Latest news with #HaylingIsland
BBC News
09-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Pick your own is the future, says sunflower farmer
Pick-your-own days are the way forward for one farmer, who said: "I'm simply moving with the times and the demand."Sam Wilson co-owns Stoke Fruit Farm on Hayling Island, Hampshire, with his sister and while they still grow wheat, barley and sweetcorn - and have about 3,500 chickens - they now grow more things people can come and pick weather has also influenced the farm to diversify into growing sunflowers, pumpkins and just one acre of sunflowers 14 years ago, the farm now grows the flowers across 50 acres because "there is such demand for pick your own", said Mr Wilson. The farm opened to the public for pick-your-own days eight years ago."People like to pick their own and have a fun day out," said Mr sunflowers can grow tall and with faces "up to 18ins across", he said, adding: "In the morning, when you come out really early, the heads will ping against a moody sky and it does look magical." He said they do not have any links with supermarkets and everything they produce goes straight into the farm shop, which was first set up by his grandfather."In those days, he had a lot of market gardening going on, like growing vegetables," he said."Back in the 80s we had three green grocery shops, which have fallen by the wayside."We still have the farm shop on the main road and that's doing a really good trade."Mr Wilson said he was "really pleased" people were "engaging with us farmers more and I encourage that because we are the people that grow the food". He said farmers know weather will affect crops but said this year had been "particularly challenging because it's been so hot and dry"."We are having to diversify as there is an awful lot of pressure on farmers and that means getting people to come here to pick their own and have a day out," said the farmer."It is the future and the change we are seeing in farming. "I'd like to be able to just produce crops for selling, as we have in the past, but you can't live in the past, you have to move with what's going on. "There's an awful lot of pressure on our lands and on farmers, as long as we are putting back into the soil and we're not robbing it." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Guardian
18-07-2025
- The Guardian
Country diary: A trio of butterflies mingle in the shingle
For many people who favour traditional seaside holidays, there's something slightly disappointing about a shingle beach. No sandcastles, no burying your toes in the soft, sun-warmed grains. Just hard pebbles underfoot, clattering as the waves wash in and out. But shingle does have some advantages beyond a grit-free picnic. At Hayling Island, long stretches of sand are exposed at low tide; above the high-tide mark, however, it is now maintained through the placement of shingle via beach recycling to absorb wave energy and provide natural protection against coastal erosion. More than this, the well-drained, nutrient-poor pebble substrate provides a perfect habitat for plants adapted to thrive in harsh conditions. Between the candy-striped beach huts, a few late-flowering yellow horned poppies (Glaucium flavum) bloom among pink clouds of thrift (Armeria maritima) and vibrant blue tufts of viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare). But it's the broad clumps of sea kale (Crambe maritima) that have drawn the attention of a trio of small white butterflies (Pieris rapae). A female is nectaring on the clusters of tiny, honey-scented white flowers, while two males compete for her attention, fluttering, hovering, then spiralling upwards as they attempt to outmanoeuvre each other. It's easy to distinguish between the sexes, as the males have a single black spot on each forewing, while the female has two merging dab marks below the centre of each forewing in addition to the single spot. The wing tips and leading edges look as though they've been dusted with soot, suggesting that these individuals have recently emerged. Adults of the summer brood generally have darker markings than those of the spring brood. As my shadow falls across the female, she claps her wings shut, exposing the clotted-cream-coloured undersides. Once mating occurs, the female will lay her conical eggs singly on the underside of the lobed, wavy-edged, glaucous sea kale leaves. This long-lived perennial is a primary larval food plant for the velvety green caterpillars, whose powerful jaws make short work of the thick, waxy cuticle. The blanched stems, florets, and seed pods are considered a culinary delicacy, although, as a border terrier scampers over and cocks its leg against the plant, I decide it's best left for the butterflies. Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
BBC News
26-06-2025
- BBC News
Household Cavalry deployed to Hayling Island for beach training
These military horses have been deployed for their annual regimental training on the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is usually based in London but travelled to Hayling Island, Hampshire, for equine training on time running on the beach and in the sea is a way for the horses to build confidence and prepare for state events like the recent Trooping the cavalry is a dual role regiment where soldiers transition between ceremonial duties and operational deployments. Riding on the sand allows the horses to practise complex moves safely, as if their riders fall they have a softer landing. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Parish plan ahead of local council reorganisation in Hampshire
People living in parts of Hampshire are set to be asked if they want a new layer of local associations in Hayling Island and Emsworth are considering setting up town councils, which could be responsible for parks, recreation grounds, bins and public of Emsworth residents association Dwynwen Stepien said: "Local government re-organisation in Hampshire makes this urgent, to make sure decisions stay close to the people."There are already 260 parish councils in Hampshire, but none in the Havant district currently. The local government reorganisation currently being worked on for Hampshire would see districts, boroughs and the county council replaced with a few larger unitary councils. But parish and town councils could still have fewer statutory responsibilities than districts and boroughs, but can charge households in their parishes council tax for services within the postcode. More than 70 people voiced support for a town council for Emsworth at a meeting earlier this of the buildings the town council would want to take on is the sports pavilion at Hollybank recreation ground. "It's been neglected and is in urgent need of repairs to the kitchen, showers and toilets, which we could do as a town council, with grants and volunteer effort," Mrs Stepein said. She said 11 youth football teams used the recreation ground but were not able to use the facilities. "We already feel we aren't being listened to about the urgent need for renovation and we're losing players to other teams," she said. "We fear a bigger unitary authority with all the big things to worry about should get on with that, and leave us to do the things we can do."Anne Skennerton is from Hayling Island residents association and has started a campaign for a town council for the said: "Local government restructuring will affect people in ways they don't yet know so a town council would give Hayling a voice in any new authority because it will be a statutory duty for it to heed the parish or community councils." Chandlers Ford parish council is one of the most successful in the operates three open spaces with wildflower meadows, two pavilions, four tennis courts, three football pitches, two allotments, eight playgrounds, two multi-use games areas and two skate ramps as well as Hiltingbury sports hall which it built in council tax charge for a band D property for 2025/6 is £66 a year. Parish Clerk Hilary Blaker said: "Every penny we raise from the precept is spent in this postcode. We only have four full time members of staff so it's run efficiently." The Hampshire association of local councils supports parish and town councils with advice and training and acts as a collective voice liaising with the county, district and borough councils. Chief Executive Dawn Hamblet said she understood concerns it was an extra level of bureaucracy, but said there were benefits to town councils. "It's the level of government most immediate to residents, without the huge statutory demands on the council, and has freedom to do what people ask for really close to where they live," she Borough Council said it was actively engaging with groups showing interest in developing town and parish councils, but as yet no formal application for a community governance review had been added the Hollybank Pavilion was well used and maintained to a standard suitable for its current use. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- The Sun
The affordable UK holiday park mums say is like Center Parcs without the price tag
EVERY family fancies a trip to Center Parcs, but most of us can't afford the prices - which run into the thousands for a four-night break in the school holidays. But there's an island holiday park on the south coast that offers plenty of the same wholesome fun for lower prices, according to mums on TikTok. 6 6 The holiday park in question is Mill Rythe, which you'll find on Hayling Island in Hampshire. Under the name minimandmusings, one woman told her followers how her family enjoyed a break with a hot tub, marina views, two pools, soft play and a splash pad - all for under £500. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "Our first visit to Mill Rythe as a family with young children and we couldn't recommend it enough. Free swimming (need to book), softplay, playground and outdoor splash area. Evening entertainment for children young and old!" Another added: "This is no ordinary holiday park.. it has class! The facilities are fantastic, the kids loved the splash zone, park and pool. The splash zone was perfect for cooling off in." For children throughout the day there are activities like mini archery, as well as crafts like pottery painting and a slime workshop - which are available at an extra cost from £8. Families can hire bikes and cycle around the site on the paths from £15 or take a dip in either the indoor or outdoor pool. Included in the price is access to the outdoor splash park, the outdoor playground that has a huge climbing frame with a slide, and the indoor soft play. As for entertainment, Mill Rythe has stage entertainment, guest acts and a DJ stage, Outdoor Cinema, live performances. There's also games throughout the day like bingo, Bullseye and quizzes. On-site are two restaurants, The Missing Squirrel which has food for children and toddlers, as well as an adult selection and cocktails. The Green Room restaurant has traditional pub classics like sausage and mash and burgers. Afterwards you can indulge with a choice of sundaes and desserts. Scots holiday park named one of best in world 6 6 There's also a fish and chip shop called Catch 22. Mill Rythe has 85 caravans and lodges for holidaymakers and all of them are dog-friendly. For the most affordable option, go with the Luxury Caravan option which has all the essentials as well as an outdoor decking and some come with hot tubs. Currently there are offers to book a four night stay in the Luxury Caravan in May for £273. The caravan has two bedrooms and sleeps up to six - so it works out as £11.38 pppn. 6 The TriBeCa caravan which is available at Mill Rythe is described as having New York style decor and is a more luxurious choice. The main bedroom has a stand-alone, roll-top bathtub, and an en-suite - the second bedroom is a twin room. There's a hidden TV behind the mirror so you can lie back in the bath and watch a show. And there's a a second 32 inch TV, viewable from the king-size bed in the main bedroom. Outside on the patio area you can opt for a cabin with a private hot tub - prices start at £542 for 7 nights. There are extra packages available, from Classic Games Night which includes four games and popcorn for £32. There's also a birthday package for £10 and you can have the accommodation dressed up with banners and balloons. One of the UK's oldest holiday parks reopens after £12million revamp with new glamping pods and splash park. And five very normal UK holiday parks that celebrities love to visit – with stays from £3pp a night. 6
