Feature

Local Treasures Titchfield Abbey

The ruins of 13th-century Titchfield Abbey, the last monastery of Premonstratensian canons to be founded in England, lie in the valley of the River Meon in south Hampshire.

In 1537, after the Suppression of the Monasteries, the abbey was transformed into a grand mansion called Place House, reusing many of the monastic buildings. A large gatehouse was built across the nave of the monastic church.

THE ABBEY The abbey of St Mary and St John the Evangelist was founded in 1231/2 by Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, for Premonstratensian canons, an order founded at Prémontré in France and known also as the ‘white canons’. The canons lived a communal life under monastic vows, but were also involved in the wider community, preaching and teaching the Gospel. Of the 14 or 15 canons here, two served as vicars to nearby parish churches.

The abbey owned many thousands of acres of land and had its own farm buildings and a series of fishponds. Titchfield was a good stopping-off place for journeys to the Continent, and Henry V (r.1413–22) stayed there before departing on campaign in France.

PLACE HOUSE At the Suppression of the Monasteries the abbey was granted in 1537 to Thomas Wriothesley, later 1st Earl of Southampton, who was a loyal civil servant to King Henry VIII. He played a key part in the suppression and was given monastic lands as a reward. Central to Wriothesley’s new domain were the 11 manors and 5,000 acres (2,024 hectares) surrounding Titchfield Abbey. He proceeded to transform the main abbey buildings into Place House, a residence fit for a rising courtier. Royal guests at the house included Edward VI, Elizabeth I and Charles I with his queen, Henrietta Maria. Wriothesley’s grandson Henry, 3rd Earl of Southampton, was a patron of William Shakespeare and it is believed that some of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here for the first time.

On the death of the 4th Earl of Southampton Titchfield passed through several families, until 1781, when most of the building was demolished for building stone. In the early 20th century archaeological excavations helped to clarify the layout of the monastic buildings.

ENGLISH HERITAGE HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS By supporting us, you're repairing medieval masonry, hanging worldfamous paintings for all to enjoy, and planting bulbs in restored Victorian gardens. The historic places in our care span 6,000 years and include palaces, houses, hill figures, castles, abbeys, industrial sites, Roman forts and even deserted medieval villages.

And in doing so you're inspiring visitors young and old, and keeping the story of England alive. Play your part in giving England's heritage a future by supporting today. You'll help over 400 places withstand the forces of nature and safeguard their stories long into the future.

To find out more on how to support us visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us

A reconstruction of Titchfield Abbey as it may have looked in the 14th century © Historic England (illustration by Roger Hutchings)

Shedfield Riding School Shedfield Equestrian, Botley Road, Shedfield, SO32 2HN www.shedfieldridingschool.co.uk Tel: 01329 830387

Here at Shedfield Riding School, we are a small dedicated team with a passion to teach. We teach all abilities and ages from 3 upwards. We are a registered RDA centre and also hold Pony club every Saturday and Sunday. Our stables house various breeds, ages, sizes and abilities for all riders.

Shows We hold regular shows onsite throughout the year including monthly unaffiliated Dressage and monthly unaffiliated Show Jumping and Combined Training. We hold our ever popular Summer Show every year as well as a Fun Show for the children, a Halloween Show and a Winter Woolies later on in the year. Regular Dressage and Pole work Clinics These are a fun alternative to everyday lessons and a great way to improve rhythm, control and balance. These include various clinics run by lots of different professionals for all equestrian disciplines including Julia RydeRogers, Kelly Jones and many more.

Birthday Parties Why not treat your pony mad child to something totally different? We hold birthday parties for children aged 4+. Our birthday packages include a 1 hour session consisting of grooming and tacking up, riding instruction and gymkhana games, races and activities, followed by food and birthday cake if required.

We have a range of horses to suit everyone from safe, friendly ponies to experienced horses. For information on Prices and Lessons please phone us. We are also have an official Pony Club centre and a Riding For The Disabled (RDA) approved facility.

Our most popular lesson types are: Private lesson from £29.00, Group lesson from £21.50, Pony Club £35.50, After-School Club £34.50. We also offer arena/working hunter hire, prices start from £12.50 for 30 minutes.

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Opening Times: Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 8pm Wednesday 9am - 7pm Thursday 9am - 8pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

CPRE Hampshire share the hedgerow love with launch of Community ‘Hedge’ Fund

Community groups from across Hampshire are being invited to apply for grants of up to £750 to assist with the planting or restoration, by laying or gapping up, of hedges in areas accessible to the public.

At CPRE Hampshire, they are passionate about hedges. Not only as a beautiful feature of the countryside, green spaces and gardens, but for the contribution they make to reversing the effects of climate change, and in providing shelter, homes, safe travel and food to all kinds of wildlife. In recognition of the value they offer, the Hampshire based countryside charity has launched a Community ‘Hedge’ Fund.

The aim is to reach across Hampshire to assist the national CPRE target of increasing the length of hedgerows in the UK by 40% by 2050. Since 1945, we have lost half our hedgerows, intensifying nature’s decline and hindering the fight against climate change. CPRE Hampshire is determined to help in turning this round by communicating the important role hedgerows play, as well as undertaking projects around restoring and planting.

Recent initiatives include a project in the South West of Hampshire to restore and plant hedgerows, involving local schools, the local Young Famers and a team of volunteers. A new initiative is currently underway with Hampshire County Farms in a new location near Fareham with a new set of volunteers and community groups involved.

Boyd McCleary, CPRE Hampshire Vice Chair said: “We are delighted to launch the Community Hedge Fund. Hedgerows need our help. Around 50% of this country’s hedgerows have disappeared since the Second World War and many more have been seriously degraded or are otherwise under threat. This is a great opportunity to get local communities involved and get some more hedges planted or repaired in public spaces that really need it.”

If you think your local public areas or community groups would benefit, visit www.cprehampshire.org.uk or email the CPRE Hampshire Hedgerow Co-ordinator at ellie.banks@cprehampshire. org.uk. Guidance and advice can also be provided where needed.

The Hampshire Foot and Ankle Clinic combines the expertise of leading Orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists and physiotherapists to provide comprehensive, highly specialised foot and ankle care to our patients.

We specialise in

Achilles Tendon, Ankle Arthritis, Ankle Sprains & Instability, Bunions, Flat Feet, Hallux Rigidus, Heel Pain, Ingrown Toenails, Lesser Toes, Morton's Neuroma, Peroneal Tendons, Sesamoiditis

Sites covered

The Hampshire Clinic, Sarum Road Hospital, The Winchester Clinic and Wessex Nuffield Hospital

Information and booking

www.foot-ankle.co.uk appointments@foot-ankle.co.uk Robin Elliot: 01256 377685 Daniel Marsland: 01256 377685 James Calder: 020 3195 2430

SATURDAY 19th NOVEMBER 2022

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