Newsletter july 2014 by Deon Tucker

FREE

Awbridgenews

Awbridge District Village Association

july 2014

100 years since the outbreak of

Ww1

Please join us for a short ceremony at Awbridge Village War Memorial

Monday 4 August at 7.00 pm For further info see page 11

awbridge.news@gmail.com | www.awbridge.info

Awb ridge

awbridge district village association

V I L L A G E

ADVA

awbridge.news@gmail.com | www.awbridge.info We’re now on Facebook - search for Awbridge Village

committee Fred Tucker - Chairman Chanwel House, Romsey Road - 340709 Laura Hailwood-Thomas - Secretary 1 Spring Field, Romsey Road - 342020 Nigel Hemsted - Treasurer Emmbrook, Newtown Road - 340986 Martin Thomas 1 Spring Field, Romsey Road - 342020 Paul Jameson Forest View, Kents Oak - 340118 Deon Tucker Bryn Gower, Romsey Road - 340230 Alex Hillier Forest View, Kents Oak - 340118

Advertising

Lynda Tucker Chanwel House, Romsey Road - 340709 Sally McLellan Coles Farm Cottage - 522402 James Child 4 Cowleas Close - 341980 Kay Murrant Old Police House, Danes Road - 340289 Paul Harvey Rowlands Barn, Dunbridge Lane - 341259 Amanda Hanson 1 Woodlands, Saunders Lane - 340899 Katy Stimson Thurston House, Danes Road - 341452

Simon Hughes Awbridge Farm Cottage - 341783 Joss Hughes Awbridge Farm Cottage - 341783 Toby Jones Pluto House, Romsey Road - 341105 Melanie Jones Pluto House, Romsey Road - 341105 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Peter Allen, Sandra Tebbett

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Page 2 | Jul 2014

ADVA to cover costs and postage to Nigel Hemsted, Treasurer, Emmbrook, Newtown Road, Awbridge, SO51 0GJ.

** The deadline for the next edition will be 15th July **

From the Editor

improve the day please leave your comments on the village web site or give a member of the committee a telephone call.

Like many people, I’m much more of a rugby fan than a footie fan. I grew up on rugby. My Dad played for both his school and county 1st XV, as did I, however he has also always been a footie fan whereas I never have been. I’ve no interest in watching premiership footie and have not supported a football team since Mick Channon was a Southampton player.

We are also keen to hear of any projects that might increase the village amenities.

I have though, always gotten excited about the World Cup without meaning to, I never think I’m going to but always do. Prior to England’s opening game against Italy my wife asked me which team I was going to support. “Italy” was my immediate response. I love Italy, have much respect for a nice Chianti (but have never tried fava beans), and, having lived there a few years ago, it would be the country I would choose to live in if I had that choice. I also mentioned to the Missus that I didn’t really mind to be honest. It wasn’t until the game started however that this strange enthusiasm to get behind England began to creep up on me, just as it does every four years! I found myself getting butterflies, pacing around the room, calling the ref a few choice names every now and again, and even shouting at the TV! This was even more so for the Uruguay game. The reason I’m writing this is I’m wondering how many other people are affected like this, just for the World Cup?! Not being a footie fan, the disappointment of England not getting through to the knock-out stages doesn’t hit that hard but I still feel it. I can only imagine what it must be like if you are a big-time footie fan and really get behind the national side! It must be awful. If you’re one of these people, I hope the frustration is beginning to ease. At least it’s going to be a bit easier not having the stress of watching England in the knock-out stages, but then that sounds a bit like saying “never mind dear, it’s only a game”!

Kindling Wood

Martin Hailwood-Thomas - Editor Awbridge News

Kindling Wood £Kindling 3 a bag ! Wood £ £33aa bag bag! !

Adam & Jacob’s pocket money project Adam & Jacob’s pocket money project Clean pinewood for bird and bat boxes etc

Adam & Jacob’s pocket money project

Clean pinewood for and bat boxes etc Clean pinewood for bird bird and bat boxes etc

01794 340175

01794 From the Chairman’s Pen 01794 340175

Now that Martin has settled in as our new editor, it is only right to give James a BIG THANKYOU for all his hard work during his tenure. The magazine continued to be of a high quality and is handed over in good shape.

340175

The fete was a great success and we are pleased to report that, after all the bills were paid, we made close to £1500 profit, considering the weather and the reduced foot fall this was a pleasing amount. We must also consider that ADVA provide the infrastructure for all the village clubs and associations to also make a profit to help keep their organisations afloat through the year, with some reporting better than ever results and increased profits. If you have any ideas how we can

We trust that those of you who came to the Big Lunch picnic enjoyed meeting new and old friends, at least the weather was kind to us that afternoon. Schedules for the village show in September are now available from any committee member or give me a ring on 340709. Once again thank you for your support. Fred - Chairman ADVA

Awbridge Primary School Well done Year 6 – I have been very impressed with the manner in which Year 6 have carried themselves throughout this week as they carried out their SAT’s. They were rewarded on Friday by ice creams from Poppies. Job Opportunities – We are in need of additional support for our ‘Catkins’ After School Care. This position is temporary but with an immediate start. If you are interested, please speak to the office. This may suit a returning university student, back for the long summer, so please do pass on the information to others. Radio Solent - Today for their ‘Cool School’ slot two of our pupils were featured and did any amazing job announcing the weather forecast for the day. You can catch up with their broadcast on BBC iplayer. Enterprise week: Year 6 have their Enterprise Week this week. They will be given £50:00 and have to turn it into a profit. Please do join in the fun at the end of next Friday when they will be selling their wares etc in the school playground. Between now and then they will be pitching, devising and marketing their business ideas. School Certificates –the following children received a certificate for their effort and achievement this week: James Ellis, Sienna Bennett, Mae Loon and Luke Williams. Well done to all these children. Attendance - Our attendance figures for last week commencing 5th May were 99.1% Mark Ward - Headmaster

School Dates in JuLY: New intake Parents Eve for Year 7 2014/15 @ Romsey School Tues 1st July Year 2 Overnight camp Fri 4th July Willow Class cake stall Fri 18th July Summer Holidays Thurs 24th July – Tues 2nd September

• FREE-ADS • FOR SALE TP climbing frame with slide £49. Please call Marion on 01794 340386 FOR SALE 3ft Slumberland Divan & Mattress with posture springing. Hardly used. £20 ono. Please call Marion on 01794 340695 ADVERTISE YOUR ITEMS FOR SALE Items for sale up to £50 - Free; between £50 and £250 - £2.50; over £250 - £5.00. Please make cheques payable to ADVA. Page 3 | Jul 2014

All Saints Awbridge - July 2014 World War 1 Centenary, Monday 4 August, 7.00 pm at the Awbridge Village War Memorial Please join us for a short time of commemoration of the outbreak of WW1, 100 years ago. This is being arranged to complement LIGHTS-OUT candle vigils being held throughout the country. It will be a short ceremony including readings, hymns and thoughts for those who gave their lives during the conflict. There will be an opportunity for names of the fallen, known to you, to be read out, please bring the name, age, date they died,(if known) with you. Those present will receive a candle to take home to light for the vigil @ 10-11pm. For further information please contact Sarah Keith 340707 or Fred Tucker 340709 thank you. Please join us for our next social event our BBQ with First Responders on Friday 11 July, 6.30 pm at the village hall (see separate advert). Please come and enjoy the BBQ, bring your own drinks, & 2 litre plastic bottles for water rockets. Tickets available from James Alexander or Marion Gray (First Responders) or sign the list in church by Tuesday 8 July. Turn on the Tap: We will collect bottles of coins collected for TOTT at our Harvest celebrations in September, bottles will be available at the BBQ on 11 July please collect coins and complete the gift-aid label on the back and hand to a member of Awbridge church in time for our Harvest service on Sunday 28 September. For further info about the project please see: www.turnonthetap.org.uk. First: our First service in June was all about the symbols of the Holy Spirit including wine, oil, wind, fire, water, & dove, our next First is on Sunday 6 July at 6 30pm. Messy Church: We have just enjoyed Messy Church by celebrating the festival of Pentecost through exploring the elements of wind and fire by decorating wind chimes, blowing boats along in a race, making candles, transforming cream into butter, icing biscuits of different faces, creating banners of praise in different languages, special prayers & flying kites. This was followed by a joyful celebration in church and sharing a delicious meal together. Our next Messy Church takes the form of a BYO picnic exploring the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 which will take place at Farley Church, near Braishfield, SO51 0QP on Friday 25 July, at 2 30pm, at the beginning of the summer holidays. Autumn dates for your diary: Sunday 7 September 2 30 pm Awbridge Village Hall, Sunday 12 October 2 30 pm at Braishfield Ch Room and Sunday 30 November 2 30 pm Jubilee Hall, Timsbury. We are looking forward to welcoming William Thomas into our church family for his baptism in church during our family worship on 27 July. A special service will take place on Sunday 3 August, 9 30 am Holy Communion for the dedication of our lovely new churchwarden staves, kindly donated by Janet Ebourne in memory of her parents Leonard and Alice Ebourne, who used to live at the Round House, Awbridge. All welcome. Worship and Events in Awbridge in July Sunday 6 July 9 30 am Holy Communion 6 30 pm First service Sunday 13 July 9 30 am Morning Worship & Young Church Sunday 20 July 9 30 am Holy Communion Sunday 27 July 9 30 am Family Worship & baptism Sunday 3 August 9 30 am Holy Communion & dedication of staves No First Service Page 4 | Jul 2014

“What a rich harvest your goodness provides! Wherever you go there is plenty. The pastures are filled with flocks; the hillsides are full of joy. The fields are covered with sheep; the valleys are full of wheat. Everything shouts and sings for joy” Psalm 65 v11-13

Monday 4 August WW1 Centenary Commemoration - 7pm meet at village war memorial Other Activities for July Five Alive Fellowship Mon 7 July Gardening & Prayer Jane Rogers, 7 30 pm Braishfield Ch Room Prayer Group Meets twice a month in Romsey. Prayer requests to John Twigg 521966 or via prayer request box in church Awbridge Lunch Club Wed 9 July at Poppies, Choice Plants, 12 noon & 23 July at Awbridge Church Rooms, 12 noon, contact Delia 340395 Tuesday Housegroup Tues 15 July, 7 45 pm Rosemary Croft, Awbridge, contact John Twigg Tel 521966 Wednesday Housegroup 9 & 23 July, 7 45 pm at Chanwel, Romsey Rd, contact Fred 340709 Thursday Housegroup Thurs 3 & 17 July, 7 45 pm venue TBA, contact Sue Franklin 322185 Craft & Chat Group 4 & 18 July 10 00 am Committee Room village Hall, contact Sue Franklin 322185 “The Ark” The All Saints Church Baby & Toddler group meets in Awbridge Village Hall, on Fridays in term-time, 9 30 am – 11 00 am. All toddlers and their parents and carers welcome. Refreshments, craft, singing and other activities provided. Contact: Lynda Tucker 340709. Welcome Pack If you have recently moved into the Awbridge area and would like a copy of our village Welcome Pack please contact one of the churchwardens, see details below. Useful church contacts: Rector: Revd Canon Steve Pittis 01794 368335 email:pittisinc@gmail. com or Benefice Office 01794 878020 email: braishfieldbenefice@ gmail.com Churchwardens: Fred Tucker (01794 340709) or Mary Savage (01794 367908) Young Church: contact one of the wardens The Ark Toddler Group: Lynda Tucker (01794 340709) Awbridge Neighbourcare: 0845 094 6155 Other relevant information can be found on the village website www.awbridge.info

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Page 5 | Jul 2014

Awbridge Neighbourcare

Our next meeting is at 7:30 on 10th July at Awbridge Village Hall, visitors are always welcome Jenny Mansbridge

0845 094 6155

Country Watch Do you have some spare time to take people to medical or other appointments, to help with shopping or collect prescriptions? Would you like to help those in our neighbourhood who need transport for these journeys? If so Awbridge Neighbourcare would like to hear from you. For more information please contact 0845 094 6155. NEIGHBOURCARE ARRANGEMENTS - 0845 094 6155 Awbridge Neighbourcare volunteers are available to help, as good neighbours, to provide transport for all kinds of medical appointment or shopping. Our volunteers have allocated time to be available to help you, so your requests are vital to the work of this group. All you need to do is call 0845 094 6155 to speak to the co-ordinator to see if they can help you. If you would like to use Awbridge Neighbourcare, please could you try to give at least 48 hours’ notice when you need to book transport so that the duty co-ordinator has time to make the necessary arrangements. Although we will endeavour to help if shorter notice is given, we cannot guarantee the availability of our volunteers.

British Red Cross Romsey & District Local Office: For All Enquires Red Cross Centre, 10 Great Well Drive, Romsey (opposite Nightingale Surgery) 01794 513202 - 24 hour answer phone Romsey Medical Loan Open 10.30am to 12.30pm - Mon to Fri. Enquiries: 01794 513202 (24 hr answer phone). General Information 0844 871 1111. Emergency number for all of the above 07790 670840 British Red Cross Autumn Fayre North Baddesley Village Hall (A27) Saturday October 18th 2014, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm. Tables available for ten pounds. Contact Wendy on 02380 730843 or email north.baddesley.fundraising@hotmail.com

Awbridge Evening W.I. The June meeting was held at Awbridge Village Hall. The speaker Patricia Godwin gave a very interesting and amusing talk entitled “Anything Goes”, on costume from the mid nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. Patricia showed us many examples of dresses, coats, hats and nightwear that she had acquired from an old lady whose family had kept everything for years. She interspersed her talk with extracts from magazines and newspapers of the time, plus some advertisements, which seem hilarious to us now. Arrangements were finalised for our Summer Supper and the visit to Saville Gardens in July. Willow weaving and stained glass making classes are being organised for later in the year. Several members have applied to go to the October Council Meeting. Two members have agreed to arrange the programme for next year and members were asked if there was anything they would like to be included.

Page 6 | Jul 2014

AWBRIDGE ~ Local farmer reported person/s unknown have untied a rope securing a gate, entered a field and let three ponies in to a hay field. Causing some crop damage. Saunders Lane - Theft of a hand bag - 11/06/14 between 1555 hrs and 1610hrs person/s unknown have stolen a green handbag containing a purse and camera from the door step of a property whilst the owner went inside. DUNBRIDGE ~ 15/06/14 person/s unknown have forced open a fishing hut near the river and stolen fishing rods and equipment from within. 14/06/15 Theft from Vehicle – Dunbridge Lane person/s unknown have opened a door to an insecure vehicle and stolen a mobile phone and a set of keys from the passenger seat. If you see anything suspicious or want to report something please call Romsey police on 101.

Changes To The Dangerous Dogs Act On 13th May 2014 the amended Dangerous Dogs Act came into effect in England and Wales. This law applies to all dog owners no matter what size or breed the dog is. You might be interested to look at the advice that has been sent out:What changed on 13th May 2014? The act now covers incidents on private property in addition to public spaces. This includes your own house, any driveway and both front and back gardens. Police or an appointed local authority now has powers to seize a dog which is dangerously out of control dog in a private place. The previous legislation only covered public places. It will now be an offence for your dog to attack an assistance dog (Guide Dog, Hearing Dog etc). Prison sentences will be increased for those convicted of some offences. What if my dog attacks an intruder on my premise? The new legislation outlines that a householder will not be prosecuted under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 should their dog attack a trespasser that has entered or is in the process of entering their home. If I own a dog what do I need to do? Ensure your gardens are made safe and secure so that your dog cannot get out. Consider how to keep delivery drivers or unexpected visitors safe on your property and ensure that any visitor can safely access your front door without encountering your dog. Manage your dog when someone knocks and make sure that your dog is fully under control before you open the front door. Don’t let your dog jump up at strangers. What you consider to be your dog being friendly by jumping up at visitors may be seen as threatening behaviour by a stranger. Micro Chipping From 6th April 2016, all dogs must be micro chipped. The Dog Trust has set aside £6 million pounds to cover the cost for free micro chipping. Their website gives details of the veterinary surgeries closest to you that offer free micro chipping subsidised by the Dog Trust. The website is www.chipmydog.org.uk

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The glassmaker will then undertake the skilled task of making and installing the main window and the small tracery light above, in the north side of the church, next to the main door and near to the font. This process will need to be achieved to the satisfaction of the local PCC and must also meet the detailed requirements of the faculty process set out by the Diocese of Winchester; work is under way to prepare the application to the Diocese.

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At a suitable time the whole community will be invited to attend a special service to dedicate and celebrate the new window. If you have any comments or questions on the project please contact Fred Tucker (Churchwarden) tel 340709 or Pam Harvey (Parish Councillor) tel 341259

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Awbridge Village Plan The next meeting of the Village Plan Group will take place on

Thursday 3rd July at 7.30 in the Village Hall All Welcome! Please remember to mention Awbridge News when responding to any adverts in the newsletter

A Window To Our Past, Present And Future - a Community Project in Awbridge In the wider context of ‘Hampshire Commemorates’ Awbridge Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council for All Saints Church in Awbridge are together leading a community project to mark the centenary of the First World War 1914-1918. The focus of the Project is a new commemorative window at the village church. This window is intended to serve for many years as a vibrant and visual acknowledgement by the community of how our present and our future have been shaped by the bravery and sacrifice of previous generations. It will be an enduring piece of public art which can be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors to the village for many years to come. The window will be funded jointly from county and local sources, and the budget is around £4000. The Parish Council will be concerned to involve local people in the process wherever possible. At an early stage of the project children from the local primary school will be taking part in the design process. Some of the children will be studying World War One as part of their curriculum during the second half of the summer term in 2014, and one aspect of this work will be to consider the impact of the War on the village. The glassmaker will visit the school on two or three occasions, and work with the children to develop ideas about a local focus in the content of the window, how to depict village life and a farming community affected by war , and to incorporate these into the design where possible. At a later stage a visit will be made by a small group of children to the workshop to gain an understanding of the process of how the window is made. The design will be shared with the local community at an appropriate stage and comments invited.

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Page 7 | Jul 2014

Past Times? The history of road development in Awbridge. PART 3 - ROADS ANCIENT and MODERN And so the history of road development in Awbridge reaches its final instalment. I intend now taking a short break but hope to return soon with more tales about the past. Please, don’t forget, we would love to hear from you if you know any stories about events or people in ‘old’ Awbridge. Just contact me or the editors, or better still try writing about it yourselves. INTRODUCTION None of the rights-of-way in our parish can really be described as ‘modern’ but with the enclosure of Awbridge Common in the late 18th century and the demise of the local Turnpike Trusts in the 1870s the road layout in Awbridge, as we know it today, was largely complete. Since then there have been a few minor tweeks around the edges. Thus we find some improvements in junction layouts and sight-lines and the occasional straightening of a difficult bend. Recently the emphasis has been more on road safety - pavements near the village school have been extended, better road marking and signage have been introduced and, perhaps most important of all, speed limits have finally arrived. ANCIENT Our more ancient rights-of-way can sometimes, as I’ve said before, be traced by studying old maps and walking local foot and bridle paths. Most of what follows I have myself examined in this way and is, therefore, my own interpretation of ‘surviving’ evidence. Awbridge is, I’m certain the majority will agree, rather an odd village. Perhaps this is because it was, as you know already, only carved out of the large parish of Michelmersh about 140 years ago. It has never boasted a public house or village green and still seems to lack that real sense of identity. Even its church and school are, in historic terms, relatively ‘new’. But this isn’t to say it’s not an interesting place in which to live! I believe that Awbridge has never stood alone as an individual village. It is, in my opinion, a bit like a large spiders-web where small hamlets - groups of houses and farms - were once clustered around the edges of that former most dominant of all our local features - AWBRIDGE COMMON! These groups, in turn, were connected by local trackways and other more important long distance routes. Remants of some of those clusters of dwellings and tracks are still identifiable today. They can be found close to the Church, at Coombe Corner, at the bottom and top of Awbridge Hill, at Yew Tree Farm and Awbridge Farm in Dunbridge Lane and also at Kents Oak. There are probably others which you may be able to identify for yourselves. Those once important ancient long-distant routes up Saunders Lane and across the old Awbridge Common via Kents Oak and Newtown Road towards Salisbury we have already looked at. But there are, I believe, traces of other old ‘lost’ or very minor roads which I have not mentioned in detail before. So here are a few you may find interesting:1. A Short-Cut from Dunbridge Lane to Stanbridge Lane, via Cooks Lane? Dunbridge Lane, itself an ancient route, has several footpaths emanating along its length, one of which is now part of the ever popular Test Way. Opposite Awbridge Farm this footpath branches left and up a steep incline to finally arrive on a sharp right-angled bend half-way along Cooks Lane. Studying any modern map you can see this path logically should carry on directly towards Parsonage Farm. At that point there is another rather odd change of direction. Cooks Lane bears slightly to the right and travels in a very contrived straight line up to its modern junction with Stanbridge Lane [B3084]. I am quite certain that this last piece of road straightening is not recent at all but is, in fact, the work Page 8 | Jul 2014

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of our Romsey to Wallop Turnpike constructors back in the 1760s. Running across the field between Parsonage Farm and Stanbridge Lane is a very short seldom used footpath which follows a direct line from the Parsonage Farm turning and is, in fact, the route the old Cooks Lane would originally have taken. This would, of course, have resulted in its exit just past the newly built Tollgate Cottage which is precisely what those Turnpike engineers were desperately trying to avoid. So they set about solving the problem by simply moving the existing road a few hundred yards to the right! The whole length of this track from Awbridge Farm to Cooks Lane to Stanbridge Lane is, I believe, a important lost local route. It would have cut off that dangerously sharp bend at Yew Tree Farm as well as avoiding both steep sections of Awbridge Hill. Was its demise due perhaps to those Turnpike builders back in the mid 18th century? Logically I think it was! 2. Upper and Lower Ratley Lanes Both Upper and Lower Ratley have certainly appeared on maps for as long as Kents Oak and are probably just as ancient a feature in our landscape. Though being mentioned at least as long ago as the 18th century they can still be found regularly on modern maps. The name ‘Ratley’ owes its origin to the Old English - ‘rot’ meaning ‘pleasant’ and ‘leigh or ley’ meaning ‘a woodland clearing.’ Only one other place in England has the same name and that is a village in Oxfordshire. Perhaps then it is a pity that a decision was made some years ago to eliminate Awbridge’s long historical association with the word ‘Ratley ‘and replace it with such bland names as Church Lane and Coombe Lane. And, by the way, as far as I am aware the latter has never been known by us long resident locals as Coombe Lane. We always still refer to it as just - The Coombe. It is quite obvious that Ratley Lane, together with Cooks Lane which we have just examined, once formed a direct through- route between the hamlet of Newtown and Stanbridge Lane:[a] Upper Ratley [Church] Lane from its junction with Danes Rd to the Church runs in a nearly straight line. This is because it was upgraded and preserved when the Common, over which it travelled, was enclosed in the late 18th century - the group of houses at the top of the hill near Coombe End probably marking the Common’s boundary. This conclusion is confirmed by a complete change in the lane’s character past this point. As it heads on downhill towards Coombe Corner it becomes much narrower and more winding. And the retention of that short footpath leading towards the playing fields gives us another clue. This path isn’t, as seems likely at first sight, a shortcut put in when the first Village Hall was constructed in the 1920s. It is, in fact a very much older right-of-way. Look carefully and you can see it forms a neat crossroads on its exit at the junction of Romsey Rd and Dunbridge Lane. [b] Lower Ratley Lane [The Coombe] is very different indeed from Upper Ratley Lane and has definitely changed much more over later centuries. It never formed part of the Common and from Coombe Corner runs its entire length, together with the first half of Cooks Lane, along a small gravel ridge just above our short nameless stream which would have provided a good reliable water supply for livestock. Perhaps it’s time our little stream was given a name? How about -’The Awe’? Until about 150 years ago the land between the lane and stream was welldrained valuable pasture and seems, according to older maps, to have remained until then unfenced. It was, however, gated at both Coombe Corner and the B3084 presumably to prevent animals straying. This suggests either the land and perhaps even the lane was, for a time, privately owned and farmed by just one person or that it was worked by a group of local small farmers in cooperation. All this seems to have ended with changes in ownership and farming practices by the mid 19th century after which the land appears to have been left neglected and turned gradually into the waterlogged boggy woodland scrub we have today.

The Bridletrack Several routes originate from The Coombe, most following local footpaths towards Old Salisbury Lane. But there is one right-of-way standing out above all others and that is the bridletrack which begins close to the rear entrance of Earls Coombe.This is definitely the line of an old road and in the early 19th century it must also have formed part of the back route into Awbridge Danes’ extensive network of carriage drives. Originally this bridleway didn’t start where it begins today but several yards further along The Coombe towards the B3084. If you look closely it is still possible to see where the ground gradually rises in a controlled fashion away from this road till it joins the line of the present track. And if we then follow the bridlle-path itself we soon reach a woodland clearing where there is ample evidence of the old road splitting into two. One small branch enters the Awbridge Danes’ grounds but the main trackway skirts the estate boundary, runs past a pond, and arrives in Danes Rd via another of our straight lines more evidence perhaps that this road existed prior to the Common’s enclosure? Crossing over Danes Rd the bridleway continues its journey along the the edge of the former Golf Course, past the ruins of the old brickworks and its adjoining claypit to finally emerge at Carters Clay, Newtown. This road would not have provided much of a shortcut when compared with other local alternative routes so its subsequent final decline isn’t really surprising.

Please remember to mention Awbridge News when responding to any adverts in the newsletter

Awbridge Neighbourcare 0845 094 6155

Volunteer drivers needed for Awbridge Neighbourcare please contact 0845 094 6155 Do you have some spare time to take people to medical or other appointments, to help with shopping or collect prescriptions? Would you like to help those in our neighbourhood who need transport for these journeys? If so we would like to hear from you. For more information please contact

0845 094 6155 Awbridge Neighbourcare is supported by goodneighbours.org.uk. Page 9 | Jul 2014

Past Times? cont...

Then in 1909 a first tentative step was taken towards a nation-wide highway policy. The Government set up a Road Board which concentrated on encouraging County Councils to level, widen, straighten and tarmac existing main roads within their jurisdiction. But there was still continued reluctance to provide funds for the building of major new arterial routes where these crossed over County boundaries.

The history of road development in Awbridge. MODERN As with all rural parishes most recent road developments have tended to follow national rather than just local guidelines. And these in turn have reflected the way the powers and funding of local authorities have developed and altered since the end of the 19th century.

Following WW1 a short-lived wave of optimism swept the Country and in 1919 the Ministry of Transport was created with the idea of devising that long awaited network of long-distance highways aross the whole nation. But only one arterial road was actually completed - between Liverpool and Manchester - before a severe post-war financial crisis, followed by the 1920s/30s Depression, put future national road development plans temporarily on hold until well after WW2. The new ministry was, however, responsible for bringing in several important laws which we still have with us today.They made driving tests compulsory [1934] and codified the existing system of road classifications but unfortunately failed to stop money being filched from the road-fund licence pot to prop up other failing ministries. At least we locals were lucky that HCC found, in the late 1930s, sufficient funds for the building of the Romsey Bypass. This undoubtedly saved much of the ancient fabric of our market town.

It all began back in the late Victorian period with the introduction of the first directly elected County Councils [all male suffrage - of course]. And soon there was a 3 tier system of local government as under these came the town and rural district councils and below these the parish councils. County Councils were made responsible for appointing local justices, coroners and medical officers of health. In addition they had control over local police and education [1902]. But they also had sole jurisdiction over the maintenance and development of county-wide roads and bridges. This was paid for out of local business and household rates with a topup contribution from Government finances. Initially the majority of road funding came from local coffers thus giving Counties a very large degree of autonomy.

In rural areas parishioners wouldn’t have noticed much change before the 1950s except, of course, for the slow continuous growth in the speed and volume of traffic. Local roadmen still cut the verges, ensured ditches were kept clear and had little heaps of stones and cracked flints ready to repair potholes in minor roads. These were topped with gravel and tarmac then covered with a nice layer of loose shingle which, after a heavy downpour, was absolutely guaranteed to tempt young children into ‘dirt-tracking’ their bikes on sharp bends - no matter that in the process tyres were rapidly worn away and skin removed from constantly scraped knees - I still have the scars to prove it! More major routes relied on gangs of workmen employed by the County Council to regularly maintain and resurface them. I bet there are few of our more mature residents who

Even before 1914 it was quite obvious that lorries and cars would be the future way of transport. So very soon we find the introduction of national driving licences [1903] but no tests, speed limits [1906], roadfund licences and a tax on petrol for ‘pleasure’ motoring [1909]! County Councils retained the right to classify local roads. Whereas initially all former Turnpikes had been given A road status it quickly became clear that some should have been put in a much lower category. This ludicrous situation was soon rectified. A roads became the most important arteries between towns, B roads other major routes and C roads usually linkages between key routes.

Awbridge

Village

Produce Show

2014

Awbridge Village Hall Sat 6th September 2 - 4.30pm

Awb ridg e V I L L A G E

Classes are:

• Vegetables • Fruit • Flowers

• Photography • Home Crafts • Children’s section

Get your Exhibitors schedule now from any ADVA committee member!!!! Page 10 | Jul 2014

100 years since the outbreak of World War 1 Monday 4 August at 7.00 pm at Awbridge Village War Memorial

Please join us for a short ceremony to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 on 4 August 1914* “Greater love has no-one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” - John 15:13 *If you would like to mention the name of any of the fallen from WW1 please bring with you their name & age and date ( if known) when they died.

For further info contact: Fred Tucker 340709 or Sarah Keith 340707 don’t remember the thrill of watching the old road-rollers in action and the wonderful smell of hot tar which stuck to our shoes and turned into a soft mass of squishy bubbling oozy black goo on scorching summer days? This idyll wasn’t to last and by the late 1950s/early 60s major reforms were on the way. Residents seemed to have little direct say now over road management, which was becoming more and more centralised and paid for with the help of an ever larger contributions from the National Exchequer. But at least most local ‘improvements’ were being made for reasons of road safety unlike in the past. Back before WW1, when Awbridge was still part of Michelmersh municipal parish, a polite request had been made by Awbridge villagers for Romsey Rd, near its junction with Dunbridge Lane, to be straightened out and widened in order to better protect from traffic the scores of young children walking to school. Few older villagers had forgotten that their enquiry was rejected out of hand purely on the grounds of cost. There was no local construction of new roads or changes to road classifications but by now the first motorways were being built and innovative ways being sought to upgrade existing roads without having to spend large amounts of cash. Sadly this resulted in the removal of those rather nostalgic and historic grass central islands with their quaint fingerposts at the junctions of Romsey Rd/ Danes Rd and at The Coombe/ The B3084. And, in addition, a number of our roads had their steep banks drastically pared back to provide improved sight-lines. Perhaps it’s a pity they failed, at the same time, to widen just a few of the carriageways, especially where some of these involved those notoriously tight spots along the B3084! The earliest of these new ‘reconfigurations’ happened near the junction of Newtown Rd with Danes Rd on the once dangerously narrow and winding Ogle House Hill. Few present villagers, seeing that now familiar broad grassy bank, know that this action was taken due to a fatal accident! Back in the 1950s a bus colliding with a cyclist resulted in the death of

Bob Moody, a local parishioner. Bob was travelling home with a carrier bag of shopping balanced on his handle bars when he lost control, fell in front of the bus, was unfortunately dragged under the front wheels and crushed. Other similar bank ‘adjustments’ followed - along much of Old Salisbury Rd, near Yew Tree Farm in Dunbridge Lane and at the bottom of Romsey Rd near the junction with the B3084 - it seems that eventually everything comes to those who wait! A more recent identical exercise has been carried out in Romsey Rd opposite Hansards. But only one major ‘improvement’ has occurred in Awbridge since WW2 and that is in Saunders Lane. Some of our villagers may regard the upgrading of this C route in the 1950s as a curse rather than a blessing! Very little at the bottom of the old road survived - the carriageway was straightened out and widened, the banks and high hedges cut back and the junction with Dunbridge Lane improved. Only the lay-by at Berry’s Pond now remains of the original lane. Nearer the top of the road there was less room for manoeuvre. So we have been left with narrow pinchpoints at The Beeches and those awkward bends and poor sight-lines at the junction of Saunders Lane and Danes Rd, right outside the School! I sometimes wonder how modern long-distance lorry drivers with their huge vehicles manage to negotiate this obstacle! While we can all grumble on about the increasing volume of traffic on our country roads I wonder how many of you are aware that we came close to having a relief road built right through the centre of our village in the 1960s. There’s not much doubt the work in Saunders Lane was carried out as a prelude to this! It has unfortunately proved quite impossible to obtain original minutes or plans from Test Valley Borough Council, HCC or The Hants Record Office but from the memories of surviving members of the then Sherfield English and Awbridge Parish Council it seems the proposal went something like this:‘The intention was to construct a new ‘Romsey By-pass’ joining the A27 Salisbury Rd to the B3084 Tidworth Rd and possibly even extending it as far as the Romsey to Andover A3057 [via Kimbridge]. Initially following the line of Danes Rd as far as Newtown Rd it would then have travelled behind existing houses and the Primary School playing field. The idea was to go on along the historic Kents Oak track-way, cross over Romsey Rd, follow the old road behind the Post Office and procede down the revamped Saunders Lane as far as Dunbridge Lane effectively taking us right back to the route our ancient ancestors would have used!!!’ Though this plan would definitely have had some advantages improving, for example, access to Awbridge School and doing away with the terrible Romsey Rd/Danes Rd/ Saunders Lane junction the ultimate result could have proved disastrous. Inevitably the build up of through-traffic would have been horrendous, effectively cutting the village in two. And apparently there was even belated talk of creating a duel-carriageway which would definitely have led to the total obliteration of the Awbridge we know today. Luckily changes to Government policy and increased lack of funding eventually put the project on hold and finally it was abandoned. So the next time you sit cursing in a traffic jam after picking up the children from School or fidget impatiently waiting for the refuse lorry to squeeze past you in Stanbridge Lane just think of what might have been - and perhaps be thankful? Things could, it seems, have been a whole lot worse!!! CONCLUSIONS I have very much enjoyed researching the history of road development in Awbridge and hope you have found it as interesting as I have. It’s accuracy isn’t, however, guaranteed! The only offer of an explanation for the name ‘Ginger’ is that it might come from the sandy-coloured soil found along its banks. I suppose this is as good an answer as any. And if you thought the original school was in Danes Rd at ‘Half Cote’ you would be quite correct. Anne Head-Jones Page 11 | Jul 2014

Jazz Night Many people will remember the most enjoyable evening in Awbridge village hall last summer when we were all entertained by a group of very young and talented musicians playing jazz. The quintet was assembled at very short notice at the request of 16 years old Jaz Moss from a group of his musical friends and his 12 years old brother who played keyboard and trumpet. It was only after the concert that I found out the brothers were the grandsons of Fred and Lynda Tucker which is why we had the privilege of hearing them play in Awbridge. I was amazed at the talent which I considered to be far ahead of their ages it was then I discovered that Jaz plays lead tenor saxophone in the second tier of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra while Cody is in the third tier of the same orchestra but plays piano with his second instrument being the trumpet.

Apart from a great evening it was obvious that Jaz and Cody come from a good supportive family with a serious interest in music... Ollie, their father managed to get on the drums for a few numbers, an area he was quite familiar with as he had played drums many times in the past with various groups. Leisa, who had spent most of the day cooking was also talented and had been offered a scholarship in classical piano but the evening belonged to Jaz, now 17 years of age and his 13 yrs old brother Cody who with four other good musicians kept the evening really swinging until just before midnight. I have a feeling that one day I will be able to boast that I knew Jaz and Cody before they became world famous...watch this space! After the evening was over Fred and Lynda had the thought of about an hour in the car for the return drive to Awbridge, but what a day, what an evening and what stupendous memories! Maurice Hibberd

It seems the lads are already well known for their talent and have appeared at many top venues including the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. The Mayor of London’s office and the Royal Festival Hall. Jaz admitted his ambition was to be allowed to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston, America. A college that is rated one of the best and largest music college to specialise in contemporary music, in the world. Recently I heard that Jaz had been accepted at the college and the brothers were having a open air garden party/concert at their Surrey home to try and raise some funding for the trip and experience of a lifetime. My wife and I were among the first to apply for tickets and what an evening it turned out to be. The weather was perfect on the Saturday evening in June ( 7th ) and we were among the two hundred or so other members of the audience enjoying a very special experience. It was good to see Fred and Lynda at the venue but their day must have been hard for them. They were up early and on the road to Woking before the traffic was on the move and the dew had dried. I think Fred was involved in helping to set up the stage, and various other preparations that were necessary to help the evening be a success while Lynda and her daughter, Leisa, spent all day over a hot oven preparing hundreds of delicious canapés which were taken by very young volunteers to all the visitors... There were so many trays of goodies, all free, that there came a time when, delicious as they were, we had to turn the other way and regretfully say “no thank you”

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Fred also had a very busy evening running the bar. He said later that everyone was buying single drinks or rounds of drinks to start with but life got easier later in the evening when groups were ordering wine by the bottle . It was a great evening with a group of very talented musicians playing a very interesting selection of music ranging from good quality Jazz to Michael Jackson hits.

MBR PLUMBING & BATHROOMS * Free Estimates * * Competitive Rates*

Call Matthew Rowe on 01794 341709 or 07831 624887

*** EMERGENCY CALLOUT *** * Complete Bathroom Refits inc tiling * * New toilets/baths/basins supplied & fitted * * Leaks fixed * * Showers supplied and repaired * * Washing machines & Dishwashers installed * * Gutters/Drainage etc *

NO JOB TOO SMALL !!!

Awbridge Village Lunches 2014

Raspberry bakewell cake

Would you like to join friends and neighbours from the village for Lunch?

• 140g ground almonds • 140g butter, softened • 140g golden caster sugar • 140g self-raising flour • 2 eggs

Menu Main course e.g. Shepherd’s pie Home-made pudding Tea or coffee At 12 noon Awbridge Village Hall Wednesday 24th September - £4 per person Wednesday 10th December- £6 per person, Christmas Lunch Booking and Transport arrangements:

To let us know numbers for catering, please ring the Neighbourcare co-ordinator on 0845 094 6155 by the Monday before the lunch. If you would like transport, at no cost to you, please ask the coordinator at the same time. (If you normally attend the All Saints lunch, arrangements for booking are the same as usual). These lunches are being jointly organised by All Saints Church and Awbridge Neighbourcare with catering provided by a team of cooks and volunteers. We hope that you will come and enjoy these events.

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 250g raspberries • 2 tbsp flaked almonds • icing sugar, to serve 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and base-line and grease a deep 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin. Blitz the ground almonds, butter, sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla extract in a food processor until well combined. 2.Spread half the mix over the cake tin and smooth over the top. Scatter the raspberries over, then dollop the remaining cake mixture on top and roughly spread – you might find this easier to do with your fingers. Scatter with flaked almonds and bake for 50 mins until golden. Cool, remove from the tin and dust with icing sugar to serve. Katy Stimson

Please remember to mention Awbridge News when responding to any adverts in the newsletter

BBQ in Awbridge

organised by Awbridge First Responders and All Saints Church, Awbridge

Friday 11 13 July, at 6.30 pm at Awbridge Village Hall

Tickets:

Adults £6.00 Children £2.50 Family Ticket £15 (2 Ad +2 Ch) Bring your own drinks

Please book with either Marion Gray 341370, mslevin@mac.com or James Alexander 340386, p.alexander386@btinternet.com or sign list at back of church. Numbers by Tues 8 July please If you would like to take part in Water Rocket Launching, please bring an empty, 2 litre, plastic bottle. Also promoting Turn on the Tap, a project of Samaritan’s Purse www.turnonthetap.org.uk Page 13 | Jul 2014

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Awb ridge

Diary

If you would like your event in the diary, send the details to bertanddoris@btinternet.com

V I L L A G E

Date

Event

Venue

Time

Tuesday 01 July

ADVA AGM

Awbridge Village Hall

7.30pm

Friday 11 July

First Responders and Church BBQ

Awbridge Village Hall

6.30pm

Friday 25 July

Messy Church - Feeding the 5000

Farley Chamberlayne

2.30pm

Thursday 31 July

Parish Council Meeting

Awbridge Village Hall

7.30pm

Monday 4 August

World War 1 Memorial

Awbridge Village War Memorial 7.00pm

Saturday 06 September

Produce Show

Awbridge Village Hall

2.00pm

Wednesday 24 September

Village Lunch

Awbridge Village Hall

12 noon

Thursday 25 September

Parish Council Meeting

Awbridge Village Hall

7.30pm

Please remember to mention Awbridge News when responding to any adverts in the newsletter

Kooking with Kate Kate Buchan, Sous Chef at Kimbridge Restaurant gives you your seasonal recipe.

Orange and cinnamon cheesecake This recipe serves 8 persons. Shopping List: 2 oranges, zest and juice 500g full fat soft cheese 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 ½ packets of digestive biscuits 50g melted butter 100g double cream

How to make it: Using an 8 inch loose bottom tin, grease the edges of the tin and line with baking paper. Place the digestives in a blender and blitz until all broken up or place the biscuits in a sealed bag and hit with a rolling pin until all broken up. Once all broken, melt the butter and mix the crushed biscuits and butter together. Place evenly in the bottom of a tin and then put the tin in the fridge to chill whilst making the filling. Place the cream cheese in a mixer and mix until soft. Add the cream to loosen the cheese and once thoroughly mixed, grate the zest off the oranges using the finest side, then squeeze the juice out of the oranges and place into the cheese mix. Gently combine the two and if not sweet enough, you can add a little icing sugar. Add the cinnamon and mix in thoroughly. Taste the mix, should you wish to have a stronger cinnamon flavour, add extra to taste. Retrieve the base from out of the fridge and place the cheesecake mix on top and knock gently on the table top so that any air at the bottom of the tin is removed. Once the mix is spread evenly, place the cheesecake back into the fridge and chill overnight for best results. Once chilled, remove the cheesecake from the tin and discard the paper lining. Using a hot clean knife, cut the cheesecake, wiping the knife each time so you get a clean cut and serve.

Feeding the 5000+ Friday 25 July Farley Chamberlayne Church SO51 0QP (near Braishfield)

2.30pm - 5pm

Messy Activities - Celebration Bring and Share Picnic Messy Church is organised by the churches in our group of five parishes, for all families to attend. Children to be accompanied by parent/carer. For further information contact: Andrea Goldsmith 01794 368808 or mobile 078158 97834 andreagoldsmith@btinternet.com or Mary Savage 01794 367908 savage@choiceplants.freeserve.co.uk.

EVENT IS FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE WELCOME Next Messy Church: Sunday 7 September 2.30 pm @ Awbridge Village Hall SO51 0HG

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Awb ridge

If you would like your organisation/amenity in the directory, send your details to bertanddoris@btinternet.com

V I L L A G E