7 minute read
Professional Services
A truly romantic wedding venue with unique, breath-taking views in the heart of the Meon Valley
Formally known as Three Choirs Vineyard Hampshire, Wickham Estate is a fresh start to this venue. From April 2022, new owners have taken over the vineyard with exciting new ideas but most importantly continuing with the same excellent service for all their couples who love to get married at the venue. The new owners of Wickham Estate are not exactly new to the venue, it is the previous General Manager Samantha Davies alongside her husband James, who has worked under Three Choirs Vineyard for over 7 years. Samantha has helped develop the venue to become a fully exclusive wedding and private functions venue that has two licensed ceremony spaces, a large barn and on-site accommodation. When Samantha joined Three Choirs Vineyard it was very early stages of becoming a wedding venue so she has been instrumental in the transformation as well as building a professional and friendly team who will continue to be a part of the upcoming weddings and support all couples with their wedding planning. Been instrumental in the building of three choirs
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Wickham Estate combines a rustic style with a modern touch. You don’t have to be a wine lover or a vineyard expert to get married here, it is all about the love! With exclusive use, the vineyard has a relaxed and friendly feel making it the perfect place to take your vows and celebrate becoming a new married couple. Set in between the small villages of Botley and Wickham, it can feel like you are a million miles away when looking out amongst the beautiful vines sipping on their popular sparkling wine.
In addition to the Gazebo, [a must-see outdoor ceremony location] the beautiful inside ceremony space, The Vine Room was created in 2018. The light and airy room has large windows that look out onto the vines, wooden beams and huge halo lights that hang from the ceiling creating an intimate ceremony location. Wickham Estate are proud to be a licensed venue, giving couples the option to say their I Do’s inside or out, so never worry about the typical British weather. In 2019 the house that sits close to the Old Winery barn was transformed into the on-site accommodation. Holding a large honeymoon suite, preparation area and 4 guest bedrooms, giving all couples the opportunity to extend their stay at the venue.
Both Samantha and James are also proud owners of The Old Mill, a fine dining restaurant with a casual feel in a little village close to the Vineyard, for the last few years. With the 5* reviews on Trip Advisor and voted the top restaurant in Botley, they also formed a catering company, Exquisite Catering to provide excellent and high-quality food for all weddings and events at Wickham Estate. Combining delicious menus and the chefs’ experiences, Exquisite Catering work closely with the wedding and events team at Wickham Estate to ensure a seamless service with leading up to and on the wedding day itself.
Samantha and James along with the Wickham Estate team are excited for the times ahead under the new management and to share the news with all booked and new couples.
The Joy of Bowling!
Ah, Spring! Season of promise and joy to come! When at last the good gentlefolk of Alresford, venturing out after the cruel Winter and Covid hibernation, can enjoy their first game of….. Bowls!
What – is there a Bowling Green in Alresford?? Yes – didn’t you know, just a short stroll up Sun Lane, and there on the right, looking like the front lawn of a stately home, is a magnificent 4 rink bowling green and clubhouse, peopled by knowledgeable and friendly locals eager to guide you gently into the wonderful world of Lawn Bowls!
What pastime can compete with an afternoon of friendly competition, out there enjoying fresh air and sunshine, while trying your skill at rolling a large ball in an attempt to reach and touch a distant smaller one – what could be simpler? Yet you will find it is not so easy, with the vagaries of what appears at first glance to be a perfectly flat green, and the tendency of the bowl to turn in a gentle curve as it slows, the ‘bias’ causing a frustratingly unpredictable change in direction just when you thought you had the measure of it! Never mind, Alresford Bowling Club will offer guidance, free use of club bowls, and friendly advice as you learn to master this most gentle of outdoor sports.
At least two free visits are available to newcomers of all ages, our only request being that you wear flat soled shoes, with no heel which could damage the green. Bowls is a naturally socially-distanced, non-contact activity and plays a key role in the mental and physical health of many across the country. Please see our advert and photograph in the Forum, for our times of play.
Contact secretary Barry Morgan on 01962 733477, or alresfordbowls@gmail.com, and start your next adventure!
Alresford Bowling Club
We are a friendly bowling club, situated in Sun Lane, close to the centre of Alresford. During the bowling season (roughly late April to September) we play many friendly matches against local clubs, have a number of internal competitions and knock-out tournaments, and regular roll-up sessions.
Roll-ups are opportunities to meet, play and socialise with other members, and take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10.00am to 12.00 noon, and Thursday evenings 6.00pm to 8.00pm (with a social element). Visitors are welcome at roll-ups, and at other times when accompanied by a Member. You can try out bowls of various sizes and can take advantage of 2 trial sessions before you decide if the game of bowls is for you.
Lawn bowls is a great game, not just for the retired but for adults of all ages, so come along to Sun Lane and have a go. Further information from Barry Morgan (Club Secretary) 01962 733477; and on the club website.
www.alresfordbowlingclub.org.uk
Mr Mac - Support for Apple & Windows
This month - The latest iPhone SE, a very good Screen bar light and a portable Apple Watch charger. Introduced in March the new iPhone SE, 4.7", starting price £419, has had some excellent reviews. It packs a lot of punch for a small phone. Many people like this form factor that slips easily into almost any pocket or handbag and will not be disappointed with the 2022 model. It has a 12 megapixel camera, up to 15 hours battery life and is fully 5G compatible. If you have an older model 6 or 7 and are looking to update it without needing to buy the very latest model this is a great choice. I am always available should you need any help setting up any new iPhone that you might choose. Remember that if you purchase any Apple product from John Lewis you will receive 2 years warranty, one year more than Apple give you.
I have been looking for a suitable light to use with my iMac for quite a while now and recently saw one that fits on the top of any flat screen monitor made by BenQ, called the Screen Bar Monitor Light LED Light Bar, that costs £89 from Amazon. It fits neatly on the top of your monitor with a counter balance weight and takes power from a USB port.
I love my Apple Watch but I become very frustrated if I forget to charge it overnight and it then runs out of juice. Now, for less than £10, it is possible to buy a portable charger that plugs into any USB that lets you charge it on the go. A great travel companion. Search for Newdery USB charger for Apple Watch.
Andy - Mr Mac - 07392 552 592 andy@mistermac.co.uk
Andrew Bevis
Architectural Designs & Drawings
Alresford, Hampshire & Much Wenlock, Shropshire Mob: 07775 524891 | a.bevis@btinternet.com
Paget Will Writing
Wills Powers of Attorney Advance Decisions Estate Planning Advice
Contact Catherine Paget TEP
Email: catherine.paget@pagetwillwriting.co.uk Tel: 07786 626979 Web: www.pagetwillwriting.co.uk
• 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
Specialising in 'your Social Life Lifts' 07838 167117
Steve Cleverley Pre-Booked Only
