Itchen Valley Forum - Issue 177 - September 2021

Forum

ISSUE 177 SEPTEMBER 2021

ITCHEN VALLEY

Life in your Community

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

NOT CATCHING

HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT TRUST

ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

Roasted tomato, basil and parmesan quiche

By Lucia Foster-Found

Keep the Flow Going

Winchester Heritage Open Days

STYLE ˙ INTERIORS ˙ HEALTH & BEAUTY ˙ INTERVIEWS ˙ FOOD & DRINK ˙ ENTERTAINMENT ˙ EVENTS

Your friendly garage with a personal touch Quality Service & Repairs

Your vehicle will be looked after by qualified technicians with many years of experience. Receive a dealership level service at local garage prices.

MOT centre

Receive complete attention to detail and thorough safety checks in our MOT centre.

Child friendly customer waiting area

Stay warm, dry and keep the children entertained in our relaxing waiting area. Coffee and tea making facilities available and clean toilets with child changing area.

Free local collection & delivery service

Don’t fret about getting the car to us if things go wrong. Just give us a call and let us make the arrangements for your car repair stress free. (vehicle recovery is chargeable unless covered by your insurance policy).

While you wait service

We are more than happy to have you wait for your car. Take advantage of our warm, dry and clean customer waiting area.

Tyres & Exhausts

Extremely competitive prices on all exhausts. Tyres supplied direct from the leading suppliers. Order Online. Why travel and join a queue when you can simply pay us a visit. We are also an award winning GT radial dealer.

Free courtesy car (by appointment)

Don’t let your breakdown or service cause problems. Take full advantage of one of our clean and reliable automatic or manual courtesy cars.

Computer 4-wheel alignment Check

We have recently invested in one of the latest computer Wheel- Alignment systems where we can carry out full alignment checks and adjustments, increasing the life of your tyres and improving your driving experience!

Mention this advert to get £10 off your next MOT

Call today: 01962 736343 www.phoenixautoservicesltd.co.uk Free local collection and delivery service

PHOENIX AUTO SERVICES LTD, PROSPECT ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QF

ITCHEN VALLEY FORUM SEPTEMBER 2021

CONTENTS 06 Property Management

Buying, selling, letting?

Find local estate agents and property management services

34 Feature

20

Looking after your health and yourself!

Music, Art, Literature and Dance

Discover local events and days out in

18 Garden

Make your garden dream come true

New south coast partnership takes the lead on responsible dog walking Local services to keep your vehicle running

50 Recipe of the Month

34

Roasted tomato, basil and parmesan quiche

24 Professional Services

46

Get in Touch Forum Publications Offices

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

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

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

Keep the flow going

32 Home

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

Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

www. luciafosterfound.com

30 Environment

Graphic Designer James Curtis james@forumpublications.co.uk

Lucia Foster-Found

28 Retail

Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors

20 Feature

Not Catching - by Lucia Foster-Found

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

49 Motoring

16 Leisure & Entertainment

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

46 Feature

Find local schools and educational experts

14 Culture

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk

44 Wellbeing

10 Education

The Team

Winchester Green Week 2021

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50

COMMUNITY

September & October Events Finally our events page is back!

Clubs & Societies Alresford Arts Society

Learn to paint or re-visit an old hobby by joining the Alresford Art Society's classes.

Choose daytime or evening. Mixed ability and beginners available. Call Sue Gentry on 01962 773185 or email: sue.gentry@ gentrypublicity.co.uk for more details

Alresford Ladies Group

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7.30 p.m. in the John Pearson Hall, Alresford. We hope to have a speaker arranged for our October 14 meeting and also at our November 11 meeting which will be the AGM. Enquiries to Beverly Terrill, 01962 733112.

new songs, do come along and join us at 7.30 pm in Itchen Abbas village hall. Phone me, Gary Carter, on 01962 732350 for more information - Remember!

Singing is good for you!

Sunday 12th September Alresford Museum Open Day From 12am - 4pm at The Old Fire Station, Broad Street, Alresford www.museum.alresford.org

Sunday 26th September Alresford Brocante Market

Broad Street - from 9.30am - 3.30pm.

Brocante Market Alresford welcomes back the French Style flea market a mixture of Antiques, Collectable Curios, Vintage Retro and those must have quirky finds.

bell-ringing! For more information email:events@stjohnsalresford.org.uk

Saturday 2nd October Apple Day Evening Finale

2nd October 2021 Vipera productions and St.Johns Church, Alresford present Apple Day Evening Finale from 7.15pm to 9.30pm.

Enjoy Alresford Ukulele Jam, Organ Morgan and Jake Gauntlett at St.Johns Church, New Alresford, SO24 9AG. Tel: 01962 733545. There will be a licenced bar and tickets will be £8 adv £10 on the door.

Tickets available from the 6th Sept 2021 at St.Johns Parish Office & Oakleaf Stationery - 58 West Street.

Thursday 30th September Alresford Arts Society Demonstration

Sunday 5th September The Alresford Pigs Duck Race

Alresford Art Society: a demonstration by Stephen Cheeseman entitled 'Movement in Pastels' on at 7.30 pm in Bishop's Sutton Village Hall, Alresford Road (B3047), Alresford SO24 0AH (Covid regulations allowing). Non-members welcome admission £3. For further information please contact Richard Cox on 01962 732043 or visit www.artsociety.alresford. org

From 12 noon - 5pm at the Weir House, Alresford. The Alresford Pigs Duck Race Races every 30 mins. from 1.00pm. A great family day out with Barbecue, Teas & Cakes, Fully Licensed Bar, Ice Cream, Face Painting, Live Music. All proceeds to local charitable causes. www.alresfordpigs.org

Wednesday 8th September Itchen Valley Choir - Singing is back

Choirs around the country are coming back to life and Hampshire is no exception.

The Itchen Valley Choir looks forward to restarting rehearsals in early September. If you are longing to get out of the house, have an urge to take up singing, want to rekindle your vocal skills or just enjoy learning some

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Saturday 2nd October Alresford Apple Day

The event will be held in and around St. Johns Church. Apple pressing - bring your own apples. Food & Drink - including cider, hotappledogs and more. There will also be stalls including local produce and crafts.

On top of that there will be entertainment, competitions, games and have a go at

Friday 22nd October Alresford Twinning Society Quiz Night Come and join us for a Quiz Night at Arlebury Park Recreation Centre. The Quiz is open to all, so spread the word!

We will kick off sharp at 7.15 pm, so please come along from 6.45 to get your seat ( and drinks!!). The Arlebury Bar will be open for beer, wine or whatever tipple you fancy !

Food will be provided at 8.30 and is included in your ticket price. Keep your ticket handy at that time, as they are numbered and a prize draw will take place during the meal. Teams will be up to six, but do not worry if you want to come but do not have a full team. We can help put teams together on the night. Cost will be £12.50 per person and tickets can be obtained from Terry Foreman at foreman2007@ btinternet.com or text to 07841 629999 , or Ali Love at alison.love54@btinternet.com or text to 07933 298323.

Look forward to seeing you there, Terry Foreman- Quizmaster

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COMMUNITY / PROPERTY Alresford Rotary - September 2021

Rotary Ride

Alresford Rotary is teaming up with Station Mill Health and Fitness for this year's Rotary Ride, a national initiative supporting Prostate Cancer UK and other charities to increase awareness of prostate cancer. Using the Station Mill state of the art training bikes, Alresford Rotary is inviting individuals or teams to ride the London to Brighton distance anytime over the weekend of 12th and 13th September. Competitors will be invited to donate to take part and all money raised will go to Prostate Cancer UK. There will be prizes! Please refer to our website for further details.

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. Licensed bar. To book or for further details please contact wjrp@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01962 738788

Lendwithcare

Alresford Rotary is best known for running local events, generating funds for local charitable causes. Less known is that, with 35,000 clubs globally and a membership of over 1.2 million, Rotary is the largest non-governmental organisation in the world. The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own charity, supported by voluntary donations from Rotarians and others who share its vision of a better world both at home and overseas.

For several years Alresford Rotary has supported small or micro businesses in the developing world. These businesses are mostly one person ‘start-ups’, requiring finance and advice. Lendwithcare, a microfinance lending website from the development charity CARE International UK, enables Rotary to make small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries and collects the repayments. Every month Rotary uses the repayments to loan to new entrepreneurs and the cycle repeats itself. Each small loan can make a real difference and hearing their real-life stories helps make Rotary’s support worthwhile. Meet Lizzie Chochoma from Malawi, aged 57 who sells fish for a living, a typical entrepreneur that Rotary has helped out of poverty.

What were the difficulties you faced prior to starting your business?

I had no money to support my family with basic needs and support myself. I support 6 children and 3 grandchildren as my husband is disabled and cannot now work.

What was life like before you started your business?

Life was tough. I lacked money to buy food and essentials for life. I had to go long distances on foot to visit relatives because I could not afford to pay for my own transport. The children were suffering badly with malnutrition, and I saw no hope in the future.

What objectives did your business have?

I wanted my business to be generating a profit of more than 30,000 kwacha (£27) a month and to employ more than 1 person.

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How did the Lendwithcare Microloan Foundation help you?

They picked me up from the ground. Firstly, they trained me all about setting up a business. About the financing and the way to grow the business. I decided to start a business selling fish and they provided me funds and collect my repayments. They are there to help unlike the loan sharks that charge crazy interest and threaten you if you cannot pay.

How has the business gone?

My business has grown and I now employ 2 people who were unemployed and like me, struggling to feed their families.

How many people were helped by your business?

In total 12 people; My husband, 6 children, 3 grandchildren and 2 workers.

I hope to grow the business further and be able to afford to improve my house and even get connected to electricity. I am so grateful for the training help I received and the funds to get me going.

How has the business helped your life?

It has changed everything. Now I can afford to provide enough food for my family, buy clothes and pay school fees for my grandchildren. In a nutshell, I can now call my family, a happy one.

So far Alresford Rotary has helped over 5000 people like Lizzie set up new businesses in Africa and Asia. They may be businesses but behind each one, is a great personal story like this. Such stories motivate us to continue these micro loans alongside the other local and international projects we run each year.

If you would like to be part of or support Alresford Rotary please let us know!

David Marshall

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

A name can count onyou’re in a changing world…

It’s you reassuring to know in safe hands…

A name you can count on in a changing world…

You may be surprised to learn that estate and letting agents are not required to be licenced or qualified, as things stand at the moment. In order to address this issue and improve standards, the ROPA working group is advising government on changing the way the industry is regulated, which will lead to higher standards and greater protection of consumers’ interests.

Rebecca is the latest member of the Hellards team to qualify for her ARLA Level 3 professional qualification.

This standard gives you an assurance that you are dealing with people who can give you up-to-date, specialized advice, tailored to your individual circumstances, all delivered with a smile!

If you are thinking of selling or letting out your property, we would be pleased to assist. Please speak to one of our dedicated team, either in person at our Broad Street office, or by phoning us on 01962 736333.

We hope to hear from you soon!

11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AR | alresford@hellards.co.uk 11 Broad Street, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 | 736333 alresford@hellards.co.uk www.hellards.co.uk | Tel. 9AR 01962 www.hellards.co.uk | Tel. 01962 736333

PROPERTY

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5 good reasons to be a landlord....

full management, which means any income or financial gain can be reasonably hassle free.

The Future There are likely to be financial consequence to the pandemic and if you plan a longer term rental then you may be able to protect yourself from any impending economic uncertainty Using a professional agency to manage a tenanted property gives peace of mind to both landlord and tenant. Call Kate Morton, Head of Lettings, on 02392 632275 for advice.

Demand As with the sales market there is high demand for rental properties particularly in the South with its accessibility to commuter links and areas of protected countryside.

Finance Low cost buy-to-let finance, combined with a fixed term rate and a long term tenancy agreement with renewal clause will provide financial security.

Capital Growth The buy to let property is also likely to be a capital growth asset.

Tax Relief Tax relief is still available to landlords to cover agency fees, including

Kate Morton, Head of Lettings Tel: 02392 632275

EQDC

Let somebody fall for your home this autumn It’s the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – a great time to fall in love.

Here at PRADO HQ the holidays are over and our buyers are getting serious, so September is a perfect month to put your home on the market. The scents of the season – wood-burning stoves, freshly ground coffee or a baking apple crumble – won’t hurt your sales prospects either. And with an eye already on December, buyers who fall in love in September can expect to be sold, settled and ready for Christmas.

“

So… fancy giving us a call and catching the fall?

We chose Prado because it is a small independent estate agency.

We wanted a personalised service and that’s what we received…

BRAVO! YOU’VE FOUND PRADO.

Call Philip on 01962 734727 contact@pradoestateagents.com | www.pradoestateagents.com 3 East Street, Alresford S024 9EE

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PROPERTY

Experts in property Sales I Lettings I Management Across the South

Selling, Letting & Managing properties in the Itchen Valley 02392 632 275

sales@countryhousecompany.co.uk  lettings@countryhousecompany.co.uk management@countryhousecompany.co.uk countryhousecompany.co.uk

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If you are currently under a sole agency contract to another agent, you should check the terms of that contract to avoid potentially being exposed to dual fees

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EDUCATION

Sixth Form for Curious Minds Earlier this year, Winchester College announced that it would offer day places for boys and girls in its Sixth Form from September 2022. Tom Quayle, Head of Sixth Form, gives us an insight in to what life is like at this historic school.

We believe that Sixth Form should be the most interesting, enriching and academically demanding years of your school life; and there is no better place to spend them than in the beautiful surroundings at Winchester College.

Life here is busy, challenging and fulfilling: pupils learn well beyond the exam syllabus; have access to incredible facilities, opportunities and teaching; and the freedom to explore who they are and what they’re interested in.

we interrogate the ideas of the present through the lens of the past and future; we look at how global cultures and civilisations have shaped the world we know; and discuss, debate, and reflect on ethics, politics, the humanities and the sciences.

Put simply, you will be taught what isn’t taught elsewhere and isn’t tested in exams. It will prepare you to thrive in the modern world and to contribute to a global society.

And this is what our pupils go on to do: studying at world-class institutions all over the globe – and to lead in their careers and give back to society. Our fortnightly careers panels allow us to hear from and connect to an impressive array of former pupils who are at the very top of their fields across the working world.

We do not have a preconceived idea about what a Winchester College pupil looks like, and nor should you. We were founded by a visionary philanthropist who recognised the importance of education and service regardless of background. And that is what we look for – those who have the intellectual spark and curiosity to take advantage of everything the school has to offer, and the drive and determination to give something back.

You will find that Winchester College is a special place with a rich academic history but one that looks firmly forward. A place where pupils can find, develop and express their interests, whatever they look like.

We welcome bright, inquisitive pupils, irrespective of background and there is a substantial bursaries programme, which can cover 100% of fees and costs.

We have economists and engineers, as well as those who calculate, create or compose. Our pastoral and wider care is extensive: whether you’re looking for careers advice, university guidance, 1-1 sports coaching, or support with your learning, there will always be someone there to help.

At the heart of our academic ethos is a belief that there is life – and learning – beyond exams.

Developed through our unique programme of non-examined cultural studies, pupils explore topics unrestrained by any syllabus:

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If you’re interested in visiting the school or would like to talk to one of our Sixth Form Advisors, please get in touch at winchestercollege.org/sixthform.

Winchester College College Street Winchester SO23 9NA Tel: 01962 621100 www. www.winchestercollege.org

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EDUCATION Christy Lefteri will be in conversation with Sarah O’Rorke at 7.00pm on Tuesday 12 October - The bestselling author of the The Beekeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri comes to talk about her latest blockbuster, Songbirds, set in contemporary Cyprus.

Godolphin School announces line-up for its fourth Literary Festival This year the Godolphin Literary Festival will celebrate reading and writing with a week of author events in Salisbury from 11-15 October 2021.

Pupils from Wiltshire and Hampshire Schools will be invited to a number of author talks including: Children’s author Onjali Q Rauf - known for her bestseller The Boy at the Back of the Class.

Popular Young Adult author, M A Bennett who won the Salisbury Schools’ Book Award with her Onjali Q Rauf novel S.T.A.G.S. Tracey Corderoy brings reading to the young with her many picture book series, most recently with Shifty McGifty and Sneaky Beak.

Mary Ann Sieghart

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The fabulous line up of evening talks are open to the general public and will include Mary Ann Sieghart @ 7.00pm on Monday 11 October. Sieghart has had an illustrious career in newspaper, radio and television journalism, she comes to talk about her book The Authority Gap which tackles everyday sexism as seen through the eyes of her high-profile interviewees.

Christy Lefteri

At 7.00pm on Wednesday 13October Nigel Farndale will be in conversation with author and Country Life Executive Editor Giles Kime. The Times journalist, Nigel Farndale, comes to talk about his career interviewing the stars and his novel, The Dictator’s Muse, based on the life of Leni Riefenstahl, the photographer best known for Hitler’s propaganda films. £5 tickets are available for these evening events. To find out more, please email events@godolphin.org.

Godolphin School Milford Hill Salisbury Wilts SP1 2RA Tel: 01722 430500 www.godolphin.org

AUTUMN TERM EVENTS AT ST SWITHUN’S Book your place at our autumn term open events now: Friday 17 September at 1.45pm Senior and sixth-form open day Friday 1 October at 1.45pm Bear Hunt activity afternoon for families with children aged 2-4 Saturday 9 October at 9.30am Foundations for Success conference for parents of children under 4 To find out more and to book, please visit www.stswithuns.com or call Senior School 01962 835700 | Prep School 01962 835792

ENTERTAINMENT

Winchester Heritage Open Days

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10th-19th September 2021

t’s that time of the year again when we can all look forward to Heritage Open Days and a chance to discover the history on our doorstep, all for free. This year sees the welcome return of events you can attend in person, many of which you can just turn up to although others will need to be pre-booked. Look out for the Edible England events celebrating this year’s national theme.

And for friends and family further afield, or those who are unable to visit, there will still be plenty of events available online.

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Here are some of this year’s festival highlights…

Tours & Behind the Scenes • Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Guided Tour of Magdalen Hill Cemetery, Winchester, Fri 10am & 12pm, Sun 12th 10am, 12pm, 3pm. Book in advance • Winchester HODs (online), Behind the Business, Fri 10th onwards • The Watercress Line, Behind the Scenes Tour at Ropley Station, Sat 11th & Sun 12th various times from 11.30am • Jeremy France (online), Behind the Scenes at Jeremy France, Tues 14th 10-11am, Fri 17th 2-3pm, Sat 18th 10-11am.

Book in advance • The Grange, Northington, Thurs 16th House open 12-5pm, Tours 1pm & 4pm. Book in advance • Winchester College Guided Tours, Thurs 16th- Sun 19th various times. Book in advance • Pilgrims’ Hall, Sun 19th 9.30am-5.30pm • The Gregg School, Sun 19th 2-5pm

Edible England • ‘Edible England’ Winchester High Street Trail, Fri 10th – Sun 19th (trail map available from website, the Visitor Information Centre) • ‘Edible England’ Exhibition (online), Fri 10th onwards • Montezumas Winchester, Step back in time with chocolate, Fri 10th- Sun 19th • Rick Stein Cookery School (online), Winchester Pudding cookery demonstration, Fri 10th- Sun 19th • Incredible Edible, Community Allotment Open Day, Sat 11th 10am-12pm, Tours 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am • Hyde900, Medieval Cookery Classes with Patricia Silver-Warner, next to Winchester Cathedral Offices, Sun 12th 2pm, 3pm, 4pm.

Book in advance • Prof Chris Woolgar & Dr Ellie Woodacre (UoW) (online), A Winchester Wedding Feast, Wed 15th 7-8pm. Book in advance • Proudfoot & Co (online), Discover England’s Lost Spices, Wed 15th 5.30pm-8.30pm • Gilbert White’s House, Gilbert White’s Brewhouse & Open Day, Thurs 16th 10.30am-7pm.

• Honesty Cookery School, Tea Event – Talk & Tasting, Thurs 16th 2pm. Book in advance • Whitchurch Silk Mill Food Festival & Open Day, Sat 18th 10.30am-4pm • Winchester Muse, Poetry event at St Lawrence-in-the-Square, Winchester, Sat 18th 2-3pm Talks & Exhibitions • Alex Beeton (online), ‘The State, the School, and the Sugarloaf: Winchester College and the Civil Wars’, Fri 10th 1-2pm.

Book in advance • Inn the Park, ‘Winchester Deserves... Cake’ Exhibition of work by David Ferry, daily from 9am-12pm. Closed Mon 13th & Tues 14th • St Bartholomew Church, Postcard display of old Winchester, Sat 11th 10am-4pm • Aldershot Military Museum, ‘Rushmoor’s Rations’ Exhibition, Sat 11th& Sun 12th 11am-4pm.

• Hyde900 Launch of Edward Fennell’s “CHARTER FOR MURDER”, next to Winchester Cathedral Offices, Sat 11th 4.30-5.30pm. Book in advance • An Interview with Damian Dibben by P&G Wells Ltd (online), available from Mon 13th onwards • Dr Eric Lacey (UoW) (online), Place Names as Edible Encyclopaedia: foraging, grazing & hunting in medieval Hampshire, Mon 13th 2pm. Book in advance

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Army Flying Museum (online), Army Flying: Their Stories Past and Present, Tues 14th 4-5pm. Book in advance Dr Carey Fleiner (UoW) (online), You Spin Me Right ‘Round - Spinning and Weaving in the Roman World, Sat 18th 3-4pm.

Book in advance Friends Meeting House, Andrew Rutter art exhibition, Sat 18th & Sun 19th 1-5pm

Family Events • Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Children’s Medal Making, Fri 10th & Wed 15th 10am-2pm • Winchester Poetry Festival, Winchester - A Hidden Heritage of Everyday Beauty: Pop-Up Story Collecting, Fri 10th & Sun 19th 9am-5pm • Hampshire Cultural Trust, Open Days at Winchester City Museum & Westgate Museum, Sat 11th & Sun 12th • Classic & Sports Car Display, outside the Great Hall, Winchester, Sat 11th 10am-5pm • Stories for a Great Hall - From All Ages, For All Ages by Mike Rogers, Sun 12th 12.15-2.45pm • Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Wild Winchester, Wed 15th 5.30-8.30pm. Book in advance • Winchester College Treasury - Children’s Trail, Thurs 16th & Fri 17th 2-4pm, Sat 18th & Sun 19th 10am-4pm • King Alfred Buses, Heritage Bus & Coach Display, Cattle Market, Winchester, Sat 19th 10am-4pm • Open Days: The Great Hall, Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Romsey Signal Box, Bursledon Brickworks & The Vyne.

See website for various dates, times & booking details.

For more information, programme and bookings visit: www.winchesterheritageopendays.org Winchester Visitor Information Centre: Tel.01962 840500 For Hampshire HistBites visit: http://histbites.buzzsprout.com

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

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ENTERTAINMENT a great show, and pays homage to the sparkling wit of Shakespeare.

It is above all an irresistible celebration of the joy and madness of working in theatre. Of course, the power struggles between the genders will be there… although there will be plenty of humorous moments in the show, too.

Brush Up Your Shakespeare: Kiss Me, Kate with an 80’s twist

“I am delighted that we have such a fabulous group of actors for this production, with a strong mix of experienced Shakespearian performers as well as our talented musical artists. Indeed, half of the cast are entirely new to Titchfield, bringing fresh interpretations to many of the various characters.

Kiss Me, Kate comes to Titchfield Festival Theatre this September.

Set both on and off-stage during a production of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew, Kiss Me, Kate revolves around the tempestuous love lives of actor-manager Fred Graham and his leading Lady and ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi.

This time the comic love story has an 80’s twist, complete with costumes from that decade and an exciting musical score adapted to give a period feel by TFT’s inhouse music director Daniel Brown.

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dY Directing Kiss Me, Kate is Sassy Harvey who is also TFT’snYouth ea and Outreach Coordinator. Sassy said, “Kiss Me Kate is going to r be

Alresford Alresford Brocante Brocante Alresford Alresford Brocante Alresford Alresford AlresfordBrocante Brocante Brocante Brocante

“We have kept all of the original music and script, the only difference being that the show is set in London not Baltimore. Cole Porter's witty, jazz-inflicted score features hit after hit, with show-stopping numbers including ‘Brush up your Shakespeare’ and ‘Too darn hot’.

We can’t wait for the curtain to go up!”

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Kiss Me, Kate opens at the St Margarets Lane, Titchfield on Wednesday September 8th running until Saturday September 18th, 2021. Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Two matinée productions are on Saturday 11th & 18th September 2021, at 2.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http:// titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366. Kiss Me, Kate will also be streamed live on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th September 2021.

Antiques Antiques |Vintage Vintage |Flea Flea Market Market Antiques |||||Vintage ||||Flea Market Antiques Antiques Antiques Vintage |Vintage Vintage Flea |Flea Flea Market Market Market Antiques Vintage Market Alresford Brocante

Alresford Alresford Brocante Brocante Alresford Alresford Brocante Alresford Alresford AlresfordBrocante Brocante Brocante Brocante

Antiques Antiques | |Vintage Vintage | |Flea Flea Market Market Antiques | | Market Antiques Antiques Antiques |||Vintage Vintage |Vintage Vintage ||Flea Flea |Flea Flea Market Market Market Antiques Vintage Market

This vibrant market is back for their second visit of the year on the Sunday 27th September 2020 Bank Bank Holiday Holiday Monday Monday 6th 6th May May & & There is a Bank Holiday Monday 6th & 26th September between 9.30am - 3.30pm inMay Broad Bank Bank Bank Holiday Holiday Holiday Monday Monday Monday 6th 6th 6th May May May &&Street. & Broad Street, Alresford SO24 9AQ | 9.30 -like 3.30pm huge array of items to choose from whether you antiques vintage Sunday Sunday 15th 15th September September Sunday 15th September Sunday Sunday Sunday 15th 15th 15th September September September or retro items. The vinyl record man will be there to spin your old Broad Broad Street, Street, Alresford Alresford SO24 SO24 9AQ 9AQ |9.30am 9.30am | 9.30am - 3.30pm - 3.30pm Broad Street, Alresford SO24 9AQ | favourites.

Something for all the family, miss--it-3.30pm we are not back Broad Broad Broad Street, Street, Street, Alresford Alresford Alresford SO24 SO24 SO24 9AQ 9AQ 9AQ |dont |9.30am 9.30am | 9.30am 3.30pm 3.30pm - 3.30pm Antique & Art Fairs acvr_events until May 22 next year.

Antique Antique Arts & Arts FairFair Antique &&Arts Fair

@ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs

@ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs Antique Antique &&Arts Arts & Arts Fair FairFair The market offers a Antique French-style flea market with a mixture 07514 680872 |Brocante 023 8045 3465 07514 07514 680872 680872 | 023 | 023 8045 8045 3465 3465 07514 680872 | 023 8045 3465 of Antiques, Collectables, Curios, Vintage Retro, 07514 07514 07514 680872 680872 680872 ||023 023 | 023 8045 8045 8045 3465 3465 3465Bric-a-brac, Vinyl jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com www.acvrevents.co.uk jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com records and those ‘must-have’ quirky finds from traders, enthusiasts jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk as well as people just wanting to clear out their garages and lofts - why not come and join us in Broad Street.

A fun day out for all the family, many of the restaurants and cafes, as well as some of the shops will be open. Free entry. Local general parking.

Supported by www.towntrust.org.uk

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Sunday 26th September 2021 Bank BankHoliday Holiday Monday Monday6th 6thMay May& & Bank Holiday Monday 6th May & Bank Bank Bank Holiday Holiday Holiday Monday Monday Monday 6th 6th 6th May May May && & Sunday 15th September Sunday Sunday Sunday 15th 15th 15th September September September

Broad Street, Alresford SO24 9AQ | 9.30 - 3.30pm Sunday Sunday 15th 15th September September

Also Bishop's Waltham High Street on the 10th October Broad Broad Street, Street, Alresford Alresford SO24 SO24 9AQ 9AQ | 9.30am | 9.30am 3.30pm - 3.30pm Broad Street, Alresford SO24 9AQ | -- --3.30pm Broad Broad Broad Street, Street, Street, Alresford Alresford Alresford SO24 SO24 SO24 9AQ 9AQ 9AQ ||9.30am 9.30am 9.30am | 9.30am 3.30pm 3.30pm - 3.30pm Antique & Art Fairs

acvr_events

@ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs Antique Antique Arts & Arts FairFair @ArtDesignFairs Antique &&Arts Fair @ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs @ArtDesignFairs Antique Antique Antique &&Arts Arts & Arts Fair FairFair 07514 680872

07514 07514 680872 680872 023 | 023 8045 8045 3465 3465 07514 680872 ||023 8045 3465 07514 07514 07514 680872 680872 680872 ||023 023 | 023 8045 8045 8045 3465 3465 3465 jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com www.acvrevents.co.uk jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com jackieedwardsmarketing@gmail.com www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk www.acvrevents.co.uk

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

Summer evenings are for enjoying! That’s why we are still open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday throughout September and 6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays, Tuesdays we close at 3pm.

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!

SEP @ 7.30PM & 11, 12, 13 @ 2.30PM. NO PERF 13 SEP

8 - 18 SEPT @ 7.30PM & 11,12,13 @ 2.30PM (NO PERF 13 SEP)

YOUTH THEATRE & CHILDREN'S SHOWS - SUN3 11 JUL - AT 2PM & 6PM - THE GREAT BARN 29 SEP - 9 OCT @ 7.30PM @ 2.30PM (NO PERF 4 OCT)

20 - 25 SEP @ 7.30PM

CCADS PRESENTS JANE AUSTEN'S WED 14 JUL AT 7PM - THE GREAT BARN 11 OCT - SAT 16EMMA OCT @-7.30PM

73 ST MARGARETS LANE, TITCHFIELD, PO14 4BG WWW.TITCHFIELDFESTIVALTHEATRE.COM | BOX OFFICE: 03336 663366

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

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COMMUNITY / GARDEN Winchester Councillor Fiona Isaacs Report Alresford - Bishops Sutton Footpath Before the elections I made a commitment that I would do all I can to help Bishops Sutton and Alresford residents with the pathway linking the 2 areas. I spent a wet but worthwhile morning with members from Bishops Sutton Parish Council gathering more information . This is important and of benefit to both Parishes and residents alike.

Grass Cutting Issues This month I called an emergency meeting on some of the issues and feedback that residents had raised.

Overwhelmingly the feedback to myself was about the issues of visibility. I asked why none of the safety cuts and sight lines, that i had requested earlier this year, in order to ensure that people were kept safe, had been carried out.

There needs to be a careful balance with encouraging wildflower development but not at the sacrifice of keeping the area safe and attractive to visitors. As the No1 Market Town in the UK, our businesses need tourist still to come to support our economy as well as our lovely locals Market Towns Matter My Letter to the Hampshire Chronicle outlines the disappointment that Market Towns don’t have their own recovery plan. How, after speaking at the Business and Housing committee ,I seconded a motion at WCC to ensure Market Towns had representation in all plans . it is regrettable that, as the market towns struggle to be heard, a deliberate move was made to silence their views. The surrounding villages, local businesses and residents all have very strong feeling on the issues and concerns we have and that these must be accounted for in any plan moving forward.

Perins School Crossing Issues.

I can report that as of September, no bus drop offs or pick ups will now take place on the avenue. This will hopefully make things better for children crossing. Further assessments are still underway about this crossing.

Winchester Councillor Fiona Isaacs I can be contacted in the following ways.

Email - fisaacs@winchester.gov.uk Telephone - 01962 738671

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Are you caring for someone?

Carers provide unpaid practical and emotional support to a family member, friend or another person, who needs help to manage daily activities. Some people don’t realise they are carers, and simply think they are performing their role as a husband, wife, parent or friend.

Caring for someone can be really tough, but there is help available: •

Hampshire County Council (HCC) provides support for carers, as well as the cared-for person. You can ask for a Carers Assessment, which will assess what help HCC can offer. They will also tell you about other organisations and services which may be helpful to you. Call them on 0300 555 1386.

• Andover Mind – Carer Support and Dementia Advice Service offers advice, information and support to all carers aged 18 and above, who provide care for an adult. Call them on 01264 332297.

•

Carers Together is a local charity offering support to carers.

Their Listening Line, offering information, advice and support is available 365 days a year, Monday-Friday: 10.00am-8.00pm and Bank Holidays & Weekends: 10.00am-4.00pm. Call them on 08000 323456.

• Princess Royal Trust for Carers offer an Emergency Plan, giving you peace of mind, should you be unwell and unable to care for your loved one. In an emergency, up to 48 hours care may be available for the person you care for. Call them on 01264 835246.

•

Tell your GP that you are a carer Register your details with your GP surgery, so your notes show you are a carer and that your family member / friend / another person is a cared-for. This will help your GP be aware of your responsibilities and any potential impact of these responsibilities on your own health.

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

C&D Trees All Tree & Hedge Care

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

www.cdtrees.co.uk

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

™ leave your lawn to us to us Leave Leave your your lawn to us Leave 15Leave your lawn to us your lawn years in business. Fully insured, trained and certified.

Independent Independent Lawn Lawn Professionals Professionals nt Lawn Professionals Independent Lawn Professionals

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9 99

FEATURE

S

Not Catching © LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2021

WWW.LUCIAFOSTERFOUND.COM

tood on Hurst shingle bank, looking out towards The Needles as the dogs paddled in and out of the surf, they tackled up.

“Today is the day. I feel it in my fish bones. Oh yes!”

Himself was full of hope and added “You might get some mackerel – I’ve brought feathers.”

A few years ago, the word ‘feathers’ in this context would have confused her. She’d have wondered if he planned to tickle the fish into submission, or dress them up as a showgirl, name of Lola. Now she knew better. A world of alluring lures and scintillating spinners had since opened up and she was planning to use these to catch herself a bass. In spite of the in-shore water over-fishing, Himself’s optimism was catching. Watching him busy baiting up some beach casters with ragworm, she shuddered. Happy to dig them up and gingerly scoop them into a bucket, she couldn’t quite bring herself to push them, wriggling, onto a hook. Especially after she found out that the scary looking things could bite.

As he cast out his baited, weighted hook he cried out. “I’m going for flatfish. Frying tonight!” He looked so happy, standing there in his beloved tatty old shorts kept especially for the seaside, watching the end of the rod for the tell-tale ‘dip dip’ that might indicate a nibble.

She set up the beach shelter for the dogs and unpacked the picnic under their watchful eyes. “High time you got new shorts” she said as she took over his ham and cheese baguette.

“Mmn yes, soon” he seemed to agree. “Really?” she asked, surprised, given his devotion to the slightly sad cut-offs. “Yes. High tide, about an hour. You’d best get casting” oblivious that his selective hearing had clearly kicked in, he munched on his sandwich.

“I think that was a bite!” he cried out excitedly and dropped his lunch to reel in his line. His back was turned to the dogs, his baguette enticingly unprotected. In a canine parody of the game ‘Grandma’s footsteps’ the dogs crept out of the tent. Their necks stretched forth; elongated like moray eels issuing from their lair. Himself, disappointed that there was no plaice the size of a dinner plate on his line, re-cast and reached for his baguette. The dogs froze and then

20

retreated, drooling, backwards into the tent. Catching her watching them, they shot her a look she could only describe as shifty.

Casting out her own line with its bewitching lure; articulated and vibrant, it mimicked a swooping, swimming fish as she reeled it back.

She had high hopes and shortly it was her turn for an enthusiastic “I think I’ve got something!” as she felt encouraging resistance, only to be disappointed by the hook’s heavy cargo of weed.

Fishing was a wonderfully distracting waste of an afternoon; a respite from concerns of Covid, work and family. More an exercise in anticipation of the catch, they were not overly disappointed with no fishy on a little dishy for their dinner. Not catching any fish, they were also not ‘catching’ anything else out in the open air and far from people. As the soft September sun slid towards the horizon, they packed up their collection of lures, feathers, hooks and spinners – and liberated the remaining ragworms.

The couple walked back along the shingle to their car, whilst the dogs ran splashily along the water line, enthusiastically chasing seagulls and each other. “Fish and chips in Milford-on-Sea?” he asked as she switched on the ignition.

“I didn’t think you’d be hungry so soon after that enormous baguette?” she’d anticipated cooking a light supper later.

“Half a baguette darling” he remonstrated.

Half a baguette?? She looked around at the spaniels lying down in the back of the car. One wagged its tail. “and to be honest, the end was a bit soggy.”

Soggy?? She turned around again; the other spaniel raised a weary head and looked at her. Was that a crumb in its whiskers?

Himself was conducting a post mortem on the lack of success. “Do you know, maybe it was the wrong bait – I’ll use something else next time. Perhaps squid, or maybe prawns. I don’t think that I had so much as a nibble all day” he mused, looking out of the window.

She glanced once more at the dogs, who apparently unashamed of their feat of grand theft sandwich, didn’t even have the decency to look guilty. Should she tell Himself that he’d had more than a nibble on his bait and caught one, if not two ‘dog’ fish?

Maybe later, when he’d forgotten about the soggy end...

GARDEN

TDH

Landscaping & Garden Maintenance Landscaping Gardener with 25 years experience as award winning landscaper in Norway

Hard Landscaping

Supply and planting large specimen trees and shrubs Espalier, pleached and instant impact hedges

• Block & Flagstone Paving • Gravelling, patios and paths • Turfing

All trees and shrubs carefully selected

General Maintenance

Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance

• Grass & Hedge Cutting • Hedge, Shrubs and Tree Pruning • Leaf Collecting • Garden Clearance • Borders Cleared • Soil improvement

Free site visit and consultation Bosque is a trading name of Just Limegrass Ltd.

Free Quotes • References from Norwegian Projects T: 07498 747906

Harko: 07710 502798 Tom: 07855 656984

1 Hinton Hill Cottages, Hinton Ampner, SO24 0JZ

www.bosque international.co.uk

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

E: traditionalpestcontrol@gmail.com www.traditionalpestcontrol.co.uk

keep your logs dry ready for winter Call Andrew or Ashley on

01962 733990

Fencing Gates Decking Sleepers Pergolas Trellis Installation service available l

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GARDEN

Microbialactivity the hidden gift Healthy plants require healthy soil, but what does that really mean? Let’s take a look at the importance of soil fungi and bacteria and how they help your lawn to thrive.

Healthy soil contains a complex mix of nutrients, moisture, insect life and also decaying plant-life and animals. Their balance is essential and their interdependent relationship makes soil healthy and productive. If their balance is upset soil productivity is at risk, as is the health of your lawn.

Physics Physics are typically the digging, aerating and attention put into ‘working’ the soil to gain the correct consistency. This is often about introducing air spaces into the soil. Air is of course an essential element of life and should make up 25% of your soil composition. Water should make up a further 25% and the physical working of the soil relieves compaction and aids drainage. Waterlogging of your lawn will push air out of the soil causing biological death and seriously impacting your grass plants.

Chemistry When lawns are affected by predatory pests, disease or weeds the addition of chemical treatments have often been the go-to approach to control these problems. As we begin to recognise the importance of reducing our chemical input, we need to look towards other ways of managing these issues. A healthy lawn, on healthy soil, with a great biological balance, will require less chemical intervention.

Biology Understanding the relationship between plants above the ground, their roots below, the bacteria and fungi living within the soil and the animal life that share this soil with them will help you understand why soil biology is so important.

Green leaf plants use energy from the sun along with water and air to photosynthesise. This is how plants create the food they need in the form of carbohydrates - sugars. The plant only uses some of this food and the rest is excreted from roots into the soil. Soil bacteria are attracted to the simple carbohydrate released by the plants. They use this as a food source and as they break this down, they release nitrogen. Nitrogen makes up the major component of plant nutrition and is essential for the growth of green leaves. Making more natural nitrogen available to your lawn will greatly reduce the requirement to add it as a lawn feed fertiliser.

The Bacterial Barrier The bacteria within the soil that is feeding from the excreted carbohydrate has a vested interest in ensuring the plant that’s feeding it stays alive. To this end it works hard to protect the plant from attack.

Amongst these pests are nematodes which become trapped and then digested by the root bacteria. That’s nature for you, isn’t it wonderful!

Boosting levels of carbohydrate within the soil will encourage higher populations of beneficial bacteria. Our specialised summer nutrition contains many different beneficial elements, one of which is based on molasses, a sugary substance very high in carbohydrate.

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Bacteria and salt Nitrogen for lawn feed comes in many forms. Different forms of nitrogen contain different levels of salt – lawn care professionals call this the salt index. Cheaper forms of nitrogen have a higher salt index. Many of the lawn fertilisers available off-the-shelf have cheaper ingredients and higher salt index. Professional lawn care providers would typically look to use lawn fertilisers that have a low salt index. There’s a really important reason for this. Salt kills bacteria. Think about why we use salt to cure meat, that’s to stop it from rotting – being broken down by bacteria. If we add high levels of salt to our lawn soil it will damage the essential bacteria within it. Promoting good bacterial growth within your soil reduces the need to add soil nutrition.

Fungi Fungi are amazing things, they feed on carbon and are brilliant at breaking down woody substances and plant matter. That’s why you find loads of them in woodlands. When you find mould growing on your food that’s basically fungi breaking down the carbon in the food – remembering that salt would stop this process and preserve the food.

Fungi doesn’t like salt. I’m unsure how salt feels about fungi!

Now let’s imagine a grazing animal is looking for food. If it’s in an area where there is poor food it could wander off and find something better. Plants don’t have that ability and their chance of finding food is limited to how far their roots reach. Well, it would be if it didn’t have a relationship with fungi. A little like their relationship with bacteria, plants create a mutually beneficial relationship with the fungi in the soil and because of the fungal network plants can then benefit from far greater access to nutrients and moisture within the soil. This can create an area up to 1,000 times greater than that of the plant roots themselves.

So, by increasing the population of beneficial fungi within your lawn soil, we can reduce the need to add water and food. But fungi defend the lawn too.

The fungal barrier There is a plethora of fungi that can cause major lawn issues. These attack the grass plants when conditions are right. Defending against attack is by far the best strategy and this is where beneficial fungi are important. When you watch the growth of fungi under a microscope you can observe something spectacular. As two fungi sense each other their growth stops. Beneficial fungi around the roots of a plant create a virtual ‘force-field’ which protects them from attack.

Support your Soil Our recommendations are simple. Mulch mow if possible. Mulch mowing leaves the clippings behind and this then returns decaying plant life back to the soil and feeds fungi. Minimise the use of chemicals and fungicides. Use low salt index fertilisers so as not to damage microbial life. Aerate the lawn at least once a year to ensure there is plenty of air spaces in the soil. The life within your soil needs air to survive – we all do.

Top-dress the lawn with carbon rich compost-based lawn dressings.

Our professional approach to lawn nutrition ensures we add what’s necessary to support this complex network of relationships. We take an ‘organic where possible’ approach. We recommend the addition of carbon through lawn dressing as it feeds fungi and the compost element of the dressing contains plenty of soil bacteria which can then multiply within the soil. We also add carbohydrate in our summer liquid feed.

This feeds the bacteria and the bacteria helps feed and protect the grass.

Many of these things you can do yourself, but it’s often cheaper and easier to ask for the help of a professional.

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

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

Tel: 01962 736261 Mob: 07896 027356 info@trimmers-garden-services.co.uk

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 BUILT ON GREAT SERVICE & VALUE FOR MONEY

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

Call Peter Chivers on: 01256 389124 or Mobile: 07803 096642 BPCA MEMBER - FULLY INSURED 9 STENBURY DRIVE, PRESTON CANDOVER, BASINGSTOKE

ALL AREAS COVERED

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PETER CHIVERS PCS

Tel: 01962 771800 steve.cann@btconnect.com www.georgecanngardenmachinery.co.uk LACEYS FARM, BRAMDEAN, ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 0JT

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PROFESSIONAL Mr Mac Ring doorbells are not only a great way of seeing who is at your door when you are at home but also when you are away. Their easy to use app for mobile phones, computers and laptops makes it easier than ever to keep an eye on the outside of your property, ideal if you are working from home. A big advantage is that you can add extra Ring security cameras (indoors or outdoors) that can also be viewed live from wherever you are. From your study, while you are working at home, or from any remote location. The picture quality is excellent, you're able to zoom in and out, and you can also speak directly and listen to the doorbell or cameras. I have now added the installation and setup of these devices to the services I provide. Please call me for further details and advice.

Alresford Financial 3 East Street, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9EE

Your Local Accountants since 1992

Full range of Accountancy, Auditing, Taxation and Payroll services tailored to suit your needs Small Business Consultancy and Business Start Up Farming and Equine Specialists

FREE Half Hour Initial Consultation 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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PROFESSIONAL

OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY IN LINE WITH COVID19 GUIDELINES WE ALSO OFFER PHONE & VIDEO APPOINTMENTS Accounts & audit • Business advisory • Tax • Bookkeeping • IT & online accounting • VAT • Buying or selling a business Payroll Accounts & audit • Business advisory • •Tax • Bookkeeping

Accounts & audit • Business advisory • Tax • Bookkeeping • Payroll IT & onlinestart-up accounting • VAT • Buying or selling a business • Business • Wealth planning & protection • IT & online accounting • VAT • Wealth planning & protection • Payroll • Business start-up • Wealth planning & protection Buying or selling a business • Forensic accounting • Business start-up

3 East Street, Alresford, SO24 9EE Tel 01962 736926 email: mail@gibbonssolicitors.co.uk

Contact Steve Morgan, an Alresford resident for a free initial consultation on 01252 smo@wiseandco.co.uk Contact Steve Morgan, an711244, Alresford resident on 01252 711244 or email smo@wiseandco.co.uk for a free initial consultation

www.wiseandco.co.uk Wey Court West, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PT www.wiseandco.co.uk

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Gibbons Gibbons Solicitors Solicitors Limited Limited Authorised Authorised and and Regulated Regulated by by the the Solicitors Solicitors Regulation Regulation Authority Authority no. no. 617854’ 617854’

Wey Court West, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PT

UNIQUE AND BESPOKE We recognise that every life and therefore every funeral is unique.

We have been providing bespoke, personalised and affordable funerals for over 160 years.

SINCE 1860 The Steel family have proudly served the communites of Winchester, Alresford and the Itchen Valley for four generations.

DEDICATED SUPPORT Along with our experienced and dedicated team we are personally here to help, support and guide you 24 hours a day.

winchesterfunerals.co.uk

01962 862333

Forum_180x126mm.indd 1

23/09/2020 17:52

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COMMUNITY / PROFESSIONAL Curtis Museum & Allen Gallery Allen Gallery September Dinosaurium: Re-imagined Creatures continues till 19th September Dinosaur Hat-Making (until 19th September). Drop in and create your own dinosaur hat. All materials provided. This activity is suitable for ages 2-11.

Dinosaur Garden (until 5th September) - Drop in and make your very own dinosaur to go into our Dinosaur Garden.

Templates and materials available.

This activity is suitable for ages 5 to 11.

FREE but donations welcome for these activities.

Other Exhibitions and Talks - We welcome back Ceramicus, the local ceramics artists, whose exhibitions are always popular and stimulating. 25th Sept to 31st Oct. (FREE in the Main Exhibition area.)

Local artist Alex Loach will be exhibiting from 26th Aug to 10th Oct. Primarily his work explores mood, mental health and feeling; through the medium of abstract paintings. A self-taught artist, Alex started his creative journey in late 2019 and his work documents the personal value of a creative outlet throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. (FREE in the Café area.)

Paget Will Writing Wills Powers of Attorney Advance Descisions Estate Planning Advice Contact Catherine Paget TEP Email: catherine.paget@pagetwillwriting.co.uk Tel: 07786 626979 Web: www.pagetwillwriting.co.uk

Andrew Bevis

Architectural Designs & Drawings Alresford, Hampshire & Much Wenlock, Shropshire

Mob: 07775 524891 | a.bevis@btinternet.com

Talks in the Gallery will restart on Thursday 9th September at 7.30, when Jane Hurst will tell us about East Worldham and King Edward’s Hill. FREE, but a donation to the Friends will be welcome.

Kevin Davey will be speaking on Theatre ‘Practitioners’ and their impact on modern theatre. 23rd September at 7.30. £5 pre-booked, tickets from the Gallery.

Dinosaurs are in the Curtis Museum as well Dinosaur Trail - follow the trail round the Museum to complete the puzzle.

Dinosaur Craft Pack make your own paper plate dinosaur, plus activity and colouring sheets to do at home or in the Museum. £1.50 New Dinosaur Games And Toys to play with in the Childhood Gallery.

I must just say how lovely it is to hear and see children children playing once again in the venues. We have missed them!

Opening Times Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Curtis 10am – 4pm. Allen 10.30 – 3.30pm (01420 82802)

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• equestrian maintenance • Ploughing • field cultivation • Hedge cutting • Forestry • spraying specialist • fencing • topping • wood thining • Tree Felling & branch lopping

Load of logs - £70 per truck load

Tel: 01962 735452 / Mob: 07880 527049 www.appletoncontracting.co.uk

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

P RO U D TO N OW O F F E R T H E P E O P L E O F A L R E S F O R D O U R S E RV I C E S • Traditional & Dignified Funerals at Affordable Prices • Funeral Plans at Fixed Prices, Why Pay More?

We are a local independent family run business which operates on a 24 hours basis.You will always have a personal continuity and we will go through all the arrangements and look after you throughout.

You are an extension of our family when in our care.

Direct Cremation: £1275 inclusive Bespoke Cremations from £2195 inclusive Traditional Burial from £2395 plus Cemetery fees

C O N TAC T U S 24 The Dean, Alresford, SO24 9AZ Tel: 01962 388470 (24 hour) Email: info@wessexfuneralservices.co.uk 106 Battery Hill, Winchester, SO22 4BH Tel: 01962 855773 (24 hour) Email: winchester@wessexfuneralservices.co.uk www.wessexfuneralservices.co.uk Also located in Eastleigh & New Milton

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RETAIL D.Barker & Son Hand made silver bangle with gold 'kiss' detail - £325 40A West Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

Billy Goat GEOX Rose trainers £50 Billy Goat, 11 East Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 733926 | www.billygoatshoes.co.uk

Interior Style Abstract Resin Photo

Andrew Smith & Son Auctioneers

Frames - 4 x 6" £12 & 5 x 7" £15

Classic and Contemporary Interiors Sale

29 West Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz

Monday 13th Sept - See website for details Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

Wed 15th & Thur 16th Sept - Viewing Thurs 9th to

on your highstreet #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses Enticing and eclectic items now available on your highstreet. Stay local and support your diverse retailers!

House of Gallet Occasional wear & accessories in store now New & Preloved Designer wear at below high street prices Open Tues - Sat -10-4:30pm 19 Broad Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 735362 | www.houseofgallet.co.uk

The Alresford Gift Shop

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Alresford Beauty 20% off the Naturally European Range during

Wagglesworth

Vegan friendly soft rucksack in nude - £54.95

September (while stocks last).

Our website is now live

10 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT Tel: 01962 732192 | www.alresfordgiftshop.co.uk

24A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT

4 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT

Tel: 01962 735553 | www.alresfordbeauty.co.uk

Tel: 01962 734244 | www.wagglesworth.co.uk

RETAIL

One of ITV's Most Popular Antiques Experts

BEST CASH PRICES PAID FOR: Gold & Silver Jewellery & Antiques Including: Watches, medals, bronzes, oriental ceramics, quality antiques, house clearance/insurance valuations

Happy to arrange home calls by appointment karendalmeny@gmail.com For enquiries please call:

07712 545 700 Karen Dalmeny

Oakleaf Stationery Ltd

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.

Sustainable SustainableDiamonds Diamonds Sustainable Diamonds

SERVICES WE OFFER...

Photocopying Laminating Document Binding Scan to Email Personalised Printing Agent Transfer to DVD Agent

We are also a UPS Access Point Visit us at : 56 West Street, Alresford, Hants SO24 9AU 01962 736116 oakleaf.stat56@gmail.com

ADVERTISING OFFER

Tsavorite Garnet & Diamond Cluster Ring in Platinum £2,985

ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE FOR AS LITTLE th April th 12 Re-Opening AS £45 PER MONTH Re-Opening 12 April Re-Opening 12th April

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

For more information

40a West Street, Hants 40a West Street,Alresford, Alresford, Hants 40a West Street, Hants Tel: 01962Alresford, 732200 Tel: 01962 Tel: 01962 732200 40a West Street, Hants www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk www.dbarkerandson.co.uk Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

01962 735137

stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

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ENVIRONMENT

Keep the Flow Going

H

ere in Hampshire, we often take for granted something that is actually an incredible luxury: clean water brought directly into our homes. With this precious natural resource available at the turn of a tap, it can be easy to overlook where it comes from. In doing so, we can also forget about leaving a share for nature.

How you can help

Much of our county’s water comes from a chalk aquifer deep below the ground. Riddled with tiny holes, this rock layer soaks up rain like a giant sponge; once saturated, its cargo re-emerges in the form of springs. Boring holes into the aquifer allows us to draw water from it directly, via a process called 'abstraction'.

For many of us, indoor tasks are the most water-hungry. In the bathroom, you could take shorter showers, wash your hair less often, or turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. In the kitchen, you could use a washing-up bowl, put lids on boiling pans, or keep a jug in your fridge for cold water without running the tap.

Since water is drawn to meet our demands, we all have the power to reduce our impact. There can be a long delay between water entering the aquifer and it ending up in the streams, so our choices are important even during wetter weather. Luckily, simple tweaks can really add up, and you might save money too!

If you have outdoor space, try digging in compost or laying down mulch to increase your soil’s water retention abilities. Water butts can capture valuable rain, which many plants prefer due to its mild acidity. Choosing drought-resistant species, and watering deeply but infrequently, will help keep your yard or garden green.

Water vole © Terry Whittaker-2020VISION

But we aren't the only ones using this hidden store: the springs in which the water returns to the surface are the sources of our local chalk streams. Cooled, filtered, and mineralised by the aquifer, this water makes the streams ideal for species like brown trout, water voles, kingfishers, and white-clawed crayfish.

In higher parts of the landscape, where the aquifer rarely fills entirely, stretches of stream can dry out for weeks or months at a time. This natural process is limited to a few areas, and the resident species are suitably adapted. But if the streams artificially run dry over larger stretches, or for longer periods, then their wildlife can really suffer.

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Watering garden plants © Ikostudio

You may also be eligible for a home visit from Southern Water.

An engineer will drop by to provide advice, check for small leaks, and install water-saving devices – all for free. Depending on your location, you could even win £500 off your bill if you book now.

Learn more at www.hiwwt.org.uk/saveeverydrop

WATERCRESS & WINTERBOURNES

Save Every Drop Win £500 off your water bill!

Want to save water, but not sure where to start? You could be eligible for a home visit: get expert advice, small leak detection, and water-saving devices - all for free. Book now and you could even win £500 off your water bill with our prize draw.

Find out more: www.hiwwt.org.uk/saveeverydrop

COMMUNITY ‘Even a broken clock is right twice a day’: proverb

Alresford Chamber of Commerce

The old clock on the tower of St John’s certainly isn’t broken but following refurbishment by famous clock makers, Smiths of Derby, it will go on telling the time for many years, as it has for centuries.

The Friends of St John’s launched in 2018 to raise funds for the repair and improvement of the church and John Pearson Hall, both centres of the community. Alresford is a busy town, lots going on… what could we offer that would be a bit different?

What about a Community Cinema? (Not entirely new, though; there had been The Civic in Station Road until the 1960s but that is long ago).

Another venerable building, the Community Centre, has provided the venue for our monthly fundraising programme of film nights.

Thanks to our patrons (who have enjoyed some great films, with drinks and nibbles, and met up with friends), to a wonderful team of volunteers and for many donations, over £8000 has been raised. It would have been more but, like so many things, our events were sadly interrupted by Covid-19 and our last show was in 2020.

Market Towns Matter September 18th in The Swan Under croft Alresford Chamber of Commerce will be holding a "Founders Day Medieval Banquet" part of the Winchester Heritage Open Days. Alresford was founded in 1199 by Godfrey de Lucy, Bishop of Winchester. The Swan is an appropriate location for this event as The inn was on the Turnpike road, stage-coach service which ran from London to Southampton passing through Alresford and Winchester (be it in the more recent times of 1753).

We want to build a number of annual events, across the community, encompassing all of our fantastic organisations to celebrate Alresford Founders Day, honour our unique town... this is just the start. Anyone wishing to join to help build this please do let us know. We are already speaking with the informal “Co-ordinating Alresford” collection of community groups. https://www.alresfordchamber.co.uk/alresford/alresfordevents/ www.alresfordhistandlit.co.uk (historic society) Alresford Flyer We have produced a colourful flyer of members promoting our town to visitors. These can be found in shops and in outlying tourist locations.

Committee Members of the committee have been HOME in talks with Winchester planning over current planning applications.

Chamber Events Our next is going to be held in October, more details to follow

Market Town Events We wanted the funds to go to something visible, memorable and Market town events will be posted on the event boards in town long-lasting, so they will be put to cleaning and re-facing the and a full list on our events page (https://www.alresfordchamber. clock. Paid for by public donations, the clock has been the town’s co.uk/alresford/AlresfordEvents/) timepiece since the early 19th century. Hurrying storekeepers Providing electrical and hostellers, anxiousatocomprehensive open on time, could glance up – just as installation Any businessesservice or individuals wishing to participate, sponsor or • Home automation Lighting schemes • Electric gates • Emergency lighting Electrical we still do – and do a quick •check, then adjust their own (often generally assist•with any ofinstallations our projects please do email us.

• Homepocket entertainment • Firefrom alarms • Burglar inaccurate) watches and, the early 20thalarms century, Together we are stronger wrist watches.

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • DOMESTIC

T: 01962 735397 w: butlerandking.co.uk e:info@butlerandking.co.uk @AlresfordChamberofCommerce / AlresfordCofC /

info@alresfordchamber.co.uk /www.alresfordchamber.co.uk G, Prospect 4 Prospect Road, ‘…

Alresford, SO24 9QF BeingUnit a listed buildingCommercial (Grade II*,Park, meaning a building of moreHampshire, than special interest’), required special permission (a ‘faculty’) to be granted by the diocese. The work is to be completed in situ, hence the need for scaffolding to access the dial rather than remove it: too large and weighty! Over a couple of weeks, after cleaning, paint is applied in layers (goldleaf on the numerals), allowed to dry and harden before the next coat, protecting its longevity. Good weather is needed, so fingers crossed!

Then we hope to re-open our film nights on 19th October. Hope to see you then, when we can start fundraising again for our next Tel: 07531 812 026 project, as well as providing a welcome evening out for local www.afriend-drainage-services.co.uk people.

Jan Field, Chairman, Friends of St John’s Wallpaper Specialist More info at https://www.arlevalleychurches.org.uk/ D E C O R AT ING IN HAMPSHIRE SINCE 1980 Groups/360276/Friends_of_St.aspx

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• HIGH PRESSURE JETTING • CCTV SURVEYS • BLOCKED DRAINS • IMPACT MOLING • EXCAVATOR WORK • FULLY INSURED

Alresford's Conservatory

5

High quality domestic services Guaranteed

HOME

One less thing to think about.

Maid Marian Ad 90 x 135

31/1/10

12:38

Page 1

We can help.

Maid Marian

One less thing to think about.

We can help.

Colin Joyce • Reliable friendly service • Repairs or installation • Kitchen, bathroom, shower • Outside tap, cold water • Storage cisterns, taps, WC • No call out charge

01962 776545

Domestic plumbing

AN

UM B L P

Adrian Cobb Plumbing & Heating M: 07774 979 325 T: 01962 735354

No job too small – No call out charge Free quotations available ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING & HEATING Reliable local plumber

ING & HEAT

IN

G

L

D T

telephone: 01962 736713 email: enquiries@maidmariancleaners.co.uk web: www.maidmariancleaners.co.uk • Regular cleaning and end • of tenancy cleaning • One off spring cleans • Washing and Ironing • Carpet cleaning • Building maintenance • including painting and • decorating • Shopping • Man with a van

CJ The Plumber

DE

• Regular cleaning and end • of tenancy cleaning • One off spring cleans PROFESSIONAL DOMESTIC • Washing and SERVICES Ironing • Carpet cleaning • Building maintenance • including painting and • decorating • CLEANING Shopping REGULAR High quality domestic services Guaranteed • Man with a van END OF TENANCY CLEANING

telephone: 01962 736713 email: enquiries@maidmariancleaners.co.uk web: www.maidmariancleaners.co.uk Wallpaper Specialist Andover

D E C O R AT I N G I N H A M P S H I R E S I N C E 1 9 8 0

Andover

uk . o c . r doo e g a r ga fix my

01264 337711

The Repair Specialists Andover

w Guaranteed, fast &

cost effective repairs w to all door types w Independent Family w Business w No repair - No charge w Repairs, Locks, New Doors & Automatic Operators

01264 337711

info@fmgd.co.uk

01962 715200

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • DOMESTIC Providing a comprehensive electrical installation service • Home automation • Lighting schemes • Electric gates • Emergency lighting • Electrical installations • Home entertainment • Fire alarms • Burglar alarms

T: 01962 735397 w: butlerandking.co.uk e:info@butlerandking.co.uk Unit G, Prospect Commercial Park, 4 Prospect Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9QF

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Winchester Green Week 2021

to be part of UKs largest ever event for nature and climate

I

f you’ve noticed the heavier and more intense summer rain along with the devastating floods in northern Europe, or the terrible forest fires across southern Europe and North America, then hopefully you’ll be inspired to take action to help fight the climate crisis that is responsible for these severe weather events.

Winchester Green Week, Winchester’s annual festival of all things ‘green’, covering issues such as the climate crisis, environmental issues and sustainable living is back this year as part of ‘The Great Big Green Week’ the largest event for nature and climate ever seen in the UK. Running from 25 September to 3 October, this year the Winchester Green Week theme is ‘growing greener together’.

Running as a festival style platform for collaboration across the whole of Winchester district, the aim is to celebrate and promote action towards sustainable living.

Winchester Green Week has grown significantly in past years and despite the challenges of 2020, over 30 organisations from community groups, faith groups, local businesses, charities and the local authority put on over 65 socially distanced events or created digital resources.

Over 1,500 visits to the Winchester Green Week website during Green Week 2020 demonstrated the large number of residents across Winchester district looking to take action towards a more sustainable life. Contributing organisations take responsibility for the organisation, cost and insurance of their own events whilst the Winchester Green Week team advise, coordinate and advertise.

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Among events planned for Winchester Green Week 2021 are: · Winchester Food Partnership Day · Winchester Climate Action Network climate action planning workshops · Winchester City Council HEP Committee meeting · Winchester Cathedral ‘Rise to the Moment’ service · 7 week course on Green Living · ‘A cry from our hearts for our common home’ an artistic expression · Multiple events hosted by Winchester University Winchester Action on Climate Change are hoping to coordinate a ‘Sing for the Climate’ event on Saturday 2 October and are looking for groups to participate in this mass singing event, demonstrating the strength of feeling that more action needs to happen now in the fight against climate change.

More information and details of events can be found at www. winchestergreenweek.co.uk . If you wish to find out more about hosting an event please email winchestergreenweek@gmail.com.

With the UK hosting ‘COP26’ the UN Climate Conference in November 2021, now is the time to raise awareness and ambition.

Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC)

HOME

Whether it is an Extension, Conversion, Full

PR AERIALS DIGITAL TV & SATELLITE SPECIALIST

Whether it isRefurbishment an Extension, Conversion, Full Refurbishment or no Renovation or Renovation then look further!then look no further!

Silk Services are renowned for their reputation, affordability

Silk Services are renowned for their reputation, affordability as well as providing a top as well as providing a top quality, professional service quality, professional personal service no matter what your project needs.

no matter what your project needs.

Nothing is too big or small for our experienced team of tradesman.

Nothing is too big or small for our experienced team of tradesmen.

Paul Rolfe Free Quotes • Service & Repairs • Full Year Guarantee on parts • OAP Discounts TV installations considered • Freeview achieved where others have failed

T. 01420 80650

M. 07918 913194

Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire. SO24 0JH W: www.silkservices.co.uk E:jason@silkservices.co.uk Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH

W: www.silkservices.co.uk T: 01962 771815 E:M:jason@silkservices.co.uk

07917 150027 T: 01962 771815

.

M: 07917 150027

MICHAEL J SLY Plumbing and Heating

All plumbing and heating works from fixing a leak to installing a full Heating System or Bathroom Suite

Plumbing and Heating Complete Heating Systems High Efficiency Boiler and System Upgrades Power Flush and System Treatments Gas Boiler Service Water Softeners

Bathroom Installations Complete Bathroom Installation Cloakroom and En-suites Power Showers and Electric Showers Tiling and Flooring

Free competitive quotations

Tel (Cheriton): 01962 771285 Mobile: 07973 407996 Est. Locally for over 30 years

REFURBISHMENT • INTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION KITCHENS & BATHROOMS • GENERAL BUILDING Local, experienced, and here to help you.

Andy Cliff • 01962 738883 • cliffbuilding@gmail.com

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HOME

No Problem No Call Out Charge

Gutters Cleared We remove leaves - moss - grass - growth & debris

Photos

Before & After

We do a camera survey first Go High

10m

4 Storeys, Commercial, Schools, Hotels & Industrial

Damp & Mould Can be caused by blocked gutters

Weight & Damage Up to 50kg of debris straining your gutters

Get an instant price

01962 442 894

10000 + 4.95

or online gutterpro.co.uk

WINCHESTER WOOD FLOORS

WOOD FLOOR SANDING & RESTORATION HAND FINISHED NEW WOOD FLOORS BESPOKE CABINETRY

w: winchesterwoodfloors.co.uk e: info@winchesterwoodfloors.co.uk t: 01962 733016

WINCHESTER WOOD FLOORS IS BASED IN ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE

Barnes & Liddiard Electrical Contractors Limited All aspects of electrical work undertaken Fully compliant to part ‘P’ of the building regulations

Domestic Commercial Industrial Garden Lighting

Tel: 01962 733272 36

Reviews

Excellent

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e clusive Double Glazing Ltd

Alresford's Conservatory and Window Experts

UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS & DOORS WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES • Supply & Installation • New Handles, Letterboxes, Locks • Broken Sealed-Units replaced

OTHER SERVICES • Fascias, Soffits & Gutters • Key Cutting & Locksmith Services

FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

CALL: 01962 732091

www.exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk sales@exclusive-double-glazing.co.uk SHELF HOUSE, NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE

The South Downs Oak Company Traditional Oak Framers

Manufacturers of

South Downs Oak Ltd

Makers and installers of

Traditional oak framed buildings Garages Gazebos Garden Rooms Porches

Alton Lane, Four Marks, Hampshire, GU34 5AJ Mark@southdownsoak.co.uk Lee@southdownsoak.co.uk www.southdownsoak.co.uk Tel: 01962 435001 T: 01420 617099

Hardwood gates Gate automation Intercom systems Vehicle barriers

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CHURCH NEWS

Church News & Events News from the Church in the Wood The Lord moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform In 1893 Louisa Bishop, the widow of the vicar of Bramdean left £2000 to support the tin church on Bramdean common.. A codicil to her will specified that her trustees should cause the bell to be rung before each service. On Sunday, 25th July 2021, 128 years later, the steel rope attached to the bell broke, just before evensong.

During evensong the congregation listened to Fred Butler read the parable in which five loaves and two fishes fed 5000 people.

In his sermon the Rev Christopher Durrant explained how Jesus continued to perform small miracles to this day. After the service a visitor who lives in San Francisco approached a trustee, said he was a builder, and asked if he could help in the maintenance of the church. On the following Tuesday, the builder, Ian Dow, returned and replaced the broken wire rope - Is that a miracle?

Services are held on the second and fourth Sunday in each month from May to September at3pm. To hear the bell ring and find the church, be on Bramdean Common at 2.45 and listen.

The Harvest Festival will be on 26th September at 3pm

AUCTION FOR

ST PETER’S Over 80 Lots Going Live Online

Friday 20th August 2021 at midday

www.jumblebee.co.uk/auctionforstpeters Join us at our Auction Event for the exciting final hours of bidding.

• Bring your phones to keep bidding • • Follow the excitment on the Live Leader Board! •

Saturday 4th September 2021 Ropley Parish Hall 6.30-9pm

Tickets £5 including drinks & Canapés from Courtyard Shop or Email: auctionforstpeters@yahoo.com @auctionforstpeters

www.facebook.com/Auction for St Peters Registered Charity 1176142

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 from 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.

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

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John's Gospel, Chapter 5 Verse 24

''Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes on Him who sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement; but is passed from death unto life."

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

D

DON S GARAGE DOORS

Bespoke Garage Door Solutions We supply and install all leading manufacturers of garage doors and in a wide selection of styles

Call 02380 600027 to arrange a free no obligation survey and quote Unit 6, Vicarage Farm Business Park, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, SO50 7HD sales@donsgaragedoors.co.uk • www.donsgaragedoors.co.uk

The Totally Mid-Century and Thoroughly Modern Peter Green Turns 65!

This independent and still family-owned company is now a rarity amongst furnishing stores these days. With its roots firmly based in the South, Peter Green Furnishers is seen as a local ‘icon’ in the region, whose residents have witnessed its transformation from a tiny store in Eastleigh to the present day expansive and modern showrooms that it occupies in Chandlers Ford.

It’s 65 years since founder, Peter Green, opened his ‘Sleep Shop’ with wife Norah, who he met at a dance in Southampton during WWII. The war was over and Peter, who had been working as a furniture representative after leaving the RAF, had managed to save £150 with which to start his business.

Wendy says: “Peter Green Furnishers are both proud and amazed to have taken such a long journey partnering with so many well-established manufacturers and it fascinates us to think that we are now seeing updated versions of the ‘old classics’ reappear in our store. A case in point is the Ercol 355 Studio Couch - a best seller in 1956, the year my Father opened his store, now re-released with new finishes and fabrics to meet the current passion for anything ‘vintage’. The key to such longevity of all these companies is our shared belief that service, quality and customer satisfaction matter!”

Peter Green has a deep connection in the community that it has grown up with.

It was an exciting period, the world was changing and the British focus was on the home.

A post-War government scheme requested designers to produce “strong, well

The Peter Green Walkround Showrooms 1966-85 Southampton Rd Eastleigh. Formerly a school, dairy and a dog biscuit factory!

Peter Green outside his Sleep Shop at beginning of the famous 1957 Eastleigh - Andover Bed Race

designed furniture that made good use of scarce materials,” and from this initiative rose many of the great British furniture brands we all love today and the mid-century modern styles of the day have endured ever since!

The business is now owned and run by Peter Green’s daughter, Wendy Martin-Green, who with a lot of support from a very strong team and Managing Director, Mike Devey, ensures that the company’s staff have the ‘inside knowledge’ on every bed, cabinet, chair, sofa and piece of flooring they sell.

“We know our neighbours, we have carpeted and furnished their homes, hospitals, schools, places of work, pubs, clubs, eateries and even their gyms! We have both served and employed generations of local people and we understand the needs of the community from the inside out.

We are part of the furniture!”

But furniture is not all Peter Green does. “We have a strong flooring department with everything from Axminster weaves and bespoke floors created just for you, to zebra striped runners, plus our busy Commercial Contracts Team works with local institutions and business to support their needs too and of course beds are a big love for us… it’s where we started!” says Wendy.

Peter Green is an old established company yet with its finger still very much on today’s pulse.

Happy 65th birthday to this much loved local company!

Peter Green Furnishers, School Lane, Chandlers Ford, SO53 4DG | www.petergreen.co.uk | 02380 269 011

The current Peter Green Showroom in Chandlers Ford

The Ercol Studio Couch, still available to order at Peter Green 65 years later

Mid-century modern is back!

Above: Vintage Ercol advertisement, launching the Studio Couch in 1956 Right: Made to order curtain swatch Luna Tutti Fruity Below: G Plan advert from the 1950s

Ercol Aldbury Chair

Holybourne Lamp Table

Peter Green on a buying trip sourcing furniture for his business Holybourne Console Table Peter Green Furnishers, School Lane, Chandlers Ford, SO53 4DG | www.petergreen.co.uk | 02380 269 011

COMMUNITY

New Alresford Town Council high street whilst putting it to good use. After purchasing it for £1 from BT, we set about renovating it: Charters kindly painted the outside which we recently completed with the repainting of the gold crests.

Renovation was frustrated by the pandemic, but our visitor information point has now been completed. Inside there are brochures and leaflets on what to see and do locally together with a map of the town and solar lighting. We are delighted with the result and hope that it is useful for visitors to our lovely town.

Photograph by Stephen Morley

Town Crier We were delighted when Alton Town Crier Dave Parsons accepted our invitation to visit Alresford on 24th July.

Our thanks to the Watercress Line for their warm welcome and for giving Dave the opportunity to showcase his skills as a town crier where he gave them "a run for their money on station announcements" If you would like to see the town crier and some steam trains in action, then please download the video on their Facebook page or You Tube titled "A special visitor to Alresford".

Our grateful thanks to Dave Parsons, we hope to see you back in Alresford soon. www. watercressline.co.uk Council grants At our town council meeting in July, we were delighted to award a grant to Victims Support, a charity which provides specialist help to support victims of crime to cope and recover to the point where they feel they are back

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on track with their lives.

We award grants to local groups or charities serving our community every quarter.

If you feel you would benefit from an award, you have until Tuesday 6th October to apply for our next round of funding. Applications will be considered at the next Town Council meeting on 26th October 2021. Please visit our website for more details. We look forward to hearing from you.

Visitor Information Rather than leaving the redundant telephone kiosk in West Street to fall into a state of disrepair, we wanted to preserve this icon of the

Council Meetings Our meetings will now be held in the Lower meeting room on the ground floor of Alresford Recreation Centre. All our meeting dates are on our website together with agendas which are also posted on our noticeboards in West Street outside the Coop and in the foyer of Alresford Recreation Centre.

We welcome public participation. We politely request that if you attend a meeting, then you wear a mask whilst moving around the building and register

using track and trace. Hand sanitiser will be available.

Please, do join us.

Alresford Household Waste Recycling Centre Following successful lobbying

by Alresford residents, Hampshire County Council agreed to a six-month pedestrian and cyclist access trial at Alresford Household Waste Recycling Centre which started on 19th July 2021.

Residents who walk or use a mobility scooter are now able to visit on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday between 9am and 10am without a booking. No vehicles will be admitted at these times. Cyclists must book a slot and will be admitted with vehicles. The booking system has been amended to accept cycle bookings. Please see www.hants.gov.uk "Book an appointment to visit your HWRC" for more details.

Hampshire County Council are no longer providing glass recycling facilities for bottles and .jars at all HWRCs but there are monthly kerbside collections run by Winchester City Council. If you do not have a box for glass, then one can be obtained for free.

Please contact 0300 300 0013 or visit www.winchester.gov.uk New Alresford Town Council Arlebury Park, The Avenue, New Alresford, SO24 9EP Phone: 01962 732079 www.newalresford-tc.gov.uk

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43

FEATURE

Alresford Hearing Studio

T

Anniversary Celebration

e Alresford Hearing Studio are proud to celebrate the two-year anniversary, serving its valued patients from its premises in West Street Alresford. The Alresford Hearing Studio has now helped over 300 patients to hear better with the latest hearing technology and performed ear wax removal on over 1200 local patients in the past year.

Jodie Longman said: “We’re really pleased with the progress we’ve made in what has been a challenging year for everyone. We are a family run business that really focusses on giving the highest standards customer care. Being independent we can find the best solution from any hearing aid supplier. We feel we have built a very good reputation in the local community and are really proud of the 150 five-star customer reviews we now have on both Google.”

The Alresford Hearing Studio offers a range of services including hearing consultations, earwax removal, tinnitus consultations, custom hearing protection including shooting, swim and sleep plugs, and custom in-ear monitors for musicians.

Samuel Longman our expert Audiologist who studied at the prestigious Mary Hare School of the deaf and previously worked

44

for a global hearing aid manufacturer before establishing the practice in 2019, explained some common reasons for people to visit…

“A build-up of earwax can cause a loss of hearing and can make the ear feel full and uncomfortable, Earwax is natural and has a purpose, however when there’s a blockage it can cause a person to feel like their hearing has deteriorated.”

“With a gradual hearing loss, it’s a bit different.

People don’t always know that they have a hearing loss, they may start to perceive is that people are mumbling when they’re speaking or that the TV is not clear enough. Very often its others close to you that realise there may be a hearing problem first, Because it’s so gradual over time people don’t always know that they have a problem, in fact people can take 7 to 10 years on average to actually seek advice from a medical professional.”

Samuel added that many people were unaware just how advanced hearing aid technology now is.

For more information on Hearing and services The Alresford Hearing Studio can offer, visit alresfordhearingstudio.co.uk or call us on 01962 790749 to book an appointment for some friendly advice.

Why does our Hearing Deteriorate over Time?

If a hearing professional diagnosis you with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), you’re in good company. A recent study shows about one-third of UK adults between 60 and 70 have some degree of hearing loss.

As we get older, deterioration within the inner ear and along the nerve pathways to the brain can impact our hearing capability. Generally, these changes are related to the health of the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that enable our hearing. Unfortunately, these hair cells do not regenerate or regrow, so any hearing loss we experience due to this damage is permanent

Will I lose my hearing as I get older?

It depends largely on your genetic and medical history as well as your exposure to noise over the years. For example, a factory worker is at a much higher risk than an office worker but there are multiple factors that can contribute to hearing loss as we age • The largest risk factor is Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Prolonged exposure to excessive noise at work, home or during music and leisure activities such as shooting can cause this type of hearing loss

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• Did your parents have hearing loss? You may inherit a hereditary condition.

• Certain medical conditions that affect the blood supply to the middle ear, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or other circulatory problems • Ototoxic medications, which are drugs that can affect hearing. For example, toxic side effects of certain medications, such as aspirin and antibiotics may negatively affect your hearing.

Some Common Symptoms of Age-Related Hearing Loss Because presbycusis occurs gradually, many people don’t realize they’re having difficulty hearing. If you’re older and having hearing problems, here are some symptoms that may indicate you have age related hearing loss: • Other people seem to be mumbling or slurring their speech and language. In other words, you find that you can hear but not fully understand.

• Conversations are difficult to follow, especially when there is background noise • You have difficulty hearing higher pitched sounds, such as the doorbell or birds • Men’s voices are easier to understand than women’s and children's voices • You are experiencing a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in your ears

Is there a Cure For Age-Related Hearing Loss?

Like most types of sensorineural hearing loss, there is no cure. Fortunately, though, most cases of sensorineural hearing loss can be treated by a hearing care professional.

45

FEATURE

New south coast partnership takes the lead on responsible dog walking Top tips on how to make dog walks fun and interesting – while also helping to protect our beautiful countryside – are being shared by a leading canine behaviourist as part of a new regional initiative.

Dog expert Natalie Light and her Jack Russell “Fish” are the stars of a new series of informative films called “Love Dogs, Love Nature”.

The opening film explains Natalie’s passion for pooches and how her walks are a great time to bond with her dog and introduce playful elements – all while keeping her best friend under control and sticking to the paths. Over the coming months, five bitesize 50-second top tips films will be released, with Natalie sharing advice on how to get a better recall, new games to make walks more fun and ideas for working on your dog’s behaviour around distractions in the outdoors.

The initiative is being spearheaded by a new group, called the Southern Counties Canine Access Management Partnership (SCCAMP). It includes the South Downs National Park Authority, New Forest National Park Authority, Bird Aware Solent, Heathland Hounds, Dorset Dogs and Devon Love Dogs.

It builds on the South Downs National Park’s successful Take The Lead campaign, which has been running for several years and encourages responsible dog walking with simple actions, such as keeping canines on leads around livestock and bagging and binning dog poo. The New Forest National Park has also introduced a useful dog walking code. Bird Aware Solent actively works in developing dialogues with dog owners and the dog walking community to raise awareness of – and prevent disturbance to – birds that overwinter on the Solent coast.

Natalie, who hails from Burridge in Hampshire, said: “I hope these tips help dog walkers make the most of their time in the countryside, enjoying a stress-free walk and perhaps giving them some training ideas they might not have thought of.

“Dogs are certainly wonderful for our physical and mental wellbeing. When I’m walking with my dogs I’m enjoying myself and they’re able to explore lots of new sniffs and smells. Our walks are

46

a time for us to be together and enjoy some time outside and also keeping me, as well as my dogs and other visitors, safe by using a lead when I need to. This is particularly important when there’s livestock around.

“Having a dog is one of the most amazing things in life for me. Going out into the outdoors and having that connection with nature and having my best friend by my side, it’s so uplifting!”

Dawn Rayment, People and Wildlife Ranger for the New Forest National Park, said: ‘Our dogs have many distractions in the New Forest, such as ponies and cattle roaming free on the land. There are also many visitors enjoying the Forest and not all want to be bothered by other people’s dogs – and dog mess!.

“The New Forest is home to some of the UK’s rarest ground nesting birds which are easily disturbed by dogs running loose. So it’s important to train our dogs to remain close by and be able to recall them at all times.”

Allison Thorpe, who leads Access and Recreation for the South Downs National Park, said: “Responsible dog walking is a great way for people to get out, get fit and experience the National Park.

However, we also understand that having dogs off leads can have a major impact on farmers, as well as fragile wildlife-rich habitats.

“The aim of our ‘Take The Lead’ campaign is therefore for everyone to be able to have an enjoyable and safe experience.

“We know there’s been a boom in puppies since the start of the pandemic and there may be many pet owners who are yet to venture out in the countryside with their dogs. So we hope people find Natalie’s top tips useful!”

Shona Jenkins, who has recently joined Bird Aware Solent as the Dog Initiatives Officer, said: “We welcome so many dog owners to the Solent coast every year and we really want to champion responsible behaviours in order to protect the habitats that so many of our bird species rely on. These videos are a great tool to demonstrate how we can enjoy our walks with our dogs, while also taking some easy steps to reduce disturbance and better share our shores.”

South Downs National Park www.southdowns.gov.uk

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WELLBEING National Garden Scheme Hampshire In 2018 the National Garden Scheme Trustees voted a grant of £85,000 to make a major contribution to a brand new Outdoor Learning Centre for Treloar’s, the Hampshire school and college that enables education for disabled children.

In July 2021 the new centre was opened by Treloar’s Patron, Alan Titchmarsh who said, “It was such an honour to be there and to be part of it. Outdoor learning is vital for our health as individuals and as a community, and Treloar’s are a wonderful example of how that connection with nature can be achieved and how it benefits us all. I hope the garden thrives.”

This really shows the NGS “at work”. Above you can see Alan cutting the ribbon accompanied by Harry and Joe. At Treloar’s they concentrate on the students ability - not their disability. To read the full report click on the link https://ngs.org.uk/treloars-new-outdoor-learning-centre-opened/ Meon Orchard Kingsmead North of Wickham PO17 5AU Open: Sunday 5th September 2m to 6pm Admission: £5.00 children free Refreshments: Home-made teas 2 acre garden designed and constructed by current owners.

An exceptional range of rare, unusual and architectural plants including National Collection of Eucalyptus. Dramatic foliage plants from around the world, see plants you have never seen before! https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/16912 Terstan Longstock Stockbridge SO20 6DW Open: Sunday 19th September 2pm to 5pm Admission: £5.00 children free Refreshments: Home-made teas A garden for all seasons, developed over 50 yrs into a profusely planted, contemporary cottage garden in peaceful surroundings.

There is a constantly changing display in pots, starting with tulips and continuing with many unusual plants. https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/22660 We are now coming to our final gardens for 2021, which are opening during September, to raise those vital funds for our deserving charities.

I am pleased to say that the second half of 2021 has been very busy with garden visitors, despite - in some cases - the dire weather.

We now start planning for 2022 !

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49

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Roasted Tomato, Basil & Parmesan Quiche If you have grown your own tomatoes this year (and they have survived the blight) then this tasty dish makes good use of them. Or alternatively some good quality cherry tomatoes from your local grocer will suffice!

Ingredients • • • • • •

•

350g cherry tomato tomatoes A drizzle olive oil 50g grated parmesan 2 large eggs 280ml double cream A healthy sprig of basil leaves from the garden (or small packet from the supermarket), shredded, plus a few small ones left whole for decoration Ready made shortcrust pastry 350g

Method

Pre-heat your oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a round about 5cm larger than your tin. Use your rolling pin to lift it up, then carefully drape over the tart case so there is pastry equally over the sides.

Using some of the pastry scraps, push the pastry gently into the corners of the tin.Trim off any excess pastry and chill your pastry in the fridge or freezer for 20 mins.

In a small roasting tin, drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also drizzle them with

50

balsamic vingear if you wish, set your tomatoes aside. Prick the base of the tart all over with a fork and then line the tart case with a large circle of greaseproof paper or foil. Fill the tart with baking beans and place the tart on the top shelf in the oven. Place your tomatoes in the oven at the same time on a low shelf. Blind-bake your tart for approximately 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes remove your tart and tomatoes (if nicely roasted, if not leave in). Remove the paper/foil and the beans from the tart and cook for and an additional 10 mins or until the tart becomes biscuit brown.

While the tart is cooking, beat the eggs in a large bowl and gradually add the cream, then stir in the basil and seasoning.

When the tart case is cooked, sprinkle some of the parmesan over the base and distribute the roasted tomatoes evenly. Next, pour over the egg and cream mix. Finally sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top of the filled tart.

Bake for 20 mins until the mixture has set and gone golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin, once cooled remove from the tin and serve with a decorative sprig of fresh basil.

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51

COMMUNITY Winchester Council September 2021

Grass verges and bio-diversity There has been a good deal of discussion on the matter of long grass on verges and the effect of reducing the number of mows per year. A great many people enjoy the wonderful sight of verges filled with an increasing variety of wildflowers. There are a number who object, to allow assessment of divergent views we rely upon comments to customerservice@winchester.gov.uk The main purpose of allowing more wildflowers to thrive is to increase the bio-diversity and to create a better environment for invertebrates, small mammals and birds. It is worth noting that the total area of road verges in the UK amounts to some 279,900 hectares or about 1.2% of the total land area. (More than is owned by the National Trust.) More importantly, verges form green corridors connecting separate habitats. Linking separate habitats greatly increases the overall value of such areas.

It is hard to be precise about the decline of insect species in the UK, basic car ‘splatometer’ tests reveal a huge decline. Research shows numbers at many sites in Europe have plunged by up to 80% in two decades. However, insects are an enormously broad and varied group of species; some are declining, some are not, and many have never been measured. Butterflies and moths are sometimes considered an indicator species for broader insect populations, and many of these species have been found to be in decline in the UK. Habitat loss, climate change and other pressures such as agricultural intensification are all driving these changes.

The creation of more diverse habitats such as on verges, is a small step to increasing insect numbers.

There is a clearer picture on the situation with small mammals; almost one in five of British mammal species face a high risk of extinction, according to the first comprehensive review of their populations for more than 20 years launched recently by The Mammal Society and Natural England.

The review found other mammals such as the hedgehog and water vole have seen their populations decline by up to 66% over the past 20 years. There is

52

a correlation between the declining numbers of insects and species that feed on them. House Sparrow populations have declined by nearly 71% since 1977. At least one of the reasons is the reduction in the availability of favoured food, for adults or chicks or both. We are not alone on this planet, and it is not ours to dispose of, as at least some of us more destructive humans wish. Let the verges and their myriad inhabitants thrive!

Sight lines One of the objections to longer grass verges is the possible blocking of sight lines at junctions. Sight lines or visibility splays are required to allow vehicles seeking to enter priority roads to see and be seen by vehicles on the main road and to provide safe stopping distances.

There are some rare instances where pedestrian safety might overlap, if a person, for example chose to walk across a road near a junction. It is a bit unwise for people to rely on a car seeing them and stopping, if they wish to cross a road safely (except at a designated crossing.) The eye level of car drivers is assumed to be only 1050 mm from the ground, so cutting grass at the junctions can be necessary, depending on the topography. It is also necessary to cut back hedgerows etc. Needless to say, the visibility splays in the old part of the town do not meet Highways England standards, but that is the price we pay for living in a medieval town, great for pedestrians and ox-carts, not so good for Range Rovers.

Railway bridges The truncating of the Alton to Winchester line in 1973 was one of the last of the Beeching cuts, and certainly one of the most short-sighted.

(Although it has given us the Mid Hants Line.) The abandoned railway line could have been re-purposed as a hugely useful bicycle and pedestrian route linking villages along the Itchen Valley. This myopic action is about to be repeated by Highways England who wish to fill the arch of a railway bridge in Itchen Stoke, under Stoke Road with concrete as one of their maintenance saving policies. This will completely stop in its tracks the long-term ambition of WCC to eventually run the Watercress Way to Alresford along the old railway route. Highways England believe they can do this under permitted development rights without bothering to obtain planning permission from either the City or the SDNP. We rely for protection in this matter on our Local Plans. Policy SD 20 of the South Downs National Park Local Plan identifies the railway line as being protected for the development of Walking, Cycling and Equestrian Routes, as does Policy 4.10.4 of the Winchester Local Plan Part 2. Your officers and elected representatives spend many hours of their lives formulating these plans to provide the protection we need, as far as we can within the Government Planning Policy. WCC planners have made a quick response to Highways England and raised an objection to the blocking of the bridges, which we heartily applaud!

Russell Gordon -Smith 01962 733219

Margot Power 01962 734167

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53

COMMUNITY County Councillor Jackie Porter: Report to Parishes for August 2021

AttAs we move out of the formal Covid-19 restrictions, it’s an opportunity to read, learn and reflect on our attempts to build a greener world after the pandemic. I know many Parishes and individuals are considering how they can improve their green credentials: I hope that this month’s items may be of interest.

WinACC has set up the WASH project: Winchester Area SuperHomes.

It’s an exciting new project which is aimed at reducing domestic energy use in our homes across the District. It supports homeowners to transform the energy performance of their properties by retrofitting and so reduce their carbon emissions. To find out more, and book

“We Did It!” Says Art Society

Alresford Art Society organisers are declaring their 2021 show a success despite Covid restrictions, with 15 works sold and nearly 600 visitors through the town’s Community Centre over the three days at the beginning of July.

“We had 135 exhibits in water colour, oil, acrylic, pastel and mixed media, as well as collages, collagraphs, needle felt and mosaic, making a colourful and diverse

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a video call or home visit, email wash@ winacc.org.uk Retrofitting means changing your home so it needs less energy to keep warm, and changing the heating from gas, oil or solid fuel to electric. There are lots of ways to do this - from insulating walls, ceilings and floors to installing technologies like heat pumps.

The cost of recycling is counteracted by the value of the material. Glass is mainly recycled abroad but there is a new project to recycle glass in the same town as the original Pilkington glass factory .This is a good news green growth story. If you have a good idea to save waste in your community or further afield, you can apply for a grant from the County Council.

For simplicity, I have shortened the link to https://tinyurl.com/greenerhampshire Pre-loved clothes have a value and you can recycle them at a variety of places. Bringto sites are popular, raising funds for many organisations such as The Fire Service or Winchester’s Hospice. If the bin is full, please don’t leave items out in the rainthey’ll be of little value, but report the full bin and return a few days later.

It is a distressing fact that around 1 in 8 children are now living in poverty in Hampshire. As a member of the Winchester Food Partnership, we’re keen to see more parents of young children taking up the Healthy Start vouchers

worth £4.25 a week for food and vitamins.

Unfortunately currently, only half of those that are eligible do this. More about this on http://tinyurl.com/healthystart2021 In October, I will be holding ‘Drop In surgeries’ around the division to help parents sign up to the new online process for these vouchers. If you are interested, please contact me to book a convenient time slot. The vouchers will be replaced with a card to credit parent-shoppers when they buy healthy foods up to a value of £4.25. Some shops, eg; Iceland, offer free ‘healthy extras’ too. Also, anyone can join the ‘Pantry’ at Unit 12 at Winnall, where £15 worth of food can be purchased for £5 on a weekly basis. This can be used in addition to any other scheme.

County Councillors have an annual budget to award small grants to local organisations. In the 20-21 year, grants included an award to help victims of Domestic Abuse, a greener living idea and a Memorial. If a County Councilor grant would be of use to your organisation, please contact me direct so that we can talk over your plans before you apply.

Grants can be processed within a month.

Cllr Jackie Porter. www.jackieporter. co.uk text 07973696085, ansaphone 01962791054, Jackie.porter@hants.gov. uk

show,” declared Society Chairman, Sue Gentry.

around the building using a one-way system,” she said.

“At one point we didn’t know whether we would hold the exhibition at all and thought long and hard about whether we should go ahead as there was no knowing what restrictions would be in place at the time. The safest option was to use the strictest protocols and then we were covered. We made sure that visitors had to sign in or use the NHS app, slap on the sanitiser, socially distance and move

The exhibition was again sponsored by Hellards estate agents and a new prize was presented to the Art Society in memory of talented artist Ann Hart, by her husband Bob, for the Best Floral or Botanical Painting. The beautiful glass vase will be presented, along with all the other prizes at the Society’s members meeting in September.

The People's Choice winner (voted for by visitors) was The Smithy at Work by Jenny Kennish, Best Watercolour - Painting up a Storm by Jeannie Pakenham, Best Acrylic - The Old Boots by Jenny Kennish, Best Mixed Media - Undergrowth by Zella Smith, Best Oil - Cantilever Tree by Jacky Snowdon, Best Floral - Roses by a Window by Jane Swan and Best New Exhibitor - 32 Broad Street by Annika Bustrom.

Find out more about Godolphin Sixth at our Information Evening 5.30pm 17 September 2021 To reserve your place please contact admissions@godolphin.org

Tel. 01722 430545

www.godolphin.org

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