Meon Valley Forum - Issue 63 February 2021

Forum

ISSUE 63 FEBRUARY 2021

MEON VALLEY

Life in your Community

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

FEATURE SAY CHEESE

DROXFORD JUNIOR SCHOOL

YOUR COMMUNITY

The Ultimate Shrove Tuesday Pancake

By Lucia Foster-Found

New Promotional Video

All your local news and features

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

The local award-winning estate agency for the Meon Valley Bishops Waltham

Brook House, Brook Street, SO32 1AX

01489 893946

Bitterne

5 West End Road, SO18 5RR

023 8202 2192

Fair Oak

457 Fair Oak Road, Fair Oak, SO50 7AJ

023 8202 2199

Hedge End

13 St John’s Centre, St John’s Rd, SO30 4QU

01489 779030

London

121 Park Lane, Westminster, W1K 7AG

020 7079 1587

Each village surrounding our main offices has its own unique property micro-climate.

As part of the local community, we believe that great results and a complete understanding of your requirements cannot be solely achieved online.

Whether selling, buying, letting or renting, our teams in Bishops Waltham and Hedge End each have the time to use their experience in helping you with your next move.

At White & Guard we are keen to support the Meon Valley in as many ways as we can, and we are proud sponsors of community projects throughout the area.

whiteandguard.com

MEON VALLEY FORUM FEBRUARY 2021

CONTENTS 02 Property Management

Buying, selling, letting?

Find local estate agents and property management services

04

14 Feature

Say Cheese by Lucia Foster-Found

19 Motoring

06 Wellbeing

Looking after your health

08 Garden

Make your garden dream come true

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

Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Marketing Rob Harrison rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors

10 Professional

Lucia Foster-Found www. luciafosterfound.com

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Get in Touch Forum Publications Offices Unit 8A, Shelf House, New Farm Road,

13 Home

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk

Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

From Canine to Equine - all your animal needs

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

Find local schools and educational experts

Contacts

Design Manager James Curtis james@forumpublications.co.uk

09 Animals & Pets

Local services to keep your vehicle running smoothly

22 Education

09 Retail

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

Alresford, SO24 9QH Tel: 01962 735137

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

www.forumpublications.co.uk

14 Food & Drink

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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, 2021

COMMUNITY Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Club News

Not a normal year!

Looking back over the last 6 months press releases, the resounding theme seems to have been that this is not a normal year and how things are different, what has been cancelled and what will not happen! With the announcement that immunisation against Covid 19 will start imminently gives rise to the hope that we may be able to return to some sort of normality and put 2020 behind us and start planning for 2021.

With this firmly in mind here is a date for your new 2021 diary: The Bishop’s Waltham Rotary Carnival will take place at Hoe Road Recreation Ground on Saturday 12th of June 2021 The theme for 2021’s Carnival will be “Children’s Books”, so get your thinking caps on and start planning how you can support us as part of the Carnival Procession by getting dressed up or organising a float depicting a character or scene from your favourite Children’s Book.

Despite things we have managed to induct a new member into our Rotary Club and we welcomed Lynn Dow as our newest member at one of our weekly Club Zoom meetings. It was a bit different not being able to give her our usual sociable warm

welcome, over dinner at one of our usual meetings, but we look forward to getting to know her better, and not just on a computer screen at a virtual meeting, as we go into the new year.

Our present President Linda Treveil has put in an extended stint covering an 18-month period as President instead of the usual year. This has not been an easy time, trying to keep things running from a distance, and also having to make some very difficult decisions to cancel some very eagerly anticipated events, and dealing with difficulties and disruptions that our Club has never seen in its thirty plus years.

Due to the disruption to Linda’s year, with many of her major events cancelled, the incoming President Mandy Tourle, who should have taken over in July, agreed that Linda would stay on and then Mandy would take over in January and again she would do an 18-month stint. Once Mandy has completed her 18-month run we will then be able to get back to our normal July to June yearly cycle and we have Sara Walker, who will take over in July 2022.

Christmas collections & visits updates Last month we reported that we planned on taking “Roger” our brightly lit and music playing Christmas Steam Engine around the streets to welcome the start of Christmas regulations allowing! Thankfully we were able to drive around most of our normal routes with Santa waving from a suitable distance and although we didn’t knock on any doors, we placed a bucket with “Roger” for people to place donations in,

and combined with electronic donations we raised over £1000.00, which will definitely help us support worthy causes that are desperately in need of funds this year. We were also approached by several of the local schools who asked if we could visit this year with Santa and Roger, which we were happy to organise for them which raised the spirits in the schools in the run up to Christmas. We also did a very special trip to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester on Christmas Eve, where we were able to park “Roger” with Santa below the Paediatric ward windows and the children could wave and talk to Santa via telephone. This resulted from a BBC News report from the ward the day before, where they were explaining that they couldn’t have any special visitors inside the ward this year or put-up decorations etc.

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

Being an old railway line the trail is mostly flat and has a wide well made up path but due to inclement weather and increased footfall the trail is not in its best condition at present.

Start from West Meon:

Peddling Pensioners getting ready for a group ride in preCOVID times.

Meon Valley Trail A trail for everyone Discover a trail that leads you through English history. Once a railway line running from Fareham to Alton transporting local livestock and agricultural produce, the trail now spans 11 miles through picturesque countryside, from West Meon in the north to

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Wickham in the south. The trails entire distance is 11 miles (17.7km) using the old disused railway. The route has no stiles and is suitable for cyclists, walkers and horse riders (carriages are only permitted north of West Walk).

If you are considering undertaking the entire trail it would take 2 hours cycling and 6 hours walking (non-circular).

• All users may start from the car park off Station Rd. Walkers can also use the footpath link from the High Street.

• Head south along the trail for 10 miles to Wickham. End at Wickham: • To access Wickham town centre, exit the trail into the car park on your right.

Leave the car park, turn left onto Mill Lane and continue until you reach the town centre.

• If you wish to proceed along the trail without stopping in Wickham, the path continues for another mile To download the trail leaflet visit: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/01/South-DownsLeaflet-Meon-Valley.pdf

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WELLBEING Village Agent - Vision and hearing impairment Sensory impairment is a very common issue for people as they grow older.

Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help you cope with the issues arising from declining sight and hearing.

Visual impairment

can book by calling your local home visit team on: 07796 705239. Both organisations offer free NHS sight tests and help towards the costs of glasses, if you are eligible.

• Sight aids – Magnifiers, large button telephones, talking clocks and text-speak devices are available to help with everyday tasks. The NHS website provides more information https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/vision-loss/ • Support organisations: • The Macular Society 0300 3030111 https://www.macularsociety.org/ • Seeability 01372 755000 https://www. seeability.org/ • RNIB 0303 1239999 https://www.rnib. org.uk/ • Open Sight Hampshire 02380 641244 https://www.opensight.org.uk/ • The Partially Sighted Society 01302 965195 https://www.partsight.org.uk/

• Sight tests – You can arrange for an optician to visit you at home, by calling the Outside Clinic on 0800 640 9513 or booking online https://www. outsideclinic.co.uk/eye-test-at- home/request-an-eye-test/ Specsavers also offer a home visit service, which you

Hearing impairment

• Hearing tests - You can also arrange for a free hearing test at home, with the Outside Clinic, by calling 0333 255 4749 or booking online https://www. outsideclinic.co.uk/hearing-test-at- home/request-a-hearing-test/

Alternatively, contact your local Village Agent, Denise on: 07969 376023. Village Agents are volunteers who can help you find information and local services that will enable you to stay living safely and independently.

Winchester District Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can help you make a plan to manage your debt but in the meantime here are four steps you can take to get started:

1.

Lesley Rose, Advice Services Manager for Citizens Advice Winchester District, shares her advice on how to manage debt.

I’ve fallen behind on my bills and the debts are building up, especially after Christmas. I don’t know where to start?

You’ve already taken a great first step by asking for help, and it’s important to know you don’t need to face this alone. Your local

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Depending on where you live, you may be able to have an NHS-funded test and also free NHS hearing aids, should you need them. Specsavers also offer hearing tests at home, at a cost, by calling 0800 023 2949 or online https://www.specsavers.co.uk/ hearing/hearing-tests-at-home • Hearing aids – Audio amplifiers, text phones, specialist smoke detectors, vibrating clocks and watches, and flashing or vibrating doorbells, are available to help. The NHS website provides more information https://www.nhs.uk/live- well/healthy-body/hearing-aids/ • Support organisations: • RNID 0808 8080123 www.rnid.org.uk/ • Sonus 02380 220225 http://www.sonus. org.uk/index.html

Work out how much you owe - Make a list of whom you owe money to and add up how much you need to pay each month. If you don’t have your most recent statements, contact your creditor to find out what you owe. Some creditors will have special arrangements for people with Covid-related arrears.

2. Prioritise your debts - Your rent or mortgage, energy and council tax are called priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. Separate these and work out how much you owe. Again, you can ask the companies or council what support might be available during the pandemic.

3. Work out how much you can pay - Create a budget by adding up your essential living costs, such as food and housing, and taking these away from your income.

Citizens Advice has a budgeting tool that can help (www.citizensadvice.org.uk).

Any money you have spare can be put towards your debts, starting with the priority debts first. If you have any money left after paying priority debts, but not enough to make your usual payments on other debts, consider getting advice on the best way for you to start getting on top of them.

4. If you can’t pay your debts - If you’ve got little or no money spare to pay your priority debts or if you’re struggling to pay for basics like food, seek advice from Citizens Advice straight away.

We know it can feel very daunting to deal with debt, but having a plan really helps and our team will be here to help you each step of the way.

Contact Citizens Advice Winchester District on 0808 278 7861 or email them at advice@cawinchesterdistrict.org.uk

Felling more isolated and anxious during lockdown? are you having trouble hearing TV or talking on the telephone?

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COMMUNITY Meon Valley Lions Club Sorry, no Santa this year Santa runs are usually a large part of Meon Valley Lions Club’s fundraising events, but we were out in the villages and really impressed with the number of people who took the time to chat and make a donation, in these really difficult times. We'd like to thank everyone who supported us in raising over £2,500 which will be used to help needy causes shortly; one of the projects we are currently looking at is providing computers for schools to lend to those who need equipment to help with home schooling.

Christmas cheer Meon Valley Lions Club, following consultation with Age Concern, delivered 19 hampers to local needy residents. Eddy Barringer, President of Meon Valley Lions Club said, ‘thanks to the support of the public, it was our great pleasure to give just a little Christmas cheer to the most lonely and financially pressed residents of our area.’

New wheels for a local family Meon Valley Lions Club came to the rescue of a local family in need

of a ‘new set of wheels’. Basic tasks like going to the shops or school were a major challenge as the family were struggling to teach road safety to their 4 year old with autism. Providing the family with a buggy, for an adult child, will help all them get out and about safely and help teach their youngster about the dangers of the road.

Do you or anyone you know need help?

If you, or someone you know, needs help please get in touch on 07443 753780 or go to our website https://www. meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk/_contact.html If you’d like to donate: To go: Donations - Meon Valley Lions Club (CIO) (peoplesfundraising.com). 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. or you can visit our website at: www. meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk/donate.html or send a cheque if you prefer to donate by cheque, bank transfer or cash please email our Treasurer: treasurer@meonvalleylions.org.uk Please help us support our Local Community As always 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.

The Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery Sadly our two venues remain closed at the time of writing. But you can still access local Culture and History on our websites: www.hampshireculture. org.uk/curtis-museum www.hampshireculture. org.uk/allen-gallery And on Facebook https://www.facebook. com/allengalleryHCT https://www.facebook. com/curtismuseum There are many interesting photos of Old Alton as well information on items in the Collections, and if you have any queries - or perhaps recognise a scene – you can post a comment on Facebook or email our Manager Cerian Gale (email address at the top). Cerian will be checking the emails every week and she and Local Historian Jane Hurst will be glad to provide some extra background.

Hope to see you back at the venues in the near future. Jill Line The Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, Alton (01420 82802). cerian.gale@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk

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Local Family & Residential Property Solicitors

AWD Law is a traditional, yet modern, two-partner law firm with a difference. We offer professional advice in a friendly, open and personable manner.

Areas we specialise in Family Law • Conveyancing We have an established office in Fareham and a new premises in the centre of Bishop’s Waltham Bishop’s Waltham Office - Tel: 01489 664 778 The Merchants House, High Street, Bishop’s Waltham, SO32 1AA Fareham Office - Tel: 01329 232 314 4 The Potteries, Wickham Road, Fareham, PO16 7ET info@awdlaw.co.uk • www.awdlaw.co.uk

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Wills, Probate & Trusts We are here to help you

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MacDonald Oates LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. MacDonald Oates LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales under number OC344357. Our registered office is at Walltree Court, St. Peter’s Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3HT.

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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.

We look forward to meeting you

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2020 saw Nigel Chamberlain & Partners serving the local communities of Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham, Botley, Hedge End and the Meon Valley for over 125 Years as an Independent Family Funeral Service.

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COMMUNITY National Garden Scheme Hampshire

they could be out of date. Hopefully these regulations will not last very much longer, and we will be able to get back to welcoming our visitors, whether they have Pre-Booked tickets or not.

re-booked tickets only. These are available from our website, www.ngs.org.uk for a timed entry slot. We automatically restrict numbers for each garden, depending on that gardens size and visitor capacity.

In Hampshire our first gardens currently, planning to open are the Snowdrop gardens in February. This year we have two:-

Well - here we are again… This pandemic does seem never ending, but with the increase of cases still happening, despite this latest lockdown, and the Government advice to “Stay At Home”, we have taken the decision to close any of our gardens which were opening before the end of January.

This situation will be reviewed on a two weekly basis. The website ngs.org.uk will have all the up to date details of any openings, and the facility to Pre-Book tickets.

Visitors will, eventually, be very welcome to our gardens, but it is imperative that everyone helps to ensure that Government guidelines are adhered to. I would list the Regulations, but by the time this is published

South Downs National park Celebrating the starry night’s sky above us

Little Court, Winchester, SO21 2PU Opening: Sun & Mon14th & 15th February: 2pm to 4.30 pm: Admission: £5.00: Children Free. Refreshments: Home-made teas in the village hall

Bramdean House, Alresford, SO24 0JU Opening: 21st February: 2pm to 4pm: Admission: £7.50: Children Free Refreshments: Home-made teas Entry too all the above gardens is by

The fortnight of cosmic fun begins on Friday, 12 February with an action-packed line-up, including top tips for stargazing from your garden. The start of half-term on Monday, 15 February will see an interactive Facebook Live session, with National Park Rangers Charles and Kate setting up a stargazing evening in their back garden.

A night-time safari walk, short films on wildlife, talks from astronomers, live Instagram chats with acclaimed authors, and stunning footage of space will be among the highlights of the digital event. The event celebrates the National Park’s status as an International Dark Sky Reserve – one of only 18 in the world and recognising it as one of the best places globally to capture immense views of the stars.

Picture by Matthew Savage

Live tours of the night’s sky, stunning astrophotography, nocturnal wildlife talks, children’s colouring activities and a chance to win a top-of-the-range telescope are among the highlights of the National Park’s annual Dark Skies Festival.

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This system worked very well for us last year, once we were allowed to open. We just didn’t expect to still be using it again, as a condition, in 2021, although we will still be using the pre-booking system as an option, once we get back to some sort of normality. If you have any problem with booking your tickets, please feel free to contact me.

Looking forward to a rapid roll out of the vaccination for us all. Keep well and keep safe Pat Beagley (Publicity) National Garden Scheme - Hampshire pat.beagley@ngs.org.uk

Laura Warren, Events and Engagement Officer for the National Park, said: “Our Dark Skies Festival will be different this year, but we’re really hoping to be able to inspire people about how amazing and important our dark skies are.

“There’ll be something for all ages and activities you can do while staying at home, so please do join us for some light-hearted cosmic fun.”

Every day there will be a question to answer in our giant Dark Skies quiz and prizes include a state-of-the-art telescope and a year’s subscription to Sky At Night magazine.

Each day of the festival we will also be sharing images from the Astrophotography Competition and revealing the winners. The full programme will be published on the South Downs National Park website later this month.

South Downs National Park South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst West Sussex, GU29 9DH Tel: 01730 814810

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COMMUNITY

Say Cheese T © LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2021

WWW.LUCIAFOSTERFOUND.COM

o say Veganuary had been an unqualified success would be a lie. A Dairy big lie. Himself hadn’t been keen on the concept, mumbling something about it sounding gynaecological, as he laid into a hangover-busting cheese and bacon toastie on New Year’s Day. On 2nd January she’d watched him hunter-gather assorted cheeses and pickles from the fridge. On the 3rd she’d thrown in the towel when he’d looked so happy munching on a turkey and ham pie, with its cheddar pastry crust. Good job really, there were four more in the freezer.

Should have bought a smaller turkey. And definitely less cheese; shopping on-line from pictures, you really had to check the quantities.. The Cheddar? – block like a monolith. The Camembert she intended to bake for two? – size of a cartwheel.

But that much-needed bottle of hand gel? – tiny, pocket-sized.

Thought it was cheap.

By the time February had arrived, those warm, fuzzy, escapist thoughts of Christmas had receded to the dim and distant Past-eurised. But grateful they were OK and their family weren’t sick, they looked for small distractions to lighten their mood.

That was when Himself suggested they do Februdairy. Surprised, she wondered if she’d Curd him correctly. “It’ll be fun.” He said. “Support the British Dairy industry.” He said. “We can eat cheese…” He said.

Which was how Sunday evening found her with a cheese omelette half eaten on her plate, watching Ski Sunday. For no apparent reason, however, she welled up. Himself, who had cooked supper, looked dismayed. “Oh darling – it’s not that bad is it?”

Actually, les oeufs avec fromage did have an interesting texture.

She’d been brushing up on her French ahead of some future, hoped-for holiday, but the correct words for ‘unexpectedly ruberoid’ didn’t spring to mind.

“It’s not the eggs, they’re lovely” she fibbed. “I’m being pathetic, I know.” The theme tune, so evocative of past wintry Sunday afternoons, had set her off. And these days it didn’t take much. If she didn’t keep a lid on it she’d blub all the time. “I love Ski Sunday, but the resorts are deserted, there aren’t many spectators. It was

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just a bit of a shock, because after the familiar music I stupidly somehow expected it all to be normal?”

“I’ve got the opposite problem.” He confessed. “I’m looking at programmes that are ‘normal’ and I’m briefly horrified they’re not social distancing or wearing masks. Begs the question, what is normal now..?”

By breakfast the next morning, she’d had a thought “Pancake day’s still normal – even now. So let’s do that at least. I’ll make the usual sugar and lemon ones.” It would be something to look forward to and a nice change from anything with cheese. Her jeans felt tighter; she had a nasty suspicion she might be getting a little bit Feta.

“Gouda enough! You’re on.” Himself was eager. “Also, Valentine’s day is coming up. How about we dress up as if we were going out to dinner. We’ll eat at the table, light some candles – play a little music, drink some wine. It would ‘normally’ just be the two of us for Valentine’s anyway.”

She liked it “Grate idea.”

“And I’ll cook!” he announced with glee. “Perhaps something with cheese..” His face lit up. “A raclette. Cheese soufflé maybe? Stilton and broccoli soup. Turkey mornay anyone?”

Bless him for his enthusiasm, but she was getting a tad cheesed off.

Choosing her words Caerphilly, she said. “What a Brie-lliant idea darling!” Himself looked pleased. “You’ll be looking dashing and handsome like something out of Fifty Shades of Gruyere, but maybe not really dressed for cooking? So perhaps a takeaway..?” she suggested, thinking it would be nice to have a meal they hadn’t had to cook themselves.

She elaborated “Fish and chips would be lovely.” Pretty sure the local chip shop did not do cheese in batter. “Sweet and sour chicken might be delicious.” Never seen cheese on the menu in the Chinese either; a mixture of relief and anticipation washed over her and she salivated.

However, momentary disappointment flitted across Himself’s face, together with a sad little look of longing.

“With some cheese and biscuits to finish off.” she conceded.

She was, after all, very Fondue of him.

LOVE YO U R G A RDE N Make Happy Memories

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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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FOOD & DRINK

The Ultimate Shrove Tuesday Pancake Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Total: 30 mins Servings: 6 These pancakes are deliciously fluffy. Using simple and perfect ingredients. Fresh eggs, fresh blueberries, and ricotta cheese make for an amazing dish. Add in some fresh lemon zest and you've got zesty, sweet, pancakes.

These pancakes are really easy to mix together, you can replace the blueberries with other fruit, but the taste combination of lemon together with blueberries is the best. The easy, lemon syrup compliments the tangy wild blueberries and the soft, fluffy pancakes so nicely.

Ingredients 1 egg 1 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon milk (divided) 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons butter (melted, plus more for the pan) 1 lemon (zest and juice, divided) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1 cup sugar Method Beat together the egg, milk, ricotta cheese, melted butter, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

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Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry mixture. The dough will be a little lumpy. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.

It will puff up. If it is too thick, add a little more milk. Heat up a flat bottomed pan on medium heat before you begin.

Make sure it gets nice and hot before you start cooking the pancakes. Add a generous amount of butter to the pan, then lower the heat to a medium-low temperature. Spoon large circles of batter onto the pan. Cook in the pan for a few minutes.

Add blueberries to each pancake and flip, cooking a few more minutes on the other side. (A good rule of thumb is to wait until the bubbles stop popping and reforming on the raw side of the dough before flipping.) Keep the pancakes warm in a 200 F oven while cooking the remaining cakes.

For the Lemon Sauce Whisk together the lemon juice, powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl. If it is too thin, add a little more sugar. If it is too thick, add a little more milk! Heat slightly if desired.

Drizzle the syrup over the pancakes and serve warm.

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19

COMMUNITY Meon Valley in the national spotlight as an alternative to the Cotswolds

when compared with the “oversubscribed and overvalued” Cotswolds.

The Sunday Times this week picked out Westlands Farm Shop and its Meon Valley Milk vending machine in the store for particular mention. The article also highlighted The Bakers Arms in Droxford which won the Good Food Award in the 2021 Good Pub Guide.

Hugh Graham, in the Sunday Times article Cotswolds RIP, described the Meon Valley as an idyllic patch of countryside roughy between Petersfield, Winchester, Alton and Portsmouth.

A country farm shop at the heart of the community is in the national spotlight after being named as one of the reasons why the Meon Valley in Hampshire is a great alternative to the Cotswolds.

Westlands Farm Shop, near Wickham, was listed as one of the key features of the Meon Valley and a reason why the area has become a great alternative place to live

“With clear chalk streams, rolling open countryside, thatched cottages, country pubs, ancient churches, lavender farms, vineyards and wineries, not to mention Hambledon, ‘the cradle of cricket’, this is vintage English countryside,” he wrote.

Graham Collett, who owns and runs Westlands Farm Shop, said: “Those of us who have lived and worked here in the Meon Valley for very many years have always known about its natural beauty and charm.

“But to have our farm shop listed with just one other business - the fabulous Bakers Arms at Droxford - in an article about reasons why the Meon Valley is a great place to live is a fantastic accolade.

“We refurbished and relaunched the farm shop during this pandemic and were only able to properly reopen in October of last year, so to have had this sort of impact in such a short space of time is remarkable.

“We know our customers love what we do - they are especially keen on the fresh milk vending machine from Meon Valley Milk and the Fill eco-laundry and household cleaning products that we provide too - but we are always thinking of how else we can develop what we offer for the whole of the community.

“As a farm shop we will always be wellknown for the quality of the meat that we sell and the range of fresh vegetables we have available, but we are now pushing the boundaries further to provide what our customers want and need from their community farm shop.”

Droxford Junior School – new promotional video After a very long term; week and day we have finally managed to get our latest school promotional film in the 'can'. Ben Clowes, a London based film maker, recently spent a wet and windy Friday with us dodging rain showers and avoiding all the scaffolding from the buildings' external redecorations; filming children, teachers, and the school environment and conducting interviews.

He spent a few days editing and sending me versions and we decided on this final, fantastic version using some existing drone footage we already had.

This short video is designed to showcase our lovely school to parents present and future.

It celebrates all that we do and have done, to ensure our children get the best education we can provide. It is important the parents at our linked Infant Schools: Meonstoke Infants and Newtown Soberton Infant Schools can see what their child's future Junior School is like.

It is also crucial to promote our school as an exciting proposition for anyone interested

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in applying to our school. We know we don't always have the 'footfall' of visitors to our school due the nature of where are sited; tucked away in the lovely village of Droxford.

We feel this short video really highlights the breadth and depth of our curriculum and what wonderful outcomes the children of the school have contributed towards. We are very proud of what you can see. It is authentic and genuinely promotes our core purpose: to educate, inspire and motivate in a safe, happy and nurturing environment.

Scan this QR code to watch the short video.

If you have any questions about our school, including school places and wish to have a friendly conversation, please don't hesitate to contact me via the school office adminoffice@droxford.hants.sch.uk With best wishes Matthew Dampier - Headteacher www.droxfordjunior.co.uk

D

DON S DOORS

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Call 02380 600027 to arrange a free no obligation survey and quote Unit 9 & 10, Vicarage Farm Business Park, Winchester Road, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, SO50 7HD sales@donsgaragedoors.co.uk • www.donsgaragedoors.co.uk

EDUCATION

A leading independent day, weekly and full boarding school for girls aged 11-18

It’s who we are.

Join us on one of our open days: Saturday 13 March Friday 7 May Saturday 26 June

Please contact us to book your visit: www.stswithuns.com | 01962 835700

Making a happy start to school Insider secrets from the experts at St Swithun’s Thursday 25 March, 7pm This online mini conference includes: 1. Thriving in preschool and reception 2. Practical tips to practise at home 3. Making the most of the outdoors 4. Promoting a healthy mind and a healthy body 5. Live Q&A session with experts from St Swithun’s preschool and reception Booking essential: vwww.stswithuns.com/happystart | 01962 835750

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