Your vehicle will be looked after by qualified technicians with many years of experience. Receive a dealership level service at local garage prices.
Receive complete attention to detail and thorough safety checks in our MOT centre.
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.
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).
We are more than happy to have you wait for your car. Take advantage of our warm, dry and clean customer waiting area.
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.
Don’t let your breakdown or service cause problems. Take full advantage of one of our clean and reliable automatic or manual courtesy cars.
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!
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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, 2023
Himself peeked into the bags she deposited onto the kitchen floor. He shot her a quizzical look.
“I thought I’d make up albums for the family. I know it’s a bit 20th century, but you can’t beat real, actual photographs!” she announced under his sceptical gaze, aware that she was the queen of the 21st century practice of whipping out her phone to show all-and-sundry pictures of her dinner, her dogs, her family. Not necessarily in that order. But passing a stationery store and attracted by an un-ignorable neon ‘CLOSING DOWN SALE’ poster in the window, she’d sauntered in. It was sad; one of those shops she’d loved, but often found a little dear. But dear no longer, the hefty discounts were irresistible and with slight pangs of guilt (dear oh dear) she stocked up. Cards, rolls of gift wrap and sheets of tissue paper went into her basket. And then she spotted the photograph albums…
Fond memories surfaced of a childhood evening in front of the fire, surrounded by fat books stuffed with the past. Seated on a rug pitted with blackened scorch-marks from spitting embers, the family had leafed through page after page of old pictures.
Sometimes they’d known the people long since passed. “Isn’t that great auntie wotshername?” Smiling out at them from a black and white beach in the thirties, great auntie wotshername was sporting a clingy wet costume that left little to the imagination. “Cold was it?” “Did she knit that, do you think?” they’d sniggered. An old colour print from the fifties; a couple, glamorous, laughing, posing in front of their Bedford dormobile. She wearing shorts and a sweater and he with a pipe and hat. “I think that might be auntie thingy, and I forget which uncle – there were a few…” Sometimes the subjects were unremembered. “Who are they? Distant cousins and their neighbours? Or distant neighbours and their cousins?” Anonymous studies in monochrome; elderly couples staring suspiciously at the camera, stiffly smiling mum, dad and brood. One example was somewhat bizarrely, of a dog of undetermined heritage sitting amongst dead fish.
Remembering this, waves of nostalgia engulfed her as she set to work rifling through boxes of pre-mobile snaps and printing a selection from her
phone. “You can’t beat actual real photographs!” she said again, filled with enthusiasm.
Much later, Himself brought her a coffee. “How are you getting on?”
She looked around furtively as if for eavesdroppers, “I tried that two finger pinch zoom thing on someone’s face, to make it bigger, see if I recognised them.”
Himself frowned, puzzled. “Did it help?”
“No of course not! The pinch zoom only works on touch screens – it doesn’t work on real, actual photographs...” She still couldn’t believe she’d done that. “Also,” she sighed despondently and handed him a completed album, “I hadn’t factored in how heavy a real, actual photograph album would be. It’ll cost a fortune to post to Australia.”
Himself weighed the heavy tome in his hand. “Mmnn. Tell me, where did your family used to keep the photo albums?”
She considered for a moment, “in the loft.”
“Mmnn. And look at them how often?” he asked. “Not often.” Now she thought about it, not very often at all – they’d mostly lain forgotten the loft and it had been a bit of a mission to get them down. Himself “mmnnd” thoughtfully as he wandered off.
A day or so later, they had a video call from their excited daughter in Australia. “It’s fantastic – thank you so much for the brilliant gift!” She showed her new digital photo frame to the camera. “And you can send photos to it using the app whenever you like! So, picture this, I’m in the kitchen cooking breakfast and the photos from your dinner just appear. Or I’m sitting in of an evening and I see you out on your morning dog walk. Almost like I’m there!”
She looked at Himself who gave her a twinkly smile.
“Also,” their daughter continued, “would you mind taking some shots of the old pictures and sending them over on the app too? I’d ask you to put them in an album but it would be expensive to post. Plus, I’d probably just put it in the loft and forget to look at it.”
Thinking of her recently completed, rather weighty efforts, she could just picture that too. “Do you think..?” she turned to Himself. “I do,” he said and presented her with her own digital photo frame. “The 21st Century welcomes you back.”
I found Happy Kitchens on Houzz, and I decided to go with them as the reviews were encouraging and I liked that they were a small, local company. From the outset, Ben was extremely professional and understands exactly what the client wants.
The Happy Kitchen team were all fantastic; punctual, hardworking, incredibly tidy and most importantly they really cared about the quality of their work. We are really thrilled with our new kitchen and it has totally exceeded our expectations.
Joanne McCarthy
Happy Kitchens are quite unique as we are able to offer top quality products, available in any size, fitted by the best professionals in the business. Change your kitchen and bedroom with a makeover or design and install a new kitchen and bedroom, whichever suits your needs or price range.
If you are thinking of selling or letting your property out, it helps to work with an estate agent with a knowledge and understanding of the area. Established in Alresford in 1988, Hellards is very much part of the furniture in this beautiful part of Hampshire, having dealt with properties of all shape and sizes over the years.
Wherever you are on your property journey, our friendly and experienced team of property professionals are here to help you make the right decisions to suit your own particular circumstances.
As the days get longer and the weather improves, April is the ideal month to be planning your move. For our take on the local market, or for advice on the moving process generally, please call us.
We hope to hear from you soon!
PRADO is as much a part of Alresford and its surroundings as the home you’re selling. No one knows the local housing market and the area better than us - after all we’ve been in the Hampshire property business for almost 30 years!
Isn’t it time to give us a call for your free, no obligation valuation?
Being a professional landlord, or letting out your own property as an additional source of income, is a sensible and worthwhile thing to do. The legislation involved, however, is complicated and can be a minefield for the inexperienced landlord. We regularly speak to Landlords who are unaware of their legal obligations, which can lead to expensive consequences.
If you are a landlord already, would like to find out more about becoming one, or if you would like to discover whether your current rental is compliant , we are always pleased to hear from you and help if we can.
We are hosting an information evening on 27th April, which we hope you can come along to.
Please join us for a glass of fizz between 5:30 and 7:30pm, and don’t forget to bring along those questions that need answering!
Please call us in advance to book your place.
www.hellards.co.uk
Tel: 01962 736333
lettings@hellards.co.uk
I f y o u ' r e l o o k i n g t o s e l l a n d w a n t t o w o r k w i t h a g e n t s w h o h a v e a g r e a t r e p u t a t i o n f o r h i g h s e r v i c e l e v e l s a n d e t h i c s , n o t t o m e n t i o n 2 5 y e a r s o f l o c a l e x p e r i e n c e , w e a r e h e r e f o r y o u !
O u r e t h o s i s t o t a i l o r o u r s e r v i c e t o o u r c l i e n t s ’ i n d i v i d u a l n e e d s , w h i c h i s n e v e r o n e s i z e f i t s a l l G l o w i n g t e s t i m o n i a l s h a v e p r o v e n t h i s t o b e a w e l c o m e a n d r e f r e s h i n g a p p r o a c h
S e l l i n g y o u r h o m e d o e s n ' t h a v e t o b e s t r e s s f u l , e v e n i n t o d a y s e v e r - c h a n g i n g m a r k e t W e a r e a l w a y s d e l i g h t e d t o d i s c u s s h o w w e w o u l d r e p r e s e n t y o u r h o m e , a n d m a y b e e v e n e n j o y t h e p r o c e s s o f m o v i n g h o u s e ! I f h i k i f l l i
T h a n k y o u s o m u c h f o r l o o k i n g a f t e r o u r p a r e n t s ’ h o m e a n d s e l l i n g i t f o r u s Y o u k e p t u s i n f o r m e d a t a l l t i m e s a n d w e r e
c o m p l e t e l y t r a n s p a r e n t w i t h a l l t h e i n f o r m a t i o n y o u g a v e u s Y o u r r e s p o n s e t o a n y q u e s t i o n s w a s u s u a l l y b y r e t u r ne v e n l a t e a t n i g h t ! Y o u r a d v i c e f o r g e t t i n g t h e h o u s e r e a d y f o r m a r k e t i n g w a s s p o t - o n a n d i t g a v e u s t h e c o n f i d e n c e t h a t y o u c e r t a i n l y d o k n o w y o u r m a r k e t a n d b u s i n e s s v e r y w e l l Y o u w e n t b e y o n d y o u r r o l e b y d e l v i n g d o w n t h e c h a i n t o t r y a n d e x p e d i t e a n y h i t c h e s e l s e w h e r e .
O v e r a l l t h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h f o r y o u r a t t e n t i o n a n d l o o k i n g a f t e r u s a l l s o w e l l
Saturday 1st April
From 1.30pm to 4pm
The Worthy's, Jubilee Hall, London Road, Kings Worthy, Winchester, SO23 7QA
Our bereavement Cafe aims to connect local people, to support each other through bereavement, grief and loss. A warm welcome awaits you. Refreshments £1.50 for drink and cake. www.tree-oflife-centre.co.uk
Tuesday 11th April
From 4pm to 6pm Alresford Community Centre, 7 West St, Alresford SO24 9AG
Meet with like-minded solo travellers and join us for refreshments as we all watch an informative presentation by Riviera Travel, featuring their River cruises and land based tours. Complimentary tickets from New Era Travel 22 West Street Alresford, or Tel 01962 396100
Wednesday 12th April
From 7pm for 7.30pm St Gregory's Parish Hall, Grange Road, Alresford.
This month's meeting is the Members' Spring Show, visitors welcome to attend. Contact: Janet Pooley, janet@thepooleys.plus. com or 01962 732779
Sunday 16th April
From 2.30pm
John Pearson Hall, East Street, Alresford, SO24 9AG
We hold a Sunday Afternoon Tea on the Third Sunday of every month from 2.30pm in the John Pearson Hall. Do join us for Tea Homemade Cakes conversation and friendship. Information available on: 01962 733545 between 10am and 12noon Monday to Friday.
Saturday 22nd April
From 9.30am to 4.30pm
Alresford Community Centre, 7 West St, Alresford SO24 9AG
On the 3rd Saturday of the month. We offer a wide range of Decorative, Interesting and Unusual items including good quality Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, Militaria and Books. We will also buy. Free Admission. Limited Free Parking nearby & large car park at the Station.
Contacts: Carol - 01264 335769 / 07870 432805, Steve - 01722 712267 / 07915 663251, Lakewood Smith - 07970 797306
Monday 24th April
From 7.45pm
Ropley Parish Hall, Vicarage Lane, Alresford, SO24 0DU
Talk: History of NGS and Hidden Gems with Mark Porter, NGS Chairman. Programme 2023 - All meetings are held at unless otherwise stated
Sat 29th to Sun 30th April
From 10.30am
The Holywell Estate, Swanmore, Hampshire. SO32 2QE
Postcode for SATNAV – Cott Street SO32 2QG Grounds open at 10:30am with
parking available on site. The Holywell Estate will once again be opening to the public on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April for our popular Bluebell Walk, by kind permission of the Earl & Countess of Clarendon. Join The Murray Parish Trust for a unique opportunity to enjoy the fabulous annual display of spring Bluebells as you take a stroll around the woodlands, river meadows and historic parklands. The grounds open from 10:30 am on both dates and tickets should be purchased in advance with all proceeds going to the charity.
Friday 5th May
Various Times
St Andrews Church, Medstead
St Andrew’s church in Medstead will be celebrating the coronation of King Charles lll with a floral display. You can visit on Sunday 5 th of May between 2pm and 5 pm and Monday 10 am until 4pm.. both days refreshments available . All visitors welcome
Fri 5th - Mon 8th May
Various times
St. Peter's Church, Ropley
Friday 5 May - Flower Festival Preview reception (book tickets in advance), Saturday 6 MayFlower Festival in St Peter’s Church – watch the Coronation on the big screen, Sunday 7 May - Big Lunch on the Recreation Ground (collection/ sale of Coronation mugs), Flower Festival in St Peter’s Church, Coronation Celebration Service at 4pm, with the Ropley Coronation Choir. Monday 8 May, Flower Festival in St Peter’s Church –open all day with refreshments
Wednesday 10th May
From 10am to 4pm
Upper Farm, Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy, SO23 7LA
Entrance £5 - Ample parking available on site. Sorry no dogs. A great day out in a beautiful private garden. Come along for gardening inspiration and fantastic shopping with plant nurseries, artisan & homeware products, fashion accessories & delicious foods. Relax over coffee and home-made lunch in the Winchester Go LD Marquee. This event is being generously supported by Brewin Dolphin and Cobbs. Visit our website for more details: https:// winchestergold.org.uk/getinvolved/
Friday 12th May
From 6pm
St Nicholas Church, Bishop’s Sutton
An early-evening, short concert of arias with Italian soprano Silvana Froli, a Puccini specialist, accompanied by pianist Richard Pearce. Tickets are £20 each, payable on the door, and include a welcoming drink. Doors open at 5.30pm. Please reserve your seats via stnbconcerts.com. More information about Silvana and Richard is available on stnicholasbloodwiseconcerts.com An unmissable event if you are an opera lover!
Saturday 20th May
From 7.30pm
St Michaels Church, Cheriton
Will be performing “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” by Karl Jenkins . Tickets £10 for adults, under 16s free, available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheriton singers, from Cheriton Village Stores, or on the door. Please make a note in your diary!
Typically, in the spring housing market, there is increased activity with more properties on the market, increased competition among buyers, and potentially higher prices due to demand.
Here in Alresford, we continue to witness greater activity with more people registering their interest in buying a home in this sought-after location, but we simply do not have enough homes to satisfy this demand.
If you are thinking about putting your home on the market, this is the perfect time to do so. My team is made up of local property experts who are passionate about the town they serve. We continue to lead the market in 2023, selling nearly double the amount of homes when compared to our nearest competitor (according to Rightmove statistics).
5 Bedrooms | 5 Receptions | 3 Bathrooms
An impressive and spacious detached five-bedroom family home, ideally situated in the highly sought-after village of Northington, close to the beautiful Georgian town of Alresford in the South Downs. Formerly part of the Northington Grange Estate, the property is situated on a generous-sized plot in an elevated position with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
GUIDE PRICE £1,600,000
GUIDE PRICE £1,350,000
5 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 4 Bathrooms
Charming barn conversion which forms part of an exclusive development and backs onto open countryside just off the A31 on the fringes of Ovington and Avington. The properties boast sizable and versatile accommodation with an open plan kitchen dining room with views over the rear garden. The property benefits from ample off-road parking.
GUIDE PRICE £4,500 PCM
5 Bedrooms | 3 Receptions | 3 Bathrooms
Charming and deceptively spacious five-bedroom cottage located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, in the heart of the sough-after village of West Meon. The frontage includes a pretty south-facing garden with a lawn, mature flower beds and a terraced area for al fresco entertaining. A gated driveway provides ample off-road parking.
GUIDE PRICE £895,000
“
GUIDE PRICE £875,000
in finding our forever home. Just wanted to say a big thank you to Ellouise at Charters Alresford. She was super helpful in trying to find us a rental property and now in buying our forever home. She is always really friendly and responsive to get back to you on any queries.”
If you would like a FREE market appraisal for your home, please call us on 01962 734633 today.
4 Bedrooms | 3 Receptions | 2 Bathrooms
Stunning four-bedroom family home ideally situated in the heart of Cheriton with breath-taking rural views on a generous plot. The property is finished to a high standard throughout and offers a number of unique selling features including a small stream which runs around the edge of the garden with two bridges leading to private islands that adjoin the fields to the rear.
GUIDE PRICE £3,500 PCM
“Alresford Professionalism!
Alresford branch of Charters I could not recommend more highly. Charlie’s professionalism is outstanding and he has supported and guided me on my journey to purchase a house. Thank you.”
C. Drake
www.chartersestateagents.co.uk alresford@chartersestateagents.co.uk
Friendly, responsive and helpful...
S. TraversBRAMDEAN
Is it a classic tragedy, or a classic comedy?
People have been asking us "will we have a good laugh?"
Well, it's true that Gustave Flaubert's classic tale, Madam Bovary, is a sad tale and a classic novel, but this adaptation, The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary!, is anything but too serious. There are a few clues in the poster shown here... written for four actors playing multi-roles, theatre company Peepolykus have given the same sort of treatment to this classic novel as they have to several others, including
A warm welcome to all who can join us on (any)Sunday morning at 10.30am.
On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as many others do.
- we sing – we read The Bible – we pray – we listenwe remember that Jesus died for us – and give thanks and praise to Him, for He has done wonderful things for us.
New Farm Road, Alresford, Hampshire Sunday Services 10.30am and 4.30pm Check out our website, where you can leave a message or call our number. www.newfarmchapel.org.uk
The Hound of The Baskervilles. Director Craig Robb describes this adaptation by John Nicholson and Javier Marzan as "a Greek tragedy, morality tale, literary masterpiece and farcical comedy all rolled into one" so loyal audiences who are expecting a good night out and a laugh out loud show will not be disappointed.
Laugh and cry in equal measure as Emma Bovary chooses the wrong husband. Lose yourself in mesmeric love scenes featuring a procession of devastatingly attractive men. Rail at the fate of women in a patriarchal society. Prepare yourself for vermin, moustaches, wild animals, cross dressing, doubling of roles, lots of French people and a nun (or two).
We are delighted to be introducing three new actors to our stage for this production – Natashia Berrio, Tom Dangerfield (you may remember him from his cameo role as Tom Cruise in Never Say Trevor Again!) and Jane Wilde. Their combined input is invaluable as we progress through some fairy complex rehearsals.
Tickets are now on sale from our box office at Ticketsource. Please note that we do not offer refunds or transfers once tickets are purchased. Contains adult themes and language, so this production is recommended for over 12s.
Tickets available from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheritonplayers
For more information of Cheriton Players visit: www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk
St. Gregory's New Alresford
Maundy Thursday
6th April
8pm Mass of the Lord's Supper
Good Friday
7th April
3pm The Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday
8th April
8pm Easter Vigil
Easter Day
9th April
11am Mass
Alresford
Methodist Church New Alresford
Good Friday
7th April
10am Morning worship led by John Hughes
Easter Day
9th April
St. John's New Alresford
Maundy Thursday
6th April
7pm Communion & Vigil
Good Friday
7th April
2pm Reflective Service
Easter Day
9th April
6am Dawn Communion
(Sun Hill infant School)
8am Said Communion BCP
9.30am All Age Holy Communion
6pm Easter Celebration
All Saints Bighton
Easter Day
9th April 11am Holy Communion
St. Mary's Old Alresford
Easter Day
9th April
9.30am Parish Communion
St Peter's Ovington
Easter Day
9th April
11am Parish Communion BCP
10.30am Easter Sunday including Holy Communion led by Rev Adrian Roux 11am - Good Friday Walk of Witness
from Alresford Methodist Church
Please check with individual churches (website, posters, pewsheet, facebook etc)
The well-loved Rude Mechanical Theatre Company will be back on Ropley Recreation Ground again this summer on Sat 17th June with their new play, Miss Popplewell’s Garden. The company, which performs in small rural communities across Southern England, has a cast of professional actor/musicians and has been coming to the village for many years. The story goes like this.
It's April 1940 and Jocasta, Daphne and Dotty, will have to move from their school in idyllic Little Inkling, Sussex, to Buckinghamshire, where they will take refuge from the war. Lessons are suspended and they have two weeks left to have some fun and say goodbye to their friends. It’s a disaster for Daphne. All she wants is to be kissed before she’s seventeen, but now she’s got to move away, she may never see Gerald again! The girls decide to make one last raid on the old witch Miss Popplewell’s strawberry patch. But an intruder gets in first. Who is he? Is it the gypsies, a burglar, a foreign agent, even an escaped convict? The entire village goes into a panic. But they’re British! They must stick together.
In the meantime, will the girls get the strawberries? Will their kindly headmistress, Miss Tricklebank, confine them to their dorms? Will Daphne be kissed before she’s seventeen? You will have to be there to find out. The play is woven with poignancy and gently unearths buried things from Miss Popplewell’s past.
Ropley Recreation Ground – Sat 17th June
Start 7.30pm. To buy tickets visit www.therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk or ring 01323-501260. Bring your own chairs or rugs and a picnic.
In celebration of this historic occasion, join us for a splendid afternoon of music, entertainment, fun and celebration. Bring tables, chairs, food, drink, and even your gazebos and decorate them in grand royal style. Or just bring your flags, chairs and a picnic, sit and enjoy a convivial afternoon with family, friends and your community.
There will be music from around the British Isles, with Alder Valley Brass Band, Winchester Morris Men, a 1940s singer, a wine bar, craft beer tent, competitions, stalls, games and other activities. All ages welcome!
Prizes for the most regally dressed gazebo, individual, teddy and group.
With the area to the front of Alresford Station decorated in majestic style, & the possible visit of a Coronation train, this will be a celebration fit for an exceptional Royal occasion.
Adults £5 | Children (5 to 16 years) £3 FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
WWW.WATERCRESSLINE.CO.UK OR TEL: 01962 734 200 (EXT 207)
WITH MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, PARTY AT THE MILL & NEW ALRESFORD TOWN COUNCIL. AND ALSO THANKS TO ALRESFORD ROTARY CLUB, ALRESFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ALRESFORD PIGS, NEW ALRESFORD TOWN TRUST & CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ALRESFORD
As Marie Curie come to the end of their major fund-raising event The Great Daffodil Appeal, it is worth mentioning that the NGS started to support this amazing charity in 1996. In that time we have donated over £10 million, making us the largest single funder of their work. In 2022 we donated £450,000 to help Marie Curie continue caring, not only for people living with a terminal illness, but their families too. Back in February I was lucky enough to be present at a talk given by Matthew Reed, the CEO of Marie Curie - it was one of the most moving talks I have been to, given by one of our beneficiaries. It is to allow us to continue to support this charity, and others like them, that makes our garden visitors so vital to the work we do.
With that in mind, here are a couple of gardens not far away from Itchen Abbas that you could visit in the next couple of months.
The Cottage - 16 Lakewood Road
Chandlers Ford SO53 1ES
Opening: Sunday 30th April 1.30pm to 5.30pm (ALSO May 1st 7th 8th )
Admission: £4.50 children free Card
Payment Available
Refreshments: Home-made teas
ALSO Open By Arrangement - April and May for up to 99 visitors. Contact: barandhugh@aol.com. 01380 254521
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/9080/the-cottage
The ¾ acre garden has been designed, planted and cared for since 1950 by two keen garden loving families, with Azaleas, camellias, trilliums and erythroniums under old oaks and pines. Herbaceous cottage style borders with many unusual plants for year-round interest. Bog garden, ponds, kitchen garden. Wildlife areas.
The Deane House - Sparsholt Winchester SO21 2LR
Opening: By Arrangement only - for between10 and 99 visitors. Dates: From March to September.
So much to see and do in this beautiful 4 acre garden. Check out the details on the link.
https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/9783/the-deane-house
Contact owners: chrissiemorse7@gmail.com 07774 863004 to arrange a visit.
Best Wishes
Pat Beagley (Publicity)
National Garden Scheme - Hampshire
Leanne Hawkins is a Registered Nurse and an Independent Nurse Prescriber (INP) who spent a decade working in the NHS before qualifying as a Medical Facial Aesthetician and setting up her first clinic in 2009, the award winning Face & Skin Clinic in Wickham.
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GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
Western Court, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AA
Western Court, Bishop's Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AA
The role of GP Receptionist has changed dramatically in recent years, they play a key part in helping patients get the right care, by the right healthcare professional at the right time. Now more commonly known in GP surgeries as Care Navigators, Care Co-ordinators, or Patient Advisors, receptionists have a much wider role than just answering phones and making appointments.
There are currently unprecedented pressures across all health services in Hampshire. This is in common with most areas of the country and is leading to huge levels of demand for GP services. Sometimes, seeing a GP isn’t the best option for the patient. In fact, studies show that 2540% of consultations with a GP are unnecessary. Some patients may receive more appropriate care and advice more quickly elsewhere - for example, a physiotherapist for back pain, or a nurse for a skin rash, a pharmacist for medication advice - freeing up the GPs time for those who really need it.
This is where our Receptionists (Patient Advisors) come in. They receive comprehensive training and their role is to actively listen, to signpost people to sources of help, advocacy and support, and to help people play an active role in managing their own health.
There is a misunderstanding that Receptionists (Patient Advisors) are being nosey when they ask for information from a patient, or that they are trying to gatekeep appointments. This isn’t the case at all. By asking a number of specific questions of the patient they are able to make sure that they book them an appointment with the most appropriate healthcare professional, or if its more suitable, signpost them to other services in the area. They will still book an appointment with a GP if the patient feels they need it but the patient may have to wait longer for this.
Receptionists, Patient Advisors, or Care Navigators, are an integral part of the practice team, they work really hard to ensure patients get seen
The new NATT Chair, Vanessa Andrews, was delighted to welcome members to the AGM on 15th March.
She started by thanking the 7 Trustees and 40+ volunteers who support NATT by driving the Community Minibus, manning the Open Days, maintaining the Avenue and running the Markets. And, the 10 organisations and many private donors, who make generous contributions to the Trust.
Special mention was given to Len Orton, a longstanding Trustee who received the Mayor of Winchester’s Community Award this week, in recognition of his lifetime of voluntary work. There was a presentation to Robin Atkins, who has recently stepped down as Chair after 14 years of committed service to the Trust. And thanks to Ray Hedges, our busiest Minibus driver, who has now retired from that role.
by the right healthcare professional. The information you give them will ensure you get the right care, in the right way, by the right person. All staff operate to strict guidelines and work under clinical supervision, which means you can trust them to treat all information given confidentially.
Please make sure you have sufficient supplies of your usual medications to last over the bank holiday period which you can order in a number of ways;
• In person at the surgery
• By post
• Via the NHS APP or Patient Access
The surgery will be closed on Friday 7 April and Monday 10 April. If you need urgent medical care you can access the Out of Hours service for advice, a face to face appointment or, if it is necessary, a home visit & the number to call is 111.
e-Consults will not be able to be submitted after 6.30pm on Thursday 6th April & will not restart again until 8am on Tuesday 11th April.
As a surgery we have increased the usage of texting our patients with relevant health information, this can be as a follow up to a consultation with links to useful websites or as a way of inviting patients to attend vaccination clinics or reviews that they are eligible for.
Please ensure that we have consent to text you & that we have your correct contact details. You can update these details via Patient Access, NHS App, by calling us or by emailing us on admin.alresford@nhs.net
If you are asked to provide us with home blood pressure monitoring information, then you can download the monitoring sheets from our website using the following link; https://alresfordsurgery.co.uk/ downloadable-resources/
The AGM heard that last year was very busy, but NATT is determined that 2023 will be even busier! We will have even more Open Days at the Museum, Norman Bridge and Eel House; more stalls at the regular Thursday market; and 3 speciality markets through the year. The Avenue has a regular programme of tree and ground works to keep it safe and beautiful. We’ve recently replaced a fallen tree on Broad Street, and fixed the NATT Clock at the Swan.
Chris Hulford, who co-chairs the Alresford Lunch Club, spoke at the AGM about the importance of the Community Minibus in bringing less-mobile guests to the weekly event – the Minibus makes a huge difference to its regular passengers, who need the door-to-door service. We are currently signing up and training more Minibus drivers, so that we can take more passengers on more routes and trips. Driving the Minibus is often described as ‘the most satisfying thing I do’ and ‘the best source of town gossip!’ – if you’d be interested in joining the driver team, or helping in any other way, please email clerk@towntrust.org.uk
Vanessa Andrews, Chair, New Alresford Town Trust
BALANCE BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
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Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of a Reiki treatment in your home
Call Carmen on: 07835 343532
Chris-Still-Healing
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Psyhic Medium available for Readings and Holistic Healings
Psyhic Medium available for Readings and Holistic Healings
Louise: 07719 011854
Louise: 07719 011854
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Y O G A
Classes in Alresford **first class free**
Classes in Alresford **first class free**
DEBBIE DOES YOGA Accredited Yoga Teacher
DEBBIE DOES YOGA Yoga Teacher
Craig’s paying for his glasses in 0% interest free instalments
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Alresford Community Centre 7 West St, Alresford, SO24 9AG
Alresford Community Centre 7 West St, Alresford, SO24 9AG
All levels welcome
All levels welcome
Tuesdays -1800-1900 hours
Tuesdays -1800-1900 hours
Pre-book only by contacting Debbie via Mobile –07725 820081 or Email –debbiedoesyogainfo@gmail.com
Pre-book only by contacting Debbie via Mobile –07725 820081 or Email –debbiedoesyogainfo@gmail.com
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The Dean Carpark - The land at 1-3
The Dean
An application for 14 apartments and a 40 public space car park has been submitted to Winchester City Council planning department. I have been a long been a supporter of the car park having spoken in support to cabinet in 2017 about this. I hope that the developers took the feedback given to them at the open day. Unfortunately, in all reality if this isn’t supported it is unlikely that this will ever take place. I look forward to reading the application in full, in more detail.
Issues with Meryon Road garages
I met with neighbourhood services to discuss some of the issues raised by residents and garage users. I arranged to have all the vegetation cut back and the site cleared of rubbish. This month I met with a Tree surgeon to review some of the large trees at the entrance that were also hindering the use of the potential 10 spaces. This is now being reviewed to see what can be done to support improvements. With so much being spent on Winchester, I do hope that WCC find the money for these much needed improvements.
Issues raised by residents
This month I have been dealing with residents who sadly had their aerial
service cut off. I was pleased to act on their behalf to restore this service as quickly as possible. 2 out of the 5 residents effected were housebound and said that they really needed this service to be connected with the outsideworld. The seems a small thing to most people but can make such a huge difference to some. I am happy to help if anyone else needs help with this.
Planning applications
I have spent a lot of time helping some residents with support for their planning applications. With DM3 applications I strongly think that a wider picture of the community needs to be looked at. Affordable homes is essential to our area. We have too many looking for affordable homes to buy or rent. Keeping families in our ward to ensure the economic growth or our Town is utterly essential to the survival of businesses within the area. Helping workers remain in the area will also aid recruitment which is an overwhelming issue within this area affecting many businesses as well as reducing carbon emissions form reduced travel.
Sunlane development ongoing issues
I attended meetings with Taylor Wimpy along with other ward Cllrs and members of Bishop’s Sutton Parish Council and NATC. Sadly there are still issues being raised regarding access to the Sun Lane site via on the Bishop’s Sutton and Tichborne Down routes when the initial build takes place. It is important that we keep feeding in the issues raised by residents to ensure that we have the best outcome as possible.
Councillor Fiona Isaacs
fisaacs@winchester.gov.uk
01962 808072
Now that Easter is approaching we will be soon be moving into Spring, with the clocks going forward and the pleasure (hopefully) of lighter warmer evenings however, this period of the year brings greater opportunity for criminal activity as the demand for garden tools and machinery increases and, in some cases, thieves will steal items on an ‘order basis’. For example expensive items such as petrol sit-on motor mowers and electic tools are easy to pass on as ‘second hand’ goods to the unsuspecting gardener. We can all prepare for this by ensuring our sheds and garages are locked at all times, we maintain a list of the trade/license number on our tools and we keep a watchful eye on our neighbours garages and sheds for any suspicious activity. Likewise the number of visitors and tourists coming to this part of the UK increases at this time of year so please be aware of locking homes and cars at all times as there will be those looking for opportunities to take advantage if we do not!
With regards to the above we, the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, can play a key role in helping prevent as well as detecting crime by signing up for the ‘Hampshire Alert’ community messaging system. Improving the flow of information between us and the police is vital to achieving the goals of deterring criminals and keeping communities safe.
• To register for this service and receive crime alerts, information updates and witness appeals please go to : www.hampshirealert.co.uk
Please note the following contact routes for ADNWA and the Police:
• ADNWA queries can be emailed to: contact.adnwa@gmail.com
• Non-urgent police queries can be emailed to: winchester.rural.police@ hampshire.pnn.police.uk
• Crime in progress please call: 999
• Non-urgent issues please call: 101
Please enjoy this spring-time!
ADNWA
Once again Rotary sponsored a successful baking competition for the Junior School with a fantastic response and amazing cakes and biscuits. Judging was tough but Rotarians Richard Barnes & David Marshall and school judges Ms Craig and Mrs Griffiths recognized the high quality and superb presentation of the entries. Well done to all the children.
In conjunction with the Town Council’s litter picking day Alresford Rotary spent a couple of hours on 5th March sprucing up Broad Street. We hope you have noticed the difference and we are grateful to the local residents tolerating the disturbance of their Sunday morning peace.
Alresford Rotary is for EVERYONE in and around Alresford! If YOU think you can help Alresford Rotary make a difference or if you think Alresford Rotary may be able to help YOU, please let us know!
David MarshallIf you enjoy BBQ then we’re your kind of place! With over 30 years’ experience we know a thing or two about it and would love to share our passion with you. In store we stock all the major brands and then some, so whether you’re looking to sear, smoke, roast, braise, skewer, rotisserie, bake or just plain grill then we have you covered. Come and join us on a Saturday and experience a free demo day or sign up to one of our assorted BBQ Masterclasses. We look forward to seeing y’all soon. Did I mention we stock Yeti? It’s worth dropping in just to view their range!
T: 02380 788155 E: sales@socal.co.uk W: socalbbqshop.co.uk
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The Holywell Estate will once again be opening to the public on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April for our popular Bluebell Walk, by kind permission of the Earl & Countess of Clarendon.
Join The Murray Parish Trust for a unique opportunity to enjoy the fabulous annual display of spring Bluebells as you take a stroll around the woodlands, river meadows and historic parklands situated in the South Downs National Park in the unspoilt rolling countryside of the Meon Valley.
The grounds open from 10:30 am on both dates and tickets should be purchased in advance with all proceeds going to the charity. Grounds open at 10:30am with parking available on site. Self-guided walks start at 11am and the last walk of the day is at 2pm. The Bluebell Walk is unaccompanied and takes approximately one to one and a half hours, set over a distance of approx. 3 miles. Follow the numbered arrows and always stay on the designated route. A map of the full route is available. The walk is through natural pastures and woodland and as such is uneven. Please take extra care throughout your walk. Visitors should wear
suitable footwear e.g. walking shoes/boots, wellies. Please keep out of the ponds and natural water reserves.
Wheelchair and Pushchair Access: Unfortunately, due to the rough ground on much of the pathway the walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Children should be supervised at all times and are the responsibility of the accompanying adult(s). Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead and under control at all times to protect the wildlife. You are of course very welcome to take photos for personal use on your own cameras and phones, but no photography for commercial purposes will be permitted.
Interesting facts about the British Bluebell These iconic wildflowers bring people from all over the world to see the distinctive blue carpeted woodland, displays like these in the UK every year. Around half the entire Bluebell population in the world are here in the UK – they are relatively rare across the rest of the world.
The Bluebell is protected under UK law. The first Bluebells are believed to have appeared
in the UK after the first Ice Age. Their main habitat is Ancient Woodland.
Terms & Conditions
Tickets are non-transferable and a 100% cancellation fee applies (full amount will go to the charity).
Entry Fees - Adults £10
Children aged 2-16 £5 (Under 2s are FREE) Includes a hot drink or squash.~ Delicious hot food will be available to purchase
Location
The Holywell Estate, Swanmore, Hampshire. SO32 2QE. Postcode for SATNAV – Cott Street SO32 2QG
To purchase tickets visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ themurrayparishtrust1/840904
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Repair bare patches in your lawn by over-seeding. Remove the dead patch of grass with a rake. In-fill with John Innes #3 compost and mix seed into the top layer. Give it a good water and, to keep the moisture and birds off, cover it with a sheet of newspaper until the seed germinates.
Moss in itself isn’t a problem. It’s green and soft under foot. Nice to look at a lovely to walk on. Come mid-summer your mossy lawn will yellow and die –not so good to look at or walk on then!
Moss is relatively easy to rake out of your lawn provided there is not much of it. If your lawn has a heavy moss burden then a petrol driven scarifier will be needed. I have two important rules. 1) Always apply a moss killing treatment after you have raked or scarified your lawn to kill and loose pieces of moss. 2) Never, ever mow into moss. If you have moss in your lawn that you can’t remove then raise your mower blades so the grass leaf is at least 2cm above the moss.
Thatch is a layer of organic matter on top of the soil above the roots of your grass plants. It has little or no microbial activity and will not decompose. It prevents water and nutrition reaching the roots. Spring is the right time to dethatch turf. Cutting into the thatch to introduce air spaces is ideal. Boosting microbial activity with a professional bio-booster or compost tea.
Aeration is by far the most beneficial mechanical process for your lawn. Organic matter is essential for the life within your soil. That life consists of beneficial fungi and bacteria which make micronutrients available to grass. In addition, there are worms and insects all responsible for breaking down organic matter. These living things need the 3 building blocks of life – water, air and food. Roots grow in the air gaps between the soil particles not in the soil itself. By aerating your lawn, you are introducing the air gaps essential to support that soil activity. In addition, aeration relieves compaction and helps reduce waterlogging too.
Leaves from trees, dead grass blades and moss can prevent moisture and nutrients from easily reaching the roots of your lawn. Using a spring rake helps you keep fit, but in addition it removes debris and helps the grass leaf stand upright. When things begin to grow again in the early spring it’s a good idea to give your lawn a bit of a hair-brush, get things standing to attention and ready for a mow. Spring raking removes lingering autumn leaves and grass blades that didn't survive winter. Do it now!
All living things need the right kind of food in the right quantities. Many lawn owners forget this. Lawns need the right amount of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus throughout the year. The occasional sprinkle of a 3-in-1 spring feed from the garden centre is not really cutting it. You ideally want controlled-release nutrition, more of a lawn buffet than a Christmas dinner. This way you don’t have a huge flush of growth meaning you have to get the mower out of the shed as soon as you’ve put it away. If you are going to feed your own lawn focus on quality over quantity. Focus on feeding the soil and let the soil feed the plant. If in doubt, speak to a lawn care professional.
Spring is the best time to get weeds under control. Catch weeds early in the season if you can. Leave weeds until later and you are likely to have all their seedlings to deal with too. Some weeds are harder to control than others and this is where professional grade weed control products become essential. Weed control is complex stuff but get it right and your lawn’s going to look great this summer.
Well wetting agents really. Along with air and food, lawns need water. Many home owners resist watering their lawns for fear of the cost or wastage. The good news is that it costs less than £5 to water the average sized lawn and you only really need to do that every other week. Now here’s the secret; lawn care professionals make use of wetting agents to make the water that’s applied work harder. Wetting agents are very affordable, they keep water in the root-zone and mean that you can apply half as much water, water less often whilst getting the same results.
The majority of lawn issues I see can be traced back to a poor mowing regime. Get mowing right and you are half way towards a wonderful lawn. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Mow frequently enough to not cut off more than ¼ of the leaf length each mow. Don’t always mow in the same direction – start from different places on the lawn. Ideally mulch mow, leaving clippings behind to feed the essential soil microbes.
Ian Kenyon sits on the committee of the UK Lawn Care Association and owns Shrekfeet Independent Lawncare. He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help: T: 01962 460146 www.shrekfeet.com
As days lengthen, we venture outside and begin to notice how our lawns look. Many lawns struggle a little over the winter. Let’s look at what can be done now to get your lawn ready for a beautiful summer2 - Dethatch 3
A garden should add real value to your home if done properly, in the same way an extension or well designed interior can do so too. It is therefore a great investment. You also want to enjoy this outside ‘room’ of your house to the maximum, otherwise it is simply wasted space.
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Doing Time - a thoughtprovoking exhibition supported by Hampshire Cultural Trust sharing the stories of the people who live and work at Winchester Prison is at The University of Winchester until 28 April in The Link Gallery on Romsey Road and then The Stripe.
The exhibition and an accompanying book tell the story of 175 years of Winchester Prison history, the harsh prison regimes of the past and today’s focus on education, training and reform. Prison life is revealed in a series of interviews with staff including Governor James Bourke who shares the challenges of supporting prisoners with complex social, mental and physical needs.
The impact of what often can be life-changing education and training, healthcare and counselling is told in the words of prisoners who have turned their lives around at HMP Winchester. The book and exhibition were written by Winchester Magazine editor Liz Kavanagh who spent over six months visiting the prison before, after and during the pandemic when prisoners were almost permanently locked in cells. The exhibition was curated by Leonie Mountney.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat opens at Titchfield Festival Theatre on 5 April. For TFT Wardrobe Coordinator Daniel Vaughan, who joined the theatre in 2021, it is an exciting and busy period. The musical Joseph is one of TFT’s biggest productions to date with a sizable cast of 27 adults and 14 children. A firm family favourite, the
Photography by awardwinning Winchester photographer Javaid Akhtar features throughout, revealing the stark reality of prison life.
Liz Kavanagh comments: “Each year, 2000 men pass through Winchester Prison, on remand, awaiting release and serving sentences.
“The book and exhibition provide an overview of the many individuals who make up the prison – from teachers and prison officers to the prisoners themselves. Their stories have been written as they have been told - without agenda.
“They reveal the huge challenges that the prison faces operationally as well as the dedication of the people who work there. They also highlight the pitfalls of a criminal justice system where reoffending is far too common. The stories told by prisoners are particularly insightful, revealing how debt, drug addiction and lack of family support can all lead to crime.”
Deborah Neubauer, Director of Community and Impact at Hampshire Cultural Trust says: “The exhibition and book have provided real insight into what life is like behind the walls in one of Winchester’s most prominent landmarks. The stories that have been shared are both challenging and inspirational.”
The book Doing Time is available to buy for £10 from P & G Wells. www.pgwells.co.uk/shop/local-interest/doing-time
For further information and media enquiries please contact Liz Kavanagh liz@winchestermag.com 01962 881422
Andrew Lloyd-Webber show is a colourful extravaganza, with many catchy songs and an enduring appeal.
Daniel and his team need to make some 200 costumes before the opening night. Titchfield Festival Theatre has its own costume warehouse which has around 1,000 different items for its own use and for outside hire. It’s a sustainable operation, too. No new costumes are purchased and existing ones are repurposed or made using donated fabrics. Daniel sees his role as helping all members of the cast to feel comfortable in their costumes so that they can deliver their very best performance.
Daniel said:
“At Titchfield Festival Theatre, it’s all about sustainability. Last year for the musical Oliver! we did not buy a single new costume. We have an amazing volunteer called Jan who helped us with Oliver! and is making the actual coat for Joseph.”
The final reveal of Joseph’s famous multicoloured coat is one of the show’s highlights. A total of 29 colours are mentioned in the song; so TFT is aiming for a minimum of 29 different hues, making it unique as well as a fitting finale.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat performs from 5 – 15 April including three matinée shows during the two weeks. For more information including booking tickets, please go to www.titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact Box Office on 0333 666 3366.
Beautiful costumes which come together one stitch at a time
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Allows your petrol engine vehicle to run on Autogas, a fuel costing approximately 76p per ltr, with the environmental benefits of a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide production and 2000 times fewer particulates produced from the exhaust fumes when compared with a diesel. Widely available across the country and locally in Winnall, Winchester and West Meon Hut service station. The government has committed to this fuel difference for the future.
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Have you ever walked by a chalk stream and seen a flash of fur? You may have been lucky enough to spot an elusive species – the water vole! These small mammals love the clear water and lush plant life that characterise chalk streams. While they are rather shy, staying quiet and still could reward you with another sighting; listen for rustling in the streamside undergrowth and the famous ‘plop’ of them diving into the water.
Water voles are known for the character of Ratty in ‘The Wind in the Willows’, and are often mistaken for their rodent cousin, the brown rat. Several features can help with this critter confusion: brown rats have a greyish hue, pointed muzzle, prominent ears, and hairless tail; water voles have a chestnut tint, short muzzle, small ears, and furry tail. Their way of swimming is another clue: if only the head is above the water, it’s probably a rat.
If you didn’t get a good look, there may be other signs that water voles are present. They choose a special place for eating, so
you might find plant stems nibbled at a 45-degree angle. You might also see a ‘lawn’ of shortened plants by the entrance to their bankside burrows. Another sign to search for is a latrine near the stream’s edge; water vole droppings have a distinctive tic-tac shape, and can be green, brown, or purple in colour.
Once present throughout the UK, water voles have sadly become endangered in recent decades. Pollution and habitat loss have played a role, as has the spread of an invasive non-native species – the American mink. Originally introduced for fur farming, these voracious hunters can swiftly wipe out small mammal populations. According to one estimate, water voles have been lost from 97% of their former geographical range.
So, how can you help our furry friends? If you manage a chalk stream, leave a twometre-wide margin of tall bankside plants, and do your habitat management outside the breeding season (spring and summer). If you walk your dog by a stream, keep them
on a lead in places where water voles have been seen. In general, look out for American mink – you could even consider hosting a footprint raft or wildlife camera.
You can also monitor water vole populations in north and central Hampshire through the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme – contact winterbournes@hiwwt.org.uk to learn more. Our work is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Free Online Talk:
‘Water-Wise Gardening: Get Smart With Soil’
25th May, 7 - 8.30pm
Hear how to achieve healthy soil, and how doing so can help your garden to cope with dry weather. Learn top tips on avoiding the need for intense watering. Book at: www.hiwwt.org.uk/events
Approved by trading standards
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE LACK OF AVAILABLE CARS BELOW, NOW WOULD BE A FANTASTIC TIME TO SELL ANY CAR NOT BEING USED AND GET A GREAT PRICE FOR IT.
The following cars have been carefully selected because of their low mileage, excellent condition and service history.
2008 (08) Land Rover Defender 110, County Station wagon, 7 seats, cloth interior, winter pack (heated front seats and windscreen). towing and exterior protection pack (lights, steering/sump guard, wing and bonnet protectors)
2019 (19) Honda Jazz 1.3 EX Nav Automatic, 5 door, Sat Nav, front and rear parking sensors rear camera, climate control, cruise control, 21,000 miles
2016 (16) Nissan Note N-Tec 1.2, £20 road tax, sat nav, Climate and cruise control, parking camera, 18,000 miles.
For a professional finish at competitive rates
7 days a week at your home or place of work
Please call José on 07803 703396
£19,995
£16,395
SOLD
2018 (68) Hyundai i10 S, 5 door 21,000 miles, £7995
2014 (14) Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDi Elegance, Automatic, sat nav, air conditioning, cruise control, parking sensors, Panoramic moon roof, 1 owner 59,000 miles SOLD
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CARS HAVE SERVICE HISTORY BRAMDEAN
Repairs
Servicing
WILCAN
MOTOR COMPANY LTD
M.O.T WILCAN
Servicing, MOT, Tyres & Bodywork Repairs
FREE Local collection and courtesy cars (T&C's apply) Free Safety Checks
Please ring our friendly team on: 01962 736186 andy.wilcan@live.co.uk www.wilcan.co.uk
THE LONG BARN, WINCHESTER ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9EZ
Interior Style Golden Banana Bowl £115.00 29 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AB Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz
#shoplocal
Enticing and eclectic items now available on your high street this summer. Stay local and support your diverse retailers!
Kingsworthy Foundry
Pit Barrel BBQ & Smoker. The future of charcoal grilling is here.This amazing 'set & forget' outdoor grill is this years must have! From £295
Tel: 01962 883776 | www.kingsworthyfoundry.co.uk
Andrew Smith & Son Auctioneers
Saturday Homes & Antiques Auction- Saturday 15th April 2023 - Viewing Friday 14th April Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com
The Alresford Gift Shop
Glass and wooden Easter egg decorations available from £2.50 Tel: 01962 732192 | alresfordgiftshop.co.uk
Billy Goat
SaltWater Sandals (from Infant UK4) machine washable, leather sandals to wear in the sea! £44.50 43 West Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 733926 | www.billygoatshoes.co.uk
Ragamuffin
Bright Stripes Sundress by Mayoral £31.50 - from age 3y-10y 2 Bakehouse Yard, Alresford, SO24 9AU
Tel: 01962 734488 | www.ragamuffin-uk.com
Extensive choice. An exciting collection of performance ski kit and cold weather wear for every age. New location. Our fabulous showroom outside Alresford is the best way to try a variety of styles & sizes before you buy. Open by appointment from October to Easter, please email us to book a slot or make an enquiry. Same great service. Seasoned skiers ourselves, we offer buyers guidance in our showroom and at selected school events.
email:
Ladies Fashion
up to 50% off many items
Revitalise your wardrobe for the summer and banish those winter blues with some satisfying retail therapy!
Do come and see what we have to offer. Sale on from April 1st to 30th
Tel: 01489 880900 or shop online at: www.davinasladiesfashion.co.uk
7 Warsash Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9HW
Open Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm
E www.facebook.com/davinasladiesfashion
Q www.instagram.com/davinas_ladies_fashion
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
40a West Street, Alresford, Hants Tel: 01962 732200 www.dbarkerandson.co.uk
We are your local independent fashion retailer located in Warsash adjacent to the Co-op and Clocktower. We have been established for 25 years, originally in Fareham, and in Warsash since 2018.
We have a full range of general clothing comprising dresses, tops, trousers, jeans and jackets. Our range goes from jeans to evening wear. We are currently receiving our latest spring and summer collections. This includes some fabulous summer dresses in resplendent colours. We also stock the Marble colourful range of sweaters and trousers at very reasonable prices. There are 3 rooms fully stocked and we welcome customers to come in and browse. We also welcome husbands and partners who wish to buy a surprise gift for their special lady. They are also encouraged to accompany you and help select your new wardrobe. Please don’t think our prices are out of your range deterring you from coming in. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at both the quality and price.
We have a reputation for Condici Mother of the Bride/Groom outfits and currently have a choice of 140 to choose from. We also stock matching hats, hatinators, shoes and clutch bags making us a “one stop shop”.
There is a carpark opposite which is free for 4 hours. If you fancy yourself a bargain pop in to see what we have to offer.
Visit our website at www.davinasladiesfashion.co.uk which is a showcase of some of what we have to offer.
We’ve
The Pigs are worried. We are a charity providing a much needed and relied upon service to individuals and families dealing with mobility issues – be they permanent or temporary. However due to the development of The Dean we are having to find a new home for our mobility service. If we are unable to do so we will be forced to drastically reduce the service we are able to provide to the community. We have been looking for two years and have been unable to secure a suitable site, that is both secure and easily accessible to the public. We have written and spoken to the New Alresford Town Council asking if we are able to use the old catering space in the Stratton Bates changing rooms, which would be eminently suitable. However we recognise many groups have storage needs and space is in high demand. If anyone has any ideas, we will welcome all input! info@alresfordpigs.org
The Alresford Pigs will be supporting or holding the following events: The Coronation Celebration – Sunday 7th May (more info to follow)
The Watercress Festival – Sunday 21st May 2023
The Duck Race – Sunday June 18th 2023 – full details at alresfordpigs.org
Cost of living crisis
The climbing cost of living remains a very real concern for many in our community. For some of course tighter finances means making hard choices, sometimes deciding between heat or food. It can be an embarrassing and stressful thing to ask for help, we understand this, and all enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence, by people who care, and are responded to with a willingness to help - if at all possible. The Pigs are currently supporting the Winchester Basics Bank in Alresford where demand remains high.
Compost
A successful spring-time weekend saw the Pigs distribute over 350 bags of premium, peat-free, compost around Alresford; many thanks to all who bought some – Happy growing! The Pigs would like to thank JMCL Freightways on New Farm Road who generously stored the compost for us and allowed us to use their premises as a distribution base. However, we still have a supply of compost and will happily deliver around town – just £8 per40 litre bag. Thank you for your support!
If you, or someone you know, needs help please contact us. Be assured all enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence. We consider any request for financial support from within the area and although it’s impossible to list all of the people we have supported down the years they include organisations such as the Scouts, Guides, sports & youth groups, local schools for specific projects, families who are unable to fully fund school trips for their child, single parent families needing white goods, families needing support that cannot be provided by other services, mobility scooters, park benches, senior residents events and activities and life-saving defibrillators scattered all round Alresford, plus donations to others in the wider area.
The Alresford Pigs Association is a registered charity (charity no. 1163001). More information can be found at www.alresfordpigs.org or email us at info@alresfordpigs.org or for an immediate request for support call the Pigs Help line 01962 658961.
Council Tax 23-24: You will have received your Council tax bill for 23-24 by now. The HCC part of your bill is the major one.
HCC manages children and adults’ social care, disposes of the household waste that we put out every week, and manages highways, libraries, country parks, many schools and the footpath networks. For 2023/24, the County requirement from each Band D household is £1460.25. The lowest charge (band A) is £973.50, upper (H) is £2920.50. Other charges on your tax bill include the Fire, Police, City and Parish precepts which thankfully are much lower than the County proportion. If you are struggling to pay your bills, please don’t wait but please seek help as soon as possible. Citizens Advice or your housing provider can help.
Several additional provisions for children with special needs are being built on the sites of mainstream schools. This is good news, especially for younger pupils. Children with SEND needs often travel long distances to school; this can be distressing and tiring. The County is building more units to improve life for parents and children, but SEND numbers are still rising, so there’s more to do to satisfy everyone’s needs.
If your child has SEND needs, and you are concerned about which school your child will be moving to in September, please contact me by email.
The County Council holds decision days and one March decision day had several items which will be of interest to residents. One item was ‘movable traffic enforcement’ which allows the new wardens to act not just on parking breeches but other enforcement too. Take care: this may affect you in the Autumn when the County takes back their responsibility of Winchester’s enforcement of on-street parking.
The second item of local interest was the decision to continue with Cala’s plans to close a section of Andover Road to traffic (probably around 2025) which links with the Movement Strategy. I know this was not a popular decision for many, but I hope it will allow the site roads to build out now: they are in such a poor state at present. I have placed a link and comments to the paper on my website, www.jackieporter.co.uk.
This paper included the decision to make changes to the B3047/A33 (Cart and Horses) junction in conjunction with National Highways as they construct the new motorway junction (but not until they build, so likely to be 2024- 27). I remain hopeful that some short-term safety improvements will be implemented soon, but so far, the Executive Councillor has not agreed to anything specific at the Cart and Horses, which is disappointing. Did you use the junction whilst the traffic lights were in place? What was your view of that potential solution? Many people
thought it was a trial for traffic lights: it was not, but merely a safety issue for the work team as they renewed the popular section of path alongside the A33.
Talking of paths, a contractor has been chosen to mend the Millennium Walk in Alresford this summer!
This is exciting news because it is so dangerous being plagued with holes for so long now. The path is so popular, but the river is teeming with creatures that need protection and cannot be disturbed. As a result, the work can only be done in July and August, so it may occupy much of the school summer holidays. I’m hope you’ll agree that this needs to be done. The result should be a much more accessible path, still with a great place to feed the ducks by Autumn 2023.
Tree planting. HCC has been planting trees on highway verges. Many people are delighted but you can’t keep everyone happy. Some residents don’t want a tree, and some want a tree, but none has been planted!
To request a tree at https://www.hants.gov.uk/ transport/roadmaintenance/roadproblems/treeplanting
And to complain, go to https://www.hants.gov. uk/transport/roadmaintenance/roadproblems/ treehedge
County Councillor Jackie Porter Jackie.porter@ hants.gov.uk
Tel /text 07973 696085 www.jackieporter.co.uk twitter @JackieLibDem
Featherstone’s English Flower Co. is a sustainable flower farm and florist in Nether Wallop, offering a full floristry service, events and workshops.
Natural, compostable and reusable methods are used to create beautiful arrangements with an organic style.
Bouquets • Events • Weddings • Funerals • Pick Your Own • Workshops • Flower Club •
Subscriptions • Buckets of Blooms
www.featherstoneflowers.co.uk
@featherstoneflowers 01264 302980
Join us for lunch done differently. If tasty food and toe tapping tunes are your thing then join us on Sunday 21st May for a unique woodfired buffet on The Avenue terrace. Take in the breathtaking views of our mile-long avenue of lime trees, all whilst listening to the incredible sounds of ‘British contemporary crooner’ Paul Pashley and his band.
£75 per person
Sunday 21st May 12pm - 3.30pm 01962 776088
lainstonhouse@exclusive.co.uk exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 bouquet garni
• 1lt good red wine
• 200g sliced carrots
• 1.8kg beef chuck or venison cut into big cubes
• salt/pepper
• 3 soup spoons of
• Balsamic vinegar
• 2 sliced onions
• 10cl oil or goose fat
• 200g julienne of streaky bacon
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• A little glass of brandy
• 200g sliced mushrooms
• 200g small pickling onions
• 1.5 teaspoons of sugar
In a dish that will fit into your fridge place the meat and marinade and leave for 24hrs. Add a classic bouquet garni: thyme, bay leaves, stems of parsley attached together with a piece of string with one or two cloves in the middle. Add a little balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavour. After 24hrs strain the meat and separate it from the ingredients, keep both for use later.
Warm up a cocotte (The beautiful and heavy Le Creuset) or a large pot, and fry the meat little by little. Never attempt to fry the meat all at once or it will boil. Using goose fat or oil, fry the meat until nice and brown and then add the bacon. When the ingredients are browned pour the brandy over and wait a minute, then light with a match (to remove the unpleasant overtones of alcohol), cover to stop the ingredients burning.
Next add a tablespoon of flour, one by one. Stir in well and then pour the wine over and cover. Place the pot inside the oven (only if the handles are NOT plastic) and cook for 3hrs at 150°C. After three hours check to see if meat is tender, remove or leave for another 30 minutes etc…
If you are using diced venison instead of beef, add juniper berries into the marinade and a small jar of cranberries whilst cooking in oven. Cooking time should be 4hrs. After 2½hrs of cooking fry the pickling onions, mushrooms and add sugar in a frying pan. Once cooked place them into the cooking meat and add salt and pepper to taste. The secret of this meal is slow cooking. If warmed up a day or two later it will add more flavor and is excellent for home freezing. A delicious recipe served with potato puree. For venison why not try braised red cabbage with cumin seeds or celeriac puree.
Saturday 8th April 12pm to 4pm
At THE VAULT, UNDER THE SWAN HOTEL, WEST STREET, ALRESFORD
It's a tough job but someone has to do it!
We have spent hours and hours sipping, tasting and selecting some superb new wines to adorn our shelves, and hopefully for your glass too.
Join us to taste and discover a range of new wines. With a huge variety of flavours and prices we think there will be something to delight and enjoy over the spring and summer ahead
Thisisanopenhousetasting,dropinandtastefreely.
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. Also located in Winchester,
You are an extension of our family when in our
• equestrian maintenance • Ploughing
• field cultivation • Hedge cutting • Forestry
• spraying specialist • fencing • topping
• wood thining • Tree Felling & branch lopping
Load of logs - £80 per truck load
Tel: 01962 735452 / Mob: 07880 527049
www.appletoncontracting.co.uk
➢ Administration, Secretarial Work, General Typing
➢ Book-Keeping + VAT/PAYE/CIS
➢ High Quality, Professional Service Guaranteed
➢ Fully Qualified with 20+ years’ Experience
➢ References Available
Contact:
T: 0792 100 1265
E: cath@mvennconstruction.com
Each month I set up new computers and now find the Windows Each month I set up new computers and now find the Windows experience to be ridiculous. There are far too many “trial” software programmes preloaded. Why is it necessary to have Microsoft 365 in French, German, Italian and Dutch in the installed apps list plus, Microsoft One Note in the same choice of languages. That’s before the Anti-Virus software, free for 30 days. If you make the mistake of doing that you will be pestered to unlock a lot of extra features. The bottom line is that they want your money. Microsoft provide, free of charge, a perfectly good protection package. If that is not good enough for you, then consider purchasing a third-party software. Then Microsoft try and force you to use their Edge internet browser and if you try to install Google’s Chrome you will be pestered into keeping Edge as the default browser. To change from Edge to Chrome you need to go into the Settings app and change a list of browser settings one by one. Why can’t Microsoft make all these features available as options when you set up a new device?
If you buy a Mac laptop, or desktop, the setup procedure is far more simplified. No preinstalled third-party apps and you will only be asked once to use Chrome instead of Safari! If you are concerned about the price difference between a Windows laptop and a MacBook, consider buying an iPad with a keyboard. The new iPad (10th generation) is an excellent alternative.
I do not sell hardware; I offer unbiased advice for anyone wishing to buy a new device. Those of you that have used my services will know that I usually recommend purchasing from John Lewis, for the extra free period of warranty. Setting up a new machine correctly from new is the best route to follow for a trouble-free experience in the future.
Andy – Mr Mac 07392 552 592
At Town and Country, we take pride in ensuring every client receives the best customer service, from the informative and knowledgeable sales process through to the extensive after sales care.
Our boutique showroom showcases some of the finest kitchen and bathroom furniture available, with a strong emphasis on UK and European manufacturing. Bathroom manufacturers on display include Ambiance Bain, Pelipal, Hansgrohe, Roper Rhodes and Miller of Sweden, with Porcelanosa and Ca’Pietra tiling throughout the showroom. Our kitchens are expertly crafted by Schuller, the second largest German kitchen manufacturer, and Uform. Both have an extensive and inspiring collection ranging from the contemporary to the more traditional.
Please contact us regarding our complementary design and quotation service, we look forward to hearing from you.
Visit Town & Country
8 The High Street, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO3O 2EA
Telephone: 01489 536187
Email: sales@town-and-country.co.uk
www.town-and-country.co.uk
part of the Keep Britain Tidy ‘Great British Spring Clean’. Over 50 people got involved, including many children, and many bags of litter were collected and certificates given out. As always there were a variety of unusual items found. It was a fun morning for all - particular thanks to the Arlebury Café for the complimentary well deserved hot drinks. Our grateful thanks also to Alresford Rotary who undertook a huge clean up of Broad Street on the Sunday morning. They paid particular attention to the gutters and parking areas collecting all the vegetation and other debris that gets accumulated. A fantastic effort!
Being a Town Councillor is a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact on the local community. All eleven positions are up for election, however nominations must be hand delivered to Winchester City Council by 4pm on 4th April. If you think that you may be interested in being a local councillor and standing for election, please contact townclerk@newalresford-tc.gov.uk
The Town Assembly took place on Monday 6th March, 19:30 at Alresford Recreation Centre. Attendees were able to hear from the Councillors about NATC work over the last year, along with grants that have been awarded to local organisations. There was a very interesting presentation from Winchester Action on Climate Change speaking about home energy, and another on Community defibrillators in Alresford. Grateful thank to our speakers and to all those who attended
Thank you to all the enthusiastic people who turned on a very chilly Saturday morning in March to take part in the annual community litter pick,
How can the heritage of the town you know and love be preserved for future generations?
Nominate Buildings, Monuments, Parks & Gardens so that they are protected from future development, through the New Alresford Neighbourhood Plan
Jessica Holmes’ practice is inspired by archival materials and historical sites, focussing on the point where the past invades the present, questioning memory and interpretation. It is a body of work inspired by forgotten and disused spaces and the half remembered traces of people and things.
Eternal verdure is an investigation of The Grange at Northington, Hampshire, where plants were transplanted to the conservatory from their natural habitat by the botanist-adventurers of the 18th and 19th century - plants that flower at different times of year blooming together in a state of perpetual spring, created by the new technologies of nineteenth century, and recorded in the archive of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
These plants left tropical jungles and arid mountainsides and were catalogued and ordered. Yet how precarious the veneer of civilization is: the plants in this work are actively exploring – trying to find their ways around and through the paintings themselves. They sprout up through the composition to leave the work, negotiating the angles, holes and crevices to find the light, in a movement that records a pure wild state, beyond botanical analysis.
Your Support Makes a Difference!
The very best events sell out well in advance and Alresford Rotary is delighted that it’s “Probably mid Hampshire’s Quiz of the Year” falls into that category of “not to be missed” occasions. The “Sold Out” notices went up more than six weeks before the event on 31st March and we look forward to an enjoyable and entertaining evening, raising further funds to support local and international needs.
Your previous generous support of such events as the November fireworks night and the December Christmas tree sale meant that Alresford Rotary was able to move swiftly and within a week of the Turkey /Syrian earthquake occurring send £5000 towards the relief effort. Thank you!
Helping keep Alresford tidy!
For many years Alresford Rotary has litter picked at various locations and in particular along Tichborne Down and Sun Lane and did so most recently on 11th February. On Sunday 5th March (in conjunction with the Town Council’s litter picking day on 4th March) Alresford Rotary will from 8.00 a.m. be tidying up Broad Street. All very welcome to join in!
Sun Hill Junior School ‘Bake Off’
Once again Rotary ran a successful baking competition for the Junior School with a fantastic response and amazing cakes and biscuits. Judging was tough but Rotarians Richard and David, with school judges Amy and Sue recognized the high quality and superb presentation of the winners. Well done to all the kids.
Please let us know at any time if you can help Alresford Rotary make even more of a difference, both locally and internationally or if you think Rotary may be able to help you!
James PinnigerThe paintings sit on the cusp of exterior and interior, as rambling vegetation and peeling, decaying surface are brought together in painting, borrowing from Dutch Vanitas painting and Japanese screen design.
Jessica Holmes lives and works in London. She studied at Wimbledon School of Art (1998-2002) and the Royal Academy Schools (2003-2006), and has exhibited extensively in the UK, as well as the USA, South Korea, France and Greece.
Exhibition details
Eternal verdure is at The West Downs Gallery, University of Winchester, West Downs Centre, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5HT, from Wednesday 5th April – Tuesday 9th May 2023.
The West Downs Gallery is sited within the University’s most recent campus development. The Gallery hosts a programme of exhibitions across the year, and aims to show creative work of the highest quality to inspire debate and participation between creative professionals, academics, students and the public.
The Gallery is open from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am until 4pm on Saturdays. Further information can be found at www. winchester.ac.uk/gallery
For more details visit www.jessicaholmes.co.uk Instagram: jessicaholmesart
Phone: 0800 195 0767 or 07391 203237
Here’s why one of the Stockbridges’ most trusted carpet cleaning companies is cleaning local, nearneighbours carpets for a fraction of the normal cost
www.unitedcontractors.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
fresh and bright your carpets will look when cleaned and freshened by The Carpet Care People.
Upholstery cleaning and (at our current Fabric Master, and cleaning and very effective. to their original you’ll see! CPFM CONSTRUCTION LTD NEW HOMES EXTENSIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS REFURBISHMENTS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS ALL WORKS GUARANTEED info@cpfm.co.uk www.cpfm.co.uk Tel: 01962 732 970 Mob: 07947 812 412
Our approach is simple: We are proud to run a celebrated professional carpet and upholstery cleaning business, and we insist on providing you with good oldfashioned service and value. Call now and find out why our award-winning service is probably the most requested carpet cleaning in the local Stockbridge area
The next thing for you to do is call us on 01962 690 005we’ll welcome your call, answer your questions and take care of everything for you.
It’s a stunning region famed for Jane Austen’s countryside and Britain’s first ecologist Gilbert White.
Now a groundbreaking study has shone a light on the biodiversity of this quintessential English countryside – and shown wildlife around Selborne is not doing so badly after all.
The survey is the most comprehensive since Gilbert White’s own studies almost 250 years ago that culminated in The Natural History of Selborne, which was first published in 1789 and has since run to nearly 300 editions worldwide. White was a pioneering naturalist who transformed the way we look at the natural world, his writings influencing the likes of Charles Darwin and David Attenborough.
The study, published this week after five years of painstaking data collection by a team of dedicated volunteers, collates around 10,000 species records across the animal kingdom in the Selborne Landscape Partnership (SLP) area (5,600 hectares), much of which falls within the South Downs National Park.
The five-year study has already found 114 different bird species – just short of the 120 or so recorded by White, which he collected over several decades and across a much wider area in the 1700s. Eighty-eight of these bird species (more than three quarters), such as the swift, swallow, barn owl, linnet and grey partridge, are the same as those recorded almost 250 years ago and, while there have been some losses, there have been gains too.
The report has been produced by the Selborne Landscape Partnership (SLP), which has existed for almost 10 years and comprises around 30 dedicated farmers and land managers working together to create a joined-up network of wildlife habitat and promote nature-friendly food production.
Debbie Miller, lead author of Farming in Partnership with Nature – A New Natural History of Selborne, said: “We hear a lot of negativity about the state of Britain’s biodiversity, so it’s nice to share some really positive news that wildlife is flourishing on farms here in the Selborne Landscape Partnership.
“It’s thriving because the area is being managed sensitively to retain and restore a range of habitats
for farmland wildlife, creating greater connectivity across farm boundaries. In this commercially farmed landscape, farmers locally have worked really hard to create spaces for nature to thrive –collectively sharing skills and knowledge to better manage their land for wildlife.
“I’m extremely proud of what both the SLP farmers and volunteers have achieved, and I hope that these achievements will encourage and motivate others – just as Gilbert White’s legacy continues to inspire the group.
“Ultimately, this report shows that integration of nature conservation and farming is achievable and, indeed, vital for nature recovery to be successful in the UK. By working together, we believe we can make this area even more biodiverse than it currently is. Gilbert White would be proud I hope!”
The group has been working to support “target” species, such as the brown hairstreak butterfly and the iconic harvest mouse, which was first identified by White as a distinct species. The group has been supported by the South Downs National Park Authority and the South Downs National Park Trust, amongst other supporters and sponsors.
Some key findings from the wildlife survey include:
Several bird species were discovered that White never spotted. These include introductions such as Egyptian goose, mandarin duck, red-legged partridge, white stork and little owl, plus natural range expansions such as gadwall, Mediterranean gull, little egret, goshawk and firecrest. A total of 79 barn owl chicks were recorded between 2017 and 2021 – benefitting from the installation of 53 nesting boxes and the creation of 93 miles of tussocky grass margins across the region.
Changes in hedge cutting practices has created ideal habitat conditions for the brown hairstreak butterfly, enabling its recovery across the area. Farmland birds such as yellowhammers, linnets and skylarks are benefitting from conservation measures implemented by the group, such as the provision of 77 hectares of seed-rich plants and 40 song-bird feeders to provide winter food, as well as a network of good quality hedges and edges to provide nesting places and protection from predators.
The farmers have introduced a long list of conservation measures to help retain or create wildlife habitats. The SLP area now boasts 25.1km (over 15 miles) of restored hedgerow, 151km (93 miles) of tussocky field edges, 74 hectares of flower-rich habitat and has started restoration work on some of its 100 ponds. Wildflower planting has also taken place as part of the National Park’s Bee Lines initiative and the farmers aim is to create up to 3 hectares of high-quality, flower-rich habitat per 100 hectares for pollinators.
Some of the conservation work has benefited from funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which is administered by the National Park Authority. A grant helped two farmers buy specialist cut-and-collect machines to improve management of flower-rich areas.
William Selborne, who leads the Selborne Landscape Partnership, said: “233 years after Gilbert White’s famous baseline, this report proves that if farmers collaborate at the landscape scale to create and restore habitats the whole can be more than the sum of the parts – delivering space for nature and burgeoning wildlife populations at the same time as producing food from the farmed landscape.”
Andrew Lee, Director of Countryside Policy and Management for the National Park, said: “Loss of biodiversity is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK and that’s why nature recovery is a top priority for the South Downs National Park. This report offers some very inspiring news and we are lucky to have so many farmers who are demonstrating that nature can thrive alongside food production. We need this to happen across the National Park for our wildlife to recover to the levels seen in Gilbert White’s days and I hope the story of Selborne can be a blueprint for best practice across the National Park and indeed the UK.”
For more information on the Selborne Landscape Partnership visit https:// selbornelandscapepartnership.org.uk/
Possible Design Ideas
Possible Design Ideas
In 1947 the people of Alresford clubbed together to create a swimming pool on an area of donated land adjacent to the Fulling Mill. The swimming pool brought delight to the residents and particularly children for about 20 years, before being closed for health reasons. It has become a neglected asset.
We are looking for a group of people to work together to re-purpose the space. The Hampshire Garden Trust are keen to move the idea forward and have paid for a survey. Last year the NATC applied for some CIL money, unsuccessfully, but re-applying is possible. Evidence of community involvement would help!
The basic concept is to revive it as a water garden with shallow pools, reminiscent of watercress beds, fed from the original swimming pool pipe from the river. The water would flow through the pools and return to the stream. (The levels allow this to work.) The design would include ecological planting of wetland plants, greatly increased biodiversity, education opportunities, such as pond dipping, etc. There is scope for many other creative ideas, sculptures, new benches.
This used to be a vital, enjoyable and muchloved space, but has become overgrown and ignored. It would be great to have a community effort to create something the town can be proud of! If this is something that interests you, please contact us.
Looking for secure storage facilities?
Looking for secure storage facilities?
Silk Self Storage have a selection of containers and individual units, 24 hour CCTV, easy access, gated entry and based in a friendly rural location offering very competitive rates.
Looking for secure storage facilities?
Looking for secure storage facilities?
Silk Self Storage have a selection of containers and individual units, 24 hour CCTV, easy access, gated entry and based in a friendly rural location offering very competitive rates.
Looking for secure storage facilities?
Contact us on 01962 771815 or email: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Contact us on 01962 771815 or email: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Silk Self Storage have a selection of containers and individual units, 24 hour CCTV, easy access, gated entry and based in a friendly rural location offering very competitive rates.
Silk Self Storage have a selection of containers and individual units, 24 hour CCTV, easy access, gated entry and based in a friendly rural location offering very competitive rates.
Contact us on 01962 771815 or email: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Contact us on 01962 771815 or email: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Silk Self Storage have a selection of containers and individual units, 24 hour CCTV, easy access, gated entry and based in a friendly rural location offering very competitive rates. Contact us on 01962 771815 or email: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH email:storage@silkservices.co.uk Tel: 01962 771815
E: storage@silkservices.co.uk
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH
T: 01962 771815
E: storage@silkservices.co.uk
T: 01962 771815
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH
E: storage@silkservices.co.uk
T: 01962 771815
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH
E: storage@silkservices.co.uk
T: 01962 771815
Whether it is an Extension, Conversion, Full Refurbishment or Renovation then look no further!
Whether it is an Extension, Conversion, Full Refurbishment or Renovation then look no further!
Silk Services are renowned for their reputation, affordability as well as providing a top quality, professional personal service no matter what your project needs.
Silk Services are renowned for their reputation, affordability as well as providing a top quality, professional service 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.
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire. SO24 0JH
W: www.silkservices.co.uk
Wood Farm, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JH
E:jason@silkservices.co.uk
T: 01962 771815 M: 07917 150027
W: www.silkservices.co.uk
T: 01962 771815 M: 07917 150027
E: jason@silkservices.co.uk
keep phoning and emailing them but can’t get through. I’m assuming they can’t fulfil my order, but I’d paid for the watch upfront and can’t afford to buy another gift until I get my money back, please help?
I understand the frustration you must be feeling - especially as you’ve already parted with your money and presumably spent time searching for a suitable gift. I assume you haven’t had a dispatch note yet, which suggests the order isn’t on its way.
If the company’s gone into administration, it may still be able to fulfil outstanding orders, but if the company is already in liquidation, you’ll need to try to get your money back. If you’re unsure about what state the company is in, the Citizens Advice website has information on how to find out.
person dealing with settling the trader’s debts. The names of those administrators will usually be on the website of the company that’s gone bust. You should register your claim as a creditor on the GOV.UK website. Fill out the form with details of what you’re owed and send it to the administrator dealing with the trader’s debts. Unfortunately, there’s only a small chance you’ll receive any money back because you’ll be last in a long list of creditors who need to be paid.
As the order was online (and I’m therefore assuming you paid by debit or credit card) you could also try getting your money back with a Section 75 claim or a chargeback claim to your card provider or bank. Full details about both these types of claims can be found on the Citizens Advice website.
Lesley Rose, Advice Services Manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District gives advice on what to do if a company you’ve ordered from goes out of business.
I ordered a watch online with personalised engraving for my partner’s birthday. The company has since gone out of business. I
As the company hasn’t responded to your calls or emails, is there a shop or office you can visit or write to, to get an update on your order, or request a refund? If that isn’t possible, the next steps depend on whether it’s a limited company (it will have ltd or plc after its title) or if it’s a sole trader (someone who runs their own business) or partnership.
If it’s a limited company, you’ll need to get details of the administrator or receiver - the
If the seller was a sole trader or partnership and not a limited company, pursuing a Section 75 or chargeback claim is your best option. Every case is different when traders go under, but you can call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline to find out exactly what your rights are on 0808 223 1133, call your local Winchester District office on 0808 278 7861, or visit the national Citizens Advice website www.citizensadvice. org.uk
Godolphin students had a week full of immersive discovery and exciting experiments during their Science Week at the end of March. The week began with a fundraising Godolphin Science Bake Off, showcasing the culinary talents of some talented chefs and raising funds for LabAid.
The Exhibition Club at Godolphin installed a replica model of the International Space Station – this stunning display was suspended from the ceiling of the Main Hall alongside a second model showcasing the modules where astronauts work and live. Both models provided students with a glimpse into what life is like in space and sparked their curiosity about the wonders of the universe.
In addition to the various events, lunchtime activities such as the Science board quizzes were held throughout the week, allowing students to participate and gain points for their houses. The Interhouse Science Quiz was the highlight of the week and a popular event among the students, with games, prizes, and plenty of scientific fun. The quiz enabled students to learn valuable scientific principles along the way.
Dr Clinton Thrower, Head of Science, and his team collated the points and awarded prizes to the top-performing houses, encouraging healthy competition and teamwork among the students. Head of Godolphin, Jenny Price, expressed her pride in the students' hard work and
enthusiasm, making Science Week such a fun, inspiring, and memorable event. She thanked the incredible Science staff team and technicians for their tireless efforts in making the week a resounding success.
Science Week at Godolphin was a huge success, and the students left with a newfound appreciation for the power and potential of science. They were inspired to continue exploring and learning about the wonders of the natural world, paving the way for a future generation of scientists and innovators.
Godolphin School, Milford Hill, Salisbury, SP1 2RA
Phone: 01722 430500 www.godolphin.org
