Page 38 • The HERALD • 17th September 2026 v THE HERALD - ENCOURAGING LOCAL ENTERPRISE v New Forest Decorating Services Professional Decorating Private, commercial and lettings. Traditional and contemporary works undertaken to include all types of internal and external painting and wallpapering. Free quotations and advice. Contact Paul on: 07767863348 or email: paul@mudandgold.com Bathroom installation for the Waterside Local Quality workmanship with over 25 years of experience Personal service Free quotes Call Stephen on 07880 588021 SLOES AND SLOE WINE by Robin Somes, Fawley and Blackfield Memories e previous two articles have looked at commonplace yet mysterious plants - orchids and brambles; it’s time for another - the sloe, or blackthorn. My father, Joe Spedding, was renowned for his sloe wine, and every autumn the search would be on to gather decent sloes for him. In 1996 I excelled myself, picking 90 pounds in one a ernoon - although I fell o a ladder in the process, which I don’t recommend. ough he wasn’t the most meticulous winemaker, the end result was worth the wait, and I usually got a bottle or two as a reward. A few years a er he died, I began to get a little thirsty, so decided I should take up winemaking myself; sloe wine was, naturally, my rst choice. My initial attempt was admittedly rough round the edges, but I soon got the hang of it. e rst thing to know about sloes is that not everything that looks like one actually is one. Sloes, damsons and bullaces are all closely related, and all hybridise. Generally, though, if it’s ripe in late August, large and round with broad oval leaves, and fruit clustering round the stem, it’s a bullace. A more oval fruit with a shallow seam down one side, each fruit on its own bullaces and damsons are never as sweet as a plum, they are sweeter, and make glorious jam, as well as wine. ere’s a good deal of mythology attached to the sloe, including the shillelagh, the Irish walking stick which doubles as a cudgel, made from a blackthorn branch. en, there’s the blackthorn winter - a spell of cold weather in late April, coinciding with the appearance of the blackthorn owers. Incidentally, the white plum owers that appear earlier, in March, are usually the closely-related cherry-plum, Prunus cerasifera, planted as an ornamental tree. As for the fruit, there’s an idea that to make good sloe gin, one must prick each sloe a dozen times, with a thorn from the bush they grew on. Finally, the notion that sloes shouldn’t be gathered before the rst frost. e latter two, I can attest, are nothing more than myths. While the skin of the fruit certainly does need cutting to let the gin soak through, one quick slash with a sharp knife is more than enough. As for waiting for the rst frost, the only outcome from that is that someone else gets them rst. Pick them when they’re ready, and stop worrying! Sloes (Photo: Robin Somes) long stalk, is a damson. If it’s small, round, and ripens later in the year, with long thin oval leaves and branches with savage thorns, it’s undoubtedly a sloe. Sloes are ercely acidic and astringent even when ripe. Whilst HANGER FARM INTRODUCES CARER TICKET DISCOUNT TO MAKE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE the final applause, and we’re always looking at ways we can improve the experience for everyone who walks through our doors.” e new o er is available immediately and applies to all performances at Hanger Farm, from live music and comedy to theatre, cinema and family shows. How to book: If you’re looking at tickets and would like to use the registered carer discount, simply give the box o ce a call when making your booking. e Hanger Farm team will be happy to help, answer any questions and make sure your booking is as straightforward as possible. For more information and to view upcoming shows, visit: www.hangerfarm.co.uk Hanger Farm has introduced a new £10 discount for registered carers across all performances, making it easier for more people to enjoy live entertainment together. e new discount re ects Hanger Farm’s ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive venue where everyone feels able to experience theatre, music, comedy and family entertainment. Available on every show in the programme, the discount recognises the important role carers play in supporting people to access arts and culture, while helping to remove one of the nancial barriers that can prevent people from enjoying a night out. Kyle Maxwell, Venue Manager, said: “At Hanger Farm, we believe great entertainment should be something everyone can enjoy. We know that for many people, attending a show isn’t something they do alone, and carers are often an essential part of making that possible. Introducing this discount is another step towards making our venue as welcoming Audience enjoying show at Hanger Farm Arts Centre Very Special Carved Wooden Chairs At the recent impressive exhibition by Waterside Woodcarvers the prize draw carving was won by Kaili Patel. e vote for best in show was a close run thing between Di Smith’s giant ammonite and Paul Humphriss’ boat. On Friday 25th September, 7pm-9pm at St Andrew’s in Dibden Purlieu, there will be a social and guest speaker. Visitors are welcome. Stewart Linford will be entertaining the audience with humour and information about his cra in furniture making. His speciality is creating chairs to commemorate great British worthies using timbers from HMS Victory to build his Admiral’s chair and timber from Blenheim Palace estate to celebrate his Hero Winston Churchill. Waterside Woodcarvers hold fortnightly workshops 6.30pm-8.30pm at Noadswood School, using the woodwork room. For details of membership and club activities visit: www.watersidewoodcarvers.co.uk or phone Di Smith on: 07413 394689. and accessible as we can. We want every visitor to feel comfortable from the moment they book until Paul Humphriss’ boat
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