Itchen Valley Forum - August 2021

ISSUE 176 AUGUST 2021

Forum ITCHEN VALLEY

Life in your Community

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

WITHIN TENT

ROCK OF AGES

ARTS & CULTURE FEATURE

Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings with BBQ Sauce

By Lucia Foster-Found

Hampshire Hidden Aquifer

Winchester Heritage Open Days & Hampshire Open Studios

STYLE ˙ INTERIORS ˙ HEALTH & BEAUTY ˙ INTERVIEWS ˙ FOOD & DRINK ˙ ENTERTAINMENT ˙ EVENTS Cover Image: Bishop's Sutton, looking toward Alresford

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ITCHEN VALLEY FORUM AUGUST 2021

CONTENTS 06 Property Management

Buying, selling, letting?

Find local estate agents and property management services

44 Leisure & Entertainment

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47 Wellbeing

Looking after your health and yourself!

06 Culture

Music, Art, Literature and Dance

49 Motoring

12 Home

Trades, services, designers, All you need for your home

Within Tent by Lucia Foster-Found

Why do you keep your bread-maker in the garage

55 Education

23 Professional Services

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

24 Feature

Local services to keep your vehicle running

42 Feature

20 Feature

Discover local events and days out in

Chalk Stream Protection

by Garry Honey

Find local schools and educational experts

24 42

Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

Unit 8A, Shelf House, New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QH Tel: 01962 735137 www.forumpublications.co.uk

The Itchen Valley Forum contains facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, advertisements and other content and links to external websites not owned or controlled by the magazine.

Itchen Valley Forum takes reasonable efforts to include accurate, current information on its pages, but make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, safety or value of the published items that are displayed. No liability or responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions in magazine content. Itchen Valley Forum magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the user’s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household © Forum Publications Ltd, 2021

Make your garden dream come true Rock of Ages - Hampshire Hidden Aquifer

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Eat out, stay in: food, drink and dining in

Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings

Graphic Designer James Curtis james@forumpublications.co.uk

Get in Touch

Our regular retail feature, Unique, Bespoke, Eclectic and Local shopping

42 Recipe of the Month

Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

Forum Publications Offices

42 Food & Drink

Director of Marketing Rob Harrison rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk

www. luciafosterfound.com

40 Feature

Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

Lucia Foster-Found

35 Garden

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors

28 Retail

The Team

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COMMUNITY

St. Peter's Church Ropley Fundraising Events

We are so delighted that an anonymous person in the village has agreed to match up to 50K of our fundraising before the 21st of September, so the race is on!

Event 1

Zoom Talk and Q&A Session with Nicholas Claxton - The Emmy Award-Winning Producer / Director Kindly supported by Hellards Estate Agents Thursday 2nd September 2021 from 6.30pm – 7.30pm about his 60-minute documentary made for BBC1, Winnie Mandela & The Missing Witness. The Documentary was a Grand Trophy and Gold Medallist Winner at the New York International Film & TV Festival and is available and recommended to watch before the talk at: https://youtu.be/4ZxtEt_XhlE. Among Nicholas’s many credits are his films and documentaries; Apartheid’s Assassins, Suffer the Children, Cry Ethiopia Cry (aka Seeds of Despair), Linda McCartney Behind the Lens, The Rhythm Of Life –The Forbidden Journey, Edward Goldsmith, The Green Revolutionary and Sharkwatch.

His knowledge of South Africa is matched by his working knowledge and experience in the Middle East. He is a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society and, together with the late Mark Shand, a co-founder and Trustee of the Charity Elephant Family Tickets are £10.00 from:

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www.stpetersropley.org.uk All funds made by this event will be generously matched by an anonymous donor.

Event 2

Ropley Mega Car Boot Sale Sunday 5th September 2021 at Station Hill, Ropley, SO24 0BL (Just off the A31).

Suggested adult entrance charge £1.00 per person - Gates open for buyers at 8.30am– 12.00 noon. Tickets for sellers from: www.stpetersropley.org.uk Enquiries: ropley.carboot@outlook.com Do come and have a great time! Burgers and Ice Cream available. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be generously matched by an anonymous donor.

Event 3

Old Bags 2 Sale Designer, new and nearly new handbags, shoes, belts, scarves, jewellery and some clothes in aid of St Peter’s Church Ropley Appeal - Thursday 9th September 2021 At Ropley House, Berry Hill, Ropley, SO24 0EB. By kind permission of Mrs Sarah Habib. Champagne Lunch - 11.30am for12.30pm. Giving guests time to shop beforehand £30.00 tickets payable in advance please. Sale - 2.15pm -3.30pm Entry £5.00: to include tea and cake Champagne and Canape Reception 6.00pm – 8.00pm - £12.50 tickets payable in advance. Parking near the house Enquiries: please ring 01962 773749 Tickets available from: www.stpetersropley. org.uk. N.B. Please don’t forget to bring cash and cheque books. We regret that the venue is not suitable for mobile children.

Event 4

A Zoom Talk On Catherine The Great

by Douglas Skeggs On Friday 24th September at 7.00pm St Peter’s Church Ropley in aid of the rebuilding programme. Kindly supported

By Hellards Estate Agents, Alresford Douglas read Fine Art at Cambridge and has been a lecturer on paintings since 1980. He has given over 8000 lectures to universities, colleges and art societies. He was the director of The New Academy of Art Studies and is presently a lecturer at The Study Center, Christie's course 'The History of Art Studies' and other London courses. Among his more improbable venues for lectures are the bar on the QE2, MI5 headquarters, the Captain's Room at Lloyds, and an aircraft hangar in a German NATO base. He has lectured in Belgium, France, Germany and Spain, and has taken numerous tours around Europe.

He has written and presented various TV documentaries, the Omnibus programme on Whistler and the exhibition video on William Morris. Three one-man exhibitions of his paintings have been held in England and Switzerland. He has published five novels, which have been translated into 8 foreign languages, and his book on Monet, River of Light, has sold 30,000 copies in England, America and France.

Tickets are £10.00, please go to www.stpetersropley.org.uk

Remember All funds made for these events will be matched by a generous anonymous donor, so please help us raise as much as possible!

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COMMUNITY / PROPERTY

John's Gospel Chapter 4 - Verse 42 ''Now we believe, not because of what you have said; for we have heard Him (Jesus) ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world'' The Apostle Paul's letter to 1 Timothy, Timothy 1:15 ''....Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief''.

Question!

Is Jesus your Saviour?

NEW FARM CHAPEL New Farm Road, Alresford, Hampshire Sunday Services 10.30am and 4.30pm Tel:07447 158058 For any who wish to zoom, please ask for the zoom link via our website www.newfarmchapel.org.uk

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Sales | Property Management | Lettings Sales | Property Management | Lettings

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With more and more people seeking a quieter pace of life, and with many employees now able to work from home, we are currently receiving an unprecedented number of enquiries from people looking for quality homes to buy and let in the Alresford area.

Whether you are selling a house in the town, or letting a cottage in one of the surrounding villages, our team of dedicated sales and lettings professionals, with their extensive local knowledge and personal approach, are well placed to look after all your property requirements.

If you are looking for straightforward advice, and like the idea of a locally-based estate agent, please phone us, or pop in to our Broad Street office, to chat with one of our friendly team.

We hope to hear from you soon!

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CULTURE

Winchester Heritage Open Days

T

10th-19th September 2021

he sixth year of Heritage Open Days is nearly here, and they are fun, fabulous and FREE! Building on the success of the ‘pandemic’ festival in 2020, which attracted a global audience, the programme for 2021 is a hybrid of in-person and digital events. Now run by Hampshire History Trust, a new, exciting Charitable Incorporated Organisation established to celebrate the rich and diverse history and heritage of the county of Hampshire, plans are to expand Heritage Open Days into a wider ‘festival’, to introduce community projects such as a Blue Plaque scheme and further develop the brilliant Hampshire HistBites podcasts. For more information visit their website at www.hampshirehistorytrust.com

The festival is organised and run entirely by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who all give up their time for free. We are grateful to them and to the many businesses, organisations and individuals for their goodwill and generosity, particularly our lead sponsor, Winchester College for its ongoing support and for opening its doors to so many wonderful events.

We look forward to welcoming you to Winchester Heritage Open Days.

Here are just some of this year’s highlights...

For this year’s Open Days, the national team have set a challenge for event organisers across the country to encompass the theme of Edible England. And Hampshire has accepted the challenge!

The festival will share the broadest possible spectrum of events and stories, from revealing culinary tastes of the past to going behind-thescenes of modern production methods – and everything in-between.

All this in addition to many more events that will draw people’s interest into Winchester and its surrounds!

Digital events will include pre-recorded walks and talks, live streaming of lectures and performances, and specially commissioned films and audio available on Winchester Heritage Open Days’ very own YouTube and podcast channels. There will also be a wide range of great in-person events to enjoy. With performances, exhibitions, activities, talks and tours, you are bound to find something to appeal to you and your family. Why not invite friends who are not lucky enough to live in Hampshire to come and join in the fun – virtually or in-person?

Not surprisingly, tickets are in high demand for special one-off events and the much-coveted behind-the scenes tours of buildings not normally open to the public. Do visit the website and book early to avoid disappointment.

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• • •

• •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Winchester College Guided Tours ‘Unlocking the secrets of Abbey Gardens and Mill’ Tour 2Time Theatre’s performance of ‘Pies & Prejudice’ at Abbey House Moon Roast Coffee Heritage & Roastery Tour ‘Canon Street 100 years ago’ walking tour with John Pilkington Sir Harold Hillier Gardens ‘Founders Favourites’ Tour Hyde900 medieval tile-making workshop Whitchurch Silk Mill Food Festival Longstock Water Gardens Tour at Leckford Estate ‘Discover England’s Lost Spices’ at Proudfoot & Co Winchester High Street Edible England Trail ‘Creating with Costumes and Resurrecting Recipes’ Westgate and City Museum Open Days Hospital of St Cross Open Day Romsey Signal Box Winchester Muse Poetry at St Lawrence Church Gilbert White’s Brewhouse The Great Hall ‘Feast and Famine’ Historical Tour In Jane Austen’s Footsteps: Chawton Village Guided Walk

Our online box office is now open for bookings.

Please visit the website for more information www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/the-2021-festival

10th-19th September 2021

Still fun, fabulous and free Join us again as we journey behind closed doors and share tales of the past through walks, talks, exhibitions, performances, workshops and tours.

Building on the success of 2020, which had a global audience, this year’s Heritage Open Days offers a hybrid of in-person and digital events. Many of them you will be able to just turn up to on the day, but others will need to be booked in advance through our online box office.

Sign up to our newsletter and look out for activities and great resources being shared on our website, social media accounts and podcast channel.

www.facebook.com/winchesterhods

For more information on all events and to

@WinchesterHods

find out about volunteer opportunities, visit:

@winchesterhods

www.winchesterheritageopendays.org

9

CULTURE

Hampshire Open Studios Hampshire Open Studios is an annual art trail where the visiting public can meet artists in their homes, studios and galleries free of charge - 21st to 30th August 2021

W

ith over 250 venues open, in the ten days leading up to bank holiday Monday 30th August, visitors can get the opportunity to meet the makers direct and learn more about the work. Our colour catalogue has more details or view online – if you are not sure where to start some mini-trails have been suggested for each area around the county. Visitors can also enter a prize draw to win £100 towards artwork from your favourite Hampshire Open Studios artist.

There are a wide variety of venues to see along with every type of art and craft on offer in the region, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery and many more. Entry is free and to find your nearest venue check the website or look out for the pink direction arrows that will guide you to the artists’ doors.

Some highlights across the Itchen Valley region With 30 venues in this area you are spoilt for choice. Winchester city centre has a cluster of venues in close proximity including new venue The Colour Factory which is a short ten-minute walk from either high street or the railway station.

Artist Karen Eames, based in Chalkhill Studio Olivers Battery, exhibits emotive and expressive paintings (pictured). Karen is a contemporary artist who draws on observations and her memories.

Building layers of oil, cold wax and mixed media to provide a sense of place - excavating layers of paint in her local landscapes and seascapes.

In Alresford you also have lots to choose from, maybe start with the busy group show from Salisbury Arts Scene with their art to inspire!

Including artists Karen Welsh, Debra Sweeney, Lucy Shapland, Jane Walker, Painting by Karen Eames Caroline Curtis, Melissa Wadsworth, George Shapland, Geraldine McLoughlin, Sarah Hobley, Sally Edwards – who work with acrylic, oil, charcoal, wood, glass, sculpture and photography.

Also nearby are artists Julie and Ted Hepenstal who open their garden studio with a variety of paintings using acrylics, oils and gouache. Landscapes, townscapes, seascapes and still life celebrating colour, light and texture.

Penny Metcalfe’s artwork is inspired by landscapes and the natural world, reflecting a passion for colour and evoking a sense of place and emotion. She is also displaying ceramic sculptures based on organic form and quirky idiosyncratic figures.

In Bishops Sutton artist Michael Dudfield exhibits large centre piece ocean wave paintings. Everything from crashing ocean waves, surf spray, to tranquil ocean ripple paintings. Michael says ‘My great passions are windsurfing and painting. I like to splash colour onto the canvas and create a painting that evokes a happy or excited emotion or a painting that triggers a memory. I particularly like to paint seascapes and figures’.

The Colour Factory in Gordon Road, Winchester

Their gallery and shop will be selling jewellery, wearable objects, paintings, prints, greeting cards, lamps, shades and craft kits. All work is original and hand made by the studio artists including Rachel Alexander, Jessica Marie, Jenny Muncaster, Rosie Parmley, Mia Preston, Emily Smith and Carol Wade.

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Go to the Hampshire Open Studios website www. hampshireopenstudios.org.uk to find all the maps, access information and opening times for each venue in your area. Artists are very much looking forward to inviting you once again to their studios and galleries. They will be making every effort for your visit to be enjoyable, creative and safe. Visiting guidance will be on the website so please do check that to help you make the most of your days out!

Hampshire’s largest open studio event

Over 250 artist venues and galleries to visit free of charge

Saturday 21st - Bank Holiday Monday 30th August

www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk

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COMMUNITY Climate Action Now!

Alresford Rotary - August 2021 10k run - 20th June

Since 2008 Alresford Rotary’s principal summer event has been the staging of a 10k road Race attracting both serious runners from all over Hampshire and beyond and “fun” runners from the local community. This year with Covid restrictions continuing to apply the normal races in Arlebury Park for children couldn’t take place and the 10k race was conducted under strict U. K. Athletics guidelines placing limitations on changing rooms, water points and prize giving, to reduce the risk of infection for all involved.

Wessex Pharmacy donated hand sanitiser for all.

It is difficult to avoid hearing about climate change in the media these days. We have seen fewer butterflies, swifts and swallows this summer. Perhaps, like me, you sadly accept that we are living through the start of a climate and ecological crisis that we can no longer ignore. Wildlife needs food and habitat if it is to survive, and people have the same needs.

The government has recently declared a 6th Carbon Budget that would take the UK to net zero carbon emissions in 2050. A climate emergency was declared in Winchester District and in Hampshire in 2019. The question for many of us is “What do I do?”

I suggest that talking about climate change in your community is a great place to start. It feels such a huge topic, but perhaps it would help your friends and neighbours to talk about how they feel about the crises too.

Out of so many actions we could take, what are the most important? Which will have the greatest effect in reducing climate change? You can find out the biggest sources of carbon emissions in your community on a new website: Impact | Community carbon calculator (impact-tool.org.uk) . Type in the name of your parish or ward and look at “consumption” first (not territorial). It is well worth exploring this website.

Parish Councillors in the district and community groups taking climate action have been invited to join in Winchester Climate Action Network (WeCAN) this summer. Climate Action Days are being planned for the autumn. Please contact your parish council if you would like to take part in planning climate action to take your community on a journey to a zero carbon future. For further information see https://www.winacc.org.uk/wecan/ Clare Shorter, WinACC Volunteer contactus@winacc.org.uk

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This year there was a field of 235 runners, less than half the number in a “normal” year”, the majority of who were Hampshire club runners that had carried over their places from 2020 when the race had to be cancelled under the Covid restrictions. On the day the weather was almost ideal for running, overcast and damp.

The start saw the runners spacing themselves out across the park and taking their time to cross the line in a very well-behaved and good natured procession. Once on the road, heading out of Alresford to Abbotstone and back, the pace picked up and the race winner Phil Bernsten crossed the line in an impressive 33 minutes 10 seconds, more than 2 minutes ahead of James Moore and Ben Saunby. The women’s race was won by Alice Burch in 41 minutes 22 seconds, closely followed by Sarah Flannigan and Emma Carter.

Instead of medals, all of the runners received a home-baked cookie made by Becky Smith of the Arlebury Cafe and sponsored

by Butler and Co Accountants. Age category prize winners were given mini hampers of local produce, with the second place runners getting a box of delicious chocolates from local chocolatiers Chocolate Craft. Water for the event was provided

by The Naked Grape and Fyffes Bananas made sure no one went hungry after their run. The race numbers were provided

by Prospect Fencing. Other sponsors and supporters included Service Point, Tesco, No.32 Broad Street, Charters, Venn & Sons Ltd, Station Mill, Arlebury Bar and Winchester Blinds and Shutters - Supported by students from Perins School, other local volunteers and generous sponsors the event enabled Alresford Rotary to raise a significant sum for charity in a year in which fund raising has understandably been challenging. If you or your business wish to be involved in supporting next year’s race (a Hampshire Road Race League race on Sunday 19th June) or to be associated with supporting any of its other activities Alresford Rotary would be delighted to hear from you!

The Return of “(Probably) Mid Hampshire’s Quiz of the Year”

Alresford Rotary’s popular quiz returns to Itchen Abbas Village Hall on Friday 8th October 2021. Book early to avoid disappointment! Tables of 6. £12.50 per person to include hot supper. Licenced bar. To book or for further details please contact wjrp@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01962 738788 www.alresford-rotary.org rotaryalresford@gmail.com Tel: 07753 998829

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COMMUNITY Revamped museum opens in South Downs National Park

Petersfield Museum is back open for visitors following a major £4m redevelopment.

Visitors will find stunning collections and galleries as its buildings have been

New enchanting composition captures the beauty of South Downs National Park A captivating classical musical score set to breathtaking scenery has been created to mark the 10th anniversary of the South Downs National Park. The original composition has been produced by Sussex composer Ed Hughes, alongside some of the finest musicians in the UK. Stunning high-resolution visuals of the South Downs – including bluebell woods, sweeping vistas, sunflower fields and star-studded night skies – provide a thrilling backdrop to the music. The inspiring piece marks the 10th anniversary of the South Downs National Park, which last year celebrated a decade since being created and, this year, is marking its 10th year of being fully operational.

Ed Hughes, Professor of Composition at the University of Sussex, specially recorded the score with the New Music Players in a socially distanced recording session in London in March 2021. The melodies and rhythms of his music directly reflect his experience of walking the South Downs Way. His research in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities at the university has included previous collaborations with filmmakers on music and the moving image. Explaining his influences

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transformed and an exciting new outdoor space created in the courtyard.

The museum tells a cohesive story of Petersfield and its neighbouring villages over the last 10,000 years.

Visitors will be able to learn more through: • A wonderful film featuring Museum • Patron Daniel Day Lewis reading the poetry of Edward Thomas creates a sense of history and place about Petersfield’s location in the South Downs National Park • New galleries charting life in rural England from the Palaeolithic era to the modern day, and everything in between • A glimpse into the harshness of Victorian justice and how things have changed today through the original courtroom and police cells that form part of the site of the Museum • Learn about how geography, people and place all shape how and where we live

for the music, Ed, who is based in Lewes, said: “The sense of scale and the vistas in the South Downs landscape are very special to me.

“It’s a wonderful place which offers walkers a sense of home through repetition and familiarity but with endless variations of light, shape and colours – which feels musical to me.

‘In addition, a couple of years ago, I studied some Sussex folksongs transcribed by Butterworth in 1912, while working on a piece for a fine Sussex ensemble ‘The Corelli Ensemble’. Something of the lyrical sensibility in these songs have shaped the tunes, melodies and harmonies in my recent music. So this new composition is shaped by my personal experience of the South Downs and perhaps some of the songs and music associated with it.”

As well as the film, the music is also included in a new series of downloadable audio walking experiences in which people can explore Ditchling and Ditchling Beacon, in East Sussex, accompanied by the orchestral music.

Developed in partnership with the Ditching Museum of Art + Craft and launched as part of the Brighton Festival last month, the audio experiences are available in the Echoes sound walk app (search for Brighton Festival).

The music follows Ed’s hugely successful Cuckmere: A Portrait – released three years ago and inspired by the haunting beauty of the Cuckmere Valley in the National Park.

Ed added: “The composition ranges from very clear and transparent harmonious music through passages which are more dense and complex. I personally like to compare these

• Fine examples of period dress from the Museum’s own Bedales Historic Costume Collection The work was supported by a £1.7m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Dan McWilliam, Museum Director said: “What started as a small collection of objects in a single room just over 22 years ago, is now a great example of a modern museum that reflects the history and stories of its local communities.

“It also tells the story of the place and how it has developed over time through the work of the talented and creative people that lived here.

“Petersfield Museum is a great family day out.”

To book a ticket visit www. petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

musical effects to changes in light and weather as you walk through changing landscape, with changing perspectives around you. So although music is its own medium, because it is time-based, I think it can convey something of the feeling of being on a journey or a ‘trail’.”

Aerial cinematographer Sam Moore, from Brighton, captured the amazing visuals.

He said: “The South Downs has been on my doorstop all of my life and being able to appreciate the views and capture them visually for this film was an amazing opportunity. Ed’s music was very inspirational and, alongside capturing the stunning vistas of the South Downs, more abstract visuals could be used which perfectly blends with his music.”

Trevor Beattie, Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, added: “It has been a real privilege for us to work with Ed on this spectacular score. His uplifting, inspiring music perfectly captures the rolling landscape of the South Downs and the busy variety of its flora and fauna. It is a fitting celebration of both the landscape and the first ten years of the nation’s newest National Park.

“During all the difficulties and pressures of the past year so many people have discovered that the South Downs National Park is a place to connect with nature and restore ourselves. Ed’s music encapsulates this spirit of discovery and wellbeing. Listen, enjoy and explore.”

The South Downs National Park was officially created on 31 March, 2010, and became operational as a National Park, with the SDNPA set up and running, on 31 March, 2011.

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M

Within Tent © LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2021

um got back in the car. “Are we there yet?” It was her turn to ask; the kids, sat in the back seat were beyond caring. “That’s the fourth gate we’ve come through.”

“One more gate. It’s the next field, with a stream running through it.” That was a relief; this one had cows running through it.

Arriving in their wild camping site, courtesy of a farmer friend, the tent set-up was slick, much-practised in the back garden during various lockdowns. Dad looked smug. The frequent and rigorous drills, to the accompaniment of plaintive cries from the kids of “what again?” and “must we?” had evidently paid off.

Mum and Dad had looked forward to a weekend al fresco, close to nature, punctuated by the sound of happy children’s laughter, the twittering of birds and the soothing patter of water over stones.

“It’ll be great” they said. “We’ll have such fun” they said…

Oh, who were they kidding? Their first day was just one long meal. No sooner had they eaten breakfast, than there were demands for a midmorning snack. Elevenses out of the way, it was time to think about lunch. Once they’d eaten that, the kids started to ask about tea. It was like camping with hobbits.

And the sounds punctuating the beautiful summer’s day were mainly squabbling over swingball and complaints there was no signal. The cows it seemed, had only recently vacated this field, so added to the bickering was a medley of “Mum! I’ve stepped in a cowpat/fallen in a cowpat.” And that old chestnut “Mum, he/she threw a cowpat at me...”

In between feeding the perpetually ravenous brood, Mum rinsed shoes and clothes in the stream, thinking fondly of the washing machine; practically the only thing they’d left at home. No matter whether you were going camping for three days or three months, it seemed the vast acreage of paraphernalia required remained the same.

In a fit of nostalgia, the parents had packed lo-tech games for their after dinner entertainment. They got as far as lighting a lamp and sitting at the table, before fleeing to the safety of the tent and its fly screens.

Too late; the swarming mosquitos had already feasted on their exposed body parts.

“What do they eat when they can’t get campers?” Mum mused, as a happy half hour spent anointing

20

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everyone’s bites, replaced the delights of draughts and dominoes.

That was when the earthquake happened. The tent rocked, bulged and vibrated. Grinding noises were heard. The children screamed.

Mum screamed. Dad used words his family didn’t know he knew.

They all fled outside where their new best friends, the mosquitos, were waiting for them. And also the cattle, who were paying a neighbourly visit through a hole in the hedge. Presumably because they too had enjoyed the attentions of the mosquitos, they were rubbing themselves enthusiastically against the car and had started on the tent.

No phone signal meant that Dad had to trek back through all five gates to get the farmer to entice his herd back to their own home and out of theirs.

The unfortunate tent didn’t survive the bovine affections so lavished upon it and a cramped night was spent in the car by all. Come morning, tired and scratching their bites, they emerged to a scene of devastation in the drizzle-laden dawn.

When Mum said “I’d make a cup of tea, but everything edible is missing and the cows have done something terminal to the stove” it seemed like the last straw. “Shall we pack up and go home?” she asked no-one in particular. Dad’s rather wan “Yes please..” which mirrored her own thoughts, was unexpectedly drowned out by cries of “No!” and “Not yet!” from the kids.

Whilst Mum lay on the back seat of the car and napped, Dad trudged off to the farmhouse to forage for food.

Meanwhile, back at the camp…

The kids built and lit a campfire - and constructed a bivvy alongside, using the remnants of the tent. “Bear Grylls” one said nonchalantly, “Ray Mears” shrugged the other, in response to their parents’ speechless look of amazement.

That night, after sausage and bean stew cooked by the children over the fire, the family bedded down in the cosy bivvy, untroubled by the mosquitos who were driven off by woodsmoke. As they played cards by the light of the lamp, the kids were already excitedly planning the next camping weekend with talk of crayfish traps and fishing tackle.

“It’ll be great” they said. “We’ll have such fun” they said…

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COMMUNITY Alresford Rugby Football Club Well, what a welcome back! Alresford RFC have taken the decision to offer this unique opportunity to senior players to play rugby and not have their bank account affected. We would like to extend this invitation to all current and potential new players for the upcoming season. Training has begun again at our NATTA ground on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and although numbers are encouraging, we extend a warm welcome to anybody that would like to put their boots on for the first time or wax them off and have one last bash.

Although player retention and recruitment are vital after the pandemic, ARFC’s sponsors are our lifeline and we are extremely fortunate to be financially aided by so many loyal and committed companies. Not only have we come through this trying time, but we’ve managed to add a lady’s team, the ‘Black Swans’, to our ever-expanding club. Led by Kerry Scoines, the numbers continue to grow and a date for your diary is Sunday 12th of September at 2pm when we will host an ‘Inner Warrior Camp’ that, according to England Rugby, is “great fun and rewarding, encouraging you to challenge yourself and learn new skills alongside other like-minded females”.

The fixture lists have been confirmed and we can now excitedly reveal our first two men’s games, unfortunately all away except the Vagrant’s Millbrook fixture: ARFC 1st XV 18/9 Ellingham 25/9 Havant 2

ARFC Vagrant’s 2nd XV 18/9 Isle of Wight 25/9 Millbrook

Our wonderful minis will resume fun coaching on our Arlebury Park pitches at 09.45am on Sunday the 5th of September.

Friendly fixtures are being discussed and we are likely to be playing at the back end of this month and in early September.

Details of all we do can be found on our website alresfordrfc. co.uk As part of the RFU’s support for a return to local rugby, we have signed-up for a “Pitch up for Rugby” day on Saturday 4th September at our Arlebury Park NATTA ground from 10 am.

We’re planning a full day of activities including minis, ladies and men’s rugby, the latter including a friendly fixture during the afternoon. We’ll be hosting a barbeque from lunchtime onwards and are aiming for a fun-based, rugby family day for all. We’ll provide details on our website and the RFU are planning a nationwide promotional campaign.

In the upcoming season, The Arlebury will host many club lunches, with dates to be announced and provided by Becky Smith and Leigh-Anne Rees, enthusiastically assisted by ex-captain, coach and player, Paul Rees. We think our rugby club is in good hands, both on and off the pitch, but please remember; however, pleased and excited we are to see live local rugby again, respect and humility are our watchwords for all interactions regarding Arlebury guests, spectators, players at all levels, officials and club house staff. We look forward to welcoming you back.

22

Rural Business Hub, Alresford The new local coworking space, Rural Business Hub, had its open day on 15th July which was a great success. They are taking over Gander Down Barns on Rodfield Lane, 3 barns set around a central courtyard, and are providing the local area with flexible workspace made up of desks, private offices/ rooms and meeting rooms.

The founder, Caroline Reeves, said “ It was lovely to put faces to names and for people to come and see our vision. We are delighted as the first offices and desks have already been reserved for September, when we officially open, so we are already on our way to building a little community.”

If you didn’t get a chance to go on the open day a viewing is highly recommended, get in touch with them directly at hub@ ruralbusinesshub.co.uk or 01264 736191.

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I am so pleased Mike has established an office in Alresford. I trust him implicitly and know his family & professional values will add much to the town’s financial & community health. You definitely feel that Mike is working on your behalf and his natural communication gives you the confidence we all need when making big financial decisions.

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23

FEATURE

Mike Faherty - Bishopstoke, River Itchen ©CC2.0

R

Chalk stream protection

esidents in the upper reaches of the Itchen, Test and Meon will be keenly aware of the unique and fragile beauty of chalk streams. They will also know that the Environment Agency (EA), tasked with monitoring water quality and protecting vulnerable ecosystems, has been underfunded for years. The same residents will be customers of Southern water, the utility recently fined a record sum for pollution of waterways through persistent release of untreated sewage ever since the law changed in 2010 to allow water companies to report their own pollution and so ‘mark their own homework’.

The Environment Agency has just concluded a seven-year investigation into 17 wastewater treatment plants operated

by Southern Water across Kent and Hampshire. The biggest investigation conducted by the EA found that corporate wrongdoing and cover-up was on a scale never before seen in the 25 years of the history of the EA. The court found ‘very serious widespread criminality’ and the company was fined £90m with a further £126m by Ofwat, but will this be sufficient to change management policy to responsibility for environmental protection?

Neither the EA not Ofwat have the remit to insist on management changes, as a private company it has a primary duty to its shareholders not the environment and, in the unique case of a

24

monopoly, certainly not its customers. The company admitted in Canterbury crown court to 51 counts of ‘knowingly permitting entry to coastal waters of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter and/or waste matter and/or sewage effluent, namely untreated sewage otherwise than as authorised by an environmental permit’.

There is an ongoing debate about the impact of fines on large corporations. They tend to get treated as an operational cost, and rarely lead to a change in culture or corporate behaviour. There will be promises to spend on infrastructure and plant to upgrade facilities, but as one business owner impacted by the sewage pollution said: ‘it seems to be cheaper for them to go to court and to face fines than to invest in the necessary improvements’.

Fortunately, the upper reaches of the Itchen, Test and Meon are not used for sewage outfall, but pity the residents of the Beaulieu river where raw sewage was released over 180 times for almost 4,000 hours will spill duration up to 19 days. The monitoring budget of the EA has been halved in the last five years and its government funding since 2010 has been cut by almost two thirds.

The public are responding through a national citizens’ science project designed to take water samples and get them analysed.

While the water companies are left to report their own spills this is prudent action. © Garry honey is a resident and river watcher based in Winchester.

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25

PROFESSIONAL Mr Mac - This year's OS products for iPhones and iPads Later this year Apple will roll out the new OS for their computers called Monterey, the follow up to Big Sur. In autumn they will also introduce iOS 15 for iPhones and iPad OS 15 for iPads.

Visit Apple’s website for a full preview of them both.

Microsoft are also introducing Windows 11 this year. What struck me most was how similar it is to the Mac OS! It is also interesting to see that Windows 11 will only be compatible on recent Windows PCs and Laptops and will require a Microsoft account to install the OS. There is more, it will also require a TPM module. Curious? Search for Windows 11 on the internet and you will see options for a full preview and details on the Microsoft Windows 11 website.

This application Scribzee, is a great find. I am a bit "old school" in that I like to use a notebook that I take with me when I am visiting clients. I have toyed with the idea of using a digital notepad or bring along my iPad and Apple Pen but somehow, I cannot shake the habit of an actual notepad and pen. I recently discovered this app, and it is perfect. It allows you to scan a page with your iPhone and keep it stored in the app. This can be viewed on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, plus, they can be neatly stored into folders and edited online.

Compatible notepads are available from Amazon for the same price as a regular pad, the only difference being the four placeholders on each page that allow you to align the camera to the page when using the app. Incredibly the app is free! I cannot believe that it will remain free forever but even if it cost a few pounds, it would be worth every penny.

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For friendly, professional, proactive advice please contact: Butler & Co, Bennett House, The Dean, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BH T: 01962 735544 E: julie@butler-co.co.uk www.butler-co.co.uk

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27

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Interior Style Tinta Teal Vase Large £80, Medium £55, Small £35 29 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AB Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz

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28

The Alresford Gift Shop Wooden card - Bee Lovely £7.95

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Andrew Smith Antiques and Interiors Sale - Saturday 21st August.

Viewing 10am-7pm Friday 20th Aug and from 8.30am on the morning of the sale. Bidding from 9.30am Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

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29

LONG BARN

MADE WELL MADE HERE Long Barn is launching a new nationwide search, for the finest craftspeople in the British Isles, to feature at our home and garden store through the autumn and festive seasons. We are looking for a range of goodies, all quality products which have a unique story to tell in the following categories: HOMEWARES CERAMICS ACCESSORIES GARDEN DECORATIVE GIFTING FRAGRANCE CHRISTMAS TEXTILES FOOD & DRINK

ARE YOU A MAKER? If you have a beautiful product then we would love to hear from you. Please note that we will be considering makers at all levels - we only ask that you are able to supply a good quantity of goods throughout the season.

We will be inviting shortlisted makers to showcase their crafts this summer either via Zoom or in person, where possible. We will review all submissions and will get back to successful applicants in due course. Best of luck!

Apply at www.madewellmadehere.com

COMMUNITY Statement regarding the Review by the Parliament Boundary Commission

Duck Race 2021 In a break from our usual June date for obvious reasons, the 2021 Alresford Duck Race is going to be held on Sunday 5th September, and the Alresford Pigs Association would love you to be there.

The Race is one of our main fund-raising events and a much-loved addition to Alresford’s calendar of events. It’s a wonderful afternoon for the whole family featuring 8 Duck Races to bet on, the amazing Ducklings Race, fully licensed bar, hot and cold food plus other children’s activities all in the beautiful gardens of Weir House, home of George and Janette Holingbery who generously support the event year after year.

The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England published their first draft detailed proposals. The review taking place under the legislation put in place by the Coalition Government and seeks to create more equal representation across the UK with each Constituency getting as close as possible to the target of 73,393 voters, plus or minus 5%. The planned reduction in the number of seats will not now happen as we have left the EU and so do not elect MEPs, who previously shared some of the MPs current workload.

The total remains at 650.

Last year we ran our first ever eDuck Race with the whole event filmed in advance and broadcast online and this was a huge success but more as a fun respite to the situation the country as whole found itself in.

Raising funds this year has been a challenge as it was in 2020 so we desperately want this Duck Race to be as successful as usual to ensure we can continue our important work for the town The 2019 Duck Race was without a doubt a record breaking year with over 2000 people passing through the gates to enjoy the day helping raise almost £9,000 for local groups, businesses and of course your Alresford Pigs Association. So please make a date and join us and the rest if the town at this great, fun and very local event.”

I spoke at the last AGM and to other meetings on this matter and told members that MVCA had little to worry about. I was reporting the views of CCHQ’s guru on these matters (Roger Pratt) given to us when he last spoke to the Hampshire & IoW Chairmen. Our MP had the same information much more recently, so the wholesale revision of boundaries across England came as a complete shock.

(Scotland, Wales and N Ireland will follow in due course.) It has been quite traumatic for myself and officers and even more so for Flick Drummond who has now become familiar with our constituency and all its various differences.

The proposal, which can be viewed online, is for Meon Valley to disappear. In the proposals East Hampshire Wards will go to East Hants County Constituency. Whiteley and Shedfield will go to the new Hedge End Borough Constituency (in our view better described as Hamble Valley) Bishop's Waltham, Central Meon Valley, Upper Meon Valley will all go the Winchester CC whilst Southwick & Wickham; Denmead; Waterloo, Cowplain and Hart Plain wards will all join with the eastern part of Fareham to form the proposed Fareham and Waterlooville BC. (The western wards, i.e. Sarisbury, Titchfield; Warsash will join the Hedge End constituency.)

There is much to talk about here and the degree to which existing MPs are unhappy with this draft, together with representations that Associations can make, may well ensure changes will be made to make the outcome more acceptable. The situation is far from fixed.

Your new Chairman will be attending an HQ briefing for Hampshire Area Chairmen on the position on 18th June and so will know more then. Your Management Committee and Executive Council will consider the subject, of that I am sure!"

Neil Lander-Brinkley

32

September 5th 2021

RETAIL

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07712 545 700 Karen Dalmeny

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OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 9.30am - 1pm

A comprehensive range of all types of stationery – business and social Supplier of printer cartridges, art and craft materials, party and sewing items and a good selection of childrens stickers, colouring and painting books.

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COMMUNITY Alresford Police

Attendance Allowance

Hi all, I hope you are well. I would like to give some crime prevention advice on scams. Never accept offers over the phone “if they sound too good to be true, they usually are”. Never give personal details over the phone. Report any suspicious phone calls to your phone company. Consider registering your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS Online) or 0845 070 0707.

Report any abuse to your internet service provider (ISP) and never reply to any email you are unsure of. Visit Bank Safe Online to report all suspicious banking emails. As always make sure to report crimes to us via 101 or if it’s a serious ongoing crime call 999.

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough, that you need someone to help look after you.

You do not need to have someone caring for you already in order to claim.

I will be holding another beat surgery that will be taking place on the 9th August.

The beat surgery will take place at the Alresford community centre between 11:00-13:00 and I will be covering safe at home so please feel free to pass by. I will also be more than happy to chat about any other issues or enquiry’s you may have.

Victor Mills - P.C.S.O.

New Ropley History Project secures National Lottery Heritage Fund support

Ropley History Network and Archive local history group have received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to create and launch a website and digital archive to support Ropley’s growing history network. The project, which

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You could be eligible if you…

• Have reached State Pension age • Have a physical disability, mental disability or both • Need help with personal care, such as getting washed, or someone to supervise you, for your own or somebody else’s safety • Have needed this help for at least 6 months (unless diagnosed with a terminal illness, in which case, you can claim straight away) Did you know?

• There are two different rates (rates for April 2021 - March 2022): £60.00 per week if you need help in the day or night £89.60 per week if you need help in the day and at night • It is not means tested, it is tax free and it won’t reduce any other income received • It may entitle you to, or increase, other benefits such as Pension Credit,

started in May and has a year to complete, will give everyone who is interested in the History of Ropley and its surrounding area access to the information in Ropley’s existing village archive and the opportunity to explore, record and share well into the future.

Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this heritage project will bring together those who have a shared interest in the history of Ropley and its surrounding area. Volunteers will gain new skills in preserving and recording donated material for the website and archive, The local school and other local community and heritage groups have enthusiastically offered to be involved ensuring people of all ages will be involved to share and learn.

Inspired by the success of Ropley’s Village History Network, the project will make available content from the existing village

•

Housing Benefit or Council Tax support You are not obliged to spend the benefit on a carer or other care. You may wish to spend the money on other services that assist you in day-to-day living.

To obtain a claim form, contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on: 0800 731 0122 / text phone: 0800 731 0317.

Find out more: www.gov.uk/attendanceallowance Need help to apply?

Age Concern Hampshire’s Information Service can check if you are likely to be eligible, and can help you complete the form – over the phone or a home visit, if needed. Call 0800 328 7154 or email info@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk For more information, 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.

archive information from the new research underway in the village. It will also enable us to document the evolving nature of life in our rural village from what historically occurred with generations living and working in and around the village to what we have now, a mix of commuter and local residents, to share that change and its impact with new arrivals who are keen to learn about it.

Members of the Ropley History Network and Archive project steering group said “We are excited that, thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund support, it is now possible for us to move forward with the expansion of our heritage project to enable a wider audience to be able to explore, share and learn about history of Ropley and its surrounding area in a more interactive and engaging way”.

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• After each visit you will receive our ‘after-service’ email,

We notify you in advance of our visit date, you don’t need to be at home when we attend.

• Our Technicians are fully licenced and criminal-records checked giving you complete peace of mind.

Spring Nutrition Our Spring Nutrition is like a lawn buffet, providing a gradual, controlled amount of food in manageable quantities right when your lawn needs it. A technical coating locks in nutrition until the days are warm enough for grass to begin to grow. Gradually released nutrition provides measured dose of nutrients for up to six months.

Weed Control (Spring, Summer and Autumn) – let’s keep the flowers in the borders where they belong Fully tested and licenced, our weed control is safe for people, pets and wildlife (yes that means bees too). Our weed control programme is designed to provide the best suited weed treatment for the time of year to manage even the most challenging of lawn weeds.

Summer Nutrition – Totally safe to apply when there’s no rain Made with a unique bio-stimulant with high levels of amino acid providing both stress relief for summer lawns and boosting the health of essential soil microbes, which help to feed and protect your grass plants. Blended without any fast release nutrition this essential summer feed will provide controlled-release nutrition evenly over a 3-month period.

domestic lawns and completely safe for pets, people and wildlife – that means bees too.

detailing when we attended and any guidance our Technician’s have to offer. You will also receive our quarterly newsletter with hints and tips of what you can do to help us improve your lawn – things like mowing guidance, when to water etc.

Autumn Nutrition – Developing health grass ready for winter Shorter darker autumn days call for specialist nutrition focussed on root development and general plant health, meaning your lawn is better prepared for the challenges of winter and also ready for next spring.

Winter Moss Control & Winter Lawn Tonic Providing blackening of lawn moss and green-up of grass, our winter lawn treatment helps to control moss whilst aiding your lawn through the challenges of winter weather.

Formulated and developed for its bio-stimulant properties, our organic plant-based lawn tonic is rich in significant levels of amino acids, and carbohydrate and acts as a food source for beneficial soil microbes essential to plant health.

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9 99

GARDEN

Renovations Is your lawn looking as good as it should be for the middle of summer? Let’s look at some of the common problems and how to deal with them.

We’ve had many reasons this year to encourage us all outside. You really should be enjoying your garden to the full at this time of year.

The days are long, the weather is warm and your garden should be looking great and inviting you outside. However, if you are really honest, what score would you give your lawn out of ten and would you really like it to be scoring a little higher?

I look at a lot of lawns and I meet a lot of people who are disappointed with their lawn and want to see some improvement. Many feel that there is no option other than lifting their existing lawn and starting again from scratch. However much can be achieved through lawn renovation which is generally far more cost effective and less intrusive than completely re-seeding or re-turfing your outside space.

So, you may be wondering what to look for in your lawn and what can be done to improve it. Generally I group my assessments into three main areas to see what needs attention and where improvements can be made.

Thatch

Thatch is a layer of organic matter, typically dead moss, dead or dying grass, stems, roots and other plant life, between the surface of the soil and the green living grass leaves above. In some lawns this layer can be quite thick and prevents water and nutrients from penetrating through to the soil below. Excessive thatch causes the soil to dry out and your lawn grass plants to suffer as a result. Some thatch is a good thing as it protects the soil and growing lawn. However, too much thatch is a common lawn problem that needs to be dealt with appropriately.

Thatch is dealt with through scarification with a garden rake for smaller areas, or a mechanical scarifer for larger lawns or more intensive removal. This process tears out the dead plant life and opens up the soil surface. It’s a tough job and your lawn will look a little battered for a short while afterwards, but the long-term improvements are essential if you want to enjoy a healthy luscious lawn in the future.

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Compaction and drainage

Regular foot traffic over your lawn will compact the soil structure, resulting in fewer air gaps in the soil, restricting the flow of water and nutrients through the soil to the roots of your grass. Compacted lawns dry out more quickly and support fewer beneficial insects and worms.

They have lower counts of essential microbes required to break down dead plant life, resulting in a build-up of thatch. The symptoms of compaction are thin, stressed turf grasses that are more susceptible to disease and pests, allowing gaps in the turf for weed seeds to germinate. In addition, compaction can result in waterlogging due to poor drainage and this encourages moss growth.

Compaction is dealt with through aeration of the lawn, either with a garden fork for smaller lawn areas or a mechanical aerator for a more effective result. It’s hard work, but the benefits to your lawn are invaluable.

Nutrition and pH

All plants need the correct nutrition to live a healthy and disease free life. All too often I visit lawns that never receive any supplementary nutrition or perhaps get a general sprinkle of something from the garden centre once a year. The home-owner wonders why their lawn looks so poor, and the grass is almost starving to death through malnutrition! pH is the measure of the acidity of any given compound. Ranging from 1 which is acidic to 14 which is alkaline. The issue is, that a pH imbalance can ‘lock-up’ essential plant nutrients, making them unavailable to the growing lawn grasses and no amount of additional fertiliser is going to address the nutritional issues.

If your lawn isn’t offering you as much satisfaction as it should then now is the time to think about addressing any underlying issues. As we approach the warm, wetter autumn weather and beyond, grasses respond well to repair work. Speak with a lawn care professional who can make a full assessment of your lawn and offer guidance on what reparation works will benefit your lawn through the winter and heading into spring. You may be surprised by how cost effective this approach is, and by this time next year perhaps your lawn score will be closer to a ten.

Ian Kenyon sits on the committee of the UK Lawn Care Association and runs Shrekfeet Professional Lawncare.

He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help: 01962 460146 www.shrekfeet.com

GARDEN

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Daren George - your local pest controller from Alresford • Wasps • Rats • Squirrels • Moles • Rabbits • Crawling & Flying Insects • Mice

Fully insured - Discreet service assured at all time

T: 07778 141505

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37

COMMUNITY / GARDEN Winchester Council Report Sun Hill Meetings with the Developers continue. The Construction Management Plan (CMP) is the next big hurdle and at present we are reassured that the delivery of large machinery will be of minimal disruption, and that excavated material will not need to be moved on or off the site.

The closure of the Alresford end of Whitehill Lane for a year whilst the construction of the roundabout takes place is a major concern, not only through inconvenience to the homes south of the Bypass, and pressure on other roads and junctions during closure.

Hampshire County Council are responsible for approval of the CMP. As soon as possible the new roundabout on the bypass must be brought into use to prevent additional traffic movement on the existing road junctions within the town.

Thank you to all of you that responded to the Developers Survey, they will be feeding back the summation of comments by the end of July.

Verges The pilot of a reduced cutting regime has been very worthwhile.

There were some communication difficulties regarding sight lines, and we will have to strim some areas for the safety of operatives (dog fouling in long grass). This is a work in progress and the full potential for biodiversity will not be demonstrated for some years, a fuller explanation at https://www.winchester.gov.uk/planning/ landscape-countryside/road-verge-management Responses have been largely positive but some matters need more thought, primarily where paths are narrow and there is a risk from ticks. Mown grass is needed to cope with heavy footfall and uses, such as children’s play. The more cared-for look of mown grass is appropriate in some areas close to the town centre. Lower soil fertility is needed to allow wildflowers to compete successfully with grasses, this means removing grass clippings, an added expense.

Lowering soil fertility takes several years but does allow more flourishing wild flowers.

Congratulations to New Alresford Town Council for a successful CIL bid to provide an outdoor gym at Arlebury Park. The application for £20,000 was clearly related to a new facility deriving from the new housing in Alresford.

M3 Junction 9 The Consultation closed on 8th July. Although the revisions improve on the original design, concerns remain, especially about cycle and pedestrian routes. The debate about whether the carbon load from the build is justified by the pollution reduction from moving traffic more smoothly, also continues. WCC is to submit a 35-page document with the initial responses. Much of the detail necessary to assess and mitigate the impacts, such as levels, disposal of excess cut, and the appearance of signage gantries has yet to be shown. The desirability of including a solution for the Cart and Horses Junction within the engineering solutions of the new route has been pointed out. A comment has been added on the necessity of monitoring, air quality, noise mitigation and the effects of traffic diversions, in order to develop on-going solutions is also in the report. We will continue to push to achieve the best possible scheme, both in the construction phases and in the long term.

Fly Tipping WCC has put together a pilot project to put cameras into various locations where fly tipping is known to be a common problem. We will monitor the result of this exercise, and adjust as necessary, as we do not want to just push the problem into another location.

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Russell Gordon -Smith 01962 733219

Margot Power 01962 734167

For more information about Hampshire Gardens Trust please join us at www.hgt.org.uk, Twitter and Instagram @hampshiregardenstrust

Alresford Chamber of Commerce News Lovely to see Alresford buzzing again. Thank you to all the high street businesses who have worked hard keeping Alresford thriving as a popular market town Members of the committee have been in talks with New Leaf Alresford and the Co-Ordinating Alresford group to organise local collection points for plastics, with the aim of raising funds for local good causes.

Chamber Events Two new members have joined us. Please do check out their businesses. If any of our members would like to hold a chamber chat please do contact us.

Market Town Events We will resume market town events once we are able to. These will be posted on the event boards in town and a full list on our events page (https://www.alresfordchamber.co.uk/alresford/ AlresfordEvents/) Any businesses or individuals wishing to participate, sponsor or generally assist with any of our projects please do email us.

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

C&D Trees All Tree & Hedge Care

Sparsholt college trained & qualified Free advice & written quotations 15 years experience

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Telephone - 01962 738 420 - 07900 987 609 Bishops Sutton, Alresford

GARDEN

SPECIALISTS IN STUMP GRINDING, TREE WORK & THE SUPPLY OF LOGS All types of countryside contracting undertaken • Mobile Bandsawing Service • Brushwood Chipper Hire • Concreting • Hedge Cutting • Fencing

PETER PAYNE 01962 733866 or 07778 170442

Chris Matthews Tree Care and Woodland Management

Specialising in all your garden needs Fully insured . Free estimates Also specialising in Commercial gardening work.

Hard Landscaping Patios • BBQ Areas • Raised Beds • Pathways • Garden Walls • Fencing • Garden Lighting • Wood Mulch & Woodchip Supplied

• Tree surgery / TPO applications • Hedge maintenance • Fencing / Garden structures • Woodland management / tree planting

Soft Landscaping Lawn Care • Turfing • Planting • Hedge Trimming • Topiary • Shrub pruning • Garden Clearance & Renovation • Pressure Washing • Weed Control • Tree Work • Patios & Gutter Cleaning

Qualified in arboriculture and countrsyide management. 15 years experience

Tel: 01962 732498 Mob: 07879 448141

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Please visit our website for all the latest news, information, second-hand machines for sale and special offers in the showroom.

FOR ALL YOUR PEST CONTROL NEEDS: Rats, Mice, Moles, Squirrels, Cockroaches, Rabbits, Pigeons, Bird-Proofing, Mole Trapping Specialist

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39

FEATURE

Rock of Ages Hampshire’s Hidden Aquifer

L

ong before people roamed the earth, the space that is now Hampshire lay beneath a shallow sea. The warm water teemed with coccolithophores - tiny algae which thrived in the plentiful sunlight. As eons passed, their exoskeletons settled on the sea floor and were pressed into a layer of chalk hundreds of metres high.

In time the sea receded, exposing the chalk to ice, wind, and rain.

The elements wore away its soft surface, shaping it into rolling downs and winding valleys. In some places the rock was blanketed with material from retreating glaciers, while elsewhere it lay just below the soil. Through a collision of natural forces, wildlife gained a mighty ally.

Wonder water

When water does re-emerge from the aquifer, it has been fundamentally changed by its subterranean journey. It leaves the rock filtered of impurities and slightly alkaline; since rain is naturally acidic, it dissolves a little of the chalk during its passage.

This suits species like the white-clawed crayfish, which uses calcium to harden its shell, and water crowfoot, which is hungry for bicarbonate ions.

Passing through miles of rock lowers the water’s temperature, causing it to arrive at about 11 °C all year round. With this coldness comes abundant oxygen - a valuable quality for fish like brown trout and freshwater eels, which can suffocate in overly warm water. Aquatic plants are just as appreciative, and their increased growth lays the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem.

'Gin-clear’ chalk stream water © Linda Pitkin/2020VISION

Buried treasure

True to its aquatic origins, chalk has an almost magical relationship with water. In our county, so much rain disappears into the ground that one might picture a vast lake deep below. The truth is rather more bizarre: the chalk is riddled with tiny holes, enabling it to soak up water like a giant sponge. This rock reservoir, known as an aquifer, has a truly staggering liquid capacity.

When the rock is fully saturated, its cargo makes a bid for freedom.

It bursts onto the surface as springs - the sources of our chalk streams. In higher parts of the landscape, where the aquifer rarely fills completely, intermittent streams called 'bournes' can dry out into grassy hollows for months at a time. Those that appear only in the wettest seasons earn the title 'winterbournes'.

While this process is straightforward, it is anything but speedy.

A stream's resurgence can occur months after the wet weather that prompted it, and water can take decades to fully traverse the aquifer. The timescale is predictably unpredictable: the only certainty is that what goes in will, eventually, come out again.

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White-clawed crayfish © Linda Pitkin-2020VISION

Sediment, which in excess can menace a whole host of species, is also found in lower-than-average quantities. In other landscapes much of the sediment in streams is washed in by heavy rain, but chalk is so absorbent that relatively little rain stays on the surface.

This helps to keep the gravelly stream beds clean and the water itself famously 'gin-clear'.

Water wisdom

The water in our aquifer is a precious resource that is shared by Hampshire’s wildlife and its human population. We draw directly from the aquifer to supply our homes and businesses, but if our demand is too high then the streams can run low.

Find out how you can help through the Save Every Drop project: www.hiwwt.org.uk/saveeverydrop

WATERCRESS & WINTERBOURNES

Save Every Drop Water Saving Challenge The amount of water we use has a big impact on our local chalk streams. To protect these precious places, we’re helping communities to reduce their use this summer.

Will you take up the challenge? www.hiwwt.org.uk/saveeverydrop

FOOD & DRINK

Baked BBQ Cauliflower Wings BBQ Cauliflower Wings are a tasty, super healthy alternative to traditional chicken wings. They are baked with a delicious crispy panko coating and a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. They can be used as an appetizer, snack, or tasty side dish and make a tasty vegan alternative for your BBQ!

Ingredients •

• • • • • • • •

1 kilo of cauliflower , cut into medium-sized florets 160g all-purpose flour 125ml non-dairy milk (vegan) or dairy milk 185ml water , more if needed 384g of panko breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon grated garlic, 1 teaspoon grated onion ¾ teaspoon sea salt 160g barbecue sauce , more if needed

Method

Take a handful of Cauliflower and place into bowl, toss to coat well. Lightly shake off excess batter of each piece and place in the breadcrumbs.Gently roll around to coat them well and then place on the baking sheet, leaving room in between each piece. Place in the oven for 20 minutes to turn golden and crisp.Turn the pieces at the halfway mark to ensure they are evenly cooked.

On a large rimmed plate, add the Breadcrumbs, and ½ teaspoon each of Garlic, Onion, and ¼ teaspoon of Salt.

Combine well and set aside.

Remove from oven and serve with bbq sauce as a dip or alternatively you can lightly brush each piece of cauliflower in BBQ sauce, return them to the baking sheet and bake for another 8-10 minutes, caramelising the sauce. Serve immediately with any dipping sauces of your choice.

Preheat oven to 450° F (230° C) and cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

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In a large bowl, whisk together the Flour and ½ teaspoon each of Garlic, Onion, and Salt. Now pour in the Milk and Water and whisk until the mixture is combined well. At this point the batter should be thick, but still pourable. If it's too thick, just pop in a few tablespoons of water.

FOOD & DRINK

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43

ENTERTAINMENT Unveiling of Pam's Bench and 51 st anniversary of Alresford Minibus

The weather held off for the Sunday afternoon event at Avenue,Alresford as a sizeable crowd including Pam's family spaced out whilst attended the unveiling ceremony of Pam's bench by MP,Steve Brine.

It was a special Alresford event being the first one where a former Trustee of New Alresford Town Trust had been so commemorated. Robin Atkins (long serving Trustee and Chair)remembered Pam as a hard working and devoted member of the Team. She had served as a Trustee for 12

Town Trust 'Open Day'

years following the death of her husband in 2007 and had been actively involved in building up the minibus operation to run 600 trips covering 10,000 miles per annum.

Pam had been in charge of buying 2 new minibuses during her trusteeship,organising 30 +drivers, arranging passengers journeys and keeping the buses road worthy and properly insured. The minibus operation had been taken over by the Trust in 1970 and had purchased 8 buses over the 51 years.

Pam also was responsible for building up markets in Broad Street.This involved recruiting stalls for the small but successful Thursday market and extending specialist markets to French,Italian and Brocante market organised by Jackie Edwards twice yearly.She also acted as clerk to the Trust as well as Chairing the Hardship/Covid Funds for residents needing financial assistance.

Pam's efforts were instrumental in making The Trust such an important organisation in the fabric of Alresford. The Trustees had unanimously agreed to celebrate Pam's role in the Trust by placing a new bench on the Avenue with a plaque to this remarkable Community Lady and Trustee. Both Rotary and The Pigs (local charities) had worked closely with Pam agreed to help finance the bench as did Peter Bridges/Paul Daubeney who admired Pam's work for the Community.

and Museum on Sunday 11 July. The 3 sites welcomed around 400 visitors who donated just over £200 in total to the Trusts activities.

Visitors were both interested and very satisfied with their visits to the sites where they were able to sample Alresford treasurers first hand. Many questions were asked to the volunteers who were able to answer and expand on the special Alresford history. A great experience especially for the younger visitors!

Although numbers were lower than the previous openings this was due to National sporting events and dullish weather but hopefully these will not be factors for the next openings on Monday August 30th (Bank Holiday) The next open day will be Monday 30 August

The New Alresford Town Trust opened its 3 sites, the Eel House, Norman Bridge

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Robin Atkins - Chair New Alresford Town Trust

MP Steve Brine ,who knew Pam well both as a Trustee and a friend related how involved Pam had been in working with the whole Alresford Community and before his unveiling said "Pam was,in so many ways,Mrs Alresford and she put so much into the Town to help so many people.She was never bothered who got the credit ,she just wanted to get things done and she certainly did this time and time again. Alresford will certainly miss Pam Stevens and so will I" Mark Stevens (Pam's elder son )on behalf of the Family summed up Pam's devotion when visiting her in Hospital she was working on her laptop doing Trust work. He thought the Avenue was a fitting place, which his mother loved, for the bench.

After the Ceremony the public were able to visit the 2 minibuses both in pristine condition,6 classic cars organised by John Hankin (whose late father purchased the first Town's minibus)and Peter Bridges .The 6 classic vehicles were a great attraction.

The Town council,Rotary and Pigs showed off their good work in the Community and New Leaf volunteers gave out literature to promote the fight against Climate change.

Everyone enjoyed this memorable occasion organised by Trustee,Penny Mcclelland and her volunteers.

The Yellow Minibus is back!

The New Alresford Town Trust minibus is resuming most of the trips which operated pre-pandemic. For everyone’s safety we remain vigilant about hygiene on the bus and very much hope that all bus users will wear face coverings whilst on the bus.

If you, or anyone you know, have difficulty getting out to do your own shopping one of our trips might suit you. Please email us on minibus@towntrust.org.uk , or leave a message on 07510 474231 and we will get back to you.

Please also get in touch if you think you might be able to become one of our volunteer drivers – the commitment can be as little as half a day a month.

ENTERTAINMENT

There’s something different to discover around every corner Each hole presents a new interactive challenge to test your

skills. Players will navigate their way through ancient farmlands, manoeuvre over narrow bridges, weave around towers and even take on a spinning windmill.

Opening Times

Our Adventure Golf course has been architecturally designed and expertly crafted by the team at Greenspan. They have helped us to create a beautifully landscaped course that offers players the best quality, family-friendly playing experience. Come and check it out for yourself this Summer.

Pay & Play

tel: 01962 777 547 email: hello@marwellresort.co.uk www.marwellresort.co.uk Hurst Lane, Owslebury, Winchester, SO21 1EZ

The Great Barn

WED 8 SEPT - SAT 18 SEPT - SHOWING AT 2.30PM & 7.30PM

Summer evenings are for enjoying! That’s why we’ve extended summertime opening hours from 9.30am to 8pm Monday – Saturday until Saturday 4th September.

There’s no need to book! Simply turn up, pay and play! Balls and putters are included within the pricing.

Adult: £9.75 Child under 12: £7.50 Family*: £29.00 Adult Group**: £35.00 | School groups: £6.50 *Two adults and two children or one adult and three children

OPEN FROM 9.30AM EVERYDAY! Monday - Saturday open until 8pm - Sunday closing at 6pm

WED 11 JUN - SAT 14 AUG - SHOWING AT 11AM & 2.30PM

The Great Barn

SHAKESPEARE'S LONG LOST FIRST PLAY

The Great YOUTH THEATRE & CHILDREN'S - SUN JUL- SHOWING - AT 2PM &AT 6PM - THE&GREAT BARN TUE 24SHOWS AUG - THUR 2 11 SEPT 2.30PM 7.30PM Barn

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OAK THEATRE 73 ST MARGARETS LANE, TITCHFIELD, PO14 4BG SHAKESPEARE AT THE GREAT BARN MILL LANE, TITCHFIELD, PO15 5RP

WWW.TITCHFIELDFESTIVALTHEATRE.COM | BOX OFFICE: 03336 663366 | GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 01329 556156

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ENTERTAINMENT Carfest South

Wickham Festival 2021

For 2021 CarFest South will become Camp Carfest South… fully socially distanced, three day festivals. Camp CarFest South will be held at Laverstoke Park Farm from 27th – 29th August 2021.

Carfest South is very happy to be returning to Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire. The 2,500 acres farm, near Overton, is owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter.

Laverstoke is a family-run farm that combines 21st century science with environmentally friendly farming methods to create a place that is both organic and biodynamic.

At the very heart of the farm, is its wonderful herd of Asian Water Buffalo. This rare-breed of buffalo produces milk for the farm, which has won over a hundred awards for its produce over the years. Laverstoke Park Farm has over 450 ‘friendly and curious’ water buffalo, alongside 25 Native Angus cattle and over 1200 sheep. They are best known for producing Organic Buffalo Mozzarella but their range is diverse, including cheddar, gouda, ice-cream, black pudding and biodynamic sparkling wine!

CarFest has been lucky enough to have had some of the UK’s most iconic and loved artists and bands support us over the years.

With a selection of stages across the festival site, we promise to continue to entertain our guests, with a line-up that will keep the whole family happy!

What would CarFest be without its superb collection of cars?!

From the very best Vintage Classics, to F1 and Grand Prix cars to famous movie cars, CarFest has it all! With a themed Motorsport Paddock where you can meet the drivers and learn more about our special featured collections, plus our daily track shows that will take your breath away, CarFest is definitely a paradise for petrolheads! Plus of course, CarFest brings together the country’s leading car manufacturers to not only celebrate their heritage, but also show off some of their latest offerings to keep you up to speed with the best cars on the road.

For more information and to book tickets visit Carfest's website - www.carfest.org Laverstoke Park Farm, Overton, Basingstoke, Hants, RG25 3DR Tel: 03300 555 750

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Wickham Festival is a 4-day music & arts festival held every August in a stunningly beautiful rural location near the historic village of Wickham in Hampshire. Wickham Festival 2021 will take place on Thursday 5th August 2021 – Sunday 8th August 2021. With live music on four stages plus a host of other entertainment, Wickham is rated by many as one of the safest, most relaxed and family-friendly festivals in the UK. We were voted Best UK Festival, capacity under 15000 at the Live UK Music Business Awards in October 2015. This January we won the Best Festival category in the local Culture Guide Awards.

Each year we introduce new ideas and keep what works, so please get involved on our social channels to send us feedback ... good or bad. We already have some great plans for 2020 and can't wait to put this into action.

Acts Include: Van Morrison, Deacon Blue, Fairport Convention, The SAS Band – Spike’s All-Stars, Nick Lowe And Los Straitjackets, The South, Capercaillie, Moya Brennan, Eddi Reader, Lindisfarne, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, Stanley Jordan, Eliza Carthy & The Restitute Band, John Otway, Peatbog Faeries, Talisk, Tidelines, The Dhol Foundationt, Tankus The Henge, Edward II, Duncan Chisholm, Beans On Toast and many, many more!

Please Note: All the above artists are confirmed at the current time but our programme is subject to change if artists have to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic, illness, flight & transport restrictions etc. Tickets cannot be refunded once purchased unless the event is cancelled. See website for Terms & Conditions. Camping / Caravan Passes are per tent or caravan / motorhome irrespective of the number of people sleeping within.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

PROPERTY

Professor David Barrett KNEE S U R G E O N B I O E N G I N E E R

New choices, more options in Knee Surgery Recent developments and new techniques from specialist surgeons improve function and speed recovery in knee patients Knee surgery is changing

There has rarely been a more exciting time to be involved with knee surgery as a Surgeon and Engineer, but also as a patient. Rapid advances in the development of new, more minimal implants and improved patient care maximizes what we can achieve in both symptom relief and function.

The establishment of specialist knee services, such as that offered

by Professor David Barrett at the Spire Hospital, Southampton, is an example of how improvements in technology can be utilized to offer patients more choice of minimal Professor Barrett intervention with reliable outcomes that can for the first time include return to sporting activities such as tennis, golf and skiing.

More active patients now enquire about surgery at a younger age than was previously the case when the classic knee replacement was designed, some fifty years ago. Knee replacement in an elderly population remains a success story, but the younger, more active patient requires a higher level of activity, a return to some sporting or recreational pursuits and an accelerated rehabilitation, to minimize the downtime of a prolonged recovery.

Prof. Barrett has been involved for over twenty years as a Professor of Orthopaedic Engineering and Consultant Knee Surgeon in the development of smaller, more minimal or partial resurfacing techniques of the knee. These developments, coupled with advances in anesthesia and rehabilitation techniques, have considerably improved the speed, outcome and ease of the patient journey as they proceed through knee surgery.

Professor David Barrett KNEE S U R G E O N B I O E N G I N E E R

Professor David Barrett Knee Surgeon Bioengineer www.professordavidbarrett.co.uk Emai: david@professordavidbarrett.co.uk Appointments: 02380 776877

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WELLBEING

ADVERTISING OFFER ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE FOR AS LITTLE AS £45 PER MONTH

(PLUS VAT, MINIMUM 12 MONTH BOOKING FOR PRICE SHOWN)

For more information

01962 735137

stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

Alresford Surgery News Before entering the surgery, please remember • Make sure you wear a face covering while you are inside the building unless you are exempt.

• The practice may look different so that we can keep you at a safe distance from our staff and each other.

• Please do not attend for a face-to-face appointment early to help manage the number of people in the building.

• You may need to queue outside so that we have a safe number of people inside.

• Please do not come in if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination programme We are still vaccinating patients in line with the Government & NHS England guidelines alongside attempting to return to normal in general practice. Below you can find details of standard operation procedures for general practice at the current time; https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/managingcoronavirus-covid-19-in-general-practice-sop/ Covid vaccination passports • Please do not contact your GP surgery • If you’ve had both jabs and need to prove your vaccination status: • Download the NHS app, or Call 119 to request a letter.

• Please don’t contact your GP practice about it.

More information here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstratingyour-covid-19-status Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning.

There have been posts on social media with false information about opting out of sharing your data with the NHS. Here’s what you need to know: There is no 30 September deadline for opting out of sharing your data.

• You can opt out at any time.

• NHS Digital will never sell your data • There are strict rules about how the NHS can use your data • It’s only shared securely and safely • Shared data helps the NHS • It has been used to find the first treatment for coronavirus and for vaccine research. https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/ https://your-data-matters.service.nhs.uk/landingpage GP Partners of Alresford Surgery Telephone: 01962 732345 Website: www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

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WELLBEING / MOTORING

A CAREER IN OPTICS?

We have vacancies for optical, clinical and dispensing assistants.

Experience welcomed but not essential as full training will be given.

For more details, enquire within or visit matheson-optometrists.com/vacancies.html or send your CV to amatheson@matoptom.com Alresford

01962 732336

Four Marks 01420 560082

Grayshott 01428 606069

Portchester 02392 387573

www.matheson-optometrists.com

ELIZA WALKER Barber

ONLINE CLASSES & STUDIO SESSIONS

NOW LOCATED AT STATION MILL, ALRESFORD, SO24 9JQ

• Located in Central Alresford • All Covid conditions in place • Easy parking

07733 016138 @ecw_barber elizawalker@hotmail.co.uk

No r t h Mo to r Company Holden Farm, Cheriton, Alresford, Hants, SO24 ONX

Independent Garage and MOT Testing Centre Established in1999 - All makes of car serviced and repaired - Saab approved repairer and Subaru specialist Free collection, delivery and courtesy car (when available) Competitively priced tyres - Batteries - Vehicle Diagnostics - Exhausts

Telephone Gary or Andy on 01962 771331 or 771881 www.northmotor.co.uk info@northmotor.co.uk

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FEATURE

Why do you keep your bread-maker in the garage?

W

hen I retired over 20 years ago, I said to my wife “why don’t you make our own bread, as you used to some years ago?”

She replied: “I haven’t had the time, and since Sainsbury’s started selling their own organic wholemeal loaf, didn’t need to. If you want a home-made loaf, why don’t we buy a bread-making machine?”

“Why do we need to – you made it very well by hand before!” was my reply (not being any sort of a cook myself, or realising what was involved).

The next thing was the appearance of a bread-making machine, which I took an interest in, as it seemed so easy to use, according to the instructions. I was encouraged to try it out, so I went and bought some wholemeal flour and some dried yeast, followed the appropriate recipe in the instruction booklet and set it up to bake a loaf overnight. The resulting loaf was not perfect, but good enough for me to take advice from a helpline, and get a better result the next time.

I soon discovered, not surprisingly, that the key to consistent good results was the flour: if you buy flour, whether for white, medium brown, or wholemeal brown loaves from major suppliers such as the big supermarkets, or even specialist brands, they will have bought their supplies on the international flour market where the consistency of quality or characteristic is not possible to maintain.

So it was only when I found a supplier from Mid Wales called Bacheldre Water Mill, whose grain was all from organic farmers in their area, and was coldmilled in their traditional water mill, that I was able to guarantee a consistent wholemeal loaf.

Unfortunately, retailers stocking this flour have come and gone over the years, so I have become dependent on Amazon, who also sometimes runs out of stock, and delivers at all times of the day and night – and requires order quantities of up to 15 kilos

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per delivery to make it economic. I have also got through several different models and makes of bread machine in 20 years, ending with a Panasonic at twice the price of most others, but very well designed and made, and proving most reliable.

When a 12-week cooking course for older men, provided free by Age Concern in the former Methodist Chapel at the top of The Dean, was offered, I was promptly volunteered for it by my wife (whose motives can be readily imagined), and went along happily, not knowing what to expect. A couple of dozen mostly local men turned up, at least half of whom I knew, and a very enjoyable two hours was spent each week, with the demonstration meal being consumed by us at the end. In between, we had much questioning of the instructor on the food preparation and cooking, and the relative merits of various foods and brands. I asked about breadmaking (naturally, as I had no other cooking skills or experience), and was amazed to find more than half-a-dozen participants had bread-making machines at home, but none had used them regularly, and some not at all! One said his wife insisted theirs be kept in the garage as there was no room for it in her kitchen; but I later found their garage was just through a door from their kitchen!

The instructor said she had no time for bread-making herself, so I offered six of those interested a demo in our kitchen when my wife was out, which she agreed to as long as we left no mess for her to clear up. This was quite successful, if somewhat chaotic; and several friends did start to use the machines they had themselves. I subsequently read that the most frequently unused kitchen machine in the country was the breadmaker! My experience seems to confirm this.

Incidentally, the only thing I learnt at that course, which I still regularly do, was how to cut up and dice an onion!

By Carl Dore

MOTORING

New Farm Motor Services Ltd New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QE

01962 732338 L.P.G.A approved autogas conversions www.autogas.com

Allows your petrol engine vehicle to run on Autogas, a fuel costing approximately 76p per ltr, with the environmental benefits of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide production and 2000 times fewer particulates produced from the exhaust fumes when compared with a diesel. Widely available across the country and locally in Winnall, Winchester and West Meon Hut service station.

The government has committed to this fuel difference for the future.

M.O.T Testing Centre • FREE COLLECTION • COURTESY CARS

Class 7 Vans from 3,000 - 3,500kg Class 4 Cars and Vans up to 3,000kg All makes of cars and vans serviced and repaired All makes of truck and horsebox up to 7500kg maintained and prepared for ministry plating tests

CERTIFICATED ENGINEERS • RECOVERY AVAILABLE •

ALRESFORD MOTOR SERVICES LTD MOT TEST CENTRE

• • • • •

Welding specialists Tyres for cars and motorcycles 4 wheel laser alignment LPG for sale for cars Recovery services

• Free collection • Diagnostic testing (including Landrover) • Courtesy cars • Certificated engineers

AVAILABLE FOR:

PRESTIGE CARS OF ALRESFORD TEL: 01962 865602 MOBILE: 07752 570787

PRIVATE HIRE AIRPORT TRANSFERS OTHER JOURNEYS

OR VISIT WWW.PRESTIGECARSALRESFORD.CO.UK

MOT TEST CENTRE FOR: Cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3,000kg.

All makes serviced and repaired.

Class 4 MOT's

Class 1 & 2 Motorcycles

MOT's WHILE YOU WAIT UNIT 5, SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE

Tel: 01962 733888 e:mike1ams1@aol.com

Specialising in 'your Social Life Lifts'

07838 167117 Steve Cleverley Pre-Booked Only

Alresford Town Private Hire Ltd www.alresfordtownprivatehireltd.com Alresford Town Private Hire

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COMMUNITY

New Alresford Town Council Stratton Bates playground Exciting news! Following extensive consultation last year with Alresford schools and residents - culminating in a public exhibition in September which showcased potential designs for a new play area - we have now put the redevelopment of the play area in Stratton Bates Recreation ground out to tender. The consultation report with the indicative sketch design (wild adventure play combined with big equipment play) is available on our website, as is the tender document. We look forward to sharing regular updates about progress on this exciting project.

Sun Hill and Arlebury park playgrounds We have commissioned a playground contractor to undertake a comprehensive refresh and refurbishment of the play areas at Sun Hill Recreation Ground and Arlebury Park. This will include repairs to surfacing and equipment, staining woodwork and repainting.

Work is due to start end of July, will halt temporarily during the Summer holidays, and be completed in September 2021.

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Scheme. You do not need to be registered by your school you can sign up direct with Winchester Basics Bank.

You will be able to collect food parcels from Alresford Recreation Centre and Sun Hill Junior School. Please visit www.winchesterbasicsbank. co.uk Hambone Memorial We commissioned local monument masons Blackwell and Moody to restore Hambone's gravestone and we're delighted with the result.

Our thanks to them for such a fantastic job. We are now in the process of producing an information board for this unique and popular memorial.

Council meetings Following a brief recess in August, we will resume council meetings in September. We will be holding meetings in the Lower meeting room located on the ground floor in Alresford Recreation Centre.

All meeting dates are on our website, and we welcome public participation. Do please join us.

Holiday Lunch Scheme Winchester Basics Bank are inviting families with school-aged children (who live or attend a school in the Winchester city and surrounding areas, including Alresford) who feel they need some extra help over the school holidays to register for their Holiday Lunch

Food Donations If you would like to donate to this scheme, Winchester Basics Bank have a list of items that they are most in need of on their website. Donations can be made at the food donation point in the Co-op in Alresford.

Household Waste and Recycling Pedestrians and cyclists can once again access Alresford Household Waste Recycling Centre as part of a six-month trial run by Hampshire County Council introduced in July. Pedestrians have exclusive access for one hour three mornings a week and cyclists are also permitted to use the HWRC during normal opening hours by booking a slot using the booking system.

Please visit www.hants.gov.uk/ wasteandrecycling Virtual High Street Independent shops and businesses together with community organisations across the district are being invited to sign up to the online shopping and ordering platform, ShopAppy.com.

Winchester City Council

and ShopAppy are offering free membership for the first 12 months. The platform allows customers to browse virtual shop windows, book appointments and events as well as order products from local stores using a deliver or "click and collect" service. For more details visit shopappy. com or contact jane stewart shoplocal@shopappy.com Vandalism

We are sad to report that one of the new trees in Arlebury Park has been damaged due to vandalism It will need to be replaced at some expense which ultimately is paid for by residents. There have been several reports of suspected criminal activity being posted on Facebook. The police cannot act unless it is reported to them, so please report it by using 101 or 999 if it's an emergency.

New Alresford Town Council Arlebury Park, The Avenue, New Alresford, SO24 9EP Phone: 01962 732079 www.newalresford-tc.gov.uk

MOTORING

Andrews Autosource Carefully Selected Cars Approved by trading standards

SERVICE POINT MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERS

Service and repair of most makes of vehicle, motorcycles and classic cars Stockists Of Ca

Oils lassic ol C str

YOUR CAR, CAMPER OR MOTORHOME, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION AND WITH SERVICE HISTORY

During the current Corona virus outbreak, if you would like to see a car locally, please give me a call on 01489 878879, or out of hours, 07811 041653. 'Masks and gloves available, all cars disinfected prior to delivery.

The following cars have been carefully selected because of their low mileage, excellent condition and service history.

Engine Diagnostics M.O.T Tests Cambelt Replacement Exhaust Supply & Fitting Tyre Supply & Fitting Electrical Repairs Clutch Repair Courtesy Car

Contact Mike, Shane or Steve on: 01962 734466

www.servicepointalresford.co.uk

2016 (16) Ford Tourneo Connect Zetec, Petrol, 100 bhp, Electric

heated seats & windscreen, 1 owner, 12,100 miles, £11995 2017 (17) Vauxhall Mokka X 1.4 turbo Elite - 1 owner,

16,000 miles £11495 2016 (66) Honda Jazz 1.3 EX , 5 door, 1 owner,

19,000 miles, £30 road tax £9995 2016 (16) Peugeot 308 SW 1.2 Active Estate 130 bhp

2 owners, £20 road tax 34,000 miles £7995 2017 (17) Suzuki Celerio SZ4,

1 owner, Zero road tax, 11,000 miles SOLD 2018 (18) Vauxhall Viva SE 5 door

2 owners, 7,000 miles £6495 2013 (13) Suzuki SX4 SZ5 1.6, four wheel drive,

Air con, 49,600 miles £5795

Shelf House, New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QE

Repairs Servicing M.O.T

WILCAN MOTOR COMPANY LTD

Servicing, MOT, Tyres & Bodywork Repairs

FREE Local collection and courtesy cars (T&C's apply) Free Safety Checks

Please ring our friendly team on: 01962 736186 andy.wilcan@live.co.uk www.wilcan.co.uk THE LONG BARN, WINCHESTER ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9EZ

CAMPER VAN, 5 SEATS, 4 BERTH Our new demonstrator, a Renault Trafic Sport conversion is now available for viewing. If you are contemplating a camper, feel free to come and see the standard of our bespoke conversions.

The trusted private transport service

VIEW OUR CURRENT STOCK AT

Standards you can rely on for airport, ferry port and city transfers

www.andrews-autosource.co.uk/vehicle-stock

Carpe Diem Executive Cars has built its reputation for excellence, professionalism and reliability offering a premium service at competitive prices

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CARS HAVE SERVICE HISTORY TAYLORS GARAGE, HIGH STREET, DROXFORD, SO32 3QL

TEL: 01489 878 879 EVENING TEL: 01962 732995

Contact us today and leave the rest to us Tel: 0330 6600 029 Mob: 07801 816 062

email: franco@carpediemec.com www.carpediemec.com

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COMMUNITY Julia Morgan of Tudor House B & B in Ropley is back in business.

She is delighted to be welcoming people from all over to stay and discover the delights of Hampshire and England. Tudor House offers a warm welcome in the hidden heart of the delightful village of Ropley.

With a charming garden and on the other side of the house, views across the surrounding countryside it also has easy and spacious parking. Guests experience a comfortable and hospitable stay in a country house inspired home. Julia’s interior decorating background and love of finding an eclectic collection of objects over the years adds to the welcoming feeling. Everyone is greeted with tea and cake on arrival, served either in the garden or inside by a blazing fire in the winter. Choosing breakfast from the menu is always a talking point.

There are three bedrooms at Tudor House on offer for the guests; Tulip: an ensuite double with shower; a double, Peony, and single Rose, both sharing a large bathroom for people in the same party. Or the double can be booked with sole use of the bathroom. The single is only available separately for late bookings. All rooms have comfortable beds, plumptious pillows and crisp white cotton.

Each guest also has a waffle dressing gown for use during their stay.

Guests often wake in the morning to the sounds of birdsong and the distant steam train’s whistle making their stay evocative and even more memorable. If asked, Julia is happy to share her knowledge of the wide range of venues and experiences that Hampshire has to offer. High on the list are the delights of Alresford and its surroundings, offering those who love to shop the best of the best; with the added delight of a colourful and beautiful Georgian Hampshire town to explore and discover a variety of eateries from Gastro Pubs to Restaurants with diverse multicultural cuisines. Not forgetting the Watercress Festival which attracts thousands of visitors each year giving visitors the opportunity to find countless new ways of enjoying recipes with Hampshire’s nutritional, beneficial and simply delicious vegetable.

During the Festival, the town is also filled with a huge variety of stalls, stands and other distractions to entrance visitors.

The nearby city of Winchester with the historic Cathedral offers much to discover and an extraordinary number of restaurants, shops and a famous market attracting people from far and wide. Southampton where shops and theatres abound, Portsmouth with the Naval Dockyard and Mary Rose and Gun Wharf Quay shopping centre, the New Forest. The Watercress Line Steam Railway, theatres, operas including the Grange Festival Opera, Fairs, Festivals, Markets and at the right time of year local Fetes. All of these venues have been explored and delighted in by guests to Tudor House B & B and before that Julia’s previous B & B in Kilmeston. Jane Austin is always high on the list of interests for many, as are gardens and National Trust Properties which are plentiful in the locality. Houses on the National Gardens Scheme are another attraction. The Rivers Itchen and Test with their famous water meadows offer walkers and fishers the best of Hampshire countryside to indulge themselves in. All this is punctuated by countless places to sample the varied delights of food and cuisine and venues that the area offers. Guests often call in at The Courtyard Village Shop in Ropley just a short walk from Tudor House, to take home some of Hampshire’s best produce as a souvenir of their stay.

If you are planning a wedding, party or other event, looking at schools, universities or other venues in the area, or just wanting a weekend away, don’t forget to check out the Tudor House website.

Tudor House B & B, Church Street, Ropley, Alresford, SO24 0DS Tel: 01962 773749 Email: info@tudorhousebandb.com www.tudorhousebandb.com

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Offering a warm welcome, relaxing and comfortable country house accommodation, delicious home cooked food all in the heart of a village in rural Hampshire.

Book your stay Tel: +44(0)1962 773749 www.tudorhousebandb.com Email:info@tudorhousebandb.com TUDOR HOUSE B&B CHURCH STREET, ROPLEY, NR ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 0DS

Winchester Go-LD Annual Bridge Tea

This is a charity event and all proceeds are for Winchester Go-LD The event will be held on Wednesday 29th September 2021 from 2pm – 5pm at The Manor House, Preshaw, Southampton SO24 0PF. Come and join us for a friendly competition and a gorgeous homemade tea. To book a table (£80 per table), or to make a donation, please contact: Jo Tyler, email: johanna.tyler@btinternet. com or telephone 01962 736490, 07747 607539 Winchester Go-LD is a registered charity No. 1156536 www.winchestergold.org.uk

Day, Flexi, Weekly & Full Boarding Book a visit to find out more

FRANC

HA LEAL

ETO GE

admissions@godolphin.org www.godolphin.org

Feeling more isolated and anxious during lockdown? are you having trouble hearing TV or talking on the telephone?

after

WE ARE STILL OPEN