Page 70 • The HERALD • 8th January 2026 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v Our knowledgeable staff are on hand to keep your vehicle on the road in a safe manner • We offer all garage services including free collection and delivery from your home • We now offer Dpf cleaning - Injector cleaning - Turbo cleaning and Air intake cleaning to help your car run cleaner improving its performance and economy. • Good Garage Scheme – RMI – Trust my Garage Member MOT’s, TYRES, CLUTCHES, CAMBELTS, SERVICING, WELDING, DIAGNOSTICS, LASER-TRACKING. CARS, VANS UP TO 3.5T, MOTORHOMES UP TO 30’ 023 8001 0029 Badminston Lane, Fawley, SO45 1BX 023 8001 0029 145 Long Lane, Holbury SO45 2NZ Tel: 023 8024 3300 FOR ALL YOUR MOTORING NEEDS LOCALLY • Free fit batteries (most cars) • Free fit wiper blades • Battery chargers • Oils • Braking • Service parts • Tools/tool hire • Car paints • Engine management diagnostics/reset • Towing accessories • Number plates • Exhaust systems • Steering/suspension • Haynes manuals W: www.cobramotorcomponents.co.uk E: sales@cobramotorcomponents.co.uk Steaming On The Solent In 2026 – ‘Early Bird’ Offers! 2025 was a momentous year for Steamship Shieldhall and her volunteers, as she marked her 70th anniversary in style. Shieldhall’s volunteers were presented with the ‘ e King’s Award for Voluntary Service’ and are now looking ahead to 2026, with the publishing of the rst tranche of its sailing programme. Also released are dates covering Open Days, Gold and Silver Steam Experiences, Youth Heritage Training Days and ashes scatterings at sea. Whilst the main programme dates have been published, Steamship Shieldhall promises some further exciting news, including the return of some popular cruises and special anniversary sailings. Shieldhall is pleased to o er a 20% ‘Early Bird’ discount on selected 2026 cruises, simply through entering the code EARLYBIRD at checkout. ‘Early Bird’ bookings must be completed by 31st January when this timelimited o er will close. 20% ‘Early Bird’ discounts are available on the following trips: • 7th June - Eastern Solent Cruise to Sandown, e Forts, Osborne House and Ryde • 26th June - Evening ‘Dinner Set’ Music Cruise • 11th July - Round the Island Race • 9th August - Cruise to Portsmouth Harbour • 5th September - Steam to the Solent cruise and watch 4 cruise ships depart and Merchant Navy Day Service Shieldhall’s ever popular shanty themed cruises are launch our 2026 sailing programme, full of returning favourite excursions, but with a number of new trips, including the marking of significant anniversary events; festivals and special occasions. In addition to our cruises we will be staging several free, alongside visit days, where guests can find out more about Shieldhall and what is involved in taking a heritage steamship out to sea. We will also be hosting Heritage Adventure Training Days for Youth Groups, and running one and two-day ‘Steam Experience’ courses for enthusiasts. We encourage people to keep an eye out for some additional, exciting announcements later in January. Our volunteers put in over 25,000 hours annually of voluntary commitment, and we like to think that Shieldhall has never looked better. Our volunteers are justly proud of Shieldhall’s rating as ‘No 1 Thing to Do in Southampton’ on TripAdvisor, and can’t wait to start welcoming guests back on board!” To view Shieldhall’s complete 2026 sailing programme, list of Open Days and dates for Heritage Adventure Training Days at Sea, Experience Days and Ashes Scatterings at Sea, please visit: www. ss-shieldhall.co.uk Early bird savings of 20% are available on selected cruises until 31st January – bookable at: www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk Steamship Shieldhall (Credit: Darryl Morrell) being extended in number in 2026, including the staging of a rst ever ‘Shanty Weekend’ when Shieldhall welcomes - on back-to-back sailing days - the Kings Pond Shantymen and Selsey Shantymen, on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June respectively. ere will also be the return of the popular Southampton Salty Dogs and Jim Splice and e Main Brace, whilst two cruises out of Poole will see the Dorset Mutineers and Wareham Whalers perform on board. Commentaries on board Shieldhall in 2026 will re ect signi cant anniversaries that will be marked on the water – the 90th anniversary of the maiden ight of the Spit re; the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week and the 250th anniversary of American Independence – all with notable links to the Solent! One of the beauties of steam propulsion is that Shieldhall does not tend to vibrate or roll, and as such she makes a great viewing platform, perfect for photography. For 2026, Shieldhall will steam to the Solent to watch the spectacle of the Round the Island Race on Saturday 11th July and will enter Portsmouth Harbour on Sunday 9th August and Sunday 5th September, passing close to the shore. An early season cruise to the Eastern Solent is being extended to view Sandown, with opportunities to sail close to the Solent Forts. Shieldhall Chairman Martin Phipps noted: “We are delighted to Charity Curry Night at Be-Be’s Café Back by popular demand, Be-Be’s Café in Hythe is holding a charity curry night on Sunday 25th January from 5.30pm. Tickets are £35 per person and include: poppadums and chutneys, followed by a mixed kebab starter with a salad garnish, a choice of lamb, chicken or vegetable curry served with pilau rice, and if you still have room, a cake to follow! Take your own wine! Pop into Be-Be’s Café to buy your tickets, the full £35 from each ticket will go to local charities. New Forest Militaria Fair e next New Forest Militaria Fair will be on Wednesday 4th February from 7pm to 9.30pm in the Colbury Church Rooms, Deerleap Lane, Colbury (near Ashurst) SO40 7EH. ere are stalls o ering a variety of militaria items, and these events are an ideal venue for dealers, collectors and enthusiasts to get together to buy, sell, swap, exhibit and talk about all aspects of militaria. All are welcome and admission is £1. e fairs are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Anyone who would like to pre-book a table at £8, should call Dave Curtis on: 07903 600865 or: 023 8178 1324.
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