Itchen valley issue 133 by Mark Tubb

Itchen Valley

FORU M All the local events and news Jane's Kitchen - Sausage Plait Plus feature articles from: Hampshire Mum Claire Thurlow Iris Crowfoot NOVEMBER 2017 • ISSUE 133 • REACHING 18,750 READERS * ITCHEN VALLEY, WINCHESTER & THE WORTHY'S OLD ALRESFORD CANDOVER

BIGHTON

GUNDLETON

ITCHEN ABBAS & STOKE

ABBOTS WORTHY

KINGS WORTHY

TICHBORNE

ROPLEY & ROPLEY DEAN

MARTYR WORTHY HEADBOURNE WORTHY

BRAMDEAN

AVINGTON

ABBOTT'S BARTON

BISHOP’S SUTTON EASTON WEEKE

CHERITON & NEW CHERITON

HINTON AMPNER

FULFLOOD

BEAUWORTH

OLIVER'S BATTERY

NORTHINGTON FOUR MARKS

ST.CROSS

PRESTON

MEDSTEAD

WINCHESTER CITY

Your friendly garage with a personal touch Quality Service & Repairs

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

MOT centre

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

Child friendly customer waiting area

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

Free local collection & delivery service

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

While you wait service

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

Tyres & Exhausts

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

Free courtesy car (by appointment)

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

Computer 4-wheel alignment Check

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

Mention this advert to get £10 off your next MOT

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

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

Editor - Mark Tubb Tel: 01962 735137 editor@forumpublications.co.uk Sub Editor - Emma Sumpster Tel: 07450 575284 emma@forumpublications.co.uk Advertising Director - Steve Walker Tel: 01962 735137 stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk Advertising Manager - Mandy Head Tel: 01962 735137 mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk Design Manager - Mark Tubb Tel: 01962 735137 editor@forumpublications.co.uk Senior Designer - James Curtis Advertising & Creative Design james@forumpublications.co.uk Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Copy Writer - Gill Grant gill@forumpublications.co.uk Copy Writer - Claire Thurlow claire@forumpublications.co.uk

FORUM PUBLICATIONS LTD 11 BROAD STREET ALRESFORD HAMPSHIRE SO24 9AR TEL: 01962 735137

DECEMBER COPY DEADLINE NOVEMBER 13th Printed on recycled paper 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. The 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. The Itchen Valley magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. ÂŠ Forum Publications Ltd, 2017 * Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household

04 Community

Keep up-to-date with what is happening in your area

29 Motoring

Local services to keep your vehicles running smoothly

10, 16, 17, 20, 30, 40, 32 Food & Drink 44, 48, 50, 54, 56, 58, Eat out, stay in: food, drink and dining in Hampshire 64, 66 36 Market Square 05 Retail/Market Our regular retail feature Square Unique, Bespoke, Eclectic Local shopping

09 Garden

Make your garden dream come true. Or visit local beautiful country gardens

14 Property

Buying, selling, letting? Find local estate agents and property management services

17 Wellbeing

Looking after your health and yourself!

18 Features

Hampshire Mum, Claire Thurlow, Iris Crowfoot and many more

28, 42, 46, 60, 62

26 Education

Find local schools and educational experts

and Local shopping

38 Leisure &

Entertainment

Discover local events and days out in Hampshire. Don't miss this years Alresford Show

41 Professional

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

51 Home

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

52 Culture

The diverse theatre, music, arts and crafts of Hampshire

68 Animals

From Canine to Equine all your animal needs

WELCOME ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

OU R TEAM

make your kitchen a happy kitchen by changing the doors, worktops and accessories

Itchen Valley Forum readers save 30% during November

R ETA IL I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

“Discover the Caribbean” In association with Caribtours

Join the Alresford Travel team along with our suppliers and hoteliers from the Caribbean for a relaxed informative evening

23rd November from 6pm at the Swan Hotel, Alresford Alresford Travel, 22 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AT

Tel: 01962 733659 www.alresfordtravel.co.uk

Oakleaf Stationery Ltd OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Edwardian Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring Richly coloured ruby (1.23cts) surrounded by 12 diamonds in 18ct gold and completely restored in our own workshop.

£1,950

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

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

Why travel all the way to Winchester for office supplies when we have a comprehensive range available on your doorstep

FI NE ART AU C T I ONE E R S & VAL U E R S

A wide range of print cartridges in stock Services available: Photocopying, Laminating, Document Binding, Faxing, Scan to Email, Professional Personalised Printing Agent

MONTHLY ANTIQUES & INTERIORS AUCTION Saturday 18th November

56 West Street, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9AU Tel:01962 736116 info@oakleafstationery.co.uk

FINE ART, ANTIQUES, INTERIORS & COLLECTABLES AUCTION Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th November Commencing 10am

Illustrated catalogues available to view online at www.the-saleroom.com www.andrewsmithandson.com Enquiries: t:01962 735988 e:auctions@andrewsmithandson.com THE AUCTION ROOMS, MANOR FARM, ITCHEN STOKE, ALRESFORD SO24 0QT

PROMOTION ISSUE 133 | NOVEMBER

A new gift shopping experience comes to Winchester

t a time when our high streets look increasingly homogenous, and independent retailers struggle to survive, one impact on shoppers is the growing difficulty in finding unique gifts for friends and family. All this looks set to change with the arrival of The Rare Brand Market at The Winchester Guildhall on November 30th and December 1st. The Rare Brand Market was founded in 2008, with a view to bridge the vast gap between a London-style shopping event and a regional charity fair. To date, this company’s pop-up markets have been primarily on The Goodwood Estate in West Sussex but are welcomed this year in Winchester, and with plans underway to expand to London over the next twelve months. The Rare Brand Market focuses on emerging brands, ones that are likely to have been created in the last one to three years. Over one hundred brands will occupy The Winchester Guildhall over the course of two days, of which approximately one-third are based within an hour of Winchester and the remainder from London or elsewhere in the UK. These are brands you won’t find on the high street and are created by businesses that have great back stories. Winchester shoppers will be able to select from fabulous food, drink, clothing, accessories, toiletries, jewelry, art and sought after services all under the one roof.

Founder Emma Schwarz, who’s lived on the South coast all her life, has been a retailer since her teens, working for big giants like Marks and Spencer PLC, medium brands like Sofa Workshop and luxury product startups. More recently she found herself consulting with the Limewood Hotel Group, in the New Forest. She helped to create their exclusive retail range. Emma is also a huge foodie and has judged with The Guild of Fine Food / Great Taste Awards, written a Cookbook and published a food magazine. The Guildhall in Winchester has been chosen for its central location and beautiful interior, with the market occupying the whole of the ground floor. The different offering will compliment Winchester’s celebrated Christmas Market and high street stalls, providing even greater choice for shoppers in the festive season.

So, if you want to find unique products and meet the founders behind them, visit The Rare Brand Market which is always held in magnificent venues, never outside or in a marquee. Shopping has become soulless, The Rare Brand Market puts the theatre back into shopping, making it pleasurable and wholesome again. Invite the friend who would make a good companion on a Christmas shopping trip and take advantage of the two for one offer on the entry price.You can also choose which charity benefits from a percentage of ticket sales. Our café will be serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, Barista coffee and afternoon tea. Stylish shopping is guaranteed – leaving empty handed is not!!

With The Rare Brand Market’s distinctive shopping experience and diverse collection of brands, it really is a pop-up Lifestyle Shopping dream come true!

R ETA IL I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Retail

WINCHESTER IS ABOUT TO GO RARE!

JOJO INSPIRED POP UP SHOPS

OJO Inspired are excited to be popping up again at Fitique in Broad Street, New Alresford thanks to Victoria Gedye on the 1st December from 9.30am - 5.30pm. We will have our range of fabulously affordable winter parkas, fur jackets, gilet’s and much more. We will donating 10% of sales to the Alzheimer’s charity something that is very close to my heart. We are also at Twyford School Christmas Fair from 9am - 4pm. The address is Twyford School, Twyford, Winchester, SO21 1NW. For more information: Tel: 07973 688251 www.jojoinspired.com

SMALL GRANTS UP FOR GRABS FOR THE WINCHESTER TOWN AREA

inchester City Council’s Town Forum is looking to award small grants to organisations that provide activities within the Town area of Winchester. The small one-off grants are intended to benefit residents in the five unparished areas of the Town by enabling them to purchase items of equipment, or to fund specific activities. On Wednesday 20 September, Cllr Jamie Scott and Cllr Ian Tait saw the direct impact of the Town Forum grant funding when they visited Clausentum Fen, which received Town Forum funding in August 2017. The grant helped to fund the Clausentum Fen Conservation Group’s environmental project, which encouraged the local community to undertake voluntary work together. Cllr Jamie Scott, Chair of the Town Forum Grants Panel said; “It is with great pleasure that we are able to offer small grant funding again this year. The grants have proven invaluable to recipients and have previously funded a wide range of activities. If your organisation could benefit, please get in touch.” Marcus Swalwell, Chair of the Clausentum Fen Conservation Group explained how their grant has helped their organisation; “Fen Conservation got off to a flying start thanks in part to support from a Winchester City Council Town Forum grant. Our community has collaborated to create an ambitious plan which has already reversed 50 years of overgrowth on a special chalk stream fed meadow. We hope to build on these partnerships, to bring the wonders of native species wildlife to the edge of Winchester city.” The deadline to apply for a Town Forum grant is noon on 7 November and further details can be found on the City Council’s website here: http://www.winchester.gov.uk/community/grants/ town-forum-small-grants/ If you require any further information about funding for Voluntary and Community organisations, please contact Hayley Shattock, 01962 848 269 or email: grants@winchester.gov.uk 8

he Rare Brand Market was founded in 2008, with a view to bridge the vast gap between a London style shopping event and a regional charity fair. Pop-up Markets to date have been mainly on The Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, but are now expanding to Winchester, and next year London. The Rare Brand Market focuses on emerging brands that are likely to have been created in the last 1 to 3 years. Over one hundred brands will occupy The Guildhall, of which approximately one third are based within an hour of Winchester and the remainder from London or national. These are brands you won’t find on the high street and are created by businesses that have great back stories. Winchester shoppers will have the ability to source unique products at a time when an alarming number of independent shops seem to be disappearing from our increasingly homogenized high street. So, if you want to find unique products and meet the founders behind them then come to our markets...they are always in fabulous venues, never outside or in a marquee. Shopping has become soulless, The Rare Brand Market puts the theatre back into shopping, we make it pleasurable and wholesome again. Stylish shopping is guaranteed – leaving empty handed is not !! Founder Emma Schwarz, who’s lived on the South coast all her life, has been a retailer since her teens, working for Big giants like Marks and Spencer PLC, medium brands like Sofa Workshop and luxury product start ups. More recently she found herself consulting with the Limewood Hotel Group, in the New Forest. She helped to create their exclusive retail range. She is also a huge foodie and has judged withThe Guild of Fine Food / Great Taste Awards and has written a Cookbook and published a Food Magazine. The Guildhall in Winchester has been chosen for its central location and beautiful interior, with the market occupying the whole of the ground floor. Our different offering will compliment Winchester’s celebrated Christmas Market and high street markets. With The Rare Brand Market’s distinctive shopping experience and curation of brands, we really are a pop-up Lifestyle Shopping dream come true!

The Rare Brand Market will be at The Winchester Guildhall from Thursday 30th November - Friday 1st December, 9am - 4pm.

9th Year

New for 2017

Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair www.desirefair.com

READER OFFER

FREE ENTRY FOR ONE ADULT!

For free entry to our Winchester events, please complete your details and hand in on entry to the show. Terms & conditions apply.

Craft & Design Fair www.craftinfocus.com

The Guildhall

Purchase direct from the UK’s leading designer makers

17-19 November

Admission £5.00 Friday 12.30-6.30pm Weekend 10am-5pm

WINCHESTER

Name

Ref: Forum

CIF_Winchester_126x180.indd 1

R ETA IL G A R DEN ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MBE R

2 Events • 1 Ticket • 4 Halls

13/09/2017 14:21

C&D Trees All Tree & Hedge Care

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R ETA IL COMMU N IT Y G A R DEN ISSUE 133 | NOVEMBER

Retail

D.BARKER & SON - OBAKU WATCH COMPETITION

Liz Barker presenting Mrs Bunce with her watch

The winning entry was drawn this morning and the watch was won by Alresford resident Mrs J. Bunce. D. Barker & Son, 40A West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732200 www. dbarkerandson.co.uk

Community HUGH BONNEVILLE LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY FOR SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK

“The South Downs National Park Trust is a great opportunity for us to give something back. To help care for the National Park and help more people gain access to it and enjoy it.” Toni Shaw, Trustee for the South Downs National Park Trust, said: “We’re so grateful to the hundreds of people already volunteering their time to the National Park –monitoring the health of rivers is just one tiny part of the amazing work they do – and the new South Downs National Park Trust is another way people can show support for this great cause. “By donating through our website or leaving a lasting gift in your will you can show your love for the National Park. For the price of just a coffee we could create a square metre of wildflower meadow, providing a nectar source for bees and butterflies. Or for the price of a cinema ticket you could help a child take part in an outdoor education activity that helps them discover the National Park for the first time.”

ugh Bonneville showed his support for the South Downs National Park Trust, a new charity launching today, 16 October 2017. Joining charity trustee Toni Shaw he helped monitor the health of a local chalk stream, just one example of the kind of work the charity will support. Hugh Bonneville said: “The South Downs has been my home on and off for 40 years and I can see the ways that gaining National Park status has helped both the environment and communities. I often walk my dogs on the Downs and like thousands of others, locals and visitors alike, I appreciate the moments for reflection and inspiration that the South Downs National Park gives me.

The South Downs National Park Trust is independent but will be supported by South Downs National Park Authority staff for its first three years – ensuring that funds raised can be focused on work in the National Park. Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “The National Park Authority and our partners have big ambitions for the South Downs: we want to see more of the land managed for wildlife, more rare habitats protected, more local communities thriving and more people able to access and enjoy the landscapes. This goes far beyond our current funding. “The new Trust will help it flourish and stay protected for future generations.” To find out more, and to donate please visit www.southdowns. gov.uk/donate/

G A R DEN I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

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Tel: 01962 732498 Mob: 07879 448141

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

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All trees and shrubs carefully selected Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance Free site visit and consultation

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SINCE 1987, SPARSHOLT TRAINED FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED CALL LYNDN GAUNTLETT:

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Sales, Lettings and Property Management | Call 01962 736333 for a free market appra Sales, Lettings and Property Management | Call 01962 736333 for a free market appraisal

Our sales and lettings teams have been busy this autumn ‘making things happen’ locally. In fact, despite the current uncertainty in the news, the growth of our business continues apace, month on month. As well as being good at what we do, our customers tell us they like our more personal approach. If you prefer dealing with people who really do care, you need to be talking to Hellards about your next move.

PRESTON CANDOVER ALRESFORD ALRESFORD PRESTON CANDOVER ALRESFORD ALRESFORD Guide Price: £1,250,000 | EPC Rating: C Guide Price: £399,950 | EPC Rating: D Guide Price: £675,000 | EPC Ra Guide Price: £1,250,000 | EPCof Rating: Please contact one ourC friendly team onPrice: 01962 736333. We toPrice: hearing from you.D Guide £399,950 | EPC Rating: D look forward Guide £675,000 | EPC Rating:

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ALRESFORD For Sale: £550,000 | EPC Rating: E

WEST TISTED To Let: £1,395pcm | EPC Rating: D

ALRESFORD For Sale: £200,000 | EPC Rating: C

CHERITON For Sale: £525,000 | EPC Rating: D

ALRESFORD For Sale: £795,000 | EPC Rating: B

ITCHEN ABBAS To Let: £3,500pcm | EPC Rating: F

BISHOP'S SUTTON For Sale: £895,000 | EPC Rating: D

EASTON For Sale: £599,500 | EPC Rating: N/A

ALRESFORD For Sale: £850,000 | EPC Rating: E

ALRESFORD For Sale: £750,000 | EPC Rating: B

BISHOP'S SUTTON For Sale: £650,000 | EPC Rating: N/A

ALRESFORD Let: £950pcm | EPC Rating: C

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Church Services NEW ALRESFORD O St. John the Baptist

OVINGTON O St.Peter's

Sunday 5 November 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Parish Communion and Laying-on of Hands 18.00 PowerHouse Service

Sunday 5 November 11.00 Café church Sunday 12 November Remembrance Sunday 10.00 Remembrance Communion Sunday 19 November 10.00 Parish Communion Sunday 26 November 10.00 Morning Prayer Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk

Sunday 12 November Remembrance Sunday 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Second Sunday 10.45 Remembrance Service 18.00 Solemn Eucharist inc Fauré Requiem Sunday 19 November 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Parish Communion 18.00 Sundays at Six Sunday 26 November 08.00 Holy Communion 09.30 Parish Eucharist 18.00 Powerhouse Service Every Friday 10.00 Holy Communion Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk OLD ALRESFORD O St.Mary the Virgin Sunday 5 November 09.30 Holy Communion 18.00 Old Alresford Cottage Service 12 November Remembrance Sunday 10.45 Remembrance Service Sunday 19 November 09.30 Parish Communion Sunday 26 November 11.00 Village Family Service 17.00 Taize Service Every Thursday 09.00 Holy Communion at Old Alresford Place Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk 16

NEW ALRESFORD O Methodist Church Sunday Worship 10.30 Morning Worship 1st Sunday Café Worship. Holy Communion Monthly Midweek Activities Tuesdays 10.00 Come in for coffee 3rd Tuesday Men Who Lunch Thursdays 14.30 1st and 3rd Thursdays Womens Fellowhip 19.30 1st Thursday - Lydia Group for ladies Saturdays 09.30 1st Saturday Bacon Butties Contact: Revd Ruth Fry Tel: 01962 882828 NEW ALRESFORD O New Farm Chapel Sunday Services 10.30 Morning Worship, with creche and KOSMIC for children 16.30 Will vary between talk or discussion with praise and prayer

Midweek Activities Mondays 16.30 Kidz Club Tuesdays 10.15 Toddlers Group Wednesdays 14.30 Senior Citizens Group 19.30 Alternate Bible Study / Prayer Thursdays 10.00 Home Prayer Group 1st Saturday in the month 10.00 (2nd in each month) Prayer Time www.newfarmchapel.org.uk BIGHTON O All Saints Sunday 1 October 11.00 Family Service Sunday 8 October 11.00 Harvest Festival Sunday 15 October 11.00 Morning Prayer Sunday 22 October 11.00 Parish Communion Sunday 29 October 09.30 Benefice Communion at St. Mary's Parish Office: 01962 733545 stjohnsalresford.org.uk UPPER ITCHEN BENEFICE Sunday 5 November 10.15 Cheriton Benefice Communion Service 18.00 Benefice All Souls Service Hinton Ampner Sunday 12 November 09.00 Cheriton Holy Communion 10.45 Cheriton Remembrance Service 10.45 Bramdean Remembrance Service Sunday 19 November 08.30 Beauworth Holy Communion 09.30 Cheriton Holy Communion 11.00 Hinton Ampner

Prayer and Praise with Holy Communion Sunday 26 November 09.30 Cheriton Holy Communion 11.00 Kilmeston Holy Communion 11.00 Bramdean Family Worship 18.00 Tichborne Evensong NEW ALRESFORD O St. Gregory's Every Sunday 11.00 Mass All other enquiries: 01962 852 804 ITCHEN VALLEY BENEFICE Sunday 5 November 08.00 Avington Holy Communion 10.00 Martyr Worthy All age service 11.00 Easton Matins Sunday 12 November 08.00 Easton Holy Communion 10.50 Easton Remembrance Sunday 18.00 Martyr Worthy Evensong Sunday 19 November 08.00 Martyr Worthy Holy Communion 10.00 Easton Informal Service 18.00 Avington Evensong Sunday 26 November 08.00 Itchen Abbas Holy Communion 10.00 Martyr Worthy Parish Communion 18.00 Easton Taize

COMMU N IT Y P R OP ER T Y MA N AG EMENT

The secret to life's meaning is found in having a personal relationship with the God who created us.

Traditional Chinese Medicine· Cosmetic Acupuncture Alresford· Southampton • Free consultation • Pay for 8 treatments and receive the 9th free • Pay for a course of 8 cosmetic acupuncture treatments to receive 10% discount

WELLBEING ISSUE 133 | NOVEMBER

See website for further details

stockists of:

AMF

100 95 75

26 The Dean Alresford Hampshire S024 9AZ 25 Tel: 01962 738683 www.studio49alresford.com 5 0

F EAT U R E ISSUE 133 | NOVEMBER

Margaret Fowkes: Alresford LaceMakers.

argaret and I sit on the sofa. She tells me it’s all very easy, but I’m not so sure. In front of me is Margaret’s demonstration cushion on which sits a beautiful piece of partially made lace border.The paper pattern is marked with pins, each attached to a slender thread, in this case cotton, (although Margaret has worked lace in silk), each individually bound at the other end to a myriad of bobbins. With the bobbins already sectioned according to the requirements of the pattern, Margaret teaches me how to work the small number of bobbins that will form the tiny stitches of the next part of the pattern. I pass a bobbin over another and another back the opposite way. I must then work with another bobbin, finding I need to concentrate to get the intricacies of the rhythm of the pattern. “I can instantly recognise when a person has potential,” says Margaret. “Lace making is similar to knitting. It has two basic stitches - a half stitch and a whole stitch- which form the basis of many patterns, much like the plain and purl stitches of knitting. I like to teach on a one to one basis; really, I want a student not only to have those stitches in their head, but also to have ability and knowledge in their hands, so that it becomes totally natural to them. That takes time to achieve but once they have, it’s easier to move on to the intricacies of a pattern. Lace making requires complete concentration.You can’t do it while watching the television! It’s so lovely to be fully engaged with lace making, time passes quickly and you don’t think about any of your worries. I have often been to a lace making holiday retreat in Scotland, which is stunning, and I have written a piece ‘Lace in the Wilderness’ about my time there.” Despite considering herself ‘still a beginner’ Margaret has been making lace for over thirty years, a fact borne out by the number of bobbins she uses and has collected.These are items of beauty in themselves, each one different, with its individual beading or ‘spangle’ at the end. Some are made of bone, but most are wood in varying colours, costing £7 - £20 each. Some have a special

significance for Margaret, having belonged to dear friends or signifying a special occasion. “The history of lace and lace production is fascinating,” Margaret explains. “It is thought a type of lace is represented on the clothing depicted on Egyptian vases. From the fifteenth century, the importance of lace as a quality fashion item and expression of status and wealth became recognized, culminating in the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries when lace became more valuable than money. Many counties and towns in England became synonymous with the lace made there with patterns named after them- Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire for example - and the finest of all English lace is from Honiton. I personally feel that by making lace I am paying homage to the many women and children who were exploited by slave labour.They produced beautiful lace in appalling conditions which was sold by unscrupulous traders who made fortunes from it. It is right that they should be remembered.” Margaret is a member and Chairperson of the Alresford Lace Makers and offers one to one teaching as well as talks on lace making to interested groups. “I’m passionate about keeping the art of lace making alive.We demonstrate at the Jane Austen House Museum and our lace will be part of a commemorative quilt being produced by various textile artists. Alresford Lace Makers support the Winchester Cancer Research Trust which is the charity of Mr. Rainsbury, the renowned breast cancer consultant. Breast cancer has touched so many women’s lives that cancer research is vital.” The Alresford Lace Makers hold meetings on the third Thursday of each month at Itchen Abbas village hall between 9:00am and 1:00pm. All are welcome to come and try their hand at lace making and enjoy tea and good company. For more details contact them at alresfordlacemakers.org.uk GG.

call sally hogg on 07771 522665 info@alresfordpilates.co.uk www.alresfordpilates.co.uk the studio, 26a the dean alresford so24 9az

Available to all residents living in the Winchester district with a landline telephone connection

ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

small groups : individual support : close supervision

Vulnerable relative or friend? Alone for long periods of time?

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Turn their telephone into a lifeline allowing them to call for assistance with the press of a button • No more struggling to get to the phone • Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year • Friendly operators with access to named contacts and emergency services • Neck Pendants available • One button to activate

• Less than 50p a day For more details contact Winchester Lifeline  01962 855335  Lifeline@winchester.gov.uk

COMMU N IT Y WELLBEIN G

Clubs & Societies 65+

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SENIOR CITIZENS

www.alresfordrotary.co.uk or contact secretary Jon Pittam on: 01962 733903 O New Alresford W.I. For more information contact Kate at kitcat1108@aol.com or 01962 733785

O The Royal British Legion For more information contact: www.britishlegion.org.uk/ branches/eastleigh

O The Alresford Society For more information contact Sue Alexander on: 01962 732043 suealex13@gmail.com

O Alresford Day Care Centre For more information contact: Tel: 01962 735612

O The Giles Group For more information call 01962 732978 bob_fowler@ tiscali.co.uk

O Senior Citizens Hour For more information contact: Mrs Jill Hardiman, 6 Mallard Close, Alresford.Tel: 01962 733765

O Dog Training Classes For more information contact: Janet Gray: 01420 562869 www.janetgraydogtraining.co.uk

O Alresford Senior Citizens Lunch Club For more information contact: Liz Garton: 01962 733125 or Elaine Secluna: 01962 733192

O Learn To Play Bridge Contact: Margaret Blewett on 01962 734797 or email: bridgewisembl@gmail.com

O Royal Air Forces Association O Saturday Evening Bridge For more information contact: For more information contact 65+Derek Sweetenham (Chairman) 01962 733559, or Brian Gabriel Margot Power, 01962 734167 or (Secretary) 01962 734482 Ron Turner 01420 543187 O Alresford Royal Naval Association For more information contact: Secretary - Lesley Jones: 01962 736573 family@jonesberry.net

HORTICULTURE O Alresford & District Horticultural Society For more information contact: Clare Read on: 01962 735172 O Ropley Horticultural Society . For more more information contact Jill on 01962 772425 or Ropley.hort.soc@btinternet.com. O Alresford Flower Club For more information contact Pearl Court: 01962 734441

OTHER CLUBS AND SOCIETIES O Alresford Rotary Club For more information visit

O Alresford Twinning Association For more information contact: Jean on 01962 733131 jahalresford-twinning@ yahoo.co.uk O Itchen Reading Group For more information contact: Jill Clayton: 01962 735482 O Alresford Historical and Literary Society Contact: Glenn Gilbertson Tel: 01962 732726. glenngilbertson@btinternet.com or Bob Fowler Tel: 01962 734125 O The Alresford Ladies Group For more information contact Pearl Page: 01962 734665

Wellbeing STRICTLY ZUMBA FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

trictly Zumba for Children in Need Nov 13th – 17th I’ve done pyjamas, tutus, camels … but this year I thought I’d go Strictly. This is a total gift to my classes – who will be able to score my performance 1 – 10 on the night (sorry, we won’t be doing negative numbers). Everyone can come in ‘glitz’ if they want to – but as always, dressing up totally optional. More than enough silliness provided on the night.

If you’ve never tried Zumba, why not make your excuse supporting this great cause. They’ll be a bucket on the night for voluntary contributions. Strictly Zumba will run all week at all my classes (see www.zumba-around-winchester.com for class details) though the Friday morning 10am at the beautiful Itchen Abbas Millennium Hall will be the main event – may even have prizes: extra jelly babies for me. And for class that gives me highest total score (Nothing like rigging the system). Any questions – contact me on sue@plays-r-ussell.com. Keep dancing Sue Russell No partners required - never yet found anyone prepared to take me on.

ALRESFORD SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH CLUB FUND RAISING Thanks to the following businesses who donated towards the Lunch Club fund raising sale and raffle on the 9th September helping us to raise over £550.00” Mr. Anthony Gaye Tesco Hair Art Driftwood Hair Studio Soles Butchers Alresford Gift Shop Suzie Watson Design Oakleaf Stationary Sandwich Shop Moda Rosa Billy Goat Franchetti Bond Horse and Groom Alresford Linen Co. Alresford Beauty Hobby Horse Mervyn Smith (watercress)

Fyffes Bananas Coop Hair Care Wessex Chemist Evans Butchers Interior Style Naked Grape Tiffins Tea rooms Hetre Pretty Woman Long Barn Ragamuffin Pizza Express Studio 49 Heidi’s Bakery Swan Hotel Morgan’s Hardware

Alresford Beauty New Salon and New Treatments After opening the new salon in June 2012 it quickly became clear that the icing on the cake would be to take over the whole building. Planning permission was granted for change of use in August and we have started work converting the two upper floors and are excited to reveal that on the first floor, we will be adding three manicure stations and two pedi-spa chairs and on the second floor there will be two luxury beauty rooms. On the ground floor, we will be reducing the manicure and pedicure stations to just one of each to cater for our clients who would prefer not to walk up the stairs, and we will be extensively refurbishing the shop and extending it. Back in June, we started doing laser treatments with the Ellipse laser machine, which uses an advanced technique of selected waveband technology. This is showing amazing results, both in hair removal and skin rejuvenation. In January 2018 we are delighted to be opening the doors of our new modernised and extended salon. In the interim we are expanding our treatments and growing our team. In October, Harley Street trained Sharron Gordon joined us as our aesthetics practitioner, a pharmacist consultant with a 20 year history of specialist clinical work for the NHS. Sharron now specialises in aesthetics, with remarkable, really natural results. "It's really important to spend time having a personal consultation with your clients," she says. "Only by understanding what the client wants and what their concerns are you able to create unique treatments to achieve their expectations. Many clients who I talk to worry that the results will look unnat ural and obvious but that really isn't the case". Talking to Sharron it is clear that there are many common questions that arise over the use of aesthetics such as; does 'Botox' make you happy? Would everyone know if I'd had 'Botox'? Will a chemical peel hurt? The answers certainly are fascinating .... so if you have ever wondered about having 'Botox', fillers or chemical peels then there is no better time to book in for a free, no obligation consultation and find out more. This will be a limited offer until the end of November, after which consultations will be charged at £30 which is fully redeemable against your first treatment. This is what some of Sharron's clients have said: "Thank you so much I feel fine and it looks great. Very happy" "Sharron is a caring, professional. The time she took explaining the procedure and her awareness of my initial concerns, made my first session pain free ..... and to be honest a pleasure. My confidence is back after my first visit. Thank you" Sharron has one clinic each week running up to Christmas if you would like a new fresher party look this season, please ring us to book your first consultation.

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Wellbeing

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ALRESFORD SURGERY NEWS

Children in Years R, 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be offered the flu vaccine at school through School Health.

Appointment availability Over the last year or so we have undertaken a full review of the GP workload and have made some significant changes: 1. We are addressing the doctor’s administrative burden and have employed more admin staff to undertake some of this work. 2. We have trained our nurses to undertake more of the care of patients with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory disease. 3. Our nurses now carry out contraceptive checks previously undertaken by the GPs. 4. We have revised our appointment system. Until March 2017 each GP had 14 appointments per surgery. They now have 16 appointments per surgery and a proportion of these are now telephone appointments. We currently have telephone appointments available within a few days. 5. All patients needing same day care will still have access to an initial telephone triage and will be seen by the duty doctor if appropriate. 6. Appointment numbers are reviewed daily and our GP Partners often add in extra surgeries at short notice. 7. We are part of a federation of local surgeries called Mid Hampshire Healthcare (MHH). MHH have, this week, opened two new GP hubs in Winchester and Andover. This Hub will provide a range of GP and nurse routine and urgent appointments from 5pm – 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm on Saturday and 8am to 12pm on Sunday. Patients will be seen by a GP who has full access to the patient’s primary care medical record. These appointments can be booked via the Surgery in the usual way.

GP Training – Tuesday 7th November 2017 Like our colleagues at GP practices across West Hampshire, the GPs and nursing staff at this practice are very keen to keep our knowledge and skills up to date so that we can provide you and

The Alresford Surgery Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JL Telephone: 01962 732345 Website: www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

Flu Clinics Patients eligible for the flu jab are either those who have reached age 65 by 31st March 2018 i.e. with a date of birth before or on 31st March 1953, or younger adults who have a condition which puts them ‘at risk’ should they contract flu, as well as pregnant women. Bookable appointments are now available and can be booked by telephoning reception or you can book online via Patient Access. Child Flu Clinics We will be offering child flu vaccinations to children who were aged 2 and 3 (but not 4) on 31st August 2017 (i.e. DOB 1st September 2013 to 31st August 2015), and older ‘at risk’ children at the surgery. We will be writing to parents with eligible children when we have clinic dates available.

HELP NEEDED FOR LOCAL BRANCH OF SAVE THE CHILDREN

he local Branch of Save the Children has been in existence for nearly 50 years but we have sadly lost some of our volunteers recently. We need some more people to help us organise our fund-raising programme. We meet 3 or 4 times a year in the evening to plan our events and of course help at them. We particularly need an Hon. Treasurer as our present one retires early next year. (No accounting qualifications required but a good head for figures a distinct advantage). If you are interested in helping to organise or becoming Hon. Treasurer and would like some more details please contact: Rob Attenborough – Tel: 01962 733605; Claire Whale – Tel: 01962 734941; or Gill Wood – Tel: 01962 73237

your family with the best possible care. All GPs will be attending an afternoon of compulsory training on Tuesday 7th November. There will be no routine appointments available that afternoon and during this time, cover for urgent GP enquiries only will be provided by Mid Hampshire Healthcare. Should this be required, please contact the surgery and we will be able to redirect you. The practice will reopen as usual on Wednesday 8th November. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

ADVERTISE WITH US! and reach up to 18,750 readers in Alresford & The Itchen Valley Eighth page placements: £51 Quarter page placements: £88 Half page placements: £166 Discounts are available on 3, 6 and 12 month bookings. For more information email: stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

Residential

•

Nursing • Respite • Palliative Care Situated in the picturesque area of Sleepers Hill in Winchester, with stunning views across St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester lies Westacre Care Home. Our Edwardian home caters for the elderly living with dementia. We currently provide care for 40 residents and have a dedicated, caring team of nurses and care staff, whose first priority is the wellbeing and quality of life for your loved one. At Westacre, we believe that provision of high quality care for vulnerable people should be a fundamental expectation.

Our main Aims and Objectives To provide an environment that feels as near as possible to being at home, surrounded by familiar objects, where the resident feels secure, content and cared for. • To have the best interests of residents at the forefront of our care provision. • To expect a high quality of work and level of professional conduct from members of staff at all times. • To meet our residents expectations in every way. • To foster an atmosphere of openness and respect between residents, staff, family and friends.

We have 3 new refurbished suites, including one bedroom with a small ‘kitchenette’ to promote more independent living. Our top floor is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment, to include floor to ceiling windows overlooking stunning views of St Catherine’s Hill, available within the next 2 months. These too will promote more independent living.

EDU CAT ION I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Education

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUE GRIFFITHS - HEAD TEACHER, SUNHILL JUNIOR SCHOOL Tell me a bit about yourself. Where have you come from? I came to teaching later than most. I was a parent helper in a school when I decided to train to be a teacher. I then took myself through university at the same time as bringing up my three children. I came to Sun Hill Junior School having spent 18 years at a three form entry primary school on the edge of the New Forest. Sun Hill Junior has gone through a very difficult time over the last couple of years? How do you feel about the challenge ahead? I feel positive! I want to create a supportive community here, where everyone works towards the same goal to improve the experience and outcomes for all our children. Can you share any plans you have for the future of SHJS? We are taking a good look at the values of the school so that we can create an ethos through which the children want to work together and support each other on their learning journey. What do you think is the most important part of a young person’s education today? We have to enable them to be flexible and resilient, so that they are prepared for the next stage of their lives and are able to cope in any situation. How do you envisage the school’s relationships with SHIS and Perins developing? Oh, in a really positive way! Having talked with Kim Owen-Jones and Steve Jones, it’s obvious that we all want the children to have a coherent, positive and consistently good experience as they journey through pre-school, primary and secondary education in Alresford. SHJS needs to play an important part in the team and not work in isolation. What is the best part of your job for you personally? It’s the children. When you see them smile or overcome a problem or difficulty – there’s nothing like it! What would change about education today if you could? I would like some consistency so that we no longer have this neverending changing of expectations on our children. I am not against change, but only if it has a positive impact on children’s lives. Plus the paperwork and testing! What three things couldn't you do without? Tea. And tea. Did I mention tea? (and maybe a china cup!) What is your mantra for life? Try to smile in all situations. I try to be a ‘glass half full’ kind of person. Where is your favourite place in Hampshire? Home, with my family. What next for Sue Griffiths? I really want to get everyone talking about Sun Hill Junior in a positive way. This is a wonderful school in a wonderful community and I want everyone else to know that too!

BUSY BEES PRE-SCHOOL EXTENDED HOURS

rom January 2018 Busy Bees Preschool will be offering the 30 hours Extended Government Funding with flexible drop off and pick up during term time. Rated 'good' in all areas in a recent Ofsted inspection and based in a lovely rural location in Bishops Sutton Village Hall, Busy Bees takes funded and non -funded children from the age of 2 years up to school age. New session times will be as follows: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8.30am to 12 o’clock Tuesday & Thursday : 8.30am to 2pm To find out if you are eligible for the extended 30 hour childcare, access the ‘Childcare Choices’ website before the end of November. If you would like to find out more or would be interested in visiting Busy Bees Preschool, please contact either busybeespreschoolteam@ hotmail.com or contact our team leader, Debbie on 07815 166687.

SUN HILL INFANT SCHOOL 50 YEAR GOLDEN CELEBRATIONS – APRIL 21ST / 23RD 2018

he children, staff and governors would like to invite you to join them on a journey of celebrations for the last 50 years of Sun Hill Infant School. We are fund SunHill School 1968 raising for a magnificent pair of new wrought iron gates for the pedestrian entry to the Infant School. These gates will have been entered by thousands of children, their families and members of the community over the last 50 years and it seems a fitting celebration of the past and a positive looking forward to the future for our town. We would like to include as many symbols of the community groups as possible in the design of the gates. The children will be helping the artist to incorporate these symbols of your group. If you would like your group to be included in the gate design, we would like to ask for a donation as a sponsor for this project. The donation can be as small or as large as you like. Please reply to Rosie Waring Green (address below) if you are interested in having your group celebrated in our gates. There are a range of exciting events planned for the coming year with the culmination of all of these on Saturday 21st April 2018 with a procession from Stratton Bates to Sun Hill and a 1960s Festival for the whole community and a Golden Day on Monday 23rd April – the school’s actual birthday. Further details will be posted on http://www.sunhillinfants.co.uk/ If you or anyone you know has attended Sun Hill Infant School over the last 50 years, please get in touch with Rosie so that we can gather as many memories and also photos, memorabilia etc. for an exhibition. Also, anyone who has wider 1960’s memories, artefacts etc. who could help us create the feel of the ‘60s, please contact Rosie Waring Green 01962 733237 / ra@22rwg.co.uk / 2, Grange Road, Alresford

Fresh Air Fridays gives Fresh Air Fridays timeyou to: time to: Stillgives youryou mind Learn

Relax Still yourmind mind Learn Relax Still your Learn your body Connect with nature Make friends Move your body Connect with nature friends Move your body Connect with nature Make Make friends around In beautiful Alresford, SO24 beautiful Alresford, SO24 SO24 Inand andaround around beautiful Alresford,

th Friday of every month 4th Friday of each month y of every 4month

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Jikiden Reiki, Holistic Massage and Bodywork Therapies, Hair Analysis Testing 07780 953 143 www.greenwood-therapies.com carol@greenwood-therapies.com

Your Local Chiropody Clinic is at:

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am – 12.30 pm – 12.30 pm9.30 9.30am - 12.30pm Jeanette Pratt, Fresh Air Fridays Facilitator Pratt, Fresh Air Fridays Facilitator Further detailsJeanette at: www.freshairfridays.co.uk/Jeanette-pratt/ Jeanette Pratt Email me on:at: jpratt62@gmail.com or Further details www.freshairfridays.co.uk/Jeanette-pratt/ Fresh Air Call me 07709 119960 for more information and to details at: www.freshairfridays.co.uk/Jeanette-pratt/ me on: on jpratt62@gmail.com or Email Fridays Facilitator book your place oninformation a session and to book your free first more session Call me on 07709119960 e on jpratt62@gmail.com or for on 07709119960 for more information and to book your free first session

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Air Fridays gives you time to:

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Discover for yourself why you should make Fresh Air Fridays part ofwhy your life…. Discover forforyourself why you should Discover yourself you should makemake Fresh Air partofof your life... Fresh AirFridays Fridays part your life….

Alresford Pharmacy

1 East Street Alresford Hants SO24 9EE

Tel: 01189 67 58 53 www.mystreetfeet.com

In Omnia Excellentia “As someone who felt particularly shy when starting at secondary school, I believe that Perins has offered me a variety of experiences which inevitably shaped me to be the conscientious student I am today. I feel as though Perins creates an inviting atmosphere for students to thrive in.” Nadiya Khair, Year 11 student

To experience life as a Perins Student, visit our website to book a tour of the school

www.perins.net Pound Hill, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9BS 01962 734361

F EAT U R E I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

The King of the River BY CLAIRE THURLOW

didn’t expect to see a kingfisher in the Abbey Gardens. But here it is, close to King Alfred’s statue in bustling Winchester. Admittedly, this is a two-dimensional bird, depicted on an information board, but it surprises me that kingfishers are part of this landscape. Not only have they been spotted fishing from Winchester City Mill, but they are in residence at Winnall Moors Nature Reserve a short walk from the city centre. Here on the riverside path, the Itchen is crystal clear, but fast flowing. A gang of mallards struggle against the current, paddling furiously to reach bread scraps thrown by a small boy. Momentarily defeated, they drift sideways downstream, before resuming their energetic paddling. The kingfisher prefers calm, or even still, waters; rivers, canals and lakes where minnows and stickleback thrive. It’s happy to hunt for tadpoles and water insects too.Today we’re enjoying an unseasonably warm October day. But with the threat of a long, cold winter ahead, the kingfisher will have spent the past month or more fighting to establish a territory which can provide plenty of food.This can be as much as 5km of prime waterfront, with plenty of low-hanging branches for a first-class view of the river.The Dutch may call it the ‘ijsvogel’- the ‘ice-bird’ – but winter is tough for the kingfisher. Although it may produce multiple broods of chicks, only 25% will make it through to next summer. The middle of town, in the middle of the day, is not a likely location for kingfisher spotting. It is an elusive bird and easily disturbed, but I have seen one, and once seen, it’s not easily forgotten. Two autumns ago, I spent a week in a quiet corner of West Sussex, not far from Pulborough Brooks. My temporary lodgings were in the ‘granny annex’ of a charming, but somewhat faded country house at the end of a long winding

drive, which provided the ideal environment in which to get some research and writing done. Every afternoon, before the sky turned to dusk, I took a walk down the lane towards the river. I’d been told there were kingfishers, but my week was nearly at an end, and I had yet to see one. It was drizzling, that sort of rain which seems negligible, but which gradually soaks you through. I plodded off down the drive wearing outerwear the colour of mud and moss. Despite the miserable weather, it was a pleasure to be in the fresh air after hours at the lap-top, and my mind began to clear. I walked briskly as darkness would fall early that day.Yet, being alone, with neither a snuffling dog, nor a chatty companion, I also moved quietly. Reaching the stone bridge which crossed this narrow stretch of river, I stopped and looked down into the slow-moving water. Rain-drops rippled the surface but the shadows of small fish were visible beneath. It was a day when the riverbank and woods alongside were a picture of greys, browns and greens, with no hint of colour to lift the sober palette. Until now. A flash of blue burst from the trees and flew low over the water. It seemed to hover for a moment, then folded its iridescent wings and dived.Then up it rose, a minnow still quivering in its beak, and landed on a post in the middle of the river. I held my breath.The kingfisher sat mere metres away, close enough to admire its orange chest and the sapphire blue feathers on its head, wings and back. Close enough to watch as it whacked the fish against the post and swallowed it.Then it was gone. I waited, hopeful for an encore, but the kingfisher was trying his luck elsewhere. I couldn’t be disappointed. Getting so close to such a stunning bird even once in a lifetime was a thrill.

MOTOR IN G I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Repairs Servicing M.O.T

WILCAN MOTOR COMPANY LTD

Servicing, MOT, Tyres & Bodywork Repairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CERTIFICATED ENGINEERS • RECOVERY AVAILABLE •

COMMU N IT Y

Community

MOTOR IN G ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MBER

ALRESFORD DAY CARE CENTRE

enise and Fiona are the local Age Concern Hampshire ‘Village Agent’ volunteers for Alresford. Their role is to help older people in their local community to find information and services such as:

• • •

Getting out and about: finding transport for shopping, organised trips, medical appointments and local activities Around the Home: finding reputable trades people to help in the house and garden Money Matters: your entitlement to claim benefits, grants and loans

Age Concern Hampshire has 13 Day Care Centres throughout Hampshire providing day care under contract to Hampshire County and Southampton City Council. Day care provides the opportunity for over 50s to stay connected to their local communities and expand their interests and social networks. It plays a vital role in supporting people throughout their ageing journey, enabling them to remain independent and active for as long as possible. Age Concern Hampshire's Day Care Centres provide a range of stimulating and enjoyable activities, freshly cooked meals and personalised care to over 1,000 people weekly across the county. Age Concern Hampshire believes that everyone has the right to a fulfilled life, and we are extremely proud of our highly-trained and positive day care teams who deliver high levels of care and support. • Alresford Day Care Centre offers a variety of activities and outings every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-3pm based at Chiltern Court, Searles Close, Alresford • The centre offers caring and professional support as well as specialist dementia support • Service users and their families will also benefit from a variety of services including free information and advice and counselling • A two-course lunch is freshly cooked by Evans the butchers in Alresford • Flexibility and support play a major role at the centre and a free introductory session is always available Referrals can be made directly to the centre or you may be eligible for funding through HCC Adults Health and Care on 0300 555 1386 For more information to discuss day care charges or to arrange a visit, please contact Lisa Munro, Centre Manager on 01962 735612 or email lisa.munro@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk Please call Denise or Fiona on: 07969 376023 if you would like any further information on any other local services in Alresford, or if they are unavailable call Age Concern Hampshire on 0800 328 7154 or email villageagent@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING BEFRIENDING SERVICE We are looking for Volunteers in your Community Could you be a ‘Befriender’? What will I be doing? As a Volunteer Befriender your role will be to provide social companionship to patients who have a chronic or life limiting illness and who are isolated or lonely.Visiting patients in their own homes, you will help them to feel more supported and help to improve their emotional well-being and confidence. How much time do I need to commit? Just 2-hours a week, or less, can make a real difference to a patient living in your local community. What support will I be given? All relevant training will be given, as well as regular and on-going support and supervision. Interested? For further information contact Caroline Nash, Befriending Manager on: 01264 835293 Email: Caroline.Nash@hhft.nhs.uk Interested volunteers will be invited to an informal interview and the role is subject to references, simple health checks and DBS clearance.

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS MORE THAN 50 CHARITIES!

On Sale At THE CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP Tourist Information Centre WINCHESTER GUILDHALL 26th OCTOBER – 16th DECEMBER 2017 MONDAY – SATURDAY 10am-4.30pm All Proceeds to Charity

AVAILABLE FOR:

PRESTIGE CARS OF ALRESFORD TEL: 01962 865602 MOBILE: 07752 570787 OR VISIT WWW.PRESTIGECARSALRESFORD.CO.UK

PRIVATE HIRE AIRPORT TRANSFERS OTHER JOURNEYS

MOT TEST CENTRE

Carefully Selected Cars Approved by trading standards

'WE DON'T BUY ANY OLD CAR' BUT, WE BUY VERY GOOD CARS OF ANY AGE, FOR CASH! SO IF YOU HAVE ONE TO SELL, OR WOULD LIKE SOME FREE ADVICE PLEASE GIVE ROSS A CALL. AND, WE DON'T CHARGE A FEE! The following cars have been carefully selected because of their low mileage, excellent condition and service history. 2015 2013 2015 2014 2014 2012 2011 2010 2012 2003

(64) Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Hybrid 4X4 Estate, 1 owner, zero road tax, 8,500 miles £17995 (63) BMW 116 D SE 2.0 5 door 24,000 miles £20 tax £11295 (15) Honda Jazz 1.4 ES Automatic, 1 owner 1,300 miles £10995 (14) Skoda Roomster SE 1.2 1 Owner, 14,000 mls £7995 (64) Fiat Punto 1.4 GBT 1 owner, 11,500 miles £6995 (62) Kia Picanto 2, 1.25 Automatic 5 dr, 18,000mls £6495 (11) Skoda Roomster SE 1.6 TDi 2 owners, 57,000 miles, £4495 (10) Citroen C3 VTR+ 1.4 HDi .2 owners, 52,000 miles £3995 (62) Peugeot 107 Active, 5 dr. 2 owners, 14,000 miles £4495 (03) Peugeot 307 S, sunroof & air con 35,000 miles SOLD

CLASSIC CARS 1998 (S) VW Golf Cabriolet, 67,800 miles Way above average condition. 1967 Morris Minor Traveller, excellent condition, rose taupe 1974 MGB GT, Fantastic history Matching numbers, 50,000 miles

£2995 SOLD £11995

VIEW OUR CURRENT STOCK AT www.andrews-autosource.co.uk/vehicle-stock

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

TEL: 01489 878 879 EVENING TEL: 01962 732995

• • • • •

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

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

MOT TEST CENTRE FOR:

MOTOR IN G I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Andrews Autosource

ALRESFORD MOTOR SERVICES LTD

Cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3,000kg. All makes serviced and repaired.

Class 4 MOT's

Class 1 & 2 Motorcycles

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

Tel: 01962 733888 e:mike1ams1@aol.com

ID VALETING BESPOKE SERVICE ALRESFORD PROFESSIONAL VALETING GET THAT NEW CAR FEELING BY BOOKING A FULL VALET

OPENING TIMES

Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 5.00pm APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE All weather facility, dry and warm waiting area ID VALETING, UNIT 4, SHELF HOUSE INDUSTRIAL NEW FARM ROAD, ALRESFORD, SO24 9QE TEL: 07967 730584 idt45@btinternet.com

ng ki or ta f s w rs ma No de ist or hr C

Christmas Showcase Evening Attend our Christmas Taster opening evening at Kimbridge Farm Shop 10th November 6pm – 8pm every 10th customer to place an order receives £20 off.

Owton’s award winning family butchers offer quality fresh meat, locally sourced food & outstanding value straight from your local farm Our Christmas hampers are terrific value at only £79.99* and tailored to meet all your family needs but note that we wont do the washing up!

What you get with an Owton’s Christmas Hamper: • 1.9kg NZ Leg Of Lamb (Feeds up to 8) • 1.8kg Beef Roasting Joint (Feeds up to 10) • 1.8Kg Gammon Joint (Feeds up to 10) • 1.8Kg Leg Of Pork (Feeds up to 10) • 454g Owtons Pork Sausagemeat • 454g Owtons Pork Chipolatas • 454g Green Streaky • FREE 2.25kg Boneless Turkey Breast Roll*

Where to find us Owton’s Chalcroft Farm Burnetts Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 2HU Tel: 02380 601154 shop@owtons.com Now open Sundays 10am – 2pm

Owton’s at Kimbridge Kimbridge Farm Shop Near Romsey, SO51 0LE Tel: 01794 341681 kimbridge@owtons.com

Owton’s at Garsons Fontley Road, Titchfield, PO15 6QX Tel: 01329 854895 garsons@owtons.com

Owton’s at Country Market Kingsley, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0QP Tel: 01420 5450902 countrymarket@owtons.com

This excellent meat hamper comes frozen.

Owton’s at Rosebourne

Get a £5 voucher to spend in January or February if you collect your hamper in October or November.

Rosebourne Garden Centre, Amesbury Road, Weyhill, Andover, SP11 8ED Tel: 01264 774888 Rosebourne@owtons.com

*You can replace the free Boneless Turkey Breast Roll with a 4.6kg Turkey for £84.99

#OwtonsButchers

See all our latest news, offers and events at: www.owtons.com

Christmas Festivities

W E L O O K F O R WA R D T O W E L C O M I N G YO U T H I S F E S T I V E S E A S O N Christmas Parties

Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve Party Packages

We have delicious Christmas menus from £20.00 per person for private parties, large or small, which can be held in one of our stunning function rooms – The traditional Dining Room, Watercress Room or our hidden secret, The Undercroft.

Enjoy the most special lunch of the year with your family in our festive surroundings. Our Chefs have created a special seasonal menu. We have a selection of beautiful starters, traditional and less traditional main courses and a tasty choice of desserts. There are mince pies too, of course. Adults: £70, Children under 12: £25

Celebrate the New Year in style with Mia and the Cats, a wonderful vintage 4-piece band. Dress to impress from the fabulous 50’s to the swinging 60’s. Entry to Party and light buffet £15 per person. If you would like to include a 3 Course Dinner: £60 per person. If you would like to include accommodation, breakfast and 3 course dinner: £240 per couple.

FOOD & DRINK ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

The Swan Hotel

Tel: 01962 732302 www.swanhotelalresford.com swanhotel@btinternet.com

For more information or to book a table please visit: www.swanhotelalresford.com get in touch via email: swanhotel@btinternet.com or call 01962 732302

New Years Eve

6 Course Tasting Menu Vermouth, Orange & Gordal Olives on arrival ∙ Little bites from the Iberian Peninsula ∙ Monte enebro churros & truffle honey ∙ Rioja cured beef, smoked eel & quail eggs ∙ Slow roast middle white, sticky red cabbage & Asturian apple sauce ∙ Rhubarb & sparkling Albariño sorbet ∙ Poached pears & chocolate sauce

28 BROAD STREET ALRESFORD HAMPSHIRE SO249AQ TEL: 01962 732262

£55 per head £95 per head with matching wines

£20 per person deposit Vegetarian and pescatarian options available on request

TWITTER: @PULPO__NEGRO INFO@PULPONEGRO.CO.UK W W W. P U L P O N E G R O . C O . U K

FO R U M | HEADING FEATURE ISSUE 1 33 | NOVEMBER

Jane's Kitchen SAUSAGE PLAIT

his has been a favourite inclusion at our harvest festival lunch for some years now. It can be served hot or cold or if preferred, it can be made into 6 - 12 individual rolls rather than one large one.

Ingredients A packet of puff pastry, Ready to roll.

Filling • 12 - 16oz of good sausage meat • 1 medium onion finely chopped and fried until softened but not browned • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme • ½ teaspoon of dried sage • 1 small/medium cooking apple, coarsely grated Mix all the filling ingredients together well and roll into a sausage shape. Roll the pastry, into a 34

square measuring approx 10” x 10”. Place the filling in the middle of the pastry. Cut each side into sections so that you are able to plait the pastry along the length of the sausage mixture dampen and fold alternately over the filling. Dampen and seal the ends well. Brush with beaten egg to glaze. Lift onto a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 200 deg. Lower the heat and continue to cook for a further 30 minutes. From Jane’s Kitchen. An eclectic collection of seasonal recipes. Available from Leckford Farm Shop, Leckford and Chilbolton Village Stores Price £6.99

OFF at 2

for £22

£14.99 ea

OFF at £23.39

ea.

for £60

PORT

OFF at 2

£17.99 ea.

“Utterly gorgeous silky smooth Estate Port”

Passagem LBV 2012

Now 25%

£39.99 ea. “Sublime Grand Cru Champagne at £30? Happy Christmas!”

Pierre Boever Grand Cru

Now 10%

£25.99 ea. “Superb value and quality in one, the ideal Glass of Champagne”

Jacques Bardelot Brut

CHAMPAGNE

INTRODUCTORY PRICE

“Glorious red berry fruits, a gentle fizz and wonderful mouth filling flavour”

Pauletts Sparkling Shiraz

£16.99 ea.

“We adore this top end Cava, it has more age and finesse than some brand name Champagnes”

M.Marcal Cava Extramarium

Now 15%

£12.99 ea. “Our love affair with Prosecco continues, and you can see why in this perfectly created subtle fizz”

Prosecco Porta Nova

FIZZ ea.

for £16

for £20

Free Entry

The Swan Hotel, Alresford

12-6pm

Saturday 25th Nov.

Christmas Wine Tasting

OFF at 2

Join us to taste these and many more delights at our

Now 23%

£12.99 ea. “Sancerre style Sauvignon Blanc showing a beautiful finesse and balance”

OFF at 2

Les Parcelles Sauvignon

Now 20%

“beautiful clean freshness without any oak influence, Chablis in style”

OFF at £6.79

Vanel Chardonnay £9.99 ea.

Now 20%

£8.49 ea. “Delicious fresh pear and apple fruits, a very popular quaffing white”

WHITE

Pleno Vuira

ea.

OFF at £32

ea.

www.thenakedgrape.co.uk

ALRESFORD FOUR MARKS HUNGERFORD

The Naked Grape

Now 20%

SINGLE MALT WHISKY £39.99 ea. “a Malt that retains a gentle character with an undertone of richness”

Glen Keith Distillers Edition

£23.99 ea. “steeped the old fashioned way, and boy is it good!”

Naked Gin Rhubarb

for £20

SPIRITS

Now 23%

OFF at 2

for £16

Vega Douro £12.99 ea. “We really can’t imagine a better festive red than this stunner from Portugal”

Now 20%

OFF at 2

OFF at £6.79

Puerta Vieja Rioja £9.99 ea. “Superb value for this versatile big fruit yet easy drinking Rioja”

Now 20%

£8.49 ea. “Ripe youthful black fruits, soft palate matched well with various dishes”

RED

Tierra Rey Merlot

R ETA IL I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Market Square UNIQUE - BESPOKE - ECLECTIC - LOCAL

Alresford Gift Shop

JoJo Inspired

VELVET Down Coat by In Wear £179.95 34 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 738470 | Delilah Boutique

Superb range of charity and non charity Christmas cards now in stock.You don’t need to travel further afield. Tel: 01962 732192 | 10 West Street, Alresford

We supply the best parkas at affordable prices. Please contact us for details of other colours and lengths. Tel: 07973 688251 | jojoinspired.com

SQU

ARE · M A

ARKET SQ

D.Barker & Son

Lavenders

Ragamuffin

Gents Obaku 'Rislen' watch, chestnut leather strap - £135 40A West Street, , Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732200 | www.dbarkerandson.co.uk

Acacia wood serving board complete with golden pineapple picks - perfect for the upcoming party season! £29.99 Tel: 01962 733894 | www.lavenders-alresford.com

Raspberry Sparkly Stars party dress by Hatley available in sizes 2-8 years £34.95. Also available in Navy. Tel: 01962 734488 | www.ragamuffin-uk.com

Equestrian Fencing & Timber Ltd

More by Design

Jasmine China Hire

Double dustbin store - £165 + VAT High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath

Bespoke rugs from India and Nepal - Designs available in any size with a huge selection of colours Tel: 01962 734504 | www.handmaderugs.co.uk

Planning a party? We offer an extensive range of China, Cutlery, Glassware, Linen & more for all your hire needs Tel: 07836 745603 | www.jasminechinahire.co.uk

Tel: 01329 835100 | www.equestrianfencing.com

·M

ET S QUARE

E · MARKE

Delilah Boutique

ARE · M A

·M

ET S QUARE

E · MARKE

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R ETA IL I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

A place for local retailers to display their wares and provide readers with seasonally evocative, inspirational gift and style ideas.

ARKET SQ

Design Realities

Alresford Gift Shop

Moda Rosa

Delightful and unique Parrot Spoon Rest 36cm £25 36 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 732507 | www.design-realities.co.uk

Our unique range of Alresford Chrismas mugs, coasters and cards now available. Tel: 01962 732192 | 10 West Street, Alresford

Fabiana Filippi fur collar coat 35 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AB Tel: 01962 733277 | www.modarosa.co.uk

Alresford Linen Co.

Billy Goat

Andrew Smith & Son - Auctioneers

Dare we say it…we’re starting to get into the festive spirit! Lots of gifts and decorations now in store. Abeni Advent Calendar Tel: 01962 734221 | www.alresfordlinen.co.uk

Ricosta Raffaela waterproof boots £68-£78 (available in black and dark navy) 11 East Street, Alresford Tel: 01962 733926 | www.billygoatshoes.co.uk

Monthly Antiques & Interiors Auction Sat 18 Nov - Fine Art, Antiques, Interiors & Collectables - Tues 7 Oct & Wed 8 Nov. Tel: 01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

101 dogs and a panda

No.42

Interior Style

Unique and completely original, a needle felted wool sculpture of your dog. The perfect Christmas gift, £40.00 Tel: 01962 733910 | www.101dogsandapanda.com

Keep cosy with a cashmere and velvet fur-trimmed wrap 42 West Street, Alresford, SO24 9AU Tel: 01962 733242 | www.42weststreet.co.uk

Blue Glass Whales - £15 each 29 West Street, New Alresford, SO24 9AB Tel: 01962 736311 | www.interiorstyle.biz

LEISU R E & EN T ER TA IN MEN T ISSU E 133 | NOVE MBER

B ROTARY CLU D OF ALRESFOR

S K R O W E FITRORCHLIGHT

& N PROCESSIO MEBRER VMEB E O V N O h t N 5 d R r U HI 3RY PAARRKK,, AALLRR ESFOORRDD FTR URY P BU SI O N LEEB AARLR PR O C ES RC H LI G H T ST RE ET

O F BR OA D 7. 00 PM pTO .45 FRmO MWTOOPRK S & BOp 6 N FI RE t start FI RE mRY p r RKom PA 7. 45 PM BU p RE 7 AL a r o f T N UA L EV EN

A Tribute to the River Test

11 October 2017 - 7 January 2018

Paintings Pete Gilbert Fine Art Photography Hugh Lohan www.hampshireartandcraft.org

Open: Tues-Sat: 10-4.30 Sundays: 10.30-4.30

GALLERY CAFÉ WORKSHOPS

27 Bell St Romsey SO51 8GY 01794 511220

THE OLD ALRESFORD DRAMATIC SOCIETY TOADS In its 32nd season presents…

ICKET

ON SALE NOW FROM

OK EARL

The Classic Panto Adventure

Tuesday 5th – Friday 8th December at 7.30pm Saturday 9th December at 3pm & 7.30pm CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD FIND & FOLLOW: SEE THE SHOW TAKE SHAPE The Old Alresford Dramatic Society @TOADStweets www.oa-toads.org.uk

Supporting local and Rotary charities Charity No. 1014447

LA R AN SP EC TA CU EN JO Y O UR ES

RCH FLAMING TO ESHMENTS R EF R ID LIQU D O FO HOT KS GLOW STICE BY LOCAL CHILDREN GUYS MAD AY! ORK DISPL MUSIC LAR FIREW U C TA EC & A SP

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COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Alresford Town Council Reports Community Infrastructure Levy Many residents will already be aware, that developers are charged a Community Infrastructure Levy (referred to as a CIL payment) on all new developments. This CIL levy is collected by Winchester City Council, and can be received by one of two methods of payment. The most common method is for the developer’s contribution to be placed in an overall CIL pot, to be used on county wide projects. The second option, which is at the discretion of Winchester City Council, is for the levy to be provided as ‘payments in kind’ or ‘infrastructure payments’. However, this method of payment is subject to the following criteria: it meets an identified local need for open space, and the provision is over and above what is required in any event, to ensure an acceptable development. Winchester City Council retains discretion as to whether it accepts ‘payments in kind’ or ‘infrastructure payments’. From a local perspective, there is an advantage in these forms of payment, because the contributions are then spent on works in the area where the development is taking place, rather than monies being taken into the county-wide pot, as CIL monies can be spent anywhere in the District of WCC or County for HCC. Winchester City Council have just produced their latest Regulation 123 List which specifies projects or types of infrastructure which the City Council intends will be, or may be, funded fully or partly by CIL contributions. Amongst the projects already noted on the list are:

• Creation of footway/cycle route along former railway line between Kings Worthy and Alresford (Watercress 40

Way) possibly extending to South Wonston. • New Alresford: public realm and accessibility – West Street improvements. • The Soke, New Alresford: traffic management improvements to formalise priority working to alleviate vehicle conflicts and delay, and consideration of footway provision. On a more general note, the provision and enhancement of the Green Infrastructure network as defined in the Local Plan Part 1 Policy CP14, particularly through projects identified in the PUSH Green Infrastructure Strategy, WCC Green Infrastructure Study or the Hampshire Countryside Access Plans. Annual Planning District Coach Tour During the past month Councillors from NATC took part in the annual Planning District Coach Tour. The tour took in a range of residential developments at Swanmore College, Kings Barton, Little Barton Farm and Winchester Village at Pitt, together with later living apartments at Bishops Waltham. It gave the Councillors an opportunity to see and comment on recent and current residential developments. It also provided an opportunity to speak to key Winchester City Planning Department officers and gain a further insight into the process that will be involved in planning for our larger developments including Sun Lane. Economy & Tourism Meeting Over the past few years we have been fortunate in having the services and advice of Heidi Isa, a Town Market Development Officer, employed by Winchester City Council. However, with

Heidi’s departure from WCC and with the Economy and Tourism Committee now well versed in the ways of marketing the town, it was felt that the committee would be able to continue building on the legacy that Heidi has established. As you know she set up ghost hunts, fact finding missions & Easter egg hunts, a welcome pack for new residents liaising with estate agents etc. To ensure that we don’t just repeat last year’s events we are keen to discuss any ideas and projects which Alresford groups and societies may have. We would like to invite a single representative from any groups that wish to contribute to join us at the next Economy & Tourism meeting on 28th November at 6pm. If you would like any further information prior to the meeting please contact Frances Simpson on commclerk@newalresfordtc. org.uk Alresford War Memorial

unanimously agreed that the War Memorial was most certainly of special architectural and historic interest. Enquiries to NATC Office – Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am to 1pm Whilst visitors to the NATC office are most welcome, there have ,however, been a couple of unfortunate instances recently. The ladies assisting you at the Council office are paid employees of the Council and are local residents. They do not make the policies that the Council has to adhere to, nor are they responsible for funding cuts. We fully appreciate how frustrating public sector procedures can be, but would ask that the staff ’s position be respected – they really are trying to do their best. Hampshire Highways Skanska, are the new company dealing with road maintenance for Hampshire County Council. They are launching a new digital service called ‘Hampshire Highways’ to assist with the reporting of repairs required to our roads. The new system allows for photographs of the damage to be uploaded, providing information on the extent and location of the problem. To log your road /footway/ hedge problems, please go to www.hants.gov.uk/roads and follow the prompts.

At the 3rd of October NATC Planning Committee meeting, the Committee was asked by Winchester City Council to comment on whether Alresford War Memorial, St. John the Baptist Churchyard has special architectural or historic interest. The Committee

Contact us New Alresford Town Council Arlebury Park, The Avenue, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9EP Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am to 1pm 01962 732079 www.newalresfordtc.org.uk

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F EAT U R E I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

In Memoriam Hampshire Mum T

Adonis annua. FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

here was once a plant. Not showy like many of our garden flowers, but nevertheless pretty enough that, back in the day when it grew abundantly through the wheat fields on our local downland, bunches of it used to be gathered and taken to Covent Garden Market, where flower vendors would sell it under the name ‘Red Morocco’. Native to Southern Europe, it was introduced to our shores in the Iron Age as a seed contaminant of grain. And although, like many in the Ranunculaceae (the buttercup family), it was mildly poisonous to humans and livestock, it seldom set enough seed or produced enough vegetation to cause any harm. The plant, whose common name was Pheasant’s Eye, was one of a suite of species which had evolved in tandem with human beings, and specifically our ever-growing skill in food cultivation. Like the grains with which it grew, it had adapted to survive in disturbed environments, giving it a competitive advantage as the agricultural era ushered in an age of land clearance. Arable weeds of this sort, like shepherd’s needle, corncockle, cornflower and many more, did well up until the twentieth century when their luck ran out in spectacular fashion. Seed-sorting techniques foiled their means of distribution, limiting them to isolated populations, while a new generation of selective herbicides further decimated their numbers. Pheasant’s eye disappeared from our fields, a catastrophic decline of at least 92%, persisting on only in a handful of field margins in Southern England. One of those locations was local, a lovely arable margin bordered by hedge and woodland, near where the Wayfarer’s Walk leaves the Itchen Valley on its way north. On the marginal land by the hedge grew a number of declining species of sunny field margins, including dwarf spurge, rye brome, and the longest-standing population of Pheasant’s eye in Hampshire (plants rarely grow in isolation - they have associates, parasites, consumers, symbiotes - most of the time the presence of a rarity is an indicator of an unusual ecosystem). That was until early October this year when the hedge was grubbed up and the margin put under the plough, part of an amalgamation of two fields. pheasant’s eye seeds persist in the seed bank for many a year, so we may not have seen the last of it, but unless the landowner has a massive change of heart and works actively to bring it back from the brink, we have just lived through an extinction on our doorstep.

Indeed, the time is coming soon when the only way you’ll be able to experience this once-abundant plant is by visiting an arable reserve like Plantlife’s Ranscombe Farm, in which it and other rarities are actively conserved in a semi-wild floral theme park. The extinction of a large mammal is newsworthy, but real extinction is more often a tortuously slow thinning and fading from the world. The downland stone curlews, ring ouzels and golden plovers beloved of Gilbert White have been largely replaced locally by a monoculture of pheasants. The Pheasant’s eye by a monoculture of wheat. Each loss is a barely perceptible impoverishment of our natural and cultural heritage, plotted slowly enough that each generation becomes used to a baseline that their forebears would have considered impossibly degraded. “There’s no birdsong anymore” say our elders, while those of us born after the twin scourges of DDT and organophosphates hear plenty. But compared to elsewhere, there is still much to celebrate. The richness of our local flora and fauna is for many the reason we live here at the headwaters of the Itchen and the base of the South Downs. It doesn’t just render our vistas beautiful, it - to put it crassly - gives our homes value. This is not a suburban wasteland, yet. In Alresford, nature, like watercress and kindness to strangers, should be one of the things that we, as a community, take pride in doing well. Having seen how powerful a little bit of civic pride in one’s surroundings can be in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve areas of Menorca, I’d like to see the issue of local biodiversity become every bit as important to our Town Councillors as speed limits and road verges, and as crucial to each of us as rubbish removal and street lighting. The pheasant’s eye is gone, its legal protection under the NERC act powerless to save it from a landowner’s whim. There may be rocky times for conservation ahead with the changes to legislation that could follow Brexit, but we still have eels, kingfishers, otters and hedgehogs, green-flowered helleborines in the willow carr and whorl-grass on the stream sides, and the most effective protection we can give them as individuals will be if enough of us commit to improving our ecological literacy, and actively search out situations in which we can make a difference. Short of renaming the place where it once grew Morocco Down, that would be the best memorial I could imagine to the little red flower that used to grow in the fields around our town. WRITTEN BY PETE FLOOD

Unlocking the Internet and Other Software

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P R OF ESSION A L ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MBE R

New Tricks

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Load of logs - £70 per truck load Tel: 01962 735452 / Mob: 07880 527049 www.appletonfarmservices.co.uk 43

COMMU N IT Y P R OF ESSION A L ISSU E 133 | NOVE MBER

Community TOWN BENEFITS FROM POWER CUTS GESTURE

here was anger and frustration back in July when a series of power cuts hit the centre of Alresford. The town centre was temporarily off-grid while planned works were carried out, meaning that the busy West Street and Broad Street shops and homes were powered by large generators, one of which failed. Winchester & Alresford MP, Steve Brine, took up the case and demanded answers from Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) for what he said was a "totally unacceptable debacle”. SSE responded with an apology and an offer of a £500 donation to the town as a goodwill gesture via a local charity. Steve contacted the Alresford Pigs and we agreed the donation would be made to our 2017 Christmas Tree fund which organises erection and maintenance of the main large tree at the top of Broad Street. Oliver Wilson-Barnes from the Pigs, said: "We are thrilled with this generous gesture from SSEN and it’s very fitting that we can use these funds to help light up Alresford’s Christmas.”

Catherine Paget catherine.paget@pagetwillwriting.co.uk MA (Cantab) Law Member of the Society of Will Writers Affiliate Member of STEP

Tel: 07786 626979 www.pagetwillwriting.co.uk

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Ray Hunter, SSEN’s Network Construction Manager for the South East Region added: "Our customers and their communities are at the heart of everything we do, and we are delighted to be helping Alresford Pigs with this year’s Christmas tree.” Our thanks go to Steve Brine for championing the town’s cause and the famous Alresford tree will go up at the end of November. The Alresford Pigs Association is a small charity comprised of people who either live or work in Alresford and come together to raise money to give financial help to those in need in Alresford and the surrounding villages. We have given money for: • Organisations such as the scouts, guides, sports & youth groups • Local schools for specific projects • School children unable to pay for school trips • Single families needing white goods • Families who need support that cannot be provided by other services • Mobility scooters • Park benches • Senior residents events and activities Do you know someone who needs our help? Call us on 01962-658961 or email us at info@alresfordpigs.org Message us on Facebook

ALRESFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COME JOIN US, LET US HELP REPRESENT YOUR INTERESTS Business Rates: Members continue to utilise advice and assistance from the Alresford Chamber of Commerce to get business rate relief “I was very worried with the new business rate increase, but the chamber were great and helped me with applying for rate relief. I was fortunate enough to save an extra £1,700 with their help." Victoria of Fitique New Member The Chamber Welcomes new member, Julia Morgan from The Tudor House B&B at Ropley. http://tudorhousebandb.com/

Computer Repairs • For all computer, laptop and tablet needs • Broken screens replaced from £80 (fitted) • We fix wireless ‘dead spots’ in 30 minutes • Business and private customers welcome Contact: 01962 734750 or 07808 480344 For more information visit: www.claritycomputing.co.uk philip@claritycomputing.co.uk Up and coming events • Alresford Chamber Project – Christmas trees. Lighting up Businesses and properties throughout the centre of Alresford – The Alresford Chamber of Commerce and the PIGS with be stringing Christmas trees together on November 23rd. This takes place at Prospect Fencing in preparation for the erection of trees in December by the PIGS. The Naked Grape is kindly donating Beer to support the cooperative spirit between the two organisations. Watch out for the leaflets to get your tree for 2017. • Chamber Christmas Event - Members will be contacted shortly to get numbers for the Chamber Christmas Event on 5th December info@alresfordchamber.co.uk www.alresfordchamber.co.uk Davina – Chamber Secretary

P R OF ESSION A L ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MBE R

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F EAT U R E I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Hampshire Mum

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

still remember the excitement at a friend’s engagement.We believed in life- long love, in romance. But as time went on, something else crept in. It seemed to be happening to everyone - enough diamonds on fingers to blind a person, but not on mine.

In retrospect it was ridiculous, nineteen years of age and seriously thinking that the dreaded ‘shelf ’ awaited. But in the early Eighties, engagement, marriage and children were de rigueur for folks in the sticks. It was an era before the sentiments of the Millennials were hardly imagined, either in darkest Hampshire or anywhere else for that matter. Yet I reckon I did break the mould ever so slightly. Married at twenty-three but not a child in sight for thirteen years, it was more than just the biological clock ticking, it was alarm bells going off. Babies please NOW! So, when I was 36 and 41 respectively Stars I and II arrived. How cool was that? I was an ‘older mother’ whom the media, at that time, celebrated, the kind of woman who made choices for herself and not for the constraints of social and cultural conformity…. apparently. But much like the effects of the Xbox on young brains, twenty years on the jury is still out on older mothers, a fact that I’m only beginning to digest. The benefits are obvious. Becoming pregnant and giving birth is supposed to be as easy as falling off a log. Not so.The fact that I was an ‘elderly primigravida’ having left all things gustatory so late, I was jolly lucky to have one, let alone two bundles of joy. Then of course The Husband and I had had our own youth and rather a lot of it, living life emulating the well-known ‘yuppies’ of our era - travelling, driving nice cars and enjoying a hectic social life. Did we care that time was passing? Not a jot. When friends and acquaintances starting having babies in their late twenties we thought they were nuts, way too young! Yet look at them now.These are our friends with benefits, their children

are all grown up, way past Uni, married and with… children. Yes, many friends have become grandparents!! It’s an epidemic. All over Facebook are photos of adorable babies being cuddled by my contemporaries - ‘The Grandmothers’ - and here am I still angsting over the advancing GCSEs. Thank God there are very few parental gatherings at secondary school or I’d have to have some fillers or Botox to avoid embarrassing Star II. “Who is that old woman with you?” they would ask. “Oh, that’s my mum.” Now don’t misunderstand, I love being an older mum because, conversely, it does keep you young in thought, attitude and sometimes, (God help me), in choice of clothes. I don’t feel fiftysix. I don’t think that’s old, so trust me I’m in no hurry to play Grandma. I’m sure it’s wonderful but I’m not ready, any more than I was ready to have my own children.Yet I look at my friends’ baby pictures and there’s a shred of me that thinks that I’m glad I kept the Brio wooden trains and tracks up in the attic, and how it would be lovely to buy tiny things for tiny people in Gap again. Of course, Star I is too young to be a parent. Both he and his lovely girlfriend need to have exciting young lives to do all the things I never did. I wouldn’t be a normal parent if I didn’t think that. But time as we know doesn’t stand still and there is a slightly dark thought in my head, that I don’t want to be juggling my grandchild on my lap whilst sitting on a commode in a nursing home. I don’t want to be a grandmother of no benefit to them; I want to be arty and slightly mad and called something like ‘SPG’ or ’Ga Ga’ – how apt- anything but ‘Granny’. Ah what the heck, still plenty of time to grow into the notion grandma- hood…….no there is really. Sandra Pagan

Ensure that you take care of the people you love the most by Writing Your Will Today! A Will is one of the most powerful legal documents that you will prepare in your lifetime and is the only way to ensure that you avoid a financial nightmare for those you love after you pass away. Every individual is different, with different sets of financial circumstances and requirements for how their assets should be distributed after they die. It is therefore vital that you obtain clear and detailed legal advice so that you can fully understand the consequences of your will and ensure that your estate passes in accordance with your wishes. Whilst there are many options available to you now, including off the shelf to supermarket wills, there is no substitute for a Will drafted by a lawyer.

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• Maintain Control - set out how YOU wish your money and property to be distributed amongst your family and friends; • Give details of those who you would like to oversee the distribution of your money and property; • Provide for the care of your minor children by appointing a guardian; • Ensure that an unmarried partner can benefit from your estate and express how YOU wish for that to happen; • Make use of tax allowances to ensure that your money goes to your loved ones and not to HMRC – IHT liability is 40% above your £325,000 Nil Rate Band!

The distribution of a loved one’s estate can be complicated, time consuming and emotionally distressing, especially if you die without a will or even worse, your will is unclear or not properly executed. Furthermore, distributing assets incorrectly can lead to personal liability for executors. If you have been left with the difficult task of being an executor, or you are concerned about how well your own executors will cope, contact us as we can offer support and guidance to ensure that assets are being distributed correctly. All our initial meetings are free of charge, with no time limitations, so that we can give you the advice and guidance you need whilst explaining the options and likely costs without obligation to you. Please contact us to arrange a free consultation.

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COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

What's On NOVEMBER

11 NOVEMBER Ropley Music Nights presents... The Haggis Horns supported by Martha’s Man at Ropley Parish Hall from 8pm.The Haggis Horns have two funk-fuelled albums under their belt and they have been rocking crowds the world over for years winning fans with their distinctive northern funk sound combining assshaking breakbeats, afrobeat, soul and hip-hop. Tickets are £15 + booking fee Buy tickets online at www.ropleymusic.co.uk

13 NOVEMBER The Giles Group meeting From 2pm at Alresford Community Centre, Alresford.Talk on “The Canadian Rockies” (slide show) by Roger Bricknell.

3 NOVEMBER Alresford Fireworks Night From 6.45pm for 7pm start. Arlebury Park, Fireworks Night Buy tickets from Six West, Alresford. Price for tickets: Before the 3rd are £3 for Children and £6 for adults. On the 3rd are £5 for children and £8 for adults. Make sure you buy early You can also buy on the night Flaming Torches. Glow Sticks, Liquid Refreshments and Hot Food,Watch the guy made by Sun Hill Juniors burnt on the bonfire and listen to the music while you watch the fireworks.

3 NOVEMBER Medstead Players present 'Who Killed The Vicar?' From 7.30pm for 8pm at Medstead Village Hall, A murder mystery event.Tickets £12 pp include a two course Ploughmans Supper.Tickets in advance only 01420 563424 or 01420 562342 or website www.medsteadplayers.co.uk

11 NOVEMBER Alresford StationWalk the Line 10am - 11am - Once a year you can experience the railway from a completely different view by walking along the track bed of the Watercress Line.

11 NOVEMBER Barton Stacey Chamber Choir presents Will Todd's Mass in Blue At St.Mary the Virgin Church,Twyford, Hampshire. from 7.30pm on 11th November. Tickets £10 - £8 concessions. Children under 12 go free. Soprano - Sarah Best with Eric Whitacre's - The Seal Lullably. Morten Lauridsen's - O Magnum Mysterium and works by Paul Mealor, Ola Gjeilo and Eriks Esenvalds. Tickets available on the door, from Barton Stacey village shop or contact tickets@ bartonstaceychamberchoir.org 48

15 NOVEMBER Sun Hill Infant and Junior School Open Morning From 9.30am to 11am. Do you have a child who will be 5 or 8 years old between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019? Would you like to know more about Sun Hill Infant and Junior Schools? Come and see what our schools can offer you and your child. Meet both the Head teachers and their learning ambassadors.Tour both the infant and junior schools. See staff and children at work.Talk to school governors. Meet representatives of both schools PTA. Find out about school meals and our breakfast and after school clubs. Sun Hill Infant School, Sun Lane, Alresford, SO24 9NB - 01962 732632 www.sunhill-inf.hants.sch. uk. Sun Hill Junior School, Sun Lane, Alresford, SO24 9NB - 01962 732801 www.sunhill-jun. hants.sch.uk

smooth dance that can be danced to almost any kind of music. 4.00pm – West Coast Swing Beginners Class 5.00pm – West Coast Swing Dance Patterns 6.00pm – Step it up a Level. Intro to Musicality and Musical Interpretation. Salsa y Sol Dance & Yoga www.salsaysol.co.uk www.westcoastswing-winchester.co.uk

18 NOVEMBER Midwich Dawn at Bramdean and Hinton Ampner Village Hall For one night only. ‘Midwich Dawn’ crowd pleasing rock covers band from 7.30pm for 8pm. www.midwichdawn.co.uk Tickets: £10 to include ploughman’s supper, available from bramdean garage or 01962 771361. Licensed bar and raffle in aid of the village hall funds. www.bramdeanvillagehall.btck.co.uk

24 NOVEMBER Portraits of Power How important people use portraiture to enhance their power and influence by Hendrika Foster. (A lecturer for many years at the University of Bristol, and leader of History of Art tours in Italy, Sicily and the Netherlands, Hendrika now lectures for NADFAS and the V & A Museum) From 6.30 for 7.30pm At Winchester Discovery Centre, SO23 8SB Tickets £16 from the Discovery Centre,Tel: 01962 873603 (to include complimentary drink and canapes)

17 - 18 NOVEMBER Ropley Dramatic Society presents "My Friend Miss Flint' From 7.30pm for 8pm at Ropley Parish Hall A highly amusing two act comedy by Donald Churchill and Peter Yeldham. Please note this is a full length play so there will not be a supper. As always there will be a licensed bar and nibbles on the tables.The plot concerns a tax fiddle and the subsequent shenanigans by the perpetrators to extricate themselves from a tricky situation! A good evening's entertainment.Tickets can be ordered in advance now at £8 - last show was sold out and tickets are limited. Please contact Box Office 01420 568265, janbennett42@ outlook.com

18 NOVEMBER West Coast Swing Dance Workshop From 4pm – 7pm at the Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, SO23 8SB - £30 / £50 couple. Learn to dance this increasingly popular

24 & 25 NOVEMBER Winchester Wine Festival with BBC1 Masters of Wine Susie & Peter Clink glasses with Masters of Wine Susie & Peter in the stunning surroundings of Winchester Guildhall.Tickets cost £30. Unlimited tasting samples, a free wine glass and wine bag plus exclusive festival discounts to help you stock up on your favourite bottles. We are running three sessions across two days.Tickets are valid for one session only.The sessions are: Friday 24th November 2017: 5-9pm Saturday 25th November 2017: 11-3pm Saturday 25th November 2017: 4-8pm For more information and tickets please visit: www.thewinefestival.co.uk FOR MORE NOVEMBER EVENTS SEE PAGE 54 >

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COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Clubs & Societies O Cheriton Cricket Club For more information contact: Nick: 07931 456214 info@cheritoncc.com www.cheritoncc.com

65+ SPORTS & FITNESS O ACA Badminton Club For more information contact: Call Clive Earthy: 01962 733812 O Alresford Badminton Club For more information contact: Contact: Ralph Pointer on: 01962 734833 or ralph.judyp@tiscali.co.uk www.alresfordbadminton.co.uk O Alresford Bowling Club For more information contact: Barry Morgan (club secretary) 01962 733477 and on the club www.alresfordbowlingclub.org.uk O Ropley Bowling Club For more information contact Gill Moore on: 01420 563139 gillianfmoore@yahoo.co.uk O Alresford Golf Club For more information contact Tel: 01962 733746. secretary @alresfordgolf.co.uk www.alresfordgolf.co.uk O Alresford Netball Club For more information contact Donna: 01420 561755 or 07860 931150 donnabirtles@fsmail.net O Alresford Rugby Football Club For more information contact: Seniors’ Head Coach: 07964 423001. Minis contact: alresfordminisrugby@gmail.com or visit www.alresfordrfc.co.uk O Alresford Tennis Club For more information contact: Howard Lewis on 01962 733818 O Alresford Yacht Club For more information contact: Contact Valerie: 01962 808827 valeriej.powell@tiscali.co.uk O Chawton Park Indoor Bowls Club For more information contact: Chawton Park Road, Alton. Tel: 01420 541546

O Cheriton Tennis Club For more information contact: Donna at Don Perrin Tennis: 07928 855175. www. cheritontennisclub.co.uk O Children’s Judo Club For more information contact: Lance Wicks - Telephone: 07787 565233 Email: lw@ judocoach.com O Cyclists’ Touring Club For more information contact: Tel: 01962 864479 www.southhampshirectc.org.uk O Fitique Run Club For more information contact Melissa (07708) 532210 / sales@ fitique.co.uk Facebook page: Fitique Run Club O Fitique Women’s Cycle Club For more information contact Victoria on (01962) 733154 victoria@fitique.co.uk O Judo Club For more information contact: Steve Fullick, 10 Perins Close, Alresford Tel: 01962 732883 O Old Alresford Cricket Club For more information contact: John Stanbrook: 01962 733612 or Mike Armitage: 07878008853 Tel: 01420 568135 act4health@hotmail.com

65+

MUSIC & DANCE O Alresford Community Choir (ACC) For more information visit: www.alresfordchoir.com O Alresford Ukulele Jam For more information visit: alresfordukejam@outlook.com Tel: 01962 710385 http://facebook.com/ AlresfordUkeJam O Bishops Sutton Handbell Ringing Team For more information contact: 01962 736211 O Four Marks Folk Band For more information contact: Peter Treacher on: 01420 562794 O Minden Rose Garland Dancers For more information contact Imelda on: 01962 773487/07762 902143 to check we will be there. O The Candover Valley Bell Ringers For more information contact Carol: 01256 389387 O The Cheriton Singers For more information call 01962 771796 or visit www. cheritonsingers.hampshire.org.uk

O Practical Wing Chun Classes For more information contact: Contact Gary: 07986 298283 or see www.uctuk.co.uk

O The Medstead Players For more information contact: Lesley Rae, Fiver, High Street, Medstead.Tel: 01420 56563916 www.medsteadplayers.co.uk

O Ropley Tennis Club For more information visit: www.ropleytennis.org.uk

O The Waynflete Singers For more information visit: waynflete.hampshire.org.uk

O Tai Chi For more information contact: call: 02380 651223 or email taichienquiries@gmail.com

O Winchester Music Club For more information visit: ww.winchestermusicclub.org.uk

O Tichborne Park Cricket Club For more information contact: Andy Joyce on Tel: 01962 734316 andypjoyce@hotmail.com

O Zumba Classes (Easton) Every Thursday and Friday morning at Easton Village Hall, Easton 10.30am to 11.30am. Come and get fit whilst dancing to fantastic Latin beats. Getting fit never felt such fun! Tel: Muriele on 07821 545403. www.murielezumba.com

O Zumba Classes For more information contact Tel: 079474 10394 www.zumbaaround-winchester.com or sue@ plays-r-ussell.com

ARTS & CRAFTS O Alresford Area Craft Club For more information contact: Sandy: 01962 732995

65+

O Alresford Art Society For more information visit: www.artsociety.alresford.org Tel: 01962 736751 artsociety@ alresford.org O A.C.T.S - Alresford Community Theatre Society For more information contact Debbie: 01962 732055 markwick34@gmail.com O The Cheriton Players For more information visit: www.facebook.com/groups/ 120589672533. Or contact David Cradduck: 01962 771700 www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk O Wessex Sculptors For more information contact: Carole Scobling: 01962 771259

FOR DETAIL ON THESE LISTINGS VISIT www.forumpublications.co.uk Click on the local information button on the menu. Select the Itchen Valley and browse all your local clubs and societies in detail with direct links to their websites

65+

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P R OF ESSION A L HOME ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MBE R

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H OME I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Culture

THE CURTIS MUSEUM AND ALLEN GALLERY, ALTON Allen Gallery

The Evening Talks - The Archaeology of Food 9th November, 7.30pm . We talk a lot about what people ate in the past – but how do Archaeologists actually know? This talk by Andover Museum curator Jenny Stevens will discuss some of the methods used to piece together clues about our ancestors’ diet. Peas A la Vitellius anyone? A FREE event. Date Correction Treloar: The Man and His Hospital 23 November, 7:30pm Luath Grant Ferguson tells the story of Lord Mayor Treloar and the hospital that bears his name. Cost: £5 Exhibitions Season’s greetings by Kate Davis A collection of artwork created over the years by Kate and used as Christmas cards. Styles include landscape, graphic design and cartoon 4th November – 2nd December - Free Ceramicus Exhibition 2017 Hampshire and Surrey based ceramic artists Ceramicus return to the Allen Gallery to present their 2017 exhibition. 11th – 24th November - Free

Curtis Museum

There is an extensive Local History section in the Museum, maintained by Local Historian Jane Hurst.Visitors regularly look up the history of their families or their houses. There are files on the Villages surrounding Alton, and a Village Corner upstairs which concentrates on one of them. Currently the subject is Chawton. Old newspapers provide a great deal of the information in these Archives. A glance at the combined Hampshire Herald and Alton Gazette for Thursday, October 29, 1959 reveals that a detached 4 bedroom bungalow, three reception rooms, kitchen and bathroom in Ropley was for sale at £1950; in Beech a 4 bedroom bungalow was £2100. By comparison “luxury” items seem proportionately expensive. A 1953 Rover 75 saloon was £545 (Kerridge’s garage); a new-model Servis Twin Tub washing machine would set you back 79 guineas (Courts), while a tv advertised by Currys –- a 17 inch portable Ultra – would be 60 guineas. The average income of a male manual worker in 1959 was just under £700 pa. (source Guardian online). There are plenty of other items to be found – browsers welcome.

SANSARA CONCERT - FOR THE FALLEN

tockbridge Music is thrilled to be bringing back to Stockbridge Sansara Consort, a group of young singers who are making a big impact on the choral scene in the UK, having won the international A Cappel/a Competition in London two years ago. "We will be preforming a programme of Remembrance music exploring the depths of human suffering through the juxtaposition of choral music from the three masters of renaissance with the twentieth century compositions by Arvo Part and Sir John Taverner. In this way we call to mind, with equal gravity, conflicts past and present: victims of war and terror, the plight of today's refugees, and the fallen of bygone ages". St. Peter's Church, Stockbridge This group attract big audiences and, following on from our first sell out in September for the Delmege String Quartet, we recommend an early purchase of tickets for this concert. Tickets: £14 available from: Robinsons, Butchers www.iumblebee. co.uk/stockbridgemusic The Lights Theatre Box Office { 01264) 368368 Roger Tym {01264) This concert is sponsored by: Hildon Water

ELGAR’S INSPIRATIONAL DREAM OF GERONTIUS TO BE PERFORMED IN SOUTHAMPTON THIS NOVEMBER

egarded by many as one of the finest works of the entire choral repertoire, Elgar’s great masterpiece was written in 1900 for the Birmingham Triennial Festival. It is a setting of Cardinal John Henry Newman’s rather controversial poem of the same title – Gerontius representing an everyman/woman character facing the end of their life and contemplating the possibility of an afterlife. Although primarily a Catholic work, the poem is just as relevant to those of other faiths and none; the meaning of life, the legacy of what we leave behind and our ultimate destiny. Elgar uses three soloists, two choirs, a large orchestra and the organ to produce an extraordinary variety of emotional and dramatic moments, from the most exultant, triumphant climaxes to passages of genuine terror and dark despair. One is left with the clear thought that it is not the doctrine that matters, but Elgar’s heartfelt expression of loss and hope in the face of our mortality. This is what makes this glorious work so inspiring. The Southampton Philharmonic Choir and SU Phil will be joined by the outstanding tenor John Graham Hall, who has made the title role a specialism of his, the young mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals– Simmons will be making her debut as the Angel and bass-baritone Nicholas Warden will sing the parts of the Priest and Angel of the Agony with the New London Sinfonia conducted by David Gibson. Saturday 25 November at O2 Guildhall Southampton, see www.southamptonphil.org for more details.

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COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

What's On NOVEMBER

24 NOVEMBER Ladies Night in Aid of NSPCC From 7.30pm - 10pm at Hampshire Barn, Norton Park Hotel (nr. Sutton Scotney). Enjoy an evening of fashion and styling with fashion collections from At Last, Jessamy Elmhirst and Maette by Stella & Dot. Learn essential styling tips, indulge in mini beauty treatments, enjoy some Christmas shopping and take part in the evening's raffle with fantastic prizes on offer. All monies raised will go to NSPCC, the UK Children's charity.Tickets: £15. Contact Emma for tickets: stylistemma@icloud.com Tel: 07817 989371

30 NOVEMBER Gin Tasting at Abbey House, Winchester From 7pm.Tickets £20 available from the Tourist Office,Winchester. Taste a variety of Hampshire gins with a selection of nibbles and canapes. Have you tried Artisan gins from a micro distillery? All proceeds to the Mayors Charities 1093428.

DECEMBER 13 DECEMBER Father Christmas Arrives in Alresford From 6.00pm Broad Street, carol Singing and the arrival of Father Christmas in Alresford. Join the carol singers awaiting Father Christmas. How will he arrive this year?

25 DECEMBER

24 - 25 NOVEMBER Medstead Players 'Old Time Music Hall' From 7.30pm for 8pm Matinee on Sat 2pm for 2.30pm Medstead Village Hall Please feel free to dress up in costume if you wish! Tickets adults £8, children £4.Tel 01420 563424 or website www.medsteadplayers.co.uk

Winchester Music Club Concert in Winchester Cathedral From 7.30pm. Brahms Requiem and 'Song of Destiny' conducted by David Thomas with Julie Cooper (Soprano) and James Newby (Baritone). 150th Anniversary performance.Tickets (£10, £15, £20, £25, £30, £35) from Winchester Cathedral box office (www.tickets.winchestercathedral.org.uk, or 01962 857275).

27 NOVEMBER

6 DECEMBER

Ropley Horticultural Society – demonstration Hedgerow Christmas Wreath-making and other Craft with Mollie Butters of the Field Farm Project. 7.45pm start. Sports Pavilion,Vicarage Road, Ropley. Parking free. £5 on the door includes refreshments, all welcome Enquiries: Jill 01962 772425

28 NOVEMBER Alresford Art Society Wendy Bramall will give a talk on Life as a wildlife illustrator.This is an evening meeting starting at 7.30pm. Alresford Recreation Centre For information contact: 01962 736397 email jo.may@live.co.uk or visit www.artsociety.alresford.org

1 DECEMBER Christmas in Stockbridge Stockbridge Christmas is a fabulous event that takes place on the first Friday of December from 4.30pm.There will be a Christingle Service in St Peters and then the lights will be switched on. Carol singers,Test Valley Brass Band, fire eaters, jugglers, stalls, carriage rides on Santa sleigh, Santa's grotto and lots more. Piers Morgan to be switching the lights on with Alex Lewis. Nearly all the shops are open offering refreshments and there will be a Christmas hat competition, judging in the Town Hall after the main switch on. Come prepared and join in! This is a free event to attend and ample parking is provided. Go along to Stockbridge and kick start the festive season!

25 NOVEMBER

well as the choir and plenty of join-in carols for the audience. Santa will be at the matinee so do come along, bring your friends and relatives and get in the mood for Christmas.Tickets: £7.00 and £5.00 Under 5’s Free.Tel: 01489 781836 The Flower Garden, Hedge End www.newmusicmakers.com

Christmas Concert Itchen Valley Choral Society Do come and join us – we will be singing music of Christmas, Folk and Film. Audience participation adds to our special concerts. At Itchen Abbas Village Hall from 7.45pm.Ticket Price £10.00 to include fine music, good food and drink.Tickets are available on the night.

9 DECEMBER Family Christmas Concert The award winning New Music Makers choir are excited to invite you to their family christmas concert at Hedge End Village Hall SO30 4AF. Due to popular demand there will again be two concerts 2.30pm and 7.30pm. We will have special guests to entertain you as

Traditional Makins Court Christmas Day Lunch in Alresford On your own at Christmas? You, a friend or relative are warmly invited to a traditional Christmas Day lunch on Monday 25th December. The lunch will be at Makins Court in New Alresford.Transport (including wheelchairs) available. Arrive from 12noon for lunch at 12.30pm.Your contribute just £5 a head.To book (ASAP & by 18th December) please either drop into St.John's parish office, open Monday to Friday from 10am until noon. Or phone 01962 733545 leaving your name and phone number, if the answerphone is on. On behalf of Churches Together in Alresford.

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COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Community STEVE BRINE M.P

irst of all this month, I found myself in Manchester. One thing I remember from the Prime Minister’s speech was that a new generation of council houses will be built with an extra £2bn going into the affordable housing budget. The move will also allow more homes to be built for social rent. The news follows Winchester’s lead, as the council here has been building council homes for years through its New Homes Programme. I’ve opened many over the years, including the striking Barron Close in Micheldever plus The Dell over in Kings Worthy. The timing couldn’t have been better, as WCC announced a few days later that it will double the amount of council homes built by 2020. More on this from your City Councillors, I am sure. While in the city, I took the chance to visit the largest single site cancer centre in Europe at The Christie Hospital wearing my Ministerial hat. The Proton Beam Cancer treatment it will offer is a first for the UK (currently children with certain forms of cancer have to visit the US) and I was blown away by the engineering miracle taking place. It’s basically a mini Hadron Collider and will not only save lives, but it will dramatically reduce the long-term impact this kind of radiation treatment can cause. We should remember, when listening to Radio 4 and especially when watching Channel 4 news, there is good news out there and so much hope. As Parliament returns, we’re busy with Brexit legislation, of course, (and much else besides) but my work in the constituency seems to be on fastforward with constituency Friday’s (and weekends) busier than ever. After a lovely letter from a volunteer, I visited Winchester Bereavement Support recently. Based at Richard Steel & Partners, they’ve been in existence since 1982, providing bereavement support to anyone over the age of 18 living locally via a team of trained volunteer visitors. I found their stories both inspiring and moving; www. winchesterbereavementsupport.org.uk One other thing to mention is a cracking deal I struck with our local power company after a series of power cuts hit Alresford this Summer, adversely affecting businesses in the town. Saturday morning is a key trading period for the shops and they cannot afford to lose that income, so it was gratifying when SSEN did eventually apologise and confirmed that the Alresford generator, in position during some routine works at the time, ran out of fuel due to a ‘miscalculation’ over the correct amount of fuel required. SSEN subsequently also offered to make a donation of £500 to the town as a goodwill gesture via local charity. I contacted the Alresford Pigs (pictured) and we agreed the donation would be made to their 2017 Christmas Tree fund which plays such an important part in ensuring Alresford remains an attractive and vibrant destination during the key festive period. Many Alresford shops need a good Christmas this year more than ever, so I hope this will help with ‘destination’ Alresford. You can find more about my work, locally and in Westminster, via my website. Steve Brine - MP for Winchester & Itchen Valley

BOOMTOWN RAISES OVER £116,000 FOR CHARITY

ampshire’s Boomtown Fair has raised a record breaking £116,303 for charity with a staggering £32,000.72 going directly to charities and projects in the local area. The 60,000 capacity event that attracts attendees, musicians and artists from all over the world was also hailed a success by the Cabinet Office for its positive contribution to the region’s wider local economy who took to Twitter to show their support. The continued and growing popularity of the festival drives many people to the area and has positioned Boomtown as a perfect stage from which the local area can expose its areas of natural beauty, cultural and visitor attractions to thousands of additional tourists.

Boomtown has made Matterley Estate nr. Winchester it’s home in 2011 and over the years have worked with and donated to numerous local and national charities. 2017 saw the event expand its charity networks even further by teaming up a record breaking number of charities including local organisations; Street Reach, Hampshire Air Ambulance, Trinity Winchester, Naomi House, and the South Downs National Park Trust, to name just a few… The festival’s main charity partner for 2017 was Winchester based youth outreach organisation, Street Reach. Working directly with vulnerable and disadvantaged youth in Winchester, Street Reach will receive £8,702 directly from the optional £2 donation customers can make when they purchase their tickets. This will help fund the weekly outreach sessions, youth club nights, drop-in projects and trips that are offered to young people in deprived Winchester communities. For the second year running the guest list donations collected at the entrance gates were supplemented by Boomtown to raise £10,000 for the five parishes that border the festival site. The parish councils are required to invite parishioners to suggest where the money would be best spent to benefit their wider community. The 2016 Community Support Fund was allocated to vital restoration projects, contributed to broadband technology, footpath and wild plant replanting schemes and helped purchase equipment for play areas, local clubs and schools. "This funding has been gratefully received by all and if there was any further available we would be very happy as we were over-subscribed this year for the funding we had.” Paul Moffatt - Itchen Valley Parish Council. Local parishes will soon be contacted with regards to the distribution of the Community Support Fund. Anyone who lives in Chilcomb, Cheriton, Itchen Valley, Itchen Stoke and Ovington or Tichborne Parishes should contact their parish council directly to discuss where the money should be distributed, or to find out when the consultation meeting will be held. Supporting local businesses and communities like this is a huge part of Boomtown’s ethos and in the lead up to the event the festival worked on a number of outreach projects in the Winchester area including; Naomi’s House, Trinity Winchester, and Cheriton Primary School which were held at Winchester Discovery Centre by hosting interactive carnival music, theatre and costume making workshops to be a part of the vibrant Kidztown Carnival at the festival. Other locally focused initiatives this year included the introduction of the first ever Hampshire Farmers’ Market at the festival, putting local food traders into the spotlight, giving them a chance to showcase a range of local produce and artisan goods to the 60,000 visitors. "A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this record amount by making a donation and for all the volunteers for giving their time.” Lak Mitchell and Chris Rutherford, Boomtown Co-founders.

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Winchester City Councillor Monthly Report Missed bin collections If your bin is not emptied when expected, please report via the following: http://www.winchester.gov.uk/ waste-and-recycling/ Click on the link to “missed bin collection” after 5pm on the expected day of collection and by midday the day after. The team should return to address the oversight!There is also a link on the waste and recycling page to report a fly tip. High Hedges The Council has powers to deal with nuisance high hedges under a provision of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003. There are some important points to note about these powers: • They only apply to evergreen or semi-evergreen hedges more than two metres high; • They only apply if the height has an adverse effect on the reasonable enjoyment of your domestic property. • We can only deal with a complaint if you have taken reasonable steps to settle the dispute yourself. Making a formal complaint should be a last resort. • You will have to pay a fee of £450 to the council to have a formal complaint considered. This is reduced to £100 if you are receiving certain benefits. This will be non-refundable even if your complaint is upheld. There is information on the Planning Portal website, and your first action should be to try to resolve this with your neighbour directly or via The Winchester Mediation Service (01962 813320). Working with Voluntary Organisations Voluntary and community sector organisations (such as community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives and arts/sports/heritage clubs) make a significant contribution to the support and wellbeing of local residents. We work in partnership with Community First in Winchester District to provide support for not-for-profit organisations across the District, including: • Information and networking • Training • Funding workshops • One to one advisory visits • Toolkits and general advice (e.g. setting up a community organisation) • Recruitment of volunteers, including trustees Find out more at www.cfheh.org.uk/services/winchester/ Timetable for Central Winchester Regeneration Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Finalised The timetable has been developed to ensure the technical work (including archaeology, movement and traffic and flooding defences) is completed, along with options for affordable housing and discussions with the owners of the land in the area. The draft SPD will be presented to the next meeting of the Council’s IPG, which is being held in public on Monday 30 October. Architects and master planners JTP will unveil the draft SPD which has incorporated the feedback gleaned during the extensive public engagement process. The Council’s full Cabinet will meet in public on 6 December to approve the draft SPD for consultation. The formal consultation period will then run from mid-December until early

February 2017. During an eight week period, a variety of meetings and exhibitions will be held so that as many people and organisations as possible can have their say. New Winchester Sport & Leisure Park – Bar End The Outline Business Case is due to be presented during November. The Council is aiming for this to be a financially sustainable, fully inclusive facility for the District with a planned opening in late 2020. The planned facility is: a 50m pool (mostly used as 2 x 25m pools), 20x10m pool, splash pool, hydrotherapy suite, 4 squash courts, clip and climb, exercise studios, 180-200 station gym, sports hall and cafe. A third phase of engagement is due in the autumn which will show emerging designs/layout of the building at Bar End. It is expected the Full Council will be asked to approve the business case in late Autumn and, should that be confirmed, a planning application will be submitted in Spring 2018. Walking Netball Walking Netball is a slower paced version of the game, with a couple of other modifications to ensure it is safe for those with mobility issues, lower fitness and activity levels. All sessions are delivered by trained Walking Netball Hosts who know how to make the sessions fun and engaging.You won’t realise just how hard you have worked as you will be laughing so much! 1-2pm on Monday’s at River Park Leisure Centre. £3 per session. “ePanel” A consultation panel to help when consulting about Council initiatives, activities and various proposals. The panel is an 'electronic panel' where we consult members via email and the completion of online survey forms. A survey is sent once every two or three months which consists of less than a dozen questions on each occasion (i.e. 10 minutes or less of your time for each consultation). If you are interested in becoming part of the panel please email our Engagement and Insight Officer, Nadine Fox - nfox@winchester.gov.uk - putting 'Join E_Panel' in the subject line. Nadine will then send you more information and a short questionnaire to complete. Traffic Movement Strategy Consultation A consultation is due to go live in November 2017 regarding traffic movements in Winchester. As residents who frequently use the City, please ensure you respond so that your views are heard. If you need a paper copy of the consultation please let us know. The easiest and fastest way for WCC/HCC to incorporate views is through on-line responses but we are happy to help those who don’t have computer access. Alresford Tip With the requirement of HCC to save £140m in its 2018/19 budget, the Alresford tip will again come under pressure. We need to hear your views please! You can contact your City Councillors as follows Cllr Kim Gottlieb - kgottlieb@winchester.gov.uk Tel : 07795 494919 Cllr Lisa Griffiths - lgriffiths@winchester.gov.uk Tel : 01962 738646 or 07545 375632 Cllr Ernie Jeffs - ejeffs@winchester.gov.uk Tel : 01962 734629 or 07887 536966

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Hampshire Ramblings

WHAT IS HAMPSHIRE?

remember my mother’s atlas, with a cover the colour of a Rich Tea biscuit – from the 1930s – when Britain had an Empire and that nice Mr Hitler was the Chancellor of Germany. The colourful maps seemed to drown in what I can only describe as bathroom-pink. Those countries coloured so pink were ‘ours’ – part of the British Empire – and we celebrated our ownership on Empire Day, the 24th May. This day was chosen because it was the Queen’s birthday and was first celebrated in 1902. And perhaps this ironically foretold the end of the Empire, as the Queen’s birthday we were celebrating was Victoria’s, who had died the previous year (a memorial to her or a portent of doom for the Empire?) Ah – those were the days – when everyone knew where Britain was on the map and we all knew our place in the world. These days . . . well, many people would have difficulty finding this scepter’d isle on a globe and, if it is an inflatable globe, they are more likely to be kicking it around and pretending that we are still great at football – ah: nostalgia! But enough of that! So, what about our blessed plot? Ask folk where a particular place is and, even if it is their home town, they may well have difficulty finding it on a map of the United Kingdom. As for anybody knowing where a stranger is from! Tell people I live in Kent, and see the puzzled frown. It’s the wrong side of the M25, you see. Escape to the rest of the country is blocked by this massive car park of a motorway. Little attention is given by those from the rest of England as they zoom past Kent on their way to the continent.

So, what about other counties? Is it just the South and South East that nobody’s heard of? Really, there is little hope.Yorkshire has tea and Devon has cream teas. Most other counties fade into a fog. The question must be, how many of us can, with confidence, jab a digit upon these and so many other places upon a map? What hope is there for Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire? An ‘urricane would ‘ardly hever find them. Unsurprisingly, when I told people I’d written a book about Hampshire, the reaction was not “Where’s Hampshire?” but “What’s Hampshire”. The word Hampshire was not even recognised as a place, just an unidentifiable thing. And it’s not as if Hampshire is insignificant. For a start, it is the ninth largest county in England (other countries in the United Kingdom are also available, but criteria for the statistics are variable). Fine – it’s not in the medals, not even a bronze, but it’s still quite big. Of course, when the counties include metropolitan ones, Hampshire’s not as densely populated – it’s only mid-table for that. Although, because of its size, it is still in the top ten for numbers. So, it is large, it has loads of people living there without feeling crowded and it still has huge stretches of open landscape. However, to answer the question “Where is Hampshire on the map?” Right at the bottom, in the middle. Words by Heather Lacey

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Poppies from Alresford to Alice Springs

emembrance Sunday falls on 12th November this year - one day to remember and honour all those who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom. In contrast, there were 1,556 days of fighting in the First World War and Alresford artist, Nic Joly, has made a sculpture to mark every one of them. Throughout the centenary of the war, he has been creating and deploying miniature soldiers in projects which have raised over £100,000 for the British Legion; encouraged us to visit war memorials again; and next year will make us reflect on what was gained by the war. Nic Joly is famed for his wall sculptures depicting little people in situations which provoke a wry comment about modern society. The past inspires him too, and he was prompted to research his ‘Never Forgotten’ project after a conversation with a veteran glider pilot.The veteran skipped back a generation when he said, ‘I remember my father talking about his time in the First World War and that made black and white turn into colour’. Nic resolved to colour in the detail of the ordinary soldiers’ experiences by gathering letters, poetry and personal accounts to bring to life the day to day experiences of the little people caught up in the conflict. The idea of a limited edition, one for each day of the war, which would be as unique as all of those who died, was conceived. Each sculpture consists of two soldiers raising a poppy like a flag, inside a picture frame.The 2cm-tall soldiers were originally handmade from wire, paper and paint and then for the edition are cast in bronze. Instead of edition numbers, the white mounts are labelled from Day 1, August 14th 1914 all the way through to Armistice Day, 1918. An inscription on the back records a momentous event which happened to an ordinary soldier on the battlefield on that day. £100 from the sale of every piece is donated to The Royal British Legion. Sometimes, people buy pieces to commemorate family members and Nic recalls a father asking, ‘Would you mind writing the poem which was read at my son’s funeral after he died in Afghanistan?’ Nic was honoured to add the

inscription - that sculpture will be in the family forever now and its descendants will never forget when they read the inscription on the back. The ‘141 Days’ project was triggered by the BBC One Show calling Nic in 2016 to ask if he would be doing anything to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. He decided to create an ingenious installation which would get people stopping and looking at war memorials again. He marked the 141 days of horror of the Somme Offensive by creating 141 golden First World War soldiers, standing at arms and holding a poppy, then placing them on 141 war memorials at home and abroad. Their locations are secret, but I can tell you there are three in and around Alresford, others in Cardiff, Edinburgh and overseas as far as the Anzac Memorial in Alice Springs. Each memorial was chosen because it carries the names of men who lost their lives in the Somme. Sean Stocker, a veteran of Afghanistan who was hit by a roadside bomb, helped by placing a sculpture in Wrexham. Sean encourages you to look for one, saying, ‘Even if you don’t find one of Nic’s sculptures, it’s just a small way to remember those who laid down their lives for us.’ If you are lucky enough to find one, Nic would love you to photograph it and post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, #141Days.This is not a fund-raiser, no-one should take them, auction them off or sell them; but some have been adopted by a nearby cathedral and placed on their tomb of an unknown soldier. Others, which were placed on individual graves and adopted by the soldier’s descendants, will be returned to the war memorial for Remembrance Sunday. Next year is the centenary of the end of the First World War and I asked Nic whether he has a project in the pipeline. Indeed he has he’s planning an installation called ‘The Space Between’ to mark the end of the war, which will tour the country.When the One Show catch up on the story, remember you read it here first in Itchen Valley Magazine. Iris Crowfoot - Iris.crowfoot@gmail.com www.HamboneJunior.com

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COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Community ALRESFORD RUGBY CLUB

he on going new journey that ARFC undertook this season continued in October with mixed results. Following on from our 1ST XV's last game against Overton, we then hosted Millbrook, Sandown and Shanklin and US Portsmouth. Millbrook, unbeaten so far, were a very strong side and have been putting many points against other sides. In a fantastically contested match ARFC went down by 15-27. Sandown and Shanklin, re arranged, came to us next, and after an amazing game of rugby, saw ARFC pip them by three points. US Portsmouth were up next, again unbeaten, and although ARFC were defeated, the score line maybe doesn't tell the whole story. Meanwhile the 2's have had just the one outing since the last edition, and with very depleted numbers could not follow up their previous success against Stoneham. For more details please go to our website and find the match reports. Your support is always welcomed and appreciated. All matches in November will kick off at 2.30pm with a bar open for match day refreshments. There is still a position/opportunity for any body over the age of 18, to join this vibrant and forward thinking club, as a match day physio/first aider. If interested please contact our Head Coach Scott Cleeve or our Chairman John Weston via the website. Many thanks from the players, coaches and members for your support of our local and fantastic rugby club.

A WARNING TO OUR ADVERTISERS AND READERS

am sure that our readers and advertisers are well informed on the malicious attempts to extract money from innocent people by fraudulent groups/individuals. Be that on the internet, email or the phone. As a magazine we are careful to ensure that our customers and readers are informed of local scams or offers that seek to mislead. Thankfully we have the Alresford Neighbourhood Watch article which is always informative and gives valuable advice on ways to avoid being a victim of crime. Sadly in recent weeks several magazines including the Forum have been used by a telephone scam group. We are including this item to highlight this issue to our advertisers. If any of our advertisers are called with a request for monies for unpaid bills, PLEASE call the office on 01962 735137 to verify that these claims are valid. DO NOT make any card payments unless you are in direct correspondence with the Forum office. We have been contacted by businesses (not in our area) saying that they have been harassed by a representative of the Forum, demanding payment for advertising that they had not placed. Thankfully these companies were not mislead by the caller as they were not advertisers with us, but informed us of attempts to extract money from them. We have contacted trading standards and other organisations to try and curtail such activity but sadly there appears to be little we can do. The problem lies with the mobile phone companies that refuse to block numbers that are being used for elicit purposes. We hope that this information reaches our advertisers and readers and should you have any concerns that you may have been contacted by this fraudulent organisation the please contact us asap. The Editor

RESULTS - 1ST XV Millbrook (Home) 12 - 27 L Sandown+Shanklin 27-24 W US Portsmouth 10-26 L RESULTS - 2ND XV Overton (Away) 7-44 NOVEMBER FIXTURES - 1STXV 04/11/17 11/11/17 25/11/17

Fareham Heathens (Away) Ventnor (Home) Bognor (A)

NOVEMBER FIXTURES - 2ND XV 04/11/17 Milbrook 2 (H) 11/11/17 Fareham Heathens (A) 25/11/17 Lymington (A)

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

01962 776545

Domestic plumbing

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

PETER PAYNE 01962 733866 or 07778 170442

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

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

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COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • DOMESTIC

Unit G, Prospect Commercial Park, 4 Prospect Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9QF

Barnes & Liddiard

Electrical Sales FOR YOUR HOME ELECTRICAL NEEDS

LED, Low Energy and Halogen Bulbs We have a comprehensive range available (fitting service can be arranged by request)

Plugs, Fuses, Extension Leads Etc... We also offer a restoration and repair service for most fittings

26 The Dean, Alresford, SO24 9AZ Tel: 01962 733272

Barnes & Liddiard Electrical Contractors Limited

Flow-Vision Services

Plumbing & Electrical Design - Installation - Maintenance

Call: 01962 772009

Email: electrical@flow-vision.co.uk plumbing@flow-vision.co.uk Unit 5B, Home Farm, Petersfield Road, Ropley, Hampshire, SO24 OEF

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Alresford & District Neighbourhood Watch Crime Cannot Flourish in a Community That Cares, is a soundbite that a Winchester colleague often uses. Neighbourhood Watch is more than just trying to reduce crime and the fear of crime; it is about Neighbourliness; looking out for situations in which you can help your neighbours, as you would want them to do for you.

hen I recently gave a talk to the Alresford Ladies Group I soon became aware that few of the audience knew who their Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator was. This gives us a challenge. Last year in an attempt to improve our coverage we produced an A5 leaflet we called the “Postcard Project”. Each Co-ordinator delivered postcards to their Watches giving the name and address of their Street Coordinator. It seems it hasn’t worked! Perhaps it was treated as junk mail and never got read? At the Ladies Group meeting a suggestion was made that we make a list of the Co-ordinators available, perhaps to be kept in the library or community centre. We will discuss this further at our next Committee Meeting None of this changes the fact that the whole community is part of Neighbourhood Watch and if anybody sees anything suspicious, or out of the ordinary, a vehicle in an odd place, or cruising, clearly looking for opportunities, then they should be reported. Every small fact can help to build a bigger picture to the Police. In these times of increased terrorism, everybody needs to be on their guard, especially outside the house. Travellers who see a bag or similar, possibly unattended in a train, tube or station are encouraged to ask whose it is, as well as alerting security.

NEW ALRESFORD TOWN TRUST

A friend of mine who lives in Swanmore told me of a recent occurrence which illustrates this. He went outside his front door to check the weather; to see what he needed to wear and heard what he thought was a cat. A bit odd, he thought, but not that strange as he knew there were several cats in the area. Leaving ten minutes later, dressed for his trip out, he heard the sound again. This time it didn’t sound right, so he went to check. Peering through a hole in the neighbour’s gate he could see his neighbour’s wife was curled up on the back door step. So he let himself through the gate and discovered she had fallen and couldn’t get up off the step. He called round for a bigger (stronger) neighbour to help and between them they managed to lift her indoors. If my friend had not gone to check, his neighbour could have been there for hours. As it was, she was very cold and shaken up. I call that Neighbourhood Watch! CONTACTING ADNWA OR POLICE: ADNWA website: www.neighbourhood.watch.alresford.org e-mail us at: contact.adnwa@gmail.com CRIME IN PROGRESS: RING 999 NON-URGENT ISSUES: RING 101 (if you observe suspicious activity) CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555 111

The same is still true today. New Alresford Town Trust inherited the “pavage” grant and has the ancient right to collect rents from market stallholders and from passing Fairs in Broad Street. Originally the Town held Sheep Fairs in Broad Street until late 19th Century when, because of noise, smell and lack of hygiene, it moved to Fairfield in Bishops Sutton Road. The Pleasure Fair then became the main Town attraction with the October date being the same as previously.

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To ensure safety and minimise disruption, the Trustees, in consultation with experts, close Broad Street from 1100 hours on the Wednesday to 2400 hours on the Thursday, when Broad Street then gets back to normal.

he October Fun Fair took place on Thursday 12th October in Broad Street, Alresford in mild dry weather and was very successful with good attendances, and no reported incidents. The Trustees are keen to ensure this ancient tradition continues.

The 2018 Fair will be held on Thursday 11th October, and the Trustees would like to hear from Parish Councils, City and County Councillors, WCC Traffic Department, Police, Fire Service, Residents and Traders, as to any problems or suggestions they may have concerning this ancient tradition.

This traditional October Fair dates back to King Edward I, who in 1302 made a grant of “pavage” which allowed the Bailiffs and Burgesses to collect tolls from traders in return for paving the streets.

Please feel free to write Pam Stevens, c/o Old Fire Station, 54 Broad Street, Alresford, SO24 9AN or email: heatherhollow@btinternet.com.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles: Amtico, Spacia Karndean, Polyflor Rubber Flooring Carpet Tiles

Solid Wood Engineered Wood Wood Floor Sanding Wood Floor Repair

For an appointment to discuss your requirements, please call

Tel: 01962 732643 or Mob: 07734 459748 www.alresfordfloors.co.uk

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Alresford Floors

Approved Amtico Installer & NVQ Certified

PR AERIALS

Need Super Fast Broadband ?

Paul Rolfe

Further information from your local RedRaw Internet installer

From £30 per month Up to 75 Mbps download No Land line required

DIGITAL TV & SATELLITE SPECIALIST

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

T. 01420 80650

M. 07918 913194

IDS Solutions

01962 732044

www.ids-solutions.co.uk info@ids-solutions.co.uk

FENCING, GATE AUTOMATION & TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING SPECIALISTS • Fencing contractors • Timber Merchants • Fencing & gate supplies • Timber framed buildings • Gate automation specialists • Manufacturers of beautiful bespoke gates Local authority approved contractors, serving Hampshire & surrounding counties

Proud sponsors of ALRESFORD TOWN FC! Opening hours 7.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday

Appledown Lane, Alresford, Hants SO24 9PB 01962 732786 or email info@jameswhitefencing.com

www.jameswhitefencing.com 67

A N IMA LS I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Animals

DEALING WITH SEASONAL ANXIETY IN YOUR PET

he coming few months see us heading into the party season of fireworks (bonfire night, New Year), strangers frequently at the door (Halloween), house guests, changes in routine and more time spent out of the house (Christmas and New Year). With all the festive comings and goings it is no wonder many of our pets become anxious about the unexplained sights, sounds and routines during this time, but we can help them to ease their fears. For dogs, construct a ‘dog den’ a few weeks in advance of the event so as they have time to become accustomed to it and use it. Use a pheromone diffuser, spray or collar such as Adaptil to mimic the ‘feel good’ pheromones that the mother dog emits just after birth of her puppies to help calm them. Keep windows closed to muffle out noises from fireworks and curtains drawn to block out the flashing lights. Try to keep to as near a normal routine as possible or have a friend or neighbour dog-sit for you if you are away from the house for a longer time than normal. For cats, provide extra hiding places (both high and low) and allow the cat to hide and place resources (food, water, litter trays) nearby. Use a pheromone diffuser or spray to mimic the facial pheromone F3 which the cat uses to mark its boundary and reassure itself and feel safe. Close windows and

curtains to block out noises and flashing lights during firework displays. Keep cat flaps secure to prevent escape. A television may help to stifle the noises but not too loud as this can damage your pet’s sensitive hearing. Again, try to keep to a near normal routine. For rabbits and other small animals; if they are kept outside then bring them inside or place in a garage or shed. Alternatively turn their enclosure around to block out excessive sounds and flashing lights and provide extra places to hide inside the accommodation such as cardboard boxes/extra bedding. Cover their accommodation with blankets/duvet to absorb sound but allow adequate ventilation. Provide plenty of resources such as food, water and litter trays as some small animals eat, drink and toilet more when stressed. If kept with a pen-mate then do not separate unless conflict occurs. For instances where your dog does not benefit from any other therapy then a medication such as Sileo, a gel placed in the dog’s mouth, may be prescribed by your vet. Alternatively, herbal remedies such as Scullcap and Valerian or Pet Remedy may help to reduce the anxiety of cats, dogs, rabbits and other small animals. Above all, don’t punish anxious behaviour and keep calm yourself as animals can sense your anxiety. For further information please contact your vet.

Written by Laura Smith RVN & Emily Binfield RVN Cedar Veterinary Group www.cedarvet.com Alton: 01420 82163 Alresford: 01962 732535 Four Marks: 01420 562048

a Independent practice with free onsite parking and convenient location

a 24 hour emergency service provided

by our own staff

a Fully equipped on site laboratory for

New Pet Healthcare Plan! TWO MONTHS FREE when you sign up to our HealthCare Plan.

quick diagnostic results

a Practice health care plan to spread the cost of routine treatment

a Home visits available for your convenience A dedicated team working to improve the health and wellbeing of your pets

ALTON: 01420 82163 ALRESFORD: 01962 732535 FOUR MARKS: 01420 562048

cedarvet.com facebook.com/cedarvet

An exclusive service in the heart of Alresford

BUILDING BUILDING SUPPLIES SUPPLIES & & SERVICES SERVICES

es, Classifieds

29 29

Dog Grooming

BUILDING SUPPLIES & SERVICES

Michael Michael Hoggard Hoggard Ltd Ltd

& Home Boarding

Michael Hoggard Ltd

Quality Quality Building Building Contractors Contractors Rachel Gray

Quality Building Contractors ‘A‘Afamily company built aasolid foundation’ family company builton onTel: solid foundation’ 07419 324362 ‘A family company built on a solid foundation’

alresforddoggrooming@gmail.com www.alresforddoggrooming.com 29

BUILDING SUPPLIES & SERVICES Classifieds BUILDING SUPPLIES & SERVICES

MELODY MELODY ART ART

H OME I SSU E 1 3 3 | NOVE MB E R

Classifieds Classifieds

Michael Hoggard Ltd

Michael Hoggard Ltd Quality Building Contractors

Quality Building ‘A family company built on aContractors solid foundation’

‘A family company built on acompany solid foundation’ Michael Limited isisaafamily built MichaelHoggard Hoggard Limited family company builton onaa Michael Hoggard Limited is a family company built on a

solid foundation. one the longest trading building solidfoundation. foundation.ItItItisisisone one of the longest trading building solid ofof the longest trading building firms locally, having been established inin1967. firmslocally, locally,having having been established 1967. firms been established in 1967.

“We deal with every aspect building construction” “Wedeal dealwith withevery everyaspect aspect of building and construction” ofof building andand construction”

MELODY ART MELODY

mhoggardltd@btconnect.com Office phone/fax: 01962 732985 mhoggardltd@aol.com Office Phone/Fax: 01962 732985 mhoggardltd@aol.com mhoggardltd@aol.com Office OfficePhone/Fax: Phone/Fax:01962 01962732985 732985

Michael Hoggard: (Home)01962 01962 732494 (Direct) 07802 418079 Michael Hoggard: (Home) 732494 (Direct) 07802 418079

ART

Michael MichaelHoggard: Hoggard:(Home) (Home)01962 01962732494 732494 (Direct) (Direct)07802 07802418079 418079

Michael Hoggard Limited is a family company built on a solid foundation. It is one of the longest trading building firms locally, having been established in 1967.

MICHAEL J SLY

“We deal with every aspectisofabuilding construction” Michael Hoggard Limited familyand company built on a solid foundation. It is one of the longest trading building Plumbing and Heating firms locally, having been established in 1967.

“We dealmhoggardltd@aol.com withplumbing every aspect of heating building and construction” All and works Office Phone/Fax: 01962 732985 from fixing a leak installing Michael Hoggard: (Home) 01962 732494to (Direct) 07802 418079 a full Heating System or Bathroom Suite

Plumbing and Heating

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

L.Sheppard Plastering All aspects undertaken

Quality Finishes Tel: 07547 190332 liamsheppardplastering@gmail.com @liamplaster

Complete Heating Systems

mhoggardltd@aol.com Office Phone/Fax: 01962 732985

High Efficiency Boiler and System Upgrades Michael Hoggard: 732494 (Direct) 07802 418079 Power (Home) Flush 01962 and System Treatments Gas Boiler Service Water Softeners

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

Free competitive quotations Issue 24 November 2008

Tel (Cheriton): 01962 771285 Mobile: 07973 407996 Issue 24 Issue 24 November November2008 2008 Est. Locally for over 30 years

Fashion. Style. Hair. Beauty.

Raising Funds for NSPCC. The UK Children's Charity Enjoy an evening of fashion and styling, with fashion collections from At Last, Jessamy Elmhirst and Maette by Stella & Dot. Learn essential styling tips for every body shape with Styling by Rosie and enjoy hair demonstrations by Wendy Stevens Salisbury; a hair loss and thinning specialist. Indulge in mini beauty treatments, enjoy some Christmas shopping and take part in the evening's raffle, with fantastic prizes on offer. All monies raised will go to NSPCC, The UK Children's Charity. Contact Emma for tickets: stylistemma@icloud.com 07817 989371

Friday 24th November 2017 Hampshire Barn, Norton Park Hotel (nr. Sutton Scotney) 7.30pm to 10pm

Tickets ÂŁ15 Each

Titchfield

Garden Design Centre

FO R U M | HEADING

Every Garden Tells a Story Design Studio • Coffee Courtyard • 16 Show Gardens Low Maintenance • Water Features • Garden Design • Garden Lighting • Decorative Paving Planting Plans • Border Revamp • Garden Maintenance • Specialist Designers

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK For 45 years we have specialised in the high quality Design, Build & Maintenance of gardens

135 Southampton Rd PO14 4PR • hambrooks.co.uk • 01489 572285

A COMPLIMENTARY BOILING WATER TAP FOR EVERY KITCHEN ORDER OVER £20,000*

WORTH

£950

Quooker is the market-leading innovator in the development of safe, energy-efficient and child-friendly boiling water taps and we recommend their Nordic range of round or square polished chrome taps to our customers. To celebrate our 25th anniversary during 2017, we are offering our recommended Quooker boiling water tap and PRO3-VAQ tank with a combined value of £950 as a complimentary gift for every kitchen order over £20,000.*

For more details, please visit our website: www.searle-taylor.co.uk/promotion

ROPLEY SHOWROOM Searle & Taylor House The Dene Ropley Hampshire SO24 0BH T: 01962 850 851

WINCHESTER SHOWROOM 19 Southgate Street Winchester Hampshire SO23 9EB T: 01962 850300

* Please view www.searle-taylor.co.uk/promotion for terms and conditions