A charming four bedroom semi-detached cottage, immaculately presented and tastefully decorated.
Kitchen/breakfast and family room with log burner. Sitting room. Utility room. Main bedroom with ensuite, three further bedrooms. Beautiful south-facing garden. Parking. Large garage.
Guide Price £1,250,000
In an idyllic setting, a fantastic house with a tributary of the River Test in the garden, and a short walk from the desirable Stockbridge High Street.
Occupying a peaceful location, Appletrees is a detached property offering light and spacious accommodation. Large open plan kitchen/dining room, sitting room, conservatory. Two double bedrooms with ensuites (potential to adapt to 3/4 bedrooms). Attractive gardens. Terrace. Driveway with ample parking. Double garage.
STOCKBRIDGE BROUGHTON
Guide Price £550,000
A very well- appointed property, with excellent outbuilding/garage (office/annexe).
Open plan kitchen/dining room. Sitting room with log burner. Utility room. Three bedrooms, two double. Good sized garden. Front and rear parking. Detached outbuilding with annexe potential.
July Events
Stockbridge Antiques Fair
Saturday 6 July
From 9am to 4.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
The Fair is held in Stockbridge Town Hall in the centre of the High Street, usually on the first Saturday of the month - the next fair is on Saturday 3 August. We offer a wide range of Decorative, Interesting and Unusual items including good quality Furniture, Silver, China and Glass, Jewellery, Militaria and Textiles. Free Admission & Free Parking. We will also buy. Contacts: Carol01264 335769 / 07870 432805 Steve - 01722 712267 / 07915 663251
Andover Cycling Festival
Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 July
From 2pm to 5pm
Vigo Park, Andover, SP10 1HH
Andover Cycling Festival returns again for its 5th year, with renewed enthusiasm to inspire the people of Andover and the surrounding area into group activity outdoors. The 2024 Andover Cycling festival offers a weekend of pleasant and various cycling events in and around Andover. We start with a Family Fun Day cycling event at Vigo Park, with a Stunt Cycling display team performing their spectacular bike handling skills, with several stints over the course of the afternoon. There will be a cycling coaching session for youngsters, to learn some basic skills and bike proficiency, finishing with a cycling circuit pedal around a closed circuit within Vigo Park. Do as many laps as you want to, stop and have a drink halfway, meet new friends and have some cycling fun. Medals for all participants. There will be several cycling information stands about cycling in and
around Andover - information on cycling clubs, E-bike viewing and an opportunity to test one, plus refreshments stalls and some music to create a pleasant and fun afternoon in the park for everyone. For more information visit: www.andovercyclingfestival.com
The Mayors Picnic & The Great Rotary Duck Race
Sunday 7 July
From 12 noon to 5pm
stockbridgecinema.org.uk or by telephone from TicketSource 0333 666 3366 (no additional charge). Tickets on sale from 1 July. Please visit our website for full details of all films.
Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents start to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foulmouthed Rose is charged with the crime. See Friday 19 July for booking details.
Andover Chamber Choir - Summer 2024
Saturday 20 July
From 7.30pm
St. Peter’s Church, St. Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6BL
Stockbridge Cinema The Taste of Things (12A)
Romsey War Memorial Park, 41 The Meads, Romsey, SO51 8HB Friday 19 July
From 7.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
Peerless cook Eugenie (Juliette Binoche) has worked for the famous gourmet Dodin for the last 20 years. Bonding over a passion for gastronomy and mutual admiration, their relationship develops into romance, giving rise to delicious dishes that impress even the world's most illustrious chefs. But Eugenie is fond of her freedom and has never wanted to marry Dodin. So, he decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her. Tickets £6.00 (incl £0.50p booking fee) per adult ticket) on sale via www.
Calling all minibeast detectives, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers – we’re going wild! Join us for the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Big Wild Weekend – a festival of British nature, where we’ll be showcasing the wonderful natural world on our doorsteps. In addition to our daily timetable, we have a wide range of extra activities planned, and special guests from other UK Conservation charities coming to the Trust for this special weekend only. Alongside watching our birds take flight, we’ll get you involved to discover more about nature, so you don’t need to be an expert already! There’ll be extra activities, special guests and our birds in flight added to our timetable over the weekend. You can join in with a range of fantastic nature-focused activities at no extra cost!
Stockbridge Cinema Wicked Little Letters (15)
Wednesday 24 July
From 5pm to 7.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
Based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, Wicked Little Letters follows two neighbours: deeplyconservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie
Following a successful performance of Faure’s Requiem in April, Andover Chamber Choir is preparing its summer concert. The programme title is “This Land of Song” and features an enticing selection of songs from around the British Isles interspersed with instrumental items and readings of poetry. Familiar numbers such as ‘Loch Lomond’ and ‘Greensleeves’ rub shoulders with lesser known pieces such as ‘LisaLan’(a beautiful Welsh melody) and ‘O can ye sew cushions’(a Scottish lullaby). Refreshments are included in the ticket price of £12 on the door or £10 if booked in advance. (Under 16s free).
Proceeds will go to Yellow Brick Road Projects who support young people under 35 locally (www. yellowbrickroadprojects.com) Tickets are available from The Lights (in person and online), St. Mary Bourne Village Shop and choir members. www. andoverchamberchoir.org.uk www.facebook.com/ AndoverChamberChoir
If you would like to feature your event free of charge on this page. Please email: editor@ forumpublications.co.uk Please note we cannot guarantee publication.
Any 3 Windows
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Kitchen and bedroom makeovers
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Whether you want to just change your doors, or change everything you can see on the face, we can utilise your existing units, and change all the trims and panels, just like in the photos above, yes that really was a makeover, with a couple of small changes.
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Waynflete Singers concert
preview 6th July in New Hall: A Summer Romance
The Waynflete Singers’ enticing programme of Summer music on 6th July at 7.30 p.m. in Winchester College New Hall will feature four hands at the piano complete with percussion. The choir will present Constant Lambert’s sparkling Rio Grande, together with Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes and Bernstein’s ever-popular West Side Story Suite.
Pianist, composer and broadcaster David Owen Norris will be joining the Waynflete’s own accompanist George Castle. David Owen Norris will be well known to BBC Radio 3 listeners and also as former presenter of BBC2 Chord of the Week programme, a regular feature of the Proms for six years.
Constant Lambert’s Rio Grande, written in 1927, contains musical fireworks a-plenty. The double piano accompaniment is a brilliant showpiece of dazzling virtuosity and bravura, combining jazzy syncopation, ragtime and exotic Brazilian influences, with an element of spice from the percussion. The text of the work is a poem by Sacheverell Sitwell, which conjures up a vivid scene of a river in Brazil flowing through a town with a band playing and dancing in the streets.
Brahms' romantic songs, the Liebeslieder (‘Love Song’) Waltzes will similarly be accompanied by both pianists, this time with four hands at one piano. Full of longing and regret, it is thought that the songs were composed by Brahms as a result of his frustrated love for pianist and composer Clara Schumann.
The evening will draw to a close with Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story choral suite, with its iconic well-known tunes such as 'Tonight', 'America' and 'Somewhere'. The concert will be directed by the Waynflete Singers’ Musical Director Andrew Lumsden, currently Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral. His departure from Winchester Cathedral was recently announced, and this is a rare opportunity to see him in action with the Waynflete Singers in a more secular and intimate setting outside of the cathedral. The concert will be followed by drinks for choir and audience and the opportunity enjoy the delightful Warden’s Garden.
Tickets (priced £30.00 and £10.00 for students) can be secured via the Waynflete Singers’ website: www.waynfletesingers.org.uk/ concerts and via Eventbrite, as well as on the door on the evening.
Location Location Location
Two national parks, miles of coastline, excellent transport links in and out of the County and good access to London.
Hampshire provides a great combination of hustle and bustle with a slower pace of life when you want it, and it is not hard to find peace and quiet, big skies, fresh air and to simply lose yourself in the landscape.
Hampshire produces award-winning locally sourced food and drink and is considered the sparkling wine region of the UK, being home to leading vineyards such as Hattingley Valley and Hambledon Vineyard.
There is an excellent range of sporting facilities and music venues including the Ageas Bowl for cricketers. For those passionate about water sports there is The River Test, renowned for its chalk stream fishing and Hampshire's coastline, famous for sailing for all abilities with an abundance of marina's dotted along the coastline.
Whilst we live in an uncertain world, what is certain is that Hampshire is a perfect location to live, work and enjoy life. If you are looking to buy, sell, rent, let or have your property managed, our experienced team are here to help.
DELIVERY PEOPLE URGENTLY REQUIRED TO DELIVER THE THE TEST VALLEY FORUM
To: NETHER WALLOP TO THE A343
Approximately 270 homes
Pays £50 + Fuel Allowance
To: OVER WALLOP TO THE A343
Approximately 200 homes
Pays £40 + Fuel Allowance
Having your transport is NOT essential please contact the editor on 01962 735137 or email:editor@forumublications.co.uk
Smoky MushroomBBQBuns
INGREDIENTS
(SERVES 6-8)
FOR THE MUSHROOMS
3 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup, golden syrup or agave syrup
1 tsp hot smoked paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
4 large flat mushrooms, wiped and stalk removed
4 soft white buns, split open, and shredded crisp lettuce, to serve
FOR THE CARROT AND CABBAGE SLAW
100g red cabbage, shredded
2 carrots, grated
JULY
3 spring onions, finely chopped
100ml plain soya yogurt
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 small lemon, juiced
METHOD
Mix together the ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, paprika and olive oil. Generously brush the mixture over the mushrooms, put them in a roasting tray and leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Roast the mushrooms for 25 minutes or until tender. If cooking on a barbecue, place the mushrooms onto the barbecue on a medium/high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes; turning every 30-40 seconds, or until they are cooked through.
Spoon any remaining marinade into a pan, stir in 1 tbsp water ready to heat just before serving. Meanwhile, make the slaw. Mix together the cabbage, carrots, spring onions, yogurt, mustard and lemon juice, then season to taste.
Spoon some shredded lettuce on the bottom half of each bun, top with a mushroom, then spoon over a little of the barbecue sauce. Add some of the slaw or serve it by the side.
HAMPSHIRE
FARMERS MARKETS
Alresford - Sat 6th, Petersfield - Sun 7th, Romsey - Sun 8th, Alton - Sat 13th, Winchester - Sun 14th, Emsworth - Sat 20th, Southsea - Sun 21st, Ringwood - Sat 27th, Winchester - Sun 28th
For more information visit: www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk
SOUND ADVICE
SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024
On the first Sunday of August every year, Stockbridge high street is alive with local traders showcasing the very best of local food, produce and crafts. It is a free to attend event attracting thousands of visitors from all around.
Trout ‘n About is a thriving local food festival which takes place in the market town of Stockbridge on the first Sunday of August every year. With over 100 stalls showcasing the very best of local food, produce and crafts, it is a family friendly event attracting thousands of visitors from all around.
The beautiful, historic high street of Stockbridge becomes abuzz with activity, with live music filling the air, Juggling Jake entertaining the children with his circus skills and the countryside coming to the high street in the form of farm animals, vintage agricultural equipment, craft demonstrations, face painting and the many stalls promoting and selling local fare. Many of the High Street shops will be open too – they all contribute to making Stockbridge a thriving and unique experience on a daily basis; so together with them Trout 'n About hope to give visitors many reasons to come back again and again.
Trout 'n About is set on the beautiful, historic High Street of the market town of Stockbridge, Hampshire. With the river Test flowing under the High Street our festival is named after one of the things the Test Valley is renowned for – Trout!
Parking will be provided in fields at either end of the High Street, from which a FREE King Alfred's bus shuttle service will run you to the centre of the action.
Trout ‘n About is a free to attend event, run by volunteers to support and promote local food, drink and craft businesses whilst raising funds for our local community and
charities. Visitors can enjoy a variety of stalls that are lining the High Street and the Festival Field. Donations from the day will be used to support local charities in and around Stockbridge, Hampshire.
To date we have raised over £48,000 to support the local community. Don’t forget your raffle tickets! We’ll be hosting a raffle on the day with a wonderful selection of prizes from local traders. Tickets can be purchased from the booths either end of the High Street or at the car parks. Card machines will be available if you don’t have cash.
Looking to grab a bite to eat, entertain the kids or just relax? Visit the Festival Field at the recreational ground at the end of the High Street.
Alternatively, why not take advantage of one of the many eateries on the High Street. Many of our local businesses will be open on the day and are supporters of Trout ‘n About.
Can you go Plastic-Free in July and reduce your exposure to hormone disruptors?
As environmental awareness grows, the month of July has become synonymous with the global movement “Plastic Free July.” This initiative encourages individuals and communities to reduce their reliance on plastic, not only to combat pollution but also to address the lesser-known but significant health risks associated with plastic usage. Among these risks, hormone disruption is a pressing concern that warrants our attention.
Plastics contain chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These substances are known as endocrine disruptors because they can interfere with the body’s hormonal system. Hormones are crucial for regulating numerous bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. When endocrine disruptors mimic or block these hormones, they can lead to a myriad of health issues ranging from reproductive disorders to developmental problems in children, and even cancers.
Women going through hormonal shifts such as through puberty and menopause may be at a greater risk of the hormone disrupting effects, and their symptoms around these times may be exacerbated.
BPA, commonly found in plastic containers, bottles, and food
News from the Wallops WI
Looking at the calendar it is supposed to be mid summer but the low temperatures, and cloudy and windy days tell a different story. This time last year we were basking in hot sunshine and we can only hope that summer will eventually arrive, if a little late. However our next meeting on Thursday 11 July will definately warm us up with a talk on our Relationship with Animals given by Rev Canon Jill Bentall. Jill has spoken to us on several other occasions and her talks are amusing, often slightly irreverent but always highly entertaining. She has a wonderful way of finding unusual aspects of ordinary life to make everyone smile and we look forward to a evening of gentle humour and fun.
Last month in June the weather was grey and chilly but the warmth and enthusiasm of our chocolate craft demonstration shone through, not to mention the gorgeous smell of warm chocolate permeating the room. Pippa Sherry from Chocolate Craft in Old Arlesford told us how the cocoa tree produces a crop twice a year but with only one day each crop when the flowers are open and the fertilisation process can occur it is very susceptible to failure as our climate changes. The pods, often the size of a rugby ball, must be harvested and the beans extracted, laid out to dry and turned daily for 10 days, all by hand. It
packaging, is particularly notorious for its ability to leach into food and beverages, especially when heated. Studies have shown that even low levels of BPA exposure can have significant effects on health, disrupting normal hormonal balance and leading to problems such as infertility and metabolic disorders.
Going plastic-free in July offers a proactive way to mitigate these risks. By consciously reducing the use of plastic products, individuals can decrease their exposure to harmful endocrine disruptors.
Simple steps include switching to glass or stainless steel containers for food storage, using reusable shopping bags, and reducing plasticwrapped produce. Avoid drinking liquids from plastic bottles that have been warmed in the car or sunny window sill, and don’t microwave food in plastic containers. Additionally, opting for natural personal care products and choosing wooden or metal toys over plastic ones can further minimize contact with harmful chemicals.
The benefits of going plastic-free extend beyond individual health. Reduced plastic consumption leads to less environmental pollution, which in turn contributes to healthier ecosystems. Marine life, in particular, suffers from plastic pollution, with many species ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste. By cutting down on plastic use, we contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
Embracing Plastic Free July is a powerful step towards safeguarding our health and the environment. By reducing plastic use, we not only diminish our exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals but also play a part in mitigating the broader environmental impact of plastic pollution. This July, let’s take a stand for our health and our planet by committing to a plastic-free lifestyle. You might just find that you can implement some of the changes long term!
Emma Wightman www.the-sop.com
is a very labour intensive business. This year the first crop has been very poor and we can all expect to pay a lot more for our chocolate in the future. Pippa took over the business in 2019 after learning about all aspects of chocolate making and deciding to make it her new career having spent many years as an A&E nurse. The company creats fine chocolates for a discerning market using imported Belgian chocolate which is considered the best, and we got to see how the chocolate shells and the cream fruit ganache filling are made and put together. It is a complicated process with exact temperature control to create beautiful and moorish chocolates. Of course there were many opportunities to taste the different types of chocolate, admire the finished product and eventually to buy some at the end of Pippa's talk. The Wallops WI would like to welcome new members. Are you new to the villages and want to meet new friends? The WI can start those friendships and you can come to the first couple of meetings as a guest, with no obligation to join, to see if the WI is for you. Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month in the Wallops Parishes Hall at 7.30pm. For further information visit the Hampshire WI website www.hampshirewi.org.com or pop along to our next meeting on Thursday 11 July. We look forward to seeing you there.
Pam Quick
STOCKBRIDGE
OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE
Emma Wightman and Associates
Specialising in women’s health, sports and paediatrics. A gentle hands-on approach for newborns, through to adulthood and in pregnancy
Online Bookings available via the website
01264 810028
www.the-SOP.com reception@the-SOP.com
STOCKBRIDGE OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE - HIGH STREET, STOCKBRIDGE, SO20 6HF
WARNER AND RICHARDSON LLP ARE INDEPENDENT SOLICITORS LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC CITY OF WINCHESTER.
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Eight pension myths – debunked
Pension rules can seem complex. From the lifetime allowance to pension tax relief, the details are often changing, which can leave savers feeling bewildered when it comes to their retirement plans.
Here are some of the myths – and what you need to know.
Myth 1: The state will provide for me
The new state pension pays around £11,500 per year (£221.20 per week), which is unlikely to provide for even a modest standard of living.
Depending on your working history, you might not qualify for the full amount. Check your state pension entitlement at gov.uk/checkstate-pension.
Myth 2: Annuities are dead
Income drawdown has grown in popularity in recent years, but annuities can still be valuable by providing a secure income to cover essentials.
Purchasing a guaranteed income for life in the form of an annuity could be invaluable for many people.
Myth 3: Tax-free cash is always 25% of your pension pot
The 25% tax-free amount is capped at £268,275 for most people. Some with older company pensions may have a greater amount of protected cash available. An adviser can help ensure you don’t lose valuable benefits.
Myth 4: Pensions are the only way to fund retirement
Your retirement income can come from several different sources, including cash savings, shares, ISAs, and property – all of which can complement pension income.
Myth 5: I can’t take my company pension before 65 because I will pay a penalty
Benefits taken before age 65 may be subject to a penalty, but it might be worth it. You may receive a lower pension, but for a longer period. This could, for example, place you in a lower rate tax bracket.
However, you might want to consider what other savings you could access first, such as ISAs.
Myth 6: I am OK because my pension is in a default lifestyle fund
Default lifestyle funds usually shift your money into lower-risk assets such as cash and bonds as you approach retirement. These funds may be unsuitable if you plan on income drawdown or semi-retirement.
Myth 7: My pension dies with me
Many pensions enable you to leave your remaining pot to a beneficiary. You can name your desired beneficiary to your provider by completing an expression of wish form.
If you die before age 75, pension benefits can usually be passed on tax-free.
Myth 8: I am in a workplace pension and so don’t need to worry
For a comfortable retirement, basic workplace pensions may well not be enough on their own.
Seeking financial advice can clarify your retirement strategy, and ensure your plan meets your individual needs.
We live and work local to you. We would be delighted to help you and your family achieve financial clarity and stability.
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy.
The Skylark FederationChildhood at its very best
Kimpton, Thruxton & Fyfield
CofE Primary School were very fortunate to be chosen to have an exciting landscaping and environmental project. The project not only contributes to the environmental sustainability of the local area but also provides an additional outdoor learning resource for the children attending the school.
The project, funded by Southern Water (in partnership with Groundworks UK) formed part of a bigger project to help alleviate potential flood water from drains and sewers in the local area, by creating a new nature-based solution to flooding, which has involved the creation of a swale and also a habitat for wildlife, home to an abundance of wildflowers and an inspiring learning environment. The basin also includes some boulders, a bridge and logs for climbing and playing in addition to some information signs.
The Grand Opening took place on Friday May 10th and was officially unveiled by Andover’s MP, Kit Malthouse and Southern Water Chief
Executive, Lawrence Gosden. Addressing the students, Mr Malthouse praised the system and said it was "such a sensible project". The school is only one of four to currently have the rain-dispose solution (SuDs) and has already saved over 300,000 litres of water from going into sewage pipes. Kimpton CE Primary School is part of the Skylark Federation, along with Appleshaw St Peter’s CE Primary School. Both schools are set in wonderful rural locations, allowing children to thrive and enjoy an active lifestyle.
This project fits perfectly with the federation’s ethos that being active and being outdoors clears the mind and sets the tone for happy school days and sits nicely alongside our Forest Schools.
If you require any further information about this project or our schools, please email ktfadmin@skylarkfed.co.uk or call: 01264 772297.
• Fantastic Forest School
• Wraparound Care (7.30am—5.45pm) (from 8am at Appleshaw)
• Strong Christian Values (Faith, Hope & Love)
• Set in beautiful village surroundings
• School Games Gold Award for excellence in PE
“Casting around for a stylish stay? Look no further”
Mr
& Mrs Smith
We’ve been welcoming guests to The Grosvenor since 1822. Our hotel sits in the middle of Stockbridge High Street, and we’re at the heart of the community in every sense. With over two centuries of warm welcomes behind us we provide a buzzy atmosphere for coffee, cocktails or celebratory dinners. There are plenty of quiet corners to have a private meeting or check your emails. And if you want to explore the chalk streams and other sporting opportunities our corner of Hampshire is famous for, you couldn’t find a more comfortable pitstop.
An exciting recent arrival is Head Chef Oli Abbott. Formerly of The PIG in Brockenhurst Oli is a keen forager and brings with him a commitment to celebrate all that’s seasonal and local. One of his favourite new dishes is Mackerel with Yoghurt, Beetroot and Apple: “Such an underrated fish, and I love how the simple flavours marry together”. Other hotplate favourites include the couldn’t-be-more-local ChalkStream Trout with Romsey Watercress, the range of Butcher’s Block steaks cooked to perfection, and the Venison Haunch with celeriac and braised red cabbage. Sweet treats include a Lime Meringue
Tart with White Chocolate Crumb, and a Rhubarb & Custard that’s a far cry from the nursery staple.
Many of our guests use as their home from home, for celebrations with friends or meetings with business associates. We serve a sensational Afternoon Tea, all the more enticing when accompanied by a glass of local Hampshire fizz, or pop in any time to sample one of our finest infusions. Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2.30-5.30pm, and you’ll be treated to Cornish Tregothnan
tea, four different wraps and sandwiches and a selection of delectable cakes. Will the Flower Pot with Chocolate Mousse or Peach and Lavender Pannacotta be your favourite? There will also – of course! – be homemade scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. In warmer months our suntrap of a Terrace is a beautiful place to dine alfresco or enjoy a drink with friends. It’s so quiet you won’t believe you’re moments from the High Street, and you can indulge with flatbreads cooked to order in our wood-fired oven and a range of larger platters including our Mussels in White Wine with Wild Garlic.
Our overnight guests are a convivial mix of fishing folk, weekenders, newlyweds and culture seekers keen to explore Stockbridge, Winchester and our other local attractions. Plenty of locals check in for a night or two away to relax without the hassle of a long drive. Enticing breaks include the Lazy Sunday:
a guaranteed late check-out on Monday morning following a hearty Hampshire breakfast, with Broughton sausage and Laverstoke black pudding produced only a few miles away (unless you’d prefer the Roast Tomato and Goats Cheese on Toast, or Trout with Scrambled Eggs on Sourdough?). Please bring your dogs to stay too – we are very keen on canines, and a jar of bone-shaped treats takes pride of place on our reception desk.
We regularly organise weddings and other large special events, intimate lunches and meetings in our antique book-lined Library. Keep an eye on the Events page on our website. With live jazz, tapas & rosé evenings, regular bridge suppers and fine dining events there is always a lot going on. The Grosvenor team would love to welcome you soon.
The Grosvenor is offering Test Valley Forum readers a free glass of Coates & Seely English sparkling wine per person with afternoon tea. Please bring your copy of the Test Valley Forum to redeem.
We are very excited to share the details of the launch of Abbey United Reformed
Church Friends
Our church is a hub of the community and many people have connections with us through our church, our buildings and our congregation. These connections are forged through our outreach into the community; joining us for services, celebrating weddings, baptisms, special events at our church or through activities held in our buildings such as yoga, singing, youth and community groups, attending concerts or events.
However, historic buildings need champions who encourage their use, support activities and promote their continued presence in the community. Abbey URC is no exception. It is vital it remains a vibrant part of the future of the Romsey community; Abbey URC Friends is an important link between the church and the town.
Like so many churches, annual income scarcely covers the day-today costs of running the Church. The year 2023 was particularly challenging, with extensive work needed to the roof of the church; we were pleased when the scaffolding finally came down inside the church, just before our Christmas celebrations. This year has continued to be challenging, with maintenance on the organ pipes and refurbishment of the area, a replacement dishwasher and work needed to the Tower and Hall roofs to ensure our buildings can continue to be a vibrant hub for our community. Finding the money to pay for repairs and maintenance of our Grade II Listed Building is becoming increasingly difficult.
This is where the Romsey community, and the Abbey URC Friends can help. By becoming a friend of Abbey URC, people will help us to continue our work within the Romsey community, as well as preserving our beautiful listed building. Help us to grow our future by joining Abbey URC Friends.
Previous generations have ensured our heritage is preserved, now we need to ensure these much-loved buildings continue to be available to our church, and to the wider Romsey community into the future.
For full details of Abbey URC Friends, and to download an application form, please visithttps://abbeyurc.org.uk/abbey-urcfriends/
Council working with local parishes to support thriving community projects
Councillors and officers from Test Valley Borough Council are working with parish councils and local residents to identify projects that will improve people’s quality of life. Through running a series of Thriving Communities meetings and workshops, the council is able to provide a platform for local communities to share their initiatives and discuss the different funding options available to help progress their aspirations.
On Wednesday 22 May a third successful Rural Thriving Communities event took place at Broughton Village Hall, with more than 70 residents and partners in attendance. Speakers from Barton Stacey All Saints Church, Broughton Community Shop and Monxton & Amport Village Hall shared the benefit of their experience in taking forward inspirational projects with and for their communities. The session gave members of the public the chance to come together and actively engage in helping to shape the future of the areas in which they live and to learn from neighbouring communities experience. This initiative builds upon the existing work that the council has undertaken to help support community groups and organisations through Community Asset Funds over recent years. In 2023/24 an estimated £300,000 was allocated towards up to 13 community not-for-profit organisations for a wide variety of projects to enhance existing and acquire new community assets, as part of over £900,000 distributed in recent years through the Council’s Community Asset Fund.
Some of the projects identified in these workshops and which communities were keen to take forward will also have the potential to be funded by part of the £500,000 of Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) which was awarded to the council in December last year. Within this funding, capital grants for community groups of between £3,000 and £20,000 are available for projects that support new and improved community facilities, local art and heritage, rural green space, and/or essential community services for local people.
Capital grants for businesses of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available for new and existing rural businesses, to develop new products, services and equipment that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This could include farms looking to diversify or businesses needing new equipment to develop.
A spokesperson from Test Valley Borough Council said: “Our Thriving Communities approach gives us the chance to really immerse ourselves in local communities to better understand residents’ needs and talk about the opportunities that are available to them.
“We’ve supported some really worthwhile causes over the past few years and now with the REPF available for rural communities, we encourage organisations to attend future sessions or visit the council website to find out more about how they can apply for funds.”
For more information about the Rural England Prosperity Fund visit https://testvalley.gov.uk/BusinessREPF
For more information about Community Grants visit https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/communityandleisure/ workingwithcommunities/communitygrants/caf
Hold On
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Sat at her desk, spreadsheet open on her laptop, she looked out of the window at the rain and hummed along to the music.
June hadn’t exactly lived up to its reputation and ‘flamed’, but, ever the optimist, she held the hope that July would be better. Eventually. Either way, the months were galloping past with a velocity so ferocious she’d started to think about Halloween and Christmas cards.
As the tune played on, she custom sorted, sub-totalled, produced a pie chart - and then her attention wandered to thoughts of picnics in the New Forest and trips to the beach with the dogs. Even their 14-year-old furball would still launch herself with enthusiasm into the surf. With no concept that she approached her centenary in dog years, ignorance was bliss.
Although the ageing spaniel would, no doubt, look sleepily at her mistress from beneath her snowy brows and be a bit stiff getting out of bed the morning after. As would, no doubt, her mistress; running about after a deaf dog, waving her arms in (what she hoped was) doggy sign language was a bit of a workout.
“La, la, tum ti tum,” she warbled, as Himself wandered into the study with a cup of coffee. As he put it next to her, he looked at her phone. “Is that from your Spotify playlist?” he asked, “I don’t recognise it.”
For a moment confusion reigned. Then confusion turned to horror as she refreshed the screen. “Oh, my days! I’m still on hold! I’d forgotten all about it, listening to the music. Half an hour and counting..”
“I’ll send them an email.” She pressed ‘End Call’. Jumping up and stretching, she observed, “Good job I’ve got unlimited minutes.”
“In other news,” she announced, “I thought we’d go on a picnic to the beach,” and marched briskly out of the room.
“Hold on..” Himself retrieved her un-drunk coffee and followed her into the kitchen.
“When I was a little girl,” she said, as she busied herself opening cupboard doors and peering into the fridge, “I would look longingly at the big tub of ice cream in our coffin of a chest freezer and wonder why we didn’t eat it.
Something to do with saving it for unspecified future occasions that never happened. For guests that never came. I can still remember the delicious icy
smell that wafted out as I lifted the lid for a sniff.”
Himself gave her a puzzled look, “Perhaps we’d be better off buying an ice cream at the beach, so it doesn’t melt en route?” He looked at her uncertainly as she ransacked the kitchen assembling tins, jars and packets.
“Oh the ice cream was just a case in point. I’m talking about the treats we’re given, or we buy, and we think, ‘We’ll have that one day’. Well, TODAY is ‘one day’. Today we’re going to eat that tin of stuffed vine leaves and enjoy that jar of lobster terrine. Nibble on those Japanese crackers and snack on the smoked oysters.
“I’ve been holding on to them – saving them for an unspecified future occasion that might never happen! And, unlike my mobile contract, you and I don’t have unlimited minutes.”
Himself knew better than to interfere when she was on a mission; he quietly removed to the garden and dead-headed the roses.
Presently, she joined him on the patio, complete with cold bag and picnic basket that she dumped on the flagstones.
“On hold for thirty minutes of my life that I won’t get back! I’ve had an epiphany, my darling. I’m not putting my life on hold anymore. I’m not holding on any more. Not for anyone. Not for faceless call centres. Not for special occasions. Eat the ice cream now, I say!”
She flung out her arms theatrically and finished her rant. Himself knew that look; tense and determined in equal measure.
But he did think she had a point. “I don’t disagree. I hold onto stuff as well.
I’ve shirts that I think are too good to wear and posh socks I save for… when I meet the King or something.”
Himself stepped towards her and, as he wrapped her in his arms, he said, “Did you know that if you hug for twenty seconds, it releases significant amounts of oxytocin. It’s de-stressing.”
As the seconds ticked by, she felt the tightness in her shoulders relax. “So,” he observed as he kissed the top of her head, “there’s one kind of holding on we should keep, I think.”
As calm enveloped her, she nodded into his chest. She thought so too.
Broughton
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With their captivating beauty and incredible wildlife, our local chalk streams are great places to find inspiration. As we head into summer, it’s the perfect time to try creative writing by penning a poem! If you can, visit a public stretch of stream and look for a quiet place where you can explore with all your senses.
Study the stream with your eyes - what shapes and colours can you see? Notice how the water moves, and how the plants sway in the wind. If there are animals around, what are they doing? Investigate textures - what do the plant leaves feel like? Try gently touching soil, grass, or pebbles. If you can safely reach the water, how does it feel on your fingers?
Take in the sounds of the stream - can you hear birds chirping, people talking, water flowing, or wind blowing? What sound does the ground make when you step on it? Pay attention to the scents in the air - if there are flowers on the stream banks, what do they smell like? You could even catch a whiff of the water on a
hot day, or the soil after heavy rain.
Next, use your imagination. Put yourself in the place of a chalk stream animal - what might its life be like? Pretend that you’re interviewing the stream and ask it to describe the world around it. Think about the people who visited 100 years ago, and what they could have been doing there. How might the stream be different 100 years from now?
When you’re ready to start writing, choose a word that you want to use and think of other words with a similar meaning (synonyms). How do these words change the tone or meaning of your poem? You could also use words that start with the same sound (alliteration), contain similar sounds (assonance), or describe noises like “splash” or “buzz” (onomatopoeia).
Have a go at crafting a metaphor (when one thing “is” another), simile (when one thing is “like” another), or juxtaposition (how things are different from each other). Play around with your poem’s structure (form), rhythm (metre), or rhyming
pattern (if it has one). Before you know it, you’ll have your very own piece of amazing nature writing!
Poetry Competition
If you’re aged 7-18, why not see if you can enter your poem into our competition? You could win up to £75 in National Book Tokens and be included in our Wildlife Trust poetry booklet; simply enter for free by 31st July. For more information, visit hiwwt.org.uk/tales. The Watercress and Winterbournes scheme is made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Free Online Talk
‘Enhancing Chalk Stream Habitats’ 25th July at 7pm.
Join us to learn techniques for improving the health of chalk streams. Our speaker is Neil Swift, who was the River Keeper at Mottisfont Abbey and now works in river conservation.
Book your ticket at hiwwt.org.uk/ winterbournes.
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Hat Fair 2024
Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July
Hat Fair, the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts, is back for another summer – this year from Friday 05 – Sunday 07 July. There will be bold street theatre, circus, music, dance and more taking over Winchester city centre for all ages to enjoy – and this year is extra special as the festival turns 50!
Hat Fair, which began in 1974, will celebrate its landmark birthday with familiar faces returning to the festival; national and international acts showcasing the very best in outdoor arts; performances from local community groups and young talent; plus, the Hat Fair Carnival.
The festival, which typically attracts at least 50,000 attendances, will open with the Carnival, which will see school children and community groups parading through the city centre in colourful costume inspired by the theme, Look Back, Look Forwards, Look Up; while on the Friday evening, community choirs and dancers will congregate outside Winchester Cathedral for a joyous Opening Ceremony.
There will also be a host of shows the festival has co-commissioned as Hat Fair is part of Without Walls, a national network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England. The acts performing will include NoFit State Circus, Bailey’s Original Seaside Imaginarium, Raggle Taggle Arts, plus Hat Fair returners, Tit for Tat Circus and Jeanefer Jean-Charles – bringing circus, storytelling, stunts, physical theatre, clog dancing, singing, sword fighting, eccentric juggling, contemporary dance and Caribbean choreography to the city.
Hat Fair began as a hatting event and is so called after the tradition of a ‘hatter’ or performer
holding out a hat following their performance to collect donations from the audience. Each year the festival curates a selection of the finest hatters from around the world bringing clowning, magic, physical comedy, juggling, unicycling, contortion, acrobatics and more to the streets of Winchester. Plus, festival favourites, Garaghty and Thom, will be back with more Streetcomedy to celebrate Hat Fair’s big birthday!
There will also be performances and walkabout shows by a range of other professional acts including several who return after delighting audiences in previous years – Fidget Feet will headline again this year with another aerial dance show, this time a circus and bingo-themed spectacle called House! While Gobbledegook Theatre, who asked festival goers for their pop confessionals last year, will present Cloudscapes – combining communal cloud gazing with storytelling. Autin Dance – whose 13-foot puppet, Eko, won hearts at Hat Fair in 2022 – are back with Parade – The Giant Wheel – a moving performance featuring a 12-foot tall wheel and inspired by the impact of people working together. Plus, on the Saturday night DJ Shanaz will return to the decks to get Hat Fair’s birthday party started in style.
Hat Fair is also known for celebrating local and young talent and this year the Playmakers Youth Theatre groups will return with a number of entirely original book-themed shows; the Playmakers Top Hat competition showcasing outdoor work by students and recent graduates of the University of Winchester will return; and there will be huge line-up of performances from local choirs, musicians, singers, jugglers, dancers and more.
Festival favourite, children’s entertainer Juggling Jake will be back to entertain the little ones and
festival goers can enjoy a round of crazy golf or learn to screen print t-shirts. There will also be plenty of stalls to browse and food and drink vendors to grab a bite from.
Hat Fair Director, Andrew Loretto, said: ‘For the start of Hat Fair's 50th birthday year, we are proud to be showcasing a wide range of community participants at the heart of the festival alongside national and international visiting artists.
‘I'm really pleased to be able to run the festival from Friday to Sunday again this year, after having to lose the Sunday programme in 2023 due to loss of core regular funding. The funding climate for Hat Fair, and much cultural work across England, remains very challenging, but we are determined to stage a festival that embraces diversity, joy, community and performance in the very special streets, parks and spaces of Winchester city centre.
‘Hat Fair embraces the unusual, the quirky, the challenging and the humorous, bringing thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds together for a very special and unique event in the UK's cultural calendar. It's our 50th birthday this year, but we're not standing still, with brand new projects and international partnerships. And despite the challenges, we are actively looking forward to the next fifty years and how best Hat Fair can grow and thrive in the future with support from the public, funders and strategic partners.’
With generous thanks to Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grant, Without Walls and Culture Ireland.
For more information visit: www.hatfair.co.uk T: 01962 840440
