Meon valley 29 by Mark Tubb

Meon Valley

FORUM Hampshire People - Jack Stein Claire Thurlow - Nature Writer Jane's Kitchen - Winter Warmer FEBRUARY 2018 • ISSUE 29 • WWW.FORUMPUBLICATIONS.CO.UK • REACHING 18,750 READERS * BISHOP'S WALTHAM LANGRISH STROUD

BOTLEY

LOWER UPHAM

SWANMORE

CLANFIELD MEONSTOKE

SWANWICK

CORHAMPTON NEWTOWN

TITCHFIELD

UPHAM

CURDRIDGE

PETERSFIELD

DROXFORD SHEDFIELD

WALTHAM CHASE

DURLEY SOBERTON

WARNFORD

EAST MEON

EXTON

SOBERTON HEATH

WEST MEON

WICKHAM

HAMBLEDON SOUTHWICK WORLD'S END 1

The Paddocks - Corhampton

Prices from ÂŁ450,000

A collection of stylish, individual character 3, 4 and 5 bedroom new homes in a delightful location in the sought after Meon Valley village of Corhampton

Thinking of moving in 2018? Call now for a free valuation

Weller Patrick would like to offer you a free valuation of your property. To book your appointment or discuss any of our services, please call our experienced and friendly team on

01489 893555 Weller Patrick are independent estate agents established in Bishops Waltham since 1973. We are a well known agent in the Meon Valley and Hampshire market successfully selling properties in all price ranges from our prominent high street offices. Our friendly and helpful team under the directorship of Michael Patrick are highly experienced and we believe in providing quality service at all times. We appreciate that buying and selling a property is a big decision and we are always keen to ensure our clients and customers are provided with the very best advice and assistance.

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

Editor - Mark Tubb Tel: 01962 735137 editor@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Advertising - Steve Walker Tel: 01962 735137 stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk

WELCOME I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

OUR TEAM

Inside

Advertising Manager - Mandy Head Tel: 01962 735137 mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Marketing - Rob Harrison Tel: 01962 735137 rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk Design Manager - James Curtis Advertising & Creative Design james@forumpublications.co.uk

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

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

MARCH COPY DEADLINE FEBRUARY 12th Printed on recycled paper 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. The 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. The Meon Valley magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. ÂŠ Forum Publications Ltd, 2017 * Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household

05 Community

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

08, 10, 12, 16, 20, 26, 30, 42, 44, 50, 54

06 Professional

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

14 Garden

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

22 Features

Hampshire Mum, Market Square, Claire Thurlow, Hampshire People, Jane's Kitchen & Iris Crowfoot

28, 32, 34, 40, 48

23 Wellbeing

Looking after your health and yourself!

36 Food & Drink Eat out, stay in: food, drink and dining in Hampshire

41 Home

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

award winning kitchen makeovers

After Makeover

Upto 50% cheaper than a new fitted kitchen Mrs Ward tasked Happy Kitchens with a makeover whilst incorporating major changes. Ben came up with a beautiful design and costed this kitchen at just under half of the quoted costs, from brands such as Wren and Magnet. Not only did it cost less the quality offered was much higher, hand made units and worktops fabricated to order. All this made Mrs Ward a Happy Customer. At Happy Kitchens, we offer a wide range of makeover services ranging from replacement worktops, kitchen doors, splashbacks, hinges and wirework to new appliances and much more. We also offer new kitchen design and installation services too.

Less time | less hassle | less cost T: 01489 339177 W: happykitchens.uk ∙ Change as much or as little as you'd like ∙ Free no obligation quotation ∙ We can even colour match your existing units

Meon Valley Forum readers save 20% during February

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FEBRUARY 3 FEBRUARY

Imbolc: Celtic Spring Festival at Butser Ancient Farm Join us for the afternoon to celebrate the end of winter! Hosted by Jonathon Huet, the afternoon’s entertainment will include storytelling, poetry, singing, firelighting and a light, warming meal – all included in your ticket price! Tickets are £12 per head - book at www. ticketsource.co.uk/event/FDMIGJ

If cloudy, we will reschedule this event for the following evening: Friday 16 February.We will let you know by midday on 15th, by email, if we have to reschedule.This event is free of charge, but requires booking. For more information and to book please visit www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/stargazing-at-old-winchester-hilltickets-41381995663

10 FEBRUARY

Winchester Choirs sing together At Guildhall,Winchester, £5 to sing or listen, kids free. 1.30-10.30pm, cash bar, tickets from reception at Guildhall.

3 MARCH Barn Dance With caller Ian Nicholls and iFolk. At Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop's Waltham. 7.30pm - 11pm.Tickets: £15 to include Ploughman's Supper. Licensed bar and raffle. Tickets available from The Anvil, Bank Street, Bishop's Waltham. Contact Heather Cox on bwtwinning@gmail.com or phone 01489 894252

Skittles evening at the Phoenix Inn, Twyford At 7pm with curry supper. contact Sue Cooksjcook@winchester.gov.uk £12 per person

11 FEBRUARY

MARCH

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

What's On

life.Yet Canada and Alaska are vast areas, with thousands of hectares of untouched natural beauty. At our usual venue of The Junior School, Ridgemede. Starting at 7.30pm; Doors open 7.15pm; Raffle, Club News, Refreshments; Guest fee £2

20 - 24 MARCH 16 & 17

FEBRUARY

Alton Winter Beer Festival The beer festival is organised to support local charities and will be held at Alton College. There will be a range of beer, cider, wine, food and music. Join in with the friendly festival with the focus on drinking for charity! For more information call: 07789 430892 or visit www.altonbeerfestival.org.uk

Curdridge Amateur Drama Group presents "Curtain up on Murder" After a fantastically successful ‘Snow White’ Panto, with sell-outs at virtually every one of the eight performances, audiences will be delighted with our Spring presentation “Curtain up on Murder”. A murder, mystery, comedy thriller evening that will keep you guessing! Just who IS the murderer? With trap-doors, ghosts and plenty of tension don’t miss out on March 20th, 21st, 22nd,23rd and 24th from 7.45pm at the Reading Rooms, Curdridge. Our new on-line ticket scheme makes is so easy to book at www.curdridgedrama.co.uk (from 15th January)

15 FEBRUARY Stargazing at Old Winchester Hill with South Downs National Park Authority Join us at Old Winchester Hill from 6pm - 9pm for an evening of stargazing (by kind permission of Natural England).Telescopes and expert astronomers will be on hand to guide you round the night sky. Please wear warm clothing suitable for the weather, and sturdy footwear. Bring a small hand torch, and binoculars if you have them. Booking essential. Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve is two miles east of the A32 at the village of Warnford.The meeting point will be in the main car park. Detailed directions will be sent on booking.

28 FEBRUARY

22 - 24 MARCH

Bishop's Waltham Gardening Club: Canada, Alaska and The Butchart Gardens The Bishops Waltham Gardening Club is pleased to announce; Canada, Alaska and The Butchart Gardens: A fascinating subject presented by Jenny Carter. Jenny is known to many of us and has presented several different subjects at our meetings.This promises to be her best yet, on a subject very little known to us, and one that would be overlooked when talking of plant-

Soberton Players present ‘Allo ‘Allo Soberton Players present ‘Allo ‘Allo at Soberton Village Hall SO32 3PF on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd March at 7.30pm.Tickets £8 adults, £4 school-age children. On Saturday 24th March the performance will start at 7pm and include a two course meal. All profits from this Charity Dinner will be donated to The Rowans Hospice. Bring your own booze.Tickets are £22.To reserve tickets email tickets@ sobertonplayers.co.uk or ring the Box Office on 01489 878724

PR OMOTION ISSUE 29 | FEBRUARY

Pearsons Bishop'sWaltham

earsons Estate Agents are delighted to announce the opening of their new office in the centre of Bishop’s Waltham.While the company already has a significant presence across southern Hampshire, this latest addition to the Pearsons network consolidates the company’s coverage of the popular Meon Valley area. The Pearsons Bishop’s Waltham office will provide comprehensive sales and lettings services along with specialist support to deal with sale by auction, land acquisition, development (new homes), surveying, property and block management along with mortgages and financial advice.

The new Bishop’s Waltham office is run by a friendly team of property professionals with plenty of local knowledge • The team will be led by Debbie Passells, a Pearsons company director who has demonstrated her flair and passion for sales over many years of service. • Polly Shinton is taking on the Sales Negotiator role. Polly is one of the ‘rising stars’ at Pearsons and brings talent, enthusiasm and fresh thinking to her work. • Lynn Thompson is in charge of sales progression and administration, drawing on her extensive background in new homes, part exchange management and

company administration. Lynn also has her finger on the local pulse, having lived in Bishop’s Waltham since childhood. • Cliff Ciorra is taking care of the lettings side of the business and looks forward to helping landlords in Bishop’s Waltham and the wider area. • Ian Spicer will be providing right-hand-man support to the sales team, drawing on his considerable experience. •

Graham Lock is the mortgage and protection consultant for the branch. As a specialist in residential mortgages, Graham is the perfect person to help and advise anyone wishing to move into the area.

Bishop’s Waltham itself is a great place to work and an even better place to live.The attractive country town has all of the oldworld style and charm you could wish for along with modern amenities (including specialist shops, bars and cafés), local schools and doctors and excellent public transport options. If you are looking to buy or rent in rural Hampshire then please call in to the Pearsons Bishops Waltham office and let us help you find your perfect home in the country. Pearsons Bishop's Waltham Tel: 01489 660860 bishopswaltham@pearsons.com www.pearsons.com

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P R OF ESSION A L ISS U E 29 | FE B R UARY

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COMMU N IT Y P R OF ESSION A L ISS U E 29 | FE BRUARY

Community

HAMBLEDON FOLK CLUB LISTINGS FOR FEBRUARY

WINCHESTER 10K ROAD RACE SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY

he Winchester 10km Road Race with be held on Sunday 25th February 2018. The race will feature a 1 lap route is a mix of urban and countryside starting outside Winchester Guildhall in The Broadway. The route heads up the High St before going out towards the village of Kingsworthy. The return leg passes through the village of Headbourne Worthy and back towards Winchester before finishing at The City of Winchester Football Club ground. Turn up and race! No pre race registration is required. Race Packs (number and timing chip) will be posted out 2 weeks before the event (Please ensure you register with your correct address and inform us of any changes). For all finishers there will be a custom medal and finishers t-shirt. The race starts at 8.45am at the Winchester Guildhall, 168 High St, Winchester, SO23 9BA. The minimum age for entry is 16. Bottled water, bananas and haribos at the finish! Bag Drop at the start – £1 per person (100% of the proceeds go to the charity running the bag drop). Free Key Drop (drop your keys off at the start\pick them up at the finish). Sorry no headphones allowed, UKA update on the rules can be found at www.runbritain. com/news/wearing-ofheadphones-in-road-races.

Recommended car park is St Peter’s, Gordon Road, SO23 7DD which is roughly 800 metres from the start and 800 metres from the finish. Car Parking is free on Sundays. Tickets cost £18 if you are a UKA club member, or £20 if you are a non-member. For more information and booking please go to offbeatevents.com/event/winchester-10k-road-race-2018/ 8

Wednesday 14 February Barrie & Ingrid Temple

Barrie and Ingrid are well-established harmony singers from Newcastle upon Tyne with superb voices. Returning to Hambledon by popular demand, their stirring songs are mainly traditional (both serious and humorous) with original arrangements and accompaniment by Barrie on English concertina and guitar. They also sing Barrie’s songs, written in traditional style, many of which have been recorded by other performers both here and abroad. Their warm personalities and Geordie humour as they chat and sing to their audience ensure a lively, engaging performance. “Like friends singing to friends!” (Paul Ryan, Black Diamond Folk Club) www. barrieandingrid.co.uk

All Gigs:

Venue: The Youth Hut (between Village Hall and Vine Pub), West Street, Hambledon PO7 4RW. 8.30pm start (doors open 8.00pm). Floor spots and guests welcome! Entry: £10.00 (£8.00 members, £5.00 under 18s and students) Drinks from Vine Pub next door or bring your own. Tea/Coffee at the Club. Enquiries and booking/ reservations phone: 02392 632719 or email folkclubhambledon@ hotmail.co.uk. Website: www.hambledonfolkclub.com

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

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

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

Veterinary Hospital & Equine Unit Is your Pet a member of the Healthy Pet Club yet? Would you like to save money?

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

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P R OF ESSION A L ISS U E 29 | FE B R UARY

Animed

PLUS MiHorse Club is the only club where you save money with your vet, with a 10% discount on all veterinary treatment! So why not join now? Simply call 01329 833112 www.animedvets.co.uk/MiHorse-Club

Tel: 01329 833112 www.animedvets.co.uk ANIMED VETERINARY GROUP

SHEDFIELD

SO32 2JG

COMMU N IT Y P R OF ESSION A L ISS U E 29 | FE BRUARY

Community Professional BISHOP'S WALTHAM ROTARY NEWS

NIGEL CHAMBERLAIN & PARTNERS SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS

otary Christmas Collection. I bet you didn’t expect to see a photograph of Father Christmas in the February edition of the Parish News. Well, I just wanted to get your attention, as the club collected almost £4.5K; the largest amount ever, and that’s thanks to the kindness of yourselves in generously donating your cash. As usual, these proceeds will be distributed mostly to local, worthy causes during the coming year. Thank you. BW Lunch Club is just one example of where the collected proceeds go. Every week an army of ladies prepare and serve lunches to BW folk in the Jubilee Hall. The attendance is usually between 50 and 60, and they are served with a freshly prepared lunch. Many are transported to and fro by the Bishop’s Waltham Minibus. December 14th 2017 however, was a special day, as nearly 70 guests attended the Christmas Lunch with decorations, sherry and wine, as well as a present for every guest. The Rotary Club of Bishop’s Waltham has supported the Lunch Club (and the Minibus) for many years, and the Club made an extraordinary donation to help with the cost of this Christmas meal. Gill Stainer and Janice Roamer lead the team of lady caterers.

Future Activities planned by BW Rotary

As many of you know, Rotary doesn’t just raise money for charitable giving; the idea behind the movement is to enjoy the process and have fun whilst doing good for the community. So, it seems a good idea to share with you some of the planned club member activities for 2018, A trip to London in April is planned to include a visit to the Houses of Parliament, the Churchill War Rooms, and possible the Tate Modern. A trip to see Prince Charles’ garden at Highgrove is planned for later in the year. We don’t have ticket dates for this yet. Also in April, a group of us will be riding around the Isle of Wight in an attempt to raise funds for a major national charity. In May, the club will be spending time with other Rotarians from Nantes, our twinned club in France, who we operate a visit exchange with every other year. This year is our turn and the activities will be centred on historic Winchester. If you would like to know more about any of the activities above, please drop me a line at mike.berry@ bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk 10

igel Chamberlain & Partners have been serving the communities of Bishops Waltham, the Meon Valley, Wickham, Botley and the many surrounding Hampshire villages for well over 100 years and can trace their continuous history in the funeral profession back to 1892. Together with our dedicated team of qualified staff, we offer a truly personal 24 hour service and firmly believe that every funeral is 'unique' to suit the financial situation and wishes of the family. Through our extensive experience we offer help and guidance on the style and location of the ceremony from a simple unattended committal to a personalised celebration that reflects the individual. Our team are personally available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Bob Metcalf MBE, MSM, ARCM, Dip FD

Bob joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1966 and served a total of 36 years, travelling to various parts of the world, including on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1969-71. He was Director of Music to the Plymouth Players and the Dunfermline Gilbert and Sullivan Society and an Associate of the Royal College of Music. Bob was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2001. With his wife Sue, they became foster carers in 1997 and is a former Chairman of Hampshire Fostering Network. In 2002 he joined the funeral profession and started working with Richard & Iain Steel, including a brief career as a Standard and Quality Manager for the National Association of Funeral Directors. With the Steel family he became manager at Roger Poat & Partners in Midhurst before moving to Nigel Chamberlain & Partners in 2014.

Lucy Guilder Dip FD

Lucy joined Nigel Chamberlain & Partners in March 2015 and comes from a family of funeral directors. She successfully completed her Diploma in Funeral Directing in October 2015. Prior to joining Bob she travelled extensively in Australia and Thailand and was employed as a manager in hospitality and catering. Tel: 01489 892640 www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk The Gate House, Victoria Road, Bishop's Waltham

& Partners Independent Family NigelFUNERAL Chamberlain & Partners DIRECTORS

Independent Family Nigel Chamberlain serving the Meon Valley Nigel Chamberlain & Partners FUNERAL

since 1892 & Partners DIRECTORS Independent Family The Gate House, Road Independent Family serving FUNERAL the MeonVictoria Valley Independent Family since 1892 BISHOPS WALTHAM Funeral Directors DIRECTORS

FUNERAL DIRECTORS Bob Metcalf MBE (01489) 892640 Bob Metcalf MBE

The Gate House, Road serving theVictoria Meon Valley Serving the Meon Valley since 1892 (01489) 892640 BISHOPS since WALTHAM 1892 The Gate House, Victoria Road

serving the Meon Valley

Personal 24WALTHAM hour service BISHOPS Bob Metcalf MBEService Personal 24 Hour since 1892 (01489) 892640 Personal 24 Hour Service Tel: 01489 892640 www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk The Gate House, Victoria Road www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk Bob Metcalf MBE The Gate House, Victoria Road, Bishops Waltham

N FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS

FINE ART, ANTIQUES, INTERIORS & COLLECTABLES

Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th February Thursday 1st - 12noon - 5pm, Friday 2nd - 10am - 5pm, Saturday 3rd - 10am - 2pm, Monday 5th - 10am - 5pm Morning of sale 8.30am

MONTHLY ANTIQUES & INTERIORS AUCTION

P R OF ESSION A L ISS U E 29 | FE B R UARY

Nigel Chamberlain

Saturday 17th Febraury Commencing 10am

Viewing: Friday 16th 10am - 7pm - Morning of sale 8.30am

Personal 24 WALTHAM Hour Service BISHOPS www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk

(01489) 892640 Bob Metcalf Part Richard Steel & Partners Partof of Richard Steel & MBE Partners The Family Owned Funeral Directors The family owned funeral directors Part of Richard Steel & Partners Personal 24 Hour Service Serving Hampshire since 18601860 serving Hampshire since

The Family Funeral Directors Part ofOwned Richard Steel & Partners www.chamberlainfunerals.co.uk Serving Hampshire since 1860 The Family Owned Funeral Directors

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

Serving Hampshire since 1860

Part of Richard Steel & Partners The Family Owned Funeral Directors Serving Hampshire since 1860

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community WEST MEON: LOCAL HISTORY

the village of West Meon were killed. Another 9 died in the Second World War. In 1939 West Meon was an overwhelmingly agricultural settlement with 80% of the workforce working in mixed farming. Then after 1945 many naval officers went to live in West Meon. Both private and council houses were built in the village. Knapps Hard was built on the site where flints were knapped for St John's Church. In July 1979 there was a flood in West Meon. Muddy water flooded 8 council homes in Long Priors. When the water receded it left a residue of mud. Today West Meon has the Thomas Lord pub, a butcher’s shop and a village shop. Today the population of West Meon is about 750. Words kindly provided by West Meon Parish Council www.westmeonpc.org.uk

WEST MEON THEATRE PRESENTS CINDERELLA

ome and see West Meon Theatre's production of Cinderella to be performed at West Meon Village Hall, Headon View, West Meon, Petersfield, GU32 1LX from Thursday, 15th February to Saturday, 17th February 2018.

Early West Meon

In the 6th century the Jutes from Denmark settled along the Meon Valley. (As late as the 18th century the Meon Valley was called Jutedene, which meant Jute valley). The tribe who settled there were called the Meon wara (wara meant people or tribe). They gave the Meon River its name. They also gave the village of West Meon its name. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086) West Meon was called Menes. It was quite a large village with a population of about 200. West Meon had a church and it also had 2 mills where grain was ground to flour for the villagers. Skirmishes took place at West Meon during the Civil War prior to the battle of Cheriton Down on 29th March 1644. However little else happened at West Meon through the centuries. It was a quiet agricultural community. In West Meon is a memorial to George Vining Rogers. He was born in 1777 and was the village doctor for over 40 years. He died in 1846 and the memorial was erected about 1901.

Modern West Meon

In 1801 West Meon had a population of 536. By the standards of the time it was a large village. Most Hampshire villages were considerably smaller. In 1851 the population of West Meon peaked at 901. However later it declined. By 1891 the population of West Meon had fallen to 824. The famous economist James Edwin Thorold Rogers was born in West Meon in 1823. In 1830 Thomas Lord (1755-1832), who founded Lord's Cricket Ground retired to West Meon. He died there on 13 January 1832 and was buried in the village. (Today a pub in West Meon is named after him). The Church of St John the Evangelist was rebuilt after 1843 using flint and a Church of England school opened in West Meon in 1852. In 1903 a railway opened from Alton to Petersfield with a station at West Meon. However it closed in 1955. Then in 1906 a Roman villa was found in Lippen Wood. In the First World War 30 men from

Performance times are: Thursday 15th & Friday 16th at 7.30p.m & Saturday 17th at 2.00pm and 6.00p.m. Tickets are £12 per adult and £10 per child - available from www.westmeontheatre.co.uk

COMMU N IT Y G A R DEN ISSU E 29 | FE BRUARY

Community RESIDENTS ASKED TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF GOVERNANCE FOR WEST OF WATERLOOVILLE, DENMEAD, SOUTHWICK & WIDLEY

residents want governance to work for them. The development will shape the area for many years to come, so this opportunity to influence how the community comes together to make decisions about local matters is really exciting.â&#x20AC;? The development site is being developed by Taylor Wimpey PLC and Grainger PLC, is administered by both Winchester City Council and Havant Borough Council, and is due to be completed by 2030. Final recommendations would be published in June if a formal Reorganisation Order is agreed and approved in June 2018, it will come into effect from 1st April 2019.This arrangement will not directly impact on the new housing areas within Havant Borough Council. However, any residents living within 3 miles of a Parish Council boundary are able to actively participate with the Parish Councils and are welcome to participate in the consultation process. The consultation will run until midnight of the 5th of February and to find out more visit https://winchester. citizenspace.com/policy/community-governance-review

esidents in Denmead and Southwick & Widley are to be consulted on new parish governance arrangements. In response to a petition from councillors, parish councillors and residents, Winchester City Council will be consulting people in the area to hear their views on potential options around changing the current Parish Council arrangements in Denmead and Southwick & Widley as the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area (MDA) takes shape. The West of Waterlooville MDA will provide 3,000 new homes, two primary schools and leisure, retail, employment and community facilities, with a good proportion of them already occupied. Currently the new development sits within two existing Parish Council areas - Denmead and Southwick & Widley. Residents are being asked to consider extending either the Denmead or Southwick & Widley Parish Councils to cover the whole development area within one of the existing bodies, or creating a new Council, whether a Parish, Neighbourhood or Community Council, that focuses solely on the MDA and allows the two existing Parish Councils to focus on the governance of areas outside the new West of Waterlooville catchment. It is proposed that these four options will be publicised in January and the affected Parish Councils and residents in the wider area will be invited to give feedback by Monday 5th February 2018. After that a further consultation in March will look at approving the preferred option along with potential names for any new or reorganised Councils. Portfolio Holder for Democratic Services at Winchester City Council, Cllr Stephen Godfrey said: "Winchester City Council is keen to hear from residents close to and within the West of Waterlooville development area to learn more about how

Consultation dates and locations

Wednesday 24 January, 3.30pm-7pm, Berewood Primary School, Kentidge Way, Waterlooville, PO7 3BE Saturday 27 January, 10am-2pm, Wellington Vale Care Home, Darnel Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7TY

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G A R DEN I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

EN AS D O O N F SA LE

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community

GIRLGUIDING MEON VALLEY URGENTLY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND FOOD PRODUCTION MUST GO HAND IN HAND – NFU

arming and the environment must go hand-in-hand and producing quality, home-grown food is critical to the future of the country, the NFU said today. It follows the publication of the Government’s 25 year Environmental

Plan.

Theresa May revealed details of the long-awaited and wide-ranging 150-page strategy during a keynote speech in south-west London. Farmers manage 70% of the nation’s iconic countryside and take their environmental responsibilities seriously. 10,000 football pitches worth of flower habitat, creating homes for wildlife, have been planted while more than 30,000km of hedgerows have been planted or restored by farmers. The NFU says farming is in a unique position to deliver for the environment as long as there are productive and viable businesses – where food is at the heart. NFU Vice President Guy Smith said: “Over the past four decades, farmers have carried out a huge amount of work to encourage wildlife, as well as benefitting the landscape, soil and water and reducing their impact on the climate. “Farming also offers innovative solutions to wider environmental challenges. For instance the Government’s current concern with plastics highlighted by the BBC’s brilliant Blue Planet series could be met with substituting synthetic plastics with farm produced biodegradable starch-based packaging.

irls across the Meon Valley are having a fantastic time through guiding, but we need more adult support as units are closing and girls are missing out. Could you or someone you know volunteer and make a difference?

From regular unit leaders, to treasurers, to occasional marquee pitchers, there are lots of ways to get involved and no matter how much time you have to give, there is an opportunity for you. Guiding empowers girls, gives them new experiences and helps them realise their potential. As a volunteer you could give something back to your community, make new friends, have a break from daily routines, and laugh with incredible girls and young women. If you, or anyone you know, are interested or have any questions, please contact Caroline on 01489 877430 or meonvalleydivcommis@gmail.com, or pop into a unit near you.We would love to hear from you.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR VALENTINES AT FONTWELL

“But there must be a coherent approach. British farming has a unique role in producing a safe, affordable and high quality supply of food as well as protecting, maintaining and enhancing 70% of the nation's iconic countryside. “That only remains feasible, however, as long as farmers run sustainable and viable businesses. We provide the raw materials for a domestic food industry that employs 3.8m people and which, as the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, generates £112bn in value for the UK economy. This is why we welcomed the Secretary of State’s commitment last week to create a national food policy and his recognition that food is at the heart of viable farming businesses. “It’s vital therefore that a holistic approach is taken and the environment plan must go hand-in-hand with a future food policy, where measures for protecting and enhancing the environment are joined up with policies to improve productivity and manage volatility to ensure that we have profitable, productive and progressive farm businesses post-Brexit.” 16

oin us for a Winter Afternoon of racing at Fontwell on Thursday 15th February. Get your friends and family together for a winter afternoon full of racing and enjoy an excellent 6 races whilst soaking up the fantastic atmosphere

Fixture details

Gates Open - 12:05 First Race - 14:05 Last Race - 16:55 Race Type - Jump Number of Races - 6 For tickets and more information please visit www.fontwellpark.co.uk/whats-on/thursday-15th-february

G A R DEN I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Garden

LAWN CARE - MOSS AND SCARIFICATION

nutrients at the right time of year. Healthy grass, like healthy people, is in a better position to fight off invaders.

ccording to Don McLean’s 70’s classic, American Pie, ‘moss grows fat on a rolling stone’. According to my experience, moss grows fat on a winter lawn. Many suffer moss growth in their lawns. It’s easy to spot, lush and green amongst the grass. Thriving as it smothers its less vigorous winter bed partner. The good news is it responds well to treatment and can be brought under control with specialist lawncare. The bad news is, left untreated it will thrive and it encourages infestation from chafer grubs which can cause a huge amount of lawn damage. From a distance moss gives the impression of a green, lush lawn. The grass it is smothering struggles to survive, the percentage of moss in the lawn increases and the grass gradually dies away. Why is this a problem? Wait until the drier summer months and you’ll soon see. Moss thrives in wet conditions, but unlike healthy, well maintained grass, which is far hardier, moss dries out and dies in dry, warm summer weather. At the height of summer, when you want to be enjoying your garden at its best, you are left with brown, scorched areas of lawn and areas of dead moss. Most unsightly and far too late in the season to treat. Spring is the ideal time for dealing with moss issues. Mowing too short, too infrequently or not following the correct mowing height for the time of year can be a big contributor to moss growth. As can incorrect nutrition, not dealing with thatch or compaction and not removing leaves from the lawn regularly. Bare areas should also be dealt with promptly so as not to leave space for moss spores to germinate. A healthy dense grass sward leaves little room for moss or weeds to take up residence. Killing and removing moss If you already have moss in your lawn this can be treated. Some people try this themselves with lawn-sand but the results can be hit and miss with the grass often being killed at the same time as the moss. Our approach is a liquid treatment combined with a wetting agent that helps penetrate deep into the thick matting of moss. Ensure your lawn has the correct nutritional plan in place, so it’s receiving the right

Once the moss has been killed it’s time to remove it. This can be hard work over a large area where a petrol-driven scarifier is essential equipment for the job. It’s time consuming and pretty hard work but it’s important to get the dead moss out and will reduce thatch at the same time. Scarification vigorously rakes the surface of the lawn with spinning blades. These blades rip out moss and thatch and open up the surface of the lawn. Top-dressing It’s often beneficial to top-dress your lawn after scarification. This addition of a special mixture of sand and sifted soil helps to level uneven hollows in the lawn surface, improves soil structure, drainage and helps the general health of the lawn. Over-seeding to infill The final process is over-seeding - introducing new, healthy grass plants to in-fill the gaps left by the moss that’s been removed, creating a stronger, healthier lawn that’s more capable of dealing with the challenges nature throws at it. Scarification creates ideal surface conditions for over-seeding. Unlike re-seeding, where the existing vegetation is removed completely and a new seed-bed created for the sowing of a new lawn, over-seeding works with what you already have by adding new grass seeds to your existing lawn and helping to blend areas of weak growth into other areas of your lawn more naturally. It’s also far less labour intensive, uses fewer lawn seeds and is much more economical. It is however really important to deal with any weeds before seeding begins. New grass plants are susceptible to the treatments used to kill lawn weeds. Older, existing lawn grasses are robust enough to withstand these treatments. Therefore manage the weed issue first and then get new grass plants growing. Remember that once germination begins your new grass seeds need moisture to survive. They won’t be able to manage times without water until they have established roots. If it doesn’t rain then you need to remember to keep them watered for the first few weeks but regular rain is almost guaranteed at this time of year. Planning ahead is the way to create superb outdoor spaces you can enjoy all year. Now is the time to treat lawn moss problems, if you don’t want to do this yourself call in the professionals and get on top of that moss problem before it’s too late. Ian Kenyon is Technical Director for Shrekfeet Lawn and Garden Services. He is always happy to offer friendly, professional advice and help 01962 460146, 07739 789483 www.shrekfeet.com

Available in beech, hornbeam and privet Grown, trimmed and sold at 1.5 and 1.8 metres high As used by leading landscape architects

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G A R DEN I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Mature instant hedges that can be planted any time of year

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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 Bosque is a trading name of Just Limegrass Ltd. Harko: 07710 502798 Tom: 07855 656984 www.bosque international.co.uk

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Clubs & Societies O Meon Valley Lions Club For more information: 0845 833 7812 or visit: www. meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk

ARTS & CRAFTS O Bishop's Waltham Photographic Society For more information visit: bishopswalthamphotosociety.co.uk

65+

O Curdridge Amateur Drama Group For more information please see www.curdridgedrama.co.uk O Swanmore Amateur Dramatic Society For more information please ring 07701 044563 or email caroline-powell@live.com

65+

O The Solent Aviation Art Society For more information ring: 01489 578420

O Winchester & Solent Branch of the Cartophilic Society (Cigarette Cards) For more information contact Keith Miller: 01243 865147

O The New Music Makers SATB Choir For more information contact Lin on 023 8045 4285 or visit: www.newmusicmakers.com O Singing for Fun For more information contact Annabel: 01489 877130 or 07732 329792.

65+

HORTICULTURE O Bishops Waltham Gardening Club For more information please see www.bwgc.org.uk O Meon Valley Garden Club For more information please visit: www.meon-valley-garden-club. co.uk O West Meon Garden Club For more information please call Yvonne Noble: 01730 829050

SPORTS CLUBS

SENIOR CITIZENS

O Bishop's Waltham Badminton Club For further information visit: www.bishopswalthambc.com

O Meon Valley Active Retirment Association For more information visit: mvara.btck.co.uk

O Meon Valley Bowling Club For more information Tel: 01489 891871, email: meonbowls@live.co.uk www.meonvalleybowls.org.uk

O Meon Valley Carers Group For more information: Margaret: 01489 895444 on Monday between 9.15 & 13.15 for details.

O South Downs Nordic Walking For more information please call: 07879 564990 or visit www. southdownsnordicwalking.co.uk O Swanmore Lawn Tennis Club For more information please visit: https://clubspark.lta.org. uk/swanmorelawntennisclub or contact: sec@swanmoretennis. co.uk.

65+

OTHER CLUBS & SOCIETIES O Bishop's Waltham Bridge Club For more information contact: Roger Robinson: 01489 877504 or Phil White: 01489 896877. O Bishop's Waltham Gateway Club For more information please contact Vee or Brian on 01489 895767. O Bishop's Waltham Rotary Club For more information please visit: bishopswalthamrotary.org.uk. O Meon Ladies For more information please email Sarah Snowdon on: sarah. snowdon@live.com 20

MUSIC & DANCE

O West Meon Ladies Hockey Club For more information ring - 07786 830881 or email: jocopsey10@gmail.com or see Facebook- West Meon Ladies Hockey Club

O Zero 4 Probus Club For more information contact Malcolm Watson: 01489 891875 or 07926 925466. https:// zero4probusclub.weebly.com O Waltham Priory Probus Club For more information please call Janet Gibson on 01489 783386.

O Bishop’s Waltham Library Toddler Time Every Wednesday during Term Time. 10.30am – 11am. Stories, rhymes and simple craft for the under 5’s O Hambledon Folk Club For more information visit: www.hambledonfolkclub.co.uk. folkclubhambledon@hotmail. co.uk O Meon Voices Choir For more information please contact Phil: 01489 579078, coundleypj@yahoo.com or Maureen 01489890335 alan@agbuckland.plus.com.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ANY OF THESE LISTINGS?

65+

Then visit www.forumpublications.co.uk. Click on the local information button on the menu. Select the Meon Valley and browse all your local clubs and societies in detail with direct links to their websites

Come & Visit Our Yard & Display Area

GAZEBOS & ACCESSORIES

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youforgotten dream ofal-fresco simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting that never to be forgotten al-fresco Whether you dream of simply relaxing with a well earned glass of wine, or are hosting thatWhether never to be thatcheddreams or timber into roofed Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services will turn your dreams into party. A thatched or timber roofed Gazebo from Equestrian Fencing Services willparty. turnA your reality - it just couldn’t be easier.

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environment. It is important to appreciate that in severe

sustainable forests, that to suit every size and style of garden. environment. It is important to appreciate in severe

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materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof

Gazebos from carefully selected materials. They are designed to provide a shower proof timber from well managed

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F EAT U R E ISSUE 29 | FEBRUARY

Hampshire Mum

he radio alarm goes off and we are treated to Vanessa’s cheery ramblings on her Radio Two early morning show. Bless her she’s been up since four and is remarkably chirpy, unlike 'The Husband', who at the very sound of her voice launches into his first rant of the day,

“Oh shut up being so bloody happy” I assume he means the exuberant Vanessa as he slams the alarm off, and groans as he gets out of bed and stumbles toward the bathroom. Ah, welcome to another day! It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home but snuggling down beneath the velvet eiderdown for just a few more precious moments I conclude that it is in fact the bed.The bed is a place of privacy, love and passion. A place of nurturing, healing and rest; a sanctuary from children’s nightmares and fear of thunderstorms. There’s nothing quite like your own bed is there? Ask any parent and there will be times when your bed appears to be no longer your own, “Mummy I feel….” Sick- yes all over your bed of course – all those midnight linen changes! Then there’s years of “Mummy I can’t sleep there’s something in my room”. Ah yes the monster under the bed routine which can mean for some years they snuggle in with you and steal all the duvet. But the years quickly pass and in no time your offspring’s rooms become strictly out of bounds and neither wild horses or the chance of coffee and cake will entice them out of their beds much before lunch time. Lets not forget that the bed for some can mean nothing but boredom and incarceration a place to end up in when all else fails. Our smelly teenagers are fortunate to have an option. At least your own bed becomes that familiar comfortable place again, (if you haven’t had to buy a new one!) where you too can lie in with tea and the papers on a Sunday morning. And with your

kids out and about at parties or sleepovers you claw back a spare room that can be very handy at times. Or so I thought… At a recent party thrown by a friend, a guest brought along some rice wine from his recent travels and his latest contribution to the world of distillation, a bottle of rhubarb gin. Now you’d think wouldn’t you that both varieties would require a cautionary sip and a polite smile.The Husband on the other hand knocked it back with gusto then, twenty minutes later, while clinging precariously to the stove announced that he felt he should be going home. A little later Star II and I returned home. “What IS that noise?” Clearly the combination of rice, rhubarb and spirit do nothing for the sinuses. Snoring the likes of which had never been heard, “Good luck with that mum”, Star II retreated to his room. As I slid into bed I knew it was futile, I went through the usual array of anti snoring tactics, the kick, the pinch, the holding of the nose. Pillow over the face? Seemed rather extreme, so as the earth continued to move, and not in a good way, I decided to escape the seismic inhalations and escape to Star I’s room. Peace, perfect peace.! Until... I was awoke with a start, it was 4.00am and Star I and chum had returned home, he said he’d be out all night! Mercifully, once you’ve had kids you are prone to be a light sleeper so quick as a flash I scooped up my pillows and sprung like a greyhound from a trap along the landing and back into my own bed where 'The Husband' lay dormant like a big brown bear in full hibernation. Had I not heard the light go on can you imagine the scene if I had been found there! “Oh hello you two don’t mind me”. Next time I’ll take the sofa. Sandra Pagan

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AESTHETIC STUDIO

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completely focused on self-improvement and providing the highest quality and standards for their patients for the long term. This was evident with their portfolio of supporting evidence they put forward for the awards. Congratulations and keep up the good work Clear Dentistry!” Christopher Leech, one of the partner dentists at Clear Dentistry, said: “This is the first time we have ever entered a dental competition and we are totally overwhelmed to win these awards, let alone the Best UK Practice.

Bishops Waltham Dental Practice is celebrating winning a raft of accolades at the UK’s biggest dental awards – including Best UK Dental Practice.

Having been awarded Best New Practice at the Private Dentistry Awards, Clear Dentistry went on to pick up the highly coveted Best Practice in the whole of the UK title at The Dentistry Awards. These are Britain’s largest dental awards ceremonies to formally recognise the highest levels of excellence in dentistry being carried out by teams and individuals throughout the UK and Ireland. Organisers said this year’s entries were outstanding, leaving the judges with some very difficult decisions. Amit Patel BDS MSc MClinDent FDS RCSEd MRD RCSEng one of the judges at this year’s Dentistry Awards event said “Clear Dentistry was one of the practices that stood out from the rest from this year’s entries. The whole team are

We were told that it was our level of care and service that most impressed the judges and that we offer every dental option under the sun! They found our facilities immaculate and state-of-the-art. They also loved our transparency, especially with planning and pricing, which helps builds our patients’ confidence ensuring they are really happy with the service they receive.” Leigh Knowles, Partner at Clear added “We are passionate about what we do, so to receive recognition nationally is amazing. In fact, winning Best Patient Care speaks volumes to us as it proves just how well we look after our patients. It is fantastic news for our patients and a worthy credit to our whole practice team”.

For more information including how to book an appointment to see us, please visit our shiny new website www.cleardentistry.co.uk We look forward to seeing you soon!

Give your teeth some love and call us today on 01489 892240

We are open late evenings for your convenience and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dental care is FREE on the NHS.

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community WE CAN’T AFFORD TO BE BORED OF BREXIT

ove it or hate it there is no doubt that Brexit will continue to dominate the news in 2018. And whilst it’s completely acceptable for you to use the hills, moors and mountains to escape from the headlines, it’s important to remember that the future of England’s national parks depends on the outcome. Most of the landscapes in our national parks look the way they do because they have been farmed – from extensive grazing on moors, heaths and mountains to the more intensive arable farming familiar in the South Downs. The way that farmers own and manage the land is influenced by the subsidies that they receive from the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which, in turn, directly influences the delivery of national park purposes. As well as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the majority of the laws and regulations that care for our environment come from the EU. Michael Gove’s speech at the recent Oxford Farming Conference gave some indications of how the Government plans to reform these over the next few years. National Parks England (NPE), the body who provide a collective voice for the views of the English National Park Authorities, has been working to identify how more environmental, and other, benefits could be achieved from the same money once we have left the EU.

NPE have outlined key points that will be of particular importance for National Parks through the Brexit process:

• The development of a new body of environmental law, regulation and guidance that is positive in its approach, guided by overarching principles and clearly and independently regulated. • The combined effect of this new body of environmental law, the 25 Year Plan for the Environment and any future agriculture legislation should be greater than the sum of their parts: restoring, protecting and maintaining resilient ecosystems (and the habitats and species they support) and enhancing the landscapes that provide the many public benefits we enjoy and rely on. • These two points will be vital if we are to be that much 26

promised ‘first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it’ and safeguard the future of the cultural heritage, landscapes and wildlife of our national parks. Meanwhile here in the South Downs the National Park Authority is continuing work with local farmers and landowners to develop ideas for pilot schemes that could deliver much more for people and the environment than the current scheme of payments. With many of our farmers already working together for the environment in ‘clusters’ we believe that there is a better way to see these custodians of the countryside rewarded for delivering public goods such as clean water, homes for wildlife and better access. Watch this space. www.southdowns.gov.uk

GEORGE HOLLINGBERY SUPPORTS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO ENGINEERING

eon Valley MP George Hollingbery is supporting a national campaign to encourage more young people into engineering in an attempt to fill a major skills gap.The Year of Engineering launched in January and the government is working with hundreds of businesses to raise the profile of engineering among young people aged 7-16, their parents and their teachers. This will include offering at least a million direct experiences of engineering to young people from all backgrounds – from behind the scenes tours and family days out, to school visits and the chance to meet engineering role models. “The Meon Valley has a number of excellent engineering firms that I have visited over the years which do offer opportunities for young people but I am concerned that not enough children, particularly girls, are entering the engineering professions,” said George “The fact is engineering qualifications are vital to this country’s continued prosperity but the UK faces an estimated shortfall of 20,000 engineering graduates a year. This shortage is impacting on productivity and growth. I very much hope young people, schools and businesses in the Meon Valley will get involved next year and I fully support this drive.” The campaign is aiming to promote the creativity and innovation of engineering careers and widen the pool of young people who consider the profession as presently it is 91% male and 94% white. More than 350 businesses and organisations have signed up to support the Year of Engineering, including Siemens, the Science Museum Group, Ocado, Usborne, BAE Systems and Crossrail. More information about the campaign is available at https://www.dft.gov.uk/year-of-engineering-2018/

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R ETA IL I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

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Botley Mills For all animal needs, large and small! Botley Mills, Mill Hill, Botley, SO30 2GB

Beautiful 18ct white gold diamond cluster ring 1.06 ct - £2995 Gorgeous fresh flowers delivered locally for Valentines. To order please call. High Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AB Tel: 07970 280078 | flowersbythebridge.com Tel: 01489 895575 | simonlawsonjewellers.co.uk

Tel: 01489 772900 | www.botleymills.co.uk

Boutique Me

Simon Lawson Jewellers

Equestrian Fencing & Timber Ltd

Try our new designer Soyaconcept for Spring 2018. Boutique Me, High Street, Bishops Waltham, SO32 1AA

9ct lemon citrine and diamond cluster pendant - £695 High Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AB Tel: 01489 895575 | simonlawsonjewellers.co.uk

Crate of clean, efficient burning logs from £150 + VAT High Ridge Farm, Hospital Road, Shirrell Heath

Tel: 01489 891052 |

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UNIQUE - BESPOKE - ECLECTIC - LOCAL

Boutique ME

Tel: 01329 835100 | www.equestrianfencing.com

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R ETA IL I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Here are some Valentine's gift ideas for that special person, when enquiring please do not forget to mention that you saw it in the Forum Magazine

ARKET SQ

JoJo Inspired

Chase Cycles

Wickham Jewellery

Wrap up warm this winter with a JoJo Inspired Parka Instagram: jojo_inspired Tel: 07973 688251 | www.jojoinspired.com

Giant Anthem ladies bike - £2450. Winchester Raod, Waltham Chase, SO32 2LG

Rolex Oyster circa 1970's - £2,300. Warwick Lane, Wickham, PO17 5JN

Tel: 01489 893693 | nigelatchase@gmail.com

Tel: 01329 836327 | Find us in Warwick Lane

Sweet Corner

Flowers by the Bridge

Chose from our fantastic range of sweets, Belgian chocolates orValentine's sweetcakes. Sweet Corner, 10 High Street, Bishops Waltham, SO32 1AA

Wickham Jewellery

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

Open 9am to 5pm all Valentines week selling beautiful bunches of flowers. Order now or just drop by. Flower stall on A32 in West Meon Tel: 07970 280078 | flowersbythebridge.com

Ruby sapphire and diamond yellow gold 15ct antique heart ring - £450 Warwick Lane,Wickham, PO17 5JN

McCarthy's Farm Shop

Equestrian Fencing & Timber Ltd

Wickham Jewellery

Beautiful flowers perfect for Valentines Day Winchester Road, Wickham, PO17 5HE Tel: 01329 832221 | thefruitandvegbox.co.uk

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

Pearl and diamond drop 18ct white gold earrings - £995 Warwick Lane, Wickham, PO17 5JN

Tel: 01329 835100 | www.equestrianfencing.com

Tel: 01329 836327 | Find us in Warwick Lane

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community MEON VALLEY LIONS CLUB: LOTS OF LOOSE CHANGE AND BITS AN' BOBS

ecember was a full-on month for the Meon Valley Lions. Most evenings and Saturdays saw us out and about fundraising with Father Christmas, from East and West Meon in the north, down to Knowle in the south. It was great that Santa got to see so many excited children and thanks to your wonderful support this year, our Christmas collections have raised £4,700.14 for our charity account. We’d like to thank everyone who donated so generously again in 2017 – you can be sure we will be working hard in 2018 to ensure it is spent wisely on local groups and individuals in need. Each year, what turns up in our collections buckets becomes that little bit more intriguing and bizarre. In amongst the notes and coins, we also amassed an astounding assortment of foreign currency and random items, including €12.73; US $1.16; Canadian $0.05; Rupee - 1; Colones (Costa Rica) 25; something unidentifiable from the Middle East - 10; Gettone-Telefonico token - 1; UK ½p (obsolete) 1; buttons - 2; Washers -1; Philips cross-head screwdriver bit - 1. The usable foreign currency was auctioned amongst the Lions for £15.20 and Lion Roger Morfill is now figuring out how to organise

SOUTHAMPTON MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10K RUN 2018

ake on the challenge for CMH Charity! The Charity has ‘free’ charity running spaces for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Runs. If you would like a ‘free’ charity space please email Fundraising@cmhcharity.org.uk with why you would like to run for the charity. By using one of the Charity’s spaces we ask our runners to raise a minimum of £150 each. If you would like to run for the Charity but not have a fundraising target please sign up directly on the ABP Southampton Marathon

a holiday that takes in Europe, USA, Canada and Costa Rica via India, so he can spend the cash. The Lions were also actively distributing support and charity to those in need at Christmas, with regular ongoing donations to the Bishop’s Waltham Foodbank and Christmas Hampers for local families – ten via Home Start and seven for Wickham Children’s Centre. HomeStart is a fantastic voluntary group we have worked with for many years. Based in Wickham Community Centre, the charity provides local support services for families whose members are, for whatever reason, going through tough times financially or emotionally. The Lions rounded off the festive season with a Christmas party at Corhampton Golf Club where Lions and their partners were able to let their hair down and celebrate another fine year of fun and fundraising. Our Club undertakes all its community work as a registered charity, but in the last few months, in line with a policy affecting all Lions Clubs in the UK, we have been in discussions with the Charities Commission to change our charitable status. Our leadership team has endured a busy year managing negotiations with the Charity Commission to become a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). This is a small technical adjustment that better reflects our organisation’s activities, but which has taken many hours of work to achieve. Our thanks go to Roy Cuthbertson and the Club’s Trustees for overseeing this challenging process. At the back-end of January, the Lions embark on one of our more challenging activities in the fund-raising calendar, when we descend on Weston Shore, near Netley, for the annual Ford Charity Fishing Festival. The weather can be interesting at this time of year, ranging from sub-zero temperatures to horizontal rain off the Solent! The fishing competition is now in its 43rd year and it has become a tradition that the monies raised from the event are donated to The Naomi House and Jack's Place children's hospice charity in Winchester. The event usually attracts around 130 eager sea-anglers and we hope to raise over £1,000 from the competition entry fees. We’ll update you on the weather conditions and the bank balance in our next bulletin. www.meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk/

Website (www.abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk) and select to run the 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon. This fantastic event offers runners the choice of running a Marathon, Half Marathon or 10km race, along closed roads through the heart of Southampton. All races start and finish in the heart of Southampton’s city centre with the run course passing iconic local landmarks including Bargate, QE2 Anchor and St Mary’s Stadium. Sure to be the race highlight will be running both the ascent and more popularly the descent over the Itchen bridge, which will be closed exclusively for this unique event. A spectator friendly route, with lots of activities, coffee houses and restaurants to explore and make it a weekend away with the whole family.Over the last three years our amazing supporters have raised over £20,000 taking part in the Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K runs. For more information please visit www.cmhcharity.org.uk/ upcomingevents/southampton-marathon-half-marathon-10krun-2018/ Once you’ve signed up get in contact with the charity team, by emailing Fundraising@cmhcharity.org.uk, so we can support you with your fundraising

Ridgemede House “Our Philosophy is to assure and enhance a resident's quality of life”

The accommodation at Ridgemede House is of an excellent standard. All rooms have en-suite facilities. Each room has a telephone with your own personalised number. Every room is provided with a colour plasma screen television. Wifi is also available on site.

The rooms can be tailored to suit you, either a single or married occupancy is available This is a real home away from home atmosphere, with lovingly home cooked meals provided for you

For further information please contact a member of our staff

Tel: 01489 892511 • Facebook: Ridgemedecareltd ridgemedecare@hotmail.com • www.ridgemedecareltd.co.uk Rareridge Lane • Bishop’s Waltham • Southampton • SO32 1DX

F EAT U R E I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Close encounter with a fox BY CLAIRE THURLOW

t’s been noisy in the garden during the last few nights, the peace disturbed by the gruff bark of a dog fox and the answering screech of a female.The result of these romantic assignations might well be a bundle of cubs in the spring, but there’s no guarantee that I’ll spot them. Although I regularly hear foxes, and find their droppings on the grass, I’ve yet to actually see one in the garden. According to recent research, we’re more likely to see a fox in an urban environment than here in the countryside. Having witnessed one strolling through a Waitrose car park in broad daylight, it seems to be true. A few years ago, when living in the Surrey suburbs, we had a family of foxes living at the bottom of our garden in a neglected scrap of woodland behind the compost heap.They’d scraped out a den beneath a pile of tree prunings and dry leaves, which despite its proximity to the house, provided a safe and secluded home which even our inquisitive collie, Fergus, couldn’t reach. Come nightfall, with Fergus confined to the house, the foxes would emerge into the garden, even venturing close to the French windows to peer inside.We never fed them, but coexisted well enough. They are omnivorous, and while rural territory may offer rabbits and voles, a suburban garden provides pigeons, insects and worms. Irritating as it was to see them dig my tulip bulbs from a frozen flower bed, the foxes were forgiven when they polished off the rats overwintering in the compost. Seeing three cubs tussle for a plastic flower pot on the snowy lawn was a delight. One summer, my young son and nephew were playing football in the garden, growing increasingly frustrated with the dog who

was streaking back and forth across the ‘pitch’, barking at the top of his lungs. Getting no interest from the soccer-mad boys, Fergus tried another tack, barking outside the back door until I appeared. In the best tradition of Lassie struggling to make a nice-but-dim human understand that there was an emergency, he herded me, still barking, across the lawn to the thick bank of rhododendrons. His front half disappeared into the shrubbery, but the back half remained outside, tail wagging furiously.The barking stopped. I peered into the gloom but couldn’t see anything. Stooping beneath low-hanging branches I ventured forward and was greeted by an angry hiss. It was a fox cub, apparently healthy and unharmed, but somehow it had got its head stuck in the fence. The plastic-coated wire was loose enough that it wasn’t hurting the cub, but too tight for the animal to get free. I took a step back and the cub sat down, watching me expectantly. “You should call the RSPCA,” one of the boys piped up beside me. “Tell them to bring wire-cutters,” instructed the other one. A charming young woman from the RSPCA was there within half an hour, bringing a cat-carrier and a sturdy pair of gauntlets – but minus the wire-cutters. Luckily, the next-door neighbour whose garden we invaded to get closer to the fox, had a shed full of tools, so the five of us set off to the rescue.With its fluffy red coat and over-sized ears, the cub was as appealing as a puppy, but its warning hiss and bared teeth were a reminder that this was an unpredictable wild animal. Crawling through the rhododendrons and keeping the fox at arms’ length, our RSPCA heroine made a first snip to the wire around the cub’s neck.That was all it took.The cub wriggled free and ran off through the bushes to the safety of its parents and the den.

F EAT U R E I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Hampshire People TALKS WITH TO JACK STEIN OF RICK STEIN, WINCHESTER

The ‘Stein philosophy’ seems to be:- fantastic fresh food cooked simply and to perfection so that we get a whole range of exciting flavours. Would you add to that statement? I’ve tried to disprove this by experimenting with more complicated styles of cooking and quite quickly realised my family were right.

ack Stein is a man on the move. When not working hard in the newly opened ‘Rick Stein’ restaurant in Winchester he is travelling, not only to and from Cornwall, but all over the world sourcing new and exciting ways to cook food. The Forum manages to catch a moment or two in Jack’s busy schedule to talk about his obvious passion ad excitement for food. What drew you to Hampshire? My brother and his family live in Winchester and have always raved about the produce from Hampshire and the New Forest. After visiting over the last decade, it was an obvious choice. Do you have a favourite place here?  My brother got married in a beautiful place called Preshaw Estate - that is filled with great memories for me. What is your mantra for life? “It’s better to have complicated simplicity than just being simply complicated” – that’s basically Rick’s “fresh fish, simply cooked” motto updated! What three things couldn’t you do without? My cocker spaniel, Bocca, the ocean and travel. 34

We hear a great deal about the ‘signature dish’ of a professional chef, but when you’re not working what is the dish you enjoy cooking just for you? Ruby Red sirloin on the bone with baked potato and tomato, basil and mozzarella salad – it’s a random combination but my comfort food.

Recently my husband attended a seafood cookery day down in Padstow (which was fabulous); they had a long discussion about the use of salt in cooking. Do you see salt as the bad boy of the ingredients world? The best way to use salt, is to use unrefined sea salt and to add it at every stage of cooking as this reduces the overall amount that you have to use. You need to layer up the flavours to get the best combination.

What is the style of cooking that informs most of your dishes? British World food – bringing world flavours to British ingredients.

The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, which is our flagship restaurant. How important do you think it is to educate children how to cook and install a love of fresh ingredients? Extremely important – we are actively involved in Cornwall working with local schools to teach healthy eating and cooking with our ‘adopt a school’ project.We are currently introducing our Winchester team to this project so we can bring this to Winchester too.

Cooking is now such a life-style phenomena with so many brilliant amateur chefs how do you ensure that you continue to be fresh and innovative? Constantly visiting new suppliers and travelling to see how other food cultures create flavours etc.

FEATURE ISSUE 29 | FEBRUARY

Having travelled so extensively, Europe, the Far East and Australia have you found anywhere that you would like to settle permanently, and what brings you back to the UK? I’d love to buy some land in Northern Sumatra as the surf is epic, the people are lovely and it’s so peaceful, but I would never want to move from the UK permanently.

Having just opened a beautiful restaurant in Winchester are you missing coastal life? I split my time between Winchester and Cornwall so just spend twice as many hours in the sea when I get home! You have a BSc in Psychology and a MA in Ancient History has cooking totally taken over from those interests?  Absolutely not, I use psychology on a day-to-day basis at work and my ancient history degree informs my future direction in terms of historical cooking methods Can you remember the first dish you cooked for your mum and dad? I made them hummus when I was 12 and working at

With Jack’s boundless energy, passion and enthusiasm he’ll soon have another success on his hands. For more information on Jack Stein visit: www. rickstein.com GG. 35

F OOD & DR IN K ISSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Food & Drink PETERSFIELD BEER FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 23RD & 24TH

DINE WITH WINE THIS VALENTINES DAY AT HAMBLEDON VINEYARD

hy not try something a little different this Valentine's day with an elegant candle-lit dinner in our state-of-the-art winery? You will be given a warm welcome by our team with a glass of our stunning Première Cuvée before being led to your candle-lit table in winery. Blankets and hot water bottles are on hand to warm your cockles whilst you enjoy your five course dinner in this unique place for valentine's day. The experience doesn't finish there, as you will also get the choice of either a bottle of Hambledon Classic Cuvee or Hambledon Classic Cuvee Rose to enjoy with your dinner. This will take place on the 14th February from 7pm onwards at Hambledon Vineyard, Hambledon, PO7 4RR. Tickets cost £165 and to purchase them and view the menu please visit www. hambledonvineyard.co.uk/product/009dine-with-wine-thisvalentines-day

he Petersfield Beer and Cider Festival is returning in 2018 taking place in Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, GU31 4EA. We are building on the successful formula and are taking on all your awesome feedback for the Festival. The festival is divided into 3 sessions: Friday evening from 6pm - 11pm, Saturday afternoons from 12pm - 5pm & Saturday evening from 6pm - 11pm. There will be lots of beer to sample!!! We repeat, there will be lots of beer to enjoy at the event. This year we are introducing some exciting new additions, including an awesome gin bar, which will be offering lots of interesting gins for you to work your way through! A crafty beer fridge, which will be full of exciting cans from very exciting breweries. Then finally, we are upgrading our keg bar to be… you guessed it… an awesome keg bar!! There will be 12 taps of truly fabulous brews! Hipster heaven indeed. Then on top of all the new additions, as always, there will be fantastic water cooled Real Ale and Cider from all across the region backed up with quality live music and fantastic hot food. It’s going to be our best beer festival yet! Some feedback we had from the last events was that people wanted to try more beers. So this year our glasses will have the third pint markers on again and our tokens will cost £1.10 each and be worth a third of pint, which means a pint will only cost £3.30. Please be aware this is a strictly over 18s event only! The event will also feature a secondary bar with wine, a selection of spirits (Awesome Gin Bar) and soft drinks for those of you who do not want to partake in beer or cider. The wine and gin for the bar is being provided by - The General Wine Company. The event will take place at Petersfield Festival Hall in the centre of Petersfield, situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Entry to each session will be only £8.00 per person. As well as entry to the event your ticket includes your very own commemorative pint glass and a free beer token! More tokens will be available to purchase to exchange for the numerous ales and ciders available. For more information and to buy tickets please visit: www.petersfieldfest.com/wp/petersfield-beer-and-ciderfestival/

The price is for two people. Please note that this voucher is only valid for the date specified, and cannot be exchanged or refunded. Vouchers are not automatically generated - the booking name is simply added to a guestlist. Please contact the vineyard if this is a gift and you would like a voucher produced. www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk

Banks Bar Bistro

Modern British cuisine with Continental influences Banks Bar Bistro is a privately owned restaurant situated in a delightful Grade II Listed building in the heart of the Saxon town of Bishops Waltham, Hampshire

Now taking bookings for Valentine's Day •••

Tel: 01489 896352

banksbarbistro@gmail.com • www.banksbarbistro.co.uk The Old Granary Bank Street Bishops Waltham SO32 1AE

Lambing Days

Find us

Come and see our new arrivals and find out what goes on around the farm at lambing time!

Westlands Farm, Pricketts Hill, Wickham, SO32 2JW

Dates Swanmore A32

Bishop's Waltham

Waltham Chase

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th March Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th March From 10am - 4pm on all days Adults: £5.00

Children: £2.50

Under 3's Go Free

A3 2

Shedfield

Wickham To Titchfield

Farm Shop Open Mon - Sat: 8am - 5pm Sun: 9am - 4pm Last orders 15 minutes before closing

FOR HEALTH REASONS PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD NOT ATTEND THIS EVENT

Tea Room Open

SORRY NO DOGS

Mon - Sun: 9am - 4pm

Tel: 01329 833832 www.westlandsfarmshop.co.uk

F OOD & DR IN K ISSU E 29 | FE B R UARY FEATURE ISSUE 29 | FEBRUARY

Jane's Kitchen A REAL WINTER WARMER WITH EASILY OBTAINABLE INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil • 4 large leeks cleaned and finely chopped • 2 green chillies – finely chopped • 3 pts beef stock • 4 medium courgettes – cubed • 6 – 8 oz chorizo sausage • 1 large can cannelloni beans • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large heavy saucepan and cook the prepared leeks and chillies until just brown. Slice the sausage and add to the pan. Continue cooking until the fat runs from the sausage stirring frequently to prevent burning, then add the beans and stock then stir well and simmer for 20 minutes. 40 40

Finally add the courgettes and cook for a further 10-15 minutes. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with your favourite crusty bread From Jane’s Kitchen. An eclectic collection of seasonal recipes. Available from Leckford Farm Shop, Leckford and Chilbolton Village Stores Price £6.99 The Forum Magazine would like to apologise for the error in last months Jane's Kitchen where the Mixed Fruit Marmalade recipe should not have included the last two lines on the ingredient list. ie. parsley if available or a teaspoon of dried thyme. salt and pepper ( to taste)

HARDWARE

Are delighted to be adding a shop in

Bishop's Waltham

H OME I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

D&G (formerly Morgans Hardware)

D&G pride themselves on offering a personal, professional and friendly service to all customers D&G also have stores in Alresford, Chandler's Ford, Grayshott, Locks Heath & Winchester LUXURY FLO ORING SPECIALIST

T: 01962 735715

ENQUIRIES@EDDOLLSCARPETS.COM 30 BROAD STREET, ALRESFORD

T: 01489 891181

D&G Hardware

D&G HARDWARE, HIGH ST, BISHOP'S WALTHAM SO32 1AA

HAMPSHIRE, SO24 9AQ

JRS ROOFING

Blinds & Shutters Ltd We offer a full measuring, manufacturing and installation service for all types of high quality

Blinds - Awnings - Shutters Full 5 year guarantee

Other services include: Awning and canopy restoration (including re-covering) Blind servicing and repair work

For a free, no obligation quote in your own home or office:

Tel: 01962 736836 or 07711 007079 email:enquiries@drblinds.co.uk

WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE WE OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR: Slating • Tiling • Flat Roofing • Lead Work Gutters and Fascias • Chimneys Repointed and Re-built All Types of Repairs and New Roofs

ALL WORK HAS A 15 YEAR GUARANTEE LOCAL COMPANY BASED IN MEDSTEAD PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION

T: 01420 617108 M: 07845 152970 jrs.group@yahoo.com

F OOD & DR IN K COMMU N IT Y ISSU E 29 | FE BRUARY

Food & Drink SAUSAGE AND PIE LOVE AT HAMPSHIRE FARE

ampshire Fare, is urging all local butchers and producers to enter their top meaty products into this year’s Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition. The annual contest celebrates all that people love about our county’s talented butchers and will this year be held at Eastleigh College with judging beginning on Valentine’s Day. All twelve categories are now open for entry via the Hampshire Fare website: Traditional Pork Sausage, Speciality Pork Sausage, Lamb/Beef Sausage, Hampshire Sausage Hampshire Fare Trophy, Home-Cured Bacon, Meatballs and Faggots, Traditional Pork Pie, Pies – Hot Eating, Pies – Cold

Community CHARITY WALK FOR PEACE SHARES £7,000 AMONG LOCAL CHARITIES

ive local charities have a spring in their step thanks to money raised through a charity walk. The Charity Walk for Peace, organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elder Association and East Hampshire District Council, raised more than £7,000 for local causes. The groups

Eating, Black Pudding, Hampshire Charcuterie and Young Sausage Maker. Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager at Hampshire Fare commented on significant changes to the format: “Taking on board feedback from previous competitions, new rules have been put in place for 2018. These include entrants no longer needing to cook their sausage entries and the awards ceremony being held on a separate day to the judging. The competition highlights and celebrates the fantastic butchers and producers we have here in Hampshire. It is a chance for people to show their love and appreciation for their local butcher. Encourage your butcher to enter so they can get some well-earned recognition for their efforts and talents.” Last year’s competition attracted 201 entries from 38 butchers and producers. The title of Supreme Champion was awarded to LJ Smith Butchers, who went on to represent Hampshire at the Champion of Champions national competition. Pip Smith, owner of LJ Smith Butchers, was delighted by the win: “Achieving this title reinforces our customers’ belief in what we do. It gives them confidence in our commitment to making the best products we can. We have been lucky enough to win this title before and it has helped bolster sales and also keep enthusiasm going in the shop.” Entry forms can be downloaded at www.hampshirefare.co.uk/ news/sausageandpieentries and must be received by 2nd February 2018. Judging will take place on the 14th and 15th February with the award ceremony being held in the evening on Thursday 1st March at Rownhams House and Gardens. The competition is made possible through the sponsorship and support of AHDB, Santa Maria, Mozzo Coffee, Lucas Ingredients, Dalziel and Rational. www.hampshirefare.co.uk gathered before Christmas to hand over the money and celebrate the success of last September’s event.

Money raised went to

Homestart-Butser (£2,000), Homestart-Weywater (£2,000), the Southern Domestic Abuse Service (£2,000) and the Rosemary Foundation (£500) and Artscape (£500) all benefited from the walk. The walk followed a five mile course from Bentley Train Station to Alice Holt Forest and was the first to be held in the district. At the presentation, attended by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, it was announced plans are already underway for a follow up event in 2018. Julie Butler, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Customer Relations, said: “The Charity Walk for Peace was a fantastic event which brought together the community and gave people the chance to do something really positive. I would like to thank the Ahamidyya Muslim Elder Association for bringing it to East Hampshire and for everyone that came along on the day to raise money and make it such a fabulous event.” www.easthants.gov.uk

COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community

BACH’S BAROQUE MASTERPIECE THE ST MATTHEW PASSION AT WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL IN MARCH

COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN CHARITY BOUTIQUE NOW OPEN IN HEDGE END

ur Charity Boutique in Hedge End offers something a little different in the world of charity shops.You will find our Boutique full of high-quality clothes and accessories at affordable prices. One of the many ways you can support Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity is by donating and purchasing high quality new and used items at one of our charity boutiques. Our boutiques can be found in Hedge End, Southampton and Weeke, Winchester.

We are delighted to accept donations of saleable items: • Clothing, accessories and jewellery • Household decorative items • Unwanted gifts

If you are a UK taxpayer, you can help raise further funds by completing a Gift Aid form when you make a donation of goods, enabling the charity to reclaim tax worth 25p in every £1 received through items sold.Your donated items help to raise vital funds to support patient care. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the shop manager on one of the numbers below. Hedge End - Tel: 02381 780123 CMH Charity Boutique Hedge End, 1 The Precinct, Lower Northam Road, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 0BL Winchester - Tel: 01962 809734 CMH Charity Boutique Weeke, 4 Weeke Gate, Weeke, Winchester, SO22 6EL 44

elling the story of the Passion, the final days of Jesus's life, is a tradition that dates back to the fourth century. This originally took the form of a liturgical chant, but during the sixteenth century, music and theology became tightly bound and from this time, the Passion began to be sung and performed in different ways. Bach's St Matthew Passion was first performed in 1726 and tells the tale from the perspective of Matthew, one of the Apostles. The St Matthew Passion is acknowledged as one of the outstanding works of Western Culture; containing some of the most beautiful music ever written, as well as some of the most dramatic moments, particularly for the chorus as part of the narrative. In Bach’s day, the audience would also have been expected to join in with the Chorales (well-known Lutheran hymns of the period), which form part of the structure and allow for considered reflection on the story. It could be viewed as the most outstanding baroque opera ever written, but conceived for performance in an inspiring ecclesiastical building such as Winchester Cathedral. Here, a work of this intensity and quality can hardly fail to inspire. Bach wrote primarily out of a deep Christian faith, and probably did not appreciate the greatness of the work he had produced. The piece remains a favourite amongst performers and audiences alike, perhaps because Bach achieved such balance and representation of both tragedy and beauty throughout, and perhaps also because the subjects of love, hate and betrayal are such human and universal experiences. The choir is delighted to welcome back the Hanover Band, whose reputation as one of the finest period orchestras in the UK is not unfounded and serves to give the listener a completely baroque experience. Poignantly, the concert is being dedicated to Peter Evans, who was conductor of the Southampton Philharmonic Choir between 1965 and 1990, He was instrumental in the creation of the Turner Sims Concert Hall and started a music department at the University of Southampton. He sadly passed away on New Year’s Day. Saturday 3 March 2018 7.15pm at Winchester Cathedral, see www.southamptonphil.org for more details.

COMMU N IT Y HOME ISSU E 29 | FE BRUARY

South Coast Installations Beautiful Craftsmanship from a Trustworthy, Local, 30 Year Established Family Firm Proud to offer you the very best service in:

Conservatories • Windows • Doors • Extensions We offer free quotations and advice, and do not take deposits

All of our products come with a 10 year guarantee For more information, please contact us or visit our website

Tel: 01489 799964

www.southcoastinstallations.co.uk 45

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MAKE THE HEART OF YOUR HOME MAGNIFICENT WITH A LUXURY, MADE TO MEASURE KITCHEN

View displays and samples at our SHOWROOM then book a HOME VISIT

GET A DETAILED, IN STORE PRESENTATION OF YOUR DESIGN WITH IMAGES AND A FULL QUOTATION

HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW AT YOUR OWN PACE

THEN SIT BACK AND LET US CREATE YOUR DREAM KITCHEN! Visit our Hedge End showroom: Unit 2-3, Mayflower Park, 28 Botley Road, Hedge End SO30 2HE Open Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm Saturday 9am – 4pm

Operation Sea Shell FEATURE ISSUE 29 | FEBRUARY

inter might not seem to be the best time to visit the Hampshire seaside, but my family enjoyed an exhilarating walk at Lepe Country Park earlier this year. ‘Look at these lovely shells, Mum.’ My youngest son held out a hinged pair of clam shells. ‘They’re beautiful,’ I said. ‘Why don’t you see if you can find some others?’ He liked that idea and scuttled off to probe the tidewrack for more. We passed some bollards which were used to tie the ships up as they were loaded for the Operation Overlord invasion in 1944. My oldest son jaywalked along a groyne, pointing out a tanker turning into Southampton Water on its way to the oil refinery at Fawley. During the Second World War, Fawley was used as a storage depot and bomb-proof underground pipelines distributed fuel from there to airfields throughout the south of England.Youngest son held out a palm full of shells to show his brother, who jumped down to help him add to the collection. Looking over the fence running behind the beach, I could see modern gas pipeline signs snaking through the nature reserve towards the sea.These are a clue to Fawley’s great contribution to the war effort – ensuring Operation Overlord was not stalled by fuel shortages. Petroleum tankers would have been bombed by the Luftwaffe if they had tried to dock in French ports and so the British Armed Forces and oil companies developed Pipe Lines Under The Ocean (PLUTO). American tankers unloaded the fuel at Fawley; PLUTO took it from Lepe across the Solent, on to a pumping station on the Isle of Wight, and then 70 miles across the Channel to Cherbourg; then it kept the Allied vehicles moving as they fought through Normandy. ‘Our pockets are full,’ whinged the boys. ‘Can we put some shells in yours?’ Meanwhile, Dad was having a wonderful time photographing the strange concrete tetrahedrons spaced out at intervals along the shingle.These are the remains of the winching gear bases which were used to launch Mulberry harbour components from the beach. As well as fuel, the Allies needed to unload 12,000 tonnes of stores and 2,500 vehicles every day in the weeks following the

invasion. German Forces were expected to bomb the French ports as they retreated and so the Allies decided to construct and float a harbour the size of Dover’s across the Channel! The construction team at Lepe manufactured and launched six hollow concrete caissons, each weighing up to 6000 tonnes, which were towed to the Normandy coast then sunk to form a temporary harbour.We visited the remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches on holiday last year and checked the quality of the construction work. Concrete blocks the size of houses still stand proudly in the bay, having survived 74 years of buffeting by Channel storms - and small boys climbing all over them. The sands had shifted since our last visit to Lepe and revealed a new section of regular concrete squares, looking like pieces of chocolate, poking up through the beach.These were once hardening mats, used to help bear the weight of tanks and other vehicles being driven onto landing craft.They create irresistible, photogenic patterns in the sand. Dad took his camera out. ‘No, you can’t put those shells in my camera case.They’ll scratch the lenses,’ he said, when the boys asked. It was time to go home and so we walked back to the car park, pockets rattling.Whatever were we going to do with all those sea shells? Then we spotted a war memorial and read the plaque:

4th/7th ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS On 3rd June 1944 the Regiment left from here to land on D-Day 5 minutes before the main assault on GOLD BEACH in Sherman amphibious Duplex Drive tanks for the campaign in NW Europe. In proud memory of our comrades and the 124 who did not return to these shores and we used the shells to write T H A N K Y O U on the sand. Lepe Country Park is open every day from 7.30am to 8pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.There are bird box, marine craft and bush craft activities planned for February half term, as well as a children’s trail. For more information, see https://www.hants.gov. uk/thingstodo/countryparks/lepe Iris Crowfoot Iris.crowfoot@gmail.com www.HamboneJunior.com

H OME I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

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COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Church Services BISHOP'S WALTHAM O Catholic Church of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Sundays 09.30 Sunday Mass Saturdays 18.00 Evening Mass O St. Peter's Sunday 4 February 08.00 BCP Communion 09.15 Parish Communion 09.15 Informal Service in Church Hall Sunday 11 February 08.00 BCP Communion 09.15 Parish Communion 09.15 Informal Service in Church Hall 18.30 Evensong at The Blessed Mary, Upham Sunday 18 February 08.00 BCP Communion 09.15 Parish Communion 09.15 Informal Service in Church Hall Sunday 25 February 08.00 BCP Communion 09.15 Morning Worship 09.15 Informal Service with Communion in Church Hall 18.30 Reflective Taize Service Everyday 08.45 Morning Prayer Thursdays (except 8 & 22 February) 10.00 Midweek Communion followed by refreshments

CORHAMPTON O Saxon Church

Sunday 11 February A service of 18.30 Contemplative Prayer Sunday 18 February Matins 10.30 Sunday 25 February 08.00 Holy Communion

DROXFORD

O St. Mary & All Saints Sunday 4 February 08.00 Holy Communion Sunday 11 February Holy Communion 10.30 Sunday 18 February Informal All Age Service 10.00

EXTON

O St. Peter & St. Paul Sunday 4 February Royal Accession 18.30 Evensong Sunday 18 February 08.00 Holy Communion

Sunday 25 February Holy Communion 10.30

MEONSTOKE O St. Andrew's Sunday 4 February Holy Communion 10.30 Sunday 11 February 08.00 Holy Communion Sunday 25 February 09.30 Informal All Age Service

HAMBLEDON

O Methodist Church Sunday 4 February Morning Service with 10:30 craft activities for children and Holy Communion Sunday 11 February Morning Worship 10:30 Friday 16 February Prayer and Praise with 10:30 Josh Raybould followed by free supper Sunday 18 February Morning Worship 10:30 Sunday 25 February Morning Worship 10:30

O St Peter & Paul Sunday 4 February 08.00 Holy Communion 10.30 Parish Communion 18.30 Evensong Wednesday 7 February 09.30 Holy Communion Sunday 11 February 08.00 Holy Communion 10.30 Parish Communion 18.30 Evensong Wednesday 14 February 09.30 Holy Communion 19.30 Holy Communion Sunday 18 February 08.00 Holy Communion 10.30 Parish Communion 18.30 Evensong Wednesday 21 February 09.30 Holy Communion Sunday 25 February 08.00 Holy Communion 10.00 Short Family Service 11.00 Matins 18.30 Evensong Wednesday 28 February 09.30 Holy Communion

NEWTOWN O Holy Trinity Church Sunday 11 February 09.30 Holy Communion Sunday 18 February 10.00 Benefice Holy Communion Sunday 25 February 09.30 Holy Communion Fridays 08.30 Morning Prayers

SHEDFIELD

O St. John the Baptist Sunday 4 February 08.00 Holy Communion BCP 10.00 Parish Communion

Sunday 11 February 08.00 Holy Communion BCP 10.30 Family Time Service Wednesday 14 February Holy Communion 19.30 with Ashing Sunday 18 February 08.00 Holy Communion BCP 10.00 Parish Holy Communion 18.00 Sung Evensong Sunday 25 February 08.00 Holy Communion BCP 10.00 Quiet Time Service Thursdays 10.00 Holy Communion in the Morrell Room

O Methodist Church

SHIRRELL HEATH

UPHAM

O Methodist Church Sunday 4 February Morning Worship 10.30 18.00 Evening Worship Sunday 11 February Morning Worship 10.30 18.00 Evening Worship Sunday 18 February Morning Worship 10.30 18.00 Evening Worship Sunday 25 February Morning Worship with 10.30 Holy Communion 18.00 Evening Worship

SOBERTON O St Peter's Church

Sunday 4 February 10.00 Benefice Holy Communion with ROCS (for all children) Sunday 11 February Matins 11.00 Wednesday 14 February Service with 18.00 Imposition of Ashes Sunday 25 February Parish Communion 11.00

SWANMORE

O St Barnabas Sunday 4 February 08.00 Eucharist 10.00 Family Eucharist Sunday 11 February 08.00 Eucharist 10.00 Parish Eucharist inc Sunday Club Wednesday 14 February Eucharist & 11.00 Imposition of Ashes 19.30 Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes Sunday 18 February 08.00 Eucharist 10.00 3rd@10 Cafe Church 18.30 Eucharist Sunday 25 February 08.00 Eucharist 10.00 Parish Eucharist inc Sunday Club Wednesdays 11.00 Eucharist Thursdays Morning Prayer 08.15 Saturdays Midday Prayer 12.00

Sunday 4 February Church Anniversary 10.30 Service with Holy Communion 18.00 Evening Service Sunday 11 February Morning Service 10.30 18.00 Evening Service Sunday 18 February Family Morning Service 10.30 18.00 Service at Shirrell Heath Sunday 25 February Morning Service 10.30 18.00 Service with Holy Communion

O Church of the Blessed Mary Sunday 4 February Parish Communion 11.00 Sunday 11 February Family Service 11.00 18.30 Evensong Sunday 18 February Parish Communion 11.00 Sunday 25 February Parish Communion 11.00 18.30 Reflective Taize Service

WALTHAM CHASE O Waltham Chase Methodist Church

Sunday 4 February 09.30 Family Breakfast 10.00 Family Worship 11.00 Worship & Word Sunday 11 February Morning Worship 10.30 Sunday 18 February Morning Worship 10.30 Sunday 25 February Morning Worship 10.30

WARNFORD

O Church of Our Lady Sunday 4 February 09.00 Holy Communion Sunday 11 February 09.00 Parish Communion Sunday 18 February 09.00 Holy Communion Sunday 25 February 09.00 Mattins Saturdays 09.00 Morning Prayer

WEST MEON O St. John the Evangelist Sunday 4 February 08.00 Holy Communion 10.30 All Age Worship Sunday 11 February Parish Communion 10.30 Sunday 18 February 10.30 Service of the Word Sunday 25 February 10.30 Parish Communion Wednesdays & Thursdays (Except 8 February) 09.00 Morning Prayer

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COMMU N IT Y I SSU E 29 | FE B R UARY

Community

ROGER BLACK IS BACK TO HOST THE EAST HAMPSHIRE SPORTS AWARDS

CITIZENS ADVICE WINCHESTER DISTRICT

esley Rose, Advice Services Manager at Citizens Advice Winchester District gives advice on how to avoid getting into debt if you are made redundant.

I was made redundant last month and I've already started to fall behind on my bills. I'm looking for work, but is there anything else I can do so I don't end up in debt?" There are steps you can take to avoid your bills from building up. First, check that you’ve been paid any redundancy money you’re entitled to - you might get statutory redundancy pay and possibly contractual redundancy pay if you’ve been in the job two years or more. This should be evident on your final payslip, but if it’s not contact your employer. Then look at ways to boost your income. See if you’re eligible for benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance with Citizens Advice’s benefits calculator.You could also check if you can make savings on your bills, for example by switching to a cheaper gas or electricity deal. Now look at how much money you have coming in and compare it to your essential spending. Priority bills include your rent or mortgage and council tax, and should be paid first as there can be serious consequences for missing payments. If you own your home, contact your mortgage lender to see if you can negotiate on your monthly repayment.You could also see if your credit card provider will negotiate on repayment amounts to give you some breathing space. For further help understanding managing your money, contact your nearest Citizens Advice. Advice Winchester District The Winchester Centre 68 St George’s Street, Winchester, SO23 8AH Tel: 01962 848008, Fax: 01962 848005 comms@cawinchesterdistrict.org.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk/winchester-district 54

ucky attendees of the East Hampshire Sports Awards are in for a treat when the awards evening takes place on Thursday 15 February at Old Thorns Manor Hotel in Liphook.

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), organisers of the event, has announced that sporting legend, Roger Black MBE, will be hosting the event which has received a recordbreaking number of nominations. ITV’s Fred Dinenage, who has hosted the Sports Awards every year in its six year history, is unable to make this year’s event due to TV commitments. Roger Black was a guest speaker at the 2016 awards ceremony and inspired the room with his story which made him one of Britain’s most successful athletes. Roger represented Great Britain at the highest level of athletics for 14 years, both as an individual 400 metre runner and as a member of the 4x400 metre relay team, winning 15 major championship medals including European, Commonwealth and World Championship gold medals. He also won an Olympic 400 metre silver medal at the games, held in Atlanta, in 1996. Roger Black will join guest speaker Ben Smith, who ran 401 marathons in 401 days, as the two guests of honour which will make this year’s event a very special occasion. Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Customer Service, said: “Although it is disappointing to lose Fred Dinenage, who has done an excellent job over the past six years, we are delighted that we have secured someone of Roger’s calibre to step in. I was lucky enough to be at the Sports Awards two years ago and hear Roger’s incredibly inspirational and motivational speech and we are extremely lucky to have him back." The East Hampshire Sports Awards ceremony is organised annually by EHDC to publicly recognise East Hampshire sportsmen and women at every level, as well as the coaches, officials and volunteers who help them succeed. www.easthants.gov.uk

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