Retail/On Your Highstreet

Andrew Smith & Son Auctioneers

Fine Art, Asian Art, Antiques, Interiors & Collectables - Tue 15th / Wed 16th Dec Itchen Stoke, Alresford, SO24 0QT Tel:01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

on your highstreet

#shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses

Fowler & Smith

Furniture, Antiques, Collectables & More. Free order to SO24 postcodes, for all orders placed at www.fowlerandsmith.co.uk | 30 Broad Street, Alresford D.Barker & Son

Ti Sento Set: ‘Ti Sento Milano Silver Bangles with FREE Jewellery Case – £299 Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

Face Matters SkinHealth

The Ultimate Face Work Out - Work It - Face Food Serum, Gua Sha, Bag kit - £55 M: 07887 878567 | www.sallycurson.co.uk

Delilah Boutique

Faux Fur Coat £105. Also available in grey, navy and cream. 34 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 738470 | Delilah Boutique

Louisa Slade

Colombian Emerald and 18ct Gold Ring £2100, Size O - 3 Bakehouse Yard, Alresford Tel: 07747 794619 | www.louisaslade.com

The Alresford Gift Shop

A huge range of Christmas packs and single cards. Shop safely in store or online. Tel: 01962 732192 | www.alresfordgiftshop.co.uk

Alresford Beauty

Penguin Hand Wash, Vanilla Flavour 250ml - £5.95 Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk Black Crystal Heart Studs £8.95 and matching necklace £11.75. Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Alresford Beauty

Faux Fur Hat £19.95 and matching scarf - £13.95 (Also available in grey). Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk Alresford Beauty

Clarins Eau Dynamisante Christmas Gift Box - £36.00 Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Alresford Beauty

Beard Brush - £7.95 Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk Alresford Beauty

Robin Shopping Bag with Zip top and shoulder straps - £13.95. Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk Alresford Beauty

Pocket Hand Sanatisers - £2.99 Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

alresford beauty

#shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses

Alresford Beauty

Beauty of Bath Diffusers - £16.95 Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk Alresford Beauty

Christmas Scarf with Robins and Puds - £8.95 (also available in red) Shop instore or online Tel: 01962 735553 | www.shop.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Alresford Rotary December 2020

Christmas Trees

As reported last month Alresford Rotary decided not to hold its annual early December Broad Street sale of Christmas trees this year, having carried out a detailed risk assessment and concluding reluctantly that it could not be satisfied that the normal selling site at the top of Broad Street would be sufficiently Covid “safe”, taking into consideration not only its responsibilities to its customers but also to all others passing along the east side of Broad Street during the sale. Endeavours to find a more secure site for the tree sale proved unsuccessful. Alresford Rotary also took into account the fact that as a charity it could not take the risk of committing itself to buying some 200 trees and then, complying with Covid restrictions / guidance, being unable to sell them and making a financial loss, reducing its ability to make charitable donations. This was before the second national lockdown was announced and what the position will be on what would have been the sale date (5th December) can only be a matter of conjecture. Since making its decision Rotary understands that the Town Trustees have given permission for H. Watson Gardening Limited to sell trees at the top of Broad Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 5th and 12th December

This Year, Next Year …

2020 has been a year like none other for Alresford Rotary. No “Quiz of the Year”, no Christmas tree sale, a “virtual” 10k run and a “virtual” firework display (still available to watch on the Alresford Rotary website). Supported by Churches Together in Alresford and others local schools, organisations and individuals have enabled us to remember disadvantaged children in eastern Europe and beyond by providing shoeboxes of gifts although lockdown now means that those gifts will not now be leaving the UK until January, or later, missing Christmas but not affecting the joy of a child receiving a gift for the first time in its life.

We hope to be back with all our normal events and community activities as soon as “normal” returns and in the meantime Alresford Rotary is here to support the community through the current times and is always looking for new ideas for events and activities whilst our normal events are on hold. That said Alresford Rotary now has a membership of about 15 – less than half of what it was when I joined nearly 15 years ago. At that time I was about 50 and the second youngest member of the club. 15 years on I’m still the second youngest member of the club and we want and need to increase Rotary’s membership, reduce its age profile and broaden its diversity!

Rotary is a dual gender club – Alresford only has one female member at present. We want to change that! Membership of Rotary and participation in its events need not be expensive. About £10 per month covers necessary subscriptions. Attendance at meetings is no longer compulsory and once “normal” returns Zoom meetings are likely to continue to be the most common mode of meeting, maybe with a meeting with a meal once a month or so. Without increased membership and support Alresford will not be able to continue to put on “probably the best firework display in mid Hampshire” and make the significant contribution it does to the Alresford area whilst supporting individuals and local, national and international charities. If you care about your community and do not want to see Alresford Rotary die please contact us!!

James Pinniger www.alresfordrotary.co.uk rotaryalresford@gmail.com

Alresford Chamber of Commerce

Market Town Events Alresford Ghost Hunt 2020 Congratulations to Sam & William who won our Ghost Hunt. Thank you to all who braved the weather to hunt the ghosts, smiling faces were reported around town. Sam has a voucher to spend in Tiffin tearooms which stock his favourite salted caramel ice cream. And William will be collecting a pet toy from Alresford Pet Shop. Thank you to all the children (SunHill Infants) who entered ghosts.

Lighting up Alresford Our thanks to the Team of Chamber members & The PIGS for their tremendous work ensuring that we can light up Alresford this December. The focus has been to comply with all the Health & Safety & Covid - 19 regulations, whilst being able to put up as many trees as possible, so the main streets have been prioritised this year. Look out for Late Night Shopping - details will be posted on the website

Covid-19 – Impact to Businesses Work has been ongoing keeping our members updated with the latest developments over Covid-19 restrictions, grants & supporting members with individual enquires. Liaising with Winchester Council economic teams & MP Steve Brine to support Business Grant applications.

Together we are stronger Keep track of our events, follow us on Facebook Twitter & Instagram @AlresfordChamberofCommerce / AlresfordCofC / info@alresfordchamber. co.uk /www.alresfordchamber.co.uk Any companies wishing to participate, sponsor or advertise on these events please do contact us.

Davina – Chamber Secretary

Alresford Antiques Fair

Saturday 12 December Alresford Antiques Fair We look forward to seeing you. The Fair is held in Alresford Community Centre in the centre of the High Street, usually on the third Saturday of the month. This month we're on the second Saturday and our next fair is on 16 January. We offer a wide range of Decorative, Interesting and Unusual items including good quality Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, Militaria and Books. We will also buy. Free Admission. Limited Free Parking nearby & a large car park at the Station.

Open: 9.30am - 5.00pm. Contacts: Carol - 01264 335769 / 07870 432805 Steve - 01722 712267 / 07915 663251

Winchester Council update December 2020

COVID-19 Update: Here we are again, back in lockdown; Is your support network in place? After having checked my patch in Alresford I am cautiously optimistic that we can cover all needs, with some contingency for illness. A valid point was made by one street coordinator, she is quite happy to organise, but with children in the house she feels it is not safe to handle goods that are to be delivered to vulnerable residents. Those who organise also have their place in the firmament.

The incessant number of new rules, changes to them and the lack of detail about them, continues to make it difficult to give advice, or even to know to whom to refer questions. The latest rules can be seen at https://www. gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictionsfrom-5-november. Once again, these are short on detail.

Money: The new lockdown will cause yet more and as yet hard to predict damage to the city’s income. It is still not clear how much we will be eventually refunded by the central government. All this adds considerably to the problem of creating a realistic budget for 2020-21. Undoubtedly a challenging task, but it will be done.

Street Surgeries: It was a pleasure to be out meeting people again, not only for the usual friendly chats but also to deal with the considerable amount of casework that had been ‘waiting until I saw you’. All this now has to stop until the end of the second lockdown. We can only sort out the issues and concerns of residents if we are told of them, so please contact us by email or phone, until we can restart our surgeries either in the street, or as in the past, indoors.

The usual pattern of housing problems, lack of neighbourliness, and our old friends, planning and enforcement have changed slightly. The increase in housing and neighbour trouble can be directly linked to our spending more time at home, the increase in environmental nuisance is beyond my logic, perhaps everybody is just a little more grumpy. The street surgeries are of course, now suspended. We hope for not too long. The development of a new vaccine is perhaps a glimmer of hope on the horizon of a rather dark night.

Green Waste bins: This programme is being rolled out early and they will be collected on the same schedule as green waste bags.

The Tip: The deputation that went to Hampshire County Council to point out the lack of equality of prohibiting pedestrian access to the Tip, but allowing cars was politely received. There is still no sign of action. Many people are further frustrated that it is empty most of the time, since apparently the list of appointments is closed the previous evening and no appointments are available thereafter. Surely HCC cannot be so cynical that since their poor management and unjust rules have led to a decline in use, that they will use the lack of users as an excuse to close the site? Parking Strategy for Alresford: This was promised more than three years ago and started in February. Officers developing this are involved in the Covid SD changes to highways. Staff have been under immense workload, reacting to ever changing directives, I hesitate to ask for action on this when our priorities need to be on supporting others.

Covid travel Map https:// hantscovidtravelmap.commonplace.is/ comments

There was tremendous input locally to suggestions for making it easier to walk and cycle. None of the suggestions for Alresford & Itchen Valley were put forward for central government funding. A great shame as it was an opportunity to resolve several issues that make it so unattractive, or downright dangerous to walk or cycle and to leave the car at home. A lowering of speed limits would emphasise the comfort and safety of pedestrians over the convenience of motorists.

Margot Power 01962 734167 Russell Gordon -Smith 01962 733219

The Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, Alton

Christmas Goodies The Museum has a range of Stocking Filler toys on sale, and Local Charity cards for Treloars and the Cardiac Re-Hab Unit. In the Gallery you can find Christmas Cards and some charming decorations, as well as ceramic and wooden items for a special present.

Allen Gallery Please see our website to book your visit www.hampshireculture.org.uk/allen-gallery Pots and Pilgrims Exhibition 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the journey of the Mayflower and the settlement of Plymouth Colony in 1620. This journey, along with the founding of the earlier English colony of Jamestown, is considered one of the most significant, if controversial, events in the story of modern America.

Archaeological excavations have taken place on these sites for over a 100 years revealing objects typical of those you would expect to find in a 17th century English village. The bulk of the material found is pottery, and a lot of that pottery, called Border Ware, came from the kilns of the Hampshire/ Surrey border. This exhibition uses material from collections in the care of Hampshire Cultural Trust to tell the story of how the early colonists carried a cultural life support system with them on their journey. Objects that reveal as much about their ties to the old world as their struggles in adapting to the new.

In the Main Exhibition Area till December 19th. FREE

The Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire (01420 82802) www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk Curtis Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm. Allen Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.30 – 3.30pm

Alresford Surgery News

Before attending the surgery The surgery is extremely busy with an increased workload & additional pressures. We are unable to lock our doors like we did previously so please do consider carefully how vital your visit to us is. Our dispensary has been constantly busy throughout Covid and due to social distancing measures are working in smaller teams. Prescriptions take 72 hours to be processed, please do not call, email or attend the dispensary asking for you prescription before the 72 hours has passed, as it will not be ready early!

When attending the Surgery, if the waiting area appears busy & social distancing difficult, then please wait outside until more space is available.

Please do not come into the surgery if you have any of the following; • A high temperature or fever • A new continuous cough • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Please stay at home and use the following website for further help. 111.nhs.uk/covid-19

You need to be wearing a face covering/mask before entering the building, even if collecting a prescription.

To ensure there are as few patients in the building as possible, • Do not attend more than 5 minutes before your appointment time. • You should attend the surgery alone, unless you need an essential carer or parent/guardian to accompany you.

Any enquiries relating to appointments, repeat medications or otherwise please telephone (01962 732345) rather than attending the reception desk. Flu clinics 2020 November/December We now have flu vaccine available for patients who are aged 65 and over so please book an appointment if you have not already done so. For patients who are under 65 and at risk, we are expecting another delivery the last week in November and we have Friday morning clinics scheduled in December. These clinics are only for those patients under 65 who we have previous contacted by text or letter. Please be aware that these may need to be cancelled if the vaccine delivery does not arrive but we will be happy to book you in for now. At the time of writing (early November) we still have no guidance or vaccine allocation for patients who are aged 50-64 not at risk. Please do not telephone the surgery as we are unable to provide this service at the moment. We await government guidance and will respond appropriately as soon as we are able so please be patient. Staff Retirement This month we will be saying goodbye to one of our long-standing members of staff. Debra Lain joined us in 2004 as a Receptionist but her organization skills and attention to detail meant that she was soon moved on to become firstly, Assistant Practice Manager and latterly, Patient Services Manager. Amongst other things Debra has been running our flu vaccination campaign for a number of years. This year’s campaign has been the biggest and most complex ever and we applaud Debra for the huge effort she has put into this project. In addition, Debra has also kept track of our child immunisation programme, Better Health and all the other investigations that patients might have on an annual, bi-annual or five yearly basis. Needless to say, Debra has been a lynch pin in ensuring our clinical staff know exactly what they need to be doing and she will leave an impressive legacy in terms of our recall systems and we all hope she has a long, happy and healthy retirement. Blood test appointments The surgery is under a lot of additional pressures and is extremely busy. Please be mindful when booking a blood test appointment that if we cannot offer you an appointment in the time frame you require, that you can access blood test’s at Royal Hampshire County Hospital and this will help alleviate some pressure on the surgery. It is easy & straight forward to book a blood test appointment at Royal Hampshire County Hospital either online or via telephone. Please use the link below for more information; https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/ourservices/az-departments-and-specialties/ pathology-inc-blood-tests/blood-tests Christmas wishes May we take this opportunity to wish all our patients a very happy Christmas & a healthy New Year from all the staff & partners at Alresford Surgery.

The Alresford Surgery Station Road, Alresford, SO24 9JL Telephone: 01962 732345 www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

Keeping well this winter

As the colder weather starts to set in, there are lots of things you can do to keep healthy and well this winter.

Keeping your body healthy in winter As people age their immune system becomes weaker and we can lose muscle mass and so here are some tips to help boost our immune systems and stay healthy • Keep Active – try to move around once an hour, even if it’s only for a short walk to and from the kitchen to put the kettle on • Eat well and regularly – make sure you have plenty of food at home or have arranged meal deliveries • Keep hydrated – there is still the risk of dehydration even in the colder months • Get your free flu jab • Keep warm – layering is the best way to keep warm and set your heating timer to ensure your home is warm when it is coldest

Keeping your mind healthy and your spirits up in winter Winter can be a difficult time but there are lots of ways to keep our minds active and our spirits up • Keep to a routine – Routine is a great way to

give us some certainty in uncertain times and helps us plan for the week ahead • Keep connected – Keep up the connection with family and friends. Arrange regular visits (if possible due to Covid-19 restrictions) or arrange regular phone and video calls. Age Concern Hampshire can also help to put you in touch with a befriender. • Stay active – exercise is well known to give our mental health a boost and so a small amount of exercise is good for our bodies and our minds. This may be a short walk around the garden or even some armchair exercises. • Get Help – if you are finding things particularly tough, are feeling lonely or isolated or need help, reach out to family, friends or your GP for support. • Do something you enjoy – find time for hobbies you enjoy or perhaps try a new hobby. • There are lots of resources available to keep our minds active, from crosswords, quizzes and games to online exhibitions and events.

Try something new!

Alternatively, contact your local Village Agent, Denise on: 07969 376023 Village Agents are volunteers who can help you find information and local services that will enable you to stay living safely and independently.