Test Valley Forum - Issue 164 May

TEST VALLEY

ISSUE 164 MAY 2022

Forum Life in your Community

Coastal living at Peter Green Furnishes RECIPE OF THE MONTH

FEATURE

GOOD FESTIVAL

How to make easy Flatbread and Wild Garlic Pesto

50 Shades of Green -

Bere Mill, Whitchurch Hampshire

By Lucia Foster-Found

TEST VALLEY ARTS FOUNDATION Chairman's Annual Report

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

RE O F AL S

WHERWELL A character property with excellent accommodation.

Commercial – 102.5 SQM (1103.7 Sqft) & Residential – 70.7 SQM (761.3 Sqft) A very attractive Grade II Listed building situated in the heart of the popular Test Valley village of Wherwell.

Commercial premises with Residential accommodation above with large gardens and views overlooking the village. Garage Retail area with storage and kitchen.

Residential;Two Bedrooms, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Bathroom & Terrace/ Garden.

Price on application

TO T LE

STOCKBRIDGE A New Lease to be Granted, attractive double fronted shop 40.7 SQM (438.3 Sqft) A ground floor shop in an excellent location in the centre of Stockbridge High Street with car park space.

The shop is well laid out with a separate kitchen,WC and store.

Rent on application

www.myddeltonmajor.co.uk

Tel: 01264 316000

TEST VALLEY FORUM MAY 2022

CONTENTS 06 Property Management

Buying, selling, letting?

Find local estate agents and property management services

04

25

Retail

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

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

26

Wellbeing

10 May Events

31 Professional Services

08 Home

14

Garden

17

Education

18

Looking after your health and yourself!

20

Make your garden dream come true

Editor Mark Tubb editor@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Advertising Steve Walker stevewalker@forumpublications.co.uk Director of Marketing Rob Harrison rob@forummedianddesign.co.uk Advertising Manager Mandy Head mandyhead@forumpublications.co.uk Accounts accounts@forumpublications.co.uk

Contributors

Find local schools and educational experts

Lucia Foster-Found www. luciafosterfound.com

Arts & Culture

Get in Touch

20 Entertainment

Discover local events and days out or in

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

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Alresford, SO24 9QH Tel: 01962 735137 www.forumpublications.co.uk

22 Recipe of the Month

From photographers to solicitors - every professional service you need

Contacts

How to make easy Flatbread and Wild Garlic Pesto

23 Food & Drink

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

24 Feature Test Valley Arts

Foundation - Chairman's Annual Report

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

Test Valley Forum magazine content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or recommendations of its creators and any reliance upon its content is taken at the user’s sole risk. Adverts designed by Forum Publications remain the magazine's legal ownership. Readership figures calculated on an average national statistic of 2.5 readers per household © Forum Publications Ltd, 2022

COMMUNITY FEATURE

50 Shades of Green

O

© LUCIA FOSTER-FOUND 2022

WWW.LUCIAFOSTERFOUND.COM

ut on a walk in the late Spring sunshine, dogs milling about at his feet, Himself sighed and muttered something that sounded a lot like “Fifty shades of grey.”

A bit random, she thought as she stopped in her tracks. She didn’t know he’d read it, for one. Although, they’d been talking earlier about her next choice for Book Club – was it a suggestion...?

“It’s an idea I suppose.” She concurred. Potentially not a very good one if she were honest. But Himself had apparently given it some thought, so she deliberated. “Well… I heard that charity shops had been inundated with copies, so I suppose it wouldn’t be expensive for everyone to buy. I’ll have to check – maybe Book Club have already read it… Do you think they’d like it?” she pondered.

“Who’d like what, Darling?” He looked puzzled.

“Book Club. Fifty Shades of Grey.”

“Absolutely no idea. Best ask them. Look Darling, look at all those nifty little sheds. And all mellowed into that lovely silvery grey of weathered larch lap.” He sighed with longing and waved his hand expansively over the view of the allotments.

Aah. Sheds, not shades - that made a lot more sense. Himself was particularly partial to a nice nifty shed. Of grey.

The neatly tended allotment plots were a verdant patchwork, too.

“And fifty shades of green,” she commented, less jealously than she might previously have done. Was a time during the first lockdown that she’d been obsessed with growing vegetables. Back then, when supermarket delivery slots were rather rarer than rocking horse droppings, a green-eyed monster might well have possessed her as she took in the view of the allotments.

But back then she hadn’t been able to get her hands on tomato or runner bean plants for her pots until it was almost too late. Given the Government green light she’d finally, nervously, visited a garden centre. Buying the very last ones in stock, she’d felt epic excitement of spaniel proportions. Returning triumphantly to the car with her leggy, spindly, slightly sad specimens of gardener’s delight and scarlet emperor, she’d mentally pranced on all four paws, panted and wagged her tail.

2020 had also been the year she attempted to grow courgette seeds she’d rescued from her ratatouille. This was before she’d found out you could get poisoned from the resulting harvest. That was a narrow

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squeak – saved from ‘toxic squash syndrome’ by an inability to get the seeds to germinate. Paradoxically, not being blessed with green fingers had, for once, been an advantage. But 2020 now seemed like a different century, a different planet.

Back in the present, along from the allotments, they were strolling past gardens full of colour. She was reminded of spring 2021, which had delivered her a desperate need for flowers. Like a May dawn mist, her obsession with vegetables had evaporated, along with listening to the hourly news and wanting to go to the pub. The term ‘languishing’ was being bandied about and the somehow joyless, aimless feeling of ‘meh’ had taken hold. Flowers had been the answer; a vibrant, technicolour tonic. She’d packed her pots with pots of colour.

“You know the human eye can differentiate between more shades of green than any other colour.” Himself stated, sounding uncharacteristically flat. Perhaps he had a point - looking a little closer, she noted that he was somewhat green around the gills.

“You alright?”

He shook his head sadly. “I suspect the culprit was that green salad.

Maybe not washed properly, or the dressing was off…”

Yeah right, she thought. Or maybe, just maybe, it had been something short-date he’d eaten. Perfectly fine when he’d fancied it in the reduced chiller cabinet, but days later when he’d got around to snaffling it? Not so much...

Back at home, a glass of Andrews and a quiet sit down in the smallest library of the house sorted him out, however. As she looked at him, his habitually healthy complexion was miraculously restored.

“You’re a marvel.” She announced.

“Thank you Darling.” He said happily. Then thought about it. “Marvel, why?”

“A momentary indisposition and there you are; green for ‘go’ again.”

“Salad – definitely the salad.” Himself nodded as he opened the fridge door.

“If you say so.” Either way she’d have been sick for a week from eating out-of-date whatever-it-was. She only had to look at an unwashed grape or an overripe cheese to feel queasy - but not him.

As she watched him enthusiastically tuck into leftovers she’d earmarked for the dogs, that cast iron constitution of his made her green with envy.

Bespoke Kitchen Fitting & Kitchen Makeovers

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PROPERTY / COMMUNITY The process of selling a property can be much faster if you are prepared with the necessary information.

Since 2013, the description and sale of property has come under the CPR (Consumer Protection Against Unfair Trading Regulations).

This means that if something is not disclosed that could legitimately affect a buyer’s decision, you could be prosecuted.

To help ensure that the correct information has been disclosed, a vendor is supplied with a Property Information Form (TA6). Any disputes with neighbours, planning permission nearby or building work done on the property should be listed here.

Things that can be concerning, like pests, Japanese knotweed or a previous sale falling through due to the results of a survey, need to be disclosed. People have the right to know what they’re walking into.

Some examples of what needs to be disclosed: • If the property is on a flight path or in view of a motorway, or

there are plans for this to occur • If a violent death took place in the property • If there are high levels of crime in the area • If there are pests or Japanese knotweed problems either currently or in the past • If your neighbours have an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) • Any structural issues with the property • Any planning permission, whether it was granted, is pending, or was denied • Guarantees or insurance policies like underpinning, or damp proofing • Planning limitations • Boundary issues or shared rights of way Being upfront and clear in advance will mean your property is sold more promptly and there are no issues afterwards. Failing to disclose relevant information is a criminal offence.

There is also a fixtures and fittings form to be completed before selling. This will tell your buyer what is included in the purchase. Be clear about what you're taking and what you're leaving to avoid any difficulty closer to exchange.

Ultimately have an honest and open relationship with your agent and be guided by them.

Kate Porter Sales

Claudia Hunt Lettings

Marishelle Butler Management

The Spring Hampshire Art Show

As our hedgerows once again burst with life and colour, lambs skid about in the fields and we alternate between boiling and freezing, we know that not only is spring upon us but also that Nadia Waterfield Fine Art will soon be opening its doors for its much feted Spring Hampshire Art Show. As ever brimming with beautiful contemporary art, with over 250 paintings, sculptures and ceramics from both recognised artists, along with so much exciting new talent, the exhibition runs from 23rd April to 14th May at the Old Grain Barn, Goodworth Clatford, near Stockbridge.

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EQDC

Tel: 02392 632275 info@countryhousecompany.co.uk sales@countryhousecompany.co.uk lettings@countryhousecompany.co.uk countryhousecompany.co.uk

The gallery – the largest in Hampshire – has the advantage of acres of space so that not only can a vast cross-section of artwork, across a broad variety of subjects, genres and media be exhibited, larger pieces to fill bigger walls can be hung too. Featuring original work from over 60 artists, all the exhibits are meticulously sourced from all over the UK and abroad to ensure these shows are always exciting, sometimes surprising, and normally have something to fall in love with that is hard to leave behind! Certainly with so much diversity under one roof, there’s something to appeal to all tastes and budgets.

Comfortably furnished, with a stylish smattering of rugs, lamps, tables and chairs, this is a magical venue in which to enjoy some truly memorable art in a relaxed yet professional environment.

It’s a hidden gem in the Hampshire countryside too, with plenty of parking and wonderful walks nearby. Nadia – an artist herself – is passionate about finding the dream piece for her clients and will always advise on what might suit their tastes and spaces best. She is also happy to bring suitable artwork to a client’s house and will leave pieces behind to be ‘lived with’ to see if they work well while the client makes a decision.

The Spring Hampshire Art Show will be open every day from 11am-5pm (closed on Mondays) with preview drinks on Saturday 23rd April (12-2pm). For those who want to do some research on the treats in store, all artwork is available online at nadiawaterfield. com. If you want to see yet more eclectic and original art from Nadia Waterfield Fine Art and are in the area, pop in to our Bruton gallery.

In order to make our art as assessable to as many people as possible we take interest free payments over 10 months.

The market is moving, are you?

Whilst the property market may continually fluctuate, we are consistent in our approach and reliable in the service we offer.

You can rely on The Country House Company to take a steady, experienced and professional approach to guide you through your property transactions.

The property experts you can trust

Kate Porter - Head of Sales katep@countryhousecompany.co.uk

Claudia Hunt - Head of Lettings claudia@countryhousecompany.co.uk

Marishelle Butler - Head of Management marishelle@countryhousecompany.co.uk

02392 632 275 countryhousecompany.co.uk

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BEFORE

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AFTER

Since the inception of Zerodrytime in 2006, the company has progressed and now offers specialist systems to clean your hard floors and wooden floors. We can even offer you a sandless system, which brings new life to your wooden floor, without all the fuss and mess of traditional sanding and varnishing.We will clean your fabric sofas and chairs to the highest standard and specialise in the cleaning and recolouring of your leather furniture.

We offer a free, bespoke colour matching service for your leather to ensure a perfect result. You will be astounded by how beautiful your refurbished chairs and sofas will look with the love and care we show them.As your carpets, floors and furniture are as unique as you are, we do not quote over the telephone. We come to your home, check the area or furniture to be cleaned and offer you a free quote tailored to your needs. There is no high pressure sale, just the promise of the best possible workmanship. For your peace of mind, we are also fully insured and vaccinated.We pride ourselves on our professional, friendly and efficient service and invite you to check out some of our previous jobs on our website or Facebook page.

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Bringing Coastal Living to the South Coast

Showcasing furniture furniture inspired inspired by by the the British British seaside seaside for for over over 65 65 years years Showcasing

Curtains and and accessories accessories Curtains

Thehe South South Coast Coast of of England England is is T

undoubtedly aa beautiful beautiful place place to to live. live. Our Our undoubtedly three hundred or so miles of coastline forms three hundred or so miles of coastline forms a fascinating landscape for us to extract a fascinating landscape for us to extract from. Think Think of of the the blue blue inlets inlets and and seaweedy seaweedy from. coves, punctuated with dramatic cliffs of coves, punctuated with dramatic cliffs of white chalk and buff sandstone, rising up to to white chalk and buff sandstone, rising up verdant grasslands…while our stunning verdant grasslands…while our stunning beaches of of yellow yellow sands sands and and grey grey pebbles pebbles beaches provide us with a place to enjoy one of the the provide us with a place to enjoy one of sunniest spots in the country!

And, on a sunniest spots in the country! And, on a cloudy day day this this fantastic fantastic pallet pallet of of coastal coastal cloudy colours becomes muted into a tapestry of colours becomes muted into a tapestry of soft greens and muddy blues and greys. soft greens and muddy blues and greys.

Creating the the ‘Coastal ‘Coastal Look’ Look’ in in your your home home is is Creating as simple as taking a few photographs.

Just as simple as taking a few photographs. Just observe the the beauty beauty of of where where we we live live and and observe take note of the simple lines, natural light, take note of the simple lines, natural light, soft tones, and the clean aesthetics of our soft tones, and the clean aesthetics of our lovely coast and bring them inside. lovely coast and bring them inside.

Beds and and bedrooms bedrooms Beds

Creating the the coastal coastal look look Creating in your your home home is is simple... simple... in You will will evoke evoke the the breeziness breeziness of of the the You beach and and your your home home will will feel feel like like beach summer all year round. summer all year round.

Paint soft soft tints, tints, pretty pretty pastels pastels or or white white Paint on the walls to reflect the light.

Glass on the walls to reflect the light. Glass bowls and and ornaments ornaments will will also also do do the the bowls same thing.

Select light wood for floors same thing. Select light wood for floors and furniture… furniture… reminiscent reminiscent of of pale, pale, and bleached drift wood.

Introduce blues bleached drift wood. Introduce blues and blue-greens of all hues… all mixed and blue-greens of all hues… all mixed together as as they they are are in in the the ocean. ocean. together Introduce some some nautical nautical stripes stripes and and Introduce motifs such as shells, nautical knots, motifs such as shells, nautical knots, Yatchs and and buoys… buoys… decorated decorated with with the the Yatchs real thing thing ifif you you have have them! them! real Layer rope rope mats, mats, seagrass seagrass rugs rugs on on top top of of Layer wood or wood-look floors or go for drawood or wood-look floors or go for dramatic Berber Berber carpets carpets which which have have aa wonwonmatic derfully pebbly texture.

Add some pops derfully pebbly texture. Add some pops of colour colour like like yellow-green yellow-green or or mossy mossy of velvet cushions to suggest grassland and velvet cushions to suggest grassland and a little pink in the same hues as sea a little pink in the same hues as sea thriftand and valerian valerian or or some some brown brown thrift seaweed tones… and you are almost seaweed tones… and you are almost there. there.

Carpets and and Flooring Flooring Carpets

Coastal living living is is all all about about the the casualness casualness Coastal of a seaside home that has evolved over of a seaside home that has evolved over the years, years, so so don’t don’t be be afraid afraid to to have have mismisthe matched pieces of furniture. matched pieces of furniture.

One or or two two rustic rustic looking looking pieces pieces in in dark dark One or painted painted wood wood would would be be evocative evocative or of boating life.

Window treatments are of boating life. Window treatments are important too, go for blinds or simple important too, go for blinds or simple curtains with with geometric geometric designs designs or or curtains simple shapes such as fish, anchors and simple shapes such as fish, anchors and boats.

A pale or navy blue sofa, bleachboats. A pale or navy blue sofa, bleachwood TV TV unit, unit, boat boat shaped shaped bookcase bookcase wood or live-edge dining table are some of of or live-edge dining table are some the key items you might consider along the key items you might consider along with aa light light oak oak cocktail cocktail cabinet cabinet or or aa with display unit unit and and sideboard sideboard made made from from display driftwood.

Accessorise with pictures driftwood. Accessorise with pictures of the the ocean, ocean, nautical nautical table table centres centres and and of macrame pieces made from upcycled macrame pieces made from upcycled rope… and and the the scene scene is is set. set. rope…

Before you you shop shop take take aa few few shots shots of of your your Before favourite seaside places and create a favourite seaside places and create a moodboard of of colours colours and and textures textures to to moodboard help you keep on task. help you keep on task.

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School Lane, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 4DG www.petergreen.co.uk

Living - Flooring - Dining - Home Office - Curtains

HOME

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1973 BUILT ON GREAT SERVICE & VALUE FOR MONEY

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

DELIVERY PERSON

URGENTLY REQUIRED

Tel: 01962 771800 steve.cann@btconnect.com www.georgecanngardenmachinery.co.uk LACEYS FARM, BRAMDEAN, ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 0JT

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The Forum Magazines require a delivery person to deliver magazines to Nether Wallop, Middle & Over Wallop each month Approx 5hr delivery time You will be paid - £70 Having your own transport is advisable If you are interested then please contact the Forum offices on: 01962 735137 between 9am and 5pm or email: editor@forumpublications.co.uk

PLUMBING SERVICES WINCHESTER

Local reliable professional service All aspects of plumbing and heating — Oil boiler specialists — Oftec registered / G1 Accredited Charlie Dalton Plumbing Services Mobile - 07788 654662

www. charliedaltonplumbing.com

www.elitegardenbuildings.co.uk

Show Site Open 7 days a week!

Family run with over 25 years of experience Based in Hampshire Elite Garden buildings is a family run business with over 25 years of experience.

We specialise in Summer houses, home offices, workshops and garden sheds.

From delivery to installation we have an experienced team to take care of all the hard work.

Find us at Brambridge Garden Centre Kiln Lane, Brambridge, Eastleigh, SO50 6HT

Tel: 01962 714141 Sheds, Summerhouses, Garden Offices, Log Cabins, Metal Sheds and Greenhouses

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Elite Garden Buildings Brambridge Park Garden Centre, Kiln Lane, Brambridge, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 6HT Tel: 01962 714141 info@elitegardenbuildings.co.uk

COMMUNITY

May Events Friday 6th May Stockbridge Cinema - Chalk From 4.30pm and 7.30pm The chalkstreams are famous among fly fishers the world over, and this documentary film explores their past, present and future. It celebrates not only the beauty of the rivers and the aesthetics of fly fishing, and the people who shape the sport. A range of expert voices tell the tale of how this accident of geology changed a sport forever. It covers many of the highlights of the chalkstreams and their history: the revered mayfly hatch, the dry fly revolution and the ‘dark art’ of nymphing, the weedcut, and the manicured estates of the Rivers Test, Itchen and others, and the uncertain futures of these iconic rivers. Author and Executive Producer of the film, Simon Cooper, will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A session after each screening of the film (approx 30 minutes).

Information common to all films: Showing at Stockbridge Town Hall SO20 6HE. Tickets can be purchased online (£6.00 incl £0.50p booking fee per ticket) via www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk or by telephone from TicketSource 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 charge per telephone booking in addition to the online ticket price). Visit our website for more details. Drinks and ices will be on sale with payment by debit or credit card. Please wear a face covering, unless exempt, when not seated.

Friday 20th May Stockbridge Cinema - House of Gucci (15) From 7.30pm House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family

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legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately... murder.

Wednesday 25th May Stockbridge Cinema - Belfast (PG) From 5pm and 7.30pm A film directed by Kenneth Branagh's based on his own childhood experience during the troubles in Belfast. A nineyear-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.

Until 14th May The Spring Hampshire Arts Fair At Nadaia Waterfield Fine Art. From 11am to 5pm daily, at The Old Grain Store, Westover Farm, Goodworth Clatford, Nr Stockbridge, SP11 7LF All works can be viewed and purchased online at www.nadiawaterfieldfineart.com Sunday 15th May Alresford Watercress Festival 2022 From 10am - 4pm - The whole of Alresford Town Centre. Alresford Watercress Festival The nationally acclaimed annual free street festival which attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate watercress returns after a two year absence. Over a hundred stalls, festival parade, street entertainment and the world famous Watercress Eating Championship. www.watercress festival.org Saturday 7th May and Saturday 4th June Stockbridge Antiques Fair The Fair is held in Stockbridge Town Hall in the centre of the High Street, usually on the first Saturday of the month. We offer a wide range of Decorative, Interesting and Unusual items including good quality Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, Militaria, Motor memorabilia, Textiles and Books.

We will also buy. Free Admission &

Free Parking. Open: 9.30am - 5.00pm.

Contacts: Carol - 01264 335769 / 07870 432805 Steve - 01722 712267 / 07915 663251 Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th May Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton The UK's most illustrious championship and is followed all over the world. The racing is fast, close and full of action. Since its inception in 1958, it has attracted and captivated millions of fans around the world. Support championships include; F4 British Championship, Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, The Mini Challenge Trophy, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. See the stars of BTCC race wheel-to-wheel. Full support race package in attendance. Two days of action-packed racing. For more information visit: https://thruxtonracing. co.uk/racing/btcc Saturday 14th May to Sat 17th Sept Sky Hunters at Sunset at The Hawk Conservancy Trust Summer evenings offer excellent flying conditions for our birds, and the Hawk Conservancy Trust would like to invite you to enjoy an evening of flying demonstrations at their breathtakingly beautiful 22-acre site, to see them at their best. The birds will soar against the backdrop of their Savannah Arena as the sun sets gently behind them, and after the sun has faded, there'll be twists and turns in flight in the Woodland Arena. For more information and booking visit: www.hawk-conservancy.org/events/skyhunters-at-sunset/ Saturday 11th June The Friends of All Saints will be hosting a performance by This Is My Theatre of Shakespeares ‘Comedy of Errors’ All Saint’s Church Houghton. Do please come to join us for fun filled evening in stunning surroundings.

From 6.30pm Wine and Canapés. 7.30 performance begins. Tickets, in advance, £15, Children under 12, £5. For further information, please contact Sue Marshall@ susanmarshall42@icloud.com 07964803084

COMMUNITY / CULTURE Wildlife Rangers group for young people at Testwood Lakes Hampshire IOW Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers are once again offering the chance for young people aged 12-18 years to take part in wildlife conservation activities at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve, Totton.

From April onwards, volunteers will be running a monthly twohour Wildlife Rangers group, every last Saturday of the month from 2pm-4pm. This group had been running for over three years prior to Covid; now it is finally back! Each of the activities the young people take part in will contribute towards a John Muir Award. The John Muir Award is

a recognised environmental award scheme focused on wild places.

It encourages people to connect with, enjoy and care for the natural environment in a way that is enjoyable and important to them.

Young people will gain valuable experience in wildlife identification, practical conservation and bushcraft skills, as well as a deeper connection with their local environment. Grace Brennan, Education Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says “We are keen to provide more opportunities for young people to get involved with nature. It is also important that teenagers have the chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and enjoy spending time outdoors in a safe environment”. “By offering the opportunity to take part in a recognised award scheme we are acknowledging the efforts of these young people”.

Orlando, who previously attended the club, said “I enjoy coming to Wildlife Rangers because I find it fascinating to see how wildlife is managed”. Megan, who also attended explained “I enjoy coming to Wildlife Rangers because I learn new things that can help me make the environment better for wildlife.”

For more information phone 02380 667929 or email testwoodlakes@hiwwt.org.uk

Stockbridge Music’s Founder and Director to step down after 10 years at the helm

Tim has also made it his mission to nurture young musicians. Thanks to his understanding of the time and dedication it takes to perfect their craft, many emerging soloists and ensembles - some of whom have gone on to international careers, - have been given a priceless platform in Stockbridge at the start of their professional lives.

Tim Lowden, the indomitable founder of Stockbridge Music, has confirmed his intention to step down as Music Director of the muchloved Stockbridge institution, with effect from 30th April 2022.

On hearing the news, Stockbridge Music committee member, Karen Malim, said: “We will all miss Tim’s energetic leadership enormously. However, we are delighted - as well as relieved! - that he has agreed to continue sharing his immense knowledge and wisdom as an invaluable member of the committee.”

For the past 10 years Tim has shown an uncanny knack for having his finger on the pulse of contemporary tastes in classical music.

In that time, he has brought more than 30 first-class, established soloists and chamber ensembles to sold-out venues in Stockbridge, giving the community the opportunity to hear top flight musicians, including Crispian Steele-Perkins, Kosmos, Adrian Brendel, David Owen-Norris and The Gesualdo Six, on their doorsteps and at very reasonable prices.

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On 18th March, Tim’s flair was plain for all to see. Stockbridge Music’s 2022 Spring season opened in triumphant style with a sellout concert in St Peter’s Church by internationally acclaimed artists, Adrian Brendel, cello and Charles Owen, piano. Their beautiful and imaginative programme, from Bach and Fauré, to Liszt, Kurtag and Beethoven, showcased their versatility and emotional range, and held the audience in thrall from start to finish. It was a joy to hear such high-calibre music-making in the local church, and the occasion marked a fitting pinnacle to Tim’s illustrious journey at the helm of Stockbridge Music.

The committee of Stockbridge Music is immensely proud of Tim’s achievements and, with Tim’s continued help and support, looks forward to nurturing and developing his legacy. www.stockbridgemusic.uk

CULTURE

Would you like to explore the Arts?

Why not come and join us at our monthly 13–23 APR @ 7.30PM meetings in Fairground Village Hall, Weyhill on the first Tuesday of the month.

AKESPEARE IN

We are a friendly group who meet and listen to experts talk on a range of subjects. We also offer study days and visits to places of interest.

THE GREAT BARN

Tuesday 07 June 2022 Sea Change - Art in St Ives 1914-1949

In 1927, with the formation of the St Ives Society of Artists, St Ives found a new identity against a very testing political, economic and artistic backdrop.

It managed to attract a wide range of British and foreign artists and to inspire them to produce interesting, beautiful or innovative work.

25–30 APR

@ 7.30PM

For more information see our website theartssocietytestvalley.org.uk

Adapted by Sarah Harvey

Shakespeare Season at

SHAKESPEARE IN

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ENTERTAINMENT

good Festival 2022 Good Festival (formerly Hampshire Country & Garden Festival) is a fun-filled day for all of the family hosted by the Hampshire Medical Fund. Set amongst the beautiful gardens of Bere Mill on the River Test in Whitchurch, the festival returns this year on Sunday 26th June.

tents and enjoy a day of wholesome good simple fun for all the family. The festival combines exciting interactive attractions and experiences with a feel-good atmosphere.

The children’s area will be jam-packed with exciting activities. Children’s entertainers Sharky & George return with their imaginative and energetic games to ensure that the festival is full of bubbles, laughter and happy faces. There will be bushcraft, bubble football, laser fun, circus skills, storytelling, face painting, theatre fun and festival flower headdresses, to name a few! This year there will be a new area for the Under 5’s to keep the littlest festivalgoers entertained.

‘The Three Cockerels’ mobile bar will provide award-winning drinks from local breweries and distilleries across the South Downs.

Every penny from the festival goes towards the purchase of pioneering medical equipment for Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester NHS hospitals. This year, the Hampshire Medical Fund has a very special fund-raising target of £200,000 for the procurement of a state of the art AI (artificial intelligence) machine for interventional radiology. This machine allows minimally invasive, image guided procedures to target tumours in the lungs, kidneys & liver. There are only two of these machines in the entire United Kingdom, which makes it cutting edge technology in cancer treatment for The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The festival launches on Saturday 25th June with an evening of sparkling wine, cocktails and canapés set against the backdrop of Bere Mill gardens. This will be followed by supper, a silent auction and a fast auction finale, accompanied by musical duo, The Canapés, on the guitar and violin.

On Sunday, the doors open at 9.30am. Visitors are invited to step among the colourful festival

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Infectious funky grooves from the exciting musical brass band, Tuba Libres will have you dancing around the hay bales. Also new for this year, The Good Living Tent, celebrates all aspects of well-being with local experts and practitioners. Have you ever tried aerial silks or wanted to have a go at surfing but not quite made it to the waves? Visitors can experience some of life’s simple outdoor pleasures. For the fishing enthusiasts, ‘Famous Fishing’ will be on the banks of the River Test with fly fishing casting tuition, guidance on fly types, and the opportunity to learn how to tie a fly.

For shoppers, there will be local artisans, delicious local food and drink producers and an array of plant stalls to help fill your garden with summer colour. The festival venue, Bere Mill, leads the line-up of food providers with a barbeque feast sourced from the green pastures all around. The mouth-watering selection will include vegan delights, a hog roast, crêpes, ice-cream, locally roasted coffee and handmade cakes. Make sure you come hungry and thirsty!

Last but not least, enter your canine friends in the popular family fun dog show. In the Good Paws tent, our four legged friends will be in with the chance to win: Dog Most like its Owner, Most Handsome Dog, Waggiest Tail and Dog with the Most Character. Water bowls and doggy waste bins are provided throughout the site.

For further information about Good Festival and to book tickets: www.goodfestival.co.uk. For further information about Hampshire Medical Fund: www.hampshiremedicalfund.org To support this wonderful cause now, text HMFGF10 (£10) or HMFGF20 (£20) TO 70450.

HELP A GOOD CAUSE Good Festival is fundraising for a radiology machine enabling targeted treatment for tumours in patients with lung, liver and kidney cancers.

With only two of these in the entire UK, it would be a phenomenal piece of equipment for our local Hampshire NHS hospitals.

E xc it i ng Ch i ldr e n’s Ac t iv it ie s L iv e Mus ic Well-b e i ng T e nt D e l ic i ous Fo o d & D r i nk D ispl ays & D e m os & a D e l i ght fu l D og Sh ow!

To donate to this wonderful cause now, please text HMFGF10 (£10) OR HMFGF20 (£20) TO 70450

sunday 26 june bere mill whitchurch hampshire Tickets on sale at goodfestival.co.uk PROUDLY SUPPORTING

21

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

How to make easy Flatbread and Wild Garlic Pesto

Flatbread

This flatbread recipe is made with no yeast. It is very easy to make, requiring just a minute or two of kneading. And it honestly is beautifully soft and pliable.

If you’ve never tried homemade bread before, this flatbread recipe is a great one to start with because it really is that easy. The worst that can happen with this flatbread recipe is that the heat is too high when you cook it so the exterior ends up too crunchy. If that happens, just spray it with olive oil or brush lightly with oil or butter and it will moisten the surface. Try this once, and store-bought flatbreads will never be the same again. That I can promise!

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour ½ teaspoon salt 50gms unsalted butter ¾ cup of milk

Method

1 Combine butter and milk and heat until butter is just melted – on stove or in microwave. Combine 2 cups flour, salt, the butter and milk in a bowl.

2 Sprinkle work surface with flour then knead for a few minutes until it is smooth – it doesn't need much kneading. Add extra flour if the dough is too sticky.

3 Wrap with cling wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.

4 Dust bench top with flour, cut dough into 6 pieces, roll into balls, then roll out into 20cm / 8" rounds, 2 – 3 mm thick.

5 Heat a non-stick pan over high heat (no oil).

6 Place one flatbread in the pan, cook for around 1- 1 1/2 minutes – it should puff up dramatically. Once the underside has nice golden patches on it, flip and cook the

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other side for 45 seconds to 1 minute until the underside has golden spots and it puffs up again. Keep wrapped in tea towel: Stack the cooked bread and keep wrapped with a tea towel – the moisture helps soften the surface, making them even more pliable.

Wild Garlic Pesto

There is nothing to compare with this springtime treat, the leaves freshly picked in the Hampshire woods. It is best made using a good quality olive oil such as my friend Cosimo’s, Rignana single Estate Virgin oil, and delicious eaten with freshly made flatbreads. I prefer to use hazlenuts, more sustainable than the traditional pine nuts. A pestle and mortar or a food processor is required.

Prep time 10 minutes.

Ingredients

100gms wild garlic 50gms grated Parmesan 50gms toasted blanched hazlenuts Virgin olive oil Lemon juice to taste Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1 Wash the leaves and blitz in a food processor until thoroughly mashed up.

2 Add the grated Parmesan and blitz again 3 Add the hazlenuts and finally olive oil to the preferred consistency.

4 Add Salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste

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23

FEATURE

Chairmans Annual Report 2021/2022 We have finally had to say goodbye to the Arts Bus or as it came to be known “The Bus of Many Things”. This retired mobile library purchased over five years ago from Wiltshire County Council has travelled the length and breadth of the county providing a unique outdoor venue for so many lovely events and happenings. From the Eastleigh Mela, the Romsey Show, to the Winchester Hat Fair, Trout and About, Hilliers Gardens, numerous fetes and even used as a venue at the New Forest show by the NHS for breast feeding Mums. It was also an integral part of Chapel Arts Studios outreach programme appearing regularly in Andover on a Friday. The bus was new in 1991 and has had a very good run supported and driven by a dedicated volunteer Rodney Allsop-Seward. It was maintained by Marshalls in Andover often parked at The Boulton’s farm in Broughton, the Village Hall car park and through Covid in the car park by the village school. In the end it was getting too expensive to insure and maintain but happily it will live on as someone has bought it as a project to convert into a mobile home! We are currently reflecting on what to do next!

The last year can only be described as “fits and starts”! We received wonderful support from Arts Council England including “Test Valley Tales” – “Finding Friends” and “Make it Expressive”. The first of these was led by Amanda Kane-Smith and on a lovely warm evening in the garden of King Johns House in Romsey the book was launched. A magical collection of local stories, myths and legends, as well as being beautifully illustrated, has completely sold out! https:// www.merry-go-roundstorytelling.co.uk/testvalleytales We are seriously thinking about Test Valley Tales 2, maybe including a collection of stories from Test Valley’s newer communities.

The “Finding Friends project “went out and asked the “invisible communities” about how they connected to the “culture” of the Test Valley and the feedback gives us and the Borough Council a challenging agenda for the future.” Make it Expressive” saw Elizabeth Hammond complete four days of workshops at Icknield School and at the Enham Trust which were extremely well received with lovely feedback from both places.

We also supported the “Hampshire Open Studios” programme at the end of August with the creation of the “Test Valley Arts Trail”, a leaflet which was successful in providing a guide around the very creative, varied and wonderful group of Artists in our beautiful valley!

Roy Chatfield, Andover’s award-winning playwright put together the “Monologue Project “where three actors brought to life some

24

funny and very moving stories from a variety of local individuals. I got a lump in my throat when I viewed the video particularly the story of the homeless person.

We continue to make one off grants to individual artists and events including – Unity Art Studio, Whitchurch Children’s Festival, King Johns House, Andover Rocks, Romsey Festival, Andover Trees amongst others. We have been really fortunate during this year to have received £ 15,000 in cash from an anonymous donor! All he is willing to divulge is his belief that “over the years the Foundation has made a real difference to the Borough and wants it to continue to thrive!”

The board reviewed its aims and objectives which can be viewed at https://testvalleyarts.org/about/ And pledged our commitment to “support Arts and Culture in ALL its forms within Test Valley”.

Julie Drury one of our enthusiastic Trustees, has stepped down after nearly five years. We are also going to lose our Development Officer Fran Henville who is going back into full-time teaching and Rebecca Maddox our “Project Manager” who has been “poached” by Test Valley Borough Council as the “Events Curator” for the Andover Town Centre. We are truly grateful to all of them for all that they have done for the Foundation and wish them the very best of everything in the future.

I will conclude by once again thanking ALL members of our Board for their support and constant optimism. I must mention our media partners “The Forum” magazine who continue to support our events and projects with excellent publicity and a modern and engaging website. We have plans next year to continue to improve it but more importantly keep it up to date – a constant effort! I am particularly grateful to John Dumper our Treasurer and Sue Messa who also assists in managing our financial affairs.

We were delighted to hear that the City of Southampton has been shortlisted to the final four for “UK City of Culture 2025” – it would be wonderful for the whole county of Hampshire if they were to succeed!! We fully support their bid!

Finally, it is our two local authorities – Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council that deserve a special mention.

Both councils continue to see Arts and Culture as an essential part of improving the quality of life for ALL both in “the valley” and beyond.

Yinnon Ezra MBE MA FRSA Chairman , Test Valley Arts Foundation - March 2022

RETAIL

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25

WELLBEING / COMMUNITY Trying to improve how you breathe?

Stop belly breathing!

How many times have you heard the cue ‘breathe into your belly’?

The breath is a hot topic at the moment, and with Asthma Awareness Day this month, increasing reports of long Covid breathing difficulties, hayfever season upon us and numerous breathing apps, coaching and techniques popping up, I wanted to voice my thoughts on an overused and misdirected cue. Our body has a primary muscle for respiration, the diaphragm, not the belly!

Optimal breathing pattern: • On inhalation, the lungs fill • The diaphragm descends • The rib cage expands to the front and back, and to both sides • The pelvic floor descends • On exhalation, the lungs empty • The diaphragm rises • The rib cage moves in • The pelvic floor rises However, what I see most often in clinic and on my Womo courses is people doing the reverse of this. As they breathe in they pull in their stomach and lift their shoulders. The breathing motion becomes an up-down movement of the rib cage, rather than an in-out. This is called paradoxical breathing, because the rib cage is actually being squeezed, while the lungs and diaphragm are trying to expand. This type of breathing is most often seen in people who are frequently in stress mode, chronic asthma sufferers (noted as ‘barrel or high chested’), or people who have been conditioned to hold their stomachs in. And this is where the corrective cue to direct the breath into the belly has evolved from. Coaches are trying to help people let go of the tension they are holding in their stomachs and stop them from sucking it inwards on an inhale.

It is a well-intentioned cue, but it is not helpful in redirecting the breath to the right parts! When the breath is redirected into the belly, all the movement is focused to abdominal motion and not the ribs or

Council proposes almost £300k for community projects Test Valley Borough Council has announced plans to grant almost £300k of funding for three local community projects.

At a cabinet meeting on 30 March, council chiefs approved awarding £240k for an extension to St Mary’s GP surgery to create additional consulting rooms and increase staffing, £13k to improve the pedestrian route from Viney Avenue to Cupernham School, and almost £30k for an orchard trail in Valley Park. The recommendations for funding will go to a future full council meeting for final approval. The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which the council charges on new developments across the borough that meet certain criteria. Those looking to provide new infrastructure, facilities or services can then bid for a share of the levy money.

26

diaphragm. The abdominal muscles are disengaged and the pressure is directed more forwards into the front abdominal wall which adversely affects the engagement of the pelvic floor, and exacerbates hernias, pelvic floor and diastasis recti (tummy gap) issues.

So what is the best way to correct the breath? How do you know you even need to correct it in the first place?

Look out for symptoms of poor breathing patterns, including but not limited to: • Shoulder and neck tension due to overuse of these muscles to lift the rib cage • Headaches • Indigestion, bloating, wind and irritable bowel due to poor diaphragm movement which is necessary for the natural gut massage • Stress, anxiety and palpitations due to short and shallow breathing making the body think it is in fight/flight mode • Women’s, and some men’s, health related issues, such as poor pelvic floor health, like leaking, prolapse, hernia and diastasis recti (tummy gap) • Over breathing, dizziness, sighing, yawning, gasping, breath holding, mouth breathing and sinus congestion Check how you are breathing: • Lie or sit comfortably with one hand on your upper chest and one hand on your lower ribs (not on your belly) • Notice if your top hand is moving as you breathe • Ideally most movement should be felt in your lower hand and very little, if anything at all, should be felt in the top hand If you are now aware that you tend to raise your rib cage and suck in your belly as you inhale, and that most of the movement is coming into your upper chest, see if you can redirect the breath into your lower ribs, visualising a 360-degree motion all around your lower rib cage, expanding as you inhale. For a clear demonstration and a breathing practise to follow along, visit the website and go to the video guides section. As the breath is absolutely integral to women and their pelvic health I dedicate a whole class on my Womo course to this very topic.

If you want to learn more, the next course begins in June and all the details and booking is on the Womo page of the website.

So rather than ‘belly breath’, think ‘360 lower rib breath’. Not quite as catchy a cue, but far more effective!

Emma Wightman - www.the-sop.com

Local projects can bid for CIL funding between April 1 and June 30 each year.

Planning Portfolio Holder, Councillor Phil Bundy, said: “While new development is critical for our local communities, ensuring that we have the right facilities and structures in place to support that growth is just as vital.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing these projects come to fruition and would like to thank all those who submitted an application for funding.”

To check the local CIL criteria, including which developments are liable to pay the levy and which projects are eligible to bid for funding, visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/cil Council Office in Andover Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, SP10 3AJ Tel: 01264 368000

WELLBEING

STOCKBRIDGE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE

Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy Emma Wightman, registered osteopath and antenatal teacher. A gentle, hands on approach for newborns through to adulthood and in pregnancy.

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• McTimoney Chiropractic • Sports Therapy • Allergy Testing • Hypnotherapy • Homeopathy • Counselling • Nutrition Chiros Clinic has close links to Andover Osteopathy, for more information contact Mark on 01264 580280

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27

WELLBEING

A Good Night’s Sleep Is it Just a Dream?

Ask any Brit how they are and the chances are they will respond saying they’re tired! In fact, according to UK sleep statistics 2021*, 1 in 3 people in the UK regularly complain of a bad night’s sleep.

Results also show that only 6% of us get a full 8 hours sleep and 1 in 3 Britons suffer from insomnia resulting in a staggering 200,000 lost work days a year. 35-44 year-olds are the ones who struggle the most to get a good night’s sleep with only 20.71% achieving the dream of eight hours shut-eye.

Why do we need sleep?

Sleep is an essential function that allows your body to recharge and repair. Sleep leaves you feeling refreshed and alert when you wake up. If you have good sleep and good sleep habits it helps your body to remain healthy. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly which can impact on our ability to concentrate, think clearly and process memories.

easy to get a good night’s sleep but there are things we can do to give ourselves the best chance of sleeping well and properly recharging.”

Does CBD affect sleep quality?

“CBD is not a sleeping pill,” says Rosemary Mazanet, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Columbia Care. “It is not a tactical tool to be used if you are wound up and can’t sleep. CBD modulates the homeostasis in the body providing relaxation and therefore sleep,” says Rosemary, “While some people might have an immediate improvement in sleep, CBD needs to be part of your regime, people feel that after a week it definitely has an effect.”

With three products to choose from, Columbia Care Platinum Broad Spectrum Unflavoured CBD Oil (10%) Columbia Care Platinum Broad Spectrum Peppermint CBD Oil (10%) Columbia Care Platinum Broad Spectrum SoftGel Capsules (10%), taking CBD has never been better!

What can affect our sleep for the better or worse?

There are a number of things that can impact our sleep. Since our sleep is influenced by different neurotransmitter signals in the brain, foods and medicine that change the balance of these signals affect whether we feel alert or drowsy and how well we sleep.

Experts agree there are several things we can do to help ourselves sleep better including having a regular night time routine. Our brain quickly recognises a habit and a “wind down” routine before bed is a good habit to form! It’s also important to go “tech-free” at least one hour before going to sleep and to avoid caffeine or alcohol – all things we probably know but how many of us actually help ourselves by doing them!?

“Quality sleep is essential for a healthy mind and body,” says Dr Marion Sloan, a GP from Sheffield. “Unfortunately, it’s not always

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SOUND ADVICE WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU Feeling more isolated andHEARING anxious during lockdown? are you having HAD YOUR TESTED? trouble hearing TV or talking on the telephone?

Are you having trouble hearing the TV or talking on the after telephone? Do you struggle to follow a conversation in a busy social environment?

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COMMUNITY Forest Forge Theatre Celebrates Three Years Continuing Support from BBC Children in Need

Forest Forge Theatre, the New Forest’s very own professional producing theatre, today announced a newly awarded grant of £29,997 from BBC Children in Need in support of a weekly drama project, working with the young settled traveller's community in Holbury and Blackfield, on the Waterside in the New Forest.

Pam Bacon, Impact Officer at BBC Children in Need said: “We’re delighted to continue supporting Forest Forge Theatre – providing young people locally with the opportunity to learn drama based skills, develop their self-confidence and build positive relationships with their peer groups. We can’t wait to see how funds will make a difference to young people, influence their creativity and support their overall wellbeing.”

Sharon Lawless, CEO and Creative Producer Forest Forge Theatre, said: “The children and young people involved in this project have said how much they value their weekly drama club. Sadly, Covid-19 continues to impact socialising with peers and affects the way the

Last month Godolphin’s Art & Design department welcomed back ten of their Alumnae to one of the school's inspirational Bright Futures careers events.

As part of a wider ongoing process to give Godolphin students an insight into today's career options, ten visiting Old Girl speakers talked to current students about their own individual artistic pathways, giving a valuable insight into some of the most competitive careers in the artistic field.

Each Old Girl spoke briefly to introduce themselves explaining their respective combination of A-levels whilst at school, where they went to university, what subject they studied and their career path from leaving formal education to arrive at where they are now.

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group interact, with some acting out and some withdrawing as they adjust to the constant changes.”

“It is so important to acknowledge each person’s individual sensitivity to what they are comfortable with within the group.

Increased pressures on households or the impact of being thrown together during lockdown periods, means the mental health of young people has been impacted. During the lockdown, we continued to run the project virtually and the group has told us the weekly sessions were their vital lifeline in providing structure and external contact for them. Now, the return to face-to-face sessions has provided a safe space that is just for them, where they can be with their friends, trusted adults and the reassurance of getting back to “normal” weekly sessions.”

“This three-year continuation grant enables us to support young people to build their resilience for the many challenges ahead. We are all so grateful to BBC Children in Need and to all its supporters”.

Over the last 40 years, Forest Forge Theatre has been making theatre and workshops accessible to isolated rural areas and hard to reach communities, whether through touring shows to village halls or running bespoke community projects. This project provides weekly drama workshops and group theatre work for children and young people from settled Gypsy and Traveller Community and young people living in poverty in the wider Waterside area, resulting in increased confidence, communication skills, improved peer friendships and community cohesion.

Lisa Halpin, who has been running the sessions at the Waterside for over three years said: "It's such great news. We know members and parents really value the project. We managed to keep running through three lockdowns and the young people were really sad at the thought that we might not be able to continue. BBC Children in Need’s continuing support provides a vital space where young people can come together, develop friendships and build confidence."

Weekly sessions are held on Wednesdays for 7-16-year-olds. To join email education@forestforgetheatre.co.uk

Careers differed widely including art therapists, architects, textile designers, fine artists, interior designers, specialists in fine art auctioneering and fashion brand and marketing.

Once the introductory talks were over, students and parents were invited to meet the Old Girls in person in Godolphin’s Art and Design Studios giving them the opportunity to discuss the options available to students in each area of study.

Mr Eggleton, Head of Art & Design at Godolphin said, “we extend our huge thanks to our wonderful supportive Alumnae who have given up their time to help our current art students. It’s always good for them to hear first-hand from these inspiring Old Girls who were once in their shoes, and they really do take on board the valuable advice that they share.”

A Godolphin parent said "All the speakers were so inspiring and really helped with understanding pathways to foundation or a degree after. It really opened up our eyes to the further education and careers to consider in the future." www.godolphin.org

THE MEANING OF

MUTUALITY When we opened our doors in 1856, our mission was to help people save money and own their own homes. Since then, technological advancements, economic changes, and evolving consumer expectations have transformed the landscape in which we operate. One thing, however, has remained unchanged: a commitment to our local community.

Why? It’s simple – mutuality is in our DNA. Our status as a mutual means that we’re owned by our members and are committed to delivering long-term value for them in everything we do. Members have a voice in the decisions we make and can vote on how we operate – it’s one of the things that makes us different from a bank.

You may even have heard of or been involved in some of our projects before, like our Community Support Scheme, Charity Branch Partnership, Junior Newbury Building Society (JNBS), Charity Savings Account, and now, our new 165 Days of Volunteering project.

Can we help YOU? Every Newbury Building Society employee is given an allowance of two paid days to volunteer in the local community. To mark our 165th year, we’re aiming to donate 165 of those days to local charities and groups throughout 2022.

So, if you’re part of a charity or community project and you’d like some help, here’s how you can register your interest: •

It also means we’re dedicated to supporting members and employees who live and work throughout our branch network. After a tumultuous couple of years and with a cost of living crisis looming, we believe offering this support is more important than ever.

How do we give back?

Whilst we acknowledge the difference substantial financial support can make; we also believe in the value of donating time and energy. We support good causes in a number of ways, from fundraising to volunteering, corporate sponsorship to education initiatives, and of course, financial donations.

•

Fill in the expression of interest form on the 165 Days of Volunteering page on our website www.newbury.co.uk If you prefer an offline approach, pop into your local branch and ask our friendly branch employees for more information.

No matter the size of the organisation or whether the project is big or small, we’d love to try and help make our communities happier and healthier.

Andover branch: 35 High Street, Andover, SP10 1LJ Call: 01264 361455 Email: andover@newbury.co.uk

Cliff Osborne, Andover Senior Branch Manager

Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). English Law applies and we will communicate with you in English. We are participants of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have a complaints procedure which we will provide on request. Most complaints that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 8769

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Book a space on a Friday Snapshot today.

All Girls Education, Salisbury, Wiltshire Day, Weekly and Full Boarding

Tel. 01722 430545 admissions@godolphin.org www.godolphin.org