Romsey & Wellow Gazette - April 2023

My

In this issue...

Local Businesses & Services

Celebrity Interview:

Monty Don

Green ngers: Alan Titchmarsh Column

Romsey Loves... The Plaza

The Adventures of Daichi

APR 2023

Goodies Goodies

FISH & CHIPS

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Welcome...

Dear Residents,

It is Spring! I do so love this time of year. Flowers, the promise of better weather, lambs, new life - it has a huge sense of hope, which quite frankly I think we could all benefit from! Here at Modern Magazines we won an award! We are so proud of this. We won Best Business to Business company for 2023 in the WeyPort Business Awards. Fabulous! Daichi our wonderful Modern Magazines Campervan tells you all about us inside your local magazine this month. We do hope you enjoy reading this as well as our local and celebrity news articles. There is something for everyone here.

Not to mention of course our loyal and trusted trades and services who are here for you! From plumbers to window fitters, roofs experts to beauticians and gardeners to flooring specialists, we have them all. The index at the back gives you a quick guide to find who you are looking for, or if you have time to sit with your feet up and have a well earned cuppa, then the whole magazine should keep you interested for an hour or so. Enjoy.

If there is anything you would like to see in your little community magazine, or you know of a company that wants more business and to get their name out to the local residents, please let me know. We love to help and make your magazine as useful as possible.

Stephen, myself, Julie, Mel, Steph, Tracey, Pippa, Chris, Jaidan our wonderful new graphic designer, Beth and her 4 month baby are all here for you!

Debbie, Stephen & all of us here at Modern Magazines

Advertise with us!

Boost your business to new heights with our affordable advertising packs!

Supply your own artwork, or use our in house design team!

Call the sales team on: 01264 316499

Copy deadline for May 2023 edition: 10th April 2023

Keep up to date with the magazine by following our Facebook Page @RomseyWellowGazette

DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damaged caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Romsey & Wellow Gazette does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.

A thoroughly Modern Monarch

Everything we know about His Majesty’s upcoming coronation.

King Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday May 6th 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Eyes around the world will focus their attention once more on this magnificent London institution where the King will be crowned – alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort –in a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This opulent ritual is the last of its kind in Europe and has remained largely unchanged for the past 1,000 years. It is an honour of course, but for a King who wants to be a modern monarch there are a few wrinkles that must be ironed out with Buckingham Palace confirming that although the Coronation will be ‘rooted in long-standing traditions’, it will also reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future.

For starters, it will be a relatively modest affair, even compared to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation that came in the recent aftermath of World War II. The ceremony itself is expected to last around two hours – rather than the three for Liz’s ascension to the throne – and guests will be limited to 2,000 due to health and safety restrictions. That’s considerably less than the 8,000 dignitaries from 129 nations who were crammed into Westminster Abbey in 1953.

There will also be less pomp and formality. Prince William is the only Duke expected to carry out the traditional gesture of kneeling and swearing allegiance to the King, and His Majesty has apparently decided to swap the stockings and breeches worn at coronations by his male predecessors for a military uniform, possibly that of Admiral of the Fleet, which he wore for the State Opening of Parliament last May.

As for the crown, Charles will wear the solid gold 17th Century St Edward’s Crown.

It is exceptionally heavy and contains the Cullinan II diamond, sometimes called the Second Star of Africa.

At its heart however, the ceremony must fulfil its key role as being the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned, as well as fulfilling the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. And despite cementing His Majesty’s role as Head of the Church of England, it is thought that representatives of different faiths will also be present – to uphold the King’s wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain. He will also still pledge to be “Defender of the Faith”, but further words will be added that allow the King to show he serves all religious faiths.

Councillor’s Column

Exactly a year after Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine, Test Valley councillors met to discuss the council’s budget for 2023/24. Dressed in yellow and blue to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people and to raise money for their injured soldiers, our meeting was also dominated by the economic consequence of one of the world’s biggest gas suppliers waging war against one of its biggest grain producers. Because, just like any household budget, Test Valley’s finances have also been hit by high inflation, exacerbated by the conflict.

Thankfully our previous financial prudence as well as the decision to set up project enterprise, which has earnt the council an additional £8.5m over the last four years, meant we were able to table a council tax increase some 7% below inflation. The £5 rise on a band D property means an average bill of £158.91 for an entire year of Test Valley Borough Council services. At least £40 lower than the average for the rest of England. Not only to have your bin collected every week but to maintain the housing & homelessness, planning, licensing, countryside, parks & open spaces, environmental health, economic development and leisure services - as well as continuing with our ambitious plans to improve our town centres.

I do recognise though the impact that even a very small rise could have on the most vulnerable in our borough. Residents on the lowest incomes already receive help through our generous Council Tax Support

Scheme but thanks to some additional government funding we have been able to go further. Delivering an extra £55 discount to households that are facing severe financial hardship. Cushioning them against the rising cost of living and increases from other precepting authorities.

The meeting also gave us an opportunity to announce a proposal to reduce the council’s carbon emissions generated from our fleet vehicles by 95% by switching the fuel in our bin lorries from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil. Using this biofuel does not require expensive vehicle changes and is completely fossil-free, fulfilling the pledges we made in our Climate Emergency action plan.

My thanks go to council officers and fellow councillors who’ve put so much work into the budget-setting process. Despite global pressures, our sound finances have meant we’ve been able to keep council tax low and maintain frontline services, whilst doing the right thing for the most vulnerable and our environment.

Phil North Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

Cllr.

Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

PIPE

Geography Quiz

1. What is the official currency of India?

2. Where is the world’s largest desert found?

3. What country formally ruled Iceland?

4. How many time zones does Australia have?

5. What is the highest active volcano in Europe?

6. What is the only country that borders the UK?

7. Which country has the most pyramids in the world?

8. What city is known as the Glass Capital of the World?

9. What is the capital city of Argentina?

10. Kathmandu is the capital city of which country?

The Full Monty

Even after four decades, green-fingered expert Monty Don’s passion for the outdoors shows little sign of waning, as he explains why gaining new inspiration is so important.

A lifetime of getting green fingers might be taking its toll physically on the 67-year-old broadcaster and writer Monty Don: aside from his bout of peritonitis in 2007, a stroke that could have killed him a year later, and battles with depression – for which he says gardening has been a better antidote than any prescription drug – the everyday rigours of flowering and weeding, pruning and digging have left his body as weathered as one would expect… not that he cares.

“It’s a strange day when you put the visual appearance of your garden over yourself,” he laughs. “For me, that was quite some time ago, but it all relates back to how passionate you are about a subject or a project.

“It’s a big job to keep my garden how I want it, and to keep going – you do that because it’s important not only for the future, but in respecting the effort you have put in previously.”

A renowned writer on all things horticultural since the early 1990s, Don has had over 20 books published and still pens a number of popular newspaper columns.

He became the welcoming, enthusiastic, all-knowing expert on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World

programme between 2003 and 2008, before taking on lead presenting duties for its flagship Chelsea Flower Show in 2014.

Well dressed in his ‘painterly’ style and with a sparkling demeanour, Monty’s garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire has become something of a national horticultural staple, with fans sharing in the ups and downs of tending to an expansive plot that continues to throw up new challenges. “We’ve had all manner of issues over the past few years, especially some drainage issues.

“Where nature is concerned, you’ve got to expect the unexpected – it’s a fun part of the process… at least, fixing it is!”

When asked about his own inspirations, he admits to having been influenced by

aesthetics

the style and aesthetics of French gardener Nicole de Vesian, who passed away in 1996.

“Nicole had a great feeling for both colour and form, and then for space,” he says. “Her use of colours could look muted and faded at first, but when her gardens were in bloom they looked fantastic when the sun is shining. And she used the space in between plants and sculptures better than anyone. That’s been a blueprint I’ve used for Longmeadow for quite some time.

and

“I think it’s important to have heroes and inspiration, no matter who you are or for how long you’ve been in the game.”

Test Valley Residents Struggling To

Meet

Housing

Costs Urged To Apply for Household Support Fund

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) is encouraging residents, who may be struggling to meet their essential housing costs, to apply for a one-off grant from the Household Support Fund.

One-off payments of £125 per household are available, for those who can show they are struggling to meet their housing costs and may be in arrears.

Residents do not need to be in receipt of universal credit or any other benefits to qualify for support.

If your application is assessed as meeting the criteria, then the grant will be paid directly into your bank account, or it can be paid directly to your landlord if that is easier.

Leader of TVBC, Cllr Phil North said:

“We appreciate how tough it is at the moment for some people just to pay for the essential items, with the rise in the cost of living. I know how difficult it can be to ask for help sometimes, but I would really

encourage anyone who may be in this situation to think about applying for a grant.”

“That money is there to support our residents and we want to be able to help as many people as possible.”

Applications for the scheme close on Tuesday 21 March 2023 and you will need to upload ID and proof of your rent liability when you apply.

You will hear about the outcome of your application within 28 days of submitting it.

If your application is successful, you will receive your grant within 28 days after that.

For more information, and to find the application form, visit:

www.testvalley.gov.uk/ HouseholdSupport

Electric dreams, or nightmares?

While the government rallies drivers to pursue environmentally friendly car options, on the ground a lack of electric charging points is holding back the green revolution.

However, as the conflict between supply and demand reaches crisis point, perhaps all is not lost.

There is trouble afoot in the world of green motoring, with a lack of charging points and expensive plug-in costs severely hampering the electric car revolution. Perhaps this was visible in its starkest sense when, just before Christmas, queues of Teslas were seen at motoring service stations looking to charge their vehicles as families went off on their festive breaks.

Charging capability is at the forefront of the problem, in much the same way as when electric vehicles were first popularised over a decade ago. Back then, the question was how many miles a full battery would propel a vehicle, and while the range of these green machines has shot up, the supply of charging points has failed to follow suit in quite the same magnitude.

Recent figures show that almost a third of the charging points in the whole of the UK are situated in London – in quantity, that’s more than Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham combined.

What’s more, the drive to add more charging points across

the UK has slowed to an alarming rate – just 509 installations were made in December, versus a target of 100 per day.

Yet it is the practical realities of charging that is ultimately

seems fraught with roadblocks at present, there is hope for motorists.

frustrating electric car owners. Most charging points are slow, and many are built into street lampposts, meaning access is blocked by non-electric vehicles.

In addition, the catastrophic increase in energy prices has seen the cost of electricity rocket. In some cases, charging an electric car can cost more per mile than its diesel counterpart.

While the journey towards a fully electric travel landscapes

pledging

The Department of Transport is currently pledging £1.6billion to support the continued rollout of charge points, with a further £450million dedicated to local authorities.

In addition, the cost of home charging conversion kits continues to fall, with supply lines improving from China all the time.

It’s hoped that the recent slowdown in charging point installation can be put down to the political commotion that swamped much of 2022.

Either way, the fact is, with so many road users now signed up to a motoring revolution, there has never been so much pressure on those in power to put their foot down and make good the promises made.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

It’s an important legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions, or make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.

Think of an LPA like an insurance policy, putting it in place while you’re fit and healthy gives you peace of mind knowing that, no matter how life plays out, your health and financial matters will be managed as per your wishes

Here’s how it works:

Margaret suffers an unexpected illness or accident, resulting in a loss of mental capacity.

Without an LPA

Next of kin doesn’t have the legal right to make decisions for Margaret

Sole bank accounts are frozen

Joint bank accounts are frozen in some circumstances

Bills can’t be paid from Margaret’s money

Investment decisions can’t be made (any previous authority given to make investment decisions is cancelled)

Property can’t be sold, meaning a co-habiting partner can’t move house if they wanted to

Next of kin don’t have the legal right to make decisions about medical treatment

Next of kin don’t have the legal rights to make personal choices, for example where Margaret should live

If you don’t plan ahead and you suffer an accident or illness which causes you to lose mental capacity, your next of kin can only get the legal authority to act on your behalf through a Court Order. This is a long, costly and intrusive process.

With an LPA

Margaret puts LPAs in place for both Financials & Health and Care Decisions appointing a representative

Margarethas legallyappointeda representativetomake decisionsabouther finances

Thebankrecognisesthe chosenrepresentative’s legalauthorityandNO accountsarefrozen

Investmentdecisions canbemadeby Margaret’s representatives

Bills can be paid as normal

Property can be sold if needed

The representative has the legal right to make decisions about Margaret’s medical treatment

The representative can make personal choices for Margaret, such as where to live.

By planning ahead, you can choose who should have legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself. A Lasting Power of Attorney costs far less than a Court Order and the people you choose can step in as soon as needed

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about his love of modernism in interior design.

I often get people asking me why so many of the build projects on Grand Designs end up being decorated in a modernism style, with sharp lines, slick surfaces, uncomplicated decorative features and a view to celebrate space and light.

The answer to this comes not in the contents of a house, but its exterior. Simply, it follows that the architectural design of a building will often be mirrored by the interior design within it; and while developers may regularly seek to replicate Georgian or Victorian designs styles, most newbuilds still celebrate straight lines, clean shapes and hard edges. Aside from anything else, the build requirements are much easier!

Certainly, with people whose journeys we have followed on Grand Designs, this is very much the trend, although the advent of modernism in home furnishings was something that really took off towards the end of the 19th century. In essence, it was a rebellious response to the years of floral, ornate,

elaborate, elegant and largely curved, flowery styles that had patterned so much of people’s lives.

In modernism the modus operandum became creating something that much more straightforward. Within this, overuse of colour was discouraged, while the invitation was laid out to embrace textures and textiles not previously considered homely – consider steel, concrete, large expanses of glass and other materials once thought of as cold and unwelcoming.

Where colour did prevail, this was to be bold and statementgiving, so perhaps blocks and slabs of shades adjacent to blacks, greys and whites.

Where did this all come from? Well, the Industrial Revolution had a lot to do with a more measured and practical approach to living, and these

modernist statements extended to literature, art, music and more – countless areas where people were expressing a desire to rebel.

Although no end date for modernism has ever been noted, it’s perceived that postmodernism came into being in the late 1970s, and from there society has largely embraced a mass of contrasting and conflicting styles in elegant harmony. Yet modernist architecture has never gone away, and speaking personally, I love the perfection of modernism in interior design –its flow, simplicity, practicality and function.

TVBC Secures Funding to Further Commitment to Making CouncilOwned Buildings Carbon Neutral

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has successfully secured funding from the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). This grant is delivered by Salix Finance on behalf of DESNZ.

The authority has been awarded up £221,871, which will help to further its commitment to ensuring council owned and occupied buildings will be carbon neutral. The funding is available for heat decarbonisation projects within public sector, non-domestic buildings.

Decarbonisation is the term used for the process of removing or reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) output from a process –so in this case it is looking to remove carbon from how we heat buildings.

The secured funds will be used to install energy effi ciency measures, by changing to LED lighting and improving insulation measures, and upgrade the heating system to one powered by cleaner energy at the council’s Bourne House depot in Romsey.

Paul Wykes, Head of Environmental Services at Test Valley Borough Council, said:

“At a time when so many are thinking about the environment, the economy, and the future of our planet, securing this fund from the ESNZ and Salix is a great step towards our carbon neutral goal and creating a clean, greener, healthier, and more sustainable borough for current and future generations.”

“I’m excited to see the improvements made at Bourne House and the diff erence it will make to our work.”

Works funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme aim to be completed by March 2024.

The council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan 2020 sets out our vision for a more sustainable council and what we will be doing to address the climate emergency.

Spot the Difference!

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

Romsey’s Summer Music Festival

‘Beggars Fair’ takes place Saturday 8th July

After a gap of two years we were pleased to be back with the usual fabulously eclectic mix of folk, rock, jazz, blues, soul, bluegrass and classical music together with colourful dance displays and children’s entertainers. And this year is beginning to look fantastic as well as we begin to organise the performers for Saturday 8th July

Every year we feature acts both old and new with an aim at giving all our performers the opportunity to showcase their talent. And this year is no exception -

The Cornmarket will host a great line up of music and dancers with some old and new acts to hear. The Family Stage (in the The War Memorial Park ) will be presenting a fantastic selection of musicians along with lots of fun and games for all the family. This is an excellent place to have a picnic or visit The Park Café, but please remember it is an alcoholfree zone along with the rest of the streets of Romsey!

This is also a good time to remind everyone that on Saturday 8th July, Church Place, Bell Street and The Cornmarket will be closed to traffic from 7:30am until 7pm. The Hundred from Market Place to The Phoenix, and Latimer Street from Lortemore Place car park to The Phoenix will be closed to through traffic from 10am until 6pm. Please see the web site for more information

A significant contribution to our coffers is made through the sale of this programme

Beggars Fair happens because of a dedicated team of volunteers who organise this each year.However, we are still pleased to welcome new members to the team. So if you would like to join the team or the committee please email chair@ beggarsfair.org.uk

We say this every year, but we do urge you to drink sensibly as we continue to work hard in creating a truly unique, safe and enjoyable free community event for all the family.

So, from the Beggars Fair Team, whatever the weather…ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!

For more information see www.beggarsfair.org.uk

PORTSWOOD

Spitfire Lodge, Belmont Road SO17 2AX

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

HYTHE

Hubert Lodge, South Street SO45 6GS

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

The Adventures of Daichi The Modern Magazines Camper Van

We won an award! Daichi was delighted. Having never entered any business competition before we did not know what to expect. Customer service and looking after all our valuable advertisers has been at the core of everything we do here at Modern Magazines. I have always had the viewpoint that we get what we give out in life. If we are helpful, want people to succeed and are willing to go that extra mile to make it all happen, the client is delighted. In return we get great local trades and businesses who also want to help their clients. Everyone wins. You the resident can rely on the people inside the magazine, which is after all what you need. Of course, we are not perfect. Daichi will vouch for that! Mistakes happen and sometimes a client gets cross. This happens in life doesn’t it! Well, how do we react to that? What do we say back? Shouting back creates more shouting and everyone gets upset. Listening, understanding and correcting a mistake, or quietly giving a suggestion back usually handles the situation and we all have a better day for it.

So, that was what this award was all about – our business to business ethos and attitude. How do we treat our advertisers? Well, it seems like we won with flying colours. How amazing is that! One area we work really hard is the creation of the adverts themselves. We have a new graphic designer, Jaidan and he is fantastic. He works quickly and professionally which at a young age of just 23 is brilliant. He is also a videographer and we have some exciting news about a new E-Magazine, which will be online and found through Google, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and even emailed out, where all the adverts will link to business websites, there will be interactive puzzles that can be done within the magazine online, competitions and there will even be talking pages where you will be able to listen to business owners talk about their business and how they can help you. Soon to be released! Keeping up with modern

technology is a must of course, however paper is still in fashion! Yes, print advertising is still seen as the most trusted source of finding a local trades person and business. Combining the two mediums will help all round and create a real hub of the place to go to find all that is local. I am very excited about that… as you can see!

Beth will also be back soon, having had her wonderful baby boy a few months ago. We will then have two graphic designers. Beth has a woman’s touch to her designs (am I allowed to say that?) and I think we will have the perfect balance to get those all-important adverts right, depending on what the customer wants.

Our team of salesgirls… yes we are all girls there I am afraid… are incredible. We really don’t see ourselves in sales. Our purpose is genuinely to get more work for local businesses and to give you, the valuable resident, good trades and services to

Debbie with Cllr Ann Weaving, Mayor of Weymouth at WeyPort Business Awards

help you. Mel has worked with us for over fifteen years! Today this is what she told me,

“I love working at Modern Magazines. I am one of those rare people who looks forward to going to work. Great team. Great customers!”

Julie has been with us for over nine years. This is what she says,

“I just love working with Debbie and Stephen and the whole team. It really feels like we are a family, looking out for each other and looking after our clients. There is nothing better than knowing you helped a client get more business. Most of all the work is fun, getting to talk to lots of interesting people. I look forward to every day!”

Then we have Steph who is a delight to hear talking to customers on the phone and then our newest member is Pippa who runs our office in Weymouth and set up the new “Wonderful Weymouth Magazine”. She has been amazing. Her knowledge of the area and the people has enormously helped and without her that magazine would not be what it is. Pippa says,

“Having worked on the Wonderful Weymouth magazine the past 16 months, winning the WeyPort B2B category and supporting both local businesses and the local community of Weymouth and Portland, in which I’ve always lived, is an honour.

I would like to thank Debbie, Stephen and the rest of the Modern Magazines team for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic team with a passion to help others succeed.”

Amazing.

Chris, our distribution manager gets the magazines to the distribution company that delivers several of our magazines each month, drops off magazines to local shops, cafes and businesses in their respective areas, delivers magazines to our own distributors in a few areas and when he has some downtime, he posts photos on each of our Facebook pages. He is busy!

I started our first magazine in 2005. At that time Hayden was very young and I needed something to do. I walked around the streets with him in the pram and “touted for business” as Pat at Kingfisher Cleaning Services laughs. She was my first client ever. I will never forget that phone call. It gave me hope and a reason to continue… here we are today. Thank you Pat. Stephen, my husband, gave up his career in computer engineering to work alongside me in 2008 and we have not looked back.

The WeyPort Business Awards were such fun and we thank all our nominations for acknowledging us as “The Business to Business” business of the year! We love what we do and are here for any business wanting to expand. Most of all we are here to link you the homeowner, resident and VIP of your area, to these very important trades and services. We thank all of you for your support and loyalty. Let’s continue to work together.

www.modernmagazines.co.uk

By Debbie Corney

Pippa with the WeyPort B2B Business of the Year 2023 award

Debbie and Stephen with Daichi

General Knowledge Crossword

Across Clues:

1. Needle grasses (5)

3. Small barrel (3)

5. Right or wrong (5)

7. Long, narrow pieces of wood (3)

8. Cannot be identified (3)

9. Point (3)

10. Poem (3)

11. Guardiola (3)

12. Remove (5)

15. Small hut (5)

18. Noticeable (7)

21. Shallow iron pan (7)

25. Raffle (7)

29. Bland (7)

32. Ample (5)

34. Escape of fluid (5)

36. Long, thin fish (3)

37. Narrow beams of light (3)

38. International Organisation (3)

39. Race (3)

40. Through (3)

41. Made from flax (5)

42. Emphasise a reaction (3)

43. Strong vehicle (5)

Down Clues:

1. Smooth soft rock (5)

2. Cravat with wide squares (5)

3. Sarong like, colourful (7)

4. Pl. Millionfish (7)

5. Changes (5)

6. Worthless (5)

13. Position (3)

14. Vehicle (3)

16. Smooth, thick liquid (3)

17. Adult female sheep (3)

18. Flat face, large eyes (3)

19. Very young child (3)

20. Employ (3)

22. Relatives (3)

23. Rim (3)

24. 2012 bear comes alive (3)

26. Paddle (3)

27. Meal (3)

28. Shouting (7)

29. Make better (7)

30. Unwell (3)

31. Frost (3)

32. Fight (5)

33. Alone or unseen (5)

34. Local law (5)

35. Bakers, 13 (5)

7. Ski, 8. UFO,

Answers: Across: 1. Stipa, 3. Keg, 5. Moral,

9. Tip, 10. Ode, 11. Pep, 12. Eject, 15. Hovel, 18. Obtrude, 21. Skillet, 25. Lottery, 29. Insipid, 32. Broad, 34. Bleed, 26. Eel, 27. Ray, 38. ISO, 39. Run, 40. Via, 41. Linen, 42. Gee, 43. Wagon. Down: 1. Shale, 2, Ascot, 3. Kitenge, 4. Guppies, 5. Morph, 6. Losel, 13. Job, 14. Car, 16. Oil, 17. Ewe, 18. Owl, 19. Tot, 20. Use, 22. Kin, 23. Lip, 24. Ted, 26. Oar, 27. Tea, 28. Yelling, 29. Improve, 30. Ill, 31. Ice, 32. Brawl, 33. Dearn, 34. Bylaw, 35. Dozen

Providing excellent workmanship and customer service for over 25 years

We offer the following services to allow us to help you create an outdoor space you can enjoy.

• Garden Design

• Soft Landscaping

• Plant Supply

• Planting Plans

• Hard Landscaping

We also offer a full maintenance service to help keep your garden looking itʼs best all year round.

To find out more or for a free no obligation quotation please contact us on 01794 368855 or email us at info@kingsoaklandscapes.co.uk

Quote ref: WINCH

magazine, call 01264 316499

Sound & Vision Combined

Guest artiste at the WEOS concert on 20 April is DAVID THOMAS from Thetford in Norfolk, making his sixth appearance at Weyhill. In common with several other players on the circuit, David is fully aware of the other side of entertainment, having been responsible (along with his wife) for the establishment and development of a similar music club near to his home. His ability as an electronic keyboard player is supplemented

by his skill and experience in creating additional screen graphics. He provides film coverage for some of the largest festivals and finds himself in demand at many events as both a player and technician.

He has been performing for dances and concerts for over thirty years and with his easy listening style, along with his gentle humour, he has been in demand throughout the UK and in Europe. More information can be found on his website:

www.dtkm.org.uk

The concert commences at 7.30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) and tickets at £6.00 are available at the door.

Further information about the Club can be obtained at:

www.weyhill-eos.co.uk or by phoning (01264) 323213.

Houghton Lodge Gardens

Celebrate Guinness World Records recognition & 230th anniversary

Houghton Lodge Gardens welcomes The Worshipful The Mayor of Romsey, Councillor Alan Dowden, and Mayoress Councillor Celia Dowden to celebrate their Guinness World Records recognition and 230th anniversary

Houghton Lodge Gardens - a Grade II listed “Cottage Orné” surrounded by mature trees, sweeping lawns and formal gardens, opened early this weekend for one of 2 special weekends to allow visitors to view the swathes of daffodils and rare scilla adorning the gardens. On 19th The Worshipful The Mayor of Romsey Councillor Alan Dowden, and Mayoress Councillor Celia Dowden, were welcomed for a special visit to view the Champion espaliered Pear Tree which is not only the longest of its kind in Britain, but in the world.

As such it has been announced that it is a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

title holder for the longest espaliered plant. The Pear Tree ‘Beurre Diel’ has an incredible width of 16.44 m (53ft 11 in)

The Mayor and Mayoress also viewed some of the gardens, which boast a fantastic walled kitchen garden, home to a heritage orchard with many historic apple and pear trees, formal and informal gardens, woodland grotto and water meadows complete with alpacas and Hebridean sheep. They had a preview of the new Oriental Garden, due to open to the public on the 1st April, and had a tour of the house.

Houghton Lodge Gardens’ 2nd special opening will be on 25th and 26th March, between 10am and 2pm, before opening for the main season on 1st April.

www.houghtonlodge.co.uk

Photo L-R: Daniel Busk, Sophie Busk, The Mayor of Romsey, Councillor Alan Dowden and Mayoress Councillor Celia Dowden. Credit Tara Bradley-Birt

Greenfingers… The Alan Titchmarsh Column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and all-round horticultural inspiration. is month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses the uniqueness and the survival of our gardens.

ere is an argument to say the more complicated you make something, the more di cult it is to keep things constant. I am certainly guilty of pushing and pushing and adding so much more to an idea when I could have kept things safe and sane.

I think it’s important though to remind people, that whether your garden is some elaborate flourish of colour and texture and shape, or just a bit of grass and some simple shrubbery, absolutely everything about it is unique.

A er all, that space has its own unique history - for some, the flowers in it are a present; they may even come from another country; they might remind us of a special occasion or an event or story. We may just have spo ed them in the garden centre and gone from there.

e point is everything we have is full of memories and stories. e things we put in our gardens remind us of times in our lives, and when that garden is in full colour and full blossom in May, or in its full richness in autumn, or at some other point in the year, it creates and stimulates memories.

I have done so much in my gardens, but I don’t think I could pick one specific thing – everything has been my favourite part at some stage. And I believe the whole beauty of gardening is that it’s personal, and the freedom of choice really is with the person ge ing their hands dirty.

Ultimately, if you want to follow my advice and slavishly do as I say in my books, then that is perfectly fine. However, if you read something and think, ‘I don’t agree with that, I’m doing it my way,’ then that is good too, because it has at least made you think.

Gardening is private – it’s intimate. We all have di erent ideas in terms of what we think of as full or minimalist, and I am passionate about people exploring their own narrative, because anybody can do this. Simply decide what you’d like to grow – perhaps something

you want to eat, or smell, or just look at. Buy the seeds and do it. Don’t even worry about the process, just try it out.

When it succeeds, do it again; and most importantly, when it fails, do it again too!

Member of the British Chiropody & Podiatry Association

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ROMSEY L VES

By Alex Baxter

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The Plaza

On Winchester Road is a building that stands out like no other. Every day it welcomes commuters with architecture that hawkens back to a lost era of ecstatic style - but nevertheless instils a promise of showbizz and pizzazz within its walls. For over 90 years we have known this building as the Plaza.

It is only appropriate that Romsey’s jazziest looking locale also be the home of the town’s most culturally enriching institution. With glimmering bulbs and searchlights that shine an alluring glow to its facade, exhibited posters, and golden handrails that lead to the lobby. It is unmistakably a place of intrigue and liveliness. But despite the obvious longevity, the Plaza only became a stage theatre in 1984 - though entertainment has

always been its purpose.

Built initially as a Cinema de Lux in 1931, the Plaza was erected at a time when picture-houses were at the height of popularity. Thanks to technological innovations in commercial leisure such as the invention of sound cinema (“talkies”), films became appealing again as silent movies faded out of fashion. These were also the only places one could watch newsreels - long before TV’s were commonplace, which people were especially dependent on during wartime for updates and escapism.

And as for the quirky appearance, the cinema boom resulted in hundreds of theatres across thecountry that followed the same radical artistic design: ‘streamline moderne’ or art deco. Defining exterior characteristics include horizontal grooves, rounded corners, and smooth pastel colours.

Elsewhere, in 1934, 12 acting enthusiasts got together at the White Horse and formed Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (RAODS). A year later they put on their first show, The Mikado - a popular Savoy Opera, which took place (reportedly to great ovation) at the Town Hall. However, positive reviews aside, the Hall was quickly deemed too claustrophobic a venue for their ambition - alongside complaints about a leaky ceiling. Subsequently, Crosfield Hall was hastily commissioned and built to be RAODS permanent home, and opened in 1936 with a production of

Pirates of Penzance. The group would maintain their specialty in Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas until the 1950s, when renting costs for costumes and setting exceeded ticket income.

Then in 1968, the Plaza ceased showing films, and went from one form of entertainment to another by becoming a Bingo hall. Fast forward another 14 years and the building was vacated yet again. A whopping £72,000 was needed within a week to acquire the premise, which RAODS (at this point needing a new home) successfully achieved via fundraisers. After two years of renovations, the Plaza finally became the working stage theatre we recognise it as today - with an auditorium of 232 tier seats and a greenroom that doubles as a bar and 50 seat studio. As the blue plaque on the front will tell you, it was opened by Lord Romsey before a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Because it is unusual for a theatre company to own their own space, the Plaza is a member of The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain. Volunteers run the theatre professionally from all positions, actors to technicians, and all funds are generated by memberships and patrons. This fact of independent ownership also means the threat of closure is an ever present fear. In its last chapter of survival (back in 2020), a crowdfunding campaign was launched, in conjunction with the #SaveOurTheatres movement, to subdue the financial hardships brought on by the lockdowns. It was

even sponsored by acting royalty Sir Ian McKellen.

To great relief, £15,000 was raised by the public - proving there remains interest to ensure Romsey’s present generations can still enjoy the theatre.

Today, the Plaza thrives in doing what it was always meant for - hosting audiences seeking to experience a variety of live theatrics. The committee, and their talented adult and youth groups, do their best to pack a year-long selective program for all tastes: from original in-house dramas, musicals and comedies, to classic family pantomimes. And of course there are always touring acts in the form of magicians, comedians and tribute bands. Additionally, they are reputable for their considerate accommodating of special needs - putting on specially designed performances that are Makaton friendly.

It’s been quite the story for the Plaza so far: one of two colliding forces - a building in need of performance and a group in need of a space to perform. Who knows how much is worthy of re-telling on stage. But we can leave that to the experts.

Romsey WI Celebrating

If you enter the foyer of the Crosfield hall in the centre of Romsey on certain Wednesdays just after 7.00pm you will hear a distant hum of female voices. When you walk towards these sounds they lead you down a corridor to the annexe and this is where, on the fourth Wednesday of each month, the ladies of Romsey Women’s Institute hold their meetings.

From the threshold you will see a friendly and animated throng milling around greeting each other exchanging news and generally catching up on events both past and yet to come. The table at the front of the proceedings is covered by a beautiful tablecloth proudly decorated with scenes depicting different aspects of Romsey life and adorned by a vase of fresh flowers.

At the appointed time of 7.30pm the room is called to order and everyone claims a seat and any individuals who turned up to see if they would like to join are cordially invited to take part. The group has just recently

celebrated their 48th birthday and look forward to a bright future. There are around 45 members with a large age range and diverse interests. For almost all meetings there is a visiting speaker or a demonstration. Some talks are recreational others are educational. Some events are frivolous and funny but there is also a more serious side to the WI which evolved from the suffragette movement and is no stranger to raising concerns and issues with local organisations and government. Life is also enriched by sub- groups which include crafts, book club, Scrabble, theatre visits and outings enjoyed by this very sociable group.

After you have enjoyed refreshment during the interval don’t forget to look for a bargain at the bring and buy stall and to invest in a raffle ticket or two before settling in your seat to hear all the news announcements.

T.A. Spacagna Ltd

Royal Pastry Chef’s Spiced Easter Biscuits

Back in 2020, Queen Elizabeth’s royal pastry chefs released the family’s sacred ‘Spiced Easter Biscuits’ recipe.

What better way to honour her late Majesty, than by baking these delightful and delicious Easter treats?

Ingredients

Biscuit base:

• 350g plain flour

• 5g bicarbonate of soda

• 10g ground ginger

• 5g cinnamon

• 125g unsalted butter

• 175g light soft brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 60g golden syrup

Icing:

• 2 egg whites

• 600g icing sugar

• Food colouring of your choice

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/gas mark 3 then mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a bowl. Add the diced butter and mix until it reaches a crumb-like texture.

2. Add the sugar, then once combined add the egg and golden syrup. Mix until a dough is formed.

3. Roll the dough to a thickness of 5mm then use biscuit cutters to cut into desired shape such as Easter eggs, chicks or bunnies. Place the biscuits on a non-stick mat or baking paper and bake on the middle shelf for 12-15 minutes until they are golden in colour. Leave biscuits to cool completely before decorating.

4. Add 1 egg white to 600g of icing sugar and beat until smooth. Spoon mixture into a piping bag - the icing should pipe smoothly and be able to

Top Tip

If you don’t have biscuit cutters in the shapers you require, simply draw or print the ones you need and cut out the dough around them.

hold when piped as a line – and pipe around the edge of the biscuits. To cover all the biscuits with icing add extra egg white to thin the mixture. Decorate and enjoy!

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!

Invite you to join the Easter Journey on Good Friday 7 April at noon in The Cornmarket, Romsey

and to any of the Romsey Churches for their Easter celebra�ons – see the web sites for details

Romsey Abbey

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

Romsey Methodist Church Elim Church, Romsey

Freedom Church

Romsey Bap�st Church

www.romseyabbey.org.uk

www.stswithunwellsparish.org.uk

www.romseymethodist.church

www.elimchurchromsey.com

www.freedomchurch.uk

www.romseybap�st.church

Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey

Spot the difference solutions

www.abbeyurc.org.uk

Puzzle Page Answers

Quick Crossword Solution #026

Answers:

Across: 2. Sew, 5. Bleach, 7. Earbud, 9. Weave, 10. Carom, 11. Append, 12. Marina, 14. Target, 18. Attire, 21. Leapt, 22. Cubit, 23. Agenda, 24. Noodle, 25. Nod. Down: 1. Blowup, 2. Shield, 3. Webcam, 4. Summon, 6. Aware, 8. Rarer, 11. Act, 13. Age, 15. Allege, 16. Grain, 17. Titian, 18. Ascend, 19. Taboo, 20. Rattle 1.

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