FORUM
Life in your Community
NEWS & EVENTS FOR OCTOBER
Find out what's going on in the Test Valley
AUTUMN HAMPSHIRE
ART FAIR
Paintings, Sculptures, Ceramics & Prints
HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT TRUST
Environment FeatureA Hint of Mint
RECIPE OF THE MONTH Autumnal Apple & Celeriac Soup
STYLE ˙ INTERIORS ˙ HEALTH & BEAUTY ˙ INTERVIEWS ˙ FOOD & DRINK ˙ ENTERTAINMENT ˙ EVENTS
BROUGHTON FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION UNLESS PREVIOUSLY SOLD
ON THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER AT STOCKBRIDGE TOWN HALL
A great development opportunity to purchase a detached chalet style bungalow in need of renovation. Standing in gardens of approximately half an acre.
Ground Floor: Kitchen, Dining Room, Sitting Room, Conservatory, Store, Two Bedrooms, Bathroom. First Floor: Two further Bedrooms. Garage, Summerhouse.
GUIDE £2,350,000 NETHER WALLOP
A substantial Grade II Listed Farmhouse with Separate Cottage and Stunning Gardens. Full of period features with a 44ft Kitchen/Living Room with Aga and French doors to the garden. Three reception rooms and office. Six bedrooms, three bathrooms. Gardens, swimming pool, timber framed barns and outbuildings. Two bedroom detached cottage. In all 1.6 acres. A 3.3 acre paddock with barn is also available by separate negotiation.
Autumn Hampshire Art Fair
28th
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October / November Events
Romsey Community Carboot
Every Thursday & Sunday
Thur 10 to 1pm, Sun 1 to 4pm
Romsey Town Football Club, Romsey, SO51 8AF
Money raised will be distributed to chosen local charities within our Romsey Community. Single Pitch £20 (U18s £5) from stockbridgemusic.uk or on the door if still available.
Stockbridge Antiques Fair
Saturday 5 October
From 9.30am to 4.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, 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 monththe next fair is on Saturday 2 November. We offer a wide range of Decorative, Interesting and Unusual items including good quality Furniture, Silver, China and Glass, Jewellery Textiles and Militaria. Free Admission & Free Parking. We will also buy. Contacts: Carol - 01264 335769 / 07870 432805, Steve - 01722 712267 / 07915 663251
Stockbridge Ukraine Fund Raising Event
Tuesday 15 October
From 6pm to 8pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
A talk by James Holland about 'Cassino '44'. James Holland is a renowned Historian, Author and Broadcaster, specialising in the history of the Second World War. He is also the co-founder and cochair of the annual Chalke History Festival. James has agreed to talk about the events set out in his new book 'Casino '44' (or five months of hell in Italy. The book will not be on sale until September 2024,
although a few copies will be available for sale on the evening. There will also be a pay bar and short auction to raise funds for Stockbridge Ukraine. Kindly sponsored by the Wykeham Gallery. Tickets £35 - buy at www. buytickets.at/stockbridgeukraine
While & Matthews at King's Somborne Village Hall
Friday 18 October
From 7.30pm
King's Somborne Village Hall, Recreation Gound, Romsey Road, SO20 6PP
In case Chris While and Julie Matthews have so far passed you by, they are the longest-lasting female duo in Britain and have played more than 3,000 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. Tickets: £18.00 in advance, £20.00 on the day. For tickets visit: https://www. ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/ RdiEJKhzXNnT
Stockbridge Cinema La Chimera (PG)
Friday 18 October
From 7.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
Tuscany, early 1980s. Arthur (Josh O’Connor, The Crown) has just been released from a short stint in prison. During his earlier studies in the region, he fell in love with Beniamina, the daughter of a local aristocrat Flora (Isabella Rossellini), but now she’s gone. Arthur has fallen in with the Tombaroli, a rowdy crew of twenty-somethings who pretend to make their living as farmers and entertainers, but instead pilfer the area’s ancient Etruscan tombs for earthenware and ornaments to sell on the black market, hoping to one day strike it rich. Meanwhile
Flora’s live-in maid and tone-deaf music student catches Arthur’s eye but she has her own secrets. [In English and Italian with subtitles] See 23rd October for showing details.
Stockbridge Cinema The End We Start From (15)
Wednesday 23 October
From 5pm to 7.30pm
Stockbridge Town Hall, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
When an environmental crisis sees London submerged by flood waters, a young family is torn apart in the chaos. As a woman (Jody Comer) and her newborn baby try and find their way home, the profound novelty of motherhood is brought into sharp focus in this intimate and poetic portrayal of family survival. Information common to both films: Tickets £6.00 (incl £0.50p booking fee) per adult ticket) on sale via www.stockbridgecinema. org.uk or by telephone from TicketSource 0333 666 3366 (no additional charge). Tickets on sale from 1 October. Please visit our website for full details of all films.
October Half Family Fun! at the Army Flying Museum
Mon 28 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
From 10am to 12.30pm
Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB
Blast off on a space adventure this October Half Term! Enjoy space themed craft activities every weekday between 10am and 12.30pm, when we'll be making astronauts and space stations on alternate days. Plus, orbit the Museum with our thrilling cosmic trail throughout the school holidays. But that's not all! We've some extra activities to keep all the family entertained! Meet Solent
Meccano Club on Wednesday 30th October between 10am and 2pm - marvel at some of their amazing models and you can have a go at making some too!
The Meadow Singers Directed By Jo Fry Presents
Saturday 23 November
From 7.30pm
All Saints Church, Church Ln, Upper Clatford, SP11 7QF
The inaugural concert at All Saints Church, Upper Clatford Adults £10 Children £5. (Doors Open 7pm - Cash bar). All funds raised will be shared between All Saints Church and ABCD Bethlehem. Tickets can be purchased from: Goodworth Clatford Shop/ Greenfield Farm Shop/ Abbotts Ann Shop or by scanning this QR code:
Stockbridge Amateur Dramatic Society presents Brontë by Polly Teale
Stockbridge, SO20 6HE
Against a backdrop of drink and drugs, the sisters wife... Tickets £12 + booking fee available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sads or call 01264 513676
Any 3 Windows
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Kitchen and bedroom makeovers
After Makeover Book your Kitchen Makeover - We will beat any quote from a national kitchen makeover retailer
Before Makeover
Makeover Options
∙ Change all your drawers, doors, panels and plinths
∙ New worktops can be fitted
∙ Amendments to existing cabinetry and layout can be made
∙ Built in ovens can be changed to eye level ovens
∙ No one will know its a makeover, it will look like a brand new kitchen
∙ All doors made to order to any size
Our head fitters are ex-shipwright joiners so you are guaranteed excellent quality installation
Ben, Owner Uk Happy Kitchens Ltd
∙ Change as much or as little as you'd like
∙ Free no obligation quotation
∙ Free design service for new projects
Kitchen and bedroom makeovers
One of the best reviewed kitchen & bedroom companies in the UK
We also design and install bespoke new kitchens, bedrooms, boot rooms, media walls, living room storage.
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.
Call us today for a free of charge home visit.
Happy Kitchens are quite unique as we are able to offer top quality products, available in any size, fitted by the best professionals in the business. Change your kitchen and bedroom with a makeover or design and install a new kitchen and bedroom, whichever suits your needs or price range.
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8 year winner of the Best of Houzz award and one of the highest reviewed kitchen companies on Houzz in the UK
Goodworth Clatford Art & Craft Weekend – Goodworth Clatford Village Club
Dearest Gentle Readers, It is an inescapable truth that The Season is rapidly approaching its sad and inevitable dénouement. Never mind what you’ve seen on “Bridgerton” (and best not to mention some of what you saw!), it’s nearly done: Ascot’s race has been run, Henley has floated by, the Lord’s Test Match finished before you even left the Veuve Clicquot lounge, and now just about all there is to look forward to as I write is “Tristan und Isolde” to feed one’s melancholia at Glyndebourne, and “Last Night Of The Proms”, if one can cadge a corporate freebie. But fear not, all you devotees of Lady Whistledown, for I bear glad tidings. The Goodworth Clatford Art & Craft Weekend is just around the corner, the ideal way to extend The Season and the perfect antidote to your post-Bridgerton, pre-Christmas blues.
The weekend will showcase the works of professional artists and artisans alongside pieces from an array of talented amateur exhibitors, with many of the most popular artists from last year’s hugely successful show returning.
What makes the weekend that little bit different to other local shows, however, is the standard of work on display. The organisers look to showcase exhibitors at the higher end of the creative ladder, while keeping prices below those of comparable gallery exhibitions. It’s clearly a successful formula, and word has spread, with this year’s show attracting a mouth-watering variety of creative talent, including top-class professional artists, jewellery makers and woodturners, alongside handmade dolls, ceramic art, and much, much more: something for every taste.
Entry is free each day, and when you need to rest and take the weight off while you check your gift list, there are home-baked scones and cakes, coffee and a good old builders’ brew to help you recharge your batteries.
So, don’t despair that The Season is coming to an end. Tell all The Ton and all your friends that the place to be and to be seen this Autumn is at the Goodworth Clatford Art & Craft Weekend. Where better to spend your dowry?
The Art & Craft Weekend will be held on Friday 1st November from 2pm to 7pm, Saturday 2nd November from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 3rd November from 10am to 4pm. Refreshments will be available and a prize draw.
Whose life will you celebrate with us this Christmas?
As the Christmas season draws near, it’s natural to reflect on the loved ones who are no longer with us. Whether it’s a family member, a dear friend, or a colleague, their absence is felt more keenly during this time of joy and togetherness. That’s why our annual Light Up a Life (LUAL) event is so special—it’s an opportunity for all of us to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of those who meant so much to us. You don’t have to have a connection with the hospice.
Each year, a magnificent Christmas tree is erected outside the hospice, adorned with lights that twinkle in memory of those we hold dear. By dedicating a light,
you can honour a loved one’s memory, say thank you to someone special, or show your appreciation to our hospice staff. Everyone is welcome to dedicate a light, whether you have someone you wish to remember at this special time of year, you live in our local community or you are a Hospice supporter.
For a suggested donation of a minimum of £5 per light, you’ll receive a personalised Dedication Certificate to thank you for your support. The tree will be illuminated from 5 December until Twelfth Night, casting a warm glow that reminds us of the love and memories we share.
Our LUAL Dedication Ceremony will be held 6.30pm on Thursday, 5 December at Andover Community Church. Join us for an evening of readings, songs, and reflection as we light up the tree and celebrate those who continue to brighten our hearts.
Seating is limited and must be booked in advance. Tickets are free of charge but will be allocated on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. A maximum of six tickets can be booked per person. Booking opens on the 25 October. To reserve your tickets, please go to https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DVVD, email info@cobh.org.uk or phone 01264 359789. This year’s event is being held in association with Dunning Funeral Directors.
Please see www.cobh.org.uk/events/light-up-a-life-2024 for full details and links.
We are looking for a talented self-employed Hair Stylist to join our happy, creative team at The HUB. Located at the top of the High Street in Stockbridge with our own parking, we are a popular business in a friendly environment, with high standards and a wonderful and comprehensive range of products from La Biosthetique. Showcase your talent in a supportive and inspiring salon environment.
Could this be for you?
Contact Adelle to learn more about this exciting opportunity and a tour of our salon. T: 01264 810139 @thehubstockbridge
The Culture of Total Beauty
NEW to the salon is HUB Beauty by Hayley who will be specialising in La Biosthetique products
To book Hayley click our Beauty button on our website www.thehubstockbridge.co.uk
T: 07783 754666 or email: Hubbeautybyhayley@gmail.com @hubbeauty_byhayley
October 2024: My 7th humanitarian mission to Kenya
This picture is of a girl who has recently been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), you can tell by the red bead in her ear. It is utterly heart breaking seeing the devastation this practice has on young Maasai girls lives. But FGM is not a just a problem in Kenya; there are 66,000 victims in the UK and 20,000 still at risk every year.
Families send their girls back to their own countries to have the procedure done, or find local private ‘cutters’ mostly during the school holidays during the ‘cutting season’. More than 2000 victims of FGM sought help in London hospitals in the last 3 years. It has been illegal in the UK since 1985 and in Kenya since 2011, but despite many arrests here and abroad, there has yet to be just one conviction, all due to lack of evidence and corruption.
London has been accused of being the FGM capital of Europe, as wealthy families are finding cutters in private clinics. However, in the past few years midwives, border control officials and teachers are receiving training on FGM and how to help affected children and mothers who can suffer life-threatening consequences during childbirth. So the work the Divinity Foundation charity does in protecting these girls in Kenya, raising awareness, and providing free healthcare and education, are in fact helping girls right here in the UK. With your help, so far I have now completed six missions, treated over 16,000 women and children, handed out 500kg of donations, and educated families on vital topics from tooth-brushing, hygiene, and nutrition to contraception, child birth and FGM!
As I embark on my seventh mission, I am asking for you to consider supporting my work once again. Most importantly I need to actually get out there! I need to raise £3000 to cover my flights, accommodation and internal travel. The charity I work for provides free healthcare, education, food and clothing for impoverished women and children. www. divinityfoundation.com
We work in many different areas, but in particular, we focus on the Maasai girls as they are still subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). We provide education within the Maasai communities, a rescue home for those fleeing FGM, and free healthcare for those suffering the aftermath. It is tough and often heart-breaking work, but through the charity's amazing work we have managed to educate the cutters about the dangers of their work, provide a rescue home for girls at risk, provide alternative rites of passage and empower the tribal chiefs to make changes in their community. The girls are now thriving in the rescue home. Having been rescued from the brink of FGM, many of them already forced into relationships where they suffered rape and abuse, they have shown extraordinary bravery and resilience by turning their lives around. The centre gives the girls vocational skills in animal care, vegetable growing, sewing, and computing skills. These girls will become independent young women one day and the charity is giving them the skills for life!
I am so very grateful for your support. As you can see your help really does make a difference. Your donations are completely traceable, you can see and hear about the amazing results we have been achieving and know your gifts go straight into the hands of the children!
Please visit my Just Giving page to give a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ humanitarian-osteopathy?utm_ term=dNkpZPj2w Or scan this QR code
Autumn Hampshire Art Fair
28th September - 25th October
11.00am - 5.00pm (Closed Sundays & Mondays)
PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, CERAMICS & PRINTS
The entire exhibition can be viewed & purchased online
Nadia Waterfield Fine Art
T he Old G r ain S t o r e
We s t ov er F a r m
Good w o r th Cl a t f o r d
H a mp s hi r e , SP1 1 7L F
AA Road signs will direct you from all major roads
13th October 2024
Passing on your wealth through pensions
How to protect your family’s financial future
The abolition of the lifetime allowance could make pensions an even more attractive way of passing on wealth to the next generation.
Protecting your family from financial difficulties isn’t just about having money to provide for the long term. It’s also about ensuring your loved ones are provided for should the worst happen.
When it comes to financial protection, the options can seem overwhelming. However, consulting a financial adviser can help you choose the right cover for your personal circumstances.
Pensions can usually be passed on to your loved ones free from inheritance tax (IHT). Now that there is effectively no limit on the amount of money you can tax-efficiently build up in pensions over your lifetime, considering your estate plan could allow you to make a bigger difference to your family’s financial future.
Life insurance
A financial adviser can create an estate plan that suits your needs and maximises money. In the meantime, here are some points to consider.
How are pensions taxed on death?
Life insurance pays out a lump sum on death, which could be used to pay off the mortgage and provide a cash buffer. The cost of the cover will depend on factors like your age and health.
Pensions are tax-efficient for passing wealth to beneficiaries.
If you have children or an outstanding mortgage, you should consider a life insurance policy. There are several different types of policy to choose from: whole of life insurance, level term insurance, and decreasing term insurance. An adviser can help you decide on the right one for you.
If you die before age 75, benefits can usually be paid taxfree from a defined contribution pension. If you die after age 75, they will be taxed at the beneficiaries’ marginal rate of income tax. As long as the funds stay in drawdown, they will also remain IHT free.
Income protection
It’s really important to understand what your annual allowance is and whether you’re at risk of breaching it.
You might want to consider this cover if you don’t have enough savings to cover you if you were to become seriously ill, or you don’t have an employee benefits package.
For this tax year, the maximum tax-free lump sum (known as the Lump Sum Allowance) that you can draw from pensions is capped at £268,275 (unless you have lifetime allowance protection).
Family income benefit
What else do I need to consider?
Maxing out your annual allowance may not be right for you.
Instead of paying out a single lump sum, this policy provides a regular, tax-free income for a set period, such as 20 years. It’s considered a relatively inexpensive form of life cover.
Private medical insurance
You can’t access money in DC pensions until age 55 (57 from April 2028). If you need money before then, ISAs or other savings may be a better option. ISAs can also be a useful way of building tax-efficient income in retirement. Other investment options could be worth considering, such as venture capital trusts (VCTs) or Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs). For some, lifetime gifting could be preferable to see loved ones benefit during your lifetime.
Private medical insurance (PMI) will pay for the cost of private healthcare and could enable you to see a specialist more quickly than under the NHS. If you don’t have PMI through work, you can pay monthly or annual premiums for a policy.
Next steps
Inheritance planning is complex - and that’s where getting some guidance comes in to provide confidence that you’ve laid the firmest foundations for your family’s future.
We live and work local to you. We would be delighted to help you and your family achieve financial clarity and stability.
6 April 2024 saw the introduction of the Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA) which limits the amount of tax-free lump sum that can be paid in your lifetime and on death. For this tax year, this is £1,073,100, but could be higher if you have a form of Lifetime Allowance protection. If the limit is breached, the excess lump sum is taxable at the beneficiary’s marginal income tax rate.
Income protection can provide a tax-free income if you are unable to work because of an accident or illness.
You can choose when the payments start, such as six or 12 months, with longer deferral periods resulting in lower premiums.
Income protection can be particularly valuable for the selfemployed who do not have any cover through an employer.
How could the LTA abolition affect estate planning?
You can choose from short-term cover to pay an income over one or two years and long-term cover to run until retirement, or when the policy ends, whichever is sooner.
Critical illness
In March 2023, the government announced that the lifetime allowance (LTA) was being scrapped. This was a cap on the amount of money you could save in pensions over your lifetime without triggering a tax charge. The LTA was abolished on 6 April 2024.
Any other limits to be aware of?
Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum on diagnosis of critical illnesses covered by the policy, such as heart attack, stroke and cancer. The sum could be used to pay off debts, cover outgoings such as school fees, or to adapt living arrangements.
The pension annual allowance is £60,000 (2024/25 tax year), or 100% of UK relevant earnings for most people, whichever is lower. If you exceed the annual allowance, you’ll have to pay a tax charge.
Adam Jarvis Head of Office –Senior Investment Manager E: adam.jarvis@brewin.co.uk
We live and work local to you. We would be delighted to help you and your family achieve financial clarity and stability.
Kirsty Simpson
Kirsty Simpson Financial Planner Divisional Director E: kirsty.simpson@brewin.co.uk
Financial Planner Divisional Director E: kirsty.simpson@brewin.co.uk
Alice Proctor
46 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8RY T: 01962 798000 W: brewin.co.uk/our-offices/winchester
Investment Manager
Assistant Director E: alice.proctor@brewin.co.uk
46 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8RY
T: 01962 798000
W: www.brewin.co.uk/ our-offices/winchester
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 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. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.
RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register reference number 124444) and regulated in Jersey by the Financial Services Commission. Registered Office; 12 Smithfield Street, London, EC1A 9BD. Registered in England and Wales company number: 2135876. RBCBDM5243_0624_0.1
WARNER AND RICHARDSON LLP ARE INDEPENDENT SOLICITORS LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC CITY OF WINCHESTER.
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Our services include: Garden maintenance, hard & soft landscaping, fencing & walls, ponds, lakes, natural swimming pools, planting schemes, hedging / tree planting and wildflower turfing for gardens of all sizes
New Test Valley pottery studio awarded a council grant
A new pottery studio based in Andover has been awarded a business incentive grant of £750 by Test Valley Borough Council.
Kate Scott has opened ‘Primal Pottery’ at the Fairground Craft Centre in Weyhill after a career change from being a secondary school teacher. Her new business centres around pottery classes and unique handmade pottery gifts. Kate runs lessons in the daytime and on Thursday evenings with her pottery wheel classes proving to be very popular. She sells her pottery wares at Hampshire Open Studios and various events and fetes throughout the borough.
Kate said, “It is great to receive a council grant to support my new business venture. I am putting the grant money towards a new pottery wheel which will make a huge difference.”
Charlton and the Pentons ward Councillor Linda Lashbrook said: “It is fantastic to be able to give Primal Pottery a helping hand to get set up and offer pottery classes in the borough. The business incentive grants are a great opportunity for new business ventures in Test Valley.”
Business Incentive Grants are for new businesses located in Test Valley and must be applied for before you start your business. They will be paid once you have been up and running for 6 months.
Anyone starting a business can find out more and download an application form at: https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/business/ businessgrantsandsupport/grantsandfunding/businessincentivegrant
Supply and planting large specimen trees and shrubs
Espalier, pleached and instant impact hedges
All trees and shrubs carefully selected
Design, landscaping and ongoing maintenance
Free site visit and consultation
Bosque is a trading name of Just Limegrass Ltd.
Harko: 07710 502798
Tom: 07855 656984 www.bosque international.co.uk
We are an independent deli filled with a mix of great quality ingredients as well as the everyday essentials located in Stockbridge High Street. Join us for Fish & Chips night, every Friday 5.30pm -7.45pm | Call to book a table or to order take away
A date for your diary - Saturday the 5th of October. Winemaker Piotr from Chalkdown winery will be sampling their finest local sparkling wine. Keep an eye on our social media for more upcoming events.
Thyme & Tides Stockbridge
The High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE T: 01264 810101 info@thymeandtidesdeli.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm
Saturday 8am - 5.30pm Sunday 9am – 4.30pm
AutumnDining
Our menu is seasonal, locally sourced where possible & served in a family, sharing atmosphere. The style is relaxed, with quality & hospitality our ethos. A quintessential country Free House
Welcome
Clive & Tanith Cummings Beauworth Hampshire SO24 0PB
In Touch
01962 671300 office@themilbury.co.uk www.themilbury.co.uk
Kitchen Times
Wed - Fri 12 - 2pm ~ 6 - 9pm Sat 12 - 3pm ~ 6 - 9pm Sunday 12 - 4pm f c
St Swithun’s School celebrates an impressive year of academic success
St Swithun’s School in Winchester is celebrating an impressive year of academic success, with outstanding A-Level and GCSE results. The school achieved its strongest set of A-Level results in a non-pandemic year since 2015, with 92% of grades at A* to B and over two-thirds at A*/A. Half of the year group earned grades of AAA or higher, with 40% achieving at least one A*. This academic excellence has led students to secure places at prestigious universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, LSE, Durham, and St Andrews.
In the two largest A-Level subjects, nearly 80% of students in mathematics and 83% in chemistry achieved A*/A grades, far surpassing national averages. The students also excelled in subjects such as French, German, history, politics, and psychology, with a high percentage earning top grades.
Academic, Music and Sport scholar Louisa will be heading to Cambridge University to study Modern and Medieval Languages
after obtaining three A*s. She will be joined by Esther who achieved four A*s and will be studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge.
Eunice also achieved an incredible A*A*A*A and will be reading Accounting & Finance at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Rhiannon excelled in her exams and obtained four A*s. She will head to Exeter University to study Natural Sciences.
Head girl Alice and Deputy Head girl Annabel (both pictured) are both off to Oxford University to read History after achieving A*A*A and A*A*A* respectively.
Meanwhile, the school’s 2024 GCSE results were equally impressive, with 80% of grades at 7/A or above and 30% at the highest grade 9. Over half of the year group achieved six or more grades at 9/8/A*, with a quarter gaining nine or more top grades. There were particularly strong performances in subjects like history, biology, modern languages, and further mathematics, where 88% of students earned 9/8 grades.
Among the year’s top performers was Chloe, who earned nine grade 9s and one grade 8, and plans to pursue A-Levels in biology, English literature, history, and mathematics at St Swithun's. Boarder
Claire from Beijing excelled with 11 grade 9s and one grade 8 while contributing to the school’s musical productions and mathematics competitions. Marharyta, a student from Ukraine, achieved a remarkable six grade 9s, three grade 8s, and one grade 7, and will continue her musical studies at the Royal College of Music alongside her A-Levels.
Headmistress Jane Gandee commented, “Our results reflect the energy and curiosity our students bring to their studies. At St Swithun's, we develop independent thinking and a passion for learning that prepares our students for success at university and beyond. They not only excel academically but also thrive in areas such as sport, music, drama, and volunteering.”
Head of Sixth Form, Nick Fyfe added, “We are thrilled with the outstanding results our students have achieved. Their success is not just a reflection of their academic abilities, but also of the personal growth and confidence they have developed during their time in the Sixth Form. Our tailored approach has empowered them, both as students and as individuals.”
St Swithun’s is a leading boarding and day school for girls aged 4-18 with a co-ed preschool. Find out more about St Swithun’s and book onto an upcoming EYFS, Prep or Senior Open Day by visiting stswithuns.com
St Swithun’s School
Winchester Hampshire SO21 1HA 01962 835700 www.stswithuns.com
Upcoming Autumn Term Events
Senior Open Morning
Open Day - Saturday 5 October 2024, 9.00am
The perfect chance to take a look around our amazing grounds, speak to subject teachers and enjoy classroom activities
Prep Open Afternoon and EYFS Afternoon
Come to one of our events to see our community where caring, humility, and sincerity are at the heart of everything we do.
EYFS Afternoon - Friday 11 October 2024, 1.30pm
Open Afternoon - Friday 8 November 2024, 1.30pm
Embley appoints Alex Danson-Bennett, Olympic Gold medallist, as hockey coach
We are delighted to announce that Alex Danson-Bennett MBE, Olympic Gold medallist and President of England Hockey, has joined Embley as a hockey coach.
Godolphin Wins 2024 Talk Education Award for Innovation in Education
Godolphin has been awarded the 2024 Talk Education Award for Innovation in Education in the “Support for Life Beyond School” category. This prestigious recognition highlights Godolphin's Bright Futures (Careers) Programme, which plays a pivotal role in empowering and guiding students as they embark on their journeys to university, careers and lifelong success.
The Bright Futures Programme reflects Godolphin’s commitment to equipping
Save the date for the Test Valley Business Awards on 24th October!
With the Test Valley Business Awards just days away from announcing their 2024 finalists, we spoke with Chairman Katie Brooks to get an update.
“Our category sponsors have spent the summer reviewing nominations and visiting companies when necessary to select their top three finalists for the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 24th October. As Chairman, I will
In recent years, Embley’s Hockey Programme has enjoyed many successes. International hockey player, Joe Barker, joined Embley as a full time Head of Hockey. Subsequently the school’s 1st XI boys reached the National Finals for the first time in Embley’s history and the 1st XI girls reached the South-Central Finals. The number of students playing competitive hockey for the school continues to increase and Alex’s appointment will further strengthen the school’s coaching expertise.
Alex was part of the history-making women’s hockey team that stormed to Gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, winning all eight of their matches. Her other remarkable achievements include 306 international caps, all-time top goal scorer with 115 goals, a Bronze at London 2012 Olympics and clinching three Commonwealth Games medals to solidify her position as one of the most influential figures in England and Great Britain hockey. Alex was the Vice Captain at the Rio Olympics and became the Captain from 2017 until her retirement in 2020. She now coaches Wimbledon HC in the National Premier League, sits on the British Olympic Associations Athletes Commission, was the
students with the essential skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in the competitive landscape of higher education and careers. Through weekly Find Your Future Friday sessions, students from all year groups gain valuable insights from a diverse range of guest speakers, including Godolphin alumni, parents, and industry experts. From fields such as fashion to finance, medicine, the Armed Forces and the Arts, these talks broaden perspectives and inspire ambition.
Jenny Price, Head of Godolphin, expressed her pride in this achievement:
“We are immensely honoured to receive this recognition, which affirms not only our commitment to academic excellence but also
soon be contacting our well-deserved finalists, and we will share the list with you over the coming weeks. Remember to mark the date in your calendars and keep an eye out for tickets, which will be available for sale on our website in the next couple of weeks.
Tickets are limited, so act quickly. The Test Valley Business Awards are celebrating their 20th anniversary, recognizing two decades of excellence and innovation within the Test Valley’s business community.
We're grateful for the support of our sponsors, including Silver sponsors Bulpitt Print
Athlete Services Manager and VIP host for Team GB in Paris 2024 and has recently been appointed as the President of England Hockey.
Alex Danson-Bennett commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Embley team as a hockey coach. Sport has been at the root of much of my life, the physical skills are unquestionable but the values and life lessons it can provide are invaluable. I cannot wait to share my passion and knowledge with as many of the students as possible. I am joining a thriving department and look forward to supporting and helping to develop the hockey in the school.”
Gareth Richards, Embley’s Director of Sport, added: “Alex joining the team is a clear indication of our desire for continued growth. She brings an unrivalled wealth of experiences, both on and off the pitch, that we believe will help drive forward the next phase for Embley Hockey. We look forward to Alex being part of the Sports Department at Embley.”
Embley, Embley Park, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6ZE | www.embley.org.uk
our dedication to supporting the personal development of our students in school and beyond. Thank you to Talk Education for this award. This reaffirms Godolphin's belief in the importance of preparing young people for a future filled with possibilities, supporting their move from education to a fulfilling career and lifelong success.”
Ltd, McCrimmon & Reid, AndreapennA Photography, and Kimbridge Barn, as well as Bronze sponsors Pear Tree Sales & Procurement, The Incuhive Space, Andover Women in Business, DMS Technologies, The SP Bar, and Addis Property Maintenance.”
Katie recommends following the event on their social media channels, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or their website.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tvbawards/ or https://www.facebook.com/search/ top?q=test%20valley%20business%20awards or visit our website www.tvbawards.co.uk
Autumnal Apple & Celeriac Soup
INGREDIENTS
4 tbsp rapeseed oil*
2 onions*, sliced
1 celery stalk*, roughly chopped
1 celeriac*, chopped
4 seasonal apples* (Cox’s/Orange Pippin), cored and quartered
2 litres vegetable or chicken stock
200ml crème fraiche
A few sprigs of thyme
A few sage leaves
Toasted hazelnuts, parsley or grated fresh horseradish to serve
*available from Hampshire Farmers’ Markets
METHOD
Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and celery and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until soft.
Add the celeriac, apples and thyme and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the stock, then season, and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes until the celeriac is tender.
Remove from the heat and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Stir in half the crème fraîche. Heat the remaining oil in a pan and fry the sage until crispy.
Spoon the soup into bowls and top with the remaining crème fraîche . To serve, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with the crispy sage leaves and hazelnuts or grated horseradish.
Recipe
by Anna Jones
OCTOBER HAMPSHIRE FARMERS MARKETS
Alresford - Sat 5th, Petersfield - Sunday 6th, Romsey - Sunday 6th, Alton - Saturday 12th, Winchester - Sunday 13th, Emsworth - Saturday 19th, Southsea - Sunday 20th, Ringwood - Saturday 26th, Winchester - Sunday 27th For more information visit: www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk
Charity begins at NCT Winchester’s Nearly New Sale: Sunday 13th October
Local parents in Winchester can get their hands on top-quality baby essentials and give back to their local community at an upcoming NCT Nearly New Sale in October, kindly sponsored by Dybles, Baby Squids, Liz Knowles Women’s Health & Fitness Physio, 2Spots Ceramics and The Breaker Collective.
NCT Winchester’s Nearly New Sale is to be held on Sunday 13th October, 13:00–15:00, at Badger Farm Community Centre, Winchester, SO22 4QB. The sale gives a department store-style shopping experience, which is unique to the NCT. Buyers will find items conveniently organized by type or size. So, if you’re looking for 6–9-month clothing, for example, these will all be displayed together on one rail! If you fancy browsing for toys, equipment or clothing/ shoes in the next size up, shop through the 'store' and take all your purchases to the contactless tills to pay for in one go. Entry is £1.50 per adult (charity donation) on the door and will be free after 14:30 (plus, NCT members can enter early at 12:45). More information can be found online at https://www.nct.org.uk/ event/46320593.
Nearly New Sales are open to everyone, and offer high-quality secondhand baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment at a fraction of the high street cost. Furthermore, families with baby and children’s items they no longer need can recycle them through the sale and stop them ending up in landfill.
NCT is the the national charity that supports people as they become parents. The Winchester branch runs much-valued services such as baby first aid courses, a reusable nappy library, breastfeeding support, a variety of meet-ups and baby bundles for local parents in need. Profits from the baby and children’s products sold at the Nearly New Sale will go back to the local Winchester branch so it can continue its vital work supporting parents in the area, as well as financing the organisation’s national helplines, website, peer support schemes and counselling services. For more information, please visit https://www. nct.org.uk/local-activities-meet-ups/winchester-district.
The Nearly New Sale can’t run without a fabulous, friendly team of on-the-day helpers, as well as a small organizing committee. A range of roles are available on the day, and volunteering provides entry to early access shopping, plus it's a great way to meet other local parents!
For more information about the Nearly New Sale or volunteering on the day, please email nns.winchester@nct.org.uk.
MBE & Calandre Orton
Join us for an intimate conversation and supper with the designerentrepreneur Cath Kidston Padgham and creative strategist Calandre Orton at Meadow, Stockbridge High Street. From 6.30pm to 10.30pm on Thursday 10th October 2024.
Discussing her passion for her home and garden and its influence on her design and business life, Cath will give a unique insight building brands, her creative inspirations, and starting her new geranium-based body care venture, C.Atherley .
She will share the distinctive and moving journey that took her from starting on the shop floor after school to launching a business back in the 90’s and her more recent return to design and retail.
Calandre Orton is a creative strategist working with those in the arts and creative industries on creative and commercial strategy. She founded Up With The Lark in 2015 and works with founders, entrepreneurs and makers across the full spectrum of the creative arts.
Includes a welcome drink and seasonal 3-course supper in Meadow’s gallery rooms.
Book together to be seated as a group, please state any dietary requirements. Tickets £55
Gallery Supper: In Conversation with Cath Kidston Padgham
Council News
Council celebrating 15 years of working in partnership with The Anton River Conservation Association (TARCA)
The Anton River Conservation Association (TARCA) is marking its 15th anniversary this year and Test Valley Borough Council is taking the opportunity to say a huge thank you to these community heroes for their ongoing work.
The initiative to set up the group originally came from the council, who set up a meeting to look at how volunteers could help with work in the nature reserves. A good number of the original members had been working as volunteers on the Riverside Project at Goodworth Clatford and that group evolved into TARCA.
Since they were formed in 2009, the Council has
World Street Party brings community together to celebrate diversity in Andover
The World Street Party brought communities together to showcase different cultures and backgrounds.
The event was funded by Test Valley Borough Council and Test Valley Arts Foundation (TVAF). TVAF was awarded a £600 Councillor Community Grant to help bring this event to
worked in partnership with TARCA to complete annual work programmes that help look after and care for Test Valley’s popular nature reserves including Anton Lakes Local Nature Reserve, Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve, Ox Drove Meadow, Harewood Common and Ladies Walk.
Over the years, hundreds of TARCA volunteers from Andover and the wider area have worked alongside council staff, spending a total of more than 16,000 hours of time conserving and caring for our nature reserves to help ensure the species who call them home, can thrive.
Long-term member Terry Stevens said: “What we get out of this group is immeasurable: an improved knowledge of all aspects of nature and the environment and a really close group of long-term friends. Then there’s the knowledge that through TARCA’s efforts we have made a great improvement to all the reserves that we all work in.”
Fellow volunteer Ron Davis added: “The fact that people see us working has helped make people aware of their environments and more people are now litter picking. My original reason for joining the group was to do something to make my small part of our precious planet in better condition than we found it for our grandchildren. It must have worked because our two granddaughters have been heavily involved in local conservation
life, providing Bollywood performances and interactive dance workshops on the day, which provided to be a huge hit!
work and one went on an expedition to Costa Rica to help in their conservation work.”
Cllr Alison Johnston, Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside, said: “We would like to thank all TARCA members for their dedication over the past fifteen years and congratulate them on reaching their anniversary milestone.
“The volunteers are instrumental to the overall management of our nature reserves and this is a great example of how, by working in partnerships with local organisations, we can deliver sustainable and lasting benefits for our communities, which is one of the key aims of our corporate plan.
“We’re very much looking forward to working alongside the team at TARCA for the next 15 years… and beyond!”
Anyone can join TARCA, just turn up to an event and get involved. There’s info on the sessions on the TARCA website at antonriverconservation.org.uk or on the Test Valley Borough Council website at testvalley.gov. uk/communityandleisure/naturereserves/ countryside-events
Events are free with tools provided but participants should wear suitable clothes and sensible shoes.
In the lead up to the event residents came together with local artists to develop some decorative banners which were displayed at the event. The banners tell the stories of peoples’ journeys to and from Andover and their experiences of living in the town.
Andover St Mary’s Ward councillor, Iris Anderson, said: “This was a fantastic event which saw so many people come together to share their experiences and find out more about the diverse communities in Andover.
“I’m delighted that we were able to support the day and this is another great example of how our Councillor Community Grants can help to fund local initiatives.”
Councillor Community Grants are awarded across the Test Valley region and could benefit your local group, club or organisation. Find out more at: https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/ communityandleisure/workingwithcommunities/ communitygrants
Andover residents made their way to Andover High Street on Monday 26 August to be a part of the town’s newest event.
Visitors tucked into freshly cooked street food, listened to stories and watched some colourful dance and musical performances.
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A Hint of Mint
As the seasons change, the vibrant colours of summer give way to the rich russet hues of autumn. Along the edges of our chalk streams, water mint plants are displaying their last splashes of pinkish purple. From July to October, this native plant brightens up riverbanks with its dense clusters of tiny flowers. Even in the colder months, you can still spot its square stems and oval, hairy, jagged-edged leaves.
Water mint is one of about 15 mint species that grow in the UK, although many of these are hybrids. Did you know, for example, that peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint –another of our native mint species? In fact, peppermint plants can sometimes be found growing in the wild near their parents.
As its name suggests, water mint loves to grow in damp places. It favours ponds, bog gardens, marshes, floodplain meadows, wet woodlands, and the margins of rivers. In an ideal habitat,
it can grow to over 50cm tall and spread sideways through rhizomes (thick stems that grow underground) and runners (thin stems that grow on or close to the ground).
Like other plants that grow in and around our chalk streams, water mint plays a key role in protecting the habitat. It offers shelter to animals that frequent the margins, like juvenile fish, small mammals, and emerging riverflies. Its root system helps to stabilise the bank and shield it from erosion, which saves fish eggs from being smothered by sediment. Its flowers provide nectar to peacock, comma, and small tortoiseshell butterflies, while its leaves are a favourite food of mint leaf and green tortoise beetles.
As with the kind you can buy from the supermarket (which is usually spearmint or peppermint), water mint has aromatic leaves that can be used to make flavourful drinks and meals. But it’s best not to use wild water mint for this purpose, because there may be pesticides, herbicides, or pollution in the area. Instead, see if you can safely get close enough to detect its bright
and refreshing scent – a real treat on an autumn walk!
If you’d like to learn more about chalk stream flora and fauna, check out the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme by visiting hiwwt.org.uk/winterbournes. Our work is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Free Online Talk
Water Meadows: The Myth and Magic of the Drowner 23rd October at 7pm, Online
Water meadows were a central part of Hampshire’s landscape for more than 300 years. Join us to learn about their role in sustainable agriculture through the centuries, and why they remain important to our county’s history and ecology today.
Book your ticket at hiwwt.org.uk/ winterbournes
Photograph - Water Mint ©Conall McCaughey
