Education

Wessex Sculptors Workshops Work pays off for council’s countryside team

By popular request a further introduction to Creative Copperwork with Lucille Scott . Create copper bowls, a Penannular brooch and simple copper forms using fold forming techniques on 15th January 2022. From 10am – 4pm.

This is an intensive introduction to working with copper, and will include techniques such as cutting and hammering out copper sheeting; soldering; working with wire; and will cover processes such as annealing, folding, spreading and shaping. The minimum a student will leave with is a copper bowl, penannular brooch and an experimental textured sheet and a leaf made using fold forming techniques. This is skills based day as it is assumed everyone will be more interested in skills than design at this stage.

The left image is a working progress, the right a finished piece

Creative Copperwork for developers with Lucille Scott - Designed for people who have attended the introduction course on 14th January 2022 10am – 4pm. This is a continuing Workshop with copper, and will reinforce techniques such as cutting and hammering out copper sheeting; soldering; working with wire; and will cover processes such as annealing, folding, spreading and shaping. Your own design ideas are encouraged, now that you know the scope of the techniques involved.

Cost: £55 Members. £65 Non-members, which includes materials. Light refreshments provided, bring your own lunch. Payment: We require full payment in advance to secure a place. Cheque made out to Wessex Sculptors Events (your surname and WS011 on the back) and send to Anne Lain 1 Bramble Hill, Alresford, SO24 9JY Direct bank transfer: Account name: Wessex sculptors Events. Sort code: 30-93-17 A/c No 44485768 Ref: Your surname (WS011). Only 8 places (Max) available for these workshops, please check availability by email or phone 07785 715985 before payment. Payment confirms your place. Reimbursement on cancellation less than a week before the workshop will only be made if we can fill your place.

For further information and to check availability Contact: Anne Lain 07785 715985 anne.lain627@gmail.com Giles Summerhays Wessexworkshops@summerhays.co.uk Three Test Valley parks have won a coveted national prize of a Green Flag Award from UK charity Keen Britain Tidy.

Romsey’s War Memorial Park, Rooksbury Mill in Andover and Valley Park have all been awarded the prize. The scheme, which is celebrating 25 years as the international quality mark for parks, announced the 2021 awards last month.

More so than ever before, green spaces in the borough have been of significant importance to residents and visitors. Lockdown gave an opportunity for communities to prioritise spending time outdoors in the fresh air, with many exploring new spaces and even discovering the beauty of Test Valley for the first time. Green spaces in Test Valley have provided the space to breathe and reset during challenging times and, never more than this year have they deserved to be acknowledged for their management.

Keeping in touch with nature remains a part of many people’s everyday life. Now, the importance of taking a break and enjoying a change of scenery, even if it’s a simple walk through the park to notice the colours of the leaves changing, is recognised. More than ever before, communities are making the most of what’s on their doorstep.

Climate change and countryside portfolio holder, councillor Alison Johnston, said: “Access to high quality, diverse open spaces and Nature plays such an important part of our wellbeing, and we are all aware of how fortunate we are to have beautiful green space in which to reflect, exercise, explore, appreciate and be with our friends and family.

“Our parks are a haven not just for us but a home for our local wildlife too. These awards are a testament to officers at the council who work tirelessly to ensure our green spaces are looked after and protected throughout the year, working with nature to release its full potential.”

Portfolio holder for community, leisure and tourism, councillor David Drew, said: “Yet again, green spaces in the borough managed by the council have been acknowledged by Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Awards.

“The borough’s green spaces are truly spectacular. The council prioritises time and funds to ensure that these spaces are carefully maintained.”

Next time you are in need of fresh air, why not explore Memorial Park, Rooksbury Mill and Valley Park in Test Valley? Find parking information and walking routes at testvalley.gov.uk/ communityandleisure.

What is co-curricular and why is it important to child’s education?

Co-curricular activities are those that support and complement a child’s academic subjects and generally take place after school or at lunchtimes, and often outside the classroom. Schools that offer a well-rounded education will encourage children to excel in both curriculum and co-curriculum activities.

Growth is a cornerstone of personal development and cocurriculum exposes children to new experiences that will expand their views on the world and help develop important life skills that will stay with them beyond school. A strong co-curriculum will offer real choice and real independence; the chance to try something new, uncover a new passion or talent and enable children to take calculated risks. Children will feel purposefully uncomfortable which in turn will enable them to learn more about themselves, and those around them, and the value of relationships.

Such activities can empower children to express themselves more freely and enhance their communication skills. They will learn how to take accountability and use initiative, to cooperate and coordinate with different individuals, and behave and manage themselves in different scenarios. Being in a new environment will encourage children to think critically and creatively to overcome challenges. They will build resilience and curiosity.

At Embley, we offer over 150 co-curricular opportunities that enable children to start filling the pages of their unique story. Activities include Embley Asset Management – a stock market investment club with children trading live on the London Stock Exchange (funds raised will go towards a bursary for a child to attend Embley in the future). Alongside traditional sporting opportunities such as rugby, hockey, cricket, netball and rounders, we offer outdoor adventure activities. These include scuba diving, skiing, golf, climbing and horse riding and our Keelboat

Community car changes made permanent after Covid-19

A grant change for those using their vehicles to help the community has been made permanent after a change came in following the Covid-19 pandemic last spring.

At a cabinet meeting this week, Test Valley Borough Council’s portfolio holders made an amendment to allow more flexibility to the Community Car Scheme that is in place across Test Valley.

During the pandemic, as part of the authority’s emergency response, car schemes were permitted to also claim from their Programme which sees our fleet of Etchell 22s and Stewart 37, moored at Lymington Harbour, competing in international races (with sights now set on the 2023 Fastnet). In 2022, we will be launching the Embley Combined Cadet Force.

In addition, Embley offers Duke of Edinburgh, LAMDA, music and martial arts qualifications, Model United Nations, STEM, gaming, coding, debating, art, drama, singing and instrumental clubs as well as academic subject specific and support sessions.

Our aim is to help children achieve their personal best by providing them with a broad and balanced educational experience so that they leave school not only with the best academic qualifications of which they are capable, but a belief in themselves as unique individuals, compassion for those around them and a passion for life.

For further information or to find out how to arrange a visit, please visit www.embley.org.uk

grant for journeys used to assist people who were shielding or isolating. Now, that alteration has been made permanent, meaning claims can be made for transport where the passenger is unable to make that journey themselves, but with the purpose of their travels to collect items, such as prescriptions, on their behalf.

The change will come into place as of January next year.

Transport portfolio holder, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “Last spring was an immensely challenging time for our communities, but, as we have said many times, the shining light was how everybody came together. The Community Car Scheme is a great example of that collective spirit, and it’s only right that we make this change a permanent one.

“This will benefit those who went out of their way, and continue to do so, for those who need assistance. It’s a very commendable act and I’m pleased that this change sees them fairly compensated for their efforts.”

www.testvalley.gov.uk