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Fabulous Clean Carpets SUPER-FAST 15 MINUTES DRYING Fabulous Clean Carpets, very reasonable prices, and courteous friendly service from people you can trust in your home

Upholstery and Curtains

Dear Stockbridge Forum Reader, Value conscious local residents love a great deal. If you need your carpets cleaned and are looking for an award-winning company who will arrive on time, will be courteous, respectful and above all trustworthy -- then you’re invited to take advantage of one of the three extraordinary value, high quality, carpet and upholstery cleaning deals we’re offering new customers this month - -- because we want to give you the chance to get to know our service and to find out how impressively new, fresh and bright your carpets will look when cleaned and freshened by The Carpet Care People. I am fully committed to the safety of my Customers during the Covid19 crisis. I clean adhering to all social distancing guidelines 3 Great Deals! Deal 1 Have any three of your carpets cleaned for just £87 total! Deal 2 Have your three piece suite freshened up for just £97! Deal 3 Have any three carpets and your three piece suite freshened up for just £167!

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Here’s why one of the Stockbridges’ most trusted carpet cleaning companies is cleaning local, nearneighbours carpets for a fraction of the normal cost Our approach is simple: We are proud to run a celebrated professional carpet and upholstery cleaning business, and we insist on providing you with good oldfashioned service and value. 3 Great Deals! Deal 1: Have any three of your carpets cleaned for just £97 total! Deal 2: Have your 3 piece suite freshened up for just £97! Deal 3: Have any 3 carpets and your 3 piece suite freshened up for just £177! Call now and find out why Winner our award-winning service is probably the most requested carpet cleaning in the local Stockbridge area The next thing for you to do is call us on 01962 690 005 - we’ll welcome your call, answer your questions and take care of everything for you. Tel 01962 690 005 The Carpet Care People

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions especially for you sceptics (you know who you are). 1. When you say ‘carpet’ what do you mean? We mean average size areas, say 10x12ft ish. But we don’t quibble if the areas are a little larger - it’s all done on fairness really. 2. Do you move furniture? Our pricing policy reflects the time it takes to clean working around furniture, rather than moving it. That said, we are for example, happy to move your three piece suite backwards and forwards cleaning under it and replacing it back into position. What we don’t price into the job at these discount prices is moving large pieces of furniture like bookcases, sideboards or wardrobes. Similarly we are not insured to move electrical items, in particular flat-screen tvs. Again we apply common sense and fairness to the situation and inevitable we do end up moving some furniture around, even at these discount prices. Are there any ‘hidden’ extra costs? The prices quoted above are fully-inclusive and are the actual prices you will pay.

SUPER-FAST 15 MINUTES DRYING

Supply and planting Upholstery we specialise in large specimen trees cleaning and refreshing 3 piece suites and shrubs (at our current offer price of £97). Fabric Master, our special upholstery and cleaning system is safe, gentle,

Espalier, pleached and and very effective. Fibres are restored to their original beauty and softness - instant impact hedges you’ll see!

All trees and shrubs carefully selected

Photo Credit Marienne Majrerus

Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance

Free site visit and consultation

Bosque is a trading

name of Full Offer Price List 1 Carpet £57 Price 2 Carpet £77 Price 3 Carpet £97 Price 4 Carpet £117 Price

Just Limegrass Ltd.

Harko: 07710 502798

Tom: 07855 656984 www.bosque international.co.uk

m Mark: 07973 268336 k mark@mp-buildingservices.co.uk 1 www.mp-buildingservices.co.uk

Areas covered Alresford, Andover, Basingstoke, Romsey, Stockbridge & Winchester

FULL OFFER PRICE LIST

Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price Carpet Price

1 £47 2 £67 3 £87 4 £107 5 £127

Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society Autumn Production - Kindertransport All Saints' Winter Lecture 2023

Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society (SADS) next production will be Kindertransport by Diane Samuels – about Eva Schlesinger, a nine-year-old girl, who is one of the 10,000 children (mostly Jewish) who were sent by their parents to the UK from Nazi Germany in the late 1930s; and her struggle, 40 years later, to come to terms with her past when she has taken an English name – Evelyn- and is a mother herself.

The play is sometimes described as part of the holocaust literature, but this can be misleading. It is not about the horrors of Nazi Germany. Most of the play is set in England, and half of it in the 1990s. It is the story of one person’s experience of being sent by her parents to grow up in a foreign land, how she tries to deal with it, and the effect on the people around her, including her own daughter. It is a moving and thought-provoking drama, but there is also humour and warmth.

It is theatrically fascinating. Eva in the 1940s is played by one actress, and Evelyn in the 1990s by a different actress. The scenes are interspersed in the same space and characters from the two time periods are on stage at the same time. This is a very effective way of bringing out the links between the two periods as Evelyn gradually reveals to her daughter what happened to her forty years earlier (with an unexpected twist). We are performing it “in the round” which is especially appropriate for such a fluid and intimate play.

Plays are often described as “classic” just because they are more than 20 years old and still in print. But Kindertransport truly deserves that label. It has won numerous awards, has been performed all round the world, and is a regular feature of school drama curricula. Sadly, it has become particularly resonant this year with the war in Ukraine.

Performances are on the 24th, 25th and 26th of November at 7:30 in the Town Hall. You can buy tickets on-line at www. stockbridgeamdrams.org.uk or by leaving a message on 0560 364 6791 (note that your telephone provider may charge for calling 0560 numbers).

For more information visit: https://sites.google.com/site/stockbridgedramasociety

Monday 16th January 2023

Alan Lovell – Chairman of the Environment Agency

Restoring confidence in the quality of English rivers – the Challenge for and the Role of the Environment Agency

We are privileged to live in the Test Valley, which includes 85% of the world’s unique chalk streams, rightly described as “national treasures”. Yet in The River’s Trust 2021 report on “The State of our Rivers”, only 14% are in good ecological health, and none meet the chemical pollution standards. There are many reasons for this state of affairs. As we heard in last year’s lecture on Re-shaping the future of UK Farming by Alison Field, agriculture is a significant factor, along with water treatment failures, abstraction and habitat destruction.

Alan will explain the role of the Environment Agency and how it will address the challenge in restoring the environmental integrity of these unique chalk streams.

Alan Lovell DL From 2015 to 2019, Alan was Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, which represents the views of customers to Government, the regulators and water companies and handles complaints about water companies. In September 2022, he became Chair of the Environment Agency.

Alan grew up in Pear Tree Cottage in Upper Clatford. He trained as an Accountant with PwC and had a range of senior executive positions across UK industry, including CEO at Costain, Jarvis, Dunlop Slazenger and Infinis. He was High Sheriff of Hampshire in 2010/11. He was Chairman of the Mary Rose Trust between 2015 and 2021 and the University of Winchester from 2016 to 2021. He has chaired the Hampshire Cultural Trust since its formation in 2014 and is a Lay Canon of Winchester Cathedral.

Tickets Tickets cost £12.00 per person. Please scan the QR code and reserve and pay for your tickets. You can also buy tickets at Clatford Village Store & Post Office, Greenfield Farm Shop or Abbotts Ann Village Store. Please make cheques out to “All Saints Winter Lectures”.

Time & Venue Doors open at 7pm and the lectures start at 8pm at the King Edward VII Memorial Hall, Upper Clatford, SP11 7QL. A cash bar will be open before the lectures start. Parking is available behind the hall.

Andover’s First Vegan Market A Huge Success

People flocked to the first ever Vegan Market to be held in Andover on Sunday, 2nd October 2022 enjoying the many stalls offering vegan food and cruelty free products. Organised by InAndover from Andover BID and Vegan Fairs, the event aimed to introduce a new and innovative market format to Andover.

Some visitors travelled from as far as Bristol and London to enjoy the new market whilst many local people were introduced to the tastes and range of vegan food. Stalls offered sumptuous, cakes, snacks, lunches, drinks and fruit and vegetables. There was plenty of non-food cruelty free products to buy as well, including a stall focused on cake treats for your pet pooch! Alice from Chilbolton said “I am not a vegan but was I really impressed at the range of foods and tastes at the Market. I for one will certainly be trying more vegan foods.”

Mark from Southampton said “I came to Andover specially for the Vegan Market but realised what a lovely market town it is, and I will back on a non-market day to look round the town properly” Despite a rainy start the sun soon came out and visitors enjoyed the atmosphere, with local musicians providing the entertainment and a nice, chilled vibe for shoppers to peruse the large variety of stalls.

Daisy Botha of Vegan Fairs said “The Andover Vegan Market was everything we were expecting and so much more! All our traders commented on just how lovely everyone who attended was. The people of Andover were so welcoming and positive about the event with lots of people asking when the next one will be, so we are so excited to return next year."

Shelley Coburn Events Coordinator said “This was such a lovely event to run in our town and a big success, I have been contacted from people who were unable to make it this time, but don’t worry we have two dates in the diary for next year around March and September so look out for information through our socials and on our website soon”

Hampshire Fare Receive Award of Merit From The Romsey Show

Hampshire Fare, the county food and drink group, were delighted to receive the Award of Merit, presented at the Romsey Show on Saturday, 10th September 2022.

The Award of Merit is presented to an individual, family, business or organisation that has given an outstanding contribution to agriculture, horticulture, farming, forestry, equine and allied businesses. The Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society, the organisers of the Romsey Show, felt that Hampshire Fare perfectly fitted the criteria for the Award of Merit due to Hampshire Fare being such a huge advocate for local food and drink, and therefore providing essential support to local farmers and producers.

Judith Long, Food Zone Chairman for the Romsey Show, said: “Congratulations to Hampshire Fare on the group’s much deserved award! I nominated Hampshire Fare for the Award of Merit as I thought Hampshire Fare encompassed everything that the Romsey Show’s Award of Merit stands for. Hampshire Fare support so many aspects of the local rural economy and rural life by promoting the produce of our area and those who grow, process, use or sell it.

“Hampshire Fare has gone from strength to strength since it was formed over 30 years ago in 1991. However, I felt that more people outside Hampshire Fare’s membership should hear about the fantastic work Hampshire Fare does. I hope this Award may inspire others to take a greater interest in Hampshire Fare’s work, and in their own food, where it comes from and who produces it.”

Hampshire Fare support the Romsey Show by helping to promote the event as well as organising the hugely popular Skills Kitchen with an inspiring line up of top chefs.

The Award of Merit was presented to Mike Wright, Chairman, and Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, by John Whitham, joint President of The Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society and Show President.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, commented: “We were very proud to be presented with the Romsey Show’s Award of Merit at this year’s Show. It was such a surprise; we had no idea why we were being called up to the main show ring. It really means so much to have our work helping farmers and producers over the past 30 years recognised. The Romsey Show is one of the highlights of Hampshire’s events calendar and we enjoy working with the team organising the Show, as well as putting together the Skills Kitchen featuring a line up of some of Hampshire’s top chefs.”

Mike Wright, Chairman, Hampshire Fare, added: “This Award recognises the success of Hampshire Fare, a very small team that for over 30 years have worked hard to get Hampshire’s food and drink the recognition it deserves.”

Test Valley Borough Council scoops top small business friendly award

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) scooped best All-Round Small Business Friendly council for the south central region at the Federation of Small Businesses Local Government Awards on Friday 14 October. During the virtual event, the FSB praised the council for the speed in which it delivered the national lockdown grant schemes and the Additional Restrictions Grant. It also noted the authority’s support for start-ups and small medium enterprises, which has seen the council distribute 52 start-up grants to a value of £37,500 between March 2020 and March 2022, which in the past has meant that business survival rates have exceeded the national average.

In addition, TVBC awarded 43 Andover Skills Training Fund grants between March 2020 and March 2022, totalling £42,192, and worked with the Department for Work and Pensions and three neighbouring local authorities to deliver a Youth Employment Hub initiative to support 16 to 24-year-olds into education, training or employment.

The FSB also highlighted the council’s small grant offer to support town centres, with its Independent Retailer Grant increasing to £1,200 in 2021, and its decision to implement more flexible rules to enable pop-up shops in Andover’s Chantry Centre to apply.

They also commended the council’s work to support Romsey town centre and the University of Southampton Science Park Catalyst business accelerator programme, as well as their work alongside the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership to help businesses to start their journey to net zero.

Councillor Phil North said: “I want to say a huge thank you to the FSB and all the councillors and council officers who have worked so hard to achieve this. Times are tough for so many businesses at the moment, and it is critical that we continue to do everything we can to protect them.

“I am incredibly proud that the FSB has recognised the hard work we have put in to achieve this, and I am also unbelievably proud of the many amazing businesses that call Test Valley home. We have huge ambitions for our town centres, with the regeneration plans to transform Andover and Romsey continuing to progress, making it a fantastic borough for people to start and grow their businesses.”

FSB Development Manager for Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight, Nicky Kildunne, added: “I’m delighted to see Test Valley The Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Alan Dowden was at the start line for the Boaz Fun Run at Hill Farm near Sutton Scotney, on Saturday 8 October. The event was a chance for people to get together, enjoy the sunshine and raise money for the Boaz Project, which is an inclusive, farm-based charity set up to provide a brighter future for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Participants took part in 2k, 5k and 10k fun runs, all dressed as a range of colourful characters, from donkeys to a flock of chickens and an archbishop. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities enjoyed the spectacular Test Valley countryside views out on the trails and received wooden eco-medals at the finish line. Mayor of Test Valley, councillor Alan Dowden, said: "It was a great day with lots of support from groups and individuals. The weather was perfect and as well as starting off the races, I also enjoyed welcoming in the finishers.

“The Boaz Project is a wonderful place and I can see why those who live with learning difficulties enjoy helping out there.”

The Boaz project has a 4.5-acre smallholding run on organic principles, producing high quality fruit, vegetables and flowers. Members work alongside volunteers and staff growing plants and taking care of the animals, including sheep, donkeys, guinea pigs and a flock of 120 free range egg-laying hens.

Borough Council recognised as the south central area’s most AllRound Small Business Friendly council.

“Over the past challenging period Test Valley Borough Council has continued to provide all round business support, adapting and adding to its business offer to meet local need. It adapted its Economic Development Strategy (2019 – 2023) to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and as well as successfully delivering all the lockdown grants, it has continued to provide a comprehensive, all round business support offer. Its many activities have included strengthening support for start-ups, including distributing over 50 business start-up grants, increasing the Independent Retailer Grant, supporting the University of Southampton Science Park Catalyst business accelerator programme to enable high growth potential and working hard with all local businesses to help them become more sustainable and ultimately become net zero.”

Mayor at the start line for charity fun run

For information contact: Test Valley Borough Council, Communications Officer, Lisa Phaure on lphaure@testvalley.gov.uk