within the beautiful
Blenheim palace estate it has a
plethora of activities and events to
suit everyone. If you love to shop
– there are over 900 exhibitors at
the show offering gift ideas,
country sports equipment, country
clothing and more. It is also host
to the Totally Food Show which
celebrates all that is great about
British produced food. Not to
mention Dog shows, Shooting
displays and competitions, Ferret
interactive sessions – the list goes
on and on. A campsite is provided
to visitors, just a short walk from
the showground.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock,Oxfordshirewww.gamefair.co.uk
The Poole Town and Country Show 2-3rd Aug 2014The beautiful grounds of Upton Country Park are once again to play
host to the 6th annual Poole Town & Country Show this summer. There
will be something for everyone – from birds of prey displays, Purbeck
Gun Dogs display team, ferret racing, Children’s farm, the Medieval
Free Company Medieval Village and Fighting Knights and brand new for
this year, Galloping Acrobatics - a tremendous display of equestrian skill.
Plus much more! There is also live music throughout the weekend,
loads of arts, crafts and gift marquees and a traditional Punch and Judy
show and fairground for children.
Upton Country Park, Poole, Dorset BH17 7BJwww.oakleaighfairs.co.uk
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 25
New Forest & Hampshire Show 29-31 August 2014The New Forest & Hampshire County Show is an annual three day
agricultural Show and the highlight of Hampshire’s social calendar. The
theme for this year’s Show is ‘Hands On’ so come to the New Forest
and live the country for a day! Roll up your sleeves, don your walking
boots and get stuck in with all that will be on offer - try your hand at
milking a cow, making a scarecrow, holding a day old chick, voting for
your favourite feathered friend in the Poultry Tent and watching the
amazing Jamie Squibb in action on his motorbike in our main ring!
Over 600 trade stands will be exhibiting this year, whilst the show
jumping event remains a major feature of the show along with
Hampshire’s answer to the Chelsea Flower show and a full gastronomic
range of eateries and well stocked bars on offer. A recommended list of
where to stay can be found on their website.
New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QHwww.newforestshow.co.uk
The Great Dorset Steam Fair 27 - 31 Aug 2014The Great Dorset Steam Fair is widely recognised as THE national
heritage show as well as being regarded as the leading show of its
type in the world! A fun and action packed day out for all the family, the
event takes place at an enormous showground, over 600 acres, one
of Europe’s largest outdoor event locations. 2014 will see this highly
popular show in its 46th year! In addition to being a celebration of how
people lived, worked and played in bygone years, the GDSF is a sea
of marquees and attractions including a twilight funfair and music
festival. Whether you are local or holidaying in the South of England
this show is not to be missed! Visitor camping is available.
Tarrant Hinton, Nr Blandford Forum, Dorset – just follow everyone else! www.gdsf.co.uk
A selection of Country Fairs in your area...
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 26
Hampshire and the surrounding counties offer an array of food festivals over thesummer months. From specialist Seafood and Chilli events to local produce fairs, foodiesreally have a wealth of culinary delights on their doorstep. Thanks to fine southernweather and our varying landscape including our beautiful coast line local producers areable to offer a spectacle of mouth-watering food and drink all of which is sure to giveour taste buds a real treat this summer.
F d Festivals Diary
Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival 12-13 July 2014The Waterfront, Weymouth Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset DT4
If you love seafood you will love this spectacular, award winning
and free event which takes place on Weymouth’s 17th century Old
Harbour.
The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival brings together
champagne and seafood, family entertainment and a great
opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood
available to us just off our wonderful shores.
The chef and expert line-up includes; award winning Chef Director
of Home Grown Hotels, James Golding, Great British BBQ
Champion – Ben Bartlett, The Dining Room’s Taher Jibet, John
Wright from River Cottage, Masterchef winner and Chef Patron of
The Casterbridge - Mat Follas, Dorset’s Michelin chef from Sienna
- Russell Brown and award winning chef patron, Nigel Bloxham
from The Crab House Cafe. Experts and fishermen from all over
the South West are joining together to bring you a memorable and
delicious Festival this July.
With the emphasis on responsibly sourced seafood from the
region where possible, the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival
helps raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission charity.
www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
Sparsholt's Taste ofHampshire Food Festival 19 July 2014Sparsholt CollegeHampshire, Winchester,Hampshire SO21 2NF
The Sparsholt College FoodFestival 'A Taste of Hampshire' is afantastic chance to meet some ofHampshire's finest producersoffering some of the finestproducts from within the county.Visitors have the chance toexperience intimate workshopswith some of the county's bestchefs, getting up close andpersonal as they demonstrateskills and techniques as part ofthe Demo Kitchen.
It wouldn't be a food festivalwithout loads of tasty treats tosample and there will be plentyof artisan catering concessions totempt you with their fabulouslocal foods and drinks.www.sparsholt.ac.uk
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 27
Great Dorset Chilli Fest 3-4 August 2013St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset BH21 5NAThe Hottest Day Out In Dorset - Bringing the exciting world of
chillies to the beautiful surroundings of Dorset for the fourth year,
the Dorset Chilli Festival is a great day out for chilli enthusiasts,
food lovers and families.
A glorious August weekend of “chilli fiesta” with stalls selling all
things chilli from; pepper plants to cayenne condiments, seeds to
ceramics, plus cooking demonstrations, artisan food producers,
music spicy street food, local ice creams to cool the mouth and
local beers to slake the thirst.
Some of the most dedicated independent sauce manufacturers
and retailers are invited to let you try and buy; and some of the
country’s best specialist chilli growers showcase their plants and
seeds to thousands of visitors. The development of the Dorset
Naga, at one time reputed to be the world’s hottest chilli, has really
put Dorset on the map for chilli enthusiasts. So don’t miss out on
what is likely to be the hottest event in Dorset during 2014.
www.greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival 17-18 August 2013
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival is the island’s biggest
summer show, and simply a great day out for all the family.
Set against a beautiful backdrop of rolling green hills and
farmland, the Garlic Festival is located at the heart of the
stunning Isle of Wight. The show is for and entertainment at
its very best, with a vast array of eats, sights and sounds to
suit all tastes and ages.
Visitors can enjoy: Huge garlic marquees featuring cookery
demos, 100s of arts and craft stalls, businesses and mouth-
watering food, local produce, talented animals and arena
entertainment, live music on the big stage with beer tent, plus
children’s entertainers, archery and a giant fun fair.
If you are thinking of visiting the Isle of Wight this summer
then we highly recommend you choose to head along to the
Garlic Festival weekend.
www.garlic-festival.co.uk
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 28
Theatre
What’s on this Summer at the Mayflower Theatre...
The Mayflower Theatre in the city centre of Southampton is the South's
major venue for large-scale touring musicals, opera and ballet.
One Man, Two Guvnors
Mon 2 - Sat 7 June 2014
Dirty Dancing
Tue 10 - Sat 28 June 2014
Angelina Ballerina The Mousical Live on Stage
Fri 20 - Sun 22 June 2014
Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace in
Dance 'Til Dawn
Tue 1 - Sat 5 July 2014
The Lion King
Thu 10 Jul - Sat 6 September 2014
www.mayflower.org.uk
Booking Office:
02380 711811
To Book:
www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 29
I took three very excited children, aged 5, 5 and 6 to
see Hugless Douglas at The Kings Theatre in
Southsea, Portsmouth. The show was performed by
Blunderbus Children's Theatre Company and
combined music, acting, mime and puppetry. We
were welcomed in to the theatre by two of the
actors who spoke to the children in the audience.
My three were overjoyed when it was their turn and
chattered away happily!
The show itself was true to the style of the ever
popular Hugless Douglas books by David Melling.
The cast consisted of three actors, two who played
various parts and of course the adorable Douglas!
The cast created an atmosphere that took us away
on a journey searching for the 'perfect hug'. The set
was simple yet effective and the props worked so
well and really made the journey come to life. There
was plenty of audience participation and lots of
cheeky giggles from my three at various points.
From an adults perspective this was an enchanting
performance that told a simple tale in a beautiful
way, a fantastic cast with great skills - it really didn't
feel as if there was only three of them. From a
child's perspective it was a funny show that
everyone should go and see! The children loved the
audience participation, especially the songs and all
three were spellbound when Douglas managed to
find his perfect hug with his Mummy.
All 4 of us really enjoyed this show and I would
definitely recommend those with boys or girls aged
4 - 7 to see this.
Land
A fabulous touch at the end was a meet and greet
with Douglas... My three were first in the queue!
Packed full of family fun and happy hugging,
Blunderbus Theatre Company will be showcasing
their brand new show “Hugless Douglas”
throughout the UK in 2014. For more details or to
book tickets at a venue near you visit
www.huglessdouglaslive.com.
Additional Info: Established in 1998, the magical
minds at Blunderbus have been creating
enchanting theatrical experiences and providing
lasting memories for children and their families all
around the world. They perform for over 200,000
children each year, touring to theatres, arts centres,
schools and festivals across the UK and to the
exotic climes of Malaysia, Dubai, Hong Kong and
Singapore with critically acclaimed shows such as
“How to Catch a Star”, “The Owl who was Afraid of
the Dark” and Giraffes Can’t Dance”.
To find out What’s On at the Kings Theatre
Southsea this summer visit
www.kings-southsea.com
Hugless Douglas Review (Kings Theatre, Southsea)May 2014 Reviewed by Rachael Ives
A WGTD Star rating of 5/5
What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 30
One of my favourite pastimes ishaving afternoon tea. I’veexperienced the good, the bad andthe ugly of afternoon teas, been tocafes, stately homes andrestaurants. So when I saw thatInterContinental LondonWestminster had created an‘Edible Garden’ themed AfternoonTea, to celebrate the ChelseaFlower Show my husband and Icouldn’t wait to try it!
The Intercontinental Hotel inWestminster is situated just astone’s throw from St James Parktube station. The Lounge is abeautifully light room with featurearm chairs and floral displays andhas an almost garden-room feel.We were introduced to theChampagne – Laurent Perrier –which is completely free-flowingfor the duration of the sitting time.This champagne had beenselected as it was very light and isa suitable accompaniment formany foods. We were poured avery large glass while we looked atthe menu. The menu wasbeautifully produced with a historyof taking afternoon tea andinformation on the Chelsea FlowerShow. The menu had a large
Afternoon Tea - The Edible Garden
Intercontinental Hotel
By Philippa Plater,
May 2014
selection of teas; black teas, floralteas, green teas, the choice of four‘floral cocktails’ and the menu forthe afternoon tea which is servedin two parts – savoury and sweet.
The savoury part of our afternoontea was beautifully presented on adelicate 3-tiered cake stand. Thefirst tier was baby vegetable shot,garden pea and basil tart andminiature eggs benedict. Thepresentation was outstanding andthe tastes even better! The peaand basil tart was definitely myfavourite which had the mostfaultless fresh and clean flavourand made it a perfect palatecleanse for the second tier!
The second tier consisted ofsmoked chicken and tarragon teardrop, goat cheese and tomato withcheddar shortbread, smokedsalmon roulade on rye bread androast beef and horseradish onbeetroot bread. We then movedonto the third tier, Chelsea bunsand scones. We were broughtaccompaniments of Devonshireclotted cream, lemon curd andhomemade jam. The buns andscones were both so fresh andtasted perfect. I had never triedChelsea buns with lemon curd butit was a faultless combination.
After a couple more glasses ofchampagne and the most deliciousvanilla black tea, we wereintroduced to the final part of themenu – the sweet part. This waspresented in a quirky glass atriumon a layer of crumbled black olivesand rye made to look like soil. Allof the cakes and sweets werethemed for the Chelsea FlowerShow; Lemon box hedge,Raspberry meringue pie, Laurent-Perrier strawberry champagnebubble, Crushed violet macaroon,Manjari Chocolate Pond and evenChocolate pebbles!
Words don’t come close todescribing this afternoon tea,completely faultless, it was justsuch an amazing experience. Thethought and design of the menuand presentation is apparentthroughout. The service wasimpeccable. The setting wascompletely perfect and to top all ofthis the never ending supply ofdelicious champagne – how couldan afternoon tea be any better?! I’ve tried desperately to find onenegative thing… the only thing Ican think is that it was ratherempty, with just one other personenjoying afternoon tea. When thissecret is out I expect people to bequeuing out of the door! I urge youall to book now!A definite 5 out of 5 (I’d actuallygive it a 6 if I could!)
“Afternoon Tea is served daily inthe Lounge and is inspired by ourlocation in the heart of heritageLondon and Westminster, theBritish seat of power. Our pastrychefs bring together an array ofmouth-watering savoury andsweet treats, adding new levels ofsophistication to this mostquintessentially classic of Britishculinary experiences.”Opening Hours and SittingsMonday - Friday 1st sitting2.00pm, 2nd sitting 4.30pmSaturday & Sunday 1st sitting2.00pm, 2nd sitting 4.30pm, 3rdsitting 6pm Each table has a 1 hour & 30minstime allocation.
Bookings and more information: Tel: 020 3301 8080www.westminster.intercontinental.com
Fact Box
A WGTD Star rating of 5/5
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For full terms and conditions and toenter visit the competitions section onour website www.whatsgoodtodo.com
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