Motoring

Blue Bonnets Over The Border

On a damp, grey, cloudy morning on Monday 4th April 2022 some 200 people gathered by the South Downs Way near Warnford in Hampshire. Their purpose was to witness the dedication of a new memorial to 33 soldiers and airmen killed during the crash of a Stirling bomber and the Horsa glider it was towing on 4th April 1944 during preparations for D Day – Exercise DREME. Their average age was about 25 years.

Masterfully organised by The Reverend Tony Forrest RAFVR (Retd), the Rector of the Meon Bridge Benefice, and Major (Retd) Will Pike of the Parachute Regiment, the service was a moving and uplifting occasion. Those attending included Flick Drummond MP for the Meon Valley, local dignitaries, personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF (serving and retired), the headteacher and children from Droxford Junior School, local people and a few dogs. The Royal British Legion Droxford & District Branch paraded their standard and a wreath was laid by the Chairman, Captain Anthony McEwen RN. Prominent among the retired servicemen present were those wearing the distinctive glengarry of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) in whose proud regiment 24 of the young soldiers who perished had served in 3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company of the 7th (Airborne) Battalion.

Throughout the service and exhortation, and especially during a haunting lament played by former KOSB Pipe Major, Lt Col Ewan Stuart, there was time to reflect on the tragic events of 78 years ago. The ground to the southeast rises towards Old Winchester Hill near where it is thought the Stirling had hit a tree, at night and in low cloud. To the northwest, lies Warnford Park where the released Horsa glider crashed, killing all 27 onboard; apart from the KOSB men, these included 2 pilots from the Glider Pilot Regiment and a soldier from the Royal Army Medical Corps. The badly damaged Stirling eventually crashed near Romsey, killing all 6 Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force crew. All units involved were represented at the dedication - the glider pilots by the Army Air Corps - and wreaths were laid. The service concluded with the KOSB quick march “Blue Bonnets over the Border” and a flypast by a C130 Hercules from 47 Squadron RAF.

To view the memorial, follow the South Downs Way from Exton to Old Winchester Hill, about a mile from The Shoe Inn at Exton. The grid reference is 630213.

Cdr Rob Scott RN

Tartuffe: A play that is funny, silly, rude and good for the soul

Tartuffe is a hilarious comedy and a modern adaptation of Molière’s 17th century play of politics and manners. Adapted by Stuart Hibbard, Titchfield Festival Theatre’s Director of Education & Learning, the play is a story principally about two characters: ambitious politician Charles Ogden and his political advisor and life guru, mystic Tartuffe.

Charles Ogden is hot property in the political game, born into a wealthy family with generations of service in Parliament. Charlie has bigger plans; he wants the top job. To help him open the door to Number 10 he has engaged a baseball capped, fitness fanatic as his political advisor - Tartuffe. Can this life coach be trusted, or will Ogden lose everything including his family, his name and his chance of political success? Stuart Hibbard has adapted Molière’s classic comedy for a modern audience and is directing Tartuffe. Stuart said,

“Molière was renowned for writing his societal farces, poking fun at power; the church; at social norms. He lived as he wrote – dangerously, relishing scandalising authority figures. I especially like the way Molière ridicules authority and conformity. Undoubtedly, his satire was ahead of his time.

“Tartuffe is a play about buffoons and egos so where better to set it than the Palace of Westminster? It is not based on anyone person or political party; rather it resonates with the need to be popular and seen to be listening to popular people is at the heart of it. Tartuffe is great fun. It’s silly. It’s rude. It’s over the top. It’s a tonic and it’s good for the soul.”

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of Tartuffe opens at the Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane on Monday 9th May until Saturday 14th May 2022. The shows start at 7.30pm. There is a matinée performance on Saturday 14th May 2022 starting at 2.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

Alresford Chamber of Commerce

Alresford Easter Egg Hunt 9th - 24th April After 2 years it is a joy to bring back to the Town, our beloved Easter Egg Hunt! Lots of children are enjoying the search, have cracked the code and collected their Easter treat. We shall announce the winner in the next article. Good Luck! Our thanks go out to New Alresford Town Council for their continued support of this project. Welcome to our Ukrainian Guests We are supporting and thank both Estelle & James Bentham for their continued hard work in coordinating the arrival of our guests. Hosts, please do contact us on behalf of your guests with details of the Jobs they

used to do and or Jobs that they would be interested in doing with in the community, which we will share with our members.

Parking Strategy As advised previously, Hampshire County

The Curtis Museum & Allen Gallery

Exhibitions

Marriage entre la Terre et la Mer: An Exhibition by Sylviane Thomas

Sylviane is an artist living in the local area. In French her name means “from the forest”. Her mother chose her name well as she loves the forest. But Sylviane also has a deep connection to the sea. This has grown through her marriage to a marine biologist who has opened her eyes to it. Which explains why she is drawn by these two elements and why she craves to paint them. This exhibition includes several works on forests, seascapes and animals. Sylviane’s works have been created using oils and pastels. till 15 May (café area) FREE

U3A ( University of the Third Age) DSLR Photography Group.

An exhibition of photographs by the Alton DSLR group. 21st May to 26th June. FREE Diary of a Nature Nerd - A Photographic Exhibition by Millie H. She's spent twenty years snapping pictures on a plethora of subjects. Now that hobby has become an all consuming passion. Clambering over brambles, under tree roots, and hunkering down in the muddiest of puddles just to get that perfect shot! Take part in her adventures amongst the often overlooked and unassuming plants and creatures that make up our local yet stunning and aweinspiring wildlife. 4 June – 17 July (café area) FREE

Talks

Portraiture as a Tool for Connection - a talk by Jackie King,

Looking at a selection of portraits taken over many years Jackie will share the connection between the viewer and the sitter, the energy we as viewers bring to the images we see and how the portraits we take have the power to Council will be taking over the parking management in 2023 from Winchester City Council. There won’t be any changes made without consultation first, after our chair raised the question. After 2 attempts by Winchester City Council in the last 4 years to try and bring in parking meters, we have good data on how businesses and residents feel. This will be raised; we continue to monitor and will lobby for the best interest of the businesses.

Any Businesses wishing to join the Chamber, please contact Lorraine info@ alresfordchamber.co.uk

Together we are stronger Keep track of our events, follow us on Facebook Twitter & Instagram @AlresfordChamberofCommerce / AlresfordCofC / info@alresfordchamber. co.uk /www.alresfordchamber.co.uk Lorraine – Chamber Secretary

connect people. Thursday 26th May, at 7:30 pm. Tickets £6.50 from the Gallery.

Lighting in the times and novels of Jane Austen.

This fully illustrated talk will examine different types of lighting available during the Regency period, how they were made, what they reflect about social class and what changes took place during JA's life. It will then go on to look at light and lighting in Jane Austen's novels and examine concepts that modern readers may miss but that would have been obvious to readers of the time, using readings from several of the novels. Thursday 23rd June at 7.30 pm. Tickets £6.50 from the Gallery.

Opening Times

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Curtis 10am – 4.30pm. Allen 10.30 – 4pm - www.hampshireculture.org. uk/curtis-museum www.hampshireculture.org.uk/allen-gallery