Meon Valley Forum - Issue 61 December 2020

Forum

ISSUE 61 DECEMBER 2020

MEON VALLEY

Life in your Community

FEATURE YULE DO

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND

By Lucia Foster-Found

Urgent appeal for Volunteers

ON YOUR HIGHSTREET Shop local this Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS And a Happy New Year for our readers

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

Hambledon

Guide Price: £795,000

A most attractive and spacious character house situated in a highly sought after rural Meon Valley village area. The flexible accommodation includes four/five bedrooms and three reception rooms. The gardens and grounds adjoin fields on two sides and extend in all to approximately .35 of an acre.

The property enjoys a tucked away location approached over a small no through lane with only two other properties.

The area of Hoe Gate is rural yet convenient for access to most of the south coast centres.

Upham

Guide Price: £595,000

Situated in the sought after village of Upham which is within the South Downs National Park this a rare opportunity to purchase an individual detached older house in this highly regarded area and with a large garden backing onto fields. The whole plot extends to approximately .26 of an acre in all. The property is pleasantly situated in a small lane.

Having been family owned since originally built the property is ready for a new owner however now offers great potential and opportunity for improvement and or extension (subject to necessary permissions being granted)

High Street, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire SO32 1AA T 01489 893555 E info@wellerpatrick.co.uk

Meonstoke

Asking Price: £895,000

A rare opportunity to purchase a period barn conversion situated within a small lane in the highly sought after Meon Valley village of Meonstoke.

The property offers a wealth of character and charm with exposed timbers and beams, vaulted ceilings a magnificent sitting room. and galleried dining room. The accommodation is spacious and to be truly appreciated viewing is highly recommended. The property benefits from gardens and grounds which comprise areas of lawn, ample parking and outbuildings.

Shirrell Heath

Asking Price: £685,000

A stunning four bedroom detached family home situated within a desirable semi rural village a short distance from Bishops Waltham. The property benefits from spacious and well proportioned accommodation with features which include a superb kitchen/breakfast/dining room, large sitting room, study, utility and good sized bedrooms including both master and guest bedrooms with en-suites.

The property offers a large garden, spacious driveway, ample parking and was constructed by highly regarded developers Imperial Homes in 2018.

Please like us on Facebook Please follow us on Instagram @wellerpatrickea

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We would recommend Happy kitchens without doubt Mr and Mrs McAdam

Happy Kitchens are quite unique as we are able to offer top quality products, available in any size, fitted by the best professionals in the business. Change your kitchen and bedroom with a makeover or design and install a new kitchen and bedroom, whichever suits your needs or price range.

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MEON VALLEY FORUM DECEMBER 2020

CONTENTS 06 Property Management

26 Garden

08

Buying, selling, letting?

Find local estate agents and property management services

28 Home

08 Leisure & Entertainment

Guide Dogs for the blind - Appeal for Volunteers

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

20

Unit 8A, Shelf House, New Farm Road, Alresford, SO24 9QH Tel: 01962 735137 www.forumpublications.co.uk

From Canine to Equine - all your animal needs

Eat out, stay in: food, drink and dining in Hampshire

Design Manager James Curtis james@forumpublications.co.uk

Forum Publications Offices

23 Animals & Pets

Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

Get in Touch

Yule Do

By Lucia Foster - Found

24 Food & Drink

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

Gill Grant gill@forumpublications.co.uk

22 Feature

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

Lucia Foster-Found www. luciafosterfound.com

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

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors

Looking after your health

20 Retail/On Your Highstreet

Feel uplifted this Autumn and connect with nature

Contacts

Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

17 Wellbeing

Local services to keep your vehicle running smoothly

42 Feature

12

14 Professional

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

34 Motoring

Discover local events and days out in Hampshire

12 Feature

Make your garden dream come true

22

The Meon Valley Forum contains facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, advertisements and other content and links to external websites not owned or controlled by the magazine. Meon 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.

Meon Valley Forum magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the user’s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household © Forum Publications Ltd, 2020

Soberton - offers in excess of: £485,000 Unique and attractive detached single storey cottage, lying with a desirable semi-rural location amongst the lovely Meon Valley countryside. The property, is set within good sized gardens which have great potential for enjoying the good/country life! with ample space for horticultural or other interests. Inside, the accommodation benefits from double glazing, oil fired heating and in brief comprises: Bedroom, Shower room, sitting room, dining room and kitchen. Early interest advised

Bishops Waltham – Guide Price: £375,000 A delightful period cottage, lying within a convenient location just a short walk away from the bustling medieval town centre of Bishop’s Waltham.

The property offers extended and versatile accommodation which has the advantage of a ground floor study, which could be utilised as a third bedroom if required and in brief comprises: Entrance porch, dining hall, sitting room, study/bedroom, kitchen/breakfast room and utility room.

On the first floor, two double bedrooms and bathroom. Outside, there is a driveway to the front of the house providing off road parking and an established enclosed cottage garden to the rear. Early interest highly recommended.

Offices throughout Hampshire

01489 6

bishopswaltham@pearsons.com | 7 Cross Stree

before the Stamp Duty deadline?

Thinking of selling before Stamp Time is the ticking, Duty deadline? but the door is still open...

Time is ticking, but the door is still open...

The key is selling by auction.

A sale in one of our next two auctions in December or February means you will complete before 31st March 2021.

The key is selling by auction.

The key is selling by auction.

•

the day complete working Wein have a growing list or of keen purchasers AExchange sale inonone ofand our next 20two auctions December days later looking to complete before the Stamp Duty February means you will complete before 31st March Window closes on 31st 2021.

March 2021.

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• • No chains on with Exchange theinstant day andclosure completewill complete We haveFebruary a growing list of keen purchasers to February means you before 31st March 2021.

2021, provides you looking with the only

20worrying working days later • No that your sale may fall through atcomplete before the Stamp Duty Window closes on real way to guarantee a completion day • the Assurance that ‘best price’ achieved on the day 31st March 2021. last minute before deadline.list of keen purchasers • Exchange on with the day and complete 20 working We havethe a growing • No chains instant closure • Stress is less when selling by auction days later toAuctions complete before the • No worrying that your sale may fall through A sale inlooking one of our in December or Stamp Duty

at the last minute February 2021, provides you with the only real way toA sale Window closes on 31st March 2021.

• Assurance that ‘best price’ achieved on the day • Stress is less when selling by auction guarantee completion before the in aone of ourday Auctions in deadline.

December or • No chains with instant closure February provides you with the only For furtherthat guidance andthrough advice, call one 2021, of our experienced • No your sale and may fall at one of our experienced Forworrying further guidance advice, call real way to guarantee a completion day the last minute Auction Team: Steve Sprake or Juryeff.

Gary Juryeff.

Auction Team: Steve Sprake or Gary before the deadline.

• Stress is less when selling by auction

023 8047 4274023auctions@pearsons.com pearsonsauctions.com 8047 4274 auctions@pearsons.com 62 High Street, West End, Southampton, SO30 3DT pearsonsauctions.com

For further guidance andWest advice, call one our experienced 62 High Street, End, Southampton, SO30of 3DT Auction Team: Steve Sprake or Gary Juryeff.

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ENTERTAINMENT Jessie Keane: a local, Sunday Times Top 10 author Jessie Keane is a Hampshire-based Sunday Times Top 10 thrillerwriting author who has 15 bestselling books to her name, including the hugely successful Annie Carter novels and the Ruby Darke series.

Jessie started writing nailbiting thrillers in 2008, when she sent out the first Annie Carter book Dirty Game to six agents. One came back to her straight away and said she had a publisher who might be interested – and within a week Jessie had a 3 book contract for a 6 figure deal. Fans of her books like Philip Schofield and Lorraine Kelly say they just can’t put Jessie’s books down; they’re pageturners and will keep you up all night, reading, waiting for the next plot twist.

Jessie is working on her 16th book now in her home on the South Downs National Park and keeping very busy! Follow her on Facebook and Twitter #realjessiekeane

Poems, Piety, and Psyche David Keighley is a retired Anglican priest a teacher, psychologist, and poet. He has retired from Winchester diocese to live in Meonstoke after a ministry of forty years in churches in Hertfordshire and Cornwall before moving to Hampshire. He has maintained his professional and lifelong interest in the relationship between psychology and spirituality and currently works as a couples psychotherapist in the Froxfield area, his career before entering the church. His performance poetry show, also entitled Poems, Piety and Psyche, combines his three main interests: poetry, spirituality and the human mind. It explores the changing face of the church and its clinging to an outmoded theology.

It’s message is of hope for the future. He is a Tertiary of the Society of St Francis.

Confronting the crisis facing Christianity, his anthology of post-modern, progressive Christian poems, with a rebellious tone, demythologizes Christian theology. Poems, Piety and Psyche is a brave departure from literal Christian dogma and challenges the outdated ideas of doctrine and Scripture to disclose hidden truths still valid today.

This volume is an attempt to revitalize the church and reshape its future for current congregations and the missing generation of young people, scientifically literate, who are exiled from the church through its inability to absorb contemporary teaching of biblical criticism, the reality of evolution, the false idea of a God “up there”, and an institutional insistence on an unconvincing supernatural theology.

Christianity must be adapted to incorporate these and change, or it will

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die. David Keighley reclaims the original gospel message and takes us on a turbulent and challenging journey to the heart of what it is to be truly Christian. There is in these poems an emphasis on the teaching of the historical Jesus while rejecting nature miracles, the virgin birth, and bodily resurrection. Jesus’s divinity is that we can see God in him in the same way as we see God in the lives of each other, if we look closely enough. He is the author of a school nativity play based on the Old Testament, where nativity plays originate: Christmas Past, Christmas Present, performed for the first time in 2006 at Preston Candover C of E School.

“David Keighley probes beneath the surface of our faith and provides us with a basis for believing. So long as we have people like David, Christianity will live and renew itself.”

Bishop John Shelby Spong, former Bishop of Newark and author of “Why Christianity Must Change or Die” “This volume of poetry is a true treasure. Poems are words so twisted and so pressed that they express the matter more densely and subtly than if they were left to their own devices. Poetry is always greater than the sum of its parts. David Keighley’s poems have a beauty and sincerity about them that sound the depths, soothe the soul, and touch the heavens.”

Professor Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ Church, University of Oxford and author of “Power and the Church” “David Keighley’s word grenades - they aren’t quite verses - provoke and prod: What’s God? These gobbets of questing doubt are a lot more interesting than any virtual mass from an archbishop’s kitchen.”

Quentin Letts, ‘Times’ journalist, writer, critic and broadcaster and author of “50 People Who Buggered Up Britain” Available from Amazon or with authors discount at www.davidkeighleywriter.com

ENTERTAINMENT

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Poems, Piety, and Psyche Lord John Fortune pursues the French across the Peninsula.

Wuthering Wuthering Wuthering Wuthering Heights Heights Heights Heights

Surviving the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz he crosses the Pyrenees. adapted by adapted

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Poetry twists wordsthe into new depths, soothe soul and shapes andthe ideas that add to our touch heavens.” veryMartyn being. These poems Percy, Deanhave of a beauty and Church, sincerity University about them Christ that of sound the depths, soothe Oxford the soul and touch the heavens.”

Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ “David Keighley probes Church, University of Oxford beneath the surface of our faith and provides us with “David Keighley probes beneath a basis for believing in our the surface of our faith and troubled world.” provides us with a basis for John Shelby Spong, believing in our troubled world.” former Bishop of Newark John Shelby Spong, former Bishop of Newark

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FEATURE

Guide Dogs APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE MEON VALLEY community by placing the iconic Guide Dogs collection boxes in local shops and businesses.

Hazel Kelly, Volunteering Coordinator for Guide Dogs says “if you want to find a way to give back to a great cause and have some fun, then there is nothing better than joining one of our groups. It gives you the chance to connect with your local community, gain new friends and really make a difference to people living with sight loss.”

There are around 2 million people currently living with sight loss in the UK. In Hampshire alone, there are over 50,000 people according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) who are partially sighted or blind. While not all these people are registered blind, their sight loss still has a significant impact on their daily life, for example not being able to drive.

T

he local branch of charity Guide Dogs is urgently looking for new volunteers in Meon Valley. In particular they are in need of people to join their local fundraising groups, which organise community events and collections to help raise much needed funds. The local team is based in Southampton at Chandler’s Ford and has a range of fundraising groups spread out across Hampshire and surrounding counties.

The charity relies on donations to keep its vital services running and has suffered with the impact of Covid-19 putting a dent in much of their face to face fundraising activities over the summer. It costs around £57,000 to train and support a guide dog partnership, from breeding, training and ongoing support throughout the dog and owner’s life.

Guide Dogs has fundraising groups all across the country. This means that people can volunteer in their local communities and make a difference, while getting involved with a fun and positive group. While lots of activity is still happening online, the hope is to get out and about in the community once restrictions ease.

In Meon Valley, the charity is keen to recruit volunteer Collection Box Coordinators. This role involves building relationships in the

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Guide Dogs supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose. They provide a range of services from the iconic guide dog service, support for children and young people and volunteer-led services such as My Sighted Guide (a two-legged guide rather than a four legged one!) All of this work helps people with sight loss live independently, enabling them to take part in everything they want to do.

To provide these services the charity relies on an army of incredible and dedicated volunteers, and in Meon Valley they urgently want to grow the group to help raise vital funds.

Rachael MacLoughlin, Regional Volunteering Advisor for Guide Dogs says: “Our fundraisers are a crucial part of the Guide Dogs family, not only raising funds for our life-changing services, but also helping to spread the word in their communities about what Guide Dogs do and how we support people.

“Our volunteers tell us their top motivations for volunteering are to make a useful contribution and to support people living with sight loss. In fact, according to our latest volunteer survey (2019), 71% of volunteers strongly recommend volunteering for Guide Dogs.”

Whether you have lots of spare time or just an hour a week, the group has room for anyone interested in getting involved. Full training and support is provided and you can get started making a difference from home. To apply go to https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.

PROFESSIONAL / COMMUNITY

South Downs Funeral Service Your local, independent and family owned funeral homes of Denmead, Wickham and Clanfield 24 hour, local and personal service • Floristry service • Stonemasonry service • No deposits required

Managing and Principle Funeral Director: Mr Paul M Lee-Bapty DIP FD AFFIL RSH

Clanfield Funeral Home Tel: 02392 570239 43 Drift Road, Clanfield, PO8 0JS

Denmead Funeral Home Tel: 02392 231567

The Old Post Office House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, PO7 6NN

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Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club News Christmas Collections As I sit down to write this Press Release, we are just going into another National lockdown, which again is bringing with it much uncertainty about the weeks to come and what Christmas will be like this year.

One of the usual highlights of the run up to Christmas is our Christmas collections where we tour the streets of Bishop’s Waltham, Waltham Chase, Horton Heath, and Fair Oak with “Roger” our brightly lit and music playing Christmas Steam Engine. Unfortunately, with restrictions as they are, we will not be able to tour round as usual with Santa greeting the Children and taking their Christmas Present orders this year, but because we have been told on numerous occasions that Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club coming round with Roger the Steam Engine is the start of Christmas we feel we need to do something.

This year we will attempt to drive round most of our usual routes at some point during the first two full weeks of December, but we will not be making a collection and Santa will not be able to stop and talk to the children – this is obviously dependant on the restrictions in place at the time. If you want to know if we will be able to come round and when we will be in your area take a look at our website or “like” us on Facebook to receive regular updates.

As well as signalling the start of Christmas, Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club raises significant funds from the door to door collections so that we can support many charities both local, national, and international.

Unfortunately, there is still a need, most certainly a greater need this year, and because of this we still need to raise funds to be able to help out.

If you would like to donate to help us, especially with Roger the Steam

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Engine in mind, you can donate via our website using the “Donate” button at the top of the front page, or you can text ROGER followed by a number to 70085 to donate that number in pounds i.e. ROGER 5 – will donate £5. Texts cost the value of the donation, plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to donate, but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text ROGERNOINFO followed by the amount you would like to donate to 70085.

We are hoping to be able to have 2 static collections: Fri 18th Dec in Wickham Square - 0900 - 1600 Sat 19th Dec in Bishop’s Waltham High Street - 0900 – 1600 Crocus Planting In the last couple of weeks before we went back into lockdown, several of the Club were out planting purple crocuses to promote our work towards eradicating polio, which was highlighted in September’s press release. We hope that in the spring we will have a good display of purple crocuses in the shape of the Rotary logo appearing around the area in both Bishop’s Waltham (at the junction of Free Street and the Corhampton Road) and Fair Oak (by the new Parish Offices), these will add to the crocuses planted in previous years at both the Bishop’s Waltham junior and infant schools and on the bank by the corner of Hoe Road and Willow Road at the Cricklemede Roundabout.

Like our Facebook page or take a look at our website for updates on what is going on, what we have been up to and how you can help us help others! ian.treveil@bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk

PROFESSIONAL

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Nigel Chamberlain & Partners Independent Funeral Directors The Family Owned Funeral Directors of Bishops Waltham Serving the community since 1892

Home Care Provider & Consultancy Service Owned and Run by Registered Nurses Care as individual as your are, in your own home so you remain independent for as long as you need Take a break service also available 2 week trial of care to see if we suit each other

CALL FOR AN INFORMAL CHAT TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU Cared for Staff = Cared for Clients We value our staff as much as our clients If YOU are interested in joining our small and friendly team, please contact us as per details below.

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COMMUNITY Christmas 2020 - One to Remember The holiday season is now upon us and this year Christmas is often leaving very mixed feelings and uncertainty.

Instead of remembering Christmas 2020 as doom and gloom, lets bring together new traditions and new memories to look back on. This year of history can also be the year of how we celebrated differently!

Unfortunately, we cannot change what is happening ourselves and we have to embrace new ways of living, so let us try new ways of being festive.

Organise a Zoom call with family that you cannot visit. This way you can still share Christmas together and having that connection over the holidays makes all the difference and don’t forget to show off your best Christmas Jumpers!

Make a Christmas Eve box- For the little ones (or the big ones!)

A present you can open on Christmas eve. Why not fill it with a DIY Christmas eve pack, include new Pyjamas, fluffy socks, a Christmas movie to watch that night, hot chocolate (or beverage of your choice!), festive treats, a Christmas book or anything for your cosy Christmas eve.

Ready, Set, Bake. Have your own bake off, either between household members or in a group everyone takes pictures of their creations and most votes wins! Try a gingerbread house, festive cookies, a yule

Rotary Club of Fareham and shopping centre help charities during lockdown!

The Wishing Well in Fareham Shopping Centre has been collecting money from generous shoppers for many years and helping charities to reach their goals.

Now, during lockdown, the Rotary Club of Fareham is pleased to announce that a further £837.68 has been presented to the Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group locally to add to the amount of over £4,000 that the Club had already raised. Immediate Past President Michael Cleaves, who was born with muscular dystrophy, says “I am

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log or a traditional Christmas pud.

Secret Santa post. If your used to doing Secret Santa with a large group and restrictions mean you can no longer all meet to unveil your gifts, pick a gift that you can send straight to their door, you can then all meet via zoom and still open them all together.

Get Creative. A great way to keep busy and feel festive. Put on some Christmas music and get cutting and sticking. Make your own Christmas cards, tags, tree decorations and even your own Christmas wreath.

Neighbouring Carols. Christmas carolling is a common tradition but with restrictions in place this will no longer remain. In theme of our Clap for Carers- NHS weekly cheers throughout lockdown, why not organise a neighbour’s carol, pick a date and time and have a good old sing-along with all your neighbours all from the front doors.

Set a limit. With the year being very unsettled, many of us have been left short over the past months and the usual indulging at Christmas seems impossible.

Agree on a limit and stick to it. Decide on amount you will give between each person, there’s no need to go overboard. A fun idea is choosing a box for each person and only fill that box, this way everyone has one box each to open (however you wish to fill it!).

Spread the Cheer. Christmas is the best time to teach children about the true meaning of Christmas and giving to charities can become part of your yearly traditions, why not

so pleased that our Club, with shopping centre assistance, has been able to continue its support for children with this muscle wasting condition. It will hopefully also help for a better understanding through information, advice and research.”

Mike Taylor, Centre Manager of Fareham Shopping Centre, who allows the use of the charity Wishing Well prominently in the retail malls, says “We are delighted to help charities where possible. In addition to the monies collected for muscular dystrophy, the Centre’s own charity Dementia Friendly Hampshire also benefited alongside with a donation of £1232.68 which will support the Fareham and Gosport Group.” The charity is working to make Hampshire a county where people affected by dementia can live

make a collection box, fill it with nonperishable goods and decorate together.

Go together to drop of your gift at a local charity or food bank. The feeling of knowing you’ve done something to make someone else’s Christmas better will be a great continuing tradition.

Be Thankful. If this year has taught us anything it should be that we cannot take things for granted. Take time to enjoy the little things and enjoy as much festivities as possible. Send out greeting cards, send out thank you cards, give them a call, send a quick text. Make Christmas that little bit more special, this year more than ever.

Lapis Care would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for supporting us throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Together we managed to keep our business going and continue to support all of our clients with minimal changes. We have kept everyone safe and well and our staff have been beyond fantastic adapting to all the changes and putting clients needs first. Thank you Lapis Care Team! We wish them and all of you a safe & happy Christmas.

Tel: 01489 890016 www.lapiscare.com Unit 9, Shedfield House Dairy, Sandy Lane, Shedfield, SO32 2HQ

a good life, with opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities and be valued for who they are. Anyone who is keen to make a positive difference to the lives of those affected is very welcome to join the group by contacting Jane Ward at jane.ward@dementiafriendlyhampshire. org.uk or the local Dementia Friendly Fareham and Gosport group at groupdffarehamandgosport@gmail.com .

The Rotary Club of Fareham is grateful for Mike Taylor’s support through the shopping centre which is continuing through the Wishing Well’s current campaign for the Stubbington Study Centre. This will help local children at their residential outdoor learning centre where they can explore nature and the environment.

OUR DOORS ARE OPEN WIDE We are able to safely provide all treatments and are accepting new patients

WELLBEING

Fully participate & enjoy all the festive season has to offer this year What would YOU miss most during the Holiday Season if a Hearing Loss Developed?

A Survey by Action on Hearing Loss identified some unsurprising but impactful results. People imagined missing out on a number of key elements of the festive season that other take for granted such as; • The sound of Christmas Carols • The Classic Christmas Songs on the radio • The Soundtrack to much loved festive Films But what they thought they would miss the most was not being able to fully participate in conversations with family and friends As Christmas is the season of goodwill and merriment, all should be allowed to partake equally in the festive fun so Sam Longman resident Audiologist at the Alresford Hearing Studio has compiled these top tips for those with hearing loss, to help make the most of the time spent with loved ones this festive season Some Top Tips for the Party Season • Check that your hearing equipment is still right for you. Visit a skilled and experienced audiologist before the festive season for a free, comprehensive consultation .They can optimize your current hearing aids to suit noisy environments such as parties or restaurants and can recommend the equipment that handle these environments best.

• Check whether your hearing aids have directional microphones (two microphones instead of one), that are designed to reduce sounds from the side and the rear and focus on sounds in front of you. They will focus your hearing aids wherever your nose is pointing. So if you are facing into a noisy restaurant, the directional microphones will be focusing on the greatest amount of background noise. That is not good, when your hearing aids have directional microphones, the best spot to sit in is the one that will put room noise behind you. If you don’t have directional microphones, it may be time to consider an upgrade • Once you are confident in your equipment make sure you use it often, this allows your brain to adjust to different sounds over time o Using it only when you are faced with noisy situations tends to overwhelm the brain so you need to ‘train’ it to deal

18

with these situations. As you use them more your brain will start to distinguish between important and non-important sounds and adapts to the environment and makes it easier for you to follow the conversation. So start wearing your hearing aids every day in the weeks leading up to the Big Day!

When Out Socialising o If you have a choice between a long table or a booth, choose a booth this will allow you to be closer to the speaker at all times o Don’t sit near the kitchen, at the bar or near the entrance to the restaurant. The ambient noise from these locations may be distracting o If you are dining with a larger group, avoid sitting at the ends of the table. It is very difficult to hear from one end to the other so try to sit in the middle. Be realistic even people without hearing loss may struggle at this time of year o Look above you - are you sitting directly under the air conditioning, fan or music speaker? sometimes the restaurant will agree to turn down the volume of the music if you explain that it is too loud for you to communicate with your dinner guests o Look at the person who is talking. When you are in a challenging environment such as a restaurant, you are going to need to use some visual cues o Enjoy yourself but don’t drink too much - drinking alcohol increases blood flow to the inner ear, which can cause tinnitus – a ringing, buzzing or swooshing sound in the ears. This condition should resolve itself in a few hours, but can still really compromise enjoyment •

The Alresford Hearing Studio can also service and fine tune all makes and models of hearing equipment. They are able to provide the optimum solution for you to enjoy the festive season. They can also check for wax build up in the Ear Canal and if necessary remove it using state of the art micro suction techniques.

Come and see us today to ensure you get the most from the 2020 festive season. Call us on 01962 790749 to make an appointment with our friendly team

Feeling Isolated after lockdown…. Make the most of time spent with loved ones this Christmas with the latest Hearing Technology. We are offering a 2 week free trial on the Starkey Livio Edge, The worlds most advanced Hearing Aid. • Edge mode conducts an AI-based analysis of the environment to make immediate adjustments designed to improve speech audibility issues caused by background noise and even face masks.

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before Friday 18th December 2020

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RETAIL

Simon Lawson Jewelers 9ct gold peridot and garnet bracelet £1500 60 High Street, Bishop's Waltham Tel: 01489 895575 | www.simonlawsonjewellers.co.uk

Simon Lawson Jewelers Yellow gold 18ct ruby and diamond pendant - £1650 60 High Street, Bishop's Waltham Tel: 01489 895575 | www.simonlawsonjewellers.co.uk

The Natural Deli McCarthy's Farm Shop

Local gins available £37.95 each.

High Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AB

For all your Christmas needs, pop

Tel: 01489 896600 | www.thenaturaldeli.uk

down to McCarthy's in Wickham.

Winchester Road, Wickham, PO17 5HE

on your highstreet

Tel: 01329 832221 | thefruitandvegbox.co.uk

#shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses

Julia's Kitchen Christmas hampers using gorgeous high quality, tasty products.

Taking orders now. 1 High Street, Bishops Waltham, SO32 1AB www.juliaskitchenbw.co.uk

Westlands Farm Shop Local free range turkeys and lots more. Call our visit us to place your Christmas Order. Now open 7am -6pm Mon-Sat and 9am -4pm Sunday Tel: 01329 833832 | www.westlandsfarmshop.co.uk

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RETAIL

Boutique ME Order and Collect Available Pre and Post Lockdown. To contact us: Email - info@boutiquemebishopswaltham.co.uk Facebook - www.facebook.co/BoutiqueMeBishopsWaltham Tel: 07539 747879 | www.boutiquemebishopswaltham.co.uk

Botley Mills For all your pet gifts this Christmas! Variety of gifts now available at Botley Mills, Mill Hill, Botley, SO30 2GB Tel: 01489 772900 | www.botleymills.co.uk

Boutique ME ROKA Camden Limited Bag (Vegan Friendly) 5 Colours Small/Medium Available High Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AA Tel: 07539 747879 | www.boutiquemebishopswaltham.co.uk

on your highstreet #shoplocal #supportsmallbusinesses Andrew Smith & Son Auctioneers Fine Art, Asian Art, Antiques, Interiors & Collectables Tue 15th / Wed 16th Dec Itchen Stoke, Alresford, SO24 0QT Tel:01962 735988 | www.andrewsmithandson.com

Sweet Corner

Tashinga

Beautiful handmade Belgian chocolates presented in a choice of

Alan Fearnley Print - Signed and numbered by the artist. 1994 'Trib-

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ute' No. 481/850 depicting Ayrton Senna leading '94

Sweet Corner, 10 High Street, Bishops Waltham, SO32 2QS

Brazilian GP at Interlagos (pre owned) £270.00

Tel: 01489 892506 | www.sweetcorner.co.uk

Tel: 07988 109775 | High Street, Bishops Waltham, SO32 1AB

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FEATURE

Yule Do © LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2020

Sat in the kitchen with Himself, nursing a cup of tea and looking at her phone, she cogitated Christmas. Her thoughts increasingly littered with ‘No’s.

No Christmas markets; they’d toss a coin for who would drive and the loser got to watch the winner drink mulled wine. No carol concert where they belted out the hymns that hark-theheralded the Christmases of their childhood. No big family catch-ups. No parties and, quel dommage, no canapés – the best bit about the parties. Happy to hoover up her own bodyweight in canapés..

It was NOT beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

It WAS, however, beginning to sound a lot like the song that went on about there being no wine, no women, no fun, no sin and no wonder it’s dark… She even started to hum it.

Well, maybe not that bad. There was wine.

It was dark, though – and no wonder; short days and long nights, hurtling as they were towards Solstice. Although likely no public dawn gathering at Stonehenge this Midwinter, something she’d been thinking about doing for a decade. Maybe next year.

“This is more depressing than the first lockdown – how is that even possible?” Himself muttered, echoing her own thoughts.

Although this time she hadn’t got caught out with no emergency gin in the house.

“OK” she announced, suddenly standing up and waking the dogs “all this is hopefully not the end of the world, although it does feel like it. And it’s not forever, although it does feel like it. We need to shake off our maudlin mood and bloomin’ well count our blessings.” She was warming to her subject now and pacing up and down. The spaniels, optimistically thinking snacks and/ or walks, paced with her.

“We will still see friends and family. Probably in very small numbers. Maybe from a distance. Possibly outside. But we have coats, hats and gloves. Crikey, we’re British! If we Brits let a bit of cold weather get between us and a good time, we’d only go out during the eleven and a half days of summer. Less if there was something good on Netflix.” She winked at him and he allowed himself a small shrug.

However, she knew that out of necessity their Christmas would

22

WWW.LUCIAFOSTERFOUND.COM

be low key and budget. They’d voted to just get each other something small or home-made. But at least their far-flung brood could celebrate being well and they would all open their gifts together in the morning. On Zoom of course – very 2020.

“Sorry – I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but sitting around after Christmas dinner, wearing a sad paper hat and slipping into a turkey coma – just the two of us? Having watched all the decent films during lockdown? It seems a bit of an anti-climax.”

He forlornly stroked a passing dog’s silky head.

She looked down at him “Well, I’ve done some research. Cheer up Darling - December this year won’t just be about Christmas…

We’ll jumper-start it - see what I did there? - with Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on the 11th. Let’s donate to a great cause – and you won’t have to wear one. Bah humbug!

Also St Lucia Day on the 13th; a Scandinavian festival of light.

Poor old Lucia was apparently set fire to, stabbed in the throat and had her eyes plucked out.” At his horrified expression she admitted “Well no, that bit isn’t very merry, but we can light candles. It’ll be beautiful, festive...

Then what about Jane Austen Day on the 16th? Women everywhere can thank her for Mr Darcy; so handsome, so rich, so blissfully unaware of the pre-nup. And I can binge watch Bridget Jones.” At his puzzled look she added “Trust me, there’s a connection.”

She continued “And then, ta dah, Winter Solstice on the 21st.

This is the big one. The mystical pivot of the year and the promise of longer days to come. In marking the rebirth of the sun and the ride of the Wild Hunt, we’ll be joining in several millennia of celebrations. We’ll connect with the ancestors, drink some mead!”

Finally he smiled. And something else… did she detect a pagan glint in his eye? Promising.

“So you see, whilst there may be no parties, there’s an inexpensive smorgasbord of Yuletide jollity to be had before the 25th.” She threw her arms out theatrically before adding “And I’ll do canapés with everything!” The dogs paddled about happily, enthusiastically wagging their tails. They didn’t know what canapés were, but Mum seemed pretty worked up about them. Good enough.

So this year, this scary, tragic, unpredictable year, it seemed they would do Yule, with their own Yule Do. And it would do just fine.

Another song came to mind and she couldn’t resist warbling “Make ma wish come true-oooooh, baby all I want for Christmas is Yule..”

RETAIL / ANIMALS & PETS

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07712 545 700 Karen Dalmeny

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Veterinary Hospital & Equine Unit

Is your Pet a member of the Healthy Pet Club yet?

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The Horse Health Programme is a preventative healthcare plan saving you up to £150.

Our scheme is not an insurance - it is a monthly payment loyalty scheme that covers your pet for all preventative healthcare medicine including selected lifetime care medication.

We offer schemes for puppies and kittens, adult dogs and cats and rabbits

It is suitable for all horses, ponies and donkeys. Our competitively priced horse health plan includes more products and services than any other national scheme.

For just £10.99 per month, our health plan has been carefully designed with the cost conscious owner in mind.

So why not join now? Simply call 01329 833112 www.horsehealthprogramme.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Buckinghams Artisan Butchery - providing a range of meat for your Christmas feast

With Christmas only a few weeks away there is no better time to start thinking about your Christmas day feasts, although this year is going to be a little different than we are used to we still have plenty of options available for smaller gatherings. Whether it’s a fantastic local Free range Turkey or some 40 day dry aged Beef we have you covered. On another note we are pleased to announce that we have just picked up an award at the National Craft Butcher awards 2020, we managed to beat off the competition from around the country to scoop the best Meat in pastry with our Spanish Chicken En Croute. We make these fresh daily in the shop so pop along and try them for a midweek meal with a difference.

Find us on West Meon High Street (see our advert below) buckinghamsartisanbutchery.com

Suzy Blake Cake Atelier

Do you want to send a special gift to someone?

We provide afternoon teas, the perfect Christmas present!

Tel: 01329 562002 suzyblakecakeatelier.co.uk Facebook: Suzy Blake Cake Atelier

WEST MEON VILLAGE SHOP

WEST MEON

WE ARE AN ARTISAN BUTCHERY SELLING THE FINEST HAND SELECTED, LOCAL MEAT NEWSPAPERS • LENDING LIBRARY • ARTISAN BREAD GIFTS, GREETINGS CARDS & STATIONARY FRESH, LOCAL FRUIT & VEG • ECOVER REFILLS WHY GO FURTHER?

Local suppliers include EXTON PARK • WINCHESTER GIN • BOWMAN ALES NEW FOREST TONIC WATER • SOUTH DOWNS WATER DAMPNEYS • MEON VALLEY CIDER • FLOWER POTS BITTER HILL FARM APPLE JUICE

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Home delivery of all shop products MONDAY - SATURDAY - COVERING WEST MEON TO PRIVETT, BROCKLANDS, WOODLANDS AND BRAMDEAN. HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS - A DAILY PINT OF MILK AND PAPER FROM AS LITTLE AS £10.50 PER WEEK

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FOOD & DRINK

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Choose from freshly baked • Breads • Cakes • Christmas Treats • Sweet/Savoury Snacks Shop Enquiries: 01489 895331 Wholesale Enquiries: 01489 892555 E: stainersbakery@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: StainersBakery Instagram: stainers.bakery FIND US ON BISHOPS WALTHAM HIGH STREET

GREAT VALUE Celebrate the festive season with an owton’s christmas meat hamper

Owton’s at Chalcroft Farm, Burnetts Lane, West End, Southampton. SO30 2HU. Visit our online shop at; www.owtons.com. Email; shop@owtons.com

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GARDEN Blitz your baubles!

Strict rules about Covid infection control mean that there will be no internal Christmas decorations this year at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

Following an appeal from the chief exec's office, Winchester Magazine wants to help give staff and patients a festive boost by decorating the outside of the building and its grounds.

Anything old or new would be welcome - from baubles and window stickers to free-standing trees and solar lights. Everything will have to go outside rather than inside and will ideally be as cheap as possible so it doesn't walk off site. Decorations must be given rather than loaned.

If you have any surplus decorations from last year or can donate solar lights, wreaths, a Christmas tree, a free-standing Penguin or two or anything else, please drop it to the hospital direct FAO Lynn in the management office.

You are welcome to pull into a space in the car park at the front of the hospital for free if you're dropping off.

Alternatively, email liz@winchestermag.com.

Supply and planting large specimen trees and shrubs Espalier, pleached and instant impact hedges All trees and shrubs carefully selected Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance Free site visit and consultation

Please visit our website for all the latest news, information, second-hand machines for sale and special offers in the showroom.

Bosque is a trading name of Just Limegrass Ltd.

t: 01962 771800

Harko: 07710 502798 Tom: 07855 656984 www.bosque international.co.uk

26

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973, BUILT ON GREAT SERVICE AND VALUE FOR MONEY

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stay local

COMMUNITY / HOME The Curdridge Amateur Drama Group (CADG) Don’t feel down! Groups are good!

Difficult times can make you feel as if you don’t want to join in with anything but joining a group such as CADG can really give you a boost. Many groups such as ours are itching to get going and put on a great production. Maybe it “Promoting excellence and won’t be until after next summer, innovation in every aspect of but we will need extra performers staging local theatre.” and front/back of house members as not everyone will be available then. So, why not join us in the New Year? We are holding monthly fun quizzes and keeping in touch via Newsletters, Zoom and WhatsApp. Play readings, workshops and much more are all in the pipeline and ready to go. New members mean new ideas, new views and new skills, so see our website www.curdridgedrama. co.uk (also Facebook) and get in contact with us. Our productions are centred on The Reading Rooms at Curdridge, an ideal site as we are close to so many cities, towns and villages.

Rotary Club of Fareham spreads festive Scrubs cheer!

We’ve helped them before in the spring with £500, and now the Rotary Club of Fareham is once again supporting Team Scrubbers with the invaluable work they are doing to make Scrubs for the NHS during the pandemic.

It’s down to Lin Gell in Warsash who organises Team Scrubbers locally and they needed further funding - this time for their festive campaign. They have now started the mammoth task of making scrubs in Christmas patterns to help both staff and patients.

As Lin says “We simply don’t have the money to buy the vast amounts of Christmas material to start. We have the skills, through our dedicated volunteers, but not the fabrics. We are so grateful to the Rotary Club of Fareham for the hugely kind donation of a further £500 to carry out this work.”

As President of the Rotary Club of Fareham, Mike Hurley, says “We provided the money from our fundraising income and will be returning to face-to-face collections as soon as the pandemic allows. Watch out for us at Sainsbury in Fareham who so kindly allow us to collect for our charities – it could even be Santa in the spring!”

The shoppers of Fareham are always generous in donating their hard-earned cash for our Rotary charities and the Club is grateful that they support us in this way. The Christmassy Scrubs are destined for NHS hospitals along with Hospices, Community Nurses, wellbeing groups, mental health teams, surgeries and many more besides.

28

While the ongoing Covid-19 crisis has forced the Primrose Piano For those looking further ahead the planned “10th anniversary” festival will now be held from 9-12 September 2021 when guests will include clarinettist Michael Collins, guitarist Laura Snowden and BBC Young Musician Strings winner 2018, cellist Maxim Calver.

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29

COMMUNITY Meon Valley Lions Newsletter Making a big difference .. what its all about!

Meon Valley Lions secured funding of £4,395 from a generous benefactor to buy a Smartdrive ‘Power wheel add on’ to power up the wheelchair of a young lady in Bishops Waltham, this is life changing.

The Club received a letter of thanks from her mother saying “She can’t stop bouncing in her chair and grinning from ear to ear every time it is mentioned! It really will make a huge difference to her quality of life and it is so wonderful to see her so enthused after such a difficult year. Father Christmas literally delivered early this year!”

More help for the little people Meon Valley Lions Club is proud to support and sponsor the new Meon Valley Baby Bank based in Bishops Waltham. They have set up to help all families in the community who are in need of baby and children’s items up to 4 years of age. You do not need an appointment or referral to go to the Baby Bank, they welcome everyone. They also work with child and family care agencies, such as Home Start and local Health Visitors, to gift items by request to families facing financial and emotional stress.

The Baby Bank in now open on the first Thursday of every month. They are also raising money for new storage.

2021 Snowdrop Festival celebrates the first signs of spring

Fresh air and the beautiful, faithful first signs of spring are a reminder of the changing seasons and the promise of what’s to come.

So, shake off the winter and a year like no

30

Santa and his Elves Sadly, Santa and his elves are unable to help this year, but we will be out on the streets taking donations. So, if would like to help us help our local community, please keep an eye open for us. Or if you, or someone you know, needs help please get in touch.

Telephone: 07443 753780 To donate: Visit our website: www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk/ donate.html Text Donation: Simply text LIONS to 70490 to donate £3 Or if you would like to donate between £1 and £20 text LIONS followed by your donation amount e.g. to donate £5 text LIONS 5 or to donate £10 text LIONS 10.

Texts cost your chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

Send a cheque: made payable to Meon Valley Lions Club (CIO) to the address below Street Donations: We will be out and about between 9am and 1pm: Wickham Friday 4th December

Outside Westlands Farm Shop

Friday 11th December

Outside McCarthy’s Fruit and

Vegetables

Saturday 12th December other with the National Garden Scheme 2021 Snowdrop Festival. These glorious harbingers of the wonderful life of gardens to come can be viewed in 95 National Garden Scheme gardens throughout England and Wales during January, February and March.

On a wintry day there is nothing better than visiting a garden iridescent with one of the earliest flowering plants of the year. Whether you enjoy carpets of naturalised white in woodlands, meticulously grown rare varieties of snowdrops or gardens boasting a colourful mix of snowdrops, hellebores and other early spring flowers – there is something for galanthophiles and garden enthusiasts alike.

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, says: “Over the last few years the National Garden Scheme’s Snowdrop Festival has attracted

In the Square Swanmore Saturday 5th December –

Outside Central Convenience

Stores Bishops Friday 18th December – Waltham Outside Sainsbury’s

Saturday 19th December – on

the High Street Denmead Sadly we can’t get to Denmead

this year due to Covid19

restrictions Please help us support our local community Thank you to BBC Radio Solent On 27th October Lucy Ambache kindly gave us air time on her Local BBC Radio Gary Martin Solent show to describe how the last 6 months of COVID restraints have hit both our fundraising events and charity support. Our Christmas Programme and our aims for helping out have also been severely hit but we are doing whatever and wherever we can within the Meon Valley. Thank you for your support.

Dates for your diary Swanmore Fete 2021 - We’ll keep you updated on our website but in the meantime please add next year’s date to your diary: Saturday 10th July 2021.

Annual Ford Charity Fishing Festival 2021 – We’re sorry to report this has been cancelled for 2021.

tens of thousands of visitors to gardens.

Following the restrictions of 2020 there has never been a greater need to start the new year with the beautiful freshness of the first blooms of spring. But garden visiting at this time of year isn’t just for galanthophiles who are looking to discover a rare variety of snowdrop in gardens they may never otherwise find. Snowdrops are the perfect antidote to the winter blues and spending the afternoon at one of our Snowdrop Festival gardens is the ideal opportunity to get outside and enjoy some spectacular scenes at an otherwise gloomy time of year.”

Pre-booking is essential in 2021.

To find your perfect snowdrop garden and to book your ticket, visit ngs.org.uk/snowdrops or download the National Garden Scheme app.

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COMMUNITY / MOTORING “Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't you think?”

That is a quotation from Frank Baum, the writer of the wonderful Wizard of Oz…. and this fabulous show for all the family is just one of the productions that Titchfield Festival Theatre is bringing you next year, as we announce the publication of our 2021 brochure. In spite of the pandemic and restrictions, the TFT team have come together to present you with a full year of shows. There are exciting new productions from talented playwrights including An Evening with Rosie, Him & Me: The Tracy and Hepburn story and Lost + Found; classic comedy with the Lavender Hill Mob; popular favourites such as An Inspector Calls; the heart-warming Pollyanna; plus the exciting musical production with an 80s twist, Kiss Me, Kate.

A TFT season is not complete however without our annual Shakespeare summer festival, The Bard at the Barn. The 2021 summer plays at the historic Great Barn are The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer’s Nights Dream, The Comedy of Errors and Winter’s Tale.

The Titchfield Youth Theatre (TYT) promises some great shows too, with short plays and specially written productions including a rewriting of the classic love story, Romeo and Juliet on the Run. Finally, next spring sees the start of our brand-new children’s theatre for youngsters aged 3+, promising interactive shows of popular stories with songs, dancing and theatre skills for all the family.

Win £150 prize by capturing incredible beauty of night sky The enchanting Dark Skies of the South Downs National Park will be celebrated this autumn and winter with an awesome astrophotography competition.

As the clocks go back and the cosmos comes into view earlier in the evening, people are being invited to capture the beauty of the night sky in and around the National Park.

There are three categories available to enter: · South Downs Dark Skyscapes – an image that captures the star studded Dark Skies of the South Downs National Park. Judges will be looking for awe-inspiring photography that shows off the landscape and/or cultural heritage and the dark skies above it! · Living Dark Skies: people and nature – any image that captures human or wildlife activity. Ideas include images of people stargazing, people running or walking under the cover of darkness, or images of nocturnal wildlife or trees at night.

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Kevin Fraser, Artistic Director Titchfield Festival Theatre said, “With major funding to ensure that our venues are all Covid secure we are set to welcome you to a wonderful year of live theatre. 2020 has been a year unlike all others for all of us; and who knows what 2021 brings.

However, nothing deters us at TFT! I am proud to have an amazing team around me, directors, cast members, backstage and other volunteers… all of whom share our passion for great acting and superb theatre.

“I promise you plenty of laughs, foot-tapping music, excellent drama… and more besides. We are also firm believers in encouraging young talent, so I am especially excited by the launch of our new children’s theatre and our growing and dynamic Titchfield Youth Theatre. We look forward to welcoming you back – or online, with our live streaming productions.”

·

Our Magnificent Moon – judges will be looking for breathtaking shots of our nearest neighbour in the solar system. The South Downs Dark Skyscapes category must be taken in the South Downs, but there is no geographical limit on the two other categories and it’s hoped people living in towns and cities around the National Park will take part.

Please note that images can be taken any time since January 2018 and you can see the full terms by visiting: www.southdowns.gov.uk The first prize for each category will be £150, second prize is £75, and third prize is £50. Judging the contest will be Dan Oakley, “Dark Skies” Ranger for the National Park, Graham Bryant, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and Petersfield-based Tiffany FrancisBaker, author of Dark Skies. Images submitted for the competition will be shared by the National Park Authority on social media during the annual Dark Skies Festival, which will take places from 12 to 28 February next year. The festival celebrates the National Park’s International Dark Sky Reserve status, which was awarded in 2016 and recognises the South Downs as one of the 16 best places in the world to view the moon and stars. Please remember to stick to the Government guidelines around COVID-19 and being safe outside.

Our advice is to plan your trip ahead and look to visit your local green space, rather than travelling long distances, as per the current government guidance.

Please wrap up warm and remember to take a warm drink! For other tips on taking pictures at night please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/ dark-night-skies/top-tips-for-photographing-night-skies/

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Welcome to Ideal Commercials Ideal Commercials is a family run business that specialises in quality vans, trucks, pickups and other commercial vehicles. Ideal Commercials is based in Petersfield, Hampshire and our dealership is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. Established since the year 2000, we offer the best in new, used and nearly new vehicles all of which are available to customers in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and the wider UK. We’re proud to offer our customers a top quality service that is reliable, caring and customer orientated. Our dedicated, friendly and hard working team are always on hand to assist our customers every step of the way. Not only do we sell vehicles locally, but we can also deliver to customers throughout the UK. Nothing is too much trouble.

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Our wide range of stock means that we have vehicles to suit all needs, and if we don’t have the one you’re after, our Managing Director Andy Lane is dedicated to finding that vehicle for you. Whether you’re a man with a van, or a big business after a fleet of commercial vehicles, we are here to help.

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Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real-life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted, variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Be alert to fraud during this pandemic

a link in a suspect communication. Expect waiting times to be longer than usual. And if in doubt, don’t respond: genuine providers don’t need you to make a quick decision, or act immediately.

How to protect your finances from fraudulent activity during these uncertain times

T

he conditions we’re experiencing now, we have never seen in our lifetimes.

But the present does have several things in common with previous periods of turbulence: we are currently living through a climate of uncertainty, confusion and fear – and these are ideal times for criminals to take advantage of us.

While the chances of being targeted by a financial scam remain low, the consequences of falling victim can be devastating. Knowing what to look for, what to do and what not to do will help keep you safe.

The scams we’re seeing The global financial crisis came with an increase in fraudulent activity such as ‘phishing’ scams. These seek to trick people into disclosing personal information, such as bank account numbers and passwords, that could result in identity theft or financial loss.

The coronavirus outbreak has seen a similar rise in fraudulent activity. Particularly prominent are scams in which criminals aim to exploit trust in public bodies by imitating them in order to obtain personal information or money.

For example, some people have received emails purporting to be from the World Health Organization, with its logo, offering details of safety measures. Following the link, you are asked for an email address and password.

There’s also a text message that looks like it was sent by the UK government. It tells the recipient they are being fined for leaving the house during lockdown and requests their card details in order for the fine to be paid. One bogus email claims to be from HM Revenue and Customs, offering a goodwill coronavirus payment and asking for account details so that the payment can be made.

The prospect of an economic slowdown may also increase the risk of criminals promoting unsafe and unregulated investment and pension opportunities.

38

The procedures to protect us Authorities such as regulators and police are always seeking to identifying such activities.

Financial services companies are also always working to foil fraud, to increase their digital security, and to improve their practices. Usual procedure is always to: • Provide a secure website to log into, which is an HTTPS site, with a green padlock symbol in the address bar • Send withdrawal funds only to a verified bank account in your name • Ask you security questions to verify your identity when speaking to you on the phone It’s also useful to be aware of certain things that your own bank or financial services company will not do: • Ask you for your password over the phone • Send you an unsolicited email with a link to its login page, asking you to enter your credentials • Ask you for payment or credit card details • Notify you of a problem and request you call back immediately to discuss the problem further What we can do as individuals Be aware of these risks, and the practices that reputable companies follow; then if anything is out of the ordinary, you will know to leave it alone.

Remember too that if you’re not sure if a communication has come from a trusted source it claims, the customer services support of the genuine organisation is there to help with any concerns or queries. Always look those contact details up rather than following

Remember • No legitimate individual or organisation would ever ask you for information such as bank account numbers or login details • Banks will never ask clients to transfer money or move it to a safe account • Banks, HMRC, the police, the government, regulators and other bodies never cold call people asking for some form of banking identification • Don’t give your personal or financial details to anyone you don’t know or don’t trust • If you’re going to update your information or make payments, always log in to your account • Hang up if you’re ever cold called about an investment opportunity; it’s almost certainly a high-risk investment or a scam • An additional layer of online protection can be created by regularly changing passwords and using unique passwords for each account Further advice Use authoritative and reliable sources for information and guidance on the coronavirus, including the World Health Organization and government advice. There are also factchecking bodies such as Full Fact (fullfact.org), which now includes a dedicated coronavirus section.

Check the online security guidance from your banks and financial services providers.

Additionally, the following are all dedicated to tackling fraud: • Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk): report fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or using Action Fraud’s online fraud reporting tool.

• Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk): this national campaign offers free, impartial advice on email, phone-based and online fraud.

• Text 7726: report any suspected scam texts by forwarding them to your mobile network provider on this number.

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact Hyde Wealth Management on 01489 579270 or email stephen.hyde@sjpp.co.uk.

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